Plastered walls are all the rage in today’s decorating. You see it in the form of Venetian plaster finishes in magazines and on home decorating shows, in Cast Plaster Ornamentation and Raised Plaster Stenciling. It’s everywhere.

Now there’s a new twist in the plaster craze that will give your walls a fabulous new treatment. Not only is it easy, fun and exciting to do, it’s also fabulous! And what a way to get your teenager involved in decorating their room.

All that is involved is spreading joint compound over your wall, smoothing to a desired texture, then embedding items such as beads, mirror shapes, faux jewels, broken glass or tiles, etc in to wet plaster and allowing it to dry.

Consider other items such as jewelry findings. Find them on auction and websites in wonderful styles or search your local craft store. Small glass tiles work equally well. The possibility of design is endless with this technique.

Searching your local craft store for items to embed can bring a world of ideas. Walk the aisles and check out all of the small embellishments that are available.

Bathrooms and kitchens are a great place to try this new technique. Use it as a backsplash treatment around the sink area then seal with clear, non-yellowing polyurethane to protect against moisture.

Try creating a pattern of scrolls with the items or create diamonds, triangles or squares. Try pattern ideas out on a level surface before placing on the wall.

Once the plaster is dry, use a damp cloth to wipe any joint compound residue from the embedded items.

If finishing with a paint finish, lightly rub these items with mineral oil or baby oil after the plaster is dry to prevent paint from sticking to them. (Do not use oil on items before you inset them in to the plaster as the slick surface will not adhere as tightly and you may risk loosing the piece at a later date).
As you paint, wipe the embedded items off quickly so paint doesn’t collect.

© Victoria Larsen 2006

Victoria Larsen is a professional wall stencil designer and interior specialist. Her products and ideas have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Women’s Day, Craft Trends, Creating Keepsakes, Rubber Stampin Retailer and Memory Maker magazines and The Wall Street Journal. Visit Victoria on line at victorialarsen.com victorialarsen.com Blog: victorialarsen.typepad.com victorialarsen.typepad.com

How many of you have experienced this situation? As the wind blows outside and the temperature drops, you get chilled even while you are standing in the middle of your home.

How does this happen?

The three biggest problems with the comfort of your home are,

1) air infiltration

2) air infiltration

3) air infiltration

The total air infiltration in an average house is the equivalent of having a door or window open every day of your life. Now, you’ve probably heard it said that a house needs to breathe. In all my years in this work, I’ve never had anyone really explain why a house needs to breathe or even what that statement really means. Another word for house breathing is, simply put, leaks.

Just think with me for a moment. If you can keep the cold air from getting in, it won’t take as much to heat your house. Not to mention the fact that you would be a lot more comfortable in your home. So where does the air come in?

Think of it this way. Anywhere an ant can get in, air can get in. Here are a few major problem areas:

Where your wall touches your slab.

Cracks between the wood framing in your home’s walls.

Around electrical receptacles and light switches in your house, even on interior walls. (When the north wind is blowing, go feel the electrical outlets and switches on your north wall.)

Holes and leaks around your sink plumbing. Forget the ants, sometimes a mouse can get through these holes.

Gas and fireplace flues.

Recessed can lights that are not IC-rated. Between 3 and 10 cubic feet per minute of air will pass through one of these lights. A typical plastic garbage bag is 3 cubic feet. So that means that three garbage bags full of air can leak out of one of those lights every minute.

The return air system of your heating/cooling unit. In the average house, gigantic amounts of air enter through this system.

So how are you going to stop the cold air from penetrating your home this winter? The solution is mostly labor and a little bit material. Now, say this with me.

Caulk it

Caulk it

Caulk it

For big holes, such as those under the sink, simply use expandable foam. For the smaller cracks, use a clear siliconized caulk.

For electrical outlets and light switches, install the insulated foam gaskets and childproof plug inserts.

Installing cellulose insulation in your attic will also help reduce air infiltration from your attic space.

For lower utiltiy bills visit www.dougrye.com.

Doug Rye is a nationally recognized energy consultant and licensed architect. Doug also host the “Home Remedies” radio talk show that is broadcast in 15 states. Phillip Rye is a licensed engineer and has spent the past 15 years studying energy efficiency and energy conservation. Discover how you can have lower utility bills guarunteed! Visit dougrye.com dougrye.com.

The times are changing and Audio Books are the way of the future. The days of having to lug heavy hardbacks around and bookmark pages are fast being left behind and with the new age popularity of MP3 players, more books are being released in audio every day. You just need to visit any online publisher to be amazed at the broad range available.

