Buzz Lightyear is a character from the famous 1995 Disney movie "Toy Story." The movie was followed in 1999 and 2010 by two sequels, "Toy Story 2" and "Toy Story 3." If your little one is a fan, you can easily decorate his room according to this theme. By incorporating colors and the movie, you can transform your child's room into a magical, whimsical space.
Instructions
1. Incorporate the colors featured on Buzz Lightyear's uniform in the "Toy Story" movies as frequently as possible throughout the room. These colors include turquoise, orange, green and purple.
2. Stick self-adhesive glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling.
3. Paint foam balls in neon colors, and hang them from the ceiling to represent "planets."
4. Hang posters of Buzz Lightyear, as well as other "Toy Story" characters, on the walls.
5. Display portraits of Buzz Lightyear and other space-related pictures that your child has created if one likes to draw, color or paint. You can mat and frame these pictures for a more polished touch.
6. Hang curtains made of fabric that has rockets, planets or stars on it. Use the same outer-space theme for the bedding as well. You also can buy bedding that specifically displays "Toy Story" characters and images from many department stores and online dealers.
Tags: Buzz Lightyear, images from, Story characters, your child, your little
Using a simple slipcover for your dining room chairs is a surprisingly easy way to instantly revamp boring chairs or chairs that are in bad condition. Sewing your own slipcovers allows you to create one of a kind slipcovers that precisely match your decor scheme.
Instructions
1. Run your measuring tape up the back of the chair starting at the spot you wish the slipcover to end in the back, then down the front of the chair and down the front edge of the chair, ending at the spot that you want the slipcover to end. Write down your total measurement and add 1.25 inch.
2. Measure the width of the chair at the widest section, add 2.75 inches and write this figure down. Cut out your fabric to these dimensions. Cut out eight ties that are 12 inches long and 1.5 inches wide from this same fabric.
3. Position the main piece of fabric on the chair and adjust it as necessary. Mark the four areas down the top, bottom and middle portions of the sides of the fabric where you want the ties to go using pins.
4. Cut your piece of lining fabric to the exact dimensions of your main piece of fabric. Cut the interlining to almost the same dimensions but 3/4 inch smaller on all sides. Position the interlining on the underside of the fabric. Fold and push the edges of the main fabric down all around the interlining. The main fabric, thus, acts as a sort of hem, holding the interlining in place.
5. Attach the ties with pins to their marked positions, pointing outwards. Position the lining on top of the main fabric so that their undersides are touching. Tuck the edges of the lining underneath the folded piece of main fabric. Sew all fabric in place by hand or with a sewing machine, creating a continuous row of stitches on top of this folded strip of main fabric. Sewing this row of stitches will naturally secure the ties in place.
Tags: main fabric, down front, down your, main piece, main piece fabric
A beach-themed bedroom can provide a mini vacation during drab seasons of the year. Paint walls in relaxing colors found at the beach and accessorize with souvenirs from beach vacations. The beach theme sets a relaxing tone perfect for a bedroom,
Shells
Shells are an attractive and inexpensive way to accessorize. Contain a collection of small shells in a glass bowl. Arrange large shells on night stands and shelves. Fill a shadow box with favorite shells and hang it on the wall. Use bedding that incorporates a shell design.
Colors
Beach colors include shades of tan, white, blue, green and brown. Go with a crisp blue and white pallette, or use a combination of several beach colors on walls, upholstery, rugs and pillows. Tan rugs made of seagrass are durable and lend a clean, fresh look to floors in beach-themed rooms. The rugs are best used on hardwood, but can be used on top of carpet.
Wall Paper
Use wallpaper or a border emphasizing light, airy colors such as white, tan, light blue or green. Or, use dark colors to give the room the feel of a light house or boat house. If you do not want to cover an entire wall in paper, add a beach-themed border around the top or middle of the walls.
Accessories
Decorate with items found along a beach. Use framed posters and prints of hot dog stands and changing booths. Add sailboats, life preservers and palm trees. Use light-colored woods and wicker for picture frames and accents. Sheer, light-colored curtains lend a light, breezy feel. Hang an old fishing net in a corner of the room.
Furniture
Use light-colored furniture. White furniture offers the airiest feel, but you can also use pale or natural wood colors. Dark-colored wood can overwhelm the room and may minimize the beach look. To maintain a light feel, use night stands with open shelves and refrain from using a dust ruffle on the bed.
Bedding
Go heavy on the beach theme with bedding printed with shells, waves or palm trees. Or, apply a lighter touch by using solid-colored sheets and blankets in beach colors such as tan, blue, white and brown. Consider adding decorative pillows with beach themes. For a subtle look, use pillows in solid colors.
Tags: beach theme, blue green, blue white, colors such, night stands
A masculine bedroom can still be elegant, stylish and cool.
A badly-designed small bedroom with black furniture can appear cramped and dark. Often, a masculine color palette appears bland and unwelcoming, but this need not be the case. With the correct use of colors, careful furniture placement and clever storage options, it is a fairly simple process to create a stylishly cool and modern space that feels light and airy.
Instructions
1. Paint the ceiling white to create a sense of height in a small room. Paint skirting boards and woodwork with white glossy paint to create a fresh, clean appearance.
2. Lay a light, neutral-colored flooring such as wood, or natural fiber carpets such as hemp, sea grass or sisal. As an alternative to replacing the floor, cover the existing floor with a large natural fiber rug.
3. Paint the walls in a neutral color with cool undertones, such as steel blue or light gray. Cool colors visually recede, making the room appear more spacious.
4. Position furniture so that the door opens fully, if the dimensions of the room allow. If the door doesn't open fully, it creates a cramped feeling. Black furniture is a stylish and sophisticated option for a man's bedroom, and makes a dramatic contrast against the light, cool-colored walls.
5. Use under-bed boxes for additional storage to eliminate the need to add extra furniture. Use low furniture instead of tall pieces to create a sense of space.
6. Keep window dressings simple to allow maximum natural light into the room. A simple blind is a good option for a man's room. Soften the look with plain curtains.
7. Dress the bed with light-colored, masculine bedding, such as a range of grays, light blues or a combination of the two. Add a splash of bright color with a red cushion to make a bold statement against the cool colors of the room. Add a black cushion or blanket to the bed to tie in with the black furniture. Use silk or satin for a luxury feel, and suede and leather cushions for texture.
8. Hang black and white photographic prints in simple clip frames for a vibe. Use mirrors to reflect light and make the room feel bigger. Keep accessories to a minimum to prevent a cluttered appearance.
Tags: color with, cool modern, create sense, natural fiber, with black furniture
There are a variety of ways to design a bedroom for a teenager, but when it comes down to it, it is up to the teenager to decide what she truly wants in her bedroom. These ideas are starting points for you to discuss with your teenager. Teenagers can be very opinionated about what they want, so start the conversation with these design ideas and you may find your teen is easier to please than you thought.
Ocean Room
A teenager who loves the ocean will love to come home to it every day. To create an ocean room, paint the walls in a lovely blue. If you have any painting talent, then consider drawing waves and a sunrise or sunset, or you might want to paint the ceiling yellow to mimic the sun. Use an old surfboard as your teenager's headboard or hang some surfboards on the walls. Use items such as sea shells and place them in decorative display boxes or on shelves. Your teen is sure to love a brings him to the ocean every morning and every evening.
Game Room
It's no secret that teenagers love gaming, so why not give in and create a gaming room that he will not only love, but will be the envy of all of his friends. Get some old, comfortable pub-style chairs to place in front of the television. The television does not need to be huge, but big enough for him and his friends to play games. Set up an entertainment center with surround sound, different gaming systems and a stereo. Don't forget about other games as well. If you trust him, then get him a dart board. If the room is big enough, consider a pool table, air hockey table or foosball table. Your teenager may never leave his bedroom.
