Showing posts with label House and Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label House and Home. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Our Double Purpose Garage- The Making

It was quite a tough project. We have been planning it since 2005 and finally last 2011 we started this project. I can't imagine the hard work exerted by hubby during the making of our double purpose patio/garage. It is almost 60 square meters and it cost some fortune, but we are happy that it is finally done now.
Our double purpose garage is also use as a patio.
 The most difficult part of the making was the removal of the previous patio, the digging of the soil and the laying of the foundation. Since our old patio has thick concrete flooring and it is not level to our home floor plan, we actually hired a company for the excavation and waterproofing process. If you are living in Canada, you can hire waterproofing ottawa to do this services for you. I believed they can truly help you with any home and garden projects. 

Since hubby is also a mason and knows a lot about home repairs and improvement, he did most of the jobs during the building of our patio/garage.  During his off days from work, he spent his  time  doing this project.

We also use this area  for any events and  celebrations like birthday parties or simply getting-together with friends.
We planned everything during the building of this project. The materials to use, the roofing, sidings and   flooring were  planned ahead. After over a year  of building it,  we already harvested the fruit of our labors now. No more cleaning of snow during winter times, no more standing  on the rain after putting out grocery items from inside the car.  The best thing is during summer times, we can  drink and enjoy a cup of coffee outside while chit-chatting.

We are truly  happy with this home improvement we did two years ago. It  cost a lot of money but it was all worth it.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Finally Done with the Walling in our Patio

Another project is finally done again. We saw last time a clear plastic walling for our double purpose garage/patio which are on sale. Hubby decided to go to the store while I was away on vacation the other week. He also window shopped for industrial rubber hoses for our garden. He is planning to buy one since it is difficult to water the plants and flowers in our garden especially in this very hot summer season.


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Pests in Our Home and Garden

This is not really a funny topic about pests in our home and garden. Are you having the same problem like ours? This is especially true especially if these pests are inside our homes. More on that, there are people who are afraid of pests such as flies, rats, ants, bees, snails, slugs, centipedes and the like.

This afternoon,  when I was working in our garden, I was so mad because there are a lot of slugs eating the leaves and flowers of my plants. I believed you are very familiar about this kind of pest which is a shell-less terrestrial gastropod mollusk. I already saw different kinds and colors of slugs in our garden.


scary slug in our garden.


Saturday, June 8, 2013

The making of Our Multi-purpose Garage


It was a lot of  hard work and patience as we built this  project. It is quite a huge area of almost 60 square meters. It is not only use as garage for our two cars but also a patio where you can sit back and relax during summer days. It is where we also held  gatherings, parties and celebrations. During winter time, we don't need to worry anymore because our cars are already under the roof and are now protected from snow.

I could still remember when we started digging the ground because we have to level it with the street. We hired a company who has a skip business to dig, store  and put away all the soils and stones in the area where the multi-purpose garage is located now.

Our multi-purpose garage is almost done.
 It was like building a house where you need to dig the foundations. You will surely need a skip to dump all the waste, soils and other materials.

We are very happy and contented with this project of ours.  There is only one more thing  we need to do. This year, we need to put  some sorts of clear  sidings or walls around it. Life  becomes  more easy and convenient when you have a beautiful place to stay. Right folks?

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Next Home Project is Renovating Our Kitchen

After I am done with my online tasks this afternoon and after packing my luggage for my next trip, I also want to start getting some of the stuffs that we don't need for our kitchen. Yes, we will be renovating our kitchen starting this month. We are thankful that the weather is getting better now so that hubby can start with the renovation. We already ordered our new kitchen and for sure, we also need some things when doing it. We also checked the hinges for our kitchen cabinets, ensuring that they are all of good quality.

Since it is a full kitchen renovation, it means that we will also change the flooring from wood to tiles. The old kitchen set will also be dismantled and the new one will be installed once everything are ready. I can't wait for it to be done before my "Big Day" this summer time. I am quite excited for our new kitchen soon!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Wish I'm Home Now!

