Creative Projects for Your Family Garden

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If you want to enhance your garden space and make it a more enjoyable space for your whole family, you’re in the right place. It's important to get outside and enjoy the outdoors and allow your whole family to have that connection with nature. And with that in mind, we’re going to talk today about some of the creative projects you might want to take on with the family to make more of your outdoor space, so keep reading.

Create a Birdhouse and Bird Feeders

Making a birdhouse or bird feeder may be a fun and rewarding family endeavor. Begin by researching different sorts of birds native to your area and learning what types of birdhouses and feeders they enjoy. You may even include your children in the design process by allowing them to select materials and decorate the end product.

Design a Mosaic

Mosaics may be used to bring colour and interest to any garden space, and they can be built from a number of materials, including ceramic tiles, shells, and even broken crockery. To begin, sketch out a design on paper or make a template out of cardboard. Then, have your children assist you in selecting the materials and arranging them on the template to produce the mosaic pattern. When you're happy with the design, fill in the spaces with grout to keep the mosaic together.

Build and Fill Your Own Raised Flowerbeds

There are all kinds of creative ways in which you can build your own raised flowerbeds for the garden. And there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get the whole family involved in that process. You can use palettes or railway sleepers to create raised flowerbeds and then create a rainbow flowerbed using different flowers. Or you could grow herbs that you’ll later use in the kitchen.

Start a Vegetable Patch

Starting a vegetable patch will not only provide you with fresh, healthy products, but it will also provide children with an excellent learning opportunity. You can involve your children in the planning process by having them assist you in deciding which vegetables to plant and where to grow them in the garden. You can also involve kids in garden care by having them water and weed the plants.

Build a Koi Pond

A koi pond can serve as both a beautiful and calm focal point in your yard and a home for colourful koi fish. To begin, locate a site for the pond and mark it off with a line. You must also decide on the size and shape of the pond, as well as the materials that will be used to construct it.

There are clearly lots of different ways in which you can engage your kids and get the family to take part in connecting with nature and improving the garden. Each of the ideas we’ve talked about here today will make a difference and, most importantly, allow you to do something fun and creative with your kids.

Michelle

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Adding Christmas To Our Living Room With Poster Store

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Disclosure  - We were given a voucher to spend on Poster Store for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

Throughout the year we change our colour scheme to match the seasons. It's a lovely way to keep the house looking fresh and it really does make you embrace the season more. As Christmas will soon be here I have started packing away my Autumnal colours of orange and brown. I have been introducing some red which is the perfect colour for Christmas time. One thing I have struggled with in the past is finding prints for the living room. One of our walls has two frames and above the fireplace has one. All we do throughout the year is change the poster inside to match the season. I was on the lookout for posters that are perfect for Christmas and match the tone of the rest of my decorations. As the boys are getting older I have toned down our decorations however I still want there to be references to Santa within our decor. Whilst browsing Poster Store I found some posters that were a perfect match and when they arrived they were even better than I imagined. 

Snowy Town Poster

Illustration of a town with blue, green and red houses surrounded by snow on a winter night. The print has a white margin that gives the motif more depth.

Santa's Sleigh Poster 

Illustration of Santa's sleigh with his reindeers flying away to the sky in the moonlight. It is a snowy full moon night and you can see two other reindeers in the snow. The print has a white margin that gives the motif more depth.

Holiday Ornament Poster

Cosy illustration of a Christmas ornament, a glass ball and inside you can find a house in green with a red door. The house is surrounded by snow and trees. The print has a white margin that gives the motif more depth.

Each poster can be shipped to you in a variety of sizes including

13x18cm

21x30cm (A4)

30x40cm

50x70cm

Prices vary depending on size and you can choose to receive your poster with or without a frame (at an additional cost). There are a variety of of frames to suit your interior design and colour scheme.

More above Poster Store

At Poster Store you will find Scandinavian designed posters and frames and all posters are printed on sustainably produced high-quality paper.

They have a large poster selection of different themes & categories for all tastes and release a new poster collection every Tuesday. I found the search function very easy and was able to find Christmas themed posters within seconds of searching. 

You will also find lots of inspiration when browsing as the images on the website will help you create your own gallery wall tailor-made for your home. 

If you would like to update your poster collection you can receive 35% off your order. All you need to do is type in the code PLAYDAYS at checkout. You will receive a discount of 35% on posters (except Selection Posters). The offer is not combinable with other discount campaigns. Valid from 9th to 13th November.

We are really pleased with our choices and they've made a great addition to our Christmas decor. 

Michelle

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Distinctive Quality in Vinyl Flooring

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 Every kind of flooring brand proclaims to be the very best in cost, ease and style - but many don’t put themselves into the competition to prove how they are the most popular and practical flooring option on the market.

If they did, luxury vinyl flooring would have more than just your flooring cornered, it would have the entire market. Backed up by years of performance over leading carpet and laminate options, vinyl flooring is proud and confident enough to highlight a strongly enforced warranty that outshines all others.

