Fantastic Furniture Today: February 2012

Tips On Removing Fleas From Your Carpet And Furnishings

If your dog or cat has fleas, you want the little insects out of your house fast. But getting rid of fleas means more than just treating your pet. You're going to have to work on cleaning your whole house to rid your home of fleas. Otherwise, fleas will hide in carpets and bedding or on your sofa and in all the places your pet likes to frequent. The life cycles of fleas can make it very hard to get rid of them unless you are very careful to remove them from your carpets. When eggs hidden in cloth fibers hatch they leap back on to your pet and the cycle starts all over again.

Your carpets and floor rugs will have to be washed. If you can toss them in your washing machine, go for it. Use soapy water, as the soap will kill the fleas. If your carpets are too big, vacuum them thoroughly and dispose of the vacuum bag properly by wrapping it in a plastic bag before throwing it away.

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Have a carpet cleaner come in to wash your flooring. Steam cleaning will rid your carpet of eggs and larvae hiding in the fibers. Pest control professionals and some carpet cleaner experts can also treat your carpets for you. For those who can't afford steam cleaning or professional carpet cleaners, wash your carpets with insecticidal soap.

However, once an infestation has been brought under control by these methods, you can keep it under control simply by regular vacuum. Up to fifty percent of flea eggs can be eliminated with one vacuum. Dr Michael Drydon, Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at Kansas University conducted experiments on nylon carpets which showed that vacuuming controls fleas as well as permethrin at the pupal stage. Permethrin is a commonly used synthetic pesticide and therefore introduces a health risk into your home. In peak flea season, Dr Drydon recommends vacuuming very second day, paying particular attention to areas your pets frequent and remembering to clean underneath sofas and chairs. The vacuum bag should be removed at least weekly and thrown into an outdoor trash bin.

Even if you prefer to use a chemical solution to your flea problem, you will still need to clean the carpet. However, as a final touch to rid your carpets of fleas, you can spray your flooring with a flea-killing solution, paying special attention to the places your pet loves the most. You can pick up a few bottles of spray at most stores or your veterinarian. It is probably unnecessary though, and if you have little children (or even big children) who crawl, roll, lie or sit on your carpet, you will be exposing them to a pesticide which can be absorbed through the skin. Furthermore, the whole family will be breathing the vapor of the pesticide for some time. If it's not absolutely necessary, why do it?

Tips On Removing Fleas From Your Carpet And Furnishings

Visit Natures Healthy Pet for more information about pet products

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Contemporary Furniture

If you're looking for a new look for your home, then you should give some consideration to contemporary furniture. Whether you live in an apartment, condo or a mansion you have to decide what would be good for you and your home and one of the most popular furniture on the market today is contemporary. It is very unique, which adds to its popularity. A contemporary style can be described in a number of different ways depending on who you ask, but people will agree on one thing and that is it is defined by its strong, bold colors. It is very modern as well as being very unique and the main reason seems to be that it is so very attractive.

Contemporary pieces are usually in solid colors such as white, beige, red, black and brown and each piece will only hold one of these colors. You will not find any contemporary pieces with any kind of flower pattern or checkered patterns and if you're looking for this in your furniture then you should decide on another type of furniture. The most common pieces of this type of furniture are headboards, sofas and computer chairs. You can use contemporary in any type of dwelling as long as you continue with the contemporary theme.

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Sometimes contemporary confuses buyers about what the difference is between contemporary style and the transitional style. This is very easy to understand because contemporary is bold and unique in its colors and is often seen alone. When you see a couch that is a solid color, but is dressed with flowered pillows then this is transitional, but both of these styles are modern and will give you the look that you're after. Contemporary will give you that new look you've been seeking and add uniqueness to your home that no other furniture can add. It will be an inspiration to your family as well as your guest.

Contemporary Furniture

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Torchere Glass Lamp Shade Replacement Types

There is hardly any more confusion in the lighting industry than how to select a replacement glass shade for a torchiere lamp.

First let us define a torchiere lamp. A torchiere lamp is any table or floor lamp whose light is directed upward by means of a glass, metal, stone, plastic or other type of reflector. These lamps take many forms and are made of many materials but most commonly made as floor lamps.

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The word "Torchiere" is derived from the French word "Torche" torch.

These popular lamps provide excellent area lighting because they bounce light off the ceiling and diffuse it throughout a large area of the room.

There are four (4) basic types of torchiere glass.

