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Home & Interiors

Our loft/attic conversion- some advice

We have discussed our renovation projects at length on the blog.  We are getting there finally.  Last piece of the epic project was the conversion of our attic or loft space. The boys are getting older and  they really wanted a “boys den”. The most logical place to do this was the attic space.  There isnt enough head room to make it a bedroom for adults but there would be plenty room the kids to stand for quite a few more years.

The Stairs

floating stairs

Pic Credit: https://uk.fontanotshop.com

The best piece of advice I can give here is to do you research.  Price and quality really does vary considerably and if like our it is going to be in almost daily use, durability will be critical. Many hour were spent pouring over google, Pintrest and home & interiors magazines. The stairs for us would also be a focal point as they lead on from the current staircase.  I have completely fallen in love with the designs and selections from Fontanot stairs designers.   Within reason I never mind spending money on quality.  These stairs will be in place for sometime to come so as well as being durable they need to be easy on the eye too or else it will drive me crazy every time I look at them!

How utterly amazing are the floating steps staircase.  I mean wow, want want want.  My kids are little too young for us to have these yet but in another couple of years this is the dream.  I love clean lines and that sharp crisp look and they totally tick all the boxes for me.  I have even checked, our wall is load bearing and suitable to accommodate them! Hint hint Dada Fairy!!!

Light – natural and artificial

Pic Credit: Sterling Build

Lighting is important especially for the attic.  I wanted as much natural light as I could without spending a huge amount of money on roof structural alterations. We went with 3 velux windows which bring in tonnes of natural light. They really make this space so workable.  Having shopped around we ended up buying blinds from Sterling Build. We went with three different types of Star Wars blinds  and they worked out so much cheaper than buying direct from Velux. Quality is perfect and they are blackout blinds which make it it ideal if we did decide to use the room as a bedroom for sleep overs etc.  We also added a huge amount of artificial light with integrated spot lights.

I am so thrilled with the outcome its a very usable space.  The kids really do love it and especially enjoy the pals coming over for play dates or movie nights. Has anybody else converted their attic spaces? I’d love to see some pics.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post however I retain full editorial control

 

Home & Interiors

Landscaping Ideas And Tips For Your Garden

When planning your garden as part of your landscaping goals, it pays off to have a good understanding of the plants you can grow. Garden plans can be categorized as perennials or annuals, exotic or native, shrubs or climbing plants.

In addition to this you need to know their names, the colours of their flowers, their foliage, their growth habit and the size they reach when fully grown. You also need to be well conversant with their suitability for your particular climate. With this knowledge, you can then start designing and landscaping your garden.

Here are landscaping ideas for your garden.

Choosing a style

You need to consider your location, climate, soil type, terrain, and function of your garden when choosing a garden style. There is no use an Italian garden style that requires good soil and plenty of water yet you live in a dry neighborhood where the soil is sandy. Sandy soil leaks water too fast and is unsuitable for water-demanding plants. The function you intend for the garden is vital in choosing an appropriate garden style. The garden styles would be different if you want a safe playing zone for your kids from when you want suitable place to host parties.

Designing the garden

You can design everything on paper first before implementing it on the ground or plan as you go along.

The first approach gives you the artistic impression of how everything will look like after you complete the project and will save you lots of time and money. While being spontaneous is exciting, it can lead to costly mistakes and waste of time when you learn that something is not where you’d like it to be and you have to make changes.

You need to put some thought while designing especially when you are installing features like water features and building walls since they can’t be easily moved like plants.

It’s also important to consider at this stage any building materials needed such as paving or cobbles as they will need to be in situ before the planting starts. In addition, it is at this stage that you need to consider if any of your chosen features require construction or foundation/ preparation work, for example, if you are wanting a retractable flagpole or a garden shed installing.

Choosing your plants

The choice of plants at you local plant nursery should be more than enough, but you need to ensure the plants you choose are suitable to the garden style and the climate of your area. Indigenous plants grow better and need less attention since they are better acclimatized to the existing conditions but should you decide to have a mix of indigenous and exotic plants, be sure to grow them in separate locations.  Exotic plants tend to either wilt and die or become overly dominant when planted close to indigenous plants.

When deciding on how to plant your garden and what varieties to choose, you may want to contact a local landscaper to seek their expert advice. Local landscapers will know the local climate and soil conditions better than anyone, so they should have some good suggestions for you. It is also worth find out What Is The Best Grass Seed since you will also need to have a grass cover in your landscape. However I must admit like Life as Mrs D I too am a little tempted with artificial grass!

