Balcony railing decorating tips

If you live in an apartment, condominium, loft, penthouse or if you’re just fortunate enough to have a balcony off your second floor master bedroom in your home, there are a lot of things you can do with that railing! Regardless if you have wood, wrought iron or anything else, there is plenty of decor that will look fantastic.

• Plant Containers – There are plant pots that attach to the inner side of your railing as well as ones pictured that sit on top. They are available in every color imaginable and they’ll allow your plants to get a bit of sunshine that they may not receive if they were placed on the ground with an overhead balcony or ceiling.

• Bird Feeders – Why not invite your feather-friends to share your balcony with you? There are even birdbaths available that you can attach to your railing.

• Lights – Not only can you hang string lights, there are very modern, block lights that fasten to the railing as well. The best thing about these is most are solar-powered so you don’t have to worry about fussing with electricity.

• Crystals – If you have a traditional railing with vertical spaces, why not hang a few crystals to catch the sun’s rays?

Why not spice up that railing? You can add a little pizazz to the outer side too! Make others looking up from the street wonder who the person is behind that fabulous balcony!

Landscaping on a Budget

If you haven’t tackled your landscaping yet because you think it’s not in your budget, you should know there are a few tricks you can use that are very inexpensive. You shouldn’t feel as though you have to splurge and buy everything all at one time either. Adding a few things here and there every week or every other week is often easier than paying for one big shopping spree.
Rocks and Stones
Borders, garden walkways and walls can be pretty expensive when you purchase commercial products. If you scout around and always ask permission, you’ll often find old bricks from structures that have been torn down that you can use for this purpose. Sure, they may be old but they have character! You can create walkways and even mock patio areas with stones and rocks as well which you can also often find for free.
Native Plants
You will find that native plants are not only traditionally inexpensive, they require less care. This means that you’re not having to water so much or buy fertilizer. You can often obtain seedlings or seeds from friends, family and neighbors if you ask around. Native plants traditionally resist disease and insects better as well. Keep in mind, the more plants, shrubs and trees you have, the less grass you have to maintain!
Experiment with Containers
If you do want to experiment with pricier plants, use containers for growing and place them around your landscaping. This will allow you to control and maintain them easier. Should you find that they do well in a certain location, you can always transplant them.
Make Use of Hedges
Hedges can outline your property, offer privacy and act as a sound barrier. Not to mention, those that stay full year round can help reduce your heating costs by blocking the cold winter wind when they’re strategically placed properly.

Why build an outdoor shower?

There are basically two types of outdoor showers, those that leave you fully exposed which are often used for rinsing off after a dip in the pool or those that are fully enclosed. Why would you want one if you don’t have a pool? Just because! An outdoor shower is a nice refreshing experience, out there with nature, the sun shining, cool breeze and listening to the birds.
Besides, an outdoor shower is ideal if you’re filthy from mowing the lawn or working in the yard or if you happen to work in construction or a factory, so you don’t have to get your indoor bathroom so dirty. Not to mention, they are the perfect place to give the dog a bath too! Whether it’s cold, hot, sunny or gently raining, there’s just something invigorating about showering outside.
Location is Key
How you are going to use the shower will influence the location. If it’s meant for guests to rinse off after swimming, a neutral location is fine. If it’s for personal use, aim for a location that offers natural surroundings. Of course, plumbing is going to ultimately dictate location but if you have a skilled plumber, things can be made to happen.
Wherever you install your outdoor shower, make sure that it offers plenty of ventilation. The space needs to be able to dry out thoroughly after use to prevent mildew and mold from accumulating.

Spa bathroom finishing touches

It is interesting how many people devote a substantial amount of time and money into creating the perfect spa setting in their bathroom and then fall short on the simplest accessories. If you still have a generic chrome toothbrush holder screwed to your wall or if your soap is just sitting on the edge of your sink, you understand!
The stoneware bath accessories available from West Elm are the perfect compliment to any spa theme. The pieces are hand carved in India by stone artisans and the natural finish offers a clean, simplistic, earthy style. They are made from mint soapstone and the best thing about them is not only do they clean up easy, they are priced quite moderately. The prices rang from $10 to $19 and since they are all sold separately, you only have to buy what you need.
Think your soap dish isn’t important? Think again! When you have guests over, the bathroom is the one room where you can’t actually see their reaction to the decor. The small accents like this will allow you to feel confident that they most certainly are getting noticed. Not to mention, stone cleans off so much easier than plastic so soap scum doesn’t become an unattractive distraction! Take the time to put the finishing touches on your personal spa!

