Living In Style, Your Home, Sweet Home

Roti, kappra aur makan (food, clothes and shelter) is not the mantra (magic- words) of this era of luxury and fashion. With this changing world, its inhabitants as well as their demands have changed a lot beyond recognition. Man is no more satiated with the minimum and basic requirements of life. Everybody wants to relish the best of all things, be it food, garments or shelter. Though it is a characteristic of all human beings that they are never satiated with what they get. They always want to have more and more. There is no end of their wish list. But this urge of man to get more, has also helped him to wade through all obstacles of life. It has also acted as a source of inspiration to move forward. And the word shelter carries more weight as it displays ones living standard and strength.

Now a house does not mean only the four walls of brick and mortar but the term living in style has evolved to take its place. Living in style or living kingly is the catchphrase of the time. A more demand for an elegant living will generate in future for sure. The definition of house has been changed significantly. It has moved from a mere shelter to a sign of premium living, from single standing Project to Condominium, from cement paint exterior to plush glass and metal front. There is a gradual leap from simple apartments to A/c apartments. French windows, aluminum sliding doors, terrace pools, a small garden with the living room, spa and Jacuzzi in the master toilet with shower panel, high quality flooring and specification have become the thing of necessity. Amenities like sophisticated waiting lounge, shopping mall, swimming pool, community hall, childrens park, lots of open spaces and garden, health club, club house, high speed automatic lift with top class security and facility management are on the top of their list. What was considered a luxury few years ago has now become a necessity with the changing lifestyle. It is also due to this aspiration of man to lead a life of comfort and luxury that men are coughing up a good some of money on it. The whole world has learned to live a life in a more stylish way.

People are also running after the most sought concept of building automation or the digital homes. The concepts of digital homes have already reached many countries but still there are such countries that are still untouched by the concept of digital homes. The system enables its owners to control everything from lights, curtains and security system and operate appliances like microwaves, air conditioners and geysers through landlines and mobile phones ( via SMS also). The owner can also connect their homes with internet to control the gadgets and view their homes.

Moreover, after you come back home, you can get fresh and cool air around you, your food already ready to eat, all lights on and many more such services can be controlled only through a SMS from your mobile phone from any nook and corner of the world. This system will prove to be a friend in need of yours.

Finger identification doors, video door phone, gas leak detector, smart card and cameras are already there. But a new leaf has been added with the invention of door alarm which will aware the owner if the door is not properly locked.

In near future, we will find that the building automation, which is a luxury now, will no more remain a luxury but a thing of necessity. Few years back, a building with a good elevation and lift was a mark of luxury but now its no more that. Today, premium project means value addition of facilities and lifestyle with location advantages. With the rapid escalation in peoples earnings the popularity of the digital type homes are also increasing.

As the life style plays an important role in the buyers mind so as in the developers. The meaning and aspect of life style is not stagnant. It is always changing with the changing time. The gulf between luxury and necessity is getting thin. Men now can afford more for the availability of easy loan terms with many money lenders. Living in style is no more an uncommon word; rather it is a natural choice for all.

Kanquona Bhattacharjee is a freelance writer and bloger. She has completed her post graduation in English from the University of Calcutta. She has some deep insight into social problems and often present these infront of the most strongest medium. Her personal website url is http://www.wertex.org/ She can be contacted at kanquona@wertex.org http://www.ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kanquona_bhattacharjee

Best Carpet Cleaners and the Spilled Carpet

As carpets are meant to provide your house and the floor with the most demanding look, it is necessary to make them clean and uphold condition. The carpets become full of strains, spill and muddy particles with the environment, it requires proper cleaning to revitalizing its look by the cleaning service of San Jose, California. Cleaning costs are minimal when you consider the replacement cost of carpets and furnishing, so regular cleaning makes economic sense too.

When to choose the right carpet cleaning service, it will be a tough work for you to go with, most of carpet cleaning service provide you with the little part of it, where as you expected more. But some of the referred cleaning services are going to give you the full return. Berber carpet cleaning service will be up to it. They will put the importance for people who are sensitive to dust and other indoor pollutants. You can clean you carpet your self though.

There are pros and cons to both sides. Having the carpet cleaning done professionally can be costly, and if you get a less than reputable company in your house the result can be ruined padding and floors, stained carpet and all hope lost of getting your damage deposit back if you are a renter. The up side is that if you hire a good professional, your carpet will be left healthy, look almost like new and come with a guarantee that you can hold onto.

If you choose to do the carpet cleaning yourself, you could save a lot of money - if you know what you are doing, how to do it and if you do not believe in magic. Otherwise, renting a carpet dry cleaning machine which you don't know how to work can damage the carpet and soak the floor, and you will be out of cash and still have a less than attractive carpet.

Best carpet cleaners are recommended for carpet and area rugs that are made of wool, silk or other natural fibers. For any do-it-yourself cleaning method, the following points are critical: always vacuum to remove as much dry soil as possible, and follow instructions carefully. A common mistake with do-it-yourself cleaning is using too much cleaning product and failing to extract the entire product from the carpet during the cleaning process. The residue not only attracts dirt and makes carpet look bad quickly, but it also speeds the breakdown of fiber, shortening the life of the carpet.

Looking for a California Carpet Cleaner? We are offering a Free Shampoo with every Carpet Cleaning Quote online.
Act Now and visit us online or see our Mold Removal Site and Cleaning resource

Steel Building Components - The Evolution of Construction

A rising demand

The use of steel building components in construction is increasingly becoming the trend. In todays day and age of fast and quality work, steel proves to be the best answer and is overshadowing the earlier used building materials such as wood, lumber and concrete. But what accounts for this increasing popularity of steel building components? Can an affordable price and strength be the only factors resulting in this preference? Well try and answer that for you

Investigating the reason for the rising trend

A minute scrutiny of places where steel building components are in maximum demand reveals some interesting aspects. For example, Texas has born the brunt of several natural calamities and wants a building material that is not just sturdy but durable too. Hence, steel buildings are very common in Texas. Also, the use of steel building components helps save time, money and labor.

