For even the most ardent devotee of the urban lifestyle, there comes a point when living in the crowded city surrounded by the concrete jungle isn’t fun anymore. The costs associated with urban living can put a real strain on a family’s financial resources, often limiting home decor purchases. A move to the suburbs is a lifestyle choice that many make as they look to settle down and start a family. The ‘burbs mix the benefits of the city – a sense of community – with the landscape of the country.

For the first time suburban homeowner, there is one issue that rears itself almost immediately; additional rooms to furnish. There is an exciting and creative opportunity in all of that newfound space – now you can fill it up.

Unlike the urban setting where the living room often serves two or three different functions, the suburban living room is a far more formal environment. Upholstered and slip covered chairs are popular choices. Storage requirements tend to focus on displaying books, family photos, and artwork; making traditional hardwood bookshelves and wall units appropriate and rather popular. Throw pillows are an excellent way to infuse some color into a formal setting.

The suburban dining room also serves a more formal function, inviting the use of larger extension dining tables, china cabinets, hutches, and wine cabinets.

The family room or den experiences the greatest amount of traffic and use in most suburban homes, subjecting furniture and flooring to a great deal of wear. As the room is likely to serve as a playroom for children, the home media center, and a general family meeting place, storage space and functionality is key. Entertainment centers with storage space for music and films are available in a multitude of styles and finishes and represent the best option for organizing the room around a central point. Seating should be generous and inviting and selected based on its ability to withstand a great deal of use. The selection of lighting and flooring should be consistent with the type of user and the level of foot traffic expected.

The bedroom is a very personal space. It should reflect one’s tastes, and be a fun place to relax and sleep. The suburban bedroom usually has a size advantage over its urban counterpart. Bedroom suites, including dressing tables, armoires, and media furniture are far easier to place in the suburban bedroom, giving the homeowner far more leeway when it comes to decoration options. Both traditional and contemporary bedroom furniture are popular in suburban bedrooms.

Kids’ bedroom furniture should reflect their need to socialize, study, and unwind. It should also allow them to foster their creativity and growing independence. Storage furniture should be accessible, modular, and durable. It has also become quite trendy in the suburbs to outfit children’s bedrooms in such a manner that their sleeping, studying, and media space are all connected. Bunk beds and desk/loft bed combinations are a good alternative and available in a number of styles for both boys and girls.

Decorating your first suburban home can be an expensive proposition, but one it can be done tastefully and that allows you to express your individuality in a rather safe environment. It should be a fun process that makes your new home, an inviting and engaging place to spend time.

Read more furniture tips at home-furniture-guide.com Home-Furniture-Guide.com, the consumer resource for the furniture industry.

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One of the most appealing things about teak chairs is the vast array of choices in design. From rocking chairs to dining chairs there is a style that is suitable for every taste and the décor of any room. Although may people initially choose chairs made of teak for their craftsmanship, they quickly fall in love with the beauty of the wood.

Perhaps the most popular and in demand style in teak chairs are those that can be used with a teak dining table. These can be purchased in a set – with several chairs all matching one table. This is a wise investment for individuals who have the resources to purchase the set all at one time. Others prefer to buy the set in stages, purchasing a table and then teak chairs. In the latter case quite often the table and chairs won’t match perfectly but will certainly complement one another.

In the case of teak dining chairs there are a couple of different options and the final choice is really dependent on personal taste and the space involved. The more informal style of dining chair doesn’t have arms. These work well if used in a kitchen as opposed to dining room. They are easy to move and can fit well under any size table.

The other style is considered more formal and can often be seen in an actual dining area. They have arms and the craftsmanship may also be more intricate than the informal style. A nice alternative is to combine the two styles by having two arm chairs at the heads of the table, and two or four armless chairs on the sides.

Another type of chair that can be found in many homes is a rocking chair made of teak. These teak chairs look charming when placed in the room of a newborn. They also serve a function for a parent who enjoys rocking their baby to sleep. Of course, there’s no requirement that a baby be in the household for a family to enjoy the relaxation that can be found in sitting in a teak rocking chair reading or listening to music.

