Dress Up Your Space With Light

Finding new ways to add a little pizzazz to your home can be daunting for some. My usual word on that front has been paint; but if have just painted, new lighting is another spectacular way to add that next level of excitement your home.

You will see on the market every type of chandelier from very fancy and expensive to more modest styles; one that will suit your space is just waiting for you to select it.

With lighting, you can step out of your comfort zone a little and not make a terrible mistake as long as you keep scale in mind. Add together the dimensions of your room, and that sum will give you a good idea of the diameter of the light fixture you should be looking for. Of course there are many things to keep in mind when deciding the size of your light fixture.

The size of your table when at rest is the number you should be considering for an everyday chandelier; when the table is fully extended for special occasions, you can add candles for additional light and ambience. Set the fixture 30 inches to 34 inches above the table top for most ceilings, a bit higher if you have excessively high ceilings. Having dimmers on your dining room chandelier is always a good idea.

Pendant lights over an island are ideal; giving you good task lighting as well as being a focal point for your island or peninsula. A lighting fixture is a great way to add an accent color to the room, as well as a focal point in your kitchen. The addition of recessed lighting over your island or peninsula can be helpful and dimmers here will enhance the use of the space, because sometimes you just need a little more or less light.

I like to see variety in decorating. I often suggest using a modern light fixture in a traditional or country setting to create a happy surprise for you and your guests. The same is true in the reverse: try a funky fixture in a typically modern setting; it helps give your space an extra layer of interest.

The bathroom is another area of the home that can use a lift with lighting. If you have a small powder room, you can make it noteworthy by bringing in some interesting color and décor elements and set it all off with a spectacular chandelier. Powder rooms don't usually have much in the way of upper cabinets, so you don't have to worry about doors opening and interfering with a hanging light fixture. Since it is not your main bathroom, you don't need to be as concerned with the quality of light; it's more about setting a fun mood.

For your master bathroom, again, you can have a combination of recessed lighting as well as wall sconces or a chandelier-- whatever the décor will support. Keep in mind that you will want good lighting for make-up application and shaving. If you hang a chandelier, be sure that it will not interfere with medicine cabinet or linen closet doors or with privacy.

Add a Modern Wall Fireplace to Every Room of Your Home

Unlike a traditional wood-burning fire that requires a chimney and proper ventilation, a modern wall fireplace that is fueled by bio ethanol, gel or electricity can be mounted in any room of your home. In fact, since they do not compromise air quality at all or require any special ventilation, you can safely add one to every single room in your home. Just imagine what your guests will say about your home when they are greeted by a dancing flame in every room.

    Entryway - Few people actually set out on a mission to buy a modern fireplace for the entryway of their home, but really, this is the perfect place to showcase one. Why not allow your guests to feel instantly welcome the second that they walk through the door? There is something just magical about walking through the door, and seeing a dancing flame right away. You instantly feel welcome.
    Living Room - Most people who buy bio fireplaces, do so for their living room. Even a plain room will instantly echo of sophistication with the presence of one of these pieces of art mounted on the wall. They create a strong focal point, and in all fairness, this is likely the room that you spend the most time in, so it should be relaxing and inviting.
    Bedroom - This is the second most popular room that people buy bio fireplaces for. If you are like many others, you probably relax in bed before calling it a night and going to sleep. Many people watch television in here rather than the living room. Plus, this is the best place to curl up with a good book. You may as well enjoy a modern wall fireplace while you are relaxing, especially since the fire can easily be put out when you are ready to go to bed.
    Dining Room - Whether you have an actual dining room or simply a dining area in your kitchen, this is the perfect place for a modern wall fireplace. You do not have to leave it lit long. Just light it while you eat, even if you are alone!
    Finished Basement - Do you have a finished basement that you use as a bar, game room or media room? This is the perfect space to buy bio fireplaces for. Basements are always damp anyway, so in addition to adding ambiance to the space, the fireplace will provide warmth too.

Why Sandstone Is A Popular Material For Landscaping

The homeowners today tend to love sandstone as a material for use around the home, so it is no wonder that it has slowly worked its way into the hearts of those whose landscaping is their pride and joy. Not only is sandstone a highly durable material that will be able to withstand the elements and the test of time much better than other popular materials (such as concrete and bricks), it is also highly attractive. So, what else has made it a popular choice for modern day landscaping?

There are actually a number of reasons that sandstone is one of the more preferred materials for landscaping applications, including:

    It is fireproof. When creating a barbeque or fire pit, sandstone is certainly your best choice when you want to ensure that the framing isn't damaged. It is also a great choice for bushfire prone areas, as it can offer a little protection.

    It is weather resistant. Over time, many materials are known to crack and crumble due to exposure to the elements (especially rain, hail and snow). Sandstone, on the other hand, will be able to withstand this sort of weathering with no problems.

    It is versatile. There are endless possibilities when it comes to using sandstone as a part of your landscaping. You could use it for patios, pathways, flowerbeds, driveways, water features, pool surrounds, wall cladding, fire pits and so on.