Modern Princess
Your little girl is almost all grown up, but that does not mean she has left her inner princess behind. It is possible to create a modern and grown-up bedroom that makes her feel like a princess. Start with the walls and use darker hues like deep reds, purples and yellows rather than pink. Get her a canopy bed and drape it with matching scarves. Create a little corner of the room where she can go to escape. Use a big comfortable chair and some throw pillows, so she can sit and gossip with her friends. Creating a modern princess room is easy, and your little princess will love you for it.
Chinese decor makes a beautiful and exotic bedroom decorating theme, as China's rich culture, history and tradition have much to draw on. Chinese decor can be elaborate or modest, but one thing it has in common is that the elements of the room work together harmoniously to create a calm and peaceful environment. Follow these tips for decorating your bedroom in a Chinese theme.
Instructions
1. Choose your color palette for the room. Traditional colors used in Chinese decor are symbolic: red for good luck, yellow for long life, green for peace and harmony, purple for spirituality, and browns, ranging from light tans to rich mahoganies, for grounding. Choose a bold wall color, or use tapestries or screens as an alternative.
2. Select some furnishings for your room. There are many different types of furniture you can use in a Chinese decorated bedroom, such as platform beds, dressers, cabinets, trunks, benches, end tables and chairs. Chinese-style furnishings are often low and boxy, with clean lines, and they are often mixed in the room with some more ornamental pieces for impact. Start with some simpler, functional pieces around the room that are lacquered, or painted with high-gloss oil paints for a sleek look, and then add some larger decorative pieces to be featured, such as high-back wood chairs that are elaborately carved, or a grand ornamental headboard with mother-of-pearl or gold inlays.
3. Add texture to the room with natural woods, such as bamboo, and traditional fabrics, such as silk. A silk or bamboo screen is a perfect addition to any Chinese themed room. Embroidered fabrics with a mixture of contrasting colors and traditional Chinese designs, such as dragons, cranes, peacocks, flowers, or demons, make great options for wall hangings, area rugs, throw pillows, seat cushions, or table runners.
4. Allow natural light into the room with simple window treatments, such as bamboo shades or carved wooden shutters. For more ambiance, consider getting some Chinese lanterns to hang in the room.
5. Add accessories that carry the theme through, such as wall hangings that feature scenes from Chinese mythology, delicate Chinese bamboo umbrellas, a large fan, or Buddha statues. High-gloss pottery or granite carved pieces also work well to embellish the room. Whatever pieces you choose, strive for quality rather than quantity. One beautiful large fan or tapestry on a blank wall is better than several framed paintings and pictures. A single, colorful dragon statue placed prominently on the dresser, or a single orchid placed on the night stand where it catches the window light is better than 10 small trinkets spread out, which is distracting to the eye. Choose several striking pieces, and place them around the room in areas to feature them on their own, making them the key piece of that particular area.
6. Don't clutter the room or crowd it with furniture. Pick a few interesting pieces that relate to each other in style, color or materials, and that all incorporate Chinese themes or designs as described in steps above. Each piece should have a specific purpose, and don't squeeze in more pieces than you need. Keep it simple and fairly minimalist. Strive for symmetry, balanced colors, and evenly spaced furniture and accessories, so that each piece on its own makes an impact in its area.
Tags: Chinese decor, room with, accessories that, around room, , better than
Country Victorian homes were vacation homes with a relaxing atmosphere.
Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1910. Victorian style was lush and elegant, featuring ornate accessories and heavy materials. However, when Victorian citizens went on vacation or retreated to the countryside, their tastes changed a bit. This style, called Country Victorian, is similar to Victorian but is more light and airy in its presentation. Country Victorian is a popular choice for bedroom decoration due the relaxing, laid-back feel it emanates.
Instructions
1. Decide on a color palette that suits the Country Victorian look. First, understand that this look is inspired by Victorians' seaside vacation homes and cottages, so whimsical, sea-inspired shades are the way to go. Begin with pastel shades such as pinks, sky blue, sea foam or mint green, peach or canary yellow. Pair these pastels with a darker, natural shade like forest green, mauve and indigo, but keep darker colors sparse in your decorating.
2. Decorate the walls. Bright white or pastel walls work perfectly in order to capture sunlight in the room. If you are looking for something more dramatic, you can also opt for wallpaper, which was always in style for Victorians. If you do decide on wallpaper, avoid a dark shade. Instead, find a wallpaper with a pastel or white background and a complimentary light foreground.
3. Purchase linens, or buy fabrics to make your own. If selecting patterns, choose rich, heavy, ornate patterns featuring stripes or scalloped designs in the classic Victorian style that keep with your color palette Floral patterns were also popular. Fabric printed with whimsical scenes will preserve the vacation home look you're trying to achieve. If purchasing nonpatterned materials, avoid typical Victorian fabrics such as velvet or silk. Since Country Victorian homes were in the country or served as vacation homes, the fabrics were much lighter and airy. Lace, chintz, cotton and gauze are all suitable substitutes. Lace and gauze are especially good for window treatments because of how freely they let sunlight pour in. A simple white quilt can work as a bedspread.
4. Decorate with rustic furniture typical of the period. Armoires, bedside tables and dressers with a grained wood finish, and seating upholstered with a light embroidered fabric, overstuffed and plump, would work perfectly. Wicker furniture is another option.
5. Find accessories to tie the room together. Country Victorian is all about comfort and a slight clutter, so throws, pillows and rugs embellished with embroidery would add an cozy feel. Antique pieces, knickknacks and Victorian prints throughout the room will create an authentic feel. If you want to keep with the seaside theme, pebbles and seashells can work nicely as accessories. When choosing lamps, consider glass oil lamps that fit your color scheme.
Tags: Country Victorian, vacation homes, color palette, Country Victorian homes, homes were
Mold and mildew can build up if you do not have a properly running exhaust fan in the bathroom. The room's design should allow the steam from showers and baths to be pulled up through the fan. While fixing the fan takes a little time and effort, it sure beats trying to clean up from the mildew and smell that accumulate without the fan.
Instructions
1. Cut off the electricity to the bathroom before you begin touching the fan or doing any kind of work. Even if you aren't going inside the motor right away, you never know when the problem can turn out to be a design flaw or a loose wire.
2. Remove the cover of the exhaust fan, carefully saving the screws. If the cover has been painted over, loosen it carefully with a putty knife or screwdriver. Be careful not to pull the sheet rock out when you begin pulling.
3. Visually inspect the fan before you begin any further actions. Again, you might be able to see a loose wire and reconnect it, saving money on replacing parts, as well as further aggravation.
4. Unplug and pull out the exhaust fan if you cannot see any problem immediately. It should come loose with just a little pressure. Make sure all screws have been loosened. If there is a bulb in the fan housing, make sure bulb is cool before removing.
5. Bring the motor with you to the hardware store to make sure you get a replacement that will fit in your housing. If you find the correct size, if not the exact model, you can save the hassle of redesigning the bathroom to install a new fan-housing unit.
Custom-designed dining room table legs add value to your project.
Many woodworkers design their own projects. A dining room table is an involved woodworking project and the woodworker will need to design many elements including table legs. Table legs are a standard 29-inches tall. Aside from that one standard measurement, the possibilities are endless. Table legs can be round, square, rectangular, tapered or intricately carved to name a few. The key to deciding on a leg design is to consider the overall style of the table and dining room. The leg should compliment the table and room design.
Instructions
1. Place a sheet of paper on the drafting table. Mark off the overall dimensions of the table leg using a pencil and T-square. The lines should be light so that they can be erased once the leg design is complete.
