Provoke Decor

Resilient flooring is a type of flooring which is designed to be durable, resistant to stains and water, and comfortable to stand and work on. There are a wide range of styles within the resilient flooring category, at a range of price points from very affordable to more expensive luxury brands of flooring. Many flooring stores stock resilient flooring, and they typically provide samples for interested customers to examine.

The most common types of resilient flooring are made from materials like cork, vinyl, linoleum, and rubber. These materials are all known for being extremely sturdy, and they also possess a natural springiness, especially when installed over a sprung subfloor. Springy flooring is much more comfortable to stand on, making resilient flooring a popular choice for kitchens, hospitals, retail stores, and other environments where people spend a lot of time on their feet. Cork and rubber are especially good for this, providing support and a springy surface which is enjoyable to walk on.

Another common trait of resilient flooring is resistance to stains, which includes food, dirt, and liquids. Some floors are treated with an upper layer of wax to make them even more stain resistant and easier to clean. This flooring also resists penetration by water, making it less likely to become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can make a home unhealthy to be in. It also reduces the risk of damage to the subfloor.

The materials used to make resilient flooring can also resist scuffing and damage from rolling furniture, dollies, or furniture which is dragged across the floor. They can also withstand high foot traffic, which can be very convenient in a home with children and pets. Flooring materials like cork and rubber are also used in dairies and stables, which goes to show you how sturdy they are; if they can support horses, they can handle busy human traffic.

Vinyl and linoleum flooring tend to be on the lower end of price scale, and they come in a wide range of colors and styles which can mesh with an assortment of design schemes. Rubber flooring can be more expensive, and less exciting to look at, since it is typically a dull black. Some flooring companies also make rubber floor pads which can be locked together in high traffic areas, allowing people to create a section of resilient flooring where it is needed most. Cork floors tend to be the most expensive, and they can be quite beautiful, as cork has a natural pattern which is very distinctive.

While a traditional fireplace provides an open burning chamber that vents through a chimney, a direct vent fireplace does not require a chimney, and can vent horizontally out a sidewall or vertically to the roof. The direct vent fireplace also has a completely enclosed chamber that is highly efficient, drawing in air for combustion from the outside and expelling gasses to the outside as well. The front glass enclosure is porous, allowing radiant heat to pass into the room. The direct vent fireplace heats a room without robbing it of oxygen or of the heated air it is providing, while also keeping it free of fumes and combustible materials such as embers or ash.

A direct vent fireplace can be a wonderful choice for rooms in which a traditional fireplace is not practical or possible. Aside from providing clean warmth and the cheery glow of real fire, a direct vent fireplace saves space by allowing furniture to be positioned directly to either side with “zero clearance.” This simply means that while heat is radiated out the front glass, the sides are safe for combustibles to butt up against the firebox. A direct vent fireplace can also be optionally inset into a wall.

The venting system of a direct vent fireplace consists of a double-walled pipe, or pipe-within-a-pipe. The inner pipe provides venting to the outside, while the outer pipe carries outside air into the fireplace. As the outside air is sucked into the venting system, it’s heated by the hot central venting pipe, improving efficiency. Though a direct vent fireplace does not require electricity, it does require a propane or natural gas pipeline for fuel and burns logs specifically made for direct vent models.

A direct vent fireplace can come in many configurations with various kits and trim. Some kits are designed to look like a traditional fireplace, complete with mantle, while others are more modern. Many direct vent fireplaces carry the certification of wall gas furnaces, and their flexibility makes them extremely popular. Prices vary depending on manufacturer, installation needs and model, but in general these fireplaces are far less expensive than installing a traditional fireplace, while providing many advantages.

If you’ve always wanted a fireplace but didn’t think it was possible — or considered the traditional fireplace too messy — you might consider a direct vent fireplace. It could be just what your home needs for those crisp winter nights.

