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When we think about renovations or remodels, we don’t always think of them as being fun. Sometimes, the idea of living in a bit of a construction site for a long period of time can feel stressful. When really, it can actually be something that you can have a lot of fun with. No matter the level of work that you need to do, you are still making a house that isn’t quite right a home that is perfect for you. So just be sure that you are focusing on the actual fun aspect of things. One of the best ways for you to do that is to make sure that you are enjoying it and working things into the home that you really love.

It’s always a great idea to start with research. Think about the different improvements that you want to be able to do. Take a look online at different rooms and designs and get some inspiration. Mood boarding can be super fun here. Also research companies and suppliers so that you know where to source things from. And you will also want to be thinking about the color schemes and design ideas that you want to stick to.

If you like the sound of this and you know that you actually want to start getting excited about your home improvements, let’s take that up a notch. Here are ten different ideas that you can focus on that might get you excited to start. From the different rooms in your home and fun features to the garden and upgrading your curb appeal, here’s the inspo you need.

1. A Full-Home Organization

For starters, if you know that you don’t want to do too much invasive work but you want to make your home look better, it’s time to tidy it up. When you organize your home room-by-room, it can make such a difference. Having a huge clear out can totally transform it.

2. An Extension

It might be the case that you know you want to extend the home too. When this is the case, be sure that you get all the plans sorted, signed off, and any permits that you need. And have fun with this. Make sure that you get all of the extra space you want and need, whether one story or more.

3. Converting Spaces

We also have conversions to think about too. If you want to make your garage or attic or basement into a usable space, it’s a good idea to look into getting this done. It can often be a simple way to get more space in the home.

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4. A Kitchen Remodel

One of the most exciting parts of home renovations is the kitchen model. It’s the heart of the home and we all want to have a stunning kitchen space. So really spend a lot of time looking at ideas and work out the cost of what this will be. It will be such a worthy investment to make.

5. Upgrading The Bathroom

From here, you might want to think about upgrading your bathrooms in the house – or even just the one. It’s always nice to have a luxurious pampering space. So why not have fun with the design or bring in spa-like touches that you will appreciate.

6. Updating The Decor

Maybe the one thing that you really want to do is make sure that the décor is right? When that’s the case, be sure to find your inspo and get started with the paint, flooring, furniture and more. This can be such a transformation without having to spend too much.

7. Creating A Fun Space

It’s also a great idea for you to work in a fun space. Maybe it’s your own home office? A walk-in closet? A movie space? A home gym? If you are converting a space, why not think about having fun with it and adding some value to your home in the process.

8. Landscaping The Garden

From here, you may find that you actually want to tackle and take on the garden too. It’s safe to say that we all want to have a stunning garden to work with. So why not think about doing a complete landscaping job? Whether you want to add a play area, think about getting retaining wall installation and create a feature spot, or even adding a pool, look into expert help today. It’s always so fun to get your garden fully landscaped and looking great.

9. Upgrading The Driveway

The next thing that you’re going to want to take a look at is your driveway. Can you make it look a little better? Why not take a look at driveway designs and think about what sort of style you like. It’s safe to say that when you convert a tired looking driveway into something a little neater, it can make such a difference to how the home looks overall. And it’s a practical improvement too.

10. Boosting Your Curb Appeal

Finally, you might want to take a full look at the outside and see exactly what you need to do to make it really sing. The driveway and backyard landscaping is looking great, but what about the front of your home? Can you landscape that too? Maybe add some plants, shake up the lawn and frame your entryway with some cool flowers? The front of your home will always make a first impression, so be sure that you have fun and make this look great too.

As you can see, there are so many ways that you can get excited about a home renovation. So rather than feeling stressed out about everything that you need to do, it can be a great idea for you to focus on the fun that you can have.

So pick out some of these ideas, remember to do your research, and have a go at creating the home of your dreams. You deserve it!

Keeping your brain fit and active is just as important as keeping every other part of your body active. If you remember that your brain is an organ, then it is easier to understand; just like your lungs and your heart, for example, your brain needs to be exercised. Regularly engaging in brain exercises can increase your memory, improve your ability to problem solve, and even make you more creative. As well as this, keeping your brain active can reduce your chances of developing degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some great ways to exercise your brain. 

