Important features to look for in a desk: As you spend increasing amounts of time at your desk, you need to be aware of how the design and arrangements of the work equipments impact your health and posture.

• Select the desk with the right height for your body’s built. A good working desk should have adequate clearance for your legs under the desktop; it should generally be between 20-28 inches (50-72 cm) from the floor to the underside of your desk. Be sure that you have space about 2-3 inches between the top of your thighs and the underside of your desk. Remove the center drawers of conventional desk to create additional thigh clearance if necessary.
• Desktops that are too low or too high may lead to awkward postures and physical exertions. Be sure clearance spaces under working surfaces accommodates a variety of sitting postures; the most important is the upright seated posture.
• If the computer is the center of your work station, desk surface should allow you to place the monitor directly in front of you at least 20 inches away comfortably. Select the desk with rounded desktop edges to reduce contact stress (such as when your wrists or arms are pressed on sharp desktop edges for a long time) that affect nerves and blood vessels possibly causing tingling and sore fingers.
• Desktop should provide enough room to allow you to move while working, adequate placement for basic office tools, and space to comfortably write, open mail, and review works as necessary. 

Chair: Sitting is hard on your back; sitting in poor posture for a long period of time can cause added pressure on the intervertebral spinal discs-the spongy disc between the vertebras. If you spend a lot of times in your office chair, even more than in your bed, use the chair that will not damage your back. Here are what important in an office chair.

• Backrest or lumbar support: Ample lumbar support that adjusts as your lower back moves is the most important factor to look for in the office chair. You should be able to adjust the backrest recline by at least 15 degrees for different sitting positions. The angle of the backrest is subjective but your trunk and upper legs should form an angle between 90 to 115 degrees. Look for chair that has lumbar support to maintain your lower back’s curvature. Adjust the height of the backrest to support the natural inward curve of the lower back with a pillow or rolled up towel for your lower back support.
• Seat size: Sit back on the chair; if you can slide your hand in between the front edge and the back of your knees, the chair is a correct size. The seat size should also fit your frame, not too narrow and not too wide that using armrests would strain your shoulders. Make sure the edges are rounded so the chair doesn’t dig into your legs causing circulation restriction.
• Height: When you sit, your feet should be planting firmly on the floor to support proper spine position, thus, preventing potential spinal disc injury. The chair height should be adjustable to accommodate your lifestyle, i.e. in case you wear heels or flat shoes. If your feet dangle, it is harder for your back to maintain the S-shape of your spine and you could end up with a lower back pain.
• Armrest: The arms of the chair should be at a height where your shoulders are not raised up but relaxed as they would be when you are at rest. Look for the armrests that are contoured, cushioned, and have adjustable height.
• Chair base: Office chair should have 5 casters legs on the base to provide enough support and stability. The casters should glide smoothly so you don’t have to bend or reach to move around. Periodically spray compressed air into the joints of the moving mechanisms to keep them free of dust. The chair should have a tilt mechanism that control how far you can lean back and under-seat lever that help you find the perfect height.

Given how much time you spend in your office chair at your desk, you need to pay attention to how the desk and chair impact your comfort, physical health, and your productivity. If after a full work day, you experienced muscle tension from raising your shoulders or lower back pain from sitting awkwardly, may be it is time to go office-furniture shopping.

• Types of rugs. There are many choices of area rugs available in variety of styles, colors, shapes, and materials. For Persian or Oriental rugs, they are either hand knotted rugs or hand-tufted rugs. Hand-knotted rugs are top of the line for quality; have the finest details and are well known for durability. This ancient hand-knotted technique is still used on contemporary rugs. The more knots per square inch the better; they can vary from 40 to 1,200. Check the underside of the rug; if you see the reverse pattern, it is a hand-knotted piece. Hand-tufted rugs are half man-made and half machine-made. If you see a backing on the underside of the rug, it is hand-tufted. Look for the RugMark label, which means it was made without child labor.

Wool rugs are naturally stain-resistant and the fibers fluff right up with vacuuming, which makes wool rugs excellent choice for use in high traffic area. Wool rugs should last decades, but you pay for durability.
Cotton rugs are even more affordable choice, but they can stain and wear out quickly. Most can be washed in a large washing machine.

Rugs made from plant-based fibers such as sisal, jute, sea grass, or bamboo are biodegradable and are renewable resources which made them eco-friendly. They are good for sunroom or outdoor use. Plant-based rugs are more difficult to keep clean and may last only a few years with heavy use.

Synthetic rugs are made from either polypropylene or nylon. Both types hold colors well, are excellent at hiding dirt, and are water and UV resistant. Yarn made of polypropylene fibers can get crushed over time; the nylon yarn is bulkier and is better quality than polypropylene.

