For those who don’t speak Italian, “Girotondo” is the word for a simple children’s game. You’ve no doubt seen the little paper cutouts that children have been making for generations. Designers with a delightful sense of humor adapted the design. The result? An entire series of household items that combine cheer and practicality like never before. Alessi Girotondo at its most basic.

In its simplicity, the Girotondo Keyring (AKK44) provides a perfect example. The section holding the keys forms a loop that resembles a child’s jump rope. The portion you hold with your hand looks like that little person. The result? Humor and that little shock of recognition. You see a familiar icon in an entirely new setting. Alessi Girotondo at its most basic.

Check out the Girotondo Magnet Set (AKK43). The little person stretches out to embrace all your important notes. Buy two and let them hold hands. Buy three and have a game of Girotondo. Buy six and imagine they’re a parachute team. There is no limit to the uses for this concept.

Now retire to the library with a good book. Take along your Girotondo Bookmark (AKK53). Yes, it will keep your place in a novel just fine. But it will also remind you to laugh a little every day.

Take Girotondo into the kitchen with you. Let it deliver the same joy and ease of a child in summer. The humble Breadstick Holder (AKK09) shows you how. Mirror-polished stainless steel pierced with that iconic shape is easy to clean. At the same time this item offers beauty and a sense of delight.

Extend the joy with a Fruit Holder (AKK05). The bowl is large enough to hold several apples, peaches or oranges but its functional value is only a small part of the package. Made of the same mirror-polished stainless steel as the Breadstick Holder, it creates synergy on your table.

Complete the design with a Girotondo Pepper Mill (KK48). The mill section is stainless steel polished to a high sheen. The rotor is in PA. Lovely. Simple. Top off the container with a Girotondo in blue or green and you have a work of art that does double duty as a spice dispenser.

Now relax in your home office after a fine meal. Girotondo follows you there, too. The Pencil Holder (AKK41) will bring a smile to your lips as you see it sitting on your desk. Look left and see your Girotondo Photo Frame (AKK22), with its little icons dancing around the border, just as your little one does in the photo. Use the Envelope Holder (AKK40) for all your correspondence and turn a dreary chore into a cheerful task, thanks to the row of Girotondo figures.

As you can see, there is no end to the uses to which this innovative design may be used. Let your imagination run wild and incorporate Alessi Girotondo products into your home decorating plans.

Technorati Tags: Bathroom, designer objects, drink, food, home accessories, interior decorating, interior design, Kitchen, office

Recent years have seen noteworthy improvements in the UKs energy efficiency. Although the low carbon economy progress is significant, increased efforts and more solutions will be required for many years. Sustainable development in this area is expected from the gas and electricity markets, and this must be accomplished with a consideration towards the impact on consumers.

Gas and electricity projects related to energy conservation and lower greenhouse gas emissions must meet Government requirements year after year. Power stations combined with industries and residences contribute 66% of the UKs carbon dioxide emissions. Programs piloted by the gas and electricity sectors in 2006 and 2007 resulted in an emissions decrease of 4%. These programs concentrated on coal to gas conversion and renewable energy projects.

Total energy consumption in the UK has decreased each year since 2005, with a 3% reduction in 2007. A 3% drop in electricity usage and 4% drop in gas usage were reported. In order to meet Government guidelines, the gas and electricity sectors must continue to accomplish improved energy efficiency each year.

One of the most difficult challenges for the fuel markets is to balance the move toward greener energy with the financial burdens placed on customers. Fuel prices have reached some of their highest levels in recent years, and some consumers have struggled to keep up with the escalating costs. This comes in the midst of one of the shakiest economic periods in recent history. Statistics reveal that in 2006, 3.5 million UK households were in fuel poverty, and 2.75 million of these were classified as vulnerable households. Fuel poverty households spend greater than 10% of their total income on fuel to keep their homes warm. Final reports of fuel poverty households for 2007 and 2008 have not been finalised, but estimates are that the increases in fuel poverty households were .7 million in 2007 and .5 million in 2008.

Ofgem, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, works with the Government and the gas and electricity markets to achieve the sustainable development targets established by the Government. Ofgem regulates the gas and electricity sectors to ensure that consumers are protected from unfair practices. This agency is particularly interested in helping fuel poverty households and has a goal of eliminating fuel poverty by 2018. Ofgem drives low carbon initiatives and facilitates projects aimed at meeting carbon dioxide reduction.

