Month: March 2019

Warehouse in Australia Transformed into Minimalist Design Studio

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Studio 103 completed the transformation of this old warehouse into a collaborative design studio. The building, located in Abbotsford, Australia, also contains a colorful history. It served as a manufacturing venue beginning in the 1940s.

“We set out to create a unique, functional space which retains its original industrial charm, utilizing the existing architectural features as a foundation,” the architects said. The project also aims to strengthen the connection between Studio 103 and their building partners, McCormack Property Services, who reside in the neighboring building.The interiors boasts minimalist arrangements and industrial designs. The exposed timber trusses and industrial shelving also add to the personality of the space. The concrete flooring, black-framed windows and the original red brick wall create a powerful contrast. The new studio accommodates a series of working offices. They’re split by a glass meeting room, an open kitchen and plenty of greenery. The design studio also includes a gym!

“The build was a mutual effort between Studio 103 and McCormack Property Services to establish a foothold at the pinnacle of design and construction. Together, we have repurposed a tired warehouse and transformed it into a sleek, sophisticated workspace for the purpose of collaboration and business growth.,” the design team added. Information provided by Studio 103; photography by Jack Lovel
design studio

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Here’s What Etsy Says Will Be Hot For 2019 (and It’s Different From Other Trend Reports)

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Etsy recently released its trend report for 2019 — and their trends are refreshing, as usual. Their unique take on style is one of the reasons that, according to a business statistic website, Etsy has nearly 36 million active buyers (and growing). We think you’ll be seeing these Etsy 2019 home trends all year and into 2020.

According to Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s resident trend expert, “Idealism is out and reality is in.” The most popular searches in 2018 were magical motifs and pastels to escape from the news and politics. Isom Johnson says, “Shoppers are about to ‘get real’ — so we are officially declaring 2019 the year of Being Real, which includes using all-natural products, focusing on sustainability and being realistic when it comes to decorating and living.”

1. Etsy’s 2019 Color Of The Year: Burnt Orange

Going against the trend of millennial pink and Pantone’s Ultraviolet, Etsy shoppers and sellers have chosen a warm, earthy color. Burnt orange combines well with popular cool tones like grey and ink, as well as popular pastels like pink.

2. Maximalism

Get ready for visual overload — in a good way. Etsy designers and shoppers are gravitating towards texture, whimsy and color — all at once. Don’t be afraid to mix and match competing colors, patterns and prints.

3. Herbariums and Pressed Flowers

Terrariums, hanging plants and floral prints have been popular for a while as people add a botanical feel to their homes. The herbarium/pressed flower look requires no maintenance and has a Japanese Zen feel. Prepare to see more “collections of flowers and herbs ranging from floating foliage to pressed posies.”

4. Southwestern Style

Since natural materials, burnt oranges and a more grounded, earthy home environment will be big Etsy 2019 home trends, it’s only logical that Southwestern style would also be sought after. Handmade pottery, roughly woven fabrics and rugs and natural materials will be popular.

It’s time to get back to basics and reconnect with natural materials that help you express yourself as boldly and loudly as you’d like. What do you think of the Etsy 2019 home trends?

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What is a Fire-Rated Door and Do You Need One?

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In 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to 1,319,500 fires. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a U.S. fire department responded to a fire every 24 seconds. There were 499,000 structure fires, and 72 percent of those structure fires occurred in home structures. Also, of the 3,400 civilian fire deaths in 2017, 77 percent occurred in home structures.

Could fire-rated doors help reduce the loss of life and property in residential settings? Here’s what you need to know about them.

What is a fire-rated door?

Fire-rated door beauty and safety

A fire-rated door can provide beauty and safety. 20- 90-minute fire-rated MDF door, style 9244. Image courtesy of Simpson Door Company

A fire-rated door — or fire-resistant door — is specially constructed to slow or prevent the spread of fire and smoke, according to Ken Canziani, Senior Fire Investigator at EFI Global in Sacramento, CA.

“A fire-rated door is a very heavy door made of materials like metal or gypsum,” Canziani explains. “The term ‘fire-rated’ means that the door, when installed properly, is not supposed to combust during a certain time frame in the average fire.” While time ratings vary, he says standard ratings include 20- to 90-minute doors.

Fire-rated doors are more common in commercial buildings than in residential structures. “Fire-rated doors are often installed in public buildings, in office buildings and in places like dormitories,” Canziani says.

Typical residential applications include installation in entryways, garages and multi-family homes.

How can a fire-rated door help during a fire?

