Interior Decoration May Depend On Your Property

Finding Property In A Historic Community

Lewis and Clark headed west in a historic journey which soon became a cornerstone of American history. The place they left from was the cultural zenith in the west at the time, St. Louis, Missouri.

The city has over a hundred years of history, and some of the country’s most historic neighborhoods. There are some real property treasures in St. Louis, and they’re yours for the finding.

Because of their history, some will have naturally evocative interiors; others will require a more personal touch. But before you get to the interior design phase, you’ve got to find a property. There are some ways to go about securing a top-tier property in St. Louis that are better than others.

To begin, you want to use the services of a local realtor who was born in the area and understands it intimately. There are always neighborhoods with greater historicity than others. There are also those who have greater property value than others. Some neighborhoods are in natural appreciation, some aren’t.

When you’re purchasing property, you ideally want to see that property’s value increase over time. Certainly it’s possible you’ll find the diamond in the rough yourself, but a good realtor has the potential to save you a lot of hassle, and even find diamonds you didn’t know to look for. Also, how you outfit the home’s insides could itself prove ultimately profitable.

Additional Considerations

You’ve got to think about more than just the neighborhood and the property even when it comes to interior aesthetic. There are historic neighborhoods that are low crime, and those that are high crime. There are properties that seem like a steal, but it turns out they were used for illicit purposes previously. Inside decorations may require security measures.

A good way to start your search is to make a list of qualities you’re looking for in a property, inside and out. List needed features: how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms? Do you want a home with a porch, or a deck? How about a backyard? And what are your negotiables? Do you have any non-negotiables? Most importantly: what kind of budget will you be working with?

When you know this information from the start, you can narrow down your options. With the touch of a local realtor, you may be surprised to find what options are truly at your fingertips. Oftentimes there are more than one which match your parameters in a historic metropolis as tenured and populated as St. Louis.

The Local Touch

If you’re on the hunt for real estate in the St. Louis Missouri area, you want to find a realtor who truly understands the history of the region; that, as SoldByIrene.com puts it, understands St. Louis: “…is known for its vibrant culture, diversity, and opportunity.” When the cultural component is brought into the mix, an entire new category of real estate possibility manifests.

Some homes are located in cultural centers, and are ideal for more purposes than those of the traditional family. One thing that is especially considerable right now is the economy. It will always ebb and flow. St. Louis home values dropped recently, but they’ve seen a 10.1% increase, and are expected to go up an additional 4.1%. Right now is a good time to buy.

That said, whichever property you end up making your own, you want to approach the housing hunt with caution and time. Don’t rush into anything, and be sure you explore all the possible properties that match your parameters. Do that and you’re sure to find the home that matches you and your family.

How to Clean Your Carpets Like a Pro?

Getting your carpets clean is not the easiest thing in the world, so you may be trying to figure out what steps you can take to make the process easier on yourself. How can you clean your carpet like the professionals that you see at places like True Clean Carpet Cleaning? Are there ways to make sure that you can get it done without spending too much time or money on the task?

When you start to look at places like Healthy Carpet Cleaning, you will find that there are a lot of questions that may come up as you start to search what is out there. How do you know that you’re getting it done the right way? Here are some tips that can give you the upper hand when it comes to getting your carpets looking the best that they can.

- Always vacuum first. Vacuuming is going to get rid of some of the junk that is currently in your carpet, so make sure that you do a good vacuuming to make sure that everything is out of there and that the process of shampooing is going to end up being a lot easier for you in the long run.

- Use a pre-treat option on any spots that may be giving you problems. If there are stains, look for something that is going to pre-treat the stain. Allowing that to soak in is not only going to make it easier for you to get the stain out, but it can also give you a visual signal that a certain spot is in need of a little more love and work because of the stain that may be located in that area.

- Know that steam cleaning is usually the best way to get the job done. Many people use these huge shampooers and all sorts of other things in order to get things taken care of. Many times, hot steam is going to be the best way for you to get all of the stuff out of your carpet. A good, hot steam cleaner is going to give you the best results when compared to the other types of options that you may be looking at and trying out.

- Consider using a natural solution to make it that much easier on yourself and your carpet. If you’re using too many chemicals on your carpet, you are going to find that your carpet is going to be in pretty rough shape as time goes on. Be gentle on your carpet and try more natural options when it comes to cleaning the floors. Many professionals have natural and healthy options that you can consider using.

As you can see, there are a lot of things that you may be looking to explore and utilize in order to make sure that you can get the best results out of your carpet cleaning. Do your research and find the one that may be best for your particular needs and concerns as well.

