December 4, 2020
Brits Spent £10k Perfecting Their Homes

Brits Spent £10k Perfecting Their Homes

New research by comparethemarket.com reveals the most expensive rooms in the home and how long, on average, Brits spend in certain rooms to unveil which are the best value for money. It won’t be much of a surprise that the master bedroom is the best-valued room in the home with Brits spending

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INNES ENGLAND HELPS R+R HUB TO ‘BREAKOUT’ INTO NEW OFFICE

WORKPLACE refreshment specialists, R+R Hub is preparing to expand following an off-market commercial property deal by Innes England. Property consultancy Innes England has successfully secured two new units for the business, which designs and installs custom-built ‘micro-markets’, the perfect canteen alternative, for offices around the country, creating the ultimate refreshment

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Interior Decorating On A Budget

There is nothing better than walking into a well-decorated room. That fresh and unique look that gets you right when you walk through the door is indescribable. It’s almost like walking into a newly-furnished house for the very first time.  If you are looking to decorate your interior on a

Read More »

Has Town-Expansion Been Affected By Covid-19?

Town expansion is not always due to more people moving into the location. Rather, it can because there is a higher need for more homes, more jobs and more roads because it’s become a popular tourist destination. It could also be because you’re close to a city and you need

Read More »

Pence VS Harris VP Debate: A Bloodbath

So if you’re anything like me, you probably were disappointed by Trump’s performance in the first Presidential debate. While I do believe that Trump had won on substance, the substance is usually secondary to optics. That’s just the nature of politics. The debate was a disaster on all fronts. Trump

Read More »

LED Aluminium Profiles – When Should You Use Them?

By now there’s no doubt that LED strip lights are the most versatile sources of illumination for your home and office. They can be used by themselves as the tape can be easily stuck to almost any surface. But the look of naked LED strips doesn’t always match the decor

Read More »

How a mommy blog covering home improvement can be a benefit

As a parent, you are always on the lookout for tips and information on managing all the affairs surrounding parenthood. Admittedly being a parent can be tricky, so it helps to access information about how to navigate it while maintaining your sanity. A mommy blog is a beneficial resource for

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

December 4, 2020

Brits Spent £10k Perfecting Their Homes

Brits Spent £10k Perfecting Their Homes

New research by comparethemarket.com reveals the most expensive rooms in the home and how long, on average, Brits spend in certain rooms to unveil which are the best value for money. It won’t be much of a surprise that the master bedroom is the best-valued room in the home with Brits spending the most time here (2,482 hours per year). However, people only spend an average of £308.51 updating the room each year.  With more people working from home than ever before, the home office is near the top of the list with people spending 1,204.5 hours per year in the room. Since the beginning of lockdown back in March, £213.21 has been spent on doing up the home office.  Over the last five years, Brits have spent over £10k (£10,461.59) on home improvements with almost a quarter of that being used for the kitchen (£2,293.64). Delving further into hours spent in the kitchen, it seems Britons are putting their culinary skills to use (766.5 hours per year).   How much has been spent during the lockdown  Looking at the surge in home renovations during the lockdown, Brits have spent over £1k (£1,210.35 in total) perfecting their homes with the three most expensive rooms for renovations being:  Living Room (£214.49) Office/Study (£213.21) Kitchen/Dining Room (£210.69) Regional breakdown  The research highlighted interesting regional findings.  While Londoners spent the most on their homes in the last five years (£12,236.86), people from Newcastle topped the list of those who splashed the most cash on renovations during lockdown . Top five cities: Newcastle (£1,561.41) Bristol (£1,338.50) London (£1,322.82) Edinburgh (£1,281.72) Belfast (£1,269.50) Out of 15 cities, people from Leeds were found to spend the most time in both the kitchen (2.5 hours per day) and the master bedroom (7.6 hours per day). Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, said: “Many of us have spent significantly more time in our homes this year so it’s natural that people will want to update their living spaces. This research highlights just how much we invest in our homes and ultimately how important it is that you have comprehensive home insurance to financially protect the home and belongings.” 

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INNES ENGLAND HELPS R+R HUB TO ‘BREAKOUT’ INTO NEW OFFICE

WORKPLACE refreshment specialists, R+R Hub is preparing to expand following an off-market commercial property deal by Innes England. Property consultancy Innes England has successfully secured two new units for the business, which designs and installs custom-built ‘micro-markets’, the perfect canteen alternative, for offices around the country, creating the ultimate refreshment hub for employees in the workplace. Innes England, which has offices in Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, advised R+R Hub that there was an opportunity to acquire the neighbouring property as it wanted to secure the growth of its current headquarters Spanning around 8,000 sq. ft., the two units sit in a prime location, close to both Netherfield and Carlton train stations, and Colwick industrial estate. Currently occupied by polythene manufacturers Flexopack, the units at Pintail Close offer opportunity for future growth for Innes England’s client. With its extensive connections and exclusive access to off-market properties, Innes England was able to acquire both the units for R+R Hub, neither of which were available on the commercial market, as part of an off-market deal with Nottingham agent Anthony Barrowcliffe of FHP. Ross Whiting, associate director at Innes England who managed the sale, said: “R+R Hub came to us with a detailed brief of its requirements and we’re pleased to have delivered on its requests. We pride ourselves on being able to secure off-market, exclusive properties for our clients, going above and beyond to find the perfect site to suit their needs. “Pintail Close was no exception and although the units were not initially available, we overcame the challenge and we were able to strike a successful deal for our client to secure the asset for future growth.” Anthony Barrowcliff, surveyor at FHP, added: “I initially let Units 4 and 4A for the landlord so I am particularly pleased that I could go on to sell the investment. As a whole, there are currently very few opportunities within Nottingham to secure good quality industrial units or investments. “With few assets of this size and nature available, we were able to agree the sale of this property before placing it on the market. There is strong investment demand for high-calibre industrial assets like Pintail Close which has meant investments like this have become very sought after”. Simon Leadley, director of Refreshingly Rewarding Ltd, said: “The new units are exactly what we were looking for when we approached Innes England. It’s not easy to find two adjacent units available at the same time so we were really impressed with Innes England’s ability to secure both sites, despite one not being commercially available. “We’re really pleased to now own three units next to each other, with all the opportunity this brings for the future of R+R Hub.” Find out more at http://www.innes-england.com or join the conversation at @InnesEngland.

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Interior Decorating On A Budget

There is nothing better than walking into a well-decorated room. That fresh and unique look that gets you right when you walk through the door is indescribable. It’s almost like walking into a newly-furnished house for the very first time.  If you are looking to decorate your interior on a budget but you do not want to skimp on style, then this article is for you. Before you splurge on brand new things, it is always best to check around your home to see if there is already something in your house that inspires you or could be restored into something that would work with your plans..  It could be the wallpaper that you stashed at the back of the drawer or an old ladder that can serve as a shelving unit; whatever you do, finding things around your home can save you money. Need more ideas? We are ready to give you the inspiration that you need! Here are the best ways to do your interior decorating on a budget: Paint, paint, paint! This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to change the overall look of your space. Going over your nude walls with a chic yellow or any other lively color will make a bold statement and instantly update your space.  Granted, re-painting your whole house can take a lot of time and dedication. Therefore, if you do not have the time then to re-paint over the entire house, then simply repaint a trim or two and it will make such a big difference in the space that you are decorating. Purchase local art Unique paintings from the most talented artists come at a hefty cost. But this does not mean that you cannot decorate your interior space with some affordable art pieces.  You can come across these pieces by contacting local art programs or colleges to inquire whether there are any upcoming student art shows.  This will not only help you save money but also enable you to own an affordable piece of art. You can even ask a local printer to reproduce a memorable picture of you or your adventures and then frame it. This will transform your interior space in an incredible way. Make the most of your existing pieces There are times when you do not have to do much to decorate a space. All you need to do is make the most of your existing pieces to elevate the space. By moving a few things around or relocating them to the next room, you will be surprised at how versatile everything can be. Buy from the flea market A majority of people do not believe that they can find decorative pieces in the flea market. But when you are on a budget, this is one of the few, affordable places that you can purchase decorative pieces.  There are a variety of unique deals on unique pieces that you will hardly find anywhere else. There are those that are still in good condition while others need a little updating.  Whether it is a lampshade or decorations that go on your door, you will always come across something that catches your eye here. Change out your accents If you are looking for an inexpensive makeover, replacing the doorknobs in your bathroom and kitchen as well as your handles is the way to do it.  In addition to this, you can also replace your lighting fixtures as well as your lampshades. Apart from this, adding throw pillows on your couches will also make a great style difference.  A little bit of this and that will never disappoint. Just make these changes from time to time and you will transform your space. Re-organize Interior decorating on a budget may be as easy as organizing. It is normal to have things staying in the same place for long periods of time.  But did you know that moving that couch from the wall to the center of the room or removing old paintings can do a lot for your room? You can equally choose to keep your surfaces clean or display some beautiful flowers. It’s the little things that count. Decorate Away There you go! Some of the best ways to decorate your interior on a budget. You do not have to do everything at once. You can simply choose to do one or two things that will transform your space.  Or if you have the time, you can do everything gradually. The biggest advantage that you will get is that you do not have to spend money hiring an interior designer.  You can do it all yourself. Also, you will end up with a fantastic space for a small budget. A little creativity will always go a long way. Want to learn more about interior decorating on a budget? Click here!

