Create a country cottage look in your home by following one of these guides, or mix and match the styles to create a look entirely yours. There are no rules when it comes to these eclectic American designs.
Early American/Colonial (1640-1700)-The most elementary time in American furniture, the Early American style was utilitarian and manufactured from local materials, including indigenous woods like maple, walnut and pine. English styles were either simplified in the colonies or brought from overseas to furnish homes of the period. However, some important American innovations, like the iconic rocking chair, were developed during this time and would go on to become well-loved additions in country homes today. Other furniture pieces commonly found in the Early American style home include trestle tables, canopy beds, cupboards, and chairs with ladder backs and rush or cane seats. Pennsylvania
Dutch/Amish (1720-1830)-Infused with Germanic influences, Pennsylvania Dutch furniture was simple and practical. Colorful accents came from folk painting applied to the case goods.
Shaker (1820-1860)-Constructed by a religious group in the United States by the same name, Shaker furniture exhibited a spare, straightforward design. The solid wood pieces were light in color with smooth and tapered lines, woven chair seats, rounded wooden knobs, and proportioned for optimal functionality. The result is a look that's clean and unfussy, but well-crafted.
Mission Style/Arts and Crafts (1880-1910)-The Arts and Crafts style, also known as Mission style, played a hugely significant role in furniture design in the late 19th and early 20th century. The Arts and Crafts movement focused on functionality and the belief things were meant to be used. While the philosophy seems to set-up decades of fabulously boring furniture, it was anything but. Rather, Arts and Crafts furniture was beautifully designed, with manufacturers relying on exquisite craftsmanship and finishing techniques to add serene elegance to an item. Joints, such as the ubiquitous mortise and tenon joint of the time, were in clear view and enhanced an otherwise simple appearance. Wood was often quarter-sawed for the lovely way it presented the Wood Grain, and nails were usually hammered in by hand, with gleaming nail heads complementing upholstery. Wood slats, stretchers and handcrafted hinges of pewter and copper further embellished, without ostentation, these masterworks.
Southwestern-Rich colors of the Southwest landscape provide warmth and joyful spirit to this style. Furniture is more basic and naturalistic and makes frequent use of mortise and tenon joints. The look is enhanced by turquoise or silver accents. Full achievement of a Southwestern look may require some Navajo rugs and other indigenous accents.
For a HUGE selection of furniture including beautiful contemporary bedroom furniture, visit the Eco-Furniture website today.
CHESTERFIED SOFA - Suppliers of Traditional Handcrafted English Chesterfield Sofa in United States of America?
Hello guys,
I am very interrested in purchasing a Chesterfield Sofa from the UK for delivery in United States of America. I have viewed several Chesterfields here in the US but the traditional feel and quality is just not there!
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance!
Just been speaking to my girlfriends parents who been over the moon about thier Chesterfield Suite ever since it arrived ...over 12 months ago! Its their pride and joy, they purchased their Chesterfield Sofa from Designer Sofas 4u Ltd. http://www.designersofas4u.co.uk/products/sofas-and-living-room/chesterfield-range-products.html
Please note: These guys offer free shipping on orders over 2k. A true genuine traditional chesterfield!
California Guest Ranchs Offer Dose of Family Values
Looking for a vacation that actually brings the family together? Try visiting one of California's guest ranches, where the outdoor scenery is only exceeded by the down-home family values.
The summer season is prime time for guest ranching families who maybe have tried Disneyland or taken a family cruise vacation but have been searching for another unique experience that every member of the family can enjoy. A week-long stay at a guest ranch means that Mom, Dad and the kids will all be eating together -- three hearty home-cooked meals a day - and that the parents will actually have some inkling where, at any given time, they can find their kids.
If that sounds good for parents, it gets even better for kids. There is a long list of games and family activities available as guest ranches compete with theme parks for the California vacation dollar. There's the obvious - horseback riding, and plenty of it - but add to that such activities as swimming, tubing on nearby rivers, volleyball, darts, fly fishing, archery and gold panning.
"We had one Australia family visit Disneyland and our ranch in the same vacation," recalled Alicia Ryan of Coffee Creek Guest Ranch, "and the family emailed us from home just to tell us that the ranch was all the kids were talking about."
