Category: The most important DIY tips from Bayside

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Cuckoo clocks are unique creations that are centuries old. The first cuckoo clock was produced back in the early 18th century in Germany’s region known as the Black Forest. Clock making in this area of Germany dates back to the early 17th century, almost a full hundred years before clockmakers and craftsmen produced the very first cuckoo clock. The father of cuckoo clocks in believed to be the German clockmaker, Franz Anton Ketterer, although there are a great many stories an…

cuckoo clocks,clocks,cuckoos

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Cuckoo clocks are unique creations that are centuries old. The first cuckoo clock was produced back in the early 18th century in Germany’s region known as the Black Forest. Clock making in this area of Germany dates back to the early 17th century, almost a full hundred years before clockmakers and craftsmen produced the very first cuckoo clock. The father of cuckoo clocks in believed to be the German clockmaker, Franz Anton Ketterer, although there are a great many stories and lore revolving around this unique timepiece.

This early clock was thought to be inspired by a Bohemian design from the late early 1600s that came to Germany from a peddler from the modern day Czech Republic. This method of selling timepieces made the cuckoo clock even more famous, as clock makers all around the Black Forest area of Germany. In the next three centuries, peddlers would travel all around Europe selling these charming timepieces, further influencing different areas of Europe with the unique sound of the cuckoo clock.

Although the first cuckoo clocks were made of wood, they are a great deal simpler in style than the intricately decorated and heavily carved creations that are usually thought of to be cuckoo clocks. Instead of just the case being made of wood, early Germany clockmakers made every piece of the clock from wood, including the gears and other working parts. This is one of the reasons why these early clocks have fallen into disrepair or are completely lost. Furthermore, many of these early clocks were painted with watercolor paints, which do not have the potential to hold their pigments over time and are easily removed by simply cleaning the clock with a damp cloth.

Although these early clocks were more primitive than their modern day counterparts, they included the famous cuckoo bird instead of more traditional chimes to mark the hour. Native to Asia, Africa, and Europe, the cuckoo bird is a unique bird that lays their eggs in the nests of other birds, which in turn rear the cuckoo’s young as surrogate parents. This bird was commonly grey in color, although the female features a vibrant tuft of red feathers atop her head.

Also like today’s clocks, the early cuckoo clocks were decorated in schemes that showed families, military motifs, or hunting scenes. In the late 1800s, the production of cuckoo clocks became industrialized and began production for customers all over Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world. Soon, the cuckoo clock became immediately synonymous with Germany life and style, making the timepiece an incredibly popular souvenir. Three of the more famous clock makers in Germany began making cuckoo clocks, namely Theodore Ketterer, Fidel Hepting, and Johann Baptist Beha.

Unlike the industrialization in other parts of the world where large, noisy, dirty factories took over the countryside, the cuckoo clock factories were generally much smaller and housed in cottages where entire families would contribute one specific part of the clock. Each individual was trained in one aspect of clock making or decorating, with one family member working on the actual clock, another working on the case carving, another on painting the decorations, and another to completely assemble the piece. Over 13,500 men, women, and children worked in making cuckoo clocks during this period of time in the Black Forest village of Triberg.

Today, the cuckoo clock has made its way all over the world. Still made in many of the same traditions, the most historic cuckoo clocks are still produced in the Black Forest region. Whether you choose to decorate your home with a clock that houses the tiny bird or want a true German souvenir to remember your trip, a cuckoo clock is the perfect addition to any home.

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Hiring a contractor may sound like a simple task but if your not carefull you could be that “little old lady” that gets taken advantage of.

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If you own a home and have a project your thinking of, you may need a contractor, BUT you run a risk of being scammed by a fraudulent one. Contractor fraud in the home improvement industry is one of the most complained about industries at the Better Business Bureau. If you think fraud victims are just little old ladies, think again. Some unscrupulous contractors can be so clever that it makes them a hazard to all of us.

