home sectionhome sectionDutch colonial architecture originated in the late 1700s. Its gambrel-style roof afforded more space for a second story or loft and in early days often got a tax break because it was classified as a one-story house. The style had a revival starting in the 1890s and lasting until about World War II. Dutch colonial roofs often have window dormers set into the steeper side of the two-slope roof. Some Dutch colonials have a type of border roof at the bottom of the main roof -- to extend an eave beyond the walls and keep water away from the house.
A vibrant valley nestled at the foot of the Teton Mountains and threaded with the sparkling Snake River, Jackson Hole is equal parts nature and nurture. The eclectic Wyoming ski town is known for its wide-open spaces, abundance of outdoor activities, colorful community and traditional style. While there may be snow on the ground seven months out of the year, the welcoming feel of Jackson gives a sense of warmth no matter what the season -- and that's what its residents emulate in their spaces. But you don't have to live in the mountains to experience a Jackson-style escape. From…
Redesigning the front of your home can be time and labor intensive, and costs vary widely depending on the materials, consultants and the extent of the remodel. Spending plenty of time in the design process, however, can save time and money in the long run and produce results you continue to enjoy for years to come.
The FDTV1a and HDTVa are amplified indoor digital television antennas manufactured by TERK, a division of Audiovox Corporation. Both models are designed to replace traditional TV antennas, most of which became obsolete in the wake of full-power TV stations, switching from analog to digital broadcasting signals in the United States in 2009.
The ProStaff 3-9x40 Matte Nikoplex -- also referred to as the 6310 -- and the ProStaff 3-9x40 Matte BDC -- also referred to as the 6320 -- are scopes for hunting rifles, called riflescopes, developed by Nikon. The 6310 uses Nikon’s Nikoplex reticle, while the 6320 uses the Nikon Bullet Drop Compensating, or BDC, reticle. Apart from their reticles, the 6310 and 6320 are identical.
Scroll edging creates small, decorative fences that mark garden borders or walkways and that keep small animals, birds and other pests at bay. Choose the kind of scroll edging you want in your garden based on its purpose, location in the lawn and the kinds of plants it will be protecting.
Homes with timber post-and-beam construction can be small or large, rustic or regal, a single level or multiple floors, but they have at least one thing in common: They have a structural support system composed of interlocking horizontal, upright and angled timbers that support the weight of the structure. There is more than one type of post-and-beam construction, but timber framing is a specialized technique that often incorporates the actual beams into the interior design of the home.
Brick provides homeowners with a number of advantages over some other exterior building material options. Brick homes tend to be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter due to their thermal mass, which gives them the ability to absorb heat and then release it slowly. For bricks to perform at the highest level they must be properly joined together with mortar. Skilled brickmasons can lay brick using a variety of methods, including the weeping mortar method.
Curved hallways wind through many architectural styles, periods and purposes. They occur in elliptical buildings, such as the Colosseum of ancient Rome, and round structures, including old prisons that were designed to give wardens and guards a 360-degree view of inmates. Many modern public buildings built since the 1940s -- including hospitals, public schools and museums -- keep visitors walking in circles.
Traditional colonial homes date back to the 1700s in England and are recognized for their symmetrical and straightforward design and lack of a front porch. Modern colonial homes, built during the 20th and 21st centuries, take the strong facade from traditional colonial homes but add a relaxing porch to modernize the design.
Stone arches, which originated with the Romans, were one of the main innovations that they added to the Greek architectural styles they appropriated. Stone arches make beautiful and impressive architecture, and when built properly, can stand for centuries, even without mortar. The design of an arch redirects the gravitational force away from the vertical and through the pillars to each side of the arch, not only preventing the arch from collapsing but actually making it stronger when more weight is put onto it.
Prefabricated trusses simplify roof framing. They are usually made in factories and set on a roof in one piece. Trusses extend from one outer wall to another, with a horizontal bottom chord, two angled rafter chords to create the pitch and peak of the roof, and various internal braces to add strength. Truss joints are fastened with steel plates called gussets, but the trusses must be secured to the tops of the walls.
Eclectic style is not a random mix of furniture, patterns and accessories. Rather, true eclecticism in interior design is largely intentional with instinct and heart thrown in for good measure. It might look free and easy, but a room looks “eclectic” and not cluttered when a balance of design styles is used.
Originating in England, Georgian design was in vogue during the reigns of the four King Georges between 1740 and 1860. Georgian-style houses were built in the United States during the 1700s and 1800s. Evolving from the 17th-century French baroque design -- a fussy and ornate style -- the Georgian design is elegant, without being gaudy. Georgian-style kitchens are functional, formal and grand, with attention given to architectural detail.
Gates can be useful in any home with a driveway large enough to accommodate one, offering both aesthetic appeal and security to your home. There are several different types of gates that can be installed on a home driveway and understanding the differences between these types is essential to choosing the right one for your home. Among the first choices you need to make when choosing a gate is between a swing-style or slide-style gate.
No matter how grand or how modest your Tudor home is, it demands stone paving. Whatever type of stone, color or pattern you use for your driveway, you need to repeat it for your patio or courtyard. Never denigrate the architecture of your home with poured concrete unless you have it stamped and stained to complement your Tudor.
