Published
November 1st, 2008
in
Baths, Cleaning, Fabrics, Furniture, Lampshades, Lighting, Linen, Pine |
2 Comments »
The owner’s children must not run loose in the house. In fact, if the family live on the same premises, there must be a clear division between the facilities for the guests and the family home. You may not, under any circumstance, use a family room for a guest!
One of the strongest selling points for guest houses is “value for money“. Be careful not to price yourself out of the market and do not see-saw with your rates, putting them up dramatically when things seem to be going well or dropping them substantially if not. You will lose your loyal customers this way. Note the trends in the market and retain a long-term vision. Do not become greedy or desperate! (more…)
Published
November 1st, 2008
in
Baths, Bed, Showers, Texture |
2 Comments »
Your guest house must in the first instance be in the right location. Make sure that all building and structural alterations are planned carefully. There is very little that can be done if serious mistakes have been made with regard to these two aspects. On the other hand, if your location is good and your rooms and bathrooms are well built and appointed, you will be able to deal with most other problems you may encounter by making adjustments in your rates, services or marketing. (more…)
Published
October 26th, 2008
in
Lighting, Showers, Windows |
2 Comments »
Most households would welcome information on how to save money on heating and cooling their homes. As a handyman, you could offer your own home energy audits that identify those problems that impact energy efficiency. (more…)
Published
October 22nd, 2008
in
Home Improvement, Roof, Uncategorized |
2 Comments »
Roofing can be very lucrative work. Many people could do it themselves, but they don’t have the equipment to do the job, such as a tall ladder, and they are quite happy to have someone take care of repairs for them.
In fact, you may be able to help your customers avoid a major expense down the road by pointing out that some “preventive roof medicine” is needed. If you have been hired, for example, to clean the eavestroughs or paint the house, you can take the time to examine the roof and recommend that it be reshingled or repaired, if necessary. (more…)
Published
October 17th, 2008
in
Baths, Blinds, Curtains, Lighting, Mirrors, Showers, Windows |
2 Comments »
Without good lighting, the best bathroom will look uninviting — and may even be decidedly dangerous. It’s essential — and even illuminating — to choose the right lights! And if your bathroom gets good natural light, try to make the most of it.
Good lighting in the bathroom is essential not just because you look foolish if you apply your make-up like a clown but, more seriously, because you run the risk of misreading the directions on a bottle of medication. (more…)
Published
October 10th, 2008
in
Baths, Bed, Bedroom, Cupboard, Lotion, Towel |
3 Comments »
When you next look around your home thinking that you couldn’t swing a cat let alone put away your record collection, think again. Even the smallest studio flat has storage potential. You can make your tiny corner of the city a more spacious and pleasant place to live.
Finding somewhere reasonably central at a price you can afford, especially if you are single, often means sacrificing the luxury of space. (more…)
Published
September 22nd, 2008
in
Cupboard, Office, Study, Windows |
2 Comments »
The cozy book-lined study of past generations is rapidly changing into the home office of today. Even if you just want a little office space for family records and financial matters — it pays to organise it properly to suit the job at hand.
Although a ‘study‘ conjures up a very different image from that of a ‘home office‘, it is used for the same activities: paperwork, reading, study, peace and quiet, household accounts, correspondence, and so on. A home office, however, suggests something more streamlined and modern (and possibly even profitable!). (more…)
Published
September 20th, 2008
in
Accessories, Baths, Bedroom, Decoration, Lighting, Mirrors, Showers, Towel |
2 Comments »
The bathroom is not a simple room to renovate, restore or redecorate. It can also be pricey, as any undertaking can turn into a major task if plumbing is involved. However, as the home projects in this section will show, DIY in the bathroom can provide easy and satisfying solutions to give your bathroom a new look. You can completely transform your bathroom by adding accessories, tiling a wall, putting up a fancy blind or installing a large mirror.
Once upon a time the bathroom was a room which contained a bath and very little else. Today the bathroom has many more fittings, is often larger and is a real centre of activity. It is also no longer a purely functional room — some people think of their bathroom as a place to relax in the spa. (more…)
Published
September 10th, 2008
in
Decoration, Furniture, Iron, Painting, Sheet, Wood |
5 Comments »
This modular stereo and home entertainment centre can easily be expanded or adapted to suit your needs. It has been cleverly designed to accommodate equipment as well as an extensive collection of CDs, records, videos and cassettes.
The project consists of three units which have a total width of just over 1500 mm. Although the centre is modular, it is also relatively low level, and a single top and kickboard draws all three units together. (more…)
Published
September 8th, 2008
in
Cupboard, Furniture, Indoor, Study, Wood |
3 Comments »
The living room is usually the room most on show to visitors — it is, in many ways, your indoor home entertainment area. Make your storage system visually appealing, easily accessible and compatible with your lifestyle.
Your furniture and especially your storage units should be as visually appealing as possible, yet still comfortable and user-friendly.
