The beauty of wood can be enhanced with wood stain, a coloring or tint made especially for wood that will tint the wood grain without covering it like paint would. Wood stain is available in various colors, so research which you prefer. One option for bedroom furniture is to use a low VOC, or volatile organic compound, stain that will emit little or no odors. The bedroom is a place for rest and relaxation, so it should smell good and look beautiful.
Instructions
1. Clean the furniture to be stained. The wood will need to be completely free of dirt and debris.
2. Lightly sand the furniture. This will prepare the surface to accept the stain and remove any previous finish that could prevent even coats. Wipe clean.
3. Apply stain in the direction of the wood grain with a sponge, brush or rag, according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply two to three coats to achieve the desired color. Use gloves to protect your hands and newspaper or drop cloths to protect the floor.
4. Protect the new finish with a polyurethane coating, again applying in the direction of the grain. Apply two to three coats, lightly sanding the surface in between each coat.
5. Use coasters and fabric protectors to keep the furniture finish perfect. While the polyurethane will protect the finish, you will need to keep water from standing on the surface and protect it from scratches from lamps or other furniture.
Tags: Apply three, coats, that will, three coats, will need, wood grain
Traditional style decor is one of the most popular interior design themes. There are many varieties of the design style, and many ways to incorporate traditional elements into your home. Decorating a bedroom in a traditional style will leave you with a distinguished and polished look, while retaining many elements of comfort and luxury that you crave.
Instructions
1. Choose what genre of traditional design you desire. 18th-century English, French countryside, 19th-century neoclassic, and British Colonial revival are all options to consider. Look through interior design magazines and online at sites such as HGTV.com to familiarize yourself with what is available. Choose whatever makes you smile and feel relaxed.
2. Choose your color scheme, keeping in mind the particulars of the traditional style you chose. For instance, French countryside themes feature cool colors such as blue while 18th-century English designs feature warm colors like gold and burgundy. Knowing what colors you want in your bedroom in advance makes it easier to complete the look than trying to pick your colors as you go along.
3. wall colors. Do you want to stick with neutral walls and use draperies and other elements to bring color in, or do you want to paint your walls a bold color? Start by choosing your wall color, and then paint your bedroom. This will allow you to add decorative elements as you see fit.
4. Choose your flooring. If you plan to keep your existing flooring, consider adding new area rugs for a splash of color. If you want to change your floor covering, do that now.
5. Purchase a bedroom set, or re-finish furniture you already have. Rich woods, wrought iron and brass are all popular traditional style elements. Keep your overall theme and color scheme in mind while choosing your furniture. Traditional style is also known for comfort, so keep this in mind when you choose your furniture. Make sure that all pieces will fit comfortably inside your bedroom without making your living space feel crowded. This may mean foregoing an armoire or downsizing from a king bed to a queen bed.
6. Select your window treatments. Are you going to go for sheer treatments over blinds, or do you want rich and luxurious draperies? Don't forget to select hardware that matches your decor theme to pull together the look.
7. Select your bedding and accessories. Many stores will sell bedding in a set with everything you need for a particular look. Accessories can be simple things such as framed family photos and candles or can be exquisite paintings and unique antiques.
Tags: interior design, traditional style, your bedroom, 18th-century English, Choose your, choosing your, color scheme
An upholstered headboard adds drama to a bedroom wall
Bedroom walls are not difficult to decorate. It can be fun to pick out just the right décor and accessories for this, the most personal room in a home. Unlike more public rooms in the house, the bedroom should be uniquely yours. Create a restful and personal bedroom by adding paint, wallpaper, photos, shelves and your favorite personal items to the walls.
Paint and Wallpaper
Paint is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to decorate a bedroom wall. Create a cozy cottage feeling by installing wainscoting halfway up the wall, then painting the upper half of the wall a soft neutral color. Another popular look in bedrooms is to use painter's tape to create wide vertical stripes. Paint every other stripe in a slightly darker tone of the same shade of paint. This look is attractive when used on an accent wall behind the bed. Accent walls can also be decorated with wallpaper. Choose a romantic pattern and wallpaper the wall behind the bed. Finish the rest of the room off in a paint color that complements the wallpaper.
Photos
Photos are popular in bedrooms, especially master bedrooms. You don't want to cover an entire wall with family photos, however. This will create a cluttered look that is not conducive to the relaxing feeling that should be created in a bedroom. Instead, choose two or three favorite photos, and have them printed in black and white or sepia tones. Then, mat and frame the photos in the same frame for a cohesive, elegant and restful look. Hang them in a horizontal row above a chair rail or headboard.
Shelves
Shelves are a great way to break up the flat surface of the wall in a bedroom. You do not want to use them in the same way you would in a family room, however. Do not crowd the shelves with too many books or use them to hold DVDs. Again, doing so will take away from the serene feeling of the bedroom. Instead, create a warm and cozy atmosphere by placing a small lamp on a shelf, along with a simple vase of flowers or a green houseplant. Add one or two favorite books. For a more romantic bedroom, replace the lamp with some candles and add an incense diffuser.
Headboard
The wall behind the bed is usually the focal wall in any bedroom. If the bed does not have a headboard, the wall will look empty and bare, even if you decorate it. Therefore, the best decoration for this wall is to create a headboard for the bed. This can be done with a simple piece of plywood, some batting, fabric and a staple gun. For directions on put a headboard together with these materials, see the link in the Resource section. You can also create the illusion of a headboard by attaching window shutters to the wall. Lay one or both of them horizontally for a distinctive look.
Walk-in closets are often seen in master bedrooms.
Not all bedroom closets are the same size. Some are small reach-in closets, while others are large walk-in closets. Sometimes a closet can equal the size of an entire room. However, bedroom closet sizes generally follow standard dimensions, whether they are small, medium or large.
Linen Closet Size
Some bedrooms have a linen closet, which holds sheets, blankets and towels. The minimum depth of a linen closet is generally 14 inches and the minimum width is generally 18 inches. Linen closets are small and basically made to store bed and bathroom fabrics rather than clothing.
Reach-In Closet Size
A reach-in closet generally has a minimum depth of 2 feet and width of 3 feet. Reach-in closets are often in any bedroom other than the master. It is a small closet made to hold shoes, clothing and general storage items.
Walk-In Closet Size
Walk-in closets usually have a minimum width of 6 feet and a length of 8 feet. A walk-in closet is usually attached to a master bedroom. It holds shoes, clothing and personal items. Some walk-in closets are built according to custom dimensions and can be quite large in size.
Ceiling Height
The preferred ceiling height of a closet is 8 feet, but many are only 7 feet high. The height of the closet ceiling often depends on the height of the bedroom ceiling.
Closet Organizers
Closet organizers help open more space by allowing for more storage, hiding away extra clothes or clutter from the floor. Shoe organizers, shelving units and wardrobe racks store shoes, clothes and accessories. Some companies specialize in closet organization systems and you can have one custom built into your closet to aid in organization.
A bedroom scheme can fit in with the rest of your home or be totally removed.
When you buy or rent a new unfurnished home, each room is like a blank canvas on which you can paint your own personal style. While you may want to maintain a flow through most of the house, bedrooms are an ideal place to create individual designs tailored to the bedroom's inhabitant. When creating a bedroom design, as in creating most room designs, important factors include placement of furniture and functionality.
Instructions
1. Select colors based on whether the bedroom is for a member of your household or to be used as a guest room. While a black bedroom may be the ultimate color for your teenager, it may not seem all that welcoming to house guests. The overall color scheme of your home can also have an effect on your ability to sell the house later, so if you only plan to live in the house for a short period, try to keep the bedroom colors uniform with the rest of the house.
2. Choose the bed for a bedroom based on the number of people who need to use the room, the room's size and the comfort level that you desire. Since, ideally, you spend one-third of each day sleeping, consider your bed and its placement first and foremost in your bedroom design. Once you know the size that you want for your bed, put your bed into the room first or mark off the proper dimensions of the bed, such as 60-by-80 inches for a queen or roughly 40-by-75 inches for a twin, on the floor with masking tape, so that you know where the bed will go once you get it.
