Elegant Dog House Designs Options

If you are a dog owner, it is important to decide carefully on how your pet's house would look like. There are various dog house designs available from which you can choose from. There are literally hundreds or even thousands of blogs, design contractors and companies that can help you decide on the home of your beloved dog's home.

A lot of people would most likely pick a plain, simple, and traditional design of a dog house. However, some are more willing to experiment so they follow modern celebrity trends. Some well-off dog owners would even come up with a grand design for their dog's house. Some designs are Hacienda-like or colonial in nature.

Dog houses can either be indoor or outdoor. Therefore, the designs should be customized as well depending on your area.

For dog owners who live inside townhouses or condominiums, it is expected that there is a little space available where the dog house can be placed. There are different topnotch and classy dog house designs that can actually fit inside your home. You can be resourceful and creative by turning end and coffee tables into a getaway for your pet. You can build custom cupboard and sofas that can allow your dog to have its privacy, which is quite important in avoiding sources of stress.

On the other hand, outdoor designs of dog house are almost limitless. Perhaps, you are already familiar with the traditional design. Meanwhile, some are more than willing to invest on full-blown fancy designs of dog house.

Specifically, a barn-style or farmhouse style dog house is a good option that is best for an outdoor setting. Such designs can be custom made or ready-made. Usually, they come in affordable price tags, mainly due to the stiff competition among pet accessory stores and manufacturers these days.

Lots of designs of dog house can be made with interesting designs such as mock chimneys, self-retracting doors, and windows. If you plan to come up with your own, you need to make sure you have concrete plans on how you will go about building it up. Your option is to look for someone who is already experienced in such a task so you can have someone to help you out. As for the design for your dog's would-be house, you can browse some designs posted online or printed on different pet care magazines.

You should also consider different factors before deciding on the design of the dog house for your pet. One factor that you should consider is apparently the environment you are in. If it is a small space, you should only limit the size of the dog house. However, do not deprive your dog a space where it can freely move. Also, check your budget. You should not overspend for a dog house. While your dog must be comfortable inside the dog house, you should still consider your resources.

You can always give the best for your pet without having to spend too much.

Elegant Types of Backyard Hammocks

The hammock brings about a sense of relaxation. Lying on a hammock, can take a person away from the frustrations and stress of everyday life. Most people envision lying on a hammock on a beautiful tropical oasis.

What some don't realize is that they can get this same sense of calm and serenity with backyard hammocks. Whether the individual wants to nap, relax or curl up with a book, the gentle swaying motion of rope hammocks is guaranteed to be relaxing.

There are several types of backyard hammocks on the market. Besides the differences in materials, there are differences of use in backyard hammocks. Some are designed to hold one person, while others can be comfortable and safely hold more than one individual.

The most commonly known and recognized is the cotton rope hammocks. But there are many, many other styles and selections to choose from. Each style comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Prices of backyard hammocks vary. Prices can be anywhere between $ 50-$ 300 depending on the craftsmanship, material and quality.

Rope hammocks are popular for being affordable and classic. A rope hammock can be made from polyester, cotton or DuraCord. The bars stretch the fabric and hold the hammock open to provide balance.

DuraCord is a soft material, similar to cotton. A bonus is that it is weather-resistant, similar to polyester. This combination makes DuraCord a desired choice for many people. It is long lasting and if made with vibrant colors, the colors do not fade.

Cotton is next in backyard hammocks. Soft and comfortable, it conforms to the shape of the individual's body. However, if someone lives in a wet environment, cotton should be the last option as it isn't very weather-resistant. This material will not do well in the rain or winter seasons.

Polyester is more durable and can withstand many wet weather changes. Not quite as soft as cotton, polyester backyard hammocks are firm and hold their shape much longer.

After the rope hammocks are quilted fabric backyard hammocks. These are popular for those seeking comfort, plus style. The fabric is padded and made with a colorfast acrylic. This acrylic helps the hammock be resistant to fading, stains, mold and mildew. Being made with fabric means that they come in a wide assortment of patterns and colors; some being reversible.

