Copper Sinks Are Hot

Move over stainless steel and porcelain - copper is back and it�s taking the kitchen & bath world by storm!

�Old World� materials have been gaining momentum for some time now. The use of natural stone, wood and copper is replacing the �sterile� look of stainless steel and porcelain � the standard in plumbing showrooms for years.

What does copper have that stainless steel doesn�t? One reason is its �living finish� that can be purchased in many different patinas. The darker patinas are a perfect compliment to oil rubbed bronze hardware and the natural stones such as granite that are becoming standard in today�s designs.

Another appeal of copper is its �living finish� that evolves and changes. This quality exudes a �lived in� look that seems to be a part of the current design trend. A living finish is simply an oxidation process that darkens the metal over time much like the way a penny evolves as it gets older.

In fact, most copper sinks sold today already have a �weathered copper� or darker finish due to the maintenance required to keep a copper shiny. These darker finishes require very little maintenance � just mild soap and water.

As a 20 year veteran of the plumbing industry, I have seen a lot of trends. Today, homeowners seem drawn to unique products in their kitchen and bath. This trend also includes an increase in the popularity of natural stone and even wood sinks. Homeowners are using the sink is a focal point in their design project and they don�t want to see the same sink in their neighbors house.

Besides being functional works of art in their own right, copper has some very practical qualities. Most copper sinks sold today are �hand hammered�. This technique in combination with the natural living finish quickly hides any scratches or dents that might occur with regular use. Copper is a naturally hygienic metal and germs such as E-coli cannot survive longer than a few hours on it�s surface.

The rise in sales of copper sinks has helped bring the costs down. It has also created a vast array of choices which is welcomed by the homeowners looking to install a unique design that reflects their own personal sense of d�cor.

Jack Healy is part owner of Sinks Gallery and Copper Sinks Online. Sinks Gallery offers the largest collection of artisan and designer kitchen, bath and bar sinks available in North America. Copper Sinks Online offers an extensive variety of hand hammered copper sinks. As a 20 year veteran of the plumbing industry, Jack has written several articles aimed at helping the homeowner make more informed choices when purchasing plumbing products.

Fresh Feng Shui for Spring Seven Simple Steps to Revitalize Your Life

Ahhhhhh . . . Spring; a time of rejuvenation and fresh beginnings. Those who practice the ancient tradition of Feng Shui know spring as a season of new growth and opportunities. Pause for a moment and a take deep, relaxing breath and feel the vital energy filling your lungs. In this moment of relaxation, look around you and enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer. You may live where daffodils and crocuses burst into bloom, often peeking through a late season blanket of snow; or you may live in a tropical climate where the plumeria trees are beginning to bloom again with their beautiful array of flowers in shades of yellow, coral, and pink. No matter where you live, these are signs that winter is almost over and soon the air will feel warm and fresh, the leaves on the trees will be green again, and the plants and flowers will be blooming in abundant color.

Spring is the perfect time to create a plan for bringing new vitality into your life, home, and work place. With the gaining popularity of Feng Shui and its principles, many people have become aware of the correlation between blocked opportunities and a cluttered space. For example, there is often a correlation between a cluttered workspace and having a lull in career productivity. Embracing the principles of clearing clutter enables your life to work well and not become stagnant.

Bring new energy into your home by creating a plan for cleaning and clearing out the clutter. Enlist the help of your family members - having each one take on a different room and before you know it you will create an opening for fresh, vital energy to flourish around you and your loved ones. To make this task easier, picture the end result in your mind before you start. Visualize yourself relaxing in your inviting and nurturing home at the end of your busy day. So don�t delay, start enjoying the benefits of the spring-cleaning process today.

Try these seven simple tips that will help make your home cleaning project a more pleasant experience.

1. Make a list of all the chores that you plan on doing, such as dusting the fuiture, cleaning the light fixtures, donating clothing that you no longer will wear, or washing the windows.

