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the-best-plants-for-a-bathroom:-houseplants-that-thrive-in-humidity-and-low-natural-light

Best plants for a bathroom: Houseplants that thrive in humidity and low natural light

As well as being that haloed place where one can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet and a hot soak, the bathroom is also one of the best rooms to grow house plants. Its high humidity is a haven for a lot of indoor plants because so many of them hail from tropical or subtropical forests. There they flourish in the consistently damp, warm air and the light that pours in between the trees. These plants will feel right at home in bathrooms, shower rooms, and kitchens, if provided with the indirect light and average-to-warm temperature that most of them crave. African violets are one of the best plants for a bathroom Flowerphotos/Getty Images The best plants for a bathroom Small bathroom plants Air plant (Tillandsia argentea) This weird and wonderful epiphyte from the warm, humid forests of Cuba and Jamaica can be slotted into glass globes, narrow-necked vases, or shells, without any soil. Place in bright indirect light. Soak in rainwater or filtered water once a week, then drain. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. Forming a small mound of burgundy-backed green textured leaves, this easy evergreen perennial from the rainforests of Brazil enjoys bright indirect light and warmth, where it will send up cream flower spikes. Water when the soil feels dry; feed in spring and summer. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. The green leaves of this small evergreen from Java and Sumatra are clothed with pink-purple hairs that make them soft and velvety. It’s best to remove the winter flowerheads should they appear, as the orange blooms don’t smell pleasant. Place in bright indirect light. Water when the compost feels dry and never leave the plant waterlogged. Temperature: 15 to 23°C. Saintpaulia ‘Top Dark Blue’ There are few plants that rival the intensity of purple that some of these small plants produce when they flower between spring and autumn. Sit in bright indirect light. Water from below when the upper compost feels dry and feed during spring and summer. Temperature: 16 to 25°C. Medium-sized bathroom plants An attractive upright evergreen subshrub from Paraguay and Brazil, bearing lush, glossy lobed leaves. Sit in medium to bright indirect light. Water when the soil feels dry and water less in winter. Temperature: 10 to 27°C. This airy African evergreen perennial is a close relative of the asparagus fern. Place in medium indirect light in a cool bathroom. Keep the compost moist but not waterlogged. Temperature: 10-25°C. Resembling a miniature Swiss cheese plant, this wonderful fuss-free climber from the damp forests of Malaysia is best grown around a moss or coir pole in medium to bright indirect light. Temperature: 12 to 27°C. A subshrub from the damp, warm forests of the Philippines with huge arrow-shaped green leaves above striped stems. Sit in low to bright indirect light. Water when the upper layer of the compost feels dry. Temperature: 15 to 25°C. A fiddle-leaf fig in an Edwardian villa designed by William Smalley Alexander James Large bathroom plants A lovely tree from the wet tropical forests of New Guinea and Australia, with ferny green foliage around slender, upright, woody stems. It will grow well to around 2 metres in bright indirect light and will grow more slowly in lower light. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Temperature: 15 to 27°C. This African tree can reach over 2 metres, its big paddle-shaped leathery leaves are dark green, and it likes a lot of bright indirect light, so it is only suitable for a spacious, light bathroom where it won’t dominate. Water when the upper compost feels dry. Temperature: 15 to 24°C. A beautiful evergreen fern from the South Pacific, with lush bright-green fronds from a trunk-like rhizome. Place in medium indirect light and keep the compost moist (but not waterlogged) using rainwater (or filtered tap water with a dash of vinegar). If it’s happy, it can grow to 1-metre wide and 2-metres tall. Temperature: 10 to 24°C. From China and Vietnam, this evergreen palm produces dark-green fans of blunt-ended leaves from upright canes. Place in medium to bright indirect light. Water when the upper compost feels dry. Slow growing to 3 metres. Temperature: 15 to 26°C.
Read More Best plants for a bathroom: Houseplants that thrive in humidity and low natural light
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Hallway ideas to make a great first impression

