Beautiful Bathrooms- A Look in Photos

A look at some beautiful bathroom ideas.

Bathroom Renovation Ideas - Be Prepared And Inspired

Are you tired of the look of your current bathroom layout and feel that it needs a total upgrade? If so you are one of the many people who don't particularly like the way their bathroom looks. The bathroom is probably the most overlooked room in your home because most people do not feel that the amount of time they spend there warrants the expenditure of money or energy on undertaking a renovation project.

This is in fact quite wrong as a recent study indicates that women will, on average, spend the equivalent of 2 years and 9 months of their lives standing in front of their bathroom mirror fixing their make up and ensuring that they look 'just right' before venturing out of the house.

In reality the bathroom is easily the best place to start you home renovation work as you can accomplish quite a transformation with a little imagination, a splash of flair and of course a few basic building skills. If you are interested in upgrading your bathroom, but really don't know where to start, do some research so you can consider the options that are open to you.

The ease of undertaking a bathroom renovation is due to the fact that the average bathroom is quite small in size and therefore a fairly modest remodeling program will have some marked results. Most bathroom renovation ideas are often centered on a replacement of wall and floor tiles as well as the inclusion of new fixtures and fittings. Don't be put off attempting the project if one of your bathroom renovation ideas includes enlarging the space. The chances are that extending the area of you bathroom will not be too difficult as it could be as simple as removing an adjacent closet or a dividing wall. You will be amazed at how even a relatively small increase of the bathroom area can have a remarkable effect on the look and feel of the room.

Summon Up The Courage And Implement Your Bathroom Renovation Ideas!

Don't be put off by the big jobs - stripping down the entire bathroom may look like a complicated job but, in all reality, it is quite simple and requires little more than some hard labor by you (and maybe a friend or two). If you are ever going to introduce some good bathroom renovation ideas then you have to get out of your comfort zone and learn some of the skills needed to undertake the work.

If you really are a novice when it comes to renovation work, then it may be in your best interest to engage a professional builder for some aspects of the job. This way you can observe how he approaches the job and you should also be able to throw a few relevant questions his way. Take time and study how to operate the particular power tools needed on the job. Quite often you can download from the internet some quite well presented instructional guides which show you how to use various power tools.

Before you start the bathroom renovation ensure that you put together a realistic costing for your bathroom renovation. Check some of the online specialty bathroom websites and put together a pricing list for the fixtures such as vanity, light and toilet fittings. We all dream about having gold taps and features in our bathrooms, however, the reality check is that the cost for most people would be prohibitive and well beyond their budget.

When deciding on the look of your bathroom just remember that for many people the bathroom is a private get-away where they like to relax and have a little solitude. If you want to create a sense of tranquility then you should consider going with a classic style that incorporates crisp colors with minimal clutter. By doing this you can create a soft feeling of light and space so that your bathroom becomes a welcoming retreat. If, however, you want to make a statement and don't particularly want to have to queue to get into your bathroom then go crazy with your creativity and splash around as much color as you like.

Before your bathroom renovation ideas get the better of you be aware that the whole project will take some time and, unless you engage a professional or take time off from work, there may be some inconvenience while you squeeze the work in at night or during the weekends.

A Word Of Caution

Try to adopt a patient approach and don't be put off if you initially make a few small mistakes. Even the experts make mistakes at times and even the best bathroom renovation ideas have some inherent problems that will need some corrective action at a later date. Be patient and most importantly, be happy with the thought you're your workable bathroom renovation ideas are not so difficult after all. With a little forward planning and creativity your new look private oasis can transform before your eyes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/bathroom-renovation-ideas-be-prepared-and-inspired-278495.html

About the Author:
For more details on Bathroom Renovation Ideas and other home improvement tips visit DIY Home Remodeling Tips

YouTube Bathroom Remodel

A great video I came across showing a bathroom remodel in progress. The end result is beautiful.

Marble Countertops- YouTube

A great video on choosing your marble countertops and how to care for them.

Marble - a Decorative Choice

Marble tiles and slabs stands as decorative natural stone flooring, which cannot be matched aesthetically. Marble has been reasonably sought by artists, artisans, and architects for about thousands of years, and is decisively rooted in the history of architecture, art and best of the development in Western Civilization itself. Marble is known as the best choice for art.

