Today’s fashion-savvy observers are keenly aware that the “retro” look is everywhere: it’s in our cars, our clothing as well as in our furniture. Encouraging this trend in home decor are the popular home makeover television shows that have emphasized adventurous notions in home decorating. Retro chic’s bold colors and contemporary forms add fresh cheerfulness and whimsy to home interiors. The design makes adults nostalgic for childhood and the colors are reminiscent of a box of crayons.
If you aren’t sure about using bright colors – say on your walls – select neutral colors for the walls and then add punches of colors with the decorative accents in the room. Always keep in mind your family’s lifestyle and uses for the room when decorating. Decorative home accents should be complementary and fun – and durable, if there are small children in the home.
Since the emphasis is placed on cultivating “personal style” these days, try coordinating your colorful items with other decorating styles, such as Asian, Mission, or even more traditional Queen Anne-inspired styles. There are different styles, just as there are different personalities. You may enjoy a Traditional style, with classic, timeless furniture. Or perhaps Contemporary is more your style, with it’s clean, sleek lines. Romantic styles include lots of fresh flowers, soft fabrics and graceful lines. You may enjoy a Serene style of creamy neutrals, green plants and the uncluttered look. Whatever your style, you can still use today’s bright punches of color, even in moderation.
Diane Ashe has worked many years in the field of decorating and art. Bringing her talent and experience together in a new, online retail home furnishings store has allowed her the freedom to choose items that will accent any home and help others with their decorating. She has also included interesting and unusual personal gift items for customers to choose from, as well as garden accessories. You can receive more information about decorating and design at the
homedecoratingfacts.com Home Decorating Designs and Home Accent web site.
Shutters have gained favor as a versatile, affordable home décor element. They can be wood or vinyl, depending on the mood you’re trying to create. The window hardware used to affix the shutter is an important consideration, as it completes the entire look of the shutter. You can make your shutters look as ornate or as simple as you’d like, just as a result of your choice of hardware.
Shutters have come a long way in terms of function. They used to be an important part of a home, in that they were used to protect windows during storms and intruders. In recent times, they’re more of a design element, though in areas that are prone to hurricanes, shutters that protect glass from breaking are popular additions to homes. Hurricane shutters are more functional than anything. They attach permanently to the side of a house to protect a house against hurricane damage.
Vinyl shutters are most popular, and can even be made to look like wood. They’re easy care, and won’t warp, crack or swell like wood can. Vinyl is low-maintenance compared to wood, which needs fresh paint regularly. Both types of shutters can offer climate control properties, as each can be opened or closed accordingly to let in light or keep it out. They can also serve as somewhat of a barrier for drafty windows.
The window hardware, such as the shutter hinges, is an important consideration when choosing what window covering to use. They used to be made of cast iron, to withstand the rigors of opening and closing them, as well as inclement weather, but now they’re generally made of other less expensive metals like brushed nickel and brass. Many retail outlets offer vintage looking styles to capture that classic appearance but they’re made of updated materials.
Generally, strap hinges have the most universal use. They’re the ones that can be shaped like spades or arrows. They attach to the frame of the window, and stretch across the shutter itself. They’re the most commonly used now as well as throughout history. They’re also the most apparent, as they stretch over the face of the shutter. Other shutter hinges are hidden behind the shutter, and can’t be seen from the front.
When planning a home improvement project that includes hanging shutters, don’t forget the hardware. It’s a simple addition, yet it can be the difference between a simple shutter and an elaborate one.
Kenneth Morris publishes almost entirely for shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com , a web publication with topics around window hardware , home improvement and other topics. Recording his experience in detailed publications, he improved his know-how on problems relating to
While the threat from the outside world to your house can sometimes seem great, one of the most frightening things that can occur in your home is a fire. More so than natural disasters such as floods, fires damage homes across the nation in ways that are avoidable if only people would take the right steps to ensure that they do not occur.
The first thing that you need to do is to realize that nothing you can do will possibly reduce the risk of a fire to zero, so you will need to purchase adequate insurance to cover your home. This will help you, in the disastrous event of a fire at your house, cover the costs of the damage and help you get back on track. If you do not have fire protection you may find yourself in a tough situation, as your home may have been destroyed, your property damaged, or the like. Fire insurance may not be able to make it like there never was a fire at your house, but it can help ease the pain of what was lost.
