MyFurnitureOK.com

Your shower curtain is likely the largest item in your bathroom, so it’s in your own interest to put some thought into which one you want to hang up. These days, there are so many different options as to what your shower curtain can look and feel like, the experience of shopping for a shower curtain can be more like shopping for a beautiful tapestry than a useful bathroom tool.

That’s because shower curtains have taken that giant step from being only about function to becoming a beautiful form on their own. You may even end up decorating your entire bathroom based on which shower curtain you pick out.

There are shower curtains today that don’t just fit any tub, they fit any taste, too. Sports enthusiasts are sure to be able to find a basketball, football, or baseball shower curtain. There are also shower curtains with popular Disney characters or other themes. There are retro style curtains and clear curtains and opaque shower curtains. There are even curtains that have a clear window just for your face, and then a body painted on the rest to turn yourself into a caricature. And there are, of course, beautiful fabric shower curtains with beautiful designs that a even a queen would be pleased to own.

Most fabric shower curtains can be washed in a laundry machine or at least dry-cleaned. It may seem strange to have to wash your shower curtains. After all, when they are in use, it’s because you’re cleaning yourself, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they are getting clean, too. There are a few steps you can follow to take care of a plastic shower curtain:

1. Remove the shower curtain from its hooks.

2. Lay the curtain on a flat surface outside.

3. Rinse using a garden hose.

4. Scrub the curtain with a sponge and mixture of diluted bleach, using one quart of water for every cup of bleach.

5. Rinse thoroughly.

6. Repeat on other side.

7. Allow to dry.

Make sure that you do not wash your plastic or vinyl shower curtains in the washing machine on the hot setting, nor should you put one in the dryer - it could melt. Following these cleaning tips should really make your shower curtain fresh and clean.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on bathroom decor, please visit Shower Curtains.

[tags]shower curtains, sports shower curtains, shower curtain styles, cleaning shower curtains, bathtubs[/tags]

If you are tired of the look of your bedroom I’ve got great news! You really can change the look without spending a fortune. And your budget decorating should include a closet door mirror.

It’s time to get creative and get started redecorating that room! Start with a few accessories.

1. Pillows
Some pillows in a beautiful color and a variety of textures. How about chenille? Or maybe silk? You can create a sophisticated look, romantic look, or even a monochromatic look. For a romantic look add lots of different size pillows and layer them.

2. Paint
There’s nothing as refreshing as a coat of paint and it’s so cheap. Create a dramatic impact or a soft romantic atmosphere. You can change the entire look of a room with paint.

3. The Bed
What type of bed do you have? Canopy? Poster? Queen? Exciting? Romantic? Boring. Anyone can have a canopy style bed with just a little creativity. Simply drape soft sheer fabrics and attach from the ceiling. You might also consider replacing your bedding. Perhaps it’s time for a color change? A new pattern, color, or style can completely change the mood.

4. Candles
Candles are decorative, sophisticated, sexy, and they create focal points. They look great along a dresser, on the headrest or placed throughout the room. Mix up the size, colors, and styles to create atmosphere.

5. Wall Hangings
Prints or inexpensive art work can add the finishing touches. And don’t forget about decorative mirrors which can play an important role in creating the atmosphere.

6. Wall Shelves
Are a great way to add extra space to display your collections and remove clutter from dressers. Choose shelves that compliment the room. Neutral colors are usually best.

7. Flooring
Throw rugs are a great way to change the look of your flooring. Whether you have carpeting, tile, or hardwood you can use area rugs to help complete your d

Early in 1995 the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations (MCCR) announced a program to replace up to 20,000 mid-efficiency gas furnaces in Ontario, because their plastic vent pipes were prone to failure, and might leak carbon monoxide into the house. Other sources indicated the number might have been as high as 40,000 - but no one knows for sure.

The crux of the problem was that no other type of vent pipe had been approved for use with mid-efficiency furnaces.

