My First Time Using a Natural Gas Grill (What Did I Learn from This?)
In my 34 years of grilling, I have never been so pleasantly surprised (and at times frustrated) by a grill as much as when using a natural gas powered grill. I thought I knew everything there is to grilling, but my first ever experience with a natural gas grill this past weekend, taught me a lot, even though I’ve been grilling since I was 18. For some reason, I never got the chance to cook on a natural gas grill so I went in with an open mind and realised (the hard way) that they are very effective and since they are powered by natural gas, they are environmentally friendly as well. Getting started can be a bit challenging even for experienced grillers like myself, so here’s everything a novice needs to know.
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Things to Consider When Buying a Home Lift & The Benefits of Having One
Residential lifts seem like the ultimate luxury to most people, but in reality, their practicality significantly outweighs glamor. While yes, a home lift can improve your home’s interior design considerably, the rest of the benefits that home lifts provide go beyond aesthetics. The reasons for installing a residential lift are numerous. Whether you live with someone who has mobility issues and needs easier access to different stories, or you just want extra convenience when bringing in groceries – whatever your reason may be, purchasing and installing a home lift requires a lot of considerations.
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Reasons Why Automatic Blinds Might Be Just the Right Choice for Your Home
When we moved into our new home I really wasn’t into curtains and blinds. I was trying to keep it as simple as possible so blinds were the last thing on my list. But there will always be someone who will not like your idea and in my case, that was my closest friend. Any time she came to my house, she tried to persuade me to install blinds. And eventually, she did. I promised myself that I will buy blinds only if I find something that will really add value to my home and make it better than it is. Going through the range of available options on the market, I came across something that caught my eye – automatic blinds.
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How to Maximise Space If You Have a Small Bathroom
As a girl that likes to spend a lot of time in the bathroom doing self-care routines, I consider it to be one of my favorite areas where I usually start and end my day. That is why the tiny bathroom was one of my biggest concerns when I moved into a new small studio. I already knew that giving my bathroom a makeover in order to make it more functional was one of the first projects I needed to undertake. After doing some research and consulting with a few professionals, I realized that the lack of space shouldn’t be a problem for creating a bathroom that is both practical and visually pleasing. If you are also facing the same issue, read on to find out some of my solutions that you can also try.
First things first, you might want to ditch the bathtub as it can take up a lot of space, and you may not be even using it as often. You can get a fairly large shower cabin and still end up with some space left over after removing the tub. A shower cabins with a glass door would also be perfect, as it can let more light in the cabin and give your bathroom a more modern look and appearance.
Another good space-saving technique is adding shelving on the walls. They can make for a useful storage space where you can keep towels, personal hygiene products, beauty products, or maybe place calming candlelight and soothing scents.
Mirrors could also work perfectly for a small bathroom as they reflect light thus making the area look larger and more open. There are countless of types of bathroom mirrors Australia homeowners can choose from. They come in a variety of forms and designs – from sleek LED lighted frameless mirrors to some quite flashy ones. You just need to take your time go thoroughly through the different types of bathroom mirrors Australia stores offer, be it offline or online. A frameless mirror can make the bathroom seem larger as without the frame it can reflect more light around the bathroom, bringing life and creating an illusion of a bigger space. If you get a framed mirror, on the other hand, that looks chunky or overpowering, it will minimise the amount of light that can be reflected.
You can hang a large mirror on the back of the bathroom door or install a wall-mounted mirrored cabinet. A well-chosen, stylish mirrored cabinet unit apart from being a design feature can provide you with the much-needed storage space in a small bathroom. That’s actualy what I chose to do and it now serves me perfectly when it comes to storing all of my makeup, hair products, creams and other necessities I love to have at hand when I do my morning and night-time routines.
Go Nordic All the Way: Room Designs to Get You Inspired
Moving into a new place is both exciting and challenging. When I started thinking about relocating and starting fresh with my family, the first challenge that popped into my head was furnishing. However, I was determined to design my home in a simpler way than ever before. That is when I discovered Scandinavian design and all the principles that come with it. Simplicity, minimalism and function are at the core of this style which has become one of the most popular choices all around the world. Fortunately, I did follow it and learned firsthand how great it looks and how functional it really is, so, let me to walk you through a few room designs that will surely get you inspired. Let’s begin!
