Ceiling Medallions, Crown Molding, and Ceiling Domes: 3 Ways to Add Elegance and Beauty to Any Room

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Ceilings are an often neglected area of the room when it comes time to redecorate. There are so many things that you can do too, that are inexpensive, yet provide the simple elegance that speaks to your style. Choose decorative ceiling medallions, crown molding, ceiling domes, rosettes, or panel molding, just to name a few. Three of my favorite ways to accent a ceiling: ceiling medallions, ceiling domes, and crown molding.


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I want to draw attention to your ceiling. Take a look at it. Ceilings are an often neglected area of the room when it comes time to redecorate (or repair). There are so many things that you can do too, that are inexpensive, yet provide the simple elegance that speaks to your style. Choose decorative ceiling medallions, crown molding, ceiling domes, rosettes, or panel molding, just to name a few. Three of my favorite ways to accent a ceiling: ceiling medallions, ceiling domes, and crown molding.

One of the easiest and least time-consuming projects is the installation of a ceiling medallion. Although in the past they were made from plaster, today these decorative ornaments are made of lightweight polyurethane foam. This makes them much easier to handle. Ceiling medallions are used to draw attention to chandeliers and light fixtures, or to enhance crown molding. They can also be combined with a rosette and used to decorate an otherwise plain ceiling. You can use these architectural ornaments as wall decorations. Use several small ones in the hallway. Ceiling medallions are versatile and come in many styles and sizes. They can be painted to match any room. Ceiling medallions are one of the most popular architectural details.

Ceiling domes are similar to ceiling medallions in that they can transform any room into a work of art. However, they are larger and actually recessed into the ceiling, necessitating that they be planned for at the time of construction. Ceiling domes effectively enhance a foyer, dining room, living room, or even the bathroom.

Crown molding, also referred to as crown moulding, or cornice, is probably THE most important architectural element used to define any interior space. Most of today’s interior designers agree that every room benefits from the use of crown molding treatment. Crown molding smoothes the transition from wall to ceiling and does much to define the architectural style of a room. The size and style of crown molding used may vary widely, from a simple cove in a farmhouse kitchen to a large built-up cornice in a grand entry.

These are just a few of the architectural designs and accents you can use to enhance the overall experience of all who enter into your home. Just don’t forget the ceiling!

Alternative Home Designs – Atriums

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Building a home for yourself is the American Dream. For some people, it is important to build something unique.


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Building a home for yourself is the American Dream. For some people, it is important to build something unique.

Alternative Home Designs

You’ve worked your rear end off and reached a financial status where you can do some dreaming. One dream is to buy some land and build a home on it. You’ve found the perfect plot, and now you’re wondering about different styles of homes. Here are some alternative designs to get the creative thoughts flowing.

A very unique home design is the atrium home. An atrium home is designed to emphasize an open middle area, not an exterior appearance. If you’ve been to Europe, you’ve seen this design in larger cities. You’ll be walking down a street lined with bland looking windows. You pop into one of the buildings to find a bathroom and it is like entering another world. The exterior of the building is no great shakes, but the interior is a slice of atrium heaven with an open area covered in a lattice or left wide open. The interior is a collection of sitting areas, plants and perhaps small pools for fish. Not a bad idea, eh?

Taking the design to its full scope, the home is designed…underground. The design can be done in a variety of ways, but it is built below ground to take advantage of geothermal concepts. The primary idea is to use the constant temperature of the ground to regulate the climate in the home. The top of the roof is flush with the level of the ground and everything else is below level. For practically purposes, picture an oasis in the desert, but dug into the ground.

In these modern times, the below ground design has some excellent energy options. You can put solar panels across the top of the roof to generate power and most people will be none the wiser. By being out of the wind, you also cut down on wasted energy.

Going below ground with your atrium home is a pool of creative opportunity. As long as you take care of drainage issues, the design parameters are pretty much wide open.

When space is at a premium or privacy is vital, atrium homes are often the answer. In a large city, an atrium design can help you create an oasis from the noise and madness of daily life.

