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So, you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen. It’s a smart move if your motivation is to improve the value of your home. (It’s a smart move if you just want a better kitchen for yourself too.) This is because kitchens are the most important room in the house for most prospective home buyers.

If you’re currently doing your cooking and food preparation in a room that’s dated, dingy, or dilapidated (or all three), it can seriously affect the amount of money people are willing to offer when it’s time to sell your home. Unfortunately, it’s easy to spend tons of money on a kitchen remodel. Stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, dedicated pot-filling faucets, double ovens, professional cook tops, etc. etc. etc. If you want to buy all that stuff, you can expect to spend tens of thousands of dollars. Some people even spend six figure sums on their kitchens.

Fortunately, it’s possible to update your kitchen and make it look a lot better without spending an arm and a leg. Let’s take a peek at some of the ways you can increase the value of your kitchen without spending a lot of money:

Paint or refinish your cabinets instead of replacing them.

Before you decide you need to completely gut and replace your cabinets, take a good look at them. Are they sound? Are they made of good wood? (If you live in an older home, chances are the cabinets are made from solid wood and of a higher quality than you’ll get today–most of today’s low to mid-end cabinets are made from particleboard with maple/oak/beech “veneers”.)

If they’re basically in good shape, all your cabinets may need is a little low-cost TLC. A paint job is the cheapest way to give them a new look. New door and drawer hardware (knobs and hinges) can help bring your kitchen into the 21st century as well, and it won’t cost a lot. You might also consider just refinishing the fronts and getting new cabinet doors.

Install granite tiles instead of solid granite countertops.

If you want the classy, upscale look of granite, you can achieve it with granite tiles, which are less expensive than solid granite. They can also be installed by the average do-it-yourself homeowner, whereas solid granite countertops need to be cut to fit and installed by a professional.

If you want to save even more money, you can get laminate countertops that are made to look like granite, marble, or other stones. (These won’t likely fool prospective home buyers though.)

Choose laminate flooring instead of hardwood

Wood flooring is popular in kitchens right now, and it’ll cost you a pretty penny to get it installed. However, you can buy laminate flooring that looks a lot like the real deal for about half the price. Laminate is also more forgiving of spills (wood can be damaged over time if repeatedly exposed to moisture), and it’s very easy to keep clean.

Don’t spend a fortune on appliances.

If you want stainless steel, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on Aga or Viking. Many of the low to mid-end brands are putting out high-end look-alike appliances. GE, for examples, offers stainless steel ovens and refrigerators. True, they won’t fool kitchen snobs, but let’s face it: the people looking to buy your house are more likely to be average Joes, who just want stainless steel and granite because that’s what everybody says is in right now.

Buy new lighting.

Nothing makes a kitchen look dark and dingy like a single overhead ceiling fixture. Lighting is a relatively inexpensive improvement, but it goes a long ways in brightening up the kitchen and making it look good. Make sure to buy modern fixtures. Pendant lighting over eating counters is popular, and under-counter task lighting is smart for brightening up food preparation areas.

To save on lighting, visit stores like Ikea, or consider doing your shopping online. Sites like Nextag.com make it easy to compare prices on lamps and just about anything else.

Hopefully these tips have given you some ideas on how to make your kitchen look like its worth a lot without actually spending a ton of money.

To see what’s trendy in kitchens right now, visit the Kitchen Remodeling section of the author’s Home Improvement blog.

[tags]kitchens, remodeling, granite, stainless steel[/tags]

Whether you plan on selling your house or simply want to improve your home’s functionality, there are certain home improvement projects that automatically increase the market value of your home.

One such improvement is kitchen remodeling. Key features to remember when remodeling a kitchen is adequate floor space, appliance placement for greatest meal preparation convenience and ease of mobility, and adequate storage space.

Kitchen Remodeling

The most common reasons people have for kitchen remodeling is: to upgrade materials, appliances, and fixtures, provide more floor space to accommodate more people in the kitchen at one time, and provide extra space so family members have a place to eat.

Replacing old kitchen cabinets with solid wood - whether oak, cherry, or even something less expensive like pine, and kitchen counter tops is a great way to increase the kitchen’s appearance and usability, as well as the market value of your home.

As one of the most expensive elements of kitchen remodeling, make cabinet selection carefully. Cabinets will have either dovetail or butt joints. Dovetail joints generally last longer. Cabinet draw bases should be mounted on quality glides.

