3 Ways to Work Your Ideas Into The Construction of Your Home

The process of getting your home built can take months. And, in that time, you have every right to change your mind on unbuilt aspects. However, there are right and wrong ways to work your ideas into the construction of your home. And this article details each one of them.

Photo by - More rustic exterior home photos

Go Directly to the Crew Foreman

A construction crew foreman oversees the entirety of work from their contractors and construction workers. Therefore, they would be the head honcho; the one in charge of everything. To ensure your ideas are heard and implemented, go directly to the crew foreman. In some cases, a foreman would be your head architect. These bosses would be happy to hear your suggestions. But make sure it’s off hours, when they have time to listen and respond without being rushed. Never wander onto a construction site to talk to the foreman. You might find yourself kicked off really quick.

Host Brainstorm Sessions with Your Architect

When your architect has some free time to talk and brainstorm, ask them for a session to express your ideas and possibly work those ideas into the main design of your home. Sure, it is your house, but they are in charge. Therefore, they would know the best ideas based on realistic specifications and safety measures. It might be hard to let someone else take control of where you live, but you need to remember that architects and contractors are there to help you accomplish your dream home. Let them work. They know exactly what they are doing.

Go a Little DIY with Interior and Exterior Designs

If you have a difficult time handing over the design reins to someone else, do a bit of DIY interior and exterior designs after your home is done. No need to hire professionals when you can do it yourself, right? Or, if you still want to DIY your design projects, simply ask an interior designer for advice. You can pay by the hour, gather a few tips, and implement some of their ideas into the final designs of your home décor.

If you are the type of person who expects every hired professional to cater to your whims, then hiring someone to build your home might be a bad idea. However, if you are open minded to others working their magic with your construction projects, then by all means, hire awesome, reliable professionals and collaborate over the creation of your dream home.

Breakfast at #CoffeeProject with Fellow Moms

The first time I went out with fellow K1 moms this school year, we trooped to the Coffee Project. It's a newly opened garden-inspired café in Quezon City.

We were greeted with flowers. 

You may wonder. "What does coffee have to do with flowers?" 

Well, I read that people use coffee grounds to fertilize their soil for plants and flowers.

We took the table right at the top of this staircase.

You would think that we have walked into a flower store when surveying this area.

We were there at past eight in the morning and we were almost the only ones around.

There were lots of knick-knacks on the nooks & crannies. I wondered whether the staff would be able to dust all of them.

The interestingly busy hallway/seating area going to the washroom. Too bad I didn't have enough time to pore through the decorated text and the words on the post-its. 

Each of us ordered the Continental Breakfast. We thought that this choice offers more value for money, although it's still pricey at Php250. It didn't even have coffee.

I was excited about the waffles, though. I love waffles! The syrup, jam and butter looked too little.

We were a bit disappointed with the service, considering there were not many customers. 

The coffee and water took a while to arrive. The server even asked us if we want the food and coffee to be served at the same time.

Therefore, I ordered a cup of Vietnamese Latte that came with a delicious cookie. The coffee was on the sweet side, yet, that's how I like mine.

I bought home a large cookie with sticky marshmallow and a (leaking) cookie cup + milk. It's my first time to try a cookie cup. Yum!

Does Coffee Project interest you?

Ultimate Elegance: Fleur de Lis Online Collections

Franco lovers many times have a hard time finding a one-stop shopping center for fine decor and quality curios symbolic of France. And what better symbol of the French than the Fleur de Lis? Today, thanks in part to the dynamics of the Internet, buyers can conveniently visit several online outlets to help satisfy the yearning for all things Fleur de Lis.

To help make sure your shopping experience is a quick, convenient and complete one, here are just a few of the things you can anticipate finding in your browsing visits. When looking for specialty items in the realm of the beautifully classic Fleur de Lis, quality online stores, such as Fleurdelisvalueplus.com, should have any one of the following to offer their online visitors...

