Throughout the ages, wood has been a raw material. The first peoples made shelters using wood and animal skins. The first tools were made of wood and the first hunting spears were wooden. Dating back to Neolithic times, bowls and plates carved from wood have been found, as have wooden idols. In some Egyptian tombs, ancient wooden chairs have been preserved. In some cultures, coffins were carved from the trunks of trees.

In this country, the Native American tepees were made on a wood frame, and their canoes were, at first, hollowed out tree trunks. Later, some built a lightweight wooden frame, probably of cedar, covered with bark sewn together with tree roots, and sealed with a mixture of sap and fats. Of course, the paddles were made of wood.

Some of the most beautiful homes built by the pilgrims and other immigrants used wood from trees growing in the settled areas. The inlaid designs in the furniture and floors certainly indicate the high level of expertise of the builders. Early settlers in the west built log cabins, and even today, log cabins are being built in some parts of the country. Some of the so-called log cabins, however, that people are having built, mostly for vacation homes, are built with planks of wood, rather than whole logs. These early settlers also built their own furniture and fashioned some interesting dolls and toys from wood, some of which have become prized family heirlooms, collector’s items, or are being copied today by talented wood workers to please more children.

Of course, everyone knows that early ships were built of wood. Early Egyptians knew how to take planks of wood, hold them together with treenails and use pitch to caulk the seams. The first mast may have been two wooden poles lashed together at the top to make a triangular shape, to which a single sail was attached. Although this was basically a sailing ship, it could be propelled by human power with oars.

Different groups designed their ships differently, but for a long time, all would be made of wood. Some of the most beautiful model ships are replicas of the early sailing ships. The craftsmen who build these models to scale use some of the most beautiful woods.

In modern homes, wood is prized. Hardwood floors are more desirable than cheap wood covered by carpet, solid wood furniture costs more, but it is chosen by those who can afford it. One sometimes sees occasional tables made from a slice of a large tree trunk. It’s fun to count the annual rings which indicate the age at which the tree was cut. There are innumerable ways in which wood is used, but one seldom stops to think of what nature provided.

Doreen Archer is writer and administrator for Bizilee.com, which specializes in jewelry, gifts, and accessories [http://www.bizilee.com].

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Captain of the Ship

Creating a pirate themed bedroom for your child starts with the focal point of every pirate’s eye – his ship. And in the case of a pirate themed bedroom, this ship would be the bed. A great way to make your child feel like captain of his own ship is to have built a custom pirate ship themed bed.

The Jolly Roger will pale in comparison to the awesome ship you can design as your child’s bed. You can give it an upper and lower deck, put in portholes, even a ladder leading up to the crow’s nest. For extra detail, you can include a wooden gangplank for prisoners to walk. You can also place a giant fluttering sail overhead and transform the piece into a whole new kind of canopy bed. And don’t forget a flag bedecked with a skull and crossbones, reminding all, far and wide, whose ship this is and what the penalty is for insolence and treachery.

To the Horizon

Decorate the walls of your child’s pirate themed bedroom with rich ocean blue and light sky blue, dotted with white clouds. Where sky and ocean meet, you can paint the horizon looping around the entire circumference of the room. And don’t forget a distant island with seagulls hovering around it, so that your little pirate captain has opportunity to occasional shout “Land ho!”

Map to Buried Treasure

Another wall covering idea is a giant map to buried treasure, be it in the form of a mural painted on the wall of the room or custom theme bed or a giant framed picture or the design of the curtains covering the windows.

Accessories for a Pirate Themed Room

A treasure chest makes a perfect clothing or toy chest, and can even be built into the custom theme pirate ship bed for space-saving convenience. A large compass or giant wooden steering wheel would make an excellent clock for the room.

The design creations of Joann Means are fantasy custom theme beds that ignite a child’s imagination and penchant for adventure. By focusing your efforts to design and decorate your child’s bedroom around a custom theme bed designed and created by Sweet Dream Children’s Interiors (http://www.sweetdreambed.com), you give them a dreamy space all their own while covering your needs as a parent for strength and durability, versatility of use, and convenient, space-saving functionality.

All of the custom theme beds you’ll find at Sweet Dream Children’s Interiors (http://www.sweetdreambed.com) are personally designed by Joann and hand-built by her husband, master carpenter Johnny Means. Each one invites and inspires endless hours of imaginative play while also providing a safe and comfortable place to bed down each night.

