While everyone can certainly benefit from the soothing and warming properties that a dancing flame provides, there aren’t many portable gel fireplaces that will fit in every budget. Fortunately, the Oasis Table Top Fireplace does! The design of this piece is like a dream come true, it’s contemporary, elegant and can complement any decor! Not to mention, it is the perfect size to take out on a small balcony, patio or you can simply enjoy it inside of your home. This fireplace is really lightweight so when it says portable, it means portable!

This stylish piece is stainless steel and comes with gorgeous white river stones but if these don’t match your décor, you can replace them if you choose with other colored fire glass, seashells or anything else nonflammable. It uses either pourable gel fuel or gel fuel canisters which are completely environmentally-friendly so you never have to be concerned with polluting the air outside or in your home. Nor do you have to be bothered with cleaning up the mess that burning wood would leave behind.

The Oasis Tabletop Gel Fireplace will provide you with warmth, ambiance and even when it’s not burning, it is still a stunning piece of art. You can find this fireplace at The Soothing Company at a great price!

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Rather than being a modern concept, underfloor heating in fact dates back to Roman times when homeowners piped hot air under their homes to help keep their homes more cosy. These heating systems can sometimes be known as radiant heating systems and need to be installed by qualified plumbers. The system works by using either hot water or electric heating units under the floor to evenly distribute heat throughout a room. In hot water (wet) systems the water running under the floor in pipes uses water from a central boiler to heat the room. It can therefore be programmed in much the same way as a conventional central heating system.

Many people believe that underfloor heating can offer homeowners significant energy savings because of the way it operates. Because the heating comes from the lowest level in the room and hot air rises, this type of heating works more effectively at a low level that may otherwise be difficult to warm. It also heats throughout the room more evenly rather than emanating from a fixed centralised point as a radiator does. This means you are less likely to crank up the temperature – and the energy used – to warm up a colder corner in the room. Underfloor heating also boasts a reduced energy requirement compared with the use of water-heated radiators. Pipes for underfloor use require water heated to around 113-149° F (45-65° C) compared to the 176° F (80° C) needed by radiators. This type of system will comfortably warm a floor to 77-82.4° F (25-28° C) and it has been estimated that it could make homeowners energy savings of around 15 to 40%.

Other benefits of underfloor heating relate to space and convenience. A room without radiators on the walls looks larger and less cluttered and is also easier to decorate. In addition, underfloor heating can help reduce the moisture content of a room, which can be of particular benefit to asthma sufferers who may suffer problems caused by dust mites, which can thrive in damp environments.

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The Museum of Modern Art is located in Midtown Manhattan, NYC. It has been described as one of the most influential museums of modern art in the world. Not only does the MOMA contain modern art from artists such as Jackson Pollack and Vincent Van Gogh, it also shares over 300,000 books about architecture, drawings, paintings and sculptures. The Museum of Modern Art originally opened 7 days after the Wall Street Crash in November of 1929. With this said, I felt very privileged to have been able to have this experience. I attached one photo of the modern furniture I ran across.

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Chances are, your baby isn’t too fussy about the style of their room at least until they become a toddler so why not create a contemporary look until you have to change it to a princess or superhero theme? You’re spending a lot of time in the nursery so when the surroundings make you feel good, your baby will pick up on your feelings and be more relaxed.

• Color Palette – Use one wall to paint darker and leave the others as a calming neutral. Ideally, you will use three colors to make up your palette like beige, chocolate and white or white, black and lime green, etc.

• Furniture – The furniture should fit with your color scheme, be minimal and positioned so there is plenty of space, allowing positive energy to flow through and keep you from feeling cramped.

• Decor – A natural fiber rug in a bold pattern is a great accent as are textured wall art, three-dimensional mobiles, etc. Consider using some type of cabinet to house stuffed animals, toys and other baby gear so it doesn’t look cluttered.

The effect a room has on you will ultimately affect your baby. A contemporary room has been voted very helpful for women who are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or suffering from postpartum depression.

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Do you have an old nightstand you just don’t know what to do with or maybe you stumbled across one at an antique store, flea market or garage sale? Before you turn your nose up at that chipped paint, think about giving it a second chance. There are some truly unique and spectacular stenciling methods you can employ on this type of furniture.

• Prep – Remove any handles and sand where it is needed. Apply an even but thick coat of a quality all-purpose sealer using a foam brush and allow this to dry completely.

• Paint – Everything should be painted a base color before you begin stenciling any designs.

• Stencil – You can buy stencils at a craft store or make your own. The most important rule to stenciling is to allow one color to dry completely before laying the stencil over what you have just painted so you don’t smear your work. This may take a little patience but even if the paint is a little tacky, it will affect the result if you try to lay a stencil over it.

• Finish – To make sure that your hard work is well protected, seal the piece with a few coats of varnish, preferably satin finish. Fasten back on any handles that you previously removed.

