Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture inexistence. It's been around for hundreds of years andprobably existed when the cave people got tired of squattingon the dirt floor of their caves and looked around for abetter way.

The woods that are fashioned into furniture fall into threecategories:

1. Hardwoods
2. Softwoods
3. Composites

Even the term 'hardwood' or 'softwood' is deceptive.Hardwoods aren't necessarily harder, denser material. Forexample, balsa wood is one of the lightest, least densewoods there is, and it's considered a hardwood. Technically,lumber is classified based on how the tree reproduces. As ageneral rule, though, softwood trees are evergreen yearround while the hardwoods create the gorgeous autumn foliagethat we all love so much.

Hardwoods are considered the highest quality and are themost expensive. Their natural colors vary from the darkestwoods to the lightest ones and and they can be stained orpainted for even more variety. Hardwood furniture is leastlikely to warp or bend and is prized in all high qualityhomes. The five woods most commonly used in furnitureproduction are cherry, walnut, oak, maple and mahogany.

Softwoods are less expensive than hardwoods, but theyrequire extra care. Because they are less durable, it's mucheasier to scratch or dent softwood furniture. In addition,they often don't have the beautiful grains of a hardwood,and therefore don't stain as beautifully.

Pine is an example of a softwood that is commonly used forfurniture. These woods are often used in construction aswell so the choicest pieces are reserved for furniture. Inconstruction, knots and splits are common. Lots ofconstruction lumber will not accept paint and this kind ofwood is used for shelves or packing crates.

The softwood used in furniture is designated as "Appearance"lumber and includes most softwood lumber that has beencustom milled to a pattern or otherwise surfaced on all foursides.

Composites are the cheapest form of wood and are literallymanufactured, rather than grown.

1. Plywood: multiple layers of thin wooden sheets are gluedtogether and pressed. Plywood is strong and resistsswelling, shrinking and warping. There is some furnituremade directly from plywood, but generally it is only used asa support when incorporated into furniture.

2. Particle board: sawdust and small wood chips are mixedwith glue or resin which is then shaped and pressuretreated. When used for inexpensive furniture, particle boardis usually covered with laminate or veneer. This isnecessary because particle board splits easily and thelaminate prevents splitting. However, the downside is thatthe laminate may separate from the wood because the particleboard responds to temperature and pressure changes byswelling and shrinking.

3. Hardboard: is made like particle board but it's placedunder higher pressure so it's stronger.

4. MDF or Medium Density Fiberboard: wood particles arebonded with resin and compressed. It is harder than particleboard or hardboard, and can be cut like plywood although itisn't as strong as plywood. Some MDF is covered withmelamine which is a durable plastic in a variety of colors.The exposed edges of MDF are rough and need covering withmolding or some other decorative material.

Technically, furniture made from all of these wood productsis "real" wood furniture, even the composites. Prices andquality range from the hardwoods down to the composites.The higher you go up the spectrum, the more you can expectto pay for your wood furniture. The good part, of course,is that with proper care hardwood furniture will last fordecades or even generations. If you can afford it, alwayschoose hardwood furniture.

If you are a consumer who knows just what company or design of lights you are looking to buy, the world wide web can spend less a little money. However, if you are just learning about what lights, inside and outside, are available for the home, the world wide web is a good way to get knowledgeable.

To start with, here are several types of inside accessories available for your home: associate, home chandeliers, desk and lights, jewelry, threshold supports, decorative track lighting, recessed lighting and bathroom accessories. Outer accessories include: landscaping lights, outside associate, outside jewelry, outside threshold accessories, post lamps, and overflow lights. Take a look at the best ways to uncover these accessories online; no matter what stage of the look for for home lighting you're in, the world wide web is a valuable resource.

You Don't Need to be a Lights Expert

You don't need to be a lighting professional to go by style: all you have to do is discover a fitting that suits the inside design. If, for example, you are looking for a hanging to hang over the home of your farmhouse, a traditional hanging would be a good design choice. A well structured website should be user-friendly and easy to get around. Look for online lighting stores that start with the type of fitting you are looking to buy: home chandeliers, wall associate, outside accessories. From there, the site should take you to a selection of lighting styles: Rustic, Traditional, Modern etc. Once you've decided on a lighting design, you should then be able to personalize your look for for details such as: cost, company, dimension and complete. This is also an excellent way to educate yourself. Take advantage of the many thousands of captured accessories and information such as light fitting dimension, complete, cost and company.

