http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com Hennen Furniture Design Blog Tue, 15 May 2007 23:33:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Are you aware that you should test the auto-reverse function on your garage door monthly?  Check the balance yearly.  And familiarize yourself with the door's release system in case of emergency or power failure.  Sometimes I forget these things so I am reminding everyone.  Talk to you soon. http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/05/safety-tip/ Okay -- Blogs are supposed to be interactive but no one responds.  Do we need to find something more interesting?  Here is a little tidbit.  On April 27th, all McDonald's in MN will be giving away a seedling pine tree.  First come first serve.  It is the Minnesota Forestry's way ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/04/lonely/ One more "green" idea.  Are you aware that corn is also being used to make carpeting?  It is a renewable source and creates a very soft, great-wearing carpet.  We have samples of it at Hennen Furniture and it is worth a stop to see it.  Keep thinking green and if ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/04/corn-not-just-on-the-cob/ I was watching Good Morning America this morning and they had an interesting segment on planet earth.  This segment will run for a week with new "green" ideas and products.  One this morning was the carpeting made by Mohawk from recycled plastic bottles.  It takes 30 bottles to make 1 ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/04/planet-earth-think-green/ Orange in the garden year long is bright, sunny and cheery.  Use flowers like sea buckthorn, bittersweet, hollies and some roses.  Also use terra-cotta pots, copper birdbaths/trellises, and brick on paths and walls.  Happy planting!  Spring is just a breath away!  http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/03/orange-spring-orange-summer-orange-fall/ So. Just recently Australia declared that they plan on phasing out incandescent light bulbs by 2010. Doing so will significantly reduce the amount of power used on the continent. So does that mean we should to? Well in my humble opinion, I say, "Sure, why not?!" If it saves as ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/02/australian-peer-pressure/ European countries have had bidets in most of their bathrooms but in North America the bidet is just coming into popularity.  I always thought that if I ever built a home, I would have a bidet installed.  But, alas, I bought a home and it does not or rather did not have a bidet.  Now, ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/02/the-bidet-bidex/ This is a quick hint.  When planting your colorful flowers outside, pull colors from your inside room so that everything has a nice flow through the windows.  Example:  When sitting in the living room and looking out at your garden, you should be able to see some of the same ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/02/insideoutside-color/ I was, until I visited the Better Homes and Gardens website.  While there, I took a walk through 12 pages of gardens and started writing down ideas for my back yard.  Now the ideas for color, textures and summer fun are running through my head.  I am looking forward to ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/02/feeling-the-winter-blahs/ A pet peeve for many men (and some women) is the holes left in the walls from hanging pictures.  Hennen's has a solution and they work great.  Heavy Duty Wall Hangers sell for $1.95/pair and each one will support up to 150 pounds.  The best part?  They DO NOT need ... http://design-blog.hennenfurniture.com/2007/01/mens-pet-peeve/