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The kitchen, one of the most common home renovation projects, is generally one of the most used rooms in the house. Part of the reason is that there is nothing quite as satisfying as gutting that old space and restarting from scratch. Homeowners just aren’t as sentimental about the things in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, so tossing items out in favor of new ones is a quick and painless process. Before taking a crowbar to the cabinets try to step back and look at the kitchen from a conservation point of view. The majority of the time, replacing one of four things and repairing and/or replacing the other three will leave the room looking like new: the cabinets, the flooring, the appliances or the countertops. If the countertop is scratched, chipped, or otherwise blemished, it may be the thing to go- or, it may be an opportunity to talk to a specialist about refinishing and restoring. If the cabinets can be saved, it can also be a real budget saver. Try adding or subtracting cupboards instead of a complete overhaul. A fresh coat of paint, some new knobs, or a sleek open-cabinet design can also breathe new life into old standbys. Try to imagine the old floors with a little bit of TLC and complimented by the rest of the kitchen’s new look before tearing them up. If it’s time to replace the appliances in the kitchen, it’s time. Think about going with black or chrome for a modern kitchen, or have a bit of fun with a refurbished vintage fridge!

Another quick and easy fix that will make any of the above kitchen renovation solutions really pop is a fresh coat of paint. If kitchens are tiled, wall replacement may not be such an easy task so try to work with it. Remember that a little attention to detail now, can make a big difference on the price tag of a home’s resale value. Make sure kitchens have lots of lighting, whether natural or electric. Be careful when choosing window treatments that the material is able to withstand drastic changes in temperature and humidity when exposed to cooking heat or steam from various appliances. If you’re still set on gutting the kitchen, think about changing the actual layout of the kitchen countertop space. Think about what you don’t like in the room now. Maybe there’s no counter space, maybe there’s nowhere to sit and eat, or maybe it’s too cut off from the rest of the house. Don’t be afraid to go big, knock down some walls, and above all, love your kitchen.

Don’t get intimidated, get started on a home renovation project with a sears home design consultation. Whether you’ve decided on a kitchen countertop replacement, cabinet overhaul, or a brand new set of appliances it’s the right place to start to get a new look, not just new things.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Fishback

There are some very practical, low-cost ways to make your home run more efficiently and save money every month on electricity and heating bills, while reducing your total impact on the earth. Let’s get started!

Get your home tested: Almost any home would benefit from receiving a home energy audit. Whether you do one yourself or have a professional walk through your space, it’ll help you pinpoint areas where you can improve to make your home more energy efficient. The test usually covers your home’s exterior, including foundation, roofing, windows, doors, and percentage of exposed walls, and then considers the interior systems, such home heating and cooling, appliances, water fixtures, electronics, lighting, and more. When you’re done, take the plan and start to make improvements. You may even find that federal and municipal incentives and tax rebates exist to defray the costs of any retrofits.

Add timers to appliances: You can reduce your energy consumption by ensuring appliances are only working when they’re required. For instance, installing a programmable thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent, saving close to $150 every year for some homes. You can also install a timer on your water heater to program it to heat water only when it’s most needed. Another common place for timers is for lighting. Simple timers that turn lights on and off at pre-set times every day can help to prevent you accidentally leaving lights on after you exit a room. And motion sensors can be used to automatically turn lights off in closets, garages, and backyards so that you’re not running them when no one’s around.

Dial down for savings: Many appliances can be dialled down to cut energy consumption. Turn the temperature setting down a couple of degrees on both your furnace and water heater during cold weather without losing comfort-you’ll see the difference on your energy bill. Raise the temperature on your air conditioner a degree or two, too, during hot weather. Your home may not be as chilly, but you’ll likely still live within your comfort limits. Make similar adjustments with other appliances such as your refrigerator and freezer to see additional savings.

Upgrade your lighting:  If you haven’t yet, go out and get yourself some compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to use throughout your home. Contrary to their flickery, yellow ancestors, today’s CFLs are much improved and come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. They do cost more upfront than conventional incandescent bulbs, but they generally pay for themselves in a couple of months or a year. And since they last much longer, you’ll also be changing bulbs less frequently. Just be sure to recycle them when they burn out to ensure proper containment of the tiny amount of mercury they contain. LEDs (light-emitting diode) bulbs are another great option since they’re even more efficient and longer-lasting than CFLs. And they can be used for more than your holiday decorations-think landscape lighting, task lamps, and more.

