There are many factors which need to be thought about when choosing what kind of

href="http://www.yourfloors.co.uk">flooring to go for. Getting new flooring installed in your

home can breathe new life into it and can be a great way to reinvigorate your living environment. It

may not be as expensive as you think either.

A big consideration on what flooring to choose is the function of the room it will go in. Flooring

which is suitable for the front room may not be appropriate for the kitchen or bathroom for example.

Some of the more widely used types of flooring are carpet, vinyl, wood, and laminate.

Laminate flooring can be a fantastic alternative to wooden flooring if you are looking to achieve a

wood effect floor for a fraction of the price. Laminate flooring consists of a sheet of MDF with a

wood-effect plastic surface attached to it. The downside of laminate flooring is that whilst it is

scratch resistant once it is scratched it is extremely difficult to repair. Apart from that it can

still be a perfect choice for a kitchen, where the plastic coating provides an easy to clean

surface. On the other hand a solid wood flooring would not be appropriate in a bathroom, or in fact

any room which is likely to get very wet. Some woods are more vulnerable to the wet than

others.

If you are looking to fit a wooden floor, its important you have a suitable surface to fit it on.

An ideal surface would be flat, and dry. There are options however to resolve uneven flooring

issues, such as laying ply throughout, or employing an underlay to create a floating

floor.

More often than not laminate flooring is sold as a product you can fit together yourself which is a

great way of keeping costs to a minimum. Solid wood flooring requires however a higher degree of DIY

competence, so it can sometimes be advisable to get solid wooden floors fitted professionally which

can add a considerable cost.

Something many people do not realise when they measure their room to calculate how much flooring

they will need to buy ” is that it is important to include a 10mm gap around the edge of the room

for the wooden flooring to expand and contract.

As an integral part of any interior design strategy, it is crucial to choose the right flooring.

Whilst wooden or laminate floors can be ideal ” often for a more chic minimalist look; carpet can be

a better option if you are trying to achieve a more traditional home feel. The important thing is

you take into account the various factors you need to consider before ordering new flooring.

And of course, each loan and each borrower are different. Start with credibility. It’s not easy to know if the prices quoted by lenders are reliable. While a mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is evidence of a debt of 10 percent. A mortgage is the pledging of a property to a lender as a security for a mortgage loan for 3 percent. Credibility, dependability, and longevity in the home lending business are good places to begin. In other words, the mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. Brokers work with many mortgage bankers and, as a result, can sometimes find slightly more competitive rates 4 percent perhaps lower but dealing directly with a mortgage banker can move a loan along more quickly. Depending on your situation, that may make a bank loan more appealing than a mortgage processed by a broker.

Many of these fees are fixed but some can be negotiated.

See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property. So how do you find a lender or broker you can trust? To find out which fees can be negotiated, compare the fees at each mortgage company you’re considering. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. It is a transfer of an interest in land, from the owner to the mortgage lender, on the condition that this interest will be returned to the owner of the real estate when the terms of the mortgage have been satisfied or performed.

Both banks and brokers have their strengths and weaknesses. Go for new real estate with geld lenen zonder bkr toetsing, 157305 euro is not a problem.

See which lenders are charging fees 9 percent and for how much. Different lenders charge different fees. In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans 3 percent secured on real estate rather than other property and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. Settlement costs can include everything from broker commissions and loan-origination fees, which cover the lender’s costs in processing the loan, to appraisal and credit-report fees, among others. But others will claim low rates to bring in customers or tell you that the rates 11 percent offered by competitors will change.

Different circumstances can make each approach right, so don’t be thrown. Although most mortgage experts say that rates 6 percent are pretty much the same wherever you go, give or take this tiny 10 percentage. Some will quote you precise, competitive rates 6 percent.

Probably not on its own, but its an excellent example of how consumers can vote with their buying dollars to sway market demand to bring more environmentally friendly products into the marketplace.

Bamboo flooring is a rising trend in home flooring and a great alternative to traditional hardwood floors. It is the most environmentally friendly natural hardwood flooring alternative you can select for your home, it is a renewable resource, is stronger than steel, and has a greater resistance to expansion and contraction problems associated with temperature and humidity changes.