Top 2 Ways To Get A Good Deal On A New Hardwood Floor

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Be honest, are you one of those people who has more time than money? Me too. When I wanted to put a new hardwood floor in my house I didn’t rush about and just start throwing tens of thousands of dollars at any contractor that offered their services to me. What I needed to do was put in the hours and find out how people go about getting good deals on their new hardwood floor installation.

1) Look for ‘contractor sales’ at places like Home Depot and Lowe’s. This is a great…


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Be honest, are you one of those people who has more time than money? Me too. When I wanted to put a new hardwood floor in my house I didn’t rush about and just start throwing tens of thousands of dollars at any contractor that offered their services to me. What I needed to do was put in the hours and find out how people go about getting good deals on their new hardwood floor installation.

1) Look for ‘contractor sales’ at places like Home Depot and Lowe’s. This is a great little tip that we’re able to come up with through a little research. The real question is whether these are really ‘contractor’ sales or whether they are closer to ‘extra inventory’ sales which are used to get people into the stores to buy other products. Guess what? Who cares? Discount sales are your friends no matter how they are labeled. The bigger discount you can get on your new hardwood floors, the better. Use these sales to your advantage and call the stores directly to find out when they are being held. In fact, if you are lucky, you might even be able to convince the store workers to tell you when the next sale is.

2) Read up on “discount hardwood floors” on the web. A couple fantastic sites to check out are Google.paving and Askthebuilder.paving. The first being a very powerful search engine and the second being a sort of massive data warehouse for all things related to home building. There are literally a ton of different data options available for people who are looking for discount hardwood floors. In fact, just because something is discount doesn’t necessarily mean that it is of substandard quality. It just means that you are getting a better deal than anyone else. Discount is your friend when shopping for anything including different parts of your house. Make sure you know all about the discount aspect of hardwood floors.

TR Solar Power for Post Lighting

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Solar energy is all around us, but most people don’t notice it. For instance, the power source for many emergency phones on freeways is powered by it. This brings us the subject of solar post lights.


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Leather Is A Great Choice In Your Decor

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Are you tired of waiting for your children to grow up so you can finally let go of your tired, worn couch? Have a real dining room set? Or even lighter toned furnishings?

If you thought that having a family meant putting your decorating skills and ideas on the back burner then you just haven’t been opening your eyes to the stylish ideas designers use to liven up their own homes and their client’s homes, even with children (and pets) around!

CHOOSING MATERIALS

Choo…

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Are you tired of waiting for your children to grow up so you can finally let go of your tired, worn couch? Have a real dining room set? Or even lighter toned furnishings?

If you thought that having a family meant putting your decorating skills and ideas on the back burner then you just haven’t been opening your eyes to the stylish ideas designers use to liven up their own homes and their client’s homes, even with children (and pets) around!

CHOOSING MATERIALS

Choosing the right material can make all the difference when furnishing a home for a family.

Have you always loved leather? Well it’s not only great for minor spills that are quickly wiped off, it also wears well, even gaining a beautiful patina with time and use. Leather does not collect pet hair as a cloth couch or chair would, and crumbs and dirt will wipe off easily.

If you prefer fabric upholstery, think of luxurious Ultrasuede. Sophisticated enough for even the most formal rooms, it looks belie the easy care of the material. You won’t deal with fading or staining the way you are accustomed to with cotton, and many stains will come off quite easily with a damp cloth.

Do you have real ruffians running around? You can always count on slipcovers if you need to. Many decorators have used white or cream slipcovers to good effect, although you may consider a stripe or other pattern to disguise everyday wear. And because you can clean them thoroughly by removing them you do not have to be too concerned about occasional messes.

Slipcovers also work well on fancy dining room chairs and can be removed for adult-only dinner parties.

Try to stay away from delicate materials like silks or velvets which stain easily and are difficult to clean.

SAFE CHOICES

If you have small children you may also consider choosing soft furnishings, like ottomans, to replace hazards such as hard edged coffee tables.

Area rugs can be great for keeping light colored carpets in good shape, but be certain they rest flat so children are not prone to trip over them. Selecting heavy rugs or using a special padding underneath to reduce movement would be especially recommended when using rugs on hard, slippery surfaces.

