Slack Rock» Home Decor

Working with Wood Post Caps

admin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 18:59:23 +0000

As a contractor I am always looking for ways to help homeowners make the most of their improvements or new construction. With so many things that can go wrong, one thing I have found that always goes over well and is very affordable are wood post caps to finish off the look of a fence or deck. Most people just don’t know why post caps are so important to the life of your fence and deck. However, capping off the top of these posts stop critters from boring into the softer part of the wood as well as keep water from seeping into the pores of the wood. Both of these lead to damaged posts and damaged post lead to weaker fences and deck and we don’t ever want those to be weak!

Lately I have installed solar post caps on two properties and they have also worked out great. One was out in the middle of nowhere so the solar lighting was placed on the entrance to the property as well as the fences. Since you don’t have to run wires the installation was easy and the property owner was happy. It doesn’t get any better than that.

The Beautiful Flowering Bougainvillea Loves the Warm Weather

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:53:47 +0000

Some indoor bonsai trees can survive outdoors during the warm summer months, but that’s not true of the Flowering Bougainvillea bonsai. This indoor bonsai tree needs to stay indoors at all times unless you live somewhere that has a very warm climate. Even then, it may be best to keep your Flowering Bougainvillea inside. Because of their amazingly pink, delicate looking flowers, many people enjoy adding Flowering Bougainvilleas to their bonsai collection. The flowers look almost like paper, giving the Bougainvillea the nickname of Paper Flower. The flowers are actually the bracts that grow at the tips of the stems. The leaves themselves are a nice green color that looks great even without the pink “flowers.”

The Flowering Bougainville does need some extra care and attention. Because it hates the cold, you need to keep it in an area where it gets plenty of warm sunlight. Be sure it isn’t left in chilly weather for too long or you may not be able to nurse it back to health. Because of this, while it’s certainly a beautiful flowering bonsai, those just starting out may want to go with something a bit hardier until they feel that their bonsai growing skill has improved.

Surpassing the Jones Greenhouse

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:30:44 +0000

Last year my parents, the Jones’, retired and bought a Rion Silverline 6 x 8 Greenhouse to take their gardening hobby up to the next level and it has been a resounding success. For two people who knew absolutely nothing about gardening in a greenhouse, they have had to read and learn a new style of gardening. Since they are both avid gardeners and were really into it, they have been able to grow some of their own food throughout the year as well as experiment with some of my mother’s wonderful flowers.

Their only complaint has been that they did not purchase one that was big enough. So my brothers, sister and I went in and bought them a Rion 8 x 20 Hobby Greenhouse for their anniversary in late November since they love the Rion they currently have. We were going to replace it but instead have left the first one where it was and installed the new one beside it. They were so excited; you would have thought we bought them a house or something. We had it up in a little over a day and they could not be happier!

The Wonderful William Morris Angels Tapestry

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 22:37:38 +0000

People love to place beautiful objects in their home and make it look pleasant. People collect variety of objects like antique furniture, art pieces, exquisite glassware and other such objects to display them in their home. Some people use paintings and wall hangings to make a room come alive. You can even use tapestries to make your walls look beautiful, vibrant and lively. The William Morris Angels tapestry is one lovely artwork which was originally designed by Burne-Jones in 1878. This wonderful tapestry is a beautiful representation of historic time and also celebration of the Angel of the Annunciation. This art piece looks lovely with the dark color background against the lighter colors of the Angels.

If you are love decorating your house with beautiful wall tapestries, then this wonderful piece would surely make your room look lovely and colorful with its rich colors. You can buy this item for yourself or gift it to your friend or relative who cherishes such items. Your friend will surely be delighted with such a thoughtful gesture and will love this lovely item. You can have a look at this lovely tapestry and order it by going to www.decor4u.com.

The Perfect Combination; Flowers and Compost

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:59:40 +0000

If You are looking forward to planting flowers this fall so you can have fresh cut flowers throughout the holidays, I have a couple of suggestions that can help you grow wonderful healthy flowers. If you are going to grow your flowers inside in containers or a greenhouse, you can grow just about anything you like. However, for those who are limited to growing in raised flower beds outside this time of the year, do some research and discover what flowers do well in your region or area and stick with those types of flowers.

I do hope you have a compost barrel or tumbler of some kind so you have access to some high nutrient soil to give your fall flowers everything they need to grow strong and healthy. Of course, if you don’t compost, you can always get some good organic soil at your local garden center. Mix this new soil in with the old and turn it until you have a good rich mixture and plant away. Most flowers will not need any type of extra protection unless the weather is unusually strange for this time of year. I homemade or bought cold frame might come in handy for that situation and you can find a lot of choices on the internet.

