Hardwood floors can be installed anywhere in a home and can be prepared from several species of wood such as elm, ash, oak, amendoim, cypress, teak, cherry, walnut, rosewood, hickory, and maple. The hardness, stability, color, and alterations in color vary with wood type. Chestnut, Douglas fir, and North American Cherry offer low hardness whereas hardwood from Brazilian Walnut, Caribbean Cherry, and Bloodwood is extremely hard. The stability of hardwood flooring has an inverse relation with the moisture inherent in the wood and is independent of the engineering. The appearance of unfinished hardwood flooring plays an important role in the grading process. The commonly assigned grades to hardwood flooring include clear, select, common 1, common 2, grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3.

Hardwood flooring enhances the look of a room and when laid in harmony with the furniture and other elements in the interior design of a room, it bestows an elegance that synthetic flooring is unable to match.

Hardwood flooring can be installed using the following methods:

Nail Down: Nails are used to attach hardwood to the subfloor either on grade or above grade. Nails are usually used for hardwood with a thickness of 3/4”.

Staple Down: Nails can be substituted with a pneumatic stapler for attaching the hardwood to the subfloor. Stapling is easier to accomplish as compared to nailing and is therefore favored by DIY enthusiasts.

Glue Down: Patterned wood panels or parquets can be glued to the subfloor on, above, or below grade. The subfloor can be either wooden or concrete.

Floating: Engineered and Longstrip floors can be installed using the floating process in which a pad of foam is placed between the floors and the subfloor. The hardwood boards are held in place by means of adhesive that is applied in the tongue and groove portion of each board. Floating enables the installation of hardwood on uneven surfaces.

Hardwood flooring is easy to maintain and the following guidelines should help homeowners to ensure the beauty and longevity of their hardwood flooring.

• The flooring must be swept and vacuumed regularly to prevent the accumulation of dust that may scratch the finish

• Doormats and rugs at entrances prevent sand particles from abrading the hardwood flooring

• Furniture and chairs should have padding on the legs in order to prevent scratching the floor while dragging/moving furniture

• The dimensions of hardwood flooring are liable to change with humidity; a relative humidity of around 45% should be maintained all year round

• A rug or mat should be placed in front of workstations, washbasins, kitchen sinks in order to prevent scratching and staining from utensils, detergents, and water

• Hardwood flooring should be protected from direct light, whether natural or artificial. Intense direct light can lead to discoloration of the floor

Hardwood floorings can be treated with surface finishes that lend it a gloss, increase resilience, and make it water-resistant. The finishes consist of urethanes and polyurethanes. A hardwood floor with a surface finish does not require waxing.

Wax finishes penetrate the cells of the wood and offer a low-gloss finish. Periodic buffing helps to restore the sheen of wax-finished floors. Hardwood flooring used in areas of high traffic such as stores and restaurants are impregnated with acrylic finishes that increase its hardness and durability.

Josh Harmon recommends that you visit http://www.ifloor.com/cat_8/hardwood-floors.html for more information on hardwood floors

Shower curtains are a quick and inexpensive way to change the look of your bathroom. For much less than $100, you can go from plain to exceptional. An often overlooked facet of bathroom decorating is the shower curtain hook.

Shower curtain hooks are used to attach shower curtains to rods. Though they are functional, they do not have to be boring. Hooks are available in many different styles. No matter your decorating style, you are sure to find a shower curtain hook to match.

They are available in a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, brass, silver, and copper, and in a rainbow of colors. They come in many different styles, from gleaming chrome to distressed heart-shaped curtain hooks to fit a country décor.

Shower curtain hooks are also available in floral and nature designs. Leaves are a particularly popular element as they match many different shower curtains.

For collectors or those going with an animal theme, hooks are available in the form of cats, dogs, fish, and frogs. Insects are also a popular choice, with hooks shaped as ladybugs, bumblebees, butterflies, and more. Some feature an amazing amount of detail for such a small item. Multi-colored and hand-painted, these are like mini works of art.