The gas and electricity sectors have achieved positive results from their efforts in the past several years to save energy, protect the nations supply of fuel, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and lower energy costs. Ofgem has played a large role in the energy sectors reaching and exceeding low carbon goals. Concentrated effort and further innovations are needed, however, in order to meet the Governments targets for continual improvement.

Technorati Tags: : home repair, Bathroom, boilers, business, construction, do-it-yourself, heating, high efficient, home, home improvement, mechancial electrical contractors, plumbers, plumbing, repair and improvement

Alessi offers a range of kettles that are works of art and utility. Combining both into a seamless blend of function and beauty isn’t easy. The company’s catalog offers a number of Alessi tea kettles that will convince anyone.

The Alessi 9091 kettle is a good example. A truly fine design can look contemporary, even though it might have been created in 1983. From the ergonomically designed black handle to the half-dome container to the superb brass spout, the 9091 is a work of functional art.

It was the first of Alessi’s designer kettles and they chose well for their debut, because even now this model is an outstanding pot. The polished stainless steel exterior holds a brass whistle that sings two notes - mi and si - when the water is boiling.

With a similar model number, but completely different design, the Alessi 9093 kettle is another superb example. First introduced in 1985, it has remained in the Alessi catalog because it continues to provide a contemporary style that never ages. Years from now it will look as up to date as the unimaginable designs of the future.

Designed by famed designer Michael Graves, the Alessi 9093 offers a magnetic stainless steel bottom for the ultimate in stability and perfect diffusing. You’ll get plenty of use, too, from its spacious 200 cl (2 liters). Yet, with its powder blue handle and volcano-shaped pot, it lends true style to the kitchen. That style is topped by a humorous touch, thanks to the little bird whistle at the spout.

For the ultimate in style, consider the magnificent Alessi Il Conico kettle (# 90017). It seems impossible that it should have joined the Alessi family so far back as 1986. The sharp cone-shaped pot made of mirror polished stainless steel seems to have emerged only yesterday from the designer Aldo Rossi’s drawing pad.

The handle - a sturdy L-shape seamlessly integrated into the cone - provides both easy lifting and a delicate touch that never detracts from the design. That makes the Il Conico something you’ll want to feature on the stove at all times. It will never be hidden away into the cabinet to be used only at preparation time.

Reach for the ultimate fashion statement with architect Frank Gehry’s Pito kettle. Characteristic of this architect’s unique work, the mirror-polished pot is asymmetric. This piece of art will generate many interesting conversations around the stove as you wait for the water to heat. It remains a highly useful kitchen tool, all the same.

With unique mahogany wood handles designed on a sea life motif, one whale forms the handle while the other provides a spout with a truly distinctive whistle. The Alessi catalog contains many distinctive designs, but the Alessi Pito kettle stands out even in that collection.

No one purchases a kettle based on an artist’s name alone, of course. But that name is recognized because of the many stylish and innovative products that hail from their imaginations. Alessi electric kettles demonstrate that with ease, even to the most severe critic.

Technorati Tags: Bathroom, designer objects, drink, food, home accessories, interior decorating, interior design, Kitchen, office

Have you ever stopped and wondered why your bathroom vanity is such an important element in your latrine? The biggest reason it has a higher value placed on it compared to all of the other fixtures in the bathroom is because you have total control over it. You choose where to put it and how large or small of one you need. There are just a few small things you might want to look into when you pick out a brand new vanity. The entire theme of your latrine may rest solely on the type of vanity you choose.

Many of your visitors will have the opportunity to check out your latrine during their visit. The two main items utilized in a bathroom are of course the toilet and the bathroom vanity. No matter how hard they try though they just can’t keep from looking at themselves in the mirror before they head out of the latrine. When the mirror is positioned properly (at eye level) on the wall directly above the vanity all your guests can use it when they feel the need to.

When you pay a visit to your friend’s latrine what do you pay the most attention to? Usually it’s the same thing you focus on in your latrine. You can always take their ideas home and use them for your own latrine design. The centerpiece of any latrine should be the bathroom vanity because it is in an area where the mirror hangs over the sink and where you wash your hands.

To show your guests that you really have a sense of style, you need to decide on the perfect piece for your bathroom, the bathroom vanity. This piece and the mirror which is hung above it are the two biggest and most notices things in any bathroom design because every guest uses this before leaving the room. Sometimes your guests are also thinking about doing some redecorating of their own bathrooms and they are out looking for decorating ideas. Just remember before you make any big decisions when embracing the notion of choosing a particular mirror above your elegant bathroom vanity that it needs to fit into your color scheme and also your decorating theme.

