Archive for November, 2009

Living in a very dry area of Australia, I am actually very happy
to see all the ants coming inside the house as this means we are in for lots of rain. Trouble is, leave any trace of food around and it is covered in ants in seconds. The dog/cat dishes have to be emptied and cleaned straight after feeding and make sure the kids don’t leave the honey or cordial out!
The problem lies when the ant problem becomes an
infestation and they start taking over the house. Then we have to do something to fix the problem.

There is no point in just killing the ants you can see, this is actually only about 1% of the entire colony and when they do not come home to the nest more ants are automatically sent out.
The ideal situation is to find the main nest where the queens and all the other ants are and eradicate the entire colony with liquid bait.

You can try following the ant trail back to the main colony but this is near impossible as the trail may go behind skirting boards, along the inside of the walls and out somewhere at the other end of the house
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When you think of a chess set, chances are you think of an old wooden board with plain pieces that those strange guys in college played with into the wee hours of the morning. And while there can be no argument that chess is certainly a great way to pass the time, there is a use for chess that you may not have thought of – decorating.

But why would you want to decorate a room with a game? Well, chances are you won’t be basing the entire room design around the set, but you should consider adding a decorative set to accent your current design. It’s time to let go of the notion of chess being simply a game, and start thinking of it as a decorating tool.

Of course, you can’t really justify decorating with an old musty board and cheap wooden pieces, can you? This is where you need to start thinking of a chess set as décor and not a hobby – a nice chess board and pieces (and possibly table) are going to run you a good bit of cash, and thinking of it as a hobby or game is going to make it that much more difficult to buy. But, if you start to consider it as an ornamental piece, then it becomes much more justifiable. After all, how much will you spend on a custom framed picture, or an ornate coffee table? They both qualify as decorations, but consider that nearly everyone has these – how many times have you seen an intricately carved chess set in someone’s house?
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You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little to add life to your home. It is time for a change. But, where do you start? How do you keep from making an expensive or embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what you really want?

1.Start with one room at a time.
There may be the temptation, especially when moving into a new home, to decorate all of the rooms at once. This takes far too much energy and can sap your creative juices, leaving the decorating flat and less interesting. It can also make decorating your home an overwhelming task. Go slow. Do one room at a time and then move on to the next one.

2.Assess, review your needs.
With pen and paper in hand, jot down some notes about all of the windows in the room. Measure them and note their size and shape. Rough sketches will help. Are the windows too large? Too small? Odd sizes? Mismatched sizes? Is there too much light in the room? Not enough light? Do you want to block an unattractive view? Do you want to enjoy the beautiful view? Do you need privacy? Daytime privacy? Nighttime privacy? Or both? Do you want to liven up a dreary room? How do other family members feel about these needs? What is your budget for the windows?
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“Old”, is ‘hip’, ‘with-it’, ‘cool’….’phat’, even. And although these terms may not be so ”in” – depending on your generation –, ”heritage”, ”antique”, or simply trusted, beloved and admired things of the past are again “in vogue”.

Clothes that mimic those we relinquished to the rag bag (and wouldn’t be caught dead in) have become the rage, and wind-storm-look hairdos and retro-look furniture have become as coveted as true antique heirlooms are by avid collectors.

Old-time vegetables and flowers are also making a comeback in many a garden, and among these are roses. “Antique/Old Garden/ Heritage” roses, –showing that “heritage” means something. Old is good.

Rose enthusiasts everywhere are turning again to antique roses for their gardens, for good reasons. The many advantages of these old garden roses are being rediscovered. Their general ease of care, as compared to some of their more sensitive, more “modern” cousins, is one of their prized winning attributes. Not all heritage varieties are immune to the dastardly black spot disease, but most suffer little from its effects, and this eliminates the regular spray programs required by more delicate cousins. Other diseases and insects aren’t usually major problems with this group…assuming you have provided them with proper nurture.

Old Garden roses are known for their gloriously abundant perfumes, and they need less major pruning. As more hardy shrubs or climbers, they lend themselves to many landscape uses, allowing them to socialize and adorn our yards with vertical bloom and graceful arches in various areas, as opposed to confinement to one rose bed or area.
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Carpets and rug are not widely used in warm countries, but in northern Europe and the United States, they are a basic decorating feature. Carpets give a lovely sensation when you walk over them, especially barefoot, and also offer interesting aesthetic possibilities. They are seamless and therefore unify spaces, but also can be used to mark off zones, or areas of activity. They permit versatile solutions for our interior design due to the colors, textures, and finishes they come in.

When choosing a carpets and rug, bear in mind that it will be tacked down, or fitted, and can last many years if well looked after so it will have to be easily adaptable to any new decoration style we may wish to achieve. Another quality of carpets is the acoustic and thermal insulation they provide. They are suitable for all the rooms in the house, except in the bathroom and kitchen unless you are prepared to make the extra effort to ensure they do not get wet or stained when bathing or cooking.

Unfortunately, they can get dirty easily and may be difficult to clean. They are not the most hygienic of floors. When choosing a carpet, take into consideration its texture, pile, the yarn, weight, density, color, and design. Most carpet is made of sheep’s wool, which is durable, dyes readily, and handles easily. For floors that are heavily used or in contact with the open air, use durable materials like stone, marble, tiles, and some types of hardwoods.
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There are many sad cases of home renovations not going as planned – often going way over budget or schedule, or unforseen complications popping up unexpectedly and ruining even up to years of work.

Most of these situations would never have gone so awry with some careful planning and early decision making sooner in the renovation process. Below are a few issues that it is vital to think about before you begin your home renovation.

10 Things to Think About BEFORE Beginning Work

• Prepare a budget
• Be aware of council regulations
• Find a tradesperson
• Know your start and completion dates
• Selecting Products
• Prepare plans
• Purchasing products
• What should I purchase myself?
• What services are available to my property?
• What sort of hot water unit do I need?

Prepare a budget

Before you start shopping for your new bathroom or kitchen you must know your spending limits. Whether you are getting a loan or paying cash, you need to work out how much your project is going to cost. Some businesses also offer finance solutions for approved customers.

Be aware of council regulations

Find out all the information you can before you arrange tradesperson. If your home is heritage listed you will need to meet strict council regulations. Many renovations must be approved by the council before work can commence. Contact your local council for more details.

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Anthony Fisher Pixies are unique and hand crafted. Based out of Cornwall these pieces have a creative unique look. Not your everyday storybook pixie, Anthony Fisher pixies have a similarity to the artistry of the traditional European fairytales.

These pixies are collectors’ items with a wide variety to choose from. Each is just as unique as the name given to them. Take for example “Billy Winks Money Box” a pixie figurine that is sleeping in his log home. Each pixie has a story that goes along with them. For example Billy’s story is that he likes to steal little things from humans just to cause trouble, that by the way is what pixies like to do best. Unfortunately, Billy Winks is a lazy pixie and you can usually find him sleeping.

These figurines are perfect for adult or child alike. They can be placed in a child’s room or through out the home. They even make a wonderful addition to any garden. Since the many of the pieces have aspects of nature in them, Anthony Fisher Pixies are a perfect match for the average gardener. Pieces such as Sunflower Sam and anyone from his Naughty Sporting series are a good choice for the garden. Other functional pieces include birdbaths, plant holders and even a welcome to my garden piece.
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Acrylic display cases are made of a clear, synthetic material like plastic. Acrylic display cases are more widely used than glass cases since they have many advantages over glass display cases. Acrylic cases are lighter and sturdier. Acrylic is more flexible than glass, so there is less of a chance that acrylic display cases will break. While glass shatters into sharp fragments, acrylic forms larger, harmless fragments if it does break. The corners of acrylic display cases are rounded to make them safe for children. Acrylic can be shaped and cut like wood, so it is easily customized to make display cases of different shapes and sizes.

Technology has overcome most of the drawbacks associated with acrylic display cases. For example, specialized UV treatment ensures that acrylic cases don’t turn yellow on prolonged exposure to sunlight. Beveled and flame treated acrylic cases have a smooth, clear glassy look. Minor scratches on the surface of acrylic display cases can be polished away easily. The corners and seams of acrylic display cases can be sealed to make them airtight. Also, acrylic cases can be shipped in parts and assembled by the customer herself, reducing purchase and transportation costs.

Large cabinets and display cases made from acrylic don’t need a wooden or metallic frame for support. This allows in more light and facilitates a clearer view of the collectible. The standard width of an acrylic sheet used in making display cases is about 1/8th of an inch, leaving more room inside and outside the case.
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