Author: Adelle and Justin, the H is for Home folks!

Elevate your living space – indulge in home luxuries

Elevate your living space - indulge in home luxuries

Ever thought about making your home feel a bit more, well, you know, luxurious? You don’t need a total redo to sprinkle a little lavishness around. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference. By focusing on just a few strategic upgrades, you can enhance your daily living with that sought-after touch of luxury.

Invest in high-quality textiles

First up, let’s talk about textiles. They’re the insider secret when it comes to adding a touch of luxe. Think about swapping out some of those older textiles for something a bit plusher. Silk curtains, velvet throws or maybe some super soft high-thread-count sheets can really transform a space. Not only do they look amazing, but they feel incredible too. Plus, choosing the right textiles can dramatically change the texture and colour palette of your interiors, elevating the entire ambience.

Create a spa-like bathroom

Who wouldn’t want their bathroom to feel like a spa? This is your chance to go all out. A deep, freestanding bath can make all the difference in the world, and if you throw in a rainfall shower head, you’re all set for some serious relaxation. Add some mood lighting, illuminated mirror and a way to play some of your favourite songs, and you may never want to leave. And don’t forget to stock up on fluffy Egyptian cotton towels your favourite bath bombs and salts for the ultimate at-home spa experience.

Upgrade your sleep with a luxe bedroom

Let’s not forget where we spend a lot of our time – the bedroom! Investing in beautifully upholstered bed frames can seriously upgrade your sleep space. It’s like the centrepiece of the bedroom, and it sets the whole luxury vibe. Toss in some top-notch bedding and maybe a soft rug, and your bedroom just turned into a five-star suite. This simple change can make it so tempting to hit the snooze button every morning.

Incorporate art and unique décor

Now, about those walls. Art isn’t just for museums; it has a place in domestic space too, especially if you’re leaning into luxury. Finding pieces that speak to you and your style adds that custom touch to your space. And lighting is key here; make sure your art is well-lit so it can really shine, literally and figuratively. It’s amazing how a few strategically placed pieces can create a dynamic visual impact in any room.

Opt for smart home enhancements

Tech can be luxurious too! Ever thought about how smart home features could simplify your life? Imagine adjusting the mood of your home with just a few taps on your smartphone. Lights, climate, security – it can all be at your fingertips, and it adds a layer of sleek, modern luxe to your home. Incorporating technology not only brings comfort, but it also ensures your home stays up to date with the latest innovations.

In conclusion, turning your home into a more luxurious space doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s all about focusing on the areas that matter most to you and adding those touches that make your space feel more refined and inviting. By implementing these simple yet effective ideas, you can enjoy the opulence of a luxury home every day. Who knew home luxuries could be so simple?

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SPILL the tea

Bag of Spill everyday tea, brown Betty teapot, stripe pottery mug and red & white tea towel

We’ve been giving a new everyday tea a try this week… and, as we both love a cuppa, it’s an exciting thing! We have a couple of favourite brands that we consider to be a good everyday tea… and now SPILL tea has definitely joined them. In fact, we’ll probably just switch completely, as it’s perfect on so many levels.

First things first, it’s a wonderful cup of tea. It’s a lovely golden colour, robust & flavoursome, whilst staying light & clean… a sparkle on the palate. It gets the magic sigh after the first sip, “…ooooh that’s a good cup of tea!”.

Thank you not from Spill tea

It’s a new venture for co-owners Lou & Sofia, although both have a long history and much experience in the tea world.

The combination of a great cuppa combined with treating the farmers with respect & gratitude has obviously been the driving force for their new company. They deal directly with the farmers who hand pick the crop, so only the best leaves are used… it’s not a blend of whatever tea was cheapest in the market or at auction. No need for middlemen or deals that drive prices and quality downwards.

You can actually see the difference as you take each spoon from the tin – none of that dusty, tired-looking mixture here.

SPILL pays $3 / kilo – 50% above Fairtrade. Plus, an additional farmer payment of 50¢ / kilo.

Add to that, we love the logo & branding – and the packaging, which is home recyclable. Perfect all round!

For you, a better cuppa. For the farmer, a better price.

Bags of Spill everyday tea and teabags

So, our advice is to give it a go – you won’t regret it. We’ve been drinking it all week and still appreciate that extra quality and improved experience that it’s brought. As Lou & Sofia say, it’s all about upgrading the products that you have on a regular basis whenever possible – whether it be coffee, bread, beer or tea. Little things that make moments in life so much more enjoyable!

They have loose-leaf or tea bags – and very nice storage tins if you need one of those too.

Enjoy… and try not to spill it!