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Read 

It isn’t what you’re reading that counts; it’s the fact of reading itself. So you could pick up a literary classic, or you could leaf through a checkout magazine, and it will have pretty much the same effect on your brain; it will stimulate it, which is exactly what you want. Not only does reading allow your brain to get some great exercise, but it’s also about escapism, so your mind can relax at the same time. It may sound like an impossible feat, but you can do it, and it’s a good thing when it happens. As a bonus, reading helps to improve your vocabulary, which makes conversations much easier and potentially more interesting. 

Take A Class 

Learning something new is another excellent way to stimulate the brain. It can be anything as long as you need to think about it. A cookery class, an art class where you can use a beautiful pochade box, creative writing, gardening, wine tasting, dog training, or anything else that comes up, will help keep your brain active. 

While we’ll touch upon it on the next point, exercise classes are also a great way to boost your brainpower. While some people don’t like the idea of hitting the gym, classes like jiu-jitsu are fantastic because it’s closer to chess than you may think! Many people have used technique and skill to beat opponents twice their size and strength, if you’re looking for something a bit more like this, there’s plenty around. Get on a gi (a kimono traditionally wear, which providers like Fighters Market offer), and start learning!  

If you don’t know what you want to do, just pick anything and see how it goes. You’ll soon get an idea of what you enjoy learning about. Just make sure you try different things, as variety is essential. 

Go Running 

It may seem strange that running can help boost your brainpower, but it’s true; it does work. Running increases the level of oxygen getting to your brain, which means that it will release more endorphins into your body. Not only is your brain getting some exercise, but you are feeling great about the whole thing too, and getting fitter as you go. 

Solve Puzzles 

Any kind of puzzle will work when it comes to keeping your brain active, so it depends on what you like to do. You might try crosswords or word searches. Sudoku is fun for those who prefer numbers to words. Escape games can stimulate the mind as you play with friends. Watching murder mysteries on TV can enhance how quickly the brain works if you try to work out whodunnit. The important thing is not the kind of puzzle you’re solving, and it doesn’t even matter whether you manage to solve it or not. The important part is that you’re trying, and your brain will be fitter and healthier because of it.  

Try Yoga 

Yoga is a lot more strenuous than it looks at first glance, and it’s perhaps not surprising that beyond the physical ways that yoga can stretch you, it works to relax and calm the mind as well. Sometimes our brains can be overstimulated, especially with the prevalence of screens in our lives, making our attention span a lot shorter than it should be. Taking a class like yoga, which requires total concentration and focus, can relax your brain and allow it to go as blank as it ever can. When you get back to work or ‘real life’ after your yoga lesson, you’ll be able to think more clearly and be more productive. 

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Gardens should be a place for relaxation and enjoying time outside, with most people using spaces like this for recreation. While this may be the case, though, your garden isn’t always there to make your life feel good. Gardens can end up wreaking havoc on your home when you least expect it, with the plants and animals that occupy these spaces having far more influence on your building than you might expect. But how can you stop this from happening? To help you out with this, this article will be exploring some of the different steps that can be taken to protect your home from your garden.

Trees

Trees are one of the grandest plants to have in your garden, towering over all else and dominating the skyline when you have enough of them. People seldom consider the damage a tree could do to their home, though. Roots can damage foundations while falling branches and even entire trees can smash through the outside of your home. Finding an expert tree service can help you with these issues, giving you the chance to work to ensure that your trees aren’t a threat to your home.

Other Plants

There are plenty of other plants out there that can also do damage to your home if you don’t take the time to manage them correctly. Many of the weeds that appear in your garden can grow through materials like concrete, causing cracks and crumbling that will allow water to get into things like driveways, foundations, and paths. This can be hard to avoid when you can’t see the plants causing the issue, but removing weeds from your outdoor spaces will be a good start.

Insects

Insects come in loads of shapes and sizes, but most can’t do any damage to your home. The small group of critters that can damage your home will usually come in great numbers, with examples like ants and wasps forming nests with countless individuals. In most cases, insects like these will avoid human activity, but there will always be instances where they get into homes. If this happens to your place, it will be worth getting professional help as soon as possible to make sure that your place isn’t infested.

