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Modern homes don’t have to mean stark white walls, high ceilings, and floor to floor glass windows. Blending a few traditional or more classic touches with the convenience and comfort of modern amenities is all the rage, and with good reason. It ensures that the home remains inviting and cozy, but understated enough that not too many distracting tchotchkes pollute one’s line of vision.  

However, there are a few tricks to getting this finicky combination just right; move too far in one direction of stylistic influence and you risk losing the classic touch altogether. Or, worse, you move so far into the modernist elements that eventually your home looks like a spaceship. The following are a few tips to help you design a home with classic interiors mixed with modern touches to create an environment filled with distinct characteristics and charms. 

Cultivate a Neutral Palate

This doesn’t mean you should only stick to beiges and creams, but you should stick to a single color choice that allows the lines of your furniture to take center stage. A modern color palette tends to lean to the cooler side; pale gray, light blue, and white dominate. If you want to add a slightly more traditional twist, then you can add a few touches here or there with warmer colors such as copper, red, and green. Interior designers over at featureDECO recommend balancing things out by using the more modern hues as a base while adding warmer colors as an accent – or vice versa. You can choose how you want to approach this by thinking whether you want to start by painting your walls a neutral color, while also choosing a coppery orange sofa.

Limit Kitschy Accessories

You can add artful details through a mix of furnishings and fabrics, but you don’t want to confuse the eye. Also, look for a beautiful, impactful piece of art to showcase and keep all the other bells and whistles to a minimum. In most cases, one large piece on the wall is far better than an arrangement of small one-offs. 

Another technique you can employ is by adding a rustic accent in the form of colorful vases or slightly more old-fashioned light fixtures that make a subtle statement while also complementing the modern-themed interiors of your home. Mix and match the accents and works of art to combine the warmth of more traditional pieces with the technological advancements of modern furniture.

Coherence

Perhaps the toughest thing to achieve when updating your home’s interiors is creating a cohesive set of textures, colors, and design elements that come together to convey your specific tastes and interests. However, if you follow the advice mentioned above tips, you can create the right ambiance provided you keep things minimalistic and subdued, and adding delicate flourishes when it feels right.

You don’t have to go all out and spend a lot of money to redecorate your home. The classic look is easier to achieve than you think. Again, the key is to be mindful of colors, patterns, and textures, without sacrificing style or, most importantly, comfort. 

As moms, you know that it’s tough to stay on top of the list of things to do at home. There’s that constant battle whether or not you’ll clean the house, or take care of the children’s needs first. Perhaps you may have even started cleaning the house, then the next time you turn your head, suddenly, another mess has been made. The list goes on and on of a never-ending cycle of chores.

With the holiday season starting, you’d better expect that guests are suddenly going to pop up. There are family and relatives who may be in town. Then some friends may also be looking for a place to stay overnight. What a nightmare it may be for you if the doorbell rings and guests start coming in, and your house is looking like a hurricane has just hit it. You need to clean, and you lack even the basic supplies to keep your guests comfy.

The good news now, however, is that there are things you can buy and do, that can help make your house guest-ready anytime. Yes, even when it’s not as spic and span as those homes on the magazines you’ve been viewing. Here are the top five of them:

1. Extra Bathroom Supplies

Some moms may be on the fence about this. Some are totally up for keeping a stockpile of supplies, especially when they’re on sale. While some like to buy only when they’ve run out. To break down the truth for you, it’s better to have extra bathroom supplies on hand. It’s going to save you some of your sanity.

Guests usually bring their bathroom supplies, yes. But, supposing they haven’t brought one, you’re going to have to offer some. You don’t want to have to make a last-minute run to the supermarket to get bathroom supplies. Stock up during the sales. Have at least 2-3 bottles of each staple, on hand.

Doing this comes in handy, not just when visitors suddenly arrive, but even when you run out and you can’t find the time to buy one.

2. Vacuum

When you don’t have the time to do a deep clean of your home, a trusty vacuum will do the trick. Guests like to walk in a house with clean floors and with a non-dusty atmosphere. The last thing that you’ll want is for them to walk on some leftover spaghetti from last night (gross!). Run around the house with your vacuum. Then your home will instantly feel clean.

