Book Cases Come In Different Shapes And Sizes

Bookcases are metal or wooden structures, square or rectangular, with horizontally spaced shelves that are designed to hold books in an organized fashion. Bookcases usually stand against walls, but sometimes, as in the case of libraries and book stores, they stand centered or out in the open and back-to-back for book-seekers to encircle as they look for books on either side.

Bookcases can be arranged in four systems: wall-placement, parallel stacks or ranges, in bays or alcoves, and mobile aisle shelving.

Wall-Placement—this bookcase arrangement places shelves along the walls and allows for open space and ample movement from one bookcase to another, and all bookcases are easily accessible.

Parallel Stacks or Ranges—this bookcase arrangement system provides economy of space, such as in libraries, where such space is essential, and requires constant moving and lifting of material. Not everything is easily accessible, but open space is provided for movement and work.

Bays and Alcove—cases stick out at right angles into the room. This system of bookcase arrangement is both visually appealing and allows the advantageous use of space.

Mobile Aisle Shelving—this bookcase arrangement system features tightly packed books on shelves mounted on wheels. Only a couple of shelves are accessible at a time and set so they can be moved at will and necessity. This bookcase arrangement is utilized when space is limited and stationary bookcases would restrict book-seeker movement and cut off access to other bookcases.

History of the Bookcase

During the time manuscripts were being written, books and other literary materials were stored in coffers, which belonged to either the clergy or the wealthy. As volumes of these manuscripts accumulated, they were stored in cupboards, from which the doors were eventually removed. These were the earliest bookcases.

The oldest bookcases in England date back to the late-sixteenth century. The Bodleian Library at Oxford University displays the earliest extant samples of bookcase galleries over walls. These long ranges appear somewhat striking, and cornices and pilasters were attempted many times to be carved in the bookcases to reduce their rather plain appearance. It wasn’t until the late-eighteenth century when some English cabinet makers successfully accomplished this task.

The bookcase, a simple innovation, brought forth literary organization as well as elegance and style, as it has become more than just for book storage. Some bookcases are now favored by individuals in the architectural, engineering, and artistic subcultures, who have placed many different values on them. Bookcases are considered a distinctive marker of educated society.

About The Author
Herbert Sanchez
Find more Book Case resources at http://www.Book-Cases4u.info and other great topics here http://www.information-checkstop.info

Four Secrets for Happy Family

After tax filing, I had long discussion with a new family. She is a student and he is salesman. The main concern was “how much we should make to afford the house”. Another topic was family savings for vacation and pleasure trips. I would not answer these questions for a simple reason, I am a tax preparer. In this instance subject moved me. Apparently young couple did not have proper planning strategy, their goals were some vague sentences as “to get reach”, “to live longer and happier”.

I decided to point couple steps,

1.Set clear goals, easy to understand to your mate and rest of your relatives.

Certain level in your education and carrier success a substitute for actual clear direction were family unit is moving. Of coarse it is necessary to reach education level and professional level, but the main goal for the family is mutual success. The idealistic future were everyone is happy and smiling. Were the parents helping their kids to get better and to acquire eternal values. Today, many families are trying to get reach, both husband and wife. When kids come along, they join the race for wealth. This strategy leads to failures, deprecions and sometimes alienates family members. It is important to understand that everyone works for good of another.

2.Plan ahead for important events in your life, discuss progress with your mate and review strategy. New babies and purchase of the house may be joyful long waited experience, or it may be painful sudden change in your relations. We could be much better if we track our success, and discuss with other family members. I know a family where dinnertime is the time when everyone talks about own plans and listen to others.

3.Control your day-to-day expenditures. Try to review your expenses monthly and look at the bank statement for any overcharges and possible negative spending. Your bank statement can tell someone your spending habits. Determine if you are reaching budget and adjust spending according your wage change. Couple years ago Southern United States had massive layoffs and it was hard time for some families. Some were quick to change their spending, others got into a debt.

4.Look for possibilities to be better, to learn from others and see how they done it. With all this information flow on the web you can easily access different methods and techniques. You can study different subjects or explore world of science and literature.

Sometimes looking at the articles posted on the web I find a lots of useful information. Let say you want to build house, paint bedroom or fix sink, there are good professional advises available to you.

Remember learning is the curve, it will depend on you how much you would like to learn.

Finally, it takes serious job to fulfill everything written in this article. Looking at the successful people, taking to interesting personalities you may see that family had so much to do with their success in life. Their parents were involved in schools and colleges, their hobbies and talent advancement.

About The Author
Vladimir Dubchak is an Accountant,Tax Adviser and Financial and Investment Strategist. Visit www.efamilyfinance.com for more information.

Buying Custom Baby Bedding and Pre-made Baby Nursery Bedding

When a new baby is on its way, the first thing a new parent thinks about is how to make the baby most comfortable when they arrive into their new world. A lot of effort goes into building the perfect ‘nest;’ i.e., nursery, and one of the most important items in a nursery is a baby’s bedding. Because babies are so susceptible to their surrounding environment, where and how a baby sleeps can make all the difference in how they rest.

It is important to invest wisely in proper baby bedding. This means materials that are soft, resilient, light, and warm on a baby’s skin, and sheets that fit as snugly as possible over a firm, snug mattress. This also means no quilts, comforters or pillows, as they are considered risk factors in sudden infant death syndrome. There are two options when buying baby bedding: pre-made baby bedding and custom baby bedding.

Pre-made baby bedding is a great, cost effective way to buy for your baby. If you do decide to use pre-made baby bedding, a good idea is to pick the bedding before anything else in the nursery or bedroom. This way you can design around the bedding, which often makes it easier to manage.

The problem many new parents face is that they may not be able to find exactly what they want, and will put it off, looking for the perfect match for a nursery or bedroom theme. Pretty soon the baby comes along, and the parents still haven’t chosen the bedding; they are now rushing to throw something together, and are unhappy with what they get. While this isn’t always the case, it is for many people. Others are happy and find what they need quickly, but for those that are having trouble, there is always custom-made baby bedding.

Custom baby bedding is great, especially if you can’t find a material you want, a pattern you like, or design element you require. Custom baby bedding can be manufactured to any and all specifications you have, and that is what makes it so great. You have full say in layout, looks and design, ensuring the uniqueness of your baby bedding and your happiness with finding exactly what you need.

This also creates less stress, because you will pick your design and layout, order it, and wait for it to arrive. This save saves you time and energy that can be better spent elsewhere. While you may fear that custom-made bedding is very expensive, many manufacturers are very reasonable, and are worth at least a call or an email.

Buying baby bedding is a very personal and individual experience for most people, and getting exactly what you want is important. Whether you decide on pre-made or custom baby bedding, the most important thing is that you are happy and satisfied with your choice. Make sure you do the research and find out what materials are out there (cotton jersey is a great one) and what’s available for new parents.

http://www.sheetworld.com

About The Author
My name is "Kiran Joseph" and working for http://www.sheetworld.com .

An Outdoor Kitchen Can Make Your Barbecue Sizzle

Spice up your next barbecue with an outdoor kitchen. Having a custom outdoor kitchen will make you the envy of all that you entertain. Your imagination is the limit on what your outdoor kitchen can be. Do you just want a small space dedicated to outdoor cooking or a full blown kitchen, with sink, refrigerator, and cabinets?

An outdoor kitchen can be customized to exactly what you need to create your culinary masterpieces. The first thing you need to do is pick the spot you want your outdoor kitchen to be. Some questions to ask yourself are: Do I want to make it a part of my patio or deck? Do I want a separate space? Do I want a roof over it? Do I want it enclosed? You will need to think about these things as you pick your spot, for example if you want a roof you will want to make sure the spot you have picked does not have any power lines over it.

