Category: entryway

Experts Tips On Choosing The Right Furniture Removal Company That Cares
Relocation is never easy; often the hardest part of relocation is not in settling down in the new place, or in getting used to the new residence but in finding a removal company that can move your furniture and other goods, without causing any damages, or breakages. And of course, they must also come with an attractive price tag for any such services to be rendered. In essence, you must be able to locate a furniture removal company that does a spectacular job and yet does not charge an arm and a leg. Sounds impossible, right? And that’s why we have collated some of the best tips which should enable you to locate the best furniture removal companies in and around your current location, with ease.

Interior Design Breeze Giannasio. Photo by Stacy Zurin Goldberg
- Research: The first thing that you need to do is to research online for furniture removal companies in and around your current location. Once you have the list of furniture removal companies, you need to check out their respective websites, find out how long they have been in this business and about their past projects. Additionally, you may also want to check and see what their past customers had to say about their services, so make a point of reading their online reviews as well. This should give you a fair idea as to how good the company in question happens to be and furthermore, you can also ask them for a free estimate and then sort the list out by whittling it down to a select few. Search online by using this search string furniture removalists Sydney as that should get you more than a few removalists in and around your current location.
Interior Design Breeze Giannasio. Photo by Stacy Zurin Goldberg
- Storage: If you are planning to store more than half of your current furniture and only relocating to the new location with what’s essential, then you may need to contact furniture removal companies who also offer storage facilities. Google search for best removalists in Sydney, and that should get you some of the top leading furniture removal companies in your current location. Now, contact them individually and find out if they also offer storage solutions as it makes more sense to go ahead with a company that offers both relocation and storage solutions as that can save you a bundle in the process.
Interior Design Breeze Giannasio. Photo by Stacy Zurin Goldberg
- Pre-move survey: You may also want to contact the firm in question and ask them over to provide you with a pre-move survey as well as an estimate on how much the relocation would cost you. Most of the companies would be more than happy to provide you with the same and would let you know how long it would take them to move your furniture and other items over and how much it would exactly cost as well.
Interior Design Breeze Giannasio. Photo by Stacy Zurin Goldberg
- Insurance: Top of the line removal companies would be covered by insurance which should provide you and your items with the required protection from any sudden and unexpected damage, during the moving process. You may have hired the company to move your antique furniture to a new destination and in the process, your priceless chair or mirror may get broken. But since these removal firms carry insurance, you should be able to claim compensation for your loss.
- Cost: This can vary from one company to another and it should be pointed out that cheap does not necessarily mean the best. You may want to find out if the removal companies offer any add on services such as packing and un-packing and opt for the same, for obvious reasons.
Interior Design Breeze Giannasio. Photo by Stacy Zurin Goldberg

These are some of the expert tips that should enable you to find the best furniture removal companies in and around your current location. Make sure that once you have located the right firm, you contact them right away and get them to sign an agreement agreeing to the terms and conditions that you both agree with. Now, all you have to do is to get ready for the big day and hope that the furniture removal company helps to transport your furniture in one piece. Thanks to Acorn Furniture Removals for collaborating!
May 1, 2019
Modern Rustic Inspiration

Growing up on a farm, I feel at home in a rustic interior. That being said, I also like interiors that are uncluttered and have very clean lines. One doesn’t easily find a straight line in nature, so in my eyes blending straight, clean lines with natural organic elements is an art form. Here are some interiors that I think perfectly blend modern with rustic.

Yes. Dark hardwood floors. Tons of natural light. Textured wide wood plank ceilings. Sliding barn doors. YES.

via Pinterest via Tidbits and Twine

I think this is Meg Ryan’s kitchen. Love all of the white and wooden beams.
via DecorPad

You can also successfully incorporate bright colors in a neutral palette. I’d personally use the brights as accents or pops of color.
via Home Adore

Man oh man. I’d be getting dirty A LOT just to spend more time in this bathroom. Pepple tile on the floor, copper tub, wide wood plank walls, exposed brick….!!
via Pinterest via BlogLovin

This bedroom is styled to the hilt but I’m a sucker for a pretty bed. The headboard brings in texture and an organic sensibility, while the window casings and moldings create a tailored look.

