September 2nd, 2010
 Designing an art studio in the home can be a hassle, because amateur and professional artists alike often require peace and quiet to better concentrate on the work at hand. However, trying to find a corner of the house that is peaceful and available is easier said than done.
Another important aspect of an art studio is the lighting. Experts suggest that full spectrum lighting is crucial to any artist, whether they’re painting or drawing, because it allows complete visibility of the color palette.
Calm, neutral colors should be applied to the walls and ceiling, to minimize distractions. However, if you need to get the creative juices flowing, try hanging inspirational or interesting items from the walls.
An uncomfortable floor can make painting or drawing almost impossible. Standing in place for a long time at an easel can especially be painful for those with back or foot problems.
One way to treat aches that are the result of long periods spent standing in place is to step onto a Gel Pro Chef’s mat. By providing extra support for the contours of your feet, these mats can alleviate much of the pain that is associated with standing.
And, artists will be glad to know that spilled paint won’t compromise this product’s effectiveness – it may even give it a unique appearance of its own! 
Posted in Gel Pro Chef's mats | No Comments »
September 2nd, 2010
 Labor Day weekend is approaching, which means that many homeowners are preparing to host friends and family for a cook-out out on the porch, before the weather becomes too cold for outdoor meals.
To start the celebrations, you should contact guests to determine their food preferences. Consider the different appetites of young children, too, because they usually won’t be able to finish a full hamburger, and may prefer simpler fare, like grilled cheese sandwiches.
If calling the invitees is too much of a hassle, try to arrange a buffet that includes a selection of fruits, vegetables, meats and salads. Buffets are a great way to cut down on the time spent serving each meal and ensure that the cook can enjoy the party along with the guests.
Labor Day bashes often go late into the night, and decks, porches and patios can be difficult to properly illuminate. For this reason, Brown Christmas Lights may be the ideal lighting solution, since they can be wrapped around railings and outdoor furniture so that the whole area is lit by a soft glow.
They can also be strung along gardens to add a radiance to flowers and bushes. 
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September 2nd, 2010
 We just started to stock the Rack Sack system and the Rack Sack refill bags again. About 5-10 years ago the system started to disappear from the market, but now Etrufix has started to make the Rack Sack system again. For those of you that purchased the Rack Sack frame at your local hardware store or Bed Bath and Beyond about 5-10 years ago you probably got frustrated when you couldn’t find the Rack Sack refill bags.
When Bed Bath and Beyond stopped carrying the Etrufix Rack Sack system, Etrufix started to wonder if they wanted to still make the line. About a couple of years ago Etrufix started to manufacturer the Rack Sack system. A year ago Etrufix started to roll out a more aggresive distribution strategy. When we, at hardtofinditems.com, saw that Etrufix started manufacturing the Rack Sack system again, we knew this was the perfect niche item for our website.
The Rack Sack system includes some upgrades over the old system. The new Kitchen Rack Sack frame is adjustable to fit either 3 or 5 gallon size bags. Both the kitchen and the bathroom rack sack frame now have a compartment in the lid to hold 25 extra Rack Sack Refill bags. To complement this new compartment in the lid, the Rack Sack refill bags come in packs of 25 no matter whether you purchase a 25 pack, a 50 or a 100.
In just a couple of weeks of selling the Rack Sack system we have had numerous people call mentioning they are so glad they could find someone that was stocking the Rack Sack refill bags. They had purchased the frame at Bed Bath and Beyond, but was no longer able to get the special Rack Sack refill bags at their local Bed Bath and Beyond.
We’re glad to know we could help!
Tags: Rack Sack, rack sack bags, rack sack frame, rack sack refill bags
Posted in Rack Sack | No Comments »
September 1st, 2010
 Labor Day Weekend is almost upon us, which means that homeowners across the country are likely to be having family and friends over to celebrate. Those with Big Green Egg grills may be especially keen to have a barbecue, since the weather will soon turn a little chilly in many parts of the country.
If you’re planning to host a party, it may be wise to diversify the foods that you grill. Hamburgers are the main staple of most barbecues, but some of your guests might prefer healthier fare, such as salmon or chicken.
Big Green Egg accessories can be very useful additions to a Green Egg grill, because they make it easier to specialize meals. A Big Green Egg Plate Setter is a great investment, because it will allow you to cook on their Big Green Egg indirectly. Indirect cooking is the best way to grill if you are concerned about retaining enough moisture with your meats and poultry.
Big Green Egg suggests that the plate setter should be one of the first accessories purchased for the grill. Not only is it necessary for indirect cooking, it is used in conjunction with many of Big Green Egg’s other accessories, including the baking stone.
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September 1st, 2010
 Hosting a Labor Day party can actually involve a lot of labor itself, especially when it comes to cleaning and decorating. Many homeowners want to make sure that their homes look impeccable before guests begin to arrive.
Lots of planning can help eliminate the stress of these preparations. By attending to the details of the party little by little, over the course of the next few days, individuals can cut down those last-minute additions during the night before or the day of the celebration.
Homeowners who are pressed for time should focus their efforts on the most visible areas first. Counters, tables and floors should be swept, mopped and vacuumed, but the spaces behind couches or around a desk can safely be ignored.
When the visitors do start to arrive, they could immediately dirty your newly clean abode. One way to make sure that they don’t track dirt into the house is to lay down a Coco Mat in front of the door.
These mats, which are woven from 100 percent coconut fiber, are extremely durable and will work to trap debris that would otherwise get carried into a home. With a little preparation and the right products, you can kick back, relax and enjoy your long weekend. 
