5 Reasons To Buy Amish Furniture

Jul 1, 2014 by Phinn Markham

The popularity of Amish furniture in Canada and the US is easy to understand. The furniture is beautifully handcrafted and full of character, simple enough in design to match many decors and sturdy enough to last for many years. Here are just five reasons why you should consider buying Amish furniture for your home.

Amish Furniture Is Built To Last

Most stores selling Amish furniture will tell you that you should expect the furniture to last for several generations. This isn’t just idle sales talk, but rather a natural consequence of the high quality hardwoods used in the construction of the furniture. Also, the Amish craftsmen who make the furniture have learned skills passed down through generations of dedicated carpenters, so the handmade results are generally superior to machine-made furniture.

Green And Sustainable Furniture

Because the Amish do not use electricity to make their furniture, there is less of an impact on the environment. The hardwoods used in the crafting of the furniture are all grown locally to the craftsmen and are sustainable resources, carefully tended to ensure that there will continue to be enough wood to sustain the carpenter’s production.

Simple, Elegant Furniture

The simple elegance of the many styles of Amish furniture is both beautiful and practical. Their simplicity makes it easier to match them to many decorative styles, while their long-lasting functionality provides years of use for the entire family.

Furniture That Supports A Community

The Amish have long been a community that has taken care of itself with minimal assistance from outsiders. The high quality craftsmanship of its furniture is highly sought after by outsiders who are willing to pay a fair price for the items produced by the Amish. This helps the Amish to buy the things that they can’t produce locally, such as medicines and farm equipment. By making more than they need of certain items, the Amish can earn money to keep their families and communities thriving.

Amish Furniture Can Be Built To Order

Many Amish craftsmen deal with outsiders who represent them by selling their furniture online or in stores, since the Amish don’t typically use computers or telephones. If you want a piece of custom made furniture, you can speak with the representative of the carpenters and tell them what you want. They can then pass on your request to the Amish craftsmen, or tell you how to meet with them, to discuss your furniture needs. This allows customers to get exactly what they want in regards to furniture design.

The history and quality of Amish furniture is what appeals to most buyers, but the beauty is also a major factor in convincing customers to buy Amish made furniture. See for yourself at places like Truly Amish how versatile and well-made Amish furniture really is.

read more

Tips And Tricks For Keeping Your Shag Rug Looking Great

Jun 18, 2014 by Phinn Markham

Several years ago shag rugs came back into the limelight. They can transform a room with their comfortable feel on your feet and luxurious design. When it comes to keeping shag rugs looking their best, nothing beats a professional cleaning.  Unfortunately, rugs can lose their luster between professional cleanings, like with Diamond Carpet Cleaning, and may need some DIY sprucing up. You can keep your shag rug looking its best between cleanings by following a few helpful tips and tricks.

Vacuuming

Regularly vacuuming your shag rug is the best way to keep it looking like new. The key is finding the right kind of vacuum. You should use a vacuum that has a removable beater bar, sometimes called a power bar.  Beater bars are attached to the floor tool of the vacuum.  The bar is covered with bristles and spins to loosen and pull dirt and debris out of the carpet fibers.  Beater bars are great for regular carpet, but when it comes to shag rugs, they can damage the fibers. This will prematurely age your rug, leaving it looking worn out.

Shag rugs look their best when they are vacuumed at least once a week with the vacuum set on the highest setting.  If the rug is being used in a high traffic area, vacuuming more frequently is recommended. You need a vacuum that has the maximum suctioning power to reach deep down into the carpet.

It’s not widely known that you can vacuum the underside of shag rugs. You can suction out deeply ground-in dirt this way. This should be done as often as you vacuum your rug if possible. Keeping dirt and debris from being ground into the carpet fibers will keep your rug looking clean.

Cleaning

There are many over-the-counter carpet cleaners that can be used for spot cleaning.  Shag rugs can also be steam cleaned with a rented steam cleaner if you don’t own one of your own.  If you are looking to make your own carpet cleaning solution, you can mix equal parts hot water and white vinegar. Regardless of the cleaning solution you use, don’t use a foaming cleanser. These cleansers can be extremely hard to completely rinse out of your rug.

You can spot clean or deep clean your rug as needed or at least twice yearly. Professional cleanings should be scheduled once every five years, sooner if your rug sees excessive wear and tear.

There are dry shampooing products available that can help deodorize and loosen dirt. The dry shampoo is sprinkled into the carpet and sits for about an hour.  You can work the dry shampoo further into the carpet fibers by running your vacuum with beater bar in place over the carpet fibers.  Don’t turn the vacuum on, just run it over the rug. After the shampoo has set for the correct amount of time, remove the beater bar of your vacuum and suction the shampoo out.

