New Year: New Home - How to Easily Inject some Colours into your Home?

 

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We've just headed into February and I'm feeling so discontent with my home this year. I'm not sure why, but I'm itching for change in 2025 and my issue is that I'm not particularly great at DIY. I don't want to spend a fortune engaging tradespeople but I also don't want to trash my house by attempting big jobs myself. So, if you are like me, limited in skills but wanting a new design in your home, read on for some easy ideas -

Change the Soft Furnishings

I know it is the classic answer but it works. You can buy cushions, duvet covers, rugs, throws, curtains etc all in the sales and for a reasonable price, so if you know you like to see changes every so often this is a good way to do it. 

If you have good storage space, you could even have two or three different sets of soft furnishings to swap to suit your mood. I have a friend who always changes their soft furnishings at the end of Winter and the end of Autumn so the colours work well with the natural light and the seasons. 

She makes sure her walls and flooring are neutral, so they work well with every colourway, and if you go for cream, beige, grey or stone bedding, again you can easily change the throws and cushions to brighten up your room and give yourself an instant boost. 

Opt for Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Did you even know there is peel and stick wallpaper available? I didn't. I must say I have never attempted wallpapering a room, as I used to watch my dad pasting, folding and hanging wallpaper when I was a little girl and it looked like a real art. He'd have his plumb line hanging to make sure it was straight, then he'd meticulously match up design features and that put me off for life.

However, peel and stick, I'd have a go at, especially when it can be applied with no more preparation than washing down your wall and when you've had enough it also peels easily off, without taking the paint and plaster with it. Genius! There are so many peel and stick wallpaper ideas out there, do take a look and see what takes your fancy. Look how easy it is to make a massive difference in the same space.

I enjoyed having a good look at all the different designs on the Love Vs Design website and the range is vast. From simple colour changes to stripes, small geometric patterns, botanicals to animals, damasks and even rainbows, there is something to suit everyone. I must say I had a bit of a soft spot for the pink cactus wallpaper. 

Update your Flooring

This can be a more costly option but it will certainly make a big change quite quickly. Whether you opt for a rug that you just need to buy and throw down or you go for a bright and intricate tile design on your floor, it will update your room and bring more colour in quickly. 

Don't be limited by your imagination, go along to a good flooring shop and speak to them for some inspiration. Have you thought about having two or three different rugs in a large space and slightly overlapping them, or use them to define different uses/ areas in a large room.

Go for the Clash

So many people think you have to choose a signature colour and stick with that in the room. Or maybe have your hero colour and add in a couple that sit close to it in the colour wheel, but if you want some serious impact and an update that will excite anyone who sees it, colour clashes can be the way to go.

I'm sure you've seen a room before where the kitchen cabinets are painted a bold colour like bright green or red and then the walls have the polar opposite and if you are bold enough, all your accessories can be in a third colourway. It really can work, you just need to have a play and see where your imagination takes you. Spend an enjoyable afternoon looking on the web. just type in colour clash home design and you'll have hundreds of pages to look through. This trend really does seem to be developing in recent years.

It doesn't matter what you choose to do, or whether anyone else likes you. You'll have to live with the changes you make and if they make you smile and bring you joy then I say that is a true win. Have fun!

Mum Life Meets Fashion: How to Keep Your Style Sharp Amidst the Chaos

 

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Being a mother is no small feat. From changing nappies to attending PTA meetings, the tasks and responsibilities are seemingly endless. In the midst of this dispersed routine, it's common for mums to lose sight of their previous way of life - one that included taking time to get ready and putting together stylish outfits. 

However, retaining your sense of style doesn't necessarily mean you have to forego your mum duties. With a little bit of thought, planning, and stocking up on some key wardrobe essentials, you can keep your fashion game on point, even amidst the chaos of motherhood. Let’s take a closer look at how to effortlessly balance motherhood while maintaining your personal style. 

 

Find Balance Between Fashion & Function

Embracing the mum life doesn't mean sacrificing your style. You can still look chic while staying comfortable and practical. Invest in good-quality basics that offer both style and ease, like stretchy jeans, flowy tops, and comfortable shoes. Don't forget to pack a few matching bikini sets for those family beach days, which provide both comfort and flair. A pair of easy-to-throw-on sunglasses and some simple yet elegant accessories can also instantly elevate your outfit, ensuring you feel stylish without compromising on function.

 

Easy-to-Style Wardrobe Essentials

Maxi dresses, loose-fitting cardigans, and wide-legged pants are fantastic pieces that are easy to put together while remaining stylish. Also, consider investing in some high-waisted jeans. They are fashionable and serve as a tucked tummy shield during those playground frolics. Versatile items like button-down shirts or knit sweaters can be mixed and matched leading you to look photo-ready at all times. 

 

Don’t Shy Away From Colours & Patterns

Dressing up as a busy mother doesn't have to mean sticking to boring, monochromatic outfits. This is where you can take out those matching bikini sets that have been waiting to see the light of day. Bright, bold colours and vibrant patterns not only add a fun element to your outfit but also cleverly disguise any accidental spills or smudges. 

 

Are plumbers regulated?

 

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When hiring a professional to work on your property in pretty much any capacity, you’ll want to make sure you get the right person for the job. We’ve all heard horror stories of ‘cowboy’ tradespeople, and it’s worth putting some effort into avoiding these situations. 

While in most cases, you’ll have to judge whether the individual or company in question is trustworthy, in others you’ll also have some regulatory frameworks to help you out. Here, we take a look at the different ways in which plumbers are regulated, and how you can use that information to help you get the right plumber for your needs.

What do plumbers work on?

Professional plumbers with the appropriate qualifications are able to work on the whole of your plumbing system in your home. That includes the water pipes, heating system, gas system, and drainage pipes on your property. While some of these will require more care than others to work with safely, all can result in serious incidents if repaired or installed in an unsafe manner by an unqualified plumber.

The different regulatory bodies

Plumbers are regulated, but not by a single entity. There are a few different regulatory bodies to be aware of.

Gas Safe Register

The most important regulatory body when it comes to plumbing is the Gas Safe Register. Any plumber who’s going to work on the gas system in your home, such as a boiler technician, must be registered on their list in order to legally work on your property. 

It’s easy to search for any plumber's name on the list, and it’s something that’s worth checking before hiring a plumber for any gas-related job. Whether that’s someone from a company like Able Plumbers or a professional who is self-employed, it only takes a second to put their name into the search box.

WaterSafe

For plumbers who work on water systems but not on gas, there is the WaterSafe register. Importantly, unlike the Gas Safe system, WaterSafe is voluntary. Plumbers do not legally need to be members in order to work on your water system, but it is an efficient and handy way of checking how trustworthy the individual is who you’re considering hiring for the job.

Qualifications

In most cases, professional plumbers will need to hold something like a Level 2 or 3 NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) in plumbing in order to work in that capacity. There are also City and Guilds Diplomas that can sometimes be used, and other plumbers may have qualified through other means. 

Regardless of how they received their training, to be authorised to work on a gas system, they will need to be Gas Safe Registered. If they say that their training was through another route but they aren’t Gas Safe Registered, then something is likely wrong and it’s worth going with another plumber. 

The regulations covering plumbers in the UK exist for your protection, and it’s important to take them seriously. By using things like the Gas Safe Register, you can help avoid using any dangerous tradespeople for any work you do on your house.