Home And Furniture

Are you planning to paint your house on this eve?
While homeowners often think that they can put off repainting for one more year. To change your thinking you need to take help of painting books that are available in the nearest painting stores.

Choosing the paint color can become even more baffling if you consider that most of the houses use minimum three shades. Don’t get confused just take a help of painting books that are easily available in the market and if you are an inter savvy then it will help to get all the information at one place without going any where and wasting your time and money.

Online guidance will be more convenient for you to refer this book and make use of it to give new look to your house. You can refer this book and make use of it. You can also buy painting books online in minimum charges and according to your requirements and in your budget. Internet brings world at your home so you don’t have to go outside of your house for search.

Painting book has all the guidelines step by step. This book has information from color schemes to how to make use of different color and how to prepare a new color from mixing the different colors to get a new combination which will be unique for your kid’s room. So what have to plan for? Today only give your kids room a new look with painting book.

Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well. Currently writing for this website Painting Book . For more details please contact at annajosephs@gmail.com

Labels: house painting, painting concrete

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

Why should you use wood furniture outdoors? To some people this is not even a question! The right question would be, “Why wouldn’t you use wood furniture outdoors?” There is a wide variety of materials that are made to be used outdoors, including plastic, metal, wicker and other synthetic materials. With all of the other options for outdoor furniture, the reasons of why one should use wood should be carefully examined before you buy furniture for your outdoor oasis.

Wood is meant to be outdoors. Trees grow in the great outdoors, so it makes sense that furniture made from trees should be kept outdoors. It is no wonder that wood furniture, when treated and cared for properly, can last outdoors for years. The type of wood you pick of will determine just how well the wood weathers over time. Although wood does weather over time, you can protect your outdoor wood furniture by carefully taking care of it every season. Paint and stain are good ways of protecting your wood furniture from the sun because they add an additional layer of defense to the wood. Water-repellant stains are also important to add to your outdoor furniture to protect it from water damage, which causes the wood to rot and crack. When using either paint or stain, you want to have a durable blend so that it dries fast and completely, and does not rub off on people sitting down on the furniture.

Another way to protect your wood and make it last for years to come is to buy special kinds of wood. Treated wood is one such option, as it is resistant to rotting from the elements. But one of the issues with treated wood is that it often comes green, and can more easily warp than regular wood.

Teak furniture is a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Teak wood is an extremely dense hardwood is often praised for its durability. It also has natural oils that protect it from the elements, even when left untreated. Often grown in Indonesia, Teak is very resistant to attacks by termites and other insects because the high oil content makes it water repellent.

Chinese Oak is a dense hardwood with a very fine grain. It is a naturally light wood and sometimes has a pinkish tint. The tannic acid in Chinese Oak makes it ideal for use in outdoor furniture because it is naturally resistant to attacks by fungi and insects.

Cedar, especially Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for outdoor furniture because of its beautiful color and finish. Often grown in Canada, Western Red Cedar is also naturally resistant to decay and insect damage when exposed to rain, sun, heat, or cold all year. When properly treated, Red Cedar furniture may last for decades in the harshest of environments.

A final way to protect your outdoor wood furniture and maintain it for the long haul is to simply put a roof over it. Whether it is an awning on your deck, a covered roof for your sunroom or your garage during the winter, a roof can go a long way to help you keep the sun, rain and wind off of your wood furniture and protect it for years to come.

Thomas Easterday is the Director of Marketing for The Cedar Station. The Cedar Station carries a complete line of Outdoor Furniture for your enjoyment. For more information about The Cedar Station please visit http://www.thecedarstation.com .

Related Articles - outdoor furniture, teak outdoor furniture, cedar outdoor furniture, oak outdoor furniture, patio outdoor furniture,

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments

With 2006 behind us, it's time to start looking forward to what the New Year will bring. For me, the New Year isn't just about making resolutions; it's about keeping design current with the very latest trends. Read on to find out what's going to be popular in 2007.

Colors
A few key color trends are emerging that mark some significant departures from what has been popular in the recent past. Browns, oranges, and other warm colors are resurfacing after a long period of absence in home decorating. You can also plan to see greys, blacks, and other darker, more mineral-like tones. Deep hues of teal, navy, and green are also making a comeback and offer a fresh, new look for homes everywhere.

Mother Nature, Interior Designer
Anything that reflects elements of nature, such as wood, bamboo, and other "earthy" textures is going to be very popular. Earth-inspired fabric collections that are designed to mimic the feel of woven woods are seen more and more in everything from window shades to rugs to lampshades and other accessories, reflecting this trend.