2. Evaluate the size of the table and overall design style. For example, if the table were modern, you would want a square or rectangular shaped leg with clean lines. A chunky table leg is also a modern design element, so you would make the leg a bit wider than normal to anchor the table.
3. Draw in the actual lines of the table leg within the overall dimensions. Use a flexible shaft ruler to achieve any smooth curves in the leg design. Step back and look at the leg design. Consider if it appears to flow. Think about how it will look combined with the table top. Rework the design until you are satisfied.
4. Erase the overall dimensional lines with an eraser as well as any stray marks or smudges.
5. Indicate with dotted lines where the screw or other fastener will be located to fasten the leg to the top. The screw is typically two inches down from the top of the leg on the inside corner. Base the placement on the mounting hardware you selected for the table design.
Free online Flash games allow kids to design and create virtual bedrooms on the computer. You must have an Internet browser that supports Flash applications and the newest version of Flash installed to run the virtual design games. These games can help children practice computer skills while interacting in a creative way with online applications.
Instructions
My New Room
1. Go to the "My New Room" game at the GirlsGames.com website.
2. Click the "Start Game" button.
3. Click an icon from the menu on the right hand screen to open design tools. You will see a variety of furniture, plants, pets and even wallpaper.
4. Click the furniture or item from the menu. It will appear in the bedroom.
5. Click and drag the furniture to the location you would like to place it in the bedroom.
6. Click the rotation arrow from the bottom menu to rotate the furniture. You can also use the up and down arrows to move the item in a higher or lower layer if you need to overlap items.
7. Click the trashcan icon to delete the furniture.
8. Click the paintbrush icon, then choose a color or pattern from the color pallet. Clicking the item will change the color and design of the furniture. Press the check mark to confirm the changes.
9. Press the printer icon to print a screen of your virtual bedroom when you have finished designing it.
Emma's Room
10. Go to the "Emma's Room" game on the DressupGames.com website.
11. Click the icons on the bottom menu to change the way the room looks. You can change things such as the floor, walls, windows and furniture.
12. Click the icon multiple times to cycle through the design options until you find a color and design for each part of the room that you like. You can design many different virtual bedrooms by mixing the different item designs.
3D Bedroom Decoration
13. Go to the "3D Bedroom Decoration" game on the RainbowDressup.com website.
14. Click the "Play" button to being designing your virtual bedroom.
15. Hover your mouse over the items in the room such as walls, floors, furniture, rugs and windows. If the item turns white, this means that you can change it.
16. Click on the item repeatedly until you find a design that you like for each one. You can design many different virtual bedrooms by mixing the different item designs.
17.Switch between the "Floor View" and the "3D View" by clicking the buttons in the top right corner.
A round dining table can lend a cozy feel to the space, whether it is located in the kitchen itself, or in a separate room or alcove. It might be ideal for you and your partner, with just enough space to accommodate food, wine and centerpiece. Or it might accommodate four, for a group of roommates or a young family. Still, occasions arise when your dining table will have to seat a group of six or more. A round extender table, with detached or foldout leaves, is the ideal solution.
Instructions
Detachable Leaf
1. Undo the table's locking mechanism. If your table locks into place, you should find some clips or clasps on either side of where the table separates.
2. Pull the table apart. It will separate at the center of the table top. A set of interior pegs will be revealed on one half of †he table and a set of peg holes will become apparent on the other.
3. Pull out the leaf. If the leaf is stored underneath the table top, you should be able to find it near the opening in the table. if the leaf is stored separately, place it near the table. The leaf will have pegs on one side and peg holes on the other.
4. Put the leaf into the space between the two halves of the table, taking care to line up the pegs and peg holes on either side of the leaf.
5. Stick the pegs into the table's holes on the side of the extender leaf.
6. Stick the table's pegs into the leaf's holes.
7. Push in on the tabletop halves until they firmly abut the leaf.
8. Lock in the leaf with the available mechanism.
Butterly Leaf
9. Pull apart the table top, watching as it separates at its center.
10. Pull out the butterfly leaf. You will see it nestled just underneath the table top.
11. Unfold the butterfly leaf.
12. Clip the leaf into place, if your table has clips to secure it.
Tags: butterfly leaf, dining table, either side, into place, leaf into, leaf Stick, leaf stored
A new headboard is a simple way to give your bed a modern makeover.
Redecorating a room as important as a bedroom might seem like a major undertaking. However, you don't need to perform massive construction on your room or spend copious amounts of money on new furniture to achieve a good makeover. You can turn your outdated bedroom into a chic modern haven just by changing a few elements of the room.
The Bed
The bed is the focal point in any bedroom so a fresh, modern bed helps to immediately update the look into a modern style. A brand new bed frame with clean lines and minimalist features made from dark polished wood will transform the room immediately into . However, you don't need to spring for a brand new bed right away. You can easily revamp your existing bed just by getting a new modern headboard. For example, upholstered headboards come in a range of fabrics, leathers and finishes, and quickly give a room a strong contemporary feel. Make sure that your bedding has solid colors or current, sleek, understated patterns to help accentuate the style of the headboard.
The Nightstand
People often overlook the nightstand when decorating a bedroom. The nightstand sits directly next to the bed and the size of the bed easily overshadows it. A modern nightstand that gently contrasts with the style of the bed will bring attention simultaneously to itself and the bed. For example, if your bed is polished wood, consider using a chrome or bright-colored nightstand. You want your nightstand to possess the clean lines and minimalist features of modern style, but in a completely different way than the characteristics of the bed. A modern lamp made of chrome, clear glass, or polished steel is a suitable way to bring even more attention to the nightstand. Because the lamp is an accessory, you can choose whatever design you like.
The Rug
Because minimalism is such a strong tenet of modern style, the majority of your bedroom is going to display a marked lack of pattern. However, a rug is one place where you can use pattern that complements the modern look of your room. A large patterned rug, beside or in front of the bed, with a geometric pattern or a sparse but contemporary floral pattern, in colors that match your color scheme, can do wonders for the room. The rug will help to break up all the solid colors, without sacrificing modern style.
Tags: modern style, clean lines, clean lines minimalist, However need, , into modern style
Express your punk style through pictures when decorating a bedroom in a minimalist approach. Frame your favorite punk rock album covers or T-shirts. Put up framed posters and concert signs. Get inspired. Dig out old punk memorabilia such as ticket stubs, band clippings and even guitar picks. Pull out LP covers and punk rock logos to churn out your own medley or composite design incorporating your favorite punk band. Wake up a punk bedroom with vintage and modern art to signal the nostalgic era of punk.
Instructions
Decorate Walls in a Punk Bedroom
1. Select the name of your favorite punk band such as the Ramones or Dead Kennedys or artists such as Blondie and Iggy Pop. Spell out the words with unpainted wood wall letters.
2. Decorate each letter with a portion of the band's album art. This can be done freehand or by tracing sections of the art using tracing paper. Try using graphic components or abstract areas with bold color and lines. Sketch out rough drafts in a sketch pad until you unleash something inspiring. Set it aside.
3. Smooth the wooden letters with fine-grit sandpaper and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Prime letters and allow to dry. Next, paint a background color such as slate gray, black or stark white onto the letters and let dry. Next, pencil or trace the design onto each piece of wood so it looks similar to your final sketch.
4. Start at the inside of the letter and paint in each section, one at a time. Apply another coat after the first one dries. Seal the painted letters with two coats of acrylic sealant, and hang the letters as on the wall in a creative configuration.
Graffiti Pictures
5. Compile a collection of punk memorabilia of your favorite artists. Look for CD inserts, photographs, fan 'zines, fliers, concert tickets and other items related to the punk scene.
6. Lay selected items around the edge of a chalkboard. Overlap them into an interesting arrangement. Once you have them in the desired locations, cut them out to fit more snugly and refit them back onto the board.
