The History of Mantel Clocks

If you need to buy a new clock for your mantelpiece then it helps to know a few things about mantel clocks in order to make the right decision. Mantel clocks have been around for a long time and over that time they’ve undergone frequent changes in design and fashion depending on the time period. Today, mainly because of the internet, it’s possible to buy mantel clocks in whichever style you need for your home.

Mantel clocks are usually placed on the mantelpiece giving them their name but are now often used for decoration throughout the house. Traditionally mantel clocks all had mechanisms to produce sound every hour but today chiming mantel clocks are just one of the many different options available.

Mantel clocks originated from France although they’ve since spread worldwide. The original French mantel clocks were made out of wood or porcelain but today you can find them in a variety of different materials. For example, brass mantel clocks are common today as well as many other metals. Glass is often used in mantel clocks as well. When mantel clocks were first created they were usually very complicated and ornate in design and while you can still find clocks like this today there are also many more subtle options available.

Get more information as well as the opportunity to buy a mantel clock from the selection below:
Vintage Schatz 400 Day Mantel Clock Made in Germany
Vintage Schatz 400 Day Mantel Clock Made in Germany
Paypal   US $49.95 		Seth Thomas Buckingham Tambour Mantel Clock with Westminster Whittington Chime
Seth Thomas Buckingham Tambour Mantel Clock with Westminster Whittington Chime
Paypal   US $119.99
Seth Thomas Sturbridge Mantel Clock Mahogany Finish Made out of wood and glass
Seth Thomas Sturbridge Mantel Clock Mahogany Finish Made out of wood and glass
Paypal   US $87.99 		Seth Thomas MWL 7608 Sheldon Mantel Clock $250
Seth Thomas MWL 7608 Sheldon Mantel Clock $250
Paypal   US $159.99
Waterford Small Mantel Clock
Waterford Small Mantel Clock
Paypal   US $70.00 		2 PERINI MINI MANTEL QUARTZ CLOCKS GOLD TONE 2 INCHES TALL
2 PERINI MINI MANTEL QUARTZ CLOCKS GOLD TONE 2 INCHES TALL
Paypal   US $5.00
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Some antique mantel clocks are considered works of art rather than just clocks and can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars in the most extreme cases. If you enjoy the antique style though there are much less expensive antique clocks as well as replicas.

Because mantel clocks are so popular there are a number of different manufacturers each with their own styles and unique selling points. One of the most well known manufactures of mantel clocks is Bulova. Bulova mantel clocks range from modern in design to much more traditional so they’re always worth considering.

Categories: Decorating - Tags: ,

Hanging Outdoor String Lighting

Some time between Thanksgiving and the middle of December, most everyone in the US faces one daunting task, hanging Christmas Lights! We've all seen the movies of people falling off ladders, getting zapped by electricity, sliding off of the roof and getting caught up in the lights as one falls off the roof. While this is a common thing in most Christmas comedies, there is the phrase "all fiction is based on fact." That means that these dangers are not simply fictional.

But who doesn't want to see their house sparkling in the night, looking like an over-sized gingerbread house. There are several ways of keeping your light-hanging experience from making the pages of the next Christmas Comedy script. First things first, don't work alone! Seriously. When you have someone else with you to watch your back, you can avoid most accidents. Also, having someone there to hold the ladder still while you reach the hooks is one of the main ladder-safety rules. When you have someone with whom you can discuss random topics, it keeps you from getting bored and hasty, which leads to accidents.

Second thing on the list of safety rules: ladder usage! When you are using an old ladder, make sure all of the rungs are still secure. Don't use a ladder that is too short, too long is ok, but too short tempts you to step on the top rung that clearly states "do not step here". Move the ladder often. Don't reach because when you reach, you put yourself out of a natural balance. Loss of balance equals falling and broken bones, and half-strung lights and emergency-room bills. These are all bad things.

