Inspirational 10 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Build a Koi Fish Pond

Before approaching the task of constructing a Koi Pond, ask yourself the following questions:

Are you prepared to build the Koi Pond yourself or get an expert to build it for you?

There is no substitute for getting quality advice from a professional pond builder. After you have done your preliminary research and have started to gain some idea of what you want, you can really benefit from consulting with a professional. They can discuss your ideas with you and help spell out what is doable and what is not; what is realistic and what is not; and finally, what is affordable and what is not! Following such a discussion, you will be in a far better position to decide whether you want to build yourself or hire a professional builder do the work for you.

Just how much can you afford to spend?

This is the easiest but most critical question of all. Take a guess at what it “might” cost to build the Koi Pond you have in mind and then double it! Is this amount out of your reach? Well, guess what! This is exactly the “scary” question you ought to ask yourself! Now, get yourself an expenses book and list out all predicted itemized expenses as you do your research. You will need to determine a budget for absolutely EVERYTHING before you even think about grabbing that spade! As you finalize your preliminary budget, ask yourself once more if this is affordable or way beyond your means. If it is within range of what you expected, then you can look for ways to reduce spending if needed, along the way. For example, when it comes to stocking your completed pond, you may want to cut back by purchasing smaller or less mature Koi specimens as these are often less expensive. Likewise, you may be able to cut back on pond plant expenditure or ornamentation if necessary.

How much room do you have for a Koi Pond?

Now this is almost as important as the “Money” question! You really need to consider not only the size of the pond that you “want” but what your backyard can “accommodate”. Think in terms of what percentage of the yard would be needed for your ultimate pond - this can help put things in perspective. If your yard is big, then this normally won’t be an issue, but, you do still need to think about the “location” within your yard. When considering how much space, think along the lines of “bigger is better” - meaning Koi can grow quite big and realistically require a lot of room to grow. You may also be tempted to buy “one of every color” when it comes to stocking your pond, so there is a risk of over-crowding! Set yourself a limit on the quantity of Koi you will have long-term (either by purchasing more Koi later on or from breeding) and ensure that your pond size will be sufficient to accommodate them.

How many Koi fish do you want to have? It’s fairly well known that fish will only grow to a size that their environment can sustain. They will also grow faster where there is a smaller population of fish as a result of less competition for food and better water quality resulting from less waste.  It is less well known however, that the growth of Koi can be promoted better by an increase in water surface area. In other words, if you think about 2  ponds of equivalent volume, let’s say 10,000 gallons (just about 38,000 litres) but different depths, the deeper pond will not promote growth as well as the other as a consequence of a smaller water surface area. Consider also, that a pond can support a corresponding total weight or “biomass” of fish. For example, in a small pond, the biomass may support either 2 large fish or 20 smaller fish provided that the total weight is the same in either situation, and provided that it does not exceed the final biomass for that pond. A general guideline  when determining how many fish your pond will take is, about 50 to 100 gallons per small koi (under 12”), and 500 to 1000 gallons per large koi (over 24”) in a properly filtered pond. Some experts say that those new to the Koi hobby are advised to build a pond between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons, however, others advise that the ideal pond is more around the 10,000 gallon mark. Ultimately, your pond size will be influenced by cost, location and space, but aim for the biggest you can manage - it’s very difficult to go back and make your pond larger afterward!

How much time are you happy to spend maintaining your Koi Pond?

This question needs to be answered with the same level of honesty and practicality that the question of “Money” was! Think about how much time you “think” you may have to spend upkeeping your Koi Pond and then double it! Is this more time than you’re happy to put in or not? This is another area that should be discussed with your professional koi pond consultant.

Do you have the right location for a Koi Pond?

Just like Real Estate, it’s all about Location! Location! Location! Your Koi Pond needs to be where it can be admired and enjoyed BUT it also wants to be located with the following considerations in mind. To begin with, your pond needs indirect sunlight where possible so that the water temperature doesn’t undergo huge daily variations. Also try not to place it under a tree where it will collect a lot of leaves and other debris - you don’t want to spend any more time than necessary scooping out leaves. Finally, don’t forget to consider building restrictions from your local council or authority and check for underground pipes and cables before you commence.

Are you prepared to learn about Koi and their needs?

Take the time to do your homework. This will minimize the mistakes that are easily made from guesswork, and could save you a great deal of time, money and effort. There are lots of resources available for you to take advantage of. Try talking to Koi enthusiasts or visit Koi fish club meetings.

Can you dig deep enough for a Koi Pond?

Depth is critical to the success of your Koi Pond. Too deep and it becomes impractical to clean, to catch Koi if necessary, and let’s face it, it becomes too costly to build. Too shallow and your Koi might not have enough shelter from would be predators like cats and birds or shelter from the heat of a summer’s day. If you are excited about the prospect of hand feeding your new pets, then think about having a shallow area that you can stand in while feeding them. You will still need to have the remainder of the pond at a minimum depth of at least 3 or 4 feet, but ideally, if you can manage it, 5 or 6 feet is better. If creating a multi-level pond, be careful not to create static areas where the water does not circulate sufficiently, as this provides places for serious diseases to breed and for debris to collect. This can cause major problems with water quality.

What “Extras” do you want with your Koi Pond?

Would you like “Fries” with that? I mean, would you like Fry in your pond? If you’re thinking about breeding Koi somewhere in the future, you will have to ask about this at the same time you are consulting with the professional pond builder. There are various “extras” that may need to be factored in for the purposes of spawning. Likewise, if you are looking at the aesthetics of the pond itself, you may want to investigate the cost of adding a “Waterfall” which can greatly aid in the oxygenation of the water and consequently affect the size of any filtration unit required. Pond plants can also add to the expense - be sure you do your research here as you can’t put in any plants you like - that’s an entire other subject. There are many other materials that need to be factored into the cost of your pond that come under the heading of “necessities” rather than “extras”. These may include but are not limited to such things as a biological filter, pipes, settlement chambers, a de-chlorinator, bird netting, drains, pumps, skimmers, heating, plus more. Again, these should all be discussed with your consultant at the planning stage.

Are you really, really enthusiastic about having your own Koi Pond?

The answer to this one, even after all of the above, should be a resounding “YES”, otherwise, go and buy yourself a goldfish bowl - it will be a lot less expensive with a lot less work, but ultimately, will be a lot less rewarding (no disrespect to goldfish intended!). If the answer is in fact “YES” then great! You have many years ahead to look forward to as your pets grow in size, personality and beauty!

Beautiful Exterior House Painting Ideas

The most important house project that can be done is exterior house painting, and with some exterior house painting ideas you can save a lot of time and effort. The effects of the weather can have devastating consequences on your home, so it is important to obtain tips on how to minimize these effects. There are many different types of surfaces in the exterior of homes and a general knowledge of these is advisable. Due to the uniqueness of each home, some of these exterior house painting ideas may or may not apply in your situation.

Exterior house painting ideas can be used to save you money from the weather and water. Oftentimes, nothing is stopping further damage from occurring than simple paint and caulking. The use of high quality products and materials in the painting of your home is one of the best exterior house painting ideas around. Better quality painting products can add many years to the live of the paint and save you money in the long run. You can minimize the effects of weather damage by utilizing top quality products and by hiring a professional contractor, whose knowledge and on-the-job experience, will lead to lower maintenance and repairs bill in the future. Professionals may have additional practical and useful exterior house painting ideas to offer the home owner.

In most homes, exterior house painting ideas would be applicable in the largest exterior area which is the body. It is usually composed of stucco or siding. Wood siding is extremely common and relatively easy to paint or stain. A lot of homes have wood siding called T-111. The T-111 siding is very hard to keep painted, because of the large number of cracks that develop in the plywood. If you have this particular type of siding and it is currently stained, a good idea is to not paint it, but re-stain it. Masonite is also used often in the exterior of homes. It is an artificial material that is embossed or smooth, wood grained. While it is a stable form of siding, it does require back rolling to avoid water damage in the future. Vinyl and steel siding is a great alternative for the exterior of your home, as it can easily be revitalized. Exterior house painting ideas that also save your home from water damage are helpful suggestions to follow.

An excellent idea for your home is to use stucco as your finish. It rates high in exterior house painting ideas, due to its ease of maintenance and inexpensive costs, as well as its usable lifespan. Painting your stucco finish is an excellent way of changing the color or hiding those unsightly stains of your exterior surfaces. Commercial buildings often use concrete block due to its ability to be stained or painted, and its capacity for achieving many decorative effects. Exterior brick is also often used with a low maintenance finish and the color can last a long time.

Applying exterior house painting ideas to the renovation or upgrading of your home will add true value to your investment. You can put these ideas to use yourself or consult with a professional contractor for an exterior paint job that will be the envy of all your neighbors.

Best of Beautify Your House with Effective Garden Decoration

A garden is the one which beautifies one's house. But there ensues a need to beautify the garden to make it seem more grand and beautiful. Therefore we need some things that would fulfill our wishes.

Thus the wind chimes, bird homes, candle holders come to our rescue.

The wind chimes which have their origin of the Indian wind bells always decorate the garden elegantly and make it seem grand. These wind chimes can be made out of glass, bamboo, shell, stone and porcelain and also from more exotic items ,eg silverware or cookie cutters, may also be recycled to make wind chimes. Chimes produce inharmonic sounds when they move with the air. This significantly calms one's body and mind.

