If you love wildflowers, crafting, embroidery, plants and a fairy tale-like esthetic, the cottagecore look may be right for you. This trendy style evokes the atmosphere, lifestyle and romanticism of English country houses. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in a literal cottage to get the look. Here’s how to bring this design style into your home.
THE WALLS
6
tips for setting up a small kitchen
Do you need more room in your cramped kitchen? Here are six smart ideas to make the most of a small space.
1. Mount a rail to the wall. Use a support bar and hooks to hang utensils, measuring cups, pots, pans, oven mitts,cutting boards and anything else you want to keep handy.
To create a dreamy and poetic atmosphere, paint the walls in pastel tones.Alternatively, apply a flowery wallpaper.Just make sure the print isn’t too busy, as this can overwhelm the space.
THE FLOOR
Whether it’s wood or ceramic, light flooring is a good fit for the cottagecore look. If you add a rug, consider choosing a white or beige macramé model.
THE FURNITURE
Wood, wicker, rattan and other natural materials contribute to a country esthetic. Look for chairs,tables, beds and other furniture made of these materials.Vintage and antique pieces are also on theme.
Floral prints and botanical fabrics will set the right tone. Plants are a must, but consider incorporating dried or fresh flowers into the space as well. Handmade items, vintage dishware and folk art pieces are also a good fit.
To create the cottagecore look in your home, visit shops and antique dealers in your area.
When furnishing a room, a little planning goes a long way. Most importantly, it helps you avoid making impulse purchases and selecting furniture that’s the wrong size.Here are some tips to help you make the right home decor choices.
1. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIORITIES
Before you start furniture shopping, list everything you need in order of importance.This will help you determine how much of your budget to put toward each item. For instance, if you have trouble sleeping, you may decide to splurge on your mattress rather than on a dresser or vanity. Or, if you work from home, you may want to spend a little extra on an ergonomic office chair.
2. LOOK FOR DEALS
Once you’ve planned your purchases, it’s time
to bargain hunt. Be on the lookout for sales and promotions, but keep in mind that sometimes you need to be patient to take advantage of the best discounts. If the item you’ve set your sights on is unlikely to drop in price, see if your local retailers can suggest solutions. For example, you may be able to get a deal on display models or pieces that have slight imperfections.
3. THINK LONG-TERM
Make smart investments by choosing styles that have a timeless look and don’t merely reflect the current fad. If you want to indulge in a few trendy pieces, opt for inexpensive items that you can sell or donate in a few years.
Finally, consider making an effort to buy locally. You don’t have to go far to find talented furniture makers and well-curated furniture stores.
2. Hang shelves. Install them above the stove, fridge, countertop and doorway. Shelves provide an easy storage solution for spices, bins of pasta, candy containers, fresh herbs and more.
3. Opt for integrated design features. Built-in appliances or a trash chute incorporated into the countertop can help you make the most of a small space. Similarly, a slide-out shelf can extend your countertop surface.
4. Get two-in-one appliances. A combination oven, which acts as both an oven and a microwave, allows you to have a single appliance that can bake, grill and reheat food.A microwave with a built-in hood is also a great option.
5. Install cabinets close to the ceiling Build them high to maximize storage space, and use the top shelves for items you rely on less frequently. Just be sure to keep a folding step ladder nearby so you can easily reach any item.
6. Invest in a portable cooktop. Some electric cooktops
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Practical and often stylish, a stand mixer is a must-have kitchen gadget for all amateur bakers and cooks. Depending on the selected attachment, you can use your mixer to make cake batter, bread dough, fresh pasta and even your own sausages.
If you’re in the market for your own mixer, but don’t know which one to choose, consider the following:
SIZE
Take into account how often you make cakes, breads and other baked goods and the
volume of the batches you make. At the very least, the mixing bowl should be big enough to hold a recipe for one layer cake or loaf of bread.
POWER
It’s important to know that the number of watts isn’t representative of the machine’s power. Rather, wattage indicates the amount of power that’s used by the machine. Look instead towards factors like capacity and where the motor is installed. Higher-end mixers tend to have the motor on top where the accessories go and not in the stand.
