toll-free (915) 491-7353Home Decor
- Showrooms For high-tech TV
- Designing a Home Theater
- Tips for Decorating Your Living Room
- Making Your Kitchen Work for You
- 10 Steps to a Happy Clothes Closet
- Candles To Set a Mood in Your Home
- Make Your Copper Pots Shine
- Carpet Squares Make Redesigning a Cinch
- Turntable transforms songs of yore into digital treasures
- High-quality home theater systems are available in a wide price range, from about $3,000 up to six-figures. The cost may include the installation fee, depending on the equipment
- A home theater begins with a television set with a 25-inch or larger screen and an audio-video receiver, surround sound capability and at least four speakers. It also includes hi-fi/stereo videocassette recorder or laser disc player for movies.
- Ninety percent of home-theater owners buy their equipment over a period of about 18 months.
- High-end home theater systems can feature projection screens, acoustical panels, special theater seating and soundproofing materials. Systems can cost as much as $25,000 or more.
- First look at what you have.
- Determine the weakest link and upgrade form that point.
- A custom installer can advise you on replacements and upgrades.
- Consider where the system will be situated and parameters of space.
- Consider television size. Viewing distance should be three or four times the screen size.
- Make sure lighting is appropriate. A front-projection television set will not be visible in a well-lighted room.
- First, sprinkle a thick layer of common table salt onto the copper
- Next, use a spray bottle to apply a small amount of vinegar. The copper will brighten before your eyes.
By Maria Cortés Gonzalez
It's every movie fan’s dream theater: A cozy room with pristine floors untarnished by pink bubble gum goo. A surround sound that make you shudder with each pouncing step of a Tyrannosaurus in any dinosaur flick. And s sharp digital screen that projects every last drop of seat on the brow of the toughest movie cop.
What’s more, a quick push of a button will freeze the frame — so you can satisfy the urge for a refreshing drink. Sounds good; just don’t expect this special treatment at any area movie house.
You can, however, sit in the comfort of your home for this wave of sophisticated theater systems. With more expendable income in two-working-parent homes and digital technological advances, more Americans are spending family time connected to a magnificent home theater or multimedia room.
At the home of Richard and Corina Aguilar, a media room was planned on since the initial designs of the Upper Valley residence.
“We had seen them in California and Scottsdale, Arizona, and in magazines — and just knew we wanted it,” said Richard Aguilar of the home theater, which includes the projection screen and eight plush recliners.
The experience of watching a movie at the Aguilar’s is almost elevated to an art form.
“We have the THX sound which is what Tinseltown and so forth has, so it’s like a true theater,” Aguilar said.
Home theater households are quickly becoming the trend, expanding from 13 million in 1996 to 14.8 million in 1997, according to the Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association. The sales of home theater speaker units alone jumped 15 percent in 1996.
“Convenience is driving a big part of this (trend). People are able to experience the home theater when they want, where they want it and with whom they want,” said Amy Hill, staff director of communications for the association, in Arlington, Virginia. “And the accessories are being produced in every price range; you can spend from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.”
The luxurious theater system may still be an innovative idea but the reason for its appeal is not. “Families have always watched movies, and turned on the stereo — that’s been kind of a centerpiece for families. The home theater just offers something for everyone,” Hill said.
In most cases, homeowners already have the initial basics for a home theater — a large screen television and a pair of speakers. “It really doesn’t need to cost a lot of money,” she said. “You can just add as you go along, maybe a hi-fi VCR or a DVD (digital versatile disc) player. Later on you can add a center speaker or a subwoofer and that’s to feel the bass, such as the thumping sounds of dinosaurs walking.”
According to the association, 13.5 million households have home theater systems, which consist of a combination of a television with a screen of 25 inches or larger, a laser disc player or hi-fi/stereo videocassette recorder, and audio/video receiver and four or more speakers.
Designers who specialize in home theaters have taken the sensational experience even further. Forget television. Think automated projection screens that zoom into place, often spanning as much as 12 feet wide.
Then picture lush seats that envelope the body and offer your head a place to rest. A remote control at your fingertips helps you dim the lights, completing the movie-theater atmosphere.
“We design systems to the customers’ needs. They can even have a popcorn machine,” said Rony Reckelbus, owner of Soundquest Inc., which designs home theater systems from about $3,000 to higher-end designs, which can include installation, depending on the equipment. Reckelbus said families typically convert their garage into a home theater or knock down a bedroom wall to incorporate a theater into a larger room. The typical bedroom is almost too small,” he said. “We have had other (clients) use a basement that was not used for anything.”
Bill Seabrook, owner of Borderland Home Theaters, which concentrates on designing and installing high-end models, is certain the trend will continue.
“It’s almost bigger than life. You can see such details as bead of seat, wrinkles and the different coloration in (people’s) eyes,” he said. “Once you crate an environment like that, it really draws you into the movie.”
Here are some facts about home-theater systems:
Designers will provide a personal consultation to tailor the system to a client’s needs and budget. They will work to make the system blend with existing home décor.
Tips for creating a home theater:
Tips for Decorating Your Living Room
In the home, the living area, or the receiving room, is one of the busiest rooms. It's also the room guests initially see and form a lasting impression about the home. Hence, the living area should be well decorated, well laid out and inviting to guests and family members. It should project a homey, comfortable yet elegant image.
The Greeks were inspired by lofty ideals of beauty. And these same ideals can be imitated and applied to create and decorate an elegant home, an elegant living area in particular. With a combination of imagination, good taste, statues and lamps, any living area can be transformed into one that exudes elegance and coziness at the same time.
There are several ways you can decorate your living area to create an inviting place and cause a lasting impression to your guests:
REARRANGING FURNITURE. Your lifestyle or taste determines what the focal point of your living area is. If you have a fireplace, you can rearrange your furniture around it. Or if you have a piano, and this is the focal point of your living area, your furniture could be set around it.
When rearranging your furniture, also consider traffic in your living area. Does the arrangement of your furniture allow free movement and flow? Does it give an uncluttered look?
It is always good to arrange furniture in off-square angles. This makes the room warmer and more casual. And instead of placing large sofas directly against the wall, why not place it a foot or so away from the wall and put a lamp or plant behind it instead?
COLORS TO CREATE WARMTH. Colors have psychological effects on people and their moods. When applied in your living area, colors can intimidate, invite or irritate. Decorating using colors is also an inexpensive way of decorating because it only involves painting or papering walls.
You want your living area to be warm and inviting, and one of the warmest and most relaxing colors is green. Green has several shades and it's one of the most flexible colors around. But whatever color you pick for the color of your walls, make your carpets and furniture coordinated.
MIRRORS FOR SPACE AND DEPTH. Create space and depth for your small living area by positioning a mirror on a wall. Your mirror should reflect something pleasing to the eyes. If you have more wall space, try adding small painting on either side of the mirror.
ADDING SMALL FURNITURE. To create a ‘lived-in’ aura for your living area, position small furniture pieces in the room. This can be a small bench, or a low sofa table. Place magazines, journals and newspapers under the table. Placing flower vases, baskets and small plants on your table also creates beauty and livens up the room.
STATUES FOR ELEGANCE. Corners and tabletops are good places for small statues. Statues, especially marble ones, provide aesthetic quality to your living area. The statues at Portara portray the Greeks of ancient times -- symbols, deities, objects associated with everyday life. The Greeks used marble for sculptures for its strength, durability and beauty. Portara continues this Greek tradition by creating long-lasting and genuine statues and capturing the beauty of the Early Cycladic Civilization in its reproductions. Elegant yet down-to-earth, these statues lend warmth to any living area.
UNIQUE LAMPS. Alternative to statues are lamps. Place them in a corner or a tabletop and they can accentuate your living area. Second to color, light creates moods and sets the tone of your living area. Portara's lamps are not your ordinary lamps. They are unique lamps -- created from polished minerals and stones. These minerals and stones can emit light after exposure to daylight or the light from normal light bulbs. When the chemicals in minerals or rocks react to light, this reaction causes the minerals or rocks to glow. The visible light emitted is sometimes very colorful and it is often very different from the normal color of the mineral. These unique Portara lamps will accent your living area.