Once you have your spot picked out for your outdoor kitchen you will need to decide what size it will be. After you decide your size you just mark off the spot with stakes and strings to make sure it will fit in that spot and if there is anything you need to do different. If there is anything that needs to be changed, now is the time to discover it, not when construction is almost done.

So, what options do you want in your outdoor kitchen? Some of the more popular choices are a refrigerator, sink, and special cabinets made just for the outdoors. Some outdoor kitchens are basically a built in grill with extra counter for prep space. Others are more like a full blown kitchen, just like those found in a house. Yours can be as basic or as spectacular as you decide to make it.

When you choose your appliances for your outdoor kitchen, just remember you do not have to buy everything at once. If you just must have that top of the line grill, then wait a little while before you buy it, everything does not need to be purchased when the project begins. You can choose your grill based on your preference. Do you love that wonderful smoky taste? Buy a charcoal grill. They come in many varieties and styles, you are sure to find one that suits your unique personality. Do you love the convince and quickness of a gas grill? Then that is what you need. There are even certain models that can be used as both. What ever suits you.

As to some of the other options you will need to choose based on the design that you have chosen for your outdoor kitchen. Have you decided you want a refrigerator? Then the type you buy will depend on the space you have available. You can get refrigerators in a range of sizes, from about two foot tall to a full size model. Sinks are the same way, you can find models from just big enough to rinse a dish out to full size ones. As far as the cabinets are concerned you will either need to buy ones that are made from special material to withstand the weather or regular home cabinets that will need to be finished and weatherproofed. These cabinets can be a lifesaver to the outdoor gourmet. They allow you to store your special barbecue utensils and spices, along with containers for food.

Whatever you decide to include in your outdoor kitchen, you can make it as unique as you are!

About The Author
Rae Bennett is owner and author of http://www.wantinfoabout.com, offering information on a variety of subjects. For more information on Outdoor Kitchens please visit http://outdoorkitchen.wantinfoabout.com.

Awning - A Great Home Or Business Feature

An awning is actually a type of canopy, typically made from canvas. You will find awnings used on houses, mobile homes, RVs, and businesses to help protect an area such as a porch or deck from sunshine and rain. In addition, most awning designs actually block out harmful UV rays from the sun. The benefit here is that furniture, carpeting, wall paint, and artwork does not fade from direct sunlight. However, the protection an awning provides, helping to keep heat outside, people notice the monthly utility bill decreasing.

Just as many features for a home or business, awnings are available in many different options. For example, you could choose a complete awning that runs the entire length of your deck or patio or if you prefer, a smaller awning that might keep sunlight off the front door. Many awnings are so thick and well made that they also provide some level of protection from snow and cold wind. In this case, you might consider adding a chimera for warmth while still being able to enjoy the outside.

In addition to various sizes, awnings also come in a huge selection of designs and prices. For example, a simple awning could cost between $250 and $400 while a motorized awning could be $3,000 or more. Before you make your final decision, we suggest you do some shopping locally, as well as check some of the online resources. Chances are that you will find a number of awnings you like. Although local sales are always possible, online websites could be the way to go for saving money.

If you think you want to add an awning to your home or business, you might invest in having it professionally installed. Although you could probably do some awning installations, generally the job is a little more difficult than it looks. One word of advice – check companies that offer free installation. While the price might be slightly higher, when comparing with a company that charges for both the awning and installation, you might save.

Then, there is the variety of colors and designs. The nice aspect here is that you can create any look you want while enhancing your home or business. If you want a sophisticated look, perfect for entertaining friends, then a white or taupe and white striped awning would be gorgeous. However, if you want an awning simply to coordinate with the house, you will find all types of colors and patterns from which to choose.

Awnings are also made with many unique features. An exceptional choice is the retractable awning. With this, you can crank or push an automatic button and the awning rolls up and out of sight. When ready to escape the heat, sun, or rain, you would simply go through the reverse process. The benefit with this feature is that if a storm brews and the wind picks up, the awning can be pulled in to avoid damage.

Remember, in addition to adding an awning over your deck or patio, you can also add them over a door, window, balcony, or terrace. Immediately, the appearance of your home will be improved without blocking out any beautiful views. Considering there are literally thousands of companies making and selling awnings, finding a deal and the right design is not difficult.

About The Author
Dion Semeniuk has developed experience into transforming your backyard into your very own resort. To learn how the awning can achieve this, visit http://www.awning-master-guide.com.

Little Giant Ladder Accessory Guide

When you purchase a little giant ladder it is very usual that you will be provided with a ladder manual and a list of accessories. You must know the name of the accessory that you may need to replace in the course of its frequent use. Wear and tear, dent, nick, crack etc are the common occasion when you require a spare part to rectify your little giant ladder. So it is equally important to know the ‘all-about’ of little giant ladder accessory. Here are some major accessories that you may have with your little giant ladder.

(i) Little Giant Telescoping Work Plank

A ‘Little Giant Telescoping Plank’ converts your ladders into ‘scaffolding’. It is a ‘high-strength plank’, it can hold up to 250 pounds, it enables you to stand and use your both hands while on the ladder. It can be stored in nearly half of its extended length. It is very light in weight and easy to set up and handling. It has a ‘slip-resistant surface’ for safety.

(ii) Little Giant Work Platform

It is a movable ‘Work Platform’ fits on any Little Giant ladder rung and is able to support up to 300 pounds of load. This unique design allows it to put away when not needed. It can be easily attached to the ladder rung.

(iii) Little Giant Ladder Leg Leveler

The little giant ladder ‘Leg Leveler’ offers a safe and stable solution when the Little Giant Ladder are to be used on an uneven surface. The Ladder Leveler is designed to meet the same extra heavy-duty standards as your ladders and it can be easily attached to your existing aluminum ladders.

(iv) Little Giant Wing Span

‘Little Giant Wing Span’ provides extra width when working around windows, rain gutters, overhangs, bushes and other obstacles. It is very easy to attach with any little giant ladder.

There is another accessory called Little Giant Ladder Tip & Glide Wheel Kit. Now with the Little Giant Tip & Glide Wheel Kit, you can comfortably move your Little Giant ladder from one place to another. Just place your ladder into the storage position, tip it and walk. The ladder rolls behind you.

About The Author
Oliver Turner
We have made a comprehensive research on all types of ladders. Find the results and get yourself a Little Giant Ladder or a Little Giant Ladder Accessory on http://www.multipurpose-ladders.info . All you need to know on ladders only on http://multipurpose-ladders.info

About Water Garden

Once you have decided that you want to build a water garden in your garden or back yard you will need to make bigger and crucial decisions about how the whole thing is going to look, how are you going to make sure that each element you want in your water garden will be successful and help the entire water garden environment flourish.

As everyone knows there are many different water gardens, and from my experience most people already have some idea about the general look and theme they look for, but sometimes people are not educated enough to make the choices, some times home owners discover other, unknown water gardens after they that invested a lot of their energy, efforts and money into their existing water garden.

The basic idea in planning and even designing your own water garden is to have a lot of information before you even start imagining how its going to look and how much time you will spend in your new garden. Surf the internet and look for things you like, and things that you dislike. As you start seeing more and more internet sites, articles and photos start also paying attention to costs and maintenance costs and details as well. If you do your research correctly if will be very easy for you to make the right decision once the moment for that has come.

Two very different and always gorgeous basic concepts are the western water garden which can be mostly found in Europe and consists mainly of the water pond features and a matching garden on the same space, and the oriental, meaning mostly Japanese water garden which places a lot of importance of the whole look and harmony created between the space nature and men.

