Monthly Archives: May 2010

When to Avoid Using a Scarf Valance

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When shopping for valances for windows, you need to think about which types of valance are suitable for the room you have in mind. For example, there are very crisp swags and tails which are most suitable for formal rooms in traditional style and which would be too staid for a child’s bedroom or bathroom. Although scarf valances are very popular at the moment, as far as window treatments are concerned, and can be seen in the latest glossy interior design magazines, they are not right for every situation. Here are some reasons why a scarf valance may not be the best choice.

Toile Valance with Contrasting Bells
Creative Commons License photo credit: Posh Living, LLC

1. Style of Room

The scarf valance is beautifully informal and soft but this means it does not go with more stylized contemporary interiors, which rely on straight edges and geometric prints. It is also unsuitable for a traditional room full of dark wooden furniture and classic colors. The draping qualities of a scarf valance are much more suitable for a softer style room such as a romantic bedroom or country style kitchen – the fabric of the valance helps determine the exact style.

2. Your Creativity

Many valances you buy ready made or order from a curtain maker are pretty much fixed in style and you just have to hang them up. A scarf valance, however, may rely on you draping it in a creative way over a drapery rod or pole. If you are worried by that, you are better to choose a different style of valance.

3. Need for an “Expensive Look”

Scarf valances have a cheap and cheerful look about them and they are, in fact, usually much lower in cost than other types of more formal valances. If you want your home to look as if you spent a lot of money on it (even if you didn’t) scarf valances are not going to help your cause.

Conservatory Roof Blinds Have Samantha Dazzled.

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I dropped in to see my old classmate Samantha and her husband last week.  I heard that they had built a new sunroom and I wanted to see their conservatory roof blinds, which I had heard were beautiful.  When I called, Samantha and Jake were actually in the conservatory relaxing and were glad to show me the conservatory and especially the blinds.

‘When we were looking into building a conservatory, we found out that there can be enormous temperature fluctuations in conservatories over a 24 hour period.  This is because of all of the glazing that is present’, said Samantha.  ‘Because we wanted to use the room all year round, we had to put in good insulation and protection so that we can control the heat loss and gain.  The conservatory roof blinds are part of that protection’.

Hot colors of Lilies
Creative Commons License photo credit: DianthusMoon

Jake added that roof and window blinds are particularly helpful in their conservatory as they have quite a few high buildings around them and the blinds give them additional privacy if they want it.  ‘But the blinds are there mainly to protect us from the sun’, he said. ’ You can get a lot of UV rays entering a sunroom during the hottest parts of the day and that is not good for humans or for furniture’.

Samantha and Jake had chosen a pinoleum style of blind, which are wooden slats that are woven into the blind and give it a very attractive look.  The told me they could have chosen from a great range of available conservatory roof blinds, but that the were attracted to this style.

‘We could have gone a different direction on this if we had wanted to’, said Samantha.  ‘There were options to choose solar controlled glass, treated polycarbonate glazing with solar protection, we could have fitted solar insets into polycarbonate and there were many other suggestions’.  She said in the end they went for the conservatory roof blinds because in addition to giving them the protection they wanted for the conservatory, the roof blinds also made the room look very finished and comfortable.

Add A Flourish To Your Patio Or Landscape With Specialized Lighting

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When you practice the art of landscaping you are trying to maximize the natural beauty around your home. You have to have passion and inspiration to create a truly beautiful home landscape. If you really want to complete the landscape design of your yard or garden area you must add landscape lighting to the formula. Additionally, lighting is one of the best patio ideas you can use to really add atmosphere.

Please keep the safety of others as well as your own safety in mind when designing landscape lighting. It is important to control potential hazards such as stray wires in order to avoid accidents.

Always double-check your work before electrifying your final project. It’s also essential to protect your lighting and other electrically powered features from kids and pets. Just think, you wouldn’t want a stray to wander into your yard and dig up your plantings or even mark your lights as his territory.

Of course, you must understand when and how you can best use landscape lighting to accent your property. From dusk into deepening night are the best hours for the use of landscape lighting.

You can only get a real benefit from the effects of your landscape lighting you place around your home and garden in the dark. The dramatic elegance of a planting can be doubled or tripled by using the appropriate effects lighting.

