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The existing cushion is approx. 60″ wide x 48″ height with more material to wrap around a metal bar at the top & bottom. Since it is outdoors, I need a weatherproof material. I’d appreciate any info, thanks!

I’m looking for a replacement cushion for a 3 person sling type porch swing. Who might sell or make this?

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Plant of the month

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June hit with a thud about a week-and-a-half ago. Graduation exercises were held at the high school, and all the county’s schools closed for summer vacation…but not for long!Six county schools opened Monday for summer school – South Boston, Cluster Springs, Meadville and Scottsburg elementary schools, the middle school and the high school. Now, I’m not against giving a child a little extra help in the realm of academics… but what happened to summer?

Back in the day, summer was a slow, easy, lazy time when you did something if you wanted to, or did nothing if you chose. The choice was yours…or your parents, rather.

The first week out of school, we went to Bible school. We reported there bright and early Monday morning, and the procession into the church sanctuary began promptly at 9 a.m. Around noon, that day’s session of Bible school ended, and we headed home for an afternoon of whatever we wanted to do.

Kids back then played ball just about everyday (not organized ball, mind you, but pickup ballgames with your friends in the street or in the churchyard or in a field somewhere). Some days during the week kids would go swimming at the lake, in the creek, or in one of the pools around town.

Saturday was the big swim day for a lot of kids during the summer. Other times of the year, Saturday was the usual movie day, when flocks of youngsters would travel en masse to the theaters to thrill to the latest adventures of Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, John Wayne and Tarzan, or hide under their seats when the likes of Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. or Peter Lorre crept across the big screen.

But for the summer only, Monday was movie day. That’s when theatres would run special morning movies, and kids could get in for five or 10 soft drink caps or something else like that. Once inside, you would get a box of popcorn, a soft drink and a box of Milk Duds, Sugar Babies or Red Hots for later, and you were all set! Let the movie roll!

Today a kid’s summer seems to follow a more rigorous, structured routine. Send the kid to computer camp or periwinkle-growing camp or whatever. Put-em in a reading program where they read 37 books a week and write formal five-page reports on each book read.

Yes, I’m being facetious, but gee whiz, let kids have fun in the summertime. They work hard during the school year, let-em loose to blow off some steam when warm weather hits. Now, anyone who knows me knows I’m all for education, but everybody needs some time off every now and then! Let kids be kids!

Let them go swimming in a lake with a sticky, muddy bottom. Let them catch crawfish down in a creek. Let them play outside until dark. And for heaven’s sake, put away the video games. The only exercise a kid ever gets from a PlayStation, X-Box or whatever is exercising their thumbs.

And don’t worry about the little boo-boos that happen to every kid during the summer. A mosquito bite and the occasional cut or scrape never killed anyone.
I never heard of any kid falling out with the plague from drinking cool water from a garden hose.

Neither I nor any of my friends ever wore a helmet or knee and elbow pads when we rode our bicycles. Nobody I know ever lost an arm from hanging a fishhook in his or her finger. No kid I knew ever developed a personality complex from not attending thermonuclear physics summer camp. 

As I said before, please let kids be kids…they have only precious few years before they grow up to become frustrated adults!

*****
Last weekend felt like summertime, even though it’s still officially only spring. Hazy, hot and humid conditions usually are the norm for the middle of July, not the beginning of June. You know it’s hot when you see the turtles on the banks of Toots Creek wearing bikinis. Thankfully we got a bit of relief with the humidity earlier this week, but the weatherman is saying this weekend will be another hot one!

*****
And motorists, PLEASE watch out for kids playing when you drive through residential areas. Slow down and save a life!

'School's Out For Summer'…Or Is It?

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Why replacing your garden furniture needn’t cost the earth.

Finally the sun is smiling on us and, occasionally, it’s warm enough to sit out in the garden. Chairs and tables left under covers are seeing the light of day for the first time since summer 2009 and in some cases are not passing muster, even with a scrub-down and a new coat of paint. Garden furniture doesn’t last forever, unless it’s made of cast-iron and teak and looked after assiduously, although that kind of investment represents too great an outlay for most of us.

But before you head down to your local superstore, think twice. Garden furniture can be made from softwoods, which are cheap but do not last long, even when treated with outdoor paints and stains and stored indoors over the winter, or hardwoods, usually not our native oaks and beeches but exotic timber from the precious and fast-diminishing rainforests of south-east Asia. It was once possible to fly over these rainforests and not see any break in the tree canopy apart from the run of rivers and the peaks of mountains. Now logging proceeds at an unsustainably greedy pace. Once denuded of forests, the soil is easily washed away in the monsoon rains, preventing regeneration and causing devastating floods.