If your kitchen is large enough and layout compatible, the addition of a peninsula counter would provide additional counter top work space. Extra cabinetry over the peninsula would provide more household storage space, as well.

Bathroom Remodeling

Another common renovation project that increases the market value of a home and makes it more functional is either the addition of another bathroom, or remodeling of an existing one. Like kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling most often requires the services of a professional contractor.

It is important to have detailed plans and know exactly what type renovation work you want before starting the project, so that code compliance laws are met and necessary permits obtained. Otherwise, work may have to be torn out and redone; high penalty fees and even imprisonment could also result.

Types of work that require permits include plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and new structure building. Depending upon project complexity, you might require the services of a professional designer in addition to those of a contractor.

Before beginning work, you will need a “material take-off list.” This is a list of materials needed to complete the job. The contractor usually provides the take off list. But if you are handling all or the majority of the renovation work yourself, you will need to prepare one.

Be specific when making your list. Instead of just a lavatory, specify the type. Pedestal lavatories can cost over $300, while a simple wall-hung model can cost under $70. Designer toilets can cost over $1,500 while a standard two-piece model will cost under $100. Shop around for the best quality, at the best price for your budget.

Plan your project months, instead of just weeks, before renovation work is to begin. This will give you ample time to take advantage of online resources that offer more competitive prices for materials, and qualified professionals to complete the project.

Wall Paneling

Wall paneling is another popular home improvement project. Paneling nearly any room of the house with quality, real wood paneling improves appearance and increases market value of the home. If you’re a “do-it-yourselfer” the following handy tips will insure perfect paneling results:

1.) Once you get your paneling home, allow for a period of adjustment. This is because paneling tends to shrink or expand with the changes in humidity. Let the panels adjust to their new home by separating the panels and stand each one up in the area where you plan to install it; allow them to rest for 2 or 3 days before installation.

2.) The key to perfect paneling is in the first panel; get the first panel straight and the rest will follow suit. To do this, align the first panel against a corner; tack it in place with a small nail centered at the top. Using a level, make sure the panel is plumb. If it doesn’t fit snugly against the adjoining wall, use a compass to scribe the panel edge next to the wall. Copy the slant of the wall onto the panel; remove the panel and trim to fit.

3.) Regardless how careful you are, it is inevitable that some panels will have visible space between them. Walls darker or lighter than the paneling will be obvious. To correct this problem use a can of spray paint close in color to the panel joint to spray a 2-or-3-inch strip of the wall between each seam before installing the panels.

4.) Paneling only mildly warped and

That is the question, as Shakespeare’s Hamlet might have said. Collectors and experts have debated the question for many years. The popular PBS “Antiques Roadshow” has brought wonderful attention to the world of antiques - explaining valuation, condition, fakes and discouraging the damage done by overzealous amateur cleaning and refinishing. Unfortunately, this has discouraged many people from doing any restoration or even cleaning antique furniture. The answer will never be settled definitively, but there is a great deal of difference between refinishing your grandmother’s 1900’s oak buffet with green paint and a few plant stains, and refinishing a Chippendale chest from the 1700’s that still has its original finish. Refinishing usually makes sense except in cases of great rarity and truly original historic condition.

If a piece is genuine Chippendale or Georgian and is 250 years old and in exceptional original condition, it will be worth much more than its
numerous refinished cousins. A serious collector may pay much more for an original finish that may appear far less attractive to the rest of
us.

Most individuals who just buy nice antiques to use and enjoy would prefer an attractive finish that is in excellent condition, whether it is original, the second or fifth finish. Generally, if pieces are less than 100 or 150 years old, there is an original finish premium paid only for the most pristine pieces. Arts and Crafts collectors specially prize original finishes when they are in excellent condition. Most other buyers are not very tolerant of extreme wear, stains or deterioration.

The craze of “keep it original” can be carried to extremes. It is probably excessive to stop polishing silverware, or to let furniture simply remain dirty. When a chair is dangerous to use because of a loose leg, who would not have it re-glued unless it was in a museum? Would even a purist remove heating and plumbing from a 300 year old house? “Worn out” furniture that would have gone to a landfill can often be refinished and recycled for a new generation, something that makes sense for ecological, economic and sentimental reasons. Naturally, the original craftsmen and artists who built these pieces would be very offended if the finish wasn’t maintained or redone when worn out. Indeed, many repairs add charm and history to old pieces.

