Six Reasons to Love Stainless Steel

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(ARA) – Glistening metal discretely mounted beneath acres of gleaming granite – clearly, this is not the utilitarian stainless steel sink your grandmother washed dishes in decades ago. Briefly deemed too industrial-looking by some designers to be included in contemporary, upscale kitchens, stainless steel is back, better and more beautiful than ever.
"A well-made stainless steel sink is the little black dress for your kitchen," says Ken Fey, vice president at stainless steel sink maker Houzer Inc. "Stainless steel has transitioned from industrial applications like medical and food-service to residential use for very good reasons. Stainless steel offers exceptional hygienic and durability qualities, it ages gracefully and beautifully and it’s a ‘green’ building material."
Stainless steel is again enjoying a place of honor in American kitchens. Here are six reasons to love stainless steel:
1. It’s ‘Green’
The trend towards "green" building and decor is still going strong, with more homeowners, builders and designers looking for materials and practices that will reduce a home’s environmental impact. Stainless steel fits the "green" bill because it is recyclable. And modern stainless steel sinks, like Houzer’s Novus Sink Series, are often made from recycled materials. In addition, stainless steel’s durability ensures years of use and beauty, minimizing the need to replace and discard older, worn out sinks – thereby keeping them out of the waste stream.
2. It Looks Great
Gleaming, clean-looking with elegant lines, stainless steel easily pairs well with a range of decorating styles – from modern to contemporary to country. Stainless steel sinks also develop character as they age. Scratches in your enamel or solid surface sink might spell the end for the fixture, but stainless steel develops a patina of small scratches over years of use, lending it a natural depth of character that can easily be cleaned and buffed to shine like new.
3. It’s Versatile
Versatility is as important as beauty in modern kitchen design, and new stainless steel sinks are more versatile than ever. With design options ranging from two- and three-bowl sinks and the ability to be mounted beneath countertops, to the capability of expanding a cook’s usable work space, stainless steel sinks afford wide adaptability. Extending countertop space is a popular feature, and sinks like Houzers Novus series meet the challenge with two sliding, removable platforms -- one with an integrated drainboard -- that are perfect for meal prep, staging and cleanup.
4. It’s Durable
Stainless steel is relatively light when compared to other sink materials, yet it offers strength and durability that ensure years of use when properly cared for. Modern styles achieve strength and a modern look without seams and mount well under the counter. Stainless is also easy to clean and naturally germ resistant.
5. It’s Budget Friendly
Whether you have the budget of a home improvement show or a more modest amount to spend on your kitchen renovation, you can find a stainless steel sink to fit your budget. It’s possible to find an affordable, modest stainless sink for a few hundred dollars. And designer sinks, like the Novus line, sell at prices that compete credibly with high-end designer sinks of more trendy materials.
6. It’s Timeless
Stainless steel lends itself to the classic clean lines of many contemporary kitchen designs, lifestyles and tastes. Once a stainless steel sink becomes the showpiece of a kitchen, its versatility and durability ensure that multiple owners will be able to use and enjoy it for many years.
To learn more about the advantages of stainless and to find a Houzer dealer near you, go to www.houzersink.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent

Spring’s Top Home Decor Trends Draw Inspiration from Nature

Spring’s Top Home Decor Trends Draw Inspiration from Nature

(ARA) – It is time to pay tribute to the joy and jubilance of nature as the welcoming signs of spring arrive. The familiar will appear refreshingly new as we take in its splendor. This spring, the hottest trends in home decor reflect this breathtaking beauty as Mother Nature awakes from her slumber.

"Spring is such an exciting time of year," says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. "Nature inspires decorating trends that are simple, yet grand. What you might see on a stroll through your local park has become the backdrop for interior designers and do-it-yourself home decorators across the country."

Here are the top home decor trends for spring 2009:

1. Emulate outdoor serenity.

"Lush leaves and exquisite florals convey outdoor serenity," says Atchison. She notes that creating a peaceful element within your home might be as simple as adding a flower or greenery arrangement. "It's amazing what plant life can do to liven a room. A vase of flowers in the bathroom can make your morning routine more cheery, or a green centerpiece on the kitchen table might make dinner a mini-retreat from the long day at work."

Whether fresh or silk, use leaves and flowers to bring a touch of classic nature into your home. Bright colors have pick-me-up appeal, while earthy tones convey calmness. Match complementary options with the current color scheme of your home, or combine to celebrate the harmony of the season.

2. Make practical pretty.

The things you use on a regular basis in your home are often the things that don't have a lot of flair. But this spring, practical items are getting a stylistic boost with new designs and fresh ideas that make them stand out.

