The quality of the picture created through this technique depends upon the capturing and storage method used. Digital TV (DTV) is comparatively a new format, having a high quality picture presentation and has practically become the standard in television video. The 3D-video is digital video in three dimensions, first premiered at the end of the 20th century. This technique utilises six or eight cameras, capturing 3D-video streams with real-time depth measurement.

There are certain standards that are followed in video formatting. These are, Phase-Alternating Line (PAL), National Television System(s) Committee (NTSC) and Compagnie Française de Télévision (SECAM). While North America uses NTSC system, PAL and SECAM are used in Europe, with South America using PAL-M, PAL-N, PAL and NTSC. Almost every area of the world has a combination of video standards.

PAL is a colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in large parts of the world. It has eight incompatible types in use through out the world. These are, types B, G, H, and also D, I, K, N and M. The technology was first developed by Walter Bruch at Telefunken in Germany and was first brought public 1963, with the first broadcasts beginning in Britain and Germany in 1967. In PAL, 25 frames are transmitted each second and each frame is made up of 625 individual scans, termed as lines and works on 50Hz power frequency. The general specification for PAL may be in the form 625lines/50Hz. PAL-M has a different specification within the family of PALS standard, having 525lines/60Hz.

In 1953, the first ever colour broadcast came to the US. This was based on NTSC format, which is being used by many other countries in the American continent and in Asia as well, and in other countries including Japan. The NTSC TV image has 525 horizontal lines per frame. With every other line being skipped, NTSC scans from right to left and from top to bottom. Oddly enough, in NTSC, the scanning of the complete screen is through two steps. The first scan will go through the odd numbered horizontal lines, while the second would scan the even numbered ones. This alternate line scanning is termed as interlacing.

SECAM is an analog colour television system first used in France. This system is typically used in France and some of its neighbouring countries, which were the French colonies at one time. A team led by Henri de France working at Compagnie Française de Télévision, which was later bought by Thomson, invented SECAM. It is historically, the first European colour television standard. The standard uses the same bandwidth as PAL, but transmits the colour information in sequence. It has a scan rate of 625lines/frame with 25 frames per second frame rate, the same as PAL does. In comparison with PAL, SECAM has the ability to render images with the correct hue, ensuring consistency of the colour.

Now let us discuss what a multi-system TV is.

We discussed about the various video standards that are used all over the world. Almost every part of the world has a combination of the standards in use. Unfortunately, with none of these standards being compatible, VCRs, TVs and DVD players made in one part of the world, cannot be viewed in another. The utility of a multi-system VCR is the ability to play video of any standard. Multi-system VCRs will play video tapes from any part of the world having a different standard, but it does not have the ability to convert the video signals. If you have a NTSC TV system and you are playing a PAL video movie on tape in your multi-system VCR unit, you will not be able to watch the movie, because of your incompatible TV system. To watch the movie, you would require a converting multi-system VCR, which will convert the video output into NTSC, through its built-in video standard converter. If you have a basic multi-system VCR, you would require an external video converter, in between your VCR and TV, in order to watch that movie. Normally, all multi-system VCRs, that are being manufactured presently, all have the converter built-in for convenience of the consumers. On the other hand a multi-system TV would play that PAL video tape without a converter, whether built-in the multi-system VCR or an external one.

Whether the video signals are in PAL, NTSC or SECAM, a multi-system VCR will provide the corresponding output for you to watch that tape in your compatible TV or on a multi-system TV system. To watch a video tape, not conforming to the standard of your country or the country that you are presently visiting, you need more than just the basic multi-system VCR. If you have a basic multi-system VCR, the output signal needs to be converted before you can watch it on your TV screen. If your TV is not compatible with the standard of your video tape, you would need a video converter box, connected in between your TV and your VCR systems, which will convert the video output signals from your VCR, make it compatible to the standard of your TV, and play it on the screen.

The other possibility in watching a non-standard video tape would be to have a basic multi-system VCR along with a multi-system TV. As discussed, a basic multi-system VCR does not have the ability to convert the video output signal appropriately to play on your standard TV. But, if you had a multi-system TV, it would have had the feature to convert that signal from the VCR output and make it compatible for you to watch. The disadvantage is that you shall not be able to make the converted copies of the tape in this kind of arrangement. This conversion does produce any degradation of the picture quality on your TV screen.

