Furniture that Goes Bump in the Night

There is a company in Columbus, OH that creates scary animated characters and creations that elevate from beds or fly out of television sets for amusement parks, movies, etc. The fridge with a family (of moving body parts) inside it, complete with an inside blood-streaked door is truly inspired and truly creepy. But even though I am not normally so inclined, there is something about Halloween that awakens the ghoulish prankster inside of me. If I had the budget and space, I would adorn the hallway in front of my apartment door in a heartbeat with a hearse drawn by an invisible horse or the angel of death animated figure.

Looking back on my personal Halloween adventures, I must admit that they were pretty tame. One year I took everything out of the toy box, hid in it just before I knew my sister would be coming and jumped out, scaring the heck out her and making her scream pretty loudly. Over the ensuing years, my sister took her revenge by yelling “boo” when I least expected it, popping out from around corners when I walked into the living room and playing other harmless pranks that involved pot lids, talcum powder and the occasional water balloon. It was never malignant or vengeful; just a little sibling rib-poking.

By far, the best Halloween stunt my sister pulled was the time she put honey on the back of my chair. The chairs in our dining room were ladderbacks, and somehow she must have noticed that I always pulled my chair out by grabbing hold of the middle rung. That Halloween night when I was called to dinner, I pulled my chair out as usual and sat down. But something was in the way and blocking my knees. When I lifted the tablecloth up to investigate, I came face to face with a coiled snake (albeit a rubber one). That didn’t matter; I was terrified of snakes of any ilk. I reared back. I had long hair at the time, so I’m sure you can guess what happened next when I leaned back in the chair. What my mother had to say about honey on her good dining chair is another story for another day.

One of my best friends, Barbara, and I no longer live in the same city. We first met at the restaurant where she was a shift supervisor. The owners of the restaurant where we worked always decorated the place for all the seasonal holidays – Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter. Since Barbara was supervisor of the evening shift, most of the actual decorating fell to her. All of us on her shift had to help. While she would use most of the same decorations from year to year, somehow she always managed to make it look different.

But at Halloween Barbara would really outdo herself. Skeletons dangled from light fixtures; spiders hovered overhead in the stalls of the women’s washroom; the huge front window was one big tangled web. I didn’t give it much thought until a few years later I had stopped by her place on Oct. 31st for a quick visit and discovered that her house resembled the restaurant almost exactly. Except the pumpkins – the ones at the restaurant were made of plastic and the ones that decorated Barbara’s front steps were real and meticulously hand-carved. And yes, in true Martha Stewart fashion, the seeds had been toasted and the pulp magically transformed into pies. Barbara loved Halloween.

In her household, it is the adults, (well mostly her) and not the kids who play Halloween pranks on each other. When her daughter was four, Barbara rigged the armoire door in the hallway outside of her bedroom with fishing line so that when her daughter walked by, one of the doors opened slowly and Casper the Ghost floated out. After her daughter screamed appropriately, Barbara showed her how the trick was done. The way Barbara described the incident to me in one of our lengthy phone calls (by this time I had moved away), it was almost as if I had been there in person.

After seeing the movie “Jack the Bear” for the first time, I hurried to the phone and called Barbara. Based on the book by Dan McCall, Danny DeVito plays a TV horror-movie host. As the father of two sons, he tries to keep his family and himself from falling apart after his wife’s death. Of course, as someone who’s in the business of the macabre, John Leary (DeVito’s character) loves Halloween and the way he decorated the front yard and the house instantly brought Barbara and her similar passion to mind. But Barbara has never seen the movie and every time I ask her, she admits, that even though other people have mentioned it to her as well, she still hasn’t seen it.

I guess she doesn’t need any help with Halloween decorating ideas. All Barbara needs is some pumpkins, a few cardboard skeletons, a piece of fishing line, an old white pillow case and some scary furniture.

Happy Halloween!

Oversight Salvation

Ever bought a sprinkler and returned home only to remember you don’t own a garden hose? How about arriving at the campsite with your new camp stove but not so much as a drop of fuel? Maybe you’ve snapped up a bargain on a trailer at a garage sale and returned to pick it up before realizing there’s no hitch on your bumper.

There are truly thousands of examples in life where people have a greater likelihood of making an oversight related to purchases. I remember buying my first vehicle at 17, and my intention of driving it that evening being quashed by the remaining $46 dollars in my bank account meaning no insurance until next payday. Often, the ones that are the most dumbfounding occur when the buyer is overly-enthusiastic or eager to acquire his or her new purchase and has a genuine zeal for the product.

This seems to be particularly true of audio-visual components and systems and products that are related to other avidly-pursued hobbies and interests like musical instruments and sporting goods. With regards to A/V products, it’s very easy to understand how a person who’s a big movie, video game or sports buff – or all 3, as is often the case – could become so enthralled and encapsulated in their imminent purchase that he or she could overlook necessary accessories. While missing cables, adapters and the like can be just as problematic, there’s something very “D’OH!” about blowing the bulk of your wad on that new LCD TV only to arrive home and become aware you don’t have a stand that can accommodate it.

The same instance can occur easily with stereo components as well. You race home with your new 5-disc multi-player only to realize your component shelves will not take the additional size, or your mid-size bookshelf speakers are too wide for your speaker stands.
In addition, sometimes your current stand just doesn’t do your shiny and cutting-edge design TV or A/V components justice.