Fire-rated door buys more time

A fire-rated door could buy you some additional time. Image: Monalyn Gracia-Corbis-VCG – Getty

Fire-rated doors can help slow or prevent the spread of fire and smoke, but Canziani warns that they are not designed to be completely fireproof. “These doors are made of combustible materials and will eventually burn through in a fire. However, they will resist the penetration of heat and flames to slow the fire for a specified time period.”

And by containing the fire and smoke, they provide additional time for you to exit the structure.  Most people focus on the element of fire, and they don’t underestimate the significance of reducing smoke inhalation. However, the majority of people who die in residential fires do so as a result of smoke inhalation.

“Fire-rated doors may also help to protect property and personal assets while firefighters work to extinguish the fire,” Canziani adds.

Types of fire-rated doors

Fire rated door should not be propped open

Fire-rated doors should never be propped open. 20-minute fire-rated wood door, style 8212. Image courtesy of Simpson Door Company.

While fire-rated doors are more common in commercial settings, there are many companies that sell residential fire-rated doors.

For example, according to Amira Johnson at Emerald Doors in the UK, the company makes fully finished and unfinished exterior fire doors, in addition to custom-made and bespoke fire doors. Most of the company’s doors have a fire rating of 30 minutes, although some have a fire rating of 60 minutes. Their exterior fire doors are made of plywood or composite core. The company’s interior doors can either have solid panels, clear fire glass or obscure fire glass. Emerald Doors can also make custom fire doors so homeowners can decide which architectural details (raised moldings, etc.) they want in their door.

Fire door options

There’s a fire-rated door to match almost any design style. Image courtesy of Simpson Door Company.

 

Closer to home, Simpson Door Company in McCleary, WA, also makes fire-rated doors. Most of the wood doors have a 20-minute fire rating. However, the MDF (medium density fiberboard) doors are available in 20-minute, 45-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute fire ratings.

Homeowners can choose from a variety of wood species and styles, to ensure that the fire-rated doors match the rest of the home’s styles.

Do you need a fire-rated door?

Fire door gaps

Gaps around the door will render it ineffective. Image: Michael Blann/Getty Images

A fire rating does not necessarily indicate the amount of time a door will withstand a fire. For example, a fire door rated 60 minutes does not guarantee that the door will withstand fire for 60 minutes. The rating means that in a controlled test environment, a brand-new door held up for 60 minutes. However, in a real-world application, other factors like heat intensity could greatly reduce this estimate.

“Although a fire-rated door is designed to prevent a fire from passing from room to room, let’s be honest. Even with the right door, a severe fire can melt steel,” says Abe Kozlik of the International Fireproof Door Company in Brooklyn, NY.

Also, a fire door won’t do you any good if the door is propped open or the closing mechanism is faulty. In addition, the door has to be properly installed to ensure that there are no gaps around it.

Fire doors can provide peace of mind. However, properly using your existing doors may be all that you need to do in a fire. “In a residential setting, the simple act of closing the door to a room will slow or can prevent the heat and smoke from entering the room and injuring occupants or destroying additional property within,” says Canziani. “If the fire originates within the room, the closed door may aid in slowing the spread of the fire to other parts of the residence, depending on the time the fire burns before being extinguished.”

In fact, Canziani says he’s personally observed residential fires in which closed doors resulted in significantly less fire and smoke damage compared to doors that were left open.

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Home Chef Review: Home Cooking Made Simple (No, Really)

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home chef

Does Home Chef make it easier to get dinner on the table? Let’s find out. Image courtesy of Home Chef.

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. 

Ah, the joy of cooking. If Julia Child taught us anything, it’s that there is pleasure in putting together a well-crafted, delectable meal. At least, in theory. But anyone who’s ever run out of an ingredient, nicked a finger while dicing or overcooked the shrimp knows that not every meal preparation experience is a delightful one. And with the busyness of daily life, grocery shopping for the necessary ingredients and getting dinner on the table can feel overwhelming. That’s where Home Chef comes in.

Home Chef, like many of the other meal subscription services cropping up today, purports to deliver “home cooking made simple.” Does it? I got a week of meals delivered to my door to put it to the test.

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The ingredients for each Home Chef meal come conveniently packed in their own bag. Image provided by Kacie Goff.

