Archive for April, 2007

Posted on Apr 30th, 2007

When talking about positive and negative spaces it is important to first understand the term "space" in itself. In interior design any volume which is being contained within masonry walls and are habitable is normally termed as space.

The volume that gets enclosed in an architectural structure is just a tiny fraction of the vast amount of "universal space". By universal space I mean the cosmos or the gigantic vastness in which our planet and all other planets, starts etc.. survive.

The volume, which gets contained in a building, varies according to the use of the building. A cinema theatre and a bedroom will surely have different purposes and hence volume. Volume gets defined by three factors, length, breadth and height of the habitable room.

But irrespective of the volume both types of buildings mentioned above have "spaces" enclosed within. Lets consider the bedroom for the sake of this article.

A typical bedroom will have certain architectural elements attached to it at the time of construction of the building and certain "imposed" later for the sake of proper function. Also it is important to note that no one builds bedrooms in isolation. A bedroom is always a part of the entire home plan.

The architectural elements already present in a bedroom would be attached toilet and its entrance door, attached terrace or backyard entry, attached study room. All these spaces have work like supplementary role in a bedroom. Now the "imposed" elements are the furniture in the room, other accessories that will occupy the space in a bedroom.

A typical bedroom will have a double bed, wardrobe, dressing table, side tables, study table, book shelf etc.. All these are necessary to use the room in a comfortable way. When these furniture are arranged in a room what remains is termed as the "circulation space". Now most people think that the volume of the furniture and the remaining empty space must have a balance between them. Because it is not the occupied volume, but the empty volume, that decides the comfort levels inside a room.

If you visit a store room on the basement of a house which is normally used to dump useless things, you will notice that the empty space remained is very less and hence the comfort levels there, are poor. So in interior design the "empty space" is equally important. Now here comes the concept of positive and negative spaces. Normally a negative space is considered a space which can not be used for a specific human activity.

But this is not true. As said above the over all comfort levels in a room is determined by both the occupied as well as non-occupied spaces. So any smallest piece of floor area that is not being occupied is going to contribute to the comfort levels.

That’s why the terminology of being positive and negative as far as usability is considered becomes a personal matter. What you think as a useless and non functional space can become a good place for your kid and his friends when they play hide and seek. It’s just the viewpoint to look at thing that matters.

Also a little creativity can alter a non-functional space into a functional one. But remember what I said earlier, in interior design empty space matters. It is not just beautiful furniture, costly paints/wallpapers/paintings that are going to decorate your rooms. Finally it boils down to only one thing, YOU and YOUR mental as well as physical health in that space.

I hope this article was helpful to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya discusses some excellent tips on home renovation at his interior design website. You will also find some great concept level thinking on bedrooms and decorating ideas.

Posted on Apr 30th, 2007

During your spring cleaning, don’t forget to think about your antiques. In this month’s column, we’ll give you seven tips to help you care for your antique furniture.

1. Use paste wax

Every couple of months, wax with a good quality paste wax that can be found in any hardware store. If you wax too much, it can dull the finish and attract dust. To remove a waxy build up, apply varesol with a clean cotton cloth. Proper waxing will bring up the color and grain of the wood and protect it. Rub a small amount on a soft cloth and apply it in circular motions. Let it dry then buff with a clean cloth.

2. Don’t use aerosol sprays

Avoid aerosol spray polishes because they can contain silicone oil and other agents that can be harmful to your furniture. For daily cleaning, use a clean cloth or a clean duster. For those who like to use something more, I recommend Orange Oil because it works well to clean and polish wood finishes. I like it because it doesn’t leave a wax build up and doesn’t contain linseed or silicone oil.

3. Use coasters

A great deal of surface damage can be prevented if you always remember to use coasters, mats and trivets and avoid placing hot and/or wet items directly on furniture.

4. Avoid scratching furniture

Never slide anything (vase, plate, serving dish etc) across a surface because it will scratch. A very light scratch can be treated with Restore-AFinish, a great multi-purpose product. Deep scratches require the skill of professional restorers.