The Look

Luxury vinyl flooring faced criticism for having a tacky and unnatural look in the early days of the product.

In the years since that assumption, manufacturers of vinyl flooring dedicated extensive research into protective qualities and materials to rectify not only the look and feel but also the durability and functional disadvantages of their competition. Distinctive flooring has developed a product that is cutting edge in replicating the visual surface appearance of natural materials - such as stone and wood - whilst also perfecting the safeguards against the things that can ruin them.

Budget Friendly

Luxury vinyl flooring offers cost-effective solutions to fit those who require it due to tighter budgets.

Individual brands and designs may play a huge part in people's influence towards fitting out their homes, with Distinctive offering an assurance of quality that is unmatched. With design breakthroughs at the forefront of the manufacturing processes, modern materials are cheaper and can be a fraction of the cost of real hardwood and its costly installation.

Although a professional is required in instances such as glueing down, if you are savvy enough with DIY then it's an easy enough exercise to undertake yourself.

Long Term 

Luxury vinyl flooring is created using pressed wood, each plank or tile offers extra durability and stronger resistance to scratches, dampness and abrasion over real hardwood.

This also helps to make it a very simple product to maintain and keep clean. Everyday household cleaning such as a mop and warm soapy water can be used to keep it looking as it should and with stain resistance at its core, you can be sure no lasting marks will be left behind.

Colours and Textures

Among the chief benefits, luxury vinyl tiles offer is the vast design options that continue to grow.

From natural and generated colours to straight and abstract styles to various textures to suit, vinyl has a lot of something for everywhere, making them ideal for people who are budget conscious when it comes to what they envision for their home.

No matter if it's a certain aesthetic or the overall quality you look too, Distinctive vinyl flooring, such as dark grey vinyl flooring, has the choice you want for much less.

Michelle

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Are You Considering Vinyl Flooring for Your Home?

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 Whenever you look to install a new floor option throughout the home you are posed with a lot of questions to ask yourself if you want it done right.

The first things that will come into play are going to be around cost and the impact on the look of the home. With so many luxury vinyl flooring options across the marketplace filled with many designs, how do you determine which is the best for you, especially against the environment, style and cost?

Where are you looking to install it?

Different rooms have different requirements, and research is going to have to be done into it to find out which flooring option is ideal to lay within the environment.

For example, you need to take into account that moisture will take into consideration much more than other rooms if you are looking into a kitchen or bathroom. This therefore will require a certainty that your vinyl flooring has a design that is 100 per cent waterproof or at least offers maximum water resistance.

Looking at hallways you have to take into account large amounts of foot traffic, which will require vinyl flooring that is highly durable and long-lasting. Fully exploring the room environment and how it is used is a large part of your flooring choice.

Do You Have Children and Pets?

Children and pets are usually a major cause of floor damage and your research needs to reflect a solution that can withstand that level of daily abuse.

Your choice has to incorporate durable and resistant qualities for constant wear and tear. With children and pets running through rooms you need to consider factors such as slip-resistance as well as being comfortable. 

Quick Step flooring is a highly recommended product for providing safety and satisfaction when it comes to hectic family environments, with its practical, soft and durable qualities ensuring maximum satisfaction whilst being easy to clean.

Style to Match 

Unless you plan to redecorate your home, you need to find a flooring solution that complements your existing home decor. This means not just focusing on existing colour schemes, but also all joining floors throughout the house.

Choosing a floor that can seamlessly transition between rooms ensures that you don't go off balance with the look. This is why it is important to not limit yourself to whatever stock is on a showroom floor by fully exploring the many designs that can integrate with your current rooms you have no immediate desire to change.

Luxury vinyl flooring, such as oak vinyl flooring, provides all of the above to make your home your own. When searching for a leading brand that fits any floor and provides satisfaction for decades to come, you can’t go wrong with Quick-Step vinyl flooring.

Michelle

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Home Improvements: Tips & Tricks for 2022

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Disclosure - #AD. In the interest of disclosure and transparency, the syndication of this article has been provided and paid for by FBD Insurance.

No matter where you live, your home is your sanctuary. It can be tricky to manage our spaces well, though, especially nowadays when many of us are relaxing, studying and working at home. As things slowly get back to normal, we have a great opportunity to spruce up our spaces with some basic home improvements. These four simple steps from FBD Insurance will help you make the most of your house, turning it into the warm and inviting home you and your family deserve.

1. Take Back Your Space

Some homeowners and renters are lucky enough to have walk-in wardrobes, floored attics and adjoining garages. For the rest of us, storage is an ongoing challenge, with overflowing drawers, piles of papers and boxes of toys dotted around the house.

Installing built-in wardrobes and smart storage solutions is one way to deal with this problem, but there are simple, less expensive options too. IKEA has a large range of bookcases, shelving units, cabinets and cupboards, along with smart tips, display ideas and detailed instructions for those of us who aren’t handy with a screwdriver (www.ikea.com). Their Circular Hub has lots of ex-display products, discontinued furniture and preloved items – helping to reduce your shopping bills and waste too!

