Keep your Cool this Summer with Soleus Air Portable Air Conditioners

June 21st was the official start of summer. As temperatures rise, staying cool seems to be the number one priority on the top of everyone’s list. We sure have come a long way since those early days of air conditioning where in 1889 Alfred R. Wolff designed a ventilation system which used blocks of ice and steam powered blowers to cool down patrons. Essentially the air from the blowers would flow over the blocks of ice cooling the space. Ten years later as the beginning of the modern air conditioner took hold, a refrigeration unit circulated a brine solution through pipes over which air was blown to cool down a room.

Then came Willis Carrier who is widely credited as the inventor of the modern air conditioner. He engineered his “apparatus for treating air” in 1902. It worked by blowing air over a set of coils filled with a coolant. The intent wasn’t to chill the summer air into a pleasant breeze but rather the device was to precisely control the humidity of the air inside.In 1931 H.H. Schultz and J. Q. Sherman invented an individual room air conditioner; the unit would sit on a window ledge, a design that is seen in apartment buildings everywhere, still today. The cost of those first units was staggering which only the wealthy could afford to buy.

Since that time air conditioning units have become more popular and much more affordable. In fact in 1953 more than one million air conditioning units were sold. Residential air conditioners became just another way to keep up with the Joneses! It seemed like everyone owned a unit.

Click to View the Soleus Air 10,000 BTU Window A/C plus Dehumidifier and Fan

I remember in our old house we didn’t have a central air conditioning unit; we had lots of fans; from ceiling fans to oscillating fans that we placed around the house, just for some relief from the summer heat. One day at our local hardware store we noticed a window air conditioning unit. "Ahhhh" we thought, "we can pick this up and place it in the window of or bedroom to cool us down at night."

Once we got it home and installed we were enjoying the sweet comfort of cool air! That was great but what about when we were spending time in other parts of the house? What to do? So we decided to close the doors to all the rooms we were not in and set up an elaborate set of fans to blow the cool air to the rooms that we were using. It worked o.k. but we thought there must be a better way to get cool air to just the rooms we wanted - while not have to cool down the whole house. Thanks to Soleus Air there is! With their portable air conditioning units, now you can cool down just the room you are in and since it’s portable it goes where you go!

Click to View the Soleus Air 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioning Unit

So when it comes right down to it, the best way to stay cool in your home and beat the summer heat is with Soleus Air portable air conditioning unit, move it from room to room, no need to cool down space that is not needed, just the space you need. Soleus Air is the #1 portable air conditioner suppliers in the U.S. At Soleus Air, their goal is your comfort in the home or in the office. Under different brand names you have enjoyed and trusted their products for many years. Soleus Air offers the best in quality and innovation, so check out all Soleus Air has to offer in the way of staying cool!

Click to View the Soleus Air 9,000 BTU Thru Wall A/C and Dehumidifier


Soleus offers units that are compact yet powerful; our 12,000 BTU evaporative air conditioner efficiently and quietly cools and dehumidifies to make your environment more comfortable. Evaporative technology allows the unit to recycle the collected moisture so there is no water bucket to empty. A built-in 24 hour timer remembers your settings and will restart the unit even if power is interrupted.


Click to View the Soleus Air 10,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioning Unit

At Soleus Air commercial, their goal is your comfort in the home and office. Contractors and builders know Soleus Air and their quality and dependability.

For those of you who would like a more conventional air conditioner that can be mounted in a window or thru a wall Soleus Air has you covered too by using the same technology that makes their portable room air conditioners #1 and with the same great features!

At Soleus they offer only the best in terms of quality and innovation! And Odyssey Homestore is a proud Authorized Factory Representative of Soleus Air.

Call an Odyssey Homestore® specialist today to learn more about portable air conditioners, fans and heaters. 888-564-4744.

Kent Right Return Bar by American Heritage

Product Information: The Kent Right Return Bar, also known as the Greystone Right Return Home Bar, Catania Right Return Home Bar, or Salem Right Return Wood Home Bar depending on who is selling it, is one of the most beautiful bars available on the market today.



