Home Improvement is a multi-billion dollar industry, year in and year out. And as a home owner, with rising property taxes, rising gas prices, rising utility prices, and much much more we often feel overwhelmed.
I'm here to tell you, although you may think "Yeah, I knew this," that Plumbing and Heating Contractors are overlooked too often. Plumbing and Heating Contractors are often viewed as emergency services like:
But they are SO MUCH MORE.
My wife and I have been working on our home for over 6 years now. And by "working" I do mean major renovations. Sometimes I feel that we've put more money into our Hartford, Connecticut home that it's worth!
I'm here to tell you that after my own call to a plumbing and heating contractor for one of those "emergency" situations, I am now saving over $300 a month on my utility bill.
Through toilets, sinks, a dishwasher and a washingmachine that are more "water efficient" we have saved enough money over the last 2 months to finish the renovations on our kitchen.
And early next year we will be updating our heating system, most likely with radiant heating, to see additional cuts to that enormous bill.
So don't forget the Plumbing and Heating Contractor near you when doing your home remodeling. And if you're from Connecticut like my wife and I check out http://www.ctplumbingheating.com
Sackcloth and Ashes have the finest selection of fireplaces,gas fires, stoves etc. in marble,stone,granite, wood and cast iron..Styles may change but our passion and commitment to providing the very finest wont.
You have a plot of land you wish to enclose. First you need to ask yourself for what purpose. If to retain horses or livestock, you might need to consider an electrified fence. For domestic pets such as medium or large dogs, a chain link fence might be your best bet. Perhaps you simply wish to liven up your yard or establish/highlight property lines for your neighbors.
Regardless of the original purpose, always buy a fence at least one level stronger than you would image necessary. A sturdy fence will never be a poor investment, cheaping out always will be. Fences can last from 5-100 years depending on the materials used, the extent to which they are installed, and of course, the environment they protect. The best material to use for a lasting fence that combines functionality and aesthetics in my opinion is cedar.
Over the years, split rail cedar fences turn a beautiful soft silver while its structural integrity holds strong. If a rail is broken by a charging bull or other intense force, simply replace the damaged rails rather than having to re-due any posts or even worse, an entire section as you might with other fences.
If you have a tighter budget, consider vinyl fencing. Typically three rails high, vinyl fencing is a great solution for retaining large animals only (as a dog or cat can easily run under). Vinyl fencing gives a little when leaned on as opposed to wood or metal. One neat feature about vinyl fencing is the customization abilities. Being a simple assemble with no specific holes or grooves, vinyl fencing can be cut down to any desirable length making a curved edge possible as well as a lower one if you cut down the posts. Vinyl fencing however is best installed with cement poured in around a foot and a half deep. This is quite an undertaking and if indenting to install the fence yourself, the best way to dig is with a Little Beaver Earth Auger which should not be hard to rent.
Plastic Fence Installation:
If installing a PVC, vinyl, or fiberglass fence, you’ll need to secure with cement. Mix on site as you have the need to keep from wasting mix if it dries up. Dig the hole about five inches larger around each side of the post when in the ground, making about a 15” diameter hole. The depth of the hole should be a minimum of 16” deep. Depending on how high you want your posts to stick up, dig deeper as desired, but not never shallower than 16”. Put the posts in before pouring any concrete, making sure the bottom of the hole is flat and adjusting the depth so the top of the post is level with all previous posts.
When the post is in place, apply pressure on the top to keep it from shifting as you gently distribute shovelfuls of mixed concrete. Fill the hole up to five inches from the surface of the ground to allow grass to grow of top in the future. Before joining the rails into the slots, pour two or three shovelfuls of concrete down the center of the post to further secure its position. Connect the rails before the concrete has hardened to for easy of installation.
Any Fence:
Regardless of the fence type or materials, always establish a line from your start to end point. Walk along the line and mark where your holes will be dug ahead of time to ensure a consistent line and proper spacing. Keep in mind slopes, creeks, boulders, and too hard or soft of ground will create detours in your fence line and ought to be well thought out before laying even the first post.
Never dig all the holes at once. Only dig the next hole as you have installed up to it. It is easy to get off track which skews all the future holes, so doing them as your rails extend to as you build the fence ensures a perfect hole location.
I attempted to paint my interior plantation shutters last summer. First, I removed all the shutters from the windows and brought them out to my garage. I was planning on using a good quality latex paint and purchased an assortment of brushes in order to get into all those nooks and crannies of the shutter. I just got through with the first panel when my wife called from the local grocery store stating that she could not get the car started.
When I finally made it back, I couldn't wait to take a look at my work, and it was amazing if I say so myself. The paint was dry by now and the shutter looked 100% better than it did prior to the new paint job. But then I tried to open the shutter. Yikes ! They would not open, in fact they were glued shut so tight I literally had shutter stapels pulling out of the louvers and tilt bar trying to get them to move.
Upon closer inspection I realized that the gap between the louvers and the inside of the frame is so tiny that any accumulation of paint, when dry, will permanently lock the shutter up. Thank goodness my wifes car broke down and saved the rest of my shutters from this same fate.
I was about to give up on this project and hire a pro to do it when I found the info I need on how to paint my platation shutters correctly on http://www.drshutter.com
I never would have realized that using a brush was the wrong way about it. Everything they described was easy to understand and designed for the average homeowner in mind. They also have loads of instructions on how to fix broken plantation shutters.
ps I still had to buy a new shutter to replace the one I ruined.
PJM
Chris Manion and Comfortable Home Improvements of Brandywine, MD
I have started this blog in hopes of reaching out to other victims of Comfortable Home Improvements of Brandywine, Maryland in an attempt to bring a class action civil lawsuit against this habitual non-finisher/rapist in the Brandywine community. This man entered into what should have been a three month contract to finish my basement and upgrade my upstairs with simple cosmetic changes. It is now 7 months later and ONLY my basement has been finished. Chris Manion has said and done everything he possibly could, even going as far as to incriminate himself in writing and with repeated voice messages about his crimes, to defraud us.
I have filed the necessary complaints against him and I will recoup my losses, which are mounting by the minute, in due time. In the mean time, this idiot has received 85% of the payment for a job he has only half finished and his markup, I learned was more than 80%. I also learned that despite his boasting about "never having a complaint", there are at least 10 open, unsettled complaints against him in Maryland and numerous other comlaints he has had to settle recently.
He has been hostile, unprofessional and made every attempt to intimidate me with bad language and posturing (except when my husband was present). I was not the least bit intimidated and I am going after him to put him out of business.
My hope is that other victims of this rapist will google his name and come upon this blog so that we might unite and screw the brakes off of this fool, just like he did us.
UPDATE
Updated information
On July 17, 2007, after I had advised Comfortable Home Improvements NOT TO enter my home ever again they broke in anyway. When I got home, they had used the key, entered my home and opened the FRONT DOOR, leaving the chain on and Front Door sitting wide open. This was clear intimidation but the nails in their own coffin. These are the most retarded bunch of idiots I have ever known.
