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By Derek Rogers

Hardwood flooring is a classic and luxurious way to add a beautiful floor to your home. Used for centuries, hardwood is a durable choice that can last for many years with the proper care. And, if your hardwood floor becomes damaged, you can

refinish it, instead of replacing it

.

However, there are many choices available when it comes to the type of wood used in your hardwood floor. Oak is one of the most popular, but maple, walnut, and others are also offered. If you’re thinking about a hardwood floor and are not sure if walnut or oak flooring are the right choices for your home, then here is some information to help you decide.

Oak

is the less expensive of the two floors and a little softer. It’s more readily available and can come stained in a number of colours. That means that if you’re not interested in paying the premium for the look and hardness of walnut, but want a dark floor, you can still get one. Oak does not, however, look like walnut, even when stained the same colour. It has a much tighter grain, which some prefer, but others consider less attractive.

Walnut

is a naturally dark, open grained wood. Most species are harder than oak, but softer than many other. The look of natural walnut is one that’s hard to reproduce artificially, however. If you love walnut wood, skip the imitations – they won’t measure up. However, remember that the way your flooring is produced may affect the look of it and it might not look just like the sample.

Sawn boards

are the traditional option. However, lower priced sliced wood (which is soaked before sawing, then dried again) will have a different grain and be harder to refinish. Also, depending on where your wood was grown, it will look different. Even a few miles can make some difference in the appearance of an oak or walnut floor. That means it’s a good idea to get a look at the wood you’ll be using for your floor before installing it, if the exact look of the grain is important to you. Ask for samples of the specific flooring you will order, not just flooring of the same species.

Care for walnut and oak flooring is similar.

Both can dent if a heavy object is dropped on them, although satin finishes may help reduce the appearance of these blemishes. Oak will dent more easily. Red oak is rated at about 1290 on the Janka hardness scale, while white oak rates at 1360. Black walnut is actually a little softer than these woods – rating at about 1000 on the scale. However, other walnut species are considerably harder – red walnut rates at 2450 and Brazilian walnut at an impressive 3680.

In the end, the choice of oak flooring versus walnut flooring comes down to personal preferences and budget. If you want the rich look of walnut, you won’t get it with an imitation. For those concerned about durability, red or Brazilian walnut are also great choices.

However, if a good hardwood floor is the priority, and you don’t want to spend as much, oak is a perfectly attractive and worthwhile choice.

About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For wood flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of

Oak

and

Walnut Flooring

.

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Few decorating features make a house feel like a home quite like botanicals. During the cold winter months, they bring in the warmth of springtime. Many varieties of indoor foliage coordinate well with most different decorating styles. Decorators should be aware of the requirements of the botanicals they choose for a given room, while keeping silk plants and plant motifs in mind for unsuitable environments.

The first thing to consider is the room conditions. Make sure to check the amount of natural light available in a room before choosing a plant variety. Many understory plants do well in darker rooms or artificial light, while other plants require abundant natural light. Some may even require a warm, south facing window. Temperature is also an important factor. The rising cost of energy means that many families no longer keep their homes at optimal winter temperatures for delicate tropical plants. Some plants have higher water requirements and some need less water. Others need extra ambient humidity to thrive. Keep these light, temperature and water needs in mind when choosing indoor botanicals.

Succulents are relatively easy to care for. Many varieties need a good deal of light, but watering needs are few. They make a nice accent for rooms with south-western decor, but their design possibilities don’t end there. They also fit comfortably in terrarium environments, which can be styled to complement almost all room decor. Desert roses stand in remarkably well for high maintenance bonsai trees in Japanese decor.

Ivy is a popular choice for traditional room decor. Ivy comes in a number of types, from all weather ivy that is just as comfortable outdoors to indoor, tropical leafy vines. All types lend an old fashioned charm to a room. Ivy pairs well with warm, country furnishings, Victorian settings with old lace and antimacassars, and more modern decor as well.

Palms and bananas enhance rooms with a tropical feel. These plants may require extra light, but many are understory varieties which need partial to full shade. A few varieties are more cold weather hardy, but some are so delicate that growers must watch how low they set the thermostat in the winter. They pair exceptionally well with rustic woods and wicker furniture in natural finish or colors.

