Inevitably, someone is going to ask, “What time is it?” No matter where you are or what you are doing, the world runs on a 24 hour day and time is of the essence, so it is imperative that we are always aware of what time it is. Wall clocks help us stay on time and organize our day. There are many types of clocks available and this article will discuss the many options so you can make an informed decision on which clock will work best for you.

Large Wall Clocks

A large clock is the perfect complement to any home, especially for those with diminished eyesight. These wall clocks can be stylish and decorative while serving a purpose. Those who have trouble seeing small displays will have no problem seeing the display on a large clock, whether it be digital or analog, a large clock will be helpful. These clocks come in many styles from modern to traditional; there is a style to suit just about every decor.

Antique Wall Clocks

An antique clock is a treasure indeed. Of course, you can purchase a clock that is a replica of an antique, but the real thing is always preferred if your budget allows. Antique clocks come in a variety of styles, but most will be made from wood and can be Victorian in style or maybe even a Cuckoo clock from Bavaria. There are modern antique clocks that typically stem from the period of the early 20th century and some, like kitchen wall clocks from the 1950’s, can be found in other materials such as plastic. There are even antique wall clocks that are made from brass and enamel. Most are intricate in style, but it is possible to find some simple, yet chic, antiques from the early 20th century.

Digital Wall Clocks

A digital clock is not just for the lazy time teller anymore. Today, many digital clocks are also used to display the date, the day of the week, the temperature both inside and outside, as well as the time. Some even give you a weather forecast! These clocks are very handy for that person who loves to have all their information in one place.

Whether you prefer a kitchen clock in the art deco style or multiple matching wall clocks for your entire home, you can find whatever you like by doing some research online. If you are in the market for an expensive antique clock, find reputable companies by reading reviews of their products and site as well as customer service. There are many online retailers that sell clocks, so be sure to comparison shop a few before making a purchase. You never know where a good deal will turn up!

For a complete selection of stylish wall clocks and for information pertaining to their use within the home, please visit http://getwallclocks.com

A vase is a peculiar piece of home décor. It is complimentary, acting as the container for a series of flowers, or other natural accessories. While they can be beautiful and stylish on their own, the purpose of the piece is always obvious, to hold something. Without that, they can seem empty.

There are two major ways to deal with vases in a decorative setting. On the one hand you can make them occasional pieces that adorn the insides of cabinets when they aren’t being put to a specific purpose. In this method, you will have to make a space for the vase when flowers are present, rearranging your home to accommodate its presence. This can make a vase arrangement look stuffed or cluttered, and can cause chaos in your home.

The other method involves leaving a vase out, whether it is adorned or not, and using it as a part of the decorative whole. The key to this strategy is to find a vase which can stand on its own, which is attractive and stylish enough that it doesn’t look empty when there are not flowers in it.

In this method, a simply glass vase will not be enough. If the vase is too plain, it will look empty and hollow. You have to find a piece which has its own personality, its own style, and which can stand on its own without flowers.

The other option is to keep a steady supply of flowers in the home. This has the added benefit of adding life and vibrancy to your home, keeping the atmosphere of the place fresh. You can also adorn the vase with fake flowers, or use feathers or other pieces that don’t wilt in order to keep it looking attractive and full.

Another way to keep your vases looking interesting is to arrange several of them in decorative patterns. You can have a series of vases, each smaller than the other, in a trailing line. You can also mix and match colors to create contrast. Finally, you can use the vase as part of a larger decorative arrangement, on a mantel, or a centerpiece design.

The vase is a piece which is designed to act in accord with flowers, or some other piece. It is a container in essence. However it is possible to find pieces which are attractive all on their own. You have to decide if you want the vase to be a permanent part of the home environment, or a temporary piece which is cycled in whenever it is specifically needed.

This article was written by Jim Slate on behalf of PebbleZ’s line of natural marble flower vases. These beautiful pieces are crafted from real pieces of mountain born onyx, polished to a smooth and glistening perfection that can add style and elegance to any setting.

