In FENG SHUI, does a "unused" fireplace still symbolize fire?
No they don't still symbolize fire when unused but worse they may serve as a collection area of stagnant chi. So when not in use you can insert a standing candlelabra or a basquet of flowers. I don't see a problem with the black marble just don't hang a mirror over the fireplace since these are clashing elements. Some may say the black is water but I see the marble as earth. Its also very grounding if you don't want to much fire in a room because fire feeds earth so the fire is then not as strong. The natural energy of the South (Li) is fire so there is no problem in lighting the fireplace here unless you have had a flying star consultation that says your 5 or 2 star is located in the South. Otherwise real fires give out radeiated heat in a similar way to the sun, making them the ideal replacement for sunshine during dark cold winters. They bring back some of the fiery sunny chi to your energy field. According to the 8 Aspirations school the fireplace in the south will also help your Fame and Reputation. Wishing you lots of warm and radiant chi with your fireplaces.
How do chimneys prevent rain and snow from getting in fireplaces?
There are basically three options. From least fancy to most fancy, they are:A chimney cap is just a flat rectangle, usually metal, held straight above the chimney by little legs, like an umbrella for the chimney. There's enough room between the cap and the chimney for smoke to leak out, and the metal keeps rain away. The chimney caps in this picture also has a screen to keep birds form flying into the chimney. Sometimes there is a fancy little roof on the chimney cap, just to make it look good. (image source)One disadvantage of chimney caps is that sometimes the flat surface right above the chimney can direct wind and smoke back down the chimney and into your house. So if you live in a really windy area, sometimes you have to have a chimney cowl instead. Here's a modern one for a house on a windy beach - the opening faces away from the ocean so the wind doesn't get in:(image source)Chimney cowls are also used by factories to prevent nasty chemical smoke from blowing back into the factory and screwing things up. Here are couple of industrial cowl designs not normally used on houses (no reason they couldn't be, people just don't like the look):This one spins when smoke or steam goes through it. (image source)I like this collection of different chimney cowl designs from an old catalog. (image source)Finally, the most fancy thing you can do to keep snow out of your chimney is a chimney damper. This is some sort of adjustable trap door or gate on top of your chimney you can open or close with a metal chain whenever you want to.
Resting a flat screen TV on a fireplace mantel?
If this is a picture of the actual room and fireplace this TV is going in then I would say it be just fine as long as you aren't burning wood continuous 24/7. The fireplace has a screen in front of it which tells me it's mostly used for creating a warm atmosphere rather than heating the room. Because it doesn't have glass doors on it, the amount of heat it will suck out of the room and up the chimney will be much greater than any heat benefit you will get from the fire. The brick will heat slowly since the free air draft up the chimney will pull most of the heat directly up the flue and out of the house. The mantle should hold the weight of the TV without a problem. The only other question, is there an electric receptacle and cable connection on that wall to hook up the TV? If so then go for it.
What are some ways to make your house look nice without spending too much money?
Keep it clean.Paint is cheap and easy to apply. You can paint a single wall an eye-catching color and then arrange the rest of the room around it. If you paint a wall, remove and paint the trim as well, especially the lower trim. Removing the trim and painting it separately allows for a very tidy finish. Use a little paintbrush to cover any nailheads and hammer marks once the trim is reinstalled.Add texture and interest to a room by finishing a wall in faux brick or faux wood planks.Update couches and chairs with throw pillows in coordinating colors. I like to re-cover old throw pillows in pretty fabrics from old or outdated clothing, curtains, or sheets. I back them with a durable fabric like denim or canvas for every day use. Turn them around so the pretty side shows when company comes over. You don't need a sewing machine to re-cover throw pillows. You only need to know two hand-stitches: backstitch and ladder (or invisible) stitch. Backstitch for the seams and ladder stitch to invisibly close the final side once you've stuffed the pillow in. Look them up on YouTube and have fun!New curtains can really brighten up a space - you can make them from pretty printed bed sheets/old blankets or buy. Using a fancy curtain rod can add a sophisticated touch.Eliminate clutter. Instead of stuffing every flat surface with your knick-knacks, display only a few at a time, switching them out when you tire of the current display.
What are some of the best ways to decorate a room?
