smart homes november 2014

TO YOUR BED

Add TOO YOUR BBED

Luxury

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SAFETY LIGHTING TIPS FOR THE HOMESSSSSSSAAAAAAAAFFFFFEEEEETTTTTYYYYYY LLLLLIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHHHTTTTTIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGG TTTTTIIIPPPPSSSS FFFFOOOORRRR TTTHHHHHEEEE HHHHOOOOMMMMMEEEEESAFETY LIGHTING TIPS FOR THE HOMETIPS FOR THE HOME

SUPERSIZEYOUR BEDROOMYOUR BEDROOM

PLANNING YOUR RENOVATIONYOUR RENOVATION

DreamDreamDining Room

TIPSFOR A

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5

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 3©2014 Wolseley. All Rights Reserved.

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4 SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

TO YOUR BED

Add TOO YOUR BBED

Luxury

IN WITH THE OLD: WHY CAST IRON IS BETTERIIIIIINNNNNNNN WWWWWWWWIIIIITTTTTHHHHHHH TTTTTTTHHHHHHEEEEEEE OOOOOOOLLLLLLLDDDDDD::::WWWWWWHHHHYYYY CCCAAAASSSSTTT IIIIRRRRROOOONNNNN IIISSS BBBBBEEEETTTTTTTEEERRRRRIN WITH THE OLD: WHY CAST IRON IS BETTERWHY CAST IRON IS BETTER

SAFETY LIGHTING TIPS FOR THE HOMESSSSSSSAAAAAAAAFFFFFFEEEEETTTTTYYYYYY LLLLLIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHHHTTTTTIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGG TTTTTIIIPPPPSSSS FFFFOOOOORRRRR TTTHHHHHEEEE HHHHOOOOMMMMMEEEEESAFETY LIGHTING TIPS FOR THE HOMETIPS FOR THE HOME

SUPERSIZEYOUR BEDROOMYOUR BEDROOM

PLANNING YOUR RENOVATIONYOUR RENOVATION

DreamDreamDreamDreamDining Room

TIPSFOR AFOR A

BIGGERLIVING ROOMLIVING ROOM

5

ON THE COVER: Madagascar

PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Christaldi

PUBLISHER: Vivian-Anne Gittens

EDITOR: Tyson Henry

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Paulette Jones

DEPUTY BUSINESS MANAGER: Lyle Jones

WRITERS: Nick Nunes,

Carlie Pipe, Natalia Nunes, Lyle Jones,

Coretta Joe, Latoya Brathwaite

PHOTOGRAPHY: Dan Christaldi,

DESIGN/LAYOUT: Imageworx

SENIOR ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE:

Kelly Johnally – Tel.: (246) 430-5515

Email: [email protected]

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES:

Danielle Beckford – Tel.: (246) 430-5495


Debbie Brathwaite – Tel.: (246) 430-5518


Donna Francis – Tel.: (246) 430-2868


PRINTERS:

Printweb Caribbean Ltd – Tel.: (246) 434-6719

Nothing can compare to a

living space that refl ects your

personal style evolving over

time, put together with love.

If you’re like most house-

proud Barbadians, your home already has an

authentic magic that no interior designer can

recreate, unique and packed with solutions to

your everyday challenges. With this in mind,

we decided to use this issue of Smart Homes to help you give your home the continued

care it needs, without busting the budget.

Whether you’re looking to renovate

(page 52), do some pre-holiday cleaning

(page 48), or fi gure out how to increase

the openness of your living room (page 34),

there is something in this magazine for every facet of the home. Do yourself

a favour and avoid the usual last-minute dash to get everything ready for the

upcoming festive season, and see page 24 to learn how you can prep your

dining room for an all the trimmings Christmas feast with loved ones.

Celebrate the New Year with friends and family in the home you love, and

remember, if the days are rushing past and the budget’s looking stretched,

don’t worry! All you have to do is channel your inner stylist (with our help of

course) and make a few tweaks to create a look that’s perfect for you.

Not sure where to begin? Try visiting a fl ea market (page 9) and be

surprised at the treasures you might literally bump into. There you’ll be

inspired by antique furniture, candle holders, old clocks, and other old items

that can be repurposed or upcycled to bring a room in your home to life.

We’ve only got a couple months left in the year, so let’s make the most and

enjoy every moment! Instead of straining yourself to reinvent your home with

the latest trends, use this issue to discover smart, simple and inexpensive

ways to refresh your abode.

From Th e Editor

Credits

Smart Homes is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited; a subsidiary of

The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the One Caribbean Media Limited

(OCM) group of companies. For general info email: [email protected].

Every eff ort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this

magazine is accurate, however, The Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held

responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions. This

publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the

Publisher. ©2014 NATION PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED

EDITOR




http://www.firstcitizensbb.com


NOVEMBER 2014

09

12

16

18

22

24

28

32

34

38

43

46

48

50

52

59

62

Contents

Flea Market Treasure Hunting

Add A Touch Of Hotel Luxury To Your Bed

Supersize Your Bedroom

Cosy Garden Corner

Oops – A Coop!

Dream Dining Room

Out With The New and In With The Old

5 Tips For A Bigger Living Room

Bringing Balance To Your Living Room

DIY Natural Home Deodorisers & Air Fresheners

Natural Lighting: Skylights

Tips For Chemical-Free Ant Control

8 DIY Green Cleaning Hacks

Natural Solutions For Removing Limescale

Planning Your Renovation:

A Step-By-Step Guide

Old Isn’t Cold

Lights For Safety And

Peace Of Mind

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 7

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 9INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 9INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 9

While it’s not entirely clear why, it is safe to

say that fl ea markets have dramatically

risen in popularity over the past few years.

Bargain hunters all over the country seem

to instinctively know where to go to fi nd

the best deals on unique and antique items. Yes, the economic

downturn defi nitely played a part in the paradigm shift from

solely purchasing new items to buying those that are second-

hand, but I can assert that there is more to treasure hunting than

the price slashes.

Going to a fl ea market is a pleasant and interesting experience

because there is so much variety to explore for a bargain hunter. In

addition to simple pleasures like fi nding the perfect inexpensive

treasure, strolling through a fl ea market on a Saturday morning is

an exciting experience that sends stress packing.

There are few cultures, if any at all, that are as collectively

house-proud as Barbadians. Birthed from this pride is a constant,

tireless search for statement pieces that range from vases, to

coff ee and side tables, to lamps, hutches and clocks.

While we always deny aiming to keep up with the Joneses,

the story around this time of year is always one of makeovers,

both large and small. With an apartment to furnish, I too have

been making my way to auctions, garage sales and fl ea markets

in search of items that can be repurposed to refl ect my personal

style.

To repurpose means to fi nd a new way to use something

old. When an individual fi nds something at the fl ea market to

repurpose, he or she can open up new ideas that allow for

better living. Flea markets provide people with countless ways

to improve their lives with a bit of creativity, and if you haven’t

joined the list of people to pay any a visit, you’re missing out.

Finding treasures is plenty of fun and you don’t have to spend

a fortune to buy beautiful items, including vintage clocks or

captivating wall decor, to use when decorating your living room,

kitchen or bedroom. What’s best is that you will often go with

one thing in mind, but leave with a piece that has something

about it that makes it perfect for your home. The old adage that

“one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” comes to mind, and

it goes both ways.

If your space feels cluttered or in need of a makeover, don’t

hesitate to trade or sell a few items and replace them with

something completely fresh. You won’t have to spend a fortune

to create a warm and inviting setting either, you can repurpose

everyday items like a set of old-fashioned jars by fi lling them with

pretty stones, candles, or potpourri to make a lovely centrepiece.

It not only makes economic sense to repurpose items, it is also

an environmentally friendly decorating option.