The Cozy Cottage Design Style
Even the most metropolitan of homes are incorporating more charm and comfort into their interior design. This reflects what is called the casual, or cottage designing style, which is making a comeback, even for urban jetsetters. Characterized by mixed-and-matched design accessories, light, airy, and informal décor, this re-emerging design style adds a vacation feel to any living space. Sheer window shadings, and soft draperies are going to be seen in more homes as a way of maintaining a light, carefree atmosphere.

Be a Creature of Comfort
For those of you who have always opted for comfort over style: you're on to something. This year, a comfortable living area is a stylish living area. Your home environment should encourage relaxation and be a haven from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Stiff, formal sitting rooms are out.

Shades of 2007
I couldn't write this article without talking about the exciting new trends in window treatments, many of which follow the overall trends of the season. Simple shades, like roller shades or flat-panel Roman shades, have taken over. Shades in textural fabrics, like suede and cotton are especially popular this year.

Your window treatments can also reflect the comfort-focused trend that is so stylish now: you can use them to control visibility, and the increasingly popular motorized shades allow you to control visibility with the simple flip of a switch. Of course, energy-efficient shades can save you energy, which will always be in style.

Good News for Do-it-Yourselfers
Anything homemade or handcrafted is in! From handmade blankets and pillows to craft projects like picture frames and other accessories, the project ideas that this trend inspires are endless. And they'll add a personal touch to your home.

Go Global
Another big theme for 2007 is home design with an ethnic flavor. So don’t be afraid to venture outside of what you currently have. Spruce up your décor with furniture inspired by the styles and culture of other countries. Not ready to make a drastic change? Home décor accessories like lamps, pillows and rugs offer ways to infuse your home with smaller tastes of culture.

It’s clear that 2007 promises to be an exciting year in home design. These tips will help you welcome the new year with style, whether you’re planning a decorating makeover or just some small updates to refresh your home’s look.

Stacey Wiktorek is a member of the in-house professional home design team at BlindCrafter.com, where she provides expert decorating and design advice for anyone looking to beautify their home. For tips and home design ideas, or to receive their monthly Customer Club newsletter with trends, advice, and exclusive coupons, visit their website at http://www.blindcrafter.com/kristinasdesignstudio.cfm.

Article's Source : www.amazines.com

Labels: home decorating, home design, interior decorating, interior design, window blinds, window shades, window treatments

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 7:57 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ever walk into a room and immediately feel comfortable? Sometimes just the opposite is true, you’ve decorated a room (almost to death) and the room still seems like a “cold spot” in the house. The first thing I do in this situation is check around to make sure the room appeals to all 5 senses. From the everyday touches to the extraordinary, decorating for the senses is an easy way to cozy up your home.

Sight: This seems like an obvious one – right? While we all decorate for something beautiful to look at, perhaps what we should think about is what we don’t want to look at. Clean it up! Try to think about this sense from an outsider’s perspective. Even before entering your home, you should be welcoming people with something beautiful to look at. Something as simple as a decorative wreath on the door, or a blooming pot of flowers on the step gives visitors something to look forward to. No one wants to see your empty pots, dirty broom or old mail. You should carry this thought throughout your home. Upon walking into every room you should be greeted with something beautiful or unusual to look at. Hang the picture that reminds you of that trip to Italy, or display those cookbooks that fill your mind with images of Sunday brunch. Sound: Here is something my husband appreciates, sitting down for a meal and having his favorite CD playing in the background. While we all enjoy listening to a nice tune, I think this is a sense that is overlooked by many in every day living. Listening to music relieves stress and enhances the overall ambience of a room yet many people find it too time consuming or inconvenient to wire their homes for sound. Why not set up your stereo system or Ipod once and for all? This will make it easy and convenient for you to have soothing tunes at the touch of a button. With new technology enjoying music in every room of your house is easier and more affordable than ever.

Taste: While a cheesecake in every room certainly appeals to your sense of taste it’s not exactly practical. Instead, think of indirect ways of evoking your sense of taste. The easiest is a bowl of shiny fresh apples in the living room, den, or kitchen. Lemons can be submerged in water and used as an anchor for fresh flowers, the same is true for cranberries. You can get a good week or two out of either. In the kitchen, a swag of fresh garlic is not only practical but subliminal as well. It says “Good food served here!” When all else fails don’t discount the requisite bowl of chocolates as this can sweeten every room! Even good ‘ol Hershey kisses have their place in this category.

