How to Design a Lighting Plan
November 13, 2007
You are doing a remodel and know that you want to add some lighting to the room, but your stumped. Where do I start is the most common question I get asked. There are some basic guidelines and factors that can help you determine where to start and how to proceed.
First let’s take the room and it’s needs. Different rooms require different lighting solutions. Rooms like bedrooms, living rooms, dens and basements can be properly illuminated with a simple general lighting plan. In rooms up to about 12′ x 12′, one ceiling light that can hold bulbs that combined equal about 120 watts is sufficient. For a better and more evenly disbursed light, 4 recessed lights about 40″ off each corner works wonderfully.
A living room or den may be a rectangle as opposed to a square. A room that is 15′ x 12′ would be more evenly lit with 6 recessed cans. In these rooms lighting can be supplemented with wall sconces and or table or floor lamps.
Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next?
November 12, 2007
Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy candles? Before my formal introduction to soy candles, I thought organic (read expensive) and BEIGE! And not just the color beige, but beige as an overall description for soy candles-blah like baby food, ground chick peas, and a pale winter pallor. I had no idea why it would even occur to anyone to purchase a soy candle.
I couldn’t have been more wrong in my assessment! After gaining a working knowledge of candles, soy candles reside front and center in my growing candle collection. When you learn the facts, you will probably replace your paraffin candles with the soy version, at least on an attrition basis. If you’re still at the beige stage, read on while we shed a little light on the subject.
Paraffin vs. Soy
First, clear your mind of all preconceived notions that you’ve conjured up about soy candles. Replace those thoughts with just two thoughts for now: clean and fresh. Traditional candles made of paraffin are actually petroleum-based products.
Winter Gardening Looking Towards Spring
November 11, 2007
Ok, the title “winter gardening” might be a tad bit misleading. I am not suggesting that you actually garden during the winter but you should be using this time to plan your upcoming garden. As you look out at your yard and garden area during the cold months of winter, let your thoughts run wild and you will be amazed at what images you can conjure up. You might even want to try some of your new found ideas this spring!
1. Pour through garden catalogs, flip the pages and fold down the corner anytime you find something you like. Go back to it often until you decide what new plants and flowers you would like to try this spring.
2. Purchase some gardening books or magazines to get new ideas. Look at what other people are trying in their gardens and see if their ideas inspire you to try something new.
3. Look out your windows and try to visualize how you would like your yard and garden to look like. Study the sun….notice the shady spots.
Why Cant We Kill Too?
November 11, 2007
Why does big business have all the fun? We fix our own postage stamps - THEY use a franking machine. We use scissors - THEY use a guillotine. We put our papers in the bottom drawer while THEY have a filing cabinet. And it has only been in recent times that you can get a car that plays a tune when reversing, just like those big lorries.
Oh, and next time you are in your supermarket, have a look around, especially behind the delicatessen counter. You will soon see an electric fly killer. These are also common in restaurant kitchens and food production factories.
Well that is just marvelous. While the rest of us have to make do with a rolled up newspaper, these shops and factories can have the work done for them by a machine. Try asking the supermarket assistant if you can buy a fly killer, or where you can get one. "These machines are not for the likes of you! Go and buy a newspaper like everyone else" would be the reply. Well, perhaps not - I think my imagination got lost there ? most shop assistants are much nicer than that.
Spring Home Projects in Northern New England
November 10, 2007
As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago to Boston this evening, I realize I have been staring out into the dark abyss contemplating the arrival of spring. Spring is a time of anticipation and renewed life. A time when the snow finally abates and the Robins return to rebuild their nests. And a time when Tulips and Daffodils emerge from the ground and bloom, if ever so briefly. It is also a time for the voracious Black Fly that we northern dwellers know only too well. For me, however, it is a time to shift into a higher gear; there are outdoor projects that have accumulated over the winter months and there is traditional spring tasks that every homeowner is compelled to do.
There are two main questions I debate as I compile my spring "To-Do" list: What to do and when to do it?
Electric Radiant Floor Heating
November 9, 2007
Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for use under carpeting, area rugs, tile, stone, and laminate wood floors and have been used in Europe, South Africa, and Australia for over 20 years.
Radiant heat does away with the age-old problems of cold rooms by offering easy-to-install zone heating. You can choose to either have radiant heat installed by a professional installer or DIY with their plug-n-play portable system for under area rugs. Concentrating on the advantages of floor heating (heat rising), radiant heat offers comfort from the ground up, heating the room evenly from floor to ceiling.
