Friday, 31 July 2015
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Monday, 27 July 2015
Leather vs. Microfiber Sofas
“Before purchasing your next sofa, you will probably ask yourself, “Should I buy a leather or microfiber sofa?” When you ask yourself this question, you need to take cost, comfort and durability into consideration. These factors will ultimately help you make your final decision.
Cost: Leather vs. Microfiber Sofas
As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay more for leather than microfiber sofas. Leather has such varying grades that pricing can fluctuate greatly. We won’t discuss leather in detail here but remember that bonded leather, leather match, top grain leather and top grain Italian leather will play a big role in the cost. Depending on the manufacturer and quality of materials, leather and microfiber sofas can be comparable in price. For example, you can find some manufacturers that can provide both microfiber sectional sofas and leather sectional sofas for about the same price. Let’s look at Coaster for instance. They have a leather modular sectional sofa and microfiber sectional sofa for about the same price. Of course, leather sofas can get quite costly if you are looking for a sectional sofa made from top grain Italian leather. Moroni leather furniture will cost more because they have developed a great reputation with their plush and luxurious leather sofa designs. You are also paying for superior quality in how your sofa is made by purchasing from Moroni, as they hand produce and closely inspect every leather sofa they make. There is also a new phenomenon in microfiber sofas called “leather-like microfiber”. This is a full microfiber fabric but looks just like leather. Until you touch it, most people will never know that it isn’t leather. This is a great option if you are looking for a leather looking sofa but don’t want to pay the leather price.
Comfort: Leather vs. Microfiber Sofas
The comfort of leather and microfiber sofas come from the quality of materials used to produce the sofas. Bonded and faux leather sofas will typically not be as comfortable as top grain leather sofas. This is because top grain leather is softer and more flexible than the processed bonded leather. Comfort also comes down to a matter of personal preference. Some people do not prefer leather sofas for various reasons, so they might be more inclined to purchase a microfiber sofa. Microfiber sofas are great if you live in a climate that is very hot and humid as microfiber is known to wick away moisture. If you decide to purchase a microfiber sofa, you will have many options. Not all microfiber sofa fabrics are made equally and they come in all different textures. The texture of the microfiber comes from how the fibers are woven.
Durability: Leather vs. Microfiber Sofas
If you have dogs or kids, durability will most likely be the most important factor in purchasing a leather or microfiber sofa. It has been said that the wear and tear from kids and pets can decrease the life of your sofa by half! Not to worry, by choosing the material that suites your needs you will still be able to get years of use out of your sofa. Again, as a general rule, if you know your sofa is going to be used heavily (i.e. your main room or TV watching room) you will want to make sure you choose a leather sofa. Leather is much more durable, can take much more abuse and still looks and functions great. If you are worried about spills, leather cleans extremely well and will continue to look great as you can just wipe spills away. Microfiber sofas are also great for spills but won’t clean as well as leather sofas. They are also more susceptible to staining. If you are worried about tears, a leather sofa will be your best option. Leather is stronger than microfiber and will resist tears and fraying much better. So if you have a pet with claws, we recommend leather over microfiber. If you are worried about scratch marks, we recommend microfiber sofas. Microfiber sofas won’t show the scratches the way leather will. However, if those furry critters have pokey nails, and you are worried about ripping or tearing, we recommend leather sofa as they are most durable over all. No shocking news here, but if you are planning on putting your sofas through heavy use, you will definitely want to purchase a dark color to hide soiling and staining that naturally takes place over time. If you do have pets and kids, your furniture will receive heavy use.
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Leather vs. Microfiber Sofas
Friday, 24 July 2015
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
How to Fix an Uneven Table
An uneven table that wobbles on its legs goes beyond being annoying. Any items placed on top may fall off or tip over when the table starts doing its dance. Virtually any do-it-yourself person can choose from a variety of fixes, depending on the size and type of table, and make the legs even again.
Determine if the Table Is Uneven
In some cases, the floor that the table sits on may be the cause of an uneven table. Warped flooring or floors that have become separated from the joist beneath may bulge upward and cause an uneven spot. By moving the table a few inches to the left or the right, you might be able to even it out in this situation.
