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Look In The Attic: Attic insulation is taken for granted many homeowners think they’re covered when they’re not. A well insulated attic will afford you a substantial savings on your heating costs. Make a trip to your attic with a ruler/yard stick in hand, check the thickness of your insulation if the insulation under the rafters is six inches thick or less, you need to adjust your R-value. R-value is a rating of resistance to heat flow; higher numbers signal a better ability to protect against heat transfer. Most attics need an R-value of 38 or more, which typically translates into at least a foot of insulation, (check with a local insulation retailer for the proper coverage in your area). Because colder climes need more protection, recommended R-values vary across the country, so find out how much insulation you need (or log onto www.simplyinsulate.com ). New insulation isn’t cheap, but compare to what you loose in heating cost each year, it will pay for itself in no time, and it can lower heating and cooling costs by 25 percent in a single year. And don’t forget, that starting in 2006, you can get up to $500 in federal tax credits for insulating your home (for more information, go to www.energy.gov and click on The Energy Bill and You).

Where Is That Air Coming From: Replacing old windows with airtight ones may also qualify you for that tax break and can cut heat loss from your home in half. But, if you can’t afford to buy new windows this year there are some cheaper alternatives that can still save you up to 10 percent annually. Check for leaks around windows and doors by holding a lit candle (you can also buy power/smoke tester at your local retailer) in front of your window if the flame flickers, you need to find the leak and seal it. For an easy fix, apply peel-and stick weather stripping, available at any hardware store. If you have some really leaky windows consider buying a plastic insulation kit (they sell anywhere from $3 to $8) now your window will not will the Better Home & Gardens Award, but it’ll block the cold and reduce your heating costs. Easy solution…

Fill Those Gaps: Getting rid of leaks can save you $$ on your annual heating bill. You should do a whole house inspection not just windows and doors. Holes, gaps around pipes, cracks, dryer vents, fixtures, and outside outlets can be a substantial source of heat loss, take a look around the house fill in any cracks with silicone or acrylic caulks. For larger cracks/ spaces (more than a half inch) use a spray-type sealant-a can of latex foam filler it will do the job nicely. (Don’t forget that the foam will expand as it dries, so don’t go over board filling the gaps).

Duct Those Joints: It’s funny how most of us use duct tape for everything, but its intended purpose. You know the heating/cooling ducts that run through the basement, attics and crawl spaces. Well grab that duct tape by tapping off all those seams and leaks you can find will keep your heated/cooled air from escaping in turn your heating/cooling system will not have to work as hard. The results you can shave several degrees off your thermostat setting and still feel just as warm. The Department of Energy estimates that leaky ducts can increase heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars a year. (Lots of money to be saved here)

Get Your Degree: Lowering your water heater’s setting from a very HOT 140 degree Fahrenheit to a just HOT enough 120 degrees can save you nearly $50 a year. You can save another 10 percent by wrapping your hot water tank in a $15/$20 insulating blanket. To be on the safe side, check with the heater’s manufacturer to see if your unit can be wrapped (A word of caution, insulating blankets are not recommended for gas heater.)

My Feet Are Cold: Do you sit in your favorite room reading or watching TV and your feet get cold you can feel that cold air. “Well Let’s Stop It”. Rooms can lose heat through electrical outlets and light switches on outside walls, because the spaces behind them are usually un-insulated. To solve the problem, make a trip down to the local hardware supplier and pick up some precut outlet gaskets, they cost only a few dollars per eight-pack. They are fairly easy to install, (Do read the direction before starting.). Simply remove the screw from the outlet plate, fit the insulating foam gaskets on the back of the outlet cover, and replace it. Repeat for the switch covers as well. Pretty Easy…

Know Watt’s - Watt: One easy cost savings is to replace your light bulbs with new compact fluorescents (CFLs) they use almost 75 percent less energy than conventional incandescent bulb providing 100 watts of illumination for only 32 watts of power. They will vary depending on what watt bulb you purchase. Replacing just five of your most frequently used bulbs with fluorescents can lower your electric bill by more than $50 annually.

Up-Grade Those Appliances: New model washers, refrigerators, and other home appliances that sport the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star insignia are major energy savers. Next time you’re at Lowe’s, Home Depot or your favorite appliance store, take a look. I know we have all seen them one time or the other, but we probably never really bothered to read them, take a look. The average Energy Star appliance uses up to 50 percent less energy than one made a decade ago. That translates into substantial savings on your electric bill about $20 in annual operating costs for a dishwasher, $55 for a fridge, and a whopping $110 for a washing machine.