In a perfect world, every piece of furniture would be original. Nothing would have cat scratches, dog chews, plant rings, loose legs, candle burns, broken mirrors or lost hardware. In the real world, a very small number of pieces endure hundreds of years almost unscathed by time, sunlight, fires, even the spills of small children. These rare survivors are very special, they are displayed on “Antiques Roadshow” and are very valuable because of their charmed life - most pieces that are a couple hundred years old have already been repaired, restored or refinished many times by many different people.

As buyers of antique furniture, we all prefer original finishes in wonderful like-new condition, but only a tiny fraction of antiques are so lucky and well cared-for to remain mint for a hundred or hundreds of years. The other antiques need to be evaluated on a case by case basis, and careful restoration or refinishing extends the life and beauty and durability of most antique furniture.

Ken Melchert is the co-owner of The Harp Gallery, a renowned antique furniture gallery located in Appleton, WI. Ken and his wife Rebecca have been selling and restoring superior antique furniture for over 20 years. http://www.harpgallery.com

[tags]refinishing, furniture, antique furniture, antiquing[/tags]

Solar lights are very popular for lighting yards and gardens. They are virtually maintenance free, easy to install, and cost almost nothing to run. Once you have bought solar lights, the only future maintenance costs are for replacement batteries.

The only drawback for solar lighting is that they must be placed in an area which receives a lot of sunlight during the day. If your garden or a pathway is shaded, solar lighting is not going to work very well.

If you are intent on having solar lighting for a shaded area, you can install a solar panel on your roof or other spot which receives a lot of sunlight. This is a bit more expensive than regular solar path lights or solar spotlights and you need to run a wire from the solar panel to the lights.

Depending on the amount of sunlight received during the day, solar garden lights can provide six to 12 hours of lighting in the evening. They have a built in photosensor which turns the lights on when it becomes dark. They remain lit until the battery is depleted or the sun rises — whichever comes first.

Regular solar garden lights are easy to install. Simply pushed him into the ground, adjust the photocell so that it is aiming towards the sun most of the day, and that’s it! Instant lighting! Unfortunately, this same ease of installation also makes solar garden lights and easy target for thieves and vandals. They simply pull them out of the ground and it’s goodbye to your solar path lights.

Solar lights which are permanently installed on a deck or patio are more difficult to swipe. These kinds of lights require a screwdriver to install and also to remove. They are still vulnerable to theft but a little more difficult to steal.

Solar garden lights are available in a variety of styles. You can buy hanging solar lights, solar spotlights, and even specialty solar lights such as colored lights and swimming pool lights. They are available at quite a reasonable cost but it’s worthwhile shelling out a few extra bucks to get a good set of lights. Cheaper lights have been known to break during the storm conditions and high winds.

Hans is editor of Patio Heaters and one of the authors of
http://www.patio-furniture-ideas.com

[tags]solar lights, solar lighting, patio solar lighting, solar energy[/tags]

With the ongoing popularity of home renovation and reconstruction, it would also mean that technology will cope with the times, thus, there have been so many remodeling software, E-books, E-magazines, and websites dedicated to this topic. These information and materials are usually downloadable in the internet and buyable in the bookstores and other home improvement shops.

This remodeling software incorporates so many data and details about home designs, improvements, renovation, materials, products, and tips on one’s remodeling project. Most of the contributors are actually interior designers, contractors, architects, engineers, planners, etc. who feel that the homeowners can also make their own design and practice their creativity while working on this big project. Without leaving the comfort of your home, without buying and using those expensive paper and pencils, without paying designers, one can create and make his dream remodeling plan through the help and guide of the remodeling software.

A remodeling software, with its very improved and user-friendly applications, makes the homeowners one step closer to their goals. Because of its huge database, one can choose to renovate one room after another, using only one remodeling software. This also includes some dos and don’ts in remodeling, how-to projects, and a helpful guidebook to materialize your remodeling ideas.

Being a user-friendly gadget, one only has to click and drag or click and move, the items, tables, countertops, appliances, furniture, fixture, etc., and that’s definitely designing in 3 easy steps. You can actually play around and try different places and locations for your things, use various colors and materials for your walls and ceilings, and then view it on a 3D image or a walk-through the place.

