Monday, December 26, 2011

Home and Garden Furniture Ideas

Home and garden furniture is furniture that can be used inside as well as outdoors. Some people have opted to enclose a large patio in glass or screen, carpet the floor with indoor - outdoor carpeting, furnish with a fireplace, and install ceiling fans along with an air conditioner. The patio area can be adjacent to the house or separate. The plans of the room or structure can come equipped with a kitchen separate than that of the primary section of the house. This area would require home and garden furniture to furnish the surroundings. When looking for plants for this area, you would still opt for house plants but maybe that of the larger variety.

Home and garden furniture can be made from wicker and wood. Metal and plastic garden furniture can be used, but would probably be considered inappropriate to adorn this region of your home. You would want furniture that is not too elaborate, but on the other hand you don't want the furniture ill-suited for the region either. You will want it to blend with the surroundings you have created. The enclosing of the back patio area convince visitors that this is just an extra room in the house. You will want the room to give off the look of casual comfort. A room in which to relax and have fun. Home and garden furniture fabricated from wicker have a classic appearance. The simplicity of the designs leans to the casual look of romantic, comfort. Since the home and garden furniture constructed of wicker is made for the outdoors, care and maintenance should be a much easier, simpler task. Consult your retailer for those requirements.

Wicker is also constructed to be durable. It is a good investment in the future of your home. The wicker constructed home and garden furniture comes in a wide range of style, designs and colors. Along with the variety of colors you will have the option to choose one of the dining sets, or from a cluster of sofa, loveseats and chairs. Wicker tables will complete the look of your conversation area of the room. You also have the option of a porch swing a cozy, intimate seating for lovers and friends young or old.

Home and garden furniture is also available an array of wooden pieces or sets. If you want to be able to move home and garden furniture, you may want to browse the teak wooden furniture lines. Teakwood is well known for its lightweight and strength. Its natural finish is a golden color. Wooden home and garden furniture like the wicker home and garden furniture is also built to be sturdy and durable. Wooden home and garden furniture is also available in the same furniture pieces as the wicker furniture from the dining sets to the conversation sets included with loveseat or sofas. The porch swing is also one of the options available in the wooden home and garden furniture line. The maintenance and care for the wooden furniture as with the wicker should be a much simpler and easy task. For requirements for that care, check with the retailer. As with the wicker home and garden furniture, wooden home and garden furniture is a great investment in the future for you and your home.

Home and Garden Decorating

The following information in this article should be exactly what you are looking for and I hope it helps you.

Home and garden decorating is a hot topic. This is recognizable in television programming. Every second television show is related to decorating your home and garden. Programs such as The Decorating Challenge, Curb Appeal and The House Doctor are great examples of home and garden decorating shows. These programs are quite interesting and quite helpful for people who are looking for ideas to make changes to their home and garden. These shows take everyday living spaces and transform them into beautiful, inviting places. Since these programs generally work with a budget, they help people realize that home and garden decorating can be accomplished without going to great expense. They also show that even little changes can make an huge difference in home and garden decorating.

Home and garden decorating involves anything. When considering making changes around the house or in the back garden, some people may feel intimidated because they are not creative nor do they have any crafty skills. Home and gardening programs, magazines, books and catalogs, show homeowners that it is not necessary to be a skilled individual to make home and garden decorating changes. These resources teach people that simple, basic changes and additions can transform a space, either home or garden, into something completely different and beautiful.

Many homeowners and decorators decorate so that the home and garden compliment each other. When people have beautiful gardens, they often like to have that beauty brought into their living space. One simple way to accomplish this is to display, fresh-cut flowers from the garden, throughout the home. Flowers provide a lovely, fresh scent and add color to any space. When home and garden decorating, perhaps a homeowner might like to bring the country theme in their home, out into their garden. A patio could easily be decorated to portray country home decorating. This would allow people to enjoy the warmth and coziness of country decorating both inside and outside the home.

There are numerous home and garden decorating ideas. A person could take a drive around town and find details of other houses and gardens which interest them. They can then take these ideas back to their own home and garden. Window boxes make lovely decorations for any home. These decorations, filled with seasonal flowers, can be enjoyed both inside and outside the home.

