Bathroom vanities let your powder room vanity reflect shameless good taste in bath design

Prolonged gazing into one’s bathroom mirror used to be considered quite a vice. For vanity, it is said, is the step-sister of pride. With nothing more to the bathrooms of yesteryear than a sink, toilet, and mirror, we were offered little choice about where our focus should fall once through the bathroom door. And while Narcissus brought his own demise through excessive "self-reflection," we can probably be forgiven for rendering the bathroom mirror as our observation

point of choice.

The Afterthought

After all, the bathroom used to be the afterthought of home building and design. Bathroom design kept to the basics: A toilet, sink-cabinet combo, and perhaps some tile. Add some color matching, a couple of wall hangings, and of course, the mirror, and voila: your task was complete!

In hindsight, designing yesterday’s bathroom was really a simple and efficient process. In hindsight, creating such a bathroom was magnificently uninspiring, unimaginative, and dull.

With limited choices, and prohibitive pricing, vanities of distinction rarely entered the equation for a homeowner without a numeral at the end of their name. Even for those with limitless means, such a task usually involved finding the right piece of furniture in the appropriate size before hiring a carpenter (to cut a hole into the top) and a plumber (to retrofit a sink and plumbing). It required resourcefulness, planning, lots of time, and even more cash.

The Fine Furniture Revolution

The rethinking of bathroom designs came with the increasing availability of reasonably-priced middle and high-end vanity sink chests. With foreign imports driving down the cost and increasing the availability of fine furniture for every room in the home, builders and consumers began to consider investing more design dollars in the room guests very often visit -- the powder room. By choosing vanity styles to coincide with their home's overall design genre, consumers have driven expansion in the vanity/sink chest market that produced a bevy of elegant and affordable products. Ball and Claw traditional vanities, French Provincial style sink chests, and hand-painted and hand-carved furniture sinks -- the vanity market has truly embraced the realm of fine furniture. Never before have vanity choices been so plentiful or bathroom sink design concepts so broad. It's not the usual sink and cabinet combo anymore; it's a whole new ball game.

A Statement Piece - A Statement Place

Forget about Narcissus, and make your vanity a virtue. Let your vanity make a statement about you. Keep the New Yorker and Reader’s Digest, for sure, but let your bathrooms tell more about you than just your literary preferences. Make a gorgeous vanity the focal point of your bath, and with a painted canvas work of art, some carefully contemplated accessories, and perhaps even a beautiful chandelier, allow the bathroom to complement your taste and your commitment to design throughout your home.

Don’t reflect too long before deciding it’s time for a beautiful furniture vanity in your fine home. I promise you’ll love yourself for it!

A diy guide on woodworking jigs

Woodworking jigs are a necessary part of any woodworking shop. They are great for repetitive tasks in many wood working projects. They make complex projects easier to manage and faster. You can purchase pre made jigs or make your own. Although they are inexpensive, making your own from scrap wood is even cheaper. Depending on the type of projects you like to do, you will need a variety of different jigs.

Types of Woodworking Jigs

Dovetail jigs are great for making dovetail joints accurately. These can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Another option is to make your own dovetail jig. You can find templates for making your own jigs on the internet or in most stores that sell wood working supplies. Many of these templates allow you to make up to twelve different size jigs.

You may want to puck up a dovetail bit for your router and a dovetail saw. These are great tools if you intend to make your own jigs. Templates allow you to make variable spaced or fixed dovetails for a variety of projects, including cabinets, drawers and small boxes. Some systems come with bits and templates together in one kit. These save money compared to purchasing the components separately.

Dovetail saws are used to cut not only dovetails, but other fine joints for projects. The blades on these saws are thinker than other saws. This allows for greater accuracy. It’s important to purchase a good quality tool for making tight joints and professional looking projects. Look for about fourteen to seventeen points per inch in a good quality saw.

A dowel jig is used for making quality, consistent dowels. If you are using a thick timber, get a self centering jig for better accuracy. There are a variety of sizes from a quarter to one half inch. Complete kits are available that include the dowel jig with several hundred dowels in a variety of sizes. Glue is sometimes included in these kits.

