Carpet Shampooer for

Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride resin (PVC) is a man-made synthetic plastic that was invented in 1920. It is made using ethylene from crude oil and chlorine from regular salt. Vinyl is used in a wide variety of construction applications due to its durability, flexibility, cost efficiency, and environmentally friendly aspects.

Some construction applications you may find vinyl in around your home include:

*Siding

*Interior plumbing

*Wire and cable insulation

* Electrical conduit

* Floor and wall coverings

*Window frames

*Gutters and downspouts

*Roofing

*Fencing

Many of these applications are visible within or outside the home and so can require painting for aesthetic purposes. Painting vinyl can be a tricky process as exterior vinyl surfaces are very susceptible to heat and will expand and contract and interior surfaces are often coated with a gloss that makes it difficult for paint to bond to the surface. Due to these challenges proper paint types, color and preparations must be done to ensure a quality result.

This simple guide on how to paint vinyl will provide the necessary knowledge to paint vinyl surfaces as well as walk you through a few common vinyl painting projects including painting vinyl flooring, siding, and fences.

Painting vinyl siding:

Selecting the proper paint for vinyl siding is important to avoid cracking. As stated in the introduction to this how to guide vinyl is susceptible to heat and will expand and contract as it heats and cools. To lessen this process a light colored paint is required. Dark shades absorb heat worsening the heating and cooling of the siding. In addition, the type of paint used needs to be flexible. You can purchase special paint for painting vinyl surfaces. If you opt to use regular exterior paint go for one that has both acrylic and urethane resins. Oil based paints are not recommended.

The painting process is begun by cleaning your siding. The easiest way to do this is to use a pressure washer and soap. You can even purchase vinyl siding cleaner if you wish. It may take up to four days for your siding to dry entirely.

Once dry tape off any areas you do not want painted such as windows and doors. Then simply paint the surface with a brush, roller, or even pain sprayer, allow to dry and repeat. No sanding is required and may actually damage the siding.

Painting vinyl windows:

The same rules of paint selection used in vinyl siding should be used in painting vinyl window casings.

Again, begin by cleaning the surface. If you are not painting the siding as well you can just use a soapy rag and bucket to do this. Be sure to kill any mildew using a bleach solution. Place a painter's cloth or sheet below the window to avoid getting paint in your landscaping. You will also want to tape off the area around the window with painter's tape.

Outdoor painting should be done on an overcast day without direct sun or wind. This ensures the vinyl stay relatively the same temperature while painting and will not expand or contract during the painting process.

Vinyl window casings unlike siding do need to be sanded before painting. This is because they often have a light coating. Sand the surface lightly and wipe the windows clean again.

Next prime the windows using a pant brush, allow to dry and apply your vinyl paint. Apply a second coat it necessary and remove your painting tape and cloths when finished.

Painting vinyl floors:

Painting vinyl flooring is quite the task. This is because all of the glossy top coating needs to be removed so the paint properly adheres to the surface. The first step of removing this coating is to clean and then sand the flooring. You need to sand the entire floor thoroughly. After sanding, use a de-glosser on the floor with a rag to remove any remaining gloss. This is especially important if your flooring has cracks, texture or dimpling. You can buy de-glosser at your local hardware store. After de-glossing allow the room to dry and then tape off the edges of the room to avoid getting paint on your walls.

Now paint the floor with primer. Cut in the edges first with a paintbrush painting two to three inches around the entire room. Finish with a paint roller working towards an exit so you don't get trapped. Once the primer is dry, apply paint in the same manner and repeat for a second coat.

If you want your paint to last even longer once the paint has dried apply three coats of polyurethane to finish. If you choose not to do this final step, allow paint to set for a few days before moving in furniture.

You may also enjoy:
How to Paint Concrete
How to Paint Cabinets
How to Paint Stucco

Iron Railing

Most of today’s bathrooms are small. Bathrooms seem to have gotten much smaller over the years. Most bathrooms are used for the main purpose, but there is not much storage space available. There are ways to maximize the space that is provided you. Some are free, or low cost. There are more that do have a cost, but it can be well worth it.

The first thing you should do is give your bathroom a thorough cleaning. Clean your cabinets, drawers, shower and counter completely. Have a couple of boxes for this process; you will want something to put your items in while organizing. Categorize all of your items, and keep like items together. Throw out any items that are no longer good, or that you do not use. Space in your bathroom is very limited, so remove anything that is unnecessary.

Just getting rid of items you do not use has probably increased your space quite a bit. Now you need to find ways to store these items, and maximize your space. There are many ways that can help you. You should determine your budget, and how much space you would like.

