Teenage Room Beautifull Designs

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Queens Park House in Sydney with Garden Design

Home designs Queens Park House in Sydney:

Dominating with white, white house looks very clean and luxurious. MCK architect has completed the project to remodel Queens Park House in Sydney, Australia.

The main concept of this white house is a room connected to the park. This concept is derived from the idea of openness and the elimination of divisions and barriers. The most important is the interior will extend into and become part of the park, such as going to the garden will be part of the interior. Early vision in the conceptual stage is one of the sitting room which is situated between lush plants and trees with a garden wall as a wall of the room.

By the time the garden will grow thicker and taller and contribute to the urban scale and provide an oasis for the owners. This house is very friendly environment with good solar access and lots of ventilation.

Home design interior

It is the dream of every person to move on with the construction of their house even if it takes quite some time to complete the process. In fact most of the people are still moving on with the aim as they might not be having the required amount with them to carry on with the process. There are many people who are trying their level best to move on with the construction activities in the right way. It is true that you might be having certain ideas on your mind with respect to the house you wish to have in future and also there are many people moving on with the purchase of fully constructed house. The main draw back is that you might not be able to get hold of the house as per your dream if you are moving on with the aim of buying a furnished house as well as you will have to spend good amount with these aspects without turning back.

You will be able to save lots of amount if you move forward with the construction of the house as per your ideas and it is always advised to stick with the same process even if it is taking long time to finish the house. There are many firms functioning in the city with the aim of giving out the required level of service to the people with regards to the framing of the construction plan. You should try your level best to seek help from one of the highly reputed firms as you might be definitely looking for an architect who is actually willing to move on with the procedures by giving importance to your ideas and choices. You are given the freedom to keep in touch with the firm and every step will be confirmed only after gaining your approval. It is true that your feedback is very essential to the professional as they will be able to make relevant changes only after getting your feedback on time without any issues. You should definitely give out all the required details to the firm including your budget you are looking for while moving on with the activities and accordingly will be able to help you with the exact plan for your coastal home design.

Kitchen Cabinets - More Storage, More Floor Space

Space is a luxury for many families and one has to get creative to make sure that everything that is needed will fit into one room. With kitchens, the task is made more challenging. The heart of homes, functions have extended from the basic cooking and food preparation, to dining and other such activities that the family does together. We see here the crucial role that kitchen cabinets play in organization and beautification, as well as boost functionality and productivity. But when working on small kitchens, this goal can be a bit trickier. This article lays out practical ideas to maximize storage but still enjoy a lot of floor space through kitchen cabinets.

Sideboards

Sideboards are ideal additions to your collection of kitchen cabinets. Aside from their decorative touches, sideboard kitchen cabinets take a relatively small amount of square footage and are able to keep a wide range of essential items from table linens, utensils, glasses, serving pieces, and other dishware. Designed to stand alone, this can be placed anyplace convenient and if you tire with the layout, moving it around is not a problem. Also considered as furniture and décor, this addition can easily become the centerpiece of your design.

Free-standingKitchen Islands

Another popular choice of homeowners for convenient storage is freestanding kitchen islands. Aside from base kitchen cabinets, islands are designed to sport various storage constructions such as drawers and shelves. Whatever your remodeling needs and stylish taste may be, you can choose from an extensive array of different sizes, shapes, and look to fit into the heart of your home perfectly. Kitchen islands offer flexibility in both design and functionality. Free-standing, islands can be moved around to fit into any corner or assume a place anywhere in the room as needed.

When shopping for kitchen islands, it is crucial that you already have an idea on the size that will fit conveniently the available space you have. You can follow the standard 36 to 42 inches allowance between the island and walls or other surrounding kitchen cabinets. This ensures that there is enough storage as well as enough room to move around and open cabinet doors, drawers, and appliances.

Window Seats

If you have a pretty big window, then you can make it more picturesque by constructing window seats. Aside from creating an accent and make the room look more appealing these seats can be constructed as kitchen cabinets for added storage. To avoid making the seats stand out in an unattractive way, make sure that they are built to fit the exact sill height and the width of the window.

Organizers

Adding more storage does not necessarily have to follow eating up on your available floor space. To maximize storage without having to build or add more kitchen cabinets, make use of innovative organizers. These simple additions can create an incredible impact in how things are stored and these will not cost an arm and leg. Some popular organizers that you might want to have for your cabinet units include pegboard drawers, lazy Susans, wine racks, hideaway cabinet bins, pullout pilasters, and roll-out racks for plates or spices.

Every Kitchen Appliance Has A Place

Next to our home and car a new kitchen is probably one the biggest purchases you are ever likely to make. Whether it is a new build or remodel the choices available are endless. Everything in the home focuses on the kitchen so it is very important to get it right and optimize whatever space you have. Throughout our lives we collect a vast assortment of gadgets and utensils, some we never use and some we can't live without. Even if you are not a 'pack rat' we are all guilty of that impulse buy like the pasta maker, bread machine and the espresso maker collecting dust on some counter top.

Trying to house these appliances is quite another matter. All our needs are different yet fundamentally the same, to create a space that is function yet as personal and individual as you are. It needs to be able to grow with us over time as our families expand yet still be stylish and clutter free.

The number one priority in a new kitchens design is always going to be aesthetics, whether modern or traditional, granite or wood etc. It's not just a place to cook it speaks volumes about who we are and how we live. I'm no 'Martha Stewart' or 'Jamie Oliver' but I know what I want in a kitchen. Show me one person that hasn't left the 'Ideal Home Exhibition' without one culinary contraption tucked under their arm. So after you have the basic style of your kitchen worked out the next step in the design process should be a list of your must have appliances and build the units and cabinets around these.

Ceramic Kitchen Knives

With their headquarters in Kyoto, Japan the Kyocera Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of fine ceramic components for the technology industry. Kyocera started life in 1959 and was known as Kyoto Ceramic Company Ltd. Kyocera Corporation is the world's leading brand in ceramic knives.

Kyocera knives were launched in Japan in 1984. Despite their highly technical production, Kyocera believe nothing can replace skilled craftsmanship and many years experience, therefore all Kyocera ceramic knives are individually ground by hand.

Ceramic knives are extremely hard wearing and are second only to diamonds in terms of hardness. Ceramic knives are astonishingly sharp and will not require home sharpening.

To sharpen your knives, contact your retailer where you purchased them from and they will give you the details of the manufacturer or distributor and they can be professionally sharpened. Do not attempt to sharpen your ceramic knives at home with a steel, manual or electric knife sharpener, this will damage the blade and invalidate any warranty on your ceramic knives.

Kyocera uses a zirconia ceramic material of high quality in its ceramic kitchen knife blades. This ensures long lasting extreme sharpness of your knives. Zirconia ceramic is also used for applications in aerospace the motor and medical industries.

Kyocera knives give you ultra lightweight knives, maintenance free ceramic knives, confidence in a brand leader of ceramic knives, unrelenting sharpness, exceptional purity and the perfect complement to your traditional steel knives.

Ceramic knives should not replace your steel knives, just compliment them. This will ensure that you have the best possible kitchen knife for every job in your kitchen.

The FK White series of knives is the best selling range from Kyocera. The range has a white ceramic blade with a black or coloured handle.

The superior ceramic material used in Kyocera knives gives every knife a better edge retention.

Ceramic knives offer a ceramic blade which has unprecedented purity. The surface of the ceramic blade is resistant to kitchen acids, salts and oils and resists germs. This makes the knife easy to clean. Ceramic knives can go into the dishwasher, however simply wash them by hand and dry them with a soft clean cloth, if they are hit by hard blows or knock against other items in the machine this will damage your ceramic knives.

Kyocera knives have a metal insert within the handle so they cannot pass undetected through metal detector scanners.

Ceramic knives are perfect for slicing boneless meats, fruits and vegetables and buy adding them to your collection of steel kitchen knives you will the perfect collection of kitchen knives.

Ceramic kitchen knives do not take the flavour or odour of the ingredients you are cutting.

Ceramic kitchen knives are extremely light weight which reduces manual fatigue when cutting for long periods of time which makes them extremely popular with professional chefs.

The following tips should be followed to ensure the long life of your ceramic knives:-

• Do not drop your ceramic knives onto the floor; the blade may snap or shatter.
• Do not use your ceramic knives for opening lids
• Do not tilt your ceramic knives when cutting
• Do not cut frozen foods or foods with bones with your ceramic knife

It is advisable to keep you ceramic knives in a knife block, rather than in your kitchen drawer. Your ceramic knives may become chipped when in contact with other kitchen knives and kitchen cutlery.

