Furniture Layaway – The New Financing
Today’s furniture buyers are looking for ways to buy quality new furniture without having to apply for credit or take a large financial hit all at once. So how do you get the furniture you want and bypass the above mentioned options?
Layaway is the simple answer to this problem. Most people now associate layaway with large discount super stores, but it is a smart and easy solution to getting quality large ticket items also. In the current economic times, people either cannot obtain the credit they need, or they do not want to acquire any new debt. So either the need of furniture has to be ignored or a layaway plan can be used. So how to choose a store with a layaway plan? Research is the key. You can call local furniture stores, or you can use the power of the internet to find an online furniture retailer who has a layaway plan in place.
Take time to research the retailer. Google the store and make sure there are no negative postings about the store. If you do find any of the stores you want to do business with, call them and ask about the remarks. Sometimes customers who did not get their way will post remarks that are not 100% true. Next you need to make sure you are comfortable with the layaway plan and that it can fit into your monthly budget. Make sure you are clear about the dollar amount of the payments and how long you have to make the payments. Of course you need to know what the cancellation policy is also. If you are hit with a financial crisis will they let you hold off payment? Will the refund you your money if you need it for something else? If they will not refund your money, make sure you can enter into the layaway plan without worry.
Another question you should not be afraid to ask is what does this company do with my money before the layaway is complete and the order is placed? Do they consider it immediate income and spend it? That will be a worry point with so many companies going under right now. A trustful business will have a separate account that all layaway payment go into and is separate from the operating account so that the money is not income for the business until the layaway is complete. So if you need furniture and are willing to wait, a layaway plan is a great option. No, you do not have immediate gratification of the furniture, but that could be a good thing. The harder we work for something the more it means to us. And you may sleep better at night knowing you do not owe a bank any money.
Use Rawhide Lamp Shades For Classic Western Decorating
Use Rawhide Lamp Shades For Classic Western Decorating
Rawhide lamp shades since the 1930′s have been synonymous with western dcor. When you consider the elements that make up rustic decorating, western rawhide lamp shades are still at the forefront. Over the years, rawhide has played an integral part not only for rustic lampshades but numerous other accessories as well. Since the 1990′s rawhide lamp shades have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity as new designers and home owners alike discover their high quality handcrafted look. For any rustic den, family room, living room or bedroom as well as ranch, cabin or country style, rawhide is here to stay. The use of rawhide shades with antler lamps and chandeliers continues to lead the way and set the standard for log homes and rustic style.
Predominant in ranching, cowboy and Native American lifestyles rawhide has always been a most basic material. The difference between leather and rawhide is that leather is tanned which softens and preserves the hide. Rawhide however is not tanned but animal hide that has been scraped and dehaired. Remaining in its original state, raw hide is stiff and hard when dried but supple and pliable when wet. Lamp shades made of rawhide are functional because they take advantage if this natural characteristic. When rawhide is wet, it has the consistency of a pasta noodle that can be wrapped around a lamp shade frame. As the rawhide shade dries, the hide also tightens stretching the rawhide tight. Because rawhide lamp shades use untanned hide it is translucent allowing light to pass through.
Very strong when dried, rawhide lamp shades can last for years. To protect and preserve your rawhide shade regular conditioning works with the rawhides natural character to help keep it supple and avoid cracking. In the area of southwest or southwestern dcor, rawhide is also used for covering rustic lamps, picture frames and mirrors. Unique jewelry is even made by artists using rawhide. In the same way, rawhide lamp shades also express artistic craftsmanship. Matching or contrasting rawhide lace is used to hand stitch the rawhide to the lampshade frame for a truly unique handcrafted piece that will win compliments from all who view its special combination of natural and creative beauty. Goat skin rawhide shades can also be made using rich colors such as charcoal, brown, red and green as well as traditional cream to work with any room.
Western rawhide lamp shades are mainly made using cow hide, sheep skin and goat skin. The thinnest being goat skin is the rawhide of choice that allows dark rustic western rawhide lamp shades to be created that still allow light to show through. For a classic western look, hand scrapped rawhide is much better than commercially processed rawhide. The difference is that commercial rawhide is processed using chemicals and machines. Rawhide shades made using this processed hide are very clean and clear but lack character. It is the primitive hand scrapping and cleaning process that leaves behind a decorative layer that yields a rustic and decorative look unique to each individual shade. For western lighting rawhide lamp shades are a natural choice and combined with rustic home furnishings and western art make a winning ensemble.