The look of yellow tinted lighting lends a sense of classic grandeur to the home it displays and it works great with stone patio ideas like flagstone or brick. On the other hand, mellow orange tints make spaces feel cozy and inviting. Clean white light can bring with it a sense of order and a more modern statement.

It can be quite difficult to pick the correct landscape lighting for your application simply because there is such a huge variety of options to choose from. When it comes down to it the most important thing about the choices that you make is that they suit your personal tastes. Keep in mind that the whole purpose of doing all this is for your own enjoyment.

Patio downstairs
Creative Commons License photo credit: austins_irish_pirate

Using a floor mirror in your bedroom decor

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Floor mirrors are great additions to a bedroom.  They provide many practical as well as decorative benefits.  They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and price ranges.  Let’s take a few moments to review some basic information in regards to a free standing mirror. You can find many great decorative suggestions at floors-web.com.

When choosing a floor mirror it is important to define what your use of the mirror will be.  Do you want it purely decorative?  Do you want it to be functional?  How much space to you have available to position the mirror?  All of this information is vital to assisting you to choose the right mirror for the right space.

A Child of Our Times ?
Creative Commons License photo credit: gazzat

Functional uses for a full length mirror are diverse.  There is the standard use of using it for dressing and grooming.  It will help reflect light around a room and make the room look brighter.  Strategically placed it can assist a room in looking bigger.  There are many functional reasons to include a free standing mirror in your decor.

Decorative uses often overlap with the functional.  Use of light and reflection can aid in highlighting areas of the bedroom.  An elegant wood mirror adds to the feeling of grandeur in a room.  The mirrors are usually very decorative and in and of themselves are works of art.  They come in varying styles from traditional to modern.Their purpose and presence in a bedroom is so much nicer than the standard full length mirror on the back of the closet door.

So as you can see a full length standing mirror can really be of benefit in your bedroom decorating scheme.  It offers functionality and style all wrapped up in one item. It will last for many years.  While most decorative mirrors are placed in master bedrooms don’t forget the kids as well.  A smaller scale version can serve the same purposes in their rooms.

Utilizing A Garage Floor Coating

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When the weather starts to turn warm, it is the perfect time to start looking around for outdoor home improvement projects to take care of. One part of your property that probably is often overlooked is your garage.

Since it is far too damp and cold to work outside during the winter. You may be tempted to work on landscaping during the summer months but this is actually the best time to take a look at your garage and make it safer for your family. Many people are injured every year when they slip and fall in their own garage. Any garage floor coating that possesses anti-slip properties will give you the proper traction needed when there is oil or rain water on the ground. Any kind of moisture at all will make the floor slippery and potentially dangerous.

Coating your garage floor will take approximately one full day of work but you will need to let it dry between steps. The best way to do this is set aside two half days during the weekend for the project. A product that is epoxy based is the best to use. This type of coating costs a little bit more but the durability is worth the investment. There are garage floor paints that are available for a lot less money but they will wear off within a couple years if used in a area that gets heavy traffic. An epoxy coating can last for up to fifteen years.

Rustic journey
Creative Commons License photo credit: fmgbain

The first part of the project involves cleaning the garage floor with an industrial strength degreaser. This will remove any petroleum that has dripped out of your car. Do not make the mistake of skipping this step. Any petroleum left behind will cause the coating to bubble and it will refuse to stick. When you have thoroughly cleaned the floor, leave it to dry overnight.

On the following day, combine the hardener and resin and apply this mixture to the floor by covering an area of around six square feet. Roll the mixture on just like you would paint. Scatter the non-slip substance across the surface over the mixture. Repeat this process until the entire floor has been covered.

Let the coating set for at least eighteen hours before you walk on it for the first time. You should wait a minimum of three days before you drive your car on it.

Tips and Advices When Buying Office Chairs

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When buying desk chairs, such as a brown leather office chair, there are considerations that must be stringently assessed to ensure a good buy. With a number of viable desk chair models to select from, expect that spotting the most appropriate one wouldn’t be a simple task. However, you can make things easier by using the following tips.

