Vinyl Mini Blinds

Vinyl blinds are the perfect choice for high-humidity locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, or waterfront homes. Horizontal vinyl blinds with standard braided cord blinds and non-textured gloss slats are easy to clean, unbreakable and highly resistant to sun bleaching.

Richly textured embossed prints, elegant neutrals, and wood tones add a decorative dimension not typically found in horizontal blinds. They are available in both solid colors and faux embossed finishes, and are available in a wide variety of larger slat sizes from 2-3 inches (dependent on manufacturer). PVC blinds are a durable and fashionable solution as a window treatment – remaining durable and easy to maintain regardless of humidity or other factors.

Lightweight vinyl blinds are the least expensive blind available, but the thin slats can sag, the cords shred and the mechanisms break.

Vinyl mini-blinds retail at $7.99 and $5.99 on sale. The step-up room darkening mini blind, a better quality product with less space in between the slats, runs as high as $10.99.

Some imported vinyl blinds contain lead, a health hazardous substance. Lead poisoning is especially acute for pregnant women or young children because of their fast growing vulnerable tissue. Vinyl blinds produced in the United States are lead-free.

Vinyl blinds are usually the easiest to maintain. You can clean them by hanging them on a clothesline and spraying them with a garden hose.

Vinyl blinds are probably the lowest cost solution available for the shoppers. These are most often purchased off the shelf at retailers in generic sizes.

The one drawback is they lack insulating value and are not airtight. Blinds are more effective in the summer. They block direct sunlight. Blinds reflect some heat if they are light in color. If you choose blinds in a dark color, think about purchasing duotone blinds for some insulating value. Duotone blinds have a reflective color on the back and show white to the street making them perfect for apartments and condos.

Warming up the Bath

Of all the rooms in a house, family members most
often find themselves trekking to the bathroom to begin and end their
busy days. In today’s bathrooms, we find only the most standard of
conveniences in an environment that demands solitude, efficient use of
space and the desire to maintain a level of comfort. According to a
study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), people are
looking for larger, more luxurious bathrooms creating an aura of calm
and peace.

With the cooler months looming around the corner, there are some
savvy products and design solutions for any size bathroom that offer a
simple approach to improving your bathroom’s needs, while giving your
family a sense of comfort in a room not-less traveled. Many of these
ideas were featured by top designers in the 2003 NKBA National Design
Competition.

Towel Warmers

Whether it is a small, medium or even a large master-suite
bathroom, towel warmers add a versatile approach to displaying your
fabrics, while offering an added benefit to keep your towels warm and
dry. Most major manufactures of bath products offer towel warmers in
their product lines and they can easily be purchased at many local
retailers and dealers.

Heated Tile System

If you prefer the look of tiled flooring in your bathroom but can’t
get past the idea of stepping on that cool floor during the coldest of
days, installing a heated tile system provides a desired level of
comfort not to be overlooked. These systems can be easily installed by
an NKBA professional when performing even the most basic bathroom
renovation.

Insulating Windows

Windows in the bathroom often add to the appeal of inviting natural
light into your sanctuary, but they also add to an unseen problem that
is often overlooked. Probably the best location for losing heat from
your bathroom, windows can conduct precious heat from inside right out
into the cool air. This is especially a problem for those in older
buildings with single pane windows. The easiest way to stop this free
flow of your heat to the outside is to install a window insulating kit.
These kits can be purchased from a number of local retailers and
dealers and can be installed by an NKBA professional.

Temperature Control

To improve the safety of your shower area, installing pressure
balances and control valves can minimize the scalding effect on
children and adults of all ages. Pressure balance and control valves
will prevent your faucet from spitting out water of extremely high
temperatures in the event that cold-water pressure fails. This can
happen if a sink or washing machine is being operated throughout the
house while you are taking a shower.

Spa/Steam System

One of the more trendy developments in bathroom design is a
spa/steam system. According to a study conducted by the National
Kitchen & Bath Association, more than two-thirds of the respondents
(66 percent) stated these style systems to be a hot bathroom idea. A
system such as this can create a luxurious spa-like environment without
leaving the confines of your home. An NKBA Certified Bath Designer will
be able to design a retreat that matches your desires and budget.

When it Comes to Doors, Homeowners Want Privacy

What do homeowners want in window and door blinds? Ease of maintenance and operation, privacy on the main living floor and window and door treatments that enhance their lifestyle and the look of their homes.