Posted in Natural Coco Doormats | No Comments »
August 31st, 2010
 The first thing that guests see when they are visiting a home is likely to be the front garden. Shrubs, flowers and fruit trees can add splashes of color to the front entrance of a residence while also showing off the hard work of the individuals who live there.
If you’re hosting a Labor Day party, you may want to be sure that the garden is in prime condition before visitors start to arrive. Not only does this mean trimming or weeding any areas that require attention, it also means protecting a garden from wandering wildlife.
Deer are particularly a nuisance, because they can devour ripening fruits and vegetables, as well as destroy the flower petals which would otherwise cast a rainbow of color in the yard.
Liquid Fence, one of the most popular animal repellents on the market, may be an ideal option for those who are prepping for a garden party. This product boasts a biodegradable formula which will make a garden and other vegetation unappealing to deer and rabbits.
If you do choose to apply Liquid Fence, be sure to use it two or three days before the actual occasion, because it could emit an unpleasant odor that will last a day or two before disappearing. 
Posted in Liquid Fence | No Comments »
August 31st, 2010
 School is about to start and teens across the country are getting ready to go to high school. With that in mind, it may be a good idea to provide your own adolescents with an area where they can go after school to unwind.
Designing a teen lounge for your home doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming, especially if you have a spare room, such as a basement or garage, that can serve as the gathering space.
Before undertaking the task, be sure to consult with the teenagers themselves, who may have ideas about what they want the room to look like. Ask for their input regarding the color of the walls, the style of the couches and the function of the room itself.
Some of the basic necessities for a teen lounge include a comfortable couch and a few chairs, as well as a television. This setting will allow teens to watch movies late at night without bothering the other residents of the house.
Lighting can be tricky in darker rooms such as basements, attics or garages. White wire lights are a versatile and practical way to light these spaces. By hanging them along the ceiling or wrapping them around rafters, you can create soft lighting for a teen lounge that is affordable and easy to install. 
Posted in White Wire Lights | No Comments »
August 31st, 2010
 Shelly’s Diner is one of the Department 56 Original Snow Village’s best selling pieces of all time. It was introduced in December of 1999 and is still in the line for 2010. While Department 56 has had numerous pieces that have stood the test of time, but many of them were retired for a while and then reintroduced. Few pieces have made as long of a run as Shelly’s Diner has without being retired for a while.
The Original Snow Village collection is modeled after the 1950’s US suburban communities that started poping up everywhere after the end of World War 2. When you recollect on the 1950’s you think of the standard middle class communities that were filled with cookie cutter houses along with a central business district that was patronized by the community for all their shopping and entertainment wants and needs. One of the staples of these 1950’s communities was the classic diner! For that reason, the iconic design of Shelly’s Diner has been a piece that most Department 56 Original Snow Village series collectors could not be without.
Shelly’s Diner features a free standing, flashing sign and a traditonal diner design with patrons sitting down inside enjoying some of America’s most famous pastime foods.
Deapartment 56’s Shelly’s Diner retails for $110. More than the average Department 56 village piece, which usually ranges from $75-$90. The price of shelly’s Diner hasn’t stopped individuals from buying every piece we buy each year for our retail location Rollier Hardware and our online business, www.hardtofinditems.com.
Tags: Department 56, Department 56 Original Snow Village, Department 56 Snow Village, Original Snow Village
Posted in Christmas, Department 56 | No Comments »
August 30th, 2010
 The Bona brand has been around since 1894, when the 26-year-old Wilhelm Edner opened a grocery store in Sweden that specialized in floor wax, which was a new innovation at the time, according to Bona.com.
Five years later, floor polish, mop oil, dry floor cleaner and other products were added to the list. These same traditions have been held and improved upon time and time again, and Bona hardwood floor cleaning products have been a staple for professional cleaners since 1919.
In recent years, this family-owned company has taken significant steps to give back to communities around the world. It was the first manufacturer in the industry to create a cleaning line that has been certified by GreenGuard in regards to indoor air quality.
This means that Bona hardwood cleaning products are not only easy on floors, but they are also likely to emit fewer fumes than other brands.
The water-based cleaner is less harmful to the surrounding environment than most others, which have harsh chemicals that can degrade the integrity of a hardwood floor and become more toxic.
If you want an effective, environmentally-friendly product that will guarantee a long life for hardwood floors, you may want to consider Bona cleaning products. 
Posted in Hardwood Floor Care | No Comments »
August 30th, 2010
 The end of summer means that leaves across the country are changing, falling from trees onto the ground or, in some cases, into gutters. This can present a problem during storms, when wind can carry debris into gutters so water doesn’t flow properly.
If water overflows from gutters, it can cause damage to the gardens below or the paint on your home’s outside walls and porch. It can also seep into the basement and cause long-lasting structural damage or leaks.
Gutterbrush Gutter Guard offers a solution to these problems because, simply by installing the product, homeowners can prevent the build-up of falling sticks and leaves of autumn.
This particular gutter protection system is easy to clean, because all you have to do is remove it from the gutters and spray it down with a hose. This will effectively purge the product of debris.
The Gutterbrush Gutter Guard will also drastically reduce the number of times homeowners are required to maintain gutters in the spring and fall, because they are less likely to be clogged.
This product’s flexible design allows it to be fitted into almost any kind of gutter, and it comes with a 25-year guarantee. 
Posted in GutterBrush Gutter Guard | No Comments »
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