Guest Post

4 Vital Tips for Hiring an Electrician

August 21, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Let’s face it – even the best maintained houses most certainly need electrical repairs from time to time. After all, you can’t possibly expect things on the electrical front to run smooth as butter till the very end. That’s just not going to happen.

However, it is vital to note that taking matters into one’s own hands in this regard is extremely foolhardy, to say the least. Not only because you don’t have any expertise in this area, but there is also the dangerous possibility of you electrocuting yourself, if you end up fiddling around too much with wires.

Hence, whether it is a electrician in Melbourne or anywhere else for that matter, make sure that you leave the work to the real experts who know that they’re doing. Sure, you might have read a bit about how to fix electrical problems, but that most certainly does not mean that you can translate that knowledge into practical application.

You’ll be much better off hiring a professional electrician. As simple as that. However, the catch is that these services are anything but reasonably priced, plus there are a couple of important aspects that one needs to keep in mind before zeroing in on a particular electrician. On that note, here are 5 vital tips to keep in mind while looking out for the best electrician for the job.

The hourly rates of an electrician are misleading: This is an aspect that too many people pay attention to. Just remember – a well-equipped, skilled electrician charging close to 70 dollars an hour is a much better bet than an amateur electrician working with inadequate parts charging 35 dollars an hour.
Compare the travel charges of different electricians: In some ways, these are easier to compare than hourly rates in general. For instance, on a longer job, a low hourly rate and a trip charge does make sense. However, for a shorter job, a electrician that charges a higher hourly rate is better.
Be prepared before the electrician arrives: This will ensure that you save both time and money. Let’s face it – the less time the electrician spends dealing with petty issues, the more money you end up saving.
For instance, you can make a list of things to inspect and service as soon as you call the electrician. Then when he comes over, all you need to do is show him the list.
Make sure you install money-saving electrical fixtures: This can be something as simple as switching from ordinary light fixtures to fluorescent ones, or even motion detector switches to help conserve on outdoor lighting. Not only that, but this will also provide an extremely cost-effective security to your home. Additionally, creative landscape lighting is also an aspect that will ease up the pressure on your huge electricity bill.

Ultimately, you need to do whatever it takes and make absolutely sure of the fact that you hire the best electrician for the job. That is absolutely vital. It is equally important for you to realise that there’s really no need for you to unnecessarily rush the process of looking for a electrician that suits your needs.

Just remember – A electrician who is not well-equipped or experienced enough to deal with your particular home surroundings can very well end up causing a lot more harm than actual good. People who are looking to get the job done as soon as possible and on a shoestring budget would do well to keep that fact in mind at all times.

From Curtains to Carpentry

July 20, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

6 Tips For Reinventing Your Home Without Renovation

We all want to live in a beautiful, cozy home.

Somewhere you love to relax after work, and entertain your friends on the weekends. But even if you are lucky enough to buy your dream home, or even rent it, there are often ways you would like to improve the space or style.

If home renovations aren’t really your skill set, don’t set those home style dreams on the shelf. There are plenty of ways to spruce up your home without having to knock down walls or spend a fortune on a contractor. Read on for my 6 top tips on how to reinvent your home without undertaking a renovation.

1) Window Treatments

Windows seem to be an overlooked when planning home decor. Often home-owners don’t know what to do with windows so they are left bare or maybe dressed with a simple blinds for privacy. If you are looking for a quick facelift to your living space, look no further than the windows. Choosing blinds for your home is sa great way add both function and style to your home.

2) Open Spaces

One of the things homeowners are looking for most right now is a house with open spaces. Where the living room and kitchen are open to each other, or rooms have ample space for hanging and entertaining. If your space is feeling a bit cramped, there are easy ways to give it more of an open space feel. Time to ditch big, bulky furniture for pieces that are more size appropriate for your space.

If new furniture isn’t in your budget, try rearranging what you already have, or even getting rid of something to create more space. If you have a large cabinet or another bulky piece of wood furniture try painting it a nice off-white colour so it blends in more.

3) Mirrors

Mirrors have way more function than just providing you a last glimpse of yourself before you walk out the door. Adding mirrors to smaller rooms will immediately give the appearance of more space. Placing mirrors opposite windows adds more natural light, and makes the room seem bigger and more open.

4) Lighting

Lighting is a really fun, affordable way to enhance any room, even a bathroom! A poorly lit room can small and cramped. The same room with good lighting will appear bright, airy and welcoming. Layering lighting is a great style technique. Adding tall floor lamps to otherwise dark corners, paired with smaller lamps on side tables will add depth and light to your home. If you are looking to take lighting to the next step, replace old light fixtures with more modern pieces and see your home come to life!

