The Best Outdoor Kitchens - Design Ideas

Why have outdoor kitchens become so popular? Have you noticed how people always gather in the kitchen of your home? Whether its family time, A casual gathering of friends, or a big party - you can count on folks to gather in the kitchen. Now imagine that kitchen as big as your backyard. Outdoor kitchens allow the gathering to go outside without losing that homey kitchen atmosphere.

Take the oven, the sink, the cook-top, the refrigerator, the cabinets...take it all outside. No more running in and out from the grill to the fridge. No more lugging a cooler out and back in. Everything can now be outside. The great outdoors with all the convenience of a modern kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens are more than just a big grill. Of course, the grill is a necessity, but that's just the start. Cabinets, warming drawers, tables, bars, wood fired ovens...the list goes on. From basic to exotic, the choices are limited only by your imagination. And of course, your bank account!

The Best Outdoor Kitchens - Design Ideas

There are lots things to consider as you plan your outdoor kitchen. This is a significant step in an overall backyard design. Be sure you will use it enough to justify the expense. After all, the old fashioned way of cooking on a portable grill and walking back inside the house for your needs still works. But if you're ready to take your backyard design to the next level, an outdoor kitchen may be the perfect choice for you. BBQ islands are a very popular option if you want an upscale outdoor kitchen without paying custom built prices. See the link below for more information.

Things to consider...

What things are you likely to cook? How much and how often?

The options on grills are numerous, and the price tags reflect them - but do you need them? If there are only two of you, and nobody ever comes to visit (that will change with an outdoor kitchen) do you need a huge grill? If you are going to primarily cook burgers, steaks, and pork chops do you need the expensive rotisserie? Would a pizza oven be better suited to your needs? You can get all of these, but there's no need to spend the money if you aren't going to use them. Now, having said that - don't get cheap with the grill. Pick the features you will need, and spend some money on the grill. This is, after all, the part that makes all the rest worth having. The last thing you want is to install a cheap built-in grill in a beautiful stone veneer with custom granite countertops only to have to take it out repair or replace it. So buy quality here. If you can not afford a quality built-in, consider a portable cart style.

Does the rest of your backyard design support the outdoor kitchen?

After you take the steaks and chops off of your big beautiful grill and pass them out to your highly impressed guests, do they have a place to sit? Are there covered seating areas for light rain, or for relief from the sweltering sun? Be careful to keep the seating a reasonable distance from the grill. You want to cook the T-Bone, not Uncle Joe. The effect of great outdoor cooking is lost if everyone goes back inside to eat. The rest of your outdoor living area should support and complement the kitchen. That doesn't mean you have to spend money on a covered porch or a gazebo (although both are nice) but you should at least have a patio umbrella over a table and chair set.

What other activities will be taking place while the feast is being prepared?

Cooking and eating may be the highlight of the outdoor time, but they're not the only things happening. Do your guests gather to watch the big game? If so, consider an outdoor television. Otherwise you may be the only one outside, doing the work while everybody else enjoys the Carolina Panthers beating whomever they happen to be playing. (Okay, I'm biased. So sue me.) Do your friends and family tend to just hang out chatting while the meal is being prepared? Then you'll want some music playing through a nice outdoor sound system. An outdoor refrigerator sure beats running in and out of the house for cold drinks, or lugging a cooler full of ice around. Will you be utilizing the outdoor kitchen in cooler weather? A built-in fireplace or a portable fire pit keep things cozy throughout most of the year.

How much space do you have in your backyard.

If you have a small courtyard behind your town home, you probably won't have room for a full, deluxe outdoor kitchen. If you put it in anyway, your guests will have to stand in your neighbors yard.

The idea is that you need to think about your needs, not just about what looks cool in the pictures. Buy what you need, within your budget. Speaking of budgeting - that is a real consideration. Outdoor kitchens can cost from 00 to over 0,000 depending on the options, materials, size, and how exotic you may want to be. If your budget allows you to go hog wild - have at it! If not, do what you can, as you can. Everything does not have to be done at once. Just remember to think out your long term design plan as you go step by step.

Keep in mind - while an outdoor kitchen is a great and fun addition to any backyard, it is not essential. The vast majority of backyards don't have one, and people have great times there anyway. If it fits your needs, your space, and your budget - go for it! If it doesn't fit those things, don't despair. Many, many great times and great memories have been made on a simple patio with a small charcoal grill. What matter most is spending quality time with family and friends, whatever the setting. But since you're outside anyway - you may as well make a great backyard while you're at it!