A bird house is a nest box provided for the birds to rest in. This is a straightforward added attraction in a garden. Fundamentally, birds do come to the garden attracted to the calm atmosphere. So this is employed in decorating the garden. The bird houses are sometimes wooden, though some are made of a mixture of wood and concrete, called woodcrete. The birds can be interested in the bird homes by keeping the bird feeders near or on the house and also some fresh water can be supplied near it. It'd be a pleasure to see the birds singing and enjoying themselves which would decorate the garden more.

Candle holders are another feature that beautifies the garden. They help decorating a garden particularly in the dark. Though the electrical lights would do the job perfectly these candles have a normal and decking out glow. There are several varieties of candle holders like the Asian style candle holders, wrought iron candle holders, garden candle holders, moroccon candle holders. Here the Asian type holders can be used in a family garden. This is Crafted with the classic Asian style these unique candle lanterns. Wrought iron was initially employed in the building of structures and because of it's novel look and refinement these are used as candle holders. Wrought iron literally means worked iron, but due to it's beauty and adaptability when heated blacksmiths around the planet started making ornamental pieces to embellish homes and places of business. Garden candle holders can serve 2 purposes by giving the relaxing flickering of a candle at night while decorating the garden by day. Moroccan candle holders are a large part of this historic culture and still remains today as a product that's utilised not only for light except for decoration. These Moroccan candle holders are cheap and can afforded by anyone.

Thus the bird houses and candle holders are the features and tools one can use to beautify a garden.

New Fire Pits Allow You to Enjoy Time with Loved Ones

If you buy something new with an expensive price you will care for it very well because you have worked hard for it but over time you start to not care about it and you find something more valuable if talking about outdoor furniture. These beautiful outdoor center piece has an inherited quality that can add exceptional beauty to your garden and patio into summer retreat and are typically made of weather resistant materials.

Generally, the reasons for creating an outdoor living area are to have a place to relax and to gain additional entertainment space, therefore when selecting furniture for this extended living space, you want to choose a material that requires little or no maintenance.

If you have a garden area then you surely spend a lot of time in your outdoor living area, so the ambience of such area should be well maintained with some decorative furniture that would certainly enhance the beauty of the garden. It would also provide a place for you to sit and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the garden. To enhance the beauty or to make this place a lot more happening and enjoyable, fire pits plays a great role.

These pits have been in existence for a very long time and despite from many technological advancements since the advent of man's use of fire, they have remained a popular item because of their versatility because these big fire holder vessels physically vary from a pit dug into the ground to an elaborate gas burning compilation of stone, brick, and metal, as they are designed to contain a fire and prevent it from spreading.

You never notice that the best memories are often formed by the simplest things and nothing compares with the simple, timeless appeal of fire pits. Whether it is a gathering place for family and friends or a calming outdoor haven at the end of a hectic day and also is a great way to upgrade your backyard or garden, these are built according to an individuals wishes and encompass a wider variety of styles and functions

These fabulous pits are versatile, as they may be set up on the porch, patio, or in the yard and add ambience and entertainment at outdoor parties, it is extremely pleasant to sit out under the stars, chatting with friends by the fire on a summer evening and the heat from the fire has the added benefit of repelling mosquitoes too.

Inspirational Jazz Up Your Kitchen with Trendy Kitchen Bar Stools

Although most people are well aware of the practical use of kitchen bar stools, not many actually consider their aesthetic aspect. Kitchen chairs are, in fact, neat decorative items that can provide extra seating and spice up the decor of your kitchen without taking up lots of space.

Kitchen bar stools blend in well with all kind of kitchen furniture - bistro-style tables, kitchen islands, and high counters. And with the wide variety of styles, designs, colors, and themes of kitchen bar stools available today, it definitely makes sense to choose a couple of them than the plain, old wooden stools.

If your kitchen sports modern décor, try adding a few sleek stools in dark wood, light wood, chrome, or aluminum. Painted bar chairs with comfortable rush seats greatly enhance the appeal of a country-style kitchen. For a themed kitchen, get some modern metal chairs with cut outs that suit the theme.

Choosing Kitchen Bar Stools

It can be a fun experience shopping for bench that will complement your kitchen. However, you must also be practical while making a choice. Understand your needs, and then, choose stools that best meet these needs. For instance, if you plan to spend lots of time eating and chatting at the stools, it is best to go in for stools with wooden seats or ones with heavy, scotch-guarded fabric.

Another fact to consider is the height of the chair. You will obviously be uncomfortable if the stools are too short or too tall. The height of stools generally ranges between 17 to 31 inches. To ensure the right height, pick the bar chair that maintain about 10 to 13 inches between the bottom of the kitchen counter and top of the seat.

There is a simple method to calculate this space difference. First, measure the height from your floor to the base of the counter. When you are shopping for bar stools, measure the height from the floor to the top portion of the seat. Finally, calculate the difference in heights. If the difference is in the 10-13 range, you are looking at the right stools!

If you are still wondering if kitchen benches can actually transform the look of your plain kitchen, then the answer is definitely yes! Regardless of what the décor or theme of your kitchen is, with more styles of kitchen chairs in the market than ever before, you are sure to find the perfect bar stools that will enhance the look of your kitchen, and of course, fetch you plenty of compliments.

Elegant Fountains in Kids' Rooms

You've tried everything- mellow sounds, bedtime stories, white noise generators, and threats even! But you just can't get your kids to go to bed. You are not alone on this problem, parents the world over have to deal with the same thing every night. Not to worry-help is here.

Fountains. Yep, you have read that right. Fountains right inside your children's bedrooms. The sound of running water from your indoor fountain is calming and can easily sooth your child's restlessness. The soothing sound from the fountain can also block out unwanted noise that might wake your child up during the night. During the cold months, where there is low humidity, fountains work as a natural humidifier, thus helping your child feel more comfortable inside his room. Low humidity can dry out your child's skin and his mucous membranes. Also, it feels colder than it actually is when indoor humidity is extremely low. A fountain inside the bedroom will also clean the air as it attracts dust particles.

All that sounds great and I have not yet mentioned the aesthetic value it will add to your child's room. Compared to white noise generators or humidifiers, which are bulky and not pleasant to the eyes, water fountains are not only calming to the eyes but soothing to the eyes as well. Choosing a fountain can be a bonding moment for you and your kid. There are a lot of varieties to choose from. When you think about it, the fun begins with choosing.

Tabletop fountains and wall fountains are highly recommended as they can be placed out of reach of your children. There are fountains with foggers and lights that change colors and they are an instant hit with the kids! There are also fountains that come with nature sounds and that will add to the relaxing mood while the water from your wall or tabletop fountain is running.

Cleaning the fountain can also be an activity that you and your kids can do together. What you and your kids can do is replace the water every 3-4 months or so. You explain to them that this is necessary to prevent the growth of algae and bacteria. Anti-white scale water treatments and algae treatments are available in the market. These are highly effective in preventing the growth of algae and bacteria. These are also safe for your kids and your pets. You would also want to check the water level every two weeks or so to make sure that there is enough water. Fountains. Get one for your kids. You might be surprised at their change of attitude towards bedtime-and more.

Awesome Home Garden Decor with Wrought Iron

Wrought iron garden gates can be majestic, regal, or simple. It all depends upon our budget and style. When considering wrought iron gates for our garden there are many choices to consider. New gates may have unique pattern or they may resemble some historical structure. Wrought iron is a term used to refer to pure iron or metals containing mostly iron. Do you have your heart to set on pure wrought iron gate? Ask about the composition of any gate you're purchasing or review the manufacturer's materials to understand the exact composition. Many steel products are durable and indistinguishable from true wrought iron.

Fire and imagination with the creative hand of man combine to create the wrought iron. For centuries the rustic and fine arts of hand forged and hammered iron has endured man's modernization. The tradition today of hand-forged iron lives on in the small villages. Heavy, durable, and detailed; these wrought iron pieces are designed and made to pass generations. Garden gates made of wrought iron add extra beauty to garden. Wrought iron will last forever if it is primed and painted when rust appears. Wrought iron is a perfect choice of garden decor because of its durability.

A yard and garden is the perfect place to renew, refresh, or relax. Wrought iron home garden decor and features can dramatically enhance the beauties of these areas. The decorative are crafted out in such a way that they add immense charm and elegance to the gardens, also meeting the functionality at its best. An ordinary green area is transformed into a garden paradise with wrought iron garden decor. Wrought iron arches suggest doorways into garden spaces. Decorating a wrought iron arch with living vines, fresh-cut flowers, and strings of lights or nontraditional materials can create a romantic, fragrant or magical welcome.

While evaluating the ideas for home garden arch one have to consider whether we are going to use for some special occasion or to last throughout the year. Abundant red roses winding up around an arch evoke romance. Night-blooming vines such as moonflower provide a fragrant entry to an evening garden. Arches in darker corners of the garden are appropriate for shade-loving climbers such as ivy or for decorating with nonliving materials such as strings of lights and artistic ornamentation.

The look of wrought iron enhances the home and garden area. This has become very popular in the last few years and the look is so unique. Outdoors can be brought indoors and vice versa. Wrought iron garden stone pillar can serve many functions. In a flower garden, they provide support for flowers such as climbing roses, clematis, morning glories and many other plants. In the edible garden, many types of vining fruits and vegetables can be grown on wrought iron stone pillar such as various types of beans. Wrought iron used in home garden adds elegance to the garden.

