Introducing New MicraPond Kits: The Professional Water Garden Solution
Tired of looking at the same old backyard everyday? Do you want to have that special area where you can sit and relax after a hard days work? A pond will create a tranquil and serene environment that is sure to have your curious neighbors peeping over your fence.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that pond equipment and installations can cost several thousand dollars when contracted out to a landscaper. They can be extremely expensive investments! Wouldn't you like to obtain all the supplies that a contractor normally would, at their wholesale price? Well, now you can buy a professional-quality pond kit directly from Algreen Products!
New for 2007, Algreen's Professional Pond Kits include a pump, liner, underlay, filtration media, and both a pond skimmer and bio waterfall filter! These kits come complete with a whole load of accessories to help transform your backyard into a spectacular work of art. The new Professional Pond Kits come in 3 sizes which range from 4' x 6' liner kits, to the 6' x 6' liner kits, to the larger 600 x 1100 kits (which includes a pump that moves over 12,000 gallons of water per hour).
Leafs, twigs, and other debris use to make ponds look dirty and were a hassle to clean up. Not any more!! With the introduction of Algreens new pond skimmer, pond debris is skimmed off the pond water surface and filtered regularly so that you have a clean, clear, and beautiful looking pond anytime of the day. The pond skimmer is specially manufactured to operate with ponds containing up to 5000 gallons of water.
The pond skimmers Trap Basket has a large filter that is easily removable for cleaning and maintenance. There is also a secondary filter mat used for secondary filtration prior to reaching the pump. The kit comes with a special pump that creates a natural flowing waterfall. The pump is uniquely housed within the skimmer so it's completely hidden from view.
Your fish will thank you with Algreen's new Bio Waterfall Filter, which includes both removable biological and mechanical filters, and 2 activated charcoal pouches. The charcoal filtration units have an extremely high surface area and when placed in the water bind, and thus remove harmful chemicals such as bacterial toxins. Poisonous toxic molecules physically adhere to the activated charcoal and stick to it until they are completely destroyed.
Keep micro bacterial agents such as algae and bacterial colonies from developing in your pond with the Bio Waterfall Filter's special fish friendly filters and pond solutions. The filters include five separate filtering actions to ensure that your pond water is in healthy condition.
These new Professional Pond Kits are a lovely addition to any area they are placed in. They are proudly manufactured in Canada and are accompanied with a lifetime warranty on both the pond skimmer and waterfall filter enclosures!
I know what you're thinking. With this great value, the price must be through the roof. WRONG!! Compared to the leading competitor's prices, Algreen's Professionial Pond Kits give you a savings of more than 25%.
Comparison Leading Competitor Algreen MicraPond Kit
15' x 10' liner Included Included
Underlay Included Included
Pond Skimmer Included Included
Waterfall pump Included Included
Pond Construction Supplies Included Included
Biological Waterfall Filter Included Included
Instructions Included Included
5 types of filtration media NOT included Included
Lifetime warranty on skimmer and biological waterfall filter enclosures NOT Included Included
Price $1300 + $200 for filtration media $1000
BLOCKBUSTER DEAL: Get a starter pond kit, including liner, underlay, a waterfall pump, pond skimmer, biological waterfall filter, and filtration media (charcoal, biological and mechanical) for as little as $600! [ More ]
Be the trend setter this year on your block. These pond kits add value to your home, are great conversation starters, and make a great place to relax next to while enjoying your drink. They come with easy to follow installation instructions and are customizable so no pond looks the same. Best part about the kit is that the instructions give you the flexibility of doing-it-yourself, with helpers. Alternatively, the kit also provides you with a low-cost, professional pond kit, so that you can hire a contractor to complete a cheaper, more affordable pond. Come visit gardensupermart.com today for more information about our wholesale Pond Kits.
Kitchen Remodeling
In certain parts of the country, the kitchen has always been the center of life in a home. In other regions, the center of the family's life has moved from the kitchen to the family room or other areas. But today, in virtually all parts of the country, the kitchen has become central again. A kitchen that is both functional and comfortable is now the norm.
Whether you want to remodel your kitchen to make it more functional, more comfortable, more modern, or to provide more space for family life, you can create wonderful changes within most any budget. If you are considering a kitchen remodel to make a house more marketable, the good news is that, according to Realtor Magazine, you can expect to recoup 85-112% of the cost when you sell your home.
A kitchen remodeling project can be as simple as new window and wall treatments, new flooring, or new cabinets. Or you can create the gourmet kitchen/family room that is so popular today.
A simple and relatively inexpensive kitchen remodel might mean new curtains, a fresh coat of paint, new appliances, and new flooring. Hardwood floors are very popular today in the kitchen. The new finishes and coatings on the wood make them as practical in the kitchen as they are in other parts of the house. Ceramic tile is also a very popular flooring option. Tile is easy to clean and durable.
