The Management Consulting Group

Have you ever had the pleasure of strolling through a forest covered with fragrant pine needles? Can you imagine those pine needles being crafted into a basket, tray, or sculpture? In this article, you will discover the brief history of pine needle baskets and how to use these beautiful and fragrant works of art in your home decor.

Pine needle basketry has most likely existed for as long as pine trees and people have shared the earth. Historical references do not indicate when pine needles were first used in baskets. However, due to the availability of pine needles in their area, Seminole Indians of South Florida are noted to be the first pine needle basket makers. The Seminole Indians used a bone or shell needle to sew bundles of pine needles together with fern roots, sisal, or swamp grass. Some of the baskets were used for feed baskets, to carry water, and for winnowing seeds.

Modern pine needle basketry is noted to have begun during the Civil War times (1861-1865) when Mrs. M.J. McAfee of Southern Georgia used pine needles that she bound together with cotton thread to replace a worn hat for her father. She claimed to be the originator of pine needle basketry as we know it today.

In the present day, pine needle baskets are most often created using the coiling technique, which is one of the oldest and most universal methods of basket making. The basket is created by coiling and stitching one continuous bundle of pine needles around and on top of the row below. The foundation of the basket is formed with a bundle of pine needles bound together with various fibers such as raffia, split roots, birch paper, yucca, sinew, embroidery thread, yarn or waxed linen thread. Decorative stitches and wrapping techniques are often used to make the basket strong as well as add an attractive element. The most common stitches used are the straight wheat stitch, spiral wheat stitch, fern stitch, popcorn stitch, diamond stitch, the Indian wrap, and numerous knot stitches.

The pine needles come from a variety of different pine trees, such as Jeffrey Pine, Long Needle Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Bill Pine, and Gray Pine. The pine needles are gathered from the newly fallen top layer on the forest floor or picked from a fallen tree or limb and chosen based on their flexibility and length. Once the pine needles have been collected, they are carefully washed, cured, and then stored until use.

The natural colors of the pine needles can be used or the needles themselves can be dyed. Embellishments such as colored threads, buttons, beads, nut slices, and cones are often used to enhance the pine needle basket or project.

Pine needle baskets make attractive statements in home decor. The following is a small list of ideas on how to use pine needle baskets to decorate your home:

• Display one or a grouping on a bookshelf to create an eye catching display.

• Use them like you would any basket to create an appealing arrangement of silk greenery to accent a special little table or chest.

• Mount a grouping of two or more baskets on a wall for interesting wall decor.

• Place dried flowers in an urn shaped pine needle basket and place it on a nightstand for a charming look next to your bed.

• Use a rounded taller version as desk organizers for your pens and pencils and a shorter version for holding your clips, rubber bands, etc.

• Place faux fruit in a pine needle basket tray for an attractive center piece on your dining room or kitchen table.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless on how to use pine needle baskets in your home decor. Today, professional basket makers and hobbyists all over the world are creating these beautiful pine needle baskets. Many pine needle baskets can be found in art galleries, art and craft fairs, home decorating shops, and on the internet.

Pine needle basketry is considered to be a lost art that is being revived by today’s crafters and artists. With an interesting background and an exciting future, pine needle basketry and projects are sure to be around for many years to come.

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange and the Home & Garden Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and a shopping marketplace. The Home & Garden Exchange website is a link exchange program and directory dedicated to the home and garden industry, as well as offering free website content and promotional ideas. Please visit both websites for all of your home, garden, and website needs.

http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com

Do you live in a noisy neighborhood? Do you have a loud home theater or band room in your home? Is your office prone to loud traffic noises? If you answered yes to any of these, you may want to look into sound proofing your environment.

Sound proofing is provided by materials that either block sound from entering an area or absorb sound to contain it in an area. Sound is measured in decibels. When you get materials to block or absorb sound, you will see that they have an STC (standard transmission class) rating. An STC rating depicts how much sound decibels the sound proofing material will block or absorb. An example: a normal wall has an STC rating of 20 or 25. This means you can hear normal speech through the wall. If you want the normal speech to only be heard as a murmur, you will need a wall with an STC rating of at least 42.

