Staining Reveals Wood’s Personality-And Yours

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Natural wood is widely considered one of the most appealing looks for a home. The possibilities it offers to create individual expressions are nearly limitless.


Staining Reveals Wood’s Personality-And Yours

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Natural wood is widely considered one of the most appealing looks for a home. The possibilities it offers to create individual expressions are nearly limitless.

The personal satisfaction of interior staining is simple to understand. The process is also easy. It doesn’t take a lot of materials or technical expertise. It’s inexpensive and the rewards are great for a modest investment of time.

Today, the popularity of flea market bargain hunting amplifies the value of staining. When that perfect piece of furniture is found with an unsightly coat of chipped paint masking its beauty, an afternoon staining session can transform an ugly-duckling piece into a family treasure.

Often, the natural beauty of wood is hidden under paint or disguised by years of use. With just the right stain, you can turn a seemingly ordinary piece of furniture into a treasured possession. “Consumers can now choose a look that fits their personality, the room or both,” says Khristine Selelyo, marketing manager for Olympic Stains.

If the wood has been covered before, a stripper or wood refinisher may be necessary to remove old paint, varnish or unwanted stain. These products are readily available in the interior stain sections of hardware and home-improvement stores. You’ll also need:

• Natural bristle brushes

• Soft, lint-free cloth

• Sandpaper

• Stirring device

• Latex or vinyl gloves

• Mineral spirits/paint thinner

• Drop cloths

The process of applying stain is relatively unchanged from its historical beginnings. Work the stain into the wood using a brush, foam applicator or lint-free rag. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the deeper it will penetrate, and the darker the resulting color.

Once your exact color is achieved, it’s time to protect that beautiful finish with a covering of polyurethane. There are options in polyurethane, including an oil-based topcoat for a warm, golden tone or a water-based option for a clear, shiny finish. Either way, it’s always best to protect your interior staining projects with a polyurethane finish.

Stains today come in a wide variety of colors. Selecting just the right color used to be a process of trial and error for the do-it-yourselfer. Now, in addition to considering lighting and what the object will be seen with, you can try a color out before you make a commitment. Thanks to new convenient trial size samples of Olympic Interior Stains, you can test the various colors to select the exact finish you’re looking for without purchasing a stain that may not be right for your project. Keep in mind that it’s important to look at an object throughout the day, as different light conditions will give it a different look.

Beds and How to Track Down the Correct Model

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There are many types of beds to choose from so locating the right model can sometimes be difficult, the secret is to try and get some advice before hand and this will serve you well.


beds,furniture,home,waterbeds,tempur pedic

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If you are getting something like a king air bed it does not always mean buying from a bed or bedding targeted site, lets imagine you are living in Wisconsin for instance, a bed directory should be able to give you relevant contact details of closely situated bed supplier who should hopefully be able to help you to find the bed you need.

The way to find out if a bed portal will hopefully be able to help you with your selected bed search, pretend for a moment a wood bunk bed is your particular item, is to find out if the website contains a targeted bed directory and a good quantity of bed write ups, if this is the case and it does contain such things your search for a bed will be easy, if on the other hand the site is focused on a general home improvement subject you will probably not get your desired bed related info.

Most online interior design research can uncover a vast number of items, lots of bed sites will often have a whole load of merchandise, this might often be truly overpowering, heavy duty bed frames, black iron beds, there are so many products to choose from nowadays, it might then be difficult to decide the best product to buy.

If you will be purchasing something like a king air bed it will not always mean buying from a bed or home furnishing associated website, say you are residing in Mississippi for instance, a bed internet directory should be able to provide you with the relevant contact info of regional bed suppliers who might just be able to help you to find the bed you need.

For good calibre bed data a site that is managed by somebody like a bed manufacturer will certainly be perfect, Some of the many interior design newsgroups and blogs may also be wonderful resources for discovering good quality bed tips and information, these type of places may easily answer some thoroughly precise questions concerning items such as wood and iron canopy beds or wood loft beds.

The area of beds can often be pretty confusing but the primary concern is to try to stick with the item you initially meant to purchase, you should not set out hunting for water bed pumps but end up buying canopy bamboo bed frames, this is easily done if you get sidetracked.

Before you contemplate any bed purchase be sure that the bedding merchant you could be buying your product from gives you the opinion that getting a refund and merchandise returns will not turn out to be a hassle, switching or part exchanging a wrought iron sleigh bed for a twin full futon bunk bed must never turn into a real issue.

