tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114769752024-02-06T21:46:13.304-08:00Landfair on FurnitureBev & Mike comment on a furniture, fabrics and accessories of interest to interior designers and their clients in Portland, Oregon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-57277951326672549692019-09-12T15:27:00.000-07:002019-09-12T15:34:10.954-07:00How to Make Your House Look Sophisticated on a Budget<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFKv2Wyqz4rN7L2xptt8VdiBHF4i8cZ_g9jcj9hreKLo1UWZ0slJKFeLTUKb1BhHG1ZozEBS61guwOIgjUWSnArs9ClsPhOqRHWdM7_kea4w-Rgd1if06YHBn425HVQPMsHBcIQ/s1600/1A2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFKv2Wyqz4rN7L2xptt8VdiBHF4i8cZ_g9jcj9hreKLo1UWZ0slJKFeLTUKb1BhHG1ZozEBS61guwOIgjUWSnArs9ClsPhOqRHWdM7_kea4w-Rgd1if06YHBn425HVQPMsHBcIQ/s400/1A2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A home is a place of sanctuary from the busy day-to-day routine of work. You want your home to feel as comfortable and elegant as possible. However, you may not have the means to spend an extravagant amount on updating your home. Luckily, there are inexpensive ways to make your house stand out. Here are some tips to help make your home look sophisticated on a budget. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Declutter Your Home</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With a busy schedule between career and family, it can be hard to get rid of things you don’t need at home. What you can do is start following a schedule for vacuuming, dusting, recycling, or just donating. The free space not only makes your home feel more sophisticated, it can give you a peace of mind as well. The general decor feels livelier and accessories will start to </span><a href="https://freshome.com/2014/12/29/10-ways-to-make-your-home-look-elegant-on-a-budget/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">stand out</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Right Furniture </span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Furniture can make or break a room with a lot of space. Luckily, you have different consignment shops, secondhand stores, and even estate sales that can help you keep the costs down. Also, you may be able to shop online to find good deals that can enhance your bedroom. Invest your money in one large statement piece of furniture to create the illusion that each room is larger than it actually is. A great example of this is to buy a </span><a href="https://www.mattressnerd.com/best-luxury-mattresses/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">large luxury bed </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">instead of having lots of small pieces of furniture that can make you room seem small and cluttered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Better Lightning</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lighting can be pricey depending on your look. However, you have a number of cost-effective choices. You can be a bit eco-friendlier, for example, by using lights that use </span><a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">energy</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> more efficiently. Adding lights that detect motion gives your home a modern aesthetic as well and they’ll turn off when someone isn’t in the room. You can even have lights that dim to lessen the amount of energy used, which can help you save money on your electric bill. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Upgrade Your Hardware</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You don’t always have to go out and buy a new refrigerator or washer and dryer. There are smaller things you can do inside the house that will give your home an updated feel. For example, you can add towel rack to your bathroom or perhaps put a new</span><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/diy-before-you-buy" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> coat of paint</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> on your kitchen cabinets. These small changes really enhance the look and feel of different sections of the house without digging deep into your pockets. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Putting in Hardwood Floors</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">While you might be thinking that </span><a href="https://www.build.com/benefits-of-wood-flooring/a21744" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">hardwood floors</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> are expensive, they aren’t as costly as they might initially seem. You can find quality hardwood that’s relatively inexpensive, such as birch and oak. It gives your home a classic and elegant look. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about vacuuming or cleaning stains out of the carpet – it’s much easier to maintain a hardwood floor. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These are some tips to help you add some elegance to your home without emptying your bank account. That means that you don’t have to sacrifice your savings for some quality aesthetic. Surrounding yourself with décor that you love can help you feel more peace and tranquility in your humble abode, so start looking for reasonable options today!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-42137802392354343192019-03-25T11:03:00.000-07:002019-03-25T11:03:26.421-07:008 Ways To Cleanse Your Home After A Breakup <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN">By Stephanie James<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONuNEyAo6VRg8dcp1l4ThWUUAwT1LNEA8xat48kpSdAbIAcw6wSL3qdKzvubZu3Zzptazt7ArdNmKaMIjLBVDBLfITwWD7xR9cxKAG4f2xzX8kQQjWMyKSNIQI-b2gvRiXudW0Q/s1600/7A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="350" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONuNEyAo6VRg8dcp1l4ThWUUAwT1LNEA8xat48kpSdAbIAcw6wSL3qdKzvubZu3Zzptazt7ArdNmKaMIjLBVDBLfITwWD7xR9cxKAG4f2xzX8kQQjWMyKSNIQI-b2gvRiXudW0Q/s320/7A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Calling it quits in a relationship is tough for a number of reasons. You’re not just breaking up with your partner, but saying goodbye to all of the bad energy that filled your house prior to, or during, the breakup. You don’t have to cut your hair, move to another country, or do anything out of left field. The goal is simple; to refresh and renew your life, and your headspace. For a fresh start, it’s important to have a clean space and mind. Below are a few cleansing tips to jump-start your breakup recovery! <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The last thing you want in your home are pictures of your ex, reminding you of the good, the bad, and the ugly, in what’s supposed to be your safe haven. You may be tempted to <a href="https://www.elitedaily.com/dating/girls-burn-ex-stuff-crazy/1776110"><span style="color: #1155cc;">burn all of your old pictures</span></a> featuring your ex, but before you do this, find new ones to replace them with right away. So instead of burning old photos and leaving an empty space in not just your heart, but on your walls, you can instantly replace them with photos that remind you of good times and memories! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Sage the place<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You may have heard of <a href="https://www.wellandgood.com/good-home/how-to-sage-your-home-correctly/slide/2/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">sage</span></a>, or used smudging tactics before. It’s an ancient Native American ritual used to cleanse and purify your space after encountering bad energy. However, the practice is now commonly used for ringing in the New Year, spring cleaning, and just when your space needs a positive boost! What you do is burn a sage stick and visit all rooms in your home, while waving the stick in the air like you’re ringing a bell. After the smoke clears, the energy in your home should be neutralized, giving you the positivity that you, and your home, need for recovery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This might be the time to do a little cleaning. The reasoning behind this is because having a clean house makes you more relaxed, and <a href="https://www.mattressadvisor.com/mattress-reviews/"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">even sleep better</span></a>. Additionally, going through a breakup may put your body through more physical and emotional stress, ultimately lowering your immune system. Having a clean space with lower the risk of illness when you’re going through this time. Trust me; you’ll need all your energy to get back out there on the dating field! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Often times, different smells take you back to a certain time, feeling or memory. <b> </b>Because of this, you might want to think about replacing the candles in your home! That way you don’t feel drawn to the past and can focus on moving on. Another reason to stock up on candles is that they are great tools for relaxation, and promoting self-care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> 5. Decorate With Himalayan Salt Lamps<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">You’ve probably seen the new-agey and trendy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Himalayan-Glow-1002-Pink-Crystal/dp/B001892AX2"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Himalayan Salt Lamps</span></a> around recently — they’re everywhere! These lamps, made from pieces of Himalayan salt crystals, not only add a tasteful and trendy touch to your home decor, but they are great for cleansing your home because they produce negative ions which promote better air quality and may protect you against airborne germs! Try placing a Himalayan Salt Lamp in every room — Bonus: The warm light is great for relaxation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">6. Replace Your Mattress<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">While the general rule of thumb is to switch out your mattress every 7- 8 years, you might expedite this after a breakup and consider getting a <a href="https://www.mattressadvisor.com/best-mattress-guide/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">new mattress</span></a>. For many couples, the bedroom is a place to connect and feel safe with your partner. If your bedroom isn’t giving you the same vibes as it did before, or even just in the spirit of cleaning and cleansing, try treating yourself to new sheets or a mattress — whatever will help you sleep at night! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Get A New Place<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Maybe you’ve tried cleansing, replacing photos, salt lamps, etc., and you can’t escape the memories with your ex in your home, and you’re having a hard time moving on. It’s okay to pack up and move! If you think that having a place to call completely your own will help you heal and (quite literally) move on during this process, then go for it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Fill Your Home With New Memories</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></li>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Now that your living space is cleansed, and hopefully your mind is clearer too, start making new memories! Recovery from a tough break up won’t happen overnight, but it’s important to fill your life with positivity and the people you care about most. Maybe host the next girls night, dinner party or football viewing party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-55974401310763994972018-05-17T10:06:00.000-07:002018-05-17T10:06:09.580-07:00What is the Difference Between Wicker and Rattan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcE3M7BRJEqudd0_ln-BxO4MjAxhlQQJs-m5uwOcXD5lshVEN6ZUW_V3C2VgV0Tr7oOgqqXVpGx3CU9F6C3wD2YSDlBPJysuG22F4gRj5yD0jmL1CeYP7eujMXO63YHVChfzFNg/s1600/What-is-the-difference-between-wicker-and-rattan-furniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="460" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcE3M7BRJEqudd0_ln-BxO4MjAxhlQQJs-m5uwOcXD5lshVEN6ZUW_V3C2VgV0Tr7oOgqqXVpGx3CU9F6C3wD2YSDlBPJysuG22F4gRj5yD0jmL1CeYP7eujMXO63YHVChfzFNg/s400/What-is-the-difference-between-wicker-and-rattan-furniture.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Ask many interior designers and
furniture salespeople what is the
difference between wicker and rattan, and
you will get puzzled looks. Many think the terms are interchangeable. Not so fast grasshopper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">W</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">icker</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is not a material. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">There is no
material on Earth called wicker. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Wicker is an a</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">ncient technique</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> or process</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> used to manufacture items out of natural materials, such as
willow, rush, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">bamboo,
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">rattan</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">, and synthetic resins</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. The natural materials are made wet so that they can be easily
woven to create wicker</span><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">design furniture pieces.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"> Some
manufacturers may use the phrase cane furniture in place of either rattan or
wicker furniture. Loomed wicker is another type of wicker furniture. As the
name suggests, loomed wicker is made mechanically. It uses tightly twisted Hemp
paper that looks like rope. This rope-like
material is then woven by the machine into a wicker fabric. The loomed wicker
material is then coated completely on both sides with a flexible latex paint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Rattan is a specific natural
material.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> Unlike the bamboo pole which is hollow, rattan boasts a
strong core and is thus durable and even hard to break. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In its original form, rattan
is a relative of the tropical palm tree. Rattan starts to grow upwards like a tree but then bends back to the ground and
snakes through the rainforest like a
vine. After a few years of growth, the rattan vines can be as long as 500 feet.
When harvested they are cut into 12 to 18-foot
sections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The solid core
of rattan along with vertical grains is generally steamed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">and then bent into the desired shape through the use of
specialized shapers. Once the rattan has dried, it will retain its shape
forever. </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The outside skin of the
rattan pole, which is the peel, is generally used to bind the furniture joints
together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Rattan vines may also be peeled
mechanically to form thin slats for weaving. The curved outer layer is also
used as a decorative trim to hide the rough seams created by the wicker
process. The rattan poles can also be put into a machine that cuts the
rattan lengthwise into spaghetti-like
shapes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Rattan is considered to be one of
the strongest woods available since its
grain grows vertically instead of forming the concentric rings of most other
hardwoods. </span><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">With over
600 different species, Rattan </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">comes in a variety of natural
colors, and the color is dependent on the
soils where the rattan grows, generally in Southeast Asia. That means that
no two pieces of wicker furniture made from rattan are alike.</span><span style="background: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> Rattan
has been used for furniture because it is lightweight, durable, flexible, and
attractive. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">At <span style="background: white;">Wicker
Home & Patio Furniture, </span>we offer 20 different frame finishes that
will fit with any décor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Rattan furniture is best used
indoors. Sun and rain are hard on rattan if it spends too much time outside.