Lastly: Don't jimmy-rig anything, EVER! When working with electricity, don't be tempted to over-rig things with electrical tape and your wire-strippers. Seriously, they are made the way they are for a reason. Electricity is not happy when it can escape. Again, electricity escaping equals emergency room bills and half-strung lights. Have a happy Christmas and hang lights safely. Visit outdoor string lights or used party tent for further information.

Categories: lighting - Tags: , ,

Rocking Chairs

Although there is some debate over the origin of the rocking chair, the modern indoor rocking chair is a part of most households in the US today.

Some speculate that Benjamin Franklin designed the first rocking chair on the American continent using the concept of a cradle, adding the curved wooden rocker pieces or skates to the bottom of a chair in much the same fashion rockers were attached to the legs of a cradle. In England, a similar chair appeared for outdoor use. This chair was called the Windsor rocker after Windsor castle were it is first recorded to have been used. In the late 1800”s a German craftsman named Michael Thonet came up with a lightweight bentwood rocker that became very popular in England and Europe. Mr. Franklin, Mr. Thonet, and the person who made the first Windsor Rocker all had one goal in mind, to sit more comfortably. Certainly, Benjamin Franklin watched while mothers rocked cradles to sooth their babies to sleep. He may well have seen men leaning the back two legs of straight back chairs against the wall with their feet propped on a porch rail or another chair to achieve a greater degree of comfort. Maybe he liked the motion of a swing in the garden and wanted to recreate that same feel where it was not practical to have a swing.

Whatever the motivation, the rocking chair began to be a part of modern furniture in the 1700”s. However, the concept of the human form rocking began much earlier. The word “rocker” began to appear in the 15th century. It was a term used for the person who was in charge of rocking the cradle. Later it came to mean speakers or orators who put others to sleep with their monotone speech patterns.

There are examples of women or “rockers” setting beside cradles in Renaissance art but no evidence of a rocking chair until the 1750’s. Why it took man so long to transfer the idea of children being soothed by the rocking motion to adults wanting to rock, I cannot say. Adult sized cradles were made and used by the Shakers in New England in the early 1800”s. The adult cradles were used to help care for the elderly and very sick.

Today, rockers are big business. They can be found in any store that carries a line or type of living room furniture. You find them in home and garden centers and the most avant-garde furniture boutiques. They are throwaway cheap and thousands of dollars. They are metal, wood, wicker, plastic and combinations of materials. You can find them inside and outside; anywhere someone wants to rest for a few minutes or a few hours.

Categories: Furniture - Tags: , , , ,

A Guide To Choosing Ceramic Bathroom Accessories

Ceramic is a very popular material when it comes to bathroom accessories.  Whether it be a ceramic soap holder, a ceramic tile toilet paper holder, ceramic robe hooks, towel holders, a toilet paper stand, or shelves,  ceramic will often add a very elegant look to your bathroom.  At the same time, it is versatile enough to create a more traditional or old fashioned look, if that is what you prefer.

The first thing you will want to do is to settle on the color scheme you are going to go with.  There is a large variety of both colors and themes to choose from when it come to ceramic accessories, so you should have no problem finding the right combination to create the exact look you want for your bathrooom.

A great place to find what you are looking for, or at least to see exactly what is available to you, is online.  There you will find hundreds of variations on ceramic accessories to choose from, you will be able to compare prices and styles, and ultimately determine just what you need for your particular project.

You can also visit dealers in your area.  While they might not be able to show you as much as you can find online, the advantage to visiting a dealer is that he will be able to answer all of your questions and give you much needed guidance.  In some cases, his advice may mean the difference between the successful and unsuccessful completion of your project.

The overall size of your bathroom is a crucial consideration when selecting either the tiles or the accessories that you need.  In the case of tiling, it is important to realize that large tiles actually make a small bathroom appear to be even smaller.  Strange, but true.  So if your bathroom is on the smaller side, you will want to go with smaller sized tiles as well.

Categories: Bathroom, Decorating - Tags: , , , ,

Versatile Voile Curtains

When it comes to finding a curtain that is elegant and adaptable an option that provides style and grace while also allowing a certain level of natural light into the room is the voile curtain. Voile curtain panels can be used equally effectively as full length drapes, bed canopies or as replacements for net curtains.

