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While some people like to do all home decorating themselves, others have learned that there are often benefits to enlisting the help of a professional. Interior designers can help you make the most of your space, take full advantage of natural light and architectural details and help you make choices that will fit both your taste and your lifestyle.

If you’ve never used the services of an interior designer, the process of selecting one can be a little daunting. Not everyone who considers themselves a professional designer actually is one. Professionals should have some kind of certification, either from a national organization or a state group. Check that all certifications claimed by the designer are current.

Also, it’s always a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau before hiring any design professionals. An unscrupulous “designer” is likely to have multiple complaints, but you won’t know that if you don’t check.

Here are some more tips to help you choose a designer that will give your home a look that you can live with.

1. Check the Book

As you are interviewing potential designers, pay close attention to their portfolios. By seeing examples of past work, you will be able to get a feel for their style and see whether it is a good match for yours. Browsing through the portfolios is also a good way to see if the designer has tackled projects similar to the one you need completed.

2. Ask Around

If you have friends or neighbors who have fabulously decorated homes, ask if they used a professional. By getting referred by someone you know, you’ll have had the chance to see – up close and personal – examples of the designer’s work. Also, you’ll be able to ask your friend what working with designer was like, and if all promises were kept.

3. References

Once you find a designer that you may be interested in working with, ask for a list of past clients. Call several of the provided references. Ask not only if they were happy with the finished product, but also if deadlines and budgets were met and if the designer consulted with them on all major decisions. In addition to checking client references, ask for professional references as well.

4. Know What you Want

While you don’t have to know exactly what you want in terms of color and other decorating details, you should be able to explain in general terms what you would like to see in your room. This will help the potential designers show you relevant examples of past work and will also help you narrow your search based on designers whose style seems to be a good match for yours.

5. Go with your Gut

You could be working closely with the designer you choose for several months. If you don’t think the designer is listening to your wants and needs, or if he or she doesn’t seem agreeable to including ideas that are important to you, then find someone else.

Working with an interior designer can be an amazing experience that leaves your home looking more beautiful and pulled together than you ever thought possible. By taking the time to carefully select a designer, you will be assured of a finished room that exceeds your expectations.

Jessica Ackerman is a head author at Wall D?cor and Home Accents - where you can find metal wall sculptures , wall decorations and more unique wall d?cor products.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice which uses the laws of Heaven and Earth to help improve one’s life by receiving positive Chi (or Qi). Chi is a life force or spiritual energy that is part of every living thing.

In addition, the Chinese Yin and Yang symbol represents the two primal cosmic forces in the universe. Yin (the moon) is a cold, receptive, feminine force, while Yang (the sun) is masculine and is associated with force, movement and heat.

Feng Shui schools teach that objects in your home such as furniture should be placed in a certain way to achieve harmony with your environment and have a positive effect on your health, wealth and personal relationships.

Arranging your bedroom furniture according to Feng Shui

The bedroom is one of the most important considerations when it comes to Feng Shui. We spend almost a third of our lives in our bedroom and it should be an environment that makes us feel safe, secure and relaxed. Family rooms, kitchens and playrooms are active spaces associated with the Yang force, while bedrooms need to be more Yin and relaxing.

Your main bedroom should be situated as far away from the front door as possible to give you a feeling of protection, stability and security. If there is an adjacent toilet or bathroom, the door to it should be closed while you are asleep. Any sharp edges such as the edges of bedroom furniture should be rounded off or softened by covering them. Computers, radios, televisions and even mobile phone chargers should be positioned as far away from where you sleep as possible to avoid disturbance from electrical currents.

The South West section of your bedroom is said to relate to your relationships, so you should avoid putting your dirty linen basket here! Instead place a photograph of you and your partner or a symbol of your happiness on the wall in this area. You can create a warm, romantic atmosphere in your bedroom through the use of soft lighting or candlelight.

How you decorate your bedroom is of course down to personal taste, but there are some Feng Shui guidelines on colour. Green is a good choice, as it can have a calming effect, while blue is relaxing but a little too cool. Yellow stimulates the mind, which sounds good but might also keep you awake at night. Red and pink encourage romance and passion, though an excess of red can bring too much fire (Yang) into the room. And beware of peach, which is said to encourage affairs!

Positioning your bed

The most important feature of your bedroom is the bed itself. The bed should be placed as far from the door as possible, and certainly not directly opposite, but you should still have a good view of the door from your bed. Make sure the bed is stable, as this is thought to bring stability into your life. The bed needs a strong headboard to protect your Chi while you sleep, and you should not sleep with your head facing an open window, as this will drain away your Chi. Sleeping on the floor is not advisable either, as this does not allow Chi to circulate below you.