2. Upgrade Your Garden

We’re spending more time in the fresh air than we’ve ever done before, so why not make it a comfortable experience? There are lots of home improvements we can do to make our garden suitable for all weather that don’t require a big budget or major renovation skills.

 One simple solution is to add colour with trees, plants, flowers or a carefully-managed lawn. Speak to the experts at your local garden centre if you’re unsure what will grow well in your area. If you have a small space, try planting vertically, with wall trellises or hanging flower pots. Wooden pallets, old ladders or even forgotten furniture like dressing tables offer a cool and quirky way to upcycle rather than buy. Add extra comfort with outdoor rugs, cushions and blankets and build or buy a waterproof chest to store them in.

3. Bring The Great Outdoors Inside

If you don’t have exterior space, there are still lots of ways to bring the outdoors inside. Introducing natural products and textiles to our homes can be a great way to borrow a little of the sense of calm and relaxation that we get from being immersed in the natural environment.

You could start simply, with a couple of indoor plants or a vase of seasonal flowers. If you don’t fancy a regular watering and tending routine, there are great quality fake versions available nowadays that offer colour and cheer without any need for maintenance.

Sheepskin cushions, seagrass rugs or leather seats all remind us of nature, adding interest as well as comfort. Reclaimed timbers and distressed materials lend character to furniture, particularly when used in centrepiece coffee or dining room tables. If you feel like getting creative, keep an eye out for interesting pieces of driftwood at the beach or a curiously-shaped fallen branch in your local forest – these are great ways to add unique style to your home.

4. Freshen Up Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of most homes: there’s always plenty of warmth, comfort and craic to be had there. As a result, they’re often busy places, filled with food, servingware and family flotsam and jetsam. One great way to clear some space is to add hooks to the ceiling or cabinet undersides, using them to hang herbs and store the bigger pots and pans that mightn’t get used every day.

Pouring cereal, rice and pasta into clear glass jars adds a sense of sophistication to the space, while changing out the hardware (knobs, handles and taps) is a simple and often inexpensive way to freshen up your design, adding a splash of colour or a sleek new look.

 Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, a first-time buyer or an apartment-dweller, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got the right home insurance for you. Find a great value quote from FBD Insurance now to get peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected.

Michelle

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Turn Your Living Room into a Livyn Room

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Disclosure - This is a collaborative post. 

The living room is the most relaxed room of the house where you just want to sit, read a book, watch TV or spend time with family - maybe even entertain some friends. That certainly is a lot of activity for a room just to hang out in. If you have a carpet in the room then maybe it sees more than its fair share of traffic over time also.

When you sit down, are you filled with a desire to punch up the room and give it a little life? Is that carpet looking a little faded and you just cannot stand the thought of spending more money on deep cleaning it again? How about something that does not fade or go out of fashion?

Luxury Vinyl Flooring

This is what just jumped into your mind:

“Vinyl is that old flimsy product that looks cheap and tacky.“

It certainly used to be, but throughout the past few decades, it has undergone a complete transformation to become the number one recommendation of interior designers and Residential Painters and Decorators right across the nation. The reasons are plentiful - it's durable, sustainable flooring that you can have your way when it comes to the choice of design. 

Enthusiasts and interior designers are further exploring the benefits of vinyl over traditional flooring due to growing changes in tastes and trends within the home. Having an easy installation on a flooring option certainly saves time and energy, and Quickstep flooring is certainly a flooring that you don’t necessarily require an expert to undertake.

Safeguards 

Pet proofing your floor is a huge sigh of relief with luxury vinyl flooring as it is manufactured with a scratch guard, meaning every time the dog darts across the floor your floor will not look like an ice rink. 

Children in the room can also pose a threat to regular floors, from food stains or mud trampled into the floor - and especially from playing with toys. A simple clean up with a wet warm sponge will bring the floor back around to its intended look, and no sending the kids upstairs to their room for causing damage.

Caring For

You can install most vinyl flooring via one of two methods; glue down vinyl flooring or click together.

Both are very simple operations and with them able to be designed and manufactured to the specific scale of the room, you won’t need too much trimming around the sides. The glue-down option does require an adhesive, and typically one that is recommended to the particular brand. You can ask your reseller for advice on the best product to use.

It is simpler to replace any section of the flooring should extreme damage occur, making it a totally stress-free operation to undertake. Should it need replacing, the sections are cheap enough to not make a dent in your bank balance too.

Quickstep Livyn looks great, shouts authentic and protects from any number of potential threats, so why not take a look at what it can bring to your living room for the year ahead.

Michelle

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Which Vinyl Flooring is Best for Quality?

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Luxury vinyl flooring can come in a variety of colours and textures, but the one thing that is not different is the overall quality each brand provides to your floor.

