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IF you thought that creating an attractive walkway of stone or brick pavers was something you could not afford. Or maybe you just didn’t want to deal with the inevitable weeds growing up between them. Stamped concrete may just be the answer you are looking for.

This process will give you a high-durability, low-cost alternative to those expensive traditional surface treatments for walkways, patios, and driveways.
The technique is surprisingly simple. Stamped concrete involves pouring in the traditional manner, finishing the surface as usual, and then treating it with a hardener. It is then colored to the customer’s desire and stamped with molds that imprint virtually any surface texture imaginable.

Brick pavers, stone, tiles, slate, flagstone… almost any traditional surface treatment can be reproduced in stamped concrete. In addition to walkways, it’s also ideal for patios, porches, pool decks and driveways.
Since it is poured as a whole, it can be completed much faster than traditional bricks or pavers. Because it consists of one solid surface, no weeds grow as happens with individually installed pavers.
It’s also stronger than regular concrete. The hardener brings the stamped concrete’s surface strength up to 8,000 psi: almost triple the tensile strength of regular concrete. Maintenance consists of resealing every five years or so.

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.

THERE 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.
http://www.delsmolds.com

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

Is your bedroom a haven a sanctuary where you can rest and rejuvenate? If not, here are some suggestions for making your bedroom into the room that provides peace of mind along with bodily comfort.

Your bedroom reflects who you are. So the first question is, how do you see yourself? Imagine yourself in different settings. Does traditional furniture classic Queen Anne, Chippendale, 18th and 19th century European antique styles give you a feeling of stability and continuity? A canopy or sleigh bed in rich cherry or mahogany, with Pachabel playing on the stereo hidden in your carved armoire, may be the perfect romantic touch you’ve been seeking.

Perhaps the setting that makes you feel warm and cozy comes from country furniture the rough-hewn rustic look or the distressed finishes of cottage styles. Homey fabrics, like chintz, linen or denim, and accessories like handmade quilts, needlework pillows, rag rugs, and framed watercolors with outdoor themes may support your vision of the perfect place to relax and get a good night’s sleep.

The casual contemporary look leans towards light glowing woods like maple or dramatic pieces in dark stains like espresso. Clean lines on popular styles, such as Mission furniture, make for a sophisticated yet warm space. Japanese prints on the wall and flower arrangements in colored glass vases may make this your favorite room in the house.

One step beyond contemporary is the look of modern furniture for those who love the linear design of retro, Art Deco, or an eclectic mix of styles. Fabrics are simple, and leather pieces work well. A lacquered platform bed and low sleek pieces can mix well with bold colors and richly patterned rugs or bedding, or show off a collection of black-and-white photographs on the wall.

Whatever style calls your name, ambient lighting in a bedroom enhances the mood. Put a dimmer switch on the main light in the room, or think about lamps that goes on and off to a clap of your hands. Have at least one bright light if you have a “work” corner in the bedroom that hosts a computer or project table, and a good reading light near your armchair or by the bed if you like to read in bed.

To keep the peaceful atmosphere of the bedroom, hide TVs or computers in an armoire so they’re not in view except when being used. Scented candles, fresh flowers, and a beautiful decanter to hold your drinking water are wonderful touches for any bedroom.

The most important part of the bedroom is often ignored for too long. Is your mattress the right one for your back and for deep healthy sleep? Upgrade to a new pillowtop or possibly a larger size mattress for the ultimate in bedroom comfort.

And if your bedroom haven is just too wonderful to leave in the morning, how about installing a “morning bar” with a coffee maker and small refrigerator? Breakfast in bed, anyone?

Please find the original article and more information about this subject at http://www.homeandliving.com/DesignAdvice.aspx?Category=BedroomRefuge

PARVATI MARKUS is a writer/editor with a Masters in Creative Writing from Antioch. She works with The Kabbalah Centre and freelances on non-fiction books and articles. As a recent arrival in L.A. Parvati is completing her “residency requirement” by writing a screenplay.

If you would like to publish this article on your own site, please feel free to do so. Please let us know the URL of the posted article by emailing the URL to customerservice@homeandliving.com. All we ask is that you include the whole article, without changes, including the link to the original article location, author information, this disclaimer and the following link.

Find great home furniture online at http://www.homeandliving.com.

[tags]Furniture, Bedroom furniture, style your bedroom, bedroom, remodel your bedroom, mattress[/tags]

Whether you just have lots of miscellaneous stuff to store or you need room for a specific purpose, the range of utility sheds on the market provides a valuable addition to your living space.

We all tend to gather up belongings as we live our lives; hand and power tools, ladders, painting supplies, and so on accumulate along with the list of home improvement projects we tackle. Sporting goods like bicycles, kayaks, fishing rods, tennis rackets, and exercise equipment go in and out of use, and need to be stored, hopefully out of the way, when we’re not using them. Woodworkers and gardeners need space they can devote to their hobbies.

Luckily, a wide variety of preconstructed and build-it-yourself utility sheds can meet our storage and avocational needs. From giant plastic Rubbermaid sheds to beautifully designed wooden structures mimicking home designs to assemble-it-yourself kits, these sheds offer many ways to solve your storage problems.

Before you decide on a particular shed, spend some time assessing your storage needs. A good idea is to lay out the possessions you wish to store and actually measure the square footage you require. Include estimates of shelving you would need and decide whether you would have to resort to stand-alone shelves or whether you could create built-in shelving in the shed you are considering purchasing.

A little forethought will allow you to buy the perfect storage shed for yourself, and give you a way to keep all your valuable stuff safe and organized and keep your living area to yourselves.

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]storage shed,sheds,garage improvements,landscaping,pole buildings,storage units[/tags]

As every season passes, I am so thankful to still be here as if life will never end. Today, as we experience the first day in the Fall and embrace the ol’ world charm and beauty of it, I write my heartfelt expressions about it.

I love this time of year when the fields are ripe for the pickings and the harvest is good. Here in northern California, the ground is dry and exhausted. In my area, people flock to the apple orchards in Apple Hill, California and visit the local crafters, eat fresh apple pies and pastries, get our feet dirty, and mosey around.

The blistering heat of 100

Planning is the first step to improving your kitchen. Fail to plan and you could face problems with the new look of the kitchen, not to mention your wallet.

Kitchen Planning

We’ve come a long way from the old days when kitchen planning consisted of being sure there was a “work triangle” formed by the stove, sink, and refrigerator with counter space adjacent to each point. That’s still good logic, but we’ve come a long way past that.

There are fashions in everything. It’s now fashionable to be a good cook. Home kitchens frequently reflect the preferences of professional chefs. Ergo. Brushed steel appliances and gas ranges with more than four burners abound. It takes some planning to create a kitchen in which it’s easy to picture a good cook at work, even more to actually be that kind of kitchen.

It’s necessary to answer some questions in order to plan a good kitchen. Do you want to be able to socialize there? Will you be cooking for frequent dinner parties or large family gatherings? Is there more than one cook in the household? Does someone in the family like to bake? Are quickie meals for family members about to go off to some athletic event a frequent consideration? How many of these activities are likely to happen at the same time?

A kitchen planner can be a great helper and doesn’t have to add to the expense. Home Depot and Lowes have some surprisingly skillful folks working in their kitchen departments. Upscale appliances can often be bought at places which employ excellent planners who will work with you at no extra charge. No matter what price range you’re in, when you get to the point of choosing appliances, it’s a good idea to check them out at ConsumerReports.org before buying.

Don’t Go Wild

The usual caveat of all improvements applies to your kitchen work. Don’t over build the neighborhood. If you live in an old neighborhood with Formica counter tops, for example, switching to Corrian probably makes sense. On the other hand, changing to granite or marble probably doesn’t. Use the sorts of materials that are used in homes currently being built in the same price range as your neighborhood.

Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - providing FSBO homes for sale by owner. Visit our “sell my home” page at http://www.fsboamerica.org/seller.cfm to list and sell your home for free for one month. Visit http://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale by owner.

[tags]kitchen, plan, kitchen improvement, kitchen improvements, home improvement, home repair. kitchens[/tags]

Renovating your home can be an immense undertaking, especially if you choose to do it yourself. Obviously enlisting the help of a number of handy friends would be a fantastic way to cut down on the time it takes and the workload you would undoubtedly carry out in choosing to do the job yourself. Unfortunately recruiting the assistance of a few friends is not always possible as conflicting work schedules and other such problems arise. Hiring a contractor to aid the home improvement process is likely your best option in this case. If you feel that you are not exactly adept when it comes to household enhancements then, once again, it may be in your best interest to employ a contractor.

Many individuals feel as though hiring a contractor is one of the premium ways to get a huge project, such as extreme home renovations, completed with ease and of high quality. Though many of them are very professional and take great pride in the quality of their work, there are those who simply do not have the experience and know-how to produce a topnotch finished product. There are a number of common problems that arise when working with contractors, some of which include the inability of some to finish a job in the projected time frame, spending that exceeds the allocated budget for the job and also the failure of some contractors to even finish a job.

It is as a result of the aforesaid problems that a homeowner seeking to hire a contractor for some job, must proceed with caution. An excellent way to go about hiring a contractor is to obtain a referral from some friends who have had work performed. If they are pleased with the end result then it is likely that this contractor will perform at a similar standard for you.

If you need House and Home information or have articles on House and Home issues, visit our House and Home section for more in-depth resources. Free website content

[tags]article submission, articles, writers, writing, publishing, ezine, email marketing, email newsletter, email[/tags]

Japanese culture has always been a source of great curiosity and awe due to the serenity it evokes as a result of its simplicity and minimalism. Due to the stressfulness at the office, more and more homeowners have chosen to emulate the tranquility of Japanese bedroom design. Being in a Japanese inspired bedroom provides quietude and calmness, away from the bustle of the modern world.

In designing a Japanese-themed bedroom, one has to consider the salient aspects vital in Japanese design. Japanese bedrooms are marked by simplicity and minimalism for a pared-down look. Careful thought is put into Japanese bedroom designs. Each piece is carefully considered, not only for aestheticism, but, more importantly, for function. Moreover, furniture placing and type symbolize the Zen philosophy that the Japanese believe in.

Use of natural materials and natural light also defines Japanese style. Natural materials such as stones and wood are used for a low-key look that is equally appealing to the senses. Since natural light would be the main source of illumination, lighting fixtures are either concealed or recessed or are altogether minimized. The use of muted colors, such as greens and grays, are also helpful in minimizing visual “noise” and business, a vital aspect of achieving serenity and tranquility.

Furniture is also low and near the ground, not only to create the illusion of a bigger space but also to signify stability and comfort. Much emphasis is given to horizontal, rather than vertical, lines. This reminds us of our relation to the earth. Lack of ornamentation in wooden furniture is also a factor that sets Japanese bedroom design apart from all the rest. Japanese wood artisans rely on clean and simple lines to highlight their masterpieces. The same would hold true in the minimal use of accessories and d

Dividing the room into different use areas is a great way to break up the space. Obviously a fireplace is a great focal point. Keep seating in front of it perpendicular (i.e. sofas facing each other with ottoman or coffee table in between) or L-shaped. Don’t forget to put a small table at each end of the couch/love seat with table lamps and space for a drink and a book.

Next, create a gaming area either for board games or cards. A square or round table with 2 - 4 chairs and a pendant light/chandelier is all you need. Add a floor lamp nearby for more ambient lighting. If not for games, how about adding a bistro set for light dining or morning coffee?

I would take advantage of windows and their light by building or improvising a window seat. Use a large bench or settee or even a loveseat right under the window. Add a long cushion (you could even recover a body pillow!) and some coordinating throw pillows, and your reading spot is ready! Keep an end table and lamp close by for additional reading pleasure.

Fill in the corners with a screen and/or tall plants (can be silk). Don’t forget to uplight them with canister lights for dramatic effect. You may even have room for a writing desk and small bill-paying center. Use your imagination, look at designing magazines and go for it! You’ll be glad you did.

Happy decorating!

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“Making A Difference One Person & One Home At A Time”

One of the biggest differences between beautiful lush lawns and those that look like they need attention is the nutrient level of the soil. Unfortunately, this is an area that many homeowners tend to overlook. But if the nutrient level of your soil drops too low, your grass and plants will definitely suffer. That’s why you need to always know what your nutrient levels are, and then correct any deficiencies as soon as they appear.

There are a lot of factors that go into the nutrient level of your soil including the type of grass that you have, the age of your lawn, and prevailing weather conditions. But regardless of where your nutrient levels are, you can usually adjust them into an acceptable range fairly quickly.

The first thing to do to get a handle on what nutrients your soil will need is to perform a simple PH test on your soil as soon as possible. There are a couple of ways to go about this. The first is to buy a soil test kit that you can use on your own at home. These are usually available at lawn and garden, and home improvement stores. However if you want to get the best and most accurate results, you can have the soil tested for you instead, either at a local lab or even at one of the local lawn and garden stores that specialize in fertilizer and soil nutrient products.

One of the big advantages of having your soil tested is to get a complete picture of exactly what nutrients you are going to need to put into your soil and in what quantities. Usually you can purchase inorganic fertilizers from a local garden store that are made up of three main nutrients which are necessary for a healthy lawn. The first is nitrogen which promotes growth and adds a deep green color to your lawn. Phosphorus is the second nutrient that encourages root growth. The third nutrient is potassium that helps your grass resist stress. In order for your grass to really thrive all three of these nutrients need to be in place in the soil, although they need to be present in different levels with nitrogen usually being the most important. Without enough nitrogen in the soil there will be little root growth and not enough storage of energy for survival through the winter months. Once again though, all three nutrients will be needed for a healthy lawn.

Usually you will find these three numbers listed on the outside of the fertilizer bag itself, and they will tell you what percentage, or mix of the three nutrients is in that particular fertilizer. They’re always represented in the same order too. The first number will be the number for nitrogen, the second for phosphorus and the third for potassium. So just get the correct fertilizer mix that your soil test indicates is best for your particular soil. Usually your garden store staff can help you find exactly what you need.

Before you apply the fertilizer, be sure that you measure out your lawn area very carefully. Also do not include the entire yard in your measurements, only the lawn itself. Then follow the directions on the bag for laying down your fertilizer using the calculations that you have made. After applying fertilizer, most often you’ll need to water your lawn soon, but just be sure to follow whatever directions for watering that are found on the fertilizer bag.

Once you have begun providing proper nutrients for your soil, make sure you keep it up as directed buy your garden center staff. Some soils only require fertilization once or twice a year, and others will need to receive more frequent applications, perhaps even four to six times each year. Just be sure to continue to check your soil nutrient level as you go to keep everything in balance.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find lawn mower reviews and lawn tractor reviews by visiting our Home Improvement website.

[tags]lawn, landscaping, yard, front yard, back yard, home improvement, mowing[/tags]

Bamboo blinds are excellent and classy way to decorate your home. In oriental culture bamboo has been always used at homes as partitions, window blinds to allow cool breeze to come in. bamboo blinds or bamboo shades provides a relaxed and cool look to any room. It adds to the ethnic ambience and charm of your interiors and definitely environment friendly.

The distinctive grass weaves; the natural colors and fine bamboo selection used in the manufacture of finest bamboo blinds gives an elegant and inviting look. In tropical countries in Asia like India and Indonesia, in olden times people used roughly cut bamboo woven together which could be rolled up and down using thick ropes. This was essential to keep the scorching sun out and the torrential rains during the monsoon period.

Bamboo is extensive used in building houses, fences, bridges, utensils, paper, toys, musical instruments -bamboo flutes, furniture and floors. In interior decorations, bamboo has been used for centuries to accent houses and gardens. The Chinese believed that bamboo brings long life, and in India, it is a mark of friendship. Japanese used it around their places of worship to ward off evil spirits.

Today this traditional art form of bamboo blinds have evolved into a classy style statement that has its own elegant look as well as functionality and exceptional reliability. Now bamboo and bamboo based products are a great rage in the Western world. Different varieties of bamboo blinds, shades and floors have found their way into some of the blue chip companies and sprawling villas worldwide.

Bamboo blinds are catching up as the latest trend and fashion in hard window treatments. They add that eco-friendly flavor and special touch to home d