Love my house

Are you looking to move to London or elsewhere in London to try to be nearer to some green spaces? Check out some areas of London we’d recommend if you want to be closer to a park. You can have the best of both worlds, with the bustle of Central London and the serenity of a local park both on your doorstep.

 

Camden

Camden is a great area to explore and to live. The thriving town offers a diverse range of street food and odd bits at the market, there are great bars, restaurants and comedy clubs and there’s the well-known ‘Round House’ if you’re a fan of live music. Just ten minutes’ walk, though, and you’ll find yourself taking in incredible London skyline views from the top of Primrose Hill or having a peek into London Zoo from Regent’s Park. This is a gorgeous park to wander around, to feel like you’re in the heart of the countryside.

 

Bethnal Green

Bethnal Green is a great spot, putting you ten minutes on the bus from Shoreditch in one direction and ten minutes in the other direction to the gorgeous Victoria Park. The park offers a large outer track, and Chinese gardens, as well as access onto the Regent’s Canal, giving you plenty of places to explore on a weekend. Victoria Park Village, next to the park, offers plenty of eateries and pubs after you’ve tired yourself out in the park too! In the summer, there are a number of visiting festivals, including Lovebox, All Points East, Citadel and Creamfields. As a cheeky bonus, Bethnal Green sits on the Central Line, getting you to Tottenham Court Road or Westfields Stratford in around 15 minutes too.

Clapham

Clapham has a reputation which precedes it, as a great area for people moving to London. The area offers easy access to Central London on the Northern Line and a lively atmosphere, with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you entertained. The area also has the lovely Clapham Common, a large expanse offering many exercise classes and a Park Run to local residents. If you fancy more of a wander, you can head down Northcote Road towards Battersea and head over to Battersea Park too. The area is great for those first moving to London – offering a bit of peace away from the city but an environment where you can make friends and socialise easily.

Forest Gate

If you fancy experiencing East London life, Forest Gate is a great option. Sat right outside Stratford, Forest Gate is close to Westfields shopping centre, local bars, restaurants and amenities. Forest Gate is on the train line in to Liverpool Street and close to the tube options at Stratford. As well as this, Forest Gate sits close to the Olympic Park and Wanstead Flats – both lovely green spaces to explore. The Olympic Park is a great space to discover, and you can easily jump onto the canal path here and head up towards Walthamstow.

 

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When you put your property on the market, it’s important that you do everything you can to make sure it looks as aesthetically pleasing as it can be. Here are some of the ten biggest turn offs for potential buyers or renters when they look at a property.

Damp

A whopping 70% of people stated they’d be turned off at the sight of damp patches or stained walls. This is often due to how expensive it can be to fix and can also indicate further issues within the property, like a leaking gutter or roof.

Property in poor state of repair

Next was a property that’s in a poor state of repair. This isn’t a surprising one since repairs can get very expensive quickly and are often time consuming.

No garden

It appears that 57% of people consider a garden a deal breaker. Despite the inconsistent UK weather, many buyers are always after the opportunity at least to plant some flowers and grow vegetables.

Bad smells

Many homebuyers appear to be turned off by poor smelling homes, which shouldn’t surprise many. Examples could be smells caused by pets, food and cigarettes.

No space for parking

Over half of homebuyers stated that parking was another deal breaker when selecting a new home.

Poorly lit rooms

54% of people were put off by poor lighting; hardly anyone wants to come home in the summer to a house where the lights still need to be turned on, so it’s important to keep your home properly lit so it feels welcoming to viewers.

Unfinished works

About 54% of individuals stated that unfinished building work was off-putting when it came to buying a house. Viewing a house that looks like a building site isn’t very appealing and neither is the thought of buying one.

Small rooms

51% of homebuyers said a home with small rooms was a turn-off. This is probably because of the increasing popularity of open plan areas. Small spaces are often advertised as ‘cosy’ but it appears many homebuyers aren’t looking for this.

Small kitchens

It seems 44% of individuals would be put off by a property with a small kitchen. A kitchen is the hub of many homes and if there isn’t enough space for wining and dining guests it often won’t be considered.

Poor DIY

Good intentions aside, bad DIY is off-putting to 43% of homebuyers. An unfinished curtain rail or skirting board can look tatty and gives off the feeling that the property isn’t care for. When the time comes to conduct viewings, we suggest just putting the tools down.

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Anybody having plans to changing the doors this summer? We found a great idea to make them look brand new by using the old doors and just refinishing them.

The complete DIY project in this step-by-step guide on ThisOldHouse:

  1. Remove the door’s hardware
  2. Sand the flats
  3. Scrape the moldings

  4. Hand-sand profiles and clear away dust

  5. Seal door edges before rehanging

  6. Choose a finish and apply first coat

  7. Apply final coat and reattach hardware

Seems easy enough, but it takes some courage to start! 🙂 Best of luck! Show us the result if you do it! Or maybe you have some other secret way of refreshing the doors…???