The 4 things we all wish we knew at the start of our DIY journey

The 4 things we all wish we knew at the start of our DIY journey

While we may very well be great at the various concepts of interior design and renovations in general, sometimes we could look back and wish we knew certain things at the very outset of our DIY journey. We all have to start somewhere, so if you’re looking to pass some wise information on, here are a few things that can make all the difference.

Quality tools are worth the investment

Whether it’s something as little as wood screws or a screwdriver set, high-quality tools are definitely worth your time and money. High-quality tools and implements tend to have better ergonomics, are built better, and this means that they’re also more durable, which can save you money in the long run and reduce your frustrations.

Sometimes we can’t justify a major expense, but while they say a shoddy workman blames their tools, if there are huge problems in your DIY journey, it could very well be that the things you bought are way too cheap to be effective in the long run.

Proper planning will save time and money

Sometimes we have that approach where we think we should just start something. While this could be beneficial with a small project where you’re learning the ropes and figuring out what you can and cannot do, the reality is that if you’re attempting to renovate a home or undertake a major project, you’ve got to research the potential challenges and solutions beforehand.

Consider the various factors such as weather, drying times, availability, accurate costs and unexpected expenses, as well as create a detailed project plan including material lists, step-by-step procedures and timelines. As the saying goes – fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Safety first

You should always use appropriate protective equipment, and while many of us don’t think we need to read the instructions, sometimes following all the manuals and safety guidelines can make a major difference.

When it comes to safety, keep your work area clean and organised, as this will prevent accidents, particularly with sharp tools around. Also, take the time to learn proper techniques for lifting and handling materials to reduce injury.

Start small and build up

Starting out should be dealing with simple projects that require fewer skills and tools, then gradually increase the complexity alongside our confidence. Each project is an opportunity to develop new skills, and we could certainly feel frustrated that we’re not developing as quickly as others, but we need to understand that quality work often takes time. Therefore, we should remember that precise or difficult tasks don’t benefit from rushing through. It’s okay to make mistakes, and while we should take breaks to avoid mistakes that come from fatigue, every mistake is a learning opportunity.

We need to be prepared to problem-solve and to adapt when things do go wrong. It could be very easy to be a perfectionist about it, but don’t let this hinder your progress. You have all the tools at your disposal as long as you remember to develop those fundamental skills. Stay updated on new tools, techniques and materials, but also remember that seeking insight can help people, new and old to DIY, approach their projects with greater knowledge, realistic expectations and a higher rate of success.

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Securing your back yard

Securing your back yard

There are plenty of seasonal things that you can do with your backyard to make it stand out for summer, but not everything in a garden is seasonal in nature. For example, you may plant flowers or vegetables seasonally, but security is a year-round thing. There are certain times of the year that you would worry more about your backyard security than others. For example, in the summer, you may forget to pack away the BBQ. In the wintertime, you might be worried about the darker evenings, meaning your home is more susceptible to a break in.

Either way, making your backyard more secure is a great way to ensure your insurance company is happy with the way your house is protected, and it gives you that peace of mind that you need as you lock up your home at bedtime. Let’s look at some tasks you can carry out that can help you with securing your back yard.

  1. Install outdoor security cameras

    Having outdoor security cameras is a great idea, especially if you have a tall fence that you’ve installed so that you can have the cameras on top of it. Security cameras can be positioned so that every nook and cranny of your backyard is visible on the tape. When you have cameras that have great resolution, you’ll be able to see what you need to see and feel secure in the knowledge that your garden is not a hidden zone for people to hide in.

  2. Get a video doorbell

    You can use these for the front door and/or the back door so that you can log into your property at any time from any place with a wireless connection. If somebody rings your doorbell when you’re at work, you can check your app and see who’s standing waiting to be let in. It allows you to see and speak to anybody present via two-way audio, which can be really helpful if you’re worried about checking the front door, and you’re not expecting any guests.

  3. Add practical lighting

    Outdoor security lighting can be added around the perimeter of your home, and they can be done with motion sensors. You don’t want to choose anything too bright so that it disturbs you or your neighbours, but having it is better as a deterrent than you think. Not only will your backyard be bathed in light so that the camera can pick up whoever is sneaking around out there, but having that lighting can be an immediate deterrent for somebody who’s looking to break into your home.

  4. Lock up valuables in your garden storage

    If you have an outdoor pizza oven, barbecue or similar, you need to secure it. You can fix some things to the floor via concrete or via chains, but with items that you can’t, it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re kept in some kind of outdoor storage or shed that has a weatherproof, rustproof combination padlock. Having one of these can prevent thieves breaking in.

  5.  

Often, a very tall fence with unclimbable paint or thorny hedge is a great way to make sure nobody is going to break into your home. It keeps your garden secure and makes you and your family feel like you are protected.

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