A bonus tip also is to pick things up while you go through each room. You can quickly put them in drawers, or the proper place as you run through your entire house.

3. Extra Pillows, Mattress, And Sheets

Throughout managing your home, you will have already accumulated a good number of pillows and extra sheets. If you haven’t started collecting yet, then do so little by little. Again, take advantage of sales. When stored properly, these pillows, sheets, and mattresses can last you a very long time. It also comes in handy when guests show up, so you can prepare a comfortable space for them to sleep in.

Mattresses are space-consuming, yes. But if you take a good look around, some airbeds are of excellent quality. You only have to plug it, so air gives it shape. When your guests leave, you can deflate the bed and pack it up.

4. Kitchen Appliances

Your house may already be updated with the latest kitchen appliances. Great! If it isn’t, then start investing in some, too. This is a good place to start with improving your kitchen, among all others. You don’t need your kitchen to feel like a café, have the basics. Investing in the proper kitchen appliances can come in handy when you need to cook faster, in larger quantities, and even for the general comfort of guests.

For example:

• Coffee makers and tea maker, so your guests can make their coffee as they please
• Microwave, for faster re-heating of meals
• Toaster helps make breakfast cozier, with breakfast sandwiches
• Dishwasher, so you don’t have to do a lot of manual washing

5. Well-Stocked Pantry

When you grocery shop and you find good deals on certain staples, go ahead and bring them home. Don’t just stock up for the rainy season, but do so also especially for the holiday season when there are parties left and right, and guests will come in. Having a well-stocked pantry helps you calm down, such that you can easily whip up more food than usual. Just be mindful enough to buy food items with an expiration date that’s way farther ahead.

Conclusion

Having guests in your home is a big deal. At all times, you’d always want them to feel welcomed and cared for. Moms love to give out their best hospitality to anyone that comes by their house. Unfortunately, it’s not always that easy, especially when there are just about a million things to get done in a day. This list of five things is a good place to start. Do them or have them in your home, and you can be assured that your home will always be ready even for the most surprising of all visits.

When you are planning a vacation to Cancun, you can see more than the beaches and resorts. You can travel inland to see the Mayan ruins that were left behind from a forgotten people. Planning your trip becomes much more exciting when you go to these locations, and there are a few tips that will help you plan a fun trip for you and the family.

How to get to Cancun

The most important thing before you get started on your itinerary is of course to plan your route. When you consider the question of how to get to Cancun it will depend on where you’re travelling from, how long you want to go for and the forms of transport you want to include or avoid.

Find A Good Place To Stay

Cancun vacation rentals are the best place to stay when you come to the area. You can use these rental homes as a home base for your trip, and you can rest there at the end of the day.

You might rent a place that is in the middle of town where you have street access, or you could rent a bungalow that is close to the beach. You might get an ocean view when you come to a place like this, or you can be close to the clubs and bars you enjoy most.

Plus, you should get to know your landlord because they can give you preferred rates and the dates that you want. You can bring friends on your trip, and you can host parties in a villa that has a full kitchen and extra bedrooms.

Find A Tour Guide

When you come to Cancun, you need a tour guide who will take you outside of the city. Yes, the tour guide can show you around the ruins. However, you need to make sure that the tour guide can take you to the ruins, show you the surrounding area, and introduce you to the locals. The ruins are beautiful, but you need to meet a local expert who will help you truly enjoy the area.

The tour guide should have a vehicle that they will use to drive off-road and take you out to the ruins. You do not want to use your rental car to leave the city, and you should not try to drive there by yourself. The remote parts of Mexico are hard to navigate if you have never been there before.

Which Sites Should You Visit?

Chichen Itza is one of the most famous ancient sites in the world. The site is so popular that you will meet other travelers there, but you need a tour guide who can give you a full tour of the property. A proper tour of the area will tell you all about the history of the ruins, when they were built, and which ruins you can get close to.

The Tulum ruins are not that far away, and they give you some good places to take pictures. The El Rey Archaeological area is a place that is still being researched today. You can go to the site to meet the scientists who are unearthing artifacts from the past, and you can walk among the open ruins.