TREASURE HUNTINGBy Tyson Henry


Based on my experience at fl ea markets (and on the Facebook buy, sell and trade groups), the most popular items for the home are as follows:

FURNITURE – New and used furniture items sell well at fl ea markets. Outdoor and patio furniture, couches, love seats, recliners, bunk beds, coff ee tables and nightstands are often bought with haste. The increased accessibility of upholsterers and restorers has made it easy to breathe new life into old pieces.

TOOLS – If you’re on the lookout for automotive tools, household tools, air tools, power tools, hand tools, woodworking tools, or garden tools, try visiting a few fl ea markets before heading into a department store.

CANDLES & ORNAMENTS – Flea markets will be like heaven for people who love to decorate their homes with candles of all shapes and sizes, as well as unique ornaments such as small sculptures and carvings made from all kinds of materials.

ELECTRONICS – There is never a shortage of great deals on electronics such as audio equipment, DVD/Blu-ray players, television sets, cameras, cell phones and even cable box receivers.

KEEP YOUR EYE OUT FOR

ADVERTISEMENTS IN

THE NATION’S NEWSPAPERS

AND ROAD SIGNS WHEN

COMMUTING, TO SEE WHEN THE

NEXT FLEA MARKETS WILL BE HELD.

THEY CAN BE ADMITTEDLY HIT

OR MISS, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN

NOT, YOU’LL SEE WHY BARBADIANS

FLOCK TO THESE EVENTS AND

LEAVE GRINNING LIKE THEY FOUND

A LONG-LOST TREASURE.


Hotel Luxury TO YOUR BED & CARE TIPS

ADD A TOUCH OF


W ith the stress and the increasingly hectic life that we all live in, your bedroom is the one place to truly forget about life and its stressors. Your bedroom is where you unwind, relax and recharge for the next day. If you could make

your bedroom into a luxurious retreat with a few tweaks, wouldn’t you? Keep reading and you’ll learn how feasible it is to upgrade your haven.

Have you ever given thought to what makes hotel beds so inviting? Yes, hotel beds are invitingly plush with several layers, and the best hotels have signature oils and scents that have been proven to relax our minds and bodies, but these aren’t the only attributes that set hotel beds apart from ours.

An often overlooked trick is actually the colour of the bed linens. While it is true that colour brings interest and dimension to a room’s decor, there are still several benefi ts of having white sheets:

By Tyson Henry

Main Photo by Dan Christaldi

HAVE YOU EVER GIVEN THOUGHT

TO WHAT MAKES HOTEL BEDS SO

INVITING? WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT

COLOUR BRINGS INTEREST AND

DIMENSION TO A ROOM’S DECOR,

THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL BENEFITS

OF HAVING WHITE SHEETS:


1. White matches every decor and colour scheme.2. Easy to clean and disinfect. The use of white sheets is

common in the hospitality industry, but due to a perception of them being hard to clean, homeowners tend to go for darker coloured and/or patterned sheets. By the end of this article, the thought of cleaning your linens won’t be an overwhelming deterrent anymore.

3. You’ll know when it’s time to wash them. Body oils will show easier on white sheets than on coloured sheets. (FYI: it is recommended that bedsheets be changed at least once a week.)

4. They last longer – white doesn’t fade.

There aren’t many things more beckoning at the end of a long day than a nicely made up bed with clean, crisp, white sheets. The invitation wanes, however, when your sheets have seen brighter days (literally). Sweat, body oils and skincare products can stick to the threads of linens and form a yellow hue as they accumulate over time.

Even though chlorine bleach is likely your go-to for heavy-duty whitening, it can react with body oils to actually make whites more, not less, yellow. Instead, turn to eco-friendly household cleaners that are safe to use on a regular basis.

When laundering your bed linens, add half a cup of baking soda to your detergent at the beginning of the wash cycle. Then, at the start of the rinse cycle, pour in half a cup of white vinegar (don’t worry, that distinct odour will rinse out). These two natural whiteners also have a softening eff ect, so you can skip the fabric softener.

Washing sheets separately from towels or other clothing gives the sheets more room to circulate in the water, thereby allowing them to get cleaner. This practice also prevents damage caused by zippers and other fasteners, and it reduces the amount of pilling (formation of small balls of fl uff ) that can happen over time.

During the time spent on the bed, dirt, dust, skin cells, body oils and fl uids, and faecal material accumulate on sheets. The longer these particles stay on the sheets, the more stress is put on the sheet fi bres. In addition, skin cells and body oils and fl uids can attract microscopic mites.

To reduce the washing frequency, bathe before bedtime so you’ll take less dirt into bed with you. Keeping sweat, oils, and dirt out of the bed will keep the sheets clean longer. Keep multiple sets of sheets available so a clean set is always ready to go on the bed. By rotating three sets of sheets per bed, the sheets will last longer.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS:1/4 cup baking soda1 cap laundry detergent1/2 cup vinegar

1. Put the baking soda and the soap in the bottom of the washer.

2. Put the sheets in and close. 3. Put on normal cycle. 4. When the washer starts the rinse cycle, pour in the vinegar.5. For an extra whitening boost, hang your linens to dry in

the sun. Sunlight has bleaching capabilities. Just be sure to bring in the laundry after it dries, since the sun can rot the fi bres.

Whether you want to improve your sleep or your bedroom decor, luxury bedding can make a diff erence. Upgrades in your sheets, comforters, and pillows will add style to your bedroom and will feel wonderful against your skin.

TIP: Wash sheets weekly (especially in our humid climate) to extend the life of your bed linen.

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YOUR BEDROOMIF SPACE IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY IN YOUR BEDROOM,

FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES TO MAXIMISE YOUR SQUARE FOOTAGE

AND MAKE YOUR ROOM FEEL BIGGER.

Supersize 16 SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

By Carlie Pipe


1. Get more from your fl oor: The more of your fl oor that is visible, the bigger your room will appear. You can achieve this by choosing a bed, dresser and bedside tables with exposed legs instead of those with trim. Another great tip – pick tall, thin furniture to make the room feel taller.

To display even more fl oor space, arrange your furniture neatly against the wall and not within the natural walking path between your door and your bed. Even better, paint your furnishings the same colour as your walls. They’ll blend in and make the room feel wider.

2. Less is always more: Since we’re on the topic of furnishing, remember that fewer pieces will keep the room uncluttered, and multifunction units that can perform many purposes will be a lifesaver in a small bedroom. Do you really need a bedside table, or could you simply use under the bed storage?

If you’re planning on dressing up your walls by hanging family photographs – use fewer large photos instead of lots of small ones.

3. Lighten up: Allow as much natural lighting as possible, and if you’re renovating or building for the fi rst time – go for recessed lighting over lamps. It’s the ultimate space saver. For lighting fi xtures like pot lights, situate them so that the light bounces off as many walls as possible. Look for the ideal locations that won’t allow their light to become “trapped” behind large furniture like wardrobes.

Trick the eyes with mirrors. Mirrors expand a room instantly by refl ecting light so for maximum eff ect, hang yours directly opposite your window.

4. If these walls could speak: They’d say, paint us light. Avoid dark or bright paint as they can cramp small spaces. Instead, use monochromatic paint – several variations of a single hue. Pick up paint swatches in neutrals or pastels at your nearest hardware store. Good choices include cream, icy blues or greens.

When you get to your mouldings and wall trim, paint those slightly darker or slightly lighter than the walls.

5. Go doorless: You need privacy in your bedroom of course, but if you have an en-suite bathroom, we dare you to go doorless. Allowing the two rooms to visually fl ow together will almost double your space. Another option is to try a transparent door made of glass or a similar see-through material.

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Peace and mindful rest are hard to come by these days, especially now that school is in full swing and the necessity to look at fi nances as the year closes is becoming a larger

concern. Everyone has their own particular brand of area to promote a restful sanctuary, and calm the mind from the hazards and distractions of everyday life. Though everyone is not the outdoorsy type, it isn’t too diffi cult to create an Eden that everyone will envy right in your backyard.