Much entertaining is now done in the kitchen. Preparing a meal can become a time for guests to gather in the kitchen and enjoy conversation. Most kitchens built today will either be open to a family room or they will include a family area at one end of the room. An attached or semi-attached breakfast room is also a popular design. An island that is functional for food preparation and provides a place for people to sit and talk to the cook is also very popular. In fact, one side of the island can be serviceable in food preparation while the other side functions as a casual dining counter.
If your home is older and your kitchen just needs a little modernizing, you will certainly want to consider modernizing your cabinets, and, perhaps, your counter tops. Raised-panel cabinet and cupboard doors are certainly the way to go. This can be accomplished by simply placing new doors on existing wood cabinets. If your budget permits, you can even install custom or semi-custom wood cabinets. While laminate countertops are certainly still being used, there is a clear trend toward marble or granite countertops. They are both beautiful and functional.
Your choice of appliances will be important in the total appearance of your kitchen. To be sure, appliances are available in a wide variety of colors and styles. There is, however, a clear preference in most new appliance purchases for stainless steel.
A quick look around an appliance or department store will provide a head-spinning variety of styles, colors and functions in appliances. Your refrigerator can be simple and functional or it can provide a variety of accessibility options and features that go far beyond ice and water from the door. Microwave ovens can be built in, or they can sit on the counter, or they can hang from the bottom of a cabinet. And stoves and ovens are available with an amazing array of options from warming chambers to griddles to multiple ovens, including convection ovens.
You will also find a wide variety of sink styles and faucet and spray options. Sinks are available in the standard single basin style, as well as equal double basins or even double width with various configurations of additional small basins.
Water filtration and purification is becoming more important in many areas. There is a great deal of choice in systems that are either built-in or installed under the sink. There are also small systems that simply attach to the faucet.
Ventilation hoods can be simple or extravagant, depending upon the style you want to achieve in your remodeled kitchen, ranging from porcelain to stainless steel to copper.
To make standing easier on the cook, you can even consider installing cork flooring with wood trim. And you can add a trash compactor, composting and recycling organizers to reduce the number of trips to the garage.
Lighting is also important in your new kitchen. Installation of low-voltage under-cabinet lights are fully functional, energy efficient, and conducive to warmer lighting in the rest of the kitchen. In addition to light fixtures, you might want to consider installing a skylight for warmth and natural lighting.
Another great feature to add in cabinets, especially high cabinets or low corner cabinets is a lazy Susan that brings items to you without stretching. Pull-out shelves and recessed areas that permit shelves on the inside of doors will also make items more accessible.
If your house has a family room in close proximity to the kitchen, you may find that opening up that space by taking down the separating wall will provide a feeling of spaciousness and keep the cook interacting with the rest of the family or your guests. Two popular approaches to connecting the kitchen and the family room are to either take the wall out completely, and allow the rooms to open naturally, or to remove the wall and replace the bottom part of the wall with cabinets backed by drywall with an opening at the top. Yet another possibility is to remove the wall and replace it with a dual-function counter.
Remodeling a kitchen can be great fun. It offers the opportunity to create a more energy-efficient kitchen and to create a space where the family can relax. Whether your remodel is simple or you want to create a gourmet super-kitchen, you can count on adding to the value of your home as you create a warm and functional family space.
Finally, you must ask whether this is something you can do yourself, or you need to hire a contractor. This will depend on the extent of the renovation, your skills and knowledge, and your time. You may be able to do all of the work yourself. You may need to hire someone to do the parts of the remodel that you don't feel competent to do. Or, you might just want to relax, have someone else do the work, and simply enjoy the result.
Looking For a High Quality Mixer? Try Kitchen
Mike Yeager A KitchenAid mixer sets the standard of countertop appliances. With over ten different types of mixers available, there is sure to be a KitchenAid mixer that is just right for you. KitchenAid mixers are well known for their reliability and quality, so you will be sure to be satisfied with a new KitchenAid mixer. In addition, KitchenAid mixers are reasonably priced, so they will be sure to fit in any budget. If you have never had a KitchenAid mixer before, you will be surprised by how well the KitchenAid stand mixer works. In fact, most people are so impressed by the quality a KitchenAid stand mixer, they never buy another brand. If instead of a mixer, you need a new refrigerator, be aware a KitchenAid refrigerator also provides high quality service for a low price.
Tips on finding the perfect KitchenAid Mixer for your house.
As you might have heard of KitchenAids high standard of quality, you might have wanted to buy one yourself, but were worried about the price. However, many people dont realize a KitchenAid stand mixer is very reasonably priced. While some of the higher models cost more than 200 dollars, there are also some that cost less than 50 dollars. Before you buy a KitchenAid mixer or KitchenAid refrigerator, take into consideration how many times you will be using it a day, how large quantities you plan to mix at a time, and other factors that influence just how often you will be using your mixer.
