London For Nature Lovers

While in London, most people enjoy taking in all of this historic city’s sights and sounds, including the local culture and cuisine as well as the museums, shopping, and royal sites. But if you love the outdoors and the natural environment, you can find ways of fulfilling your need for fresh air and outdoor fun while you are enjoying everything else that London has to offer. Take a look at some of the more popular natural spaces throughout London, listed below, and make sure to squeeze in some time during your stay in this magnificent city so that you can reconnect with nature and wildlife while having fun with your entire family.

Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park

This 4-acre wetland, marsh, and meadow also features lovely lakes and streams that are perfect for calming your frazzled mind and reconnecting with the natural habitat that is host to a variety of plant and animal species. This is a bird watcher’s paradise, as there are so many different bird species that call the meadows and marshlands home, but you can also look for smaller animals along the trails, including frogs, toads, dragonflies, and newts, to name just a few.

London Wetland Centre

This 105-acre wildlife preserve, which is a nice escape from the nearby bustling, crowded city streets, was created in the year 2000 by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Here, you can enjoy beautiful and tranquil lagoons, pastures, and islets, as well as view a variety of birds or just sit and relax on one of the many benches. Visit the centre to find out how you can participate in one or more of their special activities, including guided walks, educational tours, bat watching walks, pond-dipping sessions, and even wildlife photography classes. Or, if you prefer to go it alone, you and your family can walk the trails and enjoy the serenity, as well as the abundant animal and plant life that surround you. A café with an outdoor terrace is perfect for getting a refreshment at any time, but you are also allowed to bring your own foods to enjoy a peaceful picnic on the grounds of the London Wetland Centre.

Boat Tours

See London from a whole new perspective by purchasing tickets for one of its many boat tours. Whether you are looking for a high speed ride to get your adrenaline pumping or a more relaxed cruise that will take you along the city’s main rivers and canals, there are many boating companies that each offers their own specialised, guided tours on the waters that surround the city. Enjoy moving along the River Thames or simply take the opportunity to see London’s major sights from the water for a whole new view.

Ice Skating

If you are visiting London in the winter, take advantage of some outdoor ice skating fun. You can choose from a variety of outdoor ice skating rinks that allow you to enjoy the physical activity while breathing the fresh, cold air and taking in the sights around you.

Jeffery Durrans 

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Interior Design Ideas For A Small Living Space Like An Apartment Or Loft

Small spaces like lofts and apartments can present some design challenges, but you can also allow yourself to be very creative when space is limited. There are many interesting things that you can do that add character to your space and make it more functional. There are ways to decorate a small space to keep it stylish and efficient.

The Kitchen

Kitchens can be a difficult room to decorate when they are small, but they can become a major place to create storage. If you only have a few upper cabinets to stash dishes and other kitchen essentials, try building some open shelves on the walls. This is easy because all it takes is some wood and a few brackets. Then, you can place small appliances, extra dishes and serveware and even small decorative items like cases and bowls on these shelves. Stick with metal brackets and paint the shelves in a dark wood to keep them modern.

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are often neglected because they tend to be small and we do not spend a lot of time in there. However, you can make a few small changes in your bathroom to create a more modern look. First, change out your mirror. Go for a new mirror with a brushed nickel frame in either a squared or oval shape. On either side of this, place modern sconces. If your vanity is outdated, paint it and then replace the handles with more modern ones in the same finish as your mirror frame. You can also replace towel bars, sink faucet and the shower/bath faucets for a quick and inexpensive modern update.

Living Room

If you have older furniture that you cannot afford to replace, you can update each couch, loveseat and chair with slipcovers and modern pillows. This actually makes quite a big difference. You can find more modern-looking tables for good prices at big box stores, second-hand stores and flea markets. If these are a little banged up, simply sand them down and then restain or repaint them. Replace your lamps with more modern ones and declutter the room. Modern looks are never cluttered. Simply keep decorative items to a minimum and space them out.

