Teak Furniture: The Premier Outdoor Furniture
October 31, 2009
When selecting furniture for their outdoor spaces, many people purchase pieces made with teak, a hard strong durable golden-brown wood, which is both resistant to the elements and requires little maintenance.
Teak grows in the region of Southeast Asia, mainly in Java, Indonesia, and is harvested from the surrounding forests and teak plantations by the locals and the Indonesian government. The wood of the teak tree is naturally resistant to insects, warping, splintering and the elements, which makes it an ideal wood for creating furniture.
First brought to Indonesia by the Dutch in the early 1800’s, teak is one of the main crops of the region. While it takes 50 to 60 years of growth before they can be harvested, the height of each individual tree can reach 150 ft. which makes for a high timber yield and a very lucrative crop. In fact, money earned from harvesting teak trees sustains thousands of families in the region.
Once the trees have been harvested, they are shipped to manufacturers in Indonesia and the America’s for use in the production of beautiful, durable teak furniture that is a favorite among consumers.
Laminate & Wood Floors the Healthy Option
October 31, 2009
Laminate & Wood Floors the Healthy Option
by: Jason Ashby
Leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. According to the American Lung Association wood floors in your bedroom and other main living areas can drastically improve air quality. This is not surprising when a large American company that recycles old carpet has stated that most used carpeting it receives for processing contains at least 35% of its weight in household dirt.
A report by the Healthy Flooring Network draw’s information from several reports and experiments carried out by leading health groups worldwide. It draws broad conclusions on the role fitted carpets play in determining the total allergen load in the home and the importance of this on the severity of allergic disease.
Detailed studies in the UK have found that 50-70% of asthma suffers are allergic to house dust mites. With up to 100,000 dust mites living in just one square metre of carpet and it being reported that 98% of UK homes have fitted carpets it is clear to understand why the UK has the highest prevalence of asthma symptoms in 13-14 year olds in the world at 19.8%, along with the second highest prevalence of eczema.
Shutter Hinges That Do More Than Hang Shutters
October 30, 2009
Shutter Hinges That Do More Than Hang Shutters
by: Peter J. Mason
Shutter hinges are just a necessary piece of hardware to hold the shutter to the wall, right? No so. There is much more to the shutter hinge than you might imagine. A brief look at the applications and style choices should shed some light on this affordable DIY home improvement project.
Styles through the Ages
For many homes now, shutters are simply an aesthetic feature to the home. Sometimes they are used as interior window treatments. But it wasn’t always this way. Shutters used to be an important feature in keeping the home dry and safe during a storm.
Exterior shutters were able to be closed from inside the house by pulling a knob and securing a latch. When closed, precious and expensive glass was protected from breaking during strong winds. Such storm shutters are still used, even though their make up has changed dramatically. In parts of the world where there are months of hurricane threats, shutters help protect the homeowner’s biggest investment from damage from the storm.
How To Select Laminate Wood Flooring
October 29, 2009
How To Select Laminate Wood Flooring
by: Peter J. Mason
Laminate wood flooring is a fairly new alternative in home flooring options. It is made to resemble natural hardwood floors. The quality has improved in recent years and today’s materials are very durable and beautiful. It can be difficult to tell them apart from real hardwood. Most major manufacturers make these floors including Armstrong laminate flooring, Mannington flooring, Shaw laminate flooring and Bruce flooring.
Selecting Laminate Wood Flooring
You have a wide variety of choices in both style and color for laminate floors. Styles are available that mimic natural hardwood or ceramic tile. Wood styles come in every tone from very light to darker tones. Choose darker tones for a formal environment. Keep in mind that dark colors tend to make a room look smaller, while lighter colors make the space appear larger.
Laminate flooring can be found in most flooring stores and home improvement centers. Discount flooring can be found in stores or on the internet. Once you have decided on the color and style of the floor material you want, you can start shopping around for the best price. If you are doing a very small room, look for left over materials. Sometimes these are available in smaller amounts at an affordable price.
How to Create a Wildflower Garden
October 28, 2009
In today’s gardens often populated by geraniums, roses, and zinnias, wildflowers can provide a simple and graceful flair. Almost any garden or landscape can be beautified by their presence. Not only are wildflowers easy to grow but they possess a natural resistance to pests, disease, and harsh climates. They can survive in clay soil, nutrient poor soil, sandy soil, and practically no soil at all. Once established in their preferred habitat, wildflowers can survive on their own without pruning, weeding, primping, and little or no watering.
