Why You Should Choose a Thermostatic Shower

The shower is now seen – rightly – as not just a place for convenient hygiene, but of relaxing luxury, too. With the advent of additional jets and enclosed shower cabins, with radios and other flashy features, it is perhaps not surprising this is the case.

The thing is, some people still stick to the traditional mixer taps and valves, which have a number of significant drawbacks. Now, sometimes this decision is forced, as the type of shower you can have in your home often comes down to what type of system you have. For example, certain power showers require minimum pressure levels to ensure optimal performance. This is fair enough.

The nub of the issue however is that thermostatic showers are far easier to use and offer better performance. The main thing – and it might seem petty – is that it will give you an uninterrupted flow of water at a constant temperature. This alleviates that common, early-morning frustration of twiddling endlessly with your taps, alternating between scalding lava and arctic sea temperatures! This also leads to less water wastage, as more of it goes on you and not just gurgles uselessly down the plug hole.

Leading on from this point is the issue of safety. Cold water is not likely to give you anything more than an unpleasant jolt, and perhaps hypothermia if you inexplicably don’t get yourself out of the way within an hour or so! Overly hot water however is a safety issue, and thermostatic showers deal with this. This is because top class thermostatic valves have special features built in. Foremost among these are anti-scalding valves that do not allow water exceeding 38 degrees Celsius from transiting the valve. This gives you peace of mind, as you know your family is protected from extremely hot water.

The good thing about these thermostatic showers is that they provide utility with no detriment to style, longevity and looks. These valves, rails and other accessories come in a variety of designs and finishes, including chrome, which fit seamlessly with traditional or contemporary bathroom suites.

As they are of such a quality, you will find that manufacturers and stockists are prepared to back their thermostatic showers with guarantees of significant length. It’s not unknown for warranties of up to 10 years to be offered, so if you go in for one of these showers be sure to research your options.

In summary, a thermostatic shower mixer will set you back on the initial outlay, but this will be paid back through increased usability, peace of mind through safety and money saved through reducing waste water. It makes sense.

Salsa! We love Salsa!

We love Mexican food and good salsa.  One morning I was watching The Pioneer Woman's show and she was making salsa.  I liked all of the ingredients she put in and decided to try it.  Yummy!!  We love the recipe and make it often.

 

 

 

I use the following ingredients:

 

28 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes

2 cans of Rotel original

2 jalapenos (stems cut off)

A bunch of cilantro (stems cut off)

1/4 onion

1 clove garlic

1 T. lime juice

1/2 t. kosher salt (I think her recipe calls for 1/4 t, but I used 1/2 t. the first time and we like the taste...)

1/4 t. sugar

 

 

I have to put several loads into my little Cusinart, otherwise it'd overflow.  I add everything in except the lime juice, salt and sugar.  I put it on chop for 10-15 seconds (or until there aren't huge chunks of jalapeno), then pour it in a bowl.  After everything is chopped, I squirt lime juice in, add the salt and sugar and stir it up. 

 

This time I put about 1/2 of the recipe in this canning jar so it's easy to grab.  I refrigerate for a few hours before we eat it the first time.  It lasts about a week.

 

With two jalapenos, it comes out pretty 'hot', so if you like a more mild salsa, adjust the amount of jalapenos that you use.

 

Thank you to The Pioneer Woman for this recipe!

 

 

Do you have a favorite Salsa recipe?

 

Thanks for your visit.

 

Pam

 

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What are the Benefits of Having a Smeg Flueless Fire in the Home?

One hundred years ago, the fire used to be an essential part of the home. Grand fireplaces were the fashion, billowing out warmth.

In this contemporary age, they have been re-vamped into wall-mounted appliances with stylish aesthetics and excellent functionality. At the forefront of this revolution are Smeg with their fluless gas fires.

Originally from Italy, Smeg is renowned for their premium domestic appliances. Today, they are one of the world’s leading manufacturers, stealing centre stage in every home and responding to everyday demands.

Smeg ensures their core values of ‘technology with style’ are embodied through their fires. This sets them apart in producing elegant and efficient appliances, and their flueless fires are no exception to this.

The real benefit of these fires is their compatibility: due to their unique catalytic converter systems (which safely converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide), a chimney or flue is not required, so can be wall-mounted to blend in or make a bold statement in any room of the household.

Smeg have also designed these with complete safety in mind, as these wall-build fires come with a built in oxygen depletion sensor and flame failure device allow for peace of mind.

As well as catering for the contemporary home, Smeg have also considered a contemporary issue: the environment. As the company has made environmental sustainability one of its priorities, all Smeg flueless fires have been designed with environmental considerations in mind, and therefore have an impressive 100% efficiency rating as the fire convert the used gas into heat.