Use Cork or Rubber
A sheet of thin cork or rubber that is cut to the size and shape of the bottom of a table leg will level it off. Wobble the table to determine which leg is the shortest, cut a piece of cork or rubber that fits and glue it in place. Use the thinnest pieces possible so that you can stack pieces together if you need more.
Table Levelers
Table levelers come in all sizes and shapes. Some will fit inside of hollow metal legs, others are screwed into the bottom of wooden legs and still others attach to the side of a leg. Once in place, the foot is lowered or raised by turning it one way or the other. Except in cases where the table is grossly uneven, levelers must be added to all of the table legs to achieve a perfectly level table.
Trimming the Legs
Trim wooden legs with a table saw to level the out. A table saw adjusted to 1/16 inch or less will allow you to run the bottom of a longer table leg over the blade. The turning saw blade will grind off the bottom of the leg in 1/16-inch increments. After each pass over the blade, check to see that the table is level. If not, grind a bit more off the leg until the table sits flush on all of its legs.
How to Fix an Uneven Table
Friday, 17 July 2015
FACT: You are paralyzed while you sleep
Believe it or not, your body is virtually paralyzed during your sleep-most likely to prevent your body from acting out aspects of your dreams.
FACT: You are paralyzed while you sleep
Thursday, 16 July 2015
Monday, 13 July 2015
Why you should clean upholstery regularly
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Upholstery cleaning is something that many people want to have done in their home, but they are not sure it is worth the time or the money to do it.
Reasons that you need to understand so you can see just why cleaning your upholstery is essential.
One: Appearance of furniture – The main reason that cleaning is done to upholstery is to help maintain the appearance of your furniture. It will help keep your furniture looking nicer for a longer period of time, which is especially important if your furniture is new.
No one wants to have furniture that looks old and worn down from dirt and grime that is on there, but with regular cleaning you can easily prevent this so you furniture looks as nice as you want it to.
Two: Extended wear of your furniture – Most people don’t have the money that is needed to keep replacing their furniture when it gets worn out. Cleaning your upholstery on a regular basis can prevent this because the dirt and grime will make your furniture age faster and keeping it clean will help it last longer.
Three: Family’s health – The health of your family is very important and keeping your furniture clean will help keep your family healthier. There is bacteria that can get deep into your furniture that can unpleasant odors and can also cause sickness for your family. Cleaning the furniture will get rid of the bacteria.
Four: Good air quality – Most people don’t realize that cleaning your upholstery can help with the air quality in your home. Problems that cleaning will get rid of that helps with the air quality include: mold, dust, mildew and even other allergens.
Bad air quality in any home can cause breathing problems with anyone in your family, but by cleaning your furniture you can prevent this from happening.”
Why you should clean upholstery regularly
Friday, 10 July 2015
Thursday, 9 July 2015
Wednesday, 8 July 2015
Monday, 6 July 2015
How To Identify and Prevent Tip Overs
“They may not make the news very often, but tip-over injuries and deaths are fairly common. In fact, a November 2012 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states that from 2009 to 2011, an estimated average of 43,200 people were treated in hospital emergency departments each year for tip-over injuries relating to furniture, televisions, or appliances. Of these incidents, 25,400 or 59% involved children under 18. Needless to say, this type of accident is something that any parent should be aware of, and it makes sense to want to learn a bit more about how and why something like this might occur.
Facts about Tip-Over Deaths
Some important figures relating to tip-over incidents as per the CPSC report referenced above include:
- From 2000 to 2011, there were 349 fatalities relating to product instability and tip-over incidents. Of these, 294 or 84% involved children ranging in age from one month to eight years old.
- 69% of estimated emergency department-treated injuries and 77% of fatalities were sustained in residential settings.
- The most common injuries sustained due to a tip-over incident were: contusions or abrasions (39%), injuries to internal organs (15%), lacerations (14%), and fractures (13%). • The most common pieces of furniture involved in product instability or tip-over injuries for kids under 18 were: tables (34%); chests, bureaus, and dressers (28%); and shelving, shelving units, and bookcases (19%).
- 70% of children fatalities involved televisions or televisions and furniture tipping over together. 26% involved just furniture, and the remaining 4% involved appliances.
