Month: September 2019

About French Interiors Old World Chic

September 30, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

French closets are the old styled armoire, a freestanding storage piece that has drawers, shelves, and the classic porcelain knobs. Old doors styled into cabinets in deep dark wood tones splayed against an ivory wall, so classic French chic! Add one to your bedroom to hold your clothing or to your study for your books.

French interiors are rarely bold but they often have a vintage French chandelier giving the ceiling an old world elegance.

Many French homes have stunning historic architecture taking from their historic beautiful cathedrals and palaces. Celebrate the old traditions with vintage scalloped arches and doorways with finials and brass accents. Beautiful ornate carved-wood detailing against the backdrop of white walls gives the antique sculpture a statement character.

Soaking and unwinding in a deep elegant porcelain tub with old wall sculptures or a huge arched mirror as the backdrop; stay in the realm of extravagant chalky and subdued grays. Antique white, pale mint, sunkissed sand, washed linen, or gray are the pallets found abundantly in French homes. Add color in art or decorative accents, subtle and quiet beautiful jamavar woven pashmina blankets steal your heart.

Antique white provides a lived-in feel to a room with traditional French decor. In dining areas, delicious vanilla softens the hues of the dark palace door dining table. Inspiration goes beyond tradition with salvaged antique barn doors, used as a room divider. The vintage antique washed turquoise chests and consoles made from renewable sources are the splash of subtle color in an otherwise quiet room.

Handloom cotton throws in paisley prints remind you of the summer, yellows and green, a pleasing array of color. Sheer curtains give the room an airy romantic feel, interlace with solid panels and the room has a beautiful aura.

Easy uncomplicated colors work beautifully with vintage washed palace doors and archways, intricately detailed by hand, unique and one of a kind. Old world elegance balanced with contemporary pieces stimulates the five senses, bringing beautiful vibrant energy to your home.

Signs of Roof Damage

September 29, 2019
Home Improvement

The weather can damage your roof in many different ways. Wind, for example, can tear shingles off your roof and warp gutters. The wind can also lift and displace tiles. Snow, ice, storms, lightening, rainfall and extreme temperatures can also damage roofs.

Even heat can damage a roof. Too much sun can cause certain types of roof tiles to crack and blister. If an attic isn’t ventilated properly, rising hot air from inside the home will push its way to and through the roof. Has there been a fire in your neighborhood? Heat from a fire near your home can melt tiles and other roofing materials.

Roofs can also be damaged by falling objects such as tree branches. If you see broken tree limbs on the ground near your home, check the roof closest to where the limb was found. Look for any signs of damage, including scrapes and gouges. Minor damage may be a sign of more serious issues. When a tree limb breaks and falls on a roof, it can also cause structural damage to the house.

Earthquakes, even small ones, can damage roofs as well. Many times, the damage is caused by the collapse of masonry chimneys. Improperly built roofs or roofs with too much weight can also lead to buckling during a quake.

Most homes are built with asphalt shingles. The asphalt tiles are coated with tiny granules that provide UV protection. Damage to an asphalt roof can include missing granules (bald tiles), holes in the tile, as well as cracked, torn or missing tiles. Asphalt tiles can also become “bruised” or dented. Large amounts of tile granules in rain gutters means your roof is deteriorating.

Tile roofs can be damaged very easily, particularly from falling objects. Indicators of tile roof damage include chipped, broken or missing tiles. If you find pieces of tile on the ground, it’s time for a roof inspection.

Cedar roof tiles can split, particularly in dry climates. In areas where there is consistent or excessive rainfall, moss can start growing on the tiles. In general, natural roofing tiles and materials will deteriorate faster than synthetic roofing.

Your roof should be inspected on a regular basis – at least twice a year. Make sure it is inspected closely both inside as well as outside. On the inside, look for water stains, which can be an indicator of a leak, or insulation that has been stripped away.

If your roof is severely damaged it may need to be re-roofed. Make sure you contact a licensed and qualified roofing contractor or trusted general contractor who can help you with roof shingle installation.

Copper In Interior Design

September 25, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

Copper sinks that are hammered give that old-world feel that set one’s home apart from the rest. Add copper to the faucets and fixtures, like showerheads and soap dishes to name a couple. They can be shined up or left to age gracefully. Both looks are attractive, and the homeowner can feel proud they are using an eco-friendly and recycled material when they invest in copper kitchen range hoods and other items. Following trends has never been smarter and more affordable, and designers are raving over copper.

Anyone looking for an awe inspiring type of lighting will do well by using copper. It’s multi-faceted and can light any space, as well as add a touch of class on fixtures. Consider cozy, nautical, rustic, contemporary and western décor aided by copper lighting. The possibilities are endless. Pendants, desk lamps, chandeliers and up lights are some of the more popular choices.

Though stainless steel has forged the way as far as the choice metal finish in kitchens and bathrooms, nowadays no one needs to feel confided to just this choice! There’s of course, copper, which is the most popular trending metal by proof of copper kitchen range hood sales which are higher than ever. Homeowners also enjoy oil rubbed bronze and brushed nickel. Mixing and matching them all makes for a whimsical and fun décor.

Consider using them for hardware, like hinges, door handles and other tiny touches that show whomever did the decorating had a flair for details. Metal backsplashes come in a variety of choices and some contain more than one finish as well. This can tie together copper elements with stainless or others. It looks truly elegant and is rated high on the list for trends to follow this year.

Getting a luxurious look is easy when displaying copper utensils and cooking pans and pots. Hang a pot rack above the island, or on the wall and display several antique copper utensils for a home-like feel.

Protective Nature Of ARC Valves

September 24, 2019
Home Improvement

How It Functions and Application

A minimum flow valve which is an automatic recirculation valve offers protection automatically during low load operation. When the pump load drops below the minimum flow, the valve disc starts moving to the seat causing a bypass bush opening to create a bypass flow path which in turn makes it possible for the minimum flow load to be reached and maintained. This valve is used protectively in pumps handling hot boiler waters. It is also used in situations where there is partial evaporation of water content that can cause the pump to run dry. The valve makes sure that the minimum flow is still maintained even when such boilers are completely shut.

Another application of this valve is in the protection of high performance pumps in the startup phase. In such a case, several pumps are parallel in use with one pump in standby. This recirculation valve allows a smooth swap from one pump to another without causing any damage to any of the pumps. They are used in chemical and refining industries, maritime, paper and pulp industries and also in power industries to offer this kind of pump protection.

Choosing an ARC valve

There are a variety of recirculation valves in the market just like there are different pump brands. It makes it important to ensure that you get the best from the start to offer you the kind of functionality you wish to enjoy. Some of the things that you can consider when buying or choosing among the valves include the design which can determine the smooth functioning of the valve, the bypass and check features combination, protection level offers, external actuation requirements and availability of high pressure variants. They are some of the things that can help you in settling for a valve that will effectively serve your needs.

The automatic recirculation valve comes in different sizes from brand to brand. Depending on the application process, you should be in a position to choose the best. You will find anything from 1 inch up to 24 inches of valve sizes. You can even have larger sizes especially made for you to offer you the effectiveness that you are looking for.

Revamp Interior Space

September 21, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

Always Pick Light Color Home Accessories:

By picking light or neutral color accessories, one is creating a space that will appear larger than it already is. If one uses dark colored sofa upholstery or paints a dark wall, the space will look smaller and the room will appear compact. So, whether one is deciding the colors for curtains or any other home accessory, it is important to pick light, neutral tones that will enhance the living space of the room.

Always have a Feature Wall:

In order to provide that luxe look to your space, it is recommended to have one main wall that could be a feature wall. One can either paint it in a different color, or have a different kind of wall paper on it. This type of wall is also called the focus wall which further enhances the overall look of the space. One can either place nice wall hangings or even hang some statement art pieces on it which will only add that extra panache to your living space.

Use a Good Quality Handmade Rug:

Imagine a space with no rug at all, even though one might have the best Italian flooring or wooden flooring. It would look empty, bare and would appear as if something is missing. It is mandatory to use a good quality handmade rug to complete the look of your space. It is important to identify what type of rug one wants considering there is a wide variety of option available. Our experts recommend to use a good quality handmade carpet instead of a machine made rug which far less durable. A handmade rug adds that luxury look to ones living space.

If it is a formal kind of setting, one can opt for a pure silk carpet or an original Persian carpet. As good quality silk carpet depends upon a number of factors like knots per square inch, the weave, density and the design pattern.

Less is More

It doesn’t mean that by placing various home accessories in one space, your interiors would look better. The key is less is more. It is recommended to place less stuff in your living space that will only exude further sophistication and would that finesse to your interiors. In a nutshell, it is always quality over quantity.