Along with genuine rawhide lamp shades, other great accompaniments to transform your room to classic western style are hand woven wool rugs, floor runners and table runners boasting rich red, black and grey as well as Indian rugs with bold dark blue, hunter green and earth tones. Place Native pottery, and wooden bowls or kiva ladders in strategic places and the warm and masculine western feel will be fabulous. The overall rustic or western look of your space and each of these ingredients is enriched and drawn together by the use of hand laced rawhide lamp shades.
What is A UNO Lamp Shade?
What is A UNO Lamp Shade?
I know. We know. Do UNO?
Lamp Shade Fitter Styles
Over the last couple years I have noticed a geometric increase in the number of requests that we receive for a certain UNO type lamp shade.
The UNO lamp shade has been around for a long time but due to the overwhelming influence of low priced Chinese imports, this shade type is like a cold virus and is unfortunately spreading very rapidly.
First it is important to define a couple of terms. The SPIDER is the wire structure near the top rim of the shade frame which radiate outwards from the center. The FITTER is the very center section of the spider that fits onto the lamp or lamp hardware. There are different fitter types and each will be addressed in detail below.
The HARP FITTER is the most secure method used to attach a shade onto a lamp. It is a metal wire and somewhat U shaped hardware piece that comes in many different lengths to accommodate different shade lengths. The harp fits into a SADDLE which is another smaller (3?) metal hardware piece which is built onto the lamp immediately beneath the electrical socket. When the harp is snapped into the saddle, it creates a very secure and long lasting mount for the lamp shade. Most harps have a swivel feature near the top which allows the shade to be tilted at an angle so you can aim the light for better reading and work projects.
The CLIP FITTER fitter method is a wire assembly that simply clips onto the bulb. It is normally built onto and is an integral part of the lamp shade. The clip adapter is also available as a separate component and can be attached to any shade to convert any shade to a clip on shade. This lamp shade fitter is recommended for smaller lamp shades only because it becomes very unstable when used with larger shades.
The CHIMNEY FITTER shade has a very large fitter hole in the center so that it can slip down over a glass chimney commonly found on oil lamps.
The UNO FITTER is the last type of lamp shade fitter although there are some other specialty fitters which you are unlikely to encounter. The uno shade is similar to the chimney fitter shade in that the center hole is large enough to slip down over the electrical socket or is threaded so it screws onto the rim of the electrical socket.
The uno shade has some serious issues to consider. First, it can be an electrical hazard if disturbed because it rests directly on the electrical assembly. Second, when you need to replace the uno shade you are forced to use another uno shade. Replacement uno shades are simply not available except at a very few full service lamp shops. Even then you are lucky to find even a single size available. Third, the uno shade is very unstable and when it becomes unstable you are not only ready for a new lamp shade but probably a lamp repair.
A genuine antique lamp with a uno fitter shade is a very special and separate consideration that can only be addressed on an individual basis. Do not change anything on an antique lamp without first consulting an experienced antique lamp professional.
Summary: If you have a uno lamp shade we recommend that you change it to a harp fitter lamp shade (excluding antique lamps). Simply add a saddle ($ .50) underneath the socket then select your favorite replacement shade. You will need a harp ($ 2) of the correct size which is usually (3?) shorter than your shade. A lamp and shade shop will fit the shade and harp for you. You will have a much sturdier and safer lamp and shade plus changing shades in the future will be easy.
- Jim Hoyle
Home Improvement Tips That Are Easy To Try Out
Home Improvement Tips That Are Easy To Try Out
Most people will find that when making home repairs and overall improvements, the process never exactly meets the planning. You may think something will only take a day and a little effort, but youre likely to find that things get a bit more complicated. Work to streamline the improvement process by reading these tips.
Make the entryway to your home useful and attractive by adding essential items. A glass dining table with a small tray for items like key chains, a larger tray for outbound mail, a bench for removing wet/soiled shoes or boots, coat hooks, a mirror for last minute appearance checks. Improve the organization of your home with these few additions.