Although a lot of people have a very clear idea what they want and stick with their basic feelings, sometime one is fascinated by something completely different and changes his mind, the problem in that case is that if this person did not do his research he is going to need to recalculate the costs and start looking at the space differently, this is very significant in moving from a western European approach, which basically can match itself fairly easy to the average style of building, than to switch from the oriental approach to the European one.

Both of these popular water garden designing styles are beautiful and would make anyone feel great sitting in his or hers water garden to relax and reflect on things, read a book or take a nap, meditate or spend time with the family. It is clear that people have different needs and different passions, some want a fish free garden as others are mainly interested in fish, it is obvious that it is these needs that will dictate all that follows, costs and maintenance and the level of dedication to be involved in maintaining or even enlarging your water garden.

As with all other things a research will set you on your feet before you start shopping, like that you will also start a better chance of discovering different sales techniques and you will not be easy to convince going a different direction, this research will only do good things to your future water garden.

About The Author
Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by outdoor architecture, he is currently studying public parks and outdoor design. Daniel is writing articles about home improvement and water garden at http://watergarden.zupatips.com

Shutter Hinges That Do More Than Hang Shutters

Shutter hinges are just a necessary piece of hardware to hold the shutter to the wall, right? No so. There is much more to the shutter hinge than you might imagine. A brief look at the applications and style choices should shed some light on this affordable DIY home improvement project.

Styles through the Ages

For many homes now, shutters are simply an aesthetic feature to the home. Sometimes they are used as interior window treatments. But it wasn’t always this way. Shutters used to be an important feature in keeping the home dry and safe during a storm.

Exterior shutters were able to be closed from inside the house by pulling a knob and securing a latch. When closed, precious and expensive glass was protected from breaking during strong winds. Such storm shutters are still used, even though their make up has changed dramatically. In parts of the world where there are months of hurricane threats, shutters help protect the homeowner’s biggest investment from damage from the storm.

The hinges on shutters have also changed. Some are hidden and purely functional. In the past, shutter hinges were made of cast iron and could endure any kind of beating. Reproductions of the styles and materials of yesteryear are still available today to make a home renovation authentic even down to the smallest detail.

The styles of shutter hinges that were most commonly used were the strap style and the Mortise hinges. The strap hinge is a narrow bar type bracket that starts out wider and tapers off as it reaches into the shutter face. Often it would have a spade-shaped decorative feature at the end as well to dress up the front of the shutter.

The Hardware Behind the Shutter Hinges

The Mortise shutter hinge was even fancier. It resembles an “N” shape as it joins the shutter to the wall surface. These were also made of cast iron and designed to hold up to weight and the pressure of winds. Each style allowed for easy swinging open and shut of the shutter from the inside of the house.

Shutter Hinges with Modern Uses These replica hinges are a beautiful way to renovate in an authentic way. But if you like a sleeker, more modern look for a newer home, then shutter hinges are designed to accommodate that preference. These modern designs can be completely invisible on the face of the shutter. A middle ground option is to use a decorative brass or nickel finished hinge that does show but it not terribly ornate. This can add the dressing of jewellery to accessorize the shutter and compliment the room, while still having a sleek look.

Shutters offer a great alternative to window blinds. They can be made of wood, PVC composite material, or metal. Each has its own advantages and unique look. Wood is timeless, but can be high maintenance with painting. Metal can get dented and look worn. PVC seems to be the best low maintenance and have lasting good looks out of the three material types. Whatever style you decide upon, that look can be further enhanced by the type of shutter hinges used.

About The Author
Peter J. Mason releases many articles for http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com. Amongst his works he is mostly focusing on information about http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com/shutter-hinges.html and shutter hardware.

A Miraculous Movie

It was originally called The Big Heart. Daryl Zanuck the shrewd head of Twentieth Century Fox couldn't buy the image of Santa Claus in a court room. But like so many ventures Miracle On 34th Street (1947) came about because of passion, in this case that of Director George Seaton who had gone to New York on his own and made arrangements with the real Mr. Macy and Mr. Gimbel to film inside their department stores. Impressed by Seaton's commitment Zanuck gave the show a green light.

Who would play the little girl who didn't believe in Santa Claus? Seaton agonized over it, until the assistant director remembered an amazing child prodigy from Santa Rosa, California who could cry on cue. Her name was Natasha Nikolaevna Gurdin renamed Natalie Wood after director Sam Wood . The same Natalie Wood who would later go out on a hotel room ledge and threaten to jump when her boyfriend Elvis Presley ignored her to play poker with Memphis Mafia. The same girl who would infuriate fellow cast members of West Side Story (1961) with her tardiness, her refusal to learn simple dance steps and her insistence on long lunch breaks to visit with her analyst. But the seven-year-old Natalie had none of the typical child star precocious behavior, she gained the respect of her co-stars on the Miracle set with her professional demeanor, earning the nickname One-Take-Natalie.

Like all filmed on location movies there were logistical problems. The sequence where Santa was taken to Bellevue was done without permission. The famous hospital would not cooperate with Hollywood because they had been portrayed badly in earlier films, they were not swayed by the sight of a sickly, freezing cold Santa Claus (Edmund Gwenn) bundled up under blankets in a car, waiting to shoot his scenes. The filmmakers were forced to shoot only the car approaching the building's entrance and edit the rest later. Another difficulty was getting permission to shoot the Macy's parade from the apartment dwellers on 34th street which had to be done right the first time, there could be no retakes. The film crew paid the ladies of the house to place the cameras in their windows. Then their husbands came home, complained about the inconvenience and demanded their own equal share. Most difficult to film was the sickly but determined Edmund Gwenn who would win an Oscar for playing Kris Kringle. He suffered from a bladder control problem but couldn't stand the thought of someone taking his place in the parade. The children who stood on the sidewalk waving at Santa never saw the long tube under his cloak.

Overcoming his initial reluctance Daryl Zanuck who was famous for his memos, made suggestions to improve the film's story. The mother Doris, played by Maureen O'Hara was too cold, she would scare a man like Fred (John Payne) off, she had to be made warmer to the audience by explaining that she had been burned by an earlier relationship and that's why she didn't want her daughter believing in Santa Claus. Zanuck also felt that they shouldn't overdo the scenes where Macy's employees recommend that their customers go shopping at Gimbels, just some simple dialogue was enough to get the point across. But despite the loud cheering by preview audiences when Santa Claus was declared sane in the courtroom scene, Zanuck never had full confidence in the film. He put it in theaters in July, the busiest time of year for moviegoers, and told his marketing staff to hide from the public that the film was about Christmas.

One reference in the Miracle script that's now dated was when Kris Kringle's psychiatrist mentioned a man in Hollywood who passed himself off as Russian Prince and owned a restaurant. It was a dig at Mike Romanoff, a colorful fraud whose Rodeo Drive eatery was a fun sanctuary for Hollywood's most notorious figures. One night FBI head J. Edgar Hoover was dining at Romanoffs when he was approached by an actual jewel thief named Swifty Morgan. "Like to buy these gold cuff links?" Amused, Hoover offered $200. "Oh come on John the reward is more than that!"

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring mimics the look of traditional woods while offering easy installation and lasting durability. At first glance, it can be difficult to spot the difference between hardwoods and laminate flooring. What appears to be a natural wood grain pattern is really a thin layer of decor paper (a photographic image) under a tough-as-nails protective film that is glued and pressed to a high-density backing board. Laminate Flooring comes in an array of wood effects as well as stone and ceramic effects.

Laminate floorings main advantages are that it is easy to install, is very hardwearing and relatively inexpensive compared to real hardwood flooring.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor, which means it does not fasten directly to the sub-floor. Instead the planks are clicked together. This enables the floor to be fitted fast and with no real mess.