Cooking up a Lighting Plan for your Kitchen
Your kitchen, more than any other room in your home, needs a good well thought out lighting plan. Todays kitchens have many more functions than just cooking a meal. For many families it is the most frequently used room in the house. Besides the obvious preparation of meals, kitchens today are also a place for the kids to do homework, parents to pay the bills, reading, eating and watching TV. For this reason it is important that the light not only be adequate but flexible.
The first place to start in any room when devising a lighting plan is to address general lighting. This is the light that will be used most of the time. In the case of a very small kitchen, one light in the center of the room will provide the general light. With most of todays kitchens being larger, a single light fixture in the center of the room probably wont satisfy your lighting needs. The most common solution is recessed lighting. Depending on what part of the country you are in they may be called high hats or pot lights or can lights. All these terms mean the same thing. Recessed lighting is a good way to provide general lighting in a kitchen in a neat and clean way.
The placement of the lights is very important. When designing a layout for the general lighting in a kitchen, we want to take into account the areas where tasks will be done. This includes counters, islands and tables. In most cases, by designing the light to illuminate these areas, the rest of the room gets a good spread of general light as well. Try to have the recessed lights fall out on the ceiling so that they are directly above the outside edge of the cabinets. The key here is getting the lights close enough to the work area so that you dont create a shadow with your body. Putting the lights to far away from the counters is a sure formula for shadows. Dont overlook any nooks that may be dark.
Islands can provide a great outlet for adding a decorative fixture or fixtures to the room. There are a multitude of pendants to choose from that can really enhance the room. I find it is probably one of the most commented on aspects of a kitchen lighting plan when the homeowner sees the finished product. Simply installing 2 or 3 pendants in line over an island can be quite stunning.
The next step is the task lighting. In a kitchen this is the light directly over the counters, stove and sink. Having one or two small recessed lights on a separate switch over the sink is both attractive and useful. The stove these days is almost always lit from a fan hood or microwave but if it is not it should be addressed. The way the counters are illuminated is with under cabinet lighting. This can be in the form of simple fluorescent fixtures on an economical level. A very nice effect is to use low voltage linear track. These can be dimmed and provide very good light to the counters. There are also xenon fixtures and halogen fixtures. If you can try and stay with xenon as they burn cooler and have a longer bulb life than halogen.
After you have your general lighting and task lighting covered the last thing to consider is any accent lighting. On some kitchens where there is a space above the cabinets, lighting on top of the cabinets can look spectacular. Tray ceilings with crown molding can also benefit greatly from this type of lighting. Using either a low voltage type track or rope light, you can add that extra touch that makes your kitchen unique. For more lighting tips and lighting design help visit the links below.
Kitchen and Bath Solutions
Home improvement has become one of our countrys greatest pastimes. Americans spent an estimated $214 billion on home improvements, maintenance and repairs in 2001, according to Harvards Joint Center for Housing Studies research report issued in February 2003. Just how and where that money is spent can make a big difference when it comes to investing in your home.
Of all the rooms in your house, bathrooms represent the greatest and fastest return on your remodeling investment. According to Remodeling Magazine, more than 80 percent of your bathroom remodeling expenses can be recouped within a year of resale. Not every room in the house offers such a return. Surprisingly, kitchens are sixth on the list with just over 60 percent of the costs returned. Only bathroom additions beat bathroom remodeling with returns over 90 percent.
Despite todays homeowner remodeling craze, you should weigh the pros and cons of taking on an entire bathroom project alone. Knowledge -- including admitting your strengths and weaknesses -- is the key to successfully completing any project on time and under budget. Ask yourself the following remodeling questions to ensure you are making the best decisions for your investment.
Is it a Remodel or Makeover?
The first consideration should be the scope of work, says Rick Peters, remodeling expert and author of MoneySmart Makeovers: Bathrooms. He asks: Do you understand your homes plumbing systems, such as where the waste/vent stack is?
If the remodeling project involves more than cosmetic fixture replacements or surface redecorating, it may be time to call in an expert to assess your homes plumbing and pipe placement. Peters suggests the following checklist:
Call a remodeling contractor when:
* Moving a toilet, sink, tub or shower
* Removing or adding walls
* Installing venting that runs through the roof
All of these projects require specific skills and knowledge of your local building and plumbing codes.
Try the following makeover projects yourself:
* Replacing a faucet, sink or toilet using existing plumbing
* Installing shower or shower-tub combination doors
* Installing new accessories, such as shelves or light fixtures
* Painting, tiling or wallpapering
These projects require some skill base, but even a first-time do-it-yourselfer may be able to complete them in a reasonable timeframe.