A floating deck, more commonly called a freestanding deck, is a deck style that is built independently from a home or other structure. Some are built next to a structure while others are alone in an outdoor area or around an above ground swimming pool. A number of situations exist where a floating deck is preferable to a standard deck and, as long as they are constructed properly, they will be as reliable as any other style.
The Tudor era (1485 to 1603) refers to a line of English kings and queens who reigned toward the end of the medieval period. During this time, a new style of building that grew out of a late development in Gothic architecture--called the perpendicular style--came into use and focused on building with timbers and brick.
Chippendale-style furniture is furniture done in the style popularized by British cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale in the 1700s. The first designer to publish a book of his designs, "The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker's Director," in 1754, Chippendale did not invent the style which bears his name, an ornate amalgamation of Gothic, Asian and French Rococo. Instead, Chippendale codified the style and spread the trend among the wealthy in Europe and colonial America.
HTC's ThunderBolt, released in March 2011, comes with a variety of features that are commonplace as of July 2011, such as a built-in camera, GPS application and multimedia messaging. CNET, a technology review site, praised the device for its 4G network capability and its high-quality camera but criticized it for its short battery life when accessing the 4G network and its inability to toggle between 3G and 4G networking.
The "Roaring '20s" was a decade known for speakeasies and the Prohibition. Interior design in the 1920s reflected financial excess; therefore, the decor was usually extravagant and flamboyant. Interiors were generally decorated in grays, white, off white, beige and pale or muted tones of blue, orange, green and lavender. Music was an important part of the '20s, when flappers danced the Charleston, as evident in accessories found in homes during this era.
Hourglasses have been around for hundreds of years. The first historical mention of them was in 1345, when they were referred to as "sand glasses" in a purchase order. Writings from similar time periods also call them "sea clocks," as they were more reliable than mechanical clocks for keeping time on unstable surfaces.
RV life has been decried as environmentally unfriendly, mostly because of the 10-to-12.5 miles per gallon of gasoline motorhomes use. However, their carbon footprint is still likely much less than that of house dwellers, especially if driving the RV is limited to shorter distances. The limitations that come with life in a smaller space may, in fact, be a boon to a planet threatened by global warming.
The company Air Wick was founded in 1943. Air Wick manufactures a range of scented products for the home, including air fresheners, candles and time-release scented air fresheners. Their solid products, such as Air Wick Air Freshener (Solid Cone), which is also known as Air Wick Solid, and Crystal'Air come in gel form, rather than the traditional liquid form that is used for air fresheners.
Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries are a relatively new type of highly efficient batteries that are capable of storing charges longer than traditional wet cell models. They contain plates that are placed closely to electrolyte solution, allowing faster charge and discharge rates than other lead acid type batteries. They tend to be more expensive alternatives, which is all the more reason to charge and discharge them according to their specifications. As long as you follow the correct steps, these batteries should last for hundreds of cycles.
Highway safety laws determine how big mobile homes can be. A double-wide is therefore only as wide as the widest allowed on the nation's highways, which is 16 feet wide. Each half of a double-wide is transported to the site separately and put together there. At 2,560 square feet, these homes rival the average size of a traditional site-built home. Many stick-built developments feature homes that may be less than 1,500 square feet.
If you think you're facing a decorating challenge, imagine what Greek homeowners must have experienced when they moved into new digs fashioned of stone, mud and other natural building materials centuries ago. Of course, they didn't have to worry about installing electrical power, but it was no easy feat building then decorating these residences with so few resources. One thing's for sure: ancient Greek residences are still occupied today, so if you've seen one, you know the meaning of the words "built to last."
Living a minimalist lifestyle is about keeping life simple -- removing anything and everything in your life and home that is not absolutely essential to be healthy and happy. It is a matter of streamlining your life to further encourage a stress-free life with little to no clutter, complications and worries about material possessions.
Minimalism is a style of design that strips a room down to the bare basics. Extraneous items are omitted and a space is left with only the items that will be used on a regular basis. Rather than feeling cold, a minimalist room feels calm and tranquil. Like any other style, there are a number of approaches to minimalism, but there are a few basic trends that unite them.
When redecorating the kitchen, don't forget to update fixtures such as the kitchen faucet. A simple update to a kitchen sink, the kitchen faucet can bring new life to an older kitchen. Many different kitchen faucets are available. The most common kitchen faucets are related to their design: single handle, two handle, pull-out spray and wall mount.
Minimalism emerged in the 1960s and was popularized in the 1990s, with designers aiming to pare down furniture and accessories to only the essential elements. A minimal chair would be stripped down to its most fundamental features and be completely without adornment, decoration and even color.
Choosing the correct color for your window shutters can pose a design dilemma. The challenge is to pick a color that corresponds to the effect you want to achieve in your room, yet won't overpower the design. Decide whether you prefer the shutters to fade away or to become an integrated part of the design as you choose a solution.
When you entertain frequently, your home could benefit from a liquor cabinet. Cabinets come in thousands of designs and colors, sure to match any design and any room. Opt for a cabinet that has storage space inside for liquor, wine and all of your home bar accessories. Liquor cabinets can help you make the perfect home bar.