For children, shower curtain hooks are even available in the form of popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Tinkerbell, Nemo, Mickey Mouse, and Ariel.

Shower curtain hooks generally come in packs of twelve. They cost anywhere from $7.99 to over $30. They can be found at a variety of stores, including department stores, bedding stores, and home improvement stores. Some grocery stores and discount stores even sell shower curtain hooks. These will normally be of the solid-colored plastic variety, though.

Whimsical or elegant, romantic or fun, traditional or modern… however you choose to decorate your bathroom, there is at least one shower curtain hook to match.

Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.

Whatever your circumstances, if you like the idea of getting back to nature, why not think about creating a rustic home? You don’t need to relocate or live in the country to achieve the rustic home look; you just need to get inspired. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a loft apartment, or a larger property; you can still create a charming rustic home.

Let’s start by looking at flooring. You can give your home an immediate rustic feel by taking up the carpet and going natural. Bring some early American history into your home and use reclaimed solid wood plank flooring. It will bring warmth and atmosphere to your home and become a talking point, as much reclaimed wood comes from buildings that are well over a century old. If you don’t want to use reclaimed wood there are many companies offering flooring that comes with the assurance that the wood is taken from a certified well-managed forest. You need have no worries that your new rustic home won’t be ecologically friendly.

One of the most important choices to make when choosing a rustic decorative theme is lighting. There are many unique designs to choose from. Consider a wagon wheel chandelier to give an authentic western feel to your home, or reproduction antlers to add a feeling of the wild and the natural. Advantages of bringing in reproductive lighting, particularly in the case of antlers, are that they are practical and affordable. Rustic tin lamps can also bring a rustic feel to your home.

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting furniture for your rustic home. The rustic look is full of texture and for this reason it is important not to overdo it. Choose only a few select items, and if you want to avoid using too much wooden furniture, consider mixing in some wrought iron. Wrought iron can often incorporate wildlife or nature images that blend beautifully with the rustic natural feel. Decorative coat racks, wood and newspaper bins can add country charm. Add a bit of style and warmth with fabrics and accessories, from country-style cushion covers to duvets and throws.

You don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to create a rustic home. Think about adding thoughtful little touches that cost little or nothing at all - except some imagination. Press some flowers or leaves, collect some shells or acorns, and arrange them into an attractive display that can be mounted on a wall. Make use of an existing hobby - or start a new one - and create some artwork. From needlework, cross-stitch to photography and drawing - all of these can add to the lovely feel of your rustic home.

A rustic home can be for everyone. If you want to live in the country but are unable to do so, bring the country feel into your home by making it rustic. If you live in the country, make yours a rustic home to blend in with your surroundings. Whoever and wherever you are, you can create a rustic home.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Today more than ever people are looking to lend their homes a country touch by adding sizeable pieces such as rustic furniture or smaller touches such as rustic lighting to their rooms. Stop by our site today to receive many free rustic design tips.

Anyone who has ever hung traditional shower curtains will agree on one thing: hooks are a pain to use. You get one side hung and the other side comes unhooked. While you’re reattaching that side, three hooks fall off. You fumble, you drop things. Before you get the whole thing hung, you are quite tempted to throw the curtain — and the hooks — out of the nearest window. There is an easier way.

Several different varieties of hookless shower curtains are now available. Though they all attach by different methods, each works with your existing standard shower curtain rods… and they all eliminate the hooks.

One such hookless shower curtain is available for $19.99 from AmeriMark. Equipped with a built-in flexible split-ring system, it simply fits over your curtain rod.

Another type of hookless shower curtain is one that utilizes ties. While each tie does have to be individually tied, you do not have to fumble with hard-to-use rings. One example is the Watershed Shower Curtain from Plow & Hearth. In addition to being hookless, this shower curtain also repels water, eliminating the threat of mold and mildew.

Some other hookless shower curtains use buttons, snaps, or Velcro to attach to the rod. While all of these methods have their own drawbacks, they do away with a lot of the hassle of dealing with hooks.