Damper it Down: Ah!! Sitting down in front of a nice fire is a great way to relax and get warm, but in the long run it usually will not save you any money on heating dollars. In fact, they could go up in smoke if you fail to close the damper once the fire has gone out. If you feel a chill in front of your fireplace when it’s not in use check to make sure the damper is fully closed. If it is, and you still feel a draft your damper may not seal properly, get your damper checked by a professional in the office season. Consider installing a set of glass doors they help save on energy and look great too.

Where’s Honey: Lowering your thermostat by roughly 10 percent (for instance, from 73 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) for eight hours a day can save approximately 10 percent off your heating bill. There is another very inexpensive way to stay warm merely adding a sweater or additional article of clothing, but for most this is not appealing at all. This one can even perk up your marriage or relationship, before going to bed turn down the thermostat and cuddle under a down comforter or an electric blanket.

Flip The Fan: Here’s another great heat saver, did you know that by reversing your ceiling fan in the winter can actually keep you warm for less. It will re-circulate warm air which rises to the ceiling, recycling heat back into the room (try the lowest setting). The fan costs only pennies a day to operate-and for every degree it allows you to turn down the thermostat you should save and estimated 5 percent on your total heating bill. And you though that fan was just for those hot muggy nights!!!!!!!!!

Energy Audits Are Good: Try the Home Energy Saver program at http://hes.lbl.gov it lets you plug in information about your home’s age, square footage, and other details to gauge its energy efficiency. Or you can check with your local energy supplier and ask them to conduct heat-loss checks via infrared cameras and blower door testing. (Check on the cost as they will vary from state to state) Usually, an energy audit costs from $25 to $400, and some energy companies offer free audits for low-income households.

Hope this will help you to save, on your Heating and A/C costs in the future.

Author

Mike Pulli

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[tags]heating,cost savings,home improvement,money savings, insulation,caulking,repair[/tags]

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

Here are ten household helpful hints for choosing curtains:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About The Author:
Roger King has been involved in home interior designs for several years, and has been
helping people find and review the best value for interior design solutions. Visit his
Web site http://www.all-homeinteriordesigns.com to learn more about this service.

[tags]curtains[/tags]

A lot of people are getting more and more concerned about the quality of their drinking water. And according to published reports they have very good reason to be concerned. It has been estimated that almost 7 million Americans get sick each year from drinking contaminated tap water. And on top of that, many studies that have been done recently indicate that most bottled water is no better for you than what you may get from your home tap. What that essentially means is that you are paying much more for the same quality of water then.

So water filtration systems have become very popular with many homeowners as a means of improving their home. There are several kinds of filtration systems in use today, and we will try to help you get familiar with the most important ones.

1. The cheapest to purchase, easiest to use, and most portable are water pitchers designed specifically for the purpose of filtering water. The advantage of these water pitchers is their simplicity itself. All you have to do is fill the picture up with tap water and then let it filter out the impurities. The biggest disadvantage to using water pitcher filters is the time that it takes for the water to be filtered. Very often they take 15 minutes or more just to filter a half-gallon of water. So obviously, if you often need water right away this may not be your best solution.

2. The next step up in the water filter chain are faucet mounted water filters. These are often seen advertised on television and in magazines. As the name indicates, they connect to the end of your water faucet, and have a lever so that you can either choose straight tap water, or to send the tap water through your filter instead. These are also very inexpensive types of filters, and very easy to install. They filter water much more quickly than water pitcher filters, but the filter cartridges have to be changed on a regular basis, perhaps every month or so.

3. Undersink water filters have the advantage of providing some of the best overall water filtration possible, and also are stored out of sight. They also work much faster then either water pitcher filters or faucet mounted filters. However, the biggest drawback to them is that in many cases professional installation is a good idea. Some homeowners that are very handy may attempt to tackle the installation of an undersink water filter, but for the average person it may be too much of a job. Cartridges are also used as the filter material for these units, but they only have to be replaced about every six months or so.

4. Whole house water filters are able to provide filtered water to every faucet in your home easily and quickly, which many see as a clear advantage. However, they can be even more involved to install than undersink units, and so most often you will need the services of a plumber to get it set up. The filters in these units also last about six months or so.

