I received many messages asking for a Home Goods post. I have not been to home goods since early in the summer. I thought it was time to run over and check out some of the new items. I have to admit I was a little disappointed this time. There were so many Christmas items, mostly smaller trees. I did spot a few cute things but I think it is wayyy too early to start buying for Christmas right now!! Also, since this is the first time I will not be hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner, I passed over all the Thanksgiving decor. But, I did find some other really great pieces. I am hoping for more great arrivals in the next month or so. I will keep you updated for sure!!!
This velvet swivel chair was fab…I love the brushed gold base…
Agate coasters are the most beautiful gifts. They had a bunch of colors.
There was a pair of circle lamps.. I could see these in a bedroom or living room..sooo chic!!!
I love love this pair of lamps. The shades are soo cool!!!!!
This end table really caught my eye…
For all the blue and white lovers, how great are these canisters? They would make great gifts, or placed on a kitchen counter or with the tops taken off and used as vases for flower arrangements..
This amazing beverage holder would be so amazing in any Christmas decor. It was soo hard for me leave it there…what a gorgeous, unique piece…
I love this fancy garden stool..it would look so pretty sitting next to the Christmas tree holding colorful presents!!!
These nightstands are so gorgeous and on trend…
I saw someone with these pillows in their cart and was so happy that I found another pair. They are really incredible…
I cannot resist anything greek key. I love the champagne color too…These would look so good on a bar cart.
There were a few of these large faux fur pillows…all you need are 2 to spruce up any sofa!!
This is probably one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever seen at Home Goods. This celadon urn with foo dog finial would look amazing next to a fireplace or in an entryway!
An etched champagne bucket is a must and not easy to find…they also make fabulous gifts..
How sweet is this Superman popcorn popper…it would be perfect under the tree…
This pair of navy pillows were so great looking…very David Hicks!!!
Lastly, it IS that time of year and there were some amazing Halloween decorations…
You want to have a beautiful home inside and out, which means that you want to make your garden as beautiful as possible to complement the space inside the house. Some people do this with vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and others look at their back yard space and determine how they can landscape the square footage.
A beautiful garden doesn’t just make a home look attractive, it adds value. It can make you feel as if you have a tranquil space in which you can escape. If you find the right sod supplier, your garden is going to be as healthy as possible. Your backyard should be an extension of your home, and that means working to make it as beautiful as possible. Aesthetics matter and we have got four ways you can ensure that your garden looks the best it can be! Also now is the perfect time to start planning for next years spring/summer garden since so many things need to be planted/trimmed in the fall.
- Garden Layout. Do you want a lawn? Have you considered your borders and the flowers you want to add to the space? The layout that you choose for your garden is either going to make or break the way it looks, and aesthetics do matter! You want to add ornaments, right? Think about statues, fountains.
- Adding Color! While there is a beauty in gardens that are monochrome in color, there’s something even better about adding flowers. Some flowers approve the appearance of your garden while attracting butterflies and bees at the same time. You should consider the fact that you are going to have a wonderful amount of color added to the space, and you will have a garden filled with beauty! Pollinators will keep your garden looking healthy, and you will have everyone commenting on it!
- Add Pathways. Your garden beds aren’t the only things to comment on. The right lawn is beautiful, but a stone path is going to enhance the space and add beautiful lines throughout! You should consider one path to the front door and then consider a separate pathway alongside the borders so that you can water them properly. Pathways are going to make the front yard stand out and the whole neighborhood will notice it.
- Somewhere To Sit. Your back yard is going to be enhanced with a deck or patio, but you need somewhere for people to sit! Whether it’s a bench or a table and chairs, the right seating will set off the space and make it inviting. It doesn’t take much effort to get your garden seating installed, especially if you have portable garden furniture in your space. You can make your garden beautiful even without proper garden furniture, simply add some giant beanbags and picnic blankets to the lawn to offer your guests a place to sit! Of course, the best option is to invest in sturdy, long-lasting outdoor furniture that will stand the test of time and look great, but with so many options, the choice is down to you.
The garden has to be as gorgeous as the rest of the house if you want it to stand out properly. Think about how you want your outdoor space to function, and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy it!
