Update Cabinets To A Shaker Style

Shaker-style kitchen cabinet doors with modern-style hardware handles.

Shaker style references historically important furniture made by the Shakers. This furniture was known for its simplicity of style and design and its focus on function over form. Shaker style became associated with the Arts and Crafts movement in architecture that emphasized natural woods and organic forms. This resulted in similar Shaker woodwork and trims being incorporated in many Arts and Crafts bungalows of the early 1900s. Creating a Shaker look on cabinets is one way to update a plain-faced cabinet into a more pleasing profile while still keeping the cabinet simple. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove the cabinet door from the cabinet and take off all hardware and hinges from the door. The best type of door to convert is a flat-panel style cabinet door.

2. Sand the front and side edges of the cabinet door to remove the existing finish. Measure the width of the door and cut two pieces of 1/4-by-2 1/2-inch board to this length with a table saw. Position one board horizontally across the top of the door and align the corners. Clamp the board to the door. Position the second board horizontally along the bottom edge of the cabinet door and clamp it.

3. Measure between the top and bottom clamped boards. Cut two pieces of 1/4-by-2 1/2-inch board to this length. Position the first board aligned vertically to the left side and the second board aligned to the right. Your boards should make a frame around the face of the door. Remove your clamps and boards, and sand your edges to make your boards smooth.

4. Apply a bead of carpenter's glue to the back side of each board and press the board back into the position you test fit earlier. Align the edges and clamp each board. Repeat for all four boards. Allow the glue to dry for 12 hours.

5. Remove the clamps. Wood fill any cracks or holes, and scrape clean with a putty knife. Allow 30 minutes for the fill to dry, and sand the door smooth.

6. Paint with primer using a paint designed for kitchen cabinets. Allow the primer to dry for 6 hours. Paint with kitchen cabinet paint. Allow 4 hours between coats if you need to apply more than one coat.

7. Attach the cabinet door to the cabinet using the same hinge points. Add new hardware. This updates the cabinet face appearance. Repeat with all the doors and drawers, and paint the faces of the cabinet to match the new doors.

Tags: cabinet door, 2-inch board, 2-inch board this, 4-by-2 2-inch, 4-by-2 2-inch board

Build A Bear Dresser

Even teddy bears need a place to keep their clothes. If your kid's teddy bear (or yours, for that matter) needs a place to call home, a bear dresser is a great place to start. Model furniture is actually fairly simple to construct from small wood pieces, and it looks impressive when finished. You can also paint the furniture however you like or simply leave it with the rough and unfinished look of sanded wood.

Instructions

1. Measure the support pieces of the model out of wood. Mark out four legs from 1/2-by-1/2-inch wood at 8-1/2-inches, and a bottom siding at 4-1/2-inches long. Use 1/8-by-1/2-inch wood to make four 2-1/2-inch side trim pieces, and two 4-1/2-inch back trim pieces.

2. Measure out the side panels for the dresser. The top should measure 3-3/4-inches by 6-inches. The two sides will be 2-1/2-inches by 8-inches, and the back at 4-1/2-inches by 8-inches. You'll also need six shelves, 2-7/8-inches long by 4-1/2-inches. You also need the bottom shelf, cut it to 2-3/8-inches by 4-1/2-inches. The top drawers also need a central divider, cut to 2-7/8-inches by 1-inch.

3. Mark out the drawer pieces in the wood planks. From the 1/4-by-1/2-inch wood, you need sixteen 2-5/8-inch long drawer glides, four 2-1/8-inch upper drawer front pieces and four 4-1/2-inch long lower drawer fronts. Make the sides of the drawers from 1/4-by-3/4-inch wood, and cut sixteen pieces at 2-1/2-inches long. The drawer bottoms are made of 1/8-inch thick wood, four each at 1-3/8-inches by 2-1/2-inches for the upper and 4-by-2-1/2-inches for the lower drawers.

4. Cut out all of the pieces, and sand the edges. Lay them out on a piece of paper in small stacks, and label what each piece is on the paper.

5. Lay one side panel face-up, with the narrow edge facing you. Dab glue along the left and right sides of this panel, and place a pair of legs on the glue. The top of the legs should line up with the top of the panel.

6. Glue two pieces of side trim to the back panel at the top and bottom, and to the legs.

7. Repeat the previous steps to make the other side. Leave the glue to dry for 20 minutes.

8. Flip one side-panel over. Dab some glue along the bottom side of the panel, and glue the bottom shelf to the underside, perpendicular to the side panel. Glue a shelf to the very top, also perpendicular to the side panel. Leave this glue to dry for 20 minutes. You can perform the next step while waiting.

9. Glue the back trim to the top and bottom of the back panel. Leave this to dry for 15 minutes.

10. Dab glue along the back of the shelves and the back edge of the side panel. Stick the back panel to this glue. Leave the glue to dry for 10 minutes.

11. Hold a shelf divider against the top shelf on the side panel. Mark the bottom of it. Hold a shelf perpendicular against the bottom of the divider, and mark the bottom of it.

12. Shift the divider so that it is against the bottom-most mark, and mark the bottom of the divider. Hold the shelf next to it and mark again. Repeat to mark the locations for all of the shelves.

13. Hold a shelf so that the long edge faces you. Mark the center of the front and back of this piece. Dab some glue along the center and place a divider on top of the glue. Repeat to make a second upper shelf piece.

14. Dab glue along the top mark for the shelf, the back panel, and along the top of a divider. Glue this upper shelf into place. Repeat with the next mark for the next upper shelf.

15. Dab glue along the remaining marks and glue the remaining shelves into place.

16. Glue the remaining side panel into place over the back panel and the shelves. Leave the dresser to dry for 20 minutes while you assemble the drawers.

17.Try fitting the drawer fronts into the shelf spaces and sand where necessary. Each shelf should fit into at least one spot on the front of the dresser. Repeat with the bottoms as well.

18. Place a drawer bottom so that the front of the drawer faces you. Glue along the left and right edges of the piece, on the top. Then glue the sides of the drawer to the piece.

19. Glue along the back edge of the piece, inside the sides and at the back. Stick the back panel into this slot.

20. Glue along the front edge of the drawer and stick the front panel onto the piece. Repeat these steps to make all of the drawers, four lower drawers and four upper drawers.

21. Stick glue along the back of one of the glider pieces. Stick this into a shelf and hold it against the side. Repeat on the other side. Wait about five minutes for the glue to dry, then slide a drawer into place. Repeat with the remaining drawers.

22. Tack the drawer pulls into the center of each drawer.

23. Pull out all of the drawers, leave the model on its back to dry overnight.

Tags: side panel, back panel, Hold shelf, into place, 2-inch wood

Grow Olive Trees In Georgia

Olive trees thrive in Georgia's zone 8B.

Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region. They thrive in temperate climates with moderate rain fall. Olive trees are sensitive to the cold and cannot thrive in temperatures below 12 degrees Fahrenheit. In Georgia, olive trees grow well in zone 8B on the USDA Hardiness Zone map. Some South Georgia blueberry farmers have begun planting olive trees. There is a high demand for olive oil, and most blueberry farmers have the necessary equipment for growing and harvesting olives. When planting olive trees in Georgia, a few guidelines increase the survival rate of the trees. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Look on the USDA hardiness zone map to determine whether your area is included (see Resources below).

2. Choose an olive varietal shown to do well in southern Georgia. According to The Valdosta Daily Times, the Arbequina, Arbosana and Koroneiki varietals are being planted on commercial farms in southern Georgia.

3. Find a location on the south side of the yard in which to plant the tree. A southern location helps prevent the olive tree from freezing.

4. Check the pH of the soil with a pH detector. The soil needs to be between 5.5 and 8.5. According to the University of Georgia, South Georgia soil is typically sandy and acidic. Most likely you will need to amend the soil for growing olives. Add sulfur to raise the pH or lime to decrease it.

5. Fertilize the soil in preparation by adding compost, manure, or peat moss. Till these organic material into the surface to break up dirt and deliver the best results.

6. Plant in the spring after the last freeze of the year. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and no deeper than the olive tree's root system.

7. Place the tree in the hole. Cover the roots with the soil you removed from the hole originally. Pat the soil down firmly to remove air pockets.

8. Add mulch to the bottom of the tree (about 1 and 1/2 feet up the trunk) to prevent the tree from freezing in infancy. Maintain this mulch for the first five years of growth.

9. Water the plant with 1 inch or water every 10 days to mimic the Mediterranean climate.

10. Fertilize the soil around the tree with 1.5 to 2 feet of nitrogen fertilizer once a year.

11. Prune the branches so three or four main supporting branches begin approximately 3 feet from the ground.

Tags: blueberry farmers, blueberry farmers have, farmers have, Fertilize soil, from freezing, olive tree

Grants For School Furniture

There are many organizations that give support to schools for equipment such as furniture. Some give money, while others give the physical equipment itself. The best thing about grants is that they don't have to be paid back.

3M Company Contributions Program

3M Company Contributions Program gives grants in the form of donations to schools for equipment such as furniture. The 3M Company limits funding from $5,000 to $50,000.

3M Company Contributions Program

3M Ctr., Bldg. 225-1S-23

St. Paul, MN 55144-1000

(651) 733-0144

AMB Foundation

AMB Foundation provides grants for equipment such as furniture to schools with awards ranging from $2,000 to $12,000. Send a letter asking for a request for proposal (RFP) to find out the specific guidelines for the grant.

AMB Foundation

P.O. Box 94717

Phoenix, AZ 85070-4717

The Robert S. and Eloise C. Bowers Foundation

The Robert S. and Eloise C. Bowers Foundation has grants available for schools to use for furniture. Grants are awarded that range from $2,500 to $12,500, and initial inquires should be made for guidelines and application procedures.