Their three ranges (Linea, Classic and Retro Style) are effortlessly stylish with interchangeable fascias, and are fully adjustable depending on the level of comfort you desire. View an extensive range of Smeg flueless fires at Superior Fires.

Overall, there are many benefits of these fires. Smeg has successfully harmonised design, technology and efficiency, making them a timeless addition to any household.

ome Improvement Ideas

DIY Home Improvement Idea #1

Install handmade shelves. Rather than purchasing typical cookie-cutter shelves, consider visiting a local craft fair or woodworker for customized shelves. Everything from style, color, design and cutouts can be customized with handmade items. Shelves are ideal for storing tools in the garage or knick-knacks in the family room.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #2

Replace vinyl flooring or install new tiles. These days, convenience is everything. It's easier than ever to replace vinyl flooring or install tiles with simple self-adhesive backing for easy placement. This will literally give you a new floor surface within a few hours.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #3

Install carpet. Before making a purchase, be sure to measure the area that you need to carpet. If you need to cut carpet, it's not a problem and special cutting tools can be purchased at any home improvement store. Simply roll it out and secure it to the floor for an easy DIY home improvement project.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #4

Install a ceiling fan. Not only will this add beauty to the room, but it will also help to circulate the air. Just be careful during the installation process and when climbing up or down a ladder.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #5

If you are a big fan of wallpaper, then you already know that it can start to peel from time to time. It's inevitable. At some point, wallpaper will need replacing and it's arguably one of the easiest home improvement projects that you can do. Wallpaper is sold at any home improvement store and can be cut to fit any room in your home. During installation, be sure to smooth the paper as you go in order to avoid bubbled areas.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #6

If you like the idea of sitting out on the porch or deck and watching fireflies light up in the night, consider adding an outside addition to your home. Plans can be purchased online or at some home improvement stores, along with the materials needed to complete the job.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #7

Painting your home, either inside or out, is a very popular way of improving it's overall appearance. Always be sure to read the instructions and use paint in a well-ventilated area.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #8

One of the more sensible DIY home improvement projects includes the installation of a dusk to dawn lighting system outside of the home. This type of lighting will automatically turn on if there is any movement outside of your home and is ideal for anyone, whether you live out in the country or in a larger area.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #9

As winter time rolls around, many people begin to consider replacing their windows to ensure that they are protected from the elements. Many people think of windows as simply something to look through but, in fact, they are much more than that. Windows can actually help to keep warm air inside your home and the cold air out during those harsh winter months, which will make it more comfortable for your family and also your wallet where heating costs are concerned.

DIY Home Improvement Idea #10

Install wall paneling. If you don't like the idea of painting or simply prefer the look of paneling, a visit to your local home improvement store could be the answer to your next DIY home improvement project. Wall paneling is sold in sheets, is pre-cut and ready for installation. All you need to do is place it in the desired location and secure it.

Find all types of home improvement contractors [http://www.addyoursite.org/home-family/home-improvement] who specialize at installing carpet, doors, siding, roofing and much more. If you are a home improvement contractor or an author of home improvement articles, add your site [http://www.addyoursite.org/home-family/home-improvement] or articles today.

Home Improving while Budgeting

As we all know, budgeting and home improvement does not always go together but this article will give you information that could help improve your home and still save a little money.

Home improvement projects regularly scare people off, because many judge that they will pay thousands of dollars to alter one room, because they do not have the skills to do the job them self. They may also feel that the job is costly because supplies and tools are needed.

To the contrary, home improvement does not have to be costly at all. Of course, if you hire a subcontractor or contractor to do the job, you will pay a fortune, but if you have patience and the ability to read and stick to the directions, then you can renovate an whole room in your home for fewer than a hundred dollars. Of course, you will need to change and correlate materials.

Before starting the procedure of improving your home, you will need to system of funds and a schedule to get started. You will need to ponder various notions when considering and preparing home improvement. For example, do you plan to paint your home? Do you plan to tile your home? Do you want carpet in your home?

Going through the final part of this article, you will see just how important budgeting and home improvement can be done which will help save you money and improve your home.

Asking questions is part of analyzing and preparing for home improvement. One of the best tools to have when considering home improvement is calculating what you like and calculating what you want. When I improve my home the first thing I do is explore my mind searching for favorites and what excites and appeals to me. Thus, when I go to the home improvement warehouses, I already have in my brain what I am ready to purchase, therefore this relaxes my quest to improving my home.

If you are short of funds to improve your home, then setting up a financial plan will help you get what you want as well as put away some cash for a rainy day. You may even think about purchasing equipment and tools for home improvement at the companies that propose lower prices and/or purchases with no payments until a particular date. This notion will give you time to get your home better while putting away the currency to purchase the improvement equipment and tools.