Although they are light and breezy in weight and texture they aren’t restricted to a single color or style with types of voile curtains available in natural linen looking fabric and lighter sheers. The top of the voile curtains are just as versatile with the curtains able to be made with a stitched heading to allow it to be threaded onto the curtain rod or, if you prefer, made as tab topped curtains. The tab top voile curtains thread even easier onto a curtain rod.

Both of the tops mentioned above pull into uniform pleats to create a stylish look when they are pulled closed creating a textured background for the room in which they are hung.

One of the benefits in buying voile curtains is that they are nice and light and very suitable for hanging on tension curtain rods. Tension curtain rods are used when it is not possible to screw curtain rod brackets into the wall, but they require lightweight curtains to ensure they aren’t dragged down due to the weight. Because voile curtains are lightweight they fit the brief quite nicely. If they are made as slot top panels they will be able to be used as part of a layering effect.

The question of how many voile curtain panels you might need to effectively cover a window may come up and although it will depend on just how much privacy you might be looking to achieve, the idea is to use double the width of the window itself. This way the voiles can be allowed to overlap while covering the window creating a full look while still giving the required level of light a chance to filter in.

Categories: Curtains - Tags: , , ,

Ring the Changes with Your Kitchen Curtains

Most of us rarely change things in our homes without having a whole new room scheme. So we might change our kitchen curtains when we remodel the kitchen but not just because we feel like a change.

If you have a colored kitchen with, for example, blue painted doors, then ringing the changes is a bit difficult anyway but now that the fashion is for more neutral kitchens with lots of white or wooden cabinets and stainless steel appliances then we can have a change whenever we feel like it. In fact changing the curtains along with a few other accessories is a great way to give our kitchen a new look without having to completely redecorate.

If you are updating your kitchen bear this in mind because if you choose a colored kitchen you will not be able to change your color scheme very easily. You may love that shade of green or blue at the moment while it is so fashionable but how will you feel about it in five years time when the interior magazines have long ago moved onto something else?

To make changing your kitchen curtains even easier you can always hang neutral blinds up at your windows and then buy dress curtains for your windows. These are very inexpensive as the fabric does does not have to be wide enough to be able to be drawn across the window (while still being gathered at the top). Instead of one and a half times the width of the window you can probably get by with two thirds or one times. As long as the fabric looks as if it could stretch across the window that is fine.

If you can make your own curtains, you can create new window coverings for your kitchen very cheaply indeed and ring the changes whenever you like. If blue is the latest color add blue curtains, a couple of tea towels and a few pieces of new china an you have a new color scheme. If next year, green is in vogue, change everything to green without too much expense!

Categories: Curtains - Tags: , , , ,

Small Bathtubs

In today’s economy, many homeowners are finding themselves in downsized home with smaller rooms that they were used to living in. One of the most frequently used rooms of any house is the bathroom and one of the most frequently heard complaints are the size of the bathroom. There are few homeowners that do not want one of the most comfortable placed in the bathroom to take up the entire space available. Small bathrooms and small budgets call for a solution, small bathtubs.

Small bathtubs are not as hard to find as they once were. There are many different styles of small bathtubs that fit into small bathroom spaces without compromising depth and soaking room. Small bathtubs are generally made deeper to compensate for the lack of length. Many people are used to stretching out full length in a five or six foot long bathtub in a generously sized bathroom. One of the most popular fixtures in upper class bathrooms of the past was a soaking tub. The soaking tub was generally deep enough to sit inside with water up to mid-chest or shoulders. Though lengthwise space has been removed, depth makes for a very comfortable reclining position.

One of the most attractive types of small bathtub is the Victorian bathtub. These small bathtubs may be found complete with claw foot stands or they provide a luxuriously deep tub that make up for their lack of size. You can fit one of these small bathtubs into the tiniest of bathrooms and will effectively create a feature piece for the room.