In addition to a general fire insurance you will want to be sure to get specific insurance on the valuables that are inside your home. Things that are truly irreplaceable, such as heirlooms, paintings, antiques and the like are what you will want to insure in this area.
After you have insured your home and your belongings, you should begin taking the steps that are necessary to reduce the risk of fire as much as you can. Some of the more common methods of doing so are to install smoke detectors in each room of your house. While it can be a bit bothersome keeping these devices stocked with fresh batteries, there are models available that are extremely energy efficient, and the warning given by them has saved many homes, and more importantly, lives.
Another way to protect your home from fire is to have fire protection added onto the plan for your home security system. This way, the same technicians who monitor your home for intruders will also make sure that the system that warns of fire in your home is in working order. This method will work even when you are away from home, as a fire in your house will alert the security company, who will then pass the word on to whoever needs to be informed in your local area and get the fire taken care of.
Some other things that you can do involve good common sense. If you are not using your gas or electric powered equipment, then turn it off. If it will be out of use for a long period of time, disconnect it from the gas or electric line and store it properly. As you leave your home, check and make sure that you’ve left nothing plugged in or on that might start a fire. And never smoke in bed, if you are a smoker.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a rechargeablefireextinguishers.com fire extinguishers at rechargeablefireextinguishers.com rechargeablefireextinguishers.com.
Let’s start at the top – the ceiling. Painting a ceiling is a relatively easy way to change any room’s appearance. You may want traditional white paint to match or coordinate with the walls, go for a contrast, or use one of the many different techniques available today. Get creative – it’s not that difficult to paint over if you make a mistake. You might want to try hand painting wispy clouds on a sky blue ceiling. Or for more drama, how about stenciling gold stars and a moon on a midnight blue background. If painting’s not your thing, there are tons of wallpaper choices to give the ceiling a different look and texture. Also attaching fabric, straw matting or even lattice to a ceiling will add interest and a personal touch. Acoustic tile is something you might want to consider, especially if noise is a problem. Planks, as with wood floors, add a certain charm and warmth to a room. Adding beams or moldings (either real or faux) might give just the right touch. If you’re handy you may want to do it yourself or you might want to hire a professional. It depends on your budget, time and experience.
Walls – probably the largest surface of a child’s bedroom. There are many options to choose from here as well. Paint, wallpaper and paneling are probably the most common, and the easiest way to accommodate for the child’s age, needs and interests without breaking the bank. It’s a good idea to keep in mind ease of cleaning and durability when making your choice. For example, if you like wallpaper, vinyl would be a good choice because it is washable. Also, patterned wallpaper is a good disguise for less than perfect walls. It comes in a myriad of styles and colors. Paneling or wood plank walls are another option that is both durable and versatile for a child’s bedroom. The prices range greatly in this category, but will last practically forever. Painting the walls, probably the least expensive way to decorate a child’s bedroom is also the most versatile. Color, type of application and special effects are limited only by your imagination. Once again, if you make a mistake, simply paint over it!
Flooring or floor covering – generally flooring is a hard surface such as wood, tile, linoleum etc., while a floor covering would be a material such as an area rug or wall to wall carpeting. Almost any type of flooring or floor covering is suitable for a bedroom. You are limited only by your taste and pocketbook. Of course, ease of cleaning as well as comfort and durability are important considerations when choosing a floor for a child’s bedroom. For practicality many people select one of the hard surfaces available for easy upkeep and then soften the look with an area rug or scatter rugs. Just make sure they have non-slip backings or are anchored down to prevent accidents.
Windows – while providing a focal point for any room may need more coverage in a bedroom for privacy and room darkening purposes. Shades, blinds, shutters and curtains either used separately or in combination, are some of the most popular choices for window dressings. All are available in a wide range of material, colors and styles. It’s very important that before you purchase shades or blinds to have accurate measurements. This can be a rather expensive mistake, so follow directions carefully or have an expert take the measurements for you. Also, keep in mind safety factors such as keeping cords, etc. out of reach of small children. Other options for treating windows in a child’s room could be the use of frosted or stained glass (either real or an inexpensive variation). If you
don’t want to cover the window, painting or staining the molding around it to match or contrast with the walls will give the window an entirely new look.