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If you’re one of those green-lovers that would easily grow an entire garden inside, you will probably love the concept of this New York apartment…

Photo source: HomeBNC https://bit.ly/2ymOlpw

If you still like gardening, but not to that extent, we recommend a very relaxing way to add some living green plants to your apartment.

8 Apartment Balcony Garden Decorating Ideas you Must Look at

50 Ways to Redeem Your Balcony Space

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Photo source: https://bit.ly/2JzFD8n

Are you looking for ideas that will spruce up your kitchen but won’t break your budget? If your kitchen is looking out of date, you don’t have to shell out a fortune to give it a new, fresh look. Whether you’ve lived there for many years or have just moved in, here are some simple ideas on how to refresh your kitchen.

 

New lighting

Chandeliers are wonderful for brightening up your kitchen and improving its overall mood and appearance. The lights that come with most properties are quite standard, but by mixing it up with other kinds of lighting you can give your home more personality and character.

 

Fresh colours       

Lighter colours are great for walls and cabinets, because apart from making a space look larger, they also make it look and feel more upmarket. They also reflect light which means they are better able to hide bumps and scratches that might have accrued on your walls and cabinets over the years.

 

Artwork

Pieces of art can instantly improve any kitchen. If possible, opt for larger pieces as these can create the illusion of a larger space. This is also a nice option for renters that don’t have the chance to change much in their space.

 

Discover the value of stainless steel

Can’t afford stainless steel products? There’s a way around it; stainless steel paint can be used on those appliances that are making your kitchen feel dated. Just ensure you buy the right kind of paint, as companies make different types of it depending on the appliance.

De-clutter

Kitchen clutter can really bring down a space, so (if possible) try hiding them away and only take them out when you need to use them. Examples include objects like kettles and toasters.

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This summer will use your patio fully so why not give it the best look it can have.

Step 1 should be to clean in roughly. Some extra care for the space where you’re going to spend warm and (apparently) endless summer nights with friends is in order.

Here are our suggestions for a fresh and modern patio (with DIY tricks included, of course):

  1. Fake an expensive patio with some spray paint!

How To Fake A Stone Patio

Fake an expensive patio with this spray paint idea.

Posted by DIY with Hometalk on Wednesday, 23 May 2018

2. Change the garden chairs – top ideas from Elle Decor!

We loved Casper and it’s hollow looks, but doesn’t Marrocco seem comfortable for a summer afternoon?

Photo souce: Ella Decor https://bit.ly/2y1bwW4

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Unless you’re an experienced renter, moving can actually get you in a spot of bother unless you follow the correct protocol. A wrong move can result in unexpected fees, fines and even a driving penalty. Here’s our checklist to help you avoid the worst when moving out of a rental flat.

Photo source: https://bit.ly/2HBT7iT

Inform the right people

There is a long list of institutions to tell that you’re moving, including your employer, your bank, your credit card providers, utility providers and the council.

And then there’s the DVLA, which can often be the forgetful one. Whilst you’re not changing cars, you are changing address, so if you get an unfortunate driving offence, the DVLA will write to your old address and if they don’t get receive a timely response, it can get bad quickly.

Change your postal address

It may be worth investing in the mail redirection service from Royal Mail – charges begin from £33.99 for three months and it takes just 5 days to organise. You can apply online or at your local post office from 3 months before to 6 months after you move.

Don’t forget to clean

According to the Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS), poor cleaning makes up over half the deductions from tenants’ deposits.

The best way to avoid this from happening is to pay for a good end-of-tenancy clean. This may even be a requirement in your contract so be sure to double check.

And when they’ve finished, take plenty of clear photos of their work so if issues do arise, it’ll be easier to dispute it with the cleaning company instead of letting it affect your deposit. If you can, send the same photos to your landlord. Remember that your aim is to return the flat how you found it.

Worried about being charged for pre-existing issues? Resend your check-in photos to your landlord to remind them of the properties condition when you first moved in.

Know about wear and tear

Landlords aren’t allowed to subtract money for ‘reasonable wear and tear’. Examples include worn carpeting, loose wallpaper and faded curtains or drapes.

Also, if you’ve lived in a property for several years, the landlord should expect the property to be more worn than one that’s been occupied for a short period of time (six months and under).

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We’re always trying to find the best tips for raising the value of a home. And if beauty is in the details, there is more that one thing to consider when talking about the bathroom…

Photo source: Futurist Architecture https://bit.ly/2wZnAXw

Considering you’re a homeowner trying to renovate the home before selling it, would you keep the tub or would you change it with a shower? If you’re thinking of simply answering ‘The next owner will figure out what it wants!’ you might be loosing some money while answering.

