Selasa, 22 Desember 2009

Sliding Interior Doors - Design and Practical Benefits of Sliding Doors Make For Commonplace Use

Increasingly over the past few years, sliding interior doors have become very popular for use throughout the house, home and office. Commonplace, in fact. Whether as doors between rooms instead of traditional swinging doors, as room dividers in an office space, or as sliding wardrobe doors in the bedroom, people are now seeing both the design benefits and practical benefits - from an interior design perspective and a space saving perspective - of using sliding doors in both their workplace and their home.

We often find people are stunned by the vast range of interior sliding door options available to them. Mirrored doors, glass doors, lacquered finish, japanese style, bi folding doors, room dividers - the list goes on. Nowadays, with sliding doors being used throughout the home more and more as wardrobe doors, bedroom doors and kitchen doors, people are demanding more quality and selection when making their interior design choices.

Interior sliding doors manufacturers, by and large, have responded over the past several years, with new styles and designs continuing to multiply. Standards of interior sliding doors these days are generally very high and, as long as you use an established sliding door company to supply and/or install your doors, you are sure to be very pleased. For installation, most good supply companies can provide a fitting service. Alternatively, if you have a good practical sense and/or some basic construction knowledge you may wish to install the sliding doors yourself. With the economy being stretched, and people's DIY capabilities improving, many people choose to do-it-themselves these days.

The most popular style of interior sliding doors by far are glass sliding doors. Widely used in office settings as they open up a small space and make it feel productive and professional, they also offer a good source of light to less exposed areas. They are also extensively used as patio or conservatory doors in the home, allowing more light, ease of access and space where they are positioned. In bedroom spaces, mirrored doors are very popular as they give you a chic, dressing-room feel and add a tremendous amount of style and character that no other material can provide.

Sliding interior doors work perfectly for small spaces as they don't take up any of your precious space or interfere with foot traffic when they are open. Simply slide them shut - or leave them open! These very simple yet effective design aspects mean sliding interior doors are becoming a "commonplace" in contemporary homes and offices. So, there are both great practical benefits and design benefits to having interior sliding doors in your home or workplace. If you are considering getting sliding doors for your home or office, why not take a look at some of the available designs online as you'll surely find there is plenty to choose from. Good luck!!

Minggu, 20 Desember 2009

Free Kitchen Floor Plans - The Benefits and Advantages

How would you describe your kitchen? Is it just another banal space where you spend a considerable period of time constantly kvetching about the tedious work at hand, or is it a room that is persistently brimming with verve and enthusiasm, where in addition to the lingering fragrance of delectable delights, there is the animated chatter of friends and family?

Well, guess what, there are millions of families across America that belong to this bandwidth. And those that are not so fortunate enough are investing a sizable portion of their wherewithal in kitchen remodeling plans.

And what's helping them in this seemingly onerous task? Bingo! Free kitchen floor plans. These plans ensure the blueprint for resounding success, regardless of the size or style of the kitchen.


A Task Truly Overwhelming

You may be really gung-ho about reversing the fortunes of your forlorn-looking kitchen, but just a cursory glance at the enormity of the task and you are suffused with a sense of passive resignation. From choosing the color of the walls to the design of the sinks and appliances, and everything in between, it can prove to be quite nerve-racking.

This is where these floor plans step in and become your only succor. From overheads, elevations and blueprint views to sinks, countertops and cabinets, these plans help you get your groove back.

I guess the brouhaha surrounding them is not entirely unwarranted.


Powerful And Progressive

To provide a truly insightful experience- that's the credo these plans follow relentlessly. And it's just not homeowners, but impeccably schooled interior designers and skilled contractors too are making a song and dance about these high-octane plans.

Here's how they play to the gallery:

  • They convert ideas into concrete floor plans with consummate ease. You also get to view 3D plans complete with reflections and shadows.
  • The ability to switch between the floor plan view and the 3D view is another awe-inspiring feature.
  • It just takes a few clicks to create walls, insert cabinets, counters, sinks and appliances.
  • Furniture, kitchen islands or refrigerators, all this and more can be moved without lifting a finger.
  • The ease with which you can apply a new fabric to the sofas, a fresh coat of paint to the walls or lend a dose of your prodigious talent to the kitchen backsplash with this avant garde software program is simply mind blowing.
  • And the high that you experience after saving your plans and printing full-color, photo realistic 3D views of your ideas is beyond words.

So are you ready to log in to a world of endless opportunities?

