A Man's View of Home Decor Decorating

There are a few men out there who simply cannot understand a woman`s need to decorate (and redecorate) their home. And shopping for furniture? That gives most men a sharp pain - usually in the area of their wallet.

Just think of home decorating in terms of "guy stuff"! You know that little flutter in the stomach when you see a fully-restored, cherry red, vintage muscle car? Complete with air-brushed flames? Chrome everywhere? Well, women can get the same flutter looking at a vintage armoire, dresser or sideboard. (Well, ok…we don`t get quite as excited if it is covered with air-brushed flames and chrome!)

So the next time your wife or girl friend brings home an antique table…think Shelby Cobra! And for some men, hunting or fishing mean the thrill of the chase or the big catch. I have felt that same thrill when finding the perfect fabric or just the right painting for a room. (And I didn`t have to put up with the mosquitos!)

So when your wife brings home new metal art piece for your mantle, or wall decor….think of it as a big game trophy! Remember the fun and excitement you feel when watching football or hockey? Your wife can feel the same excitement watching Trading Spaces or Extreme Home Makeover! (Some rooms score a touchdown, others are fumbles, and yet others are definite fouls!) So rather than complaining the next time your wife watches one of those home improvement shows, think Super Bowl!

Yes, home décor is a sport! Games of "New Paint Bingo" and "Antique Auction Sprint" are being played daily in your neighborhood. So instead of discouraging your wife, support her with a few cheers like: "Way to go with that red trim, honey!" "Stuff that pillow! Stuff that pillow!" (No need to don the short skirt and pompoms!) Now, if I can just get the man in my life to buy this, I can start on that new bedroom décor. Honey? What do you think of Bubble Gum Pink paint?!?

Try suggesting a room that you can decorate with metal art wrought iron in a rustic, cowboy, western, southerwestern, or lodge decor. This will be something that can be shared in the family. Click on the title to link to a site that will give you ideals for this type of decor. Click on the following link to see gift ideals for decorating in these themes https://secure3.ntwebb.com/smokymountainmetalarts-com/ecommerce/items/catBrowse.asp?browse=9&searchby=ItemName&p=deer&submit=GO%21.

What Butterflies need other than nector?

It seems whenever the word butterfly is mentioned it is immediately connected with the word nectar. This is entirely appropriate, since nectar is without a doubt the primary food source of butterflies.

There are, however, additional elements some butterflies need to augment their survival. Butterflies will seek these needs until they find them, whether in your garden, your neighbor’s, or in their natural habitat. Unfortunately, their natural habitats are dwindling, either from adverse environmental changes or from the need for man to develop still more homes, factories, and roads. However, zealous butterfly gardeners can provide or help restore some of these important elements.

About puddles for butterflies, remember how much you enjoyed playing in puddles when you were a youngster? I surely do! I went out of my way to walk right through a puddle, rather than skirt around it. Even knowing I’d get into a peck of trouble from my dad or mom for getting my only pair of shoes soaking wet didn’t stop me.

Unlike children, butterflies don’t need puddles simply for play. Neither do they need them for cooling off--they prefer shady places for that. Why then do they need water from puddles in addition to nectar? Do they just get thirsty from imbibing all that sweet nectar? Read on, my friend, for more on butterfly puddles.

In researching this question, I found several answers. Referring to one of my previous articles, Gardening for Flying Flowers, you will find a brief outline of the anatomy of butterflies. The butterfly`s mouthpart, or proboscis, is used to probe for and drink nectar from flowers. Their proboscis is like a long, spiral-like tube and works in a remarkable way, similar to that of an elephant’s trunk. As the butterfly forces blood into this spiral-like tube, it then becomes straight. This type of mouthpart means that the butterfly feeds primarily on liquids as opposed to their caterpillars, which have chewing mouthparts.

There are certain minerals that some butterflies, such as swallowtails, sulfurs, and blues need that are not provided in a diet of nectar alone. These minerals are found in standing water, or mud puddles. On learning this, you may be inspired to dash right out into your garden and make a mud puddle or two so your butterflies can get their daily “mineral fix.” Not a bad idea! Just another healthful way to attract butterflies to your yard.

You have probably noticed butterflies drinking from almost anyplace they can find water. Maybe you’ve seen them fluttering around your drippy outdoor faucet, or checking out a water sprinkler that left a small puddle. In natural habitats they often drink from the edges of streams or beneath waterfalls. I found it remarkable that butterflies release the water they drink almost immediately after drinking it. Yet amazingly, they manage to absorb the minerals they need in the process.

