Home Improvement

An introduction to the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands, an archipelago consisting of numerous small islands, is one of America`s hidden secrets. These islands make up part of Washington State. A variety of run and exciting activities await any visitors to the islands. Here are some interesting facts about the islands from San Juan PM:

The year-long temperatures make for some perfect beach lounging and activities. Even in winter, the temperatures hardly ever dip below 40 degrees. A whole range of outdoor activities supports this ideal blend of sun and sand. They range from whale-watching to sailing to hiking up the scenic hills. Access to the San Juan Islands is usually by plane or by ferry. The ferry is very popular as it provides tourists with a good view of the surrounding islands and sea. Ideally, you can book San Juan island rentals before you arrive and head straight there to unwind.

The natural landscape in the islands varies from hills and valleys to sunny beaches. Whale-watching is a favorite activity for tourists in San Juan. The Lime Kiln State Park is an ideal spot to watch the aquatic lifestyle of these majestic creatures. Friday Harbor, in the San Juan Island, is yet another example of a tourist hot-spot that always seems to be bustling with activity. Tourists will enjoy socializing in the quaint, little cafes and restaurants. But away from the beaches and the shoreline and into the hills of the San Juans, lies another attraction, the famed lavender fields. The sprawling lavender fields in the islands have long held the fascination of many tourists. Picnics in the lavender fields are quite popular with tourists and locals alike. The Pelindaba Lavender Farm, in particular, has proven to be quite a catch to tourists. In fact, the Annual San Juan Island Festival is held at the farm every year in July. With such a lovely climate and a host of activities to indulge in, it is easy to see why the San Juan Islands remains such a popular tourist destination.

How to Approach Remodeling a Room

Summary: Whether your furniture is beat-up or you simply want to change things up, there are some tips you should keep in mind when looking for new outdoor furniture pieces.

Stick to a Theme

Buying new furniture for your outdoor patio can be an overwhelming task without a proper plan of attack. A good way to approach decorating is coming up with a theme or aesthetic that you would like to express. For example, when the items in a room, from the couches and chairs all the way to the coasters on the coffee table, fit a particular color scheme or have similar designs, the room, as a whole, looks more welcoming and put-together. The same applies to your outdoor patio as well.

Too many clashing components can impact the overall vibe given off by the patio. To combat this, approach the design phase with the intention of making sure each item contributes to the theme you are creating. While function may be more important than form, in most furniture-related cases, aiming for a coherent vision will ultimately help the overall image.

Replacing Your Pieces

Regardless of whether your furniture has experienced wear-and-tear or you want to remodel to keep things fresh, you need to be wise when deciding which pieces to purchase first. Look around your patio and make note of the replacements that are the most urgent. Remodeling it does not need to be a large overnight project. In fact, it might be wise to not even think of it as such a quick and drastic change.

Focus on purchasing high quality basic pieces of furniture first, whether it’s a couch or a table that fits the theme you are going for but is not too visually ‘loud’ – don’t forget to verify it’s meant for outdoor use. Higher quality pieces may have a larger upfront cost, it is worth keeping in mind that a higher quality item may not need to be fixed or replaced as quickly as a cheap, inexpensive one. Versatility is key, because high quality pieces that will last can work with a variety of different themes and last you quite a long time.

Know Where to Shop

Knowing where to shop is just as important as knowing what to look for. When experimenting with a different look and feel to your patio, you do not want to immediately splurge on many furniture pieces. Certain stores offer a wide variety of budget-friendly options that both look good and will not hurt your wallet. Be sure to consider what shops are experts when it comes to exterior patio design.

The more you experiment the more you will understand which sorts of pieces, colors, or designs you tend to gravitate towards. Branching out and going for more expensive items will not be as big of a risk, because you will know how to incorporate them into your home and you will be certain that you will enjoy it.

Blog submitted by The Foam Factory. The Foam Factory offers a wide array of foam products such as dryfast foam, memory foam, and more. Visit them online today.

Home Staging: How to Maximize your Home Sale on a Volatile Market

Summary: Home staging has become a crucial component of today’s real estate market. In order to thrive, you’ll want every advantage.

In order to give yourself a competitive advantage in the real estate market, home staging is one of the best ways to go about doing so. First off, you’ll have a much greater chance at selling your property quickly and at the best prices. And, you’ll garner more interest than the average home on the block. With so much competition in the current market, you’ll want every edge that you can get.

