Steel Buildings: How Did They Become Green?
So you want your next construction project to help– not hurt– the environment. This is definitely a good decision as this will not only help conserve natural resources and reduce damage to the environment; it can also aid you in reducing your energy consumption costs.
With the number of choices for green building materials and systems, however, steel buildings are on the top of the list of many environmentally-concerned builders and building owners. They get higher marks than other options available because of the many green properties they exude. Here are ways how steel buildings can help you get the extra square footage you need while achieving your environmental goals.
They are fabricated using renewable resources
Steel used in the fabrication of steel buildings are completely recyclable, thereby saving natural resources and landfill space. In fact, most of the steel structures that you see in the market today contain a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel and when they reach the end of their service life or are no longer needed, they can be recycled into new steel that can be utilized for other applications.
Aside from using a recyclable material, the manufacturing process of steel buildings consumes little energy and uses recycled water. As such, there is minimum wastage of natural resources which is a positive step towards saving the environment.
They come in energy efficient design
Today’s steel buildings are designed for energy efficiency. All their components are precision engineered, so they fit perfectly together. As a result, they are weather-tight, allowing you to save on energy costs. Nonetheless, all steel building designs can accommodate different types of insulation systems, such as batting and slab foams. When any of this insulation is integrated into the structure, you will be able to further reduce the energy consumption of the building over its lifetime
They are fitted with energy saving roof and wall panels
The roof and wall panels that steel buildings are outfitted with have a particularly long life compared to traditional roof and wall materials. As such, you will be able to cut back on your maintenance cost and at the same time reduce the amount of roof and wall materials that go into landfills. They can also be coated with cool reflective coatings that can help reduce summer demand for electricity.
They help reduce your carbon footprint
When you decide to use traditional building materials for your construction project, those materials have to be sourced from different locations. The lumber, fasteners and other components will be delivered to you on separate vehicles, which also means more carbon emissions get in the environment. This is not the case with steel buildings, though. As all their components are fabricated and partially assembled in the manufacturing site, they can be transported to you in a single trip. Thus, energy use and carbon emissions are significantly reduced.
So whether you are looking to build a storage shed, garage or commercial strip, steel buildings are among the best sustainable solutions you can get. Not only do they make for long lasting structures, they can also help the environment in more ways than one.
Robert is a freelance writer who has more than five years of professional writing experience. Aside from writing topics related to construction, he also enjoys discussing subjects related to home improvement, wedding and also SEO. He also writes content for SteelBuildingsUK
5 Ways to Organize a Safe Garage
Your lack of organizational skills may have trickled into multiple homes in your house and spilled over into the garage. If you continue to let this mess grow, your home is going to be featured on the next episode of Hoarders! With that said, let’s start with the garage. Organizing this space might seem impossible but it’s really simple. Even though the garage is usually used as a place to store garbage and other little things, there are tons of little steps you can use to clean it. Not only will these steps make it look nicer, it will keep this space safer for you and your family.
1. Throw away the garbage. Quit putting the recycling and garbage bags in a corner and claiming to “take it out later.” Do it now! Make it a habit of always taking the trash and recyling out at the same time to their appropriate bins. If you have enough space, keep your bins inside your garage until trash day.
2. Utilize your space. A garage is meant to be a place to work and store things. It isn’t a place to just throw everything wherever you can find room. Find shelving units or hanging devices to store tools, cleaning supplies, etc. in a more organized way. This will also help your little ones to stay away from dangerous tools and toxic chemicals from your cleaning supplies.
3. Donate. Ask yourself these simple questions: Do I need it? Do I love it? If you answered no to either of these, donate that item. Or, if it’s too late for saving, simply throw it away. Make space for things that you actually need in your garage.
4. Label. Put things in appropriately labeled boxes. Not only will this be easier for you in the long run, it will help your garage to actually stay organized. When you ask your spouse to go get that mop bucket from the garage, he won’t hurt himself by throwing his hand unknowingly into a box of nails.
5. Decisions, decisions. Make space for specific things. Have a car corner where you keep the cleaning supplies and engine fluids for your car. Provide a corner for your spouse’s tools. It’s your garage. You can decide where you want everything to go. Just like the labels, this will help you stay organized.
The safety of your garage really does depend on the cleanliness of it. You don’t want your children running around the garage while Dad is working on the cars with harmful tools lying everywhere. If you want to add a little extra protection, install a garage door sensor with a home alarm. This will help you keep an eye on your newly organized garage!