Whats the Real Deal on What You Want?
Tempted by what looks good? Check out the quality. Does that new faucet have rubber washers or plastic valves? A client of mine bought a faucet five years ago with plastic valves and it lasted exactly four and a half years. Cheaper versions of the real thing are not repairable and have to be replaced entirely. This means you are spending twice as much in 10 years as you would once in a lifetime for a better faucet.
Look for quality fixture manufacturers such as American Standard. The companys Champion Toilet featuring Americas Best Flushing System, includes a Worry-Free Decade Warranty that covers the whole toilet inside and out. American Standards faucets come with a lifetime warranty on the washerless watertight seal, the function and the finish. Most of its sinks and toilets are made of vitreous china that resists dirt and bacteria. Even the acrylic tubs are made tougher with a fiberglass bonding for extra strength.
Bottom line: Your bathroom takes a daily beating, says Peters. Buy quality.
Is There a Great Cover-up Waiting for You?
A number of times, Ive ventured into bathrooms that have been madeover by covering damaged tiles or walls with acrylic panels. Sure it looks better, but the problem is still there, says Peters. In fact, panels like these hold in moisture and mildew that was the problem in the first place, and now it will get worse. Make sure leaks and damage are repaired and not just covered up.
Peters also suggests using a mildew resistant drywall. Standard drywall cant stand up to the moisture in the air, even with proper venting, he notes.
Whats your pay-off in investing time to answer these important questions before you start? Youll end up with a successful bathroom remodeling project that adds to the value and enjoyment of your home.
Scales can be a big help in the kitchen
If you are chasing the most informative help relating to scales.
Often when you are looking for high-class advice about scales, it will be easier said than done separating value-packed advice from foolish scales suggestions or help so it is sensible to know ways of moderating the information you are given.
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The Work Book B2BYellow Pages. Find scales, scale service, custom programming, and rentals.
Now wed like to give you some tips which we really think you should use when youre seeking information about scales. You need to understand that the advice we present is only pertinent to web based information about scales. We are unable to offer any guidance or tips for conducting research offline.
Digital Scales
Offering digital scales and balances by Acculab, A&D, Chatillon, Detecto, Ohaus, Seca, and Tanita for use in restaurants, stores, warehouses, labs, and gyms.
An excellent piece of advice to follow when you are presented with information and advice about a scales website is to ascertain who owns the site. This may show you who owns the site scales authority The fastest way to determine who owns the scales web site is to find the sites about page.
All highly regarded sites providing information about scales, will nearly always have a contact, or an about, page which will record the site owners contact details. The particulars should reveal some key points about the owners necessary expertise. You can then make a judgement about the site owners knowledge and skill, to provide advice to you regarding scales.
Personalizing Your Next Kitchen or Bathroom Makeover
There are certain things you can always count on this time of year -- warmer temperatures outside, birds flying home after a long winter, more daylight and people getting the itch to finally renovate that kitchen or bathroom thats been bothering them for years.
In fact according to Kitchen & Bath Business magazine, more than $70 billion will be spent in 2004 to do just that. People spend months (and thousands of dollars) drawing up plans, shopping for appliances and fixtures, color matching cabinets or countertops, picking out that oversized corner tub and deciding which type of faucets and accessories will best highlight all of the other decisions they make.
Today, there are thousands of choices in the faucet category. Traditional styles, contemporary styles, and now, there are even transitional styles that will look good in either setting. As a shopper, not only do you get to choose the style, you get to choose the finish. Theres chrome, brushed chrome, nickel, brushed nickel, satin nickel, chrome with satin nickel accents, brass, brushed Brass, polished brass, and the list goes on.
So why do manufacturers of these faucets offer so many choices in styling and finishes? Personalization, says Jeff Pratt, vice president of sales for Danze, a manufacturer of decorative plumbing products including kitchen and bath faucets, bath accessories and showerheads. Years ago, there seemed to be a few standard finishes and styles in both kitchen and bath faucets, says Pratt. Now consumers expect -- and deserve -- a variety of choices so they can bring their lifestyle and individual personality into their home.
According to Pratt, the ability to purchase decorative, beautiful styles and finishes used to be more exclusive to those who could afford to spend a lot of money on their renovation or new construction project. But, with manufacturers like Danze on the scene, high fashion and design are more attainable for the mainstream homeowner.
Everyone wants a beautiful faucet, bath accessory or showerhead to accent the new environment theyre creating, but not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars on those components alone, says Pratt. Danze can offer consumers both a unique style with a gorgeous finish and a great price. We call it affordable luxury.