De-clutter your Living Space

It is often seen that there are a lot of wanted things lying aimlessly in ones living space. Get that Sunday cleaning done now before it starts accumulating and your space looks all cluttered. Whatever is not required, remove that extra baggage and create a haven of beautiful things with less stuff around.

Water Conditioner

September 16, 2019
Home Improvement
  • Do I squeak when I bathe? Contrary to popular belief, “squeaky clean” isn’t the best option. Hard water takes away your skin’s natural oils, so softer water is the healthier choice. Some people claim that soft water makes them feel a bit slippery, but it’s usually because they are unused to feeling water the way it’s supposed to be felt.
  • Do my pipes have a lot of scale? If the answer is no, then a water conditioner system might be a better choice than a softening system. If there isn’t a lot of buildup in the pipes, your water might not be as hard as you think. You should talk to an expert, however, before making the decision about what is or isn’t too much.
  • What is a water conditioner going to do for my city water? It could help you remove extra chlorine or chemicals, and help remove any contaminants that might have been missed by your water company. If your health is important to you, then a conditioner could be in your future.

If you’re concerned about water spots or metals in your water, a water softener can take care of those for you. Saltless water conditioners also do nothing for spots on your dishes, and can cause you to use more soap. If you’re looking only to remove some sediment, then water conditioning is the right choice.

In the end, whether or not you condition your water comes down to the benefits you’ll reap. In short, here’s what you stand to gain:

  • Cleaner, fresher tasting water
  • Water with less chlorine in it
  • Water with less sediment
  • Better working pipes because of reduced scaling

The best part of all, however, is that you’ll see more money in your pocket. With water conditioning, you spend less money: you don’t need a plumber as often, you can grow more food (if you wish), and you don’t need to wash clothes twice. You’ll be healthier, too, from drinking and bathing in water that isn’t contaminated – and it’s impossible to put a price on that.

Underground Water Tank

September 13, 2019
Home Improvement

The stored water could be used for purposes like watering the outdoor garden or washing vehicles. So this excess stored water can be used for additional purposes. If the normal water supply is used for additional purposes, then there could be scarcity of water.

This stored water could also prove useful in case of emergencies like fire. In case of a major fire outbreak, the stored water could be used for extinguishing it. Many insurance companies also offer discounts in insurance premiums to people who have underground water tanks in their homes. So keeping stored water in your home will not cost you much, but will definitely be helpful during contingency.

In order to purchase subterranean water tank, the following steps needs to be followed.

First of all you need to determine, where will you place the tank in your home. In order to make this happen you have to allocate a space for the tank. You need to have sufficient space for placing the tank in your home.

The second most important factor is affordability. Obviously the larger tanks would be more costly than the smaller tanks. Before thinking about purchasing a large tank, you should determine whether you can afford it or not. You have to also evaluate your requirement. If your requirement of subterranean water is less, than you should purchase a small tank. If the requirement of stored water is more, than a larger tank is required. You will also have to spend money on the piping. You must consider all these factors before making a purchase.

You have the option of purchasing the tank online. You will find various companies selling tanks online. You must select the tank that is most suitable to you in terms of price and suitability. But before making the purchase, you must check the customer reviews. You must purchase only those products which have favorable customer reviews. Generally the reviews given by other customers are correct.

How to Layout Your Bedrooms

September 12, 2019
Interior Design and Decorating

Relax, It’s your own personal space

As basic as it may seem but it’s important to know that we do not need to clutter our bedroom. Most often, people focus so much at making the room look great that they start to clutter their rooms with all sorts of decorating items. You should know that for any room to look extra-ordinary is to keep it simple.

So if you feel like redecorating your room, the first step is to de-clutter your room with things that you do not need anymore.

A luxurious bed

For any great bedroom, the bed is always the center of attraction. So you must choose a bed design that suits your purpose and style. In any case, you must find the perfect bedding for your bed and choose the most comfortable mattress you can afford for a premium feel.

Necessary Bedroom Items

As a rule of thumb, whatever makes you comfortable and lets you feel the joyous moments of life, something of it should be part of your bedroom. So what is it? Glad, you asked. Usually, it’s a TV or otherwise CD player. Though It could be anything, it maybe your guitar if you’re fond of it. It might be cards, books, chess-board, coffee maker, mini-fridge or whatever that makes you feel at your own home. It’s time to add your own personal touch.

Sunlight

A number of times great bedrooms become ordinary just because of lack of sun-light. In case you’re suffering from lack of sun-light due to the room structure, then you can use mirrors opposite to windows to make your room shine and reflect more light.

