No More Icicles--Adding Heat to the Roof and Gutters

Last winter was especially snowy here.  Icicles were almost hitting the ground!  Look back in that corner-- the icicles are almost touching the ground.  Time for some serious preventative measures so that our gutters didn't fall off from the weight of all of that ice!

 

Even with most of the snow gone, there was still this icicle.  Pretty, but obviously showing a problem with the drainage...

 

 

We ordered these cables from Amazon.  It took my husband about an hour to install everything.

 

 

 

 

One cable goes in the gutter, then the other cables are zigzagged up the roof (and into the corner where ice really causes problems).  We have it on a timer in the house, so once the snow starts flying, we'll be ready for it this year.

 

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

 

Why use Pine Wood in your Home?

If you are looking start a new home improvement project –materials will be something you consider.

Glass, concrete, brick or wood are key materials that spring to mind.

Wood is often favoured because of its beauty and flexibility. But when it comes to the decision of which wood to use - do you really have any idea which wood is right for your home?

You’re generally spoilt for choice when deciding which wood you want your bookshelves, furniture or cabinetry to be - do you use maple, oak, cedar?

The Timelessness of Pine

Pine wood is very popular for homeowners these days because more of us are aware of how our choice of material affects the environment.

Pine wood is being sourced from forests which are grown sustainably.

Not only this, but it is one of the most affordable and versatile options for wood. For those working with wood, pine is favoured as it is easy to work with during the building process; it holds any fasteners tightly, it is easy to cut, is fairly inexpensive and finishes very well! Pine is one of the most affordable and versatile options for wood. And it’s timeless.

But have you ever thought about using pine wood as the theme for the overall design in your home? Let’s break down some of the benefits:

• Stylish

When it comes to your home décor, pine wood can be mixed with other furniture pieces in a room or you could even make it the theme! For instance if you prefer a warm rustic look – then aged pine might be the way to go for you.

Pine is also very beautiful to look at – with its natural patterns and knots; it contributes to a unique look. Therefore you can retain the natural beauty and texture of the wood with minimal staining.

• Customisable

Pine wood is very flexible which is very desirable for do it yourself enthusiasts who enjoy painting or quite possibly incorporating personalised designs within the actual wood.

If you’re looking to decorate your pine furniture, it couldn’t be simpler – paint takes very well to pine wood because of its open grain, therefore you can paint pine easily to match your scheme. And if you change your mind – you can always re-paint it again and again!

• Easy to work with

Although pine is classified as a soft wood, it’s still very durable and long lasting and therefore is a favourite of furniture makers because it’s a lot easier to work with –- making sawing a pleasure!

The open grain in the wood gives a better grip for adhesives and so it readily absorbs preservatives, stains and paints.

Because it is very durable and long lasting – it can take on areas with high foot traffic, perfect for flooring or decking in your home.

Whether you want something tasteful and understated, rustic and welcoming or modern and sleek, pine can create the look you want.

Cut Down on Water Waste in the Home

In Britain we use 9 billion litres of water per week! With such a high water consumption, the need to cut down on water waste in the home has never been so paramount. A recent report by the Energy Saving Trust revealed that the main culprits for water waste in the home were those taking long showers and even those running taps while waiting for the water to heat up.

Water waste not only has a major impact on the environment, but it can also place added strain on those already pricey water and heating bills. Here are a few ways that you can cut down on the water waste in your home…

Take Shorter Showers 

The Energy Saving Trust report found that the majority of us take seven and half minutes to shower. They advised that simply cutting 60 seconds off this average shower time could collectively save homes in Britain £216 million a year in water and energy bills – with potential great savings, that extra 60 seconds really does affect those pricey bills!

Install an Adaptive Circulator Pump 

Waiting for water to run hot is one of the biggest causes of water waste in the home, and a typical household of three pours up to 16,000 litres of clean water straight down the drain, simply because the water was not running warm – this wastes approximately 1.5 decilitres of water per second.

To remedy this long waiting time, an on-demand circulator pump such as Grundfos Comfort circulator pumps can adapt to your home’s hot water consumption patterns, this means that you only get hot water when you need it, and hot water is readily available for these instances - Find out more about Hot water pumps here.

Fit an Eco-Shower Head

While it is common fact that taking showers over baths can help reduce the amount of water that a home uses, some showers such as power showers can actually waste more water than an average bath. To ensure that your shower is eco-friendly, an eco-shower head can be installed to mixer shower or power showers and can save up to 75% water without compromising on your overall shower experience.

This Guest Room is for the Birds

 

 

I recently updated the bedding in our guest room.  I've been admiring the Sparrow duvet and shams at Pottery Barn for some time.  Last week they had them on sale, so I splurged.