1) Dish type torchiere glass (most common) is a dish or bowl shape glass shade with a 1 5/8" wide center hole that simply slips down over the electrical socket and rests upon a metal or plastic holder. There is a threaded ring which screws down over the electrical socket to hold the glass in place. This type torchiere glass is usually frosted white, beige or plain white.

2) Reflector waffle pattern opal white torchiere glass is a cone shape glass shade available in two (2) common sizes: 2.75" fitter that is 10" wide and the other is a 2.25" fitter that is 8" wide. This torchiere glass usually has a waffle type pattern pressed into the surface of the glass although there are some with no pattern in the glass. These torchiere glass shades were very popular in the 1920's and 1930's and were found on many 6 way floor lamps that had 3 arm lights plus a center light. They are also available on some modern lamps as well as some floor lamps without arms. Many of these lamps are designed for a fabric lamp shade to rest upon the reflector glass. This arrangement not only provides excellent area lighting but also excellent reading light.

3) Long neck torchiere glass is a larger glass, usually around 13-16" wide with a long neck that fits down inside a 2.75 - 3"" wide holder. This glass shade has the appearance of a very wide funnel with neck. These are the most expensive type of torchiere glass shades.

4) Stiffel replacement torchiere glass is made specifically to fit lamps from this lamp maker.

If you need further help selecting the correct torchiere glass for your lamp, be sure to contact a professional full service lamp company with lots of experience with torchiere lamps.

Good luck on all your lighting projects.

Best Regards - Jim Hoyle

Torchere Glass Lamp Shade Replacement Types

Biography: Since 1979 Jim Hoyle has owned and operated Lamp & Home Outlet - North Carolina's Most Exclusive Unique Lamps and Lamp Shades. Jim designs and manufactures fine cast metal table lamps and floor lamps and collects, sells, repairs, restores and appraises antique lamps from special acquisitions and estates worldwide. His company also specializes in lamp and home decor factory buyouts and warehouse closings.

Email comments and questions which are answered personally: LampHomeOutlet@bellsouth.net.

His company's website contains a wealth of free information about lamps and lighting: http://www.hoylelamps.com Visit his store at 2233 East Main Street, Lincolnton, North Carolina about 25 minutes from Charlotte.

Information resources concerning lamps, lighting, home decor, design and decorating, floor lamps, Tiffany lamps, lamp shades, value, identification, historical data, include my personal library of lighting literature, a wide range of antique lighting and home furnishings publications, historical lighting photos and documents, professional contacts and a wide variety of other lighting and home decor literature, various private and public auctions, histories of antique lamps and lamp companies, artists and art history and my own personal experiences as a manufacturer, designer, retailer and wholesaler in the lighting and home decor industry since 1979.

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Furniture Hardware

Replacing the old and worn hardware on your furniture can go a long way towards bringing new life to your older pieces and it can save on the expense of buying new furniture. Knobs and pulls come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be mixed and matched beautifully on one or more pieces in your home to create a common theme. Glass knobs and pulls add a touch of unexpected elegance while ornate brass hardware can accent precious antiques.

When replacing any type of hardware it is important to pay attention to the original knobs, pulls or hinges that were used. Heavier drawers tend to use larger knobs to compensate for additional weight and this should be considered when choosing a replacement. If you are planning to use the original holes for replacement pulls, measure the space between them (the "center to center" mounting distance) and choose a pull that will fit that size. Different pulls may have different center to center spacing so pay attention when reviewing the details for installation.

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There are several different materials to choose from when selecting new or replacement hardware for the furniture in your home. Solid brass provides incredible strength and durability while pewter comes in a variety of unique patterns and designs. Cast iron is a wonderful choice for colonial or mission style furniture. Glass knobs are a unique way to introduce color into any piece and are available in a range of choices from bright ruby red to deep cobalt to pink.

Furniture Hardware

LookInTheAttic & Company offers a wide selection of beautiful knobs and pulls for any piece of furniture in your home. Create a common theme by using the same or similar patterns and finishes on different pieces throughout your home. Remember that sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest impact on a design so select a knob or pull that reflects your decorating taste and unique style.

Kohn Coleman born in Michigan - received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 2000. He is president of LookInTheAttic & Company online at http://www.LookInTheAttic.com and authors numerous articles and publications on historical architecture.

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Planning Hotel Lobby Furnishings

One of the busiest commercial places is a hotel lobby. Day and night is an endless stream of guests, luggage, bell hops, chauffeurs, tour guides and all the employees who make the hotel run. Despite the constant rush of traffic hotel lobbies are meant for guests to relax while waiting for a room or meeting up with friends and if you want your hotel to be remembered in a good way be sure to have high quality and comfortable chairs, lounge chairs, bar stools and sofas for weary travelers to unwind in.

When planning a hotel lobby theme remember what a hotel means: refuge from traveling. From small inns and bed and breakfast cottages to luxury high rise buildings and all-inclusive resorts the hotel has long been a welcome sight for any individual or family traveling on business or vacation. Because of this association it is a good idea to make your hotel lobby as welcoming and relaxing as possible to make a great first impression on your guests.

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Before planning the hotel lobby layout make sure it fits in with the overall design of the hotel. The lobby is the first room guests see and will have a lasting impact on how enjoyable their stay is. Not having comfortable chairs, sofas, ottomans and other seating can make a guest think twice about spending time in such a place. Likewise having a chic urban lobby in a small country inn just looks out of place and can make guests feel uncomfortable. Consider the importance of the lobby and its function and plan your theme accordingly.

In addition to guests checking in hotel lobbies are also used as rendezvous points, impromptu business meetings and other gatherings so it makes sense to have multiple seating options including chairs, sofas and ottomans. Depending on the theme of the hotel you can choose from solid hardwood, exotic bamboo and wicker or more contemporary polished chrome and aluminum for your commercial seating frames. You will also find a great selection of sofas and couches that can be upholstered with comfortable and colorful fabrics to match existing hotel lobby furniture.

Other furniture pieces to consider when designing a hotel lobby are end tables, cocktail tables and sofa tables. Often guests and meeting partners will want drinks or food wile relaxing in the lobby and a place to set up laptops and lay out papers so it makes sense to have durable and stylish tables to accommodate their needs. Sturdy wood tables with wood stains and laminate finishes not only look great but also provide plenty of surface space for placing cocktails, books and maps.

The hotel lobby is the centerpiece of a thriving social scene and should be laid out with foresight and convenience in mind. With high quality chairs, sofas and tables featuring the right metal or wood frames and custom upholstering your guests will feel welcome and comfortable and will no doubt enjoy their stay even more.

Planning Hotel Lobby Furnishings

Kevin is a professional writer with over 20 years experience in copy writing, advertising, journalism and marketing.

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The Pine Tree

Pine trees are wonderful. If you have ever wandered through a pine forest you will know the lovely fresh smell of these evergreen trees. They are very useful to mankind for wood, pulp, and in some cases, pine nuts.

There are over 100 species of pine tree and they are all classified under the genus Pinus in the family Pinaceae. They range is size from 3-80 metres tall. The tallest species is the Ponderosa Pine which is found in the USA. Pines have needles (long, pointed, adult leaves) and cones (seed carrier) and are pretty distinctive because of this and their smell.

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The oldest known pine was a Bristlecone Pine found beneath Wheeler Peak in the USA. It was dated to 4,900 years old using the dendrochronology method; counting tree rings - one for every year of life. It is no longer alive because it was cut down but it has been named Prometheus after the Greek immortal who brought knowledge (symbolised by fire) to humans.

The trees are native to most of the northern hemisphere and as such are pretty common. They have been introduced to subtropical regions such as South Africa and Australia because they are a useful source of timber but in some areas they are threatening the native ecosystems.

Pine is classified as softwood. This is because pines are gymnosperms and this basically means that they let their seeds fall to the ground with no covering, creating a higher chance that they will be picked up on the wind and distributed over a wider area than the angiosperm trees (the hardwoods that have seeds with a covering - think acorn).

Whilst you may think that softwood is soft and therefore not good for furniture, the term doesn't reflect on the actual hardness of the wood. Red pine (or Norway pine as it is also known) is harder than sweet birch, white oak and North American walnut.

Pine furniture is in fact really popular because it is so versatile and comparatively cheap compared to other woods.

Pine timber is also used as pulp. The wood is chipped pine and used in the manufacture of paper. Only the heartwood and sapwood are used but the bark is often used as fuel to create the steam for the pulp mill.

The pine nuts from Pinus Sibirica and Pinus Koraiensis are large and edible. Pine nuts are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and calories. They are gluten free so obviously useful for gluten free diets. The oil from these nuts has a delicate flavour and is used in cooking and is also useful as a moisturiser for the skin. It can also be used as a base oil.

Pine is a fantastic tree and provides us with many useful things. Long live pine.

The Pine Tree

By Rebecca G Wishford

For pine shops selling solid pine furniture, try A World of Furniture.

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Teak Furniture - How To Clean Your Indoor Furniture

There are plenty of tips for keeping your outdoor teak furniture clean, but what about your indoor teak furniture? Do you have a cleaning plan?

While it is durable and will put up with years of use and abuse, putting it through the proper spring-cleaning plan will help it continue to hold it's beauty for years to come.

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Many people who have teak furniture in their homes purchased it because they believed they could have very beautiful furniture that didn't need a lot of baby-sitting. Unlike other tables that need regular oiling, cleaning and care, you can literally leave teak furniture for months, or even years, and it will remain as strong as it was when you first got it.

This may have you thinking there is no reason for putting your teak furniture through a spring-cleaning regimen. After all, if teak will stand up to the elements for centuries, why would it not hold up to being in your home for all that time?

The truth is, it will. You could well ignore your teak furniture and let it hold up on it's own for all the years you keep it around, but you also may notice that over time, the teak wood, left to it's own devices, will change it's appearance a bit. Indoor selections will darken over the years. While it may start as an orange-brown wood, it will change to a dark brown shade.

If you want to stop this change, and keep your teak furniture looking as it did since the day you brought it home, you will have to give it an annual cleaning and oiling.

Cleaning

The first thing you need to do is thoroughly clean your teak furniture. While you may dust your teak furniture off regularly, that doesn't mean dust, dirt and other debris hasn't made its way into the spaces in the wood. This is especially important if your what you have includes tables where meals are eaten. Small crumbs of food can work their way into the spaces between pieces of wood that were used to make up the table. Those food particles will break down over time and may well cause damage to your wood.

The removal of dust and debris in from your furnishings should begin with a wiping down of the furniture with warm soapy water. Then look for particles that may have gotten caught in between pieces of wood and remove those particles.

Once it is clean, allow it to dry completely.

Now you can decide if you want to allow your teak furniture to change colors or maintain that orange-brown shade it came with. The way you can maintain your original color is to re-oil it after the cleaning. Teak wood has a high level of natural oils, but by adding a new layer after you have cleaned and dried your it, you will offer a little extra support, keeping it looking new for years to come.

Teak Furniture - How To Clean Your Indoor Furniture

Jennifer Akre, the author of this article, is an owner of different niche sites that offer clients and customer not only products, but information relating to furnishing and decorating their indoor and outdoor living space. Whether you want to turn your living room into a gorgeous sitting area or create one fantastic outdoor oasis, there is a ton of helpful advice to take advantage of. Today, she provides advice when purchasing comfortable outdoor furniture, sturdy patio furniture, and luxurious teak furniture.

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False Ceiling Designs

Looking for a great way to spruce up your ceilings? Or are you just sick of staring at cables and wires when you look up? If you are looking for solutions to any of these or just want a more extravagant ceiling, you can get false ceilings on your room that will impress your visitors like no other. False ceilings come in many varieties and can make a huge difference in the impact of your room. If you have enough in your budget or have been wanting to make your room look dramatic and impressive without moving furniture, you should consider some of these ceiling designs.

What exactly is a false ceiling that I speak of? A false ceiling is simply a supported ceiling below your regular ceiling. With that in mind, you can get a false ceiling to do all sorts of optical tricks. You can nestle different false ceilings to create a layered look in your ceilings and you can add different lights to different nooks for maximum drama. It can also make your room look taller depending on how you use it

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What types of these fake ceilings are there? There are three main types of these ceilings: gypsum, metal, and plaster of paris. Gypsum ceilings have been the choicest selection because of their light weight, flexible, and even fire resistant properties. These panels can be square or tapered and you can fill in the gaps between the panels. You can get a gypsum ceiling up by nailing board panels up and are flexible, strong, and fire resistant. Metal ceilings are favored by interiors that demand a minimalistic and clean look and are perfect for places with heavy machinery or industrial sized rooms. Lastly, plaster of paris is great for these ceilings since they harden instantly and can be stuck on fiber board then suspended from the ceiling. These are great for their smooth and uniform appearance.