For the outdoors, we invite you to look at our outdoor wicker furniture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-50676217921365827602018-04-19T07:22:00.003-07:002018-04-19T07:46:54.259-07:00Luxury Vinyl Tile - The Most Resilient Bathroom Flooring<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJ3m0Bps9kcmKdWnXhV6ifYHLnjoGjt9_gFgCo0plI5jtymbwGfDuKnj9MjwtdrKOXaf17Da4hYAoCxvQkNSiqu9R5Fwn-fUzCY8B6bGEokmpMNM1OkuMVBMe2NC4pnsiCPtaiA/s1600/Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-The-Best-Bathroom-Flooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJ3m0Bps9kcmKdWnXhV6ifYHLnjoGjt9_gFgCo0plI5jtymbwGfDuKnj9MjwtdrKOXaf17Da4hYAoCxvQkNSiqu9R5Fwn-fUzCY8B6bGEokmpMNM1OkuMVBMe2NC4pnsiCPtaiA/s400/Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-The-Best-Bathroom-Flooring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Luxury Vinyl Tile - the most resilient bathroom flooring material. Since flooring is one of the foundational materials required for renovations or new construction, it should be given significant importance for your bathroom. The flooring in your bathroom should also be equally beautiful and pull together all of the style and colors of your entire home while being a flooring material that is extremely resilient, durable and makes your floor maintenance a cinch. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first considerations for bathroom flooring are usually focused on a few important areas; the style, the color and of course the associated cost for the product itself, including the often hidden installation expenses. But did you know that there are a few other things that you should include as well? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Design and style frequently drive the choice of flooring; however, bathroom flooring considerations such as shape, length, width, textures, moisture performance, installation requirements and durability are also some of the most important items that can impact your flooring choices. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now, I realize that's quite a bit to take in when you just want the final outcome to be the perfect bathroom and a pocketbook that isn’t completely drained. So you will be excited to know that there is flooring material that will help overcome all of these considerations but can give you something unexpected as well, long-lasting flooring for your bathroom that can withstand the most extreme moisture conditions.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrggrTg-J5jACw1gJrg1Cj9yTARhibo0Y078FWxS8Y0XNGmQOX9TWQCwIaOqL2RFZwxA7NRJdJunlbLsPVKM1iBgSOQDPVtKeV6oIN0iVdo7_r2lfEDwOo75GIkPXcCZwroY8Sw/s1600/ArtisanFloorsFir-LVT-Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-Floors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrggrTg-J5jACw1gJrg1Cj9yTARhibo0Y078FWxS8Y0XNGmQOX9TWQCwIaOqL2RFZwxA7NRJdJunlbLsPVKM1iBgSOQDPVtKeV6oIN0iVdo7_r2lfEDwOo75GIkPXcCZwroY8Sw/s400/ArtisanFloorsFir-LVT-Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-Floors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/luxury-vinyl-tile-lvt/"><span style="color: navy;">Luxury Vinyl Tile</span></a> (LVT), or sometimes called (EVP) - engineered vinyl plank or luxury vinyl flooring can be a kid proof, pet proof, waterproof and even scratch proof flooring solution, depending on the brand you choose. LVT can also have the highest noise reduction rating compared to other flooring options out there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">This flooring material is a dead ringer for the look and feel of solid, natural hardwood flooring. The variety of species, colors, textures, and price will appeal to any design aficionado and/or savvy homeowner. The range of style and plank/tile sizes for LVT vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so we carry multiple hundreds of LVT options to ensure our customers have a wide selection of the best flooring options to choose from.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQaJPKPx7FsQZeDQrM_wk8l5jYq9qVYzl7o6Z8P9vOwx_6-5axkR2JbmYu9AcfMOUVh_je64EQXF4qb2dTAFgDUfnDTuJYFb-RrJ0Yzj6ou58yh5b4dXiY9AthqHKusI10HvWdA/s1600/Classic-Acacia-Cali-Vinyl-PRO-LVT-Flooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQaJPKPx7FsQZeDQrM_wk8l5jYq9qVYzl7o6Z8P9vOwx_6-5axkR2JbmYu9AcfMOUVh_je64EQXF4qb2dTAFgDUfnDTuJYFb-RrJ0Yzj6ou58yh5b4dXiY9AthqHKusI10HvWdA/s400/Classic-Acacia-Cali-Vinyl-PRO-LVT-Flooring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">What’s The Best Bathroom Flooring?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the questions we are frequently asked is what is the best bathroom flooring, or the best-looking, best-performing luxury vinyl tile flooring out there and how does it stand up to matching classic hardwood floor when it comes to installation in your bathroom? </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are many </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/lvt-catalog/"><span style="color: navy;">LVT</span></a> brands that truly deliver on durability, design and realistic texture. Some of the top luxury vinyl tile brands are Adamantine, Aurora Hardwoods, Cali Bamboo, Coretec, Engage, Gala Manufacturing, Hallmark Floors, <a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/adura-max-luxury-vinyl-tile-floor-in-portland/"><span style="color: navy;">Mannington – Adura Max</span></a>, Neptune, Oasis, Provenza, Ridgeline, and SLCC, just to name a few. The choices really become endless from a bath design perspective and provide the look that you are after in a gamut of natural designs, from realistic wood grains to natural stones and slates. Furthermore, many of the top luxury vinyl tile manufacturers offer 25 year to lifetime warranties. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLzI0OeWP-vcQcrtjQaZXAAjYVmIOCwTcY1cczFLiG5XyT0cZhAOxndeCUZXtjm7N0FtxVsG8ya0aHgN0IAo2Vhc2P0AevtyV_QM6BcMaNxbCdB-ofDc8-ADH-gaAVZoX0SdMbA/s1600/SLCC-Castello-LVT-Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-Floors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLzI0OeWP-vcQcrtjQaZXAAjYVmIOCwTcY1cczFLiG5XyT0cZhAOxndeCUZXtjm7N0FtxVsG8ya0aHgN0IAo2Vhc2P0AevtyV_QM6BcMaNxbCdB-ofDc8-ADH-gaAVZoX0SdMbA/s400/SLCC-Castello-LVT-Luxury-Vinyl-Tile-Floors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Is LVT Durable For Bathrooms?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let's take an active household with kids and pets with constant foot traffic and a lifestyle that consists of wear and tear on a daily basis. That kind of flooring stress will show cracks, gouges, scratches and water damage over a period of time. Now throw in that it is a high moisture area that can add significant stress to natural </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/wood-flooring/"><span style="color: navy;">hardwood flooring</span></a> with the constant expanding and contraction process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the past, it would not be advisable to install a wood floor in a bathroom environment, but today we see folks using their LVP and LVT floors in mudrooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, primarily because the mirrored look of wood grains and natural stones are so closely matched to the real product that the homeowner can have their cake and eat it too! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">With LVT, you get unstoppable resilience in your bathroom floor, combined with a distinguished style. The durability and beauty of a quality luxury vinyl floor product just can't be beat.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Waterproof Benefits of Luxury Vinyl Floors In Bathrooms</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The moisture and water that gets distributed on a bathroom floor can often lead to the damage and ultimate replacement of flooring after a certain number of years, depending on the surface that was originally selected. One of the foremost benefits of luxury vinyl plank flooring is its amazing waterproof characteristics. This type of bathroom floor creates an impenetrable and tightly locked floor surface that does not allow liquid to absorb of leak through. LVT flooring keeps all splashes and spills on the surface, allowing you to simply and easily wipe it up! Today, homeowners are looking to waterproof flooring for the bathroom and kitchen so that it can help prevent unnecessary or costly water damage from accidents or consistent daily use.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16pt;">Luxury Vinyl Tile In The Bathroom</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">When it comes to bathroom flooring and the many choices of tile, wood, stone and of course luxury vinyl tile, there are factual and realistic superior qualities of LVT. Luxury vinyl tile is easier to install in your bathroom than many other flooring options, which reduces your bathroom flooring costs even more. LVT flooring is lighter than either tile or wood, making treks up to the 2nd and 3rd level floors so much easier for installation. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another fantastic characteristic of luxury vinyl tile flooring for your bathroom is that it can be a do-it-yourself job if you are on a tight budget. We have guided hundreds of customers through the installation process and best practices for laying LVT in your bathroom correctly, with excellent results. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: navy;"><a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/luxury-vinyl-tile-lvt/">Luxury vinyl tile</a></span> flooring is the most resilient bathroom flooring that delivers on style, cost, and durability.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #cc6600; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Author Bio:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tom Michaud is the CEO of </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #999999;">Simple Floors Portland</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">, located in Portland, Oregon. Tom’s
decades of experience providing homeowners and contractors with quality home
building and renovation materials focuses on wood flooring, countertops, tile,
laminate floor, and carpeting.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-69607398809668257272018-03-05T12:24:00.000-08:002018-03-06T14:05:59.336-08:00The Difference Between Quartz And Granite Countertops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3wC0SQoxg_Kt2Hd6QU1B41p2geKI67_2Goxw6jtjM0RTvvLzMPVj4sbQEwFAXJZdDnm9B9343sCYO02iGdRlvl_7E2rFM2E1RuVP2sZSKVm8ZlkSEzDoK_1nbVTweEiSauLY/s1600/Countertops-Quartz-Granite-Differences+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3wC0SQoxg_Kt2Hd6QU1B41p2geKI67_2Goxw6jtjM0RTvvLzMPVj4sbQEwFAXJZdDnm9B9343sCYO02iGdRlvl_7E2rFM2E1RuVP2sZSKVm8ZlkSEzDoK_1nbVTweEiSauLY/s400/Countertops-Quartz-Granite-Differences+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Selecting the right countertop materials for a home renovation or building project is one of the most challenging decisions a homeowner makes. The color, design, and pattern within the material are only overshadowed by the composition of the countertop product itself. In fact, many homeowners struggle to understand the difference between granite and quartz <a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/portland-vancouver-countertops/" target="_blank">countertops</a>, often referring to both as granite, stone or rock.<br />
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But there are distinct differences between quartz and granite countertops that every homeowner should know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvOpSYNUWmd-aB6lZy-tNu44nqsvqiY9Dd_QFa9QHYzFuZOnRqlT2pjpB9kyU9lUMOo-IPGxhwiWWmxXs2CBKxjUMjhUoGcrLH0pLhK399fO2_tBnGlb4kYOdkvSaobA7P-ka/s1600/Granite%252C+quartz+and+stone+samples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIvOpSYNUWmd-aB6lZy-tNu44nqsvqiY9Dd_QFa9QHYzFuZOnRqlT2pjpB9kyU9lUMOo-IPGxhwiWWmxXs2CBKxjUMjhUoGcrLH0pLhK399fO2_tBnGlb4kYOdkvSaobA7P-ka/s400/Granite%252C+quartz+and+stone+samples.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
What’s The Difference Between Quartz and Granite Countertops?</h3>
There are some substantial differences between the various countertop materials on the market today.<br />
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Quartz and granite are among the two most popular kitchen and bathroom counter options, and they are both completely different materials.<br />
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<h3>
What are granite countertops?</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir19qO1QrwjFBKhuPrW5-EFnHxZkjOfCuft6WJI_x0UstWRs3J0N04QS9_eXI9zN8K_Os275NTkfYEGbVjJVgktc0FKov3bANmza9GnOFN-uMEfUTP-kTjkQdQoqnMiDHO_-Cy/s1600/granite-bathroom-counters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir19qO1QrwjFBKhuPrW5-EFnHxZkjOfCuft6WJI_x0UstWRs3J0N04QS9_eXI9zN8K_Os275NTkfYEGbVjJVgktc0FKov3bANmza9GnOFN-uMEfUTP-kTjkQdQoqnMiDHO_-Cy/s400/granite-bathroom-counters.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Granite is a completely natural stone material that is quarried from the ground in massive blocks. These blocks are then slowly and meticulously sawn into slabs that vary from 1 ¼ to ¾ inches thick, depending on the intended application of the countertop. The thicker slices of granite are often used for kitchen counters, whereas the slimmer versions are typically reserved for bathrooms. Once cut into slabs, the granite material is atomized and polished to beautiful gleaming finish.<br />
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There are no man-made components contained within granite. Granite is found in in the ground naturally and is completely free of human creation. Granite is considered to be one of the hardest natural rock materials, making it extremely durable for counter surfaces.<br />
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</h3>
<h3>
What are quartz countertops?</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXgQ_qtRU_78UbqKa1dOGvjrhmfUzwiTfY2MQYDoUVT2YpyNhVFFSng2J2kJcH8EdR__CUYn_bRgQTl2CrWBh0UpBJt-TxKXY8a8lXiPx8QnlwZQDyUgTLhuBHQSYJaIR7NfL/s1600/rose-quartz-raw-form.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="400" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXgQ_qtRU_78UbqKa1dOGvjrhmfUzwiTfY2MQYDoUVT2YpyNhVFFSng2J2kJcH8EdR__CUYn_bRgQTl2CrWBh0UpBJt-TxKXY8a8lXiPx8QnlwZQDyUgTLhuBHQSYJaIR7NfL/s400/rose-quartz-raw-form.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Quartz countertops are usually comprised of around 90% natural quartz material and then combined with approximately 8-10% polymer resins. Quartz countertops are considered to be an engineered stone material which is created by using a ground-up component of the natural hard mineral quartz and then compressed into forms with hardening resins, polymers, and pigments to form a very hard granite-like slab.<br />
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<h3>
The Advantages of Quartz and Granite Countertops</h3>
Both types of the most popular countertops have their advantages and disadvantages, but understanding them is imperative. Because many homeowners’ refer to all stone-like counters as granite, it highlights the fact that there are misunderstandings that should be clarified. Below we will break down some of the advantages and disadvantages of both quartz and granite counters.<br />
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<h3>
Advantages of quartz countertops:</h3>
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<ul>
<li>Quartz is one of the most abundant mineral resources around the world; therefore its harvest has a minimal environmental impact.</li>
<li>Quartz countertops result in an extremely durable and hard surface material which is ideal for counters.</li>
<li>Quartz counters are a non-porous material that does not require any sealing and limited maintenance.</li>
<li> Quartz countertops are stain and crack resistant.</li>
<li> Countertops made from quartz come in an extremely wide range of colors and patterns due to their man-made process.</li>
</ul>
<b>Disadvantages of quartz countertops:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Quartz countertops are typically around 30-30% more expensive than granite counters.</li>
<li>Quartz does not tolerate heat well and as a result, care must be taken to protect them from hot cooking pots and utensils.</li>
<li>Quartz counters are extremely heavy and often require seams for larger surface areas.</li>