A kreg jig is great for cabinet making. Perfectly positioned slides are necessary if the movement in the drawer is to be smooth. Using kreg jigs save time because you won’t need to measure and mark the spaces for drawer slides. These make it easier to mount metal drawer slides. They can be used for center, bottom or extension mounted drawers. This is an inexpensive, yet versatile piece of equipment.

Making Woodworking Jigs Yourself

Making your own woodworking jigs saves money in supplies. Use inexpensive materials and scrap pieces of plywood for making your own jig. Since you use the jigs for one project only, you don’t want to spend much on materials. If you plan to re use your jigs, use a stronger hardwood to make them.

You can find instructions for making your own jigs in woodworking books or magazines. Instructions are also available on the internet. You can print these out for future reference. Consider getting a good binder to keep your jig making instructions organized in your workshop. Using plastic page covers will protect the instructions from getting dirty, ripped or damaged.

Basic pool maintenance tips

Before running to buy the latest Dolphin pool cleaner, there are a few basic things you should know about pool maintenance.

After getting a swimming pool, the next thing you really need for your pool maintenance is a pool cover. The pool cover will help you cover the swimming pool when out of the house for long periods of time, or when the pool is not in use (like long winters or trips).

A plastic pool cover can be very effective in protecting the pool from different objects falling into the water, and from the elements. Some purchase a strong plastic cover to prevent children or pets from accidentally falling into the pool. Remember that setting up the pool cover is a lot of work, requires some time and effort. This is basic pool maintenance.

Every swimming pool has a skimmer that is used to collect dead leaves, branches, insects and other debris from the water surface. A skimmer is a rake that is used to pull out objects from the water, surely you remember the life guard in the summer walking around the pool and fishing out all the dead insects, leaves and such from the swimming pool. Pool maintenance and cleaning should be in direct correlation to how much it is used, and if you plan to use your pool frequently, you will need to use a good skimmer, so try and put some money into a quality one, you will get to use it a lot.

One of the most important things in swimming pool maintenance is the filtration, keeping the water clean and circulating them is important in any pool. There are several types of filters available for swimming pool water. Sand and gravel, diatomaceous earth, anthracite, and cartridge types are the filter mediums most commonly employed. Swimming pool filtration system use the same basic principle of passing water through tiny passageways, thus filtering it. Particles larger than these passages are trapped and thereby separated from the main body of the water. This process continues until all of these passageways are blocked. The filter must then be cleaned and the cycle repeated.

Sediment and suspended matter usually find their way to the bottom of the pool and will need to be removed by vacuuming, since swimming pool filtration varies in quality, and is subject to the frequency of maintenance and quality, you will need to consider vacuuming as a general pool maintenance tool for your swimming pool cleaning.

The swimming pool vacuum operates in a similar manner to the common household unit except it draws water through the vacuum head instead of air. There are two ways in which this may be accomplished. One method employs a jet of water supplied by a garden hose to power the suction which draws the dirt into the head to be trapped in a cloth bag. The other method uses the suction power supplied by the filter which draws the sediment and dirt from the pool floor for removal through the filter. When there is a considerable amount of sediment to be removed the filter valves should be adjusted so that the vacuumed water will bypass the filter and run to waste.

Chemicals are used in pool maintenance on regular basis to keep water safe and clean. The most common chemical used is chlorine. Again, asking you to try and remember you childhood and that a fresh swimming pool usually had an unpleasant side effect of irritated skin or eyes, this is the danger and the cons of using chlorine in your pool. If used in large quantities, or if not maintained properly, chlorine may irritate the eyes and skin of swimmers. A swimming pool owner should also be aware of the proper maintenance instructions for the chemicals and follow the manufacturers instructions when applying the chemical to the pool.

Use common sense when thinking of pool maintenance and pool cleaning, your swimming pool is there for you to enjoy it, but it does come with a few simple responsibilities. Cleaning your swimming pool regularly will allow you to enjoy a clean and healthy swimming pool for a long time.

