Here is the situation. You need a bigger house but cannot afford it right now. Nor do you want to move away from your neighborhood. However, your kids need rooms of their own and you need an office for you too. If you have a basement, a change-over could make it into bedrooms, a bathroom and even a family room. Move the kids into the rooms and convert their old room into your office. The concern now is that they are not going to get enough light or even a view especially considering those tiny flat windows that basements always have. Those are fair concerns; the good news is you can do something about that.
Faux Windows. They are easy to make and will provide each bedroom with light and even a view. Here is how you do it.

- Draw your window size on the wall in pencil
- Buy a prepasted mural that you think that they would like, but ensure that it is the same size as the one you have drawn. Preferably, it should overlap the lines you drew. In case the mural is slightly smaller, do not panic. This is why you drew in pencil. Simply erase the lines and redraw them to fit the mural you have.
- Install the mural.
- Mount your window over your mural. Make sure the glass is not touching the mural. It is easy to do this if the Window is at least 2 inches deep.
- Install a fluorescent single tube fixture inside this whole contraption; place it at the top of the window. - The idea here is the light fixture should not be visible to anyone in the room.
- Install a switch for this light somewhere near the window.
- Select a miniblind and mount it outside the window frame. Keep it slightly tilted, switch on the light and presto! It will give the illusion of natural outside lighting.
- Adding a windowsill will add to the illusion and will be of practical use.
The result might even see you installing Faux windows all over your house!

Pools are a great addition to a house especially if you have children. However, they can be dangerous, especially for younger children who have not learned to swim. Therefore, it is important you take a good look at the safety of your pool. There are a few steps you can tale to assess the safety of your pool. In addition, once identified, it is important that you immediately make the necessary changes or improvements.

The first step is to set up rules on the use of the pool. For starters, children under the age of five will not use the pool without adult supervision. Make sure you are within arm’s reach of them and do not lose sight of them. If you have a pool at home, make sure you have life preservers as well, especially for children who are not good swimmers.

One of the biggest threats in a pool is the drain. You must ensure the drains have covers and remain closed to prevent any unfortunate accidents. Discourage children from running around the pool, as they are most likely to slip which usually could mean a serious injury you would want to avoid. Another common cause of accidents in the pool is when a group of children get together and joke around, and try to dunk one another in the pool. Therefore, adult supervision is critical.

Other precautions include:

- Labeling to show how deep the pool is
- Do not leave toys in the pool
- Have the safety features of your pool evaluated by an expert
- Have safety devices installed in the area surrounding the swimming pool
- Install an alarm that alerts you when someone has entered the pool

Named after William Shakespeare’s famous Romeo & Juliet balcony scene, this type of false balcony is increasingly popular for adding increased light and ventilation to a room. Juliette Balconies are practical and stylish ways of stopping people of animals from having accidents, and is big enough to allow a small amount of room to step out to. The Juliette Balcony offers a safe and secure balustrade system.

1. Standard width balconies are available in 1264mm, 1578mm, 1876mm, 2182mm and 2488mm wide.
2. Juliette balconies can be constructed in iron, stainless steel or glass.
3. Stainless steel balcony designs are few due to expensive machining requirements needed to form intricate shape. Aluminium railings on the other hand are more flexible in terms of design.
4. To prevent rusting and corrosion, Juliette Balconies are powder coated in a finish chosen by the customer.
5. It is important that your Juliette Balcony is set up according to all appropriate building regulations. This is a responsibility of the property owner.

Juliette balconies are simulated metal balconies usually found in urban or coastal areas, used to take full advantage of stunning views. A very shallow balcony, which comes complete with balustrades, gives you the perfect way of replacing a conventional window with patio doors. The additional glass adds more light and gives your property a chic feel to it. The balustrades are made from open metalwork, but can be constructed using iron, steel, chrome, wood or glass. Juliette Balconies are child-safe, as long as the balustrades are close enough together.

It is very important to maintain a moisture-free basement. Unfortunately, homeowners who don’t take this fact seriously wind up dealing with a wide variety of problems, including serious health-related risks. One of the best ways to avoid a damp basement is proper ventilation by using a product such as the Wave unit. Unlike a dehumidifier, the Wave unit is an affordable alternative that offers many other benefits. Here is a quick summary of the problems that can arise from inadequate ventilation, and how the Wave unit can help.

A damp basement is the ideal breeding ground for toxins, pollutants, and gases. These substances grow and foster fungus, mold, and dust mites. Mold is very harmful to your health, and black mold can be deadly. In addition, allergies and respiratory ailments can arise or become worse. However, the Wave unit reduces indoor moisture levels and offers continuous air exchange for improved air quality. Regular dehumidifiers only recycle the same air over and over. In addition, dehumidifiers have been known to overheat and cause fires!

Besides the health-related risks associated with excess moisture in the basement, there is a host of other problems that can arise. One of the most obvious problems is structural damage to the home, including deterioration to its foundation. Unfortunately, foundation and structural damage can decrease the appraisal value of your home.

Maintaining a dry basement offers a cleaner, healthier environment for you and your family. In order to maintain a dry basement, consider the Wave unit. This unit will reduce the risks associated with moisture and mold, and will give you the peace of mind that you need. The best thing about the Wave unit is that it is 90% less expensive to run than a dehumidifier! Wave Home Solutions offers the Wave unit, and many other innovative solutions, including water softener solutions and much more.

If you are searching for high-quality and stylish wicker furniture, then you might have already heard about Lane Venture. A furniture design and manufacturing company, Lane Venture has been producing casual home furnishings since 1972. The company is known for its indoor and outdoor wicker furniture collections, including a line of outdoor furnishings called, WeatherMaster.

What makes Lane Venture furniture a step above the rest is their innovative approach to wicker furniture. The company combines old-world handcrafting methods with the most advanced technologies of today—the result of which is a contemporary look that offers exceptional detail. Their products feature hand-tailored upholstering, handcrafted finishes, and a wide array of beautiful fabrics to choose from. The WeatherMaster collection, for example, offers natural wicker as well as modern synthetic weaves. Each outdoor piece is created with a patented drain through upholstery system, a complete five step finish system, and a seal and finish with weather-resistant weaves.

Wicker Paradise has long appreciated the quality and style that belongs to Lane Venture furniture. As part of our commitment to offer furniture that customers will be proud to own for years to come, you will find the entire line of Lane Venture wicker and rattan furniture at Wicker Paradise.

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