How to Pick the Perfect Blinds

There are so many types of blinds, it can be hard to pick which one ticks all the boxes for what you want. From roller blinds to verticals and venetians, each has their own unique set of benefits and looks. Cost is also an important factor and installation needs to be considered. This guide will help put you on the right path, whether you are looking at blinds for a new home or to replace those you already have.

Different types of blinds

There are many different types of blinds for the inside of your home and it’s important to consider all of their benefits and how they fit your needs. These are the most popular choices today:

·    Venetian and vertical blinds are a highly popular and cost-effective choice. They are widely used in first homes and rental properties. Venetians can be made of timber or aluminium and can be partially or fully opened to let in light. Verticals work in a similar manner but are made of fabric. Both types come in cheaper and more expensive options and a range of colours – as always, you get what you pay for. They are generally not regarded as the best for blocking out the heat.

·         Roller blinds are a popular choice for their simplicity, blockout qualities and wide range of colour and style choices. They are ideal for homes that require privacy but can also be opened up to let in light and air. Their simple roller system makes them easy to use and ensures they last for a long time. They even come in double rollers with one layer of blockout and another that lets in the light while retaining privacy.

·    Roman blinds are similar to roller blinds but fold down in a different manner and come in a different range of styles. They have a classic, contemporary look that is perfect in formal areas and all other parts of the home. They have excellent blockout qualities as well.

Factors to consider

Style and colour are just the starting point when it comes to choosing blinds. A wide range of colours means all types can fit into a home’s existing décor or can be used to help add a real feature to any room. Knowing what you want the blinds to achieve is probably the most important thing you need to consider. While privacy is paramount, letting in the light and breeze also needs to be factored in – some blinds are going to do this better than others. Blocking out the heat and keeping in the warmth are also important to think about – roller blinds and roman blinds are generally going to be the best in this department.

Talk to an expert

Using the services of a blinds expert is of utmost importance. They can help you choose the right type of blind – even down to the colour – once they understand your needs. It’s easy to do most things online, but having a representative visit your home can have added benefits. They can help you take into account sliding doors, security screens, odd-sized windows and whether the blinds should be mounted inside the window frame or outside. Having the windows expertly measured by the people who supply and manufacture the blinds is also a big plus – you will never have to worry about the blinds not fitting properly.

So now you know the basic things to consider when shopping for your blinds. The most important thing is to choose something that’s timeless and above all, have fun with it!

Amaryllis in Black and White

A blooming Amaryllis, right on my late father's birthday

The Weekend in Black and White

An Easy Guide to Handle Residential Relocation Anxiety

Many people feel that relocation is a difficult task and requires extra effort and time. Moving to a new place with all household items is not something that can be done within a day. That is why, it can get you really bored and exhausted. But it is not always like that. Residential relocation can be simplified with the right guidance and organizing skills. Therefore, most people hire professional movers and packers who would carry out the entire process in a less complicated way. Trust me, this process can be made fun only if you know want it.

Professional assistance will take that load of your shoulders!

Expert movers and packers have hands-on experience in the relocation process. They are aware of all the do's and don'ts of home or office relocation. They provide comprehensive solutions to all relocation hassles. I mean, who does not want to make packing a smooth and enjoyable affair? Professional movers and packers offer you a range of solutions, keeping in mind your monetary constraints. Moving companies offer various services like, packing, loading, unpacking, insurance and legal documentation.

Residential relocation with pets:

Relocation can be made challenging when it comes to transporting pets. There is a lot of noise, chaos and confusion in the house which often leaves the pet bewildered. If you are travelling in your personal vehicle, then pets can be taken along. But, if its overseas relocation, pets have to be shipped by air or water. Do not transport pets in removal lorries or goods trucks. Pets often face health problems on long journeys. It is best to make them as comfortable as human beings while relocating. Keep the belongings of your pet in a bag and carry it instead of leaving it in the removal lorry.

Keep the medical records of your pet just in case..........

When it comes to relocation, your pet can get lost if there is no proper care taken. Make sure that you keep the medical records and microchip details of your pet in case it gets lost. All the veterinary reports should be kept and quarantine arrangements ensured as it may be a requirement in the new country.

Residential relocation can be fun!!

If you have a busy life and fail to devote time to family, then this is a great opportunity to spend quality time with family. You can get kids engaged in the task as well. They just need to be encouraged and sometimes you can bribe them with a movie or dinner! Both children and adults have can help each other in cleaning up and arranging duties. With pets, kids or other things residential relocation is always trouble-free with removals London. 

Planning a Stay-at-Home Buck’s Party

While some guys love to go out and party in the city for their buck’s night, some prefer to stay in. There are plenty of benefits and good times to be had at an ‘at home’ buck’s night and it’s usually much cheaper than going out. Here’s the lowdown on venue, booze, food, and entertainment that will have your mates wishing you were getting married every weekend!

The Right House

First off, you’ll need to pick a good house to have your buck’s party. Will it be your own home or someone else’s? If you already live with your wife to be, perhaps you could suggest that she’d like to spend a weekend away with her friends. Make sure you tell her what you’re planning, though, and buy her some flowers or chocolates as a thank-you gift. Think about how many people you’re planning to invite over and how much space you need. A small apartment could be okay, but do you know someone who’s got a backyard? It’s also a good idea to have the party in a place where a spilt beer on the carpet won’t be a disaster.

Booze

If your mates are big drinkers, stocking up on booze will be essential for your buck’s night. If you’re trying to save on dosh, stock your kitchen full of beer (even hire a keg) and tell your mates that if they want other types of alcohol, they’ll need to bring their own. If you’re not that much into booze, consider what other things you’re mates will want to drink – fizzy drinks and energy drinks are usually the go.