Made from a strong, heavy Jacquard fabric in which the pattern is woven into the fabric rather than dyed or printed on, matelasse is an upholstery and bedding choice that offers a visually "puffy" effect. It may be made of cotton, rayon, cotton blended with silk or polyester, or all polyester. Patterns on a matelasse can range from complicated scrolls and curlicues to basic repeated squares, diamonds or seashells. Colors can also vary greatly, for a matelasse can be a single color or incorporate numerous colors as in a rich tapestry.
For those who don't like any clutter in a space and choose to have a limited color palette or furniture design, minimalist decor is the way to go. A minimalist interior decorating style is about taking everything out of a room that is not essential to the space, usually leaving the bed, dresser or nightstand. While a minimalist style uses very little in a room, a warm and comfortable ambiance is created through using color and one or two statement artwork pieces.
There are several reasons why you might be looking to purchase a large amount of timber, such as building a wood deck or buying the timber for your house construction. The more timber you need to purchase for your project, the more important it is to get the best price. While your building contractor might be willing to supply the timber for your project, sometimes the best price can be found by shopping around.
A lantern battery is an alkaline battery designed for use in a lantern-type flashlight. While a lantern battery provides more voltage and electrical current, the general construction of a lantern battery is similar to other alkaline batteries.
A lantern battery is an alkaline battery used in a lantern-type flashlight. A lantern battery provides more electrical current at a higher voltage than AA, C or D batteries and can be used for a much longer period of time.
Toile, originally called toile de Jouy, a cream-colored cotton fabric printed with single-color motifs of classical or pastoral tableaux, was first produced in the 18th century by Bavarian-born Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf in his factory at Jouy-en-Josas, a small village outside Paris. The designs, a favorite of Marie Antoinette and originally printed in red, are also produced in brown, magenta, green and navy blue. Toile can lend its special charm to any room in a home.
Today's soups are packaged in many creative ways, including paper packages and Styrofoam containers of dried ingredients that are reconstituted with water and heated, small tubs and cans with flip-top lids that can go anywhere, and frozen packages that you simply pop into the microwave. However you enjoy soup, pre-made or homemade, food-grade containers made of several different materials are available to help you prepare and serve soup and to store leftovers safely and conveniently.
A vast number of furniture styles made their appearance throughout the past centuries, many of which blended together and shared similar elements. Some styles even extended into multiple centuries. Several notable styles include Tudor, Gothic, Jacobean, Louis XIV, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Regency, Federal, Victorian and Art Deco.
The earliest examples of furniture used in America were imported from Europe and were made in the English and Dutch Colonial styles. Much of the furniture made by the earliest American shops was highly derivative of previous Old World styles. After the American Revolution, primitive styles were developed along with traditional established European approaches to furniture making.
Pine is a very common wood that is used to make many furniture items. Pine is an inexpensive wood and stains well. It is easy to work with, and many woodworkers prefer it because of these traits. The drawback to pine is that it is soft and will nick easily if something is dropped on the surface. Pine can either be painted or stained. The stained version allows the grain of the wood to show. It is a personal choice whether to paint or stain.
Candles add an interesting glow and warmth to almost any space. Scented candles, environmentally-safe soy candles or candles used specifically for aromatherapy are some of the types of candles being added to the nearly universally used taper candles in our homes. U.S. consumers buy over $2 billion in candles per year, and with our current love affair with candles, different types of candle holders are essential to facilitate their use.
Battery-operated wall lanterns can serve as decorative options in a number of spaces. Using these lanterns gives you an easy way to bring lighting to an area without the hassle and expense of dealing with electricians or the potential re-construction of a space to allow for new wires and switches. Depending on your home's style, you can use the decorative lanterns as permanent fixtures or as temporary methods of providing mood lighting.
There are many things to think about when stocking a home liquor cabinet, not the least of which is price. In general, it is better to purchase higher priced, quality liquors, but this can get expensive. If you are on a budget, it is possible to stock a liquor cabinet for around 100 dollars. Another thing to think about before buying liquors is your own personal preference. It is always good to have a well stocked cabinet with many options, but it only makes sense to buy the products that you enjoy the most.
Hurricane windows are designed to prevent impacts from shattering a pane of glass, and letting the wind into your house. This can cause a pressure change in your house, which will do serious damage to walls and roofs. The scope of damage seen by the southern United States makes hurricane protection a sound investment. There are several styles of hurricane windows.
There are plenty of homes in Mesa, Arizona, if you're in the market for one. According to the city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau, this sprawling desert community located just outside of Phoenix has more than 450,000 residents and is among the largest suburban cities in the nation. Mesa boasts the state's largest public school district and 16 colleges or places of higher learning. Mesa's sunny weather, educated work force, economic diversity and proximity to gorgeous state parks and wildlife areas make it a desirable place to live.
Infrared radiation, otherwise known as IR, is a form of invisible light. While it cannot be seen, it can be experienced as heat. Just about everything emits IR, even common light bulbs, although certain light bulbs will put out less IR than others.
Exterior shutter were originally designed to protect the home from the weather and control the amount of light entering the home. Today shutters are most often added to the exterior for aesthetic purposes. Exterior shutters have different top angles, are most often made of wood or vinyl, come in a variety of colors and in several different styles. Some homes will have hurricane shutters. Hurricane, or storm shutters, must be built to meet specific requirements and are usually made from aluminum or fiberglass. However, they also come in decorative styles.
