Posts Tagged ‘J-me’

It happens at the same time every year, and yet so many of us still always seem so unprepared.

It’s not as though the signs aren’t there. The first appearance in our shops and stores of Christmas decorations, presents, inducements to spend our money, tell us that summer is over and that September has arrived.

But ironically, even maybe a little perversely, the indecently early arrival of the Christmas sales experience can sometimes have the reverse effect on us to that which was intended. It can inculcate within us a feeling that getting our Christmas plans underway is not an urgent calling. Then, as if in the blinking of an eye, it is suddenly upon us.

Hopefully for the most part the decorations can be reclaimed from the cupboard under the stairs. The presents of course are a different matter entirely. There is no getting away from the fact that the presents need to be sourced afresh, each and every year. And if we bought it last year we cannot buy it again this year. We need to find something new and original.

Fortunately there is plenty to choose from when seeking out something for around the house. Surprisingly so. Whether we are thinking in terms of fixtures and fittings for the bathroom, something practical for the kitchen, seating, lighting or whatever, most people would appreciate being gifted something that will improve their home. Whether it be something aesthetically pleasing or something that is strictly functional, with something for the home it is surely difficult to go wrong.

Good on the eye, useful in the house

The list of ideas and options is practically endless. Sometimes too the gifts we might buy somebody for their home will not fall strictly into either the aesthetic or the functional. Many of the items we might consider buying may well tick both boxes.

Take for example this J-me Nest Floor Standing Vertical Shoe Rack. As well as being able to neatly stack five pairs of shoes it is modern, unobtrusive and pleasing on the eye.

Similarly these simple Mr and Mrs Hang Up Steel Hooks by Black and Blum.

There is virtually no end to the adornments that we can find in the cause of home improvement.

Of course for those who still cannot decide there is always the time honoured fallback of the traditional gift voucher. If we are uncertain what our friends or family members might want from us, why not just give them a gift certificate and let them choose for themselves?

Stairway, staircase, stairwell, or just plain old stairs. Whatever term you refer to it by, it’s a permanent fixture in any home with more than one storey. As a fixed feature, it’s not part of the home that can be easily altered without careful planning and a lot of adjustment to the structure of the building. A brand new staircase requires the right materials, design and construction to make a style statement, but an existing one can be given a makeover that will have an impact all of its own.

Stop and stair

Step outside of your home for a moment, then walk back in. The first thing you’ll probably be faced with is your staircase. While this fixture in your home exists to serve a functional purpose, it is also in a prominent aesthetic position so wouldn’t you want to make a statement of it?

With some imaginative design and décor, your staircase could become one of the most attractive features of your home. Most people won’t have the finances, or inclination, to construct a brand new stairway, so let’s concentrate on the old and the various ways you can spruce it up to look great.

Steps to success

Unless you live in a ultra-modern home, chances are your staircase is built from wood. The wooden steps are more than likely hidden under carpet with underlay in-between. This is common in UK homes for purposes of warmth and to also deaden the footsteps of people moving between floors.

You have a choice to remove the carpet and return the wood to its former glory with some sanding and wood stain or paint, or you can install a new carpet or even a runner. A runner is carpet that doesn’t span the full width of the staircase and is held in place on each step with a stair rod. Before choosing a flooring option, consider who will be moving up and down in the home. If it will be young children or the elderly, this could have an impact on your choice.

Most Victorian terrace homes will probably still have the original balustrades in place. If these have become split, or just in need of attention, you could alter the entire look of your staircase by replacing them with something more contemporary. However, if the balustrades are still in good health, a lick of paint or sanding back to the original wood will do wonders.

Try to make the space under your stairs work for you. Install some shelving, storage or hooks and things to help keep the house tidy. Under the staircase is the perfect place to keep the household’s shoes, coats and keys so check out the J-me range for ideas.

The highest ceiling in a house is often above the incline of the staircase so it’s the ideal location to place a stylish lighting fixture. Long pendant lights or, if you have the space, a chandeliers, will give your stairway a striking look. Take a glance at the Alma light range for inspiration.

Finally, pay attention to your stairway walls. Of course paint or wallpaper is a must, but the stairs are also a great location to display family photos due to the large wall space available. Try hanging a selection of large photo frames cascading up the stairway or displayed in a random pattern.