By Kingsley Adegboye

A staircase in the entryway of your home can make a strong first impression. This is why if you are thinking of home and stair renovation, there is no better idea than using stylish balusters. Balusters give your stairs a timeless classic look, while at the same time, increasing your property value.

An architect,  Mr. Bons Obiadi, noted that from time immemorial, people have been using balusters to give an artistic touch to their residential or commercial projects. According to him, although balusters are commonly used with railings, staircases, balconies and porches, they are also used in many other areas such as furniture, candle sticks, lamps and vases.

Obiadi explained that traditional balusters were made from wood, stone, clay or metal. However,  today, a wide range of materials are used for modern balusters such as iron, hardwoods and softwoods, plaster, polymer stone, resin, fiberglass and other synthetic and natural materials.

“Balusters are a revolutionary development to enhance the beauty as well as safety of the stairway.
Precision stairs provide a cost – effective way for you to add impact, impression, value and beauty to your home with the new wrought iron that is simple and easy to install. In our economy now more than ever, homeowners are looking for ways to increase their homes value while minimizing the added cost.

Staircase

“The addition of decorative wrought iron balusters will transform your wooden baluster staircase into a beautiful work of art that provides an upgraded aesthetic visual appeal and value by changing the wood balusters to decorative wrought iron balusters. Decorative wrought iron balusters are one of the top five upgrades requested in new homes. With many styles, patterns and colours to choose from, you can transform your ordinary staircase into a beautiful work of art with the new wrought iron that is simple and easy to install.

“Your staircase creates the first impression when someone enters your home. Upgraded from the old white wooden spindles to a custom designed iron baluster pattern will enhance your home’s elegance with timeless beauty. Whether you are building a new home or starting a remodeling project, this affordable staircase upgrade will significantly add to the present value of your home”, he noted.

How to extend the life of your sofa

All it takes to extend the life of  your sofa furniture is a little bit of cleaning and some consistent upkeep. Your sofa will look new every time you come home to relax.

Vacuuming your Sofa
Vacuuming your sofa is the single most important chore you can do to keep your furniture clean. A vacuum with an upholstry attachment allows you to reach between and behind cushions and around decorative piping and other details. Remove any cushions that can be removed before vacuuming and if it is a sofa bed, pull up the bed and vacuum in all the concealed areas.

This once-a-week ritual will eliminate the buildup of significant amounts of dust, dirt, hair and many other things you probably don’t want to know about. Also, remember to dust all the non-fabric parts of the couch like wood frames and legs.

Removing Stains
Before attempting to remove any stains, read the label on the couch (usually on the bottom) for a description of the fabric material and cleaning instructions. You never know what liquids or chemicals might cause permanent damage to the material of your couch.

The easiest way to remove a stain is applying a mixture of laundry detergent and warm water. Test the solution on a hidden part of the couch, such as the bottom of a cushion or the back of an attached pillow. Allow it to dry and if the solution hasn’t left any marks, go ahead and use it to remove any stains you have on your couch. If the stain still does not come up, try dabbing it with white vinegar followed by a mixture of soap and water.

Finally, use water to work out the vinegar and soap until it is gone. Be sure to wash everything off with the water. Finally, dry the wet area as quickly as possible, using a hair dryer if necessary to quicken the process. With leather couches, you can also begin with a vacuum to clean off dirt, dust and hair.

To remove marks first try wiping them away with a soft damp cloth. If that does not work, go to your local store and pick up a bottle of specialized leather cleaner so you don’t damage your couch.

Deep cleaning your Sofa
To deep clean your couch, purchase material-specific shampoo and rent a rug shampooer. Follow the instructions and run the shampooer over as much of the couch as you can. This should thoroughly clean your couch and make it look and feel like new. Be sure to test the shampooer on a hidden part of the couch to make sure it is working correctly.