Here is a great article about the advantages of decorating with a double sink vanity. Have a read and feel free to contact us with any decorating or product questions you may have. Leave a comment or e-mail to uniquevanities@msn.com.
Archive for the ‘Lifestyle’ Category
Double Sink Vanity Article
Friday, November 6th, 2009Julia’s Favorite Quotes
Friday, April 24th, 2009“Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks. It’s just a matter of how you view them.”
- Unknown
A Green Tip for April
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009Green Tip of the Month: Keep your air conditioning inside the house this summer (and heat in the winter) by insulating your doors and windows with weather stripping. You can save up to $100 per year on utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint as much as 1,600 pounds annually.
For more simple green tips like this, check out The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time. We love it and think you will too!
Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips Day 4
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Here are a few more spring cleaning tips using all natural solutions.
Toilet: Use Borax, sprinkle in your toilet bowl and let sit over night, use a toilet brush in the morning and flush the dirt away. Borax helps remove rust stains.
Glass and Windows: Mix 1/4c vinegar, 2c water and a squirt of Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe with newspaper for a streak free clean.
Chrome Bathroom Vanity Faucets: Rub a small amount of toothpaste onto your fixtures and buff with a soft cloth until they shine.
This information was found in the April 2009 edition of Real Simple Magazine – one of my favorites!
Chrome Vessel Sink Faucet $125
Cleaning Your Stone Vessel Sinks and Countertops
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Cleaning your natural stone vessel sinks and countertops can be a challenge because you must be careful of what you use. Abrasives and chemical based cleansers can mar and etch your beautiful stone. You can purchase mild stone cleansers from home product stores, but here at Unique Furniture, we like to make our own cleanser. It’s mild and natural.
Natural Stone Cleanser:
1/4 cup grated soap flakes
-Use a 100% pure soap such as Ivory or Fels Naptha
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 tsp. scented oil
-This is optional to give your cleanser a nice scent
Clean 16 ounce squirt bottle
Pour the soap flakes into the hot water and mix until fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool for five minutes then add the scented oil.
Pour the cooled mix into the squirt bottle. Spray onto surface and wipe clean with a soft, non-abrasive rag or towel.
*Recipe adapted by Unique Furniture Online from Reader’s Digest Homemade
How to Buy Furniture Online?
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009Or any big ticket item? There are several things you should take into consideration when purchasing online. Some of these apply to any purchase, while some tips are specifically to larger items, such as a bathroom vanity, bedroom suite, chandeliers, etc.
Here are the basics:
How did you find the store online? A referral is by far the best way to purchase on line; a friend or family member that has done business with the online retailer who can share their experience. If a referral is not available, then how did you find the store? Organic rankings are usually the safest , which is the list of sites that come up on the left side of your computer screen when using a search engine (such as Google, Yahoo, etc). A company that is organically ranked, meaning they got there through a natural process of site optimization and being relevant to your search keywords, is a good bet. There are brand new companies that advertise on the advertisement networks, which is paid advertising, and is usually on the right side of your screen or listed under Sponsored Ads. You can find reputable companies that just haven’t been online long enough to be getting organic rankings.
Is there contact information easily found? You need to know that its easy to contact customer support if needed. As extra precaution, call their customer service line. Your intuition will tell you if you feel it’s a reputable company just by chatting with the person that answers the phone (if they answer!).
What are their policies? Read all available policies, including return policies, damage policies and freight policies. One of the biggest challenges in ordering large item s, especially furniture, is freight damage. You want to make sure that the company you purchase from is quick to remedy freight problems.
One thing to remember, if you pay with a credit card and have any problems, your credit card company will protect you. They cannot protect you against things such as, you just don’t like the item and want to return it at no charge. But they can help you if you have any manufacture defects or freight problems that the retailer is either slow or reluctant to assist with.
Buying online has opened up the door to accessible product for so many people, especially those that live in smaller towns with fewer options. I have been purchasing online for several years now, and continue to feel comfortable doing so. But I do my homework first. And it is something we pay special attention to in our business, ensuring that our clients feel comfortable and confident in making an online purchase.
