With the never-ending reams of paper dedicated to global warming, its little surprise that people have taken more to gardening that ever before. Landscaping even for the smallest of areas is pretty much in vogue. While landscaping for home improvement is in demand, there is also the requirement of doing all of this while conserving water.
In general one of the good times of the year to begin with your landscaping is just before the beginning of spring. The first thing you need to do is assess your landscaping area. Know which areas receive the maximum and minimum of sunlight. Your selection of plants for those areas will have to done accordingly. Another thing is to know how big your chosen plants are going to grow in their completely mature state. This will allow you to space out your plants in the entire scheme of things. What you should ideally do is call in a landscaping expert to help you assess the area.
If you are ready for a bit of work, then you could choose to plant hydrangeas. These will require a small alteration in the soil. Hydrangeas require an alteration in soil to balance pH levels. You could also go online to find out more of your soil and the kind of plants that will easily grow in it without having to alter it.
If you have a small patch of land, you could think of planting a lawn. Keep in mind, that this requires a lot of water in the summer and an amount of maintenance. If you are live in a hot area then select lawn grass such as Buffalo or Bermuda or even Zoysia. For those areas that have moderate sunlight you could opt for Zoysia again or St. Augustine. Using ground covers as well as landscape beds will help you decrease the area of lawn and this allows for optimal use of water.
You could also think of introducing rock gardens as well as water bodies in your landscaping. Using flowering shrubs to line your pathway would also be a great idea. You can. If you have a large enough space, then plant flowering plants that suit every season. This way, when one plant is done for the season, the next one begins to bloom. This will change the look of your landscaping with each season.
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Elegant Landscaping Ideas for Your House Improvement
Best of Vw Beetle Inspired House and Restaurant Designs
House is not merely a place to stay or to come back after long working hours at the office. People build houses as a means to create happiness and to enjoy a true familial atmosphere. With many people, house also becomes personal identity. Special impressively designed houses can bring fame and pride to the owners. Therefore, architects have continuously thought of unique and even bizarre house designs. People have seen Zen house, Glass Prefab house, Arched Timber Roof House. Creativity of house designers seems unlimited. They can get inspired from everyday items like a leaf, a telephone, a book or a car. Recently, Car.Das Auto restaurant and the house named Auto Residence which is located in the north of Salzburg, Autria has enchanted visitors and even by-passers with the impressive VW Beetle inspired design. The idea of the design was inspired over a decade ago but it was not until 2003 that the construction of house and restaurant was completed. Let’s have a look at the uniquely designed house and restaurant.
The outside overview of Car.Das Auto restaurant
The owners of the house and restaurant had dreamt of building the buildings in the shape of a bug just like the design of VW Beetle
Their dreams were shared with architect Markus Voglreiter and he came up with this crazy idea
Auto Residence includes some snazzy details like the headlamp shaped windows and suspension spring-themed columns inside
The house is also very environmentally friendly with a special heating center that minimize the consumption of energy
It costs over 1.6 million euro to build the restaurant
The impressive design of Auto Residence was the inspiration of the construction of Car.Das Auto restaurant
The VW Beetle inspired home was a hit in Austria
Modern and well designed toilet
Related links:
Open Houses
Bird Houses from WindowAlert
Concept Houses via Microsoft
New Home Interior Design | Home Remodel | Home Remodeling
More and more people are now leaving their non-personal corner in the offices and working from home. While working from home was almost impossible once upon a time, with the advent of technology and more importantly the internet, work-from-home is surely a sensible and successful decision.
People who work from home have to be very careful while designing their home office space. As is true with any office, it should be efficient, yet beautiful and eye-catching. Here are some ways towards the perfect home office space planning. Then again, your home office interiors designideas may just be an opportunity to do away with whatever you thought was wrong with your office space planning. The very concept of a home office is set upon discipline. Depending on your discipline, commitment and love of your work, set up a place in your home as your home office.
The space where you wish to set your home office is important. Take care that the office is not an impediment to other house members, if you are living with or have a family, and also the guests. A home office is an idea of comfort for everyone, including the people around you. A comfortable space is around three by two meters. The space can be anywhere in the house, like your own room, an empty basement or even an old warehouse.
If the Home-office is somehow isolated from the entire house, one can add some creative touches to the room which will not hamper the general layout and look of the house. For example, one can select a different paint for their home-office. One should choose a neutral color, which is not hurting to the eyes. One should take into consideration that a home-office will be the place where they will spend most of their time.
All you need to set up a home office is a computer table, a computer chair and another desk and chair. Other filing essentials should find a place in the office space layout. The interior space designshould be done in such a way that it leaves ample walking space after these three necessities are put in place. One will also need a couple of chairs or maybe a sofa as seating arrangements for any business guests that arrive.
One another home office designs idea is a proper filing cabinet. Though the office space should have almost everything one would need to conduct a day of work or business, the place should not be cramped up. A cramped or cluttered workspace will decrease efficiency and mar productivity. One way of increasing the storage space in the home-office without making it evident is by opting for a roll-top desk. Such desks will offer you more storage space.
Other office equipment necessary for a home office is a copier, Xerox machine and a fax machine. Nowadays, single machines are available that have all these functions, called All-In-Ones. All-In-Ones are great for space consumption and are also economical in the long run.
Other basic essentials of a home-office are a telephone line and a internet connection. Though cell phones are good enough to keep in contact with business contacts, a separate land line is always better.
Though a dustbin may seem as a luxury during the initial stages of setting up the home-office ideas,it should find its way into the interior space planning of a home office. A dedicated dustbin ensures that the home-office space is neat and tidy.
Therefore, the interior space planning of a home office should be done in such a way that it does not coincide with the general layout and look of the home, and it should have the necessary office automation devices needed by an individual to run a office from home.
New Did You Know That Awnings Can Save You Money?
In today's economy saving money is important. An American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers study showed that an awning can reduce heat gain by 55 to 65 percent on southern-facing windows and 72 to 77 percent on western exposures. This results in a direct energy savings for you. A porch awning is a great investment for your front or back porch.
Consider these benefits of having awnings on your porch or windows:
They reduce your energy costs by cooling the air adjacent to your home
They provide additional shade when the sun is lower in the sky to increase your porch enjoyment
They add privacy
They can be used to convert your porch into a screen porch
They add ambiance and curb appeal to your home
Awnings come in all price ranges, styles, and models
You are sure to find one to fit your specific requirements. Perhaps the most versatile style awning is the motorized retractable awning. This allows you to retract the awning at the touch of a button (some are remote control). Both the manual and motorized retractable models give you an energy advantage all year long. In the summer, the awning will decrease the heat on your porch or your windows. In winter, retract the awning to allow the sun's rays to warm your home thus decreasing your heating bills.
Another nice feature is that some awnings are designed for windy areas. These models usually have reinforced supports, can be angled back to the wall or placed vertically on the floor, reinforced mounting plates, and heavier fabrics. In addition, you can find wind sensors that you attach to your awning so that it will automatically close on windy days. You won't have to worry about your awning when you are on vacation.
Awning accessories
You can easily convert some models to screen rooms giving you an enclosed porch. Lighting kits are also available for awnings to make them even more versatile. Not only that but you have a wide variety of awning fabric color choices. From solids to stripes, you can find a pattern and color to suit your decorating needs. Awning fabrics are usually made from water-repellent acrylic materials to look attractive and last a long time. Most fabrics protect you from UVA and UVBs rays. Choose a light color or light color combination to reflect as much heat as possible.
Aluminum awnings are meant for long wear and provide a weather tight seal. However, there doesn't seem to be as many color and design options.
Considerations when purchasing awnings
When purchasing an awning makes sure it drains well. Consider where your awning will be located as water runoff could be an issue. The size of the awning will dictate how much water you'll have to direct. In addition to water, make sure your awning can be vented to release any trapped hot air.
Now you know a few considerations when purchasing and installing a porch or window awning. In the summer time, additional shade gives you more opportunities to really enjoy your porch.
Best of Recommendations Forenhancing Your Backyard
If you enjoy entertaining and spending time in the garden then it is best to start planning what you want to do with it now. One of the best ways to do this is to look at how you can turn a patch of grass into a number of areas that you can get a practical use out of your garden. Turning a corner in a small garden into a patio or creating a large patio in a bigger garden is a great way to do this. Patios and garden paving can be used to great effect and by creating an area like this you have the perfect place to host barbecues and more. The great thing about garden paving is that you can use it to create sections in your garden lawn so that it is more practical. This could be simply creating a pathway to an area for hanging out your washing or simply to prevent your lawn becoming damaged by people constantly walking on it.