5. Reverse osmosis water filters were very popular in the past, but are not nearly as popular today due to the increasing effectiveness of some of the less expensive and easier to install water filtration systems. Perhaps the biggest drawback about reverse osmosis filters is that they waste almost 5 gal. of water for every gallon that they purify. On the plus side though, they are one of the best water filtration systems available, capable of filtering out even some of the smallest and most obscure pollutants.

As you can see, there are several choices to be made when you’re considering home water filter systems, and hopefully the information provided above will help you make a more informed choice of the water filtration system that will work best for you.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find home water filter systems and water filter reviews by visiting our Home Improvement website.

[tags]water filter, water, water filtration, reverse osmosis, drinking water, home improvement[/tags]

There’s a huge range of wood species available for building wood decks, so how do you decide what’s best?

The best way is start is to consider the factors that are most important to you, your particular circumstances and the proposed deck location and then give a weighting to each factor to come up with the best option. Everyone’s situation is slightly different, so what’s best for you, may not be appropriate for someone else.

There are probably seven most relevant factors which you should take into account when deciding what lumber species is best for your situation.
These are:
Type of wood (hardwood or softwood)
Natural durability
Colour of the wood
Wearability
Ease of machining and working
Environmental considerations
Cost

Hardwood or softwood
Most softwoods with the notable exception of western red cedar, some cypress species and a few species of pine and larch are not naturally durable and will decay quite rapidly if left totally exposed to the weather. Fortunately softwood species readily accept chemical preservatives so when treated, their durability can equal or exceed most of the naturally durable hardwood species.

Durability
Durability refers to a combination of properties which includes resistance of the timber to decay, termite and borer attack and also to splitting and checking when used under exposed conditions. As wood is a natural product, it’s not really possible to assign a precise or absolute value to the durability of an individual species. And the actual life which can be expected of a deck in service will be dependent on many factors including degree of exposure of the deck to the elements, prevailing weather conditions, the air circulation around the decking etc. Various charts and tables are available which list the relative durability of wood species based on their actual in service so can be used to provide a useful broad comparison between species. Note should also be taken of termite resistance if this is important in your region as this will vary greatly between species.

Colour of the wood

There is a huge color variation within wood species, from pale yellow, through brown’s to reds and red orange, even purple. And some species may be very consistent in colour whilst others can vary considerably from board to board or even along the length of a single board. Some species have flecks of a paler color interspersed along the grain. However unless a strict maintenance regime involving regular oiling of the wood decking is maintained, all wood species exposed to the sunlight will eventually fade over time to a soft silver grey- the speed at which this occurs will depending on the species, the prevailing weather conditions, the degree of exposure of the deck to the sun, the intensity of the sun and the frequency of application of the protective oil.

Environmental

The destruction of the great forests of the world, not only in the Amazon basis and South East Asia but also in major Western nations, should be a major concern to everyone. Several organizations, the best known of which is probably the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), have established standards and operating procedures which forestry owners must adhere to in order that their products may carry that organization’s official certification. This provides some assurance that the wood and wood products have been harvested in accordance with sustainable forestry practises and sound forest management procedures and that any finished products have been manufactured and supplied under non exploitative labor practices. Many governments have established their own standards outside of the FSC but consideration needs to be given whether such standards and operating procedures may in fact be catering to vested interests and that some reliable and certifiable mechanism actually exists to ensure procedures and practices are indeed followed as required.

Wearability
In this rather subjective term, we are looking at what happens to the surface of the wood as it ages, how it weathers as the deck becomes older. Generally this is not such an important factor unless you like to walk on your decking with bare feet. With some species, the grain tends to lift as the wood ages, causing small splinters to appear. With other species however the surface can remain virtually smooth for years.

Ease of working with tools
Some hardwood species are exceptionally hard and thus require carbide tipped saws to speed construction. Also when nailing boards, some species can be nailed directly whilst other species will tend to split if not predrilled. Even with softwoods such as cypress, pre-drilling may be necessary.

Cost
In general, softwoods will be lower in cost than hardwoods, reflecting the shorter time to maturity of the trees, extensive plantation grown forests with easy access for harvesting and lower processing costs. Some plantation grown hardwoods can approach the cost base of hardwoods but the lower recovery rate of most hardwoods still tends to keep the price above that of most softwoods.

