People often say you lose more
heat using a fireplace than you gain. According to the EPA, fireplaces are one
of the most inefficient heat sources you have because you'll lose most of the
warm air going up the chimney. However estimates have at least 10-20% heat
return when you use wood logs.
However, even if you maintain your fireplace well, using traditional logs can
also worsen the quality of your indoor air. I mean, who hasn't closed their flue
prematurely and come home to the smell of ashes throughout the whole room? Wood
logs can also release unhealthy gases and matter into the room.
To get the most from your fireplace,
make sure it is well maintained. Be sure it has heat-retaining features like
blowers, intake tubes and radiant grates and inserts.
Use fake logs. Logs that have gone
"green" using vegetable paraffin instead of petroleum-based binders, release 75%
less carbon monoxide and 80% less particulate matter than real wood, according
to the EPA.
Fake logs also burn hotter. That alone
will make the room warmer than using traditional logs. Java logs, made from used
coffee grounds, also give you a cleaner material to burn. To roll your own logs,
use old newspapers, a broom handle and some water, but be sure to remove all
glossy inserts (which emit unhealthy fumes).
Using Candles in Your Decorating
Even though the holiday season is not behind us, that doesn't mean you
should box up your candles and candelabra. Be sure to keep them in safe
locations out of the reach of children, where they cannot be accidentally
knocked over and where they are not too close to combustible fabrics or other
material. Silver candelabra as shown here is very elegant and perfect for formal living rooms and dining rooms or wherever you want to emphasize more sheen and reflective surfaces.
For a more informal look, choose candelabra
made from rustic material, such as wrought iron or wood. Less expensive ways to
display your candles include small plates, bowls, stands of various sizes and
heights.
Candelabra come in all types of designs from the regal and modern straight
lines to highly decorative and ornate traditional styles. Choose styles that
blend with your room's decor or mix it up for a more eclectic look.
Less expensive treatments can be extremely lovely as well with the use of
votives, pillars and floating candles. So there are candle treatments for every
budget, color scheme and style of decor. Use them all year long as
a natural part of your decorating. Change them occasionally by merely
changing the color or height of the candles. There is endless creativity at your
disposal.
Adding a Sensual Touch
Sensuality is the feeling of luxury in your home. It can come from adding a luxurious fabric; or it can come from a rich blend of colors; it might be from the way the light hits
parts of a room before receding and moving elsewhere. In short, it's what brings a room to life. So here are some brief tips for how you can add a touch of luxury to any room:
Add some surprises here and there - even some humor
Rely more on lamps, sconces and candles to illuminate the room
Layer the window treatments to take advantage of more natural light
Design groupings here and there from your collections
Make your own throws, duvet covers, tablecloths and so forth
Choose furniture pieces that are sculptural
Feature your sofa and chairs out IN the room not backed against the wall
Add a special chair just for you and another one just for your spouse
Replace a painted wall with one covered in paper-backed linen with a
sheen
Look for ways to change things up a bit. Warm up your rooms with color, light,
shine and good feelings.
Remodeling Tips and Advice
There is a huge difference between building a new home and remodeling an
existing one. Just because a contractor is great at building homes, that does
not mean he is great at remodeling. The biggest complaint homeowners have when
doing a remodeling project is that the contractors do not finish as scheduled so
they can get back to their privacy and normal lives. Then there's always shoddy
workmanship. So you have to be careful who you hire.
Most problems arise from lack of proper planning and a lack of knowing what
it really takes to tear something apart at the correct level, tie it back
together again and wind up with a finished project that is as good as new or
even better.
If you are considering a remodel, bear these tips in mind:
Make sure your contractor is experienced working around people while
still in their homes
Make sure he will treat your home as if it were his own (but only if his own
home is well maintained)
Make sure he has a detailed, specific plan
Make sure he stays on schedule every step of the way
Visit or contact your local trade or building association for a referral
or to check on the contractor's reputation in the industry
Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured (get copies) and that his
workers are employees and not daily workers he picks up on the side
Ask for references and check them out
Never pay for the full project in advance. Pay a small deposit of not more
than 10%; inspect the final outcome thoroughly before completing any balance you
owe.
People often say you lose more
heat using a fireplace than you gain. According to the EPA, fireplaces are one
of the most inefficient heat sources you have because you'll lose most of the
warm air going up the chimney. However estimates have at least 10-20% heat
return when you use wood logs.
Even though the holiday season is not behind us, that doesn't mean you
should box up your candles and candelabra. Be sure to keep them in safe
locations out of the reach of children, where they cannot be accidentally
knocked over and where they are not too close to combustible fabrics or other
material. Silver candelabra as shown here is very elegant and perfect for formal living rooms and dining rooms or wherever you want to emphasize more sheen and reflective surfaces.
For a more informal look, choose candelabra
made from rustic material, such as wrought iron or wood. Less expensive ways to
display your candles include small plates, bowls, stands of various sizes and
heights.