 

Many point to the lowest price Amtico flooring as the name brand that is extremely popular in proving not just the best in perfectly replicated looks, but also the safest investment you can make for the home. If having a more durable lifespan than other flooring is not enough, the ease in keeping it in its best possible shape with small maintenance sure adds to its high points.

What is Amtico?

Known as a leading brand in hard plastic flooring, able to perfectly and effortlessly imitate any type of flooring, Amtico has climbed high above many vinyl flooring brands throughout the decades to become the most popular with interior designers.

 

It looks exactly like hardwood or stone flooring, or ceramic or otherwise. It looks so real that anyone visiting the home will be shocked to discover that it is not the real thing. On top of all this, it is the perfect insulator for heat and sound.

 

When it comes to vinyl flooring, the Amtico brand sure covers a lot more than just your floor.

Keeping Real

In comparison to other floorings such as carpet or real hardwood flooring, vinyl planks and tiles present a much easier and quicker way to keep your floor's appearance as good as the day it was freshly unboxed.

 

With a regular sweep of the floor with a household non-brittle brush, you can remove all dirt and dust and dispose of it in no time. Follow this up with a quick vacuum and then mop with warm soapy water or a specialised approved floorcare product so as not to affect the warranty. As little as a few quick mops, a month can keep the floor healthy and looking as it should.

 

Some people will undertake a deep clean to their floor to keep it in the very best appearance and use a recommended floor stripper once or twice a year.  You will need to redress it with flooring dressing and ensure that all dirt and marks from the flooring are gone before layering the LVT.

Eliminate Risk

Ensure everything is more secure by undertaking a few precautionary measures before laying the floor.

 

By using protective felt pads under the feet of furniture you can avoid deep scratch marks and scuffs, especially if you have a heavy sofa and chairs that drag around the floor whilst cleaning. As you may end up buying new furniture, it's wise to make sure that furniture contact areas are wider to spread weight.

Luxury vinyl flooring is an easy flooring solution to keep in great shape for decades. Always discuss with your supplier any special considerations that need to be taken. When you want flooring that offers the best in quality, look to Amtico.

Michelle

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Our Top Tips For Moving House

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I have mentioned it before on our blog that last year we had a full home and garden makeover. It was long overdue and although it took almost a year to complete if was definitely worth it. We did think about moving house first as we knew it would be quite costly to have a complete makeover but we also had to consider the cost of moving house. We made a Pro's and Con's list for staying and moving but in the end we decided we wanted to stay where we are. If you are in the process of moving or just even thinking about it, I have created a top tips list for Moving House I thought I would share with you.

Top Tips For Moving House

1. Start to gather lots of boxes, sellotape, bubble wrap etc as soon as possible. You will need to pack up everything you own so having enough supplies will make the job a lot easier.

2. Declutter your house before you begin to pack. Getting rid of old stuff that you don't want or need before the move saves unnecessary packing. You don't want to take stuff to your new house that will end up in the bin anyway.

3. Start packing early. It can take up to two months to pack up a 3 bedroom house so make sure you give yourself plenty of time.

4. Pack up one room at a time. Once you have chosen a room, pack everything that is not needed first then leave empty boxes to pack up the remainder of the stuff at a later date. Keep all the boxes from each room together until removal day. It will make it so much easier when the boxes arrive at your new home.

5. Label everything

6. Have a large clear tub with items you will need when you arrive at your new home. Think about items such as your kettle, milk, sugar, mugs, paper towels, toiletries, toilet paper etc.

7. Number your boxes or create an inventory. This is probably more for the super organised person but I would definitely create an inventory of everything I've packed so I know if anything has gone missing in the move. If that is too organised for you just clearly number the boxes.

8. Take photos. This is something we have done in the past mainly of different wires and cables that go in and out of the TV, Sky Box etc. It really does help. There is nothing worse than a bunch of loose cables and you have no idea what goes where.

9. Updating your address can be done as early as two weeks for places such as your bank, your doctors or dentist. Also make sure you contact Royal Mail for their redirect of mail service.

10. When it comes to moving day make sure you look for cheap, affordable home removals as some can be quite costly. Also let the house removals company you have chosen do all the lifting and moving for you. You may think it's cheaper hiring a van or getting family or friends to help but it's a big job and I would let the professionals do all the hard work.

Do you have any other tips for moving house?

Michelle

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Is Luvanto Flooring a Reliable Investment?

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 It's been a few years now since we had a huge makeover although last year we did add and update some of our old furnishing due to not having a Summer holiday due to covid-19. Everyone loves to undertake some home renovation over the year but find themselves constricted by a budget, having them source cheaper options to stay within its confines.

This can either result in choosing something subpar or discovering a real bargain. Knowing what is reliable and will not need a regular amount of repairs and touch-ups over time is a prime focus for those wanting long-lasting solutions, so it's no surprise that Luvanto luxury vinyl flooring has reaped the benefits for those looking to keep on budget.

