Renaissance Architecture - Types of Architectural Moldings

When you enter a home or business that has been creatively trimmed with tasteful architectural molding, it would give you the feel of having entered into a world of timeless elegance and grace. Architectural molding has been the distinguishing highlight of finer homes throughout the world. However, in recent years, wide variations in new home styles have made architectural molding less common. But for those who still long for the stately beauty and grace of traditional homes from America's past, few can deny that adding the right combination of architectural molding to an otherwise plain room can easily add stature and style, transforming the room into a place seemingly built for royalty. There's nothing that can transform a plain drab room, or an entire home, from average to awesome like architectural molding. Finishing your home with a high quality trim molding is an investment that you will enjoy day in and day out for as long as you live in the home. It may be enjoyed for generations, so it is well worth taking the time to make sure you choose a product that you will love living with for a long time.

Architectural molding is available in many different styles and many different materials, from metal to Styrofoam. Often made of wood or plaster, interior molding defines a space, hides unsightly wall seams, and adds visual interest to otherwise plain walls. You can install molding along walls, on the ceiling, around the floor, around fireplaces, around windows and doors and in all those special places that you can create in your imagination. While there are many types of molding, the most common types found in homes today include Crown molding, Dentil molding, Base molding, Shoe molding, Door and Window Casing, Chair Rails and Panel and Base Caps moldings

Whatever your taste, you can usually find just the right molding to give your home the exact look and feel that you prefer. However, until recently there was a distinct gap in the decorative molding market. Between the traditional look and the castle look, there was a need for a decorative molding that was classier than traditional, but did not make a home look like a medieval castle. What was missing was a decorative molding that gave a look and feel of true elegance without arrogance. Imagine, if you can, a molding so elegant that it grabs your attention the moment you walk in the door and takes your breath away when you see it for the first time. Imagine that the feeling of elegance lingers with you long after you've seen it and that you tell everyone about it. This may be difficult to imagine, because such a molding never existed until now. A new line of architectural molding has been developed that gives you that pulse-quickening feeling of elegance when you see it installed.

This new product is called Renaissance Architectural molding. It is unlike anything else available and it is just now being introduced to the market. Not only is Renaissance stunningly elegant, it is a solid hardwood product enhanced with a special proprietary compo formula that produces beautifully detailed 3-D relief patterns that are an integral part of the molding. This special molding is not brittle, will not crumble and can be cut and installed on site as easily as if it were plain wood. Unlike traditional decorative molding made from plaster, Renaissance needs no special handling, so it saves time and money during installation. Installers love this new product due to its ease of handling, workability and easy installation. Homeowners love it because it is very elegant, it costs much less than most other decorative molding and is available in beautiful matching collections that enhance your surroundings from floor to ceiling.

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A Touch of Technology to Your Shopping Spree - Online Shopping Trends

In this age of information technology, the growth in the trend of online shopping among the upper and middle class has received an immense boost. The concept of online shopping gained popularity with the ever increasing access to the Internet. Instead of shopping for your necessities at a mall or store, you can avail a range of products delivered at your doorstep. The advent of online shopping made the task of shopping easier and hassle free. A range of associated services makes online shopping a favorable option for both men and women.

The trend of online shopping started gaining popularity in the 1990s. Initially, the online shoppers were the higher middle class who had enough money to spend and knowledge and access to the Internet. The search engines on the Internet help you in finding the products you are looking for from the online stores. The online stores advertise their products and also offer catalogs of their products for easy search. However, the word of mouth publicity of online stores is the best way of popularizing the products on sale. Online shopping gives you the freedom of selecting from a wide range of products.

The most popular items of purchase among online shoppers are books. You can also buy other objects like clothes, accessories, bags, cosmetics and so on from online stores. With time online shopping has also encompassed shopping for groceries, nutritious products, medicines, and such others. You can also purchase unique antiques and jewelry from online boutiques and shops.

Whilst online shopping gives us convenience of shopping at home, the advantages to retailers may not be so obvious. Marketing costs for online sales are generally higher than for store or catalog sales. This is because the retailers need to spend higher on promoting their products to attract more customers to do online shopping. There will be a lot of discounts and bargain prices to be offered to customers so that they are willing to shop online. Nevertheless, with the rapid development of technology and much easier availability of broadband throughout the world, online shopping will spread onto the world of shopping in future.

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Updating Visual Appeal of Your Home - Enhancing the Look with Windows and Doors

Updating your windows and doors can make a dramatic difference in the exterior design of your home and can greatly enhance your curb appeal. In addition to this, an update can also significantly reduce your monthly energy bills by improving the efficiency of your home and reducing heat loss from your current rickety and old casements. There are many different styles of windows and doors in Milton to choose from; therefore it is worth investigating several options in order to decide which choice is best for you and your home.

