Beautiful How to Choose and Plan for Koi Pond Plants

To create a lush water garden design that enhances your beautiful fish you will want to choose a variety of Koi pond plants so that you have a balanced look and ecosystem. There are several types of plants you can include.

The first type are SUBMERGED PLANTS like Anacharis and Cabomba. These are planted underwater in the gravel or soil and they will help to oxygenate your pond. They do this by pulling carbon dioxide from the water and releasing oxygen as part of the photosynthesis process.

Another type are the FLOATING PLANTS. Many of these plants provide your garden with lovely flowers. The root systems that drift below the surface actually act like a filtration device, which is why some sanitation plants use Water Hyacinth as part of their purification process. Plants such as the Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce also may serve as camouflage for your pond filter or other pond equipment.

MARGINAL PLANTS like Cattails and Irises do best in the shallow water or wet soil around the edge of your Koi pond. They grow up above the water. Marginal Koi pond plants make an ideal way to transition from pond to the surrounding area in a gradual way.

The final type of pond plants are FLOWERING WATER LILIES. They are the essence of any water garden or Koi pond. They are similar to marginal plants in that their roots grow underwater, while the leaves and flowers emerge above the surface. Lilies will spread across your pond surface. They aid in providing shade and shelter as well as aesthetic appeal.

The following are some of the items that are necessary for planting and tending to your Koi pond plants:

~Planting Baskets These baskets will contain and anchor your plants on submerged shelves. You can also use floating island planters to create one-of-a-kind floating arrangements.

~Aquatic Planting Media boosts the ability of root systems to gain a firm foothold and get well established for the growing season.

~Aquatic Fertilizers are used to promote blooms, lush foliage, and strong roots in aquatic plants.

~Pruning Tools give you the extra reach to trim and sculpt plants for a well-manicured Koi water garden.

The above suggestions include the basics that will give you a good start on planting and maintaining beautiful and healthy Koi pond plants.

Beautiful Designing Your New Home

Buying a new home is one of the most important decisions that you make in your life. You have thought the decision through, selected the neighbourhood, contacted the builder and decided on the floor plan. Most builders now offer flexible menu options which will allow extensive customisation and they will also help you with financing. Buying a new home was never easier and there are many advantages associated with a brand, especially when it comes to customising the design so that you get a unique home made just for you, and not just a cookie-cutter house.

Once you buy a new home, you are faced with endless choices and it is up to you to pick the right one. Every room from the living room to the kitchen offers a wide range of design options and finishing touches; you have options for cabinets, countertops, flooring and everything else. The task of selecting the most suitable ones, though exciting, can also be daunting especially for first time new home buyers.

Design consultants advise that the best way to get started is by equipping yourself with as much information as possible. There are several important guidelines that new homeowners can follow to make the experience of designing their homes a lot more fun and a lot less frustrating.

Start off simple.

Starting off simple can help you organize your thoughts and sort out the various choices in front of you. If you spot pictures that reflect your personal style, tear them off from magazines and collect them in a folder. Establish a colour palette and design style. Decide on whether you want pastel shades or vibrant hues, modern and minimalistic or traditional and timeless; or anything in between. Once you decide on the basics, it will then free your mind to concentrate on details like flooring, countertops and cabinets that match your preference and the mood you want to create in each room.

Make it personal.

One of the questions that trouble new home buyers is how they can make a brand new house feel like their own living space. It is possible and easier than you think; all you need to do is incorporate small, personal touches into each room that turns the empty space into a comfortable place that you call home. If you are keeping some of your old furniture, co-ordinating other accessories in the room to match the furniture in itself can personalise the space and make it look familiar and inviting.

Choose paints that reflect your style.

Painting is one finishing touch that can significantly affect the style and feel of a home. Paints can complement and liven up all the other features in a room. A rich colour on the walls can bring about a warm an comfortable feel. The shades can also be co-ordinated with a favourite piece of furniture.

Consider the future.

