http://www.hackerreview.com/ Articles at HackerReview.com en-us http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-do-it-yourself-guide-to-laying-a-flagstone-patio.html http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/a-do-it-yourself-guide-to-laying-a-flagstone-patio.html Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:06 +0100 Building a Flagstone Patio can add beauty, charm and often increase the resale value of a home. The homeowner can accomplish this addition to the home with the correct materials, tools and a little physical labor.

Her is the list of things to be done before actual construction of the Flagstone Patio

•    Decide the type and size of patio you are making and calculate the amount of stone required accordingly.
•    Gather all the tools needed for its construction. A basic list includes, sand, chipping hammer, pick, and shovel, ruler, rubber mallet, string line, level, broom, concrete, and AB3 sand and gravel.
•    Make sure your safety apparatus is in place. You should have the following items; back brace, gloves and goggles.

Tips for laying a flagstone patio:

Since the shape of a flagstone is irregular, laying a flagstone patio is like putting a puzzle together. The thickest, widest pieces will give you the most stability.

Laying flagstone patios in sand, as opposed to mortar or concrete, known as "dry construction,"  is easier for do-it-yourselfers than wet construction. Not having to worry about finishing your stone placement before a layer of mortar hardens makes for a good carefree project.

However, wet construction is more "permanent." Stone laid in sand will have to be re-adjusted over the years. As settling occurs you will have to add sand, to keep the desired level. If you don't mind tinkering with a project after it's "done," this shouldn't present a problem.

The instructions above assume a location away from the house. If you choose to lay a flagstone patio up against a house, ensure that the surface slopes slightly away from the house, for drainage purposes. The last thing you want is to end up with water in your basement! Though less of a concern with dry construction than with wet construction, I still recommend being on the safe side here. Especially, if you live in a region where heavy snows will be resting up against the house in winter.

It's nice to have a helper for laying flagstone patios, especially large ones. That way, one person guides the screed on one side, and the other on the opposite side.

If your yard is wet, or you'd simply prefer a better foundation, you may want some additional drainage under your flagstone patio. To achieve this, simply excavate deeper at the beginning of the project. Then apply a layer of crushed stone before shoveling in any sand. Another improvement you can contemplate is purchasing stones with a thickness greater than 2". You'll pay more, and they're heavier, but they're also more durable. Adjust your excavating measurements accordingly.

]]> http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/seating-buying-guide.html http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/seating-buying-guide.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:11:27 +0000 Modern seating arrangement is all about a great symphony of functionality and comfort. You need chairs for almost every imaginable important work, at home and in office. This buying guide will direct you with different aspects of seating furniture to help you find the best one for your office, and home.

We have separated this article into home and office seating arrangements. Just like people come in all sizes and heights, chairs are designed to fit most body contours to provide optimum comfort. From moderate to heavy use, you need to figure out the amount of time you spend on the chair before you decide on buying one.

Heavy Users : For people who need to work for long hours on the computer, you may like to invest in a good chair to avoid stressing your back and neck. You get contemporary chairs with ergonomic designs that allow tilt mechanism and foot rest to allow you to keep changing the posture for optimum comfort. It is important that your back is well supported and your thighs form a right angle with the floor. Also, you must take a break and do a few neck and shoulder exercises every once in a while.

Moderate Users : There are many modern designs for executives and managers and people who use chairs on moderate basis. You must consider a desk chair with a good head rest and knee-tilt mechanism. There are many ergonomically sound designs and material that allow complete comfort while your mind is on race with work.

For home seating arrangement, you can choose from traditional designs and material like wood to more modern and ergonomic versions of comfort. Seating can be segregated as per a room, starting with the living area; you have modern sofas and chairs that offer multifunctional use.

Sofas : Sofas, futon beds and convertibles are great for utility. With furniture gaining momentum along with changing lifestyles, you don’t want to lose out on the new face of modish furniture that helps you save space and add utility by many folds. The material can range from luxurious leather to natural and synthetic yarn and micro-fiber to allow breathability.