Bar stools can also be made of teak. Not only do these types of teak chairs look fantastic in a kitchen or entertainment room setting, but they can be used outdoors as well. Next to a teak bar, these teak chairs fit perfectly with the ambiance of a summer pool party or romantic evening for two. They withstand the elements well and when purchased for outdoor use, the owner can expect to enjoy them for years to come.

For convenience there are several different types of folding teak chairs. These can be used for many different purposes and having a few in the home is a wonderful idea. They can be stored in a small space and pulled out at a moment’s notice. Many people keep a few on hand for unexpected company or a rousing game of poker.

So no matter what your style or event, a teak chair is a great choice.

Jennifer Akre, Owner of numerous teak furniture and patio furniture websites, gives the online consumer product information making it easy to a find fabulous morethanteak.com/teak-chairs-information.html” target=”_new teak outdoor chairs and morethanteak.com/teak-chairs.html” target=”_new teak chairs. A symbol of style and elegance. These are a few reasons teak patio furniture is the ideal choice for outdoor furniture and remains a sound investment. You deserve it – Endulge Yourself: morethanteak.com” target=”_new Teak Patio Furniture.

Most of the time, people turn off all the lights when watching movies at home and to them this is pretty much what home theater lighting means but it is actually quite the opposite. Notice the lighting in an actual move theater. You are not watching the movie in total darkness but rather in very dim lighting coming from only the sides of the theater.

Keeping some light on prevents the eyes from strain that happens when a person stares at a bright and only source of light in a room. Home theater lighting should recreate this environment for the same purpose of preventing eye fatigue or even headaches after you and your family watch a two-hour long movie.

Whether intentional or not, any form of lighting affects the feel of a room. Home theater lighting should work to enhance the viewing experience of a person. It should create a certain ambience just like in an actual theater that puts the viewers in the mood for watching a movie. You cannot achieve this using fluorescent lights. You need to install dimming lights or variable lights for effective home theater lighting.

Variable lighting works perfectly either in a dedicated home theater room or in a home theater/living room. Consider a central control for lighting or a dimmer switch to allow you to adjust the light in the room easily according to your needs – whether you will be watching a movie, entertaining guests, or reading a book.

Another thing you have to consider when planning home theater lighting is not only where to position the lights but where to position the television. Home theater lighting should never make use of any direct lighting and ideally, the home theater should have no windows to avoid glare. However, in most cases, the home theater is also the living room so you need to place the television where natural light coming from the windows will not reflect on the screen. Position the TV at an angle to the room’s main window to reduce glare or use heavy curtains.

If remote-controlled variable lighting is more than your budget can allow, you can use wall sconces instead for your home theater lighting. Choose those with low wattage bulbs. Place a wall sconce on each side of the screen to create a relaxing ambiance to the room fit for movie watching. Effective home theater lighting does not have to be very expensive. It just needs some careful study and planning.

Milos Pesic owns a popular and comprehensive home-theatre.need-to-know.net/ Home Theater web site. For more articles and resources on home theater systems, projectors, seatings, home theater reviews and much more visit his site at:

=> home-theatre.need-to-know.net/ home-theatre.need-to-know.net/

Furniture themes often can be categorized by their nuances. Asian theme furniture, however, is distinct, unique and definitely on the rise.

One of the fastest rising trends in furniture is Asian theme furniture. Although Asian theme furniture has typically referred to furniture from Japan and China, it has now expanded to include many other countries. Because of this, furniture made in this theme can vary greatly.

Asian theme furniture really gained notoriety when the ideas of feng shui became popular. Feng shui is a way of interior design that focuses on energy in a room and maintaining that positive energy in your home. This philosophy originated in Asia and has spread across the world, and with it came a desire to incorporate Asian themes into the home. In the beginning, wall hangings, bamboo plants, or paintings were what was selected, but now you can find Asian theme furniture in many homes located throughout North America and Europe.