7. Affix the memorabilia onto the chalkboard border with small amounts of epoxy. Use a soft cloth to smooth them out. If desired, cover the chalkboard slate with newspaper and spray clear fixative onto the items to protect them. Allow to dry.
8. Hang up the punk-bordered chalkboard onto a bedroom wall and express yourself with graffiti in the main portion of the board. Designs can be sprayed with fixative for permanence or keep them temporary.
Tags: your favorite, favorite punk, your favorite punk, Decorate Walls, Decorate Walls Punk
When it comes to weight control, bathroom scales serve a key role. They allow individuals to monitor their weight, and the results provide the information necessary to develop and alter a diet or exercise routine. Some scales, though, fail to meet expectations. They should be avoided. Certain characteristics are common among the best bathroom scales.
Digital Scales
These scales feature a digital read out. That ensures more accuracy by reducing the chance of misreading a scale. Mechanical Scales, which feature small needles that point to a number, can be difficult to use because the needle moves as weight shifts, and some individuals need to shift their weight to read the scale. With a digital scale, the user only needs to read the numbers. The weight recorded by a digital scale also remains visible in most cases even after the user steps off the scale. That is not the case with mechanical scales. Digital scales also are better because they do not feature the springs present in most mechanical scales. Over time, springs become weak, resulting in inaccurate weight measurements.
Body Fat Scales
Weight is only one measure of a person's physical health. Another important measure is body fat. Someone who loses no weight but reduces body fat is making a significant improvement, but many of the bathroom scales around in the 1990s only measured weight loss. Today, scale manufacturers have catered to this need with body fat scales. These scales measure both weight and body fat. The body fat figure is a percentage. Although it is only an estimate, it provides crucial information for anyone seeking to change his physique through diet and exercise.
High-Capacity Scales
While not always necessary, high-capacity scales are useful as bathroom scales for individuals who are too heavy to weigh themselves on traditional bathroom scales. Most scales have limits around 300 pounds and can break under heavier weights. High-capacity scales, though, are specifically designed to weigh heavier individuals. They also tend to be more expensive than scales with lower weight limits.
Glass Scales
Many of today's digital scales are also made with glass. This works well in bathrooms. Glass is easy to keep clean. They can be wiped down in seconds. Most are digital scales, too, and some also provide body fat measurements.
Tags: bathroom scales, diet exercise, , digital scales, mechanical scales,
Sheetrock is the trademark brand for drywall gypsum board.
Installing sheetrock in the bathroom can be a challenging project. Bathrooms are usually small, with awkward angles that require oddly shaped sections of drywall. Moisture, ever present in the bathroom, is the enemy of paper-based drywall. To prevent moisture problems, use greenboard, a drywall product that is specially treated to resist moisture. Measure the sheetrock panels carefully, and work at a comfortable pace to avoid mistakes.
Instructions
1. Determine the amount of greenboard sheetrock you will need. Calculate the total square feet of the walls and ceiling to be covered, and divide by 32. Add 10 percent to the total to account for extra cuts and waste. For example, a wall that is 10 feet long and 7 feet high is 70 square feet. Four walls at such dimensions equal 280 square feet. A ceiling that is 10 feet by 10 feet equals 100 square feet; add 100 to 280 for a sum of 380 total square feet. Divide 380 by 32 to get roughly 12. Add 10 percent to 12 to get approximately 13. For a bathroom that is 10 feet long by 10 feet wide by 7 feet high, you will need 13 to 14 4-foot by 8-foot panels of greenboard sheetrock to cover the walls and ceiling.
2. Measure and cut the first panel, if necessary. Use a carpenter's level or chalk line to draw or snap a straight line. Use a utility knife to slowly score the line. Run the utility knife down the scored line several times until you have cut through the surface of the panel's face. Snap the section back at the score line to break the panel in two. Score the other side of the panel at the break mark. Use a hand drywall saw for irregular cuts.
3. Load the panel onto the drywall lift and raise the panel to the corner of the ceiling. Secure the panel tightly against the ceiling joists. Drill drywall screws through the first panel into the joists. Drill a screw every 6 to 8 inches; use more screws around the perimeter of the panel. The screw should dimple the surface of the panel but not break through the surface.
4. Install the sheetrock on the walls, beginning at the top. Have an assistant hold the panels tightly against the wall and the other panels while you drill the screws.
5. Install corner bead for outside corners. Place the corner bead strip over the corner. Adjust the bead so it appears straight on both sides of the corner. Screw drywall screws on one side of the bead, and then drill screws on the other side.
6. Lay fiberglass mesh tape against all the sheetrock seams. Do not install tape over the corner bead material. Use a 4-inch drywall knife to apply joint compound over the mesh tape, screws and corner beads. Do not worry if the first coat of compound does not entirely cover the seams; additional coats will cover it.
7. Allow the first coat to completely dry. Lightly sand the joint compound with the drywall sanding block. Remove large bumps and ridges.
8. Apply a second coat of joint compound with the 4-inch drywall knife. Spread this second coat slightly wider than the first coat. Allow it to dry completely.
9. Lightly sand the new coat of joint compound with the drywall sanding block. Remove large bumps and ridges.
10. Apply a third coat of joint compound. Use the 10-inch drywall knife for the long wall and ceiling seams. Spread this final coat slightly wider than the previous two coats. Allow it to dry completely.
11. Sand the new coat of joint compound with the drywall sanding block. Remove large bumps and ridges.
Remodeling a bathroom is a good time to make functional changes.
When remodeling a bathroom the layout may be quite clear when you simply want to remove and replace fixtures, vanities and cabinets. When the remodel is inspired by a desire to make radical changes, and expand or shrink the bathroom space, then the layout requires extra careful thought. Be sure to check local building and plumbing codes so you allow the correct space for each fixture.
Accessibility
When laying out the bathroom for accessibility pay close attention to dimensions. By installing a vanity with two different heights the bathroom will be able to accommodate someone in a wheelchair. Make the standard part of the vanity 34 to 36 inches high and the portion for someone who is seated 30 to 32 inches high. Also keep open space under the counter at least 29 and 32 to 36 inches wide. Install faucets to the side of the sink set in the lower portion of the vanity for easy reaching by someone who is seated. Keep at least 48 inches open along the side of the shower or tub and make sure there is one place in the bathroom with a of at least 60 inches by 60 inches. Place the toilet to one side or the other of the tub or shower and make sure it also has at least 48 inches of in front. Make the bathroom door 34 inches wide and hinge it so it swings outward. Consider using a curbless shower and plan to mount the faucets close to the shower or tub entry so they are easy to reach and adjust before the person gets in.
Master Bathroom
Include walk-in closets on each side of a hallway leading to the main part of the master bath. Place the jetted tub at the far end below a picture or bay window. Install the vanity so it starts at one end of the tub and travels along one of the bathroom sidewalls. Use a two-sink vanity and if there is room at one end add a tall linen closet for towels and storage. Put the toilet just inside the door on the wall opposite the vanity, or across from the linen closet. Frame and finish a full-height wall on the other side of the toilet so that its front edge lines up with the side of the entry door frame, placing the toilet in a cubicle. Install one side of the shower stall against the back of the toilet cubicle wall and extend the shower toward the jetted tub.
Family Bathroom
Family bathrooms often have too much crammed into them leading to an overcrowded look and feel. When the family bathroom is narrow consider using two pedestal sinks in place of a vanity and place them evenly along one wall. Add a wall-mounted shelf between them and a medicine cabinet over each one. Install the tub/shower combination and the toilet on the wall opposite the pedestal sinks. If there is room left over put up shelves to fill the space, or add a free-standing linen closet.
