Bleach – Our Reliance On It Is A Mistaken Belief; Part3

From the first two articles it has hopefully become obvious that bleach does exactly that. It bleaches coloured pigments so they are transparent. It doesn’t clean by removing. I was trying to explain this to my son-in-law who said he swore by bleach and used it for many things. Only that morning he said he had used it to clean the tannin from stained teaspoons. Again I attempted to explain that the tannin was still there it had just been bleached so he couldn’t see it. His answer was I cannot see it so it has gone and the spoons are nice and shiny once again.. Defeated yet again by the power of bleach!

Having thought about this for some little time now perhaps I should reconsider my quest to re-educate people about the use of bleach. The power of what people perceive to be true using their sight and smell is too great to overcome. On top of that I myself have succumbed to the power of bleach. One of my cleaners was having quite a lot of trouble removing the tannin stains that had developed on the kitchen worktops of a well used office kitchen. In the end she called me in and said she had tried everything. The stain had embedded itself in the worktop and all remedies had only succeeded in dulling the stain. Not to waste any more time and effort on this particular problem I furnished her with some bleach and a few minutes later the work surfaces were looking ‘as new’. So even in my own world there is a place for bleach!

None the less there are far too many instances of young children drinking bleach that individuals should not simply leave a bottle by the toilet as seen in so many households. Keep it out of reach, preferably in a cupboard that youngsters cannot get into. Secondly never use bleach with any other cleaner. We had an instance quite recently where we had been called into a nursing home to descale all the toilets. Limescale deposits had built up on these toilets over the last 15 years. So a team of six cleaners set to work using phosphoric acid descaler. A few moments later the toilets had to be evacuated by the cleaners as the fumes were overpowering. Without our knowledgethe nursing home cleaners had earlier been round to clean all the toilets and had simply poured bleach around the bowl. Result a very nasty reaction between the bleach and the acid producing toxic fumes. So there is a cautionary tale to take note of. When the manufacturers say do not use with any other cleaning product they actually mean it!

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Best Way To Tackle Cleaning

Do you have one of those really big, filthy, completely disorganized cleaning jobs to get after? It it that one client you really dislike? Worse yet, is it your house?

Either way, you can tackle it quickly and efficiently is you are organized and know "how" to approach cleaning a big job, room by room and through each room. Here's how!

First, make a checklist. Put on there everything you need to do. If it looks to long just keep adding items. Take it with you in your pocket to every room and a pencil, too. The idea is to cross off everything you finish so you get a great sense of accomplishement as you move through the house. It also reminds you of things you might forget so you never have to go backwards.

Always start at one end of the house and work your way to the other. If its multiple stories start at the top and work your way down. If its one level, start in the bedrooms and work you way to the kitchen.

In each room, always clean top to bottom. Start at the ceilings with cobwebs and spider webs and work your way down the walls, windows and to the floors.

Wash walls, windows and then vacuum. After vacuuming dust. When you dust, start at the top and work down.

Be mobile and prepared. Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room. Avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.

Unplug the phone and turn off the T.V.

Eliminate clutter as you go, too. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.

A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning. Place natural soy candles scented with oils around the house. Lightly scented but not overpowereing cleaners will give your house that special "nose sparkle" clean, fresh scent.

Keep a big mat on both front and back porches to cut down on tracked in dirt.

Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper, car keys to help with clutter.

Keep a hamper in every bathroom and in each child's room.

Check your checklist off at this point and your finished!!

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Baby Boomer’s Demand Alternative Style

(ARA) - This is a story of passion and passionate differences, experienced by couples facing the strategic and often wrenching shifts taking place on the home front. One aspires to live in a home filled with the warmth, beauty and romance of a log home, while the other agonizes over the concept.

Why are people drawn to log homes? According to surveys, nine out of 10 people who choose a log home say they made their decision because they liked its distinctive look. Given the weight of the aesthetics, why do so many couples agonize over the details?

For some, a little research can give pause. That’s how it was for John and Katherine Overbee, who had long dreamed about building a log cabin as a retirement home. “We backed off a little,” he said. “Unless you have a lot of time and money, the intricacies of solid log construction can be worrisome.”

Even with all their uniqueness, there are basically two different types of solid log home construction: handcrafted, the most extreme log home, which may take years and millions to complete; and the milled D-log, in which the top, bottom and one side of the log are milled flat. With both methods, one log is stacked on top of another to form a wall, and then the roof is built off the walls. Proper allowances must be made around windows, doors, stairs, and cabinetry to allow the log walls to settle through the years.

“I love the look,” says Katherine. “But it seemed like everyone we spoke with has had problems.” The problem is the way cold air finds its way through the solid log wall. “During the first three years the log walls can actually shrink and settle,” John says, as he shows how he held a piece of paper by a log wall and watched it move from the air infiltration. “If a guy likes to caulk there’s less of a problem,” he adds with a smile.

