IDEA: Home Sweet Home Entrance Impact

I just love the vinyl sticker below. I can see it in an entrance hall / area above the little table where keys are placed. You don't need a large entrance hall for this to add to your decor and comfort feeling and ideally this should be at the door that you enter every day, welcoming you home after a long day and reminding you that your home is your safe haven and your happy place!

IDEAS: NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS

The whole world through media and awareness are turning towards "greener" ideas and ways of living.

Our new home does not have a swimming pool and although we actually really wanted to have one the up side of this is that we can build our own pool the way that we want it to be and it will be new, it won't be a old pool that needs to be revamped.

What do you think of these natural pools? Would you swim in one of these???

The water is clean, in fact so clean you could drink it!!!!

Above: Absolutely fabulous!!!! I don't think our slopy little hill is nearly steap enough for this effect, but I really really love this one.

Above: I love the bridge idea, it would also be stunning with jumping rocks.

IDEA: THIS IS SO DARLING!!!!

I absolutely loooovvveeeee this look. It is just soooo darling.

A bit girly, but beautiful!!!!

IDEA: BATHROOM CUPBOARD

I recently saw this idea in the guest bathroom at my Doctor's rooms and just had to take a photo!!!! I just love it so much. The bathroom is fairly mod with large tiles and neutral colours and then there is this splash of antique and colour on the one wall which otherwise would have been an extremely boring wall.

I would like to have a cupboard like this, a functional one, anywhere suitable. . .

IDEAS: PATIO PROTECTION

Now when I talk about patio protection, I am referring to installations that will assist with protecting your patio furniture and accessories as well as you against the elements of nature. You can have a lovely patio, with beautiful furniture, but if it is a windy day no one will enjoy the relaxation it should offer, if it rains water will get blown in and over time prematurely age your furniture and ruin your accessories which you will struggle to keep clean.

So let’s take a look at all the options – bearing in mind these options will vary dramatically in purchase price, durability and installation costs and difficulty.

1.       Frameless stackable doors & Curtains:

These doors are expensive!!! Between R 3000 – R 6000 per running meter. These will be custom sized and installation will be time consuming and costly and will need to be done by the professionals. You also get the ones that have frames, approximately the same price. The frameless ones are nice as they don’t make the area feel smaller. These doors are very secure and durable; they keep out rain and wind and still let the sunshine in. Outdoor curtains will compliment this set-up, they look beautiful and add to the décor, but they also serve as shade if there is too much sun coming in you can close the curtains whether the stackable doors are closed or open.

2.       Outdoor canvas blinds:

These are a much cheaper option, but being canvas and custom made it will still be rather expensive, but I think the installation will be easier and quicker. They often has a “window” in with clear plastic which still protects the patio from the outside elements when down, but on the sides rain and dust can still come in. They get hooks at the bottom to keep them in place, but are not secured on the sides. Once unhooked one can roll them right up and open up the space. Keeping these clean, I am sure is more difficult than cleaning glass. But they will offer good protection form the weather. One can still add the outdoor curtains so that when you roll the binds up completely you can open and close the curtains for protection from sun.

3.       Roll up ‘doors’:

I don’t know what the costs are of these, I suppose they have to be custom made to fit as per the first two options and I can imagine they must be the price of a garage door. Not the prettiest of options, but secure and definitely will keep the patio clean and protected. Again, curtains can still be added to pretty up the space and for shade from the sun. And when in use they can be rolled up, but I really do not like the look. It is too Industrial.

 Above: Clear patio blinds. These are not glass!!! Look closely. I think they will be difficult to clean and maintain.

Above: The canvas type patio blind with the window.

Above: Stunning "frameless" stackable doors. Very secure, easy to keep clean and maintain.

Above: Roll up outdoor blinds. Not a pretty site when down, but keeps the patio clean!

 

Above: Just love these curtains and this whole patio. It is just lovely!

Above: Just too industrial. I don't like it.

Above: I love this space. Stackable doors open up to the patio connecting the interior of the home with the patio. Curtaining used to cover from exessive sun, I am sure it will be pretty when open. Behind that curtaining there may be another set of stackable doors for all we know... this space is inviting and looks just so relaxing.

IDEAS: PATIO

Just have a look at these pictures. Although our patio design is not in line with these pictures, these pictures have so many elements in them that one can use in any décor on patios. Colour, furniture and accessories, curtains, shelter from wind and rain, etc.

I feel so inspired!!!

Above: Lovely entertainment area next to the pool with blue as the accent colour.

Above: I love the "reeds roof" covering. Built in concrete couches with puffy pillows.

Above: A small area in the garden is transformed into a magical space with lose pebbles laid out, a crisp white canopy for shade and a few furniture pieces.

Above: A small patio transformed into a idallic space with bursts of colour.

Above: How stunning is this pink??? I just love it!!! Again, reeds as covering from the sun during the hottest time of day.