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Has Town-Expansion Been Affected By Covid-19?

Town expansion is not always due to more people moving into the location. Rather, it can because there is a higher need for more homes, more jobs and more roads because it’s become a popular tourist destination. It could also be because you’re close to a city and you need to compete for jobs and tourism. Whatever the reason, town expansion is something contraction companies and local authorities are very concerned about in the new world of Covid-19. So how can either of these particles respond to modern challenges? Expensive vs expansive When cities become expensive, they stop becoming expansive. This is why many people in the industry fail to realize, cities like New York and London are not actually expanding rapidly outward. They’re building upward, with more and more skyscrapers. This is because the edges used to be suburban and they have been facing challenges. More and more people are moving away from the city. At least those that do not work in the city or don’t need to. More and more people who have to work in the city are moving in but they don’t have enough money for a house and don’t want to live in the suburbs. Thus, the outer edges are losing residents as the inside is growing. It’s growing but it’s not expanding. Local authorities need to do more to keep local families in the suburbs. Infrastructure requirements One of the things that holds back expansion is the lack of resources that the new residents need. If something as simple as water cannot be found in abundance, the expansion will grind to a halt or it simply won’t take off. Using a water bore drilling service, they can find where the water is, what kind of quality it is, how much of it there is and how you can utilize it. This is important for both construction companies who don’t have this capability as well as local authorities who are accountable to their constituents. It only takes a quick consultation to find out where you are and what you need. Then, with their over 20 years of experience, Adams Drillers will arrive on the scene and get to work. When you can supply the new homes with freshwater, this is when expansion can continue safely. Road network access Many Americans are still commuting to work via the highways. Despite massive developments for trains and airports, the majority of those in employment prefer to drive. They may only have that choice but many prefer it. Without access to the wider road network, you cannot hope to expand properly. Despite there being good developments practically, without transportation requirements being met, you will have a lack of home buyers. Thus, for every new town or borough, you should have an easy way to access the highway. Covid-19 hasn’t changed the challenges that city and town expansion projects have always faced. They have just been made more intense, as the need to retain homeowners in the suburbs has become a priority. 