The above presents just an overview of the main factors you should consider when choosing a lumber species for your deck. Each of the above factors can be looked at in more detail but this should enable you to make a more considered decision on the type of lumber you would like to use for your particular decking project.

About the author:
Malcolm Kay is the CEO of Intex Pacific Pty. Ltd. an international supplier of landscape materials including modular decking tiles. For more information see http://www.deckingtiles.com.

[tags]decks, decking, home improvement, do it yourself, home remodelling, deck building, patios[/tags]

I love my outdoors living space. The fragrant flowers, shading trees, even the constantly needing-to-be-mowed grass. I enjoy all of it and I spend a significant amount of time keeping it in good condition.

Unfortunately, gardening is a hobby that can become expensive. A $20 bill for this flat of flowers, $50 for that new tree, maybe $100 for a consultant to tell me why the grass is dead can add up to real money. I’ve always had to be careful with how much I spend on landscaping, so over the years I have found a few ways to make a little money provide the yard I like and enjoy.

End-of-Season Sales. Do you remember to do this for clothes and household items and forget to check out the garden center? You can get great deals on out-of-season plants or seeds. Even annuals can be worth buying at super closeout prices. They won’t bloom until next year, but for the price savings you can afford to take a chance on planting them now and waiting to see how many return next spring.

Look at stores other than garden centers for really good markdowns. The best deal I ever found was at a hardware store on 5 flats of varied tomato and 2 flats of varied pepper plants for the low price of ZERO. Roughly half grew and I had homemade salsa all winter long.

Divide and Transplant. Given half a chance, many plants will start to take over their beds. Instead of letting daisies and other plants take over, or pulling them like weeds, dig the offending plants up. Take them to another part of the yard and replant. In a few years, a small amount of plants can be multiplied many times.

Trade. Trading plants and bulbs can be fun. Daisies, lilies, even lilacs from different friends and family are beautiful in my yard even though I never paid a single penny for them. They are all from people who had excess and were glad to take some of my crowded plants. This is the cheapest method of landscaping your yard - there is no expense involved at all!
Unexpected Opportunities. When the local hospital was getting ready for a major expansion, they had several thousand square feet of sod in the way. Several neighbors received permission to rent a sod-cutting machine and haul the grass away for their own yards. A $50 rental fee yielded many hundreds of dollars in sod.

Know the Alternatives. Growing a little of this and a little of that in the produce garden can be expensive when it costs more to grow than to purchase. Green peppers might not be cost-effective to grow when you can buy them 3 for $1 during the season. Cucumbers, on the other hand, seem to be worth growing when they never seem to cost less than $.88 each. I can get 5 - 10 from each plant in my garden for a minimum of $4 savings!
Gardening and having a nice yard doesn’t require a lot of money. It requires creativity and an eye for opportunity. Decide to spend only what you can afford to spend and nobody but you will know it by looking at your yard.

Roger Sorensen

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Slave2Work.com - Are you ready for financial freedom?

[tags]gardening,landscaping,september gardening,home garden,winterizing,planting,soil,garden[/tags]

More and more today, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house. No longer just the place where food is stored and prepared, it has become the focal point of home life. Kitchens used to be closed off from the rest of the house with walls and doors. Today, however, both in new houses and in remodeled older style homes, you can see into the kitchen from the living room, the family room, or both. Since the kitchen is constantly on view, kitchen decorating is an important part of home decor.

Some kitchens are treated as completely separate areas in plain view. Others are carefully decorated to blend in with adjoining spaces. In both cases, kitchen wall treatments are key to decorating this busy room. Paint continues to be a popular choice, but the range of “kitchen” colors has exploded. Cornflower blue, butter yellow, bright reds and lively greens are commonly used as a base for French country or Tuscan kitchen decorating themes. Wallpaper options run the gamut from contemporary designs to Americana. In addition, slate, saltillo and ceramic tiles once used exclusively on floors are being used on walls to add texture and visual interest.

Part of decorating a kitchen is creating an organized space. Whether you have a specific decorating theme or not, you’ll want to give some thought to which kitchen accessories stay on the countertop and which are hidden in cupboards and drawers. Many cooks find a tall cylindrical container to hold frequently used cooking utensils keeps them from frantically rummaging through drawers. Appliances that get regular use, such as toasters and electric can openers are a good choice for countertop position, although most can be mounted under high cupboards.