<li>Professional installation of quartz countertops is highly recommended.</li>
<li>Some quartz countertop material can discolor over time when exposed to prolonged and direct sunlight.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Advantages of granite countertops:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Granite is naturally formed by nature, therefore making each piece totally unique in color and pattern.</li>
<li>Granite material for countertops was formed through pressure and heat allowing them to perform perfectly when they come in contact with hot pans and utensils.</li>
<li>Granite countertops are often favored, due to the perceived value over quartz by many homebuyers, therefore granite counters can add to the home’s value over the long-term.</li>
<li>Granite is extremely hard and can last forever.</li>
<li>Granite can be less expensive than quartz countertops.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Disadvantages of granite countertops:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Granite is naturally porous; therefore it requires sealing and significantly more maintenance.</li>
<li>Granite countertops can be brittle and crack easily when significant force is applied.</li>
<li>Granite is a natural material, so creating a completely seamless look can be challenging when installing.</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Selecting Quartz or Granite Counters</h3>
The main considerations that a homeowner should weigh when selecting the countertops for their home should be both use and preference. How you cook, the way you use your counters and the durability requirements are extremely important. Next, your preference to color, look and patterns should determine your final selection process. This will ensure that the net result of your new kitchen or bathroom depicts what you originally envisioned.<br />
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Furthermore, there is always a cost consideration that you will have to weigh. If budget is the dominant concern, we always recommend our customers consider natural granite options. However if budget is not driving the most significant criteria and the priorities are in matching specific colors or patterns, along with finding a low maintenance material, then we suggest they take a good look at quartz.<br />
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Finally, be mindful of the tile or <a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/wood-flooring/" target="_blank">wood flooring</a> that you will be using in your kitchen or bathroom space and how that will pair or contrast with your countertop selection. Since kitchens and bathrooms are the most important living spaces within your home, you will want to make sure that everything compliments your counters perfectly.<br />
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<h3>
Author Bio:</h3>
Tom Michaud is the CEO of <a href="https://www.simplefloorspdx.com/" target="_blank">Simple Floors Portland</a>, located in Portland, Oregon. Tom’s decades of experience providing homeowners and contractors with quality home building and renovation materials focuses on wood flooring, countertops, tile, laminate floor, and carpeting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBuwdeoOSX6GaLZTAlT3tiKPcE8DALLLQxfDV5c6V5r4HqZPspXOyC5iN1lbOLb_qeQqbnzA4XvkdEZPFl9gs4xLkKwqiuUaMDS4TKhsDgcaevNJTpk1i1Aljg_OVeSqvAiP9PA/s1600/Tom-Michaud-SimpleFloorsPDX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="250" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBuwdeoOSX6GaLZTAlT3tiKPcE8DALLLQxfDV5c6V5r4HqZPspXOyC5iN1lbOLb_qeQqbnzA4XvkdEZPFl9gs4xLkKwqiuUaMDS4TKhsDgcaevNJTpk1i1Aljg_OVeSqvAiP9PA/s200/Tom-Michaud-SimpleFloorsPDX.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-57081741053447204202017-07-21T10:28:00.002-07:002017-07-31T11:28:35.132-07:00Home Decorating Tips for the Fashion-Obsessed<br />
Can’t resist a deal on Michael Kors shoes, bags, shirts…or anything? We love to help homeowners celebrate their individual sense of style all throughout their home. If your love of fashion has reached a new level, consider some of these tips for weaving your aesthetic and personality into every room of your home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33aoVMR_GcDFPTUNLoxxPjrj1mUJXhk3K1kzPcr9Eq3-aNkjy4bj8waoiUy1q6FMdn4V_H6A-dARwB-9eXQ8cR_iY84zd5Z95b_5zVjXomifKbQLfKfp1OqOBRJmAAUHUFOjSNw/s1600/Play+with+Texture+and+Color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="350" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33aoVMR_GcDFPTUNLoxxPjrj1mUJXhk3K1kzPcr9Eq3-aNkjy4bj8waoiUy1q6FMdn4V_H6A-dARwB-9eXQ8cR_iY84zd5Z95b_5zVjXomifKbQLfKfp1OqOBRJmAAUHUFOjSNw/s400/Play+with+Texture+and+Color.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</b> <b>Play With Texture and Color</b><br />
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</b> When it comes to creating the perfect outfit, you probably consider every element and how it will all work together. From shine to ruffles, lace, and mesh, textures are essential to consider when creating an aesthetic. Ruffles and lace cue a romantic or blush vibe, while sleek lines may sing classic beauty. The same rules go for decor. Have fun, and make bold choices!<br />
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Vary textures when choosing your textiles. Ruffled comforters are great for a cozy, fluffy bedspread, while industrial accents—like concrete, metal, and piping—offer a unique and masculine sense of style. A plush rug balances the soft with something more substantial and grounding, and sheer curtains allow in plenty of natural light for a romantic, airy atmosphere. Work with these textures to create the perfect equilibrium.<br />
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Color works the same way. Choose your color palette for each room before you get started— searching through Pinterest or artists’ websites for color combinations is a great way to see your options before you put paint to the wall. Or, swing by the paint sample section of a home improvement store. Use fun pops of color in your textiles and smaller accents like lamps and hardware, and incorporate those various textures. It will all come together to create the perfect ensemble.<br />
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<h3>
<b>Accessorize Like a Fashionista</b></h3>
Longing for a bright and cheerful sunroom, but a romantic, calming bedroom? Use lighting to your advantage to create the perfect ambiance. Vary your lighting solutions to incorporate tabletop lamps, floor lamps, lanterns, track lighting, spotlighting, or anything else that helps you express your room’s story. You can even play with color and texture through your lampshades.<br />
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When it comes to accessories, use them sparingly but strategically. Anything that inspires you and coordinates with your color palette is fair game—from knickknacks to baskets, table runners, throw pillows, pictures frames, and more. Make sure not to overcrowd tables and mantels, which can cause a cluttered feeling that may elicit anxiety. Just like fashion, sometimes less can be more!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HyrEWyayBpVNUGv_Z6ZTWTh__5_38MxF5hVf1oHyxp6QVEB9-IbjPjY7NtoTrU876GsxriiPXAv9PR_a645SdlpgOkqEDSzRzTTaqS4_8NzpYFFN9xtLdHrPqq5hmFe4z9YBzA/s1600/Decorate+with+Fashion+Icons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="350" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HyrEWyayBpVNUGv_Z6ZTWTh__5_38MxF5hVf1oHyxp6QVEB9-IbjPjY7NtoTrU876GsxriiPXAv9PR_a645SdlpgOkqEDSzRzTTaqS4_8NzpYFFN9xtLdHrPqq5hmFe4z9YBzA/s400/Decorate+with+Fashion+Icons.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Decorate with Fashion Icons</h3>
You probably have a list of your top-five favorite celebrities of all time. Or maybe it’s fashion designers who have impacted your style and aspirations. Whether you’re inspired by a brand or product, Hollywood icon, or new fashion line, using your inspiration as artwork will weave in your passion throughout your home.<br />
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If you simply love Prada, go for some vintage advertising posters to display in your dressing room. Then incorporate some modern or avant-garde art that makes you want to shop ‘til you drop.<br />
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You can even use your fashion accessories to decorate. Perhaps you love your designer shoes so much, you want to display them on a shelf by color. Go for it! When you’re a true fashionista, your whole home is your closet, so have fun and stay creative!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9URuoqfZZkanWvlw-_bEM9ZAllhb9aDma5fIuL7bBrcbwCHKie9oE-3niqLra-0ZZIbIUGkD7AE4v-wA8cQSQoTPzr_ubXNkjirVwuJKXvpCVyTJBNlD5w6P1SpSZLmU6hC8F6w/s1600/Author.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9URuoqfZZkanWvlw-_bEM9ZAllhb9aDma5fIuL7bBrcbwCHKie9oE-3niqLra-0ZZIbIUGkD7AE4v-wA8cQSQoTPzr_ubXNkjirVwuJKXvpCVyTJBNlD5w6P1SpSZLmU6hC8F6w/s1600/Author.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>Danielle Hegedus is an Atlanta based writer and home windows expert. She is a regular contributor to <a href="https://modernize.com/windows" target="_blank">Modernize windows</a>, as she loves writing about stylish window repair options as well as for a variety of lifestyle and home design websites. Danielle recently finished her first cookbook, in collaboration with Chef, Kamal Grant for Atlanta's beloved, Sublime Doughnuts.</i><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-67201310307423383802017-06-10T07:28:00.000-07:002017-06-10T07:28:03.400-07:00How to Choose a Home Decor Style that Matches Your Personality<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>How to Choose a Home Decor Style that Matches Your Personality<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Kaitlin Krull <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finding the right design style for your home is an essential part of the decorating process. But with dozens of styles to choose from, choosing one that suits you and your family can feel like an impossible task. Whether you’re laid-back or super organized, trend-conscious or traditional, matching your home decor style to your personality will help you to feel more comfortable with your surroundings. Here are a few top tips to help you choose the right home design style for you—whatever your personality may be. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trendsetter<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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If you enjoy reading fashion and design magazines regularly and like to keep up to date with the latest trends, a home that is on the cutting edge of design style is one for you. Scour the internet for the newest and most popular decor tips and choose pieces that will make your friends and neighbors know that you understand style. As far as popular decor styles go, industrial homes with raw, unfinished wood pieces and metal accents or ultra-modern and high-tech living spaces are bang on trend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Traditional<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you like and sticking with it time and again. If your personality is less focused on finding new and exciting things and more about keeping with tradition, a classic design style would probably be best for your home. Traditional homes are both comfortable and well organized, which gives them a homey and pleasant atmosphere. Stick with neutral color schemes and timeless fabrics and patterns to make your home’s decor relevant for years to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL60ujYHHE6QfmRxG4uKgRxsPZ0dZYtNO74ySRmnNpNwwkcSmtxMMqBEsvGhIaFZL0jLeAMd8j8Zykwf3lXO7XQlTlsTzv8z7fSCE4rnUAwavUVTM2gvG_fN9ad4VX2YRGFzZPQ/s1600/2A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="588" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL60ujYHHE6QfmRxG4uKgRxsPZ0dZYtNO74ySRmnNpNwwkcSmtxMMqBEsvGhIaFZL0jLeAMd8j8Zykwf3lXO7XQlTlsTzv8z7fSCE4rnUAwavUVTM2gvG_fN9ad4VX2YRGFzZPQ/s400/2A.jpg" width="367" /></a></div>
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<b>Free-spirited<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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For some people, rules are made to be broken. If organization and tradition just aren’t your thing, choose a bold and unique design style that matches your outlook on life. Go retro with a mid-century modern home, upcycle vintage pieces for an eclectic look, or embrace bohemian style with tie-dyed fabrics and mismatched patterns. The sky’s the limit for a free-spirited homeowner, so choose decorative accents and color schemes that speak to you and bring you joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmsOIShBtm8U2KoNnSJfhJzGyVn5VPYb0phCnolIpa4__zQCvghVLawe5aXxcINY5ZnYp8juCDH0NGlS5jdpIHsWkb9cLAfKUtB8yPHRgzbwKm7UZw8cl97LSw0mpJ8sJmw8Klg/s1600/3A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmsOIShBtm8U2KoNnSJfhJzGyVn5VPYb0phCnolIpa4__zQCvghVLawe5aXxcINY5ZnYp8juCDH0NGlS5jdpIHsWkb9cLAfKUtB8yPHRgzbwKm7UZw8cl97LSw0mpJ8sJmw8Klg/s400/3A.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<b>Organized<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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While keeping tabs on the family budget may not be everyone’s favorite pastime, some of us are just better at handling money than others. If you enjoy organizing your life, finances included, you’ll be happy to know that several trendy home design styles will be right up your street. For example, Scandinavian furniture and decor pieces are inexpensive, popular, and functional for virtually every home. It is possible to blend a comfortable Scandi design style with modern minimalism (think clean lines, metal, and glass) without breaking the bank, so why not try something new with classy, minimalist decor? <o:p></o:p></div>
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o:title="All-white Modern Kitchen with Island"/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KZ-5jGpT4qODU4XlZIHv6KoeBApuWO6jn299yGBjgesWV_s6nbEg0uqx-4eE5KatixOXms2Jq0A5SDI8osXkqf0FyhOrr4MAlhF0cq8IJqwCSKofdCC6LBCvkMCjykFpNSXRQg/s1600/4A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KZ-5jGpT4qODU4XlZIHv6KoeBApuWO6jn299yGBjgesWV_s6nbEg0uqx-4eE5KatixOXms2Jq0A5SDI8osXkqf0FyhOrr4MAlhF0cq8IJqwCSKofdCC6LBCvkMCjykFpNSXRQg/s400/4A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Luxurious<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Budgets and functional pieces are all well and good, but sometimes a splurge or two is all we need to feel at home in our home. If you enjoy the finer things in life, a luxurious Hollywood Glam style home is a perfect choice for you. Although a home with glam decor features may sometimes seem over the top, you know what you like and deserve to be happy in your home. Choose lush, supersoft fabrics and large, shiny decorative accents to finish off your space—and don’t be afraid to embrace a monochromatic color scheme. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7_8FXkFqTDF97_FzXzw2azVvh7RdIR2x9yrQAE3AiPT35py5Tit_9SNDkA-0kfGM6Cm6z1JpJf60JKLl0MYl1JT8hgZnVUpQAiUfISW8qMOvG8vJp-q5qbr01Al3tTEEP1UStQ/s1600/5A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7_8FXkFqTDF97_FzXzw2azVvh7RdIR2x9yrQAE3AiPT35py5Tit_9SNDkA-0kfGM6Cm6z1JpJf60JKLl0MYl1JT8hgZnVUpQAiUfISW8qMOvG8vJp-q5qbr01Al3tTEEP1UStQ/s400/5A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="image7.jpg" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Elegant Luxurious Bathroom.jpg"
style='width:468pt;height:312pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'>
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o:title="Elegant Luxurious Bathroom"/>
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<b>Sentimental <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The true romantics among us believe that happiness is the only truly important thing in life. If you want your home to be happy and comfortable above all else, a rustic home decor style will tick all the right boxes. Rustic homes are traditionally rural country-style buildings with open fires and large, cozy furniture. However, home design trends over the last few years have made rustic decor current again by injecting the traditional log cabin look with an urban, industrial flair. If you want to be on top of the latest trends, then feel free to mix these two popular styles.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicL5o4GwRgNlYFP9hEfUOi7qmSS-A0-Gtb2rGgxM4dXO-PGOtPOW8VBthhVji_4fkwUTFHMYsaGtSS6qn9m5pSS2LC4LqWSA5sHJZUgwbENiqHasKfpL1sVM4hYEBLBU2ALEqQlA/s1600/6A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicL5o4GwRgNlYFP9hEfUOi7qmSS-A0-Gtb2rGgxM4dXO-PGOtPOW8VBthhVji_4fkwUTFHMYsaGtSS6qn9m5pSS2LC4LqWSA5sHJZUgwbENiqHasKfpL1sVM4hYEBLBU2ALEqQlA/s400/6A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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o:title="Covered Patio with fireplace"/>