Fleur de Lis Design Jewelry

Shiny, sculpted pieces of earrings, bracelets and classical brooches can accomplish much when bought at the proper online store. Coming in various materials and colors such as copper, bronze and brushed variations, you'll be the talk of the bridge club gathering with your elegant Fleur de Lis design jewelry.

Fleur de Lis Home Decor

Lamps, ceiling designs, fine China and glassware will add not only personal satisfaction to yourself, but such a collection also adds extra value to your home. As you incorporate the various specialty items found at online centers for Fleur de Lis home decor, you'll be sure to come back soon and tell others about your online shopping experience.

Adding a touch of class to your home just became simpler when you accent with a piece or accessory embossed with the magnificently elegant Fleur de Lis.

Commercial Renovation Allows Businesses to Get Serious

Companies today are coming to understand that if they want to be taken seriously in the business world, then they have to have a commercial home that is both functional and great looking. Whether it's right or not, clients and would-be clients make judgments about businesses using the simplest of criteria. Many are choosing to order now when they have an opportunity to make their commercial space look new and comfortable.

Commercial renovations can work very well with re-branding. Some of the professional renovation companies know precisely how to work within the constructs of a company's biggest wishes. Companies that are looking to establish themselves within the contours of a new industry, for instance, might want to make a bold splash. Others will want to reflect traditional values. Whatever the case may be, commercial remodeling services get the job done.

Often, consumers are looking to work with companies that have a comfortable commercial home. If your business was built a few decades ago, it might be missing those little things that can help to make it the kind of place where people want to spend a few hours of their time. Remodeling services help companies get the comfort level that can allow them to reach even the most difficult consumers.

If your business is looking for a boost, it might be time to consider the impact of a renovated commercial space. There are good remodeling companies today who are helping businesses get on the right track by re-vamping their space for an affordable price.

Creative Market Graphics, Fonts and More!

Part of having a blog is the fun of being able to design the look yourself. If you are a frustrated designer like me, this is your chance! I enjoy putting together fonts for the header and sidebar headers, the background colors or the background image and graphics to represent my categories or my blog elsewhere.

There's a wonderful website I go to for new and cool fonts, unique backgrounds and lovely graphics. Every week, there are three products that are available for free download on the site. There's also a bonus of three more on their Facebook page. Isn't it cool?

Even if you cannot download the ones you really need for free, the prices are very reasonable. You can mix and match the elements and create brand new designs.

For example, if you're having a DIY wedding, this set is perfect for the invitations or save-the-date cards, or even a wedding blog:

Click on the image below to see what Creative Market has to offer.

Disclosure: I'm a partner of Creative Market.

Decorative Statement Pieces For The Home

Current decorating trends focus on minimalist furnishings and restraint in the number of decorative accessories you include in your decor. This trend has many advantages. If a room is filled with an assortment of decorative items, it can look cluttered and chaotic. Some of the items become unnoticeable as they get pushed aside or hidden by larger items. Having an assortment of numerous items on display means that you will have to include an extensive amount of time in your house- cleaning schedule, just to keep everything looking good.

When you limit your decorative accessories, each item you display can receive proper recognition and appreciation. Buying fewer accessories, means you can focus on purchasing high-end decor that will add elegance, sophistication and artistic beauty to your home. When you shop for Lalique crystal and discover its beauty, you will have a clear understanding of how much difference a magnificent vase or bowl can make when displayed as a solitary item on a table. A stunning, eye-catching figurine can become a decorative statement piece that guests will be in awe of and you will feel privileged to enjoy as part of your decor.

Shopping at one location for the decorative accessories you plan to include in a room makes it easy to achieve unity among the few items you select. Keep in mind that the size of an item is not always an accurate indicator of how impressive it will be once it is put on display.

iStock's Top Visual Trends For 2014

Curious to know what the top visual trends for 2014 will be? Then take a look at this infographic. I like that women are being broken out of molds made by magazines and diversity is being embraced. If you are looking at creative collaborations, then you are right on trend!

Designers and creatives out there, what do you think? :-)

Change Up Your Drain Cover!