If you want to go closer to the water, Xel-Ha Park has many archaeological finds that you can survey for yourself. Most people who come to this area will see an untouched part of the coast that they would have missed otherwise. Plus, you will learn about the seafaring Mayans who lived in the area.

What About Your Trip Back To Cancun?

You can ask your tour guide about the places in Cancun that you should visit including the popular Hard Rock Cafe, inland river kayaking tours, and a tour of nightclubs in the city. You can have a fun time in the city when you have come back from the ruins, or you could split your time between historical sites and the city. Ask your tour guide how they would create your itinerary before you leave for your trip.

Conclusion

Coming to Cancun is a great way to get away from your daily grind. However, you need to find the best places to visit, the Mayan ruins that will take you back in time, and a tour guide who will make the trip easier. A tour guide can take you anywhere in the area that you like, and you can rent a beautiful vacation home that gives you access to the beach, the city, and your favorite shops.

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Christmas is a wonderful time of the year – frosty mornings, mince pies, mulled wine – there’s a lot to love. There’s also a lot to worry about for many people, especially if you’re on a low income and Christmas puts a strain on your family finances. If you find yourself thinking more about Christmas loans (Representative 466.37% APR) than Christmas cakes then I’ve got four top tips to help you save a bit of money this Christmas.

Go for a homemade Christmas

It’s a cliche because it’s true, homemade gifts and things to eat just ARE nicer. Things like homemade mince pies are often cheaper, especially if you’re cooking in bulk, and family members always appreciate a homemade gift, especially if it’s made by the kids. You could even save on wrapping paper costs by buying a big roll of brown paper and getting the kids to decorate it. Or have a go yourself and create this beautiful Christmas wrapping theme using old stamps. View Post

‘Tis the season for Christmas decor! And while everybody wants to deck the halls for the holiday, nobody wants to break the bank doing so- enter in creative Christmas decor DIYs. You can go all out this holiday season without shopping till you drop on new decorations. Whether you are looking for crafts that include the whole family, or a new DIY to do with friends over a glass of mulled wine, we’ve rounded up 5 creative DIYs for those looking to get crafty this winter.

Pearl Ornaments

DIY ornaments have never been easier! You can pick up plain glass ball ornaments inexpensively around holiday season and there have never been more ways to decorate them. Try adding white Freshwater pearls to the inside and topping off with a stylish bow. Add a holiday saying to the outside with a metallic sharpie or leave plain for a classic look. For another take on pearl ornaments, glue loose pearls on the outside of the ornament for a textured and glam take on ornaments. Layer different sized pearls to cover the space easier and ensure no gaps. For more DIY ideas with clear ornaments, they can also be added with sprinkles, confetti, paint, glitter, or a hot chocolate mixes for a sweet holiday gift! And if you’re going all in on a pearl-themed Christmas this year, make sure to coordinate with your décor by opting for a classic white pearl necklace to complete your festive look.

Assorted Christmas Garlands

This Christmas DIY is great for the whole family to partake in. There are so many different variations of garlands you can make and they look amazing layered across your mantle. Paper garlands are some of the easiest to create. To achieve the Christmas tree garland, head to your local craft store and pick out green paper (try out variations in colours or patterns). Cut three triangles out of the same paper in the same size, fold each one in half lengthwise, and affix the back of each triangle together to assemble a 3D tree. Now just punch a hole at the top and string them! To assemble the pom pom garlands, just string pom poms of assorted colors using a needle and string to hang. If you want to continue layering them but you’re ready to be done crafting, head to the trims section of the store to find an already made pom pom trim.

Wood Block Card Holder

To create this easy holiday decor, gather wood craft blocks, painters tape, your favourite colour paint, and jewelry wire. To start, tape half the block off and paint in assorted colours. This is an easy step to enlist the whole family in. Use brass jewelry wire to create paper clip-shaped photo holders and a thumbtack to poke a hole to attach in the block. Gold sticker letters can help spell out whatever holiday message you want to share to complete the look. You can now display the various holiday cards you receive all winter long.

Christmas Light Wreath

Light up the room with this Christmas light wreath! All you need to complete this colorful wreath is hot glue, vintage lights, and a cardboard ring. You can layer different colours and sizes to complete the look! This vintage moment looks best for an understated holiday appeal, but for those looking for brightly coloured decorations try using newly saturated coloured bulbs.