Many describe the Kent Right Return Bar as a “Grand Bar” because it has everything imaginable for the entertaining enthusiast, and makes a striking focal point to your home bar. The bar features:

• a brushed stainless wrap-around footrest
• removable wine storage rack
• a mini fridge / wine cooler bay (just the bay – not the fridge)
• hanging stemware rack for multiple wine glasses
• a drink mixing and cutting ledge
• removable ice storage and bottle wells
• open shelving for ample storage as well as a locking cabinet for added security

What more could you ask for in a bar? It’s about as close to custom as you can get, without the expense of a custom bar. Speaking of which, our partnership with American Heritage means we can also offer custom bars.  

Manufacturing Process: From the five step finishing process to the exquisite craftsmanship, the artisans at American Heritage have really raised the bar and spared no expense in the manufacturing process. The custom select hardwood with a warm chestnut finish, raised molding panels, a black laminate bar top surface and brushed stainless steel accents give this bar an rich, opulent look and feel. The “L” shape of the bar is the reason why this is called a “Right Return” bar. The bartender stands behind the bar with added counter space to their right, which also means there’s plenty of room for drinks and snacks.




Dimensions: This bar is not small. In fact it’s just the opposite. Some of our customers have described it as “Substantial,” “Beefy,” and “Manly – Made for my Man Cave.” Dimensions are: 84” W x 59.5” D x 44” H, Weight: 507 pounds.  

Reviews:
Ships in three boxes. Very little assembly required. Was in perfect condition. It was missing the foot rails, but simply made a phone call to the company, and they shipped them right out. I would for sure recommend this bar. By Sandra S. from Geneva, OH May 23, 2011

Great bar with nice features. Great service & price from Odyssey HS. Reviewed by: Cassie from Middletown, MD. on 2/10/2012

Amazing bar great quality and value. I did granite tile over the existing service to enhance the look and durability. Reviewed by: David Archiello on 4/16/2012 OMG

This is the most awesome bar ever. The finish is great the wood is great we are missing a manual for some of the instructions. They are e-mailing it. Just don't want to put the shelves in incorrectly. A great value for the money. By Steve M., FL Mar 22, 2013  

Shipping: This bar ships directly from the manufacturer via freight in a full-size semi-truck in 3 boxes weighing a total of 522 pounds and the freight company will call you ahead of time to arrange delivery. Expect to have the delivery dropped curbside. You must be there to receive and carefully inspect the packaging. If you detect any damage at delivery, make sure the driver makes note of it. Otherwise, if you get the box inside and there’s some damage, a claim must be submitted and that’s a real pain in the neck (the few instances we’ve had claims, American Heritage has taken care of the customer immediately).

It’s also important to consider having someone available to help you bring these boxes indoors. The heaviest one is 276 pounds and quite bulky so be prepared. Indoor delivery is usually available with the trucking company or you can arrange that with us at the time of purchase. Lead time from the warehouse is generally 2 – 3 days, and delivery times within the Continental U.S. range from 5 – 7 days for freight. Outside of inclement weather, holidays or other unusual circumstances, most of our customers have taken delivery within 7 – 10 business days from the day they ordered it.  

About American Heritage: ARTISAN-CRAFTED American Heritage has been handcrafting heirloom quality billiard tables for close to 20 years. Today they apply their rigorous construction standards to every piece of their game room collections. Over the past two decades, they have worked tirelessly to perfect the construction quality of their American Heritage pieces, doing away with block and bolt construction in favor of the very same 100% wood joinery techniques used in the some of the world's finest handcrafted furniture. They believe that these details make all the difference, and will enable your family to enjoy your American Heritage game room collection for generations to come.

American Heritage furniture is crafted, in its entirety, by the finest of woodworking professionals. And it all begins with top-quality custom hardwoods, hand-selected for their unparalleled strength and distinctive beauty. They source only the finest raw materials to create each piece, while their staff of quality control professionals knit pick over each and every piece of wood, looking to match grain patterns and alternating growth rings to create a perfect union of strength and beauty. It’s their belief that anything constructed with less than the most precise and uncompromising standards doesn’t have a leg to stand on. Their philosophy includes the believe that mortise and tenon fittings are just as important as using corner blocks on seat frames. They also believe that for a piece of furniture to display a spectacular finish it must first be properly prepared. State-of- the-art sanding equipment, built specifically to AHB specifications, ensures the finest application on all of their finishes. They believe that all the little details make a big difference which will enable your family to enjoy your furniture for generations to come.