There is yet a final possibility that exists, which will enable you to watch the tape. If you have a multi-system TV/VCR combo, you can play any video standard and watch it on your TV too.

A normal VCR has two video heads, one to record and the other to play back. There are additional heads available in certain VCRs which are used for special effects, such as, slow motion, freeze frame, etc. Lots of techniques are being put in by manufacturers in order to increase the clarity and quality of the picture on your TV screen. Now, there are many VCRs in the market that allow quick play from the stop point. There are VCRs designed to provide the feature for quick play from the stop point. Many models now feature pre-programmed universal remotes with the ability to control TV and cable boxes. A universal remote control module will control your TV and VCR of the same make.

You have an option to choose between two to three different recording speeds virtually with any VCR. The playback speed is automatically set, and even though VCRs record in two speeds, the playback option provides you with a choice of three. Though a faster moving tape provides a less recording time, it also has a better picture quality and clarity. Special video heads have been designed by manufacturers like, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, and Sharp. These heads allow time-shift recordings at the slowest speed for improved picture quality for recording and playback.

Today’s multi-system VCRs usually record an electronic index code at the start of each recording. This helps in searching the tape by index search, when the VCR stops at each index mark and plays back a few seconds of the recording. Some of the VCRs would let you go to that exact point, directly to that specific index mark and start to play back. These models lets you search forward or backward at fast or slow speeds and the jog control, lets you move the tape in the same way, frame by frame. The VCRs set the time signal on their own from the time signal being sent from your local PBS station, where-by you do not require setting the time yourself. In power on, the VCR with display the correct time, with ‘Auto Clock Set’ found in the mid and upper ranges of multi-system VCRs.

If you intend to buy a multi-system VCR with a view of recording programs, then the programming feature of that VCR becomes an important factor. All multi-system VCRs have atleast one recoding capability of your desired program. The basic feature allows you to set the built-in clock to start and stop within the next 24 hours. More complex programming allows recording of several different programs on different channels on a period of 28 days period. One of the other features will allow recording of the same program being broadcasted at a specific time everyday. Many of these VCRs include VCR PLUS , which allows you to enter a number listed in TV Guide or many newspapers’ television guides, for recording purposes. In some, the VCR PLUS will even help you to change the channels on your cable box via a mouse, or an infrared transmitter located on the top of the VCR.

Multi-system VCRs have a characteristic of producing high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) sound quality and it is a new type of stereo sound that is not like the low pitched ones that was available on old models of VCRs. This upgrade is certainly to be taken into consideration, if you are thinking of buying or replacing your present VCR, since all the movies and videos have Hi-Fi sound tracks encoded with Dolby Surround system.

110-220 Volt Electronics - A multisystem TV is a TV capable of receiving and displaying different video systems like PAL, SECAM and NTSC. You’ll be able to operate a multisystem TV in 99% of the world. Their dual voltage design allows them to be plugged into either a 110 voltage source or a 220 voltage source. In some cases, the plug on the television will not fit your country’s outlet, so an inexpensive plug-adapter will be needed. They can generally be picked up at an electronics store such as planetomni.com planetomni.com for $1.95. With a multisystem TV, such as a plasma, CRT tube type, LCD or DLP, you’ll likely need a codefree (sometimes called region free) DVD player. These exist in many forms. When used with a PAL-NTSC TV you’ll be able to see the full 625 lines of resolution available in the PAL system and the full 525 lines used in the USA NTSC system. There exists a converting type of DVD player which is codefree in that it can read all of the world’s 6 regions and both standards, PAL and NTSC. 140,000 other products are available here: planetomni.com planetomni.com Tel. # 800-514-2984

Prevent a water leak from causing thousands of dollars in damage to your home by installing water alarms to your household appliances. Water alarms are point-of-use systems which detect leaks and shut off the water supply to the appliances on which they are installed. Unlike “whole-house” shut off systems, Water alarms are easily installed by homeowners and are extremely economical. The numerous advantages of water alarms ensure the protection of your home from water damage. A water alarm can easily and quickly be installed without hiring a professional and provides non-stop protection.

Flooding events often go undetected for hours causing extensive damage to your home and personal belongings. At the first sign of seepage, water alarms stop water at its source.

Washing Machines:

The #1 source of water damage in American homes is the washing machine. Water alarms are specifically designed to prevent your home from ever flooding due to a faulty washing machine, defective internal components, or ruptured hoses.

