My mother was very successful in conveying lessons to me. I was her 9th, and believe me she had a refined method. When I returned from basic military training and showed her my bedmaking skills, she said she tried to train me for years. Not a glaring example of success but she did succeed in making me love my country.
Another seemingly subtle lesson was to control when daylight was allowed in which room. She had a system of control to keep our home cool/warm based on the need or season to mitigate utility expenses. Stretching the dollar was a factor, and is today.
She planted trees like Honey Locust and Red Maple on the North side of our house to keep the sun off the yard and house in the summer. We had some Winter Rose and Iberis in the South. Why not? She had my sisters and me as a forced labour landscaping hands for clean-up chores. Did you have yard duties?
Close your eyes and think back. What were the curtains or shades on your windows as a child? We had wooden shutters, with various material curtains across the years. Eventually, we changed to PVC shutters Melbourne utility prices were low in 1984 and beaten in 2016. Melbourne is in the top five most liveable major international cities, and utility costs are among the factors. Do you feel a pinch in the cabbage from your electric bill?
UPVC shutter and blind options provide thermal and light control, in a lightweight, long-life (20 years) product. Unlike wood, there is no maintenance beyond cleaning. I will admit I like the warm feeling of natural materials, but I also have to consider the price. PVC makes sense to me, so get faux wood PVC. Click here for home improvement projects that boost property value.
I’ve lived in the UK, the US, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Thailand. In my limited experience, multiple layers of curtains of varying weight and breathability are most useful in any environment. Adjust your breeze and light aperture as needed.
Renewable materials can be used as woven blinds and solar shields. Are you a fan of Sudare? Those are the Japanese panelled screens. I like them for their versatility in privacy, shade, and mobility. Pleated and mechanical roller shades can fit all styles and offer the ease of remote control from your bed or couch. Priorities.
There is some new study information that links dark and contrasting colours in our bedrooms to disturbed sleep. This is a deep rabbit hole but the first few layers consist of our senses still functioning on a limited basis while sleeping. We need the input for an innate security need from our evolution.
Soft colours allow us to dissolve into a deeper sleep and back to a rest consciousness like the heating and cooling of a clothing iron. Dark and contrasting colours spike our subconscious with a warning, like a light switch; on and off all night. Sleep deep, dream big.
Sebastian is an accomplished author with a passion for storytelling. His works span various genres, from thrilling mysteries to heartfelt romance novels. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for character development, Sebastian weaves engaging narratives that captivate readers and transport them to new worlds.