Biyernes, Enero 29, 2016

101 Free Adult Coloring Pages

Coloring pages are all the rage these days. Of course, those of us who have a life long love of coloring can attest to the fact that we don't need an adult version – but it sure is pretty! With all of the wonderful artists out there creating their works to share for free with the […]


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Miyerkules, Enero 27, 2016

The Best Peanut Butter Cookies

Hi there Shabby Cottage Creek readers, it's Laura from Inspiration for Moms. I'm back with a cookie recipe that will blow your mind! Why? Because they are made with absolutely NO flour. Yes, you read that correctly. But I promise you, one bite into these Peanut Butter cookies and you'll totally understand the title of […]


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Martes, Enero 26, 2016

Wood and Metal floor registers and grilles for hardwood floors

Floor registers and grilles />

class="alignright size-medium wp-image-6992" src="http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles-300x225.jpg" alt="wood and metal registers for hardwood floors" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles-300x225.jpg 300w, http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles-768x576.jpg 768w, http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles-750x563.jpg 750w, http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles.jpg 960w, http://theflooringgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/Hardwood-floor-registers-and-grilles-300x225@2x.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Once you have your new hardwood floors or refinished your old hardwood floors, one of the first things you'll notice are those old, dirty and unattractive floor registers on the floor.  Not to worry as it's easy to make a change – either add wood floor registers or metal style="color: #99ccff;"> style="color: #99ccff;" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=wood%20registers&linkCode=ur2&tag=hwregisters-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=S3MLV43F2CUAXQUC" target="_blank">Wood Floor Registers or metal ones. /> /> href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HAU4PO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HAU4PO&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=XWMGOQHST5SWV3VI" rel="nofollow"> class="alignright" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000HAU4PO&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HAU4PO" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

Note: these are sometimes called registers, grilles or vent covers.  They are all the same thing.

When you're installing new unfinished hardwood floors, it's easy enough to add matching flush registers.  Flush means that they are the same height (vs. an overlap one is will rest on top).  Then, these can be sanded and refinished to match the floor.  However, if you already have hardwood floors in place and/or are doing pre-finished wood, it's generally easier to get overlap registers that fit on top of the wood.  That way, you don't need to worry about cutting and fitting it in with the wood that's already in place.  (Yes, if you are doing unfinished wood, you can do this…it will just take some extra labor).

You can either do wood registers or metal, pending your preference.

For wood registers, you want to make sure you have the matching species.  Most wood registers come in red oak and white oak, so choose carefully.  If you have another species or a prefinished wood with a stain color, you will have more difficulty matching (and you may be be better off with metal ones.

You'll want to measure the size of your registers (most are 4″ x 12″).  Some are also available in 6″ x 12″, 4″ x 10″ and 2″ x 12″.  These are the total length of width of the register (the opening is generally a bit smaller).

Here are some options you can purchase on Amazon. style="color: #99ccff;"> style="color: #99ccff;" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=wood%20registers&linkCode=ur2&tag=hwregisters-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=S3MLV43F2CUAXQUC" target="_blank">Wood and Metal Floor Registers

Here are some unfinished wood flush registers

Unfinished red oak flush register 4″ x 12″ /> style="color: #99ccff;"> style="color: #99ccff;" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SH0OFQU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00SH0OFQU&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=KWYQ46I5IANCD6ZW" rel="nofollow">4 Inch x 12 Inch Red Oak Wood Unfinished style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00SH0OFQU" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SH0OFQU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00SH0OFQU&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=KWYQ46I5IANCD6ZW" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00SH0OFQU&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00SH0OFQU" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

Unfinished White Oak Flush Register 4″ x 12″

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016LCJ2T0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B016LCJ2T0&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=2DNVI2W6YETW6W2Y" rel="nofollow"> style="color: #99ccff;">Wooden 4″x12″ White Oak Wood Vent Floor Register Flush /> /> href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016LCJ2T0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B016LCJ2T0&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=2DNVI2W6YETW6W2Y" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B016LCJ2T0&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B016LCJ2T0" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B016LCJ2T0" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