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Home design is all about trial and error, so don’t be discouraged if your home doesn’t fit your standards immediately. If, after reading these tips, you still can’t choose the right decor style for your home, don’t despair. Mix and match any of these styles—and more—to suit your own personal tastes, and watch your home evolve in a natural and beautiful way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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About the Author: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Kaitlin Krull</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> is a writer and mom of two girls living the expat life. She enjoys writing for the HVAC installation experts at </span><a href="http://modernize.com/hvac"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Modernize</span></a><span style="background: white; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;"> with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on home remodel projects with confidence.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-47308802104849879522017-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:002017-02-17T14:07:47.375-08:00Are Hardwood Floors Easier to Maintain Than Carpeted Floors?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnKgfXD7RA9zR3PYhLoTYDD4a0a4JcjDIG0JrN3-ycrH0mdyz9lFOjvhl4kDNNGYfH12LsuKno6HXZt7F0mwtbYjVNt8h1sDXi_sGWDb75tqBKk8sjek1QZxyJV80PgwAyNhClw/s1600/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnKgfXD7RA9zR3PYhLoTYDD4a0a4JcjDIG0JrN3-ycrH0mdyz9lFOjvhl4kDNNGYfH12LsuKno6HXZt7F0mwtbYjVNt8h1sDXi_sGWDb75tqBKk8sjek1QZxyJV80PgwAyNhClw/s320/original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12pt;">With today's busy lifestyles, most people are opting for home furnishings and materials that are easy to care for while maintaining their beauty for longer periods of time. This is especially true when choosing flooring options because floors take on so much daily wear from walking to spills to pet stains. If you are looking at choosing hardwood floors or carpeted floors, they require very different types of care to keep them looking their best.</span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Daily Maintenance</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">All manners of dirt and grime make it onto your floors every day, and so they need to be cleaned frequently. Hardwood floors and carpeted floors are relatively easy to keep up with on a daily basis. The amount of maintenance your floors require whether you choose hardwood or carpet does depend on your lifestyle, health needs, and habits. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Hardwood floors should be swept often using a broom or a dust mop. A microfiber style dust mop head works especially well at picking up dirt, crumbs, and pet hair is lightweight and is a quick process. Mopping is recommended in high-traffic areas about once or twice a week, and less frequently in lighter traffic rooms. To mop hardwood floors, you can use a quarter of a cup of mild dishwashing soap with a gallon of warm water or a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Just make sure the mop is only slightly damp because standing water can cause damage to even sealed hardwood floors. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Maintaining a carpeted floor is not difficult, but it can be labor-intensive. Carpets hold more allergens, dirt, and odor-causing materials, so frequent vacuuming is necessary. If you suffer from allergies, you many need to vacuum carpets in high-traffic areas daily. Also, carpets are susceptible to stains from pets, food, and tracked-in dirt, so spot-cleaning stains using a manufacturer recommended treatment will be necessary at times. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Long-Term Maintenance</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">To keep your floors looking fantastic for years to come, you will need to do more than the basic daily maintenance and cleaning. Hardwood floors and carpeting will both require more intensive treatments to keep them looking good. Depending on lifestyle and traffic, the frequency of deep cleaning or repairing your floors will vary. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Hardwood floors can last for generations with the proper care. While hardwood can sustain damage such as warping from liquid, scratches, dents, and dings, this damage can be fixed rather than needing to be replaced. Sanding and refinishing the damaged area is fairly inexpensive and can a weekend fix. Entire rooms can also be sanded and refinished, though that is more time consuming and labor intensive. However, this is easier and cheaper than having to replace an entire floor.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Carpet has a much shorter lifespan due to wear from traffic, stains, and odors. If damage such as unraveling, rips, or matting occurs, it generally cannot be repaired, and the carpet will have to be replaced. Having the carpets professionally steam cleaned on an annual basis will help keep your carpets looking newer for longer periods and can remove allergens, smells, and even set-in stains.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-highlight: white;">Jessica Kane is a writer for </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://gohardwood.com/"><span style="background: white; color: #1155cc; mso-highlight: white;">GoHardwood</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-highlight: white;">, a premier flooring company that sells first-rate, quality hardwood flooring products for less.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-775273585293368542016-11-23T15:58:00.000-08:002016-11-23T15:58:29.113-08:00Regency Shop Ball Clock<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2H486nUVGcxbP-Zv7KHQ138Rv5-0OzV4lYJIG4DTmUeoddf_vEVk94ZGenC4gqzKmXUw1g7RSrcsxrKcTtKVSCBbpEaB9uhztHrwJ2E73wUm5sVl9NYKK4bCULZ7cP3d2j2hXQ/s1600/nelson-wall-clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2H486nUVGcxbP-Zv7KHQ138Rv5-0OzV4lYJIG4DTmUeoddf_vEVk94ZGenC4gqzKmXUw1g7RSrcsxrKcTtKVSCBbpEaB9uhztHrwJ2E73wUm5sVl9NYKK4bCULZ7cP3d2j2hXQ/s320/nelson-wall-clock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It
finally arrived, the Ball Clock I ordered from <a href="http://www.regencyshop.com/p519/Modern-Ball-Clock/product_info.html">Regency
Shop</a>. I made a mistake having it delivered to my home in Laredo Texas and
asking a friend to bring it to our vacation home in San Miguel de Allende,
Mexico. Their drive down was delayed a week, but everyone arrived safely today including
the mid-century clock wrapped in a way that protects the clock in its travels.
We were excited to unwrap our purchase. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The modern
clock is 13.5 inches by 13.5 inches and has Beechwood balls of different colors
on the ends of brass arms. It fits perfectly in the kitchen like a work of art.
The literature describing the clock says it has a quartz movement and carries a
100% satisfaction guarantee. The sturdy design means it will last many years in
our Mexican kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It was
everything that <a href="http://www.regencyshop.com/">Regency Shop</a> said it
was and right now you can save $100 off the retail price. I would order again from
Regency Shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-11535664301304082422016-06-03T12:46:00.000-07:002016-06-03T12:46:10.322-07:00Top Green Home Updates of 2016<div class="MsoNormal">
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There’s a sweet spot where doing good for the environment
and saving money intersect. In order to find yourself in the sweet spot when it
comes to home improvement, it’s important to know which green updates are worth
the investment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But as we at <a href="https://modernize.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Modernize</span></a> know well, sometimes this can be
tricky. We’re told to replace older appliances with newer, more efficient ones,
but throwing out an appliance that still has a few years left and replacing it
with a new model is a waste of resources and money. It can be difficult to
confirm that a product really <i>is </i>better
for the environment in a market where “green” and “energy efficient” are just
empty words slapped onto packaging. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But whether you’re sprucing up your home to sell it, to
reduce your carbon footprint, to save money on utilities, or all of the above,
here are a few green updates that are definitely not bogus: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Go Solar </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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2016 is an amazing year to install a residential solar
energy system. The <a href="http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/658"><span style="color: #1155cc;">solar investment tax credit (ITC)</span></a> is currently
at 30 percent, but that’s only going to last through 2019. After that, it will
drop down to 26 percent. Solar prices have declined steadily over the past
several years, which makes it tempting to wait for an even better deal to come
along. But with utility rates in many areas fluctuating, acting now may save
you money in the long run, so it’s wise to learn more about <a href="https://modernize.com/solar"><span style="color: #1155cc;">installing solar
in your hom</span></a><a href="https://modernize.com/solar"><span style="color: #1155cc;">e</span></a><span style="background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> sooner rather than later. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Rethink Your Roofing
Materials </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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If your asphalt roof is more than a couple decades old, it’s
time to think about replacing it. Asphalt is the most common roofing choice due
to its affordability, but there are more energy efficient, eco-friendly,
durable, and (let’s face it) aesthetically pleasing options out there. When it
comes to metal roofs, you can choose anything from aluminum to copper, but
steel is one of the most common and cost-effective options. Rubber, slate, and
clay tiles are also kinder to the environment than asphalt—while millions of
tons of asphalt end up in landfills every year, many other roofing types can be
recycled. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Build a Deck out of
Responsibly-Sourced Materials </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eDKeI4V5Rume3kjXf0DzHYeekFc7diTe2AyvXLyVx6c4OVbdnr9lq2SrcfWvZcapg59dngOifahOQYLgi7fQPeC6UfawvMr3Bnp7k2g4rMM-EoTiSMwdEKO6zUeuc768DgkzgA/s1600/pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6eDKeI4V5Rume3kjXf0DzHYeekFc7diTe2AyvXLyVx6c4OVbdnr9lq2SrcfWvZcapg59dngOifahOQYLgi7fQPeC6UfawvMr3Bnp7k2g4rMM-EoTiSMwdEKO6zUeuc768DgkzgA/s640/pic2.jpg" width="640" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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Wooden decking materials may not seem like a major
perpetrator when it comes to environmental harm. But it depends on how the
logging company treats the earth. Buying a product from a company that uses pesticides,
endangers local wildlife, and clears entire forests means supporting that
company’s practices. Instead, look for products that meet the certification
standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or considering building your
deck from recycled materials like wood waste and recycled plastic. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Install Energy
Efficient Windows </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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You probably already know that insulation is a make-or-break
factor when it comes to energy-optimizing your home. But many homeowners are
unaware of the impact the windows can have on heat transfer, HVAC performance
and, of course, energy savings. If the time has come to select new windows,
make sure you understand the <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-performance-ratings-windows-doors-and-skylights"><span style="color: #1155cc;">performance ratings</span></a> before you shop, and look
for the Energy Star rating, which means it meets established efficiency
requirements. You can also look into making your current windows more efficient
by caulking, weatherstripping, and applying treatments that reduce heat
transfer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Get a Smart
Thermostat </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A programmable thermostat can both make your home more
comfortable and save you money. It allows you to closely manage the performance
of your HVAC system, as well as customize your heating and cooling needs to
your schedule. Some types even learn your routine over time and automatically
adjust so you don’t even have to think about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Revolutionize Your
Furnishings </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFN4w6_h0WC3D5rUwgW5JQ2AD9pXtj67IBC_Q-oCtFG1cbtoVN7g5_OM__YT8lnavsetiBwvyt1I4r7N12nwsOSwdNrXiPhQmbde5dT8IY0AJex_0tre-uwltkO3ldl50qG30cw/s1600/Pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFN4w6_h0WC3D5rUwgW5JQ2AD9pXtj67IBC_Q-oCtFG1cbtoVN7g5_OM__YT8lnavsetiBwvyt1I4r7N12nwsOSwdNrXiPhQmbde5dT8IY0AJex_0tre-uwltkO3ldl50qG30cw/s640/Pic3.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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As if avoiding harmful chemicals and practices when choosing
our food isn’t enough to think about, the same problems also plague our
furnishings. Everything from your throw pillows to your bedframe to the paint
on your walls may have a darker backstory than you realize. When you shop for
new furnishings, look for pieces made out of sustainable wood and recycled
materials. Look for the <a href="http://greenguard.org/en/index.aspx"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Greenguard certification</span></a>, which signifies that
a product has low chemical emissions. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you want to add value to your home and help preserve the
environment, the best method with which to approach any update is to look
beyond the label and be prepared to research in order to understand what’s
truly good for your pocket, your home, and the environment. <o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-6247254864984777672016-04-25T14:08:00.001-07:002016-04-25T14:08:03.300-07:00Chicken Footstools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7lsR6kj59UJG5zFmQWUQ5IqMIoubwOlalhnfytmR3kycTMTu-QLIYClXFY3k4WtRCkfjcHXFrikO7yNKVXfviwOJcLQ68sR8YsnHDuNnyDRqSwKKxzLbQ8Wyb4k9lZNqWZFiyQ/s1600/01.16.3-judith_grande.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7lsR6kj59UJG5zFmQWUQ5IqMIoubwOlalhnfytmR3kycTMTu-QLIYClXFY3k4WtRCkfjcHXFrikO7yNKVXfviwOJcLQ68sR8YsnHDuNnyDRqSwKKxzLbQ8Wyb4k9lZNqWZFiyQ/s400/01.16.3-judith_grande.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've seen sofas shaped like cows, and bar stools in Las Vegas shaped like animals. I have never seen footstools shaped like chickens that you can adopt until now. The citygirlfarm, makes handcrafted chicken footstools in Kansas City, Missouri. You can view their website at <a href="http://www.thecitygirlfarm.com/">www.thecitygirlfarm.com</a>.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1TMF5d_tgJK5FmbZanECpI8LKqedJ0Oig3KBHp5TVn6mO9qHSAM7ZUlrJV_pnlkh6oDbCTfzokopcw1W2SjzsDSVlSyZmzPxjzJ9wHGndaRb9ydO4TxZQHcVzuQzFXIuJSnEyw/s1600/image_large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1TMF5d_tgJK5FmbZanECpI8LKqedJ0Oig3KBHp5TVn6mO9qHSAM7ZUlrJV_pnlkh6oDbCTfzokopcw1W2SjzsDSVlSyZmzPxjzJ9wHGndaRb9ydO4TxZQHcVzuQzFXIuJSnEyw/s400/image_large.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">The Chicken Little footstools stand 12” tall and
