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If you want the wow factor in your home, choose stone; it is versatile, beautiful, durable and natural. Prices have come down, too, so what was once a luxury product is now more affordable. Instead of simply being consigned to the floor, stone is now being used for walls and worktops, and there are loads of colours and finishes. Our guide will help you decide which one’s for you.

BATHROOMS Stone is becoming more and more popular in bathrooms. Solid stone bath surrounds, basins, shower trays and vanity surfaces are increasingly in demand, with large square basins winning out over more traditional shapes.
Stone is also ideal for cladding bathroom and wetroom walls.  bar tending tricks If you are using a lot, make sure that the floors and walls are strong enough to bear the weight. If in doubt, consult an architect.

If you’re on a budget, consider cladding one wall with stone and painting the other three walls white, or mixing stone mosaic borders with ceramic or glass tiles.

FIRE SURROUNDS Stone fire surrounds suit both period and contemporary architecture. Make a feature of the fireplace by using colours and textures that contrast with the floor, like black slate, honed grey basalt and brown limestone.

Decide whether you want to draw the eye to the fireplace by choosing a contrasting monochromatic scheme, or if you would like to make the floor the main feature and create a seamless look with the fire surround.

KITCHENS Stone floors work brilliantly in kitchens, but choose carefully when selecting a stone worksurface as it has to be resistant to acid. Granite and basalt are ideal. Marble’s patina will change with time, giving a beautiful aged finish.

The look of the moment is to have chunky worksurfaces, so false fronts are often used to give that look of a solid piece of stone without it actually weighing too much.

Black or dark granite looks wonderful in kitchens and because it is polished it will bounce light back into the room.

FLOORS A stone floor will last a long time, which is one of its advantages, so you need to choose one that you won’t tire of too quickly. Classic looks include the chequerboard effect popular in Victorian houses or Georgian-style limestone tiles with black insets.

Stone works well alongside wood, natural flooring and rugs and the modern approach is to blend different materials and textures. If you want to use stone outside as well as inside, think about using the same type throughout. Always check with a reputable supplier that your chosen stone is suitable for your project, as they all have different qualities.

Ten top tips

• Stone comes in lots of types, colours and textures. More dramatic stones, such as rich chocolate and stylish grey shades, are selling well at the moment.

• It mixes well with lots of other materials, like wood, glass and ceramics. If you can’t afford limestone, try travertine or slate.

• Marble looks set to compete with limestone as the most popular choice, but in its honed, rather than polished, form.

• Stone floors are both practical and beautiful. Some stones can be laid inside and out to link the house and garden.

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• If you choose a stone floor, think about having stone skirting boards made too.

• Solid stone bathroom fittings are popular, in particular large square basins and huge wall panels for shower enclosures.

• Mosaic tiles are the perfect way to cover imperfect walls. They can also be used to create borders on floors, defining areas and adding pattern.

• Unusually-shaped stone tiles are also popular. These can be used to create an artwork effect. • For kitchen worksurfaces, choose a stone that is acid resistant such as granite. Don’t be put off by black; when polished it will bounce light back into the room.

• Stone fire surrounds work well in any style of home. There is a shift away from lighter stone colours to more dramatic blacks, charcoals and browns.

Emily Haigh
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/how-to-use-stone-in-kitchens-bathrooms-and-living-rooms-523000.html

Carpet tiles have a great much advantage. They combine the warmth and style of a carpet with the longwearing, washable qualities of a tiled floor. This makes them practical and reasonably inexpensive option for any of the well-trafficked and accident-prone areas of your home.

Well know for their heavy-duty, durable qualities, carpet tiles are very easy to install as well as to replace, when necessary. They are available in a relatively limited range of colors, patterns, and sizes, and are constructed with either a cord or a pile finish. The tiles are square and made from polypropylene fibers bonded onto asphalt backing.

They are light to work with and easy to cut, so you need no special tools or experience to fit them. The only tile which require sticking down are the tile around the edge of the room and the vary first one you lay. Use double-sided tape to stop them from moving and to anchor the rest of the flooring; lay the remainder loose, without using tacks or adhesive.

Regular vacuuming picks up everyday dust and dirt. If there is a particularly stubborn spill or stain on an individual tile, lift it up to rinse it under the faucet. Remember to dry it well before putting it back. If a single carpet tile gets worn out or damaged, simply replace it, without the hassle of disturbing the surrounding pieces.

