Three Remarkably Strange Homes around the World

A home is generally a square, with square rooms and long rectangular passages that offer entrance to many other square bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms. Some strange homes around the world have turned the generic home design on its head and taken the route of incorporating a plethora of shapes that rarely follow the square shape.

Leaf House
The Leaf House in Brazil qualifies as an exemplary example of strange homes. The exterior of the home resembles a flower with six petals, when viewing it aerially. Each petal covers different sections of the home. A curved swimming pool, in keeping with the organic design of the home winds its way through the house before culminating as a small fish pond in the backyard.

Square homes are also extremely popular, particularly in London because the vibe and ambience of this thriving city adds to the attraction. However, for those who prefer more organic scenery, there’s the home that can change its view from bedroom to bedroom, at the touch of a few buttons. The Everingham Rotating House has thirty two outrigger wheels and two 500-watt electrical motors that rotate the house on demand. Strange homes are certainly the envy of many. This rotating home can take anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours to move 360 degrees, but nobody is complaining because it’s strangely unique.

Subterra Castle was once a nuclear warhead control station. The owner transferred this defunct missile silo in 1983 into a comfortable living space. Boasting and 11,000-square-foot garage and a 1,700-foot-long airstrip for the owner’s DIY light aircraft toys, this strange home is every boy’s perfect toy.




Klein Bottle House

Voted the world’s best home at the 2009 World Architecture Festival, the Klein Bottle House (pictured above) is one of the strange homes that boggles the mind. When looking at the home it gives off a mathematical vibe of confusing proportions, but when explained it makes perfect sense, to maths geniuses. The strange concept involved folding a cylindrical shape into itself to form a spiral. Think about that. The idea is to bring the interior out and take the exterior in. Basically, the courtyard is at the centre of the home.

Otherwise, if you don’t want to buy strange homes such as an old nuclear control station, or a sliding house, then look no further than luxury property in Tuscany. You may not get 11,000-square-feet of garage space but you’ll have to deal with exotic views, amazing scenery and pure Italian luxury instead.

Citations:

• CC image from Flickr

Sally Roberts enjoys writing on a variety of property-related topics and is a keen interior decorator; she prefers the comfort of a conventional luxury property for rent in Piccadilly to these weird and wacky structures, but you might find them appealing!

Kansas City Homes ~ Fortifying Your Home During Tornado Season

Kansas City homes see more tornado activity than many other homes in the United States.  "Tornado Alley" stretches from the area north of Texas through eastern Nebraska and northeast to Indiana, with Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas seeing more than their fair share of one of nature's most deadliest forces.

Taking steps to ensure one's safety is always an advantage between life and death and its best to be prepared for when nature lets loose no matter where you live, for a tornado can strike at any time and without any notice.  Being prepared by taking a few basic steps will help to protect your family and possibly your home from any kind of severe damage.

First of all, most building structures either meet or exceed the current building codes for high~wind regions, giving your structure a better chance of surviving violent and destructive windstorms.  Although there is no way to predict if your home will stand if struck with a direct hit, it is better to make sure your codes are in place and your structures sound. And one should never open their windows during a violent high~wind storm, you do not want to give the wind any opportunities to enter your building.

When inspecting your home it is best to pay particular attention to the following areas:  windows, doors, roof, gables and your houses connections (how your structure joins together).  If you are handy with a saw and hammer than you will probably get by with doing all the fortifications on your own or if you are not, then there are many professionals who are certified to do the work for you.

Remember to keep your outside grounds clean and trim, make sure weak branches are pruned and one suggestion is to change all your rock/gravel material to shredded bark, ensuring less damage to your home if high winds happen to pick the rocks up and begin hurling them like bullets around your property.  If a storm is approaching, remove all items that cannot be tied down, off of your property; you wouldn't wish to have your child's tricycle or the wheelbarrow come flying through your home as you prepare to ride out the storm.  

It is imperative to always have an Emergency Plan for you and your family, become familiar with the Emergency Broadcast System in your area and keep an Emergency Preparedness kits nearby in case things get really upsetting.  While nothing is ever for sure, being prepared is always better than not, it could save you and your families lives one day.  And like Dorothy once said..."There's no place like home~!!"

  **  This is a sponsored post for Remax, however, all the points and views are my own~!!  **

Top 7 Impossible Gardens

Have you ever grown a garden in a piece of furniture, or decided to have your ashes sprinkled in a coral garden shaped like the lost city of Atlantis?

Well get your green fingers at the ready, as these are some of the strangest gardens around!

Image by Joel Olives

1) Splice Garden (USA) 

Our first contender for the top impossible garden is the Splice Garden at the White Head Institute in the USA.

Now there are some very strange gardens coming up, but the reason that this garden is impossible is due to the fact that it defies a very basic principle of what a garden is.

It doesn’t grow!

The Splice Garden is entirely plastic!

The garden is supposed to reflect the dangers of gene splicing. It’s apparently still a relaxing space for the scientists to sit in, but I’m not sure that I fancy it!

Impossibility Factor: 5/10

2) Musee du quai Branly (France)

Image by Isamiga76

Our second contender is across the channel in France.

The Musee du quai Branly is where you’ll find the garden -but it won’t take you long to find it! Instead of growing in the museum’s grounds, the garden grows on the side of the building!
Vertical gardening has gained popularity in the last few years, and the museum is a great example!

It may be rather difficult to relax in this garden, but it’s certainly an amazing feat of urban gardening!

Impossibility Factor: 6/10

3) EDITT Tower (Singapore)
Ok, so this third entry is a little bit of a cheat, as this building is pending construction. But it only takes a quick glance at the plans to realise that this could be one of the strangest gardens of the future!

The EDITT Tower takes urban gardening to the extreme, with the garden appearing to overtake the building!

