Walk Waikiki Beach on your Hawaii Vacation

It's time again to post the Monday Hawaii photo of the week. We, Jennifer Crites, the famous Hawaii photographer and travel writer and I, Pua, the Best Hawaii Vacation blog writer, never thought it would be so much fun to post Hawaii photos. First of all, Jennifer's Hawaii stock photos offer so many choices, so it's not easy to make the decision. When the decision is made for the Hawaii photo of the week, it's up to me to write an enticing blog post with it. Ok, here we go.

Everybody knows Waikiki beach, Waikiki Beach Hotels and maybe you even read my post about the Waikiki Trump Tower, which was an interesting story about Donald's real estate investment in Hawaii but who knows about the Waikiki Aquarium? This is an amazing place to see the abundance of tropical fish and ocean life in Hawaii without the hassle of renting snorkel equipment and perfect for all those who are scared of diving, snorkeling or scuba diving the Pacific Ocean.

This photo was taken by Jennifer at the Waikiki Aquarium , where you can see sharks, stingrays, turtles, sea urchins, chambered nautilus, octopi and all kinds of tropical fish in one place. The giant clam weighs more than 120 pounds and is 20 years old. And there are 3 blue tangs (Dori, in the movie 'Finding Nemo'). Waikiki Aquarium is located in Queen Kapiolani Park on southern shore of Oahu. This is one of the many fun things to do when on a Hawaii vacation at a Waikiki Hotel. We should not forget to mention Sea Life Park on Oahu, which is entertainment and education for the entire family.

When visiting Waikiki, Waikiki beach aquarium is not the only aquarium around. We saw many smaller ones when we walked along Waikiki Beach on Kalakaua for checking out the many restaurants and famous shops. Actually, we even were lucky with our Waikiki Beach Hotel which had a huge aquarium extending over two floors. When we had dinner, we could enjoy the tropical underwater world when waiting for our meals getting prepared. As far as I remember, it was the Waikiki Beach Tower Hotels.

As Waikiki beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world, your should also know that it means "Spouting Water" in Hawaiian. The two mile stretch of white sand coast is fronted by Waikiki hotels and tourist facilities. Waikiki Beach is excellent for swimming and sun bathing. Tourists can watch Hawaiians surfing and boogie boarding. When you try it yourself, watch the ocean conditions and read the ocean warning signs. And don't forget to visit Waikiki Beach Aquarium when you are once there. Have fun in Waikiki! Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

p.s.

Last Minute Hawaii Vacation in Kona - Kona Vacation Home with Ocean View and Pool at bargain price.

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Tags: Waikiki, Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

Last Minute Hawaii Vacation at Kona Home with Ocean Views and Pool

This post is sponsored by Kona Vacation Rentals

Our first high season week for Hawaii vacation, Thanksgiving week, will end on Sunday when the Thanksgiving crowd is heading back home from Hawaii to the Mainland. For those, who want to stay away from the busy Christmas holidays in Hawaii, now is the perfect time to book a LAST MINUTE bargain for a Hawaii vacation between now and December 20th, that's when occupancy starts peaking at Hawaii hotels and vacation rentals. No special vacation packages then!

So, if you long for the white sand beaches in Hawaii, sunny weather and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, this Kona Ocean View Vacation Home with pool would be perfect Hawaii vacation destination for getting together with friends or reuniting with family and sharing the costs for your Hawaii accommodation. Incredible panoramic ocean views, a cool dip in the pool, just hanging with friends or family pool side or on your lanai, guarantee you your best Hawaii vacation in Kailua-Kona. And the price is right!

This is your rare chance for an incredible Hawaii vacation with friends or family at a big discount. Call the Kona Vacation Home owner today with this promo code HV11231220 for SPECIAL rate $300/nt. (5 Pers.) + Tax + cleaning fee $260: 808-329-6804 / 408-930-2758 or email and ask for this special discount from our Best Hawaii Vacation blog. The vacation home owner offers this Promotion Special for the following dates: 11/24 - 12/20/07, only through our blog. He is awaiting your call. Have a wonderful vacation in Hawaii!

Kailua-Kona town is known all over the world for the famous Hawaii Triathlon - Big Island Ironman in October. But there are so many more things to do in Kona...just a few miles from downtown Kona, one can find the best snorkel and scuba diving spots on the Big Island, in Kealakekua Bay and at City of Refuge. Kona has had a long history with Deep Sea Fishing. Not to forget.Kona is the place where you can buy world famous Kona coffee. Downtown Kailua-Kona features plenty of restaurants and shopping.

From Kona it's a short 1 1/2hr trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park which provides more excitement and adventure than any of the other Hawaiian islands. If you want to know more about Kona, visiting Kona and the Big Island, visit KonaWeb. Have a great Hawaii vacation in Kona. Find more Kailua Kona vacation rentals. Aloha, Pua

Tags: Last Minute, Hawaii Vacation, Kona

Hawaii Hiking - Maui Waterfall Adventures

It's again Monday and our Hawaii photo of the week is due today. Before I post that special Hawaii image, I was wondering whether you are still contemplating where to stay for your next Hawaii vacation, Hawaii hotel or vacation rental? If so, don't go away, sign up for our feed or email (see top buttons on right sidebar!) and you will get our insider information automatically delivered to your inbox. Next Best Hawaii Vacation blog post will tell you when we recommend to stay at a Hawaii vacation rental for your vacation and not at a resort.

We are quite sure that you liked our last week's Hawaii photo Best Things to Do on Kauai - Wailua River Tour. Hawaii stock photographer and well-known travel writer Jennifer Crites - here is one of her recent articles in the Hana Hou Hawaii Magazine - has many more of these unique stock photos available.