• Size. An area rug is meant to give a room a focal point, to draw the eye, and to make the room inviting. For use in an entire room, try to leave an equal amount of flooring exposed on all sides as border.

For the bedroom: Allow three feet of rug on either side of the bed for a soft landing in the morning. The bedside table should be on the rug as well.

For the living room: Furniture that is half-on and half-off the rug creates a casual feel; furniture that is entirely off or entirely on the rug makes the room feel more formal. For use under a coffee table, buy a 4×6 or 6×9 area rug. Table legs should stand within the rug. To accent furnishings leave the floor space between the rug and furniture. For the dining room: Buy the rug that is large enough to fit beneath the chairs that’s pushed back from the table and then add 6 more inches to get the rug dimension. Also, to be sure of the size, measure the length and width of the table and add at least 4 feet to each.

• Prices. A general rule of thumb for how much to pay for a rug: A rug’s price should match the cost of the other major furniture in the room. In the living room, the area floor rug should be about the price of the sofa. 5 feet by 8 feet synthetic polypropylene or nylon rug costs less than $100. 5 feet by 8 feet cotton rug costs $50 and up. Plant-based fibers start at a low $100. Wool rug prices vary: 5 feet by 8 feet machine-made replica start at $200 up to thousands of dollars for an authentic hand-knotted Persian rug.
• Rug pads. These handy floor and rug protection provide comfort and have gripping capabilities. They work to add years to your rug’s life by keeping the rug in place-less movement means less friction translating to less wear and tear on your rug. Most pads are made of synthetic materials such as PVC or latex and come in various thicknesses. Buy a pad that is one or two inches smaller than your rug and in your budget. A good quality rug pad will not mar, stain, or discolor your flooring. If you have a valuable light-colored hardwood floor, invest in a good quality rug pad so the rug colors will not bleed through to your wood floor. Some rug manufactures require that their product be placed on a quality rug pad in order to validate their warranty against defects in workmanship. Pad ranges from $20 to $80.

Decorating with floor area rugs is the easiest ways to revitalize, update, improve, and beautify any room in your home. Select a floor area rug of your choice and create a new look underfoot without the hassle or high cost of new flooring when you want to change your home décor with seasons or moods. It could be your magic carpet

• For the screen material, you can choose from aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, copper, or bronze. Aluminum is inconspicuous, but it is subject to staining. Fiberglass and plastic won’t stain, but their filaments are thicker which affect some visibility. Copper and bronze must be coated with vanish periodically to prevent staining.
• Screen mesh is categorized by its weave density. Standard mesh screen is commonly refers to as “18 by 16”. This simply means it has 18 openings across and 16 openings down per square inch. The mesh with more openings per square inch means more tightly the weave.
• For severe sunlight area, consider sun shading screens. All screens stop some sunshine, but solar screens are woven so tightly they offer significant shading for anyone near the windows. Typical solar screens stop up to 65 % of sunlight for less than $ 1.00 per square foot. Aluminum and bronze screens are capable of blocking out as much as 85% of sunlight at cost up to $15.00 per square foot. Solar screens are available in 100-foot by 36-inch rolls and will cost you $175 to $200. Buy the sun shading screens that are 18/14 mesh or finer.
• If you are only concerned about mosquitoes, light aluminum or fiberglass screens should work. These inexpensive screens come in colors and they can be installed easily. Look for a mesh count of 20 by 20 to keep out mosquitoes and other pesky insects. Basic aluminum or fiberglass screens come in 100-foot-long by 30-inch-wide rolls and cost $78 to $85 per roll.
   
• Hurricane strength screen mesh can be installed as a security measure. Hurricane mesh Aramid (Kevlar) wrapped stainless steel doesn’t look much different than other screens, but they are made of heavy mesh Kevlar-like material that is mounted in tough frames. (The foundation for the mesh, Aramid, is one of the strongest existing materials in the world. It is the basic material for Kevlar, which is the trademark and registered name from DuPont). The screens won’t stop the most determined criminal, but they can’t be kicked or punched out and are very difficult to cut. The security mesh can be installed onto doors that lead to the outside or used as hurricane screens. The screens can withstand debris blown by 100-mph-plus wind. Contact your local home security company for availability and proper installation of the product.
• If you have a small dog, you can install dog proof screening on lower panels of your screened area only.  Durable weave such as vinyl coated polyester “pet screens” can be seven times stronger than standard insect screening.
•  For coastal regions, fiberglass and bronze are better choice of screens. Aluminum will anodized and break down in salt air if the rust proof coating chips or cracks. Bronze screening, really a combination of copper and zinc is extremely durable and will withstand severe coastal weather. It comes with a bright gold finish that fades to a patina of dark brown overtime. Bronze screens cost about $ 1.20 per square foot. Fiberglass, on the other hand, costs about 14 cent per square foot. It won’t corrode in the salt air and require little maintenance. Fiberglass is less rigid and easier to work with than bronze screens and aluminum, but it can ripple if not stretched correctly during installation.
• If you want to savior the unobstructed view or you are concerned about severe storms in your area, consider a retractable screening. They are about 15 % more to install than a permanent screened porch. They keep the bugs out in the summer but fully retracted away on mild days or during the most severe storms (you will save money on screening replacement cost in the long run). Screened in area keeps out pests, increases privacy, and lets you enjoy the outdoors. Before you rush out to hire the dream building expert, take sometime to carefully plan your screened area, and pretty soon, you will have an extra light, airy, and casual living space you would love for years to come.

