Guest Post - 8 Conversation Starter Pieces for Your Luxury Home

There's no better testament to your hard work than a home that's both cozy and stylish. Having such a property allows you peace of mind. You have a tangible asset that earns you good money each year you hold onto it. And come the time you decide to resell to either upgrade or downgrade, you will be raking in a considerable profit.

On top of financial prospects linked to luxury property ownership is its most basic advantage—having a place to come home to. You can raise your own family in comfort and safety. Plus, you can invite loved ones every time there's something to celebrate. Or, even if there's nothing specific to celebrate, you can welcome guests just for the sake of, well, getting together.

To make those get-togethers even more interesting, make sure your home is equipped with interior design pieces that are sure to prompt inspired conversations. Here are some must-have conversation starters.

1. Coffee table book

A coffee table book in the most prominent spot of your living room will be a nice ice breaker. Have reading materials that capture your interests. Whether those include books and magazines on cars and culture, or travel and technology, the key is to let your unique personality shine. If you share the same proclivities as your guests, conversations are bound to progress organically.

Make sure to pick a coffee table book that's nice to look at in itself, too. Something made of authentic hardwood will be a stand-out. Think reddish-brown mahogany, which grows darker with age.

2. Pop-culture inspired decors

Are you a lover of pop culture? Star Wars, for instance? Then, you can't go wrong with a Kenneth Cobonpue piece from the artist's Star Wars collection. Or better yet, collect them all. Profess your love of George Lucas's brainchild without restraint.

The collection boasts four chairs that look like they're taken straight from galaxies far away. There are cool accessories to be had, too, including the Little Jedi Hanging Lamp and a Chewbacca-inspired rocking stool. If these interior design pieces don't get your guests talking, perhaps you need a new set of friends who share the same love you have for Star Wars.

Of course, you don't have to limit yourself to these. There are also display kits and collectibles that will express your love for all things popular.

3. Home automation devices

With home automation devices, your options run the gamut. For example, there are smart curtains—you can set the time for when they close or open. In the morning, you won't have to draw your curtains manually to greet the sun. At night, you can go straight to bed without worrying about whether those curtains have been shut.

So that you can sleep even better, why not get your door locks automated, too? Some door locks come with an app from where you can monitor your home even when you're miles away. Surely, your friends will admire your high-tech abode.

4. Original paintings

You don't need a degree in art studies to appreciate a good painting. And you don't have to be an expert in art history to own original paintings. If you got the money and spacious walls to boot, feel free to take home a masterpiece from your favorite artist.

No, you don't have to splurge your life savings on a Picasso. You can start with modest goals. For example, patronize a local artist. You'll never know if the painting you buy today will end up ballooning in value in a decade because the artist you supported ended up being hailed as this generation's Monet.

Plus, those paintings can evoke thoughts and emotions from your guests that are enough to inspire lovely conversations about arts and culture in general.

5. Burlwood dining table

Burlwood is not a type of wood—it's more of a condition that can happen to any kind of wood. Suffice to say, burlwood comes from a tree that has a burl, which results from an unsprouted bud tissue. Burlwood has character. It's quite fitting for a luxury home because it's rare and, of course, pretty.

A dining table made from burl wood will help create an elegant dining room that will mesmerize your guests. As you share a fancy and protracted 12-course dinner, you'll have one interesting subject to talk about—what is burlwood?

6. High-end ladder

You've probably seen this piece of interior decor from the feed of Insta-famous influencers in the interior design niche. These ladders usually serve as a room accent, but they also host all sorts of design pieces, from handwoven rugs to travel pictures. Yes, you can get creative with your ladder. And the more creative you get, the more likely it is for your guests to take notice.

Of course, there's no stopping you from using your decor ladder as a functional tool, too. Have something to retrieve from the kitchen cabinet? Get that ladder working.

7. Persian rugs

Authentic Persian rugs are expensive. That owes to how difficult they are to make and, of course, to the cultural and historical weight associated with them. Expect to shell out at least a thousand dollars for a quality Persian rug with a 300-knot count. The higher the knot count, the more expensive it is.