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Pence VS Harris VP Debate: A Bloodbath

So if you’re anything like me, you probably were disappointed by Trump’s performance in the first Presidential debate. While I do believe that Trump had won on substance, the substance is usually secondary to optics. That’s just the nature of politics. The debate was a disaster on all fronts. Trump came off as rude and abrasive (even more than usual!), and Biden said nothing of substance. It didn’t help that sometimes it felt like the moderator, Chris Wallace, was debating Trump instead of Biden. I don’t think that debate swayed anyone. People who support Trump will still vote for Trump, and the absence of stories about Biden’s hairy legs gave enough of an inch for Biden supporters to claim a win. The status quo remains unchanged. The sun still rises in the east, sets in the west, and Sloto Cash online casino continues entertaining players. It was a poor showing on all sides. The Vice Presidential debate, on the other hand, was a whole different ballgame and was probably the most substantive debate I’ve listened to in a long time. To be honest, I’ve never really thought much of Vice President Mike Pence until this point, but this debate has proved that Mike Pence can hold his own in a debate, and even throw some punches. So let me break down what I found to be the most important aspects of the VP debate. The Setup The debate was between current Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President Candidate Kamala Harris, for the length of ninety minutes, broken up into sections of ten minutes for debate on any particular subject. It was relieving to see that Harris and Pence were far more civil than Trump and Biden had been. They kept the interjections to a minimum, and my only complaint is that Pence tended to go over his time quite a lot. His delivery could have been a little more concise, but the candidates were otherwise cordial with one another. The Substance Now let’s get to the meat of the debate. Kamala Harris said nothing. She was very evasive around every topic, and she outright refused to answer anything definitive on certain very important points. She would play for time and talk about everything under the sun except for what she was being directly asked, and the moderator just let her do it. Okay, so, I’m obviously biased (A conservative writer writing for a conservative site- who’d have thunk?). However, I really do think that Pence smashed this debate. Every answer he gave was based on the policies that have been enacted under the Trump administration. He cited results, rather than bleat empty promises and vague ideals. He hit Harris and Biden out where it hurt. Allow me to get specific: Court Packing One of the most important political events to happen in the past couple of weeks was the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Since Justices are lifetime appointments (and the temporary Justice appointments during Senate Recesses are basically irrelevant), everyone and their grandma has a vested interest in whoever gets appointed to next to the court. It’s basically going to change the dynamics of the supreme court for possible the next fifty or more years. Now, since the Republicans control both the Executive Branch and the Senate, they can essentially put whomever they want onto the court. It doesn’t hurt that the Democrats enacted a “nuclear option” back in 2013 which makes certain types of votes only require 50%+ majority, rather than two-thirds and that in 2017 this got extended to supreme court nominations. So since it seems likely that Trump’s pick, Amy Coney Barret, is going to be put onto the court, left-leaning media pundits have floated the idea of “packing the court”. Rather than waiting to replace a current justice with someone more favorable, they could instead simply add more justices to the court, and basically stack the court in their favor. In other words, they could cheat the system. The problem is that Biden and Harris have been suspiciously quiet on the issue. Biden refused to answer definitively during his debate with Trump, and when Pence demanded an answer from Harris, she pivoted not once, not twice, but three times when asked directly about the subject. And I think her silence says more than any of her words. Keep in mind that the moderator never pressed her on the issue, never asked about it, and it was Pence who demanded an answer. The Green New Deal: Yay or Nay? The second most telling part of the debate was Harris’ inconsistent stance about the Green New Deal. In case you’re not familiar with it, the Green New Deal is a five-page long manifesto that demands nearly every aspect of your life to be turned over to the government in the name of Environmentalism. It’s hardly even a matter of caring for the environment. The deal is awful. Estimates of the cost run up into the trillions of dollars. It would require the US to stop using Coal, Oil, and Nuclear- which is ironic because nuclear is easily the cleanest and most viable alternative to fossil fuels. It would ban clean, safe, and cheaper fracking. It would annihilate the airline industry (the safest form of travel, might I add!). It would kill the economy, and by extension, it could very well result in literal human deaths (studies have shown that bad economies result in higher suicide rates, increased winter deaths, and other such indirect ramifications). In other words, it’s very important to know where Biden and Harris stand on the policy. The problem is that they’re both liars. Harris in the debate said that they will NOT enact the Green New Deal. Their campaign website, however, says otherwise. Biden and Harris have both individually said, on camera, that they will ban fracking and enact the Green New Deal. In the debates, however, they both are now saying the complete opposite. They were either lying before or are lying now, and Pence rightfully called her out for

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LED Aluminium Profiles – When Should You Use Them?