Marble was used to create memorable and literally massive artwork, which has lasted for centuries. Marble tiles stands as a material with integral associations of craft, creativity, and durability, making it more unique material for use in any sort of interior. With marble tile, an exclusive quality is gained, along with a part of the rich chronological inheritance with which marble is appropriately associated. The most common uses of marble in residential area comprises of window sills, fireplaces, pretty lobbies and best used in bathroom floors. Other bathroom applications also comprises of wall covering, backsplashes, tub decks and showers.

Some marble tiles and slabs are processed for a finished look recognized as tumbled marble. The process in fact involves tumbling the tiles with sand inside the large drum. After a certain period of time, the corners of these tiles become rounded and the edges slightly chipped, resulting in a well-worn, antiqued appearance.

The fame of tumbled marble has increased rapidly in recent times. This is particularly true when it comes to usage of bathroom countertops and backsplashes. With such a huge variety of shapes, colors, sizes and designs, tumbled marble could even be used uniquely or to accent other types of tile. It can create limitless number of stylish touches, sculptured trim, mosaic border and decorative medallions.

Benefits of marble

Marble could be viewed as hypoallergenic option for flooring. There had even been times when marble was used for flooring base in hospitals, before the usage of porcelain tile grew to its current level of popularity.

Marble is quarried on a very large scale, and then removed in large chunks by cutting it from the bordering rock and moving the marble tile to nearby mills where it is swan to be sized. The processing of the marble is actually done in order of its size. The largest marble slabs is been processed first, and then the smaller marble tiles, which are to be used as flooring tile and wall tile are processed at the last.

During summer months, the extraordinary cool base of marble could be quite amusing underfoot, adding a sure soothe value to the choice of marble tile flooring. Overall, marble tile flooring is an amazing way to accent an interior, with the extra added advantages of its more practical features. Marble is highly known for the best homeowner choice mainly for hallway and bathrooms.

As they are made from a natural substance, differences in color from tile to tile are both anticipated as well as preserved. The marble tile is polished elegantly and checked for “faults,” the small fissures, which could materialize in the stone, and filled if necessary, by pigmented resins to defend the structural value of the tile, as well as the appearance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sales-articles/marble-a-decorative-choice-148832.html

Uma is a Copywriter of Marble Countertops. She had written various articles in different topics on Marble Countertops. For more information visit: www.cangelosi.com. Contact her at cangelosi2@gmail.com

Kitchen Designs in Photos

It is often said that the kitchen is the true heart of any home. I have always felt that the kitchen and dining areas are quite special as that is where the family often spends quality time together. On that note. I wanted to share some of these beautiful kitchen decor photos that I came across today.

YouTube- Linens for the Home

Great video discussing the many types of linen for the home.

How to Choose the Right Fabrics when Decorating Your Home

Home decorating fabrics are meant to compliment a room. Beautiful fabrics can improve any space. Home decorating fabrics are used in upholstery, couch covers, slip-covers, bed coverings, window treatments, table coverings, etc. A room without fabric is plain with a cold feeling. Using fabrics, a space can be transformed into an inviting, warm and cozy place to relax and enjoy with family and friends.

Because they are an essential part of decorating a space, it is important to choose those that correspond with the other objects in the room. It's easier to pick fabrics if you are using advice and suggestions for a particular decorating design. Without any direction, your interior decorating project can become frustrating and discouraging. Instead of working toward your dream home, you'll find yourself caught up in a nightmare.

There are plenty of home decorating themes to choose from. Each of them has their own color and style. With a theme to guide you, choosing fabrics shouldn't pose a problem. For example if you choose a tuscan theme, the choices would include woven textures such as burlap, fabrics made from the abaca fiber and fabrics made from the banana tree fibres, savannah cloth and tobacco cloth. Tuscan fabrics tend to be heavier but they are very flexible and versatile. If you use the tuscan theme as your guide, these home decorating fabrics could be used for blinds, drapes, slip-covers and even perhaps even area rugs.