Elegant Building a Chicken Coop Review - Building Your Own Perfect Chicken Coop

Building a Chicken Coop can often prove to be a challenge. Owning a backyard is a big advantage. A chicken coop will probably be one of the first investments someone would make. Owning a chicken coop means having fresh eggs. Recycling food scraps provides good fertilizers. The eBook that will help the reader to build a nice, attractive coop. It will protect chickens from harmful animals.

1. What Is "Building a Chicken Coop" Guide All About?

Building a Chicken Coop is not very easy but it is worth the effort. It makes economical sense. It is cheaper to make a coop than to buy one. This is a book that can save a lot of money. It easy to follow and it is filled with the experience of many others in poultry and farming. The designs explained in the eBook are easy to follow. There are many diagrams that include the exact needed materials. Also the eBook explains what to do if the chickens get sick. It points how you should feed the chickens.

2. Choosing The Right Chicken Coop Plans.

In Building a Chicken Coop, various plans for different kinds of coop are explained. There are Midsize, Premium and Portable chicken coops. Other things are explained too. Picking the right chickens, extending the coop into something bigger, and taking care of the chickens are important things. If the book proves to be unhelpful, the money will be returned to the buyer. There are bonuses coming with the book. The bonuses consist of 4 additional books, besides build a chicken coop. The books have other tips and ideas related to gardening and managing chickens.

3. Can You Afford The Cost?

It is very easy to get this useful guide. The book costs only 29.95$ , and guaranteed to guide the reader into making a nice coop. It is an online book, so it can be printed. Another advantage is that the guide is downloadable, so it takes almost no time to purchase it and have it. The book will not deteriorate since it is electronic.

Building a Chicken Coop is a must-have book and it represents a good investment.

Unique Designing Flowers at Home

The art of floral arrangement has existed from centuries. However, it still manages to leave an everlasting effect on our minds. The awe-inspiring flowers and their captivating features cast a spell when arranged in the form of a bouquet. With wide varieties of color, texture, shapes and fragrances one can create stunning flower arrangements.

Flower designing and arrangement is an art that can enhance the look of your home to a great extent. A home designed with remarkable flower arrangements speaks highly about the owner and his or her persona. Flowers are a medium to convey the special messages that do not need words to describe and they can only be felt.

Designing flowers can be done at home and you do not need to be highly proficient at flower arrangement. A basic knowledge of color combinations and different types of simple flower vase arrangements is enough to create some stunning pieces of floral arrangements.

For people who like to experiment a little more, you may try harmonizing the color of your rooms and give each arrangement a personalized feel. You can make your own style statement experimenting with different flowers, different colors and different textures every week.

Creativity is one of the primary factors that can augment the look of floral arrangement. So let your creativity do all the talking, and craft a masterpiece out of those magnificent flowers. There are several flower arranging styles that one may follow. Some of the common ones are-

* Bud vases- A flower or a bunch of flowers of your choice can be placed in a bud vase. The flower stems need to be twice the height of the glass vase. An empty bottle with a broad mouth or an empty container can serve the purpose of a glass vase as a substitute to a bud vase.

* Centerpieces and table flower arrangements- Flowers on the dining table add to the beauty of your living room. One thing that is to be kept in mind while arranging flowers for the centerpieces is to make them short to have an unobstructed view across the table.

* Basket arrangements- you may play with creativity while designing this type of arrangement. Baskets are available in all shapes and sizes and you may choose the one that perfectly suits your requirements as well as the occasion. Basket flower arrangements make a great house warming gifts and pleasant surprises to people whom you care.

Contrasting colors for different rooms can liven up the environment of the house and instill happiness and joy all around. Glass vases with your favorite flowers scattered all around in the house refresh the occupants as well as keep the positive vibes flowing into the house.

Designing flowers at special occasion require special care, a perfect blend of creativity and stimulation that highlights the reason for the occasion.

The words penned down by a renowned poet John Keats "a thing of beauty is a joy forever" feel so true with the soothing effect and the amount of joy that these delicate flowers provide.

Elegant Top 5 Decorating Ideas to Enhance a Porch for Maximum Curb Appeal

A front porch can be a place where you spend a lot of time outdoors. There are many design ideas in terms of what you can do with your porch to make it the way you want it. Porches can be used as social gatherings for interaction with people, opportunities to blend with nature, or welcoming displays and opportunities to show off personality. Try these ideas in my top 5 design themes to decorate a porch for maximum curb appeal.

1. Comfort Living: Creating a porch for comfort living means making a porch that you would want to spend lots of time at. Having the right furniture and atmosphere of relaxation is crucial. Rocking chairs and swings are old ideas that you might consider. But you might also consider installing outdoor ceiling fans or new flooring that allows you to walk barefoot comfortably. Comfort living may require a certain amount of space. At times you may see an opportunity to expand or enlarge your front porch to accommodate you.

2. Back to Nature: This theme is one of my favorites. Try incorporating your landscaping with your deck. You can add deck rail planters to your railings and add tall flowers or hanging vines to flow right out of them. Hanging baskets between the columns are a great way to show off flowers in creative ways. Panels of trellis covered in ivy or other climbing foliage can be installed between columns also to create a privacy screen. Simple freestanding planters can be delicately placed in ideal spots to show off plants and flowers where needed or to create a magnificent entrance of curb appeal.

3. Welcome Wagon: This decorating theme is for the individual with lots of creative ideas and personality who want to show them off. Add lots of folk art, trinkets, and hanging decor to your porch. Welcome signs and inviting colors in unexpected places are a great way to create a relaxed and interested mood for the visitor. Lit walkways with landscape lighting can be added. Outdoor shelving and furniture help create an inviting mood by bring the indoors outside and creating opportunities to hold trinkets.

4. Architectural Display: You can rarely go wrong with architectural upgrades. They appeal to everyone and put value back in the house. Try installing new decorative railings that set your porch apart. A new remodel can be used to highlight or add new architectural accents, but even an old porch can get an enhancement. Brackets between columns help highlight the porch. Extending a porches range can also make it a focal point by adding a wrap around section or replacing the posts with new, more decorative columns.

5. Social Haven: How about a porch that is ideal for hanging out with friends and family. If the porch is big enough tables and seating may be in order. Opportunities for eating, reading, or simply playing cards allow for great interaction. Try installing outdoor speakers which can bring music to the forefront. Outdoor lighting for late night gatherings is crucial and can be strategically placed to invite people outside and make the space more functional.

New Add a Touch of Class to Your Patio or Porch with an Outdoor Chandelier

You have a beautiful home that is decorated in antiques or rustic in nature and when it come so the patio, you fall of the wagon and light it up with some cheap camping lights. What are you thinking? There is no reason that you cannot enjoy the same touches outside of your home that you enjoy inside. Get rid of the Walmart lighting and get a nice outdoor chandelier to spruce things up.

People often talk about the fact that you cannot get quality lighting fixtures for the outside. This is an absolute myth as you can probably find the same exact fixtures that you use inside. This means that your décor continues right out the front or back door onto the patio or porch.

Before you get too excited though, make sure you take the time to really check the chandelier that you are going to purchase for the outside. It is extremely important that you check and see that it has all of the features that an outdoor chandelier needs. Thinks like sealed sockets are important because they will be exposed to all kinds of weather.

Speaking of weather, this is another consideration to take a look at when purchasing your outdoor chandelier. Do you see a lot of wind or will the area be exposed to rainfall. There are chandeliers that have inverted fixtures that may just be a better fit as things will not be able to gather in the lamps or damage the lights.

In addition to porches and patios, you can also use this style of lighting in things like gazebos. With all the detail work that often goes into their design, don't you want something more than an exposed light bulb in there to light up the night? It doesn't have to be anything fancy, but even a cheap chandelier will look better than the lighting that often comes with them.

Holiday season is another time to consider outdoor lighting. Remember the days of yore when you walked up onto the porch and saw the pumpkins and witches hanging from the light? Well you can have the same effect by getting decorative shades for your outdoor chandelier. It is a nice touch to have during the holidays and is sure to be a hit with the kids.

A definite style to consider when looking at outdoor chandeliers is the bowl style. This type of chandelier will have a portion if not all of the lights covered. This serves two purposes that are very attractive to outdoor lighting. The first is that it keeps the elements off of the bulbs and the second is that actually tames the light down a little. Remember, you are not trying to light up the whole block, just your little area.

Outdoor chandeliers present a wealth in both choices and styles. Regardless of what you are trying to light up and how you want to do it, there is a chandelier out there that will serve to do so. Stop settling for less and get something that will truly represent the style of your home.

Unique What's in Wicker Patio Sets?

For the perfect addition to your covered porch or sunroom, consider wicker patio sets. But before you hit the store, did you know that there is more than one type of wicker? Actually, there are multiple similar materials that call themselves wicker, each with a slightly different look and characteristics from those of its peers. Get ready to learn something, it's time for Wicker 101.

The term wicker merely refers to the familiar woven pattern consisting of flexible branches, vines, reeds, grasses, etc. but not actually a material itself. The origin of the word is believed to come from the Scandinavian wika meaning to bend and vikker meaning wicker. The actual process of making wicker involves the weaving together or caning of fibers into chairs, tables, baskets, etc. The interlacing patterns are then usually secured to a base framework and voila, wicker patio sets for everyone. The frames themselves are typically constructed out of wood or aluminum.