weigh about 12 lbs while the Chicken footstools stand 17” tall and weigh about
25 lbs. They take a lot of love and care to make, from casting the bronze for
their beaks and feet, turning wood on a lathe to create the egg that forms
their body to the detailed fiber work it takes to create their ‘feathers’, all
of which are hand-crafted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhLZtvhChfh6FIiK7-exkQ9c0wxuedpK0aVnffF37CKeK2S23t7l92cEdY3D1os_OMxlq9IeGGomMAfO-ycN9BBh2VytmorpT1Cywd5d-tMIs-jleMg2FMbk3WCIghmV24FMWeQ/s1600/11.16.3-vernon_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhLZtvhChfh6FIiK7-exkQ9c0wxuedpK0aVnffF37CKeK2S23t7l92cEdY3D1os_OMxlq9IeGGomMAfO-ycN9BBh2VytmorpT1Cywd5d-tMIs-jleMg2FMbk3WCIghmV24FMWeQ/s400/11.16.3-vernon_1024x1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-21028328872535794042015-12-10T13:17:00.000-08:002015-12-10T13:18:20.254-08:00How to Solve the Biggest Problems with Interior Design<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qgWoOglY0BJVpWkRlOdO40YJV9TzL7RePtxRRgFSLCMP2Xy103I6FK1-o4LjbXnBGDA0a6bmH1GmStFDj8gyEvrG1yAhcr5R8bIW_FSLxLbAqQ40Sh2mGS-2wkIPTvd5ArJDTQ/s1600/800px-Interior_design_865875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qgWoOglY0BJVpWkRlOdO40YJV9TzL7RePtxRRgFSLCMP2Xy103I6FK1-o4LjbXnBGDA0a6bmH1GmStFDj8gyEvrG1yAhcr5R8bIW_FSLxLbAqQ40Sh2mGS-2wkIPTvd5ArJDTQ/s320/800px-Interior_design_865875.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Photo
via </span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_design_865875.jpg"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WikiCommons</span></a><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">When you think about interior design, thoughts of beautiful
upholstery, decorative wall hangings and more may come to mind. While a
thoughtful, effective interior design will improve the look of your space, it
also can solve many of the functional challenges that you face in the home. For
example, the right design can help you to save energy or can improve storage
space. If you are looking for some wonderful design ideas to incorporate into
your home, these are some thoughtful options to consider.</span></div>
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<br />
Add Etched Glass Doors to Your Study<br />
When study doors are solid, they will block light and can make the space look
closed off. However, you may desire privacy in your study and need to keep the
doors closed. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sanssoucie.com/etched-glass/piece-types/glass-doors">Glass doors</a></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> may allow light to filter in, but they will not give you the
privacy you desire. Etched glass is a gorgeous, practical option that resolves
this challenge. The etched glass provides privacy in the room when the doors
are closed while also allowing light to filter into the space.<br />
<br />
Add Upward-Facing Wall Sconces and Lamps<br />
If your ceilings are rather low and you are looking for a way to make your
space appear to have more height, installing upward-facing wall sconces is a
great idea. An alternative to this is to choose lamps that radiate light
upward. When light streams upward, the desired illusion of height is
created.<br />
<br />
Install Wood Beams in Narrow Rooms<br />
If there are rooms in your home that are long and narrow, you can create the
illusion of width by installing wood beams in these rooms. The beams can run
lengthwise along the narrowest dimension of the room, and this can play with
the eye to create a space that looks wider than it actually is. The wood beams
should ideally be a contrasting color from the ceiling for the best
results.<br />
<br />
Select Window Treatments With Care<br />
Window treatments can be used for everything from promoting privacy to
controlling sunlight and improving energy efficiency. Each room may have a
different combination of needs that you need to fulfill with your window
treatments, and each window treatment type can provide different benefits.
While it is critical to select the right type for the space, it is also
important to focus on style and how the style impacts the look in the room.
Professional design assistance from a window treatment specialist may benefit
you.<br />
<br />
Place a Focal Point Behind Large Furnishings<br />
Large furnishings can be a focal point in a room, and this can include your
bed, a sofa or other large pieces. However, you typically do not want a focal
point to be a piece of furniture because this can draw the eye downward.
Therefore, placing a focal point on the wall will draw the attention of the eye
upward. The wall covering should be large enough so that it balances the weight
of the furniture that it is next to.<br />
<br />
Use Hanging Shelves and Cabinets When Floor Space is Limited<br />
In many rooms of the home, you may need more storage space than you have
available, but it may not be practical to add a shelf or cabinet to the room
because of limited floor space. While horizontal space on the floor may be
limited, vertical space may not be. Hanging shelves and cabinets can be placed
in strategic locations for storage, and if you choose decorative pieces, you
can also dress up your room while adding the extra storage you need.<br />
<br />
Add Mirrors to Smaller Rooms<br />
In some areas of the home, the rooms may feel closed off and cramped. This may
be in a smaller living area that has little windows, a cozy bedroom or even a
long, narrow hallway. Many smaller rooms also can feel darker, and a great way
to resolve both of these issues is to add mirrors to the walls. An alternative
would be to add furnishings that have mirrors on them, such as a mirrored china
cabinet in a small dining room.<br />
<br />
Install a Decorative Overhead Light in Small Spaces<br />
In many rooms, creating a focal point on the wall is a great idea. However,
when a room is small, when a ceiling is low or when you are dealing with a
combination of both of these, it may be best to draw attention of the eye
upward. A smaller decorative light fixture is a great option because it places
a focal point in the upper center of the room.<br />
<br />
Interior design is about adding style to the space, and it also can improve
many of the functional challenges that you are facing. Take time to pinpoint
all of the challenges that you are facing in each room before selecting design
ideas to incorporate into your space. This will help you to generate the best
results possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mikkie Mills is a Chicago native who loves to save money
and help others do the same. When I'm not writing, I'm chasing the little ones
around or rock climbing at the local climbing gym.</span></i><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"</span></span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-92008476473467697472015-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:002015-12-03T07:16:41.418-08:004 Tips to Give Furniture a Rustic Look<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Vintage furniture are back, so it is time to visit your grand parents' attic to find a few hidden gems. Many of you might have pieces of furniture that need a little touch in order to look perfect. Here are four tips that can help you in the process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">1. Distressing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You would initially have to start with distressing your furniture. This means you would have to scrape off any old paint that is currently on the piece. You can either use an electric sander or sandpaper to wipe off the paint. You might be required to use a chemical cleaner if the paint is applied quite thickly. Once you are done with the cleaning part, dry the furniture using a rag to remove any dirt that is left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">2.Painting<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The next step is to paint the furniture in a manner such that an anti dilutive look is achieved. Do remember that rustic furniture does not have heavy coats of paint and therefore you must dilute the paint. You can choose any kind of paint such as oil based paints or water based paints. Apply the paint by using a rag or brush although a rag results in better effects. Once the first layer is applied allow it to dry off and then apply the second layer. You can add more layers if you want to but do remember that rustic furniture is all about less paint and have a more worn out look. In case you have applied more paint than you want, you can use a sandpaper to wipe off the excess paint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">You can also apply opaque color paint directly and then wipe it off the cloth immediately after applying. This way any excess paint would be removed immediately and you would need to spend less effort and time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">3.Drying<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Although this might seem quite obvious, this is nevertheless an important step. If you do not allow the paint to dry off and move to the next step, all your effort would not be realized as the furniture would fail to achieve the desired look. You need to make sure that the furniture item is allowed to dry off in a ventilated area, away from people or pets who might ruin the paint job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">4.Sealing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Once the paint has dried off, you would now need to seal it with satin polyurethane that would act as a sealant and protect the furniture. However, do not apply the sealer with a rag but rather with a brush to ensure smooth application.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The simple process of whitewashing can allow you to bring a rustic charm to the interior of your room. The process is quite simple and does not require a person to master any specific technique and therefore is a must do it yourself project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>Chris is an experienced interior designer and craftman. Chris regularly writes for <a href="http://www.christopheliving.com.au/gallery/louis-furniture/dining-chairs/">Christophe Living</a>. Over the last 4 years, Chris has written numerous articles and is an active forum contributor.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-10493835844819848742015-12-02T08:37:00.000-08:002015-12-02T08:37:22.684-08:005 Things to Be Careful About When Buying Antique Furniture<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qio1P0CyCtw32JaBicIho_Mi9aYT5MDYAHY5NLQ8gA3TirmbXD8IsURQMJW1V7_dkoyEuiYVjbCWPMbnFGoS5hwnhnT0W1ZKZhBPlkPDej1XrMlf01f0bxvLr3oaekJq-BfOoA/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qio1P0CyCtw32JaBicIho_Mi9aYT5MDYAHY5NLQ8gA3TirmbXD8IsURQMJW1V7_dkoyEuiYVjbCWPMbnFGoS5hwnhnT0W1ZKZhBPlkPDej1XrMlf01f0bxvLr3oaekJq-BfOoA/s400/images+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Antique furniture makes a wonderful addition to your home. The look and </span>ambiance<span lang="EN-AU"> created by it are splendid but you need to be careful when buying it. Antique furniture costs more than new pieces and you have to make sure that you are spending your money carefully. Here are 5 things you have to be careful about when buying antique furniture. </span><span lang="EN-AU"> </span><span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Is It Antique?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">A piece of antique furniture will not have the answer written on it. You have to make sure that the furniture you are looking at is really antique. There are fraudulent sellers who pass off new furniture as antique and sell it for more than its value. A careful examination of the furniture shows if it has been around for a century or just a few years. If possible, have an expert determine the exact date of production. Ask the seller himself to tell you about the furniture. If you are doubtful about the authenticity, it is better to keep your wallet in pocket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Additions or Removal<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">The furniture should be intact with no additions or removal</span>s<span lang="EN-AU"> made later on. Antique furniture has full value if it has been intact throughout its life. Any alterations made to it will reduce the authenticity and design. Everything attached to the furniture including handles, buttons and stands should be original. Otherwise, the furniture won’t be </span>worthy to purchase.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Working Condition<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">The furniture you</span>’ll<span lang="EN-AU"> buy should be in perfect working condition. Age causes deterioration and wear and tear and you should ensure that there are no such issues with the furniture you</span>’re eyeing to buy<span lang="EN-AU">. After all, antique furniture is old and </span>it is prone<span lang="EN-AU"> to some wear and tear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">If it’s in good working condition, this means that it has stood the test of time and will last for a while. </span>Scrutinize the<span lang="EN-AU"> antique piece you are </span>yearning <span lang="EN-AU">to buy. </span>Find someone who has an eye and knowledge on antique to boost your confidence when buying.<span lang="EN-AU"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Licensed Dealer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">The furniture dealer you are transacting with should be licensed and reliable. There are many fake suppliers who sell bogus antique furniture. You don’t want to lose your hard-earned money to cons. Check the reliability of the dealer before you make the final purchase. Moreover, trusted furniture dealers have the best antique furniture </span>to<span lang="EN-AU"> offer. If you want to buy the best antique furniture, you </span>need<span lang="EN-AU"> to find the best dealer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-AU">Time Period and Style<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">Find out all you can about the time period and style to which the piece of antique furniture belongs. That way, you can decorate a whole room in the same style and theme. If you already have a themed room in your home, you can find the right antique furniture to go with it. You can adopt a new theme for your sitting room or lounge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU">These are 5 things you have to be careful about when buying antique furniture. Make sure you follow these tips so that you can buy the best antique furniture for your home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i>Chris has a passion for antique furniture and he writes about his expertise in <a href="http://www.christopheliving.com.au/">Christophe Living</a>. When he is not working, Chris enjoys blogging. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-45706703176427731742015-11-23T15:17:00.002-08:002015-11-23T15:17:46.750-08:00How Interior Design Has Helped Define the World We Live In<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkDlm9L5xNMBXrAsW4Ozlv6-0q1VsdGuepzDkc5Lj8jkRI0NGThtuy2A8HmEPJLFr7Ug7nzCW7_TzjRYwwqYHyNkR2CAP4D1BiEcVvyqfqL-MbjS4uOW0huG5mG8ZQC7Ius-B-g/s1600/Mikkie+Mills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkDlm9L5xNMBXrAsW4Ozlv6-0q1VsdGuepzDkc5Lj8jkRI0NGThtuy2A8HmEPJLFr7Ug7nzCW7_TzjRYwwqYHyNkR2CAP4D1BiEcVvyqfqL-MbjS4uOW0huG5mG8ZQC7Ius-B-g/s400/Mikkie+Mills.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through the years, interior design has both taken inspiration
from the changing world and offered inspiration in turn. From incorporating new
promising technologies to suggesting new intriguing color combinations,
designers have partnered with culture to advance innovation and creativity the
world over. Some interior designers have become world famous as a result of
their impact while others have gone quietly with their legacy largely
unrecognized.<br />
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Regardless, it has become nearly impossible to separate out culture and the
design that defines it — so much so that historians often comment on the