This Maui Waterfall photo shows us once again that Hawaii is not just about beaches, hula and Maitais. Jennifer successfully snapped this special shot of one of Hawaii's spectacular waterfalls, Maui Hana waterfall on the road to Hana, where visitors can actually swim, and the daring can jump. You can walk into the water, you don't have to jump. Doesn't that look like you want to be there right now? How about 'beam me up to Hawaii'?

All our Hawaiian islands are blessed with amazing, unique scenery, which offers lots of hiking trails to hidden valleys, canyons, secret waterfalls, volcanoes and rainforest. Like all the other island, Maui has numerous waterfalls on the island, some visible from the road, like this one, and others you have to hike to. There are moderate, short hikes or hikes which take a day (or two).

Make sure that you know what you are doing and of course, tell your hosts or friends where you are going. It does not seem like it, but every so often tourists get lost in unknown terrain, mostly due to sudden weather changes. The right hiking outfit and water and food supply is important. To carry a cell phone, won't hurt either.

If you want to learn more about the Maui Trails available, go to Hawaii Trails. That's the most comprehensive site for finding detailed hiking information on Hawaii hiking for Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Oahu and Molokai. Hawaii State Parks site has valuable information on Hawaii hiking as well. Hike Maui has offered naturalist-led hikes into Maui's wilderness since 1983. Maui Hiking Safari is another Maui hiking company which offers guided tours to Maui waterfalls and into the rainforest. I am sure you will find one Maui hiking adventure which appeals to you and your physical skills.

Let's go hiking in Hawaii. If you have a favorite Hawaii Hike, please, share with our visitors which island it is and other hiking information. Mahalo andaAloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Tags: Best of Hawaii, Maui Hiking

How To Install Interior Door Trim In Your Home

In order to provide the finishing touch to the installed door, installation of interior door trim around the door is necessary. If you want to install interior trim for your doors, it is not a difficult job to do, if you have right tools with you. To perform this job successfully, you need a whole host of tools including Miter Saw, Nail Gun, level, square, tape measure, pencil, shims, wood or caulk fillers, center punch, 4 penny and 6 penny nails, rag and some paint or stain. If you need to fix extension jambs, you may also need table saw or skill saw with fence in addition.

This guide sheds light on trimming out both interior and exterior doors consisting of door jambs previously extended out flush with the completed sheet-rocked wall. In most of the cases, the only trim needed for installing interior door trim is case molding. In this article, a 2.5

Measurement of the interior trim case molding

In this guide, the number of the colonial case molding trim comprises of 3 pieces. Two vertical members will be placed on the each side of the door, while a top piece will be placed above both of the vertical members. Here, two 8

Installation of the vertical colonial case molding trim pieces

On each side of the door frame, the right, left and top extension jambs, you make a couple of small cross hair marks. These marks will help you to identify the height of the inside edges of the trim pieces. Additionally, these marks will help you to identify the place through which the trim pieces will be lined up resting on the vertical extension jambs. While making the marks, you should make sure that there is 0.125

With the help of Miter Saw, you first make a 45

After cutting your pieces, you should touch up the ends with paint or stain, and then place it in proper position. You should line up the bottom edge point to the cross hair mark. If you find it properly lined up, you should nail into position with the help of a trim nailer on the outside edge of the trim. Otherwise, you may need to re-trim it. In addition to this, you may need to make sure that you position the nails more or less 1

Installation of the top colonial case molding trim piece

To begin this process, you first measure the distance between the central corners of both of the vertical colonial case molding trim board. Keep the measurement record in a safe place. After that, you make a 45

Now, you need to change the position of the angle of your saw with the intention that you can make another 45 ² colonial case molding is used. ² vertical colonial case molding trim pieces and 4² horizontal top piece are used. Before you use the case molding, it is always better if you pre-paint it or purchase pre-primed trim. It is mainly because of the cleaner finished look and also it saves a good amount time. ² to 0.25² of jamb reveal. As soon as you make the marks, you need to measure the distance between the centre of the right cross mark and the floor. ° angle cut over the piece of colonial case molding trim board. It should be several inches longer than that of the size you have just made. You should make sure that the thicker portion of the cut colonial casing trim must be extended away from the thinner portion of it. Now with the help of the measuring tape, you gauge from the thinner segment of the cut colonial casing piece to the required distance that you have measured on the frame of the door. Then you make a little mark on the wood and cut it straight at a 90° angle. ² in from the edge which helps in preventing from splitting. You may need to use a level to make sure that the trim piece is plumb at the time of installing the nails. Follow the same procedure for the left hand side of the door frame. ° angle cut on the member of the case molding trim which is several inches longer then the measurement you have just recorded. Once again, you should make sure that the thicker part of the colonial case molding should be extended beyond the inner edge, that is, the thicker part of the colonial case molding trim. Now make a mark on the inner edge depending on the measurement you recorded earlier. ° angle cut in the reverse direction of the cut you did before on the board. One more time, you touch up the edges with paint or stain and place the top trim piece on the top of the two vertical members. You need to apply 6 penny nails resting on the surface of the edges of the trim piece. As soon as it will be done, you need to apply 4 penny nails resting on the inner parts of all the trim pieces. While doing this process you need to ensure that you must not position nails to close the edges. Otherwise it may result in splitting. To end with, sink and caulk the nail holes, and retouch with a little paint and you have finished.

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When to stay at a Hawaii Hotel for your Hawaii Vacation?

High season for Hawaii vacation is approaching fast. Many tourists will celebrate Thanksgiving in Hawaii next week, and in another 3 weeks, the Christmas holidays will be the the highest season week with most hotels having 100% occupancy. Hawaii as top vacation destination is in the talks. Ever wondered whether to book a Hawaii hotel at a beach resort or make a reservation with a fully equipped vacation rental for your Hawaii vacation? If you answer with 'Yes', then continue reading because this blog post is for you.

