by: Tom Heatherington
In case you haven?t noticed, the world is ?going to hell in a handbasket?. No one knows where that phrase comes from or what it means exactly, but the implication is understood by anyone who hears it - that things seem to be out of control. If you watch the evening news, read today's headlines, or listen to the radio then you know what I am talking about. The world is going to hell in a handbasket. So what does the world?s demise have to do with the title of this article? That?s easy, in a world out of control, there's just something miraculous about logs that creates peace and tranquility in my life.
If that sounds a little bizarre to you, permit me to explain. Your house may be of a contemporary design, or a Mediterranean style bungalow, or perhaps you make your home in a French chateaux, but for me there is no warmer, or more peaceful environment than a log home richly decorated with rustic and log furniture. I call it my ?Norman Rockwell effect?.
The late Mr. Rockwell had a distinctive painting style and his prints portrayed an optimistic depiction of everyday life in America. Even while the world was at war and our nation was climbing out of the great depression, Rockwell had an uncanny knack of reinforcing what was really important to ordinary Americans. The imagery his pictures produced inspired us to be decent people and live a good life. They evoked a feeling of calming and harmony. I experience that ?Norman Rockwell effect? every time I walk into my cabin in the woods.
There is this undefined something about a log home and log furniture that literally transfixes me in an extraordinary way. How best can I describe this to the uninitiated? When I look at a wall constructed of logs, I get a sense that it vibrates at a different intensity than the rest of its surroundings. No, I am not some new-age metaphysical tree-hugger, I?m a guy who appreciates natural beauty and I connect with things created from logs.
Consider if you will that a pine log and a 2x4 (or 2x10, etc.) are both wooden building products of the same matter and used for the same purposes. However, if one were to erect a wall using both materials, there is no similarity in the visual experience, the character or any aspect of the two walls. The logs with irregular lines, bold grain, conspicuous knots and uneven coloring produce a visual rendering that Mr. Rockwell strove to achieve with every brush stroke. To me, logs exude a sensation of warmth, of strength, a sense that all is right with the world? and that is a lot to expect from a dead tree.
So what is it about logs that give me this near spiritual experience? I think it is an implicit appreciation of a sense of perpetuity, of history, strength and permanence. America was built from logs. The first structures erected across this land were more often than not constructed of logs. For hundreds of years, people carved their homes, shops and churches from the wilderness using the most plentiful resource available, trees in their natural form. In addition, we Americans like to be noted for being individualists, and at a time when most of the population live in city apartments or suburbs with cookie-cutter houses, a log home sets one apart from the crowd. In that same rationale, log furniture is not generally available at ordinary furniture stores. One must venture out to the wilderness (or at least exit the shopping mall) to find quality log and rustic furniture.
Okay, I will admit to having some plastered walls in our home and yes, we even have several furniture pieces that one might label as ?conventional?, but visitors to our home invariably remark about our log furniture and log accents. To date, no one has yet to compliment us on our marvelously plastered bathroom.
I began this dissertation with a clich? about our world going to hell in a handbasket, and how that related to my love and appreciation for all things log. I am confident that my opinion on both matters is sound. We inhabit a turbulent and chaotic planet, but I live in a log home with hand-made log furniture. For that reason, all is right with my world. Now don?t anyone turn on that darn TV while I?m reading my old issues of the Saturday Evening Post.
About The Author
Tom Heatherington is author of "The Complete Small Business Internet Guide". He is principal of The Webunet Group, and founder and editor of the http://www.logcabindirectory.com and http://www.logfurnituredirectory.com.
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Kids Furniture - Shopping Tips to Create the Perfect Child Bedroom
Kids Furniture - Shopping Tips to Create the Perfect Child Bedroom
by: Michael Holland
There are all different types of kid?s furniture that you can purchase to go with the theme of their room.
However, regardless of the type of furniture you obtain for your child, you will want to make sure that it allows them to move comfortably; does not take up too much room so they still have a nice, safe play area; and is easily accessible to them.
When purchasing kids furniture there are a few aspects you will want to keep in mind.
They are the following:
1. The size of their room.
In other words, how much space you have to work with.
You don?t want to overload your child?s room with furniture.
2. The theme of the room: is their furniture that will match?
For instance, if you are doing a fairytale room there is castle bookshelves.
3. The size and/or age of your child.
If you are purchasing...
Furniture > Kids Furniture - Shopping Tips to Create the Perfect Child Bedroom
Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life
Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life
by: Bob Benson
The best thing about old furniture is the new life you can give it. It doesn?t take much talent ? just a little creativity and patience if you?ve never taken on a furniture project before.
Accept this challenge: instead of throwing out that old chest of drawers from your child?s room, think of a new use for it. Recycling furniture can be a lot of fun, plus it?s a
good way to get a new look at a fraction of the cost. If you are not happy with the finished product, start over or then give in to purchase a new furniture piece.
Think about that old chest of drawers. Is there a drawer that?s broken? Maybe you can take out that drawer and create a shelf from the opening. Would it make a nice TV stand if it was just a little taller? Consider screwing finials that you can find in your local discount store onto the bottom to create ?legs? or ?feet.?
And never underestimate the...
Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life
Furniture > Ideas to Give Old Furniture New Life
Outdoor Patio Furniture
Outdoor Patio Furniture
by: Cat Greenbriar
Deciding what to buy: Cost, Quantity, and Location
It?s time again to spruce up the outdoors. When purchasing patio furniture there are several important factors to consider that will determine the type and the cost of patio furniture you choose.
First, it is important to consider the cost. There are so many options to choose from, ranging from very cost effective, to very high end furniture. An important option to consider is buying bulk. If you have a large outdoor patio, buying in bulk will ensure across the board coordination of your patio set. You will always have extra seating for entertaining, without having to pull out the old mismatch patio chairs that get packed away in a shed.
Second, determine the size of the area you plan to furnish. Are you just looking for a small patio set, or do you want to furnish all 3 decks and the pool side area? Ordering in bulk, you can have a variety...
Outdoor Patio Furniture
Furniture > Outdoor Patio Furniture
The Four Smartest Ways to Spiral Your Website Traffic
The Four Smartest Ways to Spiral Your Website Traffic
by: Cari Haus
People are paying pretty significant dollars for website traffic these days.
Pay-per-click charges of $1-10 are not uncommon for top search terms.
Multiply that by the 300 unique visitors per day that my log furniture website gets, and you are talking at least $300 per day, or $9,000 per month?depending on how many days are in the month.
?There Must Be Some Easier Way?
While pay-per-click may be a good business model for your website, there?s nothing like free traffic to lay the foundation.
My log furniture site used to get 100 unique visitors per day before it started fetching in 200, and now 300 on an average basis.
The personal goal here is 1,000 unique daily visitors?but 10,000 would also be welcomed!
Following are some of the best ways we have found to grow website traffic:
#1:
Website Optimization
A local...
The Four Smartest Ways to Spiral Your Website Traffic
Furniture > The Four Smartest Ways to Spiral Your Website Traffic
Commercial Patio Furniture
Commercial Patio Furniture
by: Cat Greenbriar
Great patio furniture is a very important way to accent your business outdoor accommodations. Beautiful patio furniture is a perfect way to ensure your guests comfort and happiness while staying at your resort or business. If you own a major business or property, you understand the importance of buying quality patio furniture and a price that is suitable for your budget. By ordering commercial patio furniture at an affordable price, you in turn keep the cost down for your guests. ?and cost is the number one consideration consumers make when choosing a hotel, according to a recent survey by hotels.com.
Commercial patio furniture must be bought in bulk. There is typically an order minimum around $800. But if a major property is being furnish, an order can easily exceed this amount. When placing an order, it is important to plan well. How many balconies need...
Commercial Patio Furniture
Furniture > Commercial Patio Furniture
Direct Loans 101
Direct Loans 101
by: John Williams
Direct loans are convenient, flexible and simple. A Direct loan is a loan by a lender to a customer without the use of a third party. This type of loan enables the lender to have greater discretion in the distribution of loans. Typically the lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank or financial institution. The federal government provides four types of direct loan financing.
These direct loans vary...
Furniture student loans Direct Loans 101 Log Homes And Log Furniture ? The Norman Rockwell Effect
Furniture > Direct Loans 101
Furniture
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