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Though it is an ancient art, Asian Lacquer paintings have only
regained their prominence on the world art scene in the last
decade, as the two main producers of the unique art - Vietnam
and Burma - have just recently opened up to tourism and begun
exhibiting their highly skilled artists.

While distinct from one another, Vietnamese and Burmese Lacquer
techniques are very old. In Vietnam, Lacquer arts have been
found in tombs dating back more than 2,300 years while ancient
inscriptions around the Burmese city Bagan have shown Lacquer
dates back in that part of Asia to at least the 11th century.

Laquer painting is a much more involved process than the
traditional oil or watercolor form. Lacquer painters must use
sap from Lacquer trees to hold a cloth covering onto their
wooden canvass. They paint the outlines of the picture in hot
lacquer and apply the colors one layer at a time, letting each
dry out before the next is applied. Modern lacquer painters in
Vietnam have learned to infuse substances like crushed egg
shells, gold foil, and plants into their artwork, allowing for a
unique expression of creativity.

However in Burma, infusions of gold foil were already found in
lacquerware centuries ago, though they were usually reserved for
royal paintings and religious art. Other materials such as
animal bone, colored glass, and bamboo are used depending on
where the lacquer designs are applied to. Colored glass is
infused into lacquer paintings on thrones, Buddhist images, and
caskets, among others. Bamboo, on the other hand, is infused to
lacquer paintings which decorate vases, tables, chairs, and
chests.

Lacquer painting is as much a part of the ancient city of Bagan
as are the more famous thousands of pagodas which cover travel
brochures for Burma. For centuries, a majority of people in
Bagan have been involved in lacquer ware, passing the tradition
down through the years. Currently there is a
government-sponsored institute in Bagan dedicated to the
recruitment and training of lacquerware artists and the demand
for Burmese and Vietnamese laquerware among art circles in the
West continues to rise.

Condensation on inside of window and condensation on inside
of window in cold weather…

Condensation can occur on any surface that is below the “dew point” of the air with which it is in contact. The “dew point” is the temperature at which condensation will occur for a given humidity level.

In most houses in winter, the inner surfaces of the windows are the coolest surfaces in the home. Condensation will typically appear there before it appears on other surfaces. Condensation is less likely to occur on interior walls, because they are typically warmer than “dew point.”

Occasionally however, condensation may occur on cold spots such as nail heads, in corners of outside walls where insulation is reduced, or in confined spaces where the circulation of warm room air is restricted. In extreme cases, condensation may lead to mildew and the growth of mold.

What To Do

To reduce or eliminate excessive condensation, the humidity level must be decreased and/or the ventilation increased.

To reduce humidity levels:

* Turn down humidifiers Ensure dryers are vented to the exterior

* Do not hang clothes to dry inside the house

* In extreme cases, operate a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers generally are capable of removing 7.5 to 20 litres of water from the air per day.

Typical household dehumidifier.
A household dehumidifier.

To increase ventilation:

* Operate bath fans when showering or bathing

* Open windows or operate an exhaust fan as soon as significant window condensation appears, until the source of the humidity is remedied.

* Operate furnace with fan switched on for continuous air flow

*

* Have range hoods vented to exterior

* In extreme cases, consider installation of an mechanical air exchanger or Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV).

Heat Recovery Ventilator -
A typical heat recovery ventilator.

If the obvious solutions don’t eliminate the problem, before investing in a dehumidifier or an HRV, check the structure for other possible moisture sources. Ensure the appropriate insulation and moisture barriers are installed in the attic, basement or crawlspace. Check for seepage in the basement.

Attic ventilation is normally provided by vent openings in the soffits or gables and roof. The total area of ventilation should equal one square foot for every 200 to 300 square feet of ceiling area. Not less than 50% of attic ventilation should be throught the soffits or gables. Not more than 50% should be through the roof.

Choosing a correct bed mattress is an important part in your life. The average person spends one third of his or her life in bed. A bad bed mattress can cause among other problems, back pain or stiffness. While selecting the bed, the key elements that should be kept in mind are comfort, support, size and material.

Air mattresses can be uncomfortable in comparison to a foam mattress. Usages of air mattress are generally temporary, for example camping or house guest. Water mattresses are not the most popular because they are very complicated in design and difficult to deal with. Spring mattresses are made up of different layers the top and bottom layers are made from soft cotton. These are supported by coil springs and insulation pads.

