As gas prices continue to be at the highest levels that we have ever seen, more and more people are working at home. How you go about your office decorating can make a big difference in how productive you are going to be. Think about it. If you do not like how your office is decorated you will not like being there and you will not be in an optimal work mode.
As you think about office decorating for your home office or your office at work, you want to make it as comfortable as possible for yourself. Below are five office decorating ideas to get you started to make your work space enjoyable and make you as productive as possible whether you are working at home or at the office:
1.) Whether you are ready to start the office decorating at home or at work, use color. I am not saying that you need to go crazy with wild colors but the last thing you want is to be surrounded by boring white walls. Many studies have been done that prove that the color of a room can change your attitude. Casinos and retail stores use this tactic every single day to get you into a mood hat will benefit them. Choose colors that make you happy. If they are a little wild for some other people, you can always re-paint later. It is good to use two colors that compliment each other and then you can base the other decor in the room around those colors.
2.) Place plants in various places around the room. There are many plants available that do not need much attention and will live through many things. If you are anything like me, this is very important as not everyone has a green thumb. With office decorating, you can pick a plant theme by plant or by color. There is nothing wrong with going with a theme of something you like.
3.) Depending on haw much freedom that you have at work or if you are decorating your home office, you can still have an office with a view, literally any view. With a wall mural painted on a wall you can look at your favorite skyline, your favorite beach or even your favorite stadium. Then you can have your favorite view right from your office chair.
4.) If decorating your home office, create your own art gallery by adding an art collection to your walls. This may allow you to collect different art that your spouse may not care to place in main living areas of the house. If you are a golfer you could include golf prints by artists such as Linda Hartough. You could either collect her work at Augusta National or collect all of her work done on the US Open golf courses. Maybe you are a race fan and want to collect some work of Sam Bass. You can always carry the theme of your house into your home office.
5.) Many people are creating an office theme to resemble a favorite resort or spa that that they have visited. Do you have a favorite resort or spa? Decorate your office like the resort you went to in Miami or Los Angeles. You can use any place that gives you great memories. This can make you more relaxed and more productive and relieve a lot of stress.
All of us spend more time working than we do anything else, with this being said, nobody wants to have to work in an area for hours that makes them unhappy. Use these office decorating tips to create a space that you will enjoy. If these ideas are not what you have in mind, there are many other decorating ideas that are available to you. On second thought, you can simply use your imagination. Only you know what will make you happy!
October 8, 2009
Five Office Decorating Tips For Home Or at Work
Find A Great Chair Cover – San Diego Offers Many Choices
By: Sarah Martin
If you live in Southern California and want to decorate in elegance and style for an upcoming event, you can’t underestimate the value of a simple detail such as a chair cover. San Diego has many rental companies that specialize in providing you with exactly what you need for the occasion.
You only have to look at a before and after picture to show you what adding a chair cover can do for the design of the decorations. A before picture showing the chairs as they are cannot compare with the beauty of the chairs decorated with covers and sashes.
When you start looking, chair cover San Diego (http://www.magicalpartyrentals.com/rentals/chaircoverrentals.html) rental agencies for linens for weddings and other special occasions have showrooms that you can visit. You can also see the pictures of the styles and colors available by visiting their websites that also have a listing of the prices.
For as little as $2.50 per chair, you get the cover and the sash as well as delivery, set up and pickup. The covers are washed and steamed after every use and just before they are used again so that every room is as presentable as possible for the occasion.
Adding chair covers will make the event more memorable for both you and the guests. When the guests enter the room, they will stop and gaze in awe at the luxurious ambiance this detail adds. You can consult with a specialist so that you get a chair cover that suits your theme.
When choosing a chair cover, San Diego rental agencies will help you decide the color and the fabric for the cover so that you add a splash of color that is consistent with your theme and design. A chair cover is also important in making your guests feel special and honored to have been invited.
If you are planning an event during a busy season of the year, such as a wedding in the summer or a Christmas party, you should make sure you make your reservations in advance for renting chair covers. During these peak seasons, you may not be able to get exactly what you want in a chair cover. San Diego is very busy during these times of the year as are other cities of the nation.
