Interior Design

Interior Design Tips: Your Guide to Buying a New Rug

The Linen Duck

There’s more to a rug than its colors, patterns, or textures. A great rug helps ground furniture and define a space. It also protects floors from scuff marks, absorbs noise, and provides plush padding underfoot.

If you’re looking for a new rug and are looking for interior design services in Nashville, a visit to The Linen Duck (located in Columbia, just 40 minutes south of Nashville) is always a good idea. Here are a few of their rug shopping tips:

The Linen Duck

Get the right size

The right rug size depends on several factors: the room’s dimensions, the furniture in it, the function of the space, and the look you’re trying to achieve. 

For the living area, the rug should be centered under the coffee table and selected with the furniture arrangement in mind. Living room rugs usually range from 5’x8’ to 9’x12’.

For the dining room, always choose a rug that’s bigger than your table. To get the ideal size, a simple rule of thumb is to add 36 inches to both the length and width of your table (or 36 inches to the diameter if it’s a round table).

When choosing a rug for the bedroom, give your feet a soft surface to walk on and go for a rug that’s 18 to 24 inches beyond each side of the bed. 

A common mistake in interior design is buying a rug that’s too small. When in doubt, go for the larger option. The rug’s size could spell the difference between a space that looks haphazardly put together and a thoughtfully decorated one.

The Linen Duck

Know your rug materials

Wool rugs are durable, affordable, and naturally stain-resistant. These rugs also retain heat, which would be perfect cold winter months. On the other hand, wool rugs have a tendency to shed and might need regular vacuuming. 

Cotton rugs are low maintenance and easy to clean. These rugs are less likely to shed than wool rugs but are less durable. Cotton rugs are machine-washable and are an ideal choice for spill-prone areas such as the kitchen.

The Linen Duck

Silk rugs are soft and luxurious, making them a great choice for the bedroom. On the other hand, these are delicate and can be expensive, not to mention difficult to clean and maintain for high-traffic areas.

Eco-friendly natural fiber rugs are often braided and are made from materials such as jute, bamboo, or seagrass.  These rugs are best used in relatively dry rooms where it’s less likely to be dirty since these rugs are difficult to clean.

Stain and fade-resistant, durable synthetic fiber rugs are suitable for functional areas like entryways, hallways, or patios.

Consider the overall look of your space

Choose a rug that complements your room’s décor. A patterned or colorful rug will complement rooms with a muted color palette. Colorful rooms will benefit from the visual contrast a neutral rug provides. The Linen Duck

Take care of your rug

Always read the care instructions on the rug’s label to make sure you’re cleaning it correctly. Spot clean stains right away, and turn your rug 180 degrees every so often to prevent certain areas from being more faded and worn out than the rest. 

The Linen Duck’s interior design center has hundreds of sample options to choose from. Special orders usually arrive within a week. Learn more about rugs from our online guide or visit us in the store.

The Linen Duck offers interior design services in Columbia, TN, just south of Nashville. They are open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm. Call (931) 548-2422 or visit their website to learn more.

Sealcoating & Striping

Your Guide To Residential Asphalt Driveways

Hargrove SealcoatingHomeowners know that a cracked and neglected driveway affects the overall aesthetic of a property. If you’re still deciding whether or not paving your driveway is a good investment, wonder no more. Laying an asphalt driveway or repairing cracked asphalt will enhance your property’s long-term value and curb appeal.

It only takes one to two days to lay an asphalt driveway if it is done by a professional contractor, and you don’t have to wait a long time to start using it again. While residential paving expenses will depend on your location and specific requirements, it is generally affordable. However, there are factors to consider to make sure your driveway paving lasts and functions as it should. Here are some of them.

Driveway Foundation

Your driveway’s foundation must be sufficiently compacted before any paving work can be started. Failing to have a proper foundation can make or break the quality of the asphalt pavement.  Make sure cracks and holes are filled out, and there’s a drainage system in place. 

Drainage

Having an effective drainage system is crucial to an asphalt driveway’s quality and durability. Water should never be stagnant on the pavement’s surface; neither should it pool around the edges. To prevent water stagnation, driveways are usually raised in the center and built lower along the sides.

Patio and walkway drainages should be kept further away from the driveway.

Tack Coating

This helps the asphalt overlay adhere to the foundation. Tack coating is usually sprayed on a deteriorating surface to ensure its evenness before adding the asphalt overlay.

Paving Material

Your choice of paving materials would depend on the specific demands of the project. In some cases, an aggregate base may be the best choice. In others, a full-depth asphalt application would be highly recommended. A professional contractor such as Hargrove Sealcoating will survey the area to determine the best pavement material for the job.

Pavement Width

A one-car driveway would typically require a width of 8 feet. But it is recommended to set the width at 10 feet so there’s enough space for larger vehicles.

Expand the width to 12 feet if you want to accommodate pedestrians, too.

Pavement Thickness

Asphalt contractors would either use asphalt over an aggregate base or use asphalt all the way through. Asphalt thickness will differ depending on which case. An asphalt overlay would be at 1.5 to 2.5 inches, whereas a full-depth asphalt pavement would be at 5 to 6 inches total.

Asphalt Surface Course Application

The surface course is the top layer of the pavement and it should be laid in such a way that it is able to withstand high traffic and environmentally-induced stresses without cracking or rutting. It aims to provide an even profile with just the right amount of texture to ensure sufficient and safe skid resistance.

Location

Your driveway’s location should consider your property’s natural topography. An area that is too flat an area will cause drainage problems while an area with steep slopes could become slippery and dangerous. As a rule of thumb, a driveway should have a grade of less than 15 percent, which means that it should not rise more than 15 feet over a distance of 100 feet. 

Surrounding trees and natural features should be taken into consideration in the construction of your driveway.

Everyday Traffic

While cars do not damage the surface of your driveway, heavy-duty vehicles parked regularly on your driveway can. It is recommended that trucks should not park on your driveway for at least a year after the paving work is completed.

Sealing

Asphalt driveways last for about 25 to 30 years. With regular sealcoating, or the application of a protective coating against the elements, your driveway could possibly last longer than that.

Maintenance

Cracks, potholes, and ruts should be repaired as soon as possible as these could speed up the deterioration of your residential asphalt paving. Asphalt patching is a fast and effective solution to these concerns.

Serving Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, Lewisburg, Murfreesboro, and Nashville, Hargrove Sealcoating specialists provide asphalt crack repair services. Call them today at 931.619.6718. One of their service advisors will be happy to assist you.

Cybersecurity

Business and Organization Resilience

ImageQuestNatural disasters, global pandemics, and economic volatility have exposed the fragility of supply chains, healthcare systems, and businesses in general. Organizations have declared their intention to bounce back and rebuild more resilient businesses, but not all of them have the capacity to do so. Very few companies are able to design for, measure, and manage resilience.

Business resilience: Its importance and benefits

Resilience can be defined as a company’s ability to absorb stress, recover functionality, and thrive amid different circumstances. Business resilience is important, now more than ever, because the landscape is evolving at an unprecedented rate. 

Continue reading Business and Organization Resilience →

Education

Advocating for Classroom Accommodations and Academic Support

Currey IngramThe number of students with different learning needs has increased in recent years. These differences are not observable in most cases. As a result, students with learning needs are often overlooked or misunderstood. Faculty members and school staff must understand the implications of learning differences so they can advocate for classroom accommodations and provide them with opportunities to thrive and succeed.

What are accommodations?

Accommodations are modifications in the way tasks are presented that allow students with learning differences to complete the same assignments as the other students. Accommodations do not change the content of the assignments, alter how tests are evaluated, or give these students an undue advantage. Rather, accommodations enable students to demonstrate what they know and not be impeded by their learning differences.

Continue reading Advocating for Classroom Accommodations and Academic Support →

Security

Using Security Cameras to Reward Employees Who Are Doing the Right Thing, Thus Preventing the Bad

ICU Security

The human brain is naturally programmed to absorb visual content better than a page filled with words. Moreover, an average person retains 95 percent of a message when it is watched and only 10 percent when it is read. Combine visual content with movement and sound and you’ve got video – one of the most – if not the most – compelling media formats around. 