If you’ve been following the recent Chelsea Flower Show, then consider this to be Diarmuid Gavin’s ‘Magic Pyramid’ in skyscraper form!

The building collects rainwater and light, so not only does it look pretty amazing, it’s also energy efficient!

Impossibility Factor: 9/10

4) The Garden of Cosmic Speculation (Scotland)
Image by Yellow Book

In this strange garden you may feel like you’ve slipped into Wonderland!

The 30-acre Garden of Cosmic Speculation took nearly 20 years to complete. But the garden wasn’t inspired by Lewis Carroll; it was inspired by physics!

Chequered floors, curving mounds and double helix staircases, come together in a surreal landscape where nothing is quite as it seems.

Pay a visit and you too can speculate on black holes and parallel universes!

Impossibility Factor: 8/10

5) Furni Bloom (Icelandic Designer)

The exciting thing about this impossible garden is that you could have one of your own!
Furni Bloom was designed by Icelandic landscape architect Dagný Bjarnadóttir. It’s garden furniture with a twist; the garden is inside the furniture!

The chairs and table are made of transparent acrylic glass and are hollow inside. This enables you to plant a garden inside the furniture and then watch it grow!

Impossibility Factor: 7/10

6) Giant Hanging Basket (UK)

Lots of people have hanging baskets, but not many have decided to plant an entire garden in one!

But in 2009 the Hotel Indigo in London decided to install a giant hanging basket outside. How giant you ask? Well it weighed more than a quarter of a ton and contained over 100 varieties of flowers!

Sadly it’s long gone, but while it was around it would certainly have caught your eye!

Impossibility Factor: 8/10

7) Neptune Memorial Reef (USA)

There are many strange things about our last contender, but one of the most obvious is that it’s underwater!

Instead of growing flowers, this is a coral garden.

This garden can be found at Key Biscayne in Florida, and is designed as a resting place for the dearly departed.

Modelled in the style of the lost city of Atlantis, the memorial garden is formed of statues that are made up of ashes and cement.

It certainly looks very peaceful, and I love that new life comes from old!

Impossibility Factor: 10/10

So the Neptune Memorial Reef comes top for me, but which is your most impossible garden?

Or do you know a better candidate?

Gavin Harvey is a personal trainer with a passion for travel! A lover of all things weird and wonderful, he’s always in search of the next big adventure. When he’s not working, he can be found partying at music festivals, and he’s also a part time blogger for Out There Interiors.

A Tour through the Most Extravagant Homes in History

There is one thing we can count on as a constant throughout history: man is driven to succeed. Whether man’s goal is to be the best caveman or hunter or the richest business man, success has always been a motivating factor. What is the best and most comfortable way to show off your success and wealth than to have a large and lavish home decorated with the finest art?

Historically throughout the world, those individuals with the most power, had the most extravagant homes and were the envy of all who saw. Here is a look at some of the most expensive and extravagant homes to date.

Antalia-Mumbai, India ($1 Billion)

This property is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the world’s forth richest man. Antalia, named after a mythical island, is the most expensive home ever in history, anywhere in the world. It took seven years to build this 400,000 square foot, twenty-seven story high home.
In addition to stunning views of the Arabian Sea, this home includes a theater, yoga studio, swimming pool, health club and three helicopter landing pads, among other amazing features. There is even an “ice room” with man-made snow. This is the most lavish residence, and all for a family of six.

Villa Leopolda- Cote d’Azur, France ($525 million)

This villa built in 1902 by King Leopold II of Belgium contains nineteen bedrooms in its vast 80,000 square feet. Also present is a bowling alley and multiple kitchens and sports courts. Bill Gates is said to have lived there at one point.

One Hyde Park, the Penthouse-London, England ($221 million)

This famous piece of real estate is owned by Rinat Akhmetov, the Ukraine’s richest man. The penthouse, known all over the world, has many necessary security features for its high profile residents. It has iris scanners, bullet proof windows, and an escape tunnel that leads to a nearby hotel.

Starwood Ranch-Aspen, Colorado ($135 million)

This 56,000 square foot mansion sits on 95 acres in Colorado. It is owned by former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States, Prince Bandar. It has fifteen bedrooms and sixteen bathrooms, horse stables, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.

Hearst Mansion- Beverly Hills, CA ($95 million)

Originally owned by William Randolph Hearst, this home is located in the hills of Beverly Hills just off of Sunset Boulevard and neighbors the estate of Tom Cruise. The home has a helicopter landing pad, a theater, a disco and three swimming pools. John F. Kennedy had his honeymoon here.

Italian Medieval Castle-Torino, Italy ($84 million)

This 39,000 square foot castle dates back to the 9th century A.D. This castle that can house up to 300 people was owned by King Arduino. It has thirty air conditioned bedrooms and forty-seven bathrooms and a heli-pad.

1016 Madison Avenue, NY, NY ($72 million)

Just a stroll away from Central Park, this residence is seven stories high and has its own elevator. At over 7,000 square feet, it is one of the most expensive and most valued apartments in New York City.

Kelli McDonald loves to host summer parties outdoors surrounded by friends and family. She also enjoys creating unique ideas for home storage to highlight the space rather than the clutter.

Affordable Housing ~ From Renting to Santa Monica Homes ~ How You Can Own Your Own Home Too~!!

Being able to buy your own home has always been a part of the "dream".  Many of us never reach that pinnacle as we are happy in renting and having another take care of the maintenance and upkeep of a family home.  However, it is possible for low~income families to manage this dream and one day even own a beautiful house like the Santa Monica homes.  If you dream it, it will happen, or so the adage goes.

First thing to put in order is your credit.  Everyone needs a credit line in order to do any purchases of this kind of scale, rarely is a home purchased without any financial and legal advisors being involved with the process.  Get a copy of your credit report and see just what kind of debt you have consumed.  If you do happen to have credit worries, begin by putting your financial affairs in order.  Pay off any outstanding charges and begin to pay our bills on time.  If you stay on top of these issues, in no time, your credit will begin to take a positive note, giving you a better advantage at purchasing your first home.