When choosing wood furnishings, light or dark, be sure it has a protective clear coat so that marks and spills do not ruin the finish.

PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH THEIR OWN SPACE

Would your children really mind an ‘adult’ space in the home? If you make most of the home child-friendly, then it is not outside of reason to create one area specifically for adult entertaining or relaxing. Giving children a small area within the adult room where they can read books or sit at a small table for quiet games will teach them to respect and take care of nice things. This, along with making reasonable choices for the rest of the home, allows all in the family to enjoy their surroundings and each other.

Do I Really Need A Concrete Grinder

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There are many different types of concrete grinders on the market. What you plan to do with a concrete grinder will have a lot to do with whether you need one and how you will use it.

A concrete grinder is used for a number of reasons such as removing things like paint spills, glue, imperfections in concrete work, smoothing uneven surfaces, removing formwork seams or protrusions. Each concrete grinder has built-in features and can be used for some or any of the above appli…


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There are many different types of concrete grinders on the market. What you plan to do with a concrete grinder will have a lot to do with whether you need one and how you will use it.

A concrete grinder is used for a number of reasons such as removing things like paint spills, glue, imperfections in concrete work, smoothing uneven surfaces, removing formwork seams or protrusions. Each concrete grinder has built-in features and can be used for some or any of the above applications. One of the most important features to look for when deciding to purchase or use a concrete grinder is a dust collector or vacuum. The reason this is so important is because you will lessen the amount of dust you are breathing in and have less mess after the job is completed, making clean up a lot quicker. Most models should have a dust collector, even small hand held concrete grinders.

Some of the types of concrete grinders available are:

*Shrouded concrete grinder with vacuum. This particular grinder is used for cleaning of planning and removal of glues and paints from concrete work. It is also ideal for smoothing uneven surfaces. The three different sizes available are 5, 7 and 10 inch models. A dust vacuum is used to stop dust and help remove debris while you are working.

*Heavy-duty grinders. 7-inch heavy duty angle grinders for concrete applications are made especially for concrete work. They are mainly used for removing blemishes or cleaning the concrete surface. Make sure there is a dust collection device included with the model.

*5-inch concrete surface grinder. This model will refurbish and deburr concrete, remove irregularities, form-work seams and any protrusions. There is a built in dust chute with most models that will remove dust and debris. This type of concrete grinder only weighs 6 pounds, making it ideal for reducing worker fatigue.

*Hand held grinders. These are ideal for small jobs like areas close to walls and other hard to get places. They are also ideal for removing blemishes to concrete work. They are very light and easy to use. If you have a large area to cover, a hand held grinder may be a little impractical.

*Multi headed grinders. These models come with dust collectors and are designed for large areas. Their main purpose is to level and remove small imperfections to concrete work. The brushes used in multi headed grinders can be changed to suit the surface.

When choosing a concrete grinder, the first thing to consider is what you are planning to use it for and the size of the job you will be doing. If you are only using a large industrial grinder once it may be a cheaper alternative to rent a machine. If you only need a small hand held concrete grinder, it may be a good idea to buy one.

Patio Umbrellas

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Patio umbrellas are a great way to stay cool on the patio and look good doing it.


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Nothing is more uncomfortable for you guests than to sit on a hot concrete patio without any shade available. A good quality patio umbrella helps block the sun and provide shade to offer a cooler environment in hot months. Not only are umbrellas practical, but they provide privacy and elegance to any outdoor seating arrangement. Patio umbrellas are now made with many unique features. Some beach umbrellas are designed for maximum wind resistance.

There are several types of patio umbrellas to choose from depending on your location. For typically patio or pool side seating, a good choice is an aluminum crank patio umbrella. They range in size from 7 to 10 feet and can be ordered in a variety colors and patterns.

Beach seating requires a more heavy duty umbrella that can withstand the elements. Beach umbrellas are typically made of fiberglass and are built to withstand high winds, bright sun, and salt air.

Patio umbrellas are also available as part of a patio table set. These types are great for eating or picnic areas. They can seat large groups of people and are also stain resistant, so clean up is easy.

