White Hex Tile

Hex tiles are a great alternative to the classic square mosaic. Facing a bathroom renovation myself in the near future, I’ve been looking at several options and hexagonal tiles are definitely on my list of possible choices.

For those that love mosaics (myself included) this is a great alternative because it gives you the same great look but with a new dimension… the shape of the tile doesn’t really jump out at you right away but it definitely gets noticed.

The only downside is a somewhat poor selection. Classic square mosaic tiles are still the standard and therefore have the best selection of color, sizes, material and quality. That doesn’t mean that you can’t get creative though and mix the two…

Lately I’ve been seeing a small trend, everyone seems to be preaching “make time”. Make time for relaxation, study or whatever else… the problem is that nobody’s offered any real advice on how to effectively make that free time.

I don’t think that giving up an activity that you enjoy doing in order to make time for something else is a good solution. I also don’t think that skipping chores or other responsibilities is a viable option.

That’s where iRobot comes in. Their little robots automate simple household tasks such as vacuuming and scrubbing the floors. It’s true, fully automated and even programmable. All you have to do is keep them charged up.

I think this is one of the smartest home appliances ever made. Think about it, these little robots automate tasks that most people hate doing; and as we all know, if you hate doing it you’ll never do it properly. I’d say that this is the best application of technology in our homes ever.

The iRobot lets you schedule (or not, depends on the model) the robot and just let it do its thing. These little guys never get tired, never complain and always do a thorough job. Prices start at about $120 and go up from there.

So there you go, a practical application of advanced technology and a great way to not only free up some time but also keep your house spotlessly clean! Now you don’t have an excuse for not cleaning everyday. :)

But I have to say that it’s a very practical habit and I actually like it. Now, even when I visit family back in Canada I take a pair of slippers with me, or buy some over there to wear around the house. It keeps your feet warm and your socks cleaner… which in turn keeps your shoes cleaner.

My favorite to date: H&M

The Swedish clothing company (H&M) offers very stylish products at inexpensive prices… sounds familiar. Those Swedes really have a knack for design on the cheap! I like that. ;)

So next time you’re strolling through the mall take a minute to check out the slippers, they’re not just for grandmas anymore!

Ah, the doormat… an often overlooked piece that not only helps define your decorating style, but also has many practical uses… and a relatively low price.

I have to ask, is there another piece in your home that is this practical, functional, decorative and costs under $10? I think not. Personally I like a good mat in front of my entry door. I like how it welcomes me home and practically tells visitors to “WIPE YOUR FEET!”.

The best part (besides the price) is the huge selection. You can get just about any type of doormat you want, from the simple single colour minimalist look, to the funky, to old fashioned country style… it’s up to you.

Finding a good mat isn’t that hard either; if you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the house you can always visit your local Ikea… they have a decent selection of basic styles and different quality/prices. If you’re looking for something a little more original, something that really clicks with your décor and is of a higher quality than the basic Ikea solution, try CSN Rug Store. No doubt there are thousands of online stores but this is one that really has a huge selection of all types of rugs so it’s worth visiting even if you’re just browsing to kill some time.

Dutch designer Petra Blaisse and founder of Inside Outside is a world renown interior designer with a specialty for curtains, floors and wall coverings. Her exceptional style and exhibition-installations have made her a household name in worldwide design circles and it’s no wonder why, her work is always fresh, exciting and inspiring.

As the name of her firm implies, Petra gets a lot of inspiration from nature. These landscape and garden elements always find their way into her work. From unusual floral prints to get turf like carpets, you can really see that nature plays a big role in inspiring Petra and helping her create the extrordinary designs she’s so well known for.

If you’re in need of inspiration for your next interior decorating project, or just in the mood to look at something beautiful, check out the Inside Outside website (linked to above) and browse the portfolio!

Food for thought.