Gargoyle Bookends as Part of Mythology and Architecture

Gargoyles are most commonly associated with medieval lore but their use as architectural figures dates back to earlier times. Often seen as fierce looking faces, gargoyles are also seen as full figure characters. Gargoyle bookends are a reflection of the history and mythology that continues to fuel modern interest in unique nature of these unusual figures.

Gargoyles have been part of architecture since the heyday of the ancient Greek and Egyptian empires. Though gargoyles often have a fearsome appearance, their use is thought to be far more benevolent. The power to ward off evil spirits is a significant part of the mythological explanation surrounding gargoyles. Hellenic or Greek gargoyles are very often seen as happy or jolly characters and were a part of many public buildings. They could be seen mounted on the parapets of buildings or spewing water as part of a public fountain. Outcroppings on the facade of a building may have been used especially for gargoyles.

Many of these figures took the shape of animals, especially reptiles. Often dragon like in appearance, their gaze was usually facing down from the structure. In mythology and lore, dragons were thought to be the guardians of sacred places or great treasure troves. This contrasts with the more popular view of dragons as fierce and fire breathing creatures. Other animals such as birds of prey or the mythical Roc were the inspiration for many gargoyle figures.

Many styles of gargoyle bookends replicate these unique creatures. Gargoyle replicas are one of the most collectible types of bookends and statuary. Fans of Gothic architecture and lore are particularly drawn to gargoyle collecting. The history of the gargoyle even includes their use in religious settings, as adornments to some of the worlds great churches and cathedrals. The cathedral at Notre Dame in France is home to many gargoyle figures.

The history and lore of the gargoyle figures takes many forms. Gargoyles and gargoyle bookends may represent combinations of human and animal forms sometimes taking on the appearance of hooded monks and friars. Just as they may be used to ward off evil, they were thought to have other uses. Avoiding the wages of sin can be a powerful force used to keep people from straying into a life of eternal damnation. It is thought by some historians that gargoyles may have been placed in prominent view to remind people that Satan, or other supposed forces of evil, were all about and should be avoided.

Since many gargoyles appear with wings, they may very well have been the inspiration for the flying monkey characters seen in the movie the Wizard of Oz. Many dragons of myth were often depicted with wings and were though to be capable of flight, reflecting the myth of flying gargoyles. From the funny to the frightening, many other modern day film and cartoon monsters have been patterned from these legendary winged figures.

Whether collectors of gargoyle bookends are seeking redemption is certainly open to debate. Gargoyles do appear in many pieces of medieval artwork. They can often be quite scary in appearance and could be used to frighten away superstitious people. Given the wide variety of gargoyle shapes, many collectors may have more of an artistic motivation to maintaining their collections.

In addition to collectible bookends, today gargoyle figures stand vigil as yard ornaments, water fountains and various types of outdoor statuary. Even though warding off evil spirits may not be in your decorating plans, some interior design schemes benefit from the addition of gargoyles. Gargoyle bookends make the perfect the perfect gift for fans of medieval mythology and religious history.

Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular decorative bookend site: http://www.decorativebookends.com. He provides interesting information buying and collecting decorative bookends.

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Correct End Of Metal Handrail

How To Build Great Bathroom Renovations In Sydney, Australia

A well designed and built bathroom can transform your home with a fresh new look and you can have the use of many years of one of the best enjoyed areas of a home

Just think about it - great decisions have been made in bathrooms! In Sydney Australia, the most important thing to realize is that a bathroom renovation is not a cheap project; it can cost many thousands of dollars. A little planning in the sort term can make a mile of difference in the long term.

The way I approach a bathroom design and renovation is to ask for a budget for the project, and I then tailor a budget for individual needs. A typical plan goes like this;

1. Figure out the space you have to work with by measuring floors, walls and ceiling.

2. Check the conditions of the substructure and walls behind the existing bathroom.

There is a good chance that one the interior is stripped out & their may be issues with rotten flooring. For example, some builders used to use yellow tongue boards and when water came into the equation they would rot

3.Water-pRoofing -when the membrane is to be applied you need to make sure that it is compatible with the tile adhesive. Your builder needs to plan your project & follow correct building code practices. After a thorough inspection, he can then give your new bathroom the best waterpRoofing membrane for adequate protection against moisture and rot.

Case Study

One bathroom I recently inspected for one of my clients in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney had no waterpRoofing system at all! All the timber studs in the wall were rotten and termites had infested the house due to the moisture levels.

The termite control program alone cost over $5,000 the rotten timbers had to be removed and replaced, and THEN correct waterpRoofing had to be installed. Total cost? Over $25,000!

So dont risk it. Make sure with your bathroom renovation that a proper inspection is carried out prior to bathroom renovations, plan ahead, and ensure that correct building practices and standards are adhered to.