Exterior front doors can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, steel and glass. Wood front doors offer an elegant and traditional appearance to your home and are one of the best options currently on the market for energy efficiency. The natural properties in wooden doors both insulate the home and cut down on the heat loss and air transfer that can occur along the joining seams of doors made from other materials, including steel and glass. Wooden doors however require maintenance in order to preserve their natural beauty and structure. It is best if wooden doors are sheltered from precipitation and harsh elements, by either a covered porch or recessed entrance.

Outer doors made of steel are very durable and can withstand the harshest of temperatures and climates. Unlike wooden doors, steel does not run the risk of dry rot or damage. However, unlike wood, steel has a high probability of heat and air loss, resulting in low energy efficiency. Steel doors can be custom fit with windows and wrought iron to create a whimsical and romantic appearance. Steel can also tolerate oil or acrylic paint, without chipping or peeling. Doors made of glass, such as sliding doors or French doors make a beautiful entrance to your home, or addition to your living room. They allow for natural sunlight to pour into your home and create an open and airy feel.

Glass can be customized in a wide variety of designs and styles, including beveled, stained or inlay with wrought iron grilles. French doors feature panes of glass, separated by wood or steel and unlike most others, have two doors that open inwards, requiring a wider passageway and allowing radiant natural light to fill your vestibule. Sliding doors are the perfect solution for areas that lack adequate space for a door to swing outwards. These doors are cleverly designed so that one pane of glass slides along a track in front of the other pane, saving precious space.

Sliding patio doors also offer superb protection again precipitation, as the glass is double paned and extremely durable and the surrounding casing is made of hard wearing vinyl. There are many different styles of windows and doors to choose from; therefore it is worth investigating several options in order to decide which choice is best for you and your home. Updating your windows and doors can make a dramatic difference in the exterior design of your home and can greatly enhance your curb appeal and energy efficiency.

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Temple for the Lord of the Sky - Ambernath Temple

Located by the bank of Vadavan (Waldhuni) river, the Ambernath temple is a towering structure surrounded by a fenced wall. Richly carved and decorated out of a single black stone, the intricate carvings are inspired from Hemadpanti style of architecture. The name Ambernath literally means Lord of the sky. Ambernath is the site of a very old temple, the ancient Ambreshwar Shiva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the construction of which dates back to 1060 AD in the 10th century.

One belief suggests that the temple was constructed by the Pandava brothers of the epic Mahabharta fame for taking a night refuge during their period of exile (vanvaas). They could not complete the structure which is reflected even today in the missing roof directly above the main sanctum area (Garbha Griha) of the temple. It is also said that there is a km–long passageway which was used by the Pandavas to escape which lies shut and locked today. There is another official version that advocates that this temple was constructed by Shilahara king, Chittaraja and later rebuilt by his son, Mummuni. However, the saddening part is that a historical monument like this with such an exquisite past is gradually decaying with some of the sculptural carvings falling off due to neglect and poor maintenance by the authorities.

Inside the temple, the main sanctum housing the Shivling is situated at a slightly lower level and one has to descend a few of steps to take the blessings of Lord Shiva. There are a couple of other smaller temples too in the temple premises that you will come across around the place. One can’t help but marvel at the beauty of the religious place of worship which not only opens the window to the state’s rich past but also brings alive the time-honored stories from our ancient texts. And then, whichever way you may deem these stories to be, true or false; one can’t deny the peace and calm and the sense of spiritual energy that one is filled with when one visits such places and that also outlines one of the prime reasons to pay a visit to.

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Home.... Sweet Home! - Choosing the Right Gift for House-warming Party

Nothing is as exciting, or as exhausting as moving into a new home, and the perfect house warming gifts are the ones that allow the new movers to have a quiet moment of reflection. Many times, you want to give a house warming gift to someone moving in next door, or to someone you love who is moving away. While not expected, traditionally it is proper etiquette to arrive at a housewarming party with a thoughtful gift as a token of appreciation and warm wishes. A house warming gift, however, can be elevated to a higher level with just a little bit of thought.

Buy gifts that are practical and useful for the one you are giving them too. Hence it is also important that you know what type of people they are. It will be useless to buy them a muffin tray if neither one of them bakes. You want to make sure that your gift will be put to good use. The closer you are to the new homeowner, the easier it becomes to make just the right selection.

If you're purchasing for a childhood friend, a favorite photograph of the two of you as kids is perfect for framing in a beautiful silver or ceramic picture frame. If you're looking to memorialize and celebrate the first home for newlyweds, you might consider locating a candid shot of the two of them together on their wedding day and placing in a frame. Better still, you can go for candid photos and choosing a frame with multiple slots. Another idea for newlyweds as they move into their first home might include baby pictures of the two of them in side by side frames.

Planning, packing, moving and unpacking can be an exhausting process and the housewarming party concludes that process with a much-needed celebration. The most important consideration to remember when selecting a housewarming gift is the recipient. Taking the time to be thoughtful and sincere will result in a housewarming gift that is long remembered and appreciated. If you can keep in mind the goal is unique house warming gifts, recognizing the many ways to personalize your choice and keeping the recipient's tastes and lifestyle in mind, you might see that you've enjoyed choosing it as much as the homeowner will enjoy owning it.