First of all, let me assure you that you are not the first or the last one, who is contemplating the pros and cons of these Hawaii vacation options, Hawaii hotel or vacation rental. And once having decided for the wrong one, might be quite devastating and totally spoil your Hawaii vacation. So let Best Hawaii Vacation blog, based on our knowledge and experience, help you make the right decision for your visit to Hawaii. Let's focus in this post on 5 best reasons when staying at a Hawaii hotel is right for you:

1. Hawaii Vacation Packages for hotel, air fare and car rental

When you want to save big on your trip to Hawaii, the big Internet travel agencies like Expedia, Travelocity or Orbitz offer unbeatable Hawaii vacation packages for hotel with airfare and car rental. Try to book all these things individually, and you will soon find out that it's very hard to beat the deals, not to mention all these hours you spend on your computer to find the best deal for the hotel, the flight to Hawaii and the car rental on the island of your choice.

2. Short term stays in Hawaii

For a 3-night stay in Hawaii, Hawaii hotels and resorts are the best solution for your visit. In many cases, you don't even need to hassle with a car rental. Just take a shuttle froim the Airport to your Hawaii hotel (forget about complimentary that was in the old days) and hang loose on the beach, in the pool and the jacuzzi. If you get the urge to do something, join one of the ocean activities or luaus organized by the hotel.

3. Last Minute Hawaii Vacation Deals

If you are flexible with your Hawaii travel dates and can decide for Last minute deals at resorts or hotels, that's the way to go on Hawaii vacation. OK admitted there are not many people who have the freedom to decide for a a Last Minute deal, but Hawaii resorts and hotels are definitely right for these folks. Check with the big travel companies and Hawaii vacation package links above for Last Minute deals about 1 week before you want to get on the plane to Hawaii.

4. Hotel Amenities

Hawaii hotels and resorts are right for those travelers who love hotel amenities: beach chairs, towel service, swimming pool, jacuzzi, room service, house keeping, breakfast with ocean view, hotel luau, concierge service, nightly Hawaiian music and hula dancer, massage with spa service and much more. It's all there, right at your finger tips. Not all free but definitely easy to take advantage of.

5. Travel to Hawaii with kids

Parents need sometimes a little break from their kids for some privacy on their Hawaii vacation or a round of golf or spa visit. Check with the hotel whether they have a kids program. It doesn't cost a fortune. Kids can be signed up for an afternoon. Sometimes, kids even like it more than hanging out with the parents because many hotel kids' programs are well designed with lots of fun adventure. For lunch, kids have diffent options to choose from. The hotel kids' program allow you as a parent to fully enjoy your Hawaii vacation knowing that kids are sound and safe and have fun!

When preparing this blog post, I came across the Marriott Hawaii website. Rates for the Marriotts in Hawaii are pretty decent for ocean front and other amenities. Not everybody can afford the luxury of a 5-star resort. Check it out. This might be an option for you. Just an idea to help with your next Hawaii vacation - I am not an affiliate! If you like that post, stay tuned for the next post when we tell you "When to stay at a Hawaii vacation rental for your Hawaii vacation?". Will be coming soon!

Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Tags: Hawaii vacation, Hawaii hotels

The Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design

How you light your house is an important part of redecorating. A change in the lighting can change how the room is viewed. Lighting interior design contributes greatly to the look and feel of a room. There are many types of lighting which can be used in various rooms. We are no longer restricted to a few lamps around the room.

Ambient lighting is a hidden light source that washes the room with a glow. This creates very few shadows and tends to flatten a room. Japanese paper lanterns and wall sconces both produce ambient lighting. For temporary ambient effects, use a dimmer with your ordinary lighting.

Accent lighting provides interest to a room. This method of lighting interior design highlights and object or architectural feature. To use accent lighting, you only need a bulb and a shield to direct the light to the desired focus. Halogen spotlights and opaquely shaded table lamps both provide accent lighting.

Another kind of lighting used in interior design is task lighting. This is a more practical lighting strategy, highlighting an area for daily activities such as reading, cooking, and sewing. Effective task lighting prevents eyes strain and helps with the performance of vital activities. The kitchen is a particularly good place to incorporate task lighting in your interior design. Task lighting sources should be unobtrusive and shielded to prevent glare. Task lighting can be effectively combined with accent lighting to produce lovely effects.

Some lighting can be a work of art in and of itself. Aesthetic lighting is purely decorative, such as a neon sculpture or a spotlight illuminating a statue or painting. This type of lighting must not be used alone, but accompanied by other lighting strategies in your interior design.

Of course, no survey of lighting interior design would be complete without a mention of natural light. Rooms can be arranged to take advantage of the position of the sun at different times of day. This type of lighting is also called kinetic lighting because the light from outside moves. It is one of the less reliable types, as it is affected by the seasons and the weather, but natural lighting can produce an effect unequaled by any artificial light source when used properly.

Lighting is an important tool in your design collection. The way you do your lighting interior design affects the perception of any room. Lighting is also versatile. Using several strategies at once in a room allows you to turn any of them off, changing the look and feel with the flick of a switch. This can be effective for creating different moods in different rooms at night.

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Create Your Space With Interior Design Painting Ideas

How the inside of your home looks is just as important as how the outside looks. Sure you could argue that everyone sees the outside while only you, your family, and your guests see the inside. Since you are the only ones who see the inside, it should reflect your personality and be a pleasure for everyone. That's where having the right interior design painting ideas comes in handy. Each person has their own individual sense of style and a way they envision their home. Paint is an inexpensive way to add personality and unique looks to any wall or room in your home.