Low Maintenance 

When it comes to enjoying your home, you want to be able to sit and enjoy the time without the constant worry of needing to clean up.

One of the main reasons people are turned on to vinyl is the ability to switch off from worrying about the floor. The many manufactured properties vinyl provides include anti-scratch and anti-slip functions which is a relief if you have kids or animals running through your room. The floor has the durability to withstand any potential accidents.

With the added durability and extra cushioned texture, vinyl can withstand much more than other household flooring options which adds further peace of mind.

Inexpensive 

Above all of the style and protection that luxury vinyl flooring presents, you want to know that what you will spend on your flooring is worth the money.

People who invest in vinyl flooring discover it is a much cheaper option over the carpet, laminate or wood/stone featured flooring. What you also can take into consideration is the relative savings in several areas.

Should an individual piece of flooring need to be replaced, it can be done without disrupting your floor by taking out the offending piece and replacing it with another. With the individual planks or tiles being very cheap to buy, you will find that it does not leave you out of pocket or have your budget stretched. Also, when you consider the savings on not requiring a professional fitter for the floor, you can treat it as a DIY project for that person in the house who likes to undertake a challenge.

Easy Clean

Everyone fears embarrassing situations where you may need to hide sections of your floor due to spillages from drink or sauces.

Instead of paying out for every kind of expensive chemical to clean up blotches on your floor, vinyl offers a simple solution - warm soapy water, a sponge, or a mop. There are other ways people have taken to cleaning their vinyl with ease to retain its original gloss, and with the benefit of anti-moisture properties, you are ensured that there is no leaking to the subfloor and ruining the long-term prospects of your floor.

Luvanto is perfect for a kitchen where heavy activity requires a floor that can take the heat. When working within a set budget for renovation, luxury vinyl tile flooring is a firm favourite for keeping money, style, and security under your feet.

Michelle

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Changing Our Colour Scheme To Match The Seasons

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Last October we decided that we would start to change our colour scheme in our living room to match the seasons. We bought lots of oranges and browns for Autumn, red was the perfect colour for Christmas and for Spring we chose yellow. Supermarkets and other shops that have a homeware department are the perfect place to look and you can usually buy most of the items in one place. When it came to Summer I wasn't too sure what colour to choose but we went for pink and grey. 

There are two main focus points in our living room, the fireplace and the walls. We have a rug in front of the fireplace so that sets the tone for the room. Our walls are quite big so we need large pictures or art to fill the spaces so they don't look bare. We found some lovely prints online at Desenio that not only matched our new Summer colour scheme but are personal to us too. 

Desenio was founded in 2010 and has grown over the years to now have an online presence in 33 countries. The idea behind the brand is to offer stylish wall art at affordable prices. 

As well as wall art you can also add Desenio frames, hangars, picture ledges and clips to suit your needs.

Whilst browsing Desenio I looked through the maps and cities section. There are a few places that are special to us and I was hoping that I could find a print of New York and Paris. New York is where we got married and Paris is one of our favourite cities as it's home to Disneyland Paris the most magical place on Earth. 

When I found the New York in Bloom picture it was just a perfect fit. It has a lovely Summer feel, it's pink and it's New York. I then found Blooming Paris which is a similar colour scheme with the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

These were perfect and I knew they would go together well and match our colour scheme. If I was unsure I could use the Gallery Walls tool. This is perfect for those who don't have an eye for what things may look like. You start the by choosing a background. Our pictures are going above the sofa so I chose the sofa background. You can then choose how many pictures you wish to hang in the space and the sizes. I could then added my chosen prints and the tool showed me how it would look. You then have the choice to add frames to your order giving you a choice of colours. You can select the different colour frames to see which suits your print better. Once you are ready you can add to cart ready for you to purchase. 

The Desenio prints arrived swiftly and match the colour scheme perfectly. We have ordered some different prints too so we can swap after a few months but for now I love seeing our two favourite cities in bloom in our living room. 

There are lots of simple ways to improve your homes interior. Do you change your colour scheme to match the seasons?

Michelle

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Asda Photo Canvas Review

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Disclosure - We were gifted our Asda Photo Canvas for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

I have written previously about the different types of framed prints and canvas that we like to display at home. As the seasons change we like to update the pictures to be up to date and remind us of all the good times we have had over the last few months. 

Asda was not a provider I had considered before for Canvas, although we have used them before for photo books and prints. Asda offer a range of Canvas prints, amongst other photo related items, and it is really one of the easiest ordering experiences of any Canvas or Print site. 

There are four frame types to choose from for your Canvas:  Slim, Premium, 2 Panel or 4 Panel.  We chose Premium as a closer match to our existing displays.  Next you choose your size. The larger the Canvas, the more it will cost you and the higher resolution you will need your chosen photo to be.  You can also choose borders or break points for multiple pictures. Next you simply upload your picture from your device to the site and it will display what the finalised Canvas will look like. Once you are happy its checkout and wait for your new display to arrive. 