The gap between your mattress and the floor should be free of clutter and, unfortunately for most of us, under-the-bed storage units are not recommended! Apparently they can disturb your sleep and limit the ability of the Yin force to re-charge you while you sleep. In the same way avoid anything placed above the bed, such as shelves or wooden beams - but sleeping under a skylight allows your Chi to dissipate while you sleep.

Mattresses and Feng Shui

Mattresses are believed to absorb Chi, so you should avoid purchasing a second hand mattress in case it contains negative energy or belonged to someone who has died. Mattresses need to be replaced regularly, turned regularly and placed in the sunshine for a few hours every few months. When choosing a mattress you should consider not only its size, but also the materials and elements from which it is made. Beds that contain too much water or metal, for example, can upset the balance of energy in your bedroom and cause problems in your life.

It makes sense that you will need to choose a mattress that fits into the space you have created for your bed. However, according to Feng Shui you should also consider how many people are to sleep on the mattress and what they are seeking in life. Single people who wish to remain single, for example can choose a small-sized mattress, but if you are looking for a partner you should opt for something larger, not just for practical reasons, but in order to create the energy necessary to draw another person into your life. Conversely if you are part of a couple, choosing a mattress that is too large for your needs is thought to create problems in your relationship!

A spring mattress with metal coils is best avoided as the metallic coils are conductive and will increase the electromagnetic field in your bedroom, which can be detrimental in terms of creating positive energy. However, if you choose a pocket-sprung mattress in which the coils are wrapped individually, the conductive effect will be reduced. Waterbeds are another option, but in Feng Shui terms these are also not balanced in their elemental qualities, which can lead to energetic disruptions. Water also conducts electricity, which can affect the electromagnetic energy that is already present in the environment.

For some people, Feng Shui is the guiding principle by which they arrange their home and life, while others are more sceptical. Whatever your views on Feng Shui, commonsense ideas such as keeping your bedroom clutter-free and creating a harmonious atmosphere with light and colour will help make your bedroom a relaxing and pleasant environment to sleep in.

Leigh A. Matelas is a freelance writer living in the UK. She regularly contributes articles for Taurus Beds, a leading Bed Shop in London.

When it comes to the work wear we utilize on a regular basis, we depend on the protective apparel or tools just a little bit more. Whether we are staying safe from abrasives, chemicals, flames, or intense heat, there are unique opportunities to stay safer in our lives. However, it is essential we take special precautions when laundering the apparel we choose to use in our lives. Heat resistant material is a highly popular and useful utility in our lives. Yet, there are some things we should keep in mind before we choose to launder those garments.

Before we start, it is vital to understand that following the manufacturer’s instructions is important. However, you should also keep in mind that those manufacturer’s instructions do not consider the possible embroidery or customization. Good commonsense goes a long way when it comes to laundering any type of work wear, but when it comes to heat resistant material; you are your own best friend.

1. How many washes is your garment good for? There are many types of protective garments whether it is a shirt, a pair of cargo pants, or your favorite jacket that will only retain its protective properties for so many launderings. This is not necessarily going to be the case for you, but it is best to insure you know what you are purchasing. If the garment states it is good for 45 washings, then after 45 washings or less, your garment will no longer keep you protected.

2. Did you know that industrial cleanings is harder on garments than laundering at home? Laundering at home is softer and allows you to maintain the same levels of excellence for longer. You will often be required to launder the garment industrially which will be harsher on the heat resistant material. If you are not sure, ask the retailer or do your homework before making a purchase.

3. Chlorine bleach should not be used when it comes to HR clothing of any type. Chlorine bleach will weaken the bond and face the material. Chlorine bleach is going to damage the basic structure of your often expensive garment. The best rule of thumb is to avoid bleach all together.

4. If you launder your garments or tools at home, be sure to launder them separately. You will need to insure you get the best protection for longer. This means you will want to insure the safety of your garments for the workplace as well as the garments for home. Separately cleaning is a vital rule that should always be followed for the safety of everyone concerned.

5. If in doubt, do your research. The internet is a cornucopia of information by users, retailers, and manufacturers. Take a look at what they suggest, and then use commonsense to make a final decision. You will find that sometimes, the information is conflicting, but you can get a general idea of acceptable practices that also follow industry standards.

When it comes to the heat resistant material of your life, you will need to insure you get the best for longer. The first tool is your own commonsense and capabilities.

Max Johnson of The Uniform Connection click for Flame Resistant Clothing. Click for more Laundering Heat Resistant Material.

As you look back through your life, can you even begin to count how many interior design styles you’ve gone through? There were the character-based and dramatic styles of your youth and teenage years, the trendy styles of your post-college years, and various themes, styles and colors throughout your adulthood.