Joe is a veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects. Joe has been in the building and termite prevention game for over 20 years and has been involved in the entire spectrum of home improvement. He shares his home renovation tips, home building ideas, and other various topics at http://www.home-builder.com.au

Ceiling Framing At Wall

Why You Need a Qualified Realtor When You Build a New Home

Myth #1: You don't need a realtor when you build a new home because you can save a commission and, therefore, get a better deal from the builder.

Myth #2: You don't need a realtor since you will be working directly with the builder. The builder will take care of the financing, the title company, and all of the administrative paperwork associated with the purchase of a new home.

Myth #3: Realtors know little or nothing of construction, so why would you need one? A realtor would just be in the way.

Let's discuss Myth #1:

New home construction prices are generally based on the builder's cost plus their profit or markup. In most cases, homebuilders either have a marketing budget, which includes commissions or they use a percentage profit or markup which includes a commission. What generally happens when a buyer/client works directly with a builder is that the builder p1C64ockets the commission as additional profit. Most builders or their salespersons will advise you that their is no need for you to have a real estate agent. It is important to remember that builders represent themselves; not you as the client.

Myth #2:

Builders will make it seem simpler without a realtor and that having one is really not necessary. This might be true if the builder represented your interests instead of theirs. Do you think he does? Did you know that most homebuilders have their own mortgage and title companies, not for your interest, but for theirs? The builders need their lender and title companies to finance their business and buy your lot and others. This is big business for both of them and be assured that those relationships favor the builder's interest way ahead of yours.

Myth #3:

Remember the title of this article says "qualified realtor". The very best arrangement is for you, the buyer, to have a qualified, seasoned, realtor to represent you in a real estate transaction. Would you represent yourself in a lawsuit? Would you represent yourself in probably the largest investment you will ever make...your home? Interview a few realtors to determine their knowledge, experience, and success on new builds. You can ask them to justify the commission dollar wise, but remember, as discussed above, you are not the one who will be paying the commission.

Here are some of the things that a realtor should and will do for you if they are qualified:

- Most buyers will use a builders floor plan without consulting an architect. A good realtor will insist on a professional architects input. Because architects will introduce ideas and standards that builders want to avoid, builders will almost always discourage a buyer from using one.

- Typically, 4-6 meetings are conducted between the builder and the buyer before a contract is executed. Usually the buyer signs the contract on the spot. However, if a realtor is present, the realtor insists on waiting several days so that additional negotiations can take place. A good realtor may require more than one additional meeting to ensure the buyer gets the best contract price possible.

- Most buyers will do only a walk-through with the builder. A good realtor will insist on an inspection by a licensed professional prior to closing and will attend the inspection with the buyer.

In conclusion, having a qualified realtor to represent your interests when having a new home built is essential. Although the builder will do their best to make it seem otherwise, the commission saved will go back into their pocket and not yours. A real estate agent will keep a detailed account of the builder's actions and make sure that you are getting the most home for the money. The best part is that there is no additional cost to you. So when you go to buy a new home, find a seasoned realtor. It makes sense.

Bill Remington is a Prosper Texas real estate agent and friend of the Dallas Realtors Blog, a forum which discusses Dallas TX real estate

Do You Really Need a Realtor

So, if you're having a home built, what are the consequences of not using a Realtor? I learned from experience, and I want to share my knowledge with others. Currently, I am a Realtor, so you may think that I'm biased. However in 1998 (prior to becoming an Agent), just like many of you, I didn't use a Realtor when I had my 1st home built. I thought the person in the model home would look for my best interests. Below are some real life examples explaining what can happen if you don't hire a Realtor to represent you.

1. Pay too much for the house - Realtors are in constant contact with builders about special promotions that are going on. You may not believe this. But, I know a buyer that went to a builder, and the sales agent in the model home quoted a high price. However, the Realtor knew that the builder was offering a promotion, and the price was actually supposed to be alot less. If the Realtor wasn't there, the home buyer would have overpaid for the house.

2. Negotiate the Contract - One thing to always remember is that the sales agent in the model represents the builder, not you (the buyer). Therefore, their job is to negotiate the contract in the best interests of the builder. If you hire a Realtor/Buyer's Agent, it's the Realtor's job to negotiate the contract for your best interests. In other words, the Realtor will negotiate the following: sales price, earnest money deposit, down payment assistance, financing options, etc. I know buyers who were told they had to use the builder's mortgage company even though that mortgage company didn't have the best loan programs. So, the buyers wound up getting a higher interest rate. They were told that if they didn't use the builder's company, they wouldn't receive the special incentives (like free upgrades, builder paid closing costs, etc). A Realtor can negotiate for you, so you don't have to use the builder's lender.

