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When you are designing your fireplace or when you simply want to give it a facelift one of the ideas that you will probably have in mind is to use oak beams. This is justifiably so because oak has the natural beauty that will give your fireplace that sparkle that you desire. However, if you do not know how to buy oak beam fireplace you may end up getting disappointed. Your carpenter or your timber merchant should advise you accordingly, but the following are some of the factors that are used to define oak beams

Moisture content

This is the easiest factor that you can use to select your oak as there are only two options. The two options that you can choose from are dried oak or green oak. Dried oak has got no moisture in it and how the beams look when you purchase them is how you should expect them to look for a very long time to come. On the other hand, green oak is the one that has been cut recently, and it contains a lot of moisture and it will change its appearance significantly as it dries. (more…)

Many people hate plaster boarding. Why? Because it’s time consuming, boring and very tedious. That’ said, some people do enjoy it, and it’s definitely a job worth doing. If you can get the plaster boarding done right in a new home, your walls will look a lot better, and you make the job an awful lot easier for the plasterer.

Anyone can plasterboard, even the most inexperienced DIY enthusiasts. All you need is plasterboard, screws, a drill, a Stanley knife, a pencil and a tape measure. The trickiest part is measuring the boards because they have to be perfect for the place you’re fitting, and if you leave any gaps, you’re going to cause problems for the plasterer. If you measure correctly and screw into the frame of the wall with precision, you’ll have no problems, so save money and do it yourself, rather than leaving it to a so called ‘professional’.

There is a cosy warmth given off by a log burning stove that that central heating can never touch. It might be rooted to the idea that when warmth is mentioned, a wood fire is one of the images comes to mind. Whether your log-burning stove is brand new or you have been using it for decades, these basic efficiency ideas apply.

Use dry wood

It is important to use only properly dried wood in the stove. This includes the kindling, which should be from a light wood such as pine or cedar. Green wood is 50% water, which means for every kilogram of wood you use, there is a half litre of water in the stove. This moisture keeps the wood from burning properly and uses up a lot of the energy produced by the stove.

You can ensure that your wood is properly seasoned by drying it yourself. This is the cheapest option especially if you have space to store the wood. Drying the wood for one summer should be good enough, but if you can dry it for two summers that is even better.  (more…)

If you’ve never experienced the sensation you get from a whirlpool bath, it’s easy to dismiss it as an essential item in your home. That said, many people who have experienced it could never go back to a standard bathtub. Whirlpool tubs tend to be large, relaxing and spa-like, and they can soothe your muscles after a tough day at work.

Top models will include spotlights, speakers and many different jets, and we’re sure when you experience it, you’ll never want to get out! Some large whirlpool baths include seating sections, so you get the opportunity to relax sitting with a glass of wine, or the opportunity to lay down and let the jets get to work.

You can finish your day in style with a water jet bathtub, and you can select the jet powers to your own preferences, so don’t have any regrets over your next tub; choose a whirlpool.

The country style seems to be back with a bang, and it’s a firm favourite among shabby chic lovers. If you have a lot of dainty, colourful and elegant home accessories, then these can stand out in a white country bedroom.

White painted oak wardrobes, bedside cabinets and TV stands can create a bright and breezy bedroom; especially if you have matching white walls, and the entire space will then feel a lot more energetic and productive. Patchwork bed throws, vintage sofas and 50s inspired curtains can complete the look, and this delicate style is becoming extremely popular right now.

With a white country style, your bedroom will feel brighter, fresher and a lot more spacious, and you can then choose several colours to compliment your white country theme. The inclusion of different colours will add energy, character and life, whilst making sure your room doesn’t feel too ‘minimalist’.

Plain walls can work well if you’re aging for a minimalist style, but if you feel your walls are looking a little bit bland, there are plenty of ways to add some life.

Wallpaper

The easiest way to add some colour is by using wallpaper. It’s cheap to buy and easy to put up, and there are virtually unlimited colours and textures to choose between.

Photo galleries

These will bring personality to the rooms in your home, and nothing adds homeliness like those special family moments. Graduation, birthday and holiday photos can add colour, humour and happiness to your home.

Wall Stickers

These are great if you only want to add some details to your walls without changing the entire colour theme. You can buy famous quotes as wall stickers as well as different symbols and patterns, and these can work to create a feature wall, whilst it’s a very cheap option.

Paint

Adding a few layers of paint can be the obvious choice, and so it should be. It’s lasts fo years, it’s easy to apply and you can easily find a colour or a shade that matches your property, furniture and personality.

Solid oak can add style to your home and there are different tones to choose between, including dark walnut colours and light warm browns. You can create a unique style with oak furnishings, so whether you’re looking to add character to your living room, kitchen or bedroom, it’s easily achievable.

Combining different shades can work well too, while rustic oak furniture with splits, cracks and knots can add a country style to a home. Rustic bookcases, coffee tables and shelves can add even more personality, and these pieces can compliment contemporary furniture too.

Many people choose to incorporate quality oak furniture in their homes, and that’s because you can create a timeless style that impresses guests and lasts for decades. The more oak you have in your home, the more stylish it will be, whilst every piece of quality oak furniture is handcrafted and unique.

Sometimes it makes sense to draw out your ideas, especially if you’re trying to explain something quite technical to a friend or colleague, and that becomes a lot easier when you work in an office with white board walls.

This clever paint essentially allows you to transform all of your walls into whiteboards, so you can pick up a board pen whenever you like and jot your ideas down. You can also get artistic if you’re keen on regularly updating your walls, yet you may want get organised and list reminders, important dates or upcoming events.

There are so many different opportunities with white board walls, and they can make your office space more unique, productive and personalised, so make sure you consider this superb invention the next time you fancy a design change.

A vintage lampshade can add character to your living room, and the industrial metal style is currently back in trend, especially when it is hung low from the ceiling like you’ll see in the image below.

If you love the retro British style, then this type of lamp can enhance the look of your room, and the ‘old school’ style can be taken further with retro shelving, coffee tables and TV stands. There are different shapes and styles to choose between, but whether you want something classical, stylish or boxy; you should always make sure the light spread evenly throughout the room.

Having a series of low hanging vintage lampshades in the same style can be a nice option, and they can then work together as an eye-catching feature in a particular room. More and more people are combining vintage homeware with modern conveniences, and this is a great example of 21st century design.

Sliding doors can open out a dining room to a living room, and it gives you the opportunity to have a more open plan living space when it suits you, especially if the opening is quite large. Sliding doors are also regularly used in bedrooms to open out to dressing areas, as well as in conservatories and kitchens, and there are plenty of styles to choose between.

The operation can be different too, and so too can the materials used. A solid oak door can look really nice in a modern lounge area, while glass sliding doors are always beneficial if the space opens out to the garden or conservatory, as you can get nice views of the garden and plenty of fresh light.

If you have the opening to facilitate a large sliding door then it can add a unique style to your property, whilst making it feel lighter, airier and more open when it suits you.