Bamboo Flooring - An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Hardwood Flooring and Easy to Fit
June 30, 2010
Bamboo Flooring - An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Hardwood Flooring and Easy to Fit
by: Chirs Elliott
The modern, environmentally friendly and durable alternative to hardwood is bamboo flooring. Being a grass, as opposed to timber, gives bamboo the edge as a not only a building product (being strong and at the same time flexible), but also as a sustainable resource: wood takes approximately 15-20 years to reach maturity, whereas the non-harmful harvesting of bamboo takes a mere 3 to 5 years. Bamboo has traditionally been the material of choice in most of Asia, and it is only recently that its benefits and environmental properties have begun to be utilised more fully in the west.
The growth in popularity in recent years for wood flooring has increased the burden on already stretched timber resources. Bamboo flooring shares many of the properties that attract discerning customers to hardwood; it’s low maintenance, hard wearing, and looks contemporary while having a timeless appeal; but it is without any of the environmental concerns that are attached to its hardwood counterpart.
Due to its flexibility as a material, bamboo flooring has a broad appeal that can be manipulated to a suit a variety of styles. Its range of applications varies from period homes to offices, designer hotels and bars.
Gardening is Good Therapy
June 29, 2010
Many of us garden just for the sheer joy of it. But did you know that all over the country the healing aspects of gardening are being used as therapy or as an adjunct to therapy? Although this might sound like a new concept, garden therapy has been around for decades. For example, the Garden Therapy Program at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, and in regional hospitals in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Rome, Thomasville and Savannah, has been helping people for over 40 years through gardening activities known as social and therapeutic horticulture. So what exactly is social and therapeutic horticulture (or garden therapy)? According to the article "Your future starts here: practitioners determine the way ahead" from Growth Point (1999) volume 79, pages 4-5, horticultural therapy is the use of plants by a trained professional as a medium through which certain clinically defined goals may be met. "?Therapeutic horticulture is the process by which individuals may develop well-being using plans and horticulture. This is achieved by active or passive involvement." Although the physical benefits of garden therapy have not yet been fully realized through research, the overall benefits are almost overwhelming. For starters, gardening therapy programs result in increased elf-esteem and self-confidence for all participants. Social and therapeutic horticulture also develops social and work skills, literacy and numeric skills, an increased sense of general well-being and the opportunity for social interaction and the development of independence. In some instances it can also lead to employment or further training or education. Obviously different groups will achieve different results. Groups recovering from major illness or injury, those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and mental health problems, older people, offenders and those who misuse drugs or alcohol, can all benefit from the therapeutic aspects of gardening as presented through specific therapy related programs. In most cases, those that experience the biggest impact are vulnerable or socially excluded individuals or groups, including the ill, the elderly, and those kept in secure locations, such as hospitals or prisons. One important benefit to using social and therapeutic horticulture is that traditional forms of communication aren’t always required. This is particularly important for stroke patients, car accident victims, those with cerebral palsy, aphasia or other illnesses or accidents that hinder verbal communication. Gardening activities lend themselves easily to communicative disabled individuals. This in turn builds teamwork, self-esteem and self-confidence, while encouraging social interaction. Another group that clearly benefits from social and therapeutic horticulture are those that misuse alcohol or substances and those in prison. Teaching horticulture not only becomes a life skill for these individuals, but also develops a wide range of additional benefits. Social and therapeutic horticultures gives these individuals a chance to participate in a meaningful activity, which produces food, in addition to creating skills relating to responsibility, social skills and work ethic. The same is true for juvenile offenders. Gardening therapy, as vocational horticulture curriculum, can be a tool to improve social bonding in addition to developing improved attitudes about personal success and a new awareness of personal job preparedness. The mental benefits don’t end there. Increased abilities in decision-making and self-control are common themes reported by staff in secure psychiatric hospitals. Reports of increased confidence, self-esteem and hope are also common in this environment. Prison staff have also noticed that gardening therapy improves the social interaction of the inmates, in addition to improving mutual understanding between project staff and prisoners who shared outdoor conditions of work. It’s interesting that studies in both hospitals and prisons consistently list improving relationships between participants, integrating with the community, life skills and ownership as being some of the real benefits to participants. But in addition to creating a myriad of emotional and social benefits, the health benefits of being outdoors, breathing in fresh air and doing physical work cannot be overlooked. In most studies, participants noted that fresh air, fitness and weight control where prime benefits that couldn’t be overlooked. Although unable to pin down a solid reason, studies have shown that human being posses an innate attraction to nature. What we do know, is that being outdoors creates feelings of appreciation, tranquility, spirituality and peace. So it would seem, that just being in a garden setting is in itself restorative. Active gardening only heightens those feelings. With so many positive benefits to gardening, isn’t it time you got outside and started tending to your garden? Next time you are kneeling in fresh dirt to pull weeds or plant a new variety of a vegetable or flower, think about the tranquility you feel while being outdoors in your garden. Let the act of gardening sooth and revitalize you. Soak up the positive benefits of tending to your own garden. If you have someone in your life that could benefit from garden therapy, contact your local health unit to find out more about programs in your area. Not only will the enjoyment of gardening help bond you together, but it will also create numerous positive mental and physical benefits for both of you. So get gardening today for both your physical and mental health. You’ll enjoy the experience so much that you’ll immediately thank yourself.
