eHome and Habitat

There many people who consider themselves collectors, but they just don’t know how to approach the home decorating. You will want to keep in mind that there are a lot of people who will collect movie themed items or they will have a collection of some sort.

Many people will collect beanie babies or even Snow babies, however, you will want to think about a way that you can incorporate your collectibles, but not junk up the place.

First, you will need to make sure that you keep yourself organized. You should never collect more than one or two items. This means that you can’t have a hundred different collections, but you will need to consider having some home collectibles that are easily blended into a home.

This means that you might want to get a display case for some of your collectibles and you will want to think about ways that you can show off the collection to others, but also not clutter the home. You will find that the solution to most people’s problems is the curio cabinet. This is a great way to place your knickknacks on display, but not ruin the integrity of the home.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of ways that you can allow the collection to grow and keep your home looking good too, however, you will find that there will come a time where enough is enough and you are going to have to stop the collection.

You may want to take the opportunity to sell some of your least favorites or less valued items of the collection and then proceed to purchase more and more of your favorite pieces that come out.

However, you may have to sell before the value of what you purchased because you may mean more to you then what it does to someone else.

When it comes to trying to keep your home looking good and your collections in order, you will need to know your limits in space and learn how to find a good curio cabinet that will not cost a lot of money so that you can put your collection in a order fashion and neatly display them.

Collections offer hold people back from having a home of their dreams, however, if you learn to control the collection and not allow the collection to rule you, then you’ll be able to use the collections in the design of your home and not have clutter.

Are you establishing a new garden? Are you trying to bring a long neglected or difficult garden back to life again? You can create a flourishing garden anywhere. All you need is loads of desire, a little imagination and an open mind. In this article I briefly summarize some techniques that I have successfully used for encouraging growth in difficult areas of the garden. By adding a little magick to some basic ecological gardening principles your can create a sensation.

There are a few essential requirements for a healthy garden. These are: soil with the correct texture, nutrient levels, and drainage; water; sunlight and the appropriate plant choice for your local environment. Garden bed preparation is of utmost importance and you would be well advised to ensure that you have provided your plants with the best physical environment possible for their successful growth. But getting the physical environment right is just the first step. To get the best out of your garden you should provide a happy environment, full of positive energy and a little magick.

Visualize

When you first start planting out your garden it doesn’t look much like it will in two, three, five or ten years. Visualization is a crucial part of the garden design and planning process. It is also important for the growing process. To keep your garden growing in the direction would like it to grow, you should visualize regularly. This is just a matter of looking at the garden and imagining what it will look like when your plants are fully grown. In doing so you are mentally sending your plants messages and encouragement. Make a habit of visualizing your garden on a daily basis and imagine it as it will look in, say, five years of constant and healthy growth.

In the meantime … fake it

While you are in the early stages of garden creation, try making a ‘fake it ’til you make it’ garden. This simply means creating an interim garden. You can do this by placing pots filled with colorful plants around the area. This will give you some instant gratification for your efforts. It will also give your new plants some company. After all, plants are communal and are not meant to grow alone.

You can quickly and easily create new pot plants by taking cuttings from other plants in your garden or your existing pot plants. Put the cuttings in water until they sprout roots - some won’t grow roots this way, it will be trial and error but many will grow roots within a week. Alternatively, buy some plants, preferably colorful flowering plants. Of course, choose appropriate plants for the location of your garden - shade loving plants for areas with little sun, etc.

Place the pots around the area where you want the garden to be and in between the plants that you have recently planted. If the garden is located in a harsh landscape that is subject to extreme hot or cold or strong winds, you can place the pots so that young plants are protected from harsh winds or direct sunlight. If your environment is particularly harsh, you may consider adding small screens made from bamboo or other natural materials to protect young plants until they establish. In a dark or very shaded area, ensure that your pots will not block any sunlight that your seedlings may be receiving. Whatever the nature of your garden, use plenty of mulch to keep the moisture in the soil and the weed growth to a minimum.

Attract Native Animals

Life attracts life, so by attracting as many animals to your garden as possible you will increase the life energy of your garden which will help your plants to grow. Place rocks and logs in your garden to provide shelter and homes for small lizards and insects. If you do not have any tall trees, installing a pole that a bird can perch atop (but a cat can’t climb) is a great idea, as birds will contribute seed laden droppings that can bring additional plants to your garden as well as additional nutrients. Show your delight when you notice a new native occupant and let him know he is welcome.