Please do not buy any new garden furniture without the certificate of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The FSC protects not only tropical and subtropical rainforests but also the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere. What do we get from these forests? For starters, clean water, fresh air and an ally in the fight against global warming, and that should be enough reason, even without their beauty, their role in maintaining biodiversity and the fact that humankind’s evolution is inextricably linked with trees.

There are alternatives to buying new. Second-hand furniture can often be found in good condition at a fraction of the ­original price: try newspapers’ classified pages, noticeboards, car-boot and table-top sales. Indoor furniture can often do double duty outdoors – and if you’re strapped for cash and space, which so many of us are, is it worth having an outdoor table and chairs which are used just a handful of times each year? It works the other way round too, as garden furniture is often decent enough to be used indoors.

You can also go down the recycling route. For many years, my garden table consisted of an old treadle sewing machine base with a slab of slate on top (until my youngest careered around the corner on a pogo stick and we discovered how brittle cast-iron is). Local scrapyards and recycling centres could inspire you. Skip-hunting is another option, but remember to ask the owner of the skip before removing anything from it to avoid what is technically theft.

Garden tables can be made from folding trestles and a sheet of painted particle board, which can be stored away when not required. Raised beds with brick walls can do double duty as benches if you source slats of pressure-treated wood and screw them in rows to the top of the wall. It’s a great space-saving idea. If the bed behind is planted with aromatic herbs, you’ll find your guests fighting over who sits there. Cushion pads can be provided for those without their own adipose cushioning…

Save money on garden furniture

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Until recently, most cars were designed from the outside-in, but increasingly, designers say the whole car is being planned around the interior.  So what do consumers want from their next car interior? 

Appearance is everything

An auto executive told us how consumers are quick to notice inferior quality instrument panels. “They want better materials, grain and more padding.  They have got nice things in their homes and expect to see that in their cars.  The difference between European and Asian consumer preferences is particularly marked. People take cues on what they perceive as good and bad based on their cultural background and what they value themselves.” 

There are also marked differences between European and North American consumers’ preferences with regard to vehicle interiors.  An auto executive told us: “The first one is that the North American market is more open to ‘surprise and delight feature’ such as small storage somewhere or hooks attached to the headrest to hang your coat.  Americans are very attracted by that.  The second difference is the way in which you execute the feature.  For example, European consumers are used to fully powered front seats whereas in North America they are keen on partially powered seats such as the height adjuster and nothing else.  Another example is the level of seat comfort itself.  In North America they prefer soft seats whereas in Europe the emphasis is on harder seats with tight trim. Although within Europe historically it is true that French seats were typically softer than German seats, the difference today is less marked as French OEMs increasingly targeting the German vehicle market.”

Another auto executive emphasised the importance of grain in vehicle interior coverings.  He said:  “The grain can play a key element in the perception of the craftsmanship because incorrect selection of the grain can cause a perception that it is too plastic on the interior.  Even leather can look plastic depending on the grain applied to it.”

In terms of fabrics used in cars, an executive from Magna Seating told us:”We are seeing a return to more luxurious materials and trending away from inexpensive alternatives.  We are adding additional top finishes to materials that are more costly, adding greater value.  We are increasing the use of leathers as well, where vinyls would have been the norm.” 

Consumers have preferences not just for better quality materials but fresh colours, too.  An auto executive told us:  “There is a trend toward more yellows and blues but not green. We are also starting to see more sporty but traditional accents in cars, for instance reds with some leather.  Designers are using colour palettes to target different consumer segments.”

Green interiors

While a green coloured interior is the least favoured by consumers, materials produced using environmentally-resources are welcome.

An executive from Magna Seating told us:”We are seeing an investigative trend in natural materials, but at this point they cannot stand up to the rigorous performance requirements of the automotive markets such as mildew resistance, light fastness and abrasion resistance.  Natural materials have limited application although their use in polyurethane foam is growing.  For seat padding, in addition to producing polyurethane foam from renewable resources, Magna is pioneering the use of recycled polyol. We have launched this recycled foam product on a 2011 production program in which the cushion and back pads are made from 5% recycled PU foam.  This represents a first step toward true ‘closed-loop’ sustainability, in which significant reductions of landfill waste will be realized. For example the current Ford Escape Hybrid utilizes fibres made from 100% post industrial waste.”

Trendy fabrics 

Aside from green materials, a great deal of work is focused on different seat fabrics, creating more breathable or more waterproof surfaces, and even adding built-in fragrances designed to increase feelings of well-being.  

In terms of the appearance of vehicle seating, it would seem that these days trendy fabric for a seat insert in certain vehicles is more acceptable than it was, say, a few years ago. However, while trendy fabric has its place on some vehicles, it doesn’t suit all.  