Dwarf citrus trees make particularly nice indoor botanicals. Their light needs are greater in the spring and summer months, so they become patio decorations. They need a moderate amount of water, with decreased winter needs. Depending on the type of citrus, they may provide small, edible fruit. Citrus trees pair best with neutral decor, but they can go equally well in a tropical room setting.

There are plants to fit any design theme in all difficulty ranges. Decorators who travel a lot or do not feel comfortable caring for an indoor plant can easily get the warm feel of indoor botanicals by adding realistic silk plants or bright botanical prints. A few easy to care for specimens can add a little bit of spring cheer to a room. More adventurous growers can look to more delicate varieties.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/interior-design-articles/choosing-right-indoor-botanicals-your-home-decor-812190.html

About Author:

MyReviewsNow offers information regarding botanicals. To learn more about botanicals, visit our website at MyReviewsNow.net.Author: Chickie Maxwell

By Lee Dobbins

Today decorating a rustic bedroom is a mixture of designs borrowed from the French, English and some Swedish country looks as well. It is often defined as being coarse, charmingly simple, unfussy, unfinished but yet still have some endearing qualities about it. When decorating a rustic bedroom you need to include natural woods, aged surfaces, rough finishes as well as simple lines in your design.

The floor in a rustic bedroom should ideally be made from wood and they should be bare and then simply waxed and hand polished. Sometime you may wish to paint your bare boards in a light colour and then add oriental rugs or throws to provide visual warmth and colour to the floor.

The type of furniture that you should include in your rustic design should preferably be made from pine and you perhaps painted with hand painted designs on it such as flowers, birds, animals, country scenes or leaves (it really is like trying to bring the outdoors inside). If you can use either a ladder back chair, rocking chair, benches, wicker furniture or a Windsor chair as seating in the room. A good idea for use as a dressing table in such a room is to get a good pine kitchen or dining room table.

If you want to give any of your furniture a more rustic look then brush with a coat of paint then rub most of it off. Once the pain has dried then apply a wood stain unevenly over the furniture in order to give it that weathered look.

To add an even more rustic look to your bedroom include some baskets around where you can place wood, pine cones, flowers, plants or even needlework into. As for the lighting then use brass candle holders, oil or kerosene lamps, hurricane lamps and tin lanterns all of which can be easily converted to be used as an electrical lamp instead. Also use recessed ceiling fixtures or vintage wrought iron or metal chandeliers to provide you with the right sort of lighting to achieve the rustic look.

When choosing colours for decorating a rustic bedroom you should include neutral tones ranging from white to bone, earth tones such as red barn, blues or greens.

About the Author: Lee Dobbins writes for

Bedroom Designs and Decorations

where you get more bedroom decorating tips and find out more about creating a

rustic bedroom

.

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By Cord Ziggler

The world of cocktails, like any other specialized field, can be confusing with a host of terminology that has to be understood before you can make your way through the pages of recipe books that are out there waiting to be mastered. Here is some of the terminology explained to guide you through your cocktail making experience so you can talk like a pro.

Box – Method of quick mixing whereby a drink is poured in and out of a shaker.

Chaser – A mixer that is consumed immediately after a straight shot of liquor to create a different taste

Dash – A small amount of liquid – a couple of drops around the size of a teaspoon – added into the mixture

Frappe – A refreshing type of cocktail that are made in a blender with a small amount of ice, something similar to a slushy.

Fix – A sour-type drink made with ice in a large goblet.

Floating – The act of drizzling a small amount of liquor over the top of a mixed drink before serving it.

Frozen Drink – A cocktail created in a blender filled with ice. The beverage is blended until the drink is thick and cold.

Garnish – The finishing touch that can be added to a cocktail to add decoration and added taste. The most common garnishes include cherries, pickles, olives, lemon and lime slices or wedges; the selection of options is endless.

Grog – A rum-based beverage with water, fruit juice and sugar, commonly served in a large mug.

Highball – Any spirit served with ice and soda water in a medium to tall glass (often a highball glass)

Jigger – The device used to measure alcohol, sometimes referred to a shot. Standard jiggers hold a measure of 1.5 liquid ounces, though the sizes can vary.

Lowball – A short drink made of spirits served with ice, water or soda in a small glass

Mixers – Non-alcoholic beverages used as a flavoring agent for mixed drinks. Popular mixers include colas, lemon-lime flavored soft drinks, ginger ale, tonic water, club soda, and fruit juices such as grapefruit, orange, pineapple, and tomato.

