Kitchen islands are attractive home repair additions to add to your kitchen. They can give you needed storage for your things, more preparation and extra workspace. Some even give you more sink and cooking space. In fact, there are many choices of features and designs to suit everyone.

The basic island looks like a table with legs and flat countertops for cooking. They are practical for both buffet style serving of meals and the preparation of food. Also, they add a decorative addition to your kitchen. However, this type of island does not supply extra storage space.

Another basic island offers a flat countertop with added storage space beneath it, including cabinets and drawers. This will give you extra storage space beneath it, versus the space wasting of a countertop design.

Custom-built style islands are much more extensive, including dishwasher, refrigerator, warming oven, cook top and sink space. Granite topped ones or other hard surfaces let you prepare food and dough on the countertop, instead of using a cutting board. A butcher block can be added to avoid countertop cutting. In fact, you can choose one or all of the options because custom built ones allow flexibility and are made to suit your requirements.

Islands with multiple levels are the most flexible and offer far more choices. Their workspace is smaller, but you have more flexibility with the options available. These islands are bigger, have an eating place, and also a food preparation area. You will be able to install a cook top or sink on a different level, in one part of the countertop.

Kitchen islands sizes vary a lot. You will need to measure your current space to find the one that fits your kitchen. It can be stressful to comprehend with only two measurement dimensions. The best option is to use boxes or furniture, shaped into an island in your kitchen. After a few days, you will get a sense of how it will feel.

You will need to allow a minimum space of three feet around your island when measuring. You have to have space to get to your appliances and move around. You must be able to safely open appliance doors and have enough work room around your island. If your dishwasher door opens onto the island or you cannot move around if you are cooking, the island size will be too big.

Portable islands are another alternative in limited space, and have wheels so they can be relocated when you are not using them. They offer portable and extra workspace when you need it, and they do not get under foot when you are not using them. Unfortunately you will have extra workspace, but limit yourself to just that. You cannot install a sink or cook top.

Peter Wilson’s web pages are published on several online sites with information about cabinets. His writings on

Metal and iron railings have been popular for centuries and there is no sign that they are losing that popularity, either. They are popular for many reasons, including the fact that they are long-lasting. There are many different iron railings that you can choose from, too.

The industrial revolution saw the first creation of iron railings for homes. It was more of an art during this time, however, because iron was still hard to work with, which made it expensive for most people. The rich were the ones with iron railings during this time, because they were the only class of people that could afford to have iron railings created for them. Welding was not a technique that was widely used during this time and the railings were created by heating and hammering the iron pieces together or riveting them together to make a railing.

You can categorize iron railings into cast iron, wrought iron, and steel railings. During the seventeenth century, however, stainless steel railings were not available.

Homes, clothes, and other items have went in and out of fashion over the years, but iron railings are still as popular as they were when they were first created. This is because they are durable and many times last longer than the building that they are attached to.

Railings were normally made in iron, but other metals were also used, especially in affluent homes or in royal residences. Gold was even sometimes used.

Iron Railing Metal Choices
Wrought Iron – Railings made from wrought iron took a great deal of labor and energy. This is because the pieces had to be heated and then hammered into the right shape or size. This took quite a bit of work and strength to do and this made these railings very expensive.

Cast Iron – Cast iron railings were created by melting iron and then pouring it into molds to cast the pieces for railings. This particular kind of railing was very easy to break and they were not repairable if they were damaged. Only the very rich chose this type of iron for their railings because it was not durable.

Mild Steel – Mild steel was first seen during the eighteenth century and it quickly became popular for rails and fences. The reason for this is that they could be cold worked and then there were riveted together. This made it simpler to create railings and this quickly made mild steel a popular choice for railings.

Iron Railing Advancements

Welding technology has increased over the last few centuries and this has made it easier to create intricate and beautiful railings. Welding was the reason for this. It allows the ironworkers to create lightweight railings that are beautiful and strong. Welding also made repairs easier and simpler to do, which helps the railings to last much longer.

Stainless steel has become the metal of choice for most railing manufacturers. It is beautiful, elegant, and it is maintenance free. This has increase the popularity of this metal.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many articles on different web publications, with subjects like wrought iron published online for deck-porch-railings.com deck-porch-railings.com Find more publications about

The Bathroom

A friend of mine buys houses, re-
models them and then re-sells them.
The room he usually mentions first
that needs improvement is the
bathroom.