Take a flowerpot for example. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a unique, beautiful pot. "Flowerpots made of fabric are undoubtedly one of the freshest ideas for spring," says Atchison. She suggests creating your own by using durable yet breathable Sun N Shade outdoor fabrics to create fun yet functional pots. From bright, eye-catching colors, to earthy, subtle tones, choose fabrics that mimic your favorite theme, whether you plan to use these planters indoors or out. Plus, at the end of the season, you can fold for easy storage and use next year.

3. Refresh what you already have.

With the tight economy, many people have limited budgets for updating their home decor. Taking note from springtime renewal, an affordable, smart idea is to update what you already have in your home.

Atchison suggests using polymer clay to add spring-inspired designs to different glass items you have around your house. For example, take a set of wine glasses and use different shades of green clay to create leaves on the outside of the glass. Bake the glass with the new clay design for 30 minutes at 230 F and you'll have an entirely new glass set to toast the spring sunset. Consider updating other items in your home such as old vases, candy dishes and hand and lotion dispensers. According to Atchison, pretty much anything made of plain glass is a potential subject.

"As you walk though the woods or sit on a park bench in the city, note the sights and sounds of springtime," says Atchison. "This will inspire fresh home decor that is sure to make your home beautiful and leave a lasting impression on guests."

For more ideas on spring home decorating trends, visit www.Joann.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent


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Craft Project Idea

Fabric Flowerpots

Supplies and tools:
• 54-inch Sun N Shade fabrics, 1/3 yard each of 2 coordinating prints
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine
• Iron

Directions:
1. Cut a 10-by-18-inch rectangle from each fabric.
2. For each rectangle, sew short ends (right sides) together, forming a tube with 1/4-inch seam allowance. Leave a 2-inch opening in the middle of the lining seam. Press seam open.
3. For both lining and exterior, press tube flat with seam in the middle and sew one end together with a 1/4-inch seam allowance to form bottom.
4. Form gussets by matching bottom seam to fold on one side and flatten forming a point. Draw a mark at the fold on each side, 2 inches from the point end, and draw a line between the marks forming a triangle. Sew along the mark and trim off the excess triangle. Repeat on other side.
5. With right sides together, drop lining into fabric flowerpot, pin the top edge and sew all around.
6. Turn inside out through lining side seam, push lining into flowerpot and press as needed. Turn top of flowerpot down to form cuff.
7. Fill fabric flowerpot with potting soil and plant.

Fix It Yourself and Save Your Budget

(ARA) - Now, more than ever, families are looking at creative ways to stretch their dollars. With higher prices for household items from food to clothing, consumers are repairing items instead of automatically buying new. To minimize budgets and time, frugality takes on new meaning.

“Families from all walks of life are looking for ways to save dollars and time but not lose the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to,” says Mary Beth Cowardin, Instant Krazy Glue senior marketing manager. “We’re seeing households take on more of a ‘fix it before you replace it’ attitude when it comes to do-it-yourself and common repairs.”

To incorporate the repair know-how into your household, try these ingenious, inexpensive ideas:

Sole Sister
To save money, more and more women are choosing to repair shoes instead of buying a new pair. Simple, at-home shoe fixes can be achieved using Instant Krazy Glue Single-Use Tubes. The one-time applications are a handy instant fix that dries clear – simply apply the adhesive to a broken heel or strap. For shoes that need resoling, find a local repair shop. The cost of resoling a pair of shoes is typically 50 to 60 percent less than the cost of buying new shoes.

Tidy up the Toy Box
Children’s toys withstand a tremendous amount of wear and tear, especially during the summer months when children are at home for extended periods of time. For some toys, it’s best to use instant glue to bond broken pieces back together. The benefit of repairing, rather than replacing well-loved toys is two-fold -- you’ve extended the life of your children’s toys and you’ll save yourself a trip to the toy store.

House Beautiful
Decorating with flair doesn’t need to take a backseat to the family budget. Instead of throwing away broken picture frames or decorative ceramics, use instant glue in a clear gel formula to delicately fix any type of home decor item. Once those frames are repaired, explore savvy decorating options as an alternative to expensive works of art. Adorning your walls with family images or the custom artwork of a loved one is an inexpensive way to produce priceless memories.

Brilliance on a Budget
Baubles and stones can be re-affixed to necklaces, rings or any costume jewelry for a brand new look. Instant glue is a great option for resurrecting vintage items or family heirlooms from your jewelry box. By replacing old stones or embellishments with a dab of glue, voila -- you’ve got a brand new look.

When new items need to be purchased, be on the lookout for brands that offer added incentives. Brands in every category from food to clothing and home decor are offering coupons, discounts, sweepstakes and contests. Products like Instant Krazy Glue are offering consumers a chance to win a Hawaiian vacation. Visit www.commercialsgonekrazy.com to learn more about the contest.

“The sky is the limit for families who want to be stylish and budget-conscious,” says Cowardin. “There are resources out there for every lifestyle.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent