The Laid Daughter

There has been a lot of publicity lately centered on the issue of child molestation. Child molestation is a horrific form of child abuse that leaves its victims with a deep loss of self and the inability to cope with life's challenges.

Another form of child abuse, that leaves its victims powerless and confused, is incest. Incest is a topic that most families refuse to discuss and sometimes deny that it ever existed. The Laid Daughter, by Helen Bonner is such an example.

In this riveting novel, the author discusses her own issues with incest. What is so unique about the novel itself is that the author has been journaling her strange feelings and dreams for over 20 years before she realizes that her journal entries depict her true life experiences.

The author takes us on her journey through self discovery and healing by allowing us to see her daily struggles in life. She is plagued with failed marriages and her inability to have honest and open relationships with others. She cuts herself off from her family and friends. There is however, something very striking about Ms. Bonner's character. She is able to hold down a job and build herself a lucrative career while dealing with the incest issue.

Going through the healing process was not an easy road for Ms. Bonner. Early on, she was given erroneous advice from some early therapist. She found herself dropping out of therapy with the belief that somehow she could conquer her demons on her own. She then seeks therapy through a wonderful therapist by the name of Glenda Parkinson who discovers that Helen was not just a survivor of incest, but she also suffered from a Multiple Personality Disorder.

Glenda Parkinson also expresses how quickly Helen was able to work through her demons as shown by the following excerpt:

"Helen spent only a year in intense psychotherapy with me. The average length of treatment time is somewhere between five and ten years. She was highly motivated and followed her gut instincts in making therapeutic decisions for herself. She read. She wrote. She practiced suggestive directives. She attended a national conference for adult survivors. Her art work was another vehicle for self-understanding. She used relaxation techniques when feeling panicky. She begin to fill her new "house" by acknowledging and fulfilling the needs of her integrating selves. Decisions Helen made for herself rather than against herself were the catalyst toward wholeness."

As you can see by the above excerpt, healing from incest or any other form of childhood abuse can be done with hard work and determination. I would recommend this fine piece of work to anyone who has suffered the pain and anguish of child abuse or to anyone who wants to discover how they can make changes in their own life that can help them move forward to living life to its fullest.

ISBN: 1884178235

Author: Helen Bonner

Publisher: Kairos Center

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book

EMPOWERING TEENAGERS

From a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. We need, badly, to recognize these patterns and to empower the "young adult" to deal with growth in wholesome and productive ways. That is not a utopia... it is achievable with understanding and open communication.

I'll give you a major clue: always understand that what peers think of your child and his/her actions is an overly important consideration for the child. Maybe such peer opinions are unjustified, but they are excruciatingly important to the child. We have not done the best job possible at empowering our children....giving them the room and respect that they deserve and expecting the same in return. "

A new book, "Empowering Children" is a powerful tool for parents and others interested in raising children to the crowning height of their individual potential. The jeopardy of children in today's world is revealed at length, with camera angles on internet dangers, child abuse, sexual predators, domestic violence and ecology issues. Parent and family roles are discussed. There is a chapter on the author's hundreds of motivational talks in the classroom. Then a global journey, examining the empowerment needs of children in the most desperate conditions as well as those in better circumstance.

Some comments from the children:

"I wish everyone was as inspiring and open minded as you."

"I thought my life was cruddy... thanks for coming to our class, now I know I can do something great with my life."

"I really appreciate you coming to talk. I think it's really cool how you try to help teens."

"Changed the way I thought about things and helped me to open my eyes."

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book

EMPOWERING TEENAGERS

From a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. We need, badly, to recognize these patterns and to empower the "young adult" to deal with growth in wholesome and productive ways. That is not a utopia... it is achievable with understanding and open communication.

I'll give you a major clue: always understand that what peers think of your child and his/her actions is an overly important consideration for the child. Maybe such peer opinions are unjustified, but they are excruciatingly important to the child. We have not done the best job possible at empowering our children....giving them the room and respect that they deserve and expecting the same in return. "

A new book, "Empowering Children" is a powerful tool for parents and others interested in raising children to the crowning height of their individual potential. The jeopardy of children in today's world is revealed at length, with camera angles on internet dangers, child abuse, sexual predators, domestic violence and ecology issues. Parent and family roles are discussed. There is a chapter on the author's hundreds of motivational talks in the classroom. Then a global journey, examining the empowerment needs of children in the most desperate conditions as well as those in better circumstance.

