New Uses for Antique Furniture

We all have grandmothers who loving took care of their furniture for years and years. Years ago they made furniture that would last for centuries, and a lot of that furniture is still around and in good use. I bet if you looked into your neighbors’ homes you would find old and new furniture mixed together. A great way to show off your heritage is to display some of your grandmother’s antique furniture. A mix of a century old tiger wood dining table can be matched with more modern and up-to-date shaker style chairs for a new look.

I think an old sowing machine stand would make a wonderful plant stand in front of a window. Add to that some old crocks or an antique umbrella stand and you have a new look for the room. Antiques are old, yes, but they are in vogue in today’s market. The prices of antiques continue to grow and that means antiques are a good investment. You can then pass the items down to your children.

There is nothing like the feel and look of wooden pieces. While some modern dining room furniture is being made out of less wood and more filler, old pieces are honest to goodness wood. There is nothing more beautiful than an oak side table that has been lovingly cared for. You can still see the original details, as well as the little scratches the kids accidentally placed there. All the little imperfections help define the piece. If you are one who does not care for the look with imperfections, you can have the oak pieces refinished or refinish them yourself.

Look through antique stores and flea markets for antique furniture. Check out yard sales, you never know what you might for reasonable prices. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations on where is the best place to buy some old pieces. Shop around; don’t buy something until you find the perfect piece for your home. It is out there, just waiting for you. Put a few old wooden pieces into your home decor theme and enjoy them.…

As an avid white wine collector, you might be looking for the right storage system to adequately preserve your precious grouping of wine bottles. Wine cellar fridge should be considered seriously as an efficient mechanism that will provide only the best white wine temperature. Many other features are also included in a wine fridge that would contribute to its ultimate allure. Online shopping has made this experience more efficient as many manufacturers and outlets specialise in only delivering state-of-the-art wine fridge units that encircle all the aspects surrounding white wine preservation.

White wine temperature

Doing your shopping by browsing through the mass of websites offering wine fridges, it would become as real as daylight that this industry is so advanced that it would cater to every wine collector and their individual needs. For example, it is a confirmed belief that wine collectors should store white wine in a cooler climate than full-bodied red wine. The estimated temperature ranges between 7 – 18 degrees Celcius. Within a wine fridge, this aspect can be controlled and enforced.

Dyed-in-the-wool benefits of the correct humidity

Not only does a wine fridge provide the correct temperature for a white wine collection its other advantages would further improve the taste and aroma of every morsel of fine white wine. In addition, a wine fridge also offers the pinnacle feature of a steady humidity level. The proper measurement is regarded to be at 70%. If this is lacking in any shape or form, it would have dire consequences for the enjoyment of white wine. Suppose set incorrectly, the unwanted occurrence of oxidisation leads to moisture seepage into the wine bottle. This phenomenon is a result of the wine bottle’s corks drying out. If set at a lower level than recommended, ultimately, the formation of mildew and mould. And no wine collector would like to have this stinky foundation in their wine fridge.

Other beneficial aspects of storing white wine in the correct environment

Other than temperature, there are further benefits to the proper white wine storage perception. Every white wine collector recommends keeping your collections away from direct sunlight and fluorescent light. Henceforth, appropriate storage measures may be needed to eliminate unwanted UV rays. Placing your wine fridge in a darker area of the house would resolve this concern. Luckily, within a wine fridge, this type of technology can eliminate this as it comes equipt with a glass door offering proper UV protection. Rapid air fluctuations are a thing of the past, as a wine fridge can abolish this problem. Finally, high vibration noise is ultimately kept at a low. High vibration levels are detrimental to white and red wine as it disrupts its essential compounds and sediment residue flowing to the bottle’s bottom. And if this happens, all white wine collectors would not be smiling anymore. And no one in the wine industry would like that, as serious wine collectors are seen as another class of hobbyists.

The pre-eminence of white wine

Within the …

Teak Dining Furniture is a Great Choice For Your Home Or Outdoor Living Space

Entertaining becomes a joy in the right environment, and nothing says elegant dining quite like teak. For the ideal fit for any outdoor dining area that gives you both functionality and style, a teak dining table that can seat anywhere from four to twelve guests is the solution you are looking for. Turn your patio or deck area into an alfresco delight that appeals to every sense by adding a table that boasts the lustrous amber sheen of teak. Better suited to the possible harm which can be inflected by inclement weather, than any other kind of timber, and most synthetics, teak is an excellent choice that will satisfy even the most discerning host.

