Design Post Update

The terms Arts and Crafts and Mission Style are often used synonymously today. They refer to a style of home design and furnishings emphasizing natural materials, especially wood, and showcasing a pronounced geometry in the design. Their tremendous revival in popularity stems largely from their association with hand-crafted elements (though many knock-offs are manufactured by machine), a rarity in this technologically advanced age. The pieces offer an heirloom quality and a patina that deepens with age. Arts and Crafts furnishings and interiors are also typically very durable and classic with a timeless appeal. They suit todays desire to simplify and get back to basics. Arts and Crafts interiors are an ideal marriage of function and aesthetic; spaces are designed to work for those living there. To create your own Arts and Crafts Interior, there are several elements to consider, both in materials and design.

The materials of an Arts and Crafts Interior, while not limited to nature, emphasize wood, stone, glass (made from sand), ceramic tiles (made from minerals/earth), and textiles (using wool, cotton, or linen fibers, and, of course, leather). Much of the visual pattern comes from the grain of the wood selected. Traditionally oak was used, but currently natural cherry is frequently enjoyed. The oak tends to have a golden brown gleam, while the cherry is redder. Both darken naturally with age, which is to be expected.

Flooring, all architectural trim/molding, doors, stair rails and stiles, and exposed structural supports are all typically wood, oak being most prevalent. Waxed or oil finishes prevail. Joints are pegged, or hand-crafted metal hardware is used. Door knobs, cabinet pulls and the like are again hand-crafted wrought iron or bronze in black, umber, or verdigris. Many are square or rectangular shaped and are hand hammered. For a lighter look, some homeowners today are opting for a soft brushed pewter or nickel finish instead. Once you have the guidelines, you can bend them to suit. If an alternative to a wood floor is desired, tile or slate would be appropriate substitutes. The tile should be large and laid in a linear pattern, not on the diagonal.

To balance and complement the visual depth of the wood, walls are often treated with a textured paint or plastered. (The old bungalows have original plaster.) A good bet is the river rock finish that Ralph Lauren paint provides. Paint schemes bear an influence from nature with goldenrod yellows, burnt sienna browns, cimmaron and Indian reds, sage and moss greens, and a neutral palette of earthy tans, toasts, and beiges. The overall feeling has a harmony, continuity, with all elements working together, none upstaging the other. It is about creating an organic home, one that works within its environment and makes the most of its surroundings both outside and inside.

Fireplaces have wood or stone mantels, with stone, ceramic or occasionally brick surrounds. The wood is again oak with a golden stain, usually waxed or rubbed, not polyurethaned. Satin or matte finishes rule. Stone is field stone-- stacked dry or with mortar, it presents a terrific textural visual. River rock may be used instead and the round smooth stones provide a counterpoint to the rectilinear geometry otherwise present. Ceramic tiles will typically have a motif from nature, perhaps a leaf or acorn, or be an iridescent finish. Today glass tiles are also used to great advantage. Brick, when employed, is smooth faced and laid in clean horizontal bands. Again, one of the clear features of an Arts and Crafts Interior is the linear quality. The feeling that the house is part of a bigger view, part of the horizon, is all an effort to be from and of the earth.

Lots of different skills are required of those that are interested in taking up Interior design. This article will help you to discover whether you should focus on this particular area of study.

Interior design is needed in all areas of life. Interior designers help to create Interior spaces in all kinds of buildings, from museums to private homes and colleges to shops. It is no surprise then that this career is much sought after by many different people.

If you want to forge a career in Interior design you should first of all find out what it takes to study Interior design. You can study this area in many different ways. Many people go to college and study a recognised course in the topic. Others find home study courses that will allow them to reach the same destination in a different way, instead of going to one of the many Interior design colleges that are situated all over the UK. If you go down this route you should always make sure you look for an accredited course. This will ensure that you will get a recognised qualification at the end of the study periods.

When you study Interior design you will learn all the skills you will need to know in order to become a successful Interior designer. Contrary to what some people believe, there is far more to this kind of designing than you might think. For example it is not enough to find the most attractive solution for a particular Interior space. Your solution also has to be safe and able to cope with the various demands that will be placed on it. No two Interior design projects are ever the same. Clearly the needs of a restaurant will be very different to the needs of someone who wants their home to be completely redesigned inside.