ACCESSORIES
Other than the basic accessories (whisk, flat beater and dough hook) ask yourself if you’ll want to make foods that require extra accessories, like homemade pasta. If so, choose a mixer that has attachments for these things.
SPEED
To get the most use out of your stand mixer and make the greatest number of recipes, experts recommend machines have at least five speeds.
STYLE
Because mixers generally adorn your counter permanently, make sure you choose one that matches your kitchen’s decor.
Are you fed up with your home’s outdated floors? Or maybe you find them hard to maintain? Every year, flooring products become more innovative, beautiful and durable. Here are four of today’s best options.
1. FAUX WOOD
You’re probably already familiar with laminate flooring that looks like hardwood, but did you know that there are porcelain and ceramic tiles that also mimic the colours and textures of wood? These products are both attractive and incredibly durable.
2. VINYL
If you dream of luxurious floors made of natural stone or exotic wood but they’re not in your budget, vinyl is the answer. With both floating tile and adhesive sheet styles, this material can
imitate the bamboo, concrete or tile flooring you dream of for a fraction of the price. Vinyl’s also an ideal choice for bathrooms and kitchens because it’s both durable and waterproof.
3. METALLIC EPOXY
If you’re looking for bold, cuttingedge flooring, this is the top choice for you. The mix of epoxy and polyurethane allows you to create any look and colour you want, making it perfectly suited to your style and your home’s design esthetic. It will turn your floors into works of art.
4. ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS
Hardwood, bamboo, cork and stone are eco-friendly flooring options that are easy to maintain, repair and recycle. These “green” materials are classics and will add value to your home.
Garbage disposal units: types and features
Modern garbage disposal units can grind larger amounts of food waste in short amounts of time. They’re also safer, quieter and less smelly than their predecessors. Here’s a closer look at contemporary food disposers.
TYPES
There are two basic types of garbage disposal units — continuous feed and batch feed.
• Continuous feed: This is the most popular type of disposal unit. It allows food to be pulverized quickly, which minimizes the risk of blockages. Waste is reduced to tiny pieces that go directly down the drain.
• Batch feed
This type of food disposer needs to be covered with a specially fitted lid before it goes to work. While it’s less common, it’s a safer choice, making it ideal for people with young children at home.
FEATURES
Newer garbage disposal units are insulated to reduce their signature grinding sound. Certain models also come with a shield to alleviate unpleasant smells.
Woven tapestries, macramé, quilts, pompoms and hanging fringes are taking centre stage. Popular in the ’70s, textile wall hangings are once again decorating modern walls. Rugs and shag carpets are also joining the party and giving walls a fresh new look.
Wall hangings can be used in almost any room in your house. Employ stark contrasts, like ivory macramé on a charcoal or navy wall, to make decor pop. Different sizes and
shapes will add visual interest to an otherwise drab space.
If you’re looking for a stylish and exotic way to dress up your living room or bedroom, opt for massive mandalas or woven pieces suspended on bamboo dowels.
Whether your style is demure or daring, this ’70s design trend will add a modern and fresh look to your home.
Freestanding bathtubs (that don’t rest up against walls) are all the rage these days both for rustic and modern design enthusiasts. Read on to find out more about a trend that’s making waves around the world.
Easy to incorporate into any design, freestanding bathtubs come with different features depending on the model:
• Walls can be very thin or on the thicker side
• Faucets can be installed on the floor or directly on the tub
• Space for one or two people
• Therapeutic jets
• Backrests
• Acrylic, stone or iron structures
• Numerous available colours (white, grey, black, beige, pink, blue, yellow)
• Curved or angled lines
• Distinctive shapes, such as oval, rectangular or figure-eight
Choose highquality faucets to enhance the beauty of your freestanding bathtub. Metallic finishes, such as nickel, chrome, bronze and brass, are excellent choices. Whether you’re looking for retro, modern, minimalist or antique, you can easily find the style that inspires you at your local home improvement store.
Before setting your heart on a particular freestanding bathtub, ask yourself the following questions. Does your bathroom have enough space to house one? Does your water heater have the capacity to supply enough hot water to fill it up? Do you have any physical limitations that could keep you from getting in and out of a deep bathtub? If none of these restrictions apply, go ahead and take the plunge!