Reduce worker leg back pain with anti fatigue mats

Do you know the largest cause of physician visits in the United States?

The flu? The Common cold? No, the largest cause of physician visits is lower back pain, apart from headaches.

Lower back pain can be quite a drag, especially since its usually accompaniend by dreadful foot & leg pain. A major cause of foot, leg, & back pain is harsh and demanding work environments, where a worker can stand on an extremely hard surface for prolonged time frames.

Working on hard surfaces can cause severe fatigue, which is when the muscles are constricted and blood flow is reduced. In this state, the heart works a lot harder to pump blood through the troubled areas, and the body runs out of energy. The negative effects are pain and exhaustion.

One solution to this ever-growing problem is to use anti fatigue mats in the workplace, especially in areas where a lot of standing labor is performed. Apart from cushioning, anti fatigue mats provide a gentle "rebound" which encourages subtle movement of leg and calf muscles, thus promoting an easier flow of blood to and from the heart. Basically, through more efficient muscle activity, the imbalance of constricted blood is virtually eliminated.

So what is the proof that anti fatigue mats actually work?

There are several studies that prove the efficacy of anti fatigue mats, with the most notable one being a format study at the Center of Ergonomics at the University of Michigan. Mark Redfern, an economist, tested the effects of a variety of floor conditions on physical fatigue. Fourteen subjects were required to stand throughout their entire shift at the Ford Chesterfield Trim Plant. Two of the surfaces tested were concrete and a 3/8" rubber anti-fatigue mat. The conclusive result of the study was that hard concrete floors caused the greatest amount of discomfort and fatigue, while anti fatigue mats were able to reduce it by as much as 50%.

Your company can directly benefit from the use of anti fatigue mats through increased worker productivity, reduced worker compensation costs, and lower insurance costs and absenteeism. Since it is a well-established fact that companies are losing billions of dollars each year due to the above mentioned worker related issues, it only makes sense to make a trivial investment on anti fatigue matting to dramatically reduce these losses.

In addition to pain and discomfort, prolonged standing on hard surfaces can also cause long-term problems. Pronation, which is the extensive flattening of the foot, and varicose veins, which are caused by the stagnation of blood in lower areas, are two health problems associated with standing trauma. These problems are very costly in terms of worker compensation and insurance, not to mention the resulting lack of productivity and employee turnover.

Anti fatigue mats are a real solution, as recommended by the National Safety Council in its publication "Ergonomics". Amongst the professionals who recommend anti fatigue mats are ergonomists, occupational nurses, insurance agents, and POM managers.

It is essential that the workplace be safe and pleasant in order to promote the highest levels of productivity, reduce the rate of absenteeism and turnover, increase employee satisfaction, and as a direct result, cut costs and improve profits.

Floor safes - proven protection

With an alarming increase on crime rates these days, more and more people are getting cynical about their belongings and how they can protect them against intrusion and the elements. Thus, manufacturers and entrepreneurs came up with an idea on how to safeguard man’s valuable things and properties through a device that can endure the test of time. And so, floor safes came into the limelight. Basically, a safe has three main classifications or configurations. They are the wall or wall-mounted safes, the freestanding safes, and the in-floor or simply floor safes. Without going into the details of the other two, let us discuss the compositions of floor safes.

1. The Nature Of Floor Safes

Basically, floor safes, like its two counterparts, are specially designed to provide protection and security to valuables and other pertinent documents. As it name suggests, floor safes are exclusively made to be mounted into the concrete slab of the floor. Because of its position, manufacturers of floor safes strongly suggest that the position of the safe must be carefully analysed and considered so as to maximize its potential. If mounted properly end extensively, floor safes can be the best protection against burglary and even tragedies like fire.

2. Installation

Floor safe installations are actually more complicated and more expensive compared to wall safes. When installing floor safes, you have to cut a slab out of the floor first. Then, you have to dig a hole. After which the safe is placed into the hole and more concrete is poured to cover the area. This will firmly ground the safe and prevent it from being physically removed during a burglary.

3. About Floor Safes

Floor safes are under the category of composites safes. That means that they have a combination of two functions, to combat fire and burglary. In its entirety, the floor safe has been tested against all forms of burglary. The ratings that floor safes obtain will also determine the price of the item.

One drawback that consumers find on floor safes is that it has a tick wall covering, which, by practicality, floor safes render smaller space as compared to the typical metal vaults or the ordinary filing cabinets. But people must understand that the main reason why floor safes are designed this way is because of its purpose, and that is to protect the valuables and not just be a mere storage item.

The other feature of floor safes is its electronic lock. It provides convenience to the user because they no longer have to rotate on a counting basis so as to open the safe. Plus, because it is electronic, the floor safe’s combination can be changed as often as you like.

The ironic drawback of floor safes is that, during a burglary, the burglar will have no option to try and take the safe with him, which may instigate him to be more hostile and violent with nearby hostages in hopes of obtaining the combination. Thus, the floor safe should be considered the absolute ideal safe for coverage at night and when no one is present.

What you need to know about in ground swimming pools

Having a swimming pool is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer sunshine and relax at the same time. You can have as much fun as you like when you have a pool at your disposal for your use anytime you want. It is always there for you to take a mid day dip.

It does not matter what type of pool you own whether it is an in-ground pool or an above ground pool, you will be happy that you own it for those hot and steamy days and nights.

An in-ground pool is a swimming pool that is a permanent fixture usually made with cement on the bottom and sides. In ground swimming pools are somewhat more coslty than the above ground ones but they are worth the investment. These kinds of swimming pools are assembled to different depths based on whether a purchaser is more interested in having a shallow end or if they want to set up a diving board which means having a deep end.

The installation process is going to take longer than that of an above ground one, but it is well worth the wait when all is said and done. The in ground swimming pool is made by first having a hole dug in the ground and a framework built on all sides the exterior of the hole. Subsequently, sand is poured in the bottom of the hole and the liner is then created.

Many different materials can be utilized as the liner for the in ground pool. The up to date and improved method is vinyl. This is an aesthetically pleasing look to numerous prospective swimming pool owners who reside in northern climates because the winterization of the swimming pool is easier.

The other sorts of material that are utilized in In-ground swimming pools are fiberglass and concrete. Fiberglass liners are constructed in a factory and made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic that is formed into a basin configuration that looks like a large bathtub. The good thing about fiberglass is unlike the vinyl liner, it will not have to be replaced in time, which can save you a lot of money, and time.

Concrete Inground pools are also a great alternative. They can be finished in plaster or even painted. Some people will prefer the look of tiles. All of these virtually undestroyable materials will stand up over the wear and tear that time dishes out to the pool. Many swimming pool owners would rather spend more money to begin with, getting what they need and not having to trouble over replacing it in the years to come.

In my next article you’ll learn about above ground pools, the pros and cons of owning one compared to having an in-ground pool installed on your property.

Kitchen installation things to consider. part two

There is a big choice of kitchen flooring options to choose from: bamboo floor, walnut floor, birch floor, oak floor. For comfortable kitchen floor installation you may choose engineered wood or solid wood.

Such floors are durable and the hardwood floors are more resistant to weather and stains, which will make them perfect for the new kitchen floor installation.

Laminate, though sometimes looks like wood, in fact is a synthetic material. Laminate flooring is more water resistant than natural wood. But the main advantages are that this flooring is very easy to install and the material is relatively inexpensive compared to real hardwood flooring.

Ceramic tile is also a good material for a kitchen flooring, it's hygienic and easy to clean. But it has also a disadvantage: with time the surface may get covered with small cracks as it is not the strongest material.

Walls decoration.

The most common materials for the kitchen walls are tiles, wallpaper and paint.