Are you thinking about removing your drain cover? Perhaps you do not like the way that it looks anymore, or maybe too much material is getting caught up in it and it is stopping the drain from working correctly. This has often been known to happen near a washing machine since lint and other things can get caught when they are expelled with the rinse water.

There are a few problems with taking it out, though. For one thing, the drain cover is supposed to catch all of the lint and other materials. That is its job, and taking it out means that all of that stuff is just going to go right down the pipe, where it can get lodged in the nearest turn or bend. This can cause the drain to stop working entirely and you will have to clear out the trap. That is a far larger job than just cleaning off the top of the drain cover each time that you use the washing machine.

If you do not like the way that the cover looks, you are better off to shop beautiful square drain covers at DesignerDrains.com and get a new one that you do like. This can change the look of the drain completely, whether it is in the basement, in the shower, or somewhere else in the house. This also ensures that the cover can continue to do the job that it was designed to do when it was first installed at the house.

I'd love to have this for our shower area!

Adding A Natural Element To Your Home

The creative designs in wrought iron stair railings are part of what makes these railings so popular with homeowners. In many cases, a wrought iron railing has different shapes within its design giving it an additional element of interest. One of the most popular wrought iron railing parts is the rosette. Here are some examples of the rosettes homeowners choose for their wrought iron stair railings.

A rosette design that includes scroll work is appealing to many homeowners. They may choose this part because it coordinates with other designs in the décor. For instance, an individual may have standing candle sticks near the railing with a design that echoes the scroll work in the wrought iron. By coordinating these elements in the décor, a homeowner brings visual balance to the space.

A rosette with a flower featured in its design is another popular option for homeowners who love wrought iron stair railings. The flower may match a flower in a piece of artwork hanging in the hallway. Or, it may echo the appearance of a vase full of silk flowers sitting on a hallway table. These subtle touches can contribute to the inviting appearance of a front hallway.

Finally, a rosette with leaves in its design is perfect to put in a hallway with leaves decorating the wallpaper. A visitor's eyes will naturally travel from the wallpaper to the leaves in the design of the wrought iron stair railing. Visitors will appreciate the extra care an owner gives to his or her décor.

Room Makeover: Accentuating

Room design is all about the details. An entire room can be made over without spending a lot of money and taking a lot of time. Incorporating a few new statement pieces is easy to do and can make a lasting impression on the entire room.

Making small changes like swapping out throw pillows, lamp shades, frames, and floral arrangements can breathe a breath of fresh air into a room. Changing the curtains, throw rugs, or painting one wall take any room one step further towards rejuvenation. Moving the furniture into a new arrangement is also an easy way to mix things up.

Contemporary light fixtures can help accentuate a room's design. Having the proper lighting can seal the deal on any room's fresh new look. Wall sconces provide soft, muted light and work well in living rooms, dens, and bedrooms. For a more dramatic look, modern chandeliers and sleek fixtures can be a strong focal point. Shops such as crescentharbormodern.com have an extensive inventory of fixtures to choose from, so one can easily find the perfect piece to accentuate their decor.

I'd love to have this for our living room

Small changes like this can bring a much needed freshness to any room. It's simple to do, doesn't cost a lot of money, and won't require a big commitment. Seasonally making these small changes and adding accents can keep a room up-to-date and modern all year long!

Simple Home Redecoration Ideas

Are you ready to redecorate your home? Is it time to put a little spice into your interior design? Many homeowners find that after living in the same house for several years, the design, regardless of how beautiful, can become a bit tiresome. Some homeowners consider moving to a new house. After all, wouldn't it be fun to live in a new place with a different layout, different features and different neighbors?

For most families, moving is not always an immediate option. Instead of changing houses, why not simply change around your home?

Switch out the wallpaper in your living room. Consider going with paint instead of traditional wallpaper. Another option would be to paint your entire room and place a border around the top or the center of the room. A simple change from blue to green or from brown to white can completely change the look of your room. This is also a fairly inexpensive change to make.