Of course, the last thing you want to do is subject your new electronic pride n’ joy to the risk of damage by either placing it on an existing inferior / insufficient stand or rack. Resting it on the floor would be wholly inadvisable as well and so very anti-climactic as you press power for the first time. As suggested earlier, it’s not uncommon for individuals in such circumstances to realize painfully they’ve gone a little too big with the bucks and feel the right stand or rack will have to wait.

Fortunately, Cymax Stores is pleased to advise you that with a visit to www.audio-video-furniture.com or www.toptvstands.com you can make amends your oversight with a large selection of TV stands and audio racks that have the newest looks and designs you demand at prices that may well not necessitate your putting it “on hold” until next payday comes around. Take a look at this Orispace Hi-Def Black Glass LCD TV Stand at $105.00 with free shipping and see what we mean!

If that grabs your attention, I urge you to stop by Top TV Stands to see many more attractive stands at great prices and protect the integrity of that first viewing.

Ways to Give Your Bathroom the Comforts of a Spa

Now that we’re right in the middle of fall and the days are continually getting shorter, many of us not only take the time to get our yards and homes ready for winter, but we also prepare ourselves, both mentally and physically, to weather the upcoming winter season. Between dealing with our daily schedules, crises of one kind or another and preparing for the inevitable holiday festivities, we can get pretty stressed out. A great way to deal with seasonal stresses is to transform your bathroom into the ultimate cold weather getaway.

One way to transform your bathroom into a spa is to replace or upgrade the tub. In a wide range of styles and designs, many people are trading in the old bathtub for a luxury bath; one that includes hydrotherapy options like whirlpool jets for a full body massage. If getting rid of your old tub isn’t feasible, many manufacturers offer systems that can be added to your existing tub, allowing you to immerse yourself in a luxurious abundance of massaging bubbles without having to drastically alter your current floor plan.

If you have the room, another way to give your bathroom the luxurious feel of a spa is to replace the sink with a vanity. Because bathroom vanities usually combine a sink with a cabinet, it will provide a functional and practical place to get ready for the day, while eliminating clutter and give you a place to store toiletries and bath salts. Even if you don’t have much space to work with, you still have options. Since a metal bathroom vanity typically does not have enclosed storage, it would be an ideal choice for decorating smaller style bathrooms, making the room appear more open.

When you really don’t have the room for a bathroom vanity, select a vessel sink instead. Sitting either directly on top of the counter or partially recessed, a vessel sink appears to float above the counter, especially when made of glass or other reflective materials such as stainless steel. Dramatic and visually interesting, a vessel sink can give a bathroom the luxurious feeling of a resort spa.

Consider the lighting in the bathroom. While you want it bright enough to see yourself in the mirror when grooming, while relaxing in your “spa,” the lighting should be softer, conducive to creating a more relaxing atmosphere. Especially if you have an overhead light in your bathroom, wall sconces with shades can help control glare and reduce the amount of brightness in the room.

To give the most-used room in your home all the style and comfort of a luxurious spa, it doesn’t have to mean a major renovation. By replacing your current bathtub with a hydrotherapy bath or your old sink and countertop with a new vanity, you can magically transform your bathroom into an oasis of relaxation.

Oh, To Have Been a Scribe

The fact that, in 1^st and 2^nd world countries at least, illiteracy has been by and large eradicated is an achievement worthy of praise and of tremendous benefit to society as a whole. The ability to read and write is no longer the divider it once was for everyone from children to adults, and the campaigns for literacy that began 30-plus years ago have been a great success. So much so in fact that Generation X folks like myself and the Y / Z s who’ve followed seem to take it for granted.

If I told you that at some point in the past and in a certain part of the world, your being literate was the only qualification necessary to ensure you a very well-paying, well-respected profession where you, among other perks, NEVER PAID TAXES – would you believe me?

In Ancient Egypt, scribes were part of the royal court who documented everything from the musings of the nobility to administrative and economic policies to legal statutes and much in between. They were compensated very well for their work and enjoyed many of the benefits of being faithful servants of the pharaoh or other nobility. Further, they had absolute job security as literacy was shared by only a tiny percentage of the population and nearly exclusively it was a skill passed down from older scribes to their sons. When not taking hand-written notes or assembling their submissions, these men would also read to their wealthy employers who could not do so on their own.

The benefits didn’t end there – scribes were absolved of military service obligations as well. So instead of being displaced and deemed disposable you’re taking the minutes of the Hieroglyphic Hansard and regaling the old boys with a tale or two before enjoying some wine and entertainment. Sounds like it would have been my kind of gig if I’d been born a few thousand years earlier a little to the left of the cradle of civilization.

Yet here we are in the 21^st century and taking notes by hand is not only unimpressive but quickly becoming as long lost as the Sphinx’s nose. Many people these days claim they have either forgotten how to handwrite or have difficulty with it, and I’m certainly one of them. The electronic medium has taken over, and although well it should, there’s still something of an attractive nostalgic value in scribbling out what you have to say. Love letters need to be commended for prolonging the life of pen n’ paper, and I suppose to a lesser extent so do birthday cards and the like.

