by: Dave Rowe
When it comes to decorating, your Childs bedroom is one of the areas where you can really have fun with design ideas and if your child is old enough you can involve him in the design process. Although you may have to water down some their ideas to fit within your budget!
The key to designing a pleasing child’s bedroom is to plan ahead. In no time at all your baby will become a toddler and then not long after that he will be starting school and soon become a teenager. So what seemed like a good idea to paint 6foot high murals of ‘Winnie the Pooh characters will not be appropriate when your 10 ten year old brings home his friends from school for the first time.
Getting the basic structure correct at the beginning will save you having to do major changes every time you re-decorate. So this involves getting enough electric sockets and lights setup. If you have the opportunity get dimmer switches fitted and use a combination of main lighting and downlighters so the mood in the bedroom can be varied depending on the activity.
When designing a theme room, it is probably better to decorate one wall with the chosen theme and paint the other three walls with a plain colour, rather than have all four walls wall-papered with the same design not only does this give a feeling of more space but it is also cheaper when you need to re-decorate or change the theme due to your child growing older. Design for fun and keep it practical. Keep decoration simple and easy to look after are the key messages.
Paint needs to be hard wearing and washable, sticky fingers and even worse crayons and pens are the main enemy here. If you include a blackboard at the height of your child and encourage him to use that, it will save many hours washing or painting over your child’s latest Picasso!
On the plain walls you can always use posters and pictures to expand on the required theme.
Storage is probably the major requirement for the bedroom. As children get older they seem to accumulate more and more toys so space under beds or cabin beds should be considered. Take a look around at what your child’s has and you will probably find that you need to fit in:
· A bed.
· A wardrobe.
· A desk and chair.
· A bookshelf
· Storage for toys.
· Storage for out of season clothes i.e. winter or summer.
· An area to display models and prizes from school.
Wardrobes and chest of drawers or dressing tables are also useful. Giving your child a work area such as a desk are also good for encouraging children to do their homework as they grow older. Choose furniture which is also hard wearing and washable. Plain white furniture will work for almost any theme and will last for many years. There are many specialist sites on the web which focus just on children’s furniture such as http://www.furniture-4-kids.co.uk/ are good sites to see a range of different furniture from different suppliers. When the children are toddlers there are many ranges of small tables and chairs which can be purchase relatively cheaply to give your child the feeling of his own special space. When fitting out the inside of his or her wardrobes position the rails near the bottom to encourage them to select their clothes and dress themselves. It also hopefully will help to keep the room tidy. A large toy box is also an excellent way to clear up a mess quickly before bedtime. Shelves for storing books and displaying special toys and also their latest creations they may have made at school are a good idea
When you know what budget and what the basic rules are, ask your child to share their thoughts on what their dream room should look like. In the beginning remind your children that you will not be able to deliver everything they ask for, but that you are sure you will be able to achieve something, which will be satisfactory for you and the child. Try to include:
· Their favourite colours.
· Their favourite hobbies/interests.
· Their favourite objects.
· Their Favourite cartoon or story characters or football teams
· Which one item they would like in their room more than anything else.
Once the theme is decide upon a site such as http://www.Pricerighthome.com contains some superb themed accessories based upon cartoon characters or football teams with curtains duvet covers and wallpapers which will help add the final touches to the perfect room.
By planning at the beginning and involving your child in the design process you will probably find it the most enjoyable room to decorate and also a room which will be easy to decorate in future years as your child’s tastes and needs change.
Designer Radiators: How to Choose the Best Ones for your Home
by: Steve Voros
If you're planning on installing or upgrading a central heating system, perhaps beautifying your home is the last thing on your mind. But when you visit your online radiator showroom you're in for a big, pleasant surprise. For today’s designer radiator is a thing of beauty as well as a device to warm up your home. Here are some tips on choosing the best designer radiator for your home.
The first thing to consider is the existing decor of your home and how your new designer radiators ( http://www.RadiatorShowroom.com )will fit in terms of space and colour. Beauty depends on harmony so you'll need to find radiators that fit. You have to consider such matters as colour and the contours and space of your rooms. Fortunately with designer radiators, you have infinite choice of style and colour.
Then there's the matter of placement. If it's a first time installation, survey your home for optimum placement. Follow the standard guidelines for central heating installation. Heating engineers recommend that the optimum location for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. Plus it should be installed on the external wall beneath the window. This warms up the cold air coming in. If you have an existing central heating system, you should try to maximise the use of existing pipe work. This avoids the expense and disruption of installing new pipes.
The next thing to consider is the material your new designer radiators ( http://www.RadiatorShowroom.com/designer-radiators.html)are made of. The best options are stainless steel and aluminium. Both are extremely efficient heat conductors and both have very attractive finishes. However there are some differences. Aluminium is a super conductor. This makes it extremely responsive to your control. Your house warms up quickly when you turn on your central heating. It also cools down just as quickly when you turn it off. Stainless steel radiators retain heat a little longer. Both materials are easy to clean, you just need to wipe them down with warm water and detergent a few times a year.
However, the responsiveness of aluminium radiators combined with their low water content translates into excellent cost efficiency which means lower bills for you. What's more, aluminium radiators are very light and easy to install. This often means lower installation fees. Ultimately, the choice of material is yours. Each has its own benefits, but aluminium wins out for its blend of function, beauty and economy.
If you've decided to enhance the beauty and value of your home by adding or replacing designer radiators, it's time to look at some designs online. Browsing at online designer radiator showrooms makes the whole process easy and convenient. Choose some designs and colours that you feel will suit your home. Then call the showroom to discuss such practicalities as availability, pricing and delivery times and procedures. Then, get ready to transform your home in something special – a snug abode that’s also the height of style. And it’s all done with the wonder of designer radiators.
If you're planning on installing or upgrading a central heating system, perhaps beautifying your home is the last thing on your mind. But when you visit your online radiator showroom you're in for a big, pleasant surprise. For today’s designer radiator is a thing of beauty as well as a device to warm up your home. Here are some tips on choosing the best designer radiator for your home.
The first thing to consider is the existing decor of your home and how your new designer radiators ( http://www.RadiatorShowroom.com )will fit in terms of space and colour. Beauty depends on harmony so you'll need to find radiators that fit. You have to consider such matters as colour and the contours and space of your rooms. Fortunately with designer radiators, you have infinite choice of style and colour.