Hookless shower curtains are available at a variety of outlets. Try your local department stores, such as Target and WalMart. Many home improvement stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot, also sell shower curtains. In addition, they are available at bedding and home décor stores like Linens N Things and Bed Bath & Beyond. You can also find hookless shower curtains at many online stores.

Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.

Area rugs are a great way to accentuate portions of a room and add to the mood and ambience of the interior decoration by harmonizing colors and shapes. Ideally, the primary colors of the rug should complement the wall, furniture, and furnishing colors. The rugs can be used to focus attention on another aspect of interior decoration or can be used as the center of attraction. Large, centrally placed medallion rugs garner maximum attention. Area rugs are available in a variety of materials, textures, and shapes.

Area rugs are an excellent combination of form and utility and beautifully crafted hand rugs are veritable works of art. Most handmade area rugs are made from fine quality wool that is capable of withstanding the rigors of heavy traffic and regular cleanings. High quality handmade area rugs may have a density of 750 knots per square inch and above.

Area rugs have evolved into unique shapes and designs all over the world. Oval braided rugs have history dating back to the colonial period in the U.S. They are popular even today and oval braided rugs in shades such as brown, blue, or green lend a rustic feel to a room. Area rugs can also have a luxurious lush pile in warm colors that accentuate a feeling of cozy comfort. Mexican rugs and dhurries from India can alter the tone of an arrangement of furniture such that it acquires a characteristic distinct from the rest of the room.

Area rugs require to be taken care of and if the rug is not too bulky, it can be taken to the cleaners who have the expertise of handling area rugs made from different materials. Care should be taken that furniture is not placed on the newly washed wet rugs otherwise the rugs will carry permanent marks. Spills should be diluted with water and brushed gently from outside to the center.

The cost of an area rug depends upon its manufacturing process and materials used. Handmade Persian and Oriental rugs can be expensive. Machine-manufactured rugs that are durable and can stand wear and tear are available for as low as fifty dollars; at the same time there are area rugs that can cost a few thousand dollars and are often used in mansions and hotel lobbies to complement the fine furniture in these places.

Wood floors and area rugs complement one another amazingly well; wood floors are elegant and easy to clean and area rugs offer a variety of options to accentuate the character of a room with wooden flooring and also act as a source of warmth for the feet on cold winter days. Area rugs fit in with the décor of every room and this adds to their appeal; they not only enliven a dull room but also help to reduce noise levels.

Josh Harmon recommends that you visit http://www.rugarea.com/ for more information on area rugs.

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make over your bathroom, consider buying a new shower curtain. Shower curtains are available in a variety of styles, materials, and prices. Shower curtains can be whimsical, floral, traditional, or a host of other styles. And, of course, they can be designer.

Many of the big-name designers have taken part in shower curtain designs. Liz Claiborne, for example, offers a Cable Knit shower curtain in Ivory or Aloe. If you decide to have a Liz Claiborne master suite or guest room, matching accessories include duvet covers, towels, shams, wastebasket, lotion pump, and more.

Nautica offers a sophisticated shower curtain in classic colors. It is offered with matching sheets, duvet, and bed skirts.

Regent also offers shower curtains. Their embroidered shower curtain is multi-colored and offers many matching accessories, including wastebasket, lotion pump, tissue box, towels, toothbrush holder, soap dish, and tumbler.

Eddie Bauer offers a nice selection of shower curtains, including a denim curtain. They also offer towels and robes in coordinating colors.

Tommy Hilfiger has also entered the home décor arena. Their shower curtains have a retail price of $90. Hilfiger also offers many color-coordinated accessories like towels, lotion pump, wastebasket, soap dish, and tumbler.

Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Hotel are a few other well-known designers now offering bathroom décor.