Each floor tile has an arrow on the back to show the direction of the pile. For a smooth look, lay all the tiles with the arrows pointing in the same direction. For a check board effect, lay alternate tile with the arrows pointing at right angles to each other. When laying carpet tiles it is important to start with a smooth, flat floor surface.

Roger King
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/carpet-tiles-are-easy-to-install-in-kitchens-and-childrens-bedrooms-53886.html

Cooking or eating outdoor is not the cup of tea for everyone, as people tend to have specific liking and disliking. But those who adore doing things differently will surely catch up with this thrilling experience of outdoor cooking or grilling. The outdoor kitchen grill is certainly for the elite class to put things on for show. Now you can have your friends around in weekends and enjoy the day with pleasure and fun.

Few love spending time in garden, and they can well have a stainless barbeque or grill for this interesting choice. Having a great convenience what liked by all, as the notion of outdoor kitchens is all about setting yourself free from the traditional practices for once in a while. After all, now you have another avenue to invite your guests for.

Having an outdoor kitchen with stainless barbeques will place you amid choices to put up plenty of people at one go even without bothering too much for space. Outdoor kitchens offer comfort and fun together. You get to stay you away from getting stuck constantly in the kitchen room for availing food and things. You just got to pick the things and features needed along with the frequency of dishes you cook routinely to add more flavor to a really charming and fun giving avenue.

Using patio would be a wonderful choice, as you get to just ensure the reliability factor of the patio. Decking things up with the help of a strong wood patio or a concrete patio might well put you away from further pain, as it has got the ability to hold up things well.

Your outdoor kitchens with stainless barbeques give you immense gains, but then you have to consider the hook ups to avoid being in even slight trouble. A kitchen outside presses you to put things in place again, as it will tempt you to have outlets and wiring for electricity to realize the convenience you have set-out for. Using pre-built cabinet bases would be good, as it dishes out prospect to arrange them in a certain way.

Outdoor kitchens will be nothing less than unlimited fun places, but not for all times. As you will have to go through the grind of bad weathers that will certainly carry rain along, and will leave you with no choices. Having non-wood cabinets or countertops or having treated lumber can save from such conditions.

Smit Mathur
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/pave-way-for-unlimited-fun-and-joy-with-outdoor-kitchens-678707.html

If you were to take a look at a modern kitchen, you’ll probably find energy efficient appliances as well as state of the art flooring and countertops. With the high interest in gourmet cooking these days, the modern kitchen is usually well planned, with a lot of useable space, as well as attractive and appealing. If your trying to cook dinners in an old and outdated kitchen, you should consider remodeling your kitchen, and upgrading to a more modern kitchen.

These days, the trend is to use the kitchen partially as a family room, or a place to gather with friends to chat. A lot of modern kitchens are built as a “great room”, with a desk for the computer, and special storage areas. If you enjoy wine, you may want to make some space in the kitchen for your wine collection. A wine rack, or wine refrigerator on the counter, or in the corner isn’t uncommon. Maybe you have a collection of gourmet cookware that needs a special storage space. Many modern kitchens have special drawers for pots and pans, or even hanging pot racks, to show off that beautiful set of copper pans.

Modern appliances are functional and efficient. While some homeowners choose commercial grade appliances for their kitchens, it doesn’t meat that the kitchen needs to be plain and boring. Today’s cabinets are finely built, with a lot of design choices, and several types of wood and laminates to choose from. Modern cabinets often look more like furniture, with tables, and decorative molding. The right cabinets and countertops will go a long way to prevent the kitchen from looking dull and boring.

Countertops these days appear in a wide variety of materials and finishes. Granite, limestone, concrete, butcher block… these are all popular countertop choices these days. The same is true with flooring options. Laminates, ceramic tiles, and wood flooring, are all popular options for kitchen floors, providing not only durability, but beauty as well.

Often, people will remodel their kitchen to get rid of dark and cramped spaces. The lighting selections available today go a long way towards lighting up a dim area. You can find traditional lights, as well as recessed lighting and track lighting, to put the light where you need it. If you live in a hot climate, you can get a combination of light and ceiling fan, to keep the air circulating. Many kitchens these days are being built with a light and airy feel to them. Another trend is bringing the earth inside. You don’t have to shovel dirt into your kitchen for this, just use soothing earth tones when you paint the kitchen, andplan the decor. This will help to bring a peaceful feeling into your kitchen.

