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By Derek Rogers

When you walk into a bathroom there are many things you will see that give you a first impression, but these days it is not the brand of the toilet or the color of the bathtub. No, these days it is the actual bathroom taps. These are the faucets and handles that define your entire bathroom. When you are designing a new bathroom, there are a number of different things that you will need to take into consideration.

First of all, there is the overall theme of your bathroom. Does it look Victorian? Contemporary? Modern? Naturally you can put any type of taps in that you want, but whether or not you want them to look right is up to you. Making them look right will depend on the theme, so for instance if you have a modern metal and glass theme, then you would want modern looking taps. Typically they would need to be the same color as the rest of the items in your bathroom.

If you have a stainless steel toilet, then chances are you wouldn’t put a pink ceramic vase of flowers on the back of it would you? More than likely not you’d only include something that matches the contemporary aesthetic you’ve created, and that is the way you need to think when you are installing your taps. Making sure that everything matches is a huge part of bathroom design.

Not only do you need to be concerned with the appearance of your taps, you also need to be concerned with their quality. This being the case you will want to take every possible step to ensure that you are buying from a decent distributer. The brand would be a good place to start, as always. Higher quality brands will of course last longer and perform better, they may even offer improved warranties. That doesn’t mean that some generic brands will not produce the same quality, but it is something to keep in mind when you are shopping.

Not only to do you need to be concerned about the color, the controlling handles for your taps will also be made in many different styles. You can choose to have a single handle to control both hot and cold, or you could choose to go with the more conventional dual handled design. These have designs themselves as you could choose to go with the standard cogwheel design, or you could just use a rounded handle. The important thing here is that it is something you can use with ease. You don’t want to have trouble in the bathroom; there is enough trouble OUTSIDE of it.

All of that being said, it is important that you choose a tap that complements your bathroom. It’s not going to be easy making a choice like this, but remember that you will be spending a lot of time in your bathroom. Make sure that you step back and take a good long look at the layout of your bathroom. You’ll be glad you did when it’s all over!

About the Author: Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For a great range of

Bathroom Taps

, he recommends Click Bathrooms

Source:

isnare.com

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By Christopher Smith

With the recent developments in the field of hardwood floor installation, you need not require professional help from carpenters for installing hardwood floors. The task of installing hardwood floors can be easily performed by anyone now. This has been possible with the availability of pre-finished flooring, where the wood is factory-finished and saves the labor of sanding and finishing it manually.

Other than the ever-popular red oak, there are many varieties of hardwood which are available in several colors and textures to add a touch of class to your home. Selection of the type of material you want to use in installing hardwood floors can become easier if you do a search on the Internet or make a preliminary visit to a hardware shop.

Pre-finished flooring can be bought online or from a merchant you trust. After you get the wood home, you should stack the wood in the room it will be installed in for a few day to let it adjust to the normal humidity level. This is important to do because moisture makes wood expand. Leave a half inch between the floor and the wall when installing your flooring. This space could be covered with a baseboard or molding strip later.

For the actual installation of the floors, follow the instructions given by the supplier. These are usually the things you have to do step-by-step to get a custom finish on the floor. The wood comes already micro-beveled to allow for expansion of wood during the summer.

If your flooring is very old and looks it, you can also refinish it to make it look like new. Before the job starts, remove furniture, rugs, drapes and all articles on the floor. Refinished flooring takes about three days to be ready for use again, during which time keep the doors and windows of the room closed to prevent airborne dust entering inside. After the job is finished, it is advisable to allow one more day before placing the furniture and other items back on the floor.

Laminate floors are yet easier to install, and they require little upkeep. This flooring stands up especially well to heavy traffic, the sort that comes with pets and children, and is very resistant to scratches and stains. An interlocking tongue and groove system makes this flooring easy to install.

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing your flooring, but rest assured that manufacturers have come a long way in making their flooring options easier to install. Make sure the instructions that come with your flooring material are clear and make sense, and don’t be afraid to ask questions before you buy.

About the Author: For more information on hardwood flooring, visit us at

refinishedhardwood.com

.