Freshen up each room in your home by changing accessories. Its truly amazing the amount of difference a few bright pillows or a new wall hanging can make in a room. Get new draperies in a lush fabric and vibrant color, then add a vase, a set of pillows and a lamp in the same color, and your room will look like you paid a designer to re-do it.
Consider making your counters out of recycled materials for an environmentally friendly home improvement. You can also choose stained concrete or indigenous stone for an Earth-friendly look. Richlite is a product made of recycled paper, and IceStone is an absolutely stunning counter material made of glass and concrete, and both are green.
Do not keep your drapes opened all the time if you have carpeting in your living room or family room. The sunlight can actually bleach your carpet, leaving lighter spots where the light most often hits the fibers. Open drapes when the sun is lower in the sky, or strategically place your furniture to block some of the light.
Home improvement is a vast topic. From putting a new set of bespoke dining tables to actually replacing your windows, anything can qualify as an improvement. Even for the smallest task youre attempting, you will need to be properly educated on how to pull it off. Use the tips in this article to guide you through some common improvements.
Lamp Shades Different Styles
Lamp Shades Different Styles
Lamp shades are basically of three types and can be made to suit a number different styles and tastes. The types are hardback, silk and parchment. Each of the types can be styled in different ways, according to ones taste. They can come in different shapes and sizes to fit almost every kind of lamp and make good use of the space allotted to them in your room. Following are the details about each of the lamp shades:
Hardback
These are created with the help of materials like paper and fabric laminated onto styrene. Styrene, a liner made of plastic, is located on the inner part of the shade. Another important component of this type of shade is a wire ring that circles both the openings of the lamp. The top wire usually contains a washer for fitting the shade over the lamp. The material of the shade, laminated on styrene, is glued to both the rings.
Parchment
The construction of this type of shade is quite similar to the hardback variety. The only major difference is that these shades do not use styrene. Even though the name of this variety indicates that they are made exclusively of parchment paper, it is not the case. The material used maybe different kinds of papers or fabrics. An advantage over the hardback type is that there is more room for customization. Hence, a number of different designs and paint finishes that can be applied.
Silk
These shades, like the parchment ones, are not necessarily always made from silk. Cotton, linen and certain blends of fabrics, other than silk of course, can be used for making this kind of shades. The shades are constructed on a wire frame by placing a fabric lining along the inside of the frame and then stretching other piece across the outer portion. The top and bottom rings are connected using the wire frame. Due to its unique construction shapes such as scallops, curves and notches can be made.
Lamp Shade Styles and Shapes
Lamp Shade Styles and Shapes
A little ground work for discussion: A shade basically has 3 measurements: top diameter, bottom diameter and side length. There are other measurements on complex frames which is another subject.
Here is a listing of many basic lamp shade styles:
1) Empire Lamp Shade- a round shape lamp shade with straight sloped side. The shade slope is not exaggerated but rather at a traditional angle, the most common type of shade found.
2) Bell Lamp Shade the same as an empire lamp shade except the side is curved not straight.
3) Drum Lamp Shade a round shape lamp shade with straight side where the top and bottom diameter are near each other crating a near cylindrical or drum type of shape.
4) Coolee Lamp Shade a round shape lamp shade with straight or curved sloped side. The shade slope is exaggerated due the top diameter being much smaller than the bottom diameter thus resembling a Chinese coolee hat.
5) Square Lamp Shade self explaining
6) Rectangular Lamp Shade self explaining
7) Oval Lamp Shade self explaining 
Hexagon Lamp Shade six sided lamp shade
9) Octagon Lamp Shade eight sided lamp shade
10) Cut Corner Lamp Shade the corners are cut straight across instead of a right angle.
11) Inverted Cut Corner Lamp Shade the corners are cut inward in a curve instead of a right angle.
12) Out round Corner Lamp Shade the corners are rounded outward in a curve instead of a right angle.
13) Scallop Top or Bottom Lamp Shade the top or bottom edge is wavy or curved in a scalloped manner instead of being straight.
14) V Notch Lamp Shade the top or bottom edge has a V shaped design instead of being straight.
