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Planning home improvements necessarily involves addressing numerous practical matters. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the fun stuff!

The Fun Stuff

The first thing to plan for in home improvements is the practical stuff. The second thing you need to talk to family members about is the fun stuff.

Most people have colors they like and colors they don’t like. They have things that interest them and things that don’t. Get your family to talk to you about those things. Each person’s bedroom, or bedroom area, should reflect his or her taste and interests.

A boy who likes green, football, and backpacking can easily have a sage green (it “reads” as more neutral than many shades of green if re-sale of your home is a concern) room with cream woodwork, cream interior shutters, and cream ceiling. Framed football posters and wilderness scenes might be pleasant. Bedding with a rustic motif (rows of stylized pine trees?) from L.L. Bean or Plow and Hearth would work right in. Add a touch or two of a bright color like red or yellow.

Does he need a desk in his room? A chest of drawers? A bookcase? Would he enjoy having a bulletin board? Even if they’re small, most rooms need at least three lamps so that illumination is general and even. The shades are usually best in warm, neutral colors. (Light coming through green shades tends to make people look sick.) Lamp shades should be level and the seams should be toward the wall so they’re not visible. When the bottom edge of most lamp shades in a room are the same height from the floor, the room tends to look serene and cohesive.

Hanging pictures usually look best if the bottom edges of the frames are the same height from the floor and level with each other, too. There are exceptions to this and every generalization of course. A grouping of pictures can have the bottom tier follow the “rule” while all of the other pictures are higher. A picture over a fireplace often looks good higher than the other pictures in the room.

Pictures usually look best when they have a relationship to furniture or an architectural feature. Pictures centered over a chest, bed, bookcase, or fireplace are good examples. Pictures don’t tend to look good if they’re scattered willy-nilly around a room, or if they’re up near the ceiling (unless they’re part of a grouping), or if the height at which they’re hung varies wildly with no rhyme nor reason.

A girl who loves pink, the ballet, and swimming can have woodwork the same cream as her brother’s while her walls are a soft pink (a pink with a hint of yellow in it tends to go well with cream), and her art work reflects her interests. If she loves to read, make sure she has a good reading lamp near her bed, or near a comfortable chair, or both.

A cream colored dust ruffle with widely spaced pink stripes and a quilted plaid coverlet in pink, green, yellow, and blue on a cream background might look nice. Add cream fabric window shades with large pink polka dots and I’ll bet she’ll smile.

The bigger point is to simply have fun with some of your home improvements. There is no need to look exclusively at practical matters.

Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our “sell my home” page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to sell your own home yourself with a free 1 month listing.

[tags]home improvements, practical stuff, planning home improvements, bedroom area,[/tags]

When you have reached the decision to purchase new windows for your home, be sure you choose the right windows to suit your needs. Determine the reason why you are replacing your windows. There any many reasons such as appearance, deterioration, energy efficiency, and maintenance. Some window materials may be better for one reason than another. Fortunately vinyl replacement windows meet all of these reasons and offer a wide ranges of prices as well to suit just about anyone’s budget.

Set Your Budget and Window Quantity

electing the number of windows and setting your budget are the next critical steps. As you move forward with your window selection, the number of windows will play a big factor in determining exactly what style of windows you will be able to purchase. All windows are priced differently so the number you choose will help you determine the most economical style of window. Fortunately, vinyl replacement windows are available in a wide range of styles and are generally the most least expensive type of windows.

Select Your Window Style and Material

Selecting your window styles and window materials should be your next consideration. Bear in mind that you may use several different styles throughout your home so be sure to think about the rooms where you windows will be placed. The style of the window will also play a part in your window maintenance. Many windows are available to open both inward and outward make cleaning easier. Vinyl windows offer a wide selection of styles and are one of the most durable types of windows.

[tags]replacement windows, los angeles home improvement, long beach remodeling[/tags]

When shopping for new bedding ensembles for your home many retailers will refer to their product lines as Contemporary. Contemporary bedding itself doesn’t really have a concrete definition. Often the definition will vary depending on who you ask, and even when you ask them. Like the clothing industry, bedding fashions change over time and a pattern or style which today falls under “contemporary” or “modern” may very well be considered under a different heading in the future. In this article we will discuss three of the major bedding manufacturers and what styles in their lines are currently considered contemporary.