The use of building material such as wood leaves behind a lot of residual waste. Carpentering, further treatment, installation results in a lot of waste that cannot be re-used in most cases. Use of steel components suffers from no such disadvantages. Coming at an affordable price, steel building components need no further treatment and can also be reused, hence saving time, money and labor.

The next question is that all the aforementioned qualities are available in metal building components also which were, in fact, used before steel was used. Then why is steel chosen over metal? The answer lies in the fact that iron components get corroded when subjected to air and water over a period of time while steel does not.

Yet another advantage which steel enjoys over other materials is that steel buildings can be pre-fabricated. That is, steel building components can be prepared in the factory itself, thereby reducing labor cost and installation cost to zero. Prefabricated buildings provide the luxury of deciding upon the design and style of the buildings beforehand. Steel, being strong and durable, can be used in buildings requiring very high ceilings and can be prefabricated accordingly.

Steel: The superior building material

Steel building components have several benefits over other building materials. This makes steel the preferred material when it comes to constructing high-quality, durable, modern buildings.

* Steel buildings require low maintenance once constructed.

* All the steel material used is recyclable, making steel building components environment-friendly.

* Steel building components are 100% non-combustible.

Another feature is that steel is insect-resistant, which makes it more durable.

Mike Zhmudikov is a professional copywriter and seo consultant.

All About European Bathroom Vanities

One of the good things about European bathroom vanities is that they can be placed in traditional, classical and even modern designs. Since it is highly detailed and elegant, the vanity instantly draws attention to itself as the bathroom's main attraction. European vanities come in various colors, shapes and styles so here are some tips to help you find the right one.

The Old-Fashioned Route

Traditional European bathroom vanities use a lot of hardwood or are wholly made of it. The most popular woods are Cherry, Oak, Walnut and Redwood. A polished or rustic wood vanity is very effective in providing a European aura. These also create a nice contrast with the mirror and bathroom tiles. It is recommended to give a lot of light to bring out the luster and color of hardwood. You may choose the best color that compliments the area.

Classic European bathroom vanities may either be made of pure dark wood or have several components featuring an overall elegant and rich style. The vanity tries to convey and imitate the classy style of marble through cherry or mahogany. Antique accessories and parts like knobs, pulls and mild accents are perfect for the dark hues. Brass or gold color faucets look great as well creating a very symmetrical and stylish effect.

Modern Europe

Modern European bathroom vanities invest a lot in stone, glass, stainless steel and metal. The luster and brightness of these materials create a contemporary and neat appearance in the room. Colors may also vary widely but most prefer light hues matched with solid black or gray. The mix of dark and light colors in the vanity provides a very sleek and modern feel. Surfaces and doors are very smooth and some may even come without any knobs, pulls or handles.

Mirrors in modern style vanities can come in various shapes and may also be larger in size since these aim to make rooms seem bigger. Faucets are almost always made of stainless steel for a hi-tech look. The top is usually stone like marble in solid black or dark brown. The drawers will then have to be white or light beige for a striking contrast. Space is very important in modern vanity designs so cabinets may range up to 48 inches with 6-inch increments. Accessories and other bathroom items are also recommended to be stored in cabinets for a clean look. As much as possible, the surface and surroundings should be free of any item or clutter.

For tips on choosing bathroom vanities, visit http://www.bathroomvanities101.com

Finding the Perfect Kitchen Backsplash

So youve seen a terrific-looking kitchen backsplash in a home and garden magazine and fallen in love. Or your next-door neighbor just got her kitchen remodeled and now you want what shes got. Or maybe youre just tired of the same old, same old and want something new. Whatever the reason, its clear you want a new one. Read on to find out where to find one thatll not only knock your socks off, but keep splatters from reaching your walls and cabinets, as well (oh, and did we mention youre sure to find a kitchen backsplash thatll do it in style, too?).

How about a tin kitchen backsplash that comes in five patterns and 45 different powder-coat colors? Thats what youll find at The American Tin Ceiling Company, among many other home dcor products. This company also makes ceiling panels, switch plates, flat and crown molding, wainscoting and more all from Victorian-style, tin-plated steel.

Kitchen Source offers several choices in the functional and aesthetic kitchen backsplash. Chrome plating, stainless, steel, and stone and ceramic all show off their best characteristics at this online kitchen dcor store.

One comes as an eye-catching part of a universal vent hood/cook top/backsplash package for those looking to go further than installing a backsplash only. Kitchen Source also provides a host of accessories such as rails, shelves, baskets, and more to go with your favorite kitchen backsplash.

Ever think about an engraved kitchen backsplash made of either aluminum or 304-alloy, food-grade stainless steel? This unique style of kitchen backsplash that features three-dimensional ornamentation such as seahorses, cornucopias, roosters, cattails, and more can be found at Spectra Metal.

Wherever you go to for a kitchen backsplash, the choices seem to be endless. Made from all types of materials ceramic, natural stone, metal, glass, even painted or wallpapered a kitchen backsplash can set the decorative pace for any kitchen design theme. But why keep on dreaming? With just a few clicks of the mouse, you can start on that kitchen you covet right now! Get online and find that perfect kitchen backsplash today!

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.org, where you can read tips on ceramic kitchen tile, how to clean tile grout and other home/garden topics.

How You Can Remodel Your Porch Yourself

There are many benefits your home can gain when you remodel your porch. This great example provided by DoItYourself provides great tips to enhance your outdoors with fresh ideas that employ the usage of carpentry skills, paint and stain to bring in life into a regular backyard. Plenty of mosquitoes along with the need to enjoy summer,spring and fall by lazing around outside, made the homeowners of a residence in Atlanta in Georgia to alter their backside5B4 porch from a plain looking slab of concrete to a showcase that was screened in, including insulated drapes. While taking the decision took no time, the actual solution was tedious.

