Smart Homes November 2014 by Nation Publishing Co. Limited

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From The Editor 5 TIPS FOR A

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ON THE COVER: Madagascar PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan Christaldi

Credits 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:

othing can compare to a living space that reflects your personal style evolving over time, put together with love. If you’re like most houseproud 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 figure 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 flea 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.

Kelly Johnally – Tel.: (246) 430-5515 Email: kellyjohnally@nationnews.com ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES: Danielle Beckford – Tel.: (246) 430-5495 Email: daniellebeckford@nationnews.com

EDITOR

Debbie Brathwaite – Tel.: (246) 430-5518 Email: debbiebrathwaite@nationnews.com Donna Francis – Tel.: (246) 430-2868 Email: donnafrancis@nationnews.com

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

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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: smarthomes@nationnews.com. Every effort 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

Contents

NOVEMBER 2014

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

TREASURE HUNTING By Tyson Henry

hile it’s not entirely clear why, it is safe to say that flea 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 find the best deals on unique and antique items. Yes, the economic downturn definitely played a part in the paradigm shift from solely purchasing new items to buying those that are secondhand, but I can assert that there is more to treasure hunting than the price slashes. Going to a flea 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 finding the perfect inexpensive treasure, strolling through a flea 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 coffee 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 flea markets in search of items that can be repurposed to reflect my personal style. To repurpose means to find a new way to use something old. When an individual finds something at the flea 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 filling 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. INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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.

Based on my experience at flea 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 flea markets. Outdoor and patio furniture, couches, love seats, recliners, bunk beds, coffee 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 flea 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/Bluray players, television sets, cameras, cell phones and even cable box receivers. 10

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

Hotel Luxury

ADD A TOUCH OF

TO YOUR BED & CARE TIPS

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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:

By Tyson Henry Main Photo by Dan Christaldi

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 beneﬁts of having white sheets:

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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.

During the time spent on the bed, dirt, dust, skin cells, body oils and fluids, and faecal material accumulate on sheets. The longer these particles stay on the sheets, the more stress is put on the sheet fibres. In addition, skin cells and body oils and fluids 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: 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 heavyduty 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 effect, 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 ﬂuff) that can happen over time.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

1/4 cup baking soda 1 cap laundry detergent 1/2 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 ﬁbres. Whether you want to improve your sleep or your bedroom decor, luxury bedding can make a difference. 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.

Supersize YOUR BEDROOM By Carlie Pipe

IF SPACE IS A PRECIOUS COMMODITY IN YOUR BEDROOM, FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES TO MAXIMISE YOUR SQUARE FOOTAGE AND MAKE YOUR ROOM FEEL BIGGER.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

1. Get more from your floor: The more of your floor 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 floor 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 first time – go for recessed lighting over lamps. It’s the ultimate space saver. For lighting fixtures 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 reflecting light so for maximum effect, 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 flow together will almost double your space. Another option is to try a transparent door made of glass or a similar seethrough material. INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

COSY GARDEN CORNER By Nick Nunes

eace and mindful rest are hard to come by these days, especially now that school is in full swing and the necessity to look at ﬁnances 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 difficult 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 ﬂora 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

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 find a symbiotic relationship with the natural world and work together to find peace and comfort. A water feature can take your cosy area from fine 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 difference between quaint and other-worldly.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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. 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 afford the eye with something to wander to. Tropical orchids and indigenous ﬂowering plants are deﬁnitely 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.

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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

hikungunya. 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 ﬂora 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 speciﬁcally 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 ﬂying 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 suffering, not to mention downtime, of having chikungunya, dengue or any other malady the winged criminals inﬂict. 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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INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

s 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 affairs, it’s nearly impossible to ﬁnd 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

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 sacriﬁced for extravagance or expense. Collapsible dining tables can make

Dream DINING ROOM By Nick Nunes

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.

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 affect 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

experience isn’t limited to the taste of the food but is affected by the look of it and can even be inﬂuenced 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 shuffling 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 ﬁlled bellies.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

HAVING A DREAM DINING ROOM DOES NOT HAVE TO BE AN EXERCISE IN MODELLING YOUR PLACE OFF OF A CATALOG.

Everyone has their own tastes, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to remember that if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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.

ANYONE WHO HAS EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF COOKING WITH A WELL SEASONED CAST-IRON SKILLET MAY ALREADY KNOW ABOUT CASTIRON COOKWARE’S VERSATILE COOKING CAPABILITIES.