The Robert S. and Eloise C. Bowers Foundation

6421 Avondale Dr., Ste. 210

Oklahoma City, OK 73116-6429

(405) 202-7708

Gifts In Kind International

Gifts In Kind International gives furniture donations to schools with nonprofit status. A letter with program information and the need for furniture should be sent in a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Gifts In Kind International

333 N. Fairfax St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-2632

(703) 836-2121

http://www.giftsinkind.org

Toshiba America Foundation

Toshiba America Foundation has $10,000 to $20,000 grants for many aspects of education including equipment like furniture for schools. An application can be downloaded and mailed to the organization.

Toshiba America Foundation

c/o Prog. Office

1251 Ave. of the Americas, 41st Fl.

New York, NY 10020-4110

(212) 596-0620

http://www.taf.toshiba.com

Tags: America Foundation, Bowers Foundation, Company Contributions, Company Contributions Program, Contributions Program

Missoni History

Missoni History

Ottavio and Rosita Missoni opened a small knitwear workshop in Gallarate, Italy after marrying in 1953, creating the now-famous knitwear that characterizes the family-run global fashion house to this day. Does this Spark an idea?

History

Originally a sportswear manufacturer, Missoni expanded its line of knits, which are highlighted by their colorful waves, stripes and zigzag patterns, and caught the attention of Italian Vogue's Anna Piaggi and American Vogue's Diana Vreeland in 1967, thus attracting international acclaim.

Significance

The global fashion line Missoni remains family-owned, with a member of the youngest generation of Missoni's, Margherita Missoni, acting as Missoni's brand ambassador.

Time Frame

Angela Missoni took over designing for Missoni from her mother in 1997 and, according to The Online Home of Vogue, expanded the line, creating M for Missoni as well as a footwear line. Rosita Missoni continues to oversee Missoni Home for the label.

Types

Since its creation, Missoni has developed over 25 sub-lines that include Missoni Home, Missoni menswear, fragrance lines and M Missoni, which is a lower-priced line. As of 2009 the company had partnered with the Rezidor Hotel group to launch Hotel Missonis in Paris, Miami, Dubai and Edinburgh.

Fun Fact

Ottavio Missoni met his future wife Rosita at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. Ottavio designed the Italian team's uniforms and was also competing as a runner while Rosita was in London studying English.

Famous Ties

According to New York magazine, famous Missoni clientele include actresses Cameron Diaz, Nicole Richie, Demi Moore, Katie Holmes and Drew Barrymore.

Tags: expanded line, global fashion, Missoni History, Missoni Home, Rosita Missoni

Mission Style Window Treatment Ideas

Spanish churches inspired Mission Style.

Mission style, sometimes called Mission Revival Style, was inspired by old Spanish churches built in the Southwest and California in the late 1800s. The movement merged with the Arts and Crafts style of the early 1900s.

Born out of humble beginnings of the Spanish missionaries, mission style is simple, warm and inviting. Windows in Mission Style architecture feature beautiful wood trim and sometimes stained glass. Because Mission Style windows are decorative and artsy, when selecting window treatments, it is important to choose options that compliment the window without concealing it. Does this Spark an idea?

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds work perfectly with Mission Style windows. Feel free to go with a different color wood than the trim. Honey oak, deep cherry or natural maple can be mixed with mahogany. Choose larger slats to maintain the arts-and-crafts look. If possible, mount the hardware for the blinds inside the window.

Shutters

Shutters offer some of the same benefits for Mission Style windows as blinds. However, because shutters use hinges, they can be opened to fully expose the Mission Style window and create the illusion of a larger window. Installing shutters only on the lower half of the window creates depth and character.

Café Curtains

Café curtains only cover the bottom half of a window. This options is perfect for windows in the kitchen or in areas of the home where privacy and sunlight are not a problem. Mount the hardware outside of the window trim and choose wooden rods for added warmth. Avoid ruffles or frilly trim on the fabric, as this may clash with the clean lines associated with Mission Style.

Woven Texture Shades

Rattan, bamboo or grass cloth are a few of the woven-texture shades that look great with Mission Style windows. Using woven texture shades can create interest. These shades provide protection from sunlight without blocking the light all together. As with blinds, it is best to mount these inside the window.

Nothing

That's right, nothing. If your Mission Style windows have stained glass or elaborate mill work, forgoing treatments is a beautiful option. This works best with a wall of windows in the back of the home, with a view of a wooded area or scenic back yard. Too much unfiltered sunlight can damage upholstery and rugs.

Tags: Mission Style, Mission Style windows, Style windows, with Mission, with Mission Style, half window, inside window

Mission Style Window Treatments

Instead of covering your windows, add stained glass for a decorative look.

If you live in a bungalow or other Mission style house, carrying the style throughout your home creates an authentic, unified look for the space. Also known as Arts and Crafts decor, Mission style decorating is all about clean, simple lines and natural materials. Inspired by the look of late 19th-century Spanish missions, Mission homes heavily feature wood and warm, earthy shades. When it comes to window treatments, the look should be simple and natural to match the rest of the house. There are several attractive options, so you can vary the treatments throughout your home. Does this Spark an idea?

Stained Glass

Instead of covering your windows, install stained glass windows for an authentic Mission style feel. Because the Spanish churches inspired the Mission style, colorful, stained glass is a staple of the d cor. In a living room or dining room, large stained glass windows make an attractive focal point. However, you can also use smaller, horizontal windows with stained glass on either side of your front door or in your den or family room to add color and pattern. You can opt for stained glass in various designs, including simple geometric patterns or more elaborate floral patterns. You may also choose windows that only feature small, stained glass accents in an otherwise leaded option. If you do not like the look of stained glass, you can use beveled glass in your windows and leave them uncovered as well.

Wood Shutters

Wood is heavily featured in Mission style interiors, and homes often feature built-in cabinets and window seats, as well as wood flooring, paneling, trim and molding. You can continue this look on your windows by covering them with wooden shutters. The shutters provide a warm, natural look that matches the rest of your home's architecture and d cor and allow for privacy as well. They are also easy to adjust when you want to allow natural light into the room. Match the stain on your shutters to the other wood in your room. A warm, reddish brown color is your best option if you want a truly authentic Mission style look.

Roman Shades

If you prefer a more traditional window covering, Roman shades work well in a Mission style room. They are usually made from woven wood or fabric, so you can find them in warm, neutral tones. Roman shades are easy to operate as well because you can open and close them by simply pulling on a cord. For a simpler look, roller shades are a budget-friendly alternative. Look for shades made of wood or fabric to provide a natural look.

Linen Curtains

In a bedroom or dining room where you might prefer drapes, linen curtains are an attractive option for a Mission style home. Because it is a natural, textured material, it complements the d cor well. Opt for linen in warm earth tone shades, like tan, brown or terracotta. If you prefer a lower maintenance fabric, cotton curtains are an attractive alternative to linen. When it comes to curtain rods, wooden poles that match the other wood elements in the room are an ideal option to maintain the warm, natural feel.

Tags: Mission style, stained glass, your windows, your home, authentic Mission

Care For Junipers

Grown as ground cover, a shrub or even a dwarf tree, junipers offer gardeners a range of colors and textures and work well in practically any yard. Evergreen varieties are disease-free and even thrive in full sun. While the plants require very little maintenance and have a long life span, there are still a few simple things to do to properly care for a juniper. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Plant the juniper in the right space. Before planting, it’s important to know the plant’s mature height and then marry the right variety with the right place.

2. Feed the shrub and tree variety annually, preferably in the fall. Be sure to select a fertilizer that is not nitrogen based, and when applying take extra precaution not to have the fertilizer touch the foliage.

3. Be sure to water, especially during long droughts. Although junipers are known for being able to withstand hot and dry conditions, they still require some watering. Junipers that get too dry will attract mites, causing damage to the plant. Junipers prefer being watered slowly and deeply once every 7 to 10 days. Using a soak hose will allow proper watering.

4. Prune them correctly, if at all. Clipping the tips of the ground cover encourages bushiness. The best time to prune a juniper is in late winter or early spring.

Tags: ground cover

Identify Old Wood

Is that chair antique or just old? A little research can tell.

Antique wood furniture is highly sought-after, and many homeowners are pulling up carpets in their older houses to reveal wooden floors. One problem you may run into is identifying what type of wood you are dealing with. Some people might assume that this doesn't matter; wood is wood, right? Wrong. Different types of woods need to be treated differently and cleaned differently to keep them in top condition. If you want to preserve your furniture, floors, or other wooden item, your first task is to figure out what the wood is.

Instructions

1. Ignore the color of the wood. Many people assume that this is the easiest way to identify their species of wood. In fact, it is not reliable at all: time, exposure, misuse, and artisan stains may have vastly changed the original color of the wood.

2. Look at the wood grain of the boards with your magnifying glass, if they are exposed. This is known as the figure. Different woods often have distinctive figures that can easily be compared to modern woods for identification.

3. Figure out the time period when your wooden item was created. For floors, you will need to know what year the home was built; request the original blueprints from your town's city hall or housing authority. Examine furniture pieces for details like moldings and shaped legs. Use these details to identify the style of the furniture using artisan catalogs and similar sources; this will give you a range of years during which the piece was built.