Develop a financial plan and list all of your incomes, debts and assets.  You need to show that you are able to cover all of your current bills with enough to pay your mortgage and extras.  Banks do not wish for your mortgage to be more than 25~30% of your income.  

Begin to save money for a down payment.  Usually 5% of the cost of the home is asked as a retainer.  This shows the bank that you know how to save and are committed to the task of being a homeowner.  If you are able to show that you are trustworthy, a bank is more than likely able to deal, positively, with you and your house's mortgage.

Ask the bank for  pre~approved loan before looking for your first home.  If you happen to qualify, this will makes things simpler in finding your first home, as the bank will give you a price range in which you are pre~approved to buy.  Even if you do not get approved, it will give you a good lesson to help you better understand what your bank is looking for in financial information.

Check out any first~time home owner programs that may be available in your area.  Housing, Urban Development or similar offices will better be able to answer your questions on requirements you need to meet in order to benefit from these programs.

Look for a house you can afford.  Consider what you make during the month and what you can comfortably afford to purchase.  As a rule of thumb, you shouldn't buy a house that is three times more than your annual salary.  

Buying a house can be a daunting task for first time homeowners, but if you approach it educated and informed, your stress can be greatly reduced.  Know your market, find a reputable real estate agent and have fun shopping for your dream home.  Today's fixer upper could mean tomorrows Beverly Hills homes...

  **  This is a sponsored post for The Partners Trust, however, all the points and views are my own~!!  **

Carpenter Ants Q & A

Carpenter ants are commonly incorrectly identified and misunderstood pests. Knowing a few things about what they eat, how they behave, and what they look like will help you get rid of carpenter ants and keep them out of your house for good. The following are some commonly asked questions that will help you better understand carpenter ants:

Q: What size are carpenter ants?
A: Carpenter ants vary in size from as small as a quarter of an inch and as large as an entire inch. Mostly they are larger than regular ants, which will help you tell them apart from other ants and bugs.

Q: How are carpenter ants different from termites?
A: Termites eat wood, whereas carpenter ants only remove the wood to build their homes and nesting sites. It is a common misconception that carpenter ants eat wood; they do not. A good way to determine if you have termites or carpenter ants is by looking at the affected wood. Because termites eat wood, they do not leave a trail of sawdust or any remaining wood. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, will leave small neat piles of the sawdust they have excavated.

Q: What do carpenter ants eat?
A: A carpenter ant’s diet is very similar to other ants. Their affinity for sugars, syrups, and crumbs is often a factor in leading them into your home. While in nature they feed on dead insects mostly, they heavily forage on food scraps, sweets, meat, and fat.

Q: Where do carpenter ants live?
A: Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors. They prefer moist, woody habitats such as in dead and rotting wood.  Inside wood they build tunnels, called galleries, which interconnect and allow them to freely move from place to place within the wood. High moisture areas are most likely to by infested by carpenter ants.

Q: How do I keep carpenter ants out of my house?
A: The best way to keep your home free of carpenter ants is to avoid moisture build-up, and treat areas that are high moisture. These areas usually include wood surrounding pipes, rain gutters, water-using appliances such as your washing machine and dishwasher. Make sure your air circulation system is working properly and that humidity is not building up in certain areas of your home. Look for dead wood on your home and be sure to remove and replace it as soon as you notice it.

For more information about carpenter ant control please visit www.domyownpestcontrol.com. 

The History of the Hammock

Where it began
The history of the hammock is actually a rather interesting one. We all know what a hammock is but do we really know how it came into being? The earliest usage of the hammock was believed to be by Native American Indians. Spanish explorers noted that these hammocks were woven from the bark of a hamack tree. Over time this idea was improved upon by using sisal fibers which were more flexible and in a larger abundance across the land over the bark of the hamack tree.

The hammock became increasingly more popular in South America for their multi uses. Hammocks were noted to be beneficial in protection from insects and even the spread of disease. This was due to the above-the-ground suspension which hammocks offer.  People did not have to sleep on the ground and could avoid encounters with snakes and other poisonous and dangerous creatures.

Helping Ship Board Life
By the time the 1590s came around, British sailors would use hammocks on their ships and in their bunks. You could move a hammock anywhere on a ship as long as you had two places to suspend it from. Naval hammocks as they were called are still popular today on sailing vessels. Not only have hammocks found their way onto sailing vessels but they are also popular on most spacecraft even today. Hammocks evidently work great in zero gravity.

The United States military began using hammocks during the Vietnam War; however these war hammocks had one flaw. They were designed to be waterproof using segmented waterproof panels that would become filled with water overnight and place for the water to drain. Eventually the United States resolved this error in design.

Hammocks eventually spread as far as Mexico and Venezuela. Hammocks were used widely by the Mayan civilization. When the Spanish Conquistadors came and conquered the Mayans they took the idea of the hammock with them, however the Spanish have evolved the design of the hammock which is what we have today. The Spanish were the first to weave hammocks through looms and even implore the use of hand woven techniques.

Hammocks Today
Even today some of the classic hammock designs are the most popular. The Spreader bar, Mayan, Brazilian, naval, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and even the travel size hammocks are all a product of Spanish ingenuity. Today hammocks remain one of the best selling items in many areas such as home improvement, gardening, camping, and simple leisure activities.

Mark Gregory recommends Landmark Linen who offer a wide range of quality bedding.

Zombie Insurance for Your Home

In many parts of the country it is necessary for homeowners to have disaster insurance of some form or another. For instance, in California you might purchase earthquake or fire insurance or in Florida you might opt for hurricane or flood insurance.  However, did you know that over 95% of American’s lack insurance from the most certain of all impending disasters? We aren’t talking tornadoes or meteor showers here, this is far worse, we are talking about a zombie apocalypse. 