Another way to dress up your patio with umbrellas is to order a custom design patio umbrella. Some can be built to look like a palm tree umbrella, which is provides great atmosphere for any beach or tropical resort. Also consider a patio umbrella that is lined with small twinkle lights, which give a romantic atmosphere for evening patio parties. Umbrellas can be lit up to make it look like a night sky canopy.

How To Find Quality Log Furniture And A Trustworthy Retailer

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Dont get burned by wholesalers making themselves out to be the manufacturers.


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The great thing about looking for a retailer or manufacturer of rustic log furniture is there are plenty of sellers out there these days, especially with the age of the world wide web. Since the birth of the internet everyone and there brother seem to have tried to start making and selling all types of rustic furniture online, but what I am sure that they found out is that making log furniture the right way is a hard task to achieve. Now don’t take me the wrong way there are some great builders of this style of furniture and you will notice they are the craftsmen that have been around for a while. So knowing this let me tell you how to make the right decision on choosing your rustic furniture.

One of the first things you need to decide is the species of wood you would like to go with, there are dozens of them out there, but only a couple of good species that will stand up to the elements outside. There is hickory, cypress , pine(not recommended), aromatic cedar, eastern white cedar, Northern white cedar etc. As for the species I mentioned I can tell a little about each, hickory is a nice species but I noticed the furniture I see made is that the diameter of the wood is always small and I get a little suspicious of the strength of it. Cypress, has hardly no grain that I see compared to the rest. Pine is absolutely not for me, it is sappy and soft and it is not very durable. Aromatic cedar is a beautiful wood but when it weathers if turns dark in the elements untreated. Eastern white cedar people will say it is the same as Northern white cedar, but let me tell you its not, I know from working with it. The wood is really knotty and hairy compared to Northern white cedar. The looks are similar in color and the aging process is the same. As for Northern white cedar it weathers to a beautiful silvery gray if untreated and exposed to the elements. Northern white cedar can with stand the elements for years, some say that it will last for 50 years outside untreated, but I can tell you by experience that it really only last for 20 years. White cedar is not sappy at all, making it easier to stain or varnish unlike other species, like pine that will actually have the sap come out years later, right through the paint or varnish that was on there.

Once you decided the species the next thing to do is find the retailer out there selling the log furniture with that wood. When you locate this seller, keep in mind that if that seller is just a middleman, you will not get the service you will get from the actual manufacturer. More than likely, if that person is not the manufacturer and is just a website owner or guru, it is probably just a drop ship situation and they will surely tell you they can get you the furniture right away, when they have no idea of the inventory or how busy the manufacturer really is (don’t be fooled with factory direct, sales pitches). Second, just how much can that person really know about rustic log furniture if they are just an order taker. Dealing with the person who is actually handcrafting your furniture and can tell you exactly when it will be done, is by far a more reliable way to purchase your furniture. Trust me, there are more websites out there selling log furniture then there are manufacturers of it.

Now we can get to the construction of the log furniture. Some log furniture is sanded smooth, some are skipped peeled, some have the bark on and some are completely peeled. As for which one is better, I can only tell you what I think. The sanded log furniture definitely takes away from the rustic feel, skipped peel is a nice look, but I wonder about the smoothness of the wood with just a peel on parts of the log. The furniture with the bark left on definitely has to have some sort of finish on it to keep the bark on, and sometimes I have seen where the bark will peel off over time. Completely peeled log furniture is smooth with out splinters and can easily be treated and has the true rustic look and feel. Getting past that you should then take note of how the log furniture is actually connected together. Some furniture is just butted up together and is nailed, I do not recommend that style of construction. Most have a mortise and tenon connection, which is extremely durable. Things to watch out for with this is the size of the dowels, some out there will go with a smaller diameter dowel meaning their logs are usually smaller too. I recommend asking the diameter and make sure it is at least 1.25″, since that is the weakest point of the furniture. The diameter of the logs should be no less than 3″ as far as I am concerned. Most of the rustic log furniture I see on the internet does not meet that size on a good percentage of there lines of furniture, even though it looks large in the pictures I would definitely ask the sizes of the logs to get a good comparison from one builder to the next. The hardware that is used on the log furniture is a big factor also, because if you are going to have your furniture exposed to the rain and snow or what ever you don’t want the hardware starting to bleed or rust, all the hardware should be zinc coated on all parts of the furniture. This is one of the many ways that some of the manufacturers and garage builders cheapen the quality of the furniture. Another thing to look for in the hardware part of it is whether they nail or screw the furniture together, screws are the better way to go than nails, but nails that are hot dipped in glue are just as good as screws. The nails without the glue coating will actually start to back out over time due to the fibers of the wood pushing on them. If you take a closer look at the pictures and ask some of these questions you will get two things out of it, 1. You will find the better quality log furniture and 2. You will find out if that person who is selling you the furniture really truly knows anything about rustic furniture.