Willow
Willow is an easily recognizable tree, known for its sloping branches and so-called "weeping" appearance. It grows in temperate regions like Europe and North America. A light, yet durable wood, willow grows rapidly and is flexible because of how well it retains moisture, making it good for the weaving of wicker patio sets. Because of this, it's also long-lasting.

Reed
Reed is one of the oldest materials found in wicker. It dates back to ancient Egyptian handiwork but still can be found today. Reed comprises various swamp grasses woven together with a straw-like texture. Sometimes the term reed also refers to the core of rattan vines. The material was used exclusively on early American wicker furniture.

Bamboo
Found in southeastern Asian, bamboo is an extremely prolific grower that consists of tall tropical grasses. It can thrive in both tropical and temperate climates, and grow up to a few feet per day! There are hundreds of bamboo species but they are all recognizable by their nodular growth and hollow stems. Bamboo is one of the more common wood that makes up wicker furniture.

Rattan
Rattan is the most popular wood when it comes to wicker because of its price and availability. Rattan refers to a grouping of roughly 600 palm trees indigenous to parts of Africa and Asia. The trees are superficially similar to bamboo, but unlike bamboo they have a solid core vine which is perfect for producing wicker patio sets. Rattan is also easy to replenish so it's a cheaper alternative to bamboo.

Cane
Cane refers to the stem of large rattan trees where the palm leaf connects to the stem. During the drying process, it takes on a yellow color. Cane is used particularly in the production of natural wicker and stained pieces of furniture.

Paper
Between 1900 and 1930 there was a type of wicker known as paper fiber. It was made using chemically treated manmade kraft paper fiber. Its original use was to emulate the pricier Victorian rattan. The problem with paper fiber is that it cannot get wet.

Resin
In recent years, synthetic wicker has become popular as an "all-weather" variety that is better for outdoor use than traditional wicker. Synthetic wicker is made from a resin plastic that's waterproof and resistant to warping, rot and infestation.

Best of Safety Tips and Caring for Fire Pits

Fire pits are great when entertaining friends and family during a chilly autumn evening. After all, don't we all have memories of sitting beside the fire and exchanging warm stories while roasting marshmallows? Mine's a little thrilling as well, because my friends and I used to exchange ghost stories! To make these evenings more enjoyable and as safe as possible for many lifelong memories there are a few things that you need to keep in mind before you light a fire. Although to most of us the things mentioned in the list are common knowledge, but you can never be too safe and reminders are always good.

Before you start a fire, know the fire regulations in your town.  Many public places do not allow a fire pit unless they are covered by a spark screen. Also it's important to check for low cut branches, and underground cables. Children should be kept at safe distances away from any fire.
There are better ways to dispose of your garbage. Don't throw garbage in the pit, especially plastic wastes like used soda bottles, plastic bags, and food packaging , as they release harmful fumes, that harm not only your health but also the environment.
If you're thinking of fuelling up your snow mobile or chainsaw, make sure that you are doing so at a safe distance from the fire pit. Sometimes the fumes itself are enough to light a fire. Make sure to keep kerosene filled lanterns and portable camp stoves away from the fire pit.
When you are around your pit, make sure a avoid spraying bug spray on yourself. Aerosols are extremely flammable. Also try to avoid using hair spray or any other kind of aerosol spray.
While it sounds great to enjoy by the fire side after a long day of hunting on camping trips, make sure to keep ammunitions as far as possible.
While it's always fun to watch the color change when you throw chemicals, like borax, Epsom salts, potassium and other chemicals, these chemicals can create toxic fumes that are let out in the environment. The fire pit is not your chemistry lab and don't use it as one.
Fire pits are essentially to be used outdoors. As much as the temptation to start an indoor fire inside your tent, resist it. These fires let out fumes that could be dangerous.
Never leave a fire unattended. It's easy to assume that the fire would have cooled down, just because there are no open flames. Remember to take care that the ashes have cooled down.

Awesome Kitchen Countertop Ideas

In a lot of ways the kitchen is the heart and soul of every home. It’s where you prepare and eat meals with your family and where you entertain guests. The kitchen is also the area of the home that presents the largest array of design choices. From flooring, to light fixtures or faucets—there’s no shortage of choices available to homeowners building their dream kitchen. One of the major decisions facing these homeowners, from a design and functionality perspective, are countertops. Countertops take up large amounts of space in the kitchen and it’s important to make sure the type of countertop you choose is applicable to its environment and the design scheme. Below you’ll find a few popular options.

Stone Countertops

Stone is one of the more sought after materials for kitchen countertops. There are many different types of stone to choose from, all of which have their own unique style and attributes. It can stand up to the heat of hot pans and water but that doesn’t mean it’s impervious. With light maintenance and sealing you can keep them looking brand new. Stone countertops come in various price points and styles but they tend to trend upwards in regards to price.

Laminate Countertops

These countertop types are even more common because of their upside. They’re easy to clean and are very durable. Laminates are also available in a lot of different colors and are easy to fit into an overall design scheme. In regards to price they’re fairly inexpensive and easier to squeeze into budgets.

Glass Countertops

Glass may not be an obvious choice for countertops but when used correctly they can be a stunning and contemporary addition to any home. Glass countertops are also very easy to clean and hygienic since they’re non-porous and stain proof. They can stand up to intense heat and moisture as well. Glass countertops are by no means fragile but they’re also not as durable as other countertop options, so always exercise care around them. Glass countertops can be back painted with glass paint in order to achieve a wide range of alluring colors. If you’re curious of the selection of colors available you can visit this glass paint gallery.

The author of this article has extensive experience with glass paint kitchen fixtures. Examples of his work can be found in his glass paint gallery.

Beautiful the Abc?s of Fish Ponds

When planning to make a fish pond, it would be better if you understand how to take care of one before executing your plans.

If you live in an area where it is freezing cold or where the temperature is usually low, it is good to make a fish pond that is thirty to fifty inches deep. This way, the fish can stay at the bottom of the water weather conditions are not favorable. But the most effective way to keep the fish pond environment warm is to place an electrical device called de-icer that functions as a heater. This is one device that is very useful especially during winter. It keeps the water from the surface of the pond from getting frozen. Another way of keeping the fish pond warm during winter is to provide plastic cover with small holes in it to allow air to enter.

It is a must to get a pond filter to make sure the water is clean enough for fish to survive. There are many pond filters available in the market and you can actually opt to use a solar powered pond filter if you want to cut back on your electricity bill and if you want to save the environment from further harm produced by the burning of fossil. Always keep in mind to regularly check your pond filter. Along with checking it, you should also clean or change the filter as often as needed. It all depends on how big your pond, how many fish there are and the season.

If your pond is situated in a garden or in a place where there are plants and trees, you will be needing a net to keep the leaves, flowers, debris and twigs from falling into the pond.

You also need to know how and what to feed your fish. Remember that their appetite is different from us. Avoid feeding biscuits, rice and bread to your fish. Buy from your local pet shop.

Water pollution is one perpetrator that can cause health complications to fish. Thus, make sure that what you place inside the pond will not cause any pollution. If you have other pets at home like cats and dogs, make sure that they do not throw stuff in the water or urinate in it.
Solar pond fountains can help you save energy cost. For an enchanting look of your fish pond you can add lake fountains.

Lovely a Backyard Fish Pond

Water gardens and backyard ponds are for butterflies,
frogs, birds, fish, you, and the whole family. These
ponds may be small, may even be no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. These may be built in patio
containers and barrels. Drawing wildlife in your
backyard may be done by adding water gardens and
ponds. These will not only provide enjoyment and
interest but also a natural and relaxing environment
as well.

A fish pond in your backyard may become the focal
point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up
with this tips and techniques.

Where You Should Put Up a New Backyard Fish Pond

Place your fish pond in a place where you can best
view it from, whether from a deck or the patio. Make
it coincide with the natural surroundings. Do not
place the pond where the sun can overheat it. Nestle
it in a shaded place but not under the trees.

Landscaping

It is best to slightly elevate the soil surrounding
the pond so that excess water will not enter into it.
Plan the drainage system of the pond, making sure that
it draws the water away from your house.

Landscaping the surroundings around your pond will
provide a natural dwelling place for birds and frogs
that need water and land. Make sure that electricity
is available if you plan to use lights, filters, or a
water re-circulating device.

Do not place the pond under the trees to avoid fallen
leaves into the pond. This technique will also provide
less maintenance to the pond. Expose the pond to
sufficient sunlight only since some aquatic plats grow
well in full sun and others do not.

Using Pond Liners

Pond liners are used to keep water from leaking into
the soil. It is almost always necessary for ponds even
if it they are situated in clay soils. Pond liners
come in different shapes and sizes. They even include
built in waterfalls or any design based on your
preferences. They are durable and convenient.

Consider a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner) in
building larger ponds. In determining the size of the
PVC, you have to know the maximum length, width, and
depth of the pond. After which, multiply the maximum
depth by 3. Add the answer to the width and the
length. Now you have enough PVC to securely hold down
the pond edges.

Pond liners come in different thickness as well. The
thicker the pond liner, the more resistant it is to
punctures. Cement may be considered an optional pool
liner. However, it requires more expertise to install
and it may cost more than the regular plastic pond
liner.

However, considering that many ponds are quite small,
other plastics may be used. It may be cheaper but many
may break down easily once prolonged exposure to
ultraviolet light happens. Some plastics also may
prove to be toxic to fish.