It can be difficult to choose the exact way you want your interior walls to appear. With all of the do it yourselfers out there today, there are plenty of interior design painting ideas that have been modified to be easy for the average person to create. One of the most popular techniques is sponge painting. By painting the desired walls a darker color than the accent color you are quickly and easily able to create a marbled effect on the wall. Latex paints work best for this job. You may want to experiment with different sized and shaped sponges on a disposable surface, like old wood, to find the effect you like the most.

Interior Design Painting Ideas

Another of the interior design painting ideas that is very popular right now is faux painting. The French and Italian old homes are full of examples of faux painting. It consists of creating a work of art directly on the wall. You may choose a window, classic landscape scene, or anything that appeals to you and the room you are changing. Unless you are very gifted with paint and brushes, it might be worth your time and money to hire a professional or art student to do this for you.

One version of faux painting you won't have any trouble taking care of yourself is stencil painting. This technique is especially good for bathrooms and kitchens, where extreme conditions often interfere with wallpaper and for personalizing the babys' and childrens' rooms. Paint is easy to cover up when the little ones get older and want something different.

There are plenty of other interior design painting ideas to choose from if those don't appeal to you. Your local paint or home improvement store staff should be able to help you out.

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Prepare Your Rooms for Interior House Painting

By Ajeet Khurana

Being a homeowner is a huge responsibility as the house that you live in is not only the foundation where your nearest and dearest are, but it is your biggest asset in terms of your financial outlook. Many homeowners view this responsibility from both the investment and the family perspectives and as a result, are continually making improvements to their home. Consistent renovations to your home are a way of making your home a happier and more pleasant place to live, as well as to increase the value of your investment should you ever decide to sell your house.

The easiest and least expensive way of increasing both intrinsic and extrinsic value to your home is through interior painting. House painting is a very common means of home renovation that can give your room or set of rooms an instant facelift and is very easy to do on your own. If you decide to add house painting to your list of things to do this year, here are a few tips you should keep in mind before you get that first roller wet.

Painting your home's interiors requires a great deal of preparation and calculation. After you have selected the themes and colors for the room or rooms you are painting, you will need to ensure your rooms are adequately prepared before you begin painting. Even the cleanest rooms and walls will need the surfaces to be prepared before you begin the painting stage.

You first want to take off all of the switch plates from the walls and conduct a thorough dusting of your room. Use a feather duster or broom to sweep out every corner from ceiling to floor and then vacuum the room thoroughly.

Look for any holes or cracks in the wall surfaces and patch them up with spackling paste or wall plaster. Once you have patched any holes, you will then need to sand over the patching or spackling to ensure the patch you have created is flush with the wall. This will ensure a flat even coat of paint on your wall. Once you have done this, you will have to dust and vacuum again as sanding will create a large amount of dust. Ensure you dust and vacuum not only your floors, but the walls as well. Sanding will leave dust particles that may not be visible to the naked eye, and your paint will find those dust particles if you don't leaving unsightly bumps on your walls.

Your next step before you begin interior house painting will be to wash your walls thoroughly. You can use a mop to reach the corners and higher areas, but you need to wash and rinse your walls of any cleaning residue. Once your walls have dried from the washing, you are ready to begin your interior house painting. Use painters tape to mark off door ways, baseboards, and ceilings so that your paint applications are smooth and even.

If you follow these steps you will find your interior house painting experience to be one that is not only simple, but rewarding. The preparation in interior house painting is often a more arduous task than the actual painting itself. However if you prepare your walls and your rooms properly, you will find the hard work will pay off in beautiful interiors for your home.

Your home deserves the best. We will get a Painting Contractor, a Remodeling Contractor, a Carpet Cleaning Company or whatever it takes to make your home lovely.

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Best Things to Do on Kauai - Wailua River Tour

Welcome back to the 'Hawaii photo of the week', which is a project of aloha by Best Hawaii Vacation blog and Hawaii stock photographer and well-known travel writer Jennifer Crites. Whereas our first 'Hawaii photo of the week' showed you famous Oahu Beach of Hanauma Bay, our photo today shows you famous Wailua River on Kauai.

Wailua River is one of the many attractions of the Garden Isle Kauai. Gohawaii.about names the Wailua River tours as one their 10 Best Things to do on Kauai when on Kaua vacation. We totally agree with that. There are all kinds of guided tours on the river, which mostly lead either to the Fern Grotto or the Secret Falls (Uluwehi Waterfalls).

On our Kauai vacation, we decided to rent a kayak and get going on our own Wailua tour being our own guide. Kayakers are given their own lane on the right side of the river. Be prepared for the typical Kauai rain showers but also for the strong Hawaiian sun (hat and sunscreen recommended!) plus some good hiking shoes for the hike through the forest. The kayak rental company provides you with a map of the area and a bag for keeping your stuff dry.

We had decided for a combination kayak and hiking trip to the Secret Falls We paddled about 2.5 miles upstream, passing an old Hawaiian village, till we came to an island where we already saw many kayaks 'parked'. From there we actually just followed the trail through tropical rainforest. Soon, we'd meet other hikers already coming back from the waterfalls, so we knew we were on the right path. The Secret Falls were a wonderful resting place - not 'secret' though because it was visited by many guided tours. We set down to enjoy our picnic, enjoy the beautiful scenery and admire those who went for a bath in the icy cold waters waiting for their friend to take that one unique picture of them. We had our bathing suits too but decided against this cold, refreshing bath. This was one of our best adventures on our Kauai vacation.

To cut a long story short, the Wailua River has ever since been on our list of recommendations for 'Things to do on Kauai' for visitors to the Garden Isle. Check with KayakWailua for kayak rental guided tours. Have your best Kauai Vacation. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Tags: Best of Kauai, Wailua River, Kauai vacation

Choosing Interior Paint Colors

By Budda Oliver

Changing the color of your interior walls is an excellent way to increase the resale value and appeal of your home. It is a cost-effective way to add style, personality, and warmth to any room. In fact, it is so cost-effective, that some choose to paint their walls quite frequently in order to change the mood of a room, paint a room according to the season, or just to express their personalities.