Then there's the matter of placement. If it's a first time installation, survey your home for optimum placement. Follow the standard guidelines for central heating installation. Heating engineers recommend that the optimum location for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. Plus it should be installed on the external wall beneath the window. This warms up the cold air coming in. If you have an existing central heating system, you should try to maximise the use of existing pipe work. This avoids the expense and disruption of installing new pipes.
The next thing to consider is the material your new designer radiators ( http://www.RadiatorShowroom.com/designer-radiators.html)are made of. The best options are stainless steel and aluminium. Both are extremely efficient heat conductors and both have very attractive finishes. However there are some differences. Aluminium is a super conductor. This makes it extremely responsive to your control. Your house warms up quickly when you turn on your central heating. It also cools down just as quickly when you turn it off. Stainless steel radiators retain heat a little longer. Both materials are easy to clean, you just need to wipe them down with warm water and detergent a few times a year.
However, the responsiveness of aluminium radiators combined with their low water content translates into excellent cost efficiency which means lower bills for you. What's more, aluminium radiators are very light and easy to install. This often means lower installation fees. Ultimately, the choice of material is yours. Each has its own benefits, but aluminium wins out for its blend of function, beauty and economy.
If you've decided to enhance the beauty and value of your home by adding or replacing designer radiators, it's time to look at some designs online. Browsing at online designer radiator showrooms makes the whole process easy and convenient. Choose some designs and colours that you feel will suit your home. Then call the showroom to discuss such practicalities as availability, pricing and delivery times and procedures. Then, get ready to transform your home in something special – a snug abode that’s also the height of style. And it’s all done with the wonder of designer radiators.
Self-closing Hinges – You’ll Love What They Do For You
by: Jesse Akre
You have probably seen or used them at some point. Self-closing hinges are a great way to make sure a door stays shut when not in use. Instead of being like a regular door hinge that has to be pushed shut, self-closing hinges automatically do the job for you, closing the door once you let go. Think of when you are preparing a meal. You are grabbing all the ingredients in your hands, and without a hand to spare lean against the cabinet doors to make sure they are shut. With self-closing hinges, you can avoid that and just let the doors close themselves.
While you can't always get a door with self-closing hinges, changing your doors to have them is not a major job. When you are thinking of making a few changes to the hardware, you may want to go ahead and take steps to not only make them look different, but also be more convenient with self-closing hinges.
While they may work differently, installing self-closing hinges is not too much different than putting in regular hinges. For the most part they look a lot like regular hinges. They have two pieces of hinge that are connected with a metal pin like normal hinges. But on top of that they have a spring mounting. That means after the door is opened, the spring kicks in and does its part, pulling the door shut again.
If you have a home with animals that you like to keep out of things, or small children who don't need to be crawling into cabinets, self-closing hinges are a good idea. It only takes one time of you forgetting to close a traditional cabinet for the dog or baby to crawl their way inside and pull out your food items.
In addition to self-closing hinges on cabinets, you can also have them put on a regular door. If you would like to keep certain doors shut in your house, this is a good way to make sure they go back to the closed position once someone goes through. You won’t have too much of a problem finding self-closing hinges that match most regular doors as they are often made in all the same metals that you would find in your normal door hinges.
The key to replacing your current hinges with self-closing hinges is to try and find a self-closing hinge set that has the same holes as the hinges you already have. The more similar they are, the less work you have to do, as you may be able to just take off the old hinges, install the new hinges and enjoy the ingenuity. Just make sure someone helps you hold the door up while you make the change so you don’t cause undue stress on one side of the door while you are doing the installation.
While self-closing hinges are relatively easy to install and let do their job, they do need a little maintenance. They will last for years if they are periodically checked on and given oil, as needed.
You have probably seen or used them at some point. Self-closing hinges are a great way to make sure a door stays shut when not in use. Instead of being like a regular door hinge that has to be pushed shut, self-closing hinges automatically do the job for you, closing the door once you let go. Think of when you are preparing a meal. You are grabbing all the ingredients in your hands, and without a hand to spare lean against the cabinet doors to make sure they are shut. With self-closing hinges, you can avoid that and just let the doors close themselves.
While you can't always get a door with self-closing hinges, changing your doors to have them is not a major job. When you are thinking of making a few changes to the hardware, you may want to go ahead and take steps to not only make them look different, but also be more convenient with self-closing hinges.
While they may work differently, installing self-closing hinges is not too much different than putting in regular hinges. For the most part they look a lot like regular hinges. They have two pieces of hinge that are connected with a metal pin like normal hinges. But on top of that they have a spring mounting. That means after the door is opened, the spring kicks in and does its part, pulling the door shut again.
If you have a home with animals that you like to keep out of things, or small children who don't need to be crawling into cabinets, self-closing hinges are a good idea. It only takes one time of you forgetting to close a traditional cabinet for the dog or baby to crawl their way inside and pull out your food items.
In addition to self-closing hinges on cabinets, you can also have them put on a regular door. If you would like to keep certain doors shut in your house, this is a good way to make sure they go back to the closed position once someone goes through. You won’t have too much of a problem finding self-closing hinges that match most regular doors as they are often made in all the same metals that you would find in your normal door hinges.
The key to replacing your current hinges with self-closing hinges is to try and find a self-closing hinge set that has the same holes as the hinges you already have. The more similar they are, the less work you have to do, as you may be able to just take off the old hinges, install the new hinges and enjoy the ingenuity. Just make sure someone helps you hold the door up while you make the change so you don’t cause undue stress on one side of the door while you are doing the installation.
While self-closing hinges are relatively easy to install and let do their job, they do need a little maintenance. They will last for years if they are periodically checked on and given oil, as needed.
Angelina Jolie And The Rose Experience A Baby Boom
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
In just the last few years the world has watched actress Angelina Jolie go through a baby boom with the adoption of her children Maddox and Zahara and the birth of baby Shiloh. Jolie's motherhood garnered worldwide attention, but not all baby booms draw stares; some go utterly unnoticed. Take, for example, the baby boom that occurred in the rose world during the 1990s.
