SHOPPHUT ~ Get Inspired

By Albert Lee A bedroom should be the coziest corner of the house. After a hectic day at work when you come back home, the bedroom simply lures you with its compact contentment. The moment you close the door of your bedroom you are away from the crude world outside and now you are free to spend time with yourself or your loved ones. This is the reason why you should never compromise with the bedroom design ideas. The shades on the wall, accessories and decorative items should all complement each other. In fact proper decoration is not only important for the aesthetic appeal of the bedroom but it enhances the peace of mind of the owner of that room. While decorating your bedroom you should always keep in mind that this is not just a place where you will be spending the nights. Apart from sleeping there are many other important and regular activities a person does in his bedroom. Some people even like to read books and do their extra office work sitting in the bedroom....

By Dedi Probudi Gentlemen, when you decide to decorate your bedroom surely you want to have a stylish and functional design that also shows your masculine side. Well, read on because we have some bedroom design ideas for men. Bedroom Design Ideas for Men Below are three bedroom ideas in three types of design that will definitely accentuate masculinity: Traditional Bedroom Design The first design is traditional bedroom style. To implement this design, select heavy pieces of furniture that seems aged. It is best to pick a sleek design with minimal carvings. For the bed, select ones with a high headboard so it looks prominent. The bedding materials used in traditional design should be made from typical menswear fabrics like wool and flannel. To accentuate this style of design, the bedroom windows should be covered with drapes made from heavy material like chenille or velvet. As for the lighting, it should create a warm and soft impression by using dark colo...

By Scott Dostal Most realtors will tell you that nothing is more appealing to potential home buyers than natural wood kitchen cabinets. They bring a sense of elegance and warmth into any kitchen. There are a number of additional advantages of wood kitchen cabinets. 1. Natural wood cabinets fit any architectural style home and any kitchen style. There are certainly traditions about the woods and finishes most commonly used in different kitchen styles, as well as traditions about cabinet door styles. For example a darker wood like ebony, mahogany or cherry is most appropriate in a traditional, country or eclectic style kitchen. It would rarely be used in contemporary styles. 2. Wood cabinets are strong, durable and lasting. Wood base cabinets will easily support any type of counter top material, including stone (granite, slate, marble). It holds up well under heavy use and in steam and heat. Most small dings, dents or scratches can be easily repaired. Over time, wood c...

By James Mahoney When doing a complete remodel of a kitchen, something important to consider before paint colors or cabinet finishes is what kind of functionality you want your kitchen to have. The standard kitchen activities such as cooking, cleaning, and storing food are givens, but what kind of entertaining would you like to do in your kitchen? If you want a kitchen that can serve as a space for more than simply dining, then a kitchen island is something you'll definitely want to consider. Kitchen islands are decorative and also functional compliments to any kitchen remodel. The island can often become the focal point of the kitchen without much effort. When remodeling or redesigning your kitchen, imagine how you would interact and entertain in your new space. These pieces tend to create a more diverse gathering place in the kitchen - one where you can not only entertain and dine, but also prep for cooking, play cards and board games with the family, and of course enjo...

By James Mahoney The kitchen island as a stand-alone platform in the middle of the kitchen provides convenience and efficiency by creating more workspace. When the island is located in the center of the kitchen more space in automatically created. In most situations a kitchen island is the ideal way to separate the kitchen from the living room. If the kitchen island has cook top, sinks or pull-out drawer refrigerators then this accommodates greater convenience and socializing since one can do dishes and preparation while conversing with guests in the living room. There are endless uses for kitchen islands. According to the National Association of HomeBuilders (NAHB), kitchen islands are one of the most popular kitchen design features among today's consumers. The NAHB also reports that buyers of new homes have also indicated a desire for kitchen islands as well. Actually some 80% of homebuyers consider a kitchen island to be an absolute must. Some newer kitchen is...

By Adam M Rise After a busy day at work, patio decks can often be the ideal spot to relax and unwind. They are soothing and comforting places to be. But you can increase your enjoyment of your patio decks by complementing them with suitable accessories. Below are some of the in vogue accessories you might like to consider for your patio deck, and some tips on how to choose the best ones for you. The main thing to guide you in choosing the accessories for you patio deck is your own personal taste. If you haven't already got an idea of the kinds of accessories you'd like to buy, a good place to start is with wicker furniture. Wicker tables, chairs and ottomans are all available, and are attractive and especially useful for outdoor purposes. They are also washable using just soap and water, which is handy, and as well as looking good on patio decks they are suitable for use in porches or sunrooms. If you want to achieve a soothing effect for your patio deck, try...

