OUTDOOR LIGHTING: BEAUTY, SECURITY, SAFETY

by: Heather Larson

Add dimension to your home with professionally designed landscape lighting. Nothing is more majestic than seeing your home illuminated at night. As light gently washes the walls, accents architectural features and illuminates the trees, your home will take on a new dimension and announce its presence in the night. Outdoor lighting has become extremely popular as homeowners have discovered that it adds beauty, security and safety to their property.

Beauty:

Outdoor lighting, when designed properly, will add dimension to a home that once was unnoticeable after dusk. Lighting designers will use different types of light to achieve various tasks. If illuminating an entire surface of a home is the desired effect, then a flood type light would be used to wash the wall. Maybe there is a row of columns, where it would be dramatic if each one were lighted individually. A lighting designer would use a beam of light that has a narrow light pattern, spotlighting each individual column. A majestic tree in landscape might call for soft lighting, illuminating the branches and highlighting one of nature’s original pieces of art. As all of these lighting types are used in one design and begin to harmonize with one another, a very special effect will be created. Outdoor lighting can produce an effect so endearing that you will find yourself eagerly awaiting and appreciating the approach to your home like never before.

Security:

Another added benefit of outdoor lighting is the security that it can help provide. Many homeowners will have a security system installed in their home, but what they don’t realize is that a properly lighted home will not be as likely targeted for theft as a home that sits completely in the dark. A criminal will not be as likely to enter a door or window where he has to do his work in a brightly lighted area. Effectively planned lighting, in concert with your home security system, can help to keep your home and family safe.

Safety:

All of us love to use our outdoors, but unless you have proper illumination at night, it can be difficult to navigate around your property. There are many types of lighting that an outdoor lighting company can install to make the grounds around your home more accessible at night. If you have a retaining wall along your driveway, lights can be installed to illuminate your path to the garage. If you have difficult steps leading up to your home in the front or back, then lighting can be used in the riser portion of the step to define each step. Lighting can also define a walkway connecting the house and the garage. This type of safety lighting is very useful for the elderly as well. While these are just a few examples of how outdoor lighting can add safety to your property, an expert lighting designer can help you to identify your problem areas and incorporate them into their overall design.

After the successful installation of an outdoor lighting project and the night falls for the first time to reveal the results, you will find that you have made a decision that means your money has been well spent. Also know that for energy efficiency, outdoor illumination can be placed on a timer that turns it off at dawn and on at dusk. Outdoor lighting adds beauty, value, security and safety to your property while letting your home be a glowing star in the night sky.

10 TIPS FOR CHOOSING AND PLACING UNIQUE OUTDOOR YARD ART

by: Deborah Boland

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to garden art. It all boils down to finding pieces that are unique and special to you and that make you feel good.

Many homeowners wouldn’t dream of putting any kind of garden art in their backyard unless it was very traditional. They like formal garden art like stone or concrete statuary of angels, gargoyles and goddesses. Formal garden art also includes ornate birdbaths and heavy classical water fountains.

Others take their garden art far less seriously and want unique outdoor yard art with a more modern look and feel. This group of backyard lovers enjoy nostalgic and fun resin or bronze sculptures of children and animals of every kind. I’ve even seen alligator statuary yard art!

Other examples of this semi-formal garden art include copper art for patio and yard, stainless steel yard art, topiary wire garden sculptures, as well as handcrafted items like one-of- a- kind birdhouses, stain glass stepping stones, pottery, and other unique outdoor yard art.

Then there’s the crowd who declare that art should be just plain fun and crazy. They like informal garden art. Their taste is off the wall. They love to shake things up with a few pink flamingos, or to decorate their gardens with unusual household objects like broken china plates, a dressmaker’s dummy, even an old toilet seat lid.

They like to transform old junk into beautiful works of art. No need to waste anything. Try placing recycled metal garden art in your backyard or use architectural salvage to create garden art from old windows.

Whatever you consider garden art, here are 10 places to display it to bring out its full charm.

• In a boring, bare part of the yard to add interest and stimulate conversation.

• At the end of a path to add drama.

• In any area to add comic relief. How about some playful topiary wire garden sculptures of your favourite animal like a lion or a dinosaur?

• In front of an ugly spot to hide dead patch.

• Directly in line with an unwanted view of the neighbour’s yard to create privacy.

• On a wall or fence to visually break up the long monotonous line. I have a beautiful concrete painted face hanging on one part of my fence and a mirror hanging on another to add interest. Any garden wall art sculpture will do.

