Have you ever had a real malted milk shake? I mean, one made using ice cream made from real cream? Well, if you come to Cincinnati, Ohio, you must go to Aglamesis Ice Cream parlor on Madison Road in Oakley. As your head tilts back while you're waiting for that last drop to drip from the old fashioned metal mixing cup, you will undoubtedly see the 100 year old original metal stamped ceiling. The 14 foot metal ceiling has a rich center pattern, a detailed filler strip and is finished off with a handsomely detailed metal cornice or crown molding. The ceiling looks to be in excellent condition. It is a testimonial to the people who made the material and installed it. I often wonder how many materials that are installed this year will be around 100 years from now?
Stencils are an inexpensive and impressive way to embellish many surfaces. Applying stencils to kitchen countertops and continuing the design onto the backsplash is a creative way to customize your kitchen. Be sure to seal your stenciling with at least 3 coats of clear urethane to protect the design for years to come.
From local craft stores to the Internet, stencil patterns can be found anywhere in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs. Here is a list of some well-known stencil companies.
The lives of many people are centered around television entertainment centers. All you have to do is observe my younger kids. Add to that the rich sound you get from compact discs and the clear picture you get using DVDs and it is easy to understand why entertainment centers are fast becoming the focal point of many American homes. How does the cabinetry in these units compare with kitchen cabinets?
Call the following manufacturers if you would like to receive some beautiful color literature illustrating all the colors, patterns, styles, etc. of plastic laminate and edge treatments. Be sure to ask for both pieces of literature. In almost all instances, they will tell you the location of their closest dealer.
Do you know someone who hasn't experienced or seen plastic laminate, especially in countertops? I can't think of a soul. Plastic laminate counters dominated the kitchen countertop market for years. They had virtually no competition. They are still immensely popular today, as they offer a durable surface which is quite affordable. Plastic laminate can also offer a huge return on investment. Recent published figures show that a minor kitchen remodeling job offers a 98 percent return on your remodeling dollar. A minor kitchen remodeling job almost always includes a new plastic laminate countertop.
While plastic laminate appears to be the wonder material, it requires care to keep it looking like new. As long as you follow a few easy steps, your laminate will look great for years to come. Pay particular attention to soaps. I was amazed at what I learned while researching this topic!
Following is a list of the major manufacturers of solid surface countertop materials. Look at their web sites and be sure to check the specification sheets. These sheets usually describe the composition and materials used in the product. This is important, as you should try to determine which material has the highest percentage of acrylic plastic.
Advancements in plastics technology within the past twenty years have brought new, durable plastics into our kitchen countertops. These solid surface countertops have dropped in price and include the marble, granite and slate surfaces we see today - with excellent resistance to stains and weight. These countertops are not only beautiful, but easily cut, installed and withstand household kitchen traffic.
Kitchens are, by far, one of the most popular remodeling projects at this time. Even in new construction, kitchens receive great attention. Our changing lifestyles and interest in health make the kitchen a central room in the house. In many homes, the kitchen is the most heavily used room. If this is true in your case, then you want the room to be as functional as possible. Function doesn't happen by accident. You need to think and plan. Following are some ideas that you might want to consider when a kitchen remodel job or new home is on the horizon.