By Sarah Connor A modern bathroom design should include an over-all functional layout, sound color assortment, careful bathroom products selection and small accessories complement apart from reasonable segregation for relief, shower, laundry and make-up. I think nobody will overlook the importance of a bathroom but how to make your bathroom as cozy as you think it to be? I would like to share with you some tips. Hope they will be helpful. First, make yourself closely contact with mother nature. Green will always be our pursuit, without which life is meaningless. No doubt that naturalism is the most overwhelming design style today, which is not only embodied in material selection, product shape and color positioning but also in space planning and artistic conception construction. Green is the biggest comfort to soul in this grey city. Slowly appreciating the natural scene outside as bathing, where will your train of thoughts go along with the breeze when your heart a...

By Sarah Connor Knowing how to clean wood floors entails the use of the proper cleaning tools. For regular sweeping, use a soft-bristled broom to remove dust that accumulates on the floor constantly. A good vacuum cleaner will also suffice, as long as you don't use the beater bar that may mar your floor's lovely surface. Also, have a good micro-fiber mop on hand for the occasional mopping and removal of dirt from your wooden flooring. Cleaning Sealed Floors The kind of finish used on your floor would determine the method of its cleaning. It will not hurt for you to solicit the advice of professional floor cleaners and floor manufacturers on how to clean wood floors. Sealed floors also require regular sweeping or vacuuming. However, you need to do some mopping to remove stubborn dirt and grime. Bear in mind that any type of wood flooring can get damaged with excessive water, so go easy on applying it unto your floor. Using a micro-fiber mop sprayed with enough...

By Eugene T. Allee Coffee tables are an essential part of our homes; therefore, they are an intricate part of our families. We want a coffee table that represents our style, our fashion, and our sense of pride. Nothing is as convenient or versatile as a coffee table. Of course, some coffee tables are loved more than others are. For instance, glass top coffee tables often considered the crème de la crème of the coffee table world. The glass offers an additional elegance and perfection only found with glass. There is nothing quite as versatile as a glass top coffee table. These beauties go with any décor and highlight any room. The base of the coffee table can be anything, but my favorite is aluminum. When you add aluminum legs with the glass top, all I can say is wow. There is nothing in the world that is more elegant or beautiful. I am fond of glass tops simply because they are easy to clean. All you have to do to clean one is grab window cleaner and paper towels. Nothi...

By Shirley McNeal Are you in the market for the perfect sofa? Whether you call it a sofa, davenport or couch, buying just the right one can be a major challenge for you. To select a quality, well-constructed and comfortable sofa, you will need to follow five simple steps. Step 1: Sturdy Frame A sturdy frame made of hardwood like oak may cost more, but it will last much longer. A frame made of softwood like pine may warp over time. Always avoid frames made of particle-board, plastic or metal as they may warp or crack. Legs should be part of the frame attached with screws and/or pegs. The legs should never be held on with glue alone. Step 2: Secure Joints The frame is only as good as the joints that connect the frame together properly. Secure joints and frame will give you a well-constructed sofa. Using wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, corner blocks or metal screws and brackets means a well-made sofa. Never purchase a sofa that is secured by staples and glue alo...

By Jules Wright If you are looking for a fast and easy way to feed your family tasty and healthy meals, one excellent choice would be to get a hold of some easy baked salmon recipes. The good news is that this fish is rich in flavor as well as healthy Omega-3s. It does not require a lot of ingredients or advanced cooking skills, so that makes it easy for you to prepare a great tasting dinner for your family. The Easiest Baked Salmon Recipe Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds of salmon fillets (serves 4), with the skin still on one side 1/4 cup melted butter 4 tablespoons of sliced butter Juice from 1 lemon 4 teaspoons of Mrs. Dash Cooking Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a glass baking dish (9x13) with 2 layers of foil and spray the foil with cooking spray. Place the salmon on the foil, with the skin side down. Pour the juice from 1 lemon and melted butter over the fish. Sprinkle Mrs. Dash on top of each fillet along with slices of butter. Fold the foil loose...

By Rachel Paxton Spaghetti has always been a favorite family meal. My teenage daughter will eat leftover spaghetti for breakfast, lunch, and as a mid-afternoon snack. Not everyone loves spaghetti so much that they will go to that extreme, however, and the same meals can getting boring after awhile. Here are some ways to jazz up this old favorite: Italian Sausage Spaghetti 2 lbs. Italian sausage 48 oz. spaghetti sauce 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste Green pepper, sliced thin 1 lg. onion, sliced thin 1 tbsp. Parmesan cheese 1 tsp. parsley flakes 1 c. water Place sausage in skillet and cover in water. Simmer 10 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, place remaining ingredients in crock pot. Add drained sausage and cover; cook on low 4 hours. Increase to high; cook 1 hour more. Cut sausage in bite-size slices and serve over cooked spaghetti. Sprinkle with more Parmesan, if desired. Irish Italian Spaghetti 1 onion, chopped 2 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 lb. ground beef 1 tsp...