The Home Chef delivery: neatly packaged, nicely done

Remember what we were saying about how life gets busy? That was underscored for me as I boarded a plane to Colorado the day I had scheduled my Home Chef delivery. Not ideal. I was only going to be gone for a few days, but that meant it fell to my husband to make sure everything was put away so that it would keep. And I had to wonder, after already being exposed to who-knows-what during the shipping process, would the produce still be fresh upon my return? What about the shrimp-based meal I so boldly ordered?

I’m happy to report that Home Chef makes every step of the process, including storing food until you’re ready to prepare it, a no-brainer. One of my least favorite things in the world is putting away groceries. Home Chef takes the legwork out of it for you. Each meal comes packed in a convenient zip-top bag. All my trusty partner had to do was load our three bags into the fridge and — bam! — he was done.

And the simplicity of the system is brilliant on both ends. It means it takes seconds to put your Home Chef meals away, and it also means that when you’re ready to cook, you literally just need to grab a bag and go. That is, in my opinion, genius.

Home Chef Pricing

Unlike other meal delivery services (e.g. HelloFresh, Blue Apron), Home Chef doesn’t have set meal plan pricing. Instead, you pay per meal based on the recipe you choose. Their standard meals are priced at $20 for two servings or $40 for four. For premium meals, you’ll pay market price.

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Here’s a look at all the ingredients one of my meal bags contained. Image provided by Kacie Goff.

The Home Chef meals: delicious and delightfully simple to prepare

Okay, moment of honesty here: I don’t love cooking. I don’t hate it, necessarily, but after a full day of work, I’d rather be in the bath with a big glass of wine than standing over the stove. Some people truly find joy in preparing a meal, but I’m not one of those people. I cook out of necessity. And, occasionally, I like the end result enough that I retroactively decide I had a nice time preparing a specific meal.

We received three meals in our Home Chef shipment and I went three for three on actually enjoying the creation of them. Not bad!

It’s also worth noting that I’m a pescatarian so all of my meals will be mostly plant and fish-based. Now, let’s talk details.

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From bag to table in under 30 minutes! Image provided by Kacie Goff.

Meal #1: Avocado & Beet Poke Bowl

First up, I made the Avocado & Beet Poke Bowl. I figured that after a few days of sitting around in my fridge, this mostly produce-based meal might leave a little something to desire. But everything was so cleverly packaged that the whole meal shone. The carrots were crisp, the avocado was perfectly ripe and the edamame and beets were delicious. Home Chef nailed it with the sauce, which was easy to customize for my picky husband. After a stint of quick-but-exhausting travel, this meal felt as nourishing as it was flavorful.

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The recipes are easy to follow and have pictures to guide you. Image courtesy of Kacie Goff.

Meal #2: Baja Shrimp Bowl

I love eating shrimp, but I hate cooking them. The cook time is just so short that I feel like I’m always tiptoeing the line between raw and overdone. But, with the help of my Home Chef recipe, I nailed it in their Baja Shrimp Bowl.

This is a perfect time to talk about these recipes because, while I prepared the shrimp, my husband did the rest of the meal. And he really hates to cook, so I tip my cap to both him and Home Chef. Their recipes have pictures to guide you at every turn (very helpful for amateur cooks) and the steps are broken down so you never feel rushed. Plus, Home Chef makes it super easy by doing a lot of the legwork — like tailing the shrimp or making the sauce — for you.

Oh, and as for the meal itself? It was so good we forgot to take a picture. Oops!

Meal #3: Umami Miso-Mushroom-Cream Gemelli Pasta

Ever since we gave up meat, mushrooms have become a staple in our house. Their earthy, meaty texture can really take a meal to the next level — when they’re used properly. Or they can just be weird brown-grey masses in your dish. I’m very happy to report that the Umami Miso-Mushroom-Cream Gemelli Pasta definitely landed in the realm of the former. This meal felt decadent without leaving us weighed down. And as a lover of umami, earthy flavors, this one definitely hit home with me. Plus, how cute is that little round pat of butter?

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Here’s what you should know about Home Chef before you order your first box. Image courtesy of Home Chef.

Home Chef pros and cons

All in all, I was really thrilled with every meal I got from Home Chef. Here are my key takeaways.

Home Chef pros:

  • Easy and quick to prepare (everything took us 30 minutes or fewer)
  • Good portion size
  • Convenient packaging
  • Creative meals
  • Free shipping on orders over $45
  • Competitively priced (everything I tried was about $10 per serving)

Home Chef cons:

  • Lots of plastic packaging (some is recyclable)
  • Pre-made items (e.g. sauces) could feel limiting to someone who wants to learn to cook from scratch

Would I order another week of Home Chef meals? Absolutely. While $10 a serving might feel comparable to delivery, you’re getting a fresh, flavorful meal and you control the ingredients. Plus, the time it saves in menu planning and grocery shopping offsets some of the cost in my mind because I dislike both of those activities.

