Design Post Update

Do a quick Google search for "Dallas roofing companies, and you'll find the list of results is VERY long! With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know which Dallas roofing company is the right one for you. Your goal is to find a roofing company that will:

Do a good job

Charge you a fair price

Offer you a quality guarantee on their work (and be willing and able to follow through on any guarantees or warranties)

Finding that roofing company may be easier said than done, but we have a few tips to help you find them:

1. Check the company's credentials -- Does the roofing company have the proper business certifications? Are they insured? Will they give you copy of their insurance certificate? What's their rating on the BBB? Where are they located? Local permanently or just in for the storm season? All of these things will help you find out more about the company you're considering.

2. Read reviews -- Hit up Google, Angies List and Houzz to see what others have to say about the roofing companies. Take all the reviews with a grain of salt, but read them to get a "feel" for the company.

3. Ask for proposals -- Want to find the best work at the best price? Talk to multiple roofing companies, and ask them to submit their most competitive quotes. When you make comparisons, be careful to compare apples to apples.

4. Watch out for "too low" bidders -- There should only be a 20% difference between the various quoted prices. If there is someone offering you the work at a suspiciously low price, they're probably NOT going to do the job right!

5. Understand the difference between "estimate" and "bid"-- An estimate is a written "guess" on how much a contractor thinks the job will cost. A "bid" is the final amount of money they are willing to accept for the job. Always get an estimate in writing, as it will help you to get the best possible bid on the work.

6. Ask about the quality of the materials -- Talk to the roofer about the brand of materials used, and do some independent research to determine if the materials are top quality or not. You want only the best for your roof, so make sure to find out details on your own. Also, dont be afraid to ask for and call the distributor they use to find out of the contractor pays their supplies on time or if they have issues there.

It's not easy to find the right Dallas roofing company, but with the tips above, you stand a better chance of selecting the roofer that will get the job done right!

INTRODUCTION

This article is meant as a reference toolbox for home plan design harmony and proportion. The author prefers to deal with the practical how-to of it subsequently. The author, a custom home designer, suggests that there's a place in designer home plans for age-old Western notions of unity, harmony, order, proportion, even Classicism.

Noteworthy, virtually all of these means and motives potentially applicable to designer house plans have been addressed in the literature and elsewhere principally to public or very large private structures coliseums, churches, huge bank buildings, and the like - rarely to home design.

The author has begun applying some very old ideas of design to some very new houses with success and surprises.

SUGGESTED READINGS

There's a lot of reading on architectural design proportion and Classical design. Most of it's not especially interesting clinical mathematics, nautilus shells and phyllotaxis, irrelevance borne of style, size, etc.

In the author's opinion, these works are some of the better:

1. The heady, heavy-going: Architectural Principles in the Age of Humanism by Rudolf Wittkower, W. W. Norton & Company, 1971.

2. The intellectually entertaining and well-written The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, The World's Most Astonishing Number by Mario Livio, Broadway Books, 2002.

3. The commanding presentation of the Orders, their making and remaking in The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson, The MIT Press, 1962.

4. Of methods and materials, Traditional Construction Patterns: Design & Detail Rules Of Thumb by Stephen Mouzon et al., McGraw-Hill. 2005.

5. The thoughtful, The Old Way of Seeing: How Architecture Lost Its Magic (And How to Get It Back) by Jonathan Hale, Houghton Mifflin, 1994.

6. The overarching [but not over-reaching, not hardly], A Pattern Language: Towns, Building, Construction by C. Alexander et al., Oxford University Press, 1977 and its companion The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander, Oxford University Press, 1979.

FAVORED House Design HARMONIES AND PROPORTIONS

As to proportion and proportions alone, here are those presently favored by the author, mostly for their simplicity of expression:

1. Golden Mean, or Golden Section or Golden Ratio, or Mark Barr's Ratio of Pheidias (a/k/a Phidias), or phi.

2. Lambda in Plato's Timaeus plus 5 & 7.

3. Regulating lines (ou trac(c)s regulateurs   la Auguste Choisy et Le Corbusier)
Subjectively, this is about balance, rhythm, symmetry, a sense of schema from illusive to hard rock.

