Japanese Culture

Remodeling your kitchen will improve the function of your home and will also increase the resale value. Some things to consider when thinking of remodeling your kitchen include cabinet styles, counter tops, appliances and tile style.

When deciding on cabinet styles you first have to decide whether you would like to build your own or purchase ones already built. There are many websites and home stores that can provide you with the materials to build your own. If you chose to purchase already built cabinets or build to suit cabinets your next step would be to decide on what type of cabinets you would like. You can choose from a variety of styles and finishes including woods or laminates. Which ever way your chose to go, make sure you pick a cabinet style that will fit the mood and design of your kitchen and home.

When deciding on kitchen countertops you must first choose what type of countertop material you would like. Some of the most popular picks include granite, ceramic, laminates, marble and stainless steel. Once you choose the material you must decide whether to install it yourself or have it professionally installed. If you choose to install it yourself there are many do it yourself books and websites that will walk you thru the pr1C84ocess of removing your old counter top and replacing it with your new one. If you choose to have it professionally done, it is as easy as going into your local home store deciding on your countertop and setting up an appointment to have it installed.

The most important thing when choosing your kitchen appliances is to choose ones that will match the mood and design of your kitchen. If you have a more modern kitchen you may want to go with stainless steel; if your kitchen is more country you may want to stick to your basic black or white. When designing your new kitchen, you may also want to consider having built in appliances. Once you decide which type of appliances you want, you have many options for purchasing them; online, home stores and electronic stores all offer appliances now.

One of your final steps in completing your new kitchen is choosing your backsplash tile. You have many options for choosing your style such as glass, stone, marble, mosaic tile and moroccan tile. Two of the more popular styles are the mosaic and moroccan which are both available for you to purchase online. Once you have purchased these online, most sites will offer you detailed information on how to install the tiles properly. Backsplash tiles are also available for purchase at home good stores and most will also come and install them for you.

Visit Casbahdecor to order your ceramic floor tile. Article written and distributed by Steve Cancel of Secure Link - Website Design.

If you ever wanted to enjoy living in a log cabin this is for you!

I always wanted to build a log house, but for one reason or the other the need to live and my desire could not come together.

Then one day I had an idea, why not put an addition on and make it out of stone and logs!

This would be my own little log cabin that I always wanted. I needed an extra bed room so why not?

I began building the house in 1983 and added on in 1993 and 2003 (2003 log addition)

Finally my dream was going to come true. After some research and numerous in curries about logs from manufactures, I decided to go back in time and do it the way they use to in the Olden Days. After all I self taught my self to hand cut sand stone with a Hammer and Mason chisels, why not do the logs my self!

Laying up 3-6 feet of hand hewn Foundation stone I began to lay up the logs only on 3 sides. The reason for this is I used pine logs that were dead for a few years yet were not rotten or bug infested. I needed to keep them out of the weather as much as possible, with over hangs and prevailing weather patterns, keep the logs dry at all times. The back wall is all stone so the rain, snow, and sun can reek havoc on that all it wants!

This was a very labor intense build by hand and little help, but the out come was so satisfying and rewarding! The look is very 1800s with a touch of 21st century Tec knowledge, vinyl windows and poly filler for joints made it warm and cozy.

The cost was very affordable because all the material was free except shingles, windows rafters, and sheeting.

Estimated 100 + tons of stone and 75 logs that were all hand cut, and laid with love and compassion. Inside the fire place is10 wide by 14 high and 14 thick out of sand stone that was harvested in the area of my travels in western Pennsylvania.

The entire house is heated with a wood fired boiler in the basement that my dad and I built out of junk that was lying around. The water is pumped through pipe into the old cast iron registers that someone was throwing away! All but the log addition has piping in the tile floor and the fire place. We keep it about 75-80 degrees in mid winter with no extra heating cost.

My wife Robin and I Live in rual Western Pennsylvania, were we enjoy are country life helping others find the same life style we do by working from home. This is what gave me the time that Ineeded to build my dream house just the way I wanted to. This life style can be yours only if you want it. Just like my dream of building a log house, planning, working hard and doing the mundane little things over and over you WILL see your Dream come true! Check out the log house and pick up a copy of "Think And Grow Rich" while your there, http://www.PatRitrosky.com

So if your thinking about building your own log cabin its only a dream away! You can do it if you only wish to and talk to me! By the way you can go to www.PatRitrosky.com to view some pictures of this one of a kind little log cabin. Just click on Going From Nothing to Exquisite.