If your cowboy has everything under the sun from western hats to boots, it’s time to rethink your strategy for Xmas or birthday. If you bang your head against the wall when it comes to holiday shopping and gift giving, you are not alone. Many guys are difficult to buy for unless they outright tell you what they want. If you want to surprise him with a special gift under the tree, buying something special for his “cowboy room” is a unique way to go.

The cowboy room can be called under several different names such as man cave, game room, or dad’s den. It usually is a hideaway within the home that he can retreat to when he needs a little peace and quiet or wants to stretch out watching his favorite shows without competing with the wife or kids.

The cowboy room is usually set in western decor with wood paneling, animal heads on the wall and wagon wheel pictures in the carpet. It may not be your cup of tea when it comes to decorating, but he loves it. It has become his sanctuary when things get too busy in the house and he just wants a place to relax.

This year get him something he will use by targeting items that will land in his cowboy room for game day or nap time. The top three things to focus in on are:

Light fixtures – Sixgun table lamps or traditional saloon style chandeliers can help set the stage for his 1840’s man cave. There are an unlimited number of items you can search for and find to help set the mood of the western room. Stick with something that looks old and weathered to help pull off the look you are going for.

Wall clocks or Saloon signs are another area that makes it to the top 3 items. A variety of pendulum based wood clocks or beer styled saloon mirrors can carry the theme to the next level. Stick with traditional wood grain pieces for authentic look and feel.

The last category of things in the top three is an authentic poker table with western style chairs. Your man undoubtedly likes to play poker and having a game table in the room for his monthly card games with the guys will go far and above the square card table that sits in their today.

In summary, your man’s interest in the old west can provide the basis for a more satisfying gift giving season this year. He will actually be excited to open the next gift after he sees the angus head table lamp you gave him for his cowboy room.

Whether your husband likes Westerns or Poker helping him decorate his themed room will be the best presents you can give.

What is a Locked Phase? Some schools of feng shui call it “the Imprisoned Star” and in Master Sang’s school we refer to it as a “locked” phase….It is a cycle that every house must go through at some time or another. Just like a certain time frame in a woman’s life, when she must go through menopause, the Locked Phase of a house will be a time frame when the negative aspects of a house are more likely to influence the occupants. If a house type is already prone to accidents, illness, or arguments–then the Locked phase will make it worse.

HOW LONG DOES THE “LOCK” LAST?

The longest Locked Phase will last for twenty years. There are also annual locks that repeat every nine years. And there are even monthly locked phases, but most practitioners do not concern themselves or their clients with a negative phase of such short duration. But an example of a monthly lock might be experienced as a “bad month.” Perhaps in that month there could be illness or a decrease in income.

WHAT ARE ALL THE EFFECTS OF A LOCKED PHASE?

If a house is in a “People Lock” it could make a challenging marriage worse, it could make it difficult to get pregnant, or intensify any particular problem associated with health or relationships. If a house is in a “Money Lock,” then the income of the occupants could decrease mildly to significantly or contribute to any type of career-related aggravations.

Sometimes a house can be “locked” for money and for people at the same time or in consecutive years. As an example, a house which faces West and built in the 1950’s was in its 20-year Money Lock from 1984-2003 and on top of it, in 1997 that same house was also in a one-year People Lock.

WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES FOR THE LOCKED PHASES?

Whether a house is locked for money or for people and whether it is in a 20-year lock or just a one-year lock, the remedy is the same: the occupants must be able to HEAR and SEE circulating water. Indoor and outdoor water falls can be quite effective in reducing the effects of the locked phase.

• You should not rule out buying a house in a one-year lock because it will be over in 12 months or less!

• A house that is just beginning or in the middle of a 20-year lock may not be the best choice just because of the duration of the lock.

• Theoretically, placing water fountains or aquariums anywhere in the house where you can see and hear them will “unlock” the lock; however, there are going to be some locations for water that will be better than others based on the energy patterns of each area of your house.

• When does a house enter the twenty year lock? It is different for each house type.