Lighting – when choosing lighting for a child’s bedroom, think first of safety and then decorate for fun. Lamps are available in many styles, colors and themes. For small children, there are many unbreakable types. Of course, keep cords out of reach and sight if possible. However, never lay a carpet over a cord – this could be a fire hazard. Proper lighting that is not too bright so as to prevent glare is important for computer/homework areas. There are many specialty bulbs available such as one’s with a back up filament – if the first one burns out the second one continues to work. Some have programmable chips that dim the bulb over a period of time. Be careful of halogen bulbs which can become hot – make sure they are surrounded by a guard. Use only bulbs that are recommended by the fixture’s manufacturer. It’s also a good idea to provide a nightlight with a built in sensor, and a wall mounted flashlight for emergencies.
Choosing furniture for your child’s bedroom. Of course, the age of the child is probably the most important consideration here. For an infant, some parents start out with a bassinette or cradle, while others may want to use a crib. Just make sure they meet all safety standards. This information is easily attainable. Other items needed for a baby’s room might be a changing table, dresser or chest of drawers, toy storage and perhaps a rocking chair or other sitting area for tired mom or dad. Whether purchased new, used, handmade, or handed down, safety is the first factor. Sharp corners, loose hardware, or improperly fitting mattress are some things to look for. Once that is taken care of, have fun choosing a theme or color that you feel your baby would enjoy.
For an older child’s bedroom you may want to include a night stand, a sturdy size table and chairs (for those very important tea parties or crafts), and more storage for the ever increasing supply of toys. Teens would appreciate a desk for homework, an entertainment center, a dresser with a mirror or a vanity table. The selection of these items depends upon things that you might already have, the size of the room, your and your child’s taste, and of course your budget.
Visit 1st-home-decorating-ideas.com/ Home Decorating for more great decorating ideas
Nothing makes clearer the importance of water than a large disaster; clean, fresh water becomes more valuable than gold. It’s easy to forget that without water, we just can’t survive. 60 percent of our bodies are water, in fact for infants, water makes up about 80 percent of their body, so it is even more vital they have access to clean drinking water.
Unfortunately, following large-scale disasters, it’s not unusual that water supplies may be cut off temporarily or be rendered unfit for consumption. Everyone should know the following tips about safe drinking water in emergency situations.
Preparedness is Everything: The advice comes over and over, but most people still are not ready when disaster hits. You must maintain a supply of clean drinking water someplace safe in your home. You can survive a week without food, if necessary, but even one or two days without water can be fatal.
In terms of how much water is needed to be stored, you need to drink at least two quarts a day of water. Enough water for all the members of your family for at least a few days is a good idea. You can store water yourself in your own containers; anything glass, and clean, thoroughly washed plastic containers with caps work well. Seal water tightly in their containers and store them in someplace cool and dark in your home. Make sure to change new water regularly; once every six months.
Finding Safe Drinking Water: If you do run out of water during an emergency, or are trapped somewhere without ready access to clean drinking water, you’ll need to know what’s safe to drink, and what isn’t.
After a disaster, possible sources of safe drinking water in your home include the water from your hot water tank, the water from your toilet tank (not the bowl, but the water from your tank, but if it is chemical-free), and water trapped in your water pipes. Melt any ice cubes that you may have stored.
Avoid using water from waterbeds as drinking water, since they are treated with chemicals unsafe for drinking. You can use waterbed water for washing, though. Outside your home try to locate streams, rivers, lakes, or other sources of fresh water. Never drink floodwater; it is usually contaminated with bacteria and chemicals. Do save rainwater that may fall for drinking.
Purifying Water in an Emergency: If you cannot locating safe drinking water during an emergency, then any water you find that does not look clear, or which you believe may be contaminated, should be purified before drinking.
The best and easiest way to purify water is by boiling. Disease-bearing microorganisms cannot survive in high temperatures. Boil the water for about one minute. For improved taste, pour the water back and forth from one clean container to another.
If you’re unable to boil your water, treat it chemically before drinking. Household chlorine bleach can be used to treat your water. Use an eyedropper, to drop eight drops of bleach into each gallon of water to be treated. Make sure the chlorine you use lists hypochlorite as its only active ingredient; any extra chemicals or fragrances will only further contaminate the water. Stir the water and allow it to stand at least 30 minutes. When the water appears clear, it is likely safe to drink. If it is still murky or clouded, put in eight more drops and let stand another 30 minutes.
Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you can read tips on
onlinetips.org/home-security-monitoring home alarm monitoring, and onlinetips.org/home-security-products home security services and products.