There may be some challenges you will face when remodeling your basement. Don't despair, there's always a way out.

Noise

Many homeowners are very unhappy to discover that their basement was quiet for only one reason-nobody ever went down there. After converting the. unused area to a recreation room, they sadly discover that the rock n' roll blasts adult peace upstairs. If this might be your problem make sure that an acoustical tile ceiling is part of the rebuilding job downstairs.

As any sound engineer can tell you, noise can be most easily stopped at its source. Acoustical ceiling tile will keep the sound that originates in a basement recreation area from being carried throughout the house. Understand it won't do what's known in high pressure circles as a "hundred per cent job," but it will be effective enough to make the project well worth your while.

The Open Plan

For quite some time now the "open plan" idea has been very popular in homes. Many familieB68s are quite pleased with the way that eliminating unnecessary walls and doors can make a small home seem larger. This same concept is growing in popularity below ground level. If this appeals to you, you might give up the idea of separating furnace room from utility room from recreation room.

If you have a modern heating unit that's relatively noise-free, you might devote some thought to the idea of leaving it out in the main area without partitioning the rig off from view. Most of today's units are housed in simple cabinets of fairly decent proportions. To minimize the furnace room look, cover the gadget with whatever wall surface you are using for the basement room-paint it to match the trim or cover it with wallpaper.

Steel Columns

No basement is complete without steel columns. At least that seems to be the pattern 90 per cent of the time. Since these structural bits of steel keep the upstairs from folding into the basement it's impossible to move them. The only thing left is camouflage. Here, take a tip from the rest of your recreation room decor. If it's nautical, wrap the posts with manila rope.

Turn the thing into a palm tree to go with a south-seas atmosphere. Buy a bunch of fake ivy and have it trailing out of a pot overhead and spiraling down the posts. Build a suspended room divider spanning two posts. The possibilities, as you can see, are endless.

Dealing with Drawbacks

Most remodeling drawbacks can be easily solved if they're approached not as problems but as challenges. Many attics, for example, are made with semi-dormers in which the windows partially project above the slanting roof. To most people this is a decorating defect and they can't see any possibility of painting or papering their way out of it.

One young couple solved this problem and in the process turned a drawback into a striking decorative treatment. Using nothing but fabric, they transformed the window alcove into a fake canopy that looked just elegant. To set off the pseudo-formal treatment, they coated the walls with a light gold latex paint. The stuff rolled on easily, dried in an hour and left the room ready for use the very same day.

Another family used a nautical decor in their basement playroom. The windows were typical basement windows, set high in the walls and quite ineffective as far as admitting light was concerned. They simply said, "to heck with the idea of trying to get any light out of the windows, we'll turn them into portholes."

They made batten doors that fitted the rectangular window openings. In the center of these doors (they were actually hinged so that they could drop down) the homeowners cut a circle and fitted in a porthole cover purchased at a marine supply store. The final effect was quite striking and this treatment had one more advantage. Whenever the window is needed (it's used mostly for u44Cnloading lumber into a hobby shop) the entire batten door drops down for easy access.

With a little imagination, any problem you encounter in re-modelling has a creative solution. Good luck!

Would You Like More Basement Finishing Ideas?

I've Got Loads Of Great Ideas And Tips To Help You With Your Next Basement Renovation.

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Patio door security is not reliable in and of itself, however, it is not hard to make your patio door more secure, in fact there is a very easy way to do so and that is with a security bar. We have all seen them, the broken off broom handle placed in the patio door runners to keep someone from being able to open the door without removing the broom handle first.

While this seems rudimentary, and almost archaic, it is wise, as six out of ten burglaries, begin with entry through the back of the house. Three out of ten require no force at all; they are through open doors and windows! Thus, by even using a very archaic method to better secure your doors, you significantly reduce your chances of being burglarized etc. If you watch television you know that by breaking glass you not only have the problem of noise, but you also have the problem with DNA testing if blood is left at the scene. Thus, breaking in by literally breaking, does not happen much more. So, having some sort of patio door security besides the flimsy door lock is a great idea!

The locks that come as a basic with patio doors are generally put together with materials that are soft and brittle. Most will snap off or break if put under pressure. So, the best way to improve the patio door security in your home is to add additional and also visible locks. If you want the best patio door security possible, then look for a security bar with a patented locking device that can withstand up to 1,000 pounds of force. Look for patio door security bars, and make sure they have features that also prevent thieves from lifting the door off the track.