Find out more:

· US EPA Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

· Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

Kate Williams is a wellness coach and health educator. See more of her articles and information about “green” topics especially creating non-toxic homes at Safe Clean for Kids. http://www.Safe-Clean-For-Kids.com Contact: kate@Safe-Clean-for-Kids.com and 1-866-567-1587 (toll free).

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Nowadays, we live in the Age of the Internet. This means that wherever you live, you have access to lots of stores where you can conduct quite a bit of comparison shopping. You can find lots of authorized fan resellers by conducting your search online – and doing business with them can means lots of discounts off of market price. Getting the most for your money can really be as simple as finding a coupon code to use at one of these reputable businesses. There are several online sites that are in the business of selling a wide selection of these lighting fixtures – along with discounts to pass on savings to the customer. Here is a short listing:

Lighting By Gregory

The brick-and-mortar location of this store is located in the Lighting District of Manhattan. Its claim to fame is being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. Lucky for you… the advent of Internet access means that you can order these great lighting fixtures no matter where you live. This store specializes in all kinds of lighting, so head over to the Ceiling Fans section of the website and shop around! Be sure to double-check that the fan you love is either damp- or wet-rated so that they can be safely mounted outdoors.

Universal Distributing LLC

You may not have heard of this umbrella company before which encompasses 6 different businesses that sell a variety of home improvement goods. But you will definitely want to check out their Fantastic Fans website. You can easily search through their selection of outdoor ceiling fans – and sort by brand name, style, finish, or price in order to simplify your search. All items are available with free shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. And you will want to check their current promotions for additional discounts that you can use along with coupon codes.

Did you know that you can get deep discounts and free shipping when you’re looking to buy contemporary ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for a listing of best contemporary styles and models!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

Couriers carry higher insurances and have nothing else on the vehicle except for your item, making it less likely to get damaged. Sometimes, you need to send it via the post or via a parcel carrier. So to get it to it’s destination in one piece, find a box big enough for the chandelier and the packaging. You will need to remember if the item is over 25kgs it may need to be lifted by 2 people HSE rules.

Wrap all the loose parts carefully with bubble wrap and tape securely. Place gently onto a polystyrene base and then fill with polystyrene chips or popcorn. (Popcorn is particularly good, it gets in all the nooks and crannies and shouldn’t damage the item being packed).

Place another polystyrene pad gently on the top of the Chandelier, taking care not to damage the item. Before you secure the box, check that the item isn’t ratting around in the box, if it is add more chips and perhaps pad out with scrunched up balls of newspaper.

When the Chandelier is secure, tape the box closed and write on the box in marker pen, the address. Why not a label? because a label may get torn, or damaged and your item may get ‘lost’ in the system.

If the item is being shipped from abroad, customs will want to check your item is what it says it is, so leaving it so it can be unwrapped easily is to your advantage, and ensure no damage whilst being checked.

Packing an item correctly is the best way to get items delivered safely and securely, our advice is never to neglect the packaging as that’s all that is between the outside world, and your valuable items.

Sarah Arrow
http://www.ArrowLightHaulage.co.uk – Essex, Thurrock & Kent couriers for greener living

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If you’re nervous about buying these fixtures online, you need not be. Many retailers offer a wide variety of selections at deep discounted rates – lots of times with free shipping! Products are usually shipped within a few days (or a few weeks if a specialty, made-to-order item). In the unfortunate event that any item arrives defective or broken, you can easily return or request a replacement fixture.

Each of these retailers are featured because of their selection of contemporary models, excellent customer service, and special savings offered to customers. If you’re remodeling on a budget or simply a price-savvy consumer, shopping for outdoor ceiling fans online may literally save you hundreds of dollars. But the first step on the road to savings is to know exactly where to shop!