Studying the appropriate courses at Interior design colleges will give you a good head start in the industry. Once you have completed your college course you can strike out into the industry to begin your career in earnest. The good thing about Interior design is that you do not have to find a position working for anyone else if you do not wish to go down this route. Instead you can set up your own business working for clients directly. Many people like to do this because they can control every aspect of the business and decide which area they would most enjoy working in. For instance some people prefer to work for big clients in business, whereas others like to help individuals get the best from their homes.

As you can see the world of Interior design offers many benefits to those who are willing to take advantage of them. The more you know and learn about what this career involves, the easier it will be for you to work out whether you would enjoy it or not. Who knows, you could flourish!

Author's Bio: 

JJAADA Academy offers Interior design diploma for those who wish to make a career in Interior design careers. Browse them online at http://www.academyforartdesign.co.uk.

Copper does not rust, but it stains easily and water makes black spots on it. Soot in moist air reacts with the metal to produce a green deposit called 'verdigris'. Clean off verdigris and dirt by rubbing hard with a paste of powdered chalk and methylated spirits on a soft cloth. Use a fine steel wool on stubborn areas, but beware not to scratch your antique piece in the process. The final stage of polishing is to use a metal polish - a soft cloth buffing wheel on a power tool gives a deep shine, but over large surfaces, polishing by hand with a soft cloth achieves a finer finish.

Clean a brass antique by washing it in detergent, then rubbing it with a solution of 1-heaped tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar to a pint of water. Clean the old polish and dirt out of engraved brass with a solution of ammonia on a toothbrush, then with detergent and finally with clean water. Immerse badly corroded brass in a strong warm solution of washing soda for a hour, then wipe or brush the antique piece. If all the corrosion does not come off, repeat the process. Brush the stained parts with a glass brush, obtainable from a jewellers' supplier. Rub off spots of corrosion with scouring powder on a cloth or, if they are bad, with fine steel wool. Here, also, one should be very careful not to damage the antique with excessive rubbing. If scratches cannot be prevented then polish with a paste of whiting - a finely ground chalk obtainable at DIY shops. Dirty brass handles and fittings on antique furniture should, if possible, be removed before being cleaned. Otherwise, cleaning with polishes and lacquers will surely damage the wood.

Metal polish, a soft cloth and hard rubbing produce the best results on both metals and of course, the likelihood of damaging your valuable antique this way will be significantly reduced. Delicate engravings might be rubbed away using metal polishes so in this case, vegetable oil on a cloth and some extra rubbing will be a better option to bring it to a shine. On deeply engraved antique pieces, use a medium-soft toothbrush to get metal polish into all parts, then with a soft brush inside a duster to get it out. Finish with a soft cloth.

There is no substitute for the sheen obtained on copper and brass antiques by regular polishing, but clear lacquer, obtained from DIY and art shops, saves much of the work. Because lacquer goes cloudy in cold weather and picks up dust in the atmosphere, it should be applied in a warm dust-free room. Spray or brush the lacquer on to the metal and, if it eventually starts to crack or break up - acetone will remove it. If an antique has been mended with soft solder, paint on a coloured lacquer to match or approximate to the true colour of the metal. Do not apply lacquer to a mended spot if the antique is 'raw', this will make a brighter patch that may not match the original sheen.

Dents in copper and brass antique pieces are best removed by pressing the metal against a short length of wood, shaped at one end to fit the curve of the damaged article. Press and rub against the shaped end until the dent is removed. Hammering is not advisable, although hammering with a 'planishing' hammer from the inside against a leather cushion is a professional method. Fractures in brass and copper antiques can be mended by soft soldering but cast brass is heavy and hard soldering or brazing makes a much better job of such joins.

We all have things we remember from our childhood that stick out in our minds. Whether it was a special birthday party with all of your friends and family; maybe it was that first school yard kiss with the boy or girl from your class that you really liked; or maybe it was the smell of your mom's bread baking in the oven. We all see things, hear things, and even smell things today that can bring back those nostalgic memories very quickly. One memory I have from childhood is a cuckoo clock that my parents had hanging on the wall in the living room. That clock would sound on the hour and the little cuckoo bird would pop out of the door and cuckoo his little head off. Although my parents only had that clock on the wall for a few years of my childhood I still remember that clock. I would run from my bedroom down the hall on the hardwood floors, jump over the furnace grate in a single bound and watch that little bird sing his magical tune. The neat thing is many of those old clocks are still around today and you can find them in great condition, as I have found, and put them in your house or your shop and each time that clock goes off it will remind you of a great time in your life.