However, that's an investment worth making. Your guests will realize they're onto something special, quite literally, as soon as they step on your Persian rug.

8. Bold mirrors

Mirrors are not just for looking into and appreciating how the Almighty has blessed you with the finest features. Think mirrors shaped unconventionally or mirrors with borders boasting cool patterns. Yes, some mirrors can look like works of art. And if you luck out with one, you'll find yourself with your guests huddled in front of a mirror, waxing poetic.

Get them talking

Since you have already spent a considerable amount of money on luxury property investment, why not take your efforts a step further by taking home interior design pieces that are sure to catch people's attention? And they don't have to be just pretty either. They can be functional, too. The goal is to invest in home decors that marry form with function.

About the Author

Benjamin Galang is a content strategist for Ayala Land Premier in the morning and a part-time writer for his village gazette by night. He received his bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from the De La Salle University Manila. He likes doing D.I.Y. projects and home furnishing so much so that he likes writing about what he discovers project after project. He likes living his life to the fullest, going on adventures with his bike, and hikes unimaginable heights. Ben is currently residing in a townhouse with interiors that reflect his personal taste and lifestyle.

Exterior Repairs You Might Need to Make to Your Home Before Winter

As winter draws closer, make sure you can handle the dropping temperatures. Although winter brings about festivities, it also comes with heavy snow, strong winds, and ice. Therefore, make sure you can enjoy your home’s comfort and survive through the season.

Also, the last thing you need during spring is to recover from the winter damage. Before snuggling under the blanket during winter, it is vital to ensure your house is in the right condition. Take care of your home so it can protect you better. Before the onset of winter, handle some repairs around the house to avoid costly maintenance practices and replacements. Here are some exterior home repairs to prepare for winter and enjoy peace of mind.

Roof Repairs

The winter winds may be pretty ruthless, and you don’t need some missing shingles. Check on your roof for any signs of damage. Determine if there are any missing or broken shingles that would cause water or snow damage. Consider hiring roofing contractors to check on your roof and handle any necessary repairs. If you have a flat roof design, consider clearing any dust, debris, or vegetation that may clog your drains. Walk around the house to determine if there is extensive roof damage and plan on scheduling a repair. This way, you can ensure your roof is in proper condition to handle all the weight from snow buildup. Add ventilation or maintain roof temperature to prevent ice dams that would cause damage to your walls or ceiling.

Furnace Repair

You need to keep your indoor temperature at optimum levels and ensure it’s warm. Thus, it is imperative to keep your HVAC unit in running condition. Check on your outdoor furnace to maintain energy efficiency. Clean your furnace and repair any broken parts to keep your home properly heated. Have a professional check on your furnace and ensure all parts are clean from debris and plant material.

Gutter Repair

Ice dams can cause damage to your roof, insulations, and ceiling. Apart from maintaining your roof temperature, check on your gutter and ensure the drains work properly. Check for any loose gutters and fix them in place. Free your gutters from any dust, dirt, and plant materials that would cause water damage and ice dams. You can clean and repair the gutters or call a professional to do it.

Go through various parts of your home and check for any damage. Ensure your foundation is free from cracks that would damage your home’s integrity. Plan your budget, determine the repairs you handle yourself, and don’t ignore anything.

Demolishing Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know First

We partnered with an equipment company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

House demolition usually takes a couple of days to be fully done, but it can depend on the size of the building. But most of the work is done before the actual act of demolishing. 

Consultations

The first thing you want to do is to do a thorough inspection. After this is done, make sure to collect all of the required permits to go through with the project. The complexity and amount of permits required to undergo a demolition vary from the size of the demolition in question.

Experience of the Demolition Expert

Demolition is not a simple process and a lot of things can go wrong when doing it. This is why you should ask your demolition expert how many years has he been in the business. As well as the complexity of the projects he has previously undergone, reviews aren’t a bad place to start either. If you have a particular problematic roof, it would be good to know that the hired expert has experience handling it. 

