A fireplace for a cozy time during the cold winter days

Installing a fireplace in a home is a big decision. Installing a fireplace is as difficult as it is necessary to find the right location, ventilation, and safety aspects. Therefore, it will more than likely be installed by a professional. All this can add up to a large expense. There are also many things to consider when choosing which fireplace is the right model and design for the home it will go into.

Fireplaces are great for cold winter nights. They add a dimension to the home and a sense of style. Maybe the thought of warm hot chocolate on a snowy winter day is a motivating factor in purchasing a fireplace? Adding a fireplace mantel above to store precious items to show off is also a consideration? To find the right fireplace, consider several options.

The first option to choose when looking into purchasing a fireplace is which type it will be. Gas fireplaces allow for one choice. Another choice is an electric fireplace. Each offers mostly the same features, except the obvious difference. Which of these is best for the home is a choice the homeowner will need to make. Consider the safety aspects as well as the functionality of each.

Assuming that a fireplace inside the home is out of the question, there is still another option. An outdoor fireplace is ideal in this situation. They are becoming more and more popular and can even be found in the average home improvement store. Outdoor fireplaces come in many styles and sizes. These are great options in communities where an open fire is not permitted.

Fireplaces can add a lot to a home including value. It is important though to remember safety is key and having it professionally installed is probably the best choice. The fireplace can be a great place to spend a winter night. Consider adding one to the home as an investment in the home and in the quality of life.

How about making your own roman shades for that unique touch?

Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to block the sun or prying neighbors. Nicer than plain plastic shades, but less expensive than ornate window shades, Roman shades provide the perfect start to a beginning home decorator.

Roman shades can be purchased from home improvement or department stores, or they can be custom made by in interior designer. The cheapest way to decorate your home with Roman shades is to make them yourself. Get ready to refresh your math skills!

To make Roman shades, first measure the window you’d like to put them in. Measure the height and width of the window from inside its frame. Or, if you want the shade to cover more than the window, measure the height and width of the surface the shade will cover. Your shade will probably need to be between 45 and 54 inches wide.

Before you shop for your fabric, you’ll need to calculate the number of dowels and the amount of fabric you’ll need. To figure out how many dowels you will need, divide the window height by six to nine inches, which will be the space between each dowel fold. You’ll need to find a number that goes evenly into your window height. For example, if your window height is 64 inches, divide by six. You’ll then need eight dowels for eight pleats. Each dowel needs 1.5 inches, so multiplied by eight, you’ll need an extra 12 inches of fabric. You’ll also need an extra six inches of fabric to mount the shade, meaning you’ll need 18 extra inches for this example. Add this to your window height to get your final height. Add two inches of fabric to your window width. Now you have the size of the fabric you need. Whew!

Next, the fun part: selecting the fabric of your shade. Shades without busy patterns are the easiest to work with because you won’t need to make sure the pattern blends seamlessly with each fold. If your window gets southern light, consider picking a near-shear fabric. This will produce a warm, soothing light in your room. Take a picture or your room, fabric swatches of your furniture, and a paint sample of your room when you shop. You don’t want to finish making your Roman shade to discover it clashes with the rest of your room!

While you are out buying your fabric, buy the rest of your supplies:

• Drapery-lining fabric. You’ll need an extra 0.25 inches to cover the mounting board.
• Blind cord
• Window cleat
• Quarter-inch diameter window dowels, 0.25 inches smaller than the window width
• A wooden mounting board, 0.25 inches smaller than the window width that’s 1x2 inches.
• Half-inch diameter shade rings
• Screw eyes
• Staple gun
• Chalk or air-soluble marker
• Yardstick

The easiest way to make a shade uses lots of pictures and few words. Find instructions at a home improvement store or for free online to make your own Roman shade. Find patterns that make the type of Roman shade you want, whether it is flat, pleated, or with a sunburst. You’ll probably need a sewing machine to make the Roman shade quickly, especially to attach the lining to the fabric. With patience you can make your own Roman shade.

Every bedroom deserves a closet organizer!

Luckily for those with limited closet space, or who just like to keep everything in its place, there are 1,001 closet organizer units and styles.

Modular units are perpetually popular, and for good reason. They come in a style that are stackable and are simple vertical walls with horizontal surfaces. They also come in drawer styles that provide space for shirts, socks and other small items.