Think about the look and style you want to stay focused while shopping.
Take some important first steps before shopping for dining furniture. Think about the style of furniture you like, and measure the room so you don't buy furniture that is not the right size for its intended location.
Explore Online for Styles and Sources
Before visiting stores, go online to visit retail websites. This will give you the opportunity to narrow to styles and price ranges to help you focus when you actually visit stores.
Use Direct Mail Catalogs for Inspiration
Look for stores that sell the types of designs you like and get on their mailing lists to receive a printed catalog. Pull pages from catalogs and post them on your dining room wall to visualize how the furniture will achieve the look you are after.
Visit Retail Showrooms to See Current Styles
Visit retail showrooms to see what's new and current. Ask salespeople about upcoming sales or closeouts. Ask for permission to take pictures so you can review your shopping choices. If money is an issue, be sure to check out "scratch and dent" outlet stores for bargains that may only need a bit of repair.
Monitor Television Advertising for Sales
Pay attention to special sales advertised on television by major furniture retailers. These opportunities will allow you to save on prices or perhaps use the savings to upgrade and selections.
A Jack and Jill bathroom is the name use for a shared bathroom that links two bedrooms. These bathrooms often link boys' and girls' rooms, hence the name "Jack and Jill." When decorating this shared space for a boy and a girl, instead of choosing an overly feminine or masculine design, use a neutral theme that appeals to both sexes to create a space that both individuals will enjoy and feel comfortable using.
Instructions
1. Select a gender-neutral theme for the bathroom. Ask the boy and girl who will be using the space for their input. Themes that work well for this shared space include the jungle and under the sea.
2. Paint the walls of the bathroom to create a backdrop for the selected theme. For example, in a jungle-themed room, paint the walls shades of green to evoke the look of trees. In an under the sea room, paint the walls blue hues to emulate the look of the ocean.
3. Hang decals on the walls to bring the theme to life. Display decals of monkeys, leopards, elephants and trees in a jungle-themed bathroom. In an under the sea bathroom, hang sea-related decals, such as colorful fish, whales and coral.
4. Hang a shower suits the theme of the room. If there are a variety of options that correspond with the chosen theme, ask children for their opinions on which curtain to use. For instance, in a jungle bathroom, a plain green curtain or a curtain that features images of trees and jungle life can be used. In the same effect, a plain blue curtain or a curtain with images of sea creatures can be used in an under the sea bathroom.
5. Place an area rug in front of the shower that coordinates with the theme. In front of each child's sink, place matching area rugs or allow them to select their own area rug to add personalization to the space.
6. Place different accessories on the vanity or shelves of each person's side of the room to differentiate the spaces. For instance, use different toothbrush and soap holders, as well as storage items, on each side of the room. On the boy's side of the bathroom, place a framed picture of a merman or a cartoon monkey with obviously masculine features. On the girl's side, place a framed picture of a mermaid or a cartoon monkey with feminine features.
Tags: Jack Jill, cartoon monkey, cartoon monkey with, curtain curtain, curtain that
Outdoor tables can be made from many different materials depending on your needs and preferences.
An outdoor dining table allows you to carry the meal outside while keeping yourself and your food off of the ground. Picnic tables can be built of nearly any material depending on your needs and preferences. A vinyl picnic table is easily built in less time and for less money than a wooden or metal table. Vinyl also has the edge when it comes to cleanup. A water hose, some soapy water and a scrub brush are all you need to maintain it.
Instructions
1. Build a rectangle of PVC 3 feet wide by 8 feet long. Cut pipe with your hacksaw and sand the edges of the ends. Sand the inner edges of the 3-way couplings needed to form the rectangle and wipe away dust. Apply primer to the sanded surfaces, then immediately coat with PVC glue. Slide the pipes into the angled couplings to form the rectangle leaving the empty openings in the couplings facing up.
2. Build leg sections by forming squares 3 feet by 3 feet using the open ends of the couplings. Sand, prime and glue into the existing structure and use 3 way couplings at the top leaving the open ends pointing along the long axis of the original rectangle. Glue pipe into the of the new couplings to complete the rectangular framing. Allow glue to cure for 30 minutes.
3. Attach the 48-inch vinyl decking to your frame with galvanized screws. Place a board 12 inches from each end of the frame and one in the center by driving screws through the decking boards and into the PVC.
4. Screw the 96-inch deck boards to the brace boards. Leaving 1/4 inch between decking boards with 12 inches of overhang on each end.
Tags: open ends, decking boards, , depending your needs, ends couplings, , needs preferences
Children, by nature, are busy and easily distracted. Their personality and what they use the room for should be considered before completing the bedroom's layout. Consider organizing the room in sections of sleeping, dressing, playing, and studying.
The Bed
As a made-up bed makes a room look remarkably tidier, make the act of changing and straightening sheets easy on a child by providing room on both sides of the bed for him to navigate.
Nightstand
A nightstand should be placed close enough to the bed to provide a natural resting place for a reading light, a drink, a clock, a book, and a music player. Make sure the light is in easy reaching distance from the bed so the child can turn it on or off by themselves. Bookshelves can also double as nightstands.
Closet
A clothes hamper near or in the closet will minimize clothes being tossed on the floor. Make sure the bar in the closet is at the appropriate height for your child to reach by themselves. Include some shelves in the closet for less frequently used toys, sports equipment, and out of season clothes.
Belongings
Maxine Ordesky, author of "The Complete Home Organizer" recommends providing enough containers or baskets of all shapes and sizes to adequately store all the child's belongings categorically. Never mix building blocks with race cars or books. Everything should have its labeled place.
Consider space for a bookshelf. They are handy for books and collections, as well as a place to hold binders and folders for your child's papers and artwork.
Optional Furniture
For the nightly bedtime story or some time to talk, a comfortable chair for a parent is recommended in the room. Children enjoy having a place to sit while reading or playing video games as well as being able to offer a friend a place to hang out.
A desk is appropriate for children who need study time, even if they frequently study in the kitchen.
Trash is inevitable in a child's room. Make space for an attractive wastebasket by the desk, or near the bookshelf where a child's extra papers may frequent.
Space Savers
Don't forget the walls as a place to hold artwork, photos, shelves, or provide a focal point that matches the child's personality.
Tags: Bedroom Layout, Children Bedroom, Children Bedroom Layout, , Hints Children Bedroom
Your bathtub can be remodeled into a combined or spa-style bathtub.
Whether you have just moved into a house or feel as though you need a change in your current home, remodeling is a great way to add a bit of your personality or style into different aspects of your home. When speaking in terms of the bathroom, the way your bathtub is set up can change the entire image of your bathroom from boring and cramped to spacious and elegant.
Stand-Alone
A stand-alone bathtub is ideal for those nights that you want to take a relaxing bath without interfering with your significant other's shower. If you have space in your bathroom, preferably in the corner, measure out this space and make sure that you have enough space for the bathtub of your choice. Remodel the bathroom so that the shower is located by itself and the separate bathtub is large enough for you to comfortably sit in. Select a Jacuzzi style for your stand-alone bathtub or an egg shaped style for a more modern and futuristic look.
Combined
If your bathroom already has a bathtub separate from the shower, remodel the bathroom to have a combined bathtub and shower and use the remaining space for something else. This is ideal if you do not plan on taking a bath when someone else is trying to take a shower; it saves space that can be used to create a sense of openness in the bathroom or if you want to add another element -- such as storage -- to your bathroom.