There are many of these designs to choose from once you know the material you will be working with. Unlike regular ceilings, these fake ceilings can be shaped into squiggly waves or rounded shapes and can have fantastic shapes that play with different lighting sources or even different colored lights for great optical effects. If you have minimal furniture but want maximum impact, one of these ceilings is definitely the way to go to make sure that your room will always be remembered as edgy and cool.

False Ceiling Designs

Sabina is an expert on home renovation. Learn more about false ceiling designs and triple pane windows at her hubs!

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Find the Best Way to Make Pelmets That Look Fantastic

You can save a ton of money and get something custom made that looks fantastic and really professional. I will show you how easy it is to make a fabric covered pelmet to fit over your curtains. Your friends and family will not believe you made it yourself.

Tools you will need to make your pelmet

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1. Staple gun
2. scissors
3. tape measure
4. Wood saw
5. Long straight edge (marking lines on fabric)

I suspect most people will have a few of these already. If you are missing any before you run off and buy them ask a friend or neighbor. The next thing is the stuff to make it out of.

Materials to make your pelmet

1. 1/4 inch plywood (sheet of)
2. 1/4 inch staples for your staple gun
3. Curtain lining fabric for the back
4. Curtain fabric of your choice for front of pelmet
5. 8oz sheet fiber wadding (Gives pelmet softer look)
6. Velcro tape (both sides soft and hard)
7. A4 sheets of thin cardboard (very thick paper will do)
8. Can of spray glue (stuff you stick carpets down with)
9. Almost forgot a timber board 6 inches X 1 inches and as long as your pelmet.

I hope you agree with me not an overwhelming list of expensive items on either of the above lists. So the next step in our little project is the making part. Don't panic I will keep it really simple.

Putting your new pelmet together

1. Decide how wide and how deep you want your pelmet to be. Then get the local timber merchant to cut your 1/4 inch plywood board to right size. The sheets usually come in 4ft X 8ft sheets, so if your pelmet is going to be 6ft wide by 12 inches deep. Then get the board cut to this size and also get to extra pieces cut for the sides (the returns). They need to be 12 inches deep again and 6 inches wide.

2. Now you join the return bits to each end. I use scrap fabric and lay it across both pieces and staple it down to create a hinge. Do this for both ends of the long board.

3. cut your fiber wadding sheet to the size of your pelmet board including the end returns. Then spray the glue onto the board (the side without the fabric hinges showing). Then place on sheet wadding and press down.

4. Next step is to cover the board with fiber wadding attached. You need to cut your fabric 4 inches wider and longer than your board with return bits (use you straight edge to mark pencil lines). Then lay fabric face down onto the your table. Now lay your pelmet board wadding side down onto your curtain fabric leaving 2 inches showing all the way around. Now using your staple give fold over the fabric and staple down all the way round Pulling fabric under a little tension as you go.

5. The next step is to cover the back of you pelmet in curtain lining fabric to make it all neat. Again your curtain lining needs to be 4 inches wider and longer than the pelmet board. Now you need to cut your thin card into strips 2 inches wide and fold in half making them 1 inch wide.

Now have you pelmet face down on the table with the back facing up. Then place your lining fabric so it overlaps the bottom of your pelmet by 2 inches. Next place the card board strip along the edge of the lining fabric. You need to open the strips a little and staple down in place. Then you now fold over the lining fabric up the back of the pelmet. The card board strips under the lining fabric give a nice sharp edge to the bottom of the lining fabric while holding it in place at the same time.

Next step is to fold in the ends of the curtain lining so they finish just at the ends of the pelmet board. Just fold in and press down with you hand for now. Now for the top of the pelmet you need to trim the lining fabric so it finishes a 1/4 inch down from the top. Then take your soft strip of Velcro tape and staple down at the very top of your new pelmet. This locks in the lining fabric at the same time.

6. Now your pelmet is finished except for the top board to stick it to. This is a simple timber board 6 inches X 1 inch by as long as you pelmet. You need to now staple the hard strip of Velcro onto the 1 inch edge including around the ends of the board.

Putting it together is simple fit your top board over your window on shelf brackets with the Velcro facing out. Then present the soft Velcro on the back of your new pelmet to the hard Velcro on the top board and press. That's it All made and fitted told you it was simple. So take your time and enjoy making something really special.