You should book the chair cover rentals at least six months in advance to take advantage of great deals and the best choices in colors and material. Even though you may not know the exact number of covers that you will need at this time, you should have an approximate number in mind that you can adjust up or down within a few weeks of the date.
You don’t have to worry about getting normal stains on a chair cover. San Diego rental companies accept this as long as the stain can be removed in the cleaning process. This includes stains from spilled drinks and food.
However, if there is a stain on one or more chair covers due to permanent marker, for examples, or if there is a tear that cannot be repaired, you will have to pay the cost of replacing the cover. With the many companies that rent chair covers in San Diego, you can compare the prices and the covers they offer to make sure you get the most competitive deal.
Quality in Furniture Upholstery
By: Sarah Martin
The retail dealer in furniture must accustom himself to being able to recognize qualities in upholstered furniture bought from the manufacturer, as in no other line of work is it possible to pass off inferior goods so easily. The actual upholstery is entirely covered in a finished chair or sofa, and often two finished chairs will appear exactly similar in outward aspect, yet one will outwear the other several times over.
It is safe to say that 90% of the wholesale manufacturers do not furnish the best grade of material and workmanship in the goods that they sell. In the first place, all upholstery frames should be made of ash. The exposed portions only, such as feet or arms, should be made of the decorative wood required, such as oak, mahogany or walnut, etc.
Webbing which upholds the springs and corner guards (http://www.ferche.com) should be four inches wide, and the best grade has four red threads running parallel about one-half inch from each edge. The inferior grades are narrower, with blue and black threads at the edges instead of red.
The webbing should be tightly stretched and interlaced and should be nailed with seven tacks at each end. If good webbing is used, it can generally be taken for granted that the better quality goods are used throughout. The webbing can be examined by tearing off a corner of the black cambric covering underneath the chair.
The next item to examine on an upholstered piece is the gimp which covers the tacks. This should be of good quality and well glued, firm and flat, instead of being tacked to the frame.
The stronger springs should be in the middle of the seat, the weaker in the rear and the balance in the front and sides. The best grade of springs have the ends of the springs knotted to the next loop, the inferior grades do not, the ends being merely cut off along with the corner protector (http://www.ferche.com).
The advantage of the knotted spring is that it cannot unwind or get loose from its fastening and gradually slip through the upholstery material. The springs should be japanned or enameled. Each spring should be tied in six places with a firm knot instead of a simple loop and they should be all tied together, each in four directions. The ends of the springs should be nailed firmly to the frame work. The springs should be covered on top with a piece of heavy burlap and each spring should be sewed to the burlap in four places.
A continuous twine should be used. The best hair is "South American Drawings," which is long and soft horse hair that has been sterilized, treated and curled, either black or white in color. The white is slightly more expensive but no better in quality. There should, however, be no short pieces mixed in. The hair is placed on top of the burlap which covers the springs, and under the cross-stitching of twine, the hair is worked and interlaced by the experienced upholsterer.
Over this is loosely tacked a piece of light burlap, which in turn is sewn to the under heavy burlap. This is done by means of a series of squares covering the whole scat or back. After this is completed, additional hair is worked in, and then the top piece of light burlap is tacked tightly down to the frame and wall protectors with tacks about 1/4" apart.
The edgings are now shaped and the edge stitching made, under which is placed a thin layer of hair and over this is placed unbleached material, firmly stretched and tacked on the sides. Over this is placed a layer of cotton wadding, and finally the finished material, which is tacked closely to the molding. The gimp is then glued over the tacks as a finish, and finally the black cambric is nailed to the bottom side and the piece is complete.
In inferior workmanship, the stuffing may be of excelsior, sea weed, moss, goats' hair, pigs' hair, or old rags, and with the amount of detailed labor and the number of processes used in properly doing upholstery work, one can readily judge that the quality of both material and workmanship can be very greatly varied, causing the actual cost of the finished work to run a considerable range, all of which can be hidden under the final covering.