Out With The

New

AND IN WITH THE OLD WHY CAST IRON IS BETTER By Tyson Henry

ast-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 castiron 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 ﬁve minutes on a conventional stovetop, Teﬂon 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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. INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

ALL OF THIS MAY SOUND LIKE A LOT OF EXTRA WORK, BUT THE RESULT IS WORTHWHILE. 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 effect, heat the cast iron ﬁrst 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 ﬂexible 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 ﬁnish with a thin layer of olive oil.

paexcel@gmail.com

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

5 1 2

LET THERE BE LIGHT – When natural light ﬂows 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.

TIPS FOR A BIGGER LIVING ROOM AREA By Coretta Joe

Maybe you just moved into your very ﬁrst 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 ﬁve 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.

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

COLOUR 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

don’t like MIRROR MIRROR – If you d ’t lik 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.

CLEAR 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 ﬂoor as clear as possible and take out large rugs to create the illusion of more space.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

W BALANCE BRINGING

TO YOUR LIVING ROOM By Tyson Henry

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

hile 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 ďŹ&#x201A;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 youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

IN A LONG LIVING ROOM, OR AN ESPECIALLY LARGE ONE, CONSIDER LOCATING TWO OR MORE CENTRE POINTS TO CREATE SEPARATE SEATING AREAS. 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 POINT The focal point is where people’s eyes first land upon entering the living room. It could be a natural focal point like a fireplace 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 POINT The 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 coffee 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 & USES Spend some time to carefully think about the way you spend time in your living room and then think about traffic, conversation flow, 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 traffic pattern cross in front of the television. To keep from blocking anyone’s view, try to reconfigure 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 significant impact on the furnishings and their arrangement in the room. Unnecessary furnishings tend to clutter a room, wasting valuable floor space. INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

CONSIDER YOUR HOME’S EXISTING DECORATING STYLE AND COLOUR PALETTE TO KEEP YOUR LIVING ROOM IN HARMONY WITH THE REST OF YOUR HOME.

CREATE BALANCE WITH CHAIRS In 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 ROOMS Consider 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 coffee table when the rest of your home is ﬁlled 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 coffee 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 ﬁrst – this often works well in living rooms. Photos compliments Unicomer Barbados and Dwellings

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

DIY

NATURAL

Home H ome D Deodorisers eod doriisers s&A Air ir F Fresheners resh heners By Tyson Henry

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.

very 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 different for everyone.HOW TO MAKE NATURAL HOME DEODORISERS

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. 2. 3.

Cut any fruits and place in water; add spices, extracts and herbs. Fill pot (I use a small saucepan) with water 3/4 the way full and boil. 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 inﬂuence the prospective buyer’s or tenant’s decision.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

NATURAL HOME SCENT

3. SWEET MINT 2 sliced limes act 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. peppermint extract

Recipes

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

1. WONDERLAND 1 sliced orange 5 cinnamon sticks 2 tbsps of whole cloves

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:

2. ORANGE AMARETTO 1 sliced orange 1 tbsp. almond extract

HOME-MADE ROOM SPRAY Consider 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 ﬁlled 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.

8. ITALIAN BACKYARD

1 lemon 1 tsp. of black peppercorns Handful of basil 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

9. REGAL CREAM

Bergamot tea (Earl Grey) 1 tsp. of vanilla extract 10. BLUEBERRY TEA Bergamot tea 1 sliced orange 1 tsp. almond extract

7. CORDON BLEU

1 lemon 1 tbsp. of peppermint extract 4 sprigs of rosemary

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

11. COCONUT BAY

1 tbsp. coconut extract 1 sliced lime

While these and other fragrances are great for your home, do not forget that they won’t have a lasting effect 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

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

BEDROOM FURNITURE IDEAS Photo by Dan Christaldi

urnish your master bedroom in comfort and style, by utilising furniture pieces that offer ďŹ&#x201A;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).

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

NATURAL LIGHTING SKYLIGHTS By Latoya Brathwaite

HOME

he 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 effective 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 efficiently, as well as reduce the build-up of mould, mildew, and harmful bacteria. Sunlight is one of nature’s best disinfectants.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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. 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 office (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-thedark 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 diffusing 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 artiﬁcial lighting and insufficient natural lighting can cause eye fatigue and headaches that can make us feel depressed or ill and can have a negative effect on our immune system. It is imperative to have some contact with the outside world, but many of us work in air-conditioned offices, where the blinds are drawn, and we only see the sky if we go out for lunch or a meeting. If your office is to be remodelled, you can suggest that a large skylight be installed over the cubicles, or make it a must in your own office 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. 44

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

Chemical-Free TIPS FOR

By Tyson Henry

ANT CONTROL

A CINNAMON STICK, COFFEE GROUNDS, CHILLI PEPPERS, PAPRIKA, CLOVES, OR BAY LEAVES PLACED NEAR THE PROBLEM AREAS WILL REPEL ANTS.

here 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 scientific studies show that ants are intelligent animals who likely feel pain. When trying to get rid of ants, it’s helpful to first 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, find 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:

1. CLEAN

2. LOCATE

3. REPEL

4. DETER

Remove sources of attraction. Keep your kitchen clean. Wash countertops, ﬂoors, 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 ﬁt through almost any small opening. Apply weather stripping under doors.

