Queen Platform Bed

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

If you’re looking for a spacious bed with a contemporary design you might like the queen platform bed. The queen size bed is not as large as a full size king so it doesn’t require quite as much space. It is a lot roomier than a full size bed so it still works as a bed for two people to use. The design of the platform style is available in a lot of modern looks. There are many models that are created of wood if you like the durability of having wood furniture.

If space is a problem for you in the bedroom you could choose to purchase one of the many styles that have drawers in the base. The drawers are creatively designed in the bottom section of the platform base so they look natural in the design. They are usually on the sides of the unit and come with different types of drawer pulls or handles. These are a great place to store extra bedding when it’s not being used. There are also some units that come with headboards that have some shelving spaces. This would be helpful if you need a place to keep your alarm clock or eyeglasses, but don’t have room for extra side end tables.

Most of the frames for platform beds include the mattress. These pieces don’t use a box spring unit, but instead use a single specially designed mattress that provides support. The type of sheets you use with the bed are usually the standard sheets you would use for any queen size bed. If there is a special recommendation for purchasing bedding it will come with the instructions for the frame or the mattress. A queen platform bed can be a good choice for couples that don’t have a lot of bedroom space to use for large furniture items.

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Earthships – A Futuristic Home that you Can Build Today!

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru
I was doing some research recently for what the perfect home might look like in this green age we live in. What should eco friendly homes do for us, how would they work?  What I found was a great example of a home that is completely off the grid as far as energy goes, makes its own energy and manages both water and waste in an intelligent fashion. They are called Earthships and are designed by a guy named Michael Reynolds. The water systems are of particular note.
The way these houses use water is extraordinary. They catch rainwater on the rooftops and funnel it into an underground cistern. The cistern is kept underground to help combat evaporation – I tell you a detail is not missed in these homes. The water gets re-used a few times before it heads out to a vegetation station near the home. Here’s an example of the water usage. When we take a shower, the water is taken from the cistern, heated on demand with a high end, efficient heater and ready for use. The smart thing is that the water doesn’t head down the drain, it goes through what’s called a grey water system. Grey water is funneled through an interior garden that can be used for food production or just for decorative plants and flowers. Once the water goes through this system it gets re-purposed once again as toilet water. Now the ‘used’ toilet water heads into a local septic system then out to the wet area outside.
The main thinking with the energy system was that a design that did not need any energy for heating or cooling was key. With windows that are designed tot let in the low lying winter sun but keep out the rays of a high summer sun – natural heating can go a long way. The building itself is partially built underground making use of the earth’s stable radiant temperature of 58 degrees.  Nice and cool in the summer but warm enough in the winter that with a little sunlight it gets up to 72 degrees quite easily. For more detail and a few photos take a look at this story on these wonderful self-sustaining homes.
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Choosing Garden Pond Pumps

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Ponds are beautiful and wonderful ecosystems to create. If somebody is thinking of developing a modest pool in their back garden, it would be sensible to get acquainted with garden pond pumps and pond air pumps. It is a great idea to research what one wants before making any decisions.

Furthermore, pond provisions actually hinge upon what type pond one desires and it also matters if there are fish or not. The size and electrical power will be crucial . Can the pond freeze up in the winter? Then one will necessitate a heater or defroster.

Having said that, a few basic supplies for any pond will be needed. If one puts fish in the pond, there needs to be a filter to keep the water healthy and fresh. A fountain or waterfall can act as a pond aerator. One does need a pond aerator, especially when there are fish. You can find any of the pond supplies at a local garden store, retail store, or online is a very good place to look.

Also, for a more small-scale pond, there needs to be a submersible pump, out of the path of plant life, muck or anything that can clog it up. The exhaust hose needs to be left in the water or hooked up to a waterfall or fountain. Place the pond pump where you are going to be able to easily get to it.

A steady circulation of water is made easy, thanks to garden pond pumps. The pump needs to be capable of circulating half the water every 60 minutes. Never turn off your pond pump for more than an hour. The trick is in having 2 smaller pond pumps, using one after another for continuous use rather than one large garden pump.

Likewise, pond air pumps do the significant business of circulating the oxygen so that it extends to the bottom of the pond. This accomplishes two matters: creatures at the bottom of the pond get much demanded oxygen and the silt and sediment at the under surface are kept from making slime. The dirt is collected and directed into the filter, leftover in the basket for future cleaning.

Remember that more sun means more algae. Both aerators and fountains reduce the amount of algae in a pond. They improve the overall water quality. Some aerators even discourage insect reproduction.

Finally, there are many nice pond decorations, fountains and statues you can use in conjunction with garden pond pumps, other accessories available to make a person’s pond the talk of the town.

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Get a Rustic Look With Oak Flooring

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

If your home feels just a little bit too modern. Filled with man made fibers and cold metal counter tops, your best place to start breathing some character and warmth into it would be by laying oak flooring.  And for an extra layer of character, nothing will compare to a true rustic style of flooring. Oak is a beautiful wood in its own right. Sought for its strength and beauty by craftsmen the world over, a prime grade of oak flooring would be too perfect to give a  real rustic effect.