Luxury has definitely been a hot topic among consumers doing kitchen makeovers in recent years. High-rise kitchen faucets, over-sized pull-down faucets and pot fillers have all seen a spike in sales across the country. Homeowners at varying socio-levels are striving for the high-end, commercial-grade kitchen.
Part of the commercial-grade residential kitchen includes enhancing the functionality of the space, which often means multiple faucets. Its now common to see a primary sink/faucet, a faucet behind the stove and a bar/convenience sink either within the center island or in an alcove space just off the main room.
But luxury isnt limited to the kitchen. Bathroom renovations have seen tremendous growth within recent years. Whether its an elegant powder room or an expansive master bedroom suite, bathroom faucets, accessories and shower systems continue to lead the way in accenting (or determining) a rooms personality.
As vessel lavatory sinks soar in popularity, so do their companion faucets. These wall mount faucets provide simplicity and uniqueness that can soon become the focal point of any lavatory vessel sink environment.
Styling in the bathroom has also evolved over recent years. Transitional styling has now complemented the traditional and contemporary style offerings. The Danze Bannockburn Collection is the industrys newest introduction in transitional styling, continues Pratt. It uses elements of both traditional and contemporary styling, allowing it to be at home in either environment. And, this latest collection showcases a new, beautiful finish called brushed brass.
So what should you keep in mind as you choose from the thousands of decorative products available for your kitchen or bath project? Here are a few helpful hints:
* Select faucets and accessories that are within scale of other elements in the room. If youre putting in an over-sized integrated kitchen sink, be bold with a high-rise pull-down faucet. If a large stovetop is in your plan, install a pot filler on the back wall to make filling pots or large pans easier.
* Carry the styling and finish throughout the entire room. As you choose the faucet for your bathroom project, make sure your bath accessories are available in that same style and finish. It keeps the personality you brought to the room consistent (not to mention it adds beauty to even the smallest detail -- robe hook, toilet paper holder, towel bars, etc.).
* Dont sell yourself short in the shower. Unique showerheads and shower systems continue to grow in popularity and can also bring a bit of customization to your bathroom. Watch for fun and interesting showerhead styles such as spinning showerheads, ceiling mounts, large 10-inch downpour showerheads and stylish hand-held personal showers. Again, keep the styling and finish compatible with other fixtures in the room whenever possible.
* Research a products quality. A pretty faucet isnt pretty if it leaks or doesnt operate smoothly. Find products that offer solid brass construction, ceramic disc valves and other high-quality components that ensure a long-lasting, reliable product. You dont want to renovate that same room next Spring!
* Compare prices. Luxury doesnt have to mean high prices. Shop around for the styling and finish that you prefer and then compare prices with other brands that offer a similar style. More manufacturers entering the category means the affordable luxury mentality will bring more value to consumers.
The choices you have available to you for that next home remodeling project are endless. So bring out that personality, extend it into your home and enjoy it. Because no matter who you are, where you come from or what personality traits you possess, we all want the same outcome at the end of this process -- a beautiful room with great styling and design.
Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates
Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your dcor. Many people hang them right on the walls for a unique look. You can hang them up on special holders made just for this or use ribbons to hold them and hang from fancy hooks. Learning how to arrange your plates so that they look best is key to making them a successful part of your wall dcor.
Lets say you have a beautiful antique platter that will go perfect in your kitchen. You run out to the store and get a hanging bracket, insert the plate and hang it on the wall over the server. Instant charm!
Pleased with your accomplishment you stand back. You tip your head to one side and then the other. Squinting, you take another look at the plate. Something doesnt look right.
If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone. Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging your plates as well decor:
Hanging Large Platters:
Large platters or chargers can be the focus of your dcor so you must make sure you hang them in a spot that is appropriate for the size and focus. Where do larger pieces look the best? Try above the server or dry sink, over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall. A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall - a great place to feature your antique platters.
Hanging Small Plates:
Grouping smaller plates together in one area can add interest and keep them from getting lost. Use a common theme like, color, pattern or style to pull them together. Hang a single smaller piece low on the wall and as close to the furniture as possible, otherwise it will seem to be floating.
Grouping Plates:
The key to grouping pieces together is to space them properly. Each item should be spaced about 3 inches away from the items on either side. Try positioning them on the floor or a table to get a pleasing arrangement before placing the nails and measure carefully before making any holes.
Height:
Plates should be hung with the center of the plate at eye level. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If youve visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.
If the platter or plates will be viewed from a sitting position like from the dining table, you should hang at the eye level of the sitter.
If you are hanging it behind the dry sink or server, make sure it is no more than 10 above the back.
Using these tips you can transform your bare kitchen walls into a designer showcase with a unique focus on antique plates!
It can make a home worth a lot more with the right kitchen
Searching for the latest and accurate help in relation to kitchen.