Allow the ecology of your garden to evolve along with the growth and addition of your plants and other components. Resist interfering by killing particular animals that you don’t like such as spiders, if you are so inclined. Instead, become curious and learn about them. Talk to them. You will gain an entirely new appreciation for these animals and improve your karma at the same time.

Avoid Using Poisons

Garden shops are full of garden poisons. It’s big business. It would be easy to assume that weed killers, snail killers and the other exterminators are an essential component to gardening. However, the reality is that they are really bad for your plants and the animals that add value to your garden. There is almost always a natural or more gentle alternative to using poisons in the home garden. It is far more effective in the long term to pull weeds out by hand and you will save a lot of money.

Decorate and Communicate

Celebrate your garden area by decorating it with beautiful things, such as hanging pots, statues, bird baths, sculptures and low lighting, will add positive energy and atmosphere. If possible, include an outdoor table and chairs and spend some time there entertaining friends, laughing and having a good time, or just be there on your own relaxing and smiling upon your garden. Make sure you remove or disguise any ugly or unsightly objects. It is important to keep the area beautiful as you are more likely to spend time in, and give loving energy to, a garden that you like the look of and feel good about.

Take a leaf out of Grandma’s Book

Did your Grandmother speak to her plants? Mine did, and that practice was passed down to my mother and now I do it. It works! You don’t need to spend a lot of time in conversation with your flowers. Simply walk around and admire your plants for a few minutes most days. In the difficult spots, stop and talk to those plants that are struggling. Express pleasure when you see some growth. Smile at your plants and talk to them in a light manner as you are attending to their needs.

Crystals for Positive Energy

Use crystals and semi precious stones to add some beneficial energy to the area. Here are some ideas:

Agate

This crystal is known for its ability to produce abundance and increase yields in crops. It can be used to enhance the health of your pot plants or your garden plants.

Jade

Jade represents life and growth and has been associated with the health of plants and the environment. Place jade statues in the garden or use jade in a decoration that hangs above or nearby your plants.

Moonstone

Moonstone helps to enhance the growth and health of plants. Use it in decoration in your garden or wear it when attending to your plants.

Clear Quartz Crystal

Quartz crystal will amplify and enhance the qualities of any other stone and can be used to achieve any goal of pure intention. Use it alongside the other stones or alone in your garden to enhance plant growth. I hang crystals over pot plants to improve their performance.

These are examples of stones and crystals that have specific qualities that can assist plant recovery and growth. However, there are many crystals and stones that have healing and nurturing properties so it may pay to experiment. Crystals can be placed in pots, used as a display on a table, in a bird bath or water feature. They are particularly beautiful when they form part of a hanging decoration.

Add a Little Fairy Magick

Fairies have long been associated with gardens. Flower fairies were thought to live in the flowers of plants. They looked after the plant by ensuring it had everything it needed. You can add your own bit of fairy magick to your garden by placing a hanging fairy near the garden that you want to prosper from this energy.

If fairies are not your thing, hang or place sculptures of other powerful symbols around the area, such as the Sun for positive energy and the Moon for receptivity and supernatural powers. Both of these symbols together represent balance and harmony. There are many other symbols of good fortune such as Buddha that will enhance the energy and the feel of your garden. These symbols and bearers of good energy also look great.

Feng Shui Garden

Designing your garden for good Feng Shui

The Feng Shui garden is designed to allow Chi to flow. To create good Feng Shui, design your garden with plenty of curves. If you have a garden with very straight edges, add features that give the impression of curves. You can achieve this by the way you place your garden features and how you locate your plants. Choose rounded pots and curvy furniture to increase the positive Feng Shui in your garden.

Windchime Magick

Another way to increase Chi in your garden is by hanging a windchime or a windchime bell. Windchimes aid in the flow of Chi and add an additional element to your garden through sound. The right windchime can create a sensation of peace through its harmonic tunes. It is worthwhile selecting a well made bell or windchime that you enjoy listening to as this will make a valuable addition to the atmosphere of your home and give you joy every time the breeze blows.

Water Features

A water feature is also extremely beneficial in the creation of a positive Feng Shui garden. The water must be flowing, however, so that Chi can flow and so that it does not become stagnant. The addition of fish to your water feature will provide more positive energy due to the additional life. Be sure to find fish that do not eat the spawn of local frogs. Gold fish, which originated in China, have become an environmental nuisance in some countries and they will eat frogspawn. For frog friendly fish, check with your Government Fisheries Department.

Frog Magick

Frogs represent good luck in many cultures around the world. The first frogs hopped this earth alongside the Dinosaurs. They are wise beings, worthy of respect and they will bring good energy to your garden. Be sure to locate any pond a good distance from bedroom windows, however, as frogs can croak up a storm at night.