Bar stools : Allow yourself the comfort of ergonomically designed bar stools that come in different sizes and material to fulfill your desire, fit your pocket and suit almost any taste and theme. Now you can find great bar and counter stools for almost any space. The combo includes wood and metal, with many different styles and finishes to choose from. Depending on the design you choose, a metal stool can give your bar a sleek, contemporary look, or bring a classic, wrought iron design into your home.

Dining chairs : Dining chairs are the soul of any dining area and also important family furniture. Events like Easter and Thanksgiving bestow dining rooms with special meaning. Apart from the arm chairs and end chairs used at traditional rectangular dining tables, there are several other chair designs that go with modern lifestyle. The rectangular tables have come to be replaced with more modern shapes that consume less space like oval, round and square shaped tables. To match it up, you get chairs in as many fancy materials as the table design right from polypropylene, fiber and plastic, to traditional wood, steel and other material. Comfort should be the prime concern while rounding up on a design.

Folding Chairs : Just like the name suggest, folding chairs are simply great for transitory seating arrangement. They can be easily folded away and stored when not in use. Ideal for gardens and patios, you can match them up with folding tables. Depending upon the usage, you can choose from a variety of material like wood, plastic and metal.

Recliners : Recliners are the best things to have around your entertainment area. Inbuilt with a great reclining mechanism, they greatly enhance your TV viewing experience, especially sport events. You get recliners in different material, though the favorite is leather for its lavish smooth feel and appeal. The key consideration when picking a recliner is where it will be placed and making sure when reclined it has clearance so it won't hit a wall.

]]> http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/how-to-choose-the-best-cribs-and-crib-beddings.html http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/how-to-choose-the-best-cribs-and-crib-beddings.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:04:22 +0000 Having a tot in your home is truly the most amazing feeling in the world. Of course, now that there is a little one you will have to think all about cribs. And this, of course, must be done before the little one arrives! Cribs and crib bedding and sheets and pillows – all these and more are stuff to think about before Mr. Stork makes a delivery your way. Do not fret, however, because even if there is a wide array of cribs out there your life will certainly be easier if you only have to choose from the best of the best. What you really should remember is that in a baby’s nursery, cribs and crib bedding are very crucial and important pieces.

This makes the baby’s sleeping hours relaxing and cozy, so you want to choose the best one. There are big cribs stores that sell many different kinds of crib bedding and cribs, so you are lucky to choose one to your liking. These contemporary cribs are carefully designed keeping in mind top quality craftsmanship along with style and the ever-important functional value. When you choose the best cribs and the equally perfect set of crib bedding, your baby will have a blissful time in lala land, curled up in the comfort of his very own nest. One great pick for cribs would be a crib sleeper.

This is the latest range in stylish cribs and also affordable furniture. It comes with an adjustable mattress so you can probably fit most kinds of crib bedding into it – even those that were given as gifts from well-meaning aunties and uncles. And the best part about this crib is that it comes with a conversion kit. This conversion kit will help you adjust the entire furniture so that it can still work well for your child even up to his toddler years – turning the crib into a great toddler daybed! This certainly is the best style and value for your little one. There are fixed side rails to this crib for better security and safety, so your little one will not end up rolling off the crib and onto the floor.
Furthermore, there is enough space to accommodate even a standard mattress and corresponding crib bedding. It is made of top quality solid wood and also wood veneers. The varnish that was used on this particular piece is non-toxic, thus ensuring the safety of your child’s breathing. There are many different kinds of furniture that you will need to consider for your precious little baby’s first ever nursery, but this particular piece is the most important one.

Once you select the baby bedding of your choice, you will then be able to focus your attention on the other pieces that make up the entire room. This is because you know that you were able to successfully and triumphantly accomplish the most challenging task of all, which is choosing the place where the baby will sleep. As soon as you get this, you might end up with a problem-solving equipment for many years to come and for many other children that you might wish to bear later in life.