For those who do
not channel the entirety of their communications or discourses through a keyboard, there are still furniture pieces that manage to incorporate a writing desk sensibility into their design. Audio-Video-Furniture.com has recently added a selection of Haugen Rolltop Desks that offer the vintage style appeal of more old world-themed writing desks with the versatility to accommodate more electronic means of communicating. Distinctive with the traditional roll-top enclosures that foster a charm seemingly incomplete without a quill pen in ink and sealing wax, these desks also have more modern design features like cord management outlets and drop-front keyboard tray drawers.

These desks are a tasteful hybrid between the old and the new. Not as old as 3000 BC though, as the fact that the scribes sat cross-legged with a slate on their lap writing on papyrus may have made the job slightly less appealing. Actually, come to think of it – no, it probably wouldn’t have. Knowing you’d be set for life shortly after Dad had taught you how to read and write must have been a darn good feeling.

An Ottoman is not Just a Footstool Any More

An ottoman is a piece of furniture used as a footrest. It is usually upholstered, sits low to the ground and is generally round, square or rectangular. They come in a wide variety of styles, materials, shapes, textures and price ranges. Once regarded solely as a lowly footstool, decorating with ottomans is becoming a popular interior design trend.

Using an ottoman as a coffee or cocktail table has many advantages. Because of their flat table-like top, it is a great place to put a tray, a pile of magazines, the TV remote or a bowl of popcorn. It is also an especially easy and effective way to child-proof a living room or family room, since an ottoman generally does not have sharp corners. If you are decorating a room in a home with young children, a round, plushy upholstered ottoman would be an excellent choice. Another advantage to using an ottoman as a coffee table is mobility. You don’t have to commit to placing the ottoman in front of the couch the way you would a more traditional type of coffee table. An ottoman can be moved around the room or even from one room to another as needed.

Adding additional seating to a room without have to match it exactly to your existing decor is an ideal way to create a focal point. Selecting an ottoman with different textures generates visual interest. In a room largely dominated by earth tones, for example, incorporate a splash of color with a pair of ottomans in complementary colors. Or choose two smaller sized ottomans of the same shape and store them under a console table, where they will be out of the way until needed. Since many ottomans are relatively the same height as a dining chair, if you are in the habit of entertaining or having large family gatherings, purchase several square ottomans that can be conveniently transferred from your family room to your dining room.

In the master bedroom, a guest room or an entryway, a comfortably padded rectangular ottoman is the perfect place to put on shoes, drape clothing or setting down a purse or briefcase. An ottoman in a hallway or foyer, especially one that is tufted or textured, instantly creates a welcoming ambiance.

When decorating a small room, use an ottoman with hidden storage. Many manufacturers offer ottomans that have flip tops, drawers or lift tops that open to reveal spacious storage areas ideal for hiding away just about anything from blankets to magazines to clothes to toys. Storage ottomans are also a good choice when decorating a child’s or teen’s room, helping to control clutter while adding more seating options. Selecting one with casters will make it even more functional.

For today’s modern home, the ottoman has emerged as a trendy multifunctional accent piece. In addition to its more traditional role of footstool, in recent years it has become popular as a coffee table, a way to add additional seating to a room without having to match it exactly to the other furnishings and as a boudoir or hallway bench.

Underworld Blues

It was a moment of weakness; nothing more, nothing less. Pomegranate seeds had always been irresistible to her, and no doubt that sly Hades had come to understand as much. Sure, it might not have even come to this had those two nymphs intervened in the first place, but Persephone had no one to blame but herself for caving in and so dooming her world to four months of cold and barren days each year.

So this October faded away just as it did the year previous, “P” packed her bags and said her goodbyes to Mom and Dad. Mom was still bitter about the whole thing and both of them couldn’t understand why Dad didn’t pull one of his innumerable strings to override the whole arrangement. In fairness though, old Zeus was a little pre-occupied with his job these days. He was in damage control mode with his PR staff after one of his minister’s irresponsible sons had died in a foolish flying stunt, and was facing increasing lobby pressure to better compensate Atlas for carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

All in all, the time at Hades’ place wasn’t so bad as they both had come to accept certain inevitabilities regarding the deal. She was resigned to the cosmic pre-ordainment of it all, while he had for the most part grudgingly accepted the fact there was no nookie to be had and that sleeping arrangements were not up for discussion. Besides, she thought, I never see the guy as he’s always rehearsing with his band or playing drunken pranks on some of the more dim-witted fallen ones that loiter outside the fence.

P stopped by the corner store to pick up a long-distance card, plunked her bags down on the corner and slumped up against a telephone pole waiting for Hades to roll up in his jet-black ’68 Firebird fast-back. As usual, some of the citizenry approached to complain heartily about having potatoes make up the entirety of their crop until late March.

A thought came to her while they were rolling along a desolate highway into the underworld – she had recently come across www.greenhouseselect.com and became aware of the large and competitively-priced selection of greenhouses offered to consumers with the convenient appeal of online shopping. Pops had given P her own Platinum Visa and she was sure he signed off on it each year as “federal expenditure” or something like that. You know how political big-wigs can be.