The product is designed to solve zone heating problems one room at a time without adding the expense or mess of adding additional ductwork and/or baseboard heating units. The ultra thin heating mat that can be assembled and installed by floor installers or do-it-yourselfers, is perfect for whatever your situation. It appears that homeowners, flooring dealers, and builders agree, as sales have already started to expand, and the line has been taken on by several high-end flooring retailers and builders alike.
Estate and Mega-Yacht Security Systems and Safe Rooms
November 8, 2007
Why do I need a "safe room? I really don’t need one; I’m not that high profile". This is typical V.I.P. client frame of reference or attitude concerning security systems and safe rooms.
What most clients don’t realize is "being high profile" has a definite impact on vulnerabilities, however, not being high profile does not mitigate the vulnerabilities and overall exposure caused by their "lifestyles" and "net worth".
Firstly, security systems are usually designed and installed by security system companies. The salesperson of the vending company is primarily interested in selling the highest dollar components and system. The viability of the system is usually important but not usually paramount to their operational concerns. The clients usually are persuaded to purchase the "high end" version of systems and usually get very good systems.
Secondly, what they do not realize is they would have benefited immensely from the use of the services of a quality security consultant, who would have been savvy of security system requirements and the needs specific needs of the client.
The Zoo-Doo Man - Or How to Make the Best Compost in the World!
November 7, 2007
Is your garden soil great? Does it produce an abundant crop for you without any great effort on your part? We were once told "By the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread . . ", and with several thousand years’ rain, snow, wind, and crops removing the minerals from the land, we very rarely see fertile ground anymore.
So, how do you get your ground to consistently grow a large crop of healthy vegetables ? there must be a way? Let me tell you some of my experience with this important question.
For 15 years I have owned a 3/4 acre parcel adjacent to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, where I have grown a vegetable garden using The Mittleider Method as taught in many of the developing countries around the world by Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider. To receive Dr. Mittleider’s Gardening Basics Course e-book free, visit the Charitable Foundation’s website at www.foodforeveryone.org.
During the past 15 years I’ve been privileged to help Dr. M. on a few projects, and recently, with his blessing, conducted some myself, in Armenia, Madagascar, and Turkey. My Zoo garden is always extremely productive, rather nice to look at, and a very popular unofficial “exhibit” with the 700,000+ annual visitors to the zoo.
Why Hardwood Flooring is a Good Investment
November 6, 2007
Hardwood flooring has a timeless air of quality
Hardwood floors have decorated some of the most exclusive mansions and estates in history and still exude a feeling of permanence and classic quality compared to manufactured floors.
Hardwood floors are natural
Hardwood floors bring the natural outdoors inside, and do not contain man-made chemicals in the wood itself. Homeowners with exclusive design tastes will tend to gravitate towards the quality and natural feel of hardwood floors - there is just something about the feel and look of them that cannot be duplicated in a factory.
Hardwood flooring adds value to your home
Installing solid hardwood flooring in your home is a true investment that will retain its value. In many cases, installing hardwood floors with generate a return on investment that exceeds the initial cost of installation.
Real hardwood colors will never go out of style
There is a timeless quality about the natural color of hardwoods that will ensure your house never becomes outdated because of its flooring. Recent advancements in laminate flooring have allowed consumers to pick from a multitude of design styles and colors - unfortunately some of these may become outdated and fall out of favor.
Why Laminate Flooring is the Perfect Choice for Families
November 6, 2007
If you’ve ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you’ve probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can’t quite wash out. Or perhaps the family pet has scratched the carpet edging, or even worse - had a bathroom mishap on the children’s favorite playing area?
Your flooring nightmares can finally end! Laminate flooring was designed to stand up to the rigors and demands of a busy family household and when compared to other types of flooring solutions easily outperforms in almost every category. Here our our top reasons for selecting laminate flooring for a family household:
Laminate flooring is tough
Designed with a tough and durable wear layer, it is much stronger than most installed solid hardwood flooring, vinyl’s, and carpets. It stands up much better to dents and scratches that the softer surface of solid hardwood floors, and is a much better surface to install if you have heavy foot traffic, kids, or household pets. Best of all - it continues to look brand new even after years of wear and tear.
Stain, fade, and moisture resistant