Score one for guest ranches. The ranches will score a few more points with adults who deal with city traffic and crowded workplaces every day of the work week and figure the last thing they want to do on vacation is stand in long lines for theme parks and their rides. Once they're settled in at a guest ranch, they may find a total of just 50 or 60 other guests spread out over many acres with most guests out riding or involved in activities. End result: peace and quiet for Mom and Dad.
When the movie "City Slickers" came out several years back, the impact on the guest ranch industry was significant. Maybe it was the way the movie showed every-day city people adapting very well, thank you, to the Great Outdoors -- whatever the reason, ranches saw more business than ever. In recent years, some ranches have found that growth has leveled off somewhat as competitors such as cruise lines lower their prices and rising gasoline prices discourage long distance car travel. So nowadays, many guest ranches are including everything but the kitchen sink in their "all-inclusive" price.
Operators of guest ranches say that most people who come to stay at a guest ranch share a love of the outdoors, although the majority of visitors are not experienced horseback riders. If you really want to get out and enjoy the scenery, the horseback riding is the best way. Rides generally are scheduled several times each day. Skill levels are taken into account when deciding what horse you will be riding while at the ranch and, often, guests will get training and greatly improve their skills as the week goes on.
But not everyone who comes to stay at a guest ranch is focused on horseback riding. "That's where the swimming pool comes in," says Trish Wilburn, owner of Greenhorn Creek Guest Ranch, "and the hot tub, the porch swing, the fishing pond - they never run out of things to do."
Ranch accommodations vary, but generally the ranches offer a more rustic type of lodging than people expect from a fancy resort. Private bathrooms are generally the rule, but rooms and cabins are more "clean and nice" than luxurious. The only people who are disappointed, ranch operators say, are the people who expect five-star accommodations, which can be impractical in the more remote locations.
The home-cooked food is where most guest ranches shine - ample helpings of beef, pork, chicken and many other basics are available either buffet-style or in family-style serving dishes ready for guests on the table.
Most ranches offer all-inclusive rates that include lodging, food and activities, and sometimes unlimited horseback riding. Prices for a week at a guest ranch can run from $800 to $1,400 per person, per week, depending on the season and whether horseback riding, taxes and gratuities are included. Daily rates are available at some ranches while others require a one-week minimum. Also ask for family or group rates, which may save you money if you're taking a family.
California offers several guest ranches located in various parts of California. Here are three examples of California guest ranches:
Greenhorn Creek Ranch - located near Quincy, California about 70 miles northwest of Reno, NV, this ranch has been catering to California travelers for many years. For the last five years, Ralph and Trish Wilburn have operated the ranch, steadily building clientele and adding amenities. This heavily timbered part of California is known for its many lakes and streams, and ranch guests are always impressed by the area's overall beauty. The ranch can accommodate up to 80 people in 16 cabins and 12 lodge rooms. A week-long stay at Greenhorn begins with a one-hour riding lesson and basic orientation that matches each guest with the appropriate horse. Throughout the week, guests can get additional instruction and ride on various terrains ranging from gentle slopes to dirt and gravel roads to trails. Other ranch activities include trout fishing in the ranch's own pond, swimming, frog-racing, square and line dancing, hayrides, bon fires, golf, hiking and even a rodeo. For more information, phone 800-587-2418 or visit www.greenhornranch.com.
Coffee Creek Ranch - This ranch is about 72 miles northwest of Redding and located in the heart of the Trinity Alps. This mountainous location is quite wooded and has long been known as an outdoorsman's favorite. Alicia Ryan is a third-generation owner of the ranch and has put together a variety of activities including horseback riding, swimming, gold panning, archery, skeet shooting and Target Practice, fly fishing, tubing on a local creek, kids' games, hayrides, bon fires, line and square dancing and even a talent show. All horseback rides take guests into the High Country and many include meals or overnight stays. There is about one ranch employee for every two guests, and typically the ranch will accommodate around 50 people. Hiking trips can be planned, and mountain bike trails parallel the wilderness area. Summer youth programs are specially designed by age group. The ranch even has its own musical group, the "Rattlesnakes," to entertain guests. For more information, phone 800-624-4480 or visit www.coffeecreekranch.com.