Food

Food is essential, especially for later in the night if you’ll all be drinking. If you’ve got a yard or a balcony, consider organising a BBQ. If you haven’t got space for a barbie or don’t want to put in heaps of effort, a table full of chips, dips, pretzels and other ‘snack’ foods will go down well too. If you want something more substantial, consider oven-food like party pies and sausage rolls that are quick and easy to prepare. Alternatively, order pizza!

Music

Make sure you have an endless stream of music playing at your buck’s night to really pump up the party atmosphere. Remember that there are noise restrictions, though, and that your neighbours probably won’t appreciate excessively loud music all night. The last thing you want is a bunch of cops showing up at the door and ruining your fun. It might be worth arranging to send flowers to your neighbours in advance with a note explaining your planned celebration – it is polite to give them advance warning of any activity out of the ordinary and they will probably send their congratulations rather than call the police to complain!

Strippers

It’s almost standard practice these days and having a stripper at your party can be loads of fun! It is usual for the best man to organise this rather than the buck himself. If you are the best man, make sure you know whether this is something that the groom would like. If you don’t want the stripper to be the centre of the night’s entertainment, why not consider hiring some topless waitresses instead!

Other Entertainment

If the groom is not the stripper type, respect his decision and come up with some other activities like a poker night, a night of drinking games of even a game of footy or soccer in a yard or nearby park. If you’re still stuck for ideas, consider an activity elsewhere like paintball, golf or off-road driving and then head back to the house later on.

Crashing

If you’re all drinking or if you live in the sticks, it’s also a good idea to let your mates crash the night. However, if not, you can consider providing them with a hire bus or maxi taxi to take them home at the end of the night. If you live in a shared house, make sure you give them a time of when they have to be out the next day.  

Follow all of these tips and you’re bound to have a fantastic buck’s night. Your mates will wish you were getting married every other week!

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How to Secure Your Home before a Holiday

Going away on holidays? It’s always a good idea to take the necessary steps to secure your home so that you can enjoy your break, without worrying about your home. So what are the steps you should take a week before you leave and just before you walk out the door? Read on to find out.

Cover your bases

One of the first things to do is to make sure your home insurance policy and car insurance is all up to date. They’d be nothing worse than returning home only to find out something disastrous took place and you aren’t covered. Of course fingers crossed this won’t happen, but it’s always better to play it safe by making sure your insurance is all in check.

Talk to a neighbour

It’s always a good idea to let those who live around you know that you will be going away. That way, if they see people coming up to the house, they’ll be able to do something about it. An overflowing mail box is a sure sign to burglars that no one is at home. So ask your neighbour to collect your mail for you while you’re on holidays.

Making it look like there is someone at home

A great way to keep your home looking as if you’re there is to use timers on your lights. As soon as it hits dusk, have your timers activate certain lights in your home. These are easy to operate, and can be bought at most hardware stores for a reasonable price.

Make sure all electrical goods are off

Rather than just turning lamps, kitchen appliances and your TV off at the switch, why not turn them off at the power point? Televisions still use power even in standby mode so it’s worth turning them off at the power source. Things like electric blankets need to be switched off too to ensure they don’t cause a fire. Each year electric blankets cause fires across the country and as we head into winter, more and more people forget to make sure they are switched off.

Securing your car

Make sure your car is parked securely in your garage or car port before you head off. Double check that it’s locked, the lights are off and all the windows are up.

Double Check everything is secure

Give yourself five minutes or so once everyone is outside to go into each room and make sure that every window is locked and secured, and all electrical appliances are turned off at the power point. This last minute check will ensure that everything is secure, and will make sure you have complete peace of mind while you’re away.

The most important thing to remember when going on holidays is to try not to rush out the door without confirming that everything is off and secure. Give yourself enough time for a final last look, to make sure that you’ve done everything you can to keep your home as safe as possible, while you enjoy your holiday.

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How to Save Money with Home Safety Features

Having a safe home not only protects you but can also save you a lot of money in the long run. When we think of home security, we imagine the vast sums that we could spend on special security gadgets, surveillance equipment, roller blinds, alarm systems and even security patrols. But how about all the little things you can do to secure your home that do not cost a fortune.

General Door Locks

A standard door lock is not enough these days. Not only is it easy to break into a house with only a standard lock on the door, but you will also end up paying more for insurance. You should at least have a deadlock on every entry way (front and back door) for improving your insurance premium.

Be sure to check with your insurance company for ways that you can reduce your premium. It is usual practice that an insurance company (when arranging your initial cover) will ask you about your current locks. If you have changed your locks since you took out your policy be sure to let them know, as they could reduce your insurance premium.

Window Locks

While you can't stop people breaking your windows, you can stop them from being opened. A window lock is different from the ordinary latches found on a standard window. Window locks can even prevent many types of windows from being lifted out of the frame. You should check to see what kind of glass you have installed in your windows, particularly if you have old windows. Older window styles are easier for people to break into, especially the ones that lift open rather than slide.

Screens and Shutters

Apart from locks on your doors and windows, security doors and windows provide extra defence. It is better to spend a little extra on security screens and doors – the quality of the more expensive ones is much superior. Many cheap security screens and doors look great but have little strength. This means that a thief could pull your security screen off the window or bend open your security door. Some cheap models can simply be unscrewed!

Outdoor Areas

Outdoor areas are your first line of defence against robberies and there are very cheap ways that you can secure the outside of your home. The key to good security is to provide visual deterrents – any form of garden light is invaluable, especially motion sensor lighting. These are very cheap and can prevent you being robbed. It is also a good idea to have lights in important areas, such as your pool area. Pool supplies will take care of the clean water side of things, but ensuring your backyard is well lit serve to deter potential thieves.

Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune to be safe and secure in your own home.