Planting

Take into account the color of your plants when planting since this can either add to the appeal of your garden or destroy it. Color is one of the most important aspects in landscaping and can make or break your garden.  Space your plants well and plant them in odd numbers. Plants with off the same species and almost similar colors should be clustered. For instance, red, orange and yellow garden plants should be close to each other.  To add to the allure of your garden, blend bright colors with dull ones and you can also plant a few scented flowers in your garden but be sure they are not too strong.

Home & Interiors

Keep your growing family happy with these interior design tips

child playing with cameraWhether you’ve already got a few little ones, or you’re eagerly waiting for the pitter patter of tiny feet, here are some family-friendly interior design ideas to ensure your home is the ideal space for all.

Distractions are vital

Pricey trinkets and inquisitive children don’t mix. For that reason, it’s a good idea to place distractions around the house so that they’re not focused on playing with (and possibly breaking) your works of art. Create a specific space for children to unleash their energy, such as a playroom or a music room.   

Pay attention to fabrics

When tasked with designing a family home, a lot of design experts will swear by durable fabrics such as vinyl or faux leather that are easy to wipe clean. With children, spills are inevitable so you want to make sure that you can wipe them away as quickly and as easy as possible. You might also want to bring an outdoor rug inside, particularly in areas that see a lot of traffic such as the kitchen.   Whatever you decide you will want something to make an impact.

Conceal utilitarian features

One of the most exciting parts of interior design is adding those thoughtful features that tie the room together. When you’re doing this, consider how much you can hide certain utilitarian features such as radiators and plug sockets. This will also help to keep wandering fingers at bay and improve the overall safety of your home.

Embrace their creativity

Praise your little Picassos by giving them their very own exhibition.child climbing on furntiure Instead of confining them to the fridge, invest in some fun frames and use them as décor in your living room, kitchen, or playroom. This might even be an activity you want to do together as a family.

Consider an open floor plan

An open plan living space is the ideal choice for those who are planning to grow their family. This openness allows everyone to spend time together, and it’s easy to turn two rooms into one by being mindful of the interior design that you choose. Coordinate the two rooms by choosing a neutral colour palette that you can then add splashes of colour to as you go along, and open up the space with doors from bi fold shop, so the transition between the two rooms is seamless.

Go further than pink or blue

While pink and blue are the colours usually associated with newborns, choosing a neutral colour palette for your first kids’ rooms will allow you more freedom when the next one comes along. Opt for colours such as cream, beige, and pale yellow and remember that lighter shades can help the room to look bigger and brighter than it really is.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

How to Make the Most of Shrinking Living Rooms

No, you’re not imagining it. Living rooms are officially shrinking! According to new research carried out by LABC warranty, lounges in Britain’s homes are now 32% smaller than the equivalent properties in the 1970s. Separate research conducted by Cambridge University in 2014 found that new build homes in the UK are the smallest in Europe. So, what are we to do about the lost square footage and what’s the best strategy for living with smaller spaces? Let’s take a look at how to make the most of shrinking living rooms.

Clever furniture choices

Sitting room furniture

Pic Credit: Pixabay

When you don’t have a lot of floor space to spare, you need to be even choosier about the furniture you select. In fact, if your lounge is on the small side, you may actually have issues putting essentials like sofas in situ. Go too large and you may find you have to take your UPVC glazed window out just so you can get your sofa in your living room! I may or may not be speaking from experience here!!!  If you really need a larger sofa for lounging on, think about purchasing a two-piece L-shaped sofa that can be slotted together once in position so you can avoid awkward window removals! Many L-shape sofas can now be set up in right or left facing, so you can make the most of your room shape too.

Mounting your TV on the wall rather than on a stand is another commonly used space saver but if you want to get serious about reclaiming as many square inches as possible, it’s time to select stackable and multi-use furniture. Nests of tables are handy pieces that can be tidied away easily; footstools that double as storage space are a godsend when you need quickly clear up for a guest’s arrival too. Folding tables and chairs are great for creating a little kids’ play corner that can be stored away when not in use.