Major appliance manufacturers recognize that their merchandise is a major visual element in any kitchen. Instead of just offering a choice between white, black, harvest gold or green, they produce an amazing range of “looks.” From gleaming stainless steel, to retro 1950’s look to standard white, you can choose refrigerators and stoves that blend with your kitchen decor. Some manufacturers can even help you match your appliances to your countertops for a seamless look.

As in any room in the house, it’s the little touches that pull your kitchen’s look together. Choose a “punch” color (usually contrasting to your walls) for window treatments and a throw rug. A tiled sink backsplash in this shade will add an extra bit of pizzazz. Don’t be afraid to add ornaments to the walls of your kitchen. Framed family photos, or even a collection of cookie cutters will add personality and warmth.

Additional information, resources, and updates for this article can be found at:
http://www.diyhomedecorating.com/articles/2005-10/205/kitchen-decorating-ideas/

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Visit The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - for more Decorating Ideas, Tips and Resources.

[tags]decorating, ideas, kitchen, decor, decorating ideas, kitchen decorating[/tags]

If you are going to clean your carpets without the help of a professional carpet cleaner, there are some things that you should know.

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, carpets should be thoroughly cleaned every 12 to 18 months. This means that in order to remove deep dirt and stains, the carpet should be dry or wet-extraction shampooed. However, before this is done, to keep a carpet clean in the interim, it should be vacuumed daily.

When it’s time to clean your carpet, check the label and see what the manufacturer recommends. You can rent the necessary equipment to do it yourself, but you want to make sure that you are renting the right equipment.

If you have a carpet that is made of synthetic fibers, you can choose any cleaning method recommended by the manufacturer. The cleaning solutions that you use should contain stain resistant ingredients sold for synthetic carpets. You should never use soap or any kind of detergent. There are five different cleaning methods that can be used including the Bonnet Method that is a machine similar to a floor buffer with a spinning pad that removes dirt. The Polymer Compound Method is a saturated compound of detergents and solvents that are brushed onto a rug with a machine and then vacuumed. The dry foam extraction method uses a dry foam cleaning solution that is applied to a rug using a machine with reel-type brushes and a wet vacuum. The hot water extraction method is better known as steam cleaning, which is a pressurized cleaning method, and the rotary shampoo method is similar to the Bonnet method.

If you are going to clean your carpet yourself, you will save money. Just remember to pre-vacuum the carpet to remove as much dirt as possible and use only what is recommended by the manufacturer to clean the carpet.

Carpet Cleaning provides detailed information on carpet cleaning, carpet cleaning supplies, carpet cleaning machines, carpet cleaning equipment and more. Carpet Cleaning is affiliated with Berber Carpets.

[tags]carpet cleaning, carpet cleaning supplies, carpet cleaning machines, carpet cleaning equipment[/tags]

Home improvement if called life improvement would not be a misnomer. Home remodeling is the baby of unchanged phenomena of change. It is initiated to improve the quality of life in synthesis with the changing dictates of time and directed towards more comfort. However, it needs a careful planning and sagacious attention to economy, utility, aesthetics and immediate purpose. You can either restrict it to a part of the home like kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, patio, any pocket of the house or to the house in entirety. You can also limit it to designing or flooring, or electric wiring or making arrangements for the new gadgets.

Slowly as technology is making inroads in our daily life including kitchen, it makes it essential that Kitchen springs to the changes. For instance, Kitchen remodeling can include provisions for new electronic chimneys, microwaves, pot rack, measures against fire hazards, new flooring etc. You can also have a special built-in wall unit where the oven sits within, allowing lot of storage space. It makes a judicious use of available room and makes even a small place look bigger. It is possible that you want to opt for an oven different from the existing one, convection, gas or electric etc defined by the degree of comfort with the equipment and requirement.

Pot racks not only lend a sophisticated look to the kitchen but are of immense utility too, holding the burden of cooking. All types of cooking pots and pans can easily nestle themselves there freeing the cabinet space from having a cluttered appearance. Like this there can be space-specific intricacies that need to be studied before taking up the decision of home remodeling. The name ‘home’ remodeling should not however make you think that it is confined to merely residential areas. They are relevant in both commercial and residential ambiences- or anywhere where humans habitate.