Simple ways to maximize your bathroom space:

Large items should always be kept out of site. This include items such as; hair dryer, razor, brushes, etc. Most of these have a way to hang them. Use nails or hooks under your cabinet, and hang these items from them. This will clean your counters, and give you additional space in your cabinet.

Roll hand towels, or washcloths. You can then place them on the back of your commode or on the floor. Use a nice basket that you have, or purchase one from a yard sale. There are also baskets that hang on the wall. You can use them for this purpose as well. You do not want to spend a lot on the basket, but be sure it will look nice in the space. The baskets are functional, and can be used as decoration.

Hang hooks from your shower rod. You can hang your bath brushes, or other bath items on these hooks. You can also hang a mesh bag from the rod. This can be used for bath toys, or other miscellaneous items. If you do not want the items to be seen, you can hang them from your towel rack that is inside your shower.

Items you can purchase to maximize your bathroom space:

A corner spring shelf or hanging caddy will dramatically increase the space in your bathroom. You can use this for all of your bathing items. It will keep them from taking up the space on the side of your bath tub.

Cabinets can be a great addition, if you have the space. I would recommend one that can be wall mounted behind the toilet, if you do not have one. There are also small ones that can be used in other ways.

If you do not have the space, or money for cabinets, you can use shelving units. Most are pretty inexpensive, and come in a variety of styles. You can use wall mount shelves high in your bathroom. They will not reduce your wall space. They can be used for miscellaneous items, and decoration.

Towel racks are important for any bathroom, but find one that is more than a plain towel bar. There are ones that have double bars, hooks, and even a shelf. The one that has a shelf is the most functional.

Consider using over the door hangers, or door mount items. These items are great to use for towels, robes, or even your clothes for the nest day. There are many different styles, and they are very functional.

You may want to consider storage items, which can double as decorations. Coordinating gift boxes are great for this. They come in different colors, and designs. They are great for cosmetics, nail items, and even medicines. Small basket or bins work as well. Decide which will work best for your bathroom.

An organized bathroom will always maximize the space in your bathroom. Place things back in your cabinet, considering accessibility. Larger items should be in the back, and smaller items in the front. Keep all like items together, and in order.

If you have a drawer that you will be using, find separators to use. Most of our bathroom drawers have everything thrown in them. Look at your local container store, or retailer to see the selection of separators. There is a variety of items that will work well.

Maximizing the space in a small bathroom can actually be easy to do. Do a thorough cleaning, and place everything back in an organized manner. When purchasing items, be sure they are functional. Have fun with the process. This is your bathroom. Find items that will maximize your space and suite your personal tastes.

Clip On Lamp

Looking ahead to the next 8-10 years, I would like to supplement my retirement income by making custom cabinets and furniture from my work at home wood shop. When planning to remodel my home last year I included building an addition 16' x 24' to my existing 3 ½ car garage. The other planned home improvements were- remodeling the master bath, adding a 12' x 16' walk in closet over the existing garage which would open into the master bedroom, refinish the kitchen cabinets, make new countertops, build a new wet bar and relocate the laundry room to make the kitchen larger. All of these projects would require cabinets and countertops which I could easily make in the new woodworking shop.

One car space in the existing garage is already being used as a shop. Combining the existing space and the addition, the new shop space would be 27' wide by 24' long. There is a partition separating the 3 car garage from the new shop which was the existing exterior wall and this would divide the total shop space to do different phases of making cabinets. There is a walk thru opening 5' wide x 9' high in the center of the partition between the shop areas. The dividing wall would help contain the dust made from wood cutting, sanding, shaping and the assembling which would be on one side and the other side would be dust free area for staining, painting and finishing. The concrete floor was finished with a clear sealer to make it easier to sweep up the saw dust.

The new shop has an overhead door, a 36″exterior door and three windows. The windows let a lot of natural light in during the day saving energy. I increased the ceiling rafters to 2×10's and installed 5/8 plywood on top for the floor in the attic space. Folding attic stairs were installed to access the attic space above for storage. All of the exterior walls and ceiling are insulated. The ceiling height is 9'-6″ so there is plenty of headroom for handling 4'x8' sheet material.

Before the concrete slab was poured I installed four- 1″ conduit runs under the slab across the width of the garage and stubbed up through the floor against the perimeter walls. This inner duct is for pulling flexible air hose in for air powered tools like a staple gun, nail gun or spray gun. On the air compressor I made an air outlet manifold to distribute compressed air supply to different areas of the shop. I have a dedicated air line just for the paint spray gun with a Devilbiss dryer installed at the end.

