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Archives for January 2018

January 10, 2018 by Marie

The Best Interior Design Software Programs Revealed!

If you’re interested in giving your home or office space a new lease of life, it’s well worth investing in a quality interior design software program, which will make planning your next interior design project a breeze! However, before you spend your hard earned money on a program, simply continue reading to discover a list of the best interior design software programs available.

The Best Interior Design Software Programs Revealed:

HomeByMe

HomeByMe is an innovative interior design program which allows you to upload photos you’ve taken of the room, which you plan to renovate, which you can then edit. In order to find out which paint schemes, color schemes, and pieces of furniture suit the room or rooms which you plan on renovating. Unlike some programs, HomeByMe allows you to place real items of furniture, which you can purchase online into your interior designs plans. So if you’re interested in seeing which doors, windows or chairs suit a given room, you’ll be able to experiment with countless options.

RoomToDo

If you like the idea of being able to walk through a 3D model of your finished room, it’s well worth downloading RoomToDo as you’ll be able to walk through your finished 3D model and view your room from a variety of angles. If you’re looking for a basic program, which is easy to master, it’s well worth downloading RoomToDo. Which offers a wide variety of intuitive, innovative tools.

Better yet, if you don’t want to use your computer’s storage space, you can save all of your design plans in RoomToDo’s cloud.

Home Designer Interiors

Home Designer Interiors was created by an experienced architect and boast an impressive library of over 6,500 objects. Examples of which include paint, wallpaper, flooring and furniture options. You can even preview what a custom built kitchen island would look like, by selecting your countertops and your kitchen island’s doors. As with RoomToDo, you can also choose to walk through your 3D model once it’s completed.

VirtualArchitect: Home Design Software

Virtual Architect will allow you to create a realistic rendering of your finished room, within just 30 minutes. So if you’re looking for software which you can learn how to use in a short period of time, you may want to seriously consider downloading VirtualArchitect: Home Design Software. This particular program stands out from its competitions as while many programs offer graphics which look like they belong to the life simulation game “The Sims”, VirtualArchitect’s images are extremely high quality.

To get started simply scan images of the rooms, which you plan on renovating or use the software’s handy interior design wizard to sketch out each of your rooms. If you plan on keeping some of your current pieces of furniture, you can even choose to add them to your design plans. Which will help you choose new pieces of furniture and decorations, which will complement the pieces which you already own. If you’re excited about the prospect of renovating your home or office space, it’s definitely worth downloading the interior design program listed above, which best suits your individual needs!

January 10, 2018 by Marie

4 Of the Best Graphic Design Software Programs Available!

If you’re contemplating investing in a high-quality, professional graphic design programs, simply continue reading to discover 4 of the highest rated graphic design software programs currently available.

4 Of the Best Graphic Design Software Programs Available:

Photoshop

Photoshop, is one of the top rated software programs for designers and allows you to combine multiple images to create a new image and to remove unwanted objects such as backgrounds from images. You can also use photoshop to crop, straighten and rotate images and to enhance the colors of your images.

If you frequently work with photographs of people, you’ll also be able to use photoshop to remove blemishes from your photographs and to remove red eyes from your photographs. Whether you’re an experienced designer or a newbie, you can’t go wrong purchasing photoshop.

CorelDraw Graphics Suite

CorelDraw Graphics Suite boasts a live sketch tool, which will allow you to sketch designs using a tablet and a stylus, instead of sketching on paper and having to scan your sketches onto your computer.

If you chose to download CorelDraw Graphics Suite, you’ll also be able to customize any text included in your graphics by selecting from a wide variety of attractive, professional looking fonts.

So if you’re looking for a competitively priced graphic design program, it’s well worth considering purchasing CorelDraw Graphics Suite.

Serif DrawPlus X8

Serif DrawPlus X8 boasts all the tools which you may need to create unique designs such as logos and animations. One of its most popular tools is its pen tool, which will allow you to draw designs which feature curves, such as an image of a sofa or of a human face. It also offers several different sized paint brushes, which you can use to sketch your designs.

If you have trouble sketching on a tablet, you can also use Serif DrawPlus X8’s handy grids and custom guides, which will make sure that your sketches are as accurate as possible.

Adobe Illustrator

The newest version of Adobe Illustrator has been designed to rival Photoshop and allows graphic designers to create professional-grade vector based designs. Adobe Illustrator comes pre-packed with a wide variety of design templates, which are perfectly suited to graphic designers with little experience, who are looking to increase their graphic design skills. Examples of some of the design templates on offer include web templates, art templates, print templates, and illustration templates.

