MyFurnitureOK.com

Most homeowners decorate around an artistic themea set of images and color
palette. They painstakingly search, often with an interior decorator, for tiles,
hardwoods, marble, fabrics, and other materials consistent with their theme. But
while they may identify the centerpiece of their design theme, locating
complementary accents to complete the motif is often a more difficult task.

The result often finds homeowners settling for less-than-ideal choices
compromises reflecting what’s available, rather than what is possible.

Enter LightWave Art, with its ability to give homeowners a new measure of design
flexibility and control. While the company is nestled in Montana’s spectacular
Bitterroot Valley, its founding vision is global: applying laser-engraving technology
to interior design, and creating an infinite number of previously unavailable design
options.

In practical terms, this means taking the laser’s ability to replicate any image
scanned into its computer and applying it to ordinary building elementsfloors,
doors, windows, mirrors, walls, countertopsgiving them an artistic and thematic
dimension.

For example, homeowners could choose living room furniture with a particular
fabric, pattern, and colors, and then use laser engraving to create their own
decorative floor tiles to match the furniture. This artistic theme, once defined,
could extend to anything elseperhaps a custom marble wall mural accenting an
adjacent fireplace, or something more subtle, like laser-bonded imagery gracing the
corner of cabinet doors or mirrors

To give homeowners even more options for their ideal entry, kitchen, den, or bath,
LightWave Art developed a new technology that permanently engraves images in
color: laser-bonding color pigments onto wood, tile, stone, or even difficult surfaces
like marble, granite, limestone and glass, to match a particular design’s color
scheme. This colorized imageryas hard as the underlying material, suitable for
outdoors, designed for foot traffic, as well as fade and stain resistantcreates the
potential for design vision becoming reality, without compromise.

The essential point is this: a homeowner’s chances of finding items like front entry
doors, cabinet doors, glass inserts, tiled countertops, hardwood floors, marble
backsplashes, and mirrored murals all with the same artistic theme, are usually slim
to none. Design compromises, which were once a given, may be a thing of the past
with this new capability in a homeowner’s design toolbox.

Homeowners pondering an interior design project may want to contact LightWave
Art, to view samples of its laser engraved, color bonded artwork. (With new
concepts, seeing is often believing.) Visiting the company in person provides a
chance to do this and take in the panoramic vistas of western Montana at the same
time. Then again, anyone shy about crossing paths with the bears and mountain
lions prowling LightWave Art’s property can visit them online at
www.lightwaveart.com.

Quality photos available upon request from LightWave Art.

About the Author:
Allen Gorin is a syndicated columnist and consultant specializing in the construction
and remodeling industries. Allen can be reached at
agorin@lightwaveart.com, (208) 938-1517.

[tags]Interior design, design ideas, wall murals, kitchen, floors, tile, marble, granite, entry, bath[/tags]

Gardening is fun and rewarding, experienced by many throughout the spring, summer and sometimes even fall months. But there are dangers lurking behind that tomato plant, white picket fence and garden shed.

In the insect world, many members can be dangerous. They can hide just out of sight.

What can be done to rid the gardens of these pests? From traps to exterminators, from organic sprays to more conventional sprays there is something to get rid of these unwanted and sometimes deadly creatures.

Pests in the Insect Family

There are well more than a million different species in the insect world and many more related to insects. A few are beneficial and are not harmful to humans. But there are a few that have the notoriety of being a nuisance to human activities.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are pests that are just another common observance of summer. But with the increasing West Nile and meningitis problems that have been associated with them, it’s no wonder people hate mosquitoes.

Mosquito Control

There are many ways to be rid of mosquitoes. But prevention is a must to keep the population down. Make sure all standing water in sources such as swimming pools, tires and buckets are all dumped. The female mosquito can lay hundreds even thousands of eggs in standing water. Sometimes the larva can be seen swimming about in these little pools of stagnant water. Removal of these stagnant pools is important to help decrease the spread of these annoyances.