Home and garden decorating can add hours of fun to your day. Since its your space anything, that interests you, goes. In addition,if you are a person who does not like clutter, redefining your property may be a simple as removing unwanted items from your home or cutting down overgrown trees from your garden. You will be surprised at the difference this could make in your home and garden decorating plans. A fresh coat of paint on the interior or the exterior of your house will really be an improvement. Replacing the wooden planks on a patio and finishing them with a rich stain would definitely compliment your garden as well as your home. There are many home and garden decorating ideas. When you are out with a group of friends, why not ask for home and garden decorating suggestions. Once you start your decorating project, you will discover all sorts of techniques to make improvements to your home and garden.

Home and Garden Decor

Installing home and garden decor is a great way to make your home and garden attractive, appealing and a relaxing place to stay. Before you enter your home, you see the garden. By creating a welcoming and pleasantly inviting atmosphere in your garden, you are creating a welcoming introduction to your home. Not only that - there are times when you just want to spend time entertaining or relaxing in your garden, so it's fun to keep it pleasing to everyone's eyes

In choosing home and garden décor, first you have to know what you want and what style you are looking for. One way of determining which décor to buy is by setting a theme to your garden. Thin about what you would like your garden to look like - what accessories you would like to see, and what plants and trees you'd like to add. Here are some of the theme ideas that you can incorporate with your home and garden décor: butterfly, temple, sundial, Japanese, water, winter, and jungle.

After you choose your theme, you can now make a list of products that are wonderful items to compliment your home garden. Some of these items can be flowers and flowerpots, planter pots, birdhouses, fountains, wind chimes, garden shelves, incense, garden angels, plant stands, flower vases, and statues.

Decorating your home and garden can be very challenging and you have to use your aesthetic ability to come up with a truly pleasing home garden. But before you make any purchase, see to it that your home and garden décor items will be good together so that you will not waste money, time, and effort.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

How to Blend Your Home and Garden Decor

A wonderful addition to the ambiance of your home can be creating a lovely combination of home and garden decor. Beautiful plants and garden sculpture brought inside and comfortable furniture with tables and lamps taken into the garden expands and blends both spaces. Plants and flowers placed in colorful pots on a plant dolly can be rolled into the house to brighten the room with color and fragrance. A plant dolly will make it easy to move them outside as needed to re-pot them or give the plant a thorough watering.

An indoor fountain will add the sound of a waterfall which is soothing and maybe the fountain will be a welcome home for some goldfish. Add greenery around the fountain and you will have a little tropical area. Screens with birds and flowers can expand the area to whatever size you need. This would definitely add creatively to your home and garden décor.

Create a mural on your bare patio walls, hang mirrors in small areas outside to reflect a special hidden space. Consider indoor-outdoor carpet under the seating area with a small portable fire pit to warm the outdoor space. Even pictures can be hung outside. Treat your patio or garden area like another room. Continue the style from your adjoining room or create a completely different look. Use the same types of accessories for the outdoor area, taking into consideration the possibility of exposure to the elements. Add pillows and cushions to the chairs, a foot rest, use bowls with artificial fruit on the tables.

You will find a myriad of ideas in home and garden décor magazines. Keep a file to store pictures of your favorite sun rooms or patio and garden areas. You will be able to look over this file anytime to refresh your ideas and make additions and changes to your adjoining home and garden rooms.

If your budget allows, think of installing French doors to the entrance to the patio. This will bring light indoors and you will be able to see the garden from the inside even if the weather is not suitable for going outside.

Be sure to check out the internet and the many television programs that feature ideas created by talented designers for the use of their viewers. You will find any number of them will add to your home and garden décor. Just keep your goal in mind and you will see inspiration all around you.

Ornamental Trees and Plants - Home and Garden

Ornamental plants and trees are used for decorative places and not for earning wealth. In residential landscaping, ornamental trees usually mean smaller trees that cannot support tree houses, hammocks or tree swings. You can have a tree in your backyard even if you do not have too much space. You can choose small ornamental trees which will give you the pleasure of having trees in your yards without affecting its appeal. For truly small areas, you can opt for ornamental plants which can add fragrance or beauty for your home.

The best possession in a home owner's landscape is the flowering ornamental trees which combine the size of a small tree with the beauty of a flower. This can add a lot of beauty to your yard and enhance the home decor. While it comes to choosing ornamental trees or plants there are several options. You can choose a saucer magnolia with its pinkish blossoms or crape myrtles on account of their blooming period which is quite long. You can also choose dogwood trees on account of their horizontal branches.

While opting for landscaping, some house owners prefer the weeping ornamental trees. These trees have long and looping branches which add to the aesthetic value of the house. Some trees such as the weeping cherry tree are also trees that flower. Even in this case you can choose from a variety of trees according to their flowering traits, size and seasons of growth.