interior design customs of different time periods as a matter of routine. In
this post, learn more about how interior design is even now helping to define
the world we live in today.<br />
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Designing Accommodations for World Leaders<br />
Perhaps one of the best known modern interior design artists is Philippe
Starck. In 1982, Starck received a commission to design the interior of
then-President of France Francois Mitterrand's apartment.<br />
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Suffice it to say he has been a recognized world leader in interior design ever
since. As well, many of his designs have become incorporated into popular
design trends of this century, most especially his chair and stool designs.<br />
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Integrating Design Elements from Different Fields<br />
Another way interior design has helped define the culture of each time period
is in its efforts to show how different fields complement one another in a
design space. For instance, combining </span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sanssoucie.com/etched-glass/piece-types/glass-doors">sleek glass doors</a></span><span style="color: #404040; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with flowing neon light tubes, translucent Lucite with
minimalist architecture such as Egypt's Karim Rashid has done can take an
average space and create an all-inclusive cultural experience.<br />
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From advances in lighting and art to developments in music and metals, taking
different elements from various fields and bringing them together helps define
what that period's culture is really all about.<br />
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Finding the Midpoint Where Divergent Materials Can Meet<br />
Architects-turned-designers such as Federico Delrosso are modern masters of
making divergent groups of materials work and play well together. By pairing
concrete and glass, wood and metal, and other unexpected duos, Delrosso makes
his own statement for finding ways to work together, get along and appreciate
differences as cultural strengths rather than weaknesses.<br />
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This is a particularly important message as the influence of the internet grows
and the world it connects begins to feel increasingly smaller and more
homogeneous.<br />
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Saving the Planet One Eco-Friendly Design at a Time<br />
Another way that modern interior design is increasingly helping to not just
define but save the world we live in today is through incorporating
eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable concepts into today's designs. Famous
designer Robin Wilson, "designer to the celebrities," is just one
such interior designer who is becoming well known for her commitment to using
"green" materials sourced from the local communities where she lives
and works.<br />
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Her own interest in such an endeavor began when she was a child plagued by
allergies. Today, she is not just an ambassador to the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America but a well-known interior designer who favors soy
mattresses, rubber-backed tiles, non-toxic dyes and paints, organic linens and
other planet-friendly choices.<br />
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Making a Political Statement Through Interior Design<br />
One only has to take a tour of the White House to realize the vastly different
preferences and tastes of various United States Presidents. Often termed a
"living museum" for this and other reasons, many rooms bear the
unique design stamps of both the historical period it was designed in and the
reigning leader during that period.<br />
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In some sense, historians even view this as a type of "political branding"
which helped that President establish and maintain consistency of message and
policy during the term(s) served. Here, this view is inclusive of selected
colors, rug weaves, furniture, curtains and even personal emblems.<br />
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Forecasting the Future Before It Arrives<br />
Finally, interior designers play an increasingly significant role in helping to
determine what the future holds in terms of cultural preferences as they play
out in color, style and texture. For instance, this year's forecast includes
rug types, metals choices, artistic/graphically influenced rugs and textiles,
glass treatments and more.<br />
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In a similar way to how red carpet couture influences mass marketable fashions,
world famous interior designers pave the way for commercial replication of the
future's designs one "predicted trend" at a time.<br />
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With each of these factors at work through the efforts of each time period's
reigning interior designers, the world we live in takes shape around us in
color, form, shape, texture and other ways —and is thus preserved for future
generations to study and learn from. As well, some facets of our shared past
move forward with us as designers reference both the past and the future to
create the designs of the present.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Mikkie
Mills is a Chicago native who loves to save money and help others do the
same. When I'm not writing, I'm chasing the little ones around or rock climbing
at the local climbing gym.</span></i><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">"</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-77838400752932739822015-11-13T12:17:00.000-08:002015-11-17T14:43:50.002-08:00Shut the Front Door: Key Ways to Improve Home Efficiency<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When it comes to thinking "green," few things are more important than the doors that lead into the home. In addition to serving as an entryway for the home's occupants and guests, doors almost always serve as an entryway for excess heat or cold air throughout the year. The result is a significant drain on home energy efficiency, increased home heating and cooling costs, and an unnecessarily large carbon footprint in virtually every season. There are some key changes that can be made to combat energy loss through a home's doors and entryways, however, and many of these improvements are cost-effective over the long-term. That's especially true when homeowners consider the long-term cost of energy savings versus the long-term cost of energy waste, just by making a few changes.<br />
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1. <b>Low-E Coatings Keep Hot Air Out</b><br />
One of the most important and impactful changes that can be made to a home's doors is to find glass with a "Low-E" coating on exposed glass. This coating is extremely thin. In fact, it's a microscopic coating that can't be seen, felt or noticed in any significant way. Despite its microscopic nature, however, the presence of a Low-E coating on an <a href="http://www.sanssoucie.com/blog/category/interior-glass-doors-2" target="_blank">interior glass doors</a> windows has a massive impact on how much heat is transmitted into the home from the sun.<br />
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The coating works as a UV radiation block, essentially creating a microscopic layer of "cool" glass, even when the door's glass feels hot to the touch after being warmed by the sun all day. Because the Low-E coating is on the interior side of the door's window glass, it actually keeps heat outside. In fact, homeowners might notice that the glass inside the home feels significantly cooler than the glass on the other side of the door. Over time, this lowers home cooling costs in the summer months and reduces the use of air conditioning. This can result in significant energy savings each year, helping the Low-E glass pay for itself in a relatively short period of time.<br />
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2. <b>Cracks and Leaks Should Be Found and Blocked</b><br />
The glass in a door is one of the easiest ways for outdoor weather conditions to significantly impact energy usage, but it's not the only way that doors could be making it harder to control the home's temperature and minimize its use of heating and cooling throughout the year. In fact, one of the biggest sources of energy loss each year is the cracks that often are found throughout the door's trim, molding, and mounting materials. These cracks may not be visible to the naked eye, either because they’re very small or because they're hiding underneath decorative trim. Even so, they're definitely letting outdoor weather conditions into the home and undermining the home's installed heating and cooling systems.<br />
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3. <b>Fix Improper Door Hanging and Alignment</b><br />
Another cause of home energy loss, and one that's easily fixed by a qualified contractor, is a door that has been improperly hung or aligned with the door frame itself. An improperly installed door often angles up, away from the floor, and fits poorly into the doorframe. This means that there will at least be a significant gap toward the floor, which allows cool or hot air to come into the home and waste energy. It also means that, more likely than not, the door is doing damage to the doorframe and creating several gaps on either side of the frame when the door is closed. The solution to this problem is to inspect hinges and mounting hardware after the door has been removed, making adjustments as necessary so that the door closes easily, creates a tight seal between the home's indoor and outdoor spaces, and stops damaging the doorframe in the process.<br />
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4. <b>Replace Old or Faulty Hardware</b><br />
An old doorknob could secretly be letting air into the home that produces a significant drain on heating and cooling systems. Old or faulty hardware often gets looser over time, creating cracks and crevices that undermine a home's energy efficiency. The solution is pretty simple: Uninstall old, faulty hardware and opt for a strong, attractive, reinforced doorknob instead. For example, old door hinges can cause home energy efficiency. Installing new sliding door hardware instead of hinges is a simple yet efficient way to improve your home's energy efficiency. New hardware will look great and be just easy to use, but it will block cracks and crevices that old hardware created, providing greater energy savings.<br />
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<b>Excellent Opportunities to Conserve Energy and Save Money</b><br />
It's natural for some cold or hot air to make its way into the home when a door is opened, but homeowners shouldn't expect this air to make it sway through the door's cracks and crevices all day long, every day of the year. By making a few important changes to a home's doors, energy loss can be stopped and real, substantive cost savings can take place. This can have important benefits to a home budget over the long-term, making each change recommended above into a major benefit for the whole family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Mikkie Mills is a Chicago native who loves to save money and help
others do the same. When I'm not writing, I'm chasing the little ones around or
rock climbing at the local climbing gym.<span style="color: #666666;">"</span></i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-4575455063648148742015-09-26T10:29:00.001-07:002015-09-26T10:29:44.324-07:00Common Kid Messes and How to Clean Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">New
parents are always asking, "Why does my toddler make such a mess?" A
better question might be, "How soon can we open a bottle of wine after the
kid goes to bed?" Kids are going to </span><a href="http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/discipline/improper-behavior/why-toddlers-make-messes/"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">make a mess</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">. That's their mission
in life at this stage of development. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">You can fight it or embrace the mess.
Thankfully, there are plenty of tried-and-true methods for cleaning up the most
common of kid messes. This is one blog post you'll definitely want to bookmark!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
hope of every parent is that children find a way to express themselves. This
usually starts with a handful of crayons and a coloring book. Good luck with
getting the crayons to actually show up on the book. Instead, once a kid learns
crayons are for drawing, you can expect those drawings to show up on just about
any surface of your home. That includes walls, countertops, floors, televisions
and furniture. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Thankfully,
</span><a href="http://www.crayola.com/"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">crayon makers</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> have heard the cries
and answered the call by coming up with washable crayons. At least, that is the
theory. Often those crayons will end up on a fabric sofa or carpet. If they
aren't wiping up, then blast them with a hair dryer. That will soften the wax
for more efficient removal. It's always best to attack the crayon stains as
soon as they happen. Of course, snap a picture of the art first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Spilled Milk<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">This
is nothing to cry over. Actually, spilled milk is only a problem when it gets
on fabric. If left to dry, that old milk can create a sour smell. Blot the
spill on a carpet. For extra absorption, try </span><a href="http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/34-reasons-to-load-up-on-lemons/"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">lemon juice</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> on the stain but test
a small area first to make sure it won’t discolor anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Permanent Marker<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Permanent
marker isn’t so permanent when you know these few tricks. For marker on wood,
use toothpaste to get it out. If your child (or you, because we know that’s
happened) gets </span><a href="http://homeyimprovements.com/remove-permanent-marker-everything/"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">permanent marker on
upholstery</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">
use rubbing alcohol or non-oily hairspray.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Juice Spills<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Just
because it comes in a box doesn't mean it won't end up on your rug. As with
most messy fabric stains, it is best to blot as opposed to rub. Once the
blotting is complete, whatever is left behind can be treated with one quart
water, a tablespoon of white vinegar and a teaspoon of laundry detergent. Let
the mixture sit on the juice stain for several minutes then rinse with water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chewing Gum<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Once
your child has mastered the concept of chewing gum without swallowing it, they
will begin to find other ways to dispose of the confection. That will usually
involving putting it in a sibling's hair, on a car seat or in the carpet. When
that happens, it's time to break out the ice pack. Freeze the gum and it will
be easier to pull up. If there is some residue, then freeze again and use an
old toothbrush to scrap it off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Stickers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">As
soon as your kid discovers the simple joy of stickers, you can count on them
showing up everywhere. To get them off the things they shouldn't be on, try
rubbing them with baby oil or WD-40. That should help with the gluey residue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">A
rapid response to these common kid messes is vital. However, sometimes those
stains can go unnoticed or you don't have the time to tackle them right away.