Types of mattresses:

In the market, four types of mattresses are available namely,

1.Foam
2.Spring
3.Air
4.Water

Generally people use spring mattresses. However foam mattresses are now becoming more and more popular. A Foam mattress follows the shape of your body without creating extra pressure at important points. It provides better support for your back. Foam mattresses are made up of different types of layers of foam. The top layer is made up of soft memory foam. Further down layers are stiffer for support.

Size of mattresses:

Bed mattresses are available in five sizes,

King size.
Queen size.
Full (double) size.
Single size.
Crib size

Width and length vary for each type of bed. Double size is an ideal size of bed mattress for couples.

Listed below are some examples of bed and mattress measurements:

King Size Beds
78″ wide x 80″ long
198 X 203 CM

Californian King Size Beds
72″ wide x 84″ long
183 X 214 CM

Queen Size Beds
60″wide x 80″ long
152 X 203 CM

Full Size or Double Beds
54″ wide x 75″ long
137 X 191 CM

Twin Size Beds
39″ wide x 75″ long
99 X 191 CM

Long Twin Size Beds
39″ wide x 80″ long
99 X 203 CM

While buying a mattress make sure you buy the right size. There are also various designs and types of mattresses available in the market.

Material of mattresses:

Many mattresses are produced from polyvinyl chloride covered with cotton or polyester layers. Organic wool, organic cotton, and pure latex are also used to make natural mattresses. Because of fire, dust and mold resistance organic wool is an excellent choice. Natural latex is a new product in the bedding industry. Latex is resistant to bacteria, dust and mold. Latex covered with wool is also fire resident.

Malcolm Moorhouse www.finda-mattress.com info@finda-mattress.com Copyright Malcolm Moorhouse 2006

It is difficult to find bathrooms without shower curtains. Shower curtains are very functional and help to keep your bathroom dry and clean at all times. Different synthetic and natural materials determine the different types of shower curtains. Polyester and vinyl shower curtains are inexpensive and absolutely water proof, but may not match luxurious décor. Shower curtains made of cotton and linen look lush and elegant, but they mildew if too damp. These materials are not very functional as they will require drying periodically and often.

Many people prefer to combine a vinyl liner with an outer fabric curtain of cotton or linen to blend attractiveness with utility. Vinyl shower curtains come in a myriad of patterns and colors. The background can be clear or opaque. Vinyl and polyester curtains and liners are efficient at keeping water inside the tub instead of splashing on the ground. They are reasonably inexpensive and thus can be replaced once they become misty with soap scum or mildew. Some kinds are even meant to be disposable. For a consumer who is waste conscious this is not a good option.

To clean your shower curtains spray them with bleach or wash them with laundry soap to restore lustre and extend their life. Fabric shower curtains are permanent additions to the function and décor of a bathroom. Some textiles have been treated with stain resistors and waterproof coatings.

Unique Shower Curtains

Hemp shower curtains are unique shower curtains. They offer the longevity and effectiveness of vinyl and polyester shower curtains and the look of the cotton and linen ones. The heavy fabric is made from plant fiber like linen or cotton. However, hemp is naturally antibacterial and anti fungal. For the environmentally conscious people hemp grows organically and gets colored with natural dyes. These shower curtains remain durable after many wash and dry cycles and don’t require the use of a plastic liner.

Designer and Christmas shower curtains.

You can get a designer version of things as mundane as safety pins so a shower curtain cannot be far off. These days interior designers design fabrics for curtains of all types. Shower curtains are also designed by interior decorators. These are more expensive than the normal ones that you can get from the market. Whether you have the American patriotic look, the beach party look, the flower patch look, or any other décor, a designer curtain can be made to fit the look of your bathroom. There are sites on the net which will do up the curtains or you can also contact a designer you know or have heard of in your city to design an amazing looking curtain for your bathroom.

In the festive Christmas season when every thing is new and decorated your bathroom also needs a Christmas shower curtain. You can get shower curtains with designs that truly celebrate the spirit of Christmas. The prints can be of Christmas trees, bells, snowmen, Santa Claus, sleigh bells and many more. These curtains can also be chosen and given as a gift to someone, or if you really want to give your other half a surprise then just do up the bathroom by putting up these curtains, there will be no more surprising way to wish a merry Christmas morning than this.

Karen Hughes is an interior decor consultant, get further curtain and drapes ideas at
Drapes’n'Curtains
this is your first stop for information about Curtains and Drapes.

How often do you use your kitchen counter at home? Do you have a
Formica top, or another material that is just as solid and
lasting? Most of us don’t give much thought to that cold, flat
slab in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room. But perhaps we
should, since it can serve a variety of functions that we depend
on every day. Let’s talk about the kitchen counter, which lies
at the hub of family life and center of frequent activity.