With the divided shop space I could set up each side to do different phases of work. The existing work area is used for assembling, installing doors, drawers, staining and finishing. The new shop space is set up for doing all the cutting and making cabinet parts. I have a Delta 3hp Unisaw with a 60″ fence and outfeed table with dust collector attached to it. A Delta 10″ contractors table saw on a Shop Fox heavy duty mobile dolly base. This saw is used for cutting & shaping small wood components and has a built in extended router table with a Bosch 3hp router for rabbeting drawer sides or making dadoes. Other machinery is a Delta 16 ½” laser drill press set up for hinge boring, a 12″ Bosch 5312 sliding miter saw mounted on a mobile base with extended side wings, a Campbell 6hp air compressor, a Hitachi bench top belt sander, spray equipment, wood storage racks for plywood, dimensional hardwoods and laminates.

During the planning of the shop space I made a floor plan layout for both sides of the shop showing placement of the larger woodworking machinery, power tool storage, wiring & circuit diagrams and space heating. Here is a list of the circuits I ran- 1-20amp circuit for lighting- four- 48″ 4 lamp fixtures on two switches, 1-20amp circuit for overhead power outlets, 2- 20amp circuits for perimeter wall outlets for power tools, 1-20amp circuit for gas heater, 1-20amp circuit for future exhaust fan and 2-220v circuits one for table saw and one for the air compressor. I also ran one RGU coax cable for an FM receiver antenna.

Organizing the Shop Space- I made work stands the same height as the table saw for laying out, building and finishing larger pieces of woodwork. There are tall storage cabinets to hold finishing supplies like paints, stains, adhesives, contact glues, thinners, solvents, wood finishes, dust masks and HVLP paint spray guns. Cabinet storage for all cabinet hardware- drawer slides, knobs & handles, brackets, shelf clips, euro hinges and misc hardware. Hand tools and power tools are stored in base cabinets on back wall of the shop. Separate storage drawers were made for cordless drills, routers & router bits, sanders and jigsaw. Some hand tools, tape measures, squares and clamps are hanging on hooks in easy to reach accessible places.

Instead of using extension cords that have to be picked after every use, I have two 50' retractable extension cord reels. These work great and save time when cleaning up. I also use a retractable air hose reel for the staple guns.

I made a rolling work bench with doors and drawers for storing woodworking hand tools, air tools, staple guns, nail gun and supplies. This work bench is 36″ x 30″ and is the same height as the table saw so it can be used as an infeed table or side table for the table saw. The countertop material for the mobile bench is a 1 ¼” thick epoxy resin laboratory grade top which has a very hard surface and is easy to clean off dried glue and adhesives with solvents or a razor blade. It's great for assembling drawer boxes, gluing & stapling picture frames or small cabinets and heavy enough to use a corrugated staple gun on to join flatwork seams and moldings.

When planning your shop allow room for moving things around and leave space for larger tools you may buy in the future. In small shop spaces the key is making benches and larger power tools mobile so you can easily move them out of the way when you have to build larger pieces of woodwork. This is especially important if you make a lot of countertops, you need plenty of space to build the top and glue up the mica. So whether you are a do it yourselfer or a professional cabinetmaker keep the shop space flexible and if possible do some of the cutting or sanding outside the shop if the area is too small.

Parking Garage Systems

Vets and pet owners agree: some dogs just love to chew and finding an indestructible dog toy to fit the bill can be a challenge. Those who have spend hundreds of dollars on toys that have wound up in pieces and shambles on your floor, here are 10 indestructible dog toys that will stand the test of time and may even be around a year from now.

The king of everlasting and indestructible dog toys is the Kong. Many different “models” are available, from a puppy sized version to a dental health toy and even the Extreme Kong. Houston veterinary technician Kerry Hunt says that the Kong family of dog toys are her clients’ number one favorite because they provide durability as well as mental stimulation and help contribute to healthy teeth and gums.

Sporting dogs can both train with and chew on a canvas or plastic dummy. Usually a tool for hunting dogs, dummies are both waterproof and chew-proof, making them a perfect water fetch toy for any breed.

Individuals or groups of large breed dogs or tough chewers will benefit from rope toys. Many dogs enjoy playing tug with each other and this is the perfect toy for rough play. Veterinarian Tim Sohns recommends rope toys because of associated dental health advantages; thread acts as floss that cleans between teeth.

Dogs that love balls will especially enjoy the Everlasting Treat Ball. It features an imperfect sphere that wobbles and treats can be replaced.