Bedroom

Sometimes creating a modern bedroom that is still comfortable can be a challenge. However, a few simple changes can make a difference. First, simplify your room. Declutter all shelves and tables and make sure nothing but furniture is on the floor. Choose a modern vase and put simple flowers in it in more neutral colors, like pastels or white. Place this on the dresser along with a more modern mirror. Switch out your bedding to a more simple arrangement. For example, a less puffy comforter, more luxurious sheets and fewer decorative pillows. Make sure your window treatments are just simple curtain panels or wooden blinds.

General Modern Changes

Look at your wall color and make sure that every room is a more neutral shade. Neutral colors are the cornerstone of modern design. Keep every room in your home clean and uncluttered. Make sure all furniture is simple and made up of clean lines. Try a consistent color theme throughout your home for a cohesive look and modern feel. If you are able, consider installing wood floors throughout your home and only using area rugs as decorative objects.

About the author: Robert Mansions is a writer for Apartments Management Group. Aside from constantly reviewing Chicago Apartment Rentals, Robert also enjoys keeping up with the real estate market and reading the newspaper.

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Tips for choosing the Perfect Colours when decorating - Guest blogging

Many homeowners feel overwhelmed and worried when choosing colors for their home, even though they one of the basic elements within decorating. Part of this is due to the wide variety of colors and shades; once you pick the color, there are many other decisions.

How light should the colour be? Will you get away with darker shades? Should you opt for warmer or cooler tones for the room? Is paint the best option or will another material, like fabric, work better?

The problems do not stop there. The impact will depend on the way that they are used and the type of room. Once you paint the walls, you may stand back and wonder if that really was the shade your selected. Too many people think that it means they have failed in decorating their home but it just means trial and error is required.

But how do various factors affect your decision and view afterwards?

The first consideration is the lighting when picking the samples or the type of material used to select the samples. Small chips of the color will not give the same view of a full wall or even the room. Different types of lighting in the home and using natural light will lead to the shades looking completely different than under the store’s tube lighting.

You will also need to consider the flooring, the colour of the ceiling and the furnishings around you. These can change the way the color looks and it may give an unflattering look.

That doesn’t mean you have to start using creams, whites and other neutral colors. Even the most professional interior designers don’t get it right the first time with every single job. The difference is they know how to take everything into account to get a rough idea that they can easily refine.

For help with choosing, use one of the tips from Better Homes & Gardens’ book, Colour: The Complete Guide for Your Home”. One recommendation is to start with colors that you know you like; you don’t need to know a lot about them to make them perfect.

There are other tips that the book offers to help you decide:

• Be guided by your instincts. Your gut is a great way to make an instant decision. You can then refine the choices afterwards with some practice and theory.


• Be guided by the colors of your clothes and furnishings. You will usually pick your favorite colors without really thinking about it. You could also look through various decorating magazines or books for style ideas and be guided by the ones that you like. Also, consider the architecture that you like as these often involve various colors that you can use.


• Use the entry way of the home as way to bridge the gap between outside and inside. Earthy tones, such as greens and browns, can help to be ready for a step into the home or for getting ready to face the weather outside. This can be incorporated into other rooms around the house.


• Do everything in stages. Doing it all in one go can lead to disaster, especially if you decide you don’t like the color. If you are working on many rooms in the house, focus on them one at a time to refine the process for choosing the color and make your home more personalized.

About the author: Stuart is an experienced builder in Sussex and runs Bem Builders LTD. 

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Vintage homeware design trends for 2013 - Guest blogging

If you love to be a style setter and up to date with the latest trends, then it is important that you get your home in order and prepared to keep up with the latest fashions in 2013. During the London Design Festival, all the top designers take the opportunity to showcase all the latest collections, from this we have brought together all the hot new trends you can implement into your home straight away without blowing your budget.

Retro Plants

It is thought that 2013 is going to be the year of greenery, not only to represent the inspired look of the 1950’s but also to represent the current environment we live in and how we need to be more ‘green’. For the past few years we have seen plenty of plant themed patterns, this has been shown through wallpaper designs, ornaments and even lamps! This year we are expected to see the retro botanical pattern everywhere!

