Making rugs by hand is an ancient art and the old designs reflect the religious and ethnic structures of the times in the countries or areas of origin. Many of these ancient designs are still produced today, sometimes hand-woven and hand-knotted, other times woven by machine. The most traditional patterns are those with a floral or garden motif, or geometric or curvilinear designs around a central medallion or a central painting-like scene. Oriental rugs used to be constructed only with such natural fibers as wool, cotton, silk, or goat and camel hair, or blends of these materials, but now you can find them made with less expensive synthetic materials such as olefin (polypropylene), nylon, polyester, and acrylic. Wool rugs remain the first choice in durable, soft, dirt-and-fire resistant, warm rugs, but synthetic reproductions make oriental area rugs more affordable. They come in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes round, oval, rectangular, and, of course, the popular runner.

How to Choose Oriental Rugs for Your Home
Decide on how you are going to use each area rug. Is it going to define furniture groupings or unify all the elements in the room? Is its primary use to protect a floor or a carpet? Is its prime function to add warmth and comfort? The use of the rug will dictate its size and shape. As well, you should keep these points in mind:
The colors should be harmonious with other colors in the room.
If the center of the carpet will be visible, medallions or central scenes are good choices, but if the center will be fully or partially hidden under a table or other furniture, it is better to go with a repetitive design or an elaborate and interesting border.
A family with health problems will appreciate rugs with natural fibers since they have the advantage of not releasing chemicals into the air as synthetics do.
Very colorful and busy designs can make an oriental rug the focal point in a room, but if the room is already colorful with intricate drapery and upholstery fabric designs, choose simple designs and subtle colors.
If you are going to use two different rugs in one room, make sure the colors and patterns blend and complement each other.

Important Cost Considerations
It is not as difficult as you may think to find good quality, cheap area rugs with oriental designs. When you shop online, you deal directly with online retailers who can offer discount and warehouse prices because there are no storefront costs and no middlemen to pay. As well as shopping online, here are other considerations that can make the oriental rug of your dreams affordable:
An antique rug is the most expensive and should have documentation attesting to its authenticity; imitations are much less costly.
Natural fibers are more expensive than synthetic.
Hand-made, hand-woven, and hand-knotted rugs made by weavers are more durable and much more expensive than machine woven and knotted.
The number of knots per square inch indicates its quality, and a higher number means a higher cost.
Very intricate and rare designs are the most expensive.
The country or area of origin affects the price.

Whether you spring for a genuine antique oriental wool rug that has been hand woven and hand knotted in Iran, or you choose a polypropylene machine woven rug with an oriental design manufactured in North America, you will be adding beauty, warmth and comfort to your home. Enjoy!

You Can’t Beat Oriental Rugs For Elegance is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

Tops with a Mineral Oil Finish

The panel must be oiled carefully on top, bottom and sides, giving a special attention to the end-grain area, as the section that the wood is most likely to absorb humidity through. Each cut or drill you make in the panel (either for size adjustment, sink cutout or other purposes) must also be oiled thoroughly. Proterra mineral oil (Hesse, Germany) is a product that we recommend for kitchen tops applications given that it was specially designed to come in contact with foods. For situations where there is a great deal of humidity involved (like sinks, water faucets, etc) the mineral oil only will not assure the best protection and it is advisable to use polyurethane or any other similar finishing instead.

With a soft brush, oil the wood generously on all sides or simply pour a small quantity of oil on the wood and then spread it with the brush. Let the wood soak the oil for about 20-30 minutes and then remove the excess with an absorbent paper towel. When the top is first installed, it is advisable to apply 2-3 successive coats of oil, after which, the oil can be applied once several months or whenever needed. Every time you sand the area to remove scratches or cut marks, a new coat of oil must applied.

Maintenance

In order to keep your wooden top clean, periodically scrape or brush away any food residues existing on its surface, wash with warm soapy water and dry it well using either a dry cloth or paper towels. Apply a new coat of oil any time needed. Alternatively, you can warm up a 1:4 combination of beeswax and mineral oil until the mixture becomes homogenized and then apply it uniformly on tops surface, thus getting supplementary protection against both stains and humidity.