Some comments from the children:

"I wish everyone was as inspiring and open minded as you."

"I thought my life was cruddy... thanks for coming to our class, now I know I can do something great with my life."

"I really appreciate you coming to talk. I think it's really cool how you try to help teens."

"Changed the way I thought about things and helped me to open my eyes."

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book

EMPOWERING TEENAGERS

From a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. We need, badly, to recognize these patterns and to empower the "young adult" to deal with growth in wholesome and productive ways. That is not a utopia... it is achievable with understanding and open communication.

I'll give you a major clue: always understand that what peers think of your child and his/her actions is an overly important consideration for the child. Maybe such peer opinions are unjustified, but they are excruciatingly important to the child. We have not done the best job possible at empowering our children....giving them the room and respect that they deserve and expecting the same in return. "

A new book, "Empowering Children" is a powerful tool for parents and others interested in raising children to the crowning height of their individual potential. The jeopardy of children in today's world is revealed at length, with camera angles on internet dangers, child abuse, sexual predators, domestic violence and ecology issues. Parent and family roles are discussed. There is a chapter on the author's hundreds of motivational talks in the classroom. Then a global journey, examining the empowerment needs of children in the most desperate conditions as well as those in better circumstance.

Some comments from the children:

"I wish everyone was as inspiring and open minded as you."

"I thought my life was cruddy... thanks for coming to our class, now I know I can do something great with my life."

"I really appreciate you coming to talk. I think it's really cool how you try to help teens."

"Changed the way I thought about things and helped me to open my eyes."

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book

EMPOWERING TEENAGERS

From a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. We need, badly, to recognize these patterns and to empower the "young adult" to deal with growth in wholesome and productive ways. That is not a utopia... it is achievable with understanding and open communication.

I'll give you a major clue: always understand that what peers think of your child and his/her actions is an overly important consideration for the child. Maybe such peer opinions are unjustified, but they are excruciatingly important to the child. We have not done the best job possible at empowering our children....giving them the room and respect that they deserve and expecting the same in return. "

A new book, "Empowering Children" is a powerful tool for parents and others interested in raising children to the crowning height of their individual potential. The jeopardy of children in today's world is revealed at length, with camera angles on internet dangers, child abuse, sexual predators, domestic violence and ecology issues. Parent and family roles are discussed. There is a chapter on the author's hundreds of motivational talks in the classroom. Then a global journey, examining the empowerment needs of children in the most desperate conditions as well as those in better circumstance.

Some comments from the children:

"I wish everyone was as inspiring and open minded as you."

"I thought my life was cruddy... thanks for coming to our class, now I know I can do something great with my life."

"I really appreciate you coming to talk. I think it's really cool how you try to help teens."

"Changed the way I thought about things and helped me to open my eyes."

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Empowering Teenagers - A Few Clues About Teens And A New Book

EMPOWERING TEENAGERS

From a new book: "Adolescence is a difficult period, both for the emerging adult and for those around him/her. Intellectual growth, sexual awareness, quantum physical growth and the need for increasing independence are all natural and expected patterns. We need, badly, to recognize these patterns and to empower the "young adult" to deal with growth in wholesome and productive ways. That is not a utopia... it is achievable with understanding and open communication.

I'll give you a major clue: always understand that what peers think of your child and his/her actions is an overly important consideration for the child. Maybe such peer opinions are unjustified, but they are excruciatingly important to the child. We have not done the best job possible at empowering our children....giving them the room and respect that they deserve and expecting the same in return. "

A new book, "Empowering Children" is a powerful tool for parents and others interested in raising children to the crowning height of their individual potential. The jeopardy of children in today's world is revealed at length, with camera angles on internet dangers, child abuse, sexual predators, domestic violence and ecology issues. Parent and family roles are discussed. There is a chapter on the author's hundreds of motivational talks in the classroom. Then a global journey, examining the empowerment needs of children in the most desperate conditions as well as those in better circumstance.