Natural wood trim on doors and windows often acquires a rich patina over time, creating a depth of tone that is quite beautiful. When contrasted with white trim, the effect can be stunning, akin to a frame encasing a fine oil painting. There are many different hues and tones of natural wood, from very dark or cherry red to almost blond. The key to mixing white trim and natural trim is to decide if you want a high contrast look or a low contrast look.
Stick framing is usually the best choice for framing floors and walls. These areas of the house are not exposed, so there are few disadvantages to counter the simplicity, low cost, and strength of stick framing. However, stick-built floors and walls in no way prevent you from enjoying the beauty and efficiency of timber framing, which can be used for the roof or the second-story floor system of a stick-framed structure.
Doorway drafts are unwelcome at any time of year, especially during the winter months when heat is precious. Making sure your home is well-insulated against drafts is an important part of reducing your energy consumption and lowering your heating bill. There are several ways you can stop drafts from your doors, varying in price and overall effectiveness. The exact method you choose will depend on the location of the draft in the doorway and your budget.
Tile is an accepted surface covering for bathrooms, counters, kitchens and other areas of your house. But if you do not want to tackle a tile-laying project, or if you prefer to replace your tile with something more original, many other options are available. Some are new materials that designers are beginning to experiment with while others are traditional choices that will give your home a classic style.
Airbeds are inflatable mattresses many people store in their homes for overnight company or use on camping trips. The size, quality and features of airbeds impact their cost. A cost-comparison can help consumers purchase an airbed for a reasonable price.
All apartments are not created equal. The layout and design of apartments are as diverse as the people who occupy them. They can be found for as little as a couple of hundred dollars a month up into the thousands. Some have only basic amenities, while some complexes have pools, fitness centers and other hotel-like options for residents. With all the different possibilities involved with apartment living, there are still just a few basic styles of apartments when all of the extras are stripped away.
Timber frame houses are popular in Canada and Scandinavia and a cheaper method of building your own home compared to traditional methods. The house is delivered to the site in kit form and the company erects the frame or you can opt to do it yourself to save money. Measure your plot of land and decide what size you want the timber frame house to be. Several timber frame companies operate from Canada but bear in mind transport costs if you are sticking to a budget and do not live in Canada. Timber frame homes can come in any shape…
Tea machines offer a convenient, automatic option for brewing tea at home or in any setting where time is of the essence, including restaurants and offices. Even though all tea machines perform the same basic function of heating water and infusing it with dry tea, different types of machines use their own tools and methods to produce tea over a range of styles.
A 6-volt lantern battery is designed to work with a hand-held lantern flashlight or other standalone lanterns. It's rectangular and offers more capacity than the more common, smaller batteries such as a "AA" or "C" battery. Most 6V lantern batteries consist of four smaller cells that help produce consistent energy output.
A stair tread does not have to be hidden by carpet. It does not have to be a plain plank of wood. In fact, a stair tread can be designed to be more visual than the basic practical function it serves -- as the flat support to step on up a flight of stairs. A stair tread has the potential to be so much more. All that is needed is a little research and imagination to see a stair tread as a design feature in order to enhance the look of a staircase.
Solenoid valves are the most common valve in systems dealing with liquids, such as the plumbing in your house, or gases, such as in the central air system. In essence, solenoid valves are used to start or stop a flow.
Toilets are part of homes and buildings around the world. Though a toilet must have function to keep the bathroom sanitary, it does not need to sacrifice style, design or functionality. A toilet must have the common elements of separate drains for clean and dirty water, but the rest of the design can become as creative as personal taste dictates.
Timber framing is a traditional method of housebuilding, using large posts and beams, that was popular in the United States until the late 1800s when the stick framing still used today came into use. While timber framing fell out of vogue, it never disappeared; in recent years, it has become a popular choice for the construction of many homes, in part because of some of its distinct advantages over other styles of framing.
Traditional bedrooms use the warmth of wood mixed with a flavor of past designs to bring a romantic, cozy or gracious tone to slumber areas. Soothing patterns of floral, stripes, paisley or damask often accompany period furniture in bedrooms.
The fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily or lotus flower that traditionally represents French royalty. It symbolizes light, life and perfection. In the National Football League, the New Orleans Saints have worn the fleur-de-lis on their football uniforms since 1967.
A gambrel roof is a rather unusual style of truss design that is most commonly used on agricultural buildings, though you can count the French mansard style of roof among its relatives. It involves two different pitch angles on each side of the central point, which gives a unique design as well as maximizing attic space for storage or an additional room.
Glass and crystal are chemically different, but that difference can be difficult for the average person to see and feel. There are a few physical characteristics to watch for, but the most dependable way to tell glass from crystal is through product labeling.
The Greeks used entasis in their buildings to correct optical illusions. Entasis is Greek for tension or swelling and refers to a convex curve incorporated into upright structures like columns and spires, according to Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
Supply air registers supply rooms in your home with heated or cooled air from the furnace. Return air grilles return the air from the room back to the furnace where it is heated or cooled. It is then sent back to the room once again. If you have a dated return air grille, you may want to install a newer, more modern-looking one. Luckily, you do not need to call a heating and air conditioning technician to do this; it is a fairly straightforward task.