Decorating your home, particularly your living area, allows you to combine creativity, elegance and good taste. Make good use of space, accessories and furniture available to you so you can create a living area that is inviting, relaxing, homey and elegant.
Making Your Kitchen Work for You
By Barbara Schmidt
The kitchen often becomes a family hub, the heart of the home for daily activity and entertaining. For this reason, the design of a kitchen space should address how the room is used on a daily basis. Identifying how you like to cook, eat and entertain are important steps in creating an efficient kitchen space.
Whether you are building from the floor plan up or simply reorganizing, kitchen tools and space planning have the most powerful impact on a kitchen's effectiveness.
The Kitchen Pro
Ask any chef and they'll tell you that cooking with the right equipment makes all the difference in the world. While a full kitchen overhaul can be costly, here are a few innovative ideas that blend functionality and fashion* Mix and match. It is perfectly acceptable to equip your kitchen with appliances you like, one by one. Most culinary experts do not choose an entire matching set of appliances from one manufacturer. Instead look at individual appliance features and stick to easy-to-match finishes like black, white and stainless.
Stainless steel fixtures and appliances are in vogue for good reason -- they work with any color palette and many are built for standard sizes so they are easily retrofitted to your space.
Streamline food preparation and cleanup with specialized fixtures. American Standard's new Culinary Collection offers coordinating kitchen sinks, faucets and accessories that work extra hard. For example, the remote access drain feature allows you to drain the basin without sticking your hand into dirty dishwater. The line also features non-slip cutting boards and metal dish racks sized to fit snugly over the sink surface.
If frozen dinners come flying out of the freezer door every time you open it, consider adding refrigeration or freezer drawers in your kitchen work island. These products are specifically designed to keep certain items, such as produce, at the exact temperature and humidity to stay their freshest. These compact units can add as much as 30 to 40 percent more refrigeration and freezer space to a kitchen.
Conquering Space
Gadgets and small appliances can be very handy but tend to gobble up space. Consider these tips to manage clutter so that nothing interferes with your culinary projects. What's good for your wardrobe is good for your kitchen -- donate items that you have duplicates of or that you no longer use and replace them with sleek versions of must-have kitchen elements. Sinks with integrated accessories, like the Culinary sink and its integrated drain board and colander, are more efficient, stylish and eliminate kitchen clutter.
Create more counter space by adding a small center island or rolling cart. Look for a cart that is decorative but also offers storage space below the work surface.
Trade in your kitchen table for a bar-style counter and stools. Not only will this free up floor space to add more cabinets or extend counters, it will also prompt you to use your formal dining room more often for family meals.
Annex space from another room to create a walk-in pantry. This is one of the most popular features for homebuyers. It allows for storage of bulk food items and large appliances like chafing dishes that are used infrequently.
Get creative to better utilize deep cupboards and organize drawers. Lazy Susan rotating trays and stackable spice racks are just the tip of the iceberg -- install shelves that pull out for easy access items in the back. Also, fit a horizontal knife block next to your flatware caddy to protect your fingers and the life of the blades.
10 Steps to a Happy Clothes Closet
By Maria Gracia
Tips for clearing the clutter in your closet and getting your closet organized.
The clothes closet is one of the least respected areas in the house. It's often stuffed from floor to ceiling with clothing, briefcases, purses and shoes. Valuable clothing rod space has been taken over by vast armies of mismatched hangers. Books and magazines have managed to somehow sprout out of nowhere. Bed linens are mixed in with towels, umbrellas and shoes. You can barely see the floor. Before you know it, your closet has become clutter central!
Here's some friendly advice. Heed the old saying, "Less is more." You'll save an enormous amount of time, money and stress by thinning out your huge wardrobe.
GET THE PROPER SUPPLIES. Buy a starter set of 30 hangers, or 60 if the closet is shared by two people. Get the sturdy, plastic ones. They're inexpensive and can be obtained at a home goods store. Buy all one color for uniformity (or if you're sharing closet space with someone, get one color for yourself and another color for the person you're sharing space with.)
While you're at the store, pick up a few sturdy skirt and pants hangers. Vertical skirt hangers with clips that hold 5 to 6 skirts on one hanger are a great choice. In addition, pick up an expandable shoe rack and a tie rack if you wear ties.