About the author: Carly is a blogger for a Dallas home security company. She loves to write about DIY home decor projects and is a firm believer in eco-friendly products and crafts.
DIY Fabric Softener For Your Home
When you think about how much you spend in your household, a lot of your expenses come from clothes. Not just buying new ones, but cleaning the old ones takes a lot of cash from your pocket. Have you noticed how much fabric softener costs lately? But you probably think there is no other way to make your clothes smell good so what’s the point in complaining about the price? Well I’m here to let you know that there is a simple and effective solution to this expensive fabric softener business. Make your own! It’s really easy. So easy, in fact, that you will probably wonder why you haven’t been making DIY fabric softener all along in the first place
First, you will need to gather your ingredients. The best part about this project is you probably have these ingredients stored inside of your home. You will need two cups of hair conditioner in your bathroom, three cups of distilled white vinegar, and six cups of water. Now, I know what you are thinking. Vinegar, really? But trust me, your clothes will not smell like vinegar at all. In fact, when all is said and done, the vinegar will actually help clean your washer as you are cleaning your clothes. A win-win for both your clothes and your machine
Next, you are going to pour the conditioner and vinegar into a microwavable container. Put the bowl on high for about two minutes. When it is all done, it will be much easier to stir. Use a whisk to avoid bubbles in your newfound mixture. Wait until the texture is smooth and then slowly start to add your water. And there you have it! Your new homemade fabric softener will leave your clothes smelling fresh while helping your family go green and save a few bucks at the same time.
One thing to keep in mind when using your homemade fabric softener is as follows: if you use bleach with vinegar fabric softener, it will create toxic fumes. So don’t do it! Keep your home’s safety, and YOUR safety in check, with this helpful tip. But other than that, you are good to go. Start using your fabric softener with your loads of laundry and start saving money. This recipe will last you a long time and when you run out, you still have the ingredients inside of your kitchen and bathroom. Don’t run to the store anymore to buy more chemically filled fabric softener. Make your own!
About the author: Carly is a blogger for Forward Home Security. She loves to write about DIY home projects and she is a big fan of reading a book with a big cup of tea by her side.
Do People Who Work From Home Need Life Insurance?
Life insurance is something that many can opt into with employers. However, if you have your own business, you may think that you do not need life insurance. It is also possible that you will think that you need it, but do not make it a priority because of the additional cost. This could not be further from correct. There are five groups of people who absolutely need life insurance, and those who are self-employed are among them.
Kids All Gone
Most people know that when you have family at home that life insurance makes sure they are cared for when you pass on. They will then believe that when their children grow up and get lives of their own that you do not need to care for them anymore. They will cancel their life insurance, which leaves their spouse and any heir without support. Your life insurance ensures that your spouse will not have to worry about cutting things when you pass away, which can cause the pain of the loss to be experienced daily.
Singles
When you are single and in college, you may have a hard time believing that you need life insurance. You are building up a future and for your parents to help cover funeral costs if you die. The best part about getting a life insurance policy when you are young and single is the fact that the rates are much lower. This is the time to look for quotes to select a policy that covers what you need for the best rate.
Small Business Owners
Those who are self-employed for themselves, or have a small business, absolutely need life insurance. You are the cornerstone of the company. Your life insurance can be to help your business or use the policy as a business expense. Make sure your insurance policy is set up to take care of the company in the event of your death.
Stay at Home Parents
When you do not have a job outside of parenthood, it may be hard to see the need to pay for a life insurance policy. Your policy will help care for your children when you are gone. You may not be contributing to the family income, but you are eliminating the need for daycare, house cleaners, and taxi services. Parents that stay at home have a huge importance on the family by helping cut bills. Nannies and daycares are extremely expensive, and will be needed if you pass away.
Retirees
The final group of people who need life insurance are those who have retired. Even though you no longer have money coming into the family, you still need an insurance policy. You are providing your family with a way to cover funeral costs and allow your spouse to remain in a retirement community. Your death will be very difficult for your loved ones, so making sure they are cared for is one less thing for them to have to worry about. Using quotes to get cheaper rates, you will not have to tax your budget while you are living to help those who survive your death.