How to Avoid Tip-Over Accidents
Although it’s impossible for even the most vigilant parent to prevent every accident, there are a number of steps you can take to make your home a safer place and protect against tip-over incidents. Here are a few to get you started:
- Anchor all appliances with L-brackets – Freestanding appliances like fridges and ovens can tip over if a child hangs on the door, but a small and inexpensive metal bracket can help prevent this by anchoring it down. These brackets sometimes come with the appliance, but if not, you can usually get one at any home improvement store.
- Secure heavy furniture – Similarly to appliances, bulky and heavy pieces of furniture can fall over onto children, bringing everything on and in that furniture down with it. Many furniture manufacturers and resellers offer inexpensive anchors which can be connected to the furniture and anchored into the wall to prevent the piece from tipping over if it should be pulled upon. Someone at your local furniture or home improvement store should be able to show you how to install it.
- Invest in a baby gate – If your children are still young enough for it to be effective, a baby gate can be invaluable in keeping kids away from dangerous areas like bedrooms and living rooms with heavy furniture. Choose a gate that installs with hardware rather than tension rods; it may be less portable, but it’s also more secure.
- Always supervise – This should go without saying, but always watch your children when they’re in an area that contains the potential for a tip-over accident. Even if your own home has been fully baby-proofed, you’re bound to visit a friend or family member who may not have tied in their furniture or taken the same precautions, and you’ll want to make sure your kids don’t put themselves in any potentially
- Teach children safe habits – Your watchful eyes won’t always be around to make sure your children are playing safely, so it’s
important to teach them not to climb or pull on dangerous items around the home.
These are just a few suggestions for helping your child avoid injury or worse due to falling furniture or appliances. When it comes down to it, the best weapon against such tragedy is often simple knowledge – the more aware you are of potential hazards, the easier it will be for you to take steps to mitigate risk, and in the end, that’s the best any parent can really do.
Photo source: CPSC”
How To Identify and Prevent Tip Overs
Friday, 3 July 2015
CONFIRMED: How Noise Affects Your Sleep read more
“Tomorrow is the Fourth of July. For some, that means barbecues and lots of red, white and blue, but the most common and well-known fourth tradition is, of course, fireworks. While many of us will watch these colorful pyrotechnics, we’ll eventually pass out from exhaustion. The problem is, others will continue to celebrate the nation into the wee hours of July 5th. Let’s go over how noise can affect your sleep and how to sleep through the Fourth’s festivities.
As you may know, noises are measured in decibels. When we’re sleeping, sounds at levels from 40 decibels to 70 decibels are the ones that keep us awake. Examples of noises at these decibels can range from a dripping faucet in your bathroom sink to a car stereo blaring outside your window. The interesting part about noise is that sometimes the absence of it can be just as distracting as the noise itself. If you’re used to sleeping above a busy city street, the quiet countryside can lead to a restless night of sleep.
To fall asleep easier in the noise (or lack of it), try to block sounds with earplugs or “white noises” like a fan or an air conditioner. Using an alarm clock that is equipped with sounds such as “sounds of the sea” can also help too.
In a recent report cited by Natural Home and Garden, it was discovered that continuous exposure to noise pollution is a stress inducer that can lead to high blood pressure and even heart disease. Some less-intense side effects that can result from constant noises is the disruption of sleep, which can lead to difficulties throughout the day such as lack of concentration, little patience and having a hard time problem solving.
A study by Harvard Medical School concluded that while background sounds may relax some people, the volume must be at a low level. If the volume’s at a high decibel, you will awake easier throughout the night and never reach your deeper stage of REM sleep.
Some other solutions for avoiding noise pollution outside the home are simple: start by getting rid of them inside the home. Work to control the noise sources in your home such as the TV, radio, computer, iPod dock, etc. Put a volume limit on these items. When buying new appliances, research ones that are known for being quiet and efficient. Filling your home with cushions and pillows can also help to absorb sounds, which for those of you with young children can truly be a blessing.
So this Fourth of July remember to have a blast watching the blasts, followed by a peaceful night of sleep! Happy birthday America!
”
CONFIRMED: How Noise Affects Your Sleep read more
Wednesday, 1 July 2015
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