I love candles for a multitude of reasons. They create ambience, they make the room smell wonderful and they just look so pretty flickering in their own warm glow. When buying a candle, I need it to look as pretty as it smells, because whether it’s sitting in the middle of the dining table or busy disguising the disgusting smells my housemate creates in the bathroom – it has to fit my decor.

The first thing that drew me to Aromabotanical scented candles was just how sophisticated and gorgeous the packaging was, standing out on the shelf with their bright colours and interesting scent combinations. Inside, the adorable, rounded glass and sleek black lid will make a wonderful keepsake or lolly jar once all the wax has burned off and when I lifted the lid on the Pear & Ginger candle in store... well I nearly ran to the counter!

I also purchased the Lemongrass & Ginger, because I think that’s such a fantastic summer scent and would be perfect for the relaxed weekend barbeques my housemate and I host regularly on those balmy nights throughout the warmer months. I know it’s Winter now, so until then this candle will live on the bathroom window sill about the toilet, so that my housemate can be sent back in to light it every time he walks out the bathroom door and informs me that it’s “dangerous inside there right now!” Gross!

I got to fire the Pear & Ginger up last night, when my best friend came over and I decided to throw us a cute little dinner for two to remind her how much I love her. I placed it in the middle of the table and lit it an hour before she arrived, thinking it would take that long to permeate the room, especially as I was cooking up a storm just next door!

How wrong was I! Within about ten minutes, the light, distinct scent of Pear & Ginger filled the dining and kitchen area, snuffing out the mustiness that was a result of our house being void of fresh air for weeks due to the freezing cold weather we’ve been experiencing!

The best part? These little beauts are Australian-made and hand poured, there’s no nasties and all you have to gain is a beautifully-scented home that you can’t help but want to show off.
I’m off to buy another one... if I can stop at just one!

Is a removable wall decal right for your nursery? Tree wall decals is just one example of kids wall decals, but it is definitely one of your most exciting options for nursery wall decals. These decals work brilliantly with a wide variety of rooms, and you can definitely find some amazing tree decals for your child’s nursery.

There are a number of reasons as to why decals are great decorating options. Consider those options, look over your choices for tree wall decals that are on the large side of things, and begin to see the possibilities. This is an idea for decorating that a lot of people just don’t consider, but you should. Nursery wall decals can give you a nursery space that is certain to delight everyone.

Decorating the nursery can be challenging. This is particularly true for first-time parents. You want to come up with something unique, but you probably don’t want to spend a ton of money achieving your goals. Certainly, if you are just trying things out, you don’t want to put time, money, and energy into something that you are ultimately going to want to change later on. To that end, why not consider a removable wall decal? The truth of the matter is that kids wall decals can prove to be exactly what you have been looking for.

Baby Nursery Tree Wall Decal is a great example of what decals can do for your nursery. These decals offer brilliant, beautiful depictions of nature. Your child is certain to love them, and the same can be said for just about anyone else. These decals offer a whimsical approach to decorating, but with a few added advantages. For example, when it comes to affordable nursery decorating ideas, you’re going to find that tree wall decals and kids wall decals in general are ideal. You are also going to love the fact that these decals are easy to put on, and whenever the time comes, easy to take off, as well. However, some of these decals quite frankly work nicely with just about any room in the house. As your child gets older, you may decide to just keep the decal you currently have in place.

There are tons of possibilities with a removable wall decal. Trees can express so many things, and nursery wall decals can certainly express whatever you want to with your nursery space. Start exploring this fantastic option.

If you are in the process of constructing your home, it is likely that you will come across its blueprints at one time or another. In simple terms, blueprints are architectural drawings that show the design as well as size of buildings that are planning to be built. They are usually two dimensional and include the placement of features in the building and construction materials that will be used. There are three types of blueprints, namely section, plan and elevation which show a view of the proposed house in a cut-through, horizontal and vertical display respectively. However, for a non-professional reading these blue prints, understanding them may be challenging resulting in the need for proper interpretation.

Reading blue prints with understanding is an essential skill for soon to be homeowner as it makes it possible for them to make decisions from an informed standpoint in regard to the construction of their home. Some of the important basics that you need to learn to have a better comprehension of the drawing plans for your new home include:

• Begin with elevations

Elevations are basically drawings that will give you an overall view of the house’s exterior so that you can have an idea of how the house will appear when it is finished. These drawings are usually four in number and display the house from its front, rear as well as two sides. When looking at the flat view, that is common in elevation drawings, certain details are visible such as materials to be used in building the exterior and the height of the building. These details on the blueprint allow you to have a better idea of the final look of your home while giving you a chance to give suggestions for any improvements or changes.