5. Clean liquid spills

Spilled water should be thoroughly wiped up immediately. Alcohol and solvents (nail polish, nail polish remover, perfumes) should be dabbed, not wiped because they can act like a furniture stripper and damage the finish. White rings left from either a hot drink or a wet glass should be attended to right away. A little Brasso applied with a clean cloth may do the trick. Or, I have found that Restor-A-Finish works well to remove white rings. Always test on a small area first. Remove candle wax – Wait for the wax to cool then gently loosen using a fingernail to remove.

6. Draw the drapes

Just as sun damage to the skin is cumulative and permanent, its effects on wood are just as destructive. Diffused sunlight over a long period of time can be as detrimental as direct sunlight over a short period of time. Sunlight can turn a clear finish yellow.The only good news about sun damage is that it’s easy to avoid. Draw the drapes, pull the blinds or have an UV-filtering film applied to your windows.

7. Don’t ignore relative humidity

Central heating is the worst thing to happen to antiques. A warm inside and cold outside makes life comfortable while wreaking havoc on antiques. It’s the fluctuations in relative humidity that central heating creates which cause the problem. Wood responds to relative humidity by expanding and contracting as it tries to maintain a balance with its environment. It’s not the rapid changes during the course of a day that cause the most damage. It’s the long-term seasonal fluctuations, which cause the serious damage.

During the dry winter months when it is cold outside and warm inside, wood tends to shrink. During hot damp summers when it is warm outside and cooler inside, wood tends to expand. Long-term exposure to these conditions leads to cracking, warping and splitting.

To guard against the fluctuations in relative humidity in your home, use a humidifier during the cold winter and a dehumidifier in the damp summer. Think twice before putting a good piece of furniture in a basement, attic, near heating vents or near fireplaces. Keep fresh air circulating. Maintain a constant room temperature and turn it low at night.

Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has teachescourses on antiques. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com

Posted on Apr 29th, 2007

Placing other types of rugs by home entrances, sinks, or in other areas where the flooring is likely to get wet is your best bet of reducing the chance for falls. Additionally, the softness of shag area rugs offer great cushioning for the first steps of any baby. Shag area rugs come in a large variety of both bright and pastel colors. They are easy to care for if you follow the instructions properly.

Shag area rugs are one of the most popular floor coverings around.

Caring for your shag area rug properly can extend its usable life indefinitely. Typical maintenance can include regular cleaning with a vacuum and occasional cleaning with a steam machine. Using your vacuum on a regular basis is important with shag area rugs because the vacuum picks up particles that can damage the carpet fibers. As well as reducing the level of dirt caught under the fibers, vacuuming helps to keep up the look of the shag area rug. It is essential to vacuum at least once a week. You should vacuum twice per week in areas that have heavy foot traffic.

Additionally, it is important to keep your vacuum in good working order to maintain a higher level of clean. Because the vacuuming can only catch surface dirt, your shag area rug may need another method of cleaning periodically. A wet cleaner, like a steam machine, is best to remove deep carpet soil like oil or grease. This can be done through a small rental machine or through a professional service. The level of frequency you complete this type of cleaning depends on the shag area rug you have purchased. For most, though, you should complete a deep cleaning every one to two years. Shag area rugs are a nice addition to any home with the proper care.

Adam Peters contributes adding content continuously to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com, a free online magazine for interior design and decorating ideas, where you will find further information on area rugs; http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/carpets-rugs/shag-area-rugs.html, among many other complements to your house.

Posted on Apr 29th, 2007

Many people agree that flowers are one of the most important elements in your design. From big parties to small get-togethers, flowers can bring that added touch to any setting. If you are planning to appoint a florist for your event, discuss what you want to achieve with your flowers. Many people do not know what they require and will be left with disappointing flowers. Lots of hosts or organizers hire florists that can turn out to be a disappointing investment. If you follow the 5 rules laid out below, you will invest in a good florist that knows exactly what you like and can use flowers to reinforce the mood you must create.

1. Research

This step is very important before you talk to your florist. Discuss what type of flowers you prefer for your special occasion. To get more ideas, look around in local flower shops or even online. Get a taste of florists’ outlines and flower arrangements in your area. Knowing what color, size or type of flower you want will let your florist tailor to you. Also, researching different flowers trends can give you more creativity with flowers. If you are aware of what flowers are in season, your purchased flowers will stay strong and stay healthier, longer.

2. Budget

When discussing your budget with a florist, be very firm. Only you know how much you are willing to spend on your flowers. If the quote that a florist gives you is unreasonable, search around your neighborhood. It is always better to find a great deal and a florist that will take your flowers seriously. A knowledgeable florist should be able to suggest new flower ideas within your price range.

3. Communication

Communication is key when dealing with your florist. Your florist must know what you like or dislike. If your florist suggests a theme that you are not comfortable with, be honest. It could save stress and grief later. Get to know your florist better. If you are friendly, you are more likely to solve and negotiate problems. A good florist will build on your ideas and create them into beautiful flowers for your special day.

4. Style

This one is crucial for your flowers to be perfect. Know your florist’s style. Florists and flower shops usually have distinct details that are seen in their arrangements and bouquets. Many professional florists stick to one prominent style or topic. If you are unsure about his/her style, ask to look at photos of other weddings, events, etc. that they have planned. Make sure your florist has some experience in this area. If you are still not keen, shop around for another florist who has flowers that you can pour your heart into.

5. Planning

To make an event fabulous, you must organize and plan. Always know where you are going to be placing your flowers and how many arrangements you will need. Florists are great at helping you categorize and outline your feelings and personalities into flowers. This creates mood when you are entertaining your guests. Florists can also point out things that you may have overlooked. All of the little details, like planning and being in control, contribute to the making of a wonderful day!

Florists can be a tremendous asset in helping you in designing and creating magical flowers for your special occasion. Whether a birthday party, wedding, or anniversary many florists are willing to plan any event for you. They can also help you create the appropriate mood for business functions or a more somber statement such as a funeral. After reading these tips, you can be confident that you will save money and time on a good and reliable florist.

If you put these 5 tips for hiring a florist into action, you will be rewarded with exceptional results.

Janna Hagan is the owner of Flower Delivery Service Online, where it is easy to find the right florist online for you! Visit the site to hire or search a florist now; http://www.flower-delivery-service-online.com

Posted on Apr 28th, 2007

Curio cabinets have become a delight in themselves as they showcase your favorite things and mementos to friends and family, keep all your dear treasures in one place to admire them in wonderment everyday, or protect your growing collection of porcelain dolls from your 5-year old.

Curio cabinets started as places to keep curios - defined in the dictionary as curious or unusual objects of art or knickknacks and whatnots that are perhaps worthy of collecting because of their oddity. This definition could, of course, include silver spoons from Alaska, all assortments of wedding and christening favors, crystals, face masks from Africa and possibly even shrunken heads from the Amazons of Ecuador and Peru.

Nowadays, however, you can use curio cabinets for anything:

- Show off your family’s sporting interests by displaying your son’s bowling trophies next to your husbands autographed baseballs.

- House your priceless family heirlooms - such as, great grandma’s turqoise and silver comb, grandpa’s golden pen, mum’s old sapphire brooch which you wore on your wedding day and your son’s first baby photo.

- Or perhaps, protect from dust and grime the brass alto saxophone that you know you’ll learn to play one day in your retirement years.

But how do you choose the curio cabinet that’s just right for you? Ask yourself the following questions below and find out how.

Tips on how to choose a curio cabinet

1. The first question you should ask when buying a curio cabinet is: What kind of curios will I put in it? If it is a tall brass alto saxophone, then you need to get a tall, traditional curio cabinet with fitted glass doors to keep the dust out and with removable glass shelves to make room for your favorite musical instrument.

2. How much light is there at the spot where you are going to put your curio cabinet? Is it in the sunroom with plenty of natural light or is it in a dark corner of the house? If the latter then you need an illuminated cabinet to brighten the corner as well as provide accent lighting to your displays.

3. How big a space do you have for your curio cabinet?

- Is the space amply high and wide? Then you might want to get a traditional, dark cherry curio cabinet with generous measurements of 44W x 17D x 79H inches.

- If narrower, then a more contemporary curio cabinet with practical urban living measurements of 24W x 12D x 76H inches may be better.

- If low and wide such as in a family room or den, then a golden oak console curio cabinet measuring 56W x 13D x 30H inches is probably what you need.

- And if angled in a corner, you may want a curio cabinet that can be snugly placed in a corner and probably measuring around 28W x 16D x 72H inches.

4. The other question to ask is - Do you want to match the look of your curio cabinet with the other furniture in the room?