If You know What You're Looking for, You'll Save Time

Granted, when you go to a good quality lighting lot the keep will be aglow with home chandeliers and lights. What happens when you are looking for a particular company or fitting and they simply don't have it in stock? With the world wide web, knowing a particular fitting model or company, means that you can look for specifically for your product. This can also spend less you some time to the hassle of going to the keep and then having to wait while the keep to orders placed your particular fitting.

As Well as Interior Lights, Find Top Manufacturers for Landscape designs Lights and Save

The most popular a chance to buy outside lights are during summer. With beautiful weather and people spending a longer period outdoors interesting, this is a chance to lumination up units, backyards, and scenery to create atmosphere, and protection. In the front of the house, with admittance areas and pathways, outside lights and lighting are essential for security anytime. Top outside lighting makes of 12 present, low present lighting includes: Concentrate and Arroyo Contractor. Yet there are several other top lighting companies that concentrate on the outside niche as well. Take a look at Kichler, Progress, Hinkley and Sea Gull. If you are looking for name company good quality, one of the best techniques is to comparison use the world wide web. Then, discover a reliable online lighting store that offers a low cost guarantee (read the policy carefully). This way, you can get the best cost available for that company.

This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio. You've done the research. It's well within your capability and you're looking forward to the satisfaction of creating a structure of beauty.

Or not. Yes -- you'd like to proceed with an outdoor structure but for you, it isn't a do-it-yourself project. How can you find the right person to do it for you? Here are 10 tips for hiring and working with a contractor.

1. Plan your project carefully. Clip pictures, make sketches, write a description. This will help you accurately convey to the contractor what you want the finished product to be.

2. Make a list of contractors. Ask your neighbors or friends for the names of reputable tradesmen. Contact material suppliers -- lumberyards, for example -- and ask for recommendations.

3. Get at least three written bids for the project, but don't give in to the temptation to automatically accept the lowest bid. A higher bid may be worth the price in better materials, workmanship and reliability. If you get a very low bid, the contractor may have made a mistake or forgotten to bid on everything you wanted. If they have deliberately low-bid, they may use cheaper materials or take shortcuts to make a profit.

4. Many states and provinces require registration and/or licensing. For the USA, www.nationalcontractors.com provides a starting point for your state and type of construction. Click on Verify Contractors License. If licences are required in your jurisdiction, be certain to ask to see your contractor's licences and be sure that it's not expired.

5. Ask for references and then check them out. Look at the projects and ask the previous clients if they are satisfied with the quality of work done, if it was started and completed on schedule and if it is complete.

6. Get a signed, written contract and be sure you understand it. The Construction Contractors Board of Oregon claims that the single biggest cause of homeowner-contractor disputes is the written contract: not having one, having a poor one, or having one everyone ignores. A good contract should include:

• The company name, address (not a post office box) & phone number, the name of the builder, contractor and licence number, if applicable
• A detailed project description
• A materials list
• A statement that all necessary permits and inspections are the responsibility of the contractor
• Starting and completion dates
• Warranties of workmanship, the length of the warranty, and specifically what's covered and what's not
• Contractor's guarantee that he carries liability insurance and worker's compensation coverage
• A statement that clean-up will be done by the contractor
• The total price and payment schedule
  • Be wary of hourly, time and materials or cost-plus pricing where the final price is not determined until completion of the project. Although it may seem higher, a fixed price may give you the best protection and price.
  • Be cautious about upfront payments for more than 15% of the contract price.
  • The schedule and criteria for each instalment should be clearly defined in the contract.
  • Any instalments should be not be required on a certain date, but correlated to work completion.
  • Do not pay cash. A reputable builder will ask for a check.

7. Make any changes to the project in writing with a "work order change" to avoid misunderstandings and surprises.

8. Keep pets and children away from the construction site. This will ensure not only their safety, but also that of the workers. In addition, it helps keep the project on schedule.

