Author Archive

Having been a part of e-commerce now for over 10 years. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with folks all across the country who have been in the market for new furniture over the years. Many of these individuals were seasoned web shoppers with a lot of knowledge about how products are shipped and what to expect at the time of delivery. They had purchased large ticket items before and shopping online came very natural to them. There are also customers I talked with who were making furniture their first online purchase. They had never purchased so much as a CD or DVD online before and were starting out pretty big so to speak. These customers were always very pleased to find what they were looking for but may have been somewhat unprepared or perhaps didn’t get a chance to read some of the information online about what to expect at the time of delivery or how the product would be packaged when it arrives. I’d like this article to be a guide for consumers who are new to purchasing furniture online and perhaps this will answer some more common questions related to buying furniture online that aren’t normally addressed when shopping furniture stores online and take the mystery out buying furniture online.

How is furniture shipped?

Furniture is shipped several different ways when you purchase it online and when you buy online it is important to read on the website how the product is being shipped so that you are prepared at the time of delivery to receive your new furniture. Most sites are pretty good about sharing this information to their customers so that they will have an idea of how the furniture is coming and who will need to be home to receive it when it comes. Below are the three common ways furniture is shipped when you purchase it online.

UPS/FedEx/DHL/ Ground Services

These are common services used by many online retailers and is used typically for items that are RTA (Ready to Assemble) furniture. [More about this later.] This packaging is small enough that one person can easily manage it and the retailer will usually provide you a tracking number that you can use online to track your package for the date of delivery. The delivery driver will usually bring it to your door but if you live in an large apartment complex or on a second floor they usually deliver to a central location.

These delivery drivers usually run the same routes every day and typically will come with the delivery around the same time frames of the usual deliveries they do in that area. There isn’t a way to schedule a delivery time with this type of delivery as these companies are just too large with too many packages going through their systems to be able to set up timed deliveries so it is best to be able to have someone home to receive delivery on the day they specify or if you know your delivery driver and you live in a safe area where packages can be left at your door you can always leave a note to leave your package.

Standard Truckline Curbside Delivery

These services are usually done through a truckline like Roadway, Yellow, Overnite, Estes, Conway, USF and so many more. Many of the products shipped with these carriers are too large for FedEx or UPS and need to be shipped with a carrier able to handle larger packages. Many of the products shipped with this service are RTA (Ready to Assemble) furniture but many others come fully assembled when being shipped with this method so it is very important to know from the retailer how your product comes packaged. The nice thing about this service though is you can schedule your own delivery for a day that works for you in most cases within a time window of several hours.

Standard curbside delivery service is just that. These are often delivered on semi-trucks with 50 foot long trailers that are not going to be able to back into your drive let alone go through neighborhoods with low telephone or powerlines or where semi trucks are prohibited from being used or can’t turn around. The driver will bring your furniture to the back of the truck but someone will need to be able to receive it and take it inside. Sometimes a service to help customers get it to their front door is available and can be added for a fee to the order. It is referred to by many different names. Lift-gate, inside first threshold, inside residential delivery and many more. The fees for this can vary greatly and if you can have help at the time of delivery this is something that is worth saving as most often your furniture will be in several boxes and typically one to two people can manage most of the furniture products shipped.

White Glove Delivery

This one has always brought a smile to my face as I remember years ago a customer telling me she was rather disappointed. I asked why and she told me that the delivery folks weren’t wearing white gloves when they delivered her furniture. Well… white glove delivery is just an expression used that indicates the furniture is being handled by moving professionals into your home. This is actually a very premium service that not many online retailers offer due to the high costs of the service. The advantage though is that a professional moving company is hired to pickup your furniture and bring it to your home where two professional furniture movers will bring your furniture into the room you need it and help un-box it. If your furniture comes already assembled then you are ready to go as this service usually doesn’t include setup or assembly of furniture. The important thing about this service though is it gets the furniture right into the room where you need it. Much like truckline delivery you can setup a day and time window with the shipping company to schedule delivery.

Is my furniture assembled when it is delivered?

Furniture retailers often ship furniture RTA which in the industry is short for (ready to assemble). This means that the product is shipped unassembled in parts and that there is some assembly required by the person receiving the furniture before they can use it. The reason for this is not to make it difficult on the person buying the furniture but as a means of packaging it in such a way to prevent shipping damage and by packaging it smaller it can ship by a less expensive means which helps to keep the pricing lower for the furniture. Some furniture is shipped assembled in the box though and depending on the size of the piece of furniture purchased you may need assistance receiving it so double check with the retailer if you are unsure. I always liked the retailer joke that said they tried shipping people with the furniture to assemble it but they often got lost or never made it back so they don’t ship people to assemble the furniture anymore. (Anyone need me shipped to Hawaii to assemble some beds?)

What happens if my furniture arrives damaged?

A very good question. Fortunately most furniture arrives just fine when shipped and rare is it that problems happen. However there are times when perhaps a forklift accidentally runs through a box or an item is accidentally impacted and it’s best to be prepared for what to do when this happens. Since it doesn’t happen often, customers are not always prepared for what to do if their furniture has suffered damage in shipping.

Whether an item is shipped UPS/FedEx/DHL or truckline retailers usually ask that customers look over the product themselves since the retailer can’t be there to help should there be an issue. Signs to look for are crushed ends on a box, impact through the box or areas of the box that have been taped over by the shipping company. These are sometimes signs that the furniture may have had an issue in shipping. It is actually best to open up the packaging and inspect the surfaces of the furniture to be free from scratches, dings and dents before you accept it. If you find something you can’t live with, it’s best to note that while the driver is present on the receipt the driver has you sign or to simply refuse the product due to damage. That way a replacement can be sent to you at no charge. Many customers aren’t aware that this is an important extra step in receiving their furniture much in the same way the retailer receives it at the warehouse when it is first inspected. It’s your furniture after all and you want to make sure it’s exactly the way you want it before accepting it.