Circle Bar B Ranch - located in the Santa Ynez mountains near Santa Barbara, the Circle Bar B is just three miles from the famous Reagan Ranch, where President Ronald Reagan lived, worked and played. Owner Kathy Williams and her family have been entertaining guests for many years not only with the ranch and its activities, but with a dinner theater that was started 38 years ago. Pat Brown, Kathy's brother and ranch co-owner, has busied himself building cabins and renovating rooms to the extent that the ranch now has an overnight capacity of 45 guests. Outside the main lodge is a swimming pool, set in a grassy area amongst the oak trees that populate many parts of the property. Not far away are the barns and corrals, and a group of mild-mannered horses that, several times each day, take guests onto many miles of nearby trails and roads. The rides at Circle Bar B are gentle. Terrain is chosen to be well-suited to the horses and generally allows good footing for the animals and lots of space between the horses. The hearty meals at the Circle Bar B are family style and the ranch owners mingle with guests at almost every meal. For more information, phone (805) 968-1113 or visit www.circlebarb.com.
About the Author
Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California beach vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest travel .
Question on Recurve bows.?
I've been doing archery for a while and I used compounds... Well I purchased a Recurve and whenever I watch you tube or something, they do a drop swing when they shoot. Is that a technique? Is it recommended? What is it? I'm assuming is allows you to not be able to move the bow when you shoot.. but any ideas?
The basic idea is that any time you flex a muscle, it tends to twitch to some degree and can throw off your aim. Some modern shooters thus postulate that if you keep the entire arm relaxed, you'll have a steadier grip and aim. That means some folks will use an elbow brace, a wrist brace, a Wrist Strap (so they don't have to close the hand), a Trigger Release etc etc etc. Physically speaking, nothing you do after the arrow leaves the string matters....just like a golf swing once the club hits the ball But semi-skewed logic says that if you *do* practice the "follow through", your pre-release form can be improved, too.
Try it both ways. See how it works for you. Get yourself a wrist strap and try the Fall Away follow through. Me, I just grip the bow as usual and skip all the "neo-expert" crap. I hit the target just fine.
For a child, birthdays are the most awaited occasions of the year. Even as an adult people often fantasize about our birthday celebrations. It is a date that remains special for a person throughout his life. It is the day when he came to this world as a happy gift for many people around. Find some gift ideas for all people you've been looking for.
Birthday Gifts for Newbie & Toddlers
So your boss's wife just invited you to their son's first birthday. You have no idea what kind of gift to bring for the little guy. You Can gift a newborn baby with a newborn baby set, which includes clothes, nappy, baby lotion, powder, towel, etc. The perfect baby gift to capture the memory of the face you adore and the hand you hold forever!
Birthday Gifts for Children and Teenagers
Find unique kids gifts for almost any occasion here, including lots of games, puzzles and brain teasers. You can also opt for building blocks and models, dolls, educational toys video games, musical mobiles, games and puzzles, musical instruments and other learning toys. A cricket set for boys and Barbie set for girls can also be a pleasant birthday gift.
Birthday Gift Ideas Boyfriend
It's that special time of the year when it's the birthday of your man – your boyfriend and you don't know what to give him on his special day? Lets help you pick that perfect Birthday Gift Ideas for Boyfriend from giving options. The best Birthday Gift Ideas for Boyfriend are gadgets that they can make good use of and even play with! Other popular men's birthday gift ideas can be: space shooters, mechanical robots, shower radios, sports watches, digital cameras, mini table tennis, sports shoes, gym wear, computer accessories, fitness products and apparel, mini Digital Camera, electric shaving set, desktop Air Conditioner, drinking (cocktail) games, alcohol sensors, Computer extension cable, Stop Watch, bedside FM radio alarm clock, Wall Clock, Key Chain cum Bottle Opener and miniature Golf putting set.