There are many ways you can bring the retro botanical theme into your home; this can be through your wallpaper choice or home ware additions including cushions, curtains, lamps, rugs etc.

Grouped Mirrors

A grouped mirror design is expected to hit everywhere from our homes, restaurants to high street stores. Mirrors have always been a big part of our home as they reflect light across the room, making rooms seem much bigger than they actually are. Go to your local home ware store and pick up a variety of different small mirrors and group them together over your bed or your mantelpiece. Do not try and organise the mirrors too much as when they are grouped oddly and in random spaces it will create the most stylish look.

Wood Effect

Wood is going to be a big hit in 2013, with a place being made for wood all over our homes. Whether you want to introduce solid oak simply into your home or you want to create a big feature out of it, it is all possible.

You can start bringing solid wood into your home in the presence of photo frames, mirrors and chairs. If you want to create a stronger sense of wood, why not buy a gorgeous rustic wooden dining table or coffee table?

Brass

Metallic buys have always been big on the high street, but this year brass is going to be a big part of high street stores and our homes. You can implement brass into your home design in many different ways, the most popular proving to be in the forms of candle holders, vases and lamps.

Kerry is an interior designer and loves choosing vintage home ware additions from http://www.nutscene.com to keep up with the latest trends.

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Green roofs are in vogue - Guest blogging

Many homeowners are opting for flat roofs in a bid to go green. Gardens on flat roofs are quite popular and Boris Johnson has backed the green move as green living takes over. Green roofs are now in vogue and can be seen across major cities such as New York, Chicago and London. It’s gone so far as some local authorities offering grants to homeowners who want to green roofs on top of their homes.

Benefits

Some owners have opted for lawns on their residential green roofs and have turned them into the perfect spots to lounge and relax, while others have turned their green roofs into herb and vegetable gardens.

Owners of average-sized family homes are installing flat roofs to accommodate their green living, which also has the added benefit of cutting costs of vegetable shopping and heating bills. DIY enthusiasts have taken to installing their own green roofs based on a handbook and guide provided by the Environmental charity called Groundwork. The guide advises on a few things that you need to consider when installing a green roof.

One of the first considerations is that your flat roof, like all roofing, needs to be at a slight angle, and that it is strong enough to support an additional waterproof membrane as you will be placing soil and plants on it that require watering. Materials for green roofs weight up to a 13 pounds per-square-foot, and it’s best to place anti-slippage grids onto a roof that is quite steep.

Drainage on is a given for green roof systems, so it has to be great as you want to prevent an accumulation of soil and rainwater. Green roofs must always be constructed to effectively drain into a gutter that must stay unclogged. If you’re planning on a herbal or vegetable garden then these points must be taken seriously to avoid damage to the interior of your home.

Many green roof owners build a frame around the roofing edge to prevent slipping of plants and grass. Some owners are now creating green roofs on top of their garages, which is not only a bonus for the owners but also for the neighbours because they now get a green view.

Green roofs create a pleasing ambience and attract birds, and butterflies. It’s like a little green utopia in the midst of a concrete jungle. Green roofs also serve to reduce heating bills as it helps to retain the heat inside your home, as well as providing natural soundproofing.

Many developers are now jumping on the green roof bandwagon and believe the benefits of these roofs far outweigh anything else. With the correct green roofs systems in place there’s no reason why homeowners can’t enjoy their own private herbal, vegetable or yoga garden.

Vida Denning is a freelance writer who enjoys writing on a wide variety of topics. Her recent flat roof repairs prompted her husband to suggest a green roof, and Vida loves the idea; particularly because her huge malamutes won't be able to dig up that garden, and she can write in a cool setting.

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Retro is The New Contemporary Look - Guest blogging

Interior design can be a complicated prospect and whilst many of us may regard ourselves as self-named interior design experts, in reality it takes a lot of knowledge, training and experience to become a quality interior design specialist.

Similar to the ever-evolving world of fashion, what is 'in' one day in interior design can be 'out' the next. One of the 'safest' things to do is to cultivate a neutral look to your home which can easily be updated with fashionable accessories. At the moment, the most contemporary thing you can do is to travel back in time and here we outline a couple of simple and inexpensive changes you can make to update your home.