Water Heaters:

Water heaters are continuously under pressure, and this pressure causes leaks in these virtually maintenance-free appliances. After years of use, water heaters begin to corrode, and this corrosion is another major cause of leaks. You can easily install and operate a water alarms. Connect the motorized valve to the water line, Place water leak sensor on the floor at the base of the water heater, The valve remains open unless a water leak is detected, Water detected on the sensor closes the valve and sounds the alarm and the valve stays closed until you correct the problem
Because you are alerted when your water alarms detect leaks, any chance of ruinous damage to your floors or personal property is virtually eliminated.

Refrigerators:

The moving of, bumping into, and constant vibrating of refrigerators often causes damage to the small water lines leading to icemakers and drainage areas. This damage doesn’t always immediately turn into a leak, but it could when you least expect it. Water alarms protect your home 24 hours a day from the dreadful effects of water damage from your refrigerator, whether you are at home or not.

An estimated $150 million dollars of water damage occurs annually in American homes. Water alarms prevent pricey devastation to your home and personal belongings due to appliances which are malfunctioning or possibly worn out. Installing water alarms on your washing machine, water heater, and refrigerator is a cost-efficient and simple way to protect your home against water damage.

Where you can find out more about homesecuritystore.com/ezStore123/DTProductList.asp?p=2_1_1_1_0_0_228 Water Alarms and
articles on home-security-systems.net/ Home Security.

A chandelier can be an ideal option for lighting in your home. Not just for foyers and formal dining areas, but chandeliers can also be used to provide lighting in kitchens, bedrooms, as well as the children’s room. But before you go out and look for that perfect chandelier, here are some things that you need to consider.

Criteria For Buying Chandeliers

1) Size of the chandelier: The most important element to consider is the size. If not sized correctly, a chandelier will not be able to provide lighting as desired and may well not fit into its designated spot. So here’s what you need to know about sizing a chandelier.

• When choosing a chandelier for a particular room, you need to first measure the width and length of the room. Add these two measurements and the resultant sum (in inches) is how wide your chandelier should be. For instance, if your room is 14 feet wide by 16 feet long, you need to add these two numbers which gives you 30. Thus, the ideal width for a chandelier for this room will be 30 inches. However, you also need to consider the height at which the chandelier will hang. If you have low ceilings and the chandelier will hang quite low, you should buy a slightly smaller one (26-28 inches). But, if you have really high ceilings, then you should go in for a bigger one (34-36 inches). This is because the higher the chandelier, the smaller it is going to appear.

• Another important size consideration is the length. A chandelier should be at least 30 inches above the table that it will hang over. This is the optimum height as it is high enough to leave adequate room to place things under the chandelier and is low enough to provide the desired lighting. Thus, after subtracting 30 inches from the top of the table to the ceiling, and 3-4 inches for the chandelier hook, the space left can be used to decide the length of the chandelier. Once again, you can be a little flexible here. If you usually use very tall centerpieces on your table, you should choose a chandelier that is a little shorter.

2) Type of lighting required: The kind of lighting that you need is also an important criterion to consider. Here are the various types of chandeliers used to bring about different kinds of lighting:

• Ambient Lighting: If you wish to achieve ambient (general) lighting, you should go in for a big one, which has plenty of bulbs and open lights. This will ensure that the chandelier provides light for the entire room.

• Accent Lighting: If you want to place your chandelier over something specific so as to illuminate that object, or if you want it to provide you with accent lighting for specific areas, then you should choose one with spotlights and down lights. A spotlight will help you to focus lighting on special works of art and help to bring about their beauty. With down lights, you can provide accent lighting for tabletops and other specific areas.

• Diffused Lighting: Many people like to have sober diffused lighting in their home. They do not like the glare of very bright lights. If you too desire such lighting, you should choose a chandelier with uplights. An uplight will throw light on the ceiling which then gets diffused and provides a very warm glow. You can also choose a chandelier with shades as this will help to maximize the light filtering down but reduce the glare at the same time.

Thus, once you have decided on what type of lighting effect you wish to achieve, you can select a chandelier accordingly.

3) Style of the chandelier: As it is most likely going to be the center of attention in any room, it is essential that you choose a chandelier that has a look and style which is in keeping with the rest of your décor. You do not want to draw attention to your chandelier for all the wrong reasons after all!