If you decide you like the cottage theme, you would include floral patterns and bright colors. Cottage decorating, with regards to upholstery and the various projects requiring fabric, suggests bold and colourful patterns. Although a floral pattern is the most popular in for the cottage theme, printed fabrics with vegetables or fruit are also quite often used.

Choosing the Victorian theme would suggest you choose fabrics such as velvet or brocade in rich colors of blue, green, burgundy and so on. Victorian fabrics are meant to be quite feminine as well as elaborate. These materials are used for curtains, bedding, slip-covers, etc. You might even want to trim these with lace, beads or ribbons.

These are just a few examples of home decorating fabrics used in relation to different themes. You must choose fabrics that speak to you. It's also important to remember that they can be quite expensive. Once you've decided on a fabric and purchase it to use in your home, you may have to live with it for a long time. For this reason it is best to be absolutely certain before making that final decision. Home decorating fabrics often require special care for washing. If you'd rather a fabric that is easy to care for, make sure this is considered when choosing fabrics.

Remember this is your space, your decision and it should meet your needs. There are thousands to choose from. By using available resources such as home decor magazines, home decorating catalogues, Internet websites and of course fabric stores in your area, you ought to be capable of making a sensible decision and appropriate choice for home decorating fabrics.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/how-to-choose-the-right-fabrics-when-decorating-your-home-301606.html

About the Author:

Gaetane Ross is a Home Improvement Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing helping people remodel and improve their homes. She also specializes in Holiday Home Decorating. Please visit Gaetane's website at: http://MyHomeInteriorDesignIdeas.com

Home Decorating With Personal Photos

Are you looking for a way to decorate your home inexpensively and give it a warm and inviting feeling? Displaying photos of family and friends around your home immediately invites people to get a glimpse of what is important to you. It also helps to make them feel welcome in your home.

There are many items on the market right now to make this process easy. Wall ledges with grooves to hold frames in place can be found at many stores. Hanging two or three ledges on an expanse of wall and placing large framed photos on them is an eye catching way to decorate with your personal photos.

Sets of table top frames can be purchased. These sets contain two or more (sometimes even as many as 15) coordinating photo frames in various sizes to make decorating simple. Placing coordinating frames around a room - some on a side table, some on a mantle, some on top of a bookcase - can help give your room a pulled together feeling.

To complement your holiday decorating, buy some seasonal frames and place personal photos of past holidays in them. Place them around the house at holiday time. You can change out the photos from year to year, making this a very inexpensive way to change your decorating each year.

If you'd like to put a little more work and creativity into decorating your home with personal photos, try one of these ideas.

Create a Wall Collage of Black and White Photos

With today's digital technology, making copies, cropping, and color enhancing your photos is easy and affordable. Try using this technology to create an inexpensive collage of black and white photos on a large open area of wall space in your home.

If you have old black and white photos of relatives you can mix them with recent photos. Vary the size of the prints and purchase inexpensive mats and frames for them. For added pop and contrast, vary the width of some of the mats, also.

You will need to create a template for your collage. Measure the dimensions of the wall space you will be using. Tape together pieces of newspaper to the exact dimensions and lay them on the floor. Then arrange your framed photos on the newspaper until you find a configuration you like.

Once you've found an arrangement that pleases you, trace each photo frame onto the newspaper. Then mark the spot where the hook is to be placed. Tape the newspaper onto the wall, nail in your hooks, and then remove the paper. You're ready to hang your black and white photos.

Use an Old Wood Window as a Frame

Purchase, grab from your basement, or trash pick an old wooden window with grills. This makes a one of a kind frame for your personal photos. Clean up the old frame and paint it. Or, leave the old, distressed paint on the window for a vintage decorating style.

You will need as many personal photos as you have panes of glass. Make sure the photos are smaller than each pane, leaving some open glass to show the wall behind. This creates a mat for your photos. Affix the photos onto the glass and hang the old window securely on the wall.

With a little time and thought, you can bring photos that have been stored away in dark closets into the light. This simple, creative, inexpensive way of home decorating with your personal photos will make a big impact on those who enter your home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/home-decorating-with-personal-photos-76243.html

Fransis Rodrigues is the author of this article on Bedroom
Decor. Find more information on the subject at www.habitatdesigns.net

Beautiful Home Decor Pictures

Some striking home decor pictures that I came across this morning.