Some systems can be special ordered to fill your exact space with every kind of organizer known to man. Built-in shelfs, adjustable racks, movable rods and every other arrangement imaginable can be had in a few clicks.

Woods are an ever popular selection. Oak, cherry, walnut and virtually every other species used for furniture is available for the asking. They can be ordered finished or unfinished if you have a special stain or just enjoy doing it yourself.

Plastic, metal and composite materials are also easy to find in any color or design you could wish for. Plain black or checkerboard, solid red or with an elaborate design, they're all here. Even temporary cardboard closet dresser drawer units can be ordered.

Specialized shoe organizers are very handy. Some styles hang from a sturdy hanger and offer pockets that will accommodate any style or size. Others mount on the closet wall or back side of the door. Slippers, evening shoes, flip-flops, running shoes... anything you can put on your feet can all be housed conveniently. That frees up space on the closet floor.

If you have a little floor space, a floor model shoe organizer filled with racks to accommodate your footwear is easy to find. You can order stackable or stand alone units. Some use metal prongs that flip out to hold the shoes at an angle. Others have a series of wooden pegs from which the shoe hangs for easy access and maximum style. Still others provide cloth no-scuff pockets in a variety of sizes or just small cubbyholes.

Wine racks are even starting to become part of the closet organizer. Closets are often cool all day and all night and they provide a great place to keep that special vintage until it's ready. Modular units with X-shaped inserts make an easy-to-use and expandable option.

Garment storage limitations can be solved in a jiffy. Everything from clear, vinyl to ultra-high end leather garment storage bags are available.

Need something to hang those dozen ties from? No problem. Looking for something to accommodate a dozen belts? Equally easy. One hanger with a swivel head and prongs or hooks can store a dozen easily. Some are even battery driven so you can hang belts or ties on a miniature dry-cleaner type movable assembly. Press the button and your favorite item rotates around for easy access.

Hangers, shelf dividers and a hundred different types of accessory hoop are there for the asking. Need a hanger with four hooks for belts or jewelry? Easy. Need something to store a hundred pairs of socks or stockings? Click, click. What could be easier? And you thought you were going to have to knock out a wall to get a bigger closet.

Have you thought about installing that jacuzzi?

Jacuzzi's are a great recreational and health benefit for a home. Having some idea what type and what uses you will have for it, are keys to purchasing the right one for you.

There's nothing like going to a hotel and finding out you are in the jacuzzi suites! Of course, many people request this when traveling. Jacuzzis can take away a lot of stress and worry just in a few minutes time. Jacuzzi tubs can be added to your home as well giving you a great place to unwind after a long day. A jacuzzi tub is normally larger then the average bathtub and requires a lot more knowledge to install. Obviously, the wiring and power to the jacuzzi is important and should be handled by a professional.So, where to start? Start by knowing what you can afford and how much room is available to you. Jacuzzi's come in many different shapes and also in different qualities. Some often fit the corner of a bathroom as opposed to along a single wall like most bathtubs. This can give you added space in a small bathroom. Finding the right jacuzzi isn't all that hard. Most major home improvement stores will have a selection to start to look at. If, you are not satisfied with the selection there or would like more options, check into specialty stores for more choices. Often times, these places will also offer installation as well. Beware of the extra costs for installation though. Home improvement stores also offer jacuzzi parts if the need arises as well. But, make sure to keep your warranty and guarantees safe since these parts will undoubtedly be expensive if they are not covered by your policy.

Jacuzzi's aren't just found in your local jacuzzi spas anymore. Jacuzzi's have long been known for the way the relax and help us unwind. Having one at home will not only help you unwind from a long day, but it gives you an extra measure of privacy not found in jacuzzi spas. While this investment can be costly, it can have great long term benefits for the owner. It is an investment in your home as well as your health. And the process is not that difficult in finding one that suits your needs.

Utilizing the little space in your small bathroom

In bathroom terms at least, bigger doesn't have to be better – It’s all just a case of making the most of the modest proportions you’re presented with! And what's more, designing a bathroom that’s small on space usage but big on style and functionality should be a lot more fun.