So what colors should you use to repaint your walls? Well, that is completely a matter of taste, but there are a few things to remember that may make it a little easier for you to choose the perfect colors for your taste.

Psychological Effects of Colors
It is important to remember that colors have a relatively strong psychological impact on us. It is common knowledge that lighter colors, such as white and yellow, tend to make a room appear brighter and larger, while darker colors can make a room seem smaller. There are also warm colors, like red, orange, and yellow which are inviting. Green, blue, and purple are some examples of cool colors, which tend to be relaxing and soothing. Light blue is commonly thought of as the most calming color, which is why you may see schools, daycares, detention centers, etc. utilizing it in their paint schemes.

Utilizing Colors
When choosing a paint color for the inside of your home, take your furniture, floors, etc. into consideration. The goal is o choose colors that compliment the colors of your furniture, appliances, floors, accessories, and other established colors within your home. The use of contrasting colors can also be utilized to your advantage. You can use colors that contrast large pieces of furniture, artwork, etc. to emphasize these objects.

Paint color can also be used to draw attention to architectural features, such as arches, trim, doorways, and any other unique aspects of your home that you may want to incorporate more fully. Furthermore, well-chosen color combinations can also cover up or hide certain design flaws or unattractive aspects of your home’s design.

Tools to Help You Choose
There are several options available to help you choose what colors you want for your walls. Every paint store supplies paint color samples. Remember that the color may not appear the same on the little card as it will on a twenty-foot wall. Normally, the samples appear slightly darker, while the color will seem brighter on a large surface. There are several computer programs that let you preview what your color combinations will look like in a model of your home.

Probably the best method of coming to a solid conclusion as to what colors you would like to use on your walls, is to ask a professional. Professional painting contractors have much useful knowledge and experience including, not only color choices, but what type of paint is best, type of application, and other information useful to your unique situation. What better source of advice?

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent for Dramatic Changes. The interior painting specialists works in and around the Richmond Virginia metro area. For more information on interior painting contractor in Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

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Planning your Interior Design Project

By David McEvoy

First of all, before you begin to do anything, you need to know what you like and what you don't. Perhaps you already have an idea of the style you want to create, if so, great, you can get started. If not, then take a look around show rooms or browse magazines and the Internet and see what jumps out at you, what you find attractive, and base your initial ideas on that. Ask yourself how a particular look or style makes you feel and you will get an idea of whether it is appropriate for you or not.

Popular styles include traditional, modern, retro, minimalist, country cottage, or a themed style. Themed styles can be based on anything that inspires you, a character, a place, a period in history, a culture or maybe water or nature theme or a theme based on the Wild West. There really are no limits to what is possible, allow your imagination to run wild. It is possible to combine styles, however, be careful about mixing too many styles together as this can lead to a cluttered unattractive look so it is best to stick to one or two at the most. Once you have established what style you want to create you can begin to shape your Interior Design project.

Initial elements to consider

" What is the purpose of the room or what will the room function as for most of the time? For example, is it a family room, a bedroom for sleeping in, a room for working in, or a play room perhaps? Will there be a lot of entertaining? Do children and pets have to be considered? All these elements will have an impact on what choices you make.

" The health and safety of everyone likely to be using the room is a top priority so think about what health and safety considerations you have to make and incorporate these into your plan.

" Calculate what budget you have to work with and how much you are prepared to spend on each area, for example, any changes to the structure of the room, the amount you will spend on floor coverings, ceilings and walls, and how much you are allowing for furniture, fixtures and fittings, materials and finishing touches.

" Identify what parts of the room can be changed and what can't. For example, the existing position of doors, windows, fireplaces, even walls. Can they be moved, is it necessary, what is realistic?

" Identify how much space will actually available and measure it carefully. Draw up a detailed floor plan so that you know what you have to work with and where you are going to position everything, particularly larger items of furniture. There's no point in rushing out to buy an item of furniture only to find that it doesn't fit when it arrives.

" Consider what natural lighting there is and whether you will have to incorporate artificial lighting or whether you can maximise on what natural lighting there is.

Developing the style

Think about the main elements of design that will help create the style you want, this includes form, mass, shape, colour, texture and pattern. Decide how you are going to cover the walls, ceilings and floors in order to convey that particular look or style you want to create.

Have you thought about a focal point and what it will be? For example, a fireplace, an attractive piece of furniture, a painting or other work of art, or even a window can all act as interesting focal points.

Identify what furniture or other larger items that you want before you decide what colour schemes you are going to use as it is easier to find harmonious colour matches that way. When you have chosen your furniture make sure you measure the various items to ensure that they not only fit well, but that there is ample room for all the other items of furniture you want to incorporate. Remember to allow space for walking through doors and for doors to open.

Finally, choose the materials, fabrics, fixtures and fittings that will help define your chosen style.

Completing your look

Putting the finishing touches to any room can be extremely rewarding as finally you get to see the particular style you wanted to create come to fruition and you can stand back and admire your work. Plants, flowers, wall hangings, bowls of fruit, candles, ornaments, cushions, table clothes, throws, can all add to the overall ambience and mood of a room. With proper planning beforehand, your end result is likely to be exactly what you want, a beautiful space that is safe, practical and comfortable for all those using it.

Interior design is an art but that doesn't mean it can only be embarked upon by those who are fully qualified and trained. By observing what others have done for ideas and then drawing on your own imaginative skills to expand on those ideas and by paying attention to detail, you can create your own unique space, one that reflects your taste, style and personality, one that defines who you are.