Kamis, 10 Desember 2009

Luxury Kitchen Cabinets and Kitchen Design

If you thought that luxury kitchen cabinets are only the privilege of the rich and elite, then you are wrong. You too can have a cost effective solution for a designer kitchen complete with luxury kitchen cabinets.

Luxury kitchen cabinets do not necessarily mean the cabinets that adorn the house of celebrities. It can mean quality functioning cabinets that have the necessary amount of aesthetic appeal. It should be in sync with the rest of the kitchen design and also with the décor of the home.

With the right amount of planning, you too can have a kitchen that looks as good as the one that you see in designer catalogues.

The plan

  • This is the first step towards a proper functioning and good looking kitchen. Draw out a plan and make sure that you put all your expertise into it.
  • If you feel that you are unable to do justice to the plan, then you can always seek the services of an expert.
  • A kitchen cabinet is the most prominent thing that will stand out in your kitchen. It should be in the perfect location, should support proper storage and do not forget the luxury aspect.
  • You can opt for ready made cabinets or have them custom made.
  • Everything from wooden cabinets to modular ones can be purchased off the shelf or custom made.
  • The advantage of having them custom designed is that you can get the size and the shape that most suits your kitchen.

Types of cabinets

You can opt for face framed ones or frameless European ones based on your overall kitchen design. The luxury kitchen cabinets should be designed in such a way that they make maximum usage of space and compliment the storage area, the cooking area and the sink.

Selasa, 08 Desember 2009

Home Interior Decorating

There is no better haven than our home. “East or West, home is the best,” is a common saying. Whoever it may be, whatever position he or she may hold, finally everyone returns home to find peace and relax.

A home is cozier and more comfortable than any other place. We build our homes with the utmost care and sincerity. After all, it is a place where we spend most of our lives.

Home decorating means a lot to the owner. It also demands hard work and devotion, as it is not an easy task. Decorating includes both the interior as well as exterior aspects.

As far as home interior decorating is concerned, every nook and corner has to be studied so that the available space is utilized to the maximum. A good interior decorator should be able to help you in selecting the correct interior decorating solution for your home. Before actually starting the work, you need to be sure whether the emphasis is going to be on beauty, comfort, or the appearance of your home.

You need to attend to all parts, namely, doors, windows, floors, furniture and accessories. For windows, curtains, blinds, rods and panels should be attractive and appealing. Some people prefer light colors, while others prefer heavy and striking upholstery. Doors can be tastefully designed and the material itself can be exotic.

There is a wide range of flooring options available. You can choose from marble, granite tiles, bricks, slates, concrete, or steel. To add more color, suitable carpets can be spread. Rugs can be used to complement them.

Walls, pillars, and other standouts can be decorated using artifacts, paintings or wall hangings. Modern arts are becoming a common choice.

Not just the living room, but also every part of your home needs your attention. The kitchen should be convenient and easy to use. The gas tables, racks and shelves, cooking range, utensils, and all other accessories should be chosen carefully and arranged neatly to avoid messing them.

Further, furniture selection should be done wisely. The sofa sets, chairs, dining table, dressing table and cots must reflect your taste.

Pottery and decorative plants are also a welcome addition in home interior decorating. Sculptures or a mini-fountain may seem incredible. An aquarium can add beauty to your home. You need to pick the right colors and paints for your wonderful home.

While deciding on the interiors, themes like energy-efficiency can prove useful. As you see, there is no limit to home interior decorating.

Minggu, 06 Desember 2009

Home Design Floor Plan - How To Purchase A Home Design Floor Plan?

Regardless of whether you are building a new home, adding to an existing home, or remodeling your current home; you will need to have a home design plan. If you have experience in architectural design, you can easily design your home design floor plan. However, if you are like most, you will need to hire an architect to plan your home design or purchase home design floor plans from a reputable organization.

Home design plans are available in hundreds of designs. You can find everything from Beach House plans to Victorian House plans. Homes range in size from 900 square feet to more than 10,000 square feet and most plans can be customized to further suit your needs.

Some companies offer full-service packages, which include home design floor plans, cost estimating services, and referral service to quality home builders in your area. Other companies provide discount services or bundle packages, which allow you to purchase a set of three or more home design plans at a reduced rate.

When purchasing home design plans, make certain they are designed by professional architects who are NCARB certified. Home design floor plans need to meet nationally recognized building codes and should include the following elements:

1) Exterior elevations of the front, rear, and sides of the house

2) Interior elevations showing details of fireplaces, cabinets, built-in units, and other special interior features.