From the UK distributor Dexam International Ltd there are 9 Kyocera FK White Series ceramic knives available in the range.

Listed below are the knives currently available and what job they would be used for:

• A ceramic paring knife is normally used as a small chef's knife. If using a normal chef's knife it would probably be too large for the task in hand. Hulling and slicing strawberries, dicing shallots and slicing button mushrooms would be perfect jobs for a ceramic paring knife.


• A ceramic vegetable knife would be used for as it says cutting smaller vegetables and fruits; courgettes, carrots, lemons, oranges - the list is endless!


• A ceramic tomato knife would again be used for as it says tomatoes. A tomato knife has a serrated edged which enables the tomato skin to be pierced and then the tomato sliced rather than just crushing the tomato with a non-serrated knife. Ceramic tomato knives can also be used on soft fruits, including kiwis.


• A ceramic slicing knife would be used for slicing vegetables, meat without any bones, really anything you would slicing that has no hard contents. They can also be used for carving meat.


• The ceramic chef's knife is available in two sizes in the Kyocera FK White Series range; it is purely down to preference and what ingredients you are chopping. Ceramic chef's knives are the most popular kitchen knife. If you own a chef's knife this will cover a multitude of tasks. Always ensure you do not use ceramic chef's knives for frozen foods or meat with bones. A chef's knife with a steel blade would be more suitable.


• A ceramic nakiri knife is a Japanese version of the Chinese clever. This is used for specialist tasks such as ribbons of cucumber. The blade is normally double bevelled. The blade on a nakiri knife is not as broad as that of a Chinese cleaver.


• A ceramic santoku knife is very closely related to a chef's knife. The word santoku basically translates to "three virtues," meaning that it can be used to cut meat, fish or vegetables. Always remember not use your ceramic santoku knife to chop meat with bones or frozen meat. The santoku knife was a chef's knife adapted by the Japanese from a Western knife; the edge is straighter which suites Japanese style cutting rather than rocking. In Japan santoku knives are used within a domestic environment rather than the professional kitchen.


• A ceramic bread knife is a serrated knife that is great for cutting through bread crusts or any ingredient that has a hard exterior and soft interior.

This guide will give you some helpful and technical tips to buying your ceramic knives.

Decorating Your Retro Style Home With "Hip" Colors & Mod Designs

Retro" is no longer a term limited to talking about the rock and roll years of the 50s; "retro" is anything "cool" from "the past" . The past can be the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and yes the 80s. Time is creeping by fast and antique dealers are catching on to the fact that 60s and 70s collectibles are now of interest to collectors.

So what would you put in a "hip" home? For starters...think ORANGE- SUNFLOWER YELLOW-BROWN-PINK-GREEN or BLACK & WHITE. Some say these colors could stop traffic, but it is important to remember that "day glow" colors were "in" during the "hip" years. Palettes of the 60s were bright, bold, exciting and sometimes over the top. There are no soft pastels here...and certainly nothing muted about the sixties.

Patterns were often of optical illusions (Op Art), geometrics, abstracts and of course vibrant flowers. Textile designers who worked for firms such as Heal or Conran captured the attention of the "in crowd" with their screen printed fabrics of contemporary designs. Psychedelic swirling designs inspired by the mind-expanding experiences of the Hippie generation became part of the popular culture and were used on home and kitchen accessories as well as on luggage, clothing, textiles and of course posters and even buses.

British clothing "mod" designer Mary Quant' also brought her look into the kitchen where her popular daisy motif could be found on toasters and canister. Colors of orange and sunny yellow combined with earthy tones dominated kitchen cookware and housewares. Accessories also included designs with whimsical mushrooms or vegetables. Le Creuset's cast-iron cookware in its signature orange color was found in kitchens abroad as well as in America during the "mod years". Ceramics, glassware, pottery and textiles often featured abstracts and geometric designs and were made in bright colors or black and white. Heavy plastics was a popular material for 60s housewares and furnishings.

Today, colors and patterns popular during the sixties or "mod generation" are popping up everywhere . Designs that are clearly inspired from the Hippie generation are being reproduced on everything from clothing to desk accessories and are sought after by younger buyers in America and abroad. Mixing vintage styles with newer looks is also very "cool" and a popular decorating style today.

While 60s collectibles have moved more slowly in brick and mortar shops than those of earlier periods, "hip collectibles" are gaining momentum. The children of babyboomers are interested in contemporary interpretations of retro looks from not only the sixties but also the seventies and are buying lots of reproductions items from these decades.

Numerous on-line businesses with "shaggy sixties" websites catering to shoppers who adore palettes of pink, brown and lime green as well as cutesy patterns of stripes, polka dots and swirling designs are growing. In fact there are web designers who specialize just in this look.

It is helpful to track what is selling in department stores and home-kitchen outlets because these trends often spike an interest in buyers who are searching for " the originals". For example, right now bright greens, pinks, yellows and oranges are considered "nifty" colors and collectibles found in these colors with "groovy" patterns are becoming important. One suggestion for antiques and collectibles dealers is to pull out anything from the 60s that they may have packed away over the years and have some fun in re-living what Austin Powers called "Shagadelic" style baby!

"Twenty and thirty something " buyers are getting a kick out of ordering home and clothing related items in "psychedelic" designs, baby boomer (who actually lived through the sixties) are still far more likely to want to acquire the real thing at tag sales, shops and flea markets. This is not to say that collecting "retro" is a pastime for only the "older generation", but let's face it...babyboomers were there.....and can appreciate finding genuine "flower power" beverage glasses at a thrift shop.

Home Based Business Ideas For Cooks

The easiest way to choose an ideal home business to start is to look at your current job, hobby or passion.

Starting in this way will help you to reduce the amount of apprehension you may already be having at the prospect of starting your own home based business.

This will also increase you confidence because you are already familiar with the subject that you are dealing with. In addition, it will not take too long to get started, as opposed to starting a home based business dealing with a subject that is unfamiliar to you, where you have to learn it from scratch.

For people who love to cook this could be a possibility to explore. There are various ways in which you can turn this activity, hobby or occupation into a profitable home based business opportunity.

If you did not have to go to a job everyday, would you spend every working hour in the kitchen cooking if you could? Would it make any difference if you could do what you love and earn an income at the same time? Maybe it would be a good idea to look into available resources for home based business ideas for cooking. There are multitudes of opportunities for cooks. And these can be found easily.

A good example of the familiar cooking-related home based business ideas remains that of giving home parties in which you sell kitchen tools and utensils, cookbooks or even catering products. For those who enjoy other people's company or getting together with people, and can speak comfortably to a group you can demonstrate to them the benefits of your cooking products.

Companies that offer cooking-related products can be found by performing a search on the internet, or you can browse a good home business magazine for other options and possibilities. Your enthusiasm, commitment, combined with a great product,can start you on your way to a successful home based business in no time.

In addition,if you are especially creative or have access to a collection of familiar recipes, you should consider creating your own cookbook. People absolutely love to collect different cook books even if they already own many others. Do a search on Google for the keyword: "recipes", and you will see how many people worldwide are performing searches for recipes.

This is surely, without doubt a home based business opportunity that is currently wide open. One can also drill down to specific niches within this market to identify a niche that is under serviced.
Leveraging on the Internet and the convenience provided by computer desktop publishing, you can even self-publish your own cookbook. Actually, you could even set up a web site or blog and sell your cook book from there. On your blog or website, you could publish a newsletter that offers sample recipes as a teaser in order to get your readers to want to buy your complete cookbook.

Alternately, you could start a blog, post some of your recipes and then offer the rest of your collection as an eBook.

As you can see, the possibilities to turn you occupation, passion or interest into a home based business are endless.

Another good idea of the best home based business for those who love food and kitchen products is to become an online affiliate marketer for kitchen-related or cooking products.

You can set up a simple web site or blog about cooking and then promote various cooking-related products or books.

Without doubt, cooking remains one of the most popular subjects both on and offline.

With so many possibilities and cooking-related home based business ideas, there's no reason you why you cannot make a living doing what you love and enjoy.

How to Invitingly Accessorize Your Home

Popular Home Collections is a family-owned business that was established in 1995. Specializing in high quality bathroom accessories , bedroom accessories , and kitchen accessories , Popular Home Collections offers an abundance of home décor solutions to complement any style.