You’ve probably noticed that nearly every trend has something in common. At the time, it seems like that trend is the most elegant and sophisticated style ever, and one that you will love for years to come. But, invariably, you begin to not love it so much. When you do finally redecorate, you find that the trendy furniture that you loved so much just a few years earlier isn’t going to work with your new style. So out goes the overstuffed sofa, the papasan chair, or the distressed country-style TV cabinet. What could have been investment pieces are now at the second-hand shop or decorating the first apartment of a young relative.

Contemporary furniture carries with it a very interesting ability. When used in a contemporary room, contemporary furniture makes a big statement. It is a dramatic focal point of the room. On the other hand, when contemporary furniture is used in rooms of other styles it does just the opposite. It blends in seamlessly.

Let’s look, for example, at the biggest, most dramatic contemporary furniture piece out there. The red, leather sofa.

Now imagine that somehow, somewhere down the line, your tastes change from a preference for contemporary design to American Country style. You’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. You want your house dripping with old kitchenware, advertising art, pictures of farm scenes and flowered fabric.

Two styles couldn’t be further from each other if they tried. So… what do you do with that red, leather contemporary sofa?

First, drape a crocheted afghan over the back of one arm of the sofa. Don’t cover the arm up, just drape it there. Arrange several country-style pillows at the corners. Maybe one pillow has a bit of red in the flowers to pick up the color. Then put a white tatted doily on each arm of the sofa. Now your sofa looks perfect next to the white eyelet curtains and the old wooden rocking chair. Using bits of red throughout your home will also help solidify the red leather sofa into your design and make it look like a purposeful decorating decision rather than something you’re making due with.

Most other home decorating styles are even easier to combine with contemporary furniture. It’s easy to soften their sleek, modern lines to reflect more casual or trendy styles, or incorporate their strong shapes into more historical styles.

Begin to look at your large pieces of furniture as investment pieces. By using contemporary design for your main furniture style, you can easily move from one design style to the next by changing just a few things rather than having to replace your furniture every few years.

Decorating your home? Need designer furniture that is as unique as it is stylish? Have a look at the Beyond Furniture range and I am sure you will have a hard time choosing which piece of furniture you like the most.

If you own a Maltese dog then you may have found that with the Maltese breed it is common to be cleaning Maltese tear stains to keep their faces white and clean.

Cleaning Maltese tear stains can be frustrating if you are using a method that does not work or if you are trying a method that may possibly harm your precious dog.

When I got my first Maltese I was constantly looking for ways to clean up or prevent the Maltese eye stain. I found that tear staining is a condition which is common in this particular breed.

I had heard that there were many different eye stain treatments available to help prevent tear staining, however there were many treatments that were harmful to my dog and I wanted to be sure I was using an effective and safe method on my precious pet.

In this article I will share with you 5 treatments that are commonly discussed as solutions to cleaning maltese tear stains.

The first 4 treatments are ones that I DO NOT recommend.

The 5th and last treatment I discuss is the one that I have found to be the safest, easiest and most effective treatment and it is the one I use on my own maltese dogs.

4 maltese eye stain treatments to avoid:

Treatment 1 – Tetracycline is a ten day course of treatment that your veterinarian will prescribe and may well need to be repeated a second time to be effective. If it is used on puppies it can cause their teeth to be stained yellow permanently before they have even grown.

Treatment 2 – Delta AlbaPlex is an antibiotic similar to tetracycline but contains very low amounts of steroid in it as well. This treatment will need to be used for some time before the benefits show.

Treatment 3 – Ak-Trol is an eye drop medication which is prescribed for people to use and contains neomycin, polymyxin B and dexamethasone.

Treatment 4 – Flagyl is an anti diarrhea medication that the vet will prescribe for treating yeast or giradia infections in dogs. However the metronidazole that it contains has also found to be effective in helping to treat tear stains, especially if the problem has because there has been an excessive growth of red yeast in the animal.

My favorite solution (after trying numerous options for removing tear stains):

Treatment 5 - A special powder that is mixed with my dog’s food. This is an internal treatment that works from the inside out. I don’t have to apply ointments or solutions and this makes it easy to do. It is an all natural powder that I simply add to my dog’s food. For my maltese it helped to cure the problem of maltese eye stain very quickly and has continued to work over the long term. I liked that it was safe for puppies and pregnant dogs. It contains only natural ingredients so it is unlikely to cause any unwanted side effects in your dog compared to some of the other treatments I mentioned above.

What do I like about this method? I saw results very quickly. I did not need to get a prescription from the veterinarian. So totally easy to use. I don’t have to apply any solutions or ointments to my dog. This treatment works from the inside out so it stops the problem from where it is starting. The ingredients are all natural and my Maltese love the taste. Bottom Line? This powder really works for my maltese. It just might help you battle your dog tears stains too.

Learn more about the only natural remedy for tear stains in dogs that my dogs love. Safe easy way of cleaning maltese tear stains fast. http://MalteseEyeStain.com