With all of the modern trends in kitchen design and decor, you really should consider remodeling your old kitchen. It will be worth it to start doing some research, and thinking about what you want in your kitchen. Take a look through some of the home remodeling magazines, and look at some of the articles and ideas about modern kitchens. You may just be intrigued with some of the options available to you. Once you have some ideas, visit your local home improvement store, and take a look at the options available to you. Soon enough, you could be enjoying a new kitchen with your family and friends.

Tim Sousa
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/trends-in-modern-kitchens-635189.html

Building outdoor kitchens is all the rage and if you haven’t already built one, I’m sure you’ve got an outdoor kitchen plan for your home. And why not upgrade your backyard to be the hot spot on the block for entertaining and relaxing …

Outdoor kitchens increase your living space and add tremendous value to your home. That’s why building outdoor kitchens is the second most popular remodeling project after indoor kitchens.

However, a great outdoor kitchen is a complex project.

You can certainly enjoy your backyard and grill up some tasty BBQ on any charcoal or gas grill, but to truly bring your kitchen outdoors requires significant planning, skill and expertise. This project is not a do-it-yourselfer.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Your basic outdoor kitchen set-up will include a built-in barbeque grill, countertop, sink, refrigerator, outdoor kitchen cabinets and cozy outdoor furniture or barstools for yourself and all your guests to kick back.

The barbeque grills on the market today offer so many bells and whistles shop around to determine how much grill you want.

Next, the type of countertop surface is a crucial decision when building outdoor kitchens. Options include tile, quartz, solid surface, granite and other natural stones. Choosing the right countertop will ensure years of enjoyment and admiration. The wrong one …years of hassle and headaches.

Additional Luxuries

For the ultimate in luxury, you may also consider installing pergolas, stereos, ceiling fans, fire pits and more. Even TVs are moving outside.

Comfort & Flow

Comfort is key to enjoying your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space. But before you empty your wallet on that imported teak dining set with bar stools, take a look at the space you have available and decide how it’s going to “flow.”

Everyone needs a little space so, make sure your outdoor kitchen plan accounts for some basic and standard construction measurements to allow plenty of room to sit and move about.

Also keep in mind protection from the sun, rain and wind.

Outdoor Kitchen Location

Easy access to your primary kitchen is still important for overall convenience. And building outdoor kitchens requires access to water, electricity and gas, which means this project will almost certainly require a permit. You’ll have many discussions with your contractor about all of these items, but this should get the juices flowing.

Visit Perfect Backyard Oasis for a more thorough discussion about building outdoor kitchens.

Ryan Burden
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/building-outdoor-kitchens-the-hottest-trend-in-cool-entertainment-103274.html

The term “designer kitchens” can bring up up many things for many people, the littlest of which is a modern type kitchen. Designer kitchens can be created by the elite of the interior decorating world and thus make them a true blue interior designer kitchen. Or you also have the kitchens which are replicated from the kitchens that grace the homes of celebrities and world renown chefs. However, the designer kitchen in not out of reach for the everyday folks. Then there’s the next tier of designer kitchens which to my mind is fundamentally the kitchens which you design for yourself from scratch. Just a little know how, practical application and confidence is all one needs to design their own wonderous kitchen.

The kitchens that we do ourselves are my favorite form of designer kitchens as they include everything that you could possibly want. However, it mixes and matches your preferences to create the perfect kitchen for you. For instance you may like darker finished wood and want the center island with a sink. If so then with some designer skills you can coordinate and select what looks good and what you desire. This way it’s not somebody else’s kitchen preferences taking place in your kitchen. Now those are the types of designer kitchens which you ideally want. The ones you have put some energy into designing.

The other type of designer kitchens that are also okay, are the kitchen types of the chefs who know what precisely what is required in the kitchen. But it’s still designer kitchens of their own choosing and not your own. Because, I am certain their preferences are much different than yours. What you actually want is something where you can feel comfortable and in which you can spend your time beating up some brilliant creations. It goes without saying, if you are involved with the decisions on the look and feel of your new kitchen, then you will feel relaxed and comfortable in that environment.

