How to Refinish Your Black Fireplace Screen

Brass is an alloy made by mixing zinc and copper. There are so many kinds of brasses that can be made by mixing together different proportions of these two materials. These different brasses also come with different properties. Brass is usually a muted yellow and its similarity in color to gold makes it commonly used for decorations. It is also relatively tarnish-resistant, making it durable. Brass is usually used to make fireplace screens, like the ones below.

• Four Panel Arched Screen - Antique Brass by Fireside America. This is a 4-panel screen that is finished in Antique Brass. Each panel measures 13 inches wide. Regardless of whether you've got a fire going, you'll love the way this screen looks.

• Napa Forge Belvedere 4 Panel Screen - Antique Brass by Fireside America. Complete with high-quality brass construction and classic styling, this hearth accessory provides a perfect accent for any fireplace or insert.

• Pilgrim Brass Trim Spark Guard by Fireside America. With a traditional screen with welded kick plate, its frames consist of large diameter steel rods welded to an extra heavy kick plate to provide support.

Because they are exposed to so much heat, a brass black fireplace screen can sometimes require refinishing. Here is a guide to help you do this on your own.

Cleaning and Polishing

Remove stains from brass by mixing lemon juice and salt on a sponge. Clean it with small, circular motions to not damage the metal but still take off any spots. Rubbing alcohol on a soft, non-metal sponge can also help get rid of tougher stains. Low-abrasion cleaner can also work on stains if applied with a damp sponge.

Polish brass by rubbing yellow oil on the metal to maintain the finish. Make sure that you do not use too much oil. After oiling, buff the metal with a soft cloth. This will cause the brass to shine and also create a smooth finish.

Homemade Brass Cleaner

The proper method of cleaning your brass fireplace screen will largely depend on whether it is lacquered or non-lacquered. However, such a distinction is unnecessary if you are intending to re-lacquer the screen.

Lacquered brass should not be cleaned with a cleaner; wiping it with a soft, damp cloth should do. Non-lacquered brass is more versatile and can be cleaned with a dollop of ketchup on a rag. Wipe of any remaining ketchup and buff the surface. For another homemade brass cleaner, combine salt, vinegar and flour to make a paste. Rub this paste on the brass, let it sit, and rinse off to remove stains.

Refinishing Brass

If you doing a massive refinishing job, re-lacquer your screen first. This is usually only necessary if the original lacquer has broken or become cracked overtime. Before you re-lacquer the fireplace screen, remove the original layer.

The next lacquer can be removed with acetone. Next. Polish the brass and remove and excess polish using acetone. Finally, once the polish has dried, spray or brush on a new coat of metal lacquer. This will give the brass fireplace screen a new finish that shines and looks great.

Clocks are Great Functional and Decorative Home Accent Furniture Pieces

Despite the modern age of smartphones and household appliances that already do a terrific job of keeping us in step with the  the time of day, clocks  still remain an albeit essential part of of everyday life and part of our design conscience.. This can be attributed to the new trends that are emerging today in the world of clocks. Such trends fuel the desires of style-savvy homeowners and business owners to continually update their timepieces to reflect the evolution and use of the classic clock.   

What might be the most frequently used  clocks today is the atomic clock. As its name suggests, this clock uses an atomic resonance frequency standard to tell the time. It is because of such feature that this is considered as the most accurate kind of clock. Aside from residential locations, atomic clocks are in demand in businesses that involve manufacturing and distribution, as well as in other industries where time is of the essence.

Large wall clocks also continue to be popular and serve as great centerpieces in living areas. They give you the freedom to decorate around the clock. Along with this is also the growing popularity of personalized clocks. It is easy to find online retailers today that offer clocks with customized faces, decorated according to your chosen design or even with your chosen picture.

Another emerging trend in the click industry is related to its usage. People are not buying clocks in order to just tell the time; they are also getting them as home accent furniture pieces. Clocks that function as lovely accents in homes are very popular these days. Markets today are selling clocks with attractive colors, gorgeous backgrounds, creative frames and fashionable shapes. And as manufacturers keep on rolling out innovations, it seems that the clock industry will not go quietly into the history books any time soon.  No pun intended.

Nevertheless, the days of standard and basic clocks are already behind us. The clocks that we see today can now do a wonderful  job of setting off a room and leaving a lasting impression .set their eyes on them.

Lotus Wall Clock in Black by Nuevo Living

With its simple color yet bold design, the Lotus Wall Clock in Black by Nuevo Living will likely go unnoticed in any room it is in. Made from polypropelene plastic with Taiwanese movement, this gorgeous wall clock is made in the same style as the iconic Sunflower Clock of George Nelson. You can also get this clock in white. .