“We are seeing trends to move to more colour contrast materials to differentiate interior design,” said an auto executive. “Today seats are going to more two-tone with accent colour design sews. Also the trend is moving to more exotic stitching that moves away from the standard deck and French seams that have been used in the industry for years. Also softer hand materials are more in demand than ever. OEMs ultimately are responsible for selection and styling of fabrics. History has shown that any time they stray too far from the mainstream with a colour or pattern, it can have a detrimental effect on resale values, because these are time sensitive trends.” 

Flexibility

Though modern car seats are more comfortable and safer than ever before, flexibility, comfort and safety continue to be the main drivers of this business.

As OEMs demand greater differentiation in their seat designs, customers want more and more luxury and added value.  An auto executive told us:   “[Consumers] are looking for reconfigurabilty which basically gives them a choice of adapting their vehicle interior to their immediate need.  As they make changes from cargo to people hauling, they need to do that quickly without the hassle of removing the seats from the vehicle.”

Connectivity

While most of us like to feel comfortable while on the road, some also want to stay connected. Continental and Nokia are working together on a new concept that will enable drivers and passengers to seamlessly connect, display and control phone applications via an in-vehicle dash display. The partners say its so-called Terminal Mode technology aims to “improve the usability of services such as telephony, navigation, social networking and music in an automotive environment while keeping drivers focused on the primary driving task.” 

While some see the automotive industry on the threshold of a connectivity explosion, concerns over distracting the driver too much continue to mount. According to data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver distraction could present a serious and potentially deadly danger. In 2008, 5,870 people lost their lives and an estimated 515,000 people were injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported on the police crash report. Distracted driving comes in various forms, such as cell phone use, texting while driving, eating, drinking, talking with passengers, as well as using in-vehicle technologies and portable electronic devices. 

Although such connectivity innovations could mark the start of some interesting things to come, how could it affect the design of cockpits?  For some time, we’ve seen cockpit designers working on ways in which to display more information yet make the dash appear less complex.  As we see it, the general approach is to ensure that only the most essential information is displayed while remaining features are available in the background or brought up at will.  But the increasing fitment of sophisticated mobile multimedia systems, as well as safety and security items suggest that this part of the interior is still in its infancy in terms of development.  How will that evolve?  “I see a real mixed bag in the market place,” an auto executive told us. “You do see some designs taking a true focus on simplicity, good ergonomics in terms of reach, visual attention to more use of universal symbols and fewer buttons.  And yet I also see some other vehicle manufacturers come out with a great deal of features with loads of buttons, lights and dials that takes a little bit of time to get used to. I see the whole spectrum of that.  But in general, I see more attention to ergonomics and less driver distraction. And certainly the mobile multimedia devices mean there is more chance of clutter.  That is a design challenge for people like us.  We have to transform the fit and functionality of those parts in a fashion so that it doesn’t look like clutter but an integrated part of design.”

Acoustical concerns

Vehicle acoustics used to mean packing as much insulation as possible into a door panel to make the interior quiet.  But nowadays there are far more sophisticated routes to dampening noise. 

An executive from Magna Seating told us:”Interior quietness is crucial and definitely affects perceived quality.  Our objective is zero BSRs, a tough target when the acoustic properties of the vehicle continue to eliminate exterior noise reduction; all the sounds produced internally are now more apparent.  We are working on all material interface areas to eliminate any undesirable sounds.   When a customer sits into his/her seat, they are not expecting their seat to talk back.  Materials engineering plays a key role in preventing this from happening.”

Tomorrow’s interiors

The following chapters (yet to be published) of this briefing illustrate just some of the ways in which interior designers are continually reinventing interiors to appeal to folk of all shapes, sizes, ages and cultures.  Not only is there the problem of defining comfort levels, but there are also cosmetic questions of colour, trim, covering materials used, durability, use of child seats, headrests and overall seating arrangement.  Above all, a vehicle’s interior is a critical element in the overall design process and regarded by the carmaker as one area where the individuality of the car can be demonstrated. 

As manufacturers attempt to add more features and create more interior space in the small car segment, designers and material suppliers are being urged to come up with new ideas, such as slimline seats.  While thinner seats will add crucial space inside smaller cars, the ability to transform the cabin to suit different needs remains topical in the sport utility and minivans segments.  While interior trim is by no means a high-technology product, the technical boundaries are being pushed back to improve appearance, save weight, enhance safety, simplify installation and above all cut cost.

MANAGEMENT BRIEFING: Vehicle interiors overview

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Can I paint a faded umbrella for my patio table?

