Marble and granite are becoming clear choices for fireplace surrounds for many homeowners. There are a great many ways that natural stone can be used to make a fireplace a central feature of the room. Retrofitting a brick faced fireplace can add class and elegance to an otherwise dull situation.

As fireplaces have evolved through recent history, so have the ways that homeowners choose to present them. No longer is a fireplace just for burning wood and providing heat for the family. Modern homes often have gas logs or fireboxes that burn other types of fuel. Much of the mess that was once a part of the fireplace is no longer relevant, and people want to make their fireplaces attractive focal points.

There are two basic options in installing a stone surround in the home. If the fireplace already exists, the usual action is to use individual tiles to cover whatever material is on the face. If it is new construction, the builder can order a surround to be placed around the opening. Either installation will produce a great finish to any fireplace.

Pre-Manufactured Surround

One of the attractions of the pre-manufactured units is how quickly they can be installed. A special order can generally be shipped in a couple of weeks. These usually have a hearth, the front facing, and a mantel inclusively so that the pieces are put together in sections and attached in a very short time.

These kinds of surrounds are good for fireplaces in framed walls where there is no brick or other facing that projects from the front. Additionally, they work better for fireplaces that sit on the floor rather than those with raised hearths. Dimensions are given to the manufacturer when the order is placed so that the surround needs no alterations when it arrives. What makes this an attractive choice is the wide variety of designs and colors available.

There is almost no end to the different decor designs that you can create with these surrounds, whether you want oriental, Grecian, French provincial, early American or something else. Beauty does come with a price, and pre-built units can run into several thousands of dollars depending on how ornate and complicated they are.

Built in Place

For those people who have traditionally built fireplaces, contracting with a tile company to reface an existing fireplace is often the more logical solution. It is still possible to incorporate sculpted pilasters and designs into the hand laid stones, and in some ways, there are more options available when creating a surround.

Stones can be set in a very straightforward fashion where each is the same size and the sides and corners align with each other. In a more creative design, stones may be in varying sizes and medallions can be placed in strategic areas. The stones can be lain diagonally instead of horizontally, too.

For those who still like the traditional wooden mantel, it looks great with the natural stone. Some homeowners choose to mix the type stones that are used, preferring the harder granite on the hearth and marble on the vertical areas. Travertine and slate are other choices commonly selected.

Smooth faced stone is chosen most often in formal style arrangements. It looks clean and presents true wall art for the fireplace. The coarse or rough stone is not used as much as once was the case, but it makes for an excellent accompaniment in a lodge or cabin setting.

Create Your Own

If you decide to have your fireplace transformed into a work of art, it is highly recommended that you have a complete plan before work commences. There are so many variations of style and color, and decisions must be made prior to ordering material.

You may ask your friends for suggestions before you meet with your contractor, and it is always good to learn the contractor’s thoughts regarding the possibilities. Discuss all the options including how large to make the surround. You may just want a highlight area, or opt for an entire wall of natural stone.

It is always a good idea to see other fireplaces that have been done similarly to the way you want yours finished. Many contractors have a portfolio of other work so you can make decisions based on work in place.

There’s no denying that your new television looks great hanging from wall brackets in your living room. Wall-mounted televisions are very much in vogue because of the way they instantly transform any home into a model of contemporary style, and the effect in your abode is no exception. You clearly made the right decision in choosing a TV mount over a stand.

But if there’s one thing to be said against flat screen mounts, it’s that they don’t come with any place to put electronic components. That means you could be left with no convenient means of storing your Xbox 360 or DVD player close enough to the TV that the cables can reach. An easy solution to this problem is to install shelves below the television.

If you are comfortable tackling DIY projects, then building your own shelving unit can save you lots of money when compared to commercially built products. Shelving units under flat screen mounts can be as basic or as intricate as you desire, allowing you to easily match the project to your skill level. The following instructions are intended to help beginners install two simple storage shelves underneath a wall-mounted TV.