These are the research highlights gained by ODL, Inc., Zeeland, Mich., when developing the company’s newly-enhanced ODL Add-On Enclosed Blind that can be added on to fiberglass and steel doors.

“We really listened to homeowners,” says Keith Early, ODL product manager. “Homeowners do not want to dust or clean blinds, they don’t want blinds flopping around when a door is opened or closed and they don’t want exposed cords that children can get tangled up in. What they do want are blinds that are easy to operate and are enclosed between layers of safety glass.

“The enhancements to our add-on door blinds accomplish all these goals — plus they’re now 15 percent larger to maximize doorlight viewing area. And, if a homeowner wants, they can also paint the frame of the unit with acrylic latex enamel paint to accent the interior of the home.”

The ODL Add-On Enclosed Blinds offer consumers the option of an add-on door blind that increases energy efficiency within the home and allows fingertip controls for privacy and light flow. Sandwiched between two layers of tempered safety glass, the lightweight aluminum blinds do not swing or bind, and there are no exposed cords which means increased safety in the home. New fingertip controls running up and down the left side of the unit allow people of all heights (including children!) to easily open, close and tilt the blinds to any level to encourage either maximum light flow or total privacy in the home.

Available as interior additions to steel and fiberglass full-view doors, the blinds are fast and easy for even novice DIYers to install. The installation process is totally screwless and can be completed in just minutes. The units come in six different sizes to fit half doors, full doors, half sidelights and full sidelights, and feature a five-year limited warranty.

“These sleek blind units can enhance the look of any door in the home,” says Early. “Homeowners find them most appealing when added to kitchen doors, patio and deck doors, garage access doors and on sidelights connected with front entryways. Basically, any location where a consumer wants to easily control privacy and light flow, that’s the ideal place for adding on an ODL Add-On Enclosed Blind. Also, homeowners wanting to gain even more privacy to their decorative glass in the home will benefit from this add-on blind.”

Which KitchenAid products are right for your Kitchen?

KitchenAid is a popular brand of appliances. They are known for their kitchenaid mixers, but also for their quality. Any appliance you are interested in, you should consider replacing with a kitchenaide. From washers and dryers to built in warming draws, kitchenaid has it all.

If you are planning to design a kitchen and want to use state of the art appliances, consider KitchenAid. You may want to consider a built in refrigerator with high tech temperature control and energy savings. The kitchenaid dishwashers offer top of the line cleaning and sanitizing as well as sleek, stainless steel design. Very professional.. Then there is cooking. The cooktop, or range, is also top of the line with commercial like style. It has cast iron burners and large dials. Or you could choose the cooktop that is made of ceramic glass-what a look that would be! Then there are the built in ovens. 30 inches wide and very accurate temperatures. Maybe two ovens would benefit your kitchen! And don’t forget the ice maker or compactor either! Both amazingly new and improved appliances! The warming drawer, too, is a mark of genius in itself. It is an appliance that will keep food at the right temperature until your ready to serve it. And it comes with a set of the perfect sized pans!

As you can see, Kitchen Aid products are innovative and high quality and range in style and convenience. This has yet to touch on the counter top appliances. Kitchenaid appliances include coffee makers, espresso machines, waffle bakers, coffee mills, frozen dessert makers, and toasters. And the Kitchen Mixers speak for themselves. Lasting years and years and delivering superb service, they will not disappoint the beginner or the advanced chef. With so much at your finger tips, you will find what you are looking for and more. It may inspire you to build a kitchen just for your new appliances!

Bathroom Vanity Lights – Considerations Before Buying Vanity Bathroom Lights

Bathroom vanity lights are often overlooked in a bathroom. Artificial light from vanity bathroom lights and general lighting is important during hours when natural light is not available. Without good lighting, the decor and the personality of your bathroom can not be developed properly. And since the day usually begins and ends with a trip to the bathroom, time spent there should be comforting, relaxing and easy to see when grooming.

Bathroom vanity lights typically include one light or perhaps two or more above the mirror. Or, there may be lights or sconces on each side of the mirror or medicine cabinet and one ceiling light or a row of recessed ceiling lights over the vanity, depending on the size of your vanity and mirror. Make sure your bathroom mirror is evenly illuminated and free of shadows since this is where applying makeup, shaving and other grooming activities will take place. If you have two bathroom vanities, each one should have the same bathroom vanity lights setup.

