Furniture Refinishing Basics

Author: Georgetown

One of the most common means of furniture restoration is furniture refinishing. Refinishing furniture can breathe new life into pianos, tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases, jewelry boxes and other items that have started to look a little bit worn.
With any furniture restoration project - and furniture refinishing is no exception - there are a few things to consider. First, you want to think about whether or not you can do it yourself. You may be thinking, "Why couldn't I tackle furniture refinishing myself? All it takes is a few hours, some sandpaper and new stain." While in many cases this is true, some furniture restoration should be left to the pros.

For example, piano refinishing isn't the same as refinishing a jewelry box. Many large pieces - pianos, armoires - are far easier for professionals to restore and refinish. Another furniturerestoration project that may be better suited for a professional is refinishing chairs. You may find that, for these projects, hiring a professional will cost less and take less time than if you were to do the projects yourself.

Another professional who you may want to consult before taking on a furniture restoration project is an antiques appraiser. While refinishing furniture you bought new can help give the piece more character or even help you to sell it for a profit at a yard sale, there are rare and collectible pieces of furniture that will lose value if they are refinished. When you've bought an antique dining room table, coffee table or cabinet,furniture refinishing could lower the value of the piece and you may want to look into a thorough professional cleaning instead.

If you are only looking at refinishing furniture that is newer or that has sentimental value, you may choose not to consult with a professional. In that case, it's often best to get right into the project on your own.

To start your furniture-refinishing project, it's often best to find a spot that won't be noticed as a test site. In this spot - low on the back of the piece or on the bottom - you'll want to start thefurniture refinishing by removing a small portion of the current finish. Doing so will let you see what you're up against and how hard will it be to remove the current finish from the furniture.

The answer to that question will vary some. Simple surfaces like a table will be easier to refinish than a cabinet with intricate corner work. Using a furniture stripper and a scraper will make it easier to remove a painted or varnished finish than merely using sandpaper. Once you've determined how to best remove the old finish from the furniture, the next step is to work outdoors (when possible) to remove the old varnish and paint.

Furniture refinishing, however, is not just about removing the old finish. Refinishing furniture requires stripping the old finish and then preparing the surface for a new finish by sanding the surface and wiping down the sawdust that sanding stirred up. Only after the surface has been prepared can you start the final step in this furniturerestoration project: applying the new finish.

Refinishing the furniture, therefore, means knowing what the new finish will be. For some, the goal of refinishing furniture is to strip off color, get back to the natural wood and apply a clear finish that shows off the item's natural beauty. For others,furniture refinishing is a matter of taking the wood to a darker shade - staining pine so that it takes on the color of cherry or mahogany wood.

Still others look at furniture refinishing as a chance to bring color to their table, desk, bookshelf or bureau. When refinishing furniture, many are likely to choose a colored stain followed with a topcoat of varnish for sheen. Another common choice people, who are looking for color, make is to select paint that matches the room or provides the contrast they are looking to achieve in their room.

Furniture restoration, after all, is a personal choice. Refinishing furniture gives you a chance to create a new look without going out and buying something new. For those inclined to take on little projects on their own,refinishing furniture can be a great way to spend a weekend - and have something to show for their time, for years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/furniture-refinishing-basics-1856771.html

About the Author

Georgetown Refinishing & Antique Restoration

Kids Tables and Chairs Make Fantastic Children’s Gifts

Author: Ron Loeffler

The thought of kids tables and chairs takes me back to when I was a youngster and my dad brought me home a table all for myself. It was my size and I thought it wonderful, but I had no chair to sit at. My dad made me that chair and I remember them both to this day. Kid’s tables and chairs make fantastic gifts and your kids will remember them all their lives. They are something that they can use, just like adults use their furniture, and give them a sense of responsibility, owning their own furniture.

You might not be able to make your kids their own chairs, but you can sure buy them online at great prices. There are lots of sites offering children’s furniture that they can use themselves, rather than just having their dolls and action men. If your children are interested in sports, how about a table and four stools in a sports theme. Enough seating for your kids and their friends. Or would they prefer an all star sports rocking chair? How about a desk with doorknobs in form of sports balls.