3. Add other functional items to the bedroom in the places where they fit best or will be of the most use. Bedside tables, for instance, should be on either side of the bed, while dressers should be placed in areas of the room where the opening of the drawers won't be impeded. If the idea of selecting matching furniture pieces worries you, you can always buy a bedroom furniture set, which generally includes the bed frame, bedside tables and dressers.
4. Decorate the furniture and walls however you want. If the room is a guest room, you might consider using a theme to help guide your decorating. If the bedroom is for a member of your household, you can choose a theme that fits your family member or give her free reign over her bedroom decor.
Tags: , bedroom member, bedroom member your, guest room, member your
A bedroom is your personal sanctuary in your home, It should be a comfortable space that reflects your personal style. Whether you're decorating your own bedroom, or your daughter's, create a sophisticated space that showcases femininity. Through the use of color and decorative accents, you can transform your bedroom into a grand, feminine space that looks like it came right out of a luxe hotel.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls a quintessentially feminine color -- pink or purple, for example. Choose a shade that speaks to your style, such as pastel for an understated country chic room, or a bold shade for a regal look. If purple and pink aren't colors for you, soft shades of yellow, green and blue also work to create a feminine design.
2. Select decorative pieces of furniture. A brass canopy bed or a wooden, four-poster bed is an ideal choice for this space. Other options include a bed with an over-sized upholstered headboard that features a solid-colored or printed fabric, matching the color scheme of the room or a headboard and foot board constructed of ornately carved wood. Bring in a vintage satin settee to create a seating area. A vanity with a small seat and a decorative mirror are other pieces of furniture that add a feminine touch to the space.
3. Incorporate luxurious linens in the space. Make the bed with satin or high-thread-count cotton sheets in a solid color that coordinates with the color scheme. Place a satin, velvet or brushed-cotton over-stuffed or goose down comforter on top of the sheets. Choose a comforter that features a solid color, or one with a feminine design, such as fleur de lis, toile or gingham. Hang floor-to-ceiling velvet or satin draperies or sheers on the windows to add a romantic look to the space.
4. Illuminate the room with a crystal, brass or brushed nickel chandelier and wall sconces.
5. Display images of romantic settings on the walls, such as a hillside full of flowers or the Eiffel Tower. Display these images in ornate picture frames.
6. Set candelabras and candlesticks topped with scented taper candles on dressers and bedside tables.
7. Fill decorative vases with fresh floral arrangements to add natural color and fragrance to the room.
8. Place a mirrored makeup tray with decorative perfume bottles, lotion bottles and a sterling silver brush on the vanity or on a dresser.
Tags: space that, bedroom your, color scheme, feminine design, feminine touch, pieces furniture, solid color
Placing your bed in the center of the room creates a different look.
Discovering a new way to arrange your bedroom might include furniture placement or the things you include in your bedroom. Straying from a standard bedroom design can give your room the cool factor you're looking for, whether you position your bed at an odd angle or decorate with colors and items that seem to transport you to another place or time when you step inside the room.
In the Corner
Position your bed against a corner if you want to create an interesting look and have the space. Add more interest by adding something behind the bed, such as a decorative screen, shelf or plant, or add a canopy over the bed. Situating the bed diagonally doesn't leave much floorspace or room for other furniture in a small room. Overcome that by placing a dresser in the closet or use a bed with built-in storage. Your bed will command attention in this position, so use bright bedding, decorative pillows or wrap silk flowers or lights around the headboard if it has slats.
Off the Wall
Take your bed completely off the wall and make it the center of attention by positioning it in the center of the room. Though this works best for a round bed, it will work with any bed if you have enough room. Create zones around the bed, such as a little reading nook on the opposite side of the headboard, an entertainment area in front of the bed and display space on the sides of the bed. Alternatively, use a large headboard to separate a large room into a bedroom space and entertainment space. Place the entertainment center on the opposite side of the headboard.
Somewhere Else
Use your walls to transform your bedroom into another place. For example, paint the walls or put up a wall mural that looks like the ocean, a tropical beach or a forest. Use furniture that would fit in with that environment, such as wicker furniture for a beach escape. Arrange your furniture so you're looking at the wall with the mural from all points in the room. Use the same idea to create a bedroom straight out of the 1950s, 1970s or the era you like best.
A Place for Everything
Arrange your bedroom so there is hidden storage everywhere, especially if you have a small bedroom and not enough space for your things. Add shelves above your bed or dresser; use storage ottomans as extra seating at the foot of the bed; and slide baskets or bins under the bed. Use furniture risers to lift your bed so you can store more under the bed.
Tags: your bedroom, , Arrange your, center room, opposite side, opposite side headboard, side headboard
Small bedrooms pose design and decorating challenges. However, you can integrate architectural elements, color schemes and finishes that give the illusion of volume. Study your bedroom floor plan, and consider a variety of arrangements so you can determine keep spaces feeling open and breezy. The best aspect about decorating small bedrooms is that minimal changes have a dramatic impact on the interior.
Instructions
1. Clear out clutter and bulky objects from your bedroom. Eliminate pieces that serve no purpose in the bedroom, and relegate them to another room. Recycle, sell or donate items that you no longer need so that you can assess how much space your small bedroom has for storage. Clean windows, walls and surfaces.
2. Study your floor plan to determine design possibilities for the small space. Adding a window or widening a current window brightens small interiors. Install a skylight or solar tubes over a dark corner or narrow space to beautify it. If your master bedroom has bulky closet, bathroom or other interior doors, replace them with lighter weight pieces or even tri-fold screens or curtains. The narrow strip of wall beneath sloping walls or dormer ceilings can hold cabinets or built-in shelving.
3. Paint small bedroom surfaces to create the illusion of increased space. A monochromatic room makes an interior feel larger and more streamlined. Cool colors, such as lavender, stone gray, periwinkle, steel blue and green, make walls appear to recede. Use a semi-gloss paint in blue-based white on ceilings and sloping walls to reflect light.
4. Invest in furniture that offers small space solutions, such as a bed with hidden storage or a loft bed with a work space underneath. A tall, narrow bookshelf can serve as a room divider and privacy screen. An ottoman surrounded by floor cushions transforms a corner into an area for reading, exercising or drinking a cup of tea. A pendant light gives the space sculptural detail while providing task lighting. A long, modular cabinet next to the bed serves as a nightstand while holding storage containers for sorting your belongings.
5. Soften surfaces with textiles. Lightweight, flexible fabric brightens a small bedroom without consuming valuable floor space. Float a gauzy canopy over your bed, and hang sheer panels or window scarves in the windows. Modular carpet tile can provide a pop of color and pattern on the floor. Neutral bedding brightens with a scattering of throw pillows in florals, stripes, toile or paisley.
Tags: small bedroom, brightens small, Design Small, Design Small Master, floor plan, sloping walls
Give your baby her own space, even in a one bedroom apartment.
Having a baby requires making room in your home for the baby and all of her things. Create a special place for your baby, even if it's just a nook in a one bedroom apartment. A baby can have her own designated area even if a bedroom is not available. Use a corner of your own bedroom, the living room or the dining room as the baby's nursery. Clear out the designated area and turn it into the baby's space.
Instructions
1. If you have permission to paint your apartment's wall, paint the walls in the baby's corner to distinguish the space. The color should complement the color in the rest of the room, yet play into a baby-friendly color scheme or theme. If you can't paint, consider using a peel-and-stick wallpaper, border or decals to decorate the walls in the baby's area.
2. Use space-saving furniture or pieces that do double-duty. For example, place a changing pad on top of a chest or shelf instead of using a changing table. Opt for a compact crib that turns into a twin-sized bed or use a bassinet if you plan to move to a larger home within the first six months of your baby's life.
