It's Spring! Let's Decorate!

Written by Victoria Azusa Lockwood


Spring has returned, and its arrival brings with it thoughts of colors, textures and smells associated withrepparttar notion of rebirth and renewal.

For some people, a seasonal change instinctively signalsrepparttar 100152 need for a change in their interior décor. Other people are disinclined or unable to make more frequent changes, so spring is a time to make annual home or interior décor revisions and modifications.

These days, there are a great number of people who feelrepparttar 100153 need for change, but believe that they have less time to devote to such undertakings. In recent years,repparttar 100154 idea of simply changingrepparttar 100155 arrangement of furniture rather than taking on a complete redecorating project has found popularity.

Many have discovered that simply changingrepparttar 100156 layout of their furnishings at least once a year can actually help to improve one’s mental outlook, ability to keep surroundings organized and uncluttered, and enhance a sense of comfort and satisfaction with one’s environment. Whateverrepparttar 100157 case,repparttar 100158 onset of Spring is as good a reason as any to spruce up your decorating scheme, whether that involves making a few simple changes to reflectrepparttar 100159 season, or re-evaluating your entire interior design.

When contemplating a decorating project, some of us “regular folk” discover that we are uncomfortable with making décor changes. We feel that we’re not actually qualified to do so, or that we lackrepparttar 100160 basic skills in making choices that will producerepparttar 100161 desired outcome. But oftentimes, our fears are unfounded.

As you contemplate decorating options, keep in mind that changing your décor doesn’t have to be a long, complicated or expensive endeavor, even when you seek professional assistance. And, you can accomplish remarkable changes in your home and interior décor using two relatively simple tools: paint and accessories.

Inrepparttar 100162 world of interior decorating, paint and accessories are two ofrepparttar 100163 most evident tools used in creating wonderful spaces. Paint color helps to set a baseline from which to develop an entire decorating scheme, and changing wall colors is an easy and very inexpensive way to completely alterrepparttar 100164 nuance of a room or space.

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

Written by Debbie Rodgers


Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think ofrepparttar light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a quick primer onrepparttar 100151 available types and their care.

Construction Methods Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped likerepparttar 100152 finished product. The molten metal is poured intorepparttar 100153 form and thenrepparttar 100154 form is removed whenrepparttar 100155 metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape producesrepparttar 100156 type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces ofrepparttar 100157 metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, althoughrepparttar 100158 use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much ofrepparttar 100159 iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally,repparttar 100160 better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Waxrepparttar 100161 smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sandingrepparttar 100162 spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applyingrepparttar 100163 next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

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