Mist – Liquor served over a glass filled with crushed ice, often a way of serving liqueur as an after dinner drink.

Neat – The very simplest cocktail possible, arguably not a cocktail. Simply a measured shot of liquor served without ice.

Nightcap – A wine or liquor taken before bedtime.

On The Rocks – A wine or liquor our over ice cubes.

Pick-Me-Up – A drink designed to relieve the effects of overindulgence in alcohol.

Pony – A short shot, just 1 fluid ounce, smaller than a jigger.

Proof – An indication of a spirit’s alcohol content. The proof number is twice as high as the pure alcohol content of the spirit.

Sling – A tall drink made with brandy, whiskey or gin, with lemon juice, sugar and soda water. Can be served either hot or cold.

Splash – A larger dash more along the lines of a tablespoonful

Shake – The most obvious term in the mixologists dictionary. Shake refers to using a cocktail shaker to shake the cocktail mixture with ice. If you don’t have a shaker then you can use a sealable jar.

Strain – Located at the top of a cocktail shaker, the strainer is used to strain the liquid so that the ice, pith and pips don’t get into the mix. Again if you don’t have the proper equipment then a tea strainer will do the job.

Stir – The alternative to shaking. The difference between stirring and shaking is a controversial one as James Bond will testify to. Some cocktail recipes demand that the drink must be stirred rather than shaken. Stirring is recommended for simple blends such as the classic martini, where silky texture is required.

Toddy – A sweetened drink of liquor and hot water, often with spices and served in a tall glass.

Tot – A small amount of liquor.

Virgin – A non-alcoholic cocktail.

About the Author: Cocktail Zen provides cocktail recipes and vodka drinks to any one with a web connection.

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If you are looking for some new blinds in your house, then you have a few options in the Wirral area. You can buy online, but that is risky as you don’t know who you are dealing with, from a shop selling pre-made blinds (which are generally of lower quality and are difficult to cut down to the right size) or from a specialist made to measure company.

Choosing the right window covering can be baffling with the vast choices available. Try not to choose a style simply based on its decorative effect alone. As part of a guide to window blinds, here are some questions to mull over before you place your order:

o What are your needs for privacy?

o Which direction does your window face? o What are your needs for light control? o How do your windows open and how often do you open them? o What’s your budget? Here’s a quick guide on some popular available styles: o Vertical Blinds -the most popular over all that used to be mainly used in offices. That has changed as vertical blinds have become fashionable o Roller – roller blinds which disappear into a flat roll when drawn up, have the most minimalist profile. They’re popular for their low-maintenance and efficient sun shading. o Roman – Popular in bedrooms and in rooms where you don’t want bulky folds, the roman blind’s neat, flat structure works well with a window seat. o Wooden venetians – Wood Venetian blinds add warmth with their pleasing wood grain and natural wood colour. Wood blinds also complement tropical, classical, rustic and even contemporary settings. They’re easy to clean, requiring just a simple wipe-down.

Before purchasing the blinds, you’d need to measure the size of the window. So if you want the blind to hang inside the window recess, measure its frame on all sides, as most windows are not perfect squares. If you want the blind to hang over the window, leave about 2 inches for overhang. Allow for shrinkage after washing or dry cleaning.

It isn’t as easy as it sounds, so its best to call in the professionals – most of which are very reasonably priced. Try to pick a company that will measure and quote for free, so you can’t go wrong. They are unlikely to make any mistakes and if they do its up to them to fix it of course.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/blinds-wirral-106102.html

About Author:

Don’t call another TV aerial installer until you have a quote from us. Simply call us on free phone 0800 1669 989 or view our website at TV Aerials Northampton or click here forAuthor: Vaughn Theron Knapp

By Jesse Akre

Take a look at that light switch plate by the doorway. Have you ever considered how it feels? It’s sitting there, on the wall, relatively ignored. It’s not the light switch plate’s fault. You haven’t even given it a chance, since it’s just a boring, plain piece of plastic.

That light switch plate looks around the room and sees the love you gave to the rest of this space. The walls were given a coat of paint to make them prettier. You may even have gone all out and added borders or wallpaper to really dress it up. The floor was given rugs and other accents to make it look nicer. The door even got a glass door knob and looks great. But, then there’s the light switch plate, plain white plastic, and unloved.