Beginning with the bathroom, Popular Home Collections offers a plethora of uniquely themed bathroom accessory sets. Items are available as pre-packaged sets, or "Bath in a Bag" sets, full or partial ensembles, and individual pieces. One of the more unique features that the site offers is the option of mixing & matching in order to create your very own bathroom accessory set. From shower curtains to toilet seats, contour rugs, soap dishes, toothbrush holders & other bath accessories, Popular Home Collections carries the selection you need to make your bathroom a calming retreat. With the Holiday season rapidly approaching, Popular Home Collections also boasts 4-piece holiday-themed bathroom accessory sets. Print options consist of snowman, Santa, & paisley patterns, among several others. Each bathroom accessory set includes a 70" x 72" polyester shower curtain, 12 shower curtain hooks in matching fabric design, a 21" wide x 34" long printed, acrylic rectangular bath rug, and a 20" x 20" acrylic contour rug.

Moving on to the bedroom, Popular Home Collections offers quality bedroom accessories ranging from bedding to comforters, window treatments, and valances. Bedroom décor accessories can be purchased as comforter sets or as individual pieces. Additionally, the mix and match feature is also available for creating comforter sets particular to your vision as the bedroom should be a home's sanctuary. Comforter sets are available in a variety of styles including country, striped, modern, floral, transitional & traditional bedding patterns. Chocolates, teals, and turquoises are a color scheme that has remained popular for quite some time, and doesn't seem to be losing any steam within the decorating world. Jewel tones always help in creating a more inviting ambiance.

To complete the look of your home, Popular Home Collections boasts a variety of kitchen accessories. From potholders to oven mitts, towels, place mats, chair pads, and accent rugs, the site also includes window treatment inventory. Find tiers, valances, and swags to beautifully adorn your kitchen windows. The Kitchen Textile Collections offer an assortment of country décor patterns & unique prints including Napa Valley, Christmas Paisley, French Garden, Pineapple, & Tropical themes among others. Themed decor has become quite prevalent in many suburban homes. A kitchen does not have to be a place many people simply associate with more chores. Adding a new vibe to this environment can make the mundane acts of cooking & cleaning a bit more enjoyable. Allow yourself to drift away to a far off place with the encouragement of unique decor.

It might sound cliche, but by adding more depth, color, and personality to the most highly trafficked rooms in your home, you'll likely experience feelings of both solace & accomplishment.

Popular Home Collections strives to provide a place for those with a passion for home decor and interior design to share & develop home decorating ideas.

Kitchen Remodeling - Euro Style

Kitchen remodeling has become one of the hottest home improvements that have proven not only trendy but also an investment worth your while. When it comes to fashion statements, one classic option that never goes passé is Euro style. So if you are planning on sprucing up your New York home through injecting some life into its heart, then kitchen remodeling euro style might just be the venture for you whether you are in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Queens, or Long Island.

The heart of homes has revolutionized from simply being a mess hall that caters to the hard labor of old-fashioned cooking and food preparation to an all-encompassing room that now serves various functions from entertaining guests and family to whatever activities that the household love to share. What better way to integrate a fashionable flair to a functional everyday than by exploring your Euro style options that ranges into a wide selection of European-inspired designs from timeless Greek, Classic Revival, Romantic French, Danish Modern, Italian and Scandinavian... just to name a few.

Whatever your personal taste and preference is, you will surely find some way to artistically integrate your choice of Euro style into the rest of the décor, furnishings and other elements of your kitchen remodeling. European design was once an exclusive a high-end option that is only found in expensive homes and neighborhood. Modern times however, have paved way to the amazing advancements in technology, construction and design that allowed the most luxurious of kitchen remodeling available mainstream.

Contrary to what many homeowners think, Euro style is not limited to an old-fashioned look and feel. When kitchen remodeling, this can a versatile choice that allows homeowners to go from a charming classic, alluringly rustic, simple yet appealing Tuscan, to sleek contemporary. European themed additions such as cabinets, natural stone countertops, stone flooring, ornate trimmings, and other kitchen features can also be a great way to create a transition and fuse old world charm with modern functionality and practicality in fitted or cottage kitchens.

One way to easily achieve a European touch in your design whether you are employing a traditional, contemporary, or anywhere in between in your kitchen remodeling is through your cabinets. Your cabinet collection can speak loudly of Euro flare that can make up for an excellent blend with all the rest of the Interior Design elements or beautifully stand out as an impressive focal point.

Euro style kitchen cabinets are distinctive for the elegance that they lend the heart of homes. When it comes to the latest in Interior Design, European inspired cabinet pieces are tending towards frameless doors and drawers where the frame face is mostly or totally concealed. This makes up for a clean, seamless and uncluttered look. One factor that makes this kitchen remodeling item look and function as they should is the innovative hardware such as invisible hinges and stylish accents. Another way to create an impressive finish is through using glass for cabinet doors for fashionable depth in the design.

Renovations - How to Start Your Home Improvement Remodeling Project

Deciding the best path for your home renovations and remodeling projects can be intimidating. The most important element of any home improvement project is to determine you needs and desires. It's important to complete this process before meeting with builders or general contractors.

Creating a hierarchy and sorting through ideas is critical.

Start by making a notebook for collecting and organizing your ideas and thoughts. Any information should be added during your investigation process. Create tabs in your notebook which include the following categories: Ideas, Floor Plan, Resources and Products.

Collect information for your remodeling project. Gather photographs and pictures of products, kitchen designs and ideas that may add value to your impending project. Make notes for each picture. Clearly label your likes and dislikes. Also, note items that are a must have. Many samples of renovation and remodeling ideas can be found throughout the internet and in remodeling and kitchen specialty magazines.

Now, create a floor plan of your existing house. It's not a typo. You will be best served by a floor plan of the whole house. The focus of your efforts will surround the area of emphasis and adjoining rooms.

Now that you have finished compiling your basic information, you are ready to start making one of the toughest decisions regarding your home improvement project. Do I help with the design? Unless you have experience, you will need some advice in order to achieve the best results.

How do you determine whom should help with your renovation's design? You must first realize your limitations. In your initial research for ideas, have you developed a crystal clear set of features that you want? Do you need help resolving issues or are you looking for unbiased guidance?

Is your renovation project simple or complex? Kitchen renovations are generally more difficult than a secondary bathroom remodel. Then again, an owner's bathroom remodeling project may be every bit as complex as a kitchen renovation.

Following are different levels of design help available for your remodeling project. Each will provide a different level of assistance. This list starts with the areas of greatest assistance to the least. They are as follows:

Interior Designer

You may consider hiring an interior designer if you have an expensive high-end kitchen remodel. Finding the right interior designer that suites your style can require a healthy undertaking. The site listed below has detailed instructions on finding the interior designer for you.

Be forewarned, many interior designers provide construction services. Make sure that the design is not part of the construction. You will want to feel free to bid the project through other sources.

We don't advise allowing a single source of design and construction. Authorization over one and advisement over the other is advisable.

Kitchen Supply Center

This is an area that you need to tread carefully. All information and guidance from this source should be checked by independent sources. Just in case you receive conflicting opinions, it would be best for you to seek additional resources. The typical goal with this system is to bring you in with the visual samples and help with their professionals. They will keep you within products and services that they offer. This is not necessarily bad, it is only biased.

Design Services Consultation

This is a less common path though, the least biased and most open form of information. These services would include advisement by an individual or a team in the design and construction of your kitchen. There is no opportunity to use their subcontractors with this service, therefore, no hidden or advice to steer you in a specific direction. Ideally, with this delivery, you would have access to training and advice throughout the process. With this process, YOU WILL BE EMPOWERED to manage the team. In other words, you become an informed consumer in the process.

DIY: Do it Yourself

You may have all of the tools and confidence in the world to complete the project on your own. In this case, once your ideas are organized, you are ready to proceed with the design and construction yourself.

Kitchen Sink Faucets - Choosing the Best Style of Kitchen Faucet For Your Home

Kitchen sink faucet is one of the most important fixture in the house as they perform the very basic function in the house. Aside from performance, it also serve as an element in the house that can add style and aesthetics to the whole kitchen scape. With all the shapes, designs, finishes and sizes available in the market for this type of faucets, it definitely has become a setting factor that will determine the over all look of the kitchen.

Kitchen sink faucets truly work hard every day and the usage and passing of time causes them to wear out. They can also go out of style however, the good thing is, they are easy to change. That is why, for those who are looking to do home improvement projects, the kitchen faucet is a very common fixture to replace and upgrade. This type of faucets can be found in an amazing array of finishes and styles; from a stainless steel kitchen faucet to a chrome finish to a brushed nickel kitchen faucet and from a bronze kitchen faucet to a black kitchen faucet. Not to mention the Victorian faucet, copper, bronze and even gold finishes that are available for you to choose from.

