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I know this happens to you too. You look around your house, mostly satisfied, but then think, that corner could really use some sprucing. I’m purchasing new club chairs for my living room for that reason. I’ve had a pair of white wingbacks for a few years but they’re getting dingy (blame —-> kids and pets). Also, I’m in the mood for a different style, something smaller and boxier and in the color blue. I like these and these but I’m still deciding. Club chairs pulled together at an angle make the coziest seating arrangement, it’s my favorite place in my home to sit with a friend and enjoy a glass of wine.
No room for two? A club chair is also the perfect accent tucked in a corner, or angled across from a sofa.
In my ongoing search I rounded up modern club chairs, below find ten fab options that will fit in any space, all under $500 :)
book nook $399 / gwyneth mid century $299
metropolitan $420 / vita $345
The bedroom has always been known as the place for sleep and relaxation, however, it is often the most overlooked room when it comes to thoughtful design or layout. With our busy lifestyles and fast-moving daily routines, we all need a place to call our “safe spot” or “quiet haven”. The bedroom serves just that purpose. The trends in 2018 are moving back towards creating a space in your bedroom that is both functional and peaceful. One that reflects our need for peace and quiet yet our desire to do more. Since the bedroom is most often the only place in the house parents can get a reprieve from their children, it should be designed to adult specifications, not with cartoon-like colours and décor. Same for children’s bedrooms; they should be designed with children’s functional needs and interests in mind without being too cluttered or unorganized. These 6 interior design ideas for your bedroom décor focus more towards an adult bedroom space and the trends that are being seen in 2018 for creating the perfect restful space with a mix of function and formality. Choose Your Wall Colour WiselyIt goes without saying that colour choices can affect your moods and even your sleep patterns. There was a study conducted which examined the wall colours of 2000 homes and measured the amount of sleep the occupants were likely to get on average. It was concluded that blue was the most favourite colour for a restful night sleep. The study doesn’t define a specific shade of blue that works best, so there is some flexibility in the tone you wish to use, but with blue walls, you are more likely to average close to 8 hours of sleep per night. If blue is not your favourite colour or you have nothing that matches, the other colour choices which still produce great sleep results are:
Custom Made FurnitureNot all bedrooms are created equally. Some are a rectangle, some are perfectly square. The one thing that is each has in common, however, is that there needs to be a couple of key furniture pieces. If you can, you could add several furniture items but even if you are on a budget, you could still enjoy the beauty of one or two custom made furniture pieces for your bedroom. Custom made furniture allows you to have some input into what your pieces will look like and how they will best function for you and in your specific space. If you have a large floorplan, you have the option to use a good percentage on a custom-made bed, with an accent headboard. Depending upon your style and/or theme, you could choose certain textures or materials to be used in making your bed such as oak or mahogany or even steel. Making Space for Daily LifeAlthough it is true that a bedroom should be a safe-haven from the hustle and bustle of the real world, it usually doesn’t happen that way. Many people find themselves finishing off a few last emails or invoices before unwinding in bed to watch some television or a movie. Sitting in bed with a laptop is always an option, but it can get stressful on your back, not to mention, your bed is a sanctuary not for work-related concerns. If you have space available to utilize in your bedroom, it is a popular idea to create a small workstation. It doesn’t have to be a big elaborate office desk. A simple corner table with a small desk light and a chair of the proper height would work wonderfully. With adding these new furniture pieces, you have another opportunity to showcase your style or theme. In bedrooms with limited space, you may opt for a wall-mounted fold-up table which can simply fold flat against the wall when not in use. These are very contemporary and functional. Alternatively, you could downsize your bed to a queen size if you currently have a king to save that much more space. Televisions are very popular to have in bedrooms now to unwind before drifting off. A perfect solution to having a television in your room without using any square footage is a wall-mount bracket. They are generally easy to install and stable. Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!It is not just important in the fashion world! Accessories can make your living space more unique, create the right atmosphere and showcase a little of your personality. When choosing accessories for your bedroom décor, don’t be afraid to step outside the box a little. Go for fun and funky, or bright and bold. These pieces are what often pull your theme or style together and not always “matchy”. You can shop online for handmade, custom accessories on websites such as Etsy, where you will find some truly beautiful, unique décor items that will give you the “pop” you are looking for when designing your space. These could be throw pillows, floating shelves made from repurposed birch, one of a kind artworks and so much more. Just have some fun with it and make it your own. Imperfection is PerfectionIn 2018, the Japanese tradition of Wabi-Sabi has become a trendy concept for bedroom designs. In this practice, it is believed that nothing in life is perfect and that it is acceptable. This can be applied to your living space by having imperfect décors such as asymmetrical accent pieces, ageing wood, and even an unmade, crinkled up bed. The point is to express that imperfection is beautiful and is a part of life, like in the natural cycle of life with growth, decay and eventually death. If having an unmade bed makes you cringe, you don’t have to go all the way with this trend. You can pick and choose some key points and ideas, such as using aged wood for your headboard and footboard, cracked or chipped vases and urns, frey-edged pillows and so much more. This trend is truly freeing since for so long we have strived for perfection in our designs. Wabi-Sabi allows more individualism and beauty in things we haven’t found to be beautiful in the past. Luxurious Features and Add-in’sMost people enjoy the luxuries found in hotel rooms or rented vacation homes but in the past, most people have felt these things weren’t attainable for their own home. In 2018, the trend is moving towards incorporating more luxurious finishes and add-ins to your bedroom space. Of course, most of these ideas are not absolutely “necessary” for the functioning and use of your bedroom space, however, they are nice to have and can be added to your room here and there as you wish. Some of these luxurious ideas could include things like felt drawer liners, plush fabric-covered hangers in the closet and cashmere throw blankets. If you are more interested in technological trends, some luxurious items to have in your bedroom might include a touch-controlled system to use the lighting, television and any other device you wish to set up. Even on a budget, you can treat yourself to a little luxury by adding in a leather bedside remote holder or a pull-out breakfast tray if you find yourself enjoying a snack or two while catching up on your