The eighties saw only a few dozen rose varieties available to consumers through flower shops. But, during the nineties the rose went through a good, fertile production period that resulted in the creation of numerous new rose varieties. Today consumers have over 120 rose varieties to choose from. Although most people who regularly purchase flowers probably noticed some new colors and varieties popping up in their local flower shops, a survey commissioned by the Society of American Florists (SAF) revealed that about half of those people who participated in the survey thought only 50 or fewer varieties existed.
Once available in limited colors, like red, white, pink, and yellow, the rose boom generated blooms in colors and shades previously unseen. Red, of course, remains the color of choice for most people, especially men, but other colors are catching on. 62 percent of the women who responded to the SAF survey indicated they prefer other colors, such as yellow, pink, peach, and white. Some of the newer colors like lavender and orange, are also becoming favorites.
The new color varieties have resulted in the common colors of red, pink, yellow, and white becoming entire color families consisting of shades from light muted colors to vibrant, bright colors. Reds now include every shade from bright raspberry to orange-reds to dark, rich reds. Pink is no longer just the traditional light pink commonly seen in bridal bouquets; it's now the light pastel pink to the hot pink, and everything in between. The pink family also contains hues like peach, apricot, oral, and lavender. Yellow includes lemony-yellow, gold, and two-toned blooms. It has become the second most popular color choice among men. Even white isn't just white; this color family now includes bright white, ivory, and champagne.
Not only did the rose baby boom give the world many new colors to choose from, it also gave us changes in bloom size, shape, stem length, and fragrance. So, with all these color choices and characteristics, roses can be the perfect floral choice for anyone you'd like to send flowers to-even if it's Angelina Jolie and her own brood of babies.
In just the last few years the world has watched actress Angelina Jolie go through a baby boom with the adoption of her children Maddox and Zahara and the birth of baby Shiloh. Jolie's motherhood garnered worldwide attention, but not all baby booms draw stares; some go utterly unnoticed. Take, for example, the baby boom that occurred in the rose world during the 1990s.
The eighties saw only a few dozen rose varieties available to consumers through flower shops. But, during the nineties the rose went through a good, fertile production period that resulted in the creation of numerous new rose varieties. Today consumers have over 120 rose varieties to choose from. Although most people who regularly purchase flowers probably noticed some new colors and varieties popping up in their local flower shops, a survey commissioned by the Society of American Florists (SAF) revealed that about half of those people who participated in the survey thought only 50 or fewer varieties existed.
Once available in limited colors, like red, white, pink, and yellow, the rose boom generated blooms in colors and shades previously unseen. Red, of course, remains the color of choice for most people, especially men, but other colors are catching on. 62 percent of the women who responded to the SAF survey indicated they prefer other colors, such as yellow, pink, peach, and white. Some of the newer colors like lavender and orange, are also becoming favorites.
The new color varieties have resulted in the common colors of red, pink, yellow, and white becoming entire color families consisting of shades from light muted colors to vibrant, bright colors. Reds now include every shade from bright raspberry to orange-reds to dark, rich reds. Pink is no longer just the traditional light pink commonly seen in bridal bouquets; it's now the light pastel pink to the hot pink, and everything in between. The pink family also contains hues like peach, apricot, oral, and lavender. Yellow includes lemony-yellow, gold, and two-toned blooms. It has become the second most popular color choice among men. Even white isn't just white; this color family now includes bright white, ivory, and champagne.
Not only did the rose baby boom give the world many new colors to choose from, it also gave us changes in bloom size, shape, stem length, and fragrance. So, with all these color choices and characteristics, roses can be the perfect floral choice for anyone you'd like to send flowers to-even if it's Angelina Jolie and her own brood of babies.
Angelina Jolie And Others Can Now Make Their Flowers Even More Eco-Friendly
by: Wesley Berry, AAF
Angelina Jolie is well known not just for her acting ability but for the good deeds she does for various organizations. If Jolie is environmentally friendly as well, she could make her flowers and plants even friendlier for the earth. A new line of flowerpots has just hit the market, and they're sure to draw the eyes...and wallets...of all those who do what they can to keep the earth clean and healthy.
The pots, called EcoForm pots, are a new line of beautifully designed containers being sold by a company based in Santa Rosa, California. These pots are earth friendly because they're made from grain husks, like rice hulls. The binders used are starch-based and water-soluble and all additives are biodegradable. With ingredients like those, the pots are completely biodegradable, so they make good environmental sense.
They also make good economical sense, because they're durable, too. The pots are meant to last for a period of five years. At the end of that time, they decompose naturally and form a rich organic material with a PH of 7.
Springwise newsletter, a British company that keeps track of international consumer trends, said of the pots: "Combining sustainability with eco-chic, the pots have a smooth finish and come in a variety of shapes and natural colors, in both decorative and grower lines."
The EcoForms pot makers describe the pots as "a smart and sustainable choice for gardeners and growers alike." They claim the pots can be used both inside and outside and that they're a great alternative to plastic pots because, like plastic, they're also lightweight.
As the pots draw more attention and become more common, consumers around the world are sure to be looking for them at their florists and in stores. Why not be a step ahead of the crowd? Order a pot from the company and bring it in to your florist to be filled with a gorgeous arrangement. You can enjoy the arrangement in your own home or give it as a gift to one of your earth-wise friends.
Surely big-name stars like Angelina Jolie who are concerned about the environment will help fuel this trend for biodegradable plant and flower containers.
Angelina Jolie is well known not just for her acting ability but for the good deeds she does for various organizations. If Jolie is environmentally friendly as well, she could make her flowers and plants even friendlier for the earth. A new line of flowerpots has just hit the market, and they're sure to draw the eyes...and wallets...of all those who do what they can to keep the earth clean and healthy.
The pots, called EcoForm pots, are a new line of beautifully designed containers being sold by a company based in Santa Rosa, California. These pots are earth friendly because they're made from grain husks, like rice hulls. The binders used are starch-based and water-soluble and all additives are biodegradable. With ingredients like those, the pots are completely biodegradable, so they make good environmental sense.
They also make good economical sense, because they're durable, too. The pots are meant to last for a period of five years. At the end of that time, they decompose naturally and form a rich organic material with a PH of 7.
