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Raisie Bay

Home Improvement

What Are the Common Questions to Ask an Architect?

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So, what are the common questions to ask an architect? When you meet an architect who you intend to hire for your project, make sure you have a list of questions to ask. Well, such a meeting can involve dozens of questions depending on the available time, but do not forget to ask the following questions in particular.

This is the only way to determine the quality of work the architect will deliver and gather the information to make important decisions. So, read and take notes. 

Questions to Ask an Architect: Why You?

Of course, you need to know more about the architecture firm and why they think they are the best for your project. Hence, this should not be missed from your questions to ask an architect. Here, you will be looking for strengths such as resources, skills, expertise, and commitment to projects. 

If there is a problem, you will identify the red flags from the response to this first question. Also, you need to make the conversation as friendly and free as possible especially when asking this first question. 

What Are the Expected Challenges in My Project?

When making a list of questions to ask an architect, this is among the first ones. You should understand the expected challenges so that you can work with the architect to try to prevent or address them. Although reputable firms have the expertise and resources to work on any project, being ready is very important.

This will also help you know where you come in and what your input will be to make the project as smooth as possible. It will give you an assurance that the architecture firm has the capability to tackle any challenges.

Do You Have References and Endorsements?

Whether you choose an experienced architecture firm or not, you need to know for whom they have worked in the past. Therefore, you should simply ask for their contacts and do some follow-ups. 

Endorsements by big companies are an assurance that you are likely to get professional and high-quality services from your architect. Humphreysandsons, for instance, has listed some of the big clients they have worked for so that potential clients can check and confirm. You may also ask them about this when making an inquiry.

How Much Time Do We Need to Commit?

Architects are planners of building projects. Because this is among the important questions to ask an architect, you should get an answer with an estimated amount of time that the experts will dedicate to your project.

You also should know the time they need from you, especially time for meetings and other important discussions. 

Questions to Ask an Architect: How Much Do You Charge?

Although it is often asked last, it is one of the most important questions you should ask your architect. They should discuss the fee structure and explain some of the costs you do not understand. 

Most importantly, this is the opportunity to negotiate and understand whether you will get a good value for your money. So, when listing the questions to ask an architect, do not leave this one behind. 

Conclusion

With the above questions, it is easy to know how your architect will perform. So, carefully listen to the answers they give as you converse. With a talented and well-qualified architect, your project will be off to a great start. 

Please read my disclosure policy here.

New Vertical Blinds for My Kitchen from Blinds By Post

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I was asked by Blinds By Post if I’d like to review some blinds in return for my honest review. Buying things like blinds online is a lot easier than you may think. I chose some lovely vertical blinds for my kitchen.

Kitchen Blinds from Blinds By Post

The Blinds By post website is really easy to use. The difficult part is choosing which blinds you want, there are so many options and the colour ranges are really extensive. Once you have chosen which colour and style of blind you want you then have several options to make sure they fit your window and your needs completely.

There are video guides which help you to measure your windows correctly so that your blinds will fit perfectly when they arrive. Measuring is really important so it’s good that there is plenty of help with this. Once you have your measurements and have chosen your type of blind and pattern you then go on to choose your options. These are in the form of drop down menus and the whole process is made really easy for you.

I like vertical blinds in my kitchen because it’s a large window and at the front of the house. I like to be able to look out of the window but also have a little privacy. With vertical blinds you can completely control how much you want to filter. Closing them completely blocks out everything for full privacy or shade. I can move them from side to side depending on which side the sun is shining so I can control the amount of sunlight or shade I need. The beaded chain, which is child safe, can be used to adjust the blinds to exactly how you want them. The second control can pull the blinds completely to one side which is great for cleaning the windows, or letting in more light.

I chose Carnival Ivy for the colour of my vertical kitchen blinds. I wanted something slightly darker to fit in my green kitchen. I’m really pleased with them. My husband took about 25 minutes to fit them which is so quick and easy. After putting in my sizes I chose a recess fitting because I wanted my blinds to fit inside the recess rather than on the outside of it. I then chose which side I wanted the controls for the blind which for me it is the left hand side. For the controls you can choose a wand, a plastic chain or even a silver or brass chain. You can also choose whether or not you want your blind slats to be chained together or not. For the first time ever I decided to go for chainless and I’m please with how well they hang and work together.