Many fine department stores such as Macy’s, JC Penney, and Foley’s, sell designer shower curtains. Specialty home stores, such as Linens N Things and Bed Bath and Beyond also carry a selection of shower curtains by well-known designers. While designer shower curtains can be more expensive than their non-name brand counterparts, you can sometimes find them at a discount. Overstock offers many products at deep discounts over retail. While their inventory changes regularly, it is worthwhile to visit their site and do a search.

Whether you pay full price or get them at a discount, the look of your finished bathroom is sure to be priceless.

Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.

If you have a hunting lodge, or just a country lodge or cabin retreat to get away from the daily stress of city life, then you have an opportunity to create an ambience totally different from your main city or town home. You can use a variety of appropriately designed and themed décor to create an atmosphere that is not only in keeping with your rustic home from home, but quite in contrast to that which you might normally have in your main residence.

If you go to the lodge to get away from "normal" life, then a contrast in decor will add to that escapism. It is said that a change is as good as a rest, and a change in internal, as well as external, surroundings can make a significant contribution to the relaxed feeling you like to enjoy when you go for your weekend break or regular vacation.

If the lodge is your own, then you will no doubt want to furnish and decorate it in a way that will give you that sense of escapism, yet at the same time make it feel like “home”. If yours is a modern city home, with a light and bright modern interior, then an excellent contrast for your lodge retreat is to seek out rustic décor that blends well.

One thing that makes choosing lodge décor easier, is the way that old vintage styles fit so well in the lodge environment. The liberal use of wood, especially dark wood, in furniture, wall hangings and ornaments, goes as well in a 16th century country cottage in the English countryside, as it does in a modern lodge in North America. This means that it is readily available, as the market is much wider than lodges or cabins, and really embraces all country homes and farmhouses.

The use of floral fabrics and rustic styles in the lighting and other home necessities, goes as well in a country cottage as a hunting or holiday lodge. Even the kitchen can be an escape to the past, but still modern in its function, with the use of vintage style pots and pans, antique style table and chairs, vintage pot hangers and so on. Just about every type of fitting, ornament, furniture item, or decoration can be found in a theme suitable for a lodge.

Using vintage rustic styles for your lodge interior can be taken a step further, by using a sub theme that is also in keeping with your surroundings, and the purpose of the lodge. For example, if it is a hunting lodge, then you can easily seek out fabrics, ornaments, decorations, furniture and utensils that feature moose or deer. If it is just a lodge for nature trekking and enjoying the countryside, then broader nature themes can be used, featuring local trees and flowers, as well as animals familiar in the area where the lodge is situated.

With a little bit of imagination, to visualize your ideal lodge interior design, and a bit of searching, you are sure to be able to create a rustic ambience that will welcome you in the depths of winter or the height of summer.

This lodge decor article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gardens and Decor web site.

Once upon a time, shower curtains were functional… and they were boring. Not today. Shower curtains are now decorative as well as useful. They can be bold and vibrant or simple and understated. A little looking can turn up some truly unique designs.

There are many options for those looking for something beyond the simple floral prints, stripes, polka dots, and solids. Bed Bath & Beyond, for example, offers a Life Magazine shower curtain. This unique design features reproductions of classic Life magazine photographs, and costs approximately $30.

Gallery Street offers truly unique shower curtains. For $135, the company will reproduce any photograph onto a fabric shower curtain. You can use photos of your family, vacation, pets, or anything else you desire — talk about a one-of-a-kind shower curtain. You can also place favorite sayings, children’s artwork, or personal drawings on the curtain. If you prefer, the company also offers a selection of professional artwork that can be reproduced on shower curtains.

The Bathroom Marquee offers a new idea in shower curtains. Their Out-a-Sight shower curtain folds neatly into a box when it is not being used.

Shower curtains are available in a number of styles to suit various professions and hobbies. For example, Bungalow Beach offers a curtain that is sure to appeal to surfers. The Longboards Shower Curtain costs $65 and features palm trees and surfboards. If you are looking for a unique gift for a hunter or fisherman, consider the unique shower curtains from Fish and Gifts. Fish and Gifts offers a shower curtain that features antique fishing lures. Using the art of Jon Q. Wright, this curtain is made in bold colors.