PERSPECTIVE

For perspective, "As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality." Sidelight on Relativity by A. Einstein, translated by G. B. Jeffery and W. Perret, London, 1922.

The practical use of these metrics so far for the author mostly relates - a) positive integers from 1-9 exclusively, b) plus Phi and phi, c) generally apparent and usually symmetrical lines of relationship.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS

Comment: The practical use of these formulations is to relate these numerical values and physical relationships

1. Whole, positive integers from 1-9

2. Plus Phi and phi

3. Generally apparent and usually symmetrical lines of relationship

4. The Fibonacci series in aspects of progression

Comment: In this designer's opinion, you can get almost anywhere from here with ordered proportions using a matrix relating 1-9 to 1-9, keeping it simple. You know, 1:1, 1:2 . . . 9:8, 9:9. This home designer has also leaned into Phi=1.618, phi=0.618, and early entries in the Fibonacci series 0, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, Vesica Piscis, logarithmic spirals, dodecahedrons, and the like are fare for others for now.

Comment: Rule of thumb (not this designer's, but he cannot recollect whose sentiment this first was, and he thinks that, though the first guy was talking cathedrals or the like several centuries back, the point is a better reference for home design than for larger constructs): attend mostly to ratios between 4:3 and 7:1 as the range of casually observable size distinction.

Comment: If you're simply in the hunt for numerical relationships, knock yourself out: "music theory online: pitch, temperament, & timbre; lesson 27" by Brian Blood, http://www.dolmetsch.com/musictheory27.htm, supporting (among others) Julien Guadet's proposition, "Les proportions, c'est l'infini." El(c)ments et th(c)orie de l'architecture by J. Guadet, Four volumes, first ed. 1901-1904, fourth ed. 1915, Vol. I, p. 138 ff.

Forming home design in a framework of proportion, the author finds that

1. It's way easier to begin drawing with proportion in mind as a design premise than to attempt its imposition later on.

2. Complexity can overcome order or at least leave the practical realm when proportions proliferate beyond the 9 chosen integers and the 2 chosen irrationals, a/k/a while rigorous in harmonious design does not mean slavish, it also does not mean sloppy or obtuse.

3. Getting obsessive with this stuff can make you crazier. Enjoy.

4. There is a tendency to momentum, a propensity herewith in that proportional opportunities can present themselves sui generis with proportional precedent.

5. There arise practical limits particularly on interiors whereat function can rule.

6. There is no escaping a community's inattention to these matters when a client demands the project must necessarily conform to sometimes hideous design choice points in keeping up with the Joneses, e.g., outsized windows, cascades of gables, unbalanced segments, predetermined clad and trim, etc. [a point which is mirrored in client or community insistence in ignorant or insensitive departure from well-expressed style], a/k/a give it up, the horse won't drink; you hauled the water.

7. Whimsy accounts well now and then. So does artful, or creative; a little divergence is a good thing.

8. Don't ever be telling yourself that those who have gone before you were slacking in architectural design efforts of pattern. Your barren ignorance would be showing. Even jobsite tradesmen not all that long before your time were steeped in knowledge of sacred geometry and Classical style [would that you are doubtful, sit down sometime with the photographed front elevation of a fine example of some well-know residential architectural style of, say, the late 19th century, and layout that elevation using a basic knowledge of harmonious design and the parts fit over and over and over again], those designers and builders being at the tail end of millennia of practice, practice, practice and respect, respect, respect for the craft.

There really isn't a listing for roof leak repair Chicago contractors who will come out and reseal around your chimney. Many roofing contractors do offer repair servicessome specialize in roof leaks. Don't worry about them trying to sell you a new roof; as attractive as that may appear to a roofing company, you have to remember that their business is built upon customer loyalty. They are more than willing to help you extend the life of your current roof in hopes that when you need a new one you come to them.