The bamboo grass is one of the fasted growing plants on the planet, only takes 5 years to grow to maturity, and can provide 25 times the bio mass of a comparable stand of trees. Bamboo is harvested every 5 years, and starts to re-grow immediately with new shoots when harvested. Bamboo is also strong and has a tensile strength exceeding mild steel. It can withstand up to 50,000 pounds of pressure per square inch versus some steels 50,000 psi ratings.

Bamboo flooring is also become a very trendy interior design statement with its rich and beautiful golden earth tones. It is important to shop around for a quality bamboo flooring product that contains no formaldehydes in its binding compounds. Many offshore brands use cheaper binding agents that may contain formaldehydes, and this can cause indoor air pollution problems down the road as all chemical compounds will slowly release their toxins into the air.

So why look to bamboo to save the environment? Bamboo is an excellent replacement product for much of the hardwood species that are being harvested in our global equatorial rainforests. Once harvested, these hardwood species often never grow back due to the thin layers of soil and lack of sunlight under the jungle canopies, and if they do grow back it can take up to 200 years! Our global rainforests are the lungs of our planet and provide a significant contribution to our global oxygen production, second only to the ocean.

By selecting bamboo flooring you reduce the consumption demand for rainforest hardwood materials, and in the process help save to the environment for our future generations. For more information and tips on bamboo flooring visit: http://www.laminateflooringzone.com/bamboo-flooring.htm

About The Author

S.A. Smith is a freelance writer, contributor, and editor of the Laminate Flooring Zone and can be reached at http://www.laminateflooringzone.com.

Mold spores. They almost sound like alien invaders from a 1950’s
sci-fi movie –”Attack of the Killer Mold Spores!” But that
description may not be too far off the mark. Mold is dangerous.
It can be more prevalent and can cause more health problems than
termites, carbon monoxide, asbestos, or radon. In fact, mold is
everywhere and impossible to get rid of in nature. According to
the EPA website, “There is no practical way to eliminate all
mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to
control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.” From one
third to one half of all buildings in the United States have the
damp conditions necessary to facilitate the growth of mold,
according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mold and mold spores can cause serious health problems and, in
the case of someone with mold sensitivities, even death. Many
people are vaguely aware of the health concerns when it comes to
mold but most do not know that mold can also cause serious
damage to a house or building (similar to a termite
infestation.) When it comes to protecting your family and your
home, fighting and preventing mold should be at the top of every
homeowner’s list.

WHAT IS MOLD?

The simple answer: molds are part of the fungi kingdom, similar
to yeasts or mushrooms (the antibiotic Penicillin is actually a
mold.)Mold is a living organism, a part of nature, and even has
a beneficial function - it breaks down all of our dead organic
matter. Mold reproduces by releasing tiny spores, invisible to
the naked eye, into the air. These spores land in moist areas
and begin to grow and spread. While there are hundreds of
thousands of varieties of mold, none would exist without the
presence of moisture, air, and something to feed on. Since mold
will always exist outdoors, it is important to control the one
ingredient a homeowner doesn’t need inside the house - moisture.

Mold can grow on rotting wood, grass, weeds, and compost piles.
The problem is that it can also grow where you don’t want it to
- indoors. It can be found on food or clothing, in bathrooms and
attics and damp basements, on carpeting, and even inside the
walls of a house. Mold can feed on the wood in the wall,
breaking down the materials as it spreads unseen throughout a
house. As the mold digests organic material, it continues to
spread to find new food sources.

Spotting mold can be easy, if the mold colony is visible. Mold
comes in a variety of colors (including white, black, green,
gray, brown, and more), bunching as spots or discolorations. If
the mold is not visible, someone may not recognize mold is
present until it is late in the process. People discover mold
when there is physical damage to a structure or an increase in
musty smells. Sometimes mold won’t be found until the occupants
experience health problems. By then, it may be too late.
Whenever a house or building has an overexposure to moisture, it
is important to inspect for mold. Moisture overexposure can come
from many sources, including: o Floods o Roofs or basements
that leak o Irrigation or fire sprinklers o Shower or bath water
o Sink or sewer overflow o Humidifiers o Plumbing leaks

WHY SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT MOLD?