The following is a guide to maximizing a modest bathroom using three simple principles…

1 - Make it seem bigger

A great way of tackling a bathroom with limited dimensions is by creating the illusion of space. First and foremost, aim to color your walls in lighter shades such as whites, creams and pastels, thereby avoiding the darker colors that dramatically reduce the sense of space inside a small room.

Good lighting is also a vital tool in expanding the look of your bathroom. By illuminating areas that are prone to shadows with strong directional lights you’ll find that the room opens up even further.

Finally, attempt to generate a feeling of space through the clever use of mirrors, which positioned correctly can literally make a room appear to double in size. For maximum effect, adorn the back wall of the room with one or more large mirrors, or a number of smaller mirrored tiles.

2 - Utilize hidden or difficult spaces

Time to get creative and think outside the box; can you utilize space that isn’t immediately visible? Start at the bottom by identifying any available low-level spaces - under bath storage is a great way to keep towels and toiletries out of sight for a start. If you’re struggling to free up low-level space, wall hung ceramic ware can provide vital extra ground room.

Then it’s time to target the high-level spaces – stylish hooks and hangers can effectively replace the need for bulky closets, whilst a large ladder style heated towel rail can happily accommodate all necessary towels and dressing gowns.

Don’t just give up on the difficult or unusual spaces your bathroom may present to you. Corner fitting WCs and basins can squeeze in to the tightest of spots, whilst short projection bathroom furniture and ceramic ware options should also prove equally economic with space.

3 - Get multifunctional

If space is really at a premium, try selecting bathroom fittings and fixtures that serve more than one purpose. Choosing a combined shower bath will allow you the option of relaxed bathing or rapid and refreshing showering without occupying the amount of space otherwise needed. Then there’s the dual functionality of the heated towel rail, working as both a radiator and a storage feature, or bathroom cabinets that provide shelf space, lighting and mirrors.

Finally, look to combine individual bathroom items to create harmonious multifunctional bathroom features. An inset ceramic basin can be housed on top of a short projection vanity unit to create a stylish washstand with ample low-level storage.

When your kitchen cabinets need a makeover...

While remodeling your kitchen, install only the essential cabinets, so you can spend on quality rather than quantity. Look for durability, and specify plywood panels rather than particleboard.

Laminate is economical but still can look classy in a patterned finish or trimmed with wood edging. You should put your money into the hardest-working and most permanent features of the kitchen, especially the cabinets and countertops.

There are two basic cabinet styles: European-style (frameless) and face-framed cabinets. Either can be ordered from custom or semi-custom cabinet-makers or from stock supplies. Each style has a variety of door, wood and finish options.

Some cabinet hardware features simulated finishes or surfaces that look and perform like the real thing. Brass-plated knobs can substitute for solid brass, and some plastic pulls mimic the look of solid surfacing.

Installing cabinets in a remodeled kitchen require some basic finish carpentry skills. Before starting any installation, it's a good idea to mark some level and plumbing reference lines on the walls so everything lines up properly. Most stock cabinet layouts won't fit perfectly within a given wall space, but cabinetmakers provide narrow filler pieces to fill in the gaps between cabinets.

The most efficient way to start installation is with the wall cabinets, since the base cabinets would get in your way if they were already in. It is better to put the corner units in first, squaring them and moving toward the center of the wall where you have more leeway for making adjustments.

If your budget is tight and you want to give a new look to your kitchen cabinet, you have the option of re-facing, which involves replacing or veneering the parts of the cabinet that are visible all the time. Therefore, the cabinet boxes -- called the cases -- stay in their current layout, but get a new finish with veneer. Other parts, such as drawer fronts and cabinet doors, get completely replaced.

Keep your bedroom allergen-free and stay healthy

There are several related areas to cover when trying to keep the level of bedroom allergens low. Few homes can hope to keep a completely allergen-free home, but it's possible to push it below the threshold of most sensitive persons.

Common dust is one of the common problems. Dust itself is not an irritant to the immune system of most people. But it often carries things that are: dust mites and their waste products. Dust mites aren't usually toxic, but their waste gets into the nose and eyes and causes chemical reactions. The body generates histamines and other immune system products, leading to the running nose and the itchy eyes.