Some will enter a twenty-year lock shortly after being built, while other house types may not experience a 20-year lock for 40 or more years after it is built. A house has a major cycle that spans 180 years and at some point in those 180 years, there will be a 20-year money lock and a 20-year people lock.

• A house or building which has voluminous waterfalls, pools, or aquariums may not experience the locked phase at all.

• A house right on the beach with the sight and sound of water as a constant part of the living experience, may not experience a locked phase either.

• The Locked Phase is specific to the house. The occupants do not cause the locked phase.

• The Money Locked Phase will easily explain why a business may prosper for a number of years and then experience struggles during the locked time frame.

• The People Locked Phase for a business can contribute to employees not getting along and/or a high turnover of workers and lack of loyalty or a workplace plagued with gossip.

• The locked phase can be understood as an additional layer to the basic feng shui of the house, which complicates it unless remedied.

Would you like to know if your house or business is in a Locked Phase? This is just one of many details included in a classical Feng Shui analysis. Kartar Diamond is available world-wide for consulting and addressing your concerns.

You can also learn how to determine when a Locked Phase will occur by reading Kartar’s first book, Feng Shui for Skeptics or her third book, The Feng Shui Continuum. Kartar is the author of four books and two e-books and she makes a point of putting information and real case study experience into her books that are not found elsewhere in any other books on the subject.

You can find Kartar Diamond on Facebook as well as http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net and follow Kartar on Twitter under the name of FengShuiRx

We have an expression in our own Western culture: “ground-breaking.” It refers to something momentous, brand new, significant, and capable of changing the way we think, behave, respond, or create in the future. A “ground breaking” scientific discovery can lead to the cure of a specific disease and forever alter scientific research thereafter.

A “ground breaking” musical performance or artistic achievement can lead the way for variations on a new trend or open doors for like-minded people who needed such a catalyst or leader to precede them.

In a more literal sense, we still use the words “ground breaking” to refer to the beginning of a construction project. The day we “break ground” is the day the first shovel or tractor comes in to move the earth. So, how did the literal action of moving dirt take on the metaphorical connotation of important change? This is actually a major feng shui concept at its core. Both primitive and evolved cultures have historically tracked the seasons and the climate, created calendars, established farming schedules according to the cycles of the moon and we have basically looked to nature for the timing of many important activities and rites of passage. The power of the earth, combined with the timing of nature is understood naturally by people of all backgrounds.

Buildings are an extension of the earth and literally made of earthen materials, such as stone and concrete. We have made our homes in caves and we have built tall virtual mountains called “skyscrapers.” Even the biblical saying “from dust to dust” reminds people of our connection with the earth.

When the rays of sun hit the ground (or the concrete foundation of a house being built), it establishes a connection between earth and sky (heaven.) Feng Shui practitioners like to quote Sir Winston Churchill, who said, “We shape our buildings and then they shape us.”

The timing of when we alter or move the earth can have an enduring affect on the people who inhabit that area or that structure for many years to come. This is why so many people refer to the Chinese Almanac and feng shui calculations for the best time to begin a construction as well as when to specifically avoid the beginning of a construction.

Like other popular expressions, such as “going with the flow” or “setting the tone,” the words “ground-breaking” have their origin steeped in metaphysical awareness.

This year, 2009, the directions of northeast and southwest are both tugging at each other and are considered precarious directions for building or remodeling. Some of my clients are building new houses this year which are sitting in the northeast or southwest. (The expression “sitting” means the back of the building.) Since the back of the building is the “spine” and partly the essence of the building, I have advised each client to proceed cautiously and we have even gotten into the details of what months and days are better than others to begin the project.

Kartar Diamond is the author of four trade paperback books on Feng Shui and an e-book titled “Feng Shui Tips for for Realtors” available for download on her website, http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net
Another e-book, “Feng Shui Tips for Architects” will be available in August 2009.