Caring for a shag rug is much like any other carpet.  Most over the counter cleaners are safe to use and vacuuming on a regular basis will keep your rug looking fresh and clean.  Spot cleaning and steam cleaning are safe to do as needed.  Professional cleanings will completely restore your rug to it’s full, luxurious and comfortable look.

read more

5 Common Landscape Flowers That Are Surprisingly Poisonous To Your Pets

Jun 12, 2014 by Phinn Markham

Whether you just adopted a cat or dog, or if you are setting up your landscape for the first time, you might not consider that your pets may want to nibble on outdoor flowers. Some of the most common flowers found in landscapes can make your pets sick. Whether you are just planning your landscape or if it is already established, consider avoiding or removing these five flowers to keep your pets safe.

Carnations

The carnation is one of the most used flowers in floral arrangements. Many people who venture into the world of designing their own landscape automatically consider incorporating this flower into the design because of its beauty and commonality. But it is also one of the most poisonous to your pets. It will not cause death but it can produce these symptoms:

• Gastrointestinal discomfort
• Dermatitis

Chrysanthemum

Both cats and dogs love the smell of the chrysanthemum, so they may wish to nibble on it while playing in your yard. Because it is a popular choice in landscapes, you may not realize that this flower causes the following symptoms your pet may be experiencing:

• Vomiting
• Dermatitis
• Excessive drooling
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Loss of Coordination

Begonia

As beautiful as you might think they are, begonias pose a serious threat to your pets. The tubers (the underground part of the stem) is said to be the most dangerous. Consider removing these plants and get your pet medical attention if they are demonstrating these symptoms:

• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Irritation of the tongue, lips and other parts of the mouth

Amaryllis

If you are like most people, when you begin your landscaping plans you might be considering the popular Amaryllis. This ornamental flower is commonly found in backyards and gardens around the country, but if you have pets that like to dig, you may want to reconsider. If your pets begin chewing on the bulbs of these flowers, they could suffer these symptoms:

• Digestive irritation
• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• Excessive drooling

Rhododendron

Seriously reconsider using the rhododendron in your landscape if you have household pets. This common flower can produce many symptoms if eaten by your pet. Some of the following symptoms may go away within a day or two:

• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• Depression
• Leg paralysis
• Weak heart rate
• Loss of coordination

If more than a day or two has passed and your pet is still experiencing these symptoms, take them to the veterinarian right away.

Before you choose flowers for your landscape, check with your veterinarian or a landscaper from a service like Grizzly Mountain Landscaping to see if what you are choosing may harm your cat or dog. Often pets who spend time outdoors demonstrate symptoms that you may not realize are coming from something as simple as the flowers you enjoy.

read more

Care And Repair For Teakwood Furniture

Jun 12, 2014 by Phinn Markham

Known as one of the most expensive woods, teak wood is one of the strongest types of wood in the world. Teak is a low-maintenance wood that requires little care, making it a favorite furniture wood for many. A few steps can be taken to protect the beauty of the wood from the elements or even from scratches if necessary.

What Makes Teakwood Durable?

Teak trees are part of the birch tree family and are usually grown in plantations in India, Thailand, and Indonesia. Teak trees have natural oils that protect the wood from the elements such as weather, extreme temperatures, and insect infestations. Rainy climates may pose an issue for the wood, so wood may be treated or protected in these instances. Even after trees are harvested for furniture, housing, and boating use, the oils protect the wood from deep scratches and breakage.

Furniture Uses

Teakwood is often used for outdoor patio furniture and decorative tables because of its sturdiness and rich golden hue. Authentic teak furniture can last for decades, much longer than wicker and other wood-based furniture, making it a smart long-term choice. However, given its expense, many also view teak wood furniture as a status symbol. It may be worth the expense if you want furniture built to last.

Protecting the Wood

Teak is one of the few woods that does not need to be protected with wood stains or polyurethane to preserve its natural beauty. Over time, though, if exposed to the sun and extreme temperatures, the golden color will fade to a silvery grey, which some teak furniture owners may not. Some may want to preserve the golden color throughout the life of the furniture.

There are teak sealers available on the market. These sealers have UV protection and fungicidal compounds that will help prevent patina and ward off mold and mildew if you live in a rainy environment. The sealer can be applied to teak furniture of any age as long as the wood is clean and dry.

Unlike polyurethane and wood stains, teak sealers allow the wood to breathe since the wood’s oils are not trapped. Since the oils are not trapped inside the wood, the sealer will not peel or bubble like it would with other protective measures.

