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A simple answer to this question, would be of course… YES.

However if you are considering a solar energy panel for your house then it would be wise to consider the options, before you make a rushed decision to spend thousands of dollars on a solar energy panel installation.

The fact is, if you pay for a professional installation, you will not see a return on your investment for another 10 or more years! This presents a real problem in the solar energy panel industry because many people are trying to buy a solar panel, simply to save money in the first place. Needless to say, spending thousands of dollars on solar energy panel installation, is not going to save you any money.. in fact it will take a big chunk of your money. If something happens to the solar panel before you see a return on your investment, then you are basically out of luck unless the panel is insured.

So then, how do you go about getting solar panels for your home, if you can’t afford brand-new ones? Surely there is a way for average people to afford solar panels.. the answer is, you will need to put in some work and install the solar energy panel yourself. Now, at this point you are probably thinking I am a lunatic for insinuating that you could possibly be capable of such a task.

The truth is,

The installation and the building process can be learned by just about anyone with the right set of instructions.

There are many guides and DIY kits available that can assist the average consumer in building and installing their own solar energy panel. Many of these guides are risk free, because they are backed by a guarantee and support. I would not recommend buying a guide that is not backed by a guarantee and support.

Saving money on electric bills and helping the planet is just another way to live healthy!

If you’re tired of high electricity bills, discover how thousands of families worldwide benefit from homemade solar panels and wind turbines to power their homes.

Bathroom trends

Bathroom design is a skilled art, requiring talented professionals to combine the latest trends and fashions with advanced technologies and scientific expertise. Successful designs are conceptualized through insights into the practical needs of consumers and contemporary popular culture.

With these factors in mind, it’s possible for designers to predict the direction in which future trends are going. Prominent trends for the future have been observed as avant garde design, an awareness of the environment, fashion, acute and simple versatility and technological advances.

Join the ranks of the Avant Garde – try the new and unusual

A flair for the avant garde translates into bathroom design as a touch of the eccentric and the extraordinary. This bathroom trend involves warmth and delicious softness.

Rich, ambient lighting coupled with velvet materials for carpets and curtains in dark shades create a warm feel. This contemporary style places importance on high volume fittings such as a deep freestanding bathtub with the latest fittings in modern designs. These include taps made from high quality materials such as chrome, steel and brushed nickel.

Green Living (Blue Responsibility) – Wellness, economy, eco-conscience

Ecologically friendly bathroom design has become the most popular choice in bathroom trends. With increasing emphasis on the need for awareness around our planet’s diminishing resources, eco-friendliness in the home has become both a trend and a lifestyle choice. In the bathroom, you don’t have to compromise your comfort or shower to be green.

Eco-friendly design is focused around efforts to sustain natural resources and conserve energy. Water conservation is important, and can be achieved through special bathroom systems which recycle waste water and purify it for other uses without damaging the environment. Recycled waste water is known as ‘grey water’ and can be used for watering the garden and for flushing the toilet.

Bathrooms that recycle grey water can save up to 50% of the water which would have been used with a normal bathroom system.

Home Bathroom Decor  – Begins with a visual statement

With the home becoming more of a social space, designer bathrooms have started to encompass specific and central pieces of focus to create a fashionable theme in their design.

Chrome bathroom fittings are minimalist and those featuring interchangeable features are a suitable component of this style. Taps and other fittings should be elegant and luxurious yet minimalistic.

Dare to be  Versatile – Yes you can be sophisticated and chic with comfort

Bathrooms which feature practicality for family use are another popular emerging trend. Large open spaces without constraints and multifunctional innovative fittings feature in the style. The design uses sophistication, functionality, class and comfort.

Create your own Private Spa – Relaxation and regeneration

Personal wellness, relaxation and luxury are important features in bathrooms, especially to escape from the stressful environment in which we live. A spa conjures ideas of great luxury and splendour and the private spa trend in bathroom designs encompasses a rejuvenating and calming opulence in a private and sophisticated setting.

Features of a private spa design include sensory effects such as massage functions and shower heads created to simulate rainfall for a peaceful and relaxing experience.

Go Techno – Technological advances make bathrooms sexy

Gadgets and technology add a modern element to large bathroom spaces. Luxurious and technological fixtures such as shower massagers and body jets provide a futuristic showering and bathing experience. These are complimented by the latest innovations in ultra-modern electronic equipment such as televisions and speakers, always keeping the bathroom space connected to the world and up to date on the latest events and current affairs. A technological bathroom is sophisticated and practical.