The owners realized that screening the back patio was absolutely needed. It was just a squarish piece of concrete which was placed under an overhanging roof. This made the situation far more complicated. They needed to blend the porch along with the house while also providing a shield from local insects, summer heat and humidity levels. The slab of concrete even had a slope to provide for rain water to go away and so this needed to be trimmed from the frame's inside to fit into the slope.

Here's a stepwise guide of what these people did:

1. Cutting the paneling: Sheets of paneling of the beadboard ceiling variety were cut into 4x8 feet dimensions. These were primed beforehand.

2. Installation of ceiling fans and panels: With the help of a nail gun the owners were able to quickly install the ceiling panels. It was so much easier that hammer swinging and holding on to the panel! Before the panel was installed fan and light wiring was performed on the ceiling. The fan made it possible to make the porch around 8-10 degrees colder as compared to outdoor temperatures. The light made it possible for the usage of the porch during night time. So while one person would hold the fan another person would connect the wiring and then screw the fan 58Bin place. The finish trim on the ceiling served to camouflage the panel seams.

3. Framing of the porch: Based on the standard sized screens that were installed, the porch frame which measured 2x4 feet was fitted to size. Crosspieces could be directly nailed on to the vertically placed braces or just toenailed into the area.

4. Interior panel attachment: With the help of a staple gun the beadboard paneling comprising pine along with plywood, was secured into the interior. Although level on the topside, the panels needed trimming on the bottom portion in order to fit into the unevenly surfaced concrete flooring. This used to have a slope to provide rain runoff.

5. Levelling and attaching the exterior panel: All the hardboard panels of the exterior were put into place one by one, right from the bottom to the top. The first panel was customized and cut as per the uneven base line of the ground. The usage of a weather resistant type of paint made it possible to maintain exteriors by just using water and soap for color maintenance.

6. Finishing with the screen: All the vinyl grids were directly screwed upon the wood frame. The screens were placed on the channels present on these grids, thus facilitating a stapleless installation of aluminum and fibreglass screens. Upon rolling these screens with a spline on the grid channels, the extra screen was just trimmed off.

Greg Hansward's papers are published on several online publications linked to insulated draperies and insulated curtain fabric. From his detailed writings, he proofed his knowledge on issues dealing with insulated drapes and insulated draperies.

Home Mold Test Kits

Laminate Hardwood Floor Installation - 7 Reasons For Laminate Floor Solutions

A laminate hardwood floor installation rips out all the high-maintenance management and warping woes that accompany real wood flooring projects. Flooring frustrations are replaced with easy-care, authentic wood looks and textures that are a snap to install. What are the seven main reasons behind the phenomenal growth in do-it-yourself laminate hardwood floor installations?

Reason 1. Laminate Hardwood Flooring Installations Happy Over Any Sub-Floor

There is no ne197Ced for an expensive and time-consuming tearing up of the sub-floor. Glueless laminate hardwood floor installations can be done with confidence and success over virtually any existing type of flooring. This includes vinyl, tile, concrete and real wood strips. The only exceptions to the rule are carpeting and real hardwood on concrete.

Proper preparation of the sub-floor is vital, however. The surface needs to be absolutely smooth and even. Sand down all peaked joints and other bumps. Use a filler material for any holes or uneven areas. Make sure that the floor is spotless. Any bit of gravel trapped under your new floor, will eventually become an eyesore.

Reason 2. Laminate Hardwood Floor Installations A Long-Term Investment

With today's technology, the core and wear layers of laminate flooring are of a superb quality. Floors are treated to be highly moisture resistant. The aluminum oxide finish of the wear layer ensures maximum protection against scratches, fading, scuff marks, and stains. Many manufacturers include warranties of between 15 and 30 years. By choosing a quality decorating and interior design product for your floors, and following installation and maintenance instructions carefully, you will be ensured of stylish, elegant looks for years to come.

Reason 3. Care-Free, Calamity-Free Flooring For Your Family Home

No overloaded parent has time for finicky floor care day in and day out. With a laminate hardwood floor installation, you will lighten the cleaning load significantly. A mop and brushless vacuum take care of most chores. When necessary, a damp mop is used for a quick wipe. Flooring manufacturers supply dedicated cleaners for tougher spots. If there is a mishap with lipstick or paint, acetone nail polish remover should take care of it instantly. Always check with your flooring supplier to make sure that any cleaning process or solution complies with your warranty conditions. If you deviate from the guidelines, you may void your warranty.

Reason 4. Banish Allergies And Asthma With Laminate Flooring

If your kids suffer from dust-related allergies, new floors may offer the solution you are searching for. No matter how diligent you are with cleaning, carpeting remains a dust-trap. By replacing the flooring surfaces of your home with laminate hardwood floor installations, you will minimize your family's exposure to the offending, irritating particles. The hard, smooth surface is easy to keep spotless. There are no fibres that are reluctant to give up their share of dirt. A quick wipe with a damp mop takes care of the dust problem in a jiffy.

Reason 5. Easy-To-Install Project For Home Remodeling Rookies

Laminate hardwood floor installations are a snap with the latest click-'n-go engineering. No more sticky, messy, frustrating and apprehensive adhesive struggles. Even the most 'unhandy' amateur handyman can tackle these glueless flooring projects with confidence. There is no need to call in the services of a professional hardwood flooring contractor. You can successfully install a new, ready-to-use floor within about a day. As long as you make sure that you don't have problems with moisture in the sub-floor, and are able to follow the manufacturer's guidelines closely, you should be able to complete the installation on your own.

Reason 6. Tempting Authentic Real Hardwood Grains And Textures

From Pergo Flooring, to Armstrong Flooring and Bruce Hardwood Flooring now include every real wood grain under the sun. Shadings vary from light and airy to the rich, warm hues of the darker woods. Textures are as close to the real thing as possible. Planks are now even beveled to give the appearance of real wood planks. A laminate hardwood floor installation can now come with rustic, weathered looks.