Contemporary bedding offered by Dakotah represents Dakotah’s usual fine fabrics and clean linear designs. Using simple color palettes and sleek minimalist design features make Dakotah bedding a very elegant choice. Some of their current contemporary designs include:

Aurora - Features an abstract wave pattern in the season’s hottest color combination, mocha and sky blue.
Metrotech - Combines a clean stripe pattern with warm honey tones for a look that is simple and chic.
Odyssey - Combines classic black silk shantung with stylish metallic shades of gold and copper.

Thomasville Contemporary Ensembles follow Thomasville’s usual approach to creating fine bedding that is versatile and diverse. Thomasville offers their bedding a la carte so creating an ensemble which fits your lifestyle, price range and personal preference is easy. Thomasville designs are described as artistically abstract, using bright color palettes and detailed accessories. Their current contemporary line includes these designs:
Altessa - A beautiful abstract swirl pattern using rich earth tones with gold shantung accents.
Coronado - A modern take on art deco, using bold patterns with accessories that add a bright pop of color.
Pavilion - takes its cue from the bohemian trend, using patchwork patterns in soothing shades of sky and parchment.

Veratex, yet another fine bedding manufacturer, is well known for their modern sense of style. Veratex contemporary ensembles are inspired by rich designs found in cultures throughout the world. Three of their ensembles which stand out as contemporary design are:
Waterlily and Dynasties - both inspired by Asian design, using clean lines, solid colors, and simple blocked patterns.
Serrano - inspired by designs of the Southwest. This classic stripe pattern combines earth tones with a bold shade of orange spice.

These are some of the key styles that current manufacturers are offering as contemporary. What ties all of these designs together are sleek lines, natural color palettes and either abstract or geometric patterns. Usually a modern look will include a clean lined, tailored bed skirt as opposed to the classic ruffled bed skirt.

At http://www.ajmoss.com we carry a diverse selection of contemporary bedding styles, which reflect the ever changing fashions of modern society. Each of our vendors offers a unique perspective on contemporary style. Please call us toll free at 877-862-1270 if you want more information on bedding designs or for purchasing information. Our helpful and experienced staff will be happy to help you select the look that is right for your home.

[tags]bedding, contemporary, ensembles, bedroom, decorating, interior, thomasville, waverly, sheets, sets,[/tags]

You can furnish your house in so many different ways these days!

If you’re a student or on a small budget, there’s the el cheapo way to furnish a house, by shopping garage sales, thrift stores and “freecycle” groups on the web where people give away furniture they don’t want to others who can use it. You can actually get really good stuff this way. Some of the used furniture is in perfectly good condition and no one would ever be able to tell you bought it at a thrift store or got it used from someone else.

If you’ve got a little bit of money to spend, but not a lot, then you’ve got your lower end furniture stores. There are plenty to choose from. Or maybe you just want to be sure you’ve got a great bed, but the bookcases can come from a garage sale. You know what your needs and priorities are. There’s no harm in checking the cheap places first and spending more only if you have to in order to get what you want.

Now, if money is no object, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend it, but you can certainly do things differently, if you want. I know people with plenty of money who love to shop garage sales and estate sales. Being frugal is part of why they have plenty of money. But when it comes to things they really want to last or a piece of furniture they just fall in love with, well, they spend the money. I think that is a pretty good balance for all of us to learn. You can also shop the high-end furniture shops and online catalogs, and then try to find what you want for less. That’s a great strategy.

Of course, if you can afford it, you hire an interior designer who consults with you, learns about your tastes and then shops for you and helps you spend the money it takes to get everything brand new and get what you really want. It’s up to you. There are lots of ways to go about choosing your furniture. Happy shopping!