Hundreds of home owners planned to sue the government, the manufacturers and others for refusing to pay for the entire replacement. At that point, home owners were expected to pay about $1000 of the estimated $1500 cost to exchange the furnaces for high-efficiency models, which would function safely with plastic vent pipes currently available. The home builder was to pay $200, the ONHWP $200, and the gas companies $100.

By the end of 1995 neither the Government of Ontario, which approved the faulty vent pipes, nor the manufacturers had made any contribution toward the cost of replacements in private homes and businesses. But the government did pay for replacements in government-funded non-profit and co-op housing.

And apparently, the program offered nothing to people who had already replaced their mid-efficiency furnaces before this program was announced.

On September 12, 1995, the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations issued a Safety Order requiring all owners of heating appliances with high-temperature plastic vents to have these systems corrected by August 31, 1996. Gas utilities and propane suppliers were required by Ontario law to discontinue the supply of fuel to appliances which had not been corrected by the deadline. Correction consisted of replacing the defective vent with an approved alternate vent, if available, or replacing the whole heating system.

Two vent pipe manufacturers in Toronto claimed they had safe, effective replacement vent pipes (a special grade of corrosion-resistant stainless steel) which would solve the problem with mid-efficiency installations. These replacement pipes had not yet received approval, and for some furnaces, replacements were never approved. One manufacturer asked the Premier’s office to spend some of the millions ear-marked for furnaces in government-funded homes, to speed up testing and approval of the replacement pipes. The upgraded vent pipe installations typically cost a little over $400 per house.

In theory at least, all affected furnaces should have been re-fitted or replaced, by August 31, 1996.

However private home inspectors were finding some of these heating systems still in service, with the original hi-temp plastic vent pipes still in place, as late as the summer of 1997. It is entirely possible that some still exist today. Home owners should watch out for plastic exhaust vent pipes labelled Sel-Vent, PlexVent or Ultravent. (or any vent other than those in service on high efficiency furnaces, which are labelled ABS, PVC or CPVC, and are acceptable)

A licensed gas-fitter/installer should be consulted, if own a mid-efficiency furnace and you are uncertain of the vent pipes attached to it.

All owners of gas heating appliances should have CO (carbon monoxide) detectors in service, and have their appliances inspected regularly.

Copyright Gil Strachan - All rights reserved.

Gil Strachan is a professional home inspector, representing Electrospec Home Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada since 1994. Visit http://www.allaroundthehouse.com to learn more about home inspections.

“The Home Reference Book”
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won’t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It’s the first tool you should have around the house!

[tags]vent pipes,plastic vents,plastic vent pipes,plastic vent pipe danger,vent danger,MCCR,diy vents[/tags]

Afraid to paint your bedroom walls with color?

You’re not alone - many people faced with redecorating their bedroom are afraid to get rid of that bland color that came with the house and go with something more colorful. What holds you back? Are you afraid the color will be too strong? Not match your furniture? Or you’ll become tired of it and have to start over again?

Painting is not that difficult and, guess what - it can be easily changed if you don’t like it! So stop hesitating and roll up your sleeves - if you don’t you will be missing out on one of the basic elements of design that can change the entire look of your room for under $50. Your tired furniture can become new again and a mismatched room can have designer flare! So, how do you choose the right color?

If you are hesitant about putting too much color on your bedroom walls, go with a tinted neutral. A tinted neutral such as beige or gray will add some color to the bedroom but will not date the room or be a bold color that you might easily tire of.

However, when you go to your local home improvement store you will be faced with a sea of color swatches - hundreds of versions of basic beige and gray to choose from. So before you go, consider these steps to choosing the right color for you.

If you like the feel of a warm and cozy bedroom - think of fireplaces, brown leather and sunsets - then you’ll want to start with a beige tone.

Now, consider your bedroom furniture, bedding and accessories. What colors do you see? If you have a lot of black or navy you may wish to choose a beige with orange or pink undertones to keep the look warm. If you have browns or reds in your furniture, select a cooler beige with ashy tones to avoid ‘overheating’ your room.