Consumer Revolution In The Home Warranty Industry
June 28, 2010
Consumer Revolution In The Home Warranty Industry
by: Aaron Hoos
Imagine going to the grocery store but when you get there, someone tells you what to buy. They load up your cart with goods - regardless of whether you need them or not - and expect you to pay full price for them.
When you get home, what do you do? You toss out the sardines and the artichoke hearts and wish that you could have bought more toothpaste. But it simply wasn’t allowed.
The problem with this scenario is that you have no choice and no control. Since someone else is making the decisions, you end up losing money. (Just what is an artichoke heart, anyway?)
While this idea may sound comical to some, that’s exactly what’s going on in the home warranty industry. Customers who are looking for home warranties are showing up at a home warranty provider’s website and being told what to buy and how much they’ll get.
Do you need two air conditioners covered? Too bad. Don’t have any ceiling fans? Too bad. You only get one air conditioner covered on your policy and you’re paying for ceiling fan coverage anyway. Will the home warranty provider do anything about it? Probably not.
How to Really Declutter Your Home for Buyers
June 28, 2010
How to Really Declutter Your Home for Buyers
by: Bob Lipply
Your real estate agent has come to your house to assess what needs to be done to sell it the quickest. The word, “declutter,” continues to come up. You assure your agent that you are a very neat person and that everything will be clean when the potential buyers come to view it. Many sellers encounter the same situation each day. What agents wish their clients would understand is that decluttering is more than just keeping the baseboards dust-free and the countertops wiped down. Try some of the following tips and wow your real estate agent, and especially, your buyers.
With pen, paper and clipboard in hand, tour the outside of your home, then the inside. As much as possible, pretend that you don’t own the house and even that you’ve never seen the place. You will quickly see what your real estate agent meant by decluttering when you use this new perspective. Write down anything which is the least bit offensive to the eye, including unruly hoses, toys in the front yard, a busy mantle above the fireplace and newspapers stacked up in the laundry room. The list will seem longer the more times you go through the process. However, the more you notice, the more prepared your home will be for eagle-eyed buyers.
Stop Charging by the Hour and Make More Money as a Creative Professional
June 27, 2010
Stop Charging by the Hour and Make More Money as a Creative Professional
by: Kirstin Carey
One of the biggest challenges with a creative business is getting paid what you are worth. The root of the problem isn’t that the client doesn’t have the money and it isn’t that the client isn’t willing to pay you what you are worth. The root of the problem is how you are charging and how you are creating value in the mind of the client.
First, you must create a business based on value pricing and not hourly pricing. The number one worst way to charge (and most creative businesses are charging this way) is by the hour.
Frankly, it shouldn’t matter how long it takes you to solve the client’s problems or provide your service, it should matter that the client is getting what he needs and what he wants. If you’re creating value and you’re giving them value, they’ll pay you for that value. They shouldn’t be paying you for your time. If you’re being paid for your time you’re essentially setting the ceiling to how much money you can make because you can only work so many hours.
Buying a Lawn Mower
June 26, 2010
Anyone with a lawn, no matter how small will at some point need to cut the grass, up root any weeds etc. Like most people, I normally manage to do this at weekends. Unfourtunately for me, recently, the cable on my lawn mower was cut when trimming the grass at the weekend.
This of course led me to go any buy a new mower (had an excuse now!). For what its worth, I would recommend anyone with a small to medium size lawn to purchase a lawn mower that comes with a grass gatherer attached- you will wounder how you managed to live without it!.