Vacuuming at least twice per week with a good machine that has a HEPA filter and allergy-free bag or container is a good start. Keeping the dust level low keeps the dust mite population under control. Clean any add-on, removable filters at least once per month. Replace units at least once every three months or according to directions.

As dust rises through the air and moves through beams of sunlight one can judge how thick it is. Anything that is more than a few dozen particles calls for a unit that can remove them from the air electro-statically. Keep their use to moderate levels, however, since they generate ozone that can irritate lungs in too high concentration.

If the bedroom has hardwood or linoleum or stone floors rather than carpet, the job is that much easier. Follow up a vacuuming with a wipe down that contains compounds safe for you. That will vary with the specific type of allergen to which an individual is sensitive.

Bedding is another area of concentration. Since the face is often close to and/or on the sheets and comforter the possibility of picking up allergens is ever present. Dust mite waste is one source. They feed on dead skin cells we shed. Using removable pillow covers will help reduce the build up and exposure.

Some blankets or sheets are coated with allergen-destroying compounds. Look for those. But also keep a 'nose' out for any synthetic treatments that produce a skin rash or itchy eyes. It's unusual but not unknown for cotton sheet treatments to carry a compound to which a certain percentage are sensitive.

Curtains or drapes or blinds are another place to look for sources of allergens. Dust is present here too, as are any other airborne materials that can cause a reaction. Cigarette or cigar smoke easily finds its way onto these surfaces.

Compounds in the smoke readily stick to the curtains or blinds where they can come into close proximity to your nose and eyes. When you touch them, those compounds can be transferred to the skin. Even if your skin isn't sensitive, those chemicals or biological substances can make their way to the eyes, nose or mouth through later contact.

Clean them with a wet sponge, but make sure they dry fairly rapidly. A wet curtain, like a towel that is left in the hamper, can provide a medium for mold. Wash in the washer with hot water, at least 130F/54C to make sure all the spores are killed. Then dry at high heat.

For an extra level of protection, go over surfaces with a mild bleach solution (1 cup bleach, 1 gallon water), to keep them free of organisms that can cause problems.

Adding jazz to your kitchen with the right accessories

Just like a nice outfit, your kitchen can benefit from accessories! If you are thinking about redecorating but don’t have a lot of dough to put into your kitchen, try simply adding some accessories in a matching theme or color and see how it transforms the room!

Now before you rush out to the store, you should probably decide what sort of theme you are going for. Do you want the look of old Italy? How about a cottage theme? Why not try a country style kitchen? You will want to buy different accessories depending on the theme you choose.

If you can’t quite put your finger on exactly what you want, look in magazines and decorating books or surf the internet to get a flavor of the accessories you would like to see in your kitchen. Once you have found a style you like, you can purchase accessories close to those you see in the magazine or book. Color choices, of course, should compliment the main color in the room.

Sometimes, you can just rearrange the accessories you already have to create a whole different look. It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers rather than even numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive.

Hanging artwork or decorative plates, trays or other wall art in your kitchen can really add to the ambiance, but did you know that most people do not know how to hang wall décor properly? The rule of thumb is that a picture of piece of wall decor should be hung so that the middle of the piece is at eye level. Art work should be placed no more than seven to ten inches above a table. Grouping wall decor in geometric shapes such as rectangles, triangles or circles adds interest.

Baker’s racks or open cupboards are too cluttered in most kitchens. If you are using it to store cookbooks, vary the heights of books with the tallest in the middle and avoid putting small books next to tall books. Removing the dust covers can often make the books look more appealing. You can also decorate the shelves with candles, family pictures, fancy bowls, baskets or pantry boxes in odd number groupings of 1, 3 or 5 pieces. Place a plant on the top shelf for balance.

Certain accessories can give your kitchen a gourmet feel. Hanging copper pots and pans from a wire rack attached to the ceiling can add warmth and color. Don't be afraid to hang plants from any bare ceiling corner to give a lived in feeling to a plain kitchen. Growing herbs in a decorative container on the windowsill can be a great way to add interest and improve your cooking. Accessorize your counter tops with canisters or cooking utensils. A large bowl of fruit on the kitchen table can be fresh or artificial.

Once you have decided on the look you want, don’t feel like you have to run out and buy everything that day. Take your time and shop around for those perfect pieces. Try antique stores, consignment shops or flea markets for ideas. Accessories can make or break the look of your kitchen so be creative and trust your instincts!