While thinking of remodeling your house and incorporating landscaping you can also choose ornamental plants which can increase value during decorating the interiors. Shrubs are unique because they do not have the single trunk and in this way they differ from the trees. Some shrubs that are trimmed to give the look of a trunk are called the ornamental plant. Ornamental plants require great care to give great results and in this way they differ from the ornamental trees which can grow even without diligent care.

Landscaping ads value of your home and must be considered during home improvement. It is also essential to maintain the garden area well after such ideas are incorporated. A home gardener can be appointed to prune and trim and the plants at regular intervals so that the beauty and atmosphere is beautifully maintained and the home becomes a truly heavenly place to reside in.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Greening Your Home and Garden

The TV show "The World's Greenest Homes" recently started me thinking about how can everyone make a contribution to reducing the carbon footprint.

The TV series mainly showed major renovations or new homes in which the owners made significant attempts to "go green". Most folks are not in the position - they already have a home, and most likely a hefty mortgage that may preclude incorporating the changes and ideas promoted by the TV show.

However, the need for greening your home and garden is an imperative for all - and so the impact of even simple, small steps can have a real impact.

Just imagine if all homes in the USA converted their light bulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescent ones - not only are they energy-smart, using about 70% less energy, they last up to ten times longer.

Such a small step could have huge impact because of the sheer volume! And, then there is the ripple effect - less energy used - less fossil fuels consumed - less carbon emissions from power stations - and, BINGO! - cleaner air.

And, the cost is not really greater than the usual light bulb replacement - so your pocketbook is saved.

Now imagine if everyone also made a serious attempt at recycling - green materials to the compost heap, keeping electronics out of the trash bin, glass and plastics into recycle bins..... yes, it is a bit of a pain.... but it is not a total change of lifestyle that's required, but more an understanding of what, you the homeowner, can do to help..... and, IT IS NOT NEGLIGIBLE.

It was suggested that if everyone in say the UK just changed 5 household products from their usual brands to eco-friendly ones the difference would be huge.

Other steps like low flow shower heads, dual flush loos, repairing leaky faucets, installing more ceiling fans, using a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water..... none of these will run your budget into the red or be beyond the average household capacity.

If you are ever in a position to undertake a major home renovation or build a new house - do watch that TV show - yes, there is a lot of info on the internet, but the TV series will show things in context and also many different applications and ideas that can be adapted. Just Google to find the TV show.

For that matter, you can even get ideas from it for smaller budgets.

The good news is that whatever you do choose it will make a contribution to a cleaner planet and, especially in regard to energy efficiency choices you will significantly reduce your utility bills and the consumption of fossil fuels.

Useful Home and Garden Makeover Ideas

Gardening experts give practical and useful home and garden tips online or on TV shows which are very instructive. Incorporate their ideas and suggestions to give your garden a face-lift. Several factors go into creating a beautiful garden. While the size is not very important, proper placement of plants, pathways and garden furniture all combine to create a beautiful garden.

Remember to follow these simple instructions

Prepare the soil before you bring in plants and vegetable seedlings. Clean out the garden and use lawn clippings, branches and leaves by renting a shredder and re-use this as fertilizer for your lawn. Make a compost pile in one sunny corner of your yard. Make sure to place a layer of soil over your leaf and waste products. Check out how much sun or shade is required for a plant by reading instructions on tags when they are bought. Select the right spot and make your soil bed. Remember, it is not necessary to dig too deep as this can choke a plant or create root rot. If a tree is to be planted, remember to leave a clear area all around for the future.

Care for your plants with the right fertilizers

A useful home and garden tip is to plant the best of the lot from a vantage point so that when one looks from a particular window in the living or dining room, they have a lovely view of the garden. A vegetable patch could grow in the backyard while a beautiful Japanese maple could lend an aura of beauty when viewed from the patio or the dining room. Create a pathway from the entrance of your home to the driveway and plant shrubs and flowering trees on both sides.

Create a landscape with a collection of a few plants and rocks and place an ornamental statue to highlight a particular area. Protect your plants from deer and rabbits that can destroy your garden. Plant nectar-fresh flowers to attract pretty butterflies and hummingbirds. Hang a few feeders outside your solarium if you have one and watch the birds feed.

Points to consider when creating a garden

Think ahead. Do not plant trees and shrubs that will outgrow your garden space and look crowded. Make sure you buy plants and flowers that are seasonal and are contained in the space provided for them. Use these useful home and garden tips to advantage and sit back and watch that garden grow!

