It’s true that for some, the bathroom is simply a room to take care of business. It can be plain, basic and boring as long as it’s functional. Glass doors can work here, too. By going with one of simplistic designs, the care is easy, the functionality is present and there’s no shower curtain to wash and/or replace.

Others, however, see the bathroom as an escape. It’s a place to soak in a warm tub or take in a hot shower. It should be relaxing, eye appealing and a pleasure to retreat to. For these people, a bathroom design can be as important as the living or dining rooms. Aesthetically pleasing, clean and beautiful are musts.

Here’s where glass doors can make a real difference. Depending on bathroom size and design, shower doors can be simply functional, yet beautiful or they can make a statement in a room.

Large bathrooms, for example, often have a separate showering area along with a standalone tub. Showers can be enclosed entirely in a frameless glass structure that speaks to style with unusual lines and visually pleasing designs. Elaborate and beautiful, these structures add an architectural appeal to a bathroom. Whether going for basic glass or intricately designed glass, too, can make a real difference. The choices here are almost endless as good glassmakers can even create a motif in the pieces. If what’s wanted isn’t available in a standard door, a custom made one can fill the need.

Smaller bathrooms can still benefit from a glass door. The sliding types that tend to go into shower/tub combinations can still be beautiful. Think beyond the basic frosted or bumped glass sheeting to pieces of glass with designs or colors and the idea starts to become clearer. Here, too, custom pieces can be designed or special styles ordered.

Whether going basic and frosted or elaborate and frameless, the choice of glass for the bathroom is important, too. It should be rated for safety no matter the design chosen. Glass in the bath should break like a windshield on car in tons of little pieces rather than sharp shards.

Once glass has been chosen and installed, caring for it might take a special touch. Depending on the type and style you’ve chosen, the care may be slightly different. It’s a good idea to talk with the installer or follow manufacturer instructions for care. No matter the case though, caring for glass can be easy if regular maintenance is part of a routine.

Wipe down the glass after each use and be certain to remove any soap or conditioner residue that might be stuck on it. Don’t use harsh abrasives. Regular wiping will help cut down on water stains or mineral build up, which makes overall care that much easier.

A glass shower door can turn an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary one. They can also lend a utilitarian sense to a regular bathroom, serving basic needs better than curtains.

#1 Resource

Glass shower doors.

showerdoorshqdotcom

Storage benches come in a number of sizes, shapes and designs. Plus, some designs are even easy for the do-it-yourselfer to build. The idea behind them is simple, but the number of uses they have is amazing.

Depending on design, storage benches can be great additions to bedrooms, playrooms, gardens and even entryways. Where a particular bench will be most useful, however, will really depend on its design and the items necessary for storing.

Here are some different kinds of storage benches and ideas for incorporating them into a room’s design:

* Adult bedroom. A hardwood, finished storage bench with a wood color similar to a bedroom suite can add space for storage while offering some great seating. Placed at the foot of the bed like a footlocker, these benches are great for holding extra blankets, winter sweaters and more. They keep the items out of the way and lend a lot to the overall design of the room, too. With proper planning the bench seat can incorporate a cushion that matches curtains, a bedspread or another accent color within the room.

* Child’s bedroom. The function for a bench in a child’s room would be similar as the adults, but with proper hinges (those that don’t allow slamming) a storage bench here can double as a great toy box. Think of it as a window seat that can go anywhere in the room and the idea becomes a little more clear. In the kids’ rooms, however, coloring of wood might need to be brighter or bolder. Plain dark mahogany looks great for mom and dad, but the stately look likely won’t appeal to a five-year-old girl. Think princess. Pink and white! Or, bright primary colors. For a boy, maybe football themed, nautical or so on.

* Entry ways. Again, the wood and stain will make a difference here. A beautiful cherry storage bench with a cushioned seat is great for holding umbrellas, shoes or so on, plus it gives a welcoming feel to the entry.

* Gardens. If you never know where to store your garden tools, this is a savior. Not only will a storage bench give you a great place to sit in the garden, the seats are perfect for holding hedge trimmers, plant food, small clippers, gloves and more. Just remember with the outdoor use, the wood will need to be different than that desired for a bedroom or entry. Go with something pressure treated or at least make sure it’s painted or sealed properly to withstand the weather.