If your child is not into sports so much, how about your little princess having her own vanity table with a lovely heart shaped mirror and matching chair with a heart cushion. A musical box for her ‘valuables’ and you are all set for one happy little girl! If your child is a boy, then he can be a Little Prince with his own table and chair, with a secret compartment to store his own special stuff. Both can have a great little rocking chair designed just for a girl or a boy – a princess or a prince!

If they are a bit young for that then you can have the option of one of several activity play tables, including a musical table with remo drums, xylophones and cymbals. Great fun for the kids, and you will want to join in too. Or how about a space shuttle roller-coaster - don’t ask! They know, and they will love it. Jungles chairs will be very popular, with each chair representing a different jungle animal, or, for the smaller tots, representing small country animals. You name it, you can practically have it on a chair that is sturdy enough to withstand the roughest use.

SoHo chairs are also available online, with sturdy arms and back covered in tough vinyl for easy cleaning. Just wipe with a wet cloth and they come up bright and new. Alternatively, you might want to present your child with a beautiful chair with hand-painted shaped back in the form of a bee, a caterpillar, butterfly or lady-bug. Young children would love these, and also one of the little butterfly shaped stools suitable for 2 – 3 year olds, crafted for years of use and very easy to clean. You can alternatively have upholstered rockers or lovely director’s chairs in a variety of colors. Whatever you want, you will find a chair online to suit your needs – or the needs of your child whatever his or her age.

Individual kids tables have a number of motifs handed painted on the top, and many come with individual drawers for all these bits and pieces that children gather. The tables are also well made and can withstand rough handling like most kids furniture made these days. There are also arts and crafts tables available, large enough to sit four to six children, and with drawers for the tools and other crafts items they will use. If you want something really classy, you can also get Victorian reproduction furniture in polished solid wood, with Queen Anne legs in solid wood. This is for the older child, and the table comes with two chairs.

Whatever you decide on for your kids’ table and chairs, you will have provided them with something functional, rather than just a toy, and something that can be used for years to come. Educational toys are better for children in the long run, and they can be provided in fun designs that will attract them and make them want to use them.

Children’s furniture has improved tremendously over the past few years, both in looks and in quality, and is more than just a simple replica of standard adult furniture. It is designed with kids in mind, not adults, and by people who understand the stresses and strains that kids’ furniture will have to endure. It is not only functional, but is strong, attractive, and your kids will just love owning any one of the many designs that are available on the internet today.

So be imaginative, and give your child a piece of furniture that will not only last and be handed down to their own children, but that is functional and will be used, and that will also be loved and treasured. Kid’s tables and chairs make great gifts, and woe betide anybody that uses it without their permission!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/kids-tables-and-chairs-make-fantastic-childrens-gifts-215220.html

About the Author

Check out more information on kids tables and chairs at RonJun eShop where you find a wonderland of fantastic ideas for buying a gift for children including
children's toys and kids furniture .

Commercial Outdoor Furniture Takes Abuse From Different Users

Author: Clifford S. Magno

There is more of a difference between commercial outdoor furniture and residential furniture than the price. While most commercial-grade products are more expensive, they are also designed to withstand the tough environment in which they are used. Different people will treat the outdoor furniture in different ways and for the most part commercial outdoor furniture must be able to take a lot of abuse by uncaring individuals. When furniture is bought for the home, there is a certain level of respect for its use and care not found in a commercial setting.

Public swimming pools, restaurants and even some companies have a need for commercial outdoor furniture for their customers and guests. Since no two people are going to treat the furniture the same, having them made of stronger materials as well as stronger joints and welds can allow them to last considerably longer. Residential grade merchandise is designed for use by one family while commercial outdoor furniture is designed for many different people and their styles of abuse.

Also, consider the amount of use given to commercial outdoor furniture when compared to that in a private home. In the home, a chair for instance may be used for about 10 to 12 hours every week. In a commercial setting, the same chair may be used 10 to 12 hours every day, shortening its life expectancy. Standing up to the additional hours of use as well as how it is used adds to the quality of the commercial outdoor furniture.

Some Homeowners Prefer the Stronger Commercial Quality

While most commercial outdoor furniture is designed for use in public facilities, some individual homeowners also prefer the strength and durability that it is known to deliver. In most instances the residential quality furniture will last about five years, depending on the manufacturer, materials used and the respect afforded by the family. Even if the price of commercial outdoor furniture is double that of the residential variety, the life expectancy can be four times as long with an added bonus of a higher resale value.