Regardless, this easy DIY decor only takes 3 items to complete.

Tealight Snowmen

Tealight snowmen are a great DIY craft to do with kids as they are fairly simple to create. Use a sharpie to draw eyes and a mouth on the tea light. Cut strips of black felt (approximately 1-¼” wide) to fashion into a tophat, while pipe cleaners and pom poms can be used for earmuffs. Wrap a 4.5” piece of ribbon around the neck to complete the scarf! Use hot glue and another piece of ribbon to turn this tealight snowman into an ornament perfect to hang on your tree.

Hopefully these decor DIYs have inspired you to get crafty this Christmas when it comes to decorating your home for the holidays. Which craft project are you excited to take on next? Let us know in the comments below!

A good credit score is necessary, especially if you have plans of acquiring loans in the future for a home or car purchase, wherein paying with cash upfront may not be deemed as a viable solution. Your credit score will significantly affect your ability to quality for any kind of loan in the future. Having a good credit score can become your ticket to get a loan with affordable interest rates. A bad credit score might still allow you to apply for loans but if ever you get one, you’ll be forced to pay it with expensive interest rates that can possibly affect the quality of your life in the long run.

This is just one of the reasons why there’s a need for you to maintain a good credit standing. Therefore, here are some tips to ensure that you have an acceptable credit score that will guarantee you a loan approval.

Settle your dues on time

In order to maintain a great credit standing, one of the basic things you can do is to pay your dues on time. Settling your bills even before the due date will guarantee a healthy credit score. While certain bills are not reported to credit bureaus, they may still have an impact on your credit score in the event that you fall behind the necessary payments.

For you to settle your dues on time, make sure to create and stick to a budget. Having a budget will make it easy for you to pay your dues on time without compromising your day-to-day expenses. Overtime, your budget will allow you to live a comfortable life even if you’re only earning a sufficient amount of salary.

Moreover, you can settle your dues on time by making adjustments to your lifestyle. If you have to pay a lot of bills in a month, for example, avoid compulsive buying. You can also look for part-time jobs so you can earn a little money on the side. And most importantly, never borrow money to pay your dues as this can only create bigger financial problems in the future.

Maintain a low credit card balance

While credit card companies provide you with a certain credit limit, avoid getting the impression that this is an extra cash for your perusal. There is a great possibility that if you have a higher balance in relation to your credit limit, your credit score will be worse. A good rule of thumb is that all your credit card balances should only account for at most 30% of the sum of all your credit card limits. Charging more than this is often risky, even if you intend to pay off the balances before your due date.

Ideally, before getting a credit card, you should know what you’re getting into. For one, you should ask yourself, “Do balance transfer affect credit score?” or “Is there any way I can use my credit card to improve my credit score?” The answers to these questions will help manage your expectations and assess if your credit card can actually help you in your goals of maintaining a good credit score.

If you can’t handle the responsibilities of owning and using a credit card, it’s best if you don’t apply for one. Having a credit card is an important responsibility, and not knowing how to handle this can lead to debts and even bankruptcy.

Manage your debts

You can manage your debts by initially making a list of all your dues, together with the due dates of each. This is to ensure that each of your payment dues are settled on time until the entire balance is paid off. Your credit card balances are not the only accounts that affect your credit score, but all your other debt and loan balances as well.

Monitor your credit report

It is a good practice to check your credit score from time to time in order to perform the necessary measures if it starts dwindling down. Additionally, monitoring your credit report will allow you to immediately verify and ask for corrections for any error that may unintentionally transpire in the report. A thorough monitoring of your credit score will also help you to track credit card frauds and report any discrepancies promptly.

In addition to this, it is important to know what goes into your credit score because knowing sufficient details will make it easier for you to maintain a good credit standing. Generally, your payment history, level of debt, credit age, a mix of credit, as well as your recent credit, are the factors that affect your credit score.

A good credit score is vital in your future endeavors in terms of loan applications. It can also be that a good credit standing will pave the way for you to be eligible for lower interest rates. Thus, it is highly recommended to put up your best efforts to maintain a great credit score, which will prove to be beneficial for you in the long run.