Differentiating Staging from Preparing

Home staging essentially revolves around the aesthetic nature of your interior such as the organization and overall appearance – rather than mechanical improvements. It’s important that you are able to differentiate home staging from home preparation as these are two very different things.

With staging in mind, the goal is to improve the overall appearance so that your house becomes a hot commodity that sells for a high price and quickly as well.

Why You Should Stage

If you’re considering whether home staging is really worth it for your home, think again. Staging your home can benefit you regardless of the real estate market. Realistically, you’ll want every advantage you can get to sell your home for a good price, so by staging your home, you’re taking the appropriate steps to achieve a sale for the maximum price.

The Benefits

When you stage, you start to think like a buyer. You’ll be looking at the home as if you were purchasing the house. Now, adopting this perspective early in your plan will help you in numerous ways when you’re preparing to sell. Staging also forces you to organize your home. This is a win-win for you because you’re readying your house and also getting a head start on packing.

When you put out the extra effort to stage, you’ll move closer to a quicker sale. Now, anyone that’s ever sold a house before can tell you that the least amount of time is on the market, the better it is for you. This is especially important if you’ve already purchased your second home and are paying two mortgages at once.

If you price your home correctly, you won’t have to haggle over the price. However, in a market that’s leaning more towards the buyer on the other hand, you’ll need everything working your favor to justify the asking price. Home staging can be that piece that you need to position your home more favorably.

Blog submitted by The Foam Factory: For the finest replacement cushions and other premium foam products, be sure to visit The Foam Factory online today.

How to Effectively Replace the Framework and Cushions for Your Boat

Written by: Foam Factory, Inc.

Summary: Soggy boat cushions aren’t just a hassle to clean, but they can also absorb massive amounts of bacteria that can be detrimental to your health.

As a boat owner, one of the most annoying and time-consuming issues to fix is an unexpectedly soggy boat cushion. Fortunately, there are solutions that can solve these problems permanently using waterproof, ventilated substitutes. This article will discuss how you can go about doing so.

Choosing the Right Materials

Selecting the right materials is the most important aspect of switching to custom outdoor cushions. Be sure that you choose a water-resistant material such as closed-cell foam, opposed to open cell (which absorbs water). For the cushions that you are replacing, be sure that you measure each cushion accurately. Otherwise, you’ll either have to return the product or cutting it on your own – both are inconvenient to say the least.

How to Replace Your Cushions

After obtaining the measurements for each cushion, plan the frame of the cushion to be at the least 1 inch smaller than cushion each direction. Then, you’ll want to measure and cut out a piece of 3/8 inch exterior plywood that’s measured to that particular size – you can use a carpenters’ square to help assist you with this.

Cut four pieces of parting stop stock to form the insides of the frame that will surround the cushions. Nail each strip of parting stop onto the sides of the plywood to create a type of shallow tray – you can use braids to attach the stripe to one another at the corners. Once the frame of the cushion is assembled, now comes the dirty work.

Completing the Framework

Start by drilling four to eight ½ inch ventilation holes in the plywood base – depending on the size of your desired frame. Varnish the entire frame throughout using a high-gloss polyurethane varnish and cover each section of the wood generously to prevent it from delaminating. Following this, varnish all of the exposed surfaces of the parting stop frame as well as the edges and both sides – while paying particular attention to covering the insides of the drilled ventilation holes. Let the frame dry completely, then apply a second generous coat of varnish.

Replacing the Inner Cushion Filling

Measure and cut your closed-cell foam exactly to size with a sharp utility knife. Remember, the foam needs to be at least 1 inch larger than the plywood frame. Use the foam as a pattern and cut a piece of waterproof fabric or vinyl roughly 7-8 inches longer than the foam all around, so it can be easily folded over the foam toward the middle of the cushion. Also, be sure to leave enough room for the fabric to cover the sides of the frame – you can also add polystyrene insulation for additional comfort and support as well.

How Outdoor Living Spaces Coincide With Durable Furniture Pieces

Summary: Patio maintenance relies on furniture pieces that can last throughout the year.

Beautiful patio furniture can add a fantastic touch to your backyard. Undoubtedly it will bring both function and comfort to the forefront of your outdoor space. For instance, a classic wicker rocking chair and a matching sofa can turn your patio into a cozy and inviting space for your family and guests like. It’s easy to overlook your patio space and pay more attention to the landscaping aspect of your backyard. However, finding the right furniture pieces can really make your home stand out from others. This guide will dive into the fine details of sculpting your backyard into a masterpiece.

