Fishbowl Flower Vase

Hubby got me some white chrysanthemum last month. I like this kind of flower because they last for a month or so, unlike other flowers they wither too quickly.
I like using fishbowl for flower arrangements. I thought it look so nice and classy.

Tips: Fill the bowl with cut flowers. Remove most of the stems before arranging inside the fishbowl. Put the flowers in on their own or place them on a bed of floral marbles or rocks.

How To Assess If My Home Is Energy Efficient

There is a great deal of interest in making homes more energy efficient. While you know what steps you can take to improve energy efficiency, you may not know where your home needs the improvements. Knowing where your home faces the greatest challenges will help you make the right choices to improve efficiency levels. Here is what you should know to perform your own home energy audit.

Check for Leaks

One of the easiest ways to find leaks around doors and windows is with a little incense. Light an incense stick and move it around the frames. Areas of opportunity exist where the smoke is blown away from or drafted towards the wall or frame. In addition to going around doors and windows, perform the test where walls and ceilings meet and along the floor skirting.

Inspect Utility Fixtures

Take the time to inspect electrical lines, gas and water pipes where they enter the home. The caulk around these fixtures can crack and fail over time, but you can correct the problem by pulling out the old caulk and replacing it.

View Insulation

You can easily see the insulation in your attic and in crawlspaces. The insulation in your attic should still fluffed out rather than flattened, and id should rise up above the ceiling rafters. Insulation that is crushed flat is no longer effective, and you should consider installing more insulation to make the home warmer.

In crawlspaces, the insulation should be fitted into the rafters overhead or installed along the outer walls of the space. Foam boards are not as effective as rolls of insulation. If your crawlspace only has foam boards glued to the cinder block, consider installing rolls of insulation to keep the cold air out.

There are also ways to check the insulation in the walls. Shut down the power to an exterior wall outlet by unscrewing the fuse or turning it off at the circuit breaker. Make sure it is off by pulling in a portable lamp or radio. Remove the cover plate and probe into the wall around the electrical box with a long screwdriver. If insulation is in place, you will feel the resistance. If you are still concerned that insulation has settled and the upper areas of your walls are no longer protected, then you may have to call in professionals to do a thermographic inspection.

Look at Light Bulbs, Heating and Cooling Equipment and Small Appliances

Take a walk through your home and look at the equipment you have. Heaters, air conditioners and hot water tanks that are more than 15 years old are not going to be very energy efficient. Light bulbs throughout the home should be LEDs or compact fluorescents. Older kitchen appliances also pull more electricity. Anything that plugs into the wall via a larger square box pulls electricity even when it’s not running the appliance or charging something, so those should be unplugged when not in use.

Performing your own energy audit doesn’t take a great deal of time, but it can help you save money on the utility bills every month. Before you move into your new home, in addition to looking at items like insulation levels, steel posts and drafty windows, you should also take a good look at the appliances and electronics you use on a regular basis.

Written by Lachlan G.
Lachlan runs a construction business for his dad in Queensland, Australia. Lachlan loves DIY and spends most of his weekend in his workshop. 

The Beneficial Uses of Vertical Blinds

Homeowners who have a knack for style and elegance make home adjustments on a regular basis to maintain the freshness of their cherished abode. From picking the most appropriate window treatments to the choosing the best colours for each room, they just make sure that everything will be well taken care of to the very last detail.
Levolor: Levolor PVC Verticals

Vertical blinds are some of the most notable additions anyone can put on their home because they are sleek and their unique qualities instantly add glamour to ordinary looking windows. Because of its distinctness, it somewhat gives an astonishing look to a home. There a myriad of benefits that can be obtained from using
vertical blinds. Some of them are explained below.

Appropriate for tall windows
Vertical blinds can easily complement homes with tall windows and sliding doors. The said blinds come in a wide variety of lengths that is why it is important to collect the right measurements before making a purchase. This is because improperly sized blinds may look wrong and awkward.