If you prefer a cooler, airy look - chrome, glass and shades of icy blue - then select gray tones. Some stores will have a ‘true gray’ color swatch which you can use to compare with their designer selections. On comparison you will notice that each gray has undertones. Some will have blue or lavender tones, others may have green or even a hint of pink.

Using the same guide as stated above, identify the main colors of furniture and accessories in the bedroom. Use green or pink toned greys with cool toned furnishings to avoid it from feeling like an ice box. Use blue or lavender undertones in rooms with warmer colored furnishings.

If you are really torn between beige or gray, than the easiest color to work with is green. Keeping it in a muted tone will make it very easy to live with, and will work with most color palates.

Painting your bedroom with color can transform it from dull to divine. Sometimes you don’t even need to do another thing to get a whole new look in your room. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and you work hard for it - don’t you deserve some color at the end of the day?

Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs and Decorations
where you can find more
bedroom decorating ideas.

[tags]bedroom, design, decorating, interior decorating, bed, interior design, home improvement[/tags]

If you are like everybody else in the world, you will want your air conditioner to last as long as possible. These units can be very expensive to replace, so proper air conditioner maintenance is a must. By caring for your unit properly, you will be able to keep it for as long as possible. This will surely save you a couple thousands of dollars throughout the course of your life.

While trying to keep your air conditioner in tip top condition, there are a couple of tips that you will want to follow. They are as follows:

1. Make sure that you check all of the hoses for leaks at least twice a year. The best times to do this is before you turn your unit on for the summer, and just before you are ready to turn it off for the winter. By doing this you will be able to catch onto any problems before they get to be too serious for repair.

2. It is important to keep the outside compressor as clean as possible. Of course it is going to get dirty because of natural occurrences, but by spraying it off with a hose every so often, you will be able to keep it looking new for longer.

3. Have the ductwork cleaned by a professional every couple of years. This maintenance may not seem like a big deal, but it can extend the life of your air conditioner.

4. During the winter months, make sure that you keep the compressor covered. By doing this you will protect it from cold weather as well as harsh conditions such as snow and sleet. When you are buying your air conditioner, ask the installation company if they also have a cover that you can buy. If they do, you should purchase one on the spot. This way you will always have a cover that fits your unit without hassle.

Air conditioner maintenance is very important if you want your unit to last a long time.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.homediy101.com where you can get more home repair and do it yourself tips along with articles on air conditioning maintenance and repair.

[tags]home repair, do it yourself, diy, air conditioning[/tags]

Introduction

Keeping your garden looking good whilst using it for a variety of needs is not as hard as you might think with a bit of garden planning. This article looks at a few solutions that will enable the whole family to enjoy a perfect outdoor living.

Ideally you want your garden to work for you and at the same time look good. You want to use it to relax in and also use the space as an extension to the house, for other members of the family to enjoy as well. Initially this might seem a problem; kids want to play, adults want to entertain and everyone wants to relax.

1. Identify exactly what you want from your garden

• Do you want to entertain a lot; barbecues etc?
• Do you need somewhere for children to play?
• Do you want a vegetable patch to grow your own produce?
• Will there be a greenhouse?
• Are you planning on having garden furniture?

Come up with your ownlist.

2. Design your garden accordingly

Remember there are no rules here. You have a blank canvas. Most problems arise between children playing and adults wanting to garden or relax.

a) Consider hardy shrubs and grasses that will take the odd bashing from a football.

b) If your garden is small and space is at a premium, why not grow upwards? Put climbers on a pergola. Until the plants have established themselves you can cover the sides temporarily with sheets for shelter from the wind. Use the space inside for relaxing or eating.

c) Take advantage of plants in containers. That way you can move them at will to accodomodate various situations or when you just feel like a change.

d) Situate your garden furniture and dining area away from the potential play areas and use wind breaks as barriers. Buy weatherproof and rustproof products.

e) Try to locate your barbecue in a safe area. Consider a mobile barbecue so you can adapt to any situation and weather conditions. And get a gas controlled one. Don’t spend all day trying to light one!

f) Consider games that both adults and children can enjoy. Croquet is ideal, although, make sure the kids don’t take chunks out of your lawn! Show them how to play.

