Smart technology can be daunting; there are many different types of gateway, driver and smart devices, and it can be hard to know where to start. Even when you do manage to dip your toes into that smart pool, it’s not always easy to add to an existing set-up without getting into a muddle. Where to start and how to expand is a headache for many people, so read on for some tips. It can be tempting to start with […]
It seems like such a luxury, to be seen only in the mansions of the rich and famous, but underfloor heating is actually more popular than you may think. However, is it right for your home? Here are some pros and cons to help you decide. Underfloor heating often allows you to heat a room without wall-mounted radiators, giving you more creative scope when it comes to the layout of your furniture and fixtures. It works beautifully under naturally cold […]
Lights are either on or off, right? Wrong! Smart lighting isn’t just the difference between being able to navigate a room safely and tripping over furniture; smart lighting adds another facet to our living space; it creates atmosphere. Here’s how to use smart lighting to build an intuitive and functional living space. The crucial element (see what we did there?) is the warmth and colour of the light. Warmth is measured in Kelvins, with a warm light coming in at […]
You may not consider your bathroom as a space in which you can be particularly inventive with smart technology; after all, it’s just a place to us the toilet and take a bath or shower, right? But what if those everyday experiences could become something a little more special? Read on to find out how to get smart with your bathroom routine. Firstly, smart technology is a great way of future-proofing your home. Gone are the days when a padded […]
From communicating with your fridge while you’re at the supermarket, to having what resembles a chat with your microwave, technology has now turned your average appliances into super smart assistants. But how and what to include in your new ‘smart kitchen’ may be putting you off – there are so many appliances and devices on the market that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. Read on for some tips as to how to design your perfectly personalised smart kitchen. […]
We’ve all read articles about living in a home that really knows you – lights turning on as you pull up on the drive, the oven pre-heating before you get home, curtains closing and lights dimming when you open the Netflix app on your TV, but that isn’t all that smart technology has to offer. Smart security is what smart people get – read on to find out how this new technology can help keep you and your home safe. […]
In the midst of a global pandemic, we are all spending much more time indoors, at home. DIY sales have risen, and continue to do so, as increasing numbers of people begin to tire of the four walls they have been staring at since March, and who can blame them? If this describes you, maybe it’s time to call in the help of an interior designer – an expert who, following an in-depth consultation, will be able to take a […]
Did you know that there were 14,997 fires attributed to domestic appliances in the UK in 2019/2020, with cooking appliances the most common cause, followed by washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers? These are scary statistics, made even more so when you consider our extreme reliance on domestic appliances – imagine a home without a cooker or washing machine. Yet many of these items have been deemed unsafe and are subject to recall – something that not all consumers are […]
Remember beaded curtains, avocado bathroom suites and woodchip wallpaper? We do! Certainly not a neutral, timeless aesthetic, they’re the bane of many people’s lives who can’t afford to replace them, or who had to strip entire homes of the horrors of the 90’s. One way to avoid the inconvenience of having to redecorate each room every year is to opt for a neutral, timeless design. Read on for some tips. Mix It Up Find a few styles you love and […]
From switching on the kettle when you pull up in the drive, to opening the curtains, turning on the shower and playing your favorite ‘Wake Up’ playlist when it’s time to get going in the morning, home automation is the smart way to manage your home and lifestyle. But when you look at all the options, things can get a bit confusing. Do you really need an automated toilet flush or a smart air freshener? A good place to start […]