5) Cabinet Pulls

Another often overlooked style opportunity are the pulls on your cabinet.

So many houses have old, worn, dirty handles, pulls and knobs. This is a super easy fix to give your kitchen or bathroom an immediate facelift. A fun thing to do is contrast the cabinet pulls with the overall style. So if your kitchen is chabby chic, add modern pulls. If your kitchen is modern, add some artsy glass knobs.

6) Outdoor Spaces

Jealous that your friends seem to always be talking about the renovations to their homes? A new bathroom here. A fourth bedroom there. If this is out of your skill set and budget, it is time to look at what you do have and add some creativity.

Look outside! Even a small outdoor area can be jazzed up to be an additional living space.

A few things that can turn a patio or yard space into a desirable hang spot is a rug, a few cozy chairs, and maybe even a fire pit. Put some creativity and energy into your outdoor space and throw a party. Your friends will love it!

You don’t need in depth knowledge of a table saw or thousands of dollars to have a beautiful home. There are so many ways to spruce up the home without renovations with a little added time and creativity. I hope some of these tips inspired you to take a look around your house for ways to slowly but surely transform your house into your dream home.

From Trash To Treasure – The 6 Steps of Starting An Upcycling Business

July 19, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

If you’re thinking of turning your interest in upcycling into a business, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier. The following 6 steps are aimed at getting you mentally and financially prepared for your exciting new venture.

Train Your Eye

One of the most important and hard to qualify traits you may need to hone in your quest to become an upstart upcycler is to train your eye. What this means is that you will find it easier if you allow yourself the time and space to develop an eye for potential.

A great place to start this process is the library.
There are many books and resources available which can help you to solidify (and ground with theory) any ideas related to aesthetic or design practice. Having an idea of historical context, aesthetic development, and of broad-based eras and movements will help you understand the potential in any objects you encounter, and whether they’re suitable for restoration or modification.

Uptown Girl

Knowing the potential value of an object is only one part of a much larger learning curve. Another part of your growing arsenal of skills will be in the ability to envision how to best revamp and revitalise an old item. Being able to evaluate, budget and decide how much time, effort and resources you’re willing to dedicate to the process will also be of huge importance.

Having quality touches and finishes will set you apart from competitors and cheap replica designs. Upholstery suppliers are a good place to start – choosing a fabric, texture or colour palette may be all you need initially to get your creative juices going.

Know Thy Market

You may find that it’s harder to set up your business than you’d imagined – or, that your potential customers and suppliers are located somewhere geographically-distanced from where you’re planning on conducting business.

The lesson to be learned from this is to plan ahead and to know thy market.
It’s a good idea to do some research into your target market, and to figure out some ways in which you can best bridge the gap between yourself and your potential customers – before committing time, money and energy into the process.

Point Of Difference

There’s no use starting a business that’s going to have to compete with thousands of other businesses locally by doing the exact same thing as other businesses.

In order for your upcycling business to flourish, it’s important to market your ‘point of difference’. Generally speaking, a point of difference is a marketable trait which is unique to your product. Think of design quirks, use of quality touches or of eco-credentials. Find a way to promote these differences and put your stamp on your product.

Price Point

Another key element to take into account is related to pricing – how much to charge, how to charge, and how competitively to price your items.

Part of creating a price structure will come through understanding your target market. If you’re upcycling furniture into modern, trendy magazine-worthy pieces, your pricing structure will be different to someone upcycling fringe or niche fashions.

Search out items of similar quality and appearance to your own and have a look at how they’re priced. Are they being purchased? Is there a market to price things at a similar cost? If so, it may be a great place to start.

Reach Out

Once you’ve figured out your marketable point of difference, it’s time to find a way to get your product to its intended audience. Finding a way to market and project your products is an art in itself.

Think about using social media apps as well as traditional media as an adjunct to your promotions. Social media users are often willing to share and promote your products for you if you present them with incentive. It also helps to build a community around your business.

Starting an upcycling business takes time.
There are skills you will need to acquire and hone, and some lessons to be learned through trial and error – but there’s also a whole lot of fun and freedom in running your own business. If you’re ready to take the next step, get reading, get writing, and get designing.

4 Tips for Making a Painting Studio in Your Home

July 14, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a professional painter or a budding novice, setting up a painting studio in your home is a wonderful way to develop your skill and encourage more time with your hobby. Make your art space both functional and inspirational with these tips.