Here are some overmount/pre-finished wood options

Click on the pictures for more info (and you can buy directly on Amazon. /> href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E09BPK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001E09BPK&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=2V45ZHFOAWZKGOXL" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B001E09BPK&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001E09BPK" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TWC8JG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004TWC8JG&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=VO2RGWZTWJQKWCHL" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004TWC8JG&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004TWC8JG" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TDJHQO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002TDJHQO&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=EHUJDGWV4IUIZFKU" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002TDJHQO&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002TDJHQO" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

You can search for others on Amazon. style="color: #99ccff;"> style="color: #99ccff;" href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=wood%20registers&linkCode=ur2&tag=hwregisters-20&url=search-alias%3Daps&linkId=AJFXZWSGRPAYNOIW" target="_blank">Wood registers on Amazon style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=ur2&o=1" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

Here are some metal registers

Most come in black, silver, rubbed bronze, or brushed nickel. You can click on the pictures for more info or to buy them directly on Amazon and have them shipped to your home.

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TW8A02/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004TW8A02&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=TXANMRKJV2U2C3BF" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004TW8A02&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004TW8A02" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TWC698/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004TWC698&linkCode=as2&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=YUNUNG5KSOBKOOYR" rel="nofollow"> src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004TWC698&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hwregisters-20" alt="" border="0" /> style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004TWC698" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

You can search for other metal registers at Amazon Here: style="color: #99ccff;"> style="color: #99ccff;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Decor-Grates/b/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Decor%20Grates&linkCode=ur2&node=3024005011&tag=hwregisters-20&linkId=ALYLDDZPKVMUAWEC" target="_blank">Metal registers from Decor Grates style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hwregisters-20&l=ur2&o=1" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

Wood and metal registers and grilles for hardwood floors | Vent covers for the floors

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Lunes, Enero 25, 2016

Romantic Movie Quote Free Printable Package

Hi everyone, it's Andrea from The Cottage Market and I am back in this new wonderful year to share more fun printables with all of the fabulous readers of my dear friend Gina's beautiful blog! Today we have a Romantic Movie Quote Free Printable Collection for you! I am sure that there is something for […]


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Biyernes, Enero 22, 2016

The Delicious Dozen: Potato Soup Recipes

When the weather gets cold and the snow seems like it's ready to cover the world, potato soup is the only thing on my mind. And who wouldn't want a warm bowl of comfort food while snuggling up for a snow day. The pantry staple means you can be ready to whip up a batch […]


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Miyerkules, Enero 20, 2016

Slow Cooker Buffalo Wings

If you ask my husband, you can never get enough buffalo wings. Although he's a southern boy through and through, he's not a sports guy. Or a hunting guy. He's more of a tattooed, car lovin' kinda guy. And he loves buffalo wings. And I am pretty partial to using a slow cooker – so […]

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Hardwood, Vinyl or Carpet?

A quick comparison helps sort through cost, durability and function

Today’s homeowner has never had so many wonderful choices for quality flooring. From exotic hardwoods, to high-fashion vinyls, to carpet piles of every description, the choices can be overwhelming. The secret to finding the right flooring for you is knowing how you want the flooring to function in your space, and how you need it to coordinate with the rest of the home. This handy overview can help you sort it all out.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring is largely considered the gold standard among today’s homeowners, who value the durability, shine and easy cleanup hardwood offers for busy homes. In general, hardwood stands up to pet toenails, small children, and most household spills. Clean up is often just a swiffer with hardwood cleaner and a flat mop. It can be used in nearly any room, so it makes a great choice for unifying large open concept homes. It is important to note, however, that hardwood is generally not recommended for any basement or area in your home that is considered “below grade,” due to moisture and temperature fluctuations that can damage the wood.

Solid Harwood Floors

When buying solid hardwood, it is important to consider the wood it is made of. Choose harder woods, like maple, oak and hickory which stand the test of time well. If they do get dinged up, solid hardwoods can be sanded down and refinished several times before they are too worn to repair. At $6 to $15 a foot, solid hardwoods are not cheap, but they will generally be a once in a lifetime purchase for your home that will never need replacing.

Engineered Harwood Floors

Engineered hardwood is hardwood that is created through veneer over many plys of wood. The advantage of engineered hardwood is that it often comes prefinished, with no smells and dust to endure during installation. Its finish is more consistent and harder, and the wood expands and contracts less than solid hardwood varieties.