Want to try Home Chef for yourself?

If you’re interested in checking out Home Chef, we’ve got you covered. Get 3 plates for free with our code “3platesoff” — just head here and get started.

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to live a gourmand life. I’d definitely recommend taking Home Chef for a spin.

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Bad Bedroom Cleaning Habits to Put to Bed

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bad bedroom cleaning habits

Keep your bedroom ready for R&R by putting these bad bedroom cleaning habits to bed. Image: Cornish Interiors

Your bedroom is your sanctuary. It’s where you go to rest and get rejuvenated. It’s where you dream, plan and — if you’re like us — do a lot of your Netflix binging. This is a restorative space. At least, that’s the idea. But after you’ve cleaned all the other parts of your house that guests will actually see, keeping your bedroom tidy can feel like a low priority. That’s a problem, though. Bad bedroom cleaning habits can impact your mood and your sleep.

If you want to get better rest, feel more rejuvenated at the start of your day and enjoy those movie marathons in bed guilt-free, keeping your room clean is key. And we’re here to help. We’ve already talked about how to up your cleaning game in the bathroom and kitchen, but let’s not leave our sanctuaries shabby. Ditch these five bad bedroom cleaning habits to enjoy a better bedtime.

bad bedroom cleaning habits - bed

A platform bed that is flush with the floor can ensure the space under it stays clean. Image: Hsu McCullough

Ignoring the monsters under your bed

Let’s get one of the worst bad bedroom cleaning habits out of the way. Cleaning under your bed is a huge hassle, but it’s a whole lot better than sleeping over a huge pile of dust bunnies (hello, allergies!). First, pull every item out from under your bed. If you’re using that space to store stuff you never use, it might be time to part with it. Running the broom or vacuum under the bed is a whole lot simpler when you don’t have to navigate a pile of junk.

If you want a hack to make this chore a breeze, start with a bed skirt. It’s also known as a dust ruffle for good reason. This protective barrier doesn’t just make your bed cuter, it also minimizes the dirt and debris that accumulates underneath. Or, if you want to check off this to-do permanently, get a platform bed with solid edges that connect your mattress directly to the floor. You get bonus points if it has built-in storage.

Making/not making your bed

Mom was right. Making your bed every morning is actually pretty important, it turns out. Not only does it instantly make your room look cleaner, it can actually support your overall productivity and mental health. And, for real, it takes all of two minutes, so why not try it for a few weeks and see if you notice a difference?

If your bed is covered in a mountain of decorative pillows and throws, consider streamlining the design. While these fun accents can add flair to your space, they might be best used in a guest bedroom. If they’re keeping you from wanting to make your bed every day, they’re actually hurting the overall design of your space.

Now, all this said, don’t pop out of bed and make it first thing. Leave your sheets pulled back while you brush your teeth and make your coffee. This gives your bedding a chance to breathe and ensures you’re not trapping sweat and dust mites inside your sheets. And, on that topic, don’t forget to wash your sheets on a regular basis.

bad bedroom cleaning habits - the chair

Leave the chairs in your room for sitting. Image: Coats Homes

Using “the chair”

Ah, the chair. It’s pretty much iconic. If TV is any indicator, every teen girl’s bedroom has this glorified closet replacement in one corner. But don’t fall prey! A chair is not a wardrobe and worn clothes shouldn’t be left there. It’s not a closet. It’s not a viable clothes storage option. Don’t let the chair stand between you and your best, most organized self.

If you’re a user of the chair, take some steps to break the habit. First, clean out your closet. (If you’re having trouble letting go of stuff, the KonMari method could help.) It’s a whole lot easier to hang an item back up if you’re not having to use several shoves to squish it back into place. More space for clothes storage makes organization easier.

Then, do something else with the chair. Set it up with pillows and a cozy throw for a reading nook. Put a potted plant on it for a couple weeks while you break the habit. Do whatever you need to do to force yourself to either put things away or put them in the hamper after you wear them. Once you break the habit, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to keep your room tidy.