Cost efficient
In addition to its aesthetic benefits, vertical blinds can help individuals who want to cut their electricity bills because natural heat will no longer pass through home windows. The said accessories come with insulated features that are ideal to those who want to maintain the right room temperature.

The said window accessories can also prolong the life of home furniture since they can shun away the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. Vertical blinds are also essential during the winter months since they can keep cold temperatures at bay.

Anti allergy
Vertical blinds are also designed to eliminate allergy attacks and other similar health
conditions. The anti-static attributes of vertical blinds can effectively and
efficiently prevent dust and small debris from accumulating. Furthermore, the
said accessories can be easily cleaned with soap and water. Having something that can hinder allergy attacks is essential for those who not only value the aesthetic qualities of their home but also give importance to their health.

Conclusion
There is a misconception that vertical blinds are not as functional and aesthetically appealing as Venetian blinds and other kinds of window blinds. By looking at the information above, it can be said that such belief is pure non-sense.


It should be noted that vertical blinds are practical and exceptional accessories that homeowners who want value for their money should invest on. They will not only beautify homes, they can also help save energy and play essential roles in developing better well being.

Metal Through The Ages of Architecture

Through the Bronze and Iron Ages of some 5,000 years ago, these metals were developing
as materials for tools and weapons. The civilisations which thrived at this
time made the most of their discoveries in metal work to create strong
hand-held tools for digging, hunting and fighting. Throughout history, the
materials used for building developed from straw and manure to wood, clay
bricks and eventually, as industry revolutionised, metal. The following are
some of the main metals used, explaining why some have been more successful
than others.
A pure metal which was once popular to work with, due to its low melting point,
is lead. It was used in water pipes and for roofing, but the former application
was soon banned when it was realised what a health hazard lead is, while the
lead used for roofing was found to deteriorate in regions of large temperature
fluctuations. One commonly known disadvantage of lead is its sheer weight,
making it tricky to use over large areas. Tin was a popular substitute for
roofing and when alloyed with copper (10% to 90%) to form bronze it became
extremely strong and actually lasts considerably longer than modern asphalt
roofing, though is still more expensive. Zinc is another alloy forming metal,
creating brass when mixed with copper, and is non-toxic as well as resistant to
pollution. When metals are coated with zinc they become galvanized and are then
protected from rust. Tin and zinc are among the lightest of metals.

The use of copper, a durable yet bendable metal, has grown in popularity over the
ages. Over 2000 years ago, it was being used to cover temple doors, while
nowadays it is a popular wall cladding choice for architects. Sheets of copper
are used in roofing due to its ability to withstand corrosion and its weight
being far less than slate and tiles. However, copper requires copper nails,
copper screws and copper bolts in order to prevent deterioration caused by
mixed metal galvanizing reactions. The Statue of Liberty is one famous use of
copper, which has weathered to its famous green hue because of the purity of
the metal.

The biggest development in architectural metal came with the implementation of
iron: cast iron, wrought iron, sheet iron and steel. Wrought iron was mainly
decorative, widely used in the 18th century to create unique
balconies, fences and gates. In the 19th century, cast iron was
taking off as a stronger yet more brittle structural metal. Used in columns,
building fronts and domes, the strength of cast iron supported other materials.
It has been used in a decorative way on staircases, grilles and verandas, but
nowadays is mainly using to create new plumbing fixtures or to refurbish
antique buildings. Sheet iron does not feature widely on exterior designs since
it is subject to rapid erosion. At the end of the 19th century,
steel (an alloy usually made of iron and carbon) was discovered as a strong,
resilient metal under compression and tension, where other metals had weakened.
Bridges, rail roads and skyscrapers were soon being constructed from steel,
which only lost strength under high temperatures so an insulating coating was
always applied. However, its strength is not guaranteed and since the 9/11
failure of the twin towers under the heat from the explosions, construction
regulations have been enforced across the USA to protect commercial buildings.
In the 1920’s, the lightweight but strong aluminium emerged. However, due to
its high cost, aluminium was originally just ornamental, until the Empire State
Building raised its profile and the construction industry took up its use.