Checking the bona fides

No matter whom you pick, you always have to check your bona fides. Even if it was the company that installed your neighbor's roof a week ago. You always want to make sure that their license and insurance is up-to-date and that there arent any unresolved complaints against them. This is about doing good business; good customers do their homework to make sure they are selecting reputable companies. Also, remember to check references.

Getting references

To clear up a common misconception, checking the review on Yelp for a business discounts as checking references. No matter how small the job, ask the company for references you can call. The roof is the single most important part of your home, even above the foundation. A lot can go wrong if the wrong person works on it. Yelp reviews aren't that reliable, and they tend to be posted by people in the heat of the moment, good or bad. When you talk to someone on the phone keep it simple and short. Introduce yourself, say that you are considering hiring the company that did their work and would like to know what their experience was like. Don't ask specific questions at first as that can color what they tell you. Listen and ask some questions if you need to, then promptly conclude your conversation.

Do they specialize?

Many roof leak repair Chicago contractors will specialize in doing work on specific types of roofs. If you have a metal or slate roof, you don't want to hire a contractor who is most used to repairing asphalt shingle roofs. Stay within the limits of the material that has to be repaired for the best overall results.

Is it really a repair? Or do you need a whole new roof?

A roof will only last for so long. While there is much that you can do to extend the life of your roof, it will eventually have to be replaced. Talk to the contractor when they come out to do the estimate about the condition of your roof. They will understand if you need to patch to get by until you can afford the roof, but will also tell you if just doing a repair is going to create more trouble for you. The roof leak repair Chicago contractors you want are the ones that are willing to be honest with you, and that can weigh the realistic options on hand. Remember, their goal is to keep you as a customer, and have you as a reference, so their advice will not steer you wrong.

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Many building owners buy a brand new roofing system for the building presuming the money they save on energy expenses or on low routine maintenance will permit them to break even on the price tag. Certain roofing systems pay themselves off by sparing you money on energy and maintenance costs, however various roofing systems don't last long enough to justify their price. Even a roofing system that is installed properly may not make it through its full estimated life as a result of numerous outside elements that have effect on roof life.

Roofing System with the Best Longevity?

The most recent factual research study on roofing system life expectancy gave the following valuable lifespans for the most widely used roofing systems.

Everything is Based on Averages

It is crucial to recall just before we start examining this too carefully that these numbers are all depended on midpoints and averages. None of these numbers are an assurance nor guarantee that your roof lifespan will fall in the given range. Your system could last substantially longer than the range given, or considerably shorter. Do not assume that just because these numbers are here and say one thing that your roof will last precisely this long. All things considered, these numbers depend on years of information from a range of situations and have been viewed to be reliable throughout the years.

EPDM

Just one of the more prolongated roofing system life expectancy in the research is that of EPDM, also known as rubber roofs. They can be expected to last 25-30 years. This system is growing instantly in popularity in the United States because of some degree to its long lifespan. If you're looking for an enduring and long lasting roofing system with a reasonable price tag, EPDM is a reasonable choice.

Spray-Applied Coatings

We're discussing silicone coatings when we discuss spray-applied coatings. These are the coatings that we produce and they are not a standalone system. They are intended to be applied to an already existing roofing system and lengthen that system's life. Just like the case with SPF roofs, spray-applied coatings are still commonly young roofing systems and don't have the conclusive info that other roofing systems have. Notwithstanding, these systems can last as many as 20 years relying upon the application density, and some systems are promised up to 50 years. Toward the end of their lives a quality roofing contractor can be recoated with less product than at first applied and be renewed for another 10-20 years of service. It is at this time unknown how long this recoating procedure can go on before failing, due to the fact that nobody has reached that point yet.