Cleaning while you wash sheets

If this article is motivating you to do a big bedroom clean, kudos! But don’t start by stripping your bed. If you’re going to be dusting, leave your bedding on. Otherwise, you knock all that dust and debris onto your bare mattress, then cover over it when you put clean sheets back on your bed. And while you’ll probably never notice the difference, it’s not doing your bedroom hygiene any favors.

bad bedroom cleaning habits - pillows

Don’t forget to clean under the sheets. Leaving your mattress as-is is one of the most common bad bedroom cleaning habits. Image: Thorp Design

Ignoring your mattress and pillows

Speaking of bedroom hygiene, let’s talk about the stuff that’s a little harder to throw into the washing machine. Your pillows and mattress are sort of protected by your sheets, but not entirely. They need to be cleaned and sanitized everyone once in a while, too.

And, good news, you actually can throw pillows in the washing machine, so that’s a pretty simple task. Add a few tennis balls into the dryer for extra fluffiness, and you’ll be glad you tackled this to-do.

The mattress, while daunting, is actually pretty simple to clean, too. It’s as easy as vacuuming your mattress, spot treating any stains, sprinkling it with baking soda to deodorize it, then vacuuming again! Ideally, leave the baking soda for 24 hours so it can do its best work.

Do you have any bad bedroom cleaning habits you’re ready to put to bed? Is this guide helpful? Tell us how you keep your room ready for relaxation in the comments below.

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The Biggest Pinterest Home Trends for 2019

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There are a whopping 250 million active Pinterest users per month. And they’re busy pinning and repinning all their favorite design inspiration photos, memes, recipes, crafts and more. Pinterest just released a report breaking down the data of which Pinterest home trends are big in 2019.

Wondering how they manage to call it correctly year after year? According to Pinterest, they track and monitor pins for an “upward trajectory [that] holds steady for 6+ months.” 250 million people must be right. According to users, these are the top ten Pinterest home trends that are going to be hot for 2019.

1. Mustard Yellow is the “It” color for 2019

pinterest home trends 2019

Add mustard yellow to a room to update and warm up your space. Image: Pinterest/decomg

Searches for mustard yellow: +45%

Mustard yellow or sunflower yellow replace last year’s favorite — sage green. Try adding a bold focal wall or add a small accent furniture piece and some accessories in the color. Here’s more on how to decorate with yellow.

2. Pinners are obsessed with fireplaces

2019 pinterest home design trends

A small, private garden was fitted with an outdoor fireplace for ambiance. Image: Pinterest/warmcozyhome

Searches for contemporary fireplace: +763%

Indoor and outdoor fireplaces are hot — and according to Pinterest, “the more modern and sleek, the better.” If you agree, you’ll love these outdoor fire pit ideas and the best indoor electric fireplaces that you can even set up in your rental.

3. Fabric walls

top pinterest home trends 2019

Hanging tapestry or textiles on the wall are an easy way to add color and pattern. Image: Pinterest/sfgirlbybay

Searches for textile art: +1718%

The idea of upholstering your walls may sound stranger than it looks. Rugs, tapestries and other hanging fabrics are hot, and give a room that boho-chic look.

4. Painted geometric wall patterns

pinterest trends 2019

Create a custom feel in your room by painting a geometric pattern on the wall. Image: Pinterest/redonline

Searches for geometric paint: +225%

Pinterest users are crafty and love a good DIY project. Save your favorite geometric paint Pin, whip out some painter’s tape and paint some geometric patterns on your wall to get in on this Pinterest home trend.

5. Wallpaper is the new paint

pinterest design trends 2019

For a more sophisticated wall, nix paint and try wallpaper. Image: Pinterest/hyggeandwest

Searches for bold print wallpaper: +401%

If painting geometric patterns on your walls isn’t your thing, bold wallpaper in bright geometric prints or tropical leaves is the answer. The best part is, there are plenty of removable wallpaper options nowadays that make it possible to wallpaper your rental walls, too. Here’s our ultimate guide to removable wallpaper.

6. Tin-spiration

pinterest design trends

Stamped tin is a stunning and low maintenance option for a backsplash. Image: Pinterest/apartmenttherapy

Searches for tin interiors: +563%

Stamped tin can work in nearly any interior style including farmhouse, industrial, vintage or modern. Paint yours to customize it further. According to the Pinterest home trends report, “From backsplashes to wallpaper, tin is in!”

7. Cactus and succulent arrangements

pinterest interior design ideas

Mix and match a cactus with succulents for a low-maintenance centerpiece. Image: Pinterest

Searches for cactus arrangements: +235%

Add some life to your space with a low-maintenance plant like a cactus or a succulent. Buy a shallow pot, fill it with soil, drop in a grouping of both cacti and succulents in different heights. Finish it off with some gravel for a cheap and chic centerpiece. Here are more ideas on how you can display your new arrangement.