Blending and zoning

Even with smaller, cleverer furniture choices, some modern living rooms still feel cramped. After all, the living room tends to be the space where the family gathers together for activities. You might use the living room for watching TV together or as a space where the toddler plays with their toys or you may want to eat and entertain in your lounge. That’s a lot of demands put on a small space and a variety of different activities that require very different types of furniture. Many homeowners choose to alleviate this closed in feeling and accommodate different goings-on by blending and zoning spaces.

Fancy giving blending and zoning a go? Removing the wall between the living room and dining room will open up your space, but you may want to retain some element of separation. Floor-to-ceiling internal bifolds like these from Vufold will let lots of light flow through the space while giving you the option to close off into defined rooms. Alternatively, you could try your hand at simple zoning of your living room using separating furniture such as bookcases or other stylish options so that you have quieter nooks for play or activities like homework or reading.

Go digital

According to research by Which, 24% of UK homes now contain some kind of smart home device. I have written about this before, the Dada Fairy has become hooked on smart home features these days! Some of these gadgets will be cameras aimed at increasing security or central heating control systems, but many more are likely to be smart TVs or hubs like the Amazon Echo. These nifty devices do your bidding with a simple voice command, playing your choice of music or film, searching the Internet for you or even making a call. 

Part of our living room renovation included a small segregated home office area.  We were very fortunate to be sent a BenQ e-Reading LED desk lamp.   I would never have considered lighting to be a feature not only useful but aesthetically in a room. The room was kept very neutral and the lamp is hot pink which  adds a fab fun element to an otherwise toned down neutral space.  The lamp is designed to provide constant and flicker-free illumination and no unstable lighting which may potentially cause harm to your eyes. What I love most about this lamp is how movable it is adapting to whatever technology is in use. The feature my pair love the most is the ambient lighting moods! You can easily switch between warm tones for casual reading, to the cooler tones for concentration and work.  Coming with a price tag of £149 this isn’t the cheapest lamp on the market but you do have to consider its functionality which cannot be denied. In a world ever engrossed with all things techie. I wont scrimp on devices that assist in that regard therefore hand on heart can attest to the quality and functionality of this lamp.   Continue Reading

Home & Interiors

Lights, Camera, Action….

Lights, Camera, Action or not as the case may be!! I know you are probably totally fed up of hearing about our renovation woes! We are very much nearing completion with the bulk of the structural work completed.  While we have had disagreements over some of the larger elements of this project a serious bone of contention has become the interior details and most specifically the lights/lighting.

I quite literally spend hours turning off lights in our house. The Dada Fairy and the kids cannot seem to master the art of turning off the light when they leave the room.  The house was completely wired in the new and the Dada Fairy insisted on tonnes of lighting both inside and outside. My neighbour was only half joking when he said to my husband one day you wont be happy until the house is visible from space!!

Who knew  choosing light fittings would be so difficult. We are poles apart in terms of what we like. He likes the almost industrial vibe im more in favour of warm cosy type fittings. He wants tonnes of light in rooms. I can see where he is coming from as living at the end of a hill our house can be quite dark.

lightbulb

Pic Credit: Pixabay

For me however lights are a lot more than just that, lighting can transform a room. Also for me the energy efficiency of the bulbs is key. Our bills previous in Winter could top 300 however after the initial outlay on the LED bulbs we have noticed a marked improvement.  Our November/ December bill for last year was only 120 for 2 months.  For us it has been totally worth the initial outlay. Once we have all in place, ill be looking into the smart home features like the Philips Hue. My sister has this and finds it brilliant.  Being able to turn on and off lights from an app on your phone, no more running after the boys to turn off lights!!

Because my husband often works from home, he is very aware of the lighting needs in areas of the house, for example task based lighting, ambient lights and general lighting.   Who knew there was so much to consider!

One other item that I was indifferent about was a sensor light out in the garden.  This has been a great addition as it illuminates the area very quickly.  As we are often away the motion sensor light is another device which will hopefully help protect the house for unwanted guests! While no light will keep a thief out it will hopefully create the illusion that somebody is home. Separate to that, its great when you pull up outside late in the evening the drive is lit up instantly.

If you do have any pictures of your inside lights I would love to see them. I have been searching on line for weeks now for inspiration but we still cant agree. We are getting there though and when we do ill be sure to update this article.

 

Home & Interiors

How to Choose a Rug that Perfectly Matches Your Flooring

Looking to buy a rug but are unsure of where to start? The first thing to consider is how well it matches your floor. When you find a nice match, the entire room looks so much better, with improved décor that really enhances the space and works well together.