Figure out the type of desk that you require: Keep in mind that desk chairs are sold in different variants, which is why you have to be certain on what you are looking for. Decide whether you need a high-back, ergonomic, or reclining chair. High-back office chairs are ideal for those who want to relieve back and neck tension. These chairs are designed to lessen the likeliness of straining by providing a well-cushioned back support. Meanwhile, if you are looking for adjustable chairs that can be tilted slightly, then the posture desk chair is the one for you. As for those who want to promote healthy seating postures, the ergonomic chair is the best option.

retro deco
Creative Commons License photo credit: hermitsmoores

Choose between mobile and stationary chairs: Chairs featuring casters are much efficient in terms of mobility and freedom of movement. On the contrary, stationary chairs are designed to stay firmly in place. If you decide to opt for mobile chairs, you still have to choose between two general types – the full-motion and rolling chair. Full-motion mobile chairs are the perfect option for those who want to enjoy full range of movement, whereas the rolling variety will only allow you to move the chair back and forth.

Inspect the type of upholstery that they carry: Normally most office chairs feature leather upholsteries. This is mainly because leather is more professional looking than other types of fabrics.

Whether you are planning to purchase a brown leather office chair or other types, this article will definitely help to point you to the right direction.

How to recycle your glider bench correctly

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Glider benches last for a long, long time, some models so long that they got named Lifetime Glider Benches! But nevertheless, nothing lasts forever and before you can bring a new bench into your garden or porch, you have to get rid of the old one. First of all you have to determine if your glider bench could simply find a new home with somebody else. If it is still in a reasonable state and working order you could put it up on Craigslist or similar and see if you get any takers. If it definitively beyond further use you have to look into proper recycling for it. What you can and can’t do depends mainly on the material your gliding bench is made from and on the facilities of the town you live in. Lets look at the last one first:

empty benches
Creative Commons License photo credit: Roubicek

Many towns and cities have nowadays proper recycling places to where you can bring things you don’t need anymore and they get professionally recycled. Some even offer pick-up services for big and heavy items such as outdoor furniture. So, all you need to do is to check your yellow pages for the next recycling facility and off goes your bench!

If you don’t have such a place nearby, you need to dismantle it yourself and place the pieces in the correct recycling bins. Glider benches are mainly made from metal, plastic and wood and generally easy to take apart. Whilst metal and plastic go simply into the appropriate bin, the wood you can “recycle” yourself by using it in your fireplace or by making a bonfire. Make sure the treatment used on the wood (varnish etc.) doesn’t smell bad or produces a lot of extra smoke that could harm your chiminea or breathing when burned. Try a small piece first, if all what you can smell is wood smoke, you are good to go to saw up the rest and use it in your fireplace.

Please, never, ever, try to burn plastic, the smokes and fumes that are produced are very harmful for you and for the environment! Always recycle your plastic benches properly!

Ideas and Design Concepts for Outdoor Kitchens

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Submitted by your friends at PatioCoversPlace.com

Within the past 5-10 years, homeowners have changed the way that they think about their backyard patio areas. One of the biggest trends that is emerging is with the use of outdoor rooms as more usable square footage of one’s home. In other words, the patio and backyard spaces has become something of an extension – outdoors – of a lifestyle. This trend has found its way into homes occupied by people of all family backgrounds and styles. It doesn’t matter if it is a bachelor’s home or a ‘yuppie’ couple who enjoys entertaining, design ideas can be suited to fit both.

One of the most usable types of rooms outdoors is the kitchen. In terms of outdoor kitchen designs, the sky is the limit. Just as imaginative and creative you can get with your kitchen indoors, you can do the same with the outdoor space. Outdoor kitchens have really come a long way in a short period of time. There used to be a time when you would be considered pretty hot stuff if you had a sink in a counter top out by your grill. That was about as extensive as the outdoor kitchen concept was a few short years ago. Now, there are entire kitchens set up outdoors – seating, grilling, ovens, refrigerators, wine chillers or coolers, even dishwashers if you go to that extent.

Sure, there are still sinks for outdoor kitchen use, but they are just as large and user-friendly as any indoor model. You used to find those outdoor sinks much smaller and hooked up to a hose line. This is still one way to have them installed, but if you plan on using your kitchen with any degree of moderate to heavy activity, have it hooked into your home’s water line, it will be the best idea in the end.

The only main distinction between the indoor and outdoor materials and appliances is that outdoors you need to ensure they are waterproof. For obvious reasons, the mat
erials and appliances are exposed to the elements year round. You can still use wood for the cabinetry, you just need to use something like a cedar or redwood, maybe teak, to give you a good weather-resistant material. The appliances do well using materials that you might find in a commercial kitchen. So, stainless steel is a good idea. It looks good and can be cleaned easily enough outdoors.