So . . . should you go out on the limb? For many, like the Overbees, building a solid log home was not a logical decision. The solution came when the couple discovered a hybrid form of log home construction.

It was more than two decades ago when David Janczak, founder of Wisconsin Log Homes, began testing new-energy-efficient designs and introduced the Thermal-Log building system. To eliminate heat loss and stop the settling problems, Janczak designed a super-insulated, 6-inch thick-framed wall. Just as important, he also originated the precut half-logs with full log corners. In essence, he created an entirely new category of log home construction.

The insulated log home construction not only satisfied John but also gave him the peace of mind to build the home they dreamed about. “I absolutely love it,” says Katherine. “We’re at home -- it’s a place of peace.”

Just under 2,000 square feet, it’s a home of pleasures for Katherine and John. “We were surprised at how well this space accommodates our daily activities,” Katherine says. The people at Wisconsin Log Homes suggested they look carefully at their lifestyle and how they really live.

“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to work with a team of people who want to help you build your dream home,” says John. “They guided us through every step of the process.” He credits Wisconsin Log Homes for making their home a better place to live.

Katherine admits that she did get ahead of the process when she selected a 3,666-square-foot floor plan within 10 minutes of paging through Wisconsin Log Homes planning guide. The 144-page catalog is filled with color photos and over 100 floorplans but most importantly, helpful building information to guide people in a logical sequence.

Upstairs, two bedrooms flank the bathroom. The loft doubles as an office. The open downstairs contains a kitchen, living and dining room, plus the master bedroom. Just off the dining area is a cozy room that Katherine uses as her art studio.

The Overbees were also delighted when they discovered that Wisconsin Log Homes had a Design Center and an in-house interior designer for creative support. Working with an open floor plan, it was important to integrate the kitchen. Wood flooring connects the kitchen with the living and dining space. Lighting, cabinets and unique furnishings complement the elegant yet rustic log interior.

“It all came together so nicely and it’s so beautiful. The end result is a home that emphasizes who we are,” Katherine says. “Friendly, relaxed, nothing fancy, nothing extravagant. It fits us like a glove.”

Oh, one other thing: It wasn’t the large floor plan that Katherine loved, it was the large custom-tailored window wall -- it makes a striking statement and frames a special view from the great room.

If you would love living in a log home but have concluded that the intricacies of solid log construction are depriving you of your dreams, then perhaps you should contact the people at Wisconsin Log Homes. And if your choice is this hybrid form of half-log construction it will not only satisfy, but also delight you. For more information about designing and building log homes, call (800) 678-9107 or visit www.wisconsinloghomes.com.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Attention Homeowners: Replacing Your Faucets Will Make a World of Difference

(ARA) – A lot of people would love to have a new kitchen or bathroom, but once they learn about the costs involved, they may get discouraged.

Cabinets alone can run you in excess of $10,000, and that’s not including the cost of installation. Add in fixtures, appliances, electrical work, and the like, and before you know it, you’ve almost spent enough money to buy a new condo. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a major kitchen remodeling job is now $40,000.

The average cost of turning a worn-out bathroom into a new space is about $10,000. That figure includes the cost of replacing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, sink, medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor and vinyl wallpaper.

“Most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on remodeling projects, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some simple changes that will have a big impact,” says Keith Kometer, Faucet Marketing Manager at Kohler Co., a global leader of products for the kitchen and bath.

Instead of replacing toilets and showers, these days, a lot of people are painting their kitchens and bathrooms or putting up wallpaper, and accessorizing to get a new look. But those are only a few of the simple changes homeowners can make on a tight budget.

“Changing out the faucet can also make a big visual impact,” says Kometer. Kohler has just rolled out two new faucet lines that can be installed in minutes by do-it-yourselfers and won't break the bank in terms of cost.

The Forté faucet, for both the bath and kitchen, features a high arch spout that allows for a completely customizable look with traditional handles or sleek, sculpted handles. Its top-mount installation system, preassembled valves and handles allow for easy installation with minimal tools, saving time, effort and money. The only tools required to secure it firmly in place are a screwdriver and wrench.

The more traditional Devonshire design also features pre-assembled flexible supply lines, valves and handles. Flexible lines, available on the Forte faucets as well, are a lot easier to work with when installing the faucet than the standard bulky, rigid copper tubing. The Devonshire faucet also requires just two tools to install.

“These faucets are for homeowners who don’t want to spend top dollar on a remodeling project, but still want to create a look that’s dramatic and stylish,” says Kometer. ”You don’t have to repaint; simply replacing the faucet is all it takes.”

To add a little more fashion to the bathroom as a finishing touch, accompanying decorative accessories are available -- including towel racks, glass shelves, soap dishes and toilet tissue holders. They come in several finishes that exceed industry durability standards, and boast distinctive color and texture selections, including polished chrome, brushed chrome, brushed nickel and French gold.