3. Incorrect Options - Building a home takes several months. Everyone's human, and we all make mistakes. Sometimes, builders make mistakes and put the wrong options in your house. When I had my home built, the builder put in the wrong countertops. In another buyers' house, the buildeA2Ar put in the wrong bathtub, the wrong light fixtures, and there was a lot of standing water on the lot. Your Realtor will monitor the building progress, and the Realtor will notify the builder immediately if a mistake is made.

4. Incorrect Paperwork at Closing - Realtors know what type of paperwork should be at the closing. I know a buyer that had a home built, and during the building process, the paperwork changed. Specifically, the sales price was lowered. However, when they got to the Closing, all the original documents were there with the higher price. No one could find the new paperwork. The Realtor was the only person who had it. So, without the Realtor, the buyer would have paid too much for the house.

5. Incorrect Settlement Statement - Realtors go over this statement in detail to make sure it's accurate. If you've never heard of a Settlement Statement, that's the form that you're given at the Closing. It lists all your closing costs, and it states whether or not you have to pay money or get money back at closing. Well, I can't count the number of buyers I know that encountered incorrect Settlement Statements. For example, at my brother's closing, the Settlement Statement showed that he had to pay over $200, but in actuality, he didn't have to pay anything. Luckily, his Realtor was there, and she noticed that one of the fees on the statement was incorrect.

Now, you know the benefits of using a Realtor even if you're having a new home built. Now, you don't have to learn the hard way. The best thing about hiring a Realtor/Buyer's Agent is that it's FREE. Why would you not want someone to look out for your best interests (for FREE)?

I have been a licensed NC & SC Realtor/Buyer's Agent since 2003. I specialize in helping home buyers. To get more free tips & advice (or to search for homes), please visit my website: http://www.NJoyHomeBuying.com

How Much Should I Insure My House For?

Homeowners insurance, otherwise known as fire insurance or hazard insurance is insurance for your house. It protects your house from many dangers, such as fire or wind damage, as well as protecting your contents or belongings from fire, theft, or other damage. Homeowners insurance also provides you and your family with personal liability coverage. So when your son bangs his bike into your neighbor's brand new car, you are protected. But how much should you insure your home for? And who determines that? Your home will generally have three different values: (1) how much you are taxed on, (2) how much you can sell it for, and (3) how much it will cost to rebuild it. These values are never the same. A driving factor in the value of your house is its location. My good friend built a waterfront vacation home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire for around $300,000. The home is currently valued at over $1.5 million! Location, location, location....

Another factor in determine the value of your home is how much land is included in the property. Obviously 10 acres is probably going to worth more than acre, but what kind of land is it? Are 5 acres undevelopable wetlands? And again, you guessed it, where is it located?

When you first purchase a home, the bank is going to want you to insure the house for the amount of your loan. Many times, they won't even take into account the value of the land, which will still be there even if the house completely burns down. The insurance company wants to insure your house for the replacement cost. They do not want to underinsure you, nor do they want to overinsure you.

To determine the value of your house, many insurance companies have developed cost estimate tools. They generally need to know how old the building is, how many finished square feet it contains, how many stories, what type of roof (gable, gambrel, etc), what type of construction (frame, masonry), what type of siding (vinyl, aluminum, clapboards), etc. The more detailed the questions, the more accurate the estimate will be. Is your kitchen a basic kitchen, or does it have custom cabinets, granite countertops and a ceramic tile floor?

The insurance company will also accept a replacement cost estimate from a licensed contractor in the area. Many times the bottom line on how much you need to insure your home for depends upon what the bank will accept. It is very important that you talk with both your bank and your insurance agent. It would be foolish to overinsure your house and pay for coverage you will never receive, but it would be just as bad to underinsure and save a little money and risk a large shortfall in the event of a catastrophe.

Douglas T. Zinkevicz has had over a decade of experience servicing the auto,home and life insurance needs of his clients.Let him help you with your insurance questions by visiting http://www.insuranceplus.blogspot.com.

The Perfect Interior Designing

It takes lot of time, hard work and patience to EB0make your home in to you perfect dream house that you've always wished for. Decorating your living room in a way that it gives a royal and elite look, the bedroom which should reflect your personality and the place where you could relax. The children's rooms where they can let go off their inhibitions and be expressive.

Everything finished and looks perfect, well almost perfect! Usually by the time you reach the bathrooms, the finances become very minimal or not at all. This means the bathroom cannot be left shabby looking, or letting it go just for that reason. If so there is no reason to feel down, even though, it is one of the most difficult tasks to decorate a bathroom in accordance with the theme of the room.

In order to get your bathroom in accordance with the theme of the room and how you want it to be decorated, it is quite natural to think about the usefulness of the bathroom and a reason for it to be decorated and what significance it would have on the guests using it. It would be incorrect to think that people would not actually care how it looks, all the effort that you put in decorating your house would go to waste. Infact, most of the time it is the bathrooms that reflect the sort of individual you are and how you are as a private person.