3) Detailed floor plans showing the placement of interior walls and dimensions for rooms, doors, windows and stairways.

4) Cross section detail, which show construction details of the home, insulation, flooring and roofing.

5) Roof plans showing details of the layout.

6) Foundation drawings for a crawlspace or basement.

7) Schematic electrical layouts showing the detail of light fixtures, outlets, and switches.

8) General specifications plan which outlines details of the home and property where it will be built.

Home design magazines such as Architectural Digest and Interior Design, provide many time- and money-saving resources. Oftentimes, you can locate unique home design plans by perusing the classified section of home design magazines.

Your local library can also provide you with information on every aspect of designing your own home. Oftentimes, libraries offer "Do-It-Yourself" videos on a wide range of topics, which can be exceptionally helpful if you plan on building your own home.

Plan to spend a considerable amount of time researching home design floor plans before investing any money. The Internet provides easy access to hundreds of unique ideas and beneficial information that can make your home building experience easier.

Jumat, 04 Desember 2009

The Garden Gazebo

The garden gazebo is a thing of beauty, it has been known that in the past kings and queens had enjoyed gazebos in their royal gardens, setting up a trend of garden gazebos for history's rich and famous.

Using a garden gazebo to any property is a wise step, it seems that what was true many years ago is even more convincing today. Some people use a garden gazebo to increase the value of their property, gifted gardeners can use a garden gazebo to create a division between parts of a garden. In some cases, a big enough garden needs a garden gazebo to hold all the tools that are needed to manicure the flowers and mown.

These days almost anyone can own a garden gazebo, and assemble a garden gazebo in the backyard, garden gazebo kits offer the beauty of a wooden gazebo, many gazebos are available in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from Victorian and Amish styles to small to party size in diameter. Garden owners can purchase a garden gazebo kit and build their own gazebo by themselves, the kits can range in price and in quality, but the concept of DIY and the average low price allows almost anyone to experiment and enjoy his own garden gazebo.

Garden gazebo kits differ not only in price but also in the material of which the garden gazebo is made of. These kits range in price depending on type of wood, which is generally either pine or one of a variety of types of cedar, and size. Each wood has its own benefits for your garden gazebo and once you have finished constructing the gazebo, you can choose to paint it, stain it or let it sit out and absorb the elements, allowing it to change to its naturally weathered color which is usually a light shade of grey. After you have decided on which wood to use for construction of your garden gazebo, you should figure what you need in terms of size.

Once you set your mind of actually getting a garden gazebo, you will need think about the material and the weather in your area, these will have a significant effect on your gazebo and what you can expect of it. Most garden gazebos are made of wood, pine or cedar or the most popular ones, but there are many different gazebo kits out there, and it is common to find metal gazebo kits made of vinyl or aluminum.

The huge advantage wood garden gazebos have is that they fit into a garden naturally, adding natural wooden quality that accents and compliments any garden. If you plan on purchasing a wooden garden gazebo, you will probably have to decide between pine or cedar wood. While pine is more affordable, cedar is less prone to rot.

Thanks to the modern design of gazebo kits, constructing your own fashionable backyard structure has never been easier. All you have to do is set out all of the parts the gazebo manufacturer sends to you and then assemble them according to the instructions. Once you have built each of the walls of your garden gazebo, you should bring over some friends to help you tilt up each wall and put on the roof. While it is not incredibly trying work, it will generally take a day or two to complete.

Selasa, 01 Desember 2009

Cool Wall Paint Designs

Home is the place which gives you feeling of warmth and comfort after a long tiring day. The wall paint colors can make your home look elegant or funky as per your desire. It has been proved that colors of the walls affect us psychologically. Some colors gives warmth will others provide cooling effect. Since the wall color room can be changed easily so it is considered as the best way of experimenting with different interior ideas. There are various types of wall paint design available in the market which you can incorporate in your home to give it a complete makeover. Wall stenciling is one of an interesting wall painting technique which uses cutout or templates to create a design. Later on these stencils are removed and the pattern remains there. You can create any type of pattern through this technique like stars, animals, flowers and many others. This process if very simple and will make your walls look entirely different.