Lighting By Gregory
The brick-and-mortar location for Lighting by Gregory has been part of the famed Lighting District of Manhattan for over a quarter of century. One of its claims to fame include being named as “Best Lighting Store” by New York Magazine. You will find a variety of contemporary and traditional lighting fixtures at Lighting By Gregory from bathroom lighting to home decor to torchieres. Their inventory also includes a wide variety of ceiling fans. Simply choose one of its featured styles (contemporary, traditional, tropical, or transitional), and you’re one step closer to finding the perfect fan for your outdoor space. Be careful before you buy because there isn’t a quick link for indoor vs. outdoor models on the website. You want to make sure that your fan is damp- or wet-listed if you plan on mounting outdoors.

Lamps Plus
Established in 1976, Lamps Plus is also far from a newcomer in the industry. Lamps Plus prides itself as the nation’s largest specialty lighting company with brick-and-mortar locations found primarily in the Western United States. The website itself is easy to navigate. Again, be careful, while outdoor ceiling fans are listed, they are not separated from indoor models. You want to be certain that your chosen fan is damp- or wet-rated to be suitable for outdoor conditions.

If there are any questions, there is a live chat service where you can instantly connect with a customer service agent. You can even use the personal callback service where you leave your name and number to be contacted by customer service. You can easily compare styles and prices across models by adding to your “portfolio.” And lastly, if there is not a ceiling fan that suits your fancy, try the “Design Your Own Fan” feature by choosing motor size and type, custom fan blades, light kit for a one-of-a-kind model that perfectly fits your space.

Want to save hundreds of dollars on outdoor ceiling fans? Please visit Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans for the best featured models from major retailers. Be sure to check out the buying guide for links to discounts to buy outdoor ceiling fans for less!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

Home of Decor
After over 30 years in business, Home of Decor founded its online store in 2002. What you gain from doing business with Home of Decor is access to staff experts with years of expertise in selling and installing fans. As a free service, you can actually call and consult with experts during regular business hours. There are a few other reasons to check out the inventory of ceiling fans here, including free shipping, access to over 1000 different models, free lifetime protection plan, free fan parts if broken within 5 years, and free technical support! In addition, the website is very easy to navigate. Models are clearly marked as either wet- or damp-rated – and you have over 300 fans to choose from. No guesswork involved.

Lumen Light and Living
Lumen Light and Living specializes in modern, contemporary styles in lighting. Lumens also has a brick-and-mortar store, located in San Francisco. This company stocks fans from a number of manufacturers well-known for innovative designs, such as Minka Aire, Modern Fan Company, Casablanca Ceiling Fans, and other companies. You can easily sort and compare models by price, number of blades, fan body finish, or even fan features. However, you will have to manually search for outdoor ceiling fan models as they are not uniquely identified on the website. This may be a supreme task with almost 600 ceiling fans currently in inventory. If you don’t mind the heavy lifting involved in the research process, there are also plenty of customer reviews to read before making a purchase.

Universal Distributing LLC
Universal Distributing LLC specializes in decorative lighting and fine home decor. You will want to head straight over to the Fantastic Fans website. You can immediately begin your search by perusing the “Outdoor Ceiling Fan” section. From there you can sort by brand name, style, finish, price range, or size. Currently, Universal Distributing offers its customers a selection of almost 90 different models from tropical to indoor outdoor styles. All items are available with free shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. Fantastic Fans also offers a staff of experts available for consultation, and even a live chat service!

Amazon
You would practically have to be living underneath a rock if you have not heard of Amazon. No matter what the product, it seems like Amazon has it in stock – most often at a deep discount with free shipping, to boot! However, there is one marked downside to shopping at Amazon: You lose access to free consultation services with specialists. Amazon may be a good bet if you already have an idea of which model, finish, or style you have in mind. You will then be able to conduct a quick search and compare prices from retailers essentially bidding for your business. You may notice really affordable rates for outdoor ceiling fans on Amazon, but these prices may actually be comparable to the aforementioned websites.

Get quality ceiling fans without paying an extra dime! Visit the Contemporary Outdoor Ceiling Fans buying guide for reviews of online retailers and coupons for modern outdoor ceiling fans for less!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvia_Platt

The shipping containers are stacked, painted and customized to form the outer structure of the houses. Glass ceilings, walls and windows add light and give the structures a very bright and airy look.

The Shelburne Museum, located in Vermont, features a Collectors House designed by interior designer Albert Hadley and architect Adam Kalkin. It was created by using 3 overseas shipping crates that make a very striking house. The building features glass garage doors, a large patio area, living space, bedrooms and a full sized kitchen.