Those with a pool or who live in wet environments, should look for poolside backyard hammocks. Another option would be to seek hammocks that are quick drying or single layer. These types of hammocks are made for wet conditions and are usually made with DuraCord.

A Mayan/Brazilian hammock is another option if someone wants more of a cocoon like experience and fit. There is no stretcher bar to hold these hammocks open. They are lightweight and comfortable.

The last style of backyard hammocks are hammock chair swings. Instead of lying down, the person sits upright and enjoys a light swing from the chair. There are both single-use and double-use chairs available.

Elegant Without Underarm Whitening Cream Mama's Pits Looked Hideous

Mama was a beautiful woman with olive skin, but she could have used some good underarm whitening cream. Apparently some people have dark pigment in their pits and Mama was one of them.

She loved going sleeveless and every time she raised her arms in front of people I died a thousand deaths. She looked like she had hairy armpits and I would see people exchanging horrified looks. My girlfriends would giggle and it would make me so hurt and mad.

Mama took such good care of herself. Of course she didn't walk around with hairy pits like people thought. It was a discoloration. The darker pigment in that area looked like hair. If we hadn't lived in the South maybe she would have worn tops with sleeves, but it was hot and she wanted to be comfortable.

She tried different brands of underarm whitening creams, always with bad results. But pits turn out to be a very sensitive area and each product she bought was too harsh. Once in a while when we'd go shopping she would see something new to try, but the story always had a disappointing result.

She would break out in rashes. Once she had such irritation she couldn't raise her arms for a week. When her lymph nodes became swollen and painful she had to undergo a series of tests. It turned out the product contained chemicals that were so harsh it was inhuman.

They found at least three chemicals that were most likely responsible for her discomfort. There were Parabens, used as a preservative in skincare products so they can last for months on end on store shelves. Parabens make products last a lot longer than natural products and still appear fresh. They cause allergic reactions and skin rashes, just what Mama was having. They can even cause cancer!

They also found DEA (diethanolamine), supposedly used to adjust the pH balance. Instead it caused a bad
allergic reaction that could have killed her!

Then there were Alcohols, too, which irritate the skin and make it dry as a bone. Alcohols stripped the protective acid from Mama's skin and allowed bacteria to get in. Turns out alcohols can even cause brown spots, just what Mama wanted to get rid of.

Once they got Mama stabilized the doctor told her to stop fooling around with her pits. He warned her about making her lymph nodes angry. He said messing with your lymph nodes is asking or trouble. So, no more underarm whitening cream for Mama.

Until the day I accidentally stumbled over the answer. I was at my friend's house and we were rummaging through her mother's bathroom cabinet looking for nail polish. There were lots of cosmetics in there and my girlfriend held one up saying it was her mother's favorite. She used it on her age spots.

I asked if it worked and when she said yes, you'd better believe that my ears perked up. I quickly looked at the ingredients and it had no chemicals. And no bleach. Maybe it would make a good underarm
whitening cream.

It was made from Extrapone Nutgrass Root Extract and it was all natural and couldn't harm you. My friend said her mother kept extras and she let me take one home for Mama to try.

The rest is history. Now Mama only buys underarm whitening cream with Extrapone Nutgrass Root Extract. It never caused her one moment of discomfort. It lightened the dark pigment to match the rest of her. And it made the skin so soft and fine. Better than before. Mama can lift her arms up all she likes now. Her pits are beautiful.

Please visit my website to learn more.

Elegant Halloween Costume Ideas

Everyone is searching for inexpensive but cool Halloween costume ideas. I have suggested two costume ideas below. You can make these at home with simple supplies. Have a great Halloween.


Scary Bony Hands:


What you need?

Sticks about 1/2 inches to 1/4 inches wide, having some knobs and irregularities

A pair of cheap black knit gloves.

White acrylic paint

Water

A low-temp hot glue gun and glue sticks


Get a few sticks with a bony look. Divide them in lengths just like the bones in your hands. Take at least eight sticks about 3 inches long, ten about 2 inches long for the fingertips, and twelve sticks about 1 inch long. Sticks used for the fingertips are made extra long to give a scary look. Take approx measurements. Pour about one part white paint for about four parts water in a disposable container. Mix well. Dip the bones and stir. Once they are covered fully, take them out and put them to dry. Roll the bones after some time to let them dry on the other side.