The ordering process is really quick, its actually picking the perfect picture that takes some time! From ordering to delivery our Canvas was with us within a few days, delivered well packaged and safely. 

The quality of the Canvas is very high. The Canvas is thick enough to withstand some slight prodding and poking if thats likely to happen, and the frame, although lightweight is sturdy enough to be able to be hung however you may wish.  Included is a frame hanging kit, however I always just hang the top of the frame onto nails in the wall that means I can change the canvas at any time and not worry about having to have the nail in different places for each canvas depending on the fit of the hanging kit.  As the frame is lightweight this has always been sufficient. 

The one thing different about Asda Photo Canvas was the sizing. All our previous Canvas have been the same size, however as this wasn't available we chose slightly bigger dimensions rather than smaller, however the frame really does look a lot bigger than our existing canvas.  That said, the quality is really good and we love our chosen picture so on a wall with nothing else on it doesn't look out of place. 

Overall I was really impressed with the service and the quality and wouldn't hesitate to use Asda Photo again next time we change the prints we have. 

John

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Why Choose Engineered Wood Flooring | AD

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This is a paid collaboration.

We have given our home a full makeover twice since we first moved in 17 years ago. Home improvements give your home a new lease of life and it's your chance to change things around and try new things. We have moved rooms around, had an extension built, changed our colour scheme but we have always been certain that the one thing we wouldn't change was our engineered wood flooring.

What Is Engineered Wood Flooring?
Made up of many layers of laminated hardwood and finished with a top thick layer of hardwood. The top layer is also known as the 'wear layer'.

There are many reasons why we chose engineered wood flooring but if you are considering wood flooring here are our main reasons.

Family Friendly
For us this was the main reason. Our home is and always will be a family home. When looking for flooring we instantly knew carpet would not work for us. Our home is very busy with lots of comings and goings. Engineered wood flooring is durable and made to last. The flooring can withstand plenty of footfall and that was just what we needed.

Easy To Maintain
As we are a family of four, I cannot tell you how many times the boys have spilt a drink, dropped food on the floor or walked through the room with muddy shoes on. This would have been a nightmare with a carpet but having the engineered wooden floor has made these little accidents so much easier to clean usually just with just a brush and mop.

It Looks Real
Everyone who comes to our home thinks we have solid oak hardwood flooring, we don't. Engineered wood flooring has many layers that make up the base of plywood and then the top layer is actual real wood so it looks just like the real thing.

Value For Money
I don't like saying something is value for money as everyone's budget is completely different. What I will say we found that it wasn't the cheapest on the market but for the quality and effect it was definitely the right choice for us and within our budget. It is more expensive than laminate however it is definitely cheaper than hardwood.

It's Popular
It's become very popular in recent years which means that there are lots more designs out there to choose from. It took us quite some time to choose our design and colour based on our original colour scheme and it's actually stayed looking fresh even after years.

Warm and Cosy
People assume wooden flooring is cold however I would totally disagree. The design we chose is warm and inviting and the added bonus of having the engineered wood flooring is we can pop a rug down to give the lounge a new look whenever we feel.

What are your thoughts on engineered wood flooring? Is it the right choice for you?

Michelle

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How To Make Your Garden Suitable For All Weathers

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Giving our garden a makeover was not on my home improvements list and I would rather have spent the money indoors however it was probably the best thing we ever did. No matter how big your garden is, it is an extension of your home and with the right makeover you can make your garden an outdoor space that is suitable for all weathers.

Grass Makeover
Astroturf isn't for everyone but I can honestly say that once you decide to invest you will never look back. Not only do you never have to mow your lawn again it will stay looking fresh and green for years to come.

Astroturf allows you to use your grass space in all weathers. After a heavy downpour the boys will usually head out less than an hour later and the grass is less than damp. No having to wait for the soil to dry out and no muddy puddles. They can play football all year round.

Create A Patio Area
You don't need a large patio area just enough for a seating area or table and chairs. It's so nice being able to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner out there on warmer days and also just chilling in the Summer evenings.

Sometimes you need to just get out the house, it's nice to have a space that you can go to and sit. The type of patio is up to you but most will choose paving flags. A row of at least 4 should be enough to create your own patio space.

Choose The Right Furniture
We chose Rattan furniture for our outside patio area as its durable and easy to clean. You can also add removable furnishings such as seat cushions and a parasol and make sure you have patio covers for rainy days.

Get Cosy 
We don't have many hot sunny days in the UK so investing in a fire pit or outdoor heather will make sure that you can still enjoy your garden even when it's cold outside. Add some fairy lights too and you will create a warm chill area for you to relax no matter what the weather.

Outside Taps - Hot and Cold
We have spent too many Summers fixing hose pipes to our indoor taps trying to fill up a paddling pool. We have also spent too many Summers giving up when the hose won't sit on the tap right, and reverted to buckets.

Having a hot and cold tap has made filling up the pool a doddle this year and there has been no buckets in sight.

