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The old clich

Your bathroom, more than any other room in the house, demonstrates how much you really care about your home. Consider this: people walk into your house everyday and get glimpses of your kitchen and living room, so surely you will spend time decorating those. But the people who ask to use your restroom will really know how much you care because now they’re getting into the real guts of your house. So at this point, it’s important to make sure that even this room makes your guests feel comfortable and at home while reflecting your personal tastes. In a nutshell, take time to decorate your bathroom.

Your bathroom should aim to do two things: soothe whoever is using it, and reflect your personal tastes as a homeowner and homemaker. So how do you soothe your guest? The same way that you soothe them in the rest of your home: you keep the same palette going. No one should walk into your bathroom and feel startled by the design of it. Your designs instead should move seamlessly from the rooms outside the bathroom to the inside of the bathroom.

Consider tasteful decorations. Do not, for example, pick pictures of children chasing a bird in the country side. Instead, in my opinion, a great bathroom needs great artwork, like abstract art with bold colors that require concentration to understand the artist’s feelings and desires. Pencil drawings work well also. Your pictures should reflect a thoughtful attitude towards the one viewing them, so give them something to consider instead of a blatant and simple picture.

While you are trying to make your bathroom sophisticated and classy, consider how you can make it reflect you as well, just like the rest of your home does. When a person walks into your home, based on the items that he immediately sees, that person should be able to distinguish within a few moments what matters most to you. Do the same thing in your bathroom. Seamlessly carry the same ideas and themes into the bathroom that you have outside the bathroom. Most interior designers attempt to create only a subtle change from the rooms outside the bathroom, because, again, no one wants to be startled by what he sees when he opens the bathroom door.

Creating a classy bathroom shouldn’t break the bank. While you should expect to spend big bucks on expensive fixtures, you don’t have to empty your wallet for the right decorations and accessories. Look for classy pictures at discount stores or in clearance bins. You might find exactly what you need there more so than at an expensive art store. After all, you are decorating the bathroom. You shouldn’t put a real Monet in a place where the humidity would literally ruin it.

The next time it’s time to give your home a face lift, consider the bathroom. It can top off your home decor more than you know.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as bathroom decorating at http://www.exclusivebathroomaccessories.com.

[tags]bathroom accessories, bathroom remodeling[/tags]

Once a homeowner decides to proceed with a particular home improvement project, they then have the tough decision - to do it themselves or call in a professional.

There’s no hard and fast rule here. Each potential do-it-yourselfer will have to ask themselves some questions, and be totally honest with the answers in order to be happy with the end result. They will also have to do the requisite research to make sure their answers are grounded in reality. Don’t say that you can build kitchen cabinets just because you’ve made some bookcases. It may well be true that you can, but research the steps and tools needed to build those cabinets, and compare that with your prior experience, plus your desire to learn new skills and obtain any necessary tools, before deciding.

If you’re either considering doing a home improvement job yourself or thinking about using a professional contractor, here are a few questions to ask yourself that’ll help you make an educated decision.

Am I Capable of Completing the Job?

This is the most important and also the trickiest question and you will need to truthfully consider whether or not you can do the work yourself.

If you have not had prior experience doing jobs like this, or if you haven’t had the opportunity to assist others in the completion of a similar project, or if you just lack confidence in your ability to do this work yourself, then it may well be worthwhile calling in a pro.

Conversely, if you have no prior experience in this particular home improvement, but you’ve researched the job thoroughly and are still fired up and optimistic about taking it on, then go for it - especially if you can round up a helper with some experience. Be sure to always consider all safety issues when researching the project. Having a kitchen cabinet door that won’t close is not good, but it’s not as bad as finishing up the job minus a finger - or worse.

Can I Afford it?

It’s easy to underestimate the costs involved in a home improvement project. If your project is small, like broken faucets or painting a bedroom, you can likely save a lot.

If the project is one that involves major disruption of your living space, such as totally remodeling a kitchen, then you have to consider the impact on your home life and career as you work on this project on nights and weekends. Also try to forsee extraneous costs such as, in our example of a kitchen remodel, eating out or ordering in almost every night when you compare the diy home improvement job with the professional one.