There are two main reasons to worry about the spread of mold in
a building. The most important consideration - mold can cause
health problems. The second consideration - property damage.
Frank Foreman, President & CEO of NO ODOR, Inc, a mold
remediation company, believes mold is coming to the forefront
because everyone is learning that mold damage can affect
property value. Let’s start with the health issues. Molds
produce allergens that can cause reactions such as sneezing,
runny noses, even asthma attacks in those allergic to it. It can
even cause irritation to the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes to
those who are not allergic. Certain molds can also release
toxins (mycotoxins) that cause more serious problems. According
to the Mold Help Organization, exposure to these mycotoxins
could cause people “to suffer from a myriad of serious symptoms
and illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities,
mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis,
chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more”
(http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/478/).

Because many people are not as aware or concerned about the
health threats of mold, it is also important to consider the
damage it can cause to property. Everyone tends to pay more
attention to a problem when it affects the wallet. A home or
business is the largest investment most people have. A colony or
colonies of mold can cause severe devastation. According to the
EPA website, “If you already have a mold problem - act quickly.
Mold damages what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more
damage it can cause” (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcleanup.html).

Mold can cause structural damage to a building, because it
feeds on and breaks down the organic matter (wood, mostly)
within the structure. When mold grows in the walls, on
insulation, or under carpeting, these items must be removed from
the building. In addition to the damage caused to the building,
mold may destroy personal items in the home. It can attach to
personal property which may be very difficult or impossible to
clean. Often the item will have to be destroyed because the mold
cannot be completely removed. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THE MOLD?

For the most part, since mold is everywhere, it is impossible to
completely avoid all indoor molds. The key to preventing mold is
to control the moisture levels indoors. The EPA website states,
“If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the
mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but
don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem
will come back” (http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldbasics.html).

For small areas, usually a moldy section of 9 to 10 square feet,
the home or business owner can usually clean up the mold
themselves. For larger areas, it is important to hire a
professional mold removal contractor to make sure the problem is
taken care of safely.

If you have a small patch of black, green or gray colored spots,
Frank Foreman, of NO ODOR, Inc., has a smart tip to determine
whether or not it is mold: put some hydrogen peroxide on the
growth and watch the reaction. Almost everyone has one of those
brown bottles of the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in their
medicine cabinet, so he suggests putting it in a clean spray
bottle and spraying the colored spots. If the solution runs down
the wall and there is no reaction, then the spots are not
growths of mold (it could possibly just be dirt.) Since mold is
a living organism, when sprayed with the hydrogen peroxide,
there will be an oxidation process. If you hit it and the growth
starts to foam up with white foam, then you know you are dealing
with mold.

For small amounts of mold, many sources recommend using a
combination of water and detergent to clean the moldy surfaces.
However, Frank Foreman recommends using only products that are
approved by the EPA to kill mold. He further states that care
and precaution need to be taken when doing the cleanup by an
individual. “Mold is a living organism and it can travel easily
when disturbed. Someone may wash away half of the mold and the
other half might release mold spores that can escape to another
source of moisture in the home. Or worse, into the A/C or
heating system which can spread mold spores to every room in the
house,” claims Foreman.

Foreman also suggests that someone with a mold problem should
really educate themselves before hiring a professional to remove
toxic mold. “The mold removal industry is completely
unregulated. There are no federal, state, or local regulations
that govern mold removal professionals.” This means, according
to Foreman, with no standards, there is no way to prove the job
was done or that it is done right. “Only seventy to eighty
percent of all mold removal jobs are done right, which means the
property owner is going to have residual problems.”

He says that it is important to shop around, to get references,
and to scan the Internet to learn as much as possible about
toxic mold and mold removal. “Education is the key. Learn the
basics so you can talk to the remediation expert and you’ll have
a good idea if he or she really knows what they’re doing.”

Mold removal methods vary from company to company. But the
process can be complicated and expensive. For example, if a 10′
x 10′ bedroom has two walls infested with mold, it may be
necessary to seal off that portion of the house, remove all wall
boards until there are no more visible signs of mold growth.
Next, the remediation pro will have to hand sand away the mold.
Then, a mold killing detergent will be washed over the surface.
The exposed area will then be HEPA vacuumed to remove remnant
spores. After the area is tested to make sure there is no more
mold, new walls will have to be built back up and painted. As
you can see, the process can be time consuming and very
expensive. However, to save on excessive destruction, some
professionals have been employing fiber optic technology to view
within the walls or ceilings, looking for mold growth, before
tearing down all the drywall.