Some comments from the children:

"I wish everyone was as inspiring and open minded as you."

"I thought my life was cruddy... thanks for coming to our class, now I know I can do something great with my life."

"I really appreciate you coming to talk. I think it's really cool how you try to help teens."

"Changed the way I thought about things and helped me to open my eyes."

http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

The Laid Daughter   The Laid Daughter   

Carpet Installation Budget

An appropriate route to boost the price of your home will be to install new carpets before going to put it on sale. Doing this will allow the choice to get a new appearance of your property and grab a greater installation cost. However whether or not you've planned to sell your personal property or perhaps carrying out a rearrangement you will still desire to determine what exactly are the carpet setting up service fees.

The costs usually differ in different areas of the United States based on the local supply and demand connected with these services together with the regional taxes. Taking into consideration the most recent financial obstacles that the country's going through you may locate a carpet specialist that would give you a great deal as the home renovations have recorded a drop in addition with the fees in this particular industry. Constantly make an effort to negotiate the ultimate value relying on the components of your house - you will likely receive up to a 30% reduced installation cost of your original amount in the end. In a few cities having a carpet set up is mostly a tradition and for that reason the competitiveness amongst most of the retail stores which do provide carpet setting up services is extremely huge. The lowest price you can receive are located in Florida or Miami where it is possible to receive carpet installing services for $2 for every square yard. The states located in North come with regularly higher charges for setting up a carpet comparing whit the states located in the southern area.

Installing new carpets. A very good route to increase the price of your house could be to buy new carpets in advance of selling it. This could supply you with the choice to get a new image of your house and obtain an improved price. But whether or not you've planned to trade your personal property or simply just doing a redecoration you will still decide to find out exactly what are the carpet installing values.

The offers frequently diverge in distinct regions of the US with regards to the state's supply and demand connected with these services and the regional taxes. Thinking about the most current financial difficulties that the United States is experiencing it is possible to get a carpet installer who will provide you with a wonderful deal for the reason that household renovations have recorded a problem in addition to the costs in this industry. In most cases try to bargain the ultimate price level relying on the components of your property - you will probably benefit from as much as a 30% reduced carpet installation carpet installation cost of your initial price in the end. In a few locations having a carpet installed is truly a custom and on that basis the battle amongst most of the service providers which do offer you carpet installing services is really huge.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

Stop That Rug From Creeping

A rug on a polished floor looks wonderful but can cause problems by skidding. If one end of the rug is under a table or chair it can end up looking quite peculiar as it twists itself into furrows but more importantly it can also make itself into rather a serious trip hazard. A rug which is slippery on the bottom is also quite dangerous for the unwary as it can slip from under your feet or slide away with you. The home is acknowledged as being the most dangerous place to be, going on the statistics from A&E departments, with accidents in the house and garden accounting for far more deaths and serious injury than road accidents. Of these incidents, falls account for the most injuries and in the elderly, they are one of the leading causes of death overall.

These rather doom-laden figures have stopped a lot of people from having loose rugs and that is a shame when there is such a simple remedy - a spray of Cybergold Rug Control Spray can stop a rug in its tracks. Not only will it not creep along and look unsightly, but it will also be much safer as it won't slip under your feet. Cybergold also have a rug underlay which is slightly tacky and stops the rug from creeping or slipping. It won't mark your floor, but has just enough 'tack' to keep the rug in place. You don't have to worry about letting the children play on a treated rug as it is safe for them and for your pets.

The Cybergold rug control spray comes in two different strengths depending on your rug; the company recommend the Super strength for hessian backed or heavyweight rugs. The great thing about Cybergold is that you can take the rug up and relay it many times before you need to reapply the spray, so you don't need to worry about moving the rug for vacuuming beneath it. When you first use it, you just spray it on, leave it to dry - around 4 hours under normal conditions - and then put the rug in place. This can be on carpet or hard floors - Cybergold works on either. Usually, people find they can go without reapplying for around 2 years, but you will know when to do it if your rug gets the travel bug again and starts creeping along the floor!

