Tin Bar Signs

From the comical to the commercial tin bar signs are extremely popular. Like tin beer signs promoting everything from brands of beer to funny slogans, tin bar signs are not just for your neighborhood tavern anymore. With the addition of tin signs, your home bar, den or man cave can have the look and atmosphere of your favorite tavern or sports bar.

Reproductions of famous tin bar signs can be found almost everywhere. Even though they are not true antiques, quality reproductions of collectible metal and tin bar signs are a great way to accent the decorating theme of your home or business. High quality reproductions of collectible tin signs will have the look and feel of vintage tin signs. So whether you are shopping for tin signs displaying an old time advertising message, humorous or decorative theme, Tin Bar Signs.Com has just the sign for you.

Before the days of television and even radio, advertising signs were used by bar owners and merchants to market their products and services. Many of those unique messages have been forever captured on vintage metal bar signs. Whether a metal bar sign is truly a vintage collectible or a fine quality reproduction, collecting vintage metal bar signs has never been more popular. For anyone interested in nostalgic metal bar signs, there are dozens are of choices available to satisfy most every area of interest including tin bar signs.

Vintage metal and tin signs have proven to be quite durable, often outlasting the products or companies they were intended to promote. Most metal and tin signs were painted using enamels paints. High quality metal signs often used a porcelain overcoat. Old tin signs that show signs of rust should never be refinished, even though signs in better condition are worth more. A little rust may devalue the sign just a bit, but the nostalgic value is priceless. As with any antique or collectible, a savvy collector must be able to tell the difference between a genuine vintage tin sign and a reproduction.

For More Information Please Visit TinBarSigns.com

Decorative Tin Signs

Decorative tin signs can add a touch of nostalgia, whimsy and humor to any room or office decor. Whether you are looking for decorative tin signs or vintage tin signs, Decorative Tin Signs.com has just the decorative tin sign you're looking for.

From decorating your kitchen or bath to outfitting a man cave, office or bar, decorative tin signs are available in an almost endless variety of themes and subjects. Decorative tin signs have long been used in much the same way as posters and more ephemeral decorative accents.

Products too numerous to mention have been promoted with a style and wit that today seems all too nostalgic. Decorative tin and metal signs were produced by the hundreds of thousands from the mid eighteen hundreds through the advent of television in the late nineteen forties. Most were painted or screen printed using enamel paint and many were given a porcelain overcoat to increase their durability. The irony of all this is that many vintage metal and decorative tin signs outlived the very companies and products they were meant to promote.

This is not say that metal signs have completely disappeared from the landscape. Highways signs, street signs and metal signs of kinds are still with us, though most serve a more utilitarian purpose. The golden age of vintage metal signs has been maintained through reproductions and the zeal of collectors to preserve a piece of advertising and artistic history.

Aging metal and tin signs that have begun to rust should never be refinished. Vintage metal signs that are in good condition are highly prized by collectors. A little rust may devalue the sign just a bit, but the nostalgic value is priceless. When buying any type of antique or collectible signs, the well informed collector must be able to know the difference between vintage metal signs and reproductions. The rule is always buyer beware.

For More Information Please Visit DecorativeTinSigns.com!

Collectible Tin Signs

Vintage Collectible Tin Signs

Before the days of television, even radio, advertising signage was a key component used by merchants and manufacturers to market their products and services. Many of those unique messages have been forever captured on vintage metal signs. Whether a metal sign is truly a vintage collectible or a fine quality reproduction, collecting vintage metal signs has never been more popular. For anyone interested in nostalgic metal signs, there are dozens are of choices available to satisfy most every area of interest.

 

Vintage metal signs have proven to be quite durable, often outlasting the products or companies they were intended to promote. Most metal and tin signs were painted using enamels paints. High quality metal signs often used a porcelain overcoat. Old tin signs that show signs of rust should never be refinished, even though signs in better condition are worth more. A little rust may devalue the sign just a bit, but the nostalgic value is priceless. As with any antique or collectible, the savvy collector must be able to identify old metal signs.

