Good lighting

Selecting a lighting system isn’t always an easy decision. Facility managers must first consider the appropriate design for the area to be illuminated and the light levels recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and then select an efficient light source and fixture.The high indoor spaces typical of warehouses and factories have traditionally been dominated by high-intensity discharge (HID) light sources. More recently, improved fluorescent lamps and high-intensity fluorescent fixtures have made fluorescent lighting the more cost-effective alternative. Additionally, fluorescent lights are easier to control using occupancy sensors. Motion sensors make particular sense in areas with intermittent occupancy, such as warehouses.There’s more to upgrading a lighting system than just swapping out a lamp. Lighting efficiency depends not only on the lamp but the fixture itself. “A fluorescent lamp at 95 initial lumens per watt is very efficient unless the fixture only allows 50% of the light out of it,” according to Peter Morante, director of energy programs at The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

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Macmillan Walls

An area carpet increases style and comfort underfoot. Sea grass lends texture to cool surfaces such as stone and vinyl. An oriental-style carpet provides conventional kindness.
An island, even a portable one, affords an additional work space and invaluable storage. It also acts as a favourite gathering spot during meal preparation. Choose a well-built countertop such as butcher's block, stainless steel or granite.
Once kitchen cabinets are in place there is often little wall space left over, so a enterprising paint colour such as eggplant or charcoal may inject a dry kitchen with big personality. For display, install a family gallery that features black and white or sepia photos. Group photos by theme, say family vacations. Another idea to consider — frame a collection of children's artwork and display it prominently.

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Cabin cruise

Revitalizing a dated or tired kitchen may seem like a scary task, especially when the budget is limited. But it needn't be. Here are some reasonably inexpensive ways to bring new character to that old kitchen.
One of the most satisfying improvements comes from simply painting old cabinetry, giving it a fresh new look. Nearly any surface can be painted provided you do a thorough preparation. Remove hardware and hinges, then clean cabinetry with a strong solution of TSP (Trisodium Phosphate). Rinse well, allow cabinets to dry thoroughly and then follow by sanding the surface with 120-grit sandpaper, wiping up any sand dust, and you're ready to apply a thin coat of super enthusiast primer.
Allow to dry overnight and repeat the sanding, this time using finer 150-grit sandpaper. Give cabinets a final clean and apply a coat of paint. For conventional cupboards, a wash of antiquing glaze will lend them old-world charm. Splurge on new hardware. To give a standard kitchen a more custom look, consider exchanging a pair of solid cabinet doors for glass-front versions which bring decorative dishes and glassware into the spotlight. Add patterned wallpaper behind shelves to heighten the contact. If you are working with slab front cabinets with a totally flat appearance, consider applying a wood moulding to the face of each door to create a "paneled" look.

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