• Look through floor plans

Majority of house blueprints provide a floor plan for every level such as the attic, basement and any other floors to be built in the home. In most cases, the floor plan view is designed in such a way it seems that the drawings are being viewed from the top. It is possible to see the room sizes, plumbing fixtures, walls, appliances and in some cases the furniture to be placed in the home. The blueprint of the floor plans gives you a chance to better understand the interior fixtures in the home, floor by floor, allowing you to make any necessary changes.

• Understand blue print symbols

When looking at blueprints, you will notice that there are a number of symbols displayed on them. These symbols are very important as they make it easier to identify drawing plans much better and also find it easier to understand various construction documents associated with your new home.  Nevertheless, these symbols are quite a number and may take you sometime to get them all at your fingertips. Fortunately, there are a number of online glossaries that you can refer to when reading blueprints to understand them better especially when interacting with other professionals at the construction site.

Article has been brought you by the leaders in building and construction, Uk, Bromley based company Obcbuilding. OBC was established in 1979 and operated by building guru Richard Patience.  He has been in charge of this family owned business since 2008.
Country porch is a blended mixture of all types of home décor according to a country theme. We are here to showcase the best country wise home décor themes, styles, patterns. We specialise in country style curtains, lampshades, table cloths, mats, sofa covers, etc. Ranging from different styles such as Americano, Italian, European, we have all what you need according to your needs. Whatever you need to decorate your home, we have it all here. Our products our designed and built as per your needs. Whichever country style you like is now at your home. You can live those moments in your home without even traveling here and there. Country Porch is a platform where you can find all your homespun things. 

Here at Country Porch we are stuffed with the country style curtains, ceramic accessories, valances, swags, shower curtains, country primitive ironware, table linens, aprons, cozy quilts, extravagant candles, rugs and all country wise things. We have everything that you need right here to create a warm, pleasant and inviting country home décor. We have the best in house collection of all themed accessories and furniture. If you want to renew the look of your home to a country specific theme, then you can not miss this opportunity with our best priced products.

The Country Porch began in 1998 and expanded in an old yellow farmhouse that was built in 1890. We are still based at the foot of the Coeur D'Alene Mountains where our new warehouse is set up where we still bring you the same homespun country themed décor you have ever wanted in your life. New dream homes are built every day with our fantastic products. Your whole home is converted into a country style home. Have a great experience.

We are available for you each second. Just come here and find the best for you. We are open 24 X 7 at our online store. You can call us on our toll free number 1-866-664-9182  starting 8 am to 4 pm PST. You can also chat or leave a message and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. Our team is focused to provide you the incredible experience.

So you’ve got that spare bedroom or office no one ever seems to use. Why not put it to good use and make something your whole family will enjoy? Creating a home theater or media room is much easier than we think. While we all have a television in our living room is this really the best place to enjoy a great movie, watch HD television or listen to our favorite tunes? A traditional living room configuration is not the ideal set up for getting maximum enjoyment out of your home theater. So how do we create the perfect environment without breaking the bank?  



Prepare the space.
Remove all furniture, curtains, wall hangings, and decorations from the room. Even if you intend on using some of these items in your finished media room or home theater you want to start with a blank slate. Empty any closets which happen to be in the room as well and remove the closet door. Closets can be an ideal location to set up your equipment later on. If you plan on making this an option, a ceiling vent must be installed to pull heat from the equipment out of the space to prevent your things from overheating.  

Wiring.
Choose where you will place your screen. It should ideally be on the largest wall in the room and not directly across from a window. Run all the wires for your equipment. This is best done by going up through the ceiling above where your equipment will be set up which also makes the closet a great option as you will have to worry less about hiding wires later except those which come down to the screen. It is best to run all your HDMI wires through an HDMI switcher. This will mean you will only have one HDMI connecting to your screen. If you have older devices which do not have the HDMI connection conversion cables or attachments are available. Wire all of the connections into an HDMI switcher.

When you are setting up the wires, use wire ties to keep them nicely organized. This will prevent you from ever having to untangle the blasted things ever again. Run the HDMI wire through the ceiling if possible. If you live in an apartment or condo and this is not possible, lead the wires down the wall if possible with the exit point being behind the screen. Should this not be possible, run the wires along the base of the wall, they can be secured with electrical tape to keep them out of your way and prevent them from becoming damaged.  

Sound Panel.
Attach an acoustic sound panel to each wall if possible to help reduce the noise traveling to other rooms within the house or to your neighbors.  

Mount your TV.
Hang your television mounting bracket in the center of your chosen wall if you will be using a flat screen TV. This will save you floor space and prevent the room from appearing cluttered as well as providing a more theater-like set up.  