Whatever the rest of the world thinks, the fact of the matter is, that you do spend an exuberant sum of time in the kitchen. Especially, if you are the one that likes to cook. For that reason I feel that the kitchen should be someplace you won’t mind spending time and someplace where the time will fly without your even being mindful of it. So, the design and decorating should be up to you.

Of course there’s nothing to say that your interpretation of the designer kitchens range shouldn’t cover everything that’s good and great about of all of the other types of designer kitchens. In fact that’s part of the greatness of this whole process. The ability for you to plan, design and decorate your own kitchen to have everything you want and not have to adhere to someone else’s view of what should ideally be in a designer kitchen.

So go ahead, put your fears aside, get the essentials on the design and decorating elements and design your own kitchen. Include in it everything that you have ever dreamed of having in your kitchen including that state of the art kitchen sink. And after that you can go about revealing to everybody that you have one of your very own designer kitchens. There truly is no need to let them in on the secret though – that you are the design mastermind behind your wondrous interior designer kitchen.

Bowe Packer
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/designer-kitchens-96492.html

Many travelers will follow the travel advice of a travel agent to travel UK cities in a very affordable manner. The advice they receive might recommend the best cities to stop in that offer low priced lodging locations that could put them up in a bed breakfast overnight or in a five star hotel that looks over the River Thames. After a good night’s sleep and a good meal under their belt, a traveler will be very thankful to the travel agent for giving such good advice.

The travel agent will also advise on the best travel routes to take to get to the United Kingdom. These routes might take them through the northern parts of Scotland where the traveler will really enjoy the short layovers for a change. While at that location they can enjoy duty free shopping and have a pint of Scottish lager too. The travel agent might have advised to limit quantities of ale consumed to low quantities until they are safely at their final destination.

Some travel agents can offer advice about holiday travel in the United Kingdom that could save a traveler a lot of time. They can tell them when the banks will be closed and where they can get currency exchanged. Banks of Scotland, England and Wales close for holidays and with some good advice about the hours of operation a traveler is assured of never running out of cash that they need for lodging and miscellaneous living expenses.

Many cities post advice to travelers at major travel ports all over the city. A traveler might not have to rely on the advice of strangers to find their way through a city that they have never been to before. Many cities post maps at the entrance to subway stations that tell travelers what the names of all of the stops are along the routes that any smart traveler might take. Families can ensure that they stay together while they use these trains for shopping and can arrange a meeting point if they get separated at some point in the day.

A travel agent might provide good advice that travelers can use throughout the United Kingdom. The British telecom systems can be difficult to manage if a traveler does not have a good understanding about how country codes are used and what countries they are used for. A traveler is certainly going to want to make calls back to the United States and with some good advice, they will have plenty of British telecom phone cards that they can use to call home and tell friends and family members the sights that they have been seeing.

Jim Brown
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-u-k-cities-with-good-advice-263359.html

Several years ago, I spent a gap year in Spain. I found work as a reception assistant for an estate agent that rented flats to mainly Spanish tourists, but also to the occasional French, German or British couple who had ventured away from the Alicante area. The town was Gandia, in Valencia, famous for stunning beaches and a favourite destination for holidaymakers from Madrid, and which boasted a university offering degree programmes in tourism and hospitality. My language skills were however limited, which meant I was destined to return to the UK for the time being. However, I had tasted something of the contrast between hard work and hedonism that is an essential part of the tourism industry.

A career in the tourist industry has obvious appeal if you’re looking to work overseas, but there are other ways of entering the business. If you want to work abroad, a job as a tour operator, or as support staff in a restaurant or hotel could be sensible choices if your language skills are limited, but this also depends on your previous work experience and personal strengths (if you’re very outgoing, this can make up for limited language skills). If not, or if you’re looking to work in a country where English is the first language or you are bilingual, then your options increase significantly, from sales to executive level, but you’ll need to find out about visa requirements. You could also look for a travel recruitment company that specialises in your country or regions of interest.

Language skills are useful even if you don’t want to leave the UK, with demand for proficiency in languages as diverse as Cantonese and Finnish, in areas ranging from travel sales to customer service or administrative support. Knowledge of travel through personal experience is also an asset for an office-based role, as are good people skills, computer literacy and attention to detail when making complex travel bookings. One reward of working in the industry is that you may well be treated to familiarisation trips, especially if you’re selling prestigious holidays or cruises, as well as discounts on holidays and accommodation.