Create a Comfortable Home and Garden

Do you look in magazines and see homes and gardens that are simply exquisite? Are you wondering about how you could make your yard and home décor look a little better? Fortunately, it is not that difficult to design a look for your home and garden décor. In fact, when you use the assistance of online stores like Online Discount Mart you will find everything you need to make your plan a reality.

The great thing about shopping online is that you can save a lot of money. What you need to do first is sit down and make a plan. If you want your garden to have fountains and hammocks or if you would prefer stones and garden furniture it is up to you. What you do have to do is complete a design that looks good and incorporates your home and garden's best elements. So, focus on what you want to play up and the areas you want to play down. Once you have identified all these areas and have an idea of what you want then you may begin purchasing the necessary items to complete the look.

For example, you may decide that you want beautiful wicker patio furniture. Once you decide on this then you need to come up with ways to play up the new outdoor furniture. This includes buying new potted plants to create a beautiful area in your garden. You can plant grass and other flowers so that they will bloom in the spring and summer and look beautiful. Consider the colors you want to plant and the way they will look with your new furniture. Creating an overall design is the idea here.

And, the same goes for the interior of your home. Focus on creating a special place. Buy rich fabrics and paint the walls rich colors that will match. You should look through magazines and find rooms that you like. Notice the colors, fabrics, and arrangement of furniture. Try and figure out how you could copy a particular look all the while staying on your budget. Many times you can find used furniture that will work great and save some money not to mention painting yourself in order to save money. When you do things on your own it is amazing how much money you can save. When you use these ideas in no time you will have created a special place in your home and garden that is not only comfortably but beautiful as well!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Home And Garden Decorating

Decorating is most often done upon moving into a home whether it is purchased new or already established but it can also be done whenever the mood hits or one has outgrown a particular design. When decorating or re-decorating a room, the first question that should be asked is: What is the purpose of this space?

The purpose of a space may not simply be a functional purpose, it might also be what feeling or mood the room should emit. For example, the purpose of a dining room might be to provide a place to gather and eat a meal. This is true. But, the purpose might also be to make the extended family feel welcome and inspire conversation. Or the purpose of a bedroom might be to provide a place to sleep, but it might also be to provide a peaceful sanctuary from the hassles of everyday life. The secondary purpose of a room may vary
once the purpose of the room is decided; the next step is to find the pieces of furniture and accessories that will match that purpose. However, if the piece is made of synthetic materials, has a very unorthodox shape or color and is real cheap (or worse, way over-priced), it is probably not worth the money. One or two pieces such as this may be a fun and whimsical addition to a room--they can be traded out at any time--but an entire room like this will have to be redone sooner than later. Investing in quality pieces will save time and money and offer a higher resale price when changing them out.

The garden themes can be changed seasonally and the pieces can be stored in a dry place and reused in the following cycle of the seasons. A very practical way in curbing your expense, yet offer a periodic changed look.
A good place to find various types of these home and garden items that are theme oriented on the internet is at Family-eStore.com. They offer a good selection of items or gifts for you or for you to buy for someone else, to help you or your friends to decorate or redecorate with. They also offer very competitive pricing and you will also have a good feeling in helping someone else because they donate 10% of all their sales to various charities.

Planters Accent Your Home and Garden

The right planter in the right setting brings style, function and beauty to any indoor room or outdoor location. Planters can be used as a unique focal point or a graceful accent in any garden, patio, porch or room. The secret is finding the perfect planter - one that reflects the owner's personality and surroundings while maintaining lasting durability.

Planters come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, designs, materials and price points, which makes some planters a better choice than others. In today's market, the unlimited assortment can also create unlimited indecision. Knowing a few useful tips can simplify the decision-making process and help consumers purchase plantersthat will bring years of pleasure.

Considerations Before Purchasing A Planter

o Location (shade, sun, extreme weather)

o Maneuverability

o Size, Shape, Style, Color, Finish, Texture

o Drainage Hole and/or Self-Watering Options

o Durability & Longevity

o Artistic/Decorative Impact

o Reflect Personality of Owner/Home/Surroundings

o Materials (Learn the advantages and disadvantages of planter materials such as clay, terracotta, concrete, metal, wood, resin, fiberglass, etc.)

o Storage Concerns

A great way to get started is to purchase a matching set of various sized planters ranging from three, five or seven in total. Five containers used in a corner of a patio will help define your entertainment space. This grouped planter display can provide privacy and help tie in your overall outdoor living area. Don't be afraid of using bright and vivid containers such as oranges, iridescent blues and reds. These colors can help liven up outdoor spaces.

