Luxury Upgrades to Your Deck or Patio

Some say the deck or patio is just an extension of the house, so why not splurge a little bit and add some accessories? Some of these luxury items might not be absolute necessities, but they’ll certainly enhance the time you spend on the deck or patio.

Fire Pits. Nothing better than spending an evening on the deck or patio, next to a warm and toasty fire. There’s just something about a campfire that soothes us all. This item isn’t exactly the real deal but it’s a very safe alternative. The fire pit uses propane to ignite a simulated campfire, all at the press of a button.

Outdoor Kitchen. Okay, this makes good sense. You’ve got the barbeque in full swing but you keep making that trek back into the house because you forgot something from the kitchen. Meanwhile, the burgers are burning because you’re not watching the grill. This way you can prepare the meal, entertain guests, and tend to the barbeque all at once.

Portable Hammock. You can look for several different styles and brands that would work. Make sure it’s got a steel frame and easy assembly. You may also want to look for a 9 -10 ft. sun umbrella to keep you in the shade.

Outdoor Patio Heater. Put an extension on summer with an outdoor patio heater. Most models run on propane and will crank out 40,000 BTU’s per hour. Great item to have as summer turns into fall, these mobile heaters take the chill off a cool autumn night.

Patio Misting System. Perfect for those blazing hot days in summer. The system is perfect for pool side patios or around the outdoor bar. These misting systems can cool down the ambient air temperature to as low as 30 degrees -- great for a hot summer day.

Gazebo. This could be the main attraction beyond the patio or deck. With the right landscaping as a backdrop, the gazebo can integrate into a rose garden or serve as the central focus of the backyard.

Article courtesy of: http://www.calfinder.com/magazine/decks-patios/luxury-upgrades-deck-patio

Memorial Day BIG BLOWOUT SALE

Don't miss our BIG MEMORIAL DAY BLOWOUT!!

Friday, 5/28 from 8am-6pm and Saturday, 5/29 from 9am to 6pm

10 Home Decorating Ideas To Spice Up Any Room Over A Weekend!

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.

2. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)

3. Bring In Plants- Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has become so good that it's hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

4. Lay An Area Rug- An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

5. Hang Pictures or Mirror- Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.

6. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

7. Add Decorative Pillows- The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

8. Replace Lamps- Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

9. Add A Throw Or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

10. Eliminate Clutter- Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room. Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

Central Distributing At Central Distributing this weekend you can find paintings, artwork, sculptures, lighting, area rugs, table and floor lamps, tables and accessories to help transform your home over the weekend without hurting your wallet! Come on in and discover what we have just for you! 4250 West Shaw Avenue, Fresno CA 93722 559-276-1500 www.CentralDistributing.com

Michael Holland is the co-author of the book, Awaken Your Interior Designer. His web sites, http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com/ and http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com/ offer lots of home decorating tips and ideas.

Article courtesy of: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/decorations/weekend-decorating.shtml

Ceiling Fan Tips

Ceiling Fan Tips

Posted on: 05/07/2010 by Josie Lowry

As summer approaches many of us are trying to find ways to cool our living and work spaces effectively but affordably. Replacing an existing ceiling light with a ceiling fan could be the answer. Ceiling fans are extremely energy efficient, using less energy than a 100 watt light bulb, and they can reduce the demands on both our air conditioners and furnaces.

In the summer the air movement created by a fan can make a 79 degree room feel like it’s 72 degrees, and by raising the thermostat you could save up to 30% on your air conditioning bills. According to one energy company the average fan costs 1 cent an hour to operate in comparison to 16 cents for a room air conditioner. Since heat rises in the winter reverse the blades direction to push warm air down which can also help you save on your heating bill. In addition to their economic benefits ceiling fans can add style and design to any room. The design and finish’s they are currently available in are endless and can fit any décor.

Here is a list of tips to keep in mind when selecting a ceiling fan:

The pitch of the blade determines the amount of air that is moved, the greater the pitch the greater amount of air movement. Typically you want the blade pitch to fall between 12-15 degrees. A 14 degree blade pitch will move between 8,000 to 9,000 cubic feet of air per minute. The higher the blade pitch the higher the quality of the motor needs to be. If the motor is not sturdy enough to accommodate the blade pitch the life of the fan will be greatly reduced.

The blades of the fan should be anywhere between 7 to 10 feet above the floor. For projects with high ceilings purchase an additional down rod to accommodate the additional length needed. The chart below gives down rod length suggestions.

Ceiling Height 8' 9' 10' 11' 12' 13' 14' 15' 16'+

Rod Length 3" 6" 12" 18" 24" 36" 48" 60" 72"

Article courtesy of our friends at Bellacor