Engineered hardwoods generally run from $4 to $18 a square foot, so they aren’t necessarily cheaper than their solid wood counterparts. They can only be refinished once. But, many engineered hardwood varieties are approved for using below grade, so it can give you some extra options in your home design.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is beautiful and economical choice for your home, especially in areas that get wet or a have a lot of use, like mud rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms and basements. At just $1 to $7 a square foot, vinyl is by far your most budget-friendly flooring option. And today’s vinyl floors are leaps and bounds above the vinyl from just 20 years ago, sporting many exciting fashion forward designs or wood-like looks. Be advised, however, that cheaper vinyls can yellow with age, and vinyl tiles can start to turn up at the edges. Choose your higher end vinyls for maximum durability.

Carpet

There’s nothing like carpet to be soft, warm, and quiet underfoot. And today’s carpets offer a staggering variety of options, from funky, fluffy shag to tightly wound Berbers, in prices generally running $2 to $15 installed. With carpet, you can truly take your home’s look in any color or texture you want it to go.

While today’s carpets often come with excellent stain resistant coatings, they are still among the most stain and wear prone options for your floors – a consideration if you have children or pets. Carpets also come in different grade levels that can tolerate different levels of wear. So make sure you talk to us about how your carpets will be used, and we can help you make all the right choices.

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Top 6 Movies Starring Carpet

Don’t laugh – rugs play more than a supporting role in movies

If Hollywood plots are any indication, what lies underfoot can turn into a major plot element. In fact, the use of carpets and rugs in movies from comedies to thrillers can be considered a bit of plot trope. Hiding in a carpet, riding on a carpet…even destroying the carpet are common plot twists that add a little thrill to the movies. Here are our picks for carpets that should get a “best supporting role” nod:

#6 – The Big Lebowski

The ever-quotable “Big Lebowski” had a particularly fond relationship to his rug, which has spawned no end to the line killing quoters who love to say “not on the rug, man,” and “that rug really tied the room together.” It’s even spawned tons of Big Lebowski merchandise related to rugs.

big lebowskiSource – The Cafe Press

#5 – The Revenge of the Bridesmaids

OK, so maybe it isn’t big budget movie territory, but we love the role played by the rug in “Revenge of the Bridesmaids” – a movie recently made for ABC Family and now available on Netflix. The Bridesmaids roll up their lying, cheating bridezilla in a rug and run off with her to keep her from marrying their friend’s boyfriend. They smuggle her out under the ruse of being there as rug cleaners. A perfect cover!

revenge of the bridesmaidsSource – IMDB

#4 – The Money Pit

Poor Tom Hanks. He can’t seem to get a break as the dream house he buys with Shelley Long seems to be crumbling all around him. Thankfully, the oriental rug is still doing its job. It keeps him from major injury when he stands over a hole in the floor. Who knew a rug could save you from a broken leg?

tom hanks money pitSource: Basement Rejects

#3 – Christmas Vacation

Silly kitty. Christmas lights are not food. Who doesn’t love the fried cat scene in “Christmas Vacation?” In fact, people love it so much; this scene has even inspired their homemade Christmas cakes. It doesn’t look too appetizing to us, but, to each his own. But don’t fret, Griswolds. Stanley Steemer can probably get that charred kitty smell out of the house. Maybe. It certainly is a cautionary tale, and a good reason for getting Scotchguard on your new carpet!

cat carpet christmas vacationSource: Splitsider.com

#2 – Aladdin

Let’s just call this one…no carpet in the history of film and literature can top the magic carpet in Aladdin. It flies. It dances. It pals around with the genie. It gets Aladdin out of sticky situations. It helps him helps him get the girl. And it is the inspiration for that sixties classic “Magic Carpet Ride.” It just doesn’t get any better than that.