3. Separate the baby's area from the rest of the room with a folding screen or by positioning furniture as a divider. Shelves, dressers and screens can topple if the baby tries to climb on the furniture once he's mobile and should not be used as long-term solutions unless they can be properly anchored.
Instead, install a rod or rail on the ceiling and hang fabric or curtains. One side can be a solid color or adult-friendly pattern, while the other can feature child-friendly images that complement the theme or color scheme you're using in the baby's space.
4. Include storage for your baby's clothing and toys and any other baby items you require. Hang floating shelves above the dresser to hold baskets or bins of the baby's items. A small rod can hang from the bottom of a shelf to hang some of the baby's clothes. Consider using a tall bookshelf with fitted bins instead of a traditional dresser to house the baby's toys, clothes and supplies. Slender containers can store extras underneath your bed or the baby's crib.
5. Complete the area with baby-friendly accessories that complement the rest of the decor in the baby's nursery. For example, replace the shade of a floor lamp with a baby-friendly shade, plug in a themed nightlight and hang a mobile above the baby's crib. Hang wooden blocks or fabric letters above the crib that spell out the baby's name to further personalize the space.
Tags: your baby, baby space, baby area, baby crib, baby items, bedroom apartment, color scheme
Summer is here and it's time to enjoy the great outdoors. Sitting outside in your own outdoor dining area is not only relaxing, but also a great way to meet new people by inviting them into your home. With a few simple tables, chairs and plants, you can turn your lawn into a cozy outdoor dining area.
Instructions
1. Decide exactly what you want to put into your outdoor dining area. These decisions need to be thought out first so that you know exactly how much space you will need to complete your project.
2. Look in your yard and decide where you want to place your outdoor dining area. Be sure to choose an area that is near a wall of your home to make the building process easier. Decide what area would be most suitable for sitting outside and relaxing. Focus on a section of your yard that does not receive too much wind or sunlight. Also, remember that privacy and noise level are often a concern, so choose a section of your yard that you feel gives you the most privacy.
3. Use an exterior wall of your house as one of the sides of the outdoor dining area. Since the wall is already in place, it is one less structure you will need to build, saving you both time and money.
4. Create an "adjacent wall" from the exterior wall. While you can build a fence to do this, it may be far more natural to plant a hedge. You can do this with sunflowers since they grow tall and can form a wall all on their own. Or, if you prefer to have a shorter hedge, you can plant hydrangeas or classic boxwood. The boxwood takes a few years to fully mature, but in the end it will look beautiful.
5. Put out a table and chairs now that the actual "walls" are set up for your outdoor dining area. Be sure to choose furniture that is weather-resistant and durable as they will see a good deal of wear and tear. Place the furniture outside so that your family and other guests will be able to eat and relax comfortably.
6. Consider the inevitable outdoor pests. These pests can dampen any outdoor dining experience, but are manageable with the right tools. Use citronella-scented candles or oil lanterns to help keep mosquitoes away. Also, use food covers so that ants and flies won't be sitting on the food you are about to serve. Now it's time to just sit back, relax and enjoy your new outdoor dining area.
Tags: dining area, outdoor dining, your outdoor, your outdoor dining, outdoor dining area
For the girlie girl's bedroom, create an ultra-feminine ambiance. Coordinate delicate furniture, decorative lighting and bedding that complement one another with a touch of elegance and fanciful design. To find unusual, inexpensive pieces and accessories, rummage in secondhand shops and flea markets. Here are three themes that will capture her heart: Make the bedroom chic with stylish French couture. Capture lighthearted bliss with butterflies. Or opt for sugary sweet in cotton candy pinks and chocolate browns.
Eiffel Tower
With a Paris theme, you'll create a bedroom that will have your daughter saying, "ooh la la." Paint the walls linen white and hang Parisian prints or a photograph of the Eiffel Tower. Hang a shabby chic mirror and stencil "couture" in black script along the frame.
Select a wrought-iron bed frame with delicate scroll work and spindles. Place the bed against a headboard mural depicting Paris. Your girlie girl's bedding could feature the Eiffel tower against a pink or white background. Arrange ruffle-edged pillows in pink and black atop the bed.
Pick a white vanity table and stool with delicately carved legs. Change furniture knobs to porcelain Eiffel tower ones.
For the final touches to this Parisian retreat, find a bedside lamp with a satin bow shade. Soften the windows with sheer pale pink curtains. Place a Paris accent rug bedside the bed and complete the look with a toy French poodle sitting on the bed.
Butterfly Garden
Transform your little girl's bedroom with fanciful butterflies. Paint the walls pink and leave the trim white. Then install a mural above the bed depicting butterfly garden flowers. You could also stencil a garden scene with fanciful butterflies fluttering along the walls or install a wallpaper border of flowers and butterflies.
Choose a mint green and white butterfly quilt and an eyelet lace bed skirt, then add ruffled shams in white or mint green. Drape a sheer canopy in mint green or white over the bed.
Select white furniture with spindled ornamentation and ornament it by stenciling butterflies along the furniture sides swirling upward. Weave pale-colored silk flowers along the headboard top.
Decorate nylon wired butterflies with crystals, jewels and paint to suspend from the ceiling. Add a whimsical butterfly shelf for knickknacks. Complete the garden look with a floral rug.
Pink Sugar
This décor is sweet and feminine. Paint the walls pastel pink and use chocolate brown as the accent color. Pair a polka dot comforter with a chocolate brown ruffled bed skirt, and make the bed with pastel pink sheets. Throw pillows with pink and brown polka dots or daisies add the finishing touch.
Opt for a Jenny Lind bed frame, nightstand and dresser in ivory. Change any knobs to a daisy design. Cover an upholstered chair in pastel pink velvet and toss on pom-pom trimmed pillows in creamy white and chocolate brown on top. Affix a pink silk daisy at the center of each pillow.
Put up a scalloped edge creamy white mirror. Hang a framed flower print in the same color scheme. Lay a pastel pink rug on the floor. Select billowing silk pastel pink or chocolate brown window panels.
Hang colorful bags on your wall for storage and decoration.
Long after the '60s, the ideas of the hippie movement are still inspiring. Not only that, but the hippie look is in fashion, which means that many pieces can be purchased off the shelf. You can also just do your own thing--which is even more true to the hippie spirit.
Creating Your Own Hippie Pad
Make a list of what you love about the '60s. Is it the music? The politics? The psychedelic art? Decide which aspects mean the most to you and collect some posters that reflect your interests.These can be reproductions of band posters for the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead, or inspirational posters with quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. If you are going for a psychedelic look, find posters of artwork with bright colors and surrealistic images. You can also use reproductions of newspaper and magazine covers.
Do It Yourself
Many of the elements of the hippie look are easy to make yourself. Paint the walls in a bright orange or groovy purple. Depending on the look you are going for, you can paint geometric shapes or a large peace sign. Remember that small imperfections are just a way of showing that the painting was done by hand. Hang colorful scarves on the doors and tapestries on the walls. Add a few macramé planters and a few strands of beads to complete the look. Try searching thrift stores for vintage gear to complete the effect. A dress that is the wrong size can be hung on the wall as decoration. This is one style that becomes more authentic if you go a little overboard.
Appeal to the Senses
The lava lamp was a staple of every hippie pad, but you do not need to stop there. Add small decorator lamps covered with beads and exotic patterns for a funky effect. Use red and blue bulbs to heighten the mood. The hippie aesthetic is not only visual. Create a full sensory experience by appealing to the senses of touch, sound and smell as well. Hang a beaded curtain inside your bedroom door so that you can feel as well hear the transition into your private space. Use furry covers for your pillows or choose an extra fuzzy throw rug. Add small bells to appeal to sound as well. The sense of smell is one of the most powerful memory triggers. This can be invoked with incense or candles. If open flame is not permitted in your room, you can also use open bowls of potpourri and spices.
