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.

Double Sink Vanity Article is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Julia’s Favorite Quotes is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips Day 4 is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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

Cleaning Your Stone Vessel Sinks and Countertops is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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

How to Buy Furniture Online? is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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.

Cleaning Wrought Iron Chandeliers is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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 Day 3 is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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

Bathroom Spring Cleaning Tips is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Julia’s Favorite Quotes is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

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!

Green Tip of the Month is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

CatalogChoice.org – Lets you opt out of catalog mailings on an individual basis

Call 1888-5OPTOUT to cut down on junk mailers besides catalogs

OptOutPrescreen.com – decline unsolicited credit card offers

Source: Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach

Save Trees & Energy – Stop the Junk Mail is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Decorative mirrors have always been used to add that special touch to a room. No matter how beautiful the mirror, if it is dirty and discolored, it will add nothing to the décor. However, because of their ornate and sometimes intricate designs, they can be hard to clean and to keep clean. To ensure that decorative mirrors maintain their beauty and last for years, the right material and cleaning procedure must be used. 

Helpful Home Tips: Cleaning Mirrors is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Green Tip of the Month: Wash your clothes in phosphate free home made detergent. It’s easy, better for the environment, and it will save you money.

Recipe:

2 cups Borax

2 cups washing soda, such as Arm & Hammer

1 bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated

Fels Naptha can be found in the cleaning aisle of most major grocery stores.

There are many versions of this recipe available on the internet, but this one is the simplest and I find that it works quite well.

Mix to combine all ingredients. Put them in a food processor and pulse for an ultra-fine mix.

Use 1 tablespoon for a regular load, and use 2 tablespoons for a heavily soiled load.

Be Green & Thrifty is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Master Bathroom

Ultimate Bathroom Makeover Ideas is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

One of those things is what if your home caught on fire? Most people think that having homeowners insurance is enough to protect themselves. But in all reality, the most challenging thing people are faced with when their home is damaged in fire or storm is a true inventory of everything they own.

There are two ways to approach this from a planning perspective:

  • You can hire a person to comes to your home or 
     business and takes inventory, including serial 
     numbers and descriptions of all your possessions.
       o This can be very helpful if you own items of 
           high value.
       o Its proof to the insurance company.
       o This also helps you determine if you have enough
           insurance coverage.
  • The other is a very simple thing you can do on your
     own–take pictures or video of your home.
       o This is probably easiest for most of us without
           the expense of a professional.
       o We tend to accumulate a lot of stuff throughout
           the year, make this part of your new year to-do
           lists, and do it annually.
       o Be sure to keep a copy in a safe place.

The chances are small that you will be a victim of an event such as a fire or tornado, but it can happen. And being prepared at least helps us when filing an insurance claim.

How to Prepare Yourself for a Fire or Storm is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

That got me thinking about a book that I’m currently reading. It’s called The Green Book, by Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas M. Kostgen. It is filled with hundreds of tips on small changes you can make in your everyday life that will make an impact. It’s written in a bulleted style and each chapter is broken down by major areas of life including home, entertainment, travel, and more.

Oh, and the book is made from 100% recycled materials! 

What We’re Reading is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

I am always looking for small ways to be a little bit more green. Sometimes those same little tricks also save me a little money, so that’s nice too. I hope you find these tid bits as helpful as I do.

Did you know that you can get nearly twice as much life out of your computer printing paper? Don’t throw away your used paper, simply turn it over and print on the back. I keep a pile of fresh, clean paper for items that are being sent off and a pile of recycled scrap for in-house printing.

Did you know that repairing or replacing your leaky fixture can save as much as 10 gallons of water in a week? *

Did you know that lowering your thermostat by one degree can reduce your heating energy costs by up to four percent?*

*www.treehugger.com

Tips for Being Green is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures

Tie the Design of Your Room Together: Remodeling and decorating can be a fun experience allowing you to put your personal touch on your home. However, if you’re not a professional designer, bringing it all together can be a challenge.

Start simple by creating your color palette. Draw inspiration from nature, a work of art or photo, or even an accent piece that you want to incorporate. Collect color swatches and don’t be afraid to mix and match.

*www.epa.gov

Helpful Home & Design Tips is a post from: Bathroom Vanities, Decorative Wall Mirrors & Chandelier Lighting Fixtures