A Mother's Life - Surface Bolts Are Complete Life Savers

It's fair to say mum life is no easy feat and anyone who has kids under the age of five years old, will understand the stress of keeping a watchful eye on your little ones, especially when there is more than one child involved. Safety is such a vital issue when it comes to young children, as they are still learning to understand what's wrong and what's right. There has been way too many incidents over the years where a child had eaten or drunk something that can be harmful, and in some cases fatal to their health. As an adult we know not to drink a bottle of bleach, but toddlers don't know any different. This is why it's highly important to keep harmful substances locked away safely, so they are out of reach.

The easiest way to keep your little ones from accessing things they shouldn't is by adding a lock or bolt on to the door or cabinet of your choice. I personally went for antique bronze door bolts over locks as they were more in keeping with the tone of the house, and to be honest they looked easier to fit. However when fitting the bolt or lock, I would highly recommend you attach it where it is out of reach. When I first installed the bolts in the bathroom, I was naïve to think that with a bolt on the door the kids wouldn't be able to get in. I'll never forget the day when I walked into the bathroom and my youngest was sitting on the floor holding the bottle of toilet bleach. Luckily she couldn't get past the twisted cap, but in that moment I had realised that the bolts needed to be a lot higher. That evening my husband came home and after he helped me put the kids to bed, we went round the house and moved all of the bolts up higher. Since then I have had peace of mind knowing my cheeky little monsters can't reach substances that are hazardous to their health's.

Now, I'm quite conscious about how my house looks, especially when we've spent so much time and money making it look idyllic. So you can imagine my reaction when my generic web search for bolts, came back with these huge fixings that just looked like complete eyesores! I knew the safety of my kids was more important, however I was certain I could find something that would suit the style of the kitchen and bathroom, as well as protecting my kids at the same time. In keeping with the style of both the kitchen and the bathroom, I decided I wanted brushed chrome bathroom bolts to suit its minimalistic bravura, and to match the country cottage look I opted for bronze looking door bolts in the kitchen.

After another thorough search I came across several ironmongers websites in the London area, and they had exactly the styles I was looking for. To top it off they were actually affordable given that I was paying for them using my statutory maternity pay. I now no longer have to worry about the harmful objects and substances inside the house, although outside of the house will always be another story.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Roxanne_Tanner/2324092

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Interiors – What Style, What’s Practical, And What Are The Ironmongery Finishes Available?

Picking out the right furniture, décor and accessories for your home is certainly not an easy process.  Unless you know exactly what you want, normally there’s quite a bit of thought that goes into it. For those who might seem a little unsure of what they should be considering, here’s a few pointers to break it down.

Style

Style is something that is personal to each and every one of us, and whilst several tastes might not be too dissimilar,it’s about how you pull the look together that makes style completely unique. Like all first impressions it’s important to make the right one at first glance. If you’re someone who takes pride on the way your home is presented, then style is a big factor when it comes to the interior of the property. The great thing about style is that whilst it evolves over time,the basic concept to several different looks almost remains the same.

Practicality

Like some would say “it’s not always about looks”, and whilst this might be the initial idea when shopping for items and decor for the house, you should also consider the practical aspects. When you purchase an item for your property not only do you want it to look good, but it needs to be something that you can utilise efficiently for its correct purpose. As an investment it needs to also be able to stand the test of time so that you’re not having to replace it after a mere few years. Accessories are the only exemption to this, as you can update the colour accents within the accessories as much as you like. It’s a cheaper way to refresh your property without having to spend a small fortune.

Ironmongery

Going hand in hand with style the type of ironmongery used throughout the property can make a huge difference. Certain styles and finishes of ironmongery can really tie a look together effortlessly, and these days you have a range of finishes to choose from. Lacquered metal finishes can provide a slight shine, and the finish is maintained until the lacquer eventually wears down.They have a shorter lifespan then say their counterparts the ‘living and waxed finishes’ which are unlacquered and are known to age more gracefully overtime. In fact these finishes can be a particular favourite for those looking for a mature look, with little maintenance needed, only a little beeswax from time to time. You can get the following living special finishes; Satin Brass Waxed, Antique Brass Waxed, Brushed Antique Brass Waxed, Applied Bronze Waxed, Dark Bronze Waxed, Polised Brass, Fine Antique Brass, New Bronze Waxed.

Hopefully by now you will have a better understanding of what to look for when decorating your property, and for more information about the different styles and finishes of Ironmongery, have a look at a company called A&H Brass. They are a London based Ironmongers who have both a commercial and online store for your convenience.

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INDUSTRIAL CHIC – When Brick Meets Hammered Ironmongery To Create An Ergonomic Sanctuary

Theme and concept is at the very epicentre of all interior design. Whether you’re partial to a bit of mix and match, or you love a design clash, each person will have their own view on their ideal look. One particular design theme that has progressively become more and more popular over the years is industrial chic.

This specific look is something many of you would have already seen, but on more commercial grounds such as coffee shops, retail stores, and design studios. However over the last year this particular concept has been brought into the homes of many across the globe. From exposed brick walls to iron cladded shelving, this look is both practical and stylish. Pair those elements with wooden flooring, textured ironmongery, and minimalistic accessories, and you can easily capture the “hipster” trend that has the interior industry buzzing.

Although the overall concept might seem a tad much for some people, others are embracing the trend and are imitating it in their own ways. Like anything in the design world there is no right or wrong way to implement set looks, and the great thing about industrial chic is that “less is more”. Another advantage of this look is that you can achieve it on a minimal budget. As the look is particularly rustic looking, so you don’t have to worry about that perfect finish, and if anything the more rugged looking the better.

I myself am a fan of the industrial look and I am halfway through implementing it into my home. When I first told my family and friends about the design plan, not many were convinced. In fact a few of them said that “it wouldn’t feel cosy as a home”, but I knew what I wanted and I was keen to make it my own!

Since starting the project I have thoroughly enjoyed the interior make over. Rather than buying new furniture I have restored old furniture bought from the local charity shop, and given them an industrial chic overhaul. I love my new kitchen that has now been fitted with a brand new suite, which contrasts with my beautifully exposed brick feature wall. I also found a London ironmongers called A & H Brass, which had a vast collection of industrial looking fixtures and fittings, in different finishes and different styles.

Some of their knurled and hammered ironmongery in particular caught my eye, and is now featured in several places around the house, looking both chic and ergonomic. They are also really easy to handle which makes them highly practical, unlike those that are implemented for their aesthetic presence. They were also really affordable so when you’re on a budget like myself it doesn’t mean you need to break the bank.

I still have a long way to go with the rest of the renovations but I couldn’t be happier with the results, and to top it off I have since had friends over for a drinks and they actually really love the design as well. In fact although most of them were unsure, I could see them sizing up the property for their own ideas on how to implement a slice of this industrial chic look.

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