The sad truth is that most people are woefully unprepared for such an event and when it does happen, only the well prepared will even have a chance of survival.  There are no guarantees of survival, but there are some steps you can take to help yourself out.

The best thing you can do is to have a safe house out in the country or somewhere remote.  Ideally up in the mountains or a in deep, secluded forest.  This will provide cover as well as easy access to firewood to keep your warm in the long winters. It should also be equipped with well water and fully stocked with supplies.  At first sign of the apocalypse you should escape to your safe house. Let’s be honest though taking out a second mortgage to buy a safe house is a luxury few can afford.  Let’s focus on your current home instead.

Think of your home as your castle, because once things get bad, it pretty much will be.  You need to be able to weather the siege of assailants who may come against you at any moment.  First, go to Home Depot or a lumberyard and purchase plywood, 2x4’s and nails. You will need to board up every window and door as much as you can.  Put all the heavy furniture you can in front of them as well. You will need to leave at least one emergence exit that you can get out of quickly but you need to keep it covered, lightly boarded and well hidden.

IF help arrives at all, which it probably won’t, but if it does it may take weeks to do so.   Therefore you need to stock up as much food, water and medicine you as you can.  Be sure to ration things out the best you can. Purchase fuel and store it as well.  Emergency wind up flashlights that do not require batteries are an excellent purchase as well.  If you have to leave in a hurry the fuel will be needed for your truck. 

I cannot express this enough, you need to turn one room into a panic room.  This should be somewhere defensible like a basement or second story room if possible.  Reinforce the walls and double barricade the windows and doors. Place most of you supplies in this room. If worse comes to worse, this is your last line of defense.

Finally, stock up on weapons and ammo, they will be your best friend. Generally speaking, shotguns and swords can make quick work out of zombies, but handguns, rifles and even chain saws can work. Whatever you can get your hands on, use it. It is important to have at least one quiet weapon that doesn’t need fuel or ammo , like an axe, since conservation and stealth will be your best way of staying alive.

Despite all of this your odds of surviving a zombie apocalypse are still pretty slim, but at least this will give you a chance. Which is more than most people will have.

Jeff Jordan lives, breathes, fights the undead and writes in sunny Southern California. He mainly writes about zombies. automobiles, mortgage refinancing and pop culture.  He would write about romance and dating but it shoud be obvious he knows nothing about it.

How to Become a Backyard Zookeeper

Are your dogs and cats and other household pets not providing enough excitement in your life? Have they become too mundane and predictable lately? If so, you might want to consider getting rid of them and becoming a backyard zookeeper instead. Your pet cat probably does little besides sun itself on a windowsill when not eating. Imagine how much more fun it would be to have a tiger or a lion instead. A tiger may not be able to fit on your windowsill, but it will provide you with hours of conversational material at work and at social events.

Your dog probably does little but bark, eat and sleep and generally bore you to death. Replacing that dog with a hippopotamus could be just the answer that you need. Negative people make try to deter you from keeping a zoo in your back yard, but that's only because they have no imagination.




From: How Do I Become A

Indoor Water Features and the Art of Feng Shui

When it comes to arranging their homes, people all over the world turn to Feng Shui. Feng Shui is a Chinese art dating back thousands of years, and is based on balancing the energy, or “Chi”, within a space so that it promotes good fortune for its inhabitants. One great way to use Feng Shui in your home is to incorporate indoor water features.

About Feng Shui 
In English, Feng Shui translates to “Wind” and “water”. These elements, in traditional Chinese culture, relate to good health. Thus, when the principles of Feng Shui are applied properly, good luck will follow.

An important part of Feng Shui is the “Five Elements” – water, wood, earth, metal, and fire. These elements interact with each other in cycles that represent certain aspects of life and the natural world. Proper placement of these elements in your home encourages positive chi (energy).

Water is one of the most important elements. According to Feng Shui, when water is placed and moving in the right direction, it brings wealth, prosperity, harmony and health. Flowing water is especially beneficial - it mimics the movement water in nature, which produces harmonious chi.

Feng Shui and Indoor Water Features
An excellent way to incorporate the water element of Feng Shui in your home’s interior design is by using features such as indoor fountains. There are a variety to choose from, depending on your preferences. Tabletop fountains can be easily used in, or relocated to, any room of the house. Indoor wall fountains or freestanding floor fountains provide an interesting design element, and mimic flowing bodies of water such as waterfalls that are found in nature. You can even combine one of these fountains with a small pool; the more your features resemble naturally occurring water, the more harmonious your home’s chi will be.

Placement of Indoor Water Features
Where you place your indoor water features, both within the house and within the room, produces a variety of effects through Feng Shui. Of course, you’ll want to have an arrangement that creates a positive flow of energy. You can also use different placements to encourage different positive results:

• Good marriage: Southwest
• Wealth and luck: Southeast
• Career success: North
• Educational success: Northeast
• Good friendships: West
• Good health and family relationships: East

There are several placements to avoid, since they create a negative flow of energy and bring inauspicious consequences. Feng Shui advisors say never to place indoor water features in the bedroom, as this promotes worry. You should also never place your features directly south, as this is where fire should be, and fire and water conflict with each other.

Feng Shui Factors to Consider
Adding other design elements to your indoor water features brings additional benefits. Incorporating lights or adding floating candles to the pool of your fountain brings you life, happiness, and positive thoughts from others. Placing a mirror behind your features expands your home’s chi. Incorporating heavy items such as stones or pebbles retains positive chi. Features that incorporate wood also produce positive energy, since water is necessary for wood to grow in nature.

The shape of your indoor fountain should be considered, as well. Feng Shui advisors recommend that fountains be round in shape, or have rounded corners. The larger the size of the fountain, the more effective it will be at producing positive energy. Square fountains should be placed in the corners of rooms, while round ones should go in the center. Rectangular fountains should be avoided.

When using Feng Shui for your interior design, incorporate indoor water features. With all the options to choose from, you can find the elements that are right for you and your home.

Polly Godwin is the owner of IndoorFountains.com, a company specializing in indoor water fountains and home décor.

16 Simple Tools Everyone Should Have (Plus Some Extras)

Comedian Tim Allen made a career and a hit TV sit-com out of the common male fascination with tools.  He succeeded because, as Sid Cesar put it, “Comedy has to be based on truth. You take the truth and you put a little curlicue at the end.”

 All joking aside, it is true that many men, and women, have great fondness and affection for the tools that enable us to get work done and we do have a tendency to go overboard sometimes. When it comes to home remodeling and maintenance, having the right tools is critical to getting the job done properly. The question is do we all need the biggest, baddest power tools in our workshops?

 The answer ... maybe. That’s for each individual to decide. But today, tool rental businesses can provide just about any tool you might need for a specific job at a reasonable rate, which means the average handyman can save on capital expenditures for tools and the cost of getting any project done.

 Still, there are certain necessities when it comes to stocking the home tool box and workbench. If you have all the tools on the list that follows, you will be prepared to tackle all those little maintenance chores around the house and have the basic tools you will need to carry out most home remodeling projects. You might call this a list of the tools every man (or woman) should have:

The Bare Essential Tools:
●      Hammer(s) — Get two, you will always be leaving one lying around and it will get moved and probably wind up buried on a closet shelf. 
●      Screwdrivers — A good hand set that includes varied sizes and bits for different types of jobs.
●      Rubber Mallet — Just for those jobs where a regular hammer is not quite right for the task.
●      Battery-Powered Driver/Drill — With full bit set and a back up battery.
●      Socket Wrench Set — This should include metric and U.S. sizes and a spark plug wrench.
●      Adjustable Wrenches — Have a good variety of sizes and make sure to get a couple designed specifically for plumbing work.
●      Vise Grips — If it needs to be squeezed harder than your hands can manage, vise grips can do it.

●      Pliers — A standard, an adjustable, and a needle nose.
●      Stand-alone Flashlight — For under the sink, under the car or any dark, tight place.
●      Hand Saws — A hack saw for metal and one for wood.
●      Tape Measure — Remember, measure twice and cut once.
●      Pry Bar — This is a true multipurpose tool.

●      Carpenter’s Square — Getting those cuts right is easy.
●      Levels — A three-footer will help - a laser level is divine for picture hanging.
●      Stud Finder — Essential for hanging anything heavier than a couple of pounds.
●      Duct Tape! — Yes, it’s useful everywhere.
Also Very Handy:
●      Sanding Block — With variety of sand papers from fine to coarse grains.
●      Paint Brushes — Again, a variety is always good to have. Rollers, too.
●      Mixing Buckets — Two or three, including a small one.
●      Trowels and Scrapers — You’ll find plenty of uses for these when patching and painting.

●      Wire Cutter/Stripper — Makes electronics work easy - some pliers have this built in.
●      Punch Set — These are always handy for poking holes, setting nails and who knows what.
●      Caulking Gun — Pop in the kind of sealer you need and go-- from bathtub, to windows, to painting prep and even mortar repair.
●      Clamps — Aids in gluing projects of all kinds.
●      Tool Box and/or Tool Belt — Once you have a number of items, or you’ve got them scattered all over your work site, you’ll wonder why you don’t have one already.

The Extras (to Buy Only as You Need Them):

●      Sledge Hammer — When you really have to knock the daylights out of something.
●      Chisels — Have two or three sizes on hand.

●      Power Sander — Very helpful when you get into larger projects that need a lot of surface prep for painting or refinishing.
●      Heavy Duty Staple Gun — Ideal for outdoor decorations, holding wires in place.

●      Circular Saw — With standard blades. You can always get speciality blades as you need them.

●      Reciprocating Saw — A very handy tool for cutting holes in drywall, cutting off nail heads, etc.

●      Shop Vac — All this work you’re doing makes a mess. Time to clean it up!
●      Peg Board, Hooks and Furring Strips — Once you accumulate some tools, it’s best to keep them handy with a simple wall-mounted organizer. Since you already have some tools, installing it is a piece of cake!

 If you have all these tools on hand, you can tackle just about any home repair or improvement project from hanging pictures to patching holes in walls to building a deck. You will find that over time, you will add to the collection or upgrade your tools.

 The point is that if your goal is to save money and be able to do much of the work around your home on your own, getting your workbench stocked with these basic tools is essential. All the tools on this list can be purchased at just about any neighborhood hardware dealer or home supply store.

Image courtesy http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/12782

Ed Mostella is a DIYer and manufacturing tools expert, Ed enjoys helping people work safely and effectively. He specializes in training on the torque wrench and air screwdriver.

Creative Uses for Wallpaper

If you have ever used wallpaper within your house, or even someone else's house, then you know there is almost always too much of it. It doesn't matter how well you measured it, how careful you were to try and get the right amount, or how sure you were that you got the right measurements; there will be leftovers. Ordinarily this extra wallpaper just gets thrown out. Perhaps people think that it is a waste but that there is nothing that can be done with this extra wallpaper. Fortunately, this is not true. In fact, there are many creative uses for the leftover wallpaper. Below are 10 uses for extra wallpaper that are both simple and elegant.

1) Cover your light switch plates in wallpaper. This is very simple, but also adds a nice touch to the room. It can be done with either the same wallpaper that is in the room, or with complimentary wallpaper.

2) Use wallpaper to decorate the outside of trash bins. By matching the trash basket to the room it looks like less of an eye sore, but at the same time allows it to maintain its functionality. There are lots of expensive trash cans for sale, but by using wallpaper you can accomplish the same task while saving a good deal of money.

3) Decorate your cabinets with leftover wallpaper. Again, this is one where using the same wallpaper or different wallpaper would both work. The insides of cabinets are one of the most overlooked areas of a house for decoration, which does not make sense. It's an area that is frequently looked at by guests when they want to get a drink or some food. By pasting some leftover wallpaper into the insides of the cabinet it adds a subtle style to the house without being overly showy.

4) Use extra wallpaper as gift wrap. Gift wrap is one of those household items that is always in needed, and never seems to be there when you need it. The next time you are frantically looking for some wrapping paper to mail that gift you somewhat forgot about, don't rush out to the store and buy wrapping paper. Instead, grab some of the old wallpaper sitting idly in the closet and use that.

5) Turn leftover wallpaper into artwork. This is one of the more popular trends among designers working on a budget today. Cut out pieces of the wallpaper that you like and then add it to a simple frame. This can be done with multiple different wallpapers as well. Once all the wallpaper is framed, simply hang it on a wall that you believe will be complimented by the selected wallpapers.

6) Create book covers with extra wallpaper. This is especially relevant for those with younger children. Teachers often require that they add book covers to their textbooks. Instead of going out and buying these covers, they can be created with leftover wallpaper. Both saving money, and looking better than most of the ones that can be purchased.

7) Use wallpaper to cover the inside of a bookcase or display case. By pasting some wallpaper to the inside of the display or book case it allows a subtle background that can emphasize and compliment the contents of the case. The only tricky part is ensuring that whatever wallpaper you decide to use for the backdrop of the case matches and compliments what will be displayed. To ensure that this happens make sure to hold it up inside the case before doing anything permanent.

8) Put extra wallpaper under the glass of a coffee table. This allows for a more interesting looking coffee table and it can be changed out. Simply lift the class, insert the properly cut piece of wallpaper, and put the glass back down.

9) Cover the outside of storage boxes around the house with wallpaper. Instead of having plain looking storage boxes sitting around the house, decorate them with interesting wallpaper.

10) Cut out place-mat sized pieces of wall paper and laminate them. Once they are laminated they make for excellent place-mats. They can be both formal and informal depending on what wallpaper is used. It saves money, and allows for more variety.

Pete Wise works with Discount Decorating as a Content Marketer. DDO has one of the largest selections of Wallpaper anywhere on the web, and their matching Wallpaper Borders are some of the most affordable around. If you liked the article, check out Pete's Twitter: @MySEOHeadache

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Putting a Stop to the Vicious Cycle of Dust mite Allergies

Nobody enjoys the constant sneezing, coughing and watery eyes that accompany a dust mite allergy. Besides stuffiness and discomfort allergy symptoms can be disruptive during a work day and deprive you of much needed sleep night after night and day after day.

But allergies don’t have to be miserable and ruin your life!

Regardless if your symptoms are mild, moderate or even severe there are things you can do at home to stop the vicious cycle of dust allergies and start living symptom free.  All it takes is an understanding of what a dust allergy is and ultimately what a dust mite is, how it affects your body and effective methods for eliminating the allergen from your home.

What Is a Dust Mite?
So what are dust mites? They are tiny microscopic creatures that measure about .01 inches, which is the same as about a thousandth of a millimeter requiring a microscope to be able to see them. They are a member of the arachnid class because they are joint-legged invertebrate animals.

They are closest to spiders and tics but they do not actually bite you or feed on your directly. Instead they feed on the dead skin cells that flake off your body on a continual basis. Dust mites start out as an egg and then move onto the larvae stage with 6 legs. The next stage is nymph and finally adult where they develop 8 legs.

From egg to adult is roughly 3 to 4 weeks and can continue to live another 1 to 3 months depending on the living conditions. Under ideal conditions a single female can produce anywhere from 50 to 80 eggs in her lifetime.

What are Ideal Living Conditions?
Dust mites flourish in a warm, humid and dark environment that provides a ready source of food. In your home their preferred living space is actually your bed, where it remains dark, warm and readily plentiful with a food supply.

What Is a Dust Mite Allergy?
Dust mite allergies can be defined as an overreaction by your immune system to the presence of dust mite droppings and decaying body parts.  This “overreaction” leads to the classic respiratory symptoms sufferers know all too well.

How Do Dust Mite Allergies Affect You?
As we breathe normally we inhale these tiny microscopic particles that have become airborne through normal household activities like cleaning, rustling the sheets and blankets on your bed and dusting. Once inhaled these particles gain access to your bloodstream where they travel throughout your body and populate in a variety of locations.

The immune system locates these particles and responds by over producing IgE antibodies.  These antibodies locate mass cells or cells that contain histamine within the blood to attach to. On repeated exposure more antibodies are produced and the mast cells become overloaded and burst, releasing histamine into the bloodstream. As the histamine travels through your body varying symptoms begin to appear.

How to Effectively Eliminate Allergy Symptoms
If you want to effectively eliminate symptoms it is necessary to eliminate the allergen. Anything else is just a temporary cover up until the next overload.  The good news is eliminating dust mite allergens is easier than you might think.

1)      Purchase allergy encasements. Dust mites live in your bed and feed on skin tissue that has flaked away while sleeping. This makes it rather obvious how encasing your mattresses and pillows can eliminate the allergen at its source. Do some research and be sure the encasements you select are designed to trap particles as small as 200 microns and you’ll be set to effectively trap dust mites and their waste.
 2)       Invest in a quality vacuum designed to trap particles of the smallest microns. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a HEPA filter vacuum but it does need to be designed with a powerful suction that has been proven to trap particles instead of letting them slip through the bag surface and back into the air you are breathing.
 3)      Purchase an air purifier with proven effectiveness at eliminating particles as small as 200 microns and place it in your bedroom. You can purchase a whole house purifier if you want to but you will still want a separate unit for your room.
 4)      Finally, clean thoroughly and clean often. By keeping dust to a minimum on hard surfaces you will prevent allergen particles from becoming airborne where they wait for you to inhale!

Nobody enjoys living with bothersome allergy symptoms. The good news is you don’t have to! Just take a moment to understand the dust mite, what an allergy is and how to beat it and you’ll be breathing fresh air and enjoying symptom free days in no time.

Mikki Hogan is a proud wife and mother living in North Carolina with her family. Soon after learning she was suffering from an allergy from dust she set her mind to finding a way to beat her symptoms by beating the disease.  Step one was answering the question, “what are dust mites” in as much detail as possible. The answer led her to practical solutions for relief that she gladly shares here today.

Pros and Cons of Shower Curtains and Bath Shower Screens

Installing a shower over the bath has always proven to be an excellent use of space in smaller bathrooms, especially those with young children who need a bath. Shower curtains have been used for the longest time to prevent shower water from splashing outside the bath and general wet area. Nowadays though there is a wide variety of bath shower screens available but the question is whether they're worth installing. Let's consider the benefits and disadvantages of shower curtains versus bath shower screens.

Shower Curtains
Firstly let's look at the pros and cons of the tried and true shower curtain.

Pros

• Most shower curtains are very affordable, making them a viable option for every household.
• To install a shower curtain is super easy. It's just a matter of attaching the shower curtain hooks to the curtain and then placing the hooks over the shower rail.
• These days there are many different shower curtains to choose from. With so many beautiful fabrics and patterns it's easy to find something that will make a lovely style statement in your bathroom.
• Whenever you grow tired of your shower curtain it's easy to take it down and put up a new one.
• Shower curtains are effective at keeping shower water from spraying onto the walls and floor of your bathroom.

Cons

• One of the most problematic issues with shower curtains is that they can become grubby quickly and even grow mould before your very eyes. A wet curtain sitting against a bath for long periods is not going to help the grime factor.
• Many shower curtains can be washed in the machine but taking it down and up often is not likely to be a fun thing to do. All in all, shower curtains are quite problematic when it comes to keeping them clean.
• Shower curtains can also make a room feel smaller by creating a wall around the bath.
• Generally, shower curtains make bathrooms look out of date.

Bath Shower Screens
Now it's time to consider the pros and cons of bath shower screens.

Pros

• A bath shower screen instantly modernizes the bathroom simply because of the clean lines, sharp edges and up to date shapes.
• Clear glass screens make the room look larger, giving a feeling of spaciousness. When we don't feel we're in a tight space it's easier to relax and enjoy it.
• Bath screens are effective at preventing water from splashing onto dry areas.
• Shower screens are easy to keep clean, and who wouldn't want to start their day in a sparkling clean bathroom.
• You can choose from many different options including bi-fold or sliding screens, framed or frameless screens and even oval screens should you so desire. With such a wide variety of bath screens available, it's easy to find something that will fit perfectly into your space. 
• Screens last for a long time and can give an up to date look for years when simple designs are chosen.
• Bath screens can increase the value of your property.

Cons

• The investment required for some shower screens to be purchased and fitted is certainly more than the cost of a simple shower curtain.

As you can probably gather, the main advantage of a shower curtain versus a bath shower screen is that the curtain costs a lot less. However, it's important to remember that our bathroom can be a place of respite, a room in our home where we should be able to retreat to and rejuvenate. An impressive oval bath shower screen goes a long way toward adding that touch of luxury we all deserve and will always outshine a shower curtain when it comes to that feeling of pampering and relaxation. Other then the initial investment of a bath screen, there really is no other reason not to invest in one, in fact in our book, bath shower screens win hands down over the old fashioned shower curtain. And remember, we all deserve to indulge regularly and what better place than in a bath shower with a beautiful screen.

Tauseef Hussain is an interior decorator and social media blogger for Bathroom Suites, the online shop for Bath Shower Screens fixtures (for UK citizens).

Power Supplies

Power supplies

Fossil fuels
Fossil fuel is the name given to a certain type of carbon resource which is normally found deep underground. Things like coal and oil are fossil fuels, and are the result of ancient life forms being crushed by geological processes like tectonic activity (the stuff that causes earthquakes). In a fossil fuel power station, the fuel is burned to create heat, which is used to boil water and create steam – just like the stuff that comes out of your kettle. A power station makes so much of it in such a short space of time that it can be used to turn enormous turbines, which generate the electricity. Fossil fuels are running out though, and burning them creates harmful gasses. That’s why fossil fuel power stations are unpopular with some people.

Geothermal
This type of electricity is cheap and environmentally friendly, so it’s popular with governments.

Nuclear power
moving boxes of the stuff around. Nobody knows where to put it once we’ve used it. At the bottom of the sea? Down a huge mine shaft? The material will be dangerous for tens of thousands of years. How will we make sure future humans do not stumble on it by mistake, if language changes as much as it has even in the last five hundred years?

Biomass
Biomassis a bit like a fossil fuel, except it isn’t millions of years old! Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen based fuels like wood, sugar cane and even animal waste can be used to make electricity in a number of ways. Either it can fuel a steam turbine system like the other types of power station, or it can be converted into another sort of fuel like biodiesel or even hydrogen. Both of these can be used to power electricity generators or vehicles.

Solar photovoltaic
Like photovoltaic panels at school, which might just about power a lightbulb on a sunny day. The photovoltaic panels used for power stations are much bigger and more efficient.

Wind
Wind turbines– they’re huge windmill structures which are turned by the wind, and which produce electricity directly. Although they are becoming more popular, critics say that they are a wasteful and do not provide the reliable electricity we need to replace fossil fuels.

Hydroelectric
Electricity generation. Like a watermill would have ground flour a hundred years ago, the power from a river or stream can be harnessed to turn turbines and produce electricity. The main downside to this is the enormous reservoir which needs to be created behind the dam, but there are negative aspects to every type of power station which we will need to overcome if we want to keep using energy at this rate.

Terry Daley works in the renewables sector as an engineer, but in he started work doing reputation management projects for large energy firms. Looking forward to retired life, he hopes he can leave the world a pleasant place for his grandchildren.

12 Home Improvements to make in 2012

At this time of year there is much talk of ‘new year’s resolutions’ when people make grand plans to start over and make some sort of lifestyle change for the new year. However, instead of setting wildly unrealistic lifestyle goals it could be an idea to make 2012 a year of home improvements with the goal of having a home that looks finished, presentable and well maintained by the end of the year. Such improvements may include the following:

1. Fix problematic doors – almost every home has at least one problematic door that does not shut properly or drags along the carpet. Oak doors and other high quality wooden doors can easily be adjusted.
2. Touch up walls – with the passage of time interior walls get chipped, scratched and marked but this can be quickly rectified with paint touch ups.
3. Replace discoloured fittings – white fittings such as plug sockets and light switches fade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight.
4. Repair damage to hard surfaces – hard materials found in kitchen worktops and fireplace surrounds can easily become chipped and scratched. Repair offers a cost effective alternative to replacement.
5. Replace damaged skirting boards – even oak skirting boards can be damaged due to their low position in the room. Replacing cracked and damaged skirting boards can restore a room to its former beauty.
6. Oil door handles – squeaky door hands can be exceptionally irritating and the problem is very rarely remedied. Simply oiling squeaky door handles is a quick and effective solution.
7. Replace missing light bulbs – many homes feature light bulbs that have come to the end of their lives or are simply missing. Replacing such light bulbs can improve the look of a home very simply.
8. Tidy away cables – electric cables are unsightly, yet they feature more and more in the home. By using cable clips, beading or plastic tubing such cables can be removed from sight and restore the appearance of the room.
9. Remove mould – mould is a persistent problem in most homes in the bathroom and perhaps even around window frames. However, killing mould can bring some relief and significant improve the cleanliness of the home.
10. Repair damaged furniture and fittings – furniture in particular can be easily damaged. For example a rung could become dislodged from its fitting. A quick repair will ensure the home appears well kept.
11. Polish wooden surfaces – while dusting wooden surfaces will ensure their cleanliness, polish will transform the appearance of any wooden surface and protect the wood from minor damage.
12. Bleed the radiators – a quick and simple task that will significantly improve the efficiency of the radiators in the home. 

The above ideas and many others will assist the homeowner in ensuring that 2012 is a good year for home improvements. By following these suggestions among others the end result will be a home that is well kept and well maintained and therefore exceptionally attractive to residents and guests alike.

This article was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of UK Oak Doors; suppliers of high quality oak doors and oak skirting boards.  After putting it off for many months, Crispin is choosing to make over his home in 2012.

What to Do if You Find Asbestos While Doing DIY

Asbestos is a type of fibrous material which was commonly used in construction in the late 19th century. It is made of naturally occurring silicate minerals, and the material was very desirable in construction because it is resistant to fire and heat, and also to electrical and chemical damage. It also has excellent sound absorption and insulation properties.

Unfortunately, the inhalation of the tiny fibers within this material has been linked to many serious health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis which is a specific type of pneumoconiosis. Since these health repercussions were revealed, the European Union has banned the use of asbestos in all construction projects.

Is There Asbestos in My Home?
During the period of time from 1930 until 1980, asbestos was widely used in most building projects, so if your house or flat was built or renovated during these years it might contain asbestos. If the home was built after 1993, most asbestos products will have been banned and it is unlikely to contain the material.

Where Will I Find It?
If there is asbestos in your home, it will likely be in one of these types of materials:

• Insulating board (found in ceiling tiles, walls, and partitions)
• Asbestos lagging (used for insulation of pipes and boilers)
• Asbestos Cement (used in guttering, drainpipes, and as cladding for sheds)
• Decorative plasters and textured paints
• Heating appliances and domestic equipment such as oven gloves, ironing boards, etc.

How Can I Tell if Something Contains Asbestos?
The first step is to check the label. If it was manufactured after 1976, it will be identified on the label as containing asbestos. If you cannot find a label, call the supplier or the manufacturer and ask them about the specific product. You can also contact the Council’s Environmental Health Department.

Photo Credit

What Should I Do If I Find Asbestos in My Home?
If the asbestos materials that you have found are in good condition and are not at risk of being damaged, they might be best left where they are. Removing them could result in much higher levels of asbestos fibres in the air. However, it is important to keep checking on the condition of these asbestos products in case they become damaged and start to release their fibres. If you will be performing a home renovation, always inform the builders before they start work that there is asbestos in the home so that they can take the necessary safety precautions. If you are doing the work yourself, do not drill, sand, or cut the asbestos material unless absolutely necessary. Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in the dust. To dispose of any asbestos material, wet it and place it in a strong plastic bag, sealed tightly and labelled “Asbestos”. Take these bags to your Household Waste Depot, and wash all clothing straight away in a washing machine separate from any other clothes.

 Never try to do the work yourself if it involves sprayed asbestos, lagging or insulating boards. There are a few ways of dealing with these asbestos materials. The first is to spray them with a specialist sealant which will enclose the material. However, if the asbestos material is too damaged you will need to remove it. You should contact a contractor with an approved license from the government, who will know the proper regulations for ensuring that the asbestos is completely and safely removed. If the material was performing a function such as a fire-retardant, you will need to replace it with a safer alternative.

Take extra care to protect yourself against the dangers of asbestos when performing home renovations!

This content was produced by Simon Grant on behalf of asbestos claim solicitors Access Legal.