Unfortunately, many people go for another home loan to enhance their home. Receiving loans from lenders regularly lead to debt, and home loans for improvement only leads to paying off your home twice. Thus, elude high interest rates and loan payments and learn to plan your finances to improve your home.

Let me give you a general view of what one area could cost you for repairs. Say you want to paint a specific room in your home. You will need plaster, sealers, primer, paints, paint thinners, scrapers, screwdriver, paint opening (often come with paint purchases), patches, paintbrushes, tray, and so forth. Now you may think this will cost you a lot of money to improve your home, but to the contrary, you are wrong.

The paint and tools will cost you the most, while the other items will be priced less; thus, primer, sealers and plaster be priced around fifteen dollars if you go to the correct store.

Paint thinners, trays, brushes and screwdriver will cost around fifteen dollars if you go to the right store. Thus, the patches should be purchased with a plaster kit, which will salvage you a few pennies. The paint will cost around twenty dollars per can, depending on the kind of paint purchased. Therefore, for around a hundred bucks you could alter a room in your home lacking hiring anybody to do the job providing you stick to the instructions.

What about the bathroom, can you alter the room on a financial plan? It depends on the range of the area, but if you are yearning to tile your bathroom and paint the walls you could get the job done for around a hundred bucks give or take. If you go to the correct home improvement store and know what you are doing, you could remodel a small bathroom or average bathroom for around fifty bucks.

Learning to create a financial plan and prepare for home improvements can help you to remodel your whole home (if the home is in good standings) for a few hundred dollars. Furthermore, completing the work yourself, you will recoup you thousands of dollars.

Having this budget and home improvement information handy will help you a great deal the next time you find yourself in need of it.

Making Your Home A Better Place - Home Improvement Equity

Everybody thinks of having a better place to live. A place with all the facilities, more than a normal home. Which will not only give you physical comfort but also the inner satisfaction you are looking for. Home improvement loans will provide you the money to support your needs for converting your existing home into the one you wished for.

You may be wondering about the term equity in your home. Equity is the market value of your home less any debts taken against it in the past. You build equity as that difference grows --when you repay your existing mortgage to decrease the amount you owe, or when your home's value increases. With home improvement equity loans you can borrow up to 125% of your equity depending upon the requirement.

Home improvement equity loans are of two types.

One is standard home improvement equity loan in which you get the lump sum payment of the loan amount. This form of home improvement equity loan is suited for those who want to finance large one time expense. It offers you simple repayment terms and a security that your payments will never increase.

The other one is line of credit which you can use like a credit card. There is a limit set for you up to which you can borrow, and you just have to pay the interest on the amount you borrow. This form of loan is to finance ongoing expenses or miscellaneous purchases.

You can borrow against that equity when you need cash, using either a home improvement equity loan or a line of credit. Both offer a number of advantages over other types of financing including:

o Interest savings. Home improvement equity loans or line or credit typically have much lower interest rates than other types of financing, such as credit cards and personal loans.

o Tax benefits. Just like your first mortgage, the interest you pay on a home improvement equity loan or line is usually tax-deductible. You should consult your tax advisor about the deductibility of interest

Lenders normally place no limitations on your home improvement projects, as long as they are within the boundaries of your local building requirements. Depending on the type of improvement, you have the choice of doing the home improvement work yourself, or using a home contractor. You just need to do a little research while looking for a lender to avail the benefits.

Home improvement equity loans will provide you the right platform to transfer your place of living into a home. These loans are recommended as it is a nice way to get equity from your home for improvement of your home.

Dina Wilson is an expert loan advisor at online home improvement loan. She has done MSc Management and Finance from University of Whales. To find home improvement equity loan, Home improvement loans, cheap online home improvement loan, online home improvement loans.

Fancy A Dream Home Get A Home Improvement Loan

Guess where most people spend their time well it's their home. No wonder that people would like it to be perfect. So would most of the people as well. A perfect home depends on how an individual wants it to be. Perfection varies from individual to the other.

Most people love their home that's why it should be perfect in fact it should be reflection of perfection. If you love your home as well than it should be as you want it to be not as it is. If that is the case with you and you want your home to be your paradise but you cannot afford it then a home improvement loan can help you in your quest.

A home improvement loan is basically a loan offered to people who want to make major or minor changes to their home. The changes can be major or minor. Examples of the changes are

o Adding or renovations of new rooms

o Central heating

o Landscaping

o Adding of luxuries like fireplaces or swimming pool

o Plumbing roofing or safety repairs

It could be a minor change or a major change which can completely turn around your home. A home improvement loan offers you an opportunity to make that improvement to turn your home into a dream home.

There are various ways by which an individual can go for a home improvement loan.

Secured home improvement loan in this loan the borrower provides a security to the borrower. The security could be any thing either a car or any other asset of the borrower.