Pinpoint What You Want

First off, create a list that discusses what you would like your backyard space to look like. You’ll also want to consider its function as well. Are you turning your patio into a hosting area for birthday parties or family events? Do you want it to be a dining area for those beautiful summer nights? Create a simple list that outlines everything. This will coordinate your purchasing spree and help narrow down your options.

Seating

A key factor for a comfy patio is finding the right patio cushion that displays both aesthetically pleasing aspects and is downright comfortable. Now, this may not be an easy task as numerous companies manufacture cushions by the bundle. Simply said, there are way too many options available in this day and age. If you are ordering just foam to upgrade your current patio cushion, be sure that you consult with the foam company beforehand. The customer service representatives will likely be able to assist you in what type of foam would fit best for your outdoor setting. Remember, the weather doesn’t play nice when it comes to your furniture. You’ll want to care for them as they won’t last forever being left at the mercy of the changing weather patterns.

Easy-Care Furniture Pieces

Most metal, cedar, and weather wicker pieces are designed to withstand nature’s fury. This is a crucial element when purchasing furniture because, obviously, indoor furniture pieces are vastly different than outdoor pieces. These forgiving materials will prevent you from having to replace each outdoor piece on a regular basis and could potentially even last you years on end. Replacement cushions aren’t exactly the cheapest household items that you could buy as well.

Bio: The Foam Factory manufactures a variety of high quality foam products such as couch cushions, seat foam, outdoor foam replacements, and more.

Techniques for Drying Wood Before a Project

When you’re working with a lot of wood, like an amateur or semi-professional furniture maker, you’ll have to figure out an effective way to store it. If the wood hasn’t been dried properly, or moisture accumulates during storage, you’re going to find working with it pretty rough. Once you figure out how to deal with wet wood, you’ll be ready to dip into storage to get all the parts you need for your next project.

Stacking and Storing

The first thing to understand about wood is that it works a lot like a sponge. If you pour water onto it, it’s going to absorb that water over time. If the wood is wet, it will rot or warp over time and cause major problems for you when it’s time to build.

That’s why you should stack wood boards atop one another with spacers in between. The spacers allow for a light breeze (also important) to cool and dry out the wood as it sets over time.

If you’re going to store the wood indoors, like a shed or a garage, then you will inevitably have wet wood when it comes time to work. How do you avoid this problem? The solution is simple! Heat is needed to dry out the wood, so a little bit of heat and air will eventually dry the wood out. Maybe, before you start working, take the wood from the shed and store it in the shade where the wind can hit it.

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James Provence was born in 1947, in San Francisco. After retiring from the Church, Archbishop James Provence decided to pursue his hobby of furniture making full time.

The health benefits of using a memory foam mattress

Written by Foam Factory, Inc.

Memory foam mattresses use technology developed for NASA. Unlike any other mattress or polyurethane foam sheets on the market, it molds itself to the shape of the person sleeping on it. Here are a few of the health benefits of using a memory foam mattress:

The visco-elastic material that is the basis for the memory foam mattress adjusts itself based on temperature. The sleepers body heat and weight determine what parts of mattress adjust. As the temperature rises the mattress becomes softer and provides more comfort.

There are also reports of pain relief from body aches and soreness from the use of a memory foam mattress. This is due to the selective displacement of pressure along the surface of the body. As part of the pain coping mechanism, pain points tend to have a higher average temperature. This causes the mattress to adjust those specific areas.

A memory foam mattress Canada will also help with better sleep by helping the sleeper maintain better spinal alignment. A lot of issues are related to the incorrect sleeping position. Those can be resolved to a great extent with the use of memory foam.

The final benefit is that of allergy relief. These mattresses are made from inorganic fibers. This prevents the biggest source of sleep-related allergies: Dust-mites from growing. There is no biological matter for them to thrive on.

Those are just a few of the many benefits associated with using memory foam. Some of these benefits are also associated with the use of a memory foam mattress topper on a regular mattress.

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The Foam Factory has operated in the foam industry for several years. They have a special Dryfast foam that is ideal for upholstery foam Canada

How to Properly Care for Your Patio to Make it Flourish

Patio furniture need to be cared for the same way that you do for your indoor furniture.

Cleaning and maintaining your outdoor furniture can make your patio shine like it did when you first bought your house! Many homeowners fail to take care of their patio, resulting in an assortment of dead bugs, spider webs, and layers of dirt lying around the entire space. Here are some ways that you can care for your patio.