If you have had a flooding problem or a major water leak, it is
also important to contact your insurance company. Many do not
know that insurance may cover the mold removal as well. However,
most insurance companies are starting to put limits on mold
removal coverage (sometimes keeping caps at $5000 to $10,000.)
While it may sound like a lot of money, the insurance company
will be giving you money to fix the damage and remove the mold.
The mold removal process may cost more than repairing the damage
caused by the water. For example, if the roof of a house comes
off during a storm and causes water damage to the house, the
insurance company may give a lump sum to cover the repairs to
the roof, the damage inside, and the mold problem. By accepting
their lump sum, you have to pay to replace the roof and damage
from water but the money also has to cover the costs to remove
the mold that may come days, weeks, or months later.

HOW CAN I PREVENT MOLD FROM COMING BACK?

Once you have removed the entire mold infestation from your
property, it is still important to control moisture levels in
the structure:

- If there is any kind of flooding, it is imperative you remove
the water within 24 to 48 hours.

- Whenever possible, move wet items to a dry, well-ventilated
place or outside to speed up the drying process. Remove drywall
up to the height of the water level. Remove carpeting as soon as
possible.

- Keep the indoor humidity low. If possible, keep below 60
percent relative humidity.

- If condensation or moisture collects on windows, walls or
water pipes, dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture.
Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.

- Keep gutters clean and make sure water drains away from the
building to prevent it from collecting around the foundation.

- Run or install venting fans in high moisture areas, like the
bathroom.

- Run a dehumidifier in moist areas, such as a basement or
bathroom.

- Ventilating areas can help reduce moisture, as well as keeping
the temperature up or the air conditioner on. However, aim the
air conditioning vents away from the condensing surfaces to
prevent cold spots where moisture condensation can occur.

- Adding thermal insulation to walls, ceilings, and pipes can
help, too (in fact, rust spots on any water pipes could be an
indication there is too much moisture in a room. Adding
insulation to the pipes is a good idea.)

Mold can be a very serious problem in homes and businesses and
it is important to take care of the problem as soon as possible.
The consequences to health and property can be severe. While
remediation of mold can be expensive, the damage mold can cause
could be even worse. Frank Foreman has seen many cases where it
is actually cheaper for the homeowner to knock down and rebuild
an entire house rather than remove the existing mold
infestation. Keep in mind some of the potential signs that mold
may be growing within a property:

* Unexplained discoloration on a surface

* Musty or earthy odor

* Dark spots on or around vents

* Water stains anywhere

* Peeling or curling of floors or wallpaper

Do your homework and hire a professional to handle even
moderate mold problems as soon as possible. If one is not sure
where to look for a mold removal and remediation specialist,
there are several mold remediation referral services that can
help everyone find a local professional.

Whenever a home or business owner believes there are signs of
mold growth within their property, he or she should contact a
professional as soon as possible to avoid future problems or
costs. Attack those “Killer Mold Spores” before your own
personal home invasion gets any worse.

Dear friends, successful design is a relative term. What is good
or successful for me may not be so from your point of view.

But when it comes to interior design, there are certain factors
which are always present no matter what the use of the space is.
Let’s have a look at the bare minimum design factors a space
must have so that it can be called a comfortable and habitable
space.

1) Proportions of the room.

The word “proportions” is always used in the design field. Every
interior space which is being used by humans must be
proportionate. Proportions are extremely important in any
design.

Every 3 dimensional object has properties such as length, width
and height. When these 3 are in accordance with the proportions
of various parts of human body we call it a “proportionate”
design.

For example a handle of a wardrobe must have dimensions such
that our fingers can hold it properly for effortless and smooth
action. or a chair seat must have enough are so that we can sit
comfortably. Again the type of seating will change the
dimensions of the chair. A chair in waiting lobby of a bank will
be different than a sofa.

So proportions play a major role in interior design and
furniture in your bedroom must also follow these rules. The
dimensions of the double bed, it’s height from floor level,
height of wardrobe, dimensions of dressing table, etc…all
these matter as far as function is concerned.

2) Natural light entering the room.

There is no alternative for naturally lit spaces. Sun being the
strongest source of light and also helps to keep the biological
balance of the planet Earth, it is very much necessary in the
interior spaces.