When it comes to brands, there are several that are already household names being around for years. Some of those who have proven to provide durability and reliability are brands like American Standard and Price Pfister. Brands like Moen and Kohler have a wide variety of selections to choose from while Delta, Hansgrohe and Danze are known for their modern and stylish collections plus innovative designs.

Kitchen Faucet Types

Kitchen Sink Faucets aside from their several finishes also comes in different types depending on how many handles they have or what additional features they offer. Here are some of them.

Wall Mount Kitchen Faucets are installed and mounted on the wall or on the back splash behind the kitchen sink. They come in a variety of styles and finishes and ideal for areas with small and limited counter space. Installing this type of faucet might be a difficult job as not all kitchens are designed to have a wall mounting features. It is therefore best to seek the help of an expert to do this job to avoid any trouble with your plumbing.

Pull Out Kitchen Faucets are engineered for added function and form. It comes with a spray wand that enables you to extend your reach and better control the flow of water. The retractable hose and spray head design of this type of faucet makes food preparation and dishes clean up easy and fast. Aside from its great functionality, it also provides a very modern and contemporary look.

Single Handle Kitchen Faucet as the name applies uses only one handle for mixing hot and cold water. They are designed for ease of use, convenience, simplicity and fashion-forward sense. This type of faucet is great for those looking for contemporary design and wants to incorporate the feel of urban space to the whole kitchen scape.

Double Handle Kitchen Faucets are designed to have a separate handle each for cold and hot water. This is a classic style and offer specific control for the type of water you want to use whether its for cleaning or food preparation.

When looking for the best kitchen sink faucet for your home, it is best to identify first the over all look you want plus set your budget so you can narrow down your choices. Searching for that perfect fixture for your kitchen can be an exciting task with all the interesting choices laid upon you. From simple to opulent and from classic traditional to contemporary and modern, the best kitchen sink faucet that you can find can really make a lot of difference to make your kitchen dream a reality.

Kitchen Decorating That Reflects Your Family's Personality

It's a new trend to decorate the home adopting a different theme for each room reflecting the character of the family or the family member occupying that room. Next time you remodel your home you will probably follow this trend. The kitchen is an area of the home where most of the family spends most of their time. Naturally then the mood of the kitchen should reflect the mood of the family.

It is when a family goes on a vacation that the entire family spends maximum time together and enjoys it; naturally for a long time after returning from the vacation, the family still lingers in that vacation spirit. Why not live those memories of the vacation and extend that lingering spirit allowing kitchen remodeling to reflect the atmosphere of the last vacation spot? You can always recreate a bit of the South Seas beaches or the Caribbean calypso mood to remind you of the joyous time you had together there every time you gather in the kitchen

If your family enjoys time in the countryside and surroundings, you could easily recreate a bit of that countryside living by transporting yourselves to those forgotten times in the remodeled kitchen. Use old crates for wall shelves, or old metal sign replicas in the kitchen remodeling themes. Let your way of life, your personality show through in the kitchen décor.

Involve your personality in kitchen remodeling

When roaming around the flea market or attending a garage sale, you often pick up something that takes your fancy. You may not have any use for it at that time, so it goes into storage. You collected these things because something about them appealed to you. If you pull out such items from storage, you would probably find ways to use them in kitchen decorating; such a remodeled kitchen will give you more pleasure because your personality would be involved into it through those items.

Quite often while remodeling a part of the house, people think of what is trendy - antique, contemporary or modern. But these trends might not have a link with your own personality. If you love the old world antique charm, why force yourself into a mismatch with your personality and choose the modern theme or anything like that because it is trendy? You have to live with that décor; then why not choose a décor which makes you feel happy and energetic? When planning kitchen remodeling, remember that you are the one who will be using the room every day and living with the result. Choose something that pleases you, adds to the value of the home and don't worry about what others think of your choice.

When it comes to the topic of resale value, you want your kitchen to look sharp as it's an important feature of the house that buyers focus on. If you have decorated your kitchen in a fashion that you really enjoy, then you're more likely to do a great job of it, which is going to be more attractive to buyers than a completely neutral kitchen without much decorating or personality. The bottom line is to make this family space a place where you want to spend your time.

How to Find the Perfect Color For Your Kitchen Cabinets in 5 Easy Steps

Nearly all projects or goals of any size or importance require several steps during a period of time to complete. High-value projects and goals almost invariably require meticulous planning, several steps during a period of time and perseverance to keep it going and see the project through to the end.

All of that is also true about anything like choosing to find the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets. Choosing to find the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets is not any different. Here is how to find the perfect color for your kitchen cabinets in 5 easy steps.

Step 1. Look at home improvement magazines. This is important because these magazines often collect all the latest information to share the current trend with you. Should you skip or ignore this, you may get a outdated color for your cabinets.

Step 2. Paint wooden cabinet door. This is a very important step that will need your full attention and concentration. You need to do it in this way: You need to decide to either paint the cabinets or not. The reason you will need this is you will want a consistent theme throughout your house and kitchen.

Step 3. Choose natural wooden colors. The reason behind this is to accentuate the colors of the wood Likewise, it is good to glaze the cabinets if your cabinet is wood because brings the real color of the wood out.

Step 4. Look for timeless color schemes. To elaborate on that a little bit, some color schemes like blue and white is timeless. These combination proved to be classic and is often seen in home improvement magazines as it is seen as a spring color combination.

Step 5. Avoid black paint on your kitchen cabinets at all cost. In addition, avoid any dark colors in the kitchen because it will make your kitchen look smaller.

Finally, for those who have kept to the program and followed the tips well, you should have succeeded and will now enjoy the fruits of that success! You ought to congratulate yourself and allow yourself to be satisfied and slightly proud. You set out to attain your goal and you just succeeded! Now take pleasure in the fruits of this accomplishment!

If you did not keep to the above tips, too bad for you! Having a beautiful kitchen is hard work. And it is not easy to get it done, but once you accomplish it, you will get a sense of pride!

Wall Fountains Are Ideal for Home and the Office

The image of wall water fountains conjures thoughts of office building lobbies, and perhaps corridors in the airport, or lobbies of upscale hotels. However, wall water fountains have moved into residential homes as well, and retailers have embraced the opportunity to market these to consumers seeking the relaxing sounds of cascading water in their own homes. Now there are countless options available in wall water fountains, with styles to suit any taste, from traditional to modern. A search of the internet will reveal the vast number of websites dedicated to selling wall fountains.

For those who would like to use a wall water fountain as a replacement for a framed piece of art, the Giverny Wall Fountain combines the two. The face of this fountain is acrylic painted with lily pads reminiscent of Claude Monet's lilies that he so loved to paint. Water cascades down the face of the fountain, giving the painting a shimmery effect. The frame is copper, and the fountain sells for $1,125 at serenityhealth.com.

A contemporary home or office will benefit from the placement of the Cottonwood Falls Stainless Steel Wall Fountain. The face of the fountain is slate and steel, and the frame is stainless steel. Water cascades down the face of the fountain, which measures sixty-nine inches high and sixty-four inches wide. The fountain is priced at $3,510 at discountfountains.com.

The Raja Slate Indoor Wall Fountain is offered by the Whispering Creek Wall Collection. The slate used for the face of the fountain is mined from quarries and hand cut, so no two fountains are exactly alike. Water cascades gently down the slate surface to a basin of polished stones below. The frame is made of bronze, and its dimensions are forty-six inches tall by twenty-two inches wide. This fountain is available at soothingwalls.com for $854.

Outdoor gardens can also benefit from the presence of a wall water fountain. The Sun Water Wall Fountain is a stone fountain that can be mounted on any outdoor wall. It weighs only twenty-five pounds, making hanging easy. This fountain is carved is carved in detail with a blazing sun. Water pours from the sun's mouth into the basin below. The Sun Water Wall Fountain is available for $149.95 at garden-fountains.com. It is about thirty inches tall by sixteen inches wide.

A wall water fountain for the kitchen, dining room, or breakfast nook, the Framed Clock and Trickling Kettles features water trickling from a ewer at the top, then cascading over the bowls below. The resin frame is given a look of antique wrought iron. The antiqued clock is inset above the ewer. This fountain is sold for $102.38 at fountaincrafters.com.

The Tiered Wall Fountain is a unique piece that is at home in most rooms of the house. It consists of two overlapping diamonds, one on top of the next. Water pours from a faucet-type opening in the top into an open basin in the lower one. The antiqued finish gives the piece a little history and a lot of character. It is item number 89-WCT-104 at onlinediscountmart.com, and it sells for $84.95.