• In front of a colorful burst of foliage to punctuate the space. My classical white bird bath looks gorgeous just in front of my huge pink rose bush.

• Hidden behind some greenery so it just peeks out a little to create a feeling of antiquity. This will put plants in the spotlight.

• Within the frame of a beautiful view to enhance the view even more. My backyard is on the lake and the view is made even more beautiful by a piece of unique outdoor yard art --A fountain of Poseidon the sea God that we have made part of the view.

• In a rock garden to create feeling of garden gallery. The rocks are natural pedestals for the art and create a wonderful playground for eye to bounce around in and land on art.

Don’t forget about the view from inside. Take a look out your window to see where you might place garden art so that it draws you out into the backyard.

Finally, less is more. Too much garden art will make your backyard look junky. All you need is a few interesting pieces of unique outdoor yard art to personalize your backyard and give it a sense of place.

TOP 5 TIPS FOR HOME DECORATORS

by: Aaron Walker

Is your house and home feeling a little bit tired and jaded? Does it lack that special edge that it once had? If so you're no doubt sick of living in a home that no longer suits you so why not convert that drab interior to something fantastic? Your home should be a place of rest and relaxation. A place for you to recharge your batteries that have been drained by todays busy lifestyles. The great news is that regardless of what type of look or feel you want your redecorated home to have there are ideas aplenty available to you for use as inspiration.

There are several important tips that you should follow for each interior or home decorating project:

1. Choose A Theme

Have a very clear idea of what you want the finished "product" to look like before you begin. Get your hands on as many home decorating books and magazines as you can. As you read through them you'll find yourself drawn to one theme or style more than others. Exposure to as many decorating styles as possible is the key to success here.

2. Choose A Color Scheme

During your theme research you'll have noticed that most decorating themes rely on specific color schemes to achieve the required results; those colors are standard to that particular decorating theme. What do we mean by this? Well for example Asian decorating styles and themes are dominated by the use of red, black and dark blue. Another example is tropical decorating themes which rely more on green, red and aqua colors. Your chosen theme will, realistically, follow the same basic pattern of using a fixed palette of colors for the entire decorating project.

3. Choose A Use For the Room

What will you actually do in the room you're redecorating? Just because the room was originally built for a specific purpose don't mentally trap yourself by only decorating to that particular type of room. For example if your family eats most of their meals in the kitchen then don't decorate your dining room with a large dining table and accessories - it's a waste of the room. It could be converted to a study, home office or even a play room so don't limit your thinking to using any room for its original purpose - unless it suits you of course.

4. The Shopping List

Of all the items that you could potentially list here paint is the most important. Paint forms the "foundation" of any room and if you rush the paint job then everything that comes afterwards just won't "work" in the room. Another mistake many people make is to buy the cheapest paint possible. You might save a few bucks on the cost of the tin but you'll wind up kicking yourself later on when you realize it's going to take 3 coats to finish each wall instead of just one - it's generally not cost effective to buy cheap paint; it just doesn't cover or finish as well as the more expensive brands.

Also make allowances in your budget for disposable overalls and any cleaning or preparatory materials you might need for your project. Decorating can be a messy business so prepare for the clean up operation before you even begin.

5. What To Paint With?

Another important decision is whether to use brushes, a roller or foam painting pads. Brushes have their uses for "edging out" a room - for those tiny corners. For the large surface areas it makes more sense to use a roller or paint pads. Personally I've found rollers to be just plain old messy and now use paint pads (some stores call them speed painters) for any large surface area that needs to be painted well and quickly. Use a roller if you really have to but bear in mind that they're extremely messy so make sure both you (disposable overalls are ideal) and the flooring is well covered against splashes.

Don't forget to have some fun along the way too! For all the planning, preparation and work that goes into redecorating any room or home it should still be a fun experience for everyone involved. You'll have that added sense of satisfaction knowing that you redecorated or helped to redecorate your home with your own hands. Take some time out to relax in your new room once it's finished - especially before you start redecorating the next room in the house.

A QUICK GUIDE TO CHILDREN'S FURNITURE FOR THE BEDROOM OR PLAYROOM

by: Chris Robertson

Whether you are looking for bedroom furniture or family room play furniture you will find many conventional and unusual choices.

Where to start

If you would like to look at the products, take your child to the local department stores and see if they have what you want. If you don't have time to shop or don't live conveniently close to stores, there are many online catalogs with endless choices and unique designs.