Required tools and materials

Two planks of your favorite wood (Note: The length of the planks will be determined by the size of your television. You can make the shelves exactly the same length as your TV, or approximately 3 to 5 inches shorter on each end. The width/depth should be at least 10 inches for easy storage of electronic equipment.)

• Electric drill
• Screwdriver
• Wood screws
• Level
• Tape measure
• Single- or twin-track shelf standard and brackets (Twin-track is commonly used for heavy-duty support.)
• Pencil
• Stud sensor

1. Find the anchor stud(s).Use the stud sensor to locate the stud(s) that will hold the shelving standard in place. In most cases, a single-track standard will be affixed to the same stud as the wall brackets of your TV mount. For a double track-standard, you will want to use the studs to the left and right of the one holding up the television. Mark the stud(s) with the pencil.

2. Determine the installation height for the top shelf.It’s very important to get a good measurement here. If you install the shelf too close to the bottom of your television, then you won’t have enough space for your electronics. If you leave too much of a gap between the shelf and the TV wall brackets, then the entire unit might look a bit odd or out of balance. Use the tape measure and pencil for this step, and be sure to make accommodations for how high your electronics are and how thick your wood planks are. Be aware, too, that tilting flat screen mounts allow the television to angle forward about 15 or 20 degrees, which could affect your measurements.

3. Install the shelf standard(s) and brackets. With your electric drill, secure the top of the single- or double-track shelf standards at the spots identified in the previous step. Before fully tightening each screw, be sure to verify the vertical straightness of the standard with your level. Once the standards are in place, hook the shelf brackets in the desired locations. A double-track shelf standard will also need to be checked for horizontal straightness from bracket to bracket.

4. Install the shelves. Use the screwdriver and wood screws to affix each wood plank onto the brackets. Check that shelves are securely in place before loading them with your electronic components.

By following the instructions for this very simple DIY project, you can create a convenient and attractive storage area directly under your wall-mounted television for less than $100. Having shelves nearby makes flat screen mounts every bit as practical for your home entertainment needs as a full-sized TV stand, so start building yours today.

Although some interior walls provide smooth services to make any painting job easy, rendered walls come with a stucco layer over the underlying wood surface or brick. While a lot of homeowners prefer not to paint their newly rendered walls, applying a color coat will be helpful in protecting the surface and offer a good finished look. Here are the steps in painting newly rendered walls.

Let your Newly Rendered Walls Get Cured

A lot of builders suggest that new stucco needs around 90 days to get the damp rendering get cured. When you paint early, it is likely that this will result in the paint being peeled or blustered.

Wash the Walls

Using a cellulose sponge and warm water with dishwashing detergent, you can wash your walls. While newly rendered walls can look clean, your paint can adhere correctly through invisible fingerprints. The soap residue must be rinsed from your walls using clean water. Allow your walls to get dry for 24 hours. In order to eliminate dust, lint and cobwebs, you can use a tack cloth. Pat the cloth gently over your walls’ surface. Do not rub or scrub the stucco finish.

Put Painter’s Tape on Areas that Surround the Stucco Walls

These areas can include adjoining walls, ceiling, trim and doorways. Place drop cloth or plastic sheet over the furniture and floors so that you can protect these from paint damage.

Apply A Coat of Primer to the Walls

Choose a primer formulated to be used for stucco finishes. Brush it around the doors, windows and other objects. You can make use of a paint roller that has an 11/2 inches of nap thickness. The primer must be spread over the walls using the roller, in a horizontal zigzag which will be followed by a vertical zigzag making sure that it covers the whole wall surface. Allow the primer to dry for some time based on what is recommended on its label.

Apply the Color Coat over the Primer

While semi-gloss r satin finishes offer easy clean up and care, too much sheen is likely to make the textured wall overwhelm the room. You can use a flat paint so that the thick texture and your wall’s pattern will be enhanced. Brush the color against your walls’ edges and openings, making borders that have 4 to 6 inches of width. The outer should be overlapped 2 to 3 inches of the boarder you brushed using your paint roller so that you can come up with a nice seal. Let the first coat dry and apply the second coat.