Metal in architecture ranges from framework building and structure strengthening
techniques to decorative wire mesh cladding and balcony finishes. It has come a
long way since the tin roof era and the wide range of options is helping to make
architectural design a truly diverse art form.  

Emily is a young enthusiastic writer with particular interests in environment, science, food, technology, architecture and travel. She holds a 2:1 BSc Physical Geography (International) from the University of
Leeds and currently works as an outdoor equipment specialist and freelance article writer for CadischMDA, while searching for opportunities in energy and sustainability. 

A Grate Architectural Invention

Most commonly seen as a metal grille studded with diamond
shaped holes, expanded metal is a versatile tool used for many industrial and
architectural purposes. It has been around since the late 19th
century, after being developed via the method devised in Hartlepool in 1880,
and which is still used today despite the surrounding technological advances.
Anglian Ruskin University Case Study
The process begins with solid sheet metal, which will be
transformed into a significantly larger area of expanded metal and very little
is wasted. The sheet is fed into the expanding machine whereby the metal is cut
by a “knife” in the form of a horizontal blade with sharp teeth which stamp
down through the metal, moving from side to side to create the familiar lattice
pattern. The teeth are shaped like upside down pyramids which enable them to
stretch the diamond shape holes, thus enlarging the metal by degrees. The end
product of this manufacturing process is usually rolled into sheets which can
be cut for purpose at a later time. Most metals can be expanded which means
that the appropriate material can be chosen depending on its final use.

Owing to its many useful properties, including durability,
transparency, high airflow and easy installation, expanded metal is used globally
for a variety of applications. These features also demonstrate why it remains
both a practical and ornamental solution to architectural design in industry
and at home, whether required internally for walkways and stairwells or externally
as metal cladding or balcony balustrades. Expanded metal is famously used on
the trusty London train bench, where unsuspecting travellers sit for a while
and leave with diamonds printed on the backs of their legs. These benches are
often painted to suit their surroundings and disguise their industrial origins.
Put to more architectural use, this metal cladding  has been the basis of a
designer detention centre in Holland. The Juvenile Pavilion in Overloon aims to
connect offending youths with nature through the open style created by the
transparent expanded metal. This design also reduces the appearance of
permanence which solid walls would represent, enabling the youngsters to see
their future in the outside world.

Unfortunately, the strong association of metal grills with
security is reinforced in some towns where window guards are installed to
protect residents from vandals and burglars, while many school playgrounds are
surrounded by a tall perimeter of fencing. However, other practical uses include
air conditioning grills, reinforced concrete, industrial straining devices,
shelving and furniture besides featuring in modern artistic installations
displayed upon walls and in gardens. 

Emily Banham is construction blogging enthusiast from south east England.




Conservatories: Perfect for Children

Conservatories have multiple purposes, they can add luxury, space and value to your home. They can also create many benefits for your children to enjoy.
photo courtesy: google image
Playroom
A conservatory is perfect for kids. A great idea is to turn a conservatory into a games room; where you can add all sorts of games from toy boxes to board games. You can even have a book corner, so they can sit down and read a book. It has an outdoor open air atmosphere, so you can decorate it just like an outdoor
play area.


Less Mess
With your children playing in one spot, it means less mess for you to clean up and you finally get your house back! You can just shut the door, and not have to worry about having to put all the toys back and turn your house back into your home again instead of a nursery. However its best you keep the mess in the conservatory to a minimum, one way is to place containers in there for their toys. This helps encourage them to put their toys away after playing with them. It also means no more tripping over them!

Own Space
Another advantage for both you and your children is that you both have your own space. Kids love having somewhere they can go away from mum and dad, a place that they can call their own. Parents may not like to admit it, but they also enjoy having a break from the kids once in a while. In most cases the conservatory will act as a second living room for the kids. You won’t have to argue over what to watch on television anymore. Designing your conservatory as a playroom offers your kids an enjoyable large space to go to after school, at the weekend and during their school holidays.