If you are planning on working for a UK travel agent, there are a number of diplomas and vocational qualifications in travel, such as the City and Guilds courses in travel and tourism and various CRS (Computer Reservation Systems) courses, which will help you with airline reservations, fares and ticketing, hotel reservations and car hire. The Guild of Travel Management (GTMC) offer specific skills for business travel. Business travel roles are often filled by people who have previous experience of travel customer service, since they will involve the challenging of fulfilling the demanding requirements of high paying, business clients.

travel recruitment companies can help you find a role in the leisure industries, from travel consultants to airline staff and car hire representatives, and provide information on the sorts of qualifications you’ll need. They may also offer ways to try out new industries or roles on a temporary or contract basis: benefits of which can include up to 4 weeks’ paid holiday, referral incentives, and holiday and travel offers.

Perhaps if I’d planned it better, I could have ended up with a more lucrative year in the tourism industry. But in the end, perhaps I am better suited to being an arm-chair travel representative.

Shaun Parker
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/travel-into-the-job-of-your-dreams-234813.html

The travel books are a wonderful means of gaining information about travel, travel routes and other travel related information. These books really act as a virtual guide for people who are true aspirants of tour and travel. Travel books give a detailed information of the various routes available for visiting a place and the means to commute.

These books normally concentrate on a particular place or destination. However, there are also categories that give a broad coverage of destinations. Such coverage include a number of places in one region. But whenever the travel books give coverage to one place, it is detailed information about the tourist spots. So, the tourists are absolutely kept alert about the tour package for touring a place. This is absolutely convenient for people as they can now avail the right services for they are in full knowledge about the do’s and do not’s after reading the travel related books.

The travel books are meant to provide an itinerary to travelers aspiring to travel to several destinations of the world. The travel literature is a genre in itself. These books document the travel literature and store them as a knowledge pool for people to get the right kind of information. The books are incorporated with fascinating pictures of tourist destinations and places. These pictures give viewers a through understanding and the readers get a glimpse of a place before visiting it. The unique and informative content make tourists fall in love with a place. It is only then that they decide to visit the place during their vacations or holidays.

Some of the best examples of travel books are lonely Planet, Rick Steves, Moon Handbooks, Michelin, Eyewitness Guides and more. These books give complete information about a destination. Tour packages are compiled to help tourists choose the most suitable travel package keeping in mind the time in their hand. People find it very convenient for it acts as a capsule that gives complete information about tourist destinations on earth. So, it is recommended that tourists read such books before taking up tour to a place.

Alden Jerry
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/travel-books-compilation-of-accurate-travel-information-454624.html

If you intend to go on luxury travel tour and are looking for an affordable travel package, an online travel directory is the best place to find all necessary information, where online travel agents are ready to help you, by rewarding you with vacations and trips. The custom made travel packages will take care of all your needs even before you leave for the tour.

The exotic vacation may cause you disappointment if you are not able to afford for it. As luxury travel tour is usually expensive you should look for an affordable travel package. The major advantage of choosing the best travel package is that you will be treated as a VIP guest during your travel and you will not have any problem over exchange rates.

There is a great demand for vacation packages, luxury travel tour accommodations, hotel occupancy and business class air travel, among style and luxury conscious travelers. To satisfy these demanding customers and due to competition within the tourist travel industry, travel companies offer packages at competitive rates. The travel package includes various services ranging from renting luxury yachts to on-shore private visits and visit to places of tourist interest. Some packages also include rooms in top hotels, nice meals in restaurants with drinks, private guides, driver, excursion and transportation in air-conditioned luxury vehicles.

By building relationship and being loyal to the online travel agency you can get the best travel package as a reward. You can avail memberships with the travel clubs and by traveling to more places, you can win the loyalty points and get the benefit of free vacations or discounts. You have to select a perfect online travel specialist and suitable timing for finalizing the luxury travel deal. With the availability of several travel packages, you can choose a luxurious vacation and go out in style on a tight budget. By signing up online holiday deals, you can win special offers. With a good travel package, you can quickly and comfortably reach the holiday destination and also save your hard earned money. As a smart traveler, you can clinch a luxury travel tour deal waiting for you at affordable rates. Go for gold with a luxury travel tour travel package, and taste champagne on a cocktail budget.

Anirban Bhattacharya
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/choosing-the-best-travel-package-570243.html