The Best Outdoor Kitchens - Design Ideas
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Mike Faulk invites you to visit his Backyard Design Ideas website at http://backyard-design-ideas.com. Use the site as a resource as you plan your backyard projects. Discover options and ideas to make your dream backyard a reality. Learn to avoid pitfalls that can turn your dream into a nightmare. Stop by today!

Check out more information about BBQ islands on Mike's page at http://backyard-design-ideas.com/BBQ-islands.html

Janitorial, Carpet and Window Cleaning Logo Design Ideas

When you start out with your own commercial cleaning business it is crucial that you make a great first impression on clients. You also need to set your business up for brand development in the long term. A logo design is crucial and should be a priority for your marketing efforts prior to the launch of your business.

Whether you go into office cleaning, janitorial services, carpet, or window cleaning, a logo design will help you to stand out from your competitors. It will also give you the ideal platform from which you can build a winning brand. Below we offer some ideas on commercial cleaning logos.

Identify your Niche

Janitorial, Carpet and Window Cleaning Logo Design Ideas

It will help immensely if you can clearly state what kind of business you are. Many successful cleaning businesses have used images in their logos that relate to the services that they offer. If you are unsure about the future direction of your business though then it may pay to go for a logo that is a little more abstract.

Common Images for Cleaning Logos

To get some ideas of what some of the established players have done with their logos, do a Google image search for 'janitorial logos' or 'window cleaning logos' and you will get a fair idea of what works well.

Examples of using relevant images could be common equipment items. Window cleaning logos often feature a squeegee as part of the design and carpet cleaners often have an image of a vacuum steamer. Likewise, janitorial logos often feature mops and brooms.

Cleaning is a service business and service is all about people and the way that the service is delivered. Some commercial cleaning logos therefore feature happy looking cleaners in either realistic or mascot form.

Others include images of either residential homes, commercial office buildings or window panes in order to clarify exactly what market they serve.

Another trend that we picked up on was the use of design features that give the appearance of a sparkle or shine to the logo to further enhance the 'clean' image of these businesses.

The above suggestions have been a little overdone in these industries though and you may be better off going for a simple text logo. Even an image that is not at all related to cleaning could work well and allow your business to stand out.

Above all, remember that the best logos are usually simple in design. If they are simple then they are more likely to be remembered.

Color Choice

Blue is the color that most people associate with cleanliness and it has therefore been well used on cleaning business logos. Shades of both light blues and dark blues can be effective and are a particularly good match with white. Green has become more popular in recent years as companies strive to be seen as being environmentally friendly.

Font or Typeface

Your logo should feature your business name and possibly even a short slogan relating to your service. The kind of lettering that you use can appeal to prospects in ways that are not always easy to anticipate. A good logo designer will try to understand your business and your prospective clients and will come up with a font that appeals to them.

Unique Requirements

Let your designer know how you intend to use your design. You will undoubtedly need a logo on your website and business cards, however you may also have other items that you wish to brand for marketing purposes. These other items could range from building signage, vehicle advertising or branding on staff uniforms and equipment.

Consulting with a Designer

When it comes to ordering a custom logo design for your commercial cleaning business it is important that you are able to communicate as much information as possible to your designer. Let them know about the market that you are targeting. Identify your major competitors so that they can work on developing some designs that will stand out.

Get your janitorial service, window cleaning company or carpet cleaning business off to the best possible start by ensuring that you have the professional looking logo design that you need to effectively brand your business.

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To get a great carpet, janitorial or window cleaning logo design check out -

The Logo Company Review

We have rated and reviewed the best online custom logo design firms.

Viking Tattoo Design - How to Make Your Norse Tattoo Unique

One of the most popular Viking tattoo designs is meant to represent an actual Viking warrior. If you are to get a Norse tattoo, you would probably want to have an image of something real, historically accurate. Then reject all the designs that represent Norsemen wearing helmets with horns. Such a presentation of a Scandinavian helm grew popular as late as in the 19th century. The only extant authentic helmet that dates back to the Viking Age was found in Gjermundby, Norway, and it has no horns. Norse warriors were very practical people and their weapons' designs were usually rather simple. They valued usability, not spectacular effects. It is true that there are a few Viking Age images representing ceremonial helmets with two protrusions ending with birds' or snakes' heads, but they look altogether different and were not used in battles. The same applies to wings. Winged helmets are not historic. Vikings did not use them.