Designing a parking lot according to standard guidelines is essential to ensure a comfortable, safe parking experience. Check with your local authorities for area-specific design standards, but there are many basic guidelines and aspects for you to follow.
Soup bowls are made from a variety of materials such as porcelain, stoneware, plastic, lacquer, and glass. Contemporary styles can depart from the round, open-face classic style to include other geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles and curved-bean styles. Bowls for the western market often include Asian influences and vice-versa. Oven-proof bowls perform double duty for cooking and serving.
Choose a recycling option when a favorite dress or suit no longer fits, goes out of fashion or is damaged. According to the National Resources Defense Council, we discard an average of 68 lbs. of garments per person per year. Recycling removes some of those garments from the waste stream. Recycle for yourself or to benefit others, depending on the condition of the garment.
Virtually every multilevel house or other building type will need some variation of a staircase, and there are a multitude of designs and styles. Staircases in homes can be suited to any person's tastes. Some homeowners may prefer a more traditional style of staircase, while others prefer an unusual build and style.
Cargo boxes are large bins designed to be mounted on vehicles to give you additional storage for items such as luggage, skis, snowboards and other supplies. They can be made out of a variety of materials, though hardened plastic is common. Many cargo boxes have locking mechanisms so items can still be secure when you leave the vehicle. While cargo boxes are helpful under certain circumstances, they take up space when they are not in use. Store a cargo box with just a bit of planning.
Beirut is the cosmopolitan capital of Lebanon, a country with a mix of different peoples and cultures. Eating out in Lebanon can include anything from a traditional dish like schawarma or meatballs with tabbouleh salad to Indian or Thai or other ethnic foods. But if you are in the mood for something a little different, the city has plenty of European-style restaurants. Some of these serve excellent Italian food with fresh ingredients.
No one likes spoiled food so we're always looking for better ways to preserve it. Before electricity we salted, dried, smoked and stored food in root cellars. Refrigeration changed everything, but freezer burn keeps it from working for long term storage. Food saver systems solve this problem by removing the air that causes freezer burn. We can now prepare meals well in advance and still have them taste like they're freshly made. It all starts with finding a vacuum sealer that stands out from the rest.
The kitchen is often the largest working area within the home. It must accommodate food preparation, cooking, cleaning and a number of other activities. Pegboard is one of the simple and affordable ways to organize all of the daily activities in a quick, easy to use manner that is flexible and fully customizable to accommodate any need or design style. Pegboard comes in wood, plastic or metal and you can paint or stain it to match any design concept.
When choosing a Felco brand pruner, consider several factors in order to find the model best for you. These factors include cutting diameter and whether you are left- or right-handed. Felco separates their hand pruners into four basic categories.
Inhabitants of Australia use a variety of different fence styles in their landscapes, some of which are also common in the United States, and some of which have a distinctively Australian design. The different styles serve different purposes. While some contain animals and playing children and create open, inviting atmospheres, others provide privacy and block out the sun's intense rays.
Wallpaper can be fairly tricky to hang, difficult to remove, and subject to the changing whims of home design trends. With this in mind, it's a good thing there are other options in room decoration and wall coverings to suit any style of home and any budget. Plus, you don't have to be a skilled tradesman to carry out this type of home improvement.
Whether re-roofing or installing the first roof on a new home, one important consideration is color. Along with roof texture, roof color is a major aesthetic component of a building. However, for many consumers appearance may be trumped by energy conservation in these days of green construction. National Geographic reports light-colored shingles reduce annual cooling costs by 10 percent to 20 percent in hot climates.
Shutters add a designer touch to any home by accenting the decor by contrasting or complimenting the color of the home. You may choose something traditional or go bold and original so your house stands out from the others. If you live in a subdivision that has covenants that govern the exterior color of your home, choose a color for your shutters that fits the regulations.
Tea cups, which can be used to serve tea or coffee, are an integral part of gastronomy throughout the world. From Britain to Australia, tea drinking is a widely celebrated custom and tea cups are a necessity for tea drinkers.
Knowing how to solder can be a very useful skill to have. You can use soldering techniques to repair or take apart electronics, plumbing, appliances and many other modern devices. Soldering is use of a melted metal called solder to connect two things together. It is used to connect wires and electronic equipment and also to reinforce metal joints. In plumbing, solder is dripped around the openings of plumbing fittings to ensure they are watertight.
Create a minimalist style home by using contemporary and modern pieces to make a straight forward appearance that's chic and clean. Make a beautiful minimalist style home by adding texture to it with tips from a professional decorator in this free video on home decorating.
A cowboy motif is an exciting decor choice for a recreational vehicle. Like the cowboys on the open range, campers head out in an RV, traveling the open road. Cowboy motifs are easy to create and promote originality. They use splashy earth tones, which give you about as many colors to choose from as the state of Texas is long. To get into the spirit, decorate as you travel. When you're done, grab a cold sarsaparilla, kick off your boots and relax.
Whether you just like history or you own a historic home, adding a heritage-style fence to your property can increase your home's curb appeal and add a touch of history to your home's exterior. Keep the look and location of your home in mind when choosing a heritage fencing style. Heritage fencing styles are often shorter than modern fence designs, and some styles look better with certain types of homes than others.