Most people would feel that taking care of a garden or outdoor oasis would be an unnecessary pressure, but I assure you that tending to the growth of a truly living space can be very therapeutic and is very much its own reward.

Other than maintaining lawn levels and keeping shrubbery in line, a nice shaded place that you’ve crafted from the living earth will bring the kind of tranquillity only available from a natural escape.

Take some time to yourself and think of the things of nature that bring you the most enjoyment and comfort. Take colours, smells, and even sounds into consideration before tackling a fl ora facelift. From shrub height to seating placement, the feng shui of your cosy corner should be personal and inviting.

Many of the experts in garden centres and home improvement stores will be able to guide you in the direction of creating your own space once you’ve got a basic plan in mind. A great thing to keep in mind is that a garden oasis should feel

By Nick Nunes

COSY GARDEN CORNER


separate and uniquely isolated from the urban surroundings. Planting lush layers around the perimeter should do the trick to create a barrier from the barrage of everyday life.

Starting out with towering trees to give some shade and then descending to bushes and shrubbery will go very far in the direction of making a lovely habitable haven. Ferns are a great way to do a little outdoor decorating as there are so many types and many thrive in most climates. Remember that the garden isn’t a place to reshape the world to your desire but to fi nd a symbiotic relationship with the natural world and work together to fi nd peace and comfort.

A water feature can take your cosy area from fi ne to fantastic. The sound of gently running

water is soothing for most and the beauty of it, when done tastefully, is beyond compare. Whether you turn a decorative pot into a fountain or have the space to create a larger garden with a waterfall, a water feature is a dramatic touch that provides tranquillity and drowns out the urban airs.

Natural stones are also a great way to accent your garden corner and a cheap way to make a pathway look natural and elegant at the same time. Letting the grass grow between the stones will give a welcoming feel to any garden but the little accents you add will help to make it your own. Smaller shined pebbles or even coloured and smoothly sanded pieces of glass could mean the diff erence between quaint and other-worldly.


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Green is great in many ways. You can go a little crazy with the greenery but on another note, solar accent lights are a brilliant way to enjoy your garden at night if you don’t want to go the route of tiki torches. Aside from green, splashes of colour give the feeling of warmth and aff ord the eye with something to wander to. Tropical orchids and indigenous fl owering plants are defi nitely a way to go, and creating a colourful corner is an easy assignment in the Caribbean.

Whether you’re going the extravagant route or making a modest area for meditation, the creation of a cosy garden corner comes down to one main point – you. Putting a bit of your own personality into the outdoors is how you connect and make an area truly unique.

WHETHER YOU’RE GOING

THE EXTRAVAGANT ROUTE

OR MAKING A MODEST

AREA FOR MEDITATION,

THE CREATION OF A COSY

GARDEN CORNER COMES

DOWN TO ONE MAIN

POINT – YOU.



INSPIRATION & INNOVATION 21Email: [email protected] • Website: www.fiberpolinc.com


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By Natalia Nunes

THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ESCAPED BEING “GUNNED DOWN”

SO FAR ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PROTECT OURSELVES

AND OUR FAMILIES BY SECURING OUR HOMES WITH SCREENS

ON EVERY OPENING THAT MAY ISSUE AN INVITATION TO THE

WRETCHED AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITO.


Chikungunya. The very name leads one to believe that this has something to do with chickens. Not so. This very debilitating virus is on the loose in the Caribbean. Those of us who have escaped being “gunned down” so far are looking for ways

to protect ourselves and our families by securing our homes with screens on every opening that may issue an invitation to the wretched Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Many avid gardeners may soon think seriously about culling and cutting back at fl ora as any tiny receptacle, albeit a leaf, with the ability to hold even a teaspoonful or less of water, is a potential birthing place for these less than cute baby mosquitoes. Now is the time to acquire a taste for the minimalist styles both inside and outside of our living and work spaces. The phrase “less is more” is now not only aesthetically tasteful nowadays but healthful in a big way.

Recently, on a trip overseas, I came across a device I had never before seen – a round, metal canister made specifi cally for mosquito coils surpassing the old, tiny coil holder. What a brilliant idea! This canister is a safe, user-friendly receptacle used to house the mosquito coils. It provides for an easy clean up and it can be had right here in Barbados. Dedicated use has equipped me with the skill of detangling the coils without breaking them out of sheer irritation at the till breaking do us part marriage of two. This could be improved upon, surely. We could become creative and spray paint the canisters to blend in with our decor taking care not to clog the holes where the smoke escapes.

Being an accidental country wife, I have discovered that there are a myriad of fl ying insects and creepy-crawlies which would like to share my living space here on the farm. None is welcome. They love dark spaces so lighter coloured fabrics, and even walls, are a good deterrent to the little critters. Not to be excluded is insecticide spray and, of course, the mosquito destroyer coils, which have become my new cologne. Not that I use them directly on my person, but in my quest to dodge the dreaded chikungunya virus, use of the aforementioned permeates my clothes and hair. Let’s just say quite a chunk of my grocery money goes towards those items. The cost of the coils, cans of spray and new scent of clothes, hair and soft furnishings far outweigh the pain and suff ering, not to mention downtime, of having chikungunya, dengue or any other malady the winged criminals infl ict.

For the population who prefer their windows and doors sans screens, I’ve discovered that placing the canisters on the window sills and to the side of doorways is actually the best station of attack as the smoke not only wafts inside the house but outside as well possibly forming the words, “Fly or crawl back. Protected by Vape” in critter language.

Although the thought of living in a coop is not exactly at the top of our bucket lists, our homes need not be closed up and barricaded to keep us safe from the enemy mosquitoes. Clearing out land spaces, thinning out overpopulated gardens, decluttering rooms and closets are stepping stones to critter-free living.

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As the year is coming to a close, a lot of people start to think about their family gatherings and are planning on having events from intimate gatherings to grand galas. Though not everyone is attuned to the same type of social aff airs, it’s

nearly impossible to fi nd someone that isn’t interested in sitting down to a lovely meal with treasured guests. Rather than going out to a restaurant and quibbling over the bill and the stresses that come with a night out, a dinner party is the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too.

A well tuned kitchen with ample space and all the necessary supplies is one thing to have primed and ready, but having

the perfect dining space is what creates the ambience for a memorable evening to look back on fondly. Whether you just entertain a small brood of family or a large circle of friends, a dream dining room is a place that brings people together to share and connect.

Of course, for those that subscribe to the modest meal troop, simple and functional is the way to go. However, simplicity and functionality can also be elegant. Setting is very important to a dining experience. Space, lighting, aroma, and acoustics are all a part of what makes for a comfortable dining experience.

Space and functionality don’t have to be sacrifi ced for extravagance or expense. Collapsible dining tables can make


for a room that is both utilitarian and uniquely attractive. When creating an outline for a dream dining room, it’s important to remember that oversaturating the senses doesn’t just aff ect the ambience but can interfere with the enjoyment of the meal. Too many or too little in the realm of decorative trinkets can distract from the focus of the gathering, which is, of course, the company.

Sights and sounds should also play a big role in the dining experience. Atmosphere is set through the senses and if you starve or overstuff one or more then it cheapens the full experience from the rest. Moderate lighting, soft but not dull, should be used so that expressions on faces can be seen and the majesty of the meal can be beheld. Sitting down for a dining

HAVING THE PERFECT DINING SPACE

IS WHAT CREATES THE AMBIENCE

FOR A MEMORABLE EVENING TO

LOOK BACK ON FONDLY. WHETHER

YOU JUST ENTERTAIN A SMALL

BROOD OF FAMILY OR A LARGE

CIRCLE OF FRIENDS.

By Nick Nunes

DINING ROOMDream

experience isn’t limited to the taste of the food but is aff ected by the look of it and can even be infl uenced by the sounds. If your dining space has an echoing accoustic set up, then you may want to include more objects, tastefully, to dampen the soundwaves. In the same vein, a little mood music can go a long way.

