» Home Care

How to Clean Blinds & Curtains

qwcdirect — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 09:00:12 +0000

To make sure that your beautiful upholstery stays that way, learn some simple tricks to clean the blinds and curtains at your place. Using a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment or a duster is the best way to clean your blinds. However, you should be careful not to do so roughly but with a light touch. You can also clean each slat individually with vinegar. In case you have wooden blinds in your house, take care not to over saturate them with water or cleaning agent. Cleaning the blinds on a regular basis will save you from rigorous blind cleaning sessions that take up most of your day.

To maintain clean curtains, you should clean them fortnightly to avoid dirt and dust from settling in the pores of its fabric. Regular cleaning will also protect them from sun-rotting. Following the washing instructions for your curtain is a must. Get them dry-cleaned if so instructed. If washing them at home, rub some soap and soak them in warm water before tossing them in a washing machine

Freestanding Fire Pits

qwcdirect — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:00:50 +0000

Those with a nice little patio in their homes are always looking for unique decorating ideas to give an edge to their outdoor living space. If you too have been browsing the net or turning the pages of a home décor magazine, we have the answer right here for you – free standing fire pits. These not only look wonderful but are also helpful in creating a great ambience for a get together.

Whether you are a homebody who likes spending time with family or a party animal who loves entertaining guests at home, a free standing fire pit with low seating around it is a perfect place to spend quality time. Just imagine sitting by the flickering flames of a fire pit on a winter evening either alone or with your loved ones. The magic of this moment can never be compared to sitting huddled in front of a mono directional heater.

Barn wood Furniture

qwcdirect — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:00:10 +0000

No piece of furniture better symbolizes the lifestyle of rustic America than barn wood furniture. Their use is apt for replicating the feel of 19th century farm life in your dining and living room. You can go for barn wood furniture made of pine, oak or cedar planks that have been reclaimed from old barns. You can also bring more than just a piece of barn wood furniture into your house by buying dining tables or coffee tables made out of recycled barn doors.

Using pieces of barn wood furniture such as chests or tables and chairs in a room is a good way to add a country feel to a room. These are best for tree houses as they give the feel of being closer to nature and are eco friendly as well as most barn wood furniture available in the market today have been made by recycling dissembled barns.

Bring Along a Pool Builder Checklist

qwcdirect — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:00:06 +0000

Everyone fancies living in a sprawling estate surrounded by vast expanses of manicured lawns with a sparkling blue water swimming pool in the backyard. While the sprawling estate and manicured lawns part of this fancy might remain a dream for some, you can surely get an in ground swimming pool built in your back yard. However, while hiring a pool contractor make sure that you get more than one bid. In fact, two to three bids is ideal to select from. Make sure that your pool builder is licensed and has experience in this field. Do not be shy to ask for references.

It is important to ensure that there is no confusion regarding details such as total cost for the job, delivery schedule and the materials that will be used. Do not forget to ask for incentives from your pool builder. A pool filter or cover or vacuum are provided by many of them to get business.

Use Themes to Produce a Stunning Bathroom

qwcdirect — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:00:32 +0000

The bathroom in a house is more than just a place to clean up. It is a place where you spend the most amount of time with yourself. It is also a place where you can rejuvenate your mind and body by taking a cool shower or a warm bubble bath. The best way to jazz up your bathroom is by using a theme to decorate the same.

For instance, if you love the combination of sun and sand, you can use a beach theme to decorate your bathroom. You can achieve this by painting your bathroom in golden sandy and light blue colors and putting a few seashells on the window sill to support the theme.

Similarly, you can use other theme ideas such as a nautical theme, a garden theme or a butterfly theme. Following a rainforest theme is also a good way to recreate the ambience of a natural spring in your bathroom.

Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Look Bigger

qwcdirect — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:00:18 +0000

Those living in big cities are aware of the constraints of space in a high rise apartment. Usually, the bathrooms in most match box apartments are small. However, by using a few decorating tips you can make your small bathroom both look and feel larger. While the use of mirrors is one of the oldest tricks in the book to enhance the dimensions of a space, you can also play with colors and lights to accomplish the same.

Using light colors and bright lights can create the effect of a larger bathroom. Pastel or neutral color palettes should also be followed in accessories and towels. Another way to open up a bathroom is by allowing more natural light to enter the bathroom. Having skylights and big windows are the way to go about it. You can also save floor space in your bathroom by using wall mounted sinks and storage cabins.

Your Guide On Finding The Perfect Porch Furniture

qwcdirect — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:00:42 +0000

Finding the perfect porch furniture is not an easy job. However, with some help from the experts you can be bang on. Making a purchase on fly will only result in wasted money. The size of the patio furniture should be apt for your garden. Big patio furniture in a small garden looks out of place and same is true vice versa.

The next question that you need to ask yourself while going to shop for patio furniture is how do you plan to use the furniture and what material is best suited for the purpose? The answer to these questions will help you narrow down your choice of patio furniture.

You can opt for wrought iron patio furniture or wicker furniture for use in your garden. If you plan to use this furniture in the pool side, it is best to buy plastic or stainless steel patio furniture that is water resistant and easy to maintain.

What To Keep In Mind When Searching Dining Tables

qwcdirect — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:01:17 +0000

Choosing the right dining table for your house can be quite an unnerving decision. It is very important that you select the right size, shape and style of dining table for your house as a wrong choice will throw off the balance of your dining room. There are certain things that you need to keep in mind while searching dining tables. As a dining table is one of the more expensive pieces of furniture in the house that is likely to stay in your home for a decade or more, do not make any hasty decisions.

It is best to opt for a versatile style of dining table that can endure various changes in home décor style over the years. Even if you are choosing a small dining table, make sure that it is at least 36 inches in diameter. A round dining table is best for smaller families, while those who entertain larger groups at home should buy a rectangular dining table.

The Basics Of How To Wallpaper Stairwells

qwcdirect — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:00:19 +0000

Wallpapered stairwells bring out the beauty of any room in a dynamic manner and especially if the right colors are used in the process. The most important thing to adhere to when conducting the process is observation of safety by using safe ladders and equipment. On top of this, you should not conduct the process alone as it can be cumbersome due to the lengths of the wall.

To get accurate measurements of the wall, you are supposed to use a vertical plumb line to get the readings and ensure that they are accurate. You should always make sure to start off with the longest lengths and after each application, you butt the ends neatly. There will be some creasing and cutting involved and as such, you ought to have some scissors and only the point of it can be used to cut the paper off.

The last part to cover should be the head wall and the wallpaper here should be overlapped by half an inch.

Help For Grubby Carpets

qwcdirect — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:29:06 +0000

Cleaning carpets can at times be a tedious process but one that cannot be avoided. Regardless of where one resides, one way or another, the carpet is bound to attract dust and this is mainly due to the fluffy nature of the carpets.

There are some individuals who prefer to hire cleaning services to clean out the carpets while there are others who might prefer to carry out the process individually. Regardless of the category you fall in, the utmost thing to remember is that the carpet has to be maintained in a clean state for health reasons.

There are several tips you can use to maintain them in good shape and these include; removing shoes before entering the room, vacuuming frequently, hiring a cleaning service if the carpet is large, cleaning it with minimum soapy water and brushing the dust off frequently among others.

However, if you are looking for perfection, always make sure that you hire professional services to maintain your grubby carpet in good condition.