I called the police, filed a restraining order, pressed charges for breaking and entering and fingerprints are being taken today. These fools are going to pay!
IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE OR SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO NAIL THIS MORON OR ARE A CUSTOMER/VICTIM OF HIS, CONTACT ME HERE
I got going on that last post about conserving energy and decided to research air conditioners. In general I learned that since the 70s, AC units have increased in efficiency by over 50%. If you have one even ten years old, you could gain 15-30% better energy usage by switching it out for a newer one.
If you have personal AC for each specific rooms, you may consider switching to a central system as they are more efficient for cooling the whole house rather than each room individually. The room ones are great if you only want say, your bedroom cool. In the last blog about energy efficiency, it talked about using a central system like personal system by shutting off the vents in other rooms and raising the desired temperature on the thermostat. This is interesting because I think that your AC will be working too hard and losing some of its efficiency trying to power air all the way over to just one room and losing much of its coolness in traveling though the rafters. But I’ve been wrong before.
Something else I found insisted that when having a new system installed, ensure that the contractor has measured your room and has had a computer run a calculation to find the best size system. Efficiency is greatly determined by even having a proper size unit. Something too small will obviously work too hard and draw excessive amounts of power, burning out sooner. A unit too large will cycle quickly turning on and off all day overworking the sensor and consuming unnecessary power to continually start up.
If you are purchasing a new unit, check out the BTU (British Thermal Units) rating. This tells you how much hot air is ejected from your home by the hour. Get one with a minimum of 12,000 BTU/hour or EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) of at least 10.0. In hotter climates, go with even higher.
An interesting alternative to traditional AC is an evaporative cooler. These work best in dryer, hotter climates (like Phoenix or Palm Springs). The concept is backward from a normal AC because it actually cools the outside weather, then blows it indoors. These are much cheaper units to purchase and use only 25% the energy of a traditional unit. They drawback is that they require a bit more attention and maintenance.
For more information about this stuff, check out http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/aircond/aircond.htm
I recently came across a fine piece of reading which really made me step back into the way things were and how things are. I know this really has nothing to do with home improvement but feel free to use your imagination and reflect on whatever drives your nails.
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by. Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance, for Common Sense had served us all so well for so many generations.
OBITUARY: Common Sense
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student, but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Author unknown
Keeping your home cool in the summer heat without raising your air conditioning bill is difficult. Here are a few helpful ways to cut down on the cost that may not have occurred to you.
78 Degrees
If you have air conditioning, there is no sense in setting your air below 78 degrees, as that is as cold as they can run. Turning it below will eventually make it that temperature, but only because it will run longer, not colder. This is where your bill really racks up.
Room Specific Cooling
If you have just one central cooling system, pick the rooms you want colder, such as your bedroom or entertainment room. In all the other rooms, locate and shut the AC vents in the ceiling and floor. Now you can turn your AC temp up to around 82 allowing for maximum efficiency as it will take longer to cool the room to an inexpensive temperature while the areas you do have open will cool quickly and effectively, much below 82 degrees.
Attic Ventilation
If you have an attic, you know it gets hot in there during the summer. In fact, it can reach up to 150 degrees. To help your AC bill out, install an attic ventilation system. This is as simple as investing fifty bucks into a louvered gable vent to let the attic breathe, lowering the cost of keeping the rest of the house cool.
Shade AC
Wherever your AC unit is, make sure it is shaded. If need be, transplant a tree to provide a cooler atmosphere for it to work most efficiently. Your unit ought to be on the northern or eastern side of your home allowing the side of the house to shade in the peak afternoon hours. Also, be sure your AC unit is able to “breathe” without any leaves or tarps hindering its ventilation path.
Hot Water Activities
Running hot water from the sink, shower, dishwasher, or washing machine all contribute greatly to the cost of cooling your home. It helps to do these activities, if possible, in the cool of the morning or late in the evening where it is dissipated easier. Shower with the windows upon (if using hot water). Also attaching an insulator to your hot eater heater can prevent some additional heat.
I feel like a nomad. I either move countries, states, cities, or apartments almost twice a year. Between switching schools and jobs, I am always on the move. All my life I have had the same dream – to live in one house and make it exactly the way I want from the theme of the house to the organization of my closet, I have it all planned out. So far, the only consistency I’ve been able to maintain is my plants. I have had the same plants travel with me for years. Call me a botanist, but I seriously have a special relationship with my flora. They have been relational stability wherever I go. No, I don’t talk to them, much, but they always cheer me when I come “home”. Some people say you need to be able to take care of a plant before you get a pet, or even a wife. I don’t know about that but my plants sure have been comforting.
Being that this is a home improvement blog, my advice for those who don’t necessarily have that dream home, or even a consistent one, having a plant or two for the long haul does bring a little “home” nostalgic to the table, so to speak. Home is where your plant is.
Need lights that will create the perfect mood for any event?
Contemporary chandeliers are best suited for mood lighting.
Contemporary chandeliers have become one of the most beautiful and elegant forms of lighting. Chandelier lights can be adjusted to suit any mood. They provide general lighting needed for dining and entertainment, and they can also add sparkle and style to your dining room. Chandeliers can be dimmed to create the soft, glowing atmosphere of candlelight. A dimmer control device allows you to change the lighting to suit any mood and activity.
Many centuries ago, a chandelier light referred to a branched candleholder, however, with today's new developments, a chandelier has become a branched electric light holder. In ancient times, chandeliers were merely used to light up a room. But today, chandeliers are used more and more for they are beauty and for decorative purposes. Contemporary Chandeliers are not only installed to be the source of light in the room, but in many households they are the optional source turned on only occasionally.
Even when the light is not on, contemporary chandelier lights are made with such beautiful designs that they add beauty in the room by just hanging there. A lot of attention is given to detail in the designing and crafting of these ornaments. Chandelier lights are often the focal point of the room. So it is important to choose the design and the craftsmanship very carefully as this will influence the outcome of kind of chandelier light you want. Chandelier lights on Interior-Deluxe do not only create a mood in the room, but the lights are also a reflection of your personal style.
Chandelier lights are not only used in the kitchen or in the dining room. Contemporary chandeliers can also be installed in your bedroom, foyer, and living room and even over your precious piano. Some chandeliers can be designed with down lights to cater for when you are doing some paper work or when you are playing table games. Chandeliers lights can be found in incandescent and fluorescent light sources.
Contemporary chandelier lights can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and from different materials. Metal chandelier lights have become very popular over the years. These are made of wrought iron. Glass chandelier lights are also available but they vary in prices depending on which retail store you buy it from. Glass chandelier lights are made in different sizes, small ones can also be found if you want something that will just add an element of style in your room. A range of slim, trim and polished steel chandelier especially designed for the modern home are also available. There are no boundaries for the designs of contemporary chandelier lights. One very diverse and interesting design is one where the chandelier is made in a shape of a milk bottle which has one light bulb to elaborate ones with 85 light bulbs. Contemporary chandelier lights are also very easy to clean and are thus very low maintenance.
