Want to make your furniture pop? Try going green A great reason for choosing green dollhouse furniture is that it adds variety and mixture that not only stands out, but helps other pieces and designs look unique. We have found that it is the quirky pieces of furniture that we have loved the most, and green as quirky as it may be can really add to your dollhouse experience.

Using Pecan in your Dollhouse Furniture Coordination

What most people do not know about pecans is that it is a great wood for furniture. Pecan is a very popular option for dollhouse furniture today. It has a soft look similar to walnut or oak, yet it is a hardier material. This strength is why it is becoming a more reliable option for modern furniture or home flooring options. Pecan pieces go very well with a traditional, modern, or colonial dollhouse kit.

Using Porcelain in Dollhouse Furniture

What comes to mind when you think of porcelain? China, and that is because it was manufactured first in china around the 600s. Ever since then porcelain has been the dominant material for most fancy dishes, pottery, and "china". It has also worked its way into dollhouse furniture beautifully. The most common areas that porcelain is found in dollhouses is in the bathroom and bathroom furniture kits.

Dollhouse Furniture for Libraries and Office

Whether your dollhouse is old-fashioned or ultra-modern, elegantly Victorian or enchantly down-to-earth, the library or office really shows the era you are emulating. This is also a room in which just a few accessories can go a long way: a sophisticated globe or a few reverted books, for example. This room adds a lot of elegance to your dollhouse.

Poly-resin Material for Dollhouses

One of the newest materials to hit the miniature market is poly-resin. Poly-resin is a material blend between a polyester fabric and a hard resin giving it a unique feel and texture that works great for molding. This material is used in many places in the dollhouse including living rooms and kitchens; it is also a durable material that resists fading over time.

Walnut Material for Dollhouse Furniture

Walnut is a special type of wood that grows slow and weak. Its grain and color are very traditional and fit very comfortable in any dollhouse. Walnut is most commonly found in kitchen and bedroom dollhouse furniture pieces, but will work well with any room. Walnut's characteristics also lend themselves well to dollhouse furniture because of its durable scratch resistant nature.

Kitchen Dollhouse Furniture

There is a huge range of dollhouse kitchen sets available, from a few simple appliances to deluxe, everything-included kitchens. A table and chairs are important to have in your kitchen if your dollhouse will not have a dining room. Also, keep in mind that many of the most fun dollhouse accessories belong in the kitchen (pots and pans, dollhouse food, etc.), so make sure your kitchen will be able to display them.

With the expense and time commitment involved in learning to dance, it's important to take the time to explore your options thoroughly as you try to find the best dance studio. Delve into the details of any company you consider to find one that best fits your style and budget.

Observe Student Technique

Visit the school to observe some classes. A ballet technique class of older dancers is an ideal class for observation. Watch how the pupils perform and have during the class. Whether or not you have ballet experience yourself, you should see serious professionalism among the students. A dance studio that prioritizes technique and dedication to the art will carry through to its students.

Analyze the Facility Structure

The structure of the dance studio is also an important indicator of quality. The facility should set a dress code for attendees with strict adherence by everyone. Classes should be divided carefully by level and curriculum to allow students to focus on and learn various aspects of the art. This division enables pupils to advance in a logical sequence through the program.

As you perform this analysis, cast a glance around the physical structure of the facility. Optimally, it should appear spacious, clean, light, safe, and inviting. In viewing the facility through a pupil's eyes, it should feel like a positive place to learn.

Investigate Class Offerings

Review the class offers to determine the learning opportunities and the schedule. Often, courses will occur once per week. Optimally, pupils will need to test for placement instead of the facility simply placing students together based on age. This will ensure that classes contain pupils of similar abilities, which usually advances learning. Ask about performances and recitals. Recitals offer dancers important opportunities for performing in front of an audience.

Check Teacher Credentials

Teacher credentials are an important detail to consider. The teachers on staff should have proper training and professional experience that qualifies them to teach students at a dance studio. Educators should have specific training within the genre they are teaching. Image degrees and experience are beneficial. Staff with hands-on experience with children is also a plus. Ask for the teachers' background information so you can review their qualifications yourself.

Ask Pertinent Questions

A number of pertinent questions will give you more information to enable you to make a final decision.

1. Are auditions necessary for placement?
2. How does the staff assessment students in a placement exam?
3. What ballet method is used for traditional ballet?
4. What modern methods are utilized?
5. Where does the institute typically start beginners?
6. How quickly do pupils progress?
7. What is the typical age for pupils progressing to pointe?
8. What type of flooring do you have?
9. When does serious instruction typically begin for participants?
10. Can students cross train in a multitude of styles and disciplines?
11. Is competition a part of the program?