Springwise newsletter, a British company that keeps track of international consumer trends, said of the pots: "Combining sustainability with eco-chic, the pots have a smooth finish and come in a variety of shapes and natural colors, in both decorative and grower lines."
The EcoForms pot makers describe the pots as "a smart and sustainable choice for gardeners and growers alike." They claim the pots can be used both inside and outside and that they're a great alternative to plastic pots because, like plastic, they're also lightweight.
As the pots draw more attention and become more common, consumers around the world are sure to be looking for them at their florists and in stores. Why not be a step ahead of the crowd? Order a pot from the company and bring it in to your florist to be filled with a gorgeous arrangement. You can enjoy the arrangement in your own home or give it as a gift to one of your earth-wise friends.
Surely big-name stars like Angelina Jolie who are concerned about the environment will help fuel this trend for biodegradable plant and flower containers.
You Own A Wood Burning Stove - Is It Dangerous for Your Health?
by: Paul Zayer
Do you have a wood burning stove? I don't know if you have noticed but many people have one nowadays. When the cold season arrives, it is sure nice to have a wood burning stove. I can tell you that.
When I look at a wood burning stove in a magazine or in a store it brings back a lot of nice memories. I just loved the smell and the nice heat our old wood burning stove was giving us in the kitchen in the cold season.
It may seem odd in this day in high tech, but wood burning stoves are getting more popular than they have been in almost a century. Many persons would suppose that a wood burning oven was almost the least practical article that you could install in your residence. After all, there are so many disadvantage to a wood burning stove. First of all, there is not the same sort of fine temperature control as with a gas heater. Wood burning stoves, basically, are either on or off. When they are on, you constantly have to stock them with wood. When they are off, they take many hours to heat up again.
Nonetheless, the wood burning stove has a lot going for it. First of all, wood burning ovens are versatile. Not only can you use them to heat a room, you can also use them to dry clothes, and warm cold feet. You can even bake certain things on some wood burning stoves! There is also the matter of the cost of heating. Wood burning stoves was thought of as not practical because of the amount of work that goes into using them. Today, however, they make a lot of sense. They burn wood very slowly, and in many areas fire wood is accessible at no cost. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars can be saved every winter if you have a wood burning stove. For many families, that is no laughing matter.
But there are risks associated to wood burning stoves. Although they are not difficult to maintain, they have dangers that regular gas furnaces don't have. Wood burning stoves must be located in the middle of your common space. That means that if you have young kids, they are at risk. If they run into the wood burning stoves, they can burn themselves! Also, a lot of persons say that wood burning stoves have much greater emissions than other sort of heat. Even oil burning furnaces - infamous for the air pollution they make - are supposed to be healthier for you than wood stoves. If your wood burning stove is not adequately insulated from the residence, it can liberate hazardous indoor pollution and poison you and your family.
Nonetheless, even with all of these drawbacks, wood burning stoves make sense. They enjoy a renaissance among environmentally aware persons. They are more efficient now and they also let you survive with less outside dependence on our decreasing natural gas supply. So next time you look at a wood burning stove, why not get in the store and have a closer look at it? I am sure that you will love it.
Do you have a wood burning stove? I don't know if you have noticed but many people have one nowadays. When the cold season arrives, it is sure nice to have a wood burning stove. I can tell you that.
When I look at a wood burning stove in a magazine or in a store it brings back a lot of nice memories. I just loved the smell and the nice heat our old wood burning stove was giving us in the kitchen in the cold season.
It may seem odd in this day in high tech, but wood burning stoves are getting more popular than they have been in almost a century. Many persons would suppose that a wood burning oven was almost the least practical article that you could install in your residence. After all, there are so many disadvantage to a wood burning stove. First of all, there is not the same sort of fine temperature control as with a gas heater. Wood burning stoves, basically, are either on or off. When they are on, you constantly have to stock them with wood. When they are off, they take many hours to heat up again.
Nonetheless, the wood burning stove has a lot going for it. First of all, wood burning ovens are versatile. Not only can you use them to heat a room, you can also use them to dry clothes, and warm cold feet. You can even bake certain things on some wood burning stoves! There is also the matter of the cost of heating. Wood burning stoves was thought of as not practical because of the amount of work that goes into using them. Today, however, they make a lot of sense. They burn wood very slowly, and in many areas fire wood is accessible at no cost. Hundreds and hundreds of dollars can be saved every winter if you have a wood burning stove. For many families, that is no laughing matter.
But there are risks associated to wood burning stoves. Although they are not difficult to maintain, they have dangers that regular gas furnaces don't have. Wood burning stoves must be located in the middle of your common space. That means that if you have young kids, they are at risk. If they run into the wood burning stoves, they can burn themselves! Also, a lot of persons say that wood burning stoves have much greater emissions than other sort of heat. Even oil burning furnaces - infamous for the air pollution they make - are supposed to be healthier for you than wood stoves. If your wood burning stove is not adequately insulated from the residence, it can liberate hazardous indoor pollution and poison you and your family.
Nonetheless, even with all of these drawbacks, wood burning stoves make sense. They enjoy a renaissance among environmentally aware persons. They are more efficient now and they also let you survive with less outside dependence on our decreasing natural gas supply. So next time you look at a wood burning stove, why not get in the store and have a closer look at it? I am sure that you will love it.
Tips on Buying and Using LED Light Bulbs
by: Joseph Reis
Green is good, and right now, energy efficient lighting is all the rage. With the looming phase-out of old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs in many developed countries, people are faced with choosing between a handful energy efficient forms of lighting – compact fluorescents (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED). This article will help you make good decisions when buying residential LED light bulbs.
CFLs are good for now, but…
You have likely already adopted energy efficient compact fluorescents (CFL) as part of your effort to reduce your carbon footprint. While CFLs are energy efficient, they have drawbacks such as mercury and relatively short lifespan. Also, CFLs are not available in sizes that replace track light bulbs, such as MR16 and GU10. It is unlikely that CFLs will be available in these sizes.