David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site

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Kitchen Remodel Can Update Busiest Room

By Ray Nwambuonwo

After many years of looking at my same old kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances, it may be time for a kitchen remodel to update the most used room in the house. While many will think a fresh coat of paint a good first step, just ask the person who uses the room the most for opinions. They will know how vast the kitchen remodel needs to be to make it more elegant and more user-friendly.

Making the room more attractive and appealing for all the family members is great, but making it more convenient in which to work will make it even better. Organizing the cabinets and appliances to be within reach for the job being performed can almost make kitchen duties fun. During a kitchen remodel, replacing or refinishing cabinets and countertops can make a lasting impression, but do not forget the kitchen flooring, making sure it matches the new color scheme.

If the decision is made to also replace the countertops, consider replacing the sink and faucets as well. A scuffed sink with tarnished fixtures will stand out like a sore thumb, especially following an extensive kitchen remodel. Replacing hardware on refinished cabinets can also add to the new look.

Organizing appliances to existing space

Simply because a stove or refrigerator has always been in a particular position, does not mean it cannot be moved. About the only rule in appliance arrangement during a kitchen remodel is to separate the stove from the refrigerator by at least one cabinet and try to keep the stove away from the sink. Heat from the stove may cause refrigeration problems and water from the sink splashing on the stove is never a good thing.

Other than those guidelines, the kitchen remodel can be done to make living more convenient for everyone. Ideally, the refrigerator is typically placed close to a door and a counter to make putting groceries away more convenient, taking less steps from the car to the unit. There is some debate on whether dishes should be stored over the dishwasher for convenience when putting them away, or near the stove for the convenience when serving meals.

Silverware and pots and pans are other items that can create dissent, but pots and pans will normally be located near the stove or oven and silverware closest to the dishwasher for ease at putting them away. These are all things that can be planned out before performing the kitchen remodel to make sure everything has a place and it is convenient to keep everything in its place.

Captivating articles about products and services you need and must have. Subscribe to my feed. Link. Visit my website for more fascinating articles

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Living Room Furniture

By Claudia Beach

Living Room Seating

The way you arrange seating in your living room effects how your family and guests socialize and congregate in your home. With the right arrangement and seating styles you can turn a drab and quiet living area into a buzzing den of conversation. Look for couches that reflect your personal style, but also offer comfortable seating. Be wary of seating that is too soft, as this will make it hard for people to sit forward and engage with others. On the other hand, finding a chair, chaise or recliner in which to hunker down for movie or TV viewing is perfectly reasonable - just make sure that it isn't your main item of living room furniture . A couch that is too firm will not be comfortable for long conversations. Often the best choice is something cushiony but supportive.

Popular living room seating includes couches and sectional sofas , chaise lounges, accent seating, recliners, armchairs and loveseats .

Media Furniture

Today's media furniture needs to do more than just house your TV and stereo. It is just as important that your entertainment armoire, media cabinet, entertainment center or Audio-Video rack hold CDs, DVDs, and even old videotapes, while matching or coordinating with the existing home furniture . Your ultimate decision will depend in large part on what fits the space, although personal preference is always important.

Living Room Accessories

Coffee tables, end tables, side tables, ottomans and decorative chests are just a few of the larger, more impressive pieces of living room furniture accessories available. Smaller living room accessories help to add homey touches that make a house a home. Such items include candleholders, picture frames, artwork, and flower vases among many others.

Living Room Furniture Styles

As you shop for your new living room furniture you will encounter several different styles. Keep the following in mind as you decide what works best in your home.

1. Modern living room furniture is sleek and streamlined and known for using the most technologically and architecturally advanced design. Modern living room furniture often incorporates metal and glass, and allows the furniture's form to make a statement, without utilizing patterns or frills.

2. Transitional living room furniture is a combination of modern, traditional, and casual styles. Borrowing from both the Arts & Crafts Movements and the Modern Movement, transitional living room furniture is not as bold as modern furniture, but uses some of the same principles in beautiful and subtle ways.

3. Traditional living room furniture springs from many sources, including Colonial furniture design, Queen Anne's reign, and antique Roman styles. Often crafted from hardwoods like mahogany and cherry, this style tends to feature more ornamentation and embellishments than other living room furniture styles.

4. Casual living room furniture is all about laidback comfort. Often seen in natural- or light-colored woods, this style fits the no-nonsense home and a "no frills" sensibility.

This Article is Originally Published here: Living Room Furniture

Learn More:

eMassive Home Furniture - Home Decor Online Mall for Furniture, Home Accessories and Unique Decor products

Claudia Beach spends her days traveling the world seeking new and exciting home decorating ideas. She enjoys sharing her time with her two grown-up kids and husband. You can reach her at eMassive.com

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Bedroom Sets - The Solution to a Common Problem

By Quy Le

You come home after a long day's work and flop in your bed for a little R n R. Sounds like heaven, right? However, as you fall into your bed you look to your left and something catches your eye. You realized that your dresser just doesn't match up with the nightstand that you picked up over the weekend. And now going through your wallet, hoping you still have your receipt to make a return or exchange.

So now you're thinking what can be done about it. Then like a bolt of lightning it hits you - why not get a bedroom set? Bedroom sets are the perfect way to decorate your room and provide a nice consistent look. No distractions when you come from work anymore.

A bedroom set may include a number of different pieces such as the Bed, Headboard, Dressers, Nightstands, and Armoires. Most furniture manufacturers will specifically design collections so customers can purchase whatever they need for their home and deliver a clean, consistent appearance.

The consistency of your decor aside, purchasing a bedroom set also has other benefits such as saving time, energy, and money. Imagine if you were shopping for bedroom furniture and could not, for the life of you, find a nightstand and bed that matches. Perhaps you would have to drive all over town, going from store to store looking for a nightstand to go with that bed, or a dresser to go with that armoire, etc. etc. Having a bedroom set available allows you to make one simple purchase, and get all the pieces you want without having to drive from store to store.

Purchasing a bedroom set also saves you money as well. Typically, individual pieces of furniture are sold for more than a set due to costs of shipping one product at a time, as oppose to the entire set in one trip. Many retailers and furniture manufacturers also provide you, the consumer, with discounts if you purchase an entire bedroom set at once as well.

So now you've decided that you indeed want to replace that dresser and nightstand with a bedroom set. Before you go out to your favorite furniture or online store, keep in mind the amount of room you will have. Remember that a bedroom set may include many pieces, so take measurements, know what you want, and be prepared to leave extra space for impulse buys.

Now you come home from yet another long day's work. You flop into your bed for little bit of R n R, and look to your left. You're left with nothing but a smile because that dresser finally matches that nightstand. And now you have a new armoire too.

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Visit Hanauma Bay Beach on your Oahu Vacation

It's Monday but this is a special Monday. Today, we start our new exciting blog project of introducing Hawaii to our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors with a 'Hawaii photo of the week'. So get ready for seeing many more beautiful Hawaii photos taken by renowned Hawaii stock photographer Jennifer Crites.

Get to know Hawaii, the number # vacation destination (read our Thanksgiving in Hawaii post), through spectacular, fascinating photos of the unique Hawaii scenery of tropical waterfalls and beaches, lush green rain forests and rare tropical flowers, snow-capped mountains or the hot lava flow of a live volcano and all the other powerful images of Hawaii. Here is our first Hawaii photo of the week. This photo was cover photo of Hawaii Magazine in in December 2006:

Who has not heard of Hanauma Bay when visiting Oahu on vacation? This large curved bay attracts many Oahu visitors each year. Hanauma Bay is well protected from huge ocean waves, which allows snorkelers and divers to watch marine and coral reef life under safe conditions. The beach is also perfect for sunbathing, relaxing and picnicing. There are even hiking trails which lead to great lookouts from where you can have breathtaking views.

Hanauma Bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967, in order to protect and preserve the Bay and its spectatucal natural resources. This is why Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is not just the regular beach one of the most spectacular natural resources in Hawaii. With the measuments taken by the State of Hawaii, Hanauma Bay has become the first Marine Life Conservation District in the State.

So, when visiting Hanauma Beach, be aware, that there are certain rules to maintain this Marine Life Conservation Area like: no pets allowed; no alcoholic beverages; no fishing or feeding the fish; do not remove, harass, or harm any marine life. We recommend to visit Hawaii Web for more detailed information, fees, opening hours for your beach visit to Hanauma Bay.
Directions to Hanauma Bay Beach:

Take Kalaniana'ole Highway east from Waikiki for approximately 10 miles. Entrance to the preserve is on the right.

Enjoy Hanauma Bay beach on your Oahu vacation in Hawaii. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

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Tags: Best of Oahu, Honolulu, Hanauma Bay

Interior Design Lighting Tips For A Better Home

By Wade Robins

A major element in interior design that most homeowners overlook is lighting. Interior design lighting can spell the difference between a mediocre room and one that is truly impressive and dramatic.

Whether it's intentional or not, some homes retain very dim and somber lighting that does not at all contribute to the attractiveness of living space. These are places where interior design lighting has been taken for granted, and no matter how expensive your furniture or accents may be, they'll lose their appeal when situated in a room that is poorly lit.

Although interior design lighting is done with functionality in mind, it can also create atmospheres that set the mood, depending on its placement, coloring, and combinations.

Many old homes are notorious for being dim and plain because of the limited possibilies for modern interior design lighting. The main setback encountered by most interior design lighting professionals are existing wiring that may not be accessible or would simply take too much stripping to renovate.

However, if interior design lighting could not be easily managed via overhead lights, there are alternatives to revitalizing mediocre-looking spaces by making use of modern techniques that weren't available a few years ago.

Making Use Of Track Lighting

Track lighting is a welcome boon to the interior design lighting industry. They are sleek, easy to install, and very functional. Most new condo units have provisions for basic track lighting fixtures and can be easily moved from one place to another with simple re-wiring.

Houses that were built without standby wiring but with overhead lights or ceiling fans may still benefit from track lighting as their existing wiring may still be tapped for the track lighting apparatus.

Track lighting is best used for focusing light on various room areas – on paintings, artwork, sculptures, or any item you wish to focus on. You can also use track lighting to focus light on a desk or on countertops where you work on.

If you're stuck with a cookie cutter home with limited interior design lighting options because of its inimal electrical outlets, you can depend on track lighting to fulfill your more sophisticated lighting needs.

Professional-grade interior design lighting can now be easily achieved with track lighting because of the many varieties of lights available. There are different sizes, colors, shapes and designs which are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Older homes which used to be dingy and unwelcoming instantly become vibrant with strategically placed track lighting. These fixtures help by reaching places which could not otherwise be lit.

The kitchen is another room where interior design lighting is crucial. Because it can be a hub of activity, specially designed track lighting works perfectly for kitchens with many different work areas.

There are simple straight tracks, U-shaped tracks, and just about any design imaginable. Interior design lighting professionals can show you a wide range of selections, depending on whether you want the fixtures to blend with the ceiling or stand out and make a statement.

You can also "play" with your interior design lighting by using your track lights as mood lighting. These are commonly equipped with dimmers that can soften or intensify the light. Different-colored bulbs can also be used for a festive effect.

Indeed, interior design lighting has come a long way from the plain and somber light fixtures of the yesteryears. Today, the possibilities in interior design lighting are only limited by your creativity.

You can also find more info on Kitchen Interior Design and Master Bedroom Interior Design. 1interiordesign.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Interior Design.