73" Double Vessel Sink Bathroom Vanity - $2,899
Cleaning Wrought Iron Chandeliers
Monday, April 13th, 2009
Spring has sprung and we continue our spring cleaning tips today with some insight on taking your candle chandelier from dusty to dazzling. Cleaning chandelier light fixtures can be tricky because of the intricate designs and filigry.
What you need:
1. Two or three basins (depending on the size of the chandelier and how dirty it is)
2. Dishwashing liquid (or commercially sold cleaning agent)
3. Glass cleaning fluid
4. Soft, non-abrasive washrags
5. Rubber gloves
6. Step ladder to reach the chandelier, especially important for cleaning the frame and arms
7. Large towel or sheet (depending on size of the chandelier) to catch any drips when cleaning the sections on the ceiling. If you have a large piece of plastic handy, you can place this on the floor and place the towel or sheet on top of it. If you fear that some of the crystals may fall, fold some towels and place around the base of the ladder to provide cushioning just in case.
The Process
1. When working on anything with an electric current be sure to unplug it first. The best option for a chandelier is to turn off the breaker.
2. Carefully remove the light bulbs and light covers from the fixture. Do not expose the light bulbs to any liquid. Rather, consider wiping them off gently with a clean soft cloth after they have been allowed to cool and place the clean bulbs on a soft towel until you are ready to screw them back in. Microfiber clothes work well for this.
3. Fill one of the basins or kitchen sink with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the frame and decorative arms with soapy water.
4. Prepare a clean basin of water and add a little detergent. You will need it to wash the crystal droplets and light covers from the chandelier. Have another container of warm water to rinse them in as well. Add about a half cup of ammonia to the rinse water. This will make the crystals sparkle even more.
5. Removing a few of the crystals at a time will make it easier to remember where you took each one from. The crystal pieces may look alike, but it will be easier to replace them in the exact place they were taken from. Agitate each piece in the soapy water and rinse. Dry them carefully with a soft rag before replacing them.
6. Switch on the breaker and examine your handiwork.
Your wrought iron chandeliers will be beautiful and free of dirt, cobwebs, and the crystals will be shining.
As you work, check for loose or raw wires and rusted or damaged pieces. If you do not have electrical training, you may consider having a professional Electrician look at them.
Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips Day 3
Thursday, April 9th, 2009Here are a few all natural home made cleaning solutions you can use on your bathroom spring cleaning project:
Faucets: To remove lime scale, rub lemon juice on the taps and let sit overnight. Wipe with a damp cloth.
Shower Doors: Wipe scum covered shower doors with a few drops of lemon oil twice per month to prevent build up.
Marble Countertops: Mix 1 tbsp liquid Castile Soap with 1 q warm water. Dampen a soft cloth, wipe down, wipe off and dry with a clean cloth.
Bathroom Sinks, Showers, Tubs & Ceramic Tiles: Create a homemade soft scrub solution by mixing 1 tbsp liquid Castile soap with 1/3 cup banking soda.
Toilets: Mix 2 tsp tea-tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray the inside of the toilet rim, let sit for 30 minutes and scrub.
You can also put a few drops of your favorite scented oil inside your toilet paper tube so every time you grab a few sheets, the scent will be released.
This information was found in the April 2009 edition of Real Simple Magazine – one of my favorites!
Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Over the month of April, I will add tips on how to spring clean your bathroom.
Lets begin with “Out with the Old & In with the New”
Start with your bathroom vanity make-up drawers/bins. Throw out anything that looks or smells bad, then look though expiration dates. Even the most organized people keep this stuff past its prime. Most products have a life expectancy of 6 months, such as mascara, some last a little longer – foundation can be good for a year, and lipsticks for up to two years. If you do not use the product, then consider giving it to a friend or family, or donate it (only if it’s never been used).
A quick tip to keep track of how long you have had a product is to put a sticker on it with the date you opened it. This will make your next cleaning project simpler.
Bathroom-Vanity-Cleaning-Tips
Julia’s Favorite Quotes
Monday, March 23rd, 2009“Everyone you meet knows something you don’t. Be willing to learn from them.”
- Unknown