After careful assessment and review, you can find a reputable dance studio to provide instruction in the arts for your child.

One thing that has always interested me was the different way buildings, especially home buildings, are done. For instance in the USA it looks most houses are built out of wood, whereas in my home country South Africa it is the absolute exception.

Possible Reasons

The reason may be the availability of the main materials. The USA as well as Canada have large indigenous forests. In South Africa (SA) there are few indigenous forests and these are protected so that very little lumber may be taken from them and the lumber that can be used is too precious and only used for expensive furniture.

SA has planted forests in the wetter parts of the country, mainly in the east where the rainy is higher. These are single species forests and the lumber used for building comes mainly from pine. The species are pinus patula, a native of Mexico and pinus radiata, mainly a native of California, but also pinus taeda and pinus elliotti. These grow very quickly, due to the heat in SA, so the growth rings are far apart when compared to lumber in the USA. This results in wood that is not of a high quality and is very soft. It also tends to warp badly, so care has to be taken when it is discharged. The lumber is harvested within only 20 to 30 years in contrast to 45 years in the USA

Building Methods

The houses built from lumber in the USA have wooden frames with wooden cladding and sometimes even the roof shingles are wood. This would be unthinkable in SA as the sun would damage these in a short time if made out of these soft woods. Another factor is the plague of termites which attack any wooden structure without it is specifically treated.

Houses built in SA are built with bricks, either burnt clay bricks or cement and crusher sand hollow bricks. The last named are mainly used for low-cost buildings for the poor. For the roof structure lumber is used, with either clay or cement tiles for the more up-market houses, or galvanized iron sheeting, which is by far the most common. Sometimes shingles made from slate are used but are not popular. Pressed metal tiles such as Harvey tiles are also used, although these are quite expensive. The floors are concrete with a variety of coverings such as tiles, laminated wooden flooring, carpeting or even colored cement floated screed depending on whether it is an up-market building or not.

Thatched roofs are used sometimes but they are risky because of the danger of lightning. They have much higher insurance costs. In coastal areas this risk is less, so more homes have these roofs there, especially in the Cape where the old gabled Cape-Dutch houses originated.

Other Building Methods

For high-rise buildings concrete frames with brick walls and concrete rooftops are common here. The use of steel framing is used in contrast to the USA.

The black (Bantu) population in traditional areas use natural wood framing from branches and small trees cut in the bush combined with mud daub and thatched roofs. These huts are very maintenance intensive and it is the task of the women to regularly smear them with mud clay. The floors are made out of a mixture of mud clay and cow dung.

The brown (Khoi-San) people, who were the original residents of SA, built their traditional dome houses with thin branches covered with hides, because because they used to be nomadic. This is strictly used anymore, only in some desert areas in the North Western part of SA.

Other countries have very different building methods, but this article concentrates on the differences between South Africa and the USA and demonstrates how the availability of materials can affect building methods, not to mention other natural occurrences such as earth quakes.

A business's offices are critical to the performance of much of its image and branding presentation. It is the space that they conduct their sales and acquisitions. It is the space where they present their products or services. It is the space where they conduct their business's integral customer service. So to present themselves and their product or service well, regular performance of office cleaning is important to sanitation for employee safety and a clean polished appearance for the attraction of their clients. Yet, different companies are at different stages so they require different amounts of office cleaning through the life of the business.

First, before a business can even start up it has to undergo renovation and cleaning. Everything from the air / ventilation system and paint application to the flooring and equipment has to be updated when opening a new office location. After all of that work, the space has to have a polished appearance for its final presentation to the community that the business intends to serve. So if the office is within a building then it can be cleaned by the buildings contracted janitorial services on a regular basis. But if it is a standalone store front then the management can hire a maid service company to take care of the odds and ends of removing spilled paint, cleaning windows and surfaces to pristine glory and sanitizing the washrooms so that the employees and clients will be comfortable . The services required are only as specific as management outlines. If the company is joining the fold of the other offices in the building then they can simply request the same care for their space. However, if certain rooms are not to be cleaned or sensitive material needs to be handled with care or delicate equipment avoided then those specific instructions will guide the maid or janitorial services that will be performed within that office.