To establish your storage needs, consider who will be using the room and what its main function will be. Do you want permanently fixed storage or do you want to rearrange the room from time to time? Is there a natural focus in the room? Could a collection of objects or a large piece of furniture — such as a bookcase, cabinet or wall unit — be incorporated to display a prized collection? Is the living area mainly a family room? (more…)
Published
September 4th, 2008
in
Bedroom, Cleaning, Covers, Cupboard, Decoration, Linen, Study, Windows, Wood |
3 Comments »
Shelve it, stack it, stow it, store it! Shelving is one of the easiest and most versatile ways of dealing with domestic clutter. Place items on view or design a system to hide them away.
Good storage, as much as having good installations to handle it, is a state of mind and relates to a very human desire to put things away or hoard. Before choosing a suitable storage system for your lifestyle, there are a couple of points you should consider.
Do you want to conceal things or display them? Most household items are well hidden away in cupboards and nooks, whereas some items, like collectables or ornaments, are possessions you would like to see. (more…)
Published
September 1st, 2008
in
Baths, Cupboard, Fabrics, Furniture, Laundering, Leather, Office, Polish, Towel, Wood |
3 Comments »
Just because a piece of furniture looks old and shabby, it does not mean it has to stay this way or be discarded.
Old or antique furniture was usually made from quality timber and had a craftsman- like finish. Furniture makers of yesteryear had time to create well-designed pieces that were both functional and very stylish. These qualities alone make furniture recycling a worthwhile exercise. (more…)
Published
August 24th, 2008
in
Bedroom, Covers, Cupboard, Cushions, Duvets, Furniture, Indoor, Pillows, Quilts, Sheet, Towel, Wood |
3 Comments »
Sanding
Sanding is the other method used to remove accumulated layers on timber surfaces. It is hard work but rewarding, and the effects will be most gratifying.
Start with a coarse grade of sandpaper graduating to finer grains as the sanding proceeds. Once the timber has been reduced to its (nearly) ) original state, the process of filling and smoothing must be tackled. Whatever finish you are to apply, be it natural or a painted one, it is important that the surface you are working on is as clean and free of imperfections as possible. Paint, wax or sealants will not adhere to dusty, damp or grimy surfaces. (more…)
Published
August 24th, 2008
in
Baths, Cotton, Cupboard, Decoration, Fabrics, Furniture, Leather, Linen |
5 Comments »
The art of renovation is not limited to demolishing walls and raising the roof Recycling should always be a priority and small-scale renovation projects offer great scope to the homemaker who likes to be creative.
Mangy storage items lend themselves perfectly to renovation — so why not trade new looks for old?
When you’re considering storage, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the only way to improve the situation is to start again. Firstly, it is not always the most practical solution. Secondly, the constraints of budget rarely allow such luxury, and thirdly, in the interests of the planet, recycling should always be a priority. (more…)
Published
August 22nd, 2008
in
Bed, Cleaning, Cotton, Covers, Decoration, Fabrics, Furniture, Knitting, Lampshades, Rayon, Silk, Texture, Weaves |
5 Comments »
Slate has enjoyed great popularity with home improvers for many years, because of its toughness and range of natural earthy colours, which can vary from soft green to deep purple, mottled brown and dark charcoal.
The project is to apply slate to a family room, where its lasting strength will provide good service. (more…)
Published
August 20th, 2008
in
Acrylics, Carpets, Decoration, Furniture, Leather, Nylon, Sheet |
3 Comments »
Choosing the right floor and floorcovering is an important aspect of furnishing your home — it is not only one of the most dominant decorative surfaces, it will also claim a large proportion of your furnishing budget.
The type and quality of the floorcovering you choose should be appropriate for each room, just as the right colour and design are important. Poor quality flooring, ill-suited to the requirements of the room, will wear out quickly and end up costing you a lot more in the long run. (more…)
Published
August 13th, 2008
in
Curtains, Decoration, Fabrics, Knitting, Linen, Painting, Pillows, Rugs |
3 Comments »
These decorative elements have outgrown their stuffy and slightly old-fashioned image of the past. They can now, with clever choices and use of fabric, totally complement what is really a plain set of curtains, and transform a room into a well-thought-out home decorator’s triumph. (more…)
Published
August 11th, 2008
in
Bedroom, Blinds, Cleaning, Cotton, Covers, Curtains, Cushions, Fabrics, Linen, Texture, Weaves, Windows |
3 Comments »
Dressed windows, in the form of curtains, elaborate drapes and blinds, are probably the most decorative type of fabric use in the home. Large or small areas of attractively used fabric can quickly transform a room — so look upon window dressing as interior decorating, as well as a practical essential. (more…)
Published
August 9th, 2008
in
Blinds, Covers, Curtains, Fabrics, Knitting, Lighting, Office, Painting, Windows |
5 Comments »
Openings in houses may be voids, doors orwindows. Voids tend to be in areas where security is not a consideration, such as between rooms in an open-plan living area. Doors provide a means of access and security to the building. Windows, however, are designed to provide daylight and a means of ventilation. They should also provide a view, but still allow for privacy when required. (more…)
Published
August 2nd, 2008
in
Carpets, Cotton, Decoration, Nylon, Rugs, Silk, Texture, Weaves |
3 Comments »
Rugs can be a unique and complementary part of your total design scheme, adding colour, accent and life. In fact, a rug is often the decorating accessory which pulls a whole room together. It is a versatile design element, easily moved around, practical yet full of creative possibilities. (more…)