You should have both ambient lighting and task lighting in the bathroom. Here are lighting types for providing artificial bathroom light:

• Ambient Lighting – chandeliers, surface-mounted, bathroom vanity lights, wall sconces and recessed fixtures are types of general lighting that illuminate the overall bathroom area. This type of illumination allows you to move around and see safely in the room. These types of bathroom light fixtures should be controlled by dimmers where you can change the intensity of the light for a relaxing feel when you are soaking in the tub, for example. General ambient lighting gives your bathroom the most illumination towards the floor, but it will produce more glare than other types of bathroom light fixtures.

• Task Lighting – is a direct beam of light that illuminates a particular area with very work-specific tasks, not intended to light the entire room. Task lighting can be a beam of light directed towards the reading area while in the tub, while shaving, reading, exercising on the treadmill, applying makeup or putting in your contact lenses. It can be turned on only when you need it. Use wall sconces on both sides of the mirror or medicine cabinet as bathroom vanity lights so that you benefit from lighting from both sides.

• Accent Lighting – these types of bathroom light fixtures are intended to create a certain visual drama and atmosphere in the bathroom, and they provide focus to selected details of the room for a decorative touch. Consider using track lighting to spotlight decorative objects or to provide a relaxing environment that you will enjoy when soaking in the tub.

• Decorative Lighting – these are lighting fixtures that draw attention to themselves as objects and they are used to create an effect. Chandeliers, candles (traditional and electric), fireplace, candelabra and low voltage pendant fixtures are examples of decorative lighting.

Always choose light bulbs for bathroom vanity lights that provide light in the natural daylight spectrum. Bulbs that are mostly yellow or white will not show you how you will appear outside the bathroom, which makes applying makeup more difficult.

You should have many options for your bathroom vanity lights. Just as a luxurious soaking bath is a great way to begin or end the day, the lighting in your bathroom should provide you that warm, cozy feeling when you want. And when you need to see while grooming or shaving, vanity bathroom lights and lighting should make it easy to see.

If you find yourself unsure of how to proceed, consider consulting with a lighting designer to assist you in creating the best lighting for your home. Read and learn as much as you can about bathroom vanity lights and lighting in your home. Good lighting planning, design and implementation will provide you enjoyable, practical and dramatic effects for your bathroom and your home in general.

Bathroom Vanity Sinks

When shopping for a bathroom vanity sink, let both function and style be your guide. Bathroom vanity sinks must exist in unity with the cabinet and mirror. Ask yourself what this sink will have to endure and does it belong with in my bathroom design? Is it located in a place where there will there be lots of use, will there be a danger of scratching and chipping or is it located in a guest bathroom that rarely feels a splash of water? Stone is practically indestructible, in addition to some synthetics and metals like stainless steel. While porcelain can be easily chipped and scratched, it can also be more easily repaired and cleaned than metal or stone. Stone is a porous material and so can hold on to stains. Fiberglass is inexpensive but will sometimes dull with wear.

From the revival lavatory basin to green basin of tempered glass your choice of sinks is almost unlimited. Some bathroom vanity sinks will include faucets and drain assembly, releasing you from the task of matching fixtures with basins. Other basic options include under the counter construction or over the counter with lip, square, round, or oval sink counter console. There is also a growing popularity for basins that sit like a bowl on the counter, commonly called the “vessel sink”.

A wide variety of hand made sinks are now available that are both exquisitely beautiful and expensive. If price is a consideration you might want to look for clearance sales that include fixtures and drain assemblies. If you like to do it yourself, you can purchase an antique or used sink that will match your other bathroom furniture. Consider that the sink or the basin have been around since ancient times. You can pick and sort through a host of materials, styles, designs and concepts from various periods of history, each with its unique and specific aesthetic appeal.

Beautiful, elegant Bathtubs that spruce up any Bathroom.

Bathtubs have become an important necessity of our daily life for many reasons. Who hasn’t enjoyed the comfort of soaking in a nice, hot tub at the end of a particularly hard day. They give washrooms a bathrooms a complete look; after all without them they look vacant. Bathtubs come in different sizes, color, shapes and material.

Bathtubs are of different types and have different names according to their shape and appearance. Clawfoot, pedestal, slipper and whirlpool bathtub are some of the names of different types. Clawfoot bathtubs are designed in such a way that a person can almost sleep inside it while taking bathe. On the other hand, whirlpool bathtubs are much bigger in size with more space. All of these bathtubs come in different shapes like Oval, rectangular, round, triangular etc. Bath tubs are usually made up of 2-3 materials, but it is always advised to buy a bath tube which is easy to clean and does not get affected by different types of soaps and chemicals.

