How many times have you bought furniture and been told, “Your furniture will arrive in 4 weeks.” Eight weeks later, you’re still wondering when your furniture will arrive”It’s coming from China,” “It’s coming from North Carolina,” “There’s been a delay,” says the salesman.

Isn’t it interesting that the store never takes any responsibility for the delay? Don’t they do this for a living? This isn’t the first time customers have ordered furniture and the delivery has been delayed for weeks or months.

What is a customer to do?

This holiday season, if you are buying furniture,

(1) Make sure you ask when you will receive your furniture, if it’s not in stock. Then, ask them to put it in writing. Then, ask them to waive the delivery fee if your furniture is not delivered on time. See what happens. I’d be surprised if any store does this. If they did, they’d earn my loyalty as a customer.

(2) Before making a major purchase, check out the store at the Better Business Bureau online and see if any complaints have been filed against the store.

(3) Go online and do a google search to see what other customers have said. This way you walk in knowing what type of store you’re dealing with.

(4) Make sure your purchase is in writing, and actually read the papers they ask you to sign. You’d be surprised to learn about hidden fees and penalties that often appear in the fine print of a furniture sales contract.

(5) When you start making your calls to the store asking where your furniture is, keep detailed notes of who you spoke to, when you spoke to them, and the substance of your conversation.

Understanding your legal rights are crucial when dealing with furniture stores that don’t honestly tell you when you’ll get your furniture. Veteran New York attorney Gerry Oginski cautions buyers about large holiday purchases. “Ask lots of questions, and put all the details in your sales contract.” Learn more about your legal options at www.oginski-law.com, a website devoted to helping consumers learn their rights.

Attorney Oginski has been in practice for 17 years as a trial lawyer practicing exclusively in the State of New York. Having his own law firm, he is able to provide the utmost in personalized, individualized attention to each and every client. In our office, a client is not a file number. Client’s are always treated with the respect they deserve and expect from a professional. Mr. Oginski is always aware of every aspect of a client’s case from start to finish.

Gerry represents injured people in injury cases and medical malpractice matters in Brooklyn, Queens, New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. You can reach him at http://www.oginski-law.com, or 516-487-8207. All inquiries are free and totally confidential.

Play is what being a kid is all about. By creating a fun and functional child playroom we give our kids the best foundation there is. Sure there may be other rooms in the house where your children hang out to watch TV, play on the computer or play a board game with the rest of the family but none compares to the value of having an actual child playroom.

Having a room where imagination fuels the play is where it’s at. Child playrooms are all about giving your children the space and the equipment needed to inspire play. All children need is imagination and a child playroom to be creative in.

When it comes to creating a fun and functional child playroom it’s important to consider your child’s natural tendencies. What type of play does your child enjoy the most – is it arts and crafts, building forts, dramatic play, creating tall skyscrapers out of building blocks etc.?

Get input from the whole family regarding room design and set-up. Although it’s important to accommodate current interests and activities a wise parent also plans the space for future use. This is where it’s important to include adjustable shelving and incorporate lots of flat surfaces for future projects. A 5 year old will use a playroom very different from how a 10 year old would use it.

For more ideas on designing and decorating child playrooms visit http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net/decorating-child-play-room-decor-ideas.html

For a versatile child playroom and one that grows with your children keep the permanent elements in the room like tables, chairs and wall units basic. That’s the functional part.

The fun part comes in how you bring the room together with decorative accessories like fashionable slipcovers, wall decals, posters, and funky storage bins.

No matter their age, kids are natural magnets for stuff. Open shelving with lots of bins is often best way to go as it provides storage flexibility for now and in the future. Your shelving unit for the next few years may house a collection of storage bins filled to the brim with stuffed animals and building blocks and may later be replaced by books, board games and DVDs. As children get older many of them also like to display their collections of things. This is where open shelving comes in really handy.

If on the other hand, you prefer out of sight, out of mind storage when the kids aren’t actively using their playroom you may wish to consider armoires or storage cupboards to keep everything behind closed doors. It’s all a matter preference and what type of playroom you wish to create for your children.

Either way if you opt for open or closed storage you will want to make sure that any shelving units, storage cupboards or armoires are secured to the wall with toggle bolts and brackets.