You might want to look at getting more from your garden. More and more people are looking into it and finding out how to start growing your own vegetables. You can easily begin growing your own vegetables by creating an area in your garden. One way of doing this is to remove the grass in a small area of the garden and turn it into a vegetable patch by turning over the soil. The only problem with this is that you may find that the soil in your garden isn't very good. Another option would be building a raised garden bed for growing your own vegetables. This will help provide a more controlled environment for growing organic vegetables.
One of the common problems with taking on a bit of minor landscaping is that most people will not have the appropriate tools for a job such as re-turfing a lawn. It can be very expensive to buy all of your own tools and many people don't have the necessary garden machinery in their shed. There is a simple way to get around this by hiring everything to do the job. When you are taking on a job like this there is likely to be a large amount of waste that you will need to get rid of. To remove this waste in a simple and effective way you can use a skip hire company to dispose of it properly. Any skip hire company worth their salt will be able to get you the right sized skip for the job. Most companies will also offer skips at competitive prices and some will also offer a wait while you load service for quick removals.
Lovely Outdoor Kitchen Sinks
Outdoor kitchen sinks provide for a major convenience for people and businesses alike whom are engaged in an outdoor event. This is the reason why top manufactures in the home and garden industry have spent a great deal of time and money on research and design of new age, fully functional outdoor kitchen sinks.
Outdoor kitchen sinks are convenient for sporting events, meetings, parties, or simply a small gathering amongst close friends and family. You’ll find it’s uses at locations like home decks, public parks, outdoor or portable food service terminals, like a hot-dog stand. In the home, a family can host a gathering amongst their friends, out on the deck with ease and convenience of being able to clean food and utensils, rather than repeated trips to a far kitchen. In public places like the park, an outdoor sink comes in handy for picnics and barbecues. Standalone food vendors like hot-dog, burger and wing stands are now implementing miniature sinks to their boxed style kiosks, to enhance their business services.
Some of the top companies offering outdoor kitchen sinks include Kohler, Blanco, Linkasink and Elkway, from styles and designs that include the traditional porcelain and stainless steel construction, to new age designs using copper and granite. Price range for these products range widely and are based on application. However, a general range one can expect to fall in is between $ 200 and $ 5000.
When looking for the right outside bathroom sink, start with research. Check local newspaper listings and the internet for reviews on companies that manufacture outside kitchen sinks. Sites like blogger and E-How are great sites for consumer reviews and advice on particular brands. You are bound to find a review on a particular brand that you may be interested in. Check your local retailer, like Home Depot for a hands on experience with particular items. Consider style when shopping for your sink. Ask questions, check out samples and scan through all of the selections a company has to offer to find the right sink that compliments your outside theme. Also, be sure to inquire on design with the company. Some manufacturer’s will build to suit. Meaning that you may not have to buy a sink, then hire a designer separately to fit it into your theme. Finally, check the price. Go online to places like Amazon.com, to compare prices on various vendors. If there is a sink that you really like, but it is a bit on the high end in price, you may want to wait until there is a sale on that product. If that’s a bit risky, financing the item is another option. Almost all companies offer some form of financing or lay-away plan.
You can learn about cheap kitchen sinks, and get much more information, articles and resources about kitchen sinks by visiting Kitchens Sink Taps.
Inspirational Home Theater Interior Design Tips
Home theater interior design is an important factor for pleasurable viewing and listening. There are some tips and tricks to achieving optimum viewing and listening enjoyment without breaking into a sweat when you think about your budget.
Color Schemes
Colors can dictate the ambience of a room and home theater interior design is not an exception to this. Darker colors are the norm for almost all home theater interior design concepts. Dark walls and ceilings encourage a comfortable and private alcove in which the individual or group may watch with reduced possibility of being disturbed by movement around the room. Dark walls also help to emphasize the screen which helps with a person's concentration.
Home theater interior design tips also encourage the use of dark carpeting or flooring as well as similarly colored seats and furniture. These add to the overall comfy ambience of the home theater interior design and the concept of the entire room having one similar color makes for a better viewing and listening experience.
Lighting
Following the theme of being unobtrusive, lights should also be unobtrusive enough so as not to detract from the viewing experience. Overly complicated lighting fixtures can interfere with a person's concentration and take the eye away from the screen. Recessed lighting fixtures are ideal for a home theater interior design idea.
Muted lights can be added to the sides and back of the room but these may also be turned off when the session starts. One aspect of home theater interior design is to place some muted lights near the floor to help with individuals who may feel the need to leave while a movie is being viewed.
Seating
Seats are also important in home theater interior design. Stadium seating is usually recommended for home theater design plans for a larger room that can seat more than ten people. Rooms with smaller capacity can opt for a semi circle seating arrangement or just a few theater seats in front with bar stools at the back with a bar.
Theater seating is quite popular for average sized rooms that can seat about three to four individuals. Smaller rooms that accommodate about two to three simple theater seats can feature a small table in front for refreshments and snacks.
These home theater interior design ideas and tips are well thought of and sound ideas which can work for most home theater designs. They are also not as expensive as one might think or if they are then they are likely worth the expense.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Awesome Who's the Boss? You or Your Dog?
100 years ago, most dogs were not even allowed in the house. They were kept as outside animals and probably slept under the porch or in the barn. More affluent people may have had a lapdog, but farmers and working people had dogs that were expected to work to earn their keep. It might have been by herding stock, protecting the property or by killing rodents-but they had a job, they did it, or they weren't kept around.
In today's society, most dogs are kept as pets and are often treated almost as if they are humans. We have grown to love our animals so much, that this is not really surprising. However, it can be a little confusing for the dog. Instead of having a clear-cut job, with distinct boundaries, she finds herself caught somewhere between being a canine, a pet, or almost human. When those lines are blurred, a dog may begin to challenge its owner because it no longer respects the owner as a leader. This challenge occasionally manifests itself as aggression toward humans.
Many owners allow their dogs to sleep with them in the same bed. There are millions of dogs who sleep with their owners and it never results in a problem. However, if a problem does begin to surface, and your dog is beginning to show aggression, experienced dog trainers agree that the place to begin curbing this behavior is by removing bed privileges. Just by making your dog sleep on the floor, in a crate or in another room, you will be making a point. The mere physical adjustment of you being on the bed, up higher than your dog will be a loud message.
Additionally, you will have to return to the basics. Your dog needs to be reminded that she is still a dog and that you are the leader. Being allowed in your bed is a privilege, not a right. Along with losing bed privileges, you will need to lower her status in other ways. For instance, your dog should not enter a room before you do. Entering before you is another sign that your dog is beginning to think that her status is higher than yours.
You simply need to re-establish who is boss. Don't put yourself in danger by forcing the issue, but instead adjust in small ways, how you interact with your pet. For instance, you can work on some obedience. Teach your dog to sit before receiving her dinner. You could even feed her one kibble at a time. She needs to be reminded that you are the one who controls the food and everything else in her life. Have her sit at the door before she is allowed to go out. Small lessons will soon remind her that she is dependent on your for the good things in her life.
If your dog is having issues with aggression, you may find that she has problems with giving things up like toys or food. Guarding is another form of aggression that needs to be dealt with. If you feel that these behaviors are presenting a danger or if making small changes doesn't seem to help, do not hesitate to consult a professional dog trainer. Aggression can develop into a serious problem and should not be allowed to continue.
There is no hard and fast rule that says you should or should not allow your dog to sleep in your bed. Many owners allow their dogs in their beds and have never had a problem. The most important thing is that you and your dog have a relationship that you both can live with. That should never include aggression.
Unique House Extension Ideas and Designs
Before you start working on the house extension designs, you need to take into account a lot of important factors while planning for the project. With so many possibilities in how to redecorate and redesign your home, there are so many things that could happen and even go wrong. You might even need professional help with this one, so it is best that you consult an architect or engineer to find out what kind of addition would best suit your home.
Some of the factors that could affect our decision in your house extension idea include lighting, as to how much you want the extension to have natural or artificial lighting at different parts of the day. The number of windows in your house is also important, as they are responsible for natural lighting and circulation of air inside the structure. And you might need to decide whether you need more of that or less of it. You also need to take into account how this house extension would affect your neighbours, as well as how accessible the house would be afterward.
Here are some helpful tips and guides you would like to need for your house extension plans:
* Ground Floor House Extensions
Depending on how much available space you have for your ground level, you would either have an easy way or to make compromises to add your house extensions. If you have a typical suburban home, then your extensions would expand to the backyard. You could add an additional veranda, a sunroom, or extend your living room. But if you have lesser space tat would cause trouble with the extension, then you need to determine your home’s property lines.