9. Inspect the work regularly.

10. Pay directly and promptly according to the contract.

Above all, you should feel comfortable communicating with your contractor. If you sense he is being evasive when you are getting a quote, it won't get any better during the construction period. Find someone you understand and who understands you, and who is open and forthright.

Working with a contractor takes a little preparation, but following these steps is well worth it. Are you looking forward to your new outdoor space?

Gone were the days, when the most commonsense shift for homeowners was to go for upgrades when living room space became too small. In the face of the current tumultuous events that hit home improvement markets, this alternative seems not to be an attractive one. In the current scheme of things, home improvement alternatives are the best and most useful options for most home owners. A carefully planned home improvement project can deliver the beloved results that we want to achieve. Financial companies offer loan packages for home improvement projects like kitchen improvement, Gardening. There are even grants that you can avail if you are going for home improvement projects that integrate energy saving features.

Clear and present necessity and enhanced value are the two major reasons why you will option for various kinds of home improvement projects. The scale and complexity of the makeover job will fully depend on your requirements and preferences as well as your available minimum budget. There are also other intangibles that come into play which makes home improvement a better alternative to home upgrade. In most instances, we develop a strong attachment to our community that moving becomes a difficult option. After a certain period of time, you grow to be accustomed to your surroundings and develop your comfort zone. Under such condition, giving up your home for an upgrade may not be your best option.

While there are obvious downsides to home improvement alternatives, the returns of a well-executed home improvement project are more than enough to offset its negative effects. Expect a few weeks of inconvenience if you are planning to perform a home improvement project. However, you can mitigate the negative impact of the activity if you plan early.

Once you are able to hurdle the financial requisites of your home improvement project, the next thing that you must do is to plan out your project so that it doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare for you and your family. If you are intending to perform the task yourself, the logical first step will be to find the right home improvement software. This can help you visualize the changes and improvements that you want in your home before you commence the required home improvement tasks.

Once you have the right blueprint for your home improvement project, the next thing for you to do is to visit the local home improvement shops with the complete list of materials that you need. Make sure that you purchase the materials within the established budget by selecting materials with the best possible prices.

On the other hand, if you are inclined in hiring the services of a professional home improvement specialist, it is essential that you choose one who has the expertise, means and experience in performing the tasks required in your home improvement project.

Home improvement is the current norm, and there are a lot of contractors that provide a broad range of specialties that focus on specific home improvement projects. It is essential that you hire one that can perform the task and deliver the results that you want to achieve in your home improvement project. It is not enough that you take into account the experience and track record of home improvement contractors. It is also critical that you consider the skill set of home improvement specialists that you will include in your short list of potential contractors. You may also consider the feedback or referral from relatives and friends in your search for the right contractor for the job.

Home improvement is a practical and interesting alternative in order for you to adapt to the changing needs of your family. However, you have to take things one step at a time to avoid turning the venture into a complete disaster.

Do it yourself organizations have started progressively more in need for a number of reasons. First of all, the economic downturn saw a lot of home development assignments being performed by property entrepreneurs. The reason for this is that there were less property entrepreneurs, therefore property entrepreneurs determined obtain income into their houses. This is a lasting strategy which makes such financial commitment decision a wise one.

As a result, home development has become a huge market which is continuing to grow past the DIY level, when it was just a activity. Different places of the home are being managed in development assignments to add value to the home and as purchases in the residences. Homeowners have therefore recognized the benefit of having these assignments skillfully and skillfully managed.

Home development organizations are assorted and are as wide as the market itself. They range from the developers and inside developers who are included in the preparing of a development venture, to those that offer such solutions as upgrading, artwork and water system. Then there are the organizations that offer the elements needed for a development assignments. Some organizations blend all these features into their solutions so that they provide as a one-stop go shopping for all things home development.

If you decide to create use of a home development organization that provides all the home development needs, you need to create sure that all their installers have present the required permits to work within the area the home is situated.

Also, it is always best to purchase the elements you need for your development assignments from a reliable home development organization. If that organization has a track record for good quality elements in the market, you are very likely to get the best elements and information from them. They are conversant with the different types of elements and their features and can information you properly. Furthermore, because of their track record, they are more likely to have a really good manufacturer's warranty program should anything go completely wrong with your elements.