The bed specialists will be able to offer you some prime niche info on issues such as getting the lowest price on metal futon bunk beds and how to get the right merchandise guarantee while buying a bed, such bed assistance will surely make sure you order the best items for your needs.

Fireplace Safety Issues and Tips to Help Prevent Accidents

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Safety begins even before you install your fireplace. There are a number of different styles and types fireplaces on the market, some are not considered as safe as others. Here is short list of safety issues you should be aware of.


fireplaces, gas fireplaces

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Safety begins even before you install your fireplace. There are a number of different styles and types fireplaces on the market, some are not considered as safe as others. As an example, ventless or vent free gas fireplaces are not approved in Canada, and have limited approval in the United States. Where and how you install your fireplace could also be a safety issue if not done correctly. Installation of the firebox and or vent system to close to the wood studs or other combustible materials could pose a fire hazard.

Here is short list of safety issues you should be aware of. Before you operate your fireplace for the first time, have it inspected and carefully read the owners manual. Clean away any dust or debris that may have accumulated during construction i.e. wood chips or drywall dust may harm the motor, burners or the fan. Make sure your fire detector is operating properly and also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace.

Wait 5 minutes before attempting to light the pilot light if it goes out, this helps to ensure any gas that may be in the air will have dissipated. Keep children from getting to close to the fireplace when it is being used, skin or clothing can easily burn if pressed against the glass face. Before cleaning or wiping down the fireplace ensure that it has completely cooled off. Also make a point of regularly checking the outside area around the vent to make sure there is no build up of debris.

If you suspect anything is wrong with the way your fireplace is operating it is best to act quickly and contact the gas company or your fireplace supplier and have it looked at immediately. Things to be aware of include; any unusual odors, or if the flames appear to jumping or sputtering in an unusual manner. Any maintenance on either the venting system or firebox should be done by a qualified professional. I recommend you keep a detailed record of all inspections and service work that is done on your fireplace, it may also be a good idea to keep all receipts, warranty and all related paperwork in one folder for ease of reference.

Spring Cleaning Tips To Make The Job A Little Easier

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Spring-cleaning can seem like such a chore. You spend all day, or even a few days getting the entire house sparkly clean. As a busy mom, you will appreciate some of these cleaning tips that will make the job a little easier and faster. You’ll have more time to enjoy the nice spring weather outside.

Start out by taking a quick look through your cleaning supplies a few days before the big spring clean. Make sure you have plenty of paper towels and cleaning rags. If your mo…


spring cleaning

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Spring-cleaning can seem like such a chore. You spend all day, or even a few days getting the entire house sparkly clean. As a busy mom, you will appreciate some of these cleaning tips that will make the job a little easier and faster. You’ll have more time to enjoy the nice spring weather outside.

Start out by taking a quick look through your cleaning supplies a few days before the big spring clean. Make sure you have plenty of paper towels and cleaning rags. If your mop or broom is really worn out, this is a great time to invest in a new one. Check all bottles and containers of cleaning supplies that you like to use and see if you have plenty of them. There’s nothing worse than having to clean yourself up during your big spring cleaning to run to the store for a new bottle of Windex.

Get everyone in the family to spend some time with you the day before the big spring cleaning to pick up around the house. You don’t want to spend time picking up toys or washing dishes the next day.

Get up early and put on some comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Dress all the way down to your shoes and put your hair up. Take a few minutes to gather all your cleaning supplies and get going.

Tackle one room at a time. This works much better than trying to do 10 things at once. It will also give you a great sense of accomplishment to see each clean room.

Start at the top and work your way down. Use a broom or a mop with a soft cloth wrapped around it to get any spider webs and dust out of the ceiling corners. Dust the light fixtures. Keep working your way down cleaning counters, windows and windowsills, furniture. Finish by dusting the baseboards and giving the carpets a good vacuuming. Take the time to vacuum under the bed and move furniture to clean the floor under it whenever possible.

When you get to the bathrooms, start by spraying some all purpose or bathroom cleaner on all the appliances, especially anything that may have some build up on it, like the soap dish in the shower. Pour some Clorox in the toilet. Allow the cleaner to soak in while you get started on the ceiling, windows and counters. By the time you get around to the sink, shower and toilet, all you need to do is wiping them down and give the inside of the toilet a quick scrub with the brush.

