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Garden Window Making House Plant Care Easy by Kent Higgins.
With the white snow and grey skies of winter, a nature lover can become depressed. Placing houseplants in a window garden are a great remedy to these winter blues.
Hanging plants are great options for the window gardens because they save space. You will need to install a plant hook for each hanging plant. Spider plants, Boston ferns, and Chenille plants are some examples of plants that work well hanging. Instead of keeping the plants in the plastic containers you bought them in, you should plant them into bigger, decorative, and stronger pots. The plants will look nicer and be healthier.
It can be difficult to choose which windowsill plants to choose. If you won't have much time to care for the plants, some good choices are African violets, peace lilies, and ivy. There are many varieties of each of these as well. You can choose those based on color and personal taste.
If you want a bit more control over when your plants bloom, you can use bulbs. You can force the bulbs to sprout earlier in the spring to add color to your home sooner. Forcing is done by chilling the bulbs for a few months in a refrigerator. Four to Six weeks after planting the bulbs, with proper watering, the plants will sprout.
If you are looking for an exotic look, orchids are a great option. Don't be scared off by their reputation of being tough to grow. They are actually quite easy to take care of. The Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, and cattleya orchids are a few of the simplest varieties to grow. With the Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum varieties, it is easy to get the bold flowers to rebloom. It is a bit more difficult to sustain the small flowers of the Cattleya, however.
You will need a clay pot, a tray, and pebbles for your orchids. The orchid should be planted in a fresh potting mix in the clay pot. You then need to run warm temperature water over the orchid for two minutes. You should allow it to drain fully because standing water often kills orchids. Cover the bottom of the tray with pebbles and place it on the window sill. The orchid can then be put on the tray. Check the potting mix once per week to see if it is dry. If so, water it as described earlier in this paragraph.
If even the simple plants to care for are too much for you, growing plants in a terrarium will definitely work for you. There is pretty much no way to go wrong. To make a terrarium, you need a container with a lid, sand, potting soil, and some tropical plants or ferns. The bottom of the container should be filled with three inches of sand. A few inches of soil should be poured on top of that.
Dig out an area in the soil for each plant. Place the plants in the terrarium and fill in the hollow areas with more potting soil. Moisten the soil with a few tablespoons of water. You will never have to water the terrarium again. Put the lid on the container and place it somewhere out of direct sunlight. The terrarium will create it's own moisture to water the plants. If too much condensation is developing, simply open the lid a bit to let it breathe some.
Caring for house plants and getting them to grow during the winter will help liven up the spirit of your home by adding some life and color.

Discover for yourself why so many people are interested in caring for house plants. Now you can know what experts know at http://www.plant-care.com/.
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A Happy Gift for Everyone

People often spend days trying to find the perfect gift for friends and loved ones. Although there might not always be a ‘perfect gift’ for every occasion, you can make sure that your gift is special and suits the occasion and the recipient. Here are a few tips to help you buy the ideal gift for friends and family members.

Keep the recipient in mind

Don’t buy a gift because you like it, buy a gift with the recipient in mind. For example, there is no point in gifting someone with diabetes a box of chocolates, or a teenager might not always enjoy a yearly subscription of ‘Better Living’. There is no doubt that your preferences are important while buying a gift, but the recipient’s personality, mood and taste are the primary factors that should influence the gift. In a nutshell, make sure the gift does not end up offending the recipient.

Find out what they want

Liking something and wanting something are two different things. You might buy someone a gift they like, but gifting them something they want is a completely different thing. The next time you are speaking to someone, find out what they like and what they really want. Don’t give up the coup by asking them what they want straight up, be smart and slip in the relevant question during conversation. You can always speak to friends and family members of the recipient to find out what they really want.

Make a budget

Don’t get carried away when you are buying the gift. Keep a budget in mind and stick to the budget at all costs. While deciding the budget, keep in mind the person who is receiving the gift, and also how much he had spent on you (if they had gifted you something). Remember, close friends and family members deserve a larger portion of the budget. If a number of people are pooling in for the gifts, make sure you keep within the budget at all costs.

