MyFurnitureOK.com

Many of us are programmed in such a way that if we see something disappear, we believe it is gone for good. This type of thinking is especially harmful when it comes to our plumbing. Not everything is designed to go down the drain; pouring the wrong materials into kitchen sinks and other sinks in your house will eventualy mean that you have big problems with your pipes that will cost a lot of money and time in order to fix. There are a lot of materials that if poured down the drain will accumulate, clogging the pipes, and some that will even corrode the joints and cause leaks and severe damage. Here is a list of the most common things that people dump into their sinks that can cause a lot of damage.

The most common item in this case is grease. Grease is liquid and it seems like it is natural for it to go down the drain, but remember it is only liquid because it is hot. As soon as grease cools down, it will begin to form into a solid, and eventually will become very solid. It will sit in your pipe and catch other matter, and eventually it will plug up the system. In the meantime, it might also start to smell really bad. Running hot water as you pour the grease down the drain will not help. The best way to get rid of grease is to put it into a container to harden and then throw it into the trash.

Bits of food are another item that make their way into the plumbing. Food should not be put down the drain unless you have a proper garbage disposal. Invest in some food catchers to put in the drain in order to catch the bits of pasta and vegetable that slip through the colander.

Hair always seems to make its way past the plug, in kitchen sinks and in bathtubs. Hair is very difficult to get out of piping once it gets in, and even worse it will catch other items and form one big mess. Keep hair from going into the pipes by buying hair catchers for all of your bathtub and shower drains. These need to be cleaned frequently, but it is better than paying the price for new piping.

Many people pour used materials such as motor oil, pesticides, and leftover moisturizers down their sinks. All of these are highly corrosive and will cause long term damage to pipes. Dispose of them in the manner recommended on the packaging, as to ignore this advice will not only cause significant damage to your house but to the environment as well.

A stitch in time saves nine, and the simple fact is that by being aware and taking care of materials properly, you will save yourself a lot of money in terms of plumbing later on. Don’t be fooled by the disappearnce of items down the drain; it never just goes away!

The magazine writer Jack Blacksmith is especially passionate about themes dealing with cooking. You can come across his articles on plumbing and kitchen sinks at www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com .

[tags]drain, sink, kitchen,[/tags]

Are you planning a decorating project and don’t know where to begin? Building or remodeling a home can be a frustrating and stressful endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Organizing your thoughts and materials will help simplify the process and reduce stress. Here are some tips to get you started; ultimately saving time and lowering stress.

1. Develop an inspiration folder. Dream, explore and discover with magazines, websites and newspapers. Clip pictures and articles that catch your attention. Have fun. Choose an inspirational photo that has the look or “feel” that you want to capture in your space. Working with a spouse, partner, or roommate? Encourage them to do the same and share your findings. They may have a picture of a great room with a fireplace, but you really don’t like the room. What you may discover is that they chose that particular picture because they liked the fireplace and that may be the one thing that you like!

2. Carry your inspiration photo with you. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words and there is no better way to communicate with sales people than to show them a picture of what you like.

3. Create a floor plan and evaluate your space. Walk in the room (if possible without furniture or accessories) and start imagining the possibilities. If you are building and only have a floor plan, imagine yourself in that space. If that’s hard for you (and it is for most people) ask your builder or a designer to describe it to you. Look at each surface; floors, walls, ceiling separately and then as a whole. Research different finishes on the market for each surface and determine what works for your lifestyle. Draw a floor plan if you don’t have one. Make sure to note window measurements on your floor plan for quick reference when shopping. A floor plan is a valuable tool for determining furniture arrangements and the flow of the room.

4. Start a room file for each room you are decorating, so that you have everything in one place. A room file should include storage for fabric swatches, paint chips, flooring samples and anything else that will help determine your color palette. It should be easy to transport to the store for color coordination. Additionally, your files should provide a place for receipts, warranties and contracts along with storage for larger samples. In a few years when looking for a warranty or paint color, they will be a breeze to find.

It’s important to carry your inspiration picture, a picture of the room that you are working on, a copy of the floor plan, and color swatches to the store in your room file. All of these items can help you convey to a designer or sales clerk exactly what you want. An additional feature to add to your room file is a list of important contacts including your carpenter or builder, electrician, painter and stores you are working with. And don’t forget a budget sheet. At http://www.decoratingassistant.com/ you will find budget forms that work with excel and automatically tabulate your purchases along with additional decorating tips and ideas.

