Your House

Scuba diving at the Japanese Garden has nothing to do with diving at Cedar Pride, making
the two a perfect match. In this case, the Japanese Garden offers an impressive variety and
quantity of corals and fish. It is a kaleidoscope of colors made up of both soft and hard
corals. In addition, among all the fauna that you can find, the hawksbill turtles (although we
did not see any), moray eels, lionfish, clownfish in their sea anemones (yes, the fish from
" Finding Nemo"), schools Huge numbers of lyretail fish, hedgehog fish, emperor angelfish,
butterflyfish … Come on, that’s a real sight to behold.

After crossing a field of sea grass we reached the corals. Although it is true that you can
snorkel in the Japanese Garden is highly recommended, diving is a much better
experience. In addition to being able to go deeper and being able to be face to face with the
corals, the size of the ones you find here is much greater; as well as the variety and quantity
of fish.

Any qualification you can give the Japanese Garden would fall short. In fact, it became our
favorite scuba/snorkel spot to see coral of all the ones we visited in Aqaba. As the minutes
go by you do not stop being surprised by everything you see. There are corals of a lot of
colors and shapes. Some of the ones we got to see were several feet tall. Impressive.
Furthermore, they were surrounded by hundreds of fish. Seriously, what a nice place. We had
heard well about diving in the Red Sea, but today not only confirmed what we had heard, it
made us promise that we would have to return there one day.

Before finishing the dive in the Japanse Garden we made " a stop to rest a bit." There, in the
middle of nowhere, the dive centers had set up a place with chairs to sit on, a chessboard, a
bed, and even a stationary bike. This was crazy. We couldn’t help but laugh the moment we
saw him.

In addition to a large number of corals in First Bay North, many of them blue in color that
we had not seen so much in the Japanese Garden, there are also a few really nice fish. The
most prominent are the spectacular lionfish. We saw several of them, both black and brown.
Other animals that we saw, but that it was impossible for us to take a photo of, were squid.
They are tremendously beautiful since you can perfectly see how they change color and even
how they change their chromatic pattern. They looked like a store with neon lights! In the
area, you can also see octopuses and groupers, but in our case, we could not see any.
The day had been intense, full of emotions and surprises. But this did not end here, we could
still enjoy one more morning of the Red Sea of ​​Jordan. It would be the next day, but that is
already a story for another post.…

Continue Reading

If you want a modern patio with a warm appearance, slats are a good choice. Thanks to the straight lines, we can emphasize the sense of space. In addition, it is easy to define areas and build stairs. In this article, you can find out about the types of deck boards, their average prices, and how to set up.

 

 

Materials

 

 

Planks are available in various types of wood, but synthetic and composite are also possibilities. The choice of material and the desired thickness are the most important factors that will determine the service life.

 

Hardwood / Tropical Wood Blades

 

Depending on your preference, the boards can be screwed in or placed hidden. The average thickness of a hardwood deck board is 2 centimeters. The width of the blades varies between 10 and 20 centimeters.

 

Lifespan: 20 to over 100 years

 

Synthetic and composite blades

 

When you are looking for an eco-friendly patio, composite boards are surely a good choice. These boards are made of 60% recycled wood fibers and 40% recycled synthetic material.

 

Composite is available in various colors and is a full-fledged alternative to hardwood, which is in the same price range.

 

Lifespan: more than 100 years 

 

ThermoWood blades

 

ThermoWood is wood, which is reinforced by a heat treatment that consists of a combination of steam and heat.

 

After heat treatment, the life of the wood is comparable to that of European oak, larch, and chestnut. The biggest advantage of Thermowood boards is the competitive price.

 

Lifespan: more than 20 years 

 

European wood blades

 

Also, in our region,, there are various types of wood that can be used for the arrangement of a terrace. European timber is ecologically more justifiable than hardwood, and its price is also more attractive. European oak, chestnut, and Siberian larch are the strongest types of wood, and they belong to durability class 2. When you want to buy European wood planks, surely you have to check if it is FSC certified.

 

Lifespan: 15 to 60 years

 

Terrace boards price

 

The prices of decking boards vary and are mostly determined by the material chosen; the quantity desired, and supply and demand. Since wood is not infinitely available, other types are promoted regularly.