Whether they’re recording videos non-stop, on schedule, or only when motion is detected, security cameras are becoming the norm in the workplace. Apart from their traditional functions of movement surveillance and loss prevention, security cameras have now taken on highly crucial roles in business environments. Nashville security camera provider ICU Security cites some examples of how security cameras can help employees understand and embrace core processes and procedures in the workplace, thereby boosting productivity and morale. 

Employee training. With security cameras in place, companies can document employees performing tasks based on best practices and use the footage as training materials for new hires. Organization veterans don’t have to be pulled out for time-consuming training duties, allowing them to focus on jobs at hand.

Moreover, the periodic review of these videos could help management plan for future training programs that could unlock each team member’s full potential.

Recognition of outstanding behavior.  Security cameras can capture an employee’s exemplary behavior, which could be reinforced through a well-deserved reward or recognition. Other employees could watch the video to see what worked and evaluate if there are still areas for improvement.

Equipment operation. Organizations can use security cameras to verify and document the proper use and maintenance of critical equipment. 

Workplace safety. Security cameras provide companies with a definitive way to validate whether teams are complying with established safety protocols, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.

Customer service improvement. Audio-enabled security cameras can provide details that would otherwise be missed when video-only systems are used. Managers can resolve employee and customer concerns by watching and listening to what took place.

Note that the reasons behind video surveillance efforts must be clearly communicated to everyone concerned. Transparent and sensible policies lead to a loyal and high-performing workforce.

Established in 1999, ICU Security are Nashville-based security camera specialists serving communities in  Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and Franklin, TN. Get in touch by calling (615) 208-2891.

General

When Is The Best Time To Asphalt Your Driveway?

Hargrove Sealcoating
A new asphalt driveway can elevate the look of your home. It’s a durable surface where you can walk or park your car. To make it last for several years, asphalt must be properly installed under optimal conditions by an asphalt paving professional.

Choosing The Best Conditions For Asphalt Work

In its workable state, asphalt is viscous, flexible, and easy to pour and spread across a surface given the right environmental settings. Asphalt can be difficult to manage when it’s too cold outside, and teams would need to work quickly before the asphalt cools and hardens. On the other hand, it can take longer for asphalt to cure when it’s too hot. The ideal temperature would be somewhere near 70 degrees. This typically happens in spring, late summer, or early fall depending on where you live.

Why Precipitation Matters

Precipitation is another important factor to consider when planning asphalt paving work in Nashville. Water seeping into the sub-base will freeze during winter, which causes it to expand and damage the asphalt above. Heavy rainfall can cool down the asphalt surface before the team could have the chance of properly leveling the material.

Review Project Timelines

The amount of work to be done on your driveway will affect the timing of your asphalt paving project. It could only take 1 to 2 days to refresh an existing driveway, but it can take a week if you are planning to install a new one entirely. Consult with a Nashville-based asphalt paving contractor and schedule your project accordingly.

Remember: The first two weeks are the most crucial for your new asphalt driveway; it is still vulnerable and prone to breakage during this time. Do not drive on it for 3 to 5 days, and wait for up to 7 days before parking a vehicle on it. If you do, park in the early morning or in the evening when temperatures are lower.

For your asphalt paving and repair requirements, call Nashville-based Hargrove Sealcoating at 931.619.6718 for a free consultation and quote. One of their service advisors will be happy to assist you.

General

Nashville Cybersecurity Service Recommends Running Security Response Drills

ImageQuest Digital security is important for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. However, those that fail to plan for a data breach or other cyber incident are risking their businesses. Nashville-based cybersecurity service ImageQuest says those that have plans but failed to test them with practice drills could be no better off than those with no plan at all. In light of many recent data breach events, we reached out to ImageQuest. What we learned was that it’s best to practice what you’ve prepared.  

What Is A Security Incident Response Plan?

One of the first questions we had for the cybersecurity service provider was what, exactly, a Security Incident Response Plan is. They told us this is simply a planned series of events that a company’s leadership and IT staff would take in case of a digital compromise.

