Finding Metal Kitchen Cabinets

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Vintage Metal kitchen cabinets, once all the rage among kitchen designers in the 1940’s and 50’s, are again emerging from the long, dark shadow cast by particle board cabinetry.  Manufacturers have tooled up and are again producing these units, this time with the benefit of improved metal alloys and coating technologies.

Many people, however, are interested in obtaining and restoring to service vintage metal cabinets produced decades ago.  These sturdy units remain in service, or at least in place, in many older houses throughout the country.  While it takes a good deal more effort to find and have delivered such antiques, the reward may be a bargain as well as the satisfaction of making a strong statement in favor of recycling, which is important to many people in this green age.

In light of the fact that a set of metal kitchen cabinets is not only awkward and heavy for shipping purposes, the marketplace for them tends to be primarily local.  Probably the most likely source for locating them is on Craigslist or in the newspaper classified section, but don’t rule out the Pennysaver or some other local classified advertising specialty publication.

In some parts of the country, entire older neighborhoods that were once very nice have been abandoned as our industrial base has fled overseas.  Such areas can provide rich pickings.  Absentee owners or buyers at tax sales may be willing to part with the cabinetry for a reasonable sum, and unless such properties have become vacant and vandalized, the metal kitchen cabinets are often in quite good condition.

In other cases, some people who have had their metal cabinets in place for a long time may want to remodel with a different look.  A ‘wanted’ ad in Craigslist may lead to a connection with someone who would be happy to get some return on the units they are removing.

Be aware that it may be necessary to locate and buy units from several different buildings in order to acquire a set that will fit neatly into your available space.  You also may have to spend a bit of time refinishing your kitchen cabinets once you get them.  If you’re at all handy, an afternoon spent with screwdrivers and wrenches can yield you a treasure in recycled vintage metal cabinets.

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Common Problems Of The Indoor Gardener

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Are your indoor plants not growing as well as you would like? Are you struggling to get large beautiful flowers from your plants? Are your plants gloomy and have weak roots? If this sounds anything like your plants then this article may help you to find out your problem and how to fix it. The topics that we are going to be going over today are lighting, watering and feeding of your plants.

The lighting of your plants is one of the single most important things that you have to do to ensure the success of your indoor planting setup. The proper type of lighting makes all the difference in the world. If your plants are weak looking or producing small amounts of fruits or flowers then improper lighting is more than likely your problem. To remedy most of these types of problems use either a blue spectrum LED plant grow light or a metal halide lamp for the growing stages of a plant, and either full spectrum LED grow lights or HPS grow lights for flowering stages of the plants life.

Proper watering of a plant is also a very important aspect of a healthy plant, especially if you are growing orchids. Often times people either over water a plant or don’t water it nearly enough. For most plant species the soil needs to be moist but not completely soaked. The way to obtain this is have proper drainage and good soil and to only water the plant when the sub layer is beginning to dry up slightly. Just make sure that you water the plant before the soil dries out too much.

The last common problem that people run into when trying to grow plants indoors is how to fertilize properly. Fertilization is vital to growing strong full plants that produce high flower yields. The most basic way to ensure that your plants are getting the nutrients that it needs is to premix the fertilizer in with the soil to ensure full and even saturation.

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Healthy Fun on Outdoor Playsets

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

How often have you heard someone complaining that their child spends the day in front of the TV or computer playing video games or just surfing the web (under parental supervision, of course)? In addition, some of the children-yes, children- seem to have a cell phone attached to their ear. Technology seems to rule their world.

Now, go backward in time, to when the average parent was a child. Most time was spent out of doors, unless it was storming at the time. As soon as breakfast was finished, children raced out the door to plan for the day’s activities. These could include building a fort, climbing a tree, riding a bike or scooter, or just enjoying the outside world. These days, one may not have a large outside space or a forest near their home, but children today can still enjoy the outdoors as much as their parents did.

