and that means September is here. September is actually a “transition” month from Summer mode to Fall mode. The weather changes, affecting our activities, the kids are back in school, and it’s time to start bringing out your fall wardrobe. In general, people are still going places and doing things outside though, because it’s cooler and more comfortable.
Fall is full of fun things to do like going apple picking! Here are a few great places to pick apples in Missouri: Knowlan Family Farm, Apple Ridge Orchard and Pioneer Orchard. Pumpkins are right around the corner 😉
Fall is also a great time for us coffee lovers to try out some new coffee recipes, like Maple Pecan Latte, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, or Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino. Here’s a link to those and lots more: LINK
How about some easy recipes for September like Sausage Stroganoff, Herbed Balsamic Chicken, or Asparagus Ham Dinner? Here’s the LINK. You can thank us later 🙂
September is also a good time to start holiday gift guides and get in some of that early Christmas shopping 😉
Here’s a handy September “Bucket List” for you.
1. Go apple picking 2. Go hiking 3. Swap out your summer clothes for fall and winter 4. Fall cleaning 5. Fall baking 6. Buy a fall candle 7. Go to the fair 8. Switch to fall produce 9. Start running or walking 10. Switch over to chilis or soups
the easy way. Eventually, it’s going to happen. Greasy, grimy, sticky buildup on your beautiful wood cabinets. If you’re not sure how to clean them and restore them to their like new condition, read on 🙂
What is the best thing to use on greasy kitchen cabinets?
Home Remedies
You don’t need to rush to the store for something to clean your kitchen cabinets. There are plenty of solutions you can craft using items around your home.
Baking Soda
Dish Soap
Vinegar Spray
Baking Soda
A baking soda solution is a perfect remedy for grimy build-up in need of a little elbow grease.
Baking soda has scrubbing power without being abrasive, so it won’t damage your finish.
To clean your cabinets with baking soda, mix a solution of 1 part baking soda and 2 parts warm water, (you can even add a little lemon juice if you have it).
From there, you can either transfer your solution to a spray bottle and spritz down your cabinets or grab a sponge.
After scrubbing your cabinets, run over your cabinets with a damp, warm cloth to remove any leftover residue.
Bonus Tip: Replace the water with Coconut Oil or Toothpaste (about 2 tablespoons). Not only does this blend clean your cabinets, but it smells amazing too.
Dish Soap
Grease-cutting dish soaps, like Dawn, are a gentle choice for degreasing kitchen cabinets. If extra cleaning power is needed, use a non-scratch abrasive sponge to help safely scour away sticky grease film.
Use two buckets that are large enough to swish a rag around in the water to clean it, and you’ll also want a good natural wood cleaner like Murphy’s Oil Soap. It gets deep into grime and breaks up dirt particles. It’s safe to use on wood products too.
As an alkaline-based product, dish soap cuts through grease pretty consistently, especially when mixed with hot water.
Fill a bowl with hot water, as hot as you can stand it, add a liberal squirt of dish soap, throw on your rubber gloves, and have at your cabinets with a sponge.
When you’ve finished, wipe your cabinets down with a dry dishtowel.
If your cabinets need more rigorous cleaning, dish soap might not be enough.
Bonus Tip: Use an old toothbrush to clean hard-to-reach grooves.
Vinegar Spray
A 50/50 water and vinegar solution is a trusted cabinet cleaner. Vinegar’s natural acidity easily breaks down grime and grease.
However, if applied to cabinets undiluted, it can ruin a wood finish on contact.
The easiest and safest way to clean kitchen cabinets with white vinegar is to mix it with equal parts of warm water and put it in a spray bottle.
Spritz your cabinets with the solution and let it settle, breaking down the grime. Then wipe away the dirt with a sponge or brush.
Follow up with a damp towel or cloth to wipe away any residue.
Outstanding Oils
Unless you’re mixing coconut oil with baking soda, you should refrain from using vegetable oils to clean your cabinets.
While it will help remove grease, vegetable oils are often non-drying, and attract dust and eventually spoil. The only oils you should be using are drying oils, such as orange, walnut, and linseed.