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Cooking in Style - Designer Kitchens

Designer Kitchen speaks about who and what you are depending on the styles and design you choose. Since it's a designer's or your own idea- you still cook in style. There are a lot of kitchen designs that you can think of but, there's one that you really wanted and is an extension of your character and personality. Redesigning, rebuilding or a new one still requires rigorous planning to come up with a kitchen that you can not only boast of but is actually making your life easier when working in your kitchen. As how much you love cookery so is your desire to couple your skills with a nice and functional kitchen - inspires you even more.

Outdoor kitchens much the same as indoor only here you have a lot of fresh air and natural lighting and I would say easier to clean plus the fact no unwanted fishy odors inside the dining area. Typical outdoor cooking uses a grill with or attached to worktops for easy reach of utensils and there's a table for plating the food and the usual spice racks. You may also have proper installation of electrical lines and fittings to run gas. You may also include storage for cooking equipments as well as entertainment system.

Modern Kitchens uses modular's or ready made fixtures and it creates a minimalist look. Often geometric in style and not much decoration. Materials range from laminates, frosted glass, chrome or lacquer, concrete and stainless steel. Old world design uses natural materials. Think of the Mediterranean, Tuscan or an Italian Villa - medieval things or look where you usually see big pots and not as organized as other kitchen styles. This type of kitchen usually has those big cabinets and uses big hooks for hanging cooking equipments. Traditional kitchens brings you back to the Early American Times, neo-classical where antique fixtures are what you see even the appliances. It has a formal feel and is elegant. Think of dining and cooking in a Victorian home and see if the colors and fixtures suit your taste.

Transitional kitchens has the combination of traditional and modern like wood and concrete together and this is where you start to think of how it complements the appliances as well as the finishes. Rustic kitchens often resemble a log cabin. Very American - a characteristic from the regions of the South, Mountain West or Pacific Northwest. Here warm rich shades of earth colors are used and high ceiling beams. Country kitchens are mostly bright and have that homey feel. It resembles a garden as mostly handcrafted designs like woven baskets and floral motifs are all over. Like a farmhouse cottage where you'd see cheery colors and panels and is very much into moldings.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home don't forget to consider each of the family member's opinion and ideas as to how they would want the kitchen to look and work for the family.

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World of Chlorophyll - A conceptual Building by an Egyptian Architect

World of Chlorophyll, a project by IAMZ Design Studio, is an idea for a conceptual skyscraper containing the form of residential units in the near future. Their main concept involves the units taking the form of leaves, stemming mainly from the columns, based upon all residential units. This way, the building mimics nature, and in conformity with it, also makes for an easy configuration. With the main functions of the project including commercial, residential, administrative, hotel and entertainment, they also made sure to implement environmental considerations. These features included natural ventilation with the penetration of sunlight through the units and the creation of indirect lighting.

The Egyptian architect's concept, a mixed-use building called "World of Chlorophyll," features individual units stemming from central columns that "imitate the ‘branch and leaf’ structure" of plants, according to the architect. Just as a plant's chlorophyll would utilize sunlight for photosynthesis, the unique design of Elseyofi's building would harness the elements to power his experimental edifice. Each level of the building would include 10 residential units, and each unit would contain five floors, according to Elseyofi. The staggered, leaf-like orientation would maximize exposure to sun and wind.

Although the architect did not go into detail about the types of systems his building would employ, Elseyofi's comments seem to indicate the use of passive environmental design elements. Passive solar design, for instance, seeks to trap and use energy from the sun to heat and cool buildings without the utilizing active mechanical systems. Passive solar design as a key component of creating affordable, zero-energy housing in cold climate.

This conceptual building would be including residential, commercial, administrative, hotel, and entertainment spaces and incorporate eco-friendly features like natural unit ventilation, direct sunlight exposure, and the creation of indirect lighting.

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Settling For The Right Settee - Choosing A Settee For Your Home

Choosing settees and sofas can be quite a tricky prospect nowadays with a large array of styles colors and fabrics to choose from. There are a number of things that you might wish to consider when selecting settees and sofas. The vast selection of settees and sofas that are offered in the shops and on the Internet may be fairly daunting therefore it is increasingly vital that you plan properly for the purchase. Whatever style you decide on it will be important that the settees and sofas you opt for is likely to last and suit your family's needs.

You will need to think about the space that you have available to you for your new settee or sofa. You should be aware of the sizes available to you and how they will look in a room. To be certain you should always get the sizes of any settees and sofas you are interested in and take them home with you. You can then produce a floor plan with pieces of paper and place them on the ground just like a map. This will give you the visual representation you will need to see how far the settees and sofas will come out into your room. This tip is also useful if you're changing from a traditional three seat sofa to a corner settee as it will help you visualize how it will interact with your room.

The selection available nowadays is phenomenal and there are style and colors to accommodate every possible taste. You will want a settee or sofa to last a long time, so it is worthwhile considering that you may change your decor in that time so its worth choosing a design which is appropriate for different styles. It'll be rather costly to change sofas and settees every time you decorate but a luxurious settee is worth an awe from the guests visiting you!