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

Choosing Rugs for Your Home

While it is relatively easy to see the decorative of furniture and wall hanging, rugs can also add sophistication to your home. They are much easier to move than most type of interior decorations. Rugs can also help subtly accent furniture or wall colours. They are also vital for their cleanliness as they don't collect and store many allergens when compared with carpeting. Choose a rug that will turn your room's barren focal into a colourful compliment to the room's holistic décor.

Before you purchase, there are a number of important features that you should consider. The first thing that you have to do prior to purchasing the best rug for a certain area in your home is decide how much traffic the area gets. High traffic area rugs are likely to get worn much faster. Therefore, choose a high quality rug that is durable for the location. If this location is not highly traffic, you can depend on style taste and not much about quality or make of the rugs.

Determine if your rug will be room's central point. If the rug is for focal point, choose the rug that has a pattern or design, in order to draw the eyes of your rug. If you want the rug to be in the background of your room, pick one that is plain colored or that has a simple design. Another important thing you may want to consider is if you have kids or pets. Pets can easily damage your rugs. Therefore, it is vital to look for stain resistant rugs.

Decide your budget before you start shopping for the rugs. These kinds of home décor come in an array of prices so you don't have to spend much on simple rugs. If you are on budget, you can choose synthetic rugs. You can tell if a rug is synthetic or not if the fibres at the back are not hand knocked instead are punched through like carpets. Although these types of rugs are not as durable as true wool rugs, they are cheap.

When deciding how large you rug should be, ensure you leave a space between the walls and the rug. You don't want a rug that protrudes up against the walls. Instead, there should be a border on both sides between the wall and the rug. For instance, for your dining room, measure an extra 4 to 5 inches from the table on every side. This will leave enough room for chairs to fit on the rugs.

Choosing the best rugs that will enhance the appearance of your house requires juggling numerous criteria. Much like furnishings and paints, rugs will affect the overall mood and style of your home. High quality rugs are expensive and are difficult to find at cheap price. However a less expensive rug does not mean quality is compromised. They may have typical qualities, but because of bargains, overstocking, or finding someone who sell inexpensively, you will save a lot by purchasing cheap rugs from these sources.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

Persian and Oriental Rugs: Going Back to Natural Dyes

For the past few decades, the vast majority of so-called Persian and Oriental rugs of "commercial" grade, have been produced with chemically dyed wool. In fact, the significant costs of preparing natural dyes have made the use of chemical colors somewhat tempting. However, master weavers and producers of higher quality Persian carpets and Oriental area rugs have come to the conclusion that natural dyes are a "necessity" if they are to achieve desired levels of quality in their production. They clearly witnessed that vegetal colors simply improve with time, whereas chemical dyes stay the same in soft light, but fade or are dulled by prolonged exposure to sunlight. A hand-knotted rug by a master weaver can often be authenticated by its colors. The time-consuming process of preparing natural dyes, resulting in the relatively higher cost of preparing them is briefly explained below.

Natural dyes, first discovered by shepherds and farmers many centuries ago, are extracted from plant or animal substances and fall into either one of two categories. The first are naturally colored, the second need to be put through a rather complicated process in order to reveal their coloring properties. Producers and master weavers of high quality area rugs still use natural dyes, mixed by themselves or by working closely with a selected and trusted master dyer committed to their workshop. The ingredients, doses, and quantities used for the range of dyes are, naturally, a closely guarded secret. It is almost impossible to copy a color. As a new batch is needed for the continuation of the weaving, it is almost never going to be of the exact same shade given out by the previous batch. This results in variations of colors in hand-knotted Oriental and Persian rugs - called abrash within the rug industry - and not at all considered a defect.

Master dyers use colors extracted from bark, roots, stalks and dried leaves, ground into a powder. For example, the dried skin of a pomegranate, a cream color in powdered form, is going to produce a matt yellow color. Powdered walnut hull will color from a range of browns to black. Dried vine leaves will offer a range of colors from khaki to grey, and ground twigs of weld or sparrow grass achieve a strong, golden yellow that is particularly bright on silk. Also, the roots of the madder plant give a widely known red or rusty red (Rounas).

