Date Night… and a Coffee Table?

So, it’s been no secret that as far as my dating life goes, it’s been kind of non-existent for most of this blog. Call it too busy when I was in school or too busy when I was launching a business or just being gun-shy, I’ve just not been very sure-footed in this part of my life. Or rather, I’ve been really unsure of how to handle it blog-wise. I feel like no matter how little or how often I might bring up such things, it’s always going to be clumsily done, and that makes me kind of self-conscious about it.

Also? Not all dudes can handle a line like, “Ok, let’s do dinner at my place? I have to build a coffee table first, but I’m also in the mood for pizza.”

Or, “When was the last time you had a tetanus shot? Just curious. There might be a nail on the new rug in my living room and I can’t find it.”

Anyway, relationships can be a tricky situation to talk about when you put the rest of your life out on a blog. Not that I think I’m very important or that you guys care to gossip about a small-time DIY blogger (pshh, why, when the internet is overflowing with warmer tea), but I suppose it’s just that one can never be too careful when it’s someone else’s life you’re talking about, and I hate the idea of oversharing about a person whose permanence in my life is still new, ya know? And when the simple nature of DIY blogs is that most aren’t single like I am, I kind of have to figure out for myself where those boundaries are. In short: dating and DIY can be weird.

Also, being single automatically makes you sound like Taylor Swift if you start talking about every guy you date. And if a relationship goes poorly, blogging about your ex being a sociopath or his laughably tacky birthday gift can sound super off-topic (not that I’ve done that, coughcough).

But when you are literally building a coffee table not for yourself, but for the guy you’re dating to make it easier on nights when you’re both working on the computer (we both do freelance work at night sometimes, and selling my living room furniture has left little space for stashing coffee or food), it’s hard not to chuckle at myself that I’m building furniture for relationship reasons.

So, that’s how I spent part of my week. Building a coffee table for a boy. Ha.

More on this later, though. Because I still need to route it, stain it, and it’s not even the permanent table I want in this room (but finding a piece with enough character will take time, and this was a decent use of scrap wood). All I can say for now is that it’s heavy and the reason you only saw part of the living room last week:

Also new this week: I did lots of updates to the blog’s homepage, and I’ve been working on getting the site more organized for you guys (more to come, just FYI… I’ve decided not to do a big new redesign launch but to just make tweaks as I go, so if for some reason something looks weird, try clearing your browser cache and it should refresh… or reach out to me if something is broken and I’ll get on it asap). I simultaneously hope that it will be both noticeably better and not noticeable at all.

Oh! And other news… I’m adding a contributor to the blog who used to work at the magazine for me (her introduction is on its way!) as well possibly adding some more recipes to the site… a handful of my own “lazy gal” recipes from when I studied abroad (fair warning: do NOT expect these to be complex or healthy), and some from the dude who will soon have his own coffee table.

As per yuzh, we’ll wing it and see how it goes. Cheers, friends. Hope you’re all having an awesome week!

The post Date Night… and a Coffee Table? appeared first on The Ugly Duckling House.

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from The Ugly Duckling House http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/date-night-coffee-table/

7 Home Improvement Ideas to Get Your Home Ready for the Summer

If, like me, you’re looking to spruce up your home in time for the sunny months ahead, then in my experience, here are my top seven tips on how to get your home summer-ready in no time.

1. A Quick Lick of Paint Can Go a Very Long Way

A fresh lick of paint can give your home the facelift it so desperately needs. Although it may sound extremely trivial, you’ll be surprised at the overall difference it can make to your home. Opt for subtle shades that contrast well with your homes current décor.

2. Fake It

Ever fancied looking out into your garden and seeing an evenly laid, perfectly green summer lawn? Well, it isn’t impossible since the introduction of artificial grass! Simply choose your turf, install it and you’re good to go! Don’t forget to shop around to compare artificial grass costs, too!  With many piles and looks to choose from, you can ensure your space looks as real as you want it to! Artificial grass also works well in dog kennels, indoor games or play rooms and even conservatories too. 