Following are some creative ways to add a little fun to a functional child playroom space.

*In the craft area paint the chairs in different colors.

*Create a cushion floor using large multi-colored rubber puzzle pieces.

*Use a bulletin board for displaying artwork and posting special activity reminders.

*Turn baby wipe containers into great storage boxes for small craft supplies.

*For a great storage unit paint an old table and cover the sides with fabric to hide roll out storage containers of craft supplies.

*Revitalize old metal shelves with a little spray paint.

*Purchase unfinished shelves and paint them to match the room.

*To protect little fingers and bruises from hard edges consider padding your child’s toy box with quilt batting and fabric that matches the rooms d飯r.

*Create handy little cubbies by installing a few wooden shelving boxes here and there.

*Since kids love to play in enclosures consider purchasing a lightweight nylon tent, or making one yourself in a fabric that co-ordinates with the room. Another great idea would be to add some nylon crawl though tubes and cardboard house than can by decorated by your kids using paints or markets. Catalogues and magazines are a great source for ideas that you can adapt and craft yourself.

Sherrie Le Masurier is an organizing consultant who helps parents organize and decorate their children’s rooms. She is a member of Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and co-owner of http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net – Copyright.

Play is what being a kid is all about. By creating a fun and functional child playroom we give our kids the best foundation there is. Sure there may be other rooms in the house where your children hang out to watch TV, play on the computer or play a board game with the rest of the family but none compares to the value of having an actual child playroom.

Having a room where imagination fuels the play is where it’s at. Child playrooms are all about giving your children the space and the equipment needed to inspire play. All children need is imagination and a child playroom to be creative in.

When it comes to creating a fun and functional child playroom it’s important to consider your child’s natural tendencies. What type of play does your child enjoy the most – is it arts and crafts, building forts, dramatic play, creating tall skyscrapers out of building blocks etc.?

Get input from the whole family regarding room design and set-up. Although it’s important to accommodate current interests and activities a wise parent also plans the space for future use. This is where it’s important to include adjustable shelving and incorporate lots of flat surfaces for future projects. A 5 year old will use a playroom very different from how a 10 year old would use it.

For more ideas on designing and decorating child playrooms visit http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net/decorating-child-play-room-decor-ideas.html

For a versatile child playroom and one that grows with your children keep the permanent elements in the room like tables, chairs and wall units basic. That’s the functional part.

The fun part comes in how you bring the room together with decorative accessories like fashionable slipcovers, wall decals, posters, and funky storage bins.

No matter their age, kids are natural magnets for stuff. Open shelving with lots of bins is often best way to go as it provides storage flexibility for now and in the future. Your shelving unit for the next few years may house a collection of storage bins filled to the brim with stuffed animals and building blocks and may later be replaced by books, board games and DVDs. As children get older many of them also like to display their collections of things. This is where open shelving comes in really handy.

If on the other hand, you prefer out of sight, out of mind storage when the kids aren’t actively using their playroom you may wish to consider armoires or storage cupboards to keep everything behind closed doors. It’s all a matter preference and what type of playroom you wish to create for your children.

Either way if you opt for open or closed storage you will want to make sure that any shelving units, storage cupboards or armoires are secured to the wall with toggle bolts and brackets.

Following are some creative ways to add a little fun to a functional child playroom space.

*In the craft area paint the chairs in different colors.

*Create a cushion floor using large multi-colored rubber puzzle pieces.

*Use a bulletin board for displaying artwork and posting special activity reminders.

*Turn baby wipe containers into great storage boxes for small craft supplies.

*For a great storage unit paint an old table and cover the sides with fabric to hide roll out storage containers of craft supplies.

*Revitalize old metal shelves with a little spray paint.

*Purchase unfinished shelves and paint them to match the room.

*To protect little fingers and bruises from hard edges consider padding your child’s toy box with quilt batting and fabric that matches the rooms d飯r.

*Create handy little cubbies by installing a few wooden shelving boxes here and there.

*Since kids love to play in enclosures consider purchasing a lightweight nylon tent, or making one yourself in a fabric that co-ordinates with the room. Another great idea would be to add some nylon crawl though tubes and cardboard house than can by decorated by your kids using paints or markets. Catalogues and magazines are a great source for ideas that you can adapt and craft yourself.