Available in a wide variety of sizes and styles, a teak dining table will solve all of your entertaining dilemmas. Choose the right setting for your lifestyle from a variety of small round of square tables that seat four or, if you prefer to entertain on a grand scale, choose a long rectangular table that will comfortably seat twelve. Teak extension tables can also be found, for those that like to vary their entertaining style. With matching teak chairs, no matter the table you choose, you’ll always have enough room for family and friends.

Desirable due to its permanence, teak dining furniture is the best choice for indoor or outdoor dining furniture as it is water repellant, naturally resistant to rot and insect-proof. Harvested in Indonesia, teak is resilient and strong. These traits have made it a favorite for sailing vessel construction for hundreds of years, and therefore should prove an equal match for whatever it may encounter on your patio or deck. Easy to maintain, and often best left to age gracefully, teak dining room furniture will out distance the hardiest of entertainers and still retain its strength and innate beauty.

The radiant gold shine of treated teak is just one of the reasons it makes a desirable choice of material for any type of furniture. A teak dining furniture table and chairs in this rich tone will create a shimmery setting by day and a warm glow by night, turning your outdoor area into a delight, and that’s just for starters. Complete your entertaining area with a teak umbrella to shade your table during the day, or add teak planters and a garden seat to the patio to create that perfect intimate corner that you can retreat to for a quite moment. There is so much to choose from, and finding your perfect teak setting has never been easier. Online shopping provides you with the luxury of shopping from home but choosing from a huge range of designs, and delivery options mean you don’t have to worry about getting it into the backyard.

Create your dream outdoor area with teak dining furniture, and start to entertain as you’ve always wanted. Choose the ideal table and chairs for your needs, then …

How To Pick A Good Persian Rug

Persian rugs or carpets are not just beautiful, but they are also practical. You can easily match one with the size of the floor, and you can also choose one that matches the other furniture pieces and the design theme of a particular room in your house (e.g. classic, formal, rustic, modern, etc). But in order to pick the best Persian rug, there are several things that you have to take into consideration. Below are the things you need to think about before buying a beautiful Persian rug.

1. Consider the space available

Before you buy a Persian rug, you need to know where you are going to put it and how much space do you have in that particular room. You should follow the guidelines below:

– Bedroom: If you have a queen-sized bed, you should choose a rug which has a 5′ side (e.g. 5’x3′, 5’x7′, or 8′), depending on the size of the room. Placing runners in front of an armoire or along the room side also creates an appealing effect.

– Dining room: The carpet should be placed below the dining table and chairs. For a rectangular table with 6 – 8 chairs, you will need an 8’x10′ rug, while a table that seats 10 – 12 requires an 8’x11′ or 9’x12′ carpet.

– Living room: You can place a rug under the furniture but it is okay if you choose not to. But it would be better if you do not put it under the furniture to avoid damages. The ideal size is 5’x7′, 8′, or 6’x9′.

– Hallway: A runner is usually the most appropriate type of rug to use for the hallway. But always remember to save 1/4 to 1/3 of the width of the room for flooring border. For a 3′ wide hallway, saving 1/4 of it means choosing a 27″ wide runner, while saving 1/3 means selecting a 2′ wide runner.

2. Consider the quality

When choosing a Persian rug, you also need to factor in the quality. Below are some factors that determine the quality of a rug:

– The weaving: Consistent weave is very important for the rug’s longevity. You should check the back of the rug for irregular weaving.

– The knots: The tighter the knots, the better. Rugs with loose knots have fewer knot counts compared to the ones with tighter knots. Rugs with high knot counts are stronger and usually more expensive.

– The selvages and ends: Each selvage and end of the rug should be straight and secured properly. Also make sure that the width dimensions at both ends are the same.…

Essential Accessories For Your Dining Room Bar

Setting up a dining room bar can seem like a complicated, expensive process. The truth is that is can be as complicated or as simple as you want it to be. It all depends on what type of set up you want. There’s an endless amount of bar accessories available for anyone that wants a professional bar in their home. But, if you just want a nice bar where you can entertain family and friends, there’s really only 5 essential bar accessories that you need.

Bar Ice Bucket and Tongs

While you can always run back and forth to the refrigerator for ice, it’s much easier to have a ice bucket at your dining room bar. Invest in a good quality insulated ice bucket. A cheap ice bucket just won’t keep the ice frozen for very long. Choose a fairly large sized ice bucket if you do a lot of entertaining. And, keep some ice tongs close at hand so that you don’t have to handle the ice.

Essential Glassware for Your Home Bar

If you don’t already have bar glasses and don’t want to purchase them, your regular kitchen glasses will work just fine. But, if you’re going to have a nice bar in your dining room, you really should have the right glassware. Every bar needs shot glasses and if you plan on fixing mixed drinks, you really need some 7 ounce glasses. If you plan to serve wine, you will need a set of wine or champagne glasses. And, if you love beer, you might want to add some beer mugs to your glassware collection.

