Bedroom Lighting Design Guide

Bedroom lighting can be quite tricky. Why? As there are certain areas in the bedroom where light and shine are needed such as the areas where a study desk and vanity set are located. The area where the bed is placed needs to have a dimmer light as well. See, the different intensity is needed to a certain room such as the bedroom is needed. Designer must consider these before installing a bedroom lighting system.
Aside from concentrating on the intensity, designer's seems to forget that the position and the arrangement of switches should not be overlooked. Isn't it convenient turning on and off the lights while on bed?.

 

The same holds true while one enter the room and with just one switch certain lights turns on. Furniture positions play a big role for lighting system as the position of switches is dependent to it.
A bedside lamp is an example of essential bedroom lighting. Assuming that the designer choose the perfect bedside height; its light will directly shine to the reading material and not to the eyes. They give enough light for background lighting as well as for reading. Some designer's opt not to put bedside tables or cabinets for space considerations, in the absence of those furniture wall mounted lamps on swings arms are great alternatives. This also prevents the room from having barren design. Installing wall lights can be quite tricky, make sure that sure they are fitted at the right height.

Lighting near the vanity sets needs a balance luminance to both sides. Strategically placing the lights will prevent the glare from bouncing in the mirror making the face look too light creating an eerie illusion in the mirror. One of the best solutions is to have a lamp placed either side of the mirror.

Browse from Eco-lights.com for more info about lighting.

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Increase Your Usable Property Space With a Custom Landscape Lighting Design

Make your outdoor property usable day and night by installing landscape and walkway lighting. These lights are an easy, beautiful way to light up your garden so that you can stay outside as long into the night as you want to.
Forget messy torches and candles--transform your yard or garden into a prime relaxation location with a system of landscape and walkway light features. Designed for outdoor use, these durable lights provide gentle illumination to your property so that you and your guests can continue to enjoy the evening outside without struggling to see. Contact an electrician in your area to set up an appointment to start the design process. They will work with you to create and install a lighting scheme that will highlight the beauty of your property and create a welcoming, safe, and well-illuminated location.

The first step in the process of outdoor lighting design is to determine how you want to use your outside space and what your overall lighting needs are. Do you want to create a general glow and ambiance to the whole area? Do you want to concentrate on lighting a specific portion of the patio? Do you have walkways that need to be lit? Your design expert will work with you to address all these questions so that you arrive at an overall lighting scheme that fits your needs and your space. They will also help you choose the appropriate fixtures and configurations to achieve the look that you're going for, choosing from options such as solar landscape light units to specially focused accent lighting.
Once the design process is complete, your outdoor landscape lighting expert will then start the actual installation process. Outdoor lighting professionals have years of experience in installing these systems. They will be able to do all of the technical work of attaching the fixtures and connecting the wiring in a way that is non-intrusive to your outside space, both during and after installation. From concealing the lighting in the contours of your landscape, to burying the wiring so that it isn't even noticeable, these professionals will create a system of illumination that complements your space without drawing attention to itself. All you will be left with are beautiful, durable lights that will allow you to enjoy a well-illuminated exterior for years to come.
Landscape lighting is a wonderful way to add usable space onto your home and property. Instead of dealing with temporary lighting measures each time you want to spend time outside at night, invest in professionally designed and installed landscape lights.

Rebecca Paul is an amateur gardener and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, a leader in online local advertising.

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Interior Lighting Design

The stunning chandelier in the dining room is simply breathtaking. So is the glowing accent wall that conceals a series of fluorescent lights that line its back. The three pieces of quirky and whimsical drop lights that illuminated the bar counter in the kitchen are so attractive that they stand out from all the interior elements in the area. Lighting fixtures are marvelous inventions of the modern world. They either aid the furnishings or the other interior elements in making rooms look as presentable as possible or they, themselves, represent the beauty of the rooms by their eye-catching and elaborate appearance. The proper distribution and application of these lighting fixtures is what constitutes good and effective interior lighting design.

Any interiors that has been brightened up by the most functional and the most appealing kinds of lighting fixtures are transformed into beautiful and harmoniously designed areas. Sometimes, all it takes for a fancy living room to achieve its desired effect is the perfect pendant light. The bedroom can be warm and inviting with comfortable furniture pieces and accessories but it can even be cozier with the right kind of lighting fixtures. Spotlights for the artworks in the display shelves, cove lighting on the wall where the headboard is located, as well as the side table lamps beside the bed, are the lighting fixtures that can not only set the serene mood in the bedroom but can also serve as direct task lighting for reading, studying and finding objects in the bedroom.
Lighting fixtures fall among three categories and these are task lighting, general lighting and ambient or mood lighting. The first category, which is task lighting, is needed for areas that have certain activities going on. For example, a pin light that points directly below the space in front of the bathroom vanity unit. This is needed to help persons in doing their make up or shaving their beards. General lighting has a broader scope when it comes to function. It lights up hallways, living rooms, bedrooms and all the areas in the house but it deals more on the larger spaces rather than on one specific area. The last lighting category is ambient lighting. These are lighting fixtures that create the mood of an area. The living room has to have a livelier atmosphere during the day so brilliant light can be applied, but this brightness can be reduced into a warmer glow at night when the family gathers in the area and they want to have a calmer and more relaxing time. Dimmers can help minimize the glare of lighting fixtures so they should be installed with them especially in areas where the light should be regulated such as the bedroom, living room and dining room.
When you have determined what type of lighting fixture should be assigned in what area, then you can select from a wide assortment of chandeliers, lamps, spotlights, pin lights and drop lights available in home accessories stores and mall department stores. You can also choose from lighting fixture and interior design websites on the internet for the design that you want.  Creating handmade lamps and chandeliers is also a great way of exploring your options when it comes to materials and styles, and you can be certain that your taste and preferences are taken into consideration because you dictate the shape and design they will achieve.