2. Disregard those items that you haven�t used since last spring (or longer). If you�re not ready to let go of these items, store them in an orderly fashion in inexpensive plastic containers or boxes. It helps to label each box with the contents and keep them all in one place until you�re ready to use them again or let go of the unused items.

3. Be sure you have all the supplies you will need on hand before you begin. Also, take an inventory of your cleaning products before you go to the store!

4. Make cleaning an enjoyable experience � Tu on your favorite music; have energy-packed snacks on hand, or hire a professional cleaning service and go to the movies!

5. After clearing your clutter, bring in some new energy with some fresh cut flowers, or a beautiful new plant. (Note: Remove dying plants and flowers and never decorate with dried flowers, as they cause too much yin or dead energy, according to the principles of Feng Shui.)

6. Maintain the good feng shui of your home by opening the windows regularly to let the stale air escape and fresh energy in.

7. Remember to acknowledge yourself for a job well done or thank the cleaning professional that you hired; then sit back, relax and enjoy a fresh, clean, harmonious home.

Join with other Feng Shui enthusiasts this spring in this chi-renewing, spring-cleaning process. Remember, when you take the time to pause for a moment and reflect on the harmony you have created for your self and loved ones, that you will reap the benefits of your labor by having a good flow of vibrant energy in your home, office, and workplace.

�Copyright, Diane Alba-Means, Hawaii Feng Shui, 2006

Diane Alba-Means is the author of Feng Shui Fashion Makeover for Success and owner of Hawaii Feng Shui on Maui. She is passionate about combining the principles of Feng Shui with her background in fashion and design to show people a fun and exciting way to empower their lives. Her approach is grounded in over 20 successful years as a color and image consultant, decorator, teacher, writer, speaker, and Feng Shui expert. What is your color mood today? Find out for FREE at http://www.HawaiiFengShui.com.

Custom Rugs What Do They Have To Offer

If you are in the market for new carpets or area rugs you've got thousands of carpets to choose from. However sometimes things just don't seem to fit and you can't seem to find that right carpet. You may need to think about custom rugs. So what do custom rugs have to offer?

1. Size

Custom rugs can made to fit any size no matter how unusual the size might be. You can also get custom area rugs made as well. Some houses just weren't built for the traditional carpet off the roll and even with seaming as an option but if you need too many seams it may not be an option you care to use. Custom rugs are certainly worth considering.

2. Color

Are you trying to match a home decor shade that just seems impossible with off the roll carpet. Not a problem! With custom rugs you can have an exact match to the colors you are working with. High tech matching equipment will determine the colors in your room and find a lighter or darker shade that's appropriate to get that look you are trying to achieve.

3. Patte

Who would have thought with all those pattes available on the market you still can't find exactly what you are looking for. It's more common than you might think and that's why manufacturers offer custom rugs. If you just can't accept the off the roll pattes then draw up what you want including the colors you want and they'll be able to make it exactly to your requirements.

4. Texture

Found the perfect color but can't find it in the right texture. No problem. That's an easier custom job than you might think. After all they already have the dye color in their standard off the roll products so now they just need to apply it to the appropriate texture carpet you are looking for. The only problem you might run into is that the dye is not compatible with the fabric of the texture you are looking at.

5. Fabric

Did you find the perfect carpet but it's only available in a synthetic and due to allergies you need it in a Berber or wool carpet. No problem. A custom rug can be built using the carpet you found that you like but out of a natural material of your choice.

6. Shape

Looking for an unusual shape. Need a triangle and all you can buy is an octagon. A custom rug can be cut to any shape you need and they can make sure pattes and designs match up correctly.

Custom rugs give you choices that simply are not available off the roll. That said if you are in the market for custom rugs or carpet realize that they are going to cost more than off the roll. How much more will depend a great deal on what your custom requirements are. However if you just have to have that perfect rug there is no better option than custom rugs. Why settle for anything less when you can have exactly what you want!

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To lea more and receive your free mini-course visit the carpet rugs website.