Repairs are also more common to commercial outdoor furniture as many of the cheaper residential quality items are just as cheap to replace as they are to repair. It may also be more difficult to find someone willing to repair many of the cheaper quality sets as the parts alone can often come close to the price of replacements. Variety in colors and designs may be somewhat limited however, but the quality and life expectancy is common among most commercial outdoor furniture manufacturers.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/furniture-articles/commercial-outdoor-furniture-takes-abuse-from-different-users-1627522.html

About the Author

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article's author on computer desks for home and solid wood computer desks.

Stylish and Relaxing Bedroom Furniture

Author: Richard Dinae

After a stressful day at the office or in school, people want to unwind when they get home. The bedroom is their private sanctuary where they can do just that; most people feel most comfortable in their bedroom. That is why it is no surprise that a lot of people think that the bedroom is their favorite room in the house.

Ideally, the bedroom should be a reflection of the owner's personality. Because it is the owner's personal space, the owner should have his or her stamp in the room. Having a theme for the bedroom is always a good idea, because this way, the owner is able to express him or herself through the design of the room. To carry on the theme of the bedroom, choosing the right bedroom furniture is very important. There are so many various styles out there that choosing the one for a certain theme is pretty easy. There are key pieces that people might want to invest in, depending on the theme of the room.

For those who want a streamlined look for their bedroom, then bedroom furniture with a Zen feel would probably be the perfect choice. Zen is a popular style for the bedroom because it is unfussy and simple, thus allowing the owner to clear his or her mind. The lines are clean; there are no unnecessary embellishments. While this style is simple, it is very chic, and can be made dramatic with just a few splashes of color. A low bed is a popular piece for this style.

While some people prefer Zen-style bedroom furniture, other people want more drama. Victorian style furniture would add that opulence that these people want. This style is not for the faint-hearted, since furniture in this style tend to go over the top. There are carvings and embroideries; embellishment and details take center stage here. The key piece for this furniture style is the boudoir; this piece easily turns into the focal point of the bedroom. This piece is especially popular with girls, because it allows them to imagine that they have their own powder room.

There are those people who want their bedroom to look like it's ready for an island getaway. A beach or island theme is getting popular especially among beach lovers. This style also provides a calming feel in the bedroom. Perhaps a bed with a flowing net canopy would be the perfect piece of bedroom furniture. This type of bed is fun and pretty laid-back, and it allows the owner to imagine him or herself on a vacation. Other pieces that lend an island feel to the bedroom would be a rattan dresser or chair.

Modern bedroom furniture would be the perfect choice for people who love the cool elegance of contemporary designs. These modern furniture pieces are one step forward because most of the designs are avant-garde. It takes a brave soul to use modern furniture because they are outrageous. Modern furniture feature the use of metals, but one can mix these metals with other materials to keep the bedroom from looking cold.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/stylish-and-relaxing-bedroom-furniture-814947.html

About the Author
Richard Dinae is an architect, providing information and directories about home improvement, please visit Bedroom Furniture

Tiffany Lamps Add A Seventies Touch

Author: Lauren Tyler

Tiffany Lamps can add a seventies touch to your décor. Even a really modern white and orange plastic mod seventies look can be augmented by a Tiffany glass lamp simply because the "surprise" of something out of date is part of the entire 70s look - like something out of a Stanley Kubrick movie.

Not to mention that Tiffany lamps had a real hey day in the 1970s when they made a comeback in popularity. They were widely sought after collectibles during that time and also that was the decade when many factories opened up to start making reproduction Tiffany lamps. These reproductions are easily identified because the way the glass is cut is more reminiscent of the type of broad and curvaceous shapes that you would see in something like the Beatles animated movie "Yellow Submarine."

Tiffany style lamps were also very much a part of the country styles of décor that was popular in the seventies. They went well with stuffed brown couches and octagonal shaped side tables. Many gaudier examples of Tiffany lighting was seen hanging by big looped cords over dining room tables in seventies color schemes such as orange and brown or mustard and green. At the time these types of Tiffany style lamps could be picked up for ten bucks at a mall but nowadays they can be worth a small fortune so if you have one in your garage you might want to consider putting it up on e-Bay.