The raw material in its powdered state is inserted into a bath of cold water which is then heated in order to release the coloring agents. It is then left to cool down to allow the color to dissolve. The hanks are inserted into the water at room temperature in order to avoid a thermal shock which would damage the fibers. They are then gradually brought to simmering point for a specific length of time depending on the shade desired. According to the nature of the raw material and the color required, different mineral salts are added which alter the PH of the bath and allow the color to fix onto either the wool or the silk.

Unlike natural colors, chemical dyes are readily available, do not require painstaking processing, and are therefore less costly to work with. However, top producers insist on their use in their high quality products as no other substitute has yet been discovered. With the revival of natural dyes into the production of many Persian carpets and Oriental rugs being produced today, the future of the rug industry seems to be much more promising now compared to only twenty years ago. The best rugs woven today are sure to become heirloom pieces of tomorrow.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

Tips to Protect Your Hardwood Flooring From the Outdoors

The hardwood flooring in your home not only looks great but also enhances the value of the property. Wood floors are a beautiful investment, but need to be well maintained in order to keep them looking shiny and inviting for years to come.

Protect them from moisture

There are two ways in which your hardwood floors can be affected by moisture. Your house may be prone to flooding, or else there may be more spillage of liquids on your floors than is acceptable. So any kind of spill should be wiped off immediately. Another thing that affects moisture levels is the change in humidity levels during different seasons. During summers, the low levels of humidity in air can lead to the wood pulling apart at the seam of the planks. In order to avoid all this damage to hardwood flooring it is important to ensure optimum concentration of humidity in the atmosphere through proper air-conditioning throughout the varying seasons.

Using rugs for added protection

Using synthetic rugs is a good way to protect your hardwoods from unwanted moisture as these are made from a breathable material. They provide added padding and hence protect hardwood floors from excessive dirt. With rugs, expensive floors will also be saved from scratches and gouges. A good option is to place these just near the doorway. This way they collect direct; as people enter the home.

Avoid plastic mats

Any kind of plastic mats, foam or rubber mats should not be used on hardwood flooring as these may discolor the floor. Rather, good quality vinyl rugs can be used instead.

Daily cleaning is important

It is important to sweep or vacuum your floors on a regular basis in order to remove sand and abrasive dust from scratching the flooring. In addition, area rugs need to be shifted from their place from time to time since they block the sunlight. The floor under these area rugs will not fade with the rest of the flooring. Use very little water while cleaning these floors. This means using a mop that is slightly damp. Or else, a spray on cleaner along with a microfiber mop can be used.

Avoid direct sunlight

Ensure that your wood flooring is not exposed to direct sunlight as that may affect the coloring as well as its gloss. In order to do this, you can place heavy curtains on the windows. Keep them pulled during the day.

Your hardwood flooring is an expensive investment. Regular maintenance will ensure that it remains shiny and lasts for years to come. Any kind of dirt on the floor needs to be swept off as early as possible. Spillage has to be wiped up immediately. Following these practices would ensure that your flooring remains as good as new.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

If You Are Thinking of Re-Sanding Your Hard Wood Floor Read This First

In the UK we recently became aware of a different technique for cleaning and restoring wood flooring. This new development basically removes the need to resand the floor as the first step towards rejuvenation of an exposed wood floor.

Why is this of such significance?

Naturally, you want your home to look beautiful at all times and your flooring is obviously a key element in your pursuit of that goal. Your choice of a natural and aesthetically pleasing wood floor will look fantastic when it is newly laid. You will also experience the benefits of a flooring that is generally hard wearing, easy to vacuum and wipe clean and is a genuine health plus for your family as it limits the use of carpeting which is known to harbour harmful toxins and dust mites and requires regular deep cleaning.