Weather
Kids love to play outdoors and often feel a bit like a caged animal when the weather is dreary and miserable and they can’t go out and play. With a conservatory they can play indoors when the weather is cold, and feel less cooped up, with it overlooking the garden. On summer days it’s even more ideal; it’s the perfect setting and is great for times when they are fed up of the garden. You can even relax in your conservatory whilst keeping an eye on them outside. It hardly matters what climate it is, as your kid’s playroom is ready to amuse them at all times!

Safety
Safety is imperative when it comes to children. All safety matters need to be considered before allowing your kids to play inside. When it comes to conservatory furniture, bamboo or plastic is ideal as it helps to ensure the kids’ safety. It’s also important to make sure that all glazing meets safety glass requirements.

Get them Involved
As it’s primarily their room, it’s a good idea to get them involved with planning and designing. Consider their age and interests when selecting the items for the playroom. Encourage them to contribute their ideas, such as what colours they want it to be painted. Plastic chairs and tables also come in a variety of designs and different colours, which they can pick from.


From the conservatory specialists 2furnish. If your looking for furniture for your conservatory be sure to check out their website.

4 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Appliances for Your Dream Kitchen

If you dream of whipping up dinner every night in your dream kitchen, you're going to need the perfect appliances. And fortunately perfect doesn't necessary mean costly!
Follow these simple 4 tips for selecting the good ones:

1. Don't Blow Your Budget

If you spend more on design appliances than you should, you'll have to sacrifice in other areas of your design kitchen. Sure, your appliances may be the focal point of the room, but they're not the only things you'll need to spend money on in your new kitchen. Remember to save some of your money for things like flooring, cabinets, and countertops.

2. Search In The Fall, If You Can

Manufacturers come out with new models in September and October. So, by doing your shopping then, you can either take advantage of the very newest technology or get great deals on last year's models.

3. Measure Twice So That You Only Have To Buy Once!

Design appliances come in all kinds of different sizes, so you'll have to see which options actually fit in your space! Luckily, the bigger manufacturers have so many varieties to choose from that you'll be able to take your pick when it comes to size.That way, you can work with a manufacturer you like, regardless of how big or small your design kitchen is.

4. Don't Forget About Non-Traditional Options

You can make your design kitchen as unique as you are just by thinking outside the box! For example, Fisher & Paykel has innovative kitchen appliances that you've probably never even though of -- like dishdrawers and refrigerator drawers. By getting some of these non-traditional options to go along with your regular appliances, you can end up with a design kitchen that meets your ever need!

Bottom line -- you're calling the shots when it comes to your design kitchen The best manufacturers will be able to cater to your every need.

Olivia Slamut is a cooking enthusiast who also works in a home appliances manufacturer. She likes to share her tips and discoveries of smart appliances. 

Wall Clock Decal

Isn't this neat? I'm lov'n my new wall clock decal. I got it from one dezignwithaz.com.

HOW TO GET THE RIGHT SHEET METAL FABRICATION COMPANY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Fabricated metal products are important in almost every
manufacturing business. If you are operating or starting one, it is imperative
for you to find the right sheet metalservices
that are capable of supporting you and boosting your productivity and output.
Mentioned below are some of the pointers you should note when hiring a certain
company’s services.

Know What You Need

You, as the owner, should be able to clear with what you
want in order to effectively communicate to your potential manufacturer what
your needs are in order to give him a clear mental picture of the product you
want to achieve. The metal shop you choose should make your work more
efficient, especially if they are able to provide services such as precision
metal cutting, laser cutting, MIG weld, assistance in creating prototypes of
your sheet metal project, and metal manufacturing with aluminum, stainless
steel and sheet metal. Moreover, you will know you have scored the right company
if they are keen with the minute details of your project like the outcome you
want to achieve, your required amount of corrosion resistance, the weight and
strength of the finished product, and how much you are willing to spend for the
needed materials.

