Thursday, June 30, 2011

Patio Ideas - Stepping Out With Stone Patio Designs And Brick Patio Patterns

Tired of retro concrete with a boring brick trim? Or perhaps the pressure treated border timbers holding back a creeping riot of crab grass down the middle of your patio or drive? Making a stone patio design change has never been easier. New materials like interlocking paving stones, improved engineering and installation open a new world of landscape patio ideas to add class, and value to your home and lifestyle.

Outdoor Patio Ideas - The Creative "Ah Hah" Insight. Where does a new, bold and classy patio design idea come from? For starters, "think outside the box" ...view your property fresh ... eliminate all the conventional square edges and rectangles, and see whether new shapes and a wholly different integration of plants, patio and drive can be created.

Step #1 - Measurements And Layouts. Take your time. Measure your present drive or patio space. Add any features or re-shaping that you'd like to consider. Once you have the gross dimensions worked out ... or square footage, you're ready to look at some of the contemporary stone patio designs ... drawing from the wide range of interlocking earth hued long lasting textured stones ... or perhaps an innovative brick paving pattern to highlight your property.

Step #2 - Who's The Right Contractor? Stone patio construction requires engineering knowledge, special measuring tools, excavating equipment and a trained eye for space and layouts. Unless you're on the extreme edge of the do-it-yourselfer Bell Curve, you'll be looking at local landscape construction firms to do the heavy lifting. Here's the "inside scoop" on how to gauge the best artisans:-

* Tip #1 - Background Business Stuff. The background 'business stuff" you need to directly look over includes (a). a copy of the contractor's license to operate (b). evidence of workers comp coverage and (c). evidence of accident and property liability insurance, to insulate you-as-customer from potential legal actions based on the contractor's fault.

* Tip #2 - Examples Of Job Performance. Here's where your critical eye comes into focus. You want naturally to see current site work, in order to get a feel for how the contractor works, type of equipment, whether he shows up on schedule and so on. However, a deeper time-based view of the contractor's skill will exist in past work ... jobs that he performed 2 to 5 years ago! These are the sites where the "product quality" reveals itself. Did the patio or drive foundation buckle or sag? Did the paver stones or bricks move around? Did the edges collapse? Did crabgrass and other vegetation take over?

* Tip #3 - Get Customer References. You can't talk to enough customers, or competent referring tradesmen, when you're selecting your contractor. After all, you're making a substantial investment in your property. You want your new stone patio design to look terrific ... and last for years with minimal maintenance and cost.

Step #3 - Stone Patio Construction. Going from a stone patio design to a finished landscape is all about engineering know-how ... building proper foundations, understanding the various materials and how they'll integrate to create strength and long lasting durability.

* Site Prep. First, your site is "prepped" ...old stuff like concrete, wood borders, excess gravel and so on are removed. Your patio or drive is marked and elevation or depths marked and measured with strings.

* Establishing Level "True" Grade. Small "cats" and back hoes scrape and re-position material, drawing down to around 7 inches below the final elevation. By hand, workman screed the patio or drive area, fine-tuning the grade so that it's 'true' and level, even where it naturally slopes away for drainage.

* Sand And Compacting. Refined sand is spread across the patio 'field', then compacted and screed-leveled until a perfect grade and substrate has been created ... at an elevation about 3 inches below "final grade", or at the grade where your selected paving stone's dimensions will complete the elevation.

* Laying The Brick Patio Pattern. No matter whether you've selected bricks or an interlocking paving stone design, the next step is where the patio or drive "field" is actually set out ... all the stones or bricks are laid down, true to your stone patio design. Dry sand is spread over the bricks or paver stones, followed by careful compacting which shakes and distributes sand into all the cracks. Result? Sand plus stones plus substrate "interlock" to form a solid, long wear surface.

Bottom Line. Learn more about the patio ideas including stone patio designs and patio landscaping ideas that will create an outdoor living environment that will add a new lifestyle touch.

