British Columbia’s Endangered Forests

Cortes Island old growth appears to be the next in a series of controversial logging disputes to plague the British Columbia (BC) coast in 2012. Most, but not all, of the trouble stems from logging of rare old growth pockets still standing, and/or the unregulated logging of the private forest land created with the two million acre (3,125 sq.mile or 8,094sq.kms) E & N Railway land grant of the 1870s. (See The Great Land Grab in Hul’qumi’num Territory,). All of it is aggravated by the remote foreign ownership of access to most of BC’s forests.

Sierra Club BC’s analysis (Restoring the Balance, January 2011) shows that logging of old-growth rainforest ecosystems has seriously compromised species habitat and carbon storage capacity. More than two million hectares (7,722 sq.mile or 20,000sq.kms) of rainforest ecosystems on BC’s coast, mostly on Vancouver Island and on the South Coast, have less than 30 per cent old growth remaining and are considered to be at high risk of species extinction. Vancouver Island alone has lost more than one million hectares of productive old growth rainforest (3,861 sq.mile or 10,000sq.kms), representing the loss of approximately 100 million tons of carbon storage.

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4 Ways To Ensure Your Landscaped Garden’s Pavers Look Good For Longer

One of the most common requests landscaping companies in Western Australia receive when discussing landscape designs with their residential clients is for paving. Whilst the local climate is such that the risks of continuous rain making lawns unsuitable for walking on are minimal, there is still a huge demand for paving stones and slabs to be included in landscaped gardens.

The two main reasons for the demand for paving are the practical use of them for walking safely and comfortably through a garden, and the aesthetic value the paving brings to a landscape design. Martin Cuthbert Landscapes understands that no matter what type, size, quantity, and design of the paving you have in your garden, there is a need to maintain them so that they retain their appearance for longer.

If this is not done, then the risk is that a combination of them being walked on frequently, plus the heat and sunshine which is abundant in Western Australia can cause pavers to diminish in terms of their appearance. Thankfully, there are ways you can prevent this from happening such as the four we have outlined below.

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5 Reasons Why Installing A Shade Sail Over Your Swimming Pool Makes Perfect Sense

Having a swimming pool at your home to sit and relax around or to cool off in on hot, sunny days, is fantastic, but we wish you to know it would be even better if there were shade sails above your swimming pool. If you are unaware of what shade sails are, they are large and robust pieces of fabric that are stretched and tensioned by using fixing points around the area they are located.

The name shade sails should give you some more indication as to what their primary purpose is and the image of a sail on a ship hopefully gives you a picture in your mind’s eye as to what they look like. Nevertheless, shade sails can be made in lots of different sizes, come in a multitude of different colours, and can even be custom-made for specific areas and purposes.

As for how shade sails would augment your swimming pool there are several reasons why that is the case. Carry on reading and you will see that we highlight five of them and in doing so reveal why many people are now asking local shade sail companies to design, supply, and install shade sails above their swimming pool.

Reason #1 – Protection For Your Family From The Harmful Rays Of The Sun

Whilst being bathed in sunlight is essential for our health, such as the Vitamin D it provides, the sun can also be one of the biggest health dangers. That is especially so when we are exposed to its UV rays for an excessive length of time where the risks range from sunburn to heat stroke and worst of all skin cancer. With shade sails above your swimming pool, they provide much-needed shade to limit direct exposure to UV rays for everyone using the pool.

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Expert Removalists Enhancing Your Home and Garden Relocation

There are a lot of feelings that can come up when you move. There is a lot of emotion mixed in this sentence—excitement for a new start and anxiety about change. It is, however, a normal part of life in Australia. The path from one home to another has been taken many times, with over 40% of households moving in the last five years. It feels more like navigating through a storm to many people on this road.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in life, sometimes even more stressful than getting married or starting a new job. Surprisingly, almost a third of us find it scarier than giving birth! This harsh reality shows how important it is to smooth out the rough spots on the way to your new home, especially if you’re bringing your beloved garden with you.

