If you like having a good time and you do a pretty good amount of the time, you should start looking into making more fun times at home.  Night life is great.  But, you can have a great time with family and friends at home if you have the right stuff.

With Spring almost over and summer coming through, you have just enough time to build yourself a patio fireplace that doubles as a grill.  I know of a few people who have made a big thing out of it.  They have a canopy and a complete outside seating area with lawn chairs, lawn sofas, lawn coffee tables and a lawn bar.

The fireplace grill is the center of attention though, and the netting on the canopy keeps the bugs out for a completely hassle free day that turns into an evening of fun.  Once the food is made, the grill is transformed into a fireplace and everyone has a great evening.

I even saw one particular couple who have a plasma screen television outside in a pavilion that has a pool table and the fireplace is on the side.  People love when they are invited over for good food and fun.  There is a horse shoe pit and a dart board for fun for everyone.  When the party is over, they close the pavilion with glass sliding doors that lock so that everything is locked safe inside.

These are just a few ideas you can use when you want to build a party around your fireplace and grill.  But, you can get started when you read my latest article at Associated Content.  You'll find out how to put together a fireplace that doubles as a grill.  Then, let your imagination run wild.

You can find all the accessories you need at Ventless Gel Fireplace.

You love fireplaces.  So do I obviously.  But, they can harm the community.  San Francisco is fighting that and has been for years.

**If you don't love fireplaces, my bad for assuming.  But, who doesn't love cuddling up to a fireplace?**

The only people who have problems with fireplaces are the ones who don't like the clean up or they've had some traumatic experience in their lives where it burned down the house or something.

So, moving on...the thing is that gel fuel will not harm the community.  You can have a great experience with your ventless gel fireplace and stay green with your community.

Sunjel Gel Fuel is alcohol-based that burns into a water vapor.

It can throw some heat into the room.

But, it doesn't pollute.  It doesn't burn into black smoke like wood.

Won't throw a spark and burn your house down.




So, it's perfect for the environment.  It's Green, but it's not much of a mystery.  I only put that in the headline to be a little over the top.

There's a new use for the Lakeside Ventless Gel Fireplace. One of our esteemed members has used the Lakeside for more than just a stand alone fireplace in the middle of the living room where it is commonly displayed.

He placed it in his wall in the foyer. It is the first thing you see when you enter the house. I can't wait for him to send me pictures so I can put them on display. But, he said he had a great time doing it.

I've been talking for a long time now about using your imagination to do whatever you want with these unique Ventless Gel Fireplaces. There are styles of all kinds and they fit just about anyone's lifestyle.

The Oaklands are more contemporary. The Beaumonts are more traditional. And there are plenty of styles in between. But, the Lakeside now has another great purpose.

Of course, you can simply get a firebox and inserts to place a fireplace in your foyer right in front of the entrance to your home. But, the Lakeside is a good choice. It's a design option and it's probably one of the most suitable for custom design work.

"I was looking through the selections and I was thinking about the firebox and the inserts. But, the Lakeland caught my eye. My wife is having a cow, but I'm not finished with it yet. She'll love it when I'm done. I'll send pictures." Terry Beaseley of Manistee, Michigan.

Can't wait to get those pictures...

Where in the world would I be without VGF (Ventless Gel Fireplace for the newbies)?

Well, it begins with a phone call the other morning. It was an emergency interior design job. Now, I've got to be honest with you. There was a time when I laughed at the idea of an interior design emergency.

I mean, I've seen my father have to jet out the door for a construction emergency. When inspections didn't go right, my father would get the call. "Hey Dan, can you come fix a job that another construction company created?"

And off he went. It was money. It was opportunity. He never turned anyone down. It could be midnight and he would answer a call if it was an emergency. One time, a house caught on fire and 911 was called. Firemen showed up and there was considerable damage. Windows had been broken. Holes had been burned in the walls.

There goes my father. Pulling an all-nighter to do a patch job so the family could get some kind of rest after their long and traumatic evening. Then, he returned to do the job right so that the family wouldn't be uncomfortable for too long. Now, that's the way I try to be.

But, a home interior design emergency? I never knew one existed.

Oh, but they do. I finally found out and I will never laugh again.

We're talking wedding. Thousands of dollars have already been spent. The entire event is set in motion and the home interior designer is nowhere to be found.

One day! The wedding is in one day...

I know. Why would anyone wait until the last minute to call another interior designer?

Well, here's how that goes: The interior designer had everything she needed. She was ready to go and she had made arrangements to bring it all in the day before the wedding and set things up by that evening. It was one of those things that happen by chance, nothing was going her way.