DIY Loft Conversions - 5 Things to Remember

When planning a loft conversion, there are some homeowners who are looking at the difference in cost between having a contractor do the work and undergoing a DIY project. It is logical, especially in today’s economy, to try to save a few pounds whenever and wherever possible, but is it logical to think you can do all of the work by yourself without the help of professionals? Here are five things to remember if you are looking at a DIY loft conversion project.

1. Building Regulations Approval

What you will need to do, even before going to all the trouble of calculating costs and designing your new living space in your loft is to check Building Regulations and organise a proper inspection to ensure that the loft is structurally safe for a conversion.

2. Everything Will Probably Need to Be Removed

Some homeowners forget to take into consideration all the ‘stuff’ that has collected in a loft over the years. Great Aunt Tillie’s pedal operated sewing machine and family pictures dating back generations are just sitting there gathering dust. Once you’ve gained the proper permissions and have all of your design and building plans in place, it’s time to look for long-term self storage units that are available with 24/7 access. You will most likely be bringing things in and out at all hours of the day and night if you are undergoing a DIY project because you will be working around your hours of employment. 

3. Structural Changes to the Roof May Be Required

A loft is actually considered to be part of the roofing structure of your home, so if there are any structural changes such as timber reinforcements that need to be made, you will need to hire the services of a professional roofer. 

4. Electrical Wiring Also Requires a Professional

It is safe to assume that electrical wires will need to be run prior to installing the walls and ceiling. This is where you will need to remember to hire a licenced electrician to do the wiring and add circuits to your consumer unit box if necessary. At the very least, a licenced electrician will need to inspect and sign off on any work being done because of legislation and other safety issues, which government takes very, very seriously.

5. Ask for Help When You Need It

Finally, always ask for help when you need it. Don’t think that you can do everything by yourself because sometimes it’s just not humanly possible. Many DIYers have suffered back strains, heart attacks and other injuries because they, as the old saying goes, bit off more than they could chew and were reluctant to ask for help.

Undergoing a DIY loft conversion can be if you remember to take the above five things to remember into consideration. Get proper permissions and professional help where necessary and the rest you can safely have a go at. Have fun building your new loft, but above all, stay safe!

How to Create a Winter Sanctuary With “Hygge” — The Danish Concept

Did you know that Denmark is the happiest country in the world? One might as how they do that? How are the constituently the happiest country in all of the world? Of course, there are many factors to this, but one factor my be the concept of “Hygge”.

Hygee (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish concept and word that means “a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful, or special”. You can apply this concept in your very own home, or in other places in your life.

For instance, interior specialists Baytree Interiors help people personalize their homes in order to fit in with this concept. Rustic materials, cozy textures throughout the home, soft furnishings, and a simple, neutral colour scheme keeps the home looking like a soft, winter wonderland. In this way, you can bring the little joys of winter right into your home. By doing that, you can appreciate the little things about winter and the cold (something the people living in Denmark are quite used to), and thus apply Hygge.

Another way to help bring in some winter appreciation into your home is considering the lighting. Using lamps and candles — especially in the evenings — can help bring a beautiful ambiance into the home that you can’t get from most overhead lighting.

On top of bringing this concept into your personal home, can also do this for a wedding! Garden weddings can be great, and if it’s too cold in the inter, you can bring the concept inside. With rustic furniture that brings the aspects of the cozy winter inside to your reception or wedding ceremony. Soft lighting from candles helps, too, bring in the warm atmosphere from the cold. A wedding colour scheme that includes pale colours, or red and green to remind you and your guests about the beautiful world that is right outside the exit doors. With blankets, or cloth gloves for your wedding favors, too. All of these things can help bring in this feeling, and create even a more relaxing, romantic atmosphere.

Hygge is all about using the little things in life to bring more joy into your life and the life of the people around you. What do you think? Do you like the concept of Hygge? Do you plan to try to use it in your own home, or maybe at something like a big wedding? Whatever you do, just remember to invest effort in to what you already have.

Give Your Kitchen an Artistic Makeover With These Popular Trends from 2017

Kitchens are the epicenter of the house. You cook, you have family meals, interesting and awkward conversations, and so much more in your kitchen. Basically, you spend some of the best times and create some wonderful memories here. Little wonder then that remodeling the master bathroom and kitchen continue to be the best investments one can make to a home.

So, whether you are looking for giving a whole new look and feel to the most celebrated room in your house, or are thinking of selling your house, kitchen renovations will add value to both your personal and commercial ventures. Here are the top trends for 2017 for kitchen renovation that you should be staying ahead of.