The best solutions are those that allow you the greatest flexibility. Try to establish the different activity elements of the garden so that in theory they can be moved around with the minimum of effort.

With some pre-thought you can plan a garden that will suit all members of your family and accomodate visitors when you are entertaining. Work, rest and play all at the same time..honest!

Paul Curran is webmaster at Gardeners World featuring nature hills plant nursery products, including fruit trees and flower seeds. Also an extensive article library and photo album facilities for registered users.

[tags]plan garden,garden plan,garden,family garden[/tags]

Many peoples’ lives are far more affected by the layout of their kitchen than they might expect. Even with the dramatic rise in instant foods that people consume these days, the kitchen is still an essential part of each home. For this reason, thought has to be put into the layout and design of a person’s kitchen. A well-designed kitchen can be the difference between countless frustrations while preparing meals and a smooth, easy process. Take, for instance, kitchen islands. A well-placed kitchen island can allow a person the space and resources they need to perform all of the tasks that their meal requires. A poorly placed kitchen islands, however, can create bottlenecks in the kitchen and all around become a nuisance.

So, how do you decide if kitchen islands are the right way to go in your home? The first thing to look at when considering this is the advantages you gain by having an island. First and foremost, an island provides a significant amount of counter space to work with which you would not otherwise have. This can be remarkably helpful in the preparation of food, particularly when you are working on large meals. This space can also make an excellent serving spot for a buffet-style meal, as well as a nice, casual spot to eat.

An island can also be equipped with a great deal of extra storage in cabinets underneath, which will free up even more space and make your life easier to organize. Some islands can have ranges built into them, which means you can have a larger counter space free while you use the island for whatever part of the meal you are cooking on the range at the time. Similarly, other appliances can be built into an island, such as a dishwasher or a sink.

With these things in mind, you should consider your needs in your kitchen. This will allow you to determine if these advantages are important in your life, or if you can get along well enough without them. For instance, having extra counter space is not going to do your much good if you do not make full use of the counter space you already have.

Another large thing to consider with kitchen islands is the issue of physical space. In a large kitchen, an island can be one of the single most useful features of your kitchen. However, you must be realistic in your evaluation of the space you have to work with. Installing kitchen islands in kitchens which are simply too small for them will result in constant crowding. A kitchen island will not do you much good if you are tripping over yourself just to get around in the kitchen, not to mention the problems that could be caused if more than one person were to try to work in the kitchen at a time. In short, the key to deciding whether or not to install a kitchen island is evaluating benefits versus disadvantages. If you have the space and the need, then go for it. If not, then you may want to stay away.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

If home design and decor interests you then be sure to stop by Restful Home, a site that discusses everything from home decor to less discussed touches such as copper kitchen accessories.

[tags]kitchen islands, kitchen decor, interior decorating[/tags]

In the ancient world, the most common garden forms were the household gardens of nobles and the holy gardens associated with a place of worship. Sculpture of divines and kings were positioned in the compounds of places of worship. The Romans transported a large number of statues to Italy and placed them in gardens for decorative purposes. As the Roman Empire underwent a transformation and initiated Christian beliefs, these statues were regarded as non-religious, and removed. However, during the renaissance, these same statues were exhumed and placed once again in gardens. Sculpture became a acknowledged as art and gardens have always been a favored setting for exhibiting outdoor works of art.

Sculptures, whether in the shape of birdbaths or metal art forms are noticeable essentials to enhance a garden’s ambience. Mounting an appealing sculpture at waist or eye level can transform a garden into an exhilarating place. Including a garden sculpture helps set the mood or theme of a garden.