About Odyssey Homestore We hope you've enjoyed reading about the Kent Right Return Bar. Being one of our top sellers, we've had many people ask for more information and we hope this review helps you with your decision "To Buy or Not to Buy." American Heritage does not sell directly to the public but only through partnerships with reputable companies such as ours. Odyssey Homestore is a factory authorized representative for American Heritage Billiards and enjoys an excellent reputation with them. They treat our customers with the same Legendary Service as we ourselves do.

If you're interested in speaking to an Odyssey Homestore bar specialist, please call (888) 564 - 4744, 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week. Click here to shop for the Kent Right Return Bar or find all American Heritage products by clicking here. If you're a customer who has already purchased the Kent Right Return Bar we'd love to hear from you.

Rustic Furniture: Everything New is Old Again

Today, many people are looking for a way to get “back to nature” right in their own homes. They want a down-home appeal with furniture that is made right here in the U.S.A. Not always easy to find, that’s for sure. But just what is it about Rustic Furniture that so many people are enjoying today?



For one thing, many of people are drawn to furniture that is not only aesthetically appealing but also has a look that makes you want to reach out and touch it. That’s what rustic furniture is all about. Each piece should be handcrafted by a local artisan, not mass produced in a machine shop. And while there are many companies who manufacture rustic furniture, only a few go about it the right way. Starting with the logging process.

Montana Woodworks® logs are harvested in the Kootenai National Forest via a very selective process. Lodge pole pine is chosen due to its superior strength versus weight ratio and because it is generally straighter, thus easier to work with. Skilled woodmen select each tree with an attentive eye toward the quality, straightness and size of each specimen. After felling, each piece is hand carried to the road to ensure that it remains undamaged and that its removal does not scar the landscape. As a measure of their commitment to the environment, Montana Woodworks prohibits the use of heavy equipment in the harvest their logs as the equipment and machinery would damage the surface texture of their products and most importantly, harm the surrounding environment.

Only trees that are “standing dead”, that is, they have died but not fallen, are chosen for their furniture. Conversely, trees that have died and fallen to the ground are not used as they are subject to absorbing moisture. Some discoloration is likely even in logs prepared from standing dead timber. The most prolific form of this discoloration is varying shades of blue. Sometimes referred to as ‘blue pine’ these pieces exhibit unique characteristics often sought by customers. Montana Woodworks prohibits the harvest and use of live trees in their operations as trees that are alive or “green” are subject to warping in the future. Removing standing dead timber from forests greatly reduces the danger of catastrophic firestorms such as those recently witnessed throughout the West. No wildlife habitat is harmed in their operations, as trees large enough to be inhabited are generally too large to be used in their products.

The Preparatory Process
After harvest, the logs are stored until sufficiently dry for use in the building of their furniture. During this drying period, some checking or cracking is likely and expected to occur. This is a natural process; it does not in any way affect the structural integrityLog Peeling of the log or the finished product. The Montana Collection pieces are peeled in a process that removes the outer bark using a very sharp, hand-drawn knife known as a “drawknife”. We choose this method because it gives the finished product an excellent texture and color contrast, whereas mechanical peelers only produce an unattractive, generic texture and little color contrast. During the hand-peeling process, the craftsman also remove some of the inner bark creating a “skip-peeled” texture. The Glacier Country Collection pieces are finished in the unique, one-of-a-kind look reminiscent of the Grand Lodged of the Rockies, circa 1900. First the craftsmen remove all of the outer bark while leaving the inner “cambium: layer behind for texture and contrast. Then the finish is applied in an intensive, eight step professional spraying process that applies stain and lacquer for a beautiful, long lasting finish. For those customers who desire a ‘cleaner’ look, we also offer the option of removing all of the inner bark. This is type of peeling is known as “clean peeled” and incurrs a slight up-charge to cover the additional labor. Clean peeled items are special order items and must be specified at the time of order.

Mortise and Tenon Joinery
Montana Woodworks furniture is assembled using round mortise and tenon joinery. Simple and strong, the mortise and tenon style joint has been used for millennia by woodworkers around the world to join two pieces of wood into a rigid and strong assembly. For the mortise, or the hole, we use a variety of different drill presses and drill bit sizes. For the tenon, or the peg, we use a machine called a “Log Woofer”. This machine works much like a very large pencil sharpener leaving a tapered end or tenon. Carefully sanding each piece of furniture before, during, and after the assembly process to smooth the furniture’s surface and to reduce the risk of gaining splinters is a standard Montana Woodworks® procedure ensuring the highest quality product possible. During the assembly process, we apply a powerful adhesive into the mortise, or the hole, before joining the two pieces. After joining the two pieces, we use wood screws or staples to hold the two pieces firmly together until the adhesive sets. This drying period takes approximately twenty-four hours.



