Archive for July, 2009

Wood Kitchen Tables – An Ideal Choice For Your Eating Area

Friday, July 31st, 2009

So, the time has come for you to replace the kitchen table in your eating space and you are not quite sure what to go with. Well, there is one option that is not only sturdy, but very pleasing to the eye and that option is lovely wood kitchen tables. One would be the perfect addition to your eating space.

With wood kitchen tables, you actually get a lot of options to choose from because of all the fantastic wood materials they are made from, which are then finished off in a number of pleasing ways. For example, you can get one that is crafted out of pine that is then finished in a lovely cappuccino color. Or, if you want something more on the traditional side, get one that is made out of oak that features a distressed finish and elegant hand painted designs. Really, there are just a lot of wonderful choices and some of the material options include cedar, mahogany, and a number of durable engineered combinations while some of the other finishing options include cherry, cinnamon, and the natural finish of the wood itself.

Now, if you think the choices stop there when it comes to wood kitchen tables, think again because they also come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and designs. For example, the one that has the cappuccino finish mentioned earlier would probably be more of a modern selection while the other that has the hand painted design is probably more on the antique, traditional side. Also, along with the different styles, there are a slew of sizes and shapes to choose from including those that are long and rectangular made to seat many people to others that are smaller and round, which would seat between two to four people. Some other style choices include those that have a traditional feel and others that are more contemporary while some other shape options include oval shaped ones along with ones that are square.

If you’re still interested into getting a new kitchen table, but are not into wood kitchen tables, not a problem because there are a slew of other options available for you to choose from. Like, you can get one that is crafted out of a combination of metal and glass with the base being metal and the table being glass. Or, you can even get ones that are made out of stone and metal too. When it comes down to it, there are just a lot of options and for a great way to check them all out, just hit the Internet for some comparison shopping. It really is convenient and when you do find something you want, you usually will get it at the best prices possible.

So, if you have decided that it’s time to replace the table that you have in your eating space, then you should turn to marvelous wood kitchen tables. One is a sturdy selection that will also add to the overall appearance of your space. Get one today so you can enjoy it tomorrow.

Furniture Cleaning – as Simple as a Trip to the Supermarket

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Furniture cleaning can be frustrating at times, especially when it seems like nothing works. In the midst of the aggravation, a person may ask themselves, “How can I…?” “What will work?” and “Where do I look?” All of these questions have simple answers and some of the answers have rather surprising solutions. Some of the solutions are already sitting in the kitchens of households all over the world and others are as simple as a trip to the supermarket.

Common Questions Asked and Answered

Q. How often should furniture be cleaned?

A. Furniture should be cleaned every year, but no later than a year and a half should exist between cleanings. However, each home is lived in differently, which can be a better indicator as to how often furniture should be cleaned. If the furniture begins to look dull, then that is a good sign that it is time for a cleaning. Waiting too long between cleanings can actually cause damage to the material.

Q. How can water rings be removed from wood furniture?

A. An oil-based furniture polish is a great way to remove set-in water rings from wood furniture. Even mayonnaise may do the job if left overnight then wiped off with a soft cloth the next day.

Q. What steps need to be taken before cleaning?

A. Remove any breakables that may be sitting near the furniture that is to be cleaned. Also, if there is anything sitting on top of the furniture, it needs to be removed to ensure proper cleaning. In the case of sofas and chairs, remove any pillows and also remove the cushions. However, don’t remove coverings from cushions. Vacuum them, beat them, do whatever needs to be done, but don’t remove the covers. Even though they have zippers, that doesn’t mean they are meant to be removed. The final task when cleaning sofas and chairs is to vacuum them out to get rid of any loose dirt and particles.

Q. How can a smoke smell be removed from wood dresser drawers?

A. First, rub the entire wood surface with denatured alcohol. If that doesn’t work, apply a coat of shellac to the interior of all of the woodwork as well as the inside and outside of the drawers other than the face. What the shellac does is seal in the odor so that it will not emit from the dresser at all.

Tips That can Make Furniture Cleaning Easier

• Rubbing vinegar on the surface prior to polishing will make wood furniture shine.

• When removing water stains from leather upholstery. Wet the entire area with a sponge and room temperature water to a seam in the furniture. Wet it less and less while working away from the stain. After wetting, treat with a conditioner.

• When removing sweat stains from upholstery, using a clean white cloth and white vinegar to work from the outside of the stain to the inside, followed by using the suds of a quart of warm water with ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid should do the job.

There are many different and very easy methods that can be used to eliminate stains in furniture and make it look nice again. Of course there are the shampoos that can be purchased at the supermarket, but something as simple as room temperature water and ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid can do so much for big jobs.

Kitchen Cabinet Designs

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

People don’t often realize it, but kitchen cabinet doors can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen and add to the overall beauty. The quality of cabinets plays a major role in the way they will make your kitchen look. Cabinets of poor quality will make your kitchen look worn and unflattering, but quality cabinets can completely change that look. And it’s simple because all you have to do is change the kitchen cabinet doors to achieve your new look.

The first thing you should know about kitchen design is that cabinets can be made from a wide range of woods which include:

Oak

Maple

Pine

Cherry

Hickory

Poplar

Alder

Birch

Cherry, Birch and Maple are popular choices for cabinetry. If you are looking for a more affordable option, Alder and Poplar are great choices and also work well with glazed finishes. Pine is a soft wood that is also popular among many homeowners. Hickory and Oak are the heaviest of your choices. Keep in mind, particleboard and plywood is also used in the cabinet construction.

The style of the door is also important. The four main types of doors include inset, lipped, partial overlay and full overlay. There are five main types of cabinet door shapes which include flat slab, recessed panel, raised panel, beadboard panel and curved panel.

Common cabinet design styles include traditional, country, shaker and contemporary. Raised panel doors create a more traditional design. Full overlay doors create a more contemporary look.

When it comes time to purchase your new cabinets, there are three main types of kitchen cabinets to choose from. These include stock kitchen cabinets, semi-stock kitchen cabinets, and custom kitchen cabinets. Stock kitchen cabinets are limited in design options, but also very affordable. Custom kitchen cabinets allow you to get exactly what you want with a very high level of craftsmanship. However, be expected to pay for such customization. Semi-stock kitchen cabinets are a happy medium between stock and custom cabinets, offering a certain level of customization.

Cabinet construction types include framed and frameless. Framed cabinets consist of two components, the cabinet box and the face frame. These two components are assembled together. Frameless cabinets, also referred to as European-styled cabinets, consist of a box with no face frame. Frameless cabinets provide better accessibility and extra interior space.

The last thing to know about cabinet design includes the decorative pulls and knobs. Not only are knobs and pulls put in place for aesthetic purposes, they also protect the wood and finish of the cabinets. They are available to many shapes, sizes, and styles which include but are not limited to brushed chrome, plastic, ceramic, glass and iron.