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An air mattress is an inflatable mattress, usually made of plastic or textile-reinforced plastic or rubber. The deflated mattress can be rolled up and carried or stored relatively easily, making air mattresses a popular choice for camping trips and for temporary bedding at home for guests. They are inflated either orally, by blowing into a valve, or with a manual, foot-powered or electric pump.

Traditional mattresses sizes are available - twin, full, queen, king, etc. - and standard sheets should fit, albeit sometimes more snugly. Lightweight, reduced-size air mattresses specifically intended for camping and backpacking, often called sleeping pads, are also available.

Ruggedly-built air mattresses have come on the market in recent years that are intended for full time use in the home. Often mounted on a special foundation, they are made of durable plastic- or rubber-impregnated fabrics, and are usually equipped with an electric pump and a firmness controller. For double beds they have the advantage that each half of the bed has its own firmness control. This type of product is usually called an air bed, to distinguish it from camping mattresses. Some individuals who relocate frequently prefer an air bed over a traditional mattress due to its portability.

The term air mattress may also refer to a certain inflatable swimming pool toy, which has an air-sac “pillow” and several (usually four or five) tubes running its length. Also called “pool air mat”, “air mat”, “pool lounge”, or “float(ing) mattress”, it is used to recline on the surface of a swimming pool. Although it bears some resemblance to an air mattress, it is typically not built as strong and may not reliably stay inflated all night long, making it impractical for use as a bed.

Air supported mattress and box spring sets are designed to appeal to those people who have never been able to find the mattress which perfectly suited their body’s needs. Now with the touch of a button either size of the ComfortAire bed can be adjusted in seconds to the perfect comfort level. The Gold Series Pillow Top Air Supported Mattress Set combines a soft plush surface feel with a firm level of support determined by the individual hand controls. Perfect for the husband and wife who have different ideas of the firmness level needed to obtain their best nights sleep. Pressure point reduction and less tossing and turning are just a few of the benefits of the System.

Catherine has been a salesperson for a bedding store for the last 15 years and enjoys helping customers select the right products for maximum comfort and support. Come to http://www.mbwl.net to get free advice on evaluating mattresses and tips on how to buy a mattress.

[tags]Air Mattress[/tags]

So your kitchen cabinets are the most dreadful sight in the entire neighborhood. Your even embarrassed to have the neighbor kids over, let alone their parents. It’s big bucks to have them replaced with new, and that vile cleaning job you tried on them just didn’t do the trick. While there’s one other thing you can try before breaking the bank to buy new ones. A new coat of good quality paint or varnish may just do the trick. Even replacing the hardware with something more to your liking can make an amazing improvement. That’s what we did a few years ago, and it extended the life of our cabinets another four or five years. While we eventually did end up replacing all the cabinets, we were able to put it off until our bank account was a little more up to the challenge. Now, here’s a few things to keep in mind if you decide to tackle a kitchen cabinet paint job.

First thing, you will need to do is to remove all the cabinet doors and hardware. You’ll obviously want to do this, if your replacing all the hardware, but even if your not it’s a good idea to get a more professional paint job. Depending on the size of your kitchen you may need to use another room in the house to put all the doors. Preferably some place you can work in, so everything (cabinets and doors) can be painted in one go. Be sure to have plenty of drop cloths handy. Wipe down any surface to be painted with TSP. Be sure to follow the manufacturers instructions as this stuff can be somewhat caustic. Some people prefer to do a light sanding of all painted surfaces at this point. Depending on the condition of your cabinets this may or not be necessary. If they are a little beaten up, then this may even out the surfaces a bit before painting. In our case no sanding was required, and everything looked just fine in the end.

The paint we used was a white melamine paint. It’s designed specifically for this type of job. Just talk to your local paint supplier, and they can point you in the right direction. If your actually varnishing the cabinets, then using a high quality, oil based polyurethane would be a good choice. Again, talk the people at your local paint store, tell them what your doing, and they can make some suggestions. Even bringing in one of the smaller cabinet doors may give the sales person a better idea of what your up to. Once everything not being painted is covered or taped, it’s time to start painting. Always use the best quality brush or roller you can afford. It’s still cheaper than hiring a professional, and the finished job will look just as good.

Once everything is painted or varnished, and had time to dry, it’s time to put everything back together. Now all that’s left to do, is sit back and enjoy the view of your new kitchen cabinets. It’ll give you something to do while your waiting for your bank account to build up for that big kitchenremodeling job a few years from now.

Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets, visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/kitchen-cabinet-paint-job/

[tags]kitchen cabinet, kitchen, kitchenware, kitchen remodelling[/tags]

Everyone can use more organization in their lives (except those misguided souls who alphabetize their spices, canned goods and color-coordinate their laundry supplies!). Additional wall storage can help bring that organization into your home. And original and unusual wall storage ideas can help organization become d

When it comes to choosing countertops for your kitchen, there are several choices available. The primary driver that will dictate your final choice is usually your budget.

If money is no object, then almost anyone would go for a solid granite kitchen countertop. There is nothing like a good quality solid granite kitchen countertop complementing your kitchen cabinets. Elegance does come with a price though. Solid granite kitchen countertop needs a lot of care as it does absorb stains and can crack under duress (e.g. extreme heat and cold).

If your budget still allows it but you do not want to have the hassle of maintaining a solid granite kitchen countertop, the next option would be engineered stone kitchen countertops. These are manmade and are much more resilient than solid granite. Market brands like DuPont and Silestone carry many variations.

Solid surfaces are next in line as we go down the list. As a kitchen countertop, solid surfaces offer a wide variety of patterns and colors. You can even get away with a solid surface countertop that can pass off as a solid granite countertop if you get the right patterns. Although it quite stain resistant, solid surface countertops can be sensitive to heat so be sure to not rest your hot pans directly on the solid surface kitchen countertop!

Laminates are relatively inexpensive and quite easy to maintain. The seams do show though so you need to get a good installer to ensure that the seams are done right. Be extra careful with laminate kitchen countertops though as any scratches are quite difficult to repair.

If you like the professional restaurant kitchen look, then you might want to consider stainless steel countertops. Then you can pretend that you are a master chef in the kitchen! It can be a bit pricey though so mind your budget. Stainless steel kitchen countertops are easy to clean and hot pans are not a problem. Don’t drop anything heavy on it as that might leave a dent.

For a rough and tough outdoors kind of look, there is always the concrete option for your kitchen countertop. Nowadays, there are treated concrete that will not crack as easily as normal concrete. The concrete kitchen countertop is usually porous but this can be sealed with special treatment.

Last but not least, is a pure a marble kitchen countertop. Beauty is guaranteed. But with a hefty price tag and the risk of chipping it, you might to consider using pure marble only in areas of the kitchen where no real work is being done.

Want to learn more about Counter Tops?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.aboutcountertops.net

[tags]counter tops, counter top, countertop, countertops[/tags]

Finished hardwood and laminate are the among the simplest types of flooring to
care for. In most cases just a quick sweep and you are done. The occasional wipe
with a damp cloth or mop will renew the luster of new wood. You can use a vacuum
only if you can disengage the “beater bar” or it does not have one. A Vacuum will cut
the time emensley.

My wife was vacuuming our master the other day, and was blown away at the
amount of dust that had collected. I told her “guess what would be in the carpet, if
we had decided to put it in here. Her disgust was enough for me for the labor of
putting the hardwood in.

A neat idea that I heard and was skeptical when I heard, but it really works. If you
have a “squeaky spot in your hardwood. Sprinkle some talcum (baby) powder in the
cracks and work it in as much as possible. Sweep up the excess (do not vacuum)
and use as normal. The talcum powder will work in the cracks and the squeaks will
stop. It is truly amazing. Just give it a try. it is very cheap and will do nothing but
help.

Mr. Lesslie is the president of http://www.greathomeimprovements.com and a
consultant for Department of Energy’s Building America Division for the last 6 years.
He is responsible for all the content and marketing for http://www.greathomeimprovements.com - Great
Home Improvements Start Here!

[tags]Great Home Improvements, Hardwood, prefinished hardwood, hardwood laminate, care[/tags]

In times of stress and difficulty, home becomes more important to creating a sense of well-being. We look to our homes to provide a sensory reprieve so we can unplug from the stresses of the outside world.

However, creating a calming home isn’t as easy as it seems, because the elements of a serene space aren’t always obvious. Only certain elements create a calming and relaxing atmosphere. Below are the six elements that can create a calm, serene environment.

1. The home is visually restful.

Create views. Seeing out and beyond is restful to our eyes and spirits. Open shades and curtains to view the garden or open spaces beyond. Select artwork that offers perspective and depth, such as those in landscape paintings.

Use calming colors. Hotels and spas often use muted colors in their d

Cedar is a truly remarkable material for use in a variety of building products, including (or perhaps especially) decking lumber. This magnificent softwood lends something of the Pacific Northwest to the exteriors of many residences and offices, with warm cinnamon tones that age gracefully to a seasoned silver. Apart from being attractive, with a rustic beauty that is unparalleled, cedar has many natural properties that give it a built-in resistance to the ravages of the elements as well as attack by insects. As such, cedar as a decking material has become one of the most popular choices when planning an exterior addition to a property. Red cedar in particular represents a robust choice in durable and visually striking materials for the kind of decking that adds all kinds of value to any given exterior.