 

Even in this age of digital communication and truly mass media, the ubiquitous metal advertising sign is still used to promote a message or product. Metal signs can still be seen everywhere we go. While their use as an advertising medium has diminished over the years, they remain a popular reminder of days gone by.

Today we are bombarded by advertising messages in the form of billboards, neon signs and other media. No substitute exists for the level of imagination and artistry that went into producing metal signs. Slogans and imagery used on metal signs are still used today to carry the message of a brand. In the cookie cutter world of advertising today, the vintage metal sign can take us back to a time of whimsy, art and nostalgia.

For More Information Please Visit CollectibleTinSigns.com

Plastic Mattress Bags

Plastic Mattress Bags

Whether you moving across town, across the country or just need to safely store an unused mattress, plastic mattress bags can help protect your mattress investment. Leaving an unused mattress unprotected can result in a variety problems including infestation by vermin and insects. Plastic mattress bags are an inexpensive and practical way to enclose your mattress, foundation or box spring. Plastic mattress bags are available in a variety of sizes for almost any type or size of mattress.

In addition to plastic mattress bags, Plastic Mattress Bags.Com carries a full line of quality plastic storage bags for pillow, chairs and sofas.

For More Information Please Visit PlasticMattressBags.com

Zebra Bean Bag Chairs on Sale!

Zebra Bean Bag Chairs

Plush, soft and comfortable, zebra bean bag chairs are the perfect addition to any casual room decor. Zebra bean bag chairs take advantage of all the recent improvements in bean bag chair design. Stylish and available in a rainbow of fun colors and mild to wild prints, a zebra bean bag chair will quickly become your favorite place to lounge, relax and take a break from a hectic day. Today’s zebra bean bag chairs have features that improve comfort and durability. Unlike old style bean bag chairs stuffed with nothing but tiny plastic beads, modern zebra bean bag chairs use a combination of recycled polystyrene and soft foam shreds. Sometimes called poof, foof or fuf, shredded foam stuffing adds resilience and support to your zebra bean bag chair. Made in the USA, zebra bean bags are a perfect accent for the family room, den, kid’s room or the man cave.

Quality zebra bean bag chairs will feature double stitching, locking zippers and larger pieces of stuffing material. Are very important design feature for all types of bean bag chairs are the locking or double zippers are required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The intent is to prevent the accidental release of the stuffing material which can pose an inhalation hazard to young children and pets. Greater use of recycled materials makes today’s faux bean bag chairs friendlier to the environment.

For More Information Please Visit ZebraBeanBagChair.com also Please Visit Our Main Site, FineWebStores.com

Antique Sheet Sets For Sale!

Antique Sheet Set

Suppose you were lucky enough to find a beautiful brass bed at a second hand store. The bed is in great condition and the price is right. You are not sure the about the age of the bed but it does not matter. So before you know it, you are headed home with your new found treasure. With the bed unloaded and reassembled upstairs, you make a startling discovery. The full size mattress and box spring you have is too big for the bed frame.

 

Measuring tape in hand, you soon realize that the difference between you antique bed and the full mattress set is a full six inches, with the antique bed being the smaller of the two. Armed with the dimensions, you head for cyber space to do some research. It does not take long to discover that your new bed is called an antique size which measures 48 inches by 72 inches. Your next stop is the phonebook to look up the number to the local furniture store. Your call is politely answered but you informed that the mattress you need for the bed will take 3 weeks to receive. Left without much of a choice, you order the right mattress set for a fairly reasonable price.

The guy at the furniture store sure was polite and seemed happy to get the business. But he left out important detail. The new antique size mattress set you just ordered requires special size sheets. A call to the local department store confirms what you thought – antique size sheets are not easy to find. Before long, you are back in cyber space looking for some antique size sheet sets. After a few minutes of web surfing for sheets, in dawns on you that buying antique sheet sets sight unseen can be problem. The wise solution is to get educated about how to buy a quality set of sheets and what to look for.