October 5, 2009
DIY Fence Installation: The Basics
By: Benedict Smythe
Who said fences are out of vogue? Fences remain useful additions to any home or any yard. Kids and even domestic animals can be kept safe with the use of fences, especially if you live on generally uneven and dangerous terrain. It’s the “final frontier” so to speak, before an individual steps out into another territory.
Wooden fences are actually quite nice to look at especially if they have this honeyed finish that looks cool during hot afternoons and are still visible at night. If you live near a mountainous region, then a DIY fence installation is all you need to keep your kids that much safer.
Preparation
Before you buy any materials for the fences, first make a complete measurement of the entire length of land that would be fenced. Use a conventional mechanical meter for this. If your house is situated on uneven land, give certain allowances for these uneven parts of the land, but make the measurements doubly accurate.
Allowances from the house should be adequate, as you would not want to be literally “boxed in” by the new fences. If you have neighbors, and you don’t have ready access to both sides of the land, make sure to ask your friendly neighbors if you can work from their part of the fence as well. This would allow you to make the necessary micro adjustments with little difficulty.
The steps
1.) The wooden panels for the fence often come in different sizes. Often, the fences are 6 feet wide and have the following heights:
• 3 feet
• 4 feet
• 5 feet
• 6 feet
2.) If you wish to use more traditional support or foundations for your wooden fence, then you would have to use a power auger or an efficiently-shaped shovel to make way for the supports. Typically, these supports are hammered or pummeled into the ground until they are snugly in place. Using conventional supports means you need shorter posts. Having shorter posts means you would not have to deal with rotting posts in a few years.
3.) On the other hand, you can use concrete in securing your fence posts. Drying the concrete might take a while but provide wonderful stability, especially if you live in stony areas. Muddy areas that are moist all year round do not lend well to the concrete approach.
4.) After installing the posts, the panels should be securely put in place and reinforced with “post supports”. Post supports are large screws that lock the panels to either the mid-region of the post or the upper-region.
5.) Concrete post supports should be at least two feet deep. The posts should be supported adequately with two wooden planks at least ¾ of a foot long. These should be placed securely upon the ground to keep the post erect until the concrete dries.
6.) Slope fencing can be tricky. Try to find a particular “rhythm” to your installation so that the fence evenly descends the slope. Use increments to make sure that the fence looks good from afar.
DIY Electrical Socket Installation
By: Benedict Smythe
A well planned home has electric sockets at every pre-determined spot in the house, allowing for ease of use anytime of the day. Unfortunately, only 1 or 2 houses out of a hundred have been designed this way. This is the reason why many of us make use of long extension cords that snake around the house - bringing electricity to un-serviced regions of the house. Sometimes it’s convenient, oftentimes it’s not.
To make the picture more complicated, extension cords are not recommended for heavy or power-intensive appliances, such as washing machines and automatic dryers. In these instances, you really have to install new electric sockets. But how does one do it?
DIY socket installation
Who says it can’t be done? “Can’t” should be removed from the vocabulary of a competent DIY-er or do-it-yourselfer. If you can follow simple instructions and you know the basic skills of do it yourself home repair, home improvement and renovation, then there is no way that you’re going to fail.
Note of warning
If you think that the power cables in your house have already been battered too much by overuse, misuse or by it general age, then leave the task to a qualified electrician who can do it professionally. Losing a finger or a whole hand to electricity is never a pretty sight. Don’t bite off what you can’t chew, especially if you’re dealing with electricity.
The steps
1.) Safety first : turn of the main switch, and make sure that all the lines that you would be touching have absolutely no power. If you think some lines are not controlled by an automatic main power switch, use a small volt tester to make sure. If you can, remove the wounded wires inside the automatic switch to completely render the lines inside the house power-less.
2.) Install the sockets one by one. Make sure that you know what kinds of circuits you are dealing with. For example, radial circuits have more than one wire in them. There are earth wires, positive and negative wires, etc. Make sure that you attach these properly to the new sockets before anything else.
3.) Remember that sockets should be well above possible flood levels. Flood levels vary from region to region, as well as country to country. As a general rule of thumb, electric sockets and electrical appliances should be placed at least 170 mm above the base ground level. Adjust accordingly, based on your own calculations. But do not place the electric sockets too high up that they become unusable.