If you want your contemporary chandelier lights to have the perfect impact in your room, then it is important that it is hung properly. The following are a few tips on how to hang a chandelier light: in the dining room it should be placed in the middle of the dinning table and the room at a distance of 48 inches from the edges of the room, if you have an 8ft high ceiling hang the light about 30 to34 inches above the dinning table and don't use bulbs with a high wattage to avoid excessive heat. If you cannot hang the lights by yourself then you should consider asking an electrician to install it for you.
Whether you choose traditional or contemporary chandeliers or whether you want to install them for functional needs or for fashion, purchasing chandelier lighting is the perfect choice for your dining room, living room, kitchen, foyer and even your bedroom! They are very low maintenance and well-suited for this fast-paced modern world we live in. Buying the right light for your dining room or kitchen is crucial. Do not hesitate to ask the salesperson to assist you with finding the perfect lighting that will suite both your style and budget.
May 31, 2007 -- You’re considering new windows, and you have lots of choices. From single, double, or triple pane to low-E reflective coatings; from wood, aluminum, vinyl, or vinyl clad construction to casement or bay windows, how do you know what's best for you? Are vinyl replacement windows really what your home needs?
The best way to avoid buyer's remorse is to consider long-term cost, ease of maintenance and aesthetics.
Count total cost
According to the government Energy Star website, which promotes energy efficiency among U.S. consumers and businesses, "Twenty years ago, double-paned meant energy efficient; today, advanced technologies have enabled the development of windows that are much more efficient than traditional clear-glass double-paned windows."
One energy-efficient window technology cuts the total cost of your windows using a triple-paned design with high-tech thermal spacers between each pane of glass. By keeping unwanted heat or cold from radiating in and costly cooling or heating from radiating out, the triple-paned design can reduce your homeowner utility bills by 40% or more. Offered by the Pennsylvania-based manufacturer Winchester Industries, its multiple Low-E layers on two of the three panes reflects more heat than the single Low-E layer on “so-called” energy-efficient, double-paned windows.
According to John Simon, who uses the energy-efficient windows in his 2,700-sq.-foot home against winters as cold as -15° F, the triple-paned windows have cut his family's heating and cooling bills in half. "We save approximately $2,500 a year in heating and cooling costs and are protected from spikes in energy cost.”
Choose ease of maintenance
Because windows are meant to be opened and must be cleaned, it’s wise to put ease of opening and cleaning high on your "must have" list before purchase. A unique slider design on some vinyl replacement windows, makes triple paned units such as Bristol's Swing N' Slide Windows capable of easily swinging in for cleaning, or sliding open and shut for ventilation. A 50-year transferable warranty on the windows' glass with a 3-year breakage clause, a written energy savings pledge, and a home security guaranty provides homeowners added comfort.
"The windows are guaranteed for as long as we'll need them," adds Sandy Clark, who uses the triple-paned windows in her Lima, Ohio ranch-style house. "And if we sell, the next owners would be covered under warranty. That's a real plus for resale value and gives us peace of mind."
Find your aesthetic match
When vinyl replacement windows are measured, ordered, and made to size, they can perfectly match your existing window openings and home decor, even to the point of providing continuous headers and sills for side-by-side windows.
Since factors such as home location, weather, layout, and intended use can all affect choosing the right vinyl windows, getting professional advice can be a good idea. A good installer, for instance, could help you decide when a bay window, which provides better light and view, would make sense over a window flush with the building line, such as a picture window. Or when a casement window, which cranks open a full 90-degrees outward can give a better, more unobstructed sightline.
A complete selection of aesthetic, energy-efficient, virtually maintenance-free, triple-paned, vinyl replacement windows by Winchester Industries are sold under the names of Bristol and Oxford via exclusive retail dealers.
Winchester Industries
Pat Moser
pmoser@bristolwindows.com
http://www.bristolwindows.com
June 5, 2007 -- Home decor site SimplyHomeDecor.com, today announced it has initiated ecommerce capability and partnered with Power2Save to offer the Cent-A-Meter, an eco-friendly consumer product designed to help monitor and reduce energy and electricity costs throughout the home.
“In being that this is the week of world awareness regarding energy issues, conservation and specifically, World Environment Day, June 5, this year focused on climate change and other like environmental issues, we could not think of a more appropriate partnership, or frankly, a more appropriate product,” states G Geralde, of SimplyHomeDecor.com.
The Cent-A-Meter™, an innovative, award-winning consumer product, is an electronic device which measures domestic electricity use and displays the cost per hour on a portable display located inside the home or small business. The Cent-A-Meter™ provides an easy to read and inexpensive monitor to educate and train consumers regarding the amount of electricity used by electrical appliances in the home. The cost is measured in monetary value and in environmental terms. Additional unit features include display of power consumption and equivalent greenhouse gas generated, together with in-door ambient temperature and humidity.
“The Cent-A-Meter™ is not only represents a measure of energy, it also represents a literal cost savings, generally estimated at approximately 20% per energy bill,” states Geralde. “That savings is facilitated not only by an increased awareness and monitoring of energy consumption in the home but also by the ability to preset desired consumption levels and sound an alarm when those levels are exceeded. This is a case where knowledge truly is power. About power. We are pleased to be in partnership with Power2Save and to be one of very few companies retailing the Cent-A-Meter.”
About Power2Save
Power2Save is an eco-friendly distribution company featuring environmentally, innovative products. Power2Save is committed to providing their customers and clients with high quality products that are designed to save money, and the environment. The company continues to expand their product offering including the International Award-Winning CENT-A-METER™.
Remember to treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents but loaned to you by your children...
About SimplyHomeDecor.com
Launched in 2002, http://www.SimplyHomeDecor.com, has evolved to become a celebration of life. With style. Featuring trends, tips, articles, accents and home decor furnishing ideas, discover your own sense of style whether contemporary and technology enabled or traditional with all the comforts of a rustic home. SimplyHomedDecor.com is ultimately predicated on the simplest of tenets, that of ritual design, a basic premise that emphasizes the creation of a truly living space resplendent in its sense of entitlement; a welcoming home feature rich without forsaking the rudiments of form over function.
June 13, 2007 -- Crete Ventures LLC, innovators of exciting ideas in decorative concrete applications and originator of decorativeconcretekits.com has formed concretesuperstore.com .
The Concrete Superstore is a 1 stop shop for the necessary information, products and tools for staining interior and exterior concrete floors.
The Concrete Superstore has brought together a dozen or more leading manufacturers of specialty products and tools in an online store enabling contractors, artisans and Do It Yourself consumers to get the correct components and extensive “how to” information and ideas.
There is a lot more to a stained floor than just the concrete stain according to the founder of The Concrete Superstore. One of the biggest challenges has been finding the necessary components for completing a stained concrete floor. Frequently a contractor will spend an entire week of searching for products to get ready for a project.
Some of the components for sale at The Concrete Superstore are:
1. Floor buffers and pads
2. Environmentally safe floor strippers for removing glue and paint
3. Etching product for profiling concrete floors
4. Crack repair kits
5. Concrete overlays and self leveling concrete
6. Acid and Acrylic stains
7. Custom stencils
8. Pump Sprayers
9. Sealers
10. Cleaning and maintenance products
The Concrete Superstore will be introducing design and architectural ideas, application plans, lighting solutions, forums and a regular newsletter featuring new products and sale items.
According to Ed Winslow founder of The Concrete Superstore, there is a lot of general and fragmented information available which is time consuming to find and understand. “Our goal is to organize specialized educational information relating to staining concrete in one place. We were successful with our “Concrete Kit” program and found a need for extremely specialized “how to” information. “
The Concrete Superstore has a research and development team continually testing products, developing the application systems and providing step by step “how to” processes. If the R & D team doesn’t like the product and application system it doesn’t make it into the store.
During the past 2 years concrete staining has emerged as a popular functional and design alternative to conventional flooring like tile, hardwood and carpet. New products are coming to market daily. One of the biggest challenges manufacturers have is explaining to the consumer how and why to use their product..
The Concrete Superstore has found the market getting extremely large and flooded with new products. Their solution is to be focused on 1 niche in the market and not be all things to all people..
Decorative Concrete has been around for centuries has been a forgotten art until recently. Concrete is enjoying a renaissance which undoubtedly will last thanks to some pioneering artisans and contractors. Stained concrete floors are now everywhere, retail stores, restaurants, office buildings, schools, marinas, residential homes, condos and lofts.
The Concrete Superstore is helping to lead the growth of the decorative concrete staining market with detailed educational application information and products to ensure high quality applications.
For more information visit www.concretesuperstore.com
Edward Winslow
June 13, 2007 -- In today’s cookie-cutter world of laminate flooring and polyurethane molding, achieving an authentic old-world style, such as Tuscan or Mediterranean, can be difficult. Tuscan style, with its full arches, tiles, textured walls, and rough-hewn wood floors and surfaces makes a bold and artistic, yet extremely comforting and welcoming statement. Although the look can be approximated with modern building techniques and mass-produced flooring, cabinetry, and woodworking, the key word is approximated.
Crucial to creating a whole-house feel with a look such as Tuscan, says leading San Francisco Bay Area kitchen designer Kimberly Larzelere, is working with a company that delivers complementing one-of-a-kind home design details which can only be achieved by woodworking artisans skilled in custom woodworking and design. “All the different surfaces—the countertop materials, the flooring materials, the textures on the walls, the hood element, the tiles, the hand hewn beams—it’s all of those elements that complete the old-world character of the space. These need to integrate with the architectural features like the arched openings and high ceilings, ironwork and lighting fixtures.”
When possible, Larzelere also appreciates dealing with a single resource for the individual elements in a home, because they can provide a cohesive look throughout. “I deal with one specific company whose finishes and home design techniques, which many other companies cannot achieve, flow throughout all the different elements and tie them together,” she says.
“There are a lot of companies out there that mass-produce carved, detailed moulding and woodwork on a laser machine,” Larzelere continues. Working with Renaissance Old World, Inc, a designer and manufacturer that utilizes European age-old hand custom carving, planing and distressing techniques long lost from the modern world allows her to give her clients a distinctive look.
“With this company, I have the ability to create a custom carving detail that suits my client perfectly and gives them a one-of-a-kind look at about the same cost as high-end mass produced items.” The company even provides clay carvings for approval from the designer and client prior to production.
Sometimes homeowners want to base their interior home design on an existing piece of furniture. “I did a project not long ago where they had a very old, beautiful armoire in the family room which was connected to the kitchen space,” Larzelere says. “We created a kitchen island to compliment that piece so they were very similar in texture, color, door style, and hinges. We were able to recreate all those different elements in the island so it also had that very old-world feel.”
Along with a unique, old world look, functionality is also high on Larzelere’s list. She suggests working with a company that specializes in precise duplication of antiques that are also equipped with state-of-the-art accessories and are extremely functional. High-tech elements such as automatic self-closing drawer slides, pull-out shelves, and high-gloss interior finishes that require no shelf paper are hidden away and combine the best of the modern world home design with the old world appearance.
Cliff Hammond
Renaissance Old World, Inc.
cliff@carving.com
www.carving.com
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, June 08, 2007 - Hudson Valley home improvement company, Vinyl Tech, Inc., says that adding a sunroom addition to any home is a great way to save on energy. In addition to allowing for experiencing the outdoors in a comfortable indoor garden setting, sunrooms reap another huge benefit: energy savings. The natural light produced by a sunroom helps to cut down on the need for additional lighting while passively capturing the sun's dollar-saving rays and distributing that energy throughout the rest of your home. Visit their sun room blog at blog.sunrooms360.com
According to Vinyl Tech, President- Ms. Damary Kiefer, "Sun rooms cost less than other types of additions while giving homeowners excellent functionality and return-on-investment, in energy savings and home equity, while adding to the beauty and ambience of their home."
A Vinyl Tech, Inc. sunroom makes use of something known as Passive Solar Energy Technology. This type of solar energy technology takes advantage of the sun's energy through design features, such as large south-facing thermal windows and materials in the floors that absorb energy during the day to passively release and distribute it. A southern facing position for a Vinyl Tech sunroom is preferred; however, east or west facing will also be able to take advantage of the sun's rays too.
A Vinyl Tech, Inc. sunroom creates an environmentally friendly helper to costly electric and fuel bills. The addition of a Vinyl Tech sunroom, solarium or conservatory helps to accomplish this without the use of any additional mechanical means, helping to maximize passive solar energy opportunities.
Ms. Kiefer continues, "Vinyl Tech sunrooms, solariums and conservatories are not only environmentally-friendly and economical but they come fully installed by our team of New York sunroom experts. Not only does a Vinyl Tech sunroom provide protection from the elements, while extending enjoyment of the seasons, but it also increases the value of your home."
Because of rising energy costs, there is a growing interest in solar energy right now. Sunrooms, solariums and other sunny enclosures have surged along with efforts to harness the sun's energy. Right now, homes in some California subdivisions are twice as likely to sell if they have any kind of solar energy. Possible Federal Tax Incentives encourage investment in such energy savings measures too. Right now, there is a burst of new technology happening bringing better materials, energy efficiency and design to homeowners. Vinyl Tech, Inc. is on the forefront of this "green energy" boom.
About Vinyl Tech, Inc.
Vinyl Tech, Inc. is the home improvement contractor of choice for the New York State Counties of: Ulster , Dutchess, Putnam, Orange , Westchester, Rockland , Columbia , Greene & Sullivan. They are located at: 668 Dutchess Turnpike (Rte 44), Poughkeepsie , NY 12603 .
I had an engineered floor installed throughout my home last year. Just as the year was almost up, I noticed that it looked like the flooring was buckling and notified Home Depot in Oak Ridge, TN about the problem. It took over a month before the first person (installer rep) to come out. He couldn't understand what was happening to the floor but check the usual install problems and came up with "everything looked OK on the install". Three weeks later another "install rep along with the original rep came out to see what he could find. Same result. It wasn't a install problem, it was a manufacturing problem. Next a flooring rep came out, did some picture taking and said I would here from Home Depot. Guess what? It wasn't a manufacturing problem, it was an install problem or so the manufacturing rep concluded. Next visit was from Home Depot's Install manager and he came out and made some comments about how well we cleaned (or didn't clean) the floors and said we would hear back from Home Depot. Of course, I had to call them because they didn't let me "hear back" from them. Their decision is to do nothing because there wasn't any problem with the flooring. They said that this was the end of the line for my complaint. I disagree.
In the May 2007 issue of Popular Mechanics, we tested seven popular compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and found that the light quality in all of them topped that emitted by traditional incandescent bulbs. Following that lab test, we received a lot of questions from readers regarding the environmental impact of the mercury contained in CFLs. For more of the lowdown on these energy-saving bulbs, we crunched the numbers and checked in with the Department of Energy and Russ Leslie at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. —Julianne Pepitone and Emily Masamitsu
Why do CFLs require mercury to produce light?
Compact fluorescent bulbs are made of glass tubes filled with gas and a small amount of mercury. CFLs produce light when the mercury molecules are excited by electricity running between two electrodes in the base of the bulb. The mercury emits ultraviolet light, which in turn excites the tube’s phosphor coating, leading it to emit visible light.
How much mercury is contained in a CFL?
Each bulb contains an average of 5 milligrams of mercury, “which is just enough to cover a ballpoint pen tip,” says Leslie, associate director of the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer. “Though it’s nothing to laugh at, unless you wipe up mercury [without gloves] and then lick your hand, you’re probably going to be okay.”
How do CFLs and incandescents compare in terms of electricity consumption?
On average, CFLs require about 25 percent of the electricity as their incandescent counterparts to produce equivalent light. Replacing an incandescent with a CFL ultimately decreases the amount of electricity the nation’s power plants must generate and, in turn, the amount of carbon dioxide—a powerful greenhouse gas—that they emit into the atmosphere.
How much mercury do power plants emit to light a CFL?
About 50 percent of the electricity produced in the U.S. is generated by coal-fired power plants. When coal burns to produce electricity, mercury naturally contained in the coal releases into the air. In 2006, coal-fired power plants produced 1,971 billion kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity, emitting 50.7 million tons of mercury into the air—the equivalent amount of mercury contained in more than 9 billion CFLs (the bulbs emit zero mercury when in use or being handled).
Approximately 0.0234 mg of mercury—plus carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide—releases into the air per 1 kwh of electricity that a coal-fired power plant generates. Over the 7500-hour average range of one CFL, then, a plant will emit 13.16 mg of mercury to sustain a 75-watt incandescent bulb but only 3.51 mg of mercury to sustain a 20-watt CFL (the lightning equivalent of a 75-watt traditional bulb). Even if the mercury contained in a CFL was directly released into the atmosphere, an incandescent would still contribute 4.65 more milligrams of mercury into the environment over its lifetime.
Why are incandescents less efficient than CFLs?
Unlike compact fluorescents, incandescent bulbs produce light by heating the metal filament inside the bulb. When electricity passes through the filament, its temperature rises to 2,300 degrees Celsius, with the heat causing the filament to glow white-hot and emit light. But only 5 to 10 percent of that electricity is transformed into visible light. “In an incandescent bulb, much of the electricity is used for heat, which is not efficient,” Leslie says. “Fluorescent lights use electricity to do much more than heat a solid object.”
How much of a difference can CFLs really make?
According to EnergyStar—a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency—if each U.S. home replaced just one of its incandescent bulbs with a CFL, the electricity saved each year could light 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of 800,000 cars. And with a recent study for the U.S. government saying that a single 24-watt CFL’s lifetime energy savings add up to the gas equivalent of a coast-to-coast Prius road trip, it’s probably time to get moving on your energy footprint.
What is the proper way to handle a broken CFL?
Open the windows and let the room air out for 15 to 30 minutes, then remove as much material as possible without a vacuum cleaner. Using disposable gloves, scoop the glass onto a piece of cardboard and wipe the area with a wet paper towel. For smaller pieces of glass and powder, use duct tape to pull up the fragments and wash your hands after cleaning up the debris.
What is the proper method to dispose a CFL?
Check if your local recycling center has services available for CFL disposal by calling directly or by visiting Earth 911. Plus, as retail giants such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart amp up their CFL offerings, IKEA recycled 156,301 pounds of CFLs in its 2005 fiscal year with its “Free Take Back” recycling program that puts a collection bin in each store. If that wasn’t enough incentive, officials are looking into providing more consumer bonuses for CFL recycling, Leslie says, and they may even add a deposit value much like cans and bottles. Leslie promises: “Over six months to a year, you will see changes.”
Reader Comments
18. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Re: #3: "how much mercury would be thrown into our society when 1 billion CFls are disposed?" The article says each cfl has 5 mg of mercury. so if you mean how much will be thrown away when people dispose of them and don't recycle, 5mg x 1 billion = 5,000 kg
17. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
I had a CFL bulb all of a sudden started smoking white smoke . the smell was awful. It later was leaking liquid that also smelt awful ..I'm still not sure what it was all about ..till I know further i'll stay with the old bulbs .
16. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
What about the energy used in the production of the two type of lights?
15. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
You did not cover the impact of all those cfl,s winding up in a landfill somewhere. whats the impact to the enviroment
14. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
The CFBs are all made in China so if we ramp up use alot the Chinese will build more coalfired plants to produce them. Whoopee!
13. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Why can't we use LEDs for home lighting? Aren't they far more efficient and long lasting than even CFLs?
12. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
What? Not one word about the cradle to cradle of the ballast bases?
11. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
It seems from the above that CFLs might actually cause a slight increase in mercury emissions nationwide. (I'm actually not particularly worried, since about 99% of worldwide mercury emissions come from sources other than U.S. coal plants, but that is another story, and one I won't say more about here.) The example with the coal plant shows that when coal the fuel for electricity, that there is a slight decrease in mercury emitted when a CFL replaces an incandescent (5 mg increase from the CFL when it eventually is discarded, if there is no recycling, minus the mercury savings at the coal plant from the 75% reduction in electricity needed, which is about 9.65 mg, for a net savings of about 4.65 mg). But the 50% of electricity generated in the U.S. from sources other than coal emits no mercury. So for this electricity, using the CFL would cause a 5 mg net increase, slightly larger than the 4.65 net decrease if coal is the fuel. Not a big deal, obviously, and over time more mercury will be recyled - just as, over time, at least 75% of the mercury from U.S. coal plants will no longer be emitted, by law.
10. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Dear Sirs You are off on the amount of mercury in 9 billion bulbs, I figure that about 6 tons of mercury per 1 billion cfl bulbs, so 50.7 million tons of mercury would be equal to about 4,450,000 x 1 billion cfl bulbs not 5 billion. this gives a much larger # of cfl bulbs. Which makes them look better. Thank you.
9. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Since the EPA states that we could save so much energy if every house replaced just 1 bulb with a CFL, then why doesn't the EPA or US government do something about the sale of incandecants? (i.e. limit the production/sale of incandecants)
8. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Wow, thanks for this vital information ... now I realize how dangerous the mercury contained in CFL bulbs really is: 1) If my child breaks one of these bulbs and then gets the residue on his hand, he could die 2) I have to use special handling techniques to dispose of them (or visit my recycling center 20 miles away), rather than just tossing the old incandescent into the trash can. 3) If the babysitter breaks one of these bulbs, but isn't aware of the special handling required to clean up the toxic substances (such as opening windows, not using a vacuum cleaner, using duct tape to pick up pieces... then my kid could get poisoned.) That's not really something I want to leave to the 16-year-old sitter. Quite eye-opening. Why would any parent put these toxic bulbs into their home environment where their children are?
7. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
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Would like to see numbers associated with the cost in air conditioning to compensate for the heat generated by incandescent bulbs. Must be considerable considering the inefficently of the bulbs. Thanks
6. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
you only mention CFLs what about all of the other flourescent tubes I see everywhere they have mercury too. what happens with them I dont want a new law forcing me to switch . I would switch any way Proding an incentive to switch other than a law is the way to go
5. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Your article has a gross mistake: The US emissions of mercury are on the order of magnitude of 57 tonnes/year, not 57 million tonnes. Thank goodness there is not 1/5 of a tonne of Hg/person/year emitted by US power plants. See: http://www.epa.gov/oar/mercuryrule/basic.htm
4. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
The figures cited don't add up. 1971 billion kWh with .0234 mg Mercury released per kWh comes to some 46121 kg of mercury or some 46 metric tonnes of mercury released not 50.7 million tons of mercury. This 46 metric tonnes tracks well with the statements 9 billion CFLs containing 5 mg of mercury or 45 metric tonnes.
3. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
I've asked this question of Instapundit...have not seen it anywhere else and got no answer: how much mercury would be thrown into our society when 1 billion CFls are disposed? What future harm is there?
2. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Very helpful information, thanks!
1. RE: Compact Fluorescent Bulbs and Mercury: Reality Check
Regarding the reported energy savings of CFLs over incandescent, does this take into account the winter months for us northerners where the wasted energy from lighting the bulb would simply help heat the house?
Sure, the art deco crowd has plenty of fashionable alternatives when it comes to alarm clocks, and even the off-kilter set has a few surefire options to get them a-risin', but for those of you who just can't live without the tried and true round faced variety with a pair of ringers perched at the top, Thanko's got your number. The MP3 Clock connects to your Windows XP-based PC via USB, and the included software can insert a number of animal calls, sensational alarms, or even your very own recording onto the device. Rather than striking up that annoying screech in the morning, you can now awake to cows mooing, a dog barking, motorcycles revving, chainsaws blaring (saywha?), or your very own voice demanding that you release yourself from sleep. The MP3CLK01 is available now to shake up your wake-ups for ¥2,980 ($25).
While it must be nice to own a home that's completely controlled by your voice, a clap, or a simple remote, getting this stuff up and running isn't always easy, and the INSTEON-compatible RemoteLinc doesn't seen to make things any less complicated. Sure, controlling your garage door, fireplace, kitchen appliances, home theater components, and six or so lighting schemes throughout the house may sound novel, but considering the extras required to make it happen with the RemoteLinc, you may want to look elsewhere for your home automation needs. The control only dictates items that are first connected to an RF-capable AccessPoint, which acts as a bridge between the item and the RemoteLinc, but hooking up a multitude of devices can get quite pricey when buying a SwitchLinc, LampLinc, or ApplianceLinc for every single unit. Still, it does boast of "Plug and Tap" ease when setting things up, and the remote itself will only set you back $49.99, but we'd be well aware of the necessary add-ons you'll need to make the magic happen before diving on in.
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Battling over control of the office thermostat / air conditioning tends to be a passive aggressive flashpoint in any place of work, so even though this will undoubtedly set off some environmental alarms, the C2 climate control definitely fills a niche. Replacing the role of a regular personal fan, the C2 from Herman Miller allows users to adjust the surrounding temperature up to a 40 degree increase, and an 8 degree decrease, taking 72 degrees F (22 degrees C) as the starting temperature. The aforementioned environmental issues does raise the question of how far this technology should go, especially since office unity can't be that great if an issue as trivial as temperature can't be agreed upon. Still, we're not one to complain about having things easier in our work environments: not that we'd know anything about working in an office.
George Foreman isn't one to let a good branding go unused, trotting out his own iGrill that's very, very real. Foreman's iGrill is a full-fledged indoor/outdoor BBQ, with a 200 square inch nonstick grilling surface and an adjustable temperature control probe. Garnering it the "i" designation is the BBQ's integrated 10W speaker system and USB port/dock, which will accommodate your iPod or other MP3 player to let you pump out some tunes as you grill. If that sounds like your idea of an "instant party," you can get your iGrill now right for $150 from the leanest, meanest store around, Linens N Things.
Hello there,
This is a message from the creators of Home Improvement Blog. Over the next few weeks you will start to see a lot of changes with the blog. First off we have changed the Look of the blog.
Hope all of you like the new look of it. We are also going to be working on adding new features for the blog as well. Some of the new features we will be adding are video and images sections, with how to videos, design ideas as well as installation guides. Plus we are going to be adding a new product section to help show some great places to buy products and product reviews when new items comes out. Also we are going to be pushing your blogs as well. So if you read this and you are not in our resource center, email us and we will be sure to check out your site and add you to the list.
We want to thank all of the daily visitors and contributors to our blog. We are under taking a big change and we hope that you are as excited about the forward movement of this site as we are.
If you have any ideas or comments to help make this site better email us or comment us on this post.
Thank You,
The Home Improvement Blog Team
It is easy to find a place in your home to store all of your families possessions – as long as you can do some rearranging, planning, and a little bit of renovation. There are many different ways that you can fix your home in order to provide yourself with as much storage as possible. If you have a growing family, you are going to need extra things such as closets and other new rooms. If you are retiring, you may be wanting to move to smaller quarters and therefore will be looking to downsize. If you are an heir, you might be looking for places to keep the family treasures. Even those among us who don’t have very much stuff still need a place to store the stuff that they do have.
Because of the changes in construction methods over the past 30 years, the general family home’s capabilities for storage have altered greatly. There have been major improvements in the construction of the base of a family home, which means that there is more room in the basements for storage. Because of things like Styrofoam insulation, and concrete foundations instead of cinder blocks or stone, families are more able to keep their belongings in the basement levels of the homes they live in. There have also been advancements in drainage and waterproofing methods, and this has led to a reduction of water damage, mildews, and musty odors. Because of all of these factors, families are more apt to store things under their home.