Now that you understand the STC rating of sound proofing materials, you can learn what means of sound proofing are available to you. A rather inexpensive method of soundproofing is to use foam sound proofing materials. The foam can fit in almost any space and can be either 1/2 inch to 2 inches thick. The STC rating of the foam is between 40 and 50. Another mean is to use vinyl sound proofing materials. Vinyl materials have an STC rating of 42 to 55. For floors (such as in the case of multi leveled buildings) you can utilize sound blocking carpet underlays that fit in between the floor levels. Carpet underlays have an STC rating of 29 to 40. Inexpensive metal wall channels are also available. These attach directly in your walls and ceilings. The STC rating for these is 38 to 50.

These are the many different means that you can use to soundproof your environment. The prices can vary depending on how much sound you wish to block and how big of an area you wish to cover. With careful research, you should be well on your way to a more peaceful and quiet environment.

©Copyright 2005 Gavin Sanderson.
This article may be republished as long as this section is included and all links are left live.

You can read further articles about Sound Proofing by Gavin Sanderson at www.sound-proofer.com and www.sound-proofing-info.com/soundproofpaint.htm

The most important thing to consider when decorating a child’s room is to make the child comfortable. You want to surround them with fun, playful items. The way this room is designed is going to have an effect on the psyche of the child, so allow room for imagination and freedom.

It may be helpful to let the child help you decorate. Pick out the colors, or the wallpaper together. One trick is to purchase inexpensive plain white wall paper, then when it is up, let the child paint a mural of their choice on it. You can do this once a year and continue to reinvent the room over and over again.

Big boxes and lots of shelves will help the child keep the room clean. Make labels for all of the containers with big bright words, that will help remind the child what that container is for.

Decorating in toys is another idea for a child’s room. Set up scenes on shelves, or tables, with their toys in different poses. You can have action toys attacking an enemy base, or dolls working in a kitchen. This allows the décor to be a play item itself. Every time you look at the scene you will get new ideas and more inspiration.

Mostly just let the room be imaginative. Use bright colors, and create a décor that will give the child’s mind something to think about, and room to explore. Don’t hold back, you can play too.

For more information on decorating a kid’s room you can view this website

http://pebblez.com/information/decorating-kids-room.html

About The Author

This article written by Joey Lewitin, a designer of fine home furnishings and interior decor. You can view his interesting creations and styles here http://pebblez.com.

Distribution of this article only with this attached bio, exceptions can be emailed to the author.

info@pebblez.com

The installation of a toilet is a relatively easy job for a
homeowner. With a couple of wrenches, a screwdriver and a few
shims a new toilet can be installed in about one hour.

Toilets can be purchased at any home improvement store or
plumbing supply center. Typically a gravity flush toilet costs
between $150 and $300, however the price can double or triple
for more elaborate units, such as pressure flush systems.
Today’s toilets are mandated to use no more than 1.6 gallons per
flush, where as older units used as much as 5 gallons. The
initial 1.6 gallon toilets were notorious for frequently
clogging, however over the past several years suppliers have
improved the performance of these low water-use systems.

Setting the Toilet

A toilet usually consists of two main parts: a bowl and a tank.
It is best to first install the bowl. Prior to seating the bowl,
check if the closet flange has been temporarily plugged with
insulation or a rag to prevent sewer gases from escaping. Remove
this. Next set the bowl on top of the closet flange to determine
if it sits level. If it does not, prepare some shims to use
later.

Next remove the bowl, and insert the closet bolts (approximately
2″ long bolts) into the slots on the closet flange.

Then turn the bowl over and install a wax ring gasket over the
outlet of the bowl. This outlet is also know as the “horn”.

Place the bowl onto the closet flange. Make sure the bowl is
well seated by rocking the bowl down. Once the bowl has been
seated, place a level on it and use the shims as necessary.
Next, using nuts and washers tighten up the bolts. Note: be
careful not to over-tighten these bolts as it could crack the
bowl.

Next attach the tank to the bowl using the tank bolts, nuts and
washers. Again, do not over tighten.

Installing the Float Supply Unit

Install the float supply unit into the tank and hook up the
water line to the tank inlet. Again, do not over tighten and
make sure to use the washers supplied.

Next, turn the supply line on and adjust the float as necessary.
Finally, caulk around the base of the unit and you are done.

If you are in the market for a new mailbox, you may be having
trouble deciding what kind to purchase. One type that has been
gaining in popularity is that of plastic mailboxes. They are the
most inexpensive version of all of the mailboxes. They often
cost less that $50 (not including the cost of the post). For
more information, please read on for a quick guide to plastic
mailboxes. Plastic mailboxes are highly durable,
lightweight,weatherproof, and often made with indestructible
double walled plastic construction materials (which protects
against vandalism). This is a great advantage when you compare
it to other types of mailboxes. They are also rust proof and
usually do not need to be repainted. Plastic mailboxes come in a
variety of shapes and styles.The most common is the standard
mailbox shape. This can also come with an extended section below
the mailbox that is used to hold magazines, newspapers, and
small packages.The most common colors are brown, black, white,
and green.There is also one style that many people really enjoy.
This is a plastic mailbox in the shape of a small house. It is
quite adorable to look at and can be painted to match your home.
Now that you know a bit more about plastic mailboxes, you may
want to consider getting one. There are many advantageous to
owning one and you are sure to have many to choose from. Take
your time and shop around so that you can find the perfect
mailbox!

Have you ever walked into a room and noticed how much you liked it? Was it warm, rich and inviting? Or was it cold, dreary and drab?

If your home leaves you with that drab feeling, or doesn’t feel quite right; I have good news for you! You can change it to fit your style and be the home of your dreams!

Decorating a room can make ALL the difference!

Okay, you’ve made a decision. It’s time for that “room-lift!” You’ve decided to take the plunge and decorate!

Congratulations! Now, where do you begin?

It all started for me when I woke up one day and noticed that I did not like my living room. After all, we had inherited the décor and style of the previous owner. I was so busy bearing children and trying to assimilate as a new mother and new homeowner, that I hadn’t even noticed that I did not care for the décor of my home. After all, let’s face it; it did not reflect ME.

A friend of mine had a natural talent for decorating, and as a matter of fact had attended some workshops -and recommended that I just start looking at magazines to get ideas of what I DID like.

Okay, I thought, I can certainly handle that. After all, pouring through and daydreaming about the exquisite dining rooms and living rooms in each new Ethan Allen magazine I received had become an ardent pastime of mine. I LOVED looking at magazines with the gorgeous displays of furniture in different motifs and colors. And when I saw what I liked, I knew it. The style that I loved surfaced quickly, clearly, and easily. With every magazine I looked at, the same style surfaced as my absolute favorite. I LOVED it.

The colors I liked were rich, the style was elegant. I loved the deep jewel tones and the Victorian richness. The shiny gold brass I used to favor as a teenager had now been replaced with antique gold and dark bronze. I loved the deep burgundies, greens, golds, and plums highlighted with accents of pure white.

My friend came over to assess my living room. I had my father-in-law’s brown love seat, a crme-colored paisley print sofa given to me by my own father, a luxurious gold Victorian mirror that I did like (because I bought it) clashing stubbornly with the white country lace curtains leftover from the previous owner. My walls were sterile white. We had a lot to work with!

To bring warmth to the room, we decided to paint the walls. We chose a soft gold for the walls, with one accent wall in cranberry.

I selected various wall hangings, a shelf, and sconces with candles to dress up my walls. I covered my mismatched sofas with slipcovers. I replaced the country lace curtains with a sheer gold window scarf that dipped gracefully down at the top of each window, and then hung down to the floor on each side. I threw an area run down on the living room floor, and centered my new coffee table on top of it. Additional living room accents included a striking European vase embracing a blossom of pure white roses, a floor lamp, and a couple of lush, green topiaries.