Meyda Tiffany Table Lamps

When decorating your own personal living space, the subject of lighting is quite important. More than just placing a lamp on a table or putting up a new ceiling fixture, lighting sets the tone for any home decor project. Lighting brings out details in walls, wall colors, wall textures, ceilings, floors, pictures, fabrics, furniture and so on.

Meyda Tiffany table lamps are an excellent choice to provide stylish and quality lighting for the home or office. The amazing thing besides the obvious that they are lamps and give light is that Meyda Tiffany table lamps are a true work of art that become within themselves a fantastic addition to any room decor. Here are a few of their beautiful pieces.

This is the Meyda Tiffany Wicker Sunflower accent lamp. Great attention to detail can be seen in the stunning stained glass shade. Truly a work of art!

The impressive Meyda Tiffany Fishscale table lamp.


Meyda Tiffany Romance Rose table lamp. A beautiful Victorian-inspired piece.

Beautiful Home Decor Photos

I love the beauty expressed with this decor scene. It projects a very ordered and clean feel. The use of earthy colors give an added touch of style.

Beautiful Wall Murals for Your Home

I have always admired the beauty and style of wall murals in the home. They add a touch of class and have the ability to transform a room from ordinary to spectacular. Murals Your Way offers one of the most definitive collections that I have seen anywhere. Here is a small sampling of their work.
Lavender Hills- A beautiful and calming pattern.

Castle in the Valley- Great for a child's room.

A Day in the Sun- This is both beautiful and relaxing.

Abstract Piano- Perfect for a music room.

There are countless designs to choose from. Check out their selection here.

10 Tricks to Save Money Redecorating the Home

Redecorating the home can be a time consuming and often expensive endeavor. With a little planning, however, this does not have to be the case. I found this great article featuring good advice and helpful hints for anyone planning to redecorate their home.

Many individuals elect to redecorate their home. However, many of these people often spend more time and money on home decorating projects than is really necessary. There are many unique and creative ways in which an individual can save money when they wish to redecorate their home, or remodel in one way or another. Here, you will learn some of the top tips for home decorating that will allow you to do just that! In addition to saving money, these tips will increase the overall value of your home.

The first step you can take when engaging in home decorating is to ensure that you keep your projects plain, to a point. If you want to create a new look in the home, and add value to the home, it is important to keep the customization to a minimum. This is especially true when you are dealing with paints. Many individuals find themselves spending tons of money on customized paint jobs. However, the truth is, using simple colors when painting can change the appearance of the home. It is less expensive to paint in a structured way, and it adds more value to the home on the whole.

The next top design tip for home decorating is to ensure that you are decorating in a fashion that is comfortable for you. Many individuals will decorate in such a way that they want to appeal to the senses of others. While these methods may actually turn out to be beautiful, they may not turn out to be what you will be happy with. If you are going to redecorate, or change the home in any way, be certain that it is right for you. Sure, your design may not appeal to others, who cares? It is your opinion that matters, you must choose what is best for you!

Before starting any type of home improvement or home redecorating project, it is absolutely essential that you plan the project to the best of your ability. In order to make the best choices on the design of your home, choose the most suitable materials, and be completely satisfied once the project is completed, it is important to establish a plan. Going into a project with absolutely no direction can result in a big mess. However, if you plan your home decorating project with precision, you are likely to find that the outcome is exactly as you expected, sometimes more.

Prior to starting your home redecorating and/or home improvement projects, it is important that you ensure that you are completely comfortable with all of the city, county, and state codes and ordinances in your area. Many individuals start home improvement projects only later to find out that they have violated a particular code and/or ordinance in their area. This often requires many adjustments and can lead to heavy expenses. Not only will you be responsible for adjusting it appropriately, but you may incur heavy fines as well.

Prior to starting a home redecorating or home improvement process, it is important that you learn as much as you possibly can about the project that you will be completing. You should understand the steps that are involved in doing a thorough and high quality job on the task that you are interested in completing. If you are not familiar with the steps that are required, or do not know how to do a certain project, you may end up in a bigger mess than when you started. This can cost you a lot of valuable time and money. Research, study, and learn.