Some remodeling software may contain calculators that will help you compute your budget and expenses, the loans and payment scheme, etc. There are also other sets that may offer some measuring tables or mixture computation, which will give you the number or the amount of materials that will be used for that particular room dimension, etc. It has built-in analytical systems that can give you the total number of tiles needed for your 100 sq. m bathroom, or the number of paint gallons required to paint your living room, or the length of wallpaper you need for your room, and more. It’s truly an asset when one starts or plans to remodel a house, or add a room, or change paint color, etc.

Remodeling a house is not an easy feat but with the help and the convenience of these different sets of remodeling software, one would truly enjoy and fulfill their goals of living in a new remodeled house.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

[tags]home remodeling, contractor remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, remodeling[/tags]

Adding contemporary fabric curtains to your windows can be a lot of fun. You will find that when you make these yourself, you are going to get a great pair of sheer fabric curtains, and you will also get the satisfaction of making something decorative for your home all by yourself. There are two ways that you can make your contemporary fabric curtains, you can purchase a pattern to make them, or just measure the window you are wanting them for, and make them yourself with no pattern. This is not hard to do, and in just a few easy simple steps, you will have curtains hanging in your windows that you will love.

The first thing that you need to do, is measure your window. Measure the length as well as the width. Then you should decide how far you want your curtains to hang. Wether you want them to stop right below the window, or hang and puddle on the floor. Add these inches into your window measurements. Next you should decide on the rod sleeve, and the hem. You will need to allow inches for both of these, and you will find that the larger the hem on your contemporary fabric curtains, the better the curtains will look.

Once you know how much yardage of fabric you will need per window, you will be ready to go and buy the fabric for your curtains. You can have them cut each panel for you, so that you can just come home and sew, or you can cut them yourself once you get home. You also need matching thread, and you will be using a serger and a sewing machine.

Once you are home, press your fabric carefully. Be sure that you do not scorch it, but you want to get all of the wrinkles out of it as well. Next, decide where the sides are to the curtains, and just serge up the raw edges. This will give a finished edge, and you can then turn that under, and sew it done with the sewing machine. Be sure that you use thread that matches in your sewing machine, because one side of the stitching will be seen on the curtains when you are done.

Next you will pin up the hem at the bottom of the contemporary fabric curtains, and sew that into the fabric. Again the stitching will be seen, so use matching thread. Now it is time to serge the top, so that you can make a sleeve. Just serge the raw edges, so that your fabric will not come unraveled on you, and you can then pin the sleeve for the rod to slide through.

Make sure that you leave enough room in the sleeve for the curtains to slide easily over the rod. If the sleeve is too tight, you may end up stretching and tearing the fabric for your contemporary fabric curtains. Once you have made the sleeve, press the fabric once more, and you are ready to hang your new curtains.

Making contemporary fabric curtains is so easy to do. You will find that you will get great satisfaction out of making them yourself, and you will love completing a project on your sewing machine.

Mariette is an independent manufacturer of sewing products in her local community. She is also a freelance writer for numerous of quilting and sewing pattern books. Visit http://www.joannesway.com to learn more about contemporary fabrics and other innovative creations.

[tags]Contemporary Fabrics[/tags]

Kitchen remodeling is among the most popular of remodeling projects each year, as kitchens have become the center of activity in the home. Remodeling your kitchen is expensive and a lot of work. But a well thought out, detailed plan could produce a kitchen where you will enjoy years of memorable experiences.

Planning

The planning phase of your remodel is the time to keep in mind the “work-triangle”. This is the area of the kitchen from the refrigerator to the cooking area to the sink. Connecting these 3 areas should form a triangle. This triangle helps to keep your cooking activities in one area, with everything you need close by.

Under cabinet lighting has become quite popular. And because they free up valuable counter space, under cabinet mounted appliances are also in demand. If you are planning on using under cabinet lighting with under cabinet mounted appliances, or a kitchen cabinet accessory, or paper towel dispenser, decide where each will go in the planning phase.

