Most people focus on the maintenance of the interior of their home and devote far less attention and time to structures outside. (more…)
It is always difficult to know how to decorate your home. Modern styles are attractive, but they can sometimes look too clinical. The rustic on the other hand has an innate charm, but it can also look haphazard and messy too. Getting the right blend between modern and rustic is a good answer to this conundrum and herein we consider how that is possible.
The driveway is the first thing that people will see when arriving at your home, so this is a good place to start tailoring the look of the property. Laying a gravel driveway is a good way to embrace the rustic and benefit from security improvements too. Gravel allows you to hear anyone approaching your home. Installing tall driveway gates is another great way to embrace the rustic look and you can combine the modern by opting for the automatic version. Arriving home to gently swinging gates is an excellent way to improve your home and your enjoyment of it.
The perimeter of your home is one of the hardest areas to make look nice because you have to install a boundary. Running a timber fence around your garden, however, is a good compromise. Timber blends in naturally with the surrounding foliage and still provides the security of a barrier.
Blending the modern and the rustic with plants is difficult, but sculpted foliage offers a good solution. Sculpted foliage looks modern and stylish, but it is also an historical style of garden that dates back to pre-colonial England and much of Europe. With a nicely designed and sculpted pattern of hedging, the blend of modern and rustic will be great to enjoy.
The blend of modern and rustic allows for some very quirky decorations. One of the best is the combination of a small wooden wheelbarrow with some bright and vibrant flowers. Using a small wheelbarrow as a flowerpot in this manner allows the creation of a wonderful blend because the wheelbarrow will begin to crumble over time, but the flowers in contrast will shine with new life each season. Another good option is the combination of a small stone well with a flowerbed because this presents the same image of the old and the new.
Using natural foliage to create screens is another great way to utilize the rustic in your garden. Creating a screen out of willow, for example, will allow you to cast shade on an area with a hammock or some other modern seating. The seclusion this creates will be comfortable to enjoy in private and the surrounding foliage will provide a rustic feel.
Most barbeques today are modern gas powered models and the quality that these barbeques provide is excellent. A modern barbeque can look out of place in a rustic garden, however, so combining this with a brick barbeque area is a good option. By creating a brick area for a barbeque you will be able to get the best from a modern model and a rustic place to house it too. Be sure to leave space to upsize your barbeque if you do this, however, so you have space for growth.
In order to relax and get the full enjoyment out of your home it is crucial that you feel safe there, and the following looks at some of the best ways to make your home a far safer place.
Invest in Screens for your Doors and Windows
The doors and windows of any home are the most likely places to be targeted in an attempt to break in, so if you are looking to make your home a safer place, boosting the security of your doors and windows is a very good idea, with the best way to do this being to invest in security screens for them. Your screens will prevent your doors or windows from being forced open, and with secure screens protecting your home you will even be able to let the breeze in to cool your place down without having to worry about letting in intruders.
Your fence plays an important role in the safety and security of your home as it really is the first line of defence, so if you have an old fence that is falling apart, replace it before an unwanted guest is able to make the most of this weak point in your security. Older fences can also be a safety risk if they have broken palings or loose nails sticking from them, so you will be making your home safer in more than one way by investing in a better quality fence.
If you have a garage at your place make sure that your garage door is of good quality and well maintained, especially if your garage has an entry point into your home, because if a potential intruder can make it into your garage they will be one step closer to getting inside your place. Old style garage doors can also pose a safety risk if there is any chance of them falling onto you or your car, so if you have an old garage door, consider upgrading it for the sake of your home’s all round safety and security.
Unless you can see what you are doing in and around your home you will be at risk of tripping, falling and causing injury to yourself, so whether you need more lighting in your driveway, garage or in your backyard, improve it before you hurt yourself. Investing in motion sensor lighting is a fantastic idea, both inside and outside your home, because this will mean you always have light whenever you need it, and it can help to scare off would-be intruders as well.
If you live in a dangerous part of town or just want to ensure that you and your belongings are 100% safe at home, investing in a monitored alarm system is a wonderful idea, both for your security as well as your peace of mind. Monitored systems can keep an eye on more than just who is coming and going, as they can monitor the environmental conditions as well, which can help to keep you safe from flood, fire or even gas leaks as well.
Unless you can afford to continually fix up your place, it is wise to invest in building materials that will last. The following is a brief look at a few of the most durable building materials available, so make sure your place is designed to last by making good use of these. (more…)
Finding ways to reduce heat in your home and yard is important, especially if you want to make the most out of the summer, rather than just struggle through it. (more…)
Your backyard is usually the place to be when it comes to getting some rest and relaxation at your place, though when you are too busy with inside work to be able to fully make the most of your awesome outdoor area, (more…)