Stencils can be used to create any kind of look, blend with a theme or add a focal point. This method is great on any type of furniture and ideal for kids rooms and nurseries.

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If you are planning to add a deck to your backyard landscaping, you have quite a few decisions to make, one of those decisions is choosing between wood or composite decking. While either will look spectacular, they both have their clear advantages and disadvantages.

Wood Decks

If price is your main concern, wood is the smart choice. Although you can use several types of wood, pine or fir are the least expensive. Treated lumber is durable and should always be used for structural areas such as floor joists and posts. On the other hand, if you don’t mind spending a little more, cedar and redwood are both gorgeous and they contain natural preservatives, making them more durable. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t still need a good stain or sealer to keep them attractive.

Composite Decking

These types of decks have become a very popular choice. Although they traditionally cost significantly more than wood, they are extremely low maintenance and very durable. Composite decking is created to look like many different types of wood. Newer decks are often created with hidden fasteners so there are no unsightly screws in any of the boards which is always a bonus as well.

If you are having a hard time deciding on material, most lumber yards will help you out or you can ask the opinion of a professional. An attractive, durable deck will give you a place to enjoy the outdoors for many years and will add to the value of your home.

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It is surprising how many homes are exquisitely decorated with exceptional decor yet their hallways fall short. Why do hallways, especially long ones, seem to be such an afterthought or completely neglected? According to Taoist beliefs that are reflected in Feng Shui, chi (energy) travels through your home. However, if a long dark and dreary hallway is uninviting, it may not make the journey to enter into the other rooms of your home. Hallways need to be welcoming and as thoughtfully decorated as the rest of your house is.

Lighting

If your hallway is closed off and dark, lighting is crucial. This doesn’t necessarily have to rely on overhead lighting either. A small decorative lamp on a table or shelf or a motion light is a wonderful addition as well.

Mirrors

To help positive energy flow down your hallway to the next room, mirrors or other reflective objects are essential. Not to mention, they make visitors feel a little more comfortable as they pass through as well.

Plants

A lovely leafy plant at the end of the hallway will draw energy in that direction. Just be sure to move it into the sun sometimes throughout the day as needed. Plants have a way of breathing new life into a room so use them wherever you can!

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We’ve got some tips for you on how to keep your home clean and sparkly. The tips are divided into three groups based on the letter result you got after doing the quiz, but all of them are good!

If you got… mostly a’s: You’re a cleanliness guru! We don’t really need to give you any tips (in fact, you’ve probably got some for us!), but here are some things to keep in mind as you clean house:

• You don’t have to be perfect – we sure aren’t. If cleaning too often is causing you stress, you’re at a point where you can take it down a notch and your home won’t suffer.
• Try buying more organic, natural products to clean with next time you’re out shopping.
• Enlist the help of family members for the little tasks – you’ll appreciate the time off from housework!

If you got… mostly b’s: You’ve got the instinct, now just amp it up! Some tips:

• A little now goes a long way later. You probably know this, but if you do small things more often – like using a daily shower spray – you will have less work later on.
• Stay vigilant. Don’t put off your Saturday afternoon kitchen scrub-down just because your favorite program comes on TV.
• Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products, and you’ll not only help the earth, but your skin as well!

If you got… mostly c’s: You need serious cleaning help! Thankfully we’ve got some ideas for you:

• Start small. You barely clean, so start by wiping your windows one day, counters the next, and then tackle floors on the weekend.
• Tidiness is the first step. Keeping things off the floor and in their proper place goes a long way in making a clean house.
• Ask for help. If you’re not sure of the best way to get things clean, get friends and family to pitch in!

Happy cleaning!

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Take this short quiz to see how clean your home really is (and be honest!), and look for some quick and easy home cleaning tips in tomorrow’s post!

How Clean is Your Home?

1. If you smell a distinct odor coming from your kitchen, what do you do?
   • a. Rush to your refrigerator and cabinets with anti-bacterial spray in hand, determined to get to the source of the problem asap.
   • b. Do a quick wipe down of the counters, toss the garbage, and spray some Febreeze.
   • c. Wonder for a second if it might be the three-day-old yogurt you spilled on the counter this morning, and move on.
2. How often do you change your bathroom towels?
   • a. I wash my towels every 2 weeks.
   • b. Whenever I’m doing a load of laundry that could use a few more items, I’ll throw them in.
   • c. Change them? I guess I would change them if they began to sprout…
3. When do you clean your bathtub?
   • a. I spray it with daily shower cleaner after every use, and wipe down the curtain. I’ll also usually give it an intensive scrub down every week to keep it glistening!
   • b. Every two weeks, I’ll spray and clean it.
   • c. If my mother-in-law comes to visit, I’ll scrape away the grime and throw out the four or five empty shampoo bottles… if I have time.

Did you get mostly a’s, b’s or c’s? Remember your letter, because tomorrow we’re going to give you targeted tips to keep your home clean without going crazy!

Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.

Check out our Modern Furniture collection on PadStyle Shop.