Believe it or not, there is plenty to do in Florida that isn’t related to roller coasters and cartoon characters. Theme parks might be a top reason why Florida is such a popular tourist destination, but they aren’t the only reason. The fact is that there is so much to see, do, and explore in Florida that you could live there for years and not get it all done. If you’re visiting for a short trip or an extended holiday, then you’re going to need to plan your itinerary well. If you want to get the best of Florida while skipping the theme parks, here’s where you need to go.

Bok Tower Gardens

If you’re not afraid of heights then Bok Tower is a must-visit. Officially confirmed as a National Historic Landmark, Bok Tower Gardens is the kind of place where you can aimlessly wander around for hours and never get bored. The location looks like it’s straight out of a Hollywood film, with its incredible 250-acre gardens and the tower that is the centerpiece. At 205 feet tall, the tower is a spectacular sight, and the fact that the park was originally created as a bird sanctuary means that there’s plenty of wildlife to see. 

Gulf Breeze Zoo

One place you definitely don’t want to miss is Gulf Breeze Zoo. This is a real treat for anyone who likes to get up close and personal with a wide range of beautiful animals. Orangutans, giraffes, gorillas, and much more call Gulf Breeze home, and it’s easy to fall in love with all of the animals. Not only can you participate in a giraffe feeding session, but you might even spot the two baby giraffes that were born in 2019! It’s never a bad time to visit the zoo, as there are always new and exciting events and conservation efforts taking place throughout the year.

Butterfly World

Described as a hobby gone wild, Butterfly World is a gorgeous place to while away several hours. Most Floridians have visited here, and it’s the natural conclusion to a trip to Coconut Creek. It’s the biggest butterfly park in the world, and visitors can expect to see around 5000 live butterflies as they stroll through the grounds. There’s a conservation element as well, with visitors encouraged to take part in the campaigns that are intended to save and protect the plants that the butterflies of the world need to survive. 

The Castillo de San Marcos

St Augustine is Florida’s most historic city, and the Castillo de San Marcos is officially confirmed as the oldest masonry fort in the U.S. Built by Spaniards to help in the fight against the English, it’s been the home for a variety of nationalities in its long history. Now, it belongs to the state of Florida and should be on the agenda for holidaying history buffs. Even if you’re not obsessive about history, the views from the walls of the fort are simply stunning and some of the best in the world.

Drive-Ins

If you want to get a taste of American nostalgia, then an evening visit to a drive-in theater is highly recommended. The night air in Florida is warm enough to relax in, and you can usually get into the drive in for about $5 per car. The weather in Florida is pretty good all year round, so drive-ins aren’t limited by the time of year that you visit. Grab your popcorn and get a real taste of American entertainment.

The Hemingway Home

Ernest Hemingway is widely considered as one of the most important American writers of his generation and beyond. No visit to Florida is complete without a trip to see where he lived and wrote for over a decade. Head to Old Town in Key West and take an hour or two to explore the environment where some of the finest works of literature were conceived and brought to life. The house has been turned into a museum and whether you’re a fan of his work or not, it’s a great place to find out more about his crazy life. You’ll probably trip over at least one of the forty cats that live there too.

Tour the Everglades

You’ll need to keep your wits about you, but if you’re after a little adrenaline in your holiday then a tour of the Everglades is a must. There are plenty of tour companies to choose from, and you can even choose from kayak tours, airboats, or walks (although you’re going to get very, very wet). The potential dangers are there for sure, but if you want to take the risk and get the chance to see the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators live in the same place then you have to experience the Everglades.

The Dali Museum

If you’d like a taste of the surreal on your Florida adventure, then you have to visit the Dali Museum. An homage to the master of the surreal, visitors can explore some of the best examples of the work created by Salvador Dali. Sketches, paintings, sculptures, and rare photographs are all on display, and even the building itself is a testament to the power of the surreal. With a touch of the fantastical in everything that he touched, the Dali Museum is not something you should miss.

No matter what time of year you plan to visit Florida, there’s plenty to do beyond wearing mouse ears and avoiding the large hordes of people racing to get their theme park fast passes. If the idea of a theme park turns you right off, then take a look at some of the alternative activities in Florida. You might be surprised by just how much there is to do.