Bathrooms are not only functional, they make a statement. They begin as a blank canvas upon which stylish and functional art is created.

Bathroom designers combine different tastes, themes and trends to establish forthcoming styles of bathroom design. Quality should never be compromised and fittings such as taps and bathtubs should always be built from the finest materials and resources to ensure the longevity of a designer bathroom.

In choosing your ceiling lights, there is wisdom when you spend enough time to plan out your steps with precision; otherwise, a lot of un-pretty and expensive consequences may come into the picture. Deciding which kitchen fixtures suit the mood of that particular place saves you the troubles that are common in compulsive or unplanned shopping.

First, good ceiling fixtures should provide the right amount of light needed for the room. In dining room for example, soft glow ceiling fixtures go in harmony with the dining table. The light must be sufficient in the sense that they should be friendly to the eyes, yet helpful in seeing only the important things such as utensils, food and the faces of the people. It should not be bright as to arouse self-consciousness.

Ceilings

Ceiling lights for bedroom can be recessed from the center. Some would recommend using fluorescent lights for ceiling lamps that are placed far from where the bed is located. Ceiling lamps that do not use bright lights can be placed directly above the bed.  If reading before sleeping is a hobby, having sconce light on the side of bed or having bedside table lamp makes it possible as well as enjoyable. Small recessed lights that illuminate softly can be great to lighten dark corners.

Besides ceiling height, determine the purpose of the light, if you choose a hanging light, will it be used generally to light the entire place? Or just a particular portion? What types of activities are done below the ceiling lamps?  To some people, they choose different set of lights for one room.

Choose your style

Some rooms have traditional style while others have contemporary. Choose the chandeliers or fixtures that are still beautiful even when its lights are not on. The finishing touch of the light is important as well. Does the beauty of the room enhanced more with lights that have satin finish? Brass perhaps? How about Nickel, chrome, glass, crystal or flock, to name a few?

How much light is needed?

Now, the room itself has a lot to think and plan about. For example, its size matters. Is it too large that it needs not only one set of chandelier but fixtures or pendant as well? If the size is medium to small, you can settle with medium-sized lights as well. What other people do is to have small chandelier installed either at the center of the ceiling or exactly above the living room set, and then have additional small sconces or recessed lights to produce light to dark areas. Still some, use floor lamps and table lamps situated at the corner.

Living room must not be left behind. This is where most visitors are entertained. This is also the place where the family gathers. Recessed lighting is perfect for the ceiling lights. Fixtures or pendant lights that emit bright lights bulbs set the room cheerful and lively. If there are dark corners on this part of the house, lamps whether ceiling or wall or customized for the floor serve their purposes.

Lighting for food and ambiance

Dining room is another place that needs the right lights. Fixtures with ceiling fans are the latest trends. They can hang exactly from where the dining table is located. If there is a long and wide cabinet near the dining room, or a mini- bar, customized fixtures and recessed lights suit well with them. Select the ceiling lights that have soft glow because they are friendly to the eyes and sets the right calming mood.

Whatever place you are renovating, bear in mind that some ceiling lights or fixtures can work only with specific bulbs. So before buying anything from the store, you need to consider the availability of the bulbs in case they need replacement.

A Retro Look For Your Teen’s Room

The 60’s were a time of tie & dye, flower power, Woodstock and peace symbols. This was the time of the hippie. Decades on, it’s evident that the hippie fad still hasn’t died down and continues to make a come back over the last few years. And it’s currently all the rage with teens all over.

Retro decor and vintage posters are back in style in a BIG way.

If your teen or tween is showing signs of that retro spirit, why not give her a room that will let her shine in all her hippie glory. decorating teen rooms can be a challenge for any parent, so take a deep breath and remember it is NOT your room ( thank goodness)

Be bold Be funky

Because the 60’s used bold colors you can also decorate using these colors. Take her walls for example, you can choose to do a block design on one wall. Create blocks and outline them with masking tape and then tape. Allow to dry before you remove the tape. When dry you should have a creative wall that is very retro. Add some personal touches to the look by painting daisies on the wall.

Use your imagination when it comes to furnishings.

Back in the 60’s the mood was happy and playful so you can create this look with blow-up chairs or bean bags. Take all the wooden furniture and paint it white. Add a disco ball to the room by taking down the old ceiling light fixture and put up a spinning disco ball. Don’t forget to purchase a lava lamp to finish the look. You can find all of these retro decorations at a discount store. You may want to add some incense on her night stand for her to light up and relax to.