favourite show in bed. Go on and Get TrendySome people have a negative connotation associated with “trendy”, however, when it comes to bedroom design décor, the trendy ideas for 2018 are actually quite useful and functional. It is “OK” to be trendy! Your bedroom should be a place of rest, relaxation and solitude, which means you should design it to your own individual tastes and personality. Using some of the listed ideas, you can easily create the perfect (or imperfect!) place to hideaway at the end of the day for quiet and peace or to finish off a few last work details before you unwind and enjoy a few luxuries of your space. What it comes down to, in 2018, is individualism and creating a design that is right for your lifestyle and budget. You can enjoy the current trends on most budgets simply by modifying the items you choose. Popular, trending designs don’t have to means blowing your bank account any more. Go ahead and jump in, get creative and use some of these popular designs and décor ideas for that bedroom you have been longing for. from Otomo - Blog https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/6-interior-design-ideas-for-your-bedroom-decor-trends-in-2018 from https://otomouk.tumblr.com/post/175961657358 You will probably own at least 5 vacuum cleaners in your lifetime. Even the best of the best will eventually break down. There are certain things in life that you really can’t do without. A few that come to mind are tires, a cell phone, underwear and – you got it, a vacuum. Whether you own or rent your home, own a mansion or a one-room shack, you have a floor. That floor needs to be cleaned. You cannot survive without a vacuum. It’s just that simple. It is important that when you buy a vacuum you choose one that best suits your needs at the time you are buying the vacuum. Perhaps you have a pet? Then you’d want to buy a vacuum that is great at picking up pet hair. If you have hardwood floors you will want a vacuum that can handle hardwood floors. The vacuum you select has everything to do with your household situation. It may have something to do with your wallet too. Next Read: The Best Vacuum Cleaner UK 2018 Sometimes it makes sense to go for a high-end, expensive model and sometimes, especially if the vacuum is for a holiday home or rental property, it makes sense to buy a budget model. The good news is, there is something for everything. You can go on amazon.co.uk and find just about anything you need. You can certainly find any vacuum you’re looking for on that site. This article is going to highlight 5 vacuums, each of which is designed for a specific type of customer. Chances are you are one of these customers. If not, then pick whichever one tickles your fancy. All of the vacuums discussed in this article are cordless. In this day and age, if you have the option to work with any cordless product, it makes sense to do so. They are more convenient, more economical, and less of a hassle. First, we will look at a vacuum that works really well on carpet. Most people have carpet somewhere in their home. Almost every vacuum out there works on carpet. But we want to show you one that was designed with carpet in mind. It will dig deep into the fibres to make sure the dirt, sand, glitter or anything else that embeds itself in your carpets get sucked up. Then we will look at a vacuum that is a great choice for hardwood floors. Studies have shown that 100% of estate agents, when asked, prefer hardwood floors and will sell their clients on their notion of hardwood floors. Given this, there is a good chance that many people actually have hardwood floors. For them, we will review the perfect cordless vacuum for hardwood floors. Whether you have carpet, hardwood, or a combination of both, chances are you may have a pet. What do all pet owners have in their house? Pet hair. You may not see it on your furniture. You may not find it on your clothes. But you will find pet hair on your floors. (Well, unless you have a hairless cat and then maybe you don’t have pet hair.) Because of this, vacuum companies now design and market vacuums specifically geared toward getting rid of pet hair. We will review the best one for you here. Finally, we understand that people operate on different budgets. For some of us, spending over £500 on a vacuum is a drop in the bucket. Sure, we want to make sure that vacuum is a high-quality vacuum, but we don’t think twice about ordering an expensive vacuum. For others, it makes more sense to their wallet to buy a less expensive model. There are budget vacuums out there that work just as well (or even better, sometimes) than the high-end, luxury vacuums. We will review one here that is a reasonable and fair price but that also does a bang-up job of cleaning your floors. One question you may be asking is why should you buy a cordless vacuum? The vacuums you have used for years worked just fine. But how many times have you tripped over the cord? How many times did you get ¾ of a room done and then realize the cord doesn’t reach the last part of the room? Corded vacuums are a thing of the past. I wouldn’t recommend throwing out your old one if it works just fine, but that’s not a good reason not to buy a new one. It’s always good to have a backup. Cordless vacuums are more convenient and easy to carry from room to room and from floor to floor. Any new vacuum you buy really should be cordless. Best Cordless Vacuum for Carpets: Hoover FD22GWhen choosing a cordless vacuum to use on your carpet, there a few things you want to look for. You want to look for a vacuum with high power. The more powerful the vacuum, the better it will be able to suck up dirt deep down in the carpet. You also want to make sure the vacuum has a good rotating brush roll. The brush roll will shake loose sand and dirt from the carpet that the vacuum would otherwise miss. Finally, you want to get a cordless vacuum with a long battery life. It does take a bit longer to vacuum carpet than it does hardwood floors so you want to make sure your carpet cleaner will stay charged long enough to finish the job. DescriptionOne of the best vacuums on the market for vacuuming carpet is the Hoover FD22G Freedom Lithium 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, 0.7 Litre in Silver or Grey. It is a 2-in-1 cordless vacuum with a removable handheld vacuum attached. It comes with a lithium-ion performance so you can rest assured it will pick up all of the dirt and debris embedded in your carpet. It does come with the rotating brush bar so it can shake loose all the dirt while you are vacuuming. It has a continuous power mode so you can get the job done in one try. ConvenienceFor convenience, the Hoover FD22G Freedom Lithium 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner comes with a wall mount and all the accessories you will need to clean your home. The detachable handheld vacuum is ideal for hard to reach places or steps. Use the brush on furniture to remove dust or pet hair. It comes with the stick attachment you can use on corners, windowsills, or even blinds. Compact Size and LightweightThe Hoover Freedom Lithium vacuum comes in silver or grey. The sleek design is easy to manoeuvre around furniture and under tables. It is so lightweight you can easily carry it from room to room. If you don’t want to utilize the wall mount for storage, it can fit into any small closet due to its compact size. It’s easy to travel with due to its size and lightweight so it’s ideal to take with you when you travel. Best Cordless Vacuum for Hardwood Floors: Dyson Cyclone V10Hardwood floors are beautiful. They shine and make your home look updated and spacious. However, the problem with hardwood floors is that you can spot a dirty floor a mile away. Hardwood floors show every piece of dust, pet hair and dirt. Hardwood floors also