As soon as they arrived, she rolled her eyes tiredly when Hades yet again suggested they “play” Twister. “When is this guy not formulating ulterior motives,” she thought to herself. She made her way to the computer and eagerly flew into GreenhouseSelect. After adding a large quantity of differing varieties of greenhouses to her “cart,” she phoned Cymax’s toll-free customer service line at 1-866-740-9830 to request special arrangements for delivery to the suffering people of her world. She clicked the last icon box and proceeded to revel in her wisdom and good Samaritan-ness.

Needless to say, the greenhouses were a huge hit. The people were thrilled to grow more of the fruits and vegetables that before would never have been possible with the morning frost and sunken temperatures that accompanied P’s absence every year. Her inbox overflowed with expressions of gratitude and more invites to social gatherings upon her return than she could possibly attend.

She sighed almost disparagingly and shook her head slowly as the smooth Motown baritone of Barry White emanated from the romantically candle-lit living room down the hallway.

A for effort, though, Hades.

Cymax Stores Teams Up With Commission Junction!

Cymax Stores is pleased to announce our partnership with one of the top third-party affiliate programs, Commission Junction!

For those of you who are experienced with affiliate marketing, you know that CJ is one of the most well-known and trusted affiliate programs available to you. Since going live within the CJ marketplace two weeks ago, Cymax has already become a leader in the 'Furniture' category in terms of sales, conversions, and click through rates. So if you're an affiliate marketer, and is interested in joining our program, please sign up here:

https://signup.cj.com/member/brandedPublisherSignUp.do?air_refmerchantid=2461201

If you're wondering what we offer our affiliates, here is a quick overview of what you can expect:

- High commissions starting at 7% on completed transactions
- Large average order sizes of $450
- 45-Day Referral Period
- Unlimited Action Occurrences
- No keyword bidding restrictions on related keywords (with the exception of trademark terms)
- Dedicated Affiliate Manager
- Over 20 websites to link to
- Links to thousands of products, including highly rated best sellers
- High quality text links and banner ads targeted for high click-though's
- Potential for special promotions, incentives, and bonuses for consistent and high performing affiliates.
- Occasional Newsletter to keep our affiliates well-informed.

So there you have it! If you think you have what it takes to succeed in the affiliate marketing world, then Cymax Stores is definitely the place to start. Sign up today!

Paper Trails

The need to keep written records and documentation is one that is more pressing for certain types of businesses than others. While some merely collect and reference invoices or the like, others find themselves swimming in paper files due to the nature of their operations and / or uneasiness with more digital methods. Pair this reality with progressively smaller yet increasingly cramped modern office spaces and occasionally your paper trail receptacles seem to take on a life of their own, threatening to take over every wall of your office like ivy ensconcing a helpless building.

Truth is, the majority of offices are not so far removed from the expansive plain-gray filing behemoths for which often the lion’s share of wall space was given up without a fight. Filing cabinets have come to be offered in a wider variety of aesthetic styles and designs since, but only recently have design ergonomics been able to radically break from the vertical box norm.

The aforementioned space-concerns were dictating one of two courses of action; the first would have entailed having both the files and paper themselves becoming smaller. As appealingly green as that may sound, human eyesight limitations joined a well-established pulp and paper production industry in making that impractical. 8 ½" x 11" wasn’t up for any compromising, and so the only choice was for the file cabinet to become smaller itself.

Enter the Flat File. These innovative space-saver filing cabinets are a godsend for any business, big or small, looking to turn the tide in the war against office sprawl. Compact, more lightweight and capable of accommodating a greater number of files than you’d think at first glance, a flat file may well be the answer for any home or office-based business.

OfficeFurnitureNMore.com is the place to go to look over an impressive selection of these new workplace heroes, and keep in mind they are much more easily stacked than your conventional cabinets with their lighter weight and lack of expansiveness. Featuring quality flat files from renowned filing experts like Safco and Mayline, Office Furniture N More pairs with the convenience of online shopping to provide you with the freedom to renovate your office without having to leave it.

The Modern Victorian

Most of us hear the word "Victorian" and think stuffy or for those of us who are more Trivial Pursuit minded, "We are not amused." But the Victorian era was a watershed period for Western culture and civilization. The Industrial Revolution, (cottage industries and other political issues aside), changed the way many things were made, from clothes to furniture and other household items. The Victorian Age was also characterized by an eclectic fusion of styles and cultures largely due to the breadth of the British Empire, which included several continents. During Queen Victoria's reign, British architecture, interior decoration, interior design and furnishings were greatly influenced by these Middle Eastern and Asian cross-cultural currents.

A growing decorating trend, Modern Victorian echoes back the elegance, opulence, drama and romance of Victorian interior design principles. At the same time, it incorporates modern architectural and interior decorating philosophies, utilizing the best elements while paring down the Victorian penchant for excessive ornamentation.

Many people are captivated by the Victorian era because of the inherent romance and gracious and luxurious style of living associated with this time period. Decorating your home in a Modern Victorian mode is relatively easy by following a few simple guidelines.

Use Victorian Motifs

When decorating the rooms of your home, use Victorian motifs. The language of flowers, using flowers in a bouquet to send messages, was a popular Victorian pastime. Anything floral related such as rosettes, trailing vines, acanthus leaves, pansies, etc. is a popular theme for fabrics, architectural decoration and ornamentation on furnishings. Other common motifs are shells, gods and goddesses from Greek or Roman mythology, bunches of grapes, fish and musical instruments such as the harp or lyre.