Even a modest garden is a work of art and installing a garden sculpture is a popular way to give a small garden, a bit of aura and mystery. A sculpture in a sunlit open space achieves the status of an exalted spot. It is delightful to find a large garden sculpture serving as the central point or to walk down a garden path and chance upon an unanticipated sculpture placed in a small recess. Many homeowners, while designing their homes, seek classically designed sculptures to be placed in their gardens.

While selecting a sculpture for a garden, a buyer must bear in mind that the artpiece should be able to withstand nature’s ravages during different seasons. The best choice of material for a sculpture with this factor in mind, are bronze and marble. When sculptures are placed in the open, they should be of a material that is durable and bronze fits in with this need.

Some art lovers choose a fairly large sculpture to make it the central piece of attraction in the garden. They place the sculpture in a prominent place so it will attract the attention of every visitor to the garden.

While designing a beautiful garden and the sculpture to go with it, one may enlist the services of specialized garden decorators. Most people who are not connoisseurs of art are inexperienced when it comes to selecting sculptures. A garden-decoration agency helps buyers pick a fine piece of art to match their gardens and at the right price range.

Sculptures provides detailed information on Sculpture, Garden Sculpture, Bronze Sculpture, Metal Sculpture and more. Sculptures is affiliated with Interior Painting.

[tags]Sculpture, Garden Sculpture, Bronze Sculpture, Metal Sculpture[/tags]

One common plumbing problem that often occurs at the most inconvenient of times is a clogged drain. Many home owners are tempted to reach for a bottle of their favorite drain cleaner - they are easy to use, supposed to be quick, and you don’t have to get your hands dirty. The problem with quick fixes - as with many things in life - is that the quick fix may not be the best.

Most drain cleaners these days will not damage your plumbing when properly used. The key is to make sure that you use them properly. If your home has a septic system, make sure that any cleaner specifies it is safe for use in septic systems. Different types of drain clog removers may target different types of problems and have different instructions, make sure you follow them to get the maximum effectiveness.

Sometimes a liquid cleaner will not be enough to take care of the problem. A number of years ago we received a lesson in what not to put down your food disposal - cantaloupe rinds. The disposal had no problem grinding them up, but a few feet down the drain they re-assembled into am impassable clog.

The first attempt was the faithful old plunger. A plunger works on the concept of hydraulic pressure (simply put, you cannot compress a liquid) to move the blockage. The problem with this approach in a kitchen or bathroom sink is that the drain may not be the only outlet - there are often multiple drains and/or overflow connections which make a plunger useless in these cases

The next step was to try and remove the sink trap. Once you get to this phase, you need to make sure you have a bucket and a few towels handy. If you had previously attempted to clear the clog using a chemical drain cleaner you need to be careful here as there may still be residue in the sink, pipes, or trap. Before removing the trap, make sure to drain as much of the sink water as you can.

Place the bucket under the trap and loosen the connection to the portion of the pipe leading down from the sink to the trap. By opening the down facing segment of the pipe first you should be able to confine the draining water to the bucket - if you remove the horizontal portion first you are likely to make quite a mess as the water drains in that direction. If the remainder of the water drains from the sink, you know your clog if further down the line. If the water does not drain, then you need to check the segment between the trap and the sink for obstruction. Usually a screwdriver or length of bent clothes hanger is sufficient to check and clear any blockages found.

Next check to see if there are any obstructions in the removed trap. Either take it to another sink and see if water flows through it unobstructed or use a length of clothes hanger to probe for (and remove) any blockage. If you found something blocking the trap, you should be all set. Re-install the trap and run the water. If you found no obstruction, it is time to search further.

So the sink and the trap are clear, what next?

This is where you may need tools that you might not have handy but it is definitely a job for the correct tool. Don’t try to explore the pipe with anything that might potentially be dropped, break, or otherwise become lodged in your plumbing - the idea is to correct the problem, not cause bigger problems. The correct tool for the job at this time is usually a plumbers auger (also called a snake). This is a long, flexible, spring like contraption that is “snaked” down into the pipe. You can purchase a small, basic plumbers snake at any home superstore or plumbing supply store and they are fairly inexpensive (another example of a tool that pays for itself the first time you can use it instead of calling a plumber).