Kitchen Cupboard Doors - Refacing Can Give Your Kitchen a Brand New Look

Your kitchen is one part of your home that needs constant care and attention as well. There would come a time that you would need to do some quick changes like replacing your present kitchen cupboard doors with brand new ones. This home renovation project is also more popularly termed as refacing since it is just the cupboard doors which are changed.

The task of kitchen cabinet door replacement is an ideal way to give every kitchen a brand new look without spending too much. It is also very fast to do since you can do the changes even over the weekend while you do not have much work.

To replace your kitchen cupboard doors is easy enough to do that you will not be required to even hire a professional installer or contractor. If you are not so familiar with refacing cabinets if you happen to be doing it for the first time, then you can simply check out the Internet for some DIY guides which can guide you all throughout the task.

You know it is time to reface or replace the kitchen cabinet doors when they are already showing signs of being worn out. The boxes are not already in good shape or the doors do not seem to fit well with the wood tone anymore.

Choosing the right style and design of the kitchen cupboard doors is already very easy these day. When you check the Internet, you can find lots of home improvement company websites which offer the items in very affordable prices.

You can also seek the help of a contractor or run to a nearest hardware in your locality. There, you will find sample doors of various styles, designs and colors, so that you can be able to select the right match to your present furniture design in your home's kitchen.

You can also opt for a more modern look if you would settle for the kitchen cupboard doors that are made of glass. It is capable of making your dishware collection look very pleasing since the transparency of the glass gives a bright look to your entire kitchen.

You can choose from different types of glass-made cabinet doors as well, ranging from clear to frosted types. While if you happen to be a simple homeowner, then you can just go for the unfurnished kitchen cabinet doors and just stain them on your own which you think would match the current design of your home.

Bathroom Vanities and Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to popular home improvements, two of the projects that never cease to make it to the top are bathroom and kitchen remodeling. Aside from contributing largely to the overall value of homes allowing recoup on investments by resale, these projects also make up for enhanced quality of everyday living. Being among the most frequented and used areas of the house, any changes in functionality and even the slightest facelift would surely be enjoyed. When it comes to renovations of these area two of the hottest commodities are bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets. This article discusses the essentials that you need to know about both.

Bathroom Vanities

The use of bathrooms sure has changed and with this, bathroom vanities have become must-haves. Typically, they are composed of a sink which is surrounded by furniture-styled cabinets. Vanity sets may be in single or double sink and come in various sizes, shapes, designs and themes, materials, construction and additional features. Aside from easily becoming an extremely attractive focal point in your décor, these are also crucial elements to organization and preventing unsightly clutter.

Kitchen Cabinets

In the heart of homes, one of the most dominant surfaces that greatly contribute to the overall appeal of the area is the kitchen cabinets. Collectively, the pieces dictate what ambiance the room emanates with and often this greatly reflects the stylish taste of the homeowner. Other than aesthetics, kitchen cabinets are also among the major players that make kitchens as functional as possible. This makes choosing or shopping for your very own set one of the most crucial steps when remodeling.

Shopping for Bathroom Vanities and Kitchen Cabinets

Buying has never been more delightful. The conveniences that the Internet brings have now extended to home improvement. Now, you can shop for bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets in the comfort of your own home, without having to do all the legwork and burn gas. Though searching for the best possible deal has been made time-saving, it has not been made easier as this opens up to more and more options which can be overwhelming. Here are practical tips in narrowing down choices to help you out in getting the perfect vanity and cabinet sets for your bathroom and kitchen remodeling:

1. Before even starting your search, measure up. Not knowing the amount of available space you have for what you will buy might end you up with too large or unattractively too small for the remodeling project. Your measurements will give you an idea what sizes and dimensions to look into.
2. Find bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets that will beautifully complement with the current theme, design and color scheme. It will be impractical to choose a style and finish that will not match with the rest of the décor as changing everything else would cost a lot.
3. Look for a reliable supplier to get the best deals from. Aside from comparing prices, you have to take the time to research on what other consumers have to say about the company the avoid getting scammed or the hassles of unfriendly services and inferior bathroom vanities and kitchen cabinets.

Simple & Creative Home Renovation Tips

Who has not watched home renovation shows and thought that their home needs a makeover? Sure, the house looks great the way it is, but changes can always be made that will make the home reflect the owners even more than it already does and fit into their needs even more. However, one cannot just start knocking out walls without a plan.

For one, that is dangerous, not only physically as the house could literally crumble if the right wall is taken down, but also relationship wise, if this plan was not discussed or finalized with the significant other. So, the following are some tips to surviving a home renovation project with one's happiness still intact and some ideas on home renovations.

To survive a renovation with one's relationship intact and happy, have an idea in mind of what the project should be. Do not approach the other person with a vague thought of knocking out a wall just because it would look cool. If a wall is to be taken out, have a reason why that makes sense, like it will enlarge the room, or it will make the small living room look more spacious. Just because one wants to knock down a wall does not mean it should be done, especially by them.

Hire a contractor. This will save the couple from countless, and not to mention fruitless, fights about what to do. The contractor will get all the ideas from the client, draw up the plans, have the right tools, and know exactly what to do to make the house the way the homeowners want it. If there is work to be done, like an addition to the house, the contractor should be able to get all the necessary paperwork and licenses ready for the homeowner to complete. Do not attempt to enclose a patio by oneself just because another room is needed. Fill out the paperwork or pay the fines.

Now for some renovation ideas that one could take and use in their own home: if one has a fireplace and they live in a desert, like Phoenix, Arizona, chances are they use the fireplace twice a year and are usually turning on the air conditioning after the fire. Knock it out and build an entertainment center for the television, stereo system, PlayStation or Wii games, and the computer.

Throw in a few shelves for the lady to add some personal touches, like picture frames or collectables, and life will be good. Does one really need a fireplace in a city where the high temperature in the summer is 120 degrees? Another thought is to build in a customized dining table into the wall of the kitchen so that every member of the family has their own seat, eliminating the fight for the "best" seat. This could also become a family project, with each member creating their own seat so that they feel involved in the project.

An art center for the kids would be a great way to transform a rarely used patio or sunroom. It would also contain their paints, chalks, crayons, and play dough to one area, instead of all over the house.

How to Start Your Own Art Collection For Your Home

1. DE-CLUTTER YOUR HOME - Before you begin you need to start with a 'blank canvas'; I'm sure if you had booked an art consultant or interior designer to make their recommendations you'd tidy up, so make this your starting point. It is also a fundamental feng shui principle that de-cluttering your environment will de-clutter your mind. If you don't have the time or the job is too big call in an expert.

2. THINK LIKE A GUEST - Now walk through your home imagining you're a visitor or guest so you can understand the logistics of entering your home for the first time and what impression or atmosphere you wish to create. Important areas from a guest's point of view are: the entrance (this is their first impression) the path from the entrance to the main living/entertaining area and an outdoor area if you have one. Look for what you think they would notice: as you enter your home, is it obvious where the kitchen/living areas are from the entrance; are private rooms or areas such as bedrooms 'on show' as guests walk through the house to the living area. Can any outdoor areas be seen from the main living area?

3. DETERMINE ZONES - This time, when you walk through your home again, think from your own perspective and classify it the following zones; entrance (front garden, path, front door, entry) traffic zones (hallways, gardens) formal entertaining (dining room) informal entertaining (family room, games room) function-specific zones (home theatre, kitchen) private zones (bathroom, toilet, bedrooms) business zone (home office, studio). This will assist you to think about where to place art plus what purpose or mood you wish to create in each zone.

4. MAP WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE ARTWORK - List each zone and room and table the atmosphere you wish to achieve and the number of artwork to suit the space.

5. DO SOME RESEARCH - Through your own research you will feel more confidence to make an informed decision when you discuss your needs or view art with an art consultant, interior designer, gallery manager or artist. Plus as you regularly go back to research you will gain an increased knowledge about art and therefore a deeper understanding which will only enhance your appreciation of your collection. To begin:

'Google it' search online about art buying advice and tips
Browse online art galleries
Look for articles in your local newspaper about local artists, exhibitions and galleries
Visit local Art Galleries
Talk to local gallery managers and artists as you meet them

6. LIST YOUR PREFERENCES (STYLE, SIZE, MEDIUM) - Return to your planning chart again after your research to put in your preferences of style, size and medium. Style refers to if the artwork is classified within a broad category such as Abstract, Traditional (landscape) or (figures), Surrealism, Pop Art, Impressionism, Digital Art, Still Life, Realism and many more.