Combining plants is a fun part of container gardening. Try mixing and matching different plants such as annuals, tropicals, perennials, trees, shrubs, vines and vegetables. Before planting, arrange the new plants in or around your container while they are still in their small pots to see how they fit best. A good rule of thumb is to plant the tallest upright foliage plant in the center. Next, plant the shorter and more compact flowering plant to the side of the center, near the edge of the planter. Leave enough space between these plants to allow for growth. Finally, place plants with trailing or semi-trailing growth habits around the planters' outer edges leaving enough space for adequate spreading and trailing.

A word of caution: Also remove new plants from their nursery pots with care. Never remove them by pulling on their tender stems. Gently loosen or untangle the bottom inch of each plant's roots before carefully spreading them out in your planter. This helps give young plants a better start. Additional potting mix can be added to ensure the soil covers the roots of each plant. When your planting is finished, the soil should be at least an inch below the rim of the container.

Friday, August 26, 2011

Travertine Tiles For Home And Garden Decor

Travertine is one of the most famous stone products for use both in the home and in the garden or yard. This classic Roman stone has been utilized for construction and tiling for thousands of years. Indeed, the Coliseum in Rome is in fact composed almost entirely of travertine not marble as many people think. Travertine is a sedimentary rock that was formed by the evaporation of water in pools of hot springs. When the water evaporated it left behind layers of minerals and these minerals are what give the stone its beautiful shades. The main hues of travertine tiles range from soft browns to dark mahogany and fiery red. Many accenting colors can be found in each tile depending on the addition of different minerals during the formation process.

Travertine tiles are used for many purposes in the home. The stone makes a very wonderful flooring and is quite common in foyers. When used on the floor the tiles require a seal coat so as to shield against staining. As the rock is sedimentary it generally has small pores and air pockets which permit the staining material into the structure if the surface is not closed. These stains are almost impossible to remove to keeping up on the sealer every few years is very important. The surface on these floor tiles will wear well as these are rather hard and tough. Other common uses in the house include as countertops or worktops and back splashes as well as trim and accent pieces. If the tiles are applied to the wall, which works well because they are so much lighter than marble, then they are not required to be sealed. But you definitely will want to use filled tiles on the counter or work top. A filled tile, like its name suggests, has all the holes and voids filled with a material that matches the color of the tile. This stops bits of food from being trapped in the face and causing a health problem. Another quite nice use is to tile throughout the bathroom.

A travertine tile shower gives you the very stylish look of an old world Roman bath. Again a sealer will be required if the cut tiles are placed on the floor or shower walls. In the garden, Travertine paving stones are quite famous as backyard floors as well as pavers throughout the garden to maintain ones feet dry. Being made of stone the pavers will be fine, but they do require to be covered from moisture in areas with cold weather because if the water filters in and then freezes, it can break the tiles. If you are planning a renovating or remodeling project Travertine tiles are worth your attention.

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine

Today, "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine is one of the most popular home magazines sold. For years it has been showing people everything from how to get clutter out of a house to which plants can be grown in doors. It also has shown countless recipes and quick-fix meals. Various crafts have also been show cased.

History

This magazine actually started off under the title of "Fruit, Garden and Home" in 1922, and was published by the Meredith Corporation. This was a family and home service magazine. Then in 1924 the name was changed to "Better Homes and Gardens". When it first hit the newsstands one could buy it for $.10 a copy. The price for a subscription for a year was only $.35

Several years later in 1930 to be exact, a cookbook under the same name of the magazine was published. Building Ideas was published as a special interest publication under "Better Homes and Gardens" in 1937.

Then in 1978 a real estate service was launched under the Better Homes and Gardens name. Also the Australian version of the magazine was published. A quilting magazine under the Better Homes and Gardens name came out in 1993 offering even more information for people on home activities.

Circulation

The latest circulation figure for this magazine is a whopping 7,688,000 people. Now that is quite a following!

Content

Since early in the publication of the magazine the content has been based on the home and its garden areas. Included in the topics for the home have even been craft ideas people can make on their own. Also various ideas on home décor have been included to help one decorate their house. Tips on planting seeds and taking care of plants are even included in one current issue of this magazine.