Recently the ranges have been expanded to include a variety of realistic ceramic tile and stone tile finishes, complete with grout lines. Every type of decorating or interior design project is catered for, from old-world to contemporary. The flooring planks can be matte or may present a gleaming, shiny face to the world. Thanks to innovative technology, the days of plastic and fake-looking laminates are long gone.

Reason 7. Much To Do About Mishaps On Laminates

If you have kids and pets you will fall in love with laminates. No only will you have far fewer worries about crayon stains, puddles, and other potential flooring fiasco's, you will know that in the event of a major accident, a section of flooring can replaced with ease. As long as you keep an unopened box or two of flooring planks in storage, you will be equipped to re-do an area of flooring in no time. Whereas a damaged carpet has to be replaced completely, a laminate hardwood floor installation allows you to handle the inevitable family mishap with a smile.

Have a bit of decorating and interior design face-lift fun by joining the laminate hardwood floor installation crowd!

Awnings-and-Blinds.com - where you can grab your free copy of the Ultimate Laminate Flooring Buyer's Guide ebook. The author, Rika Susan also offers more info on flooring, awnings, blinds and other home remodeling issues in Harmonics Glueless Laminate Flooring and many other articles at http://www.Awnings-and-Blinds.com . Copyright of this article: 2007 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

Plywood Siding Roof Dormer

How You Can Remodel Your Porch Yourself

There are many benefits your home can gain when you remodel your porch. This great example provided by DoItYourself provides great tips to enhance your outdoors with fresh ideas that employ the usage of carpentry skills, paint and stain to bring in life into a regular backyard. Plenty of mosquitoes along with the need to enjoy summer,spring and fall by lazing around outside, made the homeowners of a residence in Atlanta in Georgia to alter their backside5B4 porch from a plain looking slab of concrete to a showcase that was screened in, including insulated drapes. While taking the decision took no time, the actual solution was tedious.

The owners realized that screening the back patio was absolutely needed. It was just a squarish piece of concrete which was placed under an overhanging roof. This made the situation far more complicated. They needed to blend the porch along with the house while also providing a shield from local insects, summer heat and humidity levels. The slab of concrete even had a slope to provide for rain water to go away and so this needed to be trimmed from the frame's inside to fit into the slope.

Here's a stepwise guide of what these people did:

1. Cutting the paneling: Sheets of paneling of the beadboard ceiling variety were cut into 4x8 feet dimensions. These were primed beforehand.

2. Installation of ceiling fans and panels: With the help of a nail gun the owners were able to quickly install the ceiling panels. It was so much easier that hammer swinging and holding on to the panel! Before the panel was installed fan and light wiring was performed on the ceiling. The fan made it possible to make the porch around 8-10 degrees colder as compared to outdoor temperatures. The light made it possible for the usage of the porch during night time. So while one person would hold the fan another person would connect the wiring and then screw the fan 58Bin place. The finish trim on the ceiling served to camouflage the panel seams.

3. Framing of the porch: Based on the standard sized screens that were installed, the porch frame which measured 2x4 feet was fitted to size. Crosspieces could be directly nailed on to the vertically placed braces or just toenailed into the area.

4. Interior panel attachment: With the help of a staple gun the beadboard paneling comprising pine along with plywood, was secured into the interior. Although level on the topside, the panels needed trimming on the bottom portion in order to fit into the unevenly surfaced concrete flooring. This used to have a slope to provide rain runoff.

5. Levelling and attaching the exterior panel: All the hardboard panels of the exterior were put into place one by one, right from the bottom to the top. The first panel was customized and cut as per the uneven base line of the ground. The usage of a weather resistant type of paint made it possible to maintain exteriors by just using water and soap for color maintenance.

6. Finishing with the screen: All the vinyl grids were directly screwed upon the wood frame. The screens were placed on the channels present on these grids, thus facilitating a stapleless installation of aluminum and fibreglass screens. Upon rolling these screens with a spline on the grid channels, the extra screen was just trimmed off.

Greg Hansward's papers are published on several online publications linked to insulated draperies and insulated curtain fabric. From his detailed writings, he proofed his knowledge on issues dealing with insulated drapes and insulated draperies.

Home Mold Test Kits

Bathroom Decor - Quick Bathroom Decorating on a Budget

When seasons change, one of the most overlooked rooms in the house for updated decorating is the bathroom. Whether you want to add some oomph to your guest bath, or want to bring a spa quality to decorating a master bath, here are some quick and easy decorating tips to get your bathroom in tip top shape!

*You actually don't spend a lot of time in the bathroom, so do something special with it. Try a daring color combination or a theme room you love but wouldn't use in another space. Name your theme bathroom, then get to the paint store! Try rich jewel tones or cheery pastels, whatever fits your theme. Just make it a color you love that you've always wanted to try!

*Bump up the excitement level of your boring bath towels, and stitch an easy and quick edging to them with pretty fabric. It takes just a small amount and some simple hemming to add pretty custom details to your bath. You can also create custom bath rugs this same way, by sewing edging to all four sides of a bath towel. Be sure to sue a non skid pad underneath.

*Use pretty everyday things in a practical way in your bathroom. Creamers make great toothbrush holders, pretty sea shells make a soap dish, or roll up extra towels in a large pottery piece. Just because it's the bathroom, don't overlook small details and opportunities to bring beauty into your life.

*Afraid to hang pictures in a bathroom? Pick up inexpensive frames from the dollar shop, and fill them with pages from garden catalogs. Hang them in groupings in the bath for a gorgeous accent. If water eventually damages the pictures, just remove them and insert new ones. After all, they were free!

*In a guest bath, make your visitors feel pampered by adding a pretty tray full of bath items such as lotions, tissue, and perfumed soaps. Create a tray on a budget by taking an old picture frame, giving it a good coat of paint to blend with your baths dcor, then instead of a picture, add a piece of fabric to the frame for elegance. Instant pretty tray, and you probably had everything your need already!