Scent

A wonderful way for a garden to enrich your life is through scent. You can create a special atmosphere by planting the shrubs, trees and flowers in your garden that provide certain scents that enhance particular moods. Add some instant inspiration by filling your pots with lavender, jasmine, geranium, lemongrass or whatever your nose desires.

Burn incenses outside or light a scented candle at night while sitting in the garden. Select the scent that will be most beneficial for your garden’s growth. Try gardenia or lavender for love and healing, ginger for success, patchouli or rosemary for love and growth, the invigorating benefits of sweet orange or frankincense and myrrh for healing and growth.

A closing thought ..

Your garden reflects the relationship it shares with you and the other inhabitants of your home. By increasing the positive loving energy in your garden you will create a place for growth and harmony, a place where life will thrive. In return you will receive much enjoyment. By combining good ecological concepts with a little magick you can turn a difficult garden into a sacred resort for the soul.

Vegetable gardening tips are necessary most especially for beginners. These will surely help you achieve success in vegetable gardening if ever you want to have your own.

With the growing prices of vegetables in the market, it is quite practical that you are able to cultivate your own so that you can economize your spending and eat much healthier food. However, several constraints can hinder you in gardening and one example is the limited space. Don’t be hindered by this. All you need to have are home vegetable gardening tips and if you are new in this area, you’ll need home gardening tips for beginners.

Home vegetable-gardening has no big difference to growing flowers or herbs. That is, if vegetable gardening is done properly,you will surely achieve what you desire and will surely give you a fresher vegetables compared to what is sold in the market.

First, as part of your vegetable-gardening tips, you need to think of the size of your garden that you desire to be planted with vegetables. It must be a place of proper drainage, good soil, and appropriate sunlight. And because home vegetable gardening offers tasty food, it is vulnerable to animals such as dogs, deer, rabbit, etc. To prevent that, you make it sure that you are able to put fence around your garden to make it protected.

Vegetable-gardening for beginners can be quite laborious, however can be rewarding too. Having fresh vegetable is one thing that almost all desire to have and you are lucky if you are able to cultivate your own despite, perhaps, with limited area. You just need to be creative in order to achieve your goal in gardening. And, as I have said, home vegetable gardening tips can help you to achieve that.

Another vital thing to consider in home vegetable gardening is the garden arrangement. One strategy to maximize the space is to plant vegetables that only need limited space- those vegetables that do not expand too much. Remember also to put your tall-growing plants at the back side of your garden so that they do not block the sunlight that the small ones need.

When you are already prepared for planting, be sure that the kind of vegetables you are to plant is suitable for the specific season. You can consult books of vegetable-gardening for beginners for this. You can make an improvised place for a certain plants and get it transferred to its location when the appropriate season comes.

Vegetable gardening for beginners also include doing weeding and maintaining your garden out of foreign grasses because these can take the soil nutrients away from the vegetables. Grasses are their prime competitors. You can also protect your vegetables from insects by putting some organic chemicals.

Vegetable-gardening is one of the favorite pastimes of people. It is because, aside from being able to acquire fresh vegetables, you can also make it as a medium of exercise that is really relaxing. However, before you get started with your own, consider acquiring some vegetable gardening tips so that you can achieve the vegetable garden that you desire.

For some, the home vegetable garden is a hobby and for others a great money-saving helper, especially in these days of high prices.

Formerly it was the custom for gardeners to invest their labors and achievements

with a mystery and secrecy which might well have discouraged any amateur from trespassing upon such difficult ground.

Do not feel discouraged that you cannot be promised immediate success at the start. I know from personal experience and from the experience of others that “book-gardening” is a practical thing. If you do your work carefully and thoroughly, you may be confident that a very great measure of success will reward the efforts of your first garden season.

Why should we home garden, well the home gardener can grow his own vegetables and fruits at less expense than he can buy them, that is a good fact to remember and they taste 100 per cent better.

Every garden operation was made to seem a wonderful and difficult undertaking. Now all that has changed. In fact the pendulum has swung, as it usually does, to the other extreme. Often, if you are a beginner, you have been flatteringly told in print that you could from the beginning do just as well as the experienced gardener. This garden business is a matter of common sense; and the man, or the woman, who has learned by experience how to do something, whether it is cornering the market or growing cabbages, naturally does it better than the one who has not. Do not expect the impossible.