Most development organizations will give you a free estimation before you begin your development venture. This is very important when you are preparing your venture because development assignments are infamous for becoming progressively more expensive as you go on if you crash to strategy and have an estimation in the first place.

It is easy to think that development should be a DIY venture and if you have some experience in managing DIY assignments, this is not a bad thing. However, using a development organization could save a little income, which you could lose from problems you might create along the way. If you are willing to create the problems and learn as you go, home development organizations will also come in useful with information and good quality products.

Whether you want to set up a new restroom or create changes to an established one there are some selections you need to create and difficulties to conquer. A restroom must be personalized to your specifications and every strategy will differ with regards to the planner's needs.



1. Seek professional advice before preparing a restroom. You may need to consider local water rules, established water system features and the way your home is constructed.

2. Determine the role and specifications of the new restroom. Creating a restroom includes more than the location of basic accessories such as the bath, container and rest area. Develop sure your strategy allows for plenty of floor for partitions and for accessories such as hand towel track, reflection and storage.

3. Choose if you need to create any changes to established solutions and whether design operate is necessary. Measure up and note the location of the established solutions, windows and gates and operate out the strategy to get the restroom accessories where you want them. You'll also need to determine if you need to switch any gates, windows or rooms and whether you need to create changes to the power electric, water and pipes.

4. Attract out the restroom area on information paper and operate out how best to split up the restroom for different reasons or projects. You may need to consider whether to use double or moving gates, archways or shades.

5. Guarantee that you have enough area to provide the best accessories as well as enough area to switch them into location. Think about how much area will be necessary for toiletries, saving shower, drugs etc.

6. Build in resources such as heating, air flow and lighting. These are important to make sure your restroom has enough light and works properly.

7. Develop conditions for future water system and allow for access to potential problem areas such as the bath push and boxed-in rest area cisterns. If possible, fit detachable sections instead of closing these resources behind resolved rooms.

8. Find out exactly what sort of accessories you require and whether they will be suitable for the designed location.

9. Think about your style choices with regards to the fit and flow with the rest of the home. There are products to meet most specifications or models. Consider the trade off between price and quality, and look out for longer guarantees and assures.

10. Consider traffic styles with regards to how many individuals will be using the restroom and how often. Also, if individuals of different ages use the restroom, you may need to choose accessories that take care of different age groups in your household such as a move bath so you can adapt the size of the apply.

Taking time to prepare can help to change your ideas into reality and make sure you end up with your ideal restroom.

The words "spring cleaning" can make the neatest person cringe. They mean more work. As if cleaning all year long wasn't enough. Spring cleaning is more than just cleaning...it is deep cleaning. Something that most people do not have time for all year long. Since my expertise is cooking, I have decided to focus on spring cleaning and dirt build up prevention tips for the kitchen....

Baking soda or club soda will clean and shine stainless steel sinks easily. Simply apply directly to surface and scrub a dub dub.

To Remove stubborn water spots from a stainless sink scrub with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or vinegar.

To freshen up your "white" porcelain sinks, place paper towels across the bottom of your sink and saturate with bleach. Let sit over night and rinse.

After you've cleaned your refrigerator and freezer place an open box of baking soda in the back of each to help absorb odors for about a month.

A few drops vanilla extract on a piece of cotton placed in the refrigerator will also help eliminate odors.

Wipe refrigerator with vinegar after cleaning to help prevent mildew.

Change your refrigerator light bulbs...that way you never have to worry about them burning out during the year.

To clean baked-on food from a cooking pan, put a dryer sheet in the pan, fill with water, let sit overnight then sponge clean. The anti-static agents help weaken the bond between the food and the pan and the fabric softeners will soften the baked-on food.

To clean burnt or scorched pans, sprinkle pans liberally with baking soda, adding just enough water to moisten. Let stand over night.

To get those stubborn stains off of the inside of you microwave; spray liberally with two parts water and one part bleach, heat on high for 20 seconds and let stand for about an hour. The stains should come right off. For really stubborn stains heat for 30 seconds and let sit for 2 - 3 hours.

Everyone loves a fireplace aglow with a roaring fire or flickering embers. But your fireplace need not be a gaping empty hole--like a picture frame without a picture--those times you choose not to have a fire.

As you look over these ideas, you'll recognize any that will need to be adapted if you have young children or pets with access to the fireplace.