5. Have the right tools on hand. Always carry a tape measure and a digital camera is also a great item to carry. How many times have you seen something when shopping and then later can’t remember exactly what it looked like? A pencil and a note pad are a must. Writing your thoughts and “to-do-lists” onto paper is a great stress reliever!

6. Use a carry bag when shopping. It should hold your room files, tools, wallet and keys; providing “hands free shopping”. Of course, it’s a bonus if is stylish as well!

7. Relax & Enjoy. Getting organized will help you to decorate confidently, work more efficiently and reduce stress. Now it’s time to have some fun. Good Luck!

© 2006 The Assistant Product Group, Inc.

Amy is co-designer of the Decorating Assistant and President of the Assistant Product Group, Inc. A Graduation of The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Amy has been active in the decorating and design industry for over 20 years. Working for an architectural firm in Cincinnati, she was Director of the Interior Design Department specializing in the design, development, and implementation of retail store prototypes with additional responsibilities that included sales, marketing, and day to day operations. Additionally, Amy was a partner with momodesigns, a residential design firm and instructor for an Interior Decorating course for a local Adult Continuing Education program.

[tags],decorating, interior,home,organization,remodeling,ideas,shopping,inspiration,building,tips,style,[/tags]

Lighting fixtures and fittings have more of an effect on your home and your enjoyment of the time you spend there than you might realize. Proper lighting makes the difference between a harsh uninviting glare and cozy and intimate lighting. The challenge is balancing the lighting in order to have bright lights in areas that need it and lower lighting in areas that arent going to be used as workspaces.

Lighting has many purposes other than providing light. With the correct level of light or fixtures and fittings, light can be used to create a certain atmosphere within a room, to display a certain feature or piece of art within a room, or to enhance a particular work area with extra lighting will leaving the remainder of the room bathed in a soft glow. Lighting fixtures and fittings in addition to lighting levels go a long way in setting the tone for a room.

Soft warm lights with fixtures that look antiqued rather than modern will result in a very intimate space that is both appealing and inviting. Indirect or recessed lighting features are very effective at providing soft light within a room. Another great way to wash a room in soft light is the use of wall sconces. Lamps are another great way to provide warmer, softer lighting within a room. Lamps are also great for decorative touches Experts recommend using 3-way bulbs in lamps and dimmers and dimmer switches for the remainder of your lighting if all possible.

You want to be careful however, that you do not have too little light in areas where more lighting is needed. Dimmer switches as mentioned above will help with that as will installing tract lighting in areas where work is often done, whether this work is computer work, puzzles, models; anything that requires brighter lighting in order to achieve. Brighter lighting can be achieved through higher wattage bulbs, halogen bulbs, and fluorescents. Buying fixtures that accommodate these bulbs is important in the areas that you will be using brighter lighting.

Another thing to consider with light fixtures and fittings is energy consumption. Lighting your home accounts for a good portion of your monthly energy bill. Choosing bulbs that are Energy Star qualified will not only save money on lighting because they use less energy, they will also help you save on your cooling costs because they produce less heat.

Compare your lamps and light fixtures and fittings with others that offer the same overall look. Be sure to compare Energy Star qualified fixtures in your comparisons, keep in mind that using Energy Star qualified lighting will save you money each and every month on your electric bills. Another benefit for Energy Star bulbs is that you will not have to change them nearly as often as regular light bulbs. In fact most packages claim that their bulbs last on average 7 years.

Choosing the right fixtures and fittings for your home lighting effects so much more than the things you see, or dont see. Selecting energy efficient lighting and fixtures will have an even greater impact on your pocket book. Take care to choose lighting that will set the mood you want in your home, provide adequate lighting in project areas, and will provide a nice comfy cushion for your wallet.

Allen Maccey is a writer and DIY enthusiast. He writes for House Hobby DIY in the Fixtures and Fittings section.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

Price : N/A

Customer Reviews

Review date : 2008-07-26
I have never used towels like this, even in high end hotels. They are almost too thick and heavy and large!
They are heavy to pick up, but so luxurious around your body… bigger than usual. And very thirsty!
Make sure you wash them separately the first time in case they bleed. Also, they lint alot on the first wash, so dry them separately. Otherwise they are wonderful.
Definitely worth the $20 I paid for them. They will last forever!