- If you want to maintain a traditional look, then you might want to choose from grand old fashioned designs with bevelling, hand-carved details and dark timber finishes.

- If the room is contemporary, then you might want the clean lines and lighter timber finishes of a more urbanized curio cabinet with lots of mirror and glass.

5. What type of wood or non-wood appeals to you?

- If affordability is a consideration and you do not mind the look of MDF or engineered wood, then you might choose a curio cabinet made of strenghtened pressed particle board and topped with timber veneer or laminate.

- If you feel that a solid wood curio cabinet sounds like a good investment, then you should get a curio cabinet made from the more popular oak or maple - hardwoods that can only gain character and charm as they age.

6. And last but not least, what is your budget?

- Are you prepared to splurge on a Louis XV-inspired Pulaski curio cabinet selling for $2000 so that you can have a spectacular accent piece that can transform your entire living room experience?

- Or do you just want a simple wall curio cabinet - one that you can get for $20 at ebay to put your dog figurine collection?

Flor Buenaventura is a writer who has a great interest in furnishings for the home and garden. To see a fantastic collection of resources related to curio cabinets and other types of furniture, please visit her Curio Cabinets website.

Posted on Apr 28th, 2007

Country decorating ideas can help you create a home that is warm, inviting and the perfect home to live in. Country style decorating ideas help you capture the spirit of country living during modern times. If you are restoring a country home, try to keep the original woodwork, windows, floors, fixtures and cabinetry unless they are beyond salvaging. For decorating a new or existing home, there are choices you can make that will provide you with the charm and comfort of life in the countryside.

Consider these country decorating ideas and country style decorating ideas:

1. Country Dining Rooms - use a large rectangular table made of pine, oak, walnut or mahogany with wooden chairs or old benches that are similar in style and material. A corner cupboard, plate racks, dresser or sideboard will provide perfect storage and serving area for the dining room as long as they match the style and the materials of the table and chairs.

2. Country Bathroom Decorating - country bathroom floors are made of wood, ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl or natural cork. Carpeting used in the country bathroom is not appropriate. Wood and brass accessories are perfect materials to use in a country bathroom. Plain white towels instead of patterned or bright modern patterns are better. Wicker or wire baskets keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos handy near the tub or shower besides looking great.

3. Country Kitchen Decorating Ideas - use country decorating ideas in your kitchen. Give your kitchen a calm, elegant country atmosphere with soft colored walls, antique-looking lighting (chandeliers with wrought iron arms), wooden antiques or antique reproduction cabinets, plate racks and stone or wood fireplaces. Kitchen cabinets made of wood, aged surfaces, natural materials, rough finishes and round knobs provide a country style. Cabinets or kitchen furniture made of pine, even painted, can be beautiful key elements in the country kitchen. Country kitchen countertops use ceramic tiles or even hand painted tiles, slate or marble. If you want to use laminate materials, go for plain colors for coverings. Terracotta tiles, brick, stone and wood are very popular materials for country kitchen floors.

4. Kids Rooms - use wicker baskets, wooden chests and wooden bookshelves for storing books, toys and stuffed animals. When using tall bookshelves in your kid’s rooms, anchor them to the ceiling or walls so they cannot tip over. Bright colored plastic boxes are not good country style decorating ideas.

5. Furniture - furniture with simple lines, perhaps made of lacquered pine wood works great. Give furniture a rustic look by finishing it in a distressed, aged way. For example, brush on a coat of paint, then rub most of the paint off with a sponge or cloth. When dried, apply wood stain sealer unevenly. It will be perfect! Or use two paint colors and sandpaper to create a distressed look for unpainted or previously painted surfaces. Get free country decorating ideas by visiting your local home decorating or paint store for help with materials and techniques. Have fun looking for antiques, reproductions and handmade products when buying furniture for your country home.

6. Sofas or Love Seats - country decorating ideas can transform your love seat or sofa. Add a beautiful loose floral print "slipcover" for a romantic country look. Include padded stools and ottomen for comfort and as a place to set your drinks or newspaper. Add one or more rocking chairs. Traditional country chairs and sofas have high backs. And if the living room has a bay window, consider building a window seat with several cushions, a perfect place for reading and relaxing. High tripod side tables are appropriate next to the sofa or love seat for country home decor.