Larger Animals

Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to take a look at the larger creatures that can find their way into your home. There are many rodents found across the world, with examples like mice and rats often being found in homes. While they aren’t likely to destroy your home, animals like this can cause damage, especially when it comes to the waste that they leave behind. Much like insects, you can hire a professional to deal with larger animals that make their way into your home.

Your garden is a space that should make you feel relaxed, though many people find themselves experiencing the opposite when they don’t manage their outdoor space properly. Thankfully, though, there are loads of professionals out there that can help you with your garden.

Fences

Many people forget about the fences in their garden when they encounter stormy weather. Unfortunately, though, the shape and nature of this sort of structure make it extremely susceptible to damage when high winds come. Acting almost like a sail, fences often get torn down in this sort of weather, and this is something that you will need to work quickly to fix. There are loads of fencing companies around the world that can help with this sort of issue, though it’s worth keeping in mind that they could be busy right after a storm.

Roofs

Roofs are another element of your home that can easily be damaged by high winds. Tiles can be lifted from your roof with ease when the wind picks up, and this can leave you with loads of damage to deal with when you don’t do anything about it. To help you out with this, there are countless roofing companies around the world that are ready to respond to leaks and other roof damage that comes about during bad weather. Having a number for a company like this to hand will help when you find yourself dealing with bad weather.

Windows

Glass is one of the most fragile building materials used in the modern world, even when it has been tempered and made to be strong. Flying debris and even things like ice can damage your windows, leaving breezes and moisture to get inside your home. It’s not always easy to tell when your windows have been damaged by bad weather, and this is something that you need to keep in mind when it comes to dealing with this sort of issue.

Gardens

Finally, as the last part of your home to consider, it’s time to think about your garden after bad weather. This sort of space isn’t always damaged by bad weather, but plants can easily be torn from the ground when storms get really bad. This won’t always kill the plants that get damaged, but you will need to work quickly to put them back in their place to ensure that they are able to recover.

Stormy weather has always been a problem for humans, though it doesn’t always feel like it in the modern world. Many homes are able to escape the impact of this sort of issue, though it will always be worth preparing your place to make sure that you can make the best of it when the weather gets really bad.

Whatever kind of property you have, you need to make sure that you are protecting it as well as you can at all times. This is something that should generally be seen as essential if you are going to try and look after your property properly, and in particular you need to be aware of some of the major kinds of damage that any property can receive. In this post, we will look through a few of the most likely and common kinds of property damage that can occur, as well as discuss how you can make sure that you are avoiding them. This is definitely one of those things to be aware of as a homeowner of any kind.

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Electrical Problems

No matter what kind of home you are in, there is always the chance that you will run into some electrical problems from time to time. While usually this is not going to be a huge issue, if you are not careful it can pose a serious hazard to your health, so you do need to be aware of it and make sure that you are not putting yourself or your family in harm’s way at all. It’s always best to get a qualified electrician to take a look at it, as that is the safest option, and keeps you out of harm’s way.

Water Damage

Water damage can really wreck a home, and quicker than you might think, so you need to make sure that you are doing all you can to avoid this kind of damage taking place in your home. There are so many things to think about here in order to prevent water damage. You need to make sure that your home is relatively flood-proof, if you live in an area where that is a problem. You should also take care with your plumbing and related appliances, just in case that is going to cause a problem too. And where necessary, find yourself a water damage claim adjuster, should you need to use one. Then you can move ahead in finding the right water damage service company for your needs.

Plumbing

Poor plumbing, or simply old plumbing that has seen better days, can cause huge strife in your home if you are not careful, and you need to make sure that you are doing all you can to keep your pipes intact. With better plumbing, you are going to find fewer burst pipes and so on, which means that your chances of having disasters in the home is going to reduce considerably. Make sure that you are getting someone out to look at your plumbing where necessary.

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Fire

We all know that fire can be incredibly dangerous, and you need to do all you can to ensure that it is not likely to happen in your home – and that, if it does happen, you know what to do in order to keep it from damaging too much of your home. With a good fire protection routine in place, this is going to be a lot easier, and your property will be protected much more effectively too.