Not only will these oils clean wood cabinets, but they’ll also form a hard protective barrier to make them easier to clean in the future;)
Store-Bought Solutions
Looking for something intentionally designed to clean cabinets instead of making your own?
Here are some store-bought solutions worth grabbing next time you’re out and about.
Sometimes grease on your cabinets is too tough for home remedies these products should help.
Goo Gone, with its blend of orange oils and refined oils, removes even the gooiest grease.
Murphy’s Oil Soap is a tried and true wood cleaner. With 98% natural ingredients, it’s safe to use on almost any surface and leaves no oily residue.
Method All-Purpose Spray is an all-around winner with biodegradable ingredients that can clean both counters and cabinets and almost everything in between.
Magic Cabinet & Wood Cleaner is a ready-made option that goes the extra step of providing a water-resistant protective coating thanks to its inclusion of Carnuba wax.
Simple Green is a concentrated cleaner that will clean and degrease just about anything without fear of harsh chemical residue that can harm human or animal family members.
Just dilute it according to package instructions to suit your needs.
Castile Soap is gentle and strong, so it’s ideal for a wide variety of uses.
It’s gentle on skin because it’s made from saponified oils that have hydrating properties, but it’s an equally powerful cleanser that can tackle even the most stubborn grime.
Diluted to different levels as a spray, it can give you a mild clean or a deep degreasing.
Carnauba Wax
Like orange oil, carnauba wax and beeswax are excellent for cleaning and polishing wood cabinets.
They not only cut through tough grease, but they also keep the wood from drying out, preserving your cabinets long-term.
If you’re looking to purchase something for cleaning your cabinets, grab a wood cleaner with some carnauba wax.
Note: Be sure to always check the product’s instructions before cleaning your cabinets. Spot test if you are unsure about your cabinets’ varnish or stain.
for your entire family can be an important part of any kitchen. Let’s take a look at some ideas to help you decide what your next project could look like.
Everyone knows that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so you will want your seating area to be comfortable as well as functional. If you already have a nook and/or seating area and would like to spruce it up, try adding some “texture” to your room. Think cushioned seating, pillows, curtains, and maybe even a table runner. Anything that feels warm and cozy will work.
Once, you’ve decided on comfort and textures, think function. Your seating area has to be functional. Make sure your table is large enough and is the right height, your chairs, have plenty of room for people to get in and out of. Typically, at least 36″ between the edge of your table and wall, and maybe even re-cover your chairs with a wipe-clean fabric such as indoor/outdoor material or vinyl.
Have a large eating area to fill? Think “fireplace”. A fireplace adds a warm touch to any room, and who doesn’t like to decorate them for the holiday’s?
Have an awkward corning in your room?
Fill it with pictures or hanging baskets filled with greenery or florals.
Need to utilize space? Try bench seating combined with a table and a couple of chairs 😉
Need extra storage? Put built-in cabinets beneath your bench seating.
Be sure to provide the right lighting for your room. A hanging light fixture over your table should match the shape of your table.
For your kitchen, you’ll want it to be as bright as possible. The key to great kitchen lighting is to have a full cast of lighting sources and to “layer” your lights. Mix ambient, task, and accent, or decorative lighting with natural light. You’ll want to add 3 layers of light.
“Ambient” is your ceiling light that illuminates the entire room. “Task” is pendants over the island and undercabinet/counter lighting, and “accent lighting”.
Ambient lighting can come from recessed or can lights. These should be set a 24 – 42 inches apart. Be sure to light up your entire room with these and then add your pendants and access lighting.
Pendant lights allow you to set the tone for your room. Over an island you may choose to do 3 pendants, or maybe 5 smaller pendants. You’ll want your 3 pendants to have a 6-inch puddle of light and your smaller ones to have a 2-inch puddle.
Accent lighting focuses light on a particular area or object. It is often used to highlight art, etc. Common types of accent lights include wall sconces.
Recessed undercabinet lighting can help with dishwashing duties and create subtle mood lighting in architectural coves or areas with accent tilework. Adjust the color and intensity to create a mood. Puck or recessed mini can lights also bring sparkle underneath and to the interiors of cabinets. New easy-to-install puck lights are available with LEDs, which use much less electricity to produce light, last much longer, and produce less heat.