It is quite important to try and make choices that will enhance the value of your home in future. If in the future you may consider selling your home, invest in fixtures and design elements that are tasteful and durable. Often, when a house is up for sale, the kitchen is one of the first rooms that prospective buyers look at. It is important to have good quality cabinets here, not only because they can have a tremendous impact on the style of the home, but they are also a difficult item to change in the future.

You need to consider a lot of things when you buy a new home. Discuss all options with your builder and make use of all the services that they have to offer. Several builders offer a great deal of flexibility especially when it comes to the design options. Ensure that you select a floor plan that you are comfortable with, customise it as required and start off simple. You are well on your way to living in the home of your dreams.

Beautiful How to Decorate Your House for Cheap

Decorating a home can be an expensive endeavor. If you are one of the millions of individuals that are moving into a new home, or into a new apartment, or even into your new college dormitory, you can understand how difficult it is to make your new living space both inviting and habitable.

A great tip to add some beauty into your living space is by adding a few budget friendly accessory items. Candles are a great and inexpensive method to add a classy feel into your room and to also set a friendly ambiance. Maps are also fantastic as wall decorations and can add a lot of character to your rooms. To further enhance the memorability and coziness of your living space, consider stacking books in a corner table. You can also include some trinkets from your travels or sea shells from a recent visit to the beach. These all serve to add a lot of charm to your decor without depleting your bank account.

A nice chair, a chest or even a lovely carved table can be worthwhile addition to be your home accent furniture. If you do not have something like this, maybe it is worth it to invest some money. Having a single quality piece works out much better and is much more budget friendly compared to purchasing several cheap ones which may need frequent replacement or repair.

A failproof method to liven up a living quarters is to add flowers to a room. Choose seasonal varieties of flowers and mix in a few sprigs of green to add color. A few of the different methods that you can arrange flowers are by putting them into a beautiful decorative vase or simply to let them float in a simple dish. Remember to change the water daily so that your flowers do not get too dry and wilt, making your home appear morbid.

With these practical tips, home decoration ideas are not a bank breaker anymore. Creativity is still the key to achieve a home decoration that you like. It's not all about having all the expensive items into your home just to have a homey ambiance. Be innovative, play with your imagination and remember to have fun when decorating your home!

Beautiful Iron House Decorations and Your Home

Iron home decors are very popular because these give homes a touch of sophistication and style. These items also make great conversation pieces because of the artistry involved in executing the designs. In fact, many iron decors may qualify as art pieces because the skill needed to execute these details entails talent and hard work from the makers.

As a result, some of the old iron decorations ended up in art galleries and museum. Some rare pieces also entered private sales in antique shops and art dealerships all over the country because these items fetch hefty sums. Iron items are undeniably attractive and durable, making these products marketable for display and functional purposes.

If you are considering buying iron pieces for your home, you should start your search through the internet. Looking at pictures will help you decide what kind of iron ornament will complement your home. These pictures can also help you choose whether youll go with current or previous designs. For other considerations, here are some tips you might find useful.

Choose where you will place the hand forged iron pieces. Consider color coordination as well as the motif of the area e.g. bedroom or living room so you can see where the iron items will fit best. If the lighting and the color would clash, then maybe you should place these pieces somewhere else.

Temporarily set up the hand forged home accents on the area you want. This way you can decide better if the effect of the item will get positive reviews from your family members or guests. If you do this, you may avoid costly renovations in case this experiment fails. If it gets positive reviews, then you can make the necessary permanent arrangements for the pieces.

Consider doing some changes if you really wish to put the hand forged iron pieces in a particular area like your living room. You can choose to repaint the area for the colors to match or you can try changing your lighting schemes. If you dont wish to consider these, then you may also try matching the colors of the other decorations in the area. For instance, you may change the color of your throw pillows or rug to match the iron decorations.

Beautiful Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Home decoration is perhaps the most challenging idea to make look your home and interior stylish and with a pleasant appeal. To decorate your home interior or the exterior of home it need to go up with a number of decorating ideas. Home decorating ideas will help you make change your home from an old look to a new pleasant and stylish looks. There is no other place like a home that people are trying not to lose the pleasant eye catching look of their home. When a home is constructed and after the construction work has got over a home typically looks well in its exterior with a stylish painting pattern or design. But in order to make stylish the interior of a home it needs o add some luxuries to the home like furniture, electrical and electronic equipments, wall posters, lamps, ceiling designs etc. Also the flooring, the windows, door designs, carpet etc will affect the overall look of your home interior.