The Victorian Palette

Because of the many cultural influences that affected Victorian society, colors were rich and vibrant. When decorating in the Modern Victorian theme, select berry and jewel tones, including more neutral and softer colors like black, navy, ivory, pale yellow and burgundy.

Mix It Up with Fabrics

The Victorians loved to decorate with as many different textures as possible. By using velvets, silks and nubby wools in the same room, you can recreate the feel of a Victorian bedroom or sitting room. They also liked to mix-and-match paisley, plaids, damasks, brocades and stripes with one another.

Other Decorative Touches

• Wrought iron, with intricate designs and metalwork flourishes, was a popular material in Victorian Britain for gates, garden structures and outdoor furniture. But it also made its way indoors. When giving your home a Modern Victorian look, choose a metal bed for a guest room, a wrought iron console table for a hallway or a round table with a metal base and a glass top and matching metal chairs for a breakfast nook.
• Stenciling is the art of repeating a pattern by means of an outline of a particular image. It can be applied to almost any surface. Victorians commonly stenciled ceilings, furniture and even doorways and floors.
• Of course, the Victorians were famous for accessorizing with lavish detail. But, to give a room that Modern Victorian look, you can decide how little or how much. Use dresser scarves, tablecloths and elaborately embroidered runners on tabletops. Place several small vintage lamps around a room. Add heavy silver or crystal candlesticks and colored cut-glass bowls of potpourri or dried rose petals. Drape a fringed shawl over a floor lamp.
  

1095 Days

All of us mark anniversaries in our lives, even if nothing more than our birthdays. Many of us fortunate somewhat-older folk have wedding anniversaries to celebrate, while others older-yet and supremely fortunate have both weddings and retirements to commemorate each year with loved ones and friends. Dates in our lives that have a significance worthy of recollection can be welcome and anticipated, or draw near with an apprehension that is commonly attached to birthdays as we pass into our transitional '30s.

The truth is, we all have the freedom to attach such significance to any event in our lives, independent of traditional conventions. Although it would probably be classified as more of a remembrance than an anniversary, every October 9th for the past 9 years I take a moment after I wake to mark the day our beloved family dog passed on after 16 wonderful years with us. Maybe it's a bit of both as I always make a point of searching my memories for good times with "the pooch" as I called her, and celebrate her life for a short time all to myself.

I think keeping a mental record of moments in your life that have personal significance is a small yet powerful tool in relishing the course of your life to date. Whether they be fond memories, or not, or a bit of both - they're yours and yours alone and to mark them in whatever fashion you choose can be a rewarding experience.

Surely we can all agree that the best anniversaries are those that arrive with the promise of many more. This is the type of rewarding and promising feeling is currently being experienced here at Cymax Stores, as this past month marks three years in which Cymax has offered its competitively-priced online shopping convenience to Canadian shoppers and the company is very proud of the accomplishment.

Efurno.ca started operations in early 2006 before evolving into www.cymaxstores.ca, with online sales to Canada ever since. Monthly sales have grown in leaps and bounds, doubling in 2007 and tripling so far in 2008. The size of catalog has increased as well, now offering bedroom furniture, outdoor furniture, children's furniture, fireplaces, and much more. No hockey gear or maple syrup yet, but stayed tuned as Cymax has every intention of being here this same time next year with more to celebrate and be proud of regarding serving our valuable Canadian customers.

Cold Hands, Warm Hearth: Decorating with Gel Fireplaces

Just because you live somewhere that doesn't have a fireplace, doesn't mean that you have to live without one.
Our world today is busy, fast-paced and sometimes very complicated. Coming home to a room that is warm and welcoming is important to our sense of well-being. Gel fireplaces are a great way to create the ambiance of a real fire without having to keep a supply of logs on hand or remembering to clean the chimney. Even though they generate some heat, keep in mind that gel fuel fireplaces are more decorative than functional as a secondary heat source.

Most freestanding gel fuel fireplaces are comprised of a metal firebox, the surround and mantel and a screen. They are convenient to use because they are non-toxic, portable and don't have to be hooked up or vented. As with electric fireplaces, they imitate the motion of real flames and the appearance of burning logs. However, since gel fireplaces do not use electricity, they can be located virtually anywhere in your home, regardless of where power sources are located.

Gel inserts are designed to sit inside an existing fireplace and have all the benefits of freestanding models. If your traditional wood burning fireplace is no longer in working order, a gel insert may be the ideal solution. You will be able to transform it back into a warm place to gather with family and friends. Both gel inserts and fireplaces are easy to install and keep clean.

A gel fireplace works by burning a grain-alcohol gel that comes in cans. On average, one can offers up to three hours worth of flames. Cans can be resealed and used until empty. It is entirely safe to use and smokeless. There is no ash residue to clean up or regular chimney maintenance to worry about. Since a gel fire doesn't spark, there is no danger of stray embers causing harm or damage. Gel fuel fires burn efficiently and are ecologically safe.