START WITH A CLEAN SLATE. Pull out everything (yes, everything) that's currently in your closet.
Keep in mind, as you're doing so, that you probably only wear 20% of your clothes on a regular basis, 10% of them are for special occasions, and the other 70% of them are probably never used at all.
SEPARATE CLOTHES INTO 5 PILES.
A. Clothes that meet any of the following criteria:
it is outdated
it is ripped
it is stained
it doesn't fit (if you're not sure whether or not it fits, try it on now)
you think it may come back in fashion someday
you wouldn't dream of ever wearing it again
B. Wire Hanger Pile (they're weak, they stick up in the air, and they damage your clothing)
C. Clothes that need minor repairs such as sewing a hem or replacing a button. If it’s too much of a hassle to repair it, then don’t put it in this pile.
D. Clothes you love and wear at least once a month AND clothes you love and wear at least twice a year (special occasion wardrobe). Your wardrobe should always make you feel good about yourself. If you don’t love it or wear it often, it doesn’t belong in this pile.
E. Any other items that don’t fit into Category A, B, C or D.
CATEGORY A OR B: DUMP IT OR DONATE IT. Ok, now here's the fun part. Grab a large plastic garbage bag and dump everything (yes, everything) from your A pile into it. Bring it to your local charity organization first thing in the morning or dump it now.
If you're still reading this in disbelief, take a deep breath to get over the initial shock, then go ahead and toss it or donate it. You’ll feel better in the end.
While you're at it, take all those terrible, awful, lousy wire hangers (Have you gotten the point that I really don’t like wire hangers?!) in your B pile and bring them to your Dry Cleaner for recycling or dump them immediately.
C'mon now. Are you still considering keeping something in your A or B piles?? Please, dump it. It's clutter. You'll feel better about it later when your closet is organized, inviting and free of chaos.
CATEGORY C: REPAIR IT WITHIN 2 WEEKS. Ok, now that your A and B piles are donated or trashed (I hope), let's move on to your C pile. This pile should contain those articles of clothing that need minor repair. Get a basket or container. Dump this entire pile in it. Now, carry that basket over to your clothing repair area.
Give yourself a 2 week deadline. If it's not done in two weeks, dump or donate the entire basket. After all, if it's not important enough for you to repair, it's clutter. Sound drastic? I wouldn't steer you wrong. It's very easy for clutter to build up, and I want to help you eliminate any chance of it happening to you again.
CATEGORY D: ORGANIZE YOUR KEEPERS. Sort everything in your D pile by category of clothing (blouses, skirts, pants, suits, etc.) When you are done sorting, start with one category. Take one article of clothing at a time, put it on a hanger (the colorful, sturdy, plastic kind) and hang it in the closet. (Important Note: If you found something that didn't belong in the closet in the first place, don’t put it there again.)
Do this until you've managed to hang all of your categories of clothing, making sure that all clothing and hangers are facing the same direction. (By the way, if you share your closet with someone, don't mix clothing together. Put each individual's clothing on either side of the closet.)
CATEGORY E: CATEGORIZE AND ORGANIZE EVERYTHING ELSE. If, due to lack of additional storage space, you have some items that simply have to be returned to your closet which haven't been put there already (your E pile), categorize them. Then, get some inexpensive organizing containers so that each category remains separated and place the containers on shelves in your closet.
Now is a good time to set up your brand new, sturdy, expandable shoe rack and neatly place your shoes on it.
FINISHING TOUCHES. Now, you're ready for some finishing touches. If you install a few hooks on an empty closet wall, you'll be able to hang belts, umbrellas and handbags. If you're lucky enough to have cubbies in your closet, purses and hats can be stored there; otherwise, put them on your closet shelves.
You can even pick up a clear, over-the-door shoe bag for small accessories such as hosiery, scarves, jewelry and the like. Don't put shoes in the shoe bag. It may sound funny, but these bags are too flimsy and awkward for the weight of most shoes, plus they collect dirt from shoe bottoms.
FINAL THOUGHTS. Don't overstuff. There should be plenty of room in your closet to get an item in or out. If there's not, consider thinning out your wardrobe a little more. The goal here is quality, not quantity. Don't buy another thing to wear without first determining if you really need it. Some people like to discard something they're not really happy with anymore, for a new item.