4.) If you plan to install surface-mounted electrical sockets, then you are in luck. These are relatively easy to install and far easier to observe for defects than other types. Though a bit bulkier, surface-mounted electrical sockets can be easily installed and just as easily removed.
5.) Surface-mounted electrical sockets should have “safe boxes” that have been screwed in place before the actual socket is placed inside. Never install “naked” surface-mounted electrical sockets as these can cause immediate shock or even death, especially to small children and pets.
6.) Flush-mounted electrical sockets are more difficult to install; you actually have to install it behind the wall. But if you do choose flush-mounted over surface-mounted, you would have the benefit of having a neater installation, minus the bulk.
Dealing With Dampness: What to Do When Dampness Envelops Your Home
By: Benedict Smythe
Dampness or unwanted moisture in the house is indeed a serious problem. While a little dampness is hardly noticeable, real dampness tends to degrade paint on the walls, and causes molds and other unpleasant growths to further make themselves at home in your own house. Often, dampness is the result of repeated rain during the rainy season, right before the break of summer. Increased moisture in the sky, in the air and on the ground make the task of drying your home a Herculean task.
The checklist
The following steps may be taken to ensure that any counter-measures for the dampness in your home would be done after all non-invasive techniques have been tried. Sometimes, just checking the house in different ways makes all the difference.
1.) Leaks- when was the last time that you checked the integrity of your roof? Sometimes, leaks can make some spots in the house as damp as the outside, because the roof is no longer functioning well. Check the house for small leaks. If you do find the leaks, attempt to patch these first and see what happens from thereon. Chances are, if leaks are your only problem, then the problem has been solved already.
2.) Is condensation the culprit? - Often overlooked, condensation also plays a big part in making the insides of a house as damp as a newborn kitten. How does condensation take place? Condensation is the formation of water droplets- lots of them, when hot or warm air collides with the molecules of cooler air. The collision of two bodies of air that are of unequal temperature creates condensation.
To control condensation in the most parts of the house, simply make sure that there is adequate ventilation (even just during the actual use of these parts of the house) and that thin walls are insulated properly. Insulating retains the heat inside the house, making it harder for cold air to penetrate and cause dampness.
3.) The walls outside might be the culprit- if the walls inside your home can be a contributing factor to the formation of water droplets, then imagine the conundrum you might be already facing if the walls outside have already crumbled. Check the external walls of your home to see if they are still doing their job well. If you see large cracks and holes in your walls, then it’s time for either a general patching up, or a complete replacement.
Let’s face it- walls age through the long, hard and cold years and they deserve to be replaced every now and then. When you do get the installation in place, make sure that you insulate the walls with the best insulation that your budget can afford to buy. Do this, and the moisture level inside your house will start to improve dramatically.
4.) Guttering- if your gutters have been chocked with leaves or what not, then it’s time to clean your gutters. You might be surprised how a few bunches of leaves can cause unsightly leaks inside your house. Manually remove the leaves and see if the condition inside improves.
DIY Renovation For Small Bathrooms
By: Benedict Smythe
The bathroom can be one of the more troublesome spots for DIY or do it yourself enthusiasts, because not only would you be dealing with a fairly limited space, but also, nearly everything in it has been fixed, or had installed in a permanent manner. Pneumatic drills, concrete nails and other such installation methods mean you would be dealing with concrete or granite when you want to install something. In any case, it is still possible, so go ahead and DIY freely.
The installation of toilet bowls is one of the most difficult DIY projects in the bathroom area. Just how does one install a new toilet bowl? Follow these simple steps and watch your new bathroom toilet stand high and proud.
The steps
1.) First locate the water source for your new toilet bowl. Often, water pipes have been laid down near the base of the ground, or have been semi-fixed on the floor. Make sure that the water valve has been turned off before you attempt to work with water pipes. After you have located a workable point with the water source, measure the distance to your new toilet bowl. Remember, make exact measurements. Cut the needed length for the new toilet bowl.