Exhaust fans are used to vent excess heat and steam out of your bathroom. You may need to install a new vent fan or replace an old vent fan with a newer model, such as a GE. This involves mounting the exhaust fan unit in the ceiling. Once you have installed the GE exhaust fan in the ceiling of your bathroom you will need to wire the unit to a wall switch to turn it on and of.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the bathroom by turning off the circuit at the circuit box.
2. Remove the grille cover on the exhaust fan and locate the motor.
3. Remove the screws that are securing the motor in the housing with a screwdriver. Unplug the motor and then pull it out from the housing.
4. Remove the screws that are used to secure the built-in outlet in the exhaust fan. Pull out the outlet to expose the electrical wiring for the fan.
5. Locate the existing electrical wiring from the light switch you want to use to power the fan.
6. Twist together the black wire to black wire and the white wire to white wire. Cover the wires with wire covers.
7. Loosen the ground screw on the exhaust fan with the screwdriver. Place the bare copper ground wire around the screw and then tighten it with the screwdriver.
8. Set the built-in outlet back in place and tighten the screws to secure it to the housing.
9. Place the fan motor back into position and plug it back in. Tighten the screws to secure it to the housing.
10. Replace the grille cover and then turn the power back on to the bathroom to test the fan.
Tags: , Bathroom Exhaust, black wire, built-in outlet, electrical wiring
A chandelier installed over a dining room table can make an immediate impact on the look and feel of a dining room--but, if it isn't installed properly--your good intentions can quickly be transformed into an eyesore. Off-center or low-hanging chandeliers are instantly recognizable--and they cannot only distract your dinner guests--but for some, they can be a head injury waiting to happen. Here's make sure your dining room chandelier makes a lasting impression--but not for all the wrong reasons.
Instructions
1. Remove the dining room table and chairs from the dining room before taking your measurements. Leave the remaining furniture against the wall for the time being.
2. The first thing you have to do when deciding where will be installed is to find the center of the dining room in relation to your dining room table. This can differ depending on the size of the room. For instance, in a smaller room, if you have a large armoire or another large piece of furniture along the wall, you may want to make that the point from which you begin your measurement. If you take the measurement from wall to wall, and you have a large piece of furniture against one wall, you will be marking the center of the room and NOT the center in relation to where the table will be positioned.
3. Use the plastic box cover that comes with the ceiling fan/chandelier bracket as a template for the access hole you will be cutting in the ceiling. Once you have the access hole cut for the box and bracket, run a circuit from your electrical panel to the dining room for the new chandelier, or if you have an available circuit, you can pick up a feed as long as it can support the additional load.
If you are replacing an existing ceiling light with a chandelier, then the feed will already be in place, so you can skip this step.
4. If you are replacing an existing light fixture, you will have to remove the ceiling box if it is NOT rated for a chandelier. Most pre-existing boxes are not. Turn off the power to the existing circuit, remove the fixture and remove the ceiling box.
5. Install the ceiling box and bracket as per the included instructions. Leave about 8 to 12 inches of cable hanging out of the box.
6. Use the Romex stripper to remove the outer sheath on the cable (if it is a new circuit).
7. Secure the chandelier's mounting bracket to the ceiling box.
8. Strip about 3/4 inches of insulation from the ends of each wire in the ceiling box.
9. Assemble your chandelier and hold it up to the ceiling to gauge the proper chain length for installation. For an 8-foot ceiling, the chandelier should hang no lower than 30 to 34 inches above the tabletop. For ceilings higher than 8 feet, add 3 inches to that height for each additional foot.
10. Make the appropriate adjustments to the chain and wire length on the chandelier.
11. Make your wire connections, black to black, white to white and ground to ground. Wrap each wire connector with electrical tape for added protection, and carefully stuff the wires back inside the ceiling box while you secure the chandelier to the mounting bracket.
12. Install the chandelier's canopy and chain and insert the proper light bulbs into the fixture's sockets.
13. Turn the circuit back on and test your new chandelier.
Tags: dining room, dining room table, room table, your chandelier, about inches
Give dining room chairs an instant boost with a colorful or classy fabric cover for the back of the chair. There is no need for extensive sewing skills to make a simple chair back cover to slip over the back of the chair. Find a fabric in a color or print that complements your other dining room decor and sew fashionable covers for the backs of your dining room chairs.
Instructions
1. Place the end of the tape measure at the left edge of the chair back at the widest point and wrap the tape measure around the entire chair back until you come back around to the starting point. Write this measurement down. Measure the height and the depth of the chair back together and write this measurement down. Add 1 inch to each total for seam allowances.
2. Cut a piece of fabric that equals the total of your two measurements.
3. Lay out the fabric with the wrong side facing up. Fold up one long edge of the fabric 1/4 inch and press the fold. Press the long edge up another 1/4 inch and press this fold. Pin the folded edge with straight pins to hold it securely.
4. Stitch along the folded edge, sewing 1/8-inch away from the fold to hem the fabric. Remove the straight pins.
5. Cut a length of ribbon that is 1 inch longer than the long edge of the fabric. Place the ribbon along the right side of the hemmed edge of the fabric, folding under the ends of the ribbon 1/2 inch. Pin the ribbon right over the stitching and then stitch the ribbon in place along the long edge of the fabric. Remove the pins.
6. Fold the fabric in half crosswise and match up the two short sides of fabric with right sides facing each other. Pin the short sides together with straight pins and pin the remaining raw edge together also. This leaves the hemmed edge unpinned.
7. Stitch the short side with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Turn the corner and stitch the raw edge together also. Remove the straight pins. You now have an envelope of fabric.
8. Turn the chair back cover right side out. Pull out the corners to make them crisp and pointed. Iron the fabric, if necessary.
9. Slip the chair back cover over the back of the dining room chair.
Tags: chair back, edge fabric, long edge, straight pins, back cover, chair back cover
One stained chair can ruin the look of your entire dining set.
Stains on dining room chairs can be discouraging, especially if you don't catch them in time to spot wash them away and they have dried and permanently set into the fabric. Before you do serious damage trying to clean your dining room chair, investigate a few ways to creatively cover the stain.
Instructions
1. Use your child's accessories to cover the stain. If you have a growing baby or a toddler that needs a high chair or booster seat, instead of purchasing a freestanding model, install a chair model. The seat straps securely to your chairs and allows the child to use the table as a surface for eating. This way, the stain is covered by your child's seat.
2. Change the decor in your dining room and dye all of your chairs (including the stained chair) to match your new color scheme. You can purchase a dye kit at a home improvement store or a fabric store.
3. Change the chair's purpose. Unless you're hosting a dinner party or have a huge family, chances are you don't use all of the chairs at your dining room table anyway. Remove the offending chair and use it in your bedroom to drape clothing over; you can also use it in the bathroom to hold clean towels, in your living room to hold books that are waiting to be re-shelved, or as a plant stand. You can also use the stained chair to prop up a mid-length mirror.
4. Purchase chair cushions for some or all of your chairs, including the stained chair. Cushions not only make chairs more comfortable, but can be easily untied or removed for easy washing. They can also be flipped over for stains that are impossible to removed.
5. Purchase slipcovers. Unlike cushions, slip covers change the entire decor of a dining room table; you will have to purchase one for each chair in order to maintain the theme in your dining room. Slip covers can be purchased online, at furniture stores, fabric stores, home improvement stores and department stores, and come in an array of styles, colors and fabrics. You may want to buy a couple of different sets; one for everyday, one for formal occasions, and one for during the winter holiday season.
Tags: stained chair, your dining, room, dining room, dining room, your chairs
Decorating a bedroom in the rustic style of the creates a cozy and restful atmosphere. The French country style features soft shades and a distressed painting technique on the furnishings to create the appearance of a room that is both timeworn and elegant. The furniture for your French country bedroom should be large and solid but less ornate than formal French decorating styles.