Find the Best Way to Make Pelmets That Look Fantastic

About this Author

Lee Stevens has been involved in the making and fitting of all kinds of window tratments for many years. He now writes many "How to" articles to help others create the window treatments of their dreams.

http://www.window-treatments-made-easy.com/make-pelmets.html - For full istructions including pictures on making pelmets and other projects take a look here.

If you have any window treatment problems then Ask The Expert

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5 Backyard Patio Ideas

Thinking of creating a new patio in your backyard? Need a few backyard patio ideas? Let us help. After a quick brainstorming session, we came up with these five backyard patio ideas that will be sure to please.

Combine Patios and Decks

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A common, yet still exciting backyard idea is to combine a patio built of stone, brick, concrete or other typical patio materials with a traditional wooden or composite deck. Or try building a patio with a wooden decked gazebo or observation area. This effect makes for a great private area to set up a dining or conversational enclave, really setting your patio apart from the rest!

The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen

While not one of the cheapest backyard patio ideas, creating a gourmet outdoor kitchen will be sure to impress everyone! Think about the perks and advantages of being able to entertain exclusively outdoors without even having to go inside. For the cook, there's a huge variety of grills and ranges specifically designed for permanent patio installation. We're not talking your ordinary everyday charcoal or gas grill here (although there's certainly nothing wrong with that either).

How about an outdoor built in refrigerator or wine cooler? Or design a built in ice pit to chill your favorite beverages on a warm summer night. Oh, and for those cool nights, to get some extra life from your patio, don't forget to add an outdoor patio fireplace. They can be had to burn wood or propane, or you can go all out and have a pro install a gas line for you.

Old Fashioned Style and Charm

Bring back the Victorian age with a patio that is designed to fit the time period. Porch swings and old fashioned rocker chairs can help to evoke the feeling of a bygone era. Or perhaps you want something a little more modern, but still with a funky retro vibe. Find some old metal rocking chairs at an auction and build in an area for shuffleboard. Eclectic, yet fun backyard patio ideas!Soothing Water Garden

The idea for a backyard patio water garden can be simple to accomplish or can be taken to any level of extremes you desire. Put in a simple patio fountain to create the atmosphere of nature that only trickling water can do. Or combine that with a full blown water garden including a fish pond with a water fall. You decide how far to take this idea...

Nothing Wrong With Turf

For another unique backyard patio idea, think about inverting the whole layout. If you have a small back yard or area for your patio, install edging for your patio made of common backyard patio materials like brick or stone. This will define the patio.

Then fill in the useable area of the patio with a thick and dense grass turf. This idea is sure to give you the feel of a traditional patio without giving away the luxury of still having grass in your backyard.

Does one these backyard patio ideas appeal to you? If not, don't be discouraged. You can make your backyard patio fantastic in so many ways. Just be creative and the right idea will come to you!

5 Backyard Patio Ideas

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The Proper Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

If you are worried about cleaning your hardwood floors. you came to the right place. This article can take you through all of the important steps to clean your new hardwood floor correctly. If you clean these beautiful floors every day. you will guarantee that they will stay beautiful for the life of your home.

Solid hardwood floors are the easiest kind of flooring to keep clean. So taking good care of them will maintain their beauty without a lot of fuss on your part. Ground in dirt and particles are the real enemies of hardwood floors. When walked on. these particles can actually make tiny dents and scratches in the floor that lead to a dull appearance. Daily cleaning will avoid. or at least reduce this. In addition. you can extend the life and improve the appearance of your floors by preventing the dirt and grime from accumulating in the first place. Make sure you have mats or rugs at every entrance. These will absorb the initial dirt as it enters the house. You should only use neutral PH cleaners on hardwood floors. Make sure you use your vacuum's soft brush attachment. Sweep your floors frequently. and use a dust mop to lift dust off the surface. Make sure your home has curtains or drapes on all of the windows. Hardwood floors that are exposed to excess sunlight will fade or discolor. Be careful not to drag any of your furniture over the hardwood floors. Either wait for help to lift the furniture. or keep felt pads under the legs of each article of furniture. And. one of the most important things: make sure you never let water stand on the flooring for any length of time.