An antique runner adds further colour to the hallway, which features an antique Welsh dresser sourced by Tamsyn Mason in this handsome Georgian rectory in Hampshire Christopher Horwood “It is easy to forget that an entrance hall is a room,” says decorating maestro Rita Konig. “It often receives corridor status, but it is, in fact, an important space. As the place for arrivals and departures, it sets the tone for the rest of the house, so it needs to be welcoming.” For this reason, pay as much attention to the stuff in a hallway as you would in any other room, and don’t use it as dumping ground for furniture or art that has no home elsewhere. Just because you’re moving through a space regularly to get to another room where you might spend longer, that doesn’t make it less important – if anything, it makes it more important. The hallway is nearly always the part of a house that you and your guests will encounter first, so make sure it leaves an impression, perhaps by hanging a statement piece of art in it or by introducing an unusual colour. Hallway ideas: decoration Since hallways, especially in city houses, tend to be narrow, the walls are an important feature. Opt for a warm paint colour, some elegant wall panelling, or a patterned wallpaper to lend the space character. Also consider adding wall lights, for a gentler glow than an overhead light. This is a great place to display art. We’ve seen some brilliant examples of statement pieces taking up practically an entire wall, but gallery walls are also a great option in a hallway, perhaps displaying a collection of photographs or botanical prints. “Traffic is a consideration when you are decorating,” notes Rita. “The floor, for example, has to be practical while remaining in keeping with the style of the house.” We love a flagstone hallway, or the traditional tiles you can still find in Victorian houses, but sisal or jute can also be a great, hardwearing option for this space. Don’t forget to take into account the other rooms you can see from a hallway – if you have easy views into lots of rooms or one particular room, try to keep the colours of the walls tonal, and think about positioning hallway mirrors to allow unexpected glimpses throughout the house. Pocket or sliding doors can also work well for the rooms that lead off a hallway, especially if it is a dark or narrow space, allowing the doors to be open most of the time, letting light flood in. Hallway ideas: furniture “The furniture here should be good,” continues Rita. If you have enough space, consider a hall table, either a console table that can provide a space for keys, post, along with flowers, lamps and decorative objects, or something a bit grander to go in the centre of the hallway if you have a larger space. “The hall table can be quite magnificent – just as it is in many of Robert Kime’s projects, and in William Yeoward and Colin Orchard’s house in Gloucestershire.” A bench or pair of chairs can also be a great feature, allowing people to perch and take off their shoes, or providing a place to wait as you prepare to leave the house. Hallway ideas: storage Finally, hallway storage is absolutely key if you want to maintain tidiness. Hallways are always prone to get cluttered up with shoes, bags, umbrellas, coats and other paraphernalia. A bench with storage built in underneath can be a great option, while wall-mounted storage or a simple row of hooks can work well in super small spaces. If you have a bit more room, a coat rack, wardrobe or built-in joinery can look rather distinguished.
Read More Hallway ideas to make a great first impression
First Time Home Buyer Incentives in Canada 2024

First Time Home Buyer Incentives in Canada 2024

There are four main incentive programs for first-time home buyers in Canada: Land transfer tax rebates, which rebate some or all of your land transfer tax. Some municipalities have down payment assistance programs (DPAPs) for first-time homebuyers. The Home Buyers’ Plan which allows you to withdraw up to $60,000 (since April 16, 2024) from your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) without…
Read More First Time Home Buyer Incentives in Canada 2024
Buying a Foreclosure Home in Canada

Buying a Foreclosure Home in Canada

If you are interested to have access to all Vancouver Foreclosures MLS® Listings, please click on the “VIP Insider Access” button. In the “Notes” box include the code “Foreclosures” or visit Vancouver Foreclosures and register What You Should Know Foreclosed homes are typically homes put on sale by lenders after the previous buyer defaults on their mortgage. Foreclosures are rare…
Read More Buying a Foreclosure Home in Canada
Bank of Canada December cut

Economists confident in December rate cut amid inflation growth

Canada’s inflation remains manageable, analysts say Canada’s inflation rate saw a modest rise in October, but economists say it’s unlikely to derail the Bank of Canada’s anticipated rate cut next month. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 2% on an annual basis, up from 1.6% in September, according to Statistics Canada’s latest report. Despite…
Read More Economists confident in December rate cut amid inflation growth
how-to-clean-tablecloths-the-right-way

How to Clean Tablecloths the Right Way

Tablecloths protect table surfaces from wear and tear, as they are susceptible to heat damage, spills, and scratches. While the cloth helps extend the life of your table surface, tablecloths are worth preserving too, as they add a touch of luxury to your home dining experience. Spills are inevitable, but stains don’t have to be. Knowing how to properly clean tablecloths is crucial in maintaining them so you can use them again and again. Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning up spills, preventing stains, and washing tablecloths. Tablecloths come in various designs, textures, and materials. Cleaning instructions vary significantly by material: cotton, linen, polyester, satin, organza, lace, and silk all have their own guidelines. While most of these materials are machine-friendly, others are hand-wash only. Check the fabric care label for targeted instructions before cleaning so you can use the ideal water temperature and recommended detergents. For machine-washable cloth, blot excess liquids and scrape off (don’t rub) food residue. Pre-treat stains with a gentle removal solution, then machine wash according to care instructions. If care instructions aren’t available, generally, you can use warm water with gentle detergent on a low agitation cycle to clean polyester or cotton. If stains persist after the wash cycle, repeat the pre-treatment and run the cycle again. Do not mix whites with colors. Hand wash delicate fabrics, like silk, velvet, lace, and embroidered or beaded fabrics. Use cold water and mild detergent. If the care label says machine washable, place the tablecloth in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle or delicate cycle. Tablecloths made of plastics, vinyl, or disposable materials are mostly wipe-clean only. Even hand washing can damage or tear them, so simply use a damp cloth to wipe them down. Try warm water and mild soap for tough stains.  How to Remove Tough Stains from Tablecloths Every stain is unique, but there are universal rules of thumb to treat stains as effectively as possible. Identify the original source to select the most effective method. With any stain removal treatment, test the solution on a small area of the cloth before applying it widely. Here is how to remove common tablecloth stains. Red Sauces Blot the excess sauce with a paper towel. If the fabric is washable, run cold water through the back of the stain immediately. Then, rub liquid detergent into the stain gently in a circular motion and let it set for 5 minutes before rinsing with cold water. If there are additional care instructions on the label, try those tactics. You should see the stain disappearing before it dries. If the stain is still there, repeat the cleaning process. Alternatively, apply a mixture of liquid detergent and baking soda directly onto the stain. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing again. For linen, satin, silk, or lace, you may need to proceed with caution. For antiques or delicates, don’t take the risk—try dry cleaning. If you go the DIY route, soak the cloth in a gentle dish soap mixed with water. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before handwashing. Do not scrub too hard to avoid ruining the fibers. If your linen is white, apply white vinegar or lemon juice to release the stain. Let it sit for a while before washing with warm water. If all else fails, use a commercial stain remover specifically for that material. Oil-Based Food Blot any liquid oil stain with a paper towel or scrape off oily solids with a dull plastic scraper. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb excess oil, then wash with warm water. If this doesn’t work, create a paste using liquid detergent and baking soda. Apply it on the stain and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing. Red Wine Soak up any wine with a paper towel. Avoid rubbing the stain to prevent it from penetrating deeper into the fabric fibers. Sprinkle salt generously over the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water. If the wine stain persists, directly apply a small amount of mild detergent. Rub gently with your fingertips or a soft bristle brush. Follow any additional requirements suited to the fabric material. On white linens, pour club soda over the stain, allow it to fizz, and then blot out the released wine. As you plot with a paper towel, the stain should lift and lighten. A hydrogen peroxide and water solution (1:2) should work well for stubborn stains, too. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, blot, and wash. Candle Wax Let the candle wax cool and become solid, then scrape off the wax using a plastic scraper or a dull knife. Cover the remaining wax with paper towels or absorbent brown paper, and then use a warm iron on top of the paper to melt and remove the remaining wax. Pen or Marker Rubbing alcohol works well to dissolve ink pigment. To blot the ink stain, use a dampened cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, then rinse the spot with cold water. Wash normally—by hand or machine, based on the material—and the stain should disappear. How to Dry and Store Clean Tablecloths After cleaning tablecloths, proper drying is essential to prevent mold and mildew. Put polyester and cotton in a dryer on low heat to minimize wrinkling, then fold or
Read More How to Clean Tablecloths the Right Way

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