Knowledge on the subject of gardening is also more widely diffused than ever before, and the science of photography has helped wonderfully in telling the newcomer how to do things.

And this brings us to what may be the most important reason why you should garden. It is the cheapest, healthiest, keenest pleasure there is.

Better food, better health, better living–all these the home garden offers you in abundance. And the price is only the price of every worth-while thing–honest, cheerful patient work.

But enough for now about the dream garden. Put on your old clothes, and go outdoors and look the place over, and pick out the best spot for that garden-patch of yours.

“Learn All the Trade Secrets of Successful Home Vegetable Gardening”

No patch of land is too tiny to create a superb home vegetable garden.

The bathroom is one of the most neglected rooms in the house when it comes to looking its best. This room is often thought of as needing to be practical, rather than pretty. Fortunately, bathroom interior design can be simply and easily improved upon without sacrificing utility. Attractive custom storage can help to reduce clutter in your bathroom, keeping your important toiletries and cleaning supplies neatly out of sight.

Hotel inspired bathrooms can give the feeling of get-away luxury without ever leaving home. Good lighting, clean lines, and marble surfaces make the bathroom attractive and uncluttered. A large mirror can expand the appearance of space. Other bathroom interior design ideas for a hotel-styled bathroom include monogrammed towels, attractive wallpaper, and crisp design elements.

When the bathroom is used and who will be using it will inform your bathroom interior design choices. A public powder room will be able to be more whimsical or dramatic, whereas a family bath must be more practical. Guest baths should create a welcoming and inviting space for people away from home. A master bathroom should encourage relaxation.

Be careful to choose materials that will not be damaged by water and humidity for your bathroom interior design. Wallpaper can be used in some bathrooms, but in other, the high humidity can cause it to peel and fall off. Tile is a popular choice for a bathroom, but can be damaged if your bathroom is high traffic. A good substitute for traditional tiles is vinyl tile, which can look just like ceramic or marble, but is not as easily broken. Wood cabinets are popular as well, but again, you should be careful to make sure they will not be susceptible to water damage. Wood can swell, warp, and crack in humid environments.

The right shower or tub is important in bathroom interior design. You should choose one that fits your needs, is easily cleaned, and will not be damaged easily if your bathroom sees a lot of use. Acrylic is a good choice for these situations. Traditional fiberglass is light weight, but can be easily scratched. Cast iron and cultured marble provide timeless looks, but are heavy and can be expensive. They may also require extra support under the bathroom floor. Also, try to be sure that your tub or shower is proportioned for the people who are using it. Very tall people may be frustrated by a low shower head. It is important to adjust your bathroom interior design ideas for the people who will be using the room.

Asian interior design is a stylish and classy way to decorate your home. There are many ways to use this design influence in your space. Some people, however, are a little lost when it comes to using Asian design in their own home. Here are a few ideas to help you begin.

Using Japanese influence in your Asian decorating theme is a popular choice. There are many different ways to use this style. Japanese Shoji screens are one of the most popular choices. These are wooden frames with a lattice design. The cutouts are filled with rice paper. Some shoji screens are plain and some have beautiful designs. These screens can be used as a room divider or simply as decoration. Another thing to add to your Japanese inspired room is the Kotatsu table. This is a rectangular table in a dark finish with clean lines. Many have heaters in the middle, and are considered in Japan to be the emotional center of a home.

Woven straw mats with colored borders are popular floor coverings in Asian interiors. These mats are called goza mats. In Japan, these mats are used for walking, sitting, and sleeping. They have two separate layers. One is the straw center and the other is the soft reed outer edge covered in cloth. These floor and bench coverings will add an authentic touch to your Asian style room.

Another classic element of Asian interior design is the gong. There are several different types of gongs, and the one you choose may have much to do with the size of your space. Some gongs are very large, so your room needs to be large to accommodate them. A more manageable size would be a hanging gong. These are usually 12 inches or so and come with a mallet to ring the gong. You can find ones with a beautiful scroll design to accent your Asian decor. You can also purchase a classic gong that hangs on your wall as an art piece. These are lovely and help to tie an Asian inspired space together.

Using Japanese and Chinese calligraphy is a classic and elegant way to decorate your walls for an Asian decorating theme. You can purchase these works of art already framed or just the print. If you buy just the print, it is usually most striking to frame them in black. Look for simple frames with clean lines. This will help enhance the Asian style.

As you can see, there are many ways to use Asian interior design in your own home. There are a plethora of websites and retailers that specialize in Asian interior design. You can find the materials and products that you need to create your perfect Asian inspired space with relative ease.