About this writer

Liza Mettarod raised her four children on a shoestring. She now teaches home economics in Idaho. She loves to share tips on how to manage a tight budget. You can read more about furniture at Furniture

[tags]interior decorating, home improvement, decorating, decor, interior design, room dividers[/tags]

Want to be the envy of all the neighbours in the avenue then a water feature has to be placed into the garden. What ever fancy garden ornamentation that is to be - is entirely up to your own choosing. Because of the many designs and fixtures you may come up against problems in trying to decide what water garden feature to have.

The pond is a water feature found in most gardens today in all shapes and sizes and enhanced to the full with added extras to set the scene. Water lilies - bull rushes and reeds are just a few to mention. But it is the under water life that makes the pond more attractive (fish)
Remember when adding a water feature to the garden - take extra precautions in the safety measures where children are concerned.

Water garden features like the pond and the fish also need care and attention. Ponds have to be cleaned regular and fish need to be fed. Questions that crop up from many water garden owners is how to feed the fish - what type of feed should be used - how much and how often. Well the answer to that is there is no real fixed amount of fish food to give.

Of course there are some important issues on what to feed the fish. You have to take into account the fish`s size its appetite and their delicate digestive system which can differ due to water temperature changes.

Beginning from early spring to late autumn you will find the fish very energetic so it will do no harm to feed them every day. If the fish are prepared to take more then so be it. Remember you are not force feeding them so if the fish don`t want to bite then they wont. However, towards the colder months lessen the frequency of feed intake. Sometimes due to the fishs stillness at winter time then no feed is necessary

Try not to instigate problems for your fish`s well being by denying them the right food.

While the fish are in the mood to dine it is best to serve up a dish that will help them to stay active and healthy. Nourishing fish food is highly recommended. Bread/biscuit meal and ants eggs are less nutritional and can cause problems to the digestive system. Floating pellets filled with high-protein are very nutritious. By feeding the fish this way you get to see more of them as they surface for feeding.

Once the garden is the way you have always dreamed of full of foliage -shrubs and sweet scented flowers and of course your water garden feature - then remember that all the surrounding plant growth will attract insects so feeding the fish at this time is not necessary. Natural food supply should start to continue again with pellets in the autumn, this will help perk the fish up in their preparation to face the winter. Repeat pellet feeding in spring it will help the fish recover more rapidly ready for breeding.

Water features and creatures go hand in hand in adding beauty to the garden. Expect toads - newts and frogs to hang out in the pond area. Your water garden has not only given you a garden ornament that the neighbours would die for - it is the thought of giving a home to natures aquatic water life.

Behind the scenes on gardening can be found at http://www.watergardens.webinputbiz.com Bird lovers find out more about our feathered friends http://www.birdbook.webinputbiz.com

[tags]Water Feature,garden water feature,ponds,foliage and plant growth,water fish food,garden frogs,water[/tags]

Wicker is the process of weaving natural materials like willow, rattan, cane, bamboo into various patterns. Wicker furniture is made from weaving interlaced slender branches around a frame and molding it into desired shapes such as tables, chairs, bed or sofas. Most wicker furniture is manufactured by hand and they originate from Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia, Philippines and China. Wicker furniture became popular in the Victorian era, as its smooth surfaces and clean lines were believed to be more clean and hygienic than upholstered furniture.

Wicker furniture can be broadly classified into two categories: loom woven and synthetic wicker furniture. Loom woven wicker pieces use natural materials such as rattan, cane or bamboo. These materials are dipped in resin emulsions to form a moisture resistant shield. Synthetic wicker furniture is made from hand-woven polyethylene, fiber glass or resin, a material that resembles natural wicker and is washable, waterproof, colorfast, and ultraviolet and frost-resistant.

Synthetic woven furniture usually has aluminum frames for increased strength and durability. It often contains UV inhibitors that repel the damaging effects of the sun, harsh weather and temperature changes. Some variety of wicker furniture is dipped in a special coating to resist fading and reduce flaking and cracking.

Wicker furniture is available in natural, stained or painted surfaces. It offers comfort, durability, versatility and livability. Because of its natural finish and color, it mixes well with upholstered pieces. It is popular as outdoor and patio furniture because it is easy to clean and is lightweight.

Wicker furniture can last for several years, provided a little bit of care is taken with its upkeep. Although wicker furniture is easy to maintain and attracts less dust, it is advisable to vacuum or dust the furniture regularly and treat it with furniture polish. A layer of lacquer should be applied for restoring its finish.

Wicker Furniture provides detailed information on Wicker Furniture, Outdoor Wicker Furniture, Wicker Patio Furniture, Wicker Bedroom Furniture and more. Wicker Furniture is affiliated with Teak Outdoor Furniture.

[tags]Wicker Furniture, Outdoor Wicker Furniture, Wicker Bedroom Furniture, Wicker Patio Furniture[/tags]

When most homeowners are considering a home improvement project, many times it is to add additional living space to the home. Many homeowners also have financial constraints when planning a remodeling project. A good solution is to consider a basement renovation.

Utilize Existing Space

By utilizing a well-planned basement home improvement, space that is already available can be optimized without the enormous expense of constructing a new addition to the home.

Every successful basement remodeling project begins with a detailed plan. It is advisable to enlist the services of either an architect or remodeling design specialist. It is important to measure the basement and come up with a set of drawings for the project; both designer and homeowner should have input to the design.

Special Considerations

Basements come with special considerations for incorporating them into the available living space offered by the home. Basements are prone to water and humidity problems. If there is a history of such problems they must be addressed in the renovation design.

If mold has been a problem, it must be treated with a microbial agent
and then be removed. There are special mold inhibitor paints available that yield excellent results in preventing a re-occurrence, with a single application. Adding adequate basement ventilation in the renovation design plans will help control excess humidity.

Basements also commonly contain the heating, plumbing, electrical and load bearing systems for the entire home. A successful renovation plan will usually hide components such as plumbing or furnace ducts, but will provide access to them, should it become necessary.

If the design includes adding plumbing for a new bathroom, existing concrete slabs sometimes pose a problem. If any concrete must be broken to add plumbing, be sure to include that aspect of the project in the plans.

When planning the basement renovation project, it is important to be thorough and to make sure it is exactly the way you want it before work begins. Desired or necessary changes should be made on paper, not in mid-construction. Plans should include specific details about materials, fixtures, exact cost, and project completion timelines.

Selecting a Contractor

Once you have the final detailed plans, it is time to start the selection process for a contractor. Exact duplicates of the plan should be furnished to all potential candidates to insure an accurate bid from each.

Ask each candidate for licensing and insurance credentials, as well as references from projects similar to yours. Take the time to ask other homeowners about the contractor’s performance on their projects.

Canadians seeking a suitable contractor for their project can visit www.HandyCanadian.com to help with the screening and selection process. This convenient on-line resource lists only reputable, licensed contractors and their references.

Max Sheppard is Co-Owner of HandyCanadian.com: where homeowners locate professional landscaping contractors, and qualifying contractors acquire new leads.

[tags]basement renovation, basement home improvement, home improvement,[/tags]

Protecting your home is surely forefront on your mind. Storm windows are a huge aspect of that protection, but not only that, they can also raise the value of your home, as well as enhance its appearance. A Storm window can replace nearly every type of window in your home, such as patio windows, or even a garden window.

Not only will storm windows protect the house you live in, but it can also save the lives of those that live in the home as well. In the event of severe weather, including strong winds and hurricanes, you can have the peaceful feeling that all is being protected.

You’ll be happy to know as well, that storm windows come at an affordable price much of the time. Especially when purchased in off season, such as winter in a hurricane prone zone.

Adding these windows will also add security from unwanted intruders as well. Not only that, but the way in which they are designed will help provide your home with energy efficiency, and with noise reduction. Just think that now those neighborhood cars with pounding speakers will be blocked out and you’ll be living in peace and quite once and for all.

If you’re worried about installing these windows yourself, this can be a simple do it yourself project, provided that you’re prepared to follow the instructions from the manufacturer. However, if installing hurricane window protection, you’ll want to opt for the installation to be done by a professional, because not installing them right could lead to the destruction of your home. Not only that, many insurance companies will not cover hurricane damage if these windows were not installed by certified professionals.