Once you have the home decorating or home improvement project planned, it is important that you research what materials will be required in order to complete the project. You should then look around and research different places where you can obtain the materials for less. Many individuals, who want to save money on building materials and other types of home redecorating and home improvement materials, will visit areas where they are demolishing a structure. Many times, you can get good materials for little or nothing when visiting these sites.

As you can see, there are many top tips for home decorating. By using the steps mentioned in this article, you can save yourself a lot of trouble, time, and money. All it takes is a little creativity, some structure, a plan, and the motivation to accomplish the goals that you have in home decorating and home improvement projects. This will ensure that all that you intend to do is completed in a good time frame, spending as little as possible, and in a fashion that you enjoy!

About the Author:

Gaetane Ross is a Home Improvement Consultant who has spent over 4 years focusing helping people remodel and improve their homes. She also specializes in Holiday Home Decorating. myhomeinteriordesignideas.com

Decorating the Home on a Tight Budget

If you are decorating the home on an extremely tight budget, this video has some really unique ideas.

Do It Yourself Closet Organizing

Excellent video from Ask the Decorator.

Great Closet Organizing Tips- Best Buy Novelties

I think that everyone has had to face the problem of clutter in closets and drawers. I know I sure have. I remember back years ago when I sold stuff on eBay. My house was transformed into a mini flea market and finding anything was next to impossible!

Fortunately I did eventually get around to organizing better and the house slowly transformed back to its original state. I came across this article which has some great tips on organizing closet space. The premise that organizing will help you not only in productivity but also overall happiness was so true in my case.

If you’re like most people, you never seem to have the time available to get the tasks you want to accomplish done. A huge reason why you can never seem to get things accomplished is your lack of organization.

Quite simply, you can never be productive if you spend half your life searching for items you’ve misplaced. Below are some tips to help you get your closet (and ultimately your life) organized today.
First of all, you absolutely must decide what items in your closet should stay and what need to go now. Be very honest in this process.

If you know, for instance, that you won’t be using that pair of shoes you get 10 years ago, but just like to keep them around for old time’s sake, then force yourself to give them up. It is items like these, which you have no use for, that are usually the biggest cause of the clutter in your home.

Often times, up to 90% of the items in your closet are no longer being used. If that’s the case, you can instantly take back over 90% of your closet space with just one thorough cleaning!

It is incredibly simple, yet very effective in getting your closet organized and ultimately your life. Once you’ve determined the items slated for removal, put them in boxes in the garage. From there, you can either throw them out or donate them to charity.

Next, group your similar belongings together. For instance, keep all your shoes together, your shirts, pants, etc. There is no bigger killer of your productivity then spending all your time searching for items you’ve misplaced.

In fact, just by doing these simple exercises, you will likely find that you have more free time than ever before, because you aren’t spending your time searching for items you should have at your fingertips.

After you’ve grouped your belongings together, don’t be afraid to make use of the closet floor. No, I’m not talking about strewing your items all over the place; simply make neat piles of your clothes in various areas. This takes the pressure of the vertical space in your closet (which in many closets is quite limited) and opens up more free space for your belongings.

Make sure you have some space left over when you’re done. Not only does having free space have tremendous aesthetic appeal, but it also provides you with some extra room should you decide to put more items in your closet.

For instance, if you finish your closet organizing and use up every inch of the closet, should you change your mind afterwards and want to put more items in there, there will not be room. If you leave some room, (say, a third of the closet) when you decide afterwards to delegate more items to your closet, you can do so with little trouble at all.

Again, these are some very simple, yet extremely effective tips at helping you organize your belongings for maximum efficiency. Quite simply, if you are able to organize your home and your life and know where all your items are, you will be simply amazed at how much more you can get accomplished. Follow these closet organizing tips, and watch your productivity as well as overall happiness skyrocket.

About the Author:

Josh Neumann

For more great organization tips, try visiting http://www.organizelifetips.com, a popular site that teaches closet organizing as well as home organization tips.