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3 Best Hawaii Vacation Tips for Thanksgiving in Hawaii

With Mainland temperatures dropping a degree or two daily and the fall weather changing from sunny, golden fall to rainy, gray November weather, sunny, warm Hawaii becomes once again the number one travel destination of places to visit in winter for Mainland residents.

As we told you in our recent post about the Best weather for Hawaii vacation, Hawaii weather proves to be nice and warm also during the winter months. Who wouldn't want to visit the Hawaiian Islands for Thanksgiving week or Christmas Holidays?! Here are our Hawaii vacation tips tourists should know when planning to visit Hawaii for a Thanksgiving or Christmas vacation.

It's a matter of fact that the Hawaii holiday crowd at the big ocean front resorts consists mainly of the well-to-do families, who can afford to meet in Hawaii for their annual family reunion. Hawaii tourism at 5-star hotels relies on these return visitors. Holiday season is the time when the hotels on the Kohala Coast or other prestigious Hawaii Resorts like the Grand Wailea on Maui are booked at 100% occupancy. Well, that said about the Hawaii VIP crwod for the holidays, let's share our tips with the average Hawaii visitor, who has his chances too for a Hawaiian holiday vacation:

1. Expect higher rates for Hawaii vacation rentals during the holidays

Vacation rentals are very high in command for the Hawaii Holiday Season. As rental owners know that, expecthigher rates for the holidays. As vacation rental owners, it has always amazed us how many people asked for Special holiday rates plus waited much too long with making their accommodation reservation. Good news for these guys: there are still a few nice vacation rental places which have availability for Thanksgiving or Christmas at this moment but you don't have the big choices anymore. Next time, make your Thanksgiving or Christmas reservation in summer. Be aware of the 5-night minimum stay of most vacation rentals.

2. Rent your car for your Holiday Vacation as early as possible

Unfortunately, when planning their Hawaii holiday vacation, too many tourists don't take into consideration that Hawaii consists of various islands which have a limited resourced of cars. It happens each year that car rentals on an island get 'maxed' out, meaning car rental companies can ask 'astronomical' rates per day. Guess what, when you have paid for your flight reservation to Hawaii and for your stay, you will be extremely happy to rent a car for $80/day! Rule number two: The earlier you make your car rental reservation, the better your chances for a decent deal.

3. Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner in Hawaii

Since you know by now that spending Thanksgiving or Christmas in Hawaii is really something special and asks for special financial means to do so, let's talk 'Thanksgiving Turkey in Hawaii'. It goes without saying that all the fancy Hawaii Beach Resorts put on their own Thanksgiving Celebration Dinner. As this mostly includes Hawaiian entertainment with hula dancers and Hawaiian music. this turkey definitely doesn not come cheap and might exceed your budget by far.

So why not take advantage of the great Turkey Dinner offers by Hawaiian local markets: turkey for 6 - 8 people, with gravy, cranberry sauce and stuffing and have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner a la Hawaiian style at the privacy of your Hawaii vacation rental home. Sit outside on your lanai and enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey with your family accompanied by warm, mild Hawaiian air and gentle Hawaiian music from your CD player! This is Thanksgiving in Hawaii! Call your friends on the Mainland and tell them 'I wish you were here!'.

Please, share your Hawaii Thanksgiving recommendations with our Best Hawaii Vacation blog visitors. Mahalo for your comments. Aloha, Pua Hawaii Vacations

Tags: Best of Hawaii, Thanksgiving in Hawaii

Choosing Interior Paint Colors

By Budda Oliver

Changing the color of your interior walls is an excellent way to increase the resale value and appeal of your home. It is a cost-effective way to add style, personality, and warmth to any room. In fact, it is so cost-effective, that some choose to paint their walls quite frequently in order to change the mood of a room, paint a room according to the season, or just to express their personalities.

So what colors should you use to repaint your walls? Well, that is completely a matter of taste, but there are a few things to remember that may make it a little easier for you to choose the perfect colors for your taste.

Psychological Effects of Colors
It is important to remember that colors have a relatively strong psychological impact on us. It is common knowledge that lighter colors, such as white and yellow, tend to make a room appear brighter and larger, while darker colors can make a room seem smaller. There are also warm colors, like red, orange, and yellow which are inviting. Green, blue, and purple are some examples of cool colors, which tend to be relaxing and soothing. Light blue is commonly thought of as the most calming color, which is why you may see schools, daycares, detention centers, etc. utilizing it in their paint schemes.

Utilizing Colors
When choosing a paint color for the inside of your home, take your furniture, floors, etc. into consideration. The goal is o choose colors that compliment the colors of your furniture, appliances, floors, accessories, and other established colors within your home. The use of contrasting colors can also be utilized to your advantage. You can use colors that contrast large pieces of furniture, artwork, etc. to emphasize these objects.

Paint color can also be used to draw attention to architectural features, such as arches, trim, doorways, and any other unique aspects of your home that you may want to incorporate more fully. Furthermore, well-chosen color combinations can also cover up or hide certain design flaws or unattractive aspects of your home’s design.

Tools to Help You Choose
There are several options available to help you choose what colors you want for your walls. Every paint store supplies paint color samples. Remember that the color may not appear the same on the little card as it will on a twenty-foot wall. Normally, the samples appear slightly darker, while the color will seem brighter on a large surface. There are several computer programs that let you preview what your color combinations will look like in a model of your home.

Probably the best method of coming to a solid conclusion as to what colors you would like to use on your walls, is to ask a professional. Professional painting contractors have much useful knowledge and experience including, not only color choices, but what type of paint is best, type of application, and other information useful to your unique situation. What better source of advice?

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent for Dramatic Changes. The interior painting specialists works in and around the Richmond Virginia metro area. For more information on interior painting contractor in Richmond Virginia please visit their website.

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