Concrete

Concrete is a notably more sturdy and resilient roofing material with a predicted life span of 35-50 years. This magnitude is 5 years longer than metal, having said that, concrete is reliable up to the end of its life. The maintenance required to allow your concrete roof to last its full predicted life is much less than that required for a metal roof or many different systems so far. There are some maintenance that should be done, there is no roofing system that doesn't need maintenance, but concrete belongs to the less demanding ones.

Metal

Based on the study, metal is anticipated to last just about anywhere between 30-45 years after installation. This service life must be predicted if the roof is preserved throughout the years. This could include regular painting to avoid rust, replacement of damaged or deficient panels, and re-fastening the roof if any fasteners become disengaged during roof movement. It is not irrational to expect your metal roof to last 35-40 years or even longer if the roof is regularly and properly maintained and inspected. The life-span of a metal roof can also fluctuate relying on the type of metal picked, with a wide range of metals available on the market.

Spray Foam Roofing

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam, often referred to as SPF, most likely has the longest roofing system service life in the research study. We say probably on the grounds that this system is very young and a large variety of the first SPF roofs that were introduced in the late 1960's and mid 1970's are still being used and are still standing. These roofs have survived for around 50 years and hint at no halting, but no average has been identified because the system is fairly young. In spite of no legitmate answer on the life of the system, there are numerous SPF roofing systems that, when coated and maintained correctly, have survived 50+ years, giving SPF the longest roofing system life-span of all fundamental roofing materials.

So what is to conclude?

Well, there are various and numerous roofing systems on the market, each with totally different qualities that give them various anticipated life expectancy. As always, we recommend you look even more into this topic before making your decision and purchase.

One reason there are so many consumer sites that offer reviews and comparisons of all of the roofing companies in Chicago is that there are so many of them to choose from. You used to be able to just take a few names, call and check on licenses and insurance and then make your decision. To do that now would be a full-time job. Comparison and review sites can work to your advantage if you know what to look for in a company. Licensing is important, but there is more to consider.

What services do they offer?

The first step in narrowing down your list of choices is to look at the services that they offer. Just about every roofing company will say they do residential and commercial roofs, but you have to look a little closer to see what services they put at the top of their list. Some of them specialize in metal and rubber roofs, which are more commonly associated with commercial buildings. Of the residential roof types, companies may have a shown preference for asphalt shingle over slate or tile. Pay close attention to how they list what they offer, that will show you what services they excel in and are most prepared to do.

What areas do they serve?

Chicago covers a large area. You need to identify what areas the company serves. If they serve all of Chicago then you have to identify which of their licensed contractors serve your area. If you are considering a large roofing company that works with independent contractors, you should call for the licensing information on the specific contractor for your area. Roofing isn't like plumbing where independents can work under a master license. Independent contractors can work under the main business license of the company but they will need their own individual permits and coverage.

Customer and professional reputation

Now you can go read the customer reviews, contact the State about licensing, insurance or complaints; as well as review any information found on the Better Business Bureau site. One word of caution about online customer review sites, the Internet is just now seeing steps put in place to catch and prevent false reviews from being posted. That doesn't mean a company can't get glowing reviews from everyone, but you need to take negative reviews with a grain of salt as well. The best way to really find out the reputation of any of the roofing companies in Chicago is to call them and to request references you can contact by phone.

Estimate procedure

Getting estimates from roofing companies in Chicago that fall into the top 5 on your comparison list is one of the best ways to do the final selection. Make sure that you provide the contractors with enough information about the type of roof you want, maintenance capabilities and desired lifespan. Be willing to listen to suggestions that they make about the roof type. They know how the Chicago weather affects roofs, and the one you want may not be the best choice. Don't feel pressured to accept an estimate, but clearly identify a time frame in which you will respond to it and follow through.

