Interior Design and Home Accessories

by theloushe

There have been many developments in the production of stained glass panels over the centuries, but one thing that has not changed is the hand construction of the actual window. So contrary to most other products it is just as easy to get a custom designed panel as it is to get a generic reproduction.

In the past the process to create the glass was fairly complex, but now large manufacturers have the process automated with machines and these sheets of glass are purchased to make panels.

If you would like to create and design your own stained glass panel it is not as complicated as it may sound. Even if you do not work the glass and build the panel yourself it is possible to get a custom window made from a large stained glass maker.

The first thing you need to consider when designing your own glass panel is what size you plan on making. If you already have a specific place you plan on mounting the window the size of your space will determine your panel size. If you plan on a free hanging panel then you will not be restricted by anything but your imagination and finances.

For designing the pattern you can either draw it out on paper or use a computer drawing program. When designing, take into consideration the skill levels and facilities of the person who will actually be cutting the glass and putting the panel together. Very small pieces are very hard to cut out so ensure the cutter is very experienced before getting too intricate. Also if using software, be aware that most non-professional image software will not have the tolerance as a professional CAD program. If building a flat panel in which there room for error you will be fine. But if building a lampshade or a tight fitting panel you should consider basic image software for rough draft purposes only.

Once your panel maker approves your design it will then be transferred to an actual size of the window of glass needed to create the panel. Then a second version is made called a cartoon, this is the copy which will actually be cut to trace out the glass pieces for the panel.

The pieces are then cut out of a sheet of glass using a steel wheel, which cuts along the lead lines. After the pieces are cut out of the glass the outline of the cartoon is painted on with vitrifiable paint. Once the artist is satisfied with the paint it is fired in a kiln to fuse the paint with the glass.

Once all the pieces are ready to be placed together they are all placed into the frame and joined together with lead.

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6 Steps to Creating Your Very Own Maintenance Free Landscape

on Long Island

By Kevin Godberson

In the world of landscaping, any reputable landscape company would tell you that the key to a maintenance free property starts with a proper (what we call in the Long Island community) â??â??Spring Openingâ??â?? or â??â??Spring Clean-upâ??â??.

We all want a maintenance free propertyâ?¦ Donâ??t we?  So here are 6 steps to help you create your very own maintenance free landscape.

Step # 1 â?? Raking Leaves and Thatching Grass

Start by raking all leaves, sticks and acorns from all flower beds and thatch all grass areas. This will give you a clean foundation to start from. Now your lawn areas can breath and are ready for the first application of lawn crabgrass control with fertilizer.

Step # 2 â?? Weeding and Mulching

All beds should be treated with a healthy layer of mulch to slow down the germination of weeds. A pre-emergence weed control can be used to also stop the weeds from coming up. A good covering should be put down over soil before the mulch is spread. Who wants to weed beds on the weekend?  NOT ME.

Step # 3 â?? Crabgrass Control

For a lawn to really prosper it should have an application of pre-emergence Crabgrass control put down. This will stop crabgrass from flourishing later in the season. Spot seed all bare areas so lawn fills in. Be sure to keep fertilizer away from bare areas as it will stop the seed from germinating.

Step# 4 â?? Watering Your Lawn

At this time you should water the fertilized areas in order to green up your lawn. Make certain to go over all heads. If you have a sprinkler system, make sure you inspect each head for proper operation.  Rotation of heads and spray distance is important to get entire lawn watered. We donâ??t want areas of your lawn to burn up as they take a long time to come back to life.

Step# 5 â?? Crabgrass Control â?? (revisited)

After about 4 weeks I like to go back and put down a second application of crabgrass control. This will ensure that you have covered the entire lawn. One application never works 100% and you may end up with some crabgrass that will seed itself across the rest of your lawn. Trust me the second application really works.

Step# 6 - Weed control

So in closing, follow the above 6 steps to your best ability and transform your Long island landscape into one thatâ??s both extremely easy on the eye as well as maintenance free.

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A good greenhouse need not be always big and spacious. Although those requirements are ideal for big plant growers and commercial greenhouses, those who only have a small area for a greenhouse can also have their own by building a mini version of a greenhouse.

Gardeners who are much into planting and growing crops but have a limited garden space have an option to build a mini greenhouse. This mini greenhouse can actually be placed anywhere such as on balconies, patios, backyards, and decks as the typical size is just around 6 square feet. Though small, it also provides the same benefits that the regular greenhouses do.

Mini greenhouses are also ideal for those are just beginners in the greenhouse technology. Before venturing into building a big one, it is best to learn how greenhouse works and know the different things needed to have an ideal growing condition for the plants. And this learning process for beginners can be done by starting with mini greenhouses.

A mini greenhouse can be used to start plant growth before the cold season in a particular area. Once the weather gets better and warmer, these healthy plants and crops planted inside the greenhouse can now be transplanted outside into the garden. This will allow for early harvesting of crops. A huge selection of seeds can also be planted in the greenhouse which makes planting a lot more fun for hobbyists and gardeners.

There are a good variety of herbs and lettuce that can be grown healthily and successfully in mini-greenhouses even for the whole year. Other delectable vegetables such as Swiss chard, spinach, and kale can also be planted and grown inside the mini-greenhouse. These would make for a great bowl of salad with freshly-picked greens even during the cold season. That would be wonderful for you and your guests.

Mini greenhouses are also useful with tender perennial plants. The greenhouse can protect them from ice, snow and frost during the winter season. They can be placed in plant containers and stay healthy inside the mini structure until spring begins. Once the weather becomes friendly enough, these plants can then be again transplanted into the garden outside for a much healthier environment.

The decorative plants commonly found inside the house can be given a healthy change by placing them inside the mini greenhouse and placing them outside during the summer months. This mini structure can offer tropical plants a humid climate. Miniature greenhouses, just like the regular ones, maximize the amount of sunlight and make the most out of the heat absorbed. It also provides the needed protection of plants from rain, wind, destructive insects and other pests in the garden such as rabbits.

Since mini gardens or greenhouses can be as light as possible because of their small structure, they may be easily blown by wind or knocked over by pets and kids. Thus, it is recommended that these small gardens be placed or mounted in to a wall or garage than be a free standing structure. It is best to place them in a location where there is enough sunlight but be safe from other outside factors as well. There are also do-it-yourself greenhouse kits available in the market that include complete instructions and step-by-step guide for a beginner to build a mini greenhouse in not time. These kits can also be inexpensive and can commonly accommodate up to three shelves.

So should one really choose to have a full-sized greenhouse or just go with a miniature one? Even if a big space is available for a full-sized greenhouse, having a small one may be more practical. If the main purpose of having a greenhouse is to grow only a few plants, germinate seeds, or provide protection during the colder season, having a mini greenhouse is just fine. Also, the cost to maintain small greenhouses are significantly lower than the full-sized ones because of the several factors that need to be maintained.

Thus, it is recommended that gardeners have a greenhouse, even a mini one. This structure can prove to be a good investment and yield better results than just doing the traditional gardening. And if one really finds happiness in caring for plants and harvesting a few crops, greenhouse-gardening can definitely offer lifetime enjoyment.

Part 1 ~* A video about how I Germinate my seeds… And some misc Spring Flower Planting. Jiffy green house- Avail at Lowes, Walmart Jiffy Pellet refills- Avail at Lowes, Walmart Flower Pansy eggs- Avail at Lowes Eco friendly seed starting soil – At Target Seed starting jiffy soil mix- at Lowes, Walmart, Target..etc. If you have any questions please let me know….. And sorry if some of the footage was shaky…It was hard tp pland and hold the Camera *: ) *Happy Planting Happy Spring*

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Depending on where you live you may need to find ways to extend the growing season. In the higher elevations winter may come early and stay late. the freezing temperatures make getting a garden in the ground early a futile effort. There are some techniques you can use to get more growing season.

What I’m talking about is creating a micro climate for your plants, commonly called a hot house or green house. However you don’t need a big expensive structure to sprout plants and give them a head start. Using inexpensive plastic sheeting and some stakes you can control the climate of some small areas where your sprouting beds are located.

Though it can be a bit of a challenge but the pay off is a larger more successful and productive garden. In early spring when the weather is starting to get nice but still less than optimal you can make a cold frame. A cold frame is a box frame of a box with a lid, everywhere there would be a solid surface you install 6mil
clear poly sheeting. When the sun hits the plastic  the heat gets trapped in the cold frame making a hot house environment where you can place potted plants.

Use a saucer in the kitchen and place a folded paper towel on it. Make it wet, open the fold and pour in your seeds, radish, carrot, corn, whatever you want to grow could be flowers. Set the saucer on the window sill after pouring off the excess water. You will need to watch and make sure the paper stays damp to near wetness and in a few days the seeds will germinate and start to grow.

Plant your sprouts in used egg cartons, the old gray paper type, because they absorb moisture whereas the Styrofoam egg cartons will not. fill the egg carton with potting soil add some water and place in the cold frame. You may need to transplant them into small two and three inch containers as they grow. By the time you can till the soil and plant you should have some 3 to 5 inch plants or larger to go in the ground and you’ve pulled a fast one on mother nature.
(shh don’t tell her)

Your cold frame/ hot house could get hot enough you need to place a shade over it in the hottest time of the day so as not to cook you plants or you can open the lid a crack to let hot air escape, you just need to tend it, like anything else.

If you’ve already got some plants in the ground and you don’t want them to freeze you can drive in a stake next to the plant and  cut a large circle of plastic poke a small hole in the center of the plastic and slide it onto the stick then take the outer edge and secure it to the ground with a little soil or some stones use a stapler to attach the top to the stake. It looks like a t-pee when your done and it will trap heat, moisture and sunlight inside where the plant is. Again watch it doesn’t get too hot.

With some creative use of plastic you can make micro climates that help you get ahead start on the growing season.
Hope you have a remarkable garden experience today.

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The old black and white movies on the silver screen had bedroom furniture all figured out. There, in an oasis in a lonely desert, a single tent stood. Inside, was paradise on earth. Luscious silks, overstuffed pillows, and a bed that would surround you in ecstasy. Sigh. . . The truth of the matter is, you can create your own oasis in the middle of the hubbub of life. All it takes is a little imagination, a bit of elbow grease, some paint and bedroom furniture that matches the theme and you’re all set. Imagination is an essential ingredient. A bedroom, particularly a master bedroom, should be your escape from the work-all-day world of stress and strain. It should be welcoming. It should be romantic. And it should reflect your unique tastes. It is, after all, your inner sanctum and only the select few are invited to share it. So why shouldn’t it be elegant and comfortable, too. If your bedroom hasn’t received a facelift in a long time, it’s time to do some cosmetic surgery. Strip the room of all the wall art and bedroom furniture. Now you have a blank canvas to work with. Spackle all the holes and cracks in the wall and give your walls a new coat of paint. Paint is one of the least expensive ways to give a room an entirely new look. Once you’ve put a little makeup on the walls and ceiling, it’s time for some foundations. Your bedroom furniture should reflect your tastes as well. Thankfully, there’s an endless variety of bedroom furniture to choose from these days, from the traditional to the modern, from Oriental to tropical – the choice is yours. When selecting your bedroom furniture, keep in mind the theme you’re going for. If you’re looking to make your room look like a page out of Islands magazine, select bedroom furniture that has a Caribbean, plantation or Key West look to it. The same is true of virtually any theme you can come up with. Want to do an African savanna theme? Go with dark wooded bedroom furniture and accent it with mosquito netting, tribal masks and a few primitive statues. Go with jungle greens for the walls, offset with white trim. In no time you’re be sure you’re hearing the trumpeting of elephants and the roar of the king of the beasts. Accent pillows are another nice touch, as are small knickknacks and photos of family and friends. These soften the space and will add character to the room, the bedroom furniture and the fabrics you have in them. Again, choose colors and textures to add interest without causing distraction. If your furniture is in relatively good repair, you may want to refinish it in new stains or colors to match the look you’re going for. And while you’re at it, consider rearranging the furniture in the space. It can do wonders for a tired looking room. Finally, you’ll probably want to redo your linens to match the new décor, the new colors and the ambiance of the space. Consider luxurious looking pillows, comforters and linens that will make your bedroom look like an oasis in the desert of life.

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Antique stained glass lampshades are a unique way to create beautiful ambience in any home interior design lighting scheme. The very qualities of these types of shades make them a very attractive and popular home decorating accessory.
Lamp glass shades can be used almost anywhere in the home where you want to create special type of lighting arrangements. For example an antique glass lamp shade can be used in the living room on the end tables of a sofa set as a filler and to enhance the original beauty of the interior home lighting.
Stained glass lampshades can be used in semi outdoor spaces such as an attached patio where natural sunlight is just enough but not fair enough to illuminate the entire room. The big advantage of using a stained glass is that it creates colored light and illuminates the surroundings with that color with a slight tinge. This makes them a very possible candidate for bedroom lighting as well.
Depending upon which type of ambience you wish to create a stained glass shade can be cleverly selected and installed in multiple numbers across the home to create an interior lighting theme.
Antique glass lampshades are best suited as a lighting fixture in homes, which have an oriental interior design theme. In this type of theme almost every design element uses heavy decoration and intricate patterns. That is why an antique piece made up of wrought iron or brass with clear, white or stained glass is the best choice. When used in multiple numbers and for a variety of uses such as table lamps, lampposts, wall lamps, these can for a truly amazing experience that represents the oriental interior design theme.
Copyright Samir Joshi

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Red Door Interiors is a privately held company that specializes in all aspects of design and interior design for residential and commercial areas of the interior. On the side of corporate and commercial projects have included the blue-chip companies headquartered, private banks, medical suites, offices for attorneys, lawyers, accountants and businesses as well as upgrades shopping centers, hotels, restaurants and shops. Our design and planning: Making the most of your rooms when planning your interior design and interior of the solution to your problem. We cabinets designer bathrooms, kitchens, open plan office layout and design tailored for bars, libraries, studies of reception counters, and everything should be accustomed. We provide plans and drawings. Design Concept: the formation of the overall concept for the whole project is a visual form, fabrics, furniture, colors and surfaces performances. Thus, the blueprint for the project and future work will follow. Inside advice: We can offer you advice decorated hourly basis or if you need advice or expert assistance in selecting the colors, surfaces, or selection and placement of furniture. Selection and coordination of areas such as investment property or a new house with paint colors, these elements form the hull of the Interior and the need to coordinate with the overall concept to create the best basis for the establishment and help sell your new investment. Elements of this specification service wallcoverings?? Painting paneling, flooring wallpaper?? Tile, carpet, stone, wood – the lights and the bathroom tiles and accessories. Supply, delivery and installation of the device: Create a budget by obtaining price and product promotions needed inside, and then manage the ordering and installation. Red Door Interiors has access to wholesalers in all aspects of furnishings, furniture, fabrics and interior products to the customer is not limited to a retail provider, but the choice of the best suppliers for their demand. These elements include: â? ¢ Â Â Â versions Window: motorized blinds (or chain operated), awnings and blinds wood blinds, curtains, valances, festoons and tails. â? ¢ Â Â Â curtains furniture: beds, headboards, bed pillows. â? ¢ Â Â Â upholstered sofas and chairs, new words or new. â? ¢ Â Â Â furniture: tables, chairs, occasional, entertainment units, coffee tables. â? ¢ Â Â Â accessories: artwork, mirrors, rugs, lamps, plants, decoration color: selecting the best paint colors for your architecture, your lifestyle and your Outlook, we can create or edit your image. Furniture and design: All bedding furniture and electrical appliances, pictures, dishes and accessories are supplied as complete, elegant design and packaging in a fixed time, so that investors piece of mind that has put its investment The best customers, without having to provide the property itself. Corporate Design: A good interior space planning and interior design of your office space can immediately update your professional image and has been shown to increase morale and productivity.

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