Interior design seeks to make the most of form and function in any space. Proper interior lighting design can go a long way toward achieving the effects you want in any interior space.

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Lighting Design

What is the lighting consultant's role in construction?
Lighting Consultants have been around for many decades and have the knowledge of the industry and qualified to the latest CIBSE, LIF and ICEL standards to provide advice on luminaires, lamp and ballast options available for the project in mind.
Architects, electrical contractors, commercial and retail markets hire consultants every day to help make correct choices concerning luminaires, lighting layouts, lighting levels and ensure emergency luminaires are correctly positioned where necessary.

While some clients may have inquiries about design, other clients may need to know if they can install a certain luminaire in a swimming pool or kitchen. As this could be interpreted as electrical advice, it is important to acquire the proper assistance to ensure correct IP ratings are used, whether the luminaire is suitable for that environment or even robust enough to withstand the weather or hazardous conditions.
Before you meet the lighting consultant, bear in mind that they have the knowledge and expertise to resolve any issues and provide sound advice throughout the project.
When you meet a lighting consultant, ask yourself a few questions and see how they apply to the project.

• What is the function of the space and the appearance you are looking for?
• What tasks will be performed there, are there any safety issues?
• Are there any statutory requirements IP Rating, Fire rated, Emergency Luminaires?
• Which architectural features should be emphasized?
• What will your furniture layout be?
• How much daylight is there?
• Do the luminaires need to be dimmed or put on PIR's?

For more information about lighting design visit Lighting Design Services

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Lighting Design: Strategies and Evaluation

Lighting design is not just an art; it is a science as well. Dark corners and dimly lit rooms are aesthetically displeasing, and people will generally steer away from them. Poor lighting can also diminish the color and texture of a living area, actually making it look worse. Alternately, intense lighting can wash out the colors of a room, and direct lighting often overpowers delicate wall textures and/or décor.
Psychological and scientific studies have shown that people function better in terms of overall mood and cognitive function when there is sufficient light. People are also more likely to inhabit a room wherein the lighting has been set up to make the space seem warm and inviting. Therefore, lighting strategy must be considered as fundamental during the design of any living space, since lighting impacts how that space will be perceived and utilized.

When performing lighting design for a room, keep the following facts in mind:
1. Lighting always requires shadow in order to create contrast and visual appeal. Bright overhead lights, while capable of illuminating every aspect of a room, often turn it into a "monotone" and boring space.
2. A given living space typically requires from 5 to 10 light sources in order to be adequately lit. The exact number of light sources will also depend on the color scheme of the room; a darkly painted room will require more lighting than a lightly painted one. Similarly, a heavily decorated room will require more light sources in order to highlight the many interesting features of that space.
3. Matching light collections are ideal for achieving unity in a single room, as well as saving on purchasing time.
Pictures and paintings are important features of a room and should be illuminated. Highlighting such items also helps to define the perimeter of a room.
To make a room more interesting, try varying the heights of light sources, as well as their intensities (e.g., by installing dimmer switches). Such variations will help create different areas of shade intensity and size.
When evaluating a room prior to light installation, consider whether the room has need of one or more of these light sources:
General (ambient) light: This refers to the overall level of light provided in a living space so that it is visible and safe for its intended use. In many cases, general light is provided via overhead ceiling lamps. Another common practice is to use recessed lighting along the walls or as part of the ceiling trim.
Task light: This is typically a focused light source that illuminates a work area such as a desk, lab bench, or kitchen island. Such light may be provided in the form of a lamp, pendant fixture, or track light. In some cases, a task light may be recessed; for example, the light may be mounted under a kitchen cabinet so that it is not visible from the kitchen counter space.
Accent light: Such light is typically four times the intensity of an area's general (ambient) light and focuses attention on a specific object or room fixture. Quite often, halogen lights are used to provide a bright-white glow to an object. In some cases, the accent light can be equipped with a focusing lens in order to target a specific feature of a fixture or object.
Display light: This light is typically of low voltage and is used in the display of small keepsakes, figurines, dinnerware, etc. In this case, xenon or halogen lights which range from 3W to 20W are typically used.
Cove light: Such light is mounted at the perimeter of the living space, such as where the ceiling and walls meet. A large crown molding may be used to hide the actual light. Light fixtures are typically placed about 4 inches from the wall in order to minimize any scalloping effects. It is also recommended that the ceiling height above the light fixture be no more than twice the distance of the fixture to the wall (e.g., a bulb placed 3 inches away from the wall should be no more than 6 inches away from the ceiling).
In summary, good lighting design can make a world of difference for a living space. When choosing and evaluating lighting displays, consider the intended use of the room and its central features. Also, be sure that the lighting appliances are purchased from a reputable company and are stamped with either the UL or ETC logo.
(c) Copyright 2010 - Paul Stratkona. All rights reserved.

Paul Stratkona has been in the lighting field for over 16 years and acted as the lighting consultant for a countless number of homeowners/business across the country. Check out his portfolio and visit our website at www.lightandconcept.com to learn more about contemporary lighting.

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Microwave in the Kitchen

A microwave oven is a kitchen staple, an appliance that basically heats our food. Or we commonly just call it - microwave. By using microwave radiation, it heats the food evenly throughout, quickly and more efficiently. First introduced in the late 60's, it is considered as one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.
Try to imagine your kitchen without a microwave oven. Heating food could mean turning up the stove and setting a pan, then placing the leftover food to be heated. And that means washing separately the pan, the container you used when you put it inside the ref, and the plate you will be using to serve it. In comparison to just getting the container out of the ref, pop it inside the microwave and serve!

 
It is a very great convenience especially to people who are always on the go. When you do not have enough time to prepare breakfast in the morning, you grab a frozen breakfast sandwich when you stop for gas on your way to the office. You just pop it in the microwave in the counter and your breakfast is solved.
Later that day, you run a little late for lunch and just grab a microwaveable lunch meal in the convenience store and pop it in the microwave in the break room. And when you get home, you're just too tired to prepare a meal for yourself and just decided to heat a couple of pizza slices left from yesterday's weekend lunch, and turn on the microwave.
And don't forget that you heat water for your oatmeal in the microwave, pop your favorite cheddar cheese-flavored popcorn, melt the butter and chocolates for baking, and even disinfecting and deodorizing your kitchen sponges.
The microwave is an amazingly versatile kitchen appliance that we have grown to love. Thanks to an American engineer who accidentally discovered it. It is now easily available in appliance centers in different brands, sizes, designs and prices. One just need to choose which one is perfect for their needs.

Read detailed reviews about the best panini maker on the market today. Complete with illustrations, highlights, personal reviews and pricing, this site is your one stop shop to review and compare the top products, including the breville panini press.

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Use Microwave TV For The Comfort You Need

There are so many developments in which are happening in this world because of technology. If you can watch television you can notice that there are people who give their time to discover things in order to have comfort in life. Among the discovery and development in which are happening these days are microwave TV. It can be beneficial in so many ways especially if you love to cook and at the same time you don't want to miss your favorite shows. Watching the food you cook most of the time can be irritating and sometimes it is the reason why people hate to cook. With microwave TV you can watch your shows and at the same time you can cook your food. It can be easy and comfortable for you. Cooking while entertaining your self with television shows can be done easily. When you buy this kind of product there are things that you need to consider.

 
Microwave TV has a double purpose but you need to be wise when you choose one for your self. Make sure that you choose a durable and in high quality. There are so many types of this product in the market and if you are not wise when you choose you may end up choosing the wrong one. If you can choose a durable one you can have a lot of advantage especially in using it. You can assure that you can have its benefits as long you want it. You also need to consider the design and style make sure that it will fit to your wants so that you will not be irritated.
When you cook it is best if you can follow some guide. With microwave TV you can watch your favourite cooking shows and the follow their procedure. It would be easy for you because you can have your both eyes focus on the things you cook and at the same time you can watch your shows. It has also a timer alarm in which can help you when you are in the excitement part of the shows in which you are watching. Sometimes if you are really entertained by the shows you are watching you tend to forget the food you are cooking.
Be wise in your living and choose those things in which can give you the comfort you need. About microwave TV, you can search in the internet and find more ideas in there.

Learn more about Microwave TV

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Microwave Oven Beef Stroganoff

The Microwave is a very common household product in most parts of the U.S. right now. Still a lot of people actually do not put it to use to its full potential. The most common use of the microwave oven is for de-frosting or perhaps heating up meals. Microwaves are good for a lot of dishes both vegetarian and non vegetarian. Since it demands much less oil, these foods are usually nutritious and tasty at the same time. Actually some of the serious gastroenterology patients can enjoy very good and delicious dishes not compromising their IBS diet by cooking in the microwave. Several microwave ovens include grill and convection features which make it suitable for grilled dishes. Also, among the best continental and Indian dishes can be prepared in the microwave.

 
I would really like to share with you one of the better microwave oven food recipes.
Beef Stroganoff - a delightful quick cook, a must try. It takes about 15 minutes to get ready and another 15 minutes to cook. It will be ready to serve to four individuals in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients:

• One pound boneless beef sirloin steak
• Half tbs. paprika
• Two cloves garlic, minced
• Half a cup sour cream
• Half a tablespoon white vinegar
• Ten oz. condensed cream of mushroom soup
• Chopped onion one piece

Preparation:
Freeze the steak for a considerable period to help to make it easier for cutting. At least 1 hour should be fine. Cut the steak into really thin pieces. Combine the steak, onion, garlic, and vinegar properly in a two quart microwave-safe bowl or dish (note: use a bowl made for cooking). Cover the bowl with a top and cook it in on high in the microwave oven for 5 to 6 minutes. If the beef is pink, cook it a couple of minutes more. Mix it once after a couple of minutes.
Take a small bowl; blend together the soup, sour cream and paprika with a wire whisk. Stir it until it becomes smooth. Add the blend you've prepared in the dish to the beef blend. Stir it once again well. Cover bowl or casserole dish you are using and cook it in the microwave on 50% strength until heated through. Usually it should take about 3-4 minutes. Mix it once in a couple of minutes. Take it out and allow about three minutes before serving. You can serve it over noodles in order to serve it as a meal.

To read more about the uses of Microwave Ovens, please visit Best Microwave Oven. There are many great microwave models on the market such as: Panasonic NN-SD997S, Sharp R-820JS, and the Panasonic NN-SD688S.

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In Need of a Microwave? Go to a Microwave Sale!

The great thing about microwaves is that it allows just about anyone to "master" the art of cooking - even those who don't know the first thing about it. After all, how hard can pressing a few buttons and waiting be? By simply mixing a few ingredients and pressing a button or two, you can enjoy a scrumptious meal served hot on your plate. Indeed, a microwave is cooking appliances many of us-particularly those that have frantic lifestyles - can't do without. It just makes cooking too easy.

If you've yet to purchase a microwave for your home or office, don't fret. You can check out a microwave sale near you to shop for one. Any microwave sale will have plenty of offers, so it's important to keep a clear head and not be overwhelmed by the number of affordable and cool options that you will have. Be selective, and go for a microwave that does the job well.
What to Expect at a Microwave Sale
Expect to see a lot of brands at the microwave sale, some of which you will have definitely heard of, while others may be more known in different parts of the world. If you're loyal to a specific brand because of good performance and quality, then go for it. There's nothing wrong with brand loyalty, provided that the microwave in question is reasonably priced for its features.
Another thing you want to avoid doing is getting carried away. You want a microwave that covers the basics well, not one with unnecessary features that will only put a dent on your wallet.

The typical microwave sale will have plenty of microwave types that come in different sizes, energy requirements and features.

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Microwave Cooking - Quick And Easy Scrambled Eggs

You want to start the day in the best way possible with a breakfast that's going to see you through the morning until lunchtime.
Yes, you could have boring old cereal but by mid-morning you'll be snacking and that's a bad idea if you're trying to eat a healthy balanced diet.
So, why not ditch the sugar loaded cereals and start the day with scrambled eggs? It's healthy, delicious and it's so easy you don't have to have the cooking skills of Nigella Lawson to make this dish. Although Nigella recipe for Spicy Scrambled Eggs is delicious and almost as easy to make.

 
You can of course cook scrambled eggs on the stove in a pan but using the microwave gets the job done quickly and is probably the only option if say, you're at work and don't have access to a full kitchen.
You'll need a microwaveable dish or bowl and a fork. You also need three or four eggs, a splash of milk and a tablespoon of butter. A pinch of seasoning (salt and pepper or season-all).
Put all the ingredients together into the bowl and beat with the fork until the eggs are well mixed with the other ingredients.
Place the bowl in the microwave and select full power (850watt model) and cook for a minute before taking the eggs out and stirring them. Put them back and give them another minute. Stir the mix again and give them only 30 seconds. Repeat the 30 second cooking interval until your eggs are cooked to your preference.
You can experiment with your own timings but this works well as a general rule. The thing to keep in mind is that it's easy to overcook scrambled eggs in a microwave which is why you should use shorter time periods towards the end.
It should take less than five minutes. It's easy, it's quick and there's very little clearing up to do.
Enjoy your scrambled eggs.

This is an easy scrambled eggs dish and you certainly don't need to be Nigella to pull it off, but once you've mastered it you'll want to move onto slightly more adventurous recipes. So check out the latest news about Nigella and some slightly more adventurous Nigella Lawson recipes.

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Metal Kitchen Cabinets

Metal Kitchen Cabinets were all the rage in the modern kitchen of the 30's, and post World War II 40&'s and 50's. They were modern and they looked good, they were easy to keep clean and they were affordable. If the cabinets began to look a little worn and tired all you had to do was spray paint them and they were new again. At that time the cabinets only came in white but while spray painting if you wanted another color you could have it by spray painting it in whatever color you wanted. They were the ideal cabinet for your kitchen, as they were affordable, easy to care for, economical and they looked good.


The saying is that everything old is new again and that can be said of the metal kitchen cabinets as homeowners today are looking to include them in their modern kitchens. The kitchens in the style of the 1950's are especially popular again as more retro kitchens are being designed into newly built or newly renovated homes. The retro kitchen incorporates everything that was stylish and modern in the kitchen of the 1950's with today's upgrades being included. The cabinets were white enameled metal with white enameled shelves. They were hung very much in the same configurations used in today's modern kitchen. The lines were clean looking and because they were white made the kitchens look light and bright. The retro kitchen cabinets said "this is a working place" where today's wood kitchen cabinets say "this is a cozy place to sit and talk."
It is not just with the retro kitchen's resurgence that metal kitchen cabinets are back in style in many newer homes, but metal cabinets are definitely back again. To have metal cabinets in your kitchen you can get them in stainless steel to match your appliances, you can get them in color or, if you prefer you can capture the look of the kitchen of the 50's. Whatever your choice metal cabinets are still affordable and easy to maintain, pretty much as they were in the days gone by.
You can find much more information on kitchen cabinets at http://kitchencabinets9.com/ now.
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Finding the Very Best Kitchen Appliances for your Home

Most apartment kitchens are already supplied with stoves and refrigerators included. However, if you need a new stove, microwave, or refrigerator there are many types of such appliances that are good buys, you just need to know what brand, size, and type etc. that you need. Here are some ideas to get you started if you are looking for new stoves, refrigerators, microwaves or other kitchen appliances:

* Refrigerators:

Refrigerators are essential kitchen appliances

The most popular and convenient refrigerators are side-by-side as opposed to the actual fridge part being on the bottom and the freezer on top or vice versa.


Water and ice dispensers on the outside of the door are a very nice touch that make water and, if you choose, ice water easily accessible.



There are even refrigerators, such as ones GE has designed, that are shallower in depth than traditional model refrigerators, which making it much easier to seek and reach for things stored at the back of fridge. As you probably know, food can go bad way back there, usually because you never see it when you look around for something to eat.

And of course, there are much smaller refrigerators that are not so much kitchen appliances as they are conveniences for the office, dorm rooms or recreational vehicles etc. These items are very handy in a lot of ways, and designed especially for the purposes I just mentioned. Virtually all kitchen appliance manufacturers offer such items.

* The dishwasher:

Most dishwashers come with push button controls or simple to use dials in the front. Dishwashers in general are fairly accessible appliances, but sometimes you will want to do a little research on the reliability of such kitchen appliances before purchasing your dishwasher.

Dishwashers are usually at least 34" high and will fit perfectly beneath a standard 36" high counter. Unfortunately, standards kitchen appliances do not work for everybody.

For example:

Some people are very tall and have trouble bending. In these cases the person should try to have a higher dishwasher installed, (and often will have higher counters as well). This approach will make their experience in their kitchens a whole lot less painful—and such accommodations for the installation of kitchen appliances is sometimes even doctor recommended.

For another example:

People who use wheelchairs often find it easier and more accessible to have a kitchen counter that has provides space underneath it so that they can pull their wheelchair right up to the counter like a chair. Thus the size of the dishwasher they choose to purchase will have to be carefully considered.

* The stove:

Of all kitchen appliances the stove is one of the most important. There are plenty of kitchen appliance manufacturers currently designing burners and ovens especially with different kinds of accessibility in mind.

Knobs:

Sometimes there are knobs or push-button controls in the front of the stove. This way the user does not ever have to reach across a hot burner while cooking.

Ceramic cooktop units:

Another great kind of stove is the type of stove or burners with flat surfaces. These kitchen appliances allow you to easily slide pots and pans from one area to another, and are incredibly easy to clean up after.

* Ovens:

The way that the oven door opens is also very important.

Many ovens have a door that pulls downward. This sort of door will provide a very convenient transitional shelf.

On the other hand, some consumers prefer a door that swings to the left or to the right. This may seem to allow him or her better access to the oven racks inside.

* Microwaves:

Microwaves are kitchen appliances that are safer and much less expensive than other kitchen appliances. They are easier to operate than conventional ovens especially because you set the cook time and the microwave immediately turns itself off. This is a great feature for the forgetful cook. Sure you can set a timer for your oven, but the oven stays hot and if you do not hear the dinger—supper may be burned, and you may even have to disconnect the smoke alarm. But with a microwave oven, the item you have heated up will just sit there, waiting for you to remember it.

Look for features like a microwave with a door release that can be simply pushed shut.

Many microwaves have pads for programming the operation you need, such as cooking popcorn, re-heating soup or beverages, defrosting frozen leftovers etc. These pads are terrific, unless you have low vision. Or you can, of course, set your own time and heat levels with the number and cooking level pads.

Some microwaves have a timer dial rather than a touch pad.

* Smaller conveniences:

Other kinds of kitchen appliances are not necessary, but make for great accessories and can be incredibly useful in the kitchen. Without some of these smaller and less essential kitchen appliances, there are some things that you will not be able to make.

In-sink garbage disposers:

It is easy to become dependant on in-sink water dispensers. Once you get used to not having to scrape off the remains of your meal on or in your dishes into the trashcan it becomes habitual to take the dishes straight to the kitchen sink. If you do this without an in sink garbage dispenser your drain will get clogged—and quickly.

In sink garbage disposals are designed especially to dispose of food waste easily. And they will help your trashcans smell better longer, for lack of rotting food collecting inside.

Instant hot water dispensers:

Instant hot water dispensers can be a great convenience for those who need quick access for things like coffee or soup. However, it takes only a minute or two more to heat your water in the microwave. Accessories such as instant hot water dispensers are a fancy touch to add to your kitchen for extra convenience.

There are many kitchen appliances to choose from that I have not mentioned here. Popular and smaller items such as blenders, coffee makers, espresso machines, mixers, egg timers and more are great items to own, though not essential. Whatever kitchen appliances you choose to purchase for your kitchen, make sure they are in high quality condition and will be long lasting for your convenience.

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Living Room Feng Shui

How to Activate Your Entire House from the Living Room

No other room in the house offers the feng shui potential that the living room does. This room is central to family life and to feng shui. When it comes to feng shui, no other room can compare to this particular room. That's because the living room is the ONE room in the house that can be activated according to all nine sectors of the bagua or lo shu square -- making this a very important room, indeed.

When you want to affect the feng shui of the entire house, you should begin by applying feng shui enhancements or remedies to the living room. The benefit is that the living room can boost the feng shui of other parts of the house that may have afflictions or are missing or shouldn't have a particular enhancement.

For instance, if the bedroom is in the north sector, a water fountain would be a great feature for enhacing career feng shui. However, water in the bedroom is not recommended. But, water in the north corner of the living room will help boost that sector's feng shui with beneficial water energy in the corresponding corner.

How is this possible? Think of the yin-yang symbol in the center of the bagua. This symbol is called the "tai chi" --- yes, just like the martial art exercise. This tai chi can be applied to any size space and is referred to as the large tai chi or small tai chi.

As an example, you can apply the bagua to your lot that your house sits on. This is called the large tai chi. The small tai chi would be to apply the bagua to an individual room -- such as the living room -- or to an area such as a desk. In applying feng shui to the living room, you are activating the small tai chi.

Be aware, though, that depending upon the sector, you may not want to apply all enhancements. For instance, if your living room is in the northwest corner of the house, then it would not be advisable to add candles to the south corner of the living room because an open flame in the NW sector of the home is very dangerous.

I actually know of someone whose house began to burn down from candles that were placed in this sector. More importantly, is that the NW is the sector of "heaven" or the patriarch or breadwinner of the family (if the breadwinner is a man). With that caveat in mind, do proceed with making changes to your living room. By doing so, you will instantly improve your feng shui for your whole home!

1. Arrangement, arrangement.

The whole point of a living room is to create a room where the family comes together or where guests can be seated and all can enjoy conversation and each other's company. Living rooms are the place of celebrations and good times, so they truly benefit from proper arrangement.