On the other hand, attics that you can walk into are becoming at thing of the past. It used to be that houses were built with walk up attics, because of the free-frame roof designs. However, today it is much more energy efficient to have trusses in your home up to every 24 inches. This only leaves a little crawl space, so there is not much room for storage.
If you are buying or moving into a house that you are building to suit your needs, you are going to be able to take the time to design the storage that you need. If you are not concerned about money, you can make an attic, and a finished basement, and you can add on enough space so that you can store all of your belongings. However, if you are purchasing a house that has already been built, you might have more trouble finding the house with the storage space that you need. You might have to turn to your garage for storage. So, keep in mind your storage needs when you are purchasing a home.
When considering your storage needs, be sure to keep in mind the two variables. First of all, keep in mind what items require storage, and second of all, keep in mind where storage for those items is best. If you have many things that require long term storage, but these things are very special to you, make sure that you have good, safe storage within your home. These things will be stored long term, but they shouldn’t be put in a place where they will be lost or forgotten about, or where they might become damaged. Keep in mind that these are your treasures, and you want to save them forever.
You must also consider your needs for short term storage. If you have lots of extras in your home that you use on a regular basis, such as a lot of dishes, blankets or clothing, you will need to find a space that will keep all of these items tucked out of sight but able to be retrieved when you need them. You can use closets and furniture to store the things that you will be using. Remember though, that safety should be your number one concern. Try to buy furniture and storage equipment that is durable and safe for your family and your belongings.
If you have had a change in your lifestyle, you might also have a change in your storage needs. If you are mixing two families into one family, you might need to acquire more space. Likewise if you are downsizing the size of your home, you need to find a way to store all of the things you had in a large home in a smaller home. If you are not able to build a house to your needs, you need to figure out what to do with the space you have. You can always be sure that there is more storage in a home than you think there is! It might be that there are places between walls, under eaves, and in many places you’d never think to look that you can store the items you don’t use every day. You might also need to renovate your home. If this is the case, you can raise the roof on a garage or refinish your basement so that these areas will become better suited to storing your belongings.
No matter what you choose to do, you should take into consideration every room in your home, and each item that you need stored. From there, you can make a good decision about what to do with your stuff!
Painting is a great way to enliven a room that has grown old looking over the years or to make a room seem cleaner, brighter and newer. There are a number of uses for the painting process, whether you want to revamp an old look, personalize a certain space with your own ideas and designs or change the use of a room or how it feels to everyone who spends time in it. You can hire a professional to paint for you, depending on the kind of time that you have, or else you can do the job yourself, or enlist the help of friends. Whatever your choice is, make sure that you are involved in every part of the process. It’s important to have the right tools for whatever type of job you plan to do. For example, painting a room with very high ceilings will usually require more than just a ladder and a brush. It’s important to know what you will need before you begin a paint job of any size. Another important thing to keep in mind is your own safety.
In certain homes, predominately those that are more than a few decades old, there may be the risk of encountering lead-based paints. As many as 75% percent of homes in the United States are said to contain some level, whether high or low, of lead-based paints. Now, with recent research and technology, researchers have found lead-based paints to be very harmful to human health and development. Lead contamination can have a devastation effect, but with the new developments in the industry, it is possible to make your home safer. However, when you are getting ready to begin a paint job around your home, chances are you will need to remove at least some of the paint that was part of the original wall. Covering up lead-based paint is not as optimal an idea as is getting rid of it altogether. This, however, is a very time-consuming task and doesn’t really get rid of the problem anyway unless you invest in a specific type of product.
There are certain types of liquids that are designed to encapsulate lead paints now available for purchase. This can be applied to the walls prior to a paint job and will help rid the home of then environmental hazard that lead toxins can pose to all who living in the home. The way encapsulating liquids work is by creating a sort of trap that surrounds the lead in the older paint that is water-tight and virtually impenetrable. This will help significantly reduce the risk that harmful lead toxins will get released into the air in your house. This type of liquid can come mixed into the paint that you plan to apply directly to the walls which makes it not only a very cost-effective way to eliminate a lead problem, but also lets you take control of the process yourself.
There are different types of encapsulation paints and liquid available that provide a different level of protection, so make sure to do a little research before you buy.
The team at Interior Deluxe is pleased to introduce the new Caboche range of ceiling lighting, the Caboche ceiling lamp by Foscarini, which is designed by Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto. This beautiful light consists of translucent globes which are manufactured in polymethylmetacrylate, and a shade in a white matt finish which allows the lamp to provide direct upward as well as downward light projection, while at the same time provide diffusion all through the space.
This new range of Caboche is a stylish, brilliant as well as multi faceted light, which creates a medley of refractions and a wonderful and awe-inspiring fusion of a variety of personalities contained within a single form which collimated to create the body and lighting effect of the lamp. The one hundred and eighty nine polymethylmethacrylate balls increase the intensity supplied by central lighting source, through an arrangement of ring layouts a intense light is reflected off the ceiling and then change direction by moving to the surface beneath.
A halogen bulb provides the light source, and creates a free flowing light pattern which freely illuminates the surrounding area, through the matt white glass screen, a most favorable diffusion of upward light is achieved, while the lower screen consist of a curved in shield, which prevents the bulb from a bright dazzling effect. The Cahoche light is a perfect accessory for a dining area. While at the same time is a perfect compliment in any home or a elegant public area.
The new range of Caboche lighting by Foscarini is the Caboche floor lamp, by designers Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto in 2006. The floor lamp consists of orbs of polymetylmetacrylate ordered in a concentric arrangement. These orbs or sphere multiply the brightness of the central light source. Maximum light diffusion is guaranteed by a screen which is manufactured in white satinized blown glass, and also prevents glare off this powerful lighting arrangement. This Caboche light is constructed with a solid base which is provided by the original design of the stem. The floor lamp is stylish, dazzling and versatile.
The designers of the Caboche lamp, Patricia Urquiola and Eliana Gerotto are both natives to Spain. Patria Urquiola received tutorage from the famed and well known designer, Achille Castiglioni in 1989 and later joined forces with De Padova and Lissoni Associates. This stylish designer of the Caboche lighting range began her own design studio in 2001. Patricia Urquiola now designs dressing for shows and fairs in Pairs, Berline, Venezi as well as Ferrara. However, through her skills as an interior decorator, she has designed exclusive houses, gyms, shops as well as elite hotels. With such talent, it is small wonder that the Caboche lighting range will surely take the world by storm.
Custom kitchen cabinets are manufactured to the exact specifications of a specific order. Before any orders are placed, manufacturers make stock kitchen cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen cabinets are kept in inventory by the manufacturer or shipped to regional distributors who then resell the cabinets to homeowners.
Just like custom orders cost more than mass produced items, custom kitchen cabinets are more costly than stock cabinets. Whether your custom kitchen cabinets are manufactured by a local cabinetry shop or by a big custom manufacturer, you will pay for the labor and expertise of experienced cabinetmakers. Because custom kitchen cabinets are planned and manufactured from scratch, they require a lot of attention to detail on the part of the cabinetmakers. It is usual to wait six to twelve weeks for a custom kitchen cabinet order. If you are planning a high-end kitchen or have special cabinet size requirements or finishes, you will find that the extra money you spend is well worth it.