People might not feel comfortable using a bathroom where there is a lot of personal stuff left. For example Feminine hygiene products or a plunger, though these things are quite common but people don't want to see these things around. There are certain things that obviously have to be in the bathroom but it does not necessarily mean that they have to be displayed for every investigating eye! So it becomes important to have some space for storage in the washroom. A closet would most certainly be a very acceptable and apt piece of furniture, but not an essential one. If the bathrooms are small and there is no space for closets then small and beautiful baskets that will make the bathroom less cluttered and also hold those items that you don't want to leave around. Though bathrooms are considered to be private places still the need to be used by guests and prying eyes do arise. It should then be given equal importance while decorating the house so that whoever enters the place forgets completely what his actual reason for entering the bathroom was.

Nowadays there is easy access to various bathroom decorating ideas and schemes. Different sites and also magazines, as well as innumerable articles all give very good and economical guidelines. So jump in and choose a theme and idea to suit your needs and your pockets. Some also deign a demo and show you if you like the concept then you could order and they could come and make a custom made bathroom for you.

Interested in interior design,uh? Adam Peters contributes adding content to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . Read additional info on contemporary decoration or modern contemporary decorating ideas

How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies With A Homemade Fruit Fly Trap

Anyone who has ever left a few bananas sitting out or forgotten to change their garbage knows all too well the problem with fruit flies. It seems that once they've invaded your kitchen, you can't get rid of them. You can scrub, clean, remove tempting fruit and spray the garbage can with disinfectants, but they always come back. You can't help but cringe just looking at them.

We have always had problems with fruit flies, with one of the main reasons being that we live in an apartment and by law - must recycle. Because of where we live, we have to keep our recycling containers inside until they can be disposed of once a week. If the recyclables aren't cleaned well enough after being used, they make a perfect breeding ground for fruit flies. They love bits of rotting food remnants and seem to thrive in even the smallest amount. When fruit flies move in, they just don't want to leave and will lay eggs in and on anything they can find - fruits & vegetables left on the counter, sink drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles & cans, garbage bags, and even mops and rags.

A Few Fun Facts About Fruit Flies:

- Can lay up to 500 eggs at a time
- Their entire lifecycle is complete in about a week
- While considered mainly a pest, they have the potential to contaminate food with dangerous bacteria

We all know that removing the food, getting rid of the garbage & cleaning up plays a big role, but we also know what it's like to move a piece of fruit and have a swarm of fruit flies fill the air only to escape your attempts at killing them. Where are they gonna go? Obviously the ones flying around can't be easily captured or killed, so they'll linger about until they find some other place to lay eggs and the whole cycle starts again.

In all my attempts, I found the best way to capture and remove the ones that escape is to create a simple trap using a jar, plastic wrap and a piece of food. Here's how it works:

1. Get a small jar you don't plan on using again ( like a baby food jar or something similar ) and wash it out well. Make sure it is not a jar with a funky smell such as a used pickle jar or anything that use to have strong spices. You want a clean, odorless jar.

2. Take a chunk of banana and place inside the jar. This is why you want a clean, odorless jar - so that the banana smell won't be overpowered by other not-so-tempting smells. Banana seems to work the best, but you can experiment.

3. Fit a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the jar, making sure that it fits tight and well sealed around the edges. Then take a pen or pencil and poke 4 to 5 holes in the plastic, just big enough for a fruit fly to fit into. Once a fruit fly crawls in, it can't get out. You would think they would just fly back out through the holes, but they won't!

4. Place the jar in an area where you have seen the most fruit flies. Depending on the amount of fruit flies you have, you can expect to start seeing the jar fill up within just a few hours. After 24 hours, you will discover just how bad your fruit fly problem is!

This simple, inexpensive & safe method works perfectly and if you don't want the jar on public display, you can always slip it behind the garbage can, in the cupboard or even under the sink (Just don't forget about it!). You will want to empty the jar every 3-4 days before any eggs have a chance to hatch. While adult fruit flies can't easily escape through the holes, their maggots can very easily, and besides that - they are disgusting to see crawling around in the jar. You don't want to see these things crawling on your counter!

Cleaning out the jar shouldn't be a problem. If you have a kind heart, you can choose to let them go outside. Personally, I spray the little buggers with bug spray, wash out the jar and start the whole process over again if I think there are still some fruit flies left to capture.

For bad fruit fly problems, you will want to use this method for a good two weeks to make sure you've captured the majority of fruit flies. You might even want to use a few jars in different places. Before long, your kitchen will be back to normal.

Carole Nickerson has been a web developer and internet marketer since 1998. Visit http://www.thenetter.com for more free articles, tips and software.