This plan is put into place to both protect a company from financial losses and to ensure that its clients’ data remains safe.

Tabletop Exercises

A cybersecurity incident response plan does not look the same for each business. However, the cybersecurity service tells us that all companies can benefit from running what’s called tabletop exercises. This is a chance to test the efficiency and effectiveness of the response strategy. More importantly, it gives business leaders a valuable opportunity to identify weaknesses in the plan. 

Weaknesses that tabletop exercises can shed light on include when steps are taken prematurely and must be reordered. It can also pinpoint additional company executives or contacts that must get involved.

Why So Important?

Cybersecurity service advisors from the Nashville company use the following example of a potential cybersecurity incident at a large accounting firm. We will call it Acme Accounting. Imagine this scenario:

You are an executive at Acme Accounting. You’re coming up on tax filing season and are consumed with work on multi-million-dollar client projects. Suddenly, you are interrupted by your IT manager, who tells you one of your vendors has experienced a data breach. You realize immediately that this means that your clients’ sensitive information may have been compromised. You have planned for this, so you are not that worried.

Unfortunately, you have never practiced your plan. Shortly after your IT Manager’s alert, you realize your plan does not work as envisioned. You are now scrambling to decide what to tell your customers while simultaneously trying to figure out how to deal with the problem. Now you must figure out how to mitigate damage for the affected clients while retaining the trust of your entire client base.

Had your management team simply taken the time to run a series of security drills, you could have avoided your current state of panic and corrected the gaps and mistakes. You would have known exactly what to do, when to do it, and who within your organization would lead each step of your response plan.

A Better Way

ImageQuest’s cybersecurity service offerings can help businesses in Nashville and beyond create and practice their Security Incident Response Plans. This may include everything from how to save data in the critical first moments to what to say to your clients when it is time to issue a statement. By running routine drills, your workers will be ready to handle the unexpected.

It may not be possible to prevent every security incident. But our conversation with ImageQuest has helped us better understand that having a plan in place and practicing each step of that plan before a disaster occurs is the best way to prevent serious ramifications.

If you are looking for a cybersecurity service in Nashville, Louisville, or Bowling Green, visit ImageQuest online at ImageQuest.com or call 888.979.2679 for more information.

Legal

What Is A Tort? (Hint: Definitely Not As Sweet As A Torte!)

Boyd Law Business torts are best described as wrongful actions. However, to be more specific, they are actions performed against either a large or small business that causes harm to that company. According to Franklin-based business lawyer Brian T. Boyd, a business tort is dangerous because it can create everything from a damaged reputation to profit losses. These types of actions can also cause an enterprise their rightful piece of the market share.

According to Boyd, business owners in Franklin that have been a victim of a tort can benefit from the help of a business lawyer. An attorney can act as legal counsel to help guide the business toward lawful retaliation. Further, having a business lawyer on retainer may help pad against economic losses directly resulting from the tort.

Legal recourse

Boyd explains that the most logical recourse to a tort is a civil lawsuit. The plaintiff – the harmed party – must then accept the burden of proof. They must prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that that harm was caused by the defendant – the offender. The plaintiff must also illustrate that the defendant had a responsibility to behave a certain way toward the business. This responsibility must have been unquestionably neglected.

In addition to negligence, the plaintiff may need to prove that the defendant’s actions were reckless and/or intentional. A business lawyer can help a plaintiff identify contractual responsibilities and, if applicable, any breached state or local laws.

At the conclusion of a civil trial, a judge may award a plaintiff financial damages up to and exceeding the amount of their lost profits. If found guilty, the defendant may also be issued a restraining order, which will prohibit them from continuing to cause harm to the plaintiff. A court of law may further rule that any defamatory or disparaging statements are publicly retracted.

Types of misconduct

There are many situations that may be considered a business tort. Boyd explains these include everything from business disparagement and malpractice to misrepresentation and the mishandling of trade secrets. When a business attorney looks at the case, they will also look for losses incurred by their client based on improper interference by the defendant.

Six types of business torts

Trade libel

Trade libel is a type of deformation where false statements are publicly published. This information might relate to the business itself or its products or services. As a business lawyer, Boyd explains these are usually some of the costliest cases since it involves the perception of Franklin’s residents, not just local corporate leaders.