Most of us are looking at making
some home improvements, and, like
my friend, we focus our attention to
the interior of the home.

In this article, we’ll focus on some
tips and techniques with particular
attention to the bathroom, to point out
that a home improvement project is
not necessarily a major undertaking.

Engaging in your own home im-
provements, it is important to
consider that the windows and mirrors
are clean. One important technique
that most of the home improvement
conscious apply, is the blending of 1/3
cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of
rubbing alcohol as a spray to achieve
a functional and good look.

For tubs and shower stalls, apply a
car wax to the walls and glass doors
(but not the floors) to seal the pores
to keep water spots away. Clean the
shower once a week with a citrus
based cleaner. Simply spray the
shower to dissolve the dirt.

For the toilets, make sure you pour
one or two cups of white vinegar
into the toilet once a month, to
eliminate the nasty rings around the
toilet area.

The bathroom sink is another important area to
clean. You should pour a cup of banking soda,
followed by a cup of white vinegar, down the drain.
Flush with warm water to wash away the dirt. This
also is effective for the tub, shower and kitchen
sink, as well.

It is equally as important that the faucets are
cleaned, and this can be done with a paper towel
and white vinegar. If necessary, scrub the area
using a stiff bristled nylon toothbrush.

If there is a mildew problem, you can clean it up
by applying peroxide and water.

Just a few tips and techniques for a “Home
Improvement” project that will greatly improve
the appearance of your home, without undertaking
a major renovation.

Other articles on Home Equity can be found at:

farleyco61.com farleyco61.com

My name is Bob Farley, just an ordinary guy who’s recently been “downsized”, trying to make a living.

“Art Deco Style” as a popular term, really came into regular usage during the 1960’s, during the revival of interest in the style it represented and remains in use today.

For me, it was what contributed to a way of life in my home from the late 1920’s until the early 40’s. Being a middle class “depression family” we were able to avail ourselves of the abundant mass-produced, machine made products. These were dubbed “kitsch” – a German word meaning “trash.” Today, kitsch is often spelled with a capital “K,” and one can pay more today for a Chase Chrome item accentuated with Bakelite than my mother did for an Art Nouveau vase then. The key word here is “stylish.” It was cheap in price then but it had style. As I clearly recall, the kitchen was the heart of family life – as it still is in many homes today.

Our table was set with colorful tablecloths, some of which were “State” themes, if the family went on vacation and they would bring home a souvenir tablecloth – such as Florida or California. Mom would wear aprons that also had themes, but always cheerful and colorful designs. Tea towels were used – sometimes they were converted into café curtains for the kitchen. Napkin rings made of Bakelite and Lucite, some with animal themes, created a festive table and went perfectly with the Bakelite flatware in bright colors. I recall food being prepared and served with equally attractive Bakelite utensils. Although the times were not the best, items such as these created a happy atmosphere. To me, its look stayed with me until today!

It gives us pleasure to say – welcome to Evelynne’s Oldies But Goodies and the world of collecting “Kitsch” today! Utensils using Bakelite and other Vintage Plastics, the vintage fabrics and tablecloths in bright and striking colors are decorative, useful and functional additions to the home and are sought after by collectors today. Kitchenware utensils and tableware such as Bakelite flatware, napkin rings, pastry serves, beaters, choppers, dough blenders, potato mashers, spatulas and servings spoons and of course Bakelite handled ice cream scoops, are just examples of the fabulous Vintage Bakelite kitchenware items available to add just the right amount of vintage pizzazz to your kitchen today! One should be eclectic in choosing Vintage Bakelite home accessories – mix and match all the fabulous colors and styles available.

It pleases us to say that at Evelynne’s Oldies But Goodies (a mother-daughter partnership!), we specialize in and have considerable knowledge in and bring these authentic vintage items and more to you – from our home to your home! Please stop by anytime and browse our large selection of authentic Vintage Bakelite Kitchenware and other items of the era – our pleasure to welcome you and assist you with anything you see!

Linda Grossman and Evelyn Roth
rubylane.com/shops/evelynnesoldiesbutgoodies rubylane.com/shops/evelynnesoldiesbutgoodies