Make Full Use of Your Attic

Do you have an attic in your house? Lucky You! You can decorate your attic however you like and create your own favorite corner in the house, or even an extra place for your children or your guests. Depending on your attics’ space and on your own personal taste, you can finally have an attic that fulfils your needs.

Need an extra bedroom? The attic can turn into a beautiful private bedroom for a friend that stays the night, a visiting couple, or a relative from out of town. Use light shades and soft fabric materials; you don’t want your guest to get tired and dizzy from the lively colors. Instead, create a pleasant, romantic atmosphere. You will need a single or, if there is enough space, a double bed, a small closet with drawers and one or two small bedside tables. A big, elegantly shaped mirror will add several points and will make the room seem spacious. If the room is already spacious enough, you can place a bedroom chair facing the window. Add a dreamcatcher or a wind chime and enjoy the results!

How about a playroom for your children? They would love to have their own, “No Moms Allowed!” space for their toys, their games and their imagination. You will need a soft, warm carpet to keep the room cozy during wintertime. Don’t carpet the corners though, as you will need some room to swap out for a lighter, cooler carpet for the summer days. You will also need large pillows or soft inflatable chairs. When opting for a playroom, use lively colors that will keep the children excited and happy. This room could have a small TV and DVD play set, videogames, board games, many toys, and puzzles, whatever a kid needs! Don’t place sporting material such as bouncers, trampolines and swings because the roof is too low in attics and the children might get hurt while playing.

Are you an artist? Even if the answer is no, an attic can make you one! Make your own inspirational studio. Don’t use a carpet this time. Color and material chips will stain it. If you are a painter, equip your studio with painting knives, palettes, art pencils, drawing sticks, charcoal, paints, brushes and canvas, paper blocks and rolls. If you are a craftsman you can create a wood art studio. Equip it with a large working table, hole cutting templates, curving tools. Place furniture with shelves in the corner to place and admire your artwork.

An attic can be your gym! You’ll need adequate ventilation in there, or a large window. Dress the room with a soft carpet and buy your gym equipment. Don’t buy large fitness equipment. Prefer many smaller ones, or a few multi training machines. You can also have light exercise tools like fitness balls, tummy trimmers, weight sets, yoga mats. A small refrigerator filled with bottled water or energy drinks is necessary for the attic gym room so that you won’t need to run downstairs every time you get thirsty. A mini stereo will enhance your exercise with power music.

There is no limit to your imagination about the potential use of your attic space. Sure, it comes in handy as a storage place, but what moments of joy can you invest in a storage place? With creativity and a little money, the attic can be your favorite room.

Making Your House Smells Good

The home fragrance market is booming. From perfume, toiletries, and cosmetics to pre packaged foods. It is currently a multi billion dollar industry that continues to show strong growth. The strongest growth has taken place in the last 5 years and is expected to continue through 2007 and beyond. Western Europe, Japan, and the US continue to lead with 65 percent of demand and over three-quarters of world wide production of home fragrance products. Rapid growth of home fragrance sales has also been registered in Asia/Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

Market researchers attribute the growing trend of home fragrance popularity in the US to the fact that we are spending more time at home. We are using home fragrances to UN-stress ourselves and make our indoor environment a healthier and more pleasing place to be. And we like it, it makes us feel good. Consumer research is quite convincing. People feel better about themselves and are more comfortable at home when a home fragrance delivery system in use.

Market researchers also point out that consumers are eagerly embracing home fragrance products that neutralize odors and bacteria in our indoor air, not just cover them up. A stylish home fragrance delivery system which can be displayed as decor in the home or work place. Consumers desire an attractive as well as efficient home fragrance delivery system.