Furniture is the most abundant element in a well-designed home and understanding furniture styles is the first step in purchasing furniture pieces. From early Tudor gothic styles to modern and contemporary, furniture comes in a huge variety of styles. Not all styles are appropriate for every space or mesh well with other styles. Consider these five popular furniture styles for your next design project.
Installing trims and moldings is not only a great way to enhance the style of your home, but it is also an easy way to increase your home's value. Trims and moldings can help define spaces and highlight architectural features. In addition, some can also help protect walls and other structures from scuff marks or wear and tear. If you are thinking of installing trims and moldings, there are several ideas you may want to consider before getting started.
Faucets, or taps, are devices that allow you to control the flow and temperature of water in your kitchen, bathroom and elsewhere in the home (faucets are also used to control the flow of the gases and other liquids in industrial and automotive applications). While faucets vary widely in styles, designs and materials used to construct them, most faucets share several common characteristics.
Polyvinyl chloride, more commonly referred to by the acronym PVC, is used for a wide variety of things in both home and industrial applications. PVC is mostly found in piping for irrigation and in some plumbing projects. However, PVC-dipped gloves come in a number of styles and are designed for several uses. PVC-dipped gloves are useful for everyone from agricultural workers to lab technicians.
Nuts and bolts are common household fasteners that have a multitude of uses. While they may be effect by themselves, oftentimes the addition of a washer to one or both sides can increase their strength, appearance and efficiency. Different types of washers provide different advantages. Before reaching for a flat washer or a lock washer, it is important to know what you wish to accomplish.
A pergola is a wooden structure is usually made of crossbeams and an open-air top of additional beams, from which curtains or decorative tarps can be hung, or on which plants can grow, creating shade and a garden ambiance to your outdoor seating space. It's a project that many like to tackle themselves, and free plans can be easily found.
Just as there are different styles of doors, windows and layouts to go with a certain design aesthetic, there are a variety of stairway styles to complete the look of the home. The style of stairway you choose for your home will also depend on the design budget you have, as some materials are more expensive than others.
Remodeling projects do not always have to be about incorporating the latest looks and interior design trends. Instead of ripping out old tile and fixtures to create a modern bathroom, restore the room to its original style and design. Though this kind of project can be time-consuming and sometimes challenging, as materials can be hard to find, in the end you will have a bathroom that looks like it belongs in your beautiful vintage home
A common furniture item in every home in across the country, media cabinets provide a useful and often tasteful way of storing media items such as DVD movies, compact discs, books, video games and television sets among other entertainment items. With a number of different options to chose from, quality and tasteful interior design does not have to be sacrificed for the sake of storage.
According to "The Antiques Almanac," the Chippendale style of furniture design is one of the most famous worldwide. The Chippendale style dominated furniture design from the 1750s through the 1770s. Chippendale, which replaced the Queen Anne style, also marked the first time the reigning monarch did not give his or her name to the dominant style of furniture in a historic period.
When making or purchasing pine craft shelves, there are a few styles to consider. Choose one that will meet your needs for storage, work space and accessibility of craft supplies.
Infrared waves are a type of light wave that can be measured to determine the temperature of the object or body emitting infrared. IR waves are emitted by an object whenever it emits heat; humans are constantly emitting a normal IR level of about 10 microns. To detect IR levels being emitted by a body or object, specialized infrared-detection equipment must be used. Although the technology is expensive, IR-temperature instruments have become more commercially available for a variety of temperature-measurement applications.
Wood trim serves two main purposes in our homes. The first is utilitarian; it covers gaps between other materials. The second is aesthetic; it accentuates and helps to create the design of the space. Simple trim allows the space to speak for itself with a subtle hint of support for the design.
Land clearing is changing rapidly. The older methods of land clearing include the ancient slash and burn as well as bulldoze and burn. Since burning is being banned across the country due to fire hazards and environmental concerns, this is really not an option. Bulldozers destroy topsoil and promote erosion, while hiring slashers is very expensive and slow. Slashers—men with chainsaws to eliminate trees and brush—are also going out of business due to liability issues.
Billy Goat Industries is the name of a company that produces commercial grade outdoor machines for "debris management." These include mowers, lawn and litter vacuums, wheeled blowers, aerators, brush cutters and sod cutters. Lawn and litter vacuums are ideal for leaf removal that requires leaves to be collected and discarded in a specific area. Blowers can be used to move leaves a short distance, such as when a walkway needs to be cleared of leaves.
Corner and wall protectors are designed to prevent the appearance of scuff marks and other blemishes on the walls of homes and businesses. Although some protectors hug the bottom edges of walls and cushion the impact of foot traffic, others run along the middle of walls, protecting them from rolling strollers, wheelchairs and other errantly guided objects. Some of the most common corner and wall protectors include corner guards, wall guards and handrails.
Agricultural insect pests will destroy fruits, vegetables and the plants on which they develop. The size, shape, features and other characteristics of these bugs help people to identify them.
Empty nesters do it and so do retirees and divorcees. In fact in today’s economy it is likely that more and more people are discovering the daunting task of downsizing. The home that once supported a family of four, or more, is now “just too big” and moving to smaller, more compact quarters is a nod toward practical and efficient living. Avoid an emotionally and physically exhausting experience by keeping and following a downsizing strategy.