Diamond has been a traditionally trained practitioner since 1992 and she has had thousands of clients.
You can find Kartar Diamond on Facebook as well as Twitter under the name FengShuiRx

Along with all the other rooms in the house, there has certainly been a lot written about what kind of Feng Shui impact the kitchen has on its occupants. Many myths abound and I have had clients needlessly worry about features in their kitchens, some of which will be addressed in this issue.

Firstly, the residential kitchen is not normally looked upon as the most important room in a house. In fact, with the way we live today, fewer people actually cook on a daily basis. There may even be an ironic parallel between how high-tech and ostentatious a kitchen is, with how little cooking actually take place.

And yet it is one of the more important rooms in the house which could make or break a real estate deal. Here are some of the more popular kitchen myths: (READ: not true)

• A mirror behind a stove brings prosperity: I have walked into kitchens where clients had propped up make-ups mirrors behind their stove burners or had placed one large mirror propped up or against the wall because they had heard that this brings in more money. Aside from the fact that grease and food will splatter onto the mirror and look bad, I don’t recommend this practice. This notion has something to do with creating the illusion that the more food you are cooking, the wealthier you are. Nice concept, but not very effective. In fact, if you really want to be spiritually rich, it would probably be better to pack an extra lunch each day and then give it away to the first homeless person you see each day.

• A sink placed right near a stove, or a refrigerator right near a stove, is bad Feng Shui: this is very intangible. And I would not argue with a kitchen designer about the most functional placement of appliances. The Feng Shui myth is that hot and cold (stove/refrigerator) should not be placed side by side because it would be a conflict of the yin-yang energies.

None of the authors who claim this is a problem have given information about what the measurable consequences are when stove and fridge are next to each other. Not worth worrying about.

• When a person stands at a stove and cooks with their back to the entrance, this is seen as vulnerable or prone to accidents. I can see some truth to this, although I have never in all my years of practice heard a client blame a kitchen accident on their having their back to the entrance. (And since mothers supposedly “have eyes on the backs of their heads,” this should be a mute point for a large percentage of the people who cook in the family kitchen.

• Kitchen in the center of the house is bad luck: This seems to simply be a poor design and possibly more prone to a fire. It is more practical for a kitchen to be on the side of a house where there can be a window for direct escape of cooking odors, excessive heat or steam.

• Bathrooms next to kitchens are bad Feng Shui: This concept is hinged on the notion that there could be a sanitation problem by having “elimination” energies in close proximity to a food prep location. Just remember that you can walk across a whole house with unwashed hands and end up in the kitchen also.

Some of my consistent findings, using traditional Feng Shui, is that when a kitchen ends up being in the most positive area of the house, the client often reports that this is in fact the favorite hang-out place for occupants as well as guests. Conversely, when a kitchen is located in a particularly accident-prone area of the house, there are more injuries and/or appliances break down a lot.

Another consistent finding: when the kitchen resides in the Northwest quadrant of the house (NW=metal and cooking produces fire), the result of fire symbolically melting metal can create a home where the children are unruly and do not listen to the father. (NW is associated with the father figure.) There is no physical explanation for this, but the feedback supports this association.

A commercial kitchen in a restaurant or catering company should be in a positive location within the building because the success of the business is based so much on the food.

Finally, we are all psychological and programmable beings. When people enter the house from the kitchen, there seems to be a universal agreement that the occupants will feel like eating whether they are hungry or not.

Feng Shui Solutions, founded by Kartar Diamond, is dedicated to advancing the information about Feng Shui as a natural science. Author of four books and two e-books, so far, Diamond has taught introductory classes to over 10,000 students and has had over 4,000 clients as of 2009. She began her consulting firm in 1992, and has studied with a number of Feng Shui Masters, including Master Larry Sang of the American Feng Shui Institute. Kartar is one of his senior instructors and she also moderates the Institute’s on-line Forum for on-line students.

You can find Kartar Diamond on Facebook and her Twitter name is FengShuiRx
You can also join Kartar’s monthly e-newsletter and find out about her global services at http://www.FengShuiSolutions.net.