When ordering furniture online you can take much of the mystery of delivery away by finding out several things. First, find out how it is being shipped and with what carrier. This will help you understand the information you’ll be getting and how to best use it. Second, ask how it comes packaged and if possible the weight of the packages so you can decide if you need to have someone there at the time of delivery to help you. That way you’ll know ahead of time how to plan for getting the furniture into your home. Third, when your furniture is delivered check it over well to make sure everything arrived safely and if you find anything make a note of it on the delivery receipt you sign. Ask the retailer up front before you buy what things you should do in case of damage. It’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask to be prepared in that rare instance that something does happen to your furniture during shipping. Fourth, enjoy your new furniture! It can be very rewarding to find exactly what you’re looking for online when you were unable to find it locally. This is the reason online retailers exist so that they can offer products that their customers want but can’t find anywhere else. If you keep these things in mind when ordering your furniture online, you’re sure to become a seasoned web shopper.

Author: Phil Pendleton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker

On each flip project a decision must be made as to whether or not the bathroom(s) need to be remodeled. The decision to remodel the bathroom of an investment property is one of the biggest you’ll make as it will also result in one of the largest costs in terms of time and money. The net financial result is what should concern you. Will the remodeling yield a profit on it’s own, or at least contribute proportionately to the overall profit.

The Pros of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:

Give it the WOW factor! The Wow factor is probably the major reason you would renovate the bathroom. There are three rooms that you want to be impressive; and the bathroom is arguably number one. Mr. and Ms. Buyer will often make their decision based on the condition of the bathroom.

Whether you choose to remodel the whole thing or just replace certain components should be based partly on the criticality of the bathroom in the buy-decision. Done properly a bathroom renovation could well be the deciding factor between getting your price and not selling your house.

An ugly, poorly maintained bathroom will have the potential buyers lowering their pricing expectations disproportionate to the amount it would cost to renovate it. A buyer purchasing a renovated house has expectations that certain things are in good shape thats why theyre buying a house thats already been renovated.

Whether its a facelift or a total gut, that one room can make or break the deal.

If youre working with a very limited budget you can decide which particular parts of your bathroom that you would like remodeled, such as the tub or the toilet or the sink.

If money is not an issue, you may make the decision to remodel your whole bathroom. In addition to deciding what parts of your bathroom you would like remodeled, you will also have complete control over the products and materials used.

For instance, if you wish to replace the toilet, you can choose the quality which suits the budget. What matters is that its new. Knowing that the toilet is new and has never been used is a big deal to some people. They may think I will replace that toilet someday, but its good enough to help facilitate a good overall impression.

Bathroom remodelling can be relatively easy to do depending on the depth you want to go. It is something an average handyman can do by themselves in order to save expenses.

Although you can save yourself money by doing your own remodeling, you may not want to or you may be unable to do so. If that is the case, you still have a choice. That choice is seeking assistance from a professional contractor.

Despite costing more money, your bathroom will be remodeled professionally and often in less time.

It is also important to mention that bathroom remodeling projects can help to increase a homes value. That is one of the biggest pros to having your bathroom remodeled. The increase in value, if there is one, will depend on a number of different factors. Those factors include what type of remodeling is done, as well as how well it is done. Whether you choose to hire the services of a professional bathroom remodeling expert or if you have prior home improvement experience, the decision to remodel your bathroom could significantly increase the value of your home.

Although there are a number of pros to bathroom remodeling, there are also a number of cons. Those cons mainly include the cost of doing so. When it comes to deciding whether or not you want to remodel your bathroom, you will have to make up your own mind; however, when doing so you may want to keep the above mentioned points in mind.

The Cons of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:

There are two major cons to remodelling for a flip; cost and the impact of a poor job.

If you are contemplating a bathroom remodeling project, these cons may make you want to rethink your decision.

The biggest con to remodeling is the cost, particularly if you go high end on your fixtures. Remodeling for resale is not the same as remodeling for yourself. You must keep this in mind for a flip. The character of the end result should match the character of the house not your idea of what the perfect bathroom should be. Remember, you are in this for profit.

The extent to which you remodel will affect the price as well. If you gut the bathroom down to the joists you will be looking at a lot more than if you simply replaced the toilet and added a tub surround. In addition to the cost of supplies and materials, you also need to determine whether or not there will be any additional costs. For instance, if you make the decision to have your bathroom professionally remodeled, you will need to pay a professional contractor. Although a professional contractor often produces better results, you will find the cost of hiring one fairly high.

In addition to the cost of bathroom remodeling, it is also important to note the time that it will take. How long a bathroom remodeling project lasts will all depend on what is being remodeling. If you are simply looking to replace your toilet, you will find that your remodeling project takes less time than it would if you were planning on remodeling your entire bathroom. The amount of time it takes for remodeling will also depend on how much time can be devoted to it. If you make the decision to hire a professional contractor to remodel your bathroom, the remodeling will likely be done quicker. In addition to knowing exactly what they are doing, professionals can usually devote more time to work than someone who is only doing the work on the side.

Another one of the many cons to remodeling your bathroom is what it can do to your home. As you may already know, it is possible for a bathroom remodeling project to increase the value of your home. While an increase is likely to occur, it is not guaranteed. If your homes value does increase because of a bathroom remodeling project, it will all depend on how much remodeling was done and the result of that remodeling. A professional or quality remodeling job is likely to produce the best increase in value.

What you need to be aware of is what a poor remodeling project can do for your home. There is a chance that a poor bathroom remodeling project could also decrease the value of your home. The chances of that happening are slim, but there is always a chance.

As previously mentioned, when having your bathroom remodeled, you have a choice as to whether you want to do your own remodeling or a have a professional do it for you.

When it comes to bathroom remodeling, you will find that are more cons to do it yourself bathroom remodeling.

As you can see, there are a number of bathroom remodeling cons. Although it may seem as if it isnt worth it to remodel your bathroom, there are also a number of bathroom remodeling pros. These pros include a new bathroom and the possibility of increasing your homes value. If you are interested in remodeling your bathroom, only you can decide whether or not it would be worth it and given your skill set and time, what the best approach would be.