Finishing
After assembly, the items are again sanded and carefully re-inspected. Following the comprehensive inspection, the items are packaged to prevent dust collection and moved into inventory. If ordered by the customer, we varnish the item with a clear lacquer finish or stain and lacquer if ordered in the Glacier Country style. For those who purchase Ready to Finish items, we recommend protecting the original color and texture of your rustic log furniture with a lacquer or water based varnish finish. If left unfinished, the wood will yellow over time. Most hardware stores and do-it-yourself warehouses sell small amounts of lacquer or water-based varnish and the tools necessary to complete the task. We highly recommend the application of two coats of clear lacquer or water based varnish finish to each piece of new Montana Woodworks® furniture; doing so will protect the color and the beauty of the wood for many years.

Why pick Montana Woodworks? They are the single largest and most trusted manufacturer of handcrafted rustic furnishings in the nation. They manufacture all of our log furniture items in our own factory here in Northwestern Montana, U.S.A.

You can buy Montana Woodworks furniture at Odyssey Homestore. They are very knowledgeable about the product and work directly with the manufacturer to ensure you are receiving the highest quality furniture. (888) 564 – 4744

Dream House with a Porch Swing

What does your dream house look like? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours. It’s a single story home with a wrap-around porch. Need I say more? Plantation style would be my preference, both inside and out, if I had my 'druthers.

I envision myself surrounded by my family and friends on a warm summer afternoon drinking iced tea or lemonade out of frosty glasses, viewing the world from behind the safety of my front porch trellis. The toes of one foot is on the ground, slowly moving the porch swing – just enough to catch an afternoon breeze.

In the winter, I’ll curl up wrapped in one of my crochet afghans sipping a cup of hot cocoa doing nothing more exciting than watching the miniature marshmallows melt, as snow, silent and hush, falls outside my little world. And if I really have my way I’ll be all nice and warm with my Ravenswood Firebowl fired up.

Indulge me please as I imagine just a bit more decorations on my porch. Since it’s snowing, I’ll add just a touch of Christmas, like my favorite: the 3 foot Flocked Alaskan Pine with 100 colorful little lights twinkling merrily as I listen to the bells jingling on the sleighs gliding down our street. (Wait. Is that just a bit too much?)

The inside of my dream home will be decorated plantation style, with gorgeous furniture such as the Trinidad Arm Chair by Padma's Plantation and accent pieces such as the Timeworks Tyrell Wall Clock by Uttermost. To keep it fun, I love whimsical little touches like the 32 in Abayomi Elephant Accent Lamp.

If this is a dream, please wake me gently. Hold on, before I go I need to cover my patio swing so it stays clean all year long out on my porch. Of course, I would choose KoverRoos patio furniture covers. Okay, I've shared my dream. I don't really want to wake up, but I will if you'll share yours.

Call Odyssey Homestore 888-564-4744 if you need help making your dream house become a reality. They have pretty much everything you need, from Porch to Patio and Everything in Between.

Fiber Optic Christmas Trees

And why have they become so popular in the last few years? Before we can explain that, we need to explain what Fiber Optics is, or is that are?

Fiber-optics consist of a bundle of thin glass or plastic strands. This is coated or surrounded in material that allows light to pass through the fibers without escaping out the sides. Signals can pass through them at very high speeds from the point of origin to the destination, with minimal loss in quality or data. Companies use fiber-optics to transmit Internet data, audio information for telephones, and images for television or medical cameras. One little known secret is they also are used for Christmas trees! Basic Function: The concept behind fiber-optics is fairly simple. A user transmits a signal as light, often in the form of a laser beam, through a length of thin strands of glass or plastic. The optical fiber acts as the medium through which the light passes, while a coating on the outside of each strand keeps the light trapped within the fiber. People can send just about any type of digital data through fiber-optics, though conversion for some signals may be necessary.