When you are looking for the best information relating to kitchen, it will be tricky separating superior information from poorly sourced kitchen suggestions and support so it is wise to know how to moderate the advice you are presented with.
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Offers Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, and Kenmore refrigerator water filters. Find part numbers 4392857, 4396508, 46-9902, and 8171413.
Heres a few pieces of advice that you should make use of when youre searching for information about kitchen. You need to realize any recommendation we present to you is only applicable to internet advice about kitchen. We are unable to offer any guidance or advice when you are also conducting research in books or magazines.
Kitchen Aid Peeler & Zester Duo Pack, Red - Amazon.com
Buy a Kitchen Aid Peeler and Zester Duo Pack or shop for other cooks tools and gadgets at Amazon.com. Includes customer reviews.
An interesting tip to pursue when offered help or advice concerning a kitchen page is to ascertain who owns the site. This may reveal the operators kitchen authority The easiest way to reveal who owns the kitchen web site is to find the sites about page.
Any reputable site providing information about kitchen, will almost certainly provide an about or contact page which will record the site owners contact details. The info should make known key points about the owners skill and understanding. You can then make a judgement about the vendors qualifications and experience to offer help regarding kitchen.
Kitchen Decorating Tips
Small changes can have a big effect on how your kitchen looks. Below are 11 decorating ideas that you can do yourself in a day or less. Not only are these simple changes are easy to do, but they are inexpensive too!
1. Afraid of changing your drab white kitchen walls? Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral such as beige or gray which will not date the room or create a jarring palate that you will easily tire of.
2. Brighten up the kitchen. Use mirrors to capture the sunlight and bounce it around. Try putting a mirror across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.
3. Make seasonal changes. Moving the kitchen furniture into a summer arrangement can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. Make it light and breezy - think about removing some of the furniture and decorations for a lighter feel. Open those curtains and let the sun shine in!
4. Use slipcovers. Slipcovers over your chairs can soften the room and add to your decor. For the holidays, try using special covers in holdiay patters or colors. For a nice summer change use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the chairs.
5. Get ideas from the pros. Look in magazines, books, television or the internet to get a flavor of the accessories and designs you would like to see in your kitchen. IF you see a kitchen decorated in a way that you like, think about how you can duplicate the same decor in your home.
6. Decorate with cookbooks. You can make a nice display with your cookbooks. Try grouping them in interesting configurations with some laying down and some standing. Dont put small books next to tall books but align them in graduating sizes.
7. Warm it up with rugs. Area rugs can add a splash of color or cover up an old or unmatching floor. When buying rugs, measure the space so you can be sure to get the right size. Rugs used under a table should be large enough to also accommodate the chairs when fully pulled out.
8. Bring the outdoors inside. Dont be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Plants provide interest and soften up the room. For above the cabinets or hard to reach places, silk plants work just as well as real ones, however, if you do buy silk, go with a good quality arrangement that looks realistic.
9. Change your look with accessories. A few strategically places accessories can change your kitchen from dull to dramatic! Maybe you want to go with a certain theme and you might be able to give your kitchen a whole new look just by replacing some key accessories like toaster covers, dish towels, cannister sets, salt and pepper shakers and pot holders.
10. Change your cabinet pulls. Theres so many different styles of cabinet pulls these days - figural, wooden, ceramic, glass - you should be able to find a design that matches your new decor easily. They are easy to install yourself and your friends will think you got new cabinets!
11. Add a border. wallpaper borders are easy to put up and can add color and interest. You can use them at the top of the wall or go with a less traditional use underneath the cabinets. Use them at chair rail height to break up long walls. An even less expensive (but more labor intensive) alternative is to use stencils and paint.
Compost
7 Factors Needed for a Compost Pilejames ellisonCompost, made from decomposed grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and branches, becomes a dark, crumbly mixture of organic matter.
Learn how composting works. Even a newbie to composting can make good quality compost. It can be compared to cooking as art or part science. The following 7 factors will help you master the art of composting.
1. Materials
After a time anything that was once alive will naturally decompose. But, not all organic items should be composted for the home. To prepare compost, organic material, microorganisms, air, water, and a small amount of nitrogen are needed.
These items are safe to compost at home:
* grass clippings
* trimmings from hedges
* vegetable scraps
* leaves
* potting soil that has grown old
* twigs
* coffee filters with coffee grounds
* tea bags
* weeds that have not went to seed
* plant stalks
These items are Not safe to compost at home:
* weeds that have went to seed
* dead animals
* pet feces
* bread and grains
* meat
* grease
* cooking oil
* oily foods
*diseased plants
2. What To Do To Make It Work
There are small forms of plant and animal life which break down the organic material. This life is called microorganisms. From a minute amount of garden soil or manure comes plenty of microorganisms.
