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Gregory Kerwin, raised in a world of antiques in his grandmother’s houses in Paris and Southern France, has spent the decades since gathering still more beautiful and unusual things for his TK Collections . . . including intricate and graceful examples of the art of wrought iron, crafted into fine furniture for your home. Like TK Collections’ authentic French caf? chairs and antique reproduction furniture, these wrought iron pieces are hand-crafted in France. Find them at http://www.tkcollections.com
January 23, 2008
One of the most recognizable outdoor custom window coverings is the window shutter. These versatile coverings protect against light, weather, intruders, and can be made to fit almost any size of window. Additionally, they can be installed either on the inside of the outside of your home.
The most traditional of custom window coverings is the wooden shutter. Many homes since the early colonial days have boasted these window coverings. Compared to other types of window coverings, these wooden shutters are very high maintenance. Common issues with wooden shutters include warping, the need of sanding, painting, oiling, replacing rusty hinges, or simply the fact that they have swollen due to heat or cold and no longer function in the manner they were intended. As a result, many manufacturers are offering lower maintenance replacements that actually offer considerably better protection than the original wooden shutters.
Among the replacement shutters available are the following:
Vinyl Shutters
These are perhaps the most durable of the available options often lasting around 40 years. Additionally the imitation wood shutters look very much like real wood, especially from a distance. They are easy to maintain and clean up quite nicely with soap and water (no scraping, painting, and oiling here) and you have many options for the look and design of your shutters. You can also buy them already primed for painting.
Composite Window Shutters
These shutters are both weather and rot resistant and are made of very thick compressed particleboard. These panels are basically made from molds and they offer an inexpensive alternative to wooden shutters. This type of shutters is traditionally hinged at the top in order to open and close them vertically.
Fiberglass Shutters
This particular type of window covering is more expensive than many of its competitors, however, they last for about twenty years and come in many popular styles including the Bahama style. If you live in a hurricane zone, these are the best choices in window coverings as they are much stronger, fasten more securely, and are lighter weight than other popular options. They also come in many styles from which to choose.
Aluminum Shutters
These shutters offer excellent protection for your windows both in terms of from intruders and impending hurricanes. The primary styles in which you can find these are the traditional Bahama and Louvered styles. Many people find that the powdered finish on these shutters looks tacky and it’s important to note that the warranty on these particular shutters is only about three years.
Of course many people will always prefer the traditional wooden shutters for their window. The truth of the matter is that there are better and more affordable, though less attractive alternatives available and the need (both physically and financially as insurance rates rise in storm prone areas) for the protection of better shutters sometimes far outweighs the aesthetic reason for going with the traditional favorite.
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BeautifulWindowBlinds strives to provides consumers information and tips on Window Coverings and Window Blinds. To compliment your outdoor window covering, discover on how to decorate your window coverings from the inside.
January 13, 2008
Lampshades are often an afterthought when it comes to decorating a room, but can actually contribute greatly to the design and feel of your interior being a flexible way of adding colour and pattern. Find a whole range of lampshades in my ebay shop hunkydory home .
There are a number of things to bear in mind when purchasing a lampshade:
Fitting
Is your shade for a ceiling pendant light fitting, a side/table lamp or a standing lamp - it is important to make sure the shade you buy is suitable for its purpose as fittings may vary.
Do you need a lampshade with UK standard fittings or are you looking for a shade to fit a base from Ikea or similar which use wider European (ES) fittings?
Size
If for a central ceiling pendant light bear in mind how large your room is, you don’t want a tiny shade that will be lost in the space, equally a large shade will dominate the space. Don’t forget that if you hang it too low some of your taller friends and family may bump their heads - I once had a beautfiul silk shade that was huge, but I hung it so low my husband used to have to walk around it!
For a lamp base, the shade should skim the top of the base with no hardware or sockets visible when you look at your lamp whilst standing in the room.
Shape
The coolie/empire shapes are becoming less fashionable for ceiling lights being replaced by the more contemporary drum shape, but they still look great for a small beside lamp.
Light
If you want to use a glaring 100watt bulb, be sure that the shade you buy can take this high wattage, many shades advise a maximum of 60watt but some are as low as 40watt and therefore don’t allow much light through. Don’t opt for a dark coloured shade if you want a lot of light to shine through. I recommend using a max 60watt bulb with all of my shades.