Many times, living rooms suffer from a L-shaped configuration caused by L-shaped sofas or by position a sofa and loveseat at a 45 degree angle to one another. This creates conflict and a feeling of being unexplainably uncomfortable in the room. Remember, televisions and fireplaces aren't the focal point of a living room -- people are.

Instead, arrange the room so that sofa and seat FACE one another... Don't worry: you'll still be able to view the fireplace and TV, but you will instantly and dramatically improve your desire to be in the room and you will cultivate more loving and harmonious relationships. Better still, you will improve the flow of energy in the room. So, get to moving those sofas!

2. Add some red and gold.

To make certain that families are harmonious and enjoying good relationships with each other, be sure to add some elements of red and gold together. This could be a vase of red carnations and gold daisies, or it could be a pillow with gold and red colors. Red and gold together help calm conflict and create good feelings. Be sure to add these two colors together wherever there are conflicts or angry feelings.

3. The picture of happiness.

Be sure to hang a picture of a happy family or occupants in the living room. This picture can influence the entire family. Hang the pictures on an East wall to benefit family relationships. You may also wish to add pictures according to their direction in the living room to boost a particular area. For instance, a picture of a beautiful lake or waterfall would be wonderful on the north wall (career/opportunities) and a large, beautiful tree would be excellent for the east wall (health/family relationships).

4. Add some "yang" to your living room.

The living room should be a good balance of yin and yang. However, a little extra "yang" or positive energy is especially beneficial. This can come from the addition of a red accent wall, a bright chandelier, or a moving object.

5. Boost the lucky corner in the living room.

Where is the lucky corner? This is the corner of the room that is opposite and diagonal to the main entry to the room. If this corner is in the SW, W, NW, or NE, then boost this corner with a beautiful geode, bowl of semiprecious stones, beautiful vase, globe or other earth feature. If the lucky corner is the south or southwest, then boost the chi here with a nice tall bright lamp. If the corner is in the north, add a fountain here. If it is in the east or southeast, you can have a fountain here or add a grouping of beautiful lush plants or pretty flowers.

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information visit http://www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant! To subscribe and receive the FREE Ebook, "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui,"logon to http://www.redlotusletter.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Weber See another post

Design The Perfect Living Room

Millions of people are intrigued with learning how best to decorate their individual homes all around the world.

The fundamental aesthetic of your home will be created thanks to the colors you choose for the walls, floor and furnishings.

If you pick the wrong furnishings it will not compliment the rest of the room, as well as the entire house. The truth is the furniture you pick is vital for the function of the house. From your bedroom furniture to the coffee table in your living room, you need furniture in order to properly use your home, the way it looks is also very important.

With the right furniture you can give your living room and home the feel you wish, you can turn it from boring into eloquent with the right choices. It is your chance to show your creative side and your personal style. Therefore you need to pick the right furnishings in order to give your home the feel and style you want.

Picking The Right Pieces

There are several things you need to think about when deciding which furniture pieces to purchase, such as the size of space you are working with, what kind of furniture you hope to buy, where you intend to position it and of course the decor and color of walls. When you consider all of these things you can more effectively purchase furniture for your living room that fits in as you wish and gives the right aesthetic.

These days it isn't hard to find contemporary pieces of furniture that fit right into your desired style, no matter what your tastes you will surely be able to find prefabricated furniture or have individual pieces made especially to adhere to your taste. No matter your personal taste, be it for a more modern decor, or perhaps even an ethnic look, you will be able to find furniture that will play off the overall style of your home. With a modern theme you are able to create clean lines and eloquent interiors with the right style of contemporary furnishings. For some ideas and examples of wonderful furniture that will fit snugly into any stylish and modern themes check out click4interiors. You can really put your stamp on your living space with the appropriate furniture.

Have A Stylish Looking Living Room

Do not forget that whenever you have guests around they will likely spend their time in your living room, the same goes for you even when you are not entertaining. With this in mind you want to create a relaxing space for yourself but also somewhere that gives the right impression to any guests.

You can accomplish this with some simple furniture that is both comfortable but stylish. You have a wide range of options to choose from in this regards and can easily create a modern living room with very little hassle. Create the perfect ambiance with the right furniture in a simple yet comfortable way. A quick search on the web for shops that sell furniture will educate you as to how affordable many of these options are. You can even have furniture created to your personal style and specs for a fair price.

Have the perfect living room thanks to selecting the right furnishings. Check out click4interiors.co.uk to have a look at the wide range of furniture just waiting to placed in your new modern living room.

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Contemporary Living Room Furniture

The living room is one of the most important rooms in the entire house. It not only welcomes guests and visitors, it also serves as the focal point and acts as a showcase for the entire house. In simple terms, the living room is the focal point of a home.

Contemporary living room furniture is generally preferred by people who enjoy modern styles of living. Contemporary furniture can be chosen to fit any house, and offers a wide variety of choices that are almost guaranteed to suit any taste, comfort and style. Moreover, it adds a contemporary flair to the living room.

Typical characteristics of contemporary living room furniture include modular sofas, abstract lighting sources, pedestal tables, sleek sideboards, etc. Some of the hallmarks of contemporary living room designs include monochromatic color schemes that are deliberately understated, modular elements that are integrated so as to have multiple uses and curvilinear shapes.

Contemporary living room furniture often uses deliberate monochromes such as gray and black. However, to add a dash of color and luster, certain contemporary living room furniture designs make use of colorful cushions or leather covered stools of various shapes, like cubes. Other accessories commonly used to fill up bare spots include accent chairs, end tables and wicker coffee tables.

