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November 28, 2007
Buying real wood furniture
Tips for buying unfinished wood furniture
If you are thinking about buying unfinished wood furniture for your living room or family room be sure to pay close attention to the grain of the wood. The wood grain will have a plays a huge role in how it will look when you stain it.
Try to visit a furniture gallery to see which type of grain you prefer before you make your choice. Pay particular attention to how tight the grain is or if it is wide, each one will give your table or chairs a slightly different appearance. Oak, maple and birch all have different characteristics and will show a stain color slightly different.
This has to do with how the wood will look after you choose a color. Tight grains like oak look better with a light finish for a more traditional look. Wider grained woods look better in a dark almost black finish. The materials that the furniture is manufactured will define whether you are looking for modern, traditional or country living room furniture. Black or very dark stains are more modern while the lighter shades are more contemporary.
The real beauty of buying wood furniture is that you get to see exactly what it is you are getting. You can see if the wood has any knots, discolored spots or simply the grain is not matched well enough?
When furniture comes pre-finished, especially with very dark stain you can't tell what is underneath until it is years older and begins to show wear spots. Manufacturers that sell unfinished wood furniture normally use higher-grade boards in furniture production because they know you will see what is underneath.
Normally buying natural wood furniture is cheaper than pre-stained or finished wood
Mind you this only holds true if you can stain the wood yourself and obtain a nice even coat. If this something that you may find too tricky just go with a light oil or wax, teak used in outdoor furniture looks its best this way because it can weather to its own natural color.
The selection of stain and paint colors is limitless, which makes it easy to match any other home decor pieces you have. A simple trip to the local building supply store or paint center and they can match your existing woodwork. You will also be able to match your flooring better and carpeting. Another problem with stains that are applied unevenly is that they will eventually blister and peel. This is because they are normally sprayed with a gun which doesn't do as nice a job. When you finish your own furniture you know that the stain is applied evenly and thoroughly, for a durable, long life.
Too much wood in a room can be too much of a good thing
Be careful about buying too much furniture that is predominantly made up of wood, if you have laminate or wood floors in the living room. Too much of one thing can become overbearing very quickly. When decorating you will need to strike a balance between wood furniture and your wood or laminate floors. This can be a little tricky at times. Too much of one thing is never a good look in any room of your home. If you are trying to find a balance one of the easier ways to add more color and texture is with area rugs, Persian or braided, either style would look good.
- You can review more information here about braided rugs.
- Other home decor items that you can use to compliment your wood furniture are floor vases or a table center piece either of these can add more color to a room.
- To review furniture items that can make a difference in your home go here to decormotif contemporary furniture and home furnishings for the living room.
November 24, 2007
Living room decor
Living room decorating ideas using interesting accents and furnishings that bring color and texture to a room
Many times people think that the main feature of this room is the furniture and this is where try to draw their decorating ideas from. In reality your living room furniture is only noticed for a minutes when someone enters the room. Go here for more information about decorating a living room and to buy buy accents and furnishings for your living room.
Once people are seated comfortably they pay more attention to what is directly in front of them than they do with what they are sitting on. This is where your modern or contemporary coffee tables and table centerpieces come into their own.
Watch people at your next dinner party or family gathering. Look at how they interact and what they do when the conversation seems to die down. If they are gathering in a certain area, notice if the lighting is brighter there. If it is, it could mean you need to add a floor lamp in another part of the room, sea gull lighting and murray feiss have the best designs. To give this room a nice warm feeling add a floor lamp beside a sofa table with a nice piece of glass art on it. See our review of home lighting stores to see which online retailer has the best selection.
People will start to look at what you have as a collectible or what you are displaying on your tables and shelves. These items usually can strike up an interesting conversation just by being in their field of vision. When displaying accessories in the living room whether it's on shelves or in cabinets it is much better to be minimalistic (no I am not sure that's a word either) but you get the point. A few things displayed well is better that a whole bunch of items that make things too busy so you can't appreciate what is really there. A home decor store will do this when trying to catch your eye to buy a certain item. The item is left alone so that you can take in its full value as a decorative piece.
Area rugs for example - it is said that the first thing someone notices about another person is their choice in shoes. So if people are looking down a lot why not have a beautiful floor covering like a Persian area rug for them to look at. There is more information about Persian rugs here.
Floor vases and other art displayed around the room can give it a more formal and interesting look. Review where to buy decorative vases here.