Whitney Design Shelf Canvas Sweater Organizer

The Whitney Design 01812 6-Shelf Canvas Sweater Organizeris a unique, attractive and easy way to organize your closets. From the review:

This handy organizer from Whitney Design keeps your closet organized while maintaining the loft and quality of your sweater collection. Crafted from durable canvas, the unit attaches to a closet rod with a wide Velcro sleeve and hangs straight down in a boxy shape. Each of the six shelves is flat and markedly sturdy, perfect for stacking sweaters. They also work well for storing jeans or stashing handbags. If you put your sweaters away for the summer, the organizer can easily be collapsed and stored as well. Constructed to fit any closet, the organizer measures 12 by 50 by 12 inches, and comes ready to hang.

Decoupage Art Wall Clock - Coffee Time

The Decoupage Art Wall Clock - "Coffee Time", 8-inch Versionis a unique and beautiful clock that would look great in a kitchen or coffee nook. From the description:

Add a spot of artistic pizazz to any wall with this wonderful "Coffee Time" clock. Each clock features a high quality reproduction of an original acrylic painting decoupaged on wood and embellished with eye-catching black and white clock hands. It easily compliments any kitchen with a cozy image of a steaming cup of coffee and a fresh combination of warm, inviting colors. Handcrafted in the USA; Requires 1 "AA" battery.

Clocks As Home Decor- Best Buy Novelties

I have always loved both the aesthetic and functional qualities that clocks provide when sprucing up my home. They are a great way to add a personal and unique touch to your living space.

I found the following article which discusses this at length and found it informative and interesting. If you have any ideas of your own, please feel free to share them here.

Clocks are more than just mere timepieces. They can be used as good decorative pieces in your home. They come in various sizes and shapes. Clocks also are made from different materials. The nature of the material used and the clock manufacturer are among the most crucial factors in determining the quality of the clock, including its price. For example, a simple digital clock might fetch you a few dollars, while those wooden and antique grandfather clocks generally cost up to thousands or more. Today’s clocks are do not just provide time correctly, but they also add glamour and beauty in your home. There are many clocks available, especially of the pendulum type. From miniature, table-accent clocks to grandfather ones, clocks are a gorgeous addition to your home. Don’t you think it is now time to think of clocks as not just mere timepieces?

1. Clocks In History

Clocks first came into existence in 1656 when the first pendulum clock was built by Dutch astronomer and mathematician Christian Huygens. Prior to his invention, clocks during Huygens’ time were not inaccurate. The most accurate clocks that time were off by several minutes daily. Thanks to Huygens, having a reliable clock everyday proved to be possible. Huygens used a pendulum as the timer of the clock. Before Huygens, however, Galileo was already doing some work on how to invent a clock! Galileo even had a pendulum system to keep track of time. Unfortunately, he died before he was able to complete his work.

2. Decorating with Clocks

Decorating a home using clocks is not exactly new. Since a few hundred years ago, home owners and good decorators have been choosing clocks as decorative devices in their homes. Ever since the pendulum clock was invented by Christian Huygens in the 1600s to measure weights and as a type of swinging pendulum, clocks have been known as good decorative items.

3. Modern Clocks

Compared with past ones, today’s clocks are stylish and sleeker in style aside from serving its main purpose. More than just telling time, clocks of today’s age, thanks to the state-of-the-art technology, are definitely more elegant and nice to look at than compared with their older counterparts.

4. When Choosing A Clock:

- Remember that the clock you are buying should reflect your personal tastes and serve as a decorative complement in the room you are putting it in

- One good tip in choosing clocks is to look for the fashion and style in a clock. When looking for a clock, choose one that makes a statement

- If you want to have a French country look in your home, select wall clocks that reflect country accents, such as having a patina finish on the clock’s face, wrought iron accents, or wood base that were whitewashed

- If you, on the other hand, want a contemporary look, why not try to shop around for a clock that has minimalist lines as well as chrome. There are also clocks that are sleek and have stainless detailing.

- You could also choose big and oversized clocks if you want to emphasize your timepiece, compared with a smaller one that could get lost in a clutter.