Wireless system.
If possible, choose a wireless surround sound system to prevent having to run countless wires all over the room. Mount the speakers as instructed in the system manual for best results.  

Curtains.
Use genuine theater style curtains for your windows and to block off the closet space where your equipment is being held. Lushes Curtains has the ideal curtains for your home theater or media room set up. These 100% cotton velvet curtains come in a wide variety of colors and lengths and are not only a great addition to your décor but also provide you with ideal conditions for your movie viewing. These curtains will block all light from the room and also provide sound reduction.

Use of this type of curtain means you will not disrupt the rest of the household or your neighbors which you are enjoying your home theater experience. They are easy to mount, made only of the finest materials, and are durable and long lasting. It is also advisable to hang one of these curtains across the closet door where you’ve stashed your theater equipment as it will provide a lovely decorative effect, protect your equipment, and block any lights which are displayed on their panels. You can find our 100% Cotton Velvet curtains (which work best for sound reduction) on the this link: https://www.lushescurtains.com/cotton-velvet-curtains 

Furniture.
Choose furnishings which suit the size and floor space of the room. It is better to have furniture which is a bit on the smaller side if you’ve chosen a small room so it does not become overwhelmed by larger pieces. This will provide you with maximum floor space as well. Don’t forget that alternative pieces such as bean bag chairs can be used in addition to more traditional furniture to allow more seating without compromising space.
New information technology has always amazed us in the last few years. It has really made our lives better and more comfortable. We have become more attached to our smartphones, tablets and computer more than ever before, for the simple reason that these devices and their software can provide us with many services. In addition, designers of smartphones applications always come up with new ideas for all our daily life needs. The example of the iPhone application called RoomHints is making a difference in the world of smartphone applications. It has been recently launched in beta version but it gained more popularity due to its importance. The official launching of RoomHints will be during the end of October according to the company.

It is very important to mention that RoomHints application, co-founded and designed by Tiffany Willson, was recently rated by Consumer Reports as the number one application for home-design shopping. It has also been featured in several new media outlets and websites such as Wakefield, Fox News, American Express, Shop Smart and others. In fact, the interest in home design and interior furniture has increased because of modernity and fast social changes. People are looking for simple but convenient design for their homes. However, they may get frustrated and could not choose the most attractive design by themselves.

The main purpose behind RoomHints application is to provide help in such cases. It is a very effective solution for those who look for a new piece of furniture for their rooms or lounges or those who would renew their private home spaces. Tiffany, a graduated interior designer, was so conscious that a lot of demand for room hints would cause her too much energy and time. Each time a friend asked her for a suggestion, she had to do things physically; that would be like a traditional way for a new modern graduated interior designer.

Then the idea of RoomHints application came as a result of deep thinking about how it should work. Through three simple steps, the user of the application RoomHints can get enough feedback that will inspire him/her to have the best home decoration. First, the user should tell RoomHints designer about what s/he is looking for. Second, s/he can have a photo of the space be it a room or a lounge for example. This photo will help designers to see how the space could be refurnished. Then as a last step, the user will find important hints that work exactly as s/he wishes.

It is indeed an amazing application with an original idea. Professionals and experts in interior design could have been never reached for opinions and suggestions more than today with this new application.
You can express your unique style and make your home beautiful at the same time by dressing your windows with Curtain Valances. You should concentrate on window coverings because they can add beauty to your room as well as blocking out heat and cold.

It may be difficult to decide what window coverings to use due to the large variety of choices. Following are some things to consider before purchasing window coverings.

  • What do you like and dislike about your current window coverings?
  • Do you need insulation due to heat or cold and what kind of light control do you need?
  • What kind of decorations do you have in your room?
  • Do you live in a climate that needs insulation or energy efficiency ?
  • How much privacy do you need?
  • What is your budget?

Window blinds can be used in every room in your house and they come in a wide range of colors. Typically the vertical blinds are made of fabric to match the room’s colors and furniture. They are usually used over sliding glass doors. Horizontal blinds are made from wood, vinyl, aluminum or faux wood in a range of slat sizes.

Cellular shades are the best pick if you are looking for a dressy, energy efficient window treatment. They are made of a honeycomb pleated fabric and there are a variety of colors. They can be sheer to let light in or they can also come in a room darkening fabric.

Wood shutters. If you are looking for a long term investment, wood shutters or roll shutters are the most durable window covering. They are low maintenance and only require simple dusting. The offer privacy and light control in your rooms.

Roll shutters outside your window give you a safety shield to your exterior windows and they can be rolled up and down by pushing a button. They can also protect your house from storms and reduce your heating and cooling costs by providing a thermal barrier. Foam filled aluminum shutters will reflect and absorb sound waves, giving you a quieter home.