When one becomes a parent, one of their most important jobs is to promote a healthy lifestyle for their child. This includes assuring that the child gets as much physical activity as is necessary. One way this may be accomplished is by making sure that the child has only limited access to their electronic playthings. Rather, they should be encouraged to spend a good part of their day outside. One way to entice the child to spend quality time outside is to erect an outdoor playset in one’s yard which will give the child an invitation to explore new activities. These sets can range from the simple to the elaborate, depending on what a parent envisions for their child.

Safety is one concern which is important when a child is playing outdoors. Having a play area in one’s yard will assure that the child remains safe at home rather than wandering the streets looking for something interesting to do. In fact, other neighborhood children may wish to come to the yard from their yards in order to enjoy the playset.

In regards to physical fitness, an outdoor playset can help the child develop in many areas. By climbing, balancing, swinging, running etc., the child will be enhancing the growth of their gross motor skills. Hand-eye coordination will also be improved by making use of all the smaller parts of the playset, such as knobs and buttons which the set may have. The child will become physically fit without being aware that they are exercising at all.

Another area which is enhanced when the child uses their playset is in the area of imagination. With all the electronic games children have at their disposal, very rarely do they have to think for themselves. However, when outside playing, they have a blank slate to work with and can turn the area into whatever they see in their mind. This is an activity which they can do independently, using their own ideas. In addition, if other children are invited to join in, the child will learn to play appropriately with others, as well as to share ideas.

These days, outdoor playsets have many features which allow the children to dramatize most any situation they imagine. Even a swing can become a horse, car, or even a space ship. By encouraging one’s child to play outdoors, he or she will grow in ways not possible when trapped by the tentacles of the computer, TV, and video games. This growth, physically, mentally, and emotionally, will benefit the child for the rest of their life.

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How To Design A Rustic Garden

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Trying to figure out the ideal way to build a garden that pleases even the most judgmental of eyes? Got a lot of old gardening tools and urns laying around? Then, you might want to think about designing a rustic garden, complete with old-fashioned charm and quaint character. Even the hardest of gardening hearts melts at the sights and smells of a rustic garden.

Rustic gardens are not planned around order. You won’t find exquisitely manicured lines and angles, with all the plants and shrubs arranged in alphabetical order. We’re talking about untidy gardens, gardens that seem to mimic nature’s natural inclination to spread a bit wildly.

If you’re going to convert to rusticity so to speak, then you are going to have to become a gardener who uses the lightest of light touches. You have to give up some of the control that you tend to use. Really, you are letting the garden have a life of its own. You are asking what it wants, and then saying Okay, go for it.

Still, there are a few things you can do to make your garden more rustic.

For starters, look carefully at the space of the garden itself. Don’t rush to correct anything that seems off kilter – that bump of earth near the middle for example, or the large stone that juts out of the earth. These are natural and should be integrated into the garden accordingly.

Put a garden path in. Don’t labor over it – just sort of let it meander through the greenery. Use different kinds of material to build it – used bricks, spots of gravel, even sand. Remember, regularity and order isn’t the goal!

Use Hydrangea or other herbaceous shrubs to create borders to he garden – or build a stone wall. You want a low maintenance approach to hemming the garden in, one that promotes feelings of tranquility and privacy.

A gate isn’t a bad idea, either. If you can find one at a flea market or estate sale, then grab it. It doesn’t matter if you have a fence or not – the gate simply communicates a feeling of openness.

Finally, add some garden statues or even a gazing ball. Old garden urns and vases are nice, too. Terra cotta works nicely – especially if it is on the weathered side – but wooden ones work well, too. Keep in mind that when it comes to man-made materials in the rustic garden, cracks and chips and other signs of wear are pluses!

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How to Improve the Look of Hardwood Flooring

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Hardwood floors take a lot of wear and tear throughout the years. Face it, keeping them clean and polished just isn’t on the daily agenda and the chore seems to fall by the wayside. There are many ways to attempt this colossal task, but replacing floors shouldn’t be done unless absolutely necessary. The following advice applies to those that want to make their floors look new without changing out the materials.