The morning routine for many individuals is hectic and a few changes can make it better. Most people already have a coffee timer but, did you know that having a coffee thermos can also improve your morning routine? There are many ways through which having a coffee thermos can improve your morning routine and we will discuss them in this article. It will save you some money too since you can carry some coffee to the office instead of having to stop at Starbucks on your way to work every day. Most coffee shops sell coffee at a costly price so, carrying yours from home is advisable, especially if you are on a budget.

 Here are some of the ways through which a coffee thermos can improve your morning routine:

1.   Saves time

Due to traffic, and the fact that people usually forget things and are less organized in the morning, you need to save as much time as possible. You can do so if you carry some coffee in a thermos so that you do not have to pass by the coffee shop. You also save some money. A coffee thermos ensures that you do not miss your morning coffee at any time. Even if you wake up late, you know you can carry some coffee and take it while on the go. 

2.   Enhances productivity.

A coffee thermos can enhance your productivity at the office in many ways. One, you will never miss your morning coffee due to lack of time to prepare it especially if you wake up late. You have the option of carrying some coffee. If you are addicted to coffee, you know it is nearly impossible to function at an optimal peak if you fail to take your morning coffee. In most organizations and businesses, meetings, are held in the morning. For many people, they may not contribute maximumly if you fail to take a cup of coffee. You may even lose out on business deals if your mind is not operating at optimal levels.

3.   Convenience

A coffee thermos is convenient for carrying your coffee around. Compared to packaging provided at the coffee shop, most people would prefer carrying a coffee thermos. Preparations in the morning are also made easier. It is very easy to pack a coffee thermos, and one does not have to worry about spills. Most high-quality thermoses are unbreakable, so there is no risk of carrying it around. Sometimes, you may also make coffee, and preserve it in the thermos at night so that you make your work easier in the morning.

4.   Work out and regular exercise.

Apart from taking coffee, having regular workouts can help improve your life. People fail to exercise regularly mainly because of lack of time. If you can save some time by doing some chores in the evening, you can get time for a morning workout. By saving time in preparations, you will also have time to sit down for breakfast which is the most important meal of the day. 

With a good start in the morning, you will feel more enthusiastic and energetic throughout the day. It’s good to improve your morning routine so that you can reap the benefits. Having a coffee thermos is a good way to improve your morning routine. 

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The average person in the UK spends 90% of their day indoors, which isn’t great news for kids growing up in this millennium. A study commissioned last year by the National Trust found that children spend half the time playing outside that their parents did, enjoying the wonder of outdoor play for just four hours per week! Many studies have shown that being in the midst of nature does wonders for the body and mind, motivating children to take part in energetic play and bringing down stress hormone (cortisol) levels in a powerful way. This winter, if the weather is cold outside, you can still head out during sunnier times of the day, and celebrate the beauty of nature with clever interior design that will remind children of the beauty of nature.

Filling Common Areas and Bedrooms with Plants

Have a good look at your home, identifying places in common areas and in bedrooms where an indoor plant or two might flourish beautifully. The air in some homes can be significantly more polluted than it is outside – and plants can help, by removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To brighten up a child’s room, try to select plants bearing more than one colour. Choose plants which are easy to grow and maintain – including the Chinese Evergreen, African violets, and Peperomia – the latter are actually succulents that flourish beneath fluorescent lighting!

Replace Pressed Furniture with Solid Wood

It is possible to be ultra fashionable and respectful of the environment, by opting for bamboo and other sustainable materials for home furnishings. Bringing wood and wood effects into a child’s living area abode instil the sense of comfort and relaxation that only natural materials can provide. As stated by custom home builders Paradisa Homes, solid wood and bamboo furniture not only looks good, but is also free of the toxins that pressed wood furniture can emanate. To complement wooden flooring, beds, and even walls, consider other natural materials such as stone and clay – to create a truly relaxing oasis that smells and feels like the wonderful world outside.

Animal Motifs

Nature author Richard Louv insists that the best way to get children excited about the environment, is to celebrate its beauty with joy instead of fear or devastating predictions about the future. One way to celebrate nature’s diversity and life, is through animal motifs. You can make a simple coat or scarf hanger by cutting out basic animal shapes in wood for this purpose, or buy animal-inspired pieces of décor from sustainable toy makers. Your child’s favourite animals can make their presence felt in many ways – through stuffed toys, animal-shaped door stops, paintings, engraved art, and even a little cuckoo clock that can be silenced at night time.