Nitrogen, air, and water will provide a favorable environment for the microorganisms to make the compost. Air circulation and water will keep the microorganisms healthy and working. The nitrogen feeds the tiny organisms. You may have to add a small amount of nitrogen to the pile.
Putting on too much nitrogen can kill microbes and too much water causes insufficient air in the pile. You just cannot add too much air.
3. Beneficial Microorganisms
Bacteria are the most effective compost makers in your compost pile. They are the first to break down plant tissue. Then comes the fungi and protozoans to help with the process. The arthropodes, like centipedes, beetles, millipedes and worms, bring in the finishing touches to complete the composting.
4. Smaller is Better
The materials will break down faster if the microorganisms have more surface area to eat. Chopping your garden materials with a chipper, shredder, or lawnmower will help them decompose faster.
5. Size of The Pile
The activity of millions of microorganisms generates heat in the compost pile but a minimum size 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot is needed for a hot, fast composting pile. Piles that are any larger may hamper the air supply needed in the pile for the microorganisms.
6. Moisture and Aeration
If you can imagine a wet squeezed out sponge with its many air pockets, then this would be the ideal enviroment for the microorganisms in the pile to function at their best. Pay attention while your pile is composting, to the amount of rain or a drought you may have. Water in a drought and maybe turn the pile in a lot of rainy days. The extremes of these two may upset the balance of the pile. The use of a pitchfork would come in handy at this time.
7. Temperature and Time
Keep your pile between 110F and 160F and the beneficial bacteria will love it. Not too cool nor too hot. The temperature will rise over several days if you keep a good ratio of carbon and nitrogen, maintain lots of surface area within a large volume of material, and maintain adequate moisture and aeration.
-Importance of Compost-
+Compost has nutrients, but it is not a complete fertilizer.
+Compost provides nutrients in the soil until plants need to use them.
+ It loosens and aerates clay soils
+ Retains water in sandy soils.
-Using the Compost-
+ A soil amendment, mix 2 to 5 inches of compost into gardens each year before planting.
+ A potting mixture, add one part compost to two parts potting soil.
+ Make your own potting mixture by using equal parts of compost and sand or perlite.
+ A mulch, prodcast 2 to 4 inches of compost around annual flowers and vegetables, and up to 5 inches around your trees and shrubs.
+ A top dressing, mix finely sifted compost with sand and sprinkle evenly over lawns.
The final thing I would suggest once you have mastered the art of composting is to look very seriously at making your very own aerated compost tea. This elixir will give you results that are hard to believe.
10-Hours (or 10-Days) To A Spotless and Organized Kitchen
Sometimes it helps to organize a room all at once. However, for home-business owners, spending another entire day in the house isnt always a desirable thing. What may be more desirable is to spend 60-minutes each day working on a project. The steps below will assist you (as they have me) to reorganize your kitchen.
Day 1
if you dont have a pad on your refrigerator, set aside a piece of paper somewhere in the kitchen for the next 10 days. Use the top part of the page for "things to buy" and the lower half for other notes. put a chair in the middle of the kitchen floor and assess what needs to be done. Make a list. start to pay attention to where you are placing things that are in the dishwasher. Take a mental note of what items are in cabinets that would be better off somewhere else. take your step ladder out, clean the light fixtures and change any bulbs that arent working.
Day 2
Question: What does an empty box, a step ladder, a telephone book, a cloth, a car and one hour have in common? Answer: Theyre what youll need to clean the pantry or if you dont have one, your food cupboards. Remove allitems you havent used in the past year... or wont use in the next few months. Make sure everything is packed properly for storage. Then you can put unused/unwanted food in the box, contact your local non-profit food pantry, and put the box in your car (for now).
Day 3
If you have a self-cleaning oven, turn it on when you wake up. If not, spray or clean the inside of the oven. Then later, rinse it off.
Defrost the refrigerator. Its good to put everything in coolers then clean when everything is defrosted. Even frost-frees need cleaning every now and then.
Day 4
Put the stove burners, other stove and fan parts in the dishwasher. Clean the top of the range and fan. Clean the inside of the dishwasher and outside of all appliances. Add jet dry to the dishwasher.
Day 5
By now you should have a nice list of items you may want to purchase... such as new shelving paper, food or containers, cleaning supplies, ect. So go out, buy yourself lunch, go shopping, and bring the box of donated food to your local food pantry. If you dont have a shopping pad on your refrigerator, consider adding "small pad and magnetic strip" to your shopping list. Then when you get home, glue the magnet to the back of the pad.
Make your life easier in the kitchen. Purchase two inexpensive and dishwasher proof items - a bag of plastic clothes pins and a pair of scissors. Use the clothes pins to close bags of chips, cereals, pasta, etc. Scissors that stay in the kitchen come in handy for many things.