This is achieved by buying rustic grade flooring to start with. This has a less smooth grain look, and more knotting and markings throughout the boards. None of this degrades from the strength or quality of the boards, it just adds more character. Or some may say it tells a better story about the wood.

Next you will have to choose the kind of finish to the floor you want. This adds protection to the floor and can enhance the features of the wood further.

  1. Unfinished oak flooring is just what it says. Nothing has been done to it prior to installation. This leaves this up to you to sand down then give a lacquer or an oil.
  2. Oiled oak flooring comes finished and ready to be laid. Probably feels and looks more natural with a richer color.
  3. Lacquered oak flooring has a smoother finish to it. The lacquer is also extra protection from daily wear and tear.
  4. Wire brushing is really an addition to those finishes already highlighted. It will add to the rustic look as it makes the wood look more worn and will give the floor a bit of grip.

Finally, to give the floor even more character we lay oak floor boards in various lengths. Most flooring suppliers will have stock of rustic grade flooring cut for sale in 3 or 4 different lengths for this exact purpose.

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Many Types of Small Corner Sofas

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

The shape of our homes can vary, and with property at a premium many people face the challenge of furnishing smaller rooms than they have previously experienced. Small corner sofas can solve many problems as they fill the unused corner space and simultaneously provide seating and comfort. Whilst corner sofas can be used in any room, whether large or small, there modular style makes them ideal choice when space is limited.

With the option of 1-2 seats, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7 or even 8-9 seats, the possibilities are endless and can be used in one, or even more than one, corner of your room. Nor is quality affected when buying small corner group sofas. They are available in many sorts of fabrics, with an assortment of colors and textures, that will compliment your current style, or, you can opt for the extremely durable and versatile leather option.

Whilst many people are initially concerned about purchasing leather sofas they very quickly find that the quality and durability really do give their sofa a longer life span whilst being easy to maintain.  A quick wipe with a damp cloth will remove most marks and stains, even those from young children or pets. With clean lines and interchangeable seats, whatever the material you choose, you can even alter the appearance of your corner sofa whenever you feel like a change.

Whether you require extra seating for the occasions when you have friends round, or, if the corner sofa is your main seating arrangement for you and your family, you will always find time to enjoy the comfort and luxury that they provide.

As there are so many available options you will be able to find the seating arrangement that fits your budget. There are also a large number of special deals available so it is worth searching around to get the most for your money. Check out Corner Sofas Center for more ideas.

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Neo Angle Shower Enclosures – The Three Dimensional Shower

Posted on April 13, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Whether you are building your home from the ground up or remodeling an existing bathroom, neo angle shower enclosures are a cost effective style of shower wall panel that create a diverse and unique look for any bathroom.  These shower enclosures can be custom made to create any dimension and are constructed of various materials depending on the atmosphere you are trying to create throughout your bathroom.  They are fixed and mitered together, and can be either framed or frame-less.

A shower wall panel is a great and cost effective alternative to ceramic wall tiles.  Framed enclosures are generally installed in the corner of the bathroom.  The minimal framing will create an attractive effect with various hardware colors.  The frames are typically produced out of anodized aluminum material and are polished with either a chrome, gold, white or brushed nickel finish.  The walls can be either clear or unobstructed glass, marble, or various other materials.  The doors can be installed as a double pivot door or a single opening door.

Frame-less neo angled enclosures can be customized to fit any bathroom to any dimension.  The angles are mitered to ensure a splash-less shower and the panels are permanent in nature.  These showers can be constructed as half or full showers and can be installed adjacent to a bathtub.  Shower lighting can add a ethereal affect to marble and glass showers.  The walls of the shower are generally constructed of either clear, obstructed and patterned glass of different thickness.  Most frame-less showers are glass to the ceiling.

Most neo angle shower units are best installed by professionals, although an experienced do it yourself enthusiast might be able to handle it..  They add simple elegance to any bathroom.  They may be more expensive then installing a typical shower, but it is an investment that is well worth it.  In the end, you will have a shower unique to any other.

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Storage Cupboard – Beauty and Function

Posted on April 12, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Are you still using those coat racks, hat racks and open shoe racks in your foyer?  You might want to look at the possibility of organizing your shoes, coats and jackets, and hats in one storage cupboard and hide them from plain sight.

By organizing all of your kids’ school jackets and caps, your office coat and ties, including your shopping bag and shoes, all in one storage cabinet; you will not only give yourself a fresh brand new and clean organized looking house, you will also be able to add beauty in your foyer or room.

You have definitely seen how untidy it is to just hang your bags on the wall, over the racks or behind the door; or how unsightly it is when your receiving area has become a nook where different pieces of jackets, shoes, hats and bags are in disarray.  While everybody has been very busy to actually attend to it, why not organize all of them while you are thinking of just organizing your shoes.