Install An Awning
Hot and humid days and nights are a nightmare when it's raining and you are stuck inside. Putting an awning over your patio can let you enjoy the outside without getting wet and it can also provide shade.

An awning is like a large canopy that sits tucked away in its case attached to your house until you are ready to use. Pull the cord and the awning will cover your patio in seconds leaving you dry underneath.

Storage
It is important to have good quality storage such as a shed or storage box. We chose plastic for durability and also ease of build. There are many varieties of storage size and shape available, so you will be able to choose the right size and shape for the space you have allocated to storage. For bikes we have a 'store it out' lift up storage box and its perfect for getting the bikes in and out easily.

Remove All Plants
This won't be for everyone but if you are afraid of insects and flying creatures, removing plants and flowers can help to make your garden bug free. One of the reasons I never enjoyed the garden was because of the wildlife that plants and flowers attract but now that we have none I am so much happier out there.

It's been a few years now since our garden makeover and we have never looked back. We spend so much more time out there now than we ever have done in the past and it's a great space for us and also for our family and friends.

Michelle

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Ace Cleaning Bundle | Review

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Disclosure - We were sent the products below for the purpose of this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own unless stated. This post contains affiliate links - purchasing an item through an affiliate link adds no extra cost to you but might earn me a few pennies. 

We only have 5 weeks left of this school term and after that little J will be heading to school in his Summer uniform. It's the time of year when I couldn't even guess what stains will be on his uniform when he comes home from school each day. I have tried lots of different products over the years and this year I will be trying a variety of Ace products and I can't wait.

If like me you are not looking forward to the variety of stains then you will be happy to know that  I have teamed with ACE who are giving away a bundle of Ace cleaning products to two lucky Playdays and Runways readers and followers.

ACE for Colours has been specially formulated to remove the toughest of stains and yet be gentle on even the most delicate clothes. You can even use it on silk, wool and cashmere. Its 8+ system will tackle food, grease, outdoors, trapped dirt, body soils, drinks, cosmetics and vegetable oils.

ACE Colours Powder brings the power of active oxygen into the wash to remove even tough stains (such as wine, tea, coffee and fruit) and bad odours, at just 30 degrees!

ACE for Whites helps to brighten dull whites while still being gentle on delicate clothes.

ACE Power Mousse combines the might of bleach with ACE cleaning power to keep household surfaces and white laundry bright and clean.  It’s a bleach and a degreaser in one.

ACE Stain Remover is great for tackling germs, grease and stubborn stains and is suitable for use around the home and on coloured clothes.

For more information visit www.acecleanuk.co.uk or to buy head to your local Tesco’s, Morrison’s, The Range, Wilko, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Amazon

For your chance to win an ACE bundle all you need to do is complete the entry form below and pop back daily for extra chances to win.

Our giveaway may have closed but you can still enjoy ACE products by buying in-store and or online on Amazon. To find our latest giveaways head to our giveaway page.

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The Best Lighting for Your Child’s Bedroom | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration with Inspyer Lighting. This post contains affiliate links - purchasing an item through an affiliate link adds no extra cost to you but might earn me a few pennies. 

Your child’s bedroom should be an environment where they feel safe, secure and comfortable; a place where they can play freely, enjoy bedtime stories and sleep soundly. If the room is dark and dingy, it’s wise to find some ways to brighten up the space for them. The décor and lighting plays a huge role in the overall ambiance of the room, so be sure to put some thought into it to make the most of your efforts.

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Preparing Your Garden For Autumn

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Last week little J and I went out in to the garden and he said to me that it smelt like Halloween. At first I had no idea what he meant but as I felt the cold wind hit me I knew exactly what he meant, the seasons are changing and there is a definite Autumn feel in the air. I love Autumn but I don't feel like we have had much Summer this year compared to last and we have just started putting all of little J's garden toys into large storage containers as I don't think we will need the swimming pool and water toys again this year.  We've also made a start on a general clean up of the garden too preparing for the colder months. Here are a few tips on how to get your garden ready for Autumn. 

Cleaning Up and Storing

Clean all your garden tools before storing them for the winter. Get the mud off, and wipe moving parts and joints of metal tools with an oily rag for a bit of rust protection. As we have artificial grass we don't use many garden tools so this job was an easy one but its very important. We have had to throw tools away in the past because they rusted over the colder and wetter months. 

We have washed all of little J's outdoor toys making sure that we gave them a good rinse and then let them dry fully before storing. It's important to make sure all toys and water toys have no traces of water before you store otherwise they will go mouldy.

If you have a big garage or other outbuildings, make sure they’re damp-free and secure, then put everything inside. We have a shed and also a little one that I call a bike shed. It is always nice and dry in there no matter what the weather outside so it's the perfect place to store little J's toys. If you don’t have much space to spare, a bit of creative thinking is needed.

Can you put up more shelves in the garage or shed, or hang hooks on the walls to hold tools so you leave the floor free for the car?