Why would you want to have your patio door security be visible? Well, for one, if a burglar can see how secure the door is, they are less likely to damage it at all in an attempt to get in. many times they can see that their feat is hopeless, and they may not even try to begin with.

It makes sense to add additional locks as they are relatively inexpensive, do not take much time or effort to fit to your patio door, and are generally not much of a hassle, and are easy to operate; thus, your life becomes more secure, and you do not have any inconvenience.

Part of your patio door security is for your own security, you will need to have quick and easy ways out, not just in, so if you have patio door security that that requires a key, it would be wise to keep the key near the lock, but hidden from outside view. This will mean that should you need to exit your home quickly, you won't have to search for a key, or break glass, but simply leave quickly.

Another form of patio door security is found in the glass. You can improve security not just with a security bar, but also by replacing single glazed glass with polycarbonate or wire-embedded glass.

Another problem with patio door security is that often the glass is not broken or whatnot, but the door is actually lifted right off the track. Drive a screw into the top of the upper track to keep thieves from lifting the door off the track.

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information. For free articles delivered daily by email, visit http://www.HomeBuildingRemodeling.com and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.

Stepladders are ladders with wide steps that are specifically designed to provide foot comfort while climbing or standing. Stepladders are mostly used for painting, repairs, industrial work and household jobs. They come in an A-shape model with either one side having steps or both sides having steps. They are made from steel, wood, aluminum or fiberglass. The steps are lined with corrugated rubber or have slip-resistant texture. Generally, the depth of steps ranges from 3 inches to 10 inches. If the steps fold up, it becomes compact to store the ladder. The foot of the ladder should have slip-resistant molded footpads or rubber cups for better grip. Usually step ladders5B2 range from 18 inches to 20 feet height. Stepladders can carry up to 375 lbs of weight, depending on the model.

Some stepladders have a high railing for support at the top and wheels for rolling at the bottom. A few have an adjustable height of about one foot that can be incremented or reduced per requirements. A platform on the stepladder provides an ideal working place to keep tools and materials. Most stepladders can accommodate accessories that can be used while working. The assortment of accessories consists of paint can/bucket hanger, conduit holder, tool holder and ladder caddy. A special type of stepladder that can fold up to the length of a step is known as the Telescopic stepladder. It uses a patented lock and release mechanism for opening and closing the ladder.

Even though stepladders provide a better standing space, they must be used carefully. There should not be any extra loading on the side, since they can easily overturn. Stepladders can be purchased at a hardware store or over the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

We use the term The High Performance Home in our business as do many builders today. Unfortunately, it means different things to each company. So I thought it might be worthwhile to try to define the term as I see it and to give it relevance against the rising concerns of Global Warming.

First, is there such a thing as Global Warming? I liked the response given by architect Marilyn Miller Farmer, AIA, LEED A.P. Director, Green Building Pages, Inc. in her interview in the April issue of the online magazine Streetscapes, a publication of the James Hardie Company;

Question:

How would you answer skeptics who dismiss global warming as a myth, or green building as a fad?

Ms Miller:

I would suggest that anyone dismissing global warming today is not observing the writing all over the walls. Start with the weather patterns, the bottled water that has replaced use of tap water for drinking, the lack of available resources, the diminishing food supplies, the state of our oceans and rivers, the diminishing number of species, the dislocation of growing numbers of people, the global issues and disputes over use of available resources, all of which can be traced back to our growing populations and the incredible stress we are placing on the environmental systems that have supported all species, including us.

I believe she hit the nail on the head. Additionally, on a widely distributed news piece several scientists quit couching their words and came out and warned that global warming was happening (see ABC World News report 4/6/2007).

So whats to be done about this? Lets get back to High Performance Homes (HPH). Can the definition and building of high performance homes be part of the solution to global warming? What if an HPH used less energy, was safer, healthier and more comfortable to live in, was made of sustainable materials and had a lower overall impact on the environment.

This from The Green Building Initiative, http://www.thegbi.com/home/default.asp;

With rising utility costs dominating recent headlines, many Americans are looking for ways to trim their monthly bills by making their homes and businesses more energy-efficient. One way to accomplish this is to implement "green building" principles into the construction of homes and businesses.

Quite simply, green building is an effort to develop more energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally-responsible buildings. Strategies used by todays green building practitioners look at every phase of the construction and operation of buildings, whether they are focused on indoor air quality or waste reduction.

By incorporating various green building principles into a structure, the average home or business can save as much as 50 percent on their utility costs according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The benefits don't end there though, as green building also benefits society at large by reducing the environmental impact of a structure.

