Thursday, April 26, 2012

Samsung DA29-00003G Aqua-Pure Plus Refrigerator Water Filter, 2-Pack

!±8± Samsung DA29-00003G Aqua-Pure Plus Refrigerator Water Filter, 2-Pack

Brand : Samsung | Rate : | Price : $63.84
Post Date : Apr 26, 2012 14:38:04 | Usually ships in 24 hours


  • Uses high-grade carbon block to remove over 99% of the potentially harmful contaminants that may be present in your water
  • Reduces cysts, chlorine taste and odor, particulates (Class I), lead and mercury.
  • Recommended usage: Replace every 6 months
  • DA29-00003G replaces DA29-00003B and DA29-00003A
  • Tested and certified by NSF® International

More Specification..!!

Cheep Haircutting Tools Battery And Charger Kit For Nikon P100 P500 Digital Camera Includes Extende... Cheap Where To Buy At-a-glance Designer Monthly Planner, 6 X 9 Inches, Black Check, 201...

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Sell Homes Faster and For More Money - 10 Tricks From a Home Stager

!±8± Sell Homes Faster and For More Money - 10 Tricks From a Home Stager

In a buyer's market with plenty of homes to choose from on the MLS, Home Staging is arguably the most important thing you can do get your home sold before the competition. And while hiring a professional home stager is the best way to ensure your home is prepared to it's absolute fullest potential, there are many things you can do on your own to achieve big impact in the eyes of the buyer. Below are 10 of the top tricks to help you prepare your home for sale to ensure it's as appealing as possible to every potential buyer.

1. KITCHENS SELL HOUSES
Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and travertine tile are beautiful additions to kitchens, but don't think that sprucing up a kitchen has to be such a massive investment. A fresh coat of paint on the walls, updating of hardware and faucets and simple accessories on the counters can give the kitchen a major facelift. Before you replace the cabinets consider having them re-finished or re-painted and add some updated hardware in a brushed nickel or bronze finish to give them a like-new look for a lot less money.

2. CURB APPEAL IS CRUCIAL
Your house should excite the buyer from the moment they arrive - hedges should be trimmed, grass mowed and pine islands manicured. Replace tarnished exterior sconces, doors and hardware, place eye-catching potted plants on the steps leading to your door and put a fresh welcome mat out to greet guests as they arrive. With over 80% of people searching the internet before ever stepping foot in a house, that first exterior photo that pops up on the MLS is crucial to encouraging buyers to explore further.

3. BUYERS NO LONGER WANT BATHROOMS, THEY WANT SPAS
Ensure your bathroom has a soothing color on the walls and place a stack of fluffy towels by the tub and a basket of soaps and lotions by the sink. Again, updates don't have to cost top dollar - consider painting or re-finishing the vanity, hanging a new framed mirror and updating the faucets and light fixtures.

4. LIGHTEN AND BRIGHTEN
Lightening and brightening is the cheapest thing you can do with the biggest return on investment. Pull open your blinds and curtains and turn on every overhead light and lamp in the house before all showings. Still have those heavy window treatments you put up in the 70s or 80s? Pull them down and let the light pour in - you're selling your windows and the view, not the dressings surrounding them.

5. AVOID LINING THE WALLS WITH FURNITURE
This is one of the most consistent mistakes I see when staging for clients. Not only do most rooms have 1-2 pieces that are simply not needed, everything that's in the room has been pushed to the walls so there is a big, empty, unusable space in the middle! Pull sofas off walls, remove extra furniture that isn't serving a necessary purpose and allow buyers to see the peripheral of the room. This will add instant visual square footage.

6. DE-PERSONALIZE
When searching for a home, the goal is to find the one you can best envision yourself living in. That being said, buyers need non-personal style and décor in order to feel "at home" as they are walking through. Pull down the personal photos, deer heads or plate collections and replace them with a beautiful framed mirror or landscape artwork. Flip through Pottery Barn and West Elm catalogs, then do your best to implement that style in your own home.

7. PAINT, PAINT, PAINT
Busy wallpaper, nicked walls and ultra dark or bright colors should always be painted over. Nothing gives an easier, less expensive facelift than a fresh coat of paint in a nice neutral color, which will simultaneously curb odors. But don't let the word neutral lead you to painting your entire house beige - variety of color in a natural palette will give your house a memorable warmth and charm. Use colors you see in nature such as beige, sage, soft yellow and gray-blue. If you're overwhelmed by the thousands of colors on tiny swatches at the paint store, try ordering a professionally recommended paint deck of colors like "Paint Colors That Sell" to slim down your options to only those best paint colors that are proven to help sell homes.