Adam Kalkin has designed houses out of shipping containers before, but his last one is actually a luxury dwelling for the rich. He unveiled his creation at the Art Basel Miami Beach art show in December 2005 and the attendants were surprised to see lavish furnishings and a beautifully designed interior inside a shipping container. The project has the interesting title of “Push-Button House” because it can be loaded in the back of a truck to be moved and it opens up like a Murphy bed to expose the interior.

Jennifer Seigal is another architect that uses shipping containers to create beautiful living spaces. One example is the Seatrain house she built for real estate developer Richard Carlson, equipped with all utilities and featuring an indoor fountain. She indicates that these houses are much less costly to build than the traditional ones, and that they are very modern looking and can be customized to the individual needs of the buyer.

While the use of shipping containers for shelter is not new, the thought of making architectural statements and unique creations is. Architects strive to create a feeling of openness, light and beauty using the prefab shipping containers as the foundation.

Although his Push-Button house is only an experimental project, Mr. Kalkin has built houses that he intends to make available to the public, like his Quik House. He currently has orders for ten. These modern prefab houses are made from five shipping containers and are then loaded on a truck and delivered to the buyer. It takes less than a week to reassemble them on location. The Quik House sells for between 150 to 175 thousand dollars, depending on the distance to deliver the house and the options that the client chooses. There are many different options, including mahogany sliding doors and a full stainless steel kitchen.

In addition to this deluxe version of a prefab home Mr. Kalkin is also planning on selling a single shipping container living space called an A-Pod. This will be equivalent to a studio apartment, and will sell for under $100,000.00.

Humanitarian issues

Most architects have noted that the prefab shipping container habitat is ideal for setting up in emergency situations and for humanitarian needs. These very structurally sound and durable homes can be moved easily on the back of trucks and can be loaded and unloaded numerous times with no damage or need for repairs. They can be moved virtually anywhere there is a road and it is easy to hook up plumbing and electrical connections to the outside of the shipping container.

They are very dry, leak resistant and easy to care for. They can be insulated to keep out the cold and, despite being metal, are reported to be easy to cool even in hot climates. The shipping container homes are virtually fire resistant and can be easily cleaned or painted if necessary.

While a shipping container home may not have been an option you had previously considered, it might be something to ponder in the future. The sky is the limit to using your imagination in designing your very own low cost prefab home.

Cornelia Myers believes that shipping containers can make viable and comfortable houses. Visit http://www.Shipping-Container-Housing.com to find out how to build a house from shipping containers and how much it costs and to learn more about the companies that provide design services for shipping container housing.

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Lighthouses are a very recognizable symbol, and represent many things for many people. For anyone who loves to travel, each lighthouse can represent a place they’ve visited or hope to someday. More metaphorically, lighthouses symbolize a warning of danger ahead, as well as a beacon over the horizon guiding you home. Nautical lamps in the shapes and colors of familiar lighthouses will make you smile every time you turn them on. They don’t necessarily have to be an exact replica. Even having some of the same colors and an overall style can accent a nautical theme.

Antique ship pieces can be made into spectacular nautical lamps to go along with your theme. Lanterns traditionally used on old fashioned fishing boats can be reconditioned and used as lighting in your home or office. It may take a little legwork, as they are not often easy to come by, but scouring antique dealers is the best way to track down these pieces. If you live on or around the east coast, or you are planning a visit sometime soon, keep an eye on antique shops and other stores that may have nautical themed lamps and other lighting.

Nautical themes don’t necessarily have to be representative of ships and lighthouses. There is other life in the ocean that can be incorporated into your design. For a child’s room, brightly colored fish on the walls on top of blue paint can be a whimsical trip to the ocean floor. Nautical lamps can be decorated with the same brightly colored fish or other sea life. You can even use real coral and seashells to make your own decorative and creative lamps. This is something that kids can help you with and they will appreciate being a part of decorating their own living space. Whether you make your own lamps, buy them brand new or refurbish real ones, you can feel like you are on the ocean or even in it any time you like.

Where to find Lamps R Us coupons quickly and easily by visiting http://www.modernlampsguide.com a popular lamp decorating website that offers tips, advice and resources including tips for decorating ideas using Phillips lamps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Clifton