While a traditional crystal chandelier can look at home in almost any setting, if you want to go in for an ornate wrought iron chandelier, or perhaps a contemporary one, it is important to first determine that such a design will match your home décor. Remember, while choosing a chandelier style, you want to go in for one that matches your décor and not contrasts with it.

In addition to the above, ease of cleaning, number of bulbs (depending on how much lighting you require), and your budget are the other factors to consider when choosing a chandelier.

Lukas Rathswohl is the publisher of All About Chandeliers, your guide to finding the perfect chandelier for your home. Go to all-about-chandeliers.com All About Chandeliers - Your Chandelier Guide and brighten up your home!

Designing your landscape to care for your shoreline is extremely important not only for protecting the integrity of your property, but also to protect to quality of your neighboring water body. You can control sedimentation and conditions that favor algae growth with proper planning. The appropriate landscaping is also important to improve water quality.

Don’t just jump into your landscaping, begin by doing the appropriate planning. This will pay off in big dividends as you will avoid costly mistakes.

1) The first step is to prepare a site plan. Begin by conducting a site inventory on your property. Know where your water flows during heavy rains or ice melt. If your site is bare, know where the prevailing winds are from. Record all of this information on a site map of your property. Also, document existing features such as plantings, septic system, structures and anything else that might affect a site plan.

2) Using this information create your plan of action for your site. This might require attending a home landscape design course, studying books from your library or talking with a local agency such as your Soil & Water Conservation District for suggestions. That failing, it might mean hiring a landscape architect to provide a comprehensive plan.

3) Depending on your circumstances, some of the features which might be useful in preventing runoff and erosion include the following:

Create a “no mow zone” along your shoreline at least 40 feet back if possible. You can simply stop mowing and let your buffer return gradually to a more natural state. You can also remove the existing turf and install native plants. The benefits include reduction of runoff and improved habitat for birds and other creatures.

Occasionally the creation of a dry creek bed can be useful to intercept, direct and filter water during heavy rain events. Dry creek beds can be used for drainage away from homes and foundations that have insufficient slopes; they can be used to minimize washing on slopes; and they can be constructed so that they are quite attractive by creating an unusual landscape feature.

Evergreen trees, deciduous overstory trees and shrubs all intercept rain water, thus reducing velocity. Therefore, not all rainwater reaches the ground. If possible, preserve your native trees and shrubs and augment their numbers with additional plantings.
Mulch can be used effectively to minimize erosion. If you have ever looked at a home with no gutters, you have probably noticed the line where runoff from the roof has hit the ground. Installing 2” to 3” rock mulch beyond the dripline can help to minimize effects.
Rain gardens are another effective means to minimize runoff and erosion. A rain garden is a landscaped area that replaces an area of your lawn. As the name implies, rain gardens are designed to soak up rainwater, frequently from the roofs of buildings, parking lots and impervious surfaces. It is designed to accept water during a storm allowing it to slowly filter into the ground, rather than rapidly running off into a storm drain, lake or river.
If you are creating patios or entertainment areas, use materials that are not impervious. Flagstone or products such as EcoGrid will allow for the creation of a wonderful patio with gaps for the planting of grass or groundcovers. This allows rainwater and runoff to find small cracks and crevices and filter into the ground.

New home construction or extensive remodeling on a home can disturb the site and lead to damage along the shoreline. The following tips should be considered before beginning the landscaping around a home construction project:

Always begin by checking local codes and requirements for shoreline development. Be certain you are permitted for your activities prior to construction.
Install a silt fence along your shoreline to help prevent erosion and siltation from reaching your water body. Do not remove the silt fence until after all work has been completed and all shoreline areas have reached stability in slowing runoff and preventing erosion.
Always begin your landscape work at your shoreline and work your way out. This way you will never have to cross your work again with equipment.
If your site has large bare and disturbed areas and is sloped toward your shoreline, consider placing erosion control sediment logs/straw waddles at intervals to slow runoff on a temporary basis. Once your project has been completed they can be removed.
As you initiate your landscaping on slopes, consider using curlex erosion control blankets to aid in holding seed in place and to assist with reducing runoff and erosion. This will improve seed contact and germination. These are natural materials and will degrade so you do not have to worry about removing them.
Consider using hydroseeding techniques for seeding in conjunction with curlex blankets to increase germination and seed viability.
If you are having erosion on your shoreline from water action, consider native plantings. Riprap is rarely the answer. Consider using Shoresox, www.shoresox.com, as an alternative to minimize the effects of water action while your shoreline plants are becoming established.
If you establish a lawn, keep it small and never close to the water’s edge. Do not apply fertilizer, especially any that contain phosphorus. Set your mower blade as high as possible to help prevent runoff. Never rake your grass clippings or leaves into a water body or roadway. Start a home compost site and create a wonderful soil amendment for your garden.
Before any construction always contact your local “One Call” service or a trained specialist for locating all underground utilities.