Colors
French country colors are soft and include shades of white, cream and beige as well as other pastels. Natural colors such as soft sky blue or pale green work well in the French country bedroom. In addition to restful colors, furnishings can include hand-painted floral designs to add a splash of color to the pieces. For example, stenciling ivy with delicate flowers across the top of a wardrobe adds color to a distressed white background.
Distressed Paint
Select pieces for the bedroom with a distressed finish for the rustic country look of French country decorating, or use distressing techniques to create the rustic or shabby chic look to the furniture you already have. Distressing furniture gives the pieces an aged and well-worn look that mimics the appearance of an antique from the French countryside.
Wardrobe
The armoire or wardrobe is a staple in the French country bedroom. Painting the piece in a shade of cream or antique white with accent shades in pastel colors can create an interesting place to store clothing, accessories or other items, keeping the bedroom neat and tidy.
Bed
Wrought iron beds are a common choice in a bedroom. To create the look of chipped white paint for an antiqued country look, spray multiple coats of white paint over black primer and chip through the layers to reveal the darker base color. Heavy and ornate headboards and footboards can have a rustic country look with distressed white or pastel paint, or select a four-poster bed for a feminine and elegant country appearance.
Tags: French country, country bedroom, French , country look, distressed white, French countryside
If you're planning to make this desk with your daughter or granddaughter, make it more sentimental by having her work on the parts that would be appropriate: Let her sand the edges, help with the planning and even paint the desk with you. The desk will mean more to her, and you'll both be grateful for the memories once it's complete. The design shown here even allows you to adjust the height of the desk as the child grows.
Instructions
1. With a portable circular saw, cut the sides, back, bottom and top for two equal-sized storage cubes 18 inches tall and 14 inches wide. Sand the edges. These storage cubes will sit on either side of the desk, serving as the desk's base. Glue and then clamp and nail the bottom of each cube to the sides, and then repeat for the back and top of each storage cube.
2. With a portable circular saw, cut the sides, back, bottom and top of four more equal-sized storage cubes. Sand the edges. These storage cubes will be approximately half the size of the two storage cubes created in Step 1. The actual height of these storage cubes should be fitted to the child who will be sitting at the desk. As she grows, more cubes may be created to raise the height of the desk. Repeat the same assembly directions for the smaller cubes as described in Step 1.
3. After the glue has dried, chisel away any residue that leaked out over the edges, then sand.
4. Apply primer to all pieces before assembling. Paint as desired, then apply varnish. Let the child pick out the colors herself, and consider painting or stenciling designs onto the sides. The pieces should not be painted after the desk is assembled unless you never plan to disassemble the desk in order to adjust the height.
5. To assemble the cubes, drill 3/16-inch holes through the top of each larger cube in all four corners. With 1 1/4-inch drywall screws, attach the smaller cube to the top. There will be two stacks of cubes--one to hold up each side of the desk's top.
6. When the cubes are assembled to the desired height, the desk top can be fastened to the two stacks of cubes by the same method used to screw the cubes together (see Step 5). This step may be easiest to complete if the desk is upside down.
Tags: , height desk, adjust height, back bottom, circular sides, circular sides back, cubes created
You can build a dining room table for less money than you'd probably expect. A basic dining room table consists of a top piece and sturdy legs or other suitable base. With only a few minor tools and elbow grease, you CAN build a dining room table for less.
Instructions
1. Searching for pre-existing table parts is one of the most cost effective ways to build a dining room table. Go to your local thrift shops or hit some weekend garage sales before you end up at the home improvement store.
2. Look for a suitable table top or base piece. Note that standard dining room tables should be 28" to 30" high. A vintage cast iron treadle sewing machine base stands 28 1/4" high, for example.
Attach a suitable table round by inserting screws up through the existing screw holes in the top iron plates of the base piece. Your one-of-a-kind dining room table will be ready in record time to serve you in fashionable style.
3. Build a dining room table for less by "cannibalizing" table parts. Pair an old oak table top with FREE metal table legs found by the side of the road waiting for the bulky item pickup. With a little time in refurbishing, the end result is a recycled sturdy dining room table.
4. Shop in your own home or with other family members. This iron table base was originally purchased at Pier 1. The manufactured tile top was cracked and the base was set aside.
To fix a base like the one pictured, first wet sand, spray primer and paint the iron legs. Cut a table round out of plywood, top with a piece of vintage table linen. Sandwich linen between the plywood round and a same sized glass round top.
You'll be hard pressed to build a dining room table for less than that! :)
Beadboard panels can add personality to a country, French country, cottage or shabby chic bathroom. Beadboard panels have a distinctive vertical strip design and may be made from hardwoods, fiberboard and wood veneers. You can find beadboard panels in a variety of widths with heights that range from 38 to 44 inches at local lumber supply centers.
Bathroom Walls
Decorate your bathroom walls from floor to ceiling with beadboard panels. You can find beadboard panels that are preprimed in white so that you only need to add your choice of paint color. Covering old wallpaper or damaged plaster walls with beadboard panels is a decorative solution that will both camouflage and update your bathroom design.
Accent Wall
Hang beadboard panels on one wall in a bathroom to create an accent wall. Beadboard adds texture and dimension to the space; paint the panels darker or lighter than the other walls in your bathroom to enhance the accent feature.
Wainscoting
Another idea for using beadboard in your bathroom is to place the panels on the bottom half or three-quarters of one or more walls to create wainscoting. Attach decorative molding horizontally at the top of the beadboard panel to cap the design.
Ceiling
Cover a bathroom ceiling with beadboard panels to hide imperfections or outdated design choices, such as popcorn. Install beadboard panels on the walls or the ceiling with paneling glue and paneling nails.
Cabinetry
Add detailing to plain, flat cabinet doors with a beadboard accent. Cut a beadboard panel to fit the center of your bathroom cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and attach it in place with paneling glue. Cut decorative trim molding to fit around the panel, and frame the beadboard with the trim to create the accent.
Mirror Frame
Frame a plain mirror with a beadboard backing to create a distinctive mirror for your bathroom design. Cut a section of beadboard paneling 4 to 10 inches larger than the width and length of the mirror tile or mirror panel. Center the mirror onto the beadboard; use mirror mastic to attach the mirror. Trim out the beadboard panel with decorative trim to complete the frame.
Tags: your bathroom, beadboard panels, with beadboard, , ceiling with, with beadboard panels
As their children age, parents commonly acquiesce to their requests to redecorate their bedrooms. If your child has his heart set on a pirate-themed bedroom, you can help make that dream a reality with a few easy steps. According to UK Net Guide, parents should follow four simple rules for a redecoration project: Keep things simple, maximize storage, involve your children in the process, and stay realistic about the time and money required for the project. If you follow those rules and try these simple ideas, you can create a pirate-themed bedroom for your child.
Pirate Bedroom Furniture
Any good pirate bedroom needs a pirate-themed bed. If you need to stay within a budget, start with sheets with a simple nautical theme, such as anchors. For another inexpensive solution, decorate an existing headboard or footboard with imitation gold coins or other items.
If you plan to buy new furniture, look for a bed with a more obvious pirate theme. For example, you might find a bed shaped like a ship or a headboard and footboard with a nautical theme. See if you can find a set of bunk beds that look like a boat or that you can decorate to look like one. That way, your child can pretend that the top bunk is the crow's nest of their pirate ship. If you have a talent for carpentry, you can also build custom furniture for your child.
The Pirate Chest
Pirates need a place to store their loot, so create a treasure chest for your child's room. You could purchase an already decorated trunk, or you can re-purpose an unfinished or used chest. If you decide to decorate the trunk yourself, involve your child in the project. Decoration options include paint, words such as "Treasure Chest" and "Keep Out" or pirate-themed decals. Use the chest to store your child's toys, or fill it with items such as silky scarves, imitation jewelry and plastic "gold" items to represent riches.