By Jennifer K Chow Mac and cheese comes in endless variations. That might seem like an exaggeration, but consider the possibilities, from the shape of the pasta to the combination of cheeses. The addition of meats and vegetables adds even more variations while also making it a one-pot meal. There are so many possibilities, but the most popular way to make mac and cheese simply brings together elbow macaroni, bechamel, and cheddar. That's an Italian noodle, a French sauce, and an English cheese. This unique combination of foods somehow results in a delicious dish, one that has become an enduringly popular and familiar comfort food. The recipe below will tell you how to make a classic mac and cheese. This recipe can be made entirely on the stove or baked. If you choose the latter route, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Or if you simply want to get the top brown and crunchy, stick it under the broiler for a few minutes. Ingredients: -half a pound...

By Therese Heckenkamp Like pancakes? You're going to love them once you read these tips and tricks that will transform you into an expert pancake chef! Learn all about ingredients, mixing, cooking, flipping, presentation, storing, reheating, and more! Flour Fresh flour makes a difference in pancake flavor and texture, because the simpler the recipe, the more vital high-quality ingredients are. So buy flour from a health food store, local mill, or natural foods section of the grocery store. Try using cake flour for super light, fluffy pancakes. Griddle Test if the griddle is hot enough by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If the drops dance and sizzle, it's ready. You may want to test the batter and griddle by cooking one trial pancake first. If your pancakes are browning on the bottom before bubbles appear on top, the griddle is too hot; whereas if the tops become dry before the bottoms are golden brown, the griddle is not hot enough. Batter ...

By Patrick Carpen Sometimes nothing hits the spot better than a nice, juicy burger! The good news is that you don't have to dine out to experience a new and creative burger. This article has several great burger recipes, each one offering a delicious twist that will not only surprise your taste buds, but will cost you a fraction of the price of dining out! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do! Pub-Style Burger Ingredients: 2 lbs of ground beef sirloin 4 large burger buns or rolls of your choice 1/4 cup breadcrumbs 3/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup chives (chopped) 1/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened) 1/4 cup horseradish 1/4 cup parsley (finely chopped) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 bunch of watercress Salt and pepper Directions: Mix together the applesauce, sour cream, horseradish, breadcrumbs, pepper, and chives. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate. In a large bowl, blend together the beef, parsley, and W...

By Adrian T. Cheng As busy as we get each day, we still want to prepare a decent and hearty meal for our family. While not all of us have the luxury of time to cook extravagant dinners, we can opt to cook simpler, time-saving recipes that are just as good. If you're pressed for time, try these easy yet delicious 5-ingredient chicken recipes for dinner! Easy Broccoli and Chicken Casserole What you need: 1 can condensed broccoli cheese soup 1 package chicken stuffing mix 2 cups cubed cooked chicken 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Mix together broccoli cheese soup (don't dilute!), cooked chicken and broccoli florets in a large bowl. Transfer mixture to an 11x7-inch baking dish. Prepare the chicken stuffing mix according to the instructions in the package then add it to the baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese. Cover and bake in a pre-heated oven (350F) for 20 minutes. When ready, remove cover and continue baking for anot...

By Adrian T. Cheng Everybody loves pasta. The preference mostly comes with the type of sauce you serve with it, but it is one of the ultimate comfort foods there are. Some pasta dishes are complicated to make and the cooking time is long. But if you're looking for a recipe that's quick to make but will still have the taste of a complicated dish, these pasta recipes are definitely a must-try! The Classic Aglio E Olio What you need: 1/2 kilogram spaghetti pasta 10 cloves garlic, sliced 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon red chilli flakes Salt and pepper to taste Parmesan cheese Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Place garlic and olive oil in a pan and cook over medium high heat, stirring until garlic is golden. When ready, add the cooked pasta in the pan and toss to coat with oil and garlic. Add the parsley and chilli flakes then season with salt and pepper. Serve warm and t...

By Michael Lucy Crab Cakes Ingredients for 2 servings 6 Oz Fresh Crab Meat 1 Oz Onion ¼ oz Celery ¼ oz Garlic ¼ Butter ¼ oz Cream ½ Pint Fish stock 2 sprigs, finely chopped Basil 1 oz Gluten Free bread Crumbs ¼ Piece, finely chopped hot chilis Hot sauce Salt & Pepper Method Melt the butter in a Pan Add the onion, celery and garlic and Sautee for 3 minutesAdd in Crab meat and cook for another 5 minutes Add Cream, stock and bread crumbs and cook whilst stirring for further 5 minutesFinally add in basil, chopped chilis, salt and pepperLeave the Mixture to coolPortion the Mixture and Grill on a Hot skillet until golden brown on each sideServe the Crab Cakes with shadow Bennie dressing Grilled Scallops Ingredients for Two Servings • 4 Pieces Jumbo Scallops • ¼ oz Virgin Olive Oil • ¼ oz Finely Chopped Garlic • Salt & Pepper • ¼ oz Coriander finely chopped • ...