The other thing to avoid in authentic Viking tattoo designs is the massive double axe. The axes used by Norsemen were rather light and used single-handed. In the period of transition from the Viking Age to Middle Ages, Scandinavians also used the so-called Dane axe, which was indeed large, but it was not double. No double-headed axe has been found from early medieval Europe.

A Norse inscription is perhaps the best way to make your Viking tattoo design truly unique. However, getting a correct inscription is a real challenge. I would advise to proceed as follows:

Viking Tattoo Design - How to Make Your Norse Tattoo Unique

Decide whether you'd like to have an inscription in runes or letters If you want it in runes, decide which runic system to use (there are several different runic alphabets) If you still want it in runes, decide if it will be in Old Norse or just English words in runes

In my opinion, a cool Norse inscription does not have to be necessarily in runes. After all, the Icelandic sagas, our main source of information on Vikings, were not written down in runes. A quotation from a saga in the original Old Norse would certainly make a very cool Viking tattoo design.

If you want the inscription in runes and you've got the exact idea of what the inscription will be (you have the text in English or in Old Norse), then the next step is to decide which runes to use. The Elder Futhark was used by all Germanic tribes from the 2nd through the 8th centuries. The Younger Futhark started to develop at the end of the 8th century and was accepted in the whole of Scandinavia by the 10th century. It existed in two versions: Long Branch and Short Twig Younger Futhark. You may also want to use Anglo-Saxon runes. There existed even a secret variant of runes called staveless runes.

To convert words or phrases in English into runes use free online rune converter.

Very popular are valkyrie tattoo designs based on the Max Payne movie. In that movie people see valkyries as male demonic creatures with wings. The fact is that in Norse mythology valkyries are female deities with no wings. They were pictured as serving drinking horns to warriors coming to Valhalla, a place where brave people came after their death.

Viking Tattoo Design - How to Make Your Norse Tattoo Unique
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For further accurate scholarly information on Scandinavian symbols, ancient Norse warriors, runic inscriptions and tattoo designs visit the Viking Rune website.

I Need a Website - But Should I Build it Myself Or Have it Built For Me? 4 Quick-N-Easy Comparisons

#1) Time: The first thing you need to ask yourself is do you have the time to build a website yourself? If you do not have very much time or you are going to be learning how to build it from scratch you may want to look at having it done. Having a professional build a website for you may take as long as if you do it yourself, just because you'll need to find the right website designer to fit your needs. However, you will also need to consider the cost.

#2) Cost: To have a website professionally built can cost you anywhere from 0 to ,500 and more depending on how elaborate you want your website to be. On the other hand, purchasing the software to build the website yourself can be very costly as well. Website software like FrontPage and Dreamweaver can run in the range of 0 to ,495, depending on where you purchase the software. The next consideration is if you have the knowledge.

#3) Knowledge: Using software to build your own website can be a lot of fun and at the same time it can be very challenging. If you understand computers and have a basic understanding of code, such as HTML, it may be right up your alley to build your website from scratch. If computers or code, such as HTML, are not your cup of tea, this is where hiring someone to build your website may be your best alternative at this point.

I Need a Website - But Should I Build it Myself Or Have it Built For Me? 4 Quick-N-Easy Comparisons

#4) Middle Ground: There may be a better solution that is somewhere in between doing it yourself or hiring someone to build your website. If you are looking at saving yourself time, keeping the cost low and you really don't have the knowledge ... but you don't want to hire someone at this point, you could consider pre-made or template websites. There are companies that have pre-designed templates and also offer fully customizable solutions that may fit your needs.

I Need a Website - But Should I Build it Myself Or Have it Built For Me? 4 Quick-N-Easy Comparisons
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Using such a company can be very convenient and allows you to have your website up and running within just a few minutes. One of the better companies I know of that offers complete website packages and also gives you a free listing for your website is: http://whoisdirectory.com/needawebsite/

From Frank A Trueblood - Advice for beginners to advanced Internet business owners and marketers. http://WhoIsFrankATrueblood.com

Indoor Railing Designs: How To Add Design To Something Simple

Indoor railing designs are something that many people just do not think about enough. The fact is that the railing is a focal point in any entryway or in any living area. It creates the illusion of movement. Your eye naturally moves up the railing, up the stairs to the top. Therefore, adding a bit more charm and appeal to an interior railing can make for a more dramatic or a more elegant look.