The room was beautiful. Our colors were cranberry and gold. All the wall décor contrasted with the color behind it - light colored décor on the cranberry accent wall, and dark décor on the gold wall. The slipcovers and area rug were breathtaking - all in cranberry and gold with a rich Victorian style. I was in love with my living room!

Decorating is fun and easy!

Well, are you ready to take the plunge? Here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Know your style - study magazines until you know what you like. You will be attracted to the same style over and over again, and your style will quickly become evident to you.

2. Decide on what “feel” you want for the room - do you want a dramatic, sophisticated look? A casual look? A modern look? Stick to those styles as you make your choices.

3. Copy the pros - study those magazine photos! What makes the room so quaint; so charming; so luxuriously beautiful? Copy the flower arrangements you see; how window coverings are hung; how wall hangings are “framed” on either side with candles, plants, or figurines, etc.

Have fun and enjoy the process, and you’ll be amazed at the transformation that takes place. Enjoy!

Kathy Afetian owns a successful home based business with Mia Bella Gourmet Candles, an alternative wax, all-natural, candle that contains no toxins and smells great. She has been married for nine years and has four children. You can visit her at http://www.sweetsmellingsuccess.com

This article is free to reprint if the Author’s Bio remains intact. For additional articles, please contact Kathy Afetian.

For Paint Manufacturers worldwide, there has come a radical new development in the legion of Thickening Agents & Colloidal stabilizer for Aqueous Latex Paints. So far most of the companies producing aqueous Paint emulsions, the most preferred thickening agent was Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC). The HEC based thixotropic additives is produced by some of the renowned multi-national companies such as Hercules, Akzo Nobel & Dow.

Here we refer to a Biopolymer based on Polysacchride derived from controlled derivatisation process from plant origin. The product developed by Asian Trade Link Chemicals Division in India has already been a successful venture for replacement of HECs for many paint companies. The Product is known as Solvitex thickening agent & colloidal stabilizer.

The solvitex range of products is offered in wide range of viscosities of aqueous solutions. It comes in Powder form of Offwhite color and the thickening properties are similar to HEC.

But the Advantages of Solviex against HECs are many. The prime factor is the stability & economic pricing. Its been observed that for a Medium viscosity range of products such as Natrosol 250 HBR or Bermcoll 381 the intial drop after settling is by 20% and then the finished paint adheres to be stable for six months.and the viscosity further drops. Solvitex has an initial drop of settling to 10% and the product is stable in physical observation for more than 1year exhibiting the same viscosity.

As known by many Paint technicians, its inevitable that the stability of thickening agent after incorporating in the Paint system, is delicate towards wide temperature changes. Especially applicable for Export shipments when the Paint under goes through various temperature conditions during its transit. A sudden drop & rise in outside temperature can effect the stability. Solvitex has potentially proven to be stable under those conditions.

Amongst HEC, I personally find Cellosize of Dow as the most stable product compared to Bermocoll & Tylose.

Myself as Paint formulator & other colleagues working in different companies had a dilemma existing for selection. For cheaper Paints the Stronger product or High Viscosity grades were used such but there always was a flocculation after some period on shelf storage. For the Expensive ones we had to prefer Medium Viscosities grade to overcome shelf storage time. Most of the companies carry the same practice.

When I came across Solvitex range of Thickeners I was given much competitive prices. Priced at least 10% lower than HEC based Products, but my major concern was to check the colloidal stabilization. The Product was immediately tested and was found to perform excellent.

Apart from that, Solvitex has provided better color acceptance & and coatabilty.

Sooner we came across Solvizen developed by the same company for more economic & cheaper Price. The thickening & stability properties was the same but economically priced.

However, The Water solution clarity of Solvizen was not as clear as of Solvitex or HECs. It was slight turbid. But when incorporated in Paints, we couldn’t find any difference. Again the Paint was stable physically observed.

As a Paint formulator from past 2 decades and based on my experiences, I suggest to all those technicians in the same field to try Solvitex & Solvizen range of Thickening agents.