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It does not create a distinction with time of year it is, you continue to have to be compelled to clean your gutters. Gutters get clogged with all kinds of rubbish together with leaves branches and even ice throughout the winter. However, there many various varieties of gutter cleansing tools on the market these days which will assist you disembarrass any interference rubbish on the water to flow swimmingly off the roof through the gutters down the drain pipes and off from house. Also, if you look regarding your house you may notice several tools that assist you clean your gutters. Finally, they do not want to try to to this dirty job yourself you'll be able to perpetually rent somebody. There are several professionals who perform this service for those who don't need to try to do it themselves. You can choose the best one among the Gutter Cleaners Gold Coast for best service.

Pine Tree Needles are the Number-One rubbish

Did you recognize that conifer needles are the quantity one reason inflicting gutters to clog? Pine trees are a current species close several homes. The needles from these trees are simply blown away and are captured in gutters wherever they accumulated into impeding lots that keep your gutters from operative properly. Ultimately, twenty five percent of gutter rubbish forms on all-time low of the gutter covering the outlet, whereas sixty percent covers the highest. Regarding fifteen percent gets within the downspouts. Left unrestrained, gutter cause may be terribly pricey.

So, what is the huge deal regarding cleansing the gutter?

Periodic cleansing of your home's gutters is an element of the maintenance which will confirm your home solely functions properly whereas you reside there however helps retain its commercialism worth moreover. Correct maintenance can result in you saving cash as a result of while not it the required repairs are going to be far more pricey. Water harm may be an exhausting repair to accomplish. Also, clog other's gift a security hazard moreover. A gutter system that doesn't receive the correct periodic maintenance will cause a variety of issues together with cacophonous aloof from the house beneath the burden accumulated once not properly cleared. Also, overflow from clogged gutters will relieve oneself flow up beneath the shingles on your roof and down into the walls of your home closing a good deal of interior harm. If you employ the proper gutter cleansing tools you'll be able to forestall this harm to your home and so not solely keep the house safe for its inhabitants, however, helps retain or increase your property item. Choose the expert for gutter cleaning service among the Gutter guard Gold Coast

Gutter cleansing issues

When cleansing your gutters, there are variety of safety for cautions you ought to take into thought either before or throughout your cleansing operation that include:

When employing a ladder to achieve access to your gutters, follow all the correct safety precautions enclosed with the ladder manufacturer's manual. Hence, better to hire the best Roof Cleaning Gold Coast to keep gutter clean.

Always examine the gutters and downspouts to create certain that you simply have removed all the rubbish before you concentrate on the work to be completed.

Clear the downspouts before you filter out and flush the gutters

It is counseled to either borrow or rent an influence washer to achieve a simpler cleansing and flushing of your gutters and downspouts.

As we face potential heatwave conditions this summer, spare a thought for the wild weather that is an inevitable consequence of harsh Australian summers. Bushfires and electrical storms are a leading news topic and, unfortunately, are all too common during the hotter months. These weather systems can have life-changing consequences if you and your family are unprepared. When a severe storm hits, batten down the hatches around the house and if youre out and about its important to make sure you follow the 3 tips below to keep your car as safe as possible.

1. Insurance

Driving is a rite of passage and symbol of independence most of us achieve in our teens and would be lost without. No matter whether your car is financed or owned outright, it is important to maintain an appropriate level of insurance cover to protect against accidental damage or injury. If access to a vehicle is necessary for you to generate an income, then make sure your comprehensive insurance is up-to-date and covers storm damage before the summer storm season hits. Consider including hire-car options and new for old replacement so youre not caught short if it comes down to an insurance claim.

2. Photos

Its a good idea to take photos of the current condition of your car so that you have a images to reference in the event of storm damage. Keep them on your computer and make sure you have printouts with your insurance information. Its always advisable to keep a backup stored off-site or with a cloud service as well.

3. Heed storm warnings

Try to plan ahead if the weather forecast is looking grim, park undercover or make alternative arrangements to get around. Invest in a hail cover if you dont have access to a garage or carport, a padded cover isnt a magic force field but it will at least minimise any hailstone damage. If you get caught out during a storm dont try and outrun the storm by speeding, make sure you turn on your lights to improve your visibility and avoid driving through water on the road, even shallow water can prove hazardous.