show smears and scrapes. Sometimes, depending on your household traffic, you may have to clean them every day. If that is the case, it is time to buy a vacuum that will clean your hardwood floors easily, quickly and thoroughly. You already know that when it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors, you have to be careful which vacuum you buy. You spend a lot of money having hardwood floors installed and refinished. You don’t want to risk destroying them by using the wrong product to clean it. Just because a lot of vacuums have a hardwood floor mode on their control panel does not mean that it is a good idea to use them on your hardwood floors. Make sure you buy a vacuum specifically designed for hardwood floors. Protect your home. Keep it clean. Which is best?When it comes to cleaning your hardwood floors, battery operated vacuums are the way to go. Quite simply, hardwood floors are a lot easier to clean than carpet is and you want a lightweight vacuum that you can take from room to room and get the job done quickly. Also, the lighter the vacuum is, the less likely it can cause scratches on your hardwood floors. One of the best hardwood floor vacuums on the market is the Dyson Cyclone V10 Total Clean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. Features:The Dyson Cyclone V10 is a cordless cleaner that delivers high power and performance. The V10 is a big improvement on its older brother model, the V8. It removes 25% more dirt than the previous model. Since it is powered by a digital motor, this vacuum can deliver over 60 minutes of non-stop cleaning power. This makes your job easier since you don’t have to worry about recharging the batteries mid-way through vacuuming your hardwood floors. The Cyclone vacuum has a brush bar that houses a DC motor right inside it. The torque driver head transfers torque efficiently so that the bristles can get down and deep to suck up all the sand and dirt in your carpets. The brushbar also has anti-static carbon filaments that remove fine dust from floors, furniture and blinds. The Dyson Cyclone V10 comes with “point and shoot” bin emptying so you don’t have to worry about needing to touch the dirt. The mechanism shoots the debris and the dust deep into the bin so there are no fly-aways. This keeps your carpet, your air, and your hands clean. Another great feature is that it transforms into a hand-held vacuum with a single click so you can get to small spills or little piles of dust in no time flat. Finally, the Dyson Cyclone comes with 3 different power modes. It can be used on carpets, hardwood floors and tile. This means it can be used in every room of the house. Although it is known for its high-power hardwood cleaning, being able to use it on 3 different floor types does come in handy. Benefits of the Dyson CycloneThe Dyson Cyclone V10 is also great for people with allergies. It has a fully sealed filtration system which traps up to 99.87% of all allergens and other particles, leaving your home clean and healthy. It also comes with a wall-mounted docking system so you can conveniently store your vacuum when not in use. It is lightweight and portable so you can carry it easily from room to room and up the stairs to different levels of your home. The Cyclone comes with several accessories and attachments so you can handle any job on your hardwood floors. And, whether you’re using an attachment or the upright cordless Dyson, it is quiet and energy efficient. You can vacuum your whole house without disturbing your family or pets. Years ago, you needed to have a separate vacuum for your house and a small handheld vacuum for your car. The Dyson Cyclone V10 offers the best of both worlds. You can use the handheld vacuum to do your entire car since it is high-performance and comes with a long-lasting battery. You can get both your house and car done in one day. Pricing and AvailabilityThe Dyson Cyclone V10 does retail higher than many other vacuums. It comes in a stunning red shade with silver trim. One of the things about Dyson is that you are paying for the quality. Dyson technology is simply a class above the rest in many regards. They are typically the first amongst their competitors to introduce new technology and new features. Their vacuums are durable and last a long time. You really have to weigh your needs against the price. If you vacuum often, it is worth it to invest in a high-powered vacuum that is going to keep your floors clean and your air healthy. The Dyson Cyclone V10 also comes with a sense of reassurance. Usually, Dyson offers a 30-day money back guarantee on all of their products. For the Cyclone V10, they increase the period to 90 days. If you are not happy with the Dyson Cyclone V10, simply contact Dyson, and they will issue a refund. Dyson will even pay for the shipping for the return. The Cyclone also comes with 5-year parts and labour warranty. Once you receive your vacuum, go online to Dyson.com and register your product. Once you do this, you will receive a 5-year extended warranty for your vacuum and the attachments and parts. Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner for Pet Hair: Hoover FD22BCPETWe love our pets, even when they leave pet hair all over our floors and furniture. We love them, even more, when we are able to clean these lovely floors and furniture. If you have a pet, whether it is a cat or a dog, you need a vacuum that will handle pet hair and dander. It is not enough to simply run a regular vacuum these days. With all of the technology now available, you would be crazy not to take advantage of all of the pet-friendly vacuum cleaners on the market. Most vacuums will boast that they pick up pet hair. And a good deal of pet hair will be collected by your average vacuum. However, you really want to look for a vacuum with the specific design to pick up pet hair. Sometimes this comes in the form of pet attachments. Some vacuums come with air filters that only emit clean air so you don’t have to worry about your house smelling like dog or cat while you’re vacuuming. One of the best pet vacuums on the market right now is the Hoover FD22BCPET. Best Bet for Your PetThe Hoover FD22BCPET Freedom Pets Lithium 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, 0.7 Litre, Black/Turquoise is one of the best pet vacuums on the market. This vacuum comes with 22-volt cyclone technology so it has powerful suction for both dirt and pet hair. It has a motorized rotating brushbar which is great to use on carpet. (Caution: make sure you turn this off if using on hardwood floors.) The Hoover Freedom Pets Lithium 2 does come equipped with a pet turbo brush unique to this model to grab and suck up all pet hair, dander and debris. You can use one of the attachments to vacuum your furniture and even your blinds or curtains to make sure you don’t have dander and fur on higher surfaces. Thanks to the removable handheld device, you can get into hard to reach places and even use it in your car or truck. The suction will last for the life of the vacuum as long as you change the filter when it needs changing and don’t fill the debris bin higher than the “max” line. A lot of vacuums have great suction the first few months you use it and then over time lose most or all of their suction. You don’t want to buy a new vacuum every year. Get the Hoover Freedom, take good care of it, and enjoy it for many years to come. Why the Hoover?The Hoover Freedom Pets Lithium 2 vacuum is allergy rated so it recycles clean and healthy air. So not only will you have a home free of debris, pet hair and dust, but you will have clean air circulating while you vacuum. Since it is a 2-in-1 cordless vacuum, you have the option of using it like a regular stick vacuum or you can take the handheld and use it on smaller surfaces. The sleek design and bright