One reason Asian theme furniture is so popular is because it incorporates elements of nature, invoking a calm and peaceful feeling. It is because of this that you will often find Asian theme furniture in doctor’s offices or in a business environment. One popular choice are painted screens. These can be used to separate a room, or to block off an area used for storage. Asian theme couches are quite comfortable, but are understated. You will not find huge pillows or overstuffed cushions. Instead, the furniture has clean lines and typically include beautiful fabrics that draw attention to the piece in a subtle manner. You will find many fabric choices in Asian theme furniture, from silks to textured cotton. For this reason, it is often easy to incorporate a couch or chair into an established room.

The wood used in Asian theme furniture is typically rich, and rosewood is no exception. This beautiful wood comes from countries such as Laos, Burma, and China. It is a great choice for furniture because it is sturdy and holds up well, without giving up any of the aesthetic value of the piece. You will also see leather and even paper accents in this theme furniture.

Because of the popularity of Asian theme furniture, there are many companies which produce reproduction furniture. Depending on your budget, you might want to consider a reproduction piece, but you will often find authentic pieces of furniture for reasonable prices. Asian theme furniture is appropriate in almost any room in your house, and will fit in well with casual or formal homes.

Learn more about furniturestoresforyou.com/furniture-styles furniture styles at FurnitureStoresforYou.com.

To restore a house in an Edwardian style it’s important to understand as much as you can about the period and the way in which they decorated to make sure you make the most of your antiques fireplace and mantelpiece.

The change from the Victorian period to the Edwardian was significant. In society the reign of Queen Victoria was a period of understated modesty. With the beginning of the Edwardian period came a desire to experiment with new and fresh ideas with a strong look to the past. Out were dark staid designs and in were more bold decoration and furniture.

The increasing availability of energy had a huge effect on the decoration of homes. Gas heating and lighting began to be more widely available with some of the more affluent homes even beginning to receive electricity. This of course affected the designs of lighting and fireplaces and began to influence the designs of today.

The Victorian period was known for its dark palate, with a new monarch came a new desire for lighter colours. Deeper shades were no longer en-vogue and lighter more pastel colours began to appear on the walls and soft furnishings in the homes of the most fashionable members of society.

Simple patterns also rose in prominence during the early 20th century with basic floral patterns becoming common place, in stark contrast to the more complex patterns found in Victorian wall papers and furniture. This style can work quite well with more modern minimalist styles that are currently popular.

White enamel paint on wood work and gloss paint is another way you can recreate the Edwardian period in your home. The high gloss finishes took advantage of the new paint technologies that were becoming available. Skirting boards and mantelpieces all got the enamel treatment and set the trend for while gloss paint woodwork that was common through out much of the twentieth century.

The industrial improvements that took place prior to the Edwardian period meant the cost of plate glass fell dramatically. Putting large scale mirrors in the price range of many more homes. As a consequence many large mirrors found pride of place on mantelpieces above fireplaces across the UK. If you want to replicate the style of the time it’s worth considering a large framed mirror.

The Edwardian period also gave home to the Art Nouveau movement. This means fireplaces and wall papers often features stylised natural forms and bold shapes. These natural forms varied from human figures to more organic natural life.

Edwardian style mixes very comfortably with style popular today, as a consequence if you have any period features from this time it seems a shame to not highlight them. Similarly many homes could benefit from introducing some of the techniques used to decorate in the past.

This article for Westland London was written by Richard Billington. Their website offers hundreds of westlandlondon.com antique mantelpieces & fireplaces from through out history.

If you are looking for a westlandlondon.com/stock/chimneypiecestyle/victorian/ Edwardian Fireplaces please visit the Westland London Website.