For more information about Kohler products, log onto www.kohler.com or call toll-free (800) 4-KOHLER.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Review of the Top Six Dishwasher Brands

When choosing a dishwasher, look for quietness, quality of wash, reliability, economy, and durability. Here are six abbreviated dishwasher reviews to look over; each brand has its unique features.

Bosch Dishwashers
Weighing in at 49 dBA (a decibel measure), this is one quiet machine. It’s efficient and features a variety of settings, including a “delicate” setting for china plates, and a tougher setting for pots and pans. It washes completely, and dries totally. However, a Bosch dishwasher costs about $1000, which is a bit on the pricey end, and the control panel tends to break down easily. Also, their service technicians are a bit standoffish, by some accounts. If you run into problems with your Bosch dishwasher, check out the Aquastop function at the back of the machine. Pull the machine back to drain it, and then tighten the water inlet valve.

KitchenAid Dishwashers
KitchenAid dishwashers are unique in that they offer four levels of quietude, depending on how you want to wash your dishes. For a more vigorous, faster wash, you won’t mind the louder settings. On the other hand, if you’re having an intimate candlelit dinner, you will want to opt for the quieter settings. Fun fact: in 1949, KitchenAid became the first brand name to introduce dishwashers.

Maytag Dishwashers
Maytag dishwashers are quiet – about the same noise level as the clothing section in a department store. The bottom shelf is big enough for the largest kitchen items, and the top shelf is big enough for large glasses. It has four settings for different types of washes, also features a timer that automatically turns the machine on at a pre-set time. (A good time to set the timer is when energy rates are lower – usually at night.) Best of all is its ease of use -- the buttons are touch-sensitive.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Apartment Inspection Checklist

You have found an apartment you like and you are eager to move in this lovely place. Hold on! Before you sign the lease with the landlord, some inspection is necessary and it might save you a lot of trouble. If you have already signed the lease, it will still be helpful to carefully inspect the apartment if you haven't done it yet. In case you find any problem, you should let the landlord know and get the problems fixed.

Below is a checklist for apartment inspection.

1. Check the entrance: Does the door seal properly? Does the lock work?

2. Check the floors: Any stain or stuff on hardwood floor? Are the carpets clean?

3. Check the ceilings and walls: Any dents, cracks or holes? Is the wallpaper in good condition? Paint on the wall in good shape?

4. Check electricity and lights: All lights working? Electrical outlets functioning? Air conditioner working well? Ceiling fan working well? Phone jack in each room? Is there a cable TV connection?

5. Check the kitchen: faucets leaking? Water pressure good? All appliances working and clean? Refrigerator looking good and not making too much noise? Dishwasher working fine? Gas/electric stove working fine? Microwave functioning?

6. Check the bathroom: Faucets leaking? Hot water from the shower? Toilet working fine?
Water pressure good?

7. Check safety: Windows in good condition and safe? Intercom working? Locks on all doors working? Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors functioning? Lead hazards?

If you have found problems with the apartment, write them down and show it to the landlord (keep a copy for yourself). Make sure the problems get fixed before you move in.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

An Introduction to Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and practical window treatment to accent a room or to provide privacy from bright sun or noisy neighbors. A Roman shade is a piece of fabric that is mounted at the top of a window. The fabric is pleated such that when the Roman shade’s string is pulled, the fabric folds up in regular intervals. Not only does it look better than a boring plastic shade, it uses less fabric than other window treatments making it a cheaper alternative to ornate window treatments.

Classic Roman shades have overlapping folds when the shade is lowered, but more different treatments do exist. Flat Roman shades have no folds when the shade is lowered. These shades, when made with sheer or light fabric, can soften bright southern lighting into a subtle, soothing light. A more elaborate sunburst Roman shade has extra fabric at the bottom, which is folded into a half-sunburst. These cheerful shades are perfect for breakfast nooks, in the kitchen, or in a young girl’s room.

Roman shades can be made at home or purchased. Making your own Roman shade will be an exercise in mathematical patience. The fabric must be fitted to the window, and the hooks to draw the Roman shade up must be placed at regular intervals. Patterned fabrics are more challenging because the patterns should not clash when the Roman shade is raised. Roman shades for sale only need to be installed and come in varieties an amateur may find to difficult to make. For example, some stores like JC Penney, sell cordless Roman shades perfect for houses with small children. Roman shades for sale come in hundreds of fabrics or even made of wood. The least expensive Roman shades start at around $30. Interior designers can also make Roman shades just for you, but these will be more expensive than store-bought or homemade Roman shades.

Visit home improvement stores or search online for Roman shade ideas, instructions, or even to purchase Roman shades perfect for your home.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

An Introduction to Home Wall Murals

Wall murals are a creative way to decorate any room. Don’t be intimated. It is possible to paint a superb wall mural even if you feel like you are not an artist. Wall murals look great in children’s rooms, the kitchen, the bathroom, the family room, or just about anywhere you want to personalize a cold, plain wall. Plan carefully, have patience, and you are sure to be rewarded. You can even practice first on a wall not many people will see, like in the laundry room or the basement. You can decorate a wall while practicing and increasing your confidence.