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How should you be washing the floor? It will depend on the condition of the floor. A floor that has scratches. chips or gouges should not be cleaned with water since the water will seep into the cracks and damage the wood. If the finish is smooth and in good condition. use a slightly damp mop with a mild detergent. If your floor looks dull after this. you may consider waxing it. A maintenance coat of wax will continue to protect the surface even further. If. even if you are very careful with standing water on your flooring. you get water stains. use a light steel wool pad soaked in water to rub the stains out. then clean and wax as usual. Cigarette burns can be removed with a mild detergent. If your hardwood floors are treated with polyurethane. you will have to use a different method. First. take all of the furniture out of the room and sweep or vacuum the floor. Then. using a very slightly dampened mop. clean with mild soap. then rinse with fresh water. Make sure no water collects in the corners of the room or the joints of the floor. Using a clean. dry towel. rub the floor completely dry. If your hardwood floors have an oil finish. vacuum or sweep the floor. as above. to remove all loose dirt and debris. Then. using a rag dampened with a neutral cleanser made for this purpose. clean the entire floor. Next. a damp rag with fresh water to remove the cleanser. then rub it briskly dry with a fresh cloth.

The Proper Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like flooring and http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. For additional information regarding flooring or floor care go to hardwood floors

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What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?

When you have laminate flooring it is important to know the proper ways to clean and maintain the floors. When you properly take care of your laminate flooring it will last for many years to come and you will be surprised how long it maintains the new and beautiful look.

Laminate flooring is very low maintenance and long-lasting. There are only a few simple things that you need to do to ensure your floors stay clean. You can dust mop and vacuum your laminate floors with a soft brush to remove dust, dirt, or grit. A damp cloth will not damage the laminate flooring panels. However, when you use anything damp on the laminate flooring, do not use too much water and be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If you do have a spill on your laminate floors then you should immediately blot them up with a clean, dry cloth, sponge, or paper towels. Excess liquid tracked in by feet or spills should not remain on the flooring for long periods of time and be cleaned immediately.

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To prevent damage to your laminate flooring while you are cleaning you should not use soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or any other type of cleaners on laminate flooring. There is no need for it and chemical products will only damage the flooring. You also should not use steel wool or scratchy scouring pads when you are cleaning because you will damage the laminate panels. These panels do not need wax or polish as these products will also cause damage. You should also never steam clean laminate panels.

There are also other ways you can maintain your flooring to ensure a longer life, such as:
Placing a doormat outside so any sand and grit picked up is not bought inside.
Using only colourfast carpeting and pads on your floor surfaces.

If you wear high heels then you should avoid walking on the surface. High heels and other sharp objects are the biggest problems for scratching the laminate panels.
Furniture legs can also be damaging and you can avoid this by putting pads underneath the legs of furniture to avoid scratching.

When you move furniture you should also lift it entirely and never drag it across the surface of the floor.

The less you arrange the flooring in the home, the less you have to worry about scratching. However, you must rearrange the furniture occasionally because furniture will cause indentations if sitting in the same place for too long.

There is no reason to treat your floors with a sealant after you install them because the panels already have sealant on them. You don't need to use lacquer or any type of refinishing product on your floors. These products will only cause damage.

When you clean and maintain your laminate flooring if you practice just a few simple things, then you can ensure a longer lifetime of your floors and they will maintain the beautiful look for many years.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For laminate flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Quick Step Laminate Flooring.

Essential Knowledge About Antique Paine Furniture

Anyone who has a minimal interest in antique furniture will know that there are many types of furniture to choose from. If you are seriously considering investing in antiques as a source of profit then you really should do your research. A specific kind of antique that you should look into is antique Paine furniture.

Antique Paine furniture was made by the Paine company and has a number of unique characteristics that make it a beautiful addition to any home. It was made in Boston in the late 1800s and is highly sought after today.

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Antique Paine furniture is more valuable than a lot of other antique furniture types purely because it is in demand. Paine himself was a master craftsman and made the most beautiful furniture. It is steadfast, reliable and still serviceable over a hundred years on. Although your initial outlay can be quite large, you would be comforted to know that it actually becomes more and more valuable as the years go on so a piece in good condition can actually double in price within the space of a few years.

Antique Paine furniture can be obtained for any given room in a house. The family business made patio, dining room, bedroom and living room furniture amongst other items and so it is viable that you could fill your home with antique Paine furniture. It would certainly be a different and expensive theme, but a theme nevertheless!

It is worth taking time over the antique Paine furniture pieces that you will eventually choose because they will prove to be focal points of your home. They automatically attract attention because of their gorgeous colour and fantastic design. You should exercise patience if you on a limited budget because there may be several items that take your eye when you can only afford one or two.