No living room is considered complete without the presence on an entertainment center. TV stands, speaker cubicles and racks to store CDs or DVDs come in a variety of models, some that incorporate futuristic designs and lighting styles to fit the décor of any living room. They come in a variety of finishes with clear or frosted glass doors. Most of these systems use innovative wire management systems to mask the jumble of wires that normally accompany any home entertainment system.

All said and done, contemporary living room furniture may be just what is needed to add that touch of elegance and sophistication to any living room. The décor and styling can be chosen to suit any budget.

Contemporary Furniture provides detailed information on Contemporary Furniture, Contemporary Bedroom Furniture, Contemporary Office Furniture, Contemporary Dining Room Furniture and more. Contemporary Furniture is affiliated with Modern Bedroom Furniture. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Pinkerton See another post

Cheap Living Room Furniture

The word cheap is a rather subjective word, because living room furniture that seems cheap to one person may be considered expensive to another. On the whole, the main reason one opts for cheap living room furniture is because one is on a tight budget, and cannot spend too much on living room furniture.

When buying cheap living room furniture, it will usually be secondhand furniture. It will be the furniture one person is selling to buy new living room furniture. So logically, the best place to look for cheap living room furniture will be secondhand shops. It is college students and the first-time buyers who usually buy cheap living room furniture for their home, to make their living room comfortable.

Another good place to look for cheap living room furniture is in consignment shops. This is the place where private owners sell their used furniture. These shops have become more and more popular, with the increase in the demand for cheap living room furniture. The inventory here will be unique, with only single pieces of furniture being sold, so there is no chance of someone else buying the same piece. It is always better to get to know the manager of a consignment shop, as he will then tell you when the sort of cheap living furniture that you are looking for comes in. Sometimes the cheap living room furniture may not look good or attractive at first. However, a little refurbishing will make it look more appealing. There are also some people who enjoy painting old furniture. After painting, this cheap living room furniture then becomes attractive and beautiful, to brighten up the living room.

Living Room Furniture [http://www.e-LivingRoomFurniture.com] provides detailed information on Living Room Furniture, Cheap Living Room Furniture, Discount Living Room Furniture, Contemporary Living Room Furniture and more. Living Room Furniture is affiliated with Upholstered Ottomans [http://www.e-Ottomans.com]. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey See another post

Creating Amazing Effects With Living Room Lighting

Having the right types of living room lighting can help you to achieve some pretty amazing effects in your home. Whether your goal is to make the area seem larger or more defined, you can do that by putting in the right types of fixtures and using the right types of bulbs. One great thing about this is that not only will you be transforming the ambience of the room, you will also be spicing it up with new and interesting fixtures. The best part though, is the fact that it is extremely inexpensive to do this.

Are you aware of all the different types of living room lighting styles that are available for very cheap? You could be after a fancy standalone lamp or something that will sit neatly on a console table, or you might be interested in modern sconces adorning your walls. Either way, you can do quite a bit without spending much more than $100, and doing so will make even the rattiest looking sofas look like brand new pieces of furniture. Ultimately, the right lighting will be able to make everything you own look better than ever.

If you are trying to make the living room look bigger than it actually is, then you'll want to arrange the lights in such a way that promote movement. In other words, you need to think about putting them in places that will permeate the rest of the home. This has a very nice effect and can make even the tiniest rooms seem bigger than they are. On the other hand, if you have a very open floor plan and want to make each area seem more like a defined room, then you should select more bold lighting options.

By placing sharply contrasting lights in the different sections of your home, you will give off the illusion that the areas are separate. This technique is even more effective than painting the walls different colors, surprisingly. This works wonders when the living room is right next to the dining room or the kitchen. Either way, you should never have to spend much money to get the effect that you are after, and it's a lot less expensive than anything else you could do for similar results.

Click here if you want to learn how to achieve amazing effects with living room lighting for very cheap. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_J_Sinclair See another post WA8QF3347R5T

Retro Kitchens - Popular Again

Retro is kitschy, over the top and loud - and yet almost everyone is decorating with retro kitchen decors with pride. One can easily turn one's kitchen into a zone of comfort just by spicing it up with the beauty and madness only retro kitchen décor can bring. The past can bring a lot of fond memories so why not bring that feeling of fondness into your kitchen?

You can start off by installing a vinyl or linoleum floor that has a strong geometric design like a black and white checkerboard pattern. You can also have your walls repainted with matte-finish in shades of pink, aqua or green. You can use Formica countertops and install them in flat surfaces.
Retro is all about white appliances with chrome handles and knobs - feel free to accessorize your cabinets and refrigerators with photos and other colorful pictures.

Oranges, blues and browns are also retro colors and lighting plays a very big part when you want to highlight your kitchen and your kitchen decors. Your lighting has to have function and not just for the sake of kitchen vanity.

Retro does not need to be expensive - and you can easily achieve the design and look that you want without having to walk the extra mile with money. Simple salt and shakers set could speak so much about the nostalgic era and when mixed with the right pattern and feel, your kitchen could be your doorway, your portal to the 1950's to the 70's. So are you ready to go all retro?

There are all kinds of simple ways to get a retro look in your kitchen. You can do it with furniture or accessories from clocks to curtains to table clothes. It's always fun to add a little pizzaz your home and a retro look is a great way to do that.

Retro has always been in style and a retro look can really spice up a kitchen. Decorating a retro look kitchen can be easy. Just visit small kitchen tables. For some great creative ideas for retro tables, visit us for all types of small kitchen tables and chairs. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tiffany_Fleur See another post

Redecorating Your Kitchen With Retro Style

When you have this plan for redecorating your kitchen, might as well go for something contemporary and yet "eclectically" fancy. Just because it is the busiest part of the house, does not mean it has to compromise with its look. And the only way to achieve this look is through vintage: by having retro kitchen furniture.