Summer Your Bonsai Outside But Watch the Night Temps

admin — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:55:50 +0000

I’ll bet the English were the first to take tropical and subtropical plants and trees and try and keep them alive in a colder climate by bringing them into winter shelter. My only reason for thinking that is because of the reputation that the English still enjoy as your quintessential over-the-top garden lovers. I could be wrong, but I guess it doesn’t matter. Whoever thought of it first really did the rest of us plant lovers a big favor and I for one will be forever in their debt. But just because we need to shelter our plants from the winter, it doesn’t mean that they have to hide from the summer too. All my plants spend the summer outside and that’s especially true of my indoor bonsai trees.

The one thing though that you absolutely have to pay attention to is the night temperatures. Don’t bring your trees out too early and don’t leave them out too late. I have a few horror stories from making both mistakes. Just because the nights are frost free, don’t take it for granted that your tropical bonsai tree won’t be seriously set back by a night in the 40’s.

Outdoor Décor with Iron

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 21:59:25 +0000

It’s amazing how long iron will last! I have some iron trellises that my grandparents used in their flowerbeds for years prior to my inheriting them. I have been using them for almost ten years now in my yard and gardens. I have painted them several times to change the look of the garden but have not done anything else for them to last this long. In fact, I have been so pleased with the iron trellises that I look to purchase almost everything I use outdoors made with an iron or metal material.

I have had some of my plant stands for years as well and they stay outside year round. I do buy the wrought iron décor that has been powder coated, so it does resist rust. I find hanging brackets, pot holders and numerous pieces of outdoor furniture made of durable iron and have always been pleased. Some of them are art pieces as well and you can find some incredible garden benches and seating sets that are comfortable and spectacular. Iron is also a natural material that has and will be around for years.

A Greenhouse has a Big Impact

admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:32:27 +0000

We live in a very arid climate, do not have much space in our dusty little yard and up until recently had not much luck growing anything. I love to grow flowers and ornamental so a bed of cactus and rock formations just was not satisfying my green thumbs. So what’s a girl to do? Get a greenhouse! What about the tiny yard? Get a mini greenhouse! So we purchased a Rion Silverline Mini Greenhouse that came with a base, the vent and a rain gutter kit. The “snap glass” panels are 200% stronger than glass and provide 100% UV ray protection. By hooking up a drip system to keep the soil moist I now have lush beautiful plantings growing like crazy and another nice feature of the Silverline Greenhouse is that it’s just so pretty to look at.

It’s so refreshing to step into my mini greenhouse and soak up the delicious moistness of the air and the lovely scent of lush green plants. I confess I spend a lot of time dawdling over my plants just to enjoy the atmosphere. When we moved here I thought “well there goes my days of growing gorgeous plants and flowers” but thanks to the greenhouse that hasn’t been the case at all, it has been a real blessing.

Tapestry, Fleurs d Iris

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:53:19 +0000

Looking for the truly unique? Look at Tapestry, Fleurs d Iris at Decor4u.com. This stunning wall hanging shows a beautifully detailed depiction of an iris plant coming into bloom. The amazing gradation of color on the flowers and the foliage gives them a special intensity and depth. The only other element is an ethereal butterfly drifting toward the blooms. The rich blues of the irises are set off wonderfully against a background shading from ocher to palest yellow. A rich blue border with a delicate gold floral motif completes the picture. This special piece was adapted from a Native American watercolor circa 1635. If you want wall décor that adds bold color and is truly one of a kind, Tapestry, Fleurs d Iris is for you.

Tapestry, Fleurs d Iris is part of the Floral Tapestries collection at Decor4u.com. Enter the Tapestry Shop and select Beautiful European Tapestries. It has been fashioned by expert French weavers in a cotton and viscose blend and is offered in two sizes: 17 inches wide by 26 inches high, 28 inches wide by 45 inches high. It features a full lining and sewn rod sleeve. Dry clean.

Monet’s Irises Tapestry

admin — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:04:07 +0000

Claude Monet (November 14,1840 – December 5, 1926 ) is widely regarded as the founder and leading proponent of the French Impressionist movement. In direct opposition to the rules of academic painting, Impressionism moved painting out of the studio and into nature. Monet’s favorite flower was the iris and the ones depicted in Monet’s Irises are ones that he grew near the pond at his famous house and gardens at Giverny. These tall, sinuous flowers and their foliage seem to be swaying in the soft breeze. You can see the short brush strokes of pure color used to delineate each element of the composition. All this has been exquisitely captured, down to Monet’s trademark signature, in Monet’s Iris Tapestry and is ready to add distinction to your walls.

For more Tapestries from Europe or to own this lovely piece, visit Decor4u.com. It can be found in the by Famous Artists section of the Tapestry Shop. The tapestry measures 38 inches wide by 44 inches high and is woven of 100% cotton. It provides a rod pocket for hanging and may be dry cleaned. Take advantage of the opportunity to save 5 percent on your purchase by signing up for Decor4u.com’s instant coupon.