After the initial cleaning and set up and office is open for regular business and will be in need regular cleaning thereafter. Depending upon the type of business, office cleaning can be required daily or only several times a week in order to meet building code or in order to create or deliver the product or service that they intend. Office cleaning can include clean-up for the equipment, paper waste, the staff kitchenette, the flooring and all glass surfaces in order to keep the room (s) clear of a great majority of germs and bacteria that can hinder productivity or customer safety. Office cleaning is just as important as the services that they provide to the people they serve.

The newest rage in decorating schemes is actually an old idea. Many people are now decorating their kitchens in the old Italian styles, such as from Tuscany and Umbria. The earthy colors used in this type of decorating are becoming very popular and when mixed with some of the interesting reproductions of old world art and architectural features that they actually create a striking room. Here are some great ideas for giving your kitchen the look of the Italian countryside.

Colors

The landscape in the Tuscan countryside contains such colors as golds in the old walls and buildings, deep greens of the poplar trees and the bright colors of the pottery the region is famous for. For a genuine look, you do not have to invest a lot; just buy one or two accent pieces of Majolica pottery and imitate the colors in this pottery in the rest of your kitchen. You will find that stones of slate or terracotta make perfect choices for floor or counters, and will pick up the Tuscan colors of your pottery.

Lighting

The lighting in this style is subdued and soft, and newer modern light fixtures would not work. One of the most popular style to recreate the ambiance you want is to choose light fixtures of wrought iron. You may want some brighter lighting in the work area, but a recessed light that does not interfere with the style would be a better idea than something in chrome or stainless steel.

Accessories

You can find a lot of accessories in this style today, since it has become such a popular style. But it is more fun and interesting, and you will have a more unique look if you shop around in antique stores for items that would complement the style and you could picture in an Italian kitchen. Pottery or ceramic bowls, water pitchers and vases can be of real Majolica pottery, or look like it. If you are replacing your dinnerware to go with the kitchen, a set of Majolica ware is a striking way to carry the look all the way through. Some other genuine touches that imitate the Italian kitchen is types of garlic hanging by a window, borders with grape vine designs, and a lot of greenery, preferred herbs and small plants in decorative pots.

Using these ideas, you can quickly create a charming kitchen that is warm and cozy and looks like the kitchens we admire in Italy. The rustic colors you desire can be created either by buying new accessories that are reproductions of Tuscan style, or you can scour the antique shops and find pieces that complete this style.

When it comes to a list of things homeowners worry about, water damage usually ranks at the top of the list. Not only can it happen as the result of many different causes, it can bring with it huge repair bills, especially if the water is allowed to sit too long as it can encourage mold growth which affects not only your home, but your family's health as well. If you find yourself facing water damage issues there are some steps you can take to help mitigate the damage while getting your home and your life back to normal.

Mistake # 1: Waiting Too Long

When it comes to water damage, time is of the essence. Water is stealthy and can see into every corner of your home. Water on the floor, for example, can see between the tile flooring and sub flooring and weak the entire floor, including support beams. It can also provide a prime breeding ground for mold which can then spread beyond the water damaged areas and invade almost every part of your home, rotting wood and ruining floors, walls and even furniture. This can all happen without your knowledge and you may only notice the problem when it has grown to astronomical proportions. Because of this, it is essential that you address water issues immediately and retain the services of a professional water damage repair company even if you believe you've gotten the water removed and washed everything. A second opinion with regards to water damage can save you big repair bills later on.

Mistake # 2: Choosing a Company Based on Price Alone.

Everyone loves a bargain but when you're dealing with water damage, a bargain basement price can sometimes create larger problems down the road resulting in even more bills for repair and restoration. That's not to say that you can not get a good deal, but it's important to remember the old advice about "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." When reviewing price estimates from companies take into account their reputation as well as what services they're offering for the price. One company may offer a low estimate on water removal, but does that quote include a full and thorough inspection of your home to ensure the water has been removed as well as addressing any damage done to your home?

Mistake # 3: Hiring a Contractor That Does not Offer One Stop Service.

Ideally, the company you choose to assist you in your water damage issues should offer a full range of services. A company that specializes in both fire and water damage will be able to address issues raised by water damage as well as the source of the damage. In the case of fire, this could mean that they can inspect for damage as a result of smoke and fire extinguisher sprays. If your damage has been the result of severe weather they can assist you in the inspection of window sills, door jams and other areas often damaged through storms which allow water into your home. By choosing a company that is able to see the whole picture you will not find yourself with a job half done.

Mistake # 4: Being Overwhelmed By The Insurance Process.