Yet it’s not easy to find the right rug for every floor. Many assume you only use rugs on laminate flooring, but rugs work amazingly well on virtually every type of flooring – even carpets! So, it’s important to think about the type of flooring you have and how to find a rug that matches it well.

Going to a reputable well known company such as Rug Shop Nottingham is a good starting point as experts on hand can answer a lot of the key considerations and queries you might have.

There are a few things to consider, with size and shape being obvious places to start. However, to ensure you get the perfect match for your flooring, you want to think about a few more things, including the colour and pattern and how it works with the floor.

Other important considerations to make include the texture and overall style of the rug – choose wrongly and the rug won’t look that great at all.

Check out this infographic from Land of Rugs for all the help you need to choose a rug that perfectly matches your flooring! Land of Rugs have also kindly offer 10% of code for Mamma Fairy readers simply input blogger01 at the checkout.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Top Interiors Blogs for some #syleinspo

funky chair

Pic Credit: Pixabay

I have spoken at length about our renovation projects, thankfully they are drawing to a close which can only mean one thing! It is time for the fun part….designing the interiors. I am one of  those people who pour of beautiful pictures on Instagram accounts and Pinterest. I love creating mood boards and wish lists that contain items way out of budget. I have serious envy of those stunning interiors. Unfortunately I am not a creative type person so I rely on those far better at it than me for inspiration.

Thankfully in order to help me in my quest Sloan & Sons have produced a really useful guide which list the Top 32 interior blogs of 2018.  I’ll admit there were blogs on that list that I have never heard of before. Its not a word of a lie when I say I have quite literally spent hours pouring over stunning interiors shots wishing I could just win the lotto!

If you looking for some new interior blogs to follow, I have totally fallen in love with Design Hunter. The blog itself is crisp and cool, the posts equally so.  Don’t just take my word for it have a nosey. One word…..stylish! Another new blog for me was Rose & Grey  another blog with lots of informative content and swoon worthy pics.

Are there any blogs not on that list you think should have been? Would love to hear in the comments.

Note: This is a collaborative post however I retain full editorial control.
Home & Interiors

Kitchen extension update

As I have shared a number of times on the blog we are still running quite a major kitchen refurbishment project.  We took on a  mammoth of a 1970’s house which needed total renovation both inside and out.  While I am excited to see the finished product, its been a very stressful couple of years with a number of wobbles along the way.     One of things which was always on my wish list was a big bright and airy kitchen area. I always had visions of having extended family over for lazy lunches and chats around a large kitchen table.  However living at the bottom of a hill surrounded by beautiful but really tall trees, means we get very little natural light and the light we do get comes in the evening time resulting a dark uninviting space.

Roof Lanterns

roof lantern

Pic Credit: Direct Bi-fold doors

We engaged the assistance of an architect who worked with my husband to come up with the best solution given the constraints we faced.  What was decided after much deliberation and google searching was a flat room with a roof lantern. Ill admit I hadn’t heard of nor had I considered a roof lantern prior to this. I suppose my gut feeling was that these feature or statement pieces were for much larger grander projects.  Thankfully over multiple cups of coffee around a make shift table I finally saw sense and decided we would stretch the budget and go with a small size roof lanten.

If your not sure what im taking about see picture opposite of some stunning UK made roof lanterns.  It was totally worth pushing the budget, it floods  the extension with absolutely tonnes of natural light from all angles.  We opted for the triple glazing option due to the proximity to a main road way to minimise the road noise. I expected the frame to be cumbersome and obtrusive  looking. They really aren’t, I suppose improvements in materials and engineering have meant that they can be slimed down so much.

Durability

During the recent “best from the East” or Storm Emma, we has quite significant falls of snow and I was a little concerned about the durability of the glass in such conditions as I dont think any of us expected quite as much snow. I had visions of them collapsing under the weight of such significant sow. I can happily attest to the fact they are still intact and in place and the snow didn’t seem to do them any damage. They retain the heat well in Winter and from what I have experience so far they regulate the temperature well in Summer time.