Set a Designated Space

You don’t need a large home to have a designated art studio. You simply need a specific corner you can devote to the task. Choose an area large enough to accommodate an easel and art cart, at a bare minimum. If you can set aside an entire room for this purpose, so much the better. Make sure you keep other items out of your art studio. Don’t let bills pile up on the desk or toys creep onto the floor. Be vigilant about keeping this area for one purpose only.

Keep it Organized

Organization is essential in your home painting studio. You don’t want to waste your time searching for the right brush or paint color when you’re feeling that invigorating spark of inspiration. Make sure your tools are always at the ready so you can get to work at a moment’s notice when you have a vision in your head.

For paints, consider using a tiered spice shelf or layered cupcake stand to keep several colors visible at once. If you use small squeeze bottles, glue a magnet to the bottom of each and mount a metal tray to the underside of a cabinet. You can then hang the bottles upside down so the paint is always ready to flow. Stick paintbrushes in a planter filled with marbles or hang them from rows of hooks mounted to the wall. Keep it all neat so you always know where everything is.

Include Inspiration

If you’re working in a stark, dreary space, you may find inspiration frustratingly elusive. Create a bright and beautiful area that entices your inner muse to come out and play. Fill your art studio with things that you love, whether these are vases of bright blossoms or sleek modern sculptures. Make this a place that invigorates and invites.

Control the Climate

Artwork prefers a stable climate with minimal fluctuations in temperature and humidity. If you’re storing finished pieces in your painting studio, you should make sure the temperature stays within a 20-degree range and humidity doesn’t vary more than 20 percent. Low humidity is best to keep your pieces safe and help new paintings dry in a reasonable amount of time.

You can control the climate in your art studio independently from the rest of your house with HVAC zoning. This enables you to set different conditions for each zone of the house. You can keep your art studio cool and maintain a lower humidity level by running the air conditioner regularly there, while setting a higher temperature in the rest of the house.

Your newly organized painting studio will give you everything you need to create masterpieces and store your art safely. All that’s left is to find some quiet time to create!

4 Ways to Help Your Kids Get Better Grades on Their Homework

May 16, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Your children’s educational journey doesn’t begin and end at school. It’s a lifelong adventure that comes home with them and persists through evenings, weekends, and even summer vacations. Make sure you’re supporting your children’s learning and helping them excel at their homework with these smart strategies.

Develop a Routine

Image via Flickr by dgoomany

Consistent study habits are essential if you want your children to excel in school. Choose a regular block of time when they’ll study and do homework each night. Determine your child’s learning style and incorporate strategies that cater to these preferences. Your child may understand math better with manipulatives, thrive with flashcards, or prefer a math program on the computer. Include at least 20 minutes of reading for elementary-age children.

Give kids some time to unwind after school, but don’t push the homework routine so close to bedtime that the kids go to sleep late if the study session runs over. A late-afternoon block is best.

Create a Functional Study Space

Children learn best if they have a dedicated space set aside for studying. Even a tiny desk set in the corner is sufficient. Use task lighting so your kids don’t have to squint over their papers. Keep all the essentials handy, including paper, pencils, and reference materials. You don’t want to interrupt your routine hunting for an eraser or ruler. Make sure it’s all handy in a drawer or supply tote.

Consider including a blackboard, whiteboard, or bulletin board in your study space. You can write up the week’s spelling words, leave encouraging notes, or work out math problems on a larger scale with these tools.

Set and Reward Goals

Set homework and study goals for your children, and track their progress so they can see their growth and achievements. You might track passing grades, demonstrated math fluency, or the number of books read each week. Stickers on a chart are easily visible and provide a visual incentive. Set a reward system with perks like a pizza night, screen time, or freedom from a particular chore if children meet their goals.

Keep Kids Healthy

Healthy kids will have an easier time with all their activities, including school. Make sure your children are eating a well-balanced diet that’s low in sugar and processed foods and high in whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 should get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous activity each day.

Make sure your home is a healthy space by keeping it clean. Proper humidity levels will help keep asthma and allergies under control. High humidity creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites, yet excessively dry air encourages these irritants to dry out and become airborne. Keep your humidity level between 30 and 50 percent for the healthiest environment.

With the right home environment and routine, your children can thrive in all their activities, from learning a musical instrument to mastering math facts. Work closely with your children’s teachers to set appropriate goals and make sure they’re working on the right activities during their homework time.