Size mainly described as dimensions in centimetres. Also be aware if the dimensions include framing or not. For an average home artwork around 60 x 80 cm would be considered a medium size and 80 x 130 considered a large size. Obviously this is completely subjective and the best thing to do is get the measuring tape out.

Medium is what the artist used to create the artwork. For example, oil means oil paint, acrylic means acrylic paint, watercolours, ink, pencil, charcoal and many more. Mixed Media is simply when an artist mixes mediums together. For example, some artists bind Acrylic paint and a texture medium (sand) together.

7. SET YOUR BUDGET - A fundamentally important step, however also be sure you're expectations are realistic, your earlier research should assist you in this area. This is important because if you 'blow your budget' then you are not going to view the artwork with a positive frame of mind but rather a resentful one. Also, ask if flexible payment options are available. Most galleries and art consultants offer payment plans over a 3 to 6 month period or an art rental service so you can 'try before you buy'.

8. RAISE YOUR OWN AWARENESS OF INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF ART AND ARTISTS - When beginning a home art collection it is good to remember you need to live with the artwork therefore it needs to be appealing to you. However you can also begin to consider the future investment potential of the artwork you're purchasing. At the most fundamental level, check the artist is active i.e. is regularly producing new work for exhibitions and awards, have won any awards, received any reviews of note or are apart of art investors collections. This is important if your art collection is later to be considered as part of your investment portfolio and if you decide to on sell any of your collection in the future.

9. LESS IS MORE - Often when you're in the middle of this process and you've found a style or artist you simply love you can become quite excited and simply want more, more, more. While this is great, you also want don't want to 'overdo' it. Simplicity in most things is always a good rule including art. Therefore if you are deciding on three pieces for the one room and you simply can't decide on the final third piece. Then, purchase the two you're sure about and either hire the third or just take some time to think.

10. PURCHASE YOUR ARTWORK - Now you have completed your planning and research which has built up your confidence to go purchase the art that is right for you and your home. Remember you don't have to do it all at once. It can be a gradual process of building up your art collection - a journey you can enjoy. Or if you don't have the time, simply rent a collection and purchase the ones you love and continue to rent until you have all the pieces you want.

You will know when it is right because as you 'live' with a piece of artwork you become familiar with it and will also learn when is the best time of day to view it and the mood you feel when you view it. If you feel the atmosphere you intended to create has been achieved and your collection is a conversation point with your visitors and guests then you know it is right for you and your home. Please note, all of us react very differently to artwork often because of the emotion we are already carrying around in our heads, therefore a reason why art is such a great conversation starter.

ZONE        ROOM             ATMOSPHERE     NO. OF ARTWORK     STYLE       SIZE        MEDIUM  
Entrance    Front garden     Welcoming      1                  Sculpture   50 x 100    Metal 

© 2009 Interactive Arts
WANT TO USE THIS REPORT IN YOUR E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? Yes you can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Online entrepreneur Fleur Allen publishes the popular quarterly e-newsletter Art Notes. If you're ready to find out more about art and collecting art for your home or office then join the Interactive Arts Creative Community with like-minded people growing their art collections.

5 Basic Steps to Safeguard Your Home and Property

1. Outsmart a Burglar by Thinking like a Burglar

One thing every homeowner should do at least twice a year is take a walk around and inside your home with a close friend or neighbor who is not that familiar with your house. Start outside and ask yourself "how could I break in the easiest way? The purpose of not going around the house alone is that your friend may spot things you'll overlook. Return the favor and complete a survey for your friend.

Besides the obvious "lived-in" look, do not get into a habit of only doing certain things only when you are not home. Chances are good you can tell when your neighbor isn't home. Remember it's a burglar's job to know the same things. Most professional criminals can tell nobody is home at least four or five houses away.

Several obvious things a burglar will notice are always closing the drapes ONLY when you're not home. Having no garbage cans out collection day, or an empty can sitting at the curb are obvious tip-offs you are not home. So are closing up the house as tight as a drum in the hot summer months without the air-conditioner running. Turning on a certain light or two and every other room is in total darkness. The same goes for picking up all the children's toys, taking in the dog, shutting the garage door if you frequently leave it open, and turning off the lawn sprinkler.

Many people before leaving turn on a so called burglar light which is the light over the kitchen sink. You might as well hang a sign on the front door you are not home! If you use an answering machine never leave a message that you are not home. Instead say you can not come to the phone right now or leave a message. If you do not have a machine, turn down the volume on your telephones before leaving so it can not be heard from outside which another dead giveaway indicating nobody is home.

2. Use Burglar Repellents

Crime officials will tell you its true! A dog is one of the best burglar deterrents. Not because it's vicious, but it is heard. A dog with a menacing bark will scare away a lot of burglars, not only because they don't know what kind of dog you have and what risk it would be to them if try tried to break in, but more likely because a noisy dog will create a disturbance and get attention - the last thing a burglar wants!

If you don't have a dog there's nothing stopping you from pretending. A Beware of Dog sign on your fence, a dog house in the back yard, even a loose dog chain or bowl can drive away a potential burglar. Companies that provide electronic dogs who bark none stop if an intruder trips a relay or otherwise signals his presence are effective also as long they are of good quality.

Other electronic devices that are effective besides the typical whole house alarm systems for windows and doors are infrared or motion detectors that sense movement or the heat given off by one's body. Anyone approaching too close will trigger any number of attached devices. The most effective are powerful lights or burglar horns that either flood the area with light or fill the air with a deafening sound without notice. Just like a barking dog, the would-be burglar will usually run away for fear of being discovered.

To be effective, the sensitivity of such devices much not be set too high or stray animals will set them off too frequently which will get you on the wrong side of your neighbors. Also be sure such devices are high enough that they can't be easily turned off or broken
given off by one's body. Anyone approaching too close will trigger any number of attached devices. The most effective are powerful lights or burglar horns that either flood the area with light or fill the air with a deafening sound without notice. Just like a barking dog, the would-be burglar will usually run away for fear of being discovered.

To be effective, the sensitivity of such devices much not be set too high or stray animals will set them off too frequently which will get you on the wrong side of your neighbors. Also be sure such devices are high enough that they can't be easily turned off or broken.

3. Make Doors Safer

Illegal entry through the front door occurs more often than any other points of entry in your house. All exterior doors should be of solid hard wood or steel reinforced. A good door does no good if the door frame is in bad shape or of inferior construction. Pay special attention to the door jams. Most inexpensive and expensive homes combined are made out of cheap pine. It does not take much force to "kick in" the door even if protected with dead bolts, if the strike plate is attached with only a couple of 1/2 or 3/4 inch screws. Secure doors by installing 2-1/2 to 3 inch stainless steel or nickel plated screws in all your exterior door jams.

4. Make Windows Safer

Burglars break windows as a last resort if they can't enter through a door or from other outside means. The preferred method is cutting an access hole or slipping in a thin stiff wire and undoing the locking device. Most double hung windows have cheap locks which should be replaced by heavy duty sash locks or even keyed locks, if you can put up with the inconvenience. An old trick is installing a small eyebolt in either corner. If done correctly the window can't be opened, with the eyebolt in place from the outside. You could screw the window shut by drilling a hole through the frame but it defeats the purpose of having a window, and presents a fire hazard. I recommended not doing this.

The safest windows are glass block. Almost impossible to break through, they of course can't be opened and are not as pleasing to look at. However this is a good choice for basements or areas at or near ground level.

Another good protection is installed roll-a-way electric security shutters, or decorative security grates. The main down side is they can prove to be a serious fire hazard and prevent your escape. Newer models install on tracks or can easily be pushed open from inside to lessen their danger in the event of fire and the thick smoke sure to accompany it.

5. Take Household Inventory

The steps talked about above can go a long way to protecting your home but no matter how secure your residence is, if a professional burglar has targeted your home and is determined to break in, he will still probably succeed in breaking into your home. To aid law enforcement officials and greatly assist in insurance claims you should maintain a detailed inventory of all your household valuables.

It makes sense to "mark" important items with some permanent identifying mark. There are a variety of simple tools you can rent that will engrave serial numbers, a driver's license number or some other unique marking into your valuables.

Remember most burglars sell stolen items in order to get cash, usually for illegal drugs. You'll greatly reduce the chances of someone walking off with your TV, DVD or other valuables if it has a conspicuous ID number that can't be removed, simply because it will greatly reduce its street value and make it too much work to get rid of and sell, and of course it is a lot easier to trace and return the property to the rightful owner.