The Tug-a-Jug is as great for problem solving skills as it is a solid indestructible chew toy. The jug is loaded with food or treats and dogs figure out how to get the food out. Three sizes are available, meaning that even small chewers have a toy that is just their size.

Another excellent rope toy is Nuts for Knots. Ropes formed in to the shape of a ball make for fun throw-and-fetch play as well a toy that is good for self-entertainment and dental health. It is also available in three different sizes, ensuring a perfect size for every dog.

The Hurley is made from recycled materials and is lifetime guaranteed against destruction! It floats and even bends, for hours of entertainment. This toy is also available in more than one size.

The Buster Cube also encourages intellectual development and curiosity with food rewards. Medium and large dogs will keep themselves busy trying to get to the food!

Dogs who enjoy fetch will love the extra large tennis ball called the Giant Tuff Ball. Unlike traditional tennis balls, the Tuff Ball is non-toxic and made just for dogs.

The Nylabone Dental Cone is perfect for dogs who love to chew all the time. The massaging knobs keep teeth clean and gums healthy while the unusual shape ensures that dogs’ jaws will be exercised properly and frequently.

Loveseat Sofa

Nearly five years ago, I remodeled the finished half of my basement, such that it now comprises a library featuring recordings and books about classical music. And I’d been seeking one or two decorations involving a favorite composer, Handel.

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) is renowned, of course, as the composer of the oratorio Messiah. But he wrote many other oratorios, operas, cantatas, and instrumental works, some of which, in my opinion, surpass his excellent but perennially overhyped signature work.

Anyway, I was having no luck finding any attractive, framable, affordable portraits (quality prints) of Handel until I discovered that the renowned National Portrait Gallery in London, England sells them online via its gift shop. Let me explain how you can access their informative, entertaining, multifaceted, easy-to-navigate site to take a gander at (and, if you wish, purchase prints of) some appealing Handelian portraits, not to mention sundry splendid objets d’art.

First, go to the National Portrait Gallery homepage at “www.npg.org.uk”. Then click the “gift & bookshop” link (in tiny print near the top of the page). Click the “Prints made to order” link (in the middle of the page, adjacent to a graphic). Click the ‘search’ link (blue text within the “Step #1″ instructions). Click the “Portrait” button, then type and enter the word “Handel” in the “search” field.

The resulting page displays various portraits of Handel. The first choice, “NPG 1976″, involves the first of two prints that I myself ordered. [The fifth choice, "NPG 3970", is the other Handelian print that I ordered.] Now click either of the displayed links to get a more detailed view (and, perchance, to proceed to purchase one for yourself).

You can enlarge the displayed graphic by clicking the “View this portrait in detail” link beneath it. But, as you can see, there’s also a “Getting a print of this image” link to the right. Go ahead and click that link.

On the resulting page, you can click the “size” pull-down menu to select one of three sizes (not including the “canvas” option).

Note: The size of each Handel print that I myself ordered (five years ago) from London’s National Gallery appears to be intermediate between the smallest and next smallest sizes currently available. But I paid extra to have them professionally double matted under glass and framed by a neighborhood shop, such that each resulting picture measures 21.5 by 17.5 inches. The two harmonizing, Handelian portraits flank this wooden computer desk (whose hutch houses 24 “Grove” classical music and opera volumes) and embellish the view of the recorded-music cabinetry whenever I enter this subterranean sanctum.

If you opt to purchase a fine print from the National Gallery, I strongly suggest that (after receiving it) you get it double matted under glass and framed. I have two little gooseneck lamps clipped to each end of the computer desk’s hutch serving to spotlight the Handel portraits from such an angle that no glare results on the “standard” glass. However, a few other, comparably framed prints elsewhere in the room compel me to remind you to use “non-glare” glass if your lighting more directly shines upon your print(s).

As of this writing, for stateside Americans ordering from English shops, the exchange rate for “pounds into dollars” is such that you’ll have to pay about twice as many dollars as pounds. And, naturally, the “shipping and packing” cost is higher for overseas orders. For example, currently it would cost me at least $24 to have one or two “medium” Handel prints shipped to my US location. Regarding payment options, the National Portrait Gallery Online Shop accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Though placing my order was enjoyable and easy, and overseas delivery occurred in very reasonable time (not much longer than one week, if memory serves), I did initially experience a disconcerting problem with the first pair of Handel prints that I ordered from England. Unfortunately, the “standard” tubular mailer (that the prints were carefully rolled up in) got damaged at some point during transatlantic transit, and both prints were conspicuously marred. Fortunately, all I had to do was email the National Portrait Gallery Online Shop and explain the situation. I rather promptly received a polite reply explaining that they would immediately ship two replacement prints to me, and this time they would pack them inside a “heavy-duty” tubular mailer.