* Second Floor House Extensions
Making a house extension on the second floor of your home is trickier and requires some favourable weather for building. Note that your roof would be open to the elements during the renovation, so you need to pick a time when you know the weather would not get in the way of building and would not ruin the inside of your house. But one of the good points of building a second floor extension is that it would sometimes be less expensive, because there would be no need for building a foundation for it.
When your House Extension Ideas are ready to be worked on, make sure that you complete all the necessary building permits you need for the construction. You may even need to inform our neighbours about the house extension, because the renovation and construction would most likely affect their lives as much as yours. And make sure that how much you are going to spend for extending you project would be within your budget, and that would still have plenty of budget left to add some decorations and furniture in the new extensions.
Best of Chicken House Designs - 7 Critical Considerations
Here are 7 critical things you must consider when designing or building a chicken house. Missing any one of these points is very likely to end in disaster for either you, your coop or your chickens.
1. Bye Laws
Before you even start considering designing or building a chicken house you should check the local bye laws for any restrictions or licence that may be required. This will vary from country to country and even between states, cities and towns.
2. Appearance
Think about the appearance of your chicken coop. Remember that unless you are very lucky and have a large detached piece of land then your neighbours will almost certainly be able to see your coop. Although your chickens may not worry too much about appearances, neighbours will be much happier and better accepting if your chicken house is aesthetically pleasing.
A good appearance is also reflective of a good quality build. If you were looking to buy a car you would think that a smart, clean car with no dents reflects a well looked after vehicle and you would expect the engine to be in a similar condition. This is true for anything, including chicken coops. If it looks poorly made and poorly maintained then that will likely reflect on it's performance as a safe and healthy refuge for your chickens.
3. Size
Many people may tell you that size isn't important but in the case of a chicken coop is definitely is. You will need to consider how many chickens you intend to keep and possibly allow for some growth of your flock.This may need to be moderated by your available space, if you have a small yard for example, but you should never compromise your chickens requirements. If you have a small yard you may need to keep less chickens!
4. Location
The location of your chicken house is very important. Consider your local weather conditions I.e. prevailing winds. Ensure that any run off water from sheds or houses won't hit your coop. Your Chickens will also want plenty of ventilation and light so ensure this is incorporated into the design and not restricted by the location. Not much point in making a window if it sits 5cm from a shed wall!
5. Protection
A chicken coop has one main function and that is to keep your chickens safe and healthy. You need to consider any threats to your chickens and ensure that protection is built into the chicken house designs. Foxes, rats, cats and other predators can make short work of a flock. For instance, raising your coop off the ground can help protect against some predators and ensuring chicken wire is securely fixed and covers all appropriate openings. Rain and winds can threaten your flock so ensure that roof overhangs are enough to stop water dripping into doors or windows.
6. Feed and Water
Crucial to health of any animal is the feed and water regime. Chickens need a daily feed and water. They are not like budgies who can be given a large feeder of food and water and be left for some days or even a week. Careful consideration of the food and water vessels and placement is essential. If you simply put food and water in bowls on the ground they will quickly become fouled with droppings and that is a sure recipe for sick chickens. Also ensure that you have easy access for feed and water as you will need to get to them every day.
7. Cleaning
The final critical consideration in your chicken house designs, if you want to make your coop a success, is cleaning. Chickens make a lot of mess and the coop will need regular cleaning. If you do not include easy cleaning in your design, you will set yourself up for a lot of needless hard work. I.e. ensure the coop floor is raised off the ground and enable both sides to be fully removed leaving free and clear access to the inside. This also needs to be considered when locating your chicken house.
With careful consideration of all the above 7 points you can avoid most of the self made disasters that can hit new chicken house owners and keep happy, healthy and productive chickens.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Luxury Essential Elements of House Design: Exterior House Shutters
Still, it is important to emphasise that stylish exterior house shutters are essential tools which may add style and character to any house. It is worth mentioning that exterior window shutters come in a variety of materials such as Basswood, Cedar wood, Poplar, and aluminium that may serve different functions.
It is vital to note that exterior shutters may be functional solutions to any home. First of all, exterior house shutters of high quality may protect windows from wind, rain and dust keeping them clean for a long time. Furthermore, reliable shutters may be important tools during severe weather conditions as they minimise risks of breaking windows.
It is essential to note that good value shutters may help people control the amount of light in their houses. Finally, stylish shutters may enhance features of different houses making them more attractive and eye-catching.
Basswood or Tilia are very popular materials for exterior window shutters. It is worth mentioning that many people consider Tilia to be very sustainable hardwood. It is perfect for manufacturing different types of exterior house shutters like arched or shaped ones.
It is interesting to note that basswood shutters can be used as good noise and heat insulators which make them a perfect choice for bedrooms. Furthermore, basswood window shutters are suitable for houses near busy roads and neighbourhoods as they minimise noise levels providing additional comfort for their users.
Cedar wood or Western Red Cedar is another option for those who are looking for high quality window shutters. It is important to remember that cedar house shutters usually have a beautiful smell and oily finish which makes them an attractive choice for many customers.
Furthermore, the pleasant scent of cedar is a natural deterrent against moths. It is vital for customers who are troubled by these insects to pay attention to that type of window shutters.
When looking for stylish house shutters people may pay attention to Poplar or Populous shutters. It is worth mentioning that Poplar is a very strong and reliable yet light wood. That is why it may be an excellent entry level for window shutters. Poplar has deep grains which make this type of wood an elegant finish for many windows.
Aluminium window shutters may be reasonably priced replacements for wood shutters. Many customers consider aluminium house shutters stylish and fashionable finishes for their houses. It is important to note that they may not only increase security but also offer a variety of other functions. Furthermore, aluminium shutters are easy to clean and maintain which is essential for many people.
All things considered, exterior shutters may become fashionable yet feature rich style statements for many houses. High quality house shutters come in a variety of materials such as Basswood, Cedar wood, Poplar and aluminium. Exterior window shutters may be fashionable decorations that control light, ensure privacy and protect the home from severe weather conditions.
Elegant an Overview of Pond Liners
When building a pond the first, and one of the most important decisions you will need to make is
choosing a pond liner. The three main types of pond liners are preformed shells, flexible liners and
concrete or concrete products. Each type of pond liner has its advantages and disadvantages, and care
should be taken to choose the liner that is best for you.
Preformed shells are pond liners that are molded into specific sizes, shapes and depths. Some shells
may also have a waterfall lip, stream, or a plant pocket or a shelf that is designed for water plants. (A
plant shelf should be at least 9 inches wide or it won't be usable.) The two materials used in preformed
shells are fiberglass and polyethylene (plastic); fiber glass is the material of choice. Although fiberglass is more expensive than polyethylene it is easily repaired, more resistant to ultraviolet light and if properly installed and maintained it will last up to 20 to 30 years. When shopping for a preformed shell the rule of thumb is: do some measuring at home before you leave for the store because they always look bigger in the store than when installed.
Flexible liners are the easiest to install, least expensive and most versatile of the three pond liners.
They are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or synthetic rubber; either butyl rubber or EPMD (ethylene propylene diene monomers); EPMD's is the better product. EPMD is malleable and it is this flexibility that lends to it's popularity, because it will allow you an almost unlimited choice in pond designs. EPMD can be used in most water features and this versatility is the very reason EPMD is the liner of choice in streams, waterfall, pond and disappearing waterfall kits. EPMD is resistant to ultra violet light and because it is thicker than PVC it will also last longer. Flexible liners are susceptible to puncture, and some of the hazards to watch for are rocks, broken tree roots and gravel. Flexible liners should be cushioned with an underlayment or a pad. The best underlayment is a special underlayment pad that is tough, flexible, and designed for ponds. Sand, carpet padding and newspapers can also be used, but with mixed results. When shopping for a flexible pond liner make sure your liner is made for ponds, because some types of PVC and EPMD can contain chemicals that are toxic to fish and plants.
Concrete or concrete products (blocks) are another option for a pond liner; they are used primarily in
formal or raised ponds. A formal pond is characterized by clean geometric lines, either straight or
curved and neat regular borders. Concrete or concrete products will give you these crisp lines, square
corners, and uniform geometric shapes. However concrete or concrete products require a high level of
skill and knowledge to install , are expensive, and if not installed properly are prone to cracking and
leakage. Years ago concrete and concrete products were the pond liner of choice, but with the advent
of the new pond liners its popularity has wained.
The following is a quick summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the three pond liners.