 History: Alexander Graham Bell, in 1880, demonstrated how light could be used to transfer sounds from one area to another. A few decades later, the first sets of bundled cables were developed, though they were not called "fiber-optics" at the time. In 1956, Narinder Kapany coined the term after bundling a few glass rods together. He then demonstrated that these rods could project light without leaking at any point, as long as they were wrapped or coated in a dark material. By 1960, Dr. Charles Kao realized the potential of fiber-optics. He suggested that they could be used for fast, clear communications. In the 1970s, a company called Corning® Glass created the first optical fiber made entirely of thin strands of glass. This led to Bell Telephone using these fibers to make telephone cables that could transmit crystal clear conversations from one side of the US to the other. Are you bored yet? You shouldn't be! It's amazing really that folks like National Tree took the time to work with a variety of manufacturers to create some of the most stunning artificial fiber optic Christmas Trees in the world!

 Fiber Optic Trees make for great table top accents anywhere in your home. We offer a wide variety of fiber optic Christmas trees, and many come with ornaments already on the tree!. An Fiber Optic Christmas tree has a great looking base, and truly is breathtaking. They have PVC needles and are flame retardant. Use these trees in your entrance way or anywhere you can think of in your home. So, to sum it up. Fiber Optic Christmas trees have colorful lights, but they do not have bulbs like a traditional Christmas tree! The glow of the lights comes through the tips of the tree or bush, and they will create beautiful holiday memories for you and your family. Replacement parts are available so you'll enjoy your tree for many many years. To see the entire line of Fiber Optic Trees, just click here.

One word of caution: These sell out fast every year. By Thanksgiving they're gone! So order yours early and save! Feel free to call our Christmas Tree Specialists at Odyssey Homestore. We offer legendary customer service, sales and support. (888) 564 - 4744

Deco Breeze Fan - One Man's Journey

Most men have a favorite sport or hobby they enjoy, either watching or participating in. Some will go to extreme limits of being a fan by painting their face or decorating their care. Women are often fans of designer clothes, a certain perfume, or shopping for specials. Well I am a fan of fans: Deco Breeze fans to be exact.

For starters, fans can keep rooms 10 to 20 degrees cooler, without using as much electricity as an air conditioner. That saved money! And I'm a huge fan of saving money.

Deco Breeze has a fan for every room in your house or business. Dog fans, cat fans, Farm Animal fans, Safari fans, Beachy fans, Bird fans, Fishing fans and Sporting themed fans are perfect in the kitchen, den, man cave, kid's room or at the office.

Tabletop and standing floor fans are sure to match any decor. Deco Breeze has put the "FUN" in Functional and their popularity is growing!

Odyssey Homestore™ is proud to be an authorized dealer of Deco Breeze fans, and offer them for the lowest possible price (We could get in serious trouble if we offered them any cheaper). Deco Breeze fans are a "Fan"-tastic product, at a "Fan"- tastic price and that's what makes me a Fan of Fans!

How to Get a Man Cave without Pissing Off Your Wife

In the beginning, man used caves to provide shelter. Then women moved in and didn't want to cook outdoors. So man invented the stove.

Women then wanted a place to hanging their cooking sticks. So man invented the kitchen.

Women got tired of hiking to the river to wash clothes, so man invented plumbing.

Women found ways to decorate and basically take over our cave, driving man back outside. It's time we reclaim what was ours to begin with! So man invented the man-cave. A place where fellow hunters, gatherers and sportsmen can gather, drink a cold one, and swap stories, relax and view sporting events. A real man will have the following items in his man cave:

1: Large TV like this 55" Pro-Line SunBrite All Weather TV




2: Home bar like the Cortland Bar made for manly men!



3: Bar stools like the Martinique 360 Degree Full Swivel Bar Stool - the perfect fit for a rich, sophisticated style like ours!
 
4: A/C cooling system like the beefy 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner and Heater with evaporative technology means no water bucket to empty. Perfect for the guy who likes minimal fuss!

5: Sports-themed decorator items like this Duke the Surfing Dog Swivel Tabletop Fan: Man's best friend combined with a cool sport like surfing. Heck! Who cares if you don't surf, this fan makes you look, and feel cool!

So tell you woman you want this man cave in the main living room of your home. (She will reject that idea, but it's part of the plan). So when you suggest the basement or den, she will naturally agree. Now step up men! Your buddies are counting on you!

One final note of advice. Now that we know what we need to do, please get the O.K. from your wife or girlfriend :) If you need help convincing her, don't call me! But feel free to call us at (888) 564 - 4744 if you need help finding any of these or other products for the perfect man cave. Odyssey Homestore. Offering Legendary Service, Products and Support. Sincerely, Odd Blogger