Home sweet home in  the  Philippines.
Palms, Beach and Sun! I wish I am at this place at the moment! With the cold winter in Europe, I believed everybody wants a place where you can  only wear  shorts and shirts.

At this very cold time, I  just wish that  I am home!  Wherever I go, I can say the best place for me is what I call home and that is my home country Philippines. "There is truly no place like home like  in  Pinas.

I hope I can visit home again....soo! Here is my home sweet home in the Philippines!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How to Warm Up a Home

Now that we are in the midst of winter time, it is necessary that we figure out a few ways to keep our homes warm and stay that way in order to save a few dollars in electric or heating bills. There are many ways to do it but in my opinion the cheapest way to do it is by using the proper curtains or drapes that are meant to be used on colder days. From thicker materials such as polyester to silk, there are heavier fabrics that provide energy saving warmth while looking great!

Huge selections of curtains or drapes and other window treatments in which you can find the thermal curtains as well to use to warm up your home and save a little money on your monthly electric or heating bills. Thermal curtains are not only to be used as an energy-saver during winter time but can also be used anytime to reduce noise and light that are coming in from outside. Not only does Marburn offer window treatments but other household accessories like table coverings, rugs, runners, bedding, bathroom accessories and so much more. 

It's a great time to check out online sales with so many companies offering free shipping - that means no waiting in line or worrying about sell outs. If you are looking for a cheap alternative to warm up your home, try thermal curtains and drapes first. This is one of the best and cheapest way of saving and going green without doing major renovations - which could take weeks or months (and thousands of dollars!)

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Shopping In A Hardware Store

The sun is shining now! I love autumn season with sunshine.  When we drove to the
nearest hardware store in our area last week, the surroundings are already so colorful. This is the sign of fall season and I love it.


Baumarkt, a German word actually means a store that sells building materials. We are trying to find a rolling warehouse ladder but they don't seem to carry it. We ended up buying a new bath tub because we are currently renovating our bathroom. We also bought other accessories needed in installing our new bathtub and other materials needed in renovating our bathroom.

I hope that the renovation is done before the end of the month. I believed yes, we can do it!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Shopping for Furniture

Sometimes it is quite difficult to choose furniture and fixtures for our home. If you are an expert, this might be  very easy for you. Good to know that we can already get some ideas and reviews on house and home magazines or maybe in searching online on what is the best furniture  that is the best for our home. Looking for camo baby bedding for mothers is also very easy now. With the help of computer and internet, you can already enjoy shopping at the comfort of your home.

If you are still hesitating  which furniture that  best fit for you and your home, you can consult an expert for that. Good luck!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Beach House-The Making

We never expected that we can built a house along the beach. The project started some time in 2004 and little by little, it is standing now some meters away from the sea.

THE PLANNING

As far as I can remember, there was really no right plan for that beach house. I was not there when it was started. I just told my Uncle who is a carpenter that I wanted to build a small house with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. That is enough for us to stay especially when we go for a vacation in the Philippines. I never expected that the house was built double-size as really planned. That was also the reason it took us some time to finish it. At least, we don't have a loan or credit for this project.

the ceiling in the living room...the hardwood door with some carvings. most of the windows are sliding.

DOORS and WINDOWS

Since the house is located along the beach, I always wanted sash windows for it especially the ones facing the sea. Since I was not there again during the installation, I did not knew that my brother already decided for sliding glass windows. It looks great anyway and perfect for a house near the water. The doors were all made with hardwoods and I love the carvings on it. Sometimes it is difficult to decide on these things considering the material, style and money.

a view of the beach from our window.

FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

The house is quite furnished now. When I went home last year, I bought a set of dining table, living room set and a bedroom set. It cost some fortune but I am happy and contented now of how the house looks. I still need more furniture but I will buy it in our next vacation there.

HOME DECORS AND ACCESSORIES

Special thanks to my dear brother who takes care of the house. He loves to hang beautiful curtains in all of our sliding glass windows. He also bought some house decors and accessories when I went home last year. Some paintings are already hanging on the walls. Porcelain and crystal decors are also displayed on the living room now.

