The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA sets uniform standards for accessibility to public spaces to ensure equal access to those spaces for persons with disabilities. One of the key areas of concern addressed in the law is that of public restrooms. Specific guidelines dictate the width of doors and stall openings and placement of other vital fixtures.
Widths
All accessible pass-through doors, including those to toilet facilities, must be a minimum of 32 inches in width. This measurement is assessed with the door opened 90 degrees, measuring from the face of the door to the opposite stop.
Hardware
The ADA requires that all latches, pulls and locks be of a shape that can be easily grasped, but that doesn't require tight gripping or the twisting of the wrist to operate. Lever-type designs usually are acceptable. Hardware should be mounted no higher than 48 inches from the finished floor.
Clearing
Hinged restroom doors must not swing into the clear floor space required to use any fixture. It must swing in a direction that does not interfere with the use of sinks, toilets, etc.
The wallpaper adds Victorian flair to your bedroom.
The Victorian style has slowly reappeared and is now prevalent in many places. It's beautiful and unique and, even though it can be expensive, there are ways to cut back on costs and still make it look authentic.
Instructions
1. Choosing your furniture first will limit the rest of your decisions while simultaneously start you looking for the things you need and will get the ideas flowing. The Victorian style is over-abundant and luxurious, and you will want to purchase beautiful, ornate pieces, such as a settee, an armoire, a bedside table and antique tables and chairs. Wood furniture, cherry or chestnut, is best. Any furniture that does not have a clear purpose should not be used.
2. Combine warm and cool colors. While your bed linens, to be truly Victorian, must be white, you have a lot of options with other colors in the room, including bedspreads, carpets and wall paper. Victorian style usually uses a warm color and a cool color. You can start by accenting the walls with a warm white or a yellow. A bright color on the walls will make the room seem brighter and bigger. Use cooler accent colors on bedspreads, curtains and rugs, such as rose and pale pink, or periwinkle and white. Floral patterns were very common, and beautiful floral patterns can be found for the walls, curtains or both. Bedspreads, however, should be fairly uncomplicated, using a solid color. However, two or three bedspreads can be all different, but complementary, colors.
3. Accessorize the bedroom. Pillows, pictures, excessive window dressings, vases, flowers, lacy and embroidered handkerchiefs and linens all add to the atmosphere of the room, creating the look you want. By adding a few black and white or sepia photos, you can add a classy touch that is very true to the times.
4. Find the right lighting. Lights should be just as ornamental as everything else. Find lamps and light shades that have lots of fabric on the shades, pretty chandeliers that add to the atmosphere and other small lamps that can sit on tables and nightstands. Remember that the Victorian era was all about abundance.
A small dining room can be an elegant one. Empty-nesters are downsizing and need a small, intimate dining room. Young families in their first homes may not want a large dining room, and young, urban professionals may not have space for a large dining room. Small, functional, dining rooms require careful planning. The square footage required for four people starts with the table.
The Table Size
The focal point of the dining room is the table. Each person at the table requires a minimum of 24 inches of table space along the edge and 16 inches toward the middle of the table. Allow a minimum of 12 inches for service bowls and platters along the center line of the table and 12 inches at each end for the person at the head or foot of the table. A rectangular table to seat four, one on each side and end, would be a minimum of 44 inches wide and 48 inches long.
Chairs
Chairs require 30 inches on each side and end of the table. This is enough room to pull the chair back and stand between it and the table. An additional 2 feet minimum should be allowed for people to move around the table when the chairs are out. With these considerations, the 44-by-48 inch table footprint becomes 152- by-156 inches. Over-size or swivel chairs may require more space and should be individually measured.
Service Furniture
A buffet and hutch for side service requires additional square footage. Allow 24 inches in front of a buffet for door operation. A buffet is usually a minimum of 16 inches deep and would, therefore, require an additional 40 inches be added to one side of the room. Consideration should be given to other furniture that may be required such as a trolley or side table.
Room Dimensions
Based on this example, the table footprint is 152-by-156 inches. This is the minimum amount of space needed for a table to comfortably seat four. This equals 165 square feet, or a room roughly 13-by-13 feet. Adding 40 inches for a serving area or buffet along one wall will increase the room dimensions to about 13-by-16 feet or 208 square feet. Doors opening into the room, floor-mounted radiators, large area rugs, and additional furniture will increase the requirement.
Tags: dining room, minimum inches, , each side, inches each
Bring the spirit of the West home by designing a Western cowboy-style bedroom with old-fashioned decor, earth tones and furniture reminiscent of the Old West. Picture a Western scene from an old movie, and transform these ideas into your decorating plans. Choose a rustic style from the past or a more modern Western bedroom.
Paint
Leave the walls white, or paint with rustic earth tones and colors that match the type of Western cowboy room you are trying to create. You can use dark colors, but avoid painting all the walls dark. Only use dark shades such as burgundy, forest green or plum if you want to create an accent wall, and leave the remaining walls white. Determine what type of look you are going for before you begin painting. You can create a cowboy a feminine touch by painting the walls yellow or baby blue. However, paint all the walls beige, tan or other shades of brown if you want a rustic, manly cowboy room.
Decor
Visit your local antique shop or department store to find Western wall decor such as ropes, old saddles, cowboy figurines and old-fashioned guns. Place these items on your dresser, shelves or nightstand. Hang framed pictures of Western heroes from classic movies. Look for cowboy pillows to place on your bed or other furnishings. You may also want to feature cowboy lamps, miniature Western towns and small horse carriages.
Bedroom Furniture
Buy rustic wooden furniture that looks like it belongs in a log cabin. Solid oak, pine or other hardwoods work well, but cherry wood is too fancy for a Western room. If you can't afford solid oak, look for discontinued furniture, or buy secondhand furnishings. Sanding down some types of furniture can also create a more worn-out look.
Additional Accents
Additional accents can add even more appeal to your cowboy-themed bedroom. An antique rocking chair in the corner of the room with a cowboy pillow on the seat or a blanket draped over it can add a finishing touch to the room. Extra features, such as a deer antler or Western-style chandelier can also complement the style of the room. You can also find cowboy light switch plates online or at some home improvement stores.
Bathrooms can include multiple tile types in one design.
Before purchasing tile for your bathroom, or even determining your final tile design, you will need to calculate your tile needs. You can install tile on the walls and floor, as well as the shower walls, floor and ceiling. Because each of these areas may contain different tiles, heights, edging or patterns, you must measure and calculate each space separately. This will help ensure no areas or specialty tiles, like bullnose edge pieces, are overlooked.
Instructions
1. Measure the height on the walls where you want the tiles to end. Measure each wall to this height and width in inches. Multiply these figures to get the total number of square inches required for each wall. Divide this number by 144 to get the total amount of square footage for each wall. Add 5 percent to this figure for waste.
2. Measure the width of each wall in inches and divide by 12 to get the number of linear edge tiles needed, if the tiles do not go all the way to the ceiling. Use this measurement for border tiles, if desired. Add 1 additional foot to this number for breakage and waste.
3. Measure each shower wall separately in inches. Multiply the height and width and divide by 144. Add 5 percent to this figure for waste. Measure the height of any exposed edges at the sides of the shower and divide by 12 to get the number of feet of edge tiles needed to finish the shower stall.
4. Measure the shower floor's width and depth in inches. Multiply these numbers and divide by 144 to get the square footage of the shower floor. Add 1 square foot for waste. Measure the shower ceiling the same way, if desired. Take the measurement across the opening of the ceiling and divide by 12 to get the linear footage of edge tiles to finish the front of the ceiling.
5. Break the bathroom floor into square or rectangular sections. Measure the length and width of each section, multiply, then divide by 144. Add the sections together and add 5 percent for waste for a basic floor pattern and 20 percent for waste for a diagonal or intricate floor pattern.
