This article is written by a pro of refinishing hardwood floors since I have done too many to count. Maybe 300 would be a good guess. My father was in the business full time (as well as aluminum windows and doors (which I’ll write another article about that soon) and while I attended college, and for a short time after, I worked with him as well as on my own refinishing hardwood floors.

In fact, I just did my mother-in-law’s last summer and my back still hurts!

Before you even think of starting this DIY project, you need to be fairly good shape. There is a lot of bending, kneeling and scraping…if you do it right.

Ok, you still are here reading so I guess you are serious :o)

Here are the easy? steps to a beautiful, shiny hardwood floor:

Determine what kind of finish you would like first. There are a couple choices, flat, medium gloss and high gloss. It’s strictly taste as they both wear the same. I prefer a polyurethane paint but some like varnishes. I found urethane to be a durable finish and won’t yellow over time. Look for ‘non-yellowing’ on the can. They come in either oil or water based, and I prefer water base for the ease of clean up.

Go to your local hardware store that carries floor sanders, edger sander, pain scrapers, sandpaper (medium) and the floor paint.

Prepare your floor by filling in any blemishes, depressions, cracks and nail holes.

Sweep and then vacuum floor. (at this point I would hang a plastic sheet over any door openings if the door has been removed (new construction etc).

Sand main floor being careful to keep sander going in same direction. Start with a coarse sandpaper and switch to finer for second sanding. The first sanding is to get to bare wood and the second for a finished look.

Sand the edges. The trick here is to use a fairly light touch and rotate the sander in semi-circle reducing sand marks.

Now the fun part. Take your scraper in scrape the corners and under heaters. Don’t worry about under heaters too much as it won’t be that noticeable.

Whew! The hard part is done. Now the fun part. Sweep and vacuum floor and if you see a swirl or sanding marks scrape the out.

Put the sealer down. Wait at least 2 hours, hand sand the whole floor, vacuum and apply the urethane. If you don’t have air conditioning, put a fan on the floor to dry it quicker.

I usually waited at least 4-5 hours for it dry, most of the time overnight. I recommend at least 2 coats of urethane for a durable, hard finish.

You’re done! Wow not so bad was it?

Oh yeah,

Email me for a chiropractor lol

Dan Farrell is the owner of closet-organizer-plan.com closet-organizer-plan.com where you can get a free closet organizer plan and
other home improvement ideas and articles.

There are many factors affecting the growth of an indoor bonsai plant, it usually depends on its kind. Some grow fast, while others have an average or slow growth.You cannot control their natural growth since each plant has their own genetic predisposition.

The good news is there are vital controllable factors that affect all bonsai plant’s growth and you can use them to gain maximum growth results.

Here is a list of things you can do and control and maximize your bonsai plant’s growth.

Containers/Pots

Containers play a vital role in the growth of your bonsai, they serve as the “living space” for your bonsai and the use of the proper pot will ensure your bonsai’s growth. There are two categories for pots: training pots and display pots.
Training pots are used until the plant has become stable and healthy enough to transfer to a display pot which requires a more stable and grown indoor bonsai plant.

There are many training pots available in the market, from plastic, wood and other material. The first thing you should remember when choosing a pot is practicality.

It must be able to hold the soil safely and have enough space to accommodate the plant’s growth and stability. It is important to note that different plants have different sizes and growth patterns.

You should always remember to inquire about the best pot for your plant when buying. A mandatory feature of all pots you buy is a drainage hole at the bottom to prevent waterlogged roots that will kill your plant.

After the indoor bonsai plant grows in the training pot to a stable and healthy size that is the time you can transfer it to a display pot, always remember to follow the tips above when you buy a display pot for your indoor bonsai plant.

Feeding

The process of photosynthesis requires water, sunlight and air and to produce food for the plant. Outdoor Bonsai Plants also get nutrients from their soil regularly while indoor bonsai plants have limited supply in their soil.

The controlled environment of the indoor bonsai plant is extremely different from the outdoor plants. There are three things that should be done to ensure the growth of your bonsai. These are lighting, watering and supplementing.

Lighting

The best light for your bonsai plant is sunlight and a correct amount of light for your bonsai is crucial to its growth. The problem is there are no simple solutions to the amount of light bonsai trees require. A typical amount of good lighting would be indirect sufficient lighting, a place where the light varies throughout the day. (Like a window) However, different plants have different lighting requirements and it is best to speak to a bonsai supplier or enthusiast for further advice.

Watering

You should water your plant regularly and check its dryness. A regularly watered bonsai plant grows faster. It is also important to note that watering should be done before putting supplements like fertilizer.

Supplementing

indoor bonsai plants are placed in a man-made container which lacks the natural nutrients and minerals that soil has that increase the growth of the plant and maintains its health. We can supplement this by using fertilizer once a week during summer and once a month during winter to augment the natural nutrients. Just remember that fertilizer is not medicine and will only make a sick plant worse and might even kill it.