Selecting the right mattress - The size guide

The standard mattress width and length dimensions are given in the table below:

Standard Mattress Dimensions

Name - Width - Length
Twin - 38 inches - 75 inches
Full - 54 inches - 75 inches
Queen - 60 inches - 80 inches
King - 76 inches - 80 inches

When choosing a mattress anyone will, naturally, consider the space they have available or want to fill. But some aspects of choosing a mattress size go beyond that utilitarian guideline.

Buyers will want to keep in mind, for example, that a certain amount of extra length and width is required for a comfortable sleep. That's obvious common sense, but it's often neglected when making a purchase.

One of the common complaints or requests of couples, for example, is that a mattress should not collapse or dip much in the middle of two sleepers. That causes them to tend to roll together. A pleasant effect part time, it's not desired all the time.

Coil strength and number are only part of the solution to that goal. It's essential that the mattress simply be wide enough to provide a large enough space for that goal to be met. A set of coils, no matter how high quality, can only do so much when there are only so many of them to support you.

The aspect of length brings in new considerations. No one will be comfortable having their feet extend beyond the end of the bed. That's obvious. But even when the bed is just long enough, it's not really long enough, not for full comfort. In order to allow for movement in the night an extra foot of length is required.

That same foot, or more, may be needed to accommodate the need for good heel or ankle support. Depending on the design a mattress may provide more or less support at the edge. Some have a steel wire wrapped in foam around the perimeter to keep the edge from collapsing when sitting on the mattress.

That same wire plays a part in keeping the feet and lower leg well-supported when they're near the edge. The longer the mattress the less the edge plays a role.

Cost is a factor, too, not surprisingly. Even apart from the fact that larger mattresses are more expensive, they require larger sheets, comforter and bedspread. All those are more costly and they have to be replaced much more frequently than the mattress.

Cost or effort of maintenance can be a factor, as well. When a larger mattress needs to be cleaned there is more of it to clean. That takes longer or costs more. Moving a larger mattress - whether for relocation, remodeling or just vacuuming - is, clearly, more difficult. That effort is only occasional under normal circumstances, but it's a factor to be weighed.

At the end of the day, selection is a personal choice. Individual circumstances will determine for each person whether large or small is best for him or her. Keeping in mind some of these guidelines will help inform that choice.

Getting organized at your dining space

An organized dining room adds extra comfort to a home. If you’re like me, sometimes it’s the only organized room in the house! Let’s take a quick look around. Do you eat in here often or is it only for guests? If you don’t use it often, you may just have some simple organizing and dusting to do.

1. Are there papers on your table? Is this table a collection spot for things you want out of your way and then forget about? If so, take the bite out of the Law of Flat Surfaces! Use the “laundry basket” method we talked about in the family room here: if there are things that don’t belong in this room, put them in baskets and take those baskets to the appropriate rooms.

2. Do you have a china cabinet or other means of storing fine dishes? If so, how does the cabinet look? If it’s stuffed to the gills, start by taking a hard look at what you have, how many place settings you have, and how many you need. If you want a guideline, take one from the line in “Sleepless in Seattle”: “12 is too many, 8 is too few. 10 is just right.” How many creamers, sugar bowls, and teacups do you have? Are they collecting dust and never getting used? Pare down and give them a quick dusting with your duster. When you open the doors to your cabinet, do you grit your teeth and wonder what’s going to jump out and kill itself at your feet? Consider giving your surplus to a newly-married couple that can use it, or donate it to a women’s shelter or other worthy charity. Dust down (or use furniture polish — whatever is applicable here) the front of your cabinet.

3. What about your lighting source? Dusty? Grab your duster—hit the table, the chairs (rungs and bottom of the table, too!), and the lighting source. You don’t have to take it down and scrub it clean—just dust it, and if necessary, shake the dead bugs from it.

4. As the final step, run the vacuum in here—not the edges, just the “middles” where you walk. Move the chairs but not the table—don’t even think about pulling out the china cabinet! If there are things behind there, they’re small and no one else is going to see them.

Congratulations—your dining room is done! Happily, it’s often one of the easiest rooms to keep looking nice and neat!