She was returning home from another job that morning and was stuck in traffic with no way of turning around or getting off the highway. They had to remove a Mack Truck from the center of the highway. We're talking full-scale logistical nightmare. A four-lane highway full of traffic on both sides. Service vehicles had a heck of a time trying to get through.

Hours later and the interior designer's car heats up in the middle of stalled traffic. So, she becomes the second liability in the situation. Ok, you get the picture. It just wasn't happening that she was going to be able to be there.

So, I scope the place. I take a look at the theme. Then, the magic begins. As I always say in my articles and reports, use your imagination. It's a wonderful thing.

So, I start writing ideas down. We're talking the whole-nine yards and outside to boot. Oh by the way, I checked the weather and it was going to be nice. The yard was open. I talked to the bride's mother and the bride. They loved the idea of doing it outside. That made things easier.

How many? 250

Atlas, Table Rentals and Chair Rentals - it seems they already had the order ready... "Well, bring them out!"

"Now!"

"Well, when were you going to bring them?"

"Tomorrow."

"Ok then. What kind are they?"

And that's how the conversation started. I learned quite a bit more about the original designers plans and it turned out that I could get most of it. But, I did need a way to make it all outside.

Lowe's Turncraft Colonial Round Smooth Wood Columns, eight of them in fact. Four for each side...looked great with the floral decorations and the fabric I strung between them.

Stage Rental NYC with skirt and a riser. Put the Bride and Groom on stage. A few small trees for the corners and the stage was set...forgive the pun.

I was thinking gazebo, but I had to stop myself. They can get expensive. So, I slowed myself down and grabbed a seat. Picturing the stage in my head, I wanted something for the bride and groom when they stand in front of the minister.

Boom! It hit me. VGF has Garden Arbors...that would be perfect.

The greatest thing about it all is that the father of the bride started getting ideas of his own. He approved the columns because he said he wanted to build a pool house and he could memorialize his first daughter's wedding.

He approved the garden arbor because he said it wasn't that expensive to begin with. He would place it in the yard by the pool house and be able to remember the big day every time he looked at it.

So, nothing went to waste. That's green. I always love when things can be used and reused.

The wedding went off without a hitch. Everyone was so happy about the way things worked out that the other interior designer didn't suffer any damages to her reputation or her business. She took a loss though when she was stuck with everything she had purchased for the wedding.

Jessica to the rescue once more. I told her that I would give her a call as soon as I had a job where she could use all that stuff. So, she'll make out just fine too.

On January 14, 2009, Metronews - The World's Largest Global Newspaper - announced a new condominium that will soon be filling up in Plazacorp’s King West called Liberty Village. It was great news to hear everything about the condominium units and the pictures want to make you go there just to visit.

But, the biggest part about the new condominium units is the fact that the designers Bryon Patton, Enid MacIntosh and Lorraine Leung chose Ventless Gel Fireplaces to install. Now, that's what I'm talking about!

Easy to install and very accommodating for apartments, condominiums, campers and just about anything else that normally isn't very accommodating to fireplaces. It's great to have the warmth and the crackling of the fireplace in the background while you read a book, talk to family, do your work and otherwise enjoy your home.

I have always said that no home should be without a fireplace. But, the problem is that traditional fireplaces pose obstacles when it comes to proper ventilation for condominiums. The upside is that you should be able to enjoy a fireplace no matter where you live. If you live in a tree house, you should be able to enjoy a fireplace.

Don't get me started! There's a tree house guide where Patrick Fulton tells people how he put a fireplace in his tree house. But looking at his design, it would be much easier just to install a Ventless Gel Fireplace and be done with it.

Hey, I'm thinking of some more DIY projects for everyone to try if you want. So, send me some ideas and I'll put them with mine. We'll have a good year doing all sorts of things.

I've been talking to several people about fireplace decorations and normally the response is the same. People d0n't really know about fireplace decorations. They just decorate with whatever and then leave it at that.

But, there is a science to it if you want to learn. The purpose of fireplace decoration is to make it stand out rather than blend in with the rest of the room. There are easy ways to make that happen.

First of all, decorations on or around the mantel should be bold and large. They attract attention. Small items do nothing at all to draw the eye to the mantel piece.

Use what I like to call "odd balance." Balance is simple when you use symmetrical layouts. But, odd balance is when you maintain balance in non-symmetrical ways. For instance, place a painting on one side of the mantel and then balance it with a plant on the other. It's odd but it works. It attracts attention.

Use sculptures that seem to make no sense. Iron sculptures that don't resemble anything always attract attention because people try to figure out what they are. Place them around the fireplace and place a stack of wood on the other side for balance.

If your mantel is old and boring, bring it to life with paint that will tone down the mantel but will provide a beautiful backdrop for your accessories. Natural tones will do perfectly.

