Luxury Design Meets Social Responsibility
As a copywriter, I meet lots of business people. Most are pleasant and some have good products or services to offer. It is rare to meet someone who runs a successful business in a creative industry that is not only smart; it is innovative. It was not a little surprise and delight that Mary Jurek was introduced to me.
Mary founded Mary Jurek Design, Inc. in 1998 after winning international awards and working as a jewelry and watch artiste designing for notable brands including Piaget, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Wako of Tokyo, Gubelin of Switzerland, and Gump’s of San Francisco.
To say her tableware and home d?cor pieces are beautiful and beautifully functional is only one aspect of what is happening. All of her products are hand-made by artisans throughout the world with direct creative input from and oversight from Mary. In addition to designing her product lines, Mary spends a great deal of time traveling to economically underdeveloped parts of the world in order to directly create jobs for people.
Her clients range from Hollywood celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs to retail stores and hard working housewives. Mary's tableware and home products juxtapose hand-hammered stainless steel with a soft, organic flare, creating an “old world meets modern day” style that appeals to luxury lifestyle enthusiasts everywhere.
I was lucky enough to have Mary answer a few questions about what her business means to her recently:
AB: Can you share a factory finding story?
MJ: Visiting a small curio shop in Thailand, I picked up a small bowl that interested me. I asked the owner if she could help me find the maker. That factory is still my #1 supplier.
AB: How do you define "Conscious Capitalism"?
MJ: By practicing the Golden Rule.
AB: What inspires you?
MJ: Ancient history and today's lifestyle trends.
AB: What is your experience as a woman who is a business owner?
MJ: My experience is that first impressions are usually about gender and the second impression is about knowledge.
AB: What does "success" mean to you?
MJ: Learning how to make good decisions.
AB: What does the future hold for Mary Jurek Design?
MJ: My business is built on solid values. If we continue to offer customers products that make them happy, then our future lies in continuing to listen to them.
Mary will continue to create for her clients, provide opportunities for her suppliers and give back to communities around the world. This fascinating, quietly inspirational lady marches forward in these uncertain times full of passion and a “people before profits” business philosophy.
By: Amanda Blake
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
วันพุธที่ 18 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2552
The Innumerable Benefits Of Window Blinds
The Innumerable Benefits Of Window Blinds
We don't think too much about window blinds, although we realize that they are a necessity for those large windows. They block the sun from your house and contribute to your home's decor. Many people are unaware that there are many advantages to window blinds. You can save money in a variety of ways when you can control how much light enters a room.
Those of us that have large windows are well aware that the sun can glare relentlessly through the glass. As they pass through glass, the sun's rays become magnified. During the winter this is an advantage, but during the rest of the year it can be undesirable. Aside from raising the temperature in the room, the sun can cause a lot of damage. Furniture can be faded and damaged as a result of exposure to the rays of the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun's rays can literally destroy sofas, chairs and other upholstered furniture. The risk of damage by the sun to furnishings can be minimized by using window blinds. The sunlight coming into the room can be reduced, diverted, or even totally blocked using window blinds. Window blinds will help keep your furniture from fading, saving you the time and cost of having it reupholstered or having to replace it altogether.
There are other ways in which window blinds can help you spend less money. Allowing fewer sun rays to enter your rooms helps to lower the amount of heat coming in. You can reduce your air conditioning use in the summer and save on electricity. High quality window blinds can help you save as much as 20 percent on your utility bill. During the winter months, window blinds can help reduce your costs too. Window blinds will hold more heat in. The result will be lower expenses for heat and fuel.
Last of all, your health may benefit from the use of window blinds. Minimizing the rays of the sun will help reduce eyestrain and the number of headaches you experience. You will be able to study and read comfortably in each room. It will be far easier to watch television since the window blinds will reduce the glare.
Window blinds made of plastic or PVC may seem to be a practical and simple choice for your decor, but PVC has some issues related to the environment and durability. One potential problem with PVC is that it can release gases or other substances used in manufacturing. This is an issue that is common to products made of PVC, so if you do not have a problem with products containing PVC in other areas of your house, you should not have to worry about using window blinds made with that material. Exposure to the sun and strong ultraviolet rays may cause PVC to discolor and become brittle. However, high quality PVC usually is not affected by this problem.
Window blinds made of fabric come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Window blinds made from stitch-bonded fabrics will cost less money, but if you can spare a little extra money, you may want to get window blinds made of woven fabrics, which will look nicer. Because woven vertical fabric blinds have a number of benefits, it is usually worth spending a little extra to get them.
Most of us don't think much about window blinds and their benefits. For many of us, they are just one of the many things that we have to dust periodically (although you should know that window blinds don't have to be dusted very often because dust simply falls between the slats.) But using window blinds can help you save money and can improve your health. When window blinds are used, the damage that UV rays can cause is minimized. We have a reduced need for heating and air conditioning, and we can use our study areas with reduced headaches and eyestrain. Window blinds have so many benefits that you may want to consider using them in your home.
By: Judith Persit
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
We don't think too much about window blinds, although we realize that they are a necessity for those large windows. They block the sun from your house and contribute to your home's decor. Many people are unaware that there are many advantages to window blinds. You can save money in a variety of ways when you can control how much light enters a room.
Those of us that have large windows are well aware that the sun can glare relentlessly through the glass. As they pass through glass, the sun's rays become magnified. During the winter this is an advantage, but during the rest of the year it can be undesirable. Aside from raising the temperature in the room, the sun can cause a lot of damage. Furniture can be faded and damaged as a result of exposure to the rays of the sun. Prolonged exposure to the sun's rays can literally destroy sofas, chairs and other upholstered furniture. The risk of damage by the sun to furnishings can be minimized by using window blinds. The sunlight coming into the room can be reduced, diverted, or even totally blocked using window blinds. Window blinds will help keep your furniture from fading, saving you the time and cost of having it reupholstered or having to replace it altogether.
There are other ways in which window blinds can help you spend less money. Allowing fewer sun rays to enter your rooms helps to lower the amount of heat coming in. You can reduce your air conditioning use in the summer and save on electricity. High quality window blinds can help you save as much as 20 percent on your utility bill. During the winter months, window blinds can help reduce your costs too. Window blinds will hold more heat in. The result will be lower expenses for heat and fuel.
Last of all, your health may benefit from the use of window blinds. Minimizing the rays of the sun will help reduce eyestrain and the number of headaches you experience. You will be able to study and read comfortably in each room. It will be far easier to watch television since the window blinds will reduce the glare.
Window blinds made of plastic or PVC may seem to be a practical and simple choice for your decor, but PVC has some issues related to the environment and durability. One potential problem with PVC is that it can release gases or other substances used in manufacturing. This is an issue that is common to products made of PVC, so if you do not have a problem with products containing PVC in other areas of your house, you should not have to worry about using window blinds made with that material. Exposure to the sun and strong ultraviolet rays may cause PVC to discolor and become brittle. However, high quality PVC usually is not affected by this problem.
Window blinds made of fabric come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Window blinds made from stitch-bonded fabrics will cost less money, but if you can spare a little extra money, you may want to get window blinds made of woven fabrics, which will look nicer. Because woven vertical fabric blinds have a number of benefits, it is usually worth spending a little extra to get them.
Most of us don't think much about window blinds and their benefits. For many of us, they are just one of the many things that we have to dust periodically (although you should know that window blinds don't have to be dusted very often because dust simply falls between the slats.) But using window blinds can help you save money and can improve your health. When window blinds are used, the damage that UV rays can cause is minimized. We have a reduced need for heating and air conditioning, and we can use our study areas with reduced headaches and eyestrain. Window blinds have so many benefits that you may want to consider using them in your home.
By: Judith Persit
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The Elements Of Decoration: Balance
The Elements Of Decoration: Balance
In order for a composition to be harmonious and pleasing to the eye and mind, the first thing required of it is that it is restful. This can only be the case if the composition is a balanced one. This balance must exist, not only with regard to the form of its units, but to their color and tone, as will be later explained.
The simplest form of balance is show in a display in which every feature on one side of the axis is repeated on the other side at the same distance from the center. One side is essentially a mirror image of its counterpart. This is the form known as bilateral symmetry. Symmetry may exist with relation to a single axis or to two or more. In general, however, compositions are symmetrical with respect to one axis only.
Symmetry is not only the simplest type of balance, but it is also the most common and the safest. As long as we have a symmetrical arrangement, a certain degree of balance has been attained despite whatever faults we commit. But in many cases symmetry is not possible, and another form of balance becomes necessary.
This is sometimes known as optical balance or balance of interest since its nature is less obvious than that already mentioned. We have this condition in architecture and decoration to meet where the fixed features of a room such as doors or windows may not be symmetrically arranged. Under these conditions, objects to balance the door toppers or window toppers must be placed on the other side of the axis in approximately the same form.
According to this approach, a door near the corner of the room should be balanced by placing a table with a picture over it or a highboy of approximately the same mass or height as the door at the same wall, near the other corner. This arrangement would hold true whether the main axis or climax of the composition is actual or imaginary.
An actual climax, or focal point of the arrangement, would perhaps be a mantel in the center of the room. This piece would allow for an easy application of bilateral symmetry because the mantel provides an axis. In an imaginary axis, nothing would be placed in the center of the room and the composition would be built up on either side of the center.
Balance of interest may also be included in this heading. If there is only one object of great interest on one side of an axis, it would balance several objects that were less interesting on the other side. With the arrangement of such objects in ordinary decoration, such as custom picture frames, the problems are far more complex.
We have to deal not only with size and value, but with color, form, style, character, etc. Therefore, there is no mathematical rule that can be formulated for placing or selecting these objects. We must depend on taste and feeling, aided by all the knowledge of these qualities that we can obtain - it will never be too great.
As with most art, balance in color and tone value is also an important element in decoration. Rooms should be dressed either in dark tones or in light tones, and everything in them should tend toward the same tonal value.
Dark walls as a rule call for dark furniture, while walls in pastel shades call for furniture in lighter tone. Balance in color and tone can be achieved by keeping these suggestions in mind, setting the mood of a room through not only the arrangement of the objects in it but through the color temperature.
By: Allison Ryan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
In order for a composition to be harmonious and pleasing to the eye and mind, the first thing required of it is that it is restful. This can only be the case if the composition is a balanced one. This balance must exist, not only with regard to the form of its units, but to their color and tone, as will be later explained.
The simplest form of balance is show in a display in which every feature on one side of the axis is repeated on the other side at the same distance from the center. One side is essentially a mirror image of its counterpart. This is the form known as bilateral symmetry. Symmetry may exist with relation to a single axis or to two or more. In general, however, compositions are symmetrical with respect to one axis only.
Symmetry is not only the simplest type of balance, but it is also the most common and the safest. As long as we have a symmetrical arrangement, a certain degree of balance has been attained despite whatever faults we commit. But in many cases symmetry is not possible, and another form of balance becomes necessary.
This is sometimes known as optical balance or balance of interest since its nature is less obvious than that already mentioned. We have this condition in architecture and decoration to meet where the fixed features of a room such as doors or windows may not be symmetrically arranged. Under these conditions, objects to balance the door toppers or window toppers must be placed on the other side of the axis in approximately the same form.
According to this approach, a door near the corner of the room should be balanced by placing a table with a picture over it or a highboy of approximately the same mass or height as the door at the same wall, near the other corner. This arrangement would hold true whether the main axis or climax of the composition is actual or imaginary.
An actual climax, or focal point of the arrangement, would perhaps be a mantel in the center of the room. This piece would allow for an easy application of bilateral symmetry because the mantel provides an axis. In an imaginary axis, nothing would be placed in the center of the room and the composition would be built up on either side of the center.
Balance of interest may also be included in this heading. If there is only one object of great interest on one side of an axis, it would balance several objects that were less interesting on the other side. With the arrangement of such objects in ordinary decoration, such as custom picture frames, the problems are far more complex.
We have to deal not only with size and value, but with color, form, style, character, etc. Therefore, there is no mathematical rule that can be formulated for placing or selecting these objects. We must depend on taste and feeling, aided by all the knowledge of these qualities that we can obtain - it will never be too great.
As with most art, balance in color and tone value is also an important element in decoration. Rooms should be dressed either in dark tones or in light tones, and everything in them should tend toward the same tonal value.
Dark walls as a rule call for dark furniture, while walls in pastel shades call for furniture in lighter tone. Balance in color and tone can be achieved by keeping these suggestions in mind, setting the mood of a room through not only the arrangement of the objects in it but through the color temperature.
By: Allison Ryan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The Elements Of Decoration: Variety
The Elements Of Decoration: Variety
When striving for unity, the most important enemy to be wary of is monotony. A certain degree of variety is necessary in every work of art, and this quality can be obtained without sacrificing unity in any way. The easiest way to attain unity in the decoration of a room is to make everything the same color, to repeat the same forms of ornament throughout, and to limit variety of use by similarity of form; but nothing could be more monotonous and uninteresting.
Imagine a room where the walls, ceiling, floor, rugs, bar rails, and furniture were all of one color, where a single type of ornament was repeated throughout, and where all the members of the furniture were of the same size. Then imagine the same room, with the various elements altered so that the size of each is proportioned to its function, with new motives of decoration introduced in a reasonable number, and with a certain degree of color contrast introduced into the room and its fittings. Unity is not lost, but variety is obtained in place of monotony.
Although it may seem like a paradox at first sight, it is sometimes possible to gain in both variety and unity at the same time. The concepts of variety and unity are not necessarily at odds with each other and can sometimes complement one other if applied properly. Consider a wall with three pictures hanging on it, all of equal size and similar treatment.
The effect lacks variety, since the pictures are so similar; it also lacks unity, since there is no main focus of interest. But if we replace the center picture by a larger one, so that it dominates the group, we have gained in variety. When a guest enters the room, the array is more striking now that the pictures are now of different sizes. We have also gained in unity, since the dominant feature is now clearly shown.
Suppose we have no large picture at hand, and small glass picture frames instead. Can the same result be obtained in other ways? To attempt to add interest by varying the height of the pictures, which is done often, produces only a feeling of restlessness and lack of restraint. The result does not tend to set the mind at ease due to the fact that the concept is uneven and almost jumbled.
A better method is to group our three pictures in a single frame so that they count as a single unit large enough to dominate the entire wall surface, instead of the three isolated spots of the first arrangement. This method provides more continuity to the eye as opposed to the possibility of encouraging distraction or imbalance. The unity is achieved by grouping the pictures while variety is present in the pictures themselves.
One of the most flagrant examples of aiming for unity at the expense of variety is so often attributable to the announcements of retail stores selling "suites" of furniture. This inspires a rule of thumb that should be adhered to: No furniture of merit was ever made in "suites." This method of merchandising is an insult to the buyer, assuming that he or she is incapable of selecting pieces that differ from each other in detail, yet which are harmonious with the rest of the room’s pediment.
It is the result of mass production as well as a desire on the part of the retailer to sell more pieces than the buyer may need. There is no possible excuse for buying furniture in "suites" with the one exception of dining room chairs. It invariably produces an uninteresting and monotonous room expressing dullness or complete lack of thought.
By: Allison Ryan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
When striving for unity, the most important enemy to be wary of is monotony. A certain degree of variety is necessary in every work of art, and this quality can be obtained without sacrificing unity in any way. The easiest way to attain unity in the decoration of a room is to make everything the same color, to repeat the same forms of ornament throughout, and to limit variety of use by similarity of form; but nothing could be more monotonous and uninteresting.
Imagine a room where the walls, ceiling, floor, rugs, bar rails, and furniture were all of one color, where a single type of ornament was repeated throughout, and where all the members of the furniture were of the same size. Then imagine the same room, with the various elements altered so that the size of each is proportioned to its function, with new motives of decoration introduced in a reasonable number, and with a certain degree of color contrast introduced into the room and its fittings. Unity is not lost, but variety is obtained in place of monotony.
Although it may seem like a paradox at first sight, it is sometimes possible to gain in both variety and unity at the same time. The concepts of variety and unity are not necessarily at odds with each other and can sometimes complement one other if applied properly. Consider a wall with three pictures hanging on it, all of equal size and similar treatment.
The effect lacks variety, since the pictures are so similar; it also lacks unity, since there is no main focus of interest. But if we replace the center picture by a larger one, so that it dominates the group, we have gained in variety. When a guest enters the room, the array is more striking now that the pictures are now of different sizes. We have also gained in unity, since the dominant feature is now clearly shown.
Suppose we have no large picture at hand, and small glass picture frames instead. Can the same result be obtained in other ways? To attempt to add interest by varying the height of the pictures, which is done often, produces only a feeling of restlessness and lack of restraint. The result does not tend to set the mind at ease due to the fact that the concept is uneven and almost jumbled.
A better method is to group our three pictures in a single frame so that they count as a single unit large enough to dominate the entire wall surface, instead of the three isolated spots of the first arrangement. This method provides more continuity to the eye as opposed to the possibility of encouraging distraction or imbalance. The unity is achieved by grouping the pictures while variety is present in the pictures themselves.
One of the most flagrant examples of aiming for unity at the expense of variety is so often attributable to the announcements of retail stores selling "suites" of furniture. This inspires a rule of thumb that should be adhered to: No furniture of merit was ever made in "suites." This method of merchandising is an insult to the buyer, assuming that he or she is incapable of selecting pieces that differ from each other in detail, yet which are harmonious with the rest of the room’s pediment.
It is the result of mass production as well as a desire on the part of the retailer to sell more pieces than the buyer may need. There is no possible excuse for buying furniture in "suites" with the one exception of dining room chairs. It invariably produces an uninteresting and monotonous room expressing dullness or complete lack of thought.
By: Allison Ryan
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
A Better Front Door With Feng Shui: Training, Taming Energy Flow
A Better Front Door With Feng Shui: Training, Taming Energy Flow
The front door of your home is not only the focal point of your house; it’s where you, your family, and visitors regularly enter and exit your home, making it a major outlet of incoming and outgoing energy. Known as the “mouth of chi,” the main door is where the home absorbs much of its energy nourishment. But sometimes the architectural design over the entrance of your home presents a challenge for the flow of energy, which is when it’s time to consult a feng shui practitioner or take some feng shui classes to learn ways to slow down the energy once it comes into the door, focusing it and redirecting it to the rest of the house. For example, if the staircase to the upstairs or basement is located very close to the entrance and the foyer is small, a feng shui cure can help you rework the flow of energy so it doesn’t come in the door and quickly rush upstairs or downstairs, leaving the ground floor of your home without energy nourishment.
To learn how to slow down, focus, and guide energy, you may consider checking out a few feng shui classes in your area, whether you are interested in feng shui certification or just the information. You’ll learn that strategically placed items can help you work with the small foyer space that you have to keep energy on the ground floor when it comes in the entrance. A large vase with flowers or a houseplant, art, a piece of furniture, or a mirror can accomplish this purpose, although if you do decide to use a mirror it shouldn’t face the entrance directly, as this will push energy away and out of the home instead of into the home.
A main entrance with a small foyer and a staircase facing the door is only one of the architectural designs that could benefit from a consultation from a professional with feng shui training. Feng shui cures are often specific to an individual space and its needs, so a feng shui consultant will be able to improve the flow of chi in your home and will have the knowledge to use more advanced aspects of feng shui. Determining the bagua (feng shui energy map) of your home, for example, will produce a host of feng shui cures like painting the walls certain colors and other tactics that will support the five elements of feng shui.
A front door with good feng shui can have a remarkable effect on your health, success, and relationships by providing you and your family with nourishing energy that sustains every aspect of your life.
By: David Tang
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The front door of your home is not only the focal point of your house; it’s where you, your family, and visitors regularly enter and exit your home, making it a major outlet of incoming and outgoing energy. Known as the “mouth of chi,” the main door is where the home absorbs much of its energy nourishment. But sometimes the architectural design over the entrance of your home presents a challenge for the flow of energy, which is when it’s time to consult a feng shui practitioner or take some feng shui classes to learn ways to slow down the energy once it comes into the door, focusing it and redirecting it to the rest of the house. For example, if the staircase to the upstairs or basement is located very close to the entrance and the foyer is small, a feng shui cure can help you rework the flow of energy so it doesn’t come in the door and quickly rush upstairs or downstairs, leaving the ground floor of your home without energy nourishment.
To learn how to slow down, focus, and guide energy, you may consider checking out a few feng shui classes in your area, whether you are interested in feng shui certification or just the information. You’ll learn that strategically placed items can help you work with the small foyer space that you have to keep energy on the ground floor when it comes in the entrance. A large vase with flowers or a houseplant, art, a piece of furniture, or a mirror can accomplish this purpose, although if you do decide to use a mirror it shouldn’t face the entrance directly, as this will push energy away and out of the home instead of into the home.
A main entrance with a small foyer and a staircase facing the door is only one of the architectural designs that could benefit from a consultation from a professional with feng shui training. Feng shui cures are often specific to an individual space and its needs, so a feng shui consultant will be able to improve the flow of chi in your home and will have the knowledge to use more advanced aspects of feng shui. Determining the bagua (feng shui energy map) of your home, for example, will produce a host of feng shui cures like painting the walls certain colors and other tactics that will support the five elements of feng shui.
A front door with good feng shui can have a remarkable effect on your health, success, and relationships by providing you and your family with nourishing energy that sustains every aspect of your life.
By: David Tang
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Teak Furniture Care Instructions
Teak Furniture Care Instructions
Teak is a beautiful yet durable hardwood that has a variety of uses such as outdoor furniture, boat decks as well as other items that require weather and water resistance. Outdoor teak furniture is a beautiful addition to your garden or patio. Teak furniture is very durable which means that it does not succumb to the normal wear and tear that the elements may impose upon other outdoor furniture.
Teak, who's scientific name is tectona grandis, is native to Southeastern Asia. The terrain there is dry and displays undulating hills where the teak trees make their home. This hardwood resists rot, shrinking, swelling, and bending. It has a higher natural oil content and that is what preserves the wood, protecting it from mother nature and allowing it to be left outdoors for years, even decades.
Teak doesn't need a lot of maintenance, but there are a few items that you should do to keep your teak furniture in optimum condition.
Dirt and dampness can cause mildew and this can make your teak furniture look unattractive. Be aware of these conditions and clean your teak furniture accordingly. This is particularly important for garden teak furniture. You may clean your teak furniture with a mild soap and water as needed.
The best solution for cleaning your teak furniture, especially your patio teak furniture, is four units of laundry detergent or dishwasher soap and one unit of bleach. Use this solution with a soft bristled brush for the best outcome. A special teak cleaner will actually reduce the silver gray petina that teak wood will naturally show over time. If you get scratches in your teak furniture, use a fine grain sandpaper to remove them.
If you keep your teak bare and do not sand it, it will fade to a natural silver gray color over time. This transformation affects the color of the wood only and doesn't in any way affect the strength or durability of the wood. This is especially true for outdoor teak furniture that is constantly exposed to the weather.
If you wish to keep the golden brown color and smooth finish of the wood, then it is necessary to sand your teak wood from time to time. You may use teak oil and apply it to the wood to lengthen the period of time between sandings. However, if you choose to apply teak oil, you should do it every few months or whatever the instructions on the teak oil container indicate. If you want to keep your outdoor teak furniture looking new with the honey brown color and silky smooth finish, then some work will be required.
By: Patricia Woods
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Teak is a beautiful yet durable hardwood that has a variety of uses such as outdoor furniture, boat decks as well as other items that require weather and water resistance. Outdoor teak furniture is a beautiful addition to your garden or patio. Teak furniture is very durable which means that it does not succumb to the normal wear and tear that the elements may impose upon other outdoor furniture.
Teak, who's scientific name is tectona grandis, is native to Southeastern Asia. The terrain there is dry and displays undulating hills where the teak trees make their home. This hardwood resists rot, shrinking, swelling, and bending. It has a higher natural oil content and that is what preserves the wood, protecting it from mother nature and allowing it to be left outdoors for years, even decades.
Teak doesn't need a lot of maintenance, but there are a few items that you should do to keep your teak furniture in optimum condition.
Dirt and dampness can cause mildew and this can make your teak furniture look unattractive. Be aware of these conditions and clean your teak furniture accordingly. This is particularly important for garden teak furniture. You may clean your teak furniture with a mild soap and water as needed.
The best solution for cleaning your teak furniture, especially your patio teak furniture, is four units of laundry detergent or dishwasher soap and one unit of bleach. Use this solution with a soft bristled brush for the best outcome. A special teak cleaner will actually reduce the silver gray petina that teak wood will naturally show over time. If you get scratches in your teak furniture, use a fine grain sandpaper to remove them.
If you keep your teak bare and do not sand it, it will fade to a natural silver gray color over time. This transformation affects the color of the wood only and doesn't in any way affect the strength or durability of the wood. This is especially true for outdoor teak furniture that is constantly exposed to the weather.
If you wish to keep the golden brown color and smooth finish of the wood, then it is necessary to sand your teak wood from time to time. You may use teak oil and apply it to the wood to lengthen the period of time between sandings. However, if you choose to apply teak oil, you should do it every few months or whatever the instructions on the teak oil container indicate. If you want to keep your outdoor teak furniture looking new with the honey brown color and silky smooth finish, then some work will be required.
By: Patricia Woods
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Wrought Iron Furniture For Your Living Environment
Wrought Iron Furniture For Your Living Environment
Wrought iron is an excellent way to deliver the feel of the rustic outdoors or simple elegance, to the inside of your house. The worked iron collection make beautiful ornamental accents and durable, decorative furniture. The attractiveness of forged wrought iron is that it comes in many distinctive styles, shapes and sizes. It can be found in square, round and rectangles. Wrought iron can be used to decorate your home decor with such designs as welded scrolls, leaves and swirls.
A very popular form for wrought iron accenting is in the form of metal candle holders. You can choose from an array of distinctive styles in a metal candle stand. If wall space is accessible, you may select to have a wrought iron wall sconce placed. Or possibly you are searching for a formal feel in the use of a wrought iron candelabrum. There are many options of wrought iron candle sticks available on the market now.
Together with an array of sizes, low carbon composition wrought iron is also forged in a number of different sizes. With such elegance, wall spaces are quickly covered. Whether searching to group several tiny pieces or to point out one great piece, you are absolutely sure to locate a decorative element that will fit nicely in your space.
Searching to change the appearance of a certain room? You might want to decide to use the Blacksmith's wrought iron to add character. For example, you can noticeably alter the aspect of your dining room by adding a console constructed out of wrought iron. In order to complete the appearance of the room, you might want to decide to add a wrought iron light fixture hung over the dining room table. A light fixture can easily add style and character to the ambiance of any candle lit meal.
When decorating a smaller scaled room with decorative ironwork, select a candelabrum that has a smaller delicate style. However, when looking to decorate a much more vast room, contemplate a grand size candelabrum to really set off the openness of the room.
With the strength of wrought iron, assemble those black metal final touches to your garden or outdoor space. A wrought iron settee strategically set in a garden is not only charming, it enables admirers to relax and take in the breath taking appearance of the outdoors. Wrought iron decorations are also gorgeous accents for a garden. Wrought iron lawn furnishings that are heat treated with a flat black powder coating is perfect considering it will withstand the capacity of Mother Nature and maintain its beauty for countless years to come.
Designers are often searching for a crisp new method to brighten a home. Wrought iron is the guide to changing the look and feel of a certain space or your whole residence. With the durability and artful allure of wrought iron, one might decorate both the interior and exterior of your house. So the next time you are looking to add some modern or medieval character to your design technique, patio or living room, consider using wrought iron.
By: Matthew Lester
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Wrought iron is an excellent way to deliver the feel of the rustic outdoors or simple elegance, to the inside of your house. The worked iron collection make beautiful ornamental accents and durable, decorative furniture. The attractiveness of forged wrought iron is that it comes in many distinctive styles, shapes and sizes. It can be found in square, round and rectangles. Wrought iron can be used to decorate your home decor with such designs as welded scrolls, leaves and swirls.
A very popular form for wrought iron accenting is in the form of metal candle holders. You can choose from an array of distinctive styles in a metal candle stand. If wall space is accessible, you may select to have a wrought iron wall sconce placed. Or possibly you are searching for a formal feel in the use of a wrought iron candelabrum. There are many options of wrought iron candle sticks available on the market now.
Together with an array of sizes, low carbon composition wrought iron is also forged in a number of different sizes. With such elegance, wall spaces are quickly covered. Whether searching to group several tiny pieces or to point out one great piece, you are absolutely sure to locate a decorative element that will fit nicely in your space.
Searching to change the appearance of a certain room? You might want to decide to use the Blacksmith's wrought iron to add character. For example, you can noticeably alter the aspect of your dining room by adding a console constructed out of wrought iron. In order to complete the appearance of the room, you might want to decide to add a wrought iron light fixture hung over the dining room table. A light fixture can easily add style and character to the ambiance of any candle lit meal.
When decorating a smaller scaled room with decorative ironwork, select a candelabrum that has a smaller delicate style. However, when looking to decorate a much more vast room, contemplate a grand size candelabrum to really set off the openness of the room.
With the strength of wrought iron, assemble those black metal final touches to your garden or outdoor space. A wrought iron settee strategically set in a garden is not only charming, it enables admirers to relax and take in the breath taking appearance of the outdoors. Wrought iron decorations are also gorgeous accents for a garden. Wrought iron lawn furnishings that are heat treated with a flat black powder coating is perfect considering it will withstand the capacity of Mother Nature and maintain its beauty for countless years to come.
Designers are often searching for a crisp new method to brighten a home. Wrought iron is the guide to changing the look and feel of a certain space or your whole residence. With the durability and artful allure of wrought iron, one might decorate both the interior and exterior of your house. So the next time you are looking to add some modern or medieval character to your design technique, patio or living room, consider using wrought iron.
By: Matthew Lester
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Choosing The Right Cabinet Door For Your Kitchen
Choosing The Right Cabinet Door For Your Kitchen
The type of the cabinet door and its shape give you the texture and feel of the wood. However, it is missing the rhythm and harmony that can come from its color and other decorations that it may have. A light colored raised panel will give the kitchen a much different look and appeal than a darker flat slab. Each cabinet door has its own personality and it must be looked at as the centerpiece of your kitchen.
There are a variety of types of a cabinet door you can get. These can range from a recessed panel, raised panel, curved panel, beadboard panel, and even a black flat slab. While the type of the door is a large part in choosing the right cabinet door for your kitchen, there are a variety of other factors that must be taken into consideration when knowing how you want to decorate the cabinet door. The items that should be looked at are the color and type of stain, the wood veneer, the color of the paint, polyester, and glass.
The type of wood you have chosen and the color you want to get go hand in hand. Some forms of wood take lighter stains much better and can accent the wood much better. This is also true for mid-range and darker colors. If you wish to have a lighter color to your kitchen, your best bet is to go with something like ash, birch, elm, oak, or maple. If you wish to have that mid-range look, a nice cherry wood will do the trick. If you would like to have that darker look, maple is the best choice here.
You may have noticed that some of the woods were mentioned more than once up above. There is a madness put behind this. When you stain a wood it is much better to go from a lighter colored wood and make it dark. It is virtually impossible to go from a dark colored wood and go lighter. To use an analogy it is easer to take a white color and make it blue. It would be much harder, if not impossible, to take the color blue and make it white. Woods such as rosewood, teak, or mahogany are prime examples to use for a clear finish. These woods have a wonderful color and a great texture.
Wood veneer is made from peeling strips of wood off of a tree. When it is pulled off it is much thinner than the normal solid wood that is used in a normal cabinet door. This type of wood is usually applied to particleboard to give is strength. The result is the door costing much less. It also has a much more consistent grain since the wood was stripped in one piece. If this is something you have chosen for your cabinet doors, make sure that you have chosen a veneer that is of the same species as the rest of the cabinet.
There is almost and endless amount of things you can do with paint. There are a variety of colors that can be chosen as well as you having the ability to pick a different look and finish. You can go with a more distressed look or give the cabinet a worn out feel by sanding down the paint.
Polyester may not be one of the looks that you would have first thought of when doing your cabinet doors. It however has the same effect as it would on your car. You can get a glossy shiny finish that can be an asset to any kitchens looks and feel. This process involves a large number of steps as well as some steps that are rather difficult to achieve. You have to apply a layer in a dust-free environment to help achieve the shiny sheen. The only downside to choosing this approach is the obvious increase in the price.
Glass is another very common choice when picking what you would like to have your cabinets look like. With the glass you can add color to it as well as texture to the glass. You even have the ability to put a Warhammer mural on the glass if you so choose. This gives your cabinets that unique feel that is hard to duplicate in any kitchen.
There are a variety of choices that one has when choosing what to do with their cabinet doors in their kitchen. Stain, paint, and even glass are all wonderful choices to look at. Each one brings their own unique look and feel to the kitchen. Keep these wonderful choices in mind when looking to upgrade your kitchen cabinet doors.
By: Luke Anderson
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
The type of the cabinet door and its shape give you the texture and feel of the wood. However, it is missing the rhythm and harmony that can come from its color and other decorations that it may have. A light colored raised panel will give the kitchen a much different look and appeal than a darker flat slab. Each cabinet door has its own personality and it must be looked at as the centerpiece of your kitchen.
There are a variety of types of a cabinet door you can get. These can range from a recessed panel, raised panel, curved panel, beadboard panel, and even a black flat slab. While the type of the door is a large part in choosing the right cabinet door for your kitchen, there are a variety of other factors that must be taken into consideration when knowing how you want to decorate the cabinet door. The items that should be looked at are the color and type of stain, the wood veneer, the color of the paint, polyester, and glass.
The type of wood you have chosen and the color you want to get go hand in hand. Some forms of wood take lighter stains much better and can accent the wood much better. This is also true for mid-range and darker colors. If you wish to have a lighter color to your kitchen, your best bet is to go with something like ash, birch, elm, oak, or maple. If you wish to have that mid-range look, a nice cherry wood will do the trick. If you would like to have that darker look, maple is the best choice here.
You may have noticed that some of the woods were mentioned more than once up above. There is a madness put behind this. When you stain a wood it is much better to go from a lighter colored wood and make it dark. It is virtually impossible to go from a dark colored wood and go lighter. To use an analogy it is easer to take a white color and make it blue. It would be much harder, if not impossible, to take the color blue and make it white. Woods such as rosewood, teak, or mahogany are prime examples to use for a clear finish. These woods have a wonderful color and a great texture.
Wood veneer is made from peeling strips of wood off of a tree. When it is pulled off it is much thinner than the normal solid wood that is used in a normal cabinet door. This type of wood is usually applied to particleboard to give is strength. The result is the door costing much less. It also has a much more consistent grain since the wood was stripped in one piece. If this is something you have chosen for your cabinet doors, make sure that you have chosen a veneer that is of the same species as the rest of the cabinet.
There is almost and endless amount of things you can do with paint. There are a variety of colors that can be chosen as well as you having the ability to pick a different look and finish. You can go with a more distressed look or give the cabinet a worn out feel by sanding down the paint.
Polyester may not be one of the looks that you would have first thought of when doing your cabinet doors. It however has the same effect as it would on your car. You can get a glossy shiny finish that can be an asset to any kitchens looks and feel. This process involves a large number of steps as well as some steps that are rather difficult to achieve. You have to apply a layer in a dust-free environment to help achieve the shiny sheen. The only downside to choosing this approach is the obvious increase in the price.
Glass is another very common choice when picking what you would like to have your cabinets look like. With the glass you can add color to it as well as texture to the glass. You even have the ability to put a Warhammer mural on the glass if you so choose. This gives your cabinets that unique feel that is hard to duplicate in any kitchen.
There are a variety of choices that one has when choosing what to do with their cabinet doors in their kitchen. Stain, paint, and even glass are all wonderful choices to look at. Each one brings their own unique look and feel to the kitchen. Keep these wonderful choices in mind when looking to upgrade your kitchen cabinet doors.
By: Luke Anderson
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
How To Pick The Right TV Stand
How To Pick The Right TV Stand
There are many things to consider when you're looking for that perfect TV stand for your home. If you're having trouble then we suggest you read this article which will help you identify the key characteristics that you should look for, depending on what you want from your new TV stand.
When picking a TV stand you have to firstly make sure that it will be able to support your TV, if you pick a stand that is too small then you are taking a risk, it may fall off and break forcing you to buy a new TV. Check the dimensions of your TV before you spend anything on a TV stand.
It's always recommended that you buy one slightly bigger then your TV so you can house supplementary items around your TV such as speakers, lights, computer consoles or even plants to make it easier on the eyes.
When picking the stand you have to make sure that your TV won't hang over any of the edges as this could be a problem if your TV was to fall off. By ensuring that the stand is suitable to hold your TV it will save you a lot of time and money in the near future.
Always check the TV's weight (with and without stand) so that you can ensure the stand you're looking at will be able to support it safely. This factor may influence the material you need as some aluminium metals will not be able to hold heavy TV's but in today's world they are getting lighter and lighter.
Additional Features
There are certain factors that will make your life easier, TV stands with wheels will give you a big advantage if you want to move your TV around the room. By dragging it you may damage the floor and TV stand itself.
Many TV stands have adjustable shelves so you can house additional components onto it such as speakers, DVD players, plants and many more. If you're planning on adding equipment around your TV make sure your stand is capable of having shelves.
One that will make your TV area look better is the use of cable management. This is where all of the cables for your TV, DVD player and any other piece of equipment run making them hidden. This will make it look nice and tidy behind your home entertainment system.
Where should you buy your TV stand from?
Many people are beginning to buy TV stands off of the internet, this is because they can shop around the major stores in the comfort of their own home looking at all the different variations available.
You often get the best prices on the internet as they have promotional deals on selected stock. This is because they can cut down on the bills compared to having a static shop that has to pay for staff, utility bills, rent, etc.
Static shops have a very limited amount of space so you will not have the facilities to see a great deal of variations, therefore limiting your options. One of the advantages of buying from static shops is that in the event of any problems you can take it back easier without having to deal with posting it anywhere.
Be sure to shop around to get the best price so that you get complete value for money.
By: Donna
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
There are many things to consider when you're looking for that perfect TV stand for your home. If you're having trouble then we suggest you read this article which will help you identify the key characteristics that you should look for, depending on what you want from your new TV stand.
When picking a TV stand you have to firstly make sure that it will be able to support your TV, if you pick a stand that is too small then you are taking a risk, it may fall off and break forcing you to buy a new TV. Check the dimensions of your TV before you spend anything on a TV stand.
It's always recommended that you buy one slightly bigger then your TV so you can house supplementary items around your TV such as speakers, lights, computer consoles or even plants to make it easier on the eyes.
When picking the stand you have to make sure that your TV won't hang over any of the edges as this could be a problem if your TV was to fall off. By ensuring that the stand is suitable to hold your TV it will save you a lot of time and money in the near future.
Always check the TV's weight (with and without stand) so that you can ensure the stand you're looking at will be able to support it safely. This factor may influence the material you need as some aluminium metals will not be able to hold heavy TV's but in today's world they are getting lighter and lighter.
Additional Features
There are certain factors that will make your life easier, TV stands with wheels will give you a big advantage if you want to move your TV around the room. By dragging it you may damage the floor and TV stand itself.
Many TV stands have adjustable shelves so you can house additional components onto it such as speakers, DVD players, plants and many more. If you're planning on adding equipment around your TV make sure your stand is capable of having shelves.
One that will make your TV area look better is the use of cable management. This is where all of the cables for your TV, DVD player and any other piece of equipment run making them hidden. This will make it look nice and tidy behind your home entertainment system.
Where should you buy your TV stand from?
Many people are beginning to buy TV stands off of the internet, this is because they can shop around the major stores in the comfort of their own home looking at all the different variations available.
You often get the best prices on the internet as they have promotional deals on selected stock. This is because they can cut down on the bills compared to having a static shop that has to pay for staff, utility bills, rent, etc.
Static shops have a very limited amount of space so you will not have the facilities to see a great deal of variations, therefore limiting your options. One of the advantages of buying from static shops is that in the event of any problems you can take it back easier without having to deal with posting it anywhere.
Be sure to shop around to get the best price so that you get complete value for money.
By: Donna
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Tips How To Install Ceramic Wall Tile in Your Bathroom
Tips How To Install Ceramic Wall Tile in Your Bathroom
Installing ceramic wall tile in your bathroom is not that difficult. A little patience and dedication will get you a long way when installing that dream ceramic tile bathroom wall you've always wanted to have.
Before you begin to install ceramic wall tile, get your tiling tools together. You will need the following tools for this project: A tape measure, a tile cutter and a pair of tile nippers and a pair of pliers, tile spacers, sandpaper, a trowel (preferably notched) and a rubber grout float. To install ceramic wall tile on your bathroom walls properly, you will also need a strong setting material like tiling thinset mortar, or any of a wide selection of tile adhesives. You will also need tiling grout for filling in the gaps between your tiles. Make sure to match your setting material color with your grout.
A bucket, rags and sponges will also be needed for cleaning your tiles of excess grout and other debris, after you're all done. And don't start to install ceramic wall tile without these essentials: You will also need a pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes (broken shards, and other debris can cause nasty cuts, if you are not careful). Ready to start on your dream ceramic bathroom wall? Follow the tiling instructions below and make your ceramic tiled bathroom wall and start tiling!
Start by finding the center of your wall. Use a carpenter's level, or long pieces of plumb to mark intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. These will be your reference lines for your tiling work. Where both lines intersect is the starting point for your first row of ceramic tiles. From that point, you may then be able to working your way to both ends of your bathroom wall. Make regular checks when you install ceramic wall tile, so that your tiling work is consistent and does run up or down in a slanting direction.
You could be working on either one of the two kinds of bathroom walls. One is the common concrete wall, and the other is a special type of called a green drywall. A green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms and showers because it is designed to resist moisture intrusion. Be sure that you clean your walls of dust and debris, as well as repair cracks and fill in gaps and holes. Roughen up or scarify your wall so that your tiling mortar has some grip for bonding. That way, when you begin to install ceramic wall tile on your walls, you won't have a problem with your tiling mortar or bonding material.
After laying out your wall, you may now begin to your install ceramic wall tile. Start at your reference lines' intersection point. Apply a coat of tiling thinset mortar. Place your tile over it and press the tile down firmly in place. Give it a twisting motion to set it in place. Stop pressing when you feel your tile has set and is no longer wobbly. Duplicate this procedure with the rest of your ceramic tiles. To get a consistent tiling, place tile spacers on all the spaces between your ceramic bathroom tiles. Don't forget to check your work every now and then.
When you reach the end of your row, the space left may not be enough for the full size of your ceramic tiles. Use a tile cutter to get your tile under the right size. Then, smoothen the cut edge with sandpaper. Be careful: The edge of a cut ceramic bathroom tile is very sharp. For irregular, use your tile nippers. First draw an outline of the irregular and etch a line alonng it. Then, use your tile nipper to break off the unuseable edges, until you have required shape. Do this a little at a time, so you can control your tile nipping. Don't forget to sand the edges over.
Leave the tiles to settle overnight, at the very least, or twenty-four hours, at the most. After this setting period, it's time to lay in your grout. There are two main kinds of grout: Sanded or unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a mixture of cement, water and fine sand. Unsanded grout is any of a wide selection of polymer-based and epoxy resin adhesive grout used to install ceramic wall tile. If your tile spaces are more than an eighth of an inch wide, use sanded grout. For smaller tile spaces, use unsanded grout. Start by map out your bathroom wall and work one section at a time. To maximize your grout application, angle your rubber grout float and press down firmly as you spread it over the tile spaces. Check for pockets of air. Dab these spaces with more grout lining by using the edges of your grout float. Use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess grout. Rinse your sponge regularly so you can get a cleaner and better finish. Let your grout dry for a day and then take a dry piece of cloth and clean and buff your tiles.
Before you know it, you're done! Follow these instruction on how install ceramic wall tile, and don't forget that ceramic tiling takes some dedication and patience. Take your time and don't rush your work. When you install ceramic wall tile, the key is consistency and patience. Ceramic tiles that have been rushed will ruin your bathroom's overall look. A bathroom wall with ceramic tiles that run in haphazard inconsistent zigzag lines is not a beautiful thing to look at. And worse, it would only mean that you lack enthusiasm for what you're doing and that you haven't given it your effort.
By: Rashel Dan
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
Installing ceramic wall tile in your bathroom is not that difficult. A little patience and dedication will get you a long way when installing that dream ceramic tile bathroom wall you've always wanted to have.
Before you begin to install ceramic wall tile, get your tiling tools together. You will need the following tools for this project: A tape measure, a tile cutter and a pair of tile nippers and a pair of pliers, tile spacers, sandpaper, a trowel (preferably notched) and a rubber grout float. To install ceramic wall tile on your bathroom walls properly, you will also need a strong setting material like tiling thinset mortar, or any of a wide selection of tile adhesives. You will also need tiling grout for filling in the gaps between your tiles. Make sure to match your setting material color with your grout.
A bucket, rags and sponges will also be needed for cleaning your tiles of excess grout and other debris, after you're all done. And don't start to install ceramic wall tile without these essentials: You will also need a pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes (broken shards, and other debris can cause nasty cuts, if you are not careful). Ready to start on your dream ceramic bathroom wall? Follow the tiling instructions below and make your ceramic tiled bathroom wall and start tiling!
Start by finding the center of your wall. Use a carpenter's level, or long pieces of plumb to mark intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. These will be your reference lines for your tiling work. Where both lines intersect is the starting point for your first row of ceramic tiles. From that point, you may then be able to working your way to both ends of your bathroom wall. Make regular checks when you install ceramic wall tile, so that your tiling work is consistent and does run up or down in a slanting direction.
You could be working on either one of the two kinds of bathroom walls. One is the common concrete wall, and the other is a special type of called a green drywall. A green drywall is specifically designed for use in bathrooms and showers because it is designed to resist moisture intrusion. Be sure that you clean your walls of dust and debris, as well as repair cracks and fill in gaps and holes. Roughen up or scarify your wall so that your tiling mortar has some grip for bonding. That way, when you begin to install ceramic wall tile on your walls, you won't have a problem with your tiling mortar or bonding material.
After laying out your wall, you may now begin to your install ceramic wall tile. Start at your reference lines' intersection point. Apply a coat of tiling thinset mortar. Place your tile over it and press the tile down firmly in place. Give it a twisting motion to set it in place. Stop pressing when you feel your tile has set and is no longer wobbly. Duplicate this procedure with the rest of your ceramic tiles. To get a consistent tiling, place tile spacers on all the spaces between your ceramic bathroom tiles. Don't forget to check your work every now and then.
When you reach the end of your row, the space left may not be enough for the full size of your ceramic tiles. Use a tile cutter to get your tile under the right size. Then, smoothen the cut edge with sandpaper. Be careful: The edge of a cut ceramic bathroom tile is very sharp. For irregular, use your tile nippers. First draw an outline of the irregular and etch a line alonng it. Then, use your tile nipper to break off the unuseable edges, until you have required shape. Do this a little at a time, so you can control your tile nipping. Don't forget to sand the edges over.
Leave the tiles to settle overnight, at the very least, or twenty-four hours, at the most. After this setting period, it's time to lay in your grout. There are two main kinds of grout: Sanded or unsanded grout. Sanded grout is a mixture of cement, water and fine sand. Unsanded grout is any of a wide selection of polymer-based and epoxy resin adhesive grout used to install ceramic wall tile. If your tile spaces are more than an eighth of an inch wide, use sanded grout. For smaller tile spaces, use unsanded grout. Start by map out your bathroom wall and work one section at a time. To maximize your grout application, angle your rubber grout float and press down firmly as you spread it over the tile spaces. Check for pockets of air. Dab these spaces with more grout lining by using the edges of your grout float. Use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess grout. Rinse your sponge regularly so you can get a cleaner and better finish. Let your grout dry for a day and then take a dry piece of cloth and clean and buff your tiles.
Before you know it, you're done! Follow these instruction on how install ceramic wall tile, and don't forget that ceramic tiling takes some dedication and patience. Take your time and don't rush your work. When you install ceramic wall tile, the key is consistency and patience. Ceramic tiles that have been rushed will ruin your bathroom's overall look. A bathroom wall with ceramic tiles that run in haphazard inconsistent zigzag lines is not a beautiful thing to look at. And worse, it would only mean that you lack enthusiasm for what you're doing and that you haven't given it your effort.
By: Rashel Dan
Article Source: http://www.live-article.com
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