Although time is a factor in addressing water damage it is important not to allow yourself to be rushed through the insurance process. Insurance companies have a set of guidelines policy holders need to attend to in order for the claims process to go smoothly. If you are currently unaware or unclear about this process make an appointment with your insurance agent to go through it step by step. Do not allow yourself to be rushed through any part of it and do not be shy about asking questions and even taking notes. If the insurance company requires you to use specific, local water damage restoration companies, ask for a list up front and keep it with other important documents so that you will have it to hand in case of emergency. As with anything, knowledge is power and understanding what you need to do before a problem occurs is the best way to be prepared.

If you're lucky, you've probably had the chance to at least witness some sense of luxury in your life. Whether it's the first time you catch a glimpse of a beautiful hotel, the first time you gaze upon a gourmet restaurant or when you see a boutique shop filled with wonderful goodies. It's even luckier you might have even experienced these things too.

But what are the things that make luxury appear in the minds of people? What makes something luxurious? Well, I should say that that is a number of things. But one thing is quite clear to me, it is down to design. You could say that the mere inclusion of design in any particular setting does not necessitate equate to a sense of luxury, but it is certainly where it starts.

Let's explore some modern features of luxury that can be seen from the catwalks of Milan to the penthouse suites in the hotels of Dubai. In terms of design, you only need to look at the basic interior of the room to get a sense of luxury. Historically, design materials such as marble were always associated with luxury – and they still are to a certain extent. Mosaic designs have been an indicator of taste for a very long time indeed too.

However, most modern luxury design materials for walls and floors consist of more humble options. Wood is increasingly popular for floors, particular exotic types such as beech or oak. Also, limestone is a great indicator of a luxurious bathroom in a hotel or home. Slate is another key feature of modern flooring designs.

Beyond the walls and floors, taking a look at the furniture of a room will certainly help establish a luxurious setting. The use of furniture including sofas and chairs that act as decorative ornaments is a striking feature of luxury design. It really shows the attention to detail that the best designers use. This is particularly noticeable in hotels with many hotel furniture suppliers providing bespoke pieces for their clients' rooms or common areas.

It all helps to create a motif. This is perhaps the most important indicator of luxury. The presence of a motif illustrates to a person that this room is designed to make you feel a certain way. By having a strong sense of design you can more easily make an impression on people – which is particularly important for many businesses.

Bars, clubs, hotels and shopping boutiques all have to wow the people in order to get their business. Without a proper sense of design, they could lose business. Whatever the indicators of luxury design are to you, it's worth investigating a location if you sense that there is some innovation.

So, if you have not had the chance to experience the sense of luxury yet – make sure you take these points with you and keep a look out. You never know when you're going to see that first beautiful interior that changes your mind and makes you realize that design is indeed a true art form.

Whether you're thinking of selling your home, or just looking to make some updates, if you're home is still stuck in the 80's, it's time to make some changes. We're not talking about major design alterations; maybe a new coat of paint, some updated lighting fixtures and new flooring here and there.

If you're not sure of the age of your home, but the design touches look a little dated, take a walk down memory lane with some of these typical 80's style decorating characteristics.

You'll know your home is stuck in the 80's when:

– Your finished rec room looks like a nite club, with floor to ceiling mirrors, neon lights, wall-to-wall carpeting and a bean bag chair.

– Your rooms are painted in any of the following colors: hunter green, teal, peach, salmon or a mix of blues, grays and mauves.

– All the fixtures are made from brass and etched glass, including the gaudy dining room chandelier with sparkling beveled glass.

– Your track lighting looks like pop cans with big eyesballs popping out of them.

– Your vinyl floors are sporting a floral or marble print. Today's flooring styles include ceramic tiles, slate, cork or hardwood.

– Your walls are covered with yellowed, peeling wallpaper. Do yourself a favor and replace with paint or a natural fiber such as bamboo.

– Your bathroom has a bright colored toilet, sink and tub. If you can not afford to replace them all, have the tub repainted and get a new toilet and modern sink.

– The taps in your bathroom are made from solid brass and your plumbing lines are constructed from copper pipe.

– The laminate counter in your kitchen has patterns and colors you've never seen before before.

– You have older solid-wood cabinets with dark or fading stain. If you can not afford to replace them, give them a fresh coat of paint and add nickel coated knobs and pulls.

– Your flowered drapes are full of frills and ruffled valances.

– Your family room and kitchen are separated by a wood railing.

– You have a wood fireplace with a brick hearth.