Hiring A Professional

Unless your talents lie in this area, hiring a professional will save you many headaches as your project unfolds. There are lots of professionals out there - interior designers, contractors and architects. Pick one that specializes in the kitchen. Most of these kitchen specialists are certified by the NKBA and can be found on their website http://www.nkba.org

A knowledgeable designer/planner should discuss how you live. Generally people know what they don’t like. However, they may not know what they will like or what may fit in with their lifestyle and how they use the kitchen. For instance, someone that is concerned about cross contamination and unwanted germs in the kitchen might want to consider some of the “no-touch” products available now.

These products include a “no-touch” automatic paper towel dispenser that mounts under your cabinets and uses the same paper towels you use now, a “no-touch” faucet, “no-touch” trash
can and a “no-touch” soap dispenser. An avid cook may want to consider refrigerator drawers next to their food prep area, keeping recipe ingredients within easy reach.

While you are remodeling your kitchen, you may want to consider installing a home wet bar somewhere in your house. These are becoming quite popular and as long as you are hiring a designer you can have them come up with a home bar design.

A kitchen planner/designer’s focus should be to design for the way a person lives, and asking the right questions will ensure your finished kitchen fits you and your budget.

Consider Cost Vs. Value

Kitchens are becoming more of a showplace and an entertainment area in homes. Remodeling your kitchen may be one of the most important home improvements you can make, and it is the most valuable. More and more people are spending anywhere from $50,000 to $60,000 on kitchen remodels. Even $100,000 is not unheard of for some kitchens.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, updating and remodeling your kitchen will add more value than any other improvement. Not only will you get a beautiful new kitchen, but also your home value will increase dramatically more than the cost of the remodel job.

Appliances

More expensive, commercial type stainless steel appliances have become quite popular. So much so that at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s annual show, one of the major appliance manufacturers referred to stainless steel as “the new primary color”.

Another interesting fact about stainless steel is that according to a study done at the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management, stainless steel received the 1st position for cleanliness above five other materials commonly used in kitchens. In other words, after washing and rinsing, stainless steel will have far less bacteria on it than any other material.

In addition to the standard appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, and microwaves there are some slick new appliances available. For your new kitchen consider the stainless steel automatic paper towel dispenser mentioned earlier, an in-sink dishwasher, a flat screen TV

screen mounted under your cabinet, built-in warming drawers or refrigerator drawers to name just a few.

Cabinets and Countertops

The biggest expense of your kitchen remodel will be the cabinets and countertops. Cabinets range from the most expensive custom built, to the “off the shelf” variety available at home centers. Countertops range from the upper end granite and marble type to laminate, the least expensive. Whatever your budget, there is a large variety of cabinets and countertops available that will fit your taste and budget.

Resources

For those of you that have a kitchen remodeling idea of your own, or simply want to educate yourself before contacting a professional, HGTV (Home and Garden Television) and their website http://www.hgtv.com is an invaluable source for any information you may require.

From all the new products available, to design information and tips, you will find it all there.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s website is another source of information you will not want to miss. There you will find the 31 guidelines for kitchen efficiency, convenience, traffic spaces, distances between items and countertop and cabinet space.

When contemplating a kitchen remodel, remember planning is the key first step. Deciding beforehand what you will need from your kitchen depending on your own unique lifestyle (and budget!) will help to make sure you end up with a kitchen you will enjoy for years to come.

Even if you plan on moving at some point after the remodel, don’t forget that kitchen projects add more value to your home than any other improvement.

Mary C. Johnson co-founded a company that manufactures a hands-free electronic “no-touch” paper towel dispenser for home use. Click here to learn more about this new kitchen accessory: http://www.pointandcut.com

[tags]Kitchen remodeling, kitcdhen appliances, kitchen accessory[/tags]

In these days of very hot summer days the issue of climate control for your conservatory is too often overlooked when making a purchasing decision, resulting in an extension to your living space that cannot be used all year round. In our quest to find a bargain price conservatory we are often driven by price alone rather than studying the benefits that the purchase will bring us. If you don’t consider the important issue of climate control at the planning stage you could find that your new conservatory is uncomfortable to sit in on a hot summer’s day because the temperature inside could easily exceed 100 degrees.

If you want your new conservatory to act as a year round extension to your home it is very important to consider how the climate will be controlled inside the conservatory ensuring that you will be able to use it throughout the year. This is especially important if your conservatory is south facing as it will endure long hours of constant direct sunlight during the summer. Choose the wrong type of conservatory roof glazing and it could limit it’s use during the most important months of the year.