Care
Lampshades are not the easiest things to clean and can attract dust. You can buy ‘lampshade cleaners’ which are basically a rubber sponge that brush the dust off. Otherwise a soft bristled paint brush should do the trick and some people even use the upholstery attachment of a vacuum cleaner, but having not tried this myself I would advise that you take care if using this method.
Don’t forget to look at my range of striking lampshades at hunkydory home.
With the fall season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to be looking for those special decorating accents to bring the fall theme into your outdoor room. Don?t worry that you do not have enough room to decorate, even very small porch spaces can benefit from the addition of a few fall themed accessories. You can even just decorate your front door with a wreath made of a variety of fall leaves or dried corn to give a special seasonal touch.
When putting together a fall theme, start with a focus on color. Look for fall themed colors like shades of oranges, yellows, reds, and earth tones. Choose accessories in the pumpkin shades of orange and look for items and colors that mirror the colors of the changing leaves. Fall decorating does not have to be only Halloween themes either. Hay bales, collections of apples, gourds, dried corn or even dried twigs can make a festive fall display.
Check out your dollar store for inexpensive fall decor. You can find lots of great fall themed wreaths, hanging pots, colored planters, and fall colored silk leaves and stems. Arrange them in vases or planters for a great looking display. To get more ideas to spark your creativity, visit your local craft stores and browse their displays.
Use natural elements from nature. Go for a walk and gather pinecones and a variety of branches to design your own wreaths and centerpieces. Try to add a variety of textures and heights to make the display more interesting. Mix and match items to create more interesting designs.
Get more mileage out of your current accessories by placing your fall items on top of them. For example, put your plants on the ground and place small pumpkins on the plant stands. Use pumpkins to line your front porch steps or even your fence.
With just a few themed items you can bring a fall theme to your decor. Have fun with your decorating!
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Dee Marie is a freelance writer who enjoys decorating. Please visit http://www.porch32.com for more ideas on porch swings and rockers.
January 12, 2008
Kitchen sinks get a lot of use. Fortunately, they are one of the most inexpensive features to replace in the kitchen. There is a wide variety of sizes, shapes and styles available. The cost varies considerably according to the style and material used in the sink. The decision is important because your sink will last for a long time. You want to choose something you will love for a long time.
Single or Double Kitchen Sinks
Most sinks can be classified into single or double basin models. There are a few triple basin sinks, but they are less common. The sizes of these vary in both width and depth. Consider your kitchen and how you use your sink to help make the choice between a single or a double.
The size of your kitchen will help determine the best choice. Single models are often best for smaller kitchens. A small kitchen can seem overwhelmed by a large double sink. Double sinks have some benefits as well. They are nice for washing dishes and preparing large meals.
Materials Used in Sinks
Stainless Steel is the most popular choice in materials for sinks. It is light weight and easy to install. In addition, it is easy to maintain. The gauge of the steel determines the quality of the material. The lower the gauge, the better the quality. Another factor is the percentage of chromium and nickel in the steel. The more of each the better the quality.
Porcelain is very attractive. It is most often chosen for aesthetics. Porcelain looks great in country or traditional kitchen d?cor. There is a wide variety of color choices available in this material. There are more color options in porcelain than in any other materials.
Solid surface kitchen sinks are often used with custom counter tops. These are composite materials used in expensive kitchen remodelling projects. Solid surfaces are durable and resist both stains and scratches. They are easy to clean and relatively low maintenance.
Enamel is a less expensive alternative for the sink. There are many color and style choices in enamel. It is not as durable as solid surfaces or stainless steel. More care and maintenance is also needed. The enamel can chip and scratch easily. Abrasive cleaners should not be used on these sinks.
Consider the number of holes you need in the sink deck. Faucets and extras like spray nozzles and soap dispensers should be taken into consideration. Also consider the number of handles that will be used with the faucets.
You may want to consider the faucets you like when selecting a sink. They should look good with the material of the sink and be functional. Consider the size of the sink when choosing the faucets. You may want a longer spout if you have a double or triple basin. If you have multiple basins, make sure to choose a faucet that will swivel at least 180 degrees. This way the water will reach each bowl of the sink.
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Peter J. Mason reveals many news to the http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com internetsite. The author is featuring sinks and appliances for kitchens and various other articles in the remodeling and home improvement area.
