Inspirational Ideas
October 10, 2008 by kotoman · Leave a Comment
When renovating your home the key features are to be realistic and work out a programme of works to prevent unnecessary and costly mistakes. Carry out works in order of importance, for example re-wiring, knocking down or building of walls, floor replacement, plastering, interior design (venetian blinds / duvet covers) etc. Once the main aspects have been looked at it is a good idea to invite each member of the family to make a ‘wish list’ of how they want the finished home and rooms to look like. Be realistic, set an interior design budget and make sample boards for each room taking into account each person’s ‘wish list’.
Sample boards are an excellent way of visualising what is wanted from a room in terms of colours, window treatments and design style., they are fun to make and also enable everyone to become involved in a very positive way. Design boards made by teenagers and children will undoubtedly show some very innovative design styles and colour schemes. Design boards are also great for negotiation and compromise with regards to children’s bedrooms and overall cost! To get ideas and inspiration it is worth looking at magazines and journals as well as asking for fabric samples for window treatments in order to contrast and compliment different colours and textures within the room.
While decisions and boards are being made Venetian blinds are the perfect solution for using as effective window treatments. Available in a wide range of different colours and materials they provide privacy at night when fully closed and during the day with the louvers tilted. Venetian blinds offer an excellent choice of window dressing throughout the house as they look equally effective when used on their own or teamed with curtains.
Funky black faux leather Venetian blinds make a dramatic statement which look striking when used with black faux silk duvet covers or printed duvet covers which have a black contemporary pattern which may be the choice of many teenagers! The great advantage of using black is that it can be combined with a wide variety of contrasting colours, including white and cream, which may be parents preferential wall colours. Trendy neon and vibrant colours also look striking coordinated with black.
Victorian homes which are being renovated look wonderful when original features such as tiled fireplaces are uncovered and cleaned up. The colours and patterns of the tiles can be used to choose appropriate colours for duvet covers and wall paint. Typically people are continuing the Victorian theme by stripping the floor boards and polishing them rather than have carpeting. Wooden Venetian blinds look fantastic with windows which have been stripped of paint to expose the natural wood and complimented with lush velvet or damask fabrics with gold patterning. Victorian beds were made from wood, iron or combinations of the two which matched the window and floor colour. Neutral tones and pastel coloured printed duvet covers or duvet covers which incorporate lace and embroidery offer a real touch of elegance to a bedroom which is renovated back to its original Victorian era.
200 years to recoup solar panel cost
September 4, 2008 by kotoman · Leave a Comment
‘The reality is that most people struggle with the cost, time and effort it takes to make these changes’ said Joe Martin from RICS. source: metro September 3, 2008 by kotoman · Leave a Comment July 9, 2008 by kotoman · Leave a Comment Wet systems May 25, 2008 by kotoman · 2 Comments Day 68 - second fit for electrics have been installed. Not overly impressed with the final finish - the sockets are not straight and the light pendents are showing some wires. The outside render has been painted.
It would take homeowners more than 200 years to recoup the cost of installing solar panels through lower energy bills. They would save just 324 a year from the panels, which cost between £4,000 and £5,000 to install and can cause major disruption to homes, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. But having cavity insulation installed in external walls would cost just £440 for a terraced house, rising to £2,4000 for a detached property, and could cut energy bills by as much as £145 a year.
What kind of DIYer are you?
Success in DIY is not just a matter of knowledge but of temperament. As well as the right stuff (router, spirit level, circular saw, grout) you need the Right Stuff (patience, an eye for detail, a wholly misplaced sense of self-belief). Our handy DIY questionnaire will tell you if you have what it takes - or should get a professional round double-quick … Read moreUnderfloor heating: wet or electric?
What are the pros and cons to the wet or ‘dry’ underfloor systems?
Wet systems circulate low temperature water (typically 50˚C) through a series of continuous pipe loops under the floor.
Great for: New-build properties, complete renovations, extensions and large areas.
Read moreDay 68
