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Wallpaper and Turtlenecks

by Clay Cox Owner/President

ell, we’ve all seen what I am suggesting at all. Your personal touch, your imagination
it before and most and your creativity are what makes a white kitchen really come alive.
Wassuredly we will It’s a lot like living rooms when you add the “orange pillows” so that
see it again. I’m referring to the room will “pop” with color. You’ve just created a new identity
things that go out of style and to the room when you make that choice. I mentioned backsplashes
then come back in a future above because there-in lies a large portion of the kitchen’s identity.
incarnation. This doesn’t just refer A few years back I wrote that subway tiles were on the way out of
to bell bottoms which I have seen style and mosaic style backsplashes were on the way in and it is still
recently or turtlenecks which are true today that colorful and creative backsplashes, like mosaic tiles or
making a comeback. I’m not sure now wallpaper, are here to stay for a while.
that Nehru jackets will come back in style, but we’ll see. So, step back and look for what’s new that you can add to your
Wallpaper is a very real and creative item making its way white kitchen. Use your imagination and create the interest you want
back into homes and the beauty is that it is much more durable your kitchen to have by adding a touch of color that will make your
and flexible in its use than it was back in its heyday. For instance, kitchen truly your kitchen.
it can now be used comfortably in your kitchen not just on the We at Kitchens by Clay wish everyone a happy and blessed
surrounding walls but also as a backsplash. Materials are available New Year.
that can be washed without affecting the durability or beauty of the
paper. So, not only do you get a beautiful accent in any kitchen you
get a wall that’s easy to live with. Enjoy your remodel!
Anyone who reads my articles on a regular basis should know Clay Cox
I am still an advocate of white kitchens. But that doesn’t mean that
clay@kitchensbyclay.com
a white on white on white kitchen is the way to go. Nope, that’s not
7935 Airport Road, Suites 5 and 6, Naples, FL 34109
Phone: 239.431.5474 Fax: 239.431.5472

Hair and pH

by Erick Carter
air is made up of Since the melanin is found in the cortex
H of the hair, to change the color we must
very strong proteins.
penetrate through the cuticle layer - and that’s
Despite the strength
of these proteins, chemical where pH comes in. Anything water soluble
processes can weaken the can be measured by pH. The scales run from
hair and cause breakage. And 0-14. Zero is a very strong acid and 14 is a
so, let’s talk about the pH of very strong alkaline (base). Water has a pH of
chemicals and the damage it can cause. about 7 (neutral) as does peroxide and most
Hair is made up of two main parts. The outer shampoos. Lemon juice and vinegar have a pH
scale-like layer, the cuticle, protects the inner of about 2 or 3 (both acids) whereas baking
layer, the cortex. Protein chains are located along the cortex with soda, an alkaline, has a pH of about 8 or 9. Hair has a natural pH
the melanin which gives hair its color. When the hair becomes between 4.5-5.5.
damaged the scales of the cuticle stand up, break off and expose the Permanent hair colors are usually alkaline based. Thus, a higher
cortex. This makes hair dry and hard to brush. The cortex gives hair pH is needed to reach the cortex layer of the hair to change its
its strength and elasticity. When the damage reaches the cortex, the color. Look for my article next month as I continue to explain the
hair will not return to its shape and may even snap off. important relationship between hair and pH.

Erick Carter, Salon Zenergy
Erickcre8u@gmail.com
239-777-2380
www.SalonZenergy.com/

54 Life in Naples | January 2024