Exploring the Futon Frame

Futon frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most futon frames can fold horizontally or vertically to make a bed or a couch. Futon frames are made of either wood or metal. There are a limitless number of designs for futon frames to accommodate any type of room.

One of the major advantages of futons over other types of fuiture is that most of the frames can be adjusted to either an upright sofa position or a horizontal bed setting. This eliminates the need for fold out couches and other heavy, cumbersome fuiture. This adjustability makes futons perfect for accommodating houseguests.

There are a number of materials that futon frames can be made of. They can be made of wood like oak or pine, or they can be constructed with metal. Both materials are used to make long lasting adjustable frames. Many high quality futon frames are made of strong woods like oak. Oak can be stained many different shades and is known for being sturdy. Pine is also a common material used in futon frames. Pine frames are not quite as strong as oak, but they still hold up well. Pine frames can be stained to match the rest of the room. Many other futon frames are metallic. Metal frames are usually lighter and smaller than wood frames. Many college students have metal futon frames in their dorm rooms or apartments. Metal frames come in many colors and are welded with sturdy, strong metal.

There are futon frames made for many types of rooms. Many wood and metal frames are as pretty and classy as traditional sofas or beds. A futon sofa can fit in with any other type of fuiture in a living room. Futon frames are more versatile than other types of fuiture. The frames can have a straight back like a sofa, a reclined back like a Laze-e-boy, or they can be adjusted horizontally like a bed.

Futons Info provides detailed information about futon covers, mattresses, frames, chairs, and bunk beds. Futons Info is the sister site of Platform Beds Web.

Cushions Update Your Sofa With New Cushions

Got an old sofa that�s still got years of hard wear left in it � but it�s looking a little tired and outdated? If your old sofa frame is still serviceable, but the upholstery is showing a little wear and tear, updating it could be just a matter of a few yards of fabric and some comfy new cushions. If you were smart enough to choose a sofa with a cushion back and seat, you can end up looking like you have a whole new couch by the time you�re finished. Here�s how to spiff up your old sofa with new upholstery and cushions.

Cushions and Style Decisions
If your couch has an attached back, your options for restyling will be a bit more limited. Still, you can make a big difference with new fabric covering for the upholstery and a change of style for the seating cushions. It can be as simple as choosing slipcovers for the couch and cushions in a livelier, updated style, or � if you�re daring � you can go as far as cutting away the attached pillow back and replacing it with cushions.

How Many Cushions?
Traditional styles use two or three cushions for both seat and back. If you�re just replacing the seat cushions, you have a few choices. If the back of the sofa is one piece � without attached or loose pillow-backs � you can use as many seat cushions as you want. One full length seat cushion lends a sleek, mode look to an older style. Just use the same fabric as you use for the sofa slipcover to make a cover for the cushion. If you like a more traditional feel, use two or three evenly sized cushions on the seating platform.

If, on the other hand, you�ve got a pillow-back sofa, you should stick with either the same number or a single cushion for the seating. In other words, if the back as three pillow sections, use either one or three cushions on the seat base. Anything else will give the sofa an oddly unbalanced feeling.

Covering Your Cushions
The fabric that you choose for the upholstery slipcover and casings for your cushions will be the major style decision that you make. It will also be a major factor in deciding how long your new investment will last. Among the durable, natural fabrics that you can choose are cotton, wool, linen and leather. Among the synthetics, olefin is one of the most versatile fibers available. You can find olefin upholstery fabrics in weaves that mimic nearly any woven fabric � that are wash and wear easy when it comes to care. Take the extra trouble to make sure that your slipcovers and the covers for your cushions are removable so that they can be easily dry-cleaned or machine washed.

http://cushionshq.com All about cushions - from Meditation cushions to sofa cushions, cushion covers to gel cushions.

Fall Decorating in Just Minutes

Fall is here and in most of the country that involves a change in temperature, outdoor activities and the beginnings of the holiday season. Most of us don't have time for a total home transformation. However, with just a few items added to your home, you can bring the fall outdoor spirit into your living space.