A handy option, and one that’s growing in popularity, is renting a self storage unit. You’ll find most are easy to get to in town locations, and you’re allowed to install freestanding shelves to keep stuff organised. When you’re storing things in tubs, label the sides so you can find everything easily.

Make It Cosy

You can still enjoy your garden in the colder months by making the seating area or patio cosy. Put up some twinkling lights, get an outdoor heater and have nice blankets to hand so you can wrap up. I actually love sitting in the garden no matter what the weather. I have actually sat on the patio in the rain before now under the umbrella and it was so peaceful.

Plants and Boarders

If you’ve been to a garden centre this year, you’ll know how expensive plants are. The more you can save or take seeds from, the more lush your garden can be next year, for a whole lot less money. 

You can save the seeds from vegetables and flowering plants and this is something children can help with. Good ones are peas, French beans and tomatoes.

Scoop tomato seeds out and lay them on paper towels to dry

Wait until the bean pods are brown and papery then pick them and let them dry too. When they are dry, get the seeds out of the pods and save them. 

A cool dark place is good, so the fridge is handy. Wrap them in paper packets and they should be good for planting next year.

Other autumn jobs to schedule are lifting up delicate plants like dahlias, and deciding where to plant bulbs for spring flowering. Routinely pick up fallen leaves, especially getting them out of a pond if you have one. Keep the grass short — it gets a lot harder to mow as the weather gets wetter.

Seasonal Sorting

Many people these days find they have more possessions than house space, so use self storage units as a cost-effective, virtual home extension. For example, you could rotate garden equipment into and out of self storage depending on the season. 

During the winter, your storage room can house all your garden equipment and furnishings, barbecues, paddling pools and trampolines. During the summer, it’s a secure place for winter sports gear. Not just expensive, sports equipment is often bulky or awkwardly shaped, making it hard to keep out of the way at home.

You’ll get so much more out of the garden through winter when summer gear isn’t claiming all the space. Not only is there more room for playing in the snow (if we’re lucky enough to have some), but it’s uplifting to have a view of a clear garden through the windows.

Preparing your garden for Autumn may not seem necessary but spending time on these little jobs can really help you make the most out your garden.

Michelle

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Is This Britain's Most Beautiful Garden? | AD

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My Mum and Dad have always been keen gardeners and growing up I think they secretly wished that I would have green fingers too but unfortunately not. I couldn't think of anything worse than sticking my hands in soil and mud and don't even get me started on all those bugs. As I got older my thoughts on gardens and gardening did change and I can understand why people enjoy it so much.

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My Home Improvements Wishlist | AD

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Disclosure - This is a paid collaboration with Three Counties. The idea for this post, thoughts, opinions and photographs are our own. 

A few years ago we finally had a much needed makeover of our house. It was something that we know we needed however we always seemed to spend our money on holidays or other things and the house just got pushed further and further down the 'to do' list. For a long time I fell out of love with our home, I really didn't like it. There was paint chipped off the walls but we never repainted over it. The kitchen cupboards were old and not very nice to look at but we never changed them. I think we lost all respect for the house and it was a place I didn't really want to spend a lot of time in. Making the decision to spend so much money giving our whole house a makeover was hard but it was definitely worth it. I love our home again and it's a place that I feel comfortable and happy in.

When I'm working from home I sit in the kitchen / dining area and love looking out in to the garden. This is something I would have never done before the makeover. Our kitchen is so much brighter now than it was before. In our old kitchen we only had a small window and a door to the garden. The colour scheme combined with the lack of daylight peering in through the window made the kitchen a dark space, a space I never wanted to spend time in. When we were upgrading our kitchen to a new colour scheme our builder actually spoke to us about the possibility of combining the door and small window with one large window. At the time I thought it seemed like a lot of hard work for very little in return however I was wrong. Having one large window and moving the door to the garden over to the far side of the kitchen has created so much light. It has completely changed the kitchen and the amount of light we get now is amazing. It's such a nice feeling seeing the sun shine in while you are making breakfast.

Once we had finished I thought we were done but I have already started to make a home improvement wish list for the future. I would love to have an extension or conservatory on the back of our home. It would be nice to have another room to choose from downstairs especially now that big J is a teenager. He likes to invite friends round and sometimes his bedroom isn't suitable for the amount of people he has over. I did worry that putting an extension on the back may reduce the amount of light that we have in the kitchen however choosing an aluminium lantern roof would create so much light in to any dark space.

I would also like to convert our loft in to a room. I've seen it done on t.v and it's amazing how much space is up there. Our loft doesn't have boards down so it's basically just beams up there so we would have to get the whole loft boarded first then look in to whether it could be converted or not. I don't think I would like to sleep up there but it would be nice to have a 'chill room' that the boys could go up to with their friends.

They are my main two home improvement plans for the future but it's nice to think that we can keep improving our home rather than moving as I love our home now and would never want to leave.

Michelle

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