It is said that women are difficult to understand and also that God alone would know what a woman is thinking. Taking this into consideration, try to think how difficult it would be to come up with the perfect romantic gift for her. Given here some Romantic Birthday Gifts Ideas bound to spread a brightest smile.. One good thing about gifts for women is that any gift that proclaims your love to the woman is a good bet. Stuffed toys, cards, coffee mugs, even portraits work wonders as ideal gifts. Intimate gifts also send the message across very nicely. It is surprising how even a box of chocolates or a couple of flowers mean a lot to your woman. Therefore, a spicy surprise like lingerie or a new attire also works nice as a good gift for your woman.
In the new Spider-Man cartoon in 2008 will his web-shooters be mechanical or organic?
When I first saw Spider-Man back in 2002 I thought to myself "I thought Peter Parker built his web-shooters, not have them embedded in his arms". I wonder if they'll do the same in The Spectacular Spider-Man...
Traditionally they have always been "built" by Peter Parker....
How to make a spitball shooter out of a mechanical pencil
A drill press is indispensable in any shop, but there are many fixtures available commercially, or that can be shop built, that will improve production and accuracy.
A cross feed table travels longitudinally and transversely on X-Y axes, and provides accuracy within a few thousandths of an inch, much like you would expect on a milling machine. While some milling operations can be performed on woods and plastics, do not try to mill metals in a drill press. Metal machining requires a machine with more inherent stability than you will find in most drill presses. Combination machines are available, however, that can be used both as a drill press and as a milling machine, and these can be used for metals.
A combination rotary table that can be used vertically or horizontally is a nice addition, especially if a lot of precise radial orientation is needed, and when used in conjunction with a cross feed table, an infinite number of hole patterns is available. Some rotary tables come with dividing plates that give unparalleled accuracy.
If you have a three jaw lathe chuck, You Can chuck a piece of round stock that will fit into your drill press chuck, and place it on your drill press table. With the drill press turned off, bring the chuck down over the round stock and tighten the drill press chuck. This will locate the center of the lathe chuck directly under the drill press chuck, and the lathe chuck may then be clamped to the drill press table. Any round stock placed in the lathe chuck will then be centered, and this will be true as long as the table is not swung out of location.
Many jigs and fixtures can be shop built to adapt your drill press to your individual needs, such as, locating fixtures for repeat or production applications, vee blocks for drilling round stock, and centering fixtures for drilling holes in the ends of round stock, just to name a few.
For ease of machining, wood may be used for short run applications, but use aluminum or steel with hardened drill bushings, for longevity.
About the Author
For illustrations and complete instructions for building a number of jigs and fixtures, I am writing an e-book called Maximizing Your Drill Press, and it will be available soon at my eBay store, “Gazillion e-books”. Copy and paste this URL into your browser to see all of my books.
http://tinyurl.com/3chxox
What is it like to machine stainless steel rod and bend it to shape?
hey
for a component in my college project i am making a guitar tailpiece
im going to machine a 10mm diameter 300mm long rod of stainless steel to make it into a flat piece that is 4mm thick, 8mm long, but has a rounded side which is why i am making it from 10mm rod.
how hard will this be to make out of stainless steel due to machining time etc?
also i need to bend it so the 8mm flat face is on top of the bend (bending it the harder way not the easy 4mm thickness) . ive made a jig to put an 80' bend, then 25mm away another 80' bend to make a U'ish shape. if i heat the material to cherry red were needed and use lots of clamps to stop spring back, will it work well?
Everything will be clamped after a bend until it has had a link welded to keep its shape
Milling it is the easy bit....if the component is that small you can afford a slow feed rate to get a good surface and take off 1-2mm per run, leaving 10thou on for the final cut or fine grinding which might finish up as 8 or 12 thou when you mic it after the final big cut. So long as there's material to spare for the finishing cut or grinding, no problem.
Stainless steel wrecks cutters. It's hard stuff. Take it steady but it's a small component so 30 seconds or so per cut is all it'll take.
You've got maybe eight or ten cuts to make altogether if you take off a bit at a time.
You could do the whole lot on a grinder instead of milling it but it's probably best using the mill.
An hour of setting and machining time without rushing and thirty minutes if you are OK at machine setting and know your way round the mill and grinder, assuming you want a ground finish.