Today's contemporary versions of these decorative Tiffany floor or table lamps tend to be much more refined in design and also the glass panes that comprise the shades also tend to be more brightly jewel toned then in past decades.
Tiffany glass lamps are beautifully detailed and adorned often with images of nature such as the dragonfly, peacock feathers, wisteria flowers and blossoms. It is hard not to be drawn into their beauty and is it easy to see how they also double quite easily as an ornamental object during the day.

The nice thing about a Tiffany lamp, no matter what era it is from, is that it can reflect little coin or diamond shaped shards of light that can end up on your wall. This gives any room a very cozy and elegant touch. Tiffany lamps are also very nice to read by as the light from them is bright, but has a soft quality. Tiffany lamps also look best in a dark corner where they can shine in their full glory.

The less clutter that is around a Tiffany stained glass lamp the better it looks. Most have very elegant lamp bases as well that are reminiscent of flower stems or curved like swan's necks.

These gorgeous lamps can quite easily make a tacky looking kitchen appear more expensive, a recreation room seem cozier and a dining room seem like the height of elegance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/tiffany-lamps-add-a-seventies-touch-169923.html

About the Author
No matter where Tiffany style lamps are placed, they add a touch of class.
Tiffany light fixtures come in great colors and designs.

Look For Heritage Properties While Searching For Jaipur Hotels

Author: Travelmasti

Heritage hotels in Jaipur epitomizes luxury and royalty a blend of which creates a magical spell that remains with you even after the vacations. The city of Jaipur of the princely state of Rajasthan is known as Pink City for most of its settlements were built of red stucco; the colour now faded to pink now creates a captivating sight. The city has thus had a particular fondness for architecture which was inherited by its mighty Mughal and Rajputana rulers. The stunning royal residences of these rulers were reincarnated to suit the life of the present times. Most of these heritage properties are renovated to form new improved Jaipur hotels making living like a king possible for masses as well.

Amongst some of the best heritage hotels in Jaipur here is a look at the ones ideal for a royal stay:

Alsisar Haveli

The hotel belongs to a renowned group of heritage hotels and has been applauded several times for its elaborate settings and overwhelming hospitality. Refurbished in the year 1994, the hotel has been tastefully done with elegant furnishings. The exteriors are the same as the original Rajput architecture and the rooms are well spacious adorned with vintage antique furniture to suit the regal ambiance of the hotel. The grandeur of the hotel intrigues and the hotel decked with innumerable leisure amenities provides ample opportunities to explore the princely excesses.

Bissau Palace

The palace hotel is aesthetically refurbished to meet the requirements of the new age traveller. An erstwhile residence of Thakur clan, the palace is elegantly decked in traditional furnishings complimenting the exquisite structure and settings of the place. The guest rooms are well spacious and oozes out old world charms. The hotel is particularly renowned for its culinary skills and serves an array of world class cuisines to choose from. Most exquisite is the elaborate murals on the walls, the courtyard creates a dramatic effect with chessboard patterns and the swimming pool is the best respite to relax while vacationing in the Jaipur hotels.

Samode Palace

Rewarded multiple of times with the title of best heritage hotel in Jaipur, Samode Palace is one aesthetically restored property exuding extravagance and charisma of the city's regal past. Quaint surroundings are coupled with charming traditional Indian establishment together creating an ambiance of grandeur and magnificence. The hotel maintains its regal essence by providing all the luxuries expected out of which the highlights are the splendid options of dining and wining. Also, for the convenience of the business clients the hotel is laced with amenities such as meeting rooms and other conferencing services.

Shahpura House

Shahpura House is one of the most opulent hotels in Jaipur and are known for their exquisitely carved interiors and grand settings reminiscent of royal age in the vicinity. Spectacular chandeliers, beauteous murals, antique furnishings are reminiscent of royal opulence. The wide number of sports, wellness, business and recreation available in the hotel ensures one's fabulous stay. Known amongst best of the Jaipur hotels, Shahpura House is one luxury dome offering a lifetime Jaipur travel experience.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/look-for-heritage-properties-while-searching-for-jaipur-hotels-2100964.html

About the Author

Travelmasti is a traveler who likes to share his experiences. All the articles published by him will help you understand India better and answer all your holiday queries regarding, Jaipur hotels, Mumbai hotels, Delhi hotels, India Hotels Agra Hotels, Find tourist info on travel packages, travel destination, Holiday Packages and much more.