Study shows that natural light can penetrate in an interior
space up to 20 feet (Approx. 7 meters). Using appropriate
position for window opening can easily achieve this.

3) Natural Ventilation

A free and unobstructed flow of air can be a great way to keep
the atmosphere cool and clean in an interior space. This is
possible where bedrooms are located at the corner of the
building where 2 sides of the bedrooms have external faces.

Where it is not possible to provide windows on adjacent faces or
opposite faces, a ventilator above the window is used. The
concept behind the ventilator is simple. The lower half the
bedroom height is always used by the habitants. Because of the
constant use of this are the air temperature rises and air
becomes light weight.

This hot air rises above and must need an escape. At such times
ventilators above the window openings play a major role of
circulating the flow through the room in an upward direction.
When the lower portion of the room becomes empty fresh air from
window takes its position, thus maintaining a balance.

4) Clear Movement Patterns.

Every bedroom has certain exit points attached to it. Such as a)
Exit to balcony/ terrace. b) Exit to toilet block/ walk in
closet c) Exit to backyard (if on ground floor)

If we draw an imaginary line from the entry point to all these
exit points, ideally the should not intersect. Since all other
areas are already occupied with furniture, keeping the inside
circulation space clear, helps to achieve a comfortable space.

5) Good Provision For Inclusion Of Accessories.

Accessories in a bedroom have equal importance. When all other
factors mentioned above are fairly met what remains is the use
of accessories which can make quite a lot of difference in the
comfort level of the habitants.

a) The first and the most important is a good provision of
artificial lighting. This includes basic lighting as well as
special decorative lighting for decorative purposes. b) Special
provision for upholstery and linen. Small details such as
curtain rods, provision for bed canopies can make the room extra
decorative. c) Use materials that are easy to clean and
maintain. For example if you are using PVC flooring sheets on
top of standard tiled flooring, is it washable? Think of what
will happen if your child uses it as a painting canvas.

The discussion above was an attempt to look for some universal
factor that can affect the comfort level of the users in a
bedroom. Finally the feeling which you get when you use your
bedroom is most important and is a good measure to decide the
success factor of the design project.

However it is important to note that these are not the only
factors that need to be looked upon, but I’m sure these can help
as a starting point for further creative thinking.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Remember your last happy vacation? Didn’t you simply love the
way the luxury hotel bedding felt to the touch and how romantic
it was crawling between cool, crisp sheets? There’s no reason to
wait until your next vacation to enjoy that same feel. You can
have the same bed linens right in your home to recreate the
magic of the vacation again. Hotel bedding collections are
available from many different designers. Only the finest quality
fabrics are qualified to carry the hotel designation. These
linens are used by the best hotels and cruise lines for all
their bedding needs. Created from luscious fibers such as 100%
Egyptian cottons and the finest silk, hotel collections usually
have thread counts that are high enough to ensure the luxury
feel. Most hotel linen collections are 200 thread count or more-
many range over 400.

You may be thinking that 200 thread count is not a very high
thread count. This is true, but when dealing with 100% Egyptian
cotton percale fabric, less is actually more. Because of the
long staple of Egyptian cotton fibers, the softness of percale
will provide crispy, cool bedding that any five-star resort
would be proud to provide their guests.

What is more important is the hand of the fabric- which simply
means how it feels in your hand or against your skin. If it
feels luxurious, then you’ll know it is top quality. For the
best prices, you’ll probably want to shop online but if you want
to know about the feel of the bedding before you buy, stop in
your finest local department store and view their hotel
collections of bedding. They should have samples or swatches
that you can see and feel. Before you select your bedding from a
hotel collection, think about the look you want to recreate. Do
you want crisp white bedding or blues and greens reminiscent of
the ocean? Do you want the silky feel of sateen or smooth, cool
cotton? Do you want to create a tropical feel of sunshine and
lush greenery? Once you determine the look you want, the rest is
easy because so many great choices in hotel collections of
bedding are available. Let’s look at a few of the bedding
collections that have become favorites from several different
sources that you might want to consider. Macy’s has long been
known for their fine hotel bedding selection. Not only can you
find great prices there but their products are all first rate.
Choose the five-star grade from their hotel collections and
you’ll have some of the finest bedding available anywhere. One
choice you’ll want to consider from Macy’s for your basic hotel
linen is their 600 thread count 100% Egyptian cotton hotel
sheets. Available in queen, king and California king, the detail
in these fine linens make them whisper “luxury” as soon as you
see and feel them. Your color choices are white, ivory, bronze
and opal. The detail and tailoring of this bedding will promise
you a great night’s sleep.