Above: I love this couch, flooring and carpet. Also love the lanterns!!! It just adds that something special.

Above: Another colour scheme with screens installed at the back to offer privacy.

Above: Not a very big patio, but beautifully decorated and perfectly functional.

Above: Just love the colours and furniture. Very arty!

Above: Another space created with small bamboo screen giving privacy and protection, thin cotton canopy in colour for shade, seating and a small dining space!

Above: WOW, Just love this. It is so rich, and yet relaxed, just a beautiful space! The curtains offer protection from sun, so needed in our South African summers, but can be opened and closed as desired.

Aboev: Toooo cute!!! And just love the string of small oriental lights from pillar to pillar.

Above: Perfectly beautiful for a small family to relax or a romantic dinner.

Above: Colour, colour, colour. It really does play such a big role. Look at the woven blue covering just softening up the space above and tying into the antique blue chairs and the dashes of blue on the door and other accessories.

Above: Corner couch!!! Definately works with a lot of these patios. Lovely splash of colour. Definately suitable for summer.

Above: A antique french feel in this corner of the patio. Wish I could see what the other side looks like. I love this. It is tooooo darling!

IDEA: 1 PLANET LIVING CHALLENGE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk2MbjtGb4o

Do yourself a favour, if you are keen on living a green lifestyle, do some research. Above is a link hubby sent on to me. The theory is that we need 3 living planets to sustain the current pase and lifestyle needs. . . We only have one!

So we are taking on this challenge of 1 living planet and living a sustainable life.

We will definately implement, all in due time, a grey water system, we will harvest rain water, we will plant a vegetable garden (small scale at first), we will most probably source second hand solar panels where we can and buid a solar energy system over time. A solar geyser is also a great idea, but I have heard they are gasltly expensive!

THOUGHT: THAT FEELING

Buying a house is not a quick processess. We literally spent months and months attending show houses. You don't only consider the structure and condition of the house, you also consider that softer side of the house. Is it suitable for a family, does it give you that warm fuzzy feeling, will it work long term, is there room for improvements, expansions and growth, how will this life influence your current lifestyle and future aspirations you may have!

One thing I can say, if you stand on this patio long enough (lol - have not yet sat on it), you do get a very warm fuzzy feeling. We are sure we can grow old here - that is the feeling we got!

It is not a mountain top view! But it does have a lovely view and at night one can watch the stars and the city lights. We are looking forward to that!

IDEAS: BIRD HOUSE

We are sooooo much looking forward to our new garden and implementing some ideas that we have been talking about. One of the ideas we have is to put some bird houses up. We were thinking of an owl house. . . But browsing the web my hubby came accross some very interesting bird house designs!!!! I really fancy these, they are different and will add to any corner of the garden!

Above: How darling are these two. Just love both of these designs so much!

Above: Also very very cute!!!!! 

  

Above: Meeeewwwwww - soooooo cute!!!!

Above: What a mantion!!!!

Above: Too darling!

Above: Aaaahhhhh, oooohhhh, just sooo pretty!

Above: And suddenly this dead tree is rather useful!

Above: "Floating" boat house? Tickle your fancy little birdy?

Above: Oooh yes, I think they like this one!

Above: No who said only Cape Town is colourfull!

Above: Rustic garden look - just beautiful!

Above: This is sooo Joburg. Howabout this security camera model - look closely!!!!

 

IDEAS: BABY ROOM DECOR

On a day like today when I feel exceptionally broody – I really do find it hard to concentrate on everyday life “things”. So, let me indulge for a short while and share some pictures with you that I have found on baby room / nursery décor, colour and layout that I really like and have felt inspired by! Ideally I think once we are at the baby stage and pregnant, I may rather consider a mutual colour baby room as opposed to doing it up completely to be very baby coloured. But who knows that might go through my head at that stage. For now, I am just looking at pretty pictures.

Below: I love the colour shceme, the antique, feminine touch of furniture and accessories.

Below: Crisp white with a splash of pink and vinyl wall art in colour that I love soooo much.

Below: Crisp white & a light green. Here one can add pink, blue, yellow in moderation. I love the furniture - classic, functional and quality furniture pieces.

Below: I love the nursing chair of this room - looking "out" the window. The paint effect on the ceiling adds lots of character.

Below: My ultimate - nautral and natural colours and a bit of a wild life theme!!!! Can work for a boy or a girl.

Below: Again, nautral colours and a very simple decor style.

Below: When I fist saw this picture I absolutely fell inlove with it!!!!!

Simple, clean lines, pastel colours and crisp white.

Below: Nautral colours, wall art and a slay cot that absolutely compliments the design of the wall. 

Below: Very modern! Perfect for a couple in a modern house.

Below: I love the french feeling that the chair gives to this room.

Below: Pink and dark brown. Just love the simple decor that has such a striking effect.

Below: Very mod design and decor. 

Below: A dull corner brightened up with accessories, storage space, etc. Just looks so comfy.