Home equity is another type of secured home improvement loan where the security provided by the borrower can be only his home for which the loan has been taken.

Home improvement is basically an equity loan where the security is essential for the borrowing of the loan. However if the loan amount is under £10000 then an unsecured home improvement loan can be borrowed. An unsecured home improvement loan does not require the borrower to provide any kind of collateral to lender. These loans therefore carry a little higher rate of interest (about 1% - 2%) then the secured loans. This is the result of lender covering up for his risk factor. The usual interest rate is around 11.4% (variable)

Everyone in this world has home even people with bad credit history,
People like, CCJ's, defaults, arrears, late payments or people who have previously filled for bankruptcy. A credit score is given to all UK people who have previously taken loans. A score of below 600 is the one which causes the bad credit history. A home improvement loan is now available to these people as well.

Applying for loans is easy all the people who want to get the home improvement loan need to do is go online and fill in their requirements after they have found themselves a lender. If approved they will get the loan very quickly.

There are other benefits of home improvement as well which many people do not know about.

o If you go for home improvement it increases the value of the home which helps the owners when the owner wants to sell the house. It often helps in getting a better deal for the home as a furnished home would fetch a better price then an unfurnished one.

o For most people pride is the most important thing and a dream home would be the thing that provides that pride.

o For people with bad credit history it is an opportunity to improve their credit score if they follow the repayment plan as it should be

A home can be the best place to be once you come from your work if it is properly maintained. A poorly maintained house is no good to anybody so a home improvement is an absolute necessity. A home improvement loan is designed for people who are not financially capable of going for home improvement with several benefits by keeping the borrowers financial capabilities in mind.

Home Improvement Loans Turn Your Home Into A Paradise

Home is the place where most of our time is spent. It's the place where we feel most secure. It's like the fortress which saves us from all the possible troubles that we can have.

These are a few reasons why our home should be at its absolute best. Things which can make it that can be minor or major.

If that is the case with you but you do not have sufficient funds with you to afford home improvement then home improvement loans are tailor made for you.

Home improvement loans are loans which are specifically designed for people who want to make changes to their home but they can not because of their financial standing.

A person may require a home improvement loan to make major or minor changes to their home which may be one of the following.

o Construction of the house

o Adding of a bedroom, kitchen

o Restructuring

o Landscaping the garden

o Adding to the safety of the house

o Electrical and plumbing work

o Renovation

o New furniture

Any work or changes that we make to our home is good for ourselves only as the owners will eventually benefit from the changes that take place in the home.

Benefits of going for home improvement

By going for home improvement we will raise the value of the house which will help us in negotiating a better deal if we want to sell the house.
Home improvement is better than moving to a new home both in financial and emotional terms.
Home improvement provides a lot more satisfaction to the owner of the home.

There are two ways of going for the home improvement loans

Secured home improvement loans is a way where by a borrower will have to provide collateral as a security to the lender which may be any of his assets. Such as borrowers car or his machinery. However if the borrower provides his home as a security this method of home improvement will be known as home equity method of borrowing home improvement loan. By this method we can get loans up to 125% of the property value.

Another method of borrowing home improvement loans is through unsecured means where the borrower does not have to provide any collateral to the lender as an obligation. However the borrower may have to pay a higher rate of interest to cover for the risk factor of the lender.

Home improvement can be required by any body therefore these loans are available to everyone even to people with bad credit. People who have faltered with their payments in the past such as CCJ's, People in arrears or people who have filled for bankruptcy. Bad credit is determined on the basis of a credit score which is a three digit rating which tells the lenders about the financial credit worthiness of the borrower. A credit score of below 600 usually leads to bad credit.

For applying for home improvement loans all people need is to go online and fill in their personal and loan details form after that the loan decision will be made by the lenders in a day or two.

Benefits of taking home improvement loan through online lenders

o Fast approval of loans

o There are a vast majority of creditors so you can choose your alternatives

o You can apply even if you have bad credit history

o You can borrow up to £75000.

o You can avail a few tax benefits as well.

o With so many creditors you always get the best deal which includes low interest rates and easy repayment schedule.

o While online you can use other services available online like debt calculator, loan calculator etc.

o If you are not sure about anything you can also interact with our experts and discuss your problems.

Home is the place many people worship because for them it is a place where their god is. Therefore we should always keep it as it should be as a temple. "Home sweet home" is how the phrase is and if we keep making the efforts for that then it will keep our life sweet as well.

Home Improvement Loan -Neighbor's Envy and Owner's Pride

Each one of us wishes to make our home look the best. Even small improvements in the home can make big changes. People undertake different home improvement projects be it for making it a better place to live or as a mere status symbol. You may have great home improvement plans in your mind. However, do you have sufficient funds with you? No, don't look at your savings. You may have big savings in your account, but don't use it for making home improvements, they can be used in handling any financial emergency in the future.