Source:

isnare.com

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By David Karlson

Garage floor finishes are a great idea to protect the concrete floor because of the amount of traffic and abuse it receives. It does not matter what you do in your garage, whether you repair vehicles, carpentry or just park your car, a good solid durable floor coating will protect the concrete. Many of the products on the market are designed for the average do it yourself type person. As long as you follow the instructions, there should not be any problems with doing it yourself.

A good garage floor finish acts as a sealant, which is what you want on a concrete floor. Usually the finish is made of an epoxy, which will bond to the concrete. Finishing your garage floor is becoming more popular amongst homeowners who are always looking for ways to beautify their home and increase its value. Do it yourself television programs are very popular now and people get many ideas from these programs.

All you need for a good garage floor finishes are a few tools and gear and a good epoxy and your floor will stand up to just about anything you throw at it. In addition, it will be much easier to clean the floor as well. Here is a list of some of the items you will need for this do-it-yourself project:

— Chisel and trowel

— Large oscillating fan

— Paint brushes and rollers

— Pressure washer

— Floor buffer

— Push broom

— Floor squeegee

— Watering can and hose

These are most of the items you will need for applying most garage floor finishes. However, it is important to read the directions before you start so you can determine if there is anything else, you need for the job. Other items you will need include the right safety gear because of the chemicals involved with a job like this. Therefore, you will need safety glasses, thick rubber gloves, boots, a dust mask and you should wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt so you do not get any chemicals on your skin.

Before you begin to apply any garage floor finishes, make sure that you clear out the garage first, so the entire floor can be completed. The basic rule is if it is not attached to the floor then remove it. Then sweep the entire floor, making sure all the dirt is swept. Patch the concrete then once it is dry wash the floor with muriatic acid. Rinse it thoroughly with water.

Wait until the floor is completely dry then you can apply the garage floor finishes. One of the added bonuses is that when the garage is completely cleared out, you can purge many of the items you had in there. Not only are you protecting the garage floor but you are de-cluttering the garage as well. This job can be completed in a weekend. Try to pick a weekend when the weather is nice, so that you can store some of the items from your garage in the backyard. Warm weather will also help the coating dry faster as well.

About the Author: A garage is an important part of your home and it must be looked after just like the house. Visit our site to gather all your information on

garage floor sealers

, garage floor treatments, garage floor coverings,

epoxy floor paint

and other useful information on protecting your garage floor. by D. Karlson

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If you are soon to be moving into your new home and are looking for some much needed comfort and relaxation, read on at some of these helpful ideas to ensure you receive some much deserved luxury and comfort from your new bathroom.

Starting off on the technology path – which is very much in demand, not just for 2012, but as an ongoing trend for future house design – why not watch your favourite TV show where you have no worries about being disturbed? Proofvision (www.proofvision.co.uk) is a company that is featured in Grand Design Live London for their innovative designs and offers, among other items, a 15″ widescreen waterproof TV priced at 469.99 including VAT. These TVs are wall mounted, easy to install and offer features of heated screens to prevent misting in a steamy environment with speakers incorporated to eliminate unsightly bulk in your bathroom.

There are some rather eye catching accessories which can put a stamp on your bathroom, so any guest that pays a visit will know what great taste you have. Accessories for Bathrooms (accessoriesforbathrooms.co.uk) offers a wonderful “piece de resistance” for your guest toilet or main bathroom, which is a Swarovski Crystal toilet brush holder priced at 183.75 (currently in the January sale, so you will need to be quick to snap up this little gem). Although this item is a little expensive, toilet brushes are renowned for their grotty appeal but are a much needed item in a bathroom, so why not maintain your bathroom hygiene in style!

In keeping with the Moroccan/Indian, hand-crafted theme of 2012, when using candles to create your haven of tranquillity, Jasmine Way (jasmineway.co.uk) has a Bollywood-style lantern priced at 31.00. This company also offers other bathroom accessories, such as the pineapple-motif candle-holder priced at 13.50 which is in keeping with 1970s era retro, if you want a funky bathroom with some humour. Fitting with the still popular “shabby chic” trend, the same company also offers the toilet roll holder stand and Le Bain bathroom range suitable for a French-themed bathroom.