Spa-Style
In order to remodel your bathtub into one you'd find in a spa, you first must determine how much space you have available. This provides an option more for those who have large bathrooms that will not look odd with a modern, spa-style bathtub. Purchase an egg shaped bathtub that has many features like one at the spa, such as LED lights that change colors depending on the mood you are in. These lights also produce a range of colors that destress you and your body through color therapy. This style also serves as a jetted massage tub, and contains a feature that prevents water from escaping into the rest of the bathroom. If you prefer a shower in the tub or simply want to enjoy the sound of trickling water, the bathtub features a shower nozzle that sprays the water in a way that makes you feel as though you are in the rainforest.
Tags: your bathroom, feel though, spa-style bathtub, stand-alone bathtub, your bathtub
Consult your child's personal style and favorite colors when painting her room.
Little girls love rooms that express their personality and their individuality, and few things will do this better than the paint and decorations in their room. Paint can have a huge impact on the look and feel of a room with minimal effort, so get your child involved in the process of planning colors and designs, and be creative!
Instructions
1. Play with color ideas based on your child's favorite colors or colors that are considered "girly", such as pink and pastel greens, blues, and purples.
2. Paint the room in fun designs, such as a striped pattern. Use masking tape to separate sections of wall from one another and to keep your lines straight, and paint complimentary colors in striped patterns. Be sure that the painted stripe has dried before applying new masking tape to it to paint another section.
3. Experiment with stencils. Place stencils on the walls of things she enjoys, such as unicorns or hearts. Hold the stencils up to the wall while you fill the center with paint for an instant fun look. You can also use circular stencils to add polka dots all over the room.
4. Use paint sponges. Sponges can be used to create sponged borders or to add texture to a wall. For borders, use a color different, but complimentary, from the wall color and dip the sponge in it. Gently shake off the excess paint from the sponge and use a light touch to apply the paint around a baseboard or near the ceiling. Alternatively, use the sponge all over the walls with a similar color. To do this, paint the walls in a solid color, such as light pink. When the paint has dried, apply a darker pink all over the walls with the sponge to add depth and interest to the walls.
Tags: your child, favorite colors, masking tape, over walls, over walls with, their room
Modern dining rooms feature clean lines and contemporary materials such as glass and plastic.
Because dining rooms are usually a separate room, far away from the high-traffic common living areas, they are often overlooked when it comes to decorating. Most people just place Grandma's antique table --- or a reproduction of it --- in the middle of the room, add some vases and candles to the buffet sideboard, and close the door until it's time to have a dinner party. A dining room doesn't have to be boring and traditional, though. With some easy updates your dining room can be a modern space that reflects your personality --- and might actually inspire you to entertain more often.
Instructions
1. Strip the room down to the bones. Modern dining rooms do not generally have traditional details like chair rails or wainscoting.
2. Replace outdated chandeliers with modern light fixtures.
Replace outdated light fixtures. Instead of the elaborate chandelier, choose a hanging light fixture with clean lines and a more modern feel. Try a row of hanging pendant lights over the table instead of a single fixture.
3. Strip the wallpaper and paint the walls. Choose a warm red or chocolate brown paint for a sophisticated look, or add a pop of color by painting an accent wall a brighter shade, such as bright blue or lime green. A bold pattern, such as stripes or a harlequin design, painted on the wall also makes a bold statement in a modern dining room.
4. Natural fiber rugs add texture to a modern dining room.
Remove outdated flooring or rugs. Many traditional dining rooms have an Oriental-style rug; trade that out for one with a bold pattern or made from natural fibers, such as seagrass or jute.
5. Modern tables have clean lines and minimal detailing.
Purchase new furniture. Modern furniture is simple, with clean lines and minimal detailing. Choose a glass- or marble-topped table for a fresh look. If you can't afford all new furniture, cover your ornate chairs with tailored chair covers, or add a coat of white or brightly hued paint to wood furniture to freshen up the look.
6. Take down the formal drapes, and replace them with simple, clean window treatments. Hang a simple valance or cornice board, or hang sheers or a Roman shade to dress the window. Avoid anything with multiple layers and tassels --- the key is simplicity.
7. Display fruit in simple containers for a pop of color.
Use minimal accessories, and keep them simple. Instead of a large, ornate flower arrangement in the center of the table, display clear glass vases filled with fruit or colorful stones.
8. Hang artwork on the walls. Skip the traditional pastoral scenes in favor of more modern, graphic pieces. Display a collection of black and white photographs in simple frames; lean them along a picture rail if you don't want to hang them. Create your own art with inexpensive stretched canvases from the hobby store. Paint the canvas all one color, or design your own graphic piece with painter's tape and acrylic paint.
9. Choose unusual shape and colors for modern tableware.
Replace ornate table linens with simple, graphic place mats and table runners. Look for place mats made from unexpected materials, such as wood, beads or leather. Purchase contemporary tableware in untraditional shapes, such as square plates and bowls, which are sold at most retailers, featuring bold colors and patterns.
Vanity light placement isn't just about what looks best. Properly placed lights above the vanity give you the best lighting as you groom yourself each morning. Lights positioned too high or too far apart often result in shadows on your face, making it difficult to get a true image in the mirror. Positioning vanity lights isn't an exact science. While certain guidelines give you a general idea for positioning the lights, your specific bathroom setup and style of lighting fixtures will influence the final decision.
Instructions
1. Assess the current vanity lighting in the bathroom. Note where the electrical wiring and fixture is located. Determine how well the positioning works with the lighting.
2. Choose your vanity lighting fixtures. The style of vanity lights can influence where you position them on the wall.
3. Decide if you want the vanity light fixtures mounted above the mirror or on the sides. Sconce style vanity lights are meant to go beside the mirror while bar lights and those that curve down generally look better above the mirror.
4. Determine the hanging height for the vanity lights. The general rule for a vanity light over the mirror is 75 to 80 inches above the floor. Lights on the sides of the mirrors typically go at eye level or about 65 to 70 inches above the floor. Hang them with about 30 to 40 inches between the two side lights.
5. Mark the hanging height with a tape measure and pencil. Position a light above the mirror so it is centered above the sink to give the maximum amount of light when you're standing at the sink getting ready.
6. Position side-mounted vanity lights with the same distance between the mirror and the light fixture, keeping in mind the 30- to 40-inch total gap between the two lights.
7. Hold the vanity light at the marked spot to see how it looks. If you're comfortable with the placement, install the light fixtures. Play with the placement if it doesn't look quite right.
8. Use a level to ensure you install the vanity lights straight.
Dining chairs typically come in sets, so when one becomes damaged, it is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible. A permanent stain can leave you with the expensive options of either replacing the set of dining chairs, or reupholstering the entire set. Dry cleaning facilities and retail stain removal products are options, but these can be expensive as well. Instead consider using a few homemade stain removal solutions that are both inexpensive and easy to find.
Absorb the Stain
It is important to absorb the spilled water before it has a chance to set into the upholstered fabric. Use a dry cloth or paper towels to absorb as much of the fluid as possible. Most times this will prevent a stain from forming, and leave your dining chair in it's original condition. Make sure to blot the stain as rubbing can cause the stain to spread to other areas of the fabric that have not been affected by the water spill.
Baking Soda
Baking soda works to both absorb water and deodorize. This is especially important for upholstered that have thick padding as the water that has absorbed to the padding can cause a mildew scent if not handled properly. Blot away as much of the fluid as possible; then sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda over the affected area. Let it sit for five minutes; then work the baking soda into the fabric with a cloth or soft brush. Let it sit for another ten minutes, and vacuum the area to collect any leftover baking soda residue.
Vinegar
A simple solution of vinegar and water also breaks up stains caused by water damage. Using a spray bottle, mix one cup of warm water with one cup of white vinegar. Spray directly onto the stained area then rub it in with a soft cloth or soft brush. Let it sit for five minutes; then wipe away with a damp cloth to remove any excess vinegar. The vinegar also works as a disinfectant, which will prevent bacteria from building up around the stained area. Pre-treating the area with a baking soda solution, then following with the vinegar solution, will make the cleaning process twice as effective.