Ask for Quotes

Just like shopping for any other product or service, it is
helpful for you to compare prices of similar service in different companies.
Not all companies can produce equal quality products, and that is hinted or
reflected by the price tag companies charge for their services.

Client Reviews

Your greatest resource to know the level of customer
satisfaction you can possible expect in a company is through recommendation
from others. Ask the company’s previous clients for feedback. And if you can,
see for yourself the quality of the steel fabrication product straight from
their facility.

Gather your Collected Information and Decide

By asking around to collect information, more or less you
now have an idea which sheet metal fabrication company you should hire that matches all your needs.



Drano Max Gel

We had a kitchen sink emergency yesterday. Wheew, it's such a pain in the back when you have a clogged kitchen sink. But thanks to Drano for the rescue!
When your kitchen sink won't drain, just use the pro strength max gel. 

Important Things to Consider When Buying Home Appliances

As easy as it may seem, buying home appliances is a pretty confusing task since interested individuals need to decide which ones are worth buying and which ones are not. Getting a hold of the right ones is essential to those who want to make the most of their time. For example, appliances for cleaning, laundry, and kitchen use can simplify different household tasks.

Those who want to make sure that they will get their money’s worth and save money in process need to consider a myriad of things. They are important because the country has not yet fully recovered from the effects of the economic recession and many cannot afford to purchase the wrong appliances.

Many individuals nowadays are practical when it comes to buying commodities for their home since they want
to save up a substantial amount of money as much as possible. Putting the said factor into consideration, the importance of making wise and properly reviewed decisions is important, especially for those who have
limited funding.

One of the most essential things that the said individuals need to bear in mind is the fact that they should not compromise the quality of the appliances that they will purchase  Just because a stove or air conditioning unit is on sale does not mean that it should be immediately purchased. Buying high-quality products is a must because many cheap units that are out on the market are not well capable of withstanding the test of time.

When it comes to buying home appliances, potential buyers need to be certain about the quality
of the products that they will purchase. Going for low-cost units that are not durable would simply be a waste of time, money, and effort.

While purchasing the right appliances can be difficult at times, getting a hold of the right ones can be easy if their prices will be compared beforehand. This can be done by visiting conventional stores or Internet-based ones.

Going online is the better option because it cancels out the need to travel and eliminates the hassles of falling in line. Interested individuals who have very limited funding can even purchase durable and tested brands at discounted rates from online stores.

In the end,purchasing the right appliances can be quite confusing at times, but it can be simplified if the important factors will be taken into serious consideration.By doing this interested individuals will not only save up huge sums of money,they can also conserve time and effort in the process.





Dresser Makeover

I've successfully upgraded our heirloom dresser from my MIL! Wherever she is right now I'm pretty sure she's happy with the result.
Thanks to these bad guys!...lol
Simple Tip: Sand all surfaces of the dresser with coarse sandpaper, followed by fine sandpaper. Sand the dresser in the direction of the grain of the wood and use a tack cloth to remove dust.
The whole process was a pain in the neck, but it was all worth it!
I also replaced all the handles. Now, it looks like a brand new dresser.

Great Tips For Bathroom Remodeling

Are you thinking about making some changes to your house? If you are, then there are many things that you can do. You can have your whole house painted, install sliding folding doors but the most important thing that you should do is remodel your bathroom. There are many things that might need to be fixed in your bathroom such as the cabinets, toilet, the shower curtains, the facets and so much more. You can do a lot of
research online to get some ideas on what you can do. There are many different cabinets to choose from, so you have a wide variety to pick from. If your facet is broken or old and water drips constantly from the facet  then it is time that you had it changed. You can also have your bathroom painted if you like. Selling your old mirror and purchasing a new mirror is another great thing that you can do. Having two sinks put in could be a great way to add a nice touch to your bathroom.  If you are designing the master bedroom’s bathroom, then you might want to create one better than the other bathrooms in the house.


