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Simple and Cost Reducing Tricks to Make Your Home More Stylish

April 5, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Making your home look stylish may seem out of reach. However, it does not have to cost a lot of money to bring style into your home decor.

Mix and Match Sheer Curtains

Most people tend to stick with matching curtains. However, when they are sheer, they add an elegance to the room and the window when you mix and match two sets of curtains.

Tie Ribbons to Shower Curtain Rods

This gives the bathroom an elegant feel. You can add napkin rings and ribbons if you don’t like the look of ribbons directly on the rod.

Frame Your Television

For an elegant look in the living room, you can frame your television. Try using distressed wood or elegant looking pieces of trim cut to size. You can also hide all of the cords within a shower rod to give the room a simple and organized air.

Spray Paint Old Air Vents

Air vents tend to take on an aged look when they have been in place for some time. Give them a fresh coat of spray paint, and they appear like new.

Use Photo Frames to Accent Your Light Switches

Light switch frames do not have to be boring and light-colored. Instead, opt for a colorful picture frame, picked up at the dollar store or a yard sale, and frame the switch plate to make it look fresh and new. It adds style to the room in a way that you might not notice at first, but it is worth the effort.

Paint the Ceiling a Bright Color (Think Accent Wall)

Accent walls have been popular for a long time. Now, you can opt for a brightly colored ceiling to be the accent “wall” in the room. Instead, of choosing a wall around the room, draw the eye to the upper area. It brings style and gives the room a boost in energy as well.

Make the Room Look Bigger

You can opt for half-painted walls, which will make the room appear taller. You can also make the windows in the room appear bigger by using curved curtain rods. These can help give the room the illusion of more space, which can make people feel more comfortable and less cramped in the space.

Infuse Your Closet Doors with Style

You can purchase mirrors for reasonable prices. Opt to buy matching mirrors and attach them to the closet door. It is a good idea to paint the doors to match. Then, they appear built-in and very elegant.

Add Hardware to Tie Curtains

Tie-backs with a simple hook and ring connected to simple rope can give your curtains an elegant style. Meanwhile, you can opt to basket-weave the top of the curtains to provide another shot of elegance to the room.

These tips, along with resources like The Stylish Splash, can be very helpful if your home needs a bump in the style sector. They can also be helpful for renovations to sell your home. You can make it look irresistible to potential buyers with limited investment.

Boys and Their Toys – 6 Manly Gifts for Your Manly Man

March 19, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

With Christmas behind us, many people will be rejoicing at being able to close their wallets and step away from the gift stores. However, it might be a little premature to stow away the Benjamins, for Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Then there are birthdays, anniversaries and plenty other opportunities to put further dents in the bank balance. If you want to get ahead of the game and treat the man in your life to a gift he’ll just love, we’ve included six options below. You may find you’ll hit the jackpot with any of these options.

LED Light Bars

If your man has a love for the outdoors and off-roading, you can do no better than LED light bars for his beloved truck. LED light bars are the perfect accompaniment to any outdoor enthusiast’s 4WD, and can light up the darkest back road for optimum safety. You’ll never be able to wipe the grin off his face if you purchased him some of these bad boys!

Sports Tickets

The football season may be drawing to a close, but with the NBA in full swing and MLB just around the corner, your significant other will love the chance to sport that big foam finger while watching his favorite team. Tickets to a big game will be the perfect memorable experience for the passionate sports fan.

Activewear

Believe it or not, attire makes an excellent option, and in today’s health and fitness-conscious world, activewear is the wearable gift of choice. Men make up a growing proportion of the estimated $178B global sports apparel market, so forget about the socks, underwear and ties and go for something that he will love, as well as being practical. However, not just any old Walmart tracksuit will do. Go for known brands such as Reebok, Nike, and Adidas that are sure to impress.

Workshop Sets

If your man is forever engaged in the next big project with his vehicles, or he just likes to spend time in the garage tinkering away, consider purchasing a workshop set for him. “I don’t need any new tools,” said no man, ever, so you really can’t go wrong with this one. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be selective. From now until Valentine’s Day or his birthday, pay attention to what he has, uses, and what he says he needs so you can be sure to hit the mark.

