The Home Of Occultissimo

The popularity of slate flooring in residential and commercial interiors as well as exteriors can be primarily attributed to its versatility and aesthetic appeal. An extremely sturdy stone product, slate forms a worthy alternative to wood as flooring material. Minute silt and clay particles bind under high temperature and pressure to form slate, giving the stone its monolithic texture. Slate is as smooth as plastic laminate and its ultra-fine texture gives this natural stone product its impervious nature.

Slate Flooring: Advantages

Due to its fine molecular structure, slate flooring is reputed to have several advantages over other kinds of flooring. It is generally preferred for maximum traffic areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and porches. These are areas that are also exposed to water spillages. Some of the features of slate that makes it a practical flooring option include:

* Slate ise moistur-, stain- and slip-resistant, guaranteeing a firm footing.

* This material is also bacteria and allergen resistant, and therefore reduces the risk of diseases at home.

* Slate is very affordable when compared to marble or granite, and with a distinctive surface, it is as beautiful as its alternatives.

* Not only is it resistant to dirt, but this type of flooring is also very easy to clean and maintain. Regular mopping with mild detergent is all it requires.

Apart from this, slate is easy to install and is available in an array of beautiful and subtle color variations that can enhance the appearance of any decor.

Slate Flooring: Caution

On exposure to water, slate flooring absorbs it quite easily. This causes the flooring sheen to fade quickly. To avoid this, ensure that the flooring is sealed with waterproof resin which prevents water absorption and fading. This will help maintain and preserve the appearance of the flooring material for a longer time period.

The Flying Stars are hitting some pretty serious areas in my home this year. You could say they are zipping through and pinging off all over the place. What are the Flying Stars you ask? Well…I’m glad you asked. Flying Stars is one of the schools of thought in Feng Shui (the study of placements). The idea is that the stars move around. There is a 20-year cycle, a yearly cycle, monthly cycle, day cycle, and even an hour cycle. Right now we are in the 20-year #8 cycle of making money. That means that wherever the eight falls in the grid on the other cycles, we want to activate that area.

For now though, let’s take a look at the 5-element pagoda cure. In 2010, the #5 yellow star of Misfortune and the #2 black star of Illness are of particular concern to people born in the Tiger years (of the Chinese zodiac). If you are a female Tiger person/matriarch/elderly and living in a bedroom in the southwest corner of the house, you need to get yourself a 5-element pagoda or 5-element bell immediately, if not sooner.

Because the #5 star resides in the southwest and the #2 star is in the northeast (the Tiger direction), they both carry a double whammy for Tigers. They are on the same axis, which increases the effect of each. The #2 black star of Illness being in the Tiger direction is bad enough, but the #5 yellow star of Misfortune brings “illness, injury, and/or death”. Ok Tigers, all together now: “Eeeeeek!”

The 5-element pagoda is a nifty little device made of brass. It has 5 sections corresponding to the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth, metal) and usually contains some kind of protective mantra or symbol on the outside. The interior is hollow, with a slot-base cover. The idea is to place soil from around your house, protective mantras, and crystals inside to effectively ‘lock up the chi’ and transmute any harmful energies before they can reach you.

Combining comfort and elegance in your contemporary home decor is easy and affordable. For starters, find time to research and choose from the myriad of closet door ideas that will help transform your traditional home into a modern one and provide the perfect oasis where you can retire and rejuvenate after a long and stressful day.

Gone are the days when closet doors were designed solely to be used as covers for your closets. Often they are bulky and plain and not much thought were given on their purchase. Nowadays, they have become versatile in their functions and designs that many are great replacement doors.

Closet Door Styles and How They Can Make a Difference to Your Home:

Small rooms will benefit from bifold or sliding doors. Both these styles do not require that you clear some space in front of your closet to allow you to open the door. These designs eliminate the possibility that you will bang the door on the foot of your bed or on the wall. These styles are also great for large or walk-in closets as they provide complete access to the interior.

Louvered doors are great for shoe closets or linen closets or in areas where enhance air flow is needed. The slats of these doors are very functional and can also bring a decorative touch by using plexiglass, glass or mirrors. You can also buy an unfinished door to allow you to paint or stain them with a color or combination of colors that you want.

Exchange that wood closet door with mirrors to expand your room and bring in more light to the area. A floor to ceiling mirrored door can double as full-length mirror and thus, you can make the front of your closet as your dressing area. This door style is truly functional and at the same time brings elegance and class to any room in your house. Just make sure that you choose a high quality mirror for that continuous and non-distorting reflection.

If you’re getting ready to tackle a bathroom remodeling job, it’s a good idea to consider how to plan your bathroom so that it saves you money in the long term. There are plenty of articles and sites to give you ideas about how to get good deals on materials and labor — but have you considered the benefits that come from incorporating eco-friendly design in your project? Planning to conserve energy in your bathroom remodel doesn’t just save the green in your pocket — it’s also a great way to make a contribution to the environment as you reduce your carbon footprint.

These days it pays to be energy efficient, not just to reduce your own fuel bills but also as part of the obligation we all have to be responsible in our use of limited natural resources. There are government initiatives to help homeowners limit their environmental impact, such as recycling programs and home insulation initiatives, as people understand how each of us can make a difference.

What would a bathroom be without water? And yet, in many parts of the world, it is one of the most valuable resources. There are many ways in which we can limit our use of water — for example, by reducing the amount of time we spend under the shower. But modern plumbing fixtures also help to minimize water usage. So how can you plan a bathroom makeover that will reduce your energy costs and protect the environment at the same time? Here are some ideas to consider:

Low Flush Toilets: According to the American Water Works Association, flushing the toilet uses on average 20.1 gallons of water per person per day. Installing a low flush or dual flush toilet can help halve the amount of water used.

Having an ice maker can be really helpful when you need some additional ice making capacity. This can be when you are hosting a party or when you have some guests at home during the warm summer month. If you do not have one then you might consider getting one as the prices have really gone down recently. For those that do not know how to choose an ice maker I have written this short article and hope that it will be useful for you.

The first thing that you should take into account is your budget. Ice maker come in different models and it will all depend on your budget. Obviously the more you will be prepared to pay the more powerful the appliance will be. In fact you should think well on your requirement before actually choosing your maker. For instance you can have a maker for around $200 but this model will have a hard time producing more than 30 pounds of ice per day. It will all depend on your requirements and the amount of ice you need.

You should also take into account the size of the machine and its weight. The size of the maker will be really important if you live in a flat where space is at a premium. In this case choosing an ice maker that is too bulky is a no-no and should be avoided at all cost. Similarly you will also want a maker that is portable and that you will be able to move around easily. You might even think about lending your maker to a friend that needs a maker. Only a portable one will allow you to fulfill all these requirements.