2.) The flange for the new installation should be installed as well. Slip it over the pipe and begin installing the valve, too. Toilets operate with what we call compression washers; install the compression washer and make sure that the whole assemblage is secured tightly. No leaks means less water wasted.
3.) The drain plug for the new toilet should be cleaned thoroughly of any debris that might hinder the passage of water. Papers and small plastic pieces should be removed. After the cleaning, the flange should be finally secured.
4.) Wax seals are included to make sure that the base of the toilet bowl and therefore, the water and all its future contents would not spill unto the surface of the bathroom. Place the wax seal on the toilet correctly as well.
5.) Silicon caulk or other similar bonding agents can be placed in addition to the wax seal to make sure what has to go down, will go down, and not out.
6.) If you have no one to help you out in this particular do it yourself project, it’s alright. The task can be done splendidly by even just one person. The success depends largely on your own familiarity with your bathroom and the basic principles of plumbing. If you followed the instructions here to the letter, then there is now way that you are going to fail. Have fun while doing it, as well.
7.) The toilet must be aligned to the nearest centimeter with the wax seal. Failure to do so might cause the toilet to flop over or leak. The correct measurements should have been done well before the toilet seat if finally lowered into its final place in the bathroom.
8.) If your toilet bowl has retaining bolts, install them all. Retaining bolts prevent your toilet bowl from falling sideways or flopping over. In some instances, the weight becomes a factor, so never ignore these little bolts. Your safety and the success of this DIY project depend on these little details.
October 2, 2009
Choosing Your Ideal Bath
If you are choosing a new bath it helps to be informed about what is on the market. The range of shapes, sizes and materials modern baths are available in is huge. You can choose from classic or modern styling, from a standard bath to a luxury whirlpool. The most common material used in bath manufacturing is cast iron which is then coated in porcelain enamel or sometimes acrylic and steel, although the latter is less common. Bath sizes can vary from 30-34" wide and 14-20" deep. Designs vary too from freestanding corner baths or sunken baths which are positioned in plinths which are custom made.
Cast Iron Baths
The weight of a cast iron bath is approximately 350lbs. Depending on where you live they can be difficult to transport, especially if your bathroom is upstairs or if there are any tight corners and doorways in your property. They do have their benefits however. When compared to acrylic baths, for example, they are quieter when filling up with water, retain the heat of the water for longer and are much more durable. They have a more robust feel to them and don't feel as "spongy" as their acrylic counterparts.
Plastic (Acrylic, Fibreglass) Baths
Although it is common knowledge that fibreglass is used in boat manufacturing it is also used for making baths. Fibreglass baths have a gel coating which provides strength while keeping them light in weight. Partly because they are easy to manufacture they are cheaper than cast iron baths. However, because of their thinness they are easily scratched, especially if strong abrasive cleaning solutions are used. Stronger cleaning solutions also affect the colour of the bath which, over time, would appear faded.
The Art of Bath Making
In the manufacturing process several layers of fibreglass are moulded together as a support layer then it is given a spray coating of a special gel. To give improved strength other materials such as foam, wood or corrugated paper are used. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is sometimes used as a more cost effective alternative to acrylic. The downside to this is that it is softer than acrylic. On a more positive note however, scratches can be eliminated by sanding. Also it not prone to colour fading.
Another process in bath manufacturing it is also worth being aware of is injection moulding. Here liquid plastic is injected into the bath mould. Once it has cooled down it is withdrawn. Injection moulded baths do not have the same rigidity as, for example, cast iron baths and they dull rapidly.
Plastic baths have the problem of being "spongy" and flexible. This is the case whether they are injection moulded or laminated (gel coated). Obviously the more layers of fibreglass or reinforcing used bumps up the price. A good idea when installing a plastic bath is to position a small amount of cement under the bath to give more stability.
Taps - The Finishing Touch
Many baths are now made “undrilled” so you can choose the type of taps you feel will fit in with the kind of bathroom you want: traditional or modern. Just choose what design suits your personality or the look and feel of the kind of bathroom you want to create.
Home Brewing Kits - Great Holiday Gifts!