Sherrie Le Masurier is an organizing consultant who helps parents organize and decorate their children’s rooms. She is a member of Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and co-owner of http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net – Copyright.

Technorati Tags: family relationships baby kids parenting

Looking for a cheap Christmas decoration for your home this year? Finding a few of these thrifty items can save you a bundle. This will give you more money to spend on presents for your loved ones. Following are five great places to find cheap Christmas decorations.

The first place to look for bargain holiday décor is the dollar store. You will be amazed by how many beautiful ornaments and holiday decorating treats there are in a store like this. Each cheap Christmas decoration you find there is nearly identical to more expensive versions found in craft stores and department giants.

I was using a Victorian theme last year and I found beautiful lace and crushed velvet ornaments in my local craft store. These ran between five and 20 dollars a piece. I just wasn’t willing to drop the cash especially because I was really hoping to buy just one cheap Christmas decoration.

My local dollar store came through. Not only did I find the lace and crushed velvet cheap Christmas decoration, I found many others to add to my collection. The great thing is that I was able to decorate my entire tree for about the same price as just one high end ornament at the craft store.

Another great place to find a cheap Christmas decoration or two is Oriental Trading. This magazine can be sent to your home or you can just shop online for the items. You can buy in bulk through this catalogue. You can buy sets that are prearranged or you can buy one cheap Christmas decoration after the next to build a unique collection.

If you are shopping online you might as well try eBay. This site offers tons of cheap Christmas decoration through resale or brand new. You can find great bargains at this online auction site.

Since you are considering buying a cheap Christmas decoration through resale you may want to visit a flea market or a yard sale. Many people like to unload their old decorations when they buy new ones. Most of the items were used for only a season and you can find high end quality for a fraction of the price.

The last place that I’m going to suggest is everywhere. You can find a cheap Christmas decoration at the most expensive store if you choose your time to shop wisely. December 26th is a great day to stock up on brand new holiday décor. The only problem is that you have to wait a year before using it.

Technorati Tags: holidays traditions christmas 

The cost of supplying energy to our homes is quite high. It can be overwhelming during the holiday season too.

Electricity is in great demand during this time of season and those of us who heat our homes with this power source find that the energy bill can be staggering during the holidays. Battery powered Christmas lights can help ease the burden on your energy bill this year.

There are many benefits of using battery powered Christmas lights. The first that comes to mind is that it is energy saving. Many of us like having a lot of lights glowing during this time of year. If you use battery powered Christmas lights you use less power from your home’s energy source.

Money-saving benefits are not the only reasons to use this kind of decorative lighting.  There are safety benefits when using battery powered Christmas lights as well. There are no worries about wires and tripping over the many electric cords lying around the house during this time of year.

Battery powered Christmas lights require no cords and you don’t have to worry about tripping. You also don’t have to worry about camouflaging the cords either. This can be a real challenge especially if you have hardwood floors. No cords mean no problem with disguising wires.

You also don’t have to worry about overloading your circuits by pulling too much energy from one socket. This is a big problem in older homes.

You can eliminate the worry about possible fires when too many wires are being used. Battery powered Christmas lights give you peace of mind. You can let the lights glow without worrying about sparking a winter blaze.

Those who like to adorn their homes with glowing lighting during the holiday season may want to consider battery powered Christmas lights. They come in really handy when you want to light an object that is too far from an outlet.

Technorati Tags: holidays traditions christmas 

There is no holiday decoration more traditional and elegant than a balsam Christmas wreath.

This classic of holiday décor is available through retailers who will deliver this icon of the Christmas season right to your home. The fresh Christmas wreath makes a wonderful present as well.

The beauty of the balsam Christmas wreath is in the pine needles. The luscious balsam fir tree is full and fragrant.

The decorating options are endless and you can come up with unique ideas for the welcoming icon of the holiday season if you put your mind to it.

Go to the nearest crafts store for great holiday decorating ideas and put together a theme for the fresh Christmas wreath. The theme is different every year. Here are some ideas that I have used in the past.

The “let it snow” theme uses blue and silver tones. Use a lot of sparkle and glitter on this design for the balsam Christmas wreath. There are large snowflake ornaments on the arrangement and place a little artificial snow on some of the lush fir branches.

