Reupholstering a dining chair seat is easier than you might think.
You may be thinking about reupholstering a dining chair seat or several dining room chairs to match the decor that is currently in your dining room. Reupholstering a dining room chair is easier than you think and it only takes a half hour or so. Here's reupholster a dining chair seat:
Instructions
1. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the seat from the dining chair.
2. Remove the existing upholstery from the dining chair seat. This step is optional since it sometimes involves removing the padding underneath. It is perfectly fine to put the new fabric over the old when reupholstering a dining room chair.
3. Measure the dining chair seat and cut the fabric to size for reupholstering. Be sure to allow for at least 4-6 inches to wrap around the back of the seat.
4. Lay the fabric wrong side up on a flat surface. Place the dining chair seat on top of it (bottom up), aligning the pattern as necessary.
5. Fold one side over and staple it to the back of the dining chair seat. Be sure not to staple over the screw holes. Repeat this step until all four sides and corners of the seat are stapled. Pleat the corners for best results during reupholstering.
6. Place the reupholstered back into the dining chair and screw it back in.
French country style is all about sophisticated comfort. The look of the room is formal and put together, while the feel of the room is inviting and warm. French country style is a classic designing style for dining rooms that mimics the style of homes on the French countryside. It is very popular because of the appealing aesthetics and cozy functional amenities. You can design your own dining room in French country style with some planning and organization.
Instructions
1. Look through home decorating magazines and look for French country color schemes that you like. The colors need to be natural tones to fit the design, and there are several natural color schemes used in French country decor. Choose a few colors before purchasing anything.
2. Choose patterns for any drapery or furniture that is in the dining room. Keep with your color scheme, or choose a cyan blue or a pale yellow to contrast the natural tones. The print should be dainty and understated.
3. Choose you wall coverings. Wallpaper is common in French country design. Choose a wallpaper with a continued pattern of a floral design, or a natural toned paint.
4. Choose your flooring, if you plan on changing the floors as well. Wooden flooring, or a rough tile flooring, are both excellent choices. French country homes have a red clay foundation, so red clay tiles would be the best choice for sticking to your design.
5. Furnish your dining room with over-sized, light-colored furniture. The furniture should have a distressed antique look and can be very detailed or as simple as you would like.
Long dining tables and high backed chairs are ideal.
6. Accessorize with wrought-iron lighting fixtures, decorative wall plates and luxurious table linens.
Tags: French country, country style, dining room, French country, French country style
Webbing provides a base on a chair frame for all of the stuffing added to create modern and traditional dining chairs. Whether you are designing a chair from scratch or reupholstering a vintage dining chair, webbing can be included in the seat, back and arms to give support to the upholstery.
Instructions
Apply Webbing to a Dining Chair
1. Choose the right webbing. Webbing comes in four standard types: jute, black and white, Pirelli and elastic webbing. If you are webbing a modern chair, Pirelli or elastic webbing is the standard choice. Jute and black and white webbing are the choices for traditional chairs and come in standard widths of 2 inches. It is always advisable to use new webbing rather than recycle webbing that may already be on the chair, as webbing tends to stretch and weaken as it ages.
2. Make tack marks for the webbing. When redoing a chair, check for previous tack marks on the chair frame and re-mark them clearly. When designing a chair, start from the center of each side and mark where each piece of webbing will be located, with a corresponding mark directly opposite where the webbing will end. Webbing should be spaced evenly, in parallel lines, and not further apart than the width of the webbing.
3. Place the chair frame in front of you with your roll of webbing on the floor. Make a 1-inch fold in the end of the webbing and tack it to the center mark on the chair with your magnetic hammer through the fold for added strength. Add two more tacks, one on each side of the center tack, and then add two more below those tacks off centered so you end up with a row of three, and a row of two tacks below that to secure the webbing.
4. Stretch the webbing through the webbing stretcher by inserting a fold of the webbing through the slot in the stretcher, and then slipping the dowel through the loop of the webbing. Pull the stretcher towards your body with the handle facing away from you, making the webbing taut on the chair frame. The webbing should make a pinging noise when plucked. Hammer a tack into the center of the webbing to attach it to the chair, and then tack one more on each side of the center tack. Cut the webbing 1-inch from the tacks, fold it over the tacks and add two more tacks off center below the original tacks to secure the webbing. Repeat this step for the remaining webbing strips in parallel fashion.
5. Turn the chair frame so the webbing is now facing side to side. Weave your next piece of webbing through in a basket fashion and attach as before beginning with the center webbing. Repeat this step for the remaining webbing strips until you have a complete webbing base to attach the rest of your upholstery.
Tags: chair frame, , webbing through, Apply Webbing, Apply Webbing Dining, black white
Chandeliers don't have to be made from glass or crystal, and therefore don't have to be taken down for extensive cleaning when the glass gets dusty. Instead, design and make a distinctive chandelier using recycled materials, one that holds real candles instead of needing to be wired to the mains. This chandelier is functional as well as unusual, particularly during winter, when electricity might be affected by the weather, and it sheds interesting light and shadow on the room.