The “home remodeling” can be either a DIY or by hiring contractors. If latter it is important to pay attention to the measures that offer protection from any cheating later. When the contractor as required by law posts a surety bond with the CCB (Construction Contractors Board) it is ‘bonded’. And when the contractor as required by law accepts the general liability insurance to the CCB it is insured. Both bonded and liability insurance are tools that offer valuable protection to consumers. The latter covers the damage of the property or bodily injury caused by the poor work of the contractor while a surety bond the cost of removing, repairing or replacing the contractor’s bad work. In spirit both are evolved to provide financial security and make home improvement a pleasant experience to the property owners.

Deepika Rohilla

[tags]Home Remodeling, Home improvement, kitchen remodeling,[/tags]

A nice backyard or garden is a perfect addition to any house, it creates a place for family members to sit outside, enjoy the outdoors and change their atmosphere completely. Once you have a place that has an outdoor backyard or garden you will need to put in some effort into the design of the garden, it has an amazing affect on your family’s health and well-being. This article will discuss the creation of harmony in your garden or backyard and bring peace and happiness within your home.

Vastu in Sanskrit means nature, a surrounding or environment. The word “Vaasthu” denoting anything existing such as house or shelter. Shastra means systems. Vastu shastra is an ancient art and science, containing principles and practices of constructing buildings which ensures a harmonious balance between man and nature and thereby bring all round happiness, health, wealth and prosperity. Vastu Shastra dates back some 7,000 - 10,000 years ago in India.

The Indians observed the Nature and recorded how different rays of the sun, the magnetic poles, the makeup of the land, soil, slope, structures, etc. affected all living things. It is the oldest recorded architectural treatise known to man and it is from this science that some of the world’s most enduring structures have been created.

According to the science of Vastu, all of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) aspire and need to be in harmony. This is true to all living things, including plants, we all requires that all five elements be balanced. The disproportion of any one elementquality of the earth, quality of water, wind, sun, or the amount of space it is planted inwill inhibit its growth. In this way a wise gardener sets up a balanced environment for his plants to grow free from disease and stress.

You should remember that each area of your garden is associated with one of the five elements. The southwest area of your garden is associated with the earth element and creates a sustaining and grounding force. In the northeast, water element is at home. This element will allow your plants to flourish. The fire element in the southeast supports disease-free plants. The northwest is related to the air element encouraging cross-pollination.

So now that we discussed the theory, here are few great tips you can use to bring the five elements into better balance with your garden and make it a sanctuary that is not only beautiful to look and wonderful to spend time in, but will actually have an empowering affect on the health and well-being of you and your family.

1. Invest in the southwest area of your garden. This should be done in order to stabilize the force of the earth element. You can do this with a rock garden, tall trees and even a stone statue.

2. The water element can be used in the garden by using low plantings in the northeast that will allow the flow of positive solar energy. Add a fountain or reflection pool or pond in this area to reflect this beneficial energy throughout the garden.

3. The southeast side of your garden should be devoted to the fire element, here you can place a fire pit, the fire pit is a great way to serve the fire element, and it will also be a delight to look at, once placed in the right location and setup properly, you and your family will enjoy a fire pit. Red symbolizes this direction so plant tulips, geraniums and dahlias here.

4. Use wind chimes to balance the air element in the northwest. Since blue is the color of this area, plant bluebells, forget-me-nots and iris to enhance the influences coming from this direction.

A well-designed and tended garden, using the principles discussed here, consideration to space, earth and fire using a fire pit will benefit you and all the members of your family for years to come.

Daniel Roshard is an interior designer, Daniel is studying the integration appliances to gardens and outdoors. Daniel writes home improvement and Fire Pit articles for ZupaTips.com

[tags]fire pit, fire pits[/tags]

If you are fortunate enough to have some space for a playroom, this can be a wonderful addition to any home. Consider turning a spare room, formal living or dining room, or basement into a playroom for your children. It will help keep toys out of your main living areas and provides the children their own special place. Some parents even have their children share bedrooms and turn an extra room into the playroom. Other parents have sectioned off a part of the great room for a play space. Use your creativity and what works best for your home. I’ve put a few tips below to help you in your design process.

