HOME CHANGES 2017

As we start the year, it is good to set plans for 2017. And we must not forget our homes. We should have plans for improvements and changes we want to effect in our homes by the end of 2017. As you make plans whether for maintenance, purchasing new items, improving the items you have, changing the theme colour of your home, here are important factors to put in mind and plan well for;

• cost

Maintenance, purchases and new improvements in a home are costly. Before you embark on making any changes, you need to have the budget i mind. You need to know how you are going to finance the expenses. Ensure that you dont put all your finances on changing your home theme colour and end up sleeping hungry.

• you taste

The changes you are going to effect may be influenced by the current trends or by something beautiful you saw in some homes last year or by how you think your home should look like. As much as possible, make sure your align this to your taste. Do not buy a beautiful piece of furniture just to end up hating after one week. Ensure the curtains you intend to purchase are in your personal taste.

• your color theme

This is one of the basics you must consider whenever you make a change in your home. Dont go out of your colour theme. You do not want to buy an expensive curtain which will make your whole house look so confused in colour. Ensure the colours you choose will go well with your already existing colour scheme. You may also use a new colour to bring in a different look into your home.

• your house style

The items you buy for your home should very much be in line with your house style. Whether your style is the farmhouse or the town house or the Mediterranean, ensure you choose the items you will purchase and the changes you will make in line with your house style.

• the people you live with

This is very important. Ensure in the fun of the moment you do not forget about the people you are living with. If you have kids, ensure you make changes that are children friendly. If you live with an elderly person ensure you incorporate their ease of movement and comfort in your changes. It will not be home if the occupants are not comfortable to live in it.

DESIGNING YOUR HOME YOURSELF- LESSONS FROM THE MONTICELLO

Built in the 18th century, the Monticello still remains an American national treasury due to its beauty and design. It is interesting to learn that the Monticello was designed by someone who had no formal knowledge in design or architecture. 
It is purely a result of a lay man's desire to live in a comfortable home of his own imagination. The Monticello was designed for over four decades and the eventual design was nothing but the eventual design was nothing but the best.
Monticello which means little mountain was designed by Thomas Jefferson who started building it at the young age of 25 years. It is his passion that drove him to look into the design and architectural books in order to come up with what indeed he wanted. He has been quoted as saying "I am as happy nowhere else and in other society. All my wishes end where I hope my life will end, the Monticello". 

If you would like to design your home yourself, here are important lessons you can borrow from Thomas Jefferson;

1. You first need to be sure designing it yourself is what you really want. It takes time and a lot of energy to come up with a good design especially if you are not trained in the field of design or architecture. Be sure it is what you want before you embark on this journey.
2. Keep your imagination alive. It took four decades of designing, re-imagining and redesigning to come up with the Monticello. Don't be afraid to improve your design every time a new idea comes into your head.
3. It does not have to look like all the good designs you have seen and admired. The reason why Monticello is a national treasure and has kept in the books of history is because it is unique. In coming up with a design, you don't necessarily have to copy other designs unless they are part of what you want.
4. You will treasure more and love more the design you have come up with. I believe the reason why Thomas Jefferson said that his wishes and his life will end at the Monticello was because he valued the Monticello very much and this was mainly because he made it himself in his own liking.
5. You are never too young to start imagining and putting your dream design on paper. Thomas Jefferson started building the Monticello at 25 years, this should tell you that he had started drawing the design much earlier. Whether you are 18 or 22 or 30 or 50, you can start giving that design a serious thought as early as right this minute.
6. Seek knowledge, do not design blindly. Thomas Jefferson is recorded as having very many books on design and architecture, mainly about the ancient roman empires. He drew his knowledge and inspiration from this books. No matter what you do, do not design blindly, seek knowledge.
7. Most importantly remember YOU CAN DO IT. Thomas Jefferson has been quoted as saying "all mean are born equal". No man is better in imagination than the other, and no one can imagine your desires and wishes better than you. Starting putting your desires, wishes and imaginations on paper and you can be sure you will never regret you did.