Author: Steve Leighton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Pressure cooker

PROFESSIONAL NOTE: To achieve the best results from your interior paint project, apply the primer and base coat with good quality paint, brushes, rollers and application tools. You will be surprised how your interior paint project will be effortless in helping you to apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint for a better-looking, longer-lasting paint job.

Gather Materials and Supplies:

Ladder

Plastic water bucket

Gloves

Rags

TSP (optional for cleaning oil and Grime)

liquid soap

Screwdriver

Drop cloths (plastic and cloth) or sheets

Blue painter’s tape (with and without paper attached)

Old paintbrushes or china bristle brushes for dusting

Spackling compound

5-in-1 tool or wide blade

Latex caulk

220-grit sandpaper

Latex primer

Latex paint, eggshell or satin sheen

Plastic 2 gallon Paint Bucket

Paint tray, paint roller and 3/8″ roller cover

2 3 Quality nylon/polyester brush

Paint Basics

Acrylic Paint?

Latex paints are not all the same. Now the term “latex” includes all water-based paints. High-performance interior paints are 100% acrylic; they have better color retention, better adhesion and, in the case of faux finishing the better choice for an undercoat than vinyl-acrylics.

Not to mention, manufacturers consider 100% acrylics to be their best products.

Which Paint for this room? How will the room be used?

In functional, high traffic rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, you want durability and easy maintenance first. In more decorative and romantic rooms, such as living rooms, master bedrooms and dining rooms, appearance is often the key factor. In a child’s room, safety is critical.”

Here is Final advice on paint quality.

When you buy paint, go for the reputable brands. Suit your choices to the project, but at the same time, don’t waste your time or your money on low-quality paint. There are significant differences between cheap and quality paints, particularly in characteristics such as hiding and wash ability. Obviously, one-coat hiding is a major labor saver and well worth paying a premium to get the results.

Be sure not to forget to check the warrantee on the labelthis gives you a fair measure of the differences between quality levels of various paints. Last but not least, you are also likely to find a wider variety in color choices with your quality paint lines.

Estimating PAINT COVERAGE
How do you determine the amount of paint you will need for a particular room?
The first step is to add the width of all walls in the room together. Multiply this sum by the height of one wall from floor to ceiling (or, the circumference of the room times the ceiling height). If you have a number of windows and doors, subtract the square footage of those openings. This final number will give you the exact area of wall space you will paint.

A flat surface usually requires one gallon for every 400 square feet (the product label will show the coverage). Take into account the number of coats you will need to do the job right and this depends on the color and the quality of the paint. Remember, it’s always a good idea to have a little leftover paint for future touch-ups.
Once you’ve properly prepped your walls, the actual painting is easy.

Follow these steps in order, and don’t skip any of them. Wait until the first coat dries before deciding
whether you need a second one.

Steps To professionally Painted Walls:

CLEAR THE ROOM

STEP ONE: When transforming the walls in your home, start by removing any furniture or obstructions from the room. Cover the floors and any remaining furnishings in the middle of the room, cover with drop cloths or plastic sheets. Next remove outlet covers, nails, and screws. Tape the screws to the outlet cover and store in separately marked plastic bags, for easy re-installation. Then tape over the outlets and light switches to prevent paint from getting on electric outlets and switches.

FIX THE WALL IMPERFECTIONS
STEP TWO: Scrape off flaking paint, repair holes and cracks with spackle with a wide blade or five-in-one tool. Feather back rough paint edges by sanding. Always fill the imperfection flush with the surface even if it means having to refill 2-3 times due to shrinkage. It is much easier to refill than to sand back too much spackling. After the spackle dries, finish by lightly sanding with a medium (220 grit sandpaper), dust off surface and then prime each repaired area with small roller. Re-caulk any spaces you find where countertops, baseboards and moldings meet the wall.

NOTE: Use protective face mask while sanding.

NOTE: If you are repainting a glossy surface, be sure to sand it so that the new paint will adhere better.

CLEAN THE ROOM

STEP THREE: Use an old paintbrush or china bristle brush to dust baseboards, trim and crown molding before taping them off (use painter’s tape to protect the baseboards and moldings). Remove all dust from surfaces using a soft cloth or use a soft bristle broom to brush down new plasterboard. Paint doesn’t stick to dirty walls so clean them with soap and water (or TSP and water), then rinse with clean water, changing water regularly.

NOTE: Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and protective eye-wear.

TAPING

STEP FOUR: Use low adhesive blue painters to tape trim around ceiling, baseboards, windows and door frames. (If you do not have ceiling trim or crown molding, you must use safe release tape on bare ceiling). Tape over phone jacks, thermostats, and moldings. Remove tape immediately after painting, before the wall dries, so you don’t peel off any paint with it.

PRIMING THE WALLS

STEP FIVE: If your walls are bare sheetrock or previously wallpapered surface, then you should use the recommended primer for that type of surface. Existing semi-gloss or gloss paints should be lightly sanded to a duller finish, and then proper primer for that surface. If the walls have not been painted in five years or longer a primer sealer should also be applied.

NOTE: Always work in areas from the top to bottom. Paint Ceiling first, then walls, then the trim or moldings. Always brush the edges (cutting in) first prior to rolling. When cutting in make sure you feather out the edges.

NOTE: When you begin start from a corner left to right, or right to left, according to the most comfortable starting point for you. With a pole attached to the end of the Roller, start from the center of the surface and roll the paint from the center towards the top and bottom of the wall. Roll the wall much like you would vacuum carpet, this will give you the smoothest wall. To avoid a patchy wall finish, make sure you finish the complete coat before walking away to avoid a patchy finish.