CFLs have made giant inroads over the last couple of years. The low cost and high energy efficiency of CFLs have made them favorites with people replacing incandescent lights. According to the Energy Information Administration, a government agency, 9% of a household’s energy costs are related to lighting. People are genuinely concerned with lowering their energy consumption, and lighting is one of the easiest things a person can improve on. With worldwide support from mass-market retailers, governments, and citizens, energy efficient lighting is seeing a new dawn. While CFLs provide a good combination of efficiency and cost, there is an even better option on the horizon – LED light bulbs.
Introducing the next generation of ultra energy efficient light bulbs – LEDs
LED light bulbs are semiconductors, just like the chips in your computer. These semiconductors emit energy in the form of photons of light. LEDs have come a very long way since they were invented in the 1960s. You have seen LED lamps for decades in the form of indicator lights on electronic products. Now, these LED lamps light bulbs have evolved to the point produce enough light for household and commercial applications. LEDs are extremely energy efficient, and have lifetimes ranging from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. LED light bulbs are the perfect complement to your collection energy efficient lighting products.
Tips for Buying LEDs
There are several varieties of residential LED light bulbs on the market. Presently, LEDs best replace track lighting and flood lights, both of which take advantage of the directional nature of LED light. Below are some tips for buying LED light bulbs.
• The Basics
You want to find an LED bulb that produces a healthy amount of light, but at the lowest possible power consumption. A good metric that equalizes your search is “lumens per watt”. To derive this figure, simply divide the bulb’s number of watts into the number of lumens. Right now, a good LED bulb should have at least 40 lumens per watt, but preferably more.
The question is often asked about comparisons between normal light bulbs and LEDs. Here are some examples to guide you:
5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, MR16 ~ 25-watt MR16 Halogen
5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, E27 spot ~ 30-watt E27 spot Halogen
6-watt, 165 traditional LEDs, PAR38, ~ 50-watt PAR38 incandescent
• Lifetime of Bulb
Many manufacturers of LED bulbs claim lifetimes of 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. The lifetime of an LED lamp is generally considered to be the point where the light output has declined to 70% of it’s initial output, measured in lumens. So, a 300 lumen LED bulb with a lifespan of 50,000 hours will have 210 lumens at the end of it’s lifetime. However, the lifetime of a bulb does not mean it is unusable, only that it’s light output has degraded to a certain point. The LED bulb may continue to be useful for several thousand hours past it’s stated lifetime. Unlike old-fashioned light bulbs, it is extremely rare for an LED light to simply burn out. Rather, it will gradually fade over time.
• Color
As a general rule, you should use warmer light indoors, and whiter light outdoors. A color temperature of 2500-4000 Kelvin works great indoors. You should use a bulb with a color temperature of 5000-7000 Kelvin outdoors, as the whiter light allows your eyes to see better at night.
White light in the 5000-7000 Kelvin range is also excellent for display cases, boutiques, artwork, or other settings where you need excellent color rendition.
• Type of LED lamp
LED light bulbs use one or more tiny semiconductor lamps to produce very focused light. Contrast this with normal light bulbs that generate light in all directions. LED lamps are currently available in two forms: traditional LEDs (typically 5mm), which are smaller, and high power LEDs. Light bulbs using traditional LEDs require a large number of LED lamps to produce sufficient light, whereas high power LED bulbs use one or more lamps to generate light.
In general, the more LEDs, the better the light dispersion. Always get LED bulbs with more than one LED. You will find that single LED bulbs produce a very conspicuous outline, similar to a halo. Unless you enjoy halos across your walls, it’s better to buy light bulbs with multiple LEDs.
Here are some common track light and flood light bulb types, and suggestions for the LED arrangements:
For track bulbs such as MR-type and GU-type, try to get bulbs with 3 high power LED lamps (preferably using CREE or Nichia lamps). Avoid buying track bulbs using an array of traditional LED lamps, as these are not as effective as high power lamps.
For flood light bulbs, such as PAR-type, you can find reasonably priced traditional LED arrangements. High-power LED flood lights produce good light, but are also very expensive. In my experience, a PAR bulb using 120 or more traditional LED lamps works just as good, at a fraction of the price.
• Cost and energy savings
LED bulbs have a higher upfront cost, but they pay for themselves several times over their lifetime. Because LEDs have lower power consumption and a very long lifetime, they are very energy efficient. Let’s take an example of a $45, 5-watt, 50,000 hour MR16 LED bulb. Let’s assume a constant electricity cost of $0.10 per kilowatt hour, and a 0.61 electrical grid CO2 output factor. Compared with a similar $8, 25-watt halogen MR16 bulb, the LED will save $255 and reduce carbon emissions by 1,345 pounds. Not bad for a light bulb.
As energy costs continue to rise, the cost savings and carbon reduction from using LEDs will become far more pronounced.
Buyer beware – LEDs cannot replace general illumination bulbs (yet)
Right now, there are plenty of options for LED light bulbs. And that’s a bit of a problem. Several sellers of LED bulbs claim their bulbs are powerful enough to replace general illumination bulbs such as incandescent and CFL. This is simply untrue. Many of these “replacement” bulbs cost nearly $100 and use over 10 watts of power. You are much better off using a $3.00, 10-watt CFL for now. However, keep an eye out for LED general illumination bulbs over the next few years, as they will become very competitive with normal light bulbs.
Start today with LEDs
As LED technology rapidly advances, you will see them replace all other forms of light bulbs, including CFLs. If you have track lights or flood lights, you can begin incorporating LED light bulbs right away. Remember, now is the time to take steps to save energy and money. Your wallet and the planet will both thank you.
Green is good, and right now, energy efficient lighting is all the rage. With the looming phase-out of old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs in many developed countries, people are faced with choosing between a handful energy efficient forms of lighting – compact fluorescents (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED). This article will help you make good decisions when buying residential LED light bulbs.
CFLs are good for now, but…
You have likely already adopted energy efficient compact fluorescents (CFL) as part of your effort to reduce your carbon footprint. While CFLs are energy efficient, they have drawbacks such as mercury and relatively short lifespan. Also, CFLs are not available in sizes that replace track light bulbs, such as MR16 and GU10. It is unlikely that CFLs will be available in these sizes.
