Guest Post - 4 Decorating Tips for a Historic Home

Moving into a historic home is something many people dream about. Older houses have a sense of history and character, and most also have quirks, features and nuances that are unique to them. They can feel like a treasure trove. 

At the same time, there are certain things you might want to consider when remodeling and decorating a historic home. No two are exactly alike, and your house will have its own needs and requirements throughout the decorating process. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Start at the Bottom

When it comes to the remodeling process, the most important place to start is the foundation. It’s vital to make sure it’s secure, so look for cracks or shifts that would need immediate repairs. Keep in mind that homes built before 1960 may have cinderblock foundations that could incur water damage over time, so you may need to have them sealed or even replaced.

2. Bring in Modern Flair

If you want to make your home feel a bit more your own, there’s nothing wrong with adding a few modern twists. Updating spaces like kitchens and bathrooms and introducing updated decor can be a great way to bring that balance. Use what you love, whether it’s striped rugs or using bright, unexpected colors.

3. Some Aspects Stay Classic

Some parts of your home look best if they retain their historic look. Whether you restore crown molding throughout your home or focus on caring for the beautiful fireplace, the elements that make your home classic are the reasons you bought it in the first place.

4. Learn Your Style

One of the most important things you can do when decorating any home is finding a style you love, and that can be even more important when you have a home with so much character. Determine what you like and apply it universally.

Decorating Your Historic Home

Historic homes are full of character. Decorating is a great way to express your personality and feel more comfortable in the place you call home.

Author bio: Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated, where she offers advice on home renovation, maintenance, and organization.

Tiny Living: Tips for Families Living in Tiny Homes

Over the years, tiny homes have become more desirable. They’re great for the environment and cost-effective. Better yet, if the home’s portable, travel is a breeze! However, living in a tiny house with kids poses many hardships. Kids have lots of toys and clothes, and they usually aren’t the neatest, so utilize these tips for families living in tiny homes for a small house that never feels cramped!

Keep It Organized

Don’t stress about a mess, especially if you have little kids who love to play. Have an organization system! When you’re not using something, put it away to decrease clutter and keep your tiny home feeling roomy.

Looking for fun ways to organize? Consider installing storage drawers:

• Under the stairs

• In-floor compartments

• Under chairs, sofas, or beds

• In the walls

Finding creative storage options optimizes your home and allows you to have the essentials without feeling cramped by a mess.

Become a Minimalist

While it may seem obvious, one tip for families living in tiny homes is to de-clutter your space and live a minimalist lifestyle. Do you have clothes, baby toys, or other furniture you don’t use? Donate or store them.

Renting a storage space may pose an ideal solution for the short term, especially because it allows you to keep off-season clothing and items you may need later in the year.

Have a Capsule Wardrobe

If you want to buy a new outfit or get rid of an old one, consider reducing your amount of clothing items by having a capsule wardrobe for your baby and yourself. Why? Because this allows you to purchase and have the clothing basics without limiting your number of outfits.

Have a Space for the Kids

Whether you live in a spacious two-story home or a cozy, tiny house, your kids need a place. Look around your home to find a place you can give to the kids or buy your furniture strategically. You could:

• Decorate a room under the stairs

• Make a lofted space into a play area

• Have convertible furniture

Installing convertible furniture and pullout beds works great—you can tuck them away when they’re not in use. When you find creative ways to keep things open, your kids can have space to run around their rooms or houses. If this isn’t an option, spend more time outside. The trick is to ensure your kids never feel cooped up, so keep them happy and healthy with room to explore!

Guest Post - Best Gardening Tips for Beginners

We encounter prejudices that gardening requires a lot of free time, and in fact it takes two to three hours a week and a little enthusiasm. Gardening is fun and rewarding. If you are a beginner, we believe you have encountered challenges, but with the help of tips and tricks, you will be skilled to overcome them. No one was born a gardener, but with dedication and adequate plant care, you can create a real little paradise from your backyard. You will gradually get acquainted with various herbs, ornamental flowers, but also nutritious vegetables and fruits that will make your garden luxurious. There is nothing more beautiful than fresh food that you have grown yourself. Even if certain plants are not edible, they are fragrant and are a gift of nature.

Allow your hands to become the creators of the lovely green oasis, with tips from the following lines.

Each plant has its place in the garden, learn to determine it

When you decide to grow plants and choose seeds, you must educate yourself and read what growing conditions suit each plant individually. Some plant cultures love shade while others enjoy the sun. It is important to understand the plants and get to know your garden. You have been learning about gardening for years, and you just need to keep educating and researching. It is good to know the soil in the garden, in order to assess which plants will be able to grow. For example, camellias and magnolias grow better in alkaline soil. Soil assessment will help you determine which plants are worth growing.

Plant organization

First, investigate the conditions under which the purchased seed grows and thrives best, and then prepare a place for it in the garden accordingly. Things are made even easier by drawing a planting scheme on paper in accordance with the conditions of your garden. Without organization, your garden will be full of diverse plants that together will not look good and can sabotage each other in growth. With planning, you can accurately determine the color and structure of the entire garden. That way, you will be skilled to establish a garden that looks fantastic all year round.