After the bones get dry, hot glue the eight longest sticks to the back of each glove so that each stick lies over a real bone on the back of the hand. Hot glue in place. Take two 2" bones for the lowest thumb part and glue in place. Complete the thumbs by sticking two 1" bones on each joint in the thumbs. Take 1" sticks to hot glue to the lowest part of the glove fingers where the fingers join together. Lastly take 2" lengths for the fingertips. These last eight pieces you should only hot glue to the middle section of the fingers. This allows the person wearing the gloves to bend their fingers and get the fingertips out of the way. Your gloves are ready.


Movie Popcorn Box:


You need a large box in the shape of the popcorn box you find in movie theatres. It should cover your face completely and be comfortable while wearing. Take the box, wear it over your head. Cut holes in front of the eyes so that you can see properly.  Cut a hole in front of your nose. Paint and model the box just like the popcorn boxes you get in theatres. Team this headwear with any scary movie poster you can wrap around your body. Your costume is ready. Team it up with the scary bony hands above.

Elegant Home Cinema Design

Optimise your Home Cinema Design for the finest picture and sound experience

A quality Home Cinema Design replicates the magic of the cinema and in many instances; the experience is above and beyond, what is achieved in the local multiplex.Starting with the basics, complete home cinema packages are designed and built around your requirements.

Bring in experienced providers of home cinema systems and they offer a quality Home Cinema Design thats tailored to give you the best sound and visual performance. Each Home Cinema Design is created with your budget and individual needs in mind to maximise your viewing pleasure.

Want the best sound and picture quality from your Home Cinema Design? Talk to audio-visual experts the lead the way in cutting-edge home cinema installations.

Which room?

The first thing youll have to decide when considering a new Home Cinema Design is the room that you are going to use. This could be a living room or the basement of your property which would be ideal for a Home Cinema Design.

Youll be amazed at how much detail goes into a Home Cinema Design. The preparation of the room is vitally important to ensure that you achieve the best viewing experience possible.

Sensible sound proofing measures will be a must and careful attention to the acoustics of the interior will also greatly enhance your movie pleasure in the future.

Of course, all details are carefully considered during the Home Cinema Design by the vastly experienced providers of great quality home cinema systems.

Try before you buy

If you get the chance, go to the showroom of the Home Cinema Design experts before you commit to a system in particular. Purpose-built listening rooms are provided where you can listen to the quality of sound systems and they give you a clear understanding of what is achievable with your new Home Cinema Design.

The best possible packages are available for the right prices through the experts in Home Cinema Design.

Recreate the wonder of the cinema in your own home and devise a stunning state-of-the-art Home Cinema Design that makes movie night memorable, no matter which feature you decide to watch.

Elegant Christmas Tree Decor at Your House

Do you go all out with Christmas tree decor, gifts and activities at Xmas or keep it low key?

We do a tree and a few Christmas tree decors.I have this magnetic Christmas ball ornaments that DS loves this year.Each year we buy each other 2 hallmark ornaments that represent each other, and that is what is on the tree.

We do few gifts.For the past two years DS and I don't buy each other gifts and just spend the money on house projects or vacations.DS doesn't get much.This year I bought him a new wooden train set and some books.

I would say all out.We usually have 3 trees (all fake though) -- one pretty one with white lights and Christmas ball ornaments, one as tacky as DH wants with every colored light blinking like crazy and insane hodgepodge of ornaments topped by a schwa a friend made him in shop class in high school, and one in between with the ornaments that have special meaning.We also do a wreath and garland, and we spend way too much on gifts.

We aren't doing it this year but did it past years.I like to go all-out with Christmas tree decor because I can do it over time when I have time.The day of the party we keep it low-key and easy.Last year we got a honey baked ham, baked some cookies the night before, and got pre-made sides.We get gifts for all our family but we don't go overboard.I'd say withLO keep it easy the day of the partyand do the "all-out" stuff beforehand so you don't have pressure on Christmas Eve/Day.Have a great time!