Dining rooms are a location in your home where you and your family can gather and enjoy each other over meals. Dining rooms are typically for formal dining, with the family sitting around a table. If your dining room has a window, the right window treatment can add a touch of ambiance to your dining area.
Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters look terrific in a dining room. These window treatments are very elegant and sought-after by most potential homeowners. If plantation shutters are present in your living room and other areas of your home, having them in your dining area can create a seamless flow throughout your home. Plantation shutters are available in a variety of colors, and many manufacturers and installation companies will custom paint your shutters to match the decor in your home. The most popular plantation shutter colors are the same color as the trim in your home, or a wood finish.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are simple and elegant. They also provide privacy when needed, and let light in when wanted. Classic roman shades have overlapping folds when closed and flat roman shades are smooth when closed. These window treatments are made out of a variety of fabric. A seamstress can easily make custom roman shades using the fabric of your choice. For instance, you can reupholster the seats in your formal dining room chairs and have roman shades designed to match.
Curtains or Draperies
Curtains and draperies are two of the most common window treatment used in interior design. These window treatments can work along with custom blinds or plantation shutters to add color and an extra element of privacy to any room. There are several fabric options for curtains or draperies, from sheer lace panels to heavy custom upholstery. Curtains work well in dining rooms because they can add a splash of color in a room where there usually isn't much in terms of decor. Choose a color scheme that compliments the color of your wall and the tone in the wood of your dining room table and you will be very pleased with the end result.
Tags: your home, dining room, your dining, roman shades, These window, These window treatments
Recessed lighting, often called canned lighting, is lighting that lies flush with the ceiling. It is low maintenance and effective because these lights can house LED light bulbs. This type of lighting comes in different sizes, which needs to be considered before installing the lighting. Lighting that is too large will make a room overly bright, while not enough lighting can make it hard to see. Bedrooms do not usually need special lighting, such as in an art studio, so basic lighting guidelines apply.
Instructions
1. Consider the size of the ceiling. Small ceilings should have recessed lighting with trims that are 3 to 4 inches in diameter, while large ceilings need larger lights that have a diameter of 6 to 8 inches.
2. Determine how high your ceilings are. The higher the ceiling, the larger the lights should be. Ceilings that are 12 feet high should have lights that are at least 6 inches in diameter, while 8-foot ceilings can get away with 4-inch lights.
3. Compare the two factors to determine the lighting size. For example, if your ceiling is large and high, you will want recessed lighting that is 8 inches in diameter. Ceiling that is low and small needs only 3-inch diameters. If you have something in the middle, such as a low, large ceiling, use 5-inch lights.
4. Position lights 3 feet apart if you have 8-foot ceilings, 4 feet apart for 10-foot ceilings and 5 feet apart for 12-foot ceilings.
If you're like many families, the dining room is a haven to which you can escape, leaving behind outside interruptions or distractions. It is also the perfect place to gather with friends. Use your dining room table as the backdrop for different styles of table scapes that are sure to inspire verbal interaction among those you love.
Unusual Flower Choices
Blumeboxes are the newest innovation in centerpiece arrangements. These pyramid shaped boxes come in two heights and several colors. Use them to display succulent plants. Succulent plants are often found in arid climates and require very little water. This group of plants works well for those who desire a low-maintenance fresh arrangement. Place aloe vera and ice plants in three short boxes spaced about six inches apart on your dining room table, and forget about it.
Vintage Style
Pull that set of mismatched China from the cupboards to use in your table scape. Line up saucers from one end of the table to the other. Alternate fresh or dried flowers with scones and condiments on the dishes. Your dining room table will come alive when you lay your grandmother's antique scarf across it in lieu of a traditional table runner. Embellish the scarf with old trinkets and costume jewelry from the attic. Candelabras may seem passe until you adorn your silver keepsake with a touch of whimsy by dangling child-like charms and colorful crystals from the arms.
Holiday Arrangements
The holidays provide the ultimate venue for decorating your dining room table. Transform Jack-o-lanterns and miniature Christmas trees into eye-catching centerpieces. Place miniature pumpkins filled with fresh flowers on dinner plates as party favors for your guests. Adorn a stack of heart-shaped candy boxes with red ribbon and metallic confetti. Fill martini glasses with colored wax (don't forget the wick) for a dazzling New Year's table scape your guests can enjoy over dinner.
Food
Fresh fruit and vegetables are delightful when properly displayed on your dining room table. Clear hurricane vases filled with lemons and limes brighten the room. A cornucopia spilling over with apples, pears, nuts and corn still in the husk lends itself to warmth and cheer. Showcase your garden harvest when you display your canned tomatoes, beans, beats, yellow squash and preserves on the table. Label the jars with the names of various guests and use them in place of seating placards.
Tags: room table, dining room, dining room table, your dining, your dining room, dining room
Finding a cool idea for your boy's bedroom is a tricky thing. Sports rooms, train rooms and space rooms are typical rooms that you'll find in hundreds of houses. You want a decorating theme that he won't find at his friends' houses and one that's unique just to him. Cool ideas for decorating a boy's bedroom include ideas that fit with his own style and he'll want to show off to his friends.
Bring the Outdoors Inside
Turn his bedroom into a space that mimics the great outdoors. Paint a large tree mural on one wall, using brown paint for the tree and tree bark, and different shades of green for the leaves on the tree. Use the same green shades on the bedroom furniture, to give each piece a new look. Hang decorative camping gear on the walls as decorations, including canteens and old lanterns. Maps and pages from old atlases also add color and decoration to the walls, whether you frame the pages or hang them directly on the walls. Turn his bed into a camping tent by draping fabric from the ceiling around the bed or using a smaller tent that fits directly on top of the bed.
Sunken Treasure Room
Use the pirate theme to turn his bedroom into a sunken treasure room. An old ship wheel, fake gold coins, old life preservers and ship lanterns make unique decorations when hung on the walls. Turn a fake ship wheel on its side and hang from the ceiling for a new fixture for the light. Look for accessories that work with the theme, such as a pirate chest-shaped toybox and bedding with skulls on it. Furniture made from old barrels also work with the theme, like a chair or table made from an old barrel. A ship mural or treasure map painted on the wall completes the look.
Camouflage Decorating
For a boy who loves military things, create a camouflage style room. Pick camo decorative bedding or use the camo only on the headboard. Camouflage fabric placed over an existing headboard gives it an entirely new look. Give the furniture a new coat of dark green or khaki-colored paint and use shades of green to make a camouflage look. Paint the front of the dresser drawers camouflage. Dark green and khaki accessories placed around the room work with the theme without detracting from the camouflage.
Tags: with theme, work with, work , bedroom into, , ideas that, made from
Having the right amount of lighting in the bedroom is important
Since the bedroom is for sleeping, lighting is sometimes an overlooked design element. However, having too little lighting in the bedroom can make reading, dressing or even cleaning more difficult than it needs to be.
General Lighting
You may not use general lighting in the bedroom often, but having plenty illumination makes tasks such as cleaning and organizing your space much easier. Overhead light fixtures that illuminate the entire room should provide enough light that tasks that call for plenty of light are not difficult.
Bedside Lighting
While bedside lighting is a must, the amount you need is determined by your use. If you use bedside lighting mainly for getting up in the night or in the morning, small lamps or wall sconces that do not shed much light are sufficient. However, if you read, write or even do crafts such as knitting in bed, you'll need bedside lights that are bright enough to prevent eye strain.
Task Lighting
If you dress, apply cosmetics or style your hair in the bedroom, task lighting is essential. Task lighting should be to allow you to easily get made up and dressed.
A glass block wall makes over a bathroom into a more contemporary and stylish location.