CELEBRATE. Congratulations! You're done. Don't you feel great?! You deserve a special reward for your hard work. Treat yourself to dinner, or a double hot fudge sundae. Go for a massage. Rent and watch a favorite movie. Be happy. Your closet is!
Candles to Set a Mood in Your Home
Candles make your room decor special! They set a special mood that says home and comfort.
Candles set a mood in your room that cannot be duplicated with any other medium. Shimmering
candlelight can say romance, it can say formality, or it can say comfort. To bring intimate warmth to the decor of every room in your home, add candles. The subtle gentle light, pleasing aromas, and vast selection of colors and shapes enhance every decorating theme..
In the living or dining area, tall tapers achieve formality. However, using a different shape can equally say homey and cozy. Whether your decorating style is traditional and formal or country and casual, your look can be enhanced with candles. Try a grouping of candles reflected in a mirror or other shiny surface for a really impressive look..
Candles transform the ordinary bath into a relaxing spa. It becomes a place to get away from your hectic day into a stress-fee place of relaxation. Add scented candles for an aromatherapy experience. Surround your tub with lighted candles, sit back and unwind from your day. It will be so relaxing it will be hard to leave..
In the bedroom, candles create a cozy intimate place at the end of the day, or to spend the evening together as a couple. Scented candles add another dimension.
Candles are found on many sites. These sites exemplify the wide variety of candles and candle accessories available on the Internet..
With a beautiful line of candles and 25 years of candle making experience, family owned and operated
http://www.candlesjustonline.com has a wide variety of candle shapes and colors. Included are sphere
candles, tapers, pillars, colored candles, votives, and luminaries. A wide variety of candle holders a variety of holders for floating candles, and many others that can help beautify your home decor, a party, a shower, or wedding. Be sure to also check out the candle lamps as well as the variety of candles at Candlesjustonline.com.
Abbey Press Online has a huge selection of very unique candles that make great gifts with a variety of themes, styles, and shapes, and some gorgeous candleholders! In addition to a wide selection of collectibles and gifts, GoCollect.com has Colonial at Home, Lang and Wise, and Yankee Candle. Check out the Candle Floor of GoCollect.Com.
Anna’s Candles has homemade pillar candles, votive candles, jar candles, floating candles, wedding candles, novelty candles and specialty gift baskets from Humble, Texas. They make the nicest and best smelling gifts for you and your loved ones. With monthly specials, free candles, and holiday gifts ready to
send your way, you can order your favorite candles in your favorite scent and color! Do you have last minute shopping? Let them ease the stress! Shown here are Pine Cone Fire Starters from Anna's Candles. They are coated with wax, and Anna's will make them scented or unscented as you request. Just one of the many unique candles you will find here.
If you're looking for elegant candle décor, Akers Candle Cottage is the world's leading manufacturer of Triple Scented Candle products designed for consumers who care about elegant home decor.
No candle at the Akers Candle Cottage is made until you place your order, which means your candle will not be pulled out of inventory from a warehouse. They do not carry inventory on their candles.
Each candle order is hand crafted for the individual ordering it. Each candle is poured, cut, flattened, shaved and wicked by hand. This process may take a little longer than a company that uses machines to make their candles. But the wait will be well worth it! You will receive a candle that encumbers a rich vibrant color, marble finish, TRIPLED in scent with a 100% cotton wick.
At find all kinds of candles, including scented candles, wedding cake candles, floating candles, container candles, pillar candles, jell candles, and candle gift sets. In addition to candles you can find products,
products, and a wide variety of items. Need a gift and can't decide what to send, or need something quick, they also offer gift certificates with email notification.
If you want to try making your own candles, here is a good place to start. Making a Basic Pillar Candle shows how to get started. Also on this site are many other candle making tips and ideas. More candles can be found here.
With so many varieties to choose from, why not get started adding candles to your decor today? You'll be glad you did.
Salt, vinegar keeps copper gleaming.