4. Narrow down the wood options based on the time period of your wood: 17th Century and earlier is most likely oak, William and Mary period is usually walnut, Colonial period uses woods indigenous to the first American colonies; maple, oak, walnut, and cherry, early Queen Anne items should be walnut and late Queen Anne items almost always mahogany. Windsor pieces are made from oak, ash, or pine; Chippendale-era furniture or floors are mahogany, Federal-style is mahogany, cherry, or curlymaple; Empire period artisans used mahogany. Gothic Victorian and Elizabethan Victorian items should both be mahogany, Rococo Victorian is generally walnut or rosewood. Renaissance Revival Victorian is walnut, Eastlake Victorian is Oak, Walnut, and Chestnut. Colonial Revival Victorian or Centennial Victorian is probably walnut or mahogany; Arts and Crafts and Mission-style items are oak. Art Nouveau pieces from the 1890s-1900s are usually walnut; Art deco and Art moderne-era pieces are likely maple or walnut.

5. Examine the characteristics of your wood to confirm your identification or further eliminate possibilities. Feel the wood with your hand; woods that feel soft or silky are most likely softwoods, which means any wood made from an evergreen tree like pine. Rougher boards or ones that give a very sharp sound when rapped with your knuckles are more likely to be hardwood, meaning they were cut from any deciduous tree.

6. Look at the wood with the magnifying glass to see how open the grain is and drag your fingernail lightly over the wood's surface. If your nail does not move easily, the piece is made from an open-grain wood: pecan, ash, elm, chestnut, hickory, or oak. If your nail moves easily but the texture feels bumpy, you most likely have a medium-grain wood: walnut, white walnut, or mahogany. Finally, wood that allows your nail to slide easily and feels almost like glass is closed-grain: beech, poplar, gum, birch, pine, cherry, or maple.

Tags: made from, most likely, with your, your nail, Anne items, assume that, assume that this

Upholster Definition

Utilize the art of upholstery to renew an old couch instead of throwing it out.

The term "upholster" refers to the process of applying upholstery to the cushions in various types of chairs. Many people make a living as upholsterers, though with a bit of patience, many home or vehicle owners may perform their own upholstery services at home. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The art of upholstery once encompassed more than just stuffing and covering chairs and their cushions. Upholsterers once had duties that included making window treatments, lining coffins and making carpeting, according to online antiques resource Old and Sold.

Function

Home and business owners seek upholstery services to repair or renew the stuffing and covers on seating furniture. You may seek an upholsterer to fix rips in chairs, lumpy stuffing or just to change the looks of an old chair.

Tools

To perform upholstery services you need certain trade-specific tools and materials to upholster the chairs and couches in your home or office. Trade-specific tools include upholstery regulators, an upholster hammer, upholstery needles, a webbing stretcher and tools like staple guns, sewing machines, rubber mallets, tacks, staples and zippers, among others.

Tags: upholstery services

Decorative Folding Screen Room Divider Ideas

Folding screens are decorative and utilitarian.

Historians credit the Chinese with creating the first decorative folding screens, but the Japanese elevated the screen to a work of art. After the introduction of decorative screens to the West during early trading missions, they quickly became must-haves in European homes. Folding room divider screens lend themselves to uses well beyond the decorative. Does this Spark an idea?

Make It Permanent

Add drama to a large room with a high ceiling by installing a sliding barn door track at the top of the wall over an arched doorway or broad entrance. Attach barn door rollers to the tops of the screens so they open and close like accordion doors. This method also works to divide a large room, so that part can be blocked off or opened to accommodate large or small gatherings of guests, or to create an impromptu guest bedroom. To carry the elegant design further, have furniture-quality enclosures built on the wall to hide the folding screens when they're open.

Freestanding

Typically, freestanding folding room dividers have three panels supported by short legs. The panels may be made of wood, covered in fabric or made from rice paper, as Japanese shoji screens are constructed. While the screens are attractive additions to any room, they also can do double duty as functional pieces of furniture. A screen with cork board in place of wood or fabric serves as a message center or an extra bulletin board in an office. A chalkboard screen in the family room with a tray added for chalk gives kids a creative outlet when it's not being used to divide the room. Hang artwork on a sturdy folding room divider, or train plants to climb the screen in a sunroom.

Make a Statement

A plain folding room divider is a blank canvas waiting for creativity. Mirrored screens reflect the rooms around them, making them appear larger, especially when placed opposite another mirror, so the effect is one of multiple rooms stretching into infinity. In the bedroom, a mirrored screen can add a romantic touch. Fabric coverings, such as a delicate floral for a French country bedroom or a solid color for an ultra-modern living room, blend in with the decor. Artist's canvas stretched in the panels of the screen is an invitation to paint.

Uses

Folding room dividers lend themselves to multiple uses. An efficiency apartment typically has no separate bedroom, but a folding screen can create a sense of privacy. A bedroom without an en suite bath probably doesn't have a dressing room, but a screen arranged in the corner creates one. Children approaching their teen years who share a bedroom might benefit from the suggestion a privacy screen between their beds affords. An unsightly spot in a basement family room, such as a circuit breaker box or a structural column, becomes a focal point when covered by an attractive screen.

Tags: room divider, barn door, family room, folding room divider, folding screens

Oregon Kayak Trips

There are seemingly endless miles of varied waterways to kayak in Oregon.

Kayaking tour guides and outfitters can lead you on trips lasting from a few hours to a few days in one of the many waterways in Oregon. You can opt for a training trip with instruction while you paddle, or you can choose an intensive adventure trip that requires advanced-level experience. Bring your own gear or rent it. Paddle whitewater rivers or calm estuaries, bays and wetland areas that offer great wildlife viewing.

Ross Island Tour, Portland

Paddle the Willamette River for a different perspective on the city of Portland, circling Ross Island and kayaking past a blue heron rookery at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. This is a guided tour suitable for novice and experienced kayakers. The two-and-a-half to three-hour trip is offered daily at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or you can take the Sunset or Full Moon tour. Reservations are required.

Portland Kayak Company

6600 Southwest Macadam Avenue

Portland, OR 97239

503-459-4050

portlandrivercompany.com

Whitewater Kayak School, Bend

This is a whitewater kayak trip for paddlers with some experience who want to improve their skills. The four-day trip starts in Warm Springs and ends in Maupin on the Lower Deschutes River, with Class 3 rapids as well as flatwater stretches. Paddlers will work on rolling, bracing, surfing and reading water along the way. Bring your own boat and gear, or rent from Tumalo Creek Kayak.

Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe

805 SW Industrial Way, Suite 6

Bend, OR 97702

541-317-9407

tumalocreek.com

Chinook Landing Tour, Portland

The Chinook Landing Tour is a full-day trip requiring introductory level experience. The downstream paddle starts at Chinook Landing on the Columbia River and ends at Jantzen Beach in Portland. All gear is provided, or you can bring your own. This trip is 10 miles long, following the route that Lewis and Clark took. Coaching on basic strokes, rescues, towing and navigation is provided. The pace of the paddle is based on the skill level of the group.

Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

250 NE Tomahawk Island Drive

Portland, OR 97217

888-571-4545

aldercreek.com

Paddle Oregon, Portland

Paddle Oregon is an annual kayak and canoe adventure trip that benefits Willamette Riverkeeper's work to protect and restore this river. In 2010, the trip will follow a route from Marshall Island Access near Eugene to Willamette Mission State Park near Salem for a total of 96 river miles. Specific paddling skills and equipment are required to join this trip, and participants are encouraged to practice paddling 10 to 20 miles per day prior to the paddle. Paddlers camp together and learn about river issues and ecology.

Willamette Riverkeeper

1515 SE Water Ave., #102

Portland, OR 97214

503-223-6418

willamette-riverkeeper.org

503-223-6418.

South Beach State Park, Newport

Two-hour guided kayak tours are offered at South Beach State Park on Oregon's central coast. The tours launch from Ona Beach, eight miles south of Newport, and explore the Beaver Creek area. No experience is necessary to participate in this trip, and the minimum age for participation is 6 years old. South Beach State Park supplies the kayaks, paddles and life jackets for the tour. Make reservations by calling the hospitality center at 541-867-6590.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

State Parks

725 Summer Street NE, Suite C

Salem, OR 97301

800-551-6949

oregonstateparks.org

Tags: State Park, Beach State, Beach State Park, Chinook Landing, Creek Kayak, South Beach, South Beach State

Mission Furniture Style Tips

Mission furniture consists of a very simple design and is often stained to darker colors.

Mission furniture provides an elegant yet simple decor for any room. Mission-style furniture is always constructed of sturdy wood with a simple design and a complete lack of fancy decoration. The construction features straight wood pieces evenly spaced along the sides of the furniture pieces. Cushions for mission furniture are upholstered with leather or quality canvas in single colors, staying true to the minimal decoration. This style is widely available and considered quite versatile for interior design. Does this Spark an idea?

Be Consistent with Mission Style

Select a room for the mission furniture and keep the mission style consistent throughout that room. For example, if using mission furniture in a living room, select a sofa and chair frame of mission style and opt for mission style coffee and end tables to match. If using the mission furniture in a bedroom, select a bed frame and nightstands that match the mission style, as well as a simple mission-style dresser. Keeping the furniture style consistent helps make the room feel organized.

Simplify Furniture not the Decor

Mission style furniture has a classic, simplified appearance, which is part of its appeal. Keeping the furniture design consistent and simple with the mission style organizes the room, but the rest of the room decor does not have to be simplified. Select throw pillows, blankets, area rugs and framed artwork that contrasts but complements the simple furniture. Additionally, opt for fancy, designer lamps and lighting that stand out among the simple furniture design. Using the mission furniture can help other decorative pieces such as designer lamps or framed artwork stand out more.