Planning a bathroom makeover can lead you to a vast assortment of possibilities. When making your plans, you should draw up a realistic budget as well and stick to it. Don't automatically reject any good idea that comes your way, but approach them all with a serious consideration of whether you can afford it, whether it meets your functional needs and whether it easily integrates with existing elements and your choice of style.
Using Existing Adjacent Space
A makeover could expand the space inside a bathroom that is just too small. When an adjoining space can be made available, you can annex it to become a part of the bathroom. Don't be afraid to get a little creative in this makeover plan. Space can range from an existing closet to utilizing a bedroom closet and moving items currently occupying that closet elsewhere. You need only a small amount of space to add a larger vanity, make a whirlpool tub capable of fitting inside the bathroom or just simply creating more convenient storage space for bathroom items.
Decorate With Glass
Modernist design can be accomplished during a bathroom makeover by adding glass in decorative ways. Pedestal sinks can feature translucent glass around its perimeter. Take out a boring window in the wall, and replace it with glass blocks. A bigger investment can produce a very striking effect; build an entire wall with glass blocks that is artistically lit with fiber optics.
Toilets With Personality
Rules requiring toilets to be boring do not exist, so focus on adding a little more aesthetic quality to your makeover by replacing your existing toilet with something that has more personality. A very retro style harkens back to the original design of toilets by placing the tank high on the wall, connecting to a copper pipe and flushing using a long pull cord. Unconventional designs that make toilets look like anything but a toilet are also available. At the very least, can introduce a toilet of another color.
Heating Functionality
Let your makeover turn your bathroom into a literally warmer place. A heated ladder style towel rack lends the room some style while also providing a very useful function. Paneling around the tub can be added that produces heat that keeps the water warmer for longer periods.
Tiling Walls
The addition of tile can transform drab bathroom walls into works of art. Tiling can be used simply by adding just one or two colors, or it can become much more complex by creating a mosaic. You don't even have to tile every wall or an entire wall to produce a dramatic change in the appearance and feel of the bathroom. Tiling half a wall beneath a complementary wallpaper design can be just as effective and much cheaper.
Any child confined to bed is major parental challenge, and it is no different for a parent whose child also has a physical disability. Throw out every rule parenting experts have for kids' rooms, says Kathy Keller, whose son Garrett has hypoplastic left heart syndrome and is a childhood stroke survivor. Your goal, in addition to meeting any medical needs, is to keep your child distracted from any pain or discomfort and free from the frustration of confinement.
Instructions
1. Move your child to a room closest to the family's living space. A room close to where the action is will help prevent feelings of isolation. Some families set up a bed right in the family room. If you choose this option, hang curtains for privacy that can be tied back when not needed. Create a room divider by surrounding the bed on one or more sides with inexpensive tall book shelves. The shelves will come in handy as well.
2. Rearrange the pillows under your child often.
Provide a number of pillows in different sizes for comfort when watching television or reading. Frequently rearrange the pillows underneath your child to help prevent the typical aches and pains that come from lying in one position for too long.
3. Technology serves as a good distraction.
Set up a television, video game player, laptop, DVD player and whatever you else can afford to provide diversion.
4. Program the numbers of friends and relatives for daily conversations.
Install a phone line within the child's reach or add an extra line to your cell phone contract.
5. Walkie talkies help your child communicate when you're not in the room.
Install an intercom. If this isn't feasible, look into basic two-way radios (walkie-talkies).
6. Hydration is important.
Set up a small refrigerator within your child's reach. If this isn't within your budget, or if your child has very limited mobility, use a small cooler. Have several gel packs frozen to rotate in as others lose their chill.
7. Even goldfish can help the hours move more quickly.
Keep pets nearby for companionship. Relocate a dog or cat's food and water bowls to your child's room to draw your pet to your child's side more frequently.
8. Pack your DVDs and CDs into CD wallets rather than worrying about returning each to their box. A CD wallet protects the discs well and keeps them organized but also close at hand.
9. A clipboard can be useful when the creative urge pops up.
Keep crayons, markers, pens, pencils and drawing and writing paper close by.
10. Imaginative play soothes a child.
Provide playing cards, board games and small toys. Technology doesn't always cut it, and your child will be craving interaction. Make time to play.
11. Check out your local library.
Tell your child to make a list of books she would like to read or subjects she would like to read about. Then buy or borrow books so that she has reading material that suits her interest.
12. Hang a bulletin board close to your child's bed to display greeting cards and other mementos sent from friends and relatives.
Tags: your child, child reach, child room, friends relatives,
Furnishing any room in the home gives a sense of comfort and belonging. Furnishing a bedroom, whether it is a spare room or the master suite, is a major factor in household furnishing.
Whether you plan to furnish a bedroom with a sophisticated canopy bed or a playful set of bunk beds, bedroom furniture should be unified in color and function according to the individual who will use the room.
Significance
Bedroom furniture should provide an appropriate place to sleep, storage for you clothes and space to store personal belongings.
Bedroom furniture should be comfortable and inviting and clearly identify the room as a place to relax and sleep.
Function
Each piece of furniture should serve a purpose. The bed should include a quality, comfortable mattress. Quality mattresses are expensive, but the investment is well worth it. A good quality mattress will make the difference in a peaceful slumber or a restless night.
When shopping for a chest of drawers, be sure to find one with deep drawers. A chest of drawers serves as both a beautiful piece of furniture, as well as a place to store clothing.
Armoires were used as wardrobe storage until houses were built with closets. Today, armoires can be used to store clothing or hide entertainment centers.
Consider a bedside table. The tabletop provides a convenient location for your alarm clock as well as a reading lamp.
Types
There are many types of bedroom furniture, but most are made of wood. Occasionally, you will find beds and other pieces of bedroom furniture made of metal. Metal bedroom furniture pieces are commonly used when decorating in a contemporary style.
Size
When shopping for bedroom furniture, consider the size of the occupant. A small child should have a small bed and a dresser-mirror that he or she can easily reach the top of.
Twin beds are perfect for small children. Trundle beds are also available with some twin beds. A trundle bed is hidden under the twin bed frame. It can be easily set up to create extra sleeping space during sleep overs.
A small bedroom should not be overcrowded with large pieces of furniture. If you have a small bedroom, a king-size bed will probably not be appropriate.
If you have a large room, large furniture should be used. Large furniture will pull the room together and create an atmosphere that is cozy and comfortable.
Considerations
Before choosing bedroom furniture, shop around to be able to compare the styles and colors that you prefer. Consider the color of the room as well as decorating motif.
Before making a purchase, measure each piece of furniture to ensure that everything will fit in the bedroom.
The dining bench is a nostalgic and practical seating alternative to the traditional chair. You'll find dining benches in many styles, from the plain wooden bench to the curved, upholstered banquette. Large families sometimes prefer them to chairs, because three or four young children can scrunch together on a single bench.
No Size Standard
Dining benches vary considerably in depth. The Business and Industrial Furniture Manufacturer's Association sets ergonomic guidelines for office chairs, but these standards do not apply to dining benches. A no-frills, Amish-style bench might measure just 12 inches, while the upholstered dining bench from Hammary's Low Country Chippendale group measures a generous 23 inches.
Stock Cushions
Standard stock dining bench cushions at Ballard Design, Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel typically measure 16 inches in depth. You can purchase custom-made cushions in any size you like. Yet, to keep costs down, consider a dining bench depth between 16 and 18 inches, which will accommodate many stock cushions.
Consider Comfort
Regarding seat depth, The BIFMA states that users should be able to sit in a chair without undue pressure against the backs of their knees. Think about the size of the individuals using the bench. Tall individuals may prefer a deeper bench, while petite individuals will find a narrower depth more comfortable.