With home theater systems becoming more affordable, many people are going from traditional two-speaker stereo systems to 5-channel or 7-channel audio systems. While some wireless surround-sound systems exist, there’s nothing like quality speaker cables to ensure a good, clean, unhampered sound. But with great sound comes a trade-off —- where will the wiring go? Luckily there are more ways than ever to hide speaker cables. We’ll start with several ways to hide traditional speaker cables, and progress to flatwire speaker cables.

The most common way to hide standard speaker cables is to route them along the baseboard using cord channeling. Cord channeling is made of durable PVC and comes in 5-foot (1.5 meter) lengths. Channeling is available in two types: “flat” channeling and “round” or tunnel channeling. Both types feature heavy-duty adhesive backing. Once the cord has been run through the channeling, it can be carefully pressed along the baseboard for permanent adherence.

Cord channeling not only hides speaker cabling but also protects it. It comes in white or beige and is available at most home improvement centers. Cord channeling is inexpensive and can be cut to length, and optional snap-on elbows and connectors will finish corners and cover seams where channel sections meet. Once installed, cord channeling can even add to the look of the baseboard!

For those who are just building a house or remodeling, you might prefer to run speaker cables through the walls, ceiling space or floor space. This requires more work than cord channeling, and more expense. Special UL-rated speaker cables and code-approved channeling must be used. Building codes vary from city to city, so check local laws. Note that speaker wire should not run parallel with, or be “piggy-backed” to, high-voltage wiring, as this can interfere with the audio signal. A potential disadvantage of running wires inside a structure is having to know exactly where the speakers will be located in order to expose the wire through the wall or baseboard at the appropriate locations.

If hiding speaker cables within the structure is not appealing and cord channeling doesn’t quite fit the bill, you might consider flatwire speaker cables. Flatwire is ribbon-like, extremely thin but very wide. Flatwire technology spreads the gauge onto a wide surface area in order to make up for lost diameter. You can safely run flatwire under carpets. Speaker cables emerge at the site of the speaker and special connectors allow standard wire to make the final connection to the speaker itself.

Optionally, flatwire can be run along walls and painted, spackled or wall-papered over. Some flatwire speaker cables come with spray adhesive, while other brands have an adhesive backing, making it easy to install flatwire cabling wherever needed. The thickness of flatwire varies between brands. While any flatwire will be thin enough to lay under a carpet, you may want to be more discriminating if you plan to stick the flatwire along a wall or under wall papering.

Some people are skeptical of the acoustic properties of flatwire. Various audiotech magazines have published reviews on specific brands of flatwire, finding that some brands tend to sound brighter and more spatial, and others richer and warmer. If you are setting up a high-end surround sound system and would like to use flatwire, you may benefit from consulting online audiotech publications to investigate specific brands of interest. Note that flatwire is more expensive than traditional speaker cables.

Whether opting for traditional speaker cables and cord channeling, UL-rated wiring inside the walls or flatwire, the choices for hiding speaker cables are varied, creative and aesthetically effective. The only thing left to do is to enjoy the unparalleled sound of a great audio system!

Grout is a type of plaster which fills in the cracks between tiles, keeping them together and preventing damage to the sides of the tiles. With time, grout can get dirty, especially the grout used around kitchen and bathroom tiles which are exposed to food, soaps, and lots of water. It is relatively easy to clean tile grout, especially when it is regularly maintained.

The best way to clean tile grout is to keep it clean: at least once a year, scrub down the grout, dry it thoroughly and apply a commercial grout sealer to keep liquid out. If the grout begins to crack or crumble, it should be replaced. Damage to grout not only looks unsightly: it can reflect damage to the surface underneath the tiles, or can result in damage to the tiles.

When grout becomes dirty, there are products specially designed to clean tile grout which you can put to use. Many of these products come packaged with tile cleaner, so that you can apply the cleaning solution to the whole tiled area, allow it to sit, and then scrub it off. Follow the manufacturer’s directions about waiting times: it is easier to clean tile grout when a cleanser is allowed to fully penetrate and loosen all the dirt. Protective gloves should be worn when working with cleaners.