CFLs have made giant inroads over the last couple of years. The low cost and high energy efficiency of CFLs have made them favorites with people replacing incandescent lights. According to the Energy Information Administration, a government agency, 9% of a household’s energy costs are related to lighting. People are genuinely concerned with lowering their energy consumption, and lighting is one of the easiest things a person can improve on. With worldwide support from mass-market retailers, governments, and citizens, energy efficient lighting is seeing a new dawn. While CFLs provide a good combination of efficiency and cost, there is an even better option on the horizon – LED light bulbs.
Introducing the next generation of ultra energy efficient light bulbs – LEDs
LED light bulbs are semiconductors, just like the chips in your computer. These semiconductors emit energy in the form of photons of light. LEDs have come a very long way since they were invented in the 1960s. You have seen LED lamps for decades in the form of indicator lights on electronic products. Now, these LED lamps light bulbs have evolved to the point produce enough light for household and commercial applications. LEDs are extremely energy efficient, and have lifetimes ranging from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. LED light bulbs are the perfect complement to your collection energy efficient lighting products.
Tips for Buying LEDs
There are several varieties of residential LED light bulbs on the market. Presently, LEDs best replace track lighting and flood lights, both of which take advantage of the directional nature of LED light. Below are some tips for buying LED light bulbs.
• The Basics
You want to find an LED bulb that produces a healthy amount of light, but at the lowest possible power consumption. A good metric that equalizes your search is “lumens per watt”. To derive this figure, simply divide the bulb’s number of watts into the number of lumens. Right now, a good LED bulb should have at least 40 lumens per watt, but preferably more.
The question is often asked about comparisons between normal light bulbs and LEDs. Here are some examples to guide you:
5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, MR16 ~ 25-watt MR16 Halogen
5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, E27 spot ~ 30-watt E27 spot Halogen
6-watt, 165 traditional LEDs, PAR38, ~ 50-watt PAR38 incandescent
• Lifetime of Bulb
Many manufacturers of LED bulbs claim lifetimes of 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. The lifetime of an LED lamp is generally considered to be the point where the light output has declined to 70% of it’s initial output, measured in lumens. So, a 300 lumen LED bulb with a lifespan of 50,000 hours will have 210 lumens at the end of it’s lifetime. However, the lifetime of a bulb does not mean it is unusable, only that it’s light output has degraded to a certain point. The LED bulb may continue to be useful for several thousand hours past it’s stated lifetime. Unlike old-fashioned light bulbs, it is extremely rare for an LED light to simply burn out. Rather, it will gradually fade over time.
• Color
As a general rule, you should use warmer light indoors, and whiter light outdoors. A color temperature of 2500-4000 Kelvin works great indoors. You should use a bulb with a color temperature of 5000-7000 Kelvin outdoors, as the whiter light allows your eyes to see better at night.
White light in the 5000-7000 Kelvin range is also excellent for display cases, boutiques, artwork, or other settings where you need excellent color rendition.
• Type of LED lamp
LED light bulbs use one or more tiny semiconductor lamps to produce very focused light. Contrast this with normal light bulbs that generate light in all directions. LED lamps are currently available in two forms: traditional LEDs (typically 5mm), which are smaller, and high power LEDs. Light bulbs using traditional LEDs require a large number of LED lamps to produce sufficient light, whereas high power LED bulbs use one or more lamps to generate light.
In general, the more LEDs, the better the light dispersion. Always get LED bulbs with more than one LED. You will find that single LED bulbs produce a very conspicuous outline, similar to a halo. Unless you enjoy halos across your walls, it’s better to buy light bulbs with multiple LEDs.
Here are some common track light and flood light bulb types, and suggestions for the LED arrangements:
For track bulbs such as MR-type and GU-type, try to get bulbs with 3 high power LED lamps (preferably using CREE or Nichia lamps). Avoid buying track bulbs using an array of traditional LED lamps, as these are not as effective as high power lamps.
For flood light bulbs, such as PAR-type, you can find reasonably priced traditional LED arrangements. High-power LED flood lights produce good light, but are also very expensive. In my experience, a PAR bulb using 120 or more traditional LED lamps works just as good, at a fraction of the price.
• Cost and energy savings
LED bulbs have a higher upfront cost, but they pay for themselves several times over their lifetime. Because LEDs have lower power consumption and a very long lifetime, they are very energy efficient. Let’s take an example of a $45, 5-watt, 50,000 hour MR16 LED bulb. Let’s assume a constant electricity cost of $0.10 per kilowatt hour, and a 0.61 electrical grid CO2 output factor. Compared with a similar $8, 25-watt halogen MR16 bulb, the LED will save $255 and reduce carbon emissions by 1,345 pounds. Not bad for a light bulb.
As energy costs continue to rise, the cost savings and carbon reduction from using LEDs will become far more pronounced.
Buyer beware – LEDs cannot replace general illumination bulbs (yet)
Right now, there are plenty of options for LED light bulbs. And that’s a bit of a problem. Several sellers of LED bulbs claim their bulbs are powerful enough to replace general illumination bulbs such as incandescent and CFL. This is simply untrue. Many of these “replacement” bulbs cost nearly $100 and use over 10 watts of power. You are much better off using a $3.00, 10-watt CFL for now. However, keep an eye out for LED general illumination bulbs over the next few years, as they will become very competitive with normal light bulbs.
Start today with LEDs
As LED technology rapidly advances, you will see them replace all other forms of light bulbs, including CFLs. If you have track lights or flood lights, you can begin incorporating LED light bulbs right away. Remember, now is the time to take steps to save energy and money. Your wallet and the planet will both thank you.
Three Ways To Use Accent Rugs
by: John James
As you are probably well aware, there are many ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. And if you are not aware of this, you will want to look into the different options today. Although there are probably millions of homes that do not have any accent rugs, these have become very popular as of late. You should consider adding at least one depending on the way that you have your home and its rooms set up. There is a good chance that adding one of these will do a lot for the way that your home looks as well as the way that other people perceive it.
Here are three ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. Of course, feel free to come up with your own ideas as well. If you get creative you will probably be able to come up with several great ideas on how you can use these in any room of your home.
1. The best way to use an accent rug is to make a room look better. After all, they are called accent rugs for a reason. For instance, if you have a room that is all one color, you may be able to add one of these to simply “set off” the room. You will want to do a good job when choosing your color or pattern. This is what will determine just how good the rug looks in your home.