This situation may sound a little far fetched but it is more common than we like to think. Finding a reliable source for special sizes of bed sheet sets is made easier the more you about how quality are made. Bed sheet sizes like antique, three quarter and extra long sizes are usually not available at just any old department store. Even if you are lucky enough to find the right size, you might not be able to find the level of quality you need.

Assuming that your antique size mattress is a standard height of 7 to 9 inches, you will need to look for deep pocket sheets. Some of the most important factors in buying a quality set of antique bed sheets include the fabric, the thread count and the stitching. A quality set of antique bed sheets should fit snugly, look good and above all feel good.

For More Information Visit AntiqueSizeSheets.com

Down Alternative Mattress Topper

Down Alternative Mattress Topper

The definition of a mattress topper is a seperate added cushion of some sort designed to lie atop an existing mattress. They can be made of foam, feathers, down, silk down alternative or a myriad of other soft cushioning products. Their function is to provide a layer of comfort to the mattress.

There are a number of reasons to add a mattress topper to a bed. Some people are looking for the extreme comfort an additional mattress topper will afford. Some people feel that their mattress is too firm and add a soft mattress topper to soften up their firm bed. Some beds are worn out and the topper can extend the life and comfort of the mattress. Of course, if a mattress has deep body impressions, the topper will help at first but will eventually sag into the impressions as well.

Our Down Alternative Mattress Topper mimics the absolute luxury feel of goose down. Goose down, regular down and feathers do have drawbacks which our alternative down addresses. Down is VERY EXPENSIVE. Our alternative down costs far less. Down can be allergic. Our alternative down is hypoallergenic. Goose down can break down. Our alternative down lasts much longer. Down can compress. Our Down Alternative maintains loft much longer.

If you are looking for a mattress topper, our Down Alternative Mattress Topper is a great choice. We also offer deep pocket waterprooof mattress pads for protection, 300 count deep pocket sheets to accomodate the higher depth of your mattress with the topper on it and matching comforterss!

For More Information Visit DownAlternativeMattressTopper.com

Wardian Cases

Wardian Case

Named for Dr. Nathaniel Ward, the wardian case is considered to the precursor of the modern terrarium. Not only did the modern terrarium make it possible to grow plants indoors, but the wardian case is said to have had an impact far beyond our homes. We have come to appreciate the sheer beauty of Mother Nature and how our planet works. What Dr. Ward discovered can be equated with the broader systems that control life on planet Earth. His wardian case behaves in very much same way as the natural water cycle which makes all life on this planet possible.

Wardian Cases For Plants

As many of us learned in school, water is essential to our survival. The rain or water cycle occurs on a constant basis all around the planet. Think of the water cycle as recycling in its purest form. Simply put, water on the surface evaporates into the atmosphere and eventually falls back to Earth in the form of precipitation. Precipitation can be defined as any climatic event which causes water to leech or condensate from the atmosphere. Rain, sleet, snow, hail, dew and even fog are all common forms of precipitation.

At any given time, there are millions of tons of water circulating in the atmosphere. This circulation is constant and never stops. This is the proverbial drop in the bucket compared to the water on the surface. The oceans make up over seventy percent of the Earths surface and over ninety percent of our water is found in the oceans. Surface water evaporates, whether from the surface of the ocean or a puddle in the street. Evaporation is simply defined as a liquid being converted to a gas, always below the temperature at which water boils. This process is different from the conversion that occurs when water is boiled and turns to steam.

The most visible evidence of atmospheric condensation can be seen in the formation of clouds. Cooler air at the upper levels of the upper atmosphere causes the water vapor to cool and form water droplets. These water droplets remain suspended in the air and produce various types of clouds. At very high altitudes, condensed water freezes and forms ice crystals producing the thin, wispy cirrus clouds we often see. The rate at which surface water evaporates varies a great deal. On thing that remains constant is the water cycle. The Earth’s atmosphere acts in much the same way as a Wardian case.