Once if you meet all these things inside your home an in the exterior when you first constructed out your home it needs to make it stable the same look for a long years. To keep your home the same that you constructed first some furnishings needs to make in equal intervals of time. Or if you want to change the look of your home to the old pattern to a stylish new look you can approach a home dcor designer or an architect to get ideas on changing the painting, interior designs etc. Like any other machines or equipments a home also need o deserve it look through some modifications or furnishing. Many people they like to make their homes to have such treatments to keep the comfort and convenience. When going to decorate your home you first find out resources to decorate the home decor based on your taste, budget, your time and style. Also when started to decorate your home dont afraid to include different items to the interior of your home that means the stylish looking items such as furniture, equipments and all reflect a fascinating look.

It may be a bit complex task to decorate your own home. For getting instant help or valid ideas to easily and conveniently decorate your home you can approach professionals in the field if home decoration. An interior garden or even a single hydroponics plants placed in your home dcor will add more beauty to your home dcor that the green plants reflect a greenish environment makes your interior a better look and make you breath pure air. Make each room in different styles with installing different type of accessories will make a unique look. When taking a decision to decorate your home the flooring, furniture, window treatments, wall color etc have its own value that it will make a home dcor look more better. You can also include or adds some less expensive Handicrafts to get a refreshing artistic look to your living room.

Beautiful the Porch Restaurant - Review

I am sure even the health conscious folks love to do the same once in a while.
So if youre looking to experience the American food culture then why not try The Porch? The food offered by the restaurant is as good as the ambience. It is a food paradise for those who love their grills and steaks and coffee. It also offers home-cooked style foods. If youre into wine and drinks then youll love what The Porch has to offer, including draft beers, bottled beers, fresh fruit juices, freshly concocted cocktails made from house made juices and syrups. Whether you are a novice or an experienced drinker, you can have a ball here at Porch.
What makes one return to the restaurant after the first visit? Well while some may say the food, but if the service is not good and you dont feel welcomed then youre most likely to not visit the restaurant again even if the food was heavenly! This however is not the case with Porch restaurant, the service here is very good and the staff is very friendly, one almost think that one is dining in ones house! The staff makes the customers feel very welcomed and comfortable. Feeding the people and leaving them with a big smile on their faces is what they do best at The Porch!
The restaurant has other features as well such as sidewalk dining, or takeout services, access for wheelchair, kid-friendly areas and non-smoking areas. Major credit cards are also accepted and street parking as well as valet parking is available. So you dont have to worry about your car when you are busy taking care of your appetite!
Porch is like an urban and modern tavern, the atmosphere here is relaxed and people come here to simply wine, dine and have a good time! The cuisine served here is New American. The Porch is famous for its peel n eat shrimp, chicken cobb and the famous Stodg burger which is packed with melting cheddar cheese, tomato, onion, fried egg and other vegetables. Located in Dallas, this is one of the favorite restaurants of the people and once you try the food here, youll want to come back for more! For those who wants to cut down on the heavier foods, there is a wide array of delicious salads that are tasty as well as healthy, so you wont have to worry about adding a few inches to your waistline!
Delicious foods, great drinks, relaxing ambience, friendly service and the bill wont burn a hole in your pocket too, what more could one possibly want? So you can come as you are, and simply enjoy, relax and unwind at The Porch with your friends, family or loved ones! Great memorable times guaranteed!

Beautiful Design Your Backyard Around a Fire Pit

Family and friends will gravitate to your backyard when you add a fire pit to your patio. The friendly warmth and glow of a burning fire has been bringing people together for centuries and continues to do so today. You can purchase a fire pit that will go with any backyard design, from basic to sophisticated, and in styles that range from a classic round bowl to tables with fire pits in the center. When it comes to fire pits, there are plenty of choices so which is best for you?