 

Besides the cost of materials, one must also take into account the supporting structure and fixing materials. Depending on the chosen working method, expect an average price of 30 to 40 euros per square meter.

 

Do you want to have a terrace fitted out? With our quotation service, you can request prices from professionals. 

 

Important facts about placement and maintenance

 

In order to extend the life of your tile, it is important that the water can drain off quickly. Thus, the moss will attach less quickly, and the terrace will be less slippery. When you clean the patio regularly, there will be no more risk of slipping than with a concrete or tile patio. Cleaning can be done with a low power pressure washer or simply with water and a brush.…

Continue Reading

If you happen to run out of inspiration when planning your home improvement projects, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, because you are not the only one. This is why today, there are several different platforms on the internet dedicated to helping you with different ideas of inspiration for your projects.

Today, this is what we did to help you with the layout of your deck to make the most of it this summer.

Organize the design of a deck

As soon as the weather permits, any excuse is good to spend time outside. For an evening or an afternoon, the deck becomes a dining room or a relaxation area. In some cases, you can also access a swimming pool or spa.

Each person has their own needs, and these must be taken into consideration when it comes to planning the deck layout. However, some tips apply in most cases, so you will need the help of a certified contractor.

Here are a few things to consider before choosing your ideal deck:

The best seats 

A deck without comfortable seating is not at its full potential. Before you start planning your deck, it’s a good idea to assess your needs and role. Counter or dining table? Stools or benches? Here are some questions you should ask yourself first.

Lighting that creates an atmosphere

Whether dining, relaxing, or enjoying the cool summer evenings with friends, you will need a light source that boils down to more than just a balcony bulb. Lighting is important because it will determine the mood your deck will give off. Try installing Christmas lights or large hanging bulbs, making sure they are well water repellent.

Textures, accessories, and greenery

In the final stages, the addition of accessories will personalize the final design of your deck. The importance of varying the textures is that they will add more dimension and visual appeal to the decor. You can achieve these ends by mixing the materials of your furniture, adding original cushions, or adding different hanging plants or pots.

Treated wood is one of the most widely used materials for deck construction. Beautiful and economical, it must, however, be very well maintained to keep its good appearance. You will need to repaint it every 3 years. Other types of wood include torrefied wood, composite wood, cedar, and ipe.

If you are looking for a material that is easier to maintain, look to the fiberglass or PVC membrane. Both types of materials are waterproof and have a long service life. However, in winter, they tend to get more slippery, and you will have to use sand or salt on the surface.

The arrangement of the elements

The deck can serve as a simple access ramp to the backyard, as it can become a room in itself. You can surround the deck with stairs, without putting up barriers. However, it is not very safe, especially if you have children.

Otherwise, you can create separate spaces by laying the handrails as partitions. Check with the municipality and the company with which you took out your loan (whether it is a new house or a major renovation) to know the regulations in force.

Deck furniture

Not a fan of Adirondack chairs or PVC furniture? With a little shopping, you are sure to find something to suit your taste. In recent years, outdoor furniture has become a field in itself.

You can add your personal decorative touch on the deck and in the backyard. Some criteria to follow beauty, durability, and impermeability. We are looking for furniture that has style, but that will not go out of fashion too quickly.

Install plants and a garden area

Maybe your backyard is very small? Or do you like plants so much that you want to put them everywhere? Whatever the reason, the deck is one of the best places to put plants. Organize a small herbal vegetable garden, plant flowers, or take out your indoor plants to enjoy the light.…

Continue Reading

Bright and striking colors, lots of succulents and exotic plants, mosaic … these are the main elements to adopt in your interior for a riad spirit.

It’s a timeless decor trend. Straight from the Maghreb, but mainly from Morocco, this style of architecture was intended mainly for the medinas, which means the old part of a city.

The magical city of Marrakech is home to a large number of riads and seduced by its beauty. So why not bring that vibe back home?

Install mosaic tiles on the floor and the wall

The mosaic is very present in the riads, especially in the decks. The particularity of this arrangement is that you can vary the graphics while remaining in the same tones of color.