Most tile grout becomes infested with mildew and mold if it is in a splash area. In addition to staining the grout, these growths tend to cause a peculiar smell, and you may want to use a bleach cleaner to eradicate mildew and mold altogether. Cleaning with bleach will restore the grout to its original color and eliminate mold and mildew spores which could grow again.

Many people find a stiff scrub brush or special grout brush useful when they clean tile grout. The bristles of the brush can be used to abrade dirt from the surface of the tile grout, although it does require more physical effort. The result is well worth the strain, however, as a bathroom or kitchen can be totally transformed by the look of clean tile grout. After the grout has been scrubbed, dry it thoroughly and apply a fresh coat of sealer.

For regular maintenance of tile grout, use mild cleansers and a gentle brush or scrubber to clean tile grout. If you keep your tile grout clean by caring for it on a weekly basis, the annual stripping and re-sealing of the grout will require far less work. In addition, the clean tile grout will look nice and smell good. Add this gentle cleaning of grout to your weekly kitchen or bathroom cleaning regimen.

Where did all this dust come from? If you’re like most folks, you’ve probably had that thought at one time or another – maybe while cleaning or just before you start in! It seems amazing that so much dust can gather in so short a time inside a protected environment like a house or office, but once you understand how dust forms and where it comes from, it’s actually pretty amazing that we don’t have more dust.

Outdoors, the atmosphere is filled with various kinds of dust, from windblown soil to pollutants. Ash from volcanoes, ocean salt, pollen and minute bits of decaying organic matter make up outdoor dust, which can circulate globally. The entire environment, from plants to animals, is constantly shedding dead cells. Industrial plants and vehicles add to particulate matter in the air, and seasonal fires add more ash.

Though the air in our homes appears clear and clean, unless you are using an air purifier or some other means of filtration, the air coming in from outside brings in a tremendous amount of dust. However, that’s just part of what makes up house dust.

It is estimated that humans lose 30,000 – 40,000 dead skin cells each and every minute. Furniture fabric, bedding, and clothes release fibers every time they are used or disturbed. Pets also contribute to house dust by shedding skin cells and hair. If your home is carpeted, there are even more fibers being released into the air.

Dust mites can be found nearly everywhere there is dust. They are particularly drawn to mattresses and pillows, where they feed on shed skin cells. Their fecal matter can trigger allergic reactions in some people, and this matter, along with dead dust mites, also adds to house dust.

While dusting and vacuuming can take care of dust that’s already settled, an air purifier can help filter atmospheric dust from the air. If allergies are a problem, be sure to vacuum up dust from underneath beds, around baseboards, and in hard-to-get areas where attachments might be necessary. Vacuum cleaners fitted with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters will keep the dust and mites from recirculating through the appliance.

Mold and mildew have many similar characteristics, but they are different types of fungi, and are often different in color and texture. They are often mentioned together, as both mold and mildew can grow in many of the same moist and warm locations. Mildew is often found more often than mold in showers, paper, and fabrics, however, and mold is usually found more often than mildew in foods. They can sometimes be difficult to tell apart, as both spread out from spores. Mold is often black, green, red, or blue in color while mildew is usually gray or white.

The two main types of mildew are powdery and downy. Powdery mildew is commonly found on roses and other flowering plants, and usually looks like white or gray splotches. It is created by an ascomycota type of fungus. Downy mildew is from the oomycota type of fungus and is found in agricultural products such as grapes and potatoes. It’s appearance varies from plant to plant, with some common indications being leaf spots and distortions, downy patches, and crystalline spores that may look like sugar.

Mold often looks fuzzy or slimy, depending on the type. It can also appear in many different colors. On a wall or ceiling, some types of mold may appear to be irregularly shaped spots of black or gray.

Some molds have toxins called mycotoxins that may cause an allergic reaction or other illness in some people. Symptoms of a mold allergy may include headaches, asthma, and coughing. Irritation of the eyes and throat may also occur as a result of breathing mold toxins. Molds are not always harmful; the antibiotic penicillin was created from the mold of the same name.