They may seem a little old fashioned, but a good storage bench is a great idea for giving a home or outdoors area extra seating and a place to stash items, too. Functional and beautiful is more than possible for indoors use and sturdy and weatherproof for the outdoors.

More Resources

Storage bench resource.

storagebenchsitedotcom

Storage bins and totes.

storagebinsincdotcom

Ford has already announced a restructuring and a projected cut of 30,000+ jobs. G.M. has recently retired an old name brand Oldsmobile and is posting losses on a regular basis. Delphi Corp., the largest auto parts supplier for U.S. manufacturers has already declared bankruptcy which makes buyers leary of future parts availability. Most of the other parts suppliers are very close to or are currently declaring bankruptcy.

In the 80’s when Chrysler was having severe finacial woes the government stepped in with million dollar loans and other aid. The government is currently reeling from Katrina, New Orleans, and the war in Iraq. It can’t afford to bail out Ford or G.M. The public opinion is against a government bailout as the economy is not its best. George Bush has too many other problems to deal with like high gas prices, natural gas, Iraq, etc…

So, without a government bailout and no proposed new laws to halt the outsourcing and outflowing of jobs and such to overseas giants like China and Japan, it is only a matter of time before Ford and G.M. go bankrupt. Toyota and Honda have been gunning for the number 1 spot and now that they have it are not going to give it up. The only hope left is with the trucks. Both Ford and G.M. have a bustling truck business and it is their only profitable business. The imports have tried to break into this market and after quite a few years they have not had much success. The majority of trucks are bought by die hard Ford or Chevy people. But, that may also change. Toyota has found that the key may be in Nascar. This could and will lead to other imports getting involved and taking the American out of Nascar. That would eventually happen as they have more money and lower costs.

Basically, with the laws the way they are right now, the U.S. auto manufacturers do not stand a chance. So the question is do we restrain trade with countries like China and Japan, possibly hurt foreign relations, Make it more expensive to buy better built and higher quality imports, etc… Or let democracy, free trade, and a capitalist society have its way giving Americans the best, safest vehicles, for the lowest price? Regardless of how we make our laws, Walmarts or their equivalents will always prevail – the basic premise of Walmart’s founder Sam Walton was to sell the best products to consumers at the lowest price possible. Look at what he did. In a period of 40 years he went from one store to being the largest retailer in the world. Walmart has plans for 2500 stores in China. Maybe the U.S. auto manufacturers could learn something here. Take the imports on at their own game, stop paying multi-million dollar compensation packages to executives that aren’t fixing the company. Maybe they need to pay more attention to what brings the best results in advertising at the least expense. Why is it that some companies must spend millions on advertising and others in the same niche get more results for much less?

Ford and G.M. need to rethink and come out with an attack plan. Go after the imports at their own level. Maybe make a marketing ploy of America and what we may lose. The kids of today aren’t growing up dreaming of Shelby Mustangs and Corvettes. They are driving Honda and Toyotas that they fix up like in the Movie The Fast and the Furious. Maybe its too late.

David Maillie is a chemist, an alumni of Cornell University and holds numerous patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: mdwholesaledotcom

The famous knife of the Swiss Army came on the market in the late 1890s. It was and remains an impressive representation of ingenuity and design. By combining a number of functional tools into a single device, Carl Elsener created a tool that would make history and stand the test of time.

Elsener’s company, Victorinox, was initially created to help stave off emigration out of his part of Switzerland. Industrialization was not strong in the central region of the country and employment was spotty. Inasmuch, many people had to leave to find gainful employment. By creating the knife and his company, Elsener set into motion an industry that would more than 100 years later still be providing work for Swiss residents.

The company that manufacturers the knife today and ships it to more 100 countries worldwide now employs about 1,000 people. The knife itself has taken on many forms through the years and, in fact, now comes in more models than a person could shake a stick at.

Originally, the Victorinox knife included about six different tools. Now, the knife actually comes in more than 100 different models with all sorts of tool options. These can range from knifes, of course, to screw drivers, bottle openers, small hammers and more.