Another option is to install wrought iron railings in your home. You can install these in lieu of your regular railings or along your front porch for a more classic, refined look. Again, something as simple as this minor adjustment can not only make your home look more distinguished, but will keep you from feeling bored or tired of the same old house.

Why Driveway Design Matters To Homes

There's a new trend that homeowners are really getting excited about: drive way designs. Many homeowners are taking advantage of the opportunity to have a driveway with a unique design that attracts a lot of attention! Learn some of the reasons why this trend is really picking up steam with homeowners!

A driveway with an appealing design of paving stones makes for the perfect finishing touch to a beautiful piece of property. An owner with a home that features an attractive exterior of brick or siding often wants a driveway that complements those visual elements. A plain, paved driveway does little to enhance the outer beauty of a home. Alternatively, a driveway with a distinct design serves as the first appealing feature visitors see as they approach the property.

Many homeowners have discovered that driveways with a design of paved stones are also a good investment. They're made of durable materials that stand up against the movement of cars and trucks in a driveway. In short, by getting this sort of driveway a homeowner can relax and enjoy the appealing appearance of their driveway for years to come!

Finally, homeowners who want to add another element of interest to their homes often opt to get a driveway design. This is especially popular with owners who are looking to sell their homes for the highest possible price. A unique driveway is one way to make a home stand out from a list of homes that are for sale in a particular neighborhood.

A Little Sentimental About Life After College

Last week, I went through my college plates and folios I brought from my parents' home. Memories of my professors' voices, sleepless nights and faces of my group-mates popped up in my mind's eyes. I shook my head as I felt again the dipping of my spirits when I encountered the low grades. I was a bit relieved that that part of my life was over. It's just such a waste that I didn't get to practice my course longer. Maybe if I had taken and passed the board exam, I would still be deciding between vinyl flooring and quickstep laminate flooring for a project I would probably be working on. 

a little model I made for one of my Arch classes

Well, my string of decisions led me to this place and this season: a wife to my hubby and mother to our three little wonders. Some moms, after being stay-at-home-moms or work-at-home-moms, decide to be or go back to being work-out-of-home-moms. I wonder if I would do that when my children are a little bigger and more independent, but I cannot picture it as of now. I cannot imagine myself as a working woman again, at present. But, doing interior design for a whole house without budget constraints is on my life list (bucket list to most), among others. I am still populating that list and will share it to the world soon. He he! 

3D Heart-shaped Valentine's Decor by ceemee

Crafting could really be therapeutic.

I have always wanted to do crafting, or give presents that are hand-made by me. But, it seems I am all thumbs when it comes to this hobby that I wish I am into. I could not even cut a straight edge with a cutter or a pair of scissors.

"Do I cut on the drawn line or outside of it?"

Browsing photos of crafts or reading how-to's in Pinterest could either inspire me or make me feel frustrated. Some people are really good at making pretty things and sadly, I am not one of them. I especially want to learn so I could do crafting activities with my children.

But, I do try to do it occasionally. When I have the materials on hand, I give art-making a go.

Like this Valentine's Day decor I made for our tree. Yep, I still haven't taken it down.

I made these from left-over corrugated boards I used in college. Yes, college! I glued the curved side edges of the three cut out hearts together. After they dried, I used a needle and red thread to "sew" them together and make the "hangings" on top.

I took this and some art materials from my parents' home in hopes of making art with Elle, my eldest. Hope to make some garlands next!

Excited For The Photo Book!

Taking advantage of online deals could prove to be good for our wallets, provided that the products or services are well worth it. It also helps that the companies that peruse this type of marketing are popular like purchasing a Bath and Body Works coupon, or having a buffet lunch at Cafe d'Asie, The Bellevue Manila, which had many patrons when we went there twice. And then we availed of five coupons from Chooks-To-Go, a roasted chicken delivery service, which were life-savers when I couldn't come up with anything for dinner due to time constraint, mostly. I also bought two coupons to a steak dinner at Alfredo's as a gift for my parents. I hope they enjoyed them. 

I also featured a US-based online deal-buying site called Mamapedia, now it's Mamasource, I think.

