by Debra on Friday, October 9, 2009
Remodeling doesn’t simply happen over night. It’s a process. Some of it fun. Some of it painful. And by painful I mean all that stretching and reaching as you paint the walls and move furniture around.
Of course it can also mean replacing old furniture with something new and fun. Woo HOO!!! Let’s go shopping!!!
This is me with my shopping gear… A large Purse that holds my camera, my water, measuring tape and my credit card. Plus I have my faithful notebook.
Okay..okay..it’s just not that easy.
There are definite steps you’ll want to take prior to walking in to a furniture store. You can’t go off all “willy-nilly” or you’ll end up with pieces you don’t need and pieces the wrong size.
Too small or too big just like Goldilocks.
Here are five things you want to do before you walk out the door to go shopping:
- #1 – Make a list of exactly what you want or rather NEED. If you go off without a list of things you want and for what rooms you’ll find way – WAY – to many pieces that you just “HAVE to have”. Even for rooms you don’t really need furniture for!
- #2 – You MUST take measurements. Don’t rely on your memory to know the right size of things for your room.
For instance: Write down the length of the wall you’ll be putting the bookshelves on.
If you don’t the two bookshelves you fall in love with could be twice the size you need or can use.
Or entirely to wide making your room narrow and unable to hold the couch you just bought! Disaster!!!
**I fell in love with these bookshelves (yes… they had 2 of these huge handmade bookshelves). After I got over the pure joy of finding the “perfect bookshelves… my friend reminded me to check my notebook for size limitations. 
They just wouldn’t fit.
I find the best way to avoid these things is to make a small notebook that can hold the measurements and maybe some samples of the fabrics already in the room. So your purples don’t clash!
Have a plan and be flexible if needed. If your bookshelves are 24 inches wide rather than 16 inches wide will you still have room for the couch and awesome amoire you wanted, too?
Write down the sizes you can have for each item that you need or want and for which room. Can your new couch be 7 feet long or does it need to stay around 6 feet to fit? Can you fit that “chair and a half” in or do you need to stay with just the “chair”?
- #3 – Try to know the style you want before you ever step in to a store. If you go in not knowing what it is you’re looking for you’ll likely get overwhelmed by all the choices. Are you looking for the rustic pine furniture? When you walk in the store will you get distracted by the Moroccan pieces there, too?
I love the look of “rustic” style furniture… but in my bedroom I really want a more traditional furniture look. I’ve spent hours drooling over furniture that would never “go” in my room. Some decorators will tell you “If you love it – it will go”… I don’t believe this is true. Also… will you just “love it” today or will that love last a lifetime?
- #4 – What’s the return policy?If you buy it and get it home and it’s just not doing it for you, can you return it?
- Is there a restocking fee?
- Do you have 30 days or 60 days or 90 days or 10 minutes?
Find out and write it down. Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of each stores policy.
If they have it in writing – get it! (It’s often right on the receipt). That way there is no mistaking which store said what.
Keep all your receipts on your bulletin board and write it down on your calendar 10 days before time runs out. That’s D-Day….Decision Day. Does it stay or go?
I’ve had to return furniture because it doesn’t fit or it isn’t really my style. Don’t be afraid to “wait for the perfect piece”.
- #5 – Why I Use A Camera! I can’t remember anything. I don’t trust my memory and why should I? I have my notebook and a camera.I take pictures of furniture and price tags. One or two shots of the furniture piece and then a close up shot of the price tag. Make notes if you can of the way the picture “differs” from the actual piece of furniture. We found that the camera images were showing a red tint that wasn’t visible on the furniture in the showroom.
When you are reviewing the photos on your camera… you will see the piece of furniture and right after you will see the price tag.
The tag often has the name of the store and the actual measurements of the piece. (Don’t rely on these measurements if you are actually purchasing the item… take your own. We did find discrepancies).
One more Tip from my friend (who was shopping with me) -
“Ask For Extra Discounts”
She helped me save hundreds of dollars on this shopping trip by just asking that question.
Plus… we saved a few hundred more by skipping the delivery fees and moving the furniture ourselves.
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by Debra on Monday, August 31, 2009
House Painting Issues: Dealing With Lead Paint
Home Do It Yourself
As far as the majority is concerned, paint is usually believed to be harmless, the lead contained in it is the complete opposite and unfortunately, it has been proven a great many times to be dangerous. Lead can be everywhere but steering clear of it is do to difficult.
Getting the Lead Out: The Complete Resource for Preventing and Coping with Lead Poisoning
In the interior of almost all buildings, in details such as the thresholds, roofs, and cabinets, lead was employed until it was prohibited in 1978 – now it has been proven to result in assorted maladies in kids as well as in adults. Addressing this issue can be very expensive and some householders won’t consider the issue in the least, therefore creating a menace to all the people who will be coming into contact with the affected surfaces.
Bathroom Remodeling
With reference to a a recent study, the vulnerability of individuals to lead paint, can result in several mental and physical conditions, that can prove damaging as it develops. For expectant mothers, exposure to lead could cause defective growth of the fetus. Lead poisoning can cause numerous problems, from kidney conditions in youngsters (also in adults) to a rise in blood pressure.
What Can You Do?
In the majority of cases, people will try to take away the cause by scraping off the harmful coat of paint and applying a new layer. Although this will be the simplest method, you ought never to attempt this. Scraping off the layer could result in specks flying into the atmosphere, and those specks can poison anyone who breathes them in. Alternatively, try to cover the harmful coat with something like drywall or wallpaper and paint that layer.
For entranceway’s, cabinets and other small parts, it’ll be advisable to have them exchanged completely. You will not want to gamble on anything relating to health and for this, the healthiest method is to have the whole thing taken out. Spell that might appear very costly, it pays to be sure of everyone’s welfare.
With the menaces levied by these problems, you may not wish to gamble your own welfare, and therefore have someone else do the job on your behalf. Luckily, a number of companies specialize in this. You can employ contractors that are certified to address issues regarding lead poisoning. These people are already aware of what needs to be done and are able to give you help on how to look after it, so now you can fix the problems without doing this yourself.
Professioal Lab #LP106 Pro Paint/Dust Lead Kit
Bathroom Designs
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by Debra on Monday, July 27, 2009
While humankind has used furniture as long as one can travel back in history, changes in designs have been a continuous process. Contemporary furniture design is said to have developed in the middle of the last century. Although, upon examination one finds that the fundamentals that ultra modern furniture designs are based upon, are similar to traditional patterns and shapes, but with many modifications.
photo credit: Artshooter
The main reason that has led to a change in traditional furniture design ideas is the shortage of space. As, Since, Given that homes in the past were rather large, roomy, furniture was, on most occasions, quite big. However, with more and more people now residing in in apartments and small homes, space has become a restriction. Bulky furniture now, in most cases, is seen as taking too much of the living space.
This lack of space has led to a number of pioneering furniture designs, which, while compact, come with a mix of traditional furniture design. Furthermore, with portability also being an aspect, the demand for ultra modern designs is also increasing.
Ultra modern furniture is available for a number of spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, patios, and even offices. Another benefit of ultra modern furniture is that it is normally light-weight, and is generally made of materials such as high tech foam, plastic glass, water resistant fabrics, different materials coated with wood, etc.
photo credit: AndyFitz
The range that one can come across in ultra modern furniture is truly vast. From homes, to coffee shops, to high profile offices, you really can’t tell where you could get to see it next.
However, if you do plan to get some ultra modern furniture for your home or office, make sure that you maintain a fine balance when it comes to aspects such as comfort and style. When you do go shopping, a good idea would be to take along a picture of the space you want the furniture for, along with its length and breadth measurements.
If you have any questions about web design chichester or seo chichester or if you have any other questions about Furniture Design, simply log on to our website.
Good Things from Tag Sales and Flea Markets (Good Things with Martha Stewart Living)
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