Other than construction or species the only thing I can tell you about looking for a quality piece of rustic furniture is that you should take a closer look at the company you are dealing with. Building rustic furniture is not like building a square table that can be pre cut to length and then put together on an assembly line. Rustic furniture needs plenty of design work, custom fitting, lots of judgmental decisions being made do to the differences of the sizes of stock, and craftsmanship that you do not get from the builders that have 75 employees, there is now way that all the employees have these kind of skills or patience or pride, they are on an assembly line slapping the pieces together and getting the furniture out the door to you, plus they have the big money to market the product and get the exposure to be seen by the public. Notice while your looking on the Internet or anywhere else that there are plenty of sites or stores with the same manufacturers, these are the big companies. Getting your rustic furniture from a small company that has been in business for at least 10 years and takes pride in every hand fitted piece, will give you all the things you need to get a quality piece of rustic furniture that will last for a long time to come.

MV Outdoor Weather Resistant Wicker For Patio & Deck

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Wicker is a timless and inviting material that has been used for seating and furniture for over 100 years. Think of a large covered porch on your grandmother’s Victorian house filled with wicker rockers and chairs with overstuffed pillows. I spent many a lazy hot summer afternoon seeking relief from the heat in just a spot. Water and sun are two of wickers worst enemies which meant that wicker furniture was relegated to under cover use only. But, those days are gone forever.
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Leather Furniture Care: How To Protect Your Investment

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For centuries leather has been used for its functionality as well as its prestige. Back in the dark ages, hides were being used for warmth and protection in the form of crude coats and makeshift shoes. In those times, leather decay would begin after only a short time making for a very inefficient process.

Today we have perfected the tanning process making leather the strongest and longest lasting upholstery material. Most reputable leather furniture companies use leather …


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For centuries leather has been used for its functionality as well as its prestige. Back in the dark ages, hides were being used for warmth and protection in the form of crude coats and makeshift shoes. In those times, leather decay would begin after only a short time making for a very inefficient process.

Today we have perfected the tanning process making leather the strongest and longest lasting upholstery material. Most reputable leather furniture companies use leather that has been preserved in the tanning process. Properly tanned leather can last up to four times longer than most any other upholstery fabric. Given its durability and the pure elegance of leather furniture, you can most assuredly be prepared to spend a bit more for it. The good news is leather requires very little care.

Here are some important steps you can take to help protect your leather furniture:

Probably the most important thing to remember is to clean stains immediately! If you do not, the stain can reappear weeks or months later. Just use mild soap and warm water.

Keep your furniture away from heat sources. At least two feet is recommended. Leather can become dried out if exposed for long periods.

Avoid direct sunlight. This will prevent fading.

To dust use a clean cloth with a small amount of leather cleaner.

Never use saddle soap, furniture polish, oil, varnish, abrasive or ammonia based cleansers.

All leather furniture needs reconditioning on a regular basis. This process replaces the natural hide oils that dry out and cause the leather to crack.

Please note the above is for preventative maintenance and you may have a specific problem which may call for more action. Cleaning leather furniture can be tricky and you should always do a spot test to check for color fastness. If it is something major like scrapes, cuts, holes or grease and oil stains it is recommended that you seek professional assistance.

Take the time to get to know your furniture. Look for differences in grade of leather, type of dye and finishing. Your furniture retailer should be able to supply you with this information. If you take care of your leather furniture, it will last at least 20 years.