Climbing Vine Clock by Uttermost

The Climbing Vine Clock by Uttermost is a great statement clock for your office, home office, or even in your living room. A masterpiece by designer Grace Feyock, this piece features a round clock that is intertwined by climbing vines and accented by a couple of birds. Made of hand forged metal, this clock is finished in burnished mocha brown along with heavily antiqued gold accents. This clock features Quartz movement.

Clocky Alarm Clock That Runs Away in Raspberry by Nanda Home

Here’s an alarm clock that will really get you off of bed in the morning. The sneaky and wheeled Clocky Alarm Clock That Runs Away in Raspberry by Nanda Home will run and hide when you do not wake up, beeping all the while. Made of plastic and battery-operated, its wheels can be removed if you want it to stay put.

Spruce Up Your Home with Living Room Accent Furniture

Diamond Sofa Bookcase/Room Divider

Different kinds of stylish living room accent furniture pieces are an essential addition to your home interior. The infinite options you can choose of these amazing decor items allows you to beautify the heart of your home without spending much time and energy. These vital decorative pieces will help you enhance the quality of your living room with special consideration for functionality and style. With today’s market flooding with a variety of fine accent furniture for living room improvement, you will easily find the perfect one that is aptly suited to the overall look and feel of your living room environment.

You can choose from a huge collection of exquisite living room furniture which includes tables, chairs, chests, and much more. To be on the right track in purchasing accent furniture however, you need to bear in mind that your selection should be in perfect harmony with the theme of your living room. Colors and styles are important elements you want to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the accent furniture that will match the look and feel of your living room. If you want a classic look in your living room, you can opt for traditional designs. If you want a trendy and modern look in your living room, on the other hand, modern and minimalistic designs will fit your needs.

Ave-Six Slick Modern Cube Occasional Side Table

The seemingly endless array of styles in living room accent furniture can be confusing at first. With careful consideration and going through a few pages of accent furniture designs though, you will eventually spot those that are perfect for your living room area. The best thing about living room accent furniture, however, is that they need not match the rest of your furniture but only complement them without necessarily replicating their look and feel.

Modern Furniture for Your Health and the Environment

Utilizing the latest cutting-edge technology and techniques in furniture manufacturing, modern furniture pieces are designed to provide optimum comfort, ease of use, and style. Revolutionary innovations in furniture design have paved the way for contemporary furniture pieces that maximize practical shapes, clean curved lines, and angles. The result is a new brand of furniture style with smooth lines and uncluttered edges and striking designs that are highly functional and space efficient.

Mod Loft Audley 18 Inch Modern Dining Chair in Black 

But what is even more amazing about modern furniture is the fact that it is currently available in sustainable materials such as rattan, bamboo, organic latex, polymer plastic, and other eco-friendly materials. Manufacturers are making use of these materials because not only are they inexpensive and commonly disregarded, but they are also friendly to people, health and the environment. Most people think that is not possible to create fashionable furniture out of sustainable materials but high end designs and modern technology have actually paved the way for these highly elegant and amazingly comfortable contemporary furniture pieces.

Mod Loft Clarges Modern Dining Chair in Black 

But what most people probably are not aware of is the fact that sustainable materials, such as bamboo, organic latex, recycled fabric, and other environment-friendly materials are the future of furniture manufacturing. In fact, some manufacturers make use of wood from trees that were specifically planted and grown to be used in the creation of wood-based home furniture products. Bamboo plywood, for instance, is often used as the base material for furniture such as beds, desks and tables.

La Fete Goal 

Sustainable materials are not only friendly to the environment but to our health as well. Organic latex, for example, is naturally hypoallergenic, making it safe for children’s use and for people with a history of allergy attacks. Modern furniture refrains from the use of toxic chemicals like fire retardants that are proven to provide health complications in the long run. What’s more, manufacturers are now utilizing recyclable materials like glass and plastic in their furniture. Indeed, modern furniture is not only useful for achieving extraordinary style, comfort, and functionality, but for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment.

Space Saving Furniture For Loft Conversions

Lofts are typically one large room that serves as a bedroom and living room; there is also an attached bathroom and a small kitchen. Because of the limited space, it is necessary to maximize the available space with economical and multifunctional furniture. Read on for some tips on purchasing furniture that can serve as seating, decoration and storage.