Both mold and mildew thrive in damp environments. Keeping areas dry is the most important preventative measure to help eliminate fungi. Bathrooms are a prime source of mold and mildew as not only are they often damp, but they also usually do not have a lot of ventilation.

Moldy food should not be eaten. A mildew infestation on paper and some fabrics cannot be scrubbed off, but a mildew remover can usually get rid of mildew on harder surfaces such as surfaces in bathrooms. Some mold and mildew removal products should not be used by asthmatics or in an area that is not well-ventilated. In situations where there is serious mold growth, a professional may be needed to clean the space and repair any damage.

Blood and other protein stains on clothing can be problematic if not handled quickly. The first step in removing any clothing stain is addressing it as soon as possible by removing the garment and rinsing it in cold water. When this is not possible, the garment should be gently blotted with cold water. Be careful not to rub the stain into the fabric when blotting, as that will spread it further into the fibers of the garment. Blood stains, if treated quickly, will not leave a permanent mark.

Never use hot water on blood stains, because the heat will set the blood and make it impossible to remove. Do not put clothing with blood stains in the dryer until the blood stains have been completely removed, or the heat of the dryer will set the stain. In extreme cases, when the blood stains have set in, using bleach or a lemon and salt solution may help to loosen them. If the blood has clotted on the fabric, loosen the clot by soaking and then treat the stain.

To remove fresh blood stains, soak the garment in cold water for at least thirty minutes before laundering. Dabbing with soap or an enzymatic cleaner may also help to clear the blood stains from the fabric. Launder the garment in cold or warm water, and check before putting it in the dryer to make sure that the blood stains have disappeared. If they have not, repeat the wash cycle.

If the blood stains have dried, soak the garment in warm water with an enzymatic cleaner to loosen the stain. Soak for a minimum of one hour, checking to see if the blood stains have started to come clear before laundering the garment in cold or warm water. Larger stains should be scrubbed after soaking to remove as much of the blood as possible prior to laundering.

Hydrogen peroxide can be used very effectively for the removal of blood stains, although it is advisable to do a test patch first to ensure that the peroxide will not cause a color change. Pour the hydrogen peroxide onto the area of the blood stain and allow it to foam for a few minutes before wiping it off and laundering normally. Older blood stains may require repeated applications of hydrogen peroxide.

Hardwood floors are one of the easiest flooring types to keep clean. Unlike carpeting, hardwood floors require minimum maintenance and can last for many years. Clean hardwood floors that run throughout a house can make the house look both beautiful and spacious. Maintenance methods to clean hardwood floors should not differ among types, but some finishes may require extra care when removing stains.

The quickest and most effective way to clean hardwood floors is with a damp mop. Before mopping, make sure that you have removed all surface dust from the floor. This can be done with a soft broom or lightweight vacuum cleaner. Then, simply mop, rinse and repeat. It is important to remove grit and dirt from hardwood floors. Dirt and grit are the biggest enemies when it comes to scratching or scouring the floor finish.

There are many hardwood floor cleaners available, but a neutral cleanser (i.e., neither too low or too high a pH level) and water will do the job just as effectively. The hardwood floor must be properly sealed before any mopping. If there are worn patches, do not use water, as the liquid can penetrate the wood and cause warping.

Most hardwood floors are now finished using a surface finish called polyurethane. These floors look glossy and shiny. Polyurethane looks like a plastic coating over the wood and is extremely hard wearing. Another finish, called penetrating seals, consists of wax or oil finishes that penetrate the wood and protect from within.

You may wish to go that extra mile and finish off the mopping with a wax or polish. If you find that your clean hardwood floors still look dull, then buffing them with wax may help. It may take some extra elbow grease in order to clean hardwood floors in this way, but the end result will be worth it. Some people also use a floor polish to add a shine to the floors. If wax or polish is used regularly, there may be a problem with adhesion when it comes to recoating the hardwood floors.

All floors are susceptible to stains, whether they are hardwood or carpeted. A very fine steel wool can be used to remove a majority of the stains. A little alcohol can also be used to remove stains from clean hardwood floors. Finish off by polishing and buffing. If the stain remains, then sanding down the area may be the only option in order to remove it.