A shag area rug would go great in your hippie teen’s room. This is because the 60’s were defined by the retro shag style area rugs. Get one in jewel tones or even psychedelic colors. You may even find that the color palette offered by the area rug is exactly what you need for the rest of your room. Get matching fabric or funky Posters to go on the walls.

Add vinyl and classic rock album covers on the wall. ( not valuable ones!)  This should be a variety of popular singers like Lennon and the Rolling Stones hanging on her wall.

When you are ready to decorate her cushions you want to use a tie dye look. This is an easy project that you can do at home together. Take some plain white linen and turn it into a bright bold color to add to her room.

Remember that hippies believed in freedom of expression so in order to make her happy you will need to allow her to express herself too. This will make the room look wonderful and your teen or tween will be very happy.

Keep up with current Home Decorating styles and enhance your home with a rug from the Dynamic Rugs Funky Collection.

Home decor is a touchy subject. So many people feel that they have fantastic interior design abilities and that thier home is just gorgeous. That is, until they walk into a place that has been properly decorated.

They marvel at the decor….
muttering kinds words while all the time thinking I could so do this at my place. Just wait till I redecorate my place.

Lots of people look at the multitude of magazines that display glossy pictures of all the newest trends and styles. The trouble is, they rarely tell you how to actually do the work. Changing your decor starts with a very basic process; change your thinking. You’ve lived with the same staid, boring wall decor, paint and flooring for years. How about those kitchen cupboards? Do they still do it for you? Probably not.

Although it may be a blow to the proverbial ego, one of the best ways to bust through is finding an impartial and independent person (non friend) to give you their unbiased opinion on the current state of your home. You might not know have such a person in your immediate circle of friends but ask around and someone will know someone who can help. Close friends usually wont do as they tend to sugar coat their opinions.

Cold, hard honesty is needed here…
and that means a person who isn’t a friend.

While perusing your home with your new eyes take a lot of notes. Tackle the project room by room and make sure that your 3rd party understands whether you are planning a full makeover for your home or just a bit of redecorating. Choose colors, fabrics, furniture and artwork that create the effect you want.

Whether you’re extremely budget conscious or its pie in the sky time, there many unique and interesting ways to change and improve the look and feel of your home.

One piece of advice I cannot stress enough is the need to sit down and set a strict budget for the project. This gives you a guideline to determine what you can and cannot expect to do.

Set priorities for the job

With your budget in mind, now you need to set priorities for the job. If your main goal from redecorating is to display the family antiques then either the living room or a side room specially done for the job will be the main focus. If on the other hand you want a state of the art master bathroom then obviously that’s where the majority of your money will go.

Make your budget your primary focus in the planning stage. It will pay off as things get started. Coordinate your palate with a favorite fabric, rug or art print.

by Nadine Allyen

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Powering an off grid home can be done in several ways and some of the most popular green-energy sources today are the wind and solar power that will not only help you save on your electric bills but you will also do your part for the environment. When deciding to go completely off-grid and install a solar or wind power system in your home you need to know which one is more effective. If you live in a more windy area then you will surely need to have a wind turbine, thus solar panels will be more effective in sun kissed areas.

No matter what type energy source you choose both the wind and solar power systems can reduce your energy consumption by 80% or even eliminate your electric bills.

Harvest the sun

Lets suppose you’re choosing to harvest solar energy and transform it into electricity using solar panels. You will need more than one solar panel to supply enough electricity for all your home appliances, including the heating in the winter. It’s recommended that you build one solar panel and first calculate the energy savings and then start building more solar panels to cover up all your home’s energy needs.

A DIY solar panel does not cost more than $200 to build.

If you were to buy the same solar panel from your local solar parts supplier then you would have to pay a few thousands of dollars. The misconception that it costs a fortune to build your own solar panels or any other renewable energy systems is just a myth.

I was where you’re probably now, skeptical about building my own solar panels to supply energy for my off-grid home. I though that it costs a lot of money to set up a solar power system, however I was wrong at that time. I soon found out that a solar panel can be built in just a few days spending no more than two hundred dollars for all the parts and components that we needed.

We’ve built our first solar panel purely to test out the energy savings for one month. We now have 6 solar panels installed on our roof-top, all running smoothly and generating enough power for our off grid home. The best part of it all is that we don’t have to pay a single dollar to our local power company anymore instead we benefit of the solar energy.

If you’re tired of high electricity bills, discover how thousands of families worldwide benefit from homemade solar panels and wind turbines to power their homes.

Here is one of many DIY videos on the subject!