*Use glass paints and faux leading strips to create a stained glass look on that ugly and plain bathroom mirror. You can even add wood trim around the edges of the mirror to give a framed mirror effect. No more ugly builders mirrors!

Take a weekend and create pretty bathroom dcor for yourself or your visitors. Its quick and easy to make small changes that make a huge difference in decorating a bathroom!

Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com, and http://www.TheGardenGlove.com . Also visit her work at home site at http://www.Women-on-the-Net.com, where ANY woman can learn to make money on the internet!

Old Concrete Used To Make Stairs

Make A Splash With Your Shower Curtains

Shower Curtains Are Necessary For Bathrooms:

Looking for a quick makeover for your home? Start with your bathroom! Installing a new shower curtain can be the coolest way to cheer up your bathroom without investing a lot of money in the process. There are many styles of shower curtains to choose from, and you may be amazed at how dramatically a simple shower curtain can change the dynamics of a room. You can choose shower curtains that will stand out from the rest of your bathrooms colors, or you can choose one that provides a subtler match. It's all up to you the possibilities are next to eternal!

If you are drained of cleaning up your shower corral and anyone that has been forced to combat soap scum before is likely darn tired of it will find shower curtains to be an effective solution to this issue. Shower enclosures, as well as shower curtains, accumulate humidity and, after a while, they become ugly. The difference is that changing shower curtains costs almost nothing compared to changing a glass or acrylic shower enclosed space. A homeowner can choose the right curtains but ruin the overall effect if the window is left dusty and unkempt. It is important to keep windows clean and free of dust before adorning them with curtains or blinds. It should be illustrious that curtains can attract dust and other allergens so better make sure they are regularly replaced and washed

For those who have allergy, the best way to decorate windows is through the use of vinyl blinds. Vinyl blinds are not as susceptible to keeping dust as long as they are wiped with a clean cloth daily. Like curtains, there are various types of vinyl blinds to choose from. There are vertical blinds and there are horizontal blinds. You can also have your windows fitted for the exact blind

Cotton and cotton mix curtains are good 'neutral' fabrics for curtains. They blend into most rooms and well-made cotton curtains will often hang in a way that gives the impression that they are of a higher grade. Cotton is a good alternative if you want more curtains for your dollar. There are a variety of style choices within the Cotton mix. A couple of examples would be Corduroy and Denim fabrics. Being a heavier fabric, Cotton and Cotton Mix curtains are very practical for rooms that get a lot of sun. The fundamental role of curtains has shifted over the years. They are still used in part for their original purposes, privacy, insulation, soundproofing and light control. However, with the advances made in glazing technology, these functions are no longer so important and all window coverings have taken on a more decorative role.

Once you have chosen the design and color of the curtains, you need to take into consideration how much light you want coming through your curtains. Meaningful this will help you decide the cloth of the curtains that you are wanting. While you will find curtains in the style to be made of many different fabrics, you want to be sure that you choose the best fabric choice for your breathing space that you fancy to curtain.

You can also find more info on Sheer Curtains and Tab Top Curtains. Homecurtainsonline.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Curtains & Drapes.

Home Mold Test Kits

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74248

The Small Bathroom Dilemma

You get up every morning and head straight for the bathroom. It's the first and last place that you visit every day. If it is cluttered and small, it can seem cumbersome and depressing. If things are hard to find or get to it can be frustrating and make you late for work or other appointments and obligations. If you are stuck with a small space, follow these tips for getting organized and making the space seem larger than it really is.

First, the more floor space that is visible, the bigger the room will feel. Utilize your linen closet. Clear out the clutter and get rid of expired medicines and make-up. Most of us have a drawer stuffed full of old make-up, medicines and hair accessories. Use plastic containers that you can see through and separate your stuff. Put the make-up that you really use in one container. All manicure/pedicure products should go in their own container. Medicines can go in their own box, and if you have children, you may want to separate child and adult medicines. Shaving cream, razors and blades, toothbrushes and toothpaste can go in a box together. Hair-dryer, curling irons and hair accessories can go into their own container as well. Dedicate an eye-level shelf in your linen closet for all of these items. Add a shelf if you need to, making extra space. This should get everything off of your counter.

The next step is to get as much as possible off of your floor. Unnecessary rugs, laundry baskets and garbage cans can make the space seem smaller than it is. If you have the budget, opt for a wall-mounted toilet and pedestal sink. These two things free up floor space and help keep things open. Take down thick or dark colored shower curtains and draperies. Installing clear doors on the shower extends the eye past the bathtub all the way to the wall, adding about three feet of space. Having sheer curtains or a pull-down window shade that lets in light can make a big difference.

Install extra lighting where ever you can. Bad lighting makes spaces seem small and dreary. Bright fluorescent bulbs, recessed lighting, sky lights and open windows can make all the difference. Use light colored paint and bathroom accessories to brighten up the room. Light blues and greens are the most pleasing to the eye and signal your brain to consider the room an open space.

Mirrored surfaces also add to the illusion of space. If you have a small mirror, replace it with one that is as big as possible. Add mirrors to other walls if possible, not just above the sink. A mirrored medicine cabinet adds space and is also a practical solution for storage. Replace old brass doorknobs, cabinet pulls, toilet paper holders and faucets with bright reflective chrome. Towel rods, shower curtain rods and hooks reflect light around the room adding to the illusion of space. If you have a small table in your bathroom, cover it with a mirrored surface, or replace it with a pedestal and glass top.

Keep things simple and open, colors light and patterns subtle. Use wooden hangers to organize your linen closet or hang your robe and keep things looking uniform. Opening up space in your bathroom can rejuvenate you for the day and relax you for the night.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the owner of The Hanger Depot, a leading provider of high quality hangers, including wooden hangers.

Your Home Remodeling Creation

Italian Bathroom Design

Basing the concept of history with today's tasteful blend of old and new is something to look forward to. More than just a room to wash up and apply some makeup or after shave, bathrooms stemmed from Italian ideas never grow old.