We have a tree and some Christmas ball ornaments, but that's it. I love Christmas tree decor, but I have no domestic talents and I'm lazy.I'd like to say low key in terms of gifts, too, but alas, I just love buying presents!And now that I have a LO to buy for, well, it's just ridiculous.

All out with presents, low key with decorations. (Until next year)We are in a tiny 2 bedroom apartment, and are hoping to move this weekend, and that doesn't give a lot of time for Christmas tree decor.Next year will be all out decorations and (probably) low key presents.

But thats just my personality. I love to decorate and buy gifts. We have a big family tree and DD has her own mini tree. We also have wreaths, topiaries,and garland up.

Elegant Patio Fire Bowls - Ideal for Extending the Use of Your Deck

Should you not live in the united kingdom, or when you have a small yard in the neighborhood, you may miss using a fire outside inside the cool fall evenings. A few slew of patio fire bowls that burn either wood or propane including $ 100 to more than $ 1,000. They are offered as bowls on stands to tubs you are able to set on the floor to chimineas to propane-fueled flames mounted in a table.

Patio fire pits allow you to sit by the campfire outdoors anytime the weather permits. The warm glow, the popping and crackling of the wood. There's nothing can beat it for sharing beers with friends or making s'mores with the kids. They are secure and can be utilized in the backyard or lawn. An excellent screen adds an extra layer of safety by catching sparks and hot ash drifting inside the breeze.

If you're just looking for straightforward and storable, a basic steel bowl and stand can do for around $ 100. They're user friendly and easy to maneuver. Some include screens and a metal grill to raise the hearth from the ash.

One step up and you will discover the copper, bronze and steel bowls with taller walls. Others are rectangular shaped. Many come with shapes, such as moons and stars or cowboys, cut out of the walls and screens to handle sparks and ash. Those run from about $ 150 to $ 300.

Some patio fire bowls are built as short columns with bowls or propane fires on top and cost as low as $ 125. They are good to change position the patio and so are less messy.About the higher end, you will find fire bowls included in tables. A number of them are during round patio tables with mosaic surfaces, while some are large, heavy and cubical. Those tables start at $ 500, but some are over $ 1,000.

Chimineas are all-in-one fire bowls that offer the identical feel and warmth and feature a chimney. The greater affordable options are basic bowls with lids and screens, while the more elegant are ceramic and gourd-shaped.

For that adventurous, and the handy, you will find tips for building your own personal fireplace next to the patio. The instructions demand about two days, mostly to allow mortar and masonry adhesive to set, leading to $ 500. This certainly will give a new dimension to your patio and definately will look impressive.

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!

Elegant Designing a Fashionable New Home

Purchasing a new home is no longer about finding one that "works" or having a cookie cutter development-type estate built and designed. Those that are interested in having a fashionable and stylish abode have plenty of options when it comes to remodeling or designing an interior decorating scheme.

The options are almost endless when it comes to the type of things one can do to make their residence look unique and fit their style. All one needs is some creativity and a way to make their ideas come to fruition.

New materials and technologies are becoming more and more available, as far as home design goes. However, if you are on a limited budget or do not have access to the help and resources it would take to make a groundbreaking change on your place, there are still things that can be done to make it feel more original and stylish.

When it comes to altering the interior of your residence, it is necessary to first start with an idea. It is really possible to find inspiration anywhere, whether it is in nature, in others' homes, on the television, or in a magazine.

You can even draw colors, patterns, and textures from fabrics that you see and find appealing and then translate them into something within your house. When you are purchasing a new place, make sure that it has the specifications that you wish.

You may not always find that you love everything about the floor plan, but as long as it has the elements that are most important to you, it will be easy to decorate and find places to put things. If you are building a completely new residence through a building company, understand the specifications of their plans and choose what is most important to you.

If you choose to go the custom route and find your own contractors and designers, make sure that they truly understand what it is that you want for your estate. Some of the most popular trends when it comes to home design are ones that are more environmentally friendly.