]]> http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/green-furniture.html http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/green-furniture.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:01:24 +0000 Murmur ‘furniture’ and it opens up your imagination with vivid pictures of retro and modern furniture in sundry materials. Wood, fabric, steel, glass and processed material like Methacrylate, high-density fiber—the most common being wood—accepted world over for its natural charms. There are options to meet the fancy and demands, and the choices are good for you, for me, good for everyone. Let’s say the world needs trees—they help with the natural balance. They hold the soil together, they cool up the planet surface and they help with the food chain.

We have been debating over using wood from sustainable harvested forests, sustainably harvested tree farms, and reclaimed wood being the main sources. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and its largest forest certifier, the Rainforest Alliance, is the most widely used standard for sustainable forestry. Relating to the theme, I found a couple of designs that appealed for the right reasons…

The Baltic coffee table rocks for its antique features and green theme. Crafted with harvested Solid Wood-Durian Timber, it goes well with the light hearted and conventional buff alike…the ring-shaped handles on the drawers look great, and the low-slung design demands attention….

Then we have the Tua Glass Doors Media Stand—a unique combo of utility & bygone charms—the furniture retains antique looks in modern form. Intelligent furniture….

Turning away from antique looks, lets focus on contemporary green furniture….the Loft media center, for instance. Designed diligently to store and display, it carries elements of sound architecture to make flawless furniture. Also deserves a mention is the Loft Modern Dining Table with its watertight features that add a contemporary touch to the overalls..

Furniture made with reclaimed materials

A stitch in time saves nine. Wood, as precious as it is, if taken care of, can last for a long time. Remember the legendary wood furniture tales passed on by grannies as it being preserved since long time. I think there is great substance in preserving wood. Why shouldn’t we make good use of all the wood that’s already out there? It’s the right way and many designers are doing a wonderful job out of reclaimed wood.

Reclaimed wood is the wood that usually is retrieved from old furniture, houses and other wooden articles, as also from left over sraps in a factory. Some stuff even comes from the bottom of the riverbed, wooden logs that sink to the bottom while being transported to the sawmill, and even from the bottom of the man-made reservoirs. Either way, furniture made from reclaimed wood is a great example of resource efficiency, but usually comes in shorter supply. The Rainforest Alliance has a Rediscovered Wood Certification label to look for.

Spacify line of AZCAST collection is committed to crafting furniture out of reclaimed material, crafting attractive and useful furniture and goods that are ultimately recyclable themselves; indeed, when an unfinished product is rejected, it is simply recast and used again.

Most of its designs are worth mentioning…the 5-Star Glass Dining Table, for instance. Made from aluminum used in aircraft parts (among other sources) is hand-poured into casts to produce the desired moldings. The clean minimal design hits a cord with furniture buffs as each piece is hand-molded, hand-poured, and hand-finished.

Bamboo—great grass for furniture!

Bamboo is a highly aesthetic grass used to decorate, build and landscape. It represents a family of grasses that range in size from a blade, growing up to many feet, and varying in color from jade green to maroon stripes. It grows incredibly fast and is highly versatile. As a matter of fact, it is the favorite with environmental designers and builders.

The beauty of bamboo lies in its flexibility. It can be flattened into flooring, shaped into furniture, compressed into veneers, sliced up to make window blinds. To get to extremes, you can even build a whole house out of it. Using bamboo in buildings earns architects and builders LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs) points. Most organic bamboo is grown in China, sometimes grown with few or at best, no pesticides. Because it grows fast, it is much easier to maintain a healthy bamboo forests. This also means it uses a lot of water, however, and harvesting too fast can deplete soil fertility. But for the most part, bamboo is one of the greenest materials around.

In line with the concept, I recently came across Spacify’s Legare furniture and makes it here for all eco-friendly reasons. Made with Birch-plywood, it is worth noting that producing plywood yields 8-10 times more usable wood from a log as against solid lumber. Plywood furniture has greater potential to outlast solid wood furniture. And the energy utilized in converting wood from a raw material to a finished product is minuscule as compared to any other industrial material. Some examples….