A cinnamon stick, coffee 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 scientiﬁcally, 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.

Ants are only pests when they’re taking over your home, so keep in mind that they have a lot to offer 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL NICE WHILE DOING THE DIRTY JOB OF CLEANING WINDOWS WITH A SIMPLE GREEN CLEANING WINDOW SPRAY.

leaning was already a daunting task before it became well known that many of the brand-name household cleaners on sale are actually ﬁlled 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 different 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 effective. 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 buffing, 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:

DIY GREEN CLEANING HACKS By Tyson Henry

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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

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, juice 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 ﬁght mould as soon as you ﬁnd 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! INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

NATURAL

SOLUTIONS FOR REMOVING

LIMESCALE By Coretta Joe

imescale. 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 Coffee Makers – For unsightly buildup in these kitchen appliances, ﬁll 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 coffee maker. However, you might need to run the coffee 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 ﬁnished, the hard deposits should be washed away. Taps and Bathroom Fixtures – Soak paper towels or a cotton cloth with vinegar and wrap tightly

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 ﬁrst try you see results but all of the limescale deposits are not removed, simply repeat the process.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

Planning Your

Renovation: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE By Tyson Henry

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.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

ou’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 effect any material alteration needs to seek approval from the Town and Country Development Planning Office 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.

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GET SEVERAL QUOTATIONS You’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 ﬂea 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 SAVINGS If 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 signiﬁcant amount of money in the long term. For example, while energy-efficient 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 efficiency. Don’t forget, for solar energy initiatives, you may be eligible for rebates. BREAK IT DOWN If you’re doing the whole house, break it up into rooms and then break it up into the jobs within each room. Otherwise, the

ADVERTORIAL

MOCO CONTAINER STORAGE A SUBSIDIARY OF CRANE & EQUIPMENT LTD

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 ﬁnd themselves with extra stock and supplies needing to be stored safely also ﬁnd 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 offices 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 office furniture. You may also choose from shell units that can be outﬁtted to your special requirements and design.

Units range from 160 square feet to 320 square feet. Special modiﬁcations can be done to accommodate combining two units to offer wider spaces. Call MOCO: its representatives can sit with you and conceptualise your new office or living space. These modular homes or offices 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.

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

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 LIFESTYLE Before 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 different lifestyles will not only affect the design, but also the surfaces and colours you end up choosing. GET CREATIVE Even if you can’t afford 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 affordable updates like paint, lighting and window treatments. Reﬁnishing or repainting bathroom tiles, baths and basins can also have a big impact. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL You’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 affect the overall quality of the ﬁnished job.

DECIDE WHEN TO ECONOMISE AND WHEN TO SPLURGE Creating 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 traffic or frequently used areas and go for budget-friendly options in areas that won’t be used as often. HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN No 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 buffer.

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

buildersplus@live.com

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

E-mail: infobarb@asslbarbados.com

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

Old

ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T COLD 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. By Natalia Nunes

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

ecently, 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. 60

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 fifty-five 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, flying 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 floorboards 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 flat-screen television is most definitely 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 floor 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 fish 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 figment 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 first told Allison about selfies, 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. INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

Lights For Safety AND PEACE OF MIND By Lyle Jones

THERE ARE PLENTY OF GOOD REASONS TO HAVE INDEPENDENTLY POWERED SAFETY LIGHTS MOUNTED ON THE WALLS OF YOUR HOME.

ave you ever gotten up in the dead of night and proceeded to move around the home youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so familiar with only to ďŹ 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-efficient 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 efficient. 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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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. CORRIDORS The 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 retroﬁtting with a tastefully and strategically positioned movement sensitive lighting system. CLOSETS Closets, 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. 64

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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. LIGHTING FOR SENIORS’ SAFETY There’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.

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

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 ﬂashlights and extra batteries in an easy to reach place. • Clean indoor and outdoor light ﬁxtures often and ensure they are in good working order. • Make sure lamp cords are sound.

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SMART HOMES INDEX

Email: ufreightinc@gmail.com

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014

INSPIRATION & INNOVATION

SMART HOMES NOVEMBER 2014