Why to use your own funds when you can take a loan to make home improvements? A home improvement loan can provide you with the funds you need to make the home improvements that you and your family has been eagerly waiting for.

Home improvement loan is tailored for the UK residents who wish to make improvements in their home. You can use the loan money to make specific as well as complete remodeling of your home such as heating system, new conservatory, new kitchen, rewiring or any desired home remodeling. When you will make improvements in your home, it will definitely help in increasing the value and add more equity in your home. This will help you in grabbing better and larger amount of loan in the future.

Home improvement loan providers in the UK can provide you with the loan amount up to £75,000. So, with a home improvement loan you can finance small as well as big home improvement projects. The rate of interest on the home improvement loan varies from lender to lender while the loan term may range from 3 to 25 years depending on your credit score and the amount you wish to borrow.

You get an option to apply for either a secured or an unsecured home improvement loan. Secured home improvement loan requires a borrower to put collateral against the loan. You can put your home, car or any property as a security against the loan. Advantages of secured home improvement loan are larger amount of loan, lower rate of interest, longer loan term and flexible repayment term.

Unsecured home improvement loan does not involve a borrower to put any security against the loan. Homeowners as well as tenants can apply for an unsecured home improvement loans. Homeowners by availing an unsecured home improvement loan can protect his property from the risk of repossession by the lender that happens in case a borrower fails to pay the loan money on time and in full.

Estimate the cost that will be incurred in undertaking the home improvement project before you start searching for the best home improvement loan deal. Plan in advance about whether you wish to do the improvements yourself or want to hire a contractor. If you wish to hire a contractor, you should also add his fees in the estimation of the expenses. All this will help you in determining the loan you need, to make the desired changes in your home.

Traditional lenders used to rule the finance market in the past. Lot of inconvenience was involved in the whole loan process. A borrower had to go out and meet each lender personally, fill in the long application form and stand in loan queues to submit their loan application form. And then wait for the lender's decision, which used to take many days and sometime even weeks.

Entry of the online lenders has given a breakthrough to all the hurdles that existed in the old lending process. In the present scenario, the loan application process has been simplified for the convenience of the borrowers. A borrower just needs to fill in a small online loan application form that hardly takes 2 to 5 minutes. Fast loan approval, in-principle loan decision and low rate of interest are some of the features of online loans.

By the time you are through with the loan application process, you will start receiving lot of loan offers that you may find to be the best. Don't hurry in making the decision, a little bit of research can help you save good sum of money that you can use in the future. Collect the loan quotes which is offered by most of the online lenders and compare them, look for the home improvement loan that is offered with the following features low rate of interest, larger loan amount, longer loan term and flexible repayment terms.

Make the required changes in your home to transform it into your dream home with a home improvement loan. A little bit of hardship on your part while searching for the best home improvement loan can help you save your hard earned pounds.

I Just Can't Refuse a Neat Birdhouse or a Green Scale!

 

 

 

 

I scored at a yard sale the other day!  I knew it was my kind of sale by the ad--Lots of farm equipment, rusty metal, antiques.  Yep-the trifecta of a perfect sale!  :)

 

As I was talking to the gentleman having the sale, I looked up and saw this HUGE birdhouse!  Now how could I pass something like this up?!   It was connected to the top of his shed and weighs about 30 pounds.  He immediately pulled out a ladder and a drill and sold it to me.

 

 

 

After being teased by my friends (and yes, my husband chimed in too) about buying another birdhouse (yes!!), I started digging a hole and cementing in a 4x4 cedar post. 

 

 

 

After it dried for a couple of days, I screwed a board to the post that would be big enough to screw the birdhouse into from the bottom.

 

 

 

Up it went, with 4" screws through it!  We get some strong winds here and I sure would hate for it to take a tumble.

 

I treated the board underneath and the post with my apple cider vinegar and steel wool solution for instant aging.  It worked perfectly and just about matches the aged look of the birdhouse already!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We added these additional supports (which I also "aged" with the apple cider vinegar and steel wool).  Hopefully this birdhouse will stand through all kinds of weather and have some birds calling it home next spring!

 

 

 

 Here's the new scale.  Yes, I definitely needed another one!  I love the rusty green goodness.  All I had to do was wipe it with water and it's good to go.

 

What fun things have you found at a yard sale recently?

 

 

 

Thanks for your visit!

 

Pam

 

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Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

 

Mom Had Some Talent!

My Mom used to spend every evening doing some sort of craft making.  She made beautiful crocheted afghans that we all treasure.  But I think her biggest talent was in counted cross-stitch.  She made SO many pieces, it was astounding!  Luckily, I was a fortunate recipient of several of her creations!