Interior Designer Tips for Selecting a New Paint Color

1. Find a starting place. Pull your color inspiration from something already in the room such as an area rug or painting. If you are planning to replace the furnishings in a room as well as fresh paint, start by finding the new items for the room. Finding a paint color to match a rug you love is infinitely easier than trying to find a rug you like to work with the color of your walls.
2. Think about what you like, and what colors you like to wear. If you don’t look good in yellow, do not paint your Master Bathroom yellow or you will be unhappy with yourself every time you look in the mirror. You might be seeing a lot of blues and browns in home furnishings lately, but if you don’t love blue do not paint your room blue just to keep up with the trends.
3. Get inspired! Mother Nature is the world’s best colorist and she pulls together the most incredible palettes. Look around outside for color combinations you might have never considered.
4. Start small and take baby steps. If you want to try a bold color for the first time, start in a small and manageable space such as a Powder Room. The small space will allow you to live with you new bold color in a small amount, plus you will need very few accessories to pull the look together.
5. Ignore all “rules” you may have heard such as dark colors making a room look small. Do not be guided by what you have been told is right or wrong when selecting colors. Yes, some of these rules do have some amount of truth but the world is not black and white, and nor should your home be.

What types of professional interior designers are available?

Have you heard of Interior redecorators? These professional interior decorators transform your home using things you have accumulated over the years. The end result is a balanced, harmonious space that reflects the personality of the people who use it. Many interior designers have added this service to their repertoire. Alternate terms for professional interior designers specializing in interior redecorating are interior redesigners, interior arrangers, interior stylists, one day decorators, visual coordinators or interior refiners.

What is a Certified Interior Designer? (from B&P Code Section 5800,5538)

A Certified interior designer is a competent design professional who is qualified to design, prepare, and submit any type of nonstructural, non-seismic interior construction plans and specifications to local building departments. Certified interior designers have demonstrated through education, experience, and examination their knowledge of the Uniform Building Code as it relates to space planning, life safety, flammability, and disabled access code issues. Most interior designers have a minimum four-year education. Many have Master of Interior Design degrees or other additional education in architecture or interior design. Interior designers who have many years experience may not have a Bachelors in Interior Design, but usually are well educated and have many years of qualified experience. All qualified interior designers will indicate that they have passed the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Certification) examination and/or are registered/ certified/ licensed in their state.

How do Interior Decorators charge for their services?

Flat Design Fee: The client pays a flat fee for the professional interior designer’s services based on the design plan, time required, and scope of services.
Hourly Rate: The interior decorator bills a negotiated rate per hour.
Cost Plus Method: Professional interior designers charge a set percentage on all merchandise purchased and tradesmen’s services rendered.
Mixed Method: The client pays both a set percentage on purchases and a base design fee for hourly rate.
Per square foot: This method is used especially in new construction.

What to ask at the first meeting:
• Ask to see the interior designer’s portfolio, but remember that the designs reflect other people’s tastes,¬ not necessarily the interior decorator’s, and possibly not your own.
• Ask what size projects the interior designer has worked on, where, and what was the budget range.
• Ask how the established budget will be handled, and the kind of payment schedules the interior decorator requires.
• Ask about the types of services the designer can provide.
• Ask for a list of references.

What you may be asked at the first meeting:
It is a good idea to prepare for your first meeting with a professional interior designer by creating your own folder of clippings from magazines, catalogs, and books of design ideas that appeal to you.
You may also be asked some or all of the following questions:
• For whom is the space being designed?
• What activities will take place in the space?
• How long do you plan to occupy the space?
• What is your time frame for completing the project?
• What is your budget?
• Are you relocating or remodeling?
• What image do you want to project?
• What colors, style, and effects do you like?
• What are your objective and lifestyle needs?
• What is the approximate square footage to be designed?

If a professional interior designer, or anyone, for that matter, tells you the process is easy, stress-free, and will be complete in two weeks, they’re either lying or stupid. Don’t hire that person.

Green building is a design process that grows out of a connection with the natural landscape. It is a set of informed decisions that considers the site and materials to reduce the cost, maintenance, and energy usage of the home. Conservation is central to the green building approach. Green homes are healthier, safer, more comfortable, and cost less to operate. They connect people to the land and community around them. Here are seven green building ideas:

1) Build a passive solar design.

Passive solar design for natural heating and cooling is practiced throughout the world under all climate conditions. As energy costs rise, it is critical to use building orientation, window placements, stone floors, roof overhangs, reflective barriers and other techniques to control natural solar energy.