So how can one go retro with their kitchen? Well for one, it has to start with the paintings of the wall. To look authentic the retro way, reds, browns and oranges are the way to go. Your walls can look simple to flamboyant and your kitchen furniture can give more allure into your dining.

The moment you have chosen the shade for your kitchen, the next logical step would be to match furnitures with the colors you chose for your walls and floor. You can play with your curtains and the lighting if you want to try to "sizzle" your guests with your retro kitchen and with its kitchen decors. So many people have gone retro and they were never failed by it - not even once.

Retro is all about having fun and adding more life to the party. Don't be surprised if your friends begin to notice the bubble of joy that your kitchen radiates. Your happiness is your gift to the world and you can start sharing that happiness one room at a time - and yes, start with your kitchen now. You may start shopping for those funky and fun clocks and cabinets to add more retro in your décor.

There are all kinds of ways to introduce a retro look into your home. Your kitchen is usually one of the easiest and least expensive rooms to start with. So if you are getting a little tired of the same old look and want to try a design that will give you a new look don't forget about the retro option.

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3 Kitchen Lighting Styles That Will Give You the Retro Look Your Grandparents Loved

If you want to relive the memories of the past, one of the best ways to do it is adapt a retro look in your home with the right lighting. By simply incorporating the dominant colors used in interior design during the 50's, 60's, and 70's and choosing the kitchen lighting style reminiscent of those very times, you can easily achieve the look you want.

To help you with the kitchen renovation, here are the basic designs of the previous years. To get additional information on these interesting styles below, simply search in your browser for them and you'll have plenty of pictures to give you additional help.

Ball Lamp

The ball lamp was a prominent design during the 70's. The sleek design and striking colors make it a dominant feature of the retro look. If you recall the old Hollywood movies, you usually find it in the dining room as well as the living room of the elite and rich. You can bring it back to life by using the same kitchen lighting in the same places. To incorporate the retro look to you lighting, choose colors like orange, yellow or blue or any combination of these. Keep in mind that the retro look portrays a powerful combination of bright colors, so don't go soft and muted with your colors.

Victorian Style Lamp

The Victorian style lamp is a popular type of lighting fixture used in the past years and still the favorite of many modern designers of today. You can incorporate the fixture in your kitchen lighting especially in your buffet table. The added vintage or antique effect gives you the feeling of traveling to the past with ease.

Pendant Lights

Pendant kitchen lighting is also a popular design to achieve the retro look. You can choose from the different designs of the shade that depicts the life of the 50's. Depending on your preferences, you can either choose the old hat design or the vintage umbrella look. If you are a fan of wooden fixtures, get lights made out of wooden materials that were used at that time to add to the effect that you want to achieve. You can find these original light fixtures at various yard sales or even at several online auction sites.

Even up to this time, incorporating the retro style in kitchen lighting still looks good and depending on your home decoration, you might just give it that extra touch with using it. By simply adapting the retro theme and look, you can have a glimpse of the life of your grandparents and get to enjoy being in the past for a moment.

Drop ceiling lights are also in fashion again and should warrant a second look in my opinion. Visit Lamps at aboutlamps.org to learn more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joanne_Granger See another post

Give Your Kitchen a Retro Look

Do you remember your mom's kitchen? She always had a place for everything and there was always something good baking in the oven or cooking up. No matter how hard you try, you cannot create that look and feel in your kitchen. Is it an impossible task? No, you just need to know how to do it.

You can do your kitchen up in an individual way or you can decorate in a retro diner theme. There are so many different ways that you can create a look for your kitchen. It's exciting just thinking about all your possibilities.

The retro diner theme is a very popular theme, especially in large families. This look allows for the retro look but it is done in silver and chrome fixtures. It may have a bench seat and table instead of a regular table. There are so many different ways that you can create a diner look for your retro kitchen.

It's important to start your decorating with old collections. You can look for juice glasses or other glasses that was popular in the 60's and 70's.

If you have old linens lying around the house there are several different ways that you can create a new look with them. Make yourself a tablecloth and some matching cloth napkins. You can also make a set of curtains from these sheets as well. Curtains are easy to do and require no sewing. You can create simple kitchen panels with colorful tiebacks in less than one hour.

Add area rugs like shag rugs to the floor. Part of the retro look is the shag rugs and even though the look is retro, you can still find these rugs in your local retail shop or you can order them online and have them delivered to your home.

Decide what you liked the most in decor back in the 60's and 70's and recreate that look in your room. Going with a theme makes it easier because without a theme, you may feel the urge to buy everything in retro and then your look will be cluttered. To theme a retro look, you can view some decorative ideas online or through magazines that you may have from the past. Some magazines are trying to promote the retro decor and show other kitchens that have already been done in the retro look. You can have the same look that you see in the magazine with just a little effort and some shopping.

You don't want to overwhelm the look so add artwork to the walls at first. You may be able to visit your homeplace to see if there are any retro decorations that are not being used. You would be amazed at how many items become useless over the years and end up in the attic or basement. You may be able to go through these things and pull out the very thing that inspired you to start the retro look to begin with.

You will find a lot of the retro decorations in your local stores but the best place to find it is at thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets. There are countless numbers of ways to get the retro look if your parents do not have anything to give.

Fran is a senior staff writer dedicated to helping you learn about retro home decorating. She loves using colored flokati rugs and bamboo shag area rugs on floors to bring life to the room. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Sloan See another post