The best storage cupboard to organize all of your shoes and clothing pieces in one place while hiding them behind would be a beautiful wooden storage cabinet.  There are many hardwood to select from like oak or cherry, with different shades to choose from too. Of course, there is nothing better than a real wood for your storage cupboard as far as giving your room the richness that it deserves.

But if buying solid wood storage cupboard would mean hurting your pocketbook, you could always look for the same wood-like beauty in fiberboards which are called faux wood storage cabinets.

Whether you will go for hardwood or faux wood, you will discover a lot of advantages in choosing one storage cupboard for your shoes, coats, hats, bags and jackets in your foyer.  You will not only be able to organized everything and save time too; you will also add beauty in your room.

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Buying Cheap Curtains Online

Posted on April 11, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

If the money you have to spend for window curtains is limited, it makes sense to shop on the web as you will find beautiful drapes there to suit every budget. You just have to know the right places to look to uncover the best deals, as not all window curtains online are worth buying. With some cheap curtains the quality is low as well as the price and you are better to avoid these if you want your home to look good.

You can be pretty sure of getting quality curtains for the price you are paying, if you choose those with a well-known brand. The better manufacturers take great pains to make sure that nothing they sell would jeopardize their good name so you can feel quite confident when you buy their products. Although you might pay the full recommended retail price in a local store, a quick search on the web should reveal a number of e-commerce sites selling the same curtains for less. Do a quick comparison between sites so that you can buy from the one offering the best price (taking shipping charges into consideration).

You will also find a similar set up when it comes to well known curtain fabrics. Sometimes it is worth researching the fabric you would like in local stores and then buying the fabric online where you will normally be able to order it at a discount. In that case, you have to have the curtains made or make them yourself, but there are some sites which offer discounted fabrics and a curtain making service together so you might like to consider these.

Finally, you can take a chance on buying cheap curtains from a picture you see on the web as long as there is a full description of the curtains and some good genuine customer reviews so that you can see that others were pleased with the quality of the curtains. This, coupled with a reasonable returns policy will give you some confidence that your online shopping experience will be a good one.

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How to Estimate Bathroom Remodeling Costs

Posted on April 11, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Getting a handle on your bathroom remodeling costs sooner rather than later is always a good idea. Bathroom remodels are notoriously expensive – but they don’t have to be – but having an idea of the size of your budget will give you the chance to cut your designs to fit your wallet so to speak.

So whats the most expensive items for a bathroom remodel? Without a doubt its moving major appliances: WC, bath, shower, vanity – because moving these items means moving plumbing as well. Another hidden cost that many people forget about is that choosing a huge 2-person spa bath or double power shower is great – but its likely you will also have to upgrade your hot water service as well – ouch there goes a few more thousands in the budget. So if you need to contain costs – try to leave at lease the WC in place.

Next for cost blow outs are those amazing new floor and wall surfaces. Marble and glass can certainly look incredibly awesome – but they can cost a pretty penny. Instead look for the faux versions which most people won’t notice the difference with. Remember its not just the cost of the material – its the cost of the specialized labor to fit them as well.

Cheaper options are tiles, polished floors, paint finishes and integrated shower units. If you are still in love with the marble – use it as a feature statement in the center of the shower enclosure or as a dado detail on the walls – not all over.

Also consider if you really need a double shower and a double vanity sink? How often do the two of you actually use the bathroom simultaneously For significantly less cost you can get a great shower and a large and practical vanity – which you can both enjoy!

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Sofa Maintenance

Posted on April 11, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Making a smart investment for your home requires a lot of planning, saving, and research. Buying a sofa for the living room (or any room for that matter) involves several steps, including setting aside the funds long enough to have exactly how much is needed for the item desired. Also, shopping around might take a while, but the end result is always satisfying. Once it is placed in the right spot, relaxing and visiting is made so much easier – especially with larger couches like sectional sofas and corner settees. And even though this sounds like a lot of details, it is not the end! It’s actually just the beginning of a commitment to keeping the thing clean. It won’t clean itself, and there are a few tips to follow to ensure that sofas remain in tact.

The first thing to keep in mind is that not all sofas are composed of the same material. Some may be fabric, which encompasses many options. Others are leather, and even more selections are available. Therefore it is imperative to remember that each of these will not take the same treatment when keeping them clean. Some chemicals that are effective on one type may not be right for another, and may even ruin some. A number of sofas are made up of synthetic materials, and owners need to be conscious how to treat them.

Sometimes, certain cleaners are necessary to maintain a sofa, and the manufacturers have information regarding that. Contacting these companies is the most efficient way to get advice from the source. The tag that is attached to the sofa will have needed information when asking about this issue, such as model names and/or numbers, as well as UPC codes. Keeping the sofa spic-and-span is a responsible move. Nobody wants to put a lot of money into something that will be neglected and can turn into an eyesore.

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