Be careful of the so-called “free” inspection or “my crew is in the neighborhood on another job”. They seem to have extra materials left over and want to offer you a great discounted price, so they offer a free inspection and guess what? You need work done! The chances are the materials aren’t the best, the workmanship is going to be shabby and the price he gives you will be so good you won’t be able to pass it up. Oh and I almost forgot, you probably don’t need any work done at all!

Things To Look For When Hiring A Contractor:
Check the contractor for a license and insurance
Get references of his previous jobs
Check with The Better Business Bureau for any complaints against his company
Get at least 3 estimates from other contractors

The good guys
The vast majority of home contractors are honest, reputable small-business owners who work hard to make sure that they do high quality work, use good materials. They are dedicated to your satisfaction and earnestly want to earn your recommendation. Many contractors are members of professional organizations or unions that actively work to weed out contractor scams and fraud.

By doing your part to protect yourself, you can prevent getting taken by clever, manipulative contractors.

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Before you add that deck or put in that new air conditioner, know how to avoid the common mistakes people make when hiring a home contractor.

home contractor, contractor, real estate

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Have you ever had a problem with a home contractor? You’re not alone. A friend of mine paid over seven thousand dollars to have his roof repaired, only to have it leak the next time it rained. The contractor made excuses, but never did a thing about it – and my friend was an attorney! To make situations like this less likely, avoid the following mistakes when hiring a contractor.

1. Not being clear about what you want. When you don’t know what you want, you might not like what you get. If you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract – and price – will change. Hint: it won’t get cheaper. Be clear on what you want done.

2. Not getting it in writing. Hearing “I didn’t say I was going to include the gutters,” could be a problem, or you could point to the contract.

3. No dates in the contract. Do you want the job finished this year? Be sure you have it in the contract.

4. Too much money up front. Deposits are a reasonable request when contracts are signed. The home contractor may need money for materials prior to the start date. But never pay in full before the job is finished.

5. Unlicensed contractors. This can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). A license doesn’t mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. Contractors will right their wrongs to avoid losing that license.

6. Hiring the first in the phone book. Talk to friends who had work done, or to the owner of a hardware store. Get a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.

7. Assuming there will be no problems. Delays due to weather, employees quitting, and more will happen. A few problems is okay, but it’s not okay if the contractor can’t work out the issues to your satisfaction.

8. Expecting neatness. Guess what? It is sometimes more efficient to leave things laying where they’ll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover up things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.

9. No penalties in the contract. It’s one thing for a contract to say “Work to be completed by May 2nd.” That helps, but it’s better to add, “$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd. It’s what I call a motivational clause.

10. Thinking contracts eliminate problems. Contracts help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or even use “literal readings” to make things worse. Find a home contractor you can work with, and keep your eyes open.

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Because kitchen design can be so highly specialized and complex it is a good idea to hire an independent kitchen designer before hiring a general contractor. Kitchen designers understand how a kitchen works.

kitchen design, kitchen remodeling, kitchen idea, kitchen planning

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The kitchen is probably one of the most important and complicated rooms (besides the bathroom) to design or remodel in a home. Few rooms see so much activity and also challenge designers with such an array of practical, technological, and esthetic considerations. A new kitchen can be an excellent investment in most homes, which is why it must be a well designed kitchen or it can become a financial liability. Whether it is a remodel or a completely new kitchen in a new home, designing a kitchen that meets the requirements of being functional, aesthetically pleasing and be within your budget is on easy task.

Because kitchen design can be so highly specialized and complex it is a good idea to hire an independent kitchen designer before hiring a general contractor. Contractors tend to lack sufficient design experience and creativity needed for good kitchen design.

Kitchen designers understand how a kitchen works. The kitchen designer can analyze the family’s lifestyle, interests in cooking and entertainment. The designer can ask questions, discuss needs and goals, appliance integration, and budget as well as considering ideas that the contractor or family members might not be able to come up with. By bringing in the kitchen designer early in the project it is possible to keep cost down considerably.

The kitchen designer while not having experience in engineering details can nevertheless assist with layout, choice of materials, and how the room will look and function. Because it is so easy to become overwhelmed by the number of available choices when it comes to design elements the kitchen designer is needed to help the homeowner when looking at design options such as, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. The certified kitchen designer is trained to take your concept and turn it into a workable vision. They can coordinate materials and color to the best effect and define the best space usage as well as assist in other aspects of the kitchen design project such as electrical, plumbing, structural, flooring, appliances and tile.

In hiring a kitchen designer it is important to look for one who is certified. To receive certification the kitchen designer must have seven years of hands-on experience as well as course instruction in room layout, storage planning, cabinet installation and lighting design. The designer must pass a series of test administered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). As members of NKBA, kitchen designers keep up with all of the latest design trends as well as the most recent developments in materials and techniques. They can draw up fully developed plans in compliance with the NKBA’s kitchen planning standards.

Most kitchen designers will have either be affiliated with a showroom or have an extensive portfolio to show off their work. They can manage an entire remodeling project, or just provide design services only. They have the ability to be able to create a warm, pleasant, interesting kitchen design and at the same time solve problems having to do with storage capacity, accessibility, functionality, ventilation, and lighting.

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Ready to add that extra bedroom, or get the roof replaced? Avoid the common mistakes People make when hiring a contractor.

hiring a contractor,contractor,real estate

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A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.

1. Not knowing what you want. If you don’t know what you want, you might not like what you get. Also, if you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract – and price – have changed (Hint: it won’t get cheaper). Know clearly what you want done.

2. Not getting everything in writing. You don’t want to hear, “I didn’t say I was going to include the gutters.”

3. Not having dates in the contract. Did you want it finished this year? You better have it in the contract.

4. Paying too much up front. A deposit may be a reasonable request when the contract is signed, and money for materials prior to the start date. Never pay in full before the job is finished.

5. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Actually, this can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). The license doesn’t mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. A contractor will right his wrongs to avoid losing that license.

6. Hiring the first one in the phone book. Ask friends who had work done, or the owner of a hardware store. Find a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.

7. Thinking there will be no problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it’s not okay if the contractor can’t work out the issues to your satisfaction.

8. Expecting neatness. Believe it or not, it is sometimes efficient to leave things laying where they’ll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.

9. Not having penalties in the contract. This is important on large jobs. It’s one thing to say “Work to be completed by May 2nd,” but better to add, “$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd.” That’s what I call a motivational clause.

10. Thinking contracts will prevent problems. They help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or use “literal readings” to make things even worse. Find someone you can work with, and keep your eyes open.

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When you live in a small space such as an apartment or suite, every bit of living space counts. We’re seeing new, creative storage solutions in the marketplace and the Fu-Chest is one of the most creative and elegant solutions I’ve seen in some time.

fu-chest,fuchest,furniture,hideaway beds,shopping,shopping online,organize,space saving tips

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What is a Fu-Chest? It’s a full length bed that folds and stores itself into what looks like an elegant chest of drawers. It’s a hideaway bed for the decor conscious! When the bed is stored away you see a chest of drawers, but it’s actually a faux chest containing your hideaway bed.

This innovative “hideaway bed” pulls out neatly to rest on a raised wooden platform. The sleep experience is comfortable with the mattress being fairly thick and cozy. The sturdy platform is a great feature to keep your guests off the floor. This gives them a more comfortable sleep time, just what every host or hostess strives for.

The Fu-Chest mattress is a B-fold innerspring mattress, or you can purchase a specially designed futon mattress that will work just as well and it’s normally available at a lower price.

Designs of the faux chest include both contemporary and traditional pieces with handsome hardware in both light wood pieces and darker wood. There surely is a good match available for your current decor. If you’d like something that also provides some storage space, look for designs that include a usable storage drawer. When not in use, the top shelf can also be used to display collectibles or books, whatever you like.

I find the Fu-Chest is a terrific option for those who wish to offer their guests a cozy bed to sleep on, but don’t have the space for a permanent guest bed. It keeps guests off the floor and on a comfy mattress. If you have space concerns yet need something for guests to sleep on, consider a Fu-Chest. I find it to be a worthwhile investment for those who need a guest bed but don’t have the space for one.

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Leather flooring is one of the most luxurious and decadent flooring imaginable. Walk bare-foot and the surface immediately adjusts to your body temperature. It feels warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

flooring, floor options, leather tiles, leather tiles installations

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Leather flooring is one of the most luxurious and decadent flooring imaginable. Walk bare-foot and the surface immediately adjusts to your body temperature. It feels warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also, never loses that wonderful, pleasing leather scent. Over time, the increased wear creates the appearance of rich patina, or the look that gives leather its unique character.

Leather tiles are available in a myriad of earthy colors as well as custom shades, inlay, laser engraving and embossing. They are approximately 1/8″ thick and come in all sizes. Go for the standard 12″x12″, 24″x24″ or go for decorative borders, inserts, herringbone patters or custom layouts. Design choices are limited only by your imagination.

In addition to flooring, leather makes a luxurious covering for wall paneling or even crown molding. The styles range from traditional and sophisticated, to modern and contemporary.

Leather tiles work well in most areas of the house, adding a rich and inviting feel to a dining room or living room. They create a warm and relaxing atmosphere in a sitting room or library, and work well in media rooms because leather is great for sound control. The comfort of walking barefoot on these floors makes it a popular choice for the bedroom. Installation in the kitchen or bathroom is not suggested, due to the large amount of moisture, and harsh cleaners the tiles would be subjected to.

Maintenance

When first installed, the tiles require an initial coating of paste wax followed by two or three coats of bowling alley wax. It’s very important to apply the paste wax first or you may get a white haze on the leather. Subsequent tile maintenance is fairly easy; consisting of a regular dry dust mopping and intermittent damp mopping for general cleaning. Spills should be wiped up immediately to avoid any build of moisture for an extended period of time.

Things to avoid

Never wax leather wall tiles.

Refrain from using abrasive cleaners, soap, furniture polish, varnish, solvent, ammonia products, or wax containing a high concentration of Carnauba.

Never place rubber backed or non-ventilated rugs, rug padding or mats on top of the leather.

Exposing the tiles to direct sunlight for extended periods of time may cause fading or color variations.

Installation
Leather tiles can be glued to any wood or concrete surface. Painted or treated floors need to be sanded or roughed up prior to installation to ensure the glue will adhere to the surface. Floors need to be clean, level, with any cracks filled and sanded. Just one grain of sand will surface under the tile, making it appear larger.

The glue should be a non-flammable water based adhesive applied to both the back of the tile and the floor. Once it has dried to the touch, it can be pressed in place. Leather tiles are prone to curling and shrinkage, so it’s imperative the tiles are stuck extremely tight.

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As more kids enjoy the warm weather with a dip in the pool, it’s important for parents to be on guard against one of the leading causes of accidental death in children: drowning.

Hidden Hazards In Pools And Hot Tubs

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As more kids enjoy the warm weather with a dip in the pool, it’s important for parents to be on guard against one of the leading causes of accidental death in children: drowning. Fortunately, there are a number of ways parents can keep their kids safe-and new legislation may help. The legislation will encourage states to require protection-such as fencing and devices that reduce drain suction-around pools and hot tubs.

Every year there are 2,400 pool-related drownings from various causes among kids aged 1 to 14. Many parents do not realize that one of the most alarming dangers to children in pools and hot tubs is drain entrapment, which occurs when a child’s body or hair gets attached to an underwater drain in a pool or hot tub.

Drowning is the biggest accidental-injury related cause of death among children 1 to 4 in the U.S. It is the second biggest killer of children ages 1 to 14. In 2002 alone, 838 children died as a result of accidental drowning-enough children to fill a small primary school.

Safe Kids Worldwide, with help from Johnson & Johnson, works to teach families how to prevent drain entrapment. They offer these tips:

• Warn children about the dangers of drain entrapment and teach them to stay away from the drain.

• Install equipment to prevent entrapment if you own a pool or hot tub. Protective measures include anti-entrapment drain covers, multiple drains in new construction and a device to automatically release the suction and shut down the pump, should entrapment occur.

• Actively supervise children around water and have a phone nearby to call for help in an emergency.

• Ensure your pool has four-sided fencing. It is estimated that proper installation and use of four-sided fencing could prevent 50 to 90 percent of all childhood residential swimming pool drownings or near drownings. Also use a self-closing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised. Hot tubs should be covered and locked when not in use.

• Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised.

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Wallpaper varies greatly in its material content, which helps determine how a paper looks and how it handles.

wallpaper

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Wallpaper varies greatly in its material content, which helps determine how a paper looks and how it handles. Vinyl wallpaper are popular because they are durable, fairly easy to install, and easy to maintain. There are fabric-backed vinyl, paper-backed vinyl, and ones designed to look like a three dimensional surface, such as plaster, granite, or grass cloth, which are suitable for walls that aren’t perfectly smooth.

Fabric wallpaper is usually made of cotton, linen, or other natural plant fibers, such as grass-cloth, hemp, or burlap. Most textiles fray easily and are not washable. Solid paper wall coverings include hand-screened papers, foils, flocked papers with textured patterns, and murals. Both textile and paper wallpapers should be installed by professionals. Thinking beyond wallpaper covering, the possibility of stone, ceramic tile, wood, and metal is different materials that can cover walls too.

To determine how much wallpaper to buy, measure the height and width of each wall using a steel tape measure. Round up to the nearest foot. Multiply the height and width of each wall, and then add the figures together to get the rough square footage. How a room is used will help you determine what wall coverings are most suitable. Get a sample or one rolls and looks at it in the room with your other furnishings and samples to compare there different pattern and texture.

When it comes to wall-coverings choices, you may want to think outside the box, as they say, and consider new materials as well as traditional materials used in new and different ways. Think about new places to use them, such as decorative tile in the dining room or wood in the bathroom. You might choose an elegant linen or flocked paper for the living room. Either kind of paper texture will add richness to a room.

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Consider the style, size, and shape of the window, and what you want the curtains for. Think about the room, its proportions and what it’s used for, the upholstery, and accessories.

Curtains

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Consider the style, size, and shape of the window, and what you want the curtains for. Think about the room, its proportions and what it’s used for, the upholstery, and accessories. Curtains can be hung from rods in a number of ways. Although most are functional rather than stylish, some decorative types are available. The right choice will not only enhance the window but also turn an ordinary room into a really special place.

Here are ten household helpful hints for choosing curtains:

1. Match curtain fabric with upholstery to unify space that seems untidy.

2. Use carpet to mark off space. A rug is ideal for establishing a social zone within a room.

3. Fabrics with classic patterns give a period feeling to the ambience of a room.

4. Remember that the bed linen, tablecloths, and towels also contribute to decoration.

5. Sheer curtain and gauze enable us to filter light.

6. Venetian blinds allow control over the amount of light entering a room.

7. Do not limit curtains and blinds to just windows. They can be used in an excessively long passage or hallway. Blinds make good screens.

8. In rooms with a lot of pictures, different colored walls, or furniture, it is suitable to use neutral tones for the curtains and upholstery.

9. Take advance of fabrics by using them to renovate your furniture.

10. Use rugs and tapestries as hanging on a wall. Their color and texture are unbeatable and they improve acoustics.