If you are decorating the child's room, decide what color paint you want and what theme you will use. You could let the child choose these so they will enjoy their own special room. Choose fabrics for your children's furniture that will take wear and tear, and wood that matches your other furniture. Functionality and durability are important in choosing the style you will buy. Buying good quality furniture is important if you want it to last for many years. If you have more than one child using it this is especially important.

Making Choices

Children will feel very grown up with their own seating such as kid's rocking chairs, kid's recliners, beanbags, and even small kid's size sofas! When choosing the children's chairs, pay attention to the craftsmanship and make sure they are sturdy. Also, make sure they don't tip over easily or have a high back that the child can tip over. Having their own chairs will give them a place to play video games or watch their favorite movie.

For more seating, you might want to add a child size table and chairs. This will give the children their own place to eat, color, make crafts or look at books. These come in formal wooden table and chairs or more casual styles such as picnic tables or brightly painted sets.

Durability and Safety

When buying children's bedroom furniture it is again important to look at the quality of the furniture. Make sure it is sturdy enough to withstand children playing and the normal "monkeys jumping on the bed." If you buy furniture that is plain and not overly ornate, you will be able to add pieces to it as your child grows. For instance, when they are little you might want to buy a toy box with it. Later, when they are older, you might want to add a computer desk and chair. Or, if you were not able to purchase all the pieces you want the first time, you would be able to add more as you desire.

It is also important when selecting children's furniture to notice any safety hazards. Some toy boxes have lids that are heavy and do not have a way to hold them up. Check these carefully because harmful accidents have occurred. If you see any other possible hazards look carefully before buying.

Keep these tips in mind when buying children's furniture and you'll find safe, enjoyable furniture that will endure years of child's play!

HOME BUYING TIPS FOR HOMEBUYERS

by: Ron Victor

Purchasing a house as per our requirements is a difficult process. We have many choices to select good ones, sometimes house may look good, but it doesn’t match your budget or sometimes the prices may be good, but the house selected may be wrong and so on. These are some basics steps to keep in your mind while buying a house:

1. List the agent: This is basic step; one has to follow while buying and selling of house business. Today, large number of house was sold by agents and the remaining is sold by the owners. It is best to select an agent because more than 80 percent of the property goes through agents and remaining 20 per cent of the houses only sold by the owners. From the list, select a proper agent and make avail of the service provided by him.

2. Select the agent: It is a difficult one to select an ideal agent for buying or selling a house. While making selection, follow some necessary steps.

• From the list select the agent who you feel an ideal one.
• Check whether the houses shown are properly listed.
• See to that, he is an experienced agent in real estate.
• Ensures the details collected by him are currently updated.
• Verify the documents shown by him and see whether it is a legal document.

3. Budget Estimation: Before looking for a house, make a decision for proper budget estimation to buy a house. You should be cautious and aware while estimating a home budget with your monthly and yearly income. Only when you have proper budget estimation you can continue to look for a house. Even you can avail the pre-approved mortgage which clearly estimates the limits of your budget. It helps to hurry up your search which affects your purchase.

4. Locate your area: If you decide to buy a house, then select the location your want to live. If you decide to buy a house, then select the location your want to live. You can also list to the agent what kind of house you needed, whether it suits your budget, the location you find more comfortable and so on. Select the one which you feel good and also suits your needs.

5. Have Precautions: While buying a house, remember that you are making a huge investment. Since house buying has a huge investment, select the one which will be best for a longer period. Have some precaution while buying a house. Also think about your future, because your life is uncertain. Once you decided to buy a particular house which is already used, see to that any alteration like repairing, electricity maintenance is to be made.

6. Perfections: Be always systematic in your work. File the information you collected from different agents. Also file the information relating to price, description and suitability. At last, while taking decision this information will highly help you. With the help of this information you can select the most appropriate house which suits your needs.

7. Proper Inspection: When you are looking a house see to that the process carried on in your house are as per the requirements. Inspecting a house is a more important aspect while making a selection. You should have to check the walls, electricity, painting and maintenance etc. You can carry any number of steps while inspecting your house. Check whether the house is a qualified one.

TOP 5 WAYS TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR FREEZE ALARM

by: Ralph Winn

In January of 2005, the Sax family woke up to discover that the pipes in their family’s weekend ski lodge garage had burst. The garage was flooded, but that’s not the worst of it. The water then froze, encasing all 3 of their cars in a thick layer of ice. It took hours to chip, crack, pick, and melt their cars free.