The Most Popular Woods For Wood Furniture

Author: Jessica Whittaker

If you're in the market for some new wood furniture, you might have wondered which wood is right for you. The best choice will depend on the atmosphere you want to create, your own aesthetic tastes, and your budget. Read on for a look at the most popular woods used to make wood furniture.

Pine

Pine wood is arguably the most popular wood for affordable furniture. People love it for its light color and natural texture. It's also less expensive than many other woods. Pine is very versatile. It is used to make bookshelves, bed frames, baby furniture, dining room tables and chairs, and lots of other pieces designed for everyday use. Furniture designers like it because it's a soft, pliable wood that's easy to work with. Though pine doesn't have the longevity that comes with harder woods, it is commonly used to add a rustic touch to any room. Pine can come with veneers, which are made from hard woods like walnut, or unfinished. The unfinished variety can be stained or left natural for a cozy, down-home look.

Oak

Oak is a very popular choice for furniture construction. Like pine, it is versatile and can be used to good effect in many decorating schemes. It comes in two basic types: red and white oak. The red can range in color from pale blonde to light reddish brown, while the white can range from blonde to light brown or even gray. Oak furniture is durable, making it a good choice for children's rooms and other areas where it will see daily use. It is also quite affordable.

Walnut

Walnut is a hardwood that can be used on its own or fashioned into veneers for furniture made from softer woods. Its rich brown color makes it an instant classic. Walnut trees are famously easy to work with because they have a grain that runs straight throughout them. As an added bonus, walnut wood is easy to carve and polish, and holds a stain well. The lustrous finish that this wood holds makes it a great choice for furnishings that are built to last, such as formal dining furniture or family heirlooms. Its affordability makes it even more appealing to cost-conscious consumers.

Mahogany

As far as looks and price go, mahogany is at the very top of the wood furniture list. This gorgeous red wood has a hard surface and a medium grain. It is commonly used for high-quality, ornamental furniture. Its price puts some shoppers off, but the beauty of mahogany furniture can last a lifetime; in addition to being very attractive, mahogany is also very resilient and stands up well to the rigors of time and use. When cared for properly, mahogany furniture can survive to be passed down from generation to generation. Most higher-end mahogany furniture is made from South American mahogany. There is also an African variety.

Now that you've learned about the most popular choices in wood furniture, you're all set to pick out new furnishings of your own. Choose a wood that fits your budget and style. Keep your wood furniture clean and polished, and you'll be able to enjoy it for many years to come.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-most-popular-woods-for-wood-furniture-576446.html

About the Author
Visit us at furniture design. Please make sure to visit our page about wood furniture

The Mystery of Hidden Compartments in Desks

Author: MJ Marks

The romance and mystery of secret compartments in antique desks surged with the popular movie, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. In the movie, the hero, Benjamin Franklin Gates (played by Nicholas Cage) has to break into the White House to find clues hidden in a secret compartment in the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. A second clue is found in the twin desk at Buckingham Palace. The secret compartments open up with a combination involving how far the other known drawers are pulled out. It is quite elaborate, and appeals to the detective in all of us!

An actual finding of valuable documents in an old desk happened in the early 1900’s. In 1794, the future 5th president of the United States, James Monroe, purchased a Louis XVI desk that had a secret compartment. James Monroe did not tell anyone about this secret compartment. It wasn’t until 1906 when one of Monroe’s descendants, a child, damaged the desk. The desk was taken to a cabinet maker to be repaired and the secret compartment was discovered. Inside were priceless and historical documents, including letters from Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Considering that Jefferson burned most of his personal correspondence, this truly was a treasure!

Today, many antique seekers dream of finding a desk with a secret compartment containing hidden treasures. So what should you be looking for to help you narrow the search?