Push the auger into the pipe until you encounter a blockage. If you are using a manual auger, you may need to twist it (they usually have set screw and handle to help) to get around turns in the pipe. Once it reaches the clog, you twist it to “auger into” the blocking substance. If you have a fibrous clog, you will pull the auger back along with a portion of the clog - repeating as many times as necessary to remove it. For softer clogs (like grease) you may just force the auger through the clog and rely on water pressure later to help continue to remove the loosened clog.

If you are unsure that you have cleared the clog completely and you want to check before you re-assemble everything use a hose to run some water down the pipe. Run the water SLOWLY - you don’t want to find out the hard way that the clog is still there. Keep your bucket underneath the pipe while testing. If it is cleared, re-assemble your sink/trap and run your water for a while - make sure that your drain is working normally - if it is slow, you may still have a partial blockage.

One other potential solution is the “as seen on tv” water blaster variety of drain cleaners. These gadgets are usually very inexpensive and typically consist of a small rubber nozzle with a hose fitting on one end. The concept is simple, you stick the nozzle into the drain, hook it up to a hose, and turn on the water. The water pressure first makes the nozzle swell to fill the drain or pipe opening and seal/hold it in place. Then the nozzle forces water into the pipe hopefully clearing the block by building up pressure behind it. If you listen, you will hear the clog clear and water flow rapidly down the pipes.

A couple problems to be aware of with these systems: If you have PVC drain fittings (as many sinks do), you better make sure you connections are good - if there are any minor leaks or loose fittings you are likely to end up with a sprinkler system under your sink. From personal experience there is one other problem you may run into. When you turn off the hose, the pressure that previously swelled the nozzle to hold it in place is gone - however there is still water and pressure in both the line and the nozzle. The results similar to shaking up a soda bottle and removing the cap - it makes a great funny story to tell you friends in hindsight, but it’s not quite so funny when you are mopping up the kitchen.

Finally, if none of the above have worked, it is time to call in the professionals. As I have noted in previous articles, a good contractor is worth every penny they charge you. Most will not only help you out with your problem but will also suggest how you can prevent it in the future and if necessary point out problems that need to be addressed.

Ray Breitenbach writes for Simple Home Repairs. Please visit for more information on how to perform you own basic home repairs.

[tags]bathroom,sink,plumbing,clog,drain,diy bathroom plumbing,diy plumbing repair[/tags]

A dream nursery room is not complete without pieces of dream baby furniture. Each parent or buyer has their own idea of what dream baby furniture is, but there are a few things that are priorities on anyone’s list.

First is quality. Because of reports on accidents caused by faulty baby furniture, quality is very important to buyers. Records have it that 20% of the injuries of children less than a year old are caused by baby furniture. To prevent such accidents from happening, some countries even apply safety standards, such as the Australian safety standard AS/NZS 2172 for cots.

Second on the list is visual attractiveness. With the mushrooming of available designs for various baby dream furniture, buyers have become savvy about making their purchases. Because they have seen several designs already, their standards have become higher. In fact, companies nowadays even offer customized baby furniture where the customers themselves can dictate how they want the product to appear. In most cases, this option is popular among those whose nurseries have highly personalized themes. To match the color and design of the room, they have to find the perfect furniture.

Lastly, dream baby furniture should be cost-efficient. Buyers still go after the best deal they can afford. Offering discounts and giving additional services such as free delivery and repair services are some of the marketing strategies commonly used by baby furniture stores.

Some examples of baby dream furniture include: convertible cribs that may even be etched with artwork; baby dressers that have the name of the baby engraved on the mirror; and a toy shelf that has been customized to coordinate with an underwater nursery theme.

Baby Furniture provides detailed information on Baby Furniture, Discount Baby Furniture, Baby Dream Furniture, Baby Furniture Stores and more. Baby Furniture is affiliated with Newborn Baby Gift Baskets.

[tags]Baby Dream Furniture[/tags]