Something to consider regarding your counter tops is the use of brick or stone. These make for the longest lasting and resilient surfaces outdoors. Once you’ve got these outdoor kitchen plans set, you can start thinking about how you’ll make a room out of it. If you already have a covered patio of some sort, then you can just expand upon it. If not, building a patio cover that will be used as the framework or skeleton for this outdoor space is a great idea. You’ll start with the flooring and work your way up.

Oaxaca: Cooking at Senora Soledad's
Creative Commons License photo credit: xoxoryan

The floor of your kitchen should be something that will not be slippery when wet. A paver or flagstone material is a great choice. Likewise, a natural stone or even brick can work in this space. If you already have a slab, you can use an outdoor rug to give you some traction and cushioning for your legs and back. Standing outdoors for long periods will begin to wear on your bones. This isn’t how you want your patio space to treat you! There are no specific rules to follow when designing outdoor kitchens, so just make them fit your lifestyle and enjoy!

Benefits of Stainless Steel Undermount Kitchen Sinks

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When remodelling your kitchen there are certain things you want to look for when choosing your kitchen sink. You want a visually pleasing design, durability, functionality, and affordability. One option offering a nice compromise between these criteria, is the combination of the modern and stylish design of undermount kitchen sinks, and the durable and affordable material stainless steel, resulting in stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks.

New Countertop, Before & After
Creative Commons License photo credit: sea turtle

Benefits of Undermount Kitchen Sinks

A undermount kitchen sink is a sink fitted underneath the counter top, such that there is no visible area where the sink and the counter meets. It gives a modern and elegant look, putting a clear emphasis on clean lines. An additional benefit of this design is the fact that it can actually make cleaning easier. One of the hardest areas of the sink to clean has traditionally been where the sink and the counter top meets. When cleaning your kitchen you will really appreciate not having to deal with it anymore.

Benefits of Using Steel

There is a reason why stainless steel is such a popular material in kitchens. Stainless steel is very durable and highly resistant to stains and corrosion. Cleaning it is easy. From time to time it can be a good idea to wipe it with a rag and a polish designed specifically for stainless steel, this will help keep the finish intact. In day to day cleaning, however, wiping with a rag soaked in warm water will usually be enough. Finally, it is a relatively inexpensive material. An important factor when trying to avoid the costs of remodeling to get out of hand.

As should now be clear, stainless steel undermount kitchen sinks offer a lot of benefits. It is a stylish, minimalistic, and functional design, and it utilizes a functional, durable, and relatively inexpensive material. If these are criteria that you value highly, a stainless steel undermount kitchen sink might be for you.

Considering Bamboo Flooring?

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Bamboo flooring has become a more popular choice for home owners. A lot of people take into consideration the sustainability factors of bamboo flooring. Bamboo floors are viewed as an extremely green product because he flooring is produced by some of the quickest growing trees, which allows large quantities of the flooring to be produced in a short amount of time. People enjoy the visual appearance of bamboo because it provides a beauty that is unlike any other wood flooring type.

Bamboo is considered to be an extremely durable surface, with a strength that is twenty five percent harder than red oak, and just as strong. Bamboo is able to be stained, which allows for a variety of finishes for the flooring.

These floors are constructed by slicing bamboo into long strips. They are then boiled and glued into boards for additional structure and support. This flooring is a great project for any Do It Yourself home improvement person because it is just as easy to install as any other type of wood flooring, and will have a great return regarding your home’s value.

After installing bamboo hardwood flooring, use a damp mop with no-wax floor cleaner for hard wood floors to clean the surface. Continue to dust mop regularly and sweep with soft bristle brooms. Scuff marks can be removed easily by rubbing a cloth with floor cleaner to the marked area.

As with most hard wood floors, it is recommended to remove shoes or wear only clean shoes on the surface. This will eliminate any dust or dirt damage to the floor. Using place mats is also recommended for high traffic areas.

Always remember when you are moving furniture, lift the furniture. Do not drag the furniture unless it has felt covers on the bottom to prevent any scratching or damage to the floor.

DSC_1478
Creative Commons License photo credit: kdale