I have a 9′ umbrella on my outside concrete table. Can I paint it? It is faded badly, and is solid beige. The pole is white. I want to paint the fabric a solid color. What do I use?

Technorati Tags: fabric

Can I paint a faded umbrella for my patio table? | Patio Furniture …

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It is a normal spring day, and i decide to have my lunch break in the local park, the weather is good, warm enough for summer clothes, yet not hot enough to complain about.I sit on a bench under the shade of a tree, the wind blowing through the tree cuausing shadows to dance on the well maintained lawn. The park is a hive of activity today, an assortment of people, professions and past times. A man walks past me in his well pressed buisiness suit, he is not much younger than me, he is talking on his moblie phone, a little to loudly than nessesary, trying to sound important to those in earshot of him, or trying to sound imortant to himself. An elderly couple is sat on a picnic blanket on the lawn, there silver hair shinning in the afternoon sun, homemade sandwhiches and cakes in brown paper bags, their faces are content, yet their eyes tell a different story, for after a life time of love, sharing and companionship, should one of them pass, the other would be truly alone. A young female runner runs past them, her tonned body a billboard for her generation, her even strides cushioned by the latest running shoes and designer sunglasses to block out the sun. Her body is covered by tight fittting running clothes, to either enhance her performance, or to leave those who look at her an object of desire, sexuall and envious. She runs past a group of teenage school kids, as she passes the boys they mimic the bounce of her breasts with their hands, much to the annoyance of the girls who roll there eyes.A young coulpe walk past hand in hand, smiles on their faces as they watch their young toddler kick a bright orange ball, he squeals with delight, his rosey cheeks and innocent eyes oblivious to the hardships he will one day face, but for now he is content will sugar coated treats and colourful images on the T.V.A small bird takes my attention, a sparrow i think, he is doing a little hop tupe of dance in front of a cluster of bushes, he then darts into them, comming out with a small bug in his beak, he then flies up into a tree, He returns moments later to do the same thing again. Yet the more I watch his antics the more I wonder about him.I wonder if he is feeding his young, is this instinct that drives him to do this, or is it a parental love? Will he get frustated if he can not get enough food?Will his little heart swell with pride when his young take flight for the first time? Does he know of love? Does his heart skip a beat when he sees his mate? or will it break when oneday she does not return? Does he know of fear? will he cower in the tree tops when a storm comes crashing down upon him? Does he know of racism? Do other birds treat him unkind because he is not the same breed as they? Does he know of joy? will he sing that little bit better when the sun is shinning on a clear day? Does he know of God and the creation. Is he aware of me as i am of him, and knows of man, war and death?If he is aware of all of these then i feel sorry for him, for why should he suffer the follys of man, and yet if he is not aware i am eqaully sorry for him for the wonder of life is a thing to behold and the joy and sorrow it brings is a thing to be shared by all.

what do u think of my short story?

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Article:     Outdoor Wicker Cushions – Add Charm to Your Wicker Furniture
Whether you have indoor or outdoor wicker furniture it isvery beautiful and charming. If you want to make it more comfortable you canget outdoor wicker cushions. Keep in mind that just as your indoor decorreflects your personality, your outdoor furniture should as well.

There are a few things to consider when selecting cushionsfor your furniture..

- You want to purchase outdoor cushions that go with thetheme you already have. With thousands of variations of colors, patterns andstyles to choose from there will be no problem finding something which willsuit your home or patio and personal taste. When choosing colors, consider howthey will look in both natural sunlight as well as under the evening lighting.Whether you need to put some life back into your old wicker patio furniture, orwant to re-create a brand new one, you can do so just by integrating aselection of stylish outdoor wicker cushions.

- When you are choosing cushions, it is best to look formaterials that are water and mildew proof. Any store which specializes infabric and material sales will usually have a range of materials and oftenfillings suitable for outdoor cushions.

- You also want to be sure that you take time to find onesthat are comfy to sit on. Being comfortable is key while sitting out on yourdeck, porch, or patio because if you aren’t comfortable, then how can youreally enjoy yourself? Young or old, whether you have little kids in the homeor senior grandparents, they will still be able to sit and enjoy the outdoors with wicker furniture and outdoor wicker cushions.

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Outdoor Wicker Cushions – Add Charm to Your Wicker Furniture

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Creative Outdoor Furniture Posted on November 7th, 2009

This very cool and creative outdoor set is composed of five stackable pieces. Each model is hand produced with weatherproof rattan and waterproof cushion fabric. The total height is 92 inches.

Tags: furniture, furniture design, home design

1. One Response to “Creative Outdoor Furniture”

2. By Julia on Nov 10, 2009 | Reply

   where can i buy this?

Creative Outdoor Furniture

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