Finally took the photos and videos for this post and I can’t wait to share it because it changed our house in such a major way. Introducing… the area that we affectionately call our kitchen porch. Aka: the grillin’ spot with all the greenery.

grill | outdoor table | outdoor stacking chairs | large white planter

If you followed along on Instagram Stories for the last few months, essentially this side porch always existed, but after we closed off doors number 7 and 8 from our bedroom which led out here (yes our bedroom had 8 exterior doors & still has 6 of them – more on that here), it was just a floating porch without any door leading to it. Here’s an old photo to show you what we essentially were starting with (this is after the exterior stairs came down from the upper deck, but before we painted the house, got new railings, etc, etc).

Continue reading Our New Kitchen Porch at Young House Love.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.uniquelyyoursmo.com/?p=642

The availability of required resources is a key aspect of ensuring projects are completed. Most businesses nowadays have gone ahead and employed procurement experts who work with different team members such as the project manager to ensure resources are available. The role of the project manager is quite large and includes working from every angle with every team member to make certain the building materials have arrived on time and are of good quality.

Tendering and project management mainly focus on completing short-term goals such as a construction project. In this article, we are going to look at some of the steps that are included for the entire process to be a success.

Planning for Tendering and Project Management 

Every development project starts with a plan. What are your plans to accomplish the objectives for tendering and project management? Who are the investors or stakeholders? How much time is needed to complete the project? What is the scope of the project? How large is the budget, and what is the quality level of the materials used? These are examples of questions that you might come across when developing the budget. Answering these questions ensures that there is an appropriate workflow in the tendering and project management process and that issues are aired out and can be resolved in the early stages of construction. 

Begin the Tendering and Project Management Process

Here, the main stage of construction begins. Everything will be determined by the goods and services received. You can start by listing all the potential vendors you are likely to receive resources from. Come up with a list of vendors that you feel will really help with the project. At this stage, you can feel free to communicate with more companies and builders and hear what their proposals are. 

After doing all this, it is time to sit down and make a list of builders and other companies that you want to involve in your project. Reputable architecture companies such as Humphreysandsons will help you with numerous construction services such as making plans, drawing the plans, seeking approvals, and even supervising the project.

Control as Part of Tendering and Project Management

Most vendors will promise you a lot of support in your project, but you need to be aware that not all will fully agree on the same terms. As a project manager, one has to go through and ensure that every vendor and builder has agreed with you about their intentions. Active oversight improves how work is carried out. The more vendors are aware that there is someone watching, the more performance improves at every level. 

Wrap Up the Project 

This stage of tendering and project management involves the project manager going through every detail included in the project and making sure that everyone has done their part respectively. In case of any unaddressed issue, the project manager will try and resolve it by forwarding it to the right person.

At the end of every project, the team ensures that the client is happy with what they receive and also that the team itself has learned from the mistakes made for future growth and improvement.  

Conclusion 

A successful project comes with its own ups and downs, which should be expected. The above article provides everything you need to know about tendering and project management. Read it to learn more. 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.uniquelyyoursmo.com/?p=633

Renting sometimes gets a bad name from people who think that buying a home is the ultimate goal, and even if it is your ultimate goal, renting can be a great stop-gap for single people or couples who don’t want to be tied down. One of the biggest benefits of renting is that you can move on fairly quickly. You just need to give the landlord notice and pack your things. 

This can be really good if you’re moving to a new city for work, or you just want to try out a new neighborhood.

What’s In A Home?

If you are considering renting, though, there are some things that you should know before you start looking at apartments. This is a list of things that everyone who rents needs to know before they sign on the dotted line.

1. Work with a real estate agent

It’s important to make sure that you are comfortable with your decision, or else it could cause problems later down the road. Look at reviews for local estate agents, search for estate agents in Erdington Birmingham, or wherever you are looking, and see what their reviews are by renters to ensure you’re going with a good agent. They will be able to help you find the ideal home for you. 

2. What kind of space do you need?

Are you bringing your whole family with you, or just yourself? How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want to live by yourself or with friends? All of these things can make a difference when it comes to choosing a rental home so think about them carefully. 

3. Think about what size storage space you will need

This is significant because, in some apartments, the storage space is in another unit or building. That could make moving in and out much more difficult if the landlord doesn’t offer help for this process. It’s important to find an apartment that makes moving in and out as easy as possible for the tenant. 

4. Consider neighborhoods

This is important for a lot of reasons. For instance, if you want to live in a neighborhood that is safe and has great schools, this could be beneficial when it comes to your child’s education. If you want to live near a park or restaurant, something like that can also make moving in easier and more convenient. 

5. How durable is the building?

One of the most common complaints about rental homes is the quality of construction and material quality. This can be very important for both tenants and landlords if they want to avoid costly repairs down the line, especially since this will happen regardless of whether you own your home or rent it.

6. Does the property owner have a reputation for managing repairs/maintenance?

The landlord’s reputation is important to know before signing an agreement, especially since these disputes can go on forever. It’s important to have a sense of whether or not the property owner is responsible over the long haul. 

7. Does the property have any history of complaints about pests?

There are some things that are just unavoidable, but some landlords will knowingly rent out properties that have pests. It’s important to ask around and see if the landlord has a reputation for being on top of this sort of thing or not. 

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.uniquelyyoursmo.com/?p=630

I’m finishing a fun holiday DIY project this week, plus preparing for family guests coming on Thanksgiving. My 17 year old daughter is hosting an outdoor friendsgiving at our backyard on Tuesday, it will be extra work but a lot of fun, she has the greatest friends and she’s a high school senior so it’s extra special since they will all be off on their own personal journeys next year.

My teenage son was making fun of me yesterday because I was playing holiday tunes. He says it’s against the law to play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving but I disagree. I have to listen to holiday music when I cook or decorate this time of year! Which camp are you in?

Favorite links from the week:

Don’t miss the lovely library and stone kitchen island (wow!) in this alpine home remodel.

Loving the blue painted bookshelves in this cozy, moody library.

A leather sofa and vintage furniture makes this a very cozy living space.

What a difference a stencil pattern made in this courtyard.

From red brick rancher to modern white farmhouse: this exterior makeover.

Some legit criticisms of new build modern homes.

Very cool process: this coral reef art.

So simple and so cute: this bow tie gift topper.

Tips on handling big holidays when you’re co-parenting.

Made me laugh: this unofficial Target ad.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.uniquelyyoursmo.com/?p=608

Yesterday as I was adding a touch of festive decor to my studio while the fireplace was on and I was reminded of how much I love the one in my small sitting space.

It will be my third winter with this one and it is so great for warming up this room on colder days. This electric fireplace I bought two years ago is still available but in a lighter color wood and also in white.

You can always build a frame and mantel to create a more built in style, there are a lot of tutorial online from people who’ve done it. But if you’re not feeling like all that extra work, these portable electric fireplaces may be just the thing to warm up your space too.

hollis fireplace (also in black)

marble look

portable electric (also in black or white)

off white veneer

shiplap

traditional white

antero black

antique silver

faux stacked stone

barnwood

black fluted

wall mounted contemporary

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.uniquelyyoursmo.com/?p=593