Transforming Stress into Serenity

How peaceful your move is will depend on how you plan and think about things. You should see your move as a chance to start over, not just something that needs to be fixed. This is how to make the change as easy as possible:

  • Make plans: Start right away if you can. Plan out when you will sort, pack, and hire movers on your schedule. You can get through a moving maze if you have a well-thought-out plan.
  • Declutter with a Purpose: Moving is a great time to think about what’s important again. You can make new memories in your next home and lighten your load by getting rid of too much stuff.
  • Picking the Right Moving Company: Not all heroes wear capes; some are skilled, cheap removalists. It is very helpful to have a team that knows how much your things are worth, from the sofa in your living room to the roses in your garden.

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7 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Artificial Grass

Whenever a homeowner approaches Perth Landscapes to ask them to create a landscape design for their garden, one of the most important topics of discussion will be the lawn. In the vast majority of cases, that lawn will be natural grass, therefore the main decisions to be made regarding the landscape design will be its shape, any changes to its dimensions, and its maintenance thereafter.

However, not all lawns are natural, and many homeowners are now opting for a landscape design with a lawn that is created from artificial grass. The advances in manufacturing technologies mean that the artificial lawns of today are getting closer to the real thing in terms of their aesthetics. One main advantage is the obvious one which is maintenance is reduced due to not having to cut the grass regularly.

One point that has to be addressed is that of installing an artificial lawn. Should you choose to have your landscapers do it for you, then you should be fine. However, if you fancy going down the DIY route and installing your artificial lawn yourself, there are several caveats. Most of them come under the umbrella of ‘common mistakes’ so we thought it would be useful to outline the seven most common artificial grass installation mistakes so that you can avoid them.

Poor Choice Of Artificial Grass Type

The first and most basic error is choosing the wrong type of artificial turf for your landscape design. Just as with natural grass, different types of artificial grass exist that will suit different needs and scenarios. For example, some are suited to heavy wear, whereas others are more delicate, and some are best suited to shaded areas, so choose wisely.

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Top Landscaping Considerations for Low-Maintenance Gardens

If you’re trying to develop a backyard that requires little maintenance, you need to keep this in mind from the very beginning of your low-maintenance garden plans. Low-maintenance landscaping, say Intreeg Landscapes, is becoming increasingly popular, and there are numerous things you can do to achieve it, such as using mulch and a reticulation system or even artificial grass if you’d prefer.

Because of this, we compiled together a short list of our top considerations for creating a low-maintenance outdoor space.

Plan, Plan and Plan Some More!

One of the essential parts of developing a low-maintenance gen, any other outdoor space, or detailed planning. You consider every aspect of your garden and how much you are willing to need in the future.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to speak with professional landscapers to ensure you’re getting things right. They should know what they’re doing and will be able to help you put together the perfect design blueprint.

Consider Hard Surfaces

Many people who don’t have functional hard surfaces can be low-maintenance landscapers. Paving large areas will effectively reduce the maintenance associated with them to the occasional sweep.

Rather than planting lawns or gardens that need looking after regularly, add more paths and consider large paved areas with something like an outdoor dining suite. You won’t regret it!

Decking is also a great way to add hard surfaces to your landscape. Trex composite decking is low maintenance compared to standard wooden decking. It does not require regular maintenance, such as resurfacing and oiling when the wood gets damaged from the sun or rain. It’s also a great alternative for families with small children as you don’t get splinters.

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Why Epoxy Flake Floor Installation Is A Job For The Professionals

Whether you are planning to have an epoxy flake floor installed at home or for one or more parts of your business premises, the temptation could be that to save yourself some money; you try to install it yourself. There could be many DIY projects that you have completed successfully in the past, and therefore, you are confident this will be the same.

Whilst it is not for us to doubt in any way your past record or your DIY skills, we would ask you to pause for a moment and think about what it takes to install an epoxy floor.

First, while they may start as liquids, applying them is not the same as painting a ceiling, and that is assuming that you have got the balance between the chemicals exactly right. There is also the work required to ensure the concrete floor underneath is prepped exactly as it needs to be in terms of evenness and to make its adhesive qualities optimal.

If you were to even get beyond laying it, there is no small matter of the flake distribution. Many amateurs think that you do this as though scattering birdseed in the park for the pigeons, but soon realise it is not as they end up with barren areas and others with mounds of flakes.