My husband made the picket fence headboard about 20 years ago.  I still love it!

 

The bedding I replaced was ok, but needed an update.

 

 

 



I'm on the lookout for another little pillow for the bed.

 

 

I found this little green pillow at Pier 1 yesterday.  I think I like it!

 



 

We found this bird lamp a few months ago.  I really like the rectangular shape.

 

This is one of my Mom's creations.  I love this little footstool, but can't really imagine putting my feet on it.  :)

 

Now I just have to keep the cat off the bed...

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam


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Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

 

Autumnal Inspiration: The Regency

Ready to begin transforming your home for autumn but stuck over where to begin? Thankfully, we have some great style inspiration for you to take advantage of and our current focus is on the regency – a fantastic collection of bedroom accessories and furniture that are sure to help you put your own unique stamp on your home.

What’s the style?

The style of the Regency is one of indulgence and luxury – and isn’t that what we all deserve in our bedrooms? Take a look at the luxurious silk materials and dusky, muted colours which exude class and sophistication at every turn to get everything you need to transform your bedroom.

These thick and comfortable materials are perfect for autumn when the weather begins changing and colder climates start to make their presence known.

What colours?

The colour of the regency range has two functions – to be cosy and warming in the colder weather and to represent an idea of opulence. This is why dusky purple, dark grey and other muted or pastel tones work best. They’re great for conjuring up a clean and luxurious look whilst offering more warmth than white, cream or magnolia.

These colours also work well with accents so why not choose accessories in darker or deeper shades for a multi-tonal look? Dusky purple paired with vibrant violet is always a strong style choice but there are other things you can do too.

If sticking with a base colour of grey or muted brown then why not introduce traditional autumn colours as your accent? This fantastic article from DigsDigs offers 31 decorating ideas that centre around using autumnal colours in the bedroom and is a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to use the regency range in a new and interesting way.

What furniture?

Of course, the regency style isn’t all about the colours and there are certain items of furniture which are must-haves for this sort of design. Ultimately, you want to opt for traditional, classic designs which are associated with royal or regal palaces and homes.

This means items such as a chaise lounge are essential – as are large beds with plenty of dressings including luxurious throws and scatter cushions made from materials such as silk or velvet. Curtains are also an essential ingredient although fabric roller blinds may be suitable if used correctly.

Another must have is a luxurious headboard. These can really make a room but you want to choose something traditional with classic charm rather than a modern, metal configuration. There are plenty of suede and leather options available, as well as the traditional Damask, but we recommend opting for something quilted or subtly patterned for real impact.

Finally, remember that the rest of your furniture needs to match the style. This doesn’t mean touring antique stores for large, chunky pieces of furniture but rather means keeping the rest of your decor simple.

Plain wood storage squares and tables are ideal so opt for something with smooth, straight lines with no decoration and ensure its left in its plain wood state or lightly varnished for ultimate impact.

Fall in the Dining Room

 

Although I love summer, I can embrace the warmth of fall and the beauty of the changing seasons.  I just wish that cold, snowy winter didn't follow beautiful fall!

 

I was in HomeGoods recently and found this bushel of wheat.  I love that it has some height and texture. 

 

 

I put it in this grower's box that I bought at Barb's sale this summer.  I added leaves, gourds, cobs and acorns to the box. 

 

 

 

 

 

Also at HomeGoods, I found these great bowls in the shape of a leaf.  Add in some plaid napkins and my fall table is ready to go!

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

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LED Lighting

As the winter approaches electricity bills are beginning to soar with the creeping in cold weather. The cold weather means more homes are keeping their heating on for longer periods and as a result people dread to see their electric bills. You may ask how can you save on electricity? Well the answer is energy saving LED lighting.


LEDs have been around for many years and are best known for lighting things such as Christmas lights, traffic signals and power on signal on devices such as our TVs and laptops. However LED lighting in our household has become more popular and is rapidly replacing standard incandescent light bulbs. The most popular LED lighting that can be seen in homes today are LED spotlights and LED floodlights.

LED lights have a small chip and when voltage reaches this chip the current creates the light. The advantage of this is that the LED bulb lasts longer meaning less cost in the home as the bulbs wouldn’t have to be replaced as often making them earth friendly too! LED lighting requires less electricity than a standard light bulb making them more efficient and will reduce energy bills.

LED lighting can use up to 80% less energy than the standard house bulb meaning a huge cut in costs and they are known in some cases to last up to 100,000 hours. However, they do carry a disadvantage, a higher initial purchase cost, which is why at Meteor Electrical we are aiming to keep them affordable for you!