If you have ever found it difficult to concentrate when reading, an Audio Book is your answer. Instead of having to worry about background noises and interruptions, you can close yours eyes and concentrate on what you are listening to. You don’t have to worry about keeping your place and getting in a comfortable position to be able to turn the page is also a thing of the past. It doesn’t matter if your sitting in your favorite chair, catching some sun or lying in bed, it’s all easy with audio books. You can choose to play it through your MP3 player headphones so you can really get in the zone and stay focused.

Until you could download audio books, it was never possible and highly dangerous to read while driving. For some commuters, this is considered a serious waste of good time. People who travel to work have been known to choose public transport for the simple fact that they can use the time to read or study instead of being stuck in traffic. With audio books, you can get your reading done while driving. Whether you have an MP3 compatible car stereo or need to copy the files to CD or tape, you can listen to books in the car. Imagine using the ten or more hours a week you are driving to refresh and expand your knowledge?

Students are finding they can use their audio books anytime to study or access information. Any student would prefer to carry a small and almost weightless MP3 player rather than heavy hard copies of literature. Having their novels on audio file means they can listen to them multiple times with ease, learning more and achieving higher grades as a result. Many people learn best when listening rather than reading, so discovering audio books can be ground-breaking. If they are worried they don’t have enough study material for an exam or assignment, they can download audio books online in minutes instead of having to wait for the book store to open.

Audio books are great for the imagination. Spending some time relaxing while listening to a story being told can stimulate your mind and reactivate your creativity. Many people are spending way too much time watching television and their ability to create their own ideas and visualizations seems lost. Devoting half your TV time to audio books instead can give you a new lease on life, as your ability to learn and imagine spreads through all areas of your life.

Storing books can be a pain in the neck! They are constant dust collectors and take up a fair amount of space. Anyone who loves to read knows how difficult it can be to keep your books in any sort of organized order and often you end up giving some away to save the trouble. Collecting audio books is so much easier! Storing them on CD means they are protected in a case, take less room and last for a long time to come. If you have the space for the files on a drive, the audio books take up no physical room at all and are easy to file and find within windows.

In the years to come books as we know them today could become obsolete. With so many benefits to the audio book alternative there will be less and less demand from consumers for normal books. You can visit publishers and bookstores online to buy and download your choices instantly, so you don’t even have to leave your home. Instead of trying to remember the name of that good book you were told about, you can look it up and purchase it straight away, ensuring you don’t forget. No more dusty, mildew and moth collecting paperbacks filling your shelves or weighing your bag down!

Next time you are thinking about visiting the bookstore near your home, try to download the audio book online first. You will be surprised when you see the range of classics to modern day literature that is available in an audio format. They are much more convenient and quite often lower in cost as well!

Bruce Walls is an author and webmaster. More of his useful articles and posts can be found at audiobookgoblog.com AudioBookGoBlog

One of the most popular ways to decorate a room is with framed art (pictures). Do not purchase decorative art as though it were an investment. It’s not intended to contribute to art history, or greatly increase in value. It’s meant to reflect your style and be something that you enjoy looking at.

Decorative art may include original paintings in oil, acrylic or watercolor. Reproductions of fine art are both affordable and available. With today’s technology, they look amazingly like the original. Posters, with their bold graphic design, are a great way to add a new look. Black and white photography makes a striking display when framed simply and hung in groups. Just about anything that you would want to hang on your wall can be framed, including family photos, children’s artwork, souvenirs, etc. The important thing is that it means something to you and is pleasing to your eye.

Where to find art – anywhere from art galleries to garage sales. Department stores, furniture stores, antique and thrift shops are great places to look for decorative art. For the online shopper – there are tons of websites featuring art décor of all kinds. How and where to display your artwork is pretty much up to you, but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. A barnyard scene in a formal living room might be out of place, nor should you hang your wedding picture in the bathroom. Pictures of fruit and vegetables naturally look best in the kitchen or dining room. Flowers, however, will look appropriate in just about any room. When hanging art over a piece of furniture, the art should not be wider than the furniture below it. If it is much narrower, add some smaller pieces to fill up the space. Check out some home décor periodicals for ideas. Furniture stores that display furniture and accessories in a room setting will also give you some clues for decorating your own home.

If you’re repainting a room, and have a favorite art piece that you want to display, consider picking a color from the picture for the walls. If you’re hanging art on a busy background, such a wallpaper, choose a frame that contrasts to the wall. Also, consider the theme, if you have roses in your wallpaper, a picture of roses might get lost. You don’t have to hang your framed art on the wall. Using an easel is an attractive way to display decorative art and it can be moved around to suit you. A group of small photos displayed on a coffee table or the mantle is charming. Simply propped up on a shelf or bookcase amongst other accents works too. A large piece set on the floor and leaning against the wall is also striking but may not be practical with small children or pets in the house. It’s your home and your art, if it makes you happy, then you must have it right!

For more information on

How do you rate your bedroom decor? Do you lay awake at night feeling miserable in a mismatched, messy and mixed-up room? Or do you dream in a soft, soothing, serene and silent space?

Here are some quick and easy solutions to turn your nightmarish bedroom into a dream oasis.

Think Soft

Your bedroom can be much more inviting with plenty of soft furnishings. Area rugs under your toes, thick and puffy duvet bedding to sink into, rich and warm draperies blocking out light and sound. Window coverings can make a big difference. Don’t settle for skimpy blinds only. Add a lot of texture with floor to ceiling draperies that can set the mood and color scheme for the entire bedroom. A bedroom should envelope you like a big, soft blanket.

Think Luxurious

This is the one place in your home to add some extravagant luxuries as in an expensive resort hotel. A large armoire for your television. A chaise lounge for lying back and reading a book. A one-of-a-kind stunning headboard to create a dramatic focal point. Beautiful and sparkling mood lighting to create romance and serenity. Make a list of what furnishings your bedroom is lacking and work to complete the decor.

Think Convenience

A luxurious bedroom requires furnishings that accommodate all of your necessities. Add plenty of quality dressers. Nightstands or bedside tables are all-important. Many bedrooms become a “catch-all” for the family’s things so be sure to create storage areas. Don’t forget a blanket chest to store extra bedding and pillows. A large chair is a must-have for convenient dressing.

Bedrooms that are complete and well-furnished will bring about tranquility and sweet dreams.

Interior Designer Jan Hanks shares her passion for home decorating and gives answers to your specific questions on her website. See photos of designer-recommended furnishings. homefurnishingsideas.com homefurnishingsideas.com

Salesman: “This machine will cut your workload at home in half!”

Housewife: “In that case, I’ll take two!”

An old joke, but as the 21st century unfolds, it becomes truer than ever. Compared to previous generations, people today can find working in the kitchen easier and even fun. The gadgets that compete for precious counter space in kitchens across the country are ready to slice, dice, peel, blend, bake and grill in ways that would have amazed the great-grandparents of their owners.

A century ago, the idea of kitchen appliances simply didn’t exist. There were hand-operated vacuums, and many homes had only an icebox, a washtub, and a sink with cold water, usually operated by a pump. Often the pump was outside the back of the house, or in the street for communal usage. With the advent of electricity, the idea of labor-saving devices slowly took hold. Fifty years later, iceboxes were replaced by refrigerators, which did away with having ice delivered. Toasters became one of the first devices anywhere in the home to use power. One early counter top machine seen in many homes was the electric can opener. Seen at the time as a frivolous novelty, nowadays it’s hard to imagine opening cans without them (especially since nobody can remember where the old-fashioned hand crank opener is). Following close behind it was the coffeemaker, taking over from the percolator that used to sit on a burner of the stove. And its close cousin, the teakettle. Machines like the blender were first developed for commercial use, and quickly found their way into domestic service.

The next big advance in kitchen technology was the microwave oven in the 1970’s. It was to kitchens what the VCR was to the living room - revolutionary in itself, it can now be seen as the beginning of a whole wave of gizmos to be lined up beside the sink. Soon afterwards, the market exploded with toaster ovens, sandwich grills, pasta makers, ice cream makers, yogurt makers and the like. This reached a zenith with the advent of the food processor. Seen as a sort of companion to the home computer (a.k.a. the “word processor”, since nobody could think of any other use for a computer in the days before the web), these kings of the counter top combined blender, grater, masher, slicer, dicer and a few more things all in one package.

Right on the heels of the food processor was the bread machine. As the nation longed for a healthier, more natural diet, something that could mix, knead and bake a staple foodstuff such as bread was seen as ushering in a new way of thinking about what we eat. Unfortunately, while many homes have bread machines today, few actually get any use. The loaf pans are smaller than commercially sold loaves, the mix makes the bread much more expensive, the machine needs cleaning after each loaf, and nobody wants to actually have to slice bread anymore. So not every step forward has been fully embraced by the masses.

The future for kitchen appliances however, looks brighter than ever. In a world where the can opener looks quaint alongside the modern no-stick grill, the next big revolution will be the interconnecting of all these devices to a home intranet. By the end of this century, most western kitchens may be a network hive of activity, as devices share information between themselves, larger equipment such as the oven and fridge, and even across the Internet. No doubt new machines will be introduced, some bizarre hybrids of what we already have, some as unknown to us as a microwave would have been in 1907. Our great-grandchildren will chuckle to themselves as they ponder all the effort we put into buttering our toast or stirring our coffee each morning. Are you ready for the kitchen of the future?

Michael Carpenter is the owner of kitchenappliancesstore.com kitchenappliancesstore.com

There are many wonderful floor materials that one can choose from, but laminate flooring may offer the best over all value for the money. Wood, Tile, and other flooring surfaces are all wonderful additions to a room, but laminate flooring may be far less susceptible to damage. This article will look at the many benefits of laminate flooring.

Unlike many other types of flooring surfaces, laminate flooring will not stain, dent, or fade like natural materials such as wood flooring. You may also find the warranties on most laminate flooring materials will last up to ten years and in some cases for the life time of the flooring.

If you like the look of wood flooring, but do not have the budget to afford such elegance you can find wonderful laminate flooring with a wood pattern. Laminate wood flooring can be very real looking and often fool your guest into thinking that you have had real wood floors installed.

The biggest difference when choosing laminate flooring is to decide on the thickness you should install. They come in a variety of thicknesses from 6mm to 12mm in thinness. The thicker laminate flooring you choose the more durable it will be. Thicker material tends to be less susceptible to buckling.

When purchasing your laminate flooring you should check to make sure what the material has been treated with. Some laminate flooring materials are treated with chemicals that work great for repelling stains and moister. This is especially important if you are considering wood laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring can be very economical, but make sure that you do not install inferior quality flooring in rooms that will have more use. You will get what you pay for when ti comes to laminate flooring materials. The thicker core material will last longer, and save you money in the long run.

If you want to add the most value to a room then laminate wood flooring would be your best choice. Again, this type of flooring will be less expensive than installing real hardwood flooring into your rooms. There is several good manufactures of laminate wood flooring on the market today if you are considering this type of flooring-solution.com/laminate-flooring.php laminate flooring material.

For more information on flooring try visiting flooring-solution.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful flooring tips, advice and resources to include flooring-solution.com/laminate-flooring.php Laminate Flooring and more.

Have you seen all the futon frames on the market today? There are so many that it can be hard to tell what’s good and what to stay away from. Today we’re going to discuss frame material. Futon frames are generally made in two mediums, metal and wood. Metal frames have made some vast improvements over the years: they have taken on a very modern look and you’ll find them in a wide variety of finishes and styles. Wooden frames have also improved over the years, as the selection of sizes, finishes, and styles on the market are on the rise everyday. So let’s take a look at what makes a good futon frame.

If you’re looking at a metal frame, be sure to check the slat width. The slats on a futon frame are part of the seat and back “decks”, the part that your mattress rests on. As a rule of thumb, slats should be at least two and a half to three inches wide. Slats that are thinner will not provide adequate support for your mattress and can even damage your futon mattress. Also, take a look at the distance between the slats; they should be no more than two and a half to three inches apart as well. Try to steer clear of those “mega mart” metal frames that use bars as slats. They’re usually too far apart and the shape of the bar slats really provide no support. Another thing to look at when shopping for metal frames is the construction. Do the welds look solid? How is the frame connected together? Make sure you take a good look at how the frame you’re looking at is put together; bad welds and connection points can be a real headache in the future.

When looking at wooden frames, you’re going to follow the same advice as for metal. Check the slats - you want the width to be the same as with metal, two to three inches wide with an equal distance apart. Also important in wooden frames is the material used in construction; look for frames made out of hardwoods (maple, ash, and birch). Futon frames made out of hardwoods can be expected to give your futon frame a longer life and they are generally nicer looking frames. Solid hardwoods can also have very beautiful grain patterns that really set them apart from the softwood and metal futon frames. That isn’t to say that metal and softwood futon frames don’t have a place in the market, but they don’t have that nice classic feel you get with a solid hardwood futon frame. With wooden frames, take a good look at the construction, see how the frame is put together. I always tell my customers to look for frames that feature mortis and tennon construction as opposed to lap joints. Mortise and tennon joinery will provide a solid futon and extend the life of your frame.

Ok, we’ve been over the basics, now the last thing to consider, besides ‘Do I think this frame will look good with my paint color?’ is the warranty. Any frame worth its salt should have at least a five year warranty or even higher. Most of the manufacturers that I deal with have at least a five year warranty, some with a warranty for twelve years! That’s almost unheard of in the futon frame industry. If a manufacturer is willing to stand behind their product for that long, you should shop with confidence and know that you are going to get a great frame that will last you for years to come.

Well, thanks for stopping by to read my latest article and stay tuned for our next look at futon mattresses: natural fibers vs. high density foam.

For more information about futons visit us at

Just as bamboo, cork is a natural product and will provide warmth to any interior. But there are many other benefits to be gained from using cork flooring in your home not only does it blend well with other decorations and furniture but it comes in a wide variety of colors as well. Again cork flooring just as bamboo flooring is environmentally friendly as no trees need to be cut down to produce it all that needs to happen is the bark is peeled away without actually damaging or destroying the tree itself. Then within nine years of the bark being removed it will grow back again and so can then be harvested once more. But below we will look at some more reasons for choosing cork flooring in your home.

1. It is water resistant. All cork flooring contains a substance known as Suberin which is a waxy substance that makes the cork impervious to liquids or gasses. It is because of this substance that the cork will never rot and the Suberin is probably one of the most natural and best sealants to be found in the world today.

2. It is tough and resilient. Because of its cellular composition cork flooring is much less affected by either impact or friction compared to many other hard floor surfaces such as wood, laminate or tiles.

3. It absorbs sound and so provides good quality acoustics in any home. In fact if you live in an apartment then this may be the right choice of flooring compared to laminate or wood flooring which can transmit sound and cause problems for your neighbors.

4. Resistant to Insects and Anti-Microbial. You will soon discover that most of the common insects found around the home including termites do not go near cork flooring. This is due to the composition of the cork flooring, it actually makes it very difficult for them to penetrate it. Also as microbes can not actually survive in or on cork then you can really say it is germ resistant also. Certainly an ideal choice of flooring if you happen to have young children in the home.

5. Hypoallergenic. This is extremely good for people who have allergies as it does not produce any particulate irritants and it also does not contain any harmful chemicals because it is completely natural. Plus as it can not absorb dust then it can not either cause or contribute towards allergies that a person may have.

Probably the best benefit to be gained from using flooring-solution.com/cork-flooring.php cork flooring in your home as well as what we have shown above is the cost. It is great value for money compared to many other types of flooring that are available today.

For more information on flooring try visiting flooring-solution.com, a website that specializes in providing helpful flooring tips, advice and resources to include flooring-solution.com/cork-flooring.php Cork Flooring and more.

A country kitchen design means having a relaxed and friendly kitchen space with some antique or reproduction furniture where everyone can gather to enjoy wonderful meals and good conversation. Not just a place to prepare meals, the kitchen can be the most popular room in your home.

Materials - with a country kitchen design, use natural materials with comfortable rustic furnishings that are warm and welcoming. Creating unique country kitchens means using open shelves and cupboards for displaying antique or reproduction plates and dinnerware, earthenware, baskets and glass jars. Pots should be made of copper, cast iron, stoneware or even stainless steel to maintain the country look.

Materials for the cabinets would include wood materials with a natural, rough or distressed finish to add to the country style. Cabinets built of painted, distressed or naturally-finished wood can be beautiful when used in country kitchen design.

Floor and countertop materials used are important elements to maintain the rustic country look. Use ceramic tiles, hand-painted tiles, slate, stone or marble for the countertop. Popular flooring material choices could be terra cotta tiles, brick, stone and wood.

Colors - having a country look means using warm earthy colors for this style of home decor. The use of neutral colors like bone or white works well. You can also select red barn, blues and greens that will be appropriate colors for country home decor. Select plain colors for coverings for countertop materials if laminates will be used. Country home decorating can also incorporate stenciling and wallpaper. Stenciling around windows and in areas where walls and ceiling meet can add to the rustic look.

Kitchen Islands - a kitchen island is an essential part of a desirable kitchen according to most homebuyers. Having a kitchen island in your country kitchen design adds value to your home. The kitchen island reminds us of long ago when the kitchen island in farmhouses was where the food prep work was done. With limited space, choose a rolling butcher block that is movable and can be wheeled around as needed.

Furniture - use some antiques or reproductions if you have the space in your kitchen. Do not be concerned if the antiques have chips and scratches. Imperfections will add to the charm and rustic look in the country kitchen design.

Before actually starting to do the work, keep your ideas and pictures you like in a notebook. The planning stage is important and have fun going through books and magazines and searching online for country kitchen examples and ideas that you like. Well-designed unique country kitchens will make the home more valuable. Even if you will not be selling your home, a country kitchen design that reflects your personal style will provide you a very special place to be enjoyed for many years to come.

Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing

Learn yourdreamloghome.com/online-kitchen-design.html online kitchen design ideas and country decorating tips. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of yourdreamloghome.com yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website for country home lovers.