Make sure you take some breaks, and drink plenty of water. Cleaning is a touch job. When you are done, enjoy a long shower, put on some clean clothes and put up your feet. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and get some rest. You deserve it.

The Quick And Easy Guide To Kitchen Cabinets

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I’ve got a confession to make. I am a construction (for lack of a better word) idiot. We all have those friends who’s eyes light up whenever the word construction or the phrase “home repair” pops up. I’m not one of them. They can tell you that a screw of 5/8th length isn’t what you need; you need “4 1 by 8s!” Of course. As far as kitchen cabinets go, they know the game inside and out.

Listen to them and you can’t go wrong. But, if you don’t have one of those hardware nuts …


kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinet

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I’ve got a confession to make. I am a construction (for lack of a better word) idiot. We all have those friends who’s eyes light up whenever the word construction or the phrase “home repair” pops up. I’m not one of them. They can tell you that a screw of 5/8th length isn’t what you need; you need “4 1 by 8s!” Of course. As far as kitchen cabinets go, they know the game inside and out.

Listen to them and you can’t go wrong. But, if you don’t have one of those hardware nuts in your life, here’s a few tips on buying kitchen cabinets for your home. The process really isn’t much different than shopping for a new pair of pants or item for your home. An informed consumer always wins:

1) Look online. Guess what? You don’t have to buy everything you see online. Ebay is a great place to shop regardless and sometimes they actually have people that are selling kitchen cabinets. Watch the sales (using the ‘watch this item’ function in MyEbay) to get a good idea for how much things are selling for. You will find that good deals aren’t that hard to come by on Ebay and that you can gauge the market for kitchen cabinets and other home repair items after watching for a few weeks.

2) Use free stuff. Like free courses and free resources. Home Depot is excellent at providing their customers free info on buying their products and fixing their homes up. Just ask one of your friendly Home Depot reps to give you the heads up on when the next cabinet course is going to be (if they have them). Also, there are myriad websites explaining the ins and outs to kitchen cabinet buying and what to look out for. There are some things to keep in mind when buying kitchen cabinets. Do them wrong and you could miss out on some seriously good deals.

TR Safe Cleaning With Ladder Use Tips

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Fall and spring are the two seasons closely associated to annual general cleaning and house maintenance. For gutter cleaning or window washing, ladders are the basic tools people reach for to start their cleaning chores. It doesn’t matter if you use wood ladders, giant ladders, fiberglass ladders, or any super ladder out in the market. These ladders’ structure and material may reduce your risk of being unstable and falling but only just. They are indispensable tools, but can …


house cleaning, house maintenance, ladder safety, ladders, fiberglass ladders, giant ladders

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Installing stairlifts

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Information on installing a domestic stair lift.


stairlifts, stair lift, lifts, installing

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Installing a stairlift into the home is a complex and skilled task and should only be tackled by a trained professional who will ensure a correct fit and user safety.

A stairlift basically consists of two elements;

1) The Track -Straight or Curved rail leading up the stairs.
2) The Powered Chair – Comprising of a seat, footrest, armrests and control unit mounted on the track.

Prior to instillation the majority of stair lift companies will complete a survey to evaluate the environment that the stairlift will be fitted prior to confirming the final quotation.

As part of this survey the engineer will assess the condition of the stairs as the track or rail will be secured to it and so will be subject to the weight of stairlift and the user.

If the stairs are sound the first stage of an installation is to lay the track on the side of the stairs which offers the best access and user experience (normally discussed with customer during the site survey). A track is normally fixed to the stairs by using brackets screwed directly into the stair tread (the top of the stair). The track can be supported entirely by brackets or rest on the stairs themselves depending on the make and model. A track is normally supplied by the manufacture in smaller sections which are connected by the engineer to complete the installation.

When the track has been successfully installed the motor is generally installed next and the wiring work is completed.

Finally the seat is simply attached to the track and the motor and the stairlift will be ready for testing by the engineer.

A curved stairlift causes a more intensive installation as the track is required to follow the curves of the wall. Generally curved stairlifts are considerably more expensive to purchase due to increased installation time and more complex engineering required within the product.

A standard straight stairlift can normally be fitted in 1-2 hours depending on specification.