The Santa Clause design is centered on the well-known character. Use different images related to Santa like a corncob pipe, cookies and milk and a Santa Claus ornament as well. Kids adore this arrangement.

Topping the list is the sleigh bell theme. Ring in the holiday season with lots of golden bells and red ribbons. This balsam Christmas wreath appeals to the senses. The sound of the sleigh bells and the red, green and gold colors are strongly tied to the season.  The scent of the balsam Christmas wreath is a memory booster as well.

No matter what you decide to do with your project, you can be sure that it will be well received if you choose the right foundation. Nothing welcomes the holiday season like a balsam Christmas wreath.

Technorati Tags: holidays traditions christmas 

Mallin Patio Furniture is a long established family business that specializes in outdoor furniture. They have different styles and materials for different environments, such as covered patio, open patio and poolside. The furniture is durable, most of the frames are aluminum, so it can cope with any sort of weather. You can order anything online and all the items carry a fifteen year warranty.

The furniture is placed in helpful categories to help you decide what’s appropriate for your needs. There’s a large choice of patio table and chair sets. These come in aluminum, wrought iron and wicker. You can also get Cushion style and a Sling style which is more reclining. It’s advisable to keep Cushion chairs under cover. The Strap design has a more casual, Summer sort of look. All the fabric Mallin Patio Furniture come in different fabric designs and colors. There are replacement cushions available if you feel like a change.

It’s fun to pretend you’re in a café, perhaps somewhere on the Mediterranean, and you can do this with the café style Mallin Patio Furniture table and chairs. They have a very European feel. You can customize your tables by choosing from the range of table tops, which include marble effect, tile top, stone, stone mosaic, aluminum and cast iron.

You may want some shade or shelter from the wind when you’re sitting out, and Mallin Patio Furniture includes the sale of patio umbrellas and umbrella bases. The umbrellas are traditionally designed and in a cantilever style.

For a more bar type area, suitable for by the pool, you can choose a bar set. This will contain high chairs and a bar, with a choice of materials. You may want to sit out in the twilight and Mallin Patio Furniture has a range of outdoor lighting. There are portable lamps suitable for all weather conditions, in different designs. There are elegant chandelier lamps, standard lamps and tableside lamps. You can also get lights discreetly placed underneath the umbrellas.

If you want chairs that can be easily stored away, there are folding chairs in different waterproof fabrics. These come in different styles, with high backs, a rocker, and a chaise lounger for stretching out on. Mallin Patio Furniture also has a range of beach chairs that have a cup holder for your pina colada.

Other items in the range include accessories including director’s chairs, planter stands and a swing in a canopy. There are also outdoor shelving units and portable serving carts with two serving trays.

Technorati Tags: decorating design garden 

Kitchens are where many families gather and touch base after a trying day. Many times it’s the room where you and your family spends the most time. If this is true for your family why not make it more homey and comfortable? You can do that with kitchen remodeling plans.

The first thing you’ll want to consider is how large is your kitchen. Are you using every inch of your available space to the best of its ability? Is your kitchen easy to keep clean? Is your kitchen well organized? Are you able to find whatever you need efficiently? Family members will be much more comfortable in your kitchen if it is clean and well organized.

Sometimes the best first step is to reconsider how you are using the available space. Many home improvement stores have an aisle completely devoted to storage issues. If you factor organization into your kitchen remodeling plans you’ll be happier with the end result. After all, who wants a pretty new looking kitchen that you still can’t find what you’re looking for? The best kitchen remodeling plans involve deciding how to organize the space.

While you’re considering organization issues, why not consider investing in a pot and pan rack that can be hung from the ceiling or wall close to your oven or stove? This is the kind of improvement that would really pay off in the long run for kitchen remodeling plans. Not only will this have a professional look, but also you will be able to simply reach for the item you want in front of you.

Is flooring a part of the vision of your new kitchen? If it is, decide before you go to the store what type of flooring you need and want. Your best bet is to find something that looks attractive at a reasonable price and is easy to clean. For this reason you may want to steer clear of carpeting for your kitchen remodeling plans. All it would take is one spilled bowl of cake batter to ruin your investment. Even if you clean the carpet right way, you’ll still have residual stains and bacteria in the floor. Would you want a baby crawling across that? Stick with tiles or linoleum. This way any messes can be easily mopped up and disinfected.