You can also get a toilet with a cushioned seat to feel comfortable when you are doing your business. New racks for your towel can be bought and installed. If you do not keep a trash can in your bathroom, then you should start because that gives off a sense that you are a neat and clean person. Look at various bathrooms on-line to see if there is something that you would like to add to the changes that you want to make. If your tub is old and out of fashion, then it might be time to replace that too.

Having a nice, neat, and clean bathroom tells a lot about a person. You should create a bathroom that is in fashion. You should think a lot about everything that you want to change before you actually start calling in workers to start working on your bathroom.

Written on behalf of Just Value Doors.

Uniform Hangers

It's really embarrassing to admit that I'm such a slacker when it comes to folding clothes. I hate doing it. Plus, it's time consuming! I just don't have the patience to fold clothes to be honest. Thanks to the person who invented the hanger...lol!
Lately, I've been doing some improvements in my walk in closet. And I'm also trying to get my stuff organized again. Right now, I'm working on my shoe racks and organizing my colored-coded tanks, shirts and blouses.

I'm strictly using white hangers for all my clothes. Uniform hangers really do make your closet feel clean and organized.

Plumbing Contractors in Marin


The home water distribution and removal of wastes system should be one that is convenient.  This system like any other is subject to failure. When this happens a lot of activities come to stand still until it is fixed. Therefore it’s important for one to have someone in mind that they can relay on when such incidences occur. This is generally what goes by the name plumbing. Plumbing is the system of pipes, valves, drain fittings, valve assemblies and other devices installed in a building that aims at distributing water (be it for drinking, washing and heating) as well as removal of the waterborne household wastes. It also includes the skilled trade of working pipes, plumbing fixtures and tubing. The person who carries out this job is commonly referred to as a plumber.

There are several companies that have been opened to meet the demand of plumbing services in the market. Such companies are those found in Marin. The plumbing constructors in Marin offer their services to the public in the best way they know how. There are guided by the general principal that the customer as well as quality of service can determine the future of plumbing in the market. For this reason, they strive to give the highest quality of service to those who come to them for help. Putting the customer needs above anything else is what they do best. Once you call upon them be sure that they will serve you properly and while exercising respect and humbleness. The contractors have been offering this service for quite a while and they are hence experienced. They have also gone through the required training and they therefore know in depth the secrets behind plumbing.

Once a plumber from Marin steps on your door step, be sure that your property will be treated with utmost respect. When they come to offer residential plumbing services, they carry with them drop mats that are used to collect any working items such as screws, screw drivers, pins etc. This way your carpet is not damaged in any way. The kind of boots they wear have plastic pads on the soles to protect a client's floor from scratches and dirt. These companies have been certified by the regulatory board and have been licensed to deliver such services to the public. This makes it secure for them to work for you as in in case of anything one can be able to trace them.
The services that a plumbing contractor from Marin can offer you are both for residential as well as commercial use. When looking at commercial use, this is where they give their services to office premises and trading stores. Also included in this category is when they install plumbing devices to houses meant for hire or sale. Residential plumbing on the other hand revolves around the homestead. In all that they do, plumbing contractors in Marin use high quality material and their services come at a fair price.  Other than installing new devices in your plumbing system, they understand that one can be hard pressed for cash and thus they offer repair services. The most common services they deliver are; water heaters installation or repair, drainage systems repair as well as installation, hydronics which involves heating and cooling systems utilizing water to transport thermal energy.

For all your plumbing needs, contact a plumbing contractor from Marin and be sure to get the best and not to mention at a fair price. They save on time by doing their job faster. Experience the best from Marin plumbing contractors. They are at your service.

Teresa Adkinson is a freelance writer for Preferred plumbing & drain , plumbing contractor in Marin County CA that offers 24/7 emergency assistance with no extra fees during holidays, nights and mileage.


Christmas Centerpiece

I've always loved Christmas decorations. So every year, I make sure that I set up my Christmas centerpiece decorations. They're really cheap! Well, except for the candle. 
I bought the decors from one of my favorite stores, the Dollar Tree store where everything is a dollar...lol!