House in the making. I took this image last 2006. Now, there is already a huge terrace surrounding the house facing the sea. I love it there!

This is where we plan to retire in the future. Until now, there are still some improvements going on. The seawall is still not done. The huge terrace facing the sea still needs some lift and finishing. In one or two years maybe, everything will be in order already. At least, we have a house that we can call our own...a house along the beach..I miss this beautiful place!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Where to Buy Cheap Furniture

Sometimes buying home home furniture and fixture is quite difficult. It can caused some fortune especially when you don't have an idea where to buy it cheap. You also have to consider a lot of things especially your budget. Other considerations might include its style, durability, safety and space.
a beautiful dining set from worldfurniture.co.uk

Here are some ways where you can find quality furniture with reasonable prices.

Thrift shops, Garage Sales and Yard Sales

Three weeks ago, we went to a thrift shop in the nearby city. Me and some American friends were amazed by the stuffs they have inside. You can find a lot of things from office furniture to dining sets, garden sets, vitrines, living room sets, sideboards, rugs and mats and almost everything you need at home.

One of my friends found a very cheap complete bedroom set. Others bought computer chairs and tables, home decors and accessories. One of my friend even found two chest freezers that are still in good condition. She said, it was perfect because she need those appliances. Everyone was happy because they brought home something good, usable and are really very cheap.

You can only find cheap stuffs like these in garage sales, yard sales and thrift shops. That is also the reason why we will be coming back again this weekend to that second-hand shop.

Bulletin Boards, Local Newspapers, Weekly Newspaper

As I came back from grocery shopping this afternoon, I found again this free weekly newspaper that is dropped in our mailbox. Here you can find lists of different things from realty to pets, restaurants, antiques, furniture, appliances and so many more. The section that I always love to watch are the antiques and second-hand furniture. Sometimes you are even lucky to find new furniture that are very cheap.

I always find cheap furniture at the local newspaper. We are receiving one daily because hubby is subscribing it. Bulletin boards posted on stores, restaurants are also very helpful in buying cheap furniture.

Furniture Stores

Of course, you can always find reasonable prices of furniture in these kind of stores. Always watch out for furniture that are on-sale. This is especially true when the season is changing. Most of the time when spring and summer is almost over, you can find garden sets that are discounted because the season is ending. They are also offering promotional items at discounted prices.

Lastly, I would say that sometimes, we need to take time in buying furniture especially when we are considering our budget. Through the help of internet, we can also browse online for cheap furniture.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Beautiful Day

We had such a beautiful day today. I am thankful about that. It seems that spring is truly coming soon. The weather was not so cold anymore and I hope that it will be friendlier the next days. There are a lot to do this coming spring and summer time. We will be building a two-car garage and a terrace. We might also fix our bathroom. That is also the reason why I always look for bathroom faucets and also for bathroom ideas everytime we visit the home design store. I can't complain for anything today. Everything just went perfect especially after spending some hours in the gym and sauna. Thanks to my friend Joy for the company. Have a great evening folks and enjoy the coming weekend. More updates in my other sites.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Bathroom Renovation

This is one project that we need to do in our old house. We really need to renovate our bathroom. This should be done last year but we had another priority. We installed first new energy-saving-windows than renovating our bathroom. I find glass tiles a good materials if ever we will do the renovation. There are just other priorities to do this year and I hope that we can do it little by little. I also love the bathroom I saw in Hilton during my vacation in my home country. I might let hubby see the images I took from this hotel to have some bathroom ideas.