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What to Consider When Planning Your New Kitchen Install

You may know that your current kitchen no longer suits your needs and that new kitchens are those you admire in other people’s homes, but what gets you from A to B? How do you plan for a new kitchen installation to make sure the entire process goes smoothly? Some of the following information may be helpful.

Identify What Your Current Kitchen Lacks

Even before you start researching new kitchens, identify what you don’t like about your current kitchen. You may then be able to avoid design issues in your final design.

It might lack storage or bench space, or it might be too closed off from the rest of the home. Even the shape may not suit your needs. Once you have the issues written down, you can move onto the research phase.

Research Your Options

Because there are so many kitchen designs available, it can take some time to determine the features you like or need in your new kitchen. A cabinet maker may be able to assist with this process, especially if you are hiring one to design a new kitchen for you.

At the research phase, you need to determine the style and colouring you prefer and even the materials you’d like, such as stone, concrete, tiles, and quartz.

It also helps to consider your kitchen’s shape to ensure it’s going to suit your space and the flow of your home. Some people prefer the simplicity of double galley or island, while others prefer the defining lines of U-shape and L-shape kitchens. If you work with professional cabinet makers, they can sketch out a shape to best suit your floorplan.

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Five of the Best Pot Plants for an Outdoor Oasis

To many people, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. After all, it’s the place where the family gathers to raid the fridge and catch up in the morning for breakfast. However, the outdoor patio area or balcony, with garden pots, nature, and spectacular views, is coming in at a close second.

Many people are beginning to see the value in creating exceptional indoor-outdoor flow with their home. They want a property that’s as comfortable outside as it is indoors. Most importantly, they want an outdoor oasis with an emphasis on nature so that they can step out into a paradise on their doorstep. These plants might be able to help achieve that look of a global gardening.

Silver Lady Fern

Landscapers advise that when you start looking for plants to add to your garden pots gracing your balcony, a silver lady fern should be one of the first to consider. Even though it seems quite pretty and precious, it’s one of the more robust plants for an oasis environment. It can handle adverse weather conditions while standing out from the crowd with its lush fronds.

Imperial Bromeliad

If you have plenty of space and want to fill it with plants, garden pots, and nature for as far as the eye can see, then there are few better plants to start with than the imperial bromeliad. This plant is a real beauty and spans at least two metres wide.

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A Look At The Different Glass Pool Fencing Styles

Glass pool fencing is becoming increasingly popular throughout Australia. As a strong, sustainable fencing choice, people are choosing glass because it looks great, it’s affordable and it’s arguably the best pool fencing choice on the market today.

However, there are a few different styles that you will need to choose between if you decide to build a pool fence out of glass. Each style has its own pros and cons, and it’s especially important to think about which one is the most suited to your needs.

With this in mind, let’s have at the two most common glass fencing styles:

Frameless Glass Fencing

Frameless glass pool fencing involves the use of simple glass panels, which are secured to the ground with inconspicuous stainless steel fittings. It’s a great choice when it comes to gaining a clear, unobstructed view of your swimming pool (from the outside) and other surrounding areas (from the inside), and has become the most popular choice as far as glass balustrading or fencing styles go.

When built right, frameless glass pool fences will give your home a high-class look due to their exquisite appearance and beautiful finish. The installation of frameless glass fences is simple, which means that costs can be kept low in this area. All in all, frameless pool fencing is something that you should definitely consider if you’re thinking about building a new pool fence.

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Landscaping on a Budget

Your imagination might say “mansion and Olympic swimming pool,” but your budget might say “family home with paddling pool”. If that’s the case, then you need to get smart with landscaping. It’s obvious your budget won’t stretch to a full palace of grandeur, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a beautiful backyard that’s eye-catching and stunning. Here’s how to landscape on a budget.

Ask an Expert

It might seem counter-productive to spend money on expert help, but it will be worth it in the long-run. An expert landscaper can tell you where you can cut costs, where it’s best not to, and how to enhance the overall appeal of your property. If you’re not that experienced when it comes to gardening, then their advice can be invaluable.