For my blinds which measure 150cm wide by 200cm long and my other choices of chains and fittings the cost is £71.81 which I think is a great bargain. I’m considering getting some blinds that open in the middle for my patio doors.

I also want a new roller blind for my bathroom but there is so much too choose from…I will have to paint the room first before decided which will match. But as it’s a small room the cost is amazing and now I’ve seen the quality of the blinds I won’t hesitate in buying from Blinds by Post again.

Have you ever bought blinds online?

Fresh and fun ways of redecorating your child’s bedroom

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Over the years, the children’s bedrooms are the area of the house that will no doubt require the most redecorating. And they do require a lot of tailoring to meet specific needs and tastes. Plus, they need to be safe and practical too.

If you’re ready to redecorate your child’s bedroom and need a few fresh and fun ideas, these suggestions could help:

Decorate with calming colours

Children just love bright colours. But they don’t always suit a child’s bedroom as they can prevent a good night’s sleep. So, picking calming colours can be a good idea and they don’t have to be boring. Blues and greens are great colours to use. And purple is another good calming colour. Browns and black are also calming, but you will need to use these in a more creative way. 

As nature also has a calming effect, you could use greens and brown to paint a tree on the wall. And if you’re thinking that black is impossible to use in a children’s bedroom, how about a chalkboard wall? Or even a space inspired ceiling?

Don’t worry if all this sounds a bit complex, you can always hire trades to do it for you. You can keep costs down by buying the paint yourself and making sure you have a clear plan of your requirements. And compare painter and decorators day rates first.

beige doesn’t have to be boring

Use zoning for play and sleep

Zoning areas of your child’s bedroom is another great idea to think about when redecorating. Having clearly set out areas for sleep and play will allow space for creative play and learning but also keep the bed for sleep time. Keeping the area around the bed free from clutter and distractions.

The zone for play will need some handy storage to keep things neat and organised, so it doesn’t encroach on the bedspace. A play table with storage could be useful and fun.

colourful storage adds a little fun

Create some adaptable lighting

Getting the lighting right in your child’s bedroom is another important factor. It can help with sleep whilst creating a nice cosy atmosphere and the feeling of security. And of course, it can also be fun. So, it’s worth having some flexible options in the room.

Natural light is important in a bedroom, but it can also prevent sleep. Blinds can sometimes rustle, and curtains don’t always block out enough light during the summer. So, blackout curtains could work well. They don’t have to be black of course, these come in lots of designs.

Using a combination of artificial lighting is a good idea too. Dimmer switches give you more control, so you can lower the lighting slowly. And choosing bulbs that mimic sunlight, rather than harsh fluorescent lights are great too. Finally, nightlights and light shades are ideal for bringing in a fun, friendly aspect.

Read another of my child’s bedroom redecorating posts.

*collaborative post

5 Small Home Improvements That Can Make a Big Difference

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It’s easy to get bored with your surroundings, but not know how to change them up. What’s more, many alterations can be expensive and disruptive to your daily routine. Here are five small home improvements you can make to your home, which won’t break the bank and will give your space the refresh it deserves!

Feature Wall

If you’ve got any budding artists in the family, why not devote one wall to becoming a feature wall? This could mean a bold, eye-catching wallpaper design, block colour paint or space to let imaginations run wild! Feature walls are great to add a pop of personality to a room, on a budget. Painted murals can be gorgeous to look at, and a chance to practice those art skills. Everyone can contribute in some way, making your wall a visual representation of your whole family. What’s more, you could even paint or paper over it as often as you like, allowing you to refresh and update it constantly.

The feature wall I have in my hallway

Artwork

Prints, wall hanging, portraits; there are endless options when it comes to updating your space with artwork. Supporting independent artists through platforms like Etsy is the perfect way to improve your home and help out a small business. You could choose a specific theme for a room, like the ocean in the bathroom, or florals in the living room, and over time your collection will grow! The artwork is also really mobile, so you can rearrange your pieces as often as you like, changing frames and locations to freshen up any room in your home.