Thinking of remodeling your home? It is a big decision, and one that should be researched thoroughly. Whether you seek to update the look of your kitchen, refurbish a bathroom or add on a new room to your home, it is important to research all potential contractors who bid on the job. A room addition or renovation is something you only want done one time, and it is necessary to be prepared to ask any potential worker questions about the job and what is involved.

Here are a few examples of questions one should consider asking when interviewing a home remodeling company:

1) Does my house really need an addition or remodeling? On the outset, it may appear your current home is too small to suit your needs. However, adding a whole new room may not necessary. It may be possible to turn an outside patio or carport into an annex rather than pour a new pad for a floor. Most contractors offer free estimates, so take the time to inquire about what is feasible regarding your home project.

2) Do you contract workers or keep workers on staff? It may not make a difference to some homeowners, but it is always good to know how many workers are expected to handle your project, as well as their employment status.

3) What payment plans do you offer? While many home contractors offer free estimates, payment plans can vary. Some may offer a variety of financing programs, so be sure to ask. Also, if you need a handicap accessible project, there may be special provisions involved that can work to your benefit.

Armed with the knowledge you need about your home improvement project, you will be able to make a sound decision when you hire a contractor to work on your house.

Larry Marlin is co-owner of Chesapeake Remodel, specializing in chesapeakeremodel.com Virginia Beach home renovation. Chesapeake Remodel offers quality bathroom and chesapeakeremodel.com kitchen remodeling in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and all of Hampton Roads.

A generation ago, no home maker worried about thread counts!

Thread counts have become one of the deciding factors for many people when they’re buying bed linens today though. The truth about thread counts may seem a bit difficult to understand. It doesn’t have to! More than just the thread count affects how bedding feels and how comfortable you will be when sleeping with it on your bed. Let’s check into this alittle bit. Then you can make informed decisions about your bedding when you’re ready to purchase again.

Our grandparents and parents slept on lower thread count cotton sheets and did just fine, right? These sheets were serviceable, but could feel abit thin and unsubstantial by our standards these days.

Today, bed linens can be found from a lowly 120 thread count up to as high as 1200. Who knows, maybe even higher soon!

Is all this talk about thread counts much ado about nothing? Well, the answer is yes and no. Thread count alone will not tell you how bedding will feel to the touch or how well it will hold up over long years of use.

The feel of bedding, what the sheets feel like on your skin, is known as “hand” or “handle”. The hand of the bedding does have something to do with thread count, but that’s not the only factor. The way the bedding is woven and the content of the fabric have a lot to do with the hand of the bedding. The character, or individuality of a material includes how the fabric drapes, the elasticity, softness and fineness of how that particular sheet feels.

The ply is a factor that defines the number of single yards which are twisted to become the ply yard from which the bedding is woven. By twisting these single yards together to form the ply yard, the fabric is more resilient and long lasting. The ply yarns are twisted together to form cord- and the cord is the actual material used in the weaving process.

Finish is another characteristic of bedding which affects how it will feel to the skin.
Percale is a plain weave of cotton or polyester/cotton blended yarns. This finish usually uses a higher thread count and a finer yarn.
Sateen is another finish for cotton fabric that is woven in such as way that the surface is smooth and lustrous, reminding us of satin.
Flannel is a brushed fiber finish which is quite warm, soft and cuddly- it can be created from 100% cotton fibers or a polyester/cotton blend.

Now that we know a bit about what makes one sheet different from another sheet, let’s get the facts go back to the facts about thread count.
The actual definition of thread count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric going horizontal and vertical.
Generally speaking, the higher thread count materials will have softer textures- or hands.
However, the bedding has to be viewed from an overall standpoint and take into account the fabric composition and the finish to determine how soft a sheet will actually be.

The most favored thread counts in bed linens today are in the 200 to 600 range. The best combination of softness and durability are found in this range.

However, a 200 thread count cotton sheet woven with a sateen finish can be softer and more luxurious feeling than a 400 or 600 count sheet of standard cotton in a plain weave.
Egyptian cotton, which has a longer fiber than other cottons, when woven into a 200 thread count sateen finish sheet may feel more luxurious and softer than either of the other choices.