Nothing but the Best for Your Little Munchkin’ – the Essential Nursery Items
Decorating a nursery room for your baby can be both an exciting and daunting task. This empty room will receive a whole new meaning once your new joy comes to this world, so you want to make sure it will be comfortable, safe and peaceful. And of course, you want to make all that on a budget. When I was decorating our nursery room, there were so many things that I wanted to buy – not because we needed all of them but because they were so cute. So yes, I know the sweet problem you might be facing right now, but hold on – there are so many important things you need to be equipped with first. Read More
The Differences Between the Various Types of Pool Heaters
No matter where you live, a swimming pool heater enables you to extend your swimming season beyond the 4-5 warm months of the year. Generally, pool heaters are installed after the pump and filter system. The pump helps push water through the filter, then into the heater before it goes back in the pool again. There are 3 different types of heat pumps, and they all pump heat using a different method. Each type has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages, which makes knowing the differences between the 3 models quite important.
Gas Pool Heaters
Gas heaters are the most popular way to warm a pool in most regions, as they’re affordable and efficient. These heaters can be powered using natural gas or propane, depending on where you’re located and the availability of fuel. Gas heaters can maintain an even water temperature, no matter how cold it is outside, however, they might require extra fuel to accomplish this. On the downside, some gas pool heaters emit NOx, but there are some models which emit very small amounts of it, which makes them safe and compliant to the AU regulations.
Electric Pool Heaters
Electric pool heaters are more expensive, but their operating cost is much lower than the operating cost of gas pool heaters. These pool heaters pump heat slower than gas pool heaters, and you might have problems warming your pool when the temperature drops below 10°C. Most electric pool heaters last a very long time, which makes them a great long-term investment for places with a warmer climate.
Solar Pool Heaters
Solar pool heaters are becoming more popular and more efficient as solar technology keeps rapidly improving. Most solar pool heaters are very costly, at least initially, but their operating costs are almost non-existent. Furthermore, solar pool heaters last the longest out of all three types, but there are some drawbacks to them as well. First and foremost, they will only heat your pool if there’s enough sun throughout the day to power them, which makes them a poor choice for areas with colder weather.
Bottom line is, regardless of which type of pool heater you end up picking, you need to get one that’s big enough in terms of capacity to warm up your pool effectively. In order to do that, you need to calculate the pool’s surface area and subtract the temperature for the coldest month in which you’ll use the heater. The formula goes like this: pool size x temperature rise x 12 = BTUs required per hour.
Plant Where You Are – Tips on Creating an Urban Garden in the Concrete Jungle
People are becoming increasingly more concerned about the quality of food they consume and more and more people are resorting to growing their own food. This explains the new methods and techniques which help individuals cultivate their own fruit and vegetables. Even those with no experience in gardening and no gardening space whatsoever are becoming more confident to take up this hobby and see whether they have a green thumb. If you live in a concrete jungle and are looking to grow your own produce, worry not. Urban garden planters are the newest invention in the world of gardening that has made growing your own food a piece of cake.
Some people say that basically anything that can hold soil can be a suitable growing container for balcony gardens, but I don’t agree with that. Adequate urban garden planters need to offer plenty of space for roots to grow and need to have holes for proper drainage. And of course, they need to look good to match the exterior decor of your home. Modern, white plastic planters with a self-watering mechanism are my recommendation when it comes to choosing the best urban garden planters.
Plastic is a durable material that withstands the elements well and the white colour is quite easy to fit in every design scheme. The self-watering mechanism takes care of your plants’ water needs and has a system that shows you just how much water is left in the reservoir, so you don’t have to think about refilling it all the time. This kind of planters are suitable for growing both fruits and vegetables and you can use them to grow flowers as well.
Soil
You should use a high-quality potting mix to fill your planter. When shopping for potting mix, choose one that is soft, keeps moisture and gives the plant’s roots the right balance of nutrition, air, and anchorage. A mix that’s too dense or too wet may negatively affect your plants and impede their growth.