Various things while cross your mind when deciding on a new vanity. The amount of area it will take up and also will it go with the sink, shower and the toilet that are already installed. The bathroom vanity is located over the vanity so you decide exactly the right size of a mirror that will look best and the amount of room you would like it to take up on the bathroom wall.

Additionally, they will notice if your bathroom vanity resembles a public restroom as it is just a sheet of glass, so you need to make sure you make an effort to slightly theme your restroom. If you have wooden floors for example you may want to choose a wooden trim for the mirror which can be purchased inexpensively if it is fake wood, but at least will match.

Your guests admire the amazing lighting that is placed above or beside the new bathroom vanity mirror because it will help them get the full feel of the room. With the matching trim and the new cabinet of the vanity matching it gives of the effect that you want in your newly themed bathroom. With all of the time and the effort you have invested in searching and seeking out the appropriate mirror you will want to showcase it like a masterpiece in a spotlight.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Bathroom, bathroom cabinet, bathroom decor, bathroom furniture, bathroom vanities, bathroom vanity, cabinets, decor and design, home accessories, home decor, mirror, shopping

The variety of under cabinet lighting fixtures that is available you can choose from is vast and ever changing. Any consumer in the market for under cabinet fixtures should look for a store that offers a large selection of lighting fixtures before settling on a provider and take advantage of the huge variety of styles to choose from.

Under the counter lighting can be decorative or a form of utility lighting that is used for different many purposes in a variety of locations. One of the most common of these purposes is in commercial and household kitchens where good lighting is essential for functionality, safety and hygiene. Kitchen cabinets tend to produce dark spots which can prove dangerous when chopping and preparing food. For this reason, many people take advantage of the benefits of under counter lighting options to remove these dark areas and create a safe, clean area.

A kitchen needs to be clean and this can be difficult to maintain in poor light. Good lighting will provide the vision needed to clean counters and work spaces well. It cuts down the risk of food contamination and makes sure that there are no little hiding places for lazy people to sweep dirt into or for vermin to hide. As well as preventing risks, really good lighting will enhance all that hard work of keeping the area clean by show casing your beautiful kitchen.

Under the cabinet lighting fixtures are usually hidden from sight so that only the effect of the light is visible. Costs can be cut as you will not have to spend money on fancy, decorative fixtures. Under the cabinet lighting fixtures are simple to install and often mean that energy savings are available because they use more efficient lights like LEDs. While these energy savings may seem small in the short term, they can add up to hundreds of dollars over a long term period.

Low energy: Under the cabinet lighting fixtures are best when they are small. In this way they will not use too much energy. In fact there are different types of lighting that can save you money.

There are different types of lighting for under the cabinet lighting fixtures, some can give off different effects to others for very contrasting results. So, in some circumstances you may need to choose a single type or a combination.

* Puck lighting: small track lighting that can be directed at a focal point. This can be used to enhance decoration pieces in niches or accentuating other parts of a room.

* Fluorescent light bulbs: These are the best option for utility under cabinet lighting fixtures. They are low energy light bulbs, but they give a generous amount of light that is clear and bright. Fluorescent bulbs are very useful for kitchen counters or other areas where good lighting is needed. Wet bars and bathrooms are other good places to use fluorescent lighting, as these rooms usually have over counter cabinets that create shadows and really come into their own with a touch of creative lighting.

In order to find what you need you will be wise to seek out stores that have a large selection of under the cabinet lighting fixtures. You can find these online by searching in Google. The bigger stores will have picture galleries so that you can get an idea of what you need before you go to the store.

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If you stop into a home improvement store in your area, you might be suprised to see a whole section devoted just to bathroom design ideas. In years past, bathrooms consisted of a shower, toilet, and sink and that was pretty much it. Now though, bathroom design is big business and you can make your bathroom as fancy as you want by adding any number of upgrades.

New gadgets from Japan such as toilet seats that are warm and mirrors that don’t fog are only a couple things you can put into your modern bathroom. There are new ideas coming out all the time for all rooms in the house and the bathroom is no different. Before you and sink your last dollars on upgrades though, you might remember the purpose of the bathroom remains the same: a place to take a shower and sit on the toilet!