We had pictures of the "maternity shoot" of my 2nd pregnancy, the newborn shoot of baby Caleb, his dedication and first birthday that we would like to compile into an album. Thankfully, I saw a deal for photobookphilippines.com where there's a software I could download, then I just upload the pictures to the software then drag & drop them to my desired page layout. I have the option to add scrapbook elements, masking, backgrounds, frames, drop shadows, vignettes, texts, and borders. I also love that I could rearrange the pages easily. I purchased this at the price of 1000Php for a 4000Php worth of photo book. 

the interface

After I have finished uploading and designing the album, I would need to click the order button. I just wonder how the pictures are going to be transferred to them. That would remain a mystery until I am through with this "project".  Then, the album would be shipped to me. It's just unfortunate that the voucher amount cannot be used for shipping costs. I am excited to see the finished product! If it looks really nice and worth it, I think I'm going to get another album for the third baby. :-)

A Home In Need Of Change

After almost five years of living in our home, the renovation work that was done before seems to be falling apart. Our kitchen's countertop tiles were falling off already, the floor tiles near the entrance suddenly popped out on their own accord, and the cement ceiling right outside the front door were chipping and luckily the pieces didn't fall on anyone's head. I guess another renovation, albeit a minor one, is more practical than scouting for for sale by owner leads, meaning purchasing a second hand house. It would take a lot of work, and we still haven't thought of how our dream home would look like yet.

And, as the third baby is coming very soon, we need to expand to the second bedroom where our eldest will sleep. I wonder where to put the things since it has become another stockroom. The furniture of the master bedroom should be moved around to accommodate another baby cot.  I really need to "declutter" soon! My word! It sure is an overwhelming task.

Shopping for a kiddie bed is something I think I would look forward to. Plus, if the room is to be repainted, picking out the color would be exciting too. I was also thinking of adding a wall sticker in the design of a growth chart to monitor the kids' heights and add a decorative element to the room.

So, this home's need for change is just physical. But, the family members residing here will soon undergo an emotional change since an additional baby is something big to experience. Another round of sleepless nights for the parents, additional house help perhaps, the big sister will act more like a big sister, and the youngest son will be a big brother.

Evolution of Scrubs

In my world, it used to be that scrubs were worn as hospital uniform only. The surgeons and nurses were decked out in these scary (in a patient's point of view) outfits. They seem to come in the color green. I read somewhere that it is colored thus so that blood on that fabric will become brown since red and green are complementary colors. Because of that, it wouldn't be as disgusting as when the blood's "canvass" is white. That is just in my humble opinion.

It has come to my attention that scrubs are being worn by doctor's assistants or secretaries in doctor's clinics and offices, although they perform very minimal procedures on the patient, sometimes. And some just list the names of the out patients, get the records, answer calls and accept consultation fees on behalf of the doctor.

The ones who patiently care for the elderly also wear scrubs, which look more professional than just a shirt and jeans. Laboratory staff also wear these as uniforms. There are now different types of fabrics that are available. These fabrics come in plain or printed. Most of the time, the printed ones have designs that are cute and attractive. My theory is that when the patients are children, they would think twice about being afraid of the nurse/dentist/medical technician. I know of a couple of dentists who wear scrubs with a smiling tooth on parts of their tops.

Many parents of the children here in the country utilize scrubs as the nannies' official get-up especially when leaving the house. Again, I think they look more professional although there are uniforms specifically for nannies. I may be planning on hiring an all-around helper cum nanny, giving her a uniform to wear when she goes out with us might be a good idea too. I just need to know where to buy medical scrubs. There are medical supply stores in Bambang St., Manila. I wonder if there is a wide range of designs available there.

Daydreaming...