Touch: Every room should contain items that just beg to be touched. This can be anything from a feather trimmed lamp shade to a cushy comfy cashmere throw. Think of walking through a department store and across the way you spot a display of the softest, silkiest, shiniest (whatever) pillows/widgets etc.you’ve ever seen. You’d be sure to make a special trip down that aisle so you could run your hand over the display. The same should be true in your home. This goes beyond the cliché comfy chair – even cold hard metal is interesting and different to touch. This could be a beautiful contemporary sculpture in the corner of your dining room, or how an end table made of gnarled wood in the living room. Your powder room walls can be upholstered in a unique fabric and your foyer could contain a water feature.

Smell: Of course no one wants to stay in a room that has an unpleasant smell, but we want to focus on the positive here. I like to vary a room’s scent with the season. The spring brings a soft smell of lavender blooms (either real or a lavender sachet), summer evokes a mental picture of roses and fresh linen. They don’t have to be real roses, but if you happen to have a rose bush that you can borrow some blooms from – all the better. Autumn can be summed up in with one scent – apples! The scent of a cinnamon apple pie wafting through the house (even in candle form) makes you want to sit down and stay a while. Winter is host to many holiday scents, baked cookies, fresh evergreens, and a crackling fire.

When trying to decorate your home around all 5 senses you can use combination pieces. For example, a crackling fire appeals to 3 senses. It’s beautiful to look at, soothing to hear and wonderful to smell. A real apple pie is a beauty to behold, not to mention delicious to smell and taste. For a more practical and everyday approach window treatments come to mind – yes window treatments! Here is a place where you can do something beautiful, tactile, and perhaps it even muffles annoying outdoor sounds. Choose a window treatment that WOWs you when you walk in the room. I promise you will look at this window and smile every time you walk past. Next, chose a fabric that begs to be looked at and even touched. Silk has a wonderful reflective quality and is quite durable. When lined and interlined, silk drapery panels satisfy 3 of our senses – they are incredible to look at, soft to touch and incredibly insulating for sounds and warmth.

By now you’ve got the basics, but how you apply them to your home is up to you. However, I can guarantee that if you address all 5 senses throughout your house you’ll be sure to alleviate any “cold spots” that once existed!

Melissa Lauer is an interior decorator and custom window treatment designer. She has recently opened an online silk fabric store which specializes not only in exquisite silk fabrics from around the world, but also in custom silk drapery and silk bedding. With its reasonable prices and ease of use, www.onlinesilkfabricstore.com has become a favorite of both weekend decorators and professionals.

Labels: decorating, dupioni silk, interior decorating, interior design, silk drape, silk fabric, window treatments

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments

At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, 150,000 people stormed las vegas to see the latest high Definition entertainment and other electronic gadgets for the home.
Having a media room used to be reserved for the rich & famous sitting in their 50-seat screen rooms, drinking Cognac and smoking cigares.

Well, No More!

Ordinary people like you and I can now afford our own Media Room with HDTVs, surround sound and all the bells & whistles. There are now DIY solutions for the rest of us.
To set up your own media room, first choose the room with the least amount of lights; usually the basement which no longer is the domain of ping pong tables and dusty toolboxes. Place your TV away from any windows and place a 10-watt incandescent or fluorescent lignt behind the TV to reduce eyestrain. It also helps to paint the walls in a neutral color like gray.

Now that you have the Big HDTV set-up, you need to accessorize it. Yes, what's the right furniture for the room? Well, let's start with the seating: There is now a distinc furniture caegory called "Media Room Furniture". The chairs offer abundant choices in padding, motion and sizes. Most designs have double-feature comfort with soft materials that absorb the sound waves better thus giving you a better sound quality in the room.

For the Entertainment Center, avoid dust, poor ventilation and stacking up electronics on top of each other; this can block vents and reduce performance. Close cabinet doors when the system in not in use and look for furniture with adjustable shelves to make sure you have enough room to clean your different components without having to pull them out. If you live in the South where it gets pretty hot in the summer, I recommend a small media fan that turns on automatically when temperatures rise.

Finally, have fun decorating your media room with a theme. Whether you like dolls, coins, computers or past presidents, have fun decorating with paintings, memorabilia, oe whatever to give the room its own personality.

Visit www.rkea.com today to find the right furniture at great prices. With hundreds of categories and thousands of different pieces, you'll have fun picking out just the right piece of furniture for your media room.