Advantages:
Preformed Shells: 1) easy cleaning 2) long lasting 3) no design concerns 4) puncture resistant 5) small units can be easy and quick to install.
Flexible Liners: 1) least expensive of the three choices, 2) shapes and sizes are unlimited, 3) edges are easy to conceal, 4) easy to transport, 5) can be easily customized for marginal and wetland plants.
Concrete or concrete products: 1) good for a formal or raised pond, 2) if installed properly it can last a lifetime.
Disadvantages:
Preformed Shells: 1) edges are hard to conceal, 2) has to be perfectly level, 3) sizes and shapes are limited, 4) more costly than a flexible liner, 5) hard to customize for wetland and marginal plants, 6) to prevent buckling and warping a firm foundation and adequate backfill is required.
Flexible Liners: 1) requires an underlayment pad to help prevent punctures 3) less durable and will eventually degrades in sunlight, 4) exposed edges must be covered.
Concrete: 1) requires skill and knowledge to install, 2) installation is labor intensive, 3) can be prone to cracking and leakage, 4) most expensive of the three pond liners, 5) leaks are almost impossible to permanently repair.
Pond liners are the base for your pond, and care should be taken to choose the best pond liner.
Preformed shells, flexible liners, and concrete or concrete products are the three best pond lining
materials, and by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each you will have a water feature that
will provide you with hours of relaxing enjoyment.
Best of the White House History
The White House in the United States of America is not only the official home but also a workplace for the American presidents. In 1792, the commissioners of the Federal City decided to design a permanent home for the presidents.
George Washington, the first president of the United States, was the only president who lived his presidential period out of the white house.
The white house which had been occupied by John Adams and his wife Abigail for the first time in November 1800 was built during the years between 1792 and 1800 in Washington D.C.
The architect of the white house was James Hoban who designed the house in the Georgian style and received a $ 500 gold medal and a plot of land as a prize from Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson was the president who ordered the building outward expansion. During the presidential period of James Polk, between the years 1845-1849, gas was piped in the white house and it was in the presidency of Benjamin Harrison that this official house felt the power of electric lighting.
The white house has been always a safe executive residence for all American presidents; but the year 1814 was the exception in the American history. On August 24, 1814 the British troops had been ordered to burn and destroy Washington D.C. and the white house. As a result whole parts of the house burnt and only exterior walls remained.
Today there are 132 rooms in the white house all of them have been the eyewitness of the formation of the United States' history.
In this article I am going to introduce some of the white house's room such as the "Blue Room", "Vermeil Room", "Red Room", "Green Room" and the "East Room".
The Blue Room:
This room has been located above the Diplomatic Reception Room. This room has always been used as a reception room but there is an exception during the presidency of John Adams as he used it as a south entrance hall. President Madison asked architect Benjamin Latrobe to design the Blue Room but most of the furniture burnt and destroyed in the fire of 1814.
President Monroe was a person who redecorated the room after reconstruction by the French style which has been remained until now.
The house was decorated in blue color during the presidency of Martin Van Buren in 1837, so the new decoration changed the Oval Room to the Blue Room.
The Green Room:
This room has been served different purposes as a "Lodging Room" and a green "Dining Room" for Thomas Jefferson, as a "Sitting Room" for James Madison and as a "Card Room" for Monroe.
This room was decorated in different styles by different presidents until the time of Theodore Roosevelt, when it was decorated by the 19th century American Furniture. Then Coolidge refurnished the Green Room by authentic Federal-period furniture.
The Red Room:
Red Room has been decorated by different style of furniture. Most of the United States' presidents have used this room as "Sitting Room"; but the Red Room served as "Yellow Drawing Room "for Madison.
In 1803, Benjamin Latrobe indicated that this room is suitable to serve as "the President's Antechamber" for the Cabinet Room or the President's Library. Recently presidents have used this room for small dinner parties.
The Vermeil Room:
The Vermeil Room or the Gold Room has been used as a Display Room or a Ladies Sitting Room for formal occasions. The room has been decorated in green background and gold silk highlights and furnished by a table in the Empire style, the gold walls also covered by the seven First Ladies' portraits.
The East Room:
This room has been used for different purposes such as dances, award presentations, weddings, funerals, bill-signing ceremonies, press conferences and generally for large gathering.
The East Room was designed by James Hoban as the "Public Audience Room". The room's wall has been covered by the portrait of George Washington, one of the few work pieces which remained after the fire of 1814, painted by Gilbert Stuart.
At the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, the East Room witnessed many activities during Civil War; Even Union Troops occupied the room for some days.
Best of Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
Strategic Placement
Your outdoor kitchen should be strategically placed in relation to the other elements that you already have in your backyard. This is important because you will want to have a natural traffic flow.
Easy Access
Another word about strategic placement Make sure that you have easy access between both the indoor and the outdoor kitchen. Of course, you also dont want to place the cook in an isolated area. If you are worried about smoke, look into a grill that has an exhaust fan on it. This will allow you to have lots of grill-side seating.
Incorporating A Refrigerator
The trend has been to recreate the feel of a traditional indoor kitchen outdoors. If this is your intention, then you will want to make sure that you have an outdoor fridge. You will also want to make sure that you have one if you plan on having a mini bar. It is a good idea to have your sink and food prep area between your fridge and grill.
Incorporating A Bar
If you are going to have an outdoor bar, you should give it a touch of authenticity by incorporating beer dispensers, wine chillers, martini bars and an icemaker. You will also want to build an island for your guests to sit at and dont forget the little added touches like a bottle opener or a towel holder.
Your Grill
Almost every outdoor kitchen includes a grill. There are the traditional charcoal and gas grills available but there are also hybrid grills as well. While they are more expensive, they are more versatile too. Electric grills are also available for your consideration. You may balk at this idea until you consider just how many more things this will allow you to be able to cook outdoors.
The Price Tag
Nothing in life is free and this is also true for your outdoor kitchen. There are some budget friendly options available such as portable refrigerators, pre-fabricated kitchen islands and using concrete or brick instead of stainless steel or tile. You will need to take some time to do some research online. Once you do, you will be able to see that you can actually design an outdoor kitchen that will fit any budget.
A Final Word On Designing An Outdoor Kitchen
People want versatility so that they can cook everything from American to Indian and even Asian cuisine. This is easy to do today since both gas and electric grills mimic indoor cooking so that you are no longer stuck just cooking steaks. Now you can have an outdoor lobster bake or you could even install a wood oven to make pizza in.
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Luxury Try Metal Garden Ornaments in Your Garden
Beautiful houses are always the best places to go home to after the hectic day. Well decorated garden can set the overall feel of the garden. Garden is the place where we can relax, unwind and bond with friends and with family member. That is why most people really take time to decorate their garden. Metal garden ornaments can help to transform the looks of the garden. Being surrounded with many flowers and outdoor fixtures bring them peace of mind and some ornaments can add the vibrant touch to the garden. Metal garden ornaments can add a great value to your outdoor area. Just like how you would choose the various outdoor décor items for decorating the home, this is also like an art to decorate your garden. You will find a variety of choices to choose the metal ornaments for your garden. You can see that these Metal garden ornaments are there in different shapes, colors, design and cost range. You can try metal birds, wind chimes and fountains in your garden. Metal garden ornaments cover the wide range for the wind chimes. The sound of these wind chimes depends on the materials chosen, the length and size of the objects used and flow of the wind
Metal wind chimes create a wonderful peaceful hollow sound and are probably the most relaxing to listen to, while chimes made of ceramics or shells have a higher tone than other wind chimes. These metal garden ornaments are considered to be the most popular these days. Antique garden ornaments translate to classy and one can never go wrong with an antique décor for your garden. Peoples love a decorated garden and especially those with many beautiful Metal garden ornaments, as they will resemble the outdoor area. Metal wind chimes with motion will surely excite you to enjoy in your well decorated garden.
Inspirational Ideas on How You Can Add Splendor Aand Add Perfume to Your House Decor with Candles
Candles produce a warm beauty inside your house like no other home decor accessory. They gentle up the area and set the mood with colours or scents of flowers, meals, or spices. They illuminate the seasons or holidays with delightful smells. Let’s explore some inventive techniques to spruce up your residence decor with candles.
Create Multi-Dimensional Focal Factors inside a Space
Candles are available in a variety of sizes and heights. You will discover vast, brief, tall, thin, and medium sized candles of all distinctive colours. It is possible to arrange candles of different heights and sizes to create dimensional focal factors on a table, fireplace mantle, mirror shelf, or wherever candles will match. Location the candles through the smallest towards the biggest in teams of 3 to 5 candles to create an attractive exhibit.