The company is still home based in Ibach, Switzerland, and boasts an impressive track record. It creates, on average, about 34,000 knifes a day in its 100-plus versions. The pocket tool numbers fall in at about 43,000 a day in 300 different variations. Their popularity remains so strong due to the “bang for the buck” the pocket knifes offer. Rather than having to carry multiple tools around, a single purchase can serve a lot of purposes.

The pinch-hitters of the tool world, many a Victorinox knife has been used for fixing everything from cars and computers to small appliances and more. Walking around with a screw driver isn’t practical, but a pocket knife is more than doable.

A legendary success, the knives made by the Victorinox company are loved the world over for their usefulness, functionality and durability. The Swiss creation is known as one that will stand the test of time and come in handy when it’s needed.

The knives are popular among construction workers, campers, survivalists and every day people for the number of things they can do. A simple knife dropped in a pocket or purse can come in handy for more little projects than one can imagine. In fact, these knives have been taken on historic expeditions in space, to the North Pole, Mount Everest and beyond.

The Swiss Army Knife was created originally to provide solid manufacturing jobs in a region that was hurting for industry. Today, more than 100 years after their creation, the knifes remain a popular must-have for the well-prepared.

#1 Resource

Swiss army knife selection.

swissarmyknifesstoredotcom

One of the biggest concerns often talked about when it comes to hybrid vehicles has to do with those personnel responding to accidents involving a hybrid. Many traditional looking cars such as the Honda Accord and Ford Escape are being built with hybrid engines and rescuers might experience some difficulty at the scene of an accident identifying one as such. The reason the identification is crucial is that as compared to conventional gas powered cars, hybrid vehicles have a tremendous amount of electricity coursing through them and thus could cause injury to rescuers and further injury to drivers already hurt by the crash. Many people believe that the solution to this problem is for automakers to affix a label on the driver’s side visor stating that it is a hybrid vehicle, equip with all the features that this kind of car entails.

New hybrids are bursting onto the market at an increasing rate and therefore all first responders need to be taught about ways in which hybrid cars differ from more traditional non-hybrid models. Lack of education could result in safety measures being compromised and injuries taking place. To use the battery in a hybrid to illustrate the point, in some hybrid models the battery carries with it a charge of up to 500 volts and is powered both by gasoline and electricity. Compare this with the voltage of a typical non-hybrid car, which is in the area of 12 volts. First responders need to be taught where the battery is located in a hybrid car and how to cut the cables without risking being electrocuted by the high voltage that the battery puts out. This is particularly important when machinery such as the Jaws of Life is required to physically remove a passenger in imminent danger from a car. It cannot be emphasized enough, without proper training, more serious injury, and even death, could result.

This problem is being addressed by manufacturers of hybrids with Honda and Toyota going to the front of the line on safety procedures. Hybrid cars are being suited with color codes so first responders can easily comprehend the flow of electricity in the car. Honda hybrids use the color bright orange to designate the high-voltage power line which helps reduce safety risks for rescuers responding to calls.

Concerns about hybrid hazards have led Honda and Toyota to create their own individual safety guides for rescue personnel. Every fire department in the United States received a copy of these guides to be made available for their staff to educate themselves. Toyota has just completed new guides for its latest hybrid vehicles, the Highlander and Lexus. These guides can easily be read online by any member of the public, whether they are emergency workers or not.

In South Florida, with its many canals, many people have expressed concerns about the hybrid hazards involved in water submersion, as these kinds of accidents are common in this area of the state. Manufacturers of hybrid vehicles say that the only thing emergency personnel need to keep in mind in regard to safety issues is to remember to make sure the car’s ignition is turned off once it is out of the water.

Speaking of the car being turned off, that is another issue for hot debate when it comes to talk of hybrid hazards. Hybrid cars are made differently than traditional gas powered vehicles in that it is not always easy to tell if they are off or still running. Most traditional cars one need only feel the hood of the car to make a correct determination but hybrids can be tricky- a hybrid can appear to be turned off when in actual fact it is in silent electric mode and very able to plow over an unsuspecting person if any movement or pressure is applied to the accelerator. One possible solution to this serious hazard put forth by the fire department in Texas is to place chocks under the wheels if it is not known whether the car’s ignition is still on or not.

Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get car care products for your car from shineyourcardotcom