Single ply sheets of top quality cotton may feel more luxurious than double ply sheets. The only real means of rating how a sheet will feel to you is to touch it.

Look for what features are most important to you when selecting your next set of bed linens.

If you want few or no wrinkles, choose a polyester/cotton blend. Less crisp, less cool than cotton.

If you like the feel of satin or silk, but don’t like sliding off the bed, choose a 100% cotton sateen weave. =)

If you like the extra warm feel of flannel, select brushed cotton or flannel finish- but be aware that this weave often pills quickly after only a few washings. (Look for the highest ounce weight fabric you can find to minimize this).

Percale often softens more and more as it is washed again and again. Simple, elegant, cool.

Egyptian cotton is King, with the longest cotton fibers available to date. Supima cotton is also excellent, with a tiny bit shorter fiber length. Either of them becomes softer and even more sumptuous with each washing! You can’t go wrong no matter what with either.

It’s important to choose bed linens that you find feel good to you rather than select based on some designer theory of thread count.
So, don’t be taken in by a high price tag. Just because a sheet costs a lot doesn’t necessarily mean it will feel any better than a less expensive sheet.

Patricia Bowlin is a successful author and publisher who loves to help you find everything you need to know about chosing just the perfect pillows, blankets, bed linens, comforters, and other best-in-bedding.com” target=”_blank bedding here now.

Whether you call them nail guns, air nailers, pneumatic air nailers, or just nailers, these tools have become a big part in the homebuilding process. Many if not all aspects of framing a house can be accomplished using a framing nailer. Most framing nailers shoot a wide range of different size nails, from 2″ to 3 1/2″ nails (6d to16d). Not only can these guns save time in framing a house but they can also save wear and tear on a framers wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Starting with the sill plate, the nail gun can be used to nail the floor joists to them. With the right nose on the safety, the joists can be toe nailed to the sill plate. The safety has a sawtooth configuration which allows it to dig into the work and not slide off during the toe nail shot. The nail gun can then be used to nail on the rim joists using 16d nails.

After the joists are nailed in, its time for the tongue and groove decking. To nail this down by hammer can be labor intensive. Time and labor can be saved by using a nail gun. The plywood or OSB can be tacked in place and one person can follow and nail off all the decking (using 8d nails).

When it comes to walls an air powered nailer can really be put to the task. A framing contractor may want to utilize two guns in this situation. Nail guns also come in handy when nailing the door and window headers together. A header for an opening as small as 36 inches can have as many as two dozen nails. A house can have 20 or more headers that size or larger. That can be a lot of 16d nails to drive by hand, not to mention the time it would take.

If the walls are to be sheathed with plywood, nail guns can cut your time down here too. Just like the plywood on the deck, time and labor can be saved using a nail gun.

Even though walls may be framed a little quicker using nail guns, there are still carpenters and contractors who still would rather frame walls by hand nailing. The reasoning behind this is they feel the joint between the plate and the stud ends can be drawn up tighter than with a gun. In some instances this is true.

When it comes to ceiling joists and rafters, hand nailing may be the preferred framing method. Ceiling joists and rafters involve a lot of toe nailing to fasten them to the top plate. Some carpenters feel it is easier to draw joists and rafters tighter to the plate and to the line nailing by hand. Using a nail gun could be awkward working at that height (two story) and dragging a hose around the framing could be a challenge. The hose could be a trip hazard. Nailing the rafters to the ridge board is easier with a nail gun, especially if it involves nailing overhead, but there is still the hose to contend with.

Like the plywood on the deck and walls, nailing the plywood off on the roof is quicker with a nail gun. It can be done just like the deck. Tack it down and then have one man nail off the rest with the nail gun.

Nail guns aren’t the answer for every homebuilding task,but they definitely have their place on the job. They can save time, labor and wear and tear on the body on certain parts of the process.