An open plan with enough elbow room to have your guests dine comfortably is never to be neglected. You don’t want your diners to be shuffl ing chairs every time someone needs to be excused. More so, you want to have enough room that the post-consumption communion can be enjoyed with light hearts and fi lled bellies.


Everyone has their own tastes, but it’s important to remember that if you’re catering to a social gathering, too jarring of an environment will detract from the occasion. Warm to neutral colours and a calming environment will help focus the dining experience on the meal and the company rather than creating an abbrasive air.

Having a dream diningroom does not have to be an exercise in modelling your place off of a catalog. Making the dining area uniquely you while retaining the notion of a welcoming place for your fellows should be an easy and enjoyable task, not understated but demure without straying into the land of bland.

HAVING A

DREAM DINING

ROOM DOES

NOT HAVE TO

BE AN EXERCISE

IN MODELLING

YOUR PLACE

OFF OF A

CATALOG.

http://www.republicbarbados.com



http://www.platinumimportsinc.com


Cast-iron skillets may seem like an old-fashioned choice, but this dependable cookware is a must in any modern kitchen. Cast-iron skillets conduct heat beautifully, go from stovetop to oven with no problem, and last for decades.

There’s no need for a non-stick pan when you have a well seasoned cast-iron pan that’s used and cared for properly.

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of cooking with a well seasoned cast-iron skillet may already know about cast- iron cookware’s versatile cooking capabilities. As cookware becomes more expensive and the kinds available become more varied, it’s increasingly clear that most “new” pots and pans are about marketing.

In the face of its rising popularity, research over the past decade showed that non-stick cookware reached temperatures that produced toxic particles and fumes potentially dangerous to human health. According to the study results, in two to fi ve minutes on a conventional stovetop, Tefl on cookware was found to exceed temperatures at which coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases.

When it comes to cookware, new is not necessarily better. For most tasks, old-style cookware is best.

WHY CAST IRON IS BETTERBy Tyson Henry

Out With The

AND IN WITH THE OLDNew

ANYONE WHO HAS EVER HAD

THE PRIVILEGE OF COOKING

WITH A WELL SEASONED

CAST-IRON SKILLET MAY

ALREADY KNOW ABOUT CAST-

IRON COOKWARE’S VERSATILE

COOKING CAPABILITIES.


HOW TO SEASON A CAST-IRON SKILLET

What You Need:• Dish soap• Sponge or stiff brush• Clean, dry cloth or paper towels• Vegetable oil or shortening (or other oil of your choice)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. Wash the skillet with warm, soapy water and a sponge or stiff brush. Cast-iron pans should not normally be washed with soap, but it’s okay in this case because the pan is about to be seasoned.

3. Rinse and thoroughly dry the skillet.

4. Using a cloth or paper towel, apply a thin coat of vegetable oil or melted shortening to the inside and outside of the skillet.

5. Place the skillet upside down on the oven’s centre rack.

6. Place a sheet of aluminium foil below the rack to catch any drips.

7. Bake for an hour.

8. Turn off heat and allow the skillet to cool completely before removing from oven.


In order for your pan to work well over time, you must take care to use it properly. Here are some tips for using and caring your cast-iron pan after it’s been seasoned:

1. Never clean it with soap, and never use steel wool to scrub it. If you have some stubborn food, add a bit of water and heat until it softens, then use a stiff plastic brush to rub it since that won’t destroy the seasoned surface.

2. Don’t cook anything that’s acidic in the pan such as tomatoes, lemon juice, or vinegar. The acidity eats away the seasoning and leaves you with a brand-new looking pan, which is pretty but not the look you want.

3. To get that non-stick eff ect, heat the cast iron fi rst before adding anything. Add oil to the hot pan right before adding

the food. This will result in food that does not stick to the pan but which slips right out.

4. Never shock a hot cast-iron pan with cold water because it can crack.

5. Don’t soak or leave a wet pan in the dish rack because this will promote rust. Always dry it over a low burner, and then re-season with a quick wipe of shortening or vegetable oil on a cloth or paper towel before storing.

All of this may sound like a lot of extra work, but the result is worthwhile. You’ll have an amazingly fl exible pan that can sear, sauté, simmer, bake, and broil, and you’ll feel better knowing that your family is eating food prepared in an all-natural, non-toxic way.

Tip: Clean and protect your cast-iron skillet by cleaning any gunk with a mixture of olive oil and salt. Simply pour a tablespoon of olive oil into

the skillet, add coarse sea salt, and scrub with a cloth. Once the skillet is clean, wipe out the salt, and fi nish with a thin layer of olive oil.

ALL OF THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A LOT OF EXTRA

WORK, BUT THE RESULT IS WORTHWHILE.

[email protected]


http://www.readymixbarbados.com


3COLOUR MATTERS – While dark hues are design-friendly, they make a room appear much smaller. Your best bet is to stick to pale colours like white, cream, pale greys and blues. These keep it nice and light.

51

TIPSBy Coretta Joe

FOR A BIGGERLIVING ROOM AREA

Maybe you just moved into your very fi rst apartment or recently invested in a starter home and space is a little

tight. Or maybe you just prefer to live in an intimate setting rather than deal with the maintenance and cleaning of a large space. Having a small living room can be a bit

daunting and you will no doubt have to make compromises in terms of decorating, but there are several foolproof ways of making the best of your space. Try these fi ve great tips

for making your living room area appear larger and you will be delighted you did. Goodbye cramped living quarters and

hello easy living and entertaining.

LET THERE BE LIGHT – When natural light fl ows freely inside a room, it opens up the interior and makes it appear larger. Make sure your window coverings are sheer, or pull them back, this brings natural light in.

2MULTITASK YOUR FURNITURE – When you’re cramped for space, make your furniture work hard for its money. Opt for multifunctional pieces. For example, a coff ee table with multiple levels gives you more space to stash items like magazines and books, while a small skirted table disguises underneath storage.


4

5CLEAR THE CLUTTER – A cluttered room equals a smaller room. Keep things tidy and organised by creating a focal point with one area or feature. For instance, use one large painting instead of multiple wall paintings, limit the number of accessories, and invest in one prominent furniture piece such as a statement armchair. Also, keep the fl oor as clear as possible and take out large rugs to create the illusion of more space.

MIRROR MIRROR – If you don’t like the idea of a mirrored wall, use a large framed mirror on a wall or lean an oversized framed mirror against a wall. This adds tons of style while adding a more open feeling to your nest.

MIRROR MIRROR If d ’t lik


TO YOUR LIVING ROOM

While a simple feature wall, new lighting or even rugs can help transform your living room, the overall layout is what really makes or breaks the fl ow and functionality of the space.

If you gave the average Barbadian the option of choosing one room in their home to put their heart and soul into designing, the living room would top the list. Because it is usually where guests are congregated and entertained, the living room has for generations been the most treasured (and often off limits) space in Barbadian homes.

Whether you’re building a new home, remodelling an existing living room or simply rearranging the furniture you already have, laying out your living room is best done with a plan in mind. It might seem like a simple matter of rolling a

By Tyson Henry

BALANCEBRINGING


chair over here and pushing the couch over there, but even the most straightforward parts of space planning can get complicated quickly. Use the following key tips as a guide, and you’ll be on your way to a living space that is sure to be a conversation starter.

LOCATE THE FOCAL POINTThe focal point is where people’s eyes fi rst land upon

entering the living room. It could be a natural focal point like a fi replace mantle, or a big window with a view, or it can be something you’ve designed to be the focal point like an accent wall or large piece of artwork.

The focal point should face the entryway, or whatever is the most common entry point for your room, but it doesn’t have to face the furniture or vice versa. The sofa in Madagascar, our oceanfront Mediterranean-styled feature home, for example, faces away from the double French doors that allow for a stunning sea view.