A tween is at the stage of life between that of a young child and becoming a teenager. During this interval, which is usually between the ages of nine and 13, there are likely to be changes in opinion about what is considered an ideal bedroom. For this reason, it might be time to discuss with your tween about designing a room be age-appropriate and will not need to be redecorated in just a matter of years.
Instructions
1. Decide upon the colors of the room by discussing with your tween his or her preferences. Visit local hardware or home improvement outlets to determine color schemes. Many stores will even allow you to suggest colors that you want created based on a sample. For girls, tween room colors may include softer pastel purples, greens or pinks. For boys, a tween room may include different shades of blue and warmer tones of grey, brown or black.
2. Choose your bedding. Toddler beds are smaller and often come with rails. By the time your child reaches their "tween" age they will probably appreciate a bed that gives them room to grow. Visit major department stores and mattress specialty shops to find a bed that will give your tween comfort, but also make him or her feel that they have a more mature sleeping space.
3. Accessorize the space. This is an opportunity to add important finishing touches and special accents that express a tween's personality. Talk to your child about his or her favorite bands, musicians, actors and actresses, so that you can purchase posters to hang on the wall. You might also include a solid area rug or throw rug to help finalize the space with a bold look. Other ways to accessorize a tween bedroom might include colorful halogen lamps, a desk for studying and different types of media, such as a television or stereo.
Tags: your tween, that will, tween room, with your, with your tween
Constant exposure to water, and settling or shifting of the shower walls can cause the grout to crack around tiles. Cracked grout must be repaired to keep water from seeping through the cracks. Over time the water will cause damage or rotting to the underlayment. This will lead to costly repairs that could have been avoided by repairing the cracked grout. Grout repair is a job that you can do yourself without hiring a tile installer.
Instructions
1. Cut the grout lines with a grout saw. A grout saw is a handheld tool that has a narrow diamond carbide blade. The blade is designed to fit into grout lines between the tiles. Pull the blade back and forth to remove as much of the old grout as possible.
2. Suction up the grout pieces with a shop vacuums, and wipe the dust off of the tiles with a damp rag.
3. Fill the 1-gallon bucket with water to a depth of no more than 1 inch. Pour matching non-sanded grout into the bucket a little bit at a time. Mix the grout into the water with the 3-inch putty knife. Continue adding grout to the water until it is slightly thicker than a brownie mix. The grout should be thick enough to stay on the putty knife, but not so thick that you cannot spread it.
4. Spread grout into the cut out spaces between the tiles with a grout float. Do not grout over a 3-by-3 foot area at a time. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and drag it across the tiles. Scoop up excess grout with the putty knife, and put it back in the bucket.
5. Fill the 5-gallon bucket with warm water. Dip the sponge into the water and wring it out. Hold the sponge flat to the tile over the grout lines. Apply light pressure to the sponge and pull it across the grout lines to smooth them out. Pull the sponge horizontally across horizontal grout lines, and vertically across vertical grout lines.
6. Rinse the sponge often, and repeat steps five and six to finish grouting.
Tags: grout lines, grout into, putty knife, between tiles, bucket with, into water
Romantic master bedrooms have a soft and inviting atmosphere.
The master bedroom suite in your home is more than just a place to sleep and store your clothing. For couples, the master bedroom is a place to spend time together and enjoy romantic moments. The d cor that you choose for your plays a role in the atmosphere and mood in the room.
Colors
Choose soft colors for a romantic bedroom mood. You do not have to focus on red or pink for the colors in a . Soft colors such as pale blue and sea green can create a serene and relaxing color, which is romantic. Warm tones also create a romantic mood for the master bedroom suite.
Fabrics
The texture of the bedding and fabrics in the room adds to the romantic mood. Soft, luxurious textures are comfortable and enticing. Use fabrics for accents in the room, such as a flowing canopy over the bed or on the wall behind the bed. Choose sheers for window treatments for a simple, romantic look in the room. Consider white sheers that reach the floor for your romantic master bedroom.
Down comforters are soft and warm, which is perfect for cuddling and romance. Fold a warm down comforter at the foot of the bed during warmer times of the year.
Furniture
The bed is the focal point of a romantic master bedroom. Choose a bed size that is appropriate for the size of the room. Don't cram a king-sized bed into the room and leave no room to walk or for any other furnishings. If the room is large enough, a lounge chair or loveseat is a romantic touch for the room. Choose pieces with curves and some ornamentation for the romantic theme in the master bedroom.
Accents
Lighting is one of the most important decorative accents that you can use in the master bedroom. Choose to install multiple layers of light, which allows you to control the brightness in the room. Lighting plays a large part in the atmosphere of a room. For the romantic bedroom, include plenty of candles without overdoing it. A few candles placed around the room is a romantic touch.
A bedroom may be used primarily for sleeping, but that doesn't mean it should be neglected when it comes to decorating the home. A well-decorated bedroom provides a restful yet beautiful environment.
Self-Expression
Express yourself and show your personality in a way you might be hesitant to do in other areas of the home. The bedroom is the perfect place for personal photos and other displays of personal interest or sentimental value. Use a variety of different materials and objects to add visual interest to the space.
Improved Sleep
Decorating a room in calm, cool, soothing colors promotes relaxation and sleep. Light neutrals and cool blues and greens add to the tranquility of your sleeping environment. A restful bedroom need not be drab or lacking in color, according to Martha Stewart.
Comfort
Decorating your bedroom makes you feel more comfortable, both physically and mentally. Adding accessories, an overstuffed chair in the corner, or pillows on the bed increases your comfort level while livening up the room's appearance.
A dining room should include artwork and decor to create a relaxed mood.
An adequate dining space in any home can provide great space for relaxing and entertaining. Even a small dining room can work well for having guests over. Family members can sit down together in the evenings, especially, to share their day in a designated dining space. It's important to design the area for a welcoming look and feeling. Furnishing a dining room in a neat and uncluttered way can help. Beautiful artwork, plants and decor that appeal to you will help ensure you enjoy using the dining room.
Consider the Square Footage
Some homes have tiny dining spaces tucked away within another room. These nooks may be as small as eight feet square, for example. While these spaces can work well, the average dining room is defined in most architectural plans as 14 by 16 feet. Generous dining rooms are 14 by 18 feet to allow for a formal table, chairs and a hutch. Homewyse.com defines the typical dining room as 200 square feet. You want to use furniture that harmonizes with nearby living room furniture, so the dining area should be large enough to hold the table and chairs you find appealing.
Expand by Using Adjacent Space
Add extra space to a dining room in creative ways, if you need to. For example, you might expand a 9 by 12 foot room by incorporating part of an adjacent hallway. Sometimes, you can simply take down a wall of a hallway that borders the dining room. This way opens up more space for the dining room but keeps traffic flow in the house the same. Borrow a couple of feet from a nearby family room, as another possible option, to make a bigger.
Incorporate Windows or Mirrors
Expand dining space visually, if you can't find any extra room. Build a wall of windows around the dining nook, if the space is tight. For example, having just a table and four chairs near a wall of windows will create an open feeling for breakfast or lunch. You can always store extra chairs in a nearby kitchen or living area, and add them just for meals or when guests come over. As another choice, add mirror tiles to one wall of the dining room to visually enlarge it.
Build Next to Outdoor Space
A porch or deck can work with a dining room. Construct an outdoor patio next to an average 9 by 12 foot dining room, for example. Add a wall of French doors to allow for outdoor grilling and use the outdoor space for guests in good weather.