As I read many interior designing blogs, I noticed that Bohemian style of decor is trending and personally it’s my favourite style of decor.This decor style gives your room a soothing effect. The vibrant colours, lights, candles, vintage style furniture and lots of pillows in the room just calms your mind. It feels like meditation. This style just makes your room alive. Whether you want to have a tea or chat with friends/family or just lie down and think about life,the ambience is just perfect for everything.As beautiful this decor style looks, i must tell you how you can change your room into Bohemian style on your own. Some of the things which I think are important are,Play with colours. In picture below you can clearly see that how different colours have added to the Beauty of the room.Use long curtains. They add to the simplicity of the room.Make use of different lights. You can use Mirchi lights and Pom Pom lights to decorate the walls while you can use Mosiac lights as hanging lights or table lamps. They are weirdly beautiful.Flora and fauna plays a significant role. You can use indoor plants like succulents to add greenery in your room. You can put them on your table or just hang them. They add freshness to your room in any wayLots and lots of pillows with different pillow covers. They give you the freedom to experiment with colors.Vintage style furniture. You can use any old table or dressing table, color it in vintage style and it looks great.And the most important thing is DREAM CATCHER. You must have it. It’s mandatory for Bohemian style of decor. It is believed to bring the positivity and good luck. Besides they are beautiful to watch.You can try these on your own plus it’s affordable.Thanks for reading.
Can you use your house's furnace chimney to exhaust a wood burning stove?
best advice would be to follow the manufacturers recommendation on the wood burner and follow all building codes even though it sounds like you aren't applying for a permit, no reason to risk yourself and/or family by rigging something up that you're not sure will work just to save a few dollars
Your opinion on how to dispose of old firewood?
We bought this house last spring. THIS spring we are tackling the yard. The previous owners left a HUGE pile of nasty, rotted firewood that we have been dealing with until now. Would it be better just to chuck it all in a rent-a-dumpster, which would cost about $150, or, Put and ad on Criagslist and have someone come take it themselves for free?? Do you think anyone would want it? I mean, I don't think anyone would want to burn it in their fireplace, that is for sure! But might it be wanted for another purpose? Can someone make mulch out of it?
I live in a big house. What is the cheapest way to keep warm when it is just me home?
1.Close all the doors to rooms that you dont need to use.2.close all drapes and blinds in those unused rooms,3.Check for draughts around windows and doors, use draught stoppers or a rolled up towel if cold air is entering under outside doors.4.wear warm comfortable clothing, with thick socks,and ugg boots , these are wool lined boots, 5.some people wear their brushed cotton nightwear, under their day clothing for extra warmth.6.wear a warm knitted hat if is really cold, as most bodyheat leaves the body through the scalp. 6. make a big pot of homemade soup, put it into a thermos flask and have hot nourishing food throughout the day.7 wear a scarf if it is really cold. 8 do lots of cleaning, this is good exercise and will keep you occupied and warm.9.if you are sitting and reading for awhile, fill up a hot water bag and wrap your self in a warm blanket with a nice cup of hot chocolate, curl up in a cosy armchair and you should be as snug as a bug , 10 Do some baking, make a meat or fruit pie, this will warm up the kitchen, keep you occupied and provide a warm meal for the evening. cheers Jude.
New kitten missing. Our new kitten has disappeared. There's no way he could have gotten outside, but we've turned the house upside down and there's no sign of him anywhere. Where could he be?
You say it’s a new kitten? The first thing new cats do after you bring them home is to disappear. That’s normal. :-)Your kitten is hiding somewhere where it feels safe, most likely under/behind/inside a piece of furniture. It will come out of hiding when it feels ready. This will be in a few hours or in a few days.Let the kitten come out when it’s ready. (By turning the house upside down, you’ve already scared the kitten, and now it’s going to hide for longer.)Your kitten will hide completely for a while. Then it will peer out of its hiding place to watch you. Once it feels confident that you pose no threat, it will allow you to see it, but it will still dart for cover if you get close.To speed up the process, move slowly and avoid making loud noises.Leave food, water and cat litter out where the kitten can see it. It will wait until you’re out of the room, and then make a quick dash to get some food, before returning to the hiding place.You can probably see that some food has been taken. This should reassure you that your kitten is safe and well. :-)My Sulu was a mine-month old kitten when I adopted him. As soon as we let him out of the carrier, he dashed somewhere - so fast that we couldn’t even see where he’d gone. For seven hours, he was not to be seen or heard. (I found out later that he had squeezed in the tiny space beneath the arm chair. I wouldn’t have thought it possible for him to fit underneath there.) Then I heard some noise on an unused radiator behind a curtain, and I knew he was exploring the parts of his new home where nobody could see him. It took a day before he ventured out to get food, and two days before he allowed me to see him. I think it was on Day 3 that he actually sat out in the open. He watched me attentively, but didn’t like it when I watched him. So I avoided looking at him, and he became more confident. After about a week, he was ready to be petted and make friends with me. We’re now close buddies.Please don’t chase and expose the kitten. Allow it to take all the time it needs. This way, it will soonest come to trust you.And stop worrying. All is well.I hope this helps.