Stock kitchen cabinets have the advantage of lower cost and faster delivery time. Because they are mass produced, they are priced from one- to two-thirds less than the comparable custom cabinets. For custom kitchen cabinets, the cost is usually $300 to $1,200 per lineal foot. For stock kitchen cabinets, you will pay about $75 to $250 per lineal foot.
The company’s distribution methods, and the availability of the stock kitchen cabinets determine the delivery time, which is usually two or three weeks. If the cabinets are in a local warehouse, they may be available for pickup on the same day you buy them. Cabinets that are ready to assemble and sold over the counter are often sold on a cash and carry basis.
Sometimes you can draw a fine line between the advantages of stock and custom kitchen cabinets. Many of the larger custom cabinet manufacturers make things easier by offering a vast range of standard cabinet sizes and finishes, sometimes up to 2000 options. When a custom order is placed, the manufacturer can modify the pre-made cabinets by altering the size, adapting the finishes or colors, or changing the accessories or the configurations of the cabinets.
Many smaller cabinet manufacturers often buy pre-manufactured parts, such as doors and drawer fronts. These parts are used in their custom cabinet orders.
I recently moved into a new house and had to deal with a few unsightly fences. I came across this product, Fence Fabric, however, that has completely solved all of these problems. It is a custom windscreen that you can apply directly to the fence. The great part is that it features these really cool images that look like a stone wall or a tall hedge; basically, your old fence can be transformed into an exciting new landscape feature just by applying Fence Fabric. Check it out here at http://www.fencefabric.com
Editors Note: This product has not been endorsed by Homeimprovementblog.net
As families grow and children become teens, it’s important to have enough space to be together — and apart. Checklists can become roadmaps for remodeling, adding on, or moving As a family matures, space needs change. Noise levels alter. A need for privacy arises. Entertainment choices diverge. Family gathering spots are still important, but so are places of refuge.
Facing Facts
Deciding how to accommodate the teen years becomes a matter of sorting through facts, figures, and emotions. An older child who had bunked with a younger brother or sister may now want a separate bedroom. Another bathroom may become important. Study space is now vital as is computer access. A place to hang out with friends may not be necessary but would be nice.
Repurposing space offers a good chance for parents and teens to team up and get to know one another better. Together, start by compiling a list of how older children impact family activities. Next, develop an inventory, room by room, of spaces that no longer serve their purposes. The great room, living room, basement, attic, or garage may be ripe for redefinition.
Teen Space
Teens need their space. As young adults, they are learning to become separate, to interact with their own friends and activities, and to select their own styles. Still, with concerns over the Internet and media, many parents understand the need to keep independent space accessible and open. When designing a room for teens, start by working together to create a checklist of desired activities. Music, video, television, studying, games, gathering space, or crafts may be on the list. Based on the activities list and your available space, decide whether a new, separate teen living room can be created.
Designers often select lofts, attics, basements, or spare bedrooms for these activity areas. Accessibility, a bathroom, and perhaps snack space should be included. Consider what media will be involved and whether wiring should be updated to accommodate data, phone lines, or multi-media. Parents may also choose to buffer the rest of the house by soundproofing the new space. Replacing hollow doors with solid doors, insulating the walls, providing acoustic ceiling panels, and decorating with sound-absorbing fabrics, carpets, and furniture will help to reduce noise spillover.
Family Space
As the family matures, the activities they share change. While young children enjoy game, puzzle, and reading space adjacent to family centers, older children and adults often enjoy a getaway room where they can play games, rough house, listen to music, or watch movies. Family rooms are often multi-media rooms with music, video, and movie capability. Video gaming is also a popular activity that is shared between all ages.
Designers frequently select basements for family game rooms because they feature ready-made space that is often open and easily adapted to various uses. Basements offer the opportunity to rewire readily, insulate between the floor joists, apply acoustic ceiling tile, and construct insulated walls, so that this space can be as rambunctious and fun-filled as you like without disturbing the people upstairs. Attention to safe secondary exits, approved wiring, and moisture control are recommended when remodeling basements.
Adding Space
If the space just isn’t there, adding square footage may be expensive but necessary. An in-law apartment for teens—with a bathroom, bedroom, and sitting area—may answer immediate demands and meet future needs for space to accommodate an elderly parent.
Talk with two or three construction firms, set up a visit, and provide a copy of the ideas detailed from walkthroughs. Ballpark estimates should be fairly well aligned. If not, check to see where the discrepancies lie – you may actually discover a structural obstacle or flaw that was overlooked by other builders. Finally, be sure to check with local building and zoning officials to make sure that adding on is possible.
Deciding to Move
If remodeling and additions are out of the picture, another home might be the answer. Keep in mind that the teen years do not last long. Purchases should be made with future space needs in mind.
Moving or remodeling also costs money. Homeowners should not add on more than 10-15 percent over the average home value in their neighborhood. Moving will incur expenses for the new home, taxes, and moving, plus closing costs and an added commission for the realtor. So develop a financial worksheet and weigh the options before you decide. When planning family space, focus on the activities you share. Have each family member compile a wish list of family activities then rank them according to priority. Have a group discussion to see which activities are at the top of the list, then look for the space to accommodate those activities. For some families it may be garage workshop or craft space, for others it is music and reading areas, for many it is game and media centers. Make sure you design your space to make family time work for you.
A sewing machine is an electrical appliance that fastens things together by stitching them. Sewing machines operate and create stitches by hooking the thread in the needle around a thread in the bobbin. Feed dogs are metal feet used to pull the fabric through the sewing machine. A foot pedal or knee pedal controls the stitching speed. You can create various stitches and patterns by adjusting the controls on the machine or by using various attachments on the machine.
To lubricate a sewing machine, you must:
1. Be sure the sewing machine is unplugged.
2. Use high quality sewing machine oil to apply a drop of oil to any moving parts. Do not oil electrical parts.
To service mechanical parts, you must:
1. Be sure the sewing machine is unplugged.
2. Use tweezers to remove the tangles of thread wound around the disks of the thread tension assembly.
3. If there are burrs or rust on the bobbin thread tension assembly, use a fine emery cloth to carefully sand them off.
4. Straighten the foot by adjusting the presser bar screw if necessary.
5. Clean the feed assembly if necessary. The presser foot, needle plate, and needle must be removed. The feed assembly must be then unfastened and removed. If there are impediments such as thread or lint, remove them.
To service the drive belt, you must:
1. Be sure the sewing machine is unplugged.
2. Remove the hand wheel cover and top cover by unscrewing screws or other fasteners.
3. Inspect the belt to see if it is worn or damaged and replace it if necessary.
4. After you reinstall the belt, tighten the motor mounting bolts appropriately. Push on the side of the belt to make sure the belt tension is correct.