Make the Ceiling High
Build a small dining room with a 9-foot or vaulted ceiling. If you want an elegant look in an average dining space, construct it with a taller than average ceiling. Add formal window treatments above tall windows to expand the room visually. A taller ceiling is a great place to install an impressive formal chandelier, too.
Tags: dining room, dining room, dining space, average dining, room visually, small dining, small dining room
Rich fabrics make an attractive addition to a master bedroom.
Your bedroom should be a comfortable relaxing space. With careful planning and savvy shopping, a designer bedroom design is well within your reach. Determine your goals for the space, or an eco-friendly function, as well as your preference for colors before embarking on a master bedroom redesign.
Eco-inspired
Eco-friendly design combines high-end style with sustainable components. Begin your eco-inspired master bedroom with a natural and soothing shade for the walls. Blues and greens inspired by sea, sky and botanical items make an excellent choice for a bedroom as they are relaxing and versatile. Choose a paint low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and install a sustainable flooring option such as recycled carpet or bamboo. To add texture to the room, use natural fabrics free of bleach and dyes, such as hemp and organic cotton, for bed coverings and window treatments.
Pair Patterns
Experiment with a bold designer technique in your by pairing seemingly mismatched patterns. While too many disparate patterns and styles in one room can look busy and overwhelming, when done with focus, multiple patterns in a single space scream . To achieve a high-end look, choose one color in multiple patterns. stripes, botanicals, geometric shapes and polka dots in a similar hue. Use a simple pattern for large expanses of space such as the headboard, window treatments or bedding for a focused look. Incorporate more intricate patterns in smaller quantities, like throw pillows or lamp shades. Keep furniture simple, both in design and color or finish, so as not to fatigue the eye.
Romantic
Create a romantic retreat in your master suite. Sexy shades such as orange, tangerine and red infuse your space with life and energy. Romantic designs exude opulence with rich draping fabrics on the bed and as window treatments. For a bit of extra indulgence, create a canopy over the bed with flowing fabric to the floor. Pair a rich, dark wall color with light bright fabrics to avoid creating too heavy a look. Candles placed throughout the space will contribute to a romantic mood. Original artwork is a unique way to add designer style to your space. Choose pieces that intrigue and inspire you for your romantic bedroom escape.
Recovering dining room seat cushions requires only fabric and a few household tools.
Like all household furniture, the upholstery on your dining room chairs will eventually wear out. You may wish to replace the chairs before the fabric wears out, due to changing tastes or fashions. However, purchasing a new set of chairs every time home decorating fashion changes or the fabric gets stained will put a serious dent in your bank account. A much more economical option is to recover the seat cushions yourself. With only a few yards of fabric and a few tools, you will have dining room chairs that look like new.
Instructions
1. Look at the screws holding the seat on the dining room chair to determine the type of screwdriver you will need. Unscrew the screws and put them in a safe place. Remove the seat from the chair.
2. Turn the seat over and use the needle-nose pliers to remove the staples holding the old fabric to the seat. Remove the old fabric and set it aside.
3. Evaluate the condition of the seat padding. If the padding is in good condition, you do not need to replace it. If it is not, cut a piece of foam to the same dimensions as the old cushion. If you like, you can cut the new foam to a different height. Taller foam will result in softer cushions, and shorter result in firmer cushions. Remove the old padding from the seat if you are replacing the foam, and glue the new foam in place with high-strength adhesive.
4. Cut a new piece of fabric to the same dimensions as the old fabric. If you added height to the cushion, add twice the additional height of the cushion to either dimension of the fabric. For example, if the old fabric measured 16 inches by 16 inches, and you added 1 inch to the height of the cushion, you would cut a piece of fabric measuring 18 inches by 18 inches.
5. Lay the fabric face-down on a flat surface. Center the seat, cushion side down, on the fabric.
6. Pull the middle point of one side of the fabric over the cushion and board and staple in place. Staple the fabric 1 inch away from the first staple on the left and on the right. Continue in this manner until you have stapled the whole side, except for 2 inches at each corner. Repeat on the opposite side of fabric, and then on the two remaining sides.
7. Lay a corner of fabric flat, folding the excess fabric underneath the fabric on the sides. Staple in place. Repeat on the remaining corners.
8. Screw the completed seat in place on the dining room chair.
Donating, selling, dumping or recycling: these are the four options for getting rid of furniture in Tennessee.
Individuals looking to get rid of a dining room set in the state of Tennessee have multiple options. The option that's right for you will depend largely on what you want to get out of the furniture. Do you want to sell it, donate it, dump it or recycle it? The answer to this question will determine how best to get rid of the furniture.
Instructions
1. Sell your furniture to a consignment store. Depending on the store, you may be able to sell your set up front, or receive a portion of the sales price once someone else buys it. The amount of money you'll receive for the furniture may vary; for example, the consignment store "FunTiques" in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, pays consigners 48 percent of the final purchase price on an item.
2. List your dining room set for sale online at a website like eBay or CraigsList. The latter website offers sellers the opportunity to list the furniture set based on location, increasing your chances it will sell to a local buyer. This can be an option if your dining room set doesn't sell in a consignment store.
3. Donate your dining room set to charity. Donating may be an option if your furniture is in good condition, but not good enough to sell. While a wide range of organizations may be willing to accept the furniture, two recognizable charities that accept furniture donations in Tennessee are Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army. Goodwill operates 67 donation centers across Tennessee, while the Salvation Army has ten branches statewide.
4. Dump furniture that is old, out-of-date or in bad condition and is not eligible to be sold to a new owner or donated to charity. The City of Memphis offers curbside pick-up of large items, like furniture; the City of Knoxville also offers curbside furniture pick-up, but limits weekly collections to no more than five pieces.
5. Recycle your old dining room set. The option to recycle furniture will largely depend on the type of material from which it was made. Sets made from metal, such as aluminum, are able to be recycled. Metro Nashville Public Works offers multiple recycling drop off locations in and around the Tennessee capital, including the East Collection center located at:
943A Dr. Richard G. Adams Drive
Nashville, TN 37207
Tags: dining room, your dining, room, consignment store, accept furniture
It's time to update the paint on your living room and dining room walls, but you feel stuck. You aren't sure what color to choose or whether you should paint the walls the same color or take a chance and use two coordinating colors. When it comes to painting, anything goes, as long as it appeals to you and you can live with seeing those colors every day.
Instructions
1. Select the paint colors. Choose an item in your home that has colors you like, such as a pillow or set of curtains. Find paint chips that match two or three of the colors on that item. Use the darker color as the main wall color and the lighter ones for trim. If you want to use two separate color schemes for the living room and dining area, try to choose colors that are muted and have shades of gray in them.
2. Prepare the room for painting. Push all the furniture to the center of the room and cover it with drop cloths. Remove the face places from electrical outlets and light switches and take any photos or artwork off of the walls. Cover the floor with drop cloths.
3. Sand the walls with the pole sander to rough up the surfaces so that the paint will adhere better. You may need to stand on a ladder to reach the upper portion of the wall.
4. Apply spackle to any nail holes and spread thinly with the metal spackle tool. Let dry, then sand smooth. You may need to apply another coat, as it shrinks when it dries.
5. Clean the walls with soap and water to remove any dirt.
6. Cover the light switches and electrical outlets with painter's tape so that you don't accidentally paint over them.
7. Pour the primer into the bucket or tray and begin to paint the walls with the primer. Start by painting a 2-inch strip along the edge of the wall, using the . Fill in the wall area with a paint roller, making an "M" shape, then filling in the gaps. Let the primer dry for several hours. Clean your brush, roller and the bucket.
8. Pour the paint into a bucket and tray and repeat the process. Paint a line along the edge of the wall with the angled brush, then fill in with the paint roller. Let the paint dry.