If like me you are unsure, do go and see them. I know our architect has asked if one of his new clients could have a look a the roof lantern as she is unsure how it would work. Im happy to oblige as I really didnt appreciate them until I saw it in position.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post

 

Home & Interiors

Why It Pays To Regularly Inspect Your Plumbing

If you are a homeowner, you will most likely have the number of an emergency plumber somewhere on your smartphone which would be used whenever a problem arises, and with very expensive emergency call out charges, it is far wiser to have your plumbing inspected regularly. This is very much a preventative measure, and for those who think that it isn’t important, here are a few of the issues an early discovery can help with.

 

  • Leaking Faucets – That age old saying, “A stitch in time saves nine” could not be more appropriate, and any small leak in your water pipeline system will not magically fix itself, rather it will gradually become worse, and dampness will appear. You should check every month for leaking taps, and replace any that are showing signs of wear and tear. If you would like to fix it yourself, there are various plumbing supplies in the UK available at Trading Depot, and at trade prices, you really can’t go wrong.

 

  • Blocked Drains – It might typically start with a small blockage that doesn’t really affect the water flow, yet more and more foreign objects will attach themselves to the growing obstacle and eventually, you will suffer a total blockage. This can cause major damage to the structure, with plaster and timber affected, and this is why it is a good idea to run hot water in all the sinks which will help to unblock any partial blockages before they become an issue. If you like some help with this, there is a beginner’s guide to unblocking drains online which is full of useful information.

 

  • Minimal Repairs – There will be the odd washer or burst pipe, but with regular inspections, anything that looks a little jaded can be instantly replaced, and that will avoid more expensive repairs at a later date. If you know anything about plumbing, you can carry out any repair work yourself, and with online suppliers of all things plumbing, you can save considerably on the repairs.

 

  • Undetected Leaks – It isn’t always apparent that you have a water leak, as it might be underground outside the home, and over time, this can really cost you a lot of money as your water bill will be unusually high. If you have noticed your water usage creeping up, this could well be the cause, and one way to tell is to turn off all the faucets in the house, then check the meter – which should be stationary. Wait for 15 minutes, then check again, and if the second reading is higher than the first, then you have an undetected leak.

 

More and more homeowners are getting their wrenches out and tackling plumbing issues themselves, and with online suppliers of all the equipment, and online tutorials to help you, fixing your plumbing problems has never been easier. If you make a point of inspecting the entire system every month or so, this will go a long way towards ensuring that everything works as it should.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

Make 2018 the Year You Invest in an Oil Monitor

You may know friends who use oil monitors, but you’ve always thought they were a bit of a waste of time – you know how much oil you bought and how much you have left. However, over the years you may have had an unpleasant surprise when your oil levels suddenly drop during a cold spell or, worst of all, someone’s stolen half your supply.

Modern oil monitors don’t just tell you what your levels are, they can tell you how much you’re using each day and alert you to perilously or suddenly low levels so you can take action in plenty of time.

home heating control

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Being able to see your levels is useful

Of course, this is the primary benefit, because if your monitor also looks at your daily usage it can tell you that you’ll run out in 15 days; this means you can head here to get a cheap top-up. You can also rein in your usage a bit if you’re burning through your supply a bit too fast.

You’ll be alerted to theft or leaks

Your monitor can sound an alarm if there’s a sudden drop in oil levels so that you can take action. Many thieves siphon off a small amount every few days, so if you don’t find a leak, you can put more security measures in place. If you do find a leak, you can get help before you lose too much oil and damage the environment.

Your boiler will never suddenly run dry and go into lockdown

You can set a limit on your monitor so that it alerts you to dangerously low levels. This is important not just so you’ll top up, but so you can avoid a boiler lockdown. This is a mechanism that prevents damage to boilers – running dry can let air into the internal workings – and while it does prevent any damage, it also means a call-out as well as a top-up.

You can keep an eye on your tank from a distance

You can look at your oil levels from your cosy bedroom; it’s also a lot cleaner than using a dipstick.

You will save fuel and carbon

You can get monitors to tell you how much carbon you’re sending out as well as how much oil you’re using. Knowing how much CO2 they’re responsible for is a wake-up call to many – they finally upgrade their boiler or fix the windows. Monitoring your oil usage can help you to save up to 15% on your spending each year.

Oil monitors aren’t as expensive and fiddly as they once were

Lots of people would like to install and use an oil monitor but they think that the cost of buying and fitting one is more than they’ll actually save. This isn’t true anymore as many modern tanks have sockets ready for the monitors to slot into. Other think that bunded tanks don’t work well with monitors, but with the right advice and the right monitor, there’s no difference.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post