Paint is the cheapest and fastest way to renovate a kitchen, wallpaper is more expensive, but can give just a little more character with its large variety of patterns. Wallpaper requires special attention. The first hit of any kitchen accident - fat splashes or steam from a boiling kettle - comes to the wall paper. The optimal solution here is vinyl and washable wallpaper that can endure wet cleaning. Choosing wallpapers and paints for your kitchen walls decoration, make sure the materials are made especially for kitchen use as these will be more resistant against humidity and will be easy to clean.

Ceiling options.

And finally, the top is the ceiling. Naturally it should be easy to clean and waterproof. The suspended ceiling of tiles and rails is assembled quickly and easily, it allows hiding the communications and setting up the spot lights. Though, the room will lose 7-10 cm in height.

Another version of the suspended ceiling is plasterboard. It requires a little more effort: after the sheets are installed, they must be plastered and painted. But this material perfectly traps sounds and allows creating any multi-level decor, as well as allows a necessary space for spotlights installation.

Kitchen furniture is also an important component of comfort. Not only the looks of the kitchen cabinets but the material they are made of are of great significance. The frame is usually made of МDF, and "face" of more practical - humidity-resistant and easy to clean materials. Though it can be the same МDF, only covered with melamine or laminate.

A range of kitchen worktops.

The material for a kitchen worktop is even more important, because this is where we cut, mince and chop up. A kitchen worktop could be cleaned with a damp sponge hundred times a day. The more practical it is, the more pleasant it is to create culinary masterpieces on it. Keeping your kitchen clean is essential to keep food safe. Otherwise bacteria can grow and spread. The range of styles, colours and materials is vast: traditional materials as granite, hardwood up to modern materials like stainless steel, glass, corian etc.

It is possible to mix and match worktop materials e. g. put granite where you are likely to be preparing food and setting down very hot pans and then laminate or wood for the rest. Very practical are kitchen worktops made of artificial stones. These look like natural ones and are extremely robust. Regardless its synthetic origin, it's quite an ecologically safe material.

And finally, think again if all the drawers, shelves and kitchen appliances are placed comfortably. It's known, that if the furniture and appliances, worktops are placed irrationally, food preparation, cooking and serving could take a few extra kilometers around the kitchen every day. If everything is in the right place, you can save up to 60% of way and 30% of time. A kitchen could be divided in three "work areas" - preparation, cooking and washing-up. Each area should include all the appliances required as well as a suitable sized work space around it.

Country style, hi-tech, classic - the style of your kitchen may vary. Practical, ecologically safe and durable materials, fresh air, in short, the climate in the kitchen multiplied by your creative approach and ability to create comfort will help you to build up an ideal kitchen. It's much easier to complete it than it may seem at first. Today you have all facilities to settle beauty and functionality in accord under the same roof.

Finding the right christmas tree

Before you buy a Christmas tree, you need to think about where in your house you plan to display your tree. Be sure you think not only about how high the tree can be, but how wide as well. You’ll want to avoid placing your tree near fireplaces and the television because the heat tends to dry up the tree so it will not last as long.

The best time to shop for your Christmas tree to make sure you get the best one is in mid November. Of course, the most common and popular time to pick out a tree is two to three weeks before Christmas. If you want a fresh tree, you should shop in a reputable farm or a nice tree lot. Pick out the best tree that you can afford.

When shopping, consider:

• Quality

• Look

• Freshness

If you want to know if the tree is still fresh, grab a branch and pull it towards you. If only a few needles fall off (five to ten), you have found yourself a healthy tree. A strong fragrance is another way you can tell if a tree is fresh.

The three most popular types of Christmas trees are Scotch pine has long needles that tend to stay on the branch for a good long time.

Short needle trees have needles that are silver on one side and green on the other. Balsam fir has short needles and a strong sweet scent that everyone loves.

After freshness, the next thing to look for in your tree is a good, uniform shape, without huge gaps between the branches. Also you need to check that the tree you are considering is not leaning on one side. Choose a tree with a firm and solid base.

Once you have chosen the perfect Christmas tree for your home, make sure that you transport it safely. You must protect it from the wind by placing it in a van or truck if you can. If not, tie it securely (top to the front of the vehicle) to the top of the car. When you get it home, don’t forget to water your tree so that it will last longer and stay fresher.