Your first decision will be to have a permanent or portable model. A permanent fire pit is built in and usually burns natural gas from your home. This type often looks more like a fireplace but it makes a statement about your desire to be outdoors in the evening. Portable fire pits dominate the market place, and for the obvious reason - they can be moved. A portable unit allows you to move the fire pit around your backyard or even take it with you to the beach, camping or tailgating. The portable models come in many shapes, materials and sizes so you are sure to find one that will fit the design of your backyard area.

Your second decision will center around the fuel you will use in your fire pit. Wood burning models, continue to be the most popular, but many communities have now placed bans on wood burning so check your local ordinances first. Wood burning fire pits also require more open space around them, so make sure you have an area that is large enough. But for a true campfire experience there is nothing like the smell of burning logs and the crackle of a wood fire. Propane fire pits are becoming more popular every day. They offer easy on and off, leave no ashes to clean up, can be used in more locations and are environmentally friendly. A propane fire pit can easily be designed into a table which makes them even more functional.

Fire pits are a great addition to any backyard and will instantly be the centerpiece of you evening gatherings. Look for a good quality fire pit that is made to last and begin creating new memories for years to come.

Elegant Make Your Garden More Beautiful with a Small Koi Pond!

You have your dream home along with a wonderful garden that enhances it's beauty. But... you want to make your garden even more beautiful. How about the idea of enhancing it with a small Koi pond? 

Koi fish are an ornamental variety of domesticated Common Carp or Cyprinus Carpio. Also known as Japanese Carp, these pretty fish are known as symbols of love and friendship. You can find Koi in a multitude of colors, including white, black, red, yellow, blue, cream and silver.

It is an old Japanese tradition to tame these fish in small ponds. Japanese homes have always been beautiful and wonderfully embellished. In the present the Japanese people widely use a small Koi pond in their home garden to decorate it and maintain a positive energy. Koi are traditionally known in Japan as a 'good luck charm.'

In addition to increasing the serenity of your garden, these small ponds add to your reasons for spending time relaxing in and enjoying it.

Another bonus of a small Koi pond is that building one is not an overly tough task. You can build it in hours without spending huge amounts of money. To make your job even easier follow these simple guidelines...

First, decide on location, where to place the pond in your garden? Selection of a shady area is always a wise decision as shade will help moderate water temperatures and provide some cover for your Koi. You must also select a place where you can easily keep your pond clean and free from garden wastes. You don't want chemicals or fertilizers to run into the pond since this would be likely to kill your fish.

You should also make sure that the place you have chosen for your pond has easy access to electricity. Electricity will be required for running your filter and water pump.

Size is another important factor, particularly if you are the one who is going to dig the hole. The size of a pond also varies in accordance with the number of fish, and depending on where you live you will also need to make sure your pond is of adequate depth. If winters get below freezing you will need to make sure that a good portion of your pond is a minimum of three feet deep.

To build a small Koi pond in your garden you will need a liner or preformed tub. After digging the hole, you can put the tub in and fill the dirt around it. This is the easiest way to prepare a Koi pond. But, if  you are using a liner  you must be cautious. Some rubber liners can be dangerous for fish.

The last, but most important component of your pond is your fish! You can have just Koi fish, or even a mix of gold fish and Koi. It is very enjoyable deciding on which colors and types to select and in just a short time they will become beloved pets!

Now your striking Koi pond is ready. If you would like to make it even more beautiful you could place a small wooden bridge over it. This will offer an arresting look to your garden. You will surely be enchanted by the beauty and tranquility of your small Koi pond!

Beautiful How to Decorate Your House for Holidays?

You dont need to spend millions to live in the lap of luxury. And as we know, that a beautifully decorated dinner table at Thanksgiving creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for family and friends. Today, I will teach you some methods to decorate your house beautifully foe holidays, especially in Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

1.Make a list that you needs. Take inventory of your house to decide what you should buy. Before buying, I advise you to search some information about the price and quality, such as where can buy the better quality material, where the material is cheaper and good looking, where can offer you more choices to choose from. If you want to save money, I suggest you not to buy from the net because it will cause you more if you dont satisfied with its quality or style. Wholes marker is your ideal choice.

