01.22.07
Posted in Home Life Tips at 9:53 pm by site admin
Granite Worktops-The Pitfalls
By Steve Walker
Granite worktops in the kitchen are becoming more and more an essential luxury addition for the trend conscious householder but not all in the granite garden is rosy. In our previous home I installed pink granite worktops and lived with them for five years until our recent move and in the light of this experience I feel it is my duty to warn prospective buyers of some of the pitfalls and risks and indeed dangers of installing granite worktops!
The newly fitted granite did look fabulous and my wife who had waited years for this day, was over the moon! It quickly became very apparent that nothing was going to be allowed that might mar this pristine new look. Our formerly cluttered and homely kitchen became a temple to gleaming work surfaces!
The first hint of trouble came when I became acutely aware of just how cold granite is. Sitting at my granite breakfast table in the mornings trying gamely to enjoy a healthy bowl of muesli, I found my elbows and arms starting to suffer serious chills. In the winter and in spite of central heating this effect approached something akin to frostbite! The simple solution of course would be to use a thick table cloth. This idea however, was vetoed by my darling wife who simply refused to see her beloved granite covered up. I was told to stop whinging!
I found I was no longer welcome to sort out my fishing gear in the kitchen even though I pointed out that the maggots could never harm the granite!
I was to find another danger of granite on the one occasion when I tried to re-build the carburettor of my motorbike on the kitchen work top ( I thought my wife was out for the entire evening!) – the risk from flying shrapnel! The coffee mug heaved at me in the ensuing discussion, narrowly missed my head but hit the edge of the granite worktops and exploded!
I now spend more time in my colder but safer shed!
Any visitor to our home was immediately escorted straight to the kitchen and offered tea or coffee and made to admire the superb finish of granite while waiting for their brew. The conversations always somehow turned to the wonderful qualities of granite, how easy to keep clean, how hygienic, how impervious to heat, we would encourage them to peer across the surface of the granite and admire as the light form the window reflected across the flawless surface.
Our neighbours no longer talked to us. Family seldom visited and our few remaining friends, having had their noses rubbed in the fact that they couldn’t afford granite wortops always insisted that we go to them for dinner!
Granite worktops won’t help your love life either! I have already mentioned how cold granite is. Without going into too much sordid detail, suffice it to say the cold is a real passion killer! Not to mention that wet granite is very nearly a frictionless surface and being admitted to hospital with a badly bruised spine and frozen bum is no joke! I never had this trouble with Formica! Enough said I think.
I already have the granite for the kitchen in our new house. Its been stored in the shed for the last three years. For some reason I never seem to have the time to fit them. My wife however, is very determined, she loved our previous granite and is quite insistent that the new worktops will be fitted soon and I am running out of excuses.
So before committing yourself to a granite kitchen consider the risks! Granite may be tough, easy to clean and look fantastic but is it worth all the pain?
Steve Walker has been a craftsman in stone and marble for 40 years. In his long career has practised as a stone mason, letter cutter, restoration carver, marble mason, and fireplace designer/manufacturer. He is now the sole owner, and craftsman of http://www.stoneengravings.co.uk/ StoneEngravings, Engraved Natural Stone House signs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Walker
http://EzineArticles.com/?Granite-Worktops-The-Pitfalls&id=426091
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12.06.06
Posted in Home Life Tips at 10:34 pm by site admin
Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating
By Liz Hekimian-Williams
You’re tired. You’ve worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully… “let’s decorate!” … in anticipation of the coming holiday. The “let’s not” is miraculously not permitted to escape your lips. Instead you take a deep breath while you wonder about how this decorating could become an easier and more fun-filled activity.
Well, it can be!
- First, insist on family members pitching in to help and treat this like a family project. This should not just rest on your shoulders to accomplish and it will be much more fun if you all are making changes and creating memories together.
- Next, pick a day and time you’ll all devote no more than one to two hours for a quick holiday makeover at your home (for a major decorating holiday schedule two or three longer blocks of time). It helps if you can set the decorating date about one to two weeks from now, if time still allows for that. This gives you time to gather items together for the project.
- Ask the kids to create one or two new arts and crafts decorations that are suitable to the holiday to have ready for the decorating day. Or, ask them to select ones from among any they may already have on hand, for instance, from school projects.
- Decide on 3 to 4 areas you will focus on decorating this year. Here are some choices: the front door, the front yard, the entry hallway, the kitchen table, the dining room table, the living room, the patio, the bathroom, the bedroom. There are other areas you could consider as well. But if you want quick and dirty, then focus in on only 3 to 4 of the areas for decorating this year. Anyway, you can select other areas next year for a change.