The kitchen counter is where dirty dishes are stacked, waiting
to be loaded into the dishwasher or by hand. Crusty roasters,
sticky silverware, and greasy platters bide their time on that
beautiful finished surface while we take care of other things
before tidying up the kitchen. The counter may be the place
where you sign kids’ school forms, open the mail, or write
last-minute notes to family members before heading out the door
for the day. It’s where we set down bags of groceries, pet
feeding dishes, an armful of dry cleaning, and a host of other
items related to everyday chores. Small kitchen appliances like
the toaster and blender probably enjoy their own spots for
making the morning breakfast and other meals or snacks. Food
preparation like grating, slicing, chopping, and mixing take
place in this convenient area.

With all this activity occurring on a regular basis, your
kitchen counter carries a lot of weight at times. It absorbs
shocks from heavy items, accepts scratches or chips, and helps
to blot stains from spilled juice or strained and drained foods.
It’s a wonder the counter looks as good as it does, right? That
is due in large part to the industry’s formulation of tough
design and solid materials, as well as a protective finish. But
keeping your counter in tip-top shape beyond the manufacturer’s
reach is up to you.

Start by clearing your counter of all unnecessary items. Put
away containers that take up space, cover or store unused
appliances, insist that no foods, like bread wrappers or jelly
jars, be left sitting on the counter for any length of time.
Clearing the clutter will open more space and give the entire
room a sense of airiness. The counter area will be able to
accommodate more time-specific tasks instead of being a
gathering place for everyone’s debris. Get a cutting board for
food preparation so you don’t have to damage the counter
anymore.

Then make a point of wiping your counter free of crumbs,
stains, and spills after each meal, or certainly at least once a
day. Use a clean cloth, not a damp one that has been sitting
around for hours or days, as it will have a sour smell that can
be picked up by the counter. Gently wipe under the microwave or
canister set to remove all crumbs and thus avoid attracting
unwanted pests.

Each week or so, inspect your countertop for deep-set stains.
Wipe the counter with a damp cloth to moisten it, and then
lightly sprinkle baking soda on the stained areas. Allow it to
set at least fifteen minutes. Get the cleaning cloth more wet,
and then rub the powder in small circles to work at the stain.
Rinse the counter thoroughly when you are done. Run your hand
over the surface for signs of residue grit or powder, and rinse
again, if needed.

Set an attractive (but unbreakable) vase or other decorator
pieces on your counter to remind family members to keep it clear
when not in use. This can help everyone take better care of the
counter to prolong its quality.

Planning to remodel, repair or build a new home? Looking for
some terrific features to include that won’t be budget busters?
We can help! We started collecting over 1,000 uncommon,
affordable convenience built-ins in 1998, when we first began
writing books and consulting to help people have truly
extraordinary — but affordable — homes. Here are some of our
favorite ideas that cost virtually nothing to add to a project
that’s already going to require open walls, ceilings and/or
floors. Add a handful of these, and you’ll be on your way toward
creating a home that’s truly beyond the ordinary!

* A bedside light switch. Control all the bedroom and nearby
hall lights from bed, and consider a dimmer that goes from
bright light to soft light with merely the flick of your wrist
when you get up after dark. Overnight guests who aren’t familiar
with their room’s setup will find this especially handy when
they move around at night. (Be sure you know exactly where your
headboard will be, so this switch doesn’t get hidden behind it.)

* Lots of lights on dimmer switches. One of their benefits is
how dramatically they reduce the need to replace burned-out
lightbulbs. This offers you light-level options you can’t get
with low-wattage bulbs controlled by traditional on/off
switches. Plus you get those varied levels all from a single
switch.

* Indoor switches that control all your outdoor holiday
decorations’ outlets. No more having to go outside in nasty
weather or late at night to turn the lights on or off!

* Optimal heights of each electrical outlet, both indoors and
outside. Outlets at waist height are easier to access from a
standing position than those closer to the floor, especially if
bending down is difficult.

* Countertops that are the right heights for your home’s
inhabitants. For example, tall adults — and seniors who find it
difficult to bend over — might want their bathroom countertops
and sinks to be higher than usual. Others might prefer them
lower.

* A dishwasher that’s one foot above the floor, to minimize
bending to load and unload it.

* Hose-mounted, hand-held faucets for easy sink, bathtub or
shower use. They also help when you’re cleaning those areas.
Plus they can fill pots on nearby cooking burners or buckets on
the floor, rinse kids or pets in the bathtub, and allow
showering while seated.