Laminate flooring has been around in Europe for around 15 years and has seen massive growth in the past few years. In 2004 over 750 million square meters of laminate flooring was sold worldwide this was an increase of 13% on the previous year. The biggest growth market is in the US with an impressive growth rate of 25%.

What Is Laminate Flooring Made From?

Laminate flooring is made up of four layers. The bottom layer is the stabilizing layer; this is what gives the laminate floor its stability. It is made up of moisture resistant resins.

Above this there is the core layer; this is made up of high density fibreboard (H.D.F.). This is saturated in resins to make it extremely hard. Most manufactures also add a moisture resistant resin to the core. This is important as it helps keep the flooring protected against moisture penetrating the boards.

On top of the core layer is added a high strength paper along with the decorative paper. It is this decorative paper which gives the laminate flooring its individual appearance, ranging from highly authentic wood reproduction, ceramic or stone designs.

The top wear layer is provided by the melamine resin, a highly wear resistant material that makes laminate flooring so hard wearing. This top layer is very similar to the top layer on counter or kitchen work tops but is usually around 40% stronger. This makes the laminate flooring highly resistant to scratches, burns, dent's, stains, etc.

There are a lot of laminate flooring manufactures who have products in the market place, each saying theirs is the best. Our advice is to stay with the leading ones these are QUICK-STEP, ALLOC, PERGO, BRUCE, and KRONOTEX. Theses manufactories have been around a long time and offer quality products that you can trust.

How Does Laminate Flooring Fit Together

Most laminate floors today fit together with a click system with the most common being the UNICLIC system as used by Quick-Step. This is extremely easy and fast to fit. The ingenious UNICLIC-system has a special shape of tongue and groove. You simply place the tongue of one plank into the grove of another at an angle and press down. Their sophisticated and very accurate milled shape makes it possible to create a very tight connection during the installation. The floor can be walked on straight away.

If you are laying laminate flooring over a concrete sub-floor then you will fist need to lay down a damp proof membrane (DPM). This is basically a sheet of plastic usually around 5mm which helps protect the Laminate from moisture. On top of this goes the foam underlay this acts as sound absorption and also helps even out minor irregularities in the sub-floor.

Most manufactories now offer a combined DPM and underlay along with several underlay's that have better sound absorbing qualities.

About The Author
Jason Ashby has over 20 years experience in the flooring trade. For more information visit "Laminate Flooring Info" at: http://www.ukflooringdirect.co.uk.

It's A Wonderful Movie

It's A Wonderful Life (1946) began as a short story called "The Greatest Gift". Writer Philip Van Doren Stern was unable to sell it to a publisher, so he sent the tale out as a long Christmas card to friends. His agent subsequently sold the fable to RKO pictures, where it went through several transformations. In one version a losing political candidate contemplated suicide, only to have an angel convince him to stick around and do good works. Finally it fell into the hands of Director Frank Capra who cried when he read it, said it was the story he had been looking for all his life, and purchased it to be the first project for his new production company, Liberty Films.

To play the unassuming savings and loan clerk, Capra wanted Jimmy Stewart who he had previously worked with in You Can't Take It With You (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939). But coming back from World War II, the thirty-seven year old Stewart was no longer the easy going man about town he had been in the thirties. The former Academy Award winner for The Philadelphia Story (1940) had led a thousand men in bombing missions in the European theater in hard to maneuver B-24s. The loud engines damaged his hearing, in later years people when people would greet him and he would fail to respond, some would mistake his deafness for a cold personality. He was uncertain after five years away from the screen if he still wanted to be in the movies. Sometimes the profession seemed so humiliating. In 1943 when Stewart had tried to stay in the best hotel in Madrid, he was turned away because he was an actor. He went back to the air force base, got his Lieutenant Colonel's uniform and then they let him in.

When he returned to Southern California in 1945 Stewart took things easy. He refused to re-sign with his old studio MGM, despite tearful requests to do so from the hammy Louis B. Mayer. He was content to spend time flying kites and building model planes with Henry Fonda. When Capra came to make his pitch Stewart looked bored, out of it, causing the Director to lose confidence. "Well Jim, it's about a savings and loan clerk who wants to commit suicide. There's an angel named Clarence who shows him what life would have been like without him. . . aw forget it, it's a stupid idea." Capra was turning to leave when Stewart put his hand on his shoulder. "Frank, if you want me, I'm your man." At least that's how the film's publicists told it.

Stewart was morose and insecure as filming began. Since he went off to serve, Hollywood had found new leading men like Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck who were seven years younger than he was. Some scenes called for the now graying actor to still be in high school. He felt ridiculous and considered plastic surgery. But he was helped greatly by his co-star Donna Reed who encouraged him throughout. In the romantic scene where George (Stewart) and Mary (Reed) declared their love for each other, Capra joked that Stewart was so nervous he wrapped a phone chord around them so he wouldn't run away. James was also helped by the film's villain Lionel Barrymore who was confined to wheelchair because of crippling arthritis. "Son, I want you to cheer up. Don't you know you make people happier being a movie star than you ever did shooting at them in a plane."

In the 1930's Capra had toiled at Columbia Pictures which was ruled by the autocratic Harry Cohn, long considered the meanest man in Hollywood. The Mogul kept the entire studio electronically bugged, displayed a huge portrait of Mussolini in his office, and used an electrified chair to give unsuspecting victims sudden jolts. Capra had sat in it once, received a shock and angrily smashed the chair to bits. When filming began on It's A Wonderful Life, Capra was happy to be free of Cohn, but nervous. Now his own money was part of the investment. Known for making movie sets fun places to work, he was at first crabby and irritable with his cast and crew. Filming a snowy, Christmas movie in over one hundred degree heat in Encino did not help morale. Many of the heavily dressed actors fainted. But there were nice moments. One scene required Mary to throw a rock through an old mansion window and make a wish. Capra had a marksman ready off camera but to his delight Reed shattered the glass on her own. She turned to him and said," Why so surprised? Don't you think an Iowa farm girl would know how to play baseball?"

As the shoot progressed Capra regained his confidence. He disdained special effects when Clarence Oddbody the angel (Henry Travers) did his magic, preferring to tell the story through his actor's faces. The Director started to believe he was making the greatest movie ever. As his mood lightened the Company enjoyed picnics and singing on the set which were hallmarks of Capra's earlier films.

Too dark, the Country wanted comedy like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Too dated, Wonderful Life came off like a depression film rather than a post war movie. For whatever reason the three million dollar production failed to make its money back. Capra chose to fold his tent shortly after the movie's release calling Liberty Films," The quickest way to go broke a man ever devised." Stewart panicked. The ex-war hero received a phone call from his agent. "Donna Reed loved working with you. She wants to do it again." "No way. That girl is jinxed." June Allyson became his leading lady of choice playing his wife five times. Decades later he would praise the performance of a bemused Donna Reed for making Wonderful Life great. "My God," she told her friends. "He sure didn't say that when it came out."

Years passed. From that point on Capra, unwilling to either risk his own money or work for somebody else directed very few movies . Stewart decided to portray a stronger image on screen. He refused to play in war movies saying they were unrealistic, choosing instead hard, gritty Westerns like The Man From Laramie (1954) which helped to make him rich and surpass John Wayne as the nation's number one box office star. Reed restored her career by winning an Academy Award for playing a prostitute in From Here To Eternity (1953) and then became one of television's most wholesome mothers. And It's A Wonderful Life fell into the public domain in 1973 because no one renewed it's copyright. The forgotten film was shown repeatedly on almost every cable television station, finally got a huge viewership, and became a perennial Christmas Classic.

