Interesting Trivia about Electricity

It's trivia time! Want to know some interesting facts about electricity? Electricity is not just an important commodity; there's definitely more to it than meets the eye. Here are some electricity-related things you probably don't know.

Using Garden Sheds To Augment Your Backyard Landscape

There is nothing like a clean and organized backyard garden without the unsightly presence of tools, lawnmower, and other gardening effects. Often times a homeowner may forget to gather up the extra items and keep them away in a toolbox or garden shed. It is also a possibility that there's no storage space available within the owner's backyard, making tools and gardening items part of the backyard clutter.

This scenario is not uncommon to many urban dwellers who also happen to be first-time gardeners. The need for a beautiful landscape design is inevitable if they are not capable of doing it themselves. The addition of any structure can be a part of the design especially if the secondary purpose is to keep the tools and other mess in confinement. Of course, no homeowner would want any type of clutter lurking at his polished garden design, so it is important to incorporate storage for this matter.

A metal shed is always a possible addition especially if you have heavy gardening tools and equipment to keep.  If you feel it is unsightly to have a metal garden shed, you can use a wooden shed and dress it up or down to match your garden design. A rustic appearance is often recommended to give your garden a homier and warm ambiance. But never shelf the idea of customizing a metal type of shed just because it is less homey and may have an 'off' look to it. By painting it with a color scheme that will match your garden's palette, you can alter an unsightly metal shed into something welcoming and appropriate. Soft tones of light greens, browns, and subtle flower colors can change the steely feel of a metal shed.

The durability of metal or the rustic feel of wood can make a huge impact on your landscape design. Often, a landscape architect will not recommend the usage of a store-bought garden shed because of its 'manufactured' appearance. But with a bit of imagination, you can create something functional without hurting your wallet in the process.

Improving a worn out backyard garden may also be in the process. You can incorporate a few perennial plants to take over the ailing ones. Keep your garden alive by adding other plants gradually and by having all the necessary tools at hand. This makes your garden shed more indispensable as you will be adding tools, pots, containers, fertilizers, and other items needed for tending your garden. And don't forget about your lawnmower as this machine is regularly needed for quickly trimming down lawn grass.

The beauty of a garden landscape lies in the maintenance of its owner. If you keep your garden alive and thriving, you won't have too many issues with pests and whatnots. And keeping well-maintained tools also allows for better and more efficient tending of your plants.

Lastly, it is also a good investment if you choose to have a garden shed that will last a long time. By choosing well and being imaginative, you can incorporate any design element without sacrificing on function. You can check out samples of design ideas for garden sheds online to get started.

You might also like:

A Gallery of Garden Shed Ideas (bhg.com)

GARDEN SHEDS Building Service Information Sheet (roebourne.wa.gov.au)

The right way to invest in your garden (cnn.com)

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Photo credit: SimplySheds

Designing and Building your Own Patio

Patios are always a great addition to any home and being able to design and build one is just one way of personalizing your living space, as well as expressing your preferences and tastes for all to see and admire. Patios not only provide you an excellent place to relax and unwind after a hard day at work, they are also great places to entertain in, a place that can help you enhance your home’s aesthetic value and one place that can increase your home’s resale value as well.

With so many things that one can do with a patio, it is no surprise that most people want to design and build their own patios rather than hire professionals to do it. Many feel that having a professional suggest this and that interferes with the creative process and doesn’t quite make the patio your own, even if they based the design on your preferences. Even if researching popular patio designs and how to build one can be tedious and time-consuming, there are people who would rather go through the whole nine yards and learn everything there is to know about designing and building their own patios just to feel that it’s really their work and their personality that is reflected.

This is one reason why prefabricated patios sold online like those for example, are quite popular. Not only does it require minimal assembly, you can also choose from a wide variety of prefabricated patios that are designed and built to fit every type of home décor. Of course, this is one choice for people who have minimal building experience but for those who are good with their hands and are quite familiar with which end of the hammer to pound nails with, designing and building their own patios is the only way.

If you are planning on building a new patio or replacing an existing one, you need to understand that patios will allow you a lot of designing freedom, from the size of your seating area to the paving slab patterns to the materials you use. Play around with your designs until you come up with what you feel is the best for your home. It is recommended that you consider more than one type of patio paving to break up the monotony or maybe add a focal feature like fountains or sculptures to make it more dynamic.

You will also need to understand that you may require patio building permits  which will require you to submit not just a permit application, but also the prescribed building permit fee, verge permit form, verge bond if applicable, site plan and construction details showing elevations and sections.

If you are laying your own patio for the first time, a right-angled shape is the easiest laying to do and using freeform slabs of different sizes are also recommended as these are easiest to position. To lay your freeform slabs, start by laying them from one side then use a roller or a compactor to flatten and smoothen the space. Add a layer of fine sand to even out the bumps.

If you want to go for mortar and crazy paving, you need to add the mortar to the back of the slab you are laying with a trowel. For small slabs, add a dab of mortar to each edge and for larger ones, make a cross shape from corner to corner. Leave little gaps in between for more dimension as with experienced patio layers who use odd shaped slabs which are known as crazy paving. Make sure the slabs lie flat by tapping them gently with a rubber mallet or by using a spirit level. Once the mortar sets after two days, fill the space between with paving slabs and some more mortar.