There are many sprays and lotions that keep mosquitoes at bay. The ones that are most effective are ones containing a chemical called DEET. DEET has been known to cause some reactions in people so caution should be taken just like with any chemical.

Mosquitoes tend to stay away from citrus smells. The scented Geraniums are good plants to have in areas where humans may have interactions with mosquitoes. There are also citrus candles made for keeping away these pesky little insects.

Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps and other flying insects are generally beneficial. Bees help pollinate flowers. Wasps are parasitic toward some harmful creatures such as caterpillars that can destroy a large area of crops.

But if not dealt with properly, bees and wasps can be a danger. These insects are stinging insects and can deal a sting that is very painful. Some people have allergic reactions causing the need for immediate medical attention.

Wasps are especially known for aggressive behaviors. A wasp known as the Yellow Jacket is very aggressive. Bees generally are not as aggressive. But a genetically altered version of honey bees often called Africanized Honey bees or Killer Bees are very aggressive and attacks have been known to take lives of their victims.

Bee Control

There are many ways to be rid of bees and wasps. These methods can include nest or hive control, chemical control and professional service control.

Controlling the nest is a hard thing to do for bees and especially wasps. You first must remove the insects themselves. Most times this can be done with smoke used in bee culture, the raising of bees. Physical removal or relocation of the nest is possible but sometimes the chances of the nest being destroyed or injured can occur.

Chemical sprays can be used to kill the bees and wasps. There are many commercial standard sprays at any home and garden store and most supermarkets carry these as well.

Professional services, the exterminator services, are needed when bees and wasps have nests that are in extreme places such as inside a home, inside the insulation or high in trees or in hard to reach places. These services have varied costs depending on the service needed so call around to find out the range of costs.

Katina Mooneyham is the contributing editor for Little Gardeners (http://www.gardenandhearth.com/LittleGardeners.htm) at Garden and Hearth.com. She has written various articles on gardening mostly about gardening with kids. She maintains a blog on gardening at http://littlegardeners.blogspot.com.

[tags]garden dangers, insect, gardening, pest, mosquito, bee, wasp[/tags]

Bamboo is a vital building tool that grows 10 times faster than trees. This type of furniture making is an environmental-friendly process. By taking the time to use products that are ecological to the world, bamboo furniture is an effective and positive buy for one’s home.

The trend of bamboo furniture in the States is rising; the Eastern world has experience this design-appealing furniture for years. Each bamboo stalk is chosen specifically for its productivity. They are tested for strength and resistance to assure success and lack of the ability to split. This growing furniture trend is sure to supply you with exclusive bamboo furniture pieces that will last a lifetime.

From chairs, tables, lamps, benches and stools, bamboo furniture encompasses a large range of varieties to accommodate every buyer. Bamboo furniture is available for every home and every room in that home. The furniture is carefully polished and treated against parasites. After that the final finish occurs in which the bamboo furniture is hand doweled to prepare itself for its’ new home.

The look and feel of bamboo furniture is just as rewarding of choosing an environmentally friendly process. The wide selection of pieces is sure to compliment your current decor. Bamboo furniture is made with many personal touches to ensure complete customer satisfaction.

From tables to stools and benches and chairs, bamboo furniture exists for any home. The wide range of selection helps make furniture choices easy for every home and every room in that home. The finished look of the furniture is just as rewarding as choosing an environmentally friendly process. The personal furniture touch used with bamboo furniture continues to make it a popular choice for your furniture needs. For more information on bamboo furniture and decor visit http://www.bamboofurnitureetc.com or http://www.asian-furniture.net

[tags]bamboo,furniture,patio,trend,home,decor,room,asian[/tags]

Is your lawn mower tearing of the lawn grass blades instead of cutting it? Does your lawn look like it has been eaten by a goat, in spite of being cut by the lawn mower? Wait; do not pull your hair by the root. Help is at hand. We will teach you how to sharpen the lawn mower blades at minimum price and effort.