What makes the invention of the Wardian case so interesting is how it was discovered. Like so many scientific discoveries, Dr. Ward stumbled on his idea through an unrelated observation. The story is relatively simple. Among his other interests, Ward was an amateur entomologist and botanist. In his London home, he collected thousands of insect specimens. In the mid 1800’s, London was known to be engulfed in coal smoke which in turn produced the phenomenon known as acid rain. Acid rain occurs when the acids in the air bond with water molecules. As a result, many species of outdoor plants would die off, unable to withstand the effects of the environment. On a larger scale, acid rain has adversely affected lakes and streams hundreds of miles from the source.

According to a 2002 newspaper account, Dr. Ward was working the chrysalis of a hawk moth in 1829. He reportedly sealed the moth chrysalis in a bottle with some organic material. What he observed was not what he expected. On the organic material, inside the sealed bottle, ferns and grasses had sprouted. Ward observed that the organic material in the bottle had remained damp and theorized correctly that the moisture in the bottle would condensate on the top and sides of the bottle. Gravity would cause the condensation to fall, keeping the organic material moist, providing the moisture needed for the seedlings. According to the report, the ferns and grasses survived inside the sealed bottle for over four years.

To further observe this phenomenon, Ward commissioned the construction of a larger wooded box. The box was constructed with glass panels to allow light to enter the enclosure. Using the tightly sealed box, Ward was reportedly able to replicate his initial observations. To further prove his theory, Ward is said to have constructed two larger cases, shipping both from England to Australia in 1833. Each case contained a variety of grasses and ferns that arrived in Australia no worse for wear and tear. In should be noted the sea journey took the ship around Cape Horn and lasted for some months.

What came to be known as Wardian cases had a significant impact on trade and the expansion of agriculture. Wardian cases became a way to transport plant species long distances for long relatively long periods of time. For example, Wardian cases were used to transplant tea plant seedlings from China to India and other points in the South Pacific.

The modern day terrarium is a direct descendent of the Wardian case. A properly constructed terrarium can closely replicate the Earth’s water cycle, trapping and recycling the available moisture. A well constructed terrarium is great for anyone who has struggled to grow plants indoors. Growing plants indoors is complicated by the ambient room conditions and even the seasons.

During the winter months, the air inside our homes tends to be dryer. Controlling the moisture content of a potted plant with exposed soil becomes very difficult. Moisture in the soil is drawn off in two ways. The plant itself removes moisture from the soil and the moisture must be replenished. The natural process of evaporation is also at work. Some plant species can survive or even thrive indoors. Other species such as ferns are much more sensitive to changes in the growing conditions. Even under the best conditions, it is easy to over or under water indoor plants.

A properly maintained terrarium is the ideal place to bring the wonder and beauty of Mother Nature into our homes. The simple observations of Dr. Ward and the invention of the Wardian case has made the minor miracle of the terrarium.

For More Information Visit WardianCase.com

Chicago Skyline Pictures

Chicago Skyline Pictures

Home to some of world's tallest buildings, the Chicago skyline is one of the most recognizable in the world. Rising from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the Chicago skyline grew to include such well known buildings as the Sears Tower - now the Willis Tower, the Prudential Building and a host of famous buildings along the city's storied Lakefront. The Chicago skyline at night is considered by many to be an awe-inspiring sight of unrivaled beauty.

Over the past 150 years, world famous architects have used the Chicago skyline at night in much the same way an artist uses a canvass. Against the backdrop of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the Chicago skyline at night sparkles with the vibrancy only a city like Chicago can provide. Driving north along Lake Shore Drive visitors are treated to the downtown skyline and the luxury high rise buildings along the city's Gold Coast. Driving south brings into view other well known venues such as Navy Pier, the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse, Shed Aquarium and Soldier Field.