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to redesign your bathroom and do a good job of it. Yes, iyou can spend a lot on buying the latest faucets, sinks, mirrors, and tubs but it is not a requirement to have a great looking bathroom. Although you can probably buy almost anything for the bathroom now days sometimes simplicity is the best choice. If you are creative, you can find a lot of inexpensive bathroom accessories that will do wonders for giving your bathroom a totally new look. Even if you don’t have the money to spend, you can update your bathroom by doing things like changing the paint color and adding a couple of new rugs.

The kitchen seems to be the most popular room to give a facelift to but the bathrooms are right behind. If you want to find some of the best bathroom design ideas, you can look for them in home improvement magazines or by going around your city and going in open houses. If you go to some of the higher end homes, you will see all sorts of cool bathroom designs as well as walk in showers and saunas.

Even if you don’t have the money to make that kind of high end upgrade, it is worth going to open houses just to get some of the unique ideas that you might be able to make a variation of. The best ideas are ones that you find in other homes where you can see how it all looks. The more time you spend planning things out before you start making changes to your existing bathroom, the better your chances will be that everything turns out great.

Technorati Tags: Bathroom, bathrooms, decorating, design, diy, home, house, interior decorating, interior design, showers, sinks

A new comforter can freshen the look of any bedroom; if you’re ready for a change, consider the benefits of discount comforter sets. Spending more than you need to on your bedroom set is an unnecessary mistake. You can find stylish comforter sets that offer great quality at low prices.

The newest, full-price comforters and their matching pieces are designed with today’s standards of style and luxury in mind. As consumers, we can lose sight of the fact that style and quality hasn’t changed much in the last few seasons, and some styles are classics. Once new comforter sets come out, their predecessors become discount comforter sets.

When a design or style is discontinued by the manufacturer, that comforter set also ends up on the discount rack. These same sets are made by the companies we rely on to produce quality except now they are available at a fraction of the price. Instead of buying the newest comforter set that has trended through our home and bedding stores, buy discount comforter sets that come in silk, satin, goose, and cotton from the sets that are no longer being sold.

If you like to shop at the stores and be physically present, check their clearance sections for discount comforter sets. Although you may find that your choices are a bit more limited, you could find the perfect style for you at prices up to 50% less than you would have paid a month ago. Often, you can look on the web for your favorite stores. If you find a style you like, but your store doesn’t have the right size or color in stock, you may find a larger selection of discount comforter sets online. If they don’t have it in stock, your chances of finding it are slim to none.

You can also find lots of discount websites online that specialize in offering great prices on clearance and discontinued items, including discount comforter sets. You can find all of your favorite brands at great discounts online.

Saving money is important to most everyone and buying discount comforter sets is one way to remain comfortable, stylish and still have quality bedding that will last for years to come.

Technorati Tags: bed and bath, bedding supplies, Bedroom, bedroom accessories, home and garden

It is good to have the convenience of fast shipping in a company. There is nothing more annoying than waiting around for your lighting fixtures. When you order your fixtures for your business you know that you will need them as soon as possible. Time is money in business and you cannot afford to be delayed due to slow shipping issues. Plus when your shipment is delayed you have to spend hours on the phone with the company or worse still the shipment service.

Your goal here should be pretty simple. You want the best lighting for your business at the best price. You then want it delivered WHEN the company originally says it will be done. After all, if you’re running to a strict plan and you might have someone organized to fit those lights when they arrived. Buying locally can be one thing, but what if you’ve purchased your fittings over the web?

The age of the company will have a bearing on the speed of the shipping. If the company is new and does not have very much information about the company on the “about us” page this may indicate that you are dealing with a middle man, rather than the company. This may delay shipping, when you go through a middle man.

Background information is usually available for most businesses either in their paper-based advertising (like yellow pages) or electronic in the form of a web page. A business that has been operating for a number of years is best.

It is no good saving time shopping online if you are just going to be stonewalled by slow shipping. So remember to do your research well. The extra time that this takes will be well worth the effort. You can check out company information on the “about us” page. Here you will find all the details about the company, including how long they have been in business. Shipping and handling information can be found in the FAQ section or in a special place under shipping and handling.

Fast shipping is a sign of a good company. One reason is if they offer fast shipping it will indicate that they have your fluorescent lighting fixtures in stock. This means you do not have to back order and wait for ever for your items. There is nothing more aggravating than being told that the particular style of lighting fixture you want is out of stock.

Another reason is they have an efficient shipping department that operates well. It means that your shipment will not get lost or damaged. Therefore you place your order with confidence, knowing that your shipment will arrive as promised and in perfect condition.