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at http://www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

Preventing Water Damage in Your Basement

The wet basement can develop into a complete disaster especially since many maintenance systems are installed in it. For example: electrical wires, water and sewage pipes, garbage disposal etc.

HVAC Systems

Heating and air conditioning systems must be inspected frequently. Check the drain pans and remove debris to allow free flow. Inspect the filters and replace whenever needed. When inspecting the HVAC, look at the ductwork and seal deteriorating insulations.

Pipes Condensations

Pipes condensation is a common plumbing problem caused by sweating pipes. This problem promotes mold corrosion and rot if ignored. Insulating your pipes will reduce condensation.

Sump Pumps

Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home. When checking the pump, make sure the outlet pipe is not frozen or clogged and that it directs water away from your home. Clean the air hole in the discharge line and make sure that the motor is running well. Test the pump by filling the sump pit with water to make sure the pump is working properly. Check that the pump is actually pumping out water.

Walls and Ceiling

Check the walls and look for moisture signs. Moist walls may indicate an internal leak. Look at the walls and search for stains. If you detect stains, follow them to locate the source of the problem and fix it. Even the smallest sign for a leak in the basement must be treated promptly.

The Foundations

Foundations are not always waterproof. Gaps and cracks are created as the house shifts and settles over time. Landscape is also changing over time and may lead to excessive water in the soil around your home. Seek professional help if you need to make any landscape or foundations repairs.

Ventilation

When checking the ventilation systems, be sure to inspect all ventilation systems including water heater, exhaust fans, dryer vents etc. if you suspect any failure in these systems, repair it right away.

For more information visit www.RestorationSOS.com.

Free guides are available

About The Author
Terry Allen is an editorial staff member of http://restorationsos.com a leading restoration services provider for water and fire damages. In addition, http://restorationsos.com provides professional home maintenance guides for free. To learn more about water and fire damage restoration, visit http://restorationsos.com or call 1-877-767-2407

Titanic Anecdotes

Studio executives in High Concept Hollywood have very short attention spans. When pitching a film idea, many believe if you can't do it in one sentence it is an unmarketable product. For example Planet Of the Apes (1968) starring Charlton Heston was pitched by producer Arthur Jacobs as "Moses Talks To Monkeys". Passenger 57( 1992) with Wesley Snipes was known as "Diehard On a Plane." Director James Cameron, despite a strong track record with films like Aliens (1986) and True Lies (1994) knew he would have a tough selling job after he went deep sea diving with Dr. Robert Ballard to glimpse the remains of the RMS Titanic. He became so emotionally involved by the experience that the sinking of the famous luxury liner in 1912 had to be the subject of his next picture. His pitch to the nervous executives at Twentieth Century Fox was," Romeo and Juliet on a doomed ship." There was a tense pause and Cameron said," Also fellas it's a period piece, it's going to cost $150,000,000 and there's not going to be a sequel." Fox, a studio which had known great success with both The Love Boat (1977-1986) TV show and The Poseidon Adventure (1972) was dubious about the idea's commercial prospects. But wanting a long term relationship with Cameron they gave him a green light.

Previous movie versions of the Titanic had focused on the historical aspects of the ship hitting the iceberg, so Cameron decided to play up the fictional love story. After Gywneth Paltrow turned down the female lead, Kate Winslet campaigned for it heavily by sending Cameron daily notes from England stating, "I'm your Rose." Her persistence led Cameron to invite her to Hollywood for auditions. One of her screen test partners Leonardo DiCaprio, impressed her so much she whispered to Cameron," He's great. Even if you don't pick me, pick him." Cameron picked them both, but Leonardo was harder to convince. Playing a romantic lead in a blockbuster just didn't seem cool. Cameron told him," I know what you want. You want to play him with a deformity or a limp. Well, it's lot harder playing a nice guy like Jimmy Stewart then one of those freaky, weirdo characters." Freaks and weird character portrayals often take home Oscars, but DiCaprio agreed to play the part.

For a major Hollywood production the star salaries were relatively low, DiCaprio made the most at $2,500,000. The biggest expense of the film was building the ship, it required the construction of a entirely new studio in Rosarito Beach. Cameron's attention to historical detail was evident down to the carpets, the grand staircase, the Picasso paintings and the 1911 touring car that Jack and Rose made love in. But other aspects of the film were less accurate. There was no evidence that on the real life Titanic people in third class were blocked from reaching the upper decks and the lifeboats, the emphasis was on rescuing the women and children, the richest man on board the ship actually died. In the film, First Officer William Murdoch was portrayed as a coward who shot passengers, in real life he was a hero which caused James Cameron to apologize to his surviving relatives. And Leonardo's character Jack was based on an unattractive coal miner, who never left the bottom decks, let alone met someone like Rose.

Cameron, temperamental in the best of times, was surviving on three hours sleep and saved most of his screaming for the film crew. His philosphy was you couldn't get great perfomances out of the actors by yelling. In one scene, Winslet and DiCaprio were running away from a huge wave on one of the decks and the actress was submerged and nearly drowned. Moments after she was rescued Cameron calmly said," OK. Let's do it again."

As the costs began to mount along with the stories of the director's slow pace and temper tantrums, the Fox executives began to freak out. They suggested an hour of specific cuts from the three hour film. They argued the extended length would mean less showings thus less money. But long epics are more likely to help directors bring home Oscars, and Cameron was more defiant than DiCaprio. "You want to cut my movie? You're going to have to fire me!" You want to fire me? You're going to have to kill me!" The executives, knowing that starting from scratch meant their entire investment would be gone, did neither. They also rejected Cameron's offer of forfeiting his share of the profits as an empty gesture; they were sure there wouldn't be any.

With more special effects being added Titanics's release date was moved back from summer to Christmas 1997. At one point Cameron visited the Twentieth Century Fox studio headquarters to request permission to shoot additional footage and ran smack dab into company chairman Rupert Murdoch (no relation to William) in the hallway. After months of fiercely ordering people about, the self proclaimed "King of the World" could not look his real boss in the eye. "Uh hi. Uh I know I'm not your favorite person spending all your money. But I guarantee you the movie will be good." Murdoch, with a glint of steel in voice, replied. "Young man, it had be better be better than good!"

Thanks largely to repeated viewings from young girls, the film made more money than any other picture in history. It tied Ben Hur (1959) for the most Oscars (11) although it was not even nominated for Best Original Screenplay. The Fox Executives were more relieved than euphoric and promised no more $200,000,000 movies, they felt like they had dodged a bullet. DiCaprio who infuriated the studio by refusing to promote the film and show up at the Academy Awards, became a $10,000,000 per picture star, was chased down streets by adoring young females, and later called the whole Titanic craze," kind of an empty experience". Winslet, who at one point during the shoot woke up and said, "God I wish I was dead", moved back happily into smaller independent films. Cameron got his original profit share and continued to lose his temper, suggesting a film critic who panned Titanic be impeached. He reflected later that movie prices had to be raised to fifteen dollars to pay for overblown budgets. "People would be mad for six months and then they would come back. Of course I wouldn't want one of my movies coming out during those six months."

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

The Warner Brothers Make Noise

Hollywood was an attractive place for the early filmmakers to settle, full of good weather, orange and lemon trees. For producers who owed money on borrowed camera equipment if a creditor came after them, they could hide among the trees. It was a hard business full of causalities and took a pirate's mentality to survive. Most of the studio heads were from poor backgrounds, with limited English skills and never forgot their childhood or a personal slight. Included were Jack, Harry, Albert and Sam, the four Warner Brothers from Youngstown, Ohio. They had begun with showing movies off the side of a tent in Youngstown, borrowing all the chairs from the local undertaker. Every time there was a funeral in Youngstown, they had to give all the chairs back and the film patrons were forced to stand.