9. Use a narrow brush to paint the edges of the trim. If the trim is more than 3 inches wide, use a wider brush to fill in the middle. Let dry overnight.
Tags: walls with, along edge, along edge wall, angled brush, bucket tray
Bathroom vanity lights can be old fashioned and obtrusive. Often they increase the heat in the bathroom and direct the light away from where you need it most. Replacing the bathroom vanity light with track lighting gives you more flexibility with your lighting, allows you to increase the amount of fixtures over your vanity and change the direction of the lights. The track also gives you the ability to change the appearance of the fixture by simply changing the track lighting fixtures.
Instructions
1. Turn the circuit off that supplies electricity to the bathroom vanity light. Hold a noncontact voltage tester against the light sockets on the vanity light and against the light switch on the wall. If you did not turn off the correct breaker, your tester will beep and flash.
2. Remove the light cover and light bulbs from the bathroom vanity light if applicable. Look for one or two cap nuts on the base of the vanity light. Turn the cap nuts counterclockwise to remove them and release the vanity light from the junction box in the wall.
3. Pull the vanity light from the wall to access the wiring inside the junction box. Untwist the wire connectors from the ends of the black and two white wire sets. Pull the sets of wires apart.
4. Loosen the green screw on the vanity light mounting strap connected to the junction box. Unwrap the copper wires from around the strap screw. This releases the bathroom vanity light fixture. Remove the screws holding the strap to the junction box.
5. Thread the green, white and black wire from the tracking lighting twist-lock connector through the track lighting mounting plate. Match the white wire from the twist-lock connector to the white wire from the junction box. Match the black wire from the twist-lock connector to the black wire from the junction box. Match the green the twist-lock connector to the care copper wire from the junction box. Twist orange wire connectors over the end of each wire set.
6. Attach the track lighting mounting plate to the junction box with the provided mounting screws.
7. Position the track on the bathroom wall. Check the position of the track with a torpedo level. Once the level's bubble floats between the two vertical lines etched on the tube and you become satisfied with the position of the track, mark the track mounting holes on the wall.
8. Attach a Phillips screwdriver bit to a cordless screwdriver. Place the end of the bit into the round opening on the end of a zinc-plated self-tapping hollow wall anchor. Use the cordless screwdriver to drive the anchor through the wallboard at the track lighting mounting holes.
9. Thread the track through the wires between the twist-lock connector and the track lighting mounting plate. Secure the track to the wall with the anchor screws.
10. Insert the copper tabs on the end of the twist-lock connector into the track. Twist the connector until it snaps into the track.
11. Cover the twist-lock connector, wires and junction box with the track light canopy. Attach the canopy to the track lighting mounting plate with the provided screws.
12. Insert the tabs on the ends of the track lighting fixture connector into the track. Twist the connector until the light fixture snaps in the track.
13. Pull the outside of the connector away from the track to slide the lighting fixture along the track until you become satisfied with the placement.
14. Install light bulbs into the track lighting fixture. Turn on the circuit to provide power to the track light.
Proper Height for a Picture Above a Dining Room Table
Hanging a picture above the dining room table adds a significant focal point to the room and sets the mood for the dining experience. Museum and art galleries use various formulas for hanging art and most commonly placing the center of the artwork at an average eye level. Homeowners doing their own decorating enjoy more freedom. For best results, consider expert advice, and check the picture's view from both standing and sitting positions.
General Guidelines
Various venues for viewing art hang pictures 57 to 63 inches from the floor to the center of the piece, which approximates an average eye-level. The most important factor is to hang the picture where it looks its best and provides the greatest viewing pleasure. In the dining room, you might want to hang the picture a few inches lower than an average eye level to improve the view for those appreciating the picture while seated at the table.
Things to Think About
Consider the scale of the location. For example, to hang a painting above a sideboard, choose a height that will balance the open space between the sideboard and the ceiling. In a room with a high ceiling, have an assistant hold the painting so the center of it is at 63 inches (5-foot 3-inches) and stand back to check the effect. If it is hung too low over the sideboard, it will appear crowded. Smaller artworks should usually be hung lower than average, where perhaps the center of the picture is at 55 inches or lower.
Making the Decision
Have an assistant hold the picture at lower and higher positions while you view it from the dining room entrance, then directly across from the picture, then from a position seated at the dining table. Unless the room has a high ceiling, focus on positions a few inches below eye level. Select a position where the picture views well from both standing and seated positions.
Tags: Above Dining, assistant hold, average level, both standing, from both, from both standing
Warm dining room colors create a calming, intimate atmosphere.
Your choice of paint color for the dining room, although a matter of personal taste, can influence the atmosphere and visual appeal of the room. Selecting a color palette that is warm and calming encourages conversation. Bright colors can spark passion and affect the appetite of diners. On the other hand, a poor choice of paint colors for the dining area can leave your family and guests feeling uneasy.
Work With Your Furniture
Select a paint palette that complements the style of your furnishings. Literature and pictures from the library, home-improvement stores and online home-decor sites offer suggestions for paint colors that complement dining room furniture styles, from Victorian to mission style, to contemporary. Within the selections for each style are various color palettes that are suited for formal or informal dining.
Color and Mood
Color is powerful. Although specialists disagree on the psychological affect of specific colors, sufficient evidence moves businesses to paint their walls in colors meant to influence moods. Because hot colors like red and orange are believed to be visually stimulating, incite passion and increase the appetite, they are rarely used in jails and prisons. For the same reason, red, orange and gold are often seen in pubs, restaurants and casinos. Blues and greens are believed to be the most calming colors, but not necessarily the best for dining areas. Warm colors from the red part of the spectrum reflect an attractive hue on the faces of diners.
The Wrong Colors
After narrowing down your options by considering your furnishings and desired positive psychological effect of the color of your walls, know which colors to avoid if you want to create an appealing dining and entertaining atmosphere. Blue and turquoise are believed to inhibit the appetite, possibly because blue foods are so rarely seen in nature. Both gray and blue, reflected on diners and food, reflect an unappealing hue. Since bright yellow may be overstimulating, warmer hues of yellow may be better suited for dining.
Tags: , choice paint, paint colors, palette that, your furnishings
The Americans With Disabilities Act benefits the more than 54 million Americans who have various physical handicaps by mandating that public places make their facilities usable and easily accessible. The act includes very specific directions about what accessibility implies. It involves things like wheelchair ramps and elevators, reserved parking, and restrooms. The act even specifies what the signs for ADA accessible restrooms must look like.
Identification
Every restroom that has been adapted so that it is usable for Americans with disabilities must be designated by visible signs according to article 4.30 of the act. The signs have to provide clear directions that help people find the accessible restrooms because large public establishments might only have one ADA accessible restroom. The signs have to be placed on the wall that is next to the door's latch or, in the event that this is impossible, they have to be on the closest walls, 60 inches above the floor. People touching the signs must also be able to do so without being in danger of being injured if the door opens.
Size
The size of the letters and numbers on these signs is also specified by the act. The minimum ratio for their width to their height is 3:5. The maximum ratio is 1:10. The minimum height of a capitol "X," for example, is three inches. The other characters must match.
Features
When the sign for an ADA accessible restroom includes Braille, the dots stick up from the surface of the sign. The act specifies that they have to be between 5/8 and 2 inches high. This allows them to be easily felt by someone who has a visual impairment. When Braille text is on a restroom sign, the sign also has to display the same information in raised capitol letters (in a simple serif or sans serif font) and numbers. The text must be 1/32 inch above the back of the sign.
Considerations
The same minimum and maximum distances apply to raising any symbols such as pictures of men, women and children on ADA accessible restroom signs. If a restroom is designated by this kind of symbol or picture, the sign has to also display the information in writing. The text must appear right under the picture.