Today, many people have a video camera. Sweep each room and record the contents from several different angles. Next, take close-ups of really important items. To tie-in, have a family member pose with the valuables. In a clear voice identify each item, the date of purchase, price paid and model and serial numbers. Remember to update the tape or disk every time you purchase something new.

If you don't have a video camera, a regular inexpensive digital camera also works well. Make a companion audio tape to go along with it. It very important that the tapes or pictures be kept off the property or they may be stolen or damaged. Keep them in a safety deposit box at your bank. Now set aside an hour or so and complete the security check list on the following page. Correct weak points as soon as possible and your home and property will be more secure.

Pegasus Kitchen Faucets - Classic and Chic Kitchen Design

If you have decided you need classic and chic kitchen faucets for your home, and need to figure out which ones to install, then it will help to take a look at the Pegasus kitchen faucet collection. The company offers quality kitchen fixtures and invaluable accessories for everyday use. The following is a description of some of the favorite kitchen faucets from this brand.

The first Pegasus kitchen faucet is from their Deco bridge collection. This vintage style faucet is available at around 170 dollars and comes with a two-handle design. The Deco Bridge faucet has four-hole installation which provides an easy but durable hold. The lever handles and spray are matching and made with a reliable material. This one has half-inch IPS inlets and the exterior finish is stainless steel. The spout height is over 13 inches and the aerator clearance is 10.87 inch. Other specifications include a maximum deck thickness of 1.62 inches and a spout reach of 9.75 inches.

The next design is the single-handle Pegasus kitchen faucet that comes with a pull-out spray and is priced at about 400 dollars. This one is from their Marilyn Series II and features a four-hole installation. The faucet comes with matching soap dispenser and lever handle. Other specifications include the optional deck plate of 1/2 inch and 23.25 inch inlets, along with an over all height of over 9 inches. The resting spout reach is up 13 inches.

The Asti pull-down faucet from the Pegasus kitchen collection comes in a brushed nickel finish, and is priced at around 230 dollars. This is from the Livia pull-down series, and is perfect for modern kitchen designs with the sleek lines and contemporary finish. There is also a matching bar faucet that comes along with this one, which is a neat idea.

All of these Pegasus designs are completely classic and tastefully crafted from the best materials.

How Air Conditioning Has Effected Architecture And Its Benefits

Domestic air conditioning means that traditional architectural features such as wide eaves, deep porches, thick walls, high ceilings, attics, and cross ventilation are no longer needed to promote natural cooling. Also irrelevant is siting or landscaping a house that maximizes summer shade and breezes, since mechanical equipment is able to maintain perfect indoor conditions independent of design.

Domestic air conditioning is most prevalent and ubiquitous in developed Asian nations such as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong, especially in the latter two due to most of the population living in small high-rise flats . In this area, with soaring summer temperatures and a high standard of living, air conditioning is considered a necessity and not a luxury.

Cooling capacity requirement is dependent on the room size. Generally, room air conditioners have a cooling capacity range between 5500 Btu per hour and 14,000 Btu per hour. Cool Climate Air Conditioning Systems will give total control over the environment at the click of a remote control by providing the exact temperature you require all year round. The costs of running a new air conditioning system may well be considerably less than your existing heating system, providing you with comfort at exceptional value to you and your home. Cooling power figures should be regarded suspiciously. It is best to look at both the input power and the heat transfer figures.

Split air conditioning is now an affordable investment. Most split air conditioning now comes with a heat pump and it is a very energy efficient means of heating during the winter months as well as cooling in the summer months. Split-type air-conditioning system can provide thermal comfort in small and large rooms. Moreover, the solar air conditioning is a newer system where the energy used for processing comfortable air is derived from the collected sun's rays.

Inexpensive Ways to Give the Kitchen a Facelift

Home improvement can be an overwhelming task. The first room that may come to mind is the kitchen. This is the room where families bond over their day or friends come together to enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Even small, inexpensive changes can give the entire room a facelift and create an environment everyone in the family can enjoy.

Painting your kitchen is always the best way to begin your renovation. You can make your kitchen look fresh and new, all by changing the color of the walls. A new color will also provide a different background for your overall décor. Whether you change everything else, or changing nothing else at all, the entire theme of your kitchen will seem brand-new.

If you do not have the time to put into painting, or if you live in an apartment where it is not an option, you can still give your kitchen a new appearance. One possibility which you might like to consider is adding colorful adhesive paper or decals. Adhesive paper is available in a wide range of colors and designs, so you can create an entirely new theme for your kitchen. Whether your preference is for bright colors, gentle pastels, or a specific design, it can make your whole kitchen come alive.

Another nice option for inexpensive home improvement to your kitchen may come as a surprise. Simply changing the fixtures in your kitchen will give it a wonderful new look. One example is the hardware on your drawers and cabinets. These are easily changed with updated versions made from different materials and styles. Depending on your personal taste, there are lots of choices. You can use metals, ceramics, or even plastic. Whether your taste is for sophisticated and classic or modern, your kitchen can have a brand-new appearance.

Everything from your collection of cook books to your spices can be turned from functional to a part of your kitchen's décor. You can easily find inexpensive racks in plain wood, to paint or varnish to coordinate or contrast with the color of your kitchen. When the products you use on a regular basis add to the theme of your kitchen, it will make the room more inviting to your guests and family.

Home improvement does not need to be difficult or costly. Turning your kitchen into the "place to be" can occur even making the smallest changes.

Kitchen Remodeling - A Checklist for Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

Kitchen remodeling takes both time and money. A major remodel with top-of-the-line appliances and cabinets can easily run more than $100,000. As for time, allow at least four months for a remodeling job or, more realistically, six to eight months. It takes about two months for custom cabinet orders, more time for planning, order processing, shipping, demolition, installation, moving back into your kitchen and re-organization.

While it's tempting to get started as quickly as possible once you decide to remodel, it's better to catch your breath, do your homework and think through your plans because you don't have the time or money to make mistakes.

Start with the basics. Consider what the primary uses of the kitchen will be then collect ideas for enhancing your project. Put some initial thought into this prior to meeting with a contractor. Following is a checklist of items to consider when planning your kitchen remodel.

Determine the primary uses of your kitchen:

• cooking
• food storage
• dining
• equipment / utensil storage
• specialized food preparation areas
• waste disposal
• laundry
• secondary media center
• message station
• mini-office
• hobby / craft center
• entertaining
• mudroom
• traffic hub

Enhance your kitchen remodeling project:

• Brainstorm with household members
• Find ideas in model homes, showrooms, home shows, magazines, books and catalogs
• Appliances - ovens, stoves, cook tops, refrigerators, dishwashers, range, microwaves, hoods, and exhaust fans
• Cabinets - wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry, hickory, pine, birch, metal, plastic, cabinet re-facing, kitchen storage items and kitchen islands
• Countertops - stone, marble, quartz, granite, solid surface, wood, metal and Formica
• Flooring - hardwood flooring, cork, bamboo, laminate, linoleum flooring, flooring installation, repair and refinishing floors
• Lighting - light controls, chandeliers, fixtures, lamps, fluorescent lights, recessed and spot lighting
• Sinks and Fixtures - kitchen faucets, stainless steel, brass, plastic and glass handles
• Windows - skylight windows, double hung and single hung windows, casement and garden windows for growing herbs and plants
• Select a design professional and/or contractor that meets your needs

The more details you can determine prior to your kitchen remodeling project the better. It will make your remodeling project more efficient and, thus, less expensive.

A Love Affair With Sparkles! The Chromatic Mosaic Tiles Collection

I've always loved sparkly things! Show me anything with glitter or sequins in it, on it - or even near it! - and I'm absolutely sold! Any excuse to add some sort of sparkle in my home and I'm first in line to check it out... I'm also constantly on the lookout for inspiration and new ideas for home interiors. So I got the best of both worlds when I came across the Chromatic Mosaic Tiles collection.

The bubbling chrome used in these Chromatic mosaic tiles is sealed in smooth, clear or coloured glass. It has a wonderful jewel-like quality and adds sparkle to any room in which these mosaics are placed. At any time of the day, you will see something different in these glass tiles, as the changing light highlights different tones and creates new reflections around the room. They will create a sense of light, brightening up any area and create a beautiful focal point in your kitchen or bathroom.