Finally, there are no set colour trends for bathrooms but some valuable advice should be to keep your colours light to ensure space and tranquillity as generally, unless your new home is on the larger side, most bathrooms and en suites are smaller than an average room and lighter shades encourage more space and light. However, do not be afraid of adding an accent colour, which can be in the form of the accessories that you dress your bathroom with, or simply with some decorative tiling or a feature wall.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/home-improvement-articles/bath-showers-articles/decorating-your-new-home-bathroom-trends-2012-792105.html

About Author:

What House? is the web portal for new homes and new affordable homes in Britain, the online face of What House?, which has promoted the best of new homes in Britain for over 100 years. Our site features hundreds of new-build homes in the UK as well as news, articles, expert advice, opinion and comment.Author: Keith Osbourne

By Vincent Platania

I still remember the old monster of a Norge refrigerator that hummed away in my grandmother’s kitchen. It was easily 20 years old when I was born – and when we moved ten years later, it was still going strong. Long after friends’ parents had replaced their refrigerators – some of them even twice – Nana’s Norge was freezing foods solid and keeping milk fresh and unspoiled.

Nana’s secret wasn’t the brand of refrigerator she picked – it was in her cleaning routine. Part of Nana’s household cleaning schedule was a weekly refrigerator cleaning. The truth is that by adding a few simple steps to your regular household cleaning schedules, you can save money on your electric bill, prolong your refrigerator’s life and save yourself the expense of spoiled food and a repair bill when the fridge goes on the fritz.

Step 1: Clean the condenser coils and condenser fan twice a year.

The condenser coils are what keep the fridge cold. If they’re clogged with dust, they can’t work efficiently. The end result will be a refrigerator that doesn’t keep cold foods cold, and an overworked motor that will need service more often – as well as a few dollars more on your electric bill each month.

The coils are located either at the back of the refrigerator, or across the bottom of the front. If they’re in front, you’ll need to pop the grille off to get to them. If they’re in back, just pull the refrigerator away from the wall. You can use a vacuum to clean them, but one of the best investments you can make is a refrigerator coil brush, which is specifically designed to get into all the crevices and spaces to gently clean away the dirt and dust.

If the coils are located on the bottom front, there’s also a condenser fan (back coils don’t need one, since they’re exposed). You can access it from either the front or the back of the refrigerator, and clean it with the coil cleaning brush.

Step 2:

Wipe down the door gasket.

That’s the rubber seal around the door of your fridge. It seals the refrigerator tightly and keeps cold air in and warm air out. Spilled sticky stuff can stick the gasket to the refrigerator frame, and when you open the door, it may tear. Replacing a torn gasket can run you as much as $200. Whenever you clean the kitchen, make it a practice to open the fridge door and wipe the gasket down with warm water and a sponge.

Step 3: Keep vents and drip channels clear and clean.

Frost free freezers have small air vents to allow air to circulate and keep things cold. If those become clogged or blocked by food packages, air can’t circulate and keep things frozen. Keep the freezer no more than about 3/4ths full, and make sure that food isn’t blocking the vents.

In refrigerator section, there are drip channels that drain off water that’s evaporated in the defrost cycle of your refrigerator. The channels lead to holes that drain into the drip pan. If the holes get clogged, water will collect and cause mold, odor and spoilage.

Step 4:

Clean the refrigerator thoroughly once a month.

-Remove all food and store in a cooler.

-Pull out drawers and racks and put in the tub with soapy water to soak.

-Wipe down walls and floor of refrigerator and freezer with water and baking soda. If you have

tough stain or spilled food, toothpaste or a degreaser can help.

-Wipe inside dry with soft cloths or paper towels.

-Clean door gasket.

-Clean the outside of your refrigerator and protect it with a spray appliance cleaner and wax

-Replace shelves, racks and drawers.

-Turn refrigerator on and let cool before replacing food.

About the Author: Author Vincent Platania represents the Fuller Brush Company. Fuller Brush has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit fuller-brush-products.com

Source: isnare.com

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