- Keep holiday decorations in separate bags, boxes or baskets in the same closet or in the attic so they’ll be easy for everyone to retrieve when they are needed next.
- Buy items you really love when you see them advertised or they may not be available when you later. It’s common for seasonal merchandise to change from year to year and also they are not stocked year-round typically. So, your item may no longer be available if you wait too long to decide you want it. Then stash your figurines, statues, wall hangings, and other holiday
decorations in your bags or boxes, sorted by holiday.
- Make or buy some snacks or treats to enjoy together at the completion of your decorating time.
Here are some favorite quick and easy decorating areas and tips:
1. The front door- Have a welcome sign that is theme oriented and you can easily change by season or by holiday. You can either hang up a completely new themed sign, or there are some that come with interchangeable pieces you swap in and out representing different holidays or themes.
2. The dining room table or a table that is centrally located but not used that often- Change the table runner or the tablecloth to a holiday themed one. Then showcase your holiday decorations by arranging a combination of your kid’s holiday creations and your own figurines or other holiday decor on the table.
3. The mantel or entertainment center- Add a string of lights and if you wish, you can also vary the string of lights by color best suited for the coming holiday theme. Wall hangings can be changed around this area temporarily as well. Holiday accessories, flags, figurines, etc. are easy to rotate in and to view on or around this area of your home.
4. Special areas by kid’s choice- Smaller children can help by adding little decorations to windows and glass doors. They enjoy taping up their creations or they can easily put up static cling decorations. Other areas small children enjoy decorating include outdoors, the dog house and their own rooms. Allow them to handle this aspect of decorating while you take pleasure in their big smiles and hugs!
Finally, make your decorating time even more enjoyable by having holiday background music or other favorite tunes playing in the background. Then, when you’re done decorating, finish up with a big family hug and munching on tasty snack treats together!
Author Resource Box:
Liz Hekimian-Williams is founder of Giftsprings.com, a gifts and home decor online shop that features personalized gifts, custom engraved stones, holiday decor and special occasion gifts. Visit the gift shop at http://www.giftsprings.com
© 2003, 2004 Elizabeth Hekimian-Williams, Giftsprings
This article can be freely reprinted as long as the copyright notice and author resource byline with active link are included with the article.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liz_Hekimian-Williams
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05.02.06
Posted in Home Life Tips at 10:52 pm by site admin
Recently I sent interview questions to several bedroom furniture stores about redecorating the bedroom. Personally, my budget does not permit a new bed every year or even every few years. So if I want to change the bedroom decor, I asked, how could I do so cheaply?
Two out of three vendors mentioned lighting and lamps, and also wall hangings or art.
If you have a decor theme, you can build on it slowly. Start with the smaller, cheaper items while you save for larger items.
Personally, I’m in love with Tiffany style lamps!
So if you’re starting to plan a new decor theme, think about starting with themed lighting fixtures first.
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03.22.06
Posted in Home Life Tips at 12:16 pm by site admin
We updated the wooden canopy beds page.
Some of the new models we found are really breath taking. The posters are thick, styled after stone columns, rather than pencil style posters. Quite stunning style, actually. One of them is made of hard wood, too.
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11.23.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 12:29 pm by site admin
Ever heard of the Jet Plunger? I hadn’t either until a couple of days ago.
Basically, the jet plunger replaces your regular bathroom toilet plunger and sink plunger with better, easier results. It works on a simple principle of compressed air, but it’s the engineering that makes it work so well.
Ever noticed that how a regular plunger works is to draw the gook back up the pipes from the clog? Then you still have to get the gook out! Plus, you’re really only working with a small amount of vacuum pressure that is established by the air volume of the plunger head and your pipe opening (or toilet). You can huff, puff, and plunger a long time before you get much results.
Enter some motivated home engineer sorts who have a great idea to make a better toilet plunger. How does this plunger work?
First, the plunger head is designed to make a better seal with your pipe opening. That means more efficient use of pressure.
Second, the Jet Plunger is designed to simply compress air and force it through your clog. This means the gook goes DOWN the pipe, rather than coming back at ya.
This is what it looks like:
Jet Plunger – $ 24.95
Now, before you complain about a toilet plunger costing $24.95, let me give you a dollar off coupon code:
Coupon Code: JET1012
Discount: $1.00 Off
But that’s the least of your savings. Think about it. How many whole bottles of Drano did you pour down the sink last time you had a clog? If it worked, fine, at least it wasn’t money just down the drain. If it didn’t, and you had to call a plumber, how much money was the Drano down the drain before you even called the professional in? Right.