Related Articles - furniture, hdtv, discount furniture,

Labels: discount furniture, hdtv

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

There has to be a good reason why people are willing to pay substantially more for a leather interior in their cars. For probably the same good reason, people are also willing to pay more for leather furniture as opposed to upholstered furniture. Frankly, the fact is that leather is a very appealing fabric that people want to have. A set of leather furniture in the living room isn?t just about comfort?it?s also about status.

But owning leather furniture is certainly about more than just impressing your neighbors. One of the biggest single reasons why people choose to spend extra for leather furniture is because it lasts. Typical upholstery will only stand up to constant use for about 5 years before it begins to fray, tatter, and tear. But when properly cared for, leather furniture can last for 20 years or more before needing major repair or replacement. So, while leather furniture may be more expensive, it certainly isn?t 4 X?s as much! Therefore, going leather is actually the better economic move AND still will impress your neighbors!

Aside from being a status symbol and very durable, leather furniture is simply great on the skin! If you have ever noticed, leather furniture stays at room temperature. When the temp is high, the leather is very soft and pliable. But, when the room temp dips for any reason, the leather will become more brittle and less pliable. The reason for this is because leather furniture breathes.

ade from animal skins that have pores throughout them, leather furniture breathes through the pores in its surface. Genuine leather will not become sticky in the summer and is one of the most comfortable materials for your skin. So long as the leather furniture is cleaned and conditioned regularly, the leather will also not be brittle in the winter unless temperatures drop far lower than is normal in a household.

Another big advantage of leather furniture over upholstered varieties is that leather itself ages very well indeed. Developing what one might call a ?weathered look?, leather takes on a patina as the years roll past. In fact, leather furniture actually looks better as it ages while upholstered furniture just fades and looks aged.

Of course, leather furniture must be cared for in order for it to age properly and stand the test of time. It is important to keep the pores in the leather free from dust so it is necessary to dust the leather furniture once a week. That way, the leather cleaner and conditioner can get down into the pores and keep the material soft, pliable, and well preserved. Plan on using a leather cleaner 3 times a year or so in order to prevent premature cracking or peeling that results from improper maintenance. But, with proper care, you can continue to impress your neighbors for many years to come while being able to enjoy the soft feel of leather the whole while!

Author Details,
Leather Furniture Hub is an information site that contains links, a directory and other Leather Furniture Information. It can be found at: http://www.leatherfurniturehub.com.

Article Source : http://www.freeblogarticles.com

Labels: Leather Furniture

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

The market for deck patio furniture has quickly expanded in the last decade or so. People seem to enjoy more and more outdoor decks because it allows them to be creative and fun with their personal style. The outdoors can become more enjoyable when people combine the outdoors with comfortable deck patio furniture and transform a rugged corner into a cozy patio.

The Best Way to Enjoy Fresh Air and A Cozy Corner Outside the Home is on a Patio. What was before just an afterthought for improving the outdoor comfort and looks of a house, today is a big business. Many people pay as much attention to the outdoor d飯r as to their interior furnishings. The rise in popularity of the deck patio furniture can be witnessed all over the country and the world. People enjoy spending time outdoors in the privacy of their own backyard.

Many patios have a beautiful, and very efficient corner fireplace or grill, this spot can be used both as a warmth generator and an outdoor cooking place. You could then use the exceptionally good-looking deck patio furniture to set up your own nature corner. This is a beautiful place to spend in the summer with a book while listening to the birds singing joyfully. The smells of the outdoors, the breeze playing over you, the beauty of the sun setting, and so many other things that will make you spell bound, are possible because of the patio.

It is important to keep in mind, when you set up the patio, that it should match the style of the rest of your home. The best location would be close to the kitchen, unless you have a cooking space for the patio outside. The furniture should be comfortable, beautiful, and matching the overall feel of the house. The deck patio furniture usually can match any style; good lighting and cushions will make your patio a great place to relax.

There are many places where you can get excellent deck patio furniture at significantly discounted prices. You should watch for garage sales, furniture shops that announce sales at different times of the year, and the Internet. There is the possibility of getting exceptional deck patio furniture at unbelievable rates if you take the trouble to do your homework before buying.

Before going out to buy furniture for your patio make a list of what you need, research in your area and the Internet about the availability and prices that you can obtain, and then bargain for the best deal.


This article written by Masni Rizal Mansor.
He provides many tip and review outdoor patio bar furniture, outdoor patio furniture sets and where to find outdoor patio furniture replacement cushions.

Labels: Patio Furniture

Posted by Mohamad Ridzuan at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments