Home air purification systems are being purchased by the millions. Many adults both with and without children are realizing that the one thing they can control in their home is the air they breath. Many have done their diligent studies or took it on recommendation that the air outside is harmful, but the air inside(up to 70 times more toxic)can be made cleaner by purchasing and installing some sort of unit that will help clean the air. And a good choice it was. Several units will filter out the dust, the dander from their pets, and some other particulate that is unseen. Some units can even filter out some of the toxins that float around us while we are in our home. And they work too. But did you know that these airborne toxins, once on the skin, can actually cause as much harm to you, your children and your pets, as it does to inhale them? Most people know this subconsciously, but they neglect to do anything about it. Most of the products that you bring into your home from the store to use for whatever purpose contain chemicals that over time can and will bring harm to you. Most of us think that these products could not be sold to us if this were true. Unfortunately, there is no requirements for testing these products and there is no requirement to even list everything they contain on the label (testing is done as we know, with animals, and many companies have found alternative testing methods. But there are a surprisingly high number of brand name companies that still do animal testing. That is a whole other discussion). I was surprised to learn that, because I live in a country that seems to regulate everything else, why not consumer and personal care products as well. There are countless examples you can take a look at from the products in your home right now. I’m sure you have seen them already. Look at your oven cleaning solution. Does it say anywhere on the container “danger”, “warning”, “poison”? Do the instructions indicate that you should use gloves when applying? How about to have good or adequate ventilation? Look at your floor cleaners, or window cleaners. Did you know that ammonia, which is a good cleaning agent found in window cleaners, can cause an irritated nose: maybe some slight breathing problems? And not to mention the injury you could sustain if you get it in your eyes. Long term, or repeated exposure could have an effect on the lungs, could cause pneumonia, cataracts, glaucoma, kidney damage, the list goes on. And that’s just ammonia. The recommendation when handling ammonia is to avoid skin contact (we are talking about pure ammonia here). Wear protective gloves and chemical-resistant clothing. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends wearing gloves made of Butyl, Teflon or Viton for up to 8 hours of exposure and Nitrile gloves for up to 4 hours of exposure. Keep clothing clean and free of oils and grease. Even diluted, does that give you cause enough to get rid of everything containing ammonia that YOU brought in? In the personal care section, I can tell you first hand that the products you use on your head, by and large contain chemicals that render bacteria sterile (they used to be able to kill the bacteria by adding formaldehyde to the mixture. This was done for many years but has since been changed). The ingredients in use today do not “kill” any bacteria that may have gotten into the mix: they make it so the bacteria cannot reproduce while it is sitting on the store shelf. Otherwise, you would be putting a significant amount of bacteria onto your scalp everyday and if you had a scratch or cut on your head or neck, you would get a serious infection. Unless a company uses a plant extract or herb, a chemical like this cannot be healthy. Man made phosphates and man made chemicals derived from petrochemicals located in your soaps, toothpaste, and deodorant also absorb through our skin and can cause immediate problems and problems over time. Stop and think about where you spend most of your time. How about your kids? Chronic conditions are more problematic in women because women do most of the cleaning in the home. They are exposed to these chemicals for more time, and over time. Pregnancies can be complicated and asthma in children can be traced back to the chemicals and chemical products we use everyday. What should you do? You started out by purchasing and installing a home air purifier. That is a start. Now, you really need to either get more education on the various hazards you continue to bring into your home and expose you and your family to, or, make the decision to change to products that are much safer to use. They may be hard to find, but don’t you think that you are taking a great risk just to save a couple of dollars for a product that is on sale or that you have used all of your life, therefore it must be good? Make the change. Start today. You are working hard for everything else in your life, now you need to make your life (your body) stop having to work so hard to save you.
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Owning a fireplace can be a lot of work but it really does pay off when you can cozy up to it with a magnificent book on a cold winter night. When you are investing in the acquire of one or when you are looking to begin using yours, youll want to insure a multitude of things before you get started just to make sure that all goes well. Buying Time. Attaining a fireplace for your home will take a good number of considerations. First, youll need to meet the fire code for your area. Youll need to select the proper spot, have ventilation put in and hire a professional to do the installation work. This will insure the safety of your fireplace from the start. Clean Out Time. If you have a fireplace but have not used it, it is critical to have a professional to come out and check it out. Youll need to insure that the top is vented properly, that nothing is blocking the vents and that it is safe enough to use. Buying Wood. Once you attain the fireplace working, make sure to purchase only quality wood for it. The wood should be aged at least a year from being cut in order to make sure that it will not overly smoke. Often, your landscaping locations will sell it to you but make sure you shop around to get a good price. It's not all the same or the same price. If you go for store bought bundles of wood, you are likely to pay quite a bit more. Burning Properly. When you place wood into the fireplace, youll need to make sure it fits properly and that the fireplace doors will close. If you do not have doors, a screen is needed to keep sparks from hitting carpeting or other flammable objects. Keep the draft vent open. When you are using the fireplace, it needs to be open to allow for the smoke to escape. If you leave it open when not in use, though, youll feel a cold wind. Make it a habit of reviewing to insure it is open before lighting any matches. What You Burn. It is also central for you to watch what you burn. Not all offerings that can burn should be burnt because they will give off harmful toxins. Only burn wood and newspaper like items in there. Keep It Clean. Keep the fireplace clean by removing ash after each fire. And, once a year, youll need to have it professionally cleaned. An alternative is to use a fireplace cleaning log once every other year, but you still need to have it professionally completed to remove build up. Taking better care of your fireplace is essential to keeping it in good working order. And, if you do not do so, you are risking the family members within your home. Using your fireplace correctly can help to lower heating bills and provide a fulfilling atmosphere. I'm starting to age I guess in that I'm enjoying more the sounds of my youth like a simple clockwork cuckoo clock. The timeless sound of the cuckoo bring back many memories. When I was a child, both my uncle and grandparents had cookoo clocks. I remember they were dark colored cases with ornate carvings but the bird that came out was brightly colored. I was told these were from the black forest in Germany. I guess the Germans have a lock on authentic cuckoo clocks as when I got older, I went shopping for one and they were all German made clockworks. The new ones however were just like I remember. Darker carved woods on the outside with ornate carvings. My parents had both a mantle clock and a wall clock that struck the quarter half and hour times. They were wonderful. Many people have fond memories about growing up. Foods, holidays, smells, and even sounds. I remember how our home was always breathing the sounds of our clocks. Even as an adult, going for visits brought me in many respects back to childhood days when hearing the constant patterned sounds of those time trackers. It was home! Today, I have a grandfather clock, cuckoo clock, and several other clockwork type clocks all around my home. Yes, they aren't as "accurate" as quartz timepieces or as fancy as the latest technology has to offer. But there's something about their even pace, pendulums, weekly winding and yes, the announcement that time is marching on, that is somehow soothing. Almost melodic. In the night, when every is asleep, I sometimes go down to the living room and just think. The clocks are busy, as always, pacing out time and announcing yet another quarter hour has past. It's recognition of mortality, that some things don't last, while others, like the cuckoo clock seem to last lifetimes. Time waits for no man … or woman. The grandfather clock in my parent's house stood in the corner of the dining room from the time of their marriage. This antique clock was a bargain at the purchase price of £5 at an auction when they first set up home and nearly 60 years later the grandfather clock is still a much loved part of the family. When they bought it, it was a pile of pieces on the floor of the auction house but my father did some clock repair on it and managed to get it working. I remember using the gap behind the grandfather clock for hide and seek (until I grew too big) and hiding my grandmother's handbag in the case so she couldn't go home one day! The gentle tick tock has been a comfort on many occasions, particularly on sleepless nights, the unmistakable grandfather clock chime letting me know the time without having to disturb anyone else. Children and grandchildren have all peeked inside to watch the pendulum swing or to watch Grandad going through the ceremony of winding the weights up each week at precisely 7.25 am on a Sunday. This was the only time in the morning he could fit the key into both the keyholes on the face because only then were the grandfather clock hands in the right place! The grandfather clock has had its moments though! The mechanism has become temperamental with age and has undergone clock repair a number of times. When my parents moved 20 years' ago, the grandfather clock went with them and they decided to have it cleaned and refurbished. The specialist who came to see it was intrigued because the case was a 'modern' one (remember this is an antique clock and probably means early 20th century). He was interested enough to take a photograph of the movement and send it to the British Museum. The response from the British Museum was a real surprise. Our much loved grandfather clock really wasn't a grandfather clock at all! It had started off life as a wall clock, but it must have been a very large one. The maker of our grandfather clock was a Dutchman called A. Fromanteel although we are not sure which one, the father Ahasuerus who came to England in 1620 and developed the pendulum clock in 1658 or Abraham, it certainly has a much finer pedigree than we do! From very scanty research on the internet we have found out that the Fromanteel family were innovators and were the first to produce a clock that was accurate and not affected by the weather. Each clock that they built had some new feature on it. Our own grandfather clock has a pillar movement although I know that the date feature no longer works. Has this information made a difference to us? No. To us it is still the grandfather clock of our childhood, a comforting reminder of happy memories and life and time moving on.
A new coat of paint can refresh and revitalize any room in your house. Paint is also a very cost effective way to change the look of a room. The best part about interior painting is that almost anyone can do it—all you need is the right material and a little bit of knowledge. Painting Supplies Your supply needs will vary depending upon the room that you are painting and the type of paint that you are using, but here is a basic list to get you started: • Paint. After you choose a color, you will also need to choose a finish. The finish determines how shiny the paint will be. Choices include flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Flat finish is hard to wipe clean and should only be used in low traffic areas that will not attract dirt. Satin, eggshell, and semi-gloss finishes are easy to wipe clean and can be used almost anywhere. Gloss finish is very shiny and is best reserved for small areas such as trim or molding. • Paint Applicators. Paint rollers and brushes are necessities. A good paint roller can paint an entire room. Choose one that has a fair amount of nap to it-- the thicker the better. When it comes to brushes, everyone has their own individual preference. A small angle brush works well for trim and corners. A three inch flat brush or a paint pad will work well for the places that a paint roller can not reach. • Miscellaneous Supplies. In addition to paint and paint applicators, you may also need drop cloths, cleaning rags, paint trays, spackling, sandpaper, and a putty knife (if your walls are damaged and need repair), and a ladder or stepladder. The ladder will need to be sturdy and stable to support your movements. Try choosing a ladder with a wide base or a flared bottom like on a Little Giant Ladder. Painting Tips When painting, the most important thing you can do is take your time. If you move too fast, things could get sloppy. Also important, is the prep work. Your painting project will go much smoother if you are properly prepared prior to painting. Here are some tips that can help: • Make sure that you have everything you need by organizing all of your supplies before you start painting. • Protect your furniture from paint splatters by moving it or covering it up. • Use low-tack masking tape to tape off baseboards and trim. Remove the tape before the paint dries. • Paint the walls before painting trim or woodwork. • Do not apply a second coat of paint until the first coat has dried.
If you are mostly shopping for see thru gas fireplaces or three sided gas fireplaces, undoubtedly these types of items may not turn out to be commonly available on a large number of portals, be sure that you use your browser favorites function as you carry out this variety of fireplace targeted search, your precious information ought to be treated with the utmost of care. For anyone purchasing products like wholesale fireplace mantels or wood burning fireplace inserts, it would be smart to speak to a selection of heating experts prior to your search, you may very well be hunting for a special product such as a gas fireplace key or a bellow yet because of a lack of details take the wrong merchandise. Most online heating research can uncover a vast number of products, although good fireplace portals will often contain a ton of oak fireplace mantels, this could often be remarkably overwhelming, reproduction georgian fireplaces, vented gas fireplaces, so many items to choose from, it might then be difficult to choose which product to order. A great deal of fireplace associated tips you will find online are focused on assisting folk to find chosen fireplace merchandise including outdoor fireplace kits and pellet fireplace inserts, coming across this type of fireplace info can often come to be very arduous indeed. Keep in mind that fireplace specialists and other people who often deal with or have some connections with fireplaces can easily be located via the local telephone listings, there will be numerous of individuals who are connected with the topic of fireplaces and these people may save you a massive amount of your valuable time by aiding you with your fireplace connected issues. It has to be said that the town book shop can often be an obvious place to get guidance about fireplace products, advances such as the internet can make us neglect the many different interior design resources that are currently freely available to us, you should certainly make use of these kinds of havens of great fireplace data, suitable fireplace product info may very often be hard to find. Keep in mind that fireplace experts and other people who often deal with or have some connections with fireplaces can easily be located via the local telephone listings, there will be numerous of people who are connected with the topic of fireplaces and these people may save you a huge amount of your valuable time by aiding you with your fireplace connected issues. It might very well be you purchase a antique fire baskets and later on discover the fireplace site you sourced it from didn't supply it at the lowest price, to be confident that this kind of thing never comes about on a different occasion make an effort to proceed with an online price tag review or check a decent range of fireplace directories prior to purchasing, it could happen that a contemporary fireplace is selling for a set price on one site but is being marketed for twenty percent less on another one, you can find some great deals if you look in the right places. One thig worth thinking about whilst you search this area of heat installation that you will certainly be overloaded with a considerable number of truly varied search results, such results as outdoor masonry fireplaces or regency fireplaces might still be particularly relevant to your requirements. Globes are the spherical version of a map. Their spherical shape allows them to represent the earth perfectly. Globes were always in used as navigational tools as well as to understand various earth’s processes and phenomena. The earliest globes were traced to the fifteenth century. Like maps, globes also show accurate directions, dimensions, distances, shapes and sizes of all the countries in the world. Most globe-makers use high quality geographic research and cartographic abilities to design globes. They are also updated regularly to take note of any changes in the world’s political, social, or environmental conditions. Digital globes are those which use advancements in digital technology for representing the earth better. They have digital images over and inside the screen that keep changing as per the user’s requirements. The images, derived from satellite images, are made to appear on the screen, which is similar to a picture screen of a television. There are also digital raised-relief globes with clearly defined mountain ranges and water bodies. There are also celestial digital globes available. However, digital globes are not generally meant for commercial applications. Virtual globes are also digital globes that can be viewed on the computer or any other interface. These may be simple globes used for classroom teaching, or they can be highly technologically advanced. Some virtual globes use state-of-the-art technology like satellite imaging and multiple GIS databases for real-time coverage. Virtual globes can be online or offline. These days, the application of virtual globes has become so common that they are also being fitted in cars in order to make navigation easier for the driver. They can provide detailed information, right down to a street’s name. Another kind of digital globe is the hyperglobe that uses virtual reality to present spatial effects. These are used for visually depicting certain geographic processes and phenomenon such as the earth’s inclination, space travel, and satellite technology, through three-dimensional geoid visualization, animation, and real-time presentations. These also have interactive cartometric tools for making the data globally available. There is actually heaps of various colorations, distinctive patterns even extraordinary types of wallpaper. How do you realize which shade, or which pattern will in shape it’s surroundings the exceptional? Examine on, and you will have an awesome concept! Shade / pattern - This for the most part is a private chose; however there are easy matters you can do to pick a coloration/sample on the way to without a doubt work. If you want the hot red wallpaper and the rest of your house is executed in marble i would endorse shying far from your non-public desire and going with some thing that is going to closing and upload fee to your own home now not get rid of from it. There are numerous courses that allow you to choose colors that match it’s surroundings and that healthy in. A simple rule is choose like coloration’s and tones. As an instance in case your thinking inexperienced, and the alternative wall is maroon. Select a green that is the equal tone as the maroon. Don’t pick like sleek shiny inexperienced, when the maroon is a stupid mild coloration. Types - numerous specific varieties of wallpaper exist, and quite a few this choice goes to rely on it’s utility, and your finances. As an example Vinyl wallpaper is very long lasting and is best for rooms like kitchens and toilets as it can be scrubbed, and will not preserve stains. Vinyl-lined Wallpaper is similar to Vinyl Wallpaper but it is not pretty as durable and will maintain stains. Are you able to see how the distinction between those styles goes to make a large difference in placement. You might think that having a sincerely pricey custom wallpaper on your kitchen is acceptable however while your infant flings some spaghetti sauce on it, and it stains, you're going to be wishing you had selected something more practical. This is only intended to be a rough instructional guide on wallpapers. There are several components of wallpapers that I didn’t cover. I propose speaking to a professional at a wallpaper shop, whilst it comes time to re-enhance your home. Make sure to invite lots of questions as wallpapers will last time if chosen wisely. Chandeliers conjure visions