Plan gifts in advance

If you are planning to buy more than one gift, make sure you plan all the gifts well in advance. A couple of days might seem sufficient time, but you might not always get what you are looking for at the last moment. Give yourself sufficient time to plan your gifts, and make sure that you have enough time to plan your budget and find out what gifts to buy.

It’s more than just the thought that counts

It’s easy to say that it’s the thought that counts, but an impressive gift makes a different impact all together. Any gift idea that you have has to be executed with perfection. Pay attention to every single detail like the gift wrapping, the name card and even the occasion. If you are planning on surprising your partner by cooking a surprise dinner, pay attention to the ambience, the food you cook and the timing of the romantic song. The important thing to remember is that execution is as important as the gift itself.

Sadie O'Neal is the owner of One Happy Gift to find out more information visit: http://www.onehappygift.com/

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Slipcover Furniture – Does Your Furniture Need Added Protection?By Phil Caxton
A slipcover does not always look tacky and these days there isa style to suit every room. So no matter what yourcircumstances, why not look to see if there is a slipcover tosuit you.
Article
If you are looking to keep your sofa and your furniture in tiptop condition then you may want to consider getting a slipcover.
Slipcovers are ideal if you have a hectic home where childrenand pets are constantly roaming. Pet hair, water spillage andany type of accident could happen which would leave your sofapotentially ruined. However some people are reluctant to try aslipcover as they feel that it makes their furniture look tacky.This is when you really need to weigh up the advantages anddisadvantages of having a slipcover.
Determining Whether a Slipcover is the Best Option for You
One of the main reasons why people choose to have slipcovers isbecause they have children, pets or both. With the risk ofpotential damage from careless children and with pet hair todeal with on a daily basis, a slip cover can prove to be anabsolute godsend. Another potential pet problem is that cats canclaw the furniture and ruin the texture and dogs can potentiallychew the furniture too. A slipcover could protect the furniturea little and stop you from having to replace it further on downthe line.
One reason why people may not want a slipcover is if they donot have children or pets and they want their guests to feelwelcome. A slipcover can sometimes feel a little too formal andtacky. They believe that their guests will think that they donot trust them not to spill anything on the furniture. Anotherreason why you may not want a slipcover could be because youhave expensive furniture and you want to show it off. What isthe point in spending a fortune on your furniture if you cannotsee it?
If you are worried about the slipcover not fitting into yourhome then you will be pleased to know that there is a largevariety available. This means that usually there is something tosuit every home no matter what your circumstances. There aredifferent materials you can choose from, different patterns anddifferent colors too. So take a look around various departmentstores to see if you can find something to suit your needs.
Also do not feel restricted with just one slipcover set. Whynot choose a couple of different colors and designs andalternate them? That way you can change the look of the roomwithout doing much to it.
Overall slipcovers allow you to keep your furniture safe whichmeans that they will last a lot longer. This allows you to livea little more worry free and it will help you to keep the houseneat and tidy too.
About the Author: Phil Caxton is the editor ofhttp://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/ . Find more informationand resources on exterior covers at his webhttp://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/SlipcoverFurniture.html
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
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How To Plan A Garden Patio

By Roger Webster

A garden patio can increase the use and enjoyment you get from your garden. Make it large enough to accommodate some seating and perhaps a table and you have an outdoor room where you can retire in peace or entertain family and friends. Before rushing to concrete over any part of your garden, take time to plan the space carefully to ensure that what you build is an asset not an eyesore.



The first point to consider is location. Usually a patio adjoins the house, with doors opening from a living room onto a terrace forming a transitional space between indoors and out. Think about how the patio will relate to your internal room layout as well as its relationship to the garden and seek to encourage a smooth flow between the two. Consider sunshine, shade and prevailing winds. Sometimes a patio is sited as an independent structure away from the house, perhaps to take advantage of a viewpoint, a patch of afternoon sun, or a shady spot in sun-baked garden.