8. FRESH BEDDING = MAJOR BEDROOM MAKEOVER
In the bedrooms, and especially the master, the bed should be an inviting, beautiful focal point that beckons buyers to come in and take a load off. An updated bed-in-a-bag can be purchased for - 0 at TJ Maxx, Linens-N-Things, Marshalls or Target. Purchase bedding that ties in with the feeling and color of your room in updated patterns such as jacquard or damask. Or play it safe with an elegant white duvet with a few throw pillows that bring in the color of your walls!

9. KNOW YOUR BUYER
Is your home a two bedroom townhome in Buckhead, or a five bedroom house on an acre in East Cobb? The location, size and layout of your home are good indicators of who will most likely be looking at and eventually purchasing your home. Once you've identified your buyer, cater to them with the style of furnishings, colors and overall lifestyle you present in the house.

10. DECIDE YOU'RE GOING TO SELL
While staging your home is necessary to ensure you get top dollar as quickly as possible, you should not simply stage your home, put it on the market and then sit back and wait. You can never be sure what action will actually secure a contract - so do it all. Print your flyers in color, not black and white, and keep the box full. Ensure every inch of your house sparkles for every showing and that there is a fresh scent when buyers walk in. Open your doors for an open house when you're available on Saturdays and Sundays. Send out an email to friends and family in the area with photos and specs on the house letting them know you're on the market. Decide you're going to sell and then do everything in your power to do so.

Good Luck!


Sell Homes Faster and For More Money - 10 Tricks From a Home Stager

Shopping Rigid Mitre Saw Stand

Saturday, December 31, 2011

What Does the Pineapple Symbolize?

!±8± What Does the Pineapple Symbolize?

The influence of the pineapple fruit is apparent in the enchanting array of decorations available that use the pineapple form as part of its creation. We hear of architectural elements like pineapple pedestals, pineapple brackets and corbels as well as pineapple wall sculptures, and of its use in the kitchen in the form of pineapple napkin holders and trivets as well as bookends to grace your desk and library with hospitality and an air of friendliness and warmth. The pineapple has indeed a colorful history spanning from colonial times and is today heralded as the princess of fruits and credited as the symbol of hospitality and welcome. To give the pineapple as a gift conveys your intention to promote friendliness and graciousness to the recipient. The pineapple began initially as the fruit of the wealthy and guests were revered and charmed when a pineapple was placed amidst their presence in the dining area for that indicated the amount of respect and consideration the hostess besot upon them. Colonial America drew a refreshing and inspiring means in using the pineapple motif in indulging their guests to the table and for a night spent at their home. Fresh pineapples were welcomed and appreciated as an expensive dessert for guests while the thought of spending time in a room heavily decorated with pineapple designs in the bedposts or headboards were considered luxurious and gratifying.

The Origin of the Pineapple: The pineapple fruit may have originated from Brazil and Paraguay in South America where it reportedly received a boost into the European markets through Christopher Columbus who discovered the pineapple fruit in Guadeloupe in 1493. It was nicknamed the "pina" since it looked very much like a pinecone and brought to Spain. Sir Walter Raleigh was also very interested in the pineapple which he affectionately termed as the princess fruit. The interest in bringing this fruit into Europe then began. However, the Europeans were not sure how to grow the fruit and its arrival into Europe only began around the late 16th Century taking the Europeans almost two long centuries to study and grow this much desired fruit. Once in Europe, this delicious fruit eventually wove its way into Holland and England. The English society was very impressed with the first pineapple created by the Royal Gardener, Mr John Rose for Charles II that it also inspired Hendrick Danckerts to paint the picture of the presentation of the fruit in 1675. The much celebrated pineapple was then grown in India and spread to China and in 1777, made available in the Pacific Islands through Captain Cook.