Are you considering new appliances? Again, you need to consider cleaning, ease of use, and how they will fit in your kitchen remodeling plans. For this reason, you may want to stay away from appliances with gray metal fronts. They may look wonderful in the store but when you get them home they will pick up every grubby fingerprint smear. You’ll spend a considerable amount of time constantly cleaning these appliances.

If you follow at least some of these rules, you’ll be able to follow through with your kitchen remodeling plans in a practical and economical manor.

Technorati Tags: remodeling decorating design home+maintenance 

Decorating a baby room can be a fun and exciting activity. It can also be a confusing and daunting task as well.

There are so many options available on the market in nursery decorations that choosing the right items for your home can be a little difficult. Keeping certain rules in mind when decorating a baby room can help make the activity easy as well as rewarding.

The very first thing you have to consider when decorating a baby room is safety. You may really want to create an old-fashioned nursery filled with quilts for infants and retro toys. However, you should not fill the nursery with antique baby furniture, especially if they are going to be used.

Many of the older cribs and children’s furniture do not meet today’s safety guidelines. Even newer items can fall short. It is crucial to check the safety guidelines before making a purchase. As a rule of thumb, it is usually best to buy furnishings new when decorating a baby room. Borrowed items and used products can lead to trouble.

Penny pinchers may argue that you can research which items are up to par as far as safety standards are concerned. However, many of the new nursery furniture actually save you money in the long run. Today’s cribs commonly convert to toddler beds and some will even convert to a regular twin-sized bed. 

Think of all of the money you will save over the years by buying a convertible crib. These quality nursery items grow with your child. You only have to make one purchase. Investing in expensive furnishings like cribs and chests is a good idea when decorating a baby room. These investments will pay off in the long run. 

Some items can be purchased second-hand. Many people save quite a bit of money by going to garage sales and swap meets. Items that are commonly purchased at such functions include picture frames, bedding, wall art, toys and lamps. These items can really come in handy when decorating a baby room and they don’t need to be brand new.

One of the best ways to get organized when decorating a baby room is to consult with seasoned mothers who have already been down this path. Moms love to share their ideas and show off their know-how. Talking with other moms can really give you ideas and inspiration on the many ways that you can make a one-of-a-kind nursery for your little one.

Technorati Tags: family baby parenting remodeling housekeeping decorating design  

Cottage style decorating is the perfect style for homes that have small children as well as homes that are occupied by very busy individuals who do not have time to maintain a complicated living environment.

This classic style is always in vogue and you don’t need to fear the occasional knick or scratch. The occasional knick and scratch just makes the cottage theme thrive.

This type of relaxed décor is perfect for families because it is designed for living. The furnishings and accessories are supposed to be well used and enjoyed. The very nature of cottage style decorating lends itself to playful, relaxed atmosphere that begs for you to put your feet on the coffee table.

Cottages were typically the living quarters of servants or they were used for overnight visitors. These structures were commonly filled with left over furnishings from the main home. Cottage style design embraces the distressed look of used and older furniture. The eclectic style found in the first of these dwellings is technically not style at all. These homes were filled with leftovers and remnants from the main house.

Today, cottage style decorating has brought the eclectic, relaxed atmosphere into homes across the country. The furnishings and accessories have found their way back into the main house over time. Many people love antique furniture and accessories that help create the well defined atmosphere. The beauty of it is that anything goes when it comes to cottage style decorating.

The anything goes approach to home décor can be very cost effective in the long run. The furniture involved with cottage style decorating is commonly recycled or antique. You can find great deals at flea markets and estate sales. Furnishing in this style can be bought at the fraction of the price of trendy new items that quickly lose favor in décor.

Since the feel is generally eclectic, you can also use scrap fabric and mismatched materials to fill the room with just the right attitude. Cottage style decorating is best suited for clutter-free spaces. There is no need to fill the room with knick knacks when incorporating this theme in your home. 

The simplicity offered by this type of indoor home décor is timeless and it has gained favor among even the most critical interior decorators. Cottage style decorating has become a mainstay in homes across the United States. There is little wonder considering its comfortable feel and cost-effective nature.

Technorati Tags: remodeling housekeeping home+building decorating design home+maintenance