Winter is right on the horizon but there’s still time to make those all important changes to the home to ensure that you and your family have the most comfortable time possible. It’s a little more pertinent this year too because a lot of people will be spending far more time at home than usual due to coronavirus. Changes to the home can completely range and each person might want to do something slightly different. After all, everyone is unique and will each hold a different meaning of a beautiful home. The tips below can help change your perspective and help you start thinking about some of the best ways to make your home better. Whether that’s one of the larger projects, or something small and snappy. Just be sure to apply advice to your own personal situation before acting on any of them, and make sure your budget is in the right place to do so.
Change Up The Living Room
The living room is one of the most important places in the home, likely for everyone in your family. It’s where you can relax, watch some TV, read a book, or do whatever you want to wind down like watching the Giants vs 49ers. It’s why the room becomes quite easily worn or tired or people just get bored of it so change it up to make a difference. You can start by doing something really simple like simply changing the layout of the room. Change the focal point. Move the TV from one area to another. Remember, you can put it on the wall if that makes things any easier. Changing the focal point will give the room a different feel and when combined with some of the other tips below could leave you feeling like you’re in a different home altogether. For some, a simple move like this is all it takes to have that winter change up needed.
A Fresh Coat Of Paint Goes A Long Way
Another fairly simple thing to do is giving the home that fresh coat of paint. It can really lend a different look to your home. You can go for a wintry colour to suit the mood, but you can also keep the colour the same and simply go for a refresh. Having the walls redone might be like a new colour all in itself, especially if it hasn’t been done for a long time. You can focus on a room or instead, attempt to do the whole house if you wanted one big change. This is fairly easy and can be done yourself for a relatively cheap price, depending on what paint you want to use. You can also paint the outside of your house, though you’ll probably need someone to do this for you. If this is the case, make sure you get a few quotes and use a quality paint that’s resilient to adverse weather conditions. Remember, the closer to winter you get the harder it will be to get people to carry out this work due to danger working in high spaces along with the weather putting people off.
Think About Energy Consumption
You might want to approach this from another angle. It might not just be the appearance you’re thinking about, but the money too. You can bring down the costs of your energy consumption by looking into things like insulation. Cavity wall insulation stops heat escaping and stops the cold penetrating the walls. Also, you do the same with loft insulation to stop the heat escaping upwards. You might also want to think about switching energy tariffs. If you can cut the price and use the money to have a better winter then surely it’s worth it. One of the best ways to ensure heat stays in the house, thus saving you energy, is by getting new windows. Think about triple glazing, or just a better quality double glazing. The new windows will not only keep you warmer, but the likelihood is that your home will look a bit nicer from outside too.
Safety Should Come First
Safety of the home is important and there are some things to think about in winter. If you’re not sure the home is safe during winter then it’s surely time for a change up. Think about carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your carbon monoxide is working and installed right, give it the test and check your smoke alarms when you’re at it. You might even need to get your boiler serviced. Make sure it’s someone with the proper accreditations. If your boiler has never been serviced then it’s important to do it. It doesn’t just ensure that it’s safe but that it is running properly, meaning you’re getting the most for your money. A faulty boiler can be a nightmare. Remember, you should have a carbon monoxide alarm in every room where there is a fossil fuel boiling appliance. No excuse not to as they’re relatively cheap and last a fair few years.
Clear The Gutters
If you suffer from a lot of rainfall during winter you need to prepare for it accordingly. One of the ways you can do this is by looking into getting your gutters cleaned out to ensure the water is properly sluiced away. Check your drains too. If you have a lot of leaves you might find them blocked up. Check for puddles, if they pool in the wrong place they can cause you trouble. Clearing the gutters is fairly easy but people don’t like to do it because they may lack the right equipment, or not like to be so high up in the air. Always have someone holding the ladder underneath you to make sure that it doesn’t slip, even if you’re pretty sure that it is in a solid location. Also, it means you’ll have to dispose of the refuse yourself, and if there is a lot of it that can become quite troubling. Instead, consider hiring someone who knows what they’re doing and will be able to do it quickly.
There’s nothing like making your home cozy and special for the end of fall and winter. Everyone has their own vision for how to go about this, but there are some really quick and easy ways to make your home feel a bit special in the winter months. It seems to be the main goal is to create a different feel to suit the season. A lot of people are spending more time than usual in their homes too. Coronavirus seems to be settling in again. Unfortunately, it means a lot of places, depending on where you live, might be limited right now and you and your family will be spending more time at home. Let’s try to make it the coziest it can be….