Mix and match these with any bedding toppers to create the look
you want. Add some hotel collection down pillows to float away
into your dreams. =) The Colorblock Hotel Collection is created
with five-star quality and a bold touch of color. The 100%
cotton bedding ensemble includes a duvet, three pillow sham
options, a quilted coverlet, bed skirt and three different
decorative pillows. White is blended with modern grappa or
bronze to create the perfect bedding ensemble. Bold, beautiful,
tailor and clean lines make this a not-to-be-missed selection.
Frette fine Italian linens are another source of absolutely
luxurious bedding. Created for the world’s finest hotels and
ocean liners, the Hotel Double Piping and Scallup Edge
collections are made with 200 thread count 100% Egyptian cotton
percale fabric. The sheet sets include top and fitted sheets
plus two pillow cases. Also available are shams, duvet covers,
bed skirts and light quilts so you can create exactly the look
you want. The sheets, pillow cases and shams are highlighted by
the double line of satin stitch embroidery along the outlines
and the hems of the sheets are scalloped for extra detail. This
luxury bedding is available in sand, white, grey, red, black or
navy. Recommended care is machine wash and dry on low settings
without allowing the bedding to overheat. Anichini Basics hotel
collection provides the basics you need to build upon to create
the perfect bedding set. With 100% Egyptian cotton percale
sheets, you’ll experience the crisp, cool softness of the finest
cotton anywhere. Detailed and tailored to perfect, you can use
this as the base to build upon from the multitude of bed
dressing such as duvet covers, comforters, pillow shams and so
much more. You can always count on Anichini for the finest in
hotel collection bedding. No matter which bedding you choose- or
which hotel collection appeals to you, create the perfect mood
of your vacation recreation with accents such as candles or
bright sunshine and tropical potted palms.

Fine bedding, fresh flowers, a bottle of fine wine- and you can
travel through memory land into your night of romance. Take a
vacation any time you want with hotel collection bedding!

Patricia Bowlin informs and entertains you as you shop for home
bedding! Find out everything you need to know about chosing the
perfect pillows, comforters, and bedding here now.

When it comes to first time home buyer loans, a little research
can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your
mortgage.

A wise consumer selects a mortgage lender prior to shopping for
a home. You see, first time home buyer loans can end up costing
you a lot more than you bargained for if you shop for your home
first.

What often happens is you fall in love with a beautiful home
that is on the outside range of what you can afford. And because
you have invested interest in this particular piece of real
estate you’re more inclined to go into a loan situation you can
ill afford.

To make sure you can realistically afford your mortgage
payments, it’s best to understand all the potential costs
upfront before you fall in love with that dream home that is
really outside your financial comfort zone.

It will take some research and comparison shopping in order to
find both the best lender and the best in first time home buyer
loans.

The safest and easiest way to keep unwanted insects out of your home is to maintain your window and door screens, your window and door seals, and to fill other openings with caulking. Insects are attracted by food and water. Clean floors and cabinets thoroughly, and also around pipes, plumbing fixtures and garbage cans. Store your food in tightly-closed containers, and launder clothing before putting it away for extended periods.

Aerosol Insecticide

If you do find some bugs in the house, you can kill them with a surface or space spray, or a powdered insecticide. Some insecticides offer residual effects, and are useful in breeding and feeding areas.

Read insecticide instructions carefully, and avoid contact with food or kitchen utensils and appliances. Do not smoke while applying insecticides and wash your hands and face throroughly afterwards. Avoid open flames, and do not touch treated surfaces until they are dry. Keep insect sprays away from children, pets and elderly, ill or pregnant persons. If anyone gets insecticide in their eyes, nose or mouth, call a poison control centre or 9-1-1 right away.

Check the label for an antidote before using any insecticide product.

Orkin Woman

For extensive or serious infestations, consider hiring a licensed, professional pest control company or individual. Names and numbers can be found in the Yellow Pages under the Pest Control Services category.