They look stunning when they're clean, but keeping them that way can be a nightmare, unless you know this trick:
Getting rust stains out of porcelain and china plumbing fixtures is just about as easy. You'll need a pumice stick and a small container of turpentine. Not paint thinner -- turpentine. For gratifying results, just dip the pumice stick in the turpentine and rub the rusty area.
Carpet Squares Make Redesigning a Cinch
InterfaceFLOR has become the first company to deliver a residential line of high-style, modular floor covering, right to the customer's door.
InterfaceFLOR debuted Room-in-a-Box, a set of modular carpet squares that let you design your own floor pattern. Designer Todd Oldham is reportedly a fan, as is MTV's "Crib Crashers."
The washable carpet blocks have adhesive dots so you can install them yourself.
When you get sick of a design, rework the 19.5-square-inch interchangeable tiles. If you move, take all the carpet with you. Tile prices start at $5.95 each. Rug-in-a-Box ($100-$455) is also available.
"We see 'DIY' as both 'do-it-yourself' and 'design-it-yourself,' " said InterfaceFLOR President Greg Colando. "Commercial interior designers have used modular flooring for years. Now, this fun and functional design product puts regular people in the role of designer."
For a free catalog and rug view, go to http://www.interfaceflor.com
Turntable transforms songs of yore into digital treasures
By Ron Harris / Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Most people gave up on their vinyl music collection two decades ago, when compact discs all but nudged LPs off store shelves for good.
If you held on to any favorites, DJ equipment maker Numark Inc. is looking to breathe new life into them with a USB-equipped turntable. It can pipe the tunes of yesteryear into your computer, where you can store them in digital form -- or load them onto a media player and take them on the road.
The Numark TTX USB ($399) is a sturdy, DJ-quality turntable with well-fashioned components and nice styling. Nothing about this unit threatens to date it visually, and that's important if you're considering showcasing a turntable alongside some other home theater devices.
Numark was not the first company to market with a USB-equipped turntable. ION Audio also makes USB turntables, starting at $99. But the heavy-duty build of the Numark unit was more impressive to me.
And it's always possible to skip such devices altogether and pipe the sound from your old, non-USB turntable into a computer. You can feed the audio signal into a USB-equipped mixer or use an add-on such as Creative Technology Ltd.'s Sound Blaster PC cards with traditional left and right phono inputs.
The on-board USB connection just made the process easier for me. Numark is selling ease-of-use and top-notch physical components with the TTX USB unit.
The Numark includes the software needed to import music from 33s and 45s to a computer hard drive. Once you plug the USB cable from the turntable into the computer and launch the application, it's as simple as pressing "Record" and lowering the needle down onto the album surface.
Of course, this is a real-time affair: There are no shortcuts to ripping vinyl to a digital file. If you want to convert 50 minutes of album music into MP3 format, it takes 50 minutes of recording plus a few minutes for the conversion and encoding, in contrast to the few minutes it takes to burn a CD with files already in digital form.
I invited a friend and her albums over for a Sunday afternoon of vinyl ripping. She brought a mishmash of good 1980s music, bad 1980s music and a few nicely remastered jazz albums to keep things respectable. Like me, she had kept her LPs, waiting for an opportunity like this to reinvent them in digital form.
The Numark unit faithfully replicated the music, along with the occasional crackle and hiss of a weathered album. The files were encoded as MP3s at 160 kilobits per second, slightly better than the default 128 kbps in most CD ripping programs.
The EZ Vinyl Converter program automatically puts the resulting MP3 files into an iTunes music folder, if you have iTunes installed.
There is software to remove or at least soften the cracks and hisses that can be heard on aging vinyl albums. Audacity can do a decent job, and the software is free to download. Audio Cleaning Lab from Magix ($39.99) also has many tools for sprucing up sounds transferred from vinyl to digital format.
The tricky part came when I wanted to insert the track titles. One method was to lift the tone arm after the end of a song, in effect pausing the process, and clicking "next" on the application, an action that took us to a screen to insert the track info. Doing that for a select number of album tracks was tedious. On some tracks I forgot and ended up with two songs in one MP3 file.
It's was easy enough to open those mistake MP3s in audio editing software, using the aforementioned Audacity program, and split the file in half to create two MP3s, one for each actual song.
For more information: http://www.numark.com.
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