When that second package arrived, I saw that the tubular wall was so thick as to seem well nigh indestructible! I gratefully unpacked the two, perfect replacement prints, and the rest is history.

Both of my five-year-old prints look as pristine as the day I received them from London. I should add that their hues look somewhat brighter and more gratifying than what the rather subdued, online graphics suggest. I would unhesitatingly do business with the National Portrait Gallery Online Shop again.

wall sconce

The Fabulous Fox Theatre. 527 North Grand. (314) 534-1111 The Fabulous Fox opened in1929 as one of the crown jewels in William Fox’s motion picture empire. It was designed by C. Howard Crane and built to the tune of six million dollars, an unheard of cost at the time when movie tickets were a quarter. Fox’s wife, Eve, filled the place with paintings, sculptures, and furnishings gathered from her travels around the world for the astronomical sum of $700,000. The first thing that you see when you enter is the grand staircase covered with a royal purple carpet. Fierce rajahs armed with wicked curving scimitars glare down from their niches in the lobby. Indian Vishnus meditate on either side of the stage. From the dome in the auditorium hangs a 2,000-pound chandelier, 12 feet in diameter and glittering with 2,264 pieces of jeweled glass. A giant Wurlitzer organ, one of only five of its type ever built, sits underneath the main stage, ready to rise from the depths in a spectacular blaze of light.

In 1981, the Fox was completely refurbished at a cost of well over two million dollars. Thousands of feet of ornate plaster were meticulously restored. 4,500 seats were completely re-upholstered and restored. 7,300 yards of carpet were woven in the original elephant pattern, even the 108 foot high ceiling was vacuumed. State-of-the-art sound, lighting, and stage equipment was installed, making this one of the most unique and certainly the most lavish places to see live music in the St. Louis area, or even the country for that matter. The music ranges from Broadway plays to nationally touring rock bands and everything in between. It’s the only place where it is suggested that you take a tour (every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.) before you attend a concert there. At least arrive a few minutes early to check the place out.

Blueberry Hill 6504 Delmar Blvd. (314) 727-0880. The owner of Blueberry Hill, Joe Edwards, has almost single-handedly rebuilt the Delmar Loop entertainment district over the past number of years, recently expanding the district east into the city with the building of the Pageant Theatre. Blueberry Hill is probably the only nightclub that has been featured in the Archie comic books and is the home to legendary rock and roller Chuck Berry, who performs there on a monthly basis. Several vintage jukeboxes warm the hearts of anyone over thirty, there are two live performance areas downstairs and room after room is jammed with collectables from the 1950’s. You can check out Chuck Berry’s vintage Gibson guitar on display as soon as you enter and grab a bottle of Rock and Roll Beer, that bears the likeness of a Fonzie type character who exclaims “I sold my soul to Rock and Roll.’

Venice Café 1903 Pestalozzi Street (314) 772-5994. If you could break this place down, the Venice Café would be two parts Graceland, two parts amusement park, three parts thrift store, twp parts New Orleans, and one part Grateful Dead concert. The first thing that catches the eye is the psychedelic-painted VW microbus sitting on the parking lot. You almost expect the thing to be filled with long hairs in tie-dyed T-Shirts and bell-bottom jeans. The nest thing you notice is the patio: an endless mosaic of irregularly shaped tiles and broken bits of mirrored glass make up the patio archways, walls and floors. Once you get inside you will feel like you are in a thrift store that has blown up. A really cool thrift store that is. Vintage lunch boxes dangle from the ceiling as well as a four foot sandwich made of Styrofoam. Lighting is in the form of a dozen 1960’s candy-colored swag lamps. The music featured here is a combination of blistering Blues and cool Caribbean and Reggae.

Different Types Of Ceiling Paneling

Fire Station 39; ensconced near the corner of Pickfair and Kelley Streets, in one Houston’s oldest neighborhoods, Kashmere Gardens, is an unassuming squat brick building. The firemen, of Station 39, handle their requisite duties, going about their business with very little fanfare. It’s easy to assume that they have shed their hero status and are no longer interested in coming to the aid of their fellow man. Many of us are so preoccupied with news of the day. Checking to see if this is the day when the world will take a tumble into hell in its trusty hand basket. We either fail to acknowledge the small kindnesses that take place in our lives or we don’t take any joy from them. I take the time to tell this story to honor these men who may not know what a difference their small kindnesses make.