turquoise colour scheme makes it a sunny addition to your home. Why not brighten up your day while you’re doing your chores? The fact that this is a lithium-powered vacuum means that you will get long-lasting battery life out of the vacuum. The Hoover Freedom will provide you with at least 25 minutes of non-stop cleaning, long enough to complete the job in most homes or offices. The handheld unit and pet turbo brush make it easy to get stubborn dirt and pet hairs out of pretty much any surface. It’s perfect to use on floors, carpets, cars and furniture. It even comes with a washable filter so you save money by not having to purchase replacements. The Hoover Freedom comes with two different attachments you can use to vacuum the stairs. This is usually the most difficult part of vacuuming (and probably the reason we all put it off until last.) Thanks to this model, you can use the mini-turbo brush which is ideal for small surfaces. This comes in handy when you want to do woodwork and windowsills too. For those customers with arthritis, this vacuum comes with continuous power mode so you don’t have to hold the trigger in the whole time you vacuum. However, there is a mode where you can spot clean and use the trigger only when you are cleaning a small surface. This vacuum has earned 5-star reviews and 92% of people who bought it said they would recommend it to a friend. It comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers all issues related to faulty manufacturing. Where can you buy it?Amazon also has a ton of customer reviews on this product so you can see for yourself what people who have bought this vacuum have to say. Once you purchase your vacuum, make sure you go to Hoover.com and register your product. This will track the purchase for warranty and money-back guarantee purposes. It also makes it easier to get help ordering replacement parts. The make and model information will be stored with the manufacturer for future use. Best Luxury Vacuum Cleaner: Bosch BCS122GBLike we said earlier, chances are you’ll have to buy several vacuums in your lifetime. So why not buy the best? When you buy a car you certainly appreciate luxury, style and sophistication. So why not look for the same things in your vacuum? Sometimes, overpaying for a vacuum is just plain silly. If the vacuum is not going to work any better than your run-of-the-mill vacuum, why pay a lot of money for it? But sometimes higher priced products do offer higher quality performance. One of the best high-end vacuums available right now is the Bosch BCS122GB Unlimited Cordless Vacuum. There are more expensive vacuums out there. You can pay well over 1000 pounds if you want to. However, there is no guarantee that a super expensive vacuum is going to do a super good job. You want to make sure that a high-end vacuum performs all of the functions that you need for your home and auto. Is it cordless? Does it have a long-lasting battery that doesn’t have a long recharge time? Is it light enough that you can carry it from floor to floor and room to room? You want to make sure you can manoeuvre the vacuum around furniture and corners. Make sure your high-end vacuum comes with all of the necessary attachments. Whether you need upholstery brushes or pet attachments, if it doesn’t come with the vacuum itself, chances are you can order them from amazon.co.uk or from the manufacturer directly. Features of the Bosch BCS122GBThe Bosch BCS122GB offers 360-degree cleaning, from top to bottom. You can clean from floor to ceiling including blinds, curtains and furniture. It comes with a crevice tool to reach those hard to reach corners and, well, crevices. The upholstery brush is perfect for drapes and furniture. The Bosch BCS122GB provides continuous performance so you can go from room to room with ease. The high powered digital spin motor helps ensure that every dust bunny and piece of dirt is sucked up. The vacuum is fast-charging, in under an hour, so you don’t have to wait long between cleanings. With a 2 x 3Ah exchangeable 18V Bosch Power4ALL Li-Ion battery, the vacuum keeps a long charge so you can finish your whole house in one session. The Bosch BCS122GB comes with easy filter cleaning with the RotationClean system unique to Bosch vacuums. It also comes with a cartridge filter that has a pure air membrane and a Hygienic Filter so it delivers clean exhaust air. It is equipped with an All Floor High-power brush and DigitalSpin Motor so you clean all kinds of floors. The vacuum brush will be kind to your hardwood floors and the DigitalSpin motor will make sure it gets deep down into the carpet and wood to suction all dirt, dust and pet hair. Worth the MoneyThis Bosch vacuum is indeed worth the price of admission. This high performing cleaner leaves little room for improvement. You can use it on both carpet and hardwood floors. It picks up pet hair in one sweep so you don’t have to repeat moving the vacuum over and over in the same spot. Earning 5-star ratings in all but one category, this vacuum excels in design, performance, and instructions. The only category it scored 4-stars was ease of use and this is because the canister can be hard to get on and off. It has a locking feature that can be a little tricky. But, with all the hair, dust and debris this unit will suck up, you’ll be happy to take a moment to unlock the canister and rid your home of so many allergens. DrawbacksNo product is perfect. Customer and product reviews did reveal that the Bosch Unlimited was a little cumbersome to take up and down stairs. And, although the pet attachment picks up a ton of pet hair and dander, the hair can get stuck on the attachment and needs to be removed from time to time. The vacuum is so powerful that, at times, you can see some of the debris through the viewing section of the canister which can just look downright messy. Some customers said the vacuum was a bit heavier than they expected. This is attributed partly to the larger battery. Still, it was not so heavy that it was difficult to manoeuvre or get up the stairs. This larger battery allows for a faster charge time and a longer battery life. Rather than having to charge the vacuum battery halfway through your cleaning job, it will last for the duration of most household jobs. Would You Buy It?The Bosch Unlimited is on the high end for vacuums. But, considering that it does work on both hardwood and carpets, and it comes with the pet attachments, it is almost a universal vacuum. No matter who you are, there is little you could need that this vacuum doesn’t offer. It earned 5 stars in almost every category. The few negatives about the vacuum are minor and really don’t impact performance or energy. In looking at customer reviews, people seem to be really happy with this vacuum. They rate it 4.8-5 stars in categories such as ease of use, comfort and weight and ergonomics. The vacuum has been referred to as a “game changer” when it comes to cleaning power. Some of the things said in an independent, third-party product review include: A customer had never used a cordless vacuum before. They said that cleaning was easier than ever before because they didn’t have to worry about whether the cord was long enough. They also didn’t have to search the house for sockets that were close enough to the room they were working in. The floor nozzle on the Bosch came with an electric brush that provided excellent cleaning action and they were able to vacuum on all surfaces. This vacuum was great at picking up hairs – both human and pet! It was easy to get around furniture and tables. They could manoeuvre around objects and be able to finally clean under their household furniture. Sometimes, the accessories on new vacuums are confusing. You never know what to plug in where to do what. But with the Bosch, they were easy to connect