7. Antique Cupboards or White Cabinets - use a white cabinet or antique cupboard to show your ceramics, pottery, yellowware bowls, glass jars, or a collection of enamelware from the 30’s or 40’s to give your home a beautiful country style. Open shelving not only provides storage, it gives the room a country look, especially when earthware, stoneware and rustic items are displayed.

Country decorating ideas and country style decorating ideas remind us of the way life was lived many years ago. Everyday country life was often difficult, filled with physical demands and long hours. Even so, country life was simpler and closer to nature without the stress of modern city life.

Use country decorating ideas to help recreate the ambience, peacefulness and pleasures of closeness to nature without having to endure the hardships. Read all you can find about country style decorating ideas. From using old furniture to the colors and fabrics you choose to how your things are arranged, create the country atmosphere in your home that celebrates the lifestyle that used to be.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

David Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website for more on country home decorating and design, kitchen and bathroom design and decor tips, home storage, fireplaces and more.

Posted on Apr 27th, 2007

Televisions come in a variety of sizes ranging from the corner stand TVs to the complete range of home theater systems. While finding a place to store a normal size TV proves no problem, finding space for your big screen entertainment center may require some elaborate planning.

For setting up a big screen entertainment center, you need to first make a list of components and equipment that will be needed. A typical list of components will include the TV, VCR, laser disc player or DVD player, stereo system, and console-based game station.

Given the varied assortment of the components involved and their sizes, big screen entertainment centers take up a lot of space in any room – living or bedroom. That means they need to be aligned to any one wall in a room. Apart from the electronic equipment, these big screen solutions also have provisions for books and a computer.

This means that these centers can fulfill the relaxation and recreational needs of several people at once and therefore, these entertainment centers become the converging point for entire family. The position of a big screen entertainment center also determines the setting of the entire room.

An entertainment center aligned to a wall can become the anchor of the entire room, around which the rest of the furniture such as the sofa, is arranged. The entertainment center and the rest of the furniture of the room should blend aesthetically with the décor and color scheme of the room.

In fact, a host of contemporary and traditional designs allow for the TV, DVD player, PC and other peripheral components to blend gracefully together with each other as also with the décor of the rest of the room.

All said, television is only one of the many elements of a big screen entertainment center. In addition, you can also place your PC in the entertainment center and use it to download music or video. Yet the TV continues to rule supreme as the biggest home entertainment provider. To get the complete theater sound effect, you can connect surround-sound speaker systems. The sound of these systems varies depending on where you place them.

Entertainment Centers provides detailed information about entertainment centers, corner entertainment centers, entertainment center furniture, and more. Entertainment Centers is affiliated with Flag Display Cases.

Posted on Apr 27th, 2007

This Italian lifestyle project, underlined by the aroma of espresso coffee, is divided into three thematic areas showing different ways of rendering the multifaceted personality of today’s ceramic tiles, an irreplaceable part of home decor.

The setting is decidedly unusual: the space, occupied by a mechanical workshop for the rest of the year, features a barrel-vaulted gallery facing the entrance courtyard.

Natural light coming through the glass roof lights up gallery, enhancing the fascination of the colours of Pietra Forte from Florence recreated in full-bodied porcelain tile (26"x13" square, from the Format collection).

The two designers had fun with the modular formats of the stone: almost as if trying to escape the classic right angles of ceramic tile layout patterns, they created a wave that rises up the back wall in a gradation of strips. Tall lights of light canvas, simple and comfortable garden furniture and fresh herbal scents complete the natural scene. The courtyard also contains a small gazebo, built in all-black Lavagna slate (26"x13" square, Format collection), used to cover the floor and walls both inside and out. The whole is given an even more modern look by huge plastic plant pots and armchairs of minimal design, decorated with elegant floral prints.

The third setting is a glamorous mix. Bright red lights, designer chairs, inebriating essences and metallic surfaces(18"x18" Steel, Metal Line collection) are reflected in the mirror columns so that they are infinitely multiplied as if to disorient the visitor. In the evening, artificial lighting transforms the environments: our perception of the colour of the material changes, surrounded by lights and shadows in a new perspective that enhances its multi-sensorial dimension.

