Here’s another Interior Decorating tip. When I say another, that’s because you could count this article about Creating a Focal Point tip #1.
More info for your lawn
Here’s an interesting article I read that supplements my previous post about Planting Grass.
Some of the highlights from the article are:
Planning:
“Climate: Make sure you choose the right type of grass for your climatic zone – enquire at your nearest nursery.
Budget: You won’t only have to cough up for water and fertiliser, as well as petrol or electricity for the lawn mower – the prices of various grass types can also vary greatly, especially if you want to plant instant lawn. Find out if the price includes the delivery and planting of the lawn.”
Planting method:
“Sow: This is the most economical way, provided that you are patient and keep the soil moist at all times. The seeds should germinate within four to seven days and after four to six weeks there will be a profusion of green blades…”
“Plugs or runners: This method is slightly more expensive than sowing but works especially well during the rainy season and all year round in areas with a mild climate, provided that enough water is available.”
“Sods: This is the most expensive method but it is the easiest and fastest way to produce a new lawn. Bear in mind that, for all three methods, the soil has to be prepared thoroughly because, unlike with an ordinary plant bed, you only get one chance to do it properly…”
My absolute FAVOURITE bit of this article is as follows:
“If you are having a new house built, insist that any topsoil in the proximity of the construction work is removed and kept to one side before it can be polluted by cement and rubble. The building contractor should remove all rubble before the topsoil is returned. This process is not negotiable and should be part of the building contract.”
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This article can be read in it’s entirety at Property24.com
Pachira Aquatica – Money Tree
UPDATE: After having had my tree (the one in the photo) for almost 10 years now, I’ve added a few items to the bottom of this post. You should see them in red.
The Pachira Aquatica money tree plant is a plant/tree that will do any new homeowner proud.
Pachira Money Tree Plant
Also known as the “Pachira Aquatica“, the Money Tree is a very hardy tree that can vary in size from small Bonsai to 7 feet tall… It will grow in lots of light AND low light. Being well watered, or not very well watered (though don’t OVER water it).
Because of these features, this plant can be an indoor house plant, as well as a tree kept at the office.
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Size isn’t everything
Just because you have a small house or apartment, doesn’t mean you can’t have a christmas tree… I know a lot of people would sacrifice a lot of space to have a large Christmas Tree, but this is also not necessary. The tree doesn’t have to be large. Take a look at this tree:
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Create a Focal Point
This applies everywhere:
- Entrance Room
- Front Door
- Garden
- Lounge
- Bedroom
Varnishing or Sealing your Wood
A great tip for a good first impression by a visitor is to Varnish your wooden doors. ESPECIALLY your garage doors if your visitors will see them when they arrive. (My guests have to park outside my garage doors).
Of course, Varnishing is not always what needs to be done. A better option is Sealing the wood. I used something called an “Exterior Gloss Sealer” by Woodoc. Here are the properties for the Sealer I used (from www.woodoc.com):
Pot Plants – Indoor Plants
Another good idea for making a place look more lived in is to add a few pot plants. Of course, don’t go adding plants that your gran would have added (assuming you are not a gran). Some indoor pot plants that can be really nice (and, once again, cheapish) are cactii (cactuses), or similar plants.
Lighting your garden with Solar Lights
One nice and CHEAP way to light up your garden is to use Solar Powered Lights. These Solar Lights can be easy to install (put it together and stick it in the ground), and cost nothing once bought (unless you need to replace the batteries or bulbs, which shouldn’t happen very often).
I bought a couple of solar lights for my garden, and they work like a charm. They’re cute little things that just illuminate a section of the garden. I’m sure you can get solar lights with more powerful light bulbs, but the ones I bought are just there to accentuate and add a little bit of style to the garden.
You can even get solar fountains to add to your garden, which I think is a pretty clever idea, but if you already have a fountain or water feature, you could add a solar light or 2 around your feature, and voila, it is visible and highlighted all night. Now that’s just GREAT for those evening parties or dinners.
Ways to impress your guests
Here are a couple of quick ways to make your garden look more impressive for your guests (especially on a first viewing). To be done just before guests arrive:
Mushrooms, Toadstools, Fairy Rings and other Fungi
Well, for some people, Fariy rings are cool. But to others, fairy rings are just toadstools in your garden, ruining the look of your lawn… And PLEASE remember (especially for those people with kids, or even pets), Toadstools ARE NOT MUSHROOMS! So don’t let you children eat them. My dog once had what seemed like an epileptic fit due to chewing on a toadstool.
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