Smart Ways to Store Precious Metal

In case of emergency, or difficult financial times, it's important to have valuables on hand for liquidation purposes. They also make grand heirloom pieces, to be passed down from generation to generation. If you have precious metals at home, store them in a safe, secret, accessible location

1

Install a home safe. Using a home safe is the most common method for storing precious metals, expensive jewelry, important papers and emergency cash. Choose a safe that is waterproof, in case of natural disasters, and very large and heavy, to discourage burglars. Choose a safe that opens with a combination lock, rather than a key lock, to prevent any mishaps.

2

Bury your precious metals in the backyard. If you can't afford a safe, this method can be just as effective, for a fraction of the cost. Put the metals in some sort of weather-proof container before you put them in the ground, and encase the box in plastic to be doubly sure. Mark the spot in an inconspicuous way, in case you forget exactly where you buried your metals as the years go by. Plant a certain type of plant or strategically place your attack dog's house over the spot to ensure the security of your secret location.

3

Invest in a safe deposit box at a bank close to home. According to US-Gold-Bureau.com, most banks charge between $30 and $200 annually for the service. You will receive several sets of keys to your box; hide the keys in various locations around your home for discrete, easy access.

4

Store the metals inside of a false wall. Many older homes come equipped with secret walls or passageways; take advantage of the inherent secrecy. Newer homes can have false walls installed. In addition to false walls, storing metals underneath loose floorboards also makes a secure hiding place. Encase the metals in some sort of weather-proofed container before storing.

5

Keep it a secret. Discussing where you've stored your precious metals is your greatest security risk.

6

Be discrete. Don't go in and out of your hiding place often. Allowing someone to witness your hiding place can be just as damaging as telling them about it.

By Oubria Tronshaw

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How to Make Expensive Looking Pillows

To me, toss pillows are like shoes. A girl can never have too many. And there are always reasons to have different colors, sizes and shapes--but even more importantly--they really change up the room, or outfit that is! Toss pillows are a great way to put a bit of your personality into a room, as well as add a new pop of color to a dull sofa or a boring bedspread. However, they can be quite expensive, so instead of buying new ones--here is a way you can make expensive-looking pillows for a fraction of the cost.

1

Go to a vintage shop or department store to hunt out some silk scarves (or you may have some lying around in your closet that have not been worn in years). Pull those out and decide on one that would be a nice punch of color in the area you are looking to redo, for instance, the sofa, your bed or a side chair in the office.

2

Don't worry if a piece is too large or has a damaged edge. The solution is simply to cut the piece to size or trim the flawed side. This is a great way to repurpose a favorite piece of any fabric, for that matter.

3

Measure the scarf to decide on what pillow insert to use--you can use an existing pillow or buy an insert from a fabric store. They come in a variety of sizes from 12-by-12 inch (small) to 22-by-22 inch.

4

Since very few scarves are large enough to do both sides of a pillow, you'll need to choose a backing. I suggest a silk, which you can pick up at any fabric store for usually around $10/yard, or a linen works nicely as well.

5

Cut a piece of the backing fabric 1/4 inch larger than the scarf all around. Center the scarf on it, right-side-up, then pin and stitch to backing 1/8 inch from scarf edge.

6

Make a back with an envelope-style closure (two flaps that overlap) for inserting the pillow. To do this, you need to cut two pieces of fabric, each three-quarters as long as the muslin and the same width.

7

Stitch a 1 1/2-inch hem on one end of each. Make sure the scarf is right-side-up; lay one piece of fabric at each end of the scarf, right sides down, hems pointing toward the center. Pin and stitch to scarf just inside the previously created 1/8-inch seam.

8

Turn and press out the corners with a knitting needle.

9

Iron and then slip the insert insid.

thanks to  Erinn Valencich - Home Expert

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How to Pick Carpet Colors With Decor

Choosing the right carpet color is an important decision for the overall feel of a room. Usually carpet is used to insulate and make a room warmer in colder climates. Other times carpets serve the purpose of making the design of a room softer and more comfortable to walk in barefoot. Whatever your reason for laying down carpet in a room, choosing the right color becomes easy when simple elements such as pre-existing color themes and the purpose of the room are taken into consideration.

1.

Make a list of the colors that are already present in the room to be carpeted. Oftentimes sofas and bedding have fabrics that lend themselves to different color coordination, in which case you can write down these options in order to look at what colors either complement or contrast them in the color wheel. The wall color also plays a major role in the choice of color for the carpet.

2

Take your list of potential colors, and use the color wheel to see what colors complement your choices. Light brown or beige is a favorite for carpet color, but if you have chosen a more unusual color and are afraid to use it, think of picking a soft tone of that color, which will give the room an original feel, without making the color stand out.

3

Observe the lighting in the room. Dark rooms rely mainly on artificial lighting, which may alter the shade of the carpet color chosen by darkening it or making it seem colder, if the light source comes from fluorescent lights. Natural light, on the other hand, may wash out dark carpet colors over time, especially if the sunlight hits the carpet directly. Take a sample of the carpet color, and look at it in the different lighting options the room has to offer to get a better feel of what the color will eventually look like in the room.

4

Consider the purpose of the room to help you decide if your choice of carpet color should be light or dark. Dark-colored carpet makes anything that isn't dark, pop up. This includes animal hair and pieces of trash. If the room is intended for a children's room or a family room, dark colors may not be the best option. Light-colored carpet shows dirt more and is not recommended for a room that may be close to the yard or other outdoor areas of the house. Carpets that have a mixture of light shades of beige and brown tend to be best at hiding dirt and are ideal for multipurpose rooms.

5

Make your final decision and visit your local carpet supplier to see the different options in carpet they have, based on your color selection.

Tips & Warnings

Remember, if you really want a carpet color that does not match your wall color, you can always change the wall color to match your carpet color choice.

Carpets come in various materials and finishes that may make the same color look different. If shopping online, ask if the carpet supplier can mail you samples of the carpet before you place a final order.

by Ana Cassis from Ehow

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