Category Kitchen Home Improvement

Top Tips For Updating A Victorian Home

By Terry Henman

It is a like love gone bad, an affair that started of great but has now turned sour! The panel of oak wood that made your heart race, now makes you feel gloomy and dark. The alcoves, the turrets, the oddly shaped rooms seemed so inviting and romantic before, but now you have no idea on how to furnish and decorate your home!

After few years living in a small Victorian terraced house you can find yourself craving for a big modern bathroom, a simple open floor and ample storage space.

Older homes are beautiful and may seem like living a dream, but the truth is they are simply not designed for modern living.

The plan of a Victorian House seems cluttered and open spaces are hard to come by, instead you may find a maze of small rooms of almost closet size connected by a series of doors and hallways.

But none the less, Victorian houses have a lot of charm and with the right remodelling they can be a dream come true. Most people look to create more space by tearing down old walls, but look out!

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Many of these seemingly insignificant walls are actually load bearing. They actually support the upper floors! While your house may not come crumbling down if you remove one wall, there is a risk of the floors beginning to sag. If you want to remove walls you should check with a reputable builder as it may be necessary to have supporting lintels put in place to support the upper floor.

You will have to ensure that any major refurbishments made meet building regulations and planning permission is obtained, where applicable, before starting any major renovations.

Luckily there are many ways to update that older house and still keeping structure intact. Don’t remove the entire wall, but cut openings in existing walls. The result will be more space, while still maintaining ambiance.

The number one complaint about Victorian houses is usually the bathroom. Even though modern plumbing were largely available at the time, Victorian bathrooms are small compared to many modern standards. But you can transform them into havens of peace and practicality by adding a few personal touches of Victorian or modern soft furnishings and clever decorating.

Finding extra storage space in a Victorian home has always been a problem, but here are some tips:

* Use the area below the main staircase. This can be opened up to provide space for bureaus and desks, if large enough computer stations can be placed here very effectively.

* Install bookcases or shelving around windows, doors and in alcoves.

* The number one rule is ‘No harm’- meaning do not purposely destroy the original styling and materials.

* Use the same fabrics and original styles wherever you can.

* Think creatively about the possibilities instead of the limitations of your house.

* Decorate in pale or neutral colours or bright vibrant colours to make small rooms appear larger and brighter.

* Choose full length curtains to add height to a room, coordinate with rugs, runners, cushions and throws.

Many Victorian houses are now seen as very desirable residences, so rather then moan and groan about your older style house reflect back and remember the unique assets which you fell in love with and turn your house back into a home your adore!

About the Author: Terrys Fabrics offer a wide range of curtains, fabrics,

cushions and throws

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Bathroom Remodeling Don’ts What Not To Do

By Frank Johnson

Bathroom remodeling takes time, careful planning, and precise execution. The objective of a bathroom remodel is to upgrade the appearance of your bathroom with the latest bathroom fixtures, designs, and styles. However, bathroom remodeling can be a bit overwhelming. Even if you don’t install your new fixtures and furnishings yourself, simply selecting that perfect bathroom vanity, sink, and mirror can be more complicate than you think, especially if you’ve never remodeled a bathroom before.

Below are a few tips on what NOT to do when remodeling your bathroom. Use these tips to avoid common mistakes and ensure that the look you intend for your bathroom is actually what turns out.

Bathroom Remodeling Tip #1: Don’t Wing It

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Some people think that remodeling a bathroom is a piece of cake and simply involves swapping out an old sink or vanity with a new one; however, because the bathroom involves plumbing, you need to carefully plan out your remodel. You need to make sure the new fixtures you select fit the space and the plumbing of your bathroom, or at least understand that rearranging the layout of your bathroom may involve rerouting some pipes (which is an arduous task). So, before you even think about the new vanity or sink you want to buy, establish the basic layout of your new bathroom. If the layout is staying the same, take note of the plumbing layout and keep that in mind when you’re shopping for a new sink, toilet, or vanity. If you’re rearranging a few items, draw out how you want your bathroom to look, measure everything to make sure your vision is realistic, and then see if you need to reroute any plumbing. In some cases, you won’t know if your new bathroom layout will call for new plumbing to be installed, so call a plumber and get his/her professional opinion. After you’ve mapped everything out and established the basic layout of your new bathroom design, then you can start shopping for your new lavish bathroom furnishings.

Bathroom Remodeling Tip #2: Don’t Buy the First Thing You See

The key to successfully remodeling your bathroom is to shop around. You never want to buy the first thing you find. If you’re not already set on a specific vanity or sink design, go online and check out the latest bathroom furnishings. This way, you’ll get a better idea of the number of different styles available without having to leave your home. Shopping around will also give you the opportunity to comparison shop. Today, modern bathroom furnishings are more available and affordable than ever before. Thanks to wholesalers who purchase bathroom furnishings in bulk, you can get that elegant vessel sink you’ve always wanted at a price that won’t bust your remodeling budget. Before you buy, you better shop around.

Bathroom Remodeling Tip #3: If Don’t Know, Don’t Install It Yourself

Getting a new toilet is a different experience from getting a new bed. With a bed, you pay the extra $50 to get it delivered and put in your home. However, with a toilet, getting it delivered and put in your home is only the beginning. Bathroom remodeling almost always involves plumbing work. Even if you aren’t rerouting pipes or drainage systems, installing new bathroom fixtures (such as a toilet, sink, and faucet) takes a little plumbing know-how. However, not all of us are as ‘handy’ as we would like to be. And when you’re dealing with running water, it’s important to know how to properly uninstall and install bathroom fixtures. So, if you’re a novice at plumbing, call a professional. Many bathroom remodeling shops offer installation with the purchase of their products (for an added fee) or know of plumbers in your area who can install your new bathroom fixtures for you. Either way, if you’ve never installed a toilet, sink, or faucet, or had a bad previous experience with plumbing, it’s worth the money to have your new bathroom furnishings installed right.