Gable vents used to be hidden on the sides of homes but newer architectural designs put gables in front of the house so gable vents have become a decorative as well as functional part of the home
Shutters provide privacy and add charm and style to your home. And though they are available in a variety of materials, wood shutters add a warmth and appeal other materials cannot. Choosing the best wood shutters for your home depends upon their intended function, your window shape and the style of your home. Various styles provide sunlight control, privacy and even protection from wind and rain. And they come in an array of stains and wood varieties providing a melange of looks.
What makes a home memorable is its scent. Whether you are looking to rid your home of unpleasant odors or simply to create a mood, you may be interested in Air Wick's line of products.
Hurricane lamps are characterized by a tall cylinder called a chimney that protects the flame from being blown out in strong winds. Although hurricane lamps are now typically used only in camping and other outdoor activities, hurricane-style electric lamps and candle holders are very popular.
A front-end diesel motor home is also commonly referred to as a "Class A" motor home. It is designed to be driven like a semi-truck as opposed to towed like smaller motor homes. Class A motor homes run on diesel fuel.
A sunporch can be a great addition to any home. Not only can it increase a home's value, but it also can provide a home's occupants with a peaceful, sunny space (weather permitting) that offers a view of the outside. Sun porches can be used for a variety of purposes, such as greenhouses, sitting areas, dining rooms, game rooms, and extra bedrooms. There are several different styles of sunporches to choose from, and deciding which one suits a home best rests largely on available funds and how much work do-it-yourselfers are willing to do.
Chinking a log home seals the outdoor environment from the home's interior. Log homes may have large gaps between the courses of the horizontally laid logs. Chinking is made from a cement-like material to fill these gaps. Larger gaps are first filled with a foam-like material called backer rod. Regular chinking material is then applied over the backer rod to conceal its appearance.
A great way for musicians and music lovers alike to show their passion for music is to decorate rooms of their house with musical notes. Since musical notes are already stylized, most of your work will be recreating notes with paint, clay or other artistic means. Paint an entire score for a piece of music on your walls or just stick to a couple of notes, musical notes will add zest to your decorating.
The term preventive maintenance is heard so frequently that the assumption is everyone should understand what it means. Unfortunately, it is all too often believed that the goal of a preventive maintenance program is to guarantee the system will continue to properly function indefinitely. In fact, a preventive maintenance program means delaying and attempting to prevent most future problems involving a variety of systems, whether manufacturing equipment, car or furnace. It also applies to people and their bodies through preventive medicine.
Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and architect, created a periodical called "The Craftsman," which popularized and named Craftsman style homes during the American arts and crafts movement in the early part of the 20th century. With a distaste for uniformity brought on by the industrial revolution, Stickley translated his love of handmade, natural wood furniture into one of the more popular building styles of his day.
Residential and commercial playground equipment is similar in style and structure. The play system pieces can be made of wood or plastic, or they can be a combination of the two. Metal playground equipment is mostly a thing of the past. Newer pieces are coated with a safety covering to prevent overheating and burning the children when they come in contact with it. Traditional equipment has evolved in style and design, offering more options than ever when it comes to play.
Pegboards are flat boards peppered with small holes. Secured to a wall, they are useful in storing and organizing tools, cooking utensils and other items. Traditionally, pegboards have been made from wood, but metal pegboards are now common. Metal pegboards have some advantages over wood boards, particularly when it comes to removing hooks, which can damage wood boards when pulled out.
Anemophilous, or wind pollinated flowers, have most of the same basic parts as other flowers. They have a male stamen, a female pistil and often (although not always) have petals. The stamen consists of a long stalk called a filament capped by a pollen-bearing structure called an anther. The pistil consists of three parts: the stigma, the style and the ovary. The stigma is a sticky bulb sitting atop the long, thin style. It is designed to hold onto grains of passing pollen. The ovary contains small ovules,which will become seeds after the stigma captures pollen and sends it down…
Tea drinking is thought to have originated around the fourth century when the tea plant "camellia sinensis" was first cultivated. The tea tradition evolved simultaneously in India, China and Japan and in its earliest days, the use of tea was for medicinal purposes. Tea leaf infusion is known to date from China's Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644), and the evolution of the teapot can be traced back to that period.
Stork Craft is a company based in British Columbia, Canada. The Stork Craft Company manufactures such products as cribs, gliders and changing tables. Parents using Stork Craft cribs should obtain a little bit of information about the product in case problems should occur while the crib is being used by their child.
Wooden gates are a versatile entryways that can add to the character of your home's exterior. There are many types of wood you can choose from for a fence as well as designs that focus on function, privacy or both. Wooden gates can be look very sleek and modern or they can be rustic and worn-looking.
It is interesting to note that "Queen Anne" furniture was at the height of its popularity in the United States from about 1720 to 1760, years after the reign and passing of Queen Anne, the last Stuart queen (1702 to 1714). In England, this style of furniture dates to about 1705. It represented somewhat of a reversal from dark and heavy furnishings to a general appearance that was light and airy by comparison.
Victorian architectural design was employed from about 1837 to 1901 and named for the era of Great Britain's Queen Victoria. The designs encompassed subcategories of styles executed by different architects. The most recognizable are Queen Anne styles with circular towers, decorative windows and doors, elaborately designed windows and irregular floor plans.
Drapery valances, sometimes called toppers, come in many standard types and styles. To design valances for your home and décor requires a few careful choices based on your home style, your lifestyle, your décor style, your window size and shape, your window type and any structural considerations (like molding or an odd layout) before you address the appearance of the valance. Your choice may also need to address insulation issues as some historical valance designs are intended to assist in preventing heat loss or heat gain through the window. By going step-by-step it becomes easy to answer many of these…
In Western culture, we commonly associate ancient Greek architecture with dramatic pillars in the front of a home or other building. While the ruins of the Parthenon may come to mind, ancient Greek architecture is categorized by three different styles (also called orders). The three orders are known as the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. All three orders were differentiated by the styles of the columns.
Victorian homes reflect the architectural styles of the Victorian Era in the United Kingdom (1837-1901). The style and era are named for Queen Victoria of England, who reigned during this period. The Victorian style--popular in American, Canadian and British residential architecture--is composed of a blend of older styles borrowed from different countries and eras.
Crystal glasses bring elegance to any table and they are normally reserved for formal dining. However, if you enjoy a glass of champagne, wine, port, sherry,liqueur, or an after dinner brandy, there is no reason not to treat yourself to purpose-made crystal glasses and use them every day. The traditional crystal glass collection shown here is by "Bohemia" from Czechoslovakia.
If you are an avid reader of modern home-design magazines, you are probably familiar with the Kartell brand and its colorful plastic home furnishings. For the rest of us, here's an introduction.
Matelasse (pronounced matt-le-say) is a French word meaning padded, lined or quilted. It is used to describe fabric that appears to be quilted but is not. Jacquard looms are most often used to produce matelasse fabrics, with cotton being the most common material chosen for the special weaving process that gives the fabric its signature look.
There are many alternatives to storing liquor in your home. Some people choose to store their liquor in a home bar, while others who do not have a bar sometimes simply store it either in the refrigerator or a cupboard. Then there are those who choose to either purchase or have a liquor cabinet built specifically for the purpose of storing their spirits. Just as there are many different styles and types of bars, the same can be said for liquor cabinets.
Organizing photos is best done by separating them out by vacations, each child, holidays and other events and placing them in designated photo albums. Flip through family photographs easily with housekeeping tips from a tidy stay-at-home mom in this free video on home organization.
Outdoor shutters put a finishing touch on a home. They can be installed on any surface including brick and come in sizes to fit any size door or windo. With more than 50 colors available from som manufacturers, you can coordinate outdoor shutters with the rest of the house easily.
Strictly speaking, a folding screen is only a group of vertical panels joined together with hinges. Folding screens can be moved around easily to divide space, but they do much more than that. Few pieces of furniture can do so many things so well.
A hairstylist is a beauty professional who specializes in styling and arranging hair for people. A hairstylist receives training in a beauty or cosmetology school and gets licensed before attaining work at a salon. Some hairstylists work from their homes or on movie and film sets, while others work exclusively for celebrities as their personal hairstylists. Hairstylists that work exclusively for the entertainment industry (e.g. films, fashion magazine shoots) are employed by agencies that provide them with consistent work for a small percentage of earnings.
When installing a panel fence, you will want to pick a style that will complement your home and yard. You also have to take into consideration what you want your fence to do. Another thing you may want to consider is maintenance. Solid panel the boards are placed right up against each other giving you total seclusion. This fencing is commonly 4 to 6 feet high. These panels are used to enclose areas that you don't want others to see, such as your trash area or junk car area. Another common use for this type of fencing is to enclose…
The words "minimalist style" tend to conjure up thoughts of empty rooms devoid of personality and style. Minimalist style is so much more than that. It is a style of decorating and living where the goal is to strip down the elements to their most fundamental features. In decorating, it means removing unnecessary items from the decor and finding beauty in simplicity.
A farmhouse can be much like a country house, with a large, gabled roof, large front porches and plenty of natural light inside or it can be a simple box-like design, built by working farm families along with barns and other outbuildings.
A sauna has always been considered a luxury that one might enjoy at upscale exercise facilities or on weekend getaways at nicer hotels. Yet thanks to the home improvement craze that it sweeping the nation with the help of various do-it-yourself television programs, more and more homeowners realize just how easy it is to build a sauna in their homes with little or no prior expertise. If you are ready to add this little slice of heavenly relaxation to your home, here are some easy steps to help you learn how to build a sauna and save money in the…
It may seem inconsequential, but once you've finished a remodel, the door handles you've chosen will be used by every member of the family multiple times every day. It's worth spending some time considering what's best for your doors.
Individual style and taste play a critical role in deciding just what pieces or furniture you'll use when decorating a study or den. Men typically have a classic wood and leather concept of a study, whereas women commonly prefer a peaceful sanctuary or spa type surrounding. Here are some tips for decorating a study.
Many people are familiar with common names for plants and trees, but Latin botanical names are more specific. Non-scientific names can be confusing because many plants have more than one common name, and some even share the same name. While you may not speak Latin, there are ways to understand unfamiliar, scientific plant names.
Curio cabinets are used to showcase collections of items or valuables in your home. Before purchasing a curio cabinet for your home, there are things you need to consider so you purchase the right curio cabinet for optimal use and attractive display.
