Archive for February, 2010
Consider Relaxing Rustic Decor for Your Nature Themed Bathroom
One of the most private rooms in the entire house, more so than the bedroom, is the bathroom. This is the place where we are alone, and for many, it is a place of solitude and relaxation. Whether it is a calming bubble bath, or simply brushing your teeth in the morning, the bathroom needs to match the decor of the rest of the house. Simply because we spend a fraction of our day there, it does not mean we can simply let it be empty.
When you have guests over, and when you are showing the house, they are going to see the bathroom, and if you want to impress them with your ability to create a uniform rustic decor through your house, you need to give the bathroom special attention.
When you are working towards a rustic decor, there are actually many different options available to you through the many different bathroom decor items that can be put there from your vanity, to the shower curtain.
The main focus of the decor of the bathroom is the shower curtain and bath mats. These are the two most noticeable items of the bathroom, and therefore they need to be the two that get the most consideration. Like matching blankets to curtains in a bedroom, you need to match these two items. Try and choose rustic decor shower curtains first, and then put in the bath mats second, to match the shower curtains. One of the best types of shower curtains to get is ones with a nature scene on them. There is nothing more rustic and relaxing than that!
You also have to take into consideration the bathroom accessories, including rustic decor options like tooth paste holders with faux antlers on them, bath towels and towel racks. As well, there are the curtains, toilet seat covers and more to consider in your rustic decor options for the bathroom.
The main thing to remember when you are decorating the bathroom in a rustic decor, is that you have to match everything together. If the toothpaste holder does not fit the room, it causes the entire room to lose its complete natural rustic look. Instead, try and make everything, small and big, go along a similar trend. If you have deer on the shower curtain, then go with deer metal art for the towel rack and antlers for the toothpaste holder.
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Kid’s Outdoor Furniture
There are heaps of rewards you can gain with an outdoor playground. Playing is necessary in developing the social skills, self- confidence, and intellectual growth and language skills and outdoors is encouraging avenue for your kids. It also keeps the kids avoid accidents and bumps inside the household. It also provides bigger space for the kids to play around. Assembling an outdoor furniture right inside your house is a fantastic idea particularly when you have plenty area to work on.
1. Play Table
Play table can be used for eating their meals, playing games, reading books, doing homework and a good many more. The height should be comfortable for kids, generally about18 ins from the earth. Opt a vibrant color for play table. If you are a mum or dad who wants an organized location for kid’s toy, you can establish playscapes that perfectly fits the play table. Directions on the way to make this project can be found at marthastewart.com.
2. Playhouse
Playhouse is a healthy place for developing your child’s creativity through role-playing. Opt for a playhouse that is bright and versatile enough for your kids. You will also need to consider other activities than you and your child is able to do that will enhance your child’s studying skills like reading books, drawing, and building. Select a playhouse with robust construction and has a weather-resistant wood. Some playhouse offers favorable storage rack space and even has chalkboard and sink. Though, keep in mind that for you to encourage child’s imagination the playhouse must have plenty of room for creativity. Kids always like to personalize their own place and it’s fun when they’re given the freedom of space to do so.
3. Play Bench
You know what they always tell about children play table? “Today’s table is tomorrow’s bench.” That’s why in opting outdoor furniture you must invariably take into account the growth of your kids. As early as two years of age, you can obtain your kids furniture but take into consideration that the purchase must last until the kids are in five years of age. Select bench that is robust and comfortable to sit as their youngster grows older.
4. Sandbox
Sandbox is a fun kid’s outdoor furniture. It gives kids space for creativity like building sandcastles, digging treasures or just simple playing with their favorite toys and playmates. When you choose sandbox you must consider the mass and the caliber of its construction. Large and sturdy sandbox gives the chance to share special experienced with other kids. The corners of the sandbox will also need to serve simultaneously as seating for children.
5. Picnic Table
Picnic table is perfect for family with a lush garden for children to relish fresh air while playing, doing homework or reading books. Since picnic table is easy to employ only on fair weather, you need to think about the chance that you are needed to move this outdoor furniture now and again. It is best to think about a top quality of picnic table so moving about won’t spoil the kid’s fun time.
You need to select picnic table that is easy to assemble and robust enough. Unpleasant element like rain and strong sunlight will surely wither your picnic table. It can be repainted once in a spell but a low quality picnic table will not last even with constant repainting maintenance.
Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Cleaning wood kitchen cabinets is really as easy. It is definitely not as difficult as some lead you to believe, it just takes some time and a little elbow grease. Don’t fall for the idea that “you need special cleaners” or “secret” solutions to clean your kitchen cabinets. Cleaning your kitchen cabinets also rarely depends on the type of finish that is on your cabinets – really.
Cleaning kitchen cabinets only becomes difficult when your finish is actually cracked and damaged to the point water can easily seep through the finish. If your finish is bad, you’re looking at refinishing, not just cleaning.
How do your cabinets get damaged in the first place?
Light, oxidation (simply being exposed to oxygen), and physical use and abuse damage wood finishes. You can’t do anything about oxidation, and very little about light (except for keeping lights off and not having many windows, but who wants that?), but you can limit the abuse and clean your cabinets when they get dirty. This helps keep your finish in good shape.