The dimensions and shape should be considered next. Be guided by how the space is to be used: a bolt-hole outside the kitchen door might be cozy for just one or two people but a terrace outside the main living room needs to be much more generous, particularly if you intend to include a dining table and chairs. If you already have outdoor furniture you can measure it to find out how much space is required. Remember to leave at least two feet (60 cm) behind each chair and plenty of room for people to walk past and around fixed furniture. A patio that is too small can actually become an obstacle between house and garden rather than a link.



Most houses have internal rooms that are rectangular or perhaps L shaped and these shapes tend to be comfortable and practical in most outdoor situations too. Of course there is nothing to prevent you introducing curves, circles, squares or irregular organic shapes but these need careful planning if they are not to look contrived or to result in awkward junctions. Remember that the patio is essentially an extension of your house, so take inspiration from the shapes, dimensions, materials and any decorative features of the existing architecture and use these as your starting point.



The patio is also a point of contact with your garden, a place to get up close to the colours, scents and textures of living plants without getting your feet wet. Bulky evergreen shrubs will give privacy and shelter from draughts; sprawling plants will encroach onto paving and soften its outline; the stored warmth of masonry will bring out the scent of flowers and foliage and may allow you to grow plants that would be too tender if positioned out in the open. Flowering plants in pots and containers can make an invaluable addition in the summer months but they are no substitute for a permanent framework of shrubs and hardy perennials planted in well prepared ground.



The construction of your patio is best undertaken by a competent professional builder or landscape contractor. Most types of paving require a foundation of compacted crushed stone or concrete at least 10 cm deep depending on local conditions and regulations. It is very important when laying paving next to a building to allow for surface water drainage away from the building. Ground levels against the house wall should never be raised without taking specialist advice as this may lead to damp penetration or structural weakening of the wall. Construction of a patio does not normally require planning consent in the UK; in other countries, or for sites where special conditions apply (eg historic “Listed” buildings), seek advice from appropriate local authorities.



About the Author: Roger Webster is an award winning garden designer. Find our more at his website http://www.webstergardens.co.uk.



Source: www.isnare.com

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9 Ways To Make A Small Bath Look Bigger

Copyright © 2006-2008 Julie Lohmeier




A small bath - it's a common problem. It may be a bath in an old house, an added powder room, or even a bath tucked under stairs. But how can you make a tiny space look bigger than it actually is? Here are a few tips:



1) Minimize. Use clean and simple lines in your fixtures. Don't make the sink, tub, or toilet too fussy.



2) Mount fixtures on the wall. If the floor is bigger, the space looks more open so mount as many fixtures on the wall, especially the sink, and even possibly, the toilet.



3) Use vertical lines to give the room an illusion of greater height, and therefore, more space.



4) Large mirrors to reflect light and make the area seem more spacious.



5) One large fixture defines the room instead of using a bunch of downsized pieces which just says - "Wow, look how small I am, I can't even fit a normal sink."



6) Create lots of light - recessed, chandeliers, sconces, you name it, add it. The more light, the brighter the room and the bigger it will feel.



7) Monochromatic color theme. One color stops the eye from breaking and makes the space visually seem larger. A light hue is recommended. Unless of course, you are going for the small cave look.



8) Creatively add storage above doors, in small nooks, under dormers, and along the wall behind the shower. Use open shelving to allow the room extra depth.



9) Pocket doors slide in and out of a wall preserving valuable floor space.



While your bathroom will still be small, using these tricks can fool the eye to see cozy rather than cramped.





About The Author:

Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement. She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at http://www.myhomeredux.com/. Subscribe to her free newsletter at: http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html @copyright 2006-2007, Julie Lohmeier, http://www.myhomeredux.com/ Use this report in its entirety with proper acknowledgement and copyright.

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