So do not put up with shipping hassles when you really do not have to. You are the customer and you deserve the best. Good companies will share this sentiment and supply you with quick and efficient shipping and handling. After all, the better they treat you the more likely you will be to come back and recommend them to others.

Technorati Tags: advice, business, decorating, Decorating Tips, ecommerce, guarantee, home, home improvement, internet, lighting, online, purchasing, remodeling, shipping, shopping

The single most important element in your bathroom is the vanity. It is considered the main piece of furniture in your restroom. It is also the main decorative item. The toilet and tub are also important but they are permanent fixtures due to pipe layout.

This is because the vanity is the one item that is most likely to get noticed inadvertently the most, because people love to check their images in the mirror before they leave. Even if you do not consider yourself vain, you probably take a glance up at yourself while washing your hands. This means that after the necessity items, the bathroom mirror garnishes the most attention from your guests.Now keep in mind that the bathroom is one of the most trafficked areas of your home, and you can see why you will want to take some time on the most important element of your home restroom.

After all, if you knew there was one place in your home that all your guests would have their undivided attention, wouldn’t you want to make sure it was perfect? Since you now know ironically that is in the bathroom at your vanity, you will want to make sure the mirror you pick exceeds expectations.

If the vanity is incorrect size then the layout of the entire bathroom will be off balance so when choosing a decorative mirror that is positioned over the vanity without any problems. The basic idea in figuring out what size your mirror needs to be, which can be made by measuring the sink. There is no reason to overpower the vanity or the mirror this why balance is important when design your bathroom.

If you choose a smaller bathroom vanity which has a large sink, it can allow a couple of accessories to help accent the trim of the cabinet. For instance, if you are interested in choosing a wood framed mirror, you may want to look into purchasing some wood potpourri containers which will enhance the wood accents and also add a delightful scent and sense of style throughout your bathroom.

If you have a smaller type of sink, you should not leave an entire bathroom wall blank. With a smaller bathroom vanity, it will make the bathroom look emptier than it really is because of the excess amount of space that is available on the walls. You may feel that you will need to select a style of mirror that is a couple of feet larger width wise than the vanity.

If you continue to match the items in your bathroom with the wood on your bathroom vanity and the towel colors, you will quickly watch the room start to come together. To further accent the room, you may choose either silver or gold etching on the glasswork of the vanity depending on what color your fixtures are.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Bathroom, bathroom cabinet, bathroom decor, bathroom furniture, bathroom vanity, cabinets, decor and design, home accessories, home and garden, home decor, mirror, shopping

Most bathroom remodeling projects start by focusing on the bathtub and shower. By changing your shower you can actually change the look of the whole bathroom. Redesigning your bathroom shower does take a lot of planning, however there’s no reason that it can’t be done on a budget.

When you are deciding which bathroom shower you would like to install it is important to understand exactly what you are trying to achieve. You should have a plan in mind with accurate measurements so that you are sure everything will work. It’s always a good idea to locate your shower where the plumbing already exists, this will make the project much more reasonable.

There are a lot of things that you have to decide other than just choosing the shower and where you are going to put it. You should also choose the shower head that you want to use, you could opt for a traditional model or go for one of the multi-jet heads. You also need to decide on some tiles for the shower area, both floor and wall tiles will be needed. Alternatively you could use a premade unit which does not need tiling. Then you will decide if you will use a shower door or shower curtains.

Choosing a Shower Stall

When you are remodeling your bathroom you can make the project a huge success just by choosing the right shower to start off with. There are so many options available it is important you choose the right one. You will also have to choose toilets, tubs and vanities to tie in with this shower. You should bear in mind all of your other bathroom fixtures and fittings when deciding on your shower stall. Ideally you want to coordinate your shower with everything else in your bathroom so that it all fits together nicely.

Your shower will hopefully become the focal point of your bathroom, this is after all what will grab everyone’s attention. There are many popular shower designs including glass frameless doors, or even no doors. Glass doors without frames allow plenty of light in while also looking clean and modern. Many newly built homes have large showers which are tiled and have attractive glass doors.

Ultimately the decision about your bathroom shower is completely up to you, when you have decided you should make sure that it goes with everything else in your bathroom. Bathrooms work very well if everything matches and works together, otherwise you could end up with a mixed room. Creating a unified look will make your room much more attractive. It is possible to mix different colors of metal, however to be safe it’s probably best to stay with either gold or silver since everything will be uniform this way.

Technorati Tags: Bathroom, home improvement