Instructions
1. Strip the tire from the bicycle wheel and remove the inner tube; recycle them. Clean and polish the wheel and spokes, removing rust spots with a pan scourer and protecting the metal with a touch of penetrative oil.
2. Use the bolt cutter to cut three lengths, 18 inches each, of 2.5 mm zinc-plated chain for hanging the chandelier; this will allow for a maximum weight of 30 kgs. Attach a snap hook at three equidistant points around the wheel rim, and attach a length of chain to each snap hook.
3. Join the other ends of the chain lengths to a central snap hook. Measure the distance between the ceiling and the point at which you will hang the chandelier from the top snap hook, and double the measurement. Cut that length of chain and double it. Attach both ends of the chain to the central snap hook.
4. Make sure the tin cans are clean and you have removed the labels and tops. Steel cans are the brightest, but aluminum will do the job just as well. Fill each can to the brim with water and freeze to give you a firm work surface, then use an awl and hammer to punch designs into the sides to allow light through.
5. Remove the ice and dry the cans. Pierce four holes in the lower edge of each can with a can piercer at the compass points. Cut a 24-inch length of crafting wire.
6. Insert one end of the wire through a hole into the can, and bring it out at the next one along. Hook the wire down and round a spoke or the rim of the wheel and bring it back in again through the hole. Feed through to the next hole and repeat. At the fourth hole, twist the two wire ends together and push into the can through the hole. Repeat for each can, spacing them equidistantly round the top of the wheel.
7. Use homemade scented candles, and melt the bottom of each to help it to stick to the bottom of each can. Use spice-scented candles for holidays, or neroli and lavender for special dinner parties.
8. Attach the ceiling bolt and hook above the dining area and attach the top loop of the chain. To raise and lower the chandelier to change the mood, remove one end of the top length of chain from the central snap hook and attach it to an extra snap hook. This can then be clipped anywhere along the length of the chain to give you the height you want.
9. Light the candles and position your dining table directly under the chandelier in a way that provides the best lighting effects.
Tags: snap hook, , central snap, central snap hook, through hole
Many insects seem to make their way into bathrooms. Once thought to have gained entrance via drains, it's more likely the bugs come in through cracks and crevices. Since the smooth sides of sinks and tubs make crawling out rather difficult, you can see the trapped bugs more easily. Fortunately, there are several methods for dealing with bugs found in the bathroom.
Flies
Annoying pests in any room of your home, flies can make their way into the bathroom and buzz around your head while you try to do your business. Besides swatting the flying insects with a flyswatter, you can hang sticky traps from the ceiling, but sticky traps can be an unsure bet and can cause more harm than good in a bathroom. Another option is to fill a bowl with 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Add a couple of drops of dish soap and mix with a spoon. Leave the bowl in an out-of-the-way location in the bathroom for 24 hours. The flies are attracted to the sweet scent of apple cider vinegar and will drown in the mixture.
Spiders
Quite possibly the most-feared insect by people of all ages, spiders are scary-looking creatures that boast thousands of species. When confronted by a spider, many people choose to squish it with a shoe, toilet paper or any available tool that will eliminate the nasty insect, but by filling your bathroom with a pleasant lavender scent, you'll keep spiders from entering the room without having to clean up bug guts. The smell of lavender repels spiders--as well as cockroaches--without using chemicals or killing the usually defenseless creature. Use sachets filled with dried lavender to keep the aroma in the air while driving spiders out.
Centipedes
Despite their name, centipedes typically do not have 100 legs. They're a common sight in bathrooms, and, like spiders, are a natural method of pest control, feeding on other insects. If you choose to eliminate centipedes, pesticides are available for use on centipedes and millipedes. When using a chemical pest control, however, always read and follow all directions printed on the bottle. Hold the tip of the spray bottle several inches above the surface and apply, in a continuous line, across the bathroom baseboards, under the sink, along tubs and around toilets. After you've applied the pesticide, store it in a cool, dry location and wash hands with soapy water.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches have the "dirty home" stigma attached to them, even though clean, well-kept homes can fall victim to a cockroach infestation. Since cockroaches prefer humid, dark locations, look for them under the bathroom sink. To eliminate these pests without filling your home with toxic fumes and chemicals, sprinkle diatomaceous earth under the bathroom sink. Diatomaceous earth is a powdery material made from fossilized algae remains, and will not harm humans or pets but will kill cockroaches by damaging their waxy exoskeletons.
Tags: apple cider, apple cider vinegar, bathroom sink, cider vinegar, filling your
Transform a dining room table to an island for a dramatic change.