Avoid setting your wood top next to extreme heat sources like stoves unless there is appropriate insulation between the heat source and the top. Avoid spilling vinegar on a wood top having a mineral oil finishing, as it can cause cupping or cracking. Do not use corrosive chemicals or excessively harsh detergents on a wooden top having a mineral oil finishing, as they can cause irreversible depreciation.

Repairing

If properly installed and sealed and periodically oiled, there is no reason that your top wont last a long period of time in the same good shape it was when new. Sometimes however, due to poor maintenance and improper environmental conditions, some problems might arise; it is our duty, therefore to inform about these problems and the way to solve them.
Cupping and warping
Are prone to appear whenever there is a significant difference of moisture between the topside and the bottom side of the panel. If possible, place the top on a flat, hard surface, concave side facing down. On the convex side, uniformly place some fairly heavy objects. It will take up to 12 hours until the panel will straighten completely, after which, oil it abundantly on all sides.
If it is not possible to manipulate the top, simply apply generously mineral oil on the concave side until the panels straightens. In this case, however, you might need to repeat this operation several times to obtain the desired result.
End splits
Will manifest whenever the panel is placed in an excessive dry environment without being properly sealed. To repair, mix wood sand with a small amount of water-based wood glue and fill the cracks thoroughly. Allow 15-20 minutes to cure, sand the area with a 120 grit sand paper and then oil the top freely.
Scratches, cut marks and food stains
Can be removed by sanding uniformly the affected area, brushing away the resulting wood dust and applying a new coat of mineral oil. The finger-jointed panels can be sanded to a 3/8 depth, while for the continuous lamella panels and the end-grain butcher blocks, there are no such restrictions.

Tops with a Polyurethane Finishing

A solid wood surface finished with polyurethane based finishing requires no maintenance at all. However, scratches, cut marks and other damages will be difficult to repair; therefore extra care is required.

Care and Maintenance for Butcher Blocks Countertops and Kitchen Islands. is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

First, what are you installing?

If you are installing horizontal blinds, such as mini blinds or 2″ blinds, you could probably do it yourself. If you are installing vertical blinds or draperies, you might want someone professional to do it. It all depends on your handing-man skills. Your time is an important thing to consider. A professional installer could do it a lot quicker than the average person. Plus, if something goes wrong, they have the knowledge to work around that and get the job done.

Do you plan on measuring the windows yourself?

If you don’t feel comfortable measuring the windows yourself, you could hire someone to do it for you. If the same company is going to install your window coverings, the measuring is usually free. If they just come out to measure, they will most likely charge you a hefty fee. If you would like to learn to do it by yourself, you can visit the Windowblindcenter.com. There you will find an overview to help you get started.

What tools do I need?

Most window coverings come with the required hardware to install them. The hardware would include;

Brackets
Screws
Clips (for hanging the valance)
Center Supports (for wide blinds)
Any string or extra attachments to hang the window coverings.

Beyond the included hardware you will need a few tools. Some basic tools that are required would be;

Drill
Hex-head driver (1/4″ is standard)
Drill bit (size will vary)
Tape measure
Extra Screws
Hollow wall anchors
Pliers
Screwdriver
Hammer

You might not need all of these, but having them on hand will save you a trip to the hardware store. You might also need some additional items depending on what you are installing it too. If you are installing them in concrete, you will need a masonry drill bit and maybe a hammer drill. If you are installing them into plaster, you will need to have anchors for addition support, metal will need a self-tapping screw or a metal drill bit. If you are installing them into wood, consider yourself lucky.

Most manufactures will send installation instructions with the blinds. If they do not, just ask, and they can give you instructions or explain the process.

There are important things to consider when buying your window coverings, but most of the installations you could do yourself. With a few tools and instructions the process is pretty painless.

Can I Install My Window Coverings Myself is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

Every person needs a good and restful sleep. In the end, we spend one third of our lives in bed. So wouldnt it be wise to make sure that we get a comfortable sleep during the night?

Of course it would.

But youd be amazed if you knew how many people are sleeping on uncomfortable beds and still do not do anything about it. They complain about various aches they have in the morning and still sleep on regular, many times old, flat beds and mattresses.

It doesnt have to be this way.

When there are so many adjustable beds of all shapes and sizes on the market out there, its definitely not worth keeping your old bed and continue to worsen your health. Dont you agree?