2.The Thanksgiving Day is approaching and then came into Christmas Day. In order to save more money in these two big holidays, I suggest your house main color is lively, like purple, red and pink. You should keep your decoration is fresh and keep it new.

3.Dress up your kitchen. We all know that kitchen is the most dirty place and mass in the house. Consider purchasing a set of fall-colored or themed tableware. Accent the tableware with matching napkins, table runner and place mats. Add a Thanksgiving centerpiece and tall candles for true autumn ambiance. Have each family member write something they are thankful for and stick it on the fridge.

4.Small trees are needed, especially in Christmas Day with candy canes and popcorn strings and scatter them around the house. How about some colorful lights to decorate the trees? I am sure your kids like it so much.

5.Flowers are needed. Fall flowers are gorgeous and inexpensive. Place a large bouquet in the living room, and smaller ones in bathrooms and guest rooms. Use gourds for pumpkins as vases for a natural look.

6.Bring in the outdoors in. Autumn is in and we like it so much, right? So you can bring the autumn colors back to home. Autumn color decorate your house just like in nature. How about some fall leaves? Hang one on the outside of each bedroom or make a bookmark with your best wishes as a Christmas gift. Tie an orange ribbon around a pine cone and hang several of them from curtain rods. Place colorful fall leaves in a bowl in the bathroom, or on a nightstand.

7.Print your house wall again. Maybe your family already fed up with the wall color. How about draw a picture about beautiful thing in the wall? Or make colorful in the children. Many kids like their bedroom decorated colorful with some simple pictures.

Do you have any good ideas about decorating the house? if yes, please dont hesitate to share with us. I know many mothers are get about it. Welcome to talk about it.

Beautiful Kitchen Countertop Ideas

In a lot of ways the kitchen is the heart and soul of every home. It’s where you prepare and eat meals with your family and where you entertain guests. The kitchen is also the area of the home that presents the largest array of design choices. From flooring, to light fixtures or faucets—there’s no shortage of choices available to homeowners building their dream kitchen. One of the major decisions facing these homeowners, from a design and functionality perspective, are countertops. Countertops take up large amounts of space in the kitchen and it’s important to make sure the type of countertop you choose is applicable to its environment and the design scheme. Below you’ll find a few popular options.

Stone Countertops

Stone is one of the more sought after materials for kitchen countertops. There are many different types of stone to choose from, all of which have their own unique style and attributes. It can stand up to the heat of hot pans and water but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious. With light maintenance and sealing you can keep them looking brand new. Stone countertops come in various price points and styles but they tend to trend upwards in regards to price.

Laminate Countertops

These countertop types are even more common because of their upside. They’re easy to clean and are very durable. Laminates are also available in a lot of different colors and are easy to fit into an overall design scheme. In regards to price they’re fairly inexpensive and easier to squeeze into budgets.

Glass Countertops

Glass may not be an obvious choice for countertops but when used correctly they can be a stunning and contemporary addition to any home. Glass countertops are also very easy to clean and hygienic since they’re non-porous and stain proof. They can stand up to intense heat and moisture as well. Glass countertops are by no means fragile but they’re also not as durable as other countertop options, so always exercise care around them. Glass countertops can be back painted with glass paint in order to achieve a wide range of alluring colors. If you’re curious of the selection of colors available you can visit this glass paint gallery.

The author of this article has extensive experience with glass paint kitchen fixtures. Examples of his work can be found in his glass paint gallery.

Beautiful the Vegetable Gardening Design

When it comes to growing your own food, it pays to plan ahead of time about how you want to set up your own garden. Poor planning can result in poor plant growth, and you may end up with no vegetables at all, or at the very most, stunted, tasteless food. Before you plant the first seed, there are several steps that you need to complete, and only by planning ahead can you make all parts of your garden work together to improve its overall vitality. Vegetable gardening design can make all the difference between a complete failure and a rousing success at harvest time.

From Blueprints to Growth

Vegetable gardening design encompasses everything from the size of the garden to how long it will take to pick the vegetables as they ripen. First, you need to decide about what size garden you are prepared to take care of, as this will decide how healthy the plants are when it finally comes time to pick them. A good rule of thumb is to grow a garden within the means of what you are willing to take care of as a smaller but well cared for garden is much more rewarding than a larger, neglected garden. As such, deciding the size of the garden is the first step of vegetable gardening design.

At the same time, you also need to decide what style of garden you wish to cultivate in vegetable gardening design. One of the more popular gardening styles is French vegetable gardening, and you will be able to grow more vegetables in the same size plot. However, there are many different types of styles to choose from, and you also need to decide what types of plants you want to grow. All of these decisions need to be taken into consideration before you plant the first seed, and once you've made the decisions, you can finally start designing vegetable gardens.

Even with all of the steps of vegetable gardening design finished, you will still need to prepare the soil for vegetation. Aeration of the soil will allow more oxygen to reach plants, and fertilizers like compost or manure can provide greatly needed nutrients for the plants to grow strong and robust.

Consider starting your own compost piles or bins if you haven't already, and you can fill them up with materials like grass clippings or excess food that you would just end up throwing away anyway. With vegetable gardening design and preparation complete, you can finally plant the seeds, and in a few months, you will have a fantastic, plentiful harvest.

Beautiful Feng Shui and Water Fountains

Feng Shui as we all know is the ancient Chinese art that places importance on the placement of objects in the right place, to facilitate mental and physical well being. This ancient art bases its theory on the five elements of nature, fire, earth, water, wood, and metal. A harmonious lifestyle is a result of the presence of these elements in the appropriate place and in the appropriate proportion.

The art primarily focuses on 'chi' or energy. A balance of this 'chi' brings harmony around you and thus helps you in everything, right from strengthening relationships to even encouraging prosperity. Water as earlier said, is one of the five main elements in Feng Shui. Water can be in the form of a pond, water fountains etc. These also can be used to fill the imbalances in the construction of a room. Feng Shui believes that the flow of water inside the house brings money and prosperity to your home.

Water fountains, according to Feng Shui, help to refresh and circulate Chi. For those looking for help to find the right fountains, with Feng Shui in mind can either refer to an expert for help or can also refer the internet, where there are several websites that focus on feng shui fountains.

The sound of water gently cascading down the stream, manages to calm frayed nerves, thus pushing negativity aside.

When shopping for indoor fountains, with Feng Shui in mind, remember to find one that balances out the energy in the room. For example a water fountain with cool colors can balance out the warm colors of your room. A slate water fountain can even out the ceramic tiles in your bathroom. A room with too many straight lines could do with a water fountain, for their curvy lines. Rather than the décor, it's important to pay attention to ones that would harmonize the energy inside the house.

There are a number of options for those looking for feng shui fountains based on the principle. You could either choose from indoor fountains that are made from materials like bamboo, ceramic, stainless steel, and even glass. There are also water fountains that incorporate all the five elements within them. You could also opt for flower vases that tie the elements and double up as a fountain. Choices for those looking for the perfect fountain are aplenty. If you like to shop online you will find the most selection as stores simply can not carry all of the options that are out there.

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.

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

In a popular Disney animation, two insects talk about how the blue light should not be looked into as it pulls tiny insects in. Well, they were talking about insect light traps that are remarkably effective against flies, mosquitoes and almost all other flying insects that can be pests. Ideal for outdoor usage, these lights do not spoil the aesthetic appeal of your porch yet give you a safe and sound outdoor environment to spend your evenings in. Considering the fact that many insects are carriers of several infectious diseases, you should definitely consider buying insect lights for your home. Here is a look at how these insect light traps work and their benefits.

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.

Beautiful Deck and Patio Trends

Your deck or patio should reflect your tastes and personality just like the décor inside your house. In the design process, you should plan to use the same materials and design elements as the house's exterior to create a unified effect. Personalize your deck or patio design with interesting railings, posts, and lighting fixtures, which today can be solar or LED.

In the past, when you installed a patio or deck, you had few choices of materials or design, but there has been an explosion of innovative materials lately. Many of them are low maintenance and durable.