 

 

A couple of these were from kits that I purchased and asked her to complete, but most were just from reading a pattern on a piece of paper.  The patience required for this type of handi-work is amazing to me!

My favorite pillow!



This calendar has hung in our house for many, many years.  It's definitely one of my favorites!

 

(Please excuse the flash in some my pictures.)

 

Birdhouses (of course!)

 

 

 

We had pigs while growing up.  This Hampshire reminds me of one of our favorite pigs, Lucy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Birds and Gardens.  Perfect!

 

 

 

 



 

I love Americana!

 

 

 

This one was a very special gift to my daughter.  My Mom's good friend, Jan Jameson, is the artist of this picture and a couple of others above.  She made her artwork into cross-stitch patterns.  What a great keepsake.

 

 

It definitely makes me happy to have her amazing creations all over my house.

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam

 

 

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That DIY Party

 



Home Remodeling Concepts That Can Come To Life

When you're planning on remodeling your home, there's no doubt that you want to avoid a concept that will be dull and boring. After all, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom requires a certain investment, and the results need to be worth the payout. So, how do you plan a great home remodeling concept for your house? Below is some advice to help you design your next home remodel.

First, it's important to understand how successful concepts for home remodeling projects are developed. They depend on the harmony of a variety of different aspects that will vary from one home to another. Without this careful balance, getting the best results is nearly impossible. Things to consider when planning home remodeling projects include figuring out what you want in terms of fixtures, lighting, colors, materials, and function. What you choose at this stage can make a big difference in the final result of your remodeling project. You'll need to account for the space that you have, but also for the funds as well. With a budget planned out for buying materials and a realistic floor plan, you can avoid ending up short on cash and space.

Part of the delicate harmony of any good concept is very heavily reliant on lighting. Whether you have the ability to allow for natural lighting, or will need to rely on lighting fixtures to brighten up the space, the right lighting is essential. The perfect amount of light can open up a room, give life to new countertops, flooring and fixtures, and have a major effect on how big the space feels.

Choosing colors that work together is a great way to get the perfect look. Home remodel concepts that include the right amount of accent colors, but don't overwhelm the area, are important because they can affect the way that you feel in a room. Colors that are too loud can make you feel anxious, while carefully used bold colors can help capture the desired style and personality. Be careful to remember the hues of the floor, furniture, and fixtures. If you plan on using a material's natural color, learning about how that color may change over time can help you avoid a redesign later on.

Finally, good concepts need to function well. Whether you're planning a vintage look, or one that is modern and elegant, it's important for your room to offer the correct space and design to function as you need it to. If you put a cabinet too close to a desk or counter top, for example, you could find yourself having to live with the problem for years.

Making your home remodeling concepts come to life requires a careful balance of lighting, color, materials, funds, and function. If you're going to remodel part of your home, why not do it right? With all of the correct elements in place, you can pull off the perfect look and style with ease.

Tips For Your Lawn Care: Residents' Guide For Better Property Aesthetics

Maintaining and keeping your lawn beautiful and remarkable is surely a heavy task. You must spend almost your whole weekend just to accomplish the tasks of mowing and trimming. However, because of the hectic work at the office, you may want to just relax and enjoy your days off, leaving your lawns unattended for some time. In case you really need to fix and maintain your lawn, but you do not have the time, it is wise to opt for lawn care. Residents know that taking care of the lawn is essential since they can obtain wonderful benefits from it such as good air quality, reduced soil erosion and lower noise. In some areas, conditions are pretty hot and surely you need a place to cool down every weekend. Fortunately, lawns provide a cool and relaxing place to relax for anyone.

Aside from mowing and trimming, you must also know other maintenance tasks that you need to do in your lawns and here are several services you need to consider.

Fertilization and Weed Control - Fertilizing the lawn to help improve the soil and the turf is essential. Therefore, you must know the right the mixture since wrong mixture may ruin your lawns. Hence, you must look for reliable lawn care experts to help you. You must also get rid of the weed in your lawn since it can damage the aesthetics of your property.

Shrub Trimming - Other than the turf, shrubs must also be trimmed to create better aesthetics in your property. Trimming shrubs can also help make your properties look much cleaner.

Flower Bed Cleanup - Flowers create amazing features in your backyard. Their vibrant colours and splendid ambiance help individuals improve their turf. However, it is also essential to clean up the flower beds to help flowers grow properly.

Seasonal Flower Planting - There are times that flowers grow easily. You must know the best time to plant flowers to improve your backyard. You must also decide the best species of flowers to plant to get wonderful features.

Landscape Design - In order to make your lawns more appealing to you and your visitors, creating an amazing landscape design is the best option. For instance, you can include fountains or even a small sanctuary in your garden.

