A dream house doesn’t just include spacious rooms, a beautiful kitchen and nice baths; it has to come with a yard perfect for landscaping. Living in a dormitory for the entire college days have made me immune to landscaping 101. It’s my landlady’s ultimate addiction, her bromeliads, the blue grass, the bonsais and lagoons with colorful koi fish. Remembering already makes me feel good, everything clean, green and serene. I wish I could afford to buy a house with a backyard. I think I don’t have to hire someone to do the landscape, I’ve learned them by heart. I just have to provide some amount of soil, the blue grass, the right variety of plants, some big rocks and some garden ornaments to add more beauty. Besides, the internet is always present for a countless ideas about gardening and landscaping. Doing it by yourself and the rest of the family is even more meaningful because the joy of bonding is always there.

I remember doing gardening when I was just a kid, in the primary to be exact. It all began as a simple garden project in school but when I discovered I’ve got green thumbs I started planting ornamental plants in our backyard. It’s fun to tend every single pot and see if they have flowers already. Watering and weeding are also relaxing and talking to them would sound crazy, been there done that. Those were the times when play stations, internet and PSP were inexistent. Living with a wide backyard and ample space were also another reasons. Now, it sounds like I’m talking about my salad days in the country. I would love to try gardening as well, not just the ones in Facebook but I’m very much feeling the need to discover urban gardening. Be it old days or today, they still have the same relaxing effect to me. It’s time for the green thumbs to start working again.

The question of what really a woman’s essence has no longer been an issue. Today this would just be cliché among beauty contests; a mom’s nagging to her kids or could be to her husband as well. I’m not a mom yet but I live alone. My work schedule would always be hectic but I always make sure that my apartment is tidy. My small kitchen should be organized at all times. My utensils are always dry and towels are present in each sink and fridge. The bathroom has to be cleaned and freshened every single day. I have this weird pet peeve on hair and I can’t stand those strands of hair on the floor more so on the water drainage in the bathroom. That’s why a vacuum cleaner is my personal aid and no one dares to touch any of my gadgets at home. I also use a different set of towels and duster to clean all my home appliances. To me, these are the simple things that make me feel more of a woman. Being vain doesn’t really mean bad, it’s just a matter of standard.

These kitchen ideas are really getting me hooked. It’s my ultimate dream to have a perfect kitchen because my boyfriend and I both adore cooking. Owning a big kitchen is out of the question, what matters is the kitchen design. That’s why I researched much on these and here’s what I got from the NKBA. First and foremost would be the lighting technique and storage solutions along with right selection of appliances. When it comes to lightning, you can create an illusion of bigger space by installing lights in your cabinets. It’s also better if they are light colored with glass doors. Another idea is putting an island in the center of the kitchen or by using a drop table or a small round sized table with two small chairs that can be tucked in the corner. Another storage tip would be by hanging pots and pans. Aside from installing deep counters and lastly if we go back to the root of minimizing space we can always count on appliance manufacturers that provide compact – space saving.

A kitchen is a place for everything in its proper place. That’s the old definition that I learned way back in high school. Next to bedroom, kitchen is also my second favorite part of the house. It’s not just where I cook but it’s the place that brings me closer to my loved ones. Some things to consider are the efficiency of your work place. There’s this “work triangle” defined by the National Kitchen and Bath Association as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cook top, to the center of the refrigerator and finally back to the sink. There are guidelines on these like measurements for example the sum of the work triangle’s three sides should not exceed 26 feet. Maximize the use of cabinets and cupboards or if you don’t have them you can improvise using your backsplash or walls to make racks. You can either use them for decorations or simply for holding kitchen utensils like pots, bottles and wines if there’s any.

I’ve been renting for more than five years and I’m thinking of buying a home. Sometimes if I compute the total amount of sums that I’ve been paying my landlord, it’s quite a big amount. Well, owning a home doesn’t come easy but it’s high time I gave more weight to it. Sooner or later I will be having a family and a house sounds like a good investment. My partner and I have once considered FHA but to some reason didn’t work out due to some personal issues. I think I just have to stick to the rule and do it myself, anyway I’m the guy and it’s more of my responsibility. There are many factors to consider when buying a home like finding an agent to help you avoid making mistakes or in considering which is a good buy or not. The monthly amortization payment should also be a priority if you don’t want your house to be in disclosure. I must say choose which payment is suited to your budget to avoid further foreclosure. Security and accessibility are also vital and lastly, get a home inspection and read disclosures.

Being organized is innate to me. I defy the law of entropy and my friends call me OC for that matter. I hate clutters and the sight of messy room freaks me out. Everything has to be well organized. My drawer is color coded, my shoe racks are categorized and I don’t leave my bed sheets soiled. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons why I have an instinct for interior design. It’s my meticulous manner to see which colors and shapes are not coordinated and what furniture or fixture should be included in an area of the house. If there’s not much space it’s better to use lighter shades especially wall paper. Constant sorting of things are essential, box stuff that you’re no longer using. It’s acceptable to be sentimental but then clutters are constant sucks so better be practical. Don’t be monochromatic; learn how to blend colors properly. Lastly, keep a decent stack of file and maximize the use of cupboards and cabinets.

Just like what I said, home should always be secured. But it doesn’t just end there. Home isn’t home without all those stuff that provide you comfort, help and ease. Take for example a relaxing warm bath at night, lying in a cozy warm bed after a day of long work, and the entertainment system before hitting the sack, cuddling with your loved ones. They don’t have to be expensive or luxurious, what’s important is the feeling of comfort and belongingness, something that brings the family closer together. Aberrations do happen in like a simple faucet leak and similar stuff. It’s funny how a daddy pretends to be a jack of all trades, doing home improvement by himself until such time he’d be in the same spot again fixing the leak to the point of giving up and calling the help of a professional plumber. Simple things, but no matter how simple can bond the members together.

When I was a kid, my mom always told me that I shouldn’t feel scared in my room even though I’m alone or the light’s off because it’s our home. It is the safest place on earth and I must always keep that in mind. Now, that I’m a grown up my mom’s words are always there to remind me of security. Actually, the need to feel secured ranks second in Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs and I’m quite thankful that I’m not lacking any. In fact I know that any moments from now I’ll be like my mom, a provider of security to my own family. At this time I’m already investing some fund for my future home. Sooner or later I’d be married and have a family. When that time comes, I should have mastered the skills of providing security to my future family just like my mom. Home security is definitely first; anyway it’s the safest place on earth.