Jun 10, 2013

5 Attributes that Describe the Eminence of Walnut and Mahogany Furniture for Home



Modern furniture ideas have evolved a period giving place to sleeker and smarter options. However, the age-old designs of the royal era, made from mahogany, walnut, oak hardwood still occupy a major place in the market. People who prefer antique palatial set up still choose the hardwood furniture over the modern material options like glass, fiberglass, metals, rot iron, steel and artificial wood. With the difference in taste and type of décor, the setting also follows a different style. The hardwood oak, walnut and mahogany furniture are bulker than the space saving modern furnishings. The modern set up is more oriented towards saving space, budget and making the set look cleaner and leaner. However, nothing can replace the charm of hardwood mahogany and walnut furniture. The bedroom furniture comprises of armoires, rocking chair, bedside chest cum tables, poster beds, Sleigh beds, dressing tables, French style beds, and so on.


Beauty-

Talking about hardwood furniture, Mahogany is one of the expensive hardwoods available. It is rare but long lasting; this is what gives it an edge of uniqueness and antique appeal. Mahogany is famous for its deep, reddish-brown color and its beauty spot are the grains in it. The fine furnishings carved out of this wood are timeless pieces in themselves. Walnut wood is preferable for making furniture that requires fine carving, and intricate designing and mostly used for ornate pieces such as headboard of beds, or mantelpieces. Walnut was the charm of Europe in 17th and 18th century. Walnut veneers are still used in modern furniture but the not solid walnut wood, because that comes costly.

Investment-

The furniture made from Mahogany is considered as an investment, and investment in timeless beauty, design, charm and sophistication it adds that is meant to inheritance for the generations to come. Walnut furniture is also similarly known for its durability.

Style, Panache, Traditional, Antique & Unique-

Mahogany and walnut wood is generally related traditionally styled furniture pieces but depending on the designing and furniture made out of it, it can suit any décor style and add panache to the contemporary interior designs also. Hat stand, nightstands, coffee table, and footrest, are some of the ideas of furniture that you could use top add élan to your contemporary décor while keeping in budget. Walnut is usually made with intricate carvings that last for years. The walnut tree has two tones- darker wood on the outside and deeper within is the light colored wood, these complement the artisans for their creativity and give a wide choice to the consumers.

Controversial Sources of Wood-

It is good to be conscious about the environment that we are using to fulfill our needs. Mahogany is a rare wood and walnut is any way in demand always. The source of wood becomes a controversial matter because when things commercialize with increase in demand then faulty methods prop up to meet the demands and earn profits.

The wood supplying industry is plagued by overharvesting and illegal logging across in Peruvian Amazon and other places. Some companies have even stopped selling mahogany furniture in lieu of this. When buying antique furniture make sure the salesperson has due information regarding its origin and make, denoting “genuine mahogany” issued by the Mahogany Association. There is a difference in real mahogany and luaun, which is species of the same plant but not Mahogany itself. Luaun is generally sold as Philippine mahogany, so beware of that.

Purchase Mahogany furniture only from reliable seller that is in accord with the certifications and verifications from forestry commissions.

Types Of Furniture Pieces That Complement Walnut And Mahogany-

Walnut and Mahogany are justified for their beauty and qualities when used to carve out furniture that adds panache to the home. With elegant styling, that complements the décor and linens spread, hardwood furniture uplifts the magnificence of the home. The most preferred furniture items made of hardwood would be of Victorian style and rustic designs that go with the antique attribute of hardwood. These generally include Victorian style poster beds, four-poster-beds, Winsor furniture, designer variety of vintage rocking chair, lamp post, hat stand, beautiful armoires, chests, bedside table, sleigh beds, dressing table with a huge mirror in walnut frame, centre table of living room with beautiful stunning carvings and motifs on legs and frame, sofas, footrests, so on. Dark walnut furnishings in oak flooring would be expensive but the kind of royal grandeur it adds to the home is unmatchable. Even white French furniture paired with walnut furnishings is majestic in its own way.

So, if you have the taste and money, go ahead with it and indulge in the majestic beauty of the furniture. Do remember to refer magazines and online portals for better ideas, combinations, cheap deals and décor tips.

A Cafe





A nice place to hangout and enjoy your hot drink.

Jun 8, 2013

Inside a Cafe



 
Mural in a cafe

How to Choose a Home Cleaning Service Toronto?