BASE COAT THE WALLS

CUTTING IN TECHNIQUE

STEP SIX: Thoroughly stir your paint with a stir stick. Then, pour the paint into a larger 2-gallon bucket for easier handling. Make sure you pour no higher than 1/3 full in your new paint container. With a 2″ wide (or angle) brush, load by dipping 1/3 of the bristle length into the paint. You can remove excess paint from the brush by tapping the bristles against the inside of the bucket. Starting from the top corner of the wall, cut in approximately 3 inches around the top of the wall where the wall meets the ceiling and cut in the bottom of the wall where the wall meets the baseboard. Cut in the corners of the wall and around all window and door trim while always working from the non- paint area to the previously painted areas, smooth out the cut in by lightly brushing the tip of the bristles (tipping off) over the newly painted area, creating a feathered edge. Repeat steps until the perimeter of the walls are complete.

ROLLING THE WALL:

STEP SEVEN: You have the choice of pouring the paint into a paint tray or a 5-gallon bucket. Place an appropriate nap roller onto a roller frame. Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame. Dip roller cover completely into paint covering the entire nap area. When using a 5-gallon bucket, pour no higher than 1/3 full and use a bucket grid to offload the excess paint and to evenly distribute the paint onto the roller. When using a paint tray, offload the excess paint by rolling onto the ribbed section of the paint tray Starting at the top corner of the wall, place the evenly loaded roller approximately 3-4″ away from the cut in area. Working in a 3′ x 3′ area, roll a “W” onto the wall.

Continue rolling from the top edge of the wall to the bottom cut in area. Back roll through the completed area prior to reloading the roller, creating a smooth uniform finish. Reload the roller as necessary. Continue applying the paint, each time starting with the “W” technique 3-4″ away from the last section completed. Working from the top section of the wall and working down the wall. Always, back roll the width of the roller being used into the last section completed. Continue until your wall is completely covered.

NOTE: Paint the trim last. When the walls are completely dry, paint or touch up the moldings, the door and window frames with a two-inch angled brush.

FINISHED DEAR? CLEAN UP AFTER PAINTING

1. Carefully remove all tape from hinges, doorknobs, light switches, and trim.

2. Remove drop cloth coverings from floors, furniture and light fixtures.

NOTE: It is best to score taped areas where the tape meets the painted surface with a utility knife, to help prevent peeling when the tape is removed.

NOTE: Cloth Drop cloths should be taken outside to remove dust and debris, then folded and stored for future use. Place all disposable coverings and loose debris into the appropriate trash can.

3. Re-attach all switch plates, and outlet covers.

4. Vacuum, mop or clean the floor where coverings were removed.

5. Re-hang items to the wall such as pictures and mirrors.

6. Move furniture and rug back to its original position.

7. Replace all valuables that were removed from tabletops and cabinets.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAINT SHEEN

The difference between paint sheens. Whats in a name?

Once you choose color for your paint project, you have one more decision to make: the paint sheen! The names are: flat, eggshell, pearl, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. What does this all mean? The paint sheen refers to the gloss level or the degree of light reflected from the surface once the paint has dried. Each company has slight variations.

It is obvious to tell the difference between a flat and a high-gloss, but it’s the levels in between, when and how we use each sheen that can get confusing to all of us. So, here we have listed the key factors in choosing a paint finish.

The glossier a finish, the more durable and washable it tends to be. Flat paint is great at hiding irregularities and surface imperfections. Pearl and eggshell paints are a compromise; they partially hide imperfections and are more washable than flat paints.

For painting interiors, the best choices are often flat paint for ceilings, eggshell and satin for walls and semi-gloss or gloss on doors and trim. The most popular paint sheen is satin, a good choice because it’s not too shiny but cleans easier than flat and a perfect base for popular faux finishing techniques.

FLAT
Durability of Flat Paint: If you have children or pets, this paint sheen isn’t the best choice for walls as it tends to show dirt and scuff marks easily. This sheen is not an easy paint to keep clean.

Where to Use Flat Paint: are great choice for areas with dents, dings and rough surface texture. This sheen is perfect for surfaces that do not have a lot of contact with human hands, such as ceilings.

Comments on Flat Paint: Although this sheen hides surface imperfections, stain removal is difficult. Use this sheen for a uniform, non-reflecting appearance.

EGGSHELL
Durability of Eggshell Paint: More durable and washable than most flat paints, but not as durable as Satin or Semi-gloss.
Where to Use Eggshell Paint: are great choice for wall surfaces in foyers, hallways, and Dining rooms. You can clean this paint sheen. Eggshell paints reflect more light than flat, but only slightly. The best way to describe paint is the reflective qualities of this sheen are similar to that of a real eggshell.

Comments on Eggshell Paint: This sheen resists stains better than flat paint and gives a more lustrous appearance offering a soft glow that warms up any room

SATIN
Durability of Satin Paint: are durable enough to stand up to most dirt, cleaning and are great for high traffic or food preparation areas.

Where to Use Satin Paint: are typically used for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, kids’ rooms and even some woodwork and trim.

Comments on Satin Paint: are not truly “shiny,” but more like actual satin, in having subtle reflective qualities. This sheen adds just enough light to the walls to be called a slight “glow”. Satin or semi-gloss finishes are easy to clean and are good for highlighting architectural details.

SEMI GLOSS
Durability Of Semi-Gloss Paint: tend to be much more durable as they can be easily cleaned with most cleaning products and resist dirt and stains.

Where to Use Semi-Gloss Paint: are typically used for doors, cabinets, woodwork and trim. Many people find Semi-Gloss to be too shiny for walls though it works quite well on surfaces that are prone to get a lot of handprints

Comments on Semi-Gloss Paint: A semi-gloss reflects between 35 to 50 percent of the light that hits it. Which means it will have a much shinier appearance.

HIGH – GLOSS
Durability of High-Gloss Paint: While the high sheen allows for an easy surface to clean, any dents or dings in the paint will be very visible.

Where to Use High Gloss Paint: take extra precautions in choosing where you use this sheen. High Gloss should be limited to areas such as kitchen cabinets, banisters and railings, trim, furniture, door jambs, window sills and specialty uses. You wouldn’t typically paint a wall with high-gloss paint because the reflective qualities create too much glare.