It will take you a lot longer than it would take a professional, even if you are as skillful as he is (obviously not very likely) because he can work on it full time. This may end up costing you more financially, because as the project drags on, you may be tempted to buy your supplies at the most convenient place, rather than the least expensive, or to call in pros to finish up small jobs that you just can’t find the time for. However, if you’re really motivated to take on the project, if you have the time to focus on the job at hand, and if you are prepared for the stress of living without a kitchen for a month or two, then take a shot at it. Once again, make sure you’ve identified all safety issues involved in the project.

Do I Need a Building Permit?

Check with the local building department. In many locations, any job that involves wiring or plumbing automatically requires a permit and that the work be done only by a professional contractor.

In the end, what is frequently the best solution is to do the labor-intensive jobs (like demolition) yourself, and let a pro handle the tasks that require experience and skill. This will usually give you a professional-quality job at quite a bit less than the typical professional-quality price.

Joe Serpico is webmaster and publisher of Home Repair Guide. For more home repair and remodeling tips, please visit www.homerepairguide.net

[tags]home improvement,, do-it-yourself, diy, home repair, kitchen remodeling, professional contractor[/tags]

Many individuals are fascinated by hummingbirds. So much so, that they will do anything in their power to attract these petite creatures to their yards. So what is the best way to attract these wee feathered friends?

Here are some tips to help make your home a hummingbird hot spot:

What Do Hummingbirds Eat?

Hummingbirds usually feed off flower nectar and sugar water that is left out for them in birdfeeders. They also feed off of small insects like ants, slugs and spiders. If you really want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, make sure your bird feeder is always filled with nectar and sugar water.

What Should My Hummingbird Feeder or House Look Like?

It is a well-known fact that hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. That being said, if the feeder you already have isn’t red get out your paint brush or stick a large red bow on it to get their attention. The best hummingbird feeders have perches for the birds to stand on while they feed. The holes in hummingbird feeders are just big enough for the little guys to fit their heads in, but they’re too small for squirrels and other larger animals so they can’t steal the food.

Refrain from painting your hummingbird feeder or house yellow because bees and wasps are attracted to these colors and also enjoy the taste of sweet nectar. You’ll want to keep insects as far away from your hummingbird feeders and houses as possible.

What Materials Should Hummingbird Houses or Feeders be made of?

Hummingbird feeders and houses are usually made of acrylic or glass. They are also available in wood and plastic; however these do not work as effectively and may cause harm to the birds (slivers and cuts). Hummingbird houses and feeders come in a variety of sizes and shapes and usually contain numerous feeding areas throughout the feeder.

Where Should I Put My Hummingbird Feeder?

Ideally, a hummingbird feeder should be hung near a garden with bright flowers and plants. A flowery location is most likely to attract the attention of hummingbirds. For your viewing pleasure, you may want to hang your feeder in a place that can be easily seen from your home. For example a hummingbird feeder hung in front of a window can be admired all day.

How Much Do Hummingbird Feeders Cost?

The styles and designs differ so much that it’s difficult to determine a specific price. Hummingbird feeders and houses can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 - depending on the style, design and features.

Greg Pilson is an avid bird watcher who also dabbles in freelance photography of his favorite subjects. When he’s not working full time in the engineering industry, he writes as a freelance writer for http://www.birdfeedersdirect.com - a site that offers information about various types of bird feeders and bird houses.

[tags]bird,feeders,houses,hummingbird,diy,humming,nectar[/tags]

If you’re looking for a unique shed, then try a barn style shed. They have a charm that you can only get with this design. It’s a way to add a touch of rustic charm to your property and give it a look of down home style. You can even purchase plans for a barn style dog house, which is really eye catching. It’s a good way to ease your storage problems, as well as your pet problems by building one of these wonderful sheds.

There are manufacturers that offer these barn sheds in sizes ranging from an 8×8 to as large as a 10×14. All you have to do is pick the size that is suitable for you. You can get plans for sheds that you can build yourself from wood. It will become an attractive addition to your home and property.

There are plans for sheds that include a gambrel roof and real car siding for the rustic look you want. A distinctive front roof extension with decorative rafters will provide that extra protection you’re looking for. In this barn style, the roof extends out over all the walls to give it a very appealing look. The step by step instructions will be very easy to follow and will help you build a shed that makes you look like an expert. If you feel comfortable nailing a nail or sawing a straight line then these plans will suit you fine.