The days have disappeared when shop vendors could easily pile their merchandise the way they desired. When you know how to carefully know your market and work your way through selling your products in a way which will catch your shopper’s attention, you can then anticipate that your business will expand.

As clients effortlessly become knowledgeable when we chat about choosing their purchases, most processes have become sophisticated even before we know it. This idea of drawing shoppers is very easily achieved once you understand how to campaign and display the goods that you are selling to customers. Fixture racks in general are the key racks that stock the merchandise. Producers have developed different ways of marketing goods. This is through the usage of slat wall fixtures that aid in adding up product awareness when customers visit your shop.

Reviewing on how to campaign your merchandise should not be as hard as it looks. You should be able to recognise the simple techniques in ensuring you highlight your merchandise and other products in your business. Occupying space in a retail floor area generally means additional budget to the producers. Place Management is the solution to this concern. Suitable and organized area planning should diminish other redundant budget. Ensure that aspects of your fixtures are cautiously calculated for. You don’t want to be putting any oversized slat wall display stands as permanent furnishings in a tiny space. Because your merchandise can become small when placed stuck between large stands or your large slat wall racks might look very obtrusive when pushed stuck in between regular fixture units.

Because slatwall display stands are normally set in very limited areas, the goods which are displayed should fit correctly. Make certain that you calculate the weight that you will be arranging on your slatwall stands. A rack can just have a minimum of weight in a particular period. If your merchandise are frail or heavy, just make certain that your retail slat wall display merchandise are durable enough to hold them. With careful space planning, you can calculate the number of goods that can be set in one rack

If the goods to be promoted are not generally available always in season, the slatwall rack need to just be temporary hence you will find displays that will easily be moved right then and there. However, for long lasting retail racks, the furnishings should be sturdy enough to place all products for a while. Knowing these areas can assist you to select what slatwall fixture to setup. Your merchandise do not have to be set up normal gondolas any more. You may look for tactics to reinvent them with the help of good slatwall racks that shall assist to market your products.

Slatwall displays are effective and good display stands for your products that is why you have to keep your shoppers engaged in the products you promote. Each buyer bears a mind of themselves and they usually get interested in racks which are stunning. So it is the chief tactic for every retailer to make their buyers interested with their products. Slatwall displays can really promote your products so opt the high quality ones that are going to last for a long time.

If you love the look of a tropical fish tank as many do, but you are leery of all the maintenance required and the possibility of ending up with a pile of expensive dead fish, you should take a look at the AquaVista 500 Wall Mounted Aquarium.

Many people may look at it and think it is some kind of flat screen TV with an animated screensaver on it – it looks so perfect. These tanks are made from shatterproof polycarbonate, the front is clear as glass and you can look into the tank without any distortion. They also have state of the art control systems, so they are virtually maintenance free.

An LCD display lets you know that everything is fine in the tank – that oxygen levels are correct, the temperature is just right and the filtration system is running at optimum levels. As soon as something is wrong, it will let you know.

They are beautifully lit, making your little tiddlers look their best in the daylight and even better at night.

Not satisfied with making these excellent aquariums, the manufacturer also thought about how the aquarium would look in your room. They offer a choice of nine different colored surrounds so you can match your tank to your décor perfectly.

At around $300 these aquariums are a great deal, they take up much less space than old-fashioned aquariums on stands and there’s no having to look at an ugly old pump and yards of wires.

If you have a business, these make great focal points for waiting rooms and reception areas and many doctors and dentists are using them in their waiting rooms as an aquarium has such a calming effect.

The AquaVista 500 Wall Mounted Aquarium also makes a great gift, especially for a young person who enjoys tropical fish, or an elderly person who lives alone. Soon all those fish will have names and become a part of the family!

Keeping tropical fish is an increasingly popular pastime, and with the advent of these wonderful new aquariums, I am sure there will be increased interest in this hobby.