At $23.95 with the coupon, you will make back the price of the Jet Plunger on the first clog you clear with it.
Looking for a toilet plunger holder? The Plunger Mate holds all plungers, even regular classic toilet plungers, in a clean, sanitary manner.
I think this is a great item to have in any home at any time. Buy one today and it will save you money for years to come.
You get a 30 day satisfaction guarantee with your Jet Plunger System.
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05.08.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 9:32 am by site admin
Looking for a convenient and sanitary solution for your trash can? The Magikan trash can is an innovation of industrial style usage to home usage. The liner is a continuous feed — one long bag, which you cut with the safety cutter when you’re ready to remove the rubbish. The top lid forms a complete seal, keeping your home odor-free and safe. Use of the foot pedal for hands-free opening means less contact with surfaces that possibly have contamination.
The Magikan comes in three different sizes; 10, 11, and 15 gallons. One will be just right for your home. The refill bags are available online, making your order convenient whenever you need more.
Plastic construction of the Magikan makes it easy to clean, long lasting, and easy to move around when you want to relocate it.
Click here for the Magikan.
More trash cans for your home, bathroom, and kitchen are available. Waste cans aren’t just for home decor. They provide sanitation which helps keep your family healthy.
Studies on army bases have shown that open trash sources provide flies with plenty of infectious material that they transfer to your food when they land on it. This increases your risk of infection, especially small children who are susceptible to various intestinal upsets. Keeping your household waste covered prevents such transmission and is one more important step to keeping your home healthy.
Some favorite trash cans of HomeFurnitureDecor.com are:
Corner Trash Bin
This sleek stainless steel waste bin fits any corner, thus doubling as a convenient space saver! The broad foot pedal again ensures hands-off lid operation, and the 6 gallon size fits standard kitchen garbage bags.
Bullet Trash Cans
If you have very young children in the house, a foot pedal can be an invitation to play in the trash, rather than a safety and sanitation feature. Toddlers will play with that foot pedal all day long, often putting hands and faces right into the trash can after they’ve proven for the hundredth time that they can open the lid with their foot motion! These industrial style bullet shaped cans keep little hand out of the trash. The self closing stainless steel door discourages play, and keeps odors inside the can. This construction is actually fire safe, as it traps and self extinguishes any flames. A great home trash can!
For more selection, see our trash cans page.
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03.29.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 8:20 pm by site admin
Need more storage in your bedroom areas? Use under the bed storage to solve your problems!
You can purchase full platform solutions, or convenient sturdy plastic boxes.
12 Drawer Base/Platform CA K – Each Piece Sold Separately
This complete storage bed will convert the wasted space under your bed into convenient, top-quality storage. Start with the base and platform, which gives you twelve large dust-proof drawers under each bed, and can be used with your existing mattress. If you like, add the optional lighted headboard, optional side tables, and optional end drawers (all optional pieces sold separately). These items will hold everything you can imagine, yet none of these accessories use any floor space! Beautifully hand stained, crafted from the highest quality knotty pine. Tongue and groove construction, and the drawers glide on metal ball bearings. Utilizes wasted space, gets rid of dust, and greatly increases floor space in your bedroom by eliminating free-standing dressers.
Click on the picture above or on this link to purchase securely .
Set of four 7.9 Gallon capacity underbed storage drawers. Great for underbed storage or for stacking multiple units. Smooth sliding drawer. Steel pipe in top of frame over drawer to prevent warping. Comes with a band to secure units when stacking.
There are even more underbed storage solutions, just waiting for you! Buy online and have them delivered to your door just in time for spring cleaning and organizing. It’s so much easier to keep everything clean and in its place when you have enough storage space! Take advantage of the space under your beds for extra storage today!
More underbed storage options and solutions!
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03.16.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 9:20 pm by site admin
What’s the interest in the Easy Shaper? It’s already March, and if you made New Year’s resolutions about getting fit, losing weight, and building your fitness level, where are you holding?
The interest in equipment items like the Easy Shaper is based more on keeping you interested in your exercise routine than in whether or not the equipment is necessary to get in shape or will increase your fitness faster. That’s not to say the right piece of equipment doesn’t help, it does. It’s just that you need to know what your fitness level is, and more importantly, what your motivation level is.
If you have a collection of rarely used fitness equipment, may we suggest a fitness DVD instead? The price invested is paid back in just a few uses compared to traveling to the gym, paying entrance fees, paying instructor fees, etc.. You can use your DVD when you have time, rather than having to fit your life around the gym. It’s the best! It’s fun! It’s in the privacy of your home. Invite your family to exercise with you!