Many people have started to use energy efficient windows and blinds as part of their scheme. Not only are these better for the environment because they allow you to use less power, they also lessen the amount of money that you spend each month and can prevent unnecessary losses from your budget.

There has also been an increase in the use of biodegradable materials, as well as fair trade and organic cloths and furnishings. Even though the objects are made out of more earthy materials, they still offer beauty and a rustic touch to many homes.

You can also make your home more environmentally friendly by recycling furnishings and other materials. Take things that you may have used in another home and give them a makeover with new paint or adding different objects like lace.

Another trend in decorating is actually done by using the least amount of things to fill a room, and is called minimalism. It is a way to make the indoors look clean, open, and clutter free.

Minimalistic rooms are usually filled with neutral and light colors and items that are mostly functional. Those that purchase a residence that is not new and may have been built decades before can still rework the design so that the place has a modern twist.

If there are aspects of it that must be fixed, enlist the help of a handy man or someone with remodeling experience. This is also a great way to reuse and recycle materials, because you can make an older residence look new.

Homes that have impressive architecture or exteriors are the best ones to use for this type of project, because you can retain the beautiful aspects while adjusting others. Other ideas for home renovation and design are storm resistant, health focused, and storage concentrated places.

You may find it beneficial to hire a designer to rework the inside of your place and make it yours. Doing so can help make you feel more cozy and homey; it is also a great idea for those that love to entertain and have others over.

Whether you purchase a new place or find one that has been lived in before, there are definitely ways for you to put your own vibe and style into it. Research new ways or get inspiration from other mediums, and you will have a place that is solely yours!and storage concentrated places.

You may find it beneficial to hire a designer to rework the inside of your place and make it yours. Doing so can help make you feel more cozy and homey; it is also a great idea for those that love to entertain and have others over.

Whether you purchase a new place or find one that has been lived in before, there are definitely ways for you to put your own vibe and style into it. Research new ways or get inspiration from other mediums, and you will have a place that is solely yours!

Elegant Contemporary Art in Home Interior Design

Home interior design is a subject near and dear to many people's hearts, just as their homes are. These beautiful homes are often filled with paintings, ceramics, bronze sculptures, blown glass and many other forms of contemporary art. These sorts of items sometimes act as an inspiration for the way the whole house is decorated. Sometimes they just act as a point of interest.

Modern home interior designs tend to be perfect for displaying many types of art because they are often minimal and open. This leaves lots of room for displaying nice pieces of all sorts of art. When it comes to what to actually put in these spaces, there are a few important factors to consider. One of the most important of these is to really pay attention to the types of pieces that move you emotionally. You are the one that has to look at whatever you put in that special place, so be certain you love it. If you are working with rooms that already have much of the decor in place, you will want to find art pieces that are complimentary to whatever colors, shapes, or themes are already in play. Because contemporary art is so varied, you have lots of options, and that's a good thing.

Many people wonder how best to display art in their home interior design plan. Thankfully, it really isn't that complicated. Let's say you find just the perfect abstract painting. You bring it home with the intention of placing it on a wall. You find just the right spot and hang it on the wall. Your significant other comes home later that day, sees the new art piece hanging there and says, "why did you hang that there?" Great, you thought you had situated it just right only to find out that, while it looked perfectly placed to you, it was entirely inappropriate to someone else. Such is life. You agree to move it and situate it elsewhere. After a few days of leaving it propped up on the mantle you find that it is just perfect there. All are happy and disaster averted.

Objects like bronze figures, vases, turned wood objects, sculptures or other types of contemporary art are equally easy to display. For most pieces, these can be successfully displayed on a shelf or table, up on a mantle or ledge, or even on the floor. Size will often determine the best way to go for much of your home interior design decisions. If, for example, you acquire a large animal sculpture, it may be impractical to place it on a lifted surface. It will have much more dramatic effect left on the floor. I have a friend who has a large tiger sculpture that greets you when you first enter his home. This always gets my attention and makes me feel like I better keep an eye on it. Wouldn't want to get bit when I least expect it!

Contemporary homes deserve to be adorned with contemporary art. Thankfully, objects for home interior design can be found in wonderful galleries across the country. Go in, meet the curator, look around, and discover what wonderful treasures might be added to your home interior design.

Elegant a Couple of House Redesigning Ideas

Cold and unattractive homes, are not good for human habitation. A persons' character hides some home elements, and what they have at home. Somebody with a complete home facilities, might just be going out from time to time for occasions like work, meetings, visits and other inevitable events. But still he lunges to come back home, and there is always a reason to invite others to his house instead of going out. However, he will always find some reasons to stay out, somebody who doesn't take the time to make his house a home.

Home improvement should be done every year at least, to rekindle the urge and taste of being home-home is the best place to be. Perhaps a little touch here and there, is all you need. Are you already checking for rooms to re-touch,or house components to fix up? Make uses of these suggestions.

Using wool area rugs before? An area rug will go a long way in restoring the beauty of a room. It brings new looks and likes, to your rooms; it provides a soft landing for your feet,and it keeps the chill away from your toes in the winter. Using area rugs breaks up spaces, bringing out the beauty and structure of your room. Area rug is designed in variety of customized shapes, sizes and styles. With some personalized services, you can even get designs best suited for your personal needs. What will you do now? obtain the size of your rooms, and try to imagine a suitable color and shape.

Another home component of great importance is the ceiling fan. Has it not been noted, that the absence of a ceiling fan in a room makes the room look empty? A good ceiling fan blends in color and shape with the rest of the room - it makes you want to be home often.

When you have the right information, you are sure to make the right choice, which will fit into your imagination. Ceiling fans are here for years where moderns ones are made to suit consumers' needs. Ceiling fans are designed in different styles. For effective improvement of a home, installing a suitable ceiling fan is just as indispensable as a wool area rug. Despite the various styles available, alot more ceiling fans are for indoor and outdoor uses. Most of them have added facilities, such as heater or warmer.

Now obvious is the fact, that effective blending of the color, shape and size of ceiling fan and wool area rugs goes along way in home improvement. This is why they have to be considered, in any home improvement adventure.

Elegant Water Fountains for the Business Place

Visitors and employees alike need a stress relieving atmosphere from the everyday rush of the business life. Jobs can be so stressful these days; the coming and going all day, or sitting behind a desk all day.  Jobs consists of a large portion of our day and week so why not make the best of it.  Make it as comfortable and calming as possible with a small water fountain in the office or large water fountain in the entrance area.

Create a calming atmosphere in your place of business.  A garden fountain can be placed outside on the patio at the lunch break area, a wall fountain in the hallways of your business offices, or on the walls or floor of your lobby. This way everyone arriving at your business can relax as they enter and develop an instant sense of well-being upon visiting you, or in beginning another work day. A handsome garden fountain at the entrance is the calming effect for everyone that enters and the stress relieving atmosphere needed upon leaving. 

We often overburden ourselves with the busy demands of the everyday busy life. We are losing sleep at night and losing touch with the sense of well being that we thought was going to automatically stay with us.

Architects have been incorporating water fountains into their plans for office buildings for many years. Placing a water fountain at the business site creates:

A need to slow down and reevaluate priorities of the day.
The willpower to think twice about sacrificing your much needed stress relief today.
An easier, more natural balance of duties throughout the day. (Life in general, gets out of balance very quickly so we need to take measures in keeping that much needed balance.)
A calming air of improved communication between employees and customers.
Lifted spirits when seeing this visually pleasing sight whether it be indoors or out.
The calming visual effect that helps facilitates clear thinking and organization of thoughts.
Motivation to calmly deal with the happening of the day.

An architect once said that a beautiful garden fountain in a landscape of colorful flowers and greenery at the entrance of the workplace symbolizes constancy and truth under difficult circumstances of the day.

What motivates us and helps us through the hectic rush of the everyday busy life? That Water Fountain can.

Elegant Affordable Home Business Ideas

These affordable home business ideas require little initial investment and can start earning you an income relatively quickly. Here are some of the best ideas for a profitable and successful home based business that can be started with minimal costs.