Comments on High Gloss Paint: High-Gloss reflects approximately 75%-80% of the light that hits it.

Author: Stephanie Tyree
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: WordPress plugin Guest Blogger

The scale of activity that takes place in the kitchen makes it an important place where use of effective practical and also decorative lighting is a must. Some things to look at;

Some questions to ask before you start lighting your kitchen

First and foremost question you need to ask while design your kitchen lighting is how much you are ready to spend. After all the light fixtures do cost something – and this are not only the wires and switches but also the type of light fixtures, shades and bulbs. Next question that should come in your mind is whether you have a kitchen lighting plan. A good plan will surely blend lighting into the architectural and decorative details of the room. A plan will help you out it investing wisely into kitchen lighting needs. If you want to go for a gradual lighting design process seeing you don’t have enough budget say for example for a series of pendants over the center island or a glass chandelier at least install enough junction boxes The fixtures can then be purchased at a later date and easily added to the kitchen lighting needs. After determining the budget and a plan, you need to think about the space area of your kitchen. This is important in determining the amount of lighting required and in which areas of the kitchen need specific lighting. One also needs to consider whether the room apart from needing single central light, how many other multiple lighting options may be needed. This is determined by the area or space of the room, all the activities that are place in the kitchen and are important, as well as the placement of all interior objects such as the cooking range, counter top and the kitchen-cum-dining table if present. For example, small kitchens may require only a central ceiling pendant light and some recessed task lighting tucked under a cabinet. More elaborate kitchens will demand a blend of general, task and accent lighting.

Know the types of Kitchen lighting

Lighting a kitchen is a different ball game compare to lighting other rooms in your house since no single light source can provide all the necessary kitchen lighting needs. It is very important to know that good kitchen lighting is not only considered from an aesthetic standpoint, but also from a functional standpoint. This will allow us to make sure that we incorporate different types of lighting and nowadays techno paced LED lights to fulfill the various levels of Kitchen activities. This is commonly referred to as layering of lights which instead of single lighting, demands a blend of three to four varied types of lighting. To meet these demand of layered lighting, there are basically four types of lighting that meet up the mark;

Task Lighting or Chore Lighting: It illuminates the most functional and practical part of your kitchen by providing adequate lighting for kitchen core tasks like chopping vegetables, cooking food and yes, reading recipes. Most of the accidents which occur in kitchen are mostly due to this tasks and proper task lighting design can really prevent them. Task areas should have sufficient light so you can easily see what you’re working on without too much brightness or eye-straining dimness. The main thing to remember here is most of the time task lighting instead of brightening up a task area, shadows it. For this to not take place, task lights is best placed between the actual work place and your head which makes lighting located say below the upper cabinets very helpful. For example, task lighting is placed over the sink, gas cooker and food preparation area, where close work is done regularly. Most of task lighting is achieved by using conventional recessed lights that assure even illumination, surface lights or table tops lights. Remember that each task lights if possible should have its own switch and honestly you will be pleased with the result. Considering the types of bulbs for task lighting then halogen and CFL (in energy efficient bulbs category) being bright and shadow less with large surface area are best to go for. It electrifies the look of granite and marble counter tops and it even let you enjoy your food cooking task, seriously.

Ambient or Glow or Indirect Lighting: This type of lighting lends a pleasant glow to your kitchen, thus giving a warm welcome to the people entering into the kitchen. It plays a major role in softening unwanted shadows, reducing kitchen room contrast and lighting vertical surfaces to give the space a brighter feel. It is generally observed that out of the four types of lighting, ambient is most often overlooked. In fact, the most dramatic and soft look you can achieve in a kitchen is by blending indirect lighting with other types of lighting. It is often created by hiding the light source from view where it bounces off a ceiling or a wall and produces a warm glow that adds enormous amounts of ambiance if done correctly. Best places for ambient lights can be hidden on top of wall cabinets if the ceiling is bit high or they can be installed in layered ceiling areas that surround the entire kitchen space. In case your kitchen has light colored surfaces and lots of windows then you can desire to have plenty of natural ambient light during the day. CFL based lights tubes (light link) are well suited to the job of providing ambient light.

Accent or Prominent lighting: This type of lighting gives a depth and dimension to your kitchen. It helps you to display your most decorative items in your kitchen like a fancy glassware or tableware, stylish luxury cutlery sets, beautiful canvas art prints or may be your nicely prepared food. For example lighting fixtures can be placed inside glass-front cabinets to illuminate glassware, and other collections as well as recessed, adjustable low-voltage fixtures used to spotlight canvas art prints. You can put to use spotlights to illuminate your cooked food which will also help it remain hot for longer period of time.

Decorative or ornamental lighting: This type of lighting is basically used for adding sparkling effects to the kitchen that can be envious to your neighbours. It can be further helpful to look at this type of lighting especially if kitchen is also used as the dining area of the house. Nowadays due to wide range of lights available, you can opt for decorative lights which can be functional also. For example, many functional lighting fixtures come in a number of finishes like wrought iron, rust, nickel which will provides an aesthetic feel to your kitchen. Painted finishes are also popular along with catchy colored glass bypasses plain white. You can also consider a decorative fixture with three or more lights. Like a trio over an island provides good light since it breaks up the kitchen into decorative module areas but you can still see through it. Some other decorative lighting ideas could be like dinner table space is illuminated with a decorative candelabra-style fixture, which provides ambient light during meals.

Finally some tips and common mistakes to avoid

No matter how many lights you install in your kitchen, it is recommended to circuit them separately so the lighting is zoned. This allows you to create ambience by mixing the various lights which is turned on.

If possible even while you shop online, take a picture of your kitchen or at least know your kitchen dimensions. How tall is the ceiling? How much space is there between the cabinets and the ceiling? How much space is there between the cabinets and the countertop? To make sure you cook up the best lighting scheme for your kitchen, use some free advice from light shop professional. The best thing is to do some window shopping before the actual purchase.