For more information about solviex & solvizen one can check
http://www.asiantradelinkindia.com/additives_for_paints_adhesives_paint_binders.html

Mr. R. S. Subramanium is working with Noble Paints Mfg. Co. and has more than 20 years experience in the paints industry. He can be contacted at asiantradelinkindia@yahoo.com or at Phone No.: 91-22-25007236 / 25000659

A/19, Siddhpura Ind. Estate
L.B.S. Marg, Ghatkopar (W)
Mumbai 400 086
Maharashtra, India.
Phone No.: 91-22-25007236 / 25000659
Fax: 91-22-25000851

When 26-year-old Michelangelo sculpted the statue David from a
block of marble 500 years ago, his tools were basic and crude
compared to what is available today. And although solid marble
floors were created for the wealthy back then, the artists did
not have the tools to make intricate, delicate patterns in the
marble. A slab of marble remained a slab of marble cut to the
required size.

Today’s technology for creating masterpieces of architectural
design from marble is centered on the cutting technology of
waterjet. A Master Designer is no longer limited in expressing
his creativity as the waterjet machines can cut, with meticulous
precision, the thousands of various-shaped pieces that comprise
a work of art. Marble-granite-onyx floor medallions, an example
of the practical use of waterjet technology, can be seen not
only in hotel lobbies, restaurants and airports, but in fine
homes around the globe. These medallions express uniqueness,
quality and originality, and are considered an excellent
investment. They come in original designs, or pre-made,
ready-to-install designs, or a customized version of the
pre-made version. And, they are economical.

What is waterjet Cutting? * An environmentally friendly process
* A process that does not create chemical air pollution * A
process that does not create dust, grindings, or chips * A
process that does not generate pollutants or fumes * A process
that does not require cutting oils or emulsions * A process that
is clean and efficient

What items can be cut with waterjet? * Marble and granite, and
all other stones * Ceramics and porcelain * Linoleum, vinyl, and
sports flooring * All metals, including brass, muntz, CorTen
Steel, stainless steel * Glass * Almost any material that you
want to cut into a two-dimensional shape * Being a clear, cold
process, waterjet cutting does not distort, heat, or harden
materials * When conventional cutting methods can’t cut through
a material, waterjet can * No pressure or heat is exerted on the
material, making it safe for plastics or composites, or items
that cannot tolerate mechanical damage or heat

What patterns can be cut with waterjet? * If you can draw it on
a computer, waterjet can cut it * Images come from electronic
files, drawings, blueprints, etc. * The images are converted
into a language the waterjet machines can read. * This
‘converted image’ is downloaded onto the waterjet machine

What about the cost? * Waterjet cutting is the most economical
way to cut stainless steel, porcelain, or any stone into complex
shapes. * Being environmentally friendly makes it very cost
effective * The savings over traditional cutting methods is
often substantial * There are no molding or tooling costs
associated with waterjet

What are some of the main architectural uses of waterjet
technology in the commercial world? The intricate masterpieces
created with the waterjet technology are found around the world
in: * Airports * Government Buildings * Hospitals * Hotels,
Resorts, Casinos * Restaurants * Malls * Outdoor Public Spaces

* Medallions are found in all of the above places, along with an
artistically designed whole floor concept that delightfully
leads one from the entryway into all the areas where the public
or employees walk. The medallions are sometimes the logo of the
local sports team, or the trademark of the business.

Other uses of waterjet technology in these commercial areas
include architectural signage, plaques and murals. These murals
can depict famous places that attract tourists to the area.

What are the main architectural uses of waterjet technology in
residences? * Stone Floor Medallions may be located throughout
the home, starting with a Custom Entryway * Border Tiles, along
with an artistically designed whole, flowing-floor concept,
gently carry one from the entryway to living room, dining room,
halls, kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms in an integrated,
beautiful way. * Bathrooms - a sublime bathing experience when
planned by a Master Designer * Kitchens - blending the floors,
countertops, and dining areas into a daily delightful
cooking/baking/eating experience * Fireplace Surrounds * Stone
Furniture * Wall Murals and Art