From a 1940's information on how easy ironing was then to January 2010 article on how to cut down the clutter in the house among other things, this magazine strives to be of help to people. This magazine has had recipes on various items from cookies to bread puddings.

The recipes are all kitchen tested to make sure they work. This magazine has offered even a food guide in the past. It is quite a job to plan meals for a family and magazines like this one make the job much easier.

In the July 1963 issue had an article "How to Stay Young and Look Great". It seems like the public does not change in what they need to read since many articles are written today on that same subject. In 1965 an issue came out showcasing which campers were the latest on the market.

Home and Garden Tools

Garden tools are a gardener's best friend (besides his garden, of course). Garden tools can do more than just help a gardener weed his garden. Garden tools are available in the market and these can also be purchased online through internet. Playground slides are great equipments for the children to have great fun. Garden tools are very helpful in getting the work done efficiently. It makes the work easier to be completed. Without the garden tools you have to use some other method of how you want the job done.

Garden tools are any tool that can be used in the practice of gardening, which is related to the practices of agriculture and horticulture. Gardening tools are a necessity if you want to be a successful gardener.

Plants require numerous trace elements for our healthy growth and equilibrium. Even microscopic amounts of trace elements have an important function in a healthy organism, including human beings. Plant Feeder takes care of your plants while you are away. Slow feeding ensures plants don't get too much water.

Plants such as foxgloves (Digitalis species) can be harvested and sown straight away either in trays or in drills taken out with a draw hoe. Once these starts growing remember either to prick them out or thin them so that they have room to develop. Planting the right flowers is never easy, garden project gives you a few ideas and suggestions on what performs the best in gardens.

Garden tools are needed by a gardener for his/her practice of growing and maintaining plants and trees. A gardener needs a wide variety of tools. Garden tools are as necessary for a gardener as hammers and nails are for a carpenter. Make sure that you have the right garden tools.

Garden tools are any tool that can be used in the practice of gardening, which is related to the practices of agriculture and horticulture.

Garden tools are manufactured keeping in mind the expected durability, versatility and weathering standards that the modern gardener desires. Gardening tools make the whole endeavor exciting for the novice and very easy for the seasoned gardener. Garden tools are stacked in one corner; theres a pile of paint cans in another; the kids bikes are parked in front of the cars; and your work bench -- well its under those boxes -- you think. A lot of people try to make their garages more user friendly by putting up peg board for the tools, hanging the bikes from hooks in the ceiling to get them out of the way, and building shelves along the walls to stack things on. Garden tools are available, but bring work gloves. Lunch will be available for those who can work until noon.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Preparing Your Home and Garden for Spring

As the cool winter begins to subside, everyone is looking forward to the coming of spring. Spring means lighter and warmer days. Nevertheless, you cannot fully enjoy spring if you do not prepare your home and garden for it. Preparing your home and garden for spring means a lot of work, so it is important to evaluate the work ahead in order to accomplish them in time. Start by checking the outside of your home and check out doors and windows. It is also a good idea to check out your exterior wall as well and find out if there are cracks, holes or leaks due to the cold season.

It is necessary to review your major home ventilation, hating and air-conditioning systems. Before the climate changes, make certain that filters are replaced or cleaned and the air conditioner in good condition. Clean windows, ceiling fans and clean the fireplace. Do not forget to check the emergency systems in your home such as the smoke alarms, home alarm, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguisher and make certain they are in good working condition. Check other areas in your home as well, like the roof, clean the gutters and remove twigs, leaves and branches on the roof.

Prepare your garden for spring since winter could definitely affect it. Winter has frozen your plants, trees, destroyed plants, flowers and left your garden in a kind of mess. The first thing you should do is to find out when winter ends officially so you can begin rehabilitating your garden. Remove twigs, dry leaves and other items that could mean obstructions on your garden. Clean the entire are with a rake and prepare your garden tools. Make sure they are sharp and ready for use. Start buying bulbs, seedlings and garden decorations.

Cultivate the soil so it will be ready for new plants to be planted. Prepare your walkways and areas adjacent to your landscaping. Make sure to replace old and cracked garden hoses and remove tree limbs and debris from the sidewalks. If there is no more snow in your area, it is a good time to begin planning your spring landscaping and lawn maintenance. Pressure wash paver and concrete areas that have turned dirty during winter and power wash brick walls, vinyl siding and the vertical surfaces in your home if necessary.