When looking to buy bath tubs some things to consider drain location, size, shape, color, material as they will help in picking out a perfect bathtub of our particular taste and if in case it gets damage after few years then bath tub refinishing can be easily performed. A perfect bathtub not only increases the beauty of the washroom but also enhance the pleasure of bathing.

Building Better Bathrooms With Your Own Designs

Is there a traffic jam in your bathroom? Do you find yourself bumping into your family or the walls while brushing your teeth? If so, it may be time to make your bathroom more functional by rethinking how you use the space.

According to Better Homes and Gardens Web site, www.bhg.com, a standard size bathroom is 35 to 80 square feet. A typical master bath is 100 square feet or more. While it may be small compared to other rooms in the house, this standard space can really open up when you combine your personal preferences and style with how you want to use the bathroom.

Assessing Your Bathroom’s Space

When working with homeowners to create a new room plan, I often start out with the big-picture question: “In a perfect world, what would your bathroom feel like?” In the past, answers have been “like the outside brought indoors” or “like a cottage on the lake.” Hidden in both of those answers was a key to a successful room plan — the concept of space. You can use the same square footage to create an open, shared space or a private, cozy space. The difference is how traffic patterns and designs can work together to result in a completely different feel.

When you’re reassessing your bathroom’s space, ask yourself the following questions to pinpoint a design that is the most functional for you.

* How many people will use this bathroom? Will they use it at the same time?

* Rethink the essentials. Do you need double sinks or a bidet in the guest bath?

* Take out fixtures that do not meet your functionality. If you are adding fixtures, look for adjoining space to add to your bathroom. Closets and fifth bedrooms are great options for more space.

Another great idea to thin out traffic in the bathroom is to add a sink to another room. American Standard came up with the clever idea of adding a round countertop sink in a glass makeup table in the bedroom.

This not only saves space in the bathroom, but it also allows for more privacy by splitting the areas into two rooms. The single-mount faucet is a simple, sleek option that blends with updated traditional and contemporary styles.

How much privacy do you need?

Should the toilet be placed in a separate room? Popular in the ’80s and ’90s, separate water closets have become a standard in new home design. Many bathroom designs tuck the toilet into a corner or separate space, out of sight from the bathroom’s entrance. If space is still an issue, a half wall or glassed partition can give the feel of more privacy without gobbling up square footage.

What is your bathing routine?

Do you need a shower or a tub or both? If there are multiple bathrooms in your home, there may be the opportunity to simplify function in one or more to open up space. One of my clients wanted a double steam shower instead of a tub for the master bath. This decision created space that they wouldn’t have used with a tub. This client then installed a soaking tub in one of the guest baths for smart space savings and resale value.

How does this bathroom work in the overall house plan?

Do you need to move entrances or change doors? Simply changing a hinged door to a sliding pocket door can convert a tight space into plenty of room. When I worked on the bathroom design and layout with American Standard’s 2003 Ugliest Bathroom Contest winner, I encountered a doorway that seemed out of place. We moved a hallway entrance from the master bath into the master bedroom for more privacy. And to save space, we used a pocket door instead of the original hinged door.

In addition to asking yourself these questions, you can assess your bathroom through the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s online questionnaire at www.nkba.com. In particular, the last survey section about room orientation is another tool to help you rethink your bathroom space and function.

Choosing Bathroom Vanity Lights

The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet above, a sink or basin and counter or ‘top’ below, and a cabinet beneath. In some cases the sink and top are one unit. To call the bathroom vanity an important fixture in the bathroom would be an understatement. Everyone stops at the vanity upon entering or leaving the bathroom, whether it is to wash hands, fix hair or find lotion. Homeowners today often use vanities to set the tone or motif in decorating a bathroom. Bathroom vanities are available in a variety of styles and sizes dependent upon taste, functionality and financial commitment.

Bathroom vanities can be made according to the priority of style and design, function and practicality, or cost. For example, a bathroom vanity focused on style might include leather wrapped wooden doors with leather loop pulls and a leather wrapped mirror, with a form-flowing vitreous china sink and top, or a hand-carved gilded Louis IV mirror above an Italian marble top and marble sink set in a cabinet with ornately carved doors, for a more antique look. If homeowners place function and practicality as the top priority, they might choose faucets set high in the wall for easy washing, a raised basin made from easy to clean materials and a scratchproof top with splashguard.