Your Manual Lawn Mower - The Faithful Walk Behinds

Tools: The tools that your will require for doing this job are

You and your time of about 2 hours or less

A bastard file of about 12″ long

A small crow bar to prevent movement of rotor of lawn mower.

A worktable will be useful for dong the job comfortably.

Procedure: You can use the following procedure as a general guide and make changes to it to suit you. Remember the procedure is not sacrosanct. The results are important, not the procedure.

If possible, remove the handle of lawn mower and place lawn mower on the table.

Secure it if possible in the clamps. If you do not have clamps, do not bother, secure it against any block, so that the movement away from you is restricted.

Fix the crowbar in the blades so that it will not rotate

With the help of the bastard file, file the edges of blades so that they look sharp. Work at an angle of 45 degrees

When one blade is sharpened, remove the crowbar and turn the rotor to work on another blade. Repeat the procedure until all blades are sharpened.

If you have a flexible shaft grinder in your DIY workshop, you will be able to complete the work within 5 to 10 minutes per blade. Make a template of blade profile before you start your work and compare frequently. This is necessary to ensure that you do not over cut at a place.

Safety Tip For You

While sharpening the blades ensure that the stroke is not too long otherwise, you may injure yourself.

Sharpening Blades Of Power Mower

Depending upon the lawn mower the procedure may vary. We have included general statements in this procedure; you would have to change the procedure slightly. Keep the maintenance manual of lawn mower handy if you have one.

Tools required.

Siphon hose and clean container

Heavy work gloves and goggles

Double-cut (medium-rough) flat file

Lumber scrap

Socket wrench set

Rubber mallet*

Bench vise or C clamps

Rotary blade sharpener accessory

Electric drill*

Screwdriver, or 1/4-in. rod or bolt*

Blade balancer

Replacement blade*

* Only if required

The list may look formidable, but tools are generally available with every DIY enthusiast.

Procedure:

The procedure is given for the simple single blade lawn mower, but the same will apply to all types of blades, whether single or double

Wear hand gloves and clean the engine and the gasoline tank from outside

Remove spark plug from the engine

Remove all the fuel from the tank of the gasoline engine. Use the siphon hose so you do not spill gasoline on floor.

Completely empty out the oil from gearbox if you have one

Invert the engine and have access to the blade.

Clamp the engine so it does not move and clean the blade area thoroughly

With help of a box spanner, remove the nut holding the blade. Usually the nut will be unlocked in the reverse to direction of rotation of engine. You may engage the screwdriver in the cooling fan of engine to stop rotation of engine.

If you find that you are using too much force to unlock the nut, put one or two drops of rust removing chemical, and try after 30 minutes

After you remove the blade, clamp it in the bench vise and sharpen it with a file or a grinder. Sharpen only the outer 2 to 3 inches. The area to be sharpened will be known if you see the blade.

Sharpen only to the required extent. Too much sharpening is not necessary. This is not the knife. It works at the speed of the engine

After sharpening, check with your thumb. Be careful not to cut thumb. If you have done sharpening before, or seen some one doing it, you will know what we mean by this.

Balance the blade with help of a small balancing tool on VEE blocks, or even on two foot rulers placed side by side

Refit the blades, refill engine oil and gasoline and test the sharpness of blades on uncut portion of your lawn

Safety tips:

Always use safety goggles and hand gloves when working with power tools.

Be sure to remove the spark plug before starting. Serious accidents can happen if you do not do this.

Andrew Caxton contributes adding reviews and special articles regularly to http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com. A gardening website that carries deep readings on lawn equipment, and lawnmower parts, including how to sharpen blades.

[tags]lawn mower, lawnmower, lawn mower blades, lawn mower batteries, lawn mowers, gardening, tractor,[/tags]

To move and clear debris such as leaves in the garden, a leaf blower is an ideal garden tool. Addressing pollution issues, four stroke engines were recently marketed by the various manufacturers who were previously marketing two stroke engines and electric motors. Some leaf blowers with vacuums can also pull in small twigs and leaves and then cut them into pieces for storage in the attached bag.