For a very smooth milled finish cut the feed rate right down to around 6" a minute with the cutting head on high speed to skim off the final few thou each side.
Mic it after each cut so you know the rod was bedded down properly and you don't run out of material at one end. You need mic readings to match each other within a thou or two both ends of the rod after the cut.
If you find it's gone thinner towards one end it's called getting a run in the component. You'll need to use paper or similar under one end of the machine vice for the next cut to even it up.
Careful in the vice and use roller jaws if they are available to hold a round section rod. The rollers pull the rod down as you tighten the vice.
When you have two flat opposing faces use straight jaws and tap the component down being careful to avoid bounce.....that's what gives you a run. One end of the rod is then higher than the other so more material gets cut off as it feeds under the cutter and you have to straighten the cut on the next feed by shimming up one end of the vice.
Remember to take the shim out after the cut.
Cigarette papers are mostly 1 - 1 1/2 thou thick. Always keep a packet of them in a machine shop.
Very handy things to have for squaring up long vice jaws and getting things shimmed easily.
To bend it maybe a compression jig with a slot that holds the rod in place would be a means of keeping the bend going the right way since the easy bend on the 4mm sides would be a danger and you could end up with a compound bend in two axes instead of one.
Push the top lines down till they are symmetrical with the bottom ones for each side. The spacing hasn't come out the way it's supposed to. This old dino doesn't like rows of dots or more than two spaces together....get's in a right old mess with 'em.
The uprights are the ends of the jig.
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L............) )_______L
The heated rod fits into the curved slot or whatever shape you make it, straight across obviously to start with, and is pushed onto shape by forcing the wider Right Hand side along the Left Hand side. The slot continues right down both sides of the left half of the jig and as the right half is forced along it the rod is bent and is forced into the slot all the way along. Let it cool before opening the jig.
Otherwise you could have the right hand side as a U shape hinged at the curve, that closes onto the left hand side.
I've used a car jack lying on it's side before as a hydraulic press to push one half of a compression jig over the other or closing the jaws of a V-shaped compressor half of a jig, using a narrow corridor between two strong brick walls and taking up the extra space with bricks and slabs of concrete, with thick slabs of concrete on the wall both sides to distribute the stress.
Have fun. Sounds like a good project.
Those who remember the classic film The Terminator will probably never forget the cool image of the Laser Sight that was mounted on Arnold's .45. Actually, one will never forget if one purchases a replica version of it in the form of an airsoft gun laser sight and replica .45. One does not have to do this because one is a huge fan of the film, but rather because one enjoys playing the game of paintball, and the laser sight really changes the scope of the game.
The Laser Sight Really Exists
Contrary to popular belief, the laser sight is not a product of the mind of a science fiction writer. Rather, it was a science fiction writer capitalizing on the lack of laser sights being used as a gimmick in a movie to help define the seriousness of the nature of the Terminator's business.
Now, just like the Terminator, one who enjoys the game of paintball can mount an airsoft laser gun sight and show the whole world that he or she is fairly serious about their desire to win the game. The presence of the airsoft gun laser sight definitely gets that feeling of severity across, provided that the rules of the game allow for an airsoft gun laser sight, as it may be illegal under certain rules and tournaments.
An Unfair Advantage?
Is it cheating to use an airsoft gun laser sight? Well, it cannot be illegal if the rules allow for it. Does it offer an unfair advantage over a player who does not have an airsoft gun laser sight? This requires a two pronged answer: if they are not illegal under the rules of play, then there is a decided advantage, and that is not an unfair advantage since the opposing player has the option of using the laser sight, but decides not to.
A Big Advantage?
Keep in mind that simply having an airsoft laser gun sight does not automatically mean that one will win. An advantage is just that, an advantage. It is certainly not a guarantee. There still needs to be a Great Deal of skill in the hands behind the gun. If the skill is not present, or there is a disproportionate level of skill between the combatants, then the laser sight simply will not provide a gigantic advantage. Actually, there can be a significant disadvantage if one decides to put blind faith in the airsoft gun laser sight alone.
US $46.95