Go Vertical

Landscaping a large area can be quite expensive. You have to use more plants, more materials, and more space. If you lack space or money, then planting upward can be an excellent way to solve the problem. Make use of old wooden fences and ladders, create hangers out of paint cans, and buy plants that will cling onto items and grow upward. You’ll have a natural garden paradise, but without all the cost.

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Natural vs Reconstituted Limestone Blocks – Which Should I Use?

Building a new home or renovating an existing one can be a very exciting process. However, with the excitement comes a lot of stress and difficult decisions. You will need to decide what sort of materials you’re going to build with, what sort of landscaping you want to do and how you’re going to do it.

Limestone blocks from suppliers such as Limestone Blocks Perth are very popular when it comes to landscaping and building things like retaining walls and fences. They look great, they are tough and durable and they are very easy to work with. There are two types of limestone blocks, and it can be hard to choose between them.

Reconstituted vs Natural

The two types of limestone blocks on the market are reconstituted blocks and naturally quarried blocks. They both have different features and use cases, but they have one thing in common – they’re both based on limestone.

Reconstituted limestone blocks are stronger than naturally quarried blocks. They are made by mixing crushed limestone with cement and setting the resulting mixture into blocks of the desired size and shape. They usually have a relatively uniform appearance, and they’re useful for things like retaining walls and stairs.

Naturally quarried blocks are exactly what their name makes them sound like – limestone blocks of different sizes that are cut straight from the ground. They usually aren’t as strong as reconstituted blocks, but they have more natural variation and texture, making them more aesthetically pleasing for some people.

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Landscaping Ideas to Compliment Your New Lawn

If you have a new house, you might be looking at developing your yard area. One of your first considerations will probably be the size and shape of your lawn. Once you have laid some new roll-on turf your yard may still look a bit unfinished, and you might decide to add a few more landscaping ideas.

While the shape and size of your lawn is probably the most important consideration, you should think about what other features you want your yard to have. Things like rock walls or water fountains can be interesting additions to your garden, and you should definitely consider adding some edible plants or fruit trees.

Some great landscaping ideas for a perfect new garden include:

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Fencing Needs for a Business

The fencing needs for a business are usually different than for residential areas.  Security is usually the number one concern when it comes to any business, especially if it is in an area where the light is dim or non-existent and there are not many people around after closing, as happens with many businesses in industrial areas.

So looks are not as important as strength and height, both of which make a fence very secure according to fencing contractors. However, if your business is one where many customers must come to, then looks may be important. People like to do business in a pleasant, tidy place that welcomes them. A huge fence with a roll of razor wire along the top is not the kind of place they would feel welcome in since it would most likely make them think of a gaol.

Such a fence can be expected in an industrial area, but many businesses are found in residential areas or even the CBD, so they need a fence that looks good while still providing a good level of security. There are several types of fences that look good while still keeping out trespassers.

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5 Reasons Why You Should Include a Pool in Your Garden Design

When it comes to landscape design, your options are almost endless. There are many, many things that you can include to improve both your life and the lives of your friends and family. One of the most popular garden design features for people living in hot climates is the swimming pool.

Pools are a great place for socialising, relaxing, and cooling off in the summer months. If you have the space and budget for a pool, you should definitely consider installing one in your new garden. Some of the reasons why you should add a pool renovation to your landscape design include:

  1. Pools are great for outdoor activities:

If you are an outdoorsy person who enjoys spending time in the sun, then a pool will be perfect for you. They are a great place for entertaining visitors, for socialising with friends, or even for having some fun with your pets. If you enjoy outdoor activities, then make sure that you include a pool in your landscape design!

  1. Pools can create their own microclimates:

Depending on how you set it up, a backyard pool can help keep the whole area cooler. Many people plant a lush garden around their pool, which often contributed to shading the area and keeping you out of direct sunlight. Others choose to cover their pool with some sort of shade structure. In this case, the shading will help keep the surrounding air fresh and cool, helping you relax on a warm summer’s day. Note that you shouldn’t plant things too close to the pool, of they may intrude and make the water dirty.

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What Should I Consider When Designing a Garden for My Climate?