Theft of trade secrets

Trade secrets are proprietary processes that give a business a competitive advantage. They are not published and, typically, only a select few have access. A tort involving trade secrets happens when an offending party comes into possession of the secrets and uses them against the business that rightfully owns them.

Tortious interference

This essentially refers to causing complications in business relationships. A business lawyer may claim tortious interference on behalf of their clients if the defendant unlawfully meddled with contractual agreements between the plaintiff and other parties.

Fraudulent misrepresentation

A breach of good faith is a fraudulent misrepresentation created to convince parties to join into a contractual agreement.

Commercial disparagement

This is the act of intentionally making a business or its products, services, or property look bad so that it loses business.

Restraint of trade

Restraint of trade is the act of creating unlawful barriers to production. For example, if a group of businesses band together and refuse to sell, distribute, or ship raw materials only to certain businesses. As a local business lawyer, Boyd can help Franklin-based owners and executives determine if their firm has been the victim of restraint of trade or if the actions against them were taken as part of a lawful non-compete.

If you believe that your business has been a victim of a tort, contact the Law Offices of Boyd & Wills for expert legal assistance. Our experts can help identify illegal behaviors and will represent your best interests in a court of law.

General

Nashville VW Repair Shop Dishes On Das Auto

GPO Tuning
Volkswagen is one of the most popular vehicle brands on the road. However, GPO Tuning, Nashville’s premier VW repair, maintenance and tuning provider, says that most drivers know astoundingly little about the German company. We recently sat down with techs from the busy performance tuning shop to get the inside scoop about what is under the proverbial hood.

Q: Thank you for sitting with us today. We have heard that Volkswagen has a very long history. Can you fill us in?

GPO Tuning: Absolutely. There are a few things that many people do not know. First is that the brand we have all lovingly come to know as Das Auto (The Car), was originally thought up by the most abhorrent human being in history: Adolf Hitler. But the brand has ties to many beloved historical figures as well, and the first “People’s Car” was designed by none other than Ferdinand Porsche.

Q: What is the most popular Volkswagen?

GPO Tuning: That is an easy question to answer. The Beetle is the most iconic of the Volkswagen models. Although they were discontinued, we offer VW repair for all Beetles, no matter their condition or age. Interestingly, there were more than 21 million Beetles sold before production was pulled. We’re personal fans of the Scirocco and Corrado as well. The new GTI’s and Golf R’s are fantastic cars as well. It’s too bad the TDI’s (VW Diesels) had the Dieselgate incident, as those are great cars too.

Q: We understand that the Volkswagen group actually owns many other brands as well.

GPO Tuning: Correct! Although few people know it, Volkswagen owns Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, and Audi. Our certified VW repairs techs in Nashville are qualified to handle diagnostics and repairs on these and other German vehicles. We also offer performance tuning for drivers who want more than what their vehicle offers directly from the assembly line. Volkswagen owns so many brands that more than one out of every ten vehicles sold worldwide is manufactured by the group.

Q: In the US, we tend to love our GMC’s and Fords. How prevalent are Volkswagens in the states?

GPO Tuning GPO Tuning: The US market is one of the most coveted among auto manufacturers. Because of this, competition is brutal. Despite our lingering affection for our American and Japanese vehicles, Volkswagen does sell around half a million cars in the United States each year. Incidentally, for those buying in Music City, GPO Tuning is one of the only shops in Nashville that specialize in VW repair and service.

Q: It sounds like it is growing in popularity. How many people does it take to make all of those vehicles?

GPO Tuning: Around 600,000 people receive a paycheck from the Volkswagen Group. Almost half of those – 270,000 – work at a single location in Germany. Volkswagen is not the only automotive giant across the pond, either. Around 2% of Germany’s workforce works for either VW, BMW, or Daimler. These manufacturers are known overseas as the “Big Three.”

Q: That is a lot of people turning wrenches…

GPO Tuning: It is. This does not even take into account companies that provide VW repair. The 600,000 folks that work for Volkswagen and its subsidiaries are involved in design, sales, marketing, and production, not service.

