Searching for an apartment rental can be fun. It’s exciting to move into a new home when it’s clear of clutter, freshly cleaned, and newly painted. Before choosing a new apartment rental, ask the following simple questions of your landlord or property management company.

Who Pays For What Utilities And What Are The Rent Payment Procedures

Different rental apartments cover different types of utilities in the rent and you will want to know which ones to budget for when looking for an apartment. Expect to pay for your own phone, Internet, and cable bills. It’s possible to find an apartment rental that includes electricity, gas, or both in your rent, but it isn’t common. Plan to pay at least one, and most likely both of those services, in order to keep your home comfortable. Water service and trash pickup are commonly included in the cost of your rent.

At the same time you’re asking about utilities, ask about when rent is due and if there is a grace period. Most apartment rentals require rent to be paid on the first of every month, but some places offer a five-day grace period in case you cannot drop off the payment exactly on the first. Ask about a direct debit option since some companies use that instead of paper checks. A direct debit means the company takes out the rental fee automatically and you’ll never have to worry about a late fee.

Maintenance Issues And The Apartment Rental Company

Even the most cared for apartments will sometimes need routine maintenance. It’s a good idea to ask how maintenance issues and requests are handled. How long does it take for major or minor problems to be fixed? Does the company have a 24-hour emergency phone number in case something goes wrong after regular business hours?

Rental insurance is a must-have item for anyone in a rental apartment. The property management company or landlord will cover any damage done to the property, but paying for damage to your personal items is your responsibility. Rental insurance will cover nearly anything you own and is inexpensive for a yearlong policy. It will be well worth the small cost if it’s ever needed.

Who Are The Tenants And How Long Do They Stay

Ask the apartment rental company who your neighbors will be. It’s not uncommon to hear a little noise from neighbors in an apartment, but you’ll want to know if your schedules will be disruptive to each other. If you are a family with small children who go to bed early, it may not be a great idea to live next to college students who keep different hours. Your potential neighbors shouldn’t prohibit you from renting an apartment you love, but it’s a good idea to keep the thought in mind.

It’s not uncommon for people who live in apartments to move frequently. If the rental apartment you are looking at has many long-term residents, take that as a good sign that the company takes care of their residents.

It won’t be difficult to find a rental apartment if you follow these guidelines. Using this guide will help you easily find an apartment you are proud to call home.



By: Christine OKelly

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Candle Making Molds

Candle making molds come in many shapes and imagines. There are the standard molds, which will create various sizes of circular or square candles, or small trays that make a set of small tea light candles or votives. There are many specialty molds that can be ordered online or found in craft stores in holiday shapes, birthday shapes, and shapes of animals, nature, and foods, among many others. Candle molds are use to give candles the shape. There are many different ways to use candle molds, from rigid glass, plastics ones to metal and latex molds.

Standard Types of Candle molds

Glass molds cool down quickly and offer a smooth finish and rarely stick, but are delicate and prone to scratching and cracking, which will lead to breakage.

Metal molds are known for their longevity. Because metal molds do tend to stick, however, it is recommended you lightly spray metal candle molds with a store-bought silicone mold release spray, designed for just this purpose. To prevent the metal molds from rusting and eventually leaking or cracking, spray a light coating of the same silicone on the inside and outside of the mold before storing.

Aluminum molds are extremely durable and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What most candle maker’s love about aluminum candle molds is that they do not have seams like some other molds have, so you don’t have to worry about trimming your candles once they are cooled.

Rubber candle molds are more flexible and offer you the added benefit of more intricate designs. As the candle cools it is advisable to keep a close eye on these types of molds. During this timeframe, candles may distort due to the flexibility of the mold. While rubber molds begin to break down over time, they create a nice matte finish on the candle and are sought after for both the different designs they offer and the ease in which the candle comes out of the mold.

Plastic mold is rigid, will not bend and is the least expensive of the candle molds available today. Intricate designs will not work well with this type of mold. However, since plastic molds can be reused many times without worry of damage or cracks, they are also the perfect mold for the beginning candle maker to use. Plastic molds offer a unique chance for the crafter to perfect his or her craft before moving on to the next type of mold or to a large candle.

Rigid molds can be made from glass, metal or plastic. Rigid molds are used to make unusual shapes such as bold geometrical shapes. Plastic molds are often used as they are the cheapest. However you cannot use rigid plastic molds with candle scents or fill them with wax heated to over 80 degrees Celsius (175 deg Fahrenheit) as this can cause damage to the mould.

Latex molds are very popular as they are easy to use and relatively inexpensive. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are quite versatile. Latex is very stretchable and is often used to create more complex shapes such as animals, fruits and flowers.

If you decide to create your own candle molds, here are 13 items you probably already have at home that can be used as molds:

Yogurt pots

Milk cartons

Drinking glasses

Cake tins

Bowls

Strong cardboard are fantastic as candle molds.

Plastic cup

Pringles can

Chinese take-out containers

Frozen juice cans

Oatmeal boxes

Egg containers not the Styrofoam type

Larger tomato cans

Regardless of what type of candle making molds you use just have fun making your candles.



By: Sean Splackaville

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Everyone is familiar with the concept of decorative objects considered as feminine or masculine.  There are, of course, no fixed rules; however, general observations can be made. 

Typically, feminine will be seen as pretty, i.e., flowers, cupids etc and whilst this is a sweeping statement, it will serve to separate masculine as being, robust, handsome, sculptured, i.e. architectural elements, horses etc.

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co have seen many antique and decorative table lamps come and go! and have noted just how the male population appreciates table lamp lighting.

Traditional attitudes have generally placed interior design in the feminine compartment, but attitudes change and men are now widely accepted as partners in sharing an interest in interior decoration.

From a purely male perspective, men will see table lamps as a subject that allows for creative expression.  Lamps for the den, for the office, for a library, or simply to add to the pleasure derived from their living space.

From a psychological point of view, interior lighting is a major contributor to well being.  Soft interior lighting is sensed as an atmosphere that is both calming and relaxing and, combined with a favourite chair, positively therapeutic!

                                     

An English, Victorian, late 19th century, brass and marble column lamp.

The lamp standing on a stepped brass base embossed with acanthus leaf.

The column base, a bound laurel wreath, fitted with a finely veined, dark pink, white and black, polished solid marble column.

The column terminating in a cast brass Corinthian capital.

The lamp in original condition, newly rewired.

This is a very handsome, solid lamp of classical proportion. Circa 1890

Overall height (including shade) 24″/61cm  Weight 5lbs/3kgs

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co offer a varied range of antique, vintage and decorative lamps. Please remember, that lamps purchased on-line are shipped, ready wired for the U.S, Australia and the U.K  

You are invited to visit their web site at www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique & Vintage Table Lamp Co 2008



By: Maurice Robertson

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