You will find as your barn shed goes together that there will be an abundance of trim to cover up unsightly edges and give your shed that deluxe look. There will be large double doors that will give to easy access in and out of your shed. Your shed will be built on skids to promote dryness and you can use standard 2×4 framing for strength and endurance.

For lots of helpful information on
garden sheds,
shed kits and related
topics, visit The Sheds Guide at http://www.theshedsguide.com

[tags]sheds,barn style sheds,garden shed[/tags]

Schefflera is a tropical plant that is commonly kept as an indoor plant. They are sold in many different varieties today and can even be kept as a bonsai tree! The Schefflera is relatively easy to care for and makes a great house plant.

The Schefflera is native to Malaysia and is often referred to as the umbrella tree. There are two main varieties of this tree, the Arboricola and the Actinophylla. The Arboricola is the most common type that is kept today and is found in several different forms. The regular Arboricola just has the normal green leaves. The Arboricola Renate has green leaves, but they are rippled. The Arboricola Gold Capella has green leaves as well as yellow or gold leaves. The Arboricola Trinette has green leaves and cream leaves. New varieties of this plant are constantly being introduced so you are bound to see other types as well.

The Schefflera needs lots of light to grow, but it must not be kept in direct sunlight. During the summer, it is especially important that no direct sun reaches the plant, even through the windows. Windows can make the sun even more dangerous. If kept in direct sun, the leaves of this plant will get burned.

It is important that you do not over water this plant or it will develop root rot. Only water it when the soil is dry. You can water this plant from the top or the bottom. If you water from the bottom, put the pot in water for about ten minutes and the plant will take up the water that it needs. If you water from the top, water it until the water drains through the bottom. If the leaves are turning black, this means that the soil is staying too wet. If the leaves are wrinkling up, then the plant is too dry.

Because this is a tropical plant, it needs to have moisture in the air. You can mist the leaves regularly to provide water but often this is not enough. This plant is used to a very humid environment and you will need to supply this water. The best way to create the humidity for your plant is to get a tray and put some pebbles and water in it. Then set your plant on the pebbles. Make sure that the level of the water is below the level of the pebbles and that your plant is not sitting in water. The water will evaporate and the leaves will get the moisture they need.

Make sure you use a good quality soil that contains plenty of nutrients. You should also use fertilizer according to the instructions on the package. If you want to make sure your leaves do not turn yellow, you can add some liquid iron two to three times a year.

The Schefflera is very prone to getting mites. You need to clean the leaves regularly to prevent this. They especially like to live on the underside of the leaves, so be sure you check there. Cleaning the leaves will also prevent dust build up and allow the sun to adequately reach the leaves. To clean it, use a warm, damp washcloth.

This plant is not that hard to keep. The main things to remember are: don’t keep the plant wet, place the plant in a bright area and watch out for mites. Also, don’t be scared to prune the Schefflera. It will do fine after pruning.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Gardening

[tags]gardening[/tags]

There were times when home improvement had nothing more to it than just some general repairs. However, today things are changing. People want their house to be more personalized in terms of aesthetics and functionality. Moreover, they want houses that subscribe to the trendiest home d

How would you like to know a few homemade pesticide recipes that are not only safe, but will cost you next to nothing? It’s still possible to keep your garden free from pests without toxins and harmful chemicals.

Most chemical pesticides are toxic to humans as well as pets and small animals that may enter your yard or garden. That’s why homemade pesticides make a lot more sense.

Here are a few of the most common homemade pesticide recipes for your houseplants, yard and garden.

Homemade Pesticide For Snails and Slugs

Diatomaceous earth is a powder-like dust made of tiny marine organisms called diatoms. It is effective on soft-bodied insects as well as snails and slugs. Just spread it on top of the soil and it works by cutting and irritating these soft organisms yet is harmless to other organisms. You can also put out shallow dishes of beer to trap snails and slugs.

To Keep Bugs Away From Houseplants
This is the safest natural pesticide for any home gardner and is effective on a variety of bugs and insects. Mix 3 tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water. Use in a sprayer bottle for houseplants.

