Our guttering on our roof came away from the brickwork after a recent spot of windy weather. Last weekend I set about getting to work and fixing it in preparation for what is likely to be a nasty wet autumn! Luckily I had a ladder handy which I use for things like this and it saves you a lot of money in the long run. You can buy telescopic ladders from online stores, the one I chose had a good selection and the ladder is sturdy and perfect for the job in hand.

A half hour later and I managed to fasten the guttering back against the tiles with some adhesive, hopefully it will hold up over the next few months. Keeping the home in check can be cheap if you have a few DIY tools like a ladder, drills, hammers etc, as you can often avoid calling round the builders which can be costly.

Next time you’re home has a problem, consider fixing it yourself – a tip from me though – only go through with it if you are confident as you don’t want a DIY disaster on your hands!

Perfect setting for long friendly chats or even quite debates about the problems of the world: a neat bar counter. Chosen accents may have not been that deliberate but the host may never completely lose his cool around here. Note mounted pictures of his children on the right. Neither will friends nor guests linger much too long for comport: note clock on left hand side. Master bedroom is mainly in lemon yellow. Practical white headboard and side cabinet that hold telephone and selected knock knack make for an attractive combination. Lighter shade of lemon yellow is the choice for the dining suite for eight. The shade is so well chosen it has surprisingly blended so well with the green Tailing rug. Brighten up a corner of the dining area are a simply done up cabinet stained brown, a native basket also stained a deeper brown, a couple of crystal vases, a few ivory pieces, tiny mounted prints and a corner lamp.

The best solution that should make the children room tidy: wall cabinets properly compartmentalized so that the children would learn soon enough where things they have messed around with should be returned. A very cozy corner planned by the lady of the house. Excellent for the usual friendly banter over coffee, it is also sometimes used for very casual meals and other.

The bar door has been replaced with specially designed folding door with mirrors and cut out sea gull, wave, cloud design. This gives an unusually attractive view from the entrance. It also eliminated the need to move the bar from where it had been all these past many, many years.

Concealed bar was designed for the new owners by Claudia Bushman. Main living area is done up in subtle neutral shades that help maintain the feeling of spaciousness. Complementary colors brighten up by favorite accents –plants – make this corner of the living area look most relaxing. Since the first consideration was given to the maintenance of the open spaciousness that the house had for 20 solid years, the dining area like the living room is done up in neutral shades.

A sample of the plant boxes mentioned earlier in the story lighted from beneath. The light but attractive display shelves that hold some of the family’s dearly loved collections. Cozy conversation nook, the lanai done in safe, striking, attractive white, a feel of the outdoors has been brought in a clever way of taking care of an awkward corner. How attractive can a table top be? New homeowners answer with this uncluttered arrangement.

The heretofore long entrance corridor has been re-designed. Picture shows the false wall and the built in cabinets holding ceramic collection. Simple but warm enough entrance, a love seat called aligner in the Philippines were they come from, a mounted print in black and burnt orange and a potted plant.

The house used to have a long entrance corridor ending in an open bar and closed with louvered doors. It also had a large open living/dining combination with direct access to the kitchen. Two bank of grilled jalousie window faced the entrance drive way. For years, a screened lanai had been marked off from the living room by large glass sliding doors.

A designer was called in and although she was given a free hand in planning the remodeling and structural changes as well as in suggesting new furnishings, she had to give considerable amount of thought to the allocated budget and the fact that the house should be remodeled along efficient lines to serve the need of a young family (they are three growing children).

The designer wishes to create defined areas of sitting and dining, lanai and the breakfast nook with out losing the open, spacious feeling. Her client’s love of plants and their lovely c­­­­ollections prompted all the built in areas.

Marble topped plant boxes with displays areas were built around the living area and an open divider was designed to display a small collection and house the dining ware. The entrance to the kitchen was blocked by a false wall and a lighted built in China cabinet with all glass shelves and support give a light but attractive showcase for fine dishes and other collectibles. The classic upholstered sofas and armchair combined with Chinese style side tables and the period style upholstered dining table were all coordinated in color and line to give harmonious setting for the art objects and other finishing touches.