* Ivy Basket: A lovely basket filled with a thriving ivy plant adds a touch of nature to your room. Let the ivy trail onto the hearth to keep the look informal.

* Autumn Vegetables: In the fall, create an arrangement of pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, and silk leaves in autumn colors. Set some of your vegetables on upturned wooden bowls to vary their heights.

* Pine Cones: An arrangement of pinecones of varying sizes, displayed in a large basket, wooden bowl, firewood basket, or even an old washtub works well for a causal country décor. Scatter some of the pinecones around the container, too.

* Pottery Jug & Dried Plants: For another country autumn look, display a large pottery jug in your fireplace, and around it make a loose arrangement of intertwined, dried grapevine. Mingle some other clusters of dried plants into the grapevine. Dried baby's breath, for example, keeps the look open and airy.

* Poinsettias: Blooming poinsettias, especially ones so large they practically fill the fireplace, look stunning during the winter. Depending on your room, the white ones may be even more dramatic than the red ones. Put smaller potted poinsettias on the hearth.

* Tropical Vignette: Let your fireplace provide the frame for a tropical retreat vignette when summer rolls around. With a piece of driftwood, display large seashells and colorful glass fishing balls-some perched on the driftwood or on white candle holders to give them height.

The truly venturesome might set these goodies on a base of rippling white sand.

* Party Balloons: Party time? Inflate balloons in keeping with your party's color scheme. Load the fireplace full of the balloons (not helium ones!), using the fireplace screen or glass doors to hold the balloons in place.

Tie the ribbons of three helium balloons to a heavy object, such as a wrapped brick wrapped as a "present," at either side of the fireplace.

* New Year's Vignette: When it's time to ring in New Year, first tape two taut strings inside your fireplace, above where they will be visible. Run each one from a front corner to the opposite back corner, so the strings form an X.

Unroll one-fourth inch wide white, silver, and black party streamers and drape them over the strings so they dangle down at varying lengths into the fireplace. Next, unroll more streamers and casually spread a deep pile onto the fireplace floor.

Now add the appropriate props: champagne bottles and glasses, party hats and horns, a large clock set at almost midnight, or metallic numerals of the New Year. To raise some object, set them on boxes hidden under the streamers.

* Fresh Flowers: There's no time of year when a large bouquet of fresh flowers set in your fireplace won't look great. Forget the silk ones, though. Let's not kid ourselves that our guests will continue to assume that they are real when they've seen them time and again.

* Fireplace Candelabra: But, if you're like many of us who feel that a fireplace just needs the flicker of fire to look its best, consider a fireplace candelabra, a candle holder designed specially for your fireplace. You can have a fireplace aglow with light without a single stick of firewood in sight or the expense of gas logs.

Some fireplace candelabras are slim enough to fit in front of your existing andirons and grate while others are make to fill your empty fireplace. Select candles for your fireplace candelabra in colors that accent your room or set a holiday's or party's color scheme.

Plus, you can even match the fireplace candles' scents to the season or event! Think, for example, pumpkin and spice for Thanksgiving, vanilla or apple spice to elicit a "homey" feel, and lemon for a crisp summer scent.

So, your fire-less fireplace need not be a Black Hole after all! You can make your fireplace, the natural focal point of your room, worth looking at even when there are no burning logs.

Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten ways to clean your home with baking soda:

1) Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on insect bites to relieve itching.

2) Remove coffee and tea stains by scrubbing pots or cups with baking soda and a plastic scouring pad.

3) Add 1/3 cup baking soda to a wash cycle as a bleach booster or to the rinse cycle for cleaner smelling laundry.

4) To remove black scuff marks from floor, rub them with a paste of baking soda and water.

5) Clean fiberglass showers and tubs with baking soda sprinkled on a sponge. Sponge clean and wipe dry.

6) Soak sour smelling dishcloths and sponges in water and baking soda solution.

7) Use a solution of water and baking soda to clean and deodorize the inside of your microwave.

8) Put a few spoonfuls in a cup of water in the microwave, boil for two minutes, then wipe down the inside with a sponge.

9) Sprinkle a little baking soda into the laundry hamper to minimize odors.

10) Remove crayon marks from walls by scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water.

Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints And more.