If you’ve ever lost a pet then you know the pain and anguish. My aunt is elderly and can no longer wrangle the animals so I visit and take care of them for her. I’d grown quite attached to my aunt’s new puppy. The little dickens was a sweet bundle of fur, just a mutt, but the smartest one I’d ever run across. I missed a visit and when I returned the puppy was sick with a sudden onset of the Parvovirus. Too weakened by the ravages of this horrible disease on his little body, he died. I wanted to bury the little sweetie but discovered my aunt had no shovel. After checking with several people in the neighborhood who either didn’t have a shovel or didn’t have the time to humor me, I decided to check with the guys at Station 39.

Not only did they have a shovel but the captain sent them to dig the grave for me. I thank Tyrone and Ralie for not just following the captain’s orders, but for really seeming to be happy to help me out. I told them that I was grateful and that I’d write about them. They probably thought I’d taken leave of my senses so I’m making good on the promise and letting Tyrone, Ralie and Station 39 know that they exhibited compassion, concern and commitment by coming to help me and I am appreciative. I could end this here and it would be an adequate thanks but this is not the first time the men of Station 39 have come to our aid.

There was the time when one of our dogs broke her chain and ran under the house only to have the loose end of the dangling chain become ensnared in the maze of pipes that run underneath the house. Try as we might we couldn’t reach her. There was the time when my little cousin going through her pyro phase threw a sock into a Torchiere lamp and almost set the house ablaze. The fireman’s close proximity and quick action saved us from severe damage. Yes there was even the time when they helped get the cat out of the tree. While none of what they’ve done has garnered them any television praise and there are those who would argue that they were simply doing their jobs, I want to let them know that we will forever be grateful and if I am ever in a position to help them or the Houston Fire Department, it will be my great honor because they have been so gracious throughout the years.

Led Floor Light

Enjoying the process of planning, designing, and redecorating a home or apartment can be easy with the right resources and options. When you’re creating your gorgeous bathroom, finding unique ways to increase space in your closet of a living room, or providing your bedroom with a much-needed makeover, there is plenty of inspiration and direction available by visiting an interior design store or consultant. Madison, Wisocnisn is home to a few great resources that span from European, contemporary, elegant, and antique.

This year’s top trends include rich earth tones for color; strong textures such as tile, wood, and glass beads; wallpaper in light and transparent prints; bamboo trimmings on furniture and artwork; and retro, European-inspired sleek furniture. Whatever your tastes, each location below can provide essential feedback, products, and unique brands. You’ll have choices that will make it easy to meet a budget, catch stylish trends, and provide you with the tools for making your home, room, or apartment truly remarkable.

Here are five key resources in Madison to jumpstart your interior design project:

Indocara
540 W Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 251-7711
http://www.indocara.com

Indocara offers exceptionally-designed global home furnishings, with influences from far East Asia, Bali, the Himalayas, India, and France. The global designs and unique selections offer a variety of choices in furniture, accessories, flooring, artwork, lighting, and textiles. You’ll find shoji screens, real Italian leather, gorgeous canopy beds, bamboo planks, Nepalese wool rugs, and imported lamps and lanterns. The full boutique is also available for viewing online. This globally-inspired boutique is a welcome addition to the Madison area.

DiMaggio’s Euro Design
7475 Mineral Point Rd
Madison, WI 53717
(608) 833-4790 

This European-inspired furniture and accessory store offers unique and one-of-a-kind pieces and collections from around the world. The contemporary and stylish findings include signature cocktail settings, fine Italian leather, sofas, chairs, and tables, hand-carved coffeetables, and modern-styled lamps and fixtures. Browse the artwork collection, kitchen accessories, and bathroom décor for some valuable design inspiration!

Rubin’s Furniture

MADISON
317 E. Wilson
Madison, WI
(608) 255-8998

Scandinavian
670 S. Whitney Way, Madison, WI
( 608) 274-5575

With two locations in Madison and one in Milwaukee, Rubin’s offer modern and stylish products and brands. Rubin’s Scandinavian furniture stores offer contemporary and classic Swedish-inspired design options. The accents, bedroom, dining room, entertainment, and living room departments offer a huge selection of European classics in glass, leather, fine crystal, and plush velour. Distinctive office furnishings also give you options for your home office, with a selection of beautifully upholstered office chair, lounge seats, and desks.