Oh that 60's palate

Most people will remember the colours of 60s design and probably not too fondly. Visions of that very particular lime green and orangey brown combination may in fact send you running for the hills although in actual fact this somewhat unforgettable interior design look is back in fashion again.
The difference now is that, instead of whole walls and pieces of furniture being adorned in huge mono block swathes of these colours, we choose them as highlighting accents. This makes it super easy to get the look just by purchasing a few cushions and a lampshade or two. Equally, sixties patterns such as paisley and the wide variety of vintage swirls and flowers are excellent as highlights and you will be amazed at how attractive small pieces in these colours and patterns can be in an otherwise neutral room.

Bring Back the 'Shag'

Moving from the sixties to the seventies, everyone remembers the uniqueness of the shag pile carpet. Most people, if honest with themselves, will even have a tiny pang of nostalgia for that very specific 'comfy feet' feeling that can only be gained by walking barefoot across one.
Sadly, we now know that these are not an ideal covering for a family home so we have been given the next best thing - the shaggy rug. Shaggy rugs give the same luxurious feeling but can be purchased in a variety of sizes so that they are placed appropriately and, vitally, are easy to clean. Pick one up in an accenting colour and be prepared to fight the kids and the dog for a spot on it in the evenings.

Keeping up with current trends need not be time consuming or expensive. Choose just a couple of the right accessories and transform your home into something that could belong in a magazine.

Joan Clements is a budget interior designer who specialises in low costing but dramatic transformations; her particular favourite accessory that she is guaranteed to introduce to every home is a rug from www.rugscentre.co.uk.

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Charming DIY Home Decor Accessories - Guest blogging

Apportez une touche personnelle au décor de sa maison avec des accessoires DIY

Accessories in a house are like cherry on cake. In fact, home decor accessories adorn and complement the style of your home decor theme whether traditional, contemporary or eclectic. DIY home decor accessories help to create an inviting and personalized ambience in your home. So bring out the very best in your living area by utilizing charming DIY home decor accessories to make your home a heavenly abode.

• Personalize [Personnalisez]

Personalize your living area with charming DIY home accessories, which are custom made to exhibit your family. For instance, you can use any photo software program to polish an old black and white family picture into an exciting new photo.

Proudly flaunt your kid’s artwork by displaying it in a nice frame rather than placing it on top of your refrigerator or some table. Alter the art contents on a frequent basis to house various school projects of your kid.

Anything that conveys a special and unique meaning to you or your family members is excellent to consider as a DIY home decor accessory. For instance, use an old walnut shelf that your dad made for you during your high school days to use as shelving to store your favorite glass bottle.

• Tap the Available Materials [Servez-vous de matériaux à disposition]

Start searching your house to check the availability of any materials to create DIY home decor accessories. A vivacious silk scarf will give an awesome look if draped on a side table. Set up a classic blue color aluminum water pitcher that is filled with a cluster of silk flowers atop a table cover for a complete look.

Vintage linen truly is a versatile material that is best to accessorize your home. Consider sewing a handkerchief on your pillow and place it in your guest bedroom or exhibit an old lace in a classic and antique wooden frame. Further, an organdy apron from the past can be draped over a rod for your kitchen window for an excellent pelmet.

Fanciful DIY home decor accessories help to create some interest quite gracefully. Put all the collectible pool balls into a big silver bowl that you usually use for special dinners.

• Consider the Function [Considérez la valeur fonctionnelle de l'accessoire]

DIY home decor accessories for your home can be attractive as well as useful. Another fun trick is melting a vinyl record and then shaping it in a bowl form for holding your remote controls.

For a home office, consider using an old trophy for organizing pencils and pens. Polish the finish on a classic brass mailbox for hanging it onto the wall and then using it for storing blank envelopes.

Do not refrain from experimenting when it comes to creating charming DIY home decor accessories. You never know as a mistake might turn out to be something highly impressive and useful home decor accessory.

Matt Walker is a pro content writer. You can find his articles on home decor niche at www.rugsandblinds.com.

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