There are many home fragrance delivery systems available to us today. From the plug-ins, solids, and sprays, to name a few, which temporarily mask or cover up odors and are readily available in the local supermarket. To the stylish and very much in vogue Fragrance Lamps which you won't find in the local supermarket. Fragrance Lamps can be found in specialty gift and decor shops, and on line. One such Fragrance Lamp is the La Tee Da collection of fragrance lamps. http://www.coronetgiftsolutions.com/la-tee-da_effusion_lamps.asp La Tee Da is leading the way in home fragrance effusion lamp technology. La Tee Da's exclusive scalloped burner design enhances the home fragrance experience. La Tee Da fragrance lamps or effusion lamps as they are sometimes called are made of hand blown art glass. These fragrance lamps come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. La Tee Da fragrance lamps befit any decor, home or work place.

Sonia Perez of Coronet Gift Solutions http://www.coronetgiftsolutions.com in Florida says her retail customers are becoming creative in their approach to home fragrance. "They like to have different fragrances for each room of their houses. Say, Verbena in the bedroom and Sandalwood Mahogany in the living room or den." Some of her customers fragrance 3 or 4 rooms, each with a different fragrance. Sonia recommends fragrance lamps because of their style and their ability to sanitize the air while they fragrance it. "Fragrance lamps are great! And collectable too." She also supplies interior designers who love using fragrance lamps as a decor embellishment. "The La Tee Da lamps work well as an attractive accent piece to the design scheme and at the same time fragrance and sanitize the room or entire house, and their clients adore them" .Pure indoor air has become a priority with consumers says Sonia. "Women want more than just pretty air; they want clean air at home and at the office."

The La Tee Da fragrance lamp catalytic conversion process is the same as that used by the old time European catalytic burner (effusion lamp) of Justus Von Liebig. Using this catalytic conversion La Tee Da fragrance lamps are highly efficient at sanitizing indoor air, not masking it. These fragrance lamps kill bacteria, including odor causing bacteria, and the unpleasant smells from dirty laundry, pets, mold, musty closets, and bathrooms. Frying fish tonight? No problem. La Tee Da to the rescue! Cooking odors neutralized, fast. Not just temporarily masked. Automobile manufacturers utilize the same catalytic conversion process on the cars we drive to reduce or eliminate noxious fumes, smoke, and odors from automobile exhaust.

In Europe, before the days of modern electronic indoor air purification, the catalytic burner (effusion lamp) was used extensively in institutions such as hospitals, medical clinics and other facilities that required a high degree of indoor air purity. German holistic chemist Justus Von Liebig discovered that through the oxidation of primary alcohols the effusion lamp was efficient in neutralizing bacteria, allergens, and other impurities in the air including smoke and foul odors.

Aware of the health benefits of the effusion lamp, the French began to add liquid fragrance to their effusion lamps. Leave it to the French to transform the effusion lamp into the home fragrance delivery system we today call fragrance lamps. http://www.coronetgiftsolutions.com/la-tee-da_fragrance_lampes.asp Fragrance lamps have for many years been a fixture in homes across the European Continent and are rapidly gaining popularity in North America. Why? Because fragrance lamps sanitize as well as fragrance your indoor oxygen. Neurologist Alan Hirsh director of the Smell and Taste Treatment Center of Chicago has studied fragrance and the positive relation it can have as an aid in learning, reducing or increasing the desire to eat, and in arousal.

Retailers and restaurateurs are taking notice of the power of fragrance. Case studies of restaurants and retail shops using fragrance delivery systems to create ambiance and a perceived pleasurable shopping experience are quite satisfied with the results of fragrance. Customer surveys consistently prove that fragrance ranks high among reasons for customer loyalty to a particular store or eatery. Also customer word of mouth advertising regarding the fragrant environment brings in new customers. Retailers are exploring the power of fragrance, or scent to stimulate favorable emotional and behavioral responses of consumers. Hirsh also points out that the Nobel Prize in medicine was last year granted to researchers who discovered how olfactory receptor cells enable humans to recognize and store in memory 10.000 different odors. Hirsh states, "I think we are going to be seeing interior decorating with smells in the future, the same way we do with color." Sounds good to me. Decorate my bedroom in Verbena, my bathroom in Lavender, and my kitchen in Cinnamon Apple. Fragrance me with Bayberry in the den and Fresh Cut Clover in the laundry room. Sound good to you too? You bet it does!