Lighting manufacturers have made it easier than ever to replace energy-hogging fixtures and bulbs for ones that last longer and trim utility bills. When you’re looking for lighting, simply look for products with the Energy Star label. Old lighting fixtures can quickly date a space. Replacing old chandeliers and flush-mount lights with fresh models can take years off your home’s looks.
Remember, the key to a brighter kitchen is more light. Dark surfaces and cabinets absorb light and white and light color surfaces do not. A kitchen with dark surfaces needs to have about 1/3 more light in it than a kitchen with lighter surfaces.
For your dining room table lighting,
you’ll want something eye catching like a chandelier. The rule of thumb for a chandelier is to keep the bottom of the chandelier at about 30 inches from the top of your table.
What about the eat-in kitchen? Be sure your lighting shape matches your table. For example, if you have a round table, choose something with a circular design rather than something rectangular.
TV-focused spaces need less overhead light and more ambient and task lighting, such as lamps.
What should you choose? Let’s go over a little bit about each one so you can better decide which would suit you best.
QUARTZ
Quartz countertops are also known as Engineered stone countertops to differentiate them from natural stone countertops. Most are made from a high concentration of quartz crystals, a natural substance.
Quartz countertop manufacturers are continually adding new colors and patterns many of which are distinctly unique and very attractive. Quartz, and slab granite may look alike, at least at first glance.
Only when you get close to the material, feel it, and start to use it do you begin to learn the differences. Each countertop material has qualities that may work better or less well for your own situation.
Pros: Quartz has a wider variety of colors available than natural stone, since pigments can be added to the resin. It is hard and durable, and less prone to denting or chipping than quartzite. It also requires very little maintenance, if any.
Cons: Quartz can be scratched, and it melts under temperatures higher than 300 degrees Fahrenheit, which means a hot pad must be used.
GRANITE:
You probably already know that Granite is a natural stone countertop material which has been highly prized in the kitchen for many, many years.
Granite countertops are becoming more and more common thanks to their increased availability and affordability.
High-end granite colors will be more expensive but the average cost of installation for many common granite colors is about the same now as Corian.
Granite enjoys a greater “prestige” due to it’s natural uniqueness and is, therefore, typically perceived as having greater value in the minds of most homeowners and buyers.
Granite offers almost unlimited choice in colors and patterns.
Granite is heat, scratch, dent and chemical resistant. Almost impossible to damage in these ways.
Granite is also chemical resistant, but requires sealing for optimum stain-protection.
Granite will have visible seams on most countertops.
Granite can be expensive, depending on the size, color, thickness, pattern of the granite slab, and manufacturer/supplier. It is also labor-intensive because it is so heavy, which means that it may require additional structural support than what your counters already offer. It must be sealed roughly every 10 years or so to prevent staining, and it can crack if hit by a large, heavy object.
Pros: Because granite is highly sought after and considered beautiful, the countertops will add non-depreciating value to your home. It is non-porous and sanitary, heat-resistant, and easy to clean. It does not get scratched easily.
Cons:
Granite is very difficult to remove, and should be considered a “forever” upgrade, because you may have to rip out the entire counter if you get sick of it. It is expensive when compared to other common countertop materials.
SOLID SURFACE
Originally invented by DuPont in the 1960s and marketed under the brand name Corian, solid surface countertops are made from acrylic and polyester blends. They were originally intended to mimic the look of natural stone, while being stronger and non-porous.
When DuPont’s patent expired in the 1990s, a wave of different solid surface materials entered the market, including LG Hi-Macs, Staron, Hanex, Wilsonart, and Durat, amongst others. These brands mostly use the same recipe – DuPont’s original – but differ in the colors they offer.
Pros: Solid surface countertops offer a wider range of colors and looks than any other material, although none of them are particularly natural looking. They are very inexpensive compared to other countertop materials. They are also extremely low maintenance, not requiring sealants or special cleaning materials.
Cons:Solid surface countertops are not heat-resistant and can burn. They are also vulnerable to scratches and dents. However, they are repairable if damaged. Also, you cannot purchase solid surface countertops directly yourself, so no DIY here: you must go through a licensed dealer and have them professionally installed.