We can’t always promise that the carpet we sell will have magical properties. But we can promise you a great quality product, at a great price, that will stand the test of time. Maybe it will even star in your family’s own production…

Aladdin carpet rideSource: Disneywikia

#1 – Cleopatra

This iconic movie from the 1960s had one of the most iconic romantic scenes ever starring a carpet. Cleopatra has herself rolled up in a rug so she can secretly visit Caesar. It was, perhaps, one of Elizabeth Taylor’s best red carpet moments…

cleopatra-rug

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Lunes, Enero 18, 2016

Life Hacks: 21 simply brilliant ideas

Life hacks… we all love them! Anything to make life easier, right? Ever see something that was just SO smart it made you wonder, "Why didn't I think of that?" Me, too – so I'm sharing a few tips & tricks that are simply brilliant. From the bedroom to the kitchen, craft room to the […]

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Linggo, Enero 17, 2016

Recommended Wood Cleaning products and hardwood supplies

Hardwood cleaning products and supplies

Hardwood cleaning products and suppliesThese are recommended items if you are about to or just recently refinished your hardwood floors or added new hardwood flooring to your home.  These items will help you clean and protect your floor.  Some items will also help with furniture moving.

1.  Hardwood Cleaning Products

Bona is the most recommended cleaning product by hardwood professionals. It’s perfect for hardwood flooring (any type – prefinished, site finished, solid, engineered), cork, bamboo and laminate. It’s residue free and helps protect your hardwood investment. And, of course it’s safe for family, pets and the environment. You can buy these on Amazon.com via below links.

Bona Hardwood flooring kit

To get started try the complete Bona Hardwood Floor Care System, 4-Piece Set with Bona mop, microfiber dusting pad, microfiber clean pad and 32oz cleaner. (See below for refills).

This is the Bona 32oz cleaner.  Most customers use this size on a regular basis.

2.  Items that will protect your floors from scratching:

Felt Pads

The Felt Pads can make a big difference and they are especially important for chairs that move the most.  I advise my customers to buy extra felt pads as they tend to fall off often especially on chairs that are moved frequently.  You can buy the felt pads on Amazon through this link: Felt Pads.

Office Chair Accessories

While I don't recommend chairs for wheels, if you do have them, consider getting ones that scratch less and/or put a mat underneath them.  Either avoid them, or get mats for under these areas as they will destroy your hardwood floors.  If you must use rollers, consider buying these Office Chair Caster Wheels – Ideal for Hardwood Floors on Amazon as they are better for hardwood floors.

Also, you can use a plastic mat under rolling chairs (check out this one on Amazon: Clear office chair mat for Hardwood Floors). 
And, for kitchens, consider this anti-fatigue mat as it serves 2 purposes: 1) makes it easier on your feet, 2) prevents splashing water getting on the floor. Anti Fatigue Mat, for Standup Desks, Kitchens, and Garages – Designed to Relieve Foot, Knee, and Back Pain
Consider doggie socks, if you have a dog.  Yes, we understand that this is not a good option for some dogs, but I’ve had a few customers that have used these effectively, and their dogs LOVE them, especially in the winter as it helps keep their feet warm.  It was actually one of my customers that told me about this idea.  Here’s a link to get some Doggie Socks on Amazon.

3.  Products to help with moving furniture

Yes, all the furniture needs to come off the floors – either by you or by your installers.  These items may help you (or your installers) for an easier move.

Self Stick, Heavy Furniture Movers for Hard Surfaces (4 piece)

These will help you both for now, as well as for next time (e.g. if you are doing other areas later, or if you just want to rearrange your furniture).

If you have to move furniture over carpet, use these:

Reusable Furniture Movers for Heavy Furniture for Carpeted Surfaces

4.  Carpet runners and area rugs

Carpet runners are highly recommended for steps both for safety and decor.  They are especially important if you have dogs or kids.  You can read more about carpet runners here:  Everything you ever wanted to know about carpet runners

Also, area rugs are great for decor as well as reducing scratches.  They come in handy for areas where you may have a lot of chairs or traffic.  They are also great for noise reduction.  Soon, I will have an area rug selector, but that is currently in process.

Area rug pads:

All area rugs should have a carpet cushion.  This both protects the floor from scratches and helps prolong the life of the area rug.  It also prevents area rugs from sliding.

If you’re looking for a great area rug pad, I recommend The Original Gorilla Grip Area Rug Pad.

Hardwood cleaning products and supplies

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