For a stubborn stain on the carpet you might need to bring in the heavy guns. </span><a href="http://www.sweeperland.com/extractors.html"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Professional carpet cleaning extractors</span></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"> will certainly get
the job done. They're also easy to rent on an as-needed basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Once
you tackle those stains and get the kids to bed, you can finally relax with
that bottle of wine. Just be sure not to spill any on that clean carpet …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">BIO: James works in construction and blogs in his free time at </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.homeyimprovements.com/" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2214_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Homey Improvements</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">. He also enjoys hiking, photography, and buying new gadgets. Follow him on </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.twitter.com/DIYfolks" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2215_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Twitter @DIYfolks</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-45183432510054510302015-08-02T12:18:00.000-07:002015-08-02T12:18:35.131-07:00Bring Your Lawn and Garden Into Balance: How to Measure and Correct Soil pH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO18xSOy6JDYs4biWtFvYp8bMQKh3BB_yD36-5GNOTZeGbv7WRfsCzBc9DwKqc-hHmUWbVOYLfKEGG520V4dp3EqC1zu3E_Y-0YXJoenfuLPFeWSwVMQsXD_YAd55uaWiK2-w4w/s1600/2-ph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO18xSOy6JDYs4biWtFvYp8bMQKh3BB_yD36-5GNOTZeGbv7WRfsCzBc9DwKqc-hHmUWbVOYLfKEGG520V4dp3EqC1zu3E_Y-0YXJoenfuLPFeWSwVMQsXD_YAd55uaWiK2-w4w/s400/2-ph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since the Neolithic Revolution, which occurred 10,000 years ago or so, human beings have been struggling to help plants grow. Sometimes, this has led to a bountiful harvest. Other times, there has been terrible drought. Even with 10,000 years of experience under our belt, humanity has had a difficult time in farming and gardening. This is largely because there are so many factors interacting at the same time.<br />
<br />
Plants require water, sunlight and food – typically in the form of nitrogen. But they require these three elements in precisely balanced quantities, usually formulated by the plant’s evolutionary history in a given environment. Plants from tropical rainforests, for example, will require daily watering, while a cactus may not. We’re all basically familiar with those concepts of ample water and ample sunlight.<br />
<br />
The story is different when we start talking about plant food. Many people – even professional farmers and gardeners – are unsure how much nitrogen any given plant should receive. And here’s where things can get even murkier: Adding too much nitrogen in the form of fertilizer can alter the pH levels of your soil, and that can have disastrous consequences for crops and gardens alike.<br />
In a nutshell, the pH level of your soil is how acidic or non-acidic it is. In chemistry terms, high pH means high alkaline, also known as “basic” (the opposite of acid), while a low pH level means the substance is acidic. Citric acid, for example, has a pH level of roughly 2.2. This explains why you pucker when you drink lemon juice. But not everyone knows how to test pH levels in soil.<br />
<br />
To be sure, over-fertilizing is not the only way to lower the pH levels of your soil. Much depends on local geology and agricultural activity, in addition to topography, history and other factors. In other words, there are so many variables that sometimes it can be difficult to pin down precisely what might be causing your acidic soil.<br />
<br />
Luckily, that doesn’t mean you’re helpless to combat it, especially if you use lime for soil pH control. There are several ways you can decrease the acidity of your soil and restore balance to your garden or fields. This is good, because controlling soil pH is essential for the health of your plants.<br />
<br />
James White has a lot more to say on this subject. For more click <a href="http://www.bakerlime.com/measure-correct-soil-ph/" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-44582493341111869922015-07-24T11:09:00.000-07:002015-07-24T11:09:10.218-07:00Rammed Earth: Affordable, and Relatively Unknown<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back in 2009, I wrote a piece about my discovery of construction using <a href="http://landfairfurniture.blogspot.mx/search?q=rammed+earth" target="_blank">Rammed Earth</a>. James White has re-visited the topic in <span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><b>Rammed Earth: Affordable, and Relatively Unknown.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfnm_PlPvj-FWaI965lM0qd7FBCqqSgoASrPC1nzLLcUj1TEgQYgqRN7hdVK3qx5UU2EcGqR5n5qsIKOVcBiQ6z0nd7_uw70O86LDkXcBX-fiUJus2cfqjGMPESDXE4wJerfzew/s1600/rammed_earth_wall_insulation_www.rammedearth.info.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfnm_PlPvj-FWaI965lM0qd7FBCqqSgoASrPC1nzLLcUj1TEgQYgqRN7hdVK3qx5UU2EcGqR5n5qsIKOVcBiQ6z0nd7_uw70O86LDkXcBX-fiUJus2cfqjGMPESDXE4wJerfzew/s400/rammed_earth_wall_insulation_www.rammedearth.info.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'sans serif'; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>
<div class="post-body clearfix" style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are comprised not of stone or brick, but of a material called rammed earth. Considering that both structures have been standing for well over 1,000 years, doesn't this process deserve a second look?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rammed earth is created when clay-rich soil is mixed with lots of water and a natural construction stabilizer. In ancient times, stabilizers often included animal blood, urine, bitumen and even certain plant fibers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Structures designed with rammed earth can be further reinforced and supported to optimize sustainability. For instance, various timbers can be used to offset heavy weight and offer additional stabilization. In modern day, one only need to substitute cement for those aforementioned stabilizers, and the structure is made exponentially more secure. This new mixture—referred to as cement stabilized rammed earth or CSRE for short—has the same strength ratings as cement. For reference, <strong>that means it can withstand about 6,000 psi of pressure</strong>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a class="more-link" href="http://www.greenbuildermedia.com/buildingscience/one-of-the-most-affordable-eco-friendly-materials-is-relatively-unknown" style="background-color: white; color: #020763; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;">Read More</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"> - See more at: http://www.greenbuildermedia.com/buildingscience#sthash.EzOXfEne.dpuf</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-58295629556090299272015-07-16T08:39:00.000-07:002015-07-16T08:41:12.339-07:005 Creative Ways to Upcycle Pallets for Home Décor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCjc9bX0tlptcNVIwofvZ718LefKnxNRPquUUvHQUa3a5QfA5Ff7q2uo0BscMSmEghN2_Cf_KtyacIdB86mi5g0DV067z5LXxmoWM2LoGMuJOtPloy2WwmCKDNRKl45wK5V0jew/s1600/pallets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCjc9bX0tlptcNVIwofvZ718LefKnxNRPquUUvHQUa3a5QfA5Ff7q2uo0BscMSmEghN2_Cf_KtyacIdB86mi5g0DV067z5LXxmoWM2LoGMuJOtPloy2WwmCKDNRKl45wK5V0jew/s400/pallets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re looking for a
unique way to add personal touches to your home décor, look no further than
your garage. Many people have a décor gem stored there: pallets. Wood pallets
are incredibly versatile and can lend a hand in projects that are DIY-friendly
but look professionally done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upcycling a wood pallet – or
using it for something new – is a great way to recycle used materials. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are five creative ways
to upcycle pallets for your home décor: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Book Shelf</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsQGeden7SQW6hshpWTdiCZk8wQ7IIFyGqAOm7FG3MnY9lDukb4epFwPUtPr4hOHskrXc_d9umghpaF-UHnHkFbPts0TmucjtU0oowsYSqxU6S11-lewWV9fDHaZZhz1pM3cuxw/s1600/palletshelvesfinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsQGeden7SQW6hshpWTdiCZk8wQ7IIFyGqAOm7FG3MnY9lDukb4epFwPUtPr4hOHskrXc_d9umghpaF-UHnHkFbPts0TmucjtU0oowsYSqxU6S11-lewWV9fDHaZZhz1pM3cuxw/s400/palletshelvesfinished.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">It seems like there’s never
enough space for book lovers to store all their favorite reads. </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/02/pallet-bookshelves-tutorial.html"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pallet bookshelves</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> are
a great addition to any room, and can be made to be the perfect size for housing
and organizing thick novels, magazines or children’s stories. Plus they make a
great conversation piece.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Towel Rack</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCRbyOdW6dOFnQN9Ni_v1p3kcdy3ze1t74J32S-BoQi55iSl0MR77mLDiduJRlY_BcJMkrKDIDzzOK7hEzrUsu9M_PweKn0L6u_xkF5Iv8xW619iQJ8hmrgV2KOjRzwMKUWq76Q/s1600/pallet+towel+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCRbyOdW6dOFnQN9Ni_v1p3kcdy3ze1t74J32S-BoQi55iSl0MR77mLDiduJRlY_BcJMkrKDIDzzOK7hEzrUsu9M_PweKn0L6u_xkF5Iv8xW619iQJ8hmrgV2KOjRzwMKUWq76Q/s400/pallet+towel+rack.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tired of wet towels on the
floor? A </span><a href="http://www.housebyhoff.com/2014/09/make-towel-rack-pallet-wood/?crlt.pid=camp.uQXVDDVztnPk"><span style="line-height: 115%;">pallet towel rack</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> –
easily made from one piece of wood sanded down from a pallet – is the perfect
solution. You can customize the piece with hooks and a coat of paint to turn it
into a truly one-of-a-kind – and functional – part of your bathroom or kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Coffee Table</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VX_T5LI-xr2Jcr0MA5JIoQ7yAd4k9vHdSaTfQ_lwtqC8cjNqpRzngPQW9E2qoeergad4d0iG-aFbJ_u7tCThN5JNrDXHvhpE6jln2skX0zygvBJfVaigCxa0_0GMDIvI1kfb1A/s1600/Pallet+coffee+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VX_T5LI-xr2Jcr0MA5JIoQ7yAd4k9vHdSaTfQ_lwtqC8cjNqpRzngPQW9E2qoeergad4d0iG-aFbJ_u7tCThN5JNrDXHvhpE6jln2skX0zygvBJfVaigCxa0_0GMDIvI1kfb1A/s400/Pallet+coffee+table.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLV4-t5_Z1z9SDnF8GWcDwO0Z6LiVAQK0o8LLesaz-Y1r4dDxQDT-TEQ_RYI2-jFJy-owOwQIcpwkfdpdumcv_QvaaagpOraQwpWO3KZojoykdwEOR42A7XWvBNSpOHJUqz8L5w/s1600/Pallet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLV4-t5_Z1z9SDnF8GWcDwO0Z6LiVAQK0o8LLesaz-Y1r4dDxQDT-TEQ_RYI2-jFJy-owOwQIcpwkfdpdumcv_QvaaagpOraQwpWO3KZojoykdwEOR42A7XWvBNSpOHJUqz8L5w/s400/Pallet1.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Finding the right coffee
table for your décor may be as easy as stepping into your garage and grabbing
an old pallet. All right, so it may not be quite that easy, but you’ll have a
good jumpstart on the materials needed. The project can be as simple or as
elaborate as you’d like, but this double-decker </span><a href="http://sustainabledecor.blogspot.com/2013/12/upcycled-pallet-coffee-table.html"><span style="line-height: 115%;">pallet coffee table</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> is
a perfect meeting point. With enough storage for electronics, magazines and
books, you can’t go wrong adding this piece to your home furnishings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pallet Wall</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4LAmHpujOm6Ir0ekGdt6D0OTYwCiHCZEwT6602ouIWgDBUakdOkWl9_S2nMtkG-jpXa_lZU0z1GVzSrfaGiLEiHl2k4xEdJYreDz8lUswelPUvyAYaVGj5AdxYVzthmD0GiLjg/s1600/Pallet-Wall.jpg-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4LAmHpujOm6Ir0ekGdt6D0OTYwCiHCZEwT6602ouIWgDBUakdOkWl9_S2nMtkG-jpXa_lZU0z1GVzSrfaGiLEiHl2k4xEdJYreDz8lUswelPUvyAYaVGj5AdxYVzthmD0GiLjg/s400/Pallet-Wall.jpg-1024x682.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">For small spaces that could
use a little texture, a wall of pallet boards can be just the right touch. The
wood can be stained different colors to warm up a cool-toned room, and you can
easily add pegs to give it just a little more function for hanging up hand
towels, washcloths or even pictures. This project may need a little assistance
since an </span><a href="http://www.builderpeople.com/remodeling"><span style="line-height: 115%;">indoor renovation of your walls</span></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"> can be tricky. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Bench</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’re in need of some
additional seating in your living space or outdoors, try putting together a
pallet bench. There are so many different styles and types to consider, depending
upon how the bench will be used. A pallet bench propped up against a wall in a
mudroom, for example, would have no need for a back to be built on, as the wall
would support the person using it. A bench outside, though, may need a back, so
it’s readily available for lounging. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pallets are an excellent
asset to have around, as they can be used in many home décor projects. The
options are nearly endless. Try tackling one of these five upcycling projects,
and bring an old pallet back to life. </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6kzVyKQa0KU-xI5rO4hjTGbefxorkozk3uJ9fkCFR085z7rvhr5g7a7l35B9R3B1GTrfJQ-fYjDAYJXVqCsetpT8kfK8kRVLkadmb_gdIoKF1n2gkjrDsyki1RFb4sfOsxHEIA/s1600/De-Temporada-photo-Steve-Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6kzVyKQa0KU-xI5rO4hjTGbefxorkozk3uJ9fkCFR085z7rvhr5g7a7l35B9R3B1GTrfJQ-fYjDAYJXVqCsetpT8kfK8kRVLkadmb_gdIoKF1n2gkjrDsyki1RFb4sfOsxHEIA/s400/De-Temporada-photo-Steve-Collins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Note from Mike, here in San
Miguel, there’s even a very good restaurant whose walls are made from pallets.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">BIO: James White works in construction and blogs in his free time at </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.homeyimprovements.com/" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2214_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Homey Improvements</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">. He also enjoys hiking, photography, and buying new gadgets. Follow him on </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.twitter.com/DIYfolks" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2215_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Twitter @DIYfolks</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-44786426392195171622015-07-15T11:29:00.001-07:002015-07-15T11:32:11.566-07:00Home Décor Portland Oregon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxNb2XUeSHBrJh4_wmYhoOGVpoaKGNUoqSLMD08-_tr0KYMlPwIswyFg2JNRxGqw5kaop-tZqLQJUfJTd3jhn-B5jvv6wQlUhajnIKA2SpSg4D-bb4RbXj6X2f-6iFH7p8OjuyQ/s1600/20150206101029_71121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxNb2XUeSHBrJh4_wmYhoOGVpoaKGNUoqSLMD08-_tr0KYMlPwIswyFg2JNRxGqw5kaop-tZqLQJUfJTd3jhn-B5jvv6wQlUhajnIKA2SpSg4D-bb4RbXj6X2f-6iFH7p8OjuyQ/s400/20150206101029_71121.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #828282; font-family: Raleway, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"><br />
The Irwin Real Estate Group (IREG) at Keller Williams Realty Sunset Corridor, has a blog that today gives us a peak at <a href="http://www.irwinrealestategroup.com/home-decor-portland-oregon/" target="_blank">Home Decor for 2016</a> from a Chinese perspective.<br />
<br />
"Each year as we view the old year in our rearview mirror, we anticipate the start of the new year. What will 2016 bring for home décor Portland Oregon?<br />
<br />
"Just like fashion designs and hair styles, home décor trends are constantly changing and evolving. Each new season brings a new must-have feature for your home, new colors and new materials. In order to keep your Portland home looking fresh and chic, what are the hot trends that you can incorporate into your décor?"</span></h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-15018977500284315772015-06-27T18:29:00.003-07:002015-06-27T18:29:49.324-07:00The tabletop as art display space: Ceramic mosaic tops by Furthur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecc4qMWzuwHI7gsMsvlvevMfQop_2stj7doQ-QpLqeYCZYyvtcDJvw0flUU8cDiOj50aU70qRhXqYfCkzcPWSKeTMuDe23UwXLSk5FJncO59hW39SuJ9BpMTn_pt4a-tDFfMF/s1600/2272568114_46a9cb8b41_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecc4qMWzuwHI7gsMsvlvevMfQop_2stj7doQ-QpLqeYCZYyvtcDJvw0flUU8cDiOj50aU70qRhXqYfCkzcPWSKeTMuDe23UwXLSk5FJncO59hW39SuJ9BpMTn_pt4a-tDFfMF/s400/2272568114_46a9cb8b41_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The <a href="http://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-furthur-20150627-story.html">LA Times</a> today reports that for some time "...tables with ceramic-tiled tops have often been relegated to patio and pool areas — strictly outdoors.<br />