Sure, but here comes a question: Can electric adjustable beds actually deliver what they promise?

We have heard many stories about adjustable beds. Many people say that electric adjustable beds have significantly reduced the back or neck-pain that they had. Some say they do not feel any swollen legs or feet anymore.

Lets see if electric beds can actually help you.

Health Benefits of Electric Adjustable Beds

When sleeping on flat beds, your body is in tension. Our bodies are not flat, theyre curved. So when your body sleeps on flat bed, it feels discomfort, because it cant normally adjust to the bed.

So how adjustable beds are different?

First of all, adjustable beds can be adjusted. You can increase the incline angle of electric adjustable bed right under the head. So your neck will be in more appropriate position. Second, if you pick quality mattress, like memory foam mattress, your body wont even need to adjust to the bed. Memory foam mattress will automatically adjust to your body. So you wont feel any discomfort and your body will lie in more natural position.

This can significantly reduce back pain, neck pain, shoulder tension, pelvic aches.

Blood Circulation and Asthma Problems

Many people complain about swollen legs and feet. When they get back from hard working day and lie in bed, the tension isnt gone away. So in the morning they feel various aches and find it hard to get up and walk.

Electric adjustable beds might help people in this situation too.

First of all, if you slightly elevate the part of adjustable bed under legs, your blood circulation will increase. Second, if you choose memory foam mattress, youll also increase the circulation, because memory foam mattress reduces pressure points that you get when sleeping on regular (flat) beds.

It can increase circulation, reduce leg and feet swelling, reduce back pain and breathing difficulties for asthma patients.

Also, if you slightly incline the angle of your upper body, you make your breathing much easier. Asthma patients reported that when sleeping with their upper body part elevated, they feel less discomfort and experience easier breathing.

Conclusion

There are actually more health benefits reported that electric adjustable beds are able to provide.

If you cant get a relaxing nights sleep, feel discomfort in your feet or legs, have difficulties breathing, feel neck or backaches in the morning, then a quality electric adjustable bed is what you really need. These health benefits that adjustable beds provide are not myths. These are facts that many patients have reported.

If you want a really comfortable sleep, then dont think any further than good electric adjustable bed. Dont save your money at the expense of your health. Spend a thousand or few on a quality adjustable bed that will give you a comfortable sleep and much less discomfort than your regular flat bed.

Can Electric Adjustable Bed Relieve the Pain? is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

According to Paul Radoy, Merillat cabinetry, design services manager, a growing trend in today’s homes is the multipurpose room, which can be used for anything from hobbies to everyday activities.

In a multipurpose room, cabinetry provides homeowners with functionality, yet has the ability to blend in with the dcor of the rest of the home.

“The cabinetry in the multipurpose room can match the cabinetry and wood in the rest of the home to keep a consistent and connected look throughout,” said Radoy.

Lifestyle Uses

The multipurpose room can be used for a variety of hobbies. Areas are built into the room, which can be used for crafts, sewing, scrapbooking or even tying fishing flies.

Homeowners can also use part of the room as a home office and homework area for kids.

Organizational Uses

“Organizational options make the space work smarter for personal activities,” said Radoy. “Including cubbies, wrapping paper holders and a pullout trash bin can keep items neatly tucked away.”

The use of the cabinetry can provide a great deal of storage to accommodate all of the homeowner’s needs.

“Homeowners might also want to consider the addition of an island on wheels in order to have additional storage and have a moveable work space,” said Radoy.

Everyday Uses

The multipurpose room is equipped with an ironing board pullout, washer and dryer, and clothes rods.

“Homeowners can work out, do laundry and help the kids with homework all in the same place,” said Radoy. “The room really serves a variety of purposes.”

A multipurpose room can accommodate all these activities and hobbies while providing extra storage. “Homebuyers should consider this type of space when shopping for a new home as well as homeowners who are considering remodeling,” said Radoy. “The multipurpose room is an example of how high traffic and function can co-exist with high style.”

Cabinetry Is Not Just For The Kitchen Anymore is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

Are you interested in trying your hand at some creative furniture painting? If you dont already have an old piece of furniture to practice on, shopping yard sales is the best way to come up with a piece.