via Pinterest via HomeEdit

Are my stables just outside to the right? That’s what I’d expect if this were my foyer. Exposed wood beams, stone floors, a mirrored wall..that amazing neutral and monochrome oriental rug!!
via DecorPad

Tired of the same old wainscoting and paint and wallpaper? Consider shiplap or wood plank walls for a unique and rustic look. The straight diagonals, verticals, and horizontals keep this hall and staircase crisp and clean.
via Pinterest via Decoist

April 22, 2019
Skills That Can Save You a Lot on Home Maintenance Costs

via decorpad

Because of its high cost, a residential property is a major investment that requires years of preparation and financial adjustments. Hence, being finally able to live in the house that you bought just brings you this undeniable feeling of fulfillment; it’s like being rewarded for all the sacrifices that you made to get here. Indeed, owning a house is one of the greatest achievements for young professionals like you.

But keeping a house is rarely a one-time deal. Work does not stop just because you have already put a residential property under your name. On the contrary, a new set of demands comes into being at that very moment–there is now a need for you to take care of home repairs and home maintenance tasks.

Most homeowners hire professionals to take care of their home repair and maintenance needs. Surely, this adds a significant amount to their regular expenses. If you have a lot of money to spare, this really is not a problem. But if you are someone who wants to save as much as they can, then learning a few skills might be of help to you. In this article, we present a few valuable skills that you can learn if you want to save big on home maintenance costs.

via decorpad

Painting

A house looks its most attractive when its exposed surfaces are freshly painted. But because of their exposure to the elements, even the most brightly colored paints can lose their luster in no time. This where skills in house painting come in handy. Having the ability to take care of the home painting task on your own will not only save you money, it will also make it easier for you to experiment with colors and strokes, allowing for a truly personalized finish.

House painting skills can also be used on interior walls. With these skills, you will gain the ability to change the look and feel of any room at any time.

via decorpad

Welding

Welding sounds like an intimidating task, but it has actually become a hobby for many, and a valuable one at that. Through it, you will be able to create decorative sculptures that are made of metals. You can also produce railings and pot holders for your indoor ornamental plants.

via decorpad

But because welding is an activity that involves fire and heat, there is a need for you to wear the proper outfit every time you do it. Look for protective outfits from established brands such as Mathey Dearman at Weldingoutfitter.com for maximum safety.

via decorpad

Woodworking

Shelves, side tables, stools, and even decorative wooden centerpieces are items that you might want to add at points in your home life. Many people shy away from actually having them because they can be expensive if they are made by someone else. But if you have great woodworking skills, then you can very well use them to build such items on your own.

via decorpad

Having carpentry skills can also come in handy if there are minor repairs needed around the house. Issues such as broken trims and dislodged window or door frames are going to be such easy issues to address.

Having a hobby is a must if we are to truly enjoy life. But a hobby is going to be a lot more valuable if it allows you to master skills that have practical applications. Thanks to Lora Young for consulting on this post!

March 21, 2019
Spanish Colonial House Tour: Don’t miss it!

Spanish Colonial House

This Spanish Colonial is in Santa Monica and was built in 1928. It went through some changes but then ultimately wasn’t touched for 50 years. That is, until designer Christine Markatos Lowe relocated from SOHO with her family and decided to lovingly restore it while preserving all of it’s charm and character.

Archways galore. Can you have too many? I love the old wood floors contrasting with the stainless steel island. And that chevron tile backsplash?

The entry is kept true to the houses roots by being light and sparse.

Materials are kept relatively unadorned and allowed to shine.

The tiled powder room and stairway are new to the home, but fit in beautifully.

The home originally only had 1 bathroom – not easy with 2 kids, so Christine rethought the entire floor and added an extra bathroom.

Believe it or not this is the mudroom, adorned with pink and green. It used to be a breakfast nook, but with a busy family I’d pick a landing pad over a breakfast nook any day!

See/read the whole story at Domino Magazine.