Review date : 2008-07-23
I rarely write reviews (I’ve probaby purchased a few thousand items from amazon and I think that this might be my first review. I had to write to say that these towels are incredibly good. Thick, heavy, look great, feel great. I have towels that cost 10x as much and these are far better. I’m throwing out all of my other towels (or using as rags) and buying more of these. (and no, I am NOT affiliated with this towel company)

Review date : 2008-07-19
I bought a bath sheet in orange just to test these towels. It is amazing, heavy, thick, luxurious– but much too big for everyday use. (It’s taller than me, and wider than our doorways! Won’t fit without folding on any of our towel racks, and I’m afraid it won’t dry without souring if it’s folded.)

I adore it, but it’s going to have to be repurposed.

Here’s a tip, if you’re wanting these: for some reason, the prices on the different colors fluctuate wildly. If you’re interested in a particular color and towel size, put it in your shopping cart, and then open it regularly for a couple of weeks and watch the price changes. You’ll be able to see when the price goes down a bit, and snap up an even better deal.

Review date : 2008-07-17
My husband and I are towel snobs. We took a chance on these specifically because the price made it a good gamble and so many reviews alluded to the heavy weight of the towels. We’re extremely glad we did! We’re so pleased with the quality of the bath sheets we’ll now be investing in the rest of the sets from Pinzon.

Some important observations about the bath sheets:
- the first time you wash/dry them, be prepared to empty the lint trap in your dryer several times. They will NOT dry in a timely manner unless you are diligent about emptying the lint trap several times. We consider this a very minor inconvenience.

- as with any type of towel, the use of liquid fabric softener or more than one dryer sheet is a no-no. That’s even more true with these because they are so thick and heavy. Water will shed right off them once dry if you use a liquid fabric softener, and that’s assuming you can get them dry in the first place. Fabric softener should not ever be used on towels anyway, but it becomes even more important to remember that with the Pinzon 820 towels. I suspect most negative reviews regarding absorption are a direct result of fabric softener use. We’ve been able to get away with using a single dryer sheet in with two bath sheets and not have a problem, just to eliminate static electricity, but we generally use a dryer sheet that’s already gone through once with a smaller/short load.

- these are HEAVY. Don’t discount the reports of their heaviness. For example, I would not advise purchasing these towels for anyone who is elderly or physically lacking in strength. Their weight is really THAT significant. I could actually see someone with physical strength issues struggling to dry themselves off with these towels, so they’re probably not a good gift idea for elderly parents and the like.

- the colors in the images for Plum and Platinum are a little more towards the "slate" side of the color spectrum than the images demonstrate. Both are a beautiful shade, but they do have that powdery slate-like hue to them.

Overall, we’re very happy with these towels and have no personal complaints with them. Comments in this post reflect things that may be of concern to other buyers - as far as we’re concerned, these towels are a 10 out of 10.

Review date : 2008-07-10
These bath sheets are almost too nice to use! They wash well and soak up water like a sponge. I will definitely buy more when I need them.

Are you tired of the look of your furniture? Do you fancy changing the appearance of your room, but don’t want the cost and hassle of buying a whole new suite? Well, the good news is that giving your home a makeover can be as simple as adding some furniture slipcovers. If you have some pieces of furniture with mismatching upholstery or you simply want a change, then some new slipcovers could work wonders.

So, what exactly are furniture slipcovers? They are a cheaper alternative to re-upholstering your furniture. Re-upholstery can be an expensive option depending on the amount of work needed to make your furniture look as good as new. It can involve replacing the existing fabric, replacing worn out cushions and in some cases fixing the frame and springs. It depends on the value of the furniture as to whether it is worth the effort and expense. Furniture slip covers on the other hand are basically fabric covers that can easily be fitted over existing upholstery.

There are many benefits of using fitted slipcovers over re-upholstery, not least the lower costs. Sofa slipcovers are an excellent way to disguise unattractive upholstery on your existing sofa as well as transforming the look and color scheme of a whole room. You can use sofa slipcovers to create a completely different feel. For example, careful choice of the right slipcover patterns can help add a welcoming atmosphere of warmth to a room. Or maybe you want to create the illusion of space in a small room by adding some lighter colored sofa slip covers.

Another advantage of furniture slipcovers is that they can protect your existing fabric from becoming dirty or worn, prolonging the life of your furniture. Whether you have pets or small children or just want to prevent damage caused by accidental spills, slipcovers are an ideal solution. Slipcovers are made from durable, hardwearing materials. Cotton fabrics are common, but all sorts of other fabrics are popular too such as leather, suede, corduroy and velvet. They are designed to be easy to remove and clean, which means they can be changed as often as you like. Many are fully machine washable.

These days furniture slipcovers come in a huge variety of designs and colors. Many people like the ease with which slipcovers allow them to change their d

The kitchen today is the busiest room in the house and kitchen lighting is probably the most important element in kitchen interior design.

Since the kitchen is now being used as a home office, a homework area for children as well as a gathering area for friends and family good kitchen lighting is very important. The right kitchen lighting is able to create just the right atmosphere for entertaining.

Selecting just the right kitchen lighting can be a simple process. You first need to identify the main areas of the kitchen that need sufficient lighting. With specific tasks over the range or cook top, you can use an energy efficient fluorescent tube along with a standard range fan, or a recessed down light in the general area of the stove. One or two track lights over the sink area can provide the correct amount of illumination that would be needed for washing dishes and scouring pots and pans.

For the sink, and countertops a combination of track or recessed lighting, and under cabinet lighting will be to achieve best results in lighting up the countertop and creating a work area that is well lit and free of shadows. Mount the lights as close to the back of the cabinets as possible to avoid creating glare and off the work surfaces. Try to select energy-efficient fluorescent fixtures that will cover at least two-thirds of the of the counter’s length.

For the breakfast area a good overhead light is useful since this area is also frequently used for reading. For more kitchen lighting ideas you can consider such lighting systems as chandeliers to high-tech flexible track lighting with decorative pendants. With a dimmer switch these ceiling-hung fixtures will produce adequate task lighting for family activities. You can also lower the light for entertaining.

When considering kitchen lighting design it is important to create muliple layers of lighting including ambient lighting, accent lighting as well as decorative lighting.

Examine the amount of space and try to imagine the opportunities that you have in considering different categories of kitchen lighting design to create an inviting and livable space.

Ambient Lighting - This is the general light in the room. This type of kitchen lighting is needed for all casual activities. This can be achieved through the use of reflected light for different surfaces. An example of this is track lighting.

Task Lighting - An example is under-cabinet lights since they make excellent task lighting. This kind of kitchen lighting is commonly achieved with small light sources using higher and more focused levels of light with a combination of under cabinet lights and overhead lights that are strategically located. This type of lighting will be mostly found in closets, pantries, cabinets, or drawers.

Decorative Lighting - This type of kitchen lighting can add sophistication and color to a space.

Down Lighting - Down lighting is energy efficient and consists of small aperture cans in the ceiling. They can produce a longer lamp life, minimize glare and produce a bright crisp light.

Low Voltage Track and Mono Rail Lighting - These lighting systems can offer an interesting and more flexible type of lighting and are easy to install. They can be hand-bent and shaped to provide architectural interest. Low voltage lighting dims more easily and lights decorative objects and surfaces dramatically.

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at Kitchen Designers Ideas.com.
He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design.

[tags]kitchen lighting, kitchen lighting design, kitchen design, kitchen remodeling[/tags]

Price :

Features

• Let the sun shine in—but only when you want it to
• Includes two 27" panels, premium European-style drapery liner that blacks out light
• Attach to any window treatment with included hooks or hang alone on a standard rod
• Cotton/polyester panel; Professional dry cleaning recommended
• 54Wx80L"

Make your teenagers happy with the look of their bedrooms - allow them to decorate it themselves. Give your kids a sense of autonomy and watch them take on responsibility it may pleasantly surprise you. Here are some suggestions that can change the look of a room with relatively little expense.
Painting a bedroom is an excellent way to change its entire appearance with minimal cost. Add interest by using deeper and stronger colors rather than neutral ones. Try painting the ceiling for a change. Stencils, rag-rolling and sponge painting add texture. Ask your local paint shop about different techniques.

Consider blackboard paint for a section of the wall - or all the way around the room. This allows them to express their creativity (or do their homework) - especially if your teenager enjoys drawing. If you have the time or inclination, or if your teen is particularly good at painting, a mural might be something to consider. A logo of a favorite sports team can take up an entire wall (go Canucks!).

Some teenagers are pack-rats and accumulate a mountain of assorted treasures. They may not have enough room in their closets for all their stuff, so it ends up under the bed and all over the floor.

Shelves are one solution - and they dont have to be expensive wooden ones either. Get creative and think of different types of crates and cement bricks that you can spray paint in neat patterns - just put a wooden board across the top.

For teenage girls, fabric hung from the corner of the ceiling in loops can make the room look classy. If it is secured well, it can also be used as a place for arranging stuffed animals. Find colorful scarves at local thrift shops, or perhaps stored in the attic.

For teenage boys, t-shirts that remind them of soccer teams or Disneyland can be hung on the wall. A plain t-shirt signed by all of his friends will add a personal touch. Add a group photo next to the shirt to attach names to faces.

