Author: barbara

We are all learning how to become more eco-friendly together. From recycling and saving energy to protecting animals and reducing our carbon footprint, never has there been a more prevalent time to start saving our planet. Making more ethical decisions can only help make a positive impact on our planet. We have a personal stake in protecting the rainforests far away. And also conserving the amount of energy and fuel we use and reducing the amount of landfills we load into. There are many ways to go greener in your life, but today we are going to focus on one you may not yet have thought about. And that’s the interior design of your home. Did you know that the flooring you choose could also have an impact on the environment? If you’re thinking of renovating or remodeling a couple of the rooms in your home, then you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re going to take a look at the eco-friendly flooring choices you can make for a more ethical home.

Picture found on Pixaby

Bamboo

Natural bamboo floors that look just like real wood are a chic and popular choice as a material to use for the flooring in your home. It’s easy to maintain, adds a touch of the exotic boutique hotel to your space, and as a bonus, it’s also ecologically friendly. Sustainable bamboo flooring is made from the plant of the same name and is a renewable resource that matures in as little as three years. It’s a great choice instead of solid hardwood flooring, if you want to go green.

Picture found on Eng.wikipedia.org

Cork

If you want a floor that is warm, stylish and pretty unique, then why not opt for cork? Never heard of cork flooring? Well, it’s increasing in popularity due to its environmentally friendly properties and cool look. No trees have to be cut down to harvest cork. Therefore there is minimal impact on the environment. It’s also a great option if any of your family suffers from allergies as it doesn’t absorb dust and is resistant to bacteria.   

Rubber

Think rubber flooring is only consigned to the gym or playground? That’s just not the case anymore. Companies are paying attention to our demands for sustainable products. And rubber flooring is now available in all sorts of industrial style finishes. It can look great in the bathroom and kitchen. Choose recycled rubber is the if you want to go eco-friendly. It is also slip-resistant, durable, water resistant, super easy to clean and looks pretty awesome.

Picture found on Unsplash

Wool Carpet

There’s no denying that carpet feels luxurious underneath our feet and brings a superior cozy touch to our living ad bedroom spaces. But many carpets are also made using compounds that can be toxic to both the environment and our health. However, choose a wool carpet as a more ethical choice. Wool is a natural resource and can be spun into a thread that can then make a beautiful carpet. Not only is wool grown naturally but it is also sustainable and recyclable. This means when your carpet has run its course it can mulch into the soil and used as a natural fertilizer. Therefore extending your ethical practices one step further. And once you’ve got your floors sorted you can work on some great DIY ideas for dressing your home. There are lots over on my blog too!  

I’m sure we all know one of those people, the ones that seem to have everything. They can be tricky to buy for, when something like their birthday or Christmas comes around. So it is handy if there is a go-to guide for those people. I have saved you the trouble and put a list together. Hopefully they will make a unique and different gift, from the standard ones that you could give. Making them perfect to get for that person that has everything!

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Personalised Items

If a gift is personalised, then it makes it completely unique for that person. I think one of the best things about personalised items is that it means you have taken more time and effort to think of them. You will need to plan ahead for this kind of thing, as personalised items can take a little longer to get. You could get or make them a personalised photo frame. It could be filled with photos of the two of you or of major events in their life. You could also get something else made for them. It could be a personalised life planner or stationery. Something else for the home might be a good idea too. How about a personalised retro record to add to their collection? Somewhere like Nationwide Disc would be the place to look for that. When you know something is one of a kind, you know they won’t already have anything like it.

Hamper

It is easy to order in a hamper from a department store. It will come filled with food and wine, most likely. But it is a little generic and boring. What you could do, is put together your own hamper for the recipient. A basket or box is quite cheap to buy. Then you can just fill it with lots of their favourite things. It could be a book or magazine that they love, their favourite chocolates and bubble bath. Just think of them and what they would like. Then you can make it really personal for them.

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Experiences

If they have lots of things, then the chances are they might not need any more. So to get them something really worthwhile, getting them an experience is the way to go. A voucher for something on their bucket list is a great idea. If you don’t know what that is, you could always ask them. It might be skydiving, a hot air balloon ride or even a bungee jump. They might prefer something less adrenaline fueled and prefer a lesson or course. A cooking class or a wine tasting event might be more to their liking. Otherwise something like concert or theatre tickets are always a good idea.

A Membership

Similar to the experiences, you could get them a membership or subscription to somewhere. You could pay for their membership to something like the National Trust. You could cover their membership for a gym for a set period of time or get them a magazine subscription. Choose something that they don’t already have but that you know they will love.

Duchess Kate of Cambridge, together with her family are on an 8-day tour of Canada right now.  I am having a great time looking at what the fashionable Duchess is wearing.

I love this autumn green dress from Dolce Gabbana.

A pretty red and white McQueen frock.

source : USA Today

One of the major advantages of having your own home is your chance to play the host. There is something inherently calming about being able to relax in your home, sharing it with friends and family throughout the year.

The feeling of having more people than usual in your home can sometimes throw people for a loop. It feels as if the walls are closing in on you, as your existing interior space tries to handle more people. You can also find yourself running short of food and drink supplies and a few other hiccups. Before long, you find yourself wondering why you wanted to entertain at all.

But never fear: there are ways you can be prepared and make the most of your home. Learn how to be the host with the most, all with a little time and inspiration.

Host Helper One: Open Up The Space

Image from Wikipedia

Take this to the most extreme point if you have to and take doors off of their hinges or go for internal bifold doors to create space. Nothing is worse than trying to host when everyone is clustered in one area, or having to separate into little groups so the general thread is lost.

Host Helper Two: Reusable Items

Image from Pixabay

If you’re providing food and drinks, then unless you have a huge cutlery stash, you’re going to have to buy in. Rather than buying paper plates and plastic glasses – which look and feel tacky – it’s better to invest in something you can reuse. We’re not talking about fine china here; a basic, plain range from any grocery store will do the job. And the investment will last as well, as every party you have, the better value they become.

Host Helper Three: Make The Most of Outdoors

Image from Flickr

If it’s seasonable enough weather, then open up the space in the garden. To combat any cold snaps, consider patio heaters or chimeneas, which look good and provide plenty of heat.

Host Helper Four: Remove Anything Expensive

Image from Pixabay

People are clumsy; it’s a given. If there’s anything in your home you particularly value, then remove it before you invite a single guest inside. If it’s something more permanent – like furniture or the carpet – then work around it. Rugs can be a cheap spill-catcher and furniture can be covered with throws and cushions to save any terrible damage being done.

Host Helper Five: Prepare The Kitchen

Image from Wikipedia

There is a tendency for parties held at home to always end up in the kitchen. People go for food or a drink refill, see someone, and linger to chat. Be ready for it. Move as much of your everyday items out of the way and provide ample seating, resorting to patio chairs if necessary. Easy access to drink refills will be appreciated and mean people don’t have to reach over each other.

Host Helper Six: Let People Know What You Expect

It might seem strange to invite people into your home and issue them with rules, but it’s often a necessary evil. It’s particularly important if alcohol is going to be involved – we’re not talking a raging shindig here, but judgement slips after a couple of sips of anything. Ask if they cause any damage they let you know so you can rectify it, and to generally be respectful. Be cheerful with the delivery, and they won’t even take it badly.