There is yet another reason why butterflies--especially males of certain species--enjoy puddles. They love to congregate at puddles, much like men in many parts of the world enjoy gathering at Starbucks™ for a great cup of espresso! Can’t you just picture a flock of these colorful fellows perched around their favorite puddles, perhaps discussing the latest reports about the price of nectar and such? Or, are they maybe gloating about which female they just won for their mate? I’ll leave this up to your imagination.
Simple puddle-making ideas

There is really no specific way to create a puddle that is better than another. The best puddles are probably natural puddles formed after a gentle rain. But who wants rain every day just to please a butterfly? Or, what if you live in an arid area where rainfall is sparse?
Butterfly puddles can be created using most any type of containers that will hold water. These can be clay or plastic flower pots, buckets, milk or juice containers, or any similar container that holds a half gallon of water or so. Select a spot where the container won’t be in your way, but will be easy for butterflies to spot. Choose a nice sunny spot, as this is what butterflies prefer. Dig a hole deep enough to bury your container to the top of its rim, then fill it with a combination of small rocks and soil. Use the soil from your garden, as it contains the minerals butterflies seek from puddles. Consider creating several puddles in different areas of your yard. Even if you have a very small yard with just some flowering planter boxes, you can still create “puddles” and place them nearby. Butterflies don’t care how large your yard is; they only care that what is in it meets their needs.

Next, fill your buried container with water. Do this for several days until the soil in it becomes saturated, leaving a standing puddle. Continue to check the container often, making sure it always contains standing water. If watering your yard with a sprinkler, the container will usually get enough water to maintain a daily puddle. Otherwise, simply add water regularly with a hose or watering can. Either way, it won’t be long until butterflies will begin to frequent your “handmade” puddles.

If you don’t wish to create permanent puddles, choose an area where you can make several shallow depressions in the soil in different places using a spade or your hand. Following a refreshing rain or an irrigation session, water will stand in these depressions long enough for butterflies to find the puddles. Although butterflies are very self-sufficient, enthusiastic butterfly gardeners can help by supplying this one simple thing--a puddle!
Basking areas--what and where?

Have you noticed that butterflies are rarely seen on cloudy days? This is because all insects are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperatures like we humans. Gardeners should also provide areas where butterflies can bask when it is sunny and warm. This helps to warm their wings for flying. Basking areas can be made by interspersing several flat rocks in your flower beds. In rural areas, an old tree stump, a log, or a piece of driftwood will serve as a perfect basking spot.

Another popular basking place can be made right in your birdbath by placing several smooth flat rocks in it for butterfly landing strips. They will love sitting there with folded wings just to rest and warm their colorful wings. Butterflies have many natural instincts that serve them well in all weather conditions. Wise gardeners need only provide their props!

Cover and shelter for Butterflies need protection from wind, weather, and predators. They like shady places such as trees, shrubs, or vines where they can sit to keep warm on cool or cloudy days. Both shelter and cover can be easily provided by blending areas of shrubbery, trees, or rockeries into your landscape design. When taking cover from predators, butterflies also hide in such areas. Mother Nature has been extremely kind to butterflies, and the gardener can be her greatest helper!

Butterfly feeders as a nectar supplement, Butterfly feeders have become very popular and many garden centers and catalogs sell them. They differ in design from hummingbird feeders in that they provide a flat surface on which the butterfly can land easily. Butterflies have a keen sense of smell and are attracted to nectar in feeders just as they are to flowers. Nectar mixes can be purchased or made from sugar and water. It is critical to clean butterfly feeders regularly as this prevents deadly bacteria from growing in the nectar. Some enthusiasts using butterfly feeders have seen both butterflies AND hummingbirds attracted to them. What could be more delightful than seeing both “flying flowers” nd “jewels of the sky” sipping sweet nectar together?

Also look at a masterpiece art sculptures for the butterfly garden by Smoky Mountain Metal Arts at https://secure3.ntwebb.com/smokymountainmetalarts-com/ecommerce/items/catBrowse.asp?browse=1&catid=32 to see beautiful metal art wrought iron benches for the lawn and garden. Sit and enjoy butterflies in the flower garden while relaxing in your own Butterfly Rest Bench.

Fire Place Design and Tools

Moved into a new house with a fireplace to decorate? Or maybe you have used an inexpensive fireplace toolset for a couple of years and it is already falling apart. Here are a few tips to guide you when buying new fireplace tools. We`ll look at both decorative and functional considerations to help you make your choice.