15) Gallery Lamp Shade the bottom edge has a wide gallery section which may have a different decorative treatment.
16) Fancy Square Lamp Shade a square top bell shape lamp shade with square bottom where each bottom side has a single out scallop.
17) Bouillotte Lamp Shade a short drum (or bell drum) lamp shade, named after the French card game where this lamp and shade were commonly found.
18) Junior Lamp Shade a short drum (or bell drum) lamp shade made especially to fit a 6 way reflector floor lamp that became popular c 1930.
19) Uno Lamp Shade any lamp shade where the shade FITTER is large enough to slip over or screw over the socket.
Now there are hexagon bells and squares with inverted cut corners. There are V notch bell drums and most any other combinations of features that you may imagine
It may be obvious that this could go on limited only by our imagination and the lamp shade makers skill. Then there are custom shades in great variety and complexity.
Some say the shade makes the lamp and there is some truth in that. Just do not begin with an ugly lamp and expect your shade to redeem it !
Good luck on selecting your next lamp shade.
- Jim Hoyle
Vintage Furniture Vs Antique Furniture
How do you distinguish the differences between vintage furniture and a true antique? The easiest way is to consult a dealer or serious collector. But there are a few things you can look for that will help you identify some of the differences.
WHAT IS VINTAGE FURNITURE?
The term “vintage” is often used loosely just to mean “old”. There’s more to vintage furniture than that. One way to define vintage is “representing the highest quality of a past time”.
Vintage furniture is usually very well made with a great attention to detail. It’s characterized by maturity and a sense of appeal that withstands the test of time. A wide range of furniture styles can be considered vintage. Some furniture sellers use this term to refer to all sorts of furniture, including modern. It is used to describe originals and reproductions that can’t be identified as antique. Some modern pieces are acknowledged as classics of the twentieth century and are labeled “vintage classics”.
WHAT MAKES A PIECE OF FURNITURE ANTIQUE?
A piece of furniture is considered antique if it was created at least one hundred years before the date of purchase. It is a unique piece of furniture that has been left in its original state. Some people may like to buy old pieces of furniture with the purpose of refinishing them, but it is a good idea to find out their true value before making any changes.
HOW DO YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN VINTAGE FURNITURE AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE?
Authentic antique items are usually not made with a single type of wood. Upholstery may be stuffed with horsehair or hay.
One way to distinguish the difference between vintage and antique furniture is by examining drawers. Furniture parts were not machine-cut until 1860, so a drawer that was constructed using hand-made dovetails was produced prior to that. Nicks and marks may have been left in the wood from using hand tools such as planes and draw-knives.
True antiques have been created solely by hand and are imperfect. Small details and imperfections may be spotted, such as rungs and spindles that may not be uniform. Once furniture began being created by machine, pieces were reproduced identically. Also, wood shrinks with age so a true antique piece will not have uniform dimensions.
The finish on an old piece of furniture offers another clue as to whether it’s a true antique. Oil and wax were used on the oldest pieces of furniture and later replaced by shellac. Lacquer and varnish became popular in the mid-1800s.
An antique is an investment, and it will continue to gain value with time. Both vintage and antique furniture pieces are well made and usually of excellent quality. Before you make any modifications, make sure you find out whether a piece of furniture is truly an antique. Many people purchase valuable pieces at yard sales without even realizing their value. If you suspect a piece may be a true antique, consult an antique expert. You may want to have the furniture appraised to find out its actual value, particularly before altering it in any way.
Choosing Painted Lamp Shades For Southwestern Interior Design
Choosing Painted Lamp Shades For Southwestern Interior Design
Painted lamp shades are a must for rustic style decorating, or for use in any cabin, lodge, or ranch style home. The unique style they create in your home will have your friends talking about your wonderful interior design long after they leave. In fact, I enjoy decorating with these unique shades so much that I have even given them as gifts for Christmas or birthdays. These lamp shades are a wonderful way to create interesting southwest or Native American style in your interior design and complete a look that is truly unique.
From interesting depictions of Native Indians and extraordinary mountain wildlife, to detailed paintings of dry desert scenery and Indigenous pueblos, you will no doubt be excited with how these hand made lamp shades enrich your homes Native American design and style. What I enjoy most about decorating with painted lamp shades or giving them as gifts, are the large variety of colors and options to choose from.