Q: We are beginning to think that we need to start the new year with a new vehicle. We appreciate your time with us today and look forward to speaking with you again. Before we close, can you tell our readers a bit more about GPO Tuning?

GPO Tuning: We are an independent Nashville-based VW repair shop, and we offer service to most European automobiles. We employ a team of the most experienced automotive technicians and have been serving the Nashville area since 2003. For more information about GPO Tuning, visit www.gpotuning.com.

General

Types of High Fence, Installation, and Why You Need a Solid Perimeter Boundary

Straight Shooter Game Fencing
If you own any kind of agricultural or hunting land, you need a good fence to keep your investment from harm. While a small barrier wforks for some scenarios, most often, a fence of at least six to eight feet is the most effective. Today, we sit down with Straight Shooter Game Fencing, an Alabama-based installer with decades of experience, to discuss the different types of agricultural fencing.

Q: Good afternoon. We are so glad that you could join us today. Fencing is not something most people think about, but we understand that it’s pretty important for many different reasons. We would like to talk about some of those today as fencing pertains to agriculture.

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: Absolutely. Obviously, we believe that it is important, and we are happy to explain why.

Q: Wonderful. We would like to start by touching base on the different types of fencing materials one might see on a farm, for example.

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: For as long as man has existed, so have fences. In the early days – prior to the Bronze Age – fences started out as little more than rocks laid on the ground with the intent of outlining a man’s land. This evolved through the years to include wood and metal, which are two of the most common materials used today. There is also light-duty mesh netting, cable, and PVC fencing.

Q: Which is the most effective?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: That depends on the application. If you are trying to keep a dog contained, for example, a four-foot traditional chain-link fence should do the trick. But, our company focuses on high fencing installation, meaning that we provide fencing and gates for gaming preserves, small airstrips, and large agricultural operations where reducing predator entrance or livestock exit is crucial.

Q: Why would you install a high fence at an airstrip?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: For many of the same reasons that commercial airports have a visible and nearly impenetrable barrier. A small airstrip, one that might be used for a small rural neighborhood or crop dusting, for example, is at risk of many of the same security concerns as a big airport. High fence installation can keep intruders out and prevent potentially fatal contact with wildlife.

Q: That is a great point.

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: Something else that a fence can do for a small airport is add a sense of prestige, much like a gated community.

Q: You also mentioned game preserves and agriculture. How does agricultural fencing benefits land designated for either of these activities?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: When you pay for high fence installation for either of these scenarios, what you are buying is peace of mind. If you are a rancher, for example, the last thing you want is your cattle wandering off of your land. If you own a game preserve, you want to keep predators away from your product. Farm operators can protect both their animals and their crops by adding something as simple as a fence. A tall fence is usually recommended for these properties as they also serve to keep deer away. We use a high-tensile material that can withstand being hit by an errant cow, for example, or a running coyote.

Q: Is it necessary to add perimeter protection to your entire property?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: Not always, but that again depends on the purpose. When we do a consultation for high fence installation, we start by asking how many linear feet of fence the client thinks they need, based on their measurements. We then further narrow it down by figuring out what purpose they want to get out of the fence. If their goal is to protect a small garden from rabbits or a single pen of pigs or chickens, fencing just that area might make the most sense. Sometimes, it is most logical to put a boundary around the entire property. This is usually the case for farms, ranches, gaming preserves, and airports.

Q: Is high fence installation expensive?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: When compared to what it can do for you, the answer is an easy “no.” While we probably would not recommend it for everyone, most of our clients have valuable assets to protect, whether this is a small airplane or hundreds of head of cattle. By having a fence professionally installed, these individuals have an added layer of security against forces that can impact their livelihood.

Q: That is a great point, and we appreciate you speaking with us today. Do you have anything that you would like to add before we close?

Straight Shooter Game Fencing: Just that we encourage people who are considering a fence to compare the cost of doing it wrong against the additional expense of professional fence installation.

For more information about Game Fencing and other Fencing Installation Services, please visit https://ssgamgefence.com or call 256-381-2675.