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Saving Energy at Work Place - Designing An Eco-friendly Office

Out of all the energy produced by a country, almost a fifth is used up by industrial buildings and offices. An office which is designed according to the purpose of utilizing energy in a resourceful way would not only be able to decrease its impact on the environment, but would also be able to improve the bottom line of the business over the course of time. An eco-friendly office design happens to be a combination of a number of factors such as equipment, location, building features as well as usage. Energy-saving procedures may even be implemented in order to make the cleverest use of effective tools.

When designing an eco-friendly office, it is better to begin from the top. You need to weigh the pros and cons of setting up a green roof which conceals the top of a building with a living deposit of grass, plants or other kinds of foliage that functions similar to an insulator. These roofs adjust extreme outdoor temperature during the summer season and allow the warmth present inside the building to be retained during the cold winter. Installing green roofs can prove to be more expensive, but you need to keep in mind that by decreasing the use of energy throughout the building they are actually able to recover their price and turn out to be profitable in the long run, depending on the climate and the building.

You can achieve the same effect by installing modern shades and windows which are actually much more cost-effective than green roofs. In summer, they successfully prevent the outdoor heat from streaming into the building while they prevent heat from escaping in the winter. Choose the features of your window after considering your climate and requirements. South-facing windows are usually known for admitting the greatest amount of outside heat. Shades may be employed to regulate the access of light and heat during the workday. Different sorts of windows prove to be advantageous for various locations in an office building.

Better climate control features are always welcome in an office. You can install variable thermostats in order to allow executives and staff members to manage temperature settings according to the time of day and the room. The atmosphere in vacant areas like empty offices or conference rooms need to be switched off or lessened or monitored. You should also set the climate control system to shut itself down during the night and at other times when the office building remains bare. You should always make a note of the Energy Star certification when fixing new climate control gear.

Energy saving computers are a great way to ensure that your office is eco-friendly. Computers should come with the Energy Star label. You should also be careful to install them in such a manner, that they function capably. Make use of the power-management settings so that the monitors are ready to turn off after extended periods of idleness. All desktop systems should be placed in hibernate mode after the day is over. Smart power organization allows you to save a considerable amount of money every year.

You could also try and install smart lighting in your office. There are now automated systems available in the market which are able to initiate lighting according to necessity right through the workday, while switching the lights off when not required as well as when the rooms are clear. Fluorescent bulbs are preferable to regular incandescent. Natural daylight can also be used to your advantage. Offices which are outfitted with windows can diminish their dependence on man-made lighting during daylight hours.

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Artistic Spectacle: Egyptian Temples

One of the most beautiful and impressive aspects of architecture of an Egyptian temple are the spectacular columns, resembling groves of stone trees. These columns, especially at Karnak and Luxor, dwarf human beings and bear inscriptions, carved relieves, and a weighty majesty unequaled anywhere else in the world. 

Columns held special significance for the Egyptians, representing as they did the expanses of nature. Columns alluded to the times when vast forests dotted the land, forests that disappeared as the climate changed and civilization took its toll upon the Egyptian environment. They also represented the Nile reed marshes. The columns were introduced in order to simulate nature, and to identify man again with the earth. The first tentative columns are still visible in the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, but they are engaged columns, attached to walls for support and unable to stand on their own. Imhotep designed rows of such pillars at the entrance to various buildings and incorporated them into corridors for Djoser's shrine (2600 B.C.E.).

In the Fourth Dynasty (2575-2465 B.C.E.) masons experimented with columns as a separate architectural entity. In one royal tomb built in GIZA in the reign of Khufu (2551-2465 B.C.E.) limestone columns were used effectively. In the tomb of Sahure (2458-2446 B.C.E.) of the Fifth Dynasty, the columns were made of granite, evincing a more assured style and level of skill. Wooden columns graced a site in the reign of Kakai (2446-2426 B.C.E.) in that same dynasty, and another king of the royal line, Nisuerre (2416-2392 B.C.E.), had limestone columns installed in his Abusir necropolis complex. 

At Beni Hasan in the Eleventh Dynasty (2134-2140 B.C.E.) local nomarchs, or provincial chiefs, built their own tombs with wooden columns. The same type of columns was installed in tombs in the Twelfth Dynasty (1991-1773 B.C.E.), but they were made of wood set into stone bases. With the coming of the New Kingdom (1550-1070 B.C.E.) the columns become part of the architectural splendor that marked the capital at Thebes and at the later capital of Per-Ramesses in the eastern Delta. Extensive colonnades stood on terraces, or in the recesses of temples, opening onto courts and shrines. Most people who have some interests in ancient Egyptians will identify immediately the shape of Lotus and Papyrus style columns, but actually no less the about 30 different column forms have been isolated from temples of the various periods!!