Common finishes found on kitchen cabinets include:
Conversion Finishes: Catalyzed lacquer, pre-catalyzed lacquer, conversion varnish, epoxy finish, moisture-curing polyurethane, two-part polyurethane, polyester finish, and ultraviolet-curing finish
Lacquer or Moisture Resistant Lacquer
Polyurethane
Varnish
Shellac
Today, most often your cabinet finishes will be a conversion finish or lacquer. Conversion finishes are what the cabinet industry uses, both factory built and custom built. They are fast drying, durable, very moisture resistant, and somewhat heat resistant (although candles close to the cabinets – within even 18 inches for prolonged periods of time – have been known to scorch the finish). They have been around since the 1930′s. When it comes to cleaning wood kitchen cabinets, these are easy to keep clean.
Actually, you can clean all of the above finishes that may be on wood kitchen cabinets by just using a soft cloth, and mild soap and water. Gently wash your cabinets, being sure not to leave any water standing on any wood surface.
It’s that simple. If your cabinets are getting a bit “dull” looking to you, you can put a lemon oil on them if you wish, however, keep in mind that if you do put a lemon oil on the finish and your cabinets ever need to be refinished, that might cause a problem in the refinishing because oil will be on the surface of the wood (and cause “fish-eye” as you try to put new finish on).
Other things to keep in mind:
Lacquer and conversion finishes dry fast, but they don’t cure for almost six months. Never put lemon oil on your finish before its six months old. Cleaning wood kitchen cabinets at this stage means to only wipe down with soap and water.
It’s a good idea to clean your cabinets with a good furniture polish in between times you actually wash with soap and water. Too much water can, over time, damage your finish, especially if it’s not wiped up quickly.
Use a mild soap, like Dawn dishwashing liquid (it cuts grease well) or Ivory or a similar dish soap.
Murphy’s Oil Soap is also a good cleaner for your kitchen cabinets. It is gentle enough to use on wood. It is made with oil and lye, which, when mixed, result in a chemical reaction to make the soap. No oil or lye is left in the finished product, so you don’t have to worry about getting any oil on your cabinet finish (making any future refinishing easier).
True “oil” finishes, such as linseed oil, tung oil, or walnut oil, are rarely found on kitchen cabinets. You keep these types of finishes looking nice by reapplying the oil (actually you can use any oil, it does not necessarily have to be the same oil that was originally used) These types of cabinets may be found in antique furniture, or made by someone who was trying to get back to an “original” way of manufacturing furniture or cabinetry.
In today’s cabinets, the only piece of wood that will have an actual oil finish is the bread board. Make sure you wash your bread board as needed, let it dry thoroughly, then reapply a non-toxic vegetable oil to the surface. You need to let the oil soak in, and may need to reapply and rub it in 2 or 3 times.
The Charm and Function of Oak Bathroom Furniture
Oak furniture is perfect for every room in the house and the bathroom is no exception. Oak bathroom furniture can make this important room into a delightful sanctuary. Why have a plain old mirror when you can dress and make yourself up in front of a Brooklyn dressing table mirror? Here’s a look at oak bathroom furniture and how its style and functionality can help make your home into that really special place to live.
When it comes to furnishing the rooms in our homes, we often don’t give much thought to the bathroom but this is a mistake. The bathroom is a very important place in our home. It’s where we relax and take care of our bodies and for that we need to furnish it properly. It makes sense then to equip this vital room for the essential daily tasks we carry out there. And the perfect solution is to use oak bathroom furniture.
Oak bathroom furniture comprises a wide range of items including vanity units with sinks, bathroom mirrors and bathroom cupboards and cabinets, and laundry bins in a variety of styles, shapes and sizes. What they have in common the warm beauty of the oak and the durability and ease of maintenance that the wood offers. No other material can match oak’s timeless classic warm glow.
One thing that makes oak perfect for bathroom is its water resistant properties. Oak is a dense hardwood with tannin acid in the grain that makes it extremely resilient. Oak was once of the wood of choice for the construction of ocean going ships so it can withstand any amount of water a bathroom can throw at it.
When you buy oak furniture, you’re acquiring items that can withstand a lifetime of heavy use and still look marvelous with just a little care. Just be sure to clean the wood once a month or so with a high quality cloth and furniture cleaner or mineral spirits. Treat stains immediately with a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and repair watermarks and burns as soon as possible. Chips and other wood damage can require professional attention.
When choosing your oak bathroom furniture, there are two main factors you need to bear in mind. The first is the size of your bathroom. Obviously you need to choose furniture items that will fit easily into your available space. But there’s also the matter of the type of wood. Your main options are dark and light oak furnishings. Dark oaks look heavier so could feel too prominent a small room. Light oak creates an ambiance of light and space and is more suitable for smaller spaces.
Fortunately, you can get oak bathroom furniture is a wide range of styles and sizes. So if you’re short of space and need storage, you could choose a tall, open unit from Hampton or Kudos. Great for breaking up a room that’s eye level all around. Another option is the Melrose bathroom 2-drawer 1-door tall cabinet with shelves. Both are slim, compact and functional, not to mention extremely attractive items of furniture.