Expert Insight
To assist in making the ADA accessible restroom signs easy to read, the act also includes requirements about their color and finish. The text and symbols must contrast with the sign's background. So, if the background of the sign is dark, the text and symbols must be light and vice versa. The finish cannot involve any glare.
The decorative stuff builders and decorators know as "crown molding" is a great tool for sprucing up any room of a home. Crown molding sits at an angle in between the top of a wall and a ceiling edge to make a room look fancier and more ornately built. Here's choose a good crown molding to finish off a bathroom.
Instructions
1. Use the height ratio to determine a good width for crown molding. Some experts recommend 1-inch of crown molding width for every foot of wall height. Use good judgment to get a size of crowd molding that fits the room.
2. Match cabinets and woodwork. If is outfitted with ornate wooden cabinetry or furniture, you may want to choose a of the same type of wood or grain.
3. Make your crown molding match paint and carpet colors. A lot of crown molding is painted different colors; some comes pre-painted. Find a look that's good for your bathroom.
4. Get sturdy, dampness-resistant crown molding. Though it's not a frequent problem, the water vapor generated by a shower can have an effect on wooden crown molding over time. Keep in mind there are alternatives to wood crown molding, such as plastic, and consider these for the bathroom.
5. Find a crown molding purchase that offers good deals on small lots for outfitting a small room. Chances are you won't need a great deal of crown molding for so make sure you don't end up overcharged.
The bedroom is a place where some like to go and unwind after a stressful day at the office. However, if the bedroom is cramped and walking space is limited, this may be the last room where one finds solace and comfort. Determine the space you have available and where the furniture will be placed once it is arranged. Most bedrooms can be decorated nicely and still allow walking space around the furniture without feeling too cramped.
Bedroom Space
Position the bed to where it allows two feet on either side of walking space. Two feet will permit a person to move around comfortably while making the bed or adjusting sheets, pillows, blankets and comforters. Dressers and closets will need at least three feet in front of them that will allow drawers and closet doors to be pulled or swung open, without causing too much hassle. This is the same for armoires that are in the bedroom as well. Pull out each door and drawer to see if they can be opened without knocking against another object or a piece of furniture.
Positioning the Furniture
Place the bed so that it is a focal point of the room. Usually, the focal point will be the largest wall in the room. Once the bed is positioned against the wall, maneuver the dresser and bedside tables on either side of the bed. If you only have one bedside table, this may work well in a corner next to the bed. Be sure there is the two feet between the bed and the wall for an easy walkway. You may prefer an object at the end of the bed, such as an antique chest. These can generally fit comfortably at the end of the bed, depending on the space of the room. Instead of purchasing floor lamps, place a small lamp on the bedside table to leave enough walking space around the furniture.
Storage
Setting up storage bins that compliment the colors of the bedroom may be a good idea for small rooms. Stack storage bins along the wall or under the bed. Place objects inside a bin instead of throwing them in the walkway. Also consider purchasing bedroom furniture with added storage space, such as a bed with drawers underneath. This may work well for clothes, books, and other knickknacks that would ordinarily be lying around the bedroom and taking up much needed walking space. Consider purchasing an armoire that can be an entertainment center as well as storage for clothing.
Tags: walking space, around furniture, bedside table, either side, focal point, space around, space around furniture
A Jack and Jill bathroom has a tall order--to link the style of one of the bedrooms adjoining it to the style of the other bedroom it connects to. So if your daughter is all about old fashioned pink toile and your son's room has a motorcycle theme, the Jack and Jill bathroom's decor has to be a happy medium.
Instructions
1. Start with a neutral color if the Jack and is linking two very different color schemes. If you have pastels in one room and primary colors in another, a neutral beige or light yellow will be your middleground palette.
2. Be creative when it comes to themes. Think about the themes in each adjoining bathroom and come up with a way to link them. If you have dinosaurs in one room and flowers in another, green leaves or other tropical, non-floral vegetation meet these themes in the middle. Take advantage of any shared elements from both bedrooms.
3. Consider the ages of the people sharing the bathroom. Children of both genders can enjoy unisex themes like the alphabet, animals or the beach, while teens or adults living on either side of a Jack and Jill might be better suited to a simple color block pattern, dots or stripes.
4. Consider designating "his" and "hers" sections of the bathroom. A neutral base can be accented by pinks on one side and blues on another. Each child could get their own gender-specific station at the vanity. If kids of the same gender share the Jack and Jill, you can still use different colors and styles for each child. While you vary the colors, keep the overall tone the same--doing ultra-contemporary on one side and formal Victorian on the other will be a weird clash.
Dining room chair height refers to the height of the seat.
When choosing dining chairs for your kitchen or dining table, a good rule to follow is to choose chairs with a seat height that is about 10 to 12 inches below the table's height, which gives your legs and knees plenty of room under the table and, at the same time, puts the tabletop at a comfortable level for eating.
Seat Height of Dining Chairs
The seat of a dining room chair is approximately 18 to 20 inches from the floor. Standard kitchen and dining tables are typically 28 to 30 inches from the floor, so the 18- to 20-inch seat height follows the 10- to 12-inch rule.
Seat Height of Counter Chairs or Stools
Kitchen counters and counter-height tables are 36 inches from the floor. Therefore, standard dining chairs are too short for counter overhangs or counter-height tables. Look instead for counter stools or counter chairs, which have a seat height of 24 to 26 inches.
Seat Height of Bar Chairs or Stools
If you use a bar-height table for dining, bar stools will seat you high enough to eat comfortably. Bar-height tables are 42 inches from the floor, which puts the seat height of bar stools in the 30- to 32-inch range.
Other Considerations
When measuring the height of dining chairs, seat height is the measurement to go by. The height of the back of chairs varies greatly from design to design. However, the height of the back of the chair is a matter of personal preference and has no bearing on how well a chair works with a dining table. If the chairs you choose have arms, measure them before you buy to ensure that the arms will fit under the table rather than bump into it. Always take a tape measure with you when furniture shopping as looks can be deceiving.
Tags: from floor, inches from, inches from floor, dining chairs, seat height, Chairs Stools, counter-height tables
His-and-hers sinks help morning traffic in master baths.
The vanity space should always be the focal point of any bathroom. Double sinks help to draw the eye to this area. Many modern bathroom designs incorporate two sinks, but consider carefully what your needs are before installing anything. You may decide that adding the large cabinet or long counter two-sink systems often require would be wrong for your bathroom's layout. A commodious single sink might be a more practical choice. However, keep in mind that double sinks are appealing to buyers if you think you might sell your home in the near future.
Go Over the Bath Space
Measure the bathroom floor space to assess and draw a detailed layout of your plans. Keep in mind that sore-bought vanity cabinets containing two sinks are at least 48 inches long. Consider installing two pedestal sinks side by side or using two bowl-type sinks on top of a counter with no cabinet underneath if you do not like the look of large cabinets or if one will not fit. Or retrofit an antique cabinet -- often smaller in scale than contemporary furniture -- to accommodate two drop-in sinks.
Use Logic for Cramped Space
Resign yourself to using only one sink if space is extremely limited. Organize the rest of the space such that two people can utilize the bathroom at the same time, though. One person can shower while another person gets dressed at the sink, for example, if toiletries, towels and robes are placed within arm's reach of each. Much of the decision of whether to install two sinks also relates to free floor space: a double-sink vanity might technically fit, but make sure the bathroom door or another closet door or fixture won't cramp the space in front of or next to it.
Install Double Sinks for Double Occupancy
Consider installing two sinks, although they may be used at different times, especially if you have children or teens that share a bathroom. That way, each person can keep a toothbrush, cosmetics and other toiletries near her own individual sink without having a sibling rearrange them. Build a few drawers or add doors to store or conceal these items under each sink if you can, to keep the aesthetic clean.