Baker’s Racks one the one piece of furniture that has a long history of being part of the home. From the early 17th century though the present, they have been used as a cooling rack or hutch to store items in.
Here recently they are regaining favor to decorate your home with old world charm.
In the past old world bakers would use these racks for cooling breads, and they eventually made their way into the home. Often made of steel or iron they were used to cool the big trays of baked goods as they came out of the ovens. In old world neighborhoods these racks would find their way to the street where residents could preview the baked goods that were available. One of the benefits to using these bakers racks to cool is they allowed for the cooling process to be equally distributed so baked goods maintained their integrity.
A variation was added where as a hutch replaced some of the upper shelves allowing storage. As they migrated to the home the baker’s racks became far more decorative and became an accent piece of furniture. They started being made in wood and wrought iron. Some added hutches to the top or cabinets to the underneath creating a storage solution as well as a wonderful way to allow home made baked-goods to cool and cure.
Bakers racks in the 21st century may not be used as they once where. They have regained fashion as a way as an accent piece. Most do not use the rack to cool pies or home made bread. Instead they have come a way to display collections of books, plants and knick-knacks. In many cases the plain steel rack is now become ornate and decorative. Some are understated and simple, adding a quiet class to sense of class to a room.
Overall most people who purchase bakers racks, have a find it really does ad some charm and class to their home. When looking for one deciding what you would like it to accomplish, storage design or both. That will help you pick the one best for you. But no matter what you choose, it’s a great way to decorate and organize at the same time.
Beth Guide is the webmaster of racksandthings.net Racks and Things
I recently discovered an inexpensive, eco-friendly product to supplement your home heating system. It’s a compact, but efficient, solar powered room heater designed to be installed in the south facing rooms of your house or apartment.
Since it’s powered by the sun, and heats with hot air, the only mechanical or moving part is a simple fan that draws room temperature air into the heating panel through a series of heating channels, and then exhausts the heated air back into the room.
The basic solar window heater is 20″ x 32″ x 3.5″ and framed in clear pine for painting or staining. Think of it as a box with an aluminum panel (collector) behind a sheet of air tight Plexiglas on the outside, and a sheet of thin wood on the inside to trap the collected heat.
Within the box are two baffles configured to look like a maze. This allows for a continuous stream of air to be heated as it is drawn through the box by the fan.
The aluminum collector panel is finished in flat black to maximize heat absorption from the sun. On a day with full sun, the panel will reach temperatures of 140 – 170 degrees.
A newer version of the solar window heater replaces the aluminum panel with high quality copper, also finished in flat black.
Located inside the panel is a thermostat switch. When the temperature of the heated air reaches 120 degrees, the switch automatically turns on the fan. When the air temperature cools to 90 degrees or less, the fan shuts itself off.
The small, efficient fan will move 102 cubic feet of air per minute or about 6,000 cubic feet per hour. The cost of electricity to operate the fan is around $3.00 per year.
The basic model sells for around $150.00. The newer, copper lined solar window heater sells for an additional $10.
The electrical components are available separately for $42.95. They include the fan, thermostat, junction control box and transformer. If you’re handy, you could probably build your own solar window heater for around $80.
This is not necessarily an easy question to answer right off the top of your head. For you see there are many important variables that must be considered before making the decision on how to best protect your home. Do not take this lightly and make the mistake of rushing into this decision. The wrong decision can cost you time energy & money in the long run.
As a home security system consultant, I have seen many people regret their mistakes when choosing a burglar alarm system to protect their home & loved ones.
How much is peace of mind worth to you?
Many uneducated consumers have made their decision based on the “price” of the security system alone.
Now, before you assume that I say that because I sell security systems for a living…
Please rest assured that sometimes the least expensive option is the best way to go.
Other times…being only concerned about the “price” may compromise the safety of your home & loved ones.
Either way, being educated about the following items will help you to make a better choice.
1) Do It Yourself Home Security.
Is protecting your home & loved ones something that you want to tackle on your own?
What if the equipment is not the most up to date technology available?
Are you going to settle for a DIY security system that is sold in retail stores?
Is it really going to save you money if you have to pay retail prices for the equipment?
Who is going to handle warrantee issues?
Don’t get me wrong…some protection is better than no protection. But is the “price” worth the “cost”?
2) Hard Wired Security System.
Was your home or small business pre-wired for security when it was built?