Pond Installation

Time your pond building when the ground is not overly
wet or frozen. Dig the hole according to the right
depth and place (and secure) the pond liner. Then
landscape the pond surroundings. Remove any rocks from
the surrounding area. Add water, plants, and a pump.
Let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants
and fish. Let the plants settle for at least one week
before placing the fish.

Then sit back and enjoy your new awesome backyard fish pond!

To learn more about Evony Medals check out Evony 2 for more great information

Elegant Koi Pond Design - Tips for Successful Pond Piping

With all the things you have to decide on when designing your Koi pond, it is little wonder many owners don't pay much attention to those ugly pipes and valves. Just remember that nothing will work without them and things might not work as you expect if you don't make the right choice when selecting the plumbing components. Plan ahead. Lay out a schematic of all the piping and valves that will be required for the project. This will allow you to see the whole thing at once so you can make critical decisions on the size of various pieces of pipe, the types of valves to be used, whether there will be any sections underground and whether there will be any places under pressure.

With that planning done, what types of piping and valves should you use? Flexible hose is one choice. It is very versatile and available in long lengths. It easily handles curves and corners that your layout will require. The major problem with it is that it won't allow the variety of valves and accessories that most koi ponds require. As a result it is normally only used where rigid piping won't work.

Rigid plastic pipe is the best type to use for Koi pond installations. This will create a durable, efficient and professional looking system. Whatever pipework you choose ,follow these simple tips. Ensure you use the right type and size pipe for the job to be done. For example, make sure you use at least a 4 in. pipe for the pond drain on a gravity-fed system to handle the large waste particles flowing through it.

Next, before gluing solvent-weld connections (always use solvent-weld piping) place the valves and piping in place for a "dry run." Once they're glued they will never come apart. Mark all pieces so you'll know later which pieces go where.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for proper pipe dimensions. Usually the greater the pipe dimension, the less resistance resulting in a lower flow loss. Finally, use plenty of valves so that you can isolate pumps and other devices for easy removal, repair or replacement. The alternative is to cut the piping to remove them - a very expensive and time consuming approach. Always use a slide or ball valve before the filtration system so it can be isolated from the pond for maintenance and cleaning.

These simple steps should make your Koi pond project go a lot faster with better results and less money out of your pocket.

New Turn Your House into a Lovely Home

We all want to live in a fully furnished beautiful place. An abode where we can have peace of mind, spend quality time with the family, and won't be ashamed to welcome our friends and guests. In short, we want our house to be called a home. So we typically improve its appearance by using modern furniture, wall arts, and adding decorations inside and out.

Some of the most fascinating addition to our home are plants and flowers. They not only add beauty to our surroundings but they can also give us fresh air and help save Mother Nature. Today, a backyard garden is no longer necessary just to add a greenery outside our home. Though our gardening giftswill never go to waste because there are already a lot of ways on how we can grow plants inside and out of our homes.

1. Hanging baskets. They can be fascinating decorations on our porch, patio, or any other outdoor spaces. Put cascading plants on hanging baskets and they will definitely make your home more charming and attractive.

2. Window Box. Accentuate your windows with colorful flowers by placing them in a window box. There are different styles of window boxes that you can use to perfectly match the color or design of your house. You may use metal, PVC, fiberglass, or hay rack. Using any of them will definitely add pizazz to your windows.

3. Planter Box. Bring the charm and aroma of your flowers inside your home by placing them in planter box. Even your herbs can be brought in too. With the wide selection of planter boxes today, it will not be hard for you to choose which fits in your interior or exterior decorations at home.

With the variety of gardening ideas today, it is up to your creativity to use them and make your house turn into a beautiful and lovely home. You can look for designs of home decorations using hanging baskets, window boxes, or planter boxes on the internet and follow their patterns. You can even follow the designs of luxurious hotels even if you do not use expensive materials. Just mix and match the various resources that you can afford and you will achieve the beautiful home that you have in mind.

 

Beautiful Organic Home Gardening

In todays Morden lifestyle people dont know how the Vegetables and fruits are grown, some of the fruits and vegetables come for far distant lands Mexico to Africa, where the climate is ideal to have good yielding in the farms, bright sunny days with lots of fresh water allows trees to grow faster and produce high quality of organic produce which we use daily in our life.

Lot of people are cultivating small Vegetable Garden to pick fresh produce grown by hand without using any Morden farm machinery and there is no use of Chemicals and Fertilizers, this type of farming is picking up in Netherlands a lot, people like to grow basic fresh herbs and vegetables which can be used in daily cooking. You can also get tuinlease to cultivate vegetables.

In contrast to colourful flower garden that exists for aesthetic purpose, a vegetable garden typically includes a compost heap of several small plots where you can grow one or two types of plant variety, this family garden concept is from world war II era, where people had small garden at back yards of each home which were called as Victory Garden which provided vegetables to families and freed up resources for the army.

With the increased interest in organic food and sustainable green living, many families are turning to organic vegetable gardening or tuinbeheer as alternative to their family diet, home grown vegetables and fruits uses up little resources compared to modern farming where the farm machinery uses lot of fuel. And the best thing is you save on shipping cost, as you just have to go and pick fresh for daily consumption.

Sustainable living is picking up in several parts of the world, people avoid foods which are shipped from far of countries as the fuel to ship these produces add lot of pollution to our atmosphere, another advantage of home gardening is you dont use any power machinery and you have to do the gardening traditional way using hand tools, this is an exercise which will help you to be fit and healthy. There are also consultants available who help you to setup your home garden and give you advice as well.

Unique Easy Breezy Summer Patio

Create that perfect 'staycation' summer patio the whole family will enjoy! These quick and easy ideas will have you spending more time enjoying your outdoor spaces, less time preparing them and loving every minute of it.

Fast redo for worn out patio furniture. Spray paint it. It's quick and cheap. These days you can buy spray paint for any surface from wood and wicker, to metal and even plastic! Spray several thin coats rather than one thick coat to keep the finish even and free of runs.

Revitalize your furniture cushions without sewing! All you need is fabric and heavy duty tape. You can use any fabric that you have on hand. If it's not outdoor fabric, just bring your cushions in when necessary. Simply wrap your cushions and tape the fabric down on the underside side. Add a splash of color with reversible throw pillows. Use brightly colored cloth napkins or bandannas to sandwich a small pillow form. Tie the fabric in a knot at the four corners.

Designer patio rug for cement patios and wooden decks. This is a great project to get the kids to help with. Use sidewalk chalk to draw any rug size or shape to fits your space. Paint it with outdoor paint. This is a handy way to use up any small bits of leftover paint you may have laying around! Paint a fast color block and consider it done. Or have fun and create any pattern that pleases. Painted fringe adds to the illusion. Small imperfections will make it more believable, so don't worry about making it perfect.

Crazy easy summer foliage. For ultra inexpensive greenery, plant grass seed in your pots or large bowls. Just let it fill in and grow. Simple, charming and no mowing required!

Mood lighting sets the tone! Make your own inexpensive outdoor lanterns with common household items. Line the bottom of glass jars with sand and place a candle inside. For extra color, stain the sand with food coloring before using. Use citronella candles for double duty. Keep it safe and never leave candles unattended. Don't place them on a flammable surface or in a draft.

Charming outdoor spaces are so simple to create. No matter if you have a small balcony or a large backyard, these simple facelifts will brighten it right up. It's time you enjoy your summer patio!

Awesome the Best and Easiest Koi Pond Plants and How to Plant Them

What is the best Koi pond plant? In my opinion, the number one plant for fast growth and powerful water filtration is the water hyacinth. It is a very beautiful  plant that will enhance any water garden as well.

The jumbo's are probably the best ones to get. Many cities in the United States use them to prefilter the waste water in their water treatment plants.

Floating pond plants are the "backbone" of what Koi pond plants are intended for. They filter contaminants out of the water and produce oxygen.

Be careful with them when you first bring them home If you put them in direct sun the first day the leaves have no fluids and the sun will burn the leaves. Once they are acclimated you can place them anywhere you choose. 

All of the floating plants are especially good as Koi pond plants but none have quite as high powered cleansing properties as the water hyacinth.

However,  Koi love to nibble on hyacinth root tips. Always keep some in the top of your waterfall box to replace the ones the koi tear up!

Also, occasionally the hyacinth will get their root masses entangled and it is suggested that you pull the root masses apart to encourage new growth.

Floating plants such as water lettuce, water hyacinths, frog bit, azolla and duckweed do not actually need to be planted. Simply place them in your pond to float.

As with water hyacinth, when you first remove your water lettuce from the bag it is wise to float it in a container of pond water in the shade to rehydrate its leaves before putting out in the hot sun. It has used the moisture stored in its leaves on it's trip home. If it is simple tossed into the pond in the hot sun, the sun will fry the leaves, turning them brown and crispy.

Floating plants are the easiest to plant. Just lay them in the pond! Then shade them for a few days before exposing them to full sun.

If you want to contain them so they don't float into your skimmer you will need to make a floating fence for them. Just take a few sticks and form them into the shape you want and tie the ends together with fishing line. Lay the stick fence into the pond and lay the floaters inside of it. If you anchor the fence it will keep them safely in one place.

You can anchor the fence with a big fish sinker. An old Hula Hoop spray painted flat black, with a large fishing weight anchoring it in place, works very well too.