If you are looking for an artificial tree, you still need to think about the height of the tree. Bigger trees cost a lot and they contain lots branches and twigs so you’ll need a lot of ornaments to hang in the branches.

How to clean mattress stains

:
Sooner or later, almost every mattress ends up with a stain. While it's true that only the person who changes the bed will see whether or not the mattress is stained, ignoring the stain won't make it go away. You can learn how to clean mattress stains using either commercial products or things you probably have in your kitchen. After any stain removal, place a dryer sheet on the mattress before covering it with the bottom sheet to neutralize any odors and keep it smelling fresh. Here are some techniques for how to clean mattress stains of various types.

General mattress cleaning

For stains of an unknown nature, spray a citrus based cleaning product on the soiled area and let it stand for approximately five minutes to penetrate the stain. Using a clean white absorbent cloth, blot the area, pressing down firmly without rubbing for 30 seconds. Repeat this blotting process until the area is dry and odor free. Citrus based cleaning products may be used on almost any type of mattress stain.

As an alternative, you can use a mild dish detergent for spot cleaning. Blot the stain with the detergent and wipe it clean with a damp sponge.

Cigarette odor removal

In addition to the risk of starting a fire, the problem with smoking in bed is that cigarette odors can penetrate absorbent materials such as mattresses deeper than the surface area that can effectively be cleaned. If you're not ready to replace your mattress, you need to find out how to remove this smell. Working in sections, use the citrus cleaner technique specified above. Repeat the cleaning and blotting process on each section of the mattress until the whole thing is dry and odor free.

Baking soda is another option. Sprinkle the whole top of the mattress with baking soda and leave it there overnight to absorb and neutralize the odors. In the morning, vacuum the powder off.

Removing mold and mildew stains and odors

Cleaning mold and mildew from mattresses is a difficult, especially if they have penetrated deep inside the mattress. Since mold and mildew are caused by moisture, it might be beneficial to run a dehumidifier, heater or air conditioner in the room periodically to take the dampness out of the air to prevent mold and mildew from attacking the mattress.

Another alternative for how to clean mattress stains caused by mold and mildew is to take the mattress outside on a sunny day. Sweep off all visible mold and mildew and then vacuum the mattress with a heavy duty vacuum cleaner. Allow the sun to shine on the mattress for several hours. This will dry and freshen it.

Removing urine stain and odors

Accidents happen. When the accident involves pets or small children and mattresses it is more than just embarrassing. Urine can saturate absorbent materials such as mattresses well beyond the surface area. Cleaning urine from a mattress is difficult if it has penetrated deep into the cloth materials. This creates ideal conditions for bacteria and mold growth and the related unpleasant odors.

It may be possible to rescue your mattress if you know how to clean mattress stains. First blot up as much of the urine as possible with an absorbent cloth. Then spray a product like PAWS - Pet Accident Washup Solution or Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate or any other brand that mentions urine odor removal on its label on the soiled area. Follow up with the blotting and drying techniques indicated above.

Vinegar will also remove urine stains. Saturate the stain with vinegar and blot until no more of the urine can be removed. Cover the area with baking soda to neutralize the odor, leaving it on overnight. In the morning, vacuum the powder off.

Removing Kool-Aid stains from mattresses

Kids, brightly colored beverages and beds don't mix. Even the most careful child will have spill something eventually if they drink in bed. A mattress will soak up these liquids. It is impossible to remove the entire liquid spill from inside the mattress. The dyes in Kool-Aid generally leave a permanent stain, but you can try to remove the surface stain. First, blot up as much of the liquid as possible with an absorbent white cloth. Use the citrus cleaner techniques shown above.

You might also try spraying vinegar onto the stain and letting it sit for about an hour. To remove as much liquid from the mattress as possible, cover it with a thick cloth and weigh the cloth down with a heavy book or brick. After the hour is up, spray the stain with vinegar again and blot it with a clean cloth to lift the color. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed or no further reductions of the colored stain occur.