Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 22nd February 2008 at 11:23 AM, Filed in Security
Cheap cylinder night hatches are often regarded as offering poor security. More expensive versions offer more security but make sure they have accreditation from the various standards authorities.
The problem with the standard nightlatch is that a burglar can break the glass in a door, reach round and undo the latch. You can take the precaution of installing a deadlocking cylinder latch. When you turn the key as you leave the house, the lock becomes set.
To lock while your indoors, choose a model with knob locking so that it can be locked from indoors as well as outdoors. For fire and safety reasons, ensure that a key is kept near the door.
If you fancy having a piece of yourself in the decor of your home - look no further than the innovative Family Genetic Portrait.
To start the process you simply swipe your family’s DNA (from cheek cells inside the mouth) seal the sample kit and send off to the DNA Art laboratory in the Netherlands. The DNA strings of each person are identified and highlighted in different colours as imagery on a canvas.
A typical canvas of 140 X 90cm depicting four people costs £965 ($2,000). Quite an original way to decorate your home ehhh?
Click here to see DNA ART.
Whilst most washing machines and appliances are becoming more efficient and less noisy - the majority still output quite a bit of vibration. This can be a particular problem if you live in a first floor flat.
A company called sound service might have come up with a mitigating solution to this problem. They have developed an anti vibration pad made from hard recycled rubber and is available in 10mm or 20mm thickness and one square metre panels. Each panel can be shaped using a jigsaw or hand saw.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 15th February 2008 at 02:40 PM, Filed in Decor
Kanzi Home have produced this wonderful centre piece chandelier which is made almost entirely from Capiz Shell found in the Phillipines.
It is handmade by local people and the shells are sourced from sustainable resources certified by CITE (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
A large Lotus Flower chandelier retails for £395 ($800). But what a wonderful component to a contemporary decorated home.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Thu 14th February 2008 at 03:57 PM, Filed in Decor
Following these simple steps should make picture hanging more of a science than an art....
1. Hold your picture up against the wall - obviously where you want to hang it. Mark the corners of the picture using a pencil.
2. Place the picture on the ground face down. I am assuming that the picture already has hanging cord fixed.
3. Mark the top centre of the picture. Then, use your picture hook to pull the cord towards your mark - then hang your picture.
Voila !!!
4. Measure the distance between the top of the hook and the top of the frame.
5. Plotting a centre point between your two top corner marks on the wall - measure down the appropriate distance. Mark the spot and hammer in your picture hook.