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A backyard is a valuable addition to any property and provides an extra area of your home to enjoy. But, unless you have a green thumb, it can be challenging to know what to do with this space and how to take care of it. 

If you are struggling to find ways to maintain your backyard and find the thought of making it look great challenging, you may want to give these tips a try. Here is how you can take your first steps toward creating your ideal outdoor space, even without a green thumb:

Get Inspired 

If gardening is not your forté, there is no need to despair; you simply need to do a little research before you start. If you do not have any idea where to begin with your transformation, you may want to start by looking for some inspiration to get your creativity flowing. Looking on gardening websites and flicking through home and garden magazines should provide you with plenty of ideas on how you want your outdoor space to look. Forming a picture in your mind and thinking about the kind of vibe you want to create in your outdoor space will make it so much easier to make this a reality.

Clear Your Space

Getting started is often the most challenging stage when creating your dream garden, and once you begin, it should be a breeze. The first step toward transforming your outdoor space is to begin by clearing your space. Suppose you spot diseased trees or have trees in your garden that look in danger of falling. In that case, it is a wise idea to call in a professional to assess the tree and possibly carry out an emergency tree removal before the tree begins causing issues. 

If you have established plants in your yard, you are likely to want to keep these, but trimming back plants that have gotten out of control and removing weeds is an excellent way to create a blank canvas ready for your newly designed garden.

Design Your Garden for Long-Term Use

When creating your ideal outdoor space, it is essential to focus on how you like to use your garden and design it with long-term use in mind. Thinking about the end-use is an excellent way to get the most from your garden and ensure it meets your needs.

If you hope to make your outdoor space a place to relax in the fresh air away from the stresses and busyness of the outside world, it is a great idea to keep the space feeling serene. If creating a relaxed vibe is your aim, you may want to introduce water features and a hammock to complete the design. If you are designing your backyard with outdoor entertaining in mind, then creating a space for your family and friends to relax and have fun is essential. Investing in some outdoor furniture and adding flourishes such as lanterns and fairy lights will help you to create your ideal outdoor space.

Have you ever looked at a painting and found yourself speechless? Have you ever looked at painting and found yourself lost in the meaning behind the art? Have you ever stood in the stillness of a gallery surrounded by hours worth of work and realised there is so much beauty in the world? 

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Art has the innate ability to move people and answer so many unanswered questions. You don’t have to be an art critic to feel moved by an artist work. From the beginning of time art has been used as a form of expression. From the Neolithic period through to the Egyptians through to Renaissance artists and beyond, people have seen art as a form of storytelling and expression.  Every person will get something different from the same art piece, and each message from those pieces is individual. 

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There are hundreds of  famous recognisable pieces of work that have been around for hundreds of years that people gain comfort from. The Kiss by Rodin, The Mona Lisa, Starry Starry Night by Van Gogh, Venus de Milo and The Last Supper just to name a few. These pieces of work are global sensations, however, the art that is produced now is just as important as the art that’s been created before. 

Art seems to have an ethereal power over humans and has the ability to make everything else disappear. Art explains the meaning of life, the world beyond death, religion and spirituality. ‘She Will Find What Is Lost’ a painting by Brian Kershisnik brings people to tears. The piece depicts a struggling woman who is being supported bye by Angels throughout her life. The explanation of the painting does not do the painting enough justice. The world has gone through so much loss and his painting depicts all of the souls who have lost someone they love. It’s important to understand is that the interpretation of art is personal, so you may see this image in a totally different way than others, which is part of its beauty. 

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However, the power that is is portrayed in this image is incredible. The knowledge that those we have known in the afterlife surround us and help us through our darkest times is so comforting.  It’s similar to the poem that’s often read at funerals that explains God carries us through hard times, except rather than portray God as to be all and end all to the afterlife, it shows that there is much more than we realise out there. 

Each artist’s work is individual to them and the meaning behind why they have created what they have is personal to them. Brian by no means is telling you what you should believe or what the truth about the afterlife is, he is simply showing that you’re never alone through his work. This is an important message for everyone, you are never alone. 

She Will Find What Is Lost prints are available here.