Home is a place to go and recover from the daily grind, but for most mothers,

home and family life is the source of stress. A mother’s day seems endless, full

of demanding work schedules, caring for children, preparing family activities

and more. This Mother’s Day, take a few moments to kick your feet up and truly

escape from your hectic schedule by creating your own private corner, away from

chaos.

Establish a No-Kid-Zone

Seek out the most private corner or room of your home, whether it is the

bedroom, guestroom or home office, and announce to all family members that the

specified area will be off limits, ensuring that you are not disturbed.

Selecting a quiet space that is far away from the high traffic areas of your

home will help keep your mind focused on the present moment, not on the future

and your overbooked calendar.

Calming Colors

Create a calming color palette in your private space by using cool colors that

represent natural landscapes. Just like nature, these natural colors exude a

sense of peace and tranquility, which will help you unwind. Popular cool colors

include soothing blues, greens and violets.

The colors you use to decorate your home tend to impact your mood, energy level

and even your appetite. By selecting cool blues, light greens and violets you

can potentially soothe your senses.

Warm Flooring

Incorporate flooring that will compliment your wall color. By maintaining a

simple color scheme, you can avoid strong color contrasts which can be

distracting. In order to create a calm feeling, mimic nature and use darker

color on the floor and lighter colors on the surrounding walls.

Install soft carpet, or lay down a simple area rug, but be sure to stay away

from patterns because they will be too lively and busy for a tranquil space.

Visit http://www.westcoastflooring.com

to find a large selection of carpets and area rugs that will help complete your

calm corner.

Smooth Fabrics

Soothe your sense of touch by banning abrasive fabrics, like polyester and wool,

and opt for soft velour, cotton and chenille pillows and throw-blankets. The

feeling of soft smooth textures will suggest serenity.

Soft Lighting

When lighting your space, keep in mind that dark wall and flooring colors will

tend to absorb light while the lighter colors reflect it. Invest in a few lamps

with tungsten light bulbs and create a warm glow throughout the room. Tungsten

bulbs create a soft, gold-tinted light that will ease your eyes.

A quiet and private space will help you eliminate the distractions of your every

day role as a mother and caretaker. Enjoy your escape, but don’t leave the kids

unsupervised. Delegate another adult to watch your children so you can

successfully clear your mind and feelings of motherhood anxiety.

This article is provided by West Coast Flooring Center, one of the largest

flooring stores in Southern California, offering flooring services with a wide

variety of quality flooring options and other home improvement services.

There is hardly anything more pleasant that to sit quietly on the outdoor patio taking in the fresh air and sipping on a cold drink the end of a long and hard work day. Outdoor patios can be used essentially as extended usable living space in a home especially when the weather is dry and the sun is shining. If the patio is perched above a raging river or overlooking a mountain side, perched above a seascape or overlooking any other type of scenic view then spending time outdoors might be better to the indoor living space.

Many patios are built under an existing roof or the existing roof is extended for protection against the elements. Other freestanding patios are made concrete foundations resting in or on the ground with supporting posts to support the deck structure. Patios are typically built at ground level with a door leading from a room or rooms in the house to the outside patio. Often times a sliding glass door or double French doors will be used as the exit door from the house to the patio area offering a scenic view of nature or a landscaped backyard.

Building The Patio To Suit Your Needs

Depending on the layout and size of the house and the contour of the surrounding grounds, a patio should be made large enough to be useful and in my opinion the larger the better .. Some patios are made too small to be of any use although some homeowners do have restricted space to work with, in which case a small patio would be better than no patio.

Many times a patio is built to be a transition area between the home and some other outdoor recreation area such as swimming pool, or spa which provides a place for water to drip from bathing suits before they enter the home. Tracking water into the home can make mom angry at times. To avoid this outdoor patio mats can be useful to collect water, dirt and debris from the feet before entering the house to avoid damage to expensive flooring.

Whether the patio is constructed of decorative bricks over sand or is built up on foundations made with beloved concrete is really a matter of taste, but the materials and colors should fit into the overall landscape theme of the home. Normally a patio is built in the backyard for privacy but often time is built in the front for viewing activities in the neighborhood.

An outdoor patio can be useful for a number of reasons, such as barbecuing, entertaining family, friend and neighbors, providing a relaxing atmosphere when hosting outdoor parties or just relaxing after a hard days work.

Whatever you come up with your own outdoor patio ideas and build it yourself, or have someone build it for you remember the end result and how much you will enjoy it.