If you want to go for the classic Roman villa look, use a combination of slab sizes to get that mosaic-like effect. If you prefer a more complex design, make sure you mark each slab so you know where to put it before permanently putting it in position. Using pavers for this type of design ensures you have a smooth, finished look and if you want to block weed growth, then it is recommended that you use polymeric sand to fill the spaces between.

The idea of a run-off design on the other hand, is to keep the water from seeping into your home especially if you plan to place your patio close to or next to your home. Drainage is important as this can prevent your home from being damaged by moisture and damp, especially if the water runs off adequately. For this design you can use pea shingles to fill the gaps or allow grass to grow to create a more visually striking look. To make your patio space wider than it really is, you can try using triangle-shaped paving slabs or place your slabs in a circular pattern that radiates from a central point going outwards.

To make your designs work, you will need to determine the uses to which you will put your patio through. For intimate gatherings, make sure you position your patio away from the house and keep the space relatively small. Make sure the lighting you use is installed close to the ground to provide more intimacy. Use tall plants or stone walls for a more secluded feel and pea stone or natural stone for surfacing.

For family gatherings, you need to make the space wide enough to fit several people and kids. Make the patio feel more social by adding fire pits where you and your family can sit around and talk while roasting marshmallows on the grill. Make sure the area is well-lit and for great surface, you can use pavers or stamped concrete for a more level patio.

If you’re going to use the patio for relaxing or sunbathing, you may want to put up hedges for privacy. Designing for an outdoor patio for this purpose will depend on the climate and on whether you want to maximize your exposure to the sun or limit it. If you want to get more sun, make sure you position your patio where it gets more sun or if you want to limit your exposure, choose a shady spot or incorporate a pergola as part of your patio design. Also make sure you use lounge chairs to ensure the utmost comfort. For this purpose, pavers and stamped concrete are recommended since you’ll be mostly barefooted with this type of design.

Designing and building your own patio can be a time-consuming endeavor but with the right materials and enough building know-how, it can be something fun and eventually a work of art that you can be proud of enough to show off to your friends and family.

You might also like:

Patio and Driveway  (planningportal.gov.uk)

Build a Patio: Notes from a DIY (huffingtonpost.com) Build a Patio with Pavers (diynetwork.com)

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Photo Credit: SimplySheds

Saving Money on Your Utility Consumption

A few tips and basic facts about electricity consumption. Will be sharing more soon, I'll tackle other basic money-saving tips for your home, so keep in touch!

From The Man Who've Recently Moved

Hey there! It's been almost 2 weeks since I published my last article. Been quite busy with home projects, DIY stuff, and all. For today, I've got a couple of hours free for this post I'm sharing. So in the past few days, you might have noticed me sharing different articles about home, home building, and improvement. Well, that's what this blog is all about, but for today my post will be about moving house.

I wasn't sure if I already mentioned that we’ve just moved to our new home. Not really recently moved, but we are barely a year in our new house. My wife and I decided to look for a new home. So we found this cozy house that has been up for sale for a while now, and she said "I love this house!" It may seem cliché, but I, too, have fallen in love with the house (don't tell that to my wife, please :D). Kidding aside, the house looks cozy, yes, and I also saw a big potential in it. It has a spacious garden (not exactly a garden, 'coz it's just barren grass these days). But you know, being a passionate gardener myself, I can just see myself working off the yard and doing my stuff there. I was already thinking of a possible workshop shed to build, as well as a few flowers to adorn the place. It didn't take us long to decide to invest in the house, which was a good move, I must say, even with the cost. So here we are, still trying to adjust to our new home, moving things here and there, and so on. But overall, it's a good experience, and we don’t regret our decision a bit.

So anyway, apologies for the long intro. I sometimes get a bit carried away whenever I write about something I'm really interested in. What I wanted to tell you about actually was our experience when we moved house. In one word, it is stressful. Yes, it's fun – building a life in a new home and neighborhood and all, but we failed to anticipate what we needed to do, and so we ended up rushing things and moving stuff here and there. If you're someone who might be thinking of moving, here are several things I compiled – might not hurt to read to spare yourself from some of the stress and trouble when you move.

List, list, list. 

Photo credit: dmachiavello (flickr.com)

Everything will seem much more organized with lists. This is my wife's mantra, but somehow we fail to make one before our move, being caught up with our daily chores and all that. Biggest mistake ever. Well, I could say it was our biggest mistake because if only we started off with a list, we could have made a simple yet efficient record-keeping system. List down the things you need to do and set a timeline for things so you can check things off your to-do's once you've managed to accomplish them. Making lists is also very helpful when you pack. Keep your lists handy so you'll have a record on where things should be when you move.

Strategize.

Moving house seems easy, but the process of getting things from one point to another can be a little bit tricky. Before your move, plan ahead how you will transport your stuff from your home to your new neighborhood. Can you manage packing your things in your car, or do you need your friend's help by borrowing his reliable truck? You can also hire a removalist or a moving service so you can transport your things with ease, especially if you have quite a lot of stuff and you're travelling far.