of royalty, grandeur and opulence. Though sleeker and slimmer versions have evolved, there’s still an aura of antiquity that surrounds a chandelier. So when one is striving for an antique look for his home, going in for turn-of-the-century furniture, a decadent looking fireplace and a chandelier are the first things on his mind. Chandeliers conjure visions of royalty, grandeur and opulence. Though sleeker and slimmer versions have evolved, there’s still an aura of antiquity that surrounds a chandelier. So when one is striving for an antique look for his home, going in for turn-of-the-century furniture, a decadent looking fireplace and a chandelier are the first things on his mind. If you are one of the lucky ones who possess an old chandelier handed down to you through generations, then you wouldn’t need to lift a finger. For the not so lucky ones, you would need to hunt for a piece that would look convincingly old. Shops selling antique pieces would definitely be your first stop. For nothing can really replicate that old look better than a piece actually made years back. But if they cannot satisfy you, you have no other choice but to get a ready-made variety and try to give it an old look. First, steer clear of the slim-trim polished-steel chandeliers. These are especially designed for modern homes with clean-cut furniture and can never be passed off as old. Antique chandeliers are ornate pieces with very intricate carvings. Candle chandeliers have an inherent archaic feel to them. An antique chandelier can be made of crystal, wrought iron, or brass or antlers, and they are never shiny in appearance. That is why you just cannot buy a wrought-iron or a brass type of chandelier and install it, hoping that it would impart an antique look to the environs. The chandelier must be worked upon so that there is an authentic antique feel to it. To replicate an old look, you need to apply an antiquing glaze on it. While the glaze is still wet, you need to rub off the shine from it with a soft cloth. The latter is done to achieve a worn-out look. After working on the chandelier, it is also important o have the other furniture catered to the antique look. For a single antique or antique-looking chandelier cannot bring about an antique feel in the ambience. A chandelier will look antique only when there’s an antique atmosphere around it. With the evolution of lighting technology, outdoor lighting has seen its share of breakthroughs. Outdoor lighting is as important as indoor lighting. Lighting up the spaces immediately outside or surrounding our living areas is extremely vital for visual orientation, safety while navigating, and security, as well as for balancing out the indoor ambience. The outdoor milieu prepares and provides a preview to the life and living style within the four walls. Outdoor lighting is equally important in reflecting the external persona of a structure and its surrounding area. It sets a particular mood and provides a visual treat. Outdoor lighting presents enormous scope for experimentation. It’s a virgin canvas waiting to be colored by unique lighting approaches, ideas and techniques. Outdoor lighting spaces comprise the areas surrounding the structure, pathways, swimming pools or fountains, landscape surrounding the structure, patios, balconies, decks, porches, etc. There are a variety of options on the market, including low-voltage lighting, flood lights, tree lights, post lights, lanterns, string bulbs for festive occasions, recessed lighting, scoops, pagoda-style louvered faced lights which granite finish that easily blend without door environs, and even solar lights devoid of wires and operating on NiCad batteries. Various techniques of lighting can be used in outdoor lighting. Spot lighting, which focuses light on architectural features, may be positioned to minimize glare and focus fully on the focal point. Silhouetting is placing the light sources behind the object to bring out the shape of the object rather than the exact color and texture. Key light or shadowing requires placing the light source directly in front of the object of interest to create a light and shadow effect. Moonlighting requires a fixture to be placed on the trees and aiming it down to provide a natural peaceful moonlit effect. Deck lighting, grazing (light focuses on the object at a sharp angle) and washing the surface (light focuses on objects at a wider or blunt angle), step lighting, walkway lighting, pond and fountain lighting, and sign lighting are some of the various techniques used for outdoor lighting. In outdoor lighting, a basic thing that has to be kept in mind is that the lighting fixtures are exposed to all the elements outside. In case of lighting water features, the light source is sometimes from the inside to create a magical glittering and rippling effect. Therefore, appropriate lighting fixtures and lights should be chosen. Self-lighting kits of low voltage are also available for those who wish to try out their creative lighting talents.. |
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