• Some aspects of the toy room such as paint and flooring are permanent, but you might like the variety of changing toys and decorations. Keep this in mind when choosing items for your playroom.
• Children love bright colors in their playroom. Have them help you pick out the paint or choose cheery colors you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to use two different colors perhaps a different color on each wall or a wall divided by a crown molding strip or border with one paint color on top and another at the bottom.
• Consider getting some chalkboard paint and putting this on one wall or some section of a wall. It will serve as an instant chalkboard and you can use erasers or a dry wet rag to keep it clean.
• Murals can be fun and easy. If you are not the most artistically inclined person, keep it simple. Any of us can do trees, flowers, rainbows, balloons, moons, stars, clouds, etc. If you have a more artistic friend or family member you might enlist their help.
• You might want to keep one wall free that you can use to display your child’s art and craft work. Children love to have their works displayed. When it gets full, you can take it down and replace it with new work.
• You might also want to have one area of the wall devoted to framed pictures of your child with their friends and family celebrating special or fun times. Just as adults are comforted by pictures of their loved ones, so are children.
• Hard surface flooring is ideal because it cleans up easier than carpet. However, you might consider putting down a fun rug or area carpet to protect whatever flooring you have in the space.
• A playroom does not need a theme, other than just an inviting sense of play. However, there are many theme ideas if you choose to go this route. You might decide to keep a room with a more education theme with alphabet, numbers, pictures of presidents, or the states. Other ideas are having a playroom with a seasonal theme (one wall could be winter, one spring, etc.), outdoors (trees, flowers, etc.), a theme based on a more specific concept like trains or safari also works. One thing to consider if you have more than one child or plan to expand your family you may want to purposely keep the room gender neutral, etc.
• Make a point to keep your playroom childproofed and safe. Cover all outlets, make sure any furniture or organizers have rounded or padded corners; they don’t smash little fingers, etc. Keep in mind the age ranges of your children. If a baby will be sharing the space with a preschooler, you might not want small toys like marbles in this area. A playroom should be safe and inviting. It should be a retreat for both you and your child, not a place of stress.
• Have a place in your playroom where music can be enjoyed. You might want to have a tape recorder or CD player with a variety of children’s music available. You can also try different types of children’s music by checking out CDs from your local library. I personally don’t feel a television set should be part of a playroom. Most children watch too much and a playroom should be a place they want to be and hopefully get away from the TV.
• When sitting up your toys, you will want to consider two types of toys. You want some toys easily accessible and always available. These are generally toys that require little to no supervision. However, some toys should not be kept out and may want to be stored away on a high shelf or closet for special (and often supervised times). My son can’t be trusted with games with little pieces (he’ll loose them) or art supplies like paints without my close supervision. Yet, I can put out trains, blocks, and balls to him anytime. Decide what works best for you.
• Use organizers and storage areas for toys in your room. For toys you want tucked away, use covered storage units and place these in a nearby closet. For toys you want accessible consider shelving units with storage buckets your child can easily get out. These types of units work really well for toys with many pieces such as blocks, little balls, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Little Peoples, etc. You might want to double duty storage by using spaces under train tables or on higher shelves for storing toys. You want everything to have a place. The room should be tranquil and organized at the end of the day, not cluttered.
• Work with the windows in your playroom if you have some. You might consider hanging a bird or squirrel feeder on the outside of a window. If possible, you might have a window box of flowers or herbs growing outside. Window crayons are another interesting idea that is becoming more readily available. These simply wipe away with an eraser.
• You may decide to design your playroom around one large central focus toy-often an imagination toy, such as a train table, dollhouse, play kitchen or workshop.
• Provide an area in the playroom, such as corner for snuggling and reading. Kids love beanbag cushions or large pillows. Have their books nearby. You might decide to use a book shelf, large bin or basket piled with books. If possible, try to find (or build) a book storage unit that is like a magazine racks where children can easily see the books and select the ones they want to read. You can rotate books so that some are in the bedroom or family room and some are kept in the playroom.
• Another idea for the playroom is to have an art area such as an easel, art desk, or table and chairs (which can be very versatile). If you child can be trusted, keep art supplies down and easily accessible. Even if your child is older, some art supplies such as glue or glitter is better kept out of reach unless you can supervise.
• Another interesting aspect of a playroom is to have a little special private area for your child. Tents, homemade forts, or ball pits work really well for this.

Gentry is a stay at home mom, with a passion for writing. For more articles on easy living, visit http://www.genstyleliving.com.

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[tags]decorate, home, nature, family[/tags]