5. Large Clocks

- If you want to balance out an oversized lamp, try putting a traditional anniversary clock on the end of the table

- You could also put a wall clocked placed on a sturdy and decorative easel in your kitchen for quick and instant charm

- Having an antique grandfather clock in your den provides extra comfort and warmth. Of course, the grandfather clock should be in a nice condition. Otherwise, the effect is somewhat diminished

About the Author:

Paul Graham
For more great clocks related articles and resources check out http://clocks.homemanner.com.

Mirror Dynamics Beveled Mirror Wall Clock

Set a contemporary vibe in your home with this Mirror Dynamics Beveled Mirror Wall Clock. The clock features five strips of beveled mirror to provide depth and modern style to any decor. It has been carefully mounted on four strips of solid, two and a half inch wood and comes conveniently ready to hang. This unique clock measures 20 inches high x 20 inches wide x 1 inch deep. A truly unique piece!

Display Weight: 8 lbs.
Uses 1- AA Battery (not included)

This is one of out top selling clocks and is currently on sale for just $48.00. It's available at our website here.

How To Safely Make Your Home Smell Nice

Here is a great article discussing the many ways to use candles and scented oils to freshen up your living space. I have followed with a great video that I came across from Ask The Decorator showcasing some great tips on choosing the right scented candle for your home.

Ah, there is nothing more welcoming and memorable than walking into a nice smelling home. Do you want your home to smell nice and clean, but do you also want a better, and safer alternative to expensive synthetic air fresheners which can be unhealthy? Synthetic aerosol air fresheners and room sprays can be the cause of severe breathing problems in children and people with asthma. A scary fact is, that the manufacturers of these synthetic air fresheners keep the chemical composition a closely-guarded secret. They are designed to mask or cover up odors rather than remove the odor. However, it's far better to eliminate odor from the source by cleaning than trying to cover it up.

First, identify the source of any odors. Garbage can be taken outdoors and the other most common odor sources; the kitchen and bathroom can be cleaned with an non-toxic cleaner. Cooking odors from strong smelling foods will disappear after a short period of time.

Here are some safe and easy ideas to make your home smell great every day and when company comes calling too.

For all the rooms in you your home you can use a non-aerosol room spray made with all natural essential oils. These are safer and the natural scents will make your home smell nice, clean and fresh. There are a wide variety of scents available, try an energizing citrus, a warming spice, an exhilarating mint or pine scent to enhance the ambiance of your home.

Try this tip: Just before you expect your visitors to arrive, spray one or two pumps in your entry way or the first room they will enter. You just need to make a good first impression for your guest's. After one has been exposed to a scent for a while it become less noticeable, and our noses can't smell it any more that's why you can't smell your own perfume later in the day when everyone else still can.

You can give your home a wonderful appealing smell by simmering spices like cloves and cinnamon in water. It will smell like you've been busy baking all day. You can vary the scent by adding vanilla extract, orange or lemon peel to the mix. So, go ahead and raid your pantry or spice cupboard for these safe, economical and natural scents. You can use a special potpourri simmering pot, a mini crock pot or just a small saucepan on your stove top.

Scented candles are another alternative, look for the more environmentally friendly soy based candles with a lead-free wick as they burn cleaner. It's important to remember, never leave a burning candle unattended or near anything that could catch fire.

Try this tip: Light a scented candle half an hour before you expect your company to arrive so your home will smell nice when your guests enter. Then you can extinguish it and the lovely scent will linger. It's also more frugal to burn a candle for a short period of time.

With these tips and ideas you can safely and easily give your home a warm inviting ambiance for your family and visitors and enjoy a lovely smelling home everyday.

About the Author:

Melody Thacker enjoys helping people and marketing Watkins products part time. You can find more quick and easy cooking, cleaning and healthy lifestyle ideas at Watkins Home Products

Basic Candle Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started

Basic Candle Making: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started (Basic Books Series)is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to learn more about making their own scented candles. From the review:

Step-by-step color photographs and descriptive detail make this book indispensable for beginners looking to create beautiful and functional scented candles on their very first try, and for experienced crafters who want to sharpen their skills. Precise instructions eliminate the guesswork that too often creeps into how-to books. Gleaned from the expertise of master candle makers, this guide presents everything a novice needs to know to get started crafting traditional tapers and molded candles, container and rolled beeswax candles, and interesting variations on each. Includes guidelines for buying tools and materials, preparing the workspace, and working safely and effectively, as well as suggested shopping lists. This book includes the contributions of veteran candle makers and crafters.