Pier 1 Imports
7475 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI
(608) 833-4399

Pier 1 offers a diverse selection of home furnishings including kitchen décor, dining and entertainment, candles, bathroom accessories, and outdoor furniture and accessories. The seasonal rotation of products keeps up with all of today’s trends, and the price-point is middle to high to meet almost every budget. Pier 1 also offers an online shopping experience as it is a national chain, and is just one great way to browse for ideas! The sale and clearance items provide great value and opportunities to save, and the bridal and wedding registries are a popular choice for soon to be newlyweds. One of the nation’s top home and garden product providers, Pier 1 can accommodate for even the most eclectic tastes and appeals.

Devenish Associates
www.devenishinc.com
Devenish Associates, Inc.
5111 Monona Drive, Madison, WI
(608) 223-4055

This local interior design and architecture firm offers a variety of services for commercial settings only. The staff offers space planning, project proposal management, and resource allocation for many sleek and modern clinics, banks, hotels, and restaurants. For your at-home inspiration, it’s worth taking a look at the online portfolio for chic, contemporary ideas that range from fully furnished lounges, outdoor balconies, and gorgeous kitchenettes.

Whether you’re looking to shop, find inspiration, or are just beginning to create your new designs, Madison, Wisconsin offers stylish, trendy, and budget-conscious options for many tastes. Don’t be afraid to ask for the help of a sales consultant or design expert at any location, as most are more than willing to help you with your project.  Today’s interior design trends are focusing on a global, earthy, and European-influence, and the resources available in Madison can help you create the design of your dreams!

Kitchen Remodeling Floor Plans

Spring cleaning for most people always feels like an inside job. But if you have a garage, spring cleaning often means throwing the door open, scratching your head because you don’t know where to begin, and cleaning up something else, less daunting.

But spring-cleaning the garage can be easy. Like the rest of your house, it’s a matter of planning. Here’s how you can tackle your garage in a weekend.

First, great planning helps any project go more smoothly.
1) The weather: You need to get the stuff in the garage, out…so don’t start on a weekend when it’s going to rain, or be too chilly to have the doors open. Check the weather reports, and when you see a break in the weather, go for it.
2) Get help: Just like moving in, you need help. To physically move heavy things, to get items you might need from inside the house, to run errands. Projects go more smoothly when you have lackeys that can help out, so you can stay focused on the big picture and keep everything in motion.

Second, be prepared for the actual day.
1) Supplies: Lots of drinks (think water, sodas, lemonade) to keep everyone hydrated; quick snacks or a lunch to keep everyone satiated, a radio to keep everyone motivated, and a first-aid kit to keep everyone safe. The garage is full of heavy, sharp objects. Be prepared to accidents, cuts and mishaps. Don’t forget cleaning supplies: shop vac with a new/replacement filter (or a good push-broom), window-cleaning materials, floor-de-greaser if you have oil stains, lubricant for sticky or noisy doors and windows.
2) A Plan: If you have help, give everyone a job. Your big, strong folks can be the movers. Have someone who can fix things? Make a pile of items that need fixing, and put that person to work. Kids helping? This is a great time to have them help out by moving small, light things from the garage to the outside in piles, with your direction.

Third, time to empty! Three piles are the cornerstone for every spring-cleaning job.
1) A pile for things to give away
2) A pile to throw away
3) A pile to keep

Start by removing everything from the garage. All of it. This will give you access to the space to actually clean it (after all, it is spring CLEANING, not spring re-arranging). This is why you need decent weather. Take everything out of the garage, and create three piles: things to give away, things to throw away and things to keep.

Put the things to throw away farthest from the door so you don’t take up precious space and have less distance to walk to return the things you’re keeping. If you have a lot of things to get rid of, consider a pickup truck from a friend, or renting a dumpster for the day. Remember, these are things that can’t be fixed, that no one can use.

For things that you’ll give away, move these things to a place where people can pick them up. Heavy items that need two people should have plenty of space around them to allow for safe lifting. For everything else, try to coordinate pick-ups on the same day so you’re not left with a driveway full of stuff that you need to put BACK in to the garage. if you have items that shouldn’t be thrown away, but don’t have a recipient, consider your local Good will or Salvation Army; Habitat for Humanity for appliances, Freecycle.org to connect with people who are looking for what you have or a simple FREE sign…in some parts of the country, simply putting things out on the curb will have them gone in no time.

For the keepers, try to keep them close to the entry of the garage. You don’t want to walk any more than necessary.

Forth? The actual cleaning.

1) Use tried and true cleaning guidelines: top to bottom; dry to wet. Start with your vacuum cleaner (put in a new filter…it’s going to clog, so you might as well start with a new filter to extend your cleaning time) and vacuum the entire garage. It might sound crazy for a space that gets a lot of abuse, but vacuuming will help you start with a clean slate, and once everything is removed, you can see more easily if you have problems with rodent droppings, insect infestations, holes where water is seeping in. Vacuuming those places will make taking the next steps easier.