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Color the Right Ambiance: Coloring Innovations for Your Home

Walls can indeed do a lot more than just hold up the ceiling. They are the largest expanses of decorative surfaces you have to work with, and they set the stage for the rest of furnishings. What you do with your walls can make up for construction shortcomings, so don’t treat them lightly. Do treat them warmly, coolly, quietly, lively, cleverly. whatever the mood you want to achieve and whatever the room problems you need to overcome, you’ll find a universe of possibilities in a can of paint.

Color and pattern are two of the most powerful forces in the visual world. Harness them and you can move walls, raise or lower ceilings, stretch floor space, and entirely reshape your home environment. To expand a room, you need to apply only one basic principle light colors and unbroken expanses of small patterns make space look larger; this is true because unless an object calls attention to itself, it recedes in your mind. when you are not conscious of a wall, space "feels “more expansive. 

Seeing is believing, if you make the most of that maximum, you can "remodel” many problem rooms without ever reaching for a hammer. Paint will do the work for you. Begin by sizing up your room’s space. If its dimensions are not pleasing, you can fool the eye into believing that they are closer to ideal. Reshape your room by emphasizing or eliminating contrast. Use bold, bright colors selectively to draw in a wall or lower a ceiling. Or avoid contrast and let walls and ceilings fade quietly into the background. 

Through paint you can dramatize a room's architectural features; you can emphasize oddities or camouflage them. If you want to accent he quirky charm of angles, woodwork, or windows, paint them with deliberate contrast. Or you can minimize architectural oddities by avoiding contrast completely by painting walls and ceilings in a same solid color, so that undesirable corners and angles blend into the walls. 

If you're a good cook, you already understand the importance of varying textures of the foods you prepare for a meal. The same holds true for your visual diet. Texture enriches any decor. Playing strong textures against subtle ones creates variety in rooms dominated by one color. Texture whether slick or dull, smooth or rough, gives a room surface appeal and decorative interest. Paint stays pliant long enough for you to work it into the desired pattern. Experiment with combing, stippling, or working with your finger tips.

If you are bored with the solid or textured look, you can add graphics in paint, tape or cutouts. You can use graphics to enliven dead wall space, to accent architectural details, or to divert attention from unwanted features. There is a lot more to learn about color than simply what colors go together or what stands out among the rest. In fact, there is an entire field of psychology dedicated to the study of colors and their effects on human beings. Different colors can put us in different moods or shape how we approach a particular place or item. Understanding how colors affect us can help make your home more inviting.

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Taipei 101 - Architectural Landmark of Taiwan

Taipei 101 is a renowned skyscraper in Taiwan and a famous landmark in Taipei. This skyscraper is considered as an architectural wonder by the people of Taiwan for the architectural skills it has been made using. After its dedication in 2004, this eye-catching tower was for a brief moment the world’s tallest building. It measures 1,474 feet not including its spire, and Taiwanese insist it still ranks as the globe’s loftiest, as Dubai’s Burj Al Arab tower owes its dominant height to its sail-like crown.

Composed of 101 stories above ground and five below, Taipei 101 embodies the King Kong-luring Art Deco glamor of a New York skyscraper. But Taipei 101’s silver-screen looks are further reinforced by an ingenious spherical safety device called a tuned mass damper that corrects for any swaying caused by earthquakes or typhoons.

The main tower features a series of eight segments of eight floors each, an obvious association to abundance, prosperity and good fortune. Its shaped like an Asian pagoda, while numerous motif of the ruyi - an ancient symbol associated with heavenly clouds appear throughout the structure. The structure was engineered to be able to withstand gale winds of 60 mps, and the strongest earthquakes likely to occur in a 2,500 year cycle.

The tower’s summit flaunts a spacious 360º observatory reached by a vertiginous elevator that is in itself like an amusement-park ride. The panorama of bustling Taipei is perhaps at its best at sunset, when rosy clouds dramatically silhouette distant mountains and neon-hued light shows dance across other building facades. Taipei 101 is notable for its striking postmodern architecture, which combines elements of both the pagoda and bamboo plant.

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On The Go..... Hire A Portable Toilet & Rest Room

Most of the people these days have been into the usage of portable restrooms for outdoor events and celebrations of all kinds. If you are planning for any outdoor event, hiring a portable restroom based on the number of people attending the event would really help them in meeting their sanitary needs in clean and hygienic environment. You can hire portable toilets for any kind of event like celebrations, birthday parties, outdoor events, outdoor weddings, and all other occasions. If you plan to rent a restroom then you must consider few factors that depend on hiring restrooms.

The first thing to consider while renting a restroom is the size of the outdoor event. If it is for a large outdoor event, then you are likely to need more portable toilets. This ensures that there are sufficient cleaning facilities for all your guests and other visitors. If you are organizing a smaller outdoor event, you may require less number of portable restrooms. It is better to rent separate restrooms for male and female individuals. This will make sure they don't feel discomfort in using them.