They look gorgeous in large blocks where you can really see all the different colours within the glass. If you're on a tighter budget or prefer a more subtle approach, they also look very effective as a simple border. If you're feeling particularly creative, why not take them from their webbed backing and create your own custom mosaic effect? You could try blending from one shade to another, have contrasting bands of colour going across the wall or create your own wavy shaped mosaic design. Why not try this idea: take the dark blue shades of Chromatic Azurite and create your own custom blend up to the more aqua and green tones of Chromatic Lagoon. I think it would look absolutely stunning in a shower or bath area!

My favourite in this Chromatic mosaics collection is Chromatic Purple Haze as it incorporates another love of mine - purple! Though equally delicious are the blues and greens of Chromatic Lagoon and the blues and purples of Chromatic Azurite; so evocative of the sparkles on the sun-drenched Mediterranean sea on a beautiful summer day!

With this glass mosaic tile range, you really do have everything. Including:

• a choice of beautiful, deep and rich colours
• glittery, sparkly, light-reflecting radiance
• a custom style effect which will never rub off or fade
• modern styling for your kitchen or bathroom

Be the envy of your neighbours and friends by choosing these glass mosaic tiles for your next home decorating project! Say "goodbye" to boring, flat-looking ceramic tiles and say "hello" to a wonderful, glittery, sparkling, depth of colour! Don't just take my word for how beautiful these mosaic tiles are. View this Chromatic Mosaic Tiles Gallery and see for yourself!

Amerock Kitchen Hardware

Amerock handles and knobs are some of the best hardware and most reasonably priced in the kitchen industry, especially if you choose the styles that are protected by Amerock's Guardian Lifetime Finish.

I have Amerock hardware throughout my home. As a testimonial, those handles and knobs have been in my home for over 8 years and not one is tarnished. Again, make sure to get handles or knobs with Amerock's Guardian Lifetime Finish guarantee. It's easy to keep the handles and knobs clean too. I just wash with warm water and a mild soap (like Dawn Dishwashing Liquid). The Dawn helps cut through the grease that's going to accumulate on your kitchen hardware too.

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Amerock Kitchen Hardware:

• Durability
• Affordability
• Their handles and knobs just feel good to grip and have ample room for fingers.
• They have literally thousands of handles and styles, plus dozens of finishes to choose from.
• They have several appliance pulls to choose from if you need them.
• Again, the Guardian Lifetime Finish - is guaranteed never to tarnish. Look for these handles if you plan on staying in your home a while and don't want to be replacing handles do to tarnishing.
• All Amerock kitchen hardware is guaranteed to be free of defects.
• They come with 8/32" x 1" screws for installation.
• A few of their most popular styles of kitchen knobs have been developed into passage and privacy door knobs and levers for your home (Amerock Ensembles Collection).
• Finally, the company has been around since 1929 and are part of the Newell Rubbermaid Company. They've been around a long time, and if you need to match handles and knobs that you get today with something you'll purchase or build in the future, they'll most likely have the same handle or knob, or a good match.

Amerock kitchen hardware has "lines". Allison is their cheapest hardware, but it's also not their best. You can find handles for a couple of bucks on up. They do have some pricey "lines" that can cost you $20 plus dollars per handle, but most of their hardware is reasonable.

How to Easily Pick out Handles or Knobs.

First, you should select a finish that you'd like to go with. For example, polished brass or oil rubbed bronze. Make sure it's something that will fit your decor.

Next, choose a style or design, such as contemporary, casual, European, etc.

Then, you need to decide what size meets your needs. Most handles have 3" centers (from mid-hole to mid-hole). If you are replacing hardware, you will need to know what size you have now. You can use backplates to coverup holes if you need to, as well as use knobs in handle holes (i.e. have two knobs 2 3/4" apart if you can't find any 2 3/4" handles that you like).

Finally, choose what you like. What looks great to you and what feels right are what you should get. If you don't, you'll end up replacing your hardware and spending up to several hundred dollars and a lot time again!

You can purchase Amerock kitchen hardware from several sources online, like The Woodworkers Depot, or from your local hardware or home center.

Green House: Compost Collection Starts at Home

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that over eight percent of the waste generated per person per day could be recovered for composting. In addition, over twelve percent of the municipal solid waste in the United States is comprised of food scraps. This adds up to nearly 32 million tons per year. By starting at home, we can all do our part to collect compostable materials and help divert waste from our landfills.

In order for any collection program to be successful, it has to be simple. If it is easy to collect food scraps, then it is more likely to be embraced by each and every member of your family. There are a few easy steps which can help ensure your house is doing its part to make a difference.

Start by educating the members of your household. Let them know that by collecting food scraps separately from your trash, everyone is doing their part to help the environment and change the world. It can be a powerful message.

Be sure to use the correct compost collection bins. Depending upon the size of your family, you may be able to use a smaller organic collection bin. For larger households, a larger kitchen collection container can be used. Many sizes are available. Be sure to choose the one that is right for you. In addition, you can use a kitchen compost bin that has a vented lid (often available with charcoal filters) to help ensure a steady air flow for the bin but also to reduce any unwanted odors.

Be sure to place your kitchen compost bin somewhere central and somewhere that everyone will use it. Placing it under the kitchen sink is a good idea as this is usually a very central location in the kitchen and allows for plates and dishes to be rinsed immediately after food scraps are scraped into the organics bin.

Choosing a durable collection container is always a good idea. Due to the composition of food scraps, the bin could get heavy at times and the last thing you'll want to deal with is a broken handle causing a spill. Also, the bin should be easy to clean (a bin that is dishwasher safe is a good idea).

Transferring the food scraps from your kitchen collector bin into a larger container is going to be important as well. Placing an organics collection cart in the garage is a good start. By making sure the kitchen container is emptied on a regular basis into the cart, you'll go a long way to helping reduce odors and ensuring your kitchen bin is always ready to collect more items.

If your municipality does not offer curbside collection of organics materials, you can always look at starting composting in your backyard. The food scraps you collect will not only stay out of the landfill, they will go a long way toward providing your gardens with the very best organic material to ensure they flourish.

By taking the correct steps, you can go a long way toward beginning a compost collection program in your very own home. It's easier than you think and will help truly make a difference in the world.

Things to Know About Maple Kitchen Cabinets

The cabinetry has been dubbed the building blocks of kitchens not only for their great contribution to the overall look of the interior but also for the organization they lend the area for more functionality and efficiency. When it comes to buying the best cabinet collection, the wide variety of selection can pose as a great challenge. A household name in furniture and cabinetry is maple, and maple kitchen cabinets are a common sight in many kitchens. So if you are looking to buy a set for your remodeling project, this article tells you why maple cabinets are an excellent choice.

Aesthetics

What draws many homeowners to choosing maple kitchen cabinets is the intrinsic character of the wood that features elegant fine grains. This creates a coordinated look to all units and a smooth to touch surface. Because of the tight grains, this type of hardwood will look fabulous when painted. When finishes in its natural color, you can get a light to medium natural tone that helps achieve a sunny welcoming feel in the heart of homes. And because the wood material stains very well, you can also find luxurious dark choices including mahogany, cherry, walnut and others.

Design Flexibility

Because maple kitchen cabinets come in a very wide array of finishes, you can choose the best complementing color for whatever color scheme you are working on in your remodeling project. You can choose to have your cabinetry custom-made or bought ready to assemble. Light weight, this hardwood is easy to work with and is a popular material for RTA cabinets in various styles to match with different kitchen designs. Some of the most popular collections include: Cherry Maple Glaze, Bronze Cherry, Chocolate Mahogany, Cinnamon Glaze, Coffee Caramel, Classic Rope, Espresso Shaker, Ginger Shaker, New Yorker, Randolph Walnut, Signature Black, Spice Maple and White Shaker.

Durability and Strength

The cabinetry that you buy should hold up for many years; this makes the level of durability and strength an important shopping factor to take note of. Maple kitchen cabinets are popular not only for their aesthetic benefits but also for the premium quality that they come in. This hardwood is particularly good at maintaining its beauty even through exposure to moisture, dirt and grime, and the always changing temperature levels. So even through the everyday use and abuse and no matter how busy your kitchen might be, your cabinet collection will grace the area with exquisite warmth for many practical years.

Cost

Because maple is widely grown in America, the supply for timber is adequate to make the price for custom cabinetry material as well as RTA maple kitchen cabinets minimal and affordable for buyers. Light weight, shipping would not cost as much and will be a whole lot easier especially if you buy ready to assemble units which are flat-packed. You can even take advantage of free shipping for a minimum order. So if you are particular about the budget, this hardwood material is a good option to give you the best value for your remodeling money.