Depending on the amount of traffic in your house, you may only have to clean hardwood floors once a week. An extra precaution used in order to maintain clean hardwood floors may be to have people remove footwear when they enter the house. By doing this, you may limit the amount of heelmarks imprinted into the floors and the maintenance required in the future.

To answer the question, “What are duvet covers,” one first has to answer, “What are duvets?” A duvet is a bag filled with down, feathers, wool or other natural stuffing to create a warm bed covering that takes the place of quilts and bedspreads. Duvet is the French word for down, as in down from birds. Duvets are rather like comforters, except that they have replaceable, washable covers – much like large pillowcases.

Duvet covers are useful because duvets usually cannot be washed. Water would ruin the stuffing. However, duvet covers can be laundered along with the sheets and pillowcases. This keeps the duvet fresh as well. Duvet covers button, zip or tie at one end to keep the cover secure.

A shopper can find duvet covers in nearly any store that sells bedding, or online. Duvet covers are bought, like other bedding, according to the size of the bed. A duvet fitting a queen-sized bed needs a queen-sized duvet cover, for instance.

Another advantage of duvet covers is that they are changeable. Some are even reversible, with coordinating patterns or colors, so the home owner can change the feel of the room without having to completely redecorate. Duvet covers may be made out of any material comforters are made of: cotton, rayon, silk blends, microfiber, suede, etc. They can be purchased as part of a bedding set, in some cases, along with sheets, pillowcases and a bedskirt, all in coordinating patterns.

The one issue with duvet covers is actually getting the things on the duvet. It can be tricky, especially with king-sized duvets. The easiest way is to spread the duvet flat on the bed, with the cover turned inside out and the bottom seam facing the bottom of the duvet. The person making the bed then puts her arms inside the cover, grasps the bottom corners of the cover and the bottom corners of the duvet and raises the duvet off the bed, allowing the cover to fall around the duvet. The person can then shake the cover in place over the duvet and secure it at the top.

Duvet covers vary in price, depending on materials, manufacturer and where they are purchased. They are priced starting at about US$45, and they go up from there. However, considering that they can be washed and replaced, they are worth the investment.

A decorative charger plate is an elegant and underused element of a place setting. Also known as a chop plate, service plate, or underplate, a charger plate gets its “decorative” label because it never directly touches any food; instead it functions as an aesthetic resting place onto which food-bearing dishes and bowls are placed. A charger plate is usually larger than a dinner plate but smaller than a food-serving platter. As it need not hold food, it can be made out of a wider range of materials than regular dishes. In addition to standard china, plates made of metal, wood, mother of pearl, and even leather can be found.

Charger plate etiquette varies slightly depending on the preferences of the host or hostess, but some general rules apply. The plate should be set when guests arrive, placed 1 inch (2.54 cm) from the edge of the table and between the silverware setting. Some hosts remove it before any food is served, but more commonly, soup and first courses are placed on the charger, which is cleared before the entrée is served. Other hosts enjoy the appearance of the plate in combination with the dinner dishes and leave it on the table throughout the course of the meal. Most agree however, that the charger should be removed before the dessert course.

A charger plate is a terrific way to add color and texture to a dinner table. Though the plates are often associated with very formal dinners, they can be used for all occasions to spice up the hosting repertoire. A fine china underplate, sometimes part of a place setting package in bridal registries, is the classic choice for traditional, formal dinner parties. The pattern on these plates often complements the design on the other china, adding a second visual rhythm to the table.

A colorful charger can revitalize day-to-day dinner plates for a party. One with a harmonizing hue or made from a showy metallic material can add a less stuffy touch of class to an informal gathering. Dishes of a neutral color, such as white, can be used with nearly any color of charger.

Charger plates are an easy and inexpensive way to add seasonal variety to your selection of dishes. Holiday-themed chargers are commonly available. Alternatively, a mix of springy pastels and jewel-like winter tones will help match the mood of any season.