The best choice for you really comes down to what properties are most important to your family, home, and project.
A well-placed wet bar can elevate any space in your home. Whether it’s a basement, bedroom, or kitchen, there are numerous different ways to transform a space just by adding a wet bar. Have a man cave in the basement? A dark, rustic wet bar might be just what it needs. Have a bright, white kitchen? A light, simplistic wet bar may just do the job, or dark cabinetry to contrast. Want it to stand out? Flashy hardware and a colorful backsplash behind the wet bar will look amazing!
Wherever your home wet bar is, there are many ways to enhance it’s visual and functional appeal. Let’s check out some ideas to make your wet bar the social center of your home.
Basement Wet Bar
Many basements are referred to as a “man cave”, which usually entails a darker, more rustic design. Add some spice to the basement with a wet bar that will do the job and look great too!
For example, a wet bar that includes lots of seating room and plenty of counter space, beautiful cabinets, and hardware that brightens the cabinets without taking away from the feel.
If this look is too dark for you, a simple rug in front of the wet bar to contrast with the floors will quickly brighten up the space. These cabinets are perfect for achieving a warm feel and are sure to ‘wow’ any guests!
Dramatic Wet Bar
Looking for a wet bar that immediately catches everyone’s eye? A sleek cabinet mixed with gold or silver hardware might be the right look for you!
This wet bar creates some visual drama. It’s eye-catching, but in a simple way.
The dark tone of the cabinets is contrasted by silver hardware, and a beautiful grey countertop. Not only is this wet bar a functional space, it’s a work of art! This space would be a perfect contrast to a bright white kitchen. It’s the perfect mix between dark and light.
This dramatic wet bar idea would also work with lighter cabinets, such as light grey cabinetry, or even a dark espresso shaker cabinet.
Simple Wet Bar
Have an area in a room that serves no purpose? An awkward nook or tight space that you can’t seem to figure out what to place there? Try a wet bar! A wet bar can elevate a space while also serving a functional purpose.
Look at this simple, oak wet bar. This wet bar adds more style and functionality to the room.
This type of wet bar is perfect for those awkward spaces you can’t seem to fill. With simple oak shaker cabinets and traditional hardware it effortlessly continues the bright and clean theme of the room. The glass and oak upper cabinets are also a nice design touch, as they allow you to display any decorative dishware or bottles.
With a simple wet bar, you are adding functionality and style to a room without breaking the wallet, as well as potentially filling a space that was awkward prior to adding the bar.
Modern Farmhouse Wet Bar
Lots of white, lots of shiplap. If modern farmhouse is your go-to style, this type of wet bar is perfect for you! The farmhouse feel doesn’t have to be rustic; it can be clean, bright, and sleek while still following suit with the farmhouse-look.
This beautiful wet bar executes the modern farmhouse style perfectly. The shiplap brings the farmhouse feel, while the tones of the countertop, flooring and open shelving warms up the stark white of their surroundings.
This look can be easily achieved with a simple white cabinet, dark hardware, shiplap, and countertops that resemble concrete. Shiplap is a fantastic and simple way to elevate a wet bar’s look without making it look too busy. Even with the shiplap, a beautifully patterned backsplash would be a great way to also elevate this wet bar while also potentially adding more color. This farmhouse style wet bar is the perfect addition to any modern farmhouse!
Moody Wet Bar
Looking for something a bit more dramatic? Try going for a moodier style with darker tones and an eye-catching backsplash.
This wet bar would have a dark, alluring feel. The dark cabinetry mixed with dark hardware and a reflective backsplash are contrasted with a lighter wood countertop and natural wood shelving. This contrast of dark and light gives off a ‘moody’ feeling, which is accentuated by backlit shelving.
A moody wet bar can be achieved with any color of dark cabinetry. Dark navy blue, dark green, or black cabinets are all great options when paired with some dark hardware. A lighter countertop and shelving helps break up this darkness and give the wet bar more of a warm feeling. Also note how the backlighting can illuminate any bottles or glasses, creating an almost showcase-like effect. This light not only bounces off the glasses, but also the reflective backsplash, which gives the wet bar more texture and dimension.
