Category Archives: Lifestyle

Things to consider when planning a loft conversation

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A loft conversation can often be the answer when you are struggling for space in your current home. You can create extra bedrooms, another bathroom or study space by converting your loft, and this can often mean you can stay in the home you love, rather than needing to move out as your family grows. But there are some key points that you need to consider when you opt to convert your loft. These will ensure you get the best out of the space you have, and are not left disappointed.

Will the Space be big enough for your needs

My husband Pete is a loft conversion specialist and says that one of the problems he sometimes faces is that people are disappointed with how big their new loft space is. You have to bear in mind that one side of the roof will remain sloping, so you will not get the same amount of space has you have on your current first floor. You also need to consider your existing roof height. It needs to be a minimum of two metres in height – after all, you do need to be able to stand up in the new room.

One way you can make your space appear larger is through your use of flooring and colour. The key is to keep everything neutral and not busy. Creams and beige’s give a feeling of space and calm and this can allow your loft space to feel bigger than it is. Similarly, opt for solid wood flooring in a shade like light grey oak (brilliant for a bedroom) or natural oak. These will prove to be hard wearing, but the colour will help to create that illusion of space that is so important.

Light

Lofts are notoriously dark spaces, so you need to add light. The best way to do this is with a Salstro roof window. Salstro, produce the best quality roof windows and you can find a wide range of styles and sizes. The windows come with a ten year guarantee, and in a range of finishes to suit the style of your new room.

The staircase

The configuration of the new staircase into the loft space is probably the most important thing to consider. You don’t want to be in the position of losing a room downstairs if you are only going to be gaining one new room in your loft. The most popular loft conversions create one new bedroom and an ensuite bathroom that works from an existing stairs and landing. This is the best situation for creating a new space.

Finding the right company

A loft conversation is a massive job, so you need to look carefully when it comes to choosing a team/company to convert your roof space. Look for a reputable company and read up on customer testimonials. This is your home so you deserve the best team.

If you take all these points into consideration, you should be able to create a beautiful new living space in your home.

 

 

Choosing Your Eye Makeup Based On Your Clothes

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This is a question that appears much more often than you may think. Different people have different skin tone and eye colour. If you want to look your best, you want to consider various parts of your body, including hair colour and eye colour. Choosing great eye makeup based on the clothes you wear is going to make your entire appearance look complete.

Blue Eyes

In this case the best possible colours to consider are blue, pink, purple, violet, taupe, black and gray. Add some subtle shades when wearing day clothes and opt for the darker, trendy alternatives as you create your night look. All blue eye shades are brightened by fuchsia, turquoise and silver. If you are thinking of wearing this shade as a daytime look, make sure you opt for a matte eyeshadow. In order to make your colour really pop, look at the All in one pressed banana powder from Ofra Cosmetics, this banana scented matte powder will help you to conceal any dark shadows from under the eyes and can also highlight your under eye area.

Green And Hazel Eyes

The hazel eyes tend to reflect surrounding colours. In this case you do not want to take the clothes rules into account. It is important to change eye makeup colours so that they perfectly match different outfits. The exception is when the colours do not look good based on the skin tone you have. Most often the hazel eyes will appear green. This is why you want to consider khaki, plumb, deep green and brown as they perfectly match. Use various shades in the color families mentioned so that you would create a perfect look for various outfits and occasions. The really funky favorites are light green, gold and bright purple.

Brown Eyes

All brown eyes will look awesome in shades of purple, orange, brown, plump, pink, deep blues, peach and salmon. Colours will look best when matched with skin undertones. As an example, in the event you have olive skin and brown eyes you are going to look great when using shades of brown, peach and pink. If the skin is fair and you have dark hair, shades of plum and pink should be considered. Always consider lime green, hot pink, royal blue and tangerine as funky favorite colors.

Classics With All Eye Colours

Charcoal, navy or white base will define the area around the eyes and highlighting is great with soft powder blue shadows. Try to consider using gold or silver shimmer. All eyes will pop with sparkle shadow. Finding the eye shadows colours with an exact match to your eye colour will normally be tricky. We cannot use magical combinations as we are different. This includes tastes and opinions.

Conclusions

The tips mentioned above are going to do wonders but it is always a really good idea to experiment. Applying eye makeup will often make clothes look different but your personal experience is the one that should have the final say. Do be sure that you consider colour season to properly determine makeup colours used. Never choose colours that do not match for a safe combination

Dream Kitchen Style

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In general, I love my home. I love the fact that I have a dining room, my bathroom is my oasis of calm and has a huge Victorian stand alone bath which I love, and I have a huge garden that is integral to our family life. So, in general, pretty happy with my lot. But if I could change anything at all, it would be my kitchen. It is small, just slightly larger than a galley style. And although we have made the situation better by creating an extension for the utilities, there is still very little space when preparing food, and it can feel cramped with more than one person in it.

So what sort of kitchen would I have in an ideal world with more space? The sort that have huge islands in the centre where family can eat and chat together, or kids can do their homework whilst you prepare dinner (I’m sounding all Brady Bunch here, aren’t I?). The sort that have all those cupboards where space is properly utilised, so that you have a space that is earning its keep.I love hand built and individually designed kitchens, the work of skilled craftsman that are designed to last, that can be handpainted in any colour that you chose, so that, as well as designing your layout, you get a kitchen that suits your personality too. I love solid wood flooring that is not only stylish, but is also hard wearing, and can either give your kitchen a heritage look, or one that is totally contemporary and minimal.

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I love Shaker style kitchens. These have a traditional feel as they are based on pieces from the 19th century, in American provincial style. Units tend to be wood rather than modern glossy materials, and the style is one that avoids fashion and trends, meaning it will still be good ten years after you have installed it. The Shaker style below shows how using a shot of beautiful colour can make the traditional design feel bang up to date, and totally aspirational – my dream kitchen!

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You really can create the most wonderful and desirable kitchen spaces, that also include products that will be durable and long lasting. A dream kitchen is an aspiration that is not beyond your wildest dreams, so if you are looking for kitchen design, maybe do a bit of reseaching on pinterest to see what others have done with a space similar to yours. Or just enjoying dreaming of your perfect space.