Electrical floor buffers are made for just this type of job. Businesses may invest in the purchase of one, but homeowners are better off renting one. Along with that, there are several items to put on the list of things to have on hand while polishing the floor. Buffer pads, abrasive pads, and lamb’s wool pads are at the top of this list, followed by sanding strips, buffer screens, and wax stripper. Pain brushes and wood/floor treatment are also used. The sanding is always done first to remove dirt and any damages. If wax covers the surface, a wax stripper is required to aid in the sanding process. Use a vacuum to quickly and easily clean this mess. Experiment with the machine before attaching all accessories to make sure that handling can be done with ease. Put on the pads and buffer screen and begin working in a circular motion. This gives optimum results. Wipe the floor with a damp (not wet) cloth.

The next task is to apply finish. Each coat needs several hours of drying before anything else can be done. A drying agent may be used at this point, and when there is enough to satisfy the floor repair, the floor buffer and its pads can then move over the floor and remove any remaining bumps. Patience and attention to detail will result in a beautiful floor once again.

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Options for Driveway Lights

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Lighting up the driveway is one of the smartest and safest moves a homeowner can make. As with all accessories for the home, there are plenty of options available to choose from when it comes to outdoor lighting. A little research before delving into this project helps to present what decisions there are to make when selecting the best type of lighting for the driveway. That way, shopping can be quick and easy.

One source of lighting outside the home can be a light pole. These customarily are placed at the edge of the driveway but not protruding into the yard. This method provides a large amount of light in one area, which can be very helpful, depending on the way the drive is set up. Another way to provide light outdoors is to install small lights along the sides of the driveway. Placing lights in this fashion is helpful when driving to or from the house along with outdoor pendants. There are many designs and styles of driveway lights for lining your driveway.

An important decision to make while contemplating outdoor lighting is the power source. The lights can be hooked up to normal AC voltage, of course, but there are other choices as well. Low-voltage power is something to consider, because it saves energy. Not only is it good for the environment, but it will save money on utilities. In addition, the risk of being shocked is virtually eliminated. Lastly, the sun is another means of power for any style of lighting. Solar powered lights are charged up by the sun all day long, and when light is needed starting at dusk, the lights will emanate until the sun rises again. Needless to say, this source is even more energy efficient and safer than the other options, as well as a complete money saver.

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A Conservatory Is One Room With Many Options

Posted on April 4, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

A uPVC conservatory can be a smart investment of money. Besides the fact that having one added to your house adds value to your home, it can also increase the quality of life within the home. This type of room can also be made of other materials, but the uPVC is definitely the most cost efficient. It shouldn’t be a chore to figure out exactly what you want out of a new space; it can actually be fun!

First, let’s explore nature. No need to get out of your housecoat and slippers! uPVC conservatories that have glass windows or walls allow you to take it easy and soak up the beauties of whatever you may have growing in the garden outside, without ever having to walk out the door. Consider your space as a nice conservatory furniture site for benches, lounge chairs, and perhaps a small table for coffee and magazines. There can even be a spot for your laptop or PC and that way the space doubles as a small study. Then, when guests arrive for get-togethers, it can be a casual place to gather and talk while the barbecue is heating up, or to keep an eye on the kids playing together in the yard.

Another way of utilizing the uPVC conservatory and getting some clutter out of the house at the same time would be to move any and all game room furniture and accessories into it. That way, there is a separate place for someone to concentrate on a game of pool, or get rowdy during a foosball match. Or, to switch gears on the idea, keep toys for children in the conservatory and have some peace of mind knowing where they are playing. Whether to use a uPVC for an area for your family or just a greenhouse for plants, you can be satisfied knowing this new asset adds more than just space to your home.

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The Benefits of Corner Breakfast Nook Furniture

Posted on April 2, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

If you are in the market for a new breakfast nook set, then you may want to consider a corner nook set. There are several reasons that I like corner breakfast nook furniture over other kinds of kitchen furniture sets. First, there is the storage. Second, there is the fact that you can use cushions and pillows to change the look for the furniture without actually getting new furniture. Third, I can have a larger table than I would otherwise. Fourth, I think it is cozy and I enjoy spending time there.

