Fiberglass Door Maintenance

Fiberglass Door

Although fiberglass doors are impervious to extreme weather conditions and to various chemical, waters, and other factors that may wear away your door, they still need to be given maintenance every now and then, to keep the door in fine working and looking order.

So what are the main benefactors of a fiber based door starting to break down over time? Well firstly, fiberglass doors will scratch and chip by accidental hitting or scraping certain objects firmly against the doors surface. These types of doors can also be damaged by the sun constantly baking against it, which will cause the surface of the door to begin to peel back.

It isn't too difficult of a fix, in fact, when you buy a fiberglass door they usually provide you with a fix-it yourself kit to keep your door in proper order, or you can buy a kit at a local hardware store. These are mainly for minor injuries. For major injuries, I would suggest hiring a specialist to make the repairs, but with such a strong durability length, most stores provide customers with 25 year or lifetime warranties when you buy a fiber glass based door.

If you do wish to repaint the door and to make it look more beautiful and new, it is highly important you clean off any particles or dust that may already be on the door. This should be done with a special fiber glass cleaner you can find at any hardware store. In conclusion, always refer to your doors user manual when it comes time to make custom repairs to your fiberglass door, or make sure that you buy a door with a lifetime or 25-year or more warranty for free repairs or replacements
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Considering the Services of a Garden Designer

If you think that you are not the perfect individual to design your own garden and need some assistance then you must consider the services of a professional garden designer. They are a wise option to consider as they have all the information which is required for designing an attractive garden. They know what spots are better for shady and daylight plants, what would be the schematic designs of the garden, which stones and pebbles should be applied and specifically what type of water elements would be added for making a garden look more attractive yet fascinating.

Keeping a garden designer is beneficial in a sense of saving both time and money. It reduces efforts and woes at your part as well. The things you want to look in a garden designer are experience, work abilities and his knowledge towards all sorts of flowers and plants. He or she should pay attention to what your needs and desires are. A garden designer should be a better listener for that cause. He or she should carefully jot down what your hopes and expectations are. After hearing to what you wish, a garden designer should advice what things are positive and what is impossible to carry out.

More of the ideas which could be implemented depend on the location and site where the garden is to be made. It would start with an elaborative measurement of the area so that it could be observed of what planting could be done. The soil should be examined to figure out what shrubs will be suitable for it to sustain and what will not be. A few other things such as the water providing system and the light arrangements should be considered as well.

There could be a need of certain changes in the garden which you want to design. The soil might not work out for some of the plants, the drainage system might not be as efficient, and there might be some issues with the length and the height of the plants also. These problems can happen once or twice a year. Make a note of all these things and make sure the garden designer you hire knows all these points as well.

A garden designer should help you with all the information of plants and flowers. This is the field he or she should be an expert because it is going to save you plenty of time and hardship. Your garden designer should tell you what flowers, pebbles or water themes would work out best with the location and lighting scheme.

You also need to make sure that the person you hire for the garden work has enough idea about places where gardening elements and tools are available at cheap or reasonable rates as it would save you cost sharing in buying any expensive material.

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Simple Tips For Designing a Rock Garden

Rock gardens are characterized by ultimate beauty and sense of pleasure and sophistication. They are the most amazing thing to observe. We have plenty of things which we overlook in nature made out of stones and rocks. It would be creative enough to have a combination of both of them in your own backyard garden. You need to consider a mindset for the design and the elements through which you could carry out your rock garden. It needs to be taken care that you read plenty of books or visit particular websites in order to understand the whole phenomenon for rock gardening.

You need to make sure whatever plan you come up with is valid and sure. Once you start working on it, evenness and distribution wouldn't matter either. It is going to give your garden a fake look. Go for some textures and shapes instead of keeping it plain, and remember, redesigning a rock garden is not an easy task. It takes a lot of effort and time consumption to put the structures of the stone together. It is also followed that the gardeners who keep a rock garden, hardly make any changes to it that is because the design should be kept the same for as many years as possible.

You can design your rock garden by following simple steps. First, determine the location and the site where you want it to be placed. Try a natural slope and direction where it should be exposed to the maximum light intensity. Secondly, decide what plants and shrubs you want to include in it. Think convenient. Plant those flowers and herbs which you know are available all time of the year and which would bloom and flourish giving your garden a refreshing look.

Go for the rock theme you want to put in your garden next. Decide separate places for various kinds of planting. If you love plants which need loads of sunlight, for instance, you would need to choose the spot where the sun shines the most or if you like shady grasses or flowers you would have to leave the lightless spots for them. It would be a good choice if you leave spot for both kinds of plants and flowers because it will be a great deal of work if you realize you want to experiment with shade loving plants after all the years you have been having the ones which require more sunlight.