The leaf blower was invented in Japan in the early 1970s. Originally used by the farmers in the United States as an agricultural sprayer, it was turned into a blower after removing the chemical sprayers from the equipment. The manufacturers immediately seized the opportunity to market this redesigned equipment as a garden maintenance tool among the garden enthusiasts. Many city and municipal administrations in United States banned the leaf blowers because of the noise generated by them.

When buying a leaf blower as an alternative to the back breaking garden cleaning process, consider the various features included in the models.

The size of your garden and whether it has a lot of leaf shedding trees should be the first factor when making a selection. The volume of air output by various models is a major factor when selecting a leaf blower/vac. Weight of the leaf blower should also be taken into consideration. The most important feature should be the vacuum capacity and capability. Check whether they operate in reverse mode to route the leaves in to the built in bag rather than blowing the leaves away. While a gas blower is powerful they make quite a lot of noise when compared to the electric powered leaf blowers and vacuums. Find more info at www.leavesbegone.info

Entry level models of leaf blowers with decent capacity to vacuum the leaves are normally fitted with an electric motor of 1600W capacity. There are options to either suck and shred or blow the leaves. To hold the debris, a collection bag is attached in the back. They are priced around $65.

If you don’t want to be restricted by the length of the electric cable, then you should opt for a leaf blower cum vacuum which uses gas/petrol for its operational energy. Suitable if the garden is large and contains lot of trees. The petrol powered Engines normally have a 29 CC two stroke engine and electronic system to initially ignite the unit. The price is around $500.

A less costly model is the electric powered sweeper/blower with vacuum capacity. With its 200 miles per hour airflow, this powerful tool is suitable for most gardens. The ease of use and the accessories, such as shoulder strap and collection bag are some of the good features of this model which costs around $160.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit Leaf Blowers and Vacs or Gas Leaf Blowers and Vacs

[tags]leaf blower,gas leaf blower,leaf vac,leaf vacuum,garden blower,garden vac[/tags]

Do you want to free up some kitchen cabinet space and have your pots and pans hanging from a pot rack within easy reach? And do you want to have your cookbooks, cooking oils, and your basil and thyme herbs displayed neatly on a wall mounted pot rack as well?

Then the stylishly decorative and practical hanging or wall mounted pot rack might just be the storage space solution and energy saving kitchen device for you.

Possible origins of pot racks

The idea of hanging cookery pots in the kitchen may have originated from the 17th century practice of using an arrangement of links and hooks or trammels to suspend, raise or lower cooking pots in a fireplace to control cooking temperatures.

Up to the 15th century, most wealthy European homes had spacious kitchens with several adjacent anterooms, including whole rooms just for storing pots and pans and other utensils. However, it would not be surprising if poorer families with less spacious kitchens used pot racks, either in the form of tripods standing on the kitchen dirt floor or hooks hanging from the ceiling or wall, to store their pots and pans and other utensils.

How to choose a pot rack for your kitchen

1. The first question to ask is “Where do I want to put my pot rack?”. If you are going to put it on top of a kitchen island, for example, then you will probably need a pot rack hanging from the ceiling. If you are going to put it against the kitchen wall, then you may need to have the wall-mounted shelf type variety with a grid.

2. If you are going for a hanging pot rack you have to know how tall your ceiling is. Most pot racks are designed to fit 8 or 9-foot ceilings for easy access to cooks of average height. However, households with shorter cooks or taller ceilings need not despair. Most pot rack stores, whether online or down the road, carry a wide range of chains or extension hooks to solve the situation.

3. The next question is: “Do you want to match your pot rack to your kitchen’s decor?” For example, if you are going to hang your pot rack in a modern kitchen above a built-in kitchen island with stainless steel countertops, cooktops, ovens and dishwashers, then a stainless steel pot rack might be best for you.