• Where to put your office: Your first choice for an office space should be a room that can be yours alone and not traveled through often by those in your family. If that is not practical, steal some space from a room that’s being used for other purpose. With a little modification, almost any room or space can be altered into a workable area.

1. Basement or a backyard shed. The basement or a backyard shed are an especially good choice as work area if you require a separate entrance to your work space.

2. Attic. If you need a secluded area to work away from the rest of the household, the attic may be the perfect place for you.

3. Bedroom. Many homes have spare bedrooms or studies that are ideal for a small office. This is much cozier and convenience but less private than the attic, basement, or the backyard shed.

4. Dining room. The dining room may be a good choice for a home office only if you don’t entertain frequently (you have to move everything before and after the party); you don’t mind the noise from the kitchen when you work while the meal is being prepared; you don’t worry about the paperwork being misplaced because the work area is not secured.

5. Found spaces. These are the hallway, the stair landing, a corner in the kitchen, or an empty wall space. You can create a home office with minimum fuss for paying bills, keeping track of finances and investments, pursuing hobbies, and emailing; all you need is enough work space to get the job done. If you don’t need to have a dedicated room for a home office; nearly any space can be adapted to be an office area with a little ingenuity.

• How to design and accessorize the office: Start with the basic pieces to help you do your work efficiently and add on as needed.

1. Use what you have. If you have extra furniture, adapt it for use in your new home office.  Home office furniture should be comfortable and functional. Look around your house for chairs, tables, lamps, clock, file cabinets, and other items to furnish your home office space. Be creative. Find multiple uses for as many pieces as possible.

2. Invest in a good office chair for yourself. The most important factor in a desk chair is ample lumbar support. If your chair doesn’t have lumbar support, use a pillow.

• Lighting: Traditional home lighting may be too dim to work by, and if a personal computer is your essential office equipment, you may need to adjust your lighting to reduce the glare on your computer screen.

1. Task lighting defines a work space by creating a boundary that set it off from the rest of the room. A desk lamp should have a bendable stem, swivel head and two- or three-way illumination. A Floor lamp should be adjustable to several heights and must be able to swivel so it can be directed to light a specific area.

2. If possible, position your desk near a window. The extra light will help increase your productivity. If you spend much of your work time on the computer, it is necessary to give your eyes a break by looking at something in the distance.

A good home office should encourage creativity and allow you to be productive in your work; in addition, it should be functional and well organized regardless of the style of decor chosen. You alone or together with your interior decorator can create a comfortable and professional home office space. Take your time to choose the layout and furnish your home office and it will be the place you enjoy coming to.

Check building codes. Before you go out to buy a ready-to-assemble kit or made-to-order shed for your yard, verify that your structure will comply with your local building codes, easements, and ordinances. Ask your local’s zoning board if you will need a building permit and about any restrictions that may limit your project.

Determine its purpose. A shed can take on multiple purposes as both storage building and decorative additions to a property. If the shed is to be used as extra storage for household items, consider adding electricity for after dark conveniences. If you want to use the shed for potting shed and storing gardening supplies and equipments, you may need to place the shed close to your garden; also think about your personal usage such as if you want to store a riding lawnmower, you will need a ramp and door that is wide enough, allowing easy storage for your tools.

A backyard shed can be transformed into an extra room such as artist’s studios, writer’s retreats, children’s playhouse, or garden rooms. Some homeowners use small sheds as home office, yoga den, private spa, spare bedrooms, or guest cottages. A shed in the backyard can hide all sorts of unattractive things such as the family’s garbage cans. Small sheds are like outdoor closets and can store anything you might need to use outdoor such as hoses, kayaks, bikes, or pool chemicals.

Selecting style. Look through gardening books, magazines, and visit your local hardware stores for inspiration. A backyard building will change the landscape of your yard; take your time to carefully think about what you truly want and need in a structure and the result would only enhance your property. Building materials should reflect your budget and preference both in its look and the level of maintenance. Shed can be built of wood, recycled materials or purchased as kits of metal, vinyl, or harden rubber materials. Salvaged and recycled materials are not only friendlier to the environment and more affordable; it will make your building one of a kind, where perfection is less important than the usage.