2. You can use accent rugs in ways that have nothing to do with visual appearance. Although most accent rugs are going to look good, you can also use them in order to keep your primary flooring clean and clear. Many people lay these inside of doorways so that people can clean their feet before they step onto the better surface. Although this is not something that you will want to do with an expensive accent rug, it is an option that you should consider nonetheless. You might as well keep your primary floor as clean as possible, and with the use of an accent rug you can do this without any problems at all.
3. Use accent rugs if you have hardwood, tile, or concrete floors. Even though you may like the way that these floors look, when you use a rug you will be able to break things up a bit. Not to mention the fact that it will also bring an added level of comfort to your home. Even if you do not mind walking on a harder surface, there are times when an accent rug can go a long way in making things more comfortable for you.
These are three of the best ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. There is no rule on where you can put these. Some people only want to buy accent rugs for rooms that people will see, whereas others like to put them all over. You need to decide on your own where you will place these.
All in all, accent rugs offer many benefits as long as you take the time to place the right ones in your home. Get creative, and you may be surprised at what they can do for your home!
As you are probably well aware, there are many ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. And if you are not aware of this, you will want to look into the different options today. Although there are probably millions of homes that do not have any accent rugs, these have become very popular as of late. You should consider adding at least one depending on the way that you have your home and its rooms set up. There is a good chance that adding one of these will do a lot for the way that your home looks as well as the way that other people perceive it.
Here are three ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. Of course, feel free to come up with your own ideas as well. If you get creative you will probably be able to come up with several great ideas on how you can use these in any room of your home.
1. The best way to use an accent rug is to make a room look better. After all, they are called accent rugs for a reason. For instance, if you have a room that is all one color, you may be able to add one of these to simply “set off” the room. You will want to do a good job when choosing your color or pattern. This is what will determine just how good the rug looks in your home.
2. You can use accent rugs in ways that have nothing to do with visual appearance. Although most accent rugs are going to look good, you can also use them in order to keep your primary flooring clean and clear. Many people lay these inside of doorways so that people can clean their feet before they step onto the better surface. Although this is not something that you will want to do with an expensive accent rug, it is an option that you should consider nonetheless. You might as well keep your primary floor as clean as possible, and with the use of an accent rug you can do this without any problems at all.
3. Use accent rugs if you have hardwood, tile, or concrete floors. Even though you may like the way that these floors look, when you use a rug you will be able to break things up a bit. Not to mention the fact that it will also bring an added level of comfort to your home. Even if you do not mind walking on a harder surface, there are times when an accent rug can go a long way in making things more comfortable for you.
These are three of the best ways that you can use accent rugs in your home. There is no rule on where you can put these. Some people only want to buy accent rugs for rooms that people will see, whereas others like to put them all over. You need to decide on your own where you will place these.
All in all, accent rugs offer many benefits as long as you take the time to place the right ones in your home. Get creative, and you may be surprised at what they can do for your home!
Wallpapering The Right Way - Part 1
by: Johan Nickson
Everyone knows how to wallpaper, so it would seem. It is easy to do a bad job, but there’s more to getting the perfect finish than most people think.
The first, and often the most difficult, wallpapering problem are choosing the paper. Nevertheless, before you do anything else, estimate the number of rolls you will need. If anything it is better to over estimate – retailers will usually accept back an unused roll providing it is in good condition. However, cost in relation to quantity is often the overriding factor when it comes to making a choice.
Apart from cost, colour, texture and pattern are the main considerations. The wrong wallpaper can ruin a room; the right one can produce dramatic improvements in its appearance.
Colour:
Very bright, cheerful colours are best for kitchens and workrooms where you are unlikely to spend time sitting back and relaxing, but where it is nice to have a lively atmosphere. Warm and soft tones are good in living rooms where they act more as a backdrop to furnishings. Similarly, bedroom décor should be conducive to sleep. If you have a small or dark room, try a light colour to make the room feel more spacious. The same principle applies for a large room – dark colours will make it look smaller.
Texture:
Textured wallpapers have again become very popular. Some are plain and designed to be painted with emulsion, others are already tinted. They are useful for hanging on walls in poor condition as their texture often covers up imperfections. Naturally textured wall hangings like Hessian and cork tend to be expensive buy are anyway best used in moderation – such as on a feature wall. They make a particularly effective background for houseplants.
Pattern:
Patterned papers usually have a dominant colour with one or perhaps two sympathetic colours or tones included to make up the pattern. Pick out one colour that is already in the room – the carpet for instance – and match it to the colour in the wallpaper. To give an illusion of height is a low room, use vertical stripes. To give the illusion of length, use horizontal stripes. However, if the doors or walls are at all out of true, use a small dense pattern to disguise this.
Types of paper
Not all papers are suitable for all rooms or surfaces. Consider the following points before making your decision.
Uneven surfaces: Hang a lining paper first in horizontal strips (at right angles to the wallpaper). Lining paper comes in various weights but you may as well get the thicker 600 and 800 grades, which are easier to hang.
Condensation: Where there is likely to be condensation, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, use vinyl or washable paper. Vinyl’s are made from PVC with a paper backing and can be wiped with a damp sponge. Washables are resin coated and can be scrubbed.
Heat-reflective papers: These are designed to cut down heat loss through the walls – and hence save energy. They may also reduce condensation. Hang as conventional papers.
Painting: Hang a lining paper vertically before painting a wall. For a textured surface, there are any amount of woodchip or embossed papers which are designed to be painted.
Everyone knows how to wallpaper, so it would seem. It is easy to do a bad job, but there’s more to getting the perfect finish than most people think.
The first, and often the most difficult, wallpapering problem are choosing the paper. Nevertheless, before you do anything else, estimate the number of rolls you will need. If anything it is better to over estimate – retailers will usually accept back an unused roll providing it is in good condition. However, cost in relation to quantity is often the overriding factor when it comes to making a choice.
Apart from cost, colour, texture and pattern are the main considerations. The wrong wallpaper can ruin a room; the right one can produce dramatic improvements in its appearance.