In warm climates, face the broad side of the house to the north or south, to avoid excessive heat gain as the sun rises and drops in the horizon. Use deep overhangs or solar screens to shield glass areas from direct sun. Avoid skylights or greenhouse rooms, because they allow too much heat gain.

In colder climates, solar heat can be captured and stored in materials such as concrete or stone to be slowly released during the evening.

An open floor plan optimizes the effect of passive solar heating or cooling.

Doors and windows should be placed to catch the prevailing breeze and allow cross ventilation.

Lower inflow windows and higher outflow windows keeps air moving, as hot air rises.

A thermal chimney uses a hot zone, such as a glass cupola with windows or vents, to create rising air currents to pull air through the building.

Double glass panes provide an insulating air space between the panes, reducing heat transfer.

The metal oxide coating on Low-E (emissive) glass helps to keep solar heat out, and interior heat in.

2) Ventilate attic spaces.

In hot climates, attic spaces can accumulate heat, transferring it to living areas below. AC ducts located in the attic will absorb this heat.

In cold climates, moisture can accumulate in unventilated attic spaces, causing wood rot or mold.

Continuous eave and roof ridge vents will create natural air flow through the attic. Air enters through the eave vents, and moves out through the ridge vents. As heated air rises, it ventilates the attic.

Lighter colored roof materials absorb less heat.

Reflective heat barriers on the underside of the roof deck help to reduce heat gain.

High levels of insulation in attics and exterior walls is crucial for comfortable indoor temperature in all climates.

Some research is being done on building sealed, highly insulated attics.

3) Optimize your heat and AC systems.
An oversized system will cool too quickly, and leave the room clammy. Smaller systems run long enough reach the desired temperature, and, at the same time, clear the air of humidity.

A smaller system lasts longer, does not cycle on and off frequently, and costs less to purchase.

Check for leaks in duct work joints, and around windows, doors, attic stairs, exhaust pipes, recessed lights, and electric outlets. Ongoing maintenance of central air systems is necessary to prevent air loss.

Use programmable thermostats to regulate your energy usage.

Use Pleated-Media Filters in AC return-air grills. This filter removes particles as small as mold spores from the air that is drawn back into the AC blower, keeping coils cleaner and improving the air quality in your home.

Heat pumps on electric furnaces reduce energy use by drawing heat from outside air, using the same technology that air conditioners use to remove heat from indoor air.

Check with your utility provider for free diagnostic testing and rebates for high efficiency AC systems, insulation, solar screens, and weather-stripping.

4) Reduce water needs.

Native landscaping that is suited to the rainfall in your area is fundamental to building green.

Keep as much native growth on your lot as possible.

Water pervious materials such as crushed granite or open paving blocks allow water to percolate into the ground.

Rainwater catchment systems use gutters and barrels to catch and store water that falls on roofs.

Front loading washing machines use less energy and water. Some dishwashers use less water and have no-heat drying. Check water and energy usage before buying appliances.

Low flow toilets and shower heads reduce water usage.

Reduce water and fertilizer needs by re-cycling yard waste and leaves for use as mulch.

5) Use renewable or recycled materials.

Consider decks made of waste wood and plastic, such as Trex or other brands.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF), a wood product used for interior trim and doors, does not contain formaldehyde.

Fiber-Cement siding, trim, and pipe materials (Hardie Board) are very durable, rot resistant, and fire retardant.

Use locally produced, and easily renewed, materials when possible.

Consider alternative building materials, such as rammed earth, straw bale or insulated concrete panels.

Concrete floors utilize the foundation material as finish floor, saving materials and labor.

Recycled wood floors are a very attractive re-use of materials.

Bamboo floors are made from a rapidly renewable source – bamboo is a grass that can grow several feet per day.

Hard surface floors do not hold dust, molds, and allergens, and are very durable.

Use materials with recycled content when possible, such as cellulose insulation, Thermo-ply, and lumber composites.

Plan for a place to re-cycle household trash, such as a storage bin in the kitchen, and holding bin in the garage.

6) Safeguard your site.

Trees, vegetation and bird habitat on the site should be protected during the construction.

Native trees, grasses, rock outcroppings and natural drainage can be made a part of your building and landscaping design.

Reduce the impact to the building site as much as possible.

Make sure construction waste is properly disposed of, especially paints and solvents. Do not allow them to be buried on the site.

7) Use safe materials.

Use products that are biodegradable, non toxic, water based, and cold water compatible.

Avoid products that contain dyes, ozone depleting chemicals, heavy metals, formaldehyde, or known carcinogens.