Pillows can be made cheaply. Use them as decorations on the bed or for friends to sit on. Sew your own pillows by cutting out logos from old shirts and sewing them together, using an old sheet as a backing. Stuff the pillow full of cotton and stitch it up. If you dont have old shirts, buy end of stock cloth at any fabric store.

No teenage bedroom is complete without posters of the newest band, favorite sports team, or hot actor. Framed pictures of friends look nice if arranged in an original way. Opened Oriental fans attached to the wall at different angles add character.

Have your teenagers favorite quotes, funny sayings, or pleasant reminders plastered on their wall. Cut out comic strips and tack to the walls - this may keep visitors in the room longer than your teen wants them there. But they say laughter is the best medicine so it can make your teens room a healthy place to be!

More articles at Articles on database

Price : $259.00

Features

• Color: Red and Black
• Size: 7.5′ W x 14′ L
• This may be the thickest garage containment mat available.
• Highlight your vehicle while keeping your garage and home clean.
• Lays flat and smooth, no folds showing.

Product Description

Put an end to unnecessary wear and tear to your garage with this fantastic Garage Mat. This mat will catch every bit of mud, dirt, and grime that may fall off of your car or truck. With this mat, you will reduce the amount of dirt that gets tracked into your home from your garage. Constructed of heavy-duty vinyl, this mat also stops liquid from seeping into the floor of your garage. This durable, 50mil thick mat lies smoothly, is puncture resistant, and is easy to install. Besides being practical, this mat is also good looking - the red and black design is sure to enhance any garage. Available in seven sizes. It is recommended that you choose a size that will allow you to park your entire car, truck or motorcycle on the mat, while still allowing room for a walkway around your vehicle. Sizes include:

3′ x 4′ - A Perfect Mat to Catch Oil Drips.
4.5′ x 9′ - Great For Most Motorcycles!
7.5′ x 14′
7.5′ x 16′
7.5′ x 18′
7.5′ x 20′
7.5′ x 22′
Assembly level/degree of difficulty: Easy. A restocking fee will be deducted if this item is returned.

In the beginning of this article, we went over the basics. Now, we will look at this topic a little more in-depth.

Contemporary bedroom design is lustrous with good position and regularly use russet colored wood, brushed aluminum or blonde wood.

These current bedroom plans mostly have a monochromatic look to them and are lacking a lot of frilly accessories.

Some current bedroom plan dreams include lustrous furniture and platform beds with neutral colored quilt. Others might make a bolder paint record with paints such as avocado, cocoa, turquoise and ginger which are reminiscent of the mid century modern design. One attractive design can be to go all clean - clean wall, clean shag rug, clean quilt, clean furniture, clean accessories. If you do go with this design, make effective the furniture has orderly position and not too fancy or you might end up with a shabby chic look instead of contemporary!

Contemporary bedroom design starts with a neutral wall paint - try sage, chocolate, fawn or if you have a large room and want to be bold you could try red or even black. Next, you neediness to pluck paints for accessories. If you want a neutral palette, shove to the cleans, creams and fawn or for a more earth tone shove to shades of russet with a few side of paint in turquoise or green. Some arresting current bedroom design paints are to go with black, red and clean or a mid century mode palette of clean wall, quilt and floors with intense red, cerulean and blond accents (pillows, chairs, vases etc….).

Even if you cannot buy a entire new bed for your contemporary bedroom design, you can blow up the subject behind your bed with interesting wall art or a contemporary grace subject rug that you can just lynch right on the wall.

Lighting can be an important accent in your current bedroom plans. It’s important to add mood and accent lighting, but with the right grace can also help to recognize the room and give it the right feel. Some current plans even incorporate the lighting into shelving like some of the choices at our business below.

And don’t disregard accents for your contemporary bedroom plan. Use lustrous vases and plates with an interesting affect and in your accent paints to add some blow around the room. Picture frames should be very apparent. Rugs can have a mold if the quilt, wall and curtains are apparent but if there is too greatly mold around the room a austere shag rug or rug in an interesting numerical affect but in a separate paint can say a lot.

Contemporary bedroom design approval firm paint quilt that can be in different shades of neutral paints. Instead of mold add awareness by trade good property quilt that is made from equipment with an interesting touch like a microfiber or satin. crunchy clean sheets of a high view fiber will look great and feel great too!

Alongkorn Sanguanlorsit was interest for home decoration and design.

[tags]decorate, bedroom, bedroom contemporary, bedroom design[/tags]