Photo credit: Dahai Z (flickr.com)

Some tips when packing your stuff:

You don't need to transport all your stuff to your new home. In truth, moving house can actually be a good way of weeding out items that are better left out, or letting go of stuff that you no longer use. In short, decluttering your stuff. Here are tips you might find handy when you pack items:

Pack early.

Unless you're planning to move out on a haste, make sure to pack weeks in advance. Start with things you don't use daily, such as bed linens and covers, books, some kitchen utensils, family memorabilia, and so on.

Pack by room and label accordingly.

Pack things based on where you intend to keep them in your new home. This will help you and the house movers know easily where to put things, considerably making it easy and saving your time when you unpack. You can make the labels color-coded or detailed as you may – anything that will help you know where things are or should be. Also label boxes accordingly, especially if the contents are breakable or fragile so they will be handled with more care.

Enlist everyone's help.

Let your kids help with the packing, especially if they're old enough to do so. They can help sort out their books and toys, and this is also a good way to divert their mind from the worries they might be feeling about moving home. When packing sharp objects like kitchen knives, make sure to wrap them with tape for safety purposes. If you are hiring a moving service, it's best to let them do the packing for fragile items so you'll be sure that your stuff will be handled with professional care.

Inform the right people.

You'll have your hands full with a lot of stuff when you move, but make sure you inform the right people before the important date. This includes your utility providers, such as your gas and electricity suppliers, water company, and home and internet service providers. You can always transfer your old utility connections with you, just be sure to inform them beforehand. If you are no longer satisfied with the service, you can always look for utility providers online and compare their costs and services before you sign up for anything. It may also take you quite a while to inform a bunch of family and friends, but it's certainly more recommended, rather than have them knocking to your old home's door without the faintest idea that you already moved.

Well, I think these would be all for now. Don't worry. I'll be sharing a few more tips in my next posts. For the meantime, you might want to check out some related articles:

Moving house (bbc.co.uk)

Ready to Move?—Tips for a Successful Interstate Move (protectyourmove.gov)

33 Moving Tips ThatWill Make Your Life So Much Easier (buzzfeed.com) 

The Home of Home Improvement

Nothing screams home improvement show more than the name HomeShow. Tagged as "Brisbane's biggest Home Show," you will want to be there if you're looking for the best home improvement and renovation ideas today.

The event will be held in the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Center on February 27^th. If you're not from Brisbane and you think you can't make it the 27^th, you still have a chance to catch up! HomeShow is a four-day event and will last until March 2^nd.

There will be exhibits, shows, and Q&As with the country's leading experts. You can discover the latest home trends, with some articles already readily available on their website. Learn everything that is to know about home improvement and renovation and interior design. Most shows listed on their website are free to attend as long as you've already bought a ticket. 

Kids under 18 are free, so feel free to bring your children along to gaze in awe with you. Tickets prices depend on where you purchase them. If you're in the home design, repair, and improvement industry, entry is free as long as you carry your trade ID with you. Find out more by visiting their website. For ticket prices and schedule, look at the table below.

 

A Splashing Affair!

There exists a mysterious garden shed that no one knows what to expect. It is so mysterious that it is almost impossible to describe what it is plus the fact that I don't know anything about it. It is like The Matrix: no one can be told what The Garden Shed is. You have to see it for yourself. 

If you're like me and The Garden Shed has piqued your interest, then show up in Victoria Square in Adelaide on January 31^st. Is the area too big? Fret not! The Garden Shed is only one of the many "events" in Splash Adelaide.

Perhaps you're not familiar with Splash or you're not from Adelaide, or even not from Australia. Splash is a year-long community-run series of "experiments." Think flash mobs with a little less shock and awe factor and an opportunity for onlookers to join in. More fun for everyone!

Events from Splash range from street parties cooking events, and a lot more. If you're interested in more events than just The Garden Shed, head on over to the Splash Adelaide website. By getting their Splash App, you can stay tuned for news on when and where their next urban experiment will be. 

 

A Great Pool of Knowledge to Drink From

Image credits: Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo (poolexpo.com.au)

A pool is always a welcome addition to any home, despite it being a luxury. Still, if you're planning on putting up a pool or spa or Jacuzzi or anything of the sort, then you'll benefit greatly from the Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo.

 

The two-day event will be held in Rosehill Gardens Event Center in Sydney on February 22^nd and 23^rd. Free seminars are available if you want to learn more about  how to go about making a pool purchase and save money. Simply put, it is a show where you can learn all about pools, and you save a lot of money doing so because of the wide array of experts giving you advice.

If you don't have a pool, you can still come out of the event learning something valuable. Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Expo will feature products that complement pools, but if you're creative enough you can still apply what you learned to your backyard or any outdoor setting.

If you already have a pool, you'll learn about how to renovate it to make it look even more breathtaking! Refer to the images below to get a sense of what you can do when armed with the information that you take home from the Pool Spa & Expo.