8. Living walls

trending on pinterest

Cover up an unsightly wall or fence with a lush vertical garden. Image: Pinterest/sunset

Searches for vertical gardens: +287%

Vertical gardens or living walls are growing on Pinners. And we’ve been a big fan of the trend, indoors or outdoors. Here’s a roundup of our favorite vertical gardens and living walls.

9. Painted floors

trending pinterest pins

Paint over old flooring by using a geometric stencil pattern. Image: Pinterest/cuttingedgestencils

Searches for painted floor tiles: +1276%

Forget messy demolition to replace your floors and paint over your existing tile or parquet floors instead. It’s much faster, easier and cheaper. Especially if you use the latest stencils for a mosaic-tile look that are definitely a part of Pinterest home trends for the year.

10. Natural swimming pools

best pinterest home design pins

This swimming pool makes use of its natural surroundings to keep the water fresh and flowing. Image: Pinterest/babble

Searches for natural swimming pools +262%

We all love a dip in the swimming pool but can do without all the chlorine after-effects like burning eyes, bleached hair that goes green and dry skin. A salt-water pool is quickly replacing chlorine as the go-to choice for homeowners and is one of the Pinterest home trends for 2019. Here’s a roundup of some of the most beautiful swimming pools in the world.

Looks like 2019 is gonna be a big year to focus on your walls. Whether you add wallpaper, hang a tapestry or paint them in bright yellow, make sure you’ve embellished them with bold colors and prints. And don’t forget to include plants in your room’s decor.

What do you think of the Pinterest home trends for 2019? Let us know in the comments. Follow us on Pinterest!

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Chewy’s Autoship Helps You Build a Perfect Pet Gift Box

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We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. 

Subscription boxes are trending, and who can blame us? What’s not to love about getting a treat in the mail, whether that’s a monthly shipment of flowers or a weekly package of food (see you later, grocery shopping!). The only issue with subscription boxes is they can also contribute to the accumulation of stuff. When your box comes stocked with items you don’t really need, they often just end up taking space in your house.

That’s why pet subscription boxes, while super fun for your furry family member, can be a problem. Do pet owners who want to take a more minimal approach to their pet’s stuff have to skip the fun of a pet gift box? No! Thanks to the Autoship feature from Chewy, you can shower your pet with fun items on a regular basis while also ensuring both you and your four-legged friend will like what your box contains.

chewy autoship

Use our promo code (at the end of this article) to grab 30 percent off your first Autoship from Chewy. Image courtesy of Chewy.

How Autoship from Chewy works

So, let’s be clear, Chewy does not offer a subscription box. They do, however, offer a recurring shipment that’s tailored to your pet. After personally getting a sample box from them, I think that’s a good thing. My dog’s toy basket is now completely overflowing. I honestly can’t imagine keeping up with a monthly increase of toys, and that’s saying something because my pet is a Destroyer of Toys.

You can use Chewy’s Autoship feature to set up your own subscription, on your own schedule, with the items that are right for your pet. That could mean a monthly shipment of Fluffy’s favorite treats or a quarterly box with Spike’s favorite toy that he inevitably destroys every so often.

And, here’s the best part: you get 30 percent off your first Autoship, plus 5 to 10 percent off select products in all your future Autoships. You can change or cancel your Autoship at any time. So whether you want a monthly, quarterly or yearly present for your pet, Chewy’s got you covered.

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My box came with – count them – six(!) toys and three types of treats. Image provided by Kacie Goff.

My sample shipment from Chewy

I wanted to test this out. It’s one thing to go into a pet store and see a toy in person. It’s another to order it online. Would Chewy’s toys hold up? Would their treats entice my dog? It was time to find out.

My box from Chewy arrived on a rainy day. We’ve been having this uncharacteristically wet winter in Southern California and my dog — a dingo lookalike mutt named Babou — has been going nuts. Naturally, he’s driving me crazy right along with him. So when the box showed up on my doorstep, I tore into it. And, I swear, Babou must have known it was for him. He paced nervously around me as I pulled off the packing tape and started sorting through the goods. We received:

Toys

Treats

The puzzle toy, in particular, was a real treat for both Babou and me. With the rain keeping us both indoors, stuffing the box full of toys (it came with three small ones inside) and tucking a treat at the bottom was enough to keep us entertained while we waited out the steady drizzle.