Corner breakfast nook furniture almost always includes an L-shaped bench that fits into the corner. Most of the time, the benches have under the seat storage compartments. If your kitchen is anything like mine then you can use some more storage space. You just have to lift up the bench seat like a lid on a storage chest. I use this space to store all of my extra table linens like table cloths and placemats as well as my extra kitchen linens like holiday towels and oven mits. I also use some of my breakfast nook with storage for small kitchen appliances. I store appliances that I do not use daily here because I still want them close enough that it is not a hassle to get them out to use, but out of sight and not taking up counter space. I store things like the bread maker, rice cooker, salad tossing tool, etc. here.

If you get a furniture set with just plan wood benches and no upholstery, then you are not locked into one design or color scheme. You can get cushions made for your breakfast nook benches and use throw pillows to make the space extra comfortable and change the mood of the room instantly. For example, a white bench cushion with black and white throw pillows can create a modern and sleek dinner table for a romantic evening, but a cream cushion with pastel throw pillows is better for everyday use in the spring.

Another reason I like corner furniture sets is that you gain some extra space that you can use to choose a larger table. If the table sits in the middle of room then you need to leave as much as a three foot cushion around the table so that you will have room to pull chairs out and sit down. With the corner bench, you do not have to leave as much room on at least two of the sides.

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Black Curtains Add Elegance To Any Room

Posted on April 1, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

Though it is not common to see black curtains in homes, retro curtains are in fashion. Usually chosen and bought due to the elegant style that comes to any room, a black curtain goes well in a trendy décor.

From black velvet curtains contrasting against ivory soft furnishings to even a mix and match with red cushions interspersed in white upholstery, black is in. Some people prefer to have white black curtains to block out the sun while others use such dark colored curtains in offices and workplace for a variety of other reasons.

Though black color is considered not a traditional color for soft furnishings especially curtains, modern chic homes and retro look has made it a sought after curtain color. If you casually visit a home furnishing store or browse online you might be amazed to see a wide variety of pink black curtains to plain black toile curtains in a host of styles.

If you are looking for something off beat, try layering black curtain in heavy fabric with sheer. In the morning, you can draw out the heavy curtains for natural lighting and sunlight, leaving the sheer curtains on the outside and in the evenings, drawing the heavy curtains again. The layering of curtains enhances your home décor and you can even pick a set of pink curtains in sheer to go with the heavy black curtains!

Though you have a wide choice to pick up colors and styles in curtains, you need to consider a few essential points before you start shopping. Always keep in mind:

  • Your home décor color theme
  • Room that you are buying the curtains for
  • Budget
  • Fabrics that suit your climate
  • Curtains style that will enhance your décor

When you are clear about these points, shopping becomes faster and easier. You may also research online on the best discounts, compare prices and styles on online stores and even check out the deals at your local home furnishing store. It makes sense to buy the best for your money, so buy black curtains wisely from a reputed online home furnishings store.

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Learn About The Fireplace Glass Door

Posted on April 1, 2010 by The Home and Garden Guru

One of the most important aspects of any fireplace is the fireplace glass door. The purpose of this is twofold meaning that there are two different reasons why these are so important and essential. To help explain why this is true but want to give you some additional information that will explain why you need to pay careful attention to these and make sure that you have a good high-quality fireplace door installed in your home. Failure to do this can not only cost you money but it can cause injury or harm to your home or someone in your family.

To properly keep the hot air and in the colder out you need fireplace glass doors that have good sealing properties built in. Most people rely on the damper for the fireplace to keep the hot air from escaping and to keep the cold air from coming in. The majority of the time these do not work especially when you’re not burning fire because they just become cold and admit cold air into your house. This is because most of them are made from cast iron which gets cold very quickly.

The second reason why these are so important is because of safety. You want to keep the fire inside of your firebox and not have it come outside of it. This not only protects your home from damage from ashes or sparks that can fly out, but can prevent children or kids in your family from getting hurt by getting too close and sticking their hands into the fire. He also want to make sure that you buy a set that either comes with six stores or removable doors so that when you are cleaning them, cleaning out the firebox, or adding wood to fire that you can move them completely out of the way so they do not get broken.

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