By now there’s no doubt that LED strip lights are the most versatile sources of illumination for your home and office. They can be used by themselves as the tape can be easily stuck to almost any surface. But the look of naked LED strips doesn’t always match the decor and can be a sour to the eye. That’s where aluminium profiles come in handy. But what are those and when to use them? What is an aluminium LED profile? Aluminium profile or extrusion (there’s no real difference and those names are interchangeable) is a solid, semi-hollow or hollow shaped piece of aluminium. It can be used for almost anything – from building simple appliances for home to constructing spacecrafts. Alu extrusions products can greatly vary in sizes, tempers, alloys and shapes, which makes them ideal for various applications. Going back to the main topic, LED extrusions are made specifically to shield LED tape from all sorts of mechanical damage. They’re also a great heat sink and enable you to create elaborate lighting projects with a unique finish – a LED extrusion can hide the LED tape without obscuring the light. Both LED profiles and LED strip lights come in varying colours and styles, so it’s easy to find just the one you’ve always wanted. Types of aluminium LED strip profiles In general, LED profiles can be divided into four groups – recessed, surface mounted, corner mounted and architectural. Recessed LED extrusions ALED profile of this kind is mainly used in lighting under cabinets and shelves but it also works well in lighting walls and floor. Recessed LED extrusion is typically supplied at standard lengths of 1 to 2 meters but can be easily cut to length (many providers even do it for free), depending on the LED strip you want to mount. Beside protecting your LED strip lights from any kind of contact damage, recessed profile provides a more “finished” look to them – it’s diffused cover allows the light to shine through but simultaneously disperses the view of the individual diodes. Although not waterproof, the LED profile also helps in preventing moisture inside the LED tape itself. Surface mounted LED profiles This particular kind of extrusions works well mounted on walls, floor edgings, cupboards and cabinets. They’re also suitable for under shelf or under cabinet lighting. Surface mounted extrusions give your LED strips a professional look, which makes them great for office space and any other visible locations (especially the models with high-diffused cover). Surface mounted extrusions are easy to set up, cut and fit together, which enables you to create a seemingly one-pieced continuous line effect for your lighting. As other profiles, they obscure the individual diodes and are available in standardized sizes. Corner mounted LED extrusions This particular type of extrusion is designed to fit any 90-degree angle corner. Mounting LED strips into them makes the light shine out at a 45-degree angle (in standard models but there are also profiles with 30-/60-degree options). A corner profile finds its use mainly in ceiling and floor corners but it can also be fitted under cabinets, shelves or kitchen cupboards. Corner mounted LED extrusion comes with a diffuser (special cover) which disperses the LED strip’s appearance without obscuring the light itself – it creates a smooth light bar effect. Corner extrusions are available in standardized sizes but can be cut to length like the rest (often for free). Architectural LED profiles This category consists of a wide range of special application LED extrusions that vary in shapes – from almost completely flat, through T-shaped (some fitted for two LED strip lights), to almost fully circular. Due to this variety, you can freely provide quality lighting in almost any situation, depending on your needs. They work great in wardrobe, living room, bathroom, on stairs, displays or even a simple wall. Just make sure that your LEDs aren’t directly exposed to the moisture (or buy waterproof strips). This kind of product is ideal for people that like to design their own interiors and finish them with a modern touch. It’s also great for experimenting with your home lighting system – simply using a different profile with a new shape can drastically change the effect. What are the uses of LED profiles? Aside from the most obvious protection of the LED strip installed inside (and thus further extending its longevity), LED extrusions have a variety of less conspicuous uses. Here’s some main ones: absorbing the heat – as we mentioned, a LED profile is a good heat sink, which makes it crucial if you plan to fit your LEDs on wood or wood-like surfaces. keeping the light in place – LED strips can be stuck to almost any surface, but they won’t remain there forever as the glue will weaken in time. Therefore, mounting it in an extrusion will help you make sure that your light will stay in its place, no matter what happens. easy cleaning – using a LED extrusion is an easy way to keep your finished design nice and clean as there’s no way you’ll catch the diodes encased within with your duster. consistent reflection – while using single coloured strips, a white diffuser that comes with a LED extrusion gives you a consistent dot free reflection. This is especially important when lighting a highly reflective surface (e.g., worktops or tiles), which can tire your eyes quite fast. directing the light – fitting your LED strips in angled extrusions is an easy way to direct the light without decreasing its quality. Just find the right profile for what’s on your mind or simply swap the old plain extrusion with a different one. LED profiles – change your home today LED extrusions are products designed and made especially for LED strip lights. Therefore, they not only shield them from external damage, but also make them a lot more pleasant to the eye. So if you want to make your home look and feel more modern and smart,