The Finishing Touches
Creating a pirate-themed bedroom for your child really has to do with the small details. Start with the obvious by purchasing or making a pirate costume. When not in use, the shirt, hat or eye patch can be hung from the headboard of your child's bed. Buy several stuffed parrots, and place them around the room. You could even buy or make a peg leg and prop it against the wall.
For another simple but effective decoration, buy a large piece of netting. Cut it to size (slightly smaller than the size of one wall without much furniture). Nail the netting to the wall. You can then hang any items you want from the netting. This doubles as a pirate-themed decoration and a creative way to hold photos, small toys or anything else you would like to display.
Tags: your child, pirate-themed bedroom, Bedroom Ideas, bedroom your, bedroom your child, child Pirate, Children Pirate
Carry the look of tile onto the walls as a baseboard.
Traditional materials used in unconventional ways can yield a bathroom space with a lot of character. The charm of beadboard walls adds simple, subtle detail to the room with regular lines that appear to be engraved on the wall. Pine beadboard planks used as wainscoting or as a full-wall covering in a bathroom warms up the feel an otherwise often cold room, just as it does in classic kitchens and living rooms in a country home.
Easy to Cut
Much easier to install than tile, beadboard planks go up as one, large piece over the majority of the wall. The planks cut down easily with a saw and require an adhesive or nails to attach. The adhesive application forms a strong bond to the underlying walls that prevents or lessens air and moisture collection between the beadboard and the wall. Its nail-less installation gives the wall a uniform and nearly seamless finish.
Vapor Barrier
Install a vapor barrier over the walls in the bathroom before installing the beadboard panels. The vapor barrier is a rubber or plastic membrane. When installed beneath the beadboard, the vapor barrier prevents warping and rot in the wood as it blocks any hidden moisture from reaching the beadboard panel.
Orientation
The deep lines that separate wide, raised bars that run the length of the board give the beadboard product its namesake. To increase or accent the visual height of the room, orient the pine beadboard vertically around the bathroom. This orientation creates visual interest as the eye follows the vertical lines from the floor to the ceiling, guiding it to the lighting fixtures and wall accessories above.
Widen the feel of the bathroom by orienting the pine beadboard horizontally on the wall. Match the lines of one beadboard panel to the previous one, creating continuous, level lines around the room. Instead of traveling up and down the walls, this horizontal orientation takes the eye around the room and highlights the features of the toilet, sink, towel racks and accessories.
Protective Paint
Make the the exposed side of the plywood beadboard panels impermeable to moisture with several coats of protective paint. A good waterproofing primer applied first preps the wood panels to receive the paint in a uniform coverage way and forms a durable base that soaks into the wood.
Paint formulated to resist mold, mildew and moisture in a bathroom or kitchen is the ideal paint to cover the plywood beadbord panels. Otherwise, apply two to three coats of a semi-gloss or satin enamel that becomes a durable surface to stand up to bathroom moisture.
Tags: vapor barrier, around room, , beadboard panels, beadboard planks, lines that, pine beadboard
Keeping your bedroom cool is essential, if you spend much time in the room. Sleeping in a warm room can be almost unbearable. Luckily, you can make small changes to cool down a bedroom, even if you do not have an air conditioner.
Instructions
1. Open a window to allow the breeze to come through and help cool the room.
2. Leave the door open. This will help bring in cooler air from the rest of the home, and filter out some of the warmer air inside the room.
3. Place a floor fan in an open doorway, facing back into the room. This will allow for a faster circulation of cooler air from other rooms of the home.
4. Install a ceiling fan in your bedroom. This will circulate the air, and bring cooler air in from the windows and door.
5. Leave the bedroom lights off as much as possible. Light bulbs give off heat, so using natural light from the windows will allow the room to stay cooler.
6. Paint the bedroom a light color. Bright and dark colors will trap in more heat, while lighter colors will keep the room cooler.
Tags: cooler from, This will, bring cooler, bring cooler from, colors will, Cool Down
Tweens start to mature and develop a desire to express themselves.
"Tweens," children around the ages of nine to 13, start to assert their individuality and creativity. What better place to express it than with their own bedroom. When the time comes to make over a tween's bedroom, consider a black and white color scheme. It ups the cool factor from kiddie decor and offers a striking backdrop to highlight your tween's interests. Plus black and white furnishings tend to be less expensive than their wood-finish counterparts.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls white or a combination of black and white. Avoid painting all of the walls black. This can be too brooding for the tween set. Instead, paint one accent wall black and the rest white. For the creative tween, use black chalkboard paint on one wall and provide colorful chalk so your tween can note school assignments or draw pictures.
2. Arrange black furniture. Kids this age tend to change their minds often, so don't spend a ton of money on an expensive bedroom suite. Pick up inexpensive pieces of furniture, such as a bed, dresser, desk and chair, at yard sales and thrift stores, and paint them black. Grab a black or white slipcover for any upholstered furniture in the room.
3. Hang window treatments. White sheers with black panels make a clean, simple statement, or have fun with patterns. Stripes, polka dots or even zebra prints in black and white are a funky alternative.
4. Accessorize with personal details. Get favorite snapshots of cherished friends enlarged into black and white posters. Place them in simple black frames and decorate the walls as desired. Add a magnetic white board for displaying birthday cards, swimming ribbons or other mementos.
5. Add a punch of color. A few turquoise throw pillows or a red rug can bring a black and white room to life. Buy a lampshade in your tween's favorite color, or add multicolored floor cushions for playing video games. Any color will look good, and you can change accessories easily as your tween's taste changes.
Bathrooms offer many sources of water that creates optimal environments for mushrooms.
Even though the thought of mushrooms growing in the bathroom seems a bit disgusting, ideal conditions exist for a mushroom to flourish. In the presence of moisture, high humidity, low temperatures and darkness, the mushroom can make its home in the bathroom.
Spores
Spores are released from the gills of a mushroom and .
Mushroom spores exist on clothes, in hair and under fingernails. A good scrubbing and shower will generally wash them down the drain, or so you thought. One sticky spore is all it takes to root in the bathroom drain. Spores can become airborne on the mist from the shower and land anywhere.
Humidity
Mushrooms favor moist environments, and bathrooms are the perfect place for them to flourish. Every time a person takes a shower, water creates a fine mist that clings to any surface. Often the bathroom door is closed after the shower, thus locking in the moisture that mushrooms love.
Nutrients
Mushrooms do not have chlorophyll and cannot utilize sunlight to create energy; instead, they get nutrients from compost or dirt that washes down the bathroom sink or shower drain. Mycelia or slimes put forth by mushrooms capture the dirt and enzymes and convert them to usable carbohydrates.
Floorspace in a garage area can be more valuable as living space. As your family grows, you can turn an existing garage into one or more bedrooms. Later, you can build a free-standing carport or a detached garage to protect your cars. Building bedrooms in garage space should be more cost-effective than building from scratch.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Design a floor plan for one or two new bedrooms that will include a bathroom and closet space. One option to offer privacy in the new area is to design a hallway leading to the bedrooms. This will be needed if your garage is near your kitchen. Sketch walls, windows, light fixtures and electrical outlets into the plan. Figure out your source of heat and allow space for vents or wiring in your plans.
2. Begin to build the area into livable space by enclosing the exterior garage door space. Save or sell the garage doors. Knock out areas to accommodate new windows, if needed. Once the garage space is enclosed from the elements, frame all interior walls and install electrical wiring and fiberglass insulation between studs.
3. Create space for plumbing and pipes, if you are building a bathroom. You will need a jackhammer to break through an existing concrete floor. Place the bathroom near an interior wall that presently carries pipes. Or, create an interior wall to hide pipes and drains.
4. Install light fixtures and all electrical plugs and outlets. Attach drywall to the ceiling rafters and over all framework around the walls. Finish the drywall with joint compound, sanding and painting. Use flat or semi-glass paint. Connect to a heat source through new venting. Or, install an electric heater on the exterior wall of each bedroom.