Why Should You Install a Heater in Your Garage

Why do you need a heater for your remodeled garage? The answer for this question is pretty obvious: one of the major disadvantages of using your garage as a workshop or a home office is that it wasn’t meant for that. The garage is the special place reserved for your car, the garage is the room where you keep your lawn and garden accessories.

If you start using this space for other projects that you have, you need to deal with one of the major inconveniences, that is warmth. During the summer you don’t have to worry too much about this but during cold seasons you might find some difficulties in continuing your project because of the very low temperature.

You can find many ways to warm up your workshop-garage. You can try one of the porcelain heaters; they work great and can warm up a good area but they are not meant to warm a large space for a long time.

Another solution for you would be to use a kerosene heater. These heaters are easy to turn on, most of them have an electric starter. It should have a thermostat to be able to regulate the temperature also they have a specific scent, they do function on kerosene! So if you think you cannot handle this smell, a kerosene heater wouldn’t be a good choice for you. They are quite dangerous for your children, if they have access to the garage and you would definitely want to ventilate very well the garage!

A very good and popular choice nowadays is a gas heater. Of course you have to hire a professional to install it. You can find a gas heater suited to your budget for remodeling the garage. There are many models and almost all of them are fairly inexpensive. The main advantage of a gas heater is that it gives you a consistently warm environment. They are available in both manual and thermostatic control types. You would probably prefer a model that has a thermostat, even though its price is a little higher than the price of a manual temperature control model. The only thing that you have to do is to set it on a desired temperature and leave it to do its job.

There are two types of gas heaters: vented and vent less. The vent less unit uses air from the room and the vented model has a system that vents directly out of the garage. The disadvantage of the vent less model is that you have to keep the room vented at all times because the unit uses the air from the room where it has been installed. The main advantage for the both types of gas heaters is that they have a pretty low running cost compared to the kerosene and electric heaters.

Remember that if you choose to install a more advanced heating system like a gas heater, you must ask for a professional’s help.

Your Garden Could Use a Bridge

Just because you dont have huge, elaborate gardens does not mean you cant accentuate what you do have with l garden bridges. Garden bridges could be just what you need to turn those mediocre garden areas into something quite splendid.

Garden bridges can add a touch of country or formal design to a garden. Small garden bridges are easy to find. There are many garden bridges that you can find in garden centers or home improvement centers. One of the best places to find small garden bridges may be online. There are lots of sites that have many ideas for small garden bridges.

If you are good with a hammer and nails you may even be able to make your own garden bridge. Plans are available at building stores and at online sites. You will find many choices for garden bridges at these online sites and you can also see photos of many different bridge styles.

A garden bridge can be a big benefit for your garden space. A small garden bridge will look attractive in a smaller garden and draw attention to a specific area.

You can choose the right small garden bridge if you do a little planning ahead of time. If you have a smaller garden you will want a smaller garden bridge. Look at the space you have and decide where a bridge would fit in. Consider more than one area and then choose your favorite.

There are some lovely gardens that are small in size but large in beauty because garden bridges have been added in just the right places.

Granite Kitchen Countertops

The popularity of granite kitchen countertops has increased dramatically in recent years, with the media focus on kitchen remodeling and personal incomes rising. Originally the choice for granite countertops was limited to wealthy individuals. Today, homeowners of moderate means choose granite countertops for their durability as well as beauty. In addition to their utility and longevity, granite kitchen countertops are one of the few home improvements that maintain their value. Typically, any appliances, flooring or cabinetry decisions will only add about twenty-five percent of their retail value to the appraisal value of a home. In addition to long term value, the beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal among homeowners and interior designers.