Biking Safely with Baby on Board
Having a baby doesn’t mean you have to give up your carefree lifestyle and stop enjoying the thrill of touring your community on your bike forever. It does mean that you have to take some precautions to ensure that your baby is safe while you do. If you are looking to take a baby or toddler out on a bike with you, here’s what you need to remember.
Is You Baby Ready?
First, make sure you don’t attempt to ride with a baby who’s not ready. The baby needs to be large enough to fit properly into a bike seat, and also needs to be able to sit up well, holding up her head with a helmet on. This developmental milestone is rarely reached before 11 to 12 months of age.
This age restriction doesn’t apply to bike seats alone. While it may look like a younger baby could sit in a bike trailer, you need to wait until at least 12 months before putting her in one. Yes, this means forgoing family bike trips while the baby is little, but if you wait you will be able to enjoy these trips without fear for your little one’s safety.
Go Through a Pre-Ride Safety Checklist
If your baby is old enough, invest in a bike seat or trailer. Then, strap her in securely. Before you take off on a ride, go through this mental checklist:
- Is the seat tamper proof? Make sure the baby cannot wiggle loose or unbuckle the straps.
- Is the helmet on? Make sure the helmet is designed for toddlers, fits securely, is properly on the child’s head and cannot be unbuckled.
- Is the seat or trailer securely latched? Give it a good wiggle to ensure it’s not going to work itself loose while you ride.
If you pass this safety checklist, then you can feel confident before you head out on the road.
Get Your Child Used to the Helmet
Strapping a helmet to your toddler lowers the risk of serious head injury by 85 percent, yet that statistic means little when she’s screeching at you to take it off. Bike helmets feel uncomfortable, especially to an independently minded baby. Yet, they are vital. You can’t take a baby out without one.
To get your baby used to one, have her wear it around the house. Make it an exciting time, and tell her this is what she’ll wear when she rides on your bike. Then, make sure that the first time you take her out on the bike the weather is comfortable. Helmets can get hot quickly, and you want to avoid this. If she associates the helmet with fun, relaxing and comfortable times, she’ll be more willing to wear it.
Dress the Baby Appropriately
Your baby needs to be comfortable when on the bike. If she’s cold, she’s not going to enjoy it. Of course, if she’s hot, she won’t either, and she might overheat, which puts her health at risk. Dress her according to the weather, and be sure to take into account the breeze that will blow past her while you are riding.
Take It Slowly
After 12 months of waiting, you’re probably excited to get back out on the bike again. Maybe a long ride is what you’ve been craving. Remember that this is a new experience for your baby. Keep it short and sweet at first, so you can see how your baby responds.
Taking it slow also lets you get a feel for riding with a trailer or carrier. This will change the way your bike feels, and you don’t want to take a tumble because you get off balance. A few practice runs around the block will help both you and your little tike get comfortable, and most importantly feel safe, on the bike.
If possible, keep your first rides in areas where there isn’t much traffic. A bike path, rather than a busy road, is the best option. The more hazards you put in your path, the more potential danger for your baby.
Stay Home in Inclement Weather
Ice, snow, sleet and rain all main biking a bit more dangerous. While your baby probably wouldn’t want to go out in bad weather anyway, the safest thing to do is to stay home. There’s no point in increasing your risk when you’re carting precious cargo.
Grown-ups Only
If you have other children, especially teenagers, they may want to have the baby on their bike. Make sure that you only allow other adults to ride with the baby strapped on. Adults with more experience riding bikes are the best ones to handle the additional weight of a toddler safely.
Stay Focused
Part of the reason that texting and driving is so dangerous is the fact that it takes the driver’s focus off of the road. When you are riding a bike, anything that takes your focus off of your surroundings is a potential risk. It can be distracting to have your baby on your bike for the first time, so make sure you keep your focus where it needs to be.
This may seem like a lot of information to remember when heading out on a ride with your child on your bike. Yet, without taking these safety precautions to heart, you put your innocent baby at risk. If you are attentive to these tips, you can have an enjoyable, and most importantly safe, bike ride.
Nicole Harms is a concerned mother, freelance writer and contributor to the Ross Feller Casey, LLP blog.
Introduce Your House to the Green Life
Investing money on a construction aspect that abides to eco-friendly construction principles and efficiency in performance is a clever decision to make. In fact, with respect to quality and durability, green houses and energy effective structures are the best choices today. Going green in the construction field is becoming increasingly popular year by year and it is predicted to go further to the peak point of selection in the coming future.