Save Space with Pedestal or Wall Sinks
To conserve floor space, install two pedestal sinks side by side. Paint the wall behind them burgundy or bright blue to help the porcelain pop and automatically become the room's focal point. Consider attaching two small bowl-type sinks directly to the wall for a really modern look. If you do, add tile above the sinks to help protect the wall from splashing water.
Arrange Storage for Bath Functionality
Make a bathroom function well by planning cabinetry and storage. If you choose one pedestal sink, for example, add storage furniture in the free floor space adjacent to it to hold towels or toiletries for several people. Store linen in a nearby closet instead of trying to store it all in a small bathroom. Remember that in a half-bath or bath in a public area of the home, a sink will be used primarily for hand washing only, so one sink would be plenty.
Dining tables are constructed in a variety of styles and sizes. With each style variance, the parts can vary. But there are two basic parts to every dining table: the top and support (legs or other supportive base). Whether the dining table is made from glass, metal, wood or other materials, it will include those basic dining table parts. Some dining tables have extra parts.
Top
The top of the dining table is the large, flat surface of the table. Depending on the style and price range of the dining table, its top could be made of materials such as solid glass, glass and metal, wood, glass and wood, or laminated wood. Most dining table tops are round, square, rectangle or oblong. Parents may prefer a round or oblong table top without sharp corners or wood tables tops without breakable glass if they have young children who play around the dining table.
Legs
Generally, legged dining tables have four legs. According to furniture maker Graham Blackburn's article, "A Short History of Tables," for FineWoodworking.com, four-legged tables have been around since ancient Egyptian times. Dining table legs are constructed in a large variety of styles and shapes. There are subtly carved legs, ornately carved legs, curved legs, straight legs, tapered legs, chunky legs, spindly legs and more to choose from. Logically, the thicker and heavier the table top is, the thicker and sturdier the table legs should be.
Base
Table legs are just one method to support a table top. Other supportive bases include trestles and pedestals. A trestle table, according to the Furnishings Guide website's furniture glossary, is supported by a frame brace (also called a horse) of two posts, feet and a connecting structure. Trestle tables, notes Blackburn's FineWoodworking.com article, were the earliest forms of Western tables-made up of unattached boards and trestles put together as needed for meals. A pedestal table, on the other hand, is constructed with a central support pillar, according to the Furnishings Guide's glossary. Like table legs, trestles and pedestals are constructed in a variety of styles from plain and austere to decorative and ornate.
Extender
A table extender-called a leaf, according to Blackburn-is used to "grow" a table. A family of four might own a round dining table, for example, with a removable leaf extender. For casual meals among the four individuals, the family might use the table without the leaf. The extender leaf would be stored in a closet or pantry until needed. When company is expected, the family inserts the leaf to extend the table into a longer, oblong shape to accommodate extra diners. Other leaf options mentioned in Blackburn's article are attached leaves such as a drop leaf or folding leaf.
Wall paneling is beneficial because it insulates and soundproofs the room, works with many decor styles and is easy to install. Decorating with this wall covering is not difficult if you own your home, because you can paint or stain the paneling to change the look anytime you tire of it. Renting the apartment or home where the owner does not want you to disturb the paneling can be a bit of a challenge. It is possible to transform the room if you think of it as a whole and surround it with style.
Instructions
1. Use your windows to the best advantage in a bedroom with dark wood paneling. Hang window blinds or sheer curtains that allow the most natural light to enter the room. Often, these bedrooms tend to be dark and depressing unless you allow sunlight into the space.
2. Match the decor of the room to the color of your bedding. Since many homeowners do not want to cover the natural look of the paneling, changing the wall color is often not an option. Therefore, your best use of color comes from the bedding, curtains and upholstery in the room. Use throw pillows, rugs, picture frames and lampshades that reflect the main color in the bedding or one of the accent colors.
3. Hang large canvas art or prints on the wall if you want to disguise the look of the paneling. The eye will be drawn to the artwork, not the wall covering.
4. Install a curtain rod that spans the width of the room and add sheer curtains or other types of solid color curtains to the rod. This method effectively covers the paneling and adds colors and texture to the room.
5. Paint or stain the paneling to give the room an entirely new look if you are the homeowner.
6. Pick a focal point in the room and highlight it with special lighting. For instance, a decorative headboard or an elaborate painting can be the focal point with track lighting or a spotlight. This draws the eye to the focal point and minimizes the remainder of the bedroom.
7. Use liquid starch to place fabric on your bedroom walls instead of wallpaper. This gives it the look of wallpaper. You can easily peel it off and wash the fabric when it is time to move.
Tags: focal point, dark wood, , sheer curtains, stain paneling, wall covering
Bathroom towels are a functional way to accessorize your bathroom. If you have a neutral bathroom or you do not want to change your bathroom décor, towels are an easy and inexpensive way to add color and personality to your space. Decorate bathroom towels to customize the look of your room. Create decorated bath towels to give as wedding, holiday or housewarming gifts.
Sewing Projects
Sewing projects allow you to add patterns to bathroom towels. Bind the bottom of the towel with bias tape or strips of fabric for an easy customized towel. Look for fabrics that are washable and durable. Use a different but coordinating fabric on each towel so family members can keep track of who owns which towel. Bind hand towels for a matching set.
Add rows of decorative rickrack ribbon and pom-poms to decorate a bath towel. Use fabric glue if the towel is for display purposes or sew the trim on for a more durable craft. An embroidery machine can transform ordinary bath towels with monograms. Customize the towel with your child's name. For a funky bathroom, try an embroidered picture of a robot or monster for a one-of-a-kind accessory.
Towel Folding
The art of towel origami is a way to display several towels in a way that your guests will definitely notice. This is a clever way to transform a practical gift or decorate a kid's bathroom. Fold towels and washcloths to look like a teddy bear. Top off the bear with a ribbon bow tie and roses or pom-poms for eyes. Traditional napkin folding techniques can also apply to a bathroom towel. Fold the towel to look like a swan or an elegant fan to replicate a high-end hotel or spa look.
Towel Displays
The way you display towels can transform a functional item into a decorative accessory. Hang towels over an old ladder for a Zen or country bathroom that will help towels dry faster. A wine rack adds a metallic and unexpected element to towel displays, allowing you to store dozens of hand towels in one space. If you're short on storage space, roll towels and stand them in a large basket for a spa feel. Put rolled towels in an over-sized hat box for a chic display. Put a grommet on the corner of each towel to easily hang the towels on hooks installed on the door or wall.
Tags: , bathroom towels, each towel, hand towels, look like, towel with
Color is a highly personal preference. This is because humans respond to color based upon their individual experiences and the memories associated with a particular shade. Choosing two colors that work well in a dining room is made easier by determining the kind of atmosphere you hope to create and the colors you most enjoy seeing.
Appetite-Stimulating Colors
The reason restaurants and food companies so often incorporate red into their color schemes is because the color red actually stimulates hunger. If you're looking for a color combination that is sure to make people appreciate your cooking, red and orange are your best bets. If that combination is too loud for you, pair either color with a neutral shade like cream, beige or dove gray.
Complementary Colors
The adage "opposites attract" is at the heart of putting two complementary colors together. Complementary colors are found by looking for two colors that are directly across from each other on an artist's color wheel, like mint green and pink or orange and blue. Complementary shades demand attention and work well in a contemporary dining room.
Analogous Colors
Analogous colors are dramatic as well, but work together because they are found next to each other on the color wheel and have something in common. Green and yellow are analogous as are green and blue. The fact that they are harmonious colors makes sense when you consider that green is a mixture of yellow and blue. Choose either of these combinations for a bold color palette.