A Home Party Business

If you like to socialize and are good at communicating, interacting and persuading people then this may be the right affordable home business for you. There are a huge number of different home party plans available and you can purchase your home party starter kit from as little as $ 100. Basically as a home party consultant you have access to the company's products that you market through home parties and social events. The consultant gets a percentage or commission on sales made. Choose a product you love or know something about and your chances of making sales is greatly increased.

Pet Sitting Business

There are over 63 million pet owners in the US and many dual income families who need help looking after their pets while they are at work. This can be a profitable business which requires virtually no start up costs. Pet sitting only demands a love of animals, good energy levels and reliability. Your duties as a pet sitter usually involve feeding, playing with the animals and sometimes dog walking. This type of service is also in demand by people going away on vacation. Once you have established your first clients you can start earning money quickly.

Dog Walking

A professional dog walker takes clients' dogs for regular walks, either one animal at a time or several together.  Your low start up costs include dog walking insurance and promotional and marketing material. Set your own hours and the more hours you work the more money you can make. The only real requirements are a good rapport with animals, sufficient physical stamina and commitment. Get exercise, stay healthy and enjoy all the rewards of a profitable dog walking business.

Freelance Writing

If you have a love of words, are good at expressing yourself in writing and have a comprehensive understanding of English usage then there are a number of possibilities for good freelance writers. Depending on your knowledge and interests you can find a variety of suitable freelance writing assignments online. All the equipment you need is a computer, an internet connection, email and the correct software. Visit online freelance job sites to find out more about the type of writing assignments available.

House Cleaning Business

This is another affordable home business. The demand for home cleaning services is high and your business can grow quickly. The only start up costs you have with this type of home based business are cleaning products as generally customers expect you to supply your own and basic cleaning equipment. However most clients allow you to use their vacuum, brooms etc. You do not need to have any special skills other than a knowledge of cleaning methods which you can easily learn about and energy and reliability. To get those first cleaning jobs you will probably need to advertise or create some marketing material for distribution. However, promoting your house cleaning business can be done on a limited budget. Find out more about this profitable home based business opportunity at  House Cleaning Business.

These affordable home business ideas allow you to enjoy all the benefits of starting a home based business without putting you into debt. There has never been a better time to put your entrepreneurial spirit to work and get going with your own home based business.

Elegant House Designs

House designs are powerful symbols that you can use to create a statement to the world on who you are. Buildings have a long lifespan and will continue communicating your statement to the world long after your departure. House designs are also a mark of self-actualization.

The initial step to realize your dream house plan is to contact an Architect. Explain to your architect how you want your house to look. You can search on the internet for similar house images and floor plans. This will inspire you to be able o explain to your architect exactly how you want to design your house.

You can also explain to your architect on what statement or symbol you may wish your house to communicate through design. At this stage, your budget will be important in that it will dictate the size of the house you will have. Mortgage finance is available from Housing Finance, KCB Savings and Loan, Barclays, Equity Bank, Standard Chartered, Stanbic or any other financial institution in Kenya.

The architect will incorporate the design and symbols into a form and will work out functionality from here. Functionality involves how spaces relate to each other e.g. the kitchen should be near the dining room, the bedrooms should be located privately away from the living room, the construction of the structure should be structurally sound and in conformity to the Building Code and all laws governing construction of houses.

Through use of 3 dimensional graphic design software such as ArchiCAD, your architect should be able to present to you the house in 3 D graphic view for you to make your recommendations and changes. This process will continue till you are satisfied with the house design.

Your architect will print the house plan in A1 size format and make 4 copies of blueprint. He will submit the drawings to the relevant local Authority in Kenya, in Nairobi, the City Council.
The Council will go through the drawings to confirm if it conforms to the Kenya Building Code and thus habitable.

Once approvals are granted, usually after a few weeks, you can now move on to the next stage: Construction.
In this stage, you can have your Quantity Surveyor come up with Bills of Quantities, i.e. a breakdown of all the materials and quantities to be used in the house and an estimated cost of construction per item. With this blank document[without the price component], you can invite several building contractors to quote for the construction of the house.with the help of your architect and quantity surveyor, you can select the best in terms of past experience on similar construction and pricing.