Use Candles to Enhance Other Decor Goods
Floral arrangements, pictures, paintings, and figurines seem to return to life when a candle is nearby. Light the candles in the night to light up unique centerpieces. Taper candles, pillar candles, or globe candles perform wonderful for highlighting other eye-catching goods of your decor.
Set the Mood with Candles
In a romantic setting, add votives about a hot tub, bathtub, or bedroom to set the mood. For ideal outcomes and longer burning times, constantly use votive holders. Use several votives of the same or a variety of colours to produce an a lot more elaborate candle setting. For holidays for instance Thanksgiving and Christmas, set the mood for the gatherings with scented candles. Some good scents for your holidays are cinnamon, vanilla, apple, cranberry, cookies, along with other vacation delights.
For parties, acquire scented or unscented candles which are colourful and fit for the event. Brighten an anniversary occasion with white, green, or beige candles, which are decorative without drawing as well significantly attention. Use pink or blue candles for kids’ parties. Red, orange, green, white, or beige candles function nicely for your holidays. To get a poolside celebration, use floating tealight candles to light up the pool and dazzle your company.
Crafty Candles
In the event you appreciate decorating your residence with homemade crafts, candles can also be used to create your own crafts. You can beautify plain candles any way you would like. You may also tie ribbons about numerous candles to bind them in the ornamental pose. Use saucers, flowerpots, old lanterns, and so forth to create your own unique candleholders. Produce the sort of decor you would like in each room with a little creativity.
Candle Safety Tips
Before lighting a candle, be certain the candle is inside a correct holder for burning. Also, never set the candle on the wooden or plastic surface. Candleholders can turn out to be very hot right after burning a while. Location burning candles on the steel floor if possible. For a safer way to enjoy scented or unscented candles, use a candle hotter. Candle warmers melt the candle while giving off its most scent. Warmers also allow you to use the candle longer with out burning it up. Just make sure the warmer is placed on a non-flammable surface including metal. Keep a watch on candles and by no means leave them unattended for long durations of time. Also, in no way location a burning candle too close to flammable objects like silk flowers, cloth or clothes, or perhaps a hanging coat.
Blend colorful, sweet smelling candles throughout your decor so as to add beauty to every space of your house. You can locate a variety of scented candles, unscented candles, votives, tealights, globe candles, taper candles, and pillar candles on the net to fit your requirements.
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Inspirational Guide to Building a Porch
When Thanksgiving is coming near then the home definitely needs some improvements so that there can be a small family gathering event. Porch is ideal to build and it will be wonderful to gather with family and friends to celebrate the upcoming event. In addition, a new porch will increase the value of the house one can relax on the rocking chair during tea time. There is no need to worry as the simple guide mentioned below will explain the ways to build a porch.
It requires more than one person to build a porch. Any friend or relative can be called to help with the workload. The first thing needed to be done is to imagine the design of the porch based on measurements of the house and has to be laid down as a plan. A professional has to be consulted if one does not have any idea to estimate the quantity of materials. All the materials needed have to be gathered like cement, sand, decking board, shovel, footing clamps, nails and foundation tubes. The tools needed for the project are hammer, shovel, circular saw, stakes, and a drill. If a permit is needed for building a porch then it has to be acquired before proceeding.
Next, the stakes have to be placed at the two side corners and at the location where the stairs are preferred to be placed. The treated boards have to be cut into 2x4 pieces and aligned together to form a still plate. Holes have to be drilled into the concrete floor and a plastic anchor has to be inserted. It has to be secured and lag bolts have to be fastened on the corners of the still plates to the concrete floor. It is helpful to use concrete anchors as weights. 2x10 boards have to be attached on the sill plate and nailed 4 inches below the door. These ledger boards will help in supporting the porch.
Joist hangers have to be attached that are 16" on centre to the ledger board with galvanized screws. The joists would have to be slid slowly into place. One may have to work in sections for a large porch. The length between the upper rail and the sill plate has to be measured. The 2x2 decking board pieces have to be cut and galvanized screws have to be used for attaching them to the joists. The essential basics to build a porch are already known.
The porch railings should meet the safety regulations and it will be better to buy premade ones off the rack they can be attached to the porch. Home improvements stores have readymade porch railings available for sale.
Elegant Designing Your Log Cabin Home
So you've already purchased the lot, been through different engineering and architectural firms, scanned the internet for the most efficient contractors, finished the blueprint of your house, made sure that the right type of lumber and other materials are delivered, and then construction is already under way.
You keep track of the creation of your dream house, checking for the minutest details, making sure that no gaps are left open during the creation of your dream log cabin. The groundwork has already started; the foundation has been set, and the next thing you know, the walls are already being put up, the supporting posts and beams are in position, the stone fireplace that you just love is already in place. The wrap-around porch has been set, the bedrooms are all well-lit, and you just can't wait to move into the house.
But wait, there seems to be something missing. Walking under the cathedral ceiling, you inspect the place from the ground up, from inside out. And then it hits you… I already have this wonderful log cabin to reside in but I need to have the appropriate furniture and accessories to really spice up the place and bring its personality out.
The first thing to consider is the functionality of the place. Is it to be used for a weekend getaway only, or is it somewhere you would consider retiring into when old age comes? Are you planning on hosting family events here, such as Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas holidays? You must plan ahead for the accommodations such as sleeping quarters and dining arrangements if parties are to be held in your house.
What type of furniture would you want? Having a log house entails a rustic style to complement the structure itself. A stone fireplace is the perfect backdrop for a living room; placing iron grills or railings in front of it would not only tie-in the country theme but also provide safety barriers for crawling toddlers.
Textures also play a role in the completion of your rural-themed residence. Choose furniture which would harmonize with the rough barks of trees, such as hand-scraped hardwood floors. Addition of plush carpeting would remind visitors of moss-laden lake shores. Many rustic-themed homes already have reclaimed wood furniture, using them as table slabs, low-set coffee tables, or even accent pieces. Granite countertops would also look good to use in the kitchen or in a breakfast nook.
Of course lighting fixtures should balance the mood you want your house to feel. Twigs and branches incorporated in a wrought-iron chandelier can bring the outdoor feel inside. And having table lamps with wood details would be great conversational pieces.
The outside of your house is also as important as the interior. Water features such as a pool or a fountain add to the visual appeal of any residence. If you want to have a little privacy, consider placing climbing vines or trees which provide shade. Placing flowers in strategic locations would also add color and charm to your perfect country house. Whatever detail you choose, it is important that your home be a place of relaxation that you can enjoy for a long time to come.
Unique Beach House Decor
The home renovation process scares off many people, as they cannot see the big picture. These individuals tend to look at how much work everything will take to be done, rather than breaking things down piece-by-piece and looking at the gradual results. By breaking things down into smaller tasks, you will begin to see results almost immediately, which will help with the process as a whole. One of these tasks, of course, could be to fill your home with beach house decor, as this will change the look of the interior of your house significantly and will allow immediate results to be shown.
Once you have an idea of the beach art that you want to include in your home, you can begin with the next stage of the decoration process. The beach house decor that you choose can be implemented immediately and those who see it will certainly enjoy what you have done. Make sure that you ask around whenever you see something that you like, as many businesses will have this beach art present. Once you have located the exact items that you want, you can begin purchasing them. Keep in mind that you may have to visit a number of different locations before you can come up with the exact look that you want, but it will all be worth it in the end.
The main reason why you would purchase beach decor is to make your home look better, without having to spend too much money. This furniture and beach art can usually be found for great prices and it will create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. The coastal look that you will achieve is something that every visitor will notice and most will appreciate thoroughly. Many people will put shells and things of that ilk around their homes when they go for this look, so make sure that you explore those items if that is what you are looking to do.
You might even find some beach themed paintings in your search, which will add to your beach house decor greatly. These paintings can usually be found for low prices, especially if you purchase them from an unknown local artist. Many online retailers now sell this beach art as well, so it has never been easier to go with this look inside your home.
Monday, March 26, 2018
Beautiful Locked Out? Get in and Get Customers, Today!
How does a grown man get locked out of his own house? That was my thought as I stood shaking my head on my front porch. I had given my key to the painter and was stuck outside of my house.
As I mentally walked through each room I tried to think of all the ways out knowing that a way out is also a way in. Remembering that one of our upper level windows is sometimes unlocked, I shimmied onto the roof and was able to crawl through and flopped onto the toy-strewn floor. Jumping up, I smiled with pride and relief at my accomplishment.