Want to see more Spanish Colonial homes? Check out Sheryl Crow’s 1926 Spanish Colonial in Hollywood Hills

February 22, 2019
Sophisticated Simplicity: A gorgeous new book from Suzanne Kasler and Rizzoli

Sophisticated Simplicity

I haven’t found a Rizzoli book I didn’t like, and Suzanne Kasler’s Sophisticated Simplicity is no exception and DOES NOT disappoint. Whenever my kids are driving me a little too crazy or I’ve been out half the day running errands I know I’ll be able to find a little moment of zen by flipping open Sophisticated Simplicity and perusing a couple of homes.

The following text comes from Rizzoli, as they can describe Kasler’s book and style more accurately than I can.

With the release of her third title SOPHISTICATED SIMPLICITY; Suzanne Kasler wows us once again with her luxuriously inviting interior style and unique design philosophy.
Kasler is known for rooms designed with a foundation in tradition, pretty palettes, and timeless sophistication. She mixes American and European eclectic furnishings to create comfortable living spaces highly sought after.

In this collection of recent unseen residences in the city, country and at the shore, Kasler reflects on catalysts for her inventiveness. Richly photographed profiles include inviting and modern family homes and oceanfront estates. Here the designer shows how she incorporates fresh ways to create a pool house, outdoor spaces for entertaining, and assembling captivating vignettes. The result is a wealth of original ideas and a welcome addition to every design library.

What a nice place to end the day. I love Kasler’s mix of hard and soft, luxe and casual, neutrals and textures. I highly recommend Sophisticated Simplicity by Suzanne Kasler and Judith Nasatir for anyone who appreciates calm and serene interiors!

February 7, 2019
What is Address Cleansing?

For prospective renters and landlords alike, there are many benefits to background checks and thorough vetting. It builds trust early, and it helps create peace of mind for all parties involved. Particularly in the digital age when more and more landlords are advertising their properties through the internet rather than through traditional means, it’s important for both tenants and landlords to feel secure and knowledgeable about who they’re entering into a contract with.

Nonetheless, tenants and landlords must both be willing to share the skeletons in their closet, so to speak, in order to avoid potential issues down the line. We’ve all heard the horror stories, but ending up in an unsavory situation can be avoided by doing your research beforehand. While landlords typically use simple rental application tools online, one resource that’s still being overlooked by many landlords is the collective process of addressing cleansing, which we’ll explain in further detail below.

via Ciao! Newport Beach

Background checks help tenants and landlords

A past eviction notice, poor credit history, or a criminal background are not instant black marks against a potential renter. There are numerous reasons why tenant background checks are necessary. There may have been a time when landlords were skeptical about using online platforms to list properties, but now it’s commonplace. Currently, some 27 percent of Americans are renting rather than purchasing properties, and many seek potential listings online.

via Ciao! Newport Beach

Most landlords agree that online rental listings are beneficial so long as they are credible (that is, not posted on Craigslist), and the vast majority of landlords recommend that their tenants use a simple rental application since it allows for quick yet thorough screening.

The process is easy for tenants to use, and just as easy for landlords to review a whole slew of important information, including rental history, credit history, references, eviction notices, preferred move-in dates, and whether the tenant has pets. Having as much knowledge at your disposal as possible before setting up a meeting in person allows both the tenant and landlord to start off on the right foot.

via Ciao! Newport Beach

The value of address cleansing

Landlords who wish to further investigate applications can do so through a lesser-known process known as address cleansing. If you’re unfamiliar with this term, you’re not alone. Address cleansing is the process of structuring and then validating an address to ensure it exists in the appropriate country or region.

An address must first be structured or standardized in the official format used in that particular region, and then compared against the official address database. In the United States, this database is managed by the US Postal Service. A fake address, formatted “correctly”, can easily slip by the most observant landlord’s notice.

via DIY Network

The crucial final step

Since many landlords skip the address cleansing step and choose to take it at face value that a rental history lists only valid addresses on an application, they face the potential of running into a massive scam. A tenant with a spotty or shady rental history who wishes to avoid being found out can easily lie by bungling their rental application, and their landlord would be none the wiser.

Scammers find new and innovative ways of evading notice, even with highly credible screening resources. As you can imagine, address cleansing is an asset that more and more landlords are using to screen their tenants thoroughly and ensure that they get exactly what is promised on an otherwise normal-looking application.

Thanks to Smart Payables for consulting with us on this post!