A bowl with ceramic beaded fruit for instance usually sits in the center of a table. The store is not really promoting the table as much as they are trying to get you to buy the decorative glass fruit. The fruit colors are what catches your eye first and then the shape of the bowl. Because more people look at and buy these accents than they do tables and chairs. If they can sell you the glass bowl as well then it was a good decorating idea and the proper way to display an accent. You should use this decorating technique in your every room of your home.
November 18, 2007
Stainless steel cookware
They can also enhance the look of your kitchen. Hanging on a pot rack this cookware is almost like adding more kitchen decor. Stainless steel cookware is easy to care for, exceptionally durable and light, it won't corrode or tarnish and its nonporous surface is resistant to wear. It also doesn’t react with either alkaline or acidic foods.
The drawback to cooking with stainless steel is that it is a poor conductor of heat and does not distribute heat evenly. This means the pots and pans take a little longer to heat up to the right temperature.
Stainless steel pots and pans, look and cook food the best.
Higher quality cookware will usually have heavy bottoms with a core of copper or aluminum sandwiched between layers of steel. Stainless steel cookware is very popular because of its moderate price and its versatility.
Get more details on kitchen cookware here - You can review information on different types of cookware materials and the benefits of each.
If you know the type or brand of cookware you want, Its always cheaper to buy your cookware in sets. Unless you need specialty pots for certain recipes. Every kitchen should have a high quality sauté pan and cast iron frying pan.
Posted 09:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)November 15, 2007
Storage Bags
This storage bag can be used to store all types of items that need 24 inches of space. If you have an expensive holiday wreath that you really like, you really have to get this storage bag, its more decorative and just as strong as a wreath storage box.
I normally use a box to store my wreaths in but lately have been wanting something more decorative. So that I can find my wreath quickly without having to dig through a bunch of other storage boxes and containers. I found this really nice looking storage bag that really is handy.
If you store many things in your garage and like to stay organized view these plastic storage containers
Posted 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)Gift wrap organizer
Storing wrapping paper is always a problem.
Most of us keep these stored in our closets because it's handy throughout the year for different occasions. But it also means it usually gets in your way. Because closet storage is hard to come by a gift wrapping storage container is ideal. All your wrapping rolls are neatly arranged and easy to get at when you need it.
 Gift
Wrap OrganizerPut an end to your wrapping paper clutter with this amazing gift-wrap organizer. This durable red vinyl backed polyester shell tube, with water resistant vinyl lining, will provide you with years of use. This Christmas gift-wrap storage holds up to 7 tubes of gift paper and still gives you enough room to store your ribbons and bows. With sturdy frosted metal handles and double pull nylon zippers this organizer tube is easy to tote and easy to store. |
November 13, 2007
Soft boiled egg cup
Everyone knows how important a good breakfast is to start your day. But really when it comes down to it most of us don't have time to make it. Teenagers are in a hurry to get out the door, working moms need to get a family organized and normally never have time to take care of themselves.
You can have a healthy breakfast in just 4 minutes and it doesn't have to be boring
Put on a pot with about 4 inches of water, bring to a boil and then gently pop in an egg with a spoon. Put a piece of toast in the toaster and then pour yourself a glass of juice. In 4 minutes take out your egg with the same spoon and put it in your soft boiled egg cup. Your toast is ready about the same time and now you have a healthy breakfast in just 4 minutes.
The fun part is you now have a cico egg cup that looks great and is a colorful kitchen gadget that everyone will want to use.
November 08, 2007
Outdoor solar lights
Dancing by the light of the moon may seem like a very romantic idea. But most of the time is not very easy to do or possible. It can be though with a few simple sollar lights. Placed along the edges of your lawn or patio, this type of outdoor lighting gives you just enough ambient light to be seated outdoors comfortably.
If you are planning on spending time outdoors on your patio, you need outdoor lighting that will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your yard or balcony after the sun sets.
There are many types of outdoor lighting that can help you make the most of outdoor spaces. Your local lighting store will be able to help you find specific styles of lighting to help you decorate your yard while keeping yourself safe. It is an ideal time of year to install these types of lights.
Many homeowners like cordless lights as their outdoor security lighting
Because solar lighting takes its power from the sun during the day even on cloudy days, it is the cheapest use of power to light up your property. Lighting outdoor areas this way is very economical and can be a good investment for commercial applications. However, be sure to get good-quality solar pwered lighting - after some time, you may find that your lights last for a shorter period of time. You may want to consider lighting that uses a dual alternative power source when needed. This will ensure that your property will always be lit when you need it.
