Helge Lange

What is a ceiling medallion? A ceiling medallion is a decorative circle attached to the center of the ceiling which has a light fitting or ceiling fan connected from it.  Back in the old days, ceiling medallions were made and carved from wood. They were nailed to the ceiling. However, nowadays, ceiling medallions are made from either molded urethane or resin. They are lighter in weight and sold more cheaply.

Ceiling medallions are produced in different styles, depth and design, that perfectly match Colonial-style rooms to Victorian parlors. Some are simple, some are intricately designed. Although some people prefer the medallion to be painted like the ceiling, some favor those with metallic or wood like finish, while some use mirrors. Coated screws or nails and adhesive are used to adhere them to the ceiling.

Installing a ceiling medallion adds a new feel and look to your room. However, you cannot just buy any kind, design or size. The ceiling medallion must be proportional to the fixture and the room, just like when buying rugs. You must be careful to choose a medallion that does not overwhelm the fixture or be subdued by it. It will only look out of place being attached with a large chandelier. To select the right one, you need consider several factors:

Aside from ceiling medallions, ceiling tiles are used to adorn a room. These are sometimes used to cover chipped areas and cracks. Compared to paint, ceiling tiles last longer since they do not fade, get peeled or warped. Metal ceiling patterns like diamond-shaped tiles, floral and elaborate designs can turn a simple room into an elegant one. Using ceiling tiles in hallway, bathroom, kitchen and other parts of the house will provide an instant transformation. Some even use ceiling tiles for doors of cabinets, rather than doing a paint job. Using tiles prevents the cabinetry from showing visible scratches. These are also placed on the surface of tabletops and headboards.

During these hard times, homeowners must make sure that every part of their house is in tip-top shape so that every piece of furniture and equipment will last longer. The dining room, they say, is the heart of the house, because it's where the family usually gets to spend time together. As such, the dining room must receive extra care, and one way of preserving its efficiency and use is by using table pads for the dining table and the kitchen tables, which are the most often used tables.

Table pads can be used for all the tables in the house, of course. They serve to protect your table from unwanted and destructive moisture, as well as ugly marks, cracks and scratches. It can even minimize the irritating sound of glass against glass during mealtime. It is best to use them for your table cover, because tablecloths are not enough to protect your table from wear and tear.

The first thing you should do in order to use table pads is to know your table. Have it measured. If it has a regular size and shape, you could probably find ready-to use table pads from your local hardware store.  Buy the right number of table pads, if they come in pieces. If the table pad you're buying comes in one piece, then make sure you have the right size.

If your table has an irregular shape, or if you do not want the usual table pads, then you can have them custom-made and tailored according to your needs and taste. Most brands like Guardian  and Sentry offer options for custom-made table pads. Check their web sites to find out more about their products.

Once you have your table pads, get ready to place them on your table. But first, make sure that the tabletop is clean. You don't want the table pads to bury dirt and moisture beneath them.

While the table pads are doing their duty, avoid placing pots and pans on the table, which are too hot. If you really have to, then place them on a piece of cloth or a pot stand, so that the heat won't damage the table pads. Since they protect your table, they must be protected, too.

Try to remove the table pads at least twice a month, so you can remove the moisture and the dirt that could accumulate between the pads and the tabletop. You can wipe the table pads with a damp cloth and air them out in the backyard for an hour or so before putting them back.

The table pads need changing every so often. When changing them, always ask someone to help if the pad is one big piece. However, if they come in several pieces and you can handle them, you can do it by yourself. Make sure you have the replacements with you before you remove the old table pads, so you can immediately put new ones down after changing them. Do not throw the used table pads away; you might have some use for them later on.

Don't hesitate to use table pads on your tables. They will truly live up to your expectations.

Blinds are window shields or coverings that act as a curtain. There are different types of vertical blinds that are available in the market today. They are made from different materials and colors to fit almost anyone's taste. Vertical blinds have slats and a cord that will enable you to pull up the blinds and put them back down. Vertical blinds are ideal for places which are prone to strong winds. Vertical blinds are able to withstand strong winds and are able to last for a long time under these conditions, compared to the other types of blinds.

Here's how to compare some of the types of vertical blinds:

These are the major types of vertical blinds that are available. Before choosing vertical blinds for your home, consider the uses of each one and also consider the maintenance of the blinds. These blinds basically have the same purpose but, as you can see, they differ in their styles.

We all know the saying that we are the kings and queens of our homes. In our houses, we can do anything we want. Same thing goes for its interior design and furnishings. We can tap our creative juices to make our homes comfortable yet elegant, simple yet plush. Of course, we want our guests to feel at home, too. We want them to feel welcome. Our hospitality should start at the front door. We should always choose the right welcome mats for our entrance doors. We should also know what material we want, so we can control what comes into our house. Dirt, grease and water should remain outside.

The top entrance mat position was given to the Flat Weave Naturals Olefin Mat made by the JC Penny Home Collection. It is extra absorbent and is exceptionally resistant to stain and abrasion. This mat will be a good buy, especially if you live in a state where rain is a constant. Your guests can dry their shoes before entry, assuring you of a water-free and spotless floor.

You can even get personalized door mats! Add your personal touch by writing your own welcome message, or even adding a photo of your choice. 

In choosing welcome mats for your entrance doors, make sure you choose the right materials as well. You would want a material that would prevent people from sliding, skidding or tripping over the mat. You can choose rubber door mats for this. Other materials will also do, as long as they have grooved, non-skid surfaces.

If you do not want your door getting stuck on your mat and vice versa, choose mats with slim designs. Do not choose bulging ones. For places with wet climates, choose door mats with polypropylene material, which is very absorbent. You can buy carpet-like door mats, those with grand and beautiful designs, but you should know that they are not very absorbent and they get dirty easily.

There are many welcome mats available for your entrance door. Take time to examine each mat. Think of durability, effectiveness and utility, but do not sacrifice beauty and creativity. Welcome people to your home with a flair.

Collecting figurines is often a hobby for older people. Instead of introducing toys to the younger ones, figurines are their interest. These figurines do not only serve as home decoration but also as proof of their passion. Collectors often have a hard time finding figurines from art and gift shops that are worthy of being called collectibles. But because of the Internet, finding your own choice of figurines is now convenient and easy to do. Now, you can simply sit in front of a computer and start looking for figurines on the World Wide Web. But before that, remember these tips that you need to know as you are browsing sites for your beloved figurines.

After browsing on the net to find your figurine while keeping in mind the tips, you'll surely be able to get loads of figurines for your collection. And each time you see your collections inside your glass cabinets, you'll certainly feel more and more fulfilled. Keep your collections up-to-date and ongoing. Continue to explore the Internet for more collectibles and keep them away from dust and dirt. Reward yourself by keeping those figurines clean at all times; benefit from the spiritual joy that they'll give you in the years to come.