Constructing a screen door is a good solution to keep your abode properly ventilated while also preventing bothersome mosquitoes from entering your residence. The screen should be constructed according to the overall size of the entrance of your home so that it looks good. You can also install a curtain to add more privacy.

MATERIALS NEEDED IN BUILDING A SCREEN DOOR

Some of the materials that you need for your screen door are paintbrushes, brushes for glue, polyurethane glue, one inch nails, one by one cleats, screening mesh, hardware frame for the door and varnish.

TOOLS

The tools that you needed to make your project are staple gun, tape measure, size 10C clamps, staples, knife, saw, ¾ inches chisel, a ¼ inches x ¾ inches screen molding, a 5/4 of 1 ¼ lumber frame, spade, nails and hammer.

STEPS IN BUILDING YOUR SCREEN DOOR

Carefully place the needed parts so that they are accessible when you begin placing the whole thing together. You can either acquire pre-cut lumber for the parts of your screen or you can measure the parts that you needed yourself. You have to make sure that you place the necessary labels on the parts to avoid any complications later.

Place the wooden boards into the machine that holds the saw and manipulate it in the appropriate direction. You can attach horizontally a board on to a pair of other board with screws at a ninety degrees angle. A pair of the lower wooden boards could be place on the workbench which could help secure the jig square properly.

Place the cutting depth of the machine to half the board’s thickness and start cutting it one at a time-slowly moving machine back and forth until you have finish the whole board. The chisel will help you smooth out the joints of the wooden board.

To assemble the screen door, place the different parts together to make sure that every fits perfectly. Once you are sure that the parts fit correctly, use polyurethane glue to connect it. Use a disposable brush to place glue in the joints of your project.

Use the C-clamps to secure the door’s joints. You can only tighten the C-clamps after you are sure that the shape of each individual joint is a flawless square. You can check if the entrance is a perfect square if the diagonals are equal. Wait until the glue dries before doing the next step.

You should varnish the frame before placing the screen. Attach the screen mesh thoroughly on the door frame and make sure that there are no uneven areas. Secure the screen with staples and place the stiles around it. Shave the screen edges with a knife to give it a more refine look. Place the molding around the edges of the screen to cover the staples.

Once the whole door is prepared, you can attach the frame. There are numerous choices so feel free to choose whatever matches your taste. You can also place hinges made out of spring and handle on both sides of your door to make things easier.

Please click these links if you want to know more about how to build a screen door or how to build a screen door in general.

A door is a significant feature of the house. It is the only acknowledged entry and exit point of any buildings or houses. That’s why a door should be strong and durable enough to keep away intruders and other unwanted elements that could ruin one’s home and properties.

An example of durable and strong material is the steel. A steel frame and door can be installed in anyone’s house if the owner seeks more security and safety. Here are the basic steps on how to install a steel door and frame.

1. Gather and prepare all the needed materials.

The required materials are the following:
- Kit for steel frame and door
- One and half inches screws
- Two inches screws
- Screw driver
- Wall board and a wall board tape
- Shims
- Plaster skim coating

The necessary tools for the installation are:
- Pry bar
- Drill that has a bit set
- Coping saw
- Eight pieces of nails
- Hammer

2. Remove the existing frame, door and molding.

First, remove the existing door’s molding. Use the pry bar and put it in between the molding and the wall. At the top, pull away gently the molding from the wall until it loose. Do the same at the bottom part and then in the middle part. Keep on doing this until the molding is removed.

Do the same steps in the present doorway. Push out the hinge pins of the hinge and detach the door. Using the screw driver, remove the hinges by unscrewing. In case the frame of the door jam is screwed in position, move the drill in reverse motion and back until the screws are pull out. Detach the frame, sills and jams.

3. Do the wall framing.

Check if the wall that supports the door is structural. If it is, use a pair of 2 inches x 4 inches stock nailed together and placed inside the wall. Detach the stud on each side of the new steel door frame. Replace the studs with metal ones. Directly screw to the existing sill. Use the screws. Do the same to the header wall frame. Put on blocking where the door system requires support.