and disconnect. The vacuum comes with a 2-in-1 furniture brush that has a special upholstery nozzle. This was perfect for cleaning carpet edging and along the stairs. The upholstery and furniture brush helped people clean hair and lint off of their couches and chairs. Emptying the dust container was easy. All they had to do was read the instructions and it was clean and mess-free to empty the canister. They did recommend emptying the canister after every 2-3 cleanings so it doesn’t back up the canister. This will ensure optimal suction for the life of the vacuum. Cleaning the brush heads as instructed worked well. Clean bristles mean a clean house. We were able to navigate the clean heads and bristles to get out deep-set dirt, pet hair and dust. The vacuum was quiet. Sometimes you get a new vacuum and you feel like the neighbors down the street can hear it. This one was not too bad. It was low enough that it didn’t disturb people on other levels of the house. The quick battery charger worked so well people thought it could even work great with a smaller battery. With a smaller battery, you would have to charge it more often, but it would make the vacuum a little lighter. Best Budget Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Makita DCL180Z CordlessNot everybody has almost 500 pounds to spend on a vacuum. Sometimes, it makes more sense to buy a functional vacuum that won’t set you back too much dough. Every vacuum manufacturer will try to sell you on their features and special attachments. At the end of the day, though, sometimes all you need is a vacuum that picks up dirt and fits in your closet. However, the budget does not necessarily mean low-end. So many budget-friendly vacuums on the market today work just fine. They have good suction, easy clean-up and come with attachments that pretty much help you do just about any vacuuming job you may have in your home or car. Which one to Choose?The Makita DCL180Z Cordless comes in a green colour and does everything you expect a vacuum to do. It retails for a very reasonable price and comes with free delivery from amazon.co.uk. The Makita is a powerful upright with as much suction as any other vacuum on the market. It is cordless so it’s easily portable and no problem to carry from room to room. This cleaner is a multi-cyclone vacuum so it’s constantly sucking up dust and dirt. It comes with a large capacity so you can go longer between emptying the canister. This allows for longer use and less messy cleanup. It’s easy to carry up and down the stairs, so you can do all levels of your home without the inconvenience of trudging up and down the stairs with a heavy vacuum. Why the Vax Mach?This model is reasonably priced for your budget at under £50. It comes with a 2-year guarantee by the manufacturer so you have peace of mind knowing that you’re protected. The Makita comes with an A energy rating so it’s good for your pocket and the environment. It does everything you really need a vacuum to do without costing you an arm and a leg. ConclusionSo, it’s clear that there is a vacuum for everyone. Whether you’re looking for high-end, high quality or one that’s budget-friendly, there are some amazing vacuums on the market. It goes without saying that you want a cordless vacuum. The sheer convenience of not tripping over a cord every two minutes should be reason enough. Buying a vacuum is not something you wake up in the morning and look forward to doing. Like the cleaning, you need the vacuum for, buying the vacuum itself can be a chore. You can certainly do your research and perhaps you will. However, this guide has broken down the features of 5 reputable, high-performance vacuums. We have done the hard work. If you have carpet in your house, there’s a vacuum that’s perfect for you. If you have hardwood floors, there’s a cleaner out there with your name on it. For those of you with pets, you can go with the vacuums specially made for pet hair. Most, if not all, of these vacuums, will work on any surface and will resolve most pet hair issues. They all are high-powered and high performance. Since they are all cordless, they all offer convenience. They are all lightweight for easy carrying and easy manoeuvring. You really can’t go wrong no matter which one you choose! from Otomo - Blog https://www.otomo.co.uk/blogs/news/best-cordless-vacuum-cleaners from https://otomouk.tumblr.com/post/175929861423 Hello friends! Happy summer weekend to you! This week I started my Invisalign treatment, I am documenting my progress with a few videos and I’ll combine them and share my experience as I go through the program. I’ve been wanting to straighten my crooked bottom teeth for years so I’m finally doing it! So far so good, I’m 48 hours in and it’s not bad! I wish I’d done this sooner! Things have been slower on the blog in the past two weeks, my apologies. I have a dear sweet friend who is in the hospital with pancreatitis (ouch) so I’ve been visiting her daily trying to cheer her up. I have a few projects in the works but progress has been slowed so I’m anxious to get back to completing them. :) Favorite links….
Bria Hammel’s Baltimore new build project is design perfection. I so love the layers and palette in this NY Victorian renovation. This designer showcase home in the Hamptons is filled with much inspiration. Got teenagers? A new method for limiting phone screen time. Hidden ways to shop on Amazon. Longevity: a reason to eat chocolate every day. Fascinating job: the key keeper to the Vatican. This itinerary makes me want to book a trip to the Amalfi Coast ASAP. Did you hear? The Downton Abbey movie is coming. .
from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/07/weekend-reading-164/ This recipe is one of my most requested – over and over again. Sure to delight everyone no matter the occasion and you don’t need to be hunting bears! Serves 8 IngredientsAs with all cake baking please ensure all ingredients are at room temperature (including the buttermilk!) For the cake
For the fudge icing
Method:
The post Recipe: Chocolate Fudge Cake appeared first on Party Pieces Blog & Inspiration. from https://blog.partypieces.co.uk/diy/cakes/cake-recipes/recipe-chocolate-fudge-cake/ My last article was about my fabulous trip to Belgium but one image I failed to include was the one below. I was strolling down the street in Antewerp and the corner facing door of this cafe was wide open. As I walked by, a glimpse of the bold tile floor stopped me in my tracks. I stepped inside and this is what I saw.
Stunning right? All that black and brass is so sophisticated, so chic! (Don’t miss the cute little pooch off to the side hiding under the table!) You can see this dramatic pattern on the floor was created with three colors of hexagon tile. It’s easy to shop for and purchase bold geometric floor tile and you can find more affordable porcelain alternatives and get the cement tile look for less. What takes just a bit more creativity (and installation time) is a geometric pattern created with basic tile shapes. I love the look of bold patterned tile, I used it on the floor in this bathroom reno and on the fireplace surround in this fireplace makeover too. Today’s topic is all about patterns made from basic tile shapes, from subtle variations in color to bold statements. starting with a basic rotating gray and white triangle pattern
wendy word design another subtle pattern created using tonal rectangular tiles
howell’s architecture and design how cool is this high contrast triangular tile pattern
a creative use of rectangular blue and white glass tile in a random pattern
scallops in random backsplash installation – so cool
I found this creative design made with 3×6” subway tile in a frame formation. Find more idea for installing subway tile in this article about potential subway tile patterns.