Care and cleaning of blinds and shades

Dusting will work on just about any blind or shade. The surface of the blinds or slats of mini blinds, wood blinds are smooth so the dust can be brushed off easily.

Vacuuming is the preferred method for fabric shades. Just use the vacuum’s brush attachment.
Few home repairs or improvements can improve the value, appearance and curb appeal of a home like new house siding. Siding gives homeowners an ideal way of adding definition and color to their houses. Nothing affects a home’s appearance more dramatically than the exterior siding that someone chooses.

There are many options nowadays to help a homeowner create the perfect façade, but it is advisable to choose wisely. As much as aesthetics are important, the material’s versatility, durability, ease of installation and ability to resist water should be considered. When shopping, one should go for a siding material that matches the house’s architectural style. Below is a look at some popular house siding options.  

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is made using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. Its versatility, ease of maintenance and low cost has made it the most popular siding choice. In addition to being tough, vinyl siding comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. Scratches and nicks cannot appear since the color is contained throughout the material. This siding material is lightweight and can often be directly installed over existing materials, meaning it’s a good retrofit option. Its ease of handling makes its installation quick, thus saving labor costs.
 

Wood Siding

Wood siding is commonly applied for Cape Cod, cottage and bungalow exteriors. It comes in clapboard, shakes and shingles. Clapboard siding utilizes planks of wood that are installed horizontally, with an upper piece overlapping a lower piece. The best wood choices redwood and western red cedar, which are known for their attractiveness and durability. Shingles have a more uniform appearance when compared to shakes, although they are thinner, giving a consistent and smooth look. They can add visual interest to a home’s exterior given that it is possible to cut them into different shapes. If maintained properly, wood siding can offer a rich look and last a long time.  

Cedar Siding

Houses sided in cedar shingles, also referred to as shakes blend excellently with wooden landscapes. These shingles are made using natural cedar and are usually stained grays, browns or any other earthen colors. Shakes have a natural real wood look but usually need less maintenance when compared to wood clapboard. Peeling can be minimized by the use of stain as opposed to paint.  

Stone Siding

The durability and natural beauty of stones such as limestone and granite appeal to homeowners who want a siding that adds visual interest and texture to their interior. However, concerns about costs should be put into consideration since stone is more expensive when compared to other siding options. It is also harder to add to an existing house. Stone-veneer is cheaper and more lightweight than natural stone natural stone, and is available in both synthetic and natural materials.  



Stucco Siding

Traditional stucco is made using Portland cement, building sand, water and lime. It can be used on houses with stone and brick surfaces. Since stucco is quite rigid, the possibilities of unwanted cracks can be reduced by careful installation. With proper installation and maintenance, stucco siding can last the home’s lifetime.  

Our Source We have used CraneSiding.net as a source of information . If you would like to get more detailed info do not wait and visit their website.



Do you enjoy sipping your Sunday morning coffee quietly on your balcony? Do you enjoy spending your evenings with your loved one gazing at the stars and sipping a glass of wine? Do you enjoy a savory roasted chicken dinner, garnished with fresh herbs? In all honesty, who doesn't? But what happens when the chilly drafts of autumn make that impossible, when it is too chilly to enjoy the outdoors, and all the plants wilt? That is when you should consider building a sunroom onto your home.

For so many more reasons than simply being able to drink your wine or coffee in a beautiful, sheltered space full of luscious greenery, a sunroom is the perfect addition to your home… Visit http://conservatorydesigns.ie/ to find out how much more homey your home can be by making this addition you won’t ever regret.
When painting facades it is not only important to think about the aesthetics, but it is also necessary to take into account the facade’s protection, because these types of areas are exposed to the elements.

The main corrosive agent of walls in the open is the moisture created by the rains, because it builds up over the years without us even noticing it until it causes serious damages, to both the exterior and the interior of a building; creating problems such as leaks, rust, niter, waterlogging, among many others. In many cases these damages reach the point of being unfixable, making it necessary to demolish and rebuild entire areas.



Impernet Impermeabilizantes, a leading waterproofing company, recommends painting the facades using paints made of acrylic resin to protect the walls against water seepage and to avoid the most of the potential damages caused by moisture, as mentioned above.

Acrylic paints (also known as elastomers) are essentially very similar to other paints: they can be diluted in water and with them you can form any color palette desired. But due to its chemical composition they have the ability to form an impermeable plastic layer on the surfaces where they are used, sealing perfectly and completely avoiding the accumulation of moisture that corrodes walls.

