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November 30, 2006
Buy Vinyl Floor Coverings
If you’re building a new home, or renovating your old one, you’ll need to think about what type of floor covering you want to use. One good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms is vinyl floor coverings. A vinyl floor covering is extremely functional and will last for a long time are great if you have children that can often be hard on floors.
Vinyl is a great material to use in floor coverings because it is functional, durable, easy to install, and comes in many different styles and designs. In fact, you can by vinyl in any type of color and design that you can envision. You may want to consider using Living Room area rugs but these can be more costly to buy and again, if you have children, won’t last long under hard wear and tear.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in your flooring needs from local stores search online stores that carry a unique line of flooring. Many times you can order a catalogue so that you can take it along to flooring stores to make some comparisons or to buy something of a similar style. The one thing that you want to keep in mind is that once you install your vinyl floor that you won’t want to make another flooring change for quite some time. This is why it’s important that you make the right decision the first time around. The same can be said about any area rugs that you buy.
Posted 09:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)November 27, 2006
Decorating for winter
Yep that is all I can think of to do today. Out here on the west coast it's blowing wind and snow. We got over a foot of snow yesterday and had to shovel it out twice.
This is an unusual amount for out here especially this time of year and I am glad I did my winter inspection of my home and yard early this time around. I am pretty grateful for online shopping these days because I don't need to go out in traffic in this weather. Any thing I order now I know I will get well before christmas, normally in about 4 days.
So because it is so cold out, I have decided to get my christmas decorations out early and start planning on how to decorate my home for the christmas season. I have decided to go with a simple red and green theme with just a dash of silver for sparkle. Last year I went with the gold. Red berry wreathes and garland are the main hightlights for my stair rails and above the curtains. The christmas tree is going to be decorated with just clear light about 800 for a 61/2 foot tree with a few simple oranaments and my personal favorites that my children made over the years.
I might even do a little bit of early christmas baking and put it away in the freezer for another week or two. I hope the weather is kinder and warmer for you this week. Me I am about to wear mittens in the house.
Have a good day
Bev
November 22, 2006
Dehumidifiers in the home
Eliminate moisture with a dehumidifier for the basement.
If you have a games room in the basement of your home or live in an area that has a high humidity level you may have a problem. Especially if you have expensive wood furnishings lke a pool table. Moisture can realy cause you some problems.
Too much moisture in a home can create all kinds of problems including breathing problems for allergy sufferers. It can also start mold and mildew growing in damp areas. A basement dehumidifier can eliminate this problem. They are also great for closets, bathrooms, and any other areas where the humidity level is high.
Home dehumidifiers are commonly used in order to make homes more comfortable, to remove moisture from basements. Dehumidifiers for the basement is particularly useful when a room or area have been flooded by water and need drying out. Without removing the excess moisture in the air you run a risk of mold and mildew growth.
One of the better models that we have come across is the Santa fe residential dehumidifier it effectively eliminates basement mold and mildew problems. The Santa Fe can remove more than 100 pints of water per day for the same cost as a standard dehumidifier. In a finished basement it can be located out of sight and ducted to provide air circulation and humidity control to the entire basement area. If your basement is unfinished your are a lucky one because you can then place it where ever you want and install ducts much more easily.
November 21, 2006
Laminate wood flooring for bedroom
Should you change the carpeting in a room and install a laminate wood floor?
If you suffer from allergies, yes you should take out the carpets in your home and install new laminate wood flooring. Carpets and rugs are the worst thing on a floor for allergy suffers. All they do is collect dirt and dust, even if they are vacuumed properly. One easy way to tell is look underneath the underlay and see how much dust and sand has collected there even if you clean all the time. Vacuum cleaners just cannot get dirt from that far down.
Even tile and linoleum flooring is a better choice than carpeting. If this would be your first home flooring project start with a small room like a bedroom and see how it goes. Installing laminate wood floors is one of the easiest home handyman jobs to tackle for the first time.
Start by moving everything out of the room and then ripping out the carpets and underlay. Now you will see why people have allergies because of dust and dirt.
Find a good flooring book that shows you how to install hardwood or laminate floor planks with easy step by step instructions.
Now after your new floor is installed you may want to add an area rug by the bed so that it is not too cold on the feet in the morning. These types of rugs come in all shapes and sizes. Contemporary to modern designs. Play rugs for children to keep them active and entertained in their bedrooms to natural fiber rugs.
When you think of the other options for redecorating a room, the decorative area rug, for what it brings to a room, is a very inexpensive route to go. They look great and can give you the colors you desire so easily. You can use them in the living room, dining room, porch, sitting areas, bedrooms and just about any other room.
Review and compare other flooring choices for different rooms from this page about selecting flooring.
- Vertical woven bamboo comes in a two pre-finished colors honey oak and a more of a coffee colored wide plank.
- Cork flooring is a durable non slip flooring material that resists water and other types of liquids which makes it an ideal choice for the kitchen or bathroom floors.
- The real beauty of installing laminate wood flooring is that it looks like real hardwood when you are finished.
- decorating a teenagers bedroom.
- Ceramic floor Tiles - Of all the flooring materials a ceramic tile floor will last the longest. It is a little harder to install and takes more floor preparation and planning.
- Linoleum or Sheet vinyl is beneficial if have large floor areas like play rooms or rooms like the laundry room where water may end up on the floor.
You will discover that you can find a decorative area rug that will suit any décor. For example, if you like the contemporary look, traditional, classic, modern, Persian or oriental, children themes and more. Compare a few different ones before you buy. If you are planning to place the rug on hardwood or linoleum, don’t forget to check out the pads as well. You are sure to be very pleased with the variety and prices you will find online.
November 20, 2006
Wine theme kitchen accessories
Wine theme kitchen accessories seem to be a hot addition to a modern kitchen. Wine bottle holders from blomus are leading the pack. A blomus drip catcher is a very good idea if you have expensive linens of your table.
Sometimes when people give you wine as a gift the corks are sealed in wax and it creates a problem when trying to open the bottle. This is where the metrokane wax whacker comes in. It is a stainless steel wax remover that fits all wine bottles.
The last thing you want is for sparkling wines like champagne to sit and breath with an open cork. Yhe blomus champagne stopper is a modern wine accessory that helps keep messes to a minimum and freshness of flavor.
To view details of this faucet bottle opener go here and other wine accessories go to this page
For other kitchen gadgets go back to Wine theme kitchen accessories on our main home decor site.
Cork screws are always an interesting addition to your wine accessories. They can have very modern designs or simple lounge waiters bottle opener. I have to tell these are my favorite accessories in wine decor. You can start a collection of interesting wine bottle openers and display them when you have a party. The most unique bottle opener that I have come across is the Metrokane - faucet corkscrew in black and chrome, it also has a foil cutter with it.
November 19, 2006
Types of pots and pans
Choosing the right pot or sauce pan for cooking.
Choosing what type of pot or pan to cook you are going to buy really depends on what type of meals you normally prepare. For certain dishes you may need a specialty pan. The difference between a good meal and a fantastic meal can all lie in the right frying or roasting pan. Choosing the right kitchen accessory for cooking really does make a difference. Think of it as a carpenter would - you need the right tool - to do the right job.
- More information about kitchen accessories and cookware and bakeware can be found on our main site.
OR at Cookware Essentials
Brasier Pots
They are available with or without a lid. Braiser pans look very similar to stockpots, but have lower sides to cook meat. They allow meat to cook slowly like a pot roast.
Casserole dishes
A casserole is a large, deep, covered pot or dish used both in the oven and as a serving dish. The foods usually prepared in this pan consist of vegetables and sometimes meats, pastas, or rice that is cooked slowly in sauce or another liquid.
Chef's Pan
This pan is equipped with a wide mouth and rounded, flared sides that can easily accommodate stirring. The flat bottom and wide mouth helps accelerates the evaporation of liquids. This makes this pan a great choice for sauces, risotto, pastry cream, or anything else that requires constant attention and frequent stirring.
Sauce Pan
Considered a kitchen essential and will usually be the most frequently used pot. Though the name precludes it to be designed for preparing sauces, it is used for cooking fruits, vegetables, soups, and stews.
Double Boiler
This pot is useful for steaming vegetables, meats, and fish. Sometimes it's also used for melting chocolate.
Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens are heavy, relatively deep, pots with a heavy lid, designed to re-create oven conditions on the stovetop. The Dutch oven is wider and shorter than a stockpot.
Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers look like other kitchen pots, except their lids are a bit more elaborate. This pot helps to reduce cooking time by as much as 50% without destroying the nutritional value of the food. You can cook anything in the pressure cooker, although it is better suited for foods that require long cooking times.
Stock Pot
Stockpots are really just bigger sauce pans and canbe used to cook the same items, just more of it.
Paella Pan
This traditional Spanish cooking pan is typically used to prepare paella (pronounced pah-AY-ah), a rice dish usually including vegetables and meat and/or seafood.