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But that's changing, says Michelle Arias, who, with her husband, Raymond, opened Furthur on Sunset Boulevard 20 years ago. Tables adorned with 4-by-4-inch Mexican azulejos (ceramic wall tiles) are now in-home worthy because the quality of the tiles that she gets in Dolores Hidalgo, about a 40-minute drive north from <b>San Miguel de Allende</b> in central Mexico, has so vastly improved.<br />
<br /><br />
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Azulejos can be traced to Moorish influences in the Iberian peninsula. Both there and in Mexico they became an obvious status statement — ornamental wall art that also functioned as a temperature moderator. Azulejos turned up on walls, floors, ceilings and were featured in churches and royal mansions<br />
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<a href="http://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-furthur-20150627-story.html">Read More Here</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-68061650867443291152015-06-10T13:16:00.000-07:002015-06-10T13:21:05.684-07:00Screen Door Will Open For Brunch and Lunch Seven Days a Week<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-758c4d58-dadc-def6-28a4-cc23e883fa4e" style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
The Screen Door has been added to my itinerary for next visit to PDX land.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyjUe68wWE_qOQfh2EAxUR_AkwW782qKGy8rNkOgJWNHnyB1K8HKI25od_MJDCBeegf3_Be-Ooc6Is0Sn5PNcXFFvvXIdk9gbo8cKzQX0CufdqqFoM_G0QRnX9Yq0W2njlTDQhQ/s1600/Screen_Shot_2015-06-03_at_3.32.12_PM_gzaost.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyjUe68wWE_qOQfh2EAxUR_AkwW782qKGy8rNkOgJWNHnyB1K8HKI25od_MJDCBeegf3_Be-Ooc6Is0Sn5PNcXFFvvXIdk9gbo8cKzQX0CufdqqFoM_G0QRnX9Yq0W2njlTDQhQ/s320/Screen_Shot_2015-06-03_at_3.32.12_PM_gzaost.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: VERDANA; font-size: 9px; line-height: 15px; text-align: left;">Image: </span><a class="attribution-link" href="http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/producers/allison-jones" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; background-color: white; border: none; color: #9c142f; font-family: VERDANA; font-size: 9px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 15px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;">Allison Jones</a></td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-758c4d58-dadc-def6-28a4-cc23e883fa4e" style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
A massive bombshell from <a href="http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/articles/the-classic-portland-brunch-hall-of-fame-may-2015" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: none; color: #9c142f; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;">weekend brunchmaster</a><a href="http://www.screendoorrestaurant.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: none; color: #9c142f; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank"> Screen Door</a>. S<strong>tarting June 11, the Southern fried East Burnside restaurant will open for brunch and lunch seven days a week.</strong>That's right: chicken and waffles on a Monday, all the grits and Spicy Creole Bloody Marys you can handle Tuesday, Friday, Sunday, whatever—just throw your calendar away entirely. Also, the restaurant will debut a huge new lunch menu, built around a line-up of<b> 13 Southern sandwiches (muffaletta and brisket to po’boys served on custom Alessio French bread). </b>“It is kinda nuts,” says co-owner David Mouton with a laugh. “But we are so excited.</div>
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”</div>
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Along with that big sandwich roster, expect a half-dozen appetizers and a heavy emphasis on salads and veggie specials at lunch to balance out the restaurant’s meaty eats; a nod to the fact that every Screen Door meal need not be a gut-busting challenge.</div>
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Screen Door has had the market cornered on weekend brunch for nearly a decade now, with parody-worthy weekend wait lines creeping around the block and a crack team of 50+ staffers, including a handful kitchen pros whose sole job is to handle the 2,200 pounds of chicken the restaurant fries up each week.</div>
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The expanded hours and ambitious new menus have brought their own challenges—first and foremost, a lack of space. In addition to the restaurant’s own kitchen, Mouton and wife/co-owner Nicole now rent a commissary kitchen where the crew does all its batch cooking--like stewing collard greens and gumbo and butchering chickens. They also renovated the Screen Door’s garage to make space for a second “micro-kitchen,” where their baker can churn out fresh biscuits and daily shortcakes and its chefs can whip up dinner specials. </div>
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With August marking the restaurant’s 10 year anniversary, Mouton says it was the right time to make some big changes.<strong> “Over the last couple of years we’ve been tempted to open another Screen Door over the river or open different concepts. But instead of taking our eye off the ball, we’d rather expand our hours here and maintain our institutional status,”</strong> he says, crediting the restaurant’s staff for giving him and Nicole confidence to undertake the expansion. “The sentimental reason is that I really want to respond to the neighbors. They’ve been asking us to open for brunch on weekdays for years. You know, we didn’t open the restaurant with fried chicken and waffles [on the menu], that was a customer request. In fact, all of our main menu items were customer requests. We just respond to what people ask for.”</div>
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“Screen Door is its own beast,” Mouton laughs. “It’s taken on its own life—we’re just here to steer it."</div>
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<strong>Screen Door's new hours:</strong></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<li>Weekday brunch 8 am-2 p.m; lunch served 10:30 am-2 pm (Mon-Fri)</li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<li>Dinner 5:30 pm-10 pm Tues-Sat; 5:30 pm-9 pm Sun-Mon</li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<li>Saturday & Sunday brunch 9 am-2:30 pm</li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong><a href="http://www.screendoorrestaurant.com/" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s; border: none; color: #9c142f; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s;" target="_blank">Screen Door</a></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2337 E Burnside St</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
503-542-0880</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #332629; font-family: Times; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-11272176688573979362015-06-02T08:43:00.000-07:002015-06-02T08:43:53.489-07:00From Mukava, the World’s First Egonomic Reading Table. <div class="MsoPlainText">
From <a href="http://www.mukava-tables.com/" target="_blank">Mukava</a>, the world’s first ergonomic reading table. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4iPG2oMo-qZ_WhoJyNjKE8IiP2_H1HQsSRlkKn3CSbc9Z5OrXXZAULw-0ROnm0yz4gpexcIQ0VvwkF7iMN9J5sBDvWledE_ChPC0o_KQdz1V9yyysGwu8IEFiTA2VnbgmJ4b6w/s1600/Mukava-5-gold-916x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4iPG2oMo-qZ_WhoJyNjKE8IiP2_H1HQsSRlkKn3CSbc9Z5OrXXZAULw-0ROnm0yz4gpexcIQ0VvwkF7iMN9J5sBDvWledE_ChPC0o_KQdz1V9yyysGwu8IEFiTA2VnbgmJ4b6w/s400/Mukava-5-gold-916x1024.jpg" width="357" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Designed by multi-award winning industrial designer
Hiroshi Ono, Mukava is compatible with all mobile and tablet devices as well as
books and documents. Mukava features our patented hinge system that adjusts to
more than twelve possible positions, making your reading or viewing experience
comfortable wherever you are. Feel free to watch their new promotional video
highlighting its versatility and design:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<a href="https://vimeo.com/125081675">https://vimeo.com/125081675</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Mukava currently offers three revolutionary products which are listed below<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
1) Mukava Premium (<a href="http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21825">http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21825</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
2 Mukava Gold (<a href="http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21871">http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21871</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
3) Mukava For Monitor Arm (<a href="http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21874">http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=21874</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Instructional Video (<a href="http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=13880">http://www.mukava-tables.com/?page_id=13880</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
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All of their products are currently in production and they will begin taking pre-orders on May 25 in preparation for a full
product launch on 1 July, 2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Mükava is about more than selling the world’s best
reading table. They are about helping communities at home and abroad to learn to
read. Mukava's Project for Adult Literacy and Schools, LLC is focussed on
two causes; adult literacy in America and building a school for homeless
children in Jakarta, Indonesia. Twenty percent of the total profits of their company go to their causes.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11476975.post-34654939075748290722015-05-26T11:27:00.001-07:002015-05-26T11:27:21.518-07:00How to Choose Paint Colors to Complement Furniture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRlPueXz41Ri4xsXSdbjkxcYZkdt0APt8Jw_FxCQFy0PQifgW4Kju6K-eIFQ2Msnv5r2mclMSaRSD5mKylXKUgE55P0JeHopZyCBZcB4Y-sYp1GzE1gQk3i1cpriWeWmWD8V4Yg/s1600/IMG_0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRlPueXz41Ri4xsXSdbjkxcYZkdt0APt8Jw_FxCQFy0PQifgW4Kju6K-eIFQ2Msnv5r2mclMSaRSD5mKylXKUgE55P0JeHopZyCBZcB4Y-sYp1GzE1gQk3i1cpriWeWmWD8V4Yg/s400/IMG_0929.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.9pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.9pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 13.9pt;">Most people already own furniture before deciding to paint and repaint. Choosing a color that complements the furniture you already have only makes sense. Knowing how to choose the right color, texture and pattern of paint can be quite a challenge, though.</span><br />
<h2>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Complementary Color Matching<o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The first step to choosing color for your home should be to find a family of colors that complement your furniture colors. If you’re lucky enough to have neutral colors for your furniture, such as tan, white or black, then you can choose almost any color scheme.<br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">For everyone else, you’ll want to visit your local paint store and choose some sample color strips in a variety of choices. Find one that is as close to the color of your furniture as possible. Now, turn to a </span></span><a href="https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel/"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">color wheel</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> to find complementary colors.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you have an accent chair or pillow in the room, choose one of the minor, lighter colors in the pattern to paint your walls. The best colors will be directly across from and in the same row as your color. Remember that you want contrast. Everything shouldn’t match exactly or your room will look flat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Opposites Attract<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you have darker furniture, brighten up the room by adding lighter or “happier” paints. However, there are a few neutral dark colors that don’t dampen a room’s ambience when there is dark furniture as well. </span></span><a href="http://www.shorelinepaintingct.com/#!Gray-is-One-of-the-Hottest-Colors-for-Interior-Paint-Heres-Why/c1zxe/5512fc200cf220353056af9e"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Grey is a versatile paint color</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> that coordinates well with many hues and adapts to different lighting.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Choosing an adaptable paint color for your walls makes it easier to change your furniture whenever the need (or want) arises. You can still add personality to your room with splashes of color through throws and pillows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When and Where to Use an Accent Wall<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Is there a wall in your home that you want to draw attention to?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Make sure the color you choose doesn’t clash with any art or furniture on that wall. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is also a good opportunity to use more than one paint color and add glossy stripes in the same color, texture, sponge painting or other specialized techniques. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">In a larger room, it can be tempting to add a lot of special details, such as a textured wall. However, this can be quite time consuming on a large wall. Instead, consider adding these details to just a small area, such as over a fireplace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Just keep in mind:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If your furniture is modern, stay away from antiquing styles or texture. Stick with smooth surfaces and geometric patterns.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If your furniture is antique, stay away from geometric patterns and modern designs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep Your Lifestyle in Mind<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.9pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ultimately, the paint you choose has to fit in with your everyday life. For example, it probably isn’t a wise decision to choose paint that doesn’t wash easily if you have small children. Maybe you even want to consider using </span></span><a href="http://edmontonrealestateblog.com/2015/05/creative-decorate-chalkboard.html"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">chalkboard paint</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> for kid’s room walls.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Consider all the factors involved in making your house look great, including using multiple textures, complementary colors and adding detail to draw attention. If you take your time and choose based on all these elements, you’ll have freshly painted walls that you’ll enjoy for years to come.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">BIO: James works in construction and blogs in his free time at </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.homeyimprovements.com/" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2214_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Homey Improvements</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">. He also enjoys hiking, photography, and buying new gadgets. Follow him on </span><a aria-haspopup="true" class="Object" href="http://www.twitter.com/DIYfolks" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT2215_com_zimbra_url" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">Twitter @DIYfolks</span></a><span style="background-color: #fdfdfd; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; font-size: 11pt;">.</span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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