If you are buying the yard sale furniture for the sake of practicing your creative idea, buy away! If you are looking for a particular piece to use, take time to look the furniture over to make sure you are getting a solid piece at a good deal.

For instance, if you want to buy a small dresser for a guest room and want to give it a country look, your first concern should be the stability of the furniture. You can give almost any style the look you want, as long as the furniture is sturdy and in good condition. Look to see if any of the wood is buckling or if the piece has any deep scratches that cant be sanded out. If you want it to have an old look, the scratches might not matter so much to you. The buckling, however, might be a sign of warped drawers that are hard to open or close. Warped furniture is not usually very functional.

If the furniture you are looking at is a sofa, loveseat or chair there are additional considerations you should keep in mind. Will you be using the furniture as it is or do you plan to give it a fresh coat of paint or some new fabric treatment? Does it look clean? Ask the seller if the furniture has been used recently in a home or if it has been in storage. If it has been stored, ask if the storage unit was climate controlled. If not, you may find yourself dealing with pest issues or mold down the line. Make sure you look the seating over good check out its frame, springs, cushions and the over all wear. If you think it is in good shape and can get a good deal, go for it!

If you are taking up furniture shopping through yard sales as a hobby, learn all you can about various types of furniture. The knowledge will help you separate a good deal from a great find. Plus, if you plan to recycle your yard sale findings, you dont want to strip and paint an antique, one of a kind headboard. When you know your furniture what is of special value and what is just a trash to treasure item you can save yourself the heartache associated with finding out the dresser you just painted a Dr. Seuss scene on was actually by a famous craftsman. Visit your local library to check out books on antique or unique furniture. Then, keep your eyes open when you are hitting the yard sales the following weekend youll know a good deal when you see one!

Buying Furniture at Yard Sales is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

First, you’ll want a bed that’s big enough for you and your partner. But how big is big enough king size, queen size or normal sized bed? There is only one way to find out: Lie on the prospective bed with arms stretched on your sides. Now that will give you an idea on how much space you require (plus your partner’s).

Of course you need to consider your height, too. The idea is that you need as much space to be comfy as you sleep without falling off or waking your partner up. And, yeah, you need to make sure it fits comfortably in your bedroom, leaving enough space around.

Then comes the bed’s height. You’ll want to get on and off the bed with ease, which in other words means the bed frames should be of right height. Again, it’s best to try getting on and off the bed while you are choosing the right one.
Lastly, carefully consider the brand and the price. Though all cheap beds are not bad but then branded ones have a lot going for them like quality, warrantythe works. They wouldn’t have become well known for nothing. But just because the bed is pricey doesn’t mean that its the best.

Tips for choosing mattresses

Since one-third of your life is spent sleeping, take your time and consider the following advice before purchasing a new mattress:

-The right mattress is a matter of personal preference. No one mattress is right for everyone. Choose a mattress that allows for a balance between adequate back support and comfort. Not to forget it should fit the bed frame snugly.

-If you are shopping for a mattress that provides maximum amount of support, be aware that a medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly and prevents the stiffness that comes from sleeping on a surface that is too hard.

-Higher quality mattresses usually have more coils and thicker padding and also tend to be more expensive. Be on the lookout for discount offers and promotions at mattress stores. Shopping after a price comparison would help you get the best price after finding the right mattress.

-Try the mattress out before buying. If two people will be sleeping on the mattress, both should test it at the same time to make sure they have enough space and are both comfortable on the same style of mattress.

- Purchase bed mattress only from a store with a good reputation. Make sure you have a good understanding of the customer service offered by the mattress store, such as delivery options, warranty, removal of old mattresses and especially the store’s return policy. Many reputable mattress stores will allow a mattress to be returned if the customer is not satisfied.

Remember that most buyers use a mattress for ten or more years before replacing it for a new one. Take your time, choose quality, watch for sales and sleep tight.

Follow the tips mentioned here and hopefully you wont go wrong. On that note, simplicity is good and never buy something with gadgets that you don’t know how to operate. So there! Happy buying and sweet dreams.

Buying a new bed? Some tips for you is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

First, you’ll want a bed that’s big enough for you and your partner. But how big is big enough king size, queen size or normal sized bed? There is only one way to find out: Lie on the prospective bed with arms stretched on your sides. Now that will give you an idea on how much space you require (plus your partner’s).