Bottom Line:

This summer is set to be one of the heaviest storm seasons that we've seen in many years. El Nino is reversing which always brings with it crazy weather. The nation has had a very dry winter which usually signals more rain. And the perseverance of hail storms has become nearly a quarterly occurrence in some area's of Queensland. So to make sure your car is protected this storm season, if you don't have a lock up garage get in touch with the guys at Total Shade Solutions to learn more about their car shade solutions.

An increasing number of people are choosing to work from home. With the advent of technology especially Internet connectivity, working from home is in fact turning out to be sensible option for many. Most people who choose to work out of their home set up an office before they begin. If you have decided to convert a section of your home into an office, here are some things you should remember:


Begin by drawing up a plan on the room you will dedicate for your home office. Remember that a home office should have enough space to accommodate a desk, chair, computer, office supplies and other items you will require. They need to have good flooring, sufficient lighting and power outlets to accommodate all your needs.
 You need to buy a comfortable and functional desk chair for your home office. If you have extra space after accommodating the desk and chair, you can add a sofa or extra chairs for visitors too.
 Bulletin boards or magnet boards are functional and attractive options you can use in your office space at home. They can be a catch-all for your appointments, calendars and keepsakes.
 Depending on the size of your office space you can plan storage options in the form of shelves or even drawers. You can choose to put away the printer, wireless Internet receivers and other computer accessories in a closet so it is not visible outside. Roll-top desks will offer more storage space. Also have a proper filing cabinet for clean and organized office space.

 Ensure that space planning for your home office does not interfere with the general layout and look of your existing home.
You can also choose to personalize your workspace at home with artwork and accessories of your choice. If you are looking for furniture for your home office, visit a consignment store. You can find great pieces at affordable prices for a functional and aesthetically pleasing home office interior design.

Types of Solutions Provided by Interior Designer
Usually the interior designer will provide solutions with three aspects. Solutions they provide would be functional and applicable to the environment. Secondly, such solutions should invariably enhance the quality in the interior environment of the structure with which they are working. Finally, the solution should also be aesthetically attractive and acceptable. At the same time with the customer consciousness about greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency across the globe, encouraging the principles of environmental sustainability would be the other requirement.
Interior Design Process
Normally the interior design process would be very systematic and coordinated. Designer has to undertake a lot of research, analysis, and integration works to run the creative process. Basic objective of the design process would be satisfying the requirements of the client and the interior space taking a shape fulfilling the goals of the project.

Interior Design Job Specification
Multiple aspects of interior design jobs include environmental psychology, designing the products, decorative patterns, and architecture. Designers have to take special care of aesthetics and cosmetics. Floor plans, home renovation as well construction codes will all have impact on the work of the designer. Job of the designer is not confined to residences alone but encompasses all types of commercial, cultural, strategic, and heritage structures as well.

Training and Specialization
In many countries including USA and UK, the interior designers require special accreditation. Prior to that, they must complete the academic courses on interior designing. Many universities, colleges, and schools offer such training and specialization courses and a host of online academies are now offering perfectly valid online degrees as well. In United States trained interior designers can appear in the LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design examination to receive their accreditation in the most potent area of interior designing.

Continuous Evolution
With the frequently changing tastes of people all over the world it is natural that the interior designing also undergoes continuous evolution. Today, however all designs are made with a special emphasis on the environmental aspects for maintaining the ecological balance. Skill in these fields help the designer get enhanced interior design salary.
One should not forget that interior decoration and design are two different things and designing involves a lot of technical, analytical as well as creative skills including the proper appreciation of architectural issues.

To kill a space, there is nothing better than strict rules, however, there are certain "crimes" in decorating that not even the boldest interior designer in Seattle will dare to commit for the sake of originality or fame.

Crime #1: Neglect Editing
The rule that states that less is more is sacred.  An overcrowded room, full of furniture and trinkets, diminishes its main purpose, which is to showcase you and anyone else meant to enjoy it.  Be brave and get rid of half the furniture and everything else inside your rooms; keep what you truly love, donate what you think is beautiful, discard what doesn't work, and allow for pure and positive energy to flow around every corner.  
Crime #2: Shut Your Ears to the Room
Listen to the empty room before you decorate it.  Feel its proportions, its surfaces, textures and colors; check the quality and the direction of light, and let its function guide the design.  The furniture for a room must move places according to the space it was designated for.
Crime #3: Follow Trends Mindlessly
Forget about copying the minimalistic or Asian style presented by the top interior design magazine.  The best room is the one with a unique identity, where you go in and immediately feel its special energy and balance because it shows your personality; the room is you!
Crime #4: Settle For What's Common
A room decorated with certain objects or style just because that's what's normally done, is a loser.  Your imagination is the limit as to what your special room can become.  Let it surprise you with your unexpected side, allow it to show you how confident and unique you truly are.   

Crime #5: Not Make It Fun
Have you heard the advice: don't take yourself too seriously?  Well, it applies to decorating too.  There is always, and there always should be, room to be ironic, clever and interesting in a funny way.  Good taste should be a personal principle, not an established rule.
Crime #6: Dread Color
Color is the cheapest and fastest way to imprint personality into a room.  A well-selected color completely transforms a space and opens it to the senses from the inside out.  Want to laugh, dream, dance, or rest fully in your home?  Paint it with vibrancy and let bold colors speak about you.  Never fear it!
Crime #7: Being Too Formal
Long are gone the days of formal dinning as in the XVIII century castles.  Today we enjoy using and mixing our best china every day.  At home, you want to actually feel at home; feel free, relaxed and be casual.  You want your guests to feel at ease and special.  You want to live your life at home!

There are a bunch of tools available online that can really help you in the decorating world. This is a way to become your own interior designer. Design it so that you can save a lot of money. Here are a few tips and a basic overview of the different interior design tools that are available online and how to use them to really maximize your time and budget.

Use online interior design tools to find the perfect color. You'll need to be aware that the perfect paint color depends on the light and size of your space. However, you can get a pretty good idea of what your room will look like in various colors just by using a basic imaging program. Some of these tools are available online but you'll usually have to pay money to add your own picture in. You can combat this for free just by using your favorite photo editing software and masking off the walls of your room. This will give you a basic idea of what the color will look like in your space. Then you might notice that that pink rose paint really clashes with your hardwood floors. It allows you to have a little bit of a design perspective between you and your space.
Another invaluable source of online interior design information are all of the free magazines. If these magazines were delivered to your home you'd probably have to pay a few dollars a month and then figure out a way to store them. However, most of these magazines also have a corresponding website. You might even be able to access a lot of the same articles for free. You can just use basic of bookmarks to save all of the rooms that you love and be able to create a design inspiration portfolio without having to go through the hassle of cutting them out of magazines and gluing them into a binder.

The advantage when you choose to use online interior decorating is that you have people from all over the world who can help you. You can explore different forums and even show pictures of your space so you can get a lot of different input. All of these people will have different views and design styles and really give you a range of ideas and creativity to draw from. They can also keep you aware of pitfalls of different do-it-yourself projects, which is really invaluable information for the beginner. This really opens you up to an entire community of amateur designers. This way you don't feel like you're the only one that is facing that particular decorating dilemma because you can talk to people all over the world, some of which have probably already solved the problem for you.

The internet has a whole world of great free resources for your website

If someone told you that you could quickly and easily improve your website and that it wouldn't cost you a penny, what would you say? Probably something like "what's the catch?". Well no catch here as I highlight 10 great (and free) website add-ons that can immediately improve your website.