Accessories

How many times have you said to your boyfriend that he needs to get rid of his cracked and peeling wallet, or his tatty belt? Accessories, while important, often don’t feature highly on any man’s list of things to buy for themselves. Even though digital wallets are beginning to gain traction, guys are not showing signs of giving up their bulging monstrosities anytime soon. If left to his own devices, he will keep using it until it is five loosely bound wallet molecules, so it’s up to you to rip that bandaid off and get him a new one!

Brew Kit

The dog might be man’s best friend, but a brew kit is sure to be a close second. Not only can he enjoy a cold brew after a hard day’s work, but he can also enjoy the fruits of his labor. A brew kit can offer a sense of satisfaction, and may even open the door to a whole new hobby that you and his friends can also enjoy with him.

Choosing a gift for your man for Valentine’s Day, his birthday or other special occasion can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Opt for one or more of these six presents, and watch as his face lights up!

The Delectable Dark: 6 Tips For Designing A Hauntingly Beautiful Black Kitchen

October 16, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Ok, perhaps the color black doesn’t come to mind when you think of your kitchen colors. The fact is, designers and taste makers are gravitating to this versatile color for the hauntingly beautiful effect it creates in our favorite space in the home. Now, before you splash black on every wall and surface in your kitchen, it’s important to remember these 6 tips.

1. Trust the experts

Everyone loves a good DIY project, but some areas need to be left to the professionals. The kitchen is one of those areas. Industry leaders like Brentwood Kitchens have already taken those risks with daring dark colours and worked up that experience, so fortunately you don’t have to.

They also work to a productive timeline, which means your weekends and weeknights aren’t spent scratching your head when your beautiful black kitchen isn’t ready to go when you think it will be. Turn your Pinterest dreams into a tangible plan and start talking to those in the know about how it will look, and when they can get started.

2. Don’t overdo it

The reason black kitchens are finding their way into Vogue Home is because it’s unexpected and done well to balance. Decide early whether it’s black benches, counter tops, appliances or cabinets and stick to those specifications so you don’t get carried away and end up not being able to see the black between the black. The haunting effect will only be achieved if there is a color to contrast against.

3. Choose complementing colors

The sky really is the limit here. Everything goes with black, but try and stick to only one or two complementing colours or your kitchen will look like a mid-life crisis. White or cream is of course timeless, although don’t shy away from a bright pop if the rest of your space will allow for that fun. If you are bringing in a new marble bench see if there are any shards of color in the marble that you could use to complement your black.

4. Lighting is key

Black kitchens can be a real feature in any home, but beware the effect it can have without proper lighting. Light bulbs come in all different shades and brightness. Choose a light which compliments the space and offers a contrast to the darkness. For example, a warm white may not necessarily do the job, but a pearl might offer that brightness without clashing.

When it comes to watts you should consider your kitchen at its darkest. If you have natural light during the day great, but think more middle of the evening. Look towards a mid-range wattage for all bulbs. The contrast of the light and the dark kitchen will create a hauntingly beautiful space.

5. Know your kitchen style and space

Classic, modern, contemporary and minimalist – there really is so many styles of homes and kitchens. Some house and kitchen styles will be welcoming of the black color palette, and others you may have to work a little harder to incorporate it.

6. Make sure it fits the rest of your house

When it comes to bold design features and accents we tend to think every room needs its own flavor. This can be a design nightmare. When planning out the rest of your home try to consider one central theme that can run throughout the home. All the while, ensuring that theme compliments the new beautiful space you’ve just created in the kitchen.

Think accent furniture pieces and perhaps even a complimentary rug or floor piece. All of the elements should work together and offer a level of consistency and style together.

A black kitchen is a room when done right can be hauntingly beautiful. If you want to make that jump into the world of design and style then use these six tips when creating your very own black kitchen.

Imagery:

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/Ab8I_sdXx5nWu97nUwF1Y7UIRJ7KVGNYAJopckQHGUpANhiBlFL0AgQ/

The Belated Buying Guide: 6 Time Sensitive Tips For Deadline-Driven Gift Shopping

September 27, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Well, it’s almost that time of year again folks!

You know what I mean. That “most wonderful time of the year,” and yet in reality, the lead up to it can feel more like absolute chaos.

No matter how organized we say we’ll be, the idea and impending task of Christmas shopping seems to send the majority of us into a sense of madness. That fear that creeps up on us, before the hurried dash to buy all those last minute gifts.

So, to take some of the stress out of seasonal present preparations, here are six tips to help those of you beat the rush, subdue the panic, and meet that looming deadline for fantastic gifts.

Shop online

So many of us hate going into the shops at this busy time of year, especially men. Let’s admit it. How many of us have done the last minute race to buy a gift? However, you don’t have to worry, online shopping can reduce the hassle, and you don’t have to go anywhere. No crowds, no car park rage, it’s a Christmas miracle!

Yes, shopping online may be considered more of a millennial idea, but so long as you plan, sites such as Yellow Octopus can have your man’s perfect gift to him ready in time for the main day.

Get in first

If you are brave (or crazy) enough to front up to the retail stores in the last few days, plan your shopping time. Get to the shopping centre/mall early enough so that you can map out the stores.

If you have to drive a fair distance, plan your quickest route to get there. This can help reduce the stress of parking and the mass of crowds as you try to get to the corresponding store for each related gift.

Make a list

We all know how Santa’s song goes “…He’s making a list and checking it twice.”

However, when working to a deadline, taking a tip from the jolly man and making a list probably isn’t such a bad idea. Write out all the gifts and corresponding people for whom you want to buy a gift and mark them off as you purchase each one.

Then check that you have bought for all on your list. This way you will have “checked it twice.”

Office secret Santa

Now we all know about deadlines when it comes to our workplace. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t have a little festive cheer.

Forbes has some great gifts that work well for the office, aren’t expensive and will suit everyone, from the organised colleague to your supervising manager.

Gift vouchers

Yes, now we come to what would be inclined to be the lazy person’s way out.

However, if you know your person’s favourites, this can save you a large amount of time and hassle.

If your receiver loves movies, a gift voucher to their local cinema can be a great choice. Those such as the Village Cinemas gift shop offer cards for Gold Class or All Inclusive Experience.

Appeal to their likes

If you’re really stuck for a gift, think of what they like. Are they someone with a sweet tooth?

Based in Queensland, Moo – Lolly Bar sells a great range of confectionery that you can buy in bulk, which you can send to anyone from colleagues, to your family and friends. They ship nationwide; including rural areas and you can buy online, a perfect idea for any chocoholic.

There are my six time sensitive tips to help you meet your gift-buying deadline. I hope the festive season is kind to you, and also to your wallet.

Simple and Cost Effective Ways to Prevent Break-Ins

September 20, 2017 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

If you are worried about your home getting broken into while you are out or during the night, we have some steps that should help with the issue. Even though none of the below steps are going to give you a 100 percent guarantee of no break-ins, we believe these steps will ensure the risk is close to negligible. Here are some simple and cost effective ways to prevent break-ins.

Stop Showing Off

It may sound obvious, but if you are going to show off your wealth there is a much higher chance of you getting robbed. And that is especially true if you are not living in a highly secure neighborhood. If you have an expensive motorbike or bicycle do not leave it out unattended. If you have pricey electronics do not throw the boxes they came in to an area that is clearly visible to those who are passing by. And if you have those expensive electronics set up in the house avoid leaving the drapes or shades open while you’re out so that everyone can see your huge screen TV.

Trick Burglars

One of the best ways to ensure you are not robbed is to give the illusion that you are always home. Even when you are heading to work, keep one or two lights on. You may even want to leave the TV on or some music playing as that will really make people think there is someone in the house. Statistics show that a break in is far less likely if someone is home.

Secure Your Windows

It is always a good idea to keep all of your sliding doors and windows secured. You may think no one is going to realize your back sliding door does not lock, but all it takes is for a burglar to try getting inside. We suggest connecting with locksmiths in Perth so they can help you get all of these doors and windows secured. It is much better to be safe instead of coming home to a place that was robbed because your window was unsecure.

Stop Leaving Spares

We have all seen this in many movies or television shows –homeowners leaving a key under the mat or a nearby pot. Do NOT do this under any circumstances. Unless it is for a specific occasion and the key will only be there for a couple of hours, it is a bad idea. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that burglars don’t know this too! The first thing they’ll do is look for a ‘hidden’ key – and they know all the good hiding spots.

Get an Alarm System

With most alarm systems, you are getting a high level of protection for a very low price. And sometimes all it takes is having one of those signs in your front yard that says you are a customer for an alarm company. It will deter burglars, because they know that an alarm is going to go off if they attempt to get into the house through a door or window.