CREATE THE CENTRE POINTThe centre point is the core of a room’s layout. Even

though it is the case in many homes, the centre point doesn’t have to be the exact middle of the room. The centre point of a living room is where the coff ee table or centre table will sit, with seating arranged around it.

TIP: In a long living room, or an especially large one, consider locating two or more centre points to create separate seating areas.

ANALYSE TRAFFIC & USESSpend some time to carefully think about the way

you spend time in your living room and then think about traffi c, conversation fl ow, and the activities you expect it to accommodate. For starters, how do you enter the room? Make sure that you never feel trapped or feel as though you’re making laps around an obstacle course to get in or out. If possible, avoid having the traffi c pattern cross in front of the television. To keep from blocking anyone’s view, try to reconfi gure the seating so that someone “passing through” will be walking behind the sofa instead of in front of it.

Typical living room activities include reading, conversation, playing games, entertaining and watching television. The activities can have a signifi cant impact on the furnishings and their arrangement in the room. Unnecessary furnishings tend to clutter a room, wasting valuable fl oor space.

IN A LONG LIVING ROOM,

OR AN ESPECIALLY LARGE

ONE, CONSIDER LOCATING

TWO OR MORE CENTRE

POINTS TO CREATE

SEPARATE SEATING AREAS.


CREATE BALANCE WITH CHAIRSIn small rooms, use armless upholstered chairs that will

allow more space than chairs with arms but will provide a more comfortable alternative to space-saving folding or stacking chairs.

If your budget won’t allow you to buy a pair of matching armless chairs, purchase one chair and a matching ottoman and use the ottoman as a “second” seat.

SEEK CONTINUITY WITH OTHER ROOMSConsider your home’s existing decorating style and colour

palette to keep your living room in harmony with the rest of your home. For example, avoid designing a contemporary layout that incorporates bright-coloured furniture with a stainless steel or chrome coff ee table when the rest of your home is fi lled with neutral colours and traditional furnishings.

A few things to keep in mind, no matter what arrangement you decide on.Try to keep 15 to 18 inches between upholstery and the coff ee table.

Make sure you have two to four feet of walking space in the main pathway.If you opt to put your furniture at an angle, know that it’ll take up a lot of extra space.

Try symmetry fi rst – this often works well in living rooms.

Photos compliments Unicomer Barbados and Dwellings

CONSIDER YOUR HOME’S EXISTING

DECORATING STYLE AND COLOUR PALETTE TO

KEEP YOUR LIVING ROOM IN HARMONY WITH THE

REST OF YOUR HOME.

http://www.sagicorlife.com

Home Deodorisers & Air Fresheners


Every home has a unique smell, ranging from a light, fresh scent all the way to a distasteful, stale, wet carpet kind of smell. The unfortunate part is that you get so used to the smell of your own home that you don’t even recognise it when you

walk through your door, but when other people come over it instantly hits them.

When we cook, renovate, or neglect to clean certain parts of our homes, the signature scent can temporarily change or progressively get worse. Smelling curry and garlic at dinner time on Thursday is great, but smelling them during breakfast, the next day, isn’t remotely appetising.

We remember scents and associate memories and emotions with them. That’s why so many stores and hotels actively invest in creating a signature scent that translates into dollars. While there are a plethora of products on the market in the form of candles, plug-in air fresheners and room sprays, they can put a lot of unnecessary chemicals into your home and replenishing them is expensive.

If you want to completely change or simply enhance your home’s signature scent, here are a few things to try. First, think about what room appropriate scents you love and remember that it’s diff erent for everyone.HOW TO MAKE NATURAL HOME DEODORISERS

HHHHHHome DDDDDDeodddddddoriiiiiiiserss &&&&&& AAAAAiiiiiiir FFFFFFreshhhhhhenersNATURALDIY

We remember scents and associate memories and emotions with them. That’s why so many stores

and hotels actively invest in creating a signature scent that translates into dollars.

By Tyson Henry


You’ll need:

• Mason jar or old seasoning jar (if you plan on storing in the fridge)

• Small pot (preferably one you don’t anticipate needing for a few days)

• Water• Any of the ingredients listed in the recipes below

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut any fruits and place in water; add spices, extracts and herbs.

2. Fill pot (I use a small saucepan) with water 3/4 the way full and boil.

3. As soon as it reaches the boiling point, reduce to low heat and simmer.

This aromatic vapour will travel throughout your home, changing its scent and overpowering other smells in your home.

TIP: When selling or renting a property, bake cookies or boil cinnamon sticks or vanilla on your stovetop to create an inviting scent that will waft throughout your home, and subliminally infl uence the prospective buyer’s or tenant’s decision.

http://www.trowelplastics.com


3. SWEET MINT 2 sliced limes1 tsp. vanilla extract1 tsp. peppermint extract

While these and other fragrances are great for your home, do not forget that they won’t have a lasting eff ect if your home is not free of dirt and odours. If you truly want your home to smell fresh, then the best ways to achieve this are as follows:

• Empty garbage often• Deodorise carpets and upholstery by cleaning regularly• Vacuum to remove dirt and odours from carpet• Refrain from wearing shoes in the house• Refrain from smoking in the house• Open windows to let fresh air in (weather permitting)• Manage pets properly

4. VANILLA HERB 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 sliced lemon

1. WONDERLAND 1 sliced orange5 cinnamon sticks2 tbsps of whole cloves

NATURAL HOME SCENT

2. ORANGE AMARETTO1 sliced orange

1 tbsp. almond extract

These recipes are simply guides, so have some fun and create something using any other ingredient combinations you desire. You can experiment by adding peppermint, vanilla, maple, almond, or coconut extract to add a powerful note to your home’s scent signature.

At Christmastime, if you enjoy the scent of the seasonal pine trees, add some of its fragrant twigs to the mix. You can also add in a tea bag alongside some fruits for a lovely smell.

Another scent signature ideas you can try:

HOME-MADE ROOM SPRAYConsider making your own room spray. Add ten to 20

drops of essential oil (such as lavender, eucalyptus, vanilla, et cetera) to a clean spray bottle fi lled with 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol (surgical or rubbing, it doesn’t matter). Just like that, you have a home-made room spray that will save you money and place no chemicals into the air. Shake before each use.

5. GINGER BREAD 5 1/4-inch slices of ginger

1 tbsp. almond extract

3 cinnamon sticks

6. ORANGE CREAMSICLE

1 tbsp. vanilla

1 sliced orange

7. CORDON BLEU

1 lemon

1 tbsp. of peppermint extract

4 sprigs of rosemary

8. ITALIAN BACKYARD

1 lemon

1 tsp. of black peppercorns

Handful of basil

9. REGAL CREAM

Bergamot tea (Earl Grey)

1 tsp. of vanilla extract

10. BLUEBERRY TEABergamot tea

1 sliced orange

1 tsp. almond extract

11. COCONUT BAY

1 tbsp. coconut extract

1 sliced lime

Recipes actextract


http://www.myguardiangroup.com


Furnish your master bedroom in comfort and style, by utilising furniture pieces that off er fl exibility and function.

Add living room function to your master bedroom with a seating area for two. A pair of chairs with a small table in between can anchor one end of the bedroom, providing a place to rest a cup of tea while reading a book

(or this magazine) .

Photo by Dan Christaldi

BEDROOM FURNITURE IDEAS


NATURALLIGHTING

HOME

The obvious choice for creating light in any room is the light bulb. But when stumbling into a dark space, you don’t necessarily have to reach for a light switch. You can utilise a natural lighting technique and simply install a skylight.

A skylight is a structure that allows light on the roof to travel to the interior of a building. There are three main components of a skylight: what you see on the roof (the top structure), what you see on the ceiling (the ceiling frame and ceiling panel), and the duct which connects the top structure to the ceiling frame. Though we don’t see many homes in Barbados utilising skylights, you can easily ask about the price and get one custom-made to suit your needs. You can be as creative as you wish.