Store Shoes, Off-Season Clothing and Textbooks Under The Bed
This is an often overlooked space that is great for storing items that are only used seasonally, such as sweaters, coats and boots. It is also convenient for storing shoes out of sight. Heavy textbooks can also be stored here during summer months.

TrueModern 11 Ply Twin Bed with 2 Drawers

Corner Desks Utilize Space Maximally
Desks that sit in the corner utilize space that can otherwise be wasted. One desk can serve as a computer desk, keyboard area, writing surface and storage for books, papers, files and a clock. A chair of the appropriate size can also fit under the desk and can be pushed in to save space when not in use. Here is a less expensive version that is more compact for approximately half the price.

Home Styles City Chic Corner Lap Top Desk Espresso Finish

Hang Items On The Wall
Walls are also a secret form of storage space that many people forget to utilize. You can hang shelves on the wall to hold books, picture frames, clocks and other knickknacks. Make sure to purchase a sturdy set that will not break; also install it properly to make sure it does not fall off the wall under the weight of the items placed on it. Another option is to hang a coat rack on the hallway wall to hang coats, scarves, bags and umbrellas, eliminating the need to store them in overcrowded closets. The final place to hang hooks is the back of bedroom and bathroom doors. There are also hanging shelves or racks that can be placed here to store socks, undershirts, underwear, ties and a variety of other items. This eliminates the need for shelves and dressers for these small items.

Uttermost Cato Entryway Shelf

Folding Furniture
You can save space by purchasing furniture that can be folded and stored away when not in use. Tables and chairs are good options; be sure to purchase a durable and quality set in an appropriate size. For having guests or other occasions, they can be set up easily and then dismounted and stored away. A sofa bed may also be useful if there is not enough room to have a sofa and a bed in your loft. Depending on the type of loft you have, you can also install a kitchen table on the wall that can be folded down when not in use.

Lifestyle Solutions Napa Convertible Sofa in Java (Sofa/Bed)

Other Options To Look For
When searching for furniture, do not limit yourself to a store. Instead, browse online for discounts, coupons, and sales. Other ideas to consider are footrests that open up to reveal a storage compartment; these are good for storing throws, pillows and remote controls. Look for a coffee table that also has a lower surface to it; you can place magazines and books here for an accessible but tidy appearance. Be creative when it comes to furniture that also serves a storage purpose in your loft.

About the Author:
My name is Nisha Sharma, I represent a site called SimplyLoftLadders.co.uk. I love to write about home and design, feel free to visit our site for more information on loft hatches.

How to Design With a Bold Rug

An area rug is a great design piece. A rug can complete a room by uniting the styles of furniture and art. Because area rugs are statement pieces, they are often bold and become the focal point of the room. For this reason, there are a few things to consider before buying an area rug.

Twinkle Living Lashscape Rug

Twinkle Living Mini Puzzle Rug

Size

While an area rug can be the focal point of a room, it should not dominate the room. An overly dominant rug detracts from the other furniture and minimizes the rug’s style and attractiveness. Your bold area rug should fit either the room and it’s furniture or should fit the “space.” A space is, for example, if you have a sitting area and want the rug to go in the middle. A too large rug will crowd the room and furniture and make the room feel smaller than it is. A too small rug will look awkward.

Twinkle Living Poker Rug

Color
If you are decorating with a bold area rug, you have probably invested in dramatic colors or prints. For this reason, the rest of the furniture has to work with the rug. If your rug is patterned, choose furniture that highlights the softer tones in the pattern. This ties the furniture and the rug together without overpowering the room. If the rug is a solid, but bright color, opt for subdued furniture. If you so choose, furniture with patterned fabrics can look good, but subtle patterns are key.

Twinkle Living Beads Rug

Material
A rug’s material plays a huge role in determining the style of the rug. Therefore, it is important to know exactly the vibe you want for the rug’s future room. A beautiful shag rug lends a hip, retro feel to a room, while the heavy wool loops of an Oriental rug works best when you want a traditional style.




About the Author:
Terry Carter writes about lifestyle topics for Picnic World.

Modern Living Room Furniture – For a Highly Functional, Exquisite, Amazingly Comfortable, and Exciting Living Room Environment

A mixture of different diverse modern living room furniture accompanied with splashes of bright vibrant colors and an exciting and lively interior design are some of the features of today’s modern living room. As time inevitable moves forward, so has the advancement in the technology, techniques, and designs used in manufacturing living room furniture. Gone are the days of bulky, heavy, space consuming wooden furniture pieces with dull color schemes and impractical designs. Today, the market is filled with the newest trends in modern living room furniture designs and styles paving the way to the future of home furnishing and furniture design. 