1. Google Analytics

2. Share Buttons

3. Email Sign Up

Gathering email addresses can help create a customer database

4. Contact Form

5. Testimonials Widget

6. Social Feed Widgets

Social Media is a great place to promote your business

7. Social Follow Buttons

8. Google Translate

9. A Blog

10. Live Chat Widget

Never miss an opportunity to engage with customers.

11. FAQs Page

If your website matches any of these signs then it needs updating

The internet is a dynamic and rapidly changing place. It is not enough for a business to simply have a website. In fact your website needs to be fast, attractive and effective for it to be worthwhile having. Here are 5 quick things to check to see if your website is performing or whether it is in need of an update.

1. Your website appears dated

If you haven’t updated the design of your site for a while, chances are it has a dated aesthetic. Features such as Flash based videos or animations, bad pop-ups, corny stock photos or a gradient button menu are a sure-fire way to know that you need a new one. When analysing your website step into the shoes of a potential customer. They’re instantly going to associate the design and functionality of your site with the quality of the product or service you offer. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so make sure you make the best one possible.

When analysing your website step into the shoes of a potential customer.

If your website messaging seems stale or blends in with your competitors, it’s time to make a change and showcase your company for how remarkable it really is. The good news is that website rebuilds or redesigns don’t need to be a headache, Opus Web Design can help you update your site so it will not only captivates your audience but push them towards a conversion. Often, it’s not necessary to go through a complete website rebuild. We find, in many cases, that some simple optimizations and refreshed page elements can improve website appearance and performance.

2. Your competitors outrank you on Google

It's all well having a good looking website but it isn't much use to you if nobody can find it. We all search for businesses on Google, often even if we know the actual web address so your business needs to rank well, especially against your competitors. SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and content marketing are vitally important for ensuring a healthy Google ranking. Search technology relies on algorithms to identify websites that are either completely static or don’t change their content regularly.

By continually having engaging and informative content that is keyword targeted on your website, you can take significant steps towards ensuring that your site stays ahead of your competitors. A good way to see whether or not you’re lagging behind is to do a simple Google search for your site and for your key services/products. If you find some of your competitors are higher in the search rankings than you, it may be time to rethink your SEO and content marketing strategy.

3. Your website isn’t mobile responsive

Mobile browsing now accounts for over half of all online activity

So your website looks good and ranks well but is it mobile friendly? People are constantly on their phones and tablets, so if your website doesn’t look great and function properly on all major device platforms, you’re ignoring potential customers. Today’s websites should be completely mobile responsive so that they appear and function well on devices. Mobile responsiveness has become massively important in terms of search rankings over the past couple of years. According to Search Engine Land, nearly 60% of all online searches are now conducted on a mobile device, and that number continues to climb.

Click to do a quick mobile friendliness test for your website.

4. Traffic isn’t converting into sales

A lot of sites have good web traffic, meaning that they are doing the hard work in terms of SEO and effective content marketing, but for certain reasons very little of that traffic is converting into actual sales. It could be that the user experience isn’t great in certain areas of your site and it’s costing you potential sales. Your website is the first impression that most prospects get of your company, and its main purpose is to convert visitors into leads. If this is not happening, it’s time to redesign.

We can use Google Analytics stats can find the holes in your site and tell you where most of your visitors are slipping through the net. Many dated websites lack effective calls to actions that convert users to customers. A call-to-action (CTA) is a button or link that you place on your website to drive prospective customers to become leads by completing an action on your landing page.

5. Website Speed

Website loading speed is a key factor in Google's ranking algorithm

Your website’s loading time is a major factor in people either staying or leaving the site and never returning. Google Page Speed Insights find out how long your site takes to load. If your score is not in the green then you need to rethink the elements of your website that are slowing it down. The main result of slow loading times is a high bounce rate.

The definition of bounce rate is the percentage of people who arrive on your site and leave without visiting a second page. A high bounce rate is an obvious sign of an outdated or poorly performing site. Website users usually leave a site hurriedly without visiting other pages because it didn't load fast enough, they don’t find what they are looking for instantly or simply do not like the look of it.