Unfortunately, as any property owner with a natural wood floor will know, a surface which looked so impressive when it was first installed can, through everyday usage, appear worn and neglected. Damage such as scuffs, scratching, etching and pitting may be experienced which cannot be rectified by applying normal cleaning or repair methods.

In the past if you wanted to restore the natural beauty that was so appealing when the floor was first laid you would hire a contractor to come to your home, maybe with a two or three person crew and sand your old floor to expose the base wood. This traditional method entails considerable disruption to your life. The process can take days, there may be an overpowering and unhealthy odour that may linger in your home and of course another unpleasant by-product of this tedious process is the residue of heavy dust.

Sadly a typical wood floor may only withstand one or two such operations before it begins to lose its structural integrity and must be replaced.

Benefits of the new alternative to resanding

We have identified that this new option will reduce the cost of the refinishing to a fraction of the cost of a traditional resanding and refinish.

No resanding means that the inconvenience and mess experienced as a result of traditional methods will be minimised if not totally eliminated. Also no sanding means no injurious dust, no residual unpleasant odour and your rooms will be ready to use in as little as four hours.

The materials and solutions used are proven eco friendly.

How to apply this new method

The chemical cleaning and refinishing method can be used on all types of wood with an existing urethane finish.

Typically an oil based urethane finish would then be applied but it is this finish that generates issues with residual and invasive odour whereas the new process uses a water-based urethane finish and catalyst that are virtually odourless and when applied, dry to provide a hard and long lasting finish.

Special processing can also be undertaken on waxed wood floors which will eliminate any contaminating elements and gently remove the existing finish. Any scratches, scuffs, cracks, nail holes etc. may be repaired with colour matched proprietary products. The appearance of any severe damage will be greatly improved if it cannot be completely disguised.

The proprietary catalysed urethane finish is available in gloss or satin and produces a diamond hard effect that can be ready for use in as little as four hours.

Outcome

A superb finish that will delight you and your family.

A cleaner healthier home environment.

Extension of the life span of your floor as this revolutionary process allows them to be refinished countless times whilst maintaining their structural integrity

Economy. We estimate that the cost incurred using this method will be less than half than that of conventional sanding and refinishing.

For more information visit us on our website; http://www.homevalet1.co.uk

The author Harriet Ansell is Operations Manager of homevalet1 a UK carpet and hard floor cleaning company.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

Finding Information for Your DIY Project

So where should you look for your information? Well there are plenty of places to find good DIY advice and ideas.

Friends and Family

Whatever task you're undertaking, there's a good chance that someone else you know will have done it before you. Ask around and they'll probably be very happy to share any tips they picked up along the way. They may also have tools particular to that job that they can lend you. Sometimes buying all the tools for a job can be expensive so this too could be a big help.

The Internet

There is a wealth of information on DIY to be found on the Internet, and plenty of design ideas too. There are 'how to' articles on just about every job you can imagine. There are also plenty of videos so you can watch someone else doing the job. Often this makes it much clearer than a list of instructions or diagrams. You'll find lots of photographs of other people's design projects, great for inspiration and ideas to implement in your own home. You'll also find online several calculators that you can use to work out exactly how many bathroom wall tiles you need or how many rolls of wallpaper you need. This is very useful to make sure you don't buy too much and overspend needlessly, and also to ensure that you don't run out part way through your project. Read up on safety procedures too and make sure you have all the relevant safety equipment. Make sure your tools are in good condition and you know how to use them properly. If you have lost the instructions manuals for any of your power tools these can usually be found online. Try the manufacturers website first, these days many manufacturers have all the manuals for their products available to download.

Books and Magazines

There are also plenty of books and magazines dedicated to DIY. They can be expensive but you often can pick them up very cheaply from charity shops and car boot sales. They may be old but a lot of the information may well still be relevant, especially if you have an older house with old plumbing etc.

Shop staff

Don't forget you can also ask the staff in stores for help and advice, many of them have fully trained and knowledgeable staff members available to help you. Don't forget too that if you're shopping online you can also ask questions via email. You'll usually get a swift reply.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor   

What Is a Transitional Rug?