Bar Jigger

A bar jigger is an essential bar accessory if you want delicious mixed drinks. Even a professional bartender would have trouble guessing at the perfect amount of ingredients. Choose one that has a 1 1/2 ounce measure on one end and a 3/4 ounce measure on the other end. Although a glass jigger will work, a stainless steel jigger will provide the best results. Glass jiggers generally hold more alcohol than the stainless ones.

Drink Shaker

If you want the best tasting cocktails, you are going to need a drink shaker. There are two different types of shakers, the Cobbler shaker and the Boston shaker. The Cobbler shaker has three separate pieces, the tumbler, the lid and a cap that fits on top of the lid with a built-in strainer. The Boston shaker only has two pieces, a glass container that will hold around 500 ml and a metal one that will hold about 900 ml. Either type of shaker will work just fine for most home bars. However, if you purchase a Boston shaker, you will need a separate strainer.

Barspoon

A barspoon does a lot of different jobs so it’s very important that you have one for your dining room bar. Not only is a barspoon used to stir cocktails, it’s also used to measure some of the ingredients. You can …

Sit Like Royalty With Queen Anne Chairs

Royalty normally skips on simplicity, but with Queen Anne chairs, simplicity is infused with ergonomic and sophisticated designs that have been loved for many years, even up until now. From the Victorian era when this style was first introduced up to modern times where this classical piece of furniture is still popular, this recliner is a considerable institution on its own, which has enjoyed a certain degree of respect from designers worldwide.

The unique design and elegance of Queen Anne chairs are not only the main reasons as to why there are a lot of people who are engrossed by it to the point that they buy one despite their skyrocketing prices. Having one in a lounge will show the sheer sophistication that one carries along with it. You will never tire of this design or even the equally celebrated English style of Queen Anne chairs that are widely available in different furniture shops or online stores.

All Queen Anne chairs will always sport a well-made seat and back rest, where the fabric-enclosed cushion will be able to console you with its softness and warmth that can give astounding comfort whenever you use it. The proportions from the tip of the back rest to the four individually carved footings can allow anyone to sit on it for extended periods without feeling any hints of uneasiness. Some designs are supported by padded feet, enabling the chair to slide to and fro from one location to another without destroying your equally splendid flooring or create the irritating sound of skidding.

This slipper chair is normally placed on an exposed part of the home, like the dining room or in specialty rooms such as the study room or even the master’s bedroom. There are quite a handful of fine dining restaurants that utilize these chairs, making the place exude elegance and a very cheery atmosphere. It allows an area to look more presentable with all the chic refinement that is quite a requirement on special occasions such as anniversaries, family reunions, wedding proposals, and a whole lot more. The comfort given by this chair will easily complement the great food served to you, allowing you to be at your most rested and relaxed position while dining.

Overall, Queen Anne chairs may be quite expensive to add into an ordinary home, but when you do, you can turn any ordinary home into a work of art by simply adding a set of Queen Anne chairs to your growing list of great furniture.…

Educators have discovered that a one size fits all method to education does not work. A variety of teaching methods, therefore, have been entertained and tried in classrooms across the country. Among the varying methods are reggio emilia schools. The Reggio Emilia approach is practiced in some schools with the belief that children thrive in educational environments where their interests are the mobilizing factor.

Here are three facts about the Reggio Emilia approach.

History

The Reggio Emilia approach was born in the Italian town of Reggio Emilia. It is how the children of that area were educated based on the town’s needs. From there, surrounding areas would adapt the approach and educate their children based on their unique needs, too. This approach is used on children of preschool age. There are no formal training classes since no child and no community is the same. It is simply about putting each child at the center of their own education.

Characteristics

Under the Reggio Emilia approach, it is believed that children can construct their own learning. They are curious enough to want to know more about subjects that interest them. By allowing children to freely interact with others, they gain a better understanding of others, their environment and the world. Their environment is one of their teachers, and the adult acts as a mentor and guide. Since children are natural communicators, language is how they discover when they ask questions. Children are encouraged to immerse themselves in symbolic languages like painting, sculpting and drama.

Collaboration

An emphasis is placed on collaboration when the Reggio Emilia approach is used. Since children are going to become important members of their community, they learn to critique, negotiate and problem solve. Through these experiences, they gain an understanding of how to get along with others and how to cope with resolving disputes. Essentially, they are preparing to become contributing citizens of their immediate group.

As educators continue to grapple with the best way to educate children, reggio emilia schools offer one approach that places the child at the center.…