Previously, constructing eco-friendly houses meant constructing traditional buildings that do not go well with other architectural types. However, in the present, an increasing number of house builders are including environmentally friendly approaches to construct ingenious, ecological assemblies.
If you are planning to build a house right from scratch, you should consider going green. In the developing areas on Mumbai, especially in the Thane district, eco-friendly houses are taking over the market. Eco-friendly Thane homes will offer you with a number of benefits such as cost-effectiveness, creativity and distinctiveness in the designing and construction pattern etc. Apart from that it gives you a feeling of content and fulfillment that you are undertaking a social responsibility and doing your bit to keep your planet safe and sound.
Given below is a list of reasons why you should consider going green in terms of house building:
1. Lower construction charge:
When you decide on building your home using ecological and sustainable resources, you will be saving a lot of money in the long run. Building a green home means recycling and reutilizing materials that are maintainable, safe and nonhazardous. You can make use of materials that has already been used before. You may find such re-usable materials at construction and production sites. Some of these materials include stuff like timber wood, brick slabs, gravels, stones etc. Considering these long-term advantages on energy, maintenance you may find yourself getting drawn to this kind of house building.
2. Healthier house atmosphere:
Since environmentally friendly houses are free off any kind of toxins, it will prevent you and your family from being exposed to any sort of chemicals or indoor pollutants. You can make use of products that are made from natural resources such as strawboard, natural linoleum, wheat etc. You should also apply no-VOC paints inside and also on the exteriors of the house. Install a sort of ventilation system in your home to encourage natural airing. This ventilation system will sieve any contaminants present in the air, getting fresh air inside.
3. Reduced house functioning cost:
Having a green house has another amazing advantage. Constructing an eco-friendly house is cheap but maintaining it is cheaper. With all the eco-friendly materials used in the house, you would not have to use too much of electrical, gas or water services as these assemblies can still run while being used less as they make use of natural lighting, insulation, airing to sustain the house’s comfort all year long.
4. Durability:
Since high quality materials are used in constructing eco-friendly houses, they are relatively more sturdy and long-lasting as compared to the customary traditional houses. Also, with the increase in the sense of awareness and responsibility amongst the people these days, the demand for green Thane homes keeps on increasing. Thus the resale value of an eco-friendly home is much higher than most traditional houses.
Eco-friendly houses are thus gentler to the sphere. They consume much lesser energy, secrete lesser waste and are generally healthier not only for the people living inside them but also the people in the neighboring houses. Such houses come out of a viewpoint of being friendlier to the atmosphere. They diminish the use of electricity, somehow cut down on carbon waste and energy use. They help you keep your money in your pocket and also let you contribute in sustaining the planet.
Authors Bio:
Stewart Gere is the manager of a developing informative and social welfare society that looks after the benefits of the environment. Stewart Gere has currently been targeting the developing construction companies in the Central part of Mumbai, to encourage them to go green. While building Thane homes he suggests that making use of recyclable materials can help in sustaining the planet. In his leisure time, Stewart likes to meditate and practice Yoga for rejuvenation.
5 Home Lighting Décor Tips
The flickering effect made by a lit candle can create an almost unparalleled dramatic effect. However, there are many problems associated with candles that have open flames. These range from the labor involved in lighting a walkway full of candles to burns to the possibility of a house fire. You can still get the dramatic effect of an open flame by using battery operated tealights. Avoid the problems associated with open flames. Batteryoperatedcandles helps you transform both your indoor and outdoor living space into what you’ve always wanted. You can also come up with creative ideas for helping kids who are afraid of the dark sleep or make your home the envy of all your neighbors by throwing spectacular dinner parties.
Outdoor walkways
The amount of work that would go into lighting traditional candles along an outdoor walkway seems unreal. Plus, you would have to replace the candles after each use. Avoid the pain and work while still getting the desired dramatic effect by using battery operated candles. You can transform your backyard into a summer sanctuary at night. Instead of hiding inside, enjoy the stars you can see from your yard.
Nightlights for older kids
Sometimes kids get stuck in funny stages. For example, your child might still be afraid of the dark but not want to have a nightlight. He or she might think nightlights are for younger kids, and you might just want your kid to feel safe enough to go to sleep. Buy a battery operated candle to provide the same effect as a nightlight without the connotation that nightlights are for babies.