Recently I received an e-mail newsletter from a local rug showroom, announcing a sale. The store offered a wide selection on transitional rugs. Now, I've heard of many different rug styles - everything from Southwestern patterns, Oriental designs, shag, and even rugs made of recycled materials. I hear "transitional" and have no idea what that means in relation to flooring. When you transition, you move from one thing to the next. Are these rugs supposed to transition me to the next room, or the next house?'

So, I did some research, and came away knowing a bit more about rugs than I had before. It turns out that a transitional rug refers to the actual design of the rug. Its appearance and manufacture is reminiscent of a combination of two other styles:

Traditional: The traditional rug is normally defined by characteristics found in Persian and Oriental designs - in particular color, weaving, and patterns. When you look at an Oriental rug or carpet, you may be amazing by the intricate craftmanship and detail of flowers, laurels, and leaves.

Contemporary: The contemporary rug may remind you of a work of modern art. Bold colors and sharp lines, designs that remind you of Warhol paintings or Picasso's cubism. Rugs like these look great in rooms with contemporary and unique furniture.

The transitional rug, therefore, takes the recognizable features of both styles and blends them into something unique and beautiful. You will note the care taken into weaving such a rug, and enjoy colorful designs that complement your walls and decor. Rug experts may tell you that this style brings to mind Impressionistic designs - muted colors and flowing imagery. Though the painters of the Impressionistic era worked with pastel hues, you're more likely to find these rugs come in earthier tones - rich browns and tans.

If you are interested in buying a rug for your home - be it for your living room or bedroom - a transitional design could work for your overall comfort. You'll want to find a color and pattern that best matches your larger pieces like your sofa or bedroom dressers and covers a good portion of your floor to protect it from foot traffic.

Buying transitional rugs from a carpet and rug shop is a good way to find the right style for your home. You might be tempted to try a home improvement or department store for a good deal, but often you'll find staff isn't as informed about how the rugs are made and how to care for them. A rug is more than something you walk on - it is part of your part. Just as you would buy a car from a reputable dealership, the rug you bring into your house should be sold by somebody who knows where it came from and what to do if it is damaged.

Ask your local rug dealer about a transitional rug, and transition the beauty of your home interiors.

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The Benefits Of Garage Flooring

Your garage isn't always used as a simple and empty space in which to park your car. Often, it is used as a workshop, an office, or a hideaway for boys' (and girls'!) toys. As a result, it is important that your garage is well insulated and has a smooth, even surface suitable for you to work on.

If you have ever spent any amount of time working in either a commercial or domestic garage then you will be fully aware of how uncomfortable, cold and messy these places can be. However, there is respite in the form of innovative, inter-locking garage flooring.

The flooring which is suitable for both large commercial and smaller domestic garages, uses pioneering interlocking technology means it can be easily installed by the d.i.y.'er or it can be professionally installed by knowledgeable and experienced installation team.

Having garage flooring supplied and installed you will instantly notice that it gives the floor an even and smooth surface, which is useful for working on diy projects and if you are working with small bits of tools or pieces. One of the major benefits of inter-locking flooring will become apparent in the cold winter months as the flooring will almost certainly improve installation in the normally cold and un-welcoming garage.

The fire-retardant flooring is expertly designed to reduce dust and is durable enough for even the most severe working conditions; it also contains innovative technology which means it has been designed to withstand heavy point loading, which comes in useful if you have a habit of dropping those expensive to replace tools.

This easy to clean surface comes in a number of different colours which makes it ideal for marking out different working areas in commercial setups and ensures that it remains looking clean and new for the entire life of the of the flooring. This is obviously and advantage when seeking to attract new customers or to impress existing ones.

Industrial or workshop garage flooring should be designed to withstand heavy point loading and materials, and are a durable way to smooth out the appearance of your garage floor, and are strong enough to withstand the impact of dropped tools and equipment.

So for a practical, attractive garage floor that's easy to clean, non-slip, fire retardant and versatile, why not seek out experts ask about the range of interlocking garage flooring tiles on offer.

Tips To Choose The Best Timber Flooring For Your House   Matching Existing Harwood Floors   The Benefits Of A Laminate Floor