* Cedar tiles on closet and cabinet ceilings or walls wherever
you store wool items. No more moths or other bugs feasting on
your sweaters or blankets!

* A pantry that you convert an unused broom closet into by
installing pullout or stationary shelves, bins and/or racks.

* A detachable garbage bin mounted inside a pullout or tiltout
cabinet door or storage bench, or inside a closet door. No more
tripping over freestanding garbage cans!

Like this article? Then you’ll love our books with dozens of
innovative, affordable ideas just like these! We also offer a
free e-book at www.extraordinaryhomes.com: The 34 ExtraOrdinary
Home Principles: Over 70 Fabulous, Affordable, Innovative Ideas
That’ll Improve Your Life and WOW You!

© Copyright 2005 by Carol Abrahamson/ExtraOrdinary Homes. All
rights reserved.

The garage and/or workshop can be one of the most cluttered
areas of the home. Many products are available to help sort and
organize the different items in the garage, but all you really
need are some basic items that can be found around the house or
purchased at a local discount store and your own creativity.
Here are ten quick tips to get your garage organized without
spending a fortune.

1. Use a large garbage can to store bulky sports equipment such
as balls, baseball bats, and hockey sticks.

2. Small plastic food containers can be used to hold small
pieces of your current project. If you don’t complete the
project immediately, just label the cover with masking tape and
permanent marker. All the pieces will stay together and the
container will be easy to identify.

3. Install large hooks for items such as hoses, extension cords
and folding chairs. Coat hooks work great for this.

4. Plastic office organizers work great in the garage. They can
be used for sand paper, tools, and other small items.

5. Printer paper boxes are sturdy and stack well. Check with
local offices, they may just give some to you.

6. If your garage is unfinished, use the space between the studs
for shelves. Just cut a 2×4 to size and nail in place. This
works great for small containers and spray paint cans.

7. Baby food jars work great for very small item such as nails
and screws. Just screw the lid to the bottom of a shelf, fill
the jar, and twist into the lid.

8. Use canisters or jars on the workbench to hold frequently
used tools.

9. Staple twine or heavy string to a board at about one-inch
intervals leaving a little slack between staples. The loops
created by the slack work great for storing screwdrivers. Secure
the board to a convenient location.

10. Label Everything! You don’t need fancy labels, masking tape
and a permanent marker work just fine.

An excellent place to look for garage organizing ideas is in the
kitchen. Items such as silverware trays, dish strainers, spice
racks, plus a whole lot more have many potential uses in the
garage.

When an appliance is turned off, many people think it is not using energy, but many appliances continue to draw power even after they have been turned off. This is called a phantom load. Features such as remote controls, clocks, timers, memories, microprocessors, and instant-on features are indicators that an appliance will continue to use power even when it has been turned off. Basically all the features that make them more accessible and “ready” for us to use at a moments notice.

Televisions and VCR’s have the biggest draws of phantom loads. Electricity use in
televisions that are turned “off” costs the U.S. millions of dollars each year. The
electricity is used to maintain the instant-on features, and to keep the filaments in
the picture tube warm 24 hours a day. That is huge.

Protecting Yourself Phantom Loads

• If possible, choose an appliance that has no built-in clock or timer. This is enough
energy to run a compact fluorescent light bulb for 12 hours.

• Avoid leaving appliances with small transformers plugged in while not in use.
Also, consider purchasing all-in-one appliances, such as a phone with built-in
answering machine and caller id display. This will reduce the number of small
transformers plugged in. Small transformers are power supplies in plastic boxes
that plug into a standard wall outlet.

• Unplugging the appliance when it is not in use is one way of avoiding phantom
loads. An easy way to do this is to have a power strip and switch it off when the
appliance is not in use. This is a great thing to do anyway when you leave for more
than a week, to protect your equipment from surges and electrical spikes.

Just a few thoughts as you look for ideas for you as you try to save energy. it is
pretty simple if it is on, turn it off or better yet unplug it.

Denton Lesslie is the president of
http://www.greathomeimprovements.com
and a consultant for Department of Energy’s Building America Division for the
last 6 years. There are many articles about your href=”http://www.greathomeimprovements.com/appliances.html”>appliances.

Ten steps to a dry basement:

Note that Number 1 is at the bottom!

2. Try going down the ten steps into someone else’s basement
where they took the time and trouble to find out what the causes
and practical guaranteed remedies were.