The discerning customer should be aware of the vanities’ height. Many people end up with vanities that are too short for many adults. Remember to measure your space before ordering or making your bathroom vanity.

If price is the deciding factor you may have to exchange marble, hardwood, enamel glaze for particleboard, foil, polypropylene, fiberboard, and acrylic paint, and a basic ceramic sink instead of a Tuscan marble basin. However, price doesn’t have to compromise style or aesthetic quality, as there are a myriad of excellent antique reproductions and contemporary vanities to choose from and if you are handy there is an array of home assembly kits available on the market. The variety of mirrors and vanity lights available will easily fit into any budget. The bathroom vanity can bring warmth interest and drama to any bathroom and should be carefully considered as part of any home decorating plan.

Create A Lifelike Santa In Your Bathroom

If you love to go all out with your Christmas decorating, here is a whimsical, original idea for your bathroom:

Materials needed:

White shower curtain, canvas, or fabric (a new canvas drop cloth works great)
Shower curtain liner (to protect curtain from moisture)
Projector*
Permanent black marker, preferably a thick one
Paint pens
Paint
Fiberfill or cotton balls
Santa hat
Black felt (about one yard)
2 red hand towels or red fabric

*If you can draw, you may not need the projector. If you are not artistically inclined, and do not already own a projector, see if you can borrow one.

Let’s get started!

If you’re using fabric instead of a shower curtain, you’ll need to make it standard shower curtain size, which is about 72″ x 72″. Cut the fabric 73″ x 73″, fold each side over one half inch, press into place, and hem each side to make smooth edges. Purchase plastic rings (usually found near the curtain rods) and sew them to the top for shower curtain rings. If you don’t already have a second rod, pick up a tension rod. They are inexpensive and simple to install.

The next step is finding a great picture of Santa Clause. Look in coloring books, storybooks, or online. Once you find a picture you like, blow it up on the projector until Santa looks life-sized. Hang the fabric or shower curtain on the wall or a door with thumbtacks or straight pins, and project the image onto it. Santa’s knees should be about 6″ from the bottom of the shower curtain. Stop at the knees and do not draw the rest of the legs (you will see why later).

Next, trace the image with a permanent black marker (put paper behind the curtain to keep marker from seeping through). Fill in the details for Santa’s face as well as other intricate areas with the paint pens. Fill in his suit with paint. Nearly any kind of paint will do, but craft paint is the least expensive.

In order to create a three dimensional effect, use fiberfill or stretched out cotton balls for Santa’s hair and beard. Apply with regular school glue or use fabric glue. Use a real Santa hat instead of painting one. These can be found at dollar stores and discount stores for very little money. Simply stitch the hat onto the curtain from the backside, or attach it with fabric glue.

Add a piece of black felt for Santa’s belt. A real buckle makes a nice touch. You can remove a buckle from an old belt that you no longer wear and thread the felt through it, or you can purchase a used belt at a thrift store and simply remove the buckle to use it for this project. Stitch the felt into place or apply with fabric glue.

Hang the curtain and tuck the bottom edge inside the tub. Santa’s knees should line up closely with the edge of the tub.

Here’s the really fun part: Fold the red towels in half lengthwise and stitch or glue the sides together. If using fabric, cut to the size of regular hand towels (not fingertip towels) and proceed as directed above. Next, arrange the towels so that the attached edges are in the middle instead of along the side then press into place with a warm iron. This seam should face the shower curtain so it won’t show. Stitch or glue the towels to Santa’s knees. Santa now has three-dimensional legs that swing when the curtain moves!

Make mittens and boots from the leftover black felt. Attach the mittens to the curtain and the boots to the towels. Another neat idea is to set a pair of boots outside the tub and tuck the “legs” into the boots. This looks terrific and makes the effect even more dimensional. This idea is best used in the guest bathroom or on the day company is coming, after everyone has showered, if used in the main bathroom (otherwise, you’ll have to keep moving the boots each time the tub is needed).

To make your shower curtain even more festive, wrap small empty boxes to look like gifts and attach them to the curtain, or sew on tiny plastic ornaments or candy canes. Just use your imagination.

This is a fun, yet fairly simple project to complete, and you will get lots of compliments on this unique, whimsical decorating idea.