A Fresh Coat Makes All The Difference
Sometimes a home can look a little tired and dreary when all it needs is a fresh coat of paint. This can be a refresh of the same color that’s already there, or it can be a different color entirely, to match the winter mood in the house. Of course, for bigger projects speak to a professional like Barker-Whittle painters, but if it’s only one room or so you can do it yourself. Make sure you get a sample first to ensure you get the right color. It’s such a simple thing to do and will make the room look completely different even if you keep everything else exactly the same. Make sure you invest in some decent tarps to cover your furniture, especially if you’re using heavy-duty and dark color paints. You need to cover the floor too, especially if it’s carpet. One simple mistake can end up costing a lot of money.
Change Things Around
One easy way to help the home feel a bit different is by simply switching around some of the furniture. Change the focal point in the room from one wall to the other. It really does make a difference. This coupled with some new paint or decorative objects and you’re onto a winner look. All this might just mean is putting the sofa against another wall, and the TV somewhere else. A lot of people get hung up on TV placement and think they can’t move it…but consider putting the TV up high on the wall instead to give a new dynamic to the room.
Curb Appeal Makes A Difference
If you’re planning a fall./halloween display or a winter/Christmas decorations it’s a good idea to clean up the front porch. Consider using some varnish on the wood, or even sanding it down to help it look fresher. Cut the grass and clean the garden out one last time before winter sets in. It is best to do it now before it gets freezing. If you have a porch or any kind of external awning, consider repainting or repairing warped or damaged wood. Knowing your home looks great on the outside helps you to feel good on the inside.
When you enter many homes, you will notice that overall, they are pretty similar to one another in terms of contents. While we all have personal belongings, most properties will have similar uses for their rooms (lounges, bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchens) and similar main features (a television, shelving units, wardrobes, etc). But there’s no rule saying that this has to be the case. There’s nothing stopping you from changing up your home and adding in luxury or novelty additions that could make it better fit your needs and preferences, especially now that we are all staying home more. There are all sorts of options open to you, as long as you’re open to them! Here are a few that you might like to try out!
A Hot Tub
Hot tubs are a pure luxury. People tend to associate them with spa days. Not only are they fun, but they have health benefits. They encourage you to unwind and relax. They soothe your muscles. Plus, they’re great for entertaining! Having your friends and family over for a catch up in the hot tub is a great way to spend time with your nearest and dearest.
A Swimming Pool
Sticking with a water based theme here, why not consider a swimming pool if you have the space. The cheapest option is an outdoor pool, which can be covered over and used throughout the year (though use during warmer months is more likely). Alternatively, if you can afford to spend a bit more, you could have an indoor pool, which is slightly easier to maintain and probably will genuinely get year round use. A pool doesn’t have to be olympic sized. Instead, something that you can swim a few widths in should be sufficient. Not only is this a great home addition for health and wellbeing, as it gives you a fun and simple means of exercising without leaving your property, but it can be great for entertainment too! Who doesn’t love a pool party? Just make sure to invest in quality water pumps and ensure your pool is cleaned due to schedule.
A Cinema Room
If you have a spare room, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a guest room or an office. Instead, why not transform yours into a cinema room? This is relatively cost effective, but so few people do it! All you need is a projector, a screen and some comfortable seating. If you want to go all out, you could invest in a surround sound system. Invite your friends and family over, get the popcorn out and you’re bound to have a great time watching your favourite shows and films!
Of course, there are countless other luxury investments you can make to improve upon your home. But those listed above hold some real value! Not only can they help your home to better suit you and your wants and needs, but they could all serve to improve your social life too! So, why not give them a go? A little planning can go a long way!
I am really going to try to keep my Wednesday post focusing on decorating. Last week we looked at options for decorating by the front door. This week, it’s time to turn around and decorate the back. Now more than ever we are spending time with friends and family outdoors. This does not have to stop just because the summer is over. It is so easy to transform your outdoor space into an Autumn wonderland. You can add some mums and pumpkins and even switch out your pillows for some darker shades, like forest green, burnt orange or navy blue. Maybe add a cozy throw and you are all set. Here is some inspiration to help you with the transformation.