In this economy, when many businesses are searching for new customers, there is a similar feeling of being locked out. Many individuals are finding themselves standing on the front porch wondering how to get into new businesses to present products and services. This can leave a feeling of loneliness, weakness, and wonder as to why, after all the years of success, there are no apparent options.
You have many options! Your perspective has changed. The first step is get inside your business. What kind of customer is ideal for you? To figure that out, review your last ten enjoyable and profitable sales. These ten customers have the key you are looking for in your quest for new business.
Equipped with your list of the ten customers you like and want to duplicate, start to list what they have in common. What do they like about you? Why do they enjoy doing business with you? In what ways are you able to help them? As you profile these past ten customers, you are establishing the ideal customer profile that will empower and help you obtain a fresh start in reinvigorating your business during this funky economy.
Standing tall with your ideal customer profile, you now know exactly the types of customers you need to seek out. Half the spoils are yours at this point. You know what you have and you know where to go; you know on whose porch you should be standing.
This leaves a most important question - how do you get inside their door to speak with them? First, stop thinking so much; the first step is starting a conversation. We are not talking about a full sales presentation. People buy from those with whom they connect. You know you have the ability to connect once you are engaged in an actual conversation.
How do you start this conversation? Think the same way as you would if you were locked out of your house. Forget conventional wisdom; forget trying the front door. It is locked. Time to think creatively; to think of all the other avenues that are available. Remember that your only goal is to get a conversation started and that there are many ways to present yourself. The options are endless. Be creative. You have nothing to lose! Try faxing half a joke to your client and ask them to call you for the punch line. Employ creative giving: do some research and send a gift to your client asking for the opportunity to start a conversation or try sending an empty box with a note inside that has something clever written on it.
When you know what you want, you have the ability to get creative. Your creativity will not only demonstrate your unique approach to business, it will allow you the opportunity to demonstrate your personality. Personality and creativity are master keys that have the power to unlock any door you wish to enter; they are the keys that allow you to connect with people, to begin new relationships, and to find new customers.
Elegant Introduction to Metal and Aluminum Porch Awnings
Construction: The majority of Metal deck awnings are aluminum, and they have advanced a great deal in recent years in terms of asthetic appeal. Modern aluminum patio covers are sleek , elegant and designed to match wood and any other materials your home might be built from. Not all Metal deck awnings are enclosed either. Some are designed to block some, but not all sunlight, such as the open lattice style. Deck awnings can also come in vinyl, a sturdy and maintenance-free material that outlasts its wood counterparts ten to one.
The best forms of aluminum covers are rust resistant and don't require paint - if you purchase a more inexpensive version that requires periodic touch-ups you'll need to get a certain kind of paint designed especially for use with aluminum and alumawood structures.
Installation: Many Metal deck awnings come in a convenient do-it-yourself kit that is easy enough for most homeowners to install. There's also a variety of plans available for people with more construction experience. Keep in mind, if you build your own patio cover than it's on you if it ends up having any kind of problem down the line: leaks, wobbles, gaps and crevices. To properly construct your own patio cover, you must have knowledge of where to insulate, where to reinforce, where the lighting will come from, and so on.
For those who can't or rather wouldn't fool with building or assembling a metal patio cover themself, there's always the option of hiring a contractor to handle the particulars. If you go this route, you can be sure the get the right variety of patio cover for your home and particular climate, and have it profesionally added in a way that doesn't look like an afterthought.
Prices: Keep in mind going in that a metal patio cover is going to be a fairly significant investment on your part. To give you an idea, here's a break down of several popular models, their sizes and pricing.
12' x 14' Open Lattice Aluminum Cover, attached, maintenance free: $ 1600
10' x 20' Arrow Buildings Vinyl Deck cover, attached, vinyl-coated w/ galvanized steel: $ 1600
10' x 20' Classic Solid Aluminum Cover, attached: $ 1500
10' x 18' Classic Aluminum Solid Cover, attached: $ 1400
10' x 20' Classic Open Lattice Aluminum Cover, attached: $ 2200
8' x 10' Vinyl Patio Cover, attached: $ 2000
20' x 14' Vinyl Patio Cover, attached: $ 4500
8' x 10' Vinyl Patio Cover, freestanding: $ 2600
20' x 14' Vinyl Patio Cover, freestanding: $ 5000
Awesome Fix Up Your Front Porch
If you have a front porch, consider yourself lucky. I'd love to have a welcoming veranda on the front of my house, where I can sit and watch the world go by or chat with friends. Porches can be problematic, however, especially if they fall into disrepair. Fortunately, fixing up your front porch is easy - and the result boosts your home's curb appeal and offers a brand-new alfresco living area you can enjoy every day.
Just follow these 5 steps to take your front porch from failing to fabulous in no time.
1. Fix problem areas.
If your porch is suffering from sagging or warped boards, your first priority is to fix the porch floor. This project (which can be tackled in half a day) involves pulling up the old boards, installing new decking and trim, and sanding. While you have the boards pulled up, it's a good idea to inspect the joists underneath the deck for signs of rot. If it looks questionable under there, Calfinder recommends contacting a licensed professional for an inspection. You'll also want to make certain the porch stairs are secure. And while you're at it, why not add some architectural detail? You can find inexpensive trim suitable for your porch at most local home improvement stores.
2. Paint the porch.
Once you've fixed problem areas and sanded, it's time to paint. First, you want to make sure you pick the right paint. Options for porches and decks include epoxy, alkyd, latex, polyurethane, and rubber-based paints. While you're painting, you'll likely want to paint your porch trim, posts, and other exposed parts so they coordinate with your new porch floor.
3. Add furniture.
Now comes the fun part. How many furnishings you can reasonably add to your porch will depend on its size. A big wraparound provides plenty of space for multiple seating areas. Perhaps you'll designate one area for dining, another as an area for sitting and chatting with friends, and a third as a private escape for reading or relaxing. Even if your porch isn't that large, you can still include distinctive seating areas - perhaps a spot for dining plus a bench or a couple of chairs near the door for relaxing. Just avoid cluttering the space with too many furnishings - you should be able to easily to move around what's there. What kind of furniture you pick is up to you. With protected front porches, you can pick furnishings that are designed for use indoors or out - although outdoor furniture will last longer. Plan to store furnishings out of the elements during winter months to further extend their life.
4. Accessorize.
The same fundamentals that you use when decorating an indoor space apply with outdoor rooms too. Accessories will take your front porch from impersonal to warm and welcoming. Start by adding some throw pillows or chair cushions in playful patterns and colors. What other touches can you include to make this space feel like home? For personality and privacy, consider hanging curtains around your porch. Use an outdoor rug to delineate living spaces. Or paint your own right on the porch floor. A lamp rated for outdoor use or hanging lanterns allow you to extend your time on the porch past sunset. And the little touches - candles, a framed photo, a side table for perching drinks - make a difference too.
5. Add plants.
An outdoor space (or indoor space for that matter) isn't complete without plants. The easiest way to add fresh foliage to your revamped porch is by placing a few potted plants next to seating areas or hanging pots from the porch ceiling.
But the landscaping in front of the porch matters too. You can go lush or keep things simple with a few carefully selected bushes and perennials. Either way, the right plantings will draw the eye, and your welcoming front porch will keep it there!
Lovely Interior Design Kitchen | Interior Design Color
Having the ideal kitchen lighting design can have a pronounced impact on your interior decorating scheme. It is a good idea for functional reasons as well as adding great decorative value. When thinking about kitchen lighting design, there are certain elements which you ought to consider. Below are some tips on how you can add wonderful kitchen lighting.