You might have found the perfect light fixture, but we can’t forget the equally important light bulbs. To make the most of your lighting, try using bulbs with different beam spreads for different effects. Flood lights are great for creating widespread lighting like a on central ceiling, while spotlights are ideal for shedding light on specific areas like for accent lighting.

No matter how many types of lighting or fixtures you install, use lights of the same color for all the kitchen lighting

If you are spending the money on nice cabinets or a dinner table in the kitchen, for example, you want to make sure they are lit properly. If not, the light actually creates gray shadow areas. If you have deep cabinets in dark corners, you might even want to consider installing lights inside them so you can see what’s hiding in the back

When it comes to kitchen lighting, the most common mistake is trying to light the entire room with one ceiling-mounted fixture. The result ends up visually overpowering everything in the kitchen space. Recessed lighting, if installed in a generic grid, isn’t much better. A lot of people do it incorrectly, and they’ll end up with too much light in some areas and shadows everywhere else

On the other end, another common mistake we all do is over-lighting and result is, the kitchen gets too hot. The goal here is to have moderate, even lighting and more importantly blends of different lightings. For example, you just can’t keep on adding recessed lights for the sake of visual look, instead of mixing various lighting types.

We at in trying to make your better homes gardens really hope the above provided information will help you to make a sound decision on your kitchen lighting design and let you enjoy your food more. So when are you inviting us over a meal!!

You can also view the article in our news and articles section at;

[http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/how-to-prepare-good-recipe-for-your-kitchen-lighting-needs/articles/34.html]

Author: Carol Wintergear
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Body:

Identifying the cost savings architects and designers can deliver and assessing whether they are worth their fee.

Knowledge can be categorized as follows -

* There are things you know

* There are things you know that you don’t know

* Then there are things you don’t know that you don’t know.

We are all at our best when we live and work in environments which are aesthetically pleasing and function efficiently. Form and function are uniquely personal and we all aspire to live and work in environments which reflect our personal style. We know what we like. We know what we want.

However, it is the knowledge that falls into the second and third categories which presents the most compelling reason to use architects and designers.

Architects and designers are qualified and trained in their disciplines. They have access to industry contacts and product information which is not readily available to the public and broader industry. These are the things we know that we don’t know.

But even more significant is the knowledge which architects and designers possess about the effect of proportions, dimensions, perspectives, surfaces, textures and colours not only on a structure itself but on our physical and emotional reaction to a structure. These fundamental elements of design can heighten our response to a structure – they can turn a house into a much-loved home, energize an office environment and turn an outdoor space into a haven. These are the things we don’t know that we don’t know.

Whether a project is residential or commercial, it is invariably a significant financial undertaking and the process can be time consuming. Mistakes are costly and the impact of both financial pressure and time constraints can turn what should be an immensely enjoyable experience into an absolute nightmare.

Architects and designers can alleviate that pressure. Once you brief your architect or designer you can leave it to them to create a design and source the materials and products which deliver the desired outcome.

They have the potential to create a design which you simply couldn’t have comprehended by yourself but which you love. They have the potential to source materials and products which you didn’t even know were on the market but which are perfectly suited to your project.

The involvement of an architect will ensure that the orientation of the house and the placement of windows, doors and overhangs together with the selection of materials and products produce energy efficiencies, that the dimensions of rooms ensure that they suit their purpose, that the relationship of rooms encourage fluency of movement and that the dimensions, placement and allocation of benches, cabinetry and storage spaces facilitate an efficiency of lifestyle. The time and cost savings which these initiatives deliver is considerable.

Comprehensive architectural drawings and specifications will maximize the prospect of your builder and sub-contractors completing your project without error, without the need for variations, on time and on budget. Materials and products sourced through your architect or designer will cost less. They often pay wholesale – you pay retail.

Crisanne Fox, Head of Australian Design and Interior Design Consultant for prestigious international French provincial and home wares company Ashton Grove, says that in most cases home owners are often unaware of the various ways designers can save them money. “The common misconception, regarding interior designers, is that once employed, a designer will not only cost you money to retain but also force you to spend a fortune on each and every item. The truth is that, in most cases, a good designer will actually save you money by working with what you already have, and combining that with the overall vision you have in mind for your home or space.”

According to Ms Fox, ‘many interior designers have the added skill of being able to source items at wholesale prices, and also have access to a much wider variety of products and home wares that are not generally available to the public, and the benefits for the time-poor homeowner begin to emerge.’ The other factor to consider, which is actually more common than most people think, is that many homeowners tend to spend quite a bit of money decorating their homes, only to later realize that one or several key pieces in a room simply don’t work together. ‘When you’re talking about central feature pieces such as couches, coffee tables or dining room tables this then equates to an incredibly substantial amount of money that must be re-spent six months down the track trying to rectify the problem. With a designer, you pay them to get things right the first time and eliminate any margin of error and this is exactly what they do,” Ms Fox added.

A misconception is that, by retaining an interior designer, the whole house or at least a whole room needs to be fitted out – not so. If you have your basic pieces you can bring in an interior designer just for the finishing touches; anything from curtains and fabrics to just a few cushions for the couch.

Possibly the biggest mistake made by home owners is in the garden. Home owners often fail to allocate part of their budget to the garden and erroneously think that they will save money doing it themselves – not so. Landscape architects and designers will create opportunities and movement in an outdoor space to ensure that it will be used for its intended purpose. They address important issues about irrigation and drainage and, importantly, they make plant selections based on what will thrive in the context. Again, they purchase plants and materials at wholesale. Any money spent on a garden without the input of a landscape professional will be wasted if the top soil washes away, the plants die or if the space is simply not inviting so is not used.

Again, there is a misconception that, by retaining a landscape architect or designer, the whole garden needs to be done – not so. Starting a garden is the most important step. Many people endure a dust bowl in their backyard for the duration of their time in the house only to put in a garden in the lead up to selling the house. From inception you should at least put in some infrastructure, some trees and some shrubs. Your landscape architect or designer will be able to provide you with a comprehensive planting schedule which can then be implemented in stages. An established garden adds value to your property.