About the Author:

Scott Ham is a master candle maker and owner of The Gettysburg Candle Company and Moonacre Iron Works in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Alan Wycheck is a photographer based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Lamps- The History of Lighting

It seems that lamps have been around for a long, long time. Who knew? The following is an intriguing look at the history of the lamp and its evolution to what we see today.

Numerous references from olden ages have illuminated the fact that lamps have been used to spread light, even before electricity was invented, and lighting was given a new meaning. The use of lamps can be broadly classified into two eras: The pre-electrical era and the post electrical era.

The Pre-electrical Era

The invention and first usage of lamp can be dated back to 70,000 BC. At that time, there was no metal or bronze to make lamps instead the then civilization used hollow rocks and shells. These hollow rocks were filled with moss and other natural substances and then soaked in animal fat. Animal fat acted as oil and this is how the first lamps were ignited.

With the advent of pottery, and the bronze and copper age, humans started to make lamps that imitated other natural shapes. Wicks came into existence much later and were used for controlling the flame or the rate of burning. In the 7th century BC, Greeks started using terra cotta lamps, which replaced the handheld torches. The word “lamp” has been derived from the Greek word “lampas”, which means “torch”.

Design Change

There was a major change in the design of lamps in the 18th century, when the central burner was invented. With the invention of the burner, a separate fuel source was made from metal. Another small change made was the addition of a metal tube that could be adjusted to control the intensity of the flame or light.

This was an important discovery in terms of lighting because with adjustment, humans were able to diminish the lighting or make it bright as required. Another aspect was added to the new lamp, which was in the form of small glass chimneys. The role of the glass chimney was to protect the flame as well as control the air flow.

Swiss chemist Ami Argand used the hollow circular wick in an oil lamp for the very first time in 1783.

Fuels for Lighting

Different kinds of fuels have been used for lighting a lamp between 70,000 BC and now. Most of the early forms of fuel were beeswax, olive oil, animal fat, fish oil, sesame oil, whale oil, nut oil etc. These were also among the most commonly used forms of fuel for lighting a lamp till the late 18th century.

Around 1859, the first drilling process was initiated to find petroleum and with the advent of kerosene, which is a derivative of petroleum, lamp became more popular and usage increased. Kerosene enabled lighting was first introduced in Germany in 1853.

During the same time two other products were used for lamp lighting purposes and they were natural gas and coal. The first use of coal gas lamps was in 1784.

Electrical Lighting Lamps
Lamps have actually come a long way from usage of coal gas to electricity. In 1801, Sir Humphrey Davy of England invented the electric carbon arc lamp, which was the first of its kind. The working principle for this lamp was simple and included hooking of two carbon rods to an electrical source.

The carbon rods were kept at a distance from each other so that electrical current could flow through the arc and thus vaporize carbon to create white lighting. Around 1857, A.E. Becquerel of France came out with the theory of fluorescent lighting in lamps. In the 1870’s, the unthinkable happened with Thomas Edison inventing the first electric incandescent lamp. Since then incandescent lamps were used for lighting purposes in homes till about the early 20th century.

In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt patented his new invention, the mercury vapor lamp. This was another type of arc lamp that enhanced lighting using mercury vapors, which were enclosed in a glass bulb. The Mercury vapor lamps set the prototype for fluorescent lighting lamps.

The Neon lamp was invented by Georges Claude of France in 1911 followed by Irving Langmuir, an American who invented the electric gas-filled incandescent lamp in 1915. In 1927, Hans Spanner, Friedrich Meyer, and Edmund Germer patented the first fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamps provided better lighting as compared to the mercury vapor lamps because they were coated from inside with beryllium.

Since then we have been using different form of lighting in lamps, which includes Mercury vapors, incandescent lamps and even today, in some corners of the earth people still use the old wick and oil lamp for lighting their homes.

About the Author:

Moe Tamani is an importer of Moroccan lamps and contributes on several Moroccan related sites as well as a designer of Henna Lamps.