First up is the bathroom. Maybe you have seen more than a few centipedes taking up residence in your bathroom and you have sprinkled so much Sevin around that it looks like winter in there. A skylight over the bathing area is a much safer and more eff ective solution.

These creepy guests don’t just show up because they derive joy from scaring the living daylights out of you. Rather, you unwittingly invite them with your bath sponge that still holds the dampness of yesterday’s wash, or the dripping faucet which means your shower or bathtub never sees a second without water.

These pests thrive in damp, dark places and chances are the small window you had installed doesn’t do much to let the light in. Having sunlight streaming into your bathroom will assist with drying the room more effi ciently, as well as reduce the build-up of mould, mildew, and harmful bacteria. Sunlight is one of nature’s best disinfectants.

SKYLIGHTSBy Latoya Brathwaite


Another optimal placement is the bedroom. The bedroom is a magical area; it is the place where we sleep, rest, and dream. It is also the home offi ce (okay, folders strewn over the bed), or where children do homework until they get tired and switch off the lights. But what if the youngest child can’t sleep? Then money is spent on night lights, expensive glow-in-the-dark toys, or the bedroom light is kept on until the following morning.

To cut your electricity bill and keep a few extra dollars in your pocket, you may want to install a skylight not directly over but close to the child’s bed. The night sky is not particularly illuminated unless there is a supermoon, but shadows formed by trees through a closed window may be reduced if there is the even a little lighting from overhead. Contrary to what our grandmothers’ told us, moonlight does not give one “cold in the eyes”. Instead, you can instil a sense of wonder in your child and create an appreciation of the universe at an early age.

If you work from home, live in an area where there is a lot of bush, or where the houses are very close together, you may not want to open your windows as you could end up looking directly into someone’s kitchen. Even though it’s daytime, things can still look a bit dark. As your bedroom or workspace may be the area where you spend most of the day, heat may be a concern. In that case, adding a layer of diff using white translucent acrylic always reduces more heat than light. Other useful places for skylights are walk-in closets, basements and long corridors.

OFFICE/COMMERCIAL SPACES

Poor artifi cial lighting and insuffi cient natural lighting can cause eye fatigue and headaches that can make us feel depressed or ill and can have a negative eff ect on our immune system.

It is imperative to have some contact with the outside world, but many of us work in air-conditioned offi ces, where the blinds are drawn, and we only see the sky if we go out for lunch or a meeting. If your offi ce is to be remodelled, you can suggest that a large skylight be installed over the cubicles, or make it a must in your own offi ce design.

Whatever the area, the main advantages of skylights include the natural light and warmth they provide, their aesthetic appeal, and their tendency to make spaces feel other-worldly.

THE BEDROOM IS A MAGICAL

AREA; IT IS THE PLACE WHERE WE

SLEEP, REST, AND DREAM. IT IS

ALSO THE HOME OFFICE (OKAY,

FOLDERS STREWN OVER THE

BED), OR WHERE CHILDREN DO

HOMEWORK UNTIL THEY GET

TIRED AND SWITCH OFF

THE LIGHTS.



http://www.ssl.bb


http://www.facebook.com/sslbb


Ants are only pests when they’re taking over your home, so keep in mind that they have a lot to off er outside. They aerate the soil, clean up scraps and seeds, control termite populations, and they’re a food source for birds and other insects. As with all creatures, they play an important part in maintaining a healthy planet. If you prefer encouraging them to move elsewhere instead of killing them, make your home their last choice for foraging by using the above control methods and tips.

There are ways to keep ants outside the house

without using toxic chemicals, so before

homeowners reach for the ant traps, bug

spray or call the exterminator, they should

know that the toxic chemicals that kill ants

are also harmful to humans and that scientifi c studies

show that ants are intelligent animals who likely feel pain.

When trying to get rid of ants, it’s helpful to fi rst have

a basic understanding of how they live and thrive. They live

in colonies and one class within the colony is the worker.

Workers make up approximately ten per cent of the colony

and it’s their job to go out, fi nd and collect food then bring it

back to feed the rest of the colony. They are mainly looking

for two things: food and water.

Follow the tips below for chemical-free and safe ant control in your home:

Remove sources of attraction.

Keep your kitchen clean.

Wash countertops, fl oors,

and cabinets with equal

parts vinegar and water. Do

not leave crumbs or garbage

around, and keep all food,

including pet food, in tightly

sealed containers and trash in

garbage bags.

Locate the source of the ants.

When you see ants in your

home, try to follow them

back to the point where they

entered. Use caulk to seal all

possible entrances into the

house, remembering that ants

are tiny and can fi t through

almost any small opening.

Apply weather stripping

under doors.

A cinnamon stick, coff ee

grounds, chilli peppers,

paprika, cloves, or bay leaves

placed near the problem areas

will repel ants. You can also

squeeze the juice of a lemon

at the entry spot and leave

the peel there. Place cloves

of garlic around indoor and

outdoor ant pathways.

Use plants from the mint

family. The mint family (or

scientifi cally, the Lamiaceae

family) actually varies quite a

lot and includes herbaceous

perennials and annuals, some

shrubs, and some that are

considered weeds. Some of

the common kitchen herbs

such as basil, rosemary,

oregano, and thyme are part

of the mint family. The strong

smelling foliage of some

plants in this family, especially

common sage and mint, tend

to deter ants.

1. CLEAN 2. LOCATE 3. REPEL 4. DETER

TIPS FOR

ANT CONTROL

By Tyson HenryChemical-Free

A CINNAMON STICK, COFFEE

GROUNDS, CHILLI PEPPERS,

PAPRIKA, CLOVES, OR BAY LEAVES

PLACED NEAR THE PROBLEM

AREAS WILL REPEL ANTS.


Cleaning was already a daunting task before it became well

known that many of the brand-name household cleaners

on sale are actually fi lled with hazardous chemicals. With

that in mind, do-it-yourself green cleaning is the way

to go, so we’ve listed some brilliant and simple natural

alternatives to cater to the diff erent surfaces and fabrics in your home.

1. Natural Grout Cleaner for the Bathroom – If you’re like me, and inhaling

bleach and other harsh chemicals doesn’t appeal to you, there is an

alternative method that is equally eff ective. All you’ll need to remove

even the most stubborn grout grime is a little elbow grease, some

vinegar and baking soda.

Tip: Work in a circular motion when scrubbing grout. Consider trying a

steam cleaning machine to clean grout.

2. Home-made Furniture Polish – If you’ve got wood furniture that needs

a bit of buffi ng, try making your own home-made furniture polish with

ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. This helpful

concoction cleans while nourishing tables and chairs, and it doesn’t

include harmful ingredients. You’ll need:

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon lemon/lime juice (to help gently remove stains and

moisturise)

Measuring cup and funnel

Small plastic container

GREEN CLEANING HACKS

8DIY

MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL NICE

WHILE DOING THE DIRTY JOB OF CLEANING

WINDOWS WITH A SIMPLE GREEN

CLEANING WINDOW SPRAY.

By Tyson Henry


3. Tub Cleaner – Make a simple bathtub cleaner from

half of a grapefruit and kosher salt. Yes, it really is

that simple.

4. DIY Fabric Softener – Commercial fabric softeners

contain all sorts of chemicals that you actually

don’t want touching your clothing and skin. Make

your own instead from vinegar and essential oils

for a green cleaning alternative.

5. Home-made Ironing Spray Starch – Add a little

crispness to your cotton and linen fabrics by using

home-made spray starch when you iron. It’s as

easy as mixing cornstarch and water.

1 heaping tablespoon cornstarch

1 pint water (if you have hard water you might want

to use distilled water)

1-2 drops essential oil (optional)

6. DIY Citrus Spray – Do you need an all-purpose

spray that’s safe for kitchen counters and anywhere

little hands can touch? Make your own home-made

citrus spray by soaking orange peel in vinegar.