Another common mistake is to retain interior designers and landscape architects and designers after the architectural project is complete. Interior designers and landscape architects and designers can and should be involved in the project from inception. This in itself delivers valuable cost savings by streamlining processes and avoiding duplications. For example, architects, interior designers and landscape architects and designers all have a positive input on lighting and flooring. Standardization of these elements will have a significant impact on the design integrity of the structure. Sometimes an architectural feature becomes unnecessary because the effect can be achieved through homewares. Other times the purchase of large items of furniture can be avoided because the functional requirements can be achieved through cabinetry. The placement of plants in the garden can have an impact on the need for window furnishings. A dialogue between your architect and your landscape architect or designer from inception will best deliver water efficiencies in the house and garden.

When you work with both architects and designers from inception you are best equipped to ensure that your home or office achieve your spatial and visual requirements and are fully decorated when you move in. “Many people don’t realize that aside from colour and visual appeal, designers are experts in space, technical design and drafting, and it is these skills that cross over with the role of your architect to save you money in the long run by making sure you get the home you have always wanted from the laying of the first piece of cement. There is nothing worse than finally finding that perfect dining setting or lounge room ensemble, only to get it home and realize that you did not allow enough space when deciding on the placement of walls during the initial design and construction phase,” explains Crisanne Fox.

Another misconception is that, in using architects and designers, you end up with a space which is a reflection of their style not yours – again, not so. The secret, however, is to retain architects and designers whose style you love. Just as we have our own personal style, so too do architects and designers. Historically there has been limited access to the design profession so there have been many instances of architects and designers being obliged to undertake work which does not really reflect their style and of home owners struggling to describe their desired outcome through lack of reference. Sourcing an architect or designer whose work is an exact match of your project expectations will streamline the process, promote an effective dialogue and, ultimately, save you money. The benefit of successfully matching design professional to client is one of the core motivations in the development of Domain Design.

Jason Grant, Melbourne Editor for Australia-wide interior decorating magazine Inside Out, agrees. He feels that one of the easiest ways for a designer to save you money is by choosing one whose style reflects the vision you have for your home. “We work with quite a few interior designers on a range of ongoing projects for the magazine and one thing that you will notice is that every designer has a unique look or signature style.” Using both print and online resources to source design professionals will achieve significant time efficiencies.

And ultimately, the intangible benefits of health, success and happiness to be derived from living and working in environments which are a triumph of form and function transcend quantification. These are benefits which architects and designers can deliver.

Author: Karen Vosjan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Some people feel intimidated at the thought of hiring an interior decorator. It used to be only the wealthy employed decorators. With more and more people spending time at home after a long day of work, they want their house to be a haven to come home to. Unfortunately, lengthy commutes and long work hours make it virtually impossible for homeowners, even if they are handy, to start and complete a job within a reasonable amount of time. Maybe youre just not sure how to pull it all together.

That’s when you want to consider the services of an interior decorator. An interior decorator will do the research and legwork for you. You do have to do a little homework, though. Before hiring an interior decorator, decide what youre expecting from the decorator regarding your project and what do you want the decorator to do for you.

HOMEOWNER HOMEWORK

Keep in mind the following for when you meet with a decorator for your consultation:

1. Your budget. This is very important because it will dictate what resources are available to the decorator to meet your budget requirements. Resources are adjusted; the interior decorator’s fee is not.

2. Your style. If you don’t know your style, use decorating books, magazines and home catalogs that give an indication of the things you like. It may be candlesticks from one picture, a rug from another picture, the clock in another, and so on. This will give the decorator a visual of what you are looking for in your project.

3. Color. When you hire an interior decorator you know that you will be getting color. The question becomes, what color. Be prepared to know what colors you like and dislike; this goes for the other members of your family.

4. Know what pieces and accessories you are keeping, and which you are ready to part with. If you have an heirloom of Aunt Martha’s that must work with the decor, you should let the interior decorator know that.

5. The Room. Be prepared to let the decorator know what the project room is going to be used for, in the event it is not apparently obvious, like a kitchen. Who will be using this room? What will be the function of the room?

6. Pets. If you have pets and they are not in evidence at the time of your consultation, let the decorator know that you have pets. This will help in determining the type of fabrics used, especially if your pets normally have free range of your home.

7. Pictures. As previously stated, pictures are always good to have on hand to reflect a style you like, or general furniture, fabric or color preferences.

8. DIY. If you want to try and cut down on the expense of some of the decorating, you can indicate to the interior decorator this preference. For example, if you like to paint, and do it well, there should be no reason you can’t paint a project room yourself. You’ll also save yourself several hundred dollars.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR INTERIOR DECORATOR

The interior decorator will bring to your project:

1. The ability to listen. When the decorator comes to your home for the consultation, they should listen attentively and do a walk through of the project room.

2. The ability to make the right product selections for your project.

3. Creative ideas and solutions for your project.

4. Helping to create your color and design scheme by showing you fabric and paint samples, and suggesting surface solutions such as flooring.

5. The attitude that this is your home and should reflect the style and personalities of the family living there, not the decorator’s.

6. A willingness to come out to your home to meet with you.

7. Suggestions as to how to improve a home’s function by applying design principles of color, texture, balance, etc.

HIRING THE INTERIOR DECORATOR

If after your consultation with an interior decorator, you feel you have made a connection with this person, and trust them enough to make the right choices, you will enter into a contract signed by both you and the decorator. This not only protects both the homeowner and the decorator, but should set forth the project details.

FEES

Fees vary depending on the interior decorator; whether it’s a large or small firm; and whether it’s a residential or high-end residential decorator.

Some of the basics are:

* Hourly – this can vary from $35.00 to $250.00 per hour. Sometimes interior decorators will provide a free one-hour consultation, but after the first hour charges apply. That is why it is important for you to do your homework. Use your time with the decorator wisely.