Like CorelDraw Graphics Suite, Adobe Illustrator also allows you to use a tablet, to sketch your designs into your digital scrapbook.

AdobeIllustrator also features hundreds of different fonts, to add to your graphics and offers unique color schemes, which are comprised of complementary colors. Which may make choosing the perfect colors to bring your design to life, child’s play. After all, who has time to sift through 50 different shades of navy, in order to find the right hue to complement a design?

So if you’re interested in spending more time creating high-quality graphic designs, it’s well worth investing in one of the top rated graphic design software programs listed above.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

Zen-Like Interior Designs: 5 Innovative Concepts

If you’re inspired by Japanese style interior decorating, simply continue reading to discover 5 innovative design concepts, which will help you transform your home or office space into a zen inspired retreat.

Zen-Like Interior Designs: 5 Innovative Concepts:

Japanese style dining area

If you’re inspired by zen-like interior design, you may want to create a Japanese style, dining area which features a spacious glass or wooden table, which is low to the ground. Then purchase large, comfortable pillows, which you can sit on, during meal times. If you’re keen to create a Japanese inspired dining area, you may also want to consider installing a floor to ceiling window, with a sliding door, which will allow you to gaze outside, whilst you’re enjoying your meals. This is a particularly great idea if you plan on creating a Japanese garden, with a koi pond.

Install wooden screens, to separate sections of your home or office

If your home or office boasts an open plan design, you may want to invest in wooden screens, which can be temporarily set up to separate different areas of each room. As an example, if your dining area is part of your lounge, you may want to set up a single wooden screen so that your dining area is partially blocked off from the rest of your lounge. Alternatively, you may want to use a wooden screen to create a tranquil reading nook, which you can retreat to when you require a little time out for yourself.

Use plants to bring the outdoors indoors

One way to ensure that each room is a relaxing, calm space to spend time in is to place a statement plant, in each room of your house. As plants, are essential to human life as they provide oxygen and by placing plants in your home or office, you’ll instantly make each space more inviting and less sterile. If you’re inspired by zen-like interior spaces, you may wish to shirk flowering plants for green, leafy plants, which you can prune to suit your needs. If you’re interested, why not purchase a few bonsai plants, which are extremely popular in Japan!

Opt for light wood furniture

One way to create a Zen-like haven is to opt for beautiful light wood furniture pieces instead of opting for dark wood. As examples, you may want to switch out your bed frame, your closets, your bookshelves and your dining table for light wood models.

Use eye-catching lantern style light fixtures

One way to create a soft, warm glow, in the evenings which will help you relax after a long day is to fit lantern style light fittings, which will also complement your zen-like interior design theme. Examples of rooms which could benefit from minimalistic lantern style light fixtures include your lounge and your bedrooms.

If you’re keen on the idea of turning your home or office space into a rejuvenating, zen-like environment, it’s well worth including a few of the creative concepts listed above, into the interior design plan for your space.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

Interior Design that makes you happy: 5 Creative ideas

If one of your primary goals is to create indoor spaces which are a pleasure to spend time in, simply continue reading to discover 5 creative interior design ideas, which are guaranteed to make you happy. Interior Design that makes you happy: 5 Creative ideas

Pick bright colored furniture

Injecting color into your home or office space will instantly improve your mood. One of the boldest ways to inject color into a room is to purchase a statement piece of furniture in a bright, bold hue. As an example, you may want to purchase a bright yellow chaise for your lounge or to purchase bright a red desk for your office.

Pick bold, brightly colored decorations

If purchasing a bright pink sofa, is a little too bold for your tastes, simply place a few bright colored cushions on your sofa or purchase photo frames or decorative vases, in a variety of colors which make you happy.

Experiment with different textures and fabrics

One way to make your home or office space a more inviting space to live and work is to experiment with different textures and fabrics. As an example, one way to instantly turn your room into a more attractive space to spend time in is to purchase a fluffy rug or to purchase a faux reindeer skin rug on your floor.

Also remember that it’s perfectly fine to mix textures as an example you may want to feel velvet, stainless steel, faux fur and porcelain pieces in the same room.

Purchase decorations and statement pieces on your travels

If you’re a bit of a jet-setter, instead of purchasing tacky souvenirs, it’s well worth picking up high-quality decorations which you can use to decorate your home or office space. Examples of which may include wooden handicrafts, a handpainted Venetian mask or a glass vase. Just think, every time you spot an item which you bought overseas, you’ll be reminded of all of your fun-filled international adventures.

If money is no object, it’s also well worth considering shipping home and furniture items which you fall in love with overseas. As an example, you may fall in love with a hand carved wooden chest, with intricate designs, which would make the perfect coffee table for your lounge.

Don’t be afraid to use funky patterns to brighten up your home or office’s interior

One way to showcase your individual style is to showcase your favorite patterns. As an example, if you love floral prints you may want to use an eye-catching modern floral print to cover a statement wall. Just make sure that the wallpaper you chooses complements the rest of your room.

Alternatively, if you love animal print, you may want to consider getting your sofa or one of your chaises reupholstered in a giraffe or leopard print.

Use silver or gold elements in your interior design plan

One way to instantly add polish to your indoor spaces is to add gold or silver elements. Examples of which may include a mirror which boasts a gold frame and silver candlestick holders. So if your primary aim is to create indoor spaces, which you’ll enjoy spending time in, it’s well worth keeping the 5 interior design tips listed above in mind.

 

January 10, 2018 by Marie

Most Expensive Home Renovations

Home renovations form part of our daily lives and can be done particularly to correct certain issues or even fixing others to sell the house. Some of these home improvements can be done easily with fewer costs, while others require huge amounts of money. Unfortunately, the expensive home improvements need to be done since they cause more pressing issues when compared to the less expensive ones. For instance, having a leaking roof requires urgent repair since it can cause some problems especially if it’s on a rainy season as compared to other problems such as a broken window glass that might be unsightly. However, every homeowner should budget for all improvements, and clearly understand the ones which are more expensive can be of help. Below are most expensive home renovations :

1. Kitchen remodeling

The cost of kitchen remodeling will majorly vary depending on the size of the kitchen and the finishes you want it done. Unlike other types of improvements, most people take kitchen remodeling as a luxury instead of necessity. The remodeling can cost approximately $25,000-$50,000. Most kitchens become outdated if they aren’t updated which can lead to difficulty in selling your home. All appliances that are worn out should be replaced to give great returns after the sale of the property since nobody will be willing to spend his or her hard earned cash on a home lacking some items.

2. Bathroom remodeling

Bathroom remodels also vary depending on their sizes and the extra things you want to be done to your bathroom. For those planning full bathroom remodeling, they should budget 20% for labour, 15% fixtures, 16% for cabinetry and hardware, 14% for faucets and plumbing, 9% for the floor, 7% for countertops, 5% for walls and ceiling, 4% for windows and doors, 4% for design fees, and 5% for ventilation and lighting. An average of $16,000 is required. If you want to save on the remodel, you can look for the less expensive finishes.

3. Roof replacement

The roof is a very critical part of any house. To save some cash on an expensive home repair, then fixing any roofing issue at hand can help. One can also replace the entire roof or repair a large section of the roof without having to replace the entire roof. For those who have knowledge in roof replacement can do on their own although it is not advised since there are professionals in the field who work at a fee to ensure the task is accomplished well. It would probably cost $1,000 -$4,000 to replace a 2200-2600 sq. Ft. roof, although a professional can charge between $2,000- $8,500.

4. Replacing siding

Replacing sidings on your home can very expensive. In some cases, homeowners can perform the task although it is time-consuming and thus requires a professional. Typically, it is expected that one will spend $7,000-$8000 or even more. Siding can be able to last for ten to fifty years and is also known to require very little maintenance.

5. Adding or fixing a garage

Fixing broken parts of a garage can be expensive. For instance, replacing a garage door will probably cost $655 -$1,000 or even more. If you want to sell your home, then it’s an investment that is worth. Also, the cost of adding a garage depends on numerous factors like the size of the garage. If the addition is expected to be large, then you should budget more money.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

Wall Colours for Your Mood

Whether you are looking to make small changes or completely redecorating your home, it is important that you choose the right colour scheme, although it’s not an easy task especially if you need different walls in different rooms to provoke various moods. For instance, the bedroom should make an individual feel relaxed and calm, while the dining room should make one more sociable and lively. Below is a breakdown of how different interior wall colours affect our moods:

1. Blue

It is a very calming colour that makes one feel relaxed, centered and serene. This colour is majorly known to help in clearing one’s mind as well as lowering blood pressure. Although most blue rooms have a lovely appearance, it’s vital to note that pastel blues tend to come as very cold and chilly. However, the warm and light blues are great and are also easily balanced with furnishing.