Heating for Home Improvements

With the winter months moving in, it’s a great time to update your space with a stylish new radiator or heating system. They are available in a huge variety of shapes, sizes and colours, with places like Warmrooms providing a vast range and making it easy to find something you love. Something as simple as a new wall radiator can make a huge difference to a room, whilst also improving your comfort.

Co-ordinate 

Another great way to update your home quickly and easily is colour coordination! Why not try ordering all your books by colour to add a little rainbow to your shelves? Super easy, cheap, and fun, this will also allow you to take stock of what you’ve got, maybe freeing up some space, or adding to your ‘to be read’ list. If you have a favourite colour, you could spend time finding accessories or appliances for a room in that colour. Imagine a deep purple kitchen, or a bright blue bathroom, with fittings and furnishings to match. 

Upcycle

If you have lots of furniture that you don’t want or need to get rid of but want to update, why not try some upcycling? Another great task for the whole family, you can turn old pieces into something brand new, with books like Reinventing Ikea making it easy to the potential of an old chair or table. What’s more, the things you create will be completely unique to your home, making it a true representation of your family’s creativity and personality

Furniture in need of upcycling for home improvements

What to Get Someone when they become new Homeowners.

*This is a collaborative post

Using Succulents to Spruce up Your Home

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I’ve a confession to make, I’ve never been one to be able to keep plants alive in my home. But succulents are different, they are so much easier to care for and live longer. Not only that, succulents in the home can be very cute and you can buy some beautiful pots to put them in too.

What Succulents Should You Buy for your Home?

Succulents are very popular in the home because they are easier to care for and look pretty amazing. You can buy your succulents from local garden centres or even buy online. Here are my top five choices.

The Jade Plant

This plant has glossy thick leaves and stems and only needs watering when really dry. It’s sometimes known as the Money Plant as according to Feng Shui, if you had one of these in your home you would never be short of money. I had one for many years and it’s one of the few plants I’ve managed not to kill. Overwatering can be dangerous for this plant, so it’s good for those who forget to water very often.

Aloe Vera

This spiny plant has been used for medicinal purposes of healing wounds and skin care for many centuries. It likes to be in a sunny place as it comes from the Arabian peninsula.

Echeveria

The echeveria is a pretty rosette plant and if you are lucky it may even flower for you in the summer.

Bunny Ears Cactus

The Bunny Ears Cactus is also known as the prickly pear. It’s a real unusual looking plant, but can be poisonous for pets.

The Old Lady Cactus

The old lady cactus is a puffball cactus that also flowers. This cactus is not fond of direct sunlight and likes to be watered weekly. It can live for a long time with proper care.

Tips for Caring for Succulents.

Here are my top tips for caring for your succulents.

  • sunlight – most succulents like sunlight so make sure they get some every day. Some are not so keen on direct light though, but even a net curtain or sheer blind can help this
  • Move your succulents around. Maybe just turn the pot so more than one side of the plant gets some sun, or move to another window for a different amount of sunlight. This will help stop browning or leaning to one side.
  • Water carefully. Most succulents like more water during their growing season of Spring and Summer, but less so in the winter. Over watering can be disastrous. Get to know your plants and what they need.
  • Water the soil and not the leaves. The plants love a moist soil, but wet leaves can cause them to rot.

How to display your Succulents.

This is the best bit. There are so many ways of displaying succulents in your home. They look fabulous in pots or terrariums. You can get big plants or small, Have one or several together. It’s easy to get creative.

Mix up your succulents so you have small and large ones together, or use different textures and colours.

Get inventive with ways of displaying your succulents. They look great in so many ways. Here are a couple of my favourites.

Here is my cat pot. I bought two of these for my plants. I couldn’t resist them being a cat lover.

small cat planter from Etsy £4.50

I bought some diddy succulent plants and they came in little brown pots. I re-potted two in my cat planters but I decided to crochet some little covers for the other three.

Terrariums are a lovely way to display your succulents. You can buy complete kits to make your own easily at home. This one is definitely one of my favourites. I love the little lights and the shell. You can customize it to your liking.

geometric air plant terrarium

Have you discovered succulents? What’s your favourite way of displaying them?

This is a collaborative post and it contains affiliate links, thanks for your support.