    It is readily available. These days, it is possible to purchase sandstone in a number of forms, including: blocks, tiles, bricks and solid slabs. For landscaping applications, blocks and bricks tend to be the more popular options, with slabs rarely used.

    It is low maintenance. Many homeowners prefer the use of sandstone in their landscaping projects simply for the reason that it is relatively low maintenance. They do not need to be painted for protection, for example; all they need is an appropriate sealer.

    It is colourful. Finally, sandstone is available in a wide range of colours - including black, grey, white, brown, red pink and yellow - ensuring that it will match whatever theme or décor you have chosen. There are also varying shades of these colours available.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons why homeowners should consider the use of sandstone in their next landscaping project. Whether you are interested in adding a single element to your property (such as a patio or a pathway to the clothesline) or whether you are planning or redoing the whole thing, sandstone will surely be one of the best choices you can make. Not only will this ensure that your landscaping looks fantastic, it will also be long lasting.

Types of Modern Ventless Fireplaces

If you are like most others, when you start shopping for modern ventless fireplaces you will likely be pretty surprised at the selection. Few people are prepared to be faced with so many options, which in return require an awful lot of decisions. Having a general idea of what you are looking for will help to make the shopping process significantly easier.

Choose a Fuel Source

The last thing you want to do is buy a wall fireplace, only to discover that it is not really the fuel source you had in mind. Some people don't realize there are a few different fuel sources, so they get so wrapped up in shopping specifically for wall, floor or tabletop varieties that they don't pay attention to whether they will need electricity, gel or biofuel to power it.

    Electric - You really can't go wrong with electric fireplaces. They are inexpensive to operate, maintenance-free and many let you turn the heat off to simply enjoy the flame, if you choose. The only thing that you need to consider is that if you are shopping to buy a wall fireplace for a particular wall, you need to make sure it has an electrical outlet.
    Gel - This is a very popular fuel source for those shopping for modern ventless fireplaces. Gel is derived from alcohol, which is a clean-burning fuel source. With these fireplaces, you simply need to add cans of gel, and then replace them when they are empty.
    Biofuel - Like gel, biofuel modern ventless fireplaces are also environmentally friendly. Biofuel comes from sustainable crops. It also burns clean, and does not create any smoke or emit any toxins. You pour in the biofuel, and you enjoy your fire. There is never any mess to clean.

Style

Once you choose your fuel source, then you will be able to focus on the style you want. Modern ventless fireplaces are available as wall, floor or tabletop varieties, however those specifically looking for something contemporary tend to buy a wall fireplace.

    Wall - All you need to enjoy one of these fireplaces is a little wall space. Therefore, even a small room with no available floor space can still accommodate one. These can be placed in any size room, from a bathroom to a large loft apartment.
    Floor - If you have a little floor space available, why not put it to good use with a fireplace? There are even some that squeeze in a corner or double as an entertainment center.
    Tabletop - Why settle for candles when you can have a stunning piece of art that provides a warm dancing flame? These can be scattered around the home, and most are portable, so they can be enjoyed on your patio, and then brought back in when you come inside.

Are Ventless Fireplaces For the Home Just for Show?

Some people find it pretty crazy that others spend money on ventless fireplaces for the home when they could light a few dozen candles to create the same ambiance. Well, what these people don't realize is that when you shop wall fireplace options, you are not only getting ambiance; you are actually receiving warmth too. Now, the amount of warmth you get will depend on the size of the fireplace and how much fuel it holds, but there are some that will make a room quite toasty.

Why Isn't There Any Smoke?

You will quickly find that when you shop wall fireplace selections, there are a few different fuel sources to choose from. You can pick gel, biofuel or electric, all of which require no venting because they create no smoke. When smoke isn't created, oxygen levels are not diminished, which means that ventless fireplaces for the home can be put anywhere, even small rooms or finished basements.

Now, it is easy to assume that these styles won't offer much heat, but they do. Gel fireplaces burn fuel that is alcohol-derived. The flame gets extremely hot and can often produce as much as 9,000 BTUs of heat per hour, with each can lasting up to 3 hours. Some styles hold as many as six cans, which gives you a good idea of just how warm they can be.

When this alcohol-derived fuel burns, it turns into water droplets, so it can actually help to combat dry air in a space. The best part is that it does this without leaching oxygen from the room or emitting any toxics. Gel is mess-free, so you get toasty fire that you don't have to clean up after.

Biofuel ventless fireplaces for the home are very similar. They also do not emit toxins or compromise oxygen levels or air quality, however biofuel is derived from sustainable crops. This makes it another environmentally friendly option that offers a ton of heat.

Lastly, you have electric fireplaces. Although they don't offer the real flame of gel and biofuel varieties, they do provide a substantial amount of heat. So much so that you may find you are able to turn your thermostat down a few degrees while you have it on. Yet surprisingly, they barely affect your energy bill.

If you are like many others who have hesitated shopping for ventless fireplaces for the home because you assumed they are only for show, you should be thrilled to know what they are really capable of. Show wall fireplace collections for every room in your home.