Now that you know the factors that affect the growth of indoor bonsai plants and the tips on how to maximize its growth you should implement these tips and watch your indoor bonsai plant’s growth increase in no time!

Attention: Worried sick of the white spots on your bonsai trunk, or just don’t know for sure when to water your plant? Check out indoor-bonsai-plants.com/bonsai-indoor-plant-guidebook/ The Bonsai Indoor Plant Guidebook, a 9-page read that is sure to put you on the right track!

Your home has a vintage feel to it. You have a lot of old fashioned and traditional furnishings, plus, decorations and a home interior to match. So, when you are going out shopping looking for new pieces of furniture, you need ones that are going to fit into your home’s present décor and antique wood end tables would a wonderful selection that would work well in your home.

Antique wood end tables have a very pleasing look that is sure to enhance the appearance of any room that they are put in. Obviously they are crafted out of wood, but there are many different woods used to make them and each has a very distinguished and beautiful look, featuring many lovely finishes. A few of those wood options include maple, pine, oak, and cedar while some finishes include antique, cherry, black, and many more. Usually, these fine furnishings will feature a lot of intricate detailing, including elegant scrollwork, carvings, edging, and lovely accent touches like eye-catching hardware and even hand painted designs, patterns, and inlays. Sometimes they will just be very simple and will have a table top and supporting for legged base and other times they will have a table top that has an apron, a drawer or side cabinets for storage, extra shelves to display items, and instead of the four legs will have a single pedestal base. All the options make it easy to find the perfect one for you and your space.

Not only are antique wood end tables a fabulous choice for a home that is traditionally decorated, but one would also be a lovely choice for a modern home as well. Like, if you are looking to add a vintage look to a room or if you want something that is just a little different from everything else in your home. One would be a nice addition. However, if you are not into antique wood end tables, there are also many other kinds of end tables to choose from that fit well into any setting. Other selections include those of the modern variety that are made from metal or wood that have glass table tops, ones that are a little more artsy that feature unique designs and styling using all types of materials, and ones that are plain, yet sophisticated and are made out of wood. From traditional to modern, there are many that you can choose from. For a quick way to see the many different options, just hit the World Wide Web and do some online shopping. You can easily compare prices without ever having to leave your home.

So, if your home has a classic feel to it, or you simply want a furnishing that is a little more traditional than what you have, an excellent choice for you are antique wood end tables. Extremely appealing to the eye, one or a few would be a fabulous way to enhance the look of your home.

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Patio furniture has evolved through the ages in a way that these units are no longer bulky and space filling ones. Style and elegance are the keywords among designers of patio furniture these days. Any type of furniture that is used in a garden, lawn or even at a poolside is entitled to be called patio furniture. In such circumstances patio furniture consists of a table and a set of chairs to start. Additional units include a coffee table, chaise lounge and a love seat.

Patio furniture can be available in any size or shape you desire. In a large spacious area, large deck patio furniture is needed and if you get it customized you get better results. In smaller areas it is possible to choose small patio furniture to broadcast a cozy and intimate setting. Patio furniture can also include dining tables and benches when you feel the need to entertain outside the home area. In such cases it makes sense to buy all your patio furniture in bulk and not buy them piece by piece. The logic is buying in bulk ensures well matched and blended patio furniture, but buying in small increments might not give a natural look to your patio.

Patio furniture that is chosen sensibly adds to the relaxing atmosphere of your patio and can actually be the focus of a calming effect on your senses. This is because there is nothing like a well maintained patio to give you the perfect atmosphere to unwind after a long day at the office.

Patio furniture is available in a variety of materials including teak, bamboo, wicker, wrought iron, plastic and redwood. Each material has its own followers, but teak patio furniture is by far the most popular among consumers today. When shopping for patio furniture the prime consideration has to be the quality of the material. This is because the patio furniture is installed outdoors and is hence exposed to moisture, sunlight and sometimes rain as well.

Weather resistant materials are the best option when going for patio furniture. If your patio is an enclosed space as in covered by a roof then you need not bother with the elements and can go for the most elegant and stylish designs available irrespective of the material. Patio furniture needs to be carefully placed and cleaned because this is the first feature of your home that is noticed by guests. A well maintained patio is a sight to behold indeed.

Another great addition to your patio furniture is accessories. From seat cushions to umbrellas, you can choose the best material that can add a personal touch to your patio furniture. Umbrellas are a great addition to patio furniture especially if it is placed outdoors as in a lawn of a garden. Here under the umbrella your guests can enjoy themselves without feeling the heat or elemental fury on hot summer days. Patio furniture is an essential part of a home and choosing the right pieces can indeed be pleasing to the eye.

Jennifer Akre, owner of many niche home decor and garden sites gives product information on eadirondackstyle.com/adirondack-chairs.html adirondack chairs and eadirondackstyle.com/adirondack-benches.html garden benches. Surround yourself in style. Click today - Shop for: eadirondackstyle.com/ teak patio furniture