The Dante Straight Desk made from 13-ply Baltic Birch Plywood is an FSC-certified 60” desk offering generous room for storage & study. A stupendous test carried out at Entela Labs showed that the furniture managed to load an incredible 2000 pounds (one ton) of shot bags and weights on Legare’s Corner Desk with no structural damage!

Plywood furniture has been around for a little over 100 years and its manufacturing techniques have been explored by a handful of designers including Aalto, Eames, Danko, and Pfeiffer. The Enrico straight desk goes on to prove just why. The modular design allows you to lock multiple units together to form a single, rigid workspace. The assembly is easy—without screws and bolts.

The Bice Peninsula adds that extra bit of deep handy desk space and is great for two-way meetings. The 31" Peninsula adds approx 31" of deep, end-cap width to an existing desk. The asymmetric panels are reversible, allowing left/right-hand unit to be attached to either side any desk or to an extension.

The Zita Modern Media Stand is a modular design flaunting four 8-high bays for audio/video components. The top can hold Plasmas/LCDs up to 50 cm in size. For surround sound systems, the center divider is recessed to allow a small center-channel speaker to be ideally placed under the TV and it has storage for more than 120 DVDs or 170 CDs on its four outer shelves.


Recyclable and disassemblable

The world would look so much better, and us, we would feel a little more at ease with green furniture speaking the universal language of eco-friendliness. The concept gains popularity for its equanimity and practicality, FSC certified furniture rings for its obvious implications on mother earth. Means products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organization established to develop guidelines and certification processes for ecologically sustainable forestry.

Some examples of these products would be ones that can be easily disassembled, arranged, and recycled once they have lived their lives. Concrete furniture is out of fashion, in this context, and it means furniture that can’t be separated, may not be very inspiring. If it can’t be easily disassembled it’s probably a sign it can’t be repaired easily.

For obvious reasons, we need to take a close look at the recyclable furniture we wish to buy. Is it robust, easy to assemble & most important—is it certified? Spacify’s Legare collection looks smart and I would like to highlight a few models…

The norms being set, I like the Lucia Designer Extension Desk for its easy looks, easy assembly, practicality and robustness. Made with 3-Ply Baltic Birch Plywood, the Panels are asymmetric and reversible and the Bridges are designed to pull two desks together to make larger workspaces for two or more users. And yes, its really easy to get together….

Lia Office Corner Desk deserves a mention too. The corner desk is available in two dimensions; and holds it there; Entela Labs showed that the furniture managed to load an incredible 2000 pounds (one ton) of shot bags and weights with no structural damage! Adjustable shelving holds up to three 12" shelves and three 24" shelves. Great design….less fuss…its FSCfied as well…

Low-toxicity furniture

Have you ever noticed new furniture or car with its peculiar odor—it’s what they call off gassing, emanation of volatile matter of any kind from materials into habitable areas. It’s not relatively new; when you buy a piece of furniture and set it down, it tends to off gas which is all right if the materials used are non-synthetic. Some synthetic materials are toxic and can be linked to birth defects, and even cancer.

If your house is well insulated, toxins tend to circulate in the air and can be harmful. If you have children around and even pets that lick as a habit, it can be dangerous. One good idea while buying furniture is to check for ‘‘Green guard certification’’. It will ensure that you bring home low-toxicity furniture.

Also, try to explore naturally treated furniture with natural wood finishes, or biologically tanned leather and organic cotton. Here are some fine examples of green grade furniture,
Lectern Table Mobile Base is indoor air quality Certified® by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute under the GREENGUARD Standard for Low Emitting Products. The metal mobile Base is a well-structured creation while top is made of smooth wood and is noteworthy for its unusual shape and fine edge all around. Meets or exceeds ANSI/BIFMA standards soft edge options protects the user (as well as the furniture) from damage.