Another Bugs Away From Houseplants Mix
To keep bugs away from houseplants, mix 1 clove garlic, 1 small hot pepper and 1 quart water in a blender. Pour into a spray bottle and apply to plants. Putting hot sauce on a cotton ball in a house plant pot will also repel pests.

Cabbageworms and Spider Mites Mix
For garden pests like cabbageworms and spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 gallon of water and use in a sprayer bottle.

To Control Garden Pests

Gather together a collection of dead bugs, crush them up and mix with water. Strain the mix until it will come out of a spray bottle. Only use this mix outside.

Spearmint Hot Pepper Horseradish Spray

This is effective on many different kinds of outside bugs and insects and should be an outside spray.

1/4 cup of hot red peppers

1/2 gallon water

1/4 cup of fresh spearmint

1/4 cup horseradish, both root and leaves

1 tablespoons of liquid detergent

1/4 cup green onion tops

Mix the spearmint leaves, horseradish, onion tops and peppers together with enough water to cover everything. Then strain the solution. Add a half-gallon of water and the detergent. You can use this to spray almost any plant safely. Store the mixture for a few days in a cool place.

Natural Pesticide for Aphids and Whiteflies

Mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent with water and spray on plants leaves. This is extremely effective in controlling many soft-bodied insects such as aphids and whiteflies.

Homemade Pesticide For Roses
In your blender make a solution of leaves from a tomato plant 4 pints of water and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Strain the mix and spray on roses as a natural pesticide. Keep any unused spray refrigerated.

Natural pesticides can work well for any home gardner and are much safer for you and your family. After you try a few of these recipes you’ll understand that they really work. If you want to control pests naturally instead of chemically, homemade pesticides may be the ideal choice.

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Part of the fun of a new deck is the planning! When you plan your deck, you can let your imagination run wild and add all kinds of fun features. As your planning process moves forward, you can whittle down your design to a more practical (and buildable) plan. Planning a new deck can be as simple as a few sketches, or as complete as a blueprint. You can have an architect or designer create plans for you, or you can do it yourself. Also, there are many new software programs available to make planning easier.

Before you start planning your deck, you may want to browse through some
magazines for ideas. You can also search the Internet for photos of existing decks
to give you some better ideas. There are also entire books written specifically for
decks and deck building. They usually have hundreds of full-color photos to help
you decide what features you want to add to your deck.

So the first place to start, is to measure the area you have available for your new
deck. This is sometimes easier if you have a long tape measure; a 50 foot long tape
measure is usually best for a project like this. Using wooden stakes, hammer them
into the ground at the corners of your deck. This will help you visualize where your
new deck will be. It’s a lot easier to move wooden stakes around, then to change the
layout while building your deck.

As you stake out your new deck, take into consideration any changes in elevation.
You may want to consider a multi-level deck, areas for steps, or special task areas
on your deck. Task areas may include things like a wet bar, a place for a grill, or
even a private sitting area. These special task areas are what will make your new
deck unique.

Once you have your deck staked out in its final position, you will want to draw some
final plans. You can take these plans to your local home center or building supply
store, and they can create a materials list for you. You will also need a set of plans if
you need a building permit for your deck. Most townships or municipalities require
building permits for a new deck. They will want to have one or two sets of plans
submitted with the building fee. The more professional your plans look, the easier it
will be for you to get approval to build your new deck.

Once you have your final building permit and your plans all finished, it’s time to
start building your deck. The next series of articles will cover building your deck
from start to finish.

Dean Novosat is an avid do-it-yourselfer and remodeler. He writes for http://build-decks-patios.com, http://for-gadget-guys.com, and http://www.the-kitchen-designer.com

[tags]deck,decks,building deck,building decks,home improvement,backyard[/tags]

Information technology has made almost anything possible! Today there are a number of software programs that let you design your own kitchen or have a virtual look at how your kitchen would look. Most of the software allows you to add colors, lighting, furniture and almost anything that you would need. The best part is that the software usually has a catalog of products from various manufacturers and designers for you to choose from. Some of the software that is available specifically for kitchen designs includes 20-20 Design, DecoTech