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So, you have just made the decision to remodel the kitchen! No decision about your home environment is more important because of the key activities that take place in the kitchen. Now is the time to do a little personal research and find out what your options are.

Exploring Space in Your Kitchen

The larger the space, the easier it is to outfit your kitchen for a modern multi-tasking family. But, not all kitchens are large enough to blend task areas. A qualified and experienced kitchen planning specialist may be able to help you “find” additional square footage you didn’t realize you have by removing a wall, opening a closet or raising the ceiling.

Add critical space to your kitchen by carefully planning your cabinets to include features that store the kinds of items you have. Many and varied special cabinets or cabinet inserts are available for every imaginable storage need.

Universal Kitchen Design

The emphasis on ease-of-use in public buildings prompted by the Americans with Disabilities Act is prompting a growing trend in the housing market, too. Whether you have a disabled person in your family or not, everyone can benefit by keeping Universal Design principles in mind when planning a new kitchen. Innovations like those in KraftMaid’s Passport Cabinetry make it simple to be sure all functions in the kitchen can be easily performed by any family member regardless of stature or physical capabilities.

Five Tips for Universal Design in Your Kitchen

1. Universal Design means planning the spaces that everyone finds easy to use
2. One of the most basic principles of kitchen design is offering a variety of work top heights
3. Beauty does not need to be sacrificed for functionality. Both are important and can work together to create an ambient environment
4. Place kitchen appliances where they can be easily reached and allow use by a seated person
5. Be sure kitchen cabinet doors and pull-outs increase access rather than impede it, if there is a wheelchair user in your family

SuperKitchens offers practical, time-tested kitchen remodeling ideas that guide you in kitchen design with articles and tips on planning and designing your kitchen. Visit http://www.SuperKitchens.com today.

[tags]kitchens, kitchen design, home improvement, kitchen remodel, kitchen cabinets[/tags]

The crib is the crown jewel of the nursery. It is the centerpiece which will tie together the entire nursery. Cribs are an important element of the baby’s life because it is their first real home. They will spend most of their first couple of years sleeping or lying in the crib. In the past cribs were big and wooden with little room for comfort or style. Modern cribs feature trendy looks with tons of safety and comfort features for both mom and dad and baby. But, don’t mistake trendy for shoddy as most modern cribs are equally as durable as their predecessors.

Most baby cribs are made of wood, but some are made of metal or wrought iron. Medium density fiber boards are also being used in the making of cribs. There are several different types of cribs. Standard cribs offer a traditional look to the nursery and come in a variety of finishes. Convertible cribs grow with the child. They go from crib to bed and can often finish up as a full size adult bed. It is all done with the help of convertible crib rails. Sleigh cribs feature a different look and will work well in just about any nursery. Round cribs give a completely different look to the standard, rectangular shape of most other cribs. There are no nasty corners for the child to bump into with a round crib. Canopy cribs provide an elegant look which parents are often after.

Since the first few years of the child’s life will be spent in the crib it is essential to have safety elements in place. Parents need to check the rail height to ensure it is three quarters the height of the baby. An ideal distance between the lowest mattress slot and the top of the rail is 26 inches. Side slat width is also important. The pickets should be 2.38 inches and less. If the opening is wide between pickets it is likely the baby could get his head or body stuck. The sides and joints should be round and flat so no accidents occur.

While safety is at the forefront it is equally important to make life comfortable on the child. The crib mattress should be fireproof and offer a high quality fabric. The higher the spring count the more comfort for the child. Standard crib mattress can fit just about any crib. Adjustable mattress positions allow the crib to accommodate a growing child. It also improves the function of the crib. Drop down sides make life easier on the parent as it is easier to remove a sleeping child. Comfortable crib bedding should match the theme of the room and should include a quilt, crib sheet, dust ruffle, bumper and diaper stack. Blanket use and pillow use should be reserved for older children. Suffocation can occur with loose bedding and pillows.

About the Author

LynnMarie is On-Line Editor for Babyage.com which is one of the top online retailers of Cribs including a wide variety of Crib Bedding to match any nursery decor.

[tags]cribs, round crib, crib mattress, baby cribs, standard cribs, crib bedding[/tags]

Have you ever watched one of those home makeovers and wondered how you could get the same look? Well most of the time they use slipcovers to make the furniture have a new look, it’s just as simple as it seems too. When making a slipcover you have only a few steps and the only skills required is some basic sewing skills. If you don’t think you can do it, start small. Start with a cushion and then if you feel confident, redo the rest. However, it is easier to purchase slip covers, but it can be expensive and if you have the extra time, you may just find yourself with a new hobby.

Your first step to making a slipcover is to measure the cushion. You will need the length from top to bottom and then take that number and times it by two. Then take the width of the cushion and times that by four. Add the two numbers together and divide by 36 and you have the number of yards needed for your project.

Then make a pattern for your slipcover. Measure the length and width of each section and add a one inch seam allowance and use the existing seams as a guide. Then Cut your muslin pieces and pin it to the fabric you have chosen. Pin the fabric in the center and then smooth the fabric out before doing any cutting. On the side that you will be adding a zipper, remember to add another inch.

Once all the pieces are cut and have a one inch seam allowance, use a sewing machine to place the sections together. When sewing, don’t forget to leave the seam where your zipper is going unsown. Once you are done, place the cushion in the slipcover to see if you are close or near the right fit. At this point you could just sew up the one side by hand or go for the zipper. The choice is entirely up to you. However, if you want to clean your slipcovers every now and then you can go for the zipper.

If you still just don’t have time for your sewing hobby or don’t like to sew you can always take your measurements for the chair and contact a professional and have them tailor made. If you want to purchase some cheap slipcovers you will need to go to the area of a store that sells linens and try to match the d

** Proper Remodeling MAKES you money!
Remodeling your home properly can actually MAKE you money! New home construction costs are soaring, so there are certain financial gains that can be achieved from remodeling and existing home - and, these gains are greater than ever before!

Basically, remodeling adds equity and therefore capital gains that can be deferred until the home is sold. In addition, tax laws have made remodeling even more attractive to the investor by limiting the tax write-offs allowed on new investment property. The trick is not to overspend — your objective is to spend one remodeling dollar and build more than one dollar in additional equity in your home.

** Remodeling Mistakes Can COST You BIG Money!

Know the value of your home in its market. If you are in a neighborhood where homes like yours are only selling for $200,000, then spending $50,000 in remodeling is very unlikely to produce a positive ROI on the remodeling project.

Have a good honest independent appraisal done of your home and pick only on the projects that will increase the value of your home. Reasonably priced kitchen and bathroom remodels work extremely well. For these big jobs always use qualified professionals in the renovation. In many U.S. states virtually anybody can claim to be a remodeling contractor. These may not the people you want renovating your home! YOU want contractors with a verifiable history of successful projects and financial stability.

REMEMBER THIS: YOU assume financial liabilities when you hire a contractor. So, make them prove they are reputable. Did You Know … If a remodeling contractor performs work on your home but does not pay his supplier for the materials, the supplier can put a lien on your home.

** Go for Cosmetic Improvements!

These remodeling improvements include interior and exterior, painting, new trim, new flooring, cleaning up of unsightly areas, landscaping, and other items that damage the appearance of the home. Most people’s impressions of a home are made in the first 5 minutes, and are always related to how the home looks and feels.

Home marketing experts have long known the power of color and texture to influence the moods and perceptions of the buying public. That’s why so many plain products are sold in fancy packaging. The proper use of paint on a house can, in the first 5 minutes, influence a potential buyer to buy your home.

** Simple Painting Produces a Great ROI!

Painting your home inside and out is the cheapest and most productive cosmetic improvement you can make - colors… colors… colors…

This is what a fresh paint job does and why:

• Makes the home appear clean and fresh…
• Eliminates “old house” odors…
• Covers patches and imperfections in walls…
• Makes a room appear larger and brighter (if the color is right)…

Avoid these painting mistakes:

• Only choose exterior colors that complement your neighborhood and the period flavor of the house…
• Avoid interior colors that are too wild or bright. Allow accent pieces in the house to provide the bright colors.

** Curb Appeal - you have to get them in the door!

Simple Painting Produces a Great ROI!
Along with good exterior painting of your home, certainly spruce up the landscaping, but make it an improvement — not an investment!

No real curb appeal is possible without an attractive yard. Many older houses are overgrown with large foliage that obscures the house and produces a dark or dreary atmosphere. Trim large plants to expose your home. Add some small accent plants around the yard can make the yard appear “well groomed”. If your lawn suffers from poor upkeep or bare spots, consider rock or foliage gardens to cover the affected areas.

Whatever you do, don’t overspend on landscaping. A few landscaping dollars can go a long way. Excessive landscaping will not increase the value of your home a great deal. In fact, it can reduce home value if the buyer perceives hours spent in the yard grooming, cutting and pruning.

** Kitchens and Bathroom Must Sell Your Home!

So paint and landscaping got them in the door — now close the deal with the kitchen and bathrooms. Minor kitchen remodeling can be quite cost efficient and entail as little as new floor coverings and painting of the cabinets. But, a major kitchen overhaul can bring a greater return on investment than minor face-lifts. The idea is to produce more space, cleanliness, brightness, newness. Even new cheap appliances help produce what you are after.

Recent trends are toward lavish and spacious baths. The two-bath house has become a standard. Adding a second bath to a home may not return its full value, but it eliminates a major obstacle in selling a home. Because of the high cost of tearing out old fixtures and installing new ones, consider doing some of the work yourself. Tasteful decorating and a wise choice of fixtures will quickly add to the general value of your home without costing a small fortune. Estimating a remodeling project can be a real challenge, since many necessary repairs may be hidden behind walls and floor coverings.

and FINALLY…

Living with a remodeling project can be a stressful endeavor — Projects never go as smoothly as expected and invariably encounter delays. Plan for this and learn to live with it! Regardless of whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional, remodeling an occupied home can be challenging and dangerous. Be prepared for dirt, sawdust, interruptions of electrical and water service, noise and general inconvenience. Don’t under estimate the psychological toll this will take on your and your families’ personal life.

J Gilbert is writer for The ORBL Series of Home Remodeling an informative site dedicated to helping consumers understand what remodeling is about and how to find good remodeling contractors.
For specific information on ORBL tips on kitchen and bathroom renovations, see Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling.

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

We’ve all experienced them; a deep sleep is suddenly painfully interrupted by one of those excruciating, involuntary contractions of the calf muscles. These night leg cramps occur without warning and can also happen whilst awake. They can be both alarming and if in the company of someone new, a little embarrassing! One of the surest ways to put out the flames of desire is to experience cramping during sex. One minute writhing in heated passion, the next writhing in agony! The night leg cramps can affect persons in any age-group, but they tend to occur in middle-aged and older populations. Research has not identified precisely what causes night leg cramps, but the problem is most likely with the nerves controlling the muscles rather than with the muscles themselves.

Sometimes the night leg cramps are caused by overexertion of the muscles, structural disorders (flat feet), standing on concrete, prolonged sitting, inappropriate leg positions while sedentary, or dehydration. Low levels of certain minerals, such as magnesium, sodium and calcium have regularly been linked to the cramps. Muscle cramps range in intensity from a slight tic to agonising pain. A cramping muscle may feel hard to the touch and/or appear visibly distorted or twitch beneath the skin. A cramp can last a few seconds to 15 minutes or longer. It might recur multiple times before it goes away. To help prevent them, some stretching of the calf muscles with perhaps wall push-ups should be undertaken. Keeping blankets loose at the foot of the bed will also help unnatural positioning of the feet and toes which can cause the night leg cramps. Additional suggestions include sleeping with legs bent, steer clear of high heels (especially the men!), eliminate sugar and caffeine, and place a pillow at the end of the bed to prop up your feet.

Mick Burrows writes for http://www.cut-the-cramps.com

http://www.cut-the-cramps.com take a look at this informative site or just carry on cramping!

[tags]Cramp, night, muscles[/tags]

There are two types of artichoke, Globe and Jerusalem. The globe is a perennial with a thistle-like head complete with scales surrounding a fleshy frond or heart, which is the part with the most flavour. The Jerusalem artichoke is grown for its tubers, which are produced in the soil like potatoes. This too is a perennial, though is more conveniently grown by digging up the tubers each season and replanting the best specimens the following year, as in the case of potatoes.

Soil Preparation The soil must be well drained to grow artichokes; it should be moist in the summer but dry in the winter. They require a sunny position for the unopened flower heads have more flavour when they are grown in full sun. A sheltered position is also required as the flower stems grow tall and are easily blown over. In the autumn dig the ground over to a spade’s depth, incorporating manure and some well-rotted compost at the rate of a bucketful to the sq. yd. then leave the ground rough to over winter. Fork the ground level in spring, adding fish manure at a rate of 3 oz. (76mm) to the sq. yd. This dressing should be repeated each year in March or early April.

Planting The plants should be purchased from a reliable nurseryman; you can later increase your stock plants by severing the side growths or suckers, which will later develop at the base of each plant. These should be cut from the parent plant when they are about 9 in. (228mm) long, taking care that there is a part of the old plant’s root at base. Plant the new shoots in April in rows 3 ft (90cm) apart, allowing 3 ft. (90cm) between the plants.

If you garden in the North then you should take your suckers during November and pot them up individually into 6 in. (152mm) pots, protect them from frost until the following May, when they can be re-planted into the bed.

General Care Keep down the weeds, gently hoeing between the plants reducing the surrounding soil to a fine dust to about

Roses unlike many flowers require more attention and care to insure that your roses are the most beautiful they can be. They also require you have some basic tools that will make your gardening of roses easier. Here is a list of the tools you should have on hand.

Pruners - Pruners are used almost on a daily basis. Actually there are two types of pruners, the “anvil pruner” and the “bypass pruner”. I would recommend always using the bypass pruners, this type will not crush the canes and stems of the roses. As your roses age you will find a need to remove or cut back old thick canes. These can be thick and will require you have a pair of “Loppers”.

Gloves - You will be thankful from day one that you invested in a good pair of leather work gloves, if you can find them get the kind that have the fold-down cuffs. The cloth gloves for basic gardening have their place but it’s not in the rose garden.

Shovels - Shovels that are lightweight, with fiberglass throats and strong handles that are padded are great choices. Here’s were spending the extra dollars will save you in blisters and dollars over the long haul.

Wheelbarrow - This may seam like such a simple thing but so many people are tempted to purchase those fancy gardening carts that “do it all” in the garden but believe me when I tell you there is no substitute for a good old fashion wheelbarrow. They will haul everything in and out of your rose garden you come across.

Kneeling Pads - There is no getting around this, if you garden you are going to be on your knees. There are some choices here, the standard knee pads work fine for most and when you move to a new spot they move with you. The kneeling pads for gardening come in several sizes and are quiet comfy on the knees. There are also kneeling pads that come on short kneeling blocks with handles. With so many choices your sure to find the right one for you.

Rakes - There are basically tow types you will want to have, a garden rake and a leaf rake. The garden rake have steel tines and are used for leveling and smoothing the garden bed. Leaf rakes are need to remove leaves and debris from the garden, I recommend having two sizes here the regular size leaf rake and the smaller head leaf rake for getting those tight places.

Watering Wands - One of the first things you will want your watering wand to have is brass fittings instead of plastic, they will last you alot longer than the small increase in cost. If you can find a wand that has a shut off valve on the wand itself you find this to be very convenient. Watering wands are great for really giving your roses a good root soaking. If you have roses growing in containers then a watering wand is just what is needed.

Gardening Fork - This is a must have for the avid rose gardener. Be sure to choose a quality one with steel forks and a padded sturdy handle, this will make turning and loosening the ground around the base of your roses much easier.

Having all these tools will make your love for gardening roses much easier and enjoyable. You will enjoy years of beautiful roses.

Kim writes for Gardening Tips For Roses. Find all the tips, advice, resources and information for gardening roses all in one spot. Visit http://www.gardeningtipsroses.com

[tags]Rose Gardening,Roses,Gardening,Rose Gradens[/tags]

At one time, ceramic tile was only for the wealthy. No more. Today, for the same price as you will pay for manufactured cast resin, imitation marble or other polymer, you can have a one-of-a-kind piece of fine art, made by an American artist who is willing to work with YOUR ideas and concepts. Suppose you love plants and flowers, but the wall over your sink in the kitchen has no window? Tell the artist your favorites, she will paint your favorite ferns or perennials, in a basket or within its own little garden. What if you moved south and miss your paper birch trees so badly? A mural over your bathroom sink of these gorgeous white and black trees, with or without surrounding fall foliage, will guarantee a lifetime of the perfect view. No wall space for a mural? How about accent tiles placed every foot or so of your favorite cooking herbs in an 1800’s style, right out of the Farmer’s Almanac? Or an easy-to-clean backsplash behind the kitchen sink of fruits connected by flowering vines all in a lively color scheme?

The best part about tile is you only have to do it once. You choose timeless and tireless motifs and place them where you need something durable. Side-by-side with gold, ceramic is the most durable substance we know. What else has told us the history of human culture as accurately? Nothing the manufacturers have come up with can surpass ceramic tile for lasting beauty. Nothing.

Working with an artist as opposed to a factory has many benefits. The artist has sentimental memories too, and usually does the work she does for other reasons than moving out volumes of product for profit, so she is more than happy to fill your space with warm homey decoration. We all have a favorite old pattern or print, maybe Grandma’s stitching or an old tapestry. Everything eventually wears out and must be discarded. Except ceramic. Have it painted on tile and installed for all time.

Framed paintings do not do well in steamy bathrooms or near greasy cookstoves, gathering dust and needing cleaning way too often. A tapestry or rug painted on tile will hang beautifully inlaid into any wall. In the hall where people always bump paintings is a great idea. Stair risers that always get scuffed up can be painted in a myriad of design motifs, like southwestern, Mayan or Aztec, any colorful design, and fill a dull stairway with brilliant color.

Do you work too many hours to have pets? A brilliant parrot on the wall in the corner of your livingroom, gleaming feathers shining, will welcome you home, making no noise and quietly demanding no food or attention! No other art medium can imitate the iridescence and brilliance of bird feathers like ceramic glaze. A skilled hand-painter can imitate textures and colored objects from all around the world. Mayan stone carvings, Egyptian hieroglyphics, even cave art paintings all look so real in ceramic. Solid blocks of color in modern graphic shapes is the other end of the design spectrum. Color makes a very powerful statement, as we all know.

Please do not feel compelled to use what the remodelling stores offer, the dull and unimaginative and very plain tiles they sell in volume. Email a hand-painter and she will help you come up with the only one in the world, a unique piece of fine art that is yours alone. Timeless and elegant decor is only a few weeks away.

Dy Witt has over 21 years experience in painting with ceramic glaze, a difficult and unpredictable medium at best. Find samples of murals, accents and 3-D wall sculpture in the true ceramic process here on her web site. http://www.dyztilz.com

[tags]hand painted ,ceramic ,art tile ,murals,backsplash, kitchen, bath,relief,clay,wildlife,flowers,birds[/tags]

The wood used in your home, on the doors, on the trim, the cabinets, even the beds or vanities in your home, can be a basis for the colors of laminate flooring you are considering using in the home. If you want to use laminate flooring in your home, consider matching the flooring of your home to the items that are in your home for a great complete d

Concrete has been used in construction as a building material and as a decorative medium for over 2000 years. When the Romans discovered how to make their own stone it soon became used for both building and in beautification projects.

The advantages are obvious it is easy to use, does not have the transportation problems that where faced when moving huge pieces of rock to the construction site. Concrete could be cast in place. Small objects where cast in molds and then placed where the architect wanted them. This revolutionized construction. It also made it possible for the average citizen to build his own house with rocks or manufactured bricks. He now had a way to hold them together. He could use mortar, a close relative of concrete.

Concrete is cast in many ways: in small plastic molds, and huge steel forms. It is the medium of choice for some artists. Some of the work done by them is stunning to say the least. Others cast concrete and then sculpt it, creating beautiful individualized pieces.

You have seen it alongside highways. In the old days it was there to serve a purpose and no attempt was made to make it look like anything but a concrete wall. Now it still has a purpose but is made to look good as well. This is done with steel forms that have a design built into them. Like a big mold!

Depending on climate and more important the budget some of these walls are even colored. They can have the color added to the concrete or be painted or stained after the form is removed. This makes an attractive looking wall instead of an ugly cement abutment. One thing that has been noticed by municipalities and others that have started to use this method is that graffiti is not appearing as quickly and if it does it is in nowhere near the volume as when the big flat surface was presented! Maybe it is too hard to paint on?

Copyright © 2005 Delmar Germyn. All rights reserved.

Author - Del Germyn Web site http://www.delsmolds.com

My web site is setup to help you learn a little about molds and casting in general.

YOU WILL FIND….

Articles on how to mix your concrete, hypertufa, etc for different uses.

Free information on how to make your own molds. Tips and hints on their use and care.

Free information on making and using various types of molds to cast concrete, plaster, cement,
ceramics, and molding with hypertufa.

Suggestions for projects that you can do in a couple of hours that will make your yard / garden look great. All the information on the site is free to use and share.

I am hoping that when you see what I have (or have not) set out you will send in your tips and stories. By sharing we can learn from each other. We can also help newcomers to the hobby / business. The site is constantly added to, so please check it often.

[tags]concrete,garden,forms,driveway,edging,border,pathway,cement,molds,decorative,path mold,tile mold[/tags]