You can decide between exquisite artwork on dyed pigskin suede lamp shades that come in many different colors, or select a painting you like on a traditional rawhide shade in a light or dark tone. Whether a suede leather or natural rawhide shade, you will easily find one that matches your color scheme and your decorating style. The incredible handiwork of the hand-stitched leather on the leather lamp shade adds great character and authentic Native style to your mountain cabin or ranch style home.
Trying to simply create southwestern style in a room in your home? The nicest part about painted lamp shades is that they look just as well in all rooms of your home and anywhere else you want to create western style. The exciting thing about painted lamp shades is that they are a simple way to alter your home lighting or redo a room without having to have the expenses of remodeling. Try painted lamp shades on special southwestern style light fixtures such as wrought iron or antler lamps to bring out a true rugged mountain look, or just switch the shade on the traditional style lamps that you are already using to bring out American Indian style.
Regularly used on floor lamps for illuminating large rooms or for table lamps and desk lamps, painted lamp shades are perfect for using anywhere you would like to incorporate a touch of color with western style. You will be amazed to see how easily a lamp shade can change the design of the whole room and bring rustic style decorating to life in your home. Use painted leather lamp shades with other western or rustic style furnishings for true western style. Painted lamp shades look incredible when used with Native American blankets and throws, pueblo ladders, ceremonial drums, or hand-crafted Indian baskets and pottery.
These one of a kind shades are difficult to buy in retail stores where western decor items are sold, but you can find them online. If you like the pueblo style homes typical in the southwestern states, or are just wishing to add authentic rustic design to your interior decorating, try using the exquisite artwork of painted lamp shades.
Parenting Advice That You Shouldnt Pass Up
Parenting Advice That You Shouldnt Pass Up
No matter how good you think you are at parenting, you an always use some good advice to improve your skills and give your children the best chance in life. The sound advice found in this article can give you a real advantage in dealing with the complex issues you may face every day to be the best parent you can be right now.
Give children control over some areas of their life. Children need boundaries and guidance, but being too strict and rigid in every area can leave them feeling crushed and stifled. Give them the chance to make some choices on their own, such as what they wear for the day, or how they organize their toys, books, luxury mattress,organic baby mattress etc .
Invite every member of the family you can to participate in your childs school activities. People have busy lives and not everyone will be able to go to everything. However, your child will see that the family is behind him or her in support of whatever he or she is participating in.
Make sure that your child understands what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Sometimes children can misinterpret your messages. However, if you explain it to him in very clear terms, then ask him to explain it back to you, you can be sure that he understands your explanation the way that you want him to.
Make sure that your child has the necessary immunizations and that youre taking them in for at least annual checkups. You never know when your child could get sick with something serious. Children need to be kept up-to-date with the right immunizations to protect against sudden and serious illness.
Learning something new to improve your parenting skills shows that you care about being a better parent and using the practical advice from the article above will give you the confidence you need to keep getting better. It is never too late to add to your knowledge of good parenting.
How To Build A Lamp Out Of Rocks
How To Build A Lamp Out Of Rocks
A lamp out of rocks?Am I crazy? Actually, I have been doing this for a few years now and when done correctly, the final product is beautiful and extremely unique. If you decide to take this venture on, be prepared for your family and friends to be in awe of your new wonderful creation. A stone lamp fits wonderfully in that cabin of yours in the woods or can be placed in that special rustic corner in your traditional home.
Lets get started with the tools and parts you will need. These tools are essential for getting this project done correctly and may require a little bit of a financial investment to get started.
A drill press. The press does not have to be a large, floor modelit can be a bench top type for now. It does have to have a setting on it that will enable the drill to go fairly slowly through the rock. A setting of around 200-300 rounds per minute is best.
A 3/8? mortise bit. The mortise bit for this purpose only has to be around 5? long. DO NOT buy a carbide-coated bit, as these seem to not work as well. Home Depot or Lowes both carry a standard 3/8? mortise bit for around $5.00.
A lamp kit with a harp included. These lamp kits are easy to use and will come with everything you need to put your lamp together. You will want to make sure the kit comes with a harp also if you are planning on using a shade that requires a harp. These sell for around $8.00 at most hardware stores.