This type of paints also has an application process similar to the other paints...

1.    The first step is to thoroughly clean the area to be painted, removing dust and dirt as much as possible, completely removing any residual paints previously applied. This is in order to ensure that the waterproof coating has an effective adherence and does not present bubbles.

2.    Then, the area has to be coated with any water based primary sealant. This will form an intermediate layer between the wall and the paint that helps to seal small cracks and strengthens the adherence. This primary layer must be allowed to dry for approximately 30 minutes.

3.    The next thing to do is to properly prepare the paint, dissolving it in water at a ratio of 1 to 10; that is: if you are going to use 1 gallon of paint, then it is necessary to dilute it with 1/10 gallon of water.

4.    Once the paint is prepared it must be applied by brush or roller, trying to spread it as evenly as possible to avoid lumps or runoff. This layer must be allowed to dry for a minimum of 2 hours.

5.    Optional, if you want to increase the facade’s protection, you can apply a second coat of paint; exactly repeating the previous step.

While the acrylic based paints have a higher cost and lower performance than the conventional paints, it is worth making use of them when it comes to exterior coating; because with a little more investment you received many benefits, taking also into account that their service life can reach 10 years.



Aerators have become so popular now-a-days and the common questions people arise are whether they work or are they for gadget freaks or how is it better than a decanter? If you are also flooded with such doubts then the following lines may be of some help for you.

Wine Aerators are similar to decanters as far as the purpose is concerned but these are easy and handy to use to get the required flavor and texture of wine. They are actually designed to make the process what a decanter does faster. You need to hold the aerator above your glass and pour the wine into it. Some aerators can be fitted to the bottle itself. The main concept behind aerating is to bring the wine in contact with air so that it breathes and opens up with the desirable aromas coming out strikingly. The texture also gets improved as the tannins are softened. This aerating process is suitable for red wines.

The taste and texture is improved drastically when the younger red wine is exposed to air. Older wines also can be aerated or more precisely decanted in this case. Some people may have a doubt of whether white wines need aerating. Of course they can be aerated but the improvement in taste is not as distinct as in red wines. Even a human being needs stretching when he is closed for so much time. Same is the case with wine. It needs to open up after getting bottled for so many years. Aerating always improves any type of wine and it never deteriorates the wine unless you specifically like non-aerated wines.

Is a decanter better or an aerator? This question is a hot topic among wine enthusiasts. Actually we don’t say one is better than the other but they have different results. If we need to have wine instantly you can’t go for a decanter. In such cases an aerator provides air to the wine quickly and you can have it in a few seconds. If you want see how the wine tastes after a longer period of time then decanter serves best. The choice of an aerator and a decanter is completely done by an individual’s interest. There are quite a variety of aerators available in the market these days. You may be in a dilemma to buy what. Some tested aerators are as follows:

Vinturi which costs about 40$ and works perfect with a mechanism of mixing the exact amount of air with the wine. It also comes with a filter for the wines which have deposits.

Host aerator which costs about 26$ works similar to Vinturi aerator. It has a longer structure and is directly fitted to the bottle.

These days, candles are one of the sought-after gifts aside from making it a source of extra income or a way to relax and refresh. It is also one great way of making a simple occasion more special and memorable. As such, it is just but right to choose the right candles and candle holders. And how can you do it? Here are easy tips and pointers.

First thing, take note that it requires money to buy candle holders so see to it that the product you will be buying will worth it.

Basically, candle holders are used to keep candle drips from the table, floor, or wherever you place it. As such, it must go with the size and style of the candles. But of course another way around to protect your table from dirt is to buy protective dining table pads.



For candle holders, among the types that you can consider are decorative candle holders, tea lights, wall mounted, and tapered holders. One effective way to help you in choosing is to use and explore the net. There are different online stores that can give you a long array of selections. Going online can help you save time, effort and money in going from one store to the other just to check out candle holders style and types.

If in case you are planning a party be it a birthday party or a simple get together with your friends, the right candles and candle holders can make a big difference. For an outdoor party, which is usually the case, candles placed along the walkways would be great. There are varied designs around so you can choose the style that you want. It would be better if you choose varied colors as well to make your party exciting and visually appealing. On the other hand, if the party is meant for children, see to it that the candles and candle holders used are safe especially if it is electronically operated.

If you are considering the candles and candle holders as gift presents or token, personalized items would be a better choice. You can have printed designs of your guest’s name or even a message to appreciate their presence or to express gratitude for their loyalty or good deeds done. You can do it yourself or you can ask help from an expert. Either way, make sure that the design is suited to the person who will be receiving your present.
Copyright © 2012 Modern Home Design Ideas by Honoriag.