What's It Made From

The design of your railing starts with the type of railing it is. Most are made from wood. If your interior railing is made of wood, or you would like to create one in this manner, consider your wood options. You can consider woods such as pine, oak, cherry and maple. Look at the wood patterns in the wood itself to determine if in fact this is the style of wood that you would like to have. Paying attention to these details can make for a beautiful selection.

Indoor Railing Designs: How To Add Design To Something Simple

You can also have interior railings that are made of steel and iron, if you would like. Or, you can add new textures to a wood railing by adding feet to it that aremade of stone or marble. There are plenty of ways that you can add a different texture to the standard, boring wood railing.

Decorated Railings

To add a lot of class to the wood railing you may have, consider adding to it decorative elements. These can be as sophisticated as you would like them to be, or as simplistic. Look at the various options that are available. These can be attached to various locations on the wood railing to completely transform it. Or, you can also purchase a new wood railing that features detailed carvings and elaborate details.

The shape of the railing is also important. A curved railing or a straight one will work. It is not so much the shape of the railing that you want to consider, but where you want the eye to travel. A straight railing will carry the eye upwards, creating the illusion of height. A rounded staircase and railing keeps the eyes focused on these details.

Adding features to the railing are essential as well. From pedestals that will hold a decorative item to the simple addition of iron work to the posts can make a grand entrance. Design your interior railings based on the features that fit your lifestyle and your designed room look.

Indoor Railing Designs: How To Add Design To Something Simple
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Adam Peters is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for www.home-decorating-reviews.com . If you would like more information on this topic please checkout his website at indoor railings

The Symbolism Behind an Anchor Tattoo and Anchor Tattoo Design

Anchor tattoos were all the rage for sailors. It was often the symbol of a very experienced sailor. Anchor tattoo designs are one of the oldest types of tattoos. However with an interest in all things retro and chic these have come back into fashion. In fact in the tattoo field as a whole retro tattoo designs have been experiencing a resurgence. These retro tattoo designs have come back to life with new more vibrant tattoo colors, designs and placements on the body. This trend originated on the west coast mostly and has even become known as west coast tattoo style.

Retro themes in tattoo designs are especially popular with the rockabilly group.

So what is the symbolism behind the anchor tattoo design? While the earliest forms of an anchor being used as a symbol harkens all the way back to the early Christians. They would often use the anchor as a hidden symbol for the cross. This was often used to show that they were Christian while escaping persecution from the Greeks.

The Symbolism Behind an Anchor Tattoo and Anchor Tattoo Design

The symbol much later became popular with sailors. This is a pretty obvious connection here being that sailor use anchors constantly in their work.

The anchor tattoo design has become a symbol for stability and a strong foundation. It can also mean a boyfriend, girlfriend or significant other in someone's life. You see a man might get an anchor tattoo to show that his girlfriend is the stability in his life.

These have become increasingly popular for women to get and they often place them just below their collar bone on the right of left side.

So the anchor tattoo is a great tattoo with lots of symbolism and history behind it. If you are looking for something to remind you to stay grounded or want to symbolism a particularly stable or grounding relationship that you have then an anchor tattoo design might be something to look into.

The Symbolism Behind an Anchor Tattoo and Anchor Tattoo Design
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Chris is an avid tattoo enthusiast, as well as an observer and writer of the tattoo scene. He has run numerous tattoo related website business in the past. However, now he provides great tattoo information in the form of articles and web pages for everyone to enjoy free. Check out this page for more on tattoo sleeve designs, or here for awesome Free Star Tattoo Designs.

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

A company that is looking to get bids from several qualified vendors for a Web site design or development project will typically write a Request for Proposal (RFP) and either post it online or send it directly to potential vendors it has identified.

As with any complex project, a Web site design project requires clear communication between the client and web developer in order for the client to receive accurate bids. The RFP serves as a baseline of project requirements on which competing vendors may price their services. I have outlined a few items below that should typically be in a Website Design and Development Request for Proposal, though some times more information is necessary.

Writing your Request for Proposal

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development

The Request for Proposal (RFP) process allows potential vendors to get an idea of your goals, existing challenges and possible limitations without lengthy phone discussions or in-person meetings that can severely impact the amount of time it takes for you to get started with your Web Design and Development project. It allows you to succinctly describe exactly what you are looking for and what a potential vendor should expect in the project.