To add a touch of style or pizzazz to an otherwise merely functional room, consider a unique shower curtain. This will liven up your space and make it much more personal.

Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.

A simple decision at face value- choose a paint color or color scheme for your home - can turn even the strongest amongst us into quivering wimps. The fear of picking the wrong color has many homeowners paralyzed and unable to make a decision. You can always hire a decorator or Color Design Expert to help you solve your color selection problem. However, if your would rather do it own your own you can use a simple technique that I recommend to my clients and decorating workshop students.

1. Make a trip to your local home improvement center and head straight for the paint department. Pick whatever color you take a fancy to. Don’t worry about where you will be using the color for now. Just have fun with your choices this will help you reduce the intimidation of choosing a color. This is the first step in overcoming your fear.

2. Grab you favorite fashion magazines and cut out images with colors you find attractive. After all if you are attracted to a color in make-up or fashion, odds are you will like that color in your home.

3. Find an inspiration piece in your home that you absolutely love. Use the colors from that piece to guide you in you color choices.

4. Buy pint or smaller sizes of paint colors you have decided on and apply them to a small section of wall or posterboard (tape it to the wall). Watch how the color changes through out the day as it responds to daylight and artificial light. IF you definately love the color -then get the color and start painting. If not just repeat this exercise.

Keep in mind that choosing a paint color or color scheme for your home is not a life or death choice. Approach the decision with a sense of humor and adventure knowing that no matter if you choose right or wrong at least you made a decision. If you chose the color you love Congratulations. If you chose a color you decided you didn’t like Congratulations too! You are just one step closer to finding the color that defines your personality and one step further away from your fear of color.

Carmen Natschke is an award winning designer and co-founder of roominakit.com an online home decor shop and decorating resource. Carmen is passionate about decorating and has shared that passion with hundreds of women through her Decorating Divas workshops and seminars. She is currently working on her book "Decorate Like A Pro" which is based on the innovative approach to decorating taught in her workshops and seminars. Read other decorating articles by Carmen or visit her decorating blog for daily decorating advice and articles.

Decorating a kid’s bathroom can be fun. There are so many possible themes, such as Disney characters, animals, the ocean, and geometric shapes, just to name a few.

When decorating a kid’s bathroom, an important consideration is color. Many children enjoy bright, bold colors such as bright blues, reds, and yellows. Others prefer more subdued colors such as pastels. Some prefer a mix of many colors, while others prefer that one or two colors predominate.

When deciding on a theme and color scheme for a children’s bathroom, you might want to first shop for shower curtains. In many bathrooms, the shower curtain is the most prominent feature. If you find a shower curtain you particularly like, it is usually easy to decorate the entire bathroom to match.

Kid shower curtains are available in most of today’s popular characters, such as Hello Kitty, Barbie, Disney princesses, Sponge Bob Squarepants, and Bob the Builder. If you do not wish to use character decorations, many other kid-friendly themes are available as well. Ocean themes are popular choices for bathrooms. They can be fun and funky or simple and elegant, depending on colors used and the types of prints. Other well-liked styles are jungle prints, sports themes, rainbows, clouds, and nature scenes.

Another consideration is how long you need the décor to last. If you plan to change the bathroom often, it is okay to use your child’s favorite characters and bold, vibrant colors. However, if you want a style that will last, you should probably consider more traditional décor. Floral patterns, polka dots, checks, and stripes in pastels or understated colors are style elements that can grow with your child.

Like their adult counterparts, shower curtains for children are available in many different materials, such as vinyl, fabric, and plastic.

Kid shower curtains are readily available at most department stores, bedding stores, home improvement stores, and many online stores.

Shower Curtains Info provides detailed information about unique, designer, hookless, fabric, and kids’ shower curtains, and shower curtain rods and hooks. Shower Curtains Info is the sister site of Bathroom Vanities Web.