Friday, November 19, 2010

New Boiler in our Kitchen

It happened two weeks ago. As hubby woke-up at around 4am and turned-on the light, we had a total black-out in the house. He figured out that the boiler in our kitchen was the caused of the black-out. Thanks to the fuse box which was automatically turned-off as the electric boiler had some sort of short circuit. We ended up buying a new one. We just need it especially that winter is coming soon. Hubby had to put away all the kitchen utensils that are located near the boiler to install it easily. It is also an advantage that hubby knows how to do all the plumbing, masonry, fixing electric defects and other household problems. Or else, we might ended up hiring someone who will repair such problems. We just a new kitchen next time. Hopefully next year when finances will be available. Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Chaos in the House

How's your day folks? I hope you had a great one. I believed Thursday is my busiest day of the week. I always go grocery shopping during this day. Sometimes when there are really stuffs that we need in the house, I also drive to the nearby town to get it. Speaking of chaos in the house, there is just a problem with the faucet in our bathroom. I don't really mean a chaos as if me and my hubby are fighting. Hubby don't like chaos anyway and of course me too. It is always a nice feeling to live a peaceful life. I also found out that our bathroom sink needs replacement already. This is one of the projects we need to do next year, bathroom renovation. That is also the reason why I am slowly searching for bathroom ideas in catalogues and also online. Back to the faucet problem, it just keep on dropping. I believed there is something wrong with the handle replacement cartridge. Hubby will fix it this coming weekend. I am proud of hubby because he can simply do everything in the house from plumbing to electrical, mechanical and yes, sometimes fixing our cars. It is a good way of saving some bucks. Right folks? See you in my other sites. Good evening!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Capodimonte Flowers and Tulips Too

Happy Monday everyone! I know I am quite late with some of my memes but I am still catching. I only want to share my capodimonte flowers but decided to also share some tulips. Weekend had been busy for us attending festivals nearby. It was a great one after seeing friends also. Here are my pictures for my memes below.
tulips from our garden..some are slowly dying now.

some of my capodimonte collections from Italy.

Feel free to visit and join these wonderful memes; Today's Flowers, Mellow yellow, Ruby Tuesday, and Wordless Wednesday. Thanks to the Authors of these sites for sharing these memes to the blogosphere.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Home Improvements

HB was asking the past days me if somebody called from the hardware store. He is expecting for the delivery of the new windows that we ordered around three weeks ago. I told him that I don't received any calls except from callers who are trying to sell products through telephone. After the window project, the next one to be repaired is our bathroom toilet in the second floor. I would like to suggest to HB to try to have some ideas about American Standard toilets. We might let our house for rent to American soldiers or civilians who will be stationed in the US base near our place. That is also the time when we already decide to live in the Philippines in some years to come. There are still a lot of things to be repaired in our house. At least, we have a house that we call our own home. I am quite contented with it. Goodnight folks!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Let's Go Swimming

Good morning! Morning has broken again! Let's go swimming and get wet! I will see this place once again....very soon! I guess I am really very sleepy now. It's time to sign-off. Just wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.
Feel free to visit Scenic Sunday and Wordless Wednesday to join and see amazing photos around the world! Thanks to Authors of these wonderful memes. Have a lovely weekend to all!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Time To Go Shopping!

It's Thursday now! I can't wait till the weekend comes because we will be going somewhere again for a short sightseeing trip. I just pray that we will be perfectly fit and healthy this weekend. I should be going for grocery shopping yesterday but due to some circumstances, I was not able to go. This morning during my tea time, I saw some very nice wall candle sconces in the advertisement. I am not so sure if I will be buying one for decoration. I already got some but I still not did not hang it. Just now, I also found very beautifully designed wall candle sconces online. I love this stuffs and all candle holders. I even have some porcelain and crystal candle holders. It's time for me to get ready for grocery shopping! I wish everyone a great day too!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My Sister's Home Theater Seating


I was surprised by my sister's home theater seating in Las Vegas. It is huge and with motion recliner features. I was more surprised when she told me how much it cost. Three thousand dollars as in $3,000.00!!! What!! I told her that with this money you can already have a small business back home. Today I found out in Star Gate Cinema that they have very cheap home theater seating. For as low as $1,500.00, you can already have a nice and comfortable ones. I guess my sister also needs home theater sconces to make their living room more attractive and beautiful. I even helped her last time in decorating it a bit. I hope that my sister will be a wise buyer and consumer with all the crisis happening around. Good night to all!! see you again tomorrow!!

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