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Sometimes, I cannot help but wonder what it is like to live in a house like this. If I were to be the owner, it should be located far from the city, away from the noise and dust of the Philippine metropolis. That is what I always dream of so my kids could have fresh air and plenty of space to run, tumble and play with the dogs. The driveway designs will have to be simple so it's easy to navigate through the place.The driveway pavers must not be slippery and slick, especially when they're wet. A manicured lawn would add charm to the house. I also want a porch and a nice patio. The porch and patio designs shall feature many plants and flowers that we ourselves will plant. There shall be nice outdoor furniture, where we can relax and read books on Sundays. There could be a swimming pool, if it isn't too much to ask. And pool parties galore, although I don't know how to swim. And a barbecue grill, too! That would be so much fun! I could invite family and friends over for some quality time together. I know, I should be more realistic, but it doesn't hurt to dream big at times, right? Right? :-D

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To Rest in this Room

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When we have the resources in the future, I would like to redesign our bathroom and the bathroom vanities, here at our place and at my parents' home. For me, it is uplifting to go to the restroom and utilize a nice, clean and streamlined vanity. It would be like going to the toilet and bath of a five star hotel. It would add more meaning to the word 'rest' in the restroom.

It would be done in the contemporary style so it will be simple yet elegant. There would be a small magazine or book rack for when "one is sitting on the throne". It is my dream for our toilet and bath to have a double sink bathroom vanity. This is so that my hubby and I need not wait for our turns while putting on contact lenses or brushing our teeth. I would  also be able to brush my teeth alongside my growing toddler, which I like. There could be two separate mirrors above each sink and a medicine cabinet or an open shelf in the middle. Or one big mirror could also do, as it would make the bathroom look bigger. A shower enclosure would be nice, so the water would not splash the vanity and watercloset area. It is also my dream to have a bath tub! Would that be wishing for too much? My hubby would say 'yes'! 

It would be a great experience to design a nice toilet and bath and see it everyday, wouldn't it? I hope we could afford it in the not-so-distant future...




 
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The Dream Dollhouse For Me

 

  

Last Christmas, my daughter Elle received a dollhouse set from a couple, who are close friends of mine and my hubby's. Elle gets it out to play with almost everyday. The details of the dollhouse are fine unlike some other ones with less quality. The flooring of the different areas are not just flat. There is parquet for the bedrooms and den, tiled toilet & bath and kitchen, wooden boards for the attic and dining area. Pieces of furniture can be rearranged. There is a 4-seater dining set, two beds, a love seat, a lamp, a TV console, a TV, a bath tub and a watercloset with a cover that can be opened. The refrigerator in the kitchen can also be opened. The sink is recessed, the range and some items on the counter top are molded. The bedrooms have French doors leading to balconies. The dolls consists of a family of four and a family dog with its own doghouse attached to the facade of the house. The middle portion floors and columns of the house can be folded up so the two sides can be swung in to conceal the rooms and just show the outside of the dollhouse. What I don't like about it are the lack of imaginative colors on the outer and inner walls of the dollhouse and the detachable ladders that lack stability when put up. But, overall, this is a great dollhouse set children would enjoy.

If I were to design my own dream dollhouse, I'd have themed designs for every room. The kitchen could have a country feel with flowered curtains for the window, the same flowered design could be on the cushions for the wooden chairs with a matching table in the nook. The cupboards would have varnished doors in light oak. The walls would have be painted in sunshine yellow. There would be little baskets to hold some miniature produce. The living area would sport a contemporary look with an L-shaped sofa upholstered in soft beige leather. The walls would be of floor to ceiling faux glass. Other furniture would consist of a coffee table, a bar with bar stools made with materials that would look like glass and chrome. The den would have an accent rug in psychedelic design. Its theme would be a colorful retro style. Bright hues of red, blue, purple and orange shall splash the space. I'd like a Zen, spa-like theme for the master bedroom. With a simple yet relaxing surrounding, and colors of nature in its palette. If there would be a nursery in the dollhouse, the furniture would be painted in pastel colors and the wallpaper would look like this:

 

 I found this wallpaper design in the site of an online dollhouse components retailer, who can provide dollhouse-making enthusiasts with doll house kits. If I can't design my real house the way I truly like it to be, then I could probably do it with a dollhouse, right?