Add to the Design

Mission furniture tends have a dark wood stain and very plain appearance. This does not mean it has to remain so. Add hand-painted designs or wood-burned designs to the furniture pieces, such as hand-painting a design on the backs of chairs, the legs or tops of tables, the arms of sofa or chair frames and other mission furniture pieces. Finish the painted designs with a sturdy, protective glaze and, if desired, glaze the wood-burned designs to make the image stand out. If not artistic, stencils may be used or consider hiring an art student from a local college. Additionally, apply decorative items such as shiny gemstones, wine bottle labels, post cards or decals before the glaze.

Balance the Light and Dark

Considering that mission furniture is often stained in darker colors, it can help balance the feel of a room if the paint and other decorative items contrast with the dark colors of the wooden mission furniture. For example, if the wood furniture comes in a dark cherry stain, consider balancing that against bright white or pastel painted walls, bright colored throw pillows and light colored lamps and lamp shades. If framed photos or artwork are hung in the room, choose frames that are wood and stained in a color similar to the furniture. Alternatively, the cushions of the furniture may be reupholstered or replaced with lighter colors or if no cushions came with the furniture, add some.

Tags: mission style, furniture pieces, mission furniture, darker colors, decorative items, designer lamps, framed artwork

Rubberwood Vs Oak

Oak has been a favored wood for furniture for many years.

People have used oak wood for centuries, but rubberwood is a relative newcomer to the lumber market. The wood of each tree has similarities with respect to strength, durability and how the lumber is used. The two types of wood look very different from one another and the trees they come from inhabit different parts of the world.

Facts

Oak, a member of the beech family, is a deciduous tree that grows 60 to 80 feet tall. Its range in North America is from Oklahoma to Minnesota, eastward to New Brunswick and from Ontario to southern Georgia. Oaks produce acorns, which are an important food source for deer, turkeys, squirrels and other wild animals.

Rubberwood comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which is the world's primary source of natural latex. Trees grow to 75 feet with straight trunks that can reach 3 feet in diameter. Rubberwood trees are tapped for latex for about 30 years before they are no longer viable producers. A member of the maple family, rubberwood is native to Brazil and grows in tropical regions of Asia, Africa and South America.

History

Woodworkers have used oak almost as long as people have made things from wood. Builders have used it extensively in building construction and as panels in the interiors of regal structures like the British House of Commons. European shipmakers favored oak for its toughness and durability, producing large sailing vessels from oak until the 19th century.

Once its useful life as a producer of latex was spent, people formerly cut down rubberwood trees and often used them as firewood. Since the 1980s, producers have marketed wood from rubber trees as an alternative to other, often more expensive, lumbers.

Identification

Oak is a very heavy hardwood species with close, porous grain and prominent rings that give the wood a coarse texture. White oak is pale with a slight greenish cast while red oak, the more favored variety, has a reddish-brown tint.

Rubberwood has a similar coarse texture, but with a symmetrical, straight grain that is tighter than the rings in oak. Its appearance has been more likened to teak. Rubberwood is white or cream to yellow in color.

Function

Woodworkers use oak in furniture, veneers, kitchen cabinets, flooring and interior finishing. It takes stains well, is durable, and is bendable with steam. Its toughness means that nails and screws often require pre-drilled holes. A high concentration of tannin makes oak wood resistant to insect and fungal attacks.

Rubberwood is mostly a component of furniture, but appears in flooring and in general construction. Very tough and durable, rubberwood is resistant to molds, fungus and bacteria. Rubberwood has very little shrinkage, an important factor to furniture builders who prize wood that exhibits little movement. Rubberwood takes stains well.

Considerations

Since rubberwood comes from trees that would have ended up as waste, it is considered an eco-friendly source of lumber versus trees like oak that are grown and felled only for lumber.

Tags: have used, coarse texture, comes from, from rubber, stains well, takes stains

Sell Bed Sheets As A Fundraiser

Everyone needs sheets, and rolling in the luxury of fine linen is a hard treat to beat. A popular fund-raising idea for groups, charities, teams and schools, 1,200- to 1,500-thread count Egyptian cotton sheet sets are a way to net from $10 to $20 profit per sheet set. Since sheet sets are a higher priced item than the standard cookies or candy bar fare, you can likely reach your fund-raising goals quicker. Several companies specialize in helping groups raise funds through bed sheet sales.

Instructions

1. Contact a bed linen supplier that works with organizations for fund-raising. Several companies are online. Ask what is needed to start a bed sheet fundraiser and the suggested selling price of each sheet set.

2. Purchase one or more sets of sheets from the supplier. A sample of the bed sheets will be your best sales tool.

3. Set up a table at an event, grocery store, high school football game, drugstore or other outdoor venue. Alternatively, take the sheet set sample to work with you. Ask your colleagues and co-workers if they would like to buy a set for your fundraiser. Have a sales pitch ready; show them the quality of the sheets and why your organization needs funds.

4. Take orders and collect the funds. Write down the size, color and quantity that each individual wants next to her name. Create or use a supplied order form. Online companies typically have a form available for download from their website.

5. Tally up the quantity of each size and color of sheets to be purchased from the supplier. Make a copy of the order form to use when the sheet supply is delivered to you.

6. Send the order form in with the money to the sheet supplier. Keep the portion above the actual costs of the sheets to fund your project.

7. Wait for the delivery of the sheet sets. Depending on the company, they could take one to two weeks or longer.

8. Separate your orders according to whatever system works best for you and deliver your sheet sets to the buyers.

Tags: sheet sets, order form, from supplier, Several companies, size color

Wooden Bed Styles

The shape of a sleigh bed is inspired by a winter or holiday sleigh.

A wooden bed is an investment piece for the home. Along with your mattress, you may have this piece for many years. The lifespan of your bed depends on usage and the quality of the bed. Consider the bed maker and the kind of wood used in your bed. There are classic, contemporary, modern and traditional wooden bed styles. Does this Spark an idea?

Four Poster

A four-poster bed has capacity for the addition of a canopy of fabric, and becomes a canopy bed. It can also be used without fabric and the four posters visible. This bedding style is generally considered a traditional bed frame style. This kind of bed has its origins in the 16th century, in both France and England. You can personalize this kind of bed with color stain or through the style of the four posts.

Sleigh Bed

A sleigh bed has a headboard and a footboard. The headboard and foot board make a curling shape, almost like an S. A sleigh bed is typically made of a darker wood or a lighter wood that is stained darker. It is called a sleigh bed because it resembles a sled, and was first introduced to consumers in the early 19th century. Very much a classic style, minor adjustments can modernize the bed. One option is replacing solid curves with slats. It creates a lighter, airier feel. However, some may still prefer the classic sleigh bed.

Trundle Bed

A trundle bed is a wooden bed that has a spare bed built into the base underneath. The spare bed can roll out for guests; it is particularly useful for sleepovers, or for those living in small spaces without a guest room or have limited guest rooms. A trundle bed is considered a traditional style. You can also add your own inspiration to this bed through unique painted designs: a sail boat, an animal theme or even ballet slippers for girls.

Platform Beds

A platform bed is when a mattress is laid on a wooden surface, which can also serve as the box spring. A platform bed may or may not have a wooden headboard. If it does, it may just be a flat panel headboard or even a fabric-covered piece of board. This is a simpler style of bed. Some platforms may have dresser drawers built into the platform; these drawers serve as a useful storage section, especially for those in smaller spaces such as condominiums or apartments. Platform beds are considered a modern style, and often appear in asian-inspired homes that have primarily modern features.

Tags: built into, considered traditional

Window Treatment Decor Ideas

Many decorators are eager to accentuate the windows that fill their spaces. These sources of natural light are attention-getting and worthy of playing up in your decorating scheme. As you select the window treatment that is right for your space, consider some of the options at your disposal and select the one that best meshes with the rest of your room decor. Does this Spark an idea?

Artistic Options

If your room is eclectic or rich in art, or you are simply a fan of all things artsy, an artistic window treatment may prove the best choice. Instead of just hanging up ready-made curtains, take some time to dress them up a bit by painting patterns around the edges using fabric paint. For an even more artistic and off-the-wall option, purchase or create curtains in a light solid color, and paint an outdoor scene on them. When the curtains are closed, viewers can look on your outdoor scene and still feel as though they are viewing the outdoors.

Floral Additions

For a room that is classic and frilly, floral window treatment additions are often appropriate. Drape a swag of silk ivy over the top of your curtain rod and allow it to flow down the sides of the curtains. Wrap wire-stemmed silk flowers around your curtain rods. Or skip the trim and just get some heavy-draping curtains in a gorgeous floral print.

Perfect Match

Get window treatments that perfectly match your space without investing a fortune. If you are making window treatments for a kitchen or bathroom, purchase an extra tablecloth or shower curtain to match the ones you already have in these spaces. Transform these pieces into window treatments by purchasing patterns for valances or curtain panels and using your extra cloth or curtain, along with a broadcloth in a contrasting hue, to create your window additions.

Energy Savers

Window treatments can be more than just beautiful -- they can also be energy-efficient. The right window covering can help you lower your heating and cooling costs, or just do your part to help save the world. To make your treatments more energy-efficient, swap out your standard blinds for tightly fitted blinds that attach to the edges of the window and slide up and down on a track. To make a difference without investing as much money, simply trade your gauzy curtains for darker ones with white lining that will keep out the sun's heat in summer.

Tags: window treatments, outdoor scene, treatments more, window treatment, without investing

James Bond Birthday Party Ideas

Dark sunglasses would be appropriate party favors.

The James Bond films and the novels upon which the films were based have captivated the imaginations of many people. Whether you dream of being a supervillain-fighting secret agent with an invisible car or if you're just organizing a birthday party for a Bond fanatic, choose activities and decor that resonate with the dangerous, glamorous world of Bond...James Bond. Does this Spark an idea?