2. Yellow

A yellow colour is generally necessary on the kitchen walls since it brightens one’s mood and also increases energy. This is something that majority of the people need in the morning as they prepare breakfast. This colour can also catch the sunlight and leave one with an uplifting feeling of liveliness and joy.

3. White

A white colour brings the fear of dirt in majority of the people. However, painting your house walls white is a good way to help bring the feel of more open and spacious and the individuals within it more neutral. The white colour majorly gives a happy medium which leaves people feeling clean. This colour also stands for innocence, protection, and goodness.

4. Green

It is a perfect colour that can be used in your home office since it shows prosperity and also reduces anxiety. It is also a restful colour for the eyes and is known to be mind clearing, restorative and encourages composure.

5. Purple

Purple is a dramatic and rich colour that is historically known to be the colour of luxury and royalty. A deep purple colour gives a mysterious, romantic and luxurious vibe and is also great for sparking creativity. The deep purples are not best for the bedroom unlike the lighter ones such as lilac and lavender which are good options due to their calming and light effects.

6. Orange

It is an exciting colour which brings a burst of enthusiasm and energy. It is among the great colours to use although not perfect in bedrooms and living rooms. The orange colour is recommended to be used in the kitchen and also the dining room since it stimulates an individual’s appetite.

7. Red

Most people link colour red to romance and roses while others link it to hostility. The colour is also known to raise blood pressure, irritability and heat beat. It is suggested that the colour should be used around Christmas into the social rooms only.

8. Pink

It is more interesting to understand that there is something called the pink effect. This is especially when there is exposure of large quantities of pink and thus having a calming effect on nerves and also aids in relieving the feelings of anger, neglect and aggression.

The pink colour has an opposite effect on its primary colour which is red. The lighter pinks are good in kid’s rooms since they promote playfulness and kindness.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

10 DIY Home Decor Ideas

Every individual wants to have a well decorated and beautiful home. Imagine impressing your whole family as well as friends with your beautifully decorated décor and have them asking how you did it. Adding a certain personal touch to the décor can give your house a new feel. Unfortunately, the entire costs of decorating your home can be high. Most of the houses seen on the TV and magazines have used some thousands of dollars to decorate. Everyone wants to have a decorated place, although getting bankrupt in the process isn’t liked by many. Below, there are some best DIY home décor ideas that are easy, fantastic and also affordable. The ideas will make an inexperienced decorator to become an expert by being more creative. With these affordable projects, you can save your money for other things and make your home beautiful:

1. Chalkboard wall paint

You can put a chalkboard in any location where you can paint. It works great for the children’s rooms and even the kitchen. The paints are magnetic and thus giving you the chances to be creative.

2. Floating bookshelf

Make a floating bookshelf out of books. This brings an eye-catching illusion that attracts most of your friends and even the family.

3. Gold flower pots

You can also give your home a perfect look by simply spray painting the ordinary flower pots with a metallic gold paint. This brings an exquisite design to your home or apartment.

4. DIY nightstand

You can also turn an old table into a useful and unique nightstand. What you need to do is to take an old table and cut it in half, then paint it with one of your favorite colors, and put it against your wall.

5. Personalized handwritten canvas

Also, the boring walls in a home can be more personalized by simply writing some favorite quotes, song lyrics and expressions on a blank canvas and then hang them up on the walls. This gives your home a sense of personal expression.

6. Simple custom shelves

You just need a piece of wood and some hobby lobby brackets. The most interesting part of this project is that one can choose the style of wood he or she wants and also the favorite color to be painted.

7. Mantel decoration piece

Using metal signs and a baseboard from a hobby store, it is possible to make this elegant and good looking decorative piece for your mantel. This is a great idea, especially for holiday parties.

8. Antique style table

This is very easy since all you need is a paintbrush and a shelf. You can turn all floating shelves into beautiful antique style tables and thereby change the entire feel of your home.

9. Frame shelf

Look for an old frame and attach wood around the edges. By doing this, you will be making a shelf that can be used to display some items in a cool and unique way.

10. Doormat wall art

It is not necessary that you are an artist to make an original piece. You need to take a few thin, stained boards and purchase a cheap doormat and then use a spray paint to make one.