Another type of wall painting design is faux painting which actually means false painting. In this type of design you can create an illusion of materials like marble, granite, wood and others using the paint. Rubber stamping is another cool design which is fast, easy and above all looks impressive. Besides these you can also go for accent walls, stripes, trim, graphics and many others. No matter whatever design you may choose but always go for the right type of color which suites the pattern and also goes well with the overall looks of the room. Avoid very bright colors until and unless you want to make the walls as the focal point of your rooms. It is always better to go for the neutral shades of your choice.

Sabtu, 28 November 2009

Interior Painting Tips - Painting Behind Bathroom Toilets

Painting in tight quarters can prove to be difficult and aggravating in itself, but when it comes to painting behind a toilet things can get messy. Most folks just brush around the toilet then roll the paint up to the area that has been brushed out. There are a couple of problems with this technique in that the brush cannot get all the way behind the toilet. This leaves for an area that has not been painted and when standing in front of the toilet you can see this area, which does not look good. Another issue with this technique is that when using a brush it leaves brush marks in the paint when it dries, revealing an area that does not blend well. However, there are still a couple of options left for painting behind a bathroom toilet which can be explored.

One of these options would be to remove the toilet from the bathroom. However, when doing this you must know how to get the toilet back in and working properly or consult with a plumber to do it for you. Underneath the toilet is a wax ring that will need to be replaced when putting the toilet back or it will leak.

What I have done in the past is just remove the tank itself. The water must be emptied out of the tank and the water shut off valve must be turned off. Once this has been completed just unscrew the two nuts holding the tank on. When replacing the tank you should buy new nuts and bolts for the tank, some are metal some are plastic. Obviously plastic will not corrode and rust, making for a better fit.

Just remember if you do not feel comfortable working with your toilet to just consult with a professional plumber. And always work safely there by minimizing potential accidents.

Another option, which I feel is the best, would be to use the correct tool for the job. Most of the time when painting the wall behind a toilet there is a small amount of space back there where a small roller can fit. These rollers can be purchased at any of the large home supply stores and are very inexpensive. "RollerLite" is one of them and works very well because it is made of the same fabric the normal 9 inch roller sleeves are made of. These mini fabric rollers come in the same nap sizes that the traditional 9 inch sleeves come in to ensure the paint will blend in seamlessly. You also have the option of getting a handle that can easily reach down behind the toilet. So for your next interior painting project that involves a painting bathroom walls this is the best suggestion I have as a solution to getting around the toilet.

Kamis, 26 November 2009

Living Room Interior Design - Tips That Leads To A Relaxed Visit

Your living room interior designs should be something that you really like. That is why it is important to consider the homeowner's personal interest and styles when it comes to living room interior design.

There are several things you have to consider before coming up with living room interior design. Here's the list:

1. Organization

Have you ever wondered why interior designers and decorators seem to work on designing and decorating homes so easy? It is simply because they have a process to follow. They are organized with their plans that they incorporate the elements of designs in a timely manner.

So before you start incorporating your living room interior designs, ensure that everything is all planned.

2. Color

The color spectrum of every material used in your living room is an important factor to consider when incorporating living room interior design. It is best to use colors in a discreet, natural range so they can perform their tasks as backdrops or settings for striking information displays and environments.

Moreover, considering appropriate choice for colors when creating living room interior designs tend to offer a relaxed atmosphere to entertain visitors during their stay.

3. Furniture

Comparable to the outlook structural design, the well thought-out utilization of the furnishing elements in the living room, such as sofa, accent chairs, coffee tables, etc., correspond to a central and significant detail within the living room interior design.

When equipping your living room, make sure that the furnishing details are applicable and should match the other elements in the living room interior designs.

For example, it is best to combine materials in glass, metal, and wood; glass, metal, and dyed plastic; or glass, wood, metal, and dyed leather for your sofa, accent chairs, and tables.

4. Dividers

Your living room, without proper wall dividers will look barren and bleak. To soften the look, it is best to come up with living room interior designs that will enhance the vertical architecture of the room.

The desired items for dividers are materials with etched, brushed, or matte finish as well as metallic items.

Dividers tend to create special enclosed areas within the living room. For example, you can use dividers to separate the living room from the other parts of the house. In this way, you can easily set the area apart from the others without having to spend more and consume more spaces.

Senin, 23 November 2009

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling and get their name from the jewelry accessory of the same name. Pendant lighting has a distinctive appeal and is considered perfect for places like kitchen islands, desks, breakfast nooks and the like. Pendant lighting can be either a single pendant lighting fixture or two or three different ones teamed up to provide a dramatic effect. Generally when two or three pendant lighting fixtures are teamed up, mini pendant lighting fixtures are used. The area of pendant lighting provides a lot of scope for the use of creative designs and ideas.