Lighting on patios
It’s nice to be able to relax outside in the dark. You can see the stars and appreciate the night sky. However, safety issues can arise when things are too dark. Slip and fall accidents can be frighteningly common and serious. Have a battery operated candle so that you can enjoy nighttime scenery without tripping.
Transform your teen’s room
Many teenagers like to decorate in some way or another. Teen rooms can have posters plastered over the walls and unique color schemes. Transform your teen’s room by purchasing a few battery operated candles. The candles can create a nice effect when your teen wants to listen to music and relax. You can relax as well knowing that there is no immediate fire hazard brewing in your teen’s room.
Dinner party candelabras
Make your dinner parties pop without having to try too hard. Instead of scrambling to create spectacular centerpieces the morning of every dinner party, have a more permanent decorative statement. Invest in a unique candelabra base and flameless candles. After a one time investment, all you will have to do before a dinner party is set the table. Cooking for a crowd and cleaning your entire home can be stressful enough. Make your life both easier and better by entertaining with style.
Replace traditional candles
Other reasons to replace traditional candles include allergies to scented candles and frequent mishaps that tend to follow young kids and pets. Think outside the box. You don’t need everything to be perfect. Functional and attractive home décor can make both your house and life just a little bit better.
Article courtesy of Batteryoperatedcandles.net.
A Green Way To Quit Smoking
With more and more celebrities being spotted with an electronic cigarette in their hands, it’s no wonder that the world looks set to follow suit. Everyone from Johnny Depp to Courtney Love have been spotted with the latest quitting tool and some are even moving into advertising contracts for the brands. So, what is it that makes this tool so different from more traditional nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and chewing gum, well they help with the physical cravings as well as the mental side, that gum doesn’t cover, but they are also better for the overall environment. Here is why the phenomenon is set to help with greener living.
One of the most harmful aspects to the environment is the disposal of cigarettes, the filters cause the most damaging effects upon the environment as they do not degrade, due to the cellulose material they are made from, it takes approximately 12 years for them to completely disappear. They may only be small, but they litter the streets, fill up landfill and clog up drains as they accumulate. In the US, cigarette filter disposal costs the tax payers $11.5 billion to clean up* and this is on top of the decline in smoking due to global cigarette bans. Although electronic cigarettes and especially e cigarette refills need to be disposed of correctly, we will get to that later, the evidence suggests that by switching to these, you will be saving the environment and the economy for the high cleanup costs.
Electronic cigarettes are not biodegradable, so simply throwing them in the bin is not going to help the environment, but there are ways that you can continue to use the holder and dispose of the contents responsibly. E Cigarettes work by using a small canister and battery held within the body of the cigarette that contains a small amount of water and liquid nicotine. When you breathe through the cigarette, you will release a small amount of nicotine into your system, the same way an actual cigarette does but you won’t get any of the carcinogenic qualities of actual smoke. As with any product that uses batteries and/or electrical components, these need to be disposed of at battery recycling point – found across the country.
If electronic cigarettes are disposed of in this manner, then there should be literally NO harm to the environment at all. They contain no smoke, nothing is burned within them, this also helps to cut down on excess carbon monoxide entering the atmosphere. A recent survey into the environmental effects of cigarette smoke found that;
“Cigarette users inhale four times the carbon monoxide found in car exhaust. The smoke from one pack of cigarettes can raise the carbon monoxide concentration in a home to twice the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety limit for outdoor air” (http://www.carbon-monoxide-survivor.com)
That evidence is only from 1 pack of cigarettes, so contemplate the damage from thousands upon thousands of cigarettes – not a good picture. Now that we know that cigarettes pose a large environmental risk and a high health risk, the only question left is what are you waiting for? swap to an Electronic Cigarette today and start your smoke free journey.
Andy Moss is a freelance writer for TABlites with a keen interest in Green Issues.
What killer eating habits which improve sex life
A good sex life is a boon to every human. Moreover, it will increase the intelligence, concentration and relationship. So, in this direction, you have to take the balanced foods which will help your sex life a boost as well. Even, you have to develop a good food habit, so you can lead a sound sex life. Actually, a better sex life will increase the chance of a better life and also it will make your personality a sparkle. In our life, sex helps us to make a solid bonding. So, in this context, your body will need the precise foods to carry on the sound sexual life as well.