EHO Studios White with Black Ultra Contemporary Style Italian Leather Sectional

EHO Studios Distinct Style 5 Piece Microfiber Upholstery Sectional with Attached Shelving Unit

EHO Studios 2 Piece Refreshing Style Italian Leather Sectional

Modern living room furniture designs make use of the benefits of stream lined features and clean lines for optimum freedom in arrangements without the issue of space constraint. Living room furniture pieces with contemporary designs abolish the use of ornate decorative styles while taking advantage of straightforward styles to give softness to the living room environment. Modern sofas, accent chairs, coffee tables, end tables, and an entertainment area are just some of the essential elements of a modern living room. Modern wicker furniture is also becoming a popular trend because of the warmth and life that it brings to a living room.

To achieve a contemporary and trendy look, that expresses a statement of style and fashion, in your living room, you can successfully do it with the help of modern living room furniture. The present day furniture, with its innovative design and superb construction, is the answer to your call for a highly functional, exquisite, amazingly comfortable, and exciting living room environment. With the right arrangement and a successful blend of different modern living room furniture pieces, with matching color schemes and style, you will truly achieve that one of kind modern living room.

5 Fun Features for Your Remodeled Basement

It took months of planning and thousands of dollars, but you finally finished your basement remodeling project. Now that all of the dust has settled, it is time to add some furnishings to your new entertainment zone. There are of course the essentials, like a flat-screen television and sofa. But what else can you add that will leave a lasting impression on your guests? Here are 5 fun ideas for distinguishing your basement from the rest!

 

LCD Fireplace

That’s right, the old days of chimney sweeps and splitting logs has been replaced by the same technology that powers our computer screens. LCD fireplaces are not only mesmerizing to stare at, but you won’t need to install a chimney or sacrifice any square-footage. These units can be placed anywhere on the wall, and the majority of them produce 5,000 BTU’s of heat. That is more than enough to heat a 150 square feet by itself.

Surround Sound

It is crazy how much people spend on state-of-the-art televisions and Blu-Ray players, only to settle for the hollow sound that comes through their tiny speakers. At the very least there are two sound components that every basement should have: A soundbar to accent high-pitch frequencies, and a sub-woofer to enhance the low-pitch ones. You can find a quality set of both for around $500. Not only will you enjoy better sound, but this simple addition will turn your basement into THE place to watch the big game!

The LoveSac

What do you get when you pack 80 pounds of foam into a 6-foot, custom designed fabric bag? A LoveSac SuperSac of course. Clear your mind of any bad memories you have of the old bean bags made of cheap pleather that used to leak Styrofoam everywhere. This super-sized bag of fun will instantly become the best seat in the house. And don’t worry about your kids jumping on them, all LoveSacs come with a lifetime warranty and the covers are machine washable.

Karaoke

The last thing you want at your party is to have everyone sitting around watching reruns, which is why you’ll want to add some interactivity to your basement. A karaoke machine is just the thing to spice up the night. For about a hundred bucks you can get an above-average unit that links to your television and includes wireless microphones. Look for models that integrate with your iPod, as this will give you access to the diverse selection of karaoke tracks from iTunes.

Foosball Table

Poll tables are great but they take up a lot of room, and they are downright expensive. Enter the foosball table, which typically measures about 4 feet long by 3 feet wide. Foosball is a fast and exciting game that almost anyone can pick up in a matter of minutes. Up to four people can play at a time, so your guests will have something to do while waiting for their turn at karaoke!


About the Contributor:
Elliot is the ultimate LoveSac fan. Follow his blog at LoveTheSac.com to get the latest news and coupon codes for these oversized bags of foam furniture.

Exploring New Materials and Possibilities with Modern Furniture

Lebello Circle Chair

In the wake of the industrial revolution, a stream of brand new materials continued to flood the market paving the way for innovative designs and exciting modern furniture pieces that people would have never thought possible. Modern materials like plastic and plywood permitted creative minds and revolutionary concepts in design to flourish. This was the time where wood stepped down as the prime medium for manufacturing heavy-duty furniture pieces. Mass production facilities had also made it possible to create elegant furniture on a grand scale, which have made it accessible to a larger socioeconomic cross section of the world’s population.

Plywood, a revolutionary material in furniture manufacturing, consists of thin layers of wood bonded together. The great feature of this material is that when you glue together similar layers of wood, it permits a durable base that can be molded into organic shapes providing great versatility. This material has made designers like Charles and Ray Eames highly popular with their designs. With its naturally smooth finish, simple look, and elegant organic curves, plywood furniture pieces like, EHO Studios Polished Plywood Bar Stool with Chrome Legs, can offer a retro modern look and feel to any space.