The Inspiration of the Pineapple: The English who were overwhelmed with the lovely pineapple fruit drew inspiration from its looks and unique shape. As a result, the pineapple fruit inspired the coat of arms and was used as an architectural element in pottery and planters. The artistic appeal and decorative effect that the pineapple fruit rendered were significant and the pineapple symbol inspired bed posts, tablecloths, napkins and napkin holders as well as bookends and candle holders. The symbol of this cherished fruit grew to be represented on any form of decorations that were visibly displayed for guests to enjoy and feel welcomed. Even till today, the pineapple fruit raises much interest in states like Virginia, Hawaii and Florida where the use of pineapple themed accessories and gifts are instrumental in highlighting the peace loving and hospitable people who reside within.

The Medicinal Powers of the Pineapple: The pineapple is also credited with possessing healing powers and records indicate that its tasty juice was used for curing throat infections, arthritis, bronchitis and indigestion. The use of the pineapple for the treatment of diseases was however confined to the natives who originally grew them. It is not certain as to whether this fruit was used for any healing purposes in colonial America. Modern studies also confirms that the fruit contains an enzyme known as "bromelain" which may be used in the treatment of heart disease, combating sinus congestion and also be used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Fresh pineapple is loaded with Vitamin C and speeds up tissue growth and repair. Worthy of note however is that bromelain is contained in fresh pineapple and canning appears to destroy this enzyme but not the Vitamin C content.

The Entry of the Pineapple into the Americas: Colonists began importing this delicious fruit from the Caribbean in the 17th Century and it soon took root as one of the revered and lavish fruits known available to the wealthy. Since it was difficult to bring in this fruit into the country given that the trade routes where this fruit was procured was considered dangerous, it was considered a marked achievement to bring forth such a rare fruit for the guests. That occasion was almost always reserved for the wealthy class to partake and enjoy but there was also occasion when the pineapple was rented to elevate a person's rank in society for showing the ability in bringing to the table such an expensive fruit for display. The pineapple fruit then eventually began to take on a new meaning as a symbol of warmth and friendliness. It was the crowning piece used for the large displays of food that the wealthy brought forth to the table. The hostess took much pain and trouble in elevating her family's social status in colonial American society by introducing pineapple displays as it indicated a resourcefulness in engaging a unique display of food for all to admire and share. History records that New England sea captains would impale a pineapple outside their homes on gateposts or on their front doors as a symbol of safe return after returning from perilous trade routes in the Caribbean or Pacific. Today, commercial production of pineapples is credited in the state of Hawaii and Florida where Hawaii is notably one of the world's largest producers of canned pineapples.

The Use of the Pineapple Theme in Decorating: Even till today, Americans continue to show interest in decorating the home with pineapple designs. Not only are pineapple designs prevalent in the home in places like the foyer and living areas as well as kitchen, they are also visibly displayed in the form of pineapple finials on gateposts or as fountains for the garden. The use of pineapple plaques highlighted with the warm, inviting words "Welcome to our Home" has become a common sight. Virginia still continues to be one of the primary states that ardently displays pineapple motifs and designs in many of their household accessories, still highlighting the pineapple symbol as the highest form of hospitality rendered. The pineapple symbol is also an accent that is strongly welcomed by their hospitality industry where displays of pineapple themed fixtures and decorations on wall papers and furniture, are legendary. Virginia highlights many tourist destinations that imbibe the use of the pineapple into its architectural landscape. The Shirley Plantation highlights 3.5 feet of wooden pineapple constructed in the late 1700s on the peak of the roof line as a show of hospitality and as an invitation to river travelers coming to the plantation. The establishment also highlights the use of beautiful pineapple motifs within its premises.

No one can therefore dispense the historical, social and economic impact of the pineapple fruit which was once compared to the pinecone. While the production of pineapples have fueled the economies for the states of Florida and Hawaii, the symbolic designs and good looks of the pineapple has also led to much inspiration in decorating concepts and designs using unique pineapple themed accessories for the home and garden. The pineapple also continues to inspire the hospitality industry in many of these states which were responsible for providing this fruit to the rest of the Americas, highlighting the deep meaning attached to the symbol of the pineapple.

Written by Romilla D. for Kaviik's Accents

© 2008 Kaviik's Accents Inc. All Rights Reserved


What Does the Pineapple Symbolize?

Promo Salt Water Pool Chlorinators 6x6 Atvs Discounted


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Fran�ais Deutsch Italiano Portugu�s
Espa�ol ??? ??? ?????







Sponsor Links