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The prince patiently awaiting his new treasures. Image provided by Kacie Goff.

My review of Chewy’s products

Would I recommend ordering your dog’s favorites from Chewy? Abso-freaking-lutely. Every toy they shipped me is high quality. My dog has been thrilled with (and unable to destroy) each item. And as for the treats? They’re a slam dunk. The freeze-dried treats, in particular, are a fun new discovery. Babou is a finicky eater, but I’ve found that crumbling two of them on top of his food will have him polishing off dinner in record time.

Chewy has such a wide range of toys and treats that it’s easy to replicate an Autoship order with the things you’re already grabbing from the pet store on a regular basis. With the double bonus of getting a discount on your order and crossing an errand off your list for good, it’s definitely worth taking this unique approach to pet gift boxes for a spin.

Plus, Chewy has amazing customer service and an 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on every item in every order. You can rest easy knowing that you’re going to be happy with your order.

Want to get in on the action? We’ve got a Freshome promo that gets you 30 percent off your first Autoship order! Whether you’ve got Fido’s birthday coming up or Fiona just seems bored with her current hoard of cat toys, it’s worth checking out Chewy.

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What’s Clogging Your Drains and How Can You Unclog Them?

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Water is the most plentiful natural resource on the planet. And since it’s so abundant, you rarely think about it. That is, until you have a clogged drain and you can’t get rid of it. “Just about every plumbing fixture in your home can become clogged, from that fabulous farmhouse kitchen sink and bathroom sinks to the tub and shower,” says Doyle James, President at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Here’s a look at what’s causing those clogged drains, and how you can unclog them.

Clogged Drain Causes

Clogged drain Fat oil and grease

Fat, oil and grease can clog your drains and pipes. Image: Pradit_Ph/Getty Images

“Food and substances that do not break down, such as fibrous food, egg shells and non-food items, along with grease and oil, will build up in your pipes and create a clog in your drain over time,” James explains.

Clogged drains - hair

Hair is a major culprit in clogged drains. Image: sasimoto/Getty Images

Also, hair can wash down the drain during showers or while washing your hair in the sink. In addition to washing your hair, combing and cutting it over the sink will also create a clog eventually.

Soap is another culprit. “Sometimes, soap itself is not a problem,  but when it is combined with hair and other substances, it can form into solid clumps, clogging your drain,” James says. “But on the other hand, many traditional bars of soap also include grease or fat, and neither should be washed down the drain.”

Clogged Drains - toys

These toys look so innocent — until they get stuck in your drain. Image: Robert Reader/Getty Images

And according to Audrey Monell, President of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and AC, a clog can also be caused by kids wanting to see their toys float on top of the water. In addition, your drain could be clogged from flushing excessive amounts of toilet paper or flushing paper towels, tampons and other objects down the commode.

Clogged Drain Solutions

Clogged drain - clothes hanger

A clothes hanger is an inexpensive solution. Image: Jorg Greuel/Getty Images

If you have a clogged drain, a bent wire hanger is one option. “Use a regular wire coat hanger and straighten it out as much as possible,” James says. “Bend one end to create a hook, push it through the drain and start fishing.” After you pull out the hair and/or other substances, he recommends running hot water to help clear the drain.

A plunger is another option, but many people don’t know how to use it properly. The initial plunge should not be forceful. You’re trying to force the air out of the plunger’s bell, but you don’t want it to splatter — especially if you have hardwood floors in the kitchen and bathroom. After the water is out, you can start plunging more forcefully, but make sure the plunger is firmly in place. Don’t give up if you don’t see any progress after four or five plunges. It may take over a dozen plunges to see any results. Also, make sure that there’s enough water in the toilet to cover the plunger.

Clogged drains - vinegar and baking soda

Vinegar and baking soda are an alternative to poisonous chemicals. Image: Eskay Lim/Eye Em/Getty Images

Yet another solution is baking soda and vinegar. “Concoct a mixture of 1/3 of a cup of baking soda and 1/3 of a cup of vinegar, which will fizz when combined,” James says. “Pour it immediately down the drain and the fizzing action will help break down the gunk, hair and grime.” He recommends letting it sit for an hour — although he says leaving it overnight is even better — and then flushing with hot water. “You can also pour the dry baking soda down the drain first and chase it with the vinegar,” James explains.

However, he says boiling water is probably the easier tip. “Boil as much water as your kettle will hold and slowly pour it down the drain in two or three stages, allowing the hot water to work for several seconds between each pour,” James says. “Make sure your sink is empty before trying this and be extremely careful when handling hot water.”

Chemical-based drain cleaners are a risky option since these chemicals don’t work as fast and can be corrosive.

“If you aren’t sure what to do or the solutions above haven’t worked, contact a professional to help you clear your drain quickly and more effectively,” James advises.

Preventing Clogged Drains

Clogged drains - trap hair

Trap hair or debris before it goes down the drain. Image: deepblue4you/Getty Images

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure (or trying to clear a pound of hair and grease). For example, if your hair tends to shed badly when you wash it, take a proactive approach. “Make sure you have a guard over your drain to catch the hair more frequently,” James recommends. This advice works whether you wash your hair in the shower, sink or while soaking in your favorite bathtub.

Whether you use your dishwasher or wash your dishes by hand, scrape the dishes over a trashcan first to ensure there’s no food left on them.

Clogged Drain - hot water

Use care when transporting hot water to the drain. Image: RyersonClark/Getty Images

You can also regularly maintain your drains by pouring hot water down them on a weekly basis, or by pouring a cup of vinegar down the drain, letting it sit for half an hour and then pouring two quarts of hot water down the drain.

“It’s also a good idea to have your home’s plumbing checked regularly for leaks and clogs to avoid a plumbing emergency that could cost more in repairs,” Monell says.

The post What’s Clogging Your Drains and How Can You Unclog Them? appeared first on Freshome.com.

Take a Tour of the Season 3 Queer Eye Loft and Shop the Look

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Season 3 of Queer Eye is out now and we’re taking you on a tour of the Fab Five’s fabulous Kansas City loft. You’ll see plenty of the modern-industrial space in the new season. The guys gather to do their makeovers and watch the final transformation at the end of the show in the Queer Eye loft. And the best part – you can shop the look at West Elm.

West Elm Season 3 Queer Eye Loft

Rich, masculine neutrals and textured fabrics and finishes warm up the large, open loft space. All images courtesy of West Elm

Bobby Berk and West Elm worked together to pull the space together. Working with a large, open loft space has its challenges, but Bobby shares his secret: “Creating different vignettes throughout the room in a cohesive color palette allows me to define the different spaces without having them feel separate from each other,” he said.

Let’s check out the Queer Eye Loft:

queer eye loft living room

The men gather on the cozy Andes sectional to watch the results of their makeover on TV.

Shop the look:

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queer eye Kansas City loft

Step up a platform into the entertaining and styling area where the makeovers happen.

queer eye season 3 sneak peek

A vintage barber styling chair adds charm to the modern industrial loft design.

queer eye loft plan

The loft features plenty of tropical plants that separate each area into an intimate space.

Shop the look:

queer eye loft plan
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season 3 queer eye loft design

The kitchen is a showstopper, with a large kitchen island for the Fab Five and guests to gather around.

queer eye decorating ideas

A “living wall” along the large kitchen windows uses hanging potted plants on industrial poles.

Shop the look:

queer eye decorating ideas
queer eye decorating ideas
queer eye decorating ideas
queer eye decorating ideas

Check out more of the Queer Eye Loft Season 3 on Netflix!

The post Take a Tour of the Season 3 Queer Eye Loft and Shop the Look appeared first on Freshome.com.

Prefabricated House in Mexico Inspired by Love for the Outdoors

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prefabricated house mexico
The Mexican architectural firm SOA Soler Orozco Arquitectos designed the unconventional Casa Molina residence. This prefabricated house in Mexico offers a total living area of 1722 square feet (approximately 160 square meters). A contemporary prefabricated home, it includes a two-bedroom layout with two full bathrooms as well as a common terrace space.

According to the architects, they manufactured the structure in a workshop. This is also where they assembled the light covers, electrical, plumbing installations and floor finishes. The foundation was prepared to receive the structure on the site, were the modules were fit together. The final step of the process was to install the lighting fixtures, furniture and accessories to complete the residence.

The U-shaped prefabricated house in Mexico features an optimum indoor-outdoor connection.  It features alluring terraces and spaces for entertainment. By using wood and metal, the architects managed to create a home that is both functional and inviting. Casa Molina has two bedrooms, designed with peacefulness in mind. Large windows with views to the inner courtyard also increase the feeling of intimacy. Enjoy the virtual tour! Information provided by SOA Soler Orozco Arquitectos. Photography courtesy of César Béjar.

The post Prefabricated House in Mexico Inspired by Love for the Outdoors appeared first on Freshome.com.