Most home-buyers are looking to find the perfect home throughout. It should fit their wishes from the key to the… bathtub or shower! So keep in mind the buyer when redecorating.

Now, to ease a bit the process of making up your mind, here are the principles before choosing between a tub and a walk-in shower:

  • usually families use a tub. Children need a tub if only for their rubber duckies if not anything else. 🙂
  • young and active homeowners prefer a shower ‘on the go’, before going out.

If you know who you are targeting, it should be really simple. Your 3-bedroom home with only one bathroom is, most probably, going to be bought by a family. Your studio apartment close to the station will be preferred by a first time buyer.

Photo source: Homestratosphere https://bit.ly/2x2JN70

More info about the types of bathrooms preferred by different targets of people in this insightful article on Elle Decor.

And talking about redecorating a bathroom, we gathered some ideas for either or a tub-bathroom, or a walk-in shower:

81 Wonderful Bathtub Ideas with Modern Design

280 Master Bathrooms with Walk-In Showers for 2018

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It’s no secret that tiling is a more practical approach for your bathroom floor than paint or carpet. It is one area that experiences more water exposure than others, and unlike carpet, most tiling is able to withstand it.

But with this said, some types of tiling are able to handle it better than others, and it’s important to be aware of what you’re paying for when going with your chosen material.

Below are some of the most popular tiles used in modern bathrooms, listed to help you select the best bathroom tile for your bathroom.

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles are one of the more popular choices for bathroom floors; they are better suited to those with smaller budgets and who don’t intend on changing the appearance. They come in a wide range of colours and styles, allowing you to achieve a more expensive look at a cheaper price. Their durability also makes it ideal for both floor and wall tiling.

Glazed porcelain tiles are often preferred due them being more hygienic; they are able to withstand more water, scratches and bacteria which make them the most suitable for a bathroom. They are also easier to clean and maintain, and can withstand heat, so you have the option to install under floor heating with it if you want a warmer underfoot.

Slate

Slate tiles can provide your bathroom with a modern, timeless feel. They come in different shades of grey, which gives off an air of sophistication and can also work with many kinds of styles.

They’re also naturally waterproof, non-stick and don’t require any additional sealing, making them ideal for low maintenance bathrooms and shower cubicles. They are a better option for those with higher budgets, but for a stone tile they do have value and will retain their value for a very long time.

Quartz

Quartz tiles are becoming increasingly popular due to how pleasing they are on the eye. They come in every colour and contain a high gloss finish; some even contain small pieces of mirror within the tiles that give off a glittery look. Quartz tiles are therefore ideal for many different styles, particularly for people who want to create a more modern feel in their bathroom. They are also durable and retain their colour well.

Due to Quartz tiles being made from resin, they don’t require sealing for waterproofing and are therefore perfect for any bathroom. They are a suitable choice for those seeking a no quibble, no fuss tile; they are resistant to heat and stains which makes them easier to clean as well.

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Photo source: https://bit.ly/2JZ6daQ

7 Feng Shui steps to a harmonious home

Getting started with feng shui for your house and home can be easy when you start with the house basics and gradually move on to the more complex feng shui levels. To help you get started with good feng shui in your home, here are some helpful feng shui house steps for beginners.

Clear your clutter for good Feng Shui

Get rid of everything you do not love in your house. Clutter clearing is a time-and-energy-consuming process that will feel like therapy, but it will help you “lighten up the load,” so to speak. Do not skip this step, as it is an essential one in creating harmonious house feng shui energy.

 

Get good quality air and light

These two elements are essential for good feng shui energy (called Chi) in your home. Open the windows often, introduce feng shui air-purifying plants or use an air purifier. Allow as much natural light as possible into your home and consider using full-spectrum lights.

 

Define your energy map

Define the Bagua, or the feng shui energy map of your house, by using one of the two main feng shui methods: the classical school Bagua or the BTB grid. Once you define the Bagua, you will know which areas of your home are connected to specific areas of your life. For example, in traditional feng shui, the Southeast feng shui area of your home is connected to the flow of money energy in your life.

 

Get the basics of 5 Feng Shui elements

Get the basics of five feng shui elements in order to create balance and vibrant energy in all areas of your home. For example, if you are working on attracting more prosperity, you will introduce the feng shui elements of Wood and Water in the Southeast area of your house. If you need to improve your health, you will place lush plants representing the Wood feng shui element or pieces of wood furniture in the East area of your home.

 

Always be mindful of the quality of energy in your home

Always be mindful of the energy in your home and how its energy influences your well-being. Make a habit of paying close attention to the so-called feng shui “trinity” that is deeply connected to your health: your bedroom, your bathroom, and your kitchen. Nothing is static in the world of energy, so be wise and keep your home healthy and happy.

 

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