Once you have mounted your new AquaVista 500 aquarium securely onto the wall, there’s very little else left to do but add water, fish and sit back and relax. There is very little other assembly to do when you purchase your new wall mounted aquarium.

The AquaVista 500 Wall Mounted Aquarium weighs 77lbs when full and measures 26″ x 26″ x 4.3″ deep – so it takes up about as much room as a picture would hanging on the wall.

Voltage is 110v/60Hz within the US, it uses a T4-13W light bulb and ballast and consumes 125 watts total. The filtration system cleans 114 gallons per hour and maintenance should take less than 15 minutes a month!

It can be used for either freshwater fish or can be set up as a saltwater system if you prefer.

An AquaVista 500 wall mounted aquarium certainly beats other old-fashioned systems easily, and if the 500 is not large enough, take a look at the huge choice of larger aquariums this company has to offer.

External wall finishes in masonry can be formed as a cladding or as the actual wall. The actual wall is which is built to carry weight or as in fills within a building frame. The cladding is applied onto a wall which is erected. The chippings found from hardcore or dressed stone on site can be used to form decorative features. This can be features done on the parts below the sill level of a window. A whole wall such as an entrance facade or column can be finished with this chippings.

The rubble chippings can be sourced from soft or hard masonry. They may be fixed on plain or rendered wall surfaces. The finish can also be used on adjacent chimney back walls, dinning or lounge walls. The required backing for this work is usually a flat surface. This can be achieved by applying a render on the wall. This is worked with a wooden float. When a wall is constructed with a fair surface, then the render is not required. The surface can be brick, concrete or fair face masonry.

The rubble chippings are first soaked in water over night. The wall surfaces are ensured that they are plumb and fairly smooth. When commencing the work, a small one inch timber piece prepared. It used as a gauge with strings hanged at the top of the wall. The strings are spaced at three feet apart. This ensures as the mason lays the chippings they are in line. Mortar is mixed in the ratio of one part cement and two parts sand for building up the units.

The mortar is put on the timber piece about an inch thick. The chippings are placed one by one on the mortar. Due to there irregular shapes and sizes, lay each piece differently. One piece can be three inches long, the next eight and the following one foot long. Other pieces are roughly shaped to be two inches by one foot or ten inches round to make a contrast. This continues until the wall is complete. Ensure the excess mortar is brushed off farm each course. Vanish maybe applied on an internal feature wall.

Even before my career in wine, coffee and tea started, one of my favorite brands was Bodum. I love the innovative designs, the look, the feel and the unique “European-ness” of all of their products. They’re just plain cool and classy at the same time. I write at length (some might say ad nauseam) about form following function and its importance in crystal wine glasses, coffee makers, crystal decanters, cookware–essentially anything related to fine consumables. That’s why I was so intrigued when I discovered Bodum double wall glasses.

Borosilicate Glass vs. Traditional Glass

Borosilicate glass has been around for a long time–since the late 19th century. It was developed by a German glassmaker named Otto Schott. Normal glass is made up of quartz, sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate and is referred to as “soda-lime” glass. Borosilicate glass adds boron to the mix. The result is a glass that is strong, heat-resistant and lighter than traditional glass. Borosilicate glass is used widely in chemical laboratories (medical-grade glass) for its heat and chemical resistance. Taking these properties into account, the clever designers at Bodum developed their state-of-the art double wall glasses.

The Benefits of Double Wall Glasses

In addition to looking great on the bar or table, Bodum’s insulated glassware/cookware is very functional. You can serve both hot or cold beverages or food in it and it keeps them just so–hot or cold–longer than their non-double-walled counterparts. Another great feature is that they are break and scratch resistant and can withstand swings in temperature which can make normal glass crack or shatter. The icing on the proverbial cake is that Bodum double wall glasses are dishwasher and microwave safe. I don’t often advocate washing certain high-end glassware and crystal stemware in the dishwasher even if a company says you can. That’s probably more a testament to my frugality rather than the aesthetics of the glasses; if I shell out a significant amount of money on a fine wine glass, I’m not going to risk it shifting or knocking into something else in the machine. That said, I feel very confident saying it’s okay to put Bodum’s double wall glasses in the dishwasher. I’ve seen the glasses run through the dishwasher time and again, and they’ve not become cloudy a bit.

Types of Bodum Glasses

Bodum features a whole host of double wall glasses –pretty much a type for any beverage you want to sip. Straightforward water glasses, beer glasses, coffee mugs, espresso shot glasses, highball glasses…if it’s drinkable, you can serve it in a Bodum double wall glass.

So there you have it. If you want durable, functional and attractive drinkware or cookware, the Bodum double wall line is the way to go.

Cheers!

There is no doubt that iron is a very versatile material due to its strength and malleability. It has found many uses in construction such as cables, I-beams, and re-bars.

Aside from being a sturdy construction material, iron can be used as a decorative medium. It can, for example, be used to create wrought iron tables and chairs that adorn lawns. It can be made into iron grilles serves as a decoration and a security measure for windows. For Victorian themed homes and establishments, iron can be used to make decorative dividers.

But even if iron is a durable material, it cannot stand the onslaught of rusting. Eventually, iron will rust but the pace depends on the kind of iron.

What exactly causes rust? Rust in an oxide, a usually reddish substance that is produced when iron chemically reacts with air moisture or water. Rusting is a form of corrosion. Eventually, all the iron in a structure will turn into rust and disintegrate. Irons such as steel rust quickly; just a few days in the open and rust splotches will show. On the other hand, aluminum and stainless steel rust very slowly. This is due to the properties of its oxide, which actually forms a protective passive coating.

Since rust destroys the original beauty of a decorative item such as an iron wall plaque, it is important to get rid of rust Yes, getting the rust out is tough but easy. Here is a simple method of taking the rust off a decorative piece.

1. You would need a few rust-removing materials-a soft bristled paintbrush, a commercial rust cleaner that has oxalic acid, a small amount of water, a wire brush, an old toothbrush, and a sponge. Rust cleaner is a strong chemical thus you should wear rubber gloves and eye protection.

2. First clean the rusted piece with a paintbrush to remove surface rust and dust.

3. Mix a solution of water and commercial rust cleaner. The mixture depends on the severity of the rust if the rust is particularly severe, you will need more rust cleaner in the solution than water.

4. Dip the wire brush in the solution and start scrubbing the rust off the piece. Scrub the piece in a circular motion. It really doesn’t matter where you should start, but be sure to cover the entire piece. A missed splotch usually spreads eventually.

5. Continue scrubbing until all the rust is removed and the bare metal shows on the piece. You can brush off the residue off the iron wall plaque using an old toothbrush.

6. When all the rust is removed, wipe the piece with a sponge dampened with water. You may also wipe the piece with a dampened sponge while scrubbing. Then dry it using a soft cloth.

7. To prevent further rusting, apply a coat of rust resistant primer on the piece. Then top it off with a two coats of rust resistant paint. You can get these from do-it-yourself shops.

People use wall decor materials to beautify their homes, boutiques and office reception areas. These handmade decor items are created using fine thread-work, attractive patterns and mirror patterns. Modern home owners are now looking for tapestries that have embroidered designs and patterns. Most of the online stores selling these decorative items have varieties in terms of hand woven patterns and paintings communicating some messages or narrating a tale.

In this post, we are going to learn about some of the different types of these tapestries.

Gorgeous Looking Embroidered Decors

These are stunningly beautiful and created in the conventional style including a lot of remarkable ‘zari’ work. The designs are highly detailed with the use of multicolored, vibrant and brilliant embroidery. These decorating materials are specially made using golden threads. The material used is high quality cotton against which fine embroidery is done. The quality of the cotton makes the tapestry more durable. These decor objects are simply stunning as they are ornamented using designs depicting animals like royal Indian elephants. When you are visiting any wall hangings stores, choose decor objects having at least four elephants. Choose ones having fine artwork of colored thread making each of the elephants striking!