Avoid solvent based finishes, particleboard, adhesives, some carpets, and other products that release volatile chemicals into the air.

Look for green rated labels on carpets and other products.

Remove old-style pressure treated wood when possible, especially in play structures.

Green building is an approach to design and construction that respects the environment and conserves resources. It is a common sense approach that is available to all home owners. Green building techniques create a more cost effective, enjoyable and sustainable home to live in.

There are three main components to keep in mind when you’re building your Portable Empire:

1. Building your list

2. Building your relationship with your list

3. Making products and selling them to your list, and through Joint-Venture and affiliate arrangements, to the universe.

Let’s talk about choosing your niche. This is the playground where you’re going to play- so keep it interesting and fun.

According to the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, niche means:

2 a : a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted

b : a habitat supplying the factors necessary for the existence of an organism or species

c : the ecological role of an organism in a community especially in regard to food consumption

d : a specialized market

When we talk about our “niche” in internet marketing, we’re referring to “d: a specialized market,” although the other definitions are relevant.

It’s important to target all of your efforts to one specific, specialized market. To develop a large, loyal list of subscribers, you need to offer a solution to a problem that is shared by a large group of people.

Over time, one of your most valuable possessions will be your list of people who are not only interested in the solution to their problem, but will also pay you for solutions.

If you choose your niche wisely, it will be deep enough to include a lot of related problems. For example, my niche is education, specifically in the area of internet marketing for beginners.

That’s a big playground. I can talk about the mindset of success, the inner game of marketing, how to create a PDF file, video editing, and hundreds of other related topics. I can provide the information as an e-book, an audio download, a CD, a streaming video, or a DVD.

You might want to jot this down: “Every problem is a product.”

As my customer solves one problem- hopefully with a solution they buy from me- that leads them to the next problem. My job is to make sure they know about the problem, and make it easy for them to buy the solution from me. At that point, the client will weigh how important the problem is to them, how long it would take them to solve it on their own, and, hopefully, purchase the solution.

Over time, I’ve created a lot of solutions. As I solve each problem for myself, I turn that solution into a product.

To the people who are behind us on the learning curve, we’re the experts.

Over time, I’ve left a trail of solutions, and gathered a list of people who are on the same journey I’m on. This is how you create multiple streams of passive income.

As you read the instructions below for choosing a niche, keep that in mind. Be sure to pick a niche that has a long learning curve, with lots of fun problems.

Let’s take this to the real world.

One of the best tools for communicating with your subscribers is a blog (web/log). I advertise mine as “unedited and uncensored,” and do my best to keep it real and relevant, with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Here’s an excerpt from my blog (www.patobryan.com/blog.htm):

Recently, one of my mentoring clients asked:

Could you please explain how you coach people to success? I have been down this road before trying to come up with a product to solve a problem. It didn’t come up with anything. ! I don’t have a clue in coming up with a product……Do you have a specific process to come up with profitable ideas??? I hope so, I need the process you go thru.

I responded:

I suspect that he’s not the only one asking this question. As a matter of fact, my domestic partner Betsy and I were just talking about this over dinner. She’s struggling with the same problem.

I think we can sort this out.

First, you need to chunk the question down and simplify it. Right now, the problem I’d like to solve is breast cancer- a very dear friend is battling this demon, and I’ve lost several loved ones to it. Another problem I’d like solved is political- I’m afraid that Ike was right when he warned us to beware the military-industrial complex. Then there’s hunger, homelessness, global warming, and the fact that there’s not a real first-class Mexican Food restaurant in Wimberley, Texas.

Realistically, I’m not an oncologist, a political scientist, social scientist, or first-class Mexican Food chef. We need to find problems we can actually solve, and hopefully in a niche that we can stay interested in.

To me, that’s the real danger- finding a niche that’s profitable but boring. I think it’s important to find a niche you’re passionate about.

For example, I’m passionate about self-actualization, and I don’t think that’s something you can achieve working 40 hours a week at a job you’re not passionate about. I think humans were created in God’s image, and she didn’t intend for us to spend our brief time on this spinning globe in mind-numbing tedium. I’m convinced that we’re living in an infinite universe, and that there are enough resources for everyone. My solution is the “Portable Empire” concept, which allows you to travel, think, meditate, and grow to your full potential without having to punch a clock.

So, when I’m looking for a problem to solve, I limit my search to the niche of “Your Portable Empire.”

That simplifies the problem, and also simplifies finding the solution. I promote seminars, videos, audios and e-books that teach people to create multiple streams of passive income.