Through countless research and experimentation, Polymer resin and plastic have become a reliable materials for furniture designs and manufacturing. The extremely versatile material allows companies to create furniture pieces in almost any form and style. And with a fluid surface, bright colors, and functional features, the medium has become a popular choice for countless homeowners worldwide.

Needless to say, the industrial revolution has completely changed the world in which we live. Whereas before traditional furniture of significant value and desirability were normally only available to a select few, today, the advancement of technology has allowed companies to manufacture stylish modern furniture, with extreme practical and functional features, that is accessible to ordinary homeowners, forever changing home and furnishing design.

Modern Accent Furniture: Start With Throw Pillows

Allure 13" x 20" Pillow by KoKo Company

Home is not just a place for rest and having our spouses and kids around – if we have one – it is also a venue for self-expression and taste. Our home describes our hobbies, interests and preferences without us saying a word or two; letting the furniture do the talking. Suffice to say, furniture create a big impact to the atmosphere of our home and so we need to know what we want in order to see what we want. Now if we finally figured out our style, it doesn't mean we have to start from scratch and replace everything with new furniture! We don’t want to be impractical and highly uneconomical, do we? All we need is a bit of home accent furniture for style emphasis and highlight, one that is edgy, unconventional, and minimal. Out with the old and baroque, in with the new and easy modern accent furniture.

Besides functionality, we choose home accent furniture based on their aesthetics and form. When we mean accent, we mean flavor or specificity that illuminates the whole essence of our home décor. With the trend of modernism, form becomes uncommon and flexible enough to fit space in petite rooms without diminishing art. Modern accent furniture give you less glamour but more form and flexibility, which art lovers or home owners prioritize nowadays.

There are a variety of home accent furniture that we can choose from to attain our modern style. Again, we don’t have to change everything. That is why it’s called accent furniture; you only need some to affect the whole.

To add a modern accent furniture to our living room, why not start with pillows? With three or more modern accent pillows, our couch would never look the same again and so would be the whole living room! Since more often than not couches have deep hues, we want our throw pillows bright and attractive. Since throw pillows are meant to be touched and even hugged, we want it soft and cleanly seamed. Its details must be clean and intricately made if we want perfection. A good example would be the Koko Company Allure 20x20 pillow, a stylistic floral design with modern pattern and cottony fiber made from natural cotton– a perfect modern accent furniture for our living room. This type of design proves that modern accent furniture do not lose the touch of exquisiteness found in antique designs, instead it reinvigorate it by adjusting the lines and color tones to make it pop.

Modern accent furniture are inexpensive but truly perky and pop but we don’t have to start big in changing our style. Small but noticeable things are a good way to start adding modernism to our homes. Besides, the modern man and woman knows how to balance budget and style.

Modern Home Accent Furniture for Your Modern Home

You could enhance the look of your home by decorating with modern home accent furniture pieces. You could buy various types of home accents at an online store called, “Home Furniture and Patio.” This online store is your partner in making a stylish and elegant home.

You could enhance any space of your home with a Zuo Modern Galaxy Chrome/Glass Table. This round table has a clear, tempered glass table top with a chrome steel column and base. This is perfect for a modern design home.

You could also decorate your home, especially your living room with an Adesso Sutton Ultra Modern Hotel Style Magazine Accent Table. It comes with a Black metal magazine rack. It is has a tempered glass top and a powder coated steel base.

You could enhance the look of your living room or bedroom with a Diamond Sofa Low Profile Cube Wall Divider. It is set against the wall, it becomes a bookcase. If you put in the middle of the room, it becomes a divider. You could even put your plasma or flat screen television on it and make it an entertainment furniture piece. It is a 72” cube storage unit. It is low profile and multi-purpose. It has a Dark Walnut finish. It is made from Red Oak Veneers and hardwoods. It comes with 6 storage cubes, 3 columns and 2 rows.

You could also decorate your home with a Nuevo Living Parker 47 Modern Glass Console Table. It has a tempered glass table top. It comes with brushed stainless steel legs. You could put this in the hallway or living room.

You could also accent your home using an Uttermost Accent Chest. It is designed by Matthew Williams. It is made of Poplar wood. It has a Deep Espresso finish with mirrored drawers as well as side panels. It has carved moldings and it comes with polished nickel drawer pulls.

The glass accent tables as well as the different wood furniture with modern designs will surely enhance the look of your modern design home.