By preparing your home for the spring is rewarding today and still rewarding three months from now. Remember that your home goes through many changes due to climatic changes and as it ages. Spring preparation and maintenance is good for every homeowner. Furthermore, it is more important if you plan to sell your home soon. Homebuyers want to make certain that all home systems are well-maintained and taken cared of before they purchase. If you are unsure, consider hiring a professional home inspector. A home inspection covers your home from top to bottom. So, what are you waiting for? Prepare your home now because the warmer climate is just around the corner. Time to go outdoors and enjoy the sun.

A Rock Wall Fountain Accents Home and Garden Living

A rock wall fountain offers a timeless appeal that may be designed in either a very structured or more free flowing style. These fountains may be extremely large and feature nooks and crannies or may be smaller, with some designed for use within the home, providing the relaxing, meditative sounds of the water as it flows.

Structure

The rock wall fountain may be built almost entirely of stone held in place with mortar or if designed for indoor use it may be constructed of stone or stone veneer placed on a cement board backing which has been placed on a wooden frame or built into a wall. The options and designs vary a great deal and are often very uniquely constructed to the owner's wishes. The types of stone used include brick, large or small stone and rocks, as well as cultured stone or a combination of these.

They may be built to appear as natural outcroppings or waterfalls or they may be designed with a modern look and of all evenly sized stones. The varieties and styles are endless. More than one fountain may be featured in a large rock wall fountain which is used at an entryway or for a back yard wall. There may be various concrete cast designs which spout water, or may have an even gentle flow of water across the entire face. Recessed niches either behind the water or set into an area of the wall that is dry may be used to display plants or other items.

Designing a Rock Wall Fountain

When designing for interior or exterior use consider the surrounding structure and design. A uniquely designed rock wall fountain built into a retaining wall and featuring three evenly placed gargoyle heads with spouts where they water flows into a solid structure with rocks which resembles a brick raised flower bed suits an estate home well.

A home with a country feel may desire a rock wall fountain which has outcroppings to place plants and a mix of rocks which may be found locally with overhanging shelves of rock, forming cascades for the water to flow into a pond. Interior designs may encompass an entire wall or may be built into a frame a few feet wide which has the water trickling down the face of the rocks or stones into a rectangular shaped catch which returns the water to the fountain.

The best place to begin when designing or choosing a rock wall fountain for either indoor or outside use is by looking at images online. The vast number of styles available is astounding and the images will fuel creativity and imagination which will lead to increased satisfaction with the finished product.

Shopping for Rock Wall Fountains

Many precast and preformed models are available and may be offered through local garden centers. These often are versatile enough for use both in the house and out. If purchasing a large custom built rock wall fountain a local mason or construction company would be an excellent place to begin. Building supply stores feature stone and masonry products for the do it yourselfer.

Ergonomic Tools for Home and Garden

The need for ergonomic tools is important to identify when using hand tools in the home and garden. Especially if the tools are used for extended periods of time. Finding the right tool for the task at hand will save unwanted discomfort in the future.

Examples of causes of carpal tunnel and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) are chain saws, power tools, hand weeding, painting, pruning, improperly fitting gloves, screw divers, pressing tool into palm and using spray guns, etc.

To avoid painful carpal tunnel, the use of ergonomic tools allows hands to be in a more neutral position reducing the stress on wrists, arms and fingers. Many ergonomic hand tools have a bent handle which prevents excess bending and pressure.

Cushioned handles will add comfort, reducing strain and in general protect your hands.

Also, available are gloves designed to improve fit and hand function. This helps to eliminate pressure on the hand while wearing gloves.

Operating hand held power tools at the lowest speed necessary for performing the task and wearing anti-vibration gloves will help prevent HAVS. Power tools you may use in the home and garden are drills, saws, staplers and sanders.

Have you painted your home and garden spaces with a hand held brush to discover you keep shifting the paintbrush around to keep a comfortable grip? Paint brushes are available which are designed to reduce stress and discomfort to forearm and wist. The brushes are able to be held with the right or left hand holding positions with ease. The ergonomic brush handles are slightly curved to fit your grip with finger grooves at the base of the brush for comfort.

Ergonomic positioning is equally important as well holding the tool as recommended by the manufacturer. Adjusting straps on equipment will reduce strain on your body for any hand held equipment.

Wheelbarrows have been designed to reduce up to 45% of the impact on your body by keeping loads level as compared to conventional wheelbarrow. The weight is distributed on the front wheel reducing the load on the handles and strain on the operator especially when dealing with sloping areas.

Home And Garden Lighting

Previously, outdoor or the gardens were lit to facilitate people to see clearly when entering your home and to avert thieves. Today, landscape lighting is more for aesthetic purposes. Landscape lighting has turned into a work of art. The aim of landscape lighting is to exhibit a garden and a home in its complete splendor after dark. The lighting has its practical aspect and offers a well-lit area to deter thieves. The following are tips for landscape or garden lighting.

It is best to hire the services of a certified lighting consultant who is will give the best advice. Also, study your garden thoroughly before deciding what you would like to highlight using lighting. Make sure that the lighting professional has a copy of your design.

Include outdoor lighting when planning the garden landscape to make it easier to lay wires and pipes. Try and get more than one quote, so that you can compare the prices. Install a big transformer to meet your present and future lighting needs.

If you are thinking about doing the lighting in parts, lay all the electrical groundwork in the initial stages. Try and use soft light that is akin to moonlight. Don't overdo it. The landscape should be seen, not the lights. Hide the lighting system source behind shrubs and plants.

Make sure the fixtures are not visible. Use water resistant fixtures. Most people tend to favor white light for garden lighting. However, you could try different color variations with the help of a professional. Use fluorescent lights, as are they are less expensive and a lot more effective than incandescent lights.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Home and Garden Software

Would you like to landscape your garden and need home and garden software? You will find lots of software to landscape your garden, design your home, for home security, and hobbies, such as scrapbooking on the Internet.

Experiment with software to see the exterior of your home in a different color paint, with additions, different windows, doors or roof. Or experiment with a picture of your garden, adding plants, shrubs, trees and features.

Get an eBook with full colour step by step do it yourself guides. Here you will also find software for hobbies, such as greeting cards, embroidery, fashion, playing piano, health and fitness, garage bands, DJ software and music downloads.

You can also remodel your home, with the help of kitchen design or home design software. There is no need to employ an interior decorator. Experiment with the software to change your home into your dream home.

You will also find home security software. Keep your home, pets and loved ones safe, with the help of home security software and a camera. Why pay a security company when you can do it yourself? Your insurance company is sure to give you a rebate.

The Internet has changed the way the world plays and works, and there is software for anything and everything. From weight loss, to fashion design and wedding planning. Why not find out who your ancestors were... with family tree software?

If you have Internet, the world is at your fingertips. You will find computer software for all your home improvement requirements, interests, entertainment and hobbies. Take advantage of all the information and software products available.

Home and Garden Television

The Home and Garden Television channel has quickly become one of the most popular cable television channels around today. The network was launched in 1994 and is currently owned by Scripps Network Interactive. Its headquarters are located in Knoxville, Tennessee. HGTV also has sister stations. They are the Weather Channel, Food Network, Fine Living, DIY Network, Great American Country and Weatherscan. HGTV airs a variety of programming tailored towards home remodeling, repair, decorating, designing, gardening and crafts.

HGTV airs such programs as "Sell This House," "House Hunters," Extreme Living" and "Weekend Warriors." HGTV has over 100 different shows that are either currently airing or have aired previously dealing with the home and garden industry. Home and Garden Television has become a leading source for design, home improvement, remodeling and gardening tips for beginners and experts looking to upgrade the look and feel of their house and garden.

"House Hunters" is the highest rated television show airing on HGTV and it airs nightly at 10pm. The show's host is Suzanne Whang. The host follows around a couple or family searching for a house to purchase. The show also includes different realtors. Each episode features three properties that the viewers are given a tour of. At the conclusion of the show the prospective buyer tells the host and the audience which of the three properties he/she decided to buy. The new owner then gives a tour of the newly bought house, explaining what renovations were made to the house prior to moving in. The show discloses where the properties are located and how much is being asked for each individual property.

One innovative show that has been airing on HGTV since 2006 has been "24 Hour Design." "24 Hour Design" involves the renovation of a single room in a house occurring in less than one day. It usually takes around 10 hours or so to complete and the budget is set for $2,000. The host of the show, Angelo Surmelis, discusses with the owners of the home which room should be redesigned and how it should be done. In the final hour of the show the renovated room is revealed and an explanation is given as to what was done and for what reasons.

HGTV, like all other television networks around today, does air reality shows. Their most popular reality show currently airing is "Design Star." "Design Star" involves the show's contestants designing a room or filling empty space with unique items during each new episode. The unique items can be from a pet store, a mechanic shop or a discount store. The challenge is finding the best way to make the design look appealing to the eye even thought the items used might not be.

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