Unless you have some sort of background in landscaping, designing your own garden or backyard can be slightly difficult. While a lot of people choose to use landscape designers, for this very reason, some people don’t. Some people can’t afford to use a qualified landscaper, while others simply look forward to the challenge of designing their own garden.

One of the most important things to consider when designing your own garden is your climate. You need to do a lot of research into what sort of climate you have – especially if you are new to an area – and what sort of plants grow well in that climate. Planning well before you start landscaping will save you a lot of time and money, and will make sure that your garden looks great year round!

Consider the following things when trying to design a garden that is right for your climate:

Your temperature range:

Obviously, one of the most important things to consider is how hot or cold it gets where you live. A lot of places have very high summer temperatures, which can severely limit what sort of plants you can grow. In the same way, anywhere with snow or regular below freezing temperatures is not going to be a good place to plant warm weather plants. If you aren’t sure what sort of plants are good for the temperature range you experience, talk to your local nursery or gardening store.

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Landscaping for Dummies – Water Saving

People throughout the world are continually updating their yards and gardens to keep them looking fresh and new. A lot of people use landscape designers to help them get it right, but a lot more choose to do it themselves, as they find the design and putting together of a new garden both rewarding and exciting.

If you are considering redeveloping your yard in Australia, then you need to consider water consumption. As one of the driest countries on the planet, Australian gardeners are often faced with severe water restrictions which can make gardening hard. With this in mind, here are some things that you can do to help make sure that your garden is sustainable when it comes to water use:

Choose drought tolerant plants:

Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems that Australia gardeners make is that they plant things which simply aren’t suited to their climate. Often, European or American garden plants are used. These are adapted to wet, cool climates, and simply won’t do well in Australia unless they are given a lot of water.

To save water, you can choose native plants which are adapted to our dry climate. Small native shrubs are often just as beautiful as foreign garden plants, but simply don’t have the same water requirements. Things like bottlebrushes, eucalyptus, and banksias are all popular.

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Why Should You Use Artificial Turf in Harsh Climates?

Landscape designers throughout the world are beginning to use artificial turf more and more regularly, especially in tough climates. Although traditional lawns are still widespread, artificial turf has a number of benefits which make it the favoured choice, especially for people who don’t have a lot of time or money to spend on lawn maintenance.

What is artificial turf?

Basically, artificial turf is fake grass. It is usually made to look and feel as much like real grass as possible, which is one of the reasons why it is rapidly growing in popularity. Although it’s usually made of some sort of plastic or synthetic material, it is often more environmentally friendly and a better option than real grass.

What are the benefits of using artificial turf in harsh environments?

Artificial turf is becoming a favourite for landscape designers who work in Australia’s harsh conditions. Unfortunately, regular grass needs a lot of maintenance to look good when it is hot and dry – like in the Australian summer – which means that it often isn’t a logical choice. Some of the benefits of using artificial turf include:

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5 Great Natives to Include in Your Garden Design

If you are building a new home or renovating an existing home, you may decide to take your improvements outside. Landscape design is a fun and interesting process, one which the whole family can participate in.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to designing your own backyard. Thinking about new infrastructure, what plants to include, and where to put everything can sometimes seem like too much. However, if you take things one step at a time, things should get a lot easier.

Why should you include native plants in your landscape design?

Australia’s climate can be tough, hot, and dry. Most overseas plants are not well adapted to our conditions, and they can therefore struggle. Australian natives have all the right characteristics to make the perfect low maintenance garden plant. They are often drought resistant, hardy, and are not harmed by a lot of native insects that can destroy common garden plants. Out top five natives to include in your garden include:

  1. Eucalyptus:

Eucalyptus trees, or gum trees, are becoming more and more common in gardens throughout the world. Although a lot of Eucalyptus species are quite large, there are a variety of small flowering species which are perfectly suited to be the centerpiece of your garden. If possible, go for something which won’t grow too high, which has nice flowers, and which is suited to your climate.

  1. Bottlebrush:

The bottlebrush is one of Australia’s most iconic plants, with its unique flowers and vibrant colours. If you are looking for a nice flowering native to put in your new garden, then the bottlebrush should be at the top of your list. Not only do they look great, but they attract a variety of native wildlife as well.