Monochromatic Colors
If you're looking for a timeless, serene color scheme, choose a color combination that consists of two colors from the same basic family. Brown and beige, orange and salmon, powder blue and midnight blue, and red and pink are all monochromatic color combinations.
Dramatic Color Touches
Another option is to choose a primary color that appeals to you and to accent it with a neutral shade. For instance, a dark red decor punctuated with black accessories is a good foundation for a sophisticated . Light blue with creamy white accents lends itself to a beach cottage or French country look. Orange and pewter can be the basis for an art deco design while burnt orange and Mediterranean blue lend themselves to a Tuscan decor.
Tags: dining room, color combination, color combination that, color wheel, colors that, combination that
Moist air in your bathroom can lead to water or mold damage, but improperly venting the bathroom's moist air through the soffit on your house can also damage your house's attic. You need to weigh the different options for the duct that connects the bathroom vent to the soffit vent, as well as the placement of the vent in the soffit.
Duct Types
Use either a flexible vent duct similar to the one attached to the exhaust on the back of your clothes dryer, or use a rigid steel duct. The flexible can expand to the size of the gap between the bathroom fan and the soffit vent, making the installation process fairly easy. Use hose clamps on either end of the flexible duct to attach it to the bathroom vent exhaust port and the soffit vent. If using a rigid steel duct, measure and cut the various sections of the duct to the size of the space. The attachments between the duct, the bathroom fan exhaust port and the soffit vent must be made with sheet metal screws.
Insulation
Insulating the bathroom vent duct inside the attic helps prevent condensation during the winter months. Since cold outside air flows into the attic, making the temperature of the attic lower than the inside of your house's living space, the hot air flowing through the duct heats up the walls of the duct. When the cold air contacts the hot duct, the moisture in the air condenses in the duct. The condensation can collect and drip in the attic, leading to water damage. Either slide an insulation sleeve over the duct inside your attic, or use spray foam insulation to prevent condensation.
Soffit Dangers
Attaching your bathroom fan to a vent in your house's soffit can present dangers to the attic. According to home improvement expert Tim Carter, the moist and warm air flowing out of the vent you install in the faucet may be drawn back into the attic by the soffit intake vents. The intake vents are designed to allow for air flow through the attic, preventing mold growth, but if the bathroom air flows in the vents, the attic can become moist and mold may grow. Openings in the soffit can also allow the bathroom air to flow into the attic.
Vent Location
You do not have to place the bathroom vent in a specific part of the soffit. The further you place the vent from the bathroom fan, though, the longer the duct must be. Place the exhaust vent as far from the soffit intake vents as possible. Seal any cracks or gaps in the soffit around the exhaust vent using silicone caulk.
Tags: bathroom vent, soffit vent, your house, intake vents, into attic, vent duct
Whether you are building it yourself or ordering a custom piece, designing your own dining room table ensures you get just the look you want. Many factors go into the design of a dining table. Taking the time to think about what you want and need from the furniture piece ensures you pick the best design for your room. After all the hard work, you'll enjoy a custom dining room table for your family and guests.
Instructions
1. Analyze your use for the dining room table. Consider the number of people who eat at it on a regular basis. Also consider how often you use the dining table while entertaining to help you determine the best size and design for the table.
2. Measure the to ensure the table design will fit. Take into account the chairs, leaving enough room to slide the chairs in and out. Leave enough room to easily walk around the table when people are sitting in the chairs.
3. Select the shape for the dining table. Round, oval, square and rectangle shapes all work well for dining tables. Round and square designs are better for smaller tables while oval and rectangle tables make better use of the space if you need a larger table.
4. Determine the size for the table. Also consider whether or not you will add table leaves in your design to expand the table as needed. A minimum width of 23 inches per table setting is recommended for a rectangular table. Round tables typically range from 36 to 70 inches in diameter.
5. Choose the height for the dining table. The standard height is 30 inches. Taller counter-height tables are a possibility. They typically stand about 36 inches tall.
6. Select the style of legs you want on the table. Dining tables typically have either four legs on the corners or one large pedestal in the middle to support the table. A larger table is typically better with four legs on the edges to prevent tipping.
7. Choose the type of wood you want to use for the dining table. Consider the other wood pieces in the dining room. Choosing the same type of wood makes the table fit better visually into the dining room.
8. Select the finish for the dining table. Many dining tables have a wood grain look to them using stain and polyurethane to finish the wood. Stain is available in a variety of colors to match the look you want. Painting is also an option.
9. Choose any custom details for the table, which might include a tiled top, engraving in the wood, decorative legs or a decorative edge along the table top.
Tags: dining room, dining room table, room table, dining table, dining table, your dining, your dining room
Cluttered and unorganized rooms aren't welcoming, even when it's your bedroom. Knowing where to begin is part of the challenge, but with helpful guidance from a parent, a teenage boy's room can be transformed for a place to study and relax. Put your heads together and find out from your teenager what his priorities are and work together. Depending on the severity of the clutter, and your teenager's willingness, this project could be done in a day or weekend.
Instructions
1. Set up a three large boxes in the bedroom. Label one box for donations and the second box for garbage. Look through the closet and drawers and remove clothing or items that can be placed into one of these boxes. Remove the boxes from the bedroom after that task is completed. Label the third box for keepsakes items that he would like to save, but don't need to be displayed.
2. Remove clothing that is out of season if the closet and drawer space is cramped. Store bulky garments in boxes or move to a storage room.
3. Toss dirty laundry into a basketball hamper that mounts over a door. Keep laundry off the floor by making a game of it. When full, the netting opens at the bottom for easy removal of the laundry.
4. Add more closet space by installing an extra rod for hanging clothes or another shelf above the existing rod. Raise or lower the existing rod to make more room. Wire shelves and wall brackets are found at home improvement centers and discount department stores Shelves can be cut to size at home improvement centers.
5. Buy a shoe rack for the floor or to mount over the closet door. Keeping shoes in one area eliminates misplacing a shoe.
6. Attach hooks to a wall for clothing worn almost daily. Hang hooks over doors for added convenience. Hoodies and jeans will be at his fingertips.
7. Use wicker baskets, colored cloth baskets or plastic bins to store supplies for hobbies.
8. Organize a work desk with shelves on nearby walls for school books. Shelves can display trophies or photos, too. Store CDs on a wall shelf or stand. Wire-mesh desk accessories provide easy access to pens and folders.
9. Use plastic bins for under the bed storage for sports magazines or a card collection. Store shoes or bulky sweatshirts in buns under the bed.
10. Attach a cork board or white board to the wall to track homework assignments, chores and sport schedules.
Tags: home improvement, home improvement centers, improvement centers, items that, plastic bins
If you love the feeling of being by the ocean but can't always be there, then maybe you should create a beach-themed bedroom to bring the surf and sand to you. When you think of beaches, you normally think of shells and sunshine. The ocean brings with it a calming effect, and you can have that same feel in your own bedroom. A beach-themed room can be fashioned for an adult or a child.
Color
The colors you choose for your will depend on the style you are looking for. If you are interested in a tropical feel, you may wish to use bright colors such as reds, yellows and greens. If you want more of a nautical feel, then you will want to use rich blues and reds. For a lush ocean scene, choose soft blues and tans to mimic the feel of the sand. Add yellow for a little color, and use neutral shades for throw rugs and curtains.
Bedding
Choose bedding that works well with the colors you have chosen for the walls. For boys' rooms, use stripes and bold, solid colors. For girls, try using large, tropical flower prints for the bedding. If the room is for an adult, use neutral shades such as sand and baby blue. Coordinate colors that you normally see at the ocean---to mimic driftwood and shells, use shades of brown and tan. These choices will work well with most shades you have selected for the wall color.