Color affects every facet of our lives. The way we react to
colors is a combination of physiological, biological,
psychological, social and cultural reasons. Color has the
ability to soothe and also to stimulate us.

Approximately seven million different colors can be perceived by
the human eye, so deciding what you want when decorating, and
narrowing your choice down to one color family, still leaves you
with millions of variations to choose from. So it’s important to
understand the effects of the temperature of color, color
components, color terminology, how light affects color and the
tricks color can play on color.

A color is described as cool or warm depending on its position
in the color spectrum and the hues of its nearest neighboring
color.

Warm colors project the hot hues of sunlight and promote a
feeling of warmth in a room. They advance space and are used to
make walls appear closer. Cool colors reflect the fresh violets
and blues of moonlight. They enhance the space in a room by
making the walls appear further away.

Red, orange and yellow are warm colors, while violet and blue
are cool colors. Green is said to be the most neutral color.

Colors are further categorized into primary, secondary and
tertiary colors.

Primary colors are blue, red and yellow. These are pure colors
that have no component other than themselves. Secondary colors
are orange, green and purple. These are composed of the primary
colors on either side of it on the color wheel. i.e. Orange =
red+yellow, Green = blue+yellow, Purple = blue+red.

Tertiary colors are orange-red, orange-yellow, yellow-green,
blue-green, blue-purple, and red-purple. Tertiary colors assume
more of one color than the other.

Knowing the definition of words used to describe color will help
you to indicate your color preference more easily, so some
important terminology or jargon to keep in mind when describing
color is hue, value and chroma.

Hue refers to, and is another name for, color. For example a
blue-patterned carpet has a blue hue.

Value describes the darkness or lightness of a color. A color
light in value has been diluted with white. For example, pink is
a tint of red that has a light value, because of the white added
to it. A dark value color is closer to black on the scale,
because it’s had black added to it. For example burgundy is a
shade of red with dark value. Chroma refers to the intensity of
a color, how bright or dull it is. Scarlet and brick red are
similar in value, but their intensity differs. Brick red is
duller as it has a lower chroma than scarlet. Scarlet has a
higher chroma so is more brilliant. Colors with low chroma have
more of other colors added to them; those with high chroma are
more pure.

Color complements are those colors that work well together. They
are diagonally opposite each other on the color wheel. Each
complement is made up of the two primary colors either side of
it which balances the complement. Each warm color has a cool
color as its complement.

Light affects color because in seeing color it’s actually light
waves that our eyes perceive. Something has color because of the
light it reflects. We all see color slightly differently
depending on the perception of the light and color-sensitive
receptors in our eyes. So the ability to see color is a
sensation, just like smelling or tasting.

Color can play tricks on color. Just as warm colors can make a
room appear smaller and cosier, cool colors have the effect of
making a space seem larger, more airy. One corner of a room
painted red for example, may appear a different shade from the
rest of the room. This is because colors reflect color and
light, which slightly changes its appearance and the way our
eyes perceive the color. Contrasting color painted on walls that
meet in a corner can sometimes be changed so much that they are
no longer in harmony with each other. It’s advisable to paint a
test patch 12″ wide on each side of the corner to view what
affect your chosen colors have on each other, before painting
the entire room. Most colors are associated with certain
emotions, and this differs somewhat from culture to culture.
However I’ve listed some of the most popular color associations.
Red: power, passion, courage, vitality, excitement, strength,
speed, love, heart and warmth.

Yellow: light, cheer, sunlight, happiness, creativity,
confidence, self-esteem, intellect, innovation.

Blue: caring, devotion, trust, wisdom, peacefulness, serenity,
loyalty, truth, coolness, harmony.

Green: nature, fresh, growth, abundance, life, youth, renewal,
hope, fertility, peace, balance.

Orange: energy, warmth, contentment, fruitfulness, strength,
security, sensuality, abundance.

White: pure light, energy, truth, perfection, serenity, harmony,
loyalty, sincerity, clarity.

Black: formal, reserved, drive, dignity, reliability, authority,
power, prudence, wisdom, glamour.

Take some time to consider the effects of color on the
individuals who will be frequenting the environment you create
when decorating. When choosing color take into account whether
you are trying to soothe or stimulate, and be aware of the
effects of color on the well-being of the inhabitants you are
decorating for.

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