Seeds
Before you decide which seeds to plant, take a look at your balcony’s layout carefully. Vegetables usually need lots of sunlight to grow large and plentiful. Therefore, plan where you’ll place your container with veggies and make sure to put it in a sunny spot. Pay close attention to what each plant needs and make sure it fits in the conditions in your urban garden space.
Fertilize
When gardening in very small spaces such as planters, you need to pay special attention to your soil’s nutritional needs. That is because plants in containers deplete the nutrients at a quicker rate than large-scale gardening. So, make sure you add organic compost, top-dress soil and spray it with compost tea often.
How Our Adjustable Electric Bed Has Made Us a Better and Happier Couple
A good night’s sleep is essential for being energized and well-rested, but sometimes even if you do sleep the recommended 7-9 hours, you might not wake up refreshed and at your best. Unfortunately, I’m talking from personal experience here. A couple of months ago, I was waking up more and more tired every morning because my husband was snoring all night long and I was frequently waking up during the night. He had tried different solutions and snoring devices but unfortunately, nothing helped.
Pool Basics: Skimmer Baskets and Their Importance
The pool area is the place where you relax, spend time with your family and friends, or simply take a few hours for yourself and indulge in some “me time”. However you may choose to use this space, debris and bugs simply don’t match that ideal scenery. Unfortunately, I have noticed that these little buggers enjoy the water as well, and that is when I realized there must be something that can fix this problem. Of course, the pool filter and pump do work their magic by filtrating the water, but you need an additional helper for collecting the larger pieces often found in the pool. Fortunately, the solution is quite simple – I am talking about skimmer baskets. Stay with me for a more detailed explanation on what skimmer baskets are and how they work.
Ergonomic Furniture: Invest in Your Workers’ Mental and Physical Health
Today’s society brings people, chairs and desks closer together than ever before. Most people spend at least 8 hours at work, strapped to their chair. So, it is only natural that each worker should share a good working relationship with his/her chair. That being said, one great way for the employees to stay healthy and productive is to include ergonomic supplies in the form of chairs into the picture.
Gardenia 101: How to Take Care of This Lovely, Fragrant Shrub
Do you feel like your outdoor space lacks a little something to set the mood? A fragrant addition to your garden can be a great way to create a pleasant ambience that will make you want to spend more time outdoors instead of in. And when it comes to scented plants, gardenias always come to mind first.
Due to their intoxicating scent, lovely, white flowers and evergreen leaves, the gardenia’s many varieties are some of the most popular shrubs. Starting from early spring, this hedge will reward you with flowers throughout the summer and into mid-fall. What more could you ask for? However, in order to enjoy this shrub in its full glory, you need to treat it right. So, here are a few tips on how to keep your gardenia happy and healthy.
Know Your Variety
While all gardenias generally have the same requirements, some varieties can have additional needs. With that being said, it’s helpful to know which variety grows in your garden. For instance, one of the most popular varieties, the Gardenia Florida can reach heights up to 1 metre, which is great if you use it as a hedge along the borders. To promote thick and bushy foliage, prune straggly growth in early spring and them prune again after flowering. On the other hand, if you want to use the Gardenia Florida as a small decorative element, you may want to prune it more often. Other popular types of gardenias are Radicans, Augusta, First Love, Mystery and Kleim’s Hardy.
Plant in the Right Spot
Gardenias have tropical origins, which means that they can handle the sun. However, they still need protection from the scorching mid-day sun. Considering this, north and east-facing spots are ideal because the plants can get a lot of morning light and some late afternoon light, but won’t be burned during the hottest part of the day. Also, make sure that your gardenia isn’t planted in a crowded spot where there are competing roots. With that being said, it’s best to place them along pathways, fences or the corners of your house.
Meet Its Water and Soil Requirements
Gardenias grow best in soil that is moist and well-drained. The trick is to keep the soil consistently damp but not soggy by watering your gardenias with 2cm of water each weak. Whenever it rains, skip one week of watering. Be careful not to overwater your plants as this can cause problems. As for the soil, in order to improve its drainage, you can apply a layer of organic mulch. Organic matter such as peat moss and manure can also provide the soil with nutrients that help improve the plants’ growth.