It’s time to give your light switch plate what it’s been begging for, a little love and attention.

While you could just go to the store and pick up a ready-made decorative light switch plate, why wouldn’t you want to show that long-neglected light switch plate that you really care for it and want to give it a new life.

Making your own decorative light switch plate can also be a fun project.

First, you need to decide what you want on your light switch plate. One of the options are to cover it with dried flowers. Another option is to paint it yourself. Still another possibility is that you could use wallpaper, or other accent paper, to make your light switch plate match the rest of your room.

For all of these projects, you will need a few basic elements. Glue, paint, items you plan on attaching to the light switch plate and a water-proof sealer.

Painting – If you are going to paint your light switch plate as a piece of art, to add to the room, pull out the brushes and get to work. Once the paint has completely dried you can either finish the project or add to it. If you want to add a few touches, you can glue items to the top of your creation. Once it is all dried, make sure to use the water-proof sealer to protect it.

Covering – Using cloth or paper to cover a light switch plate is a project of precision. It may take a lot of little cuts and careful placement to get a smooth coverage of the cloth or paper. Make sure to glue it in place and once it dries, cover the whole creation with a water-proof sealer.

Decorating – If you like texture in your creations, add some to your light switch plate. From flowers to stickers, pictures, glitter and other items you think will make a fun addition to a light switch plate, glue them in place. Once the glue has dried and everything is where you want it, make sure to protect it with a water-proof sealer.

You may have noticed all these light switch plate decorating ideas end with a sealer. The reason for this is not only will it help your creation hold together better over time, but it will also make them easier to clean when grimy hands miss the switch but gunk up the light switch plate.

About the Author: Jesse Akre,author and owner of numerous home decor sites, offers online consumers his thoughts on purchasing indoor accessories such as decorative

switchplate covers

, brightly hued

switch plates

and an elegantly embellished

light switch plate

.

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By John Schofield

For its durability, eye-catching appeal, and ability to resist stains and rust, stainless steel has been the metal of choice for kitchen utensils and instruments. They are demanded highly for their usefulness in the kitchen, and can often be quite costly. Despite all the known reasons, however, all metals can be subjected to some kind of wear and tear, especially when the outer coating has already worn off, and the rusting begins to appear on the surface of the metal. Rusts are more than just stains; they are unsightly, disease carrying and can significantly decrease the value of your metal. If you do not find a great solution for the stains, when they first come out, this can always give you bigger problems in the future.

Protecting your investment

As steel products always come at a high price, it is important for you to be able to protect your investment. You need to find an effective way to get rid of the rust on your grill; you need to find a great way to clear your sink of rust; you need to find a way to say goodbye to rust that has began to appear on small kitchen utensils such as knives, spoons and forks.

Fortunately, there are countless ways to get rid of rust on different kinds of stainless steel products. Each method will differ, depending on the metal in question:

If you are trying to remove rust from smaller items, like a pocket knife, for instance, spraying all-purpose lubricant would be enough to solve the problem. A great all-purpose lubricant is WD40. You can easily spray lubricant on the surface of the metal and then wipe it with a paper towel to remove the residue. Almost every time, this method works to remove all or most of the rust particles.

Should there be any rust residue left, even after lubricant application, you can get find sandpaper (320 or 400 grit) and lightly sand the areas where rust still appears. In doing this method, you have to be quite careful, because scraping the surface too much could remove the protective covering on the surface, thus creating an even bigger problem for you.

Getting the rust off the kitchen sink follows an entirely different process. You will need to mix baking soda, lemon juice and white vinegar, in proportions that would be enough to cover the whole surface. Combining all of these natural ingredients should result to some kind of paste material that you can spread all over the surface of the sink. You need to leave the material on the surface for quite some time to allow the rust to dissolve. The use of natural ingredients is important because chemical products may leave toxic residues on the surface of the sink for a long time.

If you are tasked to remove rust on any stainless appliances at home, you can start doing this task by dipping a toothbrush on baking soda and then lightly rubbing the brush back and forth on the surface of the stain. You should aim to do this quite lightly, so as not to etch the surface. After which, you can get a paper towel to dry it thoroughly.

About the Author:

Welding rodsWelding helmets

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