Colour:
Very bright, cheerful colours are best for kitchens and workrooms where you are unlikely to spend time sitting back and relaxing, but where it is nice to have a lively atmosphere. Warm and soft tones are good in living rooms where they act more as a backdrop to furnishings. Similarly, bedroom décor should be conducive to sleep. If you have a small or dark room, try a light colour to make the room feel more spacious. The same principle applies for a large room – dark colours will make it look smaller.
Texture:
Textured wallpapers have again become very popular. Some are plain and designed to be painted with emulsion, others are already tinted. They are useful for hanging on walls in poor condition as their texture often covers up imperfections. Naturally textured wall hangings like Hessian and cork tend to be expensive buy are anyway best used in moderation – such as on a feature wall. They make a particularly effective background for houseplants.
Pattern:
Patterned papers usually have a dominant colour with one or perhaps two sympathetic colours or tones included to make up the pattern. Pick out one colour that is already in the room – the carpet for instance – and match it to the colour in the wallpaper. To give an illusion of height is a low room, use vertical stripes. To give the illusion of length, use horizontal stripes. However, if the doors or walls are at all out of true, use a small dense pattern to disguise this.
Types of paper
Not all papers are suitable for all rooms or surfaces. Consider the following points before making your decision.
Uneven surfaces: Hang a lining paper first in horizontal strips (at right angles to the wallpaper). Lining paper comes in various weights but you may as well get the thicker 600 and 800 grades, which are easier to hang.
Condensation: Where there is likely to be condensation, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, use vinyl or washable paper. Vinyl’s are made from PVC with a paper backing and can be wiped with a damp sponge. Washables are resin coated and can be scrubbed.
Heat-reflective papers: These are designed to cut down heat loss through the walls – and hence save energy. They may also reduce condensation. Hang as conventional papers.
Painting: Hang a lining paper vertically before painting a wall. For a textured surface, there are any amount of woodchip or embossed papers which are designed to be painted.
Console Tables – How To Choose The Right One For You
by: Jesse Akre
As you’re finishing your home furnishing purchases, you should always make sure you have the final pieces that not only look great in the room, but also add any final functional touches you may need. For instance, in your living room, you have all the essentials, but you still have a lot of little things sitting around that you wish you had a place to put away. Or maybe your entryway looks great, and has a large vase as a décor accent, but you could really use a place to put your keys and the mail when you walk in the door. You need console tables to take care of the job.
Console tables are essentially tables that will give you the added bonus of being able to have a little storage as well. Whether it’s a drawer or shelf under the surface, console tables help you keep track of more of your stuff.
Before you buy, you need to make sure you are purchasing the perfect table for the space. Here are some considerations to make:
1. Height – f it’s a freestanding console table, as the only piece of furniture against a wall, you have a lot of flexibility here. But, if you are putting it up against a sofa, chair or piece of furniture you may have to look more closely at that to make sure it’s a complementary height.
2. Spatial Presence – How much attention is your console table going to demand in a room? Is it a supporting player or a focal point? This will determine not only it’s location and placement but also material and style and many other aspects of what you will be looking for in this piece of furniture.
3. Materials – Even though you may like bamboo, it may not be a good choice in a console table. If the look doesn’t fit the space you could have a contrasting piece. You don’t want your friends coming into the room and cringing at the tackiness of the overall effect. Instead, if you shop online you can look at your room as you shop and see pieces that will fit and even add to the room but not take away from it.
4. Quality – You can tell quality by studying a piece. Is it finished looking? Does it wobble? Is it uneven? A finely made piece of furniture will have no such flaws. If it’s wood don’t turn up your nose at wood veneers. It may not be that old cheap wood veneer that your parents had. These days many are made up of exotic woods and are stunning. There are veneers that are printed and others with inlayed woods. You can tell the difference by looking at the seams. If there is a metal piece in between the seams of the wood pieces, that’s a telltale clue you’ve got the real thing.
The joints are very important. Are there gaps? Do they finely match? Do they look like they were just thrown together or are they a beautifully finished piece of furniture.
Does the wood match, the grain match, were they intentionally put together or were a bunch of pieces picked off the shelf and tossed together just to make the piece?
As you’re finishing your home furnishing purchases, you should always make sure you have the final pieces that not only look great in the room, but also add any final functional touches you may need. For instance, in your living room, you have all the essentials, but you still have a lot of little things sitting around that you wish you had a place to put away. Or maybe your entryway looks great, and has a large vase as a décor accent, but you could really use a place to put your keys and the mail when you walk in the door. You need console tables to take care of the job.
Console tables are essentially tables that will give you the added bonus of being able to have a little storage as well. Whether it’s a drawer or shelf under the surface, console tables help you keep track of more of your stuff.
Before you buy, you need to make sure you are purchasing the perfect table for the space. Here are some considerations to make:
1. Height – f it’s a freestanding console table, as the only piece of furniture against a wall, you have a lot of flexibility here. But, if you are putting it up against a sofa, chair or piece of furniture you may have to look more closely at that to make sure it’s a complementary height.
2. Spatial Presence – How much attention is your console table going to demand in a room? Is it a supporting player or a focal point? This will determine not only it’s location and placement but also material and style and many other aspects of what you will be looking for in this piece of furniture.
3. Materials – Even though you may like bamboo, it may not be a good choice in a console table. If the look doesn’t fit the space you could have a contrasting piece. You don’t want your friends coming into the room and cringing at the tackiness of the overall effect. Instead, if you shop online you can look at your room as you shop and see pieces that will fit and even add to the room but not take away from it.
4. Quality – You can tell quality by studying a piece. Is it finished looking? Does it wobble? Is it uneven? A finely made piece of furniture will have no such flaws. If it’s wood don’t turn up your nose at wood veneers. It may not be that old cheap wood veneer that your parents had. These days many are made up of exotic woods and are stunning. There are veneers that are printed and others with inlayed woods. You can tell the difference by looking at the seams. If there is a metal piece in between the seams of the wood pieces, that’s a telltale clue you’ve got the real thing.
The joints are very important. Are there gaps? Do they finely match? Do they look like they were just thrown together or are they a beautifully finished piece of furniture.
Does the wood match, the grain match, were they intentionally put together or were a bunch of pieces picked off the shelf and tossed together just to make the piece?
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