For a maintenance free building, construct your shed from durable materials found in rural American buildings such as corrugated, galvanized sheet steel, cedar or cypress wood; these materials will stand up to all weather.

Selecting the site for your shed. Choose an area that drains well. Be sure to locate the underground utilities before you dig for foundation. Prepare a sturdy foundation will keep the structure reasonably secure, while still allowing you to move the shed if needed.

A backyard shed can be much more than a place to keep your garden equipments. It can increase your home’s value. Consider buying one or having it made for your property; it can be an answer to your practical and creative needs. Now you can enjoy a true luxury of an extra space.

Marble is a natural stone that can be found in many parts of the world. It is a crystallized calcium carbonate limestone that is very beautiful, strong, and versatile. It is elegant yet cost effective, very durable, and is an environmentally friendly alternative to manmade materials.

Marble sample

Basic Description:

Marble stone material is classified with letters from A to C. Stone more suited for flooring material would be A or B. These types are stronger. The C type is more colorful and has sand veins running through out, which tends to crack when walk on over time. Since marble is a mixture of sand and lime stone, it will react to acid because of the lime content. Today’s technology makes it possible to use and enhance the unique quality of marble to the maximum potential.

Honed marble tiles will provide more traction and ease of care. It can be used as bathroom flooring, kitchen counter and vanity tops, hallways and around hearths and fireplaces. Polished marble tiles will provide a more elegant look but can be slippery when wet. No other natural stone can compete with marble flooring to create the formal, elegant, and soft look. The value of this natural stone is its beauty, timeless quality, durability, and strength. Builders and designers around the world know that marble can create any style, shape, or mood. Marble comes in variety of sizes, thickness, varying qualities, colors, grains, finishing styles, and country of origin. The possibilities to use marble in architecture and decoration are endless. Marble makes beautiful, luxurious flooring and stairways, on walls both interior and exterior, and add special richness to trim works and shelves.

Here are useful tips to keep your marble from harm.

1. Use honed marble on the floor, in bathroom, and kitchen; it is more resistant to scratches.
2. Avoid using polished marble in high traffic areas.
3. Always follow the directions on your cleaner and avoid mixing chemicals unless specified.
4. Always rinse using clean, warm water.
5. Do not use hot water to clean spilt milk or blood, as doing so make the stain worse.
6. Avoid using chemical cleaners, acids like vinegar and limejuice, grout cleaners, tub or tile cleaners on marble.  These cleaners will etch or dull the stone. Etching destroys the polish leaving a dull light spot. Sealed and polished marble is very stain-resistant but will not prevent from etching.
7. Never use a mixture of ammonia and bleach for removing stains. The resulting fume is toxic and lethal. 

Care and Maintenance of Marble:

Marble flooring:

1. Sweep using soft brush or use dry non-treated dust mop to get rid of abrasive sand which may scratch the marble surface.
2. Use mild phosphate-free, eco-friendly dishwashing liquids or powders, suitable detergents (pH 7, neutral), or vegetable oil based soaps and rinse the soap off completely with warm water.

Bathroom:

1. Remove excess water immediately using squeegee. Soap scum, acid soaps and shampoos, high iron content water and hard water all take a toll on your shower’s appearance. Hard water is particularly damaging to marble. Clean up using a solution of half a cup of ammonia in one gallon of water, once a month.
2. Use bleach to get rid of algae in hot tub.

Kitchen:

1. You can scrub your honed counter tops using abrasive, bleach, and soaps with a scouring pad without worrying about damage. Rinse well and dry afterwards using a soft cloth.
2. Clean up spills immediately. Fruit juice, soda, coffee, alcohol, salad dressing, etc. may etch your counter tops.

Quality Marble will outlast your building. It is the perfect material to help reduce manmade footprint on this earth; practical; and adds the aesthetic value of every part of a home. 

Budget for overspending: That is to double the cost your contractor or architect quoted for the job after detail discussion and contracted price. Have a realistic budget in mind. A good contractor will want to work with you on a design that is within your scope.

Spend more to ensure that products being use will last a long time.

Use your own saving for the renovation: Don’t get a line of credit or using home equity loan. No upgrade is worth the risk of losing your home.

Check out the contractor’s past clients, visit current projects on site, and also verify that recent project went well.

Keep communication open. If you are unhappy with something that is being done during the remodeling process, speak to the person in charge of that project.

Understand the charges your architect or builder may charge. Ask whether that includes added professional consultants for the job.

Get the renovation permit in your name, not the architect or the builder’s. If there are future problems and the architect or the builder no longer works for you, the work might have to wait until you reapply for new permit.