October 5, 2018
Trying to Keep Pests from Becoming Pets

We sort of anticipate that a bug or two will crawl or land on us when we are outdoors. But if we’re are relaxing at home and spot a roach crawl across the counter or flies swarm around our light fixtures, it’s safe to say we start to get upset.

As homeowners, we can’t fool ourselves into believing a bug problem can be solved with a single solution or ordinary routines. Entomologists will tell you no matter how clean your home is or how well the pest control company cleared away last year’s infestation, certain bugs will eventually make their way back inside.

via A Crafted Passion

How Did That Get In Here?

How do our local pests and insects enter our home and how can we lessen their entryway? There are several avenues that these clever little pests can enter, often unaware.

Believe it or not, insects can hitch a ride on our clothing or our grocery bags. Rodents can enter our home from boxes of products that we ordered through a delivery service or something we purchased from our local retail stores.

A natural environmental change that inspires insects and rodents to try and enter our home is Mother Nature. Weather changes affect the instinct of pests to try and find warmth or coolness, food, and other nesting locations.

Our homes or crawl spaces offer all three enviable environments for pests of all types. Seasonal changes are a very common factor for pests to seek shelter from temperatures that do not agree with them.

via ?

Keep Your Home Pest Free

Many pests like insects and spiders like dark, quiet areas away from people. If your home has a pile of twigs, leaves, high grass or weeds on the outside, this is perfect for pests to call home and possibly find a way into your home through cracks, tiny holes, etc.

Keep the border around your home free from an environment that is very inviting to pests. Also, check for little openings around your windows and doors. Use caulk to seal any ant size holes near windows, doors, and walls.

Caulking around appliance pipes is also a good idea especially when there are leaks or repairs around washers and dryers that need to be made to keep them operational.

Opening windows to let some fresh air into our homes is a natural seasonal action. Do you have a screened-in window? If so, check for small holes that flying or crawling insects can enter through.

There are screen repair kits in home improvement stores. Investing in their use helps a great deal and you can continue to open your windows.

If you keep your trash container close to the house, make sure that you keep a lid on it. First, however, we should always line our trash cans. When we place discarded food and other trash inside our outdoor trash cans, tightly close the liner. The same holds true for indoor trash containers.

via A Crafted Passion

Impact of Infestations

Certain insects like ants, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes can spread illness in humans. During the middle ages, the bubonic plague swept through much of Europe and parts of Africa, killing millions in the process. Centuries later, research would conclude fleas were the primary transmitter of the disease. In recent years, the Zika virus has been making headlines as a disease spread in part by mosquitoes. Such cases demonstrate the potential for great danger in the event a disease is easily spread by pests.

via Modern Sanctuary

Using Pest Control Companies

Pest control specialists are the best defenders of our homes. They use specialized treatment formulas that are friendly to humans but not to any pests that are in our homes, apartments, offices, etc.

Prevention is the best medicine. Prevention is the ideal method for keeping rodents and invading pests from our homes. Pest control companies are specialists in rodent protection, termite inspections, and many other pest services.

via DecorPad

Licensed pest control companies are available to schedule monthly, quarterly, or annual visits to help keep your property under invading surveillance. They offer different packages to combat invaders or they will customize a plan for your security and comfort.

Thanks to Moxie Services for collaborating on this post!

September 27, 2018
Inexpensive Ways To Update Any Room

If your home is in serious need of a facelift but you’re on a tight budget there’s no need to despair. There are lots of ways that you can update any room of your home without breaking the bank. No matter how low your budget, there are still lots of solutions to bringing your spaces bang up to date.