The natural beauty of a granite kitchen countertop complements any style of cabinetry, from French country to the sleek lines of cosmopolitan styles. This ancient stone adds warmth and character to any kitchen, whether it's a new build or a remodel. Granite is found world wide, and is available in hundreds of colors. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with a variety of kitchen color schemes and offer a great deal of flexibility. Some granite colors exhibit "movement," or a noticeable design within the color, while others have very small patterns. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops look exactly alike.

Opinions regarding the color that is best for a kitchen will vary. Dark cabinets can be warmed up with a light colored stone, while light colored cabinets can be anchored with a dark stone. When choosing the granite that will be added to a kitchen décor, it is best not to make selections from “chips” that the decorator or major retailer has on hand. There is too much variation in the color and movement in each slab to be captured in a single chip. Rather, it is better to go to the stone supplier and look at each slab. The slab needs to be reserved at the time of decision, or it may not be available at a later time.

Granite countertops are a favorite choice for their beauty and durability, however they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Granite can also easily be chipped, although a professional can perform “invisible” repairs.

The installed prices for granite countertops range from $60 to $120 a square foot, installed. The initial cost is much more than other countertop surface treatments. The majority of the cost is not in the stone itself, but in the cutting, transportation and labor of installation. When it comes to granite countertops this is one home project that needs to be left to the professionals. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized sheets are extremely delicate and must be precisely cut. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use.

The durability of granite as a countertop makes it a favorite of home chefs, as it can withstand more abuse than standard laminate countertops. A hurried cook can quickly set down a hot pot without fear of damage to the polished finish. The hardness of this ancient stone serves as an excellent surface for rolling dough and working with confectionery. When it comes to rolling the perfect piecrust, it's easy to chill a section of the countertop by setting a bowl of ice water over the chosen workspace for 15 to 20 minutes.

Granite kitchen countertops have proven to be a wise investment for homeowners. While the final cost of installing granite countertops will be more than other countertop material choices, granite will outlast other materials. Selecting granite as a counter surface proves to be an investment in the value of the home as well as the enjoyment of use for the family chef.

Getting a New Refrigerator

Going appliance shopping is a lot like buying shoes. Some people hate it, while others savor the opportunity of inspecting various models to find just the right fit for their kitchen and lifestyle. If it has been a few years since you bought a new appliance, and especially a refrigerator, you may want to give some thought in advance to the type of features you want it to have, including size, storage space, compartments, and freezer capacity.

Start by browsing current newspaper ads or local appliance stores for sales or discount items. While it is not always best to buy cheap, it doesn’t hurt to check out the bargain deals first to see if you can find what you want. This also will help you get a better idea of regular prices, available features, and comparison-shopping. You will need to give some thought to design, model, and color, as well. Some shoppers prefer white or black appliances to blend with kitchen décor, while others prefer another color that goes with the theme or style of the rest of the home.

When you finally head to the appliance store to check out the various models on display, start by reading the sticker ad on or near each refrigerator. This should tell you how much each unit has of shelf space, for example, as well as other consumer interest information like how much electricity various models will use. Look for the energy saver brand, since energy use can vary widely from one unit to another.

Consider the amount of freezer space you need. If you buy meat or frozen food in bulk quantities, you may want a larger freezer that can hold a lot. Otherwise, though, you may be paying more in energy costs to keep your freezer cold when it doesn’t have very much food to fill it. Find out whether a model is self-defrosting; nearly all are nowadays.

Another thing to keep in mind is how to clean a particular model. Some of the exterior casings are made of a vinyl-type material that seems to absorb grease from adult fingers and dirt from toddler hands. Ask how easy or hard it may be to clean a particular appliance before you buy it. For example, you will probably have to unplug your refrigerator and pull it out to dust or vacuum the refrigeration coils. Make sure you can easily move the unit yourself without getting hurt.

Don’t buy more refrigerator than you need. A gorgeous side-by-side ice-maker model might look great in the store, but it could end up crowding your small kitchen or sit around mostly unused if you live alone and don’t use it much.