Create Your Dream Wet Bar With S&W Cabinets
Rustic or modern, large or small, we’re here to help you create the wet bar of your dreams. We offer a wide selection of premium cabinetry, hardware, shelving and more to help you create a timeless wet bar that stands the test of time.
How To Maintain Your Kitchen’s Stainless Steel Appliances.
The appliances in your kitchen get a lot of use. From cooking family dinners and microwaving a quick bite to eat to cleaning off plates and silverware in the dishwasher… you rely on them to get through your daily routine. But let’s face it. All that use can leave your stainless steel appliances with unsightly fingerprints, smudges, and dirt that take away from their beautiful appearance.
Instead of getting frustrated every time a new mark pops up, use this kitchen cleaning guide that will help keep your kitchen’s stainless steel spotless.
Remove Knobs & Handles
In most cases, you probably give your stainless steel appliances a simple wipe down to keep them looking fresh. But did you know that dirt and grime can actually get caught behind your appliance’s knobs and handles? When possible, it’s recommended that you remove the knobs or handles from your oven, dishwasher, microwave, and other appliances when cleaning them. This will allow you to remove any unsanitary buildup in those hard-to-clean crevices.
Use Microfiber Cloths
Stainless steel provides your kitchen with a luxurious look, but that look can go from fab to drab quickly if you aren’t using the proper materials to clean them. Whether you’re giving your appliances a quick wipe or doing a deep clean, you never want to use something that is abrasive. Using a scratchy or abrasive material may seem like it’ll provide a deeper clean, but it can create scratches and abrasions on the surface of the appliance. You may also be tempted to reach for a paper towel — but you should avoid this option as well. While a paper towel can leave some scratches, it is also likely to leave dust on the face of your appliances. Instead, opt for damp microfiber cloths that will provide a gentle, yet thorough cleaning that won’t cause any blemishes to crop up.
Fight Oxidization
Although it isn’t likely to happen right away, stainless steel is known to oxidize over time. This means that if left untreated, you may find yourself with discolored appliances in your kitchen. To help prevent oxidation of your stainless steel appliances, take a mixture of pumice powder and water and apply it to the appliance. Make sure you apply the paste in the same pattern as the grain of the stainless steel. Once applied, you can remove the mixture with warm water and a cotton cloth. You’ll notice how black the cloth is — that’s the oxidized layer coming off of your appliances!
Dry Your Appliances
Whether your appliances become wet from the cleaning materials you chose to use or they’re covered in moisture from condensation created by cooking, you should never forget to dry your stainless steel appliances. Leftover moisture or wetness on the kitchen appliance will cause a dark splotch or watermark to appear on the face of the appliance. To keep your stainless steel appliances looking as good as the day they were installed, wipe them down with a soft cotton cloth when exposed to moisture. By drying them off, your appliances will remain free of unsightly watermarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT USE ON STAINLESS STEEL?
When taking care of your stainless steel appliances, it’s important that you use the right materials to prevent causing unwanted damage or blemishes. Avoid using steel wool or steel brushes. Not only can these scratch the surface because of their abrasive texture, but they are also known for leaving particles behind that can rust and stain your appliances. Stainless steel is also more likely to rust once it has been scratched, which is why it is best to use soft cloths made of cotton or microfiber to keep them looking good as new.
HOW DO YOU MAKE STAINLESS STEEL LOOK NEW AGAIN?
Are your stainless steel appliances looking a bit dull lately? Restore them to their full glory by giving them a quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth on a daily basis. Keep them dry to prevent watermarks, but when they do happen, use dish soap or vinegar to remove hard water stains from the stainless sleep appliances. On a regular basis, apply olive oil to a microfiber cloth and buff the appliance to give them sparkle and shine! You can also use stainless steel polish to create the same effect.
HOW DO YOU REMOVE STAINS FROM STAINLESS STEEL?
Because stainless steel is a porous material, it does absorb liquids and foods that can cause it to become stained. If you’re noticing stains regularly, it’s recommended that you have an eco-friendly cleaning option like vinegar on hand. Apply white vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the stain and gently rub it into the surface with a microfiber or cotton cloth that will not scratch the appliance. If you don’t have vinegar at your disposal, you can also opt for baking soda, dish soap, or stainless steel cleaner.
HOW DO YOU REMOVE STUBBORN FINGERPRINTS FROM STAINLESS STEEL?
There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing the number of fingerprints built upon the outer surface of your stainless steel appliances. Luckily, there’s an easy and effective way to keep your appliances looking good as new. Create a mixture of dish detergent mixed with warm water and gently apply the solution with a cotton cloth to the surface, focusing primarily on the areas affected by fingerprints. Use the cloth to rub on the soapy water, rinse out the cloth, and continue the process. Make sure you thoroughly dry the stainless steel after you’ve removed the fingerprints so you aren’t left with any watermarks or dark blotches.
The kitchen is one place where you spend most of your time, and almost every visitor enjoys taking a peek at it. These are reasons why you can’t ignore how your kitchen looks and what people perceive from it at a glance. But if you take on the job of giving it a makeover yourself, you will need tons of assistance to get through the process.
Kitchens are rooms where you should be more meticulous than you might think. There’s heat, steam, sharp knives, hard-to-remove colors, and a good load of stuff to arrange around it. All these things require you to make informed choices and make decisions that will make your life easier. And that is just the primary requirement of setting it up.
If you want the surroundings to be a little more elegant, then you need to go the extra mile and add nuances in designs to make it stand out. It doesn’t mean that you paint each wall with a different, overly-intense color and choose mismatched cabinets to blow things out of proportion. Instead, make subtle changes that are coherent yet impossible for people to ignore. Look into the designs of kitchens at S&W Cabinets to get a good idea of what you aim to achieve. They will help you distinguish your kitchen from others across the US.
If you are looking for some general advices to navigate you through the process, here are some useful tips on choosing kitchen cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, and floors.
Set the tone
The first thing that you should keep in mind is that you are aiming for a synchronized environment. The cabinets shouldn’t disagree with your color theme, the counters with the backsplash, and the floor with everything.
A rule of thumb for most kitchens is to go a tone lighter with every selection, starting with your wall paint. If you choose a dominant grey, go for mild silver cabinets, light grey backsplash, and granite colored countertops. That way, you won’t have to worry about making individual choices with every section. Besides, most floor options would fit nicely with this idea, be it stone, tile, or wood.
Choose your material
Material is notably relevant when making all these choices, especially with the diverse set of options we have these days.
There’s stainless steel, melamine, and wooden cabinets, each of which is a great choice, but the most commonly used is wood, thanks to its aesthetic appeal. Countertops have similar options in the form of laminate, wood, concrete, and solid surfaces. One deciding factor may be how carefully you handle hot pans because a single mistake can prove quite costly.
As far as the floor is concerned, vinyl, stone, cork, wood, and tiles, everything is an option. The only requirement is which of these complements the interior of your kitchen the most.
Pay attention to patterns & designs
The trivial perks and features you add to these items breathe life into your choices, so pay close attention to designs and patterns.
Adding borders to your countertops or using round edges to break the monotony in designs is one way to go about this option. Going for a combination of glass and surfaced cabinet doors is another brilliant idea to put its contents on display while introducing a variety in design.
People also like the thought of interrupting the backsplash patterns with a design accent or a tile above the stove that stands out amongst the others. A more dominant alternative besides this is colored grout to line the tiles of the backsplash. So, the choice is yours to make.
Don’t neglect the finishing touches
A common blunder that most individuals make is that they think their job ends with these choices. But unfortunately, that isn’t the finish line. There are still some refinements that you need to add to this mix to make it extraordinary.
For cabinets, consider carefully picking the hardware like pulls and knobs to add a touch of style. There are so many to choose from.
Enjoy exploring the markets for these items. Or, contact an S&W Cabinet specialist to help you with your decisions.
The thing about clutter is that we don’t have to keep looking at it. That’s right! AND you don’t have to throw it away, although some people clearly need to do just that. I know, we all have those sentimental things that we love sitting around and there’s nothing wrong with that unless it takes over your entire house. Ask yourself if you feel like you have too much “stuff” hanging around that you don’t need.
Ask yourself the following 3 questions while looking at each item in your home:
Is it SENTIMENTAL? (Does it bring you some kind of emotional value?)