However, if you are you are going to hang your pot rack in country cottage style kitchen next to oak timber cabinets and coffee black kitchen appliances, then a black hammered steel pot rack might be a good match.

4. And equally important is “How do you want the pot rack to look?” If you want a more modern look, then the clean lines of glistening stainless steel may be your best bet. If you are going for the antique look, then the decorative swirls of brassy copper may do the job.

5. What type of material do you want your pot rack to be made of? Do you want the country elegance of oak or natural cherry? The practicality and durability of painted or powder coated hammered steel? Or the sleekness and strength of stainless steel?

6. What size and shape do you want your pot rack to be - rectangular, round, oval or square? This may be dictated by the number of pots, pans and other cooking utensils that you want to fit in as well as the kitchen space that you have available.

7. Do you need additional light? If the pot rack is above a cooking and food preparation area, then you may need pot racks that come with downlights to illluminate as well as add ambience to your working space.

8. And last but not least, how much do you want to spend for your pot rack? A quick comparative shopping on the internet will reveal that sales abound and that:

- For a budget of $50 you can get a lovely powder-coated wall-mounted pot rack in bookshelf style to put your pots and pans as well as your favorite plant and recipe book side by side.

- A budget of $150 can get you a hanging stainless steel oval kitchen pot rack with grid.

- For $359.97 you can get a modern styled Oneida lighted pot rack with center grid and two downlights.

- And if you have $2000 to spare you can get a pot rack used by professional chefs in high tech stainless steel and with two rack levels that provide more storage and hanging space.

But if you are someone who does not own a lot of pots, loves the hunt and a good bargain and have $4.95, you can go to Ebay and get a pre-loved black wrought iron pot rack that attaches to the wall and holds 5 pots. That’s a start.

Flor Buenaventura is a writer with an interest in cooking and the kitchen. To see a fantastic collection of resources related to the kitchen, please visit her Pot Racks and Kitchen Islandswebsites.

[tags]pot rack, hanging pot rack, kitchen pot rack[/tags]

If your bathroom is looking a bit tired, but you don’t have the money to spend on refurbishing it, then a simple touch such as adding a new shower curtain could work wonders. If you are on a budget then a shower curtain is an inexpensive way to instantly liven up your bathroom and give it a fresh new look. As well as looking good, a shower curtain is a practical way to prevent water spraying out into the rest of the bathroom and damaging your furnishings.

Shower curtains come all kinds of different designs, so whatever your personal style and the color scheme in your bathroom you are sure to find something that will look great. Many people like to have a specific theme in their bathroom d

The notion that used furniture is for the poor consumer no longer holds ground. Used antique, and vintage furniture can be affordable collectible items for collectors, or those looking to furnish weekend cottages and vacation homes. They are an inexpensive option for those considering a complete revamp of their home furnishings, or new homemakers aspiring for dream d

We’re often asked about installing or renovating fireplaces in bedrooms. Here in Richmond, Virginia it is a controversial issue as building inspectors sometimes don’t like the idea due to safety concerns.

Please be assured that we, too, feel that safety is the utmost concern with any fire. However, we also appreciate a homeowner’s desire to install or restore a bedroom fireplace for the warmth, charm and romance a fire offers. A fireplace can be as safe in a bedroom as in any other room of your home.

What About Vent-Free Gas Appliances in Bedrooms?

This issue is particularly misunderstood. Vent-free appliances in bedrooms must be a wall hung heater and must be under 10,000 btu’s.

**A vent-free log set that is under 10,000 btu’s is not allowed because it is not a wall mounted appliance.

**Vented appliances in bedrooms are NOT limited to the 10,000 btu rule, unless the bedroom is considered a confined space, as defined below.

The building inspector in your locale has the ultimate approval for fireplace installations. It is helpful to ask which code is applicable in your locality to determine which code he or she is quoting. For example, a direct vent fireplace may be allowed while one with an open fire is not.