As a boy Jack Warner wished to be a singer and a comedian. His brothers, recognizing his lack of talent instructed him to sing in the tent when they wanted the audience to leave. He was later advised that the money was not in performing, it was in paying performers. Among the stars that would be under contract to him would be Betty Davis, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and Errol Flynn.

The silent days were a struggle for Warner Bros. Rin Tin Tin, a German shepherd that according to his publicity was born in a foxhole in World War I, was their biggest star. Heroic as he might have been on the screen, he proved to be, like many stars, cantankerous in person. Jack Warner took the dog on a publicity tour. As he introduced him to the crowd, his ungrateful employee bit him on the behind, leading to the dog's dismissal. It proved to be a prelude to Warner's many future battles with stars.

Trying to make a name for themselves, the four brothers got great publicity by announcing that the renowned opera tenor Caruso would be arriving from Italy to make a film for them. They paid him 25,000 dollars and then put him in a silent movie.

The movie studios had the technology to make talking films years before they made them. One of the reasons why they resisted the idea was that they didn't want to risk losing their overseas market. Stars like Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford rarely ever had a flop as their films were shown around the world and knew no language barriers. But in 1926 the silent films faced their biggest competition with a new device called the radio. As movie attendance dwindled the studio heads shut their eyes and pretended the radio was not there. But the Warners lead by the ambitious Sam, decided to push the envelope and try to save their sinking studio by experimenting with movie sound.

Sam purchased an experimental sound system called Vita-phone. They then acquired the rights to The Jazz Singer, a popular play about a young man who had a beautiful voice and is offered a Broadway career against the wishes of his Old World Jewish father. In the play the son gave in to his father but the Warner's, wishing to reach a wider audience, Americanized the story by having the son follow his own dreams. Star Al Jolson adlibbed the dialogue," Wait a minute, wait a minute you ain't heard nothing, yet!" The Warner's were only intending singing but at the last minute they impulsively kept the line in the film. The Jazz Singer received a standing ovation when it premiered in New York in 1927 and went on to make three and half million dollars at a time when admission costs 20 cents. The sound revolution was under way!

Movie audiences had often been loud and noisy while watching silent films. Now the theater's got quiet as people strained to hear every word. Movie Theater's had to be rewired for sound, costing major studios like Paramount and Fox millions of dollars. Movies now had to film mostly at night as any passing truck noise could ruin a sound recording. " How boring!" said Mary Pickford. "At first we moved! Now everyone is standing around talking!" One enterprising actor was hired for one day's work. When the director wasn't looking he let a bunch of crickets loose on the set. It was five days before the crew could round up the chirping crickets, and the actor kept on hold received five times the paycheck.

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

Cool Air

Summer’s coming and things are of course getting hot. It is time to cool your homes and work places with a new air conditioner or swamp cooler. Along with air conditioning and swamp cooling, however, come higher energy costs. Conservationists suggest planting trees around your house or office to cool it with the shade. This will save you money on your energy bill, and keep the place nice and cool. For those who do not have the option of planting a tree to cool off in the shade, or who do not have the time to wait for a tree to grow large enough to cover them in shade, there are more efficient air conditioners and swamp coolers. It may be worth it to do a little research to find a more efficient air conditioner for your home or office; one which cools a larger area for a lower cost.

Air conditioners have a standard energy efficiency rating or EER. Air conditioners are often rated by the number of British Thermal Units (Btu) of heat they remove per hour. Almost all new air conditioners will come with and/or be advertised with ratings of their cooling and energy efficiency in the measures noted above. You will need an air conditioner that will sufficiently keep a room cool while using as little energy as possible. A number of factors can affect a rooms temperature, including the size of the room, the height of the ceiling, the insulation in the walls and the ceiling, heat generated by appliances and occupants in a room, and as noted before, whether the home, room, or office you are attempting to cool is shaded or in the sun.

There are two main groups which publish calculation procedures for sizing air conditioners for your room, home or office: the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Air conditioner installation contractors often use these standard measures when installing air conditioners in buildings and homes. You can also use them as you select and install the most efficient air conditioner for your home or office.

Just as a number of factors influence the heating of a room, home, or office, a number of factors affect the efficiency of your air conditioner or air conditioning system. Each air conditioner will come with a description of how many Btu per hour are removed for each watt of power it requires. Generally, however, the larger the air conditioner, the more energy it requires. A larger air conditioner may cool a room faster, but it will reduce efficiency because it turns off and on more often. This can wear down an electric air conditioner more quickly as well. It also causes more demand on the electric generation and delivery system to the air conditioner.

So, if you cannot shade your house, room or office with a tree, perhaps you should consider keeping them cool this summer by investing in a more efficient air conditioner. Keep your home or office cooler, while keeping your bills low. Find an air conditioner that is not so large that it creates unnecessarily excessive costs to run, and which will keep the room cooler, more efficiently. Do your research, and be sure to check the Energy Guide Label, which must be attached to all new air conditioners.

About The Author
Peter Jay is a Search Engine Marketing professional for Air Conditioner Home. To learn more about air conditioners, swamp coolers, humidifiers, or evaporative coolers, visit http://www.air-conditioner-home.com.

Ten Percent Of Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart was seen one night in 1933 in New York performing on stage as a female impersonator by an MGM talent scout. He was signed to a contract to come to California to work for the prestigious studio. Studio Head Louis B. Mayer expressed doubt when he first saw him,"He's so skinny! A beanpole." Efforts were made to put weight on him, the 133 pound actor was constantly sharing butterfingers candy bars with Ann Miller which seemed to fatten her up more than him.

If Mayer was unimpressed by his new star's physique, his behavior was a refreshing change compared to some of the prima donnas at MGM like the usually drunk Spencer Tracy, or the demanding to be alone all the time Greta Garbo. Stewart never complained about his salary or workload. Whatever the task be it screen tests or B-movies, he was always on time and knew his lines, although sometimes his trademark stammering lead to extra takes. If they loaned him to a lesser studio like Columbia, he was just happy to be working. Slowly, in the late thirties with great performances in Frank Capra movies like You Can't Take It With You (1938) and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington(1939), Stewart's star rose as did the respect for his talent. He became known as a swinging lady's man around town. Mayer was surprised and delighted by his Academy Award for the Philadelphia Story (1940) as well as his humble gesture of sending the Oscar statue home to Indiana, Pa. for his father to display in the Stewart family hardware store.

With the War breaking out in Europe moguls like Mayer were pressured by the US government to make films that were pro-British and anti-German. In exchange they were promised that the leading men in Hollywood would not be drafted. But Jimmy Stewart told Mayer that he intended to join the army. The Mogul, who was quite the actor himself tried to dissuade his growing asset from leaving. "Young Man, you will do so much more for the service men if you stay home and make films. They will need entertainment. James my boy, don't deprive them. And your salary, your contract, your MGM family, don't throw all that away." But despite being five pounds below the required weight Stewart insisted upon and received his induction to the armed forces (Due to the depression a lot of malnourished guys got in).

He would eventually transfer to the air corps and lead a thousand men into battle in the European theater, but the humble star began his military career as a buck private peeling potatoes. To join the service in in 1941, his MGM salary of $1500 was reduced by the army to $21 a week. Upon receiving his first payment Stewart immediately sent a check for two dollars and ten cents to his agent.

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

Discount Furniture To Make Your Home Unique

Furnishing and decorating your home can be a daunting and expensive task to undertake. It is not necessary, though, to spend thousands of dollars on high end furnishings and décor in order to make your home a unique showplace that represents who your are. All it takes is a little ingenuity, some detective skills, a good dose of creativity and thought, and a bit of money, and you can have fun finding furniture for your home. By seeking out different types of discount furniture, you will be recycling old pieces that are potential treasures, as well as keeping money in your wallet.