On a saftety point of view, ‘power plugs’ only cost around £10. They immedialely cut the power from the plus and hence reduce the chance of an injury, albeit a serious one. The great thing about the power plug is, it can be used for any electrical appliance, ie, drills, irons, anyware there is a danger of an electrical accident.
Another safety point to consider is the actual blade itslef. There are very robust plastic blades avaiable, and replacements can be ordered cheaply. I would recommend plastic blades for well kept gardens, where there is not much danger of your mower trying to mow a brick or something, and hence damaging the blade.
How To Find And Install The Best Hurricane Windows
June 25, 2010
How To Find And Install The Best Hurricane Windows
by: Clinton Maxwell
Hurricane windows were first developed in response to the disaster of Hurricane Andrew in South Florida in August of 1992. They are effective for protecting your home from high winds and flying debris. They can be installed during construction or added later as a home improvement project. The cost of these windows is comparable with other high quality windows.
Benefits of Hurricane Windows
Obviously, the biggest benefit is protecting your home form the wind and water during a powerful storm. Most damage done to homes during hurricanes occurs as a result of broken windows. Flying debris breaks the window and high pressure air enters the home. This high pressure air can either blow out the window on the opposite side of the home, or blow the roof right off your house.
Shutters are often used to protect windows. Other people board up the windows with plywood year after year. These are both expensive and labor intensive. Windows designed for hurricanes are always in place, ready to protect your home. These storms change course quickly and it will benefit you to be ready all the time. Some people can’t take shutters on or off the house, due to physical limitations. These windows eliminate the need for this extra work.
The 7 Schools Of Feng Shui
June 24, 2010
The 7 Schools Of Feng Shui
by: Ron King
Everyone has heard of Feng Shui, but what exactly is it? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese belief that involves the study of both the natural and the created environments. To achieve a balance between the 2 affects the energy of a room.
7 Schools Of Feng Shui
There are many different versions of Feng Shui, each influenced by culture, geography, and religion. There are 7 predominant types or schools of Feng Shui:
1. The Compass School uses the 8 trigrams of the I-Ching. They are known collectively as Pa Kua, which is based on the 8 main directions of a compass. Each direction is associated with a specific chi. For example, southern is vibrant energy.
2. The Form School, based on the landscape’s shape, uses 4 symbolic animals to identify the landscape. Easy to use, the Form School (along with the Compass School) increases chi both in and out of the home.
3. The Black Hat Sect uses a fixed entry point to determine the area. Although similar to the Compass School philosophy, it has differences. The Black Hat Sect also consists of psychology, Buddhism and basic design principles.
Build Your Own Garage Workbench
June 23, 2010
Build Your Own Garage Workbench
by: Jack Blacksmith
A garage workbench is an essential piece of equipment in any home workshop. A workbench will allow you to complete projects easily and with greater accuracy. A variety of pre made workbenches are available to fit your needs. If you prefer, you can make your own workbench, either with a kit or from a plan.
Choosing a garage workbench
Workbenches are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Benches are great for woodworking, crafts and other household projects. You can purchase a bench at most home improvement stores. Another option is to build your own bench. You can find plans in books and on the internet with instructions to create the perfect bench to suit your needs.
A table style workbench is made of heavy duty materials to stand up to regular use. Most models have a hardwood top with metal legs. Table tops can also be made of steel. These resemble a typical table shape with nothing underneath.
Decorate Your Outdoor Spaces on a Budget!
June 23, 2010
Many times when the weather becomes sultry, the only place we want to be is in our favorite chair on the porch, sipping ice-cold lemonade! So, if we are to spend our summer months languishing with Mother Nature, why not treat our “outdoor room” to a little freshening up, and make our time outdoors more enjoyable! Here are some great, easy ideas you can use to add your own personal style to a much used “summer home”!
Treat your outdoor space just like an indoor room when you think about decorating it. Mother Nature has got the ceiling covered in most cases, but you should think about floors, furniture, accessories, color, and, yes, walls, just like any other project! Choose a theme, even if it’s just color!
Use existing fencing, tall plants, trellising, etc… for your walls, or just imply that walls exist by arranging your furnishings as if they did!
Dress up old patio furniture with cushions (easily made out of leftover fabric), a little paint, and maybe some stenciling or stamping. Details bring that “homey” feeling to the space. If you don’t have furniture, buy those inexpensive resin chairs and make cushions out of a bright cheery fabric.