Accessories
The accessories you choose will complete the look of a beach bedroom. For boys, you can add surfboards and life preservers to make the room feel more athletic. Girls might opt for this look as well. Add tropical prints, carved ocean animals and shells as knickknacks around the room. You also can look for lighthouses. Hang a net in the corner filled with shells and an anchor. Natural-colored furniture fits well into a beach scene. You could even add a lifeguard stand for seating.
Reupholstering leather dining room chairs can make a world of difference to the decor of the room. The first part of reupholstering leather dining room chairs is removing all of the tacks that hold the leather securely to the wooden frame of the chair. You must be careful when removing the tacks so you do not damage the chair. Using a few household tools and a few precautions makes the job easier.
Instructions
1. Start at a place on the chair where the tacks are already coming loose. In none of the tacks are loose, start at the back of the chair, preferably in an inconspicuous spot.
2. Insert the flat-head screwdriver up underneath the upholstery. Use the hammer to lightly tap the screwdriver underneath the surface of the fabric and the tacks if necessary.
3. Press the head of the screwdriver against the chair while you pull the handle of the screwdriver up. Be careful not to damage the wood underneath the upholstery.
4. Wiggle the screwdriver back and forth a little to help loosen and remove the tacks from the wood frame.
5. Loosen a few of the tacks in a row. Remove the tacks from the leather.
6. Pull the leather with your hands, away from the chair, to loosen the next tacks. Pull out as many tacks as you can this way to prevent using tools, which might cause damage to the wood frame of the chair.
7. Use a small claw hammer to remove stubborn tacks. Place the claw underneath the upholstery and the tack. Use leverage to pull up the tacks.
8. Work your way around the chair to remove all the tacks.
These classic chairs are easy to build and elegant.
Decorating your home should be fun and easy, especially your dining room. Select a dining room chair that will live with you for the long haul. For example, classic wood pieces withstand trends, fit everyone's style, and last a lifetime. Wood pieces like a dining room chair are also easy to build.
Instructions
1. Identify the hardware. Inspect the unassembled components of your new dining room chair. Do not use the chair if any part appears damaged, broken or missing.
2. Select an area where you can spread out your materials and keep all pieces away from small children and animals. Make sure your area is clean.
3. Attach the seat frame to the back frame. Lay the back frame on its back, and place the seat frame in a sitting position (facing upward). Depending upon your chair, there may be three or four holes in the back of the seat frame. Using a flat washer, a lock washer, and a short hex bolt (in this order) for each hole, bolt the seat frame to the back frame. Keep in mind that the lock washer should always be next to the bolt head.
4. Tighten the bolts using a key wrench. Make sure they are tight as possible
5. Attach the front legs. Place both front legs in position, directing all four bolts (two for each leg) through the holes in the seat frame. Using the flat washer, a lock washer, and a nut (in that order), loosely secure all four bolts on the front legs onto the seat frame. Do not tighten these nuts all the way.
6. Level the chair. Place the chair upright and gently press down on the seat to level the chair. This will make sure your new chair does not wobble.
7. Tighten all nuts and bolts with the key wrench. At this point, everything should be as tight as possible.
Add visual interest to a room with twin beds by using a symmetrical theme.
Decorating a room with twin beds has many advantages. As one of the smallest bed sizes available, generally leave the maximum amount of space in a room for additional furniture and decoration. A pair of twin beds also adds this benefit but provides the opportunity to add a stylish decor pattern. Use the twin theme as a guide when building your decorative props and color schemes. Creating a mirror look in the room with each twin bed at opposite ends of the room is a fun idea that works for all bedrooms regardless of function.
Instructions
1. Use a piece of tape to mark the line of symmetry within the room. This line serves as your guide as you create a symmetrical look on each side of the room.
2. Push the twin beds against opposite walls in the room. This opens up the floor, giving it a more spacious feel. If you have a window in the room, the beds should be on either wall adjacent to the window.
3. Choose identical linens for each bed. Linens with geometric patterns offer the best visual appeal for the symmetrical theme.
4. Add two chests of drawers, bookshelves and small nightstands to the room. Add the nightstand next to each bed. Place the chest of drawers and bookshelves in remaining space in the room ensuring each item is opposite the other across your line of symmetry.
5. Hang photos and add tabletop accessories such as a wall clock to add further detail to the room. The more detail included in the space, the more intentional the symmetry will appear. For example, two clock radios on the nightstand indicate more of a whimsical style than function.
Tags: twin beds, room with, drawers bookshelves, line symmetry, room This, room with twin, space room
An open floor plan allows you to be creative with your space and rearrange at a moment's notice to handle an unexpected event. An open plan also creates a more welcoming atmosphere with fewer walls to separate family members from one another. An open living and dining area makes it easier to serve large groups of people. You can arrange furniture in such a way that the two areas are completely separate without the need for dividers.
Instructions
1. Arrange the dining room table and chairs near the kitchen for easy service. If the table is a rectangular or oblong shape, you should arrange it with one end three or four feet from the kitchen entrance.
2. Place an area rug under the table to accentuate the fact that it is a separate space. The rug should be slightly larger than the table for this purpose.
3. Leave three or four feet between the areas to allow people to walk between them without difficulty.
4. Make your sofa the central piece in the living area. It should face the focal point of the room, away from the dining area. The focal point may be a fireplace, entertainment center or a window with a great view.
5. Put the chairs on each side of the couch, creating a square or rectangle with the couch and focal point. Each item should be a few feet away from the others.
Tags: focal point, away from, dining area, four feet, three four, three four feet
Take time to decide on your accent wall paint color.
Painting an accent wall can instantly update a room. If you are looking to add a splash of color to your living-dining room, this process is fairly inexpensive and straightforward. It is a great way to bring together different colors and designs in the room for a more cohesive finish. The most difficult part is deciding what color to go for, because there is such an extensive range of options available.
Instructions
1. Choose the wall that you are going to paint in the accent color. In a living-dining room, this may be the wall with a feature such as a fireplace mantel or TV, or the wall that is directly opposite the dinner table.
2. Pick up a selection of paint color sample pots from your local home improvement store. Choose colors that will compliment the existing furnishings in your living-dining room.
3. Paint small sections of your accent wall in different colors and allow them to dry to let you see how each color looks in the light of the room and against the other decor colors. Choose a color that matches the other walls of the room. If you like the color of the other walls, go for the same one but in a darker shade -- at least two shades darker to provide a sufficient contrast.
4. Purchase your paint. As a general rule it is best if accent wall paint matches the paint on the other walls in terms of sheen. Various types of sheen are available, including matte, satin, gloss and semi-gloss. When it comes to quantity, remember that 1 gallon of paint should be enough to paint approximately 350 square feet. Buying a tinted primer to apply before your color can reduce the need for multiple coats.
5. Use drop cloths to cover the floor and furniture around the accent wall.
6. Wash your accent wall with warm, soapy water to remove all dust and grime and prepare it for painting. Fill any small holes with spackle.
7. Fix painter's tape to the edges of the adjoining walls and over the baseboard to ensure straight lines.
8. Immerse your roller or brush in the paint, ensuring that it is not too thick. What you use is down to personal preference; many people find it easier to cover large sections of a wall with a roller. If you are using a roller, you will need to tip some of your paint into a paint tray. If you are using a brush, tap it gently on the inside of the paint can to get rid of excess paint and reduce dripping.
9. Apply your first layer of paint using even strokes in one directions.
10. Paint edges carefully with a small angled brush.
11. Leave the paint to dry before applying a second coat if required.
12. Take off the painter's tape and inspect for any areas that need to be touched up.
Tags: accent wall, your accent, your accent wall, accent wall, living-dining room