The first thing you need to do when you want to furnish and decorate your home is to figure out what you like. Do you like contemporary styles, pieces that are more modern with clean lines and no fussy fabrics? Or do you prefer a country or cottage style, with plush fabrics in woodsy or floral patterns? Or maybe you like the rustic look, with dark woods and leathers that will give your home a warm log cabin feel. Whatever your style is, you should scour magazines and the Internet to find just the type of pieces you are looking for, so that you have a basis to start from.

The next step is to find the discount furniture that is right for your home. You can try websites that sell reduced-priced home furnishings. Be careful, because you might find that the money you save in the cost of a sofa might be made up in the cost to ship it to you. You can also look out for sales at local furniture stores. Sometimes furniture stores are liquidating certain furniture collection to make room for newer ones. In addition, some furniture stores might have "scratch and dent" items. These items are sold as is and at a deep discount, and often the flaws are very minor. There are also furniture warehouses that specialize in scratch and dent merchandise, and the variety of discount furniture available at those types of stores is quite impressive.

Another great place to look for discount furniture is at consignments shops. If you can find a local consignment shop that sells furniture, you are likely to uncover some hidden treasures that might only require a few repairs. And the prices are sure to be reasonable, perhaps even negotiable. And if do it yourself work is your thing, there are abundant places to find old, used, and slightly damaged furniture sold at discounts. For example, searching flea markets and garage or estate sales might lead you to uncover collectibles, antiques, and rare furniture and décor items that can be restored for not a lot of money. These pieces will add a unique touch to your home. In addition, putting your own individual touch on the furnishing your restore or repair will give you a real sense of pride and accomplishment.

In addition to looking at flea markets, garage sales, and consignment shops for discount furniture, you can also find great décor pieces that can be added to your home to achieve a certain them or style. Paintings, pictures, gilded mirrors, vases, or any other type of knick-knack can be the finishing touches that you need to beautifully furnish your home.

You do not have to pay a fortune to furnish your home. By taking the time to seek out discount furniture, you can uncover some distinctive treasures, and even find new items at reduced prices. Taking the time to locate discount furniture will be easier on your wallet, and will help you make your home as individual as you are.

About The Author
Mark Woodcock is a director of 3 Internet Companies, is a published author and has written many articles on a widespread number of topics. All his articles may be reproduced provided that an active link is included to http://www.furniture-promotions.info.

Lace Curtains, Valances, Tiers and Panels – Charming Window Coverings To Mix and Match

THE COMPONENT PARTS OF THE ANATOMY OF A LACE CURTAIN

Designing Lace Curtain window coverings can be very confusing. Let's try to simplify the challenge by starting with the very basics. Most major Lace Curtain suppliers offer many different pieces to be used in combinations to arrive at completely different looks. The pieces have various names including One Piece Swags, Fan Swags, Swag Pairs, Valances, Tiers and Panels. They are woven into delicate lace patterns or stunningly bold Macrame ring lace. Depending how you use them, your window treatment can be formal or casual, simple or ornate. Whatever combination you use can greatly influence your over-all design goals.

USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO CREATE YOUR VERY OWN LOOK

The simplest design would be to use a Lace Valance and a Lace Tier together as shown here. This picture uses a Macrame Ring Lace, however, any Lace Valances and Tiers can be used for the same effect. This design is shown on tension rods inside the window casing. The treatment also can be used where both Valance and Tier are mounted on rods that are attached to the wall outside of the window frame. Another attractive style would be to mount the Valance on an outside mount rod and the Tier on a tension rod inside the jamb. In yet a different version you could mount the Valance on an outside mount rod and use a full length Lace Panel or pair of Panels on a rod under the Valance rod. One of these options may be just what you want but, hold on, we are just getting started.

You may want a more formal treatment as shown here. It consists of a Swag Pair with a Valance in between and a full length Panel underneath. As another option, in a narrower window, you could eliminate the in between Valance and just use the Swag Pair or a One Piece Swag. If you use two Panels you could tie them back to each side for a totally different style. Also, a Priscilla look could be created by using a second Panel underneath the first Panel and tying them back to opposite sides.

There is another design, shown here, that uses a little of all of the above ideas but is more informal and could be used in a den, dinette or kitchen area. Please notice that this picture also shows one window treatment used over two separate windows which creates the impression of enlarging the spaciousness of your room.

As you can see, Lace Curtains can be highly personalized to create the very look that makes your home warm and inviting We are not finished yet. Let's think even more outside of the box. What if you have a curved top window. That's easy. Just find a solid metal rod and bend it to the same contour as your window frame and use the same designs we just discussed. How about another idea. If you have two corner windows you have the option of treating them as one window or two windows. You can mount separate curtains on each window or as in the picture above you can make the two windows look like one giving the effect of a much larger window.

THE MANY NOT SO MYSTERIOUS WAYS TO CREATE WINDOW COVERING BEAUTY IN YOUR HOME

Hopefully with this new knowledge you will really enjoy creating your very own professional looking décor by stretching your imagination. The above pictures of window treatments are just a start. You can probably think of many additional attractive ways to arrive at your own person choices of Lace Curtains. In fact, you could even vary the treatments by purchasing lace yardage and sewing your own version of a window treatment. Best of luck with your newly discovered design freedom.

About The Author
Allen Nelson will be happy to answer any and all questions you may have about lace curtain design PLUS you can review even more design tips when you visit his web site http://www.oldeworldelace.com.

The author brings to this article 30 years of experience in the interior design field including custom window decorating design, fabrication and installation. His specialties involve all types of window décor as in custom made draperies, ready made lace curtains and macrame ring lace as well as blinds and shades. His designs have been used in a variety of settings in many beautiful homes throughout Southern California.

Loft Bed: Maximizing The Space Of Small Rooms

Living in urban areas provides several luxuries: you can work at your dream firm, study at the best colleges and universities of your choice, enjoy the parties are nights, go to modern shopping centers in the block, and more. Urban living might a best but all these have the drawback: space. That is, if you live in a dormitory or a room where every inch is precious. And when you live in an area where putting a generous size of bed is impossible, eating at a coffee table requires to pass through series of maze, and rolling your sleeping bag every morning, it is time to call for help.

Loft bed answers the need for extra space while maintaining a decent place. Loft bed gives you the freedom to move extra furniture in to your place without worrying where to put them. Loft bed makes your room more pleasant at it relaxed the crowd to your room. For children, loft bed can transform the bedroom into a playhouse even if the size is not big.

If you are considering to buy one here are the things your should know:

Loft bed and bunk bed are two different things. Bunk bed is a type of bedding where there are two layers of mattresses. This is used if two people share one room in need for extra space. The most common type bunk bed is the upper deck is horizontal with the lower and the length of the bed depends on your need. There are stack beds with twin size bed on the top and is accessible by ladder and a full size bed at the bottom. Bunk bed also the upper and the lowed bed identical with each other. Bunk bed also has its bottom bunk running vertically and the upper bunk running horizontally.

Loft bed on the other hand presents an elevated bed. This provides an ample space to place other things such as desk, computer, lounge, and table below.

If you live with a roommate, having a bunk bed is more ideal than having a loft bed. But if you live alone, loft bed is best for you.

Loft bed should be though. Consider choosing specific type of loft bed depending on who is going to sleep on it. For teens, loft bed should be sturdy. Since they are much heavier than children, loft bed should provide enough support on their weight.

Loft bed is also designed for children. Considering such would mean looking for loft bed that is designed for children. Colorful loft bed is widely available and ensures the fun the moment bedtime arrives. It also has to have rails. The rails will protect your children in case they move at the edge of the bed. Strength should also be the top priority.