5. Install wooden flooring in the new bedroom areas. Call in a pest control company to help you pre-treat for termites in the event you are laying wood over concrete. Place the commode, shower and sink vanity. Caulk as needed. Install baseboards, molding and trim work in the finished areas.
Celebrate what you love with a country dining room.
Having a theme when you decorate a room is a great way to personalize the space and make it more enjoyable to use. One option for decorating a dining room is a country theme. Whatever your reason -- Southern heritage, a love of cowboy movies or a penchant for country music -- this design theme allows you to showcase your personality.
Wall Call
Put a mural of cattle being herded on an accent wall.
Try a mural that speaks to your country theme. Hire a professional or try your own hand at painting a cowboy riding through a hilly terrain, several cowboys with a herd of cattle, a farmer in the field, an expanse of prairie at sunset or a group of square dancers. Or just use country-inspired color schemes: red, white and blue; shades of brown to represent the desert or blue-and-white or red-and-white stripes to imitate gingham.
Fitting Furnishings
Consider wooden, rustic pieces to furnish the dining room.
Keep the country theme in mind when selecting your table, chairs and other pieces for the dining room. Look for wooden pieces. Consider using a rustic bench instead of chairs. If you use chairs, re-cover the seat cushions with leather and suede. Tuck a rocking chair into a corner. And you don't have to buy new. Purchase secondhand furniture or repurpose pieces you already have, using sandpaper or crackle paint to give them a rough, weathered look.
Decor Galore
Hang a wagon wheel on the wall.
Use country accents here and there to play up your theme. Replace that run-of-the-mill light fixture or ceiling fan with a chandelier that works well in a country room. Tie a kerchief onto the backs of chairs. For your curtains, use chambray, burlap or gingham. Hang a wagon wheel, a wreath of branches or a framed country-themed painting on the wall. Or, be a bit more whimsical and hang a framed old-fashioned "WANTED" poster, an enlarged cover favorite country music album or poster from your favorite western.
Terrific Table
Dress up the table with a gingham tablecloth.
You can really go country with the dining room table itself. For your tablecloth and napkins, use any of the aforementioned textiles, or look online or in sewing supply stores for material with patterns such as cowboys, saddles spurs. For your centerpiece, try using a bonnet or cowboy hat, a coil of rope, a set of horseshoes or branding irons. Use alone or in a grouping. Or use a living centerpiece: a potted cactus or Mason jar full of freshly picked wildflowers.
Tags: dining room, country theme, country music, from your, , Hang wagon,
Lush houseplants reflect the green Tuscan hillsides.
The rich colors and textures of Tuscany create the perfect environment for luxurious relaxation. With your own Tuscan bathroom design, you'll hardly notice you came home from your European vacation.
Walls
The walls in Tuscan homes are characterized by bold colors like reds, yellows, golds, browns and greens. Bring this palette to life by using stucco, textured plaster, color washing and faux paint finishes.
Flooring and Tiling
Granite, limestone and marble make for breathtaking flooring and countertops in a Tuscan bathroom. Choose earthy stone tiles that accent your color scheme for the area around the shower or bathtub.
Architecture
Unique architecture is one the most important aspects of Tuscan design. Draw attention to any unique architectural features in your bathroom, like arches, pillars or exposed brick, or create your own with faux finishing.
Accessories
A should be full of rustic accessories like terracotta pots, metal urns and unique wrought iron pieces. Fill any empty space with an abundance of lush potted plants. Purchase accessories in darker versions of your wall colors.
Inspiration
If you need some inspiration for your Tuscan design, find a piece of Italian art you love and draw ideas from it. Hang the piece in your finished bathroom to bring the entire design together.
You can grow many kinds of vegetables in a hydroponic grow room.
Almost any room can be made into a hydroponic grow room, bringing a bounty of plants into the house. The room doesn't need a lot of special features, just plenty of light, temperature control and good ventilation. You will also want to monitor the humidity in the room to ensure that your plants have optimal growing conditions.
Instructions
1. Remove any carpeting from the room, since carpeting holds moisture that will quickly lead to mold and mildew in the grow room. Also, remove any furniture and draperies.
2. Paint the room flat white, which adds reflective light. Be sure to paint the floor and ceiling as well as all the walls.
3. Arrange benches, tables or growing platforms so you have easy access to all of the plants in your grow room. Wide tables should have a walkway all the way around, and narrow benches or counters should have room for you to walk along one side.
4. Set an exhaust fan in one window, and point it so it blows the hot air from the grow room to the outside. Place two circulation fans in the room, one on the floor and one hanging from the ceiling. Do not set them so they will blow directly on the plants.
5. Hang grow lights over the growing tables, benches and counters. Lights should be hung on adjustable chains suspended from the ceiling. You can start with fluorescent lights if you will only be growing greens, but for flowering plants and vegetables you will need metal halide or high-pressure sodium lighting.
6. Connect each fan and light to a timer, and set them all to run for 16 hours per day. This will provide for optimal growth for your plants.
7. Install the weather station so you can monitor the room's temperature and humidity. Keep the temperature between 65 and 80 degrees F, with lower temperatures at night and warmer temperatures in the day. Keep the humidity between 40 and 60 percent. Your grow room is now ready for plants.
Tags: grow room, benches counters, , hydroponic grow, hydroponic grow room, should have
Striped fabrics need to be aligned carefully for upholstery.
Adding casual elegance to your dining room doesn't always mean a complete design makeover. If you have chairs with screwed-on cushioned seats, simply reupholstering these with new cushions and fabric will do. Fabrics with printed stripes are a classic choice. However, be extra careful when applying striped fabric. Unlike other designs, striped fabric needs to be laid to make the lines look perfectly vertical or horizontal on the finished seat cushion, regardless of the chair seat's shape.
Instructions
1. Turn the dining room chair upside-down and unscrew its cushioned seat entirely. Set aside the screws for later use. Pop out the seat.
2. Use a pair of pliers or a staple remover to pull out any tacks or staples that attach the old upholstery fabric to the seat. Peel off the old upholstery fabric and other layers, freeing up the bare wooden backing within. Discard the old fabric. If the original padding and batting are also worn or flattened, discard these as well.
3. Cut out a new piece of foam or padding, if necessary, using the bare wooden backing as your reference. Lay the backing on the foam or padding and make a 1/8-inch margin all around it with a marker. Cut out the new foam or padding and set it aside.
4. Use the wooden backing as a guide if you need to replace the batting. First, lay the wooden backing onto a new piece of batting then make a 5-inch margin all around the backing and mark out the entire margin with tailor's chalk. Cut out the new batting then set it aside.
5. Decide how you want the stripes of the new fabric to run across the seat, whether horizontally or vertically. Lay the bare wooden seat backing on the fabric, top side down and aligned so the fabric's stripes run perfectly straight in the direction you want. The stripe pattern should end in a similar way on opposite ends of the seat.
6. Measure a 5-inch margin on the fabric all around the wooden seat backing. Mark it out then carefully cut the fabric along this margin. Set it aside.
7. Align the foam on the topside of the wooden backing then lay them topside down and centered on the batting. Pull and wrap the excess batting over the edge of the wooden backing's bottom side now facing you then staple them flat onto the wood. Pull and fold in any excess batting at the corners and staple them onto the bottom side as well.
8. Place the padded seat backing topside down and centered onto the striped fabric. Double-check that the stripes are still perfectly aligned in the direction you intended. Working one edge at a time, carefully pull and wrap the excess fabric over to the backing's bottom side and staple it flat. Then turn the seat right side up and pull the fabric tightly toward the opposite edge to keep the stripes straight and wrinkle-free. Flip the seat upside down again and staple down the opposite edge. Repeat for the other edges until the fabric is secured correctly. Pull and fold the excess fabric over the seat's corners and staple them flat against the bottom side.
9. Fit the newly-upholstered seat back into the chair and screw it back into place. Repeat the process for the rest of your dining room chairs.