Have fun picking your image pattern. You can either draw it yourself or pick a favorite picture from a children’s book, art book, or greeting card—anything really! If you want a more elaborate wall mural, you can pick images from different sources, like a border from a children’s book around a scene from a child’s birthday card.

Be creative with your design. Garden murals filled with flowers, ivy, baskets and butterflies are an easy way to brighten a kitchenette. Paint faux brick, tile, or marble to dress up an entryway. An ocean scene with fish, a beach, and palm trees can add whimsy to a bathroom. Paint a scene from a favorite children’s book to welcome a newborn. Or paint a baseball themed wall mural to make a home office seem more playful.

You can also use words in your mural. Wrap inspiring poetry around your dresser to help you start your day happily. Remind your children how much you love them with kind words by their bed, or even paint a playful reminder by their toy box to put their toys.

Remember, you are making the house yours. Take chances to find something you love. And if you get tired of it, you can always paint over it.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Look at Wine Glass Racks

Any wine collection is not complete without a collection of wine glasses with which to drink the wine. Wine glass racks can store your stemware easily and elegantly. Not only will a wine glass rack save cabinet space, but it will also help keep the wine glasses dust-free.

For a small wine and wine glass collection, consider buying a wine rack and glass combination. These cost under $50 and hold around six bottles of wine and a modest wine glass collection. Serious wine collectors should avoid hanging the rack in the kitchen because wine should be kept in cool, dark areas without strong odors. By the way, you should never store wine on a refrigerator. It spoils the wine.

Separate wine glass racks are more practical for wine collectors who have a large collection of wine glasses and want to keep them separate from the wine. Simple wood racks are available to attach underneath a kitchen cabinet. They hold around 20 glasses and cost under $25.

More elaborate wine glass racks can be displayed. Metal racks with grape designs are appropriate for most décors. Many have shelves above the wine glass racks. You could store accessories here like collector glasses, wine buckets, cozies, a cork collection, or bottle openers. Many cost under $50, but a steel, contemporary wine glass rack can cost over $100.

Online wine cellar suppliers sell wine glass racks with their wine storage collections. These let you design your own storage system with wine racks, tabletops for tasting wine, and wine glass racks.

Specialty wine suppliers sell many wine glass racks, but you can also buy them from chain home stores and organizational stores. Don’t be afraid to buy a cheap wine glass rack and then customize it with paint or detailing.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Look at Portable Dishwashers

Portable dishwashers are just the ticket for those with less than enough space for a more permanent and heavier dishwasher. They range in widths from a slim 18 inches to a maximum of about 24 inches for the “larger” portables. In general, they are also less expensive. They usually run anywhere from $200 to $500, rather than to $600 or more as with permanent units.

Portable dishwashers have wheels on them. You can roll your portable dishwasher to the storeroom if you don’t plan on using it for a while (and would rather opt for hand-washing). It’s also much easier to maneuver, for those who plan on moving to a new home in the near future.

They usually contain two rolling baskets for placing dishes into. They don’t usually boast the usual whistles and bells of large units, but they do have enough settings to choose from. For example, many units have a super-powerful cycle for pots and pans. Some also offer an option for boosting the water temperature when the house’s hot water supply is low.

To operate a portable dishwasher, you must roll it over to the sink and connect it to a hose. That part is easy. Just screw the hose to the sink’s plumbing. Make sure you won’t be using the sink during the machine’s cycles, and also be sure to unclog the sink first, if necessary. Drano or Liquid Plumr should do the trick. Also, be sure to rinse dishes before putting them in the machine. This will prevent the number of cases of clogging and grime buildup. If it ever does get plugged up, emitting a black gunk that ends up on your dishes, try scrubbing the walls down with vinegar and running the machine with a cup of vinegar.

Almost all manufacturers of standard, full-size dishwashers also offer a portable model. This includes Bosch, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, and Kenmore.

A portable dishwasher’s top acts as a countertop in many households, a godsend when space is at a premium. Alternatively, some portable dishwashers are made to sit atop an existing countertop in your kitchen. These have smaller capacities, as one might guess. But their performance is every bit as good as a floor-bound unit.

Perhaps the best part about portable dishwashers is that they are simpler machines than standard dishwashers. This means less repair work is needed, and less often.

You can purchase your new portable dishwasher at Sears, Menards, Target, ABC Warehouse, or any other large appliance retailer. They usually offer 1-year parts and labor warranties. But with care and attention, your new dishwasher can last for years.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Look at Industrial Scales

Industrial scales are used in a wide range of professional industries. They can be used for the medical, farming, manufacturing and production fields, just to name a few. A variety of scales are included in the industrial scales area, such as counting scales, digital postal scales, floor scales, shipping scales and pallet truck scales.