Antique clocks are not only nostalgic but they can also add greatly to the decor of a room or home. The right clock can also be an asset that can appreciate in value over time. Should you decide you want to purchase an antique clock you should be prepared when you enter the marketplace.

First, where can I buy a collectible clock? The marketplace might be a local antique shop or auction, a classified advertisement, an estate sale, garage sale, eBay, or an on line antique clock store. These are just a few of the places where you might begin your search.

Second, prepare yourself in advance by learning about the type of clock that you would like to purchase. With the vast resources at your fingertips today you should be able to not only find the type of clock that appeals to you but you should also be able to learn quite a lot about the clock. For example, who is the manufacturer or maker of the antique clock? What are current prices for these types of clocks? What unique or distinguishing features should I be looking for? These are the types of information that will make you a better informed consumer.

Finally, when you are ready to make your purchase inspect the clock closely for uniqueness or defect. Most online clock dealers and even those sold on eBay will have extensive pictures and detailed descriptions of the item being sold. Look for makers marks; observe quality of the piece; look for and evaluate any defects. Is the clock functional or will it need repair? All of these are things you need to keep in mind before you make your antique clock purchase. My final rule: do not buy a clock that doesn't appeal to you. Unless you are a dealer planning to resell the clock it is something that will be in your home and maybe even your family for years to come. So, buy a clock that you like! Then who knows how many antique clocks will be in your future.

Any kind of injury is painful to us. Whether the injury is a deep cut or bruises, it always hurts. But when the injury is a broken bone, the pain is unbearable and this pain can be better explained by the ones who have actually experienced it in their lives. Generally, those who suffer from a fracture on their shoulders, wrist or elbow, are recommended to wear arm slings for protection as well as comfort. A sling helps us to keep our arm in place without letting it move too much. It basically helps in healing.

Reasons for wearing an arm sling

Fracture:

When you have a fractured shoulder, or a fractured wrist or elbow, you may be recommended to wear an arm sling. In case of fracture, no matter which part of the body, it is very essential not to move that part of your body to ensure proper healing of the bone. As said earlier, the arm sling helps your arm to keep it in place against your body and that helps in faster healing.

Shoulder Surgery:

If you have gone through any kind of surgery on or around your shoulder, you may need a sling so as to stop the shoulder muscles from contracting and upsetting the process of healing. Slings not only heal, but it also provides comfort to your arms and prevents it from too much pain.

Stroke:

Strokes sometimes may lead to arm or leg paralysis or even both. In that situation, when you are unable to move your arm freely, it may be painful to you as your arms are hanging. However, on using a sling, it will provide support to your arm, and will save you from the pain you were encountering initially.

How to wear?

It is very important to wear a sling properly. This will prevent the blood and fluid accumulation in your hand or wrist. Along with that, wearing it properly can increase your comfort level too.

So how to wear an arm sling properly? Lets look at the following points:

You need to pull the sling over your elbow and arm. Make sure it is well-fitted and comfortable in and around your arms. Check that whether your hand is coming to the slings end or not. Wear it carefully so that its end doesnt cut into your hand or wrist.

Get hold of the strap attached to the arm sling that is behind your elbow. Try to pull the strap to tighten it so that your hand will be close to your chest, above your elbow level. This will help in proper blood circulation in your wrist and hand.

Some arm slings come with an elastic thumb loop providing added support to your hand and preventing fatigue.

Things to keep in mind while buying an arm sling

These days, arm slings are much more innovative than older days. If you really want your injury to heal fast and if you are in need of comfort, then choosing a correct sling is a must.

Always check the fabric of the sling pouch while buying. The fabric should be breathable to increase the airflow and diminish building up of moisture. The fabrics of an ergonomic arm sling are of the best quality which is very light and comfortable.

If the fabric quality will be good, then the sling will also be lightweight. A light-weight sling will prevent your shoulder and neck muscles from getting cramped and fatigued.

The strap should be well-padded to provide extra comfort. It should be made up of neoprene, which is an excellent shock absorber and also provides comfort all day. It is not only breathable but light too.

Look out for those arm slings which comes with a front facing Velcro adjuster. It will help you to adjust the strap on your own, without taking anyones help.