Cedar is a resilient, reliable building material

Red Cedar for use in decking and in other building products is a species native to the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest. The wood itself is naturally imbued with a high resistance to UV rays, moisture, and insect damage due to the presence of certain chemicals that protect it from degeneration. This is the reason why the species has thrived in such a moisture-heavy environment. These attributes are also a key reason as to why red cedar has been so heavily relied upon as tools and building materials since before the area was settled by Europeans. With these strengths in mind, red cedar is also a softwood, making it very easy to work with. Its look, its natural protection against the elements, and even the pleasant scent that is associated with it, lends it an organic warmth and general appeal that can easily be translated to your decking projects.

Cedar for use as decking

Carrying these benefits over specifically for the purposes of building a deck, cedar does not contain many of the resins or pitch found in other types of wood. This means that applying finish is much easier, which means further protection against the elements. Cedar is resilient enough to discourage the corrosion of decking fasteners, a problem that often leads to leeching of rust into a pressure-treated deck. Cedar is durable, and yet it is also lightweight, adding another level of easy workability when building your deck. Once completed, your deck will retain the natural feel and look that is reminiscent of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, along with the practical benefits of heat insulation (making for a cooler walking surface than many other wood decks), sound absorption, and dimensional stability that makes it a structural benefit to the rest of your property.

Rich and distinguished red cedar decking

The color of cedar is definite benefit to any decking project, and one which presents a number of options when planning one. When cedar is milled, the color ranges from amber to a pinkish hue, taken as it is from the heartwood of the species. By the time it ships, ready for use as decking lumber, it has matured to a cinnamon reddish-brown. As the cedar ages, the color changes yet again; this time to a distinguished silvery gray, if it has not been stained. But if you choose to stain, the possibilities are even wider!

Rob Jones is Communications Coordinator with BuildDirect, a leading online wholesaler of building products. Rob writes articles for commercial contractors and DIYers on features, installation, and maintenance of building materials used in commercial and residential projects. These articles focus on materials such as flooring, decking, roofing, and siding, and other related topics.

[tags]cedar, decking, decks, deck, wood, lumber, diy, outdoor projects, construction, red cedar[/tags]

Ideas for interesting window treatments can indeed be difficult to come by. We all want to bring out the best in our windows as they are allowing sunshine into our homes. While finding creative window treatments can be a challenge to say the least, it is good to know however, that there are many non-traditional design ideas and tips to help inspire you. Using these tips, you can have window treatments that look like a million bucks even if your bank account is slightly less accommodating.

Recycling old items is a great way to bring budget and originality into play with window treatments. Old lace table clothes make excellent curtain panels. Even stained lace curtains can be given new light if you decide to “antique” them. This is a process that is easily accomplished by putting a mixture of half hot water and half boiling water into a bucket with 30 tea bags. Once the water has been colored you add your curtain panels and let them soak in this mixture for thirty hours. You will need to stir occasionally to make sure the stain is even. After 30 hours remove the curtains from the mixture taking care to squeeze as much of the water out as possible then hang them to dry.

Of course curtains aren’t the only things you can use for window treatments. Blinds are experiencing renewed popularity, particularly the old fashioned wooden blinds. Many people prefer the warm tones of the wood and it goes well with a wide variety of decorating styles. Prices for wooden blinds can vary depending on what type you select. The choices range from wooden Venetian blinds to faux wooden blinds. Do some comparison shopping and you’ll be sure to find a store that will offer a discounted price for you. If you are vigilant, you can find antique folding window covers at garage sales or auctions for a song. These can be refinished or painted decoratively for added beauty.

Little touches can go a long way when dressing up tired old curtains. If you have a set of totally unspectacular drapes, try stringing a silk garland through the top (the garland can be of flowers or greenery, whatever matches your decor). These garlands are quite easy to care for (just hand wash them with water and dishwashing detergent in the tub and hang to dry) and make a huge impact to the room and your windows.

Your options for window treatments are limited only by your own creativity and inventiveness. Some of the most stunning window treatments have been creative larks made on the spur of the moment.

Find more information on window covering ideas such as roman shades and vertical blinds at http://www.coveringyourwindows.com

[tags]window treatment ideas, curtains, drapes, wooden blinds[/tags]

There’s arguably nothing more visually pleasing than the smooth, natural beauty of a piece of finely crafted furniture, or the simple elegance of a beautifully finished hardwood floor. But for many years, concerns have been raised about harvesting old-growth hardwood forests for use in the furniture and building industries.