Top-Secret Invitations

Issue Bond-worthy party invitations that will intrigue and excite the party guests in advance of the celebration. Print a cryptic message in the center of one side of a small piece of white card stock (a quarter the size of a standard piece of printer paper)---something like "Prepare to receive secret transmission." Use a block-style, all-caps font and electric green text, creating a retro computer look. On the back of the card, print "Mission: Celebrate Cody's 13th birthday," followed by the date and location details. Include any special attire instructions, such as "Wear a suit" or "Wear clothes that can get dirty." At the bottom of the card, write "This message will self-destruct in 3, 2, 1..."

Following an idea described in the article "James Bond Theme Party" on the Celebrations website, enclose the invitation card in a manila envelope. Stamp the envelope "Top Secret" with red ink.

Diamond Decor

Decorate the party space with cardboard pistol cutouts painted black, suggests the article "James Bond Theme Party" on the Celebrations website, and scatter plastic diamonds on the main table. Hang posters of classic Bond films such as "From Russia With Love."

Agent Testing

Climbing is very safe when supervised by a certified professional.

Head out to a firing range for a chance to learn about handling and using a pistol (Bond's weapon of choice). Hold a contest to see who can get the closest to hitting the bull's-eye. If a firing range is out of your budget or if such an excursion would be inappropriate (if, for example, some of the party guests will be very young), set up a home version of the exercise by tossing darts at target boards with balloons attached to the center. Other excursions that would be suitable for a party full of Bond wannabes include paintball, laser tag, a high-ropes challenge course, or a high-adrenaline outdoor activity such as rock climbing.

Tags: James Bond, article James, article James Bond, Bond films, Bond Theme, Bond Theme Party

Grow Black Mission Figs

The mission fig was introduced to the United States in the 1700s when Spanish missionaries settled along the West Coast, and today the fig fruit tree is grown throughout the country. Mission figs do not require other fig trees to pollinate, and are therefore popular with home gardeners who want to sprout the fruit without the extra work of caring for two trees. Fig trees are not hardy, but can withstand temperatures to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit if properly cared for. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Plant your mission fig tree in a location of your garden that receives at least six hours of full sunlight daily. Plant purchased trees or cuttings late in the dormant season, generally in late January or February, so that they can be established by the time new growth begins in the spring.

2. Water newly planted mission figs every two days, or whenever the top 1 inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This high rate of water will encourage the roots to spread out in their new home. In general, newly planted trees need about 10 gallons of water three times per week to promote healthy root spread and new growth.

3. Water established mission figs only in drought conditions; otherwise, the rainfall will provide sufficient water. If drought conditions last more than two weeks, water the tree with at least 20 gallons of water; if the drought persists long enough, you may need as much as 50 gallons of water to satiate the tree.

4. Feed your mission fig only if the tree grows less than 1 foot per year; otherwise, excess fertilizer will only harm the tree. Feed young trees in need with ½ lb. of balanced fertilizer three to five times per year, starting in late winter and ending by late summer. For mature trees, apply 3 lbs. of balanced fertilizer the same number of times.

5. Prune your fig tree if necessary in early summer, after the fruit has ripened. Pruning should only be done to remove dead or damaged plant material, or if necessary to control size or shape. Pruning does not improve fig health.

Tags: gallons water, balanced fertilizer, drought conditions, mission figs, newly planted

Make Fusionfall Less Laggy

Cartoon Network offers online gaming through Fusion Fall.

Fusion Fall, a Cartoon Network online game, allows you to maneuver through obstacles and converse with Cartoon Network characters. While the game has gained a large following, there are complaints that the game lags quite a bit. There are some things you can do to enhance gaming performance and shut out lagging. It is important to remember, lagging is not a sign of a low-quality game or processor but an indicator that you need to tweak your computer settings.

Instructions

1. Close all other programs or applications. Other programs and applications take up memory and decrease the speed of your processor. This can, in turn, cause your game to lag and possibly shut down.

2. Play Fusion Fall with a high-speed internet connection. Slower connections such as dial-up cannot process the graphics and animations efficiently. This can cause a delay in load times for each action and scene.

3. Lower your graphics settings on Fusion Fall. Press your "Enter" key while you are logged into the game. Choose the "Settings" tab and then choose "Graphics" from the drop-down menu. Click the "Detail Menu" button and select "Best Performance." This will adjust the graphics to your computer capabilities. Select "Save and Exit."

4. Increase the priority of your game. Right-click on your Windows task bar to open your task manager. From the list of open programs, choose your game. Right-click on the game title and choose "Select Priority" from the menu. Choose "High" under your priority options. Press "Change Priority" on the pop-up box that appears.

Tags: Fusion Fall, Cartoon Network, your game, game Right-click, programs applications, your computer

Hints For The Job On Grand Theft Auto Vice City

One of the tougher missions in "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City" for the Playstation 2, Xbox and PC is the bank-robbery mission entitled "The Job." The mission tasks Tommy Vercetti (that's you) and buddies Phil, Cam and Hillary with pulling off a lucrative and deadly bank heist. Security and the police will be out in force before the mission is over, so it pays to know what to expect if you want to secure the mission's hefty reward.

Arming Yourself

You'll come into a fair amount of gunplay before The Job is completed, so it pays to equip yourself accordingly. A bulletproof vest is a good idea, and you want to be carrying a .357 Python, a S.P.A.S. 12 shotgun and a manual-targeting weapon such as the Kruger, M4 or .308 Sniper. The more ammo you can carry for these weapons, the better. Once you've got your armaments together, get Phil, Cam and Hillary into the car and drive to the bank.

Robbing the Bank

There's a strict sequence to the bank robbery itself. Once you enter the bank, let the robbery begin while you make your way upstairs to the manager's office. This will draw the security guards after you: they're easier to take out now, before the heat gets too thick. Once you've neutralized the guard in the hallway, by the elevator and near the safe, Cam will have you retrieve the manager from his office to help open the safe. There's an extra bulletproof vest in this safe if the security guards have got a few hits in. Once you head back downstairs, the alarm will sound. Switch to your shotgun, get cover and deal to the SWAT team. Hillary will provide cover to help you finish them off, but he is then picked off. Make your way to the Pay 'n' Spray in Little Haiti to lose your Wanted rating. Loop back around behind the bank if necessary to lose the last of the SWAT team. From here, you can make your way back to the hideout to finish the mission.

Additional Rewards

There is more than one way to survive The Job, and your performance will determine the reward. While it's usually best to try and help all your team members survive, The Job actually rewards ruthlessness. While Phil cannot be killed on this mission (he's an essential part of later missions), Cam is expendable. If you finish the mission without Cam (or if you shoot him yourself using a manual-targeting weapon before heading back to the hideout), the $30,000 reward goes up to $50,000. Additionally, once this mission has been completed, you'll have access to the bank whenever you like. Head to the back of the bank, through the darkened hallway. There will be two $500 stacks of money waiting for you, which can be picked up as many times as you like.

Tags: Auto Vice, Auto Vice City, back hideout, bank robbery, bulletproof vest, finish mission, Grand Theft

Donate Used Appliances In New Jersey

Clean your appliance before donationg.

Working appliances in good condition don't need to go to a landfill when they can be reused by individuals or organizations who need them. Residents across New Jersey can donate appliances to non-profits and receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of the goods. The items themselves may be given to needy people, or the proceeds from the item can be used to fund non-profit programs. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Bring appliances to your local Salvation Army (salvationarmy.org). Salvation Army drop-off locations and thrift stores are located across the state. Proceeds from your old appliance sales go to fund the organization's rehabilitation programs.

2. Give old appliances to the Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity, located in Freehold, NJ (westmonhabitat.org). The Morris County Habitat for Humanity ReStore also accepts appliance donations (morrishabitat.org).

3. Drop materials off at Freehold, NJ's CentraState Healthcare Foundation thrift shop (centrastatefoundation.org). Proceeds benefit CentraState Medical Center.

4. Schedule an item pickup with the Rescue Mission of Trenton (rescuemissionoftrenton.org). This organization accepts working appliances, clothing and furniture for donation.

Tags: Habitat Humanity, Salvation Army, your appliance

Men'S Bedroom Colors

Combinations of neutrals, such as black, white and brown, create calmly masculine bedroom decor.

Men's bedrooms needn't look bleak in order to convey their masculinity. Rich neutrals and saturated tones also evoke a manly atmosphere. Even pastels can work for a man's bedroom, as long as they derive from complex, muddied shades. To maintain a masculine feeling in your bedroom's decor, eschew delicate or fussy furniture in favor of sturdy, well-made pieces. Bold graphic art or handmade items make for strong, vigorous decor accents. Does this Spark an idea?

Black & White

A black and white bedroom feels instantly, classically male. This color scheme works well with sleekly masculine furnishings in materials like leather or raw linen. It also blends seamlessly with any technology present in the room, such as stereo systems or computers. Combine off-white walls with glossy black baseboards, windows and doors, or paint an accent wall entirely in black for a bold, minimalist look.

Brown & White

For a neutral effect, combine cream-colored walls with brown trim. This color scheme functions for both masculine and gender-neutral bedrooms. Accent with black, gold, orange or beige tones. Brown walls with white trim will have a more dramatic effect. Use this color scheme to enhance Asian-inflected decor, or to set off vivid pieces of art.

Blue & Brown

Shades of blue and brown naturally complement rustically masculine decor schemes. Navy tones harmonize well with wood furniture and molding, while beige or burnt sienna trim keeps rooms feeling earthy and balanced. Ice blue walls keep bedrooms feeling crisp and serene, especially when accompanied by accent paint in burnt umber or dark chocolate.

Mustard & Gray

Mustard and gray make an excellent pair, evoking a British elegance that never strays into the feminine. Use these colors in combination with bold stripes, sturdy antique furniture and gracefully worn Oriental rugs, or implement this pairing to complement confident modern decor. Dove gray walls backed by mustard trim impart a sense of serenity, while mustard-colored walls balanced by slate gray trim create energetic interiors.

Red & Gray

Rescue deep red from luridness by the addition of pearly gray trim, while light reds look fantastic when paired with deep blue-grays. Accent red and gray color schemes with dark yellow or orange-gold furniture and fabrics. Red and gray color schemes especially set off rooms with lots of wood, black furnishings and stone. Use them in combination with handmade pieces, plaids, herringbone patterns, Navajo rugs and polished cottons.

Green & Orange

Pale spring greens become instantly masculine when matched with dark orange trim, while antique olive tones are kept from feeling too sedate by the addition of dusty oranges. This pairing contributes an eclectic atmosphere; it accommodates busy prints, overstuffed bookcases and plentiful plant displays. For a more old-fashioned look, pair dark green walls with pale, orange-inflected beige accents. This combination works well with mature country-style furnishings, such as checked fabrics, houndstooth patterns, flannel and Mission-style furniture.

Tags: walls with, color scheme, well with, bedroom decor, black white

Most Popular Restaurants In San Francisco

San Francisco is one of America's most diverse culinary cities.

San Francisco has long been home to one of the most eclectic and culturally diverse dining scenes in America. Visitors are usually a cable car ride away from authentic Italian eateries, fine French cuisine or classic American pub fare. The top restaurants in the city are ranked annually by Eater magazine.

Slanted Door

The Slanted Door is located in the city's Embarcadero district overlooking San Francisco Bay. Open for lunch and dinner daily, the restaurant specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant features a large dining room, bar and heated patio, open year-round. The Slanted Door operates a to-go counter called "Out the Door," which is located behind the establishment. Customers can choose from prepared dishes and cooking kits to make dishes at home. Entrees include noodles with dungeness crab meat, snapper with cherry tomatoes and caramel chicken with ginger.

Slanted Door

1 Ferry Building No. 3

San Francisco, CA 94111

415-861-8032

slanteddoor.com‎

Boulevard

Boulevard is located on Mission Street overlooking the Bay Bridge. The restaurant is in the historic Audiffred Building and features large glass windows that overlook pedestrian traffic. The dining room is decorated with hand-blown art nouveau light fixtures and artisan ironwork. The restaurant specializes in contemporary American cuisine with a strong French influence. Entrees include wood fire-grilled salmon with hollandaise sauce and Berkshire pork prime rib chops with roasted baby turnips. The restaurant's wine director makes an attempt to visit each table in the dining room during dinner to discuss the many beverage options.

Boulevard Restaurant

1 Mission St.

San Francisco, CA 94105

415-543-6084

boulevardrestaurant.com

Perbacco

The Perbacco restaurant and bar is decorated in a contemporary style highlighted by original red brick walls. The restaurant serves contemporary Italian cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner daily. Valet parking is available for dinner customers. Perbacco was lauded as the top San Francisco restaurant for an affordable Power Lunch by Reuters in 2010. Main courses include rabbit with spiced red wine sauce and polenta, olive-crusted Alaskan halibut and beef short ribs with pea tendrils.

Perbacco

230 California St.

San Francisco, CA 94111

415-955-0663

perbaccosf.com

Tags: Slanted Door, dining room, dinner daily, Entrees include, features large, Francisco 94111, lunch dinner

Who Sells Klaussner Furniture

Klaussner Home Furnishings is known for its traditional bedroom and living furniture styles, accented with contemporary flairs. The company does not sell furniture directly through its website, but Klaussner products are available at many retailers and online sites. Does this Spark an idea?

Jennifer Sofas

Jennifer Sofas and Sofa Beds, a subsidiary of Klaussner, sells many Klaussner sofas, as does its sister store, Jennifer Leather. The company does not sell sofas online, but they can be purchased at one of the chain's nationwide stores. The company offers clearance centers in 16 states.

Amazon.com

Amazon.com sells a variety of Klaussner products, including dressers, beds, recliners, sofas and ottomans, as well as coffee and occasional tables.

FurnitureBlue.com

FurnitureBlue.com is an authorized retailer of Klaussner furniture, including sofas, sectionals, accent chairs and bedroom décor.

Walmart.com

Walmart has a partnership with CSNstores.com, allowing the company to sell and ship Klaussner furniture through Walmart.com. Shoppers can browse Klaussner products and then order them through a link to CSNstores.com.

FurnitureXO.com

FurnitureXO.com sells Klaussner dining room sets, bar and wine cabinets, bedroom furniture and living room sets.

Tags: Klaussner products, company does, company does sell, does sell, Jennifer Sofas, Klaussner furniture

Mantel Styles

A mantel can be ornate or simple.

A mantel frames a fireplace, anchoring it and creating a focal point in the room. The mantel can act as a piece of art on its own or a display area for your most precious object d'art. The decor of the room should set the tone for the mantel style. An ornate mantel would look overly fussy in a spare, modern room, while a slate mantel may feel too heavy in a room full of Victoriana. Does this Spark an idea?

Rustic

Frontiersmen used whatever materials they had on hand when building their cabins and fireplaces with mantels. Often those mantels would be built from split logs, sheets of shale or bricks made on site. Today, these materials are a rustic reminder of earlier times, and they fit well into a country, folk art or log cabin home decor. Logs, shale and bricks are long-lasting and rarely need sealants to preserve them.

Victorian

Victorian mantels were often mass-produced by wood mills that could reproduce details such as ornate swags of flowers, ribbons and scrollwork rendered to look like hand carving. Mass production made these mantels more affordable for middle-class homes, and they often boasted ornate side scrollwork and multi-tiered overmantel shelves for display of the home's treasures. Victorian mantels were fairly easy to remove, and because they were mass-produced, are plentiful in architectural salvage yards.

Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts mantels have much less ornamentation than their Victorian counterparts. Their sides tend to have clean lines widening outward at the feet, resembling the exterior pillars of an Arts and Crafts house. Cove molding supports the mantel from beneath. Original Arts and Crafts mantels often had a large overmantel that contained a long mirror that reflected the clear finishes used to showcase the wood grain.

Antique

French Louis XV mantels were often a combination of wood and sculpted and painted plaster of Paris as was common in the 18th century. Ornate friezes of flowers and trailing vines and leaves were applied to the the center and sides of the mantel to adorn the carved arches and curves. These ornate elements of the mantel were often reflected in the carvings on the room's opulent ceilings and furniture.

Modern

Modern fireplace design calls for a simple, unadorned mantel with clean lines. Contemporary room decor may take advantage of the space a modern mantel affords by encasing speakers built into the front side of the mantel. The top of the mantel could then support state of the art technology such as a flat screen TV or an MP3 player. The modern mantel can also be left bare for a spare, clean effect.

Tags: Arts Crafts, mantels were, were often, Arts Crafts mantels, clean lines

Types Of Media Cabinets

There are a number of different types of media cabinets for any sized room

A common furniture item in every home in across the country, media cabinets provide a useful and often tasteful way of storing media items such as DVD movies, compact discs, books, video games and television sets among other entertainment items. With a number of different options to chose from, quality and tasteful interior design does not have to be sacrificed for the sake of storage. Does this Spark an idea?

Mission Style Cabinets

While being able to store high quantities of DVD movies, books or compact discs, mission style media cabinets also provide a tasteful furniture piece to compliment a family room or living room. Made out of wood such as oak or pine, mission style cabinets feature storage inside a unit enclosed by two doors that swing open. These wooden doors either encase glass or are solid wood and some even include storage on the inside of the doors as well.

These cabinets are stand alone pieces which are not used a television stands. The inside cabinets are usually only approximately six inches deep. Therefore, oversized books, televisions and board games need to find a storage home elsewhere.

Mission Style Cabinets are found in department stores such as Macy's and JC Penny's, office supply or technology stores such as Office Max and Best Buy and specialty online furniture outlets. Prices vary depending on the size, quality of the wood and amount of storage capability, however customers can reasonable expect to pay around $150 to $500.

Revolving Style Cabinets

Perfect for corners and tight spaces, revolving style cabinets take up less space than most media cabinets. These cabinets feature four-sided door-less storage capability of DVD movies, compact discs, books or video games. Often, these cabinets are made with wood, but some are particle board or metal depending on the vendor and quality.

These revolving cabinets are not recommend for use as television stands due to their height which usually ranges from 40 inches to 60 inches, small surface area at the top, which would create balance issues, and it would also defeat the purpose of the revolving feature of the cabinets.

Revolving style cabinets are most commonly found in office supply stores such as Staples and Office Max, while metal options are usually found at technology stores such as Best Buy. Online furniture outlets are another prime source of purchasing these types of cabinets. Customers can expect to pay between $50 and $300 for revolving cabinets, depending on the size, storage capacity and whether its made of wood, metal or particleboard.

Armoire Style Cabinets

Perfect for a tasteful interior designed room, Armoire style cabinets are large enough to hold a small television and a number of media items such as video games, DVD movies, compact discs and books. One of the prime features of this style of wooden cabinet is a large open area for the television that is enclosed with two solid wooden doors, which hides the television when not in use.

Underneath the television shelf, are either pull out shelves or doored cabinets where media items can be stored or other pieces of equipment can reside such as DVD players or video game consoles.

These cabinets usually are made out of solid oak or pine and come in a variety of stains and veneers. Usually customers can expect to pay close to $750 and up for these furniture pieces due to the high quality of wood used and size. Often, these cabinets are found in major department stores such as Sears, JC Penny's and Macy's and other furniture outlets and are not common found in office supply stores or technology stores. Online furniture shops are also a good source to price shop and compare models.

Tags: stores such, compact discs, media cabinets, compact discs books, discs books, furniture outlets

Making Asianstyle Furniture

Making Asian-Style Furniture

Style

When making Asian-style furniture, it is important to note the use of symmetrical parts and pieces. Clean lines and economic use of space are other elements that are important to consider. When making Asian-style furniture, the positioning of the pieces should be complementary. Furniture designers and makers also keep in mind the accessories that complete the look of Asian-style furniture.

Components

Asian-style furniture can be made of wood or lacquer, both common in Asia. Or, it can use materials from other regions where Asian art-inspired design is prominent. Dark wood is traditional for Asian-style furniture, although resilient woods such as bamboo are also incorporated. According to an article from Cens.com, common materials include red sandalwood, ebony, teak and mahogany. A popular wood for Asian furniture is Indian rosewood (sheesham wood), a dense wood that has a deep brown color and a waxy finish. Some Asian furniture includes porcelain elements.

Interior Design and Finish

Asian-style furniture is known for rectangular and symmetrical pieces. According to the Getty Museum, "Simplicity of design is also an important aspect of artworks made by the Japanese and Chinese." Durability and resistance to environmental conditions are important in Asian-style furniture, according to Tansu.net, a website that specializes in Asian furniture imports. Asian-style furniture makers use finishes of soft oil or a hard finish. Proper care of Asian furniture depends on the type of finish with which the wood is treated, either oil- or lacquer-based.

Tags: Asian-style furniture, Asian furniture, Asian-style furniture, making Asian-style, When making

The History Of Mission Style Furniture

Mission style furniture was popular in North America and Great Britain beginning in about 1890 until about 1914. The style was a product of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the designs were simple and rustic. There are many companies still producing mission style furniture, but the most famous is the Gustav Stickley Co. Because the style is so simple, it fits in many modern decors, as well as the more traditional home. Does this Spark an idea?

History

The Arts and Crafts movement was a response to the industrial revolution. Proponents of the movement, which included William Morris, John Ruskin, Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright among many others, believed that the craftsman was being lost to the soulless mass production of furniture and household items. The movement produced many great architects, artists and craftsmen.

Significance

Mission style furniture represented a complete departure from the over-embellished furnishings of the Victorian period. It signified a shift in the attitudes of the American people and placed more of an emphasis on the values and simplicity for which America became known.

Features

Mission style furniture is easily recognized by its simple, rustic style. Furniture often has a hand-hewn quailty, with square supports and a heavy appearance. Natural materials are common, such as leather and wool for seat cushions. Chests of drawers and cupboards had brass hinges in very simple designs, and if there were any decorative motifs they were taken from nature--flowers, vegetables, fruits, animals and bugs were common. Furniture was unpainted, and was usually oak or birch.

Geography

The Arts and Crafts movement, which included mission style furniture, was popular in Great Britain, Canada and the United States. The style did have some European influence, but was really limited to these three locations.

Size

Mission style furniture is usually quite large and heavy, utilizing oversize chairs and tables, echoing the rustic farmhouse styles of the past. It was a reaction to the prissy, overly refined and precious styles of the Victorian era. Despite its size, it was meant to be affordable.

Availability

Although the movement was based on the concept of craftsman created furniture, eventually it was mass produced and widely available. There are many fine, authentic pieces available to decorate the modern home; however, these pieces can often be somewhat pricey, depending on their age. The Stickly Co. is still producing furniture today, and in many cases they have created more modern versions of their original beautiful work.

Tags: style furniture, Arts Crafts, Arts Crafts movement, Crafts movement, Mission style furniture, furniture popular

Price An Antique Maple Dressing Table

Pricing an antique maple dressing table takes a little time to find a good cross-section of prices for an excellent quality antique. Prices may vary somewhat, depending on your location, and whether you will need the maple dressing table shipped or not. Antiques are usually solid wood and extremely heavy--so bear that in mind if you are figuring shipping costs. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Call antique shops in your area; ask if they have any antique maple dressing tables for sale in their store, and if so, how much? Shipping a heavy antique item from any distance may be price-prohibitive, due to hauling and freight charges plus insurance; therefore, arrange to visit the shop and collect the item yourself.

2. Check out a Birdseye Antique Maple Dressing Table from an eBay seller (see Resources). The bidding is currently at $229 plus $119 shipping charges. The piece has a triple connected set of mirrors that are adjustable.

3. Take a look at a bargain-priced antique maple dressing table with matching bench--a steal at $400 (see Resources) Excellent condition, requires no repairs whatsoever, as you can see from the picture of the piece. Contact the seller.

4. Note this price for an antique maple dressing table offered by Buysell (see Resources) for $425. It's a charming birdseye, serpentine-fronted, ladies' low-boy dressing table with lyre-shaped mirror stand.

5. Look to Craigslist (see Resources) for this rare find of an antique maple dressing table with attached mirror for just $150. Check out the pictures of this excellent piece which would complement any woman's bedroom suite.

6. Bid at $100 for this Tiger maple, one draw, turned legs with turret corners, antique dressing table at Findcheapauctions (see Resources); a rather plain piece with no frills. Estimated selling price is placed by the optimistic seller at between $200 and $600. There is no mention of a shipping price.

Tags: dressing table, maple dressing, antique maple, maple dressing table, antique maple dressing

Luxury Hotels In Durham North Carolina

Durham, North Carolina, features about 218,000 residents. The city includes such attractions as Duke University, the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Research Triangle Park, the world's largest research complex. The Durham area plays host to more than 6 million visitors each year and offers approximately 60 lodging facilities, only a handful of which are luxury hotels.

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club resides on 300 acres amid the Duke University campus. The hotel also sits within the vicinity of the school's 18-hole championship golf course. Guests must secure their tee time reservations at least 30 days in advance. The hotel offers 271 guest rooms, including deluxe, junior, family, master and presidential suites. All of the rooms feature wireless Internet access, a mini bar, high-end toiletries and a digital safe. The hotel also boasts its own fitness center, indoor swimming pool and a walking/running path through the Duke Forest. The hotel offers multiple dining options, including the Bull Durham Bar, two sit-down restaurants and afternoon tea service.

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

3001 Cameron Blvd.

Durham, North Carolina 27705

919-490-0999

washingtondukeinn.com

The Carolina Inn

The Carolina Inn received a four-diamond rating from AAA and two revered honors: listings with the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic Hotels of America. Dating back to 1924, the hotel resides on the North Carolina University campus, in the midst of downtown Chapel Hill. Guests can easily walk to a host of nearby restaurants, shops and art galleries. The hotel features 184 guest rooms and suites, all of which include free bathrobes, coffee-making facilities, Internet access and complimentary weekday newspapers. In-room spa services, including massages and beauty treatments, are available as well. The hotel also offers business services, meeting rooms, banquet facilities for private events and a fitness center.

The Carolina Inn

211 Pittsboro St.

Chapel Hill, NC 27516

919-933-2001

carolinainn.com

The Umstead Hotel & Spa

Located just 20 miles from Durham, the Cary-based Umstead Hotel & Spa offers 12-acres of land filled with gardens and a large lake. The onsite spa features a sauna, steam room, whirlpool and private treatment rooms outfitted with balconies. Such services include massages, manicures, pedicures, and body/facial scrubs. The Umstead plays host to four-star dining at Herons, a southern cuisine restaurant that also boasts vegetarian fare and afternoon tea service. The hotel also features the Umstead Bar and the option of dining poolside in a cabana. The 150 guest rooms and suites come equipped with free Internet access, a plasma television, DVD and CD player, spa robes and a refrigerator filled with gourmet snacks.

The Umstead Hotel & Spa

100 Woodland Pond

Cary, NC 27513

919-447-4000

theumstead.com

Tags: hotel also, North Carolina, Duke Golf, Duke Golf Club, Durham North, Durham North Carolina

Decorate A Prairiestyle Home

Consider the landscape of the prairie when decorating a Prairie-style home.

Prairie-style homes are homes built in the style of architectural legend Frank Lloyd Wright. They are characterized by simple, wide horizontal lines and nature-inspired colors; a Prairie-style home is much like a Craftsman-style home. The Prairie style of design gets its name from its resemblance to the prairies themselves. Decorating a Prairie-style home is a rejection of the ornamentation and excess of the Victorian era. Instead, your decorating should highlight simplicity and clean lines along with strong structure. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Furnish your Prairie-style home with wood pieces in natural stains and muted colors. The lines and colors of furniture in a Prairie home should be simple and clean, allowing the craftsmanship of the piece to shine through. Use built-ins such as bookcases and cabinets whenever possible to highlight the quality of the construction.

2. Incorporate geometric patterns into the flooring and window treatments. Bold and clean patterns such as diamond shapes and repeating square prints work well in a Prairie-style home. The geometric quality of this design inspired the graphics of mid-20th-century interiors, so you can draw pieces from this era as well.

3. Install moldings around window frames, baseboards and wall borders. Paint these moldings flat white or finish the wood with a light-maple stain. This helps frame the space and create architectural interest reminiscent of the Prairie-design era. Add even more architectural shape by installing chair rails and wainscoting. Geometric stencils are an inexpensive alternative to custom moldings.

4. Paint walls in creamy neutrals to contrast with the natural stain of the wood trim and furniture in the home. For bolder accent walls, as well as upholstery, window treatments, rugs and accessories, use rich, warm colors such as red, yellow, burnt orange, with matte finishes. Green, purple and blue can work well in a Prairie-style home, as long as their finishes are not glossy.