Prior to applying the sealer, allow the furniture to dry in the sun for a week. The drying process opens the wood grain so it will absorb sealant better. Once dried, apply the sealer with a clean rag and rub it in well. Once applied, the wood will be protected. Sealant will need to be reapplied yearly.

Fixing Cosmetic Damage

While the oils protect the wood from deep gouges, like other wood, teakwood can scratch. However, cosmetic damage is easy to repair.

Prior to fixing scratches, clean the teakwood with a diluted dish detergent or specialized teak cleaner to remove debris. Make sure the wood is completely dry for 24–48 hours. Damp wood will not respond well to the fixes you will apply since the grain will not be open.

Dab a small amount of wood glue on your pinkie finger and lightly dab it into the scratches. Make sure the glue does not spill out of the scratches; you just want enough glue to make sure it goes inside them. Allow the glue to dry.

Use a fine grain sandpaper and lightly sand with the direction of the grain. Going against the grain will make more scratches, while going with the grain will smooth out scratches and bring out the color of the wood. Once the wood’s honey color comes out, you can stop sanding.

After sanding, apply teak oil, available at furniture and hardware stores, to the wood so it maintains its shape and color.

Enjoy Your Furniture

Teak furniture is strong and durable and doesn’t need much maintenance. Protecting the furniture from the elements and minor cosmetic damage will help the wood last longer so you can enjoy it for decades to come.

read more

Annuals, Perennials, Biennials Oh My! Which Should You Choose?

Jun 11, 2014 by Phinn Markham

A well-tended flower garden adds color and personality to your landscape. You can choose from a variety of annuals, perennials, and biennials, but they do have different life cycles and needs. Learning the differences can help you choose which plants are best for your landscaping project. 

Annuals Are Rapid Growers

Annual flowers live for one growing season. They grow, bloom, and produce seed during their short life cycle. However, with proper care, many annuals continue to bloom until a fall frost. 

• Most annual plants need moist soil to thrive, which means 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water per week.
• Annuals benefit from frequent feedings because they grow quickly. You can use a slow-release fertilizer at planting and again mid-season.
• Annual flowers continue blooming if you deadhead, which is simply removing spent flowers before a seed head develops.

Annuals are usually less expensive than perennials, making them a cheap way to add color to your landscape. There are other good uses for annuals.

• Colorful cover up: Because annuals grow quickly, trailing varieties can rapidly cover an eyesore, such as an old stump. 
• Cut flowers: Many annuals make excellent cut flowers, and because they continue to bloom, you’ll have plenty for indoor arrangements and outdoor color.
• Adding Color: Annual seeds are inexpensive, so you can fill an entire flower bed with color on a budget and switch it up the next year. 

Perennials Are Particular

Perennials live for several years but bloom at a particular time of the year. Some bloom for 2 to 4 weeks, while others may bloom for longer periods or more than once per season. The care perennials need depends on the variety and growth habits; however, they all require some basic care.

• Most perennials need an inch of water per week; however, if you plant drought-tolerant varieties of moisture-loving plants, you’ll need to adjust to the plant’s needs.
• Perennials require feeding in spring, just as they emerge from the soil, and again about a month later. You can use an all purpose granular fertilizer with a concentration of 5-10-5; use one pound for every 25 square feet of garden.

Choose perennials that are well-adapted to your area to reduce the maintenance requirements. Perennials have a variety of uses in the landscape. You can plant them in masses, mix up combinations of colors and textures, and create certain garden styles. 

• Cottage style: Use an informal mix of perennials planted in close proximity to create an old-fashioned garden. A mix of hollyhocks, irises, phlox, and roses can give a garden a cottage style appearance.
• Shade garden: Many perennials thrive in the shade. Ferns and hostas make good shade garden flowers.
• Prairie style: Using native tall grasses and tall flowers, like black-eyed Susan, gives a landscape a tall-grass, prairie-like appearance. 

Biennials Are Slower to Bloom

Biennials take two years to complete their life cycle. They grow into a leafy plant the first year, go dormant in winter, and bloom the following season. They require care similar to perennial plants, but needs can vary by plant. 

• Biennials need moist soil.
• Most biennial plants need at least six hours of sunlight daily.
• Biennials require a period of cold weather to go through dormancy and bloom the next season. 

You can use biennials by mixing them in with perennials beds, but keep in mind they won’t bloom the first year. Some common biennials include dusty miller, sweet william, foxglove, and Canterbury bells. 

Do you want quick color, or do you want to create a long-lasting flowerbed? Depending on your outdoor project, you’ll need to decide which plants are best. If you need help creating a certain type of flowerbed, consider contacting a local landscaping company, like Lyons Landscaping, for assistance. 

read more