Avoid costly mistakes by taking the time to do proper landscape planning. A small investment in time and if necessary in hiring the expertise of a landscape architect can spare your shoreline while improving the quality of your lake, stream or river.

Donna Evans is co-owner of Gizmo Creations LLC, a landscape and website design firm located just north of Brainerd, Minnesota. Gizmo Creations LLC has over 20 years of landscape design experience. As well as landscape design, the staff of Gizmo Creations teaches home landscape design classes. For more information on landscaping and additional articles, check out gizmocreations.com gizmocreations.com.

The convenience of shopping online does not stop at larger items. In fact, shopping online for your leather sofa can save you a great deal of time and energy while you are still browsing since there are not the numerous stops at stores just to find they don’t have what you are looking for. Online sites off pictures of various items for you to determine what you like. Many even offer a room planning guide and diagrams of various arrangements to make your planning even easier.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when shopping online for your new leather sofa.

1. Deciding What You Need

Budget
Decide how much you can afford to spend on your leather sofa. Keep in mind that lower end sofas will cost around $800 while hand built leather sofas will run $2000 or higher.

Decor
Decide the style you want to use in your home. Leather sofas come in contemporary to traditional with many styles in between. A lighter, more sleek contemporary leather sofa may be a little less expensive since it will use less material than a heavier traditional leather sofa. Of course, the brand will also determine if that is the case.

Lifestyle
Decide if you need a sofa with a recliner to enhance your relaxation or a leather sleeper sofa to offer the convenience of extra sleeping arrangements for overnight guests. Maybe you need something extra durable because you have children and pets. Keep in mind that motion leather sofas will cost a little more because of the extra craftsmanship that goes into the moving mechanisms.

Measurements
Write down the exact size of the space you have so you can quickly scan over leather sofas that are not suited to your amount of space.

2. Browse to Make Informed Decisions

Construction
Note the frame construction that is usually given in the descriptions. Whether it’s a metal frame or wood, it will need to be sturdy. Avoid frames made of plastic, plywood, or particleboard since they will be more likely to warp or crack. Instead, go for hardwood frames made of maple or oak.

Upholstery
Use the information you’ve learned earlier in the article about the types of leather used to test whether it is soft and supple top-grain or stiffer split grain. Depending on your lifestyle, it may be important to choose the sturdier leather for longer wear under tougher conditions.

Cushion Quality
Note what the cushions are filled with. Go with blown fiber, polyurethane foam, or fiberfill that has at least a 1.8 lb. per cubic feet of density. This will help the cushions keep their shape and firmness with wear.

Springs
The more expensive leather sofas will have hand-tied springs, which will give a nice even foundation. However, if your budget needs to cut a corner or two, the sinuous or preassembled coils can be just as comfortable as long as there are many tightly packed to give a firm spring action.

3. Purchasing Online

Check Them Out
Use the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to research if the company has had any complaints against them. If you are shopping on an online auction site, research the seller’s ratings on the site. Always get a name and physical address to do your research.

Fees
Pay attention to shipping charges. You may find that one will offer free shipping for the exact same leather sofa, which could save you a great deal of money. Also note their delivery method and schedule.

Security
Use only secure pages to make your payment for your online purchase. The first part of the URL should change to “shttp” or “https” to indicate encryption use. Using a credit card is safer if you need to dispute a fraudulent charge later. Make sure to print your receipt and keep all packing invoices that arrive with your leather sofa. Beware of any e-mails or calls that say there is an error in your order. You should not have to provide them with any information that they should already have if it is a legitimate call.

Buying a leather sofa online is as easy as 1-2-3. Just use wise shopping savvy to avoid scams and make sure to research the product. If you are not absolutely comfortable with making the final purchase online, most sites will have a store locator so that you can go and inspect the leather sofa in person, but still save yourself the trouble of browsing in person.