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3. Go Green

Home improvement needn’t cost an arm and a leg - there are so many ways you could save money in the long run by turning to eco-friendly options within the home. Simple changes such as energy saving lightbulbs, installing solar panels, replacing old windows and replacing them with multiple pane ones; insulating your home more efficiently whilst lowering your energy bills can make a vast difference overall to your bills annually. Not only this,  if you have your eye on a new appliance for your kitchen, chances are, it may be a lot more energy efficient than your old one so get it checked out as many old models of household appliances such as fridges, dishwashers, cookers and washers use a lot more energy than their newer editions.

4. Add Some Simple Finishing Touches

Sometimes, throwing in a bright cushion here and a new rug there can make all the difference in the visual aesthetics of you home. Also, have a reshuffle of where things are kept – you’ll be surprised at how different your home will look to you when the microwave is on the opposite counter(!).

5. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Investing in storage solutions can do wonders for your home space – you’d be surprised at how much clutter one can accumulate over the course of a year! Introducing storage solutions to your home not only helps with the annual spring clean but also does wonders for the visual aesthetics of your home, too! Remember, less is more. 

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6. Get Decking

Seeing as many of us opt to spend the summer months outdoors rather than in, getting the decking done now would be a good idea. Not only does it work visual wonders for your garden, it alo substantially increases the value of your home, too; a great idea for those of you who love to fire up the barbeque in the summer.

7. The Garden

Introducing new furniture to your garden or backyard can bring some great excitement for the season ahead. Having a seating area, a bench or a garden sofa swing will encourage you to sit outside in the sun with that cold glass of Pimm’s and fire up that barbeque with your loved ones – it’s also a great excuse to kick back and relax whilst topping up that summer tan!

Always remember, do not commit to any home improvement plans without doing your homework beforehand and always try to get your family involved where you can in order to appreciate the benefits afterward.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/06/7-home-improvement-ideas.html

Dog Danger in the Garden!

With summer having arrived – enjoy it while you can! - a lot of us will be spending time in the garden.

It might mean watching the kids play, or doing essential summer gardening jobs, welcoming the grand children with a paddling pool and other fun activities.

And by your side will be your faithful friend or friends – dogs love the garden too but it can present many dangers to them.

The Doggy Dangers

There are many dangers in the garden that could cause injury to Fido;

• Weed killers, slug pellets and fertilisers are all substances commonly used in the garden and although you may store them away, are they out of the reach of inquisitive canine noses? Small doses of these substances can be poisonous!
• Plants, some bulbs and seeds, can also present issues for dogs. Not all plants are pet-friendly, with some parts of the plant being poisonous.
• There are also some plants that can be irritating to dogs, just like they can be for us. A runny nose, irritated skin and gooey eyes are common in dogs when they come into contact with some plants.

Be Safe, Not Sorry

You want your garden to be a peaceful haven of tranquillity, full of colourful blooms and sunshine. And you want this for ALL the family, including your faithful canine companion.

To be safe, it means storing substances away from dogs or where they could access them. It also means knowing which plants cause your dog a problem, information available in this handy infographic guide. Take a look! This awesome infographic is from https://www.rattandirect.co.uk/.

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/05/dog-danger-garden.html

Charlie Turns Six!

Tips On Maintaining Commercial Plumbing

Plumbing maintenance is something that many landlords and tenants ignore, which can lead to large repair bills to get things in working order. Prevention is always better than the cure, so if you need some advice on maintaining your property, you can find plenty of useful plumbing-related tips online that you can take note of. Keeping on top of the plumbing maintenance will help to keep your costs down, as well as your tenants happy.

Stop Any Leaks

You often find that a leak can be a symptom of a more pressing problem, so it is important that you repair any leaks as soon as you find them. If your building does not employ a full-time maintenance engineer, then you can easily find commercial plumbers in Brisbane, or where ever you are located, using the internet to help fix any leaking pipes. Finding out the cause of a problem is an excellent way to save money in the long run, by preventing a catastrophe before it happens.

Check Your Water Pressure

Checking the water pressure is something that can be done on a regular basis as it does not take much time or effort. If the water comes out of your taps lacking gusto, then you may be able to fix this by turning up the pressure on the pump. Make sure that you do not turn the pressure up too high as this could significantly increase water consumption, as well as increase bills.

Take Care Of The Porcelain

Another way to help protect your plumbing system is to make sure that you take good care of your toilets. It is important to educate tenants to make sure that they only flush down the toilet what is necessary, human waste and toilet paper. When you start flushing things down the toilet, even liquids such as oils, you can create a blockage in your system which if not addressed could end up becoming rather smelly. Solid objects can also cause an obstruction, and if the toilet paper builds up, it could end blocking the pipes completely and backing up your toilets.

Check The Drains

As soon as it is reported that a drain is blocked, you should have it fixed as quickly as possible to prevent further issues from arising. Make sure that water can run freely down the drain and that it is not partially blocked, which will help to keep your plumbing in top condition. As with the toilet, make sure that you do not put any liquids down the drains which could create problems down the line.

Preventing Damp

If you have a plumbing issue which goes left unfixed, a build up of water can lead to damp in the building which can cost a substantial amount to fix. Damp can also create mould and mildew, which can have potentially harmful side effects on people, so it is critical that any issue is resolved quickly to make sure that your building remains safe for habitation or commercial use.

If you are in any doubt, you can have a professional perform a maintenance check on your plumbing to make sure that there are no problems on the horizon. After all, it is better to spend a little money now and fix a problem than ignore it for it to cost you ten times the amount down the line!

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/05/maintaining-commercial-plumbing.html

Finding an Extra Large Rug I Love… and Can Afford

6 home hacks you need to try out

Want to know which home hacks you should try out? Then read on to discover our top recommendations, from things you can make to things you should look out for when you’re next shopping for your home.    

1. Recycle and repurpose

Recycle and repurpose objects to give your home a fresh new look. The website for The Freecycle Network is a great place to start, with lots of items being given away for free in your area. Just log on to www.freecycle.org to find your local group, and see what items are in need of a new home. It’s a great way to inject some personality into your property with some quirky vintage or ‘nearly new’ finds. In addition, try architectural salvage yards, car boot sales, charity shops and local auction houses for items that are one of a kind. Look at objects a fresh and think about how you could repurpose them, from an industrial cable reel repurposed as a coffee table to antique chimney pots repurposed as garden features – the possibilities are endless.   

2. Get crafty

There’s been a huge resurgence of interest in traditional crafts in recent years, and it’s time to join in if you haven’t already. From crochet to knitting and patchwork, to name but a few, crafts provide the perfect way to add some new accessories to your home. New curtains, cushions and quilts are all within your reach. Moreover, soft furnishings provide a great way to use up your stash of material, all those odds and ends you haven’t found a use for can be incorporated. You could even incorporate your vintage finds to give your home a unique style, from traditional floral designs to mid-century ‘atomic ‘fabrics, they’ll help set the tone of your home styling efforts.      

3. Get ready, steady, paint

Painting is probably the most economical home hack at your fingertips. You could begin by using chalky paint to give furniture a shabby chic look. Alternatively, you could embrace special painting techniques such as stippling or rag rolling to give your home a whole new look.  

4. Mirror or mirror on the wall

Maximise the light levels in your home by adding additional mirrors in strategic places, helping small spaces to seem larger. There are a plethora of affordable styles available on the high street from sizeable overmantel styles to smaller, decorative examples. Geometric art deco and mid-century sunburst designs are a firm favourite at the moment.     

5. Ice at the ready

Ice machines, including ice makers and ice flakers, can transform your kitchen and will mean you’re always ready to cater for guests – even if they’re unexpected. From a fun slushy drink for your children to refreshments ‘on the rocks’ for the grown-ups, an ice machine is what you need. Ice machines will save you time and hassle when it comes to entertaining.

6. Then there was light

Introduce a fun and practical element to your home with a remote control light bulb. You can introduce special lighting effects into your home, including a variety of colours – all at the touch of a button.

So there you have our top six home hacks that you need to try out, from hints and tips on things you can make and do, to the latest gadgets for your home. Get your next home improvement project underway, with our home hacks.     

from Home My Heaven: Home Improvement Blog UK http://www.homemyheaven.co.uk/2017/05/home-hacks-uk.html