 

Pressure Treated Wood is still inexpensive and widely available. Some wood in the past contained arsenic, but that has been discontinued by the EPA. Wood decks can last up to 30 years, but they need to be power washed and sealed annually.

 

Wood Composite is made from plastic resin mixed with sawdust. It comes in wood-like planks in various colors. You can cut it like wood, but it won't rot, shrink, warp, or splinter. Wood composite decks can last the lifetime of the deck. It can be cleaned with a power washer, but doesn't need sealing.

 

Plastic – Today's plastic lumber can look and feel just like real wood, but it won't absorb water or mold, twist, or splinter. It can be cut with woodworking tools and only needs periodic cleaning with water. It does need to be supported by real wood supports. A plastic deck should last 50 years. Eco-friendly versions can be made of 90% recycled plastics and are 100% recyclable.

 

Concrete – You don't have to have a great off-white slab of concrete like yesteryear. Today, concrete can come in a wide variety of colors and textures. Some can even save you the cost of stone pavers while mimicking its look.

Interlocking Pavers are popular in patios. Pavers can come in a variety of colors or shapes and can look like stone. They are easy to install, inexpensive, and unlikely to mildew.

 

Beautiful Building a Patio Cover

Having a cover for the patio is sure a precious addition to a home. It naturally shades the patio and it also serves to keep the home interior cool and nice by keeping the sunlight away from the nearby windows. At least two persons are needed to build one so the whole can get involved in the task. This will teach the family to build a patio cover when needed. Here is a simple procedure for building a patio cover.

Procedure
First, four holes of at least 18 inches deep have to be dug out from corner to corner of the patio for the posts. The distance between the holes should be generally 12 inches or less. Approximately 3 inches of each hole have to be filled with compacted gravel. Frames have to be constructed for holding the post while the cement dries. They can be constructed from 2?x4? pieces of lumber and then screwed together. It has to be ensured that all frames are in level and they flush with one another before pouring the cement.

Lumber of 4?x4? pieces have to be used for forming the posts for the patio cover. The height of the posts can be decided as desired but usually most patio covers don't exceed more than 1 storey and are generally 8 feet tall. One person has to hold the post upright in the anchoring hole while another would mix the quick drying cement and will pour it into the hole. It has to be ensured that the lumber is absolutely vertical with a level before proceeding towards the remaining 3 posts. Dirt can be put around the cement when it gets hardened for a more attractive appearance.

The support beams are very essential as one will learn in the process to know how to build a patio cover. 1?x12? lumber pieces are used for making this which are of the same length as the area covered by supported posts. One beam has to be attached to the roof line while the other has to be screwed to the support posts. 2 inch screws have to be used for this part of the project. Afterwards, the rafters are fashioned from 2?x4? lumber pieces that spans the distance between the two beams.

When this has been completed, the final part of the project is next which is installing the roof. Prefabricated aluminum, PVC, wood, heavy-duty corrugated plastic, or even metal screening is used for making the roof. It has to be nailed in place and a nice shaded place is ready for hanging out.

Beautiful Outdoor Kitchen - the Ideal Summer Solution

You may like the new design ideas for the outdoor kitchen as they successfully combine the old prototype of the cabin kitchens and the fresh, fashionable ideas of utility and beauty. Besides, this is the ideal solution for the summer period when all family members gather around the table of the outdoor kitchen near the built-in barbecue center or grill for conversation and a lovely meal.

The outside kitchen is ideal for placing in the backyard, nearer to nature, with a picnic table. Needless to say that the outdoor kitchen is the most fashionable home trend as it easily attract the members of the family, the friends and the neighbors near a fireplace in the evening. There are a lot of companies specialized in outdoor kitchen furniture, grills and accessories with talented designers who are able to build the outdoor kitchen of your wildest and boldest dreams.

More and more people desire an patio kitchen very similar to their indoor kitchen with more appliances as is the case of the built-in grills of high-quality that may be used almost all year round.  Therefore, the outsi kitchen usually has a gas oven, a refrigerator, a sink, a bar or entertainment area with compartments for drinks, ice and spice and, of course, a serving cart. Everything has to be close at hand for having a great time without running into the house for every utensil or needed ingredient. The outdoor kitchen is a valuable and desirable place for the family members.