Daisy Zachery has worked on many decorating projects in apartments, condos, and mansions. In her line of work, she has provided potential sofa buyers with a colorfully illustrated gallery of the latest sofa designs in the market and key tips in finding the right sofa. For more information on sofaideas.com sleeper sofas, come visit her site at sofaideas.com sofaideas.com.

Is your room contemporary, traditional, country or modern? Your room has a personality of its own that should reflect in your choice of window dressing. Blinds are more than functional ways to block out sunlight or prevent Peeping Toms from knowing what’s going on in your house; they can set a mood. With today’s wide choices in window blinds and styles, your windows won’t feel overpowered by these wonderful treatments. Thanks to the latest designs, blinds can be more than strips of wood tied together, installed onto a medium-sized rectangular window, and controlled by a pull cord and a wand.

The blinds that you select for your room can be purchased, can be custom-made or you can make them yourself. Most window blinds are affordable for the average homeowner, which is why in part that they are so popular. As with any other purchase for the home, the better quality brands of window blinds can be expensive to purchase. However, quality blinds will last and be durable over the long term. You can purchase good quality window blinds at your local chain home improvement centers, major retailers, or specialty window treatment stores. Specialty stores may be willing to send a sales representative to your home to help you select the right blinds for your room. Specialty stores will cut and fit blinds to your window sizes and provide installation for a fee or at no cost. Of course, you can select window blinds online and have them shipped directly to your home without the need to leave the comfort of your chair.

When you select the right blinds for your house, you need to match your room, the style and your budget. Even so, you will find that there are lots of blinds to choose from:

* Wooden blinds today can be made from real wood but often they are made from composite or PVC materials that look like wood. These blinds usually have two-inch slats; wider slats block more light. Wooden blinds can come with a traditional cord for raising and lowering them or there is a new simple “soft touch” lift mechanism that is safer for homes with children. Wooden blinds come in colors or wood tones; it is best to select a color or tone that harmonizes with your room. A curtain valance or a decorative cornice can be used to hide the top of the blind from view.

* Vertical blinds can make a room feel taller and mysterious. On a sliding door or living room window, these blinds don’t have to remind you of the 80s with big flowery patterns and cold surroundings. The pull mechanism can be from either side or even operate from a remote control. Careful not to mix patterns that will be outdated in a short time. Many vertical blinds add a soft texture that brings out your furniture’s beauty.

* Aluminum blinds are the most inexpensive way to put up blinds in your home or apartment. These are frequently called mini blinds because the slats are so narrow. Mini blinds are perfect if you are on a budget and need privacy. However, treat these blinds with care as they bend easily and are not particularly durable.

* Most horizontal window blinds roll upward from the window sill. But you can buy blinds that open to the outside world from the top down. This unusual type of blind is perfect for homes or apartments that are close together. You can have the blinds open to get light and sunshine while protecting your privacy.

Selecting the right window shades for your room can be a pleasant experience since there are so many fine choices for any decor. Be sure to visit your local retailer or shop online for the latest colors and styles of blinds.

Copyright 2006 Annisha Delaney. All rights reserved. Annisha Delaney owns adblinds.com A.D. Blinds Inc - a popular source of information about blinds. Visit her archive of articles at: adblinds.com/newsletters/ adblinds.com/newsletters/

Rawhide lamp shades add just the right western decorating touch you need for a rustic make over. For many people, western or southwest decorating is something that they love but don’t have an idea of how to bring into their own home. For some reason it seems like it is not possible to bring the old west home. Or perhaps the question is; where do I begin with rustic decorating?

In reality, adding rustic flavor to your home with rawhide lamp shades is easy, functional and does not have to cost a fortune. With the introduction of just a few key elements any home can have the western ranch look, the rustic appeal of a cabin or the warm feel of a southwest pueblo style. Home decorating with rawhide lamp shades can make any room come alive with rustic cowboy style. You don’t even have to have every piece in place to begin a dramatic affect. Just add a few touches around your home as you can to create a great new look.

Rawhide lamp shades will set the focal points around the room and give you the foundation necessary to add other elements. Vintage lamps make a great statement but you can also us wrought iron lamps. If your budget allows, use antler lamps and chandeliers for one of the most classic looks in western lodge and home décor. You can also make your own lamps from drift wood or pottery. But, if you can’t add new lamps, chances are that rawhide shades will work with your existing lamps too. Lampshades made of stretched rawhide will really add to that cowboy feel even with traditional lamps. The most important thing is to keep the design functional.

Along with rustic lighting and the warm glow of rawhide lampshades around the room, add style and color with woven Indian style area rugs. If you already have hardwood floors, you will be well on your way to a great western feel. But a wooden floor while beautiful can have a cold empty feel. Using colorful hand woven wool rugs, table runners and place mats will warm the room and heighten the western theme. And if you have wall to wall carpeting, the wool southwest rugs will work perfectly to transform your décor. Be on the look out for Navajo rugs and weavings or at least reproductions of classic Native American patterns. Try some on the wall too as tapestries for a rich full look.

With rustic lamps, rawhide lamp shades and floor and walls adorned, look at the windows. If possible leave them uncovered. If you don’t already have rustic wood trimmed windows, try adding a rough wood plank across the top to give to affect of a wood beam like used in southwestern pueblos. If you have to use window treatments for privacy, try a wooden valance with simple straight panel curtains.

Finish with other rustic elements like wrought iron and wood accessories. Think about door knobs or cabinet and drawer pulls in western styles and some log furniture pieces. Other unique accessories will be stoneware and painted Indian pottery. And, one of the most basic techniques to add color and texture is to place a western throw blanket over the back of a chair or end of a couch. Rawhide lamp shades work especially well in the bedroom along with southwest bedspreads. Lay a cowhide down as a rug and your new western look will be complete.

Craig Chambers is an expert on missiondelrey.com/whse.html rawhide lamp shades who has written numerous articles and posted a website with information and ideas for southwest and western decorating. mailto:info@missiondelrey.com info@missiondelrey.com

How often do you enter a room and find certain details or areas that you feel good about? Are there areas in your own home that you find nice or appealing? In interior design, these are good features of a room. There is a decorating philosophy that goes, “Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”. By following this basic interior design philosophy you can highlight the positive or good features of the room and come up with a pleasing design scheme. Let’s say you have a beautiful fire place in your living room. This is a good feature and often a fireplace is used as a focal point in interior design. The first thing you want to do is accentuate this good feature by making it the focus of attention and building a conversation area around it.

It is rather easy to notice the positive details of any given room, making the task of accentuating the positive features easier, but how do you deal with the problem areas? The interior design philosophy teaches us to eliminate the negative and when it is impossible to eliminate it, just camouflage it. Do you have any area in your home that you wish doesn’t exist or is it in a particular architectural style that doesn’t go with your own personal taste or does it have pillars or columns that are distracting?

Here are some possibilities of problem areas that you might have in your home and how to deal with these.

How would you deal with a wall containing a distracting column?

1. You can make it disappear by installing cabinets that will fill the spaces on either side of it. This will make the column appear as if it were part of the straight wall because it is already in line with the cabinet’s face.

2. If your area is big enough and you can afford to lose some space, just simply build a new wall that runs across the face of the column.

3. The simplest and least expensive way is to paint the wall and column with one color, making the column blend into the wall and thus make it appear less obvious.

Have you come across a room with a pillar planted right in the middle? I bet you wanted to hack that pillar right off the floor. The problem with a pillar placed right in the middle of a room is that it cannot just be removed as much as we want to. This usually is essential in the structure’s integrity and eliminating this is definitely not an option. How then will you deal with this kind of a problem? Although this is not a positive feature of a room, you might want to accentuate it and make it stand out. Instead of looking at it in a negative perspective, try to make it a positive feature by making it the focal point.

1. You can paint the pillar a brilliant color, especially if you are planning to have a high-tech or avant-garde room.

2. You can also use some eye-catching device or paint it in stripes to catch attention.

3. If you are planning to have a traditional room, try installing an intricately designed capital and make the pillar stand out.

4. If you have a large room, a mid-room pillar may actually give you the opportunity to divide one big room into two. The pillar could be used as a starting point of a wall that will convert one huge room into two different areas.

5. The easiest and least expensive way to camouflage a pillar is to paint it with the same color as the walls. Although this is not a very effective way to eliminate the irritating center pillar it can at least make it less obvious.

6. The best way to make a mid-room pillar disappear is to mirror it. This is very effective since the mirror will just merely reflect the rest of the room.

Having vivid mental pictures and good imaginations of how things should look like will enable you to solve your interior design dilemmas. And with some help from the interior designer’s well followed philosophy, you can create the same harmonious room that often only designers can achieve.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to interior-design.guide-for-you.com/ Interior Design

Wall mounting your Plasma or LCD TV can be achieved in five easy steps. Tools required are a ratchet set for the mount screws, drill, level or tape measure, sheet rock knife (if placing wires in the wall).

Step 1) Determine where you want to mount your TV. Consider a place where direct sunlight will not hit the TV. You may also want to think about where you can position the speakers to get the best surround sound and where the best arrangement for seating. General rule is that the seating distance should be 1.5 times from the diagonal size of the TV. When seated the bottom of the TV should be at eye height.

Step 2) Now that you know where the TV will be located, the next step is to locate the studs in the wall. It is very important that your TV mount be securely fastened to a stud and not just the wallboard. The easiest way to the studs is to buy a stud finder ($20 at Home Depot).

Step 3) Now that we know where the TV will be and where the studs are in the wall, we need to determine how to run the cables from your equipment to where the TV will be on the wall. One option is to run the cables in the wall. Another option is to use a cable cover then texture and paint the cover to match the wall. If running cables in the wall, cut a hole where the TV will be and cut a hole where your equipment will be. Make sure the holes do not cross over a stub unless you plan on drilling a hole in the stud for the cables to run through. Run the wires in the wall.

Step 4) Now that the wires are run and we know where the mount needs to be, the next step is to connect the mount to the wall. Make sure that the mount is level, either by using a level or my measuring from the floor to each side of the mount. Also make sure the screws go into the studs and that you drill starter holes for the screws so that you do not crack the studs. Most mounts come with the screws and tell you which size holes to drill.

Step 5) Last step is to place the TV on the mount. This is actually the hardest step, make sure you have help with this step as it is difficult to see the mount and lift the TV at the same time.

For additional details, pictures and tips for each step, see our

When building your home or redecorating, choosing your flooring is going to be one of the most important elements in giving your home its unique character, look and feel. Selecting the right flooring fore your home though, is not just as simple as choosing the look you want. There is so much more to take into consideration before you find the right floor for you.

Tip One - Think about the kind of lifestyle you lead before you pick your flooring. An extremely important thing to consider when choosing your flooring is its durability and toughness. If you have a large family and pets, hardwoods may not be the most ideal choice as they are not as durable as most floors and can tend to stain easily as well as being sensitive to water and humidity.

If you want something that is stain resistant and tough then laminates may be a good floor to consider. They have become a very popular choice these days. Many even come warranties for 25 – 40 years to guarantee their durability. Tiles are also good for durability and are easy to clean. Certain types of carpet can be great for durability as well but may be harder to clean.

Tip Two - Make sure you don’t get so caught up in how the flooring looks that you neglect to think about comfort. Carpet is great from children as it is a little more cushioned than other floors. Also take in to consideration the climate you live in. A wood floor may not be the best option if you live in a cold climate as it can get drafty. Carpets are a better choice for cold climates and you can even consider floor heating. Tiles and Laminate can also be cold although you can put mats over them

Tip Three - Choosing the right look for your home can be a challenge. Make sure you have an idea of the look and feel you want before choosing your flooring as it can make a massive difference. Hardwood was a popular floor for the wealthy in old times and still has a natural warmth about it that is just exquisite. It has a timeless classic look and there are many different types of hardwood to suit many home styles. Everything from the regal air of Brazilian cherry to the welcoming warmth and elegance of Maple hardwood.

Laminate looks very modern and sleek and ads sophistication and simplicity to any home.
Floor tiles can be of stone, slate, marble, ceramic, wood, linoleum or carpet and are available in a bewildering variety of shapes, sizes, colors and qualities that can be matched with almost any style of home.

An attractive floor matched with interiors of your house can drastically enhance the total look of your home so choose carefully!
Tip Four - One thing you want to know up front is how much cleaning and maintenance your flooring is going to need and how easy it is to clean and maintain. Hardwoods take a little more care. They need careful cleaning and maintenance where as most carpets require minimal care as do laminates and tiles. For rooms that get a lot of family use like kitchen and bathrooms, it is important that floors for these rooms are easy to clean. Linoleum and textured vinyl can be a pain as dirt can accumulate in the crevices and also, tiles with white grout can become stained and dirty looking. If hardwoods are kept in these areas it can be a pain as they don’t cope well with spillages and humidity.

Matthew Dickinson is a freelance writer who has become an expert in Flooring and Home Improvement and has written over 200 articles on the topic including independent reviews of online flooring retailers, tips and advice on flooring and also reviews of different flooring types.