The Question of Permits

In order to proceed with your project, you will be required Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate (CDC) approval. For a consultation with the permits it is best to go to your local council, while a CDC can be attained via your demolition company. And you will be required to notify the neighboring properties of a demolition taking place next to them. You should notify them about seven days before the demolition process takes place.

Pay Attention to the Hidden Expenses

One of the traps with demolitions is that they will lure you in with the “all-inclusive” line, where they pay for everything. There will be a lot of potential hidden costs, so you have to be aware of this fact, as they can boost the price after the contract has been signed due to unforeseen elements. Some of these hidden expenses include:

    • Clearance paperwork

    • Temporary fencing

    • Sewer works

    • Asset protection permits

What are all the Services that the Demolition Company Will Provide?

Since you’ve read this far, you understand that there is more to a demolition process than just tearing the building down. The sheer scope of the services that the demolition company will provide should definitely come into question when deciding for which company to go for. Will the demolition company be liaising with your neighbors in order for no damage to be done to the surrounding properties? Will they be providing the permits necessary for the project? Will they be clearing the obstacles during the process? All of these things are points that you should be looking out for when hiring. Ideally, you don’t want to do your house demolition and then later pay for damage done to your neighbor’s property.

Disconnect Current Services

Before the demolition can commence, you need to disconnect any existing services (such as water, gas, and electricity). Contact your electricity company around 5-6 weeks before the demolition takes place. Do not forget to degas the air conditioner as well. The demolition company might help you out with fencing, disconnecting the power, and hiring a portable toilet.

Manual Labor

Manual demolition is the physical start of the process. This is done in order to remove the hazardous materials from the site, such as asbestos (which most houses will have). Asbestos is notable for killing over 5,000 workers a year in the UK, so it should be handled by the professionals. During this stage, recyclable materials can be salvaged for later use. 

The Machine Part of the Work

After all of the hazardous materials have been removed, it is time for the mechanical part of the demolition. Mechanical demolition is known for being the most cost-effective and the most efficient way to do home demolition. It is also the most common way of doing so. In this process, the house is removed by using John Deere excavators along with other heavy machinery. Then the resulting debris is transported to the closest waste management facility (provided you care about the environment, which you should!).

Cleanup

Once the entire process is complete it is time to clean up the remains. You will have to remove the remaining debris. This can be tricky at times so its best to ask your demolition company to assist you.

The Best Upgrades for Your Backyard Pool

Everyone loves a backyard pool during the warmer weather, as the water is perfect for a party or just a simple dip to cool off. Although a pool can be amazing, there are plenty of improvements that make maintenance and using a pool an easier experience. Here are some of the best upgrades for your backyard pool.

Pool Enclosure

The first and most drastic change is a pool enclosure, which transforms your exposed pool into a protected area. A pool enclosure still gives you access to the fresh air but also protects you and the pool from outdoor debris and pests. Pool enclosures make cleaning easy and provide a host of other benefits, and that’s not even accounting for the extra advantages of adding a solar screen. Therefore, a pool enclosure is one of the best upgrades for your backyard pool.

Pool Lights

Although most people use pools during the day, having a pool in your yard means you can also take nighttime dips. However, swimming in the dark is dangerous, and you should never do it. Try installing pool lights that brighten the water and make the pool safer for use at night.

Salt Water Chlorination

One issue a lot of people have with their pools is balancing the chemicals in the water for safety and the smell of chlorine that comes with proper pool care. Luckily, there’s a newer method that’s becoming popular: salt water chlorination. This method replaces your water with a special mix that’s safe for swimming, doesn’t have the smell of chlorine, and gives swimmers less eye irritation.

Auto-Filler

One major component of pool maintenance is keeping the water level at the right height, which is quite a hassle and requires constant attention. An auto-filler is a very useful tool that can sense when the water level is lower or higher than safe and put in or take out water as necessary. This can save your pool equipment from damage and prevent overfilling of the pool, which can cause floods.

These upgrades and devices can help keep your pool clean and increase how often you can use your pool. That’s what makes them so useful for anyone with an outdoor pool at home.