Buy a Victorian tub - choose from the following Victorian bathtubs for sale.
PLAYMOBIL Victorian Mansion Dollhouse Bathroom Toilet Sink Bathtub Boy Maid 5324
PLAYMOBIL Victorian Mansion Dollhouse Bathroom Toilet Sink Bathtub Boy Maid 5324
Paypal   US $59.95 		8x10 Print c19th Victorian Children Brother Sister Bathing JRT Dog Wood Bathtub
8x10 Print c19th Victorian Children Brother Sister Bathing JRT Dog Wood Bathtub
Paypal   US $8.50
Antique Victorian Bath Tub Porcelain Cast Iron Bathtub with Faucets Plumbing
Antique Victorian Bath Tub Porcelain Cast Iron Bathtub with Faucets Plumbing
Paypal   US $1,650.00 		DECORATIVE POTTERY SMALL VICTORIAN STYLE CLAW FOOT BATHTUB SOAP DISH
DECORATIVE POTTERY SMALL VICTORIAN STYLE CLAW FOOT BATHTUB SOAP DISH
Paypal   US $14.99
VICTORIAN SOAP DISH PINK BATHTUB NIB SO CUTE
VICTORIAN SOAP DISH PINK BATHTUB NIB SO CUTE
Paypal   US $6.99 		RARE Vintage Dollhouse Miniature Antique Brass Victorian Claw Foot Bathtub
RARE Vintage Dollhouse Miniature Antique Brass Victorian Claw Foot Bathtub
Paypal   US $25.00
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There are several online and home improvement resources available to locate small bathtubs that fit into many different bathroom floor plans. Both Asian and small claw foot tubs are two good options for those looking to keep floor space to a maximum in a small bathroom. Another benefit to purchasing a small bathtub is they can be easily fit into a corner space without taking up much room. This style of installation will also allow for a stand up shower in the same space that would be too small for a regular sized bathtub.

Although there are several styles of small bathtubs that can be considered for bathrooms without a lot of space, homeowners should be aware of bathtubs that will not work for their lifestyle. Walk-in tubs are small bathtubs that are generally only used for elderly and those with medical conditions who cannot utilize regular bathtubs or stand up showers. Walk-in tubs must be filled after the bather enters the tub and the bather cannot exit until the water is completely drained. Another thing to keep in mind is to measure the exact space available before consulting manufacturers or home improvement stores when looking for the perfect small bathtub for limited bathroom space.

Categories: Bathroom - Tags: , , ,

Discount Duvet Covers

Duvet covers have been used in Europe for centuries and are now finally gaining popularity in the US and other countries around the world. While many specialty stores and department stores will carry luxury duvets and covers, less expensive duvet covers are now more available as well to meet the increased demand.

The fabric and construction of the duvet cover are the factors that will most influence the cost. If you are looking for a great price on a duvet cover, you may be tempted to buy one that is made of a low quality fabric. Keep in mind that one of the benefits of using a duvet cover is that you can pop it in the wash whenever it gets dirty to avoid having to wash the whole duvet. For this reason it may make sense to spend a few more dollars on a duvet cover that will stand up to frequent laundering. In the long run, you will save money by not having to replace the duvet cover as often and you will be protecting the duvet inside.

Many stores run seasonal specials on bedding overstocks, including duvet covers. Keep checking back at your favorite department stores and online shops and you will have a better chance at finding a discount duvet cover that will be suited for the bedroom you are updating.

If you have no luck in finding a great deal on a duvet cover at your local stores and online, one other method to getting a cheap duvet cover is to make one out of two flat sheets. You can simply sew the two right sides together and use ribbon, Velcro or buttons as fasteners.

Don't forget that duvet covers can also save you money if you use one to cover that favorite old duvet or comforter that doesn't look great anymore, but still provides a lot of warmth. If you are one of those people who like to get good value for their dollar, duvet covers are for you.

Categories: Soft Furnishings - Tags: , , ,

Wall Sconce Lighting

The likelihood that you want to have some different lighting features in your home is high.  Since you’re reading this, wall sconce lighting is likely high on your list.

There are a number of different ways in which wall sconces can be introduced into the home to provide a unique lighting option. Although they have been around for many years you can buy contemporary wall sconces that will fit in with a newer home. Some of the more modern wall sconces that are available have been designed to look like antique fittings giving you the opportunity to furnish the home in a more traditional style yet be able to take advantage of the newer technologies. When you want to match the lighting with a home that has been more traditionally decorated you will have to find older wall sconces.

Here are a few options, both old and new, that may be helpful in deciding the type of wall sconce you need. You can browse through the wall sconces for sale at the bottom of the page.

Mission Wall Sconces


These wall sconces are terrific with older styled houses such as bungalows, Timber frame, Log or Rustic homesteads. The metal pedestal arm set into the wall and holding either one or two candle style lights make for a beautiful addition to the traditional style of the home. Although it is an older style reproductions are also available to provide an antique look with modern convenience.

Wooden Wall Sconces


It is possible to find a vastly different array of wooden wall sconces provided in just about any shape or color you require. Wood is such a versatile material that it can be shaped to whatever requirement you need and then painted or stained to fit in with its surroundings. They may be homemade or you may be able to use a set that have been reproduced by a master craftsman. Custom made wooden wall sconces will certainly place a unique appearance on your wall. They may be inlaid with decorative metal or wooden features.

Iron Candle Wall Sconce


An iron candle wall sconce is another distinctive type of wall sconce that can take you back to a bygone era. These wall sconces are particularly decorative and can actually change the entire appearance of the home by their presence. There are many unique wrought iron candle wall sconces to choose from with single candle, double candle, triple candle and more available as effective options.

Chrome Wall Sconces


With chrome wall sconces we move back into a more modern contemporary appearance. However chrome was popularly used as a material in the retro era and they can be used to finish off a home that has been decorated to the retro fashions. The smooth silvery appearance of chrome provides a clean, sleek look that will certainly catch the eye.

Swing Arm Wall Sconces


Another older style, swing arm wall sconces provide you with the ability to subtly change the angle of your lights as the need arises. These wall sconces allow you to place your lights close to the walls with the arm folded and out of the way. These are the sorts of wall sconces that might be placed in a corner of the room where a reading chair mi9ght be placed and swung down to provide a reading lamp.

Art Deco Wall Sconces


The Art Deco era was one that was rich with many distinctive looks. Many of them were cast in aluminum and the design style is easily recognised as coming from the era. There are many reproductions available today to recall the style for those looking to decorate in the early twentieth century style.

Modern Candle Sconces

Fitting candle sconces to the walls does not necessarily mean that you have to furnish the home from a bygone era. More modern candle sconces are being manufactured today with fresh and contemporary to give you the opportunity to light the room in an older style while still maintaining the crisp look provided by the rest of the room. Take a look at our selection of modern candle sconces.

Here is your opportunity to browse through the many different types of wall sconces for sale.
PAIR VINTAGE OFF WHITE PAINTED TOLE GRAPE AND GRAPE LEAF CANDLE WALL SCONCES
PAIR VINTAGE OFF WHITE PAINTED TOLE GRAPE AND GRAPE LEAF CANDLE WALL SCONCES
Paypal   US $129.00 		IKEA Spotlight Lamp Light Wall Sconce Mount ARSTID
IKEA Spotlight Lamp Light Wall Sconce Mount ARSTID
Paypal   US $24.88
Belle Foret 8021 08 1 Light Wall Sconce Chrome
Belle Foret 8021 08 1 Light Wall Sconce Chrome
Paypal   US $47.41 		Pair Gothic Medieval indoor or outdoor wall sconces with torch flame glass
Pair Gothic Medieval indoor or outdoor wall sconces with torch flame glass
   US $99.99
1 Light Wall Sconce Light Fixture BLACK BRONZE
1 Light Wall Sconce Light Fixture BLACK BRONZE
Paypal   US $44.95 		Kichler 45401CLP Classic Pewter 1 Light Wall Sconce from the Wellington Square
Kichler 45401CLP Classic Pewter 1 Light Wall Sconce from the Wellington Square
Paypal   US $96.00
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Natural light can be both a great way to illuminate a space and save energy.  We are living creatures after all and light from the sun is our biological imperative.  Some homes do not have features that would allow natural light to be used as the main source of light inside the home.  For this reason and others, we do require artificial lighting.  You can probably think of another time when artificial lighting would be necessary.  Did you guess?  Yes, at night.  And, since most parties are held in the evening, this is another time when ambiance lighting is key.  You certainly want your lighting to create an intimate and warm tone in your space.