Planting 

When making a plant planting scheme, make sure that the soil inside your garden is adequate for plant development. You can take a soil sample to an agricultural laboratory or determine the pH value of the soil with a simple home test. Know that the pH value from 6 to 7 corresponds to most plants, except potatoes, eggplant and melons. It is always recommended to take a soil sample to experts because they will extract the value of potassium, sodium and phosphorus. Based on the obtained values, you will know how much you need to fertilize your garden in order for the plants to grow. Beginners are often confused when it comes to planting, because they are not quite sure if they did it in exact way. If in doubt, seek advice from more experienced gardeners or online. It is not enough just to hope for the best, but you also need to be properly informed. When you cultivate plants properly, they will live long and produce you a lot of fruit. Plants buried deep in the ground will not be able to grow, and the root balls left on the surface of the soil can dry out.

Gardening equipment

Many people think that they do not require equipment. Without the proper tools, you can quickly encounter an obstacle that cannot be overcome. From the equipment, it is essential to have scissors in various sizes, waterproof gloves, rakes, hoes, garden hose with an adjustable water jet and a shovel. These are the essential things, and it is advisable to have rubber boots in which you can step on the mud, as well as a hat that will protect you from the strong sun.

Start gardening gradually, be patient and modest

When we say be patient and inclined we want your gardening to thrive and not fall into the classic mistake. At the very beginning, most people opt for a substantial number of plants because one or two crops seem small to them. The seeds of plants are small, but as they grow and develop, they additionally require your attention. It is important to dedicate yourself to each plant and that is why you decide on two to three various crops at the very beginning. You will give them enough attention, and the result will be visible!

There must be space between various plants

As your knowledge of plants grows, you will want to expand the crops within your garden. Take the initial plan you made on paper and take a good look at how much space you have left inside your garden. Different plant cultures must not be too close to each other, because each of them draws nutrients from the ground and must have a personal space for growth and development. Only companion plants that are natural companions to each other can be planted nearby. If you are not quite sure whether the selected plants require more or less space, consult the seller.

Always keep in mind the need for watering

Before you buy certain plant cultures, research their water needs. Some plants require daily watering while others require less water. Coordinate your daily activities and the needs of the garden so that no one would suffer, and based on a rational plan, go shopping for certain plant crops. An important rule is to always water the root of the plant, not the leaves. You can water the garden daily or once a week, with more water. In addition to watering, it is important to feed the plants every two weeks during growth.

Use compost

Compost is added to nourish the plants and aid them to grow. Organic compost involves adding coffee grounds, tea bags and egg shells. Adding compost helps maintain moisture in the soil and creates a natural resistance to pests and diseases.

Protect your plants from pests

Most of the pests in the garden do not cause much damage to the plants. However, there are bugs and snails that can feed on your plants. Take care of them and therefore enable your plants to stay healthy and safe. In addition to pests in nature, plants can also be harmful. For example, if you grow tomatoes, you will keep them away from cabbage, beets, corn and rosemary.

Gardening requires patience, and you will see the results of your work only after a few months. The feeling of pride provided by the green oasis that you developed yourself is priceless!

Author Bio

Allan Wickerson is a passionate blog writer who is extremely keen on writing about health, lifestyle, home improvement, and technology. His exclusive hobby is surfing the net to find amazing articles that can inspire him with some fresh ideas for article writing. He loathes being a common person who wastes his time. Follow him on Twitter.

The Signs You Need To Use Water Softeners

Adding a filtration system has many perks, and many of them are related to its ability to prevent hard water. Once you’ve considered the signs you need to use water softeners, determine which water softener is best for your home, so you can make an optimal investment.

Unsightly Limescale

Limescale usually builds up when hard water is present. The unsightly grime is a buildup of calcium and magnesium, two minerals that contribute to hard water. You may catch scale on various water fixtures around the home—this includes anything that spouts water, from your coffee pot to your showerhead.

Make sure you address limescale’s presence on your faucets and fixtures, as it usually indicates the presence of limescale in your home’s pipes. Too much buildup could lead to serious home damage and costly repairs.

Dull Hair, Dry Skin

Hard water doesn’t lather well with soaps and shampoos, leaving your skin and hair to suffer. Water that’s been softened ensures a more comprehensive lather and rinse, making the most of every shower.

Decrease in Water Pressure, Increase in Water Bills

Pipes that have buildup must work harder to work sufficiently. Even as it works harder—and garners a steeper water bill—your pipeline system will not perform to the best of its abilities.

One sign your home needs a water softener is a decrease in water pressure. Due to an unfortunate amount of buildup, your pipes cannot serve the pressure you desire, leading to subpar appliance performance and disappointing showers.

Water That Tastes or Looks Peculiar

Of the signs you need to use water softeners for your water fixtures, odd-tasting water is one of the most obvious. Water with a high mineral count often has a metallic-y taste.

Another way to tell whether your home could use a water softener is by looking at the water when it comes out of the faucet. If it’s cloudy or has high turbidity, your home may be due for a filtration system.

Faded Clothing

Just as it doesn’t lather well with soaps and shampoos, hard water does not lather with detergent. Insufficient suds cause detergent residue to accumulate on your clothing, leaving you with stiff, itchy, and dull clothes. If your laundry appears faded, it’s a sign your water’s mineral content is unfavorably high.