Mini hexagons make countless patterns, this takes careful planning but look at the beautiful result!
tim barber x 2
via decoracion I discovered the Ant Tile Design Gallery has a lot of creative tile patterns. These are mosaics, but notice how all of these patterns are created with triangles.
above images via Ant Tile This is a cool idea, rotating black and white hex tiles.
Another creative pattern created simply by cutting and swapping triangle corners from rectangular tiles. source unknown Some mosaic tile mesh sheets have built in geometric patterns to inspire a creative layout in your colors of choice, and there are any number of modular or interlocking formations:
The possibilities are endless for combining shapes into creative patterns!
barbara aurell via decoracion You might also like geometric tile floors and alternatives to white subway tile. . from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/07/creative-tile-patterns-with-basic-shapes/ I arrived in Brussels, Belgium from London via Eurostar train on a Tuesday evening in June. I had three full days to explore this country and I wasn’t going to waste a second. I did not have the luxury of a loose itinerary, I had four cities to see in three days and I was determined to see as much as possible. By my departure from Belgium I concluded it is a country with the best that Europe has to offer a traveler: amazing architecture, water views, delicious food, great beer, the charm of meandering cobblestone streets, and the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted. If you’re looking to explore a small European country with a taste of everything, Belgium is the place.
There is always a debate in my mind when I travel somewhere new. Do I spend a few days in one spot getting to know all the streets and cafes at a slower pace? Or do I hit the ground running, seeing as much as I can? In this stage of life, I default to the latter. I don’t have the luxury of a slower pace when I’m balancing two lives: the dream life of digital nomad, and the reality of two kids back home who need me. Someday there will be time to take it slower, but not yet.
Belgium is a small country compared to its EU neighbors, so it’s a little easier to get where you want to go not just because of its smaller size but also because of its efficient public transportation. Belgians are multilingual, though the main spoken language is French, and it’s the one I understand most having studied it in school.
I have a great travel buddy, her name is Gro, we’ve been to Scandinavia together, and we also traveled to Bergen, Norway earlier this year. I adore her. She’s always up for adventure so when I suggested we go to Belgium, she was totally on board. Gro grew up in Norway, she has raised three sons, lives part time in both Norway and California, and she has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. We met in a fitness class, she’s simply the best, and I just love traveling with her! Gro and I explored four cities in Belgium in three days, we’re long distance walkers and clocked ten miles a day, but for those that want to meander at a slower pace, I’d recommend stretching a visit to Belgium to four or even five days, dedicating one day per city to get a feel for each one. During our stay, we visited the bustling capital of Brussels, fashionable Antewerp, energetic Ghent, and the not-to-miss enchanting Bruges. Our home base was Brussels, near the Midi train station. I rented an Airbnb apartment because I prefer them to hotels. The best part about being near the Midi train station was it’s the main one for all train lines arriving in and departing from Brussels. I arrived via Eurostar from London and upon arrival walked 5 minutes to my Airbnb apartment conveniently located near the station. At Midi Station, you can catch trains to daytrip to Antewerp, Ghent, and Bruges, so it helps to stay near it or just a few stops away via metro since it’s the gateway station to all other cities in Belgium. Train travel from Brussels to other cities is SO easy. Of all the train stations and metros I’ve traveled in Europe, I was most impressed with the Midi in Brussels, everything is color coded, numbered, and on time, making it a stress free experience.
BrusselsThe first day we explored the capital city of Brussels, heading first to the famous Grand Place. The tourists were already beginning to arrive, I was thankful we got there around 9 a.m. before it got too crowded. The buildings are gilded with beautiful ornate detail, there’s a lot of history in this square so linger here for awhile, it’s one of the main attractions.
Mannekin Pis is the famous small bronze sculpture of the peeing boy down the street from Grand Place that everyone stops to look at and take a selfie with (strange). I was a little underwhelmed but thought okay, it’s on the list of things to see, so we did.
The streets of Brussels are lovely to stroll, most of the neighborhoods surrounding the Grand Place have shops and cafes and historical sites to see.
Keep walking around town and there’s something you can’t escape. Waffles! Those of you with a sweet tooth will have a hard time choosing which topping to put on a Belgian waffle. There are vendors on every street so you’ll have lots of opportunities to savor these local specialties!
At first as I walked around the city, Brussels reminded me of Paris. I felt it especially in the cafes and parks and when looking at the architecture.
As I explored more, Brussels unveiled that it had its own pulse and its own vibe, and I began to appreciate it for its beauty and uniqueness.
Brussels has really great food, the sausages we ate were amazing, and of course one must eat street fries. Eating fries is part of the culinary experience of Belgium, you’ll find window vendors on the streets in every city, they make a great late night snack so be sure to order them with sauce!
The beer scene is huge in Belgium, there were so many we tried while we visited, it was hard to keep track. We sampled everything from trappist beer made by monks to whatever the bartender recommended as a local favorite.
Brussels has really great night life, the cafes and bars are open and on a warm night it’s nice to walk the Grand Place that is all lit up and also the surrounding streets, they’re very safe and the people are all out and about. We wandered for hours on a warm summer night, stopping into different bars recommended by locals before heading back to our apartment. Bars stay open into the early morning hours, but the metro shuts down at midnight so keep that in mind.
Day Two took us to two cities, Antewerp in the morning and early afternoon, and Ghent in the late afternoon and evening. Seeing two cities in one day was ambitious but we did it! AntewerpOriginally we hadn’t planned on Antewerp, but our Airbnb host insisted that we squeeze it into our itinerary, and she was right. Antewerp was an unexpected delight, starting with our morning arrival at the stunning train station. Wow, check out this lobby!
Walk down the main street in the direction of Grote Market and you’ll find yourself on fashion row. It reminded of a mini Fifth Avenue in New York City with the combination of both low and high end fashion: H&M mixed with Armani.