* Fixed – also known as Flat Fee, and may include a cap on the hours that are included within that fee.

* Percentage – also referred to as Cost Plus. This is calculated between 15-30% above cost, and does not include delivery or sales tax.

* Retail – is exactly what it says. It is the same retail price you would pay, as some stores do not discount to the trade.

* A Combination of any of the above.

Working with an interior decorator can be a pleasant, rewarding and satisfying experience. If you do your homework beforehand, and use the consultation time wisely, this could be a headache free experience. You may enjoy it so much that who knows, maybe you will do something with that guest room before your mother comes to visit.

Author: Kathy Passarette
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Everyone wants a lovely home and to create it extra pretty we have a tendency to tend to buy items to embellish our house. The rising price of realty makes it difficult for several people who want to buy a bigger home. The answer used for creating a small home look and feel larger is called the good use of furniture storage or wardrobe furniture.

Therefore to free your stunning home from daily mess you would like to make proper usage of furniture storage or wardrobe furniture. If we tend to look carefully we have a tendency to tend to can notice many unused and forgotten spaces. We ignore places like the house beneath the stair case, the place beneath the sloping ceiling, the attic and among the garage. In the case of magazines and paper backs that you do not use, you can keep them in furniture storage boxes. You can realize beautiful colourful paper boxes in stores. For your laundry space you may use plastic boxes with lids. Furniture storage can be in the kind of wall units, shelves, cabinets, drawers, chest of drawers and even mini chest of drawers are available. In the bedroom to maximize the area a wardrobe with shelves and drawers are terribly useful. There are some wardrobes accessible where you can place within boxes to store your materials inside. Keep a shoe rack at the underside of your wardrobe. Conjointly large spacious drawers are sensible designed for keeping tops, cardigans and jeans.

You may also utilize the space on prime of your washer dryer by putting shelves and racks for hanging clothes. In your living space you will use a wall cupboard as your furniture storage . All you need could be a terribly little imagination and a little innovation to form your house a dream house and these choices will undoubtedly enhance the planning of your house.If you had woodworking category when you were a student, you’ll build the whole piece of furniture from scratch if you wished to. Basic furniture skills like taking precise measurements, working with saws and levelers, nailing boards, fixing laminates, etc. are a must-perceive, and it’s nice facilitate if you recognize how attempt some decorative work on your own. Having said that, if you are designing utilitarian furniture designed for your home, then solely some basic skills can facilitate your to create the kind of furnishings you want.

Here you’ll learn how to build furniture or wardrobe furniture, especially tiny items like stools, occasional-tables, center tables, cupboards, etc. A ton of homemade furniture today uses plastic, acrylic and other such synthetic materials. Working with plastic is ton] of easier than operating with wood, but you may not get the same kind of finesse that you just get with wood. One advantage of learning how to build custom furniture with plastic is that there is no hammering and nailing involved. Wrought iron furniture is conjointly ton] of in demand, but because of the immense metal molding it needs, this furniture will not be created at home.

Individuals learning how to make custom furniture can have to begin out by making a sketch of the piece they wish to make. It is not a bad plan in the slightest degree if you pay a whole day in simply making ready a sketch and measuring designed for the piece of furniture you are visiting build.

You will regularly embellish your work later on.

These days, with the surfeit of modular furniture accessible in stores, learning how to make custom furniture has become a [lot simpler. These modular furniture items are designed in separate units that you may be able to combine and match in no matter means you want. For instance, if you would like get a modular wardrobe unit from a store, then you will be shipped an assortment of boards, shelves, doors and even small cupboard units, depending on the manufacturer.

Nearly everything from single unit pc tables to entire storage sheds are being shipped in modular formats. Modular furniture may be a very simple manner of customizing your requirements, and even obtaining the creative satisfaction of getting engineered your furniture on your own.

Algarve, the southern most region of mainland Portugal comprises of several beautiful cities like Albufiera, Vilamoura, Praia da Rocha, Lagos, Armacao de Pera, and Faro which is the capital city of this region. The international airport and the University of Algarve is situated in Faro. Spread over an area of around five thousand and four hundred kilometers, this place has wide variety of flora and fauna. Tourists are attracted by the splendid beauty of this place that has various landscapes, rich islands and colorful valleys.

 

One of the best things about Algarve other than its world famous wines is its mesmerizing beauty and its beautiful cities. This region offers the visitors a chance to buy property here. Mostly people from countries like Germany, Scandinavia, Holland, north European countries and also British expatriates have been known to buy property in Algarve. Who will not want to buy property at a place like Algarve which is not only famous for its serene and composed environment, its beautiful landscapes, islands and rich valleys but also because it offers plenty of work options like agricultural practices, horticultural activities, aqua cultural activities and also some seasonal jobs to the immigrants. Moreover there are several sports clubs that offers you variety of games that you can play.

 

If you decide to buy a property in the Algarve and relocate here, you will not have to worry about how to decorate your home and where to buy furniture Package in Algarve’s online Interior Design Business Factory and Furniture Shop has a solution for all your needs. You can choose the furniture of your choice online. You can also have the modern decorating options for your home from the web.

 

Also to help you out to select furniture for your home in Algarve, there are several furniture shops that cater to your needs. You can choose the furniture from the most affordable to the ones that come for a little, or big fortune. If you are still confused of what to select for your home or what would look best, then these furniture shops have already designed portfolios that can help you in selecting the furniture according to your preference.

 

The variety of furniture items offered by these furniture shops or business houses can help you transform your home from an empty shell into one that you can boast of to your friends and other family members.. Some of the Furniture shops even offer free interior designing solutions to embellish your home as a lucrative offer.

 

One of the main advantages of choosing furniture online is that you can compare the various options available and select the furniture that is best for you and that too at an affordable price. Buying furniture online certainly offers more options and you have a chance to compare from the comfort of your home to make an informed decision.

 

Algarve welcomes people willing to settle down with open arms, come and own a dream home of your own and carve a place for yourself in Algarve’s natural beauty forever.