The easiest way to create and grow a wildflower garden is to sow the seeds (to plant seeds by scattering) on well-prepped ground where they will not be in competition with weeds and grasses. The basic steps are as follows:
1. Decide when to plant (sow) the seeds. Wildflower seeds like warm soil and they can be planted in either spring or fall, depending on the species and where you live. They typically germinate best with a soil temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, if you live in zones 1-6 you should plant in the spring and if you live in zones 7-11 you should plant in the fall. For best results, follow the instructions on the seed packet or ask your local nursery.
Confused About Choosing the Right Down Comforter?
October 27, 2009
Confused About Choosing the Right Down Comforter?
by: Lisa Stevens
When you decide to purchase a down comforter you are selecting the warmest, most luxurious and comfortable way to sleep. Possibly you want to be warmer in bed, feel luxurious or just sleep better. There are a lot of down comforters out there, many without any real information for the consumer to make an educated purchase. Considering you spend 1/3 of your life in bed you should consider buying a high quality down comforter from a down bedding specialist, otherwise you will be replacing your down comforter every 3 or 4 years, and you will not be able to use it year-round. Choose a high quality goose down comforter from a down specialist and you will enjoy it year-round for many years, plus if they offer cleaning and renovation services, you will have it for life.
Here is what you really need to know:
Need a fix for domestic bliss
October 26, 2009
Need a fix for domestic bliss
by: Sue Rose
With so many period renovations potentially ending in disaster, Tsarine, is a new company specialising in researching fixtures and fittings for period renovations is set to revolutionise the property market.
Trying to marry modern lifestyles with period properties is no easy matter as many home owners are finding to their cost. Homeowners pushed for time might easily miss some fundamental considerations which at best will take them over budget and at worse affect the long term value of their property.
In the UK homes are everything. Homeowners pushed for time no longer need to wait for their dream home. We analyse the technical information and track down the unusual so our clients don’t have to. It’s their project but we help them realise it faster.
Many professionals buy a period property to turn into a dream home. Homeowners are looking for usability and flexibility of modern systems while retaining a period feel. This is time consuming. We present people with the options, resources and materials so that they can make informed choices. Not only does this save time but professional advice can save homeowners from making expensive design mistakes which can be irreversible.
10 Spring Decorating Ideas To Bring Your Home Back To Life!
October 26, 2009
10 Spring Decorating Ideas To Bring Your Home Back To Life!
by: Michael Holland
Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you’re looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:
1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.
2. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.
3. Add A Throw Or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.
4. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)
Adirondack Furniture - What It is and Why You Want It
October 25, 2009
Adirondack is the name given to a style of furnishings that date back to the late 1800’s. During this time period, immediately following the civil war, upstate New York gained notoriety as a popular tourist destination. People, mostly the rich, flocked to the lavish hotels and guest houses that dotted the rustic landscape of the Adirondack Mountain range to relax and enjoy the tranquility and atmosphere that could be found in these remote destinations.
In order to attract these tourist dollars to his location, one of the locals, William West Durrant, created a unique destination that came to be known as the "Great Camp." In this camp, Durrant utilized many of the natural resources that could be found in the Adirondack Mountain area, such as limbs and leaves, to create beautifully styled, rustic chalets and furniture that mirrored the popular chalets of the Swiss.
Not only did this furniture harmonize with its natural surroundings, it was also very comfortable and durable. It did not take long for Durrant’s style to catch on, and soon there were many such camps in the area of the Adirondacks.
The Beginners Guide To Making a Water Feature
October 24, 2009
The Beginners Guide To Making a Water Feature
by: Morgan Bradfield
A water feature is a lovely accent to a landscaped yard or flower garden. It provides a wonderful background for flowers and plants alike as well as providing the soothing sound of trickling water.
Most water features are marble, molded plastic or natural rock. The molded plastic water features are the lightest and easiest to work with but need special attention in climates where the water freezes over the winter. The fiberglass may become brittle and will break easily if hit or knocked. Marble, rock or cement fountains are much more durable in all climates but are considerably heavier and may be harder to install depending on the size you are planning to purchase.
There are smaller freestanding water features that are self-contained and very elaborate in design. Self-contained refers to the fact that the water used in the fountain is collected in a bowl at the bottom of the fountain and recycled continuously. There are also more natural looking water features that circulate a large amount of water into a pond or small pool. These water features or waterfalls are more elaborate and require a longer time to build and install.