Just about everyone here gets around via bicycle, so watch out for cyclists. One thing I loved about Antewerp, the clock tower bells ring on the hour (just like in Salzburg), it adds to the enchantment.
There are a few historical sites to see in old town near Grote Markt, the main cathedral and famous buildings are concentrated in a very small area so it’s easy to see it all in a couple of hours. Nestled among the landmarks are some really cute cafes, we stopped at one for lunch before heading back to the train station.
GhentGhent (or Gent) is a university town worth visiting, there are a lot of young people in Ghent and it also has a reputation for great night life. We took a 40 minute train ride from Antewerp and on arrival learned we had to take a tram into town. The tram system makes it easy to hop on the #1 and get to the heart of old town. Buy a tram ticket at travel center inside the train station and pick up a map too, then follow the instructions to hop on the #1 or the #4 tram from the main train station to the center of the old town. From there it’s easy to walk around and see the landmarks, shops, and canals.
We spent the least amount of time in Ghent simply because we were tired, but we got a nice feel for it in the four hours that we stayed in this city before heading back to Brussels. BrugesLast but not least, the enchanting city of Bruges where we spent our third and final day. This town is the most touristy, but for good reason. City center is a half mile walk from the train station, but once you arrive it slowly unveils itself to you and it’s really so charming. In Bruges you can hire a carriage to take you around town, you can stroll as we did, or get an alternative view of this charming city via canal tour.
We arrived around 10 a.m. by train, just as most of the day trip tourists do. If you stay in Bruges, you’ll have the town to yourself in the morning before the tourists arrive, and in the evening after they leave, so it’s worth considering staying in Bruges as your home base instead of Brussels if you’re exploring the country. In some places, the canals of Bruges felt like a Disneyland ride, with people piling into boats while the captain on speaker explains the history and architecture around every bend.
Bruges is a true gem of Belgium so I was happy to have spent our last full day here. We were hungry after a few hours of walking so we stopped into Borgongnes des Flanders, a brewery on the water. We ordered meatballs, a cheese platter and their house brew (all of it delicious). This was the perfect place to feel the Bruges vibe and watch the canal boats go by.
Strolling the streets of Bruges, you’ll find spectacular scenes around every bend. The squares and alleys are filled with cafes where you can sit and people watch. I particularly liked this smiling waiter and hello, that epic view.
A main attraction is The Market Square (Markt), it’s the perfect place for a photo opp, this square is also filled with cafes where you can take in the view of the Belfry on the opposite side.
There were places we didn’t visit, like the Torture Museum or French Fries Museum, both real museums in Bruges. We did make stop at the Beer Experience, right next to Markt, this I will recommend. Head up the stairs where you can taste five beers for ten Euro while you peek out at Markt below. After days of walking many miles, this was an unexpected find and favorite place to rest our feet.
Before ending, I must share my Belgian chocolate experience. I sampled my share of truffles in each city I visited and every time I tasted a new one, I fell in love and declared it my favorite. At first I was convinced all the chocolate makers in Belgium had secret fairy dust they added to their chocolates because ohhh mahhh gawwwwd it was the best I’d ever tasted. Then I learned that Belgian chocolatiers adhere to stricter standards with their chocolate making, requiring 100% cocoa butter, real sugar, nothing fake, etc. They’ve been making it this way for over a century. I’ve sampled great chocolate from just about every country, but I officially give Belgium the prize for THE BEST. The chocolates were so great, I brought several boxes home, they’re hidden in my house and I’m sloooowwwlly savoring them piece by piece. People, if there’s a reason to go to Belgium, go for the chocolate.
Now I’m rooting for Belgium in the World Cup, they’re in the semi-finals against France on Tuesday. Go Belgium!
from https://centsationalstyle.com/2018/07/the-best-of-belgium/
Whether you are washing cars, driveways, or washing down the outside of your home, there is no tool more useful than a pressure washer. These devices can be extremely versatile when it comes to tackling a lot of tasks around the home. Unfortunately, there are more than a few makes, models, and pressure washer manufactures available on the market. When you factor this in with all the different features and ranging price tags that come along with these products, this can make your quest to finding the perfect pressure washer a difficult one.
This is why it is imperative to know exactly what each pressure washer has to offer you and understanding your exact needs. Below, you will learn some tips and information that will help you find the perfect pressure washer to meet your exact requirements. Know That More Power Means More RiskThere are certain situations when you might need a lot of power to remove deeply ingrained dirt and grime. However, there might be situations when too much power can be a bad thing. Water pressure is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). While there are usually two basic ways to power a pressure washer, each offers different power and features. For instance, petrol-powered pressure washers are capable of pumping out anywhere from 2,000 to 2,800 PSI. On the other hand, electric models are capable of producing anywhere from 1,300 to 1,700 PSI. When it comes to stripping grime off a patio or stripping paint off vinyl siding, a gas-powered machine will accomplish the task ten times faster when compared to an electric model.However, more PSI could mean more risks as well. When washing the side of a newly painted home or a car, you have to be careful about the amount of pressure that you are applying. Too much pressure could strip the paint right off. In addition to this, petrol models usually require more caution and control. You can easily splinter wood or knock loose concrete. And, this is not to even mention that you have to make an additional purchase of petrol any time you want to utilize the device. Faster Is Going To Be LouderWhen shopping for a pressure washer, noise is a major concern for some individuals. If you are looking for a faster spraying stream with more power, you are going to have to go for the petrol-powered models. However, this means that they are going to be much louder, you are going to have to deal with the noise. Petrol-powered models usually produce somewhere around 85 decibels of noise. This is the threshold where noise becomes unsafe to the human ear, so you will probably have to wear ear protection when utilizing one of these machines.Electric models tend to produce sounds around 78 decibels when the trigger is compressed. Once you let off the trigger the motor stops running, so they are essentially silent when they aren’t actively spraying. Choosing The Size To Suit Your NeedsSelecting the size of the machine that you need is fairly easy, as long as you know the tasks that you are going to be tackling. Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes and they are capable of tackling residential tasks, light commercial jobs, and professional cleaning jobs. Knowing exactly what you intend to do with the pressure washer will help you choose the size that you need.Electric – Electric pressure washer can pump out anywhere from 1300 to 1900 PSI, which makes them especially good for washing vehicles, cleaning outdoor furniture, grills, plastic play sets, decking and patios. If you pretty much plan on tackling any of the small jobs around the home, the electric model will without a doubt be your go-to model. When shopping for an electric model it helps if you go for something that is lightweight and compact in size, has a flexible high-pressure house, and comes with a variety of different nozzles. An onboard detergent tank won’t hurt either, as you can mix in special cleaning solutions and tackle those much dirtier tasks. Average Sized Petrol Engines – An averagely sized petrol engine pressure washer will produce anywhere from 2000 to 3100 PSI. These models utilize anywhere from two to 2.5 gallons of water a minute. These models are extremely useful when it comes to cleaning decking, patios, siding, fences, vehicles, heavy equipment, and boats. If you are in the market for one of these models it would be recommended to look for models that include premium overhead cams or overhead-valve engines, axial cam pumps with aluminium or brass heads, heavy duty frames, large wheels, and high-pressure hoses. This will ensure that your model will be able to handle the pressure that it is going to be pumping out. Larger Sized Petrol Engines – The largest gas engine pressure washers on the market can produce an impressive 3200 to 4200 PSI. These models utilize anywhere from 2.8 to 4 gallons of water a minute. They were more so designed for paint stripping, surface preparation, graffiti removal, construction site cleaning, and fleet maintenance purposes. The size and power mean they are excellent for tackling commercial grade jobs. So, if you are thinking about going to the commercial cleaning field, this is probably the model that you want to consider. When shopping for these models you want to look for manufacturers that include commercial-series engines, commercial-duty triplex pumps, heavy-gauge welded steel frames with solid axles, steel-braided hoses, and extremely heavy-duty pneumatic tires. Steel spray wands with quick connection couplings can also go a long way to providing you with a variety of spraying options. Always Consider PortabilityWhether you are shopping for an electric model of a gas-powered pressure washer you must always consider portability. It is safe to say that your pressure washer isn’t just going to sit in one place. In fact, you will probably have to move it from location to location just to be able to complete even the simplest of jobs. Even the smallest and most compact units can be quite heavy. This is why you always want to consider a model that offers some kind of portability.This is especially true if you are going for the larger models. Look for models that come with high-quality wheels, so that you can easily just roll the machine from location to location, additionally, this will also make storage easier. A Lengthy Spray HoseIt has already been established that pressure washers are heavy. Even the smallest models on the market can be quite heavy. So, not only is portability important, but it is extremely important to invest in a model with a rather lengthy hose. This will eliminate the number of times that you need to move the device around, and it will give you to the true freedom that you need to tackle those lengthy jobs.Detergent MixersYou will find that both petrol-powered and electric pressure washers come with a variety of features. Some of these features can be useful and some of them are just more bells and whistles that are not strictly necessary. However, the detergent mixer compartment is without a doubt necessary for any individual looking to get a good thorough cleaning. It doesn’t matter how much power, strength, or noise you have, there are going to be some situations when water and strength just won’t clean as thoroughly as you’d like.These are the situations where detergent mixers can become invaluable. These devices usually come installed on the pressure washer as an extra reservoir and they allow you to top them up with soap or detergents that are automatically mixed with water. While there are a variety of detergents and soaps available, these chemicals can provide the extra cleaning power that you need to make quick work of those tough jobs. On-Board StorageThere is much more to a pressure washer than just a motor and a wand. You might have a variety of hoses, wands, nozzles, and electrical cords. While all of these components are necessary for proper operation, they can sometimes get in the way. This is especially true when you are trying to neatly store the device in your garage out of the way. This is where onboard storage can come in handy. Onboard storage will provide you with a suitable location to roll up and store all the hoses. Most models will even come equipped with a neat little holder that allows you to safely and effectively store your wand.Not only do these storage devices keep everything neat and in place, but it prevents unwanted fraying and damage to the power cords and pressure hoses. Understanding Pressure Washer NozzlesWhen it comes to any model of the pressure washer, you always have to be extremely careful about the angle and the intensity at which the water is being sprayed. This is where you may end up chipping or stripping paint in unwanted areas. And, most of the time this has to do when users utilize the wrong nozzles. The nozzle is the device located right at the end of the wand and they can be interchangeable. Some nozzles can even be adjusted to provide several different angles, whereas others have to be completely changed out to achieve a different angle. Some of these nozzles are sold in sets that are usually colour-coded to indicate spray pattern and angle.Whatever the situation is, if you want to reduce your risk of damaging a surface, you need to understand these nozzles and when each angle should be utilized. For instance, a low-pressure nozzle is usually indicated with a black colour and it is best used for spraying on cleaning agents. If you have a pressure washer that has a detergent tank and you want to spray on a cleaning agent for extra cleaning power, this nozzle would be the one you want to utilize for the task. 40-Degree Nozzle – A 40-degree nozzle is usually indicated with a white colour. This nozzle is best when you are tackling surface that can be easily damaged. For instance, when spraying down a car or a house with wood siding, this is probably the best nozzle for the task at hand. 25-Degree Nozzle – The 25-degree nozzle is indicated by the green colour and it was designed for general applications. 15-Degree Nozzle – A yellow colour will indicate a 15-degree nozzle and this nozzle is intended for heavy-duty cleaning purposes. If you have a deck that needs to be stripped or you need to clean paint off a vinyl siding, this is the nozzle for you. Zero-Degree Nozzle – When you see a red nozzle, you can guarantee that this is a zero-degree nozzle. And, this nozzle was without a doubt only intended for the toughest of jobs. In fact, this nozzle produces such a powerful stream of water that it is usually only utilized for heavy-duty applications. When it comes to residential applications it would be best to avoid this nozzle unless you know what you’re doing. Best Overall Pressure Washer - Wilks USA RX550 Pressure WasherThe Wilks USA RX550 is a very reliable pressure washer. And, it comes with everything you need to start cleaning your siding right out of the box. In addition to the include accessories – a gutter lance, turbo wand, rotary and fixed brushes and a patio cleaner – the pressure washer is backed by a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. So, you are protected from potential financial losses related to malfunctions and damaged parts.
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About MeHi I am Albin Adamski from Brynrefail, I am 32 years old. I always surf web for buying antiques for home decoration. Archives
April 2019
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