Back in the nineties, home improvement giant Home Depot was under fire for offering wood and wood products harvested using destructive lumbering practices, and even offering exotic woods taken by clear-cutting methods from endangered tropical rain forests.

To everyone’s astonishment, Home Deport listened; and today they are proud to claim that 85 percent of the wood they sell comes from sustainable forestry practices. They are an amazing example of what can happen when a major corporation chooses to adopt a responsible attitude toward the environment.

Meanwhile, many smaller companies began their business with a commitment to sustainable forestry practices, and continue their dedication to environmentally sound timber harvesting today. For instance, Morse Hardwoods, a company specializing in flooring and millwork crafted from both soft- and hardwoods, uses selective cutting to ensure the continued growth of forests, and plans each cut it makes before it cuts the harvested timber to maximize the yield from every log and to minimize waste. Morse and other small timber companies in the U.S. have led the way to sustainable practices.

As the public becomes more aware of the importance of forest sustainability and chooses products manufactured from wood harvested in environmentally sound ways, the demand for these products will increase, and the sustainable forestry movement will continue to grow - which is good news for the environment.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written numerous articles for local and regional newspapers and for a number of Internet websites, including Tips and Topics. She expresses her opinions periodically on her blog, http://beyondagendas.blogspot.com She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com

[tags]forestry,forestry trends,environmental protection,home improvements[/tags]

Teak is a tropical tree which is a high quality hardwood. Not only is it strong and dense but it does not easily shrivel from exposure to varying temperatures. You will find that it is most commonly used in the building of boats and ships and well as dock making and so is therefore a very good choice for outdoor/garden furniture to be made from it.

It is also termite proof and does not rot or warp and is highly resistant to the effects of all sorts of weather that the world throws at us. A major benefit of teak is that it slowly weathers over time and seems to blend in with the natural environment outside. Although teak has an uneven texture and feels oily and the grain can be either straight or wavy depending on where it has come from. You will find that teak originating from Indonesia is mostly a golden brown colour. Even though teak wood is strong is can be bent slightly using steam and because it is naturally durable people find it the ideal choice when choosing patio furniture.

You will find that teak wood (tectonic grandis) because it is a durable hardwood and can cope with any climate it is probably the best you can have for outdoor use. It is resistant to water damage and severe weather fronts and it will never rot. Therefore, teak is the ultimate durable product for any outdoor furniture to be made from.

As well as teak not requiring any preservatives or treatment of any kind to protect it from the elements, you will that after some time if you leave the furniture outside with out rubbing with oil it will gradually turn a light silver grey colour. This graying usually happens after about 3 months and it all depends on how much sun and rain the furniture is subjected to. But this graying only appears on the surface of the furniture and can easily be removed using soapy water and soft bristle scrubbing brush. But should you wish your furniture to retain the rich honey colour that it had when first brought, then all you need do is apply a little teak oil 2 to 3 times each year and this will restore the furniture’s natural shine.

The reason for applying a teak oil 2 to 3 times a year to the furniture is so that it maintains the rich honey tones of the wood when you first purchased the furniture and also stops the wood from weathering to a soft grey colour.

When applying teak furniture oil to your furniture please use the following steps:-

1. Ensure the furniture is completely dry as any moisture on it will be trapped within the wood and may cause black mildew spots to appear after the furniture has been oiled. It may take up to 48 hours for your furniture to try completely after it has rained. So ensure that you leave this amount of time between when it has rained and when you will oil it.

2. Ensure that all surfaces are clean and free from any dust or dirt.

3. Make sure that you apply the teak oil prior the furniture actually beginning to weather and if it has begun to weather then scrub the furniture with a stiff poly bristled brush and some soapy water, then rinse the furniture off completely and allow it to try.

4. Only use teak oil and never use any over the counter furniture polish. You will be able to purchase teak oil from any good quality hardware store or a marine supplier as teak oil is used extensively on all sorts of boats and yachts.

5. Remember to follow the instructions provided on the teak oil package before applying it to the furniture and generally this would be that you apply a light coating of the oil using a clean lint free rag or paint brush. Normally one coat should be sufficient. The teak oil will trap any dirt on the furniture and after a while this will darken with age and at some point it will be necessary to scrub off the old oil and then reapply a new coat (usually 2 to 3 times a year is enough).

Allison Thompson, now living in Spain who has for the past year been a work from home mum. With the variations in weather in Spain Allison has been looking at furniture for her garden that is not only beautiful but durable and has found teak furniture to be the best option. If you would like to learn more about this wood and the types of furniture it can be made into please visit http://www.teak.householdfacts.info

[tags]Teak Furniture, Teak Garden Furniture, Teak Indoor Furniture, Teak Wood, Care of Teak, Care[/tags]