7. Home-made Mandarin Mint Glass Cleaner – Make

your home smell nice while doing the dirty job of

cleaning windows with a simple green cleaning

window spray. Making it is simple. Mix 3/4 cup of

vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol,

1/2 teaspoon of dish soap, jui ce from 1 mandarin,

orange or tangerine, and sweet orange essential

oil. Add three drops of peppermint essential oil.

Mix well before each use to avoid streaks. Use

newspaper to clean windows, it works better.

8. Mould Killer – Mould can often be found in

otherwise clean bathrooms and kitchens because

it thrives in moist, wet areas. It’s important to fi ght

mould as soon as you fi nd it because there are

about 50 kinds of mould that are toxic to humans,

plus mould can cause damage to your house that’s

very expensive to repair. Need something a little

more powerful to clean your bathroom, or other

damp area? Mix vinegar and a small amount of

tea tree oil together. Be very cautious when using

tea tree oil around pets and kids. It is not to be

swallowed!


Limescale. This is the home invader

that wreaks havoc on faucets,

tubs and kitchen appliances. This

chalky white mineral deposit, also

known as alkaline, is a result of

hard water. While it might not be noticeable or

bothersome to some, to the discerning eye, it is

a nuisance that is quite a nightmare to get rid

of. The solution is right in your pantry. No fancy

brand-name detergent necessary for this job.

Kettles and Coff ee Makers – For unsightly build-

up in these kitchen appliances, fi ll them with

equal parts white vinegar and water. Bring

the solution in the kettle to a boil and leave

overnight and rinse thoroughly in the morning.

Do the same for the coff ee maker. However, you

might need to run the coff ee maker a couple of

times to get rid of any residue.

Washing Machines – Add one gallon of white

vinegar into the water during a normal wash

cycle. Once the cycle is fi nished, the hard

deposits should be washed away.

Taps and Bathroom Fixtures – Soak paper towels

or a cotton cloth with vinegar and wrap tightly

around the problem area. Leave for several hours

or overnight. Spray more vinegar on the cloth if

it gets too dry. After it has soaked for a while,

lift the cloth and scrub away the gunk using a

toothbrush.

Toilet stains – Lower the water inside the toilet

bowl. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice

on to paper towels and gently place them on top

of the stains. You may also use a wet pumice

stone to scrub away the stains. Another method

is to add three cups of undiluted vinegar to the

toilet tank and this will help keep it clean.

Shower Doors – Spray the door with white vinegar,

white wine or a cheap brand of vodka. Let sit

for about 20 minutes and simply rinse and wipe

dry.

Tiles and Other Surfaces – Limescale deposits

on these areas are considerably easier to tackle.

Scrub gently with vinegar or lemon juice and in

no time, you will see them sparkling again.

Tip: If on the fi rst try you see results but all of the

limescale deposits are not removed, simply repeat

the process.

By Coretta Joe

NATURALSOLUTIONSFOR REMOVING LIMESCALE



http://www.randetrading.net


http://www.rotoplastics.co.tt


Planning Your

Renovation: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

Most renovation budget overruns are the result of poor planning – changing the design halfway through, trying to address problems you didn’t see coming,

or simply failing to make the most of the opportunities presented.

By Tyson Henry


You’ve decided to renovate your home. Before you start knocking down walls, make sure you get an idea of the guidelines and talk to the experts. Careful planning will certainly pay off in the long run.

When renovating be cognisant of the regulation that your home should be six feet away from the boundary line separating each neighbour, meaning that there should ideally be a minimum of 12 feet between houses. You can’t use more than 40 per cent of the total area of the land, so in the instance where your land is 5 000 square feet, the maximum you can cover is 2 000 square feet.

Anyone who desires to construct, extend, or eff ect any material alteration needs to seek approval from the Town and Country Development Planning Offi ce by submitting existing plans, along with the proposed changes.

Most renovation budget overruns are the result of poor planning – changing the design halfway through, trying to address problems you didn’t see coming, or simply failing to make the most of the opportunities presented. Give yourself the best chance for a successful and economical renovation by following a few of the following tips.

GET SEVERAL QUOTATIONSYou’ll be surprised at how much you can save on labour,

supplies and materials by shopping around. Work on your negotiation skills, ask for trade prices and seek bargains through fl ea markets, garage sales, or department store clearance sales. While shopping around takes a bit of time, it will certainly pay off for you.

FACTOR IN LONG-TERM SAVINGSIf you’re looking for ways to reduce your renovation costs,

don’t be too rash. Some things that you’re tempted to leave out may save a signifi cant amount of money in the long term.

For example, while energy-effi cient additions may add to the initial quote, these things can reduce your electricity bills in years to come and end up saving you money. Contact businesses like Innogen to learn more about energy effi ciency. Don’t forget, for solar energy initiatives, you may be eligible for rebates.

BREAK IT DOWNIf you’re doing the whole house, break it up into rooms and

then break it up into the jobs within each room. Otherwise, the


Crane & Equipment Ltd introduces

MOCO Container Storage. This new

service answers the call from many

homeowners who need storage for their

extra household furnishings when moving

or downsizing. Businesses that fi nd

themselves with extra stock and supplies

needing to be stored safely also fi nd the

solution with MOCO.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE WITH MOCO?

A MOCO container will be delivered

to your residence or business place. You

can take your time packing it, and MOCO

will then collect the container and store

it securely for you at its Lower Estate, St

George, facility.

In addition to the storage aspect,

MOCO is supplying move-in ready

modular offi ces and homes. This

innovation is not just for commercial

use but for private dwellings as well.

These modules are ideal for small

businesses with limited spending power

and for those looking to save on living

arrangements.

These move-in ready units come

complete with utilities, air conditioning

and offi ce furniture. You may also choose

from shell units that can be outfi tted to

your special requirements and design.

Units range from 160 square feet to 320

square feet. Special modifi cations can be

done to accommodate combining two

units to off er wider spaces. Call MOCO:

its representatives can sit with you and

conceptualise your new offi ce or living

space.

These modular homes or offi ces boast

durability and strength, with the ability to

withstand hurricane-force winds. They

are mobile and can be moved to any

desired location.

MOCO rents and sells containers (20

feet and 40 feet) for general storage

purposes. All rental containers are

vented to minimise heat build-up.

MOCO CONTAINER

STORAGEA SUBSIDIARY OF

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ADVERTORIAL


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task will likely become too big and you’ll lose track of where you’re headed due to a loss of motivation and enthusiasm.

ASSESS YOUR LIFESTYLEBefore working out the design and layout of your home,

ask yourself: how do I like to live? Is your lifestyle casual? Do you like to entertain? These diff erent lifestyles will not only aff ect the design, but also the surfaces and colours you end up choosing.

GET CREATIVEEven if you can’t aff ord the major structural work right

now, you may still be able to achieve a great renovation on a shoestring. Make a big impression with more aff ordable updates like paint, lighting and window treatments. Refi nishing or repainting bathroom tiles, baths and basins can also have a big impact.

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILYou’re the boss. If you’re worried that corners are being cut

or things aren’t coming together as you would like, speak up. It’s always the little things that tend to go unnoticed and aff ect the overall quality of the fi nished job.

DECIDE WHEN TO ECONOMISE AND WHEN TO SPLURGECreating your renovation budget will be a balancing act of

competing priorities. Think about where you can make some savings as well as the areas where it pays to spend a bit more. Splurge on the high traffi c or frequently used areas and go for budget-friendly options in areas that won’t be used as often.

HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLANNo matter how much careful planning you do, or how many

professionals you enlist, renovations don’t always go to plan. It is recommended that you add 10 per cent to 20 per cent to the quoted prices as a buff er.

[email protected]

TIP: LANDSCAPINGEveryone knows the value of a fi rst impression, so it all starts at the kerb. Increasing your kerb appeal can be as simple as adding brightly coloured fl owers, complemented by beautiful shrubbery. Another idea would be to add a low-maintenance garden for blocks of colour and texture.