There are a wide range of portable toilets available in the market place to choose from, like standard portable, ADA complaint movable, VIP self-contained portable restroom, with deluxe restroom flushing system,  mobile restroom shower, mobile shower trailer and the likes. Each and every restroom is specially designed for us to use it in the events. Every mobile toilet is accommodated with basic sanitary needs like tissue paper, holding tank, towel hook. There are few restrooms that are specially designed for guest and VIP's for which the sanitary facilities are more than the basic needs.

Few selected restrooms come with washing station, mirror, music system, and many more facilities. Hiring these movable toilets in any of your outdoor event will bring more comfort to your guests. There are some benefits of hiring a restroom in an outdoor event. One can provide clean and hygiene sanitary facilities to all your guests and VIP's. There are many companies that offer discounts on portable restrooms and rent them at affordable prices. The cost of these restrooms is based on the amenities provided. The cost of these movable toilets is cost effective and affordable to everyone. One can even purchase one of those restrooms on permanent basis.

The portable restroom industry is gaining importance all over the world and is a forming a good platform for the companies who look out for diversification into various segments. With the increasing demand of the mobile toilets the portable owner companies are extending their services by offering toilet rental service and these companies are finding it more profitable venture with unlimited growth potential.

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Drip Traps! - Waterproofing Basements

Basement of your home is prone to the forces of nature, particularly water as they are situated below the normal floor area of the house. It is very common in most houses in rainy season, water seeping through the cracks that occur in the walls. Basement walls tend to produce cracks and leaks overtime and if not treated immediately, it can cause major damage and money for repair at the same time. With time to time inspection, these predicaments can be achieved by waterproofing basement walls.

There are certain measures to follow in order to prevent cracks and leaks. You can start by inspecting the walls of your basement to see if there are evident cracks or holes. If you see some or those attempting to go beyond those of normal cracks, safeguard it by using waterproof products available at your local hardware store or home improvement shops. These materials are paint-like that will require you to paint the substance over the cracks to seal it from leaking. This may come in as dry or wet agents and instructions for applications should be followed without most care as they may also require mixing and other procedures.

Allow the cracks to be fully coated and allow it to dry. Second coating is essential to make it more water tight. If the waterproof material is in contrast to the color of your basement wall, paint can also be applied provided that the paint is not abrasive enough to terminate the effects of the waterproof application. Installing flood drains and funnels are also alternatives to prevent rain water to come in direct contact with your basement wall.

By installing these, they move the water past your walls so that they will not accumulate that can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Modern houses are constructed with pre-installed footer drains and these should also be cleaned as these can accumulate leaves and dirt that can cause it to clog. Gutters and downspouts can also be installed provided that it comes with an external drainage system.

In such cases when water already seeps in through you basement walls, immediately clean you basement and dry any wet spots around it. This will prohibit molds from spreading as this will also cause some allergic reactions and makes the basement floor slippery. In extreme cases, a contractor or a carpenter is needed to waterproof your basement.

Waterproofing basement walls is best done when the sun is high or during the summer as the heat will also make the applied material to quickly dry. This will also be a precautionary step in the anticipation of the rainy season. Time to time inspection is also advisable to prohibit the severity and the also as a preventive measure. Reapplying the waterproof material over the cracks and holes can be done annually avoid leakage and stopping the crack from growing furthermore.

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Aragon Convention Center Building

The Aragon Convention Center Building, Spain portrays a fractional and varied profile ascending and descending in dialog with the different spaces housed in its interior and manifesting expressively the presence of natural light and the meeting point of the building with the ground. Like a white shining cover, a great roof gently envelopes the different structures sheltering a large interior space which demonstrates the public and institutional character of its purpose.

Three main blocks to house an auditorium, a multi-purpose pavilion and modular halls will be connected to each other via a large common vestibule which links the different areas. The convention hall was conceived with the intention of leaving upper tier and mezzanine independent of each other which will mean a hall for 1500 persons will also be compatible with conventions for smaller numbers. The exhibition pavilion will be used during Expo 2008 as the Water Platform since its location, with the possibility of independent access, will allow it to be used for exhibitions, for seminars or diverse events, simultaneously.

The modular halls comprise an area which can be used during the International Exhibition as a press centre, offices or meetings rooms if required, whereas later it can be subdivided into multiple halls or seminars of greater or lesser size. A large subterranean storey will house the service areas, installations, dressing rooms, storage areas, kitchens… which will guarantee operation as a centre with the necessary characteristics without interfering in the public spaces of the building.

Geometry, structure and construction are part of this proposal for a single combined concept. The necessity for rapid execution does not present a problem for our project, rather it is the reason for the architectural concept itself. Strict geometric modulation, the preference for using prefabricated building structures which lend themselves to being repeated, the choice of a structural solution based on metallic girders with powerful lights and finally, voluntary restriction in the range of materials, are all arguments for a strategy which will allow us to dominate the structural, geometric and construction preconditions which impact on the process.

The interior spaces of the Convention Centre will respond to the same gradation of textures and color. Metal and concrete cladding in vestibules and public areas will coexist with continuous tiling and glass divisions. The main auditorium will also contribute to the drive for luminosity and clarity with its materials. To the exterior, large glass fronts will alternate glazed panels and metal lattices integrated in the facade with transparent sections for the elevation to the square which will enhance the perception of the open and public character of the building.

