Wavy Deck

 Here is the outer part of the the broken deck. Some ruined poles below made wavy surface. Watch your step!

The Weekend in Black and White

Beautifying Your Backyard? 5 Effective Ways to Get You Started

A backyard, regardless of size is synonymous to a blank canvas.

While the job of turning it into a warm and enthralling sanctuary is no easy feat, it is highly feasible provided you know how.

Effortlessly transform your backyard into the ideal relaxation haven it is meant to be with the help of the following clever and foolproof ideas.

1. Invest in a charming stone patio

During the warm and chipper summer months, a stone patio is the perfect place for lounging, dining and entertaining guests. 

Nowadays, a seasoned landscaping and construction team can help you pick the materials and design that will suit both your budget and preference. In addition, they can also help you effectively maximize whatever space you have to work with.

Complete your patio’s warm and chic look by adding some choice furniture, a dining set and colorful and alluring plants and flowers.

2. Consider adding an ethereal pergola

When you are not entertaining guests in your patio or tanning by your pool, you might want to have a place where you can hang out and enjoy the breeze sans the sun’s rays.

Apart from acting as a stunning focal point for your property, a pergola can be the perfect place to enjoy a scrumptious meal or a warm tea.

Most contemporary pergolas are made out of wood as opposed to stone pillars or brick. However, if you are feeling adventurous, you can opt for other materials and even throw in stylish and functional retractable roofs to complete the avant-garde look.

3. Incorporate enigmatic curves

Want an outdoor space that is both otherworldly and mystifying? Integrate curves in your garden design!

While unknown to many, garden curves do a good job of keeping one engrossed. ‘What lies ahead?’ ‘What is there to discover?’

Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of space to pull this one off. In addition, you can also add enigma and lift by adding high points to your landscape. In line with this, consider investing in at least three 12-foot-tall columns to further enhance the element of mystery and surprise.

4. Add vibrant and enamoring plants

If you want to inject an instant boost to your outdoor’s ambiance and aesthetics, adding colorful plants will do the trick.

Create contrast and bring an otherwise bland backyard back to life by incorporating plants with bright and bold hues. Also, consider matching your plant’s colors with your cushions or your patio furniture’s fabrics.

In addition, you can also use plants to help define your entrance and make a statement. Case in point, consider situating two spruces in the entrance ready to welcome and usher guests in.

5. Design a welcoming and enthralling front garden

Oftentimes, your front garden is the first thing you will see when you get home. Understandably, it is also one of the first things your guests will notice.

Create a favorable (and exceptional) first impression by playing with textures, focal points, composition and colors.

Without doubt, this project can entail time, effort and money. If you are unsure where to start, you can begin by building an exquisite walkway that will not only effortlessly add visual appeal but will also make navigating around your backyard a lot easier.

Evidently, there are numerous ways to make your outdoor space stand out. Start with the mentioned tips and take it from there. In no time, you will have a backyard that perfectly suits both your personal style and budget. 

How to Choose Between a Safety Deposit Box and a Home Safe

Photo Credit

How safe are safety deposit boxes in banks? How about those safes for sale at the home depot? Are they equally secure or is it likely that one of them provides more superior protection? These are the pressing questions we will try to answer throughout this post.

All homeowners want peace of mind and security. They are willing to buy expensive but high quality home safes. After all, investing in one to safeguard your valuables is considered a wise idea.  

Burglary, fire, or flood - all these can take away our most precious possessions – wealth we have diligently accumulated over time, legal documents we never want to lose, or expensive jewellery handed over by family members.

Does a home safe guarantee absolute protection of our valuables against imminent disasters?

First of all, there is no such thing as “perfectly failsafe”. Despite the claim of manufacturers, even top of the range models can withstand the worst calamities or the shrewdest thief up only to a certain point. 

So what other options do we have?

The safety deposit boxes offered by banks come to mind when it comes to wealth protection measures. Banks obviously invest in advanced security measures and technologies that deter burglars and guard people’s wealth more effectively.

• How safe are bank safety deposit boxes? Hiding one in a house can be a challenge for some people so they prefer to keep their valuables in a safety deposit box in banks (e.g. Standard Chartered and OCBC NISP). Its biggest attraction is the insurance coverage based on the contents declared.  (Be sure to check the language on the insurance papers before you entrust your possessions to any bank.)
• How hard is it to open a safe deposit box? Most banks have easy requirements and relatively affordable rental rates which are renewable annually. Call at least three banks to compare their rental fees and policies before signing up for their services.
• What to store in a bank safety deposit box? Most users store precious jewellery, family heirlooms and important property documents.  While you can also store money inside, the applicable insurance is not guaranteed.
• What happens to your possessions in case you pass away? You will be required to appoint a joint renter in case of any emergency or unfortunate event.
• What are the disadvantages of using safety deposit box? Though it promises superior safety and ease of access, it can still cause inconvenience when you need quick, emergency access to its contents. Also, in case of burglary or embezzlement, the amount you will receive as compensation is unclear. 

Home Safe or Safety Deposit Box?

For generations, people have devised ways to hide their wealth safely. Unfortunately, there is no existing record that can tell us which mode of safe-keeping is best: keeping your possessions in your backyard or handing it to a well-trusted institution. Though information abound – none of them is conclusive.  The final decision is for each of us to make and the consequences for us to bear.

Can you think of other options of storing money safely? Please let us know at the comment section.