Gel fireplaces create a focal point and give a room a sense of "purpose." They can add warmth and style, and are an attractive and handy place to display family photos, collectibles and ornaments. They come in a variety of colors and designs. Construction materials are typically wood and metal or a combination of both. Gel fuel fireplaces can be detailed to resemble a built-in fireplace, with traditional design features like pilasters, inset panels and hand-painted decoration or carvings.

Because they are so portable, they are ideal for apartment living; if you move, you can take it with you. Perfect for apartments, condominiums and smaller homes, many models, in addition to the fireplace unit, include space-saving features, such as a bookcase, curio cabinet shelves or a home theater. Even for home owners with smaller sized-rooms, there are some viable solutions. Many corner gel fireplaces come in a number or styles and colors that will match your decor, transforming unused space into a comfy place to kick back.

A fireplace in a room can create a warm ambience and make your home a comfortable and welcoming place. A gel fuel fireplace is an ideal way to make your home even more hospitable. With many styles and designs to choose from, you're sure to find one that beautifully suits your decor.

Orchids and Luggage While Walking to Work on a Fall Day

I noticed the second woman first. Actually, I finally noticed that I was about to trip over the back right wheel of her rolling suitcase. I was so busy enjoying the sights of a beautiful sunny fall day while on my way to work, that I wasn't really paying attention.

When I looked up, I saw that the woman wasn't alone. She was part of a party of three, another woman and a man. This woman also was trailing a rolling suitcase behind her. But the man was carrying a medium sized bag by its handle. I work downtown, an area not only overflowing with high-rise office buildings but one that is also heavily populated by hotels. So, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary to see a ragged line of three people walking down the street with suitcases. What did catch my eye, however, was, in addition to toting their luggage, each person in the group carried a potted orchid.

The orchids, one purple, one ivory, one reddish pink, suspended from green, knobby stems, gracefully danced in the fall morning air. It struck me as such a curious sight to see, just walking along on my way to work, that it set my writer's (overactive) imagination on fire. Maybe they were going to visit someone in hospital. Maybe they didn't know one another at all, but it was just a coincidence that all three were moving into new condos on the same day and taking a potted orchid with them. Maybe they were going to an orchid show. Flights of fancy aside, the latter was probably the most likely explanation for why three people would walk down a busy downtown street before nine in the morning, toting luggage and potted orchids.

If that had been me, I must confess, my poor orchid would have been a little worse for wear. But this group of three seemed to be savvy convention/trade show attendees; they had one suitcase each and appeared to be able to easily manage their other bags; a carry-on was attached to one woman's rolling suitcase, the other woman had an over-the-shoulder tote and the man wore a backpack over his jacket.

When purchasing luggage that will be used on a regular basis to get you safely to and from a business trip, trade show or convention, choosing the right style of bag can help reduce travel stress and allow you to use your time more efficiently.

A structured suitcase has a hard shell that will protect your belongings. A structured suitcase with wheels offers mobility and convenience. Hard-shell rolling luggage is especially useful for long treks through a busy airport or a convention floor. On the other hand, a roomy carry-on bag, one without structure and wheels, are easier to store under an airplane seat or in the trunk of a car.

Plan to pack light. The fewer bags you have to worry about, the better. Depending on the length of your trip and how much you need to take with you, a multi-compartment carry-on may be all the luggage you will need. A rolling suitcase that has separate compartments for a laptop, files and other business related items is also a good choice. Selecting lightweight, expandable suitcases with organizer pockets, tie-straps to secure clothing and built-in or detachable features like a valet tray will maximize functionality and help you to be better organized when you're on the go.

Since conventions and shows are well-known for hand-outs, freebies, samples and other curiosities, you might want to select a piece of luggage that includes plenty of pockets and compartments, both interior and exterior. Exterior pockets are especially useful for keeping your phone, ID and other necessities close at hand, eliminating the need to go fishing for them.

A combination of selecting the right kind of luggage and good planning will go a long way to making your business trip, trade show or orchid exhibition an enjoyable experience.

Shedding the Stereotype

Over the years there have been a large number of consumer products that have come to be associated with a specific social-demographic group almost exclusively. Occasionally, this reality is not exactly to the liking of the manufacturer, who wishes to promote their product with a wider scope of generational or gender-based appeal.

Beginning with its N64 system in 1996, video gaming giant Nintendo began to be more associated with children gamers in comparison to its competitors. The company drifted further into this pre-conceived identity with its GameCube console in 2001, and, for a host of reasons, the company was seen to be losing adult gamers to its competitors - Sony Playstation 2 and Microsoft X-Box.

The marketing strategy that accompanied the Wii console in 2006 was an impressive one that seems to have shed this stereotype for Nintendo. While the radical new physical-response nature of Wii game play surely played a large part in reforming their image, Nintendo's advertising campaign was thoughtfully designed to bring older gamers into the mix like never before. The two stuffy suit-n-tie executives stating a simple "We would like to play" that led to a frolicking good time with young and old alike announced Nintendo's not just for kids anymore.

If only a certain furniture piece of similar Japanese origins should be so lucky.

Since its taking on widespread appeal, the futon has come to be cemented as the domain of cash-strapped youth, dormitories, second-tv basements and the like. Most of us think of bare bones, unfinished wood plank-on-plank assemblies when presented with the term "futon." In truth, however, the futon has grown from its humble origins to be a functional furniture piece that is stylistically viable as well.