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Bringing Home the Beach - Theming Your Living Spaces With Sea Shore Ambiance

Hectic routine and hyperactive lifestyles have made the urbane generation forget how to relax. Most of us who come home from work and have a million things to do upon our return there is considerable evidence that you have forgotten how it feels to be able to relax. But as another summer is slipping away, you should grab the opportunity to let yourself loose in a scenery that can be feast for your eyes and sole. If you have not yet visited the beach this year but wish you had but no time is available for you to travel to the closest beach, then bring the beach home and enjoy the feeling of having a personal recreational spot at your own premises. You should consider creating a seaside feel in your outdoor space and enjoy memories of the shore at home.

Your choice of color will be the biggest stress-reliever in your personal home the 'beach' scene. Select some of the numerous relaxing hues of the beach that can be sun-bleached or sand- and water-washed. Look at your favorite beach vacations pictures and imagine the cool and inviting water colors, the lapping of the sea waves on the shore, the pale sand under your feet as you walk across the beach, the tall pale green beach grasses, the pale pink and coral of shells, or the white clouds in the blue sky to find the palette of your choice. In case you prefer looking at brighter colors, you should better use bright blue, pink or orange. Place them on striped fabric or small accessories such candles and add some sunny feeling in your personal beach shore.

Casual wooden seating and folding chairs decorated with colorful stripped canvas slings, under a bright white or colored canvas big sun umbrella, which you can secure inside a large sand bucket, will add to your beach atmosphere. The motifs you have on your beach towels, bags, or even flip-flops can be a great inspiration for your final selection of fabrics. Canvas and soft cotton fabrics are also the best choices for your outdoor beach surroundings. You can install decorative hooks on the outdoor walls and hang beach accessories, candles, shells, rocks, glass, fishing nets, or just fabrics, as your personally added "art." All these can have a great effect in your outdoor space and bring the look and feel closer to the one you admired last time you visited the actual beach. You can also display your shells and pebbles in clear glass dishes, jars or flat plates. In case you have large shells in your beach treasures and collections, then consider transforming them into candles by pouring candle wax around a wick in the shell cavity itself.

Whatever kind of shore you prefer, you can always change the scenery and add another feel to the home beach you are creating. Changing the colors, the fabrics, the accessories or even the furniture can change the ambiance of your living haven and bring in a sense of pleasantness and peace of mind.

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Frugal Landscaping - Landscaping on Low Budget

All landscaping requires some special care to remain attractive and well maintained. Even though your budget is small and your time is limited, you can take some time to create a plan. The planting zone, the amount of shade, sun, moisture and other conditions influence plants and their well being. You can then incorporate some low-maintenance landscaping ideas for your small budget.

Watering and mowing a lawn is a time-consuming chore that you must repeat on a regular basis. Your lawn also requires occasional fertilizers, pesticides and weed-killers. You may want to have a very small grassy area for small children or pets. Otherwise, remove the grass entirely and try some other ideas for creating a relaxing outdoor space. Low ground cover can replace grass on large areas of the yard. Some plants like Japanese pachysandra cover well in shady locations.

Expensive wooden decks require painting and maintenance periodically; however, you can create ground-level patio areas with slate or stone. You may be able to obtain the materials free from a stream or quarry. Once installed, these stones only need to be hosed off occasionally to keep them clean and attractive. Stone walkways can wind between planting areas and widen out to create seating areas.

Fences are expensive, and lumber fences require periodic painting or staining. Instead, plant shrubs that grow into hedges for privacy screens or borders. Some shrubs need constant pruning. Instead, plant tallhedge. This dense shrub will quickly grow to 12 feet tall and form a dense wall of green glossy leaves. It needs full or partial sun and well-drained soil. For spring flowers, plant common lilac. Lilac grows at a considerably slow pace, to 15 feet tall. In the month of May, it produces fragrant lavender-colored blooms.

Mulch helps reduce moisture loss and erosion. It will also prevent many weeds from germinating. Place mulch around the bases of trees and shrubs and add it to flower beds. Wood chips, bark and sawdust are cheap. Plastic is also cheap and appropriate in some areas. Stone is more expensive initially but once down, will need little maintenance.

Landscape your garden area with native plants. They are well adapted to local growing conditions and can resist insects and disease. Plant trees that grow quickly and provide the necessary shade in your landscape. Choose those needing little maintenance. Evergreens do not lose their leaves in winter. Deciduous trees drop leaves in the fall that you have to rake up. Use spreading or ground cover plants in your garden for another layer of protection against weeds. Plant perennials in flowerbeds and borders. Most need very little maintenance if mulched when planted. For accents, add small shrubs like the Oregon boxwood or ornamental grasses like Maiden grass.

Landscaping your garden doesn't really require a big budget. Plenty of frugal landscaping options are available to create an exquisitely designed garden or lawn that is easy on the wallet feed. Knowing where to look for materials makes frugal landscaping a simple task.