Just because they have a function, doesn’t mean that your storm windows need not be attractive. They in fact are exceptionally nice in appearance, and this appearance can be enhanced as well with the use of decorative window hardware. From the locks and latches to the hinges, you can surely find something to match your homes current d

One of the best ways to add interest to your garden is with architectural accent pieces. A unique piece can add a focal point and break-up the plant material. One interesting way I found to do this is with old olive jars. Olive Jars date back centuries and were used in the Mediterranean to store olives, olive oil and other foods. Many of these come from Turkey today and you can find them at antique shops and architectural salvage yards. What is really attractive about using them, is that they are unique and will make your landscape design such. Here are some tips to choose the right one.

1. Choose one that is appropriate in size for the space. A very small one adds nothing in a large landscape with tall plantings. It can even be a distraction. The same holds true for small intimate plantings with oversized olive jars.

2. Select planting materials that contrast well with the accent piece. Many olive jars have a rich brown color that provides an earthy appeal and stands out in a green back-drop. Some vibrant green glaze ones also work well in areas where you need splash of color, such as xeriscape and sparse settings with gravel and grasses.

3. Try setting the olive jar in different positions to give it a more natural appearance as if it was left there unintentionally. Perhaps slanted, on its side. One trick is to bury part of it in the soil at an angle.

4. Group several together to create a setting. Make sure to vary the sizes and try using an odd number of pieces. Groups in three or five work best.

5. Try making a fountain out of it. There are kits you can by to turn pottery into fountains. Make sure you are using one that has a glaze inside or has been waterproofed.

6. Don’t be afraid if it is chipped, cracked or broken. These are typically the most sought after. They add an old world charm and resemble pieces from a architectural dig. All pottery left exposed to the elements naturally degrades. This is what you want when creating an authentic style.

If you are trying to get an idea of the types of olive jars available, you can see some at Olive Barn on the web or try some local garden shops or antique shops in your area.

Jacqueline Salinas - Bachelor of Science in Horticulture - Texas A&M University owns several internet related companies and with the primary emphasis on Garden and Home. Visit Olive Barn for more information. Contact her at jsalinas@olivebarn.com or visit her blog at Simplicity by Olive Barn. She is one of the founders of Garden Living Houston, an earth-friendly gardening ezine for Houston Texas.

[tags]olive jars, architectural accents, garden, landscapes, design[/tags]

Are you interested in DIY home improvement tips? Maybe you are already actively improving your home all by yourself. Either way, there is always something to learn about home improvement, and advice or tips to gain for doing it yourself. DIY home improvement tips can come from all over; the key is to keep your eyes and ears open, and also know where to look or who to talk to.

If you have access to the Internet, and prefer to do or learn things from the comfort of your own home, then you probably want to hop online to research the subject of DIY-home improvement. Online you will be able to find numerous websites and site links that will aid and guide you in the art of home improvement. For just about every project you have in mind, inside of your home and outside, you will be able to find detailed DIY home improvement tips and ideas.

If you are a different type of learner who needs a person-to-person consultation, then that is easy to do as well. Simply visit businesses in your local area that specialize in things related to home improvement, like a hardware store, or a nursery if it’s outdoor work you are planning. At these types of businesses you’ll be able to find someone to talk with, like an employee that works in or with the specific department that relates to the project at hand. Most likely you are going to have to visit these types of businesses anyway to purchase the necessary supplies, tools, and materials to carry out your project. They will be able to consult with you, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Another suggestion would be to visit your local library or bookstore to check out or buy books or magazines specifically about or with some content concerning do-it-yourself home improvement. There are plenty of books and guides on the subject.

If you’re a hands-on learner, then do some research in your local area on instructional workshops and classes on DIY home improvement that you could attend. This is the best way to get some basic or more detailed DIY home improvement tips, as well as all the newest ideas that experts have been developing.

There is certainly no shortage of resources for helping anyone learn how to do their own home improving.

For more articles like this one, visit http://www.diyhomeimprovementtips.info

[tags]home improvement,diy home improvement, home improvement tips[/tags]