Polycarbonate roof glazing is still the major choice for most purchasers mainly because of the considerable savings in cost when compared to glass and recent innovations such as Heatguard polycarbonate have improved the efficiency of polycarbonate to reduce solar gain from the sun.

Heatguard has a reflective coating on the external surface to help prevent direct sunlight penetration and an opal finish internally. It allows light to enter the roof but deflects solar radiation by up to 50% compared to other polycarbonates.

With most polycarbonate conservatory roofs now using 35mm thick material noise and insulation benefits have improved over previous thinner material but if your property suffers from heavy traffic noise or you want to enjoy your conservatory when it’s raining, polycarbonate roof glazing is not recommended.

A glass roof for your new conservatory will reduce noise levels by as much as 100% over polycarbonate and depending on the specification of the sealed units, will substantially improve insulation values.

If your budget will stretch to a glass conservatory roof then you should also consider the latest innovation, a solar control glass roof. Specifically designed to provide the optimum roof glazing solution for conservatories, solar control glass is generally supplied with a blue tint and is also available with self cleaning or easy clean coatings to the external surface. The unique blue colour also helps keep the internal temperature of the conservatory cooler by reflecting solar radiation by as much as 72% whilst still maintaining excellent light transmittance.

Adding opening roof vents will also help ensure a free flow of air to the conservatory roof space helping to reduce any heat build-up. Roof vents are available in manual, electric remote control or automatic rain sensor versions.

At ground level, consider installing an air conditioning unit for the ultimate climate control option. There are many versions to choose from including dwarf wall models that can be built in as you construct your conservatory base. Normally operated by a remote control handset, the latest models are very quiet and also provide background heating for the colder months of the year.

All of these options of course will ultimately add costs to your new conservatory and you will need to consider which are the most important and relevant to your conservatory style and location.

Whether you are considering a self build conservatory or a fully installed one, before making such an important buying decision, think carefully about what your conservatory is likely to be used for and if, like most people, you want to use it throughout the year then make sure you consider how the climate will be controlled before buying.

Unfortunately, not all conservatory suppliers will remind you of these points and today’s cheap conservatory bargain could turn into tomorrow’s hot house as soon as the sun comes out.

This article written by Tony Wiggins who is a director of Trade Conservatories 2 U Ltd leading UK suppliers of self build conservatories. Visit Buy Conservatories Online for detailed information and resources on all aspects of DIY and self build conservatories. You may reproduce this article providing you display the above links.

[tags]Conservatory, Conservatories, uPVC, PVCu, self build, DIY, Climate control, air conditioning[/tags]

Some of the most spectacular gardening is on the rooftops and patios of the world’s
largest cities. Today’s homeowners and apartment dwellers do not have to discard
gardening. In fact, they can create their own garden hideaway.

Gardening in small space means you plant in containers, choose plants carefully,
grow up on trellises instead of outdoor, hang plants from something overhead.
Herbs, vegetables, shrubs, and citrus fruits can all be grown in containers. More and
more vegetable varieties are available specifically for container growing.

For small-space growing people can grow in everything from custom-made pottery
to clay pots and wooden planters. Your gardening containers must have drainage
holes at the bottom. Cover the holes with a section of window screen so the soil
doesn’t leak out.

Get a bag of dry, soulless mix for container gardening. You need to soak the soil
with water before planting. This process can be messy, so plan ahead and do it
outside if possible. Moisten only as much as you’ll need for the current task.

Keep an eye on your gardening container. It can dry out quickly in hot weather. If
you really get into it, you might want to consider a drip irrigation system. This is a
network of plastic tubing that can be regulated to provide a constant moisture
supply to your plants.

Most plants need an average of 1 inch of water every week. You should try to water
your garden plants earlier in the day, so the sun can help dry off any water left on
the plant. If you see a plant drooping, be sure to water it, because some plants wilt
and do not recover if they dry out.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com
Gardening and ideas to showcase your homes.

[tags]Gardening, Gardening[/tags]

Over the years the kitchen has gained popularity as the central, most important room in any home. It enjoys, in most cases a round the clock patronage, starting from a very early morning breakfast to a late night snack. The kitchen is a loyal witness to any drama in life that unfolds in every home whether preparing an important meal for a client or surprising a loved one on a special occasion; or a weekend dinner specially made for the grandchildren. So when it comes to planning for a kitchen renovation, there are a lot of things to do and consider so that it will become a room where everybody will feel comfortable and welcome.