Surveys indicate that “frozen pipes” ranks as the number one fear of vacation homeowners in the United States. Water damage is second only to fire damage in number and amount in insurance claims. The best way to prevent your pipes from freezing to make sure you never let your home go below 55°F. The best way to do that is with a freeze alarm.

Why Rely on a Freeze Alarm?

A freeze alarm is a sophisticated device designed to grant you peace of mind when it comes to your property, be it your year-round home or just a vacation spot. A freeze alarm monitors the temperature of your home (or vacation home) and will alert you if the temperature drops to dangerous levels. The freeze alarm alerts you by calling up to three different numbers with a recorded message announcing the risky change in temperature. The freeze alarm will not stop calling until you tell it to, ensuring that someone will be alerted to the situation.

Ultimately, a freeze alarm ensures that you will always know what it going on in your home, even if you can’t be there all the time.

But you can do more than just install a freeze alarm and wait for the phone call. You can jump into action now to enhance the effectiveness of your freeze alarm with several other preventive measures.

Enhancing Your Freeze Alarm: Before It Gets Cold

5. Insulate Pipes

Insulate the pipes in your home’s crawlspace and attic, where pipes are most vulnerable to the cold. The better the insulation, the better the protection. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and only for their approved use (indoor versus outdoor).

4. Seal Leaks

Keep cold air away from your pipes. Seek out air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to seal out the cold and seal in the heat.

Enhancing Your Freeze Alarm: When it gets Cold

3. Let It Trickle

Let a little warm water trickle through the pipes overnight. Use a faucet on an outside wall.

2. Open Cabinet Doors

Open the cabinet doors around your sinks and near appliances to let warm air get to the pipes under your sinks. Be sure to remove all dangerous cleaning supplies and chemicals out of the reach of children.

Enhancing Your Freeze Alarm: Before You Leave

1. Keep Warm

Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F (12°C).

Along with a freeze alarm, these actions will help you keep your pipes insulated and prevent freezing. When you install a freeze alarm and take certain measure to protect your pipes, you can leave your home for a ski tip and not worry about returning to thousands of dollars worth of damage. You can own a vacation home and enjoy peace of mind knowing it is safe from water damage. A freeze alarm eliminates that number one concern of property owners: frozen pipes.

FIRE BLANKET SAFETY IN THE HOME

by: Mark Fynn

While many of those employed in the emergency services can see the importance of having a fire blanket in the home the same cannot be said for the general public. It is an unfortunate fact most people either ignore the dangers associated with home fires or they just do not realize the dangers that exist.

Most house fires start in the kitchen which accounts for almost 28 percent of all fires in the home. This is a very high number and most fires in the kitchen are caused by either a lack of concentration or because the person was interrupted by an unexpected occurrence. This could be something simple such as the telephone ringing, a caller at the door or maybe one of your children needs your immediate attention.

One of the main causes of fire in the kitchen is when dealing with very hot oil. If not monitored it can reach such high temperatures as to catch alight in an instant. When this happens instant panic will set-in as you try to find a very quick solution while under intense stress and trauma. Most people would dampen a towel under the tap and throw the soaking material over the flames. Smothering the fire does work because it starves the flames of the oxygen they need. But using a small towel to do it causes more danger.

Many people who have tried this method have the burn scars to prove it. The problem is that you feel you have to get very close to the fire to douse the flames. If you miss you may not get a second chance so you get as close as you can get. This is where the severe burning takes place. It may not be the actual flames that cause the skin damage, it could be just the intense heat. Other people have been burned because they may have missed the target and try to retrieve the cloth to try again. This time you may have a partly burning cloth to contend with as well as a fire that is on the verge of getting out of control.

Fire blankets are recommended by all the emergency services and people involved in health and safety. They immediately know the safety benefits that fire blankets can bring when used correctly. They should be made easily accessible near an exit doorway. Never hide them away in draws or cupboards and expect to find them easily when a fire takes hold. Placing them near to an exit ensures that you have away out should the fire blanket not be enough or if things go wrong.

Fire blankets are also ideal for covering someone who has actually caught fire and can also be worn over the head if you need to pass an area that is on fire or where extreme temperatures are causing difficulty. Protecting the vital organs is the most important factor when you are confronted with fire.

Fire blankets can be purchased in many DIY stores and hardware shops and the costs varies with the type and size you need. Many of the fire blankets can be reusable after washing though you will need to check the supporting documents for confirmation of this.

Every home should have a fire blanket located in the kitchen or where cooking takes place. When you consider the minimal cost to purchase one against the protection they provide for your home, your personal effects and of course your loved ones they will be one of the best investments you can ever make.