In the floor and bench scale field, there are a few scales that stick out for their accuracy and features. The AND HL-WP compact wash-down scale is great for harsh environments, while the GSE Pro-Weigh 84 heavy duty floor scale is designed for heavy-duty industrial operations. The GSE Porta-Tronic is a portable floor scale. The Sartorious FB series is similar, and ideal for the laboratory.

For filling or checkweighting, the Sartorious QC Counting and Checkweighing scale is a multiuse scale with a fast response, while the Setro Super II Counting Scale combines accuracy with custom printing, which is a very handy enhanced feature for industrial scales. The Setra Super-Count counting scale has a high-resolution ceramic sensor with an intelligently designed full-function keyboard to deliver high accuracy.

For overhead weighing, the Dillon Dynamometer ED-Xtreme is a top-of-the-line dynamometer, while the Dillon AP Dynamometer with 5-inch diameter has versatility in tension, traction and weight measuring. The CAS Caston II Crane Scale has a rugged cast aluminum composure, while the Dillon AP Crane Scale is also reliable and tough for extreme environments. The MSI 3360 Challenger 2 Crane scale is also versatile and reliable. Most importantly, it’s accurate, too.

Other top industrial scales include the AND GX-12K, a truly high-precision balance that meets IP-65 ratings for water and dust proof. This scale is water resistant, which helps in environments where that can be a factor. For commercial kitchen uses, Tanita's TLC-161 Digital food service kitchen scale helps to increase profits and reduce waste. This industrial scale is designed to guarantee consistent recipes and maximize profits by limiting waste in restaurant and other food service kitchens. It’s ideal for the catering industry, including bakeries, food-processing kitchens, and deli counters.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Look at Faux Wood Blinds

For those who want the warmth of wood, but are concerned with wood damage, faux-wood blinds may b e the answer. They are made of artificial materials but are designed to look just like real wood blinds. They are much less expensive than wood blinds. Faux-wood blinds are designed to be used in rooms with high levels of humidity like bathrooms and kitchens. They don’t tend to warp unlike blinds made of real wood and are stain resistant.

Faux-wood blinds can be made of either PVC or composite wood. PVC faux blinds are made of a vinyl polymer, whereas composite wood blinds contain both hardwood and a polymer base. They are lighter than PVC blinds. The composite wood blinds cost slightly higher than the PVC but they offer more value with their special 3-inch valances and the special trapezoid bottom rails that allow the slats to close tightly. Faux-wood blinds come in a wide range of colors and shades, some looking exactly like real wood. They can be custom designed as per different requirements like light control, sleek look, and the viewable area between the slats.

The polyvinyl material used to make faux-wood blinds is very durable and strong. It is simple to clean and does not warp, crack, or fade easily. The blinds made from this material can be covered with UV inhibitors to protect them from excessive exposure to the sun. This covering makes the blinds last longer--even for a lifetime. Faux-wood blinds can also resist extreme temperatures like heat and cold and are suitable for any room in the house.

Faux-wood blinds are also available in different forms and in different sizes. They can be mini or micro, vertical or horizontal, 2-inch valance or 3-inch valance. They can also be provided with other attachments and options like tilt wants, locking pull rods, fabric tapes, cord-want tilt and motorization, and light-blocking properties. Faux-wood blinds are thus replacing all the traditional kinds of blinds but are still providing the same kind of look that traditional wood blinds offer.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Guide to Wedgwood China

It all came about due to a cry from English housewives for more artful, cheaper, mass produced kitchen wares to serve their meals on and drink their mead from. That cry and the invention of the “transfer printing process” made inexpensive, artful plates, dishes and cups and saucers available to the public. Used by a handful of artists in 1756, it spread to other manufacturers and evolved into a more state-of-the-art process enabling manufacturers to produce more complex designs.

Ultimately it evolved to a point where double- and triple-applications were possible to make multi-colored, layered design patterns available. For some unknown reason, blue colors became the most popular and there is an interesting story behind that. The most popular of the blue colors is a design called Flow Blue. It is called that because it produces a pattern of blurry, runny figures blending into each other, producing a cosmic swirl. This came about because of a mistake at the kiln. When blue ink was used for a second and third firing, it could not withstand the additional heat and it ran. Originally, it was thrown out or taken home by employees. But when seen by others, it became popular and soon accounted for most of the production of the time.

