Month: February 2007

Achieving the Look of Americana Home Decor

Although some people consider the Americana home decor style to be country decor, it actually is distinctly different, even though it uses some of the same techniques. Americana home decor refers to the fact that you can feel the American spirit that you proudly display.

Whether that be in your accessories, your curtains, or your art, it is the display of the red, white, and blue that makes your patriotic senses come alive. Most items are hand made, either as originals or reproductions, and are truly meant to rekindle the feeling and memories of days gone by.

Red, white, and blue objects can come in any form to add to your Americana home decor. This patriotic color combination can be used in birdhouses, statues of Uncle Sam, wagons, stars, and hand made quilts. You can add touches in one place of the room, or put together a complete collection.

A vignette is an excellent place to start. Usually done on a mantle or fireplace, an Americana vignette is when you place five to ten different Americana items together. Using a runner of red, white, and blue, you can add candle sticks, a mirror, a flag, apples, and possibly a birdhouse all done in the American colors to add a special look to your fireplace.

Primitive Americana Home Decor

Since there are two types of Americana symbols, traditional and primitive, there are other symbols for your Americana home decor besides the American flag. Examples include the baseball game, the apple pie, and anything that conjures up images of the early 1900 s. Primitive colors include deep burgundies, dark greens, navy blues, and many different patterns that include the popular checkered patterns.

Americana folk art is reminiscent of the early 1900 s when life was easy. It can depict a family sitting around a large table, flags, roosters, trees, and sheep, anything simple and original to the surroundings. The colors are usually navy blues, reds, and browns. Checkered pieces are also utilized to add a splash of color as are barns in a vibrant red.

Rustic tins can also be added to your home to show an early Americana home decor look. If you fill them with wildflowers, it can really dress up a side table. Jars as well are used in the Americana home decor. You don t even have to fill the jar. Just group a couple of original canisters and glass jars together to achieve a great look. From Americana stars to God Bless America banners, there are multiple ways to add to your look of Americana home decor.

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Ethanol and Biodiesel: Properly Understanding the Relationship

In order to properly understand the correlation between ethanol and biodiesel, one must first learn about each separately, and then they will be able to fully understand the relationship that is existent between the two matters. Ethanol and biodiesel are similar in many regards, and so all of the correlations between ethanol and biodiesel truly must be taken into serious consideration.

What is Ethanol?

Ethanol is basically a flammable, colorless, and mildly toxic chemical compound with a distinctive perfume-like odor and it is the alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages; in more common usage, it is simply referred to as alcohol.

Ethanol has been used by humans since as far back as prehistoric times, and although it has also been used for more negative reasons, such as for explosive devices due to its flammable nature, it also has been considered as positive in means of alcohol and other products of the like; ethanol has been used as a treatment substance for as far back as prehistoric times as well, and so this is looked upon as being positive.

Not only that, but ethanol is the chemical compound which is presently considered as being what is going to take the place as our gasoline; this is an incredibly important topic especially considering the fact that we are in a raging war with Iraq and that this is where we depend on our fuel for the most part.

What is Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a term which refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources, and though derived from biological sources, it must be known that it is in fact a processed fuel which can be readily used in that of diesel-engined vehicles, which thus distinguishes biodiesel from the more straight vegetable oils.

What is the Relationship Between Ethanol and Biodiesel?

In regards to the actual relationship between ethanol and biodiesel, the most important factor that must be taken into consideration is the fact that these are the two main choices that are questioned in regards to which is better for the environment overall, and which is going to be what we use for the most part for the longest period of time. Ethanol for the most part however is considered as being the better choice, and this is for several different reasons.

However, there are also many benefits to biodiesel, and so these two must be taken properly into consideration.