Artificial Lights

Most people often underestimate the importance of an artificial light thinking that they have ample of sunlight in their bedrooms. On the contrary, artificial lights such as candle stand or a beautiful lamp light can open numerous ways of glowing your room. Ideally, you should go for a classic and simple light that adds to the soft and ambient effect of the room. It goes without saying that the artificial lights are mostly adjusted near the bed, around the side tables.

Organizing Homes to Minimize Clutter

September 10, 2019
DIY

Storing

Containers - it’s always a good idea to keep additional containers of various sizes handy. Minimizing a certain item total within the space allowed within a container is most recommended. Excess is usually the problem behind clutter and messiness. If an item gets too excessive then it may be a good idea to start considering replacing a few items.

De-clutter versus Clutter

You may ask, “it’s just so difficult to quit buying certain items, especially when they are on sale”.

You are absolutely right, once you’ve established a habit of buying something that you like, it can be quite difficult to quit buying it. And that’s a huge problem as to why a house can get so cluttered.

Well, the best solution to this is, “If you do not need it, do not buy it”. If you’re more serious about keeping your home free of clutter than cluttering it, then you will have to minimize your spending. If you fail to get a handle, sooner or later, the containers will become a problem themselves.

Managing Storage

Labels- labeling your containers will beat putting items in the wrong containers, digging through, throwing out unrelated items, getting confused and quitting the container system all together. Sticking to a labeling system, like, summer shirts in this container, winter pants in this one, superhero socks in this one, versus just throwing all excess [summer shirts, dinosaur shirt overload and American flag shirts] in one container; peanuts, gummies, cookies in their own individual containers; face creams, teeth care, hair care in their own containers, and the list goes on.

Research

When it comes to clothing and kitchen appliances/tools, we tend to keep buying, buying and buying, because either they look great and match with a set or because they are on sale. It’s a good idea to do your research before buying [consider the reviews completely] as items can appear to portray what you’re looking for, but you may soon find out - after buying - that they don’t quite serve the purpose that you’ve attended it to serve. Many of us just keep the items instead of returning them, which in turn creates unnecessary clutter.

Updating our Homes

Periodic Updates - going through your containers, cabinets, drawers and wherever else you store items on a regular basis [every 2- 4 weeks] will provide updates on the items that you use and do not use. Knowing this will help you decide if items are worth keeping or not and if you feel as though it’s time to throw an item out or take it to a Goodwill, by all means pack your vehicle and head on out. It is pointless to keep items that you have no use for, especially if you’re looking to keep your home de-cluttered and organized.

Managing our Shopping

A great way to prevent yourself from over-shopping is to:

Stick to a list - never deceive your list and go behind its back. Find out what you want and need before leaving the house and make a promise to yourself that you will not get enticed by the beauties of other items in which will surround you on this day of shopping. This is the perfect opportunity to check your containers, closets, drawers and cabinets for what space you have to add things.

Make Home As Fireproof As Possible

September 10, 2019
Home Improvement

Don’t Smoke Indoors

Clearly, smoking at all can make you more likely to develop all kinds of nasty health ailments. But smoking indoors, especially in a bedroom, greatly improves the odds of a still-lit cigarette butt finding its way onto flammable material. In fact, the National Fire Prevention Association cites smoking as the number one cause of fire-related deaths.

Run a Monthly Fire Drill

Everyone knows to keep at least one smoke detector in their home, but when was the last time you heard of anyone testing their fire alarm? The USFA recommends deliberately activating your smoke alarm once a month to know if batteries, or the alarm itself, need to be replaced. In addition, it could be crucially helpful to map out potential escapes routes, and rehearse where household members should go in the event of a fire. According to the Red Cross, only a little more than a quarter of American families have gone over a fire escape plan, so you’ll immediately be better prepared than most people.

Be Careful While You Cook

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls attention to the kitchen as a place where fires hazards can occur. The agency recommends wearing short-sleeved shirts, or at least clothing that won’t leave anything dangling over a flame, while cooking. In addition, you should never take your eyes off food on a burning stove, and it’s not a good idea to leave anything flammable – towels or dish rags, for instance – near the stove.

Be Selective Where You Put Space Heaters

Electric space heaters can be a great way to cut down on your heating bills during the winter months. However, the CDC notes that you should be careful not to place them anywhere near bookshelves, waste paper baskets, or anything that could catch fire.