It was not only the transfer process and the artistry of Josiah Wedgwood that made him the world’s most famous potter of the 18th century. It was his marketing genius that separated him from the pack. Even back then, Josiah Wedgwood recognized the value of the celebrity endorsement. Long before every celebrity in the world had been used to hawk items on TV, Josiah gave a complete set of his Wedgwood Fine China to Queen Charlotte and immediately began billing himself as “Potter to Her Majesty.” Of course, the demand for Wedgwood Fine China soared and Josiah was forced to do the only thing possible given the circumstances -- he raised his prices drastically and made a fortune.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Guide to Outdoor Gas Fireplaces

Imagine that you are sitting in your backyard on a cool, breezy night. You’re sipping hot tea and looking at the stars. The sound of crickets chirping and frogs croaking is nature’s symphony. The scent of jasmine is in the air. It’s the perfect night—almost. It is a tad cold, the air a bit too nippy. If only there was a way to heat your outdoor space the way you do your home. Thanks to outdoor gas fireplaces, you can.

Outdoor gas fireplaces can range from rustic simplicity to elegant extravagance. They can be free-standing or built-in structures. A built-in fireplace can be the centerpiece of an elaborate outdoor living area. These fireplaces are designed by landscape architects or designers. Some are built by pool and spa professionals. Made of bricks and mortar, they can feature any design elements you might desire. They can be a part of an outdoor kitchen or near the pool. Many people are using outdoor gas fireplaces to make their pools and hot tubs more useful year-round. In cool months, they can sit on the deck and enjoy hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows by the fire. Others create an elaborate backyard oasis, complete with palm trees and veranda—with the fireplace an intricate part of the design.

On the flip side are the smaller, less expensive portable models. Pacific Products, for example, offers a portable outdoor gas fireplace. This lightweight fireplace can be easily transported on camping trips, to tailgate parties, or simply to your backyard deck.

Chimineas are another form of outdoor fireplaces. While these are not technically gas fireplaces, some can use natural gas inserts.

Target and Sears both offer a selection of low-cost outdoor fireplaces. These are small, portable models. You might also want to check your local retail, department, and garden supplies stores.

Montigo is another source for outdoor gas fireplaces. An internet search for “outdoor gas fireplace” will uncover even more resources.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

A Guide to Kitchen Sinks

In any household, a kitchen sink is one of the central fixtures and always sees plenty of action. It is used both for preparing food and for cleaning up after every meal. It can add to or take away from the overall effect of your kitchen’s design. Durability and attractiveness are both important qualities in kitchen sinks.

More than simply functional necessities, sinks now offer more design appeal, softer lines, and a variety of finishes. Every homemaker faces the challenge of choosing the right sink for the kitchen, and the kitchen sink provides the finishing touch to any new kitchen project.
Modern sinks are not just made of a simple faucet and bowl. They come in multiple bowls of various sizes and shapes and are designed with integral drainers, cutting boards, soap dispensers, instant hot water dispensers, purified water taps, sprayers and more.
Sinks are also made of stainless steel, enameled metal, solid surfacing materials and quartz composites, and of course the traditional porcelain.

There is a great amount to consider when choosing a kitchen sink. Size, in width and depth, is of course the biggest choice you will make when choosing a sink to fit your kitchen. You also have a choice of materials used in making the sink - stainless steel, granite or copper.

Stainless steel sinks are made in many sizes and several thicknesses. Enamel on cast iron or steel sinks are made in an assortment of colors. Quartz composite sinks also come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Many people prefer stainless steel sinks because they are believed to be easier to care for. Some solid-surface countertop materials may be formed to include rimless, seamless sinks that are a perfect match.

Your sink choice is restricted by the size of your cabinet and counter top. All kitchen sinks require a minimum cabinet size. You can find out the size of your cabinet by measuring under the existing sink or where the new sink will go.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Advice about the latest and accurate help concerning aluminum sheet.

When you're seeking the best advice concerning aluminum sheet, you'll find it difficult extricating the best information from inexpert aluminum sheet proposals and guidance so it is sensible to know how to judge the information you are presented with.

Aluminum Sheets at Shopping.com!
Find, compare and buy Kitchen and other Home and Garden products at Shopping.com. Read product reviews and compare prices with tax and shipping from thousands of online stores.



Here are several tips that we believe you should consider using when you are searching for information concerning aluminum sheet. You need to understand that everything we are telling you is only pertinent to internet based information concerning aluminum sheet. We can't give you any guidance or tips when you are also conducting research offline.

Find aluminum sheet
Your relevant result is a click away!



An excellent piece of advice to follow when you are presented with information and suggestions on a aluminum sheet web page is to research who is behind the website. Doing this could reveal the owners aluminum sheet authority The fastest way to determine who owns the aluminum sheet site is to look for the 'about' page.

All decent sites providing information on aluminum sheet, will nearly always have an 'about' or 'contact' page which will list the site owner's details. The details should disclose key points about the owner's skill and understanding. You can then arrive at a decision about the site owner's knowledge and skill, to offer recommendations concerning aluminum sheet.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Add Value to Your House by Creating Visual Space

All homebuyers want as much house for their money as they can get. Many buyers are looking for a larger home because they've outgrown their current one, and especially desire more closet and cupboard space as well as larger rooms.