You can see that the floating water plants are very efficient at creating a healthier pond environment and are extremely easy to plant and care for! That's why I find them to be the best and easiest Koi pond plants.

Awesome Ideas for a Kitchen or Bathroom

Kitchen and bathroom renovation of a house often tops the list if they have more space, or require more memory. These rooms often need some 'work, especially when moving into a house the elderly. Cracked tiles, colors out of fashion, and furniture are overcome any concerns regarding the renovation of the kitchen and bathroom. The good news is that bathrooms and kitchens have not been renovated updates as hard as you might think. Although it will cost you money, you have many options. There areso many products on the market today that will create the magnificent sight of these two rooms.

http://www.lowflowshowerhead.goodarticlesite.com/ideas-for-a-kitchen-or-bathroom/

Quick Fixes Décor:

There are several things you can do both the bathroom and the kitchen to get a rapid change in the view. These quick solutions that can transform the entire appearance of an area very good. In the bathroom and kitchen, you can really paint the look of the room. You can paint a wall in any color and you can even custom color istailored to what you have. If you have a particular color on your towel, take it and have found paint. You can also add special effects such as textures on the walls for a different size. Then think about your affairs. Calendar in both chambers worn and outdated with time. There are many excellent brands of bathroom and kitchen equipment, each as unique as yourself. It 'really not that special abilities of these, and you change if you have never done before one can learn in ashort time. Do not forget the shower in the bathroom did not have. These are resolved quickly and can also transform the look of a time in your shower. Next, look at your handles and hardware on your doors. These are all easy to install and can be just the look of any room. Buy this at your local hardware store or order online custom. Anyway, you're going to love how the look of your room.

Naturallywith all changes made to a bath or shower, expensive changes may occur. These often have to do with the exchange of plumbing, floors and ceilings. If you have drawn in an old house, we love the toilet avocado green or pink counter. This can be changed, but it will certainly take a little 'more time and money to do it.

http://www.lowflowshowerhead.goodarticlesite.com/ideas-for-a-kitchen-or-bathroom/

Awesome Fish in a Smaller Pond; Fewer Customers Means More Sales

What is the number one goal of any salesperson? The quick answer is simply: to maximize the amount of sales revenue for the company or business you represent. Yes, that is THE single biggest objective of any salesperson, and rightfully so. Obviously, sales reps need to bring in the sales to justify their jobs, firstly, and maximize their income.

But HOW do most salespeople go about doing this? Sadly enough, the answer most would give is this: maximizing sales revenue means maximizing the number of customers you have. The more customers, the higher your sales revenue. True? Not exactly. Have you ever considered REDUCING your customer base to bring in sales results that would give you jaw dropping sales figures? Yes, I am saying it here. To maximize your sales potential, look at decreasing your customer base.

Here's how to do it:

1) Review your sales figures at year end. If your sales reports are accurate and provide enough information, it will reveal something to you that will reflect a very old rule, called "Pareto's Principle". You may know it under another term, the 80/20 rule. This means that, in sales terms, 80% of your sales revenue comes from 20% of your customer base. Review your list of customers and contacts to determine who falls into the top 20%. Regarding the rest of them, do what you can to drop them or give them to another member of your sales team. Trust me, before long, you will not need them nor want them.

2) Work at maximizing your relationships with your top customers. You may need to re-think your whole way of doing business with them. Ask yourself these questions: Do I know what my customers value? Do I try to sell before I understand what it is they want or need from me? Have I developed a deep enough relationship with my clients to warrant their trust? Before you ever try selling anything to your clients, make sure you instill a high sense of trust in the relationship first. That will keep your customers FOR LIFE!!

3) With your new customer base in place, you now have the time and energy to focus on bringing the maximum effort to your sales business. The customers will quickly see how you have placed a high priority on their needs, first and foremost. They will see that you have placed them ahead of you and will reward you in ways that you may have thought were not possible. One of my favorite speakers in the field of selling and success, Zig Ziglar, said this about reaching your peak performance. "You can get anything you want in life, if you just help enough other people get what they want."

I realize this may not be what most sales managers want to hear from their salespeople, but I believe that we need to look at our careers and determine that we, as salespeople, try to be everything to all in the never ending quest for the biggest piece of the pie. If we focus on the quality rather than the quantity, we may find that the pie tastes so much sweeter.

Lovely Building Backyard Chicken Coops - Tips to Design a Backyard Chicken Coop

A chicken coop is a shelter place for chickens. It is a safe retreat place where hens lay their eggs. There are different kinds of chicken coop designs and plans available in the market. However, there are certain factors to be considered while building a backyard chicken coop.

Before planning and designing a coop you need to focus on three essential points so that the coop is comfortable for chickens:-

Have 4.5 sq. ft. of space between each chicken
3 nests shared between 8 chickens
9 inches of perch length for each chicken

Once you have decided on this then comes the designing part of your coop. Your design should consider certain important aspects for convenience of hens:-

Conserve
Conservation of your chicken coop means its maintenance. A perfect plan of coop contains a design of easy cleaning of the coop. Keep the floor of the coop slightly sloped towards the main door. This allows maintaining cleanliness and appealing appearance of the coop. When the water is hosed inside the coop, it will run out through the main door.

Ample Ventilation
Your plan of coop should have a design for proper ventilation. Sliding windows maintain proper ventilation inside the coop and allow fresh air to come in.

Ample Lightning
Proper lightning inside the coop do not only act like a light giving source but also as a good heat source. Design your coop in such a way that it provides ample of lightning even during cold days.

Use of Thick Wire Mesh
Plan your coop in such a style that it proves to be a protective house for your chickens. Opt for thick wire mesh fencing so that the hens are protected against becoming a prey.

Besides above mentioned criteria, what you need is an ideal chicken coop plan. Another thing to be considered is about the run out area for hens outside the coop. If you are in search of ideal designs and plans for the coop you need to take help of professional plans and systematic designs so that your chickens feel comfortable inside and lay maximum number of eggs.

Unique Outdoor Playground

The backyard of your own house can make an excellent playground for your children. This will allow your kids to be able to get outside instead of being cooped up in the house all day long. By creating some play equipment, your kids will have the opportunity to get outside and exercise

which will benefit both you and your children?

 

One of the most popular and used play equipment for children is a playground and swing set. These types of playgrounds for the outdoors usually come with swings (as mentioned), monkey bars, a slide, and even a sand pit. This will virtually ensure that your kid won't get bored and will find plenty of things to keep them occupied.

 

In order to assemble one of these playgrounds for your children, you are probably going to need to set aside some time to do it. It won't require much help and shouldn't take too long to assemble assuming you can follow simple instructions and have the basic tools lying around your house. Usually you won't need more than a ratchet set or just a set of pliers to get the job done.

 

You may even be more inclined to buy your kids something simpler, like just a swing set, or just a sand box. These won't cost as much and will be much easier to set up and take less time to do so.

 

Or you may want to go all out and build your kids a playhouse for the backyard. The playhouses are really neat and your kids would be the coolest and most popular kids in the neighborhood. Of course you can get these playhouses that come as one piece and are already set up and put together.

 

You can buy the plans to build a playhouse yourself if you consider yourself skilled mechanically. This would require you to spend more to buy the right materials to get the job done. They also make wood playhouses that are already precut and come in boxes. This would make it a little easier to get the job done.

 

Either way, your kids are going to be happy with having more play equipment in the backyard. Your kids will be happy because they can get out and play and you are going to be much happier because it will get your kids off of your back for awhile. You also won't have to worry about the safety of your kids on a playground as much because they will be in your own backyard.

 

Check the internet for different play equipment capabilities and have your kids with you so you can know what they want. It will make the perfect gift and one that will continue to give for years and years.

For more infromation on Outdoor Playground you can visit http://www.koochieplay.com/

Inspirational Outdoor Shower

Outdoor Showers

Outdoor showers come in many varieties, styles, and price ranges. They are fun to use and make a great addition to many landscapes and vacations. You may wish to purchase a low end pool shower, a high end outdoor shower, or even a solar shower.

Low End

A low end shower is less than a hundred dollars. The water source is your garden hose. You hook it up and it pressurizes the shower. These types of showers are almost always unheated. That is ok because they are mostly used in the hottest parts of the summer.

Some people like the feature of a foot wash. Some of the lower end showers have a separate lower valve to wash off the feet and some do not. This is a nice feature because you will often want to wash your feet before you get in the pool. The shower head can't get enough pressure to wash the feet because it is too far away. 

High End 

The high end showers can cost thousands of dollars. They are often made of stainless steel or chrome. These showers are often heated, as well. They are usually installed right into the pool deck. They are much more difficult to install because you need to run regular plumbing and electrical and/or gas to the shower unit. Most people will need to hire a contractor to install this type of shower. 

Solar Showers

The solar showers are painted black to absorb the sun rays. They are passively solar. That means that the sunlight is absorbed by penetrating the water tank. Solar showers are not typically photovoltaic. A very inexpensive solar shower is a black five gallon bag of water. 

Final Tip

Do you vacation a lot? It's quite convenient and nice to bring your outdoor shower with you. At many remote locations you can hook up your outdoor shower and get the cleanliness you crave. There are even portable outdoor showers that heat up quickly by way of propane. 

Luxury Modern Designs in Home Accessories

Modern designs are not just about decorating a home but they are about infusing a home with the right feel, mood and ambiance. Modern designs will be an intrinsic part of your life, right from the moment you own a home, which family members and friends are sure to visit, until you want to settle in another home. There are several ways to infuse modern designs into a home so that all the components are rendered with creativity and continuity.

Modern Designs In Your Home
Here are some insightful points to consider when you plan to buymodern designs for your home:

Furniture: Modern designs in furniture endow it with an integrated approach vis-à-vis the physical space. Be it sofas, flexible chairs, perfectly shaped tables, or multi cabinet storage units, remember to check for smooth edged sides, fine finish and aesthetic design.

Personal Accessories: Carrying modern designs of personal accessories gives a boost to your confidence. Whether it's a pen, card holder, key ring, picture frame, watch or an umbrella you can get modern designs in anything.

Lighting: Different varieties of modern designs are available in lighting fixtures. There are so many new design styles to suit your lighting purposes like flexible table lamps, colorful pendant lamps and designer floor lamps. Designer LED lightings come highly recommended as these are trendy but most importantly, save power.

Stationary: Clean lines and smooth edges provide a professional look and feel to your stationeries like paper clip holders, office chairs, pens, staplers, tape dispensers and bookmarks. It is also important for the stationary designs to echo continuity through recurring logo, monogram or a graphic pattern.

Knick Knacks: What spices up and endows character to a home's interior? It is design that breathes life into mood, space and character of your home. Home accessories like figurines, utility knives and plants and dried herbs accentuate the feel-good factor in a home.

Bathroom Accessories: Be it to add accents of color in your towels, soaps or lotions, the design element in your bathroom accessories can create a spa-like feel and luxury. Other accessories that can add 'bling' factor in design include toothbrush stands, toilet paper stands, soap dispensers, towel hooks, mirrors, cotton swab and pad holders.

Kitchen Accessories: To give your kitchen an extra 'wow' factor, look for unique designs for every little item. After all, your kitchen represents the heart of your home. Be it to buy napkin

For anything that you want to buy for your home, Emmo Home features the best modern designs which help to create a lasting impression.

Awesome Chicken House Fencing Options

If you're getting ready to build a chicken house, one thing you will want to think about prior to building is the fencing options available to you. If you're just looking to build a smaller mobile chicken house then you may not need a fence at all, but if you're building a medium to large chicken coop, then it's a very good idea.

The primary reason you need a fence around the house is to keep predators out and your chickens safe, but the fence also really helps give your chickens a bit more privacy and finishes off the look of the building.

Here are some things to know about chicken house fences.

Dig Them Low Into The Ground

First, be sure you're building the fence down deep enough into the ground. If you don't, it will be very easy for dogs and certain other types of animals to dig right underneath it and get at your chickens.

Ideally you should go two feet deep if possible, although this may not be an option in some locations.

Consider Wire Fences

Next, also consider using a wire fence over a wooden fence. While a wooden fence may look really nice, it doesn't let in a lot of light, which could impact how comfortable the chickens are in the chicken coop.

The other nice thing about a wire fence is they do tend to be slightly sturdier than wooden fences if a predator does try and get in.

Make Sure It Provides You With Easy Access

While it's of absolute importance that the fence protects your chickens against predators getting in, you also want to make sure you have easy access to get in to the house as well. If the fence makes it hard for you to go in and out, it's going to make cleaning up the chicken house and giving food a big hassle. A good secure door will easily solve this problem.

Build It Far Enough Away From The Coop

Finally, make sure you're building the fence far enough away from the coop. You may want to create a chicken run right outside of the chicken house as well, which will allow your birds to get plenty of exercise when they need it.

Having more distance between the house and the fence will better allow for this, so be sure you don't overlook this point.

Beautiful Designer Fencing "?" How to Match Your Fence to Your House Design

Fencing and design

Architects, landscapers and home designers have been very quick to exploit the design potential of new fencing options like privacy fences, privacy screens, and the top of the range steel fencing which looks so elegant in just about every major home design magazine, on all industry websites and on TV.

This isnt a fad. Its a major quality upgrade in home design and its based on hardnosed commercial assessments. Fences are the most instantly visible part of any external home design, and these very well designed fences are major selling points. They add a lot to the dollar values of homes, as well as the visual values, and the new fences are considered good business.

Thats a hard recommendation to get in the very money- conscious construction and design businesses, where costing is nothing less than meticulous. To be considered high value in these designs is no minor achievement. The fences have been repaying designers with some quite extraordinary design options.

If youve seen some of the very stylish fencing on the big new houses, thats what all this enthusiasm is about- Very high commercial values in design. Compared to the definitely outdated old style fencing, these fences provide massive value.

Timber fencing, which was languishing in design terms, has been reinvented as both a good environmental option and good design. The very efficient new privacy fences are also very much in demand as good all- purpose fencing for any property.

Those are the keys to the design values in fencing- Functionality, design flexibility, and excellent design options. These are exactly the factors that influence architects, landscapers, and the top line home designers. The professionals have effectively developed these fences into important assets for home owners. They add value and drastically improve space management.

Fences and landscaping

The toughest market for fences is perhaps the landscaping market. Professional landscapers are fussy by any standards. They insist on good aesthetic values and good functional designs, which is very much part of their jobs. Theyre also very budget conscious, and they need to see both dollar values and high performance structural elements in their designs.

The new fences are a landscapers dream- Theyre kind to budgets, and theyre designed to work with the most demanding landscaping designs. Most importantly, they deliver high performance and reliability as well as looking great. Some steel fences are designed to look beautiful, and some are designed to blend in with the canopy of trees, bushes, and provide good air circulation for gardens.

Luxury Glass Mosaic Tiles Adding New Thread to Interior Decoration of a House

Every house owner loves to decorate and make the most effective use of the spaces and areas that might look vacant as well as blank with some eye catching decorative items. In such an existing and delicate aspect, glass mosaic tiles have gained immense popularity as a substance perfectly that is perfectly depicted in the art of tiling applications. These home decorative stuffs are also available in wide arrays and stacks of styles and designs that start from iridescent and end in crystal formats. But an individual should look into or put an observation on some of the notable factors that can help him in the cost effective purchase of the same or a marble mosaic tile. Based on the durability and compatibility of these tiles, an individual should pick the location for their installation. Also according to the budgets he or she should compromise with the quality of these decorative pieces that raises the value of the place on which they are placed.

A marble mosaic tile is usually found in the areas like kitchen, bathroom, swimming pool of a house to enhance the look and appearance of the place on which it is fixed. Generally these household decorative stuffs are water-resistant and durable for interior decorating purposes based on their capacities. An individual can use glass mosaic tiles not only to decorate a wall of a room but also to floor a wide area inside and outside of his house. Some of creative and innovative home owners employ these tiles to cover the blemishes and scratches of walls as a beautiful facade, thereby offering an exotic and attractive look to the entire room.

In this modern era even many individuals care to make use of these glass mosaic tiles for religious rather than the general notion of implementing them as elements of decoration for interiors of a room or in architectures. This is because these tiles not only add aesthetic look but the colored shades can be made to add a pious value to places of worship even. In such a facet, the application of a marble mosaic tile is not been put out of glimpse for adding grace and appealing value by an interior designer to his creations.

Inspirational Ideas for Remodeling

It should not surprise you that when considering ideas for remodeling the first thing I will mention is having a plan. For any remodeling project to be completed successfully and on time is if it's planned correctly. You need to know how much work you want to undertake and get an estimate of how much it will cost you.

There is nothing as frustrating as looking at an incomplete remodeling job. You must consider every detail of the work you want to do. From the various colors that you want right up to the materials that you will use. You need to decide whether you are going to do the work yourself or whether you will get a contractor to do the job. Most people consider remodeling without first settling all these things and they cause problems as work progresses.

One thing I can tell you on ideas for remodeling is that it does not always mean buying new appliances all the time. There are some appliances that can be refurnished and be given a new look. Just look at the ones you intend to replace it might be possible to keep them and have them looking new anyway.

If money is a big consideration in your case you do not necessarily have to make radical changes to your kitchen or house. Two simple exercises will have the place looking completely different. You can apply a new coat of paint to the place; either using a new color or the previous one. You can also change the floor tiles. Just by changing these two things your place will look remarkably different.

To add further to the ideas for remodeling you could consider changing the light fittings as well to give the place a different look. You can get more comprehensive ideas by doing further research or checking out some re-done places.

Awesome Beach House Decor

Most people love the beach, which is probably one of the reasons why beach house decor is so popular. Whenever you decorate your house in this manner, you will see significant results, as this type of look can completely change the way that your house is perceived. Many different things can be added to your house to achieve this look, so make sure that you take the time to explore all of the beach art that is available. Decorating your home does not have to become a chore when you have these types of items from which to choose. You can be creative or have a look completely designed for you, depending on how you feel about the home decoration process.

The home renovation process scares off many people, as they cannot see the big picture. These individuals tend to look at how much work everything will take to be done, rather than breaking things down piece-by-piece and looking at the gradual results. By breaking things down into smaller tasks, you will begin to see results almost immediately, which will help with the process as a whole. One of these tasks, of course, could be to fill your home with beach house decor, as this will change the look of the interior of your house significantly and will allow immediate results to be shown.