Day 6
Spend an hour cleaning the cabinets closest to the dishwasher. Reline them with new shelving paper, if necessary.
Find covers for any pots, pans, Tupperware and the like. Put any object that doesnt have a cover in a bag.
Day 7
Find a piece of paper and take everything out of the bag youve saved from day six. Write down the name of the product (Revereware, Farberware, Tupperware, Rubbermaid, etc.) and measurements (2 quarts, 8 inches, etc.). Or do what I prefer. Draw the outline of the pot, cover, or container on a piece of paper with the products name in the middle of the circle. Spend the rest of the hour cleaning and reorganizing the cabinets.
Day 8
Today is Kitchen Floor Day. Nuff said Clean the windows. Take measurements for a second set of curtains.
Day 9
Make a trip to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or your favorite thrift store to find the covers (or bottoms) of pots, rubber goods, etc. Youll be surprised what you can find for between 69c-$2.00!
And look for a second set of curtains to use, too.
Day 10
Go to the store. Buy yourself some flowers, a candle, or something to celebrate! Go home, place a chair in the middle of the kitchen floor and enjoy all you have accomplished!
Kitchen Organizing 101: a recipe for organizational success
There is no doubt that these days the hub of the home is the kitchen. It is the place we gather to spend time with family and friends. Many of us do our main entertaining in an open floor plan that has a kitchen/family-room combination. As a result, the kitchen has become the most difficult room in the house to keep clean. Our usual organizational challenges of overflowing cabinets and exploding junk drawers are compounded by mail, toys, clothes and all sorts of clutter. If your kitchen could use some help getting organized, try this recipe for organizational success.
1. Know Your Objectives
Start by creating an organizational plan. Establish stations within your kitchen just like a restaurant does: prep area, cooking, baking and cleaning. Organize your kitchen into these four quadrants by keeping related items together in the same area.
Break the job down into sections. Try to finish one section per day. Dont let the size of the job overwhelm you. Take it one small step at a time. Before you know it you will have finished. As the saying goes, How do you eat an elephant? You eat it one bite at a time.
2. Inexpensive Storage Solutions
Your storage solutions dont have to be expensive. Check the dollar stores for plastic bins, baskets and containers. Check stores that carry overstocks, closeouts and slightly dented items for great deals on storage racks and freestanding units.
Find creative ways to reuse items you already own. Try this inexpensive storage solution for spice bottles: cover the bottom half of a shoebox with the same contact paper you used on your shelves. Fill the box with your spices and set it inside your cabinet for easy "pull-out retrieval". If you are short on cabinet space but have plenty of wall space, try using an old bureau to store canned goods, towels or extra dishes and cookware.
Dont forget to "nest" items inside one another. For example pots of graduating sizes can sometimes be fit one inside the other.
3. Toss out the Clutter
Get rid of what is old or that you dont use. Toss expired herbs, yeast and baking powder. If you cant remember the last time you used some of your cooking gadgets, why not send them off to a new home where they will be appreciated. Make a vow to not bring in any more small appliances, gadgets or knick knacks. Clear off the counters and decide what really needs to be out. If an item has no use in the kitchen it needs to be put somewhere else. Bag or box the items to be dumped, donated or given to a friend.
4. Clean It
Clean out one cabinet at a time. Wipe down the shelves. Clear and wipe down countertops. If you have tile, now is a good time to clean the grout with a degreasing solution. Replace tattered dishtowels. Replace torn or worn shelf paper. Clean out the inside and outside of the refrigerator. Clean the oven. Dont forget to clean the top of the range and the knobs. Dust the ceiling fan. Dust the top of your cabinets and refrigerator.
5. Home Sweet Home
Every item needs its own home. When items have a designated place they tend to get put away. If they dont have a home then they tend to get lost.
Utilize bins and baskets wherever possible to keep "like things" together and at easily accessible. Go vertical. The important concept here is that any time you use vertical space it will free up horizontal space. Utilize the empty vertical wall space in a nearby closet by installing shelves that can be used to store canned goods. Install hanging broom and mop holders. Employ hooks, pegboards, and Lazy Susans. If your counter space is at a premium, see if you can mount some of your small appliances under a cabinet.
6. Efficiency in design
Organize your kitchen for maximum efficiency. Place items near each other if they will be used together. For example: if your coffee maker sits on the counter, store the coffee cups, cream and sugar in the cabinet above it.
7. Never Let Clutter Back In
Once you have spent all that time organizing your kitchen, youll want to make sure that the clutter stays out. Set some time aside once a month to check for clutter buildup. Also spend a few minutes each night putting away anything that doesnt belong in the kitchen. Nip that clutter in the bud before it takes root.
If you hadnt already noticed, the first letter of each rule spells out the word kitchen. Its a handy little way for you to remember each rule.
Happy organizing!
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