Spices
In our sex life, the spices have a great impact on it. So, in this direction, we cannot ignore its importance as well. There are a lot of spices available in the market which will able to help your sex life a lift. So, you can explore the power of these spices in your food. Actually, the spices works as an add-on with the cooking food for the better taste. Moreover, you will see that these spices are highly effective in this case and it has no side effect on your body as well. So, you can use it in your food diet without any worry. Cinnamon has a unique ability to increase the sexual power.
Moreover, the regular intake of the this spice will increase your sexual appetite as well. Ginger is also a great stimulant for your sexual arousal. Actually, Ginger increases the sexual stimulant in your body. Besides this function, it also makes your body more vigilant all the ways. Honey is a good stimulant for your sex life. If you take honey at the regular interval, then it will boost your sex drive in the significant manner. One thing you have to remember that the intake of spices should be taken after taking the advice from a nutritional expert as well.
Vitamin and mineral
Always, our body needs a lot of vitamins and mineral for its functions. So, the importance of the vitamins and minerals are very much higher. Moreover, your daily food chart should have some basic vitamins like B-complex, C, E and L-arginine. Vitamin B-complex is very much important vitamin for increasing the sexual desire. Moreover, it will control the blood flow in the genitals during the sexual activities. Even, it will boost mood and energy levels as well. Vitamin C has some impact on the sexual drive.
Actually, it helps to increase the sexual desire in the higher proportion. Zinc is an essential mineral for boosting your sexual desire. The reason is that it is a vital mineral for testosterone production in your body which stimulates the sexual desire. L-arginine is one of the amino acid which controls the flow of the blood to the sexual organs which ultimately help your sexual life as well. You must remember that amino acid does not create in our body. So , we have to take it through capsules or cream.
So, always remember that any sex enhancing approach should be done under the surveillance of a doctor and make your sexual life secure as well.
About The Author: Diana is a writer/blogger. She loves writing, traveling and reading books. She contributes on Hydroxycut
Conservatory Garden Flowers Explored
Conservatories make for wonderful spaces in which to relax, where you can sit and while away the hours on a gorgeous midsummer’s day, soaking up those glorious rays of sunlight whilst burying your head between the pages of a great book.
They’re also good to host guests – just think about dining under the stars. Or even as a simple extra room: the kids would love playing with their toys inside those transparent walls!
All of these uses for a conservatory are great, but they’re all forgetting the origins of the room itself – to help grow plants that wouldn’t thrive outside in the natural (read: terrible) climate of the British Isles.
Use Your Conservatory as a Shelter for Wintering
With a conservatory, a keen gardener no longer has to abandon loads of his more delicate plants come winter time. There are plenty of plants which can be moved into the conservatory to overwinter – these include geraniums, fuchsias, miniature roses and other container plants. They can be moved back outside again once spring has sprung.
Flowers such as chrysanthemums, poinsettias and azaleas can thrive inside a conservatory, living for much longer than they would outside. If you bring in begonias to overwinter, you can even use them for cuttings just before spring starts; this way you will have them blooming in time for summer.
Shelving and Hanging Baskets
Conservatories were once used to raise larger plants, such as the lovely (but oft forgotten) breadfruit tree, as well as the stately South American queen palm. Sadly, modern conservatories are far too small to house these beauts, but they are perfect for shelves and hanging baskets!
Hanging baskets are great for the previous summer’s primroses, or for lovely little additions like geraniums, while the shelves can be home to some fantastically exotic plants, like florist gloxinias and Kaffir lilies.
Permanent Additions
Sure, your conservatory is a great place to shelter some of your garden favourites throughout those pesky icy months, but what about something a bit more long term? You can raise some plants in the conservatory all year round for that truly natural feel.
If your conservatory is of a fairly decent size, try a flowering vine – give it the right support to grow and they can provide some lovely shade and soften any over-sharp corners. A climbing rose or the scarlet runner bean both work well, but our favourite is the cypress vine: not only does it annually reseed itself, but it will look great growing alongside your 2furnish furniture!
Wicker and rattan furnishings go great with flowering vines, and if you’re looking for a bit of extra colour during those drab and dreary times of winter, we would be failing if we didn’t mention pink jasmine – it comes into bloom just as the sky sinks into its greyest phase.
Also, if you really want to jazz things up, try Chinese hibiscus – it is beautiful.