Irrigation Installation - With the scorching heat of the sun in Texas, you need to have enough water for your plants and turf. Therefore, you must build irrigation near your backyard for better accessibility of water.

Knowing these essential needs in your lawns, residents can create the best lawns in their properties, making it more appealing and alluring for everyone.

Why is Stainless Steel Such a Popular Domestic Material?

2013 marks a celebratory a century of design and innovation following the discovery of stainless steel in 1913. Stainless steel has become an increasingly popular material not only in architecture, technical equipment, health and environmental products but also consumer goods. When it comes to home appliances and furniture the material has a lot to offer.

With so many benefits such as being aesthetically pleasing in design, easy to maintain and a long life span, stainless steel products are definitely worth the investment.
Stainless steel is a low carbon metal with a high chromium content which makes it corrosion resistant, an ideal domestic material. There are many unique qualities of stainless steel that make it a leading contender in the choice of suitable materials for the home where water is present, particularly in taps and radiators.

Stainless steel also has self healing properties. A chromium rich oxide film forms across the surface of stainless steel, if it should become mechanically or chemically damaged as long as there is enough oxygen present it will self heal. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and staining, making it an ideal material for many applications.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Taps

Kitchen taps are one of the main focal points in any modern or traditional kitchen and can really add a little wow factor to any kitchen. Stainless steel taps have many benefits including superior hard wearing properties as they do not readily corrode, rust or stain and do not show up dirt and residue like polished chrome does, making stainless steel a highly regarded material for taps.

The ‘brushed’ finish does an excellent job of not showing water marks and fingerprint smears, much better than the more common polished chrome taps prevalent in most kitchens.

Not only perfect in form stainless steel kitchen taps have become innovative in design. With so many modern and traditional designs to choose from offering the latest convenient features including ceramic disc technology for quarter turn operation and swivel spouts, also easy to clean and maintain, with unrivalled reliability.

Stainless Steel Radiators

Stainless steel radiators have become a very popular bathroom trend due to the large variety of designs available. Stainless steel towel radiators come in an array of designs, sizes including flat panel, curved, arch shaped, ladder design in a range of sizes, are easily maintained and will last for many years.

Radiators used in bathrooms are always surrounded by moisture and water, which is why stainless steel radiators anti rust properties make them a great long term investment for your bathroom. Moreover, stainless steel radiators offer better heat conduction than other radiators, making them a better emitter of heat and will hold heat for a longer period of time, keeping your bathroom warmer for longer.

At Tap Warehouse you’ll find an extensive collection of stainless steel radiators and taps from leading UK suppliers such as Radox, Just Taps, Vellamo and SBH designs to suit both modern and traditional style bathrooms and kitchens. You will also get the very best prices with big discounts off the RRP. Visit www.tapwarehouse.com and add a new focal point to your bathroom.

Wood’s No Good: The Benefits of UPVC Doors

If you are a wooden door compulsive and you have never thought about choosing a UPVC door for your home, perhaps it is time you did. Alternatively if you have pondered the plus point of plastic-based doors but decided against them, maybe you should think again.

This is because there are numerous benefits to a UPVC door, and possibly a few that you are unaware of. Let’s see shall we, by looking at the major advantages of UPVC doors.

• Secure

It is well established that UPVC doors provide more security than traditional wooden doors. The majority of these doors have a galvanized steel core, so they are incredibly hard to break down. UPVC doors are also designed to make it almost impossible to prise open with a crowbar.

• Cost-effective

UPVC doors are cost-effective because they have the capacity to save considerable amounts of energy. These doors are efficiently designed so that they prevent heat loss and also stop cold air from entering the home. This means you don’t have to use as much energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

• Offer noise reduction

As well as keeping out cold, UPVC doors keep out noise and this is a great benefit in built up towns and cities. With these doors you can therefore create a calm and quiet retreat wherever you live.

• Require little maintenance

While wooden doors need regular painting, varnishing and other maintenance to keep them looking presentable, UPVC doors just about look after themselves. The most you need to do is oil the locking mechanism of your door, and that’s about it! This makes UPVC doors perfect for busy people who don’t have the time to constantly touch up a wooden door.

• Smart appearance

Because UPVC doors require almost no maintenance they always look smart. And if you don’t like the clean white look of many of these doors there are numerous other colours to choose from. You can also buy your favourite of the many PCV Door Handles on the market, so that your door looks exactly how you want it to.

If you would like to save energy and therefore money, and get a door that requires next to no maintenance, the answer is simple: a UPVC door. Plus you can benefit from noise reduction and excellent security for your home.

