In the previous article you read about how to cast your own stepping stones. Remember, you should leave them aside for a couple of days to set completely before you can lay them along your pathway.

As I said before, stepping stones are less obtrusive, easier and cheaper to lay than solid pathways. They are particularly suitable for long paths and as focal points. You can be imaginative with shapes and styles - the flexibility of concrete provides creative freedom..

This is a preview, read Setting stepping stones in full.

Part 2

You and your space

As you’ve read in the previous article colors affect our mind, our physical and psychological being.
It also seems that it’s not the hue  of a color  that has the main effect but its tone and saturation.
So, before you start decorating with color, instead of asking yourself what color you should use - your question should be what tone & depth you should have..

This is a preview, read Decorating with color -2 in full.

Stepping stones can be less obtrusive and more interesting than solid pathways. Not to mention that they are much cheaper to lay - particularly if you want to create a long path to somewhere. So instead of laying a solid pathway, just set a few stepping stones along the track.  
Why don’t you make these stepping stones even more interesting by making them yourself? It’s simple and easy - you just need a mould & some concrete. Concrete is cheap, easy to mix and very durable. However, it’s quite heavy so don’t make large pieces..

This is a preview, read Casting stepping stones in full.

Decorating with color is not as easy as it seems. When it comes to decorating or redecorating our homes, one of the most important dilemmas we face is what color should it be?  We are bombarded with hundreds of colors, hues and tones, pastels and naturals, labelled with evocative or designer names - all staring at us seductively on never ending shelves in DIY stores and home decorating shops. Yet we remain confused as to which one to go for, so we end up choosing the one that looks best on a swatch or has a nice image on the tin or is part of a trendy range or a magazine recommended it or a friend has it in their house…  And almost always we end up with the wrong tone, shade or hue. Why? Because getting the right color for a space needs planning, experimenting and proper preparation (which most of us don’t do).

This is a preview, read Decorating with Color in full.

Laminate Wood Floors

Laminated floor is the cheapest solution if you want a wooden floor look. Laminates look OK in magazines and brochures - but in reality they look cheap and artificial. They just don’t have the woody feel (or even look!) to them. I generally advise people against using laminates. You should only use them if you want a quick and/or short-term make-over of an unacceptable space or you want to sell your home and need to stage it… otherwise spend a bit more on a proper wooden floor..

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Wood floors

If you want to create a sleek interior, a new wood floor can add considerably to the overall look. You can choose between soft wood, hardwood or veneered wood (also called engineered floor), but before you pick your floorboards from a catalogue carefully consider the following issues: traffic, style, maintenance and price..

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Rubber Flooring

Rubber floors have been used for years in hospitals, schools and factories because rubber is hard-wearing, practical and easy to clean. Rubber floors are made from polyurethane..

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