It is advisable to mount pendant lighting fixtures at least 24" to 30" above the area to be lit. When mini pendants are used, the ideal height would be 18" to 24" above the surface area to be lighted. When two or three pendants are used, an adjustable pendant bar can be used to fix them at different heights. This makes it possible to adjust heights from time to time, varying the overall lighting effect in the process.

Pendant lighting fixtures are available in various styles. Some of the commonly seen styles are sleek clean designs, reflective stained glass and crinkle glass designs. Pendant lighting fixtures are task oriented and provide necessary lighting for specific areas. The intensity of light needed can be dictated by the choice of bulb used inside the pendant lighting fixture.

Most pendant lighting fixtures are available with chains and rods that enable adaptation for different heights. Multiple pendant lights in a single fixture at staggered heights create a dramatic effect and are ideal for use little corners of large rooms. This kind of lighting creates an interesting area in an otherwise ordinary room.

Pendant lighting fixtures made of hand blown glass are available starting around $30, with some costing $500 and above.

Differing budgets and lighting needs can be catered to efficiently by the imaginative use of pendant lighting.

Jumat, 20 November 2009

Designing a Modern Kitchen For Your Home

Do you avoid entertaining because your kitchen is outdated? Is it hard to find adequate storage space? Is counter-space an issue? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to begin the process of remodeling your kitchen area. You would be surprised at how much easier life is with an upgraded modern kitchen.

Many people avoid beginning such a project because they feel overwhelmed by how much work it will take. Realistically, it is possible to remodel your kitchen on a budget and in your spare time. You just have to know where to start.

The first step to creating a modern kitchen is realizing what your kitchen lacks. If counter-space is an issue, replace the counters and perhaps add a island counter to the middle of your kitchen. If cabinet space is an issue, take into account your current cabinets and ask yourself how they could be improved. Many kitchens that were designed in the 70s and 80s make terrible use of space and often times the cabinets fail to reach to the top of the ceiling. By replacing cabinets and using all of the available space, your kitchen will automatically have more storage and appear more spacious.

One modern kitchen trend is having cabinets that are fiberglass and see-through. This makes the process of finding appliances much easier plus there are many types of designs you can use for the interior of the cabinets. For instance, one house had see-though cabinets and painted a floral pattern on the inside. This added a beautiful and modern twist to their outdated kitchen.

The next step is figuring out what types of appliances to purchase to update your kitchen. You can get many appliances for a cheap down payment and then a financing option to make the process more affordable. If you have an old refrigerator, go to the store sometime and check out newer models. You will be amazed at how much they've been improved over the years. Some other appliances that have come light years in the past couple of years are stoves, dishwashers and trash compactors. These are all affordable ways to modernize your kitchen.

Another terrible trend of kitchen design in the 70s and 80s was color choice. So many kitchens were painted bland, boring colors that look outdated and make your kitchen appear cave-like. For an instant upgrade, try painting the walls a bright color and getting rid of old curtains. One modern trend is natural light so if you have windows, use them to the best of your ability. If you don't have much window light, consider natural lighting in combination with track lighting. This will allow you to accentuate your kitchen's space and make it more inviting to guests.

The basics to creating modern kitchens are not out of reach, no matter how much you have to spend. You can get a beautiful, updated kitchen that renews your joy of cooking and entertaining. Just know where to start, what to replace and how to go about doing it. Start planning a dinner party!

Senin, 16 November 2009

Bathroom Lighting

Bathroom lighting is extremely important. How you light your bathroom determines the mood of the room, and certain types of lighting work better for certain bathroom designs. You don't want overly bright lights in a rustic designed bathroom. Just as certain types of vanity lights are better for certain types of bathrooms, your bathroom's ideal lighting will depend on room design, set up, and personal taste.

There are several different "types" of lighting that you can use in a bathroom. The light makes a difference in mood, and what type of light you want will also partially depend on function. Here is a brief run down of some of the options:

1) Accent bathroom lighting. This style of light is exactly what it sounds like: used to accentuate a bathroom's lighting. It can be added for a dramatic and decorative touch but is not necessary.

2) Ambient bathroom lighting. This type of lighting should act as the general lighting of the room. Recessed light fixtures are popular, because then you can have light in the little nooks and crannies of the room without a big glass cover sticking out.

3) Task bathroom lighting. Task lighting is designed to be around a mirror and provides an abundance of light so you can check the smallest details while grooming.

4) Natural bathroom lighting. This isn't always an option, but for small bathrooms located in the right part of the house, you can create a row of small windows above, which lets the light come into the bathroom.

These are only four of the types of possible bathroom lighting that individuals can use, but they are among the most popular choices. Based on how you want your bathroom to look, and what your needs are, most likely one of these types of bathroom lighting will work perfectly for your needs.

Kamis, 12 November 2009

Garden Lighting

Garden design is the art of creating beautiful landscapes for your outdoor retreat. Alluring garden design can be accomplished with the help of professionals or even by talented garden owners themselves. Thankfully with today's advanced technology, it's easy and affordable to illuminate your growing garden. Whether you have a quaint patio garden or a couple acre plots, you can find decorative and fun garden lighting that will enhance the beauty of any sized space.

One of the more unique and visually-pleasing lighting techniques in decorative garden lighting is the use of fiber optics. Fiber optics is the science of transmitting light via optical fibers. Optical fibers are extruded cylinders of plastic or glass used to transmit light. All that is required to illuminate the optic fibers is a single light bulb; making fiber optic lighting an affordable garden lighting choice. Another great advantage of fiber optic lighting is that it uses no electrical current; therefore it is safe to place in and around water without danger of electrocution. Therefore, fiber optic lighting can be used to illuminate a garden pond, tree trunks and branches, shrubs, plant containers and even a patio deck.

Another fun idea to add to your outdoor oasis is solar-powered fiber optic gazing balls. These unique ornaments add loveliness to your garden at night and even in the day. The solar collector gathers energy during the day to power the fiber optics in the gazing ball at night. At dusk, the fiber optics illuminates the gazing ball and adds instant ambiance to any garden. These typically will remain running for 4-6 hours a night.

Another simple and fun idea to add to your garden lighting is sting lights. String lights that use fiber optic lighting can be added to decks or used to decorate trees, shrubs and plants. A variety of adorable styles are available including butterflies, toads, flowers and dragonflies. These delicate lights add subtle lighting to drab areas while also adding attractive decor.

Solar garden lighting is another cost-effective way to bring light to your flowering garden. Solar lights use a single battery composed of Nicam (nickel and cadmium) which is charged throughout the day by sunlight. At dusk, solar garden lights automatically turn on and at dawn, they automatically turn off. Again, solar garden lighting is available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Colorful stings of lanterns, butterflies, stars, hummingbirds, and many other shapes can be found easily. Also solar statues, stakes, rocks and poles can be used to illuminate garden pathways.

With so many options available today it's simple and easy to transform your beautiful garden into an enjoyable place to spend your evenings. Under twinkling lights and magical glowing shapes it will be hard to decipher between actual stars and fireflies from the beautiful luminous additions in your glowing garden.

Kamis, 29 Oktober 2009

Garden Pond Designs, Layouts, Questions Answered

The correct landscape design and the right materials are imperative, but what is also crucial is the placement of each stone and planting to produce the desired effect. The art of creating beautiful water falls landscapes involves the ability to artistically place the natural boulders and plantings in such a way that it looks as if Nature had done the work instead of a human. Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds. The information on this page will make it easy for you to install a pond in your garden. Even the birds will think they are in paradise. Garden Pond Design Aspects The sound of running water relaxes the mind It’s a good idea to have some form of water running into your pond Running water blends in with the noise of traffic, it’s like music to the ears and it calms the soul. A garden pond will create a peaceful welcoming atmosphere. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design.

The size and location of your pond is not just dependent on the design principles. An often overlooked item is the natural flow of water on the garden site To look natural, you need to adapt your design to this. In a very formal garden design this aspect becomes less important. Remember that you must not fight against nature. If you are thinking of having a river or a waterfall into your pond, Remember, this simple rule: Downhill. This also means taking the natural slope of your garden into account. Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. There are different types of ponds: Concrete Ponds made with an inside plastic liner Pre formed ponds: Include fish in your garden pond design. Provide adequate shelter for the fish against birds. One way of doing this is by placing some broken pots in the pond. Their curved surfaces make an excellent hideaway. You must never be able to see the source of the water comes. For example, a large leaf plant could be placed in the area where the river comes from. The start of the river may also be hidden in some other way, for example a large pot or by another focal point. Provide this through plants close to the pond, and water plants that spread across the surface of the water.

Garden Pond Plants: Choose plants for your pond that will fit into your overall garden design. Water plants are dramatically different to normal plants. Introduce the water plants by choosing garden plants that blend in with your marginal plants. Soil nutrients constantly leached into pond water could result in green water. To overcome this, retain the media (soil) by placing gravel on top of the soil in the pot. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. The sun can also cause the water to go green. Water lilies grow at the base of the pond. The valuable cover of the lily leaves shade the algae out in summer. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. You need one lily for every one and a half to three square meters of pond surface. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. Fill a third of the circumference of your pond with marginal plants. Marginal plants include: Iris laevigate, lobelia fulgens, Mentha aquatica, Pontederia Cordata. Oxygenating plants (submerged plants), provide underwater foliage. These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Use five bunches of oxygenating plants for every square meter.

You can get these plants from pet shops that sell fish and aquarium supplies. Oxygenating plants include: Elodea densa, and Ranunculus peltatus. Floating plants can be attached to two empty plastic cool drink bottles. You can also get floating pots from your local nursery. Introduce one for every one to one and a half square meters of surface area A good floating plant is Azolla spp/Lemna. Plant bog plants (moisture-loving plants) in damp soil near the edge of the pond or a constructed bog garden. Most bog plants prefer to have only their roots in the water. Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. Treating the Dreaded Algae Problem Algae are single celled plants. Spores are present in the air and will colonize any new body of water. They are rarely harmful to water-life, but are unsightly. In severe cases they may cause problems with the health of the fish. There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps.

Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. The natural balance consists of starving the algae of light and nutrients. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae. A mesh bag filled with barley straw can assist in algae control. The silicates in the straw bind nutrients, such as phosphates. The straw seems to promote as organism that feeds off the algae. Straw needs to be replaced on a regular basis as it will start to decompose and pollute the water. I suggest you replace the straw every six months. You can buy barley wheat from your local health shop. Enjoy your Pond Doing a garden pond design for your garden is really worth the effort. I have sat on my patio on many occasions and just marveled at the dragonflies, butterflies and birds visiting and enjoying the water. It is so therapeutic and a special meditation retreat for me. It's easy to give your garden statuary value.

Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps. Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae. [SUBTOPIC=4] Great Gardening Tips helps you to find multiple resources available on the web for water garden pond plan. [SUBTOPIC=5] It has been described as "Nature's Song," that relaxing sound of a mountain stream that leads us to a quiet place of balance and serenity. The art of creating beautiful water falls landscapes involves the ability to artistically place the natural boulders and plantings in such a way that it looks as if Nature had done the work. The correct landscape design and the right materials are imperative, but what is also crucial is the placement of each stone and planting to produce the desired effect. Garden Pond Design for Tranquility and Peace A good garden pond design wows just about any garden.

Garden Pond designs may vary from small bird bath types to large garden ponds Water seems to make a garden look bigger. The reflective qualities in a pond attract us, and nature. If your garden pond is designed correctly, it can add a new dimension to your garden. Even the birds will think they are in paradise. Garden Pond Design Aspects The sound of running water relaxes the mind. Its a good idea to have some form of water running into your pond Running water blends in with the noise of traffic, its like music to the ears and it calms the soul. A garden pond will create a peaceful welcoming atmosphere. Before you begin, decide on what type of garden pond design you want Integrate the pond design into your over all garden design The pond design must fit in harmoniously with the rest of the garden design The size and location of your pond is not just dependent on the design principles. An often overlooked item is the natural flow of water on the garden site To look natural, you need to adapt your design to this.

In a very formal garden design this aspect becomes less important. Remember that you must not fight against nature. If you are thinking of having a river or a waterfall into your pond, remember this simple rule: Downhill. This also means taking the natural slope of your garden into account Different types of ponds influence the garden pond design. The size, purpose and durability required often determine the type of construction. There are different types of ponds: Concrete Ponds made with an inside plastic liner Pre formed ponds. Include fish in your garden pond design. Provide adequate shelter for the fish against birds. One way of doing this is by placing some broken pots in the pond. Their curved surfaces make an excellent hideaway. You must never be able to see the source of the water comes. For example, a large leaf plant could be placed in the area where the river comes from. The start of the river may also be hidden in some other way, for example a large pot or by another focal point. Provide this through plants close to the pond, and water plants that spread across the surface of the water.

Garden Pond Plants Choose plants for your pond that will fit into your overall garden design. Water plants are dramatically different to normal plants. Introduce the water plants by choosing garden plants that blend in with your marginal plants Soil nutrients constantly leached into pond water could result in green water. To overcome this, retain the media (soil) by placing gravel on top of the soil in the pot. Terra cotta pots work well in ponds. The sun can also cause the water to go green. Water lilies grow at the base of the pond. The valuable cover of the lily leaves shade the algae out in summer. Try and cover a third to a half of your pond with water lilies. You need one lily for every one and a half to three square metres of pond surface. Grow marginal plants along the edges of your pond. Fill a third of the circumference of your pond with marginal plants Marginal plants include: Iris laevigate, lobelia fulgens, Mentha aquatica, Pontederia Cordata. Oxygenating plants (submerged plants), provide underwater foliage.

These plants use up the waste nutrients in the pond, and starves the algae of nutrients. Use five bunches of oxygenating plants for every square metre You can get these plants from pet shops that sell fish and aquarium supplies Oxygenating plants include: Elodea densa, and Ranunculus peltatus. Floating plants can be attached to two empty plastic cool drink bottles You can also get floating pots from your local nursery. Introduce one for every one to one and a half square metres of surface area A good floating plant is Azolla spp/Lemna. Plant bog plants (moisture-loving plants) in damp soil near the edge of the pond or a constructed bog garden. Most bog plants prefer to have only their roots in the water, Consider a bog garden as part of your garden pond design. See our page on how to build a pond for an easy way to build and integrate a bog garden into your garden pond design. Treating the Dreaded Algae Problem Algae are single celled plants. Spores are present in the air and will colonize any new body of water They are rarely harmful to water-life, but are unsightly. In severe cases they may cause problems with the health of the fish.

There are a variety of different algae that will colonize a pond, from thin long strands to floating clumps. Algae control can be done by obtaining a natural balance using a pond filter, an ultraviolet light purifier and as a last resort an algaecide. The natural balance consists of starving the algae of light and nutrients. Best form of algae control is a correctly balanced pond with enough plant material to screen out the sunlight and prevent the growth of algae A mesh bag filled with barley straw can assist in algae control. The silicates in the straw bind nutrients, such as phosphates. The straw seems to promote as organism that feeds off the algae. Straw needs to be replaced on a regular basis as it will start to decompose and pollute the water. I suggest you replace the straw every six months. You can buy barley wheat from your local health shop. Enjoy your Pond Doing a garden pond design for your garden is really worth the effort. I have sat on my patio on many occasions and just marveled at the dragonflies, butterflies and birds visiting and enjoying the water. It is so therapeutic and a special meditation retreat for me.

Do not overlook safety

Garden Pond Safety Do not overlook safety in your design. Water is always a hazard especially for small children Design your pond with child safety in mind A sturdy stainless steel grid a few inches under the water surface should provide protection on a deep pond A safer bet would be to have a shallow pond where small children will be able to crawl out of the pond Whatever design you decide on should adequately address this issue No matter how beautiful a design, it can never warrant the loss of a child or a pets life.

Minggu, 25 Oktober 2009

Modern Wall Decor - Modern Wall Decor With A Twist

Modern wall decor theme is one of the easiest ways to wall decorating of any type. When it comes to designing interiors with modern theme, one thing must be kept in mind that in a "modern or contemporary" design theme, simplicity is the key.

This of course does not mean that anything, which is simple, is got be modern. But in modern design theory instead using all sorts decorating accessories, the interior design or the built form itself is assumed to be beautiful and a piece of art.

In normal circumstances a wall decor theme can be considered as painting it or applying large wallpaper with the desired theme. But in modern wall decor themes, the wall itself is considered a modern piece of art and hence there is no more requirements of adding decorating ornaments to the wall for the purpose of decorating.

So how can use the modern wall decor theme in interior design?

There are many easy ways to do this. If you start looking a wall as a piece of design itself, many options are easily available such as shape of wall, thickness of wall, wall finishes, openings in a wall, height of wall, increasing or decreasing height of wall along the length.

A simple square opening in a wall can also be a decor theme. An opening will instantly break out the visual constraints in a closed room and open up more visual possibilities that are beyond the wall itself.

Further interior lighting can be used with great effects in modern wall decor themes. Many qualities and types of interior lights are available to create the exact look you are trying to achieve.

I hope this article was helpful for everyone.

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