Elements of nature like animals, plants and flowers depicted in these decor materials make your abode more inviting. Guests would love chitchatting in your living room or sitting area. In simpler words, it makes the ambiance more appealing and embracing. People are more eager to converse when surrounded by such beautiful artwork.

Let the center of the piece be more tempting with the display of intricate floral designs. Traditional hand crafted artifacts from India are noted for their color treatment. For example, the commonly used colors are dark and lighter shades of pink, beige and blue. These materials are painstakingly created by Indian weavers and there are faint distinctions in the treatment of colored embroidery. Though subtle, the differences are easily noticeable.

Use of Semi-Precious Stones, Beads, Zari and Mirror

The beauty of your abode can also be enhanced by using wall tapestries having semi-precious stones and zari, i.e. golden thread. Exquisite quality home decor objects are available in many of these stores at various rates. You can also opt for personalized hangings having detailed zari and stones work. You can also make a personal style statement by adorning your living room with mirror or beaded tapestries.

Vintage Saris Fuel Your Senses

Wall hangings that are made of vintage saris and embroidered in the zardozi technique will add spark to your interiors. They will not only stimulate your senses but also leave you enchanted with its brilliant, striking and sparking colors. Dazzling colors along with bead-work on the saris will help in creating a mysterious kaleidoscope of design, pattern and texture. These wall tapestries made from old saris will also be a perfect gift for your near and dear ones!

So, one cannot deny the exquisiteness of these handmade items nor the exceptional talent of Indian weavers.

Causes of Interior Water Stains

Water stains are the result of water contacting unprotected log surfaces. Before you begin to remove the stains on your interior log wall, you need to determine where the water originated. This may have occurred during the building process, gaps between the log courses due to settling or broken gaskets/caulking that have failed. Water stains can also be the result of a previous plumbing problem or just windows left open repeatedly allowing water to enter. Once you are certain the situation has been corrected, you can begin to repair the water marks.

Repairing Water Stains on Interior Log Walls

There are several methods used to remove water stains from an interior log wall. The best method may depend on the depth and severity of the staining. If they were caused during the building process and the staining is severe, you may want to consider hiring a log home professional to have the walls media blasted with corn cob, glass or walnut shells. Although this can be messy and will involve removing all objects from inside the room, it is very effective. Most log professionals will do their best to seal the area and help minimize dust from traveling into other areas of the home.

Usually water stains are in a more confined area and not too severe. If you decide to tackle the project yourself, start by using regular sand paper (fine to medium grit, depending on the log species) and a traditional palm sander. Begin sanding at the edge of the water mark. If they can not be easily removed it may be necessary to use an orbital sander or belt sander. Concentrate on blending the darker edges. It takes patience and care to remove the water stained area without removing too much of the log fibers. You can easily damage your log wall creating an uneven and undesirable look. You may be able to achieve good results by sanding the water stained area only and applying a pigmented stain. However for best results, once the water mark has been removed, lightly sand the entire log wall to allow for even absorption of stain and avoid color variations.

Staining Interior Log Walls

Interior log walls are exposed to areas of indirect or direct UV rays through skylights, windows and doors. Even if your interior log wall was not previous stained, chances are that over time the characteristic of the log wall will appear different.

Most log home coatings companies have developed products designed specifically for interior log walls. These products are typically water based and available in different finishes. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose a clear (non-yellowing) finish in a gloss or satin. If you prefer a pigmented stain, most offer different shades. Whether you are trying to match an existing log wall or deciding what color would best blend with your existing finish, most manufacturers are happy to mail color samples of their products. Applying a finish to interior walls will not only offer protection but also make cleaning the log surface easier.

Conclusion

In most situations water stains can be effectively removed without leaving obvious signs of water damage however, there are no quick and easy solutions. Your patience will pay off once you expose the new bright wood fibers just beneath the surface.