Archive for June, 2011
Build Yourself a Functional Storage Shed
In case of every house there are a lot of things that you have to find storage space for, especially in case you have a garden and you are looking for a place to store the gardening tools in. A very good solution might be to build a storage shed.
The first thing that you will have to do is to create the foundation. In the majority of the cases it is enough to have an on-grade foundation made of concrete blocks or pressure-treated wood timbers. Place these on the ground. Avoid building a shed in a low-lying area to protect the foundation against erosion. Also remember that the larger sheds require permanent foundations.
You have to think about air circulation too. The water could make the wood rot, ruining your shed. This is why the lowest wood part, the mudsill, should be at least six inches above the ground. There should be a distance of at least 2-3 feet between the shed and the vegetation, like trees and shrubs to keep the shed dry. This way it will also be easier to paint and repair the shed if needed.
Decorating Trials You Can Take on a Weekend
Have you ever felt the need for a change? I guess you did. Sometimes people feel that they need something new, but they can’t point out what they need. A very easy way to make a change in a short time is to make a change in your home.
There are numerous small projects that you could finish in a couple of days and they would have a high impact on your mood.
One of the quickest projects is the changing of the colors of the bedroom walls. The new color will add personality to the room, and it might be finished in a really short time. Also on this occasion you might also change the bedding to match the new color, and you will see that the room will get a whole new feeling.
Every item is interesting while it is new, but after some time you will get bored of it, and this means that there is need for a change. For example you could start with the curtains. It might not be enough to change their color.
Porch Renovation – A Summer Sweet Challenge
One of the best things about having a family house is that you have the possibility to have a porch. There are many things to do with it and there is nothing better than to be sitting on the porch on a warm summer night.
One of the things that you have to start with is to determine whether it is big enough for you. In case it isn’t, you could enlarge it as a quick summer project. Nonetheless sometimes a small porch is enough as well to spend some quality time outdoors.
Another thing that you have to consider is whether it is open or closed. A closed porch is just as great because you can enjoy the fresh air without having to worry about bugs or any other unwanted visitors. The screened porches do need some maintenance because the screens may break, the wood could rot and the painting could chip.
If you would like to make sure that you can use the porch all year round, think about changing the panels for glass, and in this case you could use it during the winter as well.
15 Outdoor Shower Designs for a Refreshing Summer Shower
– Just a look at them will cool your eyes!
Showering is perhaps one of the most basic activities anybody does daily. With the summer here and all the heat in the air, it feels natural to want to shower outside. Also, you can install vanity sinks outside for convenience.
Come, have a look at the coolest shower designs that make showering an exclusive experience.
1. Shower Wave
Designerzeit has a unique new outdoor shower. Designed for use by a pool, the Wave brings a touch of the contemporary outdoor art world right to your poolside.
Now the kids can wash off the sweat and dirt from playing in the yard before getting it in your pool. With Shower Wave, you can turn your ordinary pool into an extraordinary one.
2. Cascade Shower
The Cascade outdoor shower is versatile, functional and aesthetically pleasing. It features a base made from acacia wood that makes it comfortable to stand on.
There is a tube connected to the base that carries water to another, horizontal tube which then drops the water down onto you in a waterfall like style.
Expert’s Advice: Make the Room More Comfortable for Summer
When summer comes, people usually change their wardrobe, follow the new trends and make plans for the summer holiday. There are some other things as well that you should consider when preparing for the summer, such as making some changes around the house.
If you would like to make your home more ‘summer friendly’, you should know that one of the most important elements that you will have to think about are the lights. The best solution is to have several lamps around the room, so that the light won’t come from overhead. This way the room will become cozier and warmer.
Side tables also represent a nice addition to a room. A lot of people don’t think that they are significant, but they offer a place for everybody to place their drinks. Coasters are also nice to add, because they are inviting the guests to have a drink since they don’t have to worry about whether it is safe to put down the glass.
In case of the kitchen you should be thinking about a table that makes you feel comfortable and that in the same time is functional. You might consider those tables that come with drawers so that you have a place to hide the flatware and the napkins.
From Bookcase to Stylish Room Accents
A bare and unfinished bookcase might be everything that you need in order to get the bookcase that you always wanted. There are numerous ways in which you could improve the look of a plain bookcase and make your very own vision be responsible for a spectacular new piece of stylish or functional furniture.
You might start with a plain bookcase, one that has a strong architectural profile, due to the crown molding and fluted trim. To realize the makeover, the first step is to give the bookcase the color that you want it to have. The stylish look suggests in this case a dark ebony gel stain finish. A shade might offer a unique look to the bookcase.
Try to find one that has the right size to fit inside the frame. The shade should have a decorative pull in a brighter color than the bookcase itself. Storage bins can also be really decorative and add a plus to the bookcase. You might see that the end result is nothing like the original, the whole ensemble becoming a creative touch catching the eye of anyone entering the room.
Small Dining Room Solution for a Trendy Life
We would all like to have a nice place to eat, but in the majority of the cases there isn’t enough space in the house to add a spacious dining room, so we have to settle for what we have. This doesn’t mean that we can’t eat in style. All there is need for is some creativity and a little time to do everything.
As an idea, you could add a custom banquette, for example a bench style seating. Add a table and four chairs, and the banquette will fit in just perfectly offering you the comfort that you need while drinking your morning coffee or having family dinner.
If you don’t have a lot of space, you should create the illusion that you do through adding some curves. Think about the round dining tables that are stylish and in the same time they make economy of space.
Also these offer you the possibility to have more guests around the table because there are no legs to knock knees against. Another good idea regarding the round tables is to get a glass table top for it.
Installing a Ceiling Fan for the Hot Summer Days
A ceiling fan seems to be something simple, but on the hot summer days it might make all the difference to the climate of your home. There are some steps that you have to follow in order to install the ceiling fan on your own.
The first thing you have to do is to turn off the electricity and only then should you handle electric wires. Next you should find the right spot of the fan. If you would like it to hang from the middle of the ceiling, draw diagonal lines from the opposite corners of the room to find the center.
The first thing to install is the junction box. Make a hole big enough for the junction box to fit in and in case it is next to the joist, drill some holes on the side of it and screw it to the joist. When handling ceiling fans the only junction box that you should use is the metal one. Never use those made of plastic because they aren’t as resistant as the metal ones.
In case you have to work with beamed ceiling, you should rather use special beam mount. You will need one kind of beam mount for the horizontal beam and another kind for the pitched beam.
Flea Market – The Treasure Chest of Vintage Décor
The flea market is filled with numerous items that some consider as garbage, but which in the same time represent true treasures for others. You don’t have to think big but rather keep an eye out for the smaller objects that you could use around the house as decorative elements.
These elements can look ordinary but with a drop of creativity they can become the key notes of vintage décor style.
For example you can look for some little birds that you could use as recurring decorative items. You could paint them in different colors and a good idea is to glue them to the wall, or put them on tables as simple decorative elements. Also you might find some letters to add to the walls spelling a word dear to your heart.
If you find some small items that you would like to have, a great place to display them is the bookcase, along with the items that you have already in there. For this special purpose you can consider bowls, vintage book ends and other smaller items to help the books keep in place and add some vintage air to a boring bookcase.
Manor House Fireplaces
Standing as proof that fireplaces will always be perceived as a elegant, timeless feature of any interior, Manor House Fireplaces offers a comprehensive range of all types of fires, as well as numerous services guaranteed to eliminate any stress or concern related to their installation and maintenance.
The company’s excellent products, services and good name have persisted through more than three decades, resulting in a long, trustworthy expertise.
Fireplaces
Drawing inspiration from classic models as well as contemporary tendencies, these fireplaces come in three main variations: marble, stone and cast iron, each with their particular styling details. In addition to being undeniably charming, they are also versatile, as most suit various appliances.
Stoves
Understanding the demand for diversity and people’s distinctive tastes, Manor House Fireplaces sells all types of including: wood burning stoves, cassettes, multi fuel, gas and electric. From the unmistakable appeal of traditional, genuine wood burning stoves to the impressive and innovative visual effects of electric ones, there is an abundance of products to choose from.
Appliances