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How a mommy blog covering home improvement can be a benefit

As a parent, you are always on the lookout for tips and information on managing all the affairs surrounding parenthood. Admittedly being a parent can be tricky, so it helps to access information about how to navigate it while maintaining your sanity. A mommy blog is a beneficial resource for plenty of parents around the world. These blogs share all kinds of information from health and wellness, financial issues to home management tips. For context, here are some ways in which a mommy blog can be beneficial. Provide information on financial issues Meeting the demands of a family can be challenging, especially now with the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to be able to access money when needed, especially in case of emergencies and life-threatening situations. To be honest, children can be very susceptible to catching infections and prone to having accidents. Some of these can be serious and demand medical care, which may be quite expensive. These unforeseen events place a lot of pressure on parents to be able to meet these needs. Mommy blogs can help alleviate this as they tend to be a good source of information on how and where to access these funds. This can be in the form of quick loans from various institutions. For instance, if you need money fast, 1AP Capital can help you access loans fast, and at the best interest rates in the market. 2. Create a social support system Mommy blogs are perhaps one of the best places for parents, mothers especially, to meet others in their situation and assist each other. This can be through sharing experiences and receiving assistance in handling challenges such as postpartum depression. In these forums, mothers understand that their feelings are not isolated to them. They also get motivated by the experiences of those who have successfully handled the same challenges. Mommy blogs offer support systems for various topics such as depression, bringing up children with disabilities, financial tips, and tricks to save money. These blogs also provide useful tips on home management and self-care following motherhood. Occasionally they provide expert information on how to handle changes that occur after being a parent. This can be on topics such as weight loss and fitness programs, and nutrition. 3. Baby care tips and tricks Parenting can be nerve-wracking, especially for first-time parents. Mommy blogs are the perfect sites to visit to get all the information that may keep you up at night as a parent. They discuss child milestones, colic in babies, and even how many times your child should poop and pee. They help alleviate the worries that parents have and provide useful tips such as how to relieve babies from gas and get them to eat their vegetables. They also provide vital pointers on some things to be on the lookout to avoid accidents. Baby proofing tips and techniques are quite popular topics in these blogs. 4. Great chance to make new friends. Mommy blogs are usually one of the best places to make new friends. This is not only for the parents but for the children as well. Stay at home, parents have a way of meeting new people with whom they have a lot in common, which can develop into meaningful relationships. They can result in playgroups for the children and result in creating a community. Mommy blogs can also help by creating awareness on sensitive topics that may not be easy to address. These platforms may raise awareness on issues such as living with disabilities, bringing up children who are differently-abled and creating awareness around them, and focus on creating a positive change. 5. Form good networks and conduct acts of charity Mommy blog creators can also organize events that bring together different people. Some of these events may be for charitable occasions such as providing care to the elderly in the community. This is a good way of giving back to the community. They can also be commercial where the blog or blogging community’s followers can sell their goods or offer each other services. They are also good forums to share information such as emergency contacts and refer medical specialists to those who may need their services.

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