First and foremost, set a budget. Decide how much money you are going to spend on your project. To have a budget already set for a specific project will help you decide more easily how far you will go in terms of choosing the materials and design for your kitchen renovation. If possible, price out every item you want to include in your new kitchen, like new appliances, fixtures and accessories. Do not leave anything off your list; as much as possible include even the smallest detail like paints and brushes. There are wide ranges of materials available so you can choose from whichever price range you can afford. Once everything is priced, add 20% onto the cost of the job because you never know when things will go wrong and you suddenly find yourself out of budget.

After all the financing is thought about then you are set to start. Try to have a look at your own existing kitchen. How well do you like it? Is there any part of it that you love and want to retain? Or any part of it that you hate and want to change? Or is there something that you want to add or wish you have? Is the size sufficient enough for your family needs? Or do you need to have a bigger space and more storage? Then think of a style you want for your new kitchen. Taking into consideration the style of your own house and of course your sense of taste. If budget permits you can hire a kitchen design expert who can help you draw out all these things. While still in the planning process it is always necessary to define the space available.

Note any opportunities for space modification. Areas with interesting architectural details should be utilized to their full advantage, as they will accentuate the overall visual interest of the entire room. Today there are a lot of kitchen designs to choose from and in varied themes like old world style, European and American country style, Victorian Kitchens, American Traditional, Shaker style and the list goes on. Choose a design which suits your personality, lifestyle and the style of your house itself. There are at least four basic kitchen layouts than you can choose from and incorporate in your own kitchen.

1. Single-wall Layout: This layout is usually done with small spaces where all the appliances and cabinetry are placed against one wall, where there’s no other place to put it. A full height unit like a refrigerator must be placed at one end while a cooktop should be placed near the sink and never at the end of the run. Otherwise it will create an unsafe environment and at the same time add unnecessary steps to the cooking process.

2. Corridor Layout: A corridor or galley layout is made of two opposing counters which should be at least 42″ apart. This is also a good design layout for small spaces but has the added advantage over the single-wall layout since, the work-triangle principle can be applied here, although this layout sometimes suffers from traffic passing through.

3. L-shaped Layout: An L-shaped layout is usually a more desirable layout for a kitchen with limited space, compared with both the single layout and the corridor layout. The work triangle can be designed in such a way that there will be fewer steps for the cook thus making the cooking experience less arduous. It’s also usually free from traffic snarls compared with the corridor layout. Make sure however, that the counters are not interrupted by the passage door, refrigerator or full length cabinets.

4. U-shaped Layout: The U-shaped layout is by far the most versatile and efficient kitchen layout. If your space and budget can accommodate this type go for it. This type of layout makes the most of the working triangle principle. All the appliances, storage systems and work areas face each other and are directed towards a central point - the kitchen operator.

After deciding on which layout you would like for your kitchen, then it’s time to get down to details. Take into consideration the comfort of the cook. There should be a minimum distance between repetitive chores to save the cook from fatigue therefore adding comfort and pleasure to the entire cooking experience. Lots of pantry storage and pull out drawers for everyday use dishes would be an indispensable part of the kitchen cabinetry. For drawers, the use of full extension drawer slides indicates good quality drawers. This will allow easy access to those hard to reach objects and provides strong and sturdy support for fully loaded and heavy drawers. Consider also the countertop material. Countertop dictates much of the appearance and overall atmosphere of the entire kitchen especially if your kitchen design includes a large uninterrupted counter space. You can choose from a variety of materials like Laminate, Solid surface material sold under such names as Corian, Surrell, Gibraltar etc.., Ceramic tile, Granite and Marble, Stainless steel, Soapstone, Lavastone, Butcher’s Block counters.

A seating area for those who are not actively participating in the cooking process but are there to accompany the cook for lively conversation is an added bonus to any kitchen design. If space is available, adding an island not only creates a good focal point but it also gives an added counter space, a good place for a quick meal or just a place where kids can hang out while mom prepares their favorite meal. The key to a successful kitchen design is the complete understanding of the true needs of the intended user. Once this is achieved, everything else in the design will just follow.

So, are you still fed up with looking at your old worn out kitchen? Then start planning for a renovation now.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Interior Design

[tags]interior design[/tags]