The International Fuel Gas Code, for example, states:

SECTION 303 (IFGC)

APPLIANCE LOCATION

303.3 Prohibited locations. Fuel-fired appliances shall not be
located in, or obtain combustion air from, any of the following
rooms or spaces:

1. Sleeping rooms.

2. Bathrooms.

3. Toilet rooms.

4. Storage closets.

5. Surgical rooms.

Exceptions:

1. Direct-vent appliances that obtain all combustion air directly from
the outdoors.

2. Listed vented gas fired room heaters, listed vented decorative
gas appliances and listed decorative gas-fired appliances for
installation in vented solid fuel burning fireplaces, provided that the
room is not a confined space and the building is not of unusually
tight construction.

———————————————————————————–

The following information is extracted from the Gas Hearth Appliance Training Manual published by the Hearth Products Association:

Listed Appliance:

Equipment or materials tested to required standards by a testing organization…..Assures suitability for use in a specified manner when equipment installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructons.

Listed VENTED gas appliances will be either:

Room Heater:

Must meet the federal efficiency mandates of the Energy Conservation Act and meet efficiency
standards based on an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) based on btu input.

Must have a vent safety shutoff system, designed to stop gas flow to the main burner if the appliace is not connected to a venting system or if the venting system is blocked.

Decorative Appliance:

Is not designed for heating its sole or primary purpose is aesthetic enjoyment

Is not required to meet fuel efficiency standards

Cannot use a thermostat to control operation of the flames

Decorative Appliance Installed in Solid Fuel Burning Fireplaces

Standard Z21.60 sets forth requirements for appliances installed into an existing fireplace:

The appliance can only be installed in a non-combustible solid fuel burning fireplace that has a
working flue.

There must be a permanent free opening (usually the damper) of a minimum area determined by appliance input rating and chimney height.

The chimney damper must be fixed in a manner that maintains the minimum permanent vent-free opening.

A fireplace screen must be inplace during operation.

What is a “Confined Space”?

A “confined space” is defined by the National Fuel Gas Code as a space (or room) with less than 50 cubic feet per 1,000 btu input of the appliance.

Example:

Can a listed decorative gas coal basket with 25,000 btu input be installed in a 12′ x 15′ room with 8′ ceilings?

25 (thousand btu input of the appliance) x 50 (cubic ft required per 1,000 btu input) = 1250 cubic feet.

Length x width x height of room gives the total cubic foot area. 12′ x 15′ x 8′ = 1440 cubic feet.

The room area in this example is 1440 cubic feet this appliance needs 1250 cubic feet of area. The appliance could be installed in this room based strictly on the limitations of a confined space.

Note that the building inspector or other “authority having jurisdiction” in your area should be able to provide you:

Which code is used in your area.

The specifications required and allowed per that code.

The interpretation, if needed, of that code.

Means of implementing that code for your particular installation.

Inspection of your installation to determine that it was performed in accordance with applicable codes and according to manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Further Advice. For Installations in Bedrooms or Any Other Room in Your Home:

Heating appliances, decorative gas appliances and their chimneys/venting systems should only be installed and serviced by a qualified technician.

Always follow manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Only perform installation in accordance with your local codes.

Apply for a building permit, if required or available, and have the installation inspected by the building inspector.

Notify your homeowners insurance company that a new installation has been performed .

Make sure and have the appliance cleaned and serviced annually to help assure proper performance.

*This article copyrighted by THE FIREPLACE CHANNEL

Karen Duke is a fireplace, chimney and hearth industry expert of over 25 years in both the retail and service sectors. She is a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and has numerous hearth industry certifications. She is the founder and webmaster of http://www.TheFireplaceChannel.com and she is the co-founder and webmaster of http://www.TheVictorianFireplace.com, which is one of the largest online fireplace retailers in the world. She makes her home in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Karen’s contact information can be found on either of the above sites.

[tags]fireplace, fireplace channel, the fireplace channel, fireplace information, fireplace safety article[/tags]