Be the Change you want to see in the world, Ghandi

I found this while researching Whirlpool Corporation,  you  just never know beauty is out there in the most unusual places and a new word too: Pookalam

The client called for a color consultation initially, after a successful color selection she asked for window treatments for the  house. 

I had just come from the International  Window Coverings Expo in Atlanta, Ga and came up with some interesting treatments such as the Tableux faux iron screens in the clerestory windows which adds interest and covers up the unattractive vinyl white trim in the small windows.

 The job was started in June and completed in August and looks spectacular.  I will load the final installation  of the living room when I get the photos downloaded.

SEO is a term most web designer’s know, but for the small business person like me it’s a conundrum of rules and regs dictated by Google and some by Yahoo that seems overwhelming to understand. I asked my webmaster, Barbara Weibel, at Holeinthedonut.com what is all means and she explained the Blog is the number one driver and getting incoming links into your site is KEY to high page rankings by Google. The demi GOD of the internet.

With a little searching, I final found an article that explains some of this techno garble to this right brained interior designer in a language I can understand. I thought it might be beneficial to share this with anyone that might stumble across my BLOG. Hopefully, other designers will find this and want to link into my page. Here is another article I found, (wow! there are so many when you start looking) of the 100 best SEO blogsthat I hope will help you to learn a little more of this mysterious world of the internet traffic flow and how to get it to your website.

By the way SEO stands for SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION

 I prefer Benjamin Moore Paint over others, especially the patented AURA series.  Here is an article Ben Moore just sent me that I found of interest.

For authentic Benjamin Moore colors, insist on Benjamin Moore paint http://www.benjaminmoore.com/ 

Authentic Benjamin Moore colors are only available at your local Benjamin Moore retailer.

Mismatched colors are often not evident until the paint is on the walls, and the results can be disappointing for your clients. Competitors may claim they can match Benjamin Moore colors, but the truth is that they can’t.

You can only get true Benjamin Moore colors using Benjamin Moore paint. The reason lies in our manufacturing process. Our paints are created using proprietary colorants and resins and formulated with our patented waterborne technologies. This highly controlled system ensures the quality of Benjamin Moore paints and the purity of our colors.

When another store offers to match a Benjamin Moore color, their scanner simply provides its “best guess” for matching the color using another paint, generic colorants and a different tinting system. While it may be close, the final result is not the color you recommended to your client. In other words, it’s a knockoff.

Be sure that the color you envisioned is the color you get.

Benjamin Paints are Special

Detail of the valance to the Tie Back shown below

I attended the International Window Coverings  Expo, at the Georgia World Congress Center,  recently, and saw some very cool innovative  designs. Window coverings can give your home that powerful WoW factor without having to redo your entire room. Don’t forget how important  window coverings are for energy efficiency and savings on your fuel bill. Even if you have builder installed blinds, window treatments help to protect your carpet and expensive furnishings from UV rays from the sun.  These were taken with my iphone so some of the photos are not as clear as I would like. Enjoy, Patricia

See the website of the show http://www.wf-vision.com/expo.aspx

Tie back design weaves fabric through panel

Custom shade and drapery panels and valance with floral cut outs

How cute is this? The flower was cut from the coordinating fabric
Interesting Tieback this actually window hardware

 

Here are  some more very creative window treatments I saw at the IWCE show below.

 Patricia Scott is available to assist you with your window treatments, please see the website for  contact information.

 

If the swing spout on your kitchen sink is hard to move from one side to the other get it lubricated with some plumbers grease before the ‘O’ rings wear out and it starts to leak.

 Faucets with two handles are simple to grease with instructions from your local hardware store manager.  

The other types require turning off the water supply under the sink and are a little more complicated but doable by a handy person.

See the new  Delta Touch20  Faucet, it is very cool:

http://issuu.com/mdjonline/docs/cl_may

I was called by Stacey Evans of the Marietta Daily Journal to give my expertise on current color trends for 2010. Page 28-29.  I am available for color consultations anytime you may need a lit bit of guidance selecting colors to enhance your existing  or new home, enjoy Patricia

Before investing in the new florescent bulbs (CFL)  for your home, please  consider simply installing dimmer switches for your existing incandescent bulbs. 

Our light bulbs have lasted over 15 years!

 You will have the right amount of light when you need it and softer light if you want it.  

We have  (6) six incandescent bulbs in the light fixtures in our master bath which have lasted 15 years until we  updated  simply because we wanted  new fixtures, but we continued to use the same light bulbs.  The dimmer gives the bulb a gradual input of electricity rather than a sudden jolt  - all of your bulbs will last much longer reducing waste of the bulbs and energy.  

The new florescent bulbs contain mercury and must be recycled never put in the trash where the mercury will find it’s way into our water supply.

 The grandchildren will also thank us for not polluting the land fills  with mercury .

Not to mention, dimmers are inexpensive, readably available and easy to install with basic electrical skills.

With Summer just around the corner take a look at the outside air conditioner unit to be sure it is free of leaves and other debris that may have piled up during the winter

Prune back any foliage that may be blocking the air flow.

Check the floor and surrounding area of the inside unit after about 2 hours of using the air conditioner for the first time; look for water that may not be draining properly.

Change the inside filter as often as recommended by the manufacturer of your particular brand unit. Stay cool!

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