A visit to www.morefutons.com will quickly validate this reality. Individuals looking to have the convenience of a hidden bed without the weight and permanence of a convertible sofa will be pleasantly surprised. They'll be pleased to learn that a futon can be as decor savvy an alternative as a sleeper sofa, particularly with the variety of tastefully designed wooden futons and metal futons offered to discerning customers at MoreFutons.

Night and Day Hardwood Futons are an excellent example of competitively-priced wood futons that embody the stylish modern contemporary vibe that is so sought after in today's living spaces. August Lotz wood futons are exceptionally well-crafted and have a similarly distinctive contemporary feel that is more than capable of keeping up with an upscale interior. Big Tree futons are right up this alley as well; refined and attractive to the point where you might think "wow, that's a futon frame?" The fact that they include Simmons mattresses, renowned for quality, is another plus.

Metal futons blend well with more modern themes, and Elite Products makes a number of attractive and modern-styled varieties that feature both quality construction and unbeatably reasonable pricing. For those looking to add the convenience of a futon to an ultra-modern, expressive living space, Innovation USA has the best in eye-catching and artistic / architecturally influenced designs.

There's no limitlessly-funded marketing campaign forthcoming, but perhaps it's time you re-thought the futon.

Don’t Put Your Decorating Plans on Snooze: Wake up Your Bedroom with a Few Inexpensive Tricks

It doesn’t look terrible, but maybe a little bland. Since you just bought a new Simmons queen size mattress about a year ago and the furniture is still serviceable, redecorating your bedroom is low (very low) on your list of priorities. But it doesn’t have to be. Having a sanctuary that you can retreat to after a long, busy day is important. Making one or two inexpensive changes can update your bedroom’s decor and breathe new life into the room you spend roughly a third of your life.

A can of paint can go a long way to taking the snore out of your decor. Sure, the color is okay and was certainly trendy (eight years ago), but a fresh coat of paint with a neutral or contrasting color for the ceiling, window and baseboards will give you a new perspective.

Ditto for new bedding. Matching the color of your bed linens to the color of the walls and/or the window treatments introduces a unifying theme into your bedroom. Selecting a bedding set that also includes decorative pillows is an easy way to make the bed more inviting. A pile of pillows in different shapes with varying textures will create visual interest, making the bed more of a focal point.

If your bedroom furniture is a hodgepodge of much loved hand-me-downs, there’s an easy fix. And it doesn’t have to mean purchasing a brand new bedroom suite. By replacing a couple of mismatched pieces with matching nightstands you will harmonize the room while adding functionality, especially if you select ones with drawers and/or open or enclosed shelves.

Nightstands are also a great place to put lamps. Even if your bedroom has overhead lighting, having a bedside table lamp is handy, especially if you are in the habit of reading in bed or if you not particularly fond of being the one always stuck with having to climb out and turn off the light. A floor lamp judiciously placed in an unused corner of the room can help make it brighter.

Consider replacing the unrelated dresser and chest of drawers with an armoire. Or if an armoire is not feasible (either due to budget or space restraints), perhaps putting the chest in the closet and incorporating it into a closet organizer system would be the ideal solution.

Bare floors, even hardwood ones, can either be cold or make the room appear cold. A bedside rug made of wool might be the perfect motivator to get you up and out of bed in the mornings. Even if you do have wall-to-wall carpeting, an area rug can create instant ambiance, warming up the room with a splash of accent color.

And don’t underestimate the power of accessorizing. If the budget won’t allow for new paint or one or two new pieces of furniture, consider hanging some prints on the wall, replacing just the duvet, buying a thrifty pack of accent pillows or adding economical storage options such as baskets.

For the room that’s not just a place to sleep, these design tips will help you wake up your bedroom decor, allowing you to create an ideal environment for sleeping, staying in bed on a rainy Saturday morning or just hanging out with the kids.

Old Teddy C.

If there was ever any doubt that stubbornness was a characteristic more suitably associated with the male gender, old Teddy Clemon emphatically put it to rest. His daughter and only child, Cynthia, used to joke that she didn’t put much faith in astrology but had to admit her dad fit the characteristics of a Taurean to a tee; loyal, stubborn and would bear grudges.

Ever since his wife passed away some years back, Ted insisted he could cut his hair just as well as she had for decades and his wispy grey hair was comically irregular in places. In 1989 he cancelled his subscription to the Chronicle after observing the paper boy helping himself to one of the Mrs.’ Rhodos early one morning. He read the Times for the next 8 years, but when it became the Times-Chronicle old Teddy promptly moved on the National Post.

He certainly was loyal as well; Saturday was the only time he’d ever wear anything other that his slacks and suspenders over a collared white shirt. Every week, he’d comb his poorly-cut hair, shave his whiskers and put on a tie before spending a couple of hours at his beloved wife’s resting place with a folding chair, a bottle of wine and a sandwich. Last Saturday Mr. Roche, the fire chief, insisted Teddy accept a ride home from the graveyard in a heavy downpour, and apparently it took some convincing.

Cynthia was coming by the house that day to try and convince dad to buy a new fridge. She was convinced he’d sunken more repair money into his teal green latch-handle dinosaur than it would’ve taken to purchase a new one outright, but Ted wouldn’t hear or it. “Nonsense, perfectly good fridge” he said blandly. She stayed the afternoon, enjoyed lunch with him and snuck away to fold some laundry for him while he stepped outside to smoke his pipe on the veranda.