Here’s just one total system DVD set that you can use to get in shape, burn fat, and increase fitness:
You get 4 workout videos/DVD’s in one purchase.
Homefurnituredecor.com recommends home fitness videos or DVD’s for great motivation, convenience, and fun in getting fit. Spring is here, summer is around the corner. Look and feel great when you get out in the summer time! Get fit now.
More information in our home gym department.
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02.05.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 8:49 pm by site admin
The rain will lift soon, and it’s time for spring cleaning.
- Make a list. Do this room by room so you see what needs to be done in each room.
- Make a list of any cleaning supplies you need, and purchase them.
- Organize tasks and decide whether you prefer to work room by room or do one task across all rooms. For instance you could wash all the windows in one day, or work room by room, washing the windows of the room you are working cleaning today only.
Make your cleaning fun, too. Vacuuming? Get a vacuum cover to stand your vacuum in the corner of the room costumed as the butler.
Buy an iRobot Roomba and leave the vacuuming to the robot!
Spring is a wonderful time for cleaning, get started early so you can also enjoy the spring days outdoors!
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01.23.05
Posted in Home Life Tips at 8:03 pm by site admin
Bathroom decor and storage ideas help keep your bathroom clean and sanitary as well as looking great.
Another tip for your bathroom area is to light scented candles to infuse the air with delighful scents.
These neat candles come in a bowl like shape, in either red color with cinnamon scent or white color with vanilla scent. Classy, they add decor as well as freshen the air. For a real treat, draw a bath, light the candle, and turn off the lights.
Add some bath oil, and you have not only a luxurious bath, but add more scent to the bathroom. Kalyx.com has a great selection of aromatherapy bath oils. Aromatherapy is the use of herbal essential oils. Herbs are simply common plants that generally have useful properties, such as healing, or cosmetic properties such as moisturizing. The essential oils are often the central chemical constituent of those properties, as well as carrying the aroma of the herb. Essential oils are very concentrated, so only a small amount is necessary. They also store much longer than the fresh or dried herb itself. Together this means an economical way of accessing the healing and aromatic aspect of the herb. You can purchase a small amount of essential oil which will last a long time and through many uses.
Visit Kalyx.com for a large selection in aromatherapy oils that you can put to use in your bathroom.
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12.09.04
Posted in Home Life Tips at 9:13 pm by site admin
Everyone’s dream, a safe little robot that quietly sweeps up the dirt in your home while you play computer games. A compact machine that senses when it’s hit the wall, and escapes on its own. A long lasting robotic vacuum that comes with “virtual walls” for you to delineate your home for vacuuming.
No longer a dream, hey I want one now! iRobot® Roomba® 4230 Scheduler Vacuuming Robot Bagless Vacuum Cleaner, up to 120 Minutes per 3 Hour Charge 
The reviews at Amazon.com give the iRoomba 4210 series the best rave reviews, but the thing isn’t in stock right now!
iRobot® Roomba® 4100 Intelligent Floorvac Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, Red 
also gets great reviews, plus it comes in a hot red color option.Â
The virtual wall idea is just sooo jet age. A small infrared beam keeps the robot from passing. You can then split up a large room, or confine Roomba to one room by putting up the virtual wall. Virtually cool.
Robotics in the home, here I come!
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11.29.04
Posted in Home Life Tips at 6:08 pm by site admin
A good friend of mine, who happened to be elderly, once told me that toothpaste made a very good silver polish. It’s non-toxic, cheap, and in fact it works fine for me. Never liking to keep too many different toxic cleansers around the house, this was a tip I really appreciated over the years.
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11.17.04
Posted in Home Life Tips at 6:03 am by site admin
With the first real rains, the kids hauled out their boots and jackets, still shunning umbrellas and scarves.
We’ve had a lot of sore throats already as the seasons change. Things that have helped against tonsillitis and sore throats in our home are:
Gargle daily with salt water — cheap, effective, can’t hurt, can help.
Extra vitamin C with a little bee propolis added — I use powdered vit. C dissolved in a bit of water, add the propolis extract, and then add some juice concentrate to hide it all. Ecchinacea is also very helpful.
Hot foot baths — Helps draw congestion away from the head. Learned that one in massage school, and the kids don’t mind it. Add some cider vinegar to help battle any athlete’s foot that may have tried to get into the house, too.
Lots of garlic — Just cook with it in everything.
Cheers!
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