November 16, 2006
Bedroom bookcases for storage
Are you having trouble keeping things organized in the bedroom.
Corners are a problem when decorating a bedroom and tryinig to buy storage shelves. The answer to this is a wooden bookcase for a corner that will fit nicely into your bedroom decor.
Search a wide selection of bookcases for your bedroom, available with many options for style and size. Some of these bookcases are equipped with cabinet doors, adjustable shelves, dual sets of shelves, and come in a variety of wood finishes. They are one of the best ways to keep a teenagers bedroom well organized. You can use these to support books, decorative ornaments or to keep all your small eclectronic divices in one place, which always seem to get lost in a bedroom.
- More about bedroom decor ideas and buying a book case for the bedroom on this page.
November 15, 2006
Entrance Way Lighting
Home lighting for the front of your home that is warm and welcomiing.
For the home, making a positive first impression begins right at the entryway. The entrance way lighting you choose can define the style and ambience of your home and makes the first impression when guests enter your home. Whether you are looking for functionality, comfort or total image, the foyer light fixtures that you choose, should create a welcoming feeling. This is the first space and sometimes the only space guests see of your home so you want to make sure it is well lit with a decorative light. The main foyer should automatically greet members and guests with warmth and lighting fixtures are the key to establishing the first impression.
- Home lighting fixtures for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, family room and foyer.
Many people choose a surface-mount fixture with a decorative shade for simplicity or indirect cove lighting to softly increase the overall ambient light level to create the desired effect. Others may choose a pendant or drop pan or a chandelier fixture for a more dramatic effect but whatever lighting design you choose, it should be both functional and complementary. Lighting should be bright, but not bright enough to create glare. Foyer lighting fixtures can create a congenial atmosphere, while providing you with the general lighting you need to greet guests and assure safe passage into other areas of your home.
There are so many beautiful options to this type of lighting that will suit any theme or décor of your home - whether casual, contemporary, eclectic, modern, transitional, or simply traditional. Other choices include lush mounted lighting and semi-flush mounted ceiling lights, multi-tied chandeliers, hanging pendants, and energy saving lighting options. Change your old lighting fixture and replace it with a new chandelier or ceiling fixture to immediately update and improve the rooms light and add charm. You will enhance the beauty of your home simply by the addition of your new entrance way light.
November 14, 2006
small rug cleaners
The little green machine is one of the better spot removers for rugs, carpets and even car upholstery that I have used. This little steam cleaner works really well and saves you a lot of money by not having to rent a big carpet cleaner or spend all that time on your knees scrubbing a stain.
Bissell has a deep cleaning machine to fit any budget and any need. Hand steam cleaners, deep carpet cleaning machines from uprights to compact or canister carpet cleaners and vacuums. Most carpet stains can be removed easily if you have a Bissell carpet cleaning machine on hand and use it fairly quickly.
The bissell deep heat and clean is the only upright deep carpet cleaner with an on-board heater to heat hot tap water up to 25 degrees hotter for continuous maximum cleaning performance. The other features are scotch guard protector - twist and spray for extra protection against dirt and tough stains to keep your rugs clean twice as long as before. Dirt lifter power brush lifts out deep-down dirt and gently grooms carpet for professional-style results. Bissells perfect pass system electronically monitors your speed for optimal cleaning performance.
I just bought the little green machine and I have to tell you it does a great job. I used it on the couch and it worked great, After that I was so impressed I used it to clean the carpets in my car. What I liked best about this product, it was very light weight and could be moved around without any effort. The tank held enough water and cleaner to get many spot jobs in a couple of different rooms. I did have to use the right cleaning products for a couple old tough marks on the carpet.
November 12, 2006
Great backyards start here
Great backyards start with comfortable outdoor furniture sets and accessories
All great outdoor dinning areas start with comfortable outdoor patio furniture. Look for outdoor chairs and benches that have removable cushions so they can be easily replaced when they get worn out. It is cheaper than buying a new patio set. You will also need to purchasefurniture covers if you want to keep your tables and chairs looking like new.
Wicker outdoor furniture is a favorite because it's comfortable, light weight, paintable and easy to care for. There are other materials, resins, recycled plastic or wrought iron, these are very durable products that will last for a very long time. One of the most useful additions to a patio set is a serving cart or bar for the patio.
For more information on outdoor furniture sets for the patio can be found here.