A 3/8? thread rod around 10 inches long. This rod can be bought along with your lamp kit in the hardwares lighting section. Usually, the lengths come in 24? to 36? and cost around $4.00. After you put the lamp together, you will want to cut the rod to length and I will explain how to do that.
A hack saw for cutting the 3/8? rod to length.
A good strong epoxy glue that sets within 30 minutes.
An angle grinder with a wheel suitable to grind rock.
Your Rock
The best place to get your rock for your lamp is to find a dried up riverbed. Rocks from dried riverbeds tend to be easier to drill and lend themselves more easily to making a lamp. Please note: We dont want to disturb riverbeds that are in use by our natural rivers and streams but picking up rock from dried up sources poses no harm to the environment. You will need a base to start with. Look around for a fairly flat base that when set down on a table, it wont rock back and forth but will sit stable. For this project, your base should be about 8 inches square and about 1 inch to 2 inches thick or thereabouts (any variation is ok as long it is fairly flat). After you have found your base, look for smaller rocks of different shapes and sizes and choose ones that are fairly flat on both sides too. This will make it easier to drill and fit together on your lamp. These should be around thick or so. You will need about 6 of these smaller rocks.
Drilling The Rock
Now that you have gathered your choice rock for your lamp, it is time to drill. Place the base of the rock on your drill press and roughly find the center of the rock. (You do not have to be exactly perfect in finding the center as this is a rustic lamp and if you are a little off, it only makes it more rustic and interesting). You should make sure that where you are going to drill is relatively flat so the drill bit does not dance around on you. (Before you drill, make sure you have a little water on hand to either spray the drill bit or splash some on to it as the drill bit can get very hot and could break if not kept cool). Begin drilling slowly, around 200 to 300 rounds per minute, and continue until you are completely through. Yeah.you did it! Now, repeat these steps with your remaining smaller rock until all are drilled and ready to put together.
Pre-Assembly
Take your length of 3/8? rod and cut it down to about 10? or so. Place the rod into the larger base and start stacking the smaller rock on top. Since none of these rocks are exactly flat, you may have to move them around a little to make sure they fit together snuggly so that the inner rod does not show. After you have completed this process you will most likely have extra rod on top that needs to be cut off. Taking your lamp parts into consideration, you will have to leave enough rod to hold your coupler, your piece that holds your harp, and your actual lamp fixture base. Usually, this means leaving about 1 inch or so above the last stacked rock. You can test this by getting all your lamp parts out, putting them one by one on the top of the extra rod, and then making a mark just under the first piece (coupler) to see how extra rod you need to leave protruding out. Mark your rod where you need to cut it, pull off the rock one by one keeping them in order and cut your rod to length.
Final Assembly
Put your pre-cut rod back into the base and put some of your epoxy glue around the hole where the rod fits into and around a small area where your first small rock is going to sit. Take your first small rock and slide it down over the rod and put it on top of the glued area on your base. (It is important to keep your glue area small so it is not seen after the rocks are placed together). Continue this process until all the rocks are places tightly together on the rod. Make sure the inside of your rod is clear all the way through the center without any obstructions so you can slide your lamp cord through it in the next step. You have now completed the most difficult part of making this lamp. Let your lamp sit for a couple of hours or so to let the glue set up.
Using the directions on your lamp kit box, assemble the rest of the lamp parts as shown. You will have to push your cord all the way through from the bottom of the base. (Sometimes, depending on the rock base, your cord will not sit correctly under the base and may cause the base to rock a little. This is where you will need your angle grinder with a wheel suitable to grind rock. Turn your lamp upside down and take your angle grinder and dig a small indentation from the middle of the rock where the rod is towards the back of the lamp. Just make sure the groove is deep enough to hold the lamp cord).
Finally, spray the lamp with a satin or semi-gloss clear lacquer to seal the rock and to bring out the natural colors of the stone. Apply two or three coats of the lacquer. After the lacquer is dry, you may want to put a piece of felt on the bottom of your lamp so it will not scratch the table it sits on.
Congratulations, you have now made a beautiful rustic stone lamp!
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