January 6, 2008
Wood burning fireplace inserts are basically a wood stove designed to fit into a conventional open fireplace. Like wood stoves, new inserts must be EPA certified, making them clean burning and highly efficient. These wood burning fireplace inserts are usually made from plate steel or cast iron and have glass doors so you can see the flames. The wood burning fireplace inserts either fit in the opening of the fireplace or protrude onto the hearth. The latter position is more efficient because the sides, top, and bottom provide additional radiant heat. The inserts often have blowers, which can significantly improve efficiency. Blowers are usually mounted in the front or along the sides of the insert. Some blowers are controlled manually, while others are regulated by a thermostat. Fireplace blowers are designed to distribute the air from your fireplace throughout your entire home.
In the past, most installers placed the wood burning fireplace inserts in the fireplace without any chimney connections. This method, in some cases, allowed creosote to build up inside the fireplace, presenting a potential fire hazard. To prevent this, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) now requires that inserts be installed with a positive connection to the chimney. Wood burning fireplace inserts must have a connector between the appliance outlet and the first section of the flue liner. This sends the smoke and gases up and out of the chimney more directly, minimizing combustible deposits that condense in the fireplace. Inserts are heavy, often weighing over 400 pounds. Since inserts need to be removed when the chimney is being cleaned and maintained, they can be awkward and heavy to handle. It is a job best left to a professional chimney sweep. In some cases, however, you do not have to remove the insert to clean the chimney. The wood burning fireplace inserts can stay in place during cleaning if you install a full relining collar, a stainless steel pipe that connects to the insert and goes to the top of the chimney. Good quality wood burning fireplace inserts usually costs between ?750 and ?1000. This price may be higher if you need to purchase accessories such as a blower, glass door, or catalytic combustor.
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Mick Burrows writes for http://www.fireplace-features.com
http://www.fireplace-features.com this is the place to be to learn more about fireplaces!
January 4, 2008
If you?re wondering what to do to get all that clutter that winds up right by your front door under control, consider adding a hall tree bench to your foyer. This attractive piece of furniture can provide functionality and style, and can clean up the most traveled area of your home.
A hall tree bench will provide a place to hang coats and hats, a spot to sit down while removing dirty shoes and, if it?s equipped with a storage unit, a place to store everything from umbrellas to backpacks. You?ll find numerous ways to use this piece of furniture in your foyer.
Hall tree benches have been around forever, and you can probably find an antique one if you scour antique malls and flea markets. However, many of these antique hall tree benches are high on style but not so high on functionality. Many have no real storage, other than hooks for hanging coats. A new hall tree bench can be just as beautiful, and is far more likely to be equipped with the storage that your family requires.
You can find a hall tree bench in every imaginable style and finish. Oak is the wood that was most traditionally used for these types of benches, but today, many simpler styles are fashioned from pine. More elaborate and elegant hall tree benches are made from cherry or mahogany. Many have small mirrors attached which, in addition to being a pretty feature, also gives you the chance to take one last look at your hair and lipstick as you go out the door!
Be sure to check out the many different styles available in a hall tree bench for your foyer. No matter what your d?cor, there?s one out there for you. You?ll be sure to find a hall tree bench that provides the storage you need with the style you love.
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Jennifer Akre, owner of numerous furniture websites, makes it easy to find handy indoor benches and outdoor benches . Learn how to decorate your patio and home in style by clicking the following link: teak garden benches.
December 28, 2007
Most people already know the advantages of using wall sconces for accent lighting applications such as illuminating any special feature mounted to a wall. However, these versatile lighting fixtures have a number of useful applications as well. Ambient lighting, the general lamination in any room, is superior when there is more than one source of light, making wall sconces an excellent complement to any ceiling fixture. While they are not recommended for task lighting, properly placed wall sconces will complement any lamp or spot light fixture in a beneficial manner. They will reduce the amount of light needed by the task light fixture and thus reduce glare and eye strain in the process. Here are some more tips when using wall sconces throughout the home:
Bathroom
Perhaps the most common place for wall sconces is in the bathroom. For smaller bathrooms, wall sconces adorning either side of the mirror will be adequate in providing all of the lighting needs. When looking in the mirror, you want the lighting to be uniform so place wall sconces approximately 6 feet off the ground. Halogen bulbs will provide superior lighting that will most resemble that of natural sunlight so use them where possible. In larger bathrooms, the wall sconces will need to be complemented with a ceiling fixture to avoid shadows and uneven lighting.
Dining Room
Many dining rooms are typically lighted with chandeliers, pendants, or some sort of ceiling fixture. While these fixtures provide adequate illumination of the eating area, it tends to create shadows in the corners. Wall sconces are excellent for providing the additional illumination necessary to ensure that your dining room has a more inviting appeal for diners. It is best to use the wall sconces to highlight decorative features in the dining room, such as the curio cabinet so that your China receives the attention it deserves.
Living Room
The same problems that occur in the dining room when a ceiling fixture is used as the sole source of ambient lighting are also evident in the living room. You do not want shadows creating an uninviting atmosphere so use wall sconces to fill in the lighting gaps. Wall sconces on either side of a mantle will help make the fireplace the focal point of your living room. For those without a fireplace, try placing wall sconces around prominent art or decorative pieces. You will want the fixtures at eye level for both lighting and practical purposes.
Hallways
Hallways are traditionally dark and shadowy places within your home and wall sconces have always been a great way to make them safer. As with the other rooms, it is best if you use wall sconces in both a functional and decorative capacity. Think about displaying the family pictures along the wall in the hallway with wall sconces mounted on either side of the display.
Wall sconces will always add a sense of style and sophistication to any decorative scheme. They are available in a limitless array of styles, designs and sizes so they can complement any d?cor. Do not feel limited in using them in the rooms described above because wall sconces can literally complement the lighting scheme in any room in your home!
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Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a complete product line of indoor lighting such as Wall Sconces and Chandeliers, as well as outdoor lighting from the industries leading manufacturers. Everything to light your home in style.
December 20, 2007
A time normally comes for the majority of us to decorate or update. You might finally be leaving your folks place or to an entirely different state, or possibly you’re just tired of the sofas, chairs and tables from your first move that’s just been laying around, getting dirty and banged up over the last few years. Once you have begun to look for new furniture, you?re going to realize pretty quickly that there are a bunch of retailers to shop. Dropping by a huge furniture warehouse stores is a daunting task, with a ton ofof chairs, sofas, and love seats sprawled out in front of you. It?s hard to have an idea of what you want, and possibly more difficultto determine of which furniture items will work together in your home, and what items will look wrong together.
A certain kind of format that is starting to get very popular is contemporary furniture. While a bit of contemporary furniture looks like it belongs with the jetsons, filled with odd and strange, pod like seats and curvy lines, not all contemporary furniture is space like. the fact is, though contemporary furniture designs were inspired from things such as science fiction when the space race days were in., most things have changed quite a bit since then. Today?s contemporary furniture is identified by clean lines and simple, elegant designs. Furniture giant Ikea found the majority of their sales volume and reputation on selling simplex, clean looking, and easy to build contemporary furniture. A big advantage of contempary style is that it?s easy to mix and match multiple designs while piecing together a whole room. Since the pieces often do not have a lot of colors, most pieces can be accessorized with different splashes of color to bring together an entire room. When you get tired of the color combination, you don?t have to get rid of your furniture, you just need to change up the accents.
Contemporary furniture will also lend a fun atmosphere to living spaces,that is noticed the most in tiny aparments and other very tight living spaces. by focusing the design on lines and lightness, contemporary furniture tends to open up smaller rooms and bring more light into living areas. Contemporary pieces work well with older furniture, more traditional designs, allowing you to change the layout and look of a room and not require you to replace everything in it. as little as a couple of clean, modern pieces will add a whole new look to a living or dining room, giving you that change you?ve been looking for.
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For more information on interior design and home furnishings visit our website at Home Furniture
December 13, 2007
Personally I?d recommend this faux finish for anyone in any room. Why? This faux finish is by far the most popular and most flexible. Just like sponging, color washing can be done in any color combination. Instead of a sponge the finish is applied with a brush in a crisscross motion. Follow the same directions for sponged faux painting. After choosing the colors you?d like to work with, add a glaze into your paint. The can of glaze you buy should have recommendations on the side as to what ratio. Follow the label.
The secret to color washing?
If you can, find a glaze with a very long open time. The secret to color washing is speed. The more the glaze/paint mixture dries the more likely you are to get nasty faux dry lines. How do we avoid dry lines?
1. Proper glaze to paint ratio.
2. Once started, don?t stop!
3. Move in one direction.
4. Move as fast as you can!
5. Keep the edge wet.
6. Ask an assistant for help
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If your back can stand to do another faux coat, wait 24hrs and add another layer of glaze. This time you may vary the color or thin the same color down even further. Repeat the process. Pull the tape. Move furniture back. Plan a party to show off your new faux painting!
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Steve Diadoo is owner of Diadoo Painting, a Minneapolis painting contractor and regional expert on faux finishing and decorative finishes. You can view his work at http://www.boringwalls.com
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