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Things to Consider When Planning a Patio

When you make that decision to install a patio, there’s more to it than buying materials from perthbuildingmaterials.com.au,
measuring off a chunk of your backyard and pouring the cement. But before we get into some handy tips, it should be categorically stated that in Australia, a house is not a home without a patio. The word might be Latin, from Roman days, but it was created to describe the Aussie lifestyle even before Australia was discovered!

Must Have – No Question

Because a patio is such a way of life here, there is no end to designs, paving materials, roofing styles, BBQ areas, and the finishing touch with smart looking outdoor furniture. The shape and size of your property might be important for your design, but does not affect your decision to build your patio. It’s going to be your main entertainment area and you just make sure it looks great nestled in your garden and home.

Some Considerations

Apart from being a great place to relax, for what else will you be using the patio? If you have lots of friends do you intend to entertain large groups of people, or host intimate gatherings? How close to your home should it be? Will you install a fire pit so you can be outside in the colder weather? Better you make sure the fire pit is well away from the home, as recommended by Fire Services. Just how big is your yard? A big patio will overtake a smaller yard. Do you want some sunshine or for your patio to be completely shady?

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How to Clean a Pool that Has Been Flooded

Having a pool is wonderful fun for those who enjoy swimming and water play in the hot weather.  Automatic pool cleaners really help make the hard work of keeping that pool clean much easier, especially those that can be set and forgotten while they chug away clearing out debris and even scrubbing walls.

However, if your pool is outdoors and gets flooded, it will take more than a cleaner to get rid of all that brown water and the mud that is in it – and all the mud that will accumulate on the bottom of the pool. So what is the best way to clean out a pool that is full of floodwater?

Check the surrounding area for safety

If you’ve been inundated by a raging river it is likely that the safety fence around the pool has been washed away or compromised in some way. Once the water has receded, check the area for safety before allowing anyone near it. You may have to remove flood debris from around the area, make sure there are no hidden holes and see what condition the fence is in, if it is still there. If it’s not, put a barrier in place to keep children out.

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Choosing a Security Fencing Company

When you are looking for a security fencing company, there are many from which to choose and some research and questioning can be very helpful to you for picking the right one.

It’s important that you get the best security you need for either your home or your business. It’s a basic right for a person to feel safe in their own home or in their workplace. Purchasing a security fence is an important choice whether it’s to keep dangerous intruders and criminals out or making sure that your children and pets stay within the confines of your home. Before making that final decision on the best security fencing company, do your research and due diligence and find the company that will be able to provide exactly what you need.

Reviews of Security Fencing Companies

Checking out the company you are considering on their website is a good start. Most businesses operate a website these days. From their website you will be able to get quite a bit of information about the company’s expertise, their products, and quickly see whether they are suitable for your requirements. Other info is available on the website as well, such as the length of time they have been in business, and the type of experience they have. You can probably view a portfolio of their projects and find what you are looking for. Check out their customer reviews as well to get an idea of what their previous clients think of them.

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How to Ensure Your Business Decor Welcomes Clients

Not all office decor is welcoming to clients. If they have to wait for long, providing an outdoor or veranda waiting area is often possible. Having attractive outdoor furniture for them to sit in will ensure they remain happy while waiting.

Even some medical centres have chairs in the waiting room that are so uncomfortable as to put people off going. When you come to think of it, the people who visit a medical centre are sick in some way or they wouldn’t be going there. Therefore, comfortable seating should be paramount.

Yet many, especially in country villages, offer chairs with stiff, upright backs and hard seats that are extremely uncomfortable.  When you consider that the wait times often extend to more than an hour in a busy country practice, this is a long time to sit in a chair that is horribly uncomfortable when you are feeling ill to start with.

But it is not only medical centres that could stand to have more comfortable seating. Any business that includes clients coming in to meet with the staff or manager requires a place with comfortable seating that welcomes those clients, otherwise they will go elsewhere.  Easy chairs that are not too low – and thus hard for some older people to get out of –  can easily be found at any furniture store, so why use uncomfortable furniture?

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