1. Say Hello to Quartz

There is no denying that the countertop can make or break a kitchen. So when you are thinking of renovating your kitchen, say hello to Quartz countertops. Aesthetic and functional, they are soon emerging as the most sought after countertop option. For one, it is extremely tough. It is resistant to spills, stains, and burns, high force hits and chips. And it does not even require sealing to prevent staining. Talk about easy maintenance. Being low maintenance and resistant to heat and scratches, it’s perfect to whip up a storm in your kitchen. Quartz is really easy on the eyes and lends itself well to traditional and contemporary designs.

2. Make Your Kitchen Glamorous with Granite Look-Alike

Counterparts continue to be the centerpiece in the kitchens. Granite countertops look posh and sophisticated undoubtedly, but lack practical application in kitchens where there is a lot of activity. Besides, they are not easy on the pocket. In your renovation process, include granite look-alike laminate counterparts that have bigger stone patterns and rounded edges. This gives a polished, high-end granite look and is much more budget friendly.

3. Add Auto to Your Kitchen

Technology is changing the way we live. Why should our kitchens be left behind? Make your kitchen future ready by adding some dynamic technology to it. Some interesting kitchen technology we came across is a meat thermometer that alerts your smartphone when dinner is ready. A hands free faucet could be a great addition to your kitchen for those days when you are too busy cooking, and have your hands full at all times.

4. Opt for Open Shelving

If you are thinking kitchen renovation,one thing you must include are open shelving. Open shelving allows you to put all your beautiful crockery on display. This has been a major trend through 2016, and is all set to continue in 2017 as well. However, there are a few practical considerations you need to pay heed to, before you incorporate this trend. For one, all your dishes, drinkware and serving pieces may not be so nice as to be put on display. All of us have certain pots and pans that are not really meant for displaying. We recommend keeping a part of your closed cabinetry for these purposes. Also, dust is a determining factor. With open shelving, dust will gather on your favorite pieces and you will need to give them a rinse much more frequently than before. If you are up for these challenges, open shelving is for you, and can take your kitchen design and look notches higher.m

5. Upgrade Your Kitchen Accessories

The quickest way to give your kitchen an upgrade is to bring on board some cool new kitchen accessories. Think cool egg slicers, lemon zesters, ice lolly molds. You may have had the same variety of these tools forever. Begin your renovation by upgrading these basic accessories. They will change the feel of your kitchen. Take the coolness quotient of your kitchen higher by including a coffee machine that you can control from your bed via an app. Your kitchen and your morning will get a lot better when there is a steaming mug of coffee waiting for you.

6. Bring in the Grey and Copper

Kitchen industry leading manufacturers have given their verdict. Kitchen cabinetry in gray are becoming the new sleek in kitchen designs. Gray is being touted as the new white, and the color to opt for in kitchen cabinets and doors. With the neutrals being in vogue for the primary part of the kitchen, kitchen accents and fixtures get bolder. Replace stainless steel with copper. Include copper colored handles, accessories and appliances in your kitchen to complement and accentuate the gray cabinets. You can also add a bright colored sink to add a fun element.

7. Increase Space and Make Your Kitchen More Functional

A kitchen revamp is not only about changing the exteriors of your kitchen. It is also about making your kitchen more dynamic and functional. Do some research, and you will find hardware manufacturers who are changing the way drawers and cabinet doors functions, making them much more space efficient and convenient. Opt for hydraulic easy-close doors that can fold up and out of the way with a button touch. These are great for saving space in a crowded area like a kitchen.

8. Return to the Basics

Design like fashion is always cyclical. In quest of giving a new look to the kitchen, designers are recommending going back to the past. The vintage kitchens of the past are being revisited for design inspiration. British countryside, pared-down traditional styles are getting a thumbs up. It’s all about keeping it simple and basic. Cut down the excessive decoration and the fluff. For this redesigning project, keep your kitchen warm, traditional, and authentic. Use Pinterest and Houzz boards for ideas to recreate this look.

Moving Towards a More Sustainable Kitchen

If you pay close attention to the dominating kitchen remodeling trends of 2017, you will notice that most of them are veered towards a more sustainable form of kitchen. Whether it is returning to the basics, or opting for quartz countertops, they all reflect a desire for sustainability. The concept of greater sustainability also implies that you should use more earthy materials like wood, wicker and clay for remodeling your kitchen rather than glossy finishes and extravagantly luxurious features and fixtures. Hope this guide has been helpful to you and taken you out of the kitchen revamp rut. Get ready and enjoy refreshing the heart of your home!

Author Bio
Korie Cantor is a writer who writes about living and lifestyle. She possesses a great sense of style and loves to share her thoughts about fashion and it’s latest trends. Follow her @koriecantor