These are some of the basics. Of course, mirrors above the mantel are traditional and plasma screens are contemporary. So, choose what best fits you and have fun.

Ventless Gel Fireplace

Totally baffled by a French site, I happened to see a unique fireplace idea I thought I could share rather easily with everyone. But to further my research a little more, I found an English translation choice and it became more clear what I was observing. Now it' s not such an idea I "could" share, but an obligation. The Pyramid Fireplace can only be purchased in Europe.

What is my favorite solution?

That's right! Do It Yourself...

When you visit Modern Pyramid-shaped Fireplaces Inspired by Ancient Egyptian Pyramid, you'll see what I mean. Read a little more about it and all of a sudden you are thinking there's a great deal that goes into it. It has a venting system that starts with tubes at the base of the fireplace. Fumes are sucked through and dispensed below the unit.

My answer to this is a backless pyramid. Our inserts and gel fuel can do the rest. But, the backless pyramid would allow for the water that is dispensed to escape instead of having foggy windows.

Sit on a heavy metal base with four small concrete legs that are basically 1/4" thick and 1/2" in diameter. Three steel triangles with glass inserts held by metal tabs. I could draw a diagram, but you should know by now. I'll probably just write a report.

Ventless Gel Fireplace Inserts and Gel Fuel

Just two days ago, another fireplace mishap took place. The fire quickly extended into the walls and then rushed up to the attic. It took firefighters a half an hour to fight off the fire and the house will be lived in again after some construction. But, what a holiday season bummer.

I keep saying that this time of year brings about terrible mishaps, especially where fireplaces are concerned. Of course, there are traffic accidents this time of year because people are being driven nuts by the added stress of the holidays and the inclement weather isn't helping a bit either. Of course, candles are also a leading cause in house fires.

But, the fireplace is being used more these days for two main reasons. It's cold outside in most of the United States and family gatherings are more comfortable by the fire. So, mishaps are more of a concern.

Don't ruin your holidays over a simple oversight. Make sure you and your family are safe even when you are doing the simplest of things like having a family gathering around the fireplace. Follow these simple tips:

First, you need to make sure that the fireplace was built for actual use. Some builders have placed mock fireplaces in their homes just for decoration. Burning wood in a mock fireplace would cause smoke damage in no time...yes, this has happened.

Never use flammable fuels to light a fire inside the house. This includes gas, lighter fluid, charcoal fluid and the like. It can violently explode...yes, this has happened too.

Note: There would be no reason for me to tell you these things if someone hadn't tried them before!

Next, do not use charcoal in a fireplace. It will generate deadly fumes. This includes trash or wrappings.

Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed at night. Never leave a fire going while you sleep.

Teach your children about the dangers associated with the fireplace and that things should not be thrown in the fire, hands should not touch the fire or anything of the like.

Good Tip: Dampen newspaper and roll them up tight. Let them dry for about two weeks. They make for great burning logs.

You could just keep yourself away from all fireplace danger with a Ventless Gel Fireplace!

I have begun extensive research on conservation in the construction industry. It's an uphill battle. But, green building is not only impressive to the eye. It is equally impressive to the wallet when you start comparing the differences after you make the changes.

My concerns though are more for the home owner and not necessarily the builder. Builders are generally already somewhat educated on it and moving in that direction anyway. There are awards given to architects who build green and that's enough of an initiative to keep them interested.

But, I want everyone who reads my work to be able to begin doing something today that is going to benefit them in the future. So, I think it's more effective to concentrate on those things a home owner and even a renter can do to make their home more energy efficient. You'd be surprised how easy some of this stuff is.

Solar Heat

The reason most people don't even try solar heat is because they think of panels and solar heating systems that cost a pretty penny. Not anymore. You can actually get started for less than $30.

Before Christmas, I promise to have a report finished that will explain what you can do to your attic that will make it a hot bed for solar heat. Of course, it will cost a bit more than $30. But, the report will begin with the small steps that you can take throughout your house to benefit from solar heating for less than $30.

Water Conservation

Water conservation is not merely about only using water you need and making sure your sinks don't leak. Looking further into the problem, you can begin to change small things like high performance shower heads as well as outside hoses, nozzles and faucets. There are plenty of things around the house that for only a few dollars, can save plenty.

Recycling Centers

No. Not the recycling centers you drive to and drop off your trash. You can have recycling centers in your own home. You can reuse your own material. It saves on trash bags and trips you have to make on trash day as well as the benefit of reusing materials that you once thought were simply disposable.

I'm going to absolutely love putting these reports together. I actually believe I'm going to be on this topic for awhile because that's where the nature of the Ventless Gel Fireplace began. Environmentally safe and eco-friendly fuel that efficiently burns in a ventless fireplace. That's where we began and that's where we are starting to grow.