Scandalli Accordion

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Apron Pattern

Are you aware that an apron is a universal uniform these days? Many people use it in their daily
activities at work and around the home. The clothing of the person wearing one is protected by
the apron and can be shown with pride as an employee of an establishment. Restaurants around the
world wear these wonderful pieces of clothing every day. Many occupations wear aprons as the
crux of their uniform.

The purpose of the uniform determines the design of the apron. Various patterns may be used to
create a unique style and presence for the business or individual. An apron pattern can vary
greatly, for instance, the material is quite commonly made out of cotton but can also be found
in denim and canvas. Traditionally the design is hung over the head and tied around the waist.
The apron pattern has changed little over the centuries as it works and works well. Apron
pattern 's though can have some individuality if the owner desires.

You can quite commonly find an apron pattern to suit you by surfing the internet. Although you
will have to be rather specific in your search if you are looking for a particular design. You
should also look for apron pattern 's that come with detailed instructions for the sewing and
finishing. Do you wish it to be functional or have entertainment value? Usually the two do not
go hand in hand. For instance the Statue Of David apron is not considered appropriate for a
formal occasion or most businesses but will be a funny inclusion in a BBQ environment.

Look for apron patterns that are easy to make and do not cost much money to produce. Choose your
style and stick to your personality traits and you will be extremely happy with the results.
And when all is said and done, have fun.

Scandalli Accordion

Monday, June 27, 2011

A blue and elegant golden wedding

Strike a sophisticated color palette with a chic wedding. A delicate combination of light blue and antique gold would be perfect for a formal wedding afternoon. A little 'vintage, very elegant, blue and gold color scheme is a sophisticated wedding.

A palette of light blue and gold would be nice for a wedding or a dance hall in a historic palace, instead. Imagine a room with pale blue silk dupioni tablecloths adorned with a quilted pattern.Delicate gold Chiavari chairs bring into focus the metal. Decide on a soft burnished gold, instead of a metal shiny and bright. This keeps the look subtle and brings out the vintage character of this beautiful color combination. Accents rich gold tassels as napkin rings and candles in blue and gold jacquard votive holder will be perfect.

What are the clothes of blue and gold to find flattering and easy. Choose a light blue for theBridesmaid dresses in fancy fabrics like silk chiffon, silk satin or silk shantung, depending on the season. Long, thin clothing fits the elegance of color. Bring hand in blue with gold accents, custom crystal jewelry bridesmaid link with a thin layer of gold. The blue and gold set jewels are very special maid of honor, and your pet will enjoy after the wedding as well. The bride can bring a touch of color signature in the form of gold sandals Silk Luxuryor pale blue silk pumps (for the "something blue", of course). If you have the luxury factor, choose a wedding dress with lace and gold embroidery in gold on top.

Blue is a bit 'limited options when it comes to flowers for bouquets and centerpieces. However, there are some nice ways to integrate information on your specific colors in the wedding flower arrangements. Summer brides can hydrangeas tied with blue gold bands wide for the bridesmaidDecks. Or create soft romantic bouquet of ivory flowers such as sweet peas, peonies and garden roses. Pure blue and gold organza ribbons are put in accents of color. Look for a very rich, try gloss embossed gold metal leaves with bouquets of fresh flowers. The central pieces are vases of gold, of course, the tie will be displayed in beautifully with the bright blue tablecloths and gold Chiavari chairs at the reception.

The wedding cake is a natural place for your high pointWedding colors. Drawing a bright blue cake with an elegant gold design. Possible reasons are Baroque models or scroll, acanthus leaves and gold monograms. Cakes with circular steps are always nice, of course, but you might also want candy with a unique shape, to consider a square or octagonal layers. A crown would be a great vintage feather in such exquisite wedding cake.

Without doubt, the light blue and gold is one of the elegant wedding colorsCombinations might choose a bride. And 'quite large and formal, but also of good taste and discretion. Blue and Gold can be only one of the best color palette for an elegant wedding.

Scandalli Accordion