You should also keep in mind about what paths and ways you want in your rock garden. They should be made at the very first spot instead of keeping them the last thing to be done after you have decided all the elements of the garden. You can also select small river rocks and pebbles to add up to the garden bed.

You can make your rock garden as much happening as you want. Add water components, woodwork, or any elegant furniture if you like. This would provide you with a handsome space for a better look for your house
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Bathroom Towel Storage Options Series Part Three-Open Shelves

Welcome back to my Bathroom Towel Storage Option Series! This time we will look at various options for storing towels on open shelves in a bathroom.  Enjoy the very diverse designs shown in the photos below.  Blessings.  …susan

Source: Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden

^The built-in shelves seen in the photo above serves many functions including a shelf for a television, audio controls, books, towel storage, and toiletries. I like how they used different colors of towels to enhance the shelves. I am not sure how functional and safe it is to have a lamp on the vanity counter. I do like the wall mount of the faucet instead of it being mounted on the vanity counter.

Source: Timber Homes Illustrated

^I am assuming on the opposite end of the vanity which is not seen is the same medicine cabinet with open shelf for towels as shown above. This will provide a generous amount of space for towel storage. Note on the left side of the photo is the bath tub and there is a basket with wash cloths.

 

Source: The Bathroom Idea Book by Andrew Wormer

^I like the thickness of the glass shelves shown above though I tend to shy away from glass shelves due to the fact the dust they collect is usually quite noticeable.

^Source Unknown-if you know the source and contact me I will note it.

I like these cubby holes created in the stone. Also not the side wall above the vanity is on an angle.  I like the long hardware handles used on the cabinets.

Source: The Bathroom Idea Book by Andrew Wormer

^An interesting design using an aquarium instead of a fireplace. Note there are more towels in the chest on the shelf above the aquarium which I assume are the wash cloths and hand towels.

 

Source: Bathrooms by Chris Casson Madden

^The glass shelves filled with floral printed towels shown above is a bit too busy for my taste though it offers another option for bathroom towel storage.

Source:  Bathrooms by House Beautiful

^An interesting and different kind of bathroom design that on first look appeared to me to be a his and her side with the towels and seated area dividing the two sides. Upon further inspection the wall behind the seated make-up area is a mirror. Note how the drawers are on an upward diagonal. Those look like some powerful lights mounted on the mirror above the make-up table.

A Closer Look at Wireless Home Alarm Systems

Home Alarm

Many people keep their families and homes safe and secure with a home alarm system. This can add protection whether there is someone home or not. With today. 's technology it is possible to have a wireless home alarm installed. These systems not only provide security, they do it with very little visible signs of the presence of an alarm.

One way of securing the home is by installing and using a combination of devices. The use of a motion sensor lights is just one of the variations of home security. Other helpful devices are offered in many home improvement stores and can be found on the World Wide Web.

Motion sensor cameras make it possible to actually see what is happening in a home or office without being there. These cameras are turned on by movement and records for a certain amount of time, depending on what the owner wants. The images can be displayed on computers and phones, which allow the owner of the dwelling to see what is happening.

By using a couple or more of these security devices, the home owner can be alerted as soon as the alarms are set off. There is software that can be used that allows the camera to notify the person by cell phone or computer if the device has been triggered. The homeowner can see the images just a couple of seconds after the camera has been turned on.

There are a few high quality services and systems that can be found on the World Wide Web. Many of them offer specials on devices and installation. Before committing to one company in particular, it is important to do a little research on the systems being offered. They vary in cost, and some are very pricey.

Although getting the alarm system and using a service can be quite pricey, it may protect families in the long run. It is worth the extra cash to have the wireless system installed by the company's technicians. This will guarantee that the system will work when it is needed.

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How to Prep For Interior Painting

Interior Paints: Most paint jobs that are done indoors are done with latex-based paints. You can get latex paints in a ton of different colors and it is easy to clean up by just using water. If you have rooms that don't get used a lot the best paint for you would be flat or low-gloss. For the rooms that are used mor often such as your children's bedrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and pantries you should look at paint with a glossier finish. Paints with a glossier finish can handle more wear and tear as well as more cleaning.

Floorboards and trims usually get dirty from hand prints and smudges than the walls so it would be beneficial to use glossy paints here, as well as the fact that it can be a good contrast to flat painted walls. You should use an oil-based paint for rooms that get a lot of traffic and humidity like bathrooms. If you need a really tough paint choose an oil-based paint that has a high-gloss enamel finish.