Start by Storing Your Cushions

Your couch foam needs to be replaced after an extended period of time. A dirty and flat cushion isn’t appealing to you or your guests. And, if it’s the summer, you could be the host of a birthday party or a family gathering. Outdoor couches should make your patio feel welcoming, not the opposite. Start by storing your seat cushions in a bin to protect it from the rain, heat, and insects. Take it out when you need to use it so it’s not at the mercy of nature 24/7. A tarp or a cover could also be placed on the couch as well. Many retailers sell these for a cheap price!

Don’t Forget the Floor

Spruce up your patio floor by sweeping it every so often and even power washing it if you can. This way, all the dirt, grime, and bacteria will be flooded away, leaving you with a brand new floor. If you have wood planks, there are numerous finishes that you can lacquer with to protect it as well as make it shine. Your local hardware store is likely to carry one. Be sure that you purchase the correct one as certain types of wood will respond differently with chemicals.

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The Foam Factory carries every patio cushion product that you could want or need. For more information, visit the Foam Factory online today.

How Outdoor Foam Stands Up to the Elements

Article written by cheap hotel

Outdoor foam is a miracle for patio furniture. Once upon a time, thick, canvas covers had to be applied to all outdoor furniture to try and ward off the rain. These covers were usually waterproofed, but tended to do a poor job of keeping water out. Those covers can still be found today, but they are far less common thanks to a new type of foam commonly found in patio furniture, boat cushions and airplane seats.

Outdoor furniture cushions now use something called “dry fast foam”, which (as the name implies) doesn’t retain moisture and dries faster than normal foam. This is thanks to large, open cells within the foam sheets that allow water to pass through. Because the foam dries faster, bacteria can’t grow as easily. No more moldy cushions if you left them out during a winter storm.

Your outdoor foam replacement isn’t rated for direct exposure to the sun, but the cover can protect it. The foam itself won’t harden or get any real sun damage if the cloth or canvas layer blocks the sun’s rays. You may have to replace the cover later as the colors fade, or you could simply flip them over in a pinch.

As a bonus, outdoor foam happens to be useful to those who suffer health problems and have a hard time sleeping. The antimicrobial properties of the bedding prevent small particles from entering the lungs, which helps improve your ability to breathe.

Bio: The Foam Factory specializes in custom-cut foam pieces for commercial and residential use.

Read more : Improve Your Home with Cushions

Read more : 5 Types of Outdoor Cushion Foam

 

New Boat Checklist: Everything You Need Before You Disembark

There is nothing quite like getting behind the wheel of a new boat and taking it out for that first foray into the open waters. Before you set out for your inaugural voyage, be sure you pack the necessities: food, relaxation and safety kits.

The good news is that most of this equipment is easy to stockpile. A boat cushion with a canvas cover fits below deck and will last for years if you keep it out of the sun. Rope will eventually dry out, but you can cover your anchor with tarp to help block sun damage. Canvas is fairly durable, so it should be useful as a boat cover, seat covers, cushion covers and anything else you might need. The only concern you’ll have is sun damage, so you may need to replace certain covers if they begin to lose their luster.

Be Safe

Always have a flotation device on hand at all times, no exceptions. Every child who boards your boat should have a life vest at all times. If your boat’s seating doesn’t float, order custom cushions with open-celled foam. It will prevent water from soaking into the foam, which will help it act as a flotation device for you and your family.

A medical kit is also important to have, along with lots of motion sickness medication. Most outdoor and sporting goods stores sell medical supplies as all-in-one kits, but those kits usually don’t include anything for sea sickness.

Finally, be sure you are armed with a flare gun if you intend to go beyond a point where you can see land. Even if you don’t go out that far, a flare will help someone locate you if you’re in trouble.

Food

If you’re out on the water, fishing is probably one of the best ways to eat. You will eat fresh food full of protein, but eating any one thing day and night can get a little old. Crock pots and small camping stoves will be useful on a voyage depending on the size of the boat. Electric grills are best if possible, but gas is fine in a pinch so long as you control the open flame. Just be mindful of winds.

You can also prepare food in advance and use your crock pots or cooking implements to heat it. Chili or chowder is an excellent choice for short trips and overnighters.
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The Foam Factory, Inc. specializes in manufacturing upholstery foam for Canada and the United States. The Foam Factory offers free shipping for all orders over $75.

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