Visual space makes your home appear larger by allowing the buyer's eye to move from one side of the room to the other without interruption, giving the illusion of more space and openness. In contrast, a cluttered room stops the eye repeatedly and gives the illusion of less space.

In order to make your home appear larger, decluttering and removing unnecessary furniture is essential. The goal is to create a comforting atmosphere in which buyers can imagine their furniture and belongings easily fitting in. Once a buyer has this image in their mind, you're one step closer to a sale!

Follow these easy tips to add space and openness:

1. Pack away family photographs and small accessories. Family photographs make your house personal, but you want the buyer to see the house as theirs, so pack away all family pictures and mementos, including awards, trophies, plaques, etc. Small accessories (knickknacks, collections, figurines) distract the buyer by focusing on many small items instead of large, open spaces. These items should also be stored away.

2. Take small pictures off the walls. Small pictures break up the space of a wall and cause the buyer to stop and look at the pictures instead of allowing their eyes to see the wall without interruption. Keep large pictures above areas you want to highlight, such as over the bed, fireplace or sofa.

3. Leave accessories that add color and interest. A room without any accessories feels cold and sterile. Large accessories such as books, chunky candles and silk flowers should be left to give the room warmth and character.

4. Store small and unnecessary furniture. Many pieces of furniture, such as TV trays, end tables, and magazine racks can be put in a storage facility or at a friend's until you move. This immediately creates space between the larger pieces and makes the room appear more spacious. Now is a good time to decide what you'll take with you when you move and what you want to get rid of. Keep larger pieces of furniture in place (sofas, dining room tables) so the buyers can get a better idea of how their furniture will look in the space.

5. Clear off countertops. Remove all personal items in the bathrooms and kitchen. Items such as makeup, medicine and toothbrushes can be left in baskets on a shelf, to be brought out when you need them. In the kitchen, remove salt and pepper shakers, the dish rack, and small items on windowsills and on top of the stove. Clear countertops of all but large items such as canisters, a colorful cookie jar or a decorative plate. Have as few items as possible on the countertops to give the illusion of extra space.

6. Show off your closets. Perhaps number one on the buyer's "must have" list is more closet space. To make even small closets appear large, show shelf and clothes pole space by packing up and storing out-of-season clothes and sporting equipment, and donating unneeded items to charity. Now is the time to sort through all that clutter and decide what to keep and what to discard. You'll be amazed at how big your closets will look to you and your buyers!

You may think after all these changes that your house doesn't look like your own, but remember, the house you sell is not the same as the house you live in. By creating visual space, you are allowing the buyer to easily imagine integrating their life into your home - the first step to selling your home faster and for more money!

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Add Sizzle to Your Surroundings

Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish your décor needs. Take advantage of the sparkling colors, rich textures, and fresh scents of candles without draining your decorating budget.

Some candles are best unadorned, but candleholders offer an additional opportunity to highlight their presence and beauty. You don't have to burn the candles; you can use them as objects d'art, incorporating them into displays, floral arrangements and centerpieces—alone as an accent piece, or in a grouping as a focal point.

Typical candles no longer exist—they belong to a bygone era. Tapers gave way to thick and varied heights long ago. Today, you'll find square candles, heart-shaped candles, fruit and vegetable candles, gingerbread candles, floral candles, Christmas tree and ornament candles, and candles with artistic free-flowing shapes. Within that variety of shapes, you'll find an endless array of adornments, such as beads and glitter, straw, botanicals embedded in the wax, still life scenes, etc.

Color, Shape and Texture

Today's candles come in a wide variety of hues and shades, and many add the dimension of shape and texture to their composition. Marbled, frosted, and sculptured candles are widely available in a selection of sizes, shapes and prices—ranging from votives to thick, oversized candles.

If your living areas are frozen in time with a monochromatic color scheme—you know the rooms we mean, they looked oh-so-good on paper until you lived in them for a month—use candles to rescue you from the monotony without the expense of redecorating. Marbled candles are a quick and easy way to work complementary or harmonizing color into the room.

If your home utilizes color well, but lacks excitement, accessorize with textured candles to add pizzazz to the room. Position the candles to create a focal point or to add just the right accent. Marbled candles incorporate several hues and shades of the same color, and variegated candles can tie all of the colors in your décor together.

Sculptured candles provide a warm substitute for expensive knickknacks and require a minimum of space. Add smaller sculptured candles to guest bathrooms along with guest hand towels and guest soaps. It's the attention to detail that rolls out the welcome mat for guests and creates the ambiance of a memorable stay.

If you've never used anything but wax candles, try one of the new gel candles. Gel candles are translucent and their shimmering glow is irresistible to the eye. You'll find gel candles ready to display in their own attractive glass containers.

Candles and Fragrance

Scented and aromatherapy candles make an excellent choice for the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Consider odor-neutralizing scented candles a necessity for the kitchen when you entertain. They serve triple duty by quickly neutralizing cooking odors, adding a pleasant scent and a touch or warmth. Larger scented candles often include interesting texture, shape and color variation.