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City Within a City - Capital Gate

Guinness Record holder, Capital Gate building of Abu Dhabi in UAE features exemplary architecture with more than seven hundred diamond shaped glazing panels - all different due to the unique architectural design and posture of the structure which sits on a 30 meters underground base to counteract the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures caused by the lean of the building. The building is a historic and iconic tower that has lined the skies of the United Arab Emirates.

This 160 meter, 35 floor tower is an iconic 'gateway' into the city, reflecting Abu Dhabi's ambition, identity and values through its unique past and futuristic design. Capital Gate accommodates the 5-star 'Hyatt at Capital Centre' hotel and also houses the most luxurious office space in the region. The tower forms a vital part of the AED 8 billion Capital Centre development, a business and residential 'city within a city' built around the buzzing Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Capital Gate has an incredible 18 degree inclination, compared to the 4 degree inclination of leaning tower of Pisa in Italy. Capital Gate has been designed by Edinburgh-based architects RMJM. The tower forms the focal point of the Capital Centre development, an AED8 billion business and residential micro city being constructed around the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

The Capital Gate tower features other innovative construction techniques including the world’s first known use of a ‘pre-cambered’ core, which contains more than 15,000 cubic metres of concrete reinforced with 10,000 tons of steel. The core, deliberately built slightly off centre, has straightened as the building has risen, compressing the concrete and giving it strength, and moving into (vertical) position as the weight of the floors has been added. Ovoid forms and futuristic styling define the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre’s exhibition halls and concourse.

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Beautify Your Abode - Home Furnishings

Home furnishing or soft furnishing is the latest trend in the business of fashion today. The desire to redecorate everything around us has lead people to become fashion centric with reference to the interiors of their work place or their home or perhaps it is the compensation for our hectic life that we generally seek relaxation through the colors and designs in our furnishings. Generally, we try to please our visual and tactile senses by the soft and beautiful fabrics around us. In the last three to four years, people have begun changing their home furniture like they change their wardrobe according to the changing fashions.

Lifestyle furnishing has become a mix of aesthetics, comfort, colors and designs. For instance, brown sofas have become outdated and people now prefer lively colors like blue and red. Though brand awareness in this segment is low but at present the scenario is changing, a few years ago consumers never stressed on purchasing branded home furnishing products, but now they are aware about new products and brands. In the last few years, people have started spending on furniture and furnishings like they perform with their clothing.

For them lifestyle furnishing is turning out as a mix of aesthetics, comfort, colors and designs. Brown sofas are outdated; people need lively colors like blue and red. A few years ago consumers never demanded highly branded home furnishing products, but now they are very well aware about new products and brands in the market, though brand awareness in this segment is still low. Many companies are adding two to three products in their product lines every year and many are comings with innovative concepts in this segment.

But, for this segment's growth still it requires a proper planning or strategy, more efforts and educate the customer. The art of home furnishing and decorating your living haven is quite a big undertaking. Since your home is the place where you spend the most amount of time, a lot of effort and care should go into furnishing and decorating your home. It is an opportunity to infuse your unique personality and talents into your home.

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Be a Perfect 'Wood Picker'! - Selecting the Right Wood for Your Doors

Wood is something permanent, when it comes to wood in the form of doors. This is what people think, but seldom do they know that it is an age old myth that wood is indestructible nor do they know that it is a myth as well, the belief that wooden doors and furniture don't need any additional attention and maintenance. The first step to be taken when obtaining a door or wood for a door is to examine to make sure it is of good quality. Also need to be made sure that the wood has been seasoned to withhold weather constraints and is properly protected. Proper care is very much necessary in order to ensure long life to the wood after the installation.

Generally, wood contains some amount of moisture. This makes the wood react in various ways to the environment that surrounds, depending on the moisture levels of the wood. Your goal is to make sure that these levels don't go to extremes and that your door is as protected as it can be against changes in levels so that warping or other damage doesn't occur. Should a door be unprotected and soak in too much moisture, it will expand, just as if there is too little moisture in the air, the door will shrink. Both of these extremes can do damage to your door and possibly even the area around it. This can include areas such as hinges and door jambs. Doors are best when they are treated the right way from the beginning. The wood must be cared for in a stable environment and then should be finished. This may be done at the factory where the doors are made, but if they are not then you need to finish them on every single side for an even coat of protection.

It is important to maintain an even moisture level inside your home for doors that are inside so they don't expand or contract. Constant expansion or contraction can lead to doors cracking, splitting, de-lamination, warping, and even door failure. Humidity inside your home should remain at a range of 40-50%. Keep in mind that seasonal changes can also play a part in how a door fares. This is especially true for front doors. These need to have a good deal of protection if the door is constantly exposed to the elements such as rain, snow, and direct sunlight. If, when considering a door, you realize that it will be in a lot of these conditions and deal with extremes throughout its lifetime, it may be best to consider alternatives to a wood door or consider including a storm door to act as a barrier between the outside and the front door.

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