The final steps to making a purchasing decision might rest on the payment options and delivery terms. This would be a good time to ask about product warranties and replacement parts while you’re at it, so you’ll know who to call if something goes wrong or a part breaks.

Choosing a Gas Water Heater

Choosing a gas water heater is perhaps the wisest choice when installing or replacing a hot water heater in your home because they are much more economical than their electric counterparts. In fact, most gas water heaters operate on less than half of the cost associated with conventional electric water heaters. Considering that hot water heaters are the second largest user of energy in the home, finding a more economical solution is very wise indeed.

Natural gas hot water heaters are also very popular among homeowners because they reach their set temperature more than twice as fast as an electric water heater does.

That means that you could probably run the dishwasher after your morning shower and still have hot water, not lukewarm water. And are you always the one having to wait around for more hot water after a shower hog has carelessly used it all for himself? A gas water heater may not make him more considerate, but it would cut your wait time in half.

While gas water heaters heat water faster and cheaper than electric heaters, it is still very important to purchase the right size tank for your household needs. A gas water heater that is too small can still leave you showering in lukewarm water.

Most homes will require a 40 gallon gas hot water heater. This heater will take care of a moderate sized home with 3 to 4 occupants, two bathrooms, and a washing machine. Of course, if you live alone and only have one bathroom, you can get by with a smaller water heater. On the other hand, you may need a larger heater if there are more family members, especially teenagers, in the home and a dishwasher or whirlpool baths.

Even once you have figured out which gas water heater is the right size for your home, you may want to purchase a size larger for a few reasons. Most of these reasons will center on your family's lifestyle. For example: If you have a family member who is notorious for taking long, extremely hot showers, or if you have to run the dishwasher, washing machine and take a shower at the same time and in the few hours that you get to spend at home, you may want to purchase a larger gas water heater than is recommended for your family size.

No matter what size gas water heater you choose, you can rest assured that you are heating water for a fraction of the cost associated with electric heaters. Now that's smart.

Bring the Beach Back to Your Bedroom

Using accessories is a fun way to accent your bedroom for a beach theme. You will find that you can dramatically change the look of your room simply by making small changes with the accents. See how easy it is to get a designer beach theme look in your bedroom without shelling out the big bucks.

If you’re not sure exactly what you want in your beach desing, try looking in decorating magazines and books to get a flavor of the accessories you would like to see in your bedroom. For keeping the beach look consistent, you’ll have to limit yourself to only purchase the accessories that match your theme.

Colors for a beach décor should make you think of the beach. Light and breezy with lots of blues and maybe even some yellows. If you prefer neutral tones think of the beige of beach sand and the color of shells.

Incorporate sea shells, ocean prints, and other seaside accents that will help bring out the beach in your bedroom. You should group your accessories in odd numbers. It always looks nice if your groupings consists of tall and short accessories mixed together. An interesting group of accents might consists of some shells aside a nice beach theme frame and a taller lamp.

Use beach theme prints and photos on your walls to establish the theme throughout your bedroom. Many people do not know how to correctly hang a piece of art and this makes a big difference to the visual appeal. Whether you are hanging a large oil painting or a small print, the middle of the piece should be at eye level. If you have a large piece of artwork you can try using it as a headboard. When hanging prints or photos behind a table, always place them 7 to 10 inches above the table. Hang pictures in circular, triangular, or rectangular geometric groupings to add interest.
When accessorizing your bedroom don’t forget about the lighting. When purchasing lamps make sure to buy ones that go with the beach theme you want to create. For beach style lighting try using clear glass lamps filled with shells or figural light house shaped lamps.

Area rugs can define a space and pull your bedroom together. Rest furniture completely on the rug for a warmer effect. Only use rugs that go with your beach accessories.

Using pillows can add interest as well. Use several at the top of the bed and vary the texture colors and patterns while still keeping the color and theme within your overall bedroom design.

Don’t think you have to buy everything for your bedroom at once. Shop around to find the perfect accessories to match the beach theme in your bedroom. You can find bargains at consignment stores flea markets and yard sales.