Once you have an idea of the beach art that you want to include in your home, you can begin with the next stage of the decoration process. The beach house decor that you choose can be implemented immediately and those who see it will certainly enjoy what you have done. Make sure that you ask around whenever you see something that you like, as many businesses will have this beach art present. Once you have located the exact items that you want, you can begin purchasing them. Keep in mind that you may have to visit a number of different locations before you can come up with the exact look that you want, but it will all be worth it in the end.

The main reason why you would purchase beach decor is to make your home look better, without having to spend too much money. This furniture and beach art can usually be found for great prices and it will create a relaxing atmosphere in your home. The coastal look that you will achieve is something that every visitor will notice and most will appreciate thoroughly. Many people will put shells and things of that ilk around their homes when they go for this look, so make sure that you explore those items if that is what you are looking to do.

You might even find some beach themed paintings in your search, which will add to your beach house decor greatly. These paintings can usually be found for low prices, especially if you purchase them from an unknown local artist. Many online retailers now sell this beach art as well, so it has never been easier to go with this look inside your home.

Unique Online Home Design in a Flash

With the right program, even the complete layman can make great home design schematics. Until now, designing a home was considered too difficult for anyone but a skilled architect to do. With today's technology, software exists that will let you craft your home and render it into a 3D image to see how it turns out.

There's a small learning curve to these applications, and they can even be a blast to use once you learn the basics. These software programs are the best bet for that amateur home designer that wants to build a custom home for their family. You'll have the freedom to play around until you have an aesthetically pleasing and sound design for your house. You are limited only to your imagination, as these applications allow you to play around and find which of your ideas work with the 3D rendering.

If you'd like to do this but don't know where to start, take a day off and browse around at the designs of homes comparable to your price range and taste. You'll have a better notion of your likes and dislikes by checking out these homes that are up for sale near you. Make sure you can look at a variety of home styles, so you can have the largest frame of reference in which to base your designs.

Home design magazines are also a great source of inspiration for budding homebuilders. Bookstores and libraries have plenty of these magazines, where you can even look at interior designing and actual floor plans for real homes, to have the best idea of what you're looking for. With this and your visual browsing of the open houses, you'll have enough inspiration to get started on your dream house in the 3D home design programs.

There are a number of things out there for the amateur renovator who wants to add on to their home, or even the budding architect who wants to build his own house. With some basic computer skills and the right attitude, you'll have a blast learning how to use these programs, which won't take long, as you'll find the intuitive nature of these programs to be quite surprising. It won't cost you much, but the rewards in creating your own home design that's perfect for you are priceless.

Inspirational Five Things to Consider for Your Front Porch and Entryway Home Improvement Project

When you set down to consider your next home improvement project, why not choose a project that will instantly give your home a facelift? While technically speaking, every home improvement project stands to improve your home's value, not every improvement increases the home's value enough to make the costs worth the effort. However, some projects not only give you greater gains to your property value but also provide more visible benefit. The two are not always the same.

 

With a new front porch and entryway into your home, you can combine the benefits of visible improvement with a large benefit to your property value. While home improvement projects rarely offer large net gains to your value, there are a few that certainly do. If done right, a front porch and entryway home improvement project can increase your overall home value. Of course, it will give you that facelift you're looking for as well. Here are a few things to keep in mind when considering this project.

 

First, the front porch and entryway are the first things a visitor, and potential future homebuyer, will probably notice about your home. It's where the eyes naturally go when you first look at a home. You don't have to do a whole lot to give your home a fresh, new look.

 

Second, the front porch can be your refuge and place of relaxation. It can be the place where you watch your neighbors walk your dog, where you read your morning paper with a coffee in hand, or where you rest in between your yard work on Saturday afternoons. When you think about it that way, perhaps you are willing to give some extra effort and comfort to your front porch.

 

Third, you must plan ahead and shop wisely since a front porch and entryway renovation project can become pricey. Be aware of extremely costly materials but don't go for the inferior products either. Look for special deals.

 

Fourth, if you extend the roofline with a front porch extension, be sure to match the roofing with the rest of the home. Home improvement projects can all too often look disjointed and awkward. Since they are usually done at different times over the years of owning your home, this should not come as any surprise. However, with planning and an eye for detail, you can make the entire home work as a cohesive unit despite the various projects and timelines being represented.

 

Fifth, top off the project with a new front door. It can get expensive here, so beware. A new front door is the icing on the cake to any exterior home improvement or renovation project, as it will immediately spruce up your home's appearance.

 

Keep these five things in mind when turning your attention to a front porch and entryway home renovation project. You are about to witness a dramatic change to your home's exterior; one that does not have to give you a dramatic price tag. Shop wisely and make a plan. Communicate with the free experts at your local home improvement store and ask for recommendations and referrals from friends and family.

Elegant Turn Your Porch into a Sunroom for Year-round Use

Everyone enjoys an open porch in warm weather. It provides an extra space in the open air that is unmatched my patios or decks. It shades you from the sun and protects you from the rain. Some porches have a hanging swing or a hammock for maximum relaxation. But when the weather turns cold, an open-air porch can lose all its appeal and doesn't get much use until the weather warms up again. Enclosing your porch and turning it into a sunroom is a compelling option for porch-enthusiasts who want to add square footage to their house and enjoy the many benefits of a porch all year round.

Because much of the porch structure is already in place, turning it into a sunroom is a pretty uncomplicated project. Most of the time, depending on your specific porch, all that is required are installing some windows, adding insulation and possibly providing some extra heat - either through your home's existing furnace or adding a wood or gas fireplace. For maximum energy efficiency, use double-pane, low-e, tempered window glass.

A sunroom is ideal for entertaining guests, relaxing and adding to the resale value of your home. They can be a variety of styles and designs, including sloped roofs, gable roofs, solarium-style curved glass roofs and Victorian-style conservatories with glass or polycarbonate roofs. A sunroom addition can add more light to a home that might not have a lot of southern exposure. The extra ambient light can make a smaller home appear larger.

Adding a sunroom costs less than a conventional household addition, and can be built where local building codes and zoning ordinances restrict backyard additions. Because of the financial and usage benefits, sunrooms are a popular amenity requested by potential homebuyers. Homes with an appropriately designed sunroom are likely to sell faster and for more money than those without. Usually, a sunroom addition is not considered to be a square footage addition to your home. Check the local ordinances to be sure.

Sunrooms give a sensation of being outdoors while providing indoor comforts. They can be the perfect place for a hot tub, an exercising / recreation room, a child's play room, a home office, or a peaceful, relaxing spot to unwind with a good book. Many sunroom owners plant bushes and flowers around their enclosure to enjoy nature from the comfort and protection of their sunroom.

Create a sunroom that will add to the architectural beauty of your home. It can save you money on your energy bills, create extra space, increase the overall value of your house, add striking natural light to your home, and bring you closer to the environment and surroundings in which your family lives.

Best of Painless Ideas for a Creepy House Halloween Night Decoration Options

Haunted houses, bats, spirits and goblins everywhere! Halloween is an enjoyable time of year for young children and grown ups alike. Do you want some ideas for decorating your house for all hallows eve? Try these simple and fun and economical Halloween decor ideas.

Entryway: The entryway to your house is the first impression people get of your residence. All too often we forget about how much impact this can have when decorating for the seasons.

Halloween Display. Make the most of it by creating a simple display of Halloween statuary set on a small table covered with a black or orange tablecloth. The 4 to six inch collectible figurines are affordable enough to even use outdoors if you have enough room for a compact table by your door. Indoors, you can go with this same strategy, even adding scary lights and garlands readily available at dollar and discount stores.

Animated Items. Animated Halloween figures can add immediate festivity to a dull entry table. These objects can move, have sound, and some are even motion activated. A smart way to make your entry one to remember! With growing popularity, these items are now showing up in dollar and discount stores.

Living Room/Family Room: To dress up the rooms where your family spends the most time, use most of your Halloween decor ideas in these rooms.

Figurine Display. Use your mantle, a wall shelf, of even your coffee table to show an assortment of inexpensive Halloween figurines. Mantles are normally ignored until Christmas, but fireplaces are a great staging area for many seasonal displays.

Halloween Window Curtain Tie-Backs. To add a creepy hint to your room, add a garland of skeleton heads as tie-backs to your drapes. These garlands are available at most dollar stores and one garland can be cut into two pieces to use on a pair of curtains, you can use another garland across the top for a little added Halloween fun.

Outside: Only the Christmas season surpasses Halloween when it comes to outside decorations. Be the talk of the neighborhood with decorations that outdo the expected jack-o-lanterns.

Gravestones. Transform your yard into a graveyard with tombstones made from low-cost foam board and just a little paint. Thinner than the ones you are able to buy in shops, you could individualize these for your family (rather morbid), your favorite horror film characters, or with amusing inscriptions.

Animated Objects. Add just a little of the surprising with animated Halloween items in close proximity to your entry way. These items can move or talk, but keep in mind that smaller children are frequently scared by these. Since gaining popularity in the past few years, these things are relatively low-cost and readily available on the web and in most stores throughout the Halloween period.

Window Dressings. Turn your windows into Halloween hallmarks with simple black poster board and just a little ingenuity. Cut out designs of bats, ghouls, and other Halloween figures (jack-o-lantern carving kits have outstanding templates) from a full sheet of poster board. Tape the sheet over the inside of your windows, when you turn your lighting on inside, they illuminate the cut out to show your scary works of art to people going by.

These tips will help you get started off on your Halloween decorating, get your creative juices flowing and find out what spooky things you are able to design.