By: Bill Stewart
Are you always searching for a special gift for that person who seems to have everything? I would bet that they don't have a home brewing system of their own! If you can give the gift of creating something to someone, a home brewing kit is going to be something that will be laughed about and used for weeks and months to come. Your friend might even stumble upon a fantastic method for make beer that all of you love.
Holidays, birthdays and special occasions are all a great time to give the gift of a home brewing system to make beer. Most every one just loves to have a great time, enjoy a beer, and sit back and relax. The hobby beer maker is one who can make the beer dark, heavy, light, sweet or sour. The gift you are giving to a person, with the gift of a home brewing system is one that will create a new hobby for that person. Hobbies are how we pass the time in life, and enjoy our time. Giving someone this new hobby is not only going to give them a hobby, but something new in life to talk about with others at the same time!
For the holidays (or for those birthdays, special occasions and even retirement parties), you most likely know someone who has everything they need or want. Yet, you still need to find that perfect gift that is going to be personal and useful at the same time. A home brewing kit is going to be the answer. It is going to show that you know that person likes beer (or wine as there are wine making kits too!) and you are giving the person something they can share with others who visit their home.
What types of special equipment are needed for home brewing?
No special equipment is needed. The home brewing kit is going to give you all the information, and ingredients you need to get started on making a batch of beer. The home brewing kit is even going to give you information about how to make larger batches, and what types of household things you can use to do this. You will find that if you are purchasing a gift of a home brewing kit for someone, you might even want to purchase one for yourself and get in on all the fun that is to be had. You can make brews at home; share with your family and friends, and all while enjoying your time by the fireplace in the summer or in the winter!
Making your own beer is easy. There are no hard to find ingredients, and you don't have to wait long for the final product either. The beer you make is fun, easy and good tasting all at the same time! As you enjoy making beer, and find that special flavor you want to re create all the time, you could even bottle and give others your own beer as a gift when you head to their home for a party or get together.
A Successful Way of Hiring the Right Plumber
By: Amy Nutt
Whether it is a big or small repair that is needed, for most homeowners, any type of plumbing problem can be a frustrating and time consuming experience. When it comes to dealing with a plumbing problem, enlisting the services of a plumber is recommended. Along with repairing your plumbing problem, Plumbers can also provide maintenance tips to help you avoid future plumbing issues.
Searching for a plumber can be a daunting task. Hiring a plumber that you don't know can result in more problems and higher costs. You can run the risk of shoddy work, poor quality parts, not qualified to fix the plumbing problem, and an expensive service fee. Not all plumbers are the same so it is important to find the right plumber that meets your needs.
The following are a list of tips to help you hire the right plumber:
1.) When searching for a plumber, you should ask to see the plumber's license. Most states require plumbers to carry a valid license. You also have the ability to check to see if the plumber has a history of complaints.
2.) It is important that the plumber you hire has a reputation for being good at plumbing repair and charging fair prices. Ask family, friends, neighbors about their plumber and if they like the services. You can also ask a realtor as they usually keep a list of reliable plumbers.
3.) Don't be afraid to ask questions. A reputable and honest plumber should not have a problem answering your questions. Such questions you should ask include: How long they have been on the job? What kind of guarantees they provide on their work? Can they provide references? How much will their service cost? Will the plumber offer a 30-day warranty on any work or supplies used for any plumbing repairs?
4.) Search the internet for plumbers in your area. Many customers post reviews of companies. You will learn more about a particular plumber from people who have used their services.
5.) Asking for a written estimate before the plumber begins the repair is highly recommended. As well, ask if there are any special discounts available.
6.) It is important to comparison shop for a plumber. Check with at least 3 different plumbing companies to find out their prices and services offered.
7.) Check about emergency services such as if there any restrictions about the time of day and day of the week that they will not be available in the event of an emergency.
8.) When researching for a plumber, make sure they have liability insurance in case the plumber gets hurt while working in your home.
Trying to fix a problem yourself can end up causing more problems as well as enormous costs. Knowing what to ask and doing your research will go a long way in hiring the right plumber. In the event of a slow leak, or a burst pipe, you will be reassured knowing that a good plumber is only a phone call away.