Towel racks, door knobs and even a soap tray is meant to be eye pleasing to them, as Italian bathroom design revolves on using brass and polished metals to give an appearance of wealth, unless the said articles are actually molded gold. But cheaper alternatives would inspire any amateur home dcor to spruce up the bathroom with designs that gives off an aura of ancient scenic beauty and Roman simplicity. Bathtubs may come in just about all shapes and sizes, but with some water jet-propelled ones like Jacuzzis are also introduced. Most of the bathtubs can be either ceramic or simply brass-types. And shower booths are also noted, can be made of clear glass or just an enclosed space with a blurred glass pane for a bit of privacy while showering.

Ceramics have been one of the basic elements when it comes to the design, setting tile after tile of light colors that gives the bathroom an appearance of warmth, despite of setting the cold water faucet by accident. Though a toilet is a toilet, women tend to be a bit more lavish as modern bidets makes toilet usage more pleasurable and hygienic for them. Floor mats can be used, but bleached mahogany is a better material to use as footboards that doesn't let the bather feel cold once they step into the bathroom. The idea of heated floors is basically American, and this would cause too much moisture to retain, thus tarnishing the brass bit by bit.

In some cases, hanging small pictures of landscapes and flora will bring an added scenic look when it comes to the design. For most it may be just simple replicas from Monet and the like since most Italians appreciate the arts. Probably a small picture of wine and grapes would be good for that added touch.

There are various designs, tiles, and even fixtures for anyone who wish to turn a bathroom into a living piece of history, and this is more than just reading the paper while doing their business. Cleanliness, a sense of style and the uniqueness of ancient history, Italian bathroom design is a piece of artwork that can be well appreciated by anyone.

For more bathroom design ideas, visit http://www.bathroomdesignideas101.com

Home Remodeling Ideas

Keys To A Successful Home Renovation Project

Contemplating some home improvements? Whether it is a small project or a major renovation there are two primary keys to success:

1. Planning: Have you considered what disruption the project will have on you and your familys day to day ability to function? As an example, laying some ceramic tile on the bathroom floor may take the bathroom out of service for two days. In a one bathroom home this could prove to be a major obstacle to any bathroom renovation. Kitchen renovation can also cause complexities if major appliances have to be temporarily moved, besides the necessity to make sure floor surfaces are not damaged while providing a temporary relocation, refrigerators need to be powered. Even a small project such as repainting a room can create major inconveniences because of furniture relocation and paint odors.

Always make a list of material and tools that you will require, before starting the project. Then make sure you know where the tools and material (the material that you believe you already have is) are, collect them, verify that they are useable and then place them all in a convenient location so that you can find them when you need them.

Permits are part of the planning process. Depending on where you reside the permit and inspection rules will vary. Why is a permit necessary? It ensures that you are following the building codes in your area and that the renovation or home improvement will be inspected to ensure compliance and safety. Many home insurance policies are automatically voided if you do renovation projects that required permits and you did not comply. In some areas the process of obtaining a building permit can take months, so start your permitting application early in your overall plan.

2. Knowledge: Whether you are going to do the project yourself or hire a contractor, knowledge is the second key to ensuring that the job will be completed to your satisfaction. Invest some time in learning about the materials that you are going to use and the tools needed to install them. Believe it or not the manufacturers of the materials and products that you are going to use know more about them than you do. If a manufacturer says allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours before applying the grout, dont apply the grout in 12 hours. If a manufacturer says that his flooring needs to acclimatize in your home for 72 hours before installation, dont bring it home and immediately start installing it.

If you 1116are hiring a contractor you must check his references and you must understand what material he is intending on using. There are vast differences in quality levels of materials. As an example, if a contractor says he will install an oak plank hardwood floor, there are many questions to ask about the grade, dimensions and finish of the material. Prices can vary from $2.00 to $15.00 a sq. ft.

Proper planning and knowledge will make a big difference in the overall success and satisfaction with your next home improvement or renovation project.

Renovation Headquarters provides information on home improvement, renovation, remodel, landscaping and gardening. A help center allows you to ask an expert for advise. For additional information on all the aspects of home renovation visit Renovation Headquarters.

Stucco Pillar With 1 X 6 Fence

Wall Cabinets - Small Additions, Big Results

What the British have dubbed a cupboard, the Americans have dubbed a cabinet, but the basic principles, concealment and storage, remain the same. Wall cabinets have moved from the kitchen into every room of the house and are now as useful in the laundry room, living room, media room, bathroom, and garage as they ever were when they were used to display Granny's Royal Worcester.

Wall cabinets, in fact, have become so ubiquitous that they are available at discount retailers as well as home improvement stores, and are those small cabinets of a size ideal for holding everything from decorative teacups to personal toiletries and hand towels. Available in a variety of materials and a wide range of prices, wall cabinets may be equipped with mirrors for bathroom use or with glass doors to show off their elegant contents.

Where To Use Wall Cabinets

Wall cabinets are ideal for apartment dwellers who can use them as bathroom storage units complete with mirrors; such wall cabinets are highly functional and can make the most of the limited space in bathrooms Bathroom wall cabinets can be situated within easy reach of the shower and tub, to hold the soaps, shampoos, and after bath lotions. Or they can be placed over the sink and used to hold the cosmetics and other grooming essentials used when taking advantage of their mirrors.

Installing Wall Cabinets

One of the beauties of wall cabinets is their ease of installation. You'll first need to use a stud finder to locate the stud nearest the place where you want to position your wall cabinet. Mark each point on the wall into which you will drill the mounting screws, and then insert the screws so that their heads protrude a bit.

You may have to get assistance from a friend or family member to help you lift your wall cabinet into place, especially if it is constructed of wood or metal. Align the screws with the insertion holes at the back of the wall cabinet, finish inserting the screws into the wall studs, and clean the wall cabinet of any flaked paint or plaster which may have fallen from the wall. You are now ready to fill your wall cabinet with whatever strikes your fancy. You've done it, and your home now has another attractive and functional cabinet of which you can be justifiably proud.