You don�t have to decorate your home with pumpkins or flying bats to bring the fall season indoors. Any natural thing from chrysanthemums and asters to gourds, leaves or bowls of nuts can give your home a lift. Since the fall flowers come in every shade imaginable you can chose between the bright yellows and oranges or the softer plums, lavenders and burgundies. There�s nothing better for prolonging the summer. If you don�t want to care for flowers, try dried grasses or hydrangeas or even the humble straw flowers. They all add a temporary lift to your decor.

For those with allergies, bringing live or dried plants into the home can be a problem. Take a trip to your local garden center and look at the colors and then go off to your favorite accessory stores and buy pillows and throws that will bring those colors inside. You�ll appreciate their warmth and color as the days darken and the temperatures drop.

Content for this article provided by ON THE GO 4 U design consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company�s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

� 2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

Decorating for Renters Part 4 What to Buy for Your Apartment

There are several buying categories for renters. These are things which are flexible, decorative, affordable and portable.

Fuiture purchases need to be thought out carefully. Consider size and style. A piece that is too large or extreme in style might not fit in your next apartment or home. If you stick to the medium in sizes and finish you have the flexibility of using each item in different rooms and different ways.

Storage is always a problem and fuiture choices can overcome defects in apartment and house design. Lamp, cocktail and sofa tables can be used for other purposes than just to put at the end of your sofa. Tables with drawer or shelf space are great. Night chests can be used as livingroom tables; they usually have more available storage. File cabinets that are carved and decorated can be used for storage. Sofa tables can double as serving pieces for the dining area. A drop leaf or gate leg table used as a sofa table gives you dining table. Before buying a case piece, table or chest, try to think of how many ways you can use it. If you can�t think of at least two ways to use a piece of fuiture, consider carefully before you buy it

One word of advice: if you fall in love with a piece of fuiture just because it is beautiful, buy it. Everything in your home doesn�t have to be practical and a truly beautiful piece of fuiture is something you will enjoy for years. Use it as a focal point, light it and decorate it and don�t worry if it doesn�t have half a dozen uses. These pieces become your treasures and you will move them form place to place and design rooms around them.

Seating can be flexible as well. Choose upholstered dining chairs which mix with your livingroom fuiture. Extra chairs can be used in entries and bedrooms. This is where your carefully chosen color scheme will help you. The chair can be used for dining or extra livingroom seating and the color and style will blend.

There are the obvious choices, as well. Sleep sofas are invaluable and come in many sizes and styles. Many are available with air mattresses are really are comfortable. Large storage ottomans can be used as cocktail tables and places to store the bedding for the sleepers as well as extra seating when entertaining. Smaller ottomans can store under sofa tables for a decorative and useful addition.

Armoires, are available in an enormous number of sizes styles and configurations. They can be used for combination storage-tv on top, table linens in the drawers, or clothing if the armoire is in the bedroom.

Moving beyond fuiture, screens either decorative or purchased from the home store, will hide work spaces and storage. Architectural elements such as columns or bricks can be used for display, as shelving and to hide �uglies.� Plants, real or really good artificial plants, add interest and can be used to hide an awkward coer. If these are lit with some of the new halogen spots they make a really beautiful accent coer and brighten a room.

Choose lamps carefully. Stick to simple, classic shapes and be creative with shades. They come in beautiful colors and styles. Don�t under light.

Visit the nearest large craft store. You can find small accent pieces of fuiture and shelving there as well as picture frames and other decorative elements which would be much more costly in a design or home store.

Think outside the normal boundaries and discover new uses for all kinds of products such as scarves, throws, pillows. You can have a convenient and beautiful home at a reasonable price and if you move on, pack everything up and reuse it in a new way in your new home.

Content ideas for this article provided by ON THE GO 4 U Design Consultant, Suzanne Copenhaver.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, LLC, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area, providing life management services. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops. Ms. Books is the Vice President for the Inteational Concierge & Errand Association. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net.

� 2006 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U