Posted 09:58 PM | PermalinkNovember 08, 2006
Bedroom lighting and lamps
Today’s decorative bedroom lighting ranges from basic to bold, dimmed to dramatic. If your are looking for a bedroom lamp that is for a particular task, first decide where the light is needed in the room, and then choose the appropriate bedroom lighting. The bedroom is the room where we spend the maximum amount of time – to sleep , relax and unwind , after a long tiring day and where we rejuvenate ourselves for tomorrow. A good way to update an existing bedroom is to simply replace a flush-mount ceiling fixture with a newer design or a ceiling fan. Change or add portable table lamps for a quick, inexpensive change.
By using a variety of inexpensive features such as dimmer switches, spot lighting on a special painting or sculpture or adding a fun and unusual accent lamp, you can easily transform your room for a whole new look. When it comes to choosing light fixtures for the bedroom there is something offered for every taste and budget.
Couples need individually controlled reading lights on each side of the bedroom and children will require extra light for homework areas. The baby’s nursery requires an installed dimmer or subdued lamp that allows parents to check on their children without waking them up.
- Home computers, sewing machines and reading in the bedroom need directed lighting.
- for a sitting area you should choose softer and shaded bedroom lighting fixture.
- Makeup tables require brighter light
- If you like to read in bed, either place a table lamp on your night table or use swing arm wall light to avoid shadows.
- If space in the bedroom is an issue mounted wall sconces over the bed can add background lighting to give you more room.
- If you are buying a lamp as a gift for an elderly person be aware that their eyes are more sensitive to glare, for maximum comfort, seniors should make sure bedroom bulbs are bright enough and covered by shades or bowl-type fixtures.
For more information on choosing a lighting accessory for your home go here to decorative lamps.
Posted 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Unique spiral floor lamp
One of the more interesting floor lamp designs we have found is the metal spiral floor lamp. This unique torchiere features a twisting, wrought-iron frame with loads of appeal. The open swirl design gives a light, airy feel. It has a marbleized glass shade that adds a finishing touch. This lamp comes with a full-range dimmer switch and takes one 150 watt light bulb. The floor lamp measures 71 1/2" high and would go nicely with hard wood floors.
Another unique spiral twist body floor lamp that we like also has a side reading light. The sidelight with its adjustable arm adds flair and function. It has a satin nickel finish that looks really good. This torchiere takes two 100 watt bulbs. Side light takes one 50 watt halogen light bulb. Measures 73" high while the extra reading light has a 20" maximum reach. Lamp shade measures 13" in diameter. Side shade measures 4 1/2" in diameter. This would be a good floor lamp for an office or den.
Posted 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)November 07, 2006
Seagrass area rugs
Seagrass area rugs a natural looking floor covering for the living room.
Anyone who has ever owned Seagrass area rugs already know that they are a high quality constructed rug. You are sure to get years and years of use from your rug. They are a richly textured carpet. Most have a natural fiber base that is bound with a tab binding.
They are very versatile in any room you choose to put them in. They are a natural choice that will complement the look you are trying to achieve. They suit well for a kitchen, foyer or entrance, living room, bedroom, bathroom and so on. Due to the high quality and texture of the sea grass carpet you can put them anywhere. You may need to put a rug pad underneath to prevent sliding or slipping if you place it onto a hard flooring.
If you would like to no more about natural fiber rugs or to compare styles and sizes go to this page here about area rugs.
Take a look at the different shapes, sizes and weights of seagrass rugs. You will find rectangular, runners and squares. You are sure to be pleased with how easy it is to compare a few different ones, compare prices and have it ordered and on its way to your home. Have fun with your new accent to your home. This type of area rug is particularly nice to use in your bathroom although it will be equally as functional and decorative in your kitchen, living room, dining room, bedroom, family room, or dining room. It’s important that you measure the area that you want to carpet exactly so that you don’t buy a rug that is too large or too small for the purpose that you intend. You’ll find that if you have a room that is large enough that you can buy more than rug so long as they have some kind of connection, but a bit different in its overall conformity.
November 05, 2006
Kitchen counter bar stools
Do you have people hanging around in your kitchen looking for a place to sit. Are you tired of walking back from the kitchen table fetching people drinks and snacks? If you ansered yes then a kitchen counter bar stool is the answer to your seating problems in the kitchen.
- More information about selecting kitchen bar stools
These comfortable kitchen chairs come in styles that are padded for comfort or have a high back for added support. Bar stool styles include contemporary, chrime, retro, rustic and in tradiontal furniture styles. They can be wooden or metal and have padded seats or fabric backs. For country kitchens there saddleback models and unfinished wood stools.
Posted 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)