On the decorative side you need to consider the set`s materials and style. By far the most common materials for toolsets are brass or iron, which you will find alone or combined to make sets from casual to very formal.

Traditional Brass Tools Solid brass sets tend to be more traditional and formal looking. You often see them gracing fireplaces in Williamsburg and other early American sites. Brass sets have a variety of finial treatments from simple ball to elaborately turned tops, to suit a range of decorating styles.

Although some handmade wrought iron sets are equally pricey, the most expensive sets tend to be made from solid brass. The rich color, satisfying heft, and brilliant finish of a well-made solid brass set can be truly beguiling. Sometimes, to increase strength and to cut costs, solid brass sets have tools shafts made from steel sheathed with solid brass tubing.

Brass toolsets in the middle price range are usually a little lighter weight and have less hand finishing than the most expensive sets. The better ones are hard to distinguish from the most expensive sets. They represent a good value and can last a lifetime.
At the lowest price level are brass plated steel sets. They are often used as promotional sets and are generally not suited for regular heavy use. They may be practical, however, as a decorative accent for a fireplace that is not used frequently.

Iron Toolsets Can Be Casual and Decorative Iron toolsets have gained popularity along with more casual trends in decorating. However, just because they are more casual does not mean that they cannot be decorative.
Handmade wrought iron sets can be decorated with scrollwork, leaves, and other details. Even machine made sets can have stamped accents and gracefully curved handles. Some iron sets combine the beauty of brass handles with the durability of steel shafts and tool ends.
Individual Tools or Set?

Functional concerns include whether to buy individual tools or a set with a stand, how the handles and tips attach to the tool shafts, and the design of the tools. Considering how you intend to use the tools will increase your long-term satisfaction with your choice. The individual parts of a toolset include the poker, shovel, broom, tongs, and stand. If you use your fireplace infrequently, you may decide to buy only the individual tools that you use most with hooks for hanging at fireside. A poker is generally the most popular tool. In addition to a stand, three-piece sets include a poker for adjusting logs in the fire, and a shovel and broom for cleanup.
If you use your fireplace a lot, look for a shovel with a larger scoop and a broom with a full set of stiff bristles to make ash removal easier. Four-piece sets add a pair of log tongs for folks who really like to play with the fire. The grabbing end of the tongs has either two or three points of contact with the log. While the two point tong is more traditional, the three point style makes log moving a little easier.

The same information on finishes for the fire place screen can also be valuable, wheather to buy Brass or wrought iron. If the propose is for an inexpensive screen then there are many brass plated designs to choose from.

Wrought iron design metal art fire screens will last longer and add more rustic beauty to your log home, cabin, or lodge.

Additional articeles of information on gardening, home decorating, outdoor living, Cabin building, cabin decorating and more.

Rustic Decorating in the Home, Cabin or Lodge

One of the fastest ways to add a dose of interest to a home is to bring in some texture . Rustic furnishings do that with charm and style. Rustic used to mean `rickety and cheap`, but rustic style is all grown up and now borders on sophisticated and trendy.

Beautiful woods, polished logs, and twiggy charm, metal art, wrought iron has made rustic one of the most popular styles in the market today.

If you love the look of rustic furnishings, here are some tips on adding it to your own home. Since rustic furniture is extremely textural , add it in small amounts. An entire roomful may be too much to take in, while a few pieces allow each item to stand out and be a star.
For example, you might add some bent willow chairs around an old oak table, or include a few pieces in a cozy fireplace grouping.

Warm up rustic seating pieces with cushions and pillows. These will soften the chairs visually and provide an additional level of comfort. Fabric will also serve as a unifying element to tie in a rustic piece with other items already in the room.

Metal art decorative switch plate covers add functional rustic decor to any log home, cabin or ski lodge. These designs can be found made by Smoky Mountain Metal Arts. Choose from hundreds of designs and styles.

Consider using rustic accent pieces such as tables, mirrors, coat racks, coat trees or other bathroom accessories in guestrooms and powder rooms like metal art vanity lights and towel bars where interest and charm is especially appreciated. Smaller spaces like this can be theme-decorated in a rustic style around a few interesting items like switch plate covers, key racks, bathroom towel bars, rings, tissue dispensers in metal art designs, without committing yourself to an entire house full of rustic decor.

In the den, kitchen or living area, consider using a metal art design window valance with moose, deer or bears to complete the rustic decor in the log home, cabin or lodge.

For further information, please visit see: http://www.smokymountainmetalarts.com