Antique Paine furniture is extremely valuable so it may be worth assessing the value independently from the store that you plan to make a purchase from, just to double check that the value is actually as advertised. You should also check for any imperfections, as just one would significantly lower its value. A given price should reflect the condition and age of each individual antique Paine furniture piece so beware of any problems before handing over cash.

Buying any antique furniture is an investment today, whether you mean it to be or not. Antique Paine furniture is one of the types of antique that is worth ever penny. Beautiful and powerful, it can fit into any home and enhance it significantly with few problems. Have patience, buy the right piece and make the most out of it!

Essential Knowledge About Antique Paine Furniture

You can also find more info on Antique Furniture Dealers and Antique Furniture For Your Room. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

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The Proper Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

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The Proper Way to Clean Hardwood Floors

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Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Necessity Type Baby Gifts

Perfect Baby shower idea lists for necessity type baby gifts. By necessity type baby gifts, I mean items which every expecting mother needs. These items are usually reasonably priced, and easy to find. These are necessities parents can never have enough of. But then again, they may have many of these other items already.

So you might want to ask the mother to be if she has the item/s you are going to bring. Or just ask for a list of items she needs. I am sure she will be happy to provide you with such a list. Also remember the guests will probably need a list such as this. It would be a nice gesture to include this list in the shower invitations. This will give them what they need for a baby shower idea gift item.

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To help you decide about a shower idea, you are provided a list of items below. These would all be considered necessity gifts. Glance through the list for a baby shower idea or two. You should be able to find something that would translate into a suitable gift.

Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Basic Necessity Gifts:

booties
baby bottles
caps
clothes
hangers
hats
mittens
nail clippers
baby outfits
baby powder
baby powder (cornstarch)
quilt
shampoo
scissors
sleepers
soap
socks
thermometer
towels
toys
undershirts
bibs
bottle cozy
cloth diaper
Crib blankets
crib bumpers
crib sheets
crib toys
decorative switchplate cover
diapers
diaper bag
diaper pail
diaper pail disinfectant
diaper pail liners
diaper pins
diaper rash cream
disposable diapers
doorknob covers
drawer locks
fancy diaper pins
feeding spoon/bent spoon
first aid kit
hair jewelry
hooded towel
humidifier
infant and baby care book
infant seat
insulated bottle carrier
lap pad
medicine dropper
medicine spoon
nasal aspirator
outlet plugs
plastic pants
rattles
receiving blankets
scooper bowl
shock-guards
stroller bag
tights
tipper cup
toothbrush
tweezers
vaporizer

Perfect Baby Shower Idea List For Necessity Type Baby Gifts

Randy currently has websites dealing with Baby Furniture Reviews [http://www.baby-furniture-and-bedding.com/index.html] and Shaving & Hair Removal.

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Small Home Living Tips - Utilizing the Limited Space

William Morris, the famous English writer (who happened to be an architect, artist, and furniture designer, all at the same time) was so right when he said "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". He said that in nineteenth century when owning a big living space was not that much of a problem. Coming back to present conditions in large cities, where the living space is getting smaller day by day, especially with the introduction of apartment residence. Someone not familiar with how the life goes in these metropolitans might find it hard to believe that a family can spend their lives in these mini homes. But anybody who's accustomed to the life in metropolis and who knows how scarce the living space is in these towns, would gladly accept a small apartment knowing that it's more than enough to contain what's deemed as "useful or beautiful".

The reason for emphasizing so much on this particular phrase is that it points up to the basic rule for living in a small home and that is to keep only what is of practical usage and get rid of everything that doesn't offer any use. Apart from that, you can modify your furniture, appliances, paint and lighting to give your home (and its residents) a fairly spacey feeling. Start from replacing the large furniture and home appliances with some small-sized substitutions. These days, you can easily find plenty of products and appliances in the market, which are designed to take minimum space. It's not really the size/space that matters but the way you are using the space.

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Colors and lights can play a very important role, right combination of colors and lighting will give your apartment a more open and spacious feel. You don't have to hire an expert as a little research on internet will provide you with ample ideas. Along with the color schemes, you will find suggestions regarding color patterns. However, too much experiment is not a great idea as some of it may not go as planned. Therefore, if you are not good with color selections, go for white. As a general rule, remember that you must choose from one of those cool colors (normally light green, blue or violet are classified as cool colors).

Small Home Living Tips - Utilizing the Limited Space

William King is the director of Abu Dhabi Property, Property Estate Directory. He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

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