Though they had been around for awhile, secret compartments in desks, inspired by the Italians, became popular in English and American cabinet making around 1720. The trend continued for about 100 years, and though later ones can be found, they were not as common. One reason that they became desirable was for strictly functional reasons: a secure place to keep valuable documents, money and jewelry. Today we use safety deposit boxes and safes, but they were not in existence back then, so hidden compartments helped people feel secure.

Some desks would have only one hidden compartment, others would have many. In one simple slant top desk, 21 hidden cubbies were discovered. Some compartments are a decent size, and may be found under false bottoms in a drawer. Document boxes were one type of larger hidden compartments that became quite common for awhile, often hidden behind the half column pilasters that flanked the central section. Other secret compartments are quite small with just enough room for a few folded bills or perhaps a small piece of jewelry.

Some secret compartments in desks could only be reached by removing a series of regular drawers, others were concealed behind ornamental trim. Some were opened by raising them up with a fingernail or letter opener, and others were held in place with a wooden spring that first had to be released. This complicated the process because of the additional trick of finding the trigger for the spring. The best way is simply by feeling around.

After seeing a few of these hidden compartments, one has to admire the ingenuity of the cabinetmakers of the time. I have heard of some desk owners taking years to locate secret compartments that there were sure that existed. So owning an antique desk and discovering its secrets, is more a work of love for the challenge, not a “get rich quick” deal.

So the question remains, does the real Resolute desk in the Oval office have a secret compartment? I did a little checking around and cannot say for sure. I found one person online who confidently said, “Yes!” but gave no documentation or proof, so my answer is, “I don’t know, but would love to find out!”

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/the-mystery-of-hidden-compartments-in-desks-685029.html

About the Author

MJ writes for ClickShops Inc., which offers a great selection of desks at www.qualitycomputerdesks.com.

Vintage Spectacles - What You Need to Know

Author: Debbie Mendoza

Spectacle frame fashions undergo as many variations as hemlines have!

Lens Materials

The mineral quartc is relatively weighty - another very good reason for keeping the lens size down. These days eyeglass lenses are generally made from lightweight plastics called allyl diglycol carbonate. The plastic's name is often abbreviated to CR-39, standing for Columbia Resin, and it is less than half the weight of glass, which supplanted quartz in the early twentieth century. There are lighter spectacle lens option such as polycarbonate which is feather light and able to withstand heavy impact. Digressing slightly, it is the material of choice for vandal-proof light fittings.

Unfortunately, although impact resistant, the material is certainly not scratch resistant which is an important quality to bear in mind when fabricating spectacle lenses. These days polycarbonate lenses, which are a feature of safety eyewear, are surface treated to make them more resistant to scratching.

Vintage Frames

Most people want to collect vintage frames to wear them. There are a number of possible pitfalls to bear in mind. For example:

What materials deteriorate?

This is a slightly silly question as all frames deteriorate over time. Those the least susceptible to deterioration are metal-rimmed frames. However with frames from around the mid twentieth century and onwards it is common to find the end tips and the nose pads are plastic coated. The core of such frames consists of nickel, which can set off marked reaction if it is contact with the skin (nickel dermatitis). End tips & nose pads on such frames do deteriorate due to acid in perspiration, but fortunately a good optical outlet can generally fit replacement pads and tips - these may not totally match the originals, but their positioning means they will be hidden behind your ears or behind the lenses.

Other eyeglass frame material fare less well. Various plastics were utilised in the 20th century:

Cellulose Nitrate

This material, first developed in 1850, was originally used for the production of movie film and for a short while was used in spectacle frame production. However it is essentially the same material as guncotton (!) and it is now illegal to supply this, either in spectacle frames (or in films either). It deteriorates over time, and with heat gives off an acid smell. Should it catch fire it produces its own oxygen and burns really fiercely. This plastic decomposes over time and becomes dangerously inflammable. This material is so dangerous that museums are not allowed to have examples stored or on display. You should defnitely avoid nitrate frames!

Cellulose Acetate

This material was developed and used for the production of glasses frames in the early 1920s in France. Unlike its nitrate cousin this material was not flammable. It is a stable material and easily worked and colored. It is still used today for spectacle frames. Over time, if stored in overly hot conditions it will tend to lose its plasticity and elasticity, making it brittle and the shapes to warp.

