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The product has the same feel as the real thing but they are actually recycled wine bottles that have been shaved, re-heated and flattened out to get the same look as stained glass that tends to be expensive. Wine bottle recycling is a very nice way to recycle glass that can be taken out of landfills though the process of recycling glass is a very expensive and it does require a lot of hardware, it is still a way of recycling for the good of the earth.
Glass bottle recycling is not a new concept for glass is one of the most easily recyclable man-made materials on earth. Old bottles and other glass refuse is added as cullet to new glass that is actually more energy efficient for it melts at a lower temperature over the pure materials that glass is made of. It is added to the batch of molten glass to lower the temperature of the raw glass allowing savings in the production process. Go green and save the earth, the future you prepare for might be yours, or your children’s

Many people have been marveling at the Grand Canyon Sky-Walk which truly is a sight to behold, yet it also brings the flexibility and utter usefulness of glass as a building material. Glass used to be the preferred material for windows and doors for they allowed unimpeded views of the outside world and int he case of the Sky-Walk, on the floor.
The technology behind glass has grown so much that it has taken it to a point wherein it can be made to work as designed, tempered for our cars and laminated for added strength at varying levels, sometimes even enough to resist bullets and shrapnel. There are a new breed of uses for glass and one of them is on the walls and floors of patios or decks that till now scared people due to the fragility of glass in the days of old.

There are a lot of people who simply cannot do away with some family heirloom in one way or another, a cabinet that belonged to your grandparents or some other antique. It may seem straightforward but these precious pieces have more of a sentimental value than practical use but with some creative thinking it can serve the same purpose. The best way to give tribute to a piece with such character is to use it and use it well, the only problem is that these pieces way not be able to handle the regular wear and tear we may place upon them so additional protection should be applied in the form of a re-finish with modern protective coatings that can have the same feel and look of the original finish yet is more robust to use. Read the rest of this entry »

The many unique finds you can get from the many weekend markets that are springing up all over the place cannot be understated as they are a very good source of recyclable furniture and other trinkets that can be turned into unique stuff. Using some basic tools, loose crystals from antique chandeliers and some silver bits and parts can be made into very attractive lighting fixtures that would be the envy of your peers. Most chandelier crystals have holes which were used to hang them and with some gold or silver wire, available at crafts stores, these can be turned into light accents or other interesting pieces that would allow you to create one of a kind masterpieces. Read the rest of this entry »

Curtains and other coverings can be easily made for old sofa’s that would give them a new light making them more interesting seemingly changing with the times as it passes by. Scraps from yard sales and thrift shops where odds and ends can be sewn together cheaply making them look as if they were quilts or purpose made covers. Have the measurements made by a professional seamstress if you don’t have the necessary skills or simply wing it and get it on to find that creative side of you that’s been hidden for a long time. Sill can’t find your groove Read the rest of this entry »

Flea markets are vast resources of bits and pieces to help make your condo or apartment more spiffy and smart. When going to a flea market, here are some tips that might help you out:

1. Get there early.
When you see people coming out and carrying lamps and picture frames – they are considered the most popular items – then you’ve come too late. To find the best pickings, get there early before anyone else beats you to a good lamp or couch or collection piece for your display cabinet.

2. Don’t load up on big bills.
Carry small denominations instead – with the total depending on your budget – so you have more bargaining power.

3. Don’t doll up or dress up.
Vendors will be inclined to give higher prices to pricey looking people. So if you want to get a good price, dress in casual, comfortable clothes.

Many people find it hard to imagine the fact that going green doesn’t entail a lot of cost, for simple DIY projects can not only add beauty but make your small space more earthy and natural. Have carpet, why not opt for wooden floors made from laminated bamboo, they are sustainable and cost little compared to more expensive and rare hardwood. Want natural walls, simple hemp fiber mats hung on stainless steel rods can add a natural feel to an otherwise harsh cinder block wall, you can also use them for window coverings.
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Lighting can be use to create dramatic effects for a small condo or an even bolder one for a big one. So lighting is a way of bringing to light some of the hidden features of your house you might want to share or not with your guests. Use it to sine light on an impressive collection of vases you have on the shelves. Behind plants, they add drama combined with the beauty of your green friends.
Ugly corridor you hate, use a centerpiece at the end of it and get the ceiling re-done perfect installed with indirect lighting and you get drama on the ceiling, that once the guests eyes leave that area, the art piece of sculpture takes over. Got a bland bedroom, use indirect lighting with colors to bring it to life. Be sure to use your inner artist and sure enough you get something personal and not store bought or copied right off a magazine.

Image Source: designyourwall.com

Mylar is a polyester film joined with a very thin metal sheet like aluminum. It is quite durable and is not easily torn. The paper weave is a very common kind of wall covering found in Japan which is like real grasscloth. This weave is actually made of thinly cut strips of paper which were twisted and spun into yarn which looks like grasscloth. However, this kind of weave is not recommended for high moisture areas. A wallpaper made of hemp does not have a soft structure like a grasscloth but has a finer weave. The hemp fibers are then attached to the a paper backing to create a good product. Its unique beauty comes from the irregularities of its color and pattern. when using this wall covering, be sure that the seams don’t show.

Styling a condo is more challenging because of the limited space. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to living with functional but ugly furniture. There are a lot of new designs that are suitable for condos (compact!), but are still chic and stylish. I especially love ingenious transforming furniture such as this:

The Doc sofa/bunk bed unit by Bonbon Trading is a single couch that swings easily into two separate beds. Now that’s what I call a real space saver!