You can achieve this with the wall sconces we’ve discussed above.  In fact, many of the decorative wall sconces you’ll find on your search browsing online can also look like artwork.  Some are handmade by local artisans.  Even some of the more mass-produced commercial sconces can have a nice look to them.  You might have a more candle lit idea in mind.  In this case, the easiest way to go is with tea lights.  You know these, they are the little candles that you can place in a variety of holders.  There are even pieces that can be hung on a wall to give you that wall sconce you’re looking for.  These tea lights can also be placed on a table top or fireplace mantel for a nice look.

Another very effective looking option, particularly for a more traditional style of furnishing might be a retro aluminum wall sconce – or a series of them – lining a drawing room or a hall. The Eames Era decorative style included a very attractive range of aluminum wall sconces featuring perforated and pleated finishes that still look very attractive today.

You might also like to look for wall sconces in a specific style or made from a particular material. Browse through the following extra pages: wrought iron candle wall sconces, wooden wall sconces, oil-rubbed bronze wall sconces, chrome wall sconces.

Categories: lighting - Tags: , , ,

Indoor Propane Heaters Safety Tips

At present, people are using propane gas heaters for its cheap and mobile features. People use these for their domestic and commercial purposes, like in garages, in patios and even in construction sites. Indoor propane heaters are one of the models that most of the people prefer to use in their house for household activities.

If you are going to regularly use a propane heater it is important to be aware of some safety factors before setting it up. Here are a few points to keep in mind;

1)    Install a carbon monoxide detector. Though a propane heater emits less carbon monoxide but this detector will warn you about excess emission and other complications, so that you can take necessary step accordingly.

2)    Ensure proper ventilation. A good ventilation system is essential to draw out stale air and provide fresh air into the room. This ventilation system will also save you from harmful carbon monoxides that spread for using the heaters. However, some indoor propane heater comes with the ventilation system and you can buy these types of propane heaters.

3)    Use compatible products. This is one of the important factors for your propane heater to run smoothly. The regulators, hoses and nozzles must be compatible with your device. Therefore it is better to use original spares supplied from their manufacturing companies. Use of improper tools also may cause damage or leakage to your heater.

4)    Select heater with sensor device.  The propane heater that comes with sensor device is very useful. This device warns you about the leakage of the heater and thus you can remain relaxed. If your heater does not have such device and you smell any leakage, you just switch it off right away.

5)    Install it in a safe place. Place your propane heater in safe position that is far from fire or open flames and people will not trip it over.

6)    Clean regularly. This will resist fumes to get tripped into the heater. It is ideal to use soap and warm water to clean the heater. In this way you can find out leak easily. But avoid using combustible liquids to clean your heater.

Propane indoor heaters are also known as propane room heater and propane space heaters. These indoor propane heaters are available in different types like Radiant space heaters, Vented/Unvented space heaters, Circulating type space heaters and so on. Although not many people would consider them appliances to buy for their decorative qualities, it is possible to find examples that will fit in nicely with certain styles. This is particularly the case if you are going for a more retro look with quite a few older style propane heaters available that are very reminiscent of the old decorative indoor propane heaters from the Sixties or Seventies.

Remember it is more important to consider safety and the efficiency of the propane heater before worrying about the way it looks in the room.

Categories: Heating - Tags: , ,

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