Consider the size of the bed. Make sure that the length of the loft bed will fit your room especially your body. But first, make sure that the bed will fit to your door. Although there are loft beds that can be assembled inside the room, you should always make sure that whatever type of loft bed you choose, you could always get the maximum comfort.

Loft bed should match the room. If you already have existing furniture inside your room, make sure that the loft bed you buy will not destroy the whole arrangement of the room.

One more thing: loft bed can only be used by someone who is old enough to climb up and down the stair and not for children of a very young age.

About The Author
Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides loft bed resources on http://www.your-loft-bed.info.

How To Choose Color Schemes For Your Rooms’ Decor And Window Coverings

How to choose color schemes for your rooms' decor and window coverings.

The color that you choose greatly affects the décor and window coverings. Colors establish a mood and feel of a room, and when used properly can create different illusions. Using neutral or lighter colors such as grays and cream colors will give you an impression of spaciousness, where the darker colors can make a big room feel more intimate. Warming colors have the ability to make a room more cheerful and give it a livelier disposition. On the other end, cool colors are a more relaxing and soothing feel. When choosing your décor color scheme, consider the effect that you are trying to achieve. Sometimes it is tricky to choose the right tints, shades or the tones in order to get your desired look. So understanding how to use the color wheel can greatly help you in choosing your décor colors.

How does the color wheel work for decorating.

Time and effort spent first choosing your perfect color scheme will repay you back every time you enter your room or open your curtains First here are some basics using the color wheel. A monochromatic color scheme will use various intensities and values of just one color. Using this color style is relaxing since it allows your eye to flow from one shade into the next. This creates the illusion of space. Implementing patterns and textures into this scheme is recommended. Having two or three colors falling next to each other using the color wheel creates an analogous color scheme. So pick your favorite color as the dominant and accent with the others.

Here are some complimentary color schemes.

Two or more ways to choose your home decorating color would be complimentary color schemes, which are made up of two colors which are exact opposite from each other on the color wheel. Their style will produce a dramatic and unusually stimulating effect. This bold effect will be softened if you use one color as the predominant with the other color as an accent color. Split-complimentary is matching one color from the wheel not to its complimentary color but to a pair of colors on either side of its complimentary color. Red would be teamed not with green but with shades of yellow and blue green. Varying the intensities of colors will have the best effect.

About The Author
Daryl Plaza is the owner of: windowcoveringresource.com - a website focused on helping people to understand more about their window coverings and how important your décors designs are. We have resources and reviews on window coverings, window covering ideas and tips so you can learn more before you buy your window treatments.

Do You Know Who I Am?

One dilemma that the super famous face is balancing the needs of privacy and recognition. One time in New York an unnoticed Marilyn Monroe was walking down Madison Avenue accompanied by Eli Wallach. " My God, don't these people know who you are?" Wallach asked her. Marilyn, whose application of make-up took nearly as long Boris Karloff''s Frankenstein Monster, grinned at him. "I'm only recognized when I want to be. Watch this." She began to swing her hips and walk in a way that was familiar to movie goers and was eventually mobbed by adoring fans.

For some stars privacy is an overrated commodity. In 1919, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford went on their European honeymoon. The two international icons had divorced their previous spouses and were concerned about how they would be greeted. They needn't have worried. In London their limousine was surrounded by admiring women who pulled Mary out of the car to shake her hand, still grateful after two year for her efforts selling war bonds. In Paris they couldn't get any sleep with crowds gathering below their hotel room to serenade them. In Amsterdam they attended a party and were mobbed by other guests who wanted to get close to them. The acrobatic Fairbanks placed his wife on her shoulder and escaped through the window. Finally, they found privacy in Hamburg, because of World War I their movies were not shown there. For an hour the famous newlyweds walked the streets unnoticed until the bored Mary turned to her husband and said,"Doug I'm sick of this. Let's go back to one of those countries were they mob us."

Joan Crawford had similar sentiments. Once in the 1930s she was staying in New York getting over her breakup with Clark Gable. Tired of moping around her hotel she told her entourage they should go out and get some fresh air. The sycophants who had trouble keeping up with the star's brisk pace, were startled when she took a detour. "Oh my God. She's going into Grand Central Station!" Someone shouted," Look it's Joan Crawford!" and she was mobbed, it took thirty minutes to escape the crowd and get back to their hotel suite. Her hair disheveled, her dress torn and her face scratched, Crawford leaned against the door out of breath. "Oh. . .oh my. That was wonderful. Lets do it again!"

Notoriety can get you out of a jam. Tired of being identified as James Bond, Sean Connery took an unusual step for Hollywood leading man by publicly revealing his baldness on screen, beginning with The Man Who Will Be King (1976). On location in Casablanca, the Scotsman rejected the use of a chauffer and limo, choosing instead to drive himself in Volkswagen Bug. One day he drove around town dressed in a sweat shirt and shorts and was stopped for questioning by the local police. The former Mr. Universe runner-up had unfortunately left his passport back at the hotel and was arrested as a suspicious character. Just as he was about to be locked up, Connery shouted,"007! I'm 007 damn you!" They recognized him and let him go.

If you lose your hair, you can keep your privacy. Rob Reiner's big break was Harrison Ford turning down the role of Meathead on All In the Family (1971-1980) because Ford couldn't stand Archie Bunker's bigotry. When the show first went into production, Reiner and his fellow castmates would leave the CBS lot to eat lunch at the neighboring Farmers Market. Initial low ratings meant they were mostly ignored by the tourists. A few months later All In the Family was a monster hit and they received Beatle's like attention. From then on the cast generally preferred to stay in their dressing rooms at lunchtime. All except the ever hungry Meathead who removed the toupee he wore on the show and continued to eat at the Market in peace.

About The Author
Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.
orgofhlly@aol.com

Plug-In Table And Standard Lamps Can Be Positioned Just Where Needed

There’s nothing quite so attractive as a room lit by the warm, comfortable glow of a table lamp. Positioned on low sofa tables, on shelves, a chest, or a sideboard, a table lamp can be used to illuminate a collection, brighten a dark corner, or provide a pool of light for reading. Table lamps come in all shapes, sizes and styles, so it is easy to find something to suit your room. Lamps, which beam light downwards and sideways, usually fitted with a wide-based shade, are useful if you want to light a table top, or a corner.

Vase-shaped lamps wash light over the wall and ceiling, an attractive way to show off a painting or an interesting architectural feature. Tall standard lamps look best in a corner or behind a chair. A lamp with a traditional shade, or a shade which covers the top of the bulb, beams down, giving a comfortable pool of light just right for reading. Modern standard lamps are starkly stylish, adding interest to a simple, high-tech look room. Many of these lamps are up-lighters and should be positioned so that light washes a wall or the ceiling.

Floor-standing spot-lamps look best hidden behind a display of plants so that light shines through the foliage, throwing delicate leaf shadows on ceiling and walls. Before you buy lamps, look carefully at socket positions. You may need to have extra outlets installed for lamps to be positioned where you want them. Trailing cable is dangerous and tucking cable underneath a carpet or rug can cause a fire. Always have new sockets installed by a professional electrician.

A table lamp with conical shade beams light down, adding instant interest and comfort to a corner. This type of light is the ideal way to illuminate a collection of small boxes, plates or figures arranged on a table, or on a display cabinet. The perfect bedside lamp beams light over just half of the bed, so that one partner can read while the other sleeps. Lamps should be tall enough so that the light falls in exactly the right position for reading but not so that the beam hits the reader in the eye.

About The Author
Roger King has been involved in home interior designs for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for interior design solutions. Visit his Web site http://www.all-homeinteriordesigns.com to learn more about this service.