Tags: Prairie-style home, well Prairie-style, well Prairie-style home, window treatments, work well, work well Prairie-style

Living Room Interior Designing

The living room is where you gather with family and friends to watch television, listen to music, play games or have quiet conversation. It's a public space, so use a interior design scheme for your living room that meets all these needs and still look stylish, welcoming and comfortable. Does this Spark an idea?

Traditional

Traditional design elements in a living room make for a more formal appeal. Large-scale furniture in dark toned woods, floral patterned fabrics in subdued colors and floor-to-ceiling drapery are typical characteristics of traditional design. Fine antique pieces and classic-themed artwork complete the look. Use an antique table for game playing and a large armoire for storing the television and audio equipment.

Eclectic

A mix and match design can be very warm and inviting. Don't add too much to the room; that can look like a thrift shop. Design the room around two high-end furniture pieces. Repeat the lines and scale of these two pieces to create unity in the scheme. Maximize the unity by limiting the color scheme to two or three colors within the same color family. An example would be blue and green with yellow for accent and artwork. Don't hide the television but do keep the electronics organized.

Modern

Keep the lines clean and the colors sharp for this design style. Your color scheme could include chocolate brown with cream, royal blue with gold, or forest green with white. Use a minimum of accessories and artwork in the room, and include a flat screen television and hidden audio equipment. Use roman shades or one-inch wood blinds for window treatments.

Furniture layout

Keep the traffic flow moving through living rooms, and the conversation flowing. Put the sofa along the wall opposite the entrance and group side chairs around the sofa for a conversation area. If television is the main activity, use a sectional if possible for maximum seating. You can also make a horseshoe shaped seating area and turn the chairs to either face the sofa or the television, depending on the activity. If games are a common activity, use a coffee table that can be raised to a comfortable level for game playing. If possible, create a separate seating area around a gaming table. Successful furniture layout in a living room has group seating and open entrances.

Tags: audio equipment, color scheme, game playing, green with, living room, living room

Make A Parsons Table

With its clean lines and simple design, the Parsons table has become a timeless piece of furniture. Attributed to Jean-Michel Frank from New York's Parsons School of Design, this table was first introduced in the 1920s. Add style to any room by making a Parsons table.

Instructions

1. Cut a 30 by 20-inch piece of ?-inch thick medium-density fiberboard (MDF) for the table top. Next, cut three inch-wide pieces of MDF, two 20-inches long and two 30-inches long, being sure to miter the ends. These will be used as the rails on the sides of the table to give the illusion of a very thick top without the weight.

2. Use ?-inch thick poplar boards for the legs, cutting them to 19 inches in length for a coffee table height. Cut a total of 12 pieces, or 3 pieces for each leg. These will be the cores of the legs.

3. Align 3 pieces of the wood together and apply a thin layer of wood glue. Put in 1 ?-inch nails to help secure.

4. Cut the frame of the legs out of MDF or plywood 16-inches long. Two should be 3-inches wide and the other two should be 2 ?-inches wide, making pieces for each leg, or 16 pieces total. Attach these to the leg cores with glue and then nail. There should be 3 inches of leg core above this frame.

5. Glue the two shorter pieces of rail to two of the leg cores, then nail. Make sure they are flush and then left to dry. Attach the longer sides of rail once the glue has set for the shorter sides in the same manner and let dry.

6. Attach the table top to the frame with glue. Use finishing nails to be sure it is secure. Make the edges flush with the rails by using a flush trimming bit on a router. Allow glue to dry.

7. Touch up any nail holes and imperfections with wood filler and let dry. Sand the table, prime and paint any color desired.

Tags: -inch thick, pieces each, then nail, These will, with glue

Open Heaven'S Side Gates In "The Simpsons Game" For The Ps3

"

The Simpsons Game" features an entirely new story from the long-running television show that ends up with you against the creator of the series. Along the way you'll have to make your way through the locked side gates of heaven. There is a switch that will open these gates, and you'll need a character that can either float or glide to reach it. Pulling that switch will open the side gates and let the other Simpsons characters join you.

Instructions

1. Play through the final level until you defeat William Shakespeare. This will give you the objective to open heaven's side gates. Switch to Bart and use him to run through the house on the left.

2. Drop down to the walkway below the house and go forward until you see a platform. Go down the platform and then use Bart's grapple ability to reach the closest cloud. Jump to the next cloud. You're trying to make your way to the landing area in the distance, so keep that goal in mind while jumping from cloud to cloud.

3. Jump to the cloud that is moving up and down. Wait for this cloud to reach its apex, then jump from it onto the high cloud. Use the grapple ability to get to the next cloud.

4. Jump from this last cloud and use Bart's gliding ability to make it to the landing area with a switch in it. Flip this switch to open the side gates and fulfill this objective.

Tags: cloud Jump, side gates, grapple ability, landing area, make your

List Of Retro Hotels

In an age of mass-produced Marriotts and cookie-cutter accommodations, finding a hotel that is just a little bit different is a breath of fresh air. Many hotels have managed to remain budget conscious but still trendy by going the retro route. While other hotels are pouring money into five-star restaurants and outlandish amenities, these hotels are finding that guests often prefer unique to high end.

Ace Hotel

Ace Hotel is a small chain of boutique hotels located in Portland, Seattle, New York and Palm Springs. The hotels' décor was fashioned by top design firm Roman and Williams. Every room in each of the hotels has a completely unique design utilizing both vintage and retro furniture, fittings and art throughout. The designers made full use of natural, ecofriendly and sustainable elements creating an atmosphere of Bohemian chic in each of its rooms.

The Seattle hotel is as minimalistic as it is retro featuring clean, white rooms with splashes of color or the occasional 1970s photo mural. It's all about color in Portland with many of the rooms sporting hand-painted murals. New York's venue makes copious use of plaids in an almost otherwise industrial environment. The Palm Springs site is where metro meets the desert with fabric-covered walls and cabana shutters lining the walls.

acehotel.com

Hotel Helix

Hotel Helix is a part of the Kimpton family of hotels located in Washington, DC. Take a trip back into the 1960s and 1970s with pop art on the walls, metal minibars, wall murals, geometric designs and plenty of bright orange accents.

In addition to its standard single and double rooms, the Helix offers 12 specialty rooms. The Zone Rooms offer spacious apartment-like accommodations complete with plasma televisions and lava lamps. Their Bunk Rooms were created with families in mind and come equipped with everything your family will need from bunk beds to Nintendo. The Eats Rooms are perfect for foodies and celebrity chefs alike. They are outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen sporting stainless steel appliances and papaya accents.

Hotel Helix

1430 Rhode Island Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20005

(202) 462-9001

hotelhelix.com

The Foshay

The Foshay in Minneapolis is part of the W Hotel family that looks like anything but a chain hotel. Forbes Traveler says that to do retro-chic properly, "...there must be a tangible sense of history." That is evident at the Foshay where the roaring twenties meets modern hip. The hotel occupies the 32-story, art-deco skyscraper built by William Foshay in 1929.

The designers stayed true to their mission, incorporating both vintage and modern touches. Guest rooms sport neutral tones with splashes of vivid color and plenty of retro touches like clawfoot tubs. Cozy up in the living room where the traditional mantel fireplace has been reinvented as a modernistic firepit. Make a stop on the 27th floor for a cocktail in the Prohibition Lounge before taking a stroll on Minneapolis' only observation deck at the top of the tower.

The Foshay

821 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(812) 215-3700

starwoodhotels.com

Tags: Hotel Helix, both vintage, hotels located, Palm Springs, with splashes

Identify Furniture Of The 1800s By Its Dovetailing

Old wooden cabinet with dovetailing.

Dovetailing is a form of joining joints in wood. The wood is easy to identify as antique by looking at the angles, or connecting parts of wood. Joints on wood were not machine-cut until 1860. Joints were connected and held in place by wooden pins that were narrower than the parts of the wood being connected. By looking at the sections of joined wood and seeing these pins, you can identify furniture made in the 1800s.

Instructions

1. Remove the drawers and look at the front and back of the drawer, where the sides of the drawer are fastened together. Observe the workmanship to see if there are many dovetails and if the dovetails are matching and without pins. These would indicate modern machine-cut dovetails, not pieces of furniture made in the 1800s.

2. Look at the condition of the wood. Look for nicks and cuts in the wood. This would indicate the use of a plane tool or a draw-knife. See if there are straight saw marks, which would indicate an older piece from the 19th century. Arc shapes would indicate that the wood was cut by a circular saw, which was used in the later half of the 19th century.

3. Look for odd shapes or pieces of wood that do not match perfectly or joining parts of different sizes. This would indicate an antique piece with dovetailing. The wood should never be uniform; only machine-cut pieces were made to match exactly.

4. Observe the finish on the wood near the dovetailing. There should be a shellac finish on the wood made from oil, wax or milk paint. Look for fine French-polished pieces with dovetailing, as this will indicate a finer wood piece with detailing made in the 1800s. Anything coated with a lacquer or varnish finish indicates a later piece.

5. Test the wood if you can. Sometimes you may not be able to tell by dovetailing alone. Rub denatured alcohol with a cotton ball or cloth onto a small section of the furniture. If the alcohol dissolves, the finish is probably made from shellac.

6. Test painted dovetailed wood with ammonia, using the same method as you did with the alcohol. Clean the wood before testing it, if it's overly dirty, with equal parts denatured alcohol, white vinegar and kerosene. Clean off the wood with mild soap and water after testing and then let it dry.

Tags: would indicate, made 1800s, with dovetailing, 19th century, Clean wood