Furniture with a natural spirit

Choose straw or wooden furniture to decorate your interior and even your exterior. To decorate many cushions!

A deck worthy of the tales of 1001 nights

Decks are the charm of riads. This open room in the heart of the house is a relaxation area where you can bathe or have tea. At home, arrange a small fountain in your veranda or a pond in your garden to enjoy the soothing sound of the water.

Lights everywhere

Day and night, the beauty of these places is undeniable. When the sun goes down, we discover new lights throughout the evening. Each loupiote or lantern is carefully arranged to reflect a wall adorned with moldings or a corner of exotic plants. So you can let go of the lighting issue!

Majorelle blue

This is the color of Marrakech riads! In the sublime home of Yves Saint-Laurent, this royal blue is the flagship asset. The garden which surrounds the whole property bears the name of Majorelle because of the facade painted entirely in this blue. Paint your stairs or your wall this color; it will add a little extra to your home.

Wrought iron decoration

Wrought iron objects are an essential element in riads. For example, you can hang oriental lanterns or a bird cage (empty, or with flowers in it!) On your facade or balcony.

A facade in ocher tones

Ocher is a rock very present in the Maghreb. It is only natural that certain architects were inspired by the different tones of the color of this clayey earth to put it on the facades. You can paint a wall in red ocher, or if you do not want to start work at home, multiply the clay pots.

Exotic and fatty plants

With a desert climate, plants are the first to suffer from the heat. So the riads have all kinds of shrubs or cacti, which are both resistant and require little watering. For example, you have agave, aloe, or the famous Chamaedorea palm. In your garden path or on your terrace, you can arrange different varieties of exotic and succulent plants and even make a small greenery corner with a magnificent composition.

Oriental wooden doors

How about exchanging the shutters on your terrace for doors with oriental moldings? They are usually painted in subdued colors, but you can dare flashy with warmer colors, like orange or yellow.

An outdoor bench with plenty of cushions

Typical of the Maghreb, the benches are unbeatable. The more cushions, the better! So let go of decorating and put it everywhere, with different sizes, colors, and styles.…

Continue Reading

If you are lucky to have a garden, even if it is small, you will be living much better this situation of isolation imposed by the coronavirus. Take advantage of these weeks to get the most out of it. You must pay special attention to this area, since, being of small dimensions, you will see everything more and the errors will not be easy to hide. To make it look perfect, these practical ideas to save garden space will help you a lot.

Do not give up having a corner to sit and enjoy the outdoors. There are practical ideas to save space in the garden with furniture adapted to the available square meters.

Remember that everything must go in scale. Being a small space, the plants and ornamental objects that you place should also be of reduced size. A table and chairs are non-negotiable.

Instead of the classic garden set, you can take advantage of a corner to place a corner sofa where you can sit and enjoy a good book or listen to your favorite music. The important thing is that you are aware of the dimensions.

And how about a hammock? If you have a chalet, a perfect place that you have probably missed until now is the narrow corridor that runs between the wall of the house and the limit with the adjoining house or the street.

If you have a few square meters outdoors, the paths and trails should be narrow. Incorporate horizontal lines and try to have a certain sense of continuity

The landscape dictates that certain elements, such as the trails, can subtract space and cause your garden to seem more often. However, you don’t have to give up. Make it increasingly narrow to give a feeling of depth.

Space will not allow you to have a swimming pool or a guest house in the garden, but a closet where you can store your tools. It is one of the best inventions to save space in the garden. They come in all sizes. If it is narrow, I face the gathering area and take the opportunity to decorate it as if it were a small house.

You must know how you will distribute each area and what you want to put in it. A good tip is that, before undertaking the task of building and decorating your small garden, think about what you will do on paper. This also applies to decorative elements.

There is a lot of variety to choose from. There are classic figures, such as garden gnomes, that provide a fun and kitschy touch. However, you also have the option of incorporating objects that were previously inside the home. If they are made of wood, remember to apply a protective layer of varnish.

Water is a highly valued resource in any garden. We have already ruled out the pool for space, but the small fountains are a complement that will bring a lot of freshness in the summer. Another great alternative is the ponds, which must respect the proportions of the whole.…

Continue Reading