Paint Usage: If you are only doing one coat, one gallon of paint will cover 400 square feet. It will change a little bit based on the quality of the surface, the color of paint, and how thick you make the coats. If you hire a professional, they will use the right amount of paint needed, where a home owner will usually use too much paint. Your gallon will last longer if you do two thin coats opposed to one thick coat, and your walls will look better too.

Interior Wall Surfaces: Wall surfaces vary a lot. In most modern houses and remodels you will find the walls are finished with textured drywall's. The textured look will give the effect of bumps or ripples. A lot of modern homes will also use smooth drywall which almost looks like glass. Many older homes have plaster on their walls which looks like putty has been trawled on a lath. In commercial buildings the lath will be metal, on wallboard's it will by gypsum lath, and in pre-1930 homes, the lath will be wooden strips. The finished product will look a lot like the drywall you find in modern homes however the plaster is much more brittle and hard.

Preparing for the Painter: You will need to move anything that could get in the way of where the painter needs to go. You should cover your furniture with drop cloths and move them away from the walls to protect it. You will want to make sure that your baseboards and corners are clean. Usually the painters will take the time to cover the floor and tape anything that needs to be protected.

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The Right Paint Colors For Your Home

With the housing market the way it is, you will want to do everything you can to sell your home quickly and at the right price. A lot of things can help you sell your home this way including curb appeal, setting it at the right price, and painting. Most people may not think of the painting as something that will factor into the home sale, but it definitely is. Right before you put your home on the market you should paint at least one room. Buyers will come in your home and smell the fresh paint and know that the house is up to date and that you take care of the house. You should paint a lot of different things in your home. This article will help you know what you should be painting as well as the right colors for each room.

Some of the most important things to paint are on the outside of your home. The door, garage and outside walls all can use a fresh paint to bring the curb appeal up. Neutral colors are usually best on the outside, but clever painters can work of their scenery and do great things.

In fact, neutral colors are best for the rest of your house as well. As much as you may love the yellow walls in your kitchen, a buyer may not. Buyers tend to like white or something close to it. The two rooms that you need to focus on the most is the bathroom and the kitchen. These are the two rooms that buyers tend to look at when they want to see if the home is up to date. In the kitchen, the cabinets are a big part of it. Cabinets that are not too crazy in the color scheme is definitely best. Although buyers tend to go toward white cabinets, any type of brown also works well. It is up to you if you want to change you cabinets, and even light fixtures to enhance all the color in the room.

For bathrooms, you do not want to use more than two colors in the whole scheme. This not only includes the walls, but the tiles and water fixtures as well. Most bathrooms still have the white sink, bath, and shower. This is perfect because the white plus one color scheme works for almost any bathroom. People will tend to look at the bathroom and if there are a lot of non-neutral colors in there, then it can make someone not want your whole house because the bathroom does not appeal to them. Do not let this happen and keep to the two color scheme.

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Home Improvement With Minimalist Style

If you're trying to find just the right look for a small space, try home improvements with the minimalist look in mind where the focus is on less over more. Minimalist style is a simplistic style where you basically have only a few pieces of accents without a lot of color.

Now minimalism doesn't mean boring. On the contrary, it can be very much the modern way to go or it can be retro.

Born out of the post World War II Minimalist Movement in some other art forms, the minimalist style is for those who are said to see their homes as they would see an oasis of order amidst a world of chaos and clutter. However, note that Minimalist decorating is not basics, stripped down. It just means that there will be a purpose for each item you choose.

And with Minimalist home improvements, there will be an overall good feel in the area with orderliness, clean cut lines, order, no waste needless frivolous adornments.

This means:

- No powerful bursts of color.
- Wall colors are generally white based cool greens, teals and coral.
- Space-making effect with light on smooth white walls.
- Absence of textured relief.
- Architectural features are visible
- Objects used in decoration will be the central focus.

Most minimalist fabrics are sleek, smooth and soft to the touch. Forget about fabric window treatments or windows trimmed out. Preferred are 90 degree plastered corner beads and wood flooring is butt joined plank, flawlessly smooth and shiny.

Base moldings are linear, used for the function of covering the wall to floor gap, not for the purpose of being noticed for its profile design. Kitchen cabinetry is lacquered to a super high shine and topped with polished granite.