A lot of my products start out as conversations with my mentoring clients.

So, step one is to identify your niche.

How do you do that? You need to find a subject that you’re a) passionate about, b) knowledgeable in, and c) is broad enough to have a large customer base.

In my case, I’m passionate about freedom- and you need financial freedom to acquire intellectual freedom and freedom of mobility. I’m knowledgeable about the subject- I make a healthy six-figure income doing what I teach. And finally, there are more than enough people interested in the subject to make it profitable for me.

One way to work your way through the niche-finding problem is to take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On one side, write down all the subjects you’re knowledgeable about. An example could be:

Raising happy children

Maintaining automobiles

Losing Weight

Yoga

Golf

Healthy relationships

Feng Shui

Getting a good deal on antiques

Graphic design

Cleaning houses

Cooking

Art (painting, drawing, collecting, etc.)

Music (playing an instrument, promoting a band, making a recording)

Poker

Chess

Stock market investing

Take some time with this- you know a lot more than you think you do.

Then, in the second column, make a similar list of things you’re passionate about. PASSIONATE! Not just interested.

Then, see what turns up in both columns. On another sheet of paper, make another list of just the things that are in both columns, with the most fascinating (to you) subject first, the next most fascinating subject second, etc.

Now, starting with the most interesting subject, do a Google search to see who else is marketing to your future customers.

If you turn up a blank, or just a few results, go to the next one. Just because you’re passionate about under-water stamp collecting doesn’t mean it’s a good business model. Call that a hobby and move on.

If your Google search turns up page after page of commercial sites- congratulations! You’ve just identified your future Joint-Venture partners. You’ve found your niche.

Now, let’s say you’re the kind of guy who plays 18 holes of golf every morning, and another 18 in the evening. You’ve got zirconium encrusted drivers and a putter that’s been blessed by three popes. Your golf cart has a hemi. Your wife would like you to kindly shut up about golf, because that’s all you ever talk about.

You’re a golf nut.

Now, let’s also postulate that you’ve spent a few years reading every book you can get your hands on about golf, studied with Tiger Woods, and the local golf pro asks you for advice.

You’re a golf expert.

You do a Google search on “golf” and discover that there are thousands of people marketing to golfers.

You’re in luck.

Your niche is golf.

Now, to monetize your niche, you need to find out what pressing problems golfers are having and provide them with a solution. You want to identify a problem that really, really hurts them. I live on a golf course, but the last golf course I played on had a windmill, and I was still in Junior High School at the time, so I’m going to wing it here…

Do they slice? Do they get tired on hole 17? Hole 3? Is their stance too wide? Are their pants too tight? Have they lost their balls?

How do you find out what THE pressing problem is for golfers today?

Back to Google.

Do a search on “golf forum.”

There should be plenty. Join them. Lurk. Read the posts.

I do this with “newbie” internet forums. It’s a gold mine. Somebody will post a question, several other people will join the conversation, mentioning that they’ve had the same problem. Somebody will post a wrong answer.

Gold mine. Home run. Hole in one.

So, hang out in the forums and identify the one biggest problem that golfers have. Obviously, this will work in any niche.

Sell them the solution.

Initially, you’ll probably frame your solution as an e-book. They’re free to make, free to deliver, and you can put them on clickbank (www.clickbank.com)- and clickbank will handle the accounting, keep up with affiliate sales, send your affiliates their money, and send you your money every two weeks.

You may discover an olde Scottish tome that is in the public domain that is just chock full of golfing wisdom. Turn that sucker into a PDF and sell it.

Remember, we’re selling information. You can also package the information as an audio MP3, which you can also put on clickbank.

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of fun with video. The internet is just too slow to deliver professional video online. That will change. About half the country, and a lot of the rest of the world, is still using dial-up, which is way too slow for video. That will change, too, but we’re in a hurry, so, you’ll have to deliver DVDs. This introduces a level of complexity to your Portable Empire that you may want to avoid for now.

(www.patobryan.com/blog.htm - 07/08/06 Selling the solution- Every Problem is a Product)

Imagine that your niche is golf. That’s a great niche, because it’s got a lot of very interesting problems.

You could create an “Introduction to Golfing.” Then, an e-book on how to choose the right golf clubs. Follow that up with “27 Things To Ask Your Golf Pro.” “Reports From the World’s Best Golf Courses,” would be my next choice- and would lead to a nice tax-deductible vacation.

Over time, you’ll establish relationships with a large group of people who rely on you to provide solutions to their golfing problems- and pay you for those solutions.