Lighting Your Way in the Dark with Path Lights
Path lighting is important for the driveway or the path to your door or garden so that you can see where you are going at night. If someone in your household has poor vision, you will need path lighting to ensure that they do not stumble in the dark. Today’s path lighting can also be very decorative and can beautify your home, adding a soft glow to your property.
Patio Lanterns and Your Patio
Patio lighting is important if you are going to be spending more time in your outdoor living area. Patio lights can vary from very expensive light systems to very basic paper patio lanterns that are perfect and inexpensive for a summer night’s party or barbeque. Whether you decide to spend a lot or a little, backyard lighting can help you see where you are going in the dark and can allow you to spend more time outdoors on warm summer nights.
Westinghouse designs the nicest eco friendly decorative outdoor lighting designs
Design sample choices:
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Click to find the style that you need for your patio or garden area.
Compare by item including wall and post lanterns, umbrella lights, path lighting, address lights and solar lights. From top designers like Murray Feiss, Quoizel, Hinkley, sea gull lighting and Westinghouse.
Westinghouse Solar Lighting - this decorative Pagoda solar deck light design has a stunning black finish.
This six piece solar light set will be a wonderful addition to your home's exterior. The Europa III features a gorgeous antique copper finish and white LED lights that will give your landscape the illumination you need.
Give your driveway or walkway a contemporary feel with the Bollard two piece solar set. With a cylindrical design, stainless steel finish, and natural white LED light.
November 07, 2007
Room darkening blinds
I have found the most people that are looking room darkening blind are really looking for a black out shade. Because they have trouble sleeping or work nights and like a dark room during the day. Cellular shades are want you want if you are just looking to filter light coming in.
A heavy fabric window shade works really well for this. In the past I have used this style in my bedroom because I worked evening and graveyard shifts and it was hard to sleep during the day. What I found to be better was a roman shade and then a heavy room darkening blind over top, the idea came from my neighbor that works permanent night shifts. The pull shade is installed on the inside of the window frame and then the blind on the outside of the frame.
As an alternative, If you still want a curtain to blackout the light in a room go with a very dark fabric and a lining. The curtain lining will block out the light well enough. Your room won't be totally black unless you can fit it really tight around the window and you have dark paint or wallpaper on the walls.
I liked the idea of the shade combined with a blind better because, when I wasn't sleeping during the day the shade is pulled up and the blind then allows the light to come into the room and makes the room look a lot better.
Posted 10:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
November 02, 2007
Choosing a Christmas Tree
Your Christmas tree is the most important holiday decoration. The perfect Christmas tree can transform a living room or family room into a winter wonderland.
The size should be appropriate for the room it is going in. Trees look much smaller outdoors with the sky as the ceiling. Before you leave for the tree farm or your local retailer, measure your ceiling height accurately. Then subtract the height of your tree top ornament and the height that your tree stand will raise it off the floor. Now you have the height measurements you need, now for the width. If it is going in a corner, near tables or a sofa measure the distance between these objects to get the correct size.
If you are placing a real or live Christmas tree near a window or against a wall make sure it is not over a heat register. Direct sunlight and heat will dry it out faster. Live trees should not be touching a wall either, you can get pine pitch on your walls that is not that easy to clean.
Do a freshness test before you buy. Grab hold of a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand if the tree is fresh. Shake or bounce the tree on its trunk. You should not see an excessive amount of green needles fall to the ground. Some loss of interior brown needles is normal and will occur over the lifetime of the tree.
Keep your christmas tree looking and smelling fresh by following these easy tree care tips
Let the tree stay outdoors on a cool porch or garage, out of the rain, until you are ready to decorate. An area that provides protection from the wind will help the tree retain its moisture.
Before you set up your tree, make a fresh, straight cut across the base of the trunk (about an inch up from the original cut) and place the tree in the stand that will hold close to a gallon of water or more. Trees may soak up between 2 pints to a gallon of water per day – so make sure to check daily and supply fresh water as needed. Remember, a constant supply of water is essential to keep the tree fresh and the needles from drying and dropping off. It will also help the boughs in staying straight and your tree smelling great.
A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if the water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will have to be made. This is very hard to do if you have decorated your Christmas tree.