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Concept of Modern Furniture Design

MODERN BEDROOM FURNITURE

Modern furniture design recognizes the role of furniture as being more than just tools for specific use. Traditional design heavily depended on the cultural and technological orientation of the users. The more sophisticated a person is, the more sophisticated were his appliances. The social and economic class also determined the perception of various models and stereotypes for home fittings, fixtures and accessories.

In more advanced societies, the home furnishings defined the status of the owner. The royalties for example had special furnishings made by specific carpenters. In fact, in some communities, it was against law to own the same type of appliances as the king. Religion also determined the design concepts and requirements for chair, table, sofa, stool, bed etc. All movables like desk, bookshelf, wardrobe, sideboard used in religious rites such as church worship in the Buddha temple was specially designed.

Therefore, unlike traditional design that was determined by the social orientation, the contemporary designs are more personalized, sophisticated and need oriented. There is no more restriction on what an individual may desire in his home appliances.

Personal space is a major consideration when designing modern day household items. Perspective is created by the shapes and color scheme. The texture is also manipulated to achieve aesthetically pleasing design. In a workplace, furniture designs have continued to evolve from a closed workstation to a more open and shared workstations.

Technological advances have also forced a change in modern fabrication of home appliances. Remember the introduction of network cable and the resultant tables that provided the space for cabling? Now with the wireless internet and intranet technologies, the design of modern home accessories had to drop off some of the unnecessary parts. Then shrinking computers have also meant that we no longer need large desks that held the big desktops. Technology is indeed forcing a rapid change in modern office furniture designs.

Contemporary design concepts continue to be inspired by some traditional designs. The Indian and Italian furnishings are examples of traditional furniture that have inspired modern designers.

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Interior Decorating Your Bedroom Can Be Fun

The bedroom is the most personal space in your house. Have you done it up in a way that makes it calming and relaxing where you love to spend time? Or is it just a place where you sleep at night with a bed and a few pillows thrown in? If it is, then it's time to change. Whatever your budget might be, you can turn your bedroom into a romantic love nest to spend time with your special someone, or a place where you can retreat to with a book for some 'me' time.

Doing the interior decoration of your bedroom can be fun and fulfilling. Create a space where you can recharge your batteries after a stressful day at work. Personalize it the way you want instead of bothering with what people will think of it.

Girl's Bedroom Design Ideas - Suitable Color Combinations Are a Must,

Girl's bedroom design ideas consist of a lot of options but just a splash of color here and there will not make it work. Most girls love color but that has to be presented in a suitable quantity for it to work. The first most important thing for a girl's bedroom design is to choose a theme.

Once you choose a theme, you get the idea of how to decorate the rest of the room. In this article, we shall discuss a few of these themes and how they can be accommodated in a girl's bedroom design idea.

The waves of the ocean are a good theme for a girl's bedroom. Now this is something that does not only consist of water but also different aquatic plants and animals. This can be very colorful and done in a very nice way so that if you love blue or have a fetish for the sea, you are bound to love this.

Ocean theme also includes the beach which in contrast to the blue will be sunny and sandy. The yellow floor, the watery blue walls and the blue sky ceiling form a good combination.

Starlight is another theme which is a favorite among girls. This theme can also be used for boy's bedroom design ideas. This is a relatively easy theme to do because there are a lot of wallpapers and fabrics that can help you with this. If you decide to do it yourself, you can do that also.

You can create your own star patterns and color them likewise. Professional can also be hired but you can do it at home with the help of sponges and rubber stamps. Furniture can be decorated accordingly and you can have a star shaped rug to complete the picture.

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Choosing Good Bedroom Design

The bedroom is a room that is very important for every person. Bedroom design is very important for you. Sometimes many people do not like the state of their bedroom because they do not have the appropriate theme so uncomfortable to look at and occupied.

Most of the buyers bedroom furniture, want the best quality furniture with the shape and color they like but they forget if it was in accordance with their bedroom or not. This is futile because they will spend a lot of money but do not get comfortable in his bedroom.

Then there are a few things to note. The first is the theme of your bedroom. Determine your bedroom theme, whether it is minimalist or contemporary. This will be a material consideration for the purchase of your bedroom furniture. Everyone has a favorite theme different to their bedroom. But sometimes they are difficult to realize in a bedroom.

When buying furniture for the bedroom, look at shapes, colors, lines and areas on the furniture. Then consider if appropriate to your bedroom. If the theme of your bedroom is minimalist, so choose furniture that does not have many textures with minimalist colors, like white, gray, or pink. But it must be remembered, not all colors can be used to minimalist bedroom. The selection of minimalist color will make your bedroom will feel like uncomfortable. Choose a soft color. In addition there are other forms of minimalist furniture that can be selected for your room. Form of minimalist furniture and furnishings are very simple and straight. In general, avoid carving minimalist design and forms a complex. This minimalism is the antithesis of classical and contemporary themes.