3. Determine as precisely as possible the major point of entry
of the seepage.

4. Examine the exterior area for sources of water such as loose
soil, reverse grading toward the house instead of away from it,
drainage from downspouts or higher ground areas, plumbing or
pipes- especially if they were installed after the original
construction of the house, run-off from roofs and gutters.

5. If any of these conditions are the suspects, and you
undertake fixing the situation, monitor the basement in the
usually wet areas to see if there has been any diminishing
effect.

6. If so, try more of the same.

7. Assuming the wet problems are what are normally called ‘high
water table’ or hydrostatic pressure, look into installation of
a ‘pressure relief system’ or interior French drains.

8. If you are not extremely handy or are ‘tool handling
deficient’, call in several professional waterproofers after
checking their standing with the local Better Business Bureau or
Consumer Protection Bureau.

9. Compare and assess their suggestions and recommendations with
your common sense and pocket book and ask for local referrals.

10. Only sign a contract, which is fully detailed and allows you
to make your own decision rather than with hasty
‘do-it-right-now’ pressure.

Number 1. Before you waste time and effort and increase
frustration and maybe spend more than you really have to, visit
the online site and check out an illustrated 32 page
waterproofing scambuster’s report. HRef="http://www.npimall.com" rel="nofollow">www.npimall.com

Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries and the modern ceiling fan as we know it today has been used since Victorian times. Savvy homeowners use the ceiling fan in every room imaginable. They like their looks as well as how comfortable they make them feel. Why keep all of this style cooped up inside? Take the ceiling fan outdoors to the patio for a focal point of a great outdoor room. Look at your patio furniture and the style of home before you purchase an outdoor ceiling fan. If you own a log home, you wouldn’t want a futuristic black enamel ceiling fan or the contemporary pastel home in South Beach may not look good with dark oak fan blades. A Victorian mansion speaks of a matching outdoor ceiling fan that fits the period of the house. You get the idea, common sense and your decorating style will dictate which fan you go with. Lighting kits are available for these fans but I prefer your outdoor lighting to come from other sources. My husband and I think it feels much cozier when a glaring ceiling light isn’t shining on us. There are great looking area lamps and sconces that will compliment your ceiling fan. Let a fan be a fan when it comes to the patio.

Since your fan will be outdoors it is going to be exposed to the elements for most of the year. When they are on the patio there is little heating or air conditioning and the fan can be exposed to large amounts of humidity and temperature change. The big difference between indoor and outdoor fans is that you need materials that are not affected by the elements. Choose resin and plastic for the outdoors. These materials stand up better to humidity and moisture. If the fan is wood or metal, they will need to be specially treated to stand up to rain etc. Another major part of buying a ceiling fan for your patio comes from reading the label. DO NOT buy a ceiling fan for the outdoors if it isn’t given a “wet rating” from the manufacturer. These fans have specially enclosed housings for the motor that will protect it as well from the elements. Trying to install an indoor ceiling fan outside is like leaving a lawnmower out in the rain. You would have lots of repairs, the fan just won’t work right and it probably wouldn’t be safe.
Some very basic things you also need to consider before you buy are ceiling height and size of area. If the area of the patio is 100 square feet, a 36″ fan would be ok. Choose a 42″ fan if the patio is up to 144 square feet and 44″ to 48″ if the space is up to 225 square feet. Fans come as large as 60″ to accommodate larger spaces. Generally your patio ceiling will be quite high, but if you are considering the fan for a porch setting, your ceiling clearance may demand a hugger style fan. These fans have no rods to drop down the fan blades creating a safe clearance. Nothing is scarier than walking into an area with a very low ceiling fan. Check to see the fan you have chosen comes with a remote control. Who can live these days without having control from the lounge chair? Just because your ceiling fan is outside doesn’t mean you give up convenience. Ceiling fans aren’t that tough to install and usually come with directions. If you don’t feel like you want to tackle electrical issues or if you don’t have enough support to hold up the fan, bring in the professionals. It needs to be installed correctly so it won’t wobble, be noisy, or worse yet - unsafe.

Complete your outdoor room with great looking patio furniture and all of the garden décor that brings the setting to life. If you have a pool or hot tub you have now created a fantastic place to entertain guests and have fun with the family. Invest in the outside of your home as well as the inside. Your wallet will benefit and you will feel more comfortable at the same time.

Mae Marshall is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, portable air conditioners, air filters and more. Her many articles can be found at http://www.portable-air-conditioner-4u.com/ceiling_fans.htm. She gives information and tips at http://www.portable-air-conditioner-4u.com/index.htm to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.