Barn conversions are hot, thanks in large part to shows like “Fixer Upper”. It’s strange to think there was a time when the phrase “born in a barn” was an insult. These days, it’s a status symbol. There’s even a TV series dedicated to the reclaimed-barn phenomenon called “Barnwood Builders” on the DIY network; it follows developers who salvage old barns and turn them into beautiful homes.
Nobody wants to stare at a blank wall all day long, which is why wall design is such a crucial step in the decorating process. And once you start brainstorming, the rest is easy.
If you have a lot of wall space to fill, group similar items together like old dishes, photos, mirrors, etc. To create an interesting pattern or to give it some shape, start with cardboard cutouts to see what the arrangement will look like together.
Installing wooden pallet planks onto your walls is a great weekend project, the materials are free as you are able to recycle old pallets that are being thrown away.” Paint the wall you are modifying a dark color because the pallet boards will not bump up to each other perfectly and you don’t want bright paint showing through the gaps.
Paint is an inexpensive way to create a focal wall. Just remember that your color choices are important, and they can create a calming atmosphere or a high-energy environment. Painting horizontal stripes or a geometric design is a fast, easy and inexpensive way to add some color and interest to a wall by using masking tape or decorative paint rollers.
If you like the look of stone, but not the time, effort or money it would cost to install, you can try a peel-and-stick stone panel. You can even paint these panels to match your color scheme.
If you live in a place that is against the rules to permanently affix decor onto the walls or you do not want a permanent design. Cue the washi tape. Use a variety of colors and patterns to get a custom look you love, and simply switch it out when you want a new look.
Spruce up an accent wall with old picture frames. These can be painted the same color as the wall and hung.
Place an object like a tree branch on the wall and backlight it. This will provide soft lighting and a funky element to the bare wall.
You can also buy stencils at any department store like trees, animals, scenery, and much more. These provide quick interest and can easily be taken down.
Hackers have been hacking large companies, however, now they are coming after small businesses especially rural ones because of lack of protection. So what can a small business owner do?
Change your passwords, starting from your oldest ones. You’re probably tired hearing this advice, but it’s important not to dismiss it! You don’t know if some passwords you’ve used are out there in hacker-land, ready to unlock some other account doors. You should change passwords on ALL accounts a few times a year.
Passwords are a hacker’s “master key” to finding an opening into private consumer email and credit accounts, so don’t make it easy for them by having duplicates. And while you’re at it…replace any simple passwords you’re using, such as “abc123” and “password.” They also know your kid’s names and your pet’s names from Facebook.
This article is about the reality of today’s dangerous online world. Realistically, using a major credit card or debit cards is the proper way to make most transactions, instead of gift cards, checks, and other payment options like cash. See if your credit cards and debit cards come with built-in protection offered by the provider.
Emails that appear to be from a recognizable online service asking you to log into a site to confirm some personal details are always fake. These emails are usually caught by your email application’s spam filter, but if one does slip through and you click its link, your web browser should detect and block the site it takes you to.
Your best defense is to make sure you’re running the most updated versions of every program, starting with Windows. Go online and see if Microsoft has an update for the version you use. (You may want to consider getting a new computer and Windows 10, which has a solid, built-in defense.) Installing antivirus software may sound like an obvious first step to protect against malware, but not everyone bothers to do it. With so many options now available, though, there really is no excuse. So, make sure you’re running a good antivirus program and that you’ve installed its latest updates like McAfee.