Of course you need to consider your height, too. The idea is that you need as much space to be comfy as you sleep without falling off or waking your partner up. And, yeah, you need to make sure it fits comfortably in your bedroom, leaving enough space around.

Then comes the bed’s height. You’ll want to get on and off the bed with ease, which in other words means the bed frames should be of right height. Again, it’s best to try getting on and off the bed while you are choosing the right one.
Lastly, carefully consider the brand and the price. Though all cheap beds are not bad but then branded ones have a lot going for them like quality, warrantythe works. They wouldn’t have become well known for nothing. But just because the bed is pricey doesn’t mean that its the best.

Tips for choosing mattresses

Since one-third of your life is spent sleeping, take your time and consider the following advice before purchasing a new mattress:

-The right mattress is a matter of personal preference. No one mattress is right for everyone. Choose a mattress that allows for a balance between adequate back support and comfort. Not to forget it should fit the bed frame snugly.

-If you are shopping for a mattress that provides maximum amount of support, be aware that a medium-firm mattress may be more comfortable because it allows the shoulder and hips to sink in slightly and prevents the stiffness that comes from sleeping on a surface that is too hard.

-Higher quality mattresses usually have more coils and thicker padding and also tend to be more expensive. Be on the lookout for discount offers and promotions at mattress stores. Shopping after a price comparison would help you get the best price after finding the right mattress.

-Try the mattress out before buying. If two people will be sleeping on the mattress, both should test it at the same time to make sure they have enough space and are both comfortable on the same style of mattress.

- Purchase bed mattress only from a store with a good reputation. Make sure you have a good understanding of the customer service offered by the mattress store, such as delivery options, warranty, removal of old mattresses and especially the store’s return policy. Many reputable mattress stores will allow a mattress to be returned if the customer is not satisfied.

Remember that most buyers use a mattress for ten or more years before replacing it for a new one. Take your time, choose quality, watch for sales and sleep tight.

Follow the tips mentioned here and hopefully you wont go wrong. On that note, simplicity is good and never buy something with gadgets that you don’t know how to operate. So there! Happy buying and sweet dreams.

Buying a new bed? Some tips for you. is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

If you are looking to buy a bunk bed, the chances are that it is not for you to sleep on unless you are a college student, for instance. It will probably be for your child. It is therefore important to weigh up the cost against the safety issue.

Bunk beds are frequently used as a child’s first regular bed after he/she outgrows a crib, either at about age 2 or 35 inches in height. Some bunk beds also are used separately as twin beds for older children and even adults. It is unlikely that you will be able to find a strong bunk bed for less than $150, and it can often be worth spending another $200.

Top bunks must have at least two guardrails, one for each side. Lower bunks need no guardrails if the mattress foundation is less the 30 inches from the floor. On the wall side, or the side without the ladder must be one continuous piece.

Each year, thousands of children under age 15 receive hospital emergency room treatment for injuries associated with bunk beds. Most of these injuries are fairly minor and occur when children fall from the beds. Horseplay frequently contributes to these accidents.

Perhaps one good tip would be to buy a good quality bunk bed, which can be separated into two twin beds. This means that if you have two children who are sharing a room, they can easily move into their own rooms when the time comes.

Bunk beds are frequently used as a child’s first regular bed is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org

A bunk bed is found more often than not, made of wood, but can also come in metal. There are many types to choose from depending on what you need it for. Types of bunk beds include L-shaped, triple bunk beds, twin over full bunk beds, standard and loft bed types. Also check out a trundle bed, which may be particularily useful for kids who like to have sleepovers, as it slides out from below your child’s exhisting bed like a drawer. These types of bed have the ability to make a small room appear quite large, and feel like that too.

With a bunk bed, many people have a concern with safety. Well, before you purchase one of many bunk bed styles available, you want to make sure that it is sturdy. Some good quality stackable beds can support 400 lbs per bed, which means they are not only for children, they are also great for adults. Please take the time to enquire about the different lengths available for you, as they really are a great way to add space and style to a room in your home.

Bunk Beds – Superior Space Savers is a post from: Home Improvement & Interior Design Blogs | Triadlaunchpad.org