In conclusion, these are some of the top DIY home décor ideas that you can follow and give your home a new look.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

Tips on How to Keep Your Kitchen Clean

One of the most popular parts of a house is the kitchen. It is among the most delicate rooms since all what goes into our stomachs is prepared there and hence it’s very important to keep the place clean always. The best technique of keeping your kitchen clean is to simply create a habit of cleaning up as you work and also ensuring that some daily chores are undertaken to prevent any messes from piling up. Keeping the kitchen safe involves various aspects such as practicing good hygiene as well as proper food handling practices. Below are some tips on how to keep your kitchen clean:

1. Clean up after every meal

The process of preparing a meal and also eating can bring a mess in the kitchen. A good way of keeping your kitchen clean is simply washing utensils after each meal. By doing this, messes can’t pile up and also you will have a clean environment to work at the start of the next meal preparation. After every meal, clear the table and transfer the leftovers to airtight dishes before washing the ones which have been used. Also, wash out the sink and other messes that might have spilled in the kitchen.

2. Clean spills immediately they occur

This is another simple way of keeping your kitchen clean which prevents molds, stains and other problems. Just deal with any spills immediately. For food and other liquid spills, use a cloth to remove the wastes. After that, spray the respective areas with an all-purpose cleaner before wiping them to dry.

3. Empty and clean your garbage disposal

The kitchen garbage disposal can have some dangerous bacteria and even bad smells especially if left for long without being emptied. Ensure that you empty and clean the disposal at least once in week. You also need to pour some baking soda into the disposal.

4. Sweep and wash the floor regularly

In most cases, kitchen floors get messy faster due to dust, food particles, crumbs and other matters. To keep the floor clean, you need to sweep or vacuum the floor regularly. After this, you can also mop the floor to keep it clean and remove other spills or spots left after sweeping. A bucket full of soapy water is needed to ensure that the floor is washed well. After washing, allow the entire kitchen floor to dry completely before getting in to prevent footmarks and slips on the floor.

5. Clear off your countertops

Having counters that are empty is a good way of making the kitchen to have a neat and organized look. Empty counters also give adequate space when preparing food and other works. To clear off the countertops, you can store the small appliances in cupboards, store all ingredients in a pantry, designate some special draws for the random items used in the kitchen and also keep the non-refrigerated products in fruit bowls.

In conclusion, by simply following these tips, you will have your kitchen clean always and in a good condition. Also, the preparation of meals will be much easier.

January 10, 2018 by Marie

5 Tips for Selecting the Best Website Buider

There are many things to take into consideration when creating a website. Some of them are the target audience, how you need your website to look like, what will it be about among others. When planning to get a website for your business, it is vital that you look for the best website builders. Below are 5 tips to help you select the best out of all:

1. User interface

Since one will be spending 90% of his or her time interacting with the user interface, it becomes very necessary to understand how to use it before making the final decision. If one is not comfortable editing HTML code, it means that it would be best to use platforms that provide Drag and Drop technology that is simply manipulating the elements on the website by dragging them into the page. For those who prefer this technology, they should look for websites builders such as Weebly and IM Creator.

2. Themes and templates

Unless you are well acquainted in HTML or code in general, thinking about creating your own website from scratch can be a daunting task. However, a majority of the website builders come with a wide variety of themes and templates tailored to one’s specific needs.

3. Responsive design

In today’s world, most of the people are using either smartphones or tablets to surf, which means that you need to ensure your business website is well optimized for mobile devices. During the past, creating a responsive website was very difficult as compared to these days whereby most of the website builders provide responsive designs. There are other companies that force their clients to create 2 separate websites which become very tiresome. This leads to a decision of choosing a website builder that provides templates with a responsive design.

4. Pricing

If an individual needs a very professional looking site, chances are that he or she might be forced to give out some sort of fees. Since most of the website builders operate on a premium model basis that offers some sort of free versions, some of them will force you to pay extra cash in case you need to use more features. Furthermore, if you want to possess your own domain, then it will be a requirement that you pay for it.

5. Web hosting

Majority of the website builders offer some sort of web hosting. Most free plans will majorly come with a branded domain such as IM Creators or Weebly. These companies provide free domains which come with the company’s name at first and later with your own address. This might be ok for a small personal website unlike if you want to use it for commercial purposes whereby you need to consider buying your own domain name.

In terms of web hosting, you also need to consider several things like examining the amount of space that you will get with the web hosting. This is because you can be disappointed by building a perfect website and later find that it doesn’t fit on the server since you did not purchase enough space.

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About Marie

One and Co is owned by Maria Smith. She is an interior designer with a love for DIY, budgeting and everything home-related. You don't have to be a professional to have an awesomely designed home.

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