Mike Merisko (c) 2007

sawkerfs.com www.sawkerfs.com

About the Author: Mike Merisko has been a carpenter for 26 years. Most of those years were spent in the homebuilding and remodeling industries. He was also in business as a carpentry and general contractor. While that is his forte, he also has experience in bridge building, commercial construction, and exhibit building which is how he earns his living these days. You can browse through articles by him and others at his website sawkerfs.com sawkerfs.com or visit his blog at sawkerfs.blogspot.com sawkerfs.blogspot.com

For generations people have returned home, day after day, to enjoy the peace and quite of their own abode. The phrase “a roof over your head” highlights the importance of the topmost surface of any establishment. It cannot be denied that a roof is one of the most important components of any house.

Metal roofs are fast growing in popularity, replacing the traditional asbestos roofs. Metal roofs have a great capacity to contract and expand with heat along with providing protection against hurricanes, winds, snow, hailstorms and heat waves.

Metal is fire resistant, compared to many of the roofing options available. This makes it a popular choice amongst people residing in wildfire and forest fire regions. Metal is considerably more durable than asphalt tiles and can last anywhere between 30-60 years. Along with a long life, this roofing is subject to minimum crumbling, breakdown and corrosion.

Metal roofing is a popular choice amongst homeowners as it also reflects a considerable amount of the sun’s energy. This in turn may help people save money throughout the life of the roof in respect to power and heating costs. If people opt for a light-colored roof, it enables about 20% reduction in the air conditioning operating costs during the summer. In selected states, metal roofing reduces the homeowner’s insurance.

Metal roofing can be constructed from a high proportion of recycled material, which makes it popular with environmental activists and advocates. It is also much lighter than other tiles and coverings and puts minimum tension and pressure on beams and walls of the house.

After selecting the right kind of metal, the homeowner can coat the surface in any color. In comparison to other typical grids, people can use them in vertical designs, counterbalance rows, small tiles or outsized panes.

Metal roofing proves to be not only an economical option, but also lends durability and aesthetic beauty to the home.

i-Roofing.com Roofing provides detailed information on Roofing, Metal Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Material and more. Roofing is affiliated with e-shingles.com Asphalt Shingles.

One of the most versatile pieces of furniture in any home has to be the futon. If you need extra sleeping capacity when friends and family come for a visit, futons offer a great alternative to traditional beds. Although bunk beds and loft beds work well, you need a separate designated room for them. Futons on the other had can be found in the basement family room or upstairs great room and are disguised as a sofa. They are easily transformed to the perfect bed in seconds. Futon covers are also versatile as they can be changed to match the seasons making them a perfect decorating accessory.

Futon mattresses in the past were often not that comfortable. But let me tell you, things have changed. The manufacturers have had to improve their mattresses so that they are comparable to traditional bed mattresses. They now offer comfortable and durable options. If your futons are going to be used daily for sleeping purposes, consider either Sealy’s Posturepedic or Posture Lux 9 inch mattresses. For semi-regular use, an 8 inch mattress should do such as the Plush or Sealy Posture Form. For occasional use, an economy mattress such as the Deluxe 6 inch is a great option. Choosing the perfect futon covers is another story. There are literally hundreds of fabrics and colors to choose from.

You can find a comprehensive selection of futon covers on line. We believe you will be surprised at the selection. You can choose from pattern styles, color, material and of course price. Every possible theme is available and as well as color. Material options include 100% cotton, canvas, denim, faux leather, silk and suede, velvet, poly/cotton blends and more. Make sure to choose something that is machine washable. Futons come in twin, full and queen sizes to suit any room. Check the wide selection on line but as an added convenience, we have carefully selected a few merchants below that offer quality products.

Amy-Jo Strutt is a successful home decorating writer and regular contributor to comforters-luxury-bedding.com An online resource to help you find the very futons and futon covers. comforters-luxury-bedding.com/futons.html comforters-luxury-bedding.com/futons.html