Seeing dad rocking back and forth in his rocking chair, pipe in mouth, was a classic image for Cynthia. This time, however, when she came out the door something was amiss. Pops was still rocking alright, but the old and weathered chair wasn’t rocking back with its regular compliance. One of its runners had split away from the frame and was bottoming out on the deck, making a painful groaning noise.

She knew any such suggestion would fall on deaf ears, but she had an idea.

After returning home, she promptly visited www.rockingchairselect.com , a division of Cymax Stores and where she’d recently seen a selection of rustically-styled outdoor rocking chairs that resembled Dad’s in better days. The Nantucket Rocker she proceeded to order featured a weathered natural wood finish that would fit perfectly with Teddy’s similarly dilapidated porch. Some weeks later it was at her door, and her husband Jim placed it in the garage.

Next Saturday, shortly after Ted left for his weekly visit with Mom, Cynthia and Jim stopped by the house. Jim swiftly removed the decrepit old chair from the deck, dumped it in the back of the truck, and replaced it with the new rocker. They left as quickly as they came, but stopped by the next day. Sure enough, old Teddy was on the porch in his new rocker, enjoying his pipe and shifting back and forth smoothly.

“Darndest thing,” he began....

Redecorating the House for Halloween

Last year, the night before Halloween, you bought several bags of candy, which you poured into a huge orange bowl with black witches and white ghosties on the sides approximately ten minutes before the door bell rang for the first time on Halloween night. This bowl was judiciously placed on the edge of the coffee table. This meant trotting back and forth between the living room and the front door every time trick or treaters showed up.

But this year, you are determined to be prepared and better organized.

You move a small accent table from the living room into the hallway, near the front door. It’s the perfect size for the orange bowl, but the table looks a little lonely standing all by itself. So, you drag the accent table back into the living room; move the lamps, the remote and yesterday’s comics section from the end tables and haul them out into the hallway.

Now it’s perfect; there’s a table on either side of the door, one for candy, one for spare change should any UNICEF boxes make an appearance. Pleased with the preparations you’ve made, you walk into the living room to take a break with your favorite soap, only to discover the lamps on the floor and the other displaced items piled on the coffee table and scattered across the seating area of the sofa.

However, you have the perfect solution to this dilemma. You will buy a new table for the front hallway. You go over to the computer and pull up the Cymax Stores website. There are so many to choose from, but you are perfectly happy scrolling through the list.

That’s when you discover console tables. Having one table in the hallway, one that could be used year round would be ideal. You really like the Linon Anna Console Table. Then you make another amazing discovery: the matching end and coffee tables also includes drawers and shelves. You don’t even need to turn around to be reminded of the mess; you cheerfully add one coffee table and two end tables to your shopping cart.

You realize, while it’s only the first week of October, you will need to give the manufacturer some time to send your items to you. There should be plenty of time. Hmmmm…maybe it’s not too early to place an order for some more dining chairs, an ottoman, and heck why not a comfy arm chair, just in time for a house full of people at Thanksgiving.

A TUNE, A TIME, AND A PLACE

Most people genuinely enjoy music, and to be reminded of an era or specific time or place in your past by a particular song is very common. For most us, it’s a fond nostalgic flashback to a time in our influential youth that takes us back to good times long gone. Every time I hear Ratt’s Round and Round, I recollect the grade 5 talent show when I was Bobby Blotzer behind a cardboard and ice cream tub drum set. It’s a poignant memory for me because shortly thereafter I began taking percussion lessons and developed a much-loved lifelong hobby.

I’m not the Hi-Fi connoisseur some of my friends are, but at the same time I’m not going to buy an Ultrasonic CD player from Wal-Mart. I own a nice mid-range JVC 5-Disc player with matching 300W amp, Energy bookshelf speakers and a pair of quality Sony full-size headphones for when the Mrs. doesn’t want to hear my rock n’ roll tastes. Much like my drum set and mountain bike, I’m fortunate to have purchased these belongings before I took on a mortgage and financing a new car.

How I miss the freedom of expenditure I had not so many years ago. I’m sure many music lovers around the world are in the same boat these days, yet like me we all find the bucks to add to our CD collections once or twice a month. I just picked up Rush’s double greatest hits CD to fill out a few classic tunes I don’t have, and every drummer should have as much Neil Peart as possible.

Eventually, I plan on getting a more compact metal component shelf for my stereo, and I have no intention of leaving the comforts of home to do so. Audio-Video-Furniture.com has a wide selection of smaller audio shelves at competitive prices, it’s super convenient to order online with my credit card and they offer free ground shipping to any address in the continental USA. There’s a pair of them that I’ve got my eye on right now. The OmniMount G-303 Stellar Audio Tower/Stand is inexpensive, space conscious and I could keep my PlayStation on the top shelf. The Tech-Craft Monaco Series Black Audio Shelf is a appealing too at an unbeatable $187.00 right now and includes 4 shelves. All in good time, but at the present the cost of living in the city is leaving me decidedly thin.

As the mighty War sang, “I’m – Living in the Red”