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Bedroom Paint Color Schemes and Design Ideas

Bedroom paint color schemes can help you redo your entire home. Often the bedroom is one of the last rooms to be decorated in a home simply because it's not open to the rest of the house. In typical fashion you might be putting yourself last even though it's your room. Use paint to transform your space on a budget.

You might want to go for a bolder master bedroom paint to make a big impact or add intimacy to a large space. You can make your room modern by going with a contemporary black or deep charcoal color. Paint one wall in a deep color to be the focal point of the space. If you have a low platform bed then paint the wall behind it darker to give the allusion of height and add importance to the room. The rest of the walls should be neutral and you may find that you want to add extra lighting to keep the room from becoming depressing.

You can still use black paint colors for bedrooms even if you aren't feeling daring. Start out with taupe walls; you can even use subtle damask wallpaper for a touch of elegance. Then paint your furniture black. This will give importance to a traditional four poster bed and lend a contemporary air. Make the room sparkle with crystal chandeliers and lamps to give your room a look of a fancy hotel suite.

You'll want to choose tones that are relaxing to create a space that you can actually sleep in such as pale green bedroom paint. Shades of gray, lavender and blue can also create a calming atmosphere. You might want to go for a monochromatic color scheme so that you don't break up the space. You can use different tones of the same color on moldings, doors and the walls. You can even keep the furniture in the same color family. Even if you are going for neutral ivories and browns the space will still be interesting because of the different textures and shades.

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Japanese Bedroom Design

Japanese culture has always been a source of great curiosity and awe due to the serenity it evokes as a result of its simplicity and minimalism. Due to the stressfulness at the office, more and more homeowners have chosen to emulate the tranquility of Japanese bedroom design. Being in a Japanese inspired bedroom provides quietude and calmness, away from the bustle of the modern world.


In designing a Japanese-themed bedroom, one has to consider the salient aspects vital in Japanese design. Japanese bedrooms are marked by simplicity and minimalism for a pared-down look. Careful thought is put into Japanese bedroom designs. Each piece is carefully considered, not only for aestheticism, but, more importantly, for function. Moreover, furniture placing and type symbolize the Zen philosophy that the Japanese believe in.

Use of natural materials and natural light also defines Japanese style. Natural materials such as stones and wood are used for a low-key look that is equally appealing to the senses. Since natural light would be the main source of illumination, lighting fixtures are either concealed or recessed or are altogether minimized. The use of muted colors, such as greens and grays, are also helpful in minimizing visual "noise" and business, a vital aspect of achieving serenity and tranquility.

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Holiday Decorating with Antique Grainsacks of Interior House

Everyone who regularly reads Willow Decor knows my love (obsession?!) with antique grainsacks. So can you imagine how excited I was when textile artist, Kym Fraser, of 3 Fine Grains sent me photos of her new Antique Grainsack Holiday Collection.
Kym transforms authentic antique German grainsacks, hessian and french jute into gorgeous pillows and throws, but what to do with the small scraps of the precious material that is left over? Well Kym has designed these extra pieces of history into the most wonderful Christmas ornaments and stockings.
Above is her Christmas star made out of French Hessian with real antique glass buttons.
Another star fabricated from a striped German grainsack.

One of my favorite designs is the Dove. This lovely little gem is made from 100 year old antique linen and an antique glass button eye.
Hanging in front of the Dove is an antique button over an antique spoon ornament.
Here's another one for that special mother in your life - (I hope my children are reading this!) Plain small hearts and large hearts are also available, as well as partridges. Kym's ornaments range from $10 to $15.
My other favorite items in Kym's Holiday Collection are her antique hessian and French jute stockings.

They come with a ruffled or striped cuff made from 100 year old antique linen. The striped stocking is $65 and the Ruffled $75. Surely Santa would appreciate these beauties and pack them full of goodies!!

Finally, an antique German grainsack finds new life as Christmas tree. Contact Kym directly for more information on this one of kind item. Notice that Kym also used jute upholstery webbing as garland for her tree. You can learn more about using jute upholstery webbing in home decor in my post here. Now here is the exciting part; contact Kym between now and December 6 and mention Willow Decor in comment line and you will receive 10% off your purchase. If you are interested in any of these items please contact 3 Fine Grains. Happy decorating!!!

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To see more of Kym's designs visit Trouvais.