Adding a Little Character to a Rickety Vinyl Fence

 

 

 

Around part of our backyard, we have an off white vinyl fence.  It's been rickety since we moved in, but it wasn't falling down and my husband said he didn't want to deal with it unless it fell down.  I was not happy about that, especially since our pond is right there and my plants are getting bigger each year.  I also have several birdhouses around that area and didn't want to lose any. 

 

A few weeks ago we had some very big gusts.  We came outside to see the big white and green birdhouse on the ground where the fence had swayed enough to knock it over.  Ok, that was IT!  Time to tighten up that baby!

 

We found out that not only do we have an unstable fence, but the neighbors on the other side have an identical fence that is just as wobbly and touches our fence!  So each time the canyon winds would blow, both fences would rock back and forth.  (ugh!!)  When we took some parts down and lifted up the 'post', it was just sitting on the concrete.  No cement inside, no brackets, nothing!!  No wonder it moved like crazy!

 

 

 

We started by digging down in the dirt next to the cement wall.  We dug down about 15" for each of the three posts.  There was concrete down there, so we couldn't dig deeper.  We drilled holes (meaning he drilled holes...), then attached anchors through the new 4x4 into the concrete wall.  We then poured concrete in each hole. 

 

 

The next day we attached brackets between the new 4x4's and vinyl 4x4's.  The funny thing was that the vinyl fence was SO un-level, that we were sure our boards were off, but lo and behold, the new ones were perfect. 

 

 

 

 

We put lattice between two of the new 4x4's and planted vines.  We put the birdhouse back up  and are very happy with the results.  Last week we had strong winds again and not a bit of creaking anymore!  Success!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn't add lattice to the other section because of the slope of the hill that it's on.  There just wouldn't have been enough lattice to work with to look right.  Instead, we hung a birdfeeder there and will patiently wait for the Weigala and Rose of Sharon that are right there to grow and cover the area.

 

 

 

 

We spent two days and about $200 and now have a sturdy fence.  It certainly saves us from the huge expense of putting in an entirely new fence along that wall.  And, now I have more places to plant!

 

Thank you for your visit!

 

Pam

 

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Tips for Painting Your Home With Water-Based Latex Paint

Have you ever wondered if painting your walls is something that you could do yourself even without much experience? The truth is that painting will never be too much trouble for anyone as long as they understand what paint they use and what the previous paint on the wall is. Of course, choosing the right brush and instruments is essential as well but nothing can substitute the good understanding of the type of paint you use. So if you are willing to make the step and "do it yourself" get ready to read a few articles about the different kinds of paint (and the internet has a pretty good variety of those articles). Then do some research on the market for the brand of paint you wish to purchase. Keep in mind of course that even the best painter cannot do much with a bad paint. Nobody likes uneven color on the walls, and thin, almost transparent paint which looks more like milk rather than wall paint.

Let's assume that you are getting ready to paint your interior walls. The two main types of paint that you will encounter, as you probably already know, are oil and latex (emulsion) paint. Each of them has its positives and negatives. Oil-based paint is preferred for exteriors rather than interiors and mainly when the walls underneath have already been painted once with an oil-based paint. It requires additional work to prepare an oil-based painted wall for emulsion paint but that's not something to be discussed in this article. So if you are decorating your walls on the inside you are most probably using water-based emulsion paint. This kind of paint provides a large range of colours and can give you a matt or a silky covering, depending on your personal preferences.

So you have your water-based emulsion paint ready with the great color you wish to transform your home in. You first step will be cleaning the walls. Make sure there is no dust as that could damage your new paintwork. Some people suggest using a good detergent and water. I have had great results at home with just cleaning off all the dust with slightly wet broom or a piece of cloth. Then you take a look at the backside of your new paint. There are some general instructions on the back of the can. Some of them will say that you should add 10% of clean water into the paint, some of them won't mention anything about adding water. Consider the previous paint on the walls. If it is slaked lime paint or any other absorbent type of paint you could still apply emulsion paint on top of it. There is however one trick to make your color is even. I usually repeat every wall I have painted at least twice. There are some one-coat paints that are good enough but for a slaked lime paint the trick is to make the first coat with a paint in which you have added a considerable amount of water (70 or less % paint and 30 or more % water). To the absorbent type of paint this will act as a good base and you don't have to spend more money on an under tint. Then, the second coat could do with a thicker paint. If the paint underneath is already an emulsion paint you can still add some water on the first round. Not as much as you would usually do with the absorbent paints but it is still a good way to ensure the color at the end matches your expectations. To ensure no paint peeling or anything unpleasant can happen you can always do a sample on the wall before starting your paint work.

I am a self-employed house cleaner, decorator and labourer operating in Southsea, Portsmouth.

I can take care of your home on the cheapest prices you can find in the area and be very responsible about it. The fact that I am working on my own makes my worktime very flexible and I can also help you with organising everything about the job you want me to do for you!