The type of lighitng you go with is pivotal and florescent lighting in particular is a huge no-no. Flourescent lighting is very stark and not charming at all. You can compliment your kitchen lighting design purposes by making use of an alluring dome or chandelier. You might also install a chandelier over the eating section.You might want to decide on using recessed lights in your kitchen lighting design plan. You can use them together with other methods of lighting fixtures. Recessed lighting won't detract from your general interior decorating scheme as they are set into the ceiling . If you plan appropriately, they can supply even lighting all over the room. It is also practical to buy Pot lighting that you can move around to illuminate a chosen spot like cabinets or a certain display.Installing your lighting in the most fitting place is another thing that is important. You would be smart to place the lighting where it will be needed the most. You will need to be sure to plan for lighting in the food prep area of the kitchen together with the dining section. Aim for even, moderate lighting but steer clear of over lighting, which could be harsh and give off more heat. It is a fantastic idea to have each light be operated from a separate dimmer switch so you are able to adjust the level of light.For lighting above an eating bar or island, make use of pendant lights. They can be bought in several distinct lengths and designs to match any kitchen. If your island is used for food prep, this style of lighting is great as it illuminates directly down to brighten a particular area.Since you will be chopping and preparing food in the kitchen, you also will need task lighting for those areas. Now, this can be accomplished with recessed lights, even still there are other places where task lighting should not be disregarded. Generally, undercounter lighting is practiced for these task areas. This type of lighting can kill two birds with one stone. They light up your food prep tasks. And they can also illuminate any decorations you have on your counter.To me home is the only place where I can be myself. It is where I shed my tiredness along with my inhibitions. It is the place where I am not judged for my actions and I can do as I please. Kitchen furniture today is simple and beautiful in appearance and available in a variety of colors and textures too. The kitchen appliances also include many features that makes life so simple, that it is surely the answer to a woman's prayer. This place that is the hub of all activity, has today become a room, that needs to be shown off, just like any other in the house. It is important to remember that the home reflects the personality of the people living in it, so when you go shopping for kitchen furniture, buy furniture that suits the needs and styles of your family members and you.Selecting the right color is one of the most important elements to beautify your house. And your kitchen, like other parts, has to look good too. The color must complement all the components of your kitchen. If your dinning hall is attached to the kitchen, the color setting should be such that it blends well with the dining furniture. Given below, are some ideas to select right kitchen colors for your house.
New How Many Fish Can Your Garden Pond Take?
The maximum number of fish you can have in a pond depends on the volume of the water, the quality of the water, the size of the fish, the species of the fish, the climate of the area and the food available.
If the pond has no pump, filter or other equipment, in a warm climate, you shouldn't keep more than two 15 centimetre fish per cubic metre (two 6 inch fish per cubic yard). You can keep fish at much higher densities than this, but the chances of them remaining healthy are not good.
The better the water quality, the more fish you can keep. With the right technology, fish farms keep up to 200 kilograms of fish in a cubic metre of water (about six pounds of fish per cubic foot). However, as a rough guide, in a garden pond half a metre (one and a half feet) deep, constantly in the shade, with well-buffered water being pumped continuously through an ultra-violet clarifier (to prevent algae blooms) and a biological filter, you could keep up to nine goldfish of 15 centimetres (six inches) length per square metre of pond (i.e.135 centimetres of fish per square metre, or about 45 inches of fish per square yard). To be safe, keep less than half this number so that you have plenty of leeway in the event of the pump or UV failing. In a warm climate, if the pond is in the sun much of the day, reduce the number by half again - i.e. about 35 centimetres per square metre (14 inches per square yard).
Obviously, the larger the fish, the more it pollutes the water so the less the number you can have in the pond. Fish growth tends to be restricted by the size of the water body they live in. For example, goldfish can grow to more than 30 centimetres (12 inches) long, but in most average-sized ponds, they usually won't grow to more than 20 centimetres (8 inches).
Some species need more space than others and some species pollute the water more than others. For example, koi are twice as polluting as goldfish, probably because they stir up the pond bottom sediments more. Also, some species of fish are more tolerant of poor water quality than others. For example, koi can live in water that isn't pure enough for trout.
Climate affects fish activity because they are cold-blooded. Their metabolism doubles with every 10 degrees centigrade rise in temperature which means they eat twice as much and pollute the water twice as much. As a general rule, you can keep double the number of fish in water at 13 degrees centigrade as you can in water at 26 degrees centigrade.
Ideally, you should keep only as many fish in a pond as the food chain in the pond can support. The amount of natural food available will vary from pond to pond. Up to 30 centimetres per square metre (12 inches per square yard) of fish survive well in some ponds without being fed. So, keeping the fish numbers down means you don't have to spend the money or time to feed them. More importantly, by not feeding the fish you aren't adding nutrients to the pond which feed algae.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Lovely the Joy of the Home Herb Garden
Home herb gardens can be planted almost anywhere. Not only are most herbs attractive and fragrant, but they also are easily grown, maintained, stored, and a wonderful addition to your cuisine! Plant them in an existing backyard vegetable garden, a raised garden bed, in the front yard (parsley and chives make beautiful border plantings), in containers on your deck, patio, balcony, and even on your kitchen windowsill.
All herbs thrive in rich soil with good drainage. They can tolerate some sand, but do not do well in wet clay soil. Clay hardens too much as it dries, and your herbs do better in loose soil. Thyme, rosemary, dill, basil, chives, tarragon and oregano will thrive in full sun.
But mint and cervil prefer shady areas, so learn about your herbs before planting them, and place them accordingly. Some of the herbs in your garden can be best planted from seed. Lemongrass, parsley, dill, marjoram, sage, chives and basil are in that category.
Tarragon, mint, and rosemary are best bought as starter plants or planted from cuttings. Be careful with invasive herbs, such as spearmint. They should be planted in their own pots, and then sunk into the garden to keep the roots from spreading all over.
A home herb garden doesn't have to have a zillion different herbs in it. If you are a beginning gardener, and not yet a gourmet cook, just plant the herbs you are very familiar with, such as parsley, basil, chives, and garlic. As you get used to having your own fresh herbs at your fingertips, you can expand to include a plethora of herbs, for your expanding garden and cuisine!
So let's get started. Remove the weeds from the area you chose, add some compost to the soil and rake it to make it loose and even. Know how much room each plant will require and set your pots accordingly. When you have it right, remove them from the pots and place them in the holes, press the soil firmly around each plant (or seeds) and water well, to allow the soil to set.
Once your home herb garden has been planted, be careful not to over-water it. Herbs can actually handle drought more easily than flood. Mulch your perennials once a year, and fertilize all herbs every month during the growing season. Don't over-fertilize. It can make the plants too tall and sparse, and they will also be more susceptible to disease. It is healthier for both you and the environment to use organic materials.
If you are not constantly picking off sprigs of herbs for your daily cooking, be sure to prune the plants regularly. By removing the dead flowers and leaves, and cutting the plants back, you are ensuring new growth that is both healthy and full, instead of spindly.
Pests such as aphids, red spider, and white fly are rarely found on herbs, but if it should happen, use organic pesticides such as garlic /water sprays to rid your plants of the problem. You will be delighted that you decided to grow a home herb garden.
Elegant Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchen designs enjoy a greater level of freedom. Indoor solutions need to adhere to a certain set of rules and need to fulfill certain functions that designers of outdoor variations don't have to worry about. Cooking in your backyard comes with its highs and lows but worrying about the dishes shouldn't be either.
Appliances are arranged in a way that they serve their purpose; they add to the fun and take away from the chores. Dishes, for example, can be stored on a set of shelves under the countertop to be dealt with later. Outdoor kitchen designs vary a great deal depending on the needs of the customer and the price range they need to be carried out in.
Most basic setups are just a stainless steel barbecue set or grilling appliance with a little bit of a countertop to have a place where you can prepare your food. More expensive designs may have a permanent roof, a refrigerator to keep drinks and meat cool until a later date when you happen to throw a party again.
The price of the outdoor kitchen you plan on having depends on the keystone of all backyard kitchens; grilling devices range from $ 80 to $ 5,000. Quite a spread, but you can work towards a more tangible number by determining the set features you'd use.
A charcoal device that cooks the meat can be had for $ 80, but if you want a gas operated device with some working area, and the piping done, you are looking at a price in the $ 1,000 range.
Outdoor kitchens can be made for anyone's taste, but the better equipped versions might bear a price tag not so friendly to most people. If you just want to have a great time with your friends without having to run back in the house for forks, knives or the sauces, just about any solution would fit your needs.
Beautiful Camp at Home with Your Own Indoor Fire Pit or Fireplace
The best part of summer is camping--escaping out into the great outdoors as temperatures soar, and cooking your dinner on an outdoor fireplace. The worst part of summer camping is, of course, the crowds! With your own outdoor fire pit, however, you can have the best of both worlds and camp out in your own back yard.
There are outdoor fireplaces to suit every price range and style. When deciding which outdoor fire pit to buy, ask yourself a few questions. What is your budget? Who will be using it? How much space do you have? Once you know the answer to these questions, you can start looking around at the different options for your outdoor fireplace, because the last and most important question to answer is, "What style do I like?"
Outdoor Fire Pits and Fire Rings
Fortunately, you have choices. The simplest fire rings start at under a hundred dollars; this style is made from fire-safe materials and usually comes with a simple grill. Some are collapsible for easy transportation. The more decorative the outdoor fire pit, the more it will cost, but your choice really depends on what will fit in your yard, space-wise and style-wise. These smaller outdoor fireplaces are great if you don't have much room or have a small budget.
Outdoor fire pits are larger structures on legs which protect the surface they stand on. Such fire pits act as a focal point and place around which to gather, and while they are a little more expensive than fire rings they do have the advantage of looking more attractive.