A New Way Sports Fans Can Show Their Loyalty

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A lot of sports fans support their favorite teams by wearing hats or uniforms with logos, colors and even mascots on them. If you’re looking for additional ways to show your team spirit, how about painting a room with the exact colors of your favorite team?


A New Way Sports Fans Can Show Their Loyalty

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A lot of sports fans support their favorite teams by wearing hats or uniforms with logos, colors and even mascots on them. If you’re looking for additional ways to show your team spirit, how about painting a room with the exact colors of your favorite team?

“Sports fans have a special connection to the colors of their favorite teams,” said sport psychologist Dr. Joel Fish, director, Center for Sport Psychology in Philadelphia and an expert in fan behavior. “Paint is another easy way for fans to bring their teams home with them.”

To help fans showcase their passion for and support of their favorite teams, The Home Depot now offers a new sports-themed paint program called “Team Colors.” Through this program, customers can purchase paint in the exact colors of their favorite professional and college sports teams-even including NASCAR.

Here are a few tips on how to add your team’s colors to any room of the house:

• Select a feature wall in an area, usually one without doors or windows, to use as a focal point in a room. This wall could be perfect for accenting. The remaining walls may be painted a neutral color for a contrast with the colorful wall.

• Additional color may be incorporated with furniture painted and accented with color, or with accessories such as lamp bases, fabrics for throws or pillows.

• If your team’s colors include metallics such as silver or bronze, incorporate additional items such as picture frames or chairs.

Created in partnership with ICI Paints and the Glidden Brand, Team Colors are available exclusively at The Home Depot stores nationwide.

Home Decorating: Kitchen on a Budget

Decorating a home can be a trying thing to do with the best of budgets. The fact that you do not happen to have large lots of money lying around however should not prevent you from having a lovely kitchen to call your own. The kitchen is after all, the heart of any home and you want this room to be one that invites everyone to come, congregate, and pitch in (one can always dream right?). This is the reason that you want your kitchen to shine above all other rooms in your home though. The kitchen should radiate warmth and home to all who enter.

Truthfully speaking there are many things you can do in your kitchen that will greatly impact the overall look of your kitchen without changing anything structurally within your kitchen. If you have wallpaper, remove it and try paint. There are all kinds of great things you can do in the kitchen from plaster, which goes amazingly well in a kitchen, to faux finishes and textures, and glazes for added impact. The walls in the kitchen are your canvas and the world is at your disposal. Just remember to try to tie the walls into the floors and cabinets or at the very least to the floors and cabinets you hope to have in your kitchen someday.

In addition to painting the walls in your kitchen you may also want to consider painting, staining, or antiquing your cabinets. I know that some jaws just dropped to the keyboard. How dare I suggest such a thing as painting wooden cabinets? The answer is simple really. It is much cheaper than replacing them and much simpler than staining them. Really it boils down to a matter of choice. My first choice wouldn’t be painting but then again, there are times when painting is a viable option. It will greatly change the overall appearance of the kitchen if nothing else.

Moving right along. Another great change that isn’t terribly expensive to make in the kitchen is hardware. The simple act of changing the door handles and drawer pulls on your kitchen cabinet can result in an almost instant facelift. When these changes are combined with painted or stained cabinetry the effects are nothing short of stunning in many cases. It’s the little things that often have the greatest impact so keep this in mind when planning your changes.

The floors of your kitchen are another rather inexpensive change that can be made despite preconceptions. Keep in mind that you do not have to go top of the line in order to enjoy huge changes in the appearance of your floors. There are laminate floors that are rather inexpensive to install as well as many forms of peel and stick tile that can bring about impressive results for very little effort and without professional skills. Any floors that you are capable of installing yourself will save a lot of money and can make a huge difference in the appearance and your enjoyment of your kitchen.

Perhaps the biggest coup of all when it comes to changing the appearance of your kitchen is the ability to apply stainless steel PVC contact paper to your kitchen appliances in order to give them the instant appearance of stainless steel. This is a very inexpensive method for updating the overall appearance of your kitchen in a matter of minutes and at a cost less than that of replacing one appliance. For your countertops an inexpensive and terribly disruptive alternative to replacing them all together is to apply peel and stick tile over your existing countertops.

As you can see there are many ways in which you can improve and enhance the warmth and coziness that you want your kitchen to convey without shattering the piggy bank in the process. More importantly, you should keep in mind that taking on one project at a time allows you to make the adjustments in your own time and as finances allow.

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