2) Windows: Now’s the time…if you have windows and now have access, and cleaner windows mean the garage will be brighter and easier to see in the daylight.

3) Floors: If you have oil stains, grease or other hazards, now’s the time to minimize the damage. Removing the stains means a safer floor, easier to clean up when the next spill happens, and easier to see new stains, which can indicate new problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. Follow the directions on your cleansing solution, and be sure to allow time for the floor to dry before resuming work.

4) Maintenance: Oil all the doors, window and garage door parts; think about adding additional lighting to work areas; add a new mat to the door to the inside of your house if your garage is connected. Now is also a good time to replace the door seals around the garage door(s), too, to keep water and debris out.

And last? Putting it all away. For many folks, this is a time to reorganize the garage. That might mean shelving, hooks, baskets, pegboard, bins, boxes, containers and the like. Now that you have a (smaller) pile of keep-items, you can see what you have left to handle. Keep in mind that getting things off the floor is best, for sweeping and cleaning, for unplanned water entry, and to help avoid tripping hazards. Think about the ceiling and the walls for storage. And then take some time to go to your local home improvement store to check out what they have.

There are storage solutions for almost everything: bikes, sporting goods, lawn and garden items. Closed shelves with doors are more expensive, but provide a cleaner, less cluttered look. Open shelving allow for quick access, usually cost less and make it easy to put things back. Pegboard is super-inexpensive and still has a place in most garage organizing. If you have a lot of seasonal sport gear, (skis, snowshoes, etc.), think about storing those things up high. Bikes hung by their wheels create a lot of extra floor space. Lawn and garden items stored closer to the door mean easier access. And a simple boot tray and hooks by the door along with a no-frills bench create a quick, easy place to remove muddy shoes and wet clothes.

There are several companies that make garage-specific storage solutions for everything you might have in your garage, all color-coordinated for a consistent look and theme. And of course, nowadays, custom garage planners are in most major cities and for a fee you can have a custom garage solution designed just for you and your stuff. Think custom flooring, flat-screen tv’s, refrigerators…the sky’s the limit!

Garages are central to many of our lives: storage of our stuff, protection for our cars, places to get ready to leave, and the first place we often go to when returning home. Garages with simple custom touches that are clean, well-lit and organized also sell better and increase a home’s value.

Spring cleaning the garage can be simple. A few hours, some friends, and a little planning go a long way to creating a great space that offers something for everyone in your family.

Garage Floor Tiles

There are over 50,000 pubs in England and while they’re all different, there are some themes that are almost universal in pub decorating. From the dog to the Queen, pub decor is eternally cozy.

What You’ll Need

Amber colored paint

Souvenirs of the Queen

Football team keepsakes

Flags of England, Wales and Scotland

Pop culture images

Step 1

Start with wall color. Quaint English pubs often have amber hued walls, not because amber is a soothing color or because it unconsciously encourages patrons to drink more beer, but because after years of cigarette smoking the walls become stained with nicotine. Think “warm tobacco” when picking out a wall color.

Step 2

Use wood to create a sense of warmth. Hardwood floors, exposed ceiling beams, mismatched wooden tables and chairs were all the innkeepers of the past had to decorate with. Replicate those furnishings with used or distressed wooden furniture.

Step 3

Pay respect to the Queen. No English pub is complete without references to the Queen in every imaginable incarnation. A framed photo of the Queen, a set of china with her image glazed on, postcards from each decade bearing her image. Go back in time and resurrect old royalty by adorning the walls with their coats of arms, roses or gilded lions.

Step 4

Hang keepsakes of your favorite football team. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be a jersey or a calendar or an autographed team photo.

Step 5

Wave the flag. Whether you choose to hang only the English flag or if you prefer to include the banners of Wales and Scotland, too, be sure to display your patriotism.

Step 6

Honor English rock stars like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones by displaying their vintage memorabilia. It doesn’t have to be an enshrined pair of John Lennon’s glasses, but button collections, stickers or framed albums will add some glamour.

Step 7

Display prints of fox hunt scenes, hunting dogs and horses to add a sense of nostalgia.

Step 8

Hang a sign out front that captures the essence of an English pub. Traditionally, pub signs are like portraits in their dimensions and imagery. Their graphic nature came about in response to a once illiterate population who looked to the picture for insights into the entertainment inside.

Star Ceiling