Team Table X-Base with metal pedestal and wood veneers top makes a style statement, made available in four Surface/Edge colors. It is designed to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards; soft edge options protect the user (as well as the furniture) from damage. Wood fiber core and veneer surface are 100% post-industrial recycle content.

Jack Solo Office Table is right for tight spaces. The standard design with black modesty panel is intuitive to use and comes with four braking casters for mobility and control. The ADA compatible design has Single activation lever for flip-flop motion located under work surface. ]]> http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/decor-and-furniture-ideas-for-bathrooms.html http://www.hackerreview.com/home-and-family/home-improvement/decor-and-furniture-ideas-for-bathrooms.html Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:54:42 +0000 Bathrooms are no longer lonely entities used to brush teeth and for everyday routine. Not long back interior designers and home decor enthusiasts started paying attention to interior trends in bathrooms, to details like fine bathroom vanities, cabinets, faucets and sinks and arty bathroom mirrors and a fine lighting job. Some of us even started using antique furniture as vanities against the otherwise modern bath gadgets and bath décor as an interesting contrast to a theme. Now the trend is serious and more people like to think of bath furniture as standard pieces of furniture like rest of the home.

Bath decor takes account of many fine aspects like wall colors, tiling,lighting, vanities and other accessories. To begin with wall-paint and tiles, whites have been in romance with our walls, especially in the West.

Maybe it is the feeling of cleanliness that the stark white or paper white, as they call it that made it popular, and is still a favorite, though the shades have mellowed more towards yellow-white or blue-white. In vogue since the early 20th century, the white-on-white bathroom continues to be in fashion even today.

As to the trend and practicality, agreed that white offers immense potential for colored accents such as shower curtains, wall art, backsplash, vanity, faucets, sinks where you could play on contrasts. It still is difficult to match up a décor against paper white, maybe owing to its starkness. Neutral tones are the easiest bet to match up other items. If bolder wall colors appeal, think in terms of ten years down the line, would the color and tiling still appeal to you. If it is what you are absolutely sure of, go for it. For others, the safest bet is neutral tones, and you could always change other accessories when you renovate.

On bathroom vanities, there is a complete segment catering to a range of modern vanities fitted with all amenities one can imagine to be built-in for a deluxe bath appeal. A wooden vanity like the Simple freestanding unit is an ideal model for suave, big and undersized baths. Today the spaces are comparatively larger and the concept of vanity has grown into the essence of bath area. For beginners, it makes sense to measure the area and estimate the number of gadgets and bits and pieces you plan to install, like a tub that consumes space, or shower cubicle and others tit buts and later plan a reasonably sized vanity, but remember to have some space around, a cluttered bath with amenities may not be the best thing to have.

The next important factor is faucets and sinks. Installations may be a simple matter of logistics, but the right placement, material and finish is where the twist lies. Prior to 1930’s, nickel-plated brass faucets were used. Later, solid brass electroplated with chromium was use as a standard and is still in vogue. You get faucets in brushed nickel, brushed chrome that do not leave water spots or fingerprints as easily as some of the polished finishes. Though it’s the integrated look that makes its impression, a great faucet can help in pitching on the style speech. Shapes play a role too, a spectacular one like the Arch Standing can look great with a deep vessel sink like the Dip Porcelain or the Quattro Stainless Steel.

Well-lit mirrors are great space enhancers. They also make an essential bath accessory—practical and artistic. The shape of a mirror can help you personalize a space. Pay attention to the lighting, for a glaring or poorly lit mirror can pose as a drawback to an bathroom. The size again depends on the area you have on hands, try to compliment the mirror with rest of the theme, especially the sink and faucet shape. Sometimes a contrasting mirror can do wonders to the way a bathroom looks, a mirror like Ira Oval can be used in fashioning a contemporary bath space.

Shaping a bath space can be a creative and satisfying experience especially when you picture the final outcome. There are many modern furniture outlets online displaying the latest in furniture trends, offering reasonable discount to its online customers. These stores are slowly gaining popularity owing to its convenience, affordability, and range of choice and ease of mind.

]]>