Repaint A Wall

Giving your home a lick of paint can bring any space up to date. Paint is inexpensive, and you can quickly complete a painting project in a couple of days meaning that your room will be looking great in no time. If your budget is really tight, you don’t even need to paint the entire room. Why not create an eye-catching feature by painting just a single wall? You can do this even more quickly by using a paint sprayer – click here now to find out about the best and most affordable models on the market today.

via Design*Sponge

Changing Your Hardware

Another affordable way to upgrade your room is to change out your existing hardware for something a little more attractive. If you’re updating your kitchen you can replace your cabinet and drawer handles, whereas if you’re upgrading any other room you can change your switch plates for smart new ones.

via CozyHomeDecorProjects

Make A Gallery Wall

Any room of your home will look better with a gallery wall, and you can create one at a very low cost. Simply invest in a few cheap photo frames and showcase your favorite images, being playful and creative with the way in which you hang the pictures. If your budget is even lower, you could simply use washi tape to fix your photos to your wall.

via AlwaysRad.com

Bring Nature Indoors

Bringing plants or fresh flowers into your home will give any space a new lease of life. You can buy a low cost bouquet during your weekly shopping trip, pop it into a pretty vase and instantly your table, shelf or windowsill gets a lift. You could even just cut a few flowers from your back yard and display them for free!

via Ethan Alan

Add An Accent Piece

If you’re a savvy shopper you can find some beautiful accent pieces that will upgrade your home without costing the earth. There are many chains and big-box stores which sell affordable decorative items that are within reach of anyone on a budget but which will add a contemporary look to any room of your home.

via McGee and Co

Move Your Furniture Around

It might sound basic, but you’ll be surprised by how much difference rearranging your furniture and accessories can make in your home. We get so used to seeing a room looking a certain way that if we just move a few pieces around it’s almost as good as buying a whole new set of furnishings! You know what they say – a change is as good as a rest!

via The Every Girl

Buy A Rug

If you can only afford to add one new thing to your room, make it a rug. A rug adds color, pattern and texture to any space and will instantly give your room a lift. You can define an area in an open plan space or just add some vibrancy to a neutral room.

via Style Me Pretty

Restyle Your Shelving

Similar to moving your furniture around to get a whole new look, you can do the same on a smaller scale with your shelving or display cabinets. Move your ornaments, photos and books around and you’ll be surprised by the difference that it can make without spending a cent. If you can afford to spend a little more, you could invest in a few small decorative items such as candles, which will look great on a budget.

via Stylecurator.com.au

Hopefully, these top tips for updating any room on a budget will give you some inspiration for your home. Happy decorating!

Thanks to Paintsprayers.com for partnering with us!

July 3, 2018
Bohemian Interiors – A perfect vibe for summer

There is something about Bohemian Interiors that just say summer to me. It’s most likely the laid-back vibe that is also akin to summer at the beach.

The bright colors and natural textures say “no stuffiness here,” You can also find a lot of natural textures and layering.

An artistic collection adorns this book shelve without too much worry about symmetry or adhering to a palette. It’s perfectly off-balance.

A fun gallery wall.

You don’t need to go wild with color to have a bohemian style. With a lot of layers of soft surfaces and textures, even this rather monochromatic space gives off a laid-back but cultured vibe.

June 5, 2018
Minimalist styling: Pared-down decor

Maybe it’s that my life is total chaos right now with a 7 month old and 3 year old, but I find myself wanting to really pare down my decor and go for a more minimalist styling on my shelves and surfaces. I still like what I’ve done with all of our “stuff,” ie, books, souvenirs, objects, etc., but I just need more visual white space and room to breathe. Our space is open concept but very small and with toys strewn about most of the day gets to looking very cluttered very fast

Minimalist Styling

I find a minimal, pared-down styling approach more challenging than a traditional one. There’s only so many items for the eye to look at, so if the balance is off it’s more obvious. Make sure your objects are kept tight and close. If these items were pushed against the sides of the bookcases the eye would get lost moving from one object to another, because there would be too much space between them.

via Studio McGee

I really, really like having my countertops as empty as possible, but with nothing on them they can look institutional. So whether it be a small collection of canisters or cacti, let them be the show-stopper and leave the rest of your counter open as workspace.

via showyourvote.org

via Elle Decor

Go for one large piece of art as opposed to a loose grid of smaller works.

Pare Down Decor

It seems that with minimalist styling, you really need to be aware of scale. Opt for one large piece as opposed to a cluster of small objects that will end up feeling unanchored on an otherwise barren table scape. Plants are also a great tool because they can offer color and something with soft lines on a large scale, which can be harder to find.

via ?

Outer Order, Inner Calm

After a fun but chaotic morning at the playground, I want to walk in to this…

clean and uncluttered.

via House Beautiful

June 4, 2018