Iris Ceramica
http://www.irisceramica.com

l+r palomba
http://www.palombaserafini.com

Iris Ceramica Spa
Fiorano modenese (MO)
Italy - EU

Posted on Apr 26th, 2007

January is a time for setting goals and making plans for the year ahead. The typical resolutions of losing weight or saving money could be made a little easier when you feel proud of where you live. You deserve a beautiful home. There are four easy things to do – without spending a lot of money – which will help you love your home.

A reasonable goal is to pick one or two of the suggestions below and finish that project in the next month. Enjoy the year with a fresh new look! These ideas can make a powerful impact on the way you feel about your home but are cost effective and affordable.

As you take down your tree or other holiday decorations – do not place furniture back in the same location as it was before. Try something new. Now is the time to change it up and get a new perspective! Consider moving furniture between rooms. Maybe a chair for the bedroom will look great in the den. Maybe the den’s leather couch can be switched with the family room’s loveseat.

Try to learn about and obtain some original artwork. A pet peeve of many professional decorators (myself included) is the mass produced art print. When I go to a client’s houses, I just cringe when I see the exact same artwork I saw last week at a different client’s home. Be original. It does not have to be expensive. I have even seen some high school student’s art that has been extraordinary. You can even try eBay by searching under the phrase “self representing artists”.

Purchase some new accent pillows. Really big this year is pillows with textures and embellishments. Look for fringe, braiding, beads etc. Don’t get matching pillows but rather coordinating pillows. Accent pillows can be added to just about every room. Place a unique pillow on the spare chair in the dining room corner. Place a new pillow on your bed. Maybe something new to greet you at the back door bench. Think intricate and lavish – not solid and plain.

The number one change you can make for the New Year is to declutter. Go through one room at a time to sort into the toss, sell or giveaway piles. Areas to declutter include old clothes, food in the cupboards, expired medications, and magazine piles. An important goal you can make is to declutter and give yourself more space without building on a new room to your home.

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging. Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.

Posted on Apr 26th, 2007

Back in the day, fireplaces were an integral part of heating the home. People relied on the heat which radiated from their fireplace as their main heat source. Today’s modern heating systems have negated the need of the fireplace in the home, but many people continue to incorporate the fireplace into their existing and new home construction. One of the reasons why this is the case is that the peace and comfort gained from a gently crackling fireplace simply cannot be obtained any other way. Many people like nothing better than a warm, cozy fire on a brisk fall day or cold winter’s night.

While some families use their fireplace to offset the cost of heating their home and build a fire almost daily, others may only use their fireplace on special occasions or every once in a while. But no matter how often you build a fire, the use of hearth accessories makes the task much more convenient.

There are many different types of hearth accessories including grates, damper pulls, match holders, humidifiers and fire starters, just to name a few, and their main goal is to make your hearth experience as easy and stylish as it can be.

Match holders, for instance, can be a very practical solution for storing matches. Instead of keeping your starter matches in a cabinet or drawer a few feet or in the next room from your fireplace, a match holder can be a perfect way to bring your starter matches into arm’s reach. Match holders are also very stylish. You can choose from materials such as oak, brass and copper and styles which range from formal to whimsical.

Grates are more of a necessity than a stylish addition to your fireplace. Available in a wide variety of sizes to suit your individual fireplace, these hearth accessories are generally constructed using durable cast iron.

Some hearth accessories can also be fun. Take for example damper pulls. While these fireplace accessories have a very practical use, they are often stored close to the hearth and present a great opportunity to show off your unique style and personality. Constructed mainly of brass, damper pulls can be whimsically fashioned into your favorite designs such as a flying bird, golf club or pineapple. If whimsy is not your style, you can also find brass damper pulls in classic styles.

If you want to take the headache of starting a fire, Firepots and fire starters can be just the thing to make the whole experience quicker and more enjoyable. And they are stylish too. Ranging in materials from cast iron to solid brass, firepots are a great addition to any hearth no matter whether it graces a Formal home or a Rustic one.

The bottom line is that hearth accessories are a perfect way to make starting a fire in your fireplace more enjoyable and convenient. While many of the hearth accessories that you find may not be a necessity for your fireplace, once you try them you may wonder what you ever did without them.

About The Author:
Pamela Tice is the owner of a number of fireplace websites specializing in Fireplace Accessories and other Fireplace related products. Visit http://www.FireplaceScreensEtc.com for a large selection of Fireplace Screens, Accessories and Fireplace Candelabras.

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