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E-mail: [email protected]

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ISN’T COLDOld

Back in the 1960s, houses were built on verygenerous lots of land. The gardens were an integral

part of family life as there were no computers, smartphones, televisions, or electronic

gadgets to chain children inside.

By Natalia Nunes


Recently, at my age that could be anywhere, give or take two years both ways, past and future, I had the privilege to visit the home of an “old” friend. Allison and her family are presently living in the home of her beloved Aunty

Carmen who is ninety plus years young. The purpose of this arrangement is twofold – Aunty Carmen can no longer live on her own and Allison can no longer allow her to.

The house is situated in a wonderful area where real estate has been sought after for many years as it is a part of what is called The Golden Triangle in Jamaica. It is a house that feels like home to me as it conjures up the best memories of my childhood, having lived just a hop, skip and a jump away. Whereas my old family home no longer even exists (I sold it and it is now an upscale townhouse and apartment gated community complex), Aunty Carmen’s has been lovingly preserved. It is almost exactly the same as I remember it in the 1960s and onwards.

Old need not mean awful. I say that thoughtfully as, if not carefully attended to, old can be just that – awful.

Back in the 1960s, houses were built on very generous lots of land. The gardens were an integral part of family life as there were no computers, smartphones, televisions, or electronic gadgets to chain children inside. We amused ourselves by climbing trees, swinging on several models of swing sets, sliding down slides and riding see-saws almost all day long through evening time. There was hide and seek, many games that required actual interaction and verbal communication and the ever present intrigue of exploring friends’ backyards, especially those with swimming pools. Yes, I am from an ancient breed – all fi fty-fi ve years of me!

Uncle Noel (Uncle Well as we called him, rest in peace) and Aunty Carmen’s verandah is open, with columns on the four corners and those highly polished terrazzo tiles that provided shrieks of laughter for us as we took running jumps from the back wall and skated skilfully (or not) across the glass-like tiles in our socks, fl ying right off the front steps and landing safely (or not) onto a huge pillow at the bottom, meant to prevent broken bones. It worked. As we walked across the verandah, I remembered the delight our


performances provided the grown-ups while they sat having afternoon tea.

Walking along the narrow hallway, on the fl oorboards that have been there forever, we entered the sitting room. Many of the original pieces of furniture that decorate that home are still in beautiful condition. Slight changes in upholstery fabrics but the good old bones remain. These were not ever meant to be gotten rid of – no, not an era of disposable anything but rather pieces to be passed on from generation to generation – four in this case. Of course, there are a few new things – the fl at-screen television is most defi nitely not from the 1960s.

As Allison and I wandered through the home, she asked me if I remembered the kitchen. I did. Incredibly, the black and white chessboard patterned fl oor looked as good as it had over half a century ago, only back then, it really didn’t have quite the impact as seeing it now through appreciative eyes. It’s funny how things seem so large when we are little and when we grow into our adult selves, they are quite small. We used to think that the sink was large enough to keep fi sh and baby frogs in and there were times when we considered

drowning Allison’s brother in it. The problem was that it was too high for us to push him in. The cook was rarely out of the kitchen anyway so those plans never materialised.

Uncle Well’s and Aunty Carmen’s bedroom is almost exactly the same. Their four-poster bed was no fi gment of our imagination. The steps to climb up are really necessary. We, back in the day, thought it must have been built for a giant as to us, it was massive. I always wondered why the bed was situated in the centre of the room. Looking outside the old windows, the view to the courtyard is spectacular. Just about every type of rose tree blossoms in abundance. Now I know.

At ninety-odd years of age, Aunty Carmen has no intention of getting old. Allison is kept informed about the news by this great lady. It was Aunty Carmen who fi rst told Allison about selfi es, as my friend spends her days in her studio which was built on the property to house the beautiful pottery she creates. The duo have maintained health and home with loving care and many of the now retro and antique pieces are highly sought after. Old doesn’t have to mean cold – it can be gold.


Lights For Safety

Have you ever gotten up in the dead of night and proceeded to move around the home you’re so familiar with only to fi nd yourself either bumping into furnishings, kicking some random item noisily out of the way or, worse still, stepping on some

creepy-crawly intruder?None of the above scenarios is welcome, nor is the likely pain

accompanying each. The good news is that there is an inexpensive, energy-effi cient way of avoiding them.

In two words, safety lights. There are plenty of good reasons to have independently powered safety lights mounted on the walls of your home.

From a security perspective, the dusk to dawn variety could serve as deterrents to would-be intruders. In the event of an electricity outage, some are equipped with power failure modes and are automatically activated to ensure you are not left in the dark.

The motion sensor varieties are particularly useful and energy effi cient. With the emergence of LED technology, there are low-maintenance battery-powered models that provide great illumination and are perfect for helping you to avoid unwelcome collisions with furnishings, or alerting you of the presence of nocturnal vermin that trespass in your castle.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF GOOD

REASONS TO HAVE INDEPENDENTLY

POWERED SAFETY LIGHTS MOUNTED

ON THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME.

By Lyle Jones

AND PEACE OF MIND


http://www.g4s.bb


HERE ARE SOME PLACEMENT AREAS TO CONSIDER:

STAIRWAYS If you trip on the way down or miss a step while ascending the

stairs, your journey will come to a painful end. Be sure to light your stairways – both inside and out, landings and entries with low energy lights. You can opt to use either the motion detecting, or dusk to dawn operating systems.

Positioning lights at intervals along the staircase will add to your decor without providing excessive illumination.

CORRIDORSThe last thing you want while traversing a dark corridor is to be

startled by an insect or pest, or bump into an object left in the way by a thoughtless person who knows you wander around the house in the dark.

Tip the odds in your favour by retrofi tting with a tastefully and strategically positioned movement sensitive lighting system.

CLOSETSClosets, while providing a great place to store your stuff , are

magnets for denizens that want to hide out until its safe to roam your space. Cockroaches, house lizards, centipedes and mosquitoes (all the ladies’ favourites) love the dark and will hang out until they determine the coast is clear. Lighting their world will give yours a renewed sense of peace as you will reclaim your territory and reduce chance encounters with these undesirables. Your options here include closet LED lights – battery, solar or electricity powered.

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LIGHTING FOR SENIORS’ SAFETYThere’s another side to the utility of safety lighting, however,

which comes into play especially where seniors are involved.The following lighting safety tips can help your loved ones

remain safe at home for as long as possible. While some lighting safety improvements are of the do-it-yourself variety, others may require the help of a professional.

As people age, they grow to appreciate the importance light plays in their ability to see, thus it’s important to ensure your loved ones have their vision checked regularly and maintain their glasses (if prescribed) in good condition.

That done, perform these checks around the home to ensure they enjoy optimal lighting conditions and safety in their domiciles.• Ensure that all light switches are accessible to those who

have to use a wheelchair or walker.• Check that window shades, curtains and blinds are in

good working order so they can be left open during the day for more natural light.

* Install automatic night lights to assist in orienting an individual at night. This is especially important if frequent trips to the bathroom are necessary.

* Check around the house for areas of low lighting. Where visibility is poor, the risk of falls increase.

• Ensure indoor as well as outdoor stairways and entrances are well lit. The use of motion sensors or light sensors can automatically trigger lights to enhance visibility for entrances at night.

• Be sure to check for and replace blown light bulbs. Keep a supply of spares on hand.

• Make sure there are fl ashlights and extra batteries in an easy to reach place.

• Clean indoor and outdoor light fi xtures often and ensure they are in good working order.

• Make sure lamp cords are sound.

AS PEOPLE AGE, THEY GROW

TO APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE

LIGHT PLAYS IN THEIR ABILITY

TO SEE, THUS IT’S IMPORTANT

TO ENSURE YOUR LOVED ONES

HAVE THEIR VISION CHECKED

REGULARLY AND MAINTAIN

THEIR GLASSES (IF PRESCRIBED)

IN GOOD CONDITION.


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