4. Place the new steel door.
This step requires a helper. With the aid of a companion, put on the door’s bottom to the opening of the door. Tilt up the door to its place. Level it by using the shims and adjust the door until it fits into place. The kit may include interior supports that help the door package remain square. Measure from the intact floor to the sill’s top to get the height. If there is a carpet, do not measure from it.

5. Shim the door.
Use the thin sheet of shims (shingles) to bring the door slowly into plumb. Leverage by maneuvering the shims of each side of the frame and between the metal studs and the frame. Apply the same steps to the header part of the floor and frame. The plumb reader and level slightly change as the metal suds are screwed of the door and frame. Adjustments might be necessary.

6. The frame is screwed.
The kit has two inches screws which should be used in the metal stud and lockset part of the frame. Screw down only halfway to the stud or until its strong enough to give support to the placed package. Alter the shims at the lockset area of the frame and those found in the sill. Alter also the hinge area of the placed frame and door. Level the door by adjusting the shims and the plumb should be easily opened. The screws should be tightened and the frame braces can now be removed.

7. Patch the wall.
Take away the wall boards that were placed on the sides of the doorway. Nail down new wall boards as replacements so that it fits against the steel door frame. Plaster and tape the boards.

Installing a steel frame and door is easy if there is help available and the materials and tools needed are all present. Make sure that the installed door and frame are placed properly so that it would function well and there is no need to repeat the installation.

Please click these links if you want to know more about how to install a steel door and frame or how to install a steel door and frame in general.

Doors are probably one of the most overlooked architectural elements of a home. People are painting rooms, replacing carpeting or buy new furniture, but they hardly ever replace doors or think much about doors. That’s peculiar as doors can change or enhance the look of a room or a home. That goes both for interior and exterior doors. How often have you formed your opinion of a home just by looking at its front door? And how often do we judge the overall quality of a home by what king of interior doors there are? Fact is that the design, color and finish of doors can make a huge difference in appearance, comfort and also security of a home.

Another interesting thing is that most people really don’t know much about doors at all. For example, there is a big difference between solid wood doors and wood veneer doors. Likewise, few know the difference between raised panel, flat panel and flush designs, and how they each have a very distinct look and application. And it is not generally known that doors are available in a very wide variety of wood types, each with a different color, feel and grain. So if you go from that rustic look, Knotty Alder doors are available. If the goal is exquisite elegance, Honduran Mahogany may be the answer. And for a bright, cheerful look there are different types of Birch.

Doors also come in many different designs that can create a certain look or provide a special emphasis. There are designs that look classic, elegant, imposing, rustic, modern, simple, playful or elaborate. Doors may also include glass or other inserts, depending on their intended purpose. Glass can be clear, frosted, obscure, or have patterns (like reed or rain) and colors. And while doors come in an almost endless variety of shapes, colors, designs and forms to choose from, custom doors provide a way to even greater individualization. Finally, don’t forget wood moldings and trim as they can add that finishing touch that really sets a design apart.

Another great way to customize the look and feel of doors is through door knows, handles levers and even hinges. There is a wide selection of designs and materials, including brass, bronze, porcelain, steel or even wrought steel. Here again, some designs convey elegance and style whereas others go for a playful or modern look. Make sure there is a good match between your selection of doors and door hardware. While high quality hardware can greatly improve the appearance of inexpensive doors, using cheap hardware on expensive doors is hardly ever a good idea.

There is, of course, also a huge difference between interior doors, which primarily provide separation and privacy, and exterior doors, which are part of the exterior design of a home and also provide protection and security. Exterior and entry doors are among the most important architectural feature of our homes, and the right design, material, size and color can really make a statement.

The bottom line is this: doors are important parts of our homes. Cheap, basic doors may serve their purpose, but there’s a wealth of interior and exterior door options that can really improve a home and set it apart. Don’t limit yourself to what’s in stock at the local hardware store. Check with a company that specializes on doors on selections, styles, installation and anything else you want to know.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Interior Doors.