Perspex

This very strong material gained popularity in the fifties and sixties for upswept cats-eye supra frames. These eliminated the lower frame rim, substituting a nylon cord (like fishing line) which was held under tension in the lower rim of the spectacle lens that had a groove cut to take the nylon cord. Although the nylon supra design was strong, the material is very brittle, needing a great deal of heat before it can be adjusted to fit the person's face properly. If the frame is not sufficiently hot it will snap and cannot be repaired. However it is actually relatively straightforward for the nylon cord to be replaced, should that break over time.

There are various other materials such as carbon fibre, which enjoyed brief popularity in the seventies, but there is not enough space in this article to cover less popular materials any more comprehensively.

Are the frames safe to wear?

Well, with the exception of cellulose nitrate (see above) yes, they are all safe.

Can prescription lenses be put into a vintage frame?

Naturally every pair of spectacles must fit you properly. Some prescriptions are not suited to certain frames, and the interpupillary distance (how far apart your eyes are!) will influence how thin the lens can be at the edge. You will need to show your chosen frame to your eyecare practitioner as it is possible to calculate the expected thickness of the lens edge for your prescription and frame chosen.

Those frames with plastic rims need to be tough enough to be heated to stretch around the lens bevel, then able to shrink back to hold the lens securely. Your eye care specialist / optometrist will be able to advise on potential problems - glazing an old frame in this way will probably only be undertaken at you own risk. Opticians canot predict just by visual inspection how fragile and brittle your vintage frame might be. Reputable companies supplying vintage spectacles from the fifties will be able to give an indication on how robust the frames are likely to be but it is likely that they too will be able to offer any cast-iron guarantees, for the same reason.

Vintage spectacle styles can undoubtedly give your fashion sense a unique flavor. You may collect simply for the joy of owning a piece of history, or for use in costume drama, or to wear yourself, but whatever the reason - good luck with your hunting!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/vintage-spectacles-what-you-need-to-know-726557.html

About the Author

Debbie Mendoza has studied fifties fashions over many years - she specializes in the history of vintage shapewear & stockings. Her passion for the 40s & 50s led to her founding http://www.sleeknchic.com, first in America and for the past 5 years in England, where she now lives.

Guide to Gta Laser Teeth Whitening

Author: Masni Rizal Mansor

Perfect white teeth will ensure that a person will have a ready smile to present to the world at large but, with time, they do tend to darken due to different reasons such as being exposed to coffee, tea as well as other agents that leave stains on the enamel of the teeth. But, at the same time, new teeth whitening products are appearing on the market that promises dazzling white smiling teeth. With easier accessibility as well as a plethora of teeth whitening products, people want whiter as well as brighter teeth and since teeth whitening are also relatively inexpensive there is more demand for it.

For GTA laser teeth whitening, one could recommend Drs. Charkiw and Afsar who know all that there is to know about laser teeth whitening. They liken the yellowing of teeth to a white carpet that will turn yellow, with the passage of time. Laser teeth whitening are the fastest way to whiten the teeth, but it is costly and sometimes results may not meet expectations. One can get movie star smiles at a Toronto laser teeth whitening clinic at Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville that are part of the GTA laser teeth whitening network.

Get a Movie Star Smile

Drs. Charkiw and Afsar provide patients in the GTA with the finest as well as latest in teeth whitening that only takes an hour to complete and, one may not find a better source for teeth whitening anywhere else in Toronto. One should not make the choice of GTA laser teeth whitening without giving due care to the many different features that a good clinic should offer their customers. The GTA laser teeth whitening source should have dentists with post graduate training in cosmetic dentistry as well as extensive smile design experience. They should also be able to provide extensive before as well as after photos of the cosmetic dentists work and, should provide patient references as well as provide details about sterilization techniques.

Choosing a GTA laser teeth whitening source should depend on the level of experience of the dentist in the cosmetic industry. The patient should ask for and obtain before and after photos of patients that have been treated by the clinic. These before and after photos that a good GTA laser teeth whitening clinic should show works of full mouth smile enhancements as well as laser teeth whitening. This will help ascertain the quality of work of the GTA laser teeth whitening clinic.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/guide-to-gta-laser-teeth-whitening-171679.html

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