You may think that you are the only person with tight schedules at work, but in reality everyone lives a life with jammed work logs and tough deadlines. There are so tasks at hand for you to do that it is virtually impossible to keep your home neat and clean. You may have all the worries in the world, but keeping your house neat and clean is surely something you cannot ignore. You would never be okay if your family was to live in an environment that does not have the basic need – cleanliness. Agreed that it is beyond your timelines and that with your tight schedule it is extremely tough to take the time out to clean the house. The best solution would be to find an agency that provides home cleaning services. You will have plenty of vendors available in the Toronto market, but frankly what are the key points you need to keep in mind before you make your choice?



1.  Figure out the company with the best resources. You obviously want to have a company on board that will have a strong workforce both in terms of quantity and quality. This means that you do not have to worry if you are not satisfied by the worker, all you would have to typically do is call the agency and ask for a replacement. Since they will have a large work force, it would be easy for them to replace and find a worker who will suit your needs better.

2. Research and understand if the company trains its employees. This is a must; you would not want to pay money for a person who does not know what he is doing. Make it a point to always insist for an interview with the cleaner so that you know he has been trained by the agency. As on date, there are plenty of home cleaning service Toronto that agree to this, remember that you are investing money for the comfort factor and that you should not agree to it unless you are completely satisfied.

3. Understand the quality that is delivered. There is no shortage of service providers in Toronto. You must know which are best in the business and what their unique selling points are. Understand if they have the right equipments and if they give a weekly or bi weekly plan on how they will keep your home clean.

4. Speak to their clientele. If you ever are in doubt about their service quality, you can always research about them from their existing clientele and understand their reputation in the market. They will have customers who will talk about their negative points, but the important point is to decide if those negatives will be a constraint for you.



With such superb cleaning services available in Toronto, there is no reason for you to ever worry about a clean house again. Make sure you choose the right service provider and stay happy.



Raakaa Alton holds a masters degree in Architecture and is currently offering services to the arts sector in a multinational company. He dedicates his free time by blogging about different issues related to home improvement.

How to Beautifully Transform Your Home on a Budget



How to beautifully transform your home on a budget
Many of us would love to re-design our property but find ourselves restricted by finances. However, a few creative touches may be all it takes to transform your house into a completely new home. Here are some tips on how to achieve makeover results on a budget.
 
image:manser.co.uk
How to start
* The best way to begin re-vamping a room is by re-thinking it, in terms of what the room is used for, who uses it and how it could better serve these needs.

* Collect clippings from home design magazines, or look at the latest trends in interior architecture in London and other capitals to help you form a visual idea of what you want. Then plan what you can afford to spend on decorating and begin to think of low-cost solutions to achieve your desired look.

Spruce up your living areas
* A simple solution (and often also the cheapest) is to use paint. Painting walls, old furniture, window sills and skirting boards can all flood a room with renewed vibrancy, providing you pick your shades well. You could consult colour trends from interior architecture in London such as teal or cerise, or stick with a fresh neutral to give the space a subtle transformation.

* If you don't have time to decorate, try accessorising instead. This can take many forms, but the main aim is to project a sense of character into your living areas. So, pick out a rug and some cushions in the same accent shade, or invest in one key patterned item like a hand-crafted throw or a new set of curtains.

Make use of natural resources
* Nature is another undervalued makeover tool; a few touches of greenery and flowers can instantly bring more life into a room. Place a few stems in a vase, or make a focal point with some petals in a bowl. Better still, a permanent flowering plant in one corner will last longer and be more cost effective.

* Whatever you do to the room, make good use of its light sources. Swap heavy old curtains for light-filtering blinds and place mirrors opposite the windows to maximise the daylight you receive. When it comes to artificial lighting, look at modern halogen and LED bulbs for more natural effects. Consider installing a few wall fittings to even out the light, so it's not just filtering from an overhead ceiling bulb.

Of course, there are countless other ways you can make improvements to your home without denting your wallet. The key thing to focus on if you can't buy new is to reinvent and re-present what you already have. Even the latest trends in interior architecture in London often make use of reclaimed items like old trunks as feature tables, or take things like vintage china and hang it on the wall. Any number of small changes can add up to a radical difference, so all that remains is to get the imagination fired up.

AUTHOR BIO:
Christine Haddock is a freelance blogger and also writes on home design for print. Her passion for upcycled furniture has led her to pen a number of articles on budget improvements as well as checking in with the latest trends in interior architecture London as often as she can.

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