Could you use a new range hood?

In most homes, a range hood is there to keep grease from accumulating on walls, paint from peeling and odors from taking over in a kitchen. However, a stylish range hood can completely transform the look of your kitchen and even become a focal point!
Style
The first thing that you need to decide is if you prefer a range that fits under a cabinet or one that is wall mounted. You also need to determine if your range will exhaust pollutants outside or if you’re going to buy a recirculating one.
Features
Some range hoods have dishwasher-safe filters which is rather convenient. You may also want to consider if you want one that is completely smooth or if you won’t mind getting a toothbrush out to scrub any grooves.
Would a remote control be handy or do you want one that turn on by itself when the heat sensors tell it to? You should also evaluate the lighting. A well lit cooking area allows you to really get a good look at the food you’re preparing.
Noise Level
If you find one on sale but the noise level is a little obnoxious, keep shopping. A great deal isn’t so spectacular when the volume on the television in the next room has to be turned up or if your guests have to talk over the noise. A range should never become a distraction!

Unique Eco-friendly flooring options

Cork Floor

Do you know that out of all flooring options, vinyl and carpet pose the biggest threat to the environment and the air you breathe everyday in your home? 70 percent of carpet in the United States is made from nylon which is petroleum-based. Not only is this a non-renewable resource, it harbors allergens and chemicals that can make you sick. Vinyl is even worse because when it is produced, it causes dioxin which is a carcinogen and quite honestly, neither are biodegradable!

• Wool Carpet – This is fire-resistant, durable, hypoallergenic and stain-resistant. It offers springy fibers that bounce back so high traffic areas never wear down. Wool does come with a heavy price tab but you certainly get what you pay for.

• Sisal – The fibers from agave plant leaves make an easy-to-clean, durable and sound absorbent flooring.

• Other Plants – Seagrass, jute, abaca and coir are all fabulous choices! Interestingly, abaca is derived from the banana family and coir is made from coconut husks which dry fast so this is an ideal choice for humid environments.

• Linoleum – No, linoleum and vinyl are not the same thing despite what you may have heard. Linoleum is created from linseed oil, wood flour, cork dust, ground limestone, tree resins and pigments.

• Cork – Care to walk on air? That’s what this flooring feels like due to the tiny sealed air pockets it’s made of. This is a durable flooring. Even if you drop a weight on it, the floor will eventually spring back up. Cork is water-resistant, provides great insulation and will last almost five times longer than vinyl.

• Earthen – Created from clay, lime and sand, this is a floor perfect for cold areas because it holds heat. Earthen floors won’t dent, scratch, crack and they are unique and inexpensive.

If you are creating a modern home, also consider the health of you, your family and the environment and choose a green type of flooring.

Add depth by sponge painting

When done properly and with colors that combine well, sponge painting can make a rich, dynamic impact on a room. Suddenly a wall goes from flat to being deep and mysterious. Grant it, there are times you will see a wall sponged and it looks all wrong. There are also instances when it can be too much like if more than two walls are done in a small room.
Really, one wall of a harmonic blend of colors is all you really need to liven up a room, especially with contemporary decor. If you have minimalistic flow through your home, three colors should be all that you need to use. These will color and blend without becoming too busy.
Think it’s a hard process?
Sponge painting is super easy! All you need to do is pick three colors that blend well together and get yourself a can of glaze and a few different sea sponges. Begin with the darkest color first. Pour some in a paint dish and add glaze so the ratio is about 60:40, being paint to glaze. Dip your sponge in water so it’s damp and then the paint mixture. Sponge the entire wall without leaving any large gaps and allow it to dry completely before moving onto the next color. Repeat this process until you have used all of your colors. Always make sure the lightest shade ends up on top.
Sponge painting is a great way to add a focal point to a room and really accent a great piece of art or water fountain. Just remember, less is more. Even if you want to do two walls, start with one, give it a week and see if you still feel the same way. This is also a great way to make an extra-large room appear a little more cozy!