Candleholders and Display Options

If you use your patio as a three-season outdoor room, float citronella votives in water on the patio for a lily-pads-in-the-pond effect. You'll scare away the mosquitoes and other flying irritants at the same time. Place all citronella candles a few feet from the table so that you don't run off the guests along with the insects.

Votive holders have blossomed into every imaginable shape, including butterflies, bejeweled beveled glass holders, and seascape holders. Many of the votive designs are ideally suited for an outdoor environment.

Hurricane lamps add light and atmosphere to the outdoor table in the evening. Eve lights can produce harsh lighting, and hurricane lamps provide enough light to see without detracting from the atmosphere. When selecting a candleholder for outdoor use, it's important to select one that shields the flame from the wind, and hurricane lamps provide ample protection from the wind.

If you haven't seen the newer tea lamp candleholders, you're not going to believe your eyes. These candleholders are every bit as elaborate and intricate as their electrical counterparts. If you prefer the formal look of a chandelier, consider a chandelier candleholder for a soft, diffused light. The next time a storm or tornado blows through your area, leaving you without electricity, tea lamp, hurricane and chandelier candleholders will be ready and waiting.

Whatever your décor, imaginative use of candles and candleholders allows you to change your décor as often as you change your mood.

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Adding Value To Your Home With Landscaping

When most people think about increasing the value of their home the first thing that comes to mind is interior renovations. Things like new carpeting, kitchen cabinets, or new appliances, but an often overlooked way to make your house value go up is to landscape the yard.

With just a little effort you can drastically change the entire appearance of the outside of your home. Some shrubs along the outside of the house will give it an entirely different look, and a stone walkway is something even a landscape novice should be able to do themselves with a little instruction.

If your ready to make some major change how about a back yard patio with a brick barbeque pit. This is great for entertaining and would be a major selling point when it comes time to sell the home.

Decorative landscape also gives your home a unique quality that isn’t found very often. Things like garden statues, water fountains, pedestal bird baths, and stone figures can be picked up at most garden centers and make your yard really stand out.

One of the best places to find one of a kind pieces is second hand stores and garage sales. Old items such a copper tubs or wooden benches that many would consider junk are very popular right now, and many places that specialize in such item are charging hundreds or even thousands for these things but if you’re a bargain hunter and keep an eye out you can find some great deals.

While you can easily spend thousands of dollars landscaping your home you don’t necessarily have to. In fact if your willing to do the work yourself a couple hundred dollars on plants and some garden decorations are really all you need to increases the value of you home by up to 2%-7% .

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen

Accessorize Your Kitchen

Just like a nice outfit, your kitchen can benefit from accessories! If you are thinking about redecorating but don’t have a lot of dough to put into your kitchen, try simply adding some accessories in a matching theme or color and see how it transforms the room!

Now before you rush out to the store, you should probably decide what sort of theme you are going for. Do you want the look of old Italy? How about a cottage theme? Why not try a country style kitchen? You will want to buy different accessories depending on the theme you choose.

If you can’t quite put your finger on exactly what you want, look in magazines and decorating books or surf the internet to get a flavor of the accessories you would like to see in your kitchen. Once you have found a style you like, you can purchase accessories close to those you see in the magazine or book. Color choices, of course, should compliment the main color in the room.

Sometimes, you can just rearrange the accessories you already have to create a whole different look. It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers rather than even numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive.

Hanging artwork or decorative plates, trays or other wall art in your kitchen can really add to the ambiance, but did you know that most people do not know how to hang wall décor properly? The rule of thumb is that a picture of piece of wall decor should be hung so that the middle of the piece is at eye level. Art work should be placed no more than seven to ten inches above a table. Grouping wall decor in geometric shapes such as rectangles, triangles or circles adds interest.

Bakers racks or open cupboards are too cluttered in most kitchens. If you are using it to store cookbooks, vary the heights of books with the tallest in the middle and avoid putting small books next to tall books. Removing the dust covers can often make the books look more appealing. You can also decorate the shelves with candles, family pictures, fancy bowls, baskets or pantry boxies in odd number groupings of 1, 3 or 5 pieces. Place a plant on the top shelf for balance.

Certain accessories can give your kitchen a gourmet feel. Hanging copper pots and pans from a wire rack attached to the ceiling can add warmth and color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Growing herbs in a decorative container on the windowsill can be a great way to add interest and improve your cooking. Accessorize your counter tops with canisters or cooking utensils. A large bowl of fruit on the kitchen table can be fresh or artificial.

Once you have decided on the look you want, don’t feel like you have to run out and buy everything that day. Take your time and shop around for those perfect pieces. Try antique stores, consignment shops or flea markets for ideas. Accessories can make or break the look of your kitchen so be creative and trust your instincts!

Read more »

Posted in: Kitchen