Do you have full access to run wires now?
What are some of the things you should look for and some of the things you want to avoid when hard wiring your home?
3) Wireless Security System
Should I consider a Wireless security system?
Will I be able to afford all of the sensors needed to fully protect all of my doors & windows?
Or will I have to settle for maybe only protecting 3 or 4 of the most accessible to break ins?
4) How Will I Monitor My Home Security System?
Will I choose to monitor my system at all?
Should I use a local monitoring company?
Or take advantage of the benefits a national monitoring company brings?
5) What burglar alarm equipment should I install?
Should I protect only my doors?
How many accessible windows do I have?
Is there an advantage to getting a second keypad?
Where is the best place to install glass break detectors & motion sensors?
These are just a few things to consider before choosing a security alarm system for your home. Take the time to plan it out ahead. Do your research. Talk to friends and neighbors & ask what they would do differently next time. Finally, talk to a professional they have a wealth of knowledge to share.
A home theater system is one of the electronics equipments by which any one can feel the excitement of theatre at home. A quality home theater system will give you the benefits of the latest media technologies and the satisfaction at par. Truly speaking Whether you are showing a watching your favorite television program, showing a great movie, or playing the hottest tunes, a home theater system will give you the most from whatever media you choose. There are a variety of creative installation ideas that will turn your living room in to a true home theater experience. If a perfect and qualitative speaker is attached to it they nothing to say.
Home theater systems have made dramatic improvements with the introduction of latest technologies. Fortunately for us, the price for a quality home theater system is also going down. Generally, the price of the system increases as you opt for more qualitative, powerful and more versatile features in addition to the Hi Fi brands. The key to successfully incorporating your new home theater system is to get creative with the ways you install your speakers. Home theater speakers come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes that make them easier to disguise within the decorations and furnishing of your home interiors.
Let’s know how successfully installation of the home theater system speakers in order to get maximum sound and attractive arrangement. To this it is most important to note that the placement of the speaker in the room. It is important to note that there are different types of speaker available, like Bookcase Speakers, Ceiling Mount Speakers, and Free Standing Speakers. Many home theater speakers will come with freestanding mounts that sit right behind your couch or recliner, improving your total sound enjoyment and feel like the perfect Dolby theatre effect.
Last but not the least the unique types of system are provides endless stress free environment and passed your leisure at home.
i-Speakers.com Speakers provides detailed information on Speakers, Car Speakers, Wireless Speakers, Home Theater Speakers and more. Speakers is affiliated with e-RemoteControls.com TV Remote Controls.
Ok, so your thinking about a good way to brighten up part of your home.
Learning How to Install Tile may be a good way to do just that.
Sure anyone can do it, its easy! That is just what I thought too.
Oh boy what a mess. I’m still getting grief from the fountain of all knowledge and she has also informed all her talkative mates too.
I still get ribbed down the pub too. Is your floor flat or do the bumps come as a designer extra. Yea, yea the Rockies are smoother than your floor. It hurts.
If your thinking about taking on some serious tile work,get to know the basics at least.
Read up about the subject. Give some thought on how you want the finished job to look. Will it fit in with your existing color scheme? Consult your wife or partner. This alone may be quite an eye opener. May be she has different views or they are not what you had in mind. Should you get a craftsman in to do it. Do it yourself or a friend is a dab hand at it. What will it take to get them interested in doing the work? A few beers or a hill of cash? These thoughts may seem a bit silly but what your really doing is starting a plan of action.
There is nothing worse than starting a job and losing interest in it. You will then need to either clean it up or get someone in to finish it off.
So now your starting to think about a few things. This is good.
Here is a few more things you may need to consider.
How will your project enhance the value of your home? Should you use a bright light color to give a feeling of air and space or a darker feel for a moody feeling. An example would be shades of blue in a bathroom or shower area. What sort of tile will you use?
Plain or pattern. You may start getting a few ideas by looking how others have done theirs. Look at magazines, buildings or images on line for some inspiration.
So you now have a good ideas what sort of result you are looking for. Now what is the best way to do it. If money is no object,just book in workman. Most of us need to watch the pennies and doing it yourself is a real option. There is no reason why you can not do it. You just need a little guidance on how to install tile.
Good tiling.
By Malcolm Ross.
How to Install Tile squidoo.com/How-to-Install-Tile/ squidoo.com/How-to-Install-Tile/