One caveat, though, is to remember not to slam your wall cabinet's doors, no matter how securely it seems to be attached. There's no pointing stressing it unnecessarily.

You can also find more info on and television cabinets. Knowcabinets.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about cabinets.

Stair Guide On Framing Square

Building a Website for a Church? Keep These Things in Mind

Having a website is a wonderful thing for a church. By building a website for a church you are able to reach more people, keep your current members up to date with what is happening, provide information and collect donations. However, designing a website for a church is not easy since there are several challenges unique to church websites. When you build a website for a church you should keep the following things in mind.

The largest challenge of building a website for a church is that there are several different audiences that you are trying to reach with your website. Designing a site that meets everyone's needs without being overwhelming can be difficult. Normally, a church site needs to cater to its current members, people who may be interested in joining and people who already have a church but are either looking for more information or visiting your area. Let's take a closer look at each of these.

Keeping your current members up to date with the happenings at the church is an important function of a well designed church website. Many people forget to pick up a bulletin or newsletter each week or wind up losing it sometime during the week, so by providing these items on your website you can help to keep everyone in the loop. Not only that, but a website is a great place to list upcoming events, church news, audio sermons in case someone missed a service or any number of other helpful items.

Next, your website needs to provide information for people who may be considering joining. It is helpful to think of a church website as an online ministry. It is a way to reach out to people who normally would not have walked through the doors of the church and let them know all of the great things that you have going on. Creating areas on your site that cater to people who may like to join your community is a terrific way to get new members and build interest in your church.

Finally, for people who are traveling or just passing through, you should provide basic information such as direction to your church, the times and days of your services and answers to any other questions they may have. This is a great way to encourage people to visit you and can be a fun way to network with others who share your faith.

Because a website for a church contains so much information, it can be time consuming to keep it up to date. This is especially true if the person in charge of building or maintaining the website for your church has limited or no knowledge of HTML or graphic design.

If you would like to learn how to build and maintain your church's website literally in just minutes without needing to know anything about HTML or graphic design, please visit http://buildachurchwebsite.s1so.com

Sandy

Tread And Riser Layout

When Building a Horse Fence

If you decide to keep horses on your property then you have to provide security so that you will have good management and control. This will allow you to have greater enjoyment and learning experiences, but it also requires some effort in providing a safe environment for them to stay. There are many things that you will have to provide in order to give them good shelter protection and this is where a horse fence is really necessary.

When building a fence for horses you need to consider many factors before installing the best possible one. Horses graze and they like to roam about in the open but you have to protect them from getting out. Therefore your fence must be sturdy and the exit gates must be secured and locked. You will also need to consider whether or not they need to be separated from other animals. Then there is a consideration of what kind of fence you will need as you can get one that will be just as pleasing to the eye as it is practical.

If you live on a working farm you already know the necessity of good fencing. This certainly applies to horse fencing where you have to be sure where that is not only secure work. It can also accommodate the chores that will be involved such as easy access through gates to accommodate the rider as well as the horses. Another consideration to what type of fence you will need to do has to do with the lay of the land - whether it is that every flat prairie or rolling pasture land. You also have to take in consideration the weather as whether or not the area receives a lot of precipitation. If you have a wooden fence, this could be a problem due to rotting.

For lots of information on horse fences and other related topics, visit Fences Guide at www.fencesguide.com

Oceanside Remodeling

Why Team Building Activities are So Important?

Team building activities are one of the most important keys for the success of your company. The more precious time coworkers spend together, the faster it is for your industry. Corporate team building games are that make this possible- and if you do not have cohesive employees, you are seriously handicapping your industry out in the marketplace.

According to team building experts, office team building games are needed as much as success, since friendliness and kindness are feeling easily and deeply transmitted to others, that is, your customers, that really appreciate a warm service. Building solid and cooperative work teams is difficult at first but necessary to have a group eager to share their points of view and to work together in a way that promotes very good qualities of each employees participant. In other words - to accomplish its goals such as a employees.

Getting your workers to stop thinking of every other such as competitors and begin working such as a staff is not absolutely like effective like it sounds, however it is important if you want to be a effective force in your company. Amidst the advantages of staff property are the online video presentation:

Teams become much more used in implementing their own team building activities indoor. Inasmuch as you can split the accomplish its goals into responsibility spaces, a team could tackle pretty difficult projects much more clearly than a group of individuals.

Teams become visible with quite creative solutions due to they would network and brainstorm. By the time staff members jump ideas off about any company issue, they arrive at solutions that none can use evolved all by herself. So as long as team continue to accomplish their goals together, so many of them get that their person function benefits from their brand-new dexterity to see things from other new perspectives.

Teams are pretty enduring than reliance on individuals. If you utilize single person who is responsible since a plan, the loss of that human being might cripple the plan. By the time you are trusting on employees, the loss of only person may be tough; though the fulfillment of the expectations of the team will continue.

Teambuilding exercises for meetings compel your workers to deliver their topmost hard time on behalf of the staff

Find more team building activities on our site at: http://www.team-building-activities.info-a1.com/

Your Home Remodeling Creation

Building Inspections - Permits and Problems

Things to Know

1. The General Contractor or the person that the Building Permit was issued to must make all inspection requests.
2. Building Permit Cards must be posted and building plans must be available at the jobsite or the inspection will not be performed and a penalty can be charged.
3. Permit Fees are based on the valuation of project defined as labor, materials, plus profit
4. If the project is large enough a plan review will have to be completed by the building inspector

Who are They

The BDI inspects approves and issues all permits required by code for new construction and for repairs and additions to all public and private buildings. They assure safe building standards for the general safety and welfare of us all. When Do I Need a Building Permit Building permits are required when any structural change or major alteration is made or for new construction. Normal maintenance doesnt need a building permit.

Here are some common examples, although this list is not complete:
1. New structures
2. Enlargement of existing rooms
3. Porches, decks, and retaining walls
4. Anything involving structural beams, joist replacement or bearing support
5. Foundations and footing repair, underpinning or shoring up of a structure
6. The conversion of basement or attic space to living quarters
7. All new fences except the replacement of existing fences
8. An entire new roof, when roof work is not replacement of like material

When Don't I need a Building Permit

Here are some common examples, although this list is not complete:
1. Ordinary repairs to residential buildings and structures, there could be height restriction here.
2. Plaster patching, exterior and interior painting, floor sanding and refinishing, floor tile, carpeting, replacement of flooring
3. Repair or replacement of gutters and downspouts
4. Replacement or repair of exterior doors and non-fire rated interior doors whenever no modification is made to the opening
5. Wall paneling applied directly to wall surfaces; acoustical ceiling tile applied directly to ceiling surfaces;
6. Installation of battery-operated smoke detectors
7. Replacement of existing fencing, same height, material and location in the rear or side yards
8. Non-dish radio or television antennae

The BDI will focus on all common areas unless there is a specific complaint. In that case they can go anywheres in a building. They do not need an owners permission to enter a unit, but they do need the tenants permission to enter an apartment. They will look at all common areas to sleuth out dangerous or hazardous code violations or egress issues. They are essentially interested in safety issues and will look especially for fire extinguishers, doors, lighting, stairs, doors and smoke detectors. If there are any violations of code they will issue a "notice of violation" or NOV.

What They Do: They will inspect a property for three reasons:

1. Law requires general inspections to uncover and correct safety issues and code requirements. These inspections are mandated periodically.
2. Someone has complained
3. To review new construction work for safety and code violations.

The Dreaded "Task Force Inspection"

If a building is a nuisance and gets repeated complaints then the city can call in many or all the agencies and create a task force to inspect the building. The agencies involved can include fire, health, police, and the D.A. The task force is only formed for the worst offenders, generally drug dens or health hazards.

Construction Inspections

The inspector is looking to see that the work is up to code and does not exceed the scope of the permit. Very often, construction will take place and other issues come up. If they exceed the parameters of the work approved they can deny approval of the work. Now you have to come into compliance and that can mean a bureaucratic snafu or worse. A citation or NOV (Notice of Violation) is issued and you will need to apply for another permit to fix the problem to come up to code. When the work is completed according to the demands of the BDI, you will need another inspection to get cleared. If you still have problems with getting the work approved you have a few alternatives

Fighting the BDI

1. Know the code: You will need to prove the condition cited is legal
2. Get all the permit plans the DBI has and try to make a case that the condition is historical
3. If its an older building it may be grandfathered
4. Talk to the senior inspector and make an informed case
5. Talk to a real estate attorney or engineer

The Hearing

This is your last effort to right a wrong. You can have your attorney or property manager or possibly a structural engineer make your case. This is your last ditch effort to allow a condition to remain in place. Obviously, you dont get to this unless there is a lot of money at stake.

Howard Bell
yourpropertypath.com

http://www.yourpropertypath.com
We believe that knowledge should be free and freely shared.

Handrails

The 3 Steps to Creating Safe Deck Railings

Railings are the most visible element of any deck. They make an instant design statement for all to see and admire from a distance and close up. Deck railings do more than add a safety feature to a deck. They establish the style and limits of the deck space itself. Local building code standards won't affect the nearly endless number of deck design choices and construction choices to be used. Railings are not necessary on all decks but when they are, usually because of the deck's height above ground level, it is important to make a wise choice as to their design and structure.

Step #1 - Deck Height:

Railings are generally required for decks over 36 inches high above ground level and for any set of stairs. However, 24 inches might be a better minimum because in today's society people are more likely to sue a homeowner in the event of a fall. All it takes is one too many drinks and no railing for an accident to occur. In many cases the injured parties who launch these lawsuits are relatives or friends who just happen to be the individuals most likely to be on your deck. It's better to be safe than sorry!

Step #2 - Railing Height:

Railings are generally 36 to 42 inches above a deck's surface. They can be as low as 30 inches or as high as 48 inches depending upon the height of the deck above ground level. The rule of thumb is: The higher the deck; the higher the railing. This is all done for safety considerations. Deck railings can have wood, vinyl or aluminum balusters as well as louvers. They can be built with solid facings that can include plywood siding, plastic panels or tempered glass. However, they need to be a safe height above the level of the deck.

Step #3 - Railing Construction:

Railings are made up of vertical posts capped and joined by a cross member laid flat. The cross member may be the same width or wider than the posts. The spacing distance between the posts depends upon the cap's size and the horizontal rail's length. For example, 4x4 posts can be spaced up to 4 feet apart under a 2x4 cap while 4x4 posts can be spaced up to 6 feet apart under a 2x6 cap.

The strongest and simplest railings are those with horizontal parts secured by bolts or screws to the outside faces of the posts. For a cleaner, more streamlined railing, the horizontals would be placed between the posts. Building codes specify the maximum space between balusters, often 4 inches. Screws and bolts are always a better choice for the construction of railings.

Railings should coordinate with the architectural style of the home in some way. This can be done in terms of materials used, detailing and connections. It is important to check with local building code bylaws to clearly determine the requirements in terms of railing height, material types, lumber sizes, distances between support posts and distances between balusters.

The important things to do in the building of deck railings are to create a railing that complements your overall deck design, to comply with local building codes and to take the time to do the job as well as possible. In no time you'll have a railing system in place on your deck that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Richard Vande Sompel is a professional deck builder of 35 years and over 850 decks built and is the author of "How to Plan, Design and Build a Deck from Start to Finish". To Learn More About Deck Railings and Claim your 2 FREE Deck Plans, Insider Report, MP3 Audio and discover everything to know about building a deck visit: http://www.DeckBuildingRevealed.com

Old Wood Step