For example, according to the Department of Energy, if just one in 10 households incorporated energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, we could prevent more than 17 billion pounds of air pollution - which is equivalent to removing more than 250,000 cars from the road. In addition, green buildings require less maintenance and repair, reduce short- and long-term costs, promote health among occupants and improve worker satisfaction.

OK, so heres what Im going with. A High Performance Homes is one that uses sustainable materials, is energy efficient, and uses value added green building practice that causes it to be friendlier to the environment.

The benefits to owners of HPH are:

• More Comfortable and Quieter- Tight construction, better windows, and improved insulation ensure consistent temperatures and keep out excessive noise.
• Lower Maintenance- Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a low maintenance home. Tight construction and long lasting, efficient equipment make these homes more durable, helping to minimize many of the maintenance problems found in typical homes.
• Healthier and Safer- Your family will breathe easier in a tightly constructed and proper ventilated home that works to reduce dust, pollen, and pests.
• More Energy and Resource Efficient- Lower utility bills and the good feeling that you are doing something to help fight global warming

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder For more information about this article and other energy saving tips , visit out website http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

Those of us who have been mentored know that it takes an extraordinary person to touch and affect peoples lives in such a unique way. Mentors must be many things, but they must primarily be a person who draws everything there is to be gained from an experience. Experience teaches us wisdom, knowledge, morality, and human nature to name a few. But a mentor internalizes the feelings and emotions gained from lifes experiences and translates them into the words that can lead, guide, educate, and heal.

One may assume that experience and emotional learning occur naturally in everyone but this is not always true. How often do we go through the motions of life without ever really articulating the feelings we experience? It requires careful monitoring and a thorough memory to take the emotional lessons life teaches us and turn them into lessons for another. A mentor is a mentor long before they meet their partner or make a commitment. They are a lifelong interpreter of feelings associated with experience. It is more than learning from encounters. It is more than remembering encounters. It is reliving the encounter every time they share the experience.

When a mentor shares an experience they recapture the feelings they had at the time and put them into the context of the present. Sharing the feelings they had when they faced a challenge takes more than just retelling the events and time frames. To be genuine and authentic they must touch the actual feeling of challenge, with its fears and excitement, and put those feelings into words.

It is the authenticity of feeling that truly enriches the mentoring process. We have all had conversations where stories are told and walked away with only knowledge of a specific event. In mentoring we walk away with much more. The energy and authenticity of our mentors words are the elements that make mentoring far more than a conversation. They are the elements that inspire and motivate us. They are guidance with the energy to motivate us to take action and make changes.

When mentoring is part of the career process we have the chance to develop our lives with the knowledge and wisdom of anothers experience. When that knowledge and wisdom are shared with genuine feeling we dont just learnwe absorb. It is what allows us to choose a path, take a risk, and learn from our mistakes. It gives us the vigor to make these decisions and choices. It takes a lot of energy to live and grow in the business world and it is the lack of that energy that leads to apathy and ambivalence. More than seeking advice, seeking mentoring is reaching out for the power to control and influence our world.

You may wonder how you will know if someone is truly a mentor or just someone who is giving advice. Once you have met a mentor, the difference will become obvious. Your mentoring sessions will leave you motivated and intrigued, not fearful or apprehensive about decisions you are now faced with. The mentoring experience is a truly remarkable relationship and it is no wonder that so many professionals credit their success to mentoring. Some of the most influential and successful business people sought and received mentoring early in their careers and achieved incredible things.

All these things are possible because mentors mentor with their hearts. That vital and powerful part of them is what allows them to have such an impact on the lives of others. Sharing their hearts, with all its intrinsic hopes and dreams, gives them the authenticity to guide and enrich. When you meet a true mentor it is not hard to believe them because they have a consistency that one can trust and believe in. The emotions they share are consistent with the words and experiences they impart. When you find a mentor you have found a valuable treasure and the process deserves your efforts and respect. Future articles will cover how to be a good partner in mentoring and how mutual nurturing is essential to the process. Mentoring is such a complex concept that this article alone only touches the surface of such an exciting and beneficial process.

Melissa Vokoun is a successful Business Advisor and Trainer. From 1983 to 2005 she was COO and VP of Sales and Marketing for a national telecom equipment distributor. Her passion for business, working with clients in solving critical issues in the strategic, tactical and operational areas of growth continues. She is now President and Founder of NuVo Partners and Successful Business Advisors. To learn more about the services available, please visit the website at: http://www.nuvo-partners.com or call 847-392-6886.