A haunted hotel gives its guests a supernatural experience.
Many Victorian-style hotels and bed and breakfasts have haunted bedrooms, halls or other areas. Haunted Victorian hotels are all over the United States, with many in San Francisco, because of its colorful history and its emphasis on Victorian architecture. Most of the spirits lingering in these establishments are benign, but their presence may still give you a chill.
San Francisco
San Francisco is known for its Victorian architecture and has hotels and ghost tours available for curious explorers. The Nob Hill Inn at Pine and Taylor is an early 20th century townhouse with Edwardian and Victorian design elements. Reports indicate that it is also well-haunted, and the owners estimate that about 20 ghosts are in residence at Nob Hill Inn, so if you book a room or visit, expect supernatural activity. The ghosts are supposed to be playful and friendly specters. The Queen Anne Hotel is a pink Victorian building built in 1889. Originally it was a finishing school run by Mary Lake. Over the years it has changed hands, but her spirit remains, looking over guests, unpacking clothes in rooms, and moving or picking up objects. Room 410 is the center of this activity, because this room was once Mary's office. However, she is a cordial and welcoming spirit to all her guests.
Horton Hotel
The Horton Grand Hotel in San Diego is patterned after the Innsbruck Inn in Vienna, Austria. The paranormal activity at this hotel is well-documented, particularly in Room 309, where Roger Whitaker's ghost has made numerous appearances. It is not known why his ghost chose this particular room, but there are two main stories. One says that his body was dumped in a nearby swamp; another that he was shot and died in Room 309. Regardless, guests staying in Room 309 have seen and felt his presence, either through objects moving or the bed shaking. He has also been seen roaming the halls, only to disappear before guests' eyes.
Madrona Manor
The Madrona Manor is in Healdsburg, near Sonoma and in California's wine country. It is a bed and breakfast, and the property still houses a working winery. Guests, owners and employees all report feeling an unseen presence watching them throughout the manor, and guests coffee cups moving in the main dining room. The ghosts of Madrona Manor are calm and mannerly, so if you book a room, expect ghostly activity of a subtle nature.
Lizzie Borden House
The Lizzie Borden House is in Fall River, Massachusetts. It is a Victorian home that was the scene of one of the most infamous murders in American history. The bed and breakfast has a museum, tours and rooms for rent. Guests are treated to a typical New England breakfast in the mornings and paranormal activity at night. The Borden family and a former caretaker are supposed to haunt the home, and guests report feeling a presence, unusual hot and cold spots. Cameras have captured images of moving objects in the bedrooms.
Tags: Madrona Manor, book room, , have seen, Lizzie Borden
There are several two-bedroom accomodations available in the Chicago area.
Finding a hotel at the last minute can be a daunting task. This is especially so if you are looking for a two-bedroom hotel. Chicago offers several accommodations that include two bedrooms. While any hotel may sell out its rooms at any time, knowing which hotels offer two-bedroom accommodations is the best place to start for a last-minute deal.
Four Seasons Hotel
The Four Seasons has a variety of two-bedroom suites, including both the deluxe suite and the superior suite. Each bedroom has a king-sized bed and a separate bathroom. The living area of the deluxe suite includes a wet bar and an entertainment system, great for relaxing at the end of a long day. The superior suite has an entertainment center, but no wet bar. The hotel has an indoor pool, a whirlpool and a fitness club. Families with children will enjoy the Bedtime Stories Butler, a hotel employee who visits your room to read a bedtime story to the children.
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
120 East Delaware Place
Chicago, Illinois 60611-1428
312-280-8800
Fourseasons.com/chicagofs
Residence Inn
The Residence Inn offers two-bedroom suites that include one king-sized bed in one bedroom and a queen-sized bed in the second bedroom. Each bedroom has its own bathroom. The room includes a full kitchen, a wet bar and Internet access. Guests can partake of the complimentary beer and wine in the evening and a complimentary buffet breakfast in the morning. The hotel also offers a grocery shopping service.
Residence Inn® by Marriott
410 North Dearborn St.
Chicago, Illinois 60654
312-494-9301
Residenceinn.com
Comfort Suites
The Comfort Suites offers a few different options for two-bedroom suites. The simplest room includes a king-sized bed in one room and a queen-sized bed in the other. It has a separate living area with a microwave and a refrigerator. The next option also has a king-sized bed in the first bedroom and a queen-sized bed in the second. It also has two bathrooms and an additional sofa bed. The third option has a king-sized bed in each of the bedrooms. It also includes a full kitchen and a balcony.
Comfort Suites
320 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312- 376-1887
Comfortsuites.com
Tags: Chicago Illinois, Comfort Suites, Four Seasons, two-bedroom suites, bedroom queen-sized
You can make over small bedrooms without much effort.
Small bedrooms often seem impossible to decorate and furnish. Having no closet certainly does not help with this. A lack of this important bedroom feature leaves a room feeling less than organized. A makeover will allow you to change things up in a small room so that the area does not seem so cramped and confining. This makeover will not have to cost much, and you can use items that you already have on hand when possible.
Instructions
1. Build or purchase an armoire if you need to hang clothing. Use this freestanding type of closet to hang clothes that you do not want to wrinkle. Install drawers, or purchase an armoire with drawers, to negate the need for a dresser and to save space within the room.
2. Clean furniture and other items before taking them out of the room so that you will not have to clean before bringing everything back in. Remove everything from the room. Wash the walls, windows and floors once you've removed all items. Wipe down the switch plates and sweep the ceiling. Remove the light fixture and wash it out.
3. Bring only the necessary furniture back into the room. Set the bed in place first. Be sure that it does not block access to the door and that its placement will not impede your ability to walk through the room easily.
Do not replace the dresser if the armoire has drawers. Place a night table with drawers or cupboards on of the bed, as they will provide needed storage for the room. Put a chair near the window for reading.
4. Place a shelving unit in the room to use for storing books or displaying photographs and other memorabilia. Locate this where it will not be in the way. Use storage units under the bed for storing out of season clothing and bedding. Store hobby items in the cupboards or drawers in the bedside tables.
5. Purchase new bedding and window treatments that coordinate with the colors in the room. Place decorative pillows on the bed, and drape a throw blanket on over the back of the chair. Bring in area rugs that match and a lamp for each bedside table. Hang some wall decorations, such as sconces on either side of a painting, and place a few candles around the room.
Tags: either side, makeover will, purchase armoire, , will have
Installing glass block in your bathroom window can give you more privacy.
Installing glass block in your bathroom window may give you the extra bit of privacy you're seeking. A popular bathroom window option, glass block is usually more inexpensive than traditional windows, and allows a number of design options a typical double-hung window doesn't. When you're deciding on a window type and style, be sure to remember that glass block windows do not open.
Keep It Simple
If you already have an existing bathroom window, you can keep it simple by filling in the existing window with glass block. Standard glass block comes in a variety of glass patterns, including clear, wave, iceberg and pristal. If you're worried about mold and humidity levels soaring after the installation in your bathroom, think about adding a glass block air vent or a sash window to keep air flowing through your bathroom.
Mix It Up
Classic glass block can only be placed in square or rectangular spaces, but if you want something different, think about mixing it up. A large glass block picture window can sit below a more interesting acrylic block window, like a circle, hexagon or arch. If your bathroom design needs a bit more color, try mixing clear, basic glass block with colored glass block in design. To make the window a touch more personal, you can even create the design yourself.
Add a Design
Glass block details aren't only found in the colors and glass pattern. If you're hoping for a more intricate or elaborate look, you can purchase etched glass in a variety of styles from little paws to vines and flowers. If you're looking for something more artistic in nature, look into glass block art. Made of fused glass, glass block art can be constructed to fit your window. Both single block and full mural designs are available.
Tags: glass block, your bathroom, bathroom window, block your, block your bathroom, glass block your, your bathroom window