Even on the rainiest or snowiest days, it is possible to celebrate the beauty of nature. From hand-painted murals bearing nature motifs to inspired wallpaper, décor pieces, and furniture, there are many ways to constantly remind kids of the beauty of the world outside. Health should always be the primary consideration, so if you are remodelling your children’s rooms, keep air quality at an optimal level by going for natural fabrics and materials. This will help keep their respiratory health in check and yield the calming effect that materials like sustainable wood can have.

Budgeting comes in handy when facing an economic crisis. As a mom, you have to properly budget the money for your family to make ends meet. That said, promos are an excellent way to save a few bucks that you can use for your family’s other needs, so it’s recommended to take advantage of them, whether you’re buying from a physical or online store.

Because of this, couponing has become extremely popular as one of the easiest ways to save money when purchasing something. Coupons give the best deals, and this can be extremely beneficial to families on a tight budget. With couponing, shopping for your family becomes worry-free, especially if you know how to take advantage of promo codes. When we talk about coupons, the world really is your oyster and it could be anything from saving up supermarket loyalty points and turning them into vouchers to looking for specific savings, like lowes coupons, money off at your favourite bookstore or getting a discount on that next takeaway pizza.

Coupons can help you become not only a smart shopper, but also someone who can also handle their family’s finances efficiently. In this post, you’ll learn about how to get coupon codes and why they’re essential to your family.

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More and more regular Australians are choosing to build their home from scratch rather than buy existing homes. There are a few reasons for this. First, established homes can be quite expensive, and if they are more than twenty years old can often require extensive renovations to make them liveable. Secondly, building a new house with quality home builders means that you have choice and control over some aspects of your home. And thirdly, building new means that you will spend less on upkeep for the first few years of the home’s life. Even newer established homes will require some maintenance in the first ten to fifteen years.

So let’s explore what it means to build a “modern” home. A contemporary home, up to date and in line with the times.

Open Plan Living Spaces

The majority of new modern homes have an open plan living space. This means that your kitchen, dining and lounge rooms are often all contained in one large room. Older homes would have doors separating these rooms. An open plan allows for a warm, welcoming and open-hearted feel. This makes you feel more at home and will make your guests feel more welcome when they come to visit.

Sleek Kitchen Design

A modern home will have a sleek, functional and great-looking kitchen. Appliances like your dishwasher, fridge, oven and rangehood will likely be chrome or stainless steel. Your benchtops will be polished stone, and you will likely see ample bench space. Storage will be smart and efficient, with pull out draws and lots of space to store food and pots and pans. Speaking of storage…

Lots of Storage Options

Modern households own more things than households of the past. A feature of older homes is that they lack storage, and renovations will often see people adding nifty storage solutions. Newer homes come with smart storage solutions, ensuring that there is a place for everything – from towels to books.

Smart Technology

More and more modern homeowners are turning to smart technology in their homes these days. These can include features like keyless locks, smart LED light globes, smart climate control, smart security systems and even smart fridges. These appliances can be controlled remotely from the workplace. For example, you can turn on your climate control an hour before you get home in summer to ensure you walk into a nice and cool environment as you get home.

Larger Windows

Houses of the past often had smaller windows and fewer of them. Modern home design features large windows in living and dining areas. There are advantages to this. More natural light means less money spent on lighting. It also means that your house stays warmer in winter, meaning less money spent on heating. While we’re on the topic of climate control.

Temperature Control

Older Australian homes often didn’t feature climate control. While some might have older ducted heating systems, most would feature perhaps one air conditioner in the living room. Modern homes either feature split system air conditioning in most living spaces including bedrooms, or a central heating and cooling system.

A Contemporary Conclusion

Modern homes are different from the homes of the past. Open plan living areas are very common in newer dwellings. Sleek kitchens with stainless steel appliances are features of the modern home. New homes will have ample storage, and can often feature smart technology inclusions. You will see more and larger windows in newly built properties, and you will also see whole-of-house climate control more frequently too.