After the selection, you then get into contract with the contractor and your architect supervises the contractors work to ensure that he conforms to the design and the agreed quality and workmanship.
Construction contracts in Kenya are available at the Architectural Association Of Kenya offices, Professional center, Nairobi, Kenya.

Once the contractor is through with construction as per the drawings, you can then move in to your dream house and live comfortably ever after.

Elegant What Can Water Fountains Bring You?

Do you like to see running water and listen to its beautiful sound? It always makes our soul soothing, doesn’t it? Many of us could enjoy the sound of a babbling brook for hours. Water fountains are the perfect way to bring relaxation to your favorite indoor or outdoor environment.


Interior decoration is the art of arranging different elements like color, textures and space in a manner that is visually appealing. There are many styles of interior decoration from classical to the contemporary, from chic to country. No matter what the style of design, there are some objects that always add to the aesthetic value of the place. One such object is a water fountain. Is there a better place to relax, than to sit and listen to the gentle trickle of flowing water? Fountains are not only pleasant to the ears but are visually appealing to the eye as well. Just being near a continuous flow of water revitalizes your mind. They are natural humidifiers and very helpful to people suffering from sinusitis. You could use fountains indoors or in your garden, where they help to bring out the beauty of your flowers.


Outdoor water fountains offer both electric and solar options. The larger fountains are typically going to be electric but solar fountains bring cascading waterfall sounds in bright vibrant colors. With many outdoor fountains you will find the perfect match for your deck, patio or garden areas. Be sure to place your fountain in a place that can be enjoyed by you as you enjoy your outdoor living spaces.


Indoor fountains offer tabletop styles, larger floor standing fountains and wall hanging fountains. Each has a distinct look and come in various materials and sizes. A tabletop fountain is perfect on an end table next to your favorite chair. They are either battery operated or are required to be connected to a power outlet. Although small in size these are classy accessories that can spice up your room. Floor fountains are costlier and larger version of tabletop fountains and are typically more diverse. They are best to fill in blank spaces in your living room. Wall hanging fountains are typically well suited for small spaces, are perfect to greet guests as they enter your home or great in your living room for all to enjoy.


Fountains, whether they are outdoor water fountains or indoor water fountains, have several benefits. For starters, water fountains are relaxing and calm the mind and body. Fountains, especially indoor fountains are great as natural humidifiers. Outdoor fountains can also drown out annoying sounds like traffic or neighbors. Indoor water fountains are great for removing dust particles out of the air. All these benefits are just a small sample of reasons why you need a wall fountain for your office, a floor fountain for your home or an outdoor fountain for your patio.


Whether your passion is tabletop water fountains, large indoor water fountains for the inside of your home or garden fountains, large outdoor fountains for your yard or garden, you will increase the joy, serenity and relaxation in your life.


You will be amazed at the beauty, serenity and relaxation water fountains can provide. Start enjoying your fountain today.

Elegant Landscaping Ideas for Your House Improvement

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.

Elegant an Overview of Pond Liners

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.

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.

 

Elegant Introduction to Metal and Aluminum Porch Awnings

Welcome to the website! Metal deck awnings are an attractive alternative to other forms of sun shading and enclosure -- uncomplicated, durable, and the price is right. First and foremost, they block out the sun and other elements and encourage you to use your deck or patio when you otherwise wouldn't due to temperature and other weather conditions. Another advantage to Metal deck awnings is that they protect patio furniture and other accessories from fading, raining damage, or getting blown away in hurricanes (as Florida residents know) and high winds. No awning or fabric sunshade can claim to do that, and metal is much more durable than any of these as well. And in actuality, though they're called "Metal deck awnings" they aren't just for decks! Metal covers have a wide range of applications, from decks and porches to carports and boat covers, to standalone structures.

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

Elegant Outdoor Kitchen

Like an indoor kitchen, an outdoor kitchen is made for cooking food. So, it can be designed in such a way that preparing food in them is no longer a chore but a fun activity to unwind after a long day. Kitchens in the backyard come with distinctive benefits though. In this article, I will talk about a few of them.


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.