Do you NEED it? (Don’t cheat, be honest)
Does it bring you JOY? (Happiness?)
A general rule of thumb is that an item must have two yeses to stay.
It’s a proven fact that if we keep our spaces organized, we tend to be twice as productive and more energized. Here are a few things that can help.
Baskets
Baskets can be used to compliment your decor while adding a place to store your clutter. There are so many different styles and shapes to choose from these days so you shouldn’t have any problem finding your perfect match for your room. Baskets are great for organizing childrens toys, games, etc. Baskets are a wonderful solution to any room in your home.
File Boxes
These can be used for more than just clutter. You can use them to hold recipes in, bills, or coupons, etc.
Crates
Crates will hold a lot of clutter. Maybe you have an artsy child at home and need a space just for arts and crafts. A crate could be just what you need. Maybe even a few of them 😉 Crates are also great for toys
Your children are more likely to clean their rooms when they have a place to put their toys away at the end of the day. Try rewarding them for it, that always works.
Plastic Containers
Plastic containers can be found most anywhere and come in all shapes and sizes. Barbi and Thomas the Train love to be stored in them. These containers can also be used for blankets, sheets, medical supplies, makeup, and the list goes on and on.
Over-the door Storage
These can be used for more than just shoes you guys. They are great for makeup and beauty supplies. Hang one in your bathroom and you’ll be clutter free in no time.
Cabinets
You may want to install extra cabinets to hold some of your things. Even if you only have room for 1, it’s a step in the right direction 😉
Marble is used in monuments, crushed stone, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and much more.
Marble occurs in a very wide range of colors. Marble formed from the purest limestone is white in color. Iron oxide impurities in the limestone will produce a yellow, orange, pink or red color. Clay minerals can produce gray colors that often occur in bands after the compositional stratification of the original limestone. Abundant bituminous materials can produce dark gray to black marble. Marble that contains serpentine often has a green color.
Marble is a material used in prestige architecture as well as interior design.
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Ok, so you don’t live in the Taj Mahal. Neither do I, but I really love the beauty of the Marble facade.
The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and famous buildings in the world. It was built between 1632 and 1653 as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the third wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Marble was used extensively throughout the building, including the marble domes and towers.
Daniel Chester French, the leading American sculptor of the day, created the famous statue of Lincoln which dominates the interior. He remarked, “We all have an inner consciousness of how Lincoln looked or must have looked, and this was mine.” The memorial plans originally specified a 12-foot bronze statue, but it proved out of scale for the huge building. The finished statue is 19 feet tall, carved of 28 blocks of white Georgia marble. French later had special lighting installed to enhance the figure. Visitors sometimes ask if the hands have special significance, such as forming the letter “A” in sign language, but there is no indication French intended it.
The Lincoln Memorial suits its surroundings so well that it seems to have always been there. The city’s master designer, Pierre L’ Enfant, could hardly have imagined a better architectural anchor to the west end of the Mall, the grassy area he visualized between the Capitol Building and the Potomac River.
New York architect Henry Bacon modeled the memorial in the style of a Greek temple. The classic design features 36 Doric columns outside, symbolizing the states in the Union at Lincoln’s death. The building measures 204 feet long, 134 feet wide, and 99 feet tall, with 44-foot columns. It blends stone from various states: white Colorado marble for the exterior, Indiana limestone for the interior walls, pink Tennessee marble for the floor, and Alabama marble for the ceiling.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a presidential memorial in Washington, D.C., dedicated to Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) and is one of the most important of the American Founding Fathers. His accomplishments are many: main drafter and writer of the Declaration of Independence, member of the Continental Congress, Governor of the newly independent Commonwealth of Virginia, American minister to King Louis XVI and the Kingdom of France, first U.S. Secretary of State under the first President George Washington, the second Vice President of the United States under second President John Adams, and also the third President (1801–1809), as well as being the founder of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Virginia.
Fortunately for us, Marble can also be easily be incorporated into our homes in many applications.
You can have marble walls, marble staircases, marble mantles or marble countertops. Marble bathrooms are quite beautiful and Cultured Marble is much more affordable.