When we decide to spruce up our house, one of the first things
that come to mind is a curtain. There are many types of curtains
on the market. Lots of fabrics, colors, designs and styles to
chose from. But sometimes, regardless of the vast variety
available, we simply can’t find what we’re looking for, and
often times when we do, we can’t afford it. The truth is, you
don’t need anyone to do it for you; you are as capable as it
takes, to do it yourself! Let’s see how we can become designers
of our own space using basic tailoring techniques. Let’s start
by the most prominent, the material. The fabric. Choose a fabric
that you like. Avoid quilted fabrics as they can stretch or
shrink over time. Fibers like cotton and linen and especially
those with polyester and micro fibers, hold up better than
others. Also avoid silk or silk blends, because they tend to rot
and fade very quickly. Make sure you buy enough fabric; you
don’t want your curtains to look poor. Double height of the
window and three times width, should be fine. In this article,
we will examine the three simplest sewing and hanging techniques
for curtains. For curtains with rings, you need to stitch an
approximately 3-inch hem at the edge of the curtain panels that
are going to be hung. Now, sew each ring to each curtain panel
leaving small distances between the rings so that the curtain is
pulled easily. You can also use clip-on rings that don’t need to
be stitched and are easier to apply. For tied tab curtains you
will need to create the hangers. Simply stitch horizontal
buttonholes at the top of the curtain panel. Now you can make
the hangers using the same fabric as the curtains, or another
but suitable fabric for a little diversity. Make threads and
place through the buttonholes. No Sew Curtains are also a smart
and easy way to make curtains and decorate a window. In this
case the fabric should be 3 inches more than double the height
of the window and 2 inches more than the width of the window.
Pull the fabric through the rod and fold evenly. Now stitch the
two ends of the fabric at the bottom and at the sides together.
When the curtain is ready, place a single fabric band in the
center of the curtain or use two purchased tiebacks evenly
spaced along the width of your window. Then adjust folds of
fabric panel as desired. Gather your supplies, fabric,
scissors, screws, rings or ribbon, and use your imagination. In
less than an hour you will manage to decorate that empty window
effectively and inexpensively. But the most important thing is
that you will have your own personal work to show off in your
house.

When some people get tired of their existing cabinets, they may find that do a little cabinet refacing is the right choice for them. This procedure will save time and money for most and the results will be something that makes any home look new and in style again. A lot of times the cabinets are still in good condition, it is just the look and the style of them that makes them look old and out of date.

There are many ways that you can decide to do cabinet refacing in your home. There is no right or wrong way to do it. There are the ways that will take longer than others and then there are the very simple steps that anyone can take on himself or herself. If you really want to go far with your project, you can do both the inside and the outside. If the cabinet frames are still in fairly good condition, there is no real reason to go on with this step.

One way of cabinet refacing is to simply strip the old varnish off and then add a fresh new coat on. This is a time consuming process but it one that will bring out the natural grain of the wood on the cabinets. You may find that you may have to apply more than one coat of stain on the cabinets. This is fresh and fun way to spruce up any kitchens style.

Another form of cabinet refacing is to add new doors. If your old doors are getting dingy and are starting to crack or break, it may be time to buy new doors. If you do not want to buy the doors, you can make them or have someone make them for you. You can choose just about any style of doors for your cabinet refacing project and they are usually easy to install.

Painting is also a fast way to cabinet refacing. For some of the cabinets, it may be necessary to strip off the paint and start over. This is going to be necessary if the paint is peeling or cracking off. For some cabinets, you may just have to add a coat of primer and then you are ready for the actual paint. You can choose any color that you want to. There is a special kind of cabinet paint to use so that it does not peel or chip off easily. This paint can be found in just about any store that sells paint. This is a fun and decorative way to add some flair to your kitchen.

You will add so much value to your home by doing a little cabinet refacing. Doing this simple project will also make your home more inviting and attractive to both you and the people that come to your home. You will be glad that you made the decision to do this for your cabinets.

Agust Hauksson is a regular contributor of articles to many online publications. Find more great information at: http://www.cabinetrefacing.biz/ and http://www.cabinetknob.org/.