While the Willis Tower and building like the new the Trump Tower receive most of the attention, other smaller buildings help to make the Chicago skyline at night one of the world's most unique scenic views. From Lake Point Tower on the North Shore to the John Hancock Center in the city's Loop, the Chicago skyline at night has been the subject of millions of photographs and city panoramas.

    

Recently renamed Willis Tower, the world famous Sears Tower is the most prominent feature along the Chicago skyline at night. Still the fifth tallest free standing building in the world, the Sears Towers stands 1,731 feet tall. The buildings 108 stories provide nearly 4 million square feet of commercial and residential space.
The second tallest building in Chicago's Loop is the new Trump International Hotel and Tower. Completed in 2009, the Trump stands over 1,360 tall and sits along the shores of the Chicago River.

For More Information Visit ChicagoSkylineNight.com

Antique Size Mattress Sets

Antique Size Mattress Sets

Thought to be obsolete and on the way out, antique size mattress sets are alive and well. Conveniently size between more common sizes like twin and full, an antique size bed gives solo sleepers more room. Shorter in length than a three quarter size mattress, an antique mattress set measures 48 inches wide by 72 inches long. In contrast, a standard twin size bed measures 38 inches wide by 75 inches long and a full size measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long.

   

Historically speaking, mattress sizes have not always followed a standard. Before the early Twentieth Century mattress manufacturing was not held to regulatory standards and mattress buyers had little if any information. Materials and sizes were left to the manufacturers with little regard for concepts like standardization. Considered a specialty size, antique size beds have largely considered part of a niche market like crib sizes and hospital beds.

An indication of the continued popularity of antique size mattresses and beds is the rise in sales for bedding. Sheet sets, mattress pads and other bedding items for antique size mattresses are definitely on the rise. This can said for a variety of specialty bedding. An historical accounting for just how the antique size mattress set came about has not emerged. In a classic example of which came first, the chicken or the egg, no one seems to know whether the antique size or the three quarter size came first.

   

Mattress design and manufacturing has changed radically since people used straw and leaves for a bed. The Twentieth Century ushered in an era of mass production that pushed mattress sales higher every year. Mass production brought with it standardization in the types of materials used and, just as importantly, the size of the mattress. The introduction of the innerspring probably much to do with how mattresses were sized.

Most mattress retailers do not stock mattress sizes like antique and three quarter. This leaves folks who own an antique or a three quarter size bed frame in somewhat of a lurch. The good news is that a few mattress sellers not only offer these sizes but very often will have them in stock. These same bedding retailers will often offer a selection antique size frames and even quality bed linens designed especially for antique size beds.

Whether you own an antique size bed frame or just like the idea of having the extra sleeping room, buying an antique size mattress set can be as easy as logging on to the internet. Shopping for a quality antique size mattress set is the same as buying any other mattress size. There are a few hard and fast rules to follow to make sure that you are receiving a good value for your money.

Despite the introduction of waterbeds, memory foam and other sleep systems, the innerspring mattress remains the most popular choice for mattress shoppers. Reasonably priced and reliable, most innerspring mattresses are built in a similar way. The heart of any innerspring mattress is the coil spring array. Over the springs is placed various combinations of padding, whether cloth or foamed based.

 

Since the middle part of the Twentieth Century, foam began to replace much of the cotton batting used as mattress padding. Latex foam in particular has become a very component in innerspring mattress design. Available in various densities, latex foam, used in combination with a quality innerspring assembly makes for a very comfortable mattress.

 

When it comes to a mattress warranty, remember that the length of the warranty should in no way be used as a guide for how long a mattress will last. No matter how expensive, no mattress will last forever. As a general rule, we should purchase a new mattress every five to seven years.

For More Information Visit AntiqueSizeMattressSet.com