An ideal RFP would clearly specify all the requirements pertaining to your website. It would allow the developer to present you with a proposal based your particular needs and, needless to say, the more details your RFP contains, the more accurate a proposal the developer is able to present.

Components of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Web site Design and Development Project:

Project Background Information

Brief overview of your organization, including some history and your primary business objectives. Detailed description of the project you would like to receive the proposal for. If your budget requirements are strict, it might help to include a 'Ballpark' Budget - which developers can use to scope and scale your solution and save you time. Target launch date and required deliverable dates - include any dates that you need the project to meet. Are there crucial meetings and cut-off dates that the developer should be aware of? If you are not sure what the time frame should be, it's okay to see what the proposals you receive recommend and renegotiate. It's also good to anticipate and state how flexible you are with the project's completion date.

Marketing Requirements and Data

Audience demographics - who will be the main users of your site? Are there several different audiences that need to be addressed? User comfort level with technology -  how technically savvy is your audience? Will they know how to deal with plug-ins, for example? Will users have high-speed connections, or will many be on modems? Audience base -  how large do you expect your user base to be?

Design and Corporate Branding Requirements

Do you have corporate identity guidelines that must be followed, including fonts and colors and graphic treatments? What look and feel to you envision for the Web site? Include some adjectives to describe what your site should communicate. Provide examples of Web sites that relate to the RFP either because they have a similar feel to the one your are looking for, or even examples of what you do NOT want. Will there be any animated elements (i.e. Flash animations)? How many? How are they going to be used?

Technical and Infrastructure Requirements

Web hosting considerations. Do you currently have a Web host or are you looking for a new one to handle this project? Browser/platform considerations. Generally speaking, a Web site for consumers or the general public should work similarly across all modern browsers and Operating Systems. If you are targeting a very specific audience it is possible your needs are different. Development platform requirements. Do you require an Open Source solution, are you open to a proprietary solution that is more tailored to your exact needs, etc. Coding language requirements (e.g. ASP.NET, PHP, Java). Many times this depends on the type of Web hosting platform or any pre-existing software you may have. Are there third party applications you'd like to incorporate?

Functionality/programming Requirements

Will there be forms on the site? If so, how many? How should they be handled? (e.g. e-mailed to recipients, stored in a database, etc.) Will the site require tools to manage content/information (e.g. ability for staff to add content such as press releases or quarterly reports)? Will there be any e-commerce on the site? If so, who will be entering data on products offered? How will transactions be managed? Are there any other interactive features the site should have? What are they, and how do you envision them to work?

Search Engine Optimization

Describe any currently defined search engine friendly production requirements and expectations Indicate if you are seeking SEO/SEM consultation services

Ongoing Site Maintenance Plans

How often will the site be updated? Are you looking for a retainer situation, or 'on-demand' hourly work? Will you be self-maintaining or will you be outsourcing maintenance services?

Project Management

Who will be the main point of contact on your staff? Keep in mind that in most cases it is easiest to have a single point of contact at both your organization and the company designing and developing your Web site. How will the tasks be divided between you and the developer in order to complete the project? Are there any third parties (subcontractors, etc.) that will also be involved in the project?

RFP Response Deadline and Contact Information

When is the response to the RFP due? To whom should the response be sent? Do you prefer E-mail or hard copies, and if so, how many hard copies? Is there a specific solicitation number that needs to be referenced in the Proposal Document? What is the RFP review process? How long do you anticipate to take to make your decision before the project can begin?

Some Additional Thoughts Before You Begin:

For all items listed above, be sure to clearly indicate if you must have any item(s) bid as an optional aspect of the project. Keep in mind possible dependencies between project aspect/components that may make this impractical. Before writing your Request For Proposal, determine your budget for the project and, beyond that, your priorities for selecting a Developer who can meet your budgetary requirements.

Writing an RFP is a good exercise for anyone thinking about a site design or redesign as it takes thoughtful planning to specify and construct a website. A well thought out, quality RFP is essential to a successful endeavor because it helps you to focus on your goals and exactly how to achieve them.

Best of luck with your Web site Design and Development Project.

Writing a Request For Proposal For Web Site Design and Development
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Greg Kihlstrom is the Creative Director at Carousel30 Interactive Media, Washington DC. His company designs and develops Web sites and other Interactive Media such as iPhone applications and more.

Greg also writes about Web site Design issues on his blog entitled "Design in Context."