When it comes to features, some outdoor fire pits have wheels for easy relocation. Screens are a popular addition; they help prevent accidents and make your outdoor fireplace a great place to enjoy a balmy summer night (or even a mild winter evening). The screens and higher-up flames make such fire pits a little safer, too.
Outdoor Fireplaces are Elegant and Welcoming
The most expensive, but also the most beautiful, outdoor fireplaces can cost thousands of dollars, but they provide a wonderful focal point to an elegant garden. Some outdoor fireplaces even sit at the center of granite tables, making them a welcoming option on colder evenings. They act as showpieces, the heart of a large backyard gather.
If you don't need to cook, an outdoor fireplace is a great addition to your yard. These free-standing structures enclose a warming fire and can be used to provide light, heat and atmosphere year-round. The forms of such outdoor fireplaces range from a pretty pagoda-style to simple cylinders and cubes.
Set up an outdoor fireplace, and you'll have a pleasant, cozy place to welcome your guests for many years to come.
Beautiful Insect Light Traps: How Do They Work and Why Do You Need One for Your Home
How do insect light traps work?
There are several theories about the workings of insect lights; however, it is essential to understand why insects are attracted to light. For an insect a light represents the same element of safety when surrounded by a precarious situation as air to human beings, or air bubbles to a person surrounded by water. They tend to naturally gravitate towards it, seeking refuge.
This is the reason why on any odd evening, you will find hundreds of insects including moths, mosquitoes, etc. circling around a street light or even a porch lamp. While there are several popular notions for the affinity that the insect kingdom shares towards a source of light, none of them are scientific explanations of this peculiar behavior.
Also, not all insects are attracted to light sources; as a matter of fact, some are repelled by it such as cockroaches. These insects have negative phototaxis while those are that attracted to light have positive phototaxis; almost all flying insects have positive phototaxis which makes them susceptible to insect light traps.
These devices have a light source that attracts insects and an electric metallic grid that lies between the light and a safety cover that protects humans and pets from accidentally receiving electric shocks. Insect light traps are connected to a standard electrical outlet; insects try to fly towards the light source and meet with the electric grid where they are electrocuted and die almost instantly. The dead insects fall down into a collection pan that has to be emptied frequently.
The benefits of using insect light traps
It's effective: The primary benefit if using insect lights is that they are very effective as compared to the other means of trapping flying insects. The ultraviolet light used in these contraptions not only make them effective at night but also during the day. As opposed to glue strips, insect lights capture all types of flying insects and not just flies.
It's safe: These insect lights are safe and do not have to be attached to the wall or any other surface that can be reached by children or pets. You will simply need to hang the traps on the ceiling like a regular light fixture and let it do its job.
Last longer than glue strips: Unlike a glue strip which has to be replaced frequently, an insect light trap can last for several years without any trouble as long as it's shielded from rain and snow.
Does not require human meddling to work: Unlike regular fly swatters or even their electrical versions both of which are unhygienic, you simply have to switch on the light and let it control the insects for you. You will only need to clean the collection pan once in a few months.
Needs minimal maintenance: Insect light traps are sturdy contraptions that need little or no maintenance and have an average life span of a few years.
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Elegant Gardening ? Site Retainment ? Home Ground Together with Garden
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We provide a Mowers Lawn
Awesome Ideas for Your Home Business
The market is flooded with business opportunities work from home. The process for a home based business starts with a dream. It then takes a step of courage toward that dream to make it happen. Courage also needs determination, multi-tasking and financial support to keep the dream going and change it into a business. None of this does you any good if you don't know what you want to do. This paper is to give you some ideas that are out there and available.
If animals are your passion there are several businesses you could begin in your area. A dog walking services would let you be around animals all the time. Pet owners with busy schedules definitely need this type of service. Another idea is a pet day care. Pet lovers would use this service if they have a busy schedule and can't get home to let their pets out during the day. You could also start a mobile pet washing company. Elderly people who can't do these themselves would call you in a hurry. By doing these types of services you can please the pet owners and you get to enjoy their animals.
Photography is a good hobby that can be turned into several companies. Free lance photographers sell their photos to books and magazines for decent fees. Photographers who take family pictures in outdoor settings are in great demand. Pet owners are also looking for a photographer to take pictures of their animals. Photography is a business that allows for a very flexible schedule.
If cooking is something you love to do, there are several areas you could go into. The first thing you automatically think about is starting your own catering company. Companies are always looking for someone to cater business lunches and receptions. Another cute idea is the edible bouquet ventures. These are very big right now. Everyone gets excited when they get one of these treats. If you are looking for a totally different idea, you could start a pet bakery business. Pet treats are big sellers to pet owners. Your love of cooking can raise you to new levels of financial gain.
Some other novel ideas for businesses include a baby newspaper business. This involves creating personalize newspapers and candy bars. It is possible to become a home inspector with the available training. Professional organizers can be a service for businesses and homes. If you are very talented you could begin a home craft business. Another creative idea is to start a gift basket builder. These items can be sold in bouquets or on-line. The list can go on and on. There limitless business opportunities work from home ideas. Assess your talents and skills, use what you do best and you will love your new business.
Elegant Planning to Buy a Floating Pond Fountain
Floating pond fountains can enhance the looks of your garden pond to a considerable extent. If you simply look at it then it is very relaxing and also very soothing to your mind and soul. The pond feature which could otherwise go unnoticed in your summer garden parties can become the point of admiration with these fountains which also have lights.
When deciding on which kind of floating pond fountain to buy take on board the size of pond you have in mind. You could also consider the option of solar pond fountains in this regard because they don’t require electric power or cabling. If you are planning to buy a floating pond fountain then visit different garden centres and have a look or get it online and save your time and energy.
Floating pond fountains look great if there are fishes swimming in it. If you add fishes, choose bright colored species, the fountain will keep the water aerated. You can add some flowering water plants like water lilies, Dwarf Bluebell etc. The floating pond fountains are not very pricey. It can be beneficial to shop around first to ensure you get the fountain that you want. A floating pond fountain is just $ 50 but before that you have to decide the style, designs and the size of the pond where you are installing. The floating pond fountains are becoming so popular because of the fact that most of the people apply it as the finishing touch to their gardens.
What about maintenance?
If you think that running a floating pond fountain is expensive then try for the solar floating fountain which needs solar energy in the day to run. You do not have to spend much time in cleaning the floating pond fountain; you can just add the cleaning solution to the pond. When you are buying the fountain and are aware of the low maintenance then that gives you relief.
All in all, a floating pond fountain is an excellent choice for even the smallest of garden ponds, and can make a very beautiful talking point at a party or gathering.
Elegant Five Things to Ponder when Starting Your Pond
Since most of the first time pond owners experience New Pond Syndrome, or the scenario wherein fish are becoming unhealthy and sickly, eventually resulting to the fish death, we came up with five things that you should take into consideration when you have your own garden pond.
First, you do not just dig a hole in your backyard and just put water and dump your fish in there. You should make sure that you put a plastic lining to securely separate the ground from the hole that will be your pond. This will ensure that soil and the soil nutrients will not get into the pond. Excessive nutrients from the soil will pacify algal bloom, so we really have to be careful with this one.
Second thing that you should do is to shop for different plants that you can put in your pond. You cannot just put any kind of plants into your pond; you have to research the types of plants that can be helpful to your pond. You might encounter the words oxygenators (plants that provide shade and takes up carbon dioxide in the water and gives off oxygen for the plants), floaters (which floats in the water and help maintain the right temperature for the fish), the marginal (which beautify your pond and also gives extra shade to your pond) and the deep water aquatic (which protect your pond from direct sunlight and also beautifies your pond).
Third, you should choose the right spot where in you will place your pond. You have to remember that location also determines how much work you should exert in maintaining your pond. For example, placing your pond under a tree may seem like a very nice landscape, but that will also mean that you have to fish out the debris from the tree every now and then to make sure that those debris will not decay in your pond. If it does, then you will have a problem with excessive nutrition in your pond water. It will encourage ammonia to take over your pond.
Fourth, also avoid placing your pond on the lowest ground level in your backyard. The tendency is that the water from your lawn will flood your pond. The debris that comes with the water can also cause some problem.
The last thing that you should do is outlining the edges of your pond with rocks. This might sound easy, but it's not. You cannot just put any kind of rock. You have to ensure that these rocks do not give off harmful chemicals or substance.
These are just some of the basic things that you should ponder when starting a pond. There's more to it actually, but knowing five of them will really help you a lot.