When it comes to bathroom remodeling, it’s very important to plan out your new layout, shop around, and install your new bathroom furnishings properly. Failing to do so could cost you more money in the long run and result in a less-than-perfect remodel.

About the Author: Modern Bathroom offers the latest bathroom furnishings and fixtures at discount prices. From contemporary bathroom sinks to modern bathroom vanities, you’ll find the bathroom furnishings you need for less at Modern Bathroom.

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If You Are Looking For Things To Do In Noosa You Must Go And See Rainbow Beach

Submitted by: Rochelle Kummerow

I doubt you may locate a a lot more intimate setting, a peaceful and idyllic coastal settlement city set versus the multicoloured sand hills whence it is identify came from. The city is termed Rainbow beach. You will locate it inside picturesque Cooloola Region, in Queensland’s south east corner surrounded by Fraser Island and Noosa. You are going to come across lots for your family to complete within this Beachside paradise.It is possible to go camping, swimming circumstances are good, sailing, angling and Four wheel drive away roading.

Rainbow Beach is is inside a peaceful area absent from the drone of other places to remain so its the prime spot to release some stress and immerse yourself; even in case you only use a solitary day. You should make some preparations earlier than embarking for Rainbow Beach which was quickly done from a seriously good Noosa Hotel. I stayed at for the Noosa Lake Retreat and I am a nature lover so i determined to explore the Noosa Lake retreat place wherever i used to be staying.After obtaining gazed at the stunning engagement rings in Noosa I made a decision to hire a car, which would enable me to get to as several locations as you can in the quick time I had.

I made certain to glance to get a vehicle that could handle the sandy tracks I would encounter and needless to say received a 4WD vehicle that is truly the one solution to travel around the beach. It turned out being an excellent encounter seeing the all-natural sights and landscape up close.There were a few other factors I wanted to be conscious of since I could be driving alongside the beach, most significant of which was the tide. It absolutely was clearly spelt out in my hire agreement for that 4WD that I need to generate only 2 hours both facet of your low tide. I used to be also cautioned to drive around the beach only through daytime and to reduce tire strain when driving for the sand to improve mobility.

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Driving was a bit tough and I did come throughout more 4WD vehicles than I had anticipated however the common policies from the street did apply to ensure built issues less complicated.Acquiring driven from the noosa north shore that is famous for the assortment of birds and fish. Once I arrived I used to be able to quickly locate a location at Rainbow Waters to camp out for your day. The sights there have been exquisite. What stood out for me ended up the big sand dunes that littered the landscape and from which you’ll be able to view the coast if you might be game adequate to climb for the top. The sand there has the most unusual colors largely reds and yellows but there are several hues in among.

The ocean was an extraordinary shade of blue.Later from the day I decided for making the shorter journey to Fraser Island which I might heard was just as beautiful. The tide was good that day so I managed to produce it and get pleasure from a taste in the sand Island. It had been just as striking because the descriptions. The principal attraction for me was the freshwater lakes although the pristine beach, sand dunes, rainforests and birdlife had been also eye-catching.One issue that struck me was how friendly the people of Rainbow Beach are. Tourism had not spoilt the spot in any way as from time to time transpires when spots like they are opened up to tourists. So you get to enjoy the surroundings without any strain.

The scenic beauty of your beach and abundance of trees and grasslands is plenty of to satisfy the most discriminating nature lover. The highpoint of my visit was diving on the beach, the site was so peaceful. I approach to go there again, quite soon.

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Laundry Room Organization Keeping Your Laundry Room Clean Is Easier Than You Think

By Josh Neumann

Laundry room organization is a big issue today with many people. Think about it-this is the room you place just about all your dirty items, whether it be clothes, bedspreads, towels, etc. It can be very easy to lost track of all these things and hopefully lose control of your bedroom.

What an effort it takes to maintain a place meant for keeping dirty clothes clean! It is just like talking about a garbage container being clutter free. Laundry room organization is just what you need to keep your clothes clean smoothly and effortlessly.

You need to set up a laundry room organization plan according to your budget. You can have a wonderful laundry room without being extravagant. This room is going to be a place where washer, dryer, ironing boards and hangers all compliment.

You can attach a small cabinet or a rack to the wall for your stereo system. Listen to your favorite music or your teacher as you wash.

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You can arrange shelves and hang curtains to give your room a tidy appearance. Keep you detergent, bleaches, color fixers, fabric softener and bars on the shelf after use.

Do not leave dirty clothes hanging in the bathroom if it is attached to the laundry room. It will hopelessly fail the purpose of laundry room organization.

Always remember to stack clothes in the closet that have been washed, dried and ironed. This will save you from a rewash. If possible fold your laundry and keep it in a laundry bag before washing. This will give your room a neat look.

More important than a makeover is how well you are able to keep it the way you organized it. Laundry room organization will not only enable you to get the room cleaned, but most importantly keep it clean.

You can easily achieve this by simply cleaning up your things the moment you are done with them. For instance, after using an item in the laundry room, immediately put it back in the place you got it from. It sounds so simply, but often times people make a mountain out of a molehill by leaving out one item after another.

They tell themselves they will put that particularly thing away, only to then leave out another, and another. Pretty soon the room is back in the hopeless mess it started with. The bottom line: set up a laundry room organization plan according to a predetermined budget, and stick with it.

About the Author: For more great organization tips, try visiting organizelifetips.com, a popular site that teaches how to organize your closet as well as home organization tips.

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