There are two important aspects while considering the fact of building ar kitchen: the location and the arrangement of the grill, furniture, etc. The ideal place for an outdoor kitchen is near the house, in the backyard, not too close to the house to save you from the smoke of the grill inside the rooms and not too far from it to save your efforts of going inside and outside the house for the needed products. The needed components of this kitchen must have their order and special arrangement. You may have your own ideas or you may need a designer to be sure that everything is at its place.

When discussing the patio kitchen, you have to take into account the fact that the grill is the center of the cookout, so you have to place the other components to avoid the smoke and to enjoy in the most relaxing manner the fireplace and its benefits. The outdoor kitchen must combine the most efficient and fresh ideas.

Beautiful Five Tips for Custom Outdoor Kitchens

Most people don't get to design their own custom outdoor kitchens. Usually, they pick a house that already has one or they cannot afford such a luxury. After all, with the economy in its current state of crisis, there are many other expenses that have to be considered first. That's why those who do get to splurge on an outdoor kitchen should be sure to pay attention to the following tips to ensure they do not make any novice mistakes.

First, it's important to pick a theme. After all, a kitchen is only as cohesive as the theme that is picked for it. Those that simply wing it often come up short with the finished product. Much of the point of an outdoor kitchen is to entertain people and that's why it's a good idea to select a theme before the build.

Built in grills can offer much better protection from the elements than exposed grills. A Bull Angus grill is definitely recommended when it comes to grills in general. Outdoor BBQ islands can make a fabulous addition to any kitchen. When these are built in, they are in less danger of getting ruined from harsh winds or heavy snow.

Don't forget the dishwasher. After all, those with kitchens outdoors will need to do the dishes. Rather than lugging them inside or washing them by hand outside, don't forget that there is the option for a dishwasher in the outdoors. It's highly recommended for those who are designing their own kitchen in the outdoors.

Not all appliances for the kitchen are priced the same. This is especially true for weather proof appliances. That's why anyone who is working on a project like this should be sure to price check. Compare with a minimum of two other places to ensure the prices are the best. Also, be sure to compare apples to apples which means be sure to make sure that each appliance that is being compared is the exact same make and model.

Remember the weather. It is easy to get swept up in decorations and other items that are not weather proof. This is a rooky mistake. The weather is going to wear anything out as fast as possible. That's why every aspect of an outdoor kitchen needs to be able to withstand any weather conditions. Those who are savvy about their kitchen in the outdoors are those who will be sure to select appliances that can withstand extreme weather conditions.

Beautiful Designing an Eco Friendly House for Tropical Climates

No matter where you live, more and more people are taking ecological factors into consideration before starting to build or commissioning someone to build their own home. Many people are now looking for a building that encompasses the eco friendly design and energy saving principles.

In cooler climates it is becoming more common to Incorporate solar panels when building eco friendly houses, as this reduces energy bills and cuts carbon emissions.

How can you cut the carbon footprint of a building in a more tropical climate?  Here, your main concern will be keeping the house cool.  Standard air conditioning is expensive to run and adds greatly to a house's carbon footprint.  You will want to find a set of house plans that reduces or eliminates the need for air conditioning by using natural cooling methods and principles.

An architect with knowledge of these principles can design a house which takes full advantage of natural breezes and shade to keep your house as cool as possible without the use of air conditioning.

Of course there are other considerations, such as the need to reduce the energy used in manufacturing and transporting building materials.

On the late, great architect Laurie Baker's you will find a set of principles which he hand wrote and which are as relevant, if not more so, today as they were when he wrote them.

The include the advise to "study and know local materials" - the need to know how they perform and where to find workmen that understand their use. He also cautioned that you "don't rob national resources" - a fundamental principle of sustainable building.

He understood the need to "study and know energy" used in manufacturing and transporting materials.

Before starting to build an eco friendly house in a tropical climate you will want to find a set of house plans that take into consideration Laurie Baker's principles. As land costs are generally high, you will also want to find plans that make the maximum use of the space available and which will allow you to build a naturally cool and economical to run home.