A beautiful dining room table sometimes leaves no room for cabinet space. One solution to gaining cabinet space and keeping your table is to turn it into an island. In essence, converting a dining table to an island is replacing the table legs with cabinets. Depending on the size of the table, you can purchase and assemble cabinets that fit or you can build them to the specific dimensions of the tabletop.
Instructions
Face Frames
1. Place the 2-by-52-by-inch lumber on a worktable along with the 4¾-by-52-inch lumber. Place them side by side so the long edges are touching. Measure in from both ends and make a mark at 18 and 20 inches; place framing square on the marks and draw lines across the width of the lumber.
2. Place the four pieces of 2-by-35¼-by-inch lumber on a worktable. Measure from one end and make a mark at 13 and 15 inches. Place the framing square on the marks and draw a line across the 2-inch width of the four pieces.
3. Place the 4¾-inch piece on the end from which you took the 13- and 15-inch measurement, one 2-inch piece between the 13- and 15-inch lines and one 2-inch piece at the top. Apply glue to the ends of all three pieces, place them between the 35-1/4-inch pieces and secure them with the corrugated fasteners.
4. Apply glue to the ends of the 2-by-10-1/4-inch lumber. Place them between the 4-3/4-inch piece and the 2-inch pieces on the lines drawn in Step 2 and with the corrugated fasteners.
5. Repeat this with the remaining lumber. Set these aside to allow the glue to dry while you build the island cabinet.
Build the Cabinet
6. Turn the table over and remove the legs with the wrench and the skirt with the screwdriver. Place the two 54-1/2-by-4-inch pieces of plywood on the worktable, measure in from each end and make a mark at 17-3/4 inches. Place the framing square on the marks and draw lines across the 4-inch width of the plywood.
7. Apply glue to the ends of two of the 28-1/2-by-4-inch pieces and secure them between the two 54-1/2-inch pieces with the 3d box nails, one on either end. Repeat this with the remaining 28-1/2-inch pieces but secure them on the lines drawn in Step 1.
8. Repeat Step 2, securing the five pieces of 30-by-11-inch plywood between the two 30-by-54-1/2-inch plywood with the 3d box nails. Secure one at both ends and the remaining two at 17-3/4 inches from each end.
9. Apply glue to the top edges of the cleat assembly in Step 2. Place the shelf assembly from Step 3 on it and secure it to the cleats with the 4d finish nails. Place the shelf/cleat assembly between two of the 30-by-35-1/4-by-3/4-inch plywood (end panels) and secure them to the assembly with the 4d finish nails.
10. Secure the face frames to the front and back of the island cabinet with the 4d finish nails. Attach the four 28-1/2-by-6-inch plywood between the front and back face frames with the 4d finish nails. Put one against the end panels and the other two spaced out evenly. Secure the tabletop to the island cabinet with the 1-1/4-inch drywall screws.
Tags: secure them, Apply glue, finish nails, with finish, with finish nails
Good feng shui in your bedroom enhances health, wealth and happiness.
The ancient Chinese art of feng shui tells us that our personal chi or energy is strongly influenced by our immediate environment. It's important that the energy in your bedroom is as good as possible--after all, you spend hours sleeping there each night, and it's probably the setting for your sex life. Feng shui techniques or cures work by increasing the flow of positive energy and eliminating negative energy in your bedroom.
Keep It Tidy
It is all too easy to undress at the end of the day and leave your clothes lying wherever they fall. Unfortunately, clutter in the bedroom only serves as an obstacle to the free circulation of energy. Put yesterday's outfit in the hamper before you go to sleep and make your bed each morning. Tidying your bedroom is a powerful feng shui cure. This simple habit eliminates stagnant energy that wears you out and blocks your love life.
Remove Mirrors
Mirrors facing the bed can invite unwanted third parties into your relationship.
Lillian Too, author of "Lillian Too's Feng Shui Workbook" and more than 80 other books on feng shui, warns that mirrors create energies that can disrupt sleep and cause infidelity in relationships. Remove mirrors from your bedroom. If you don't wish to remove a mirror, cover it at night or place it so that you can't see it from your bed.
Let in Light
Your bedroom should be as dark and quiet as possible when you're sleeping there, but if you never open your blinds it can begin to feel more like a tomb. Christopher Cole, a feng shui consultant and acupunturist practicing in Southern Ontario since 2004, advises letting the sun shine in through your bedroom windows during the day. Your room should have an even balance between yin and yang energies--dark and light, silence and sound, calm and activity. Sunlight is a form of yang energy, and counteracts the darkness of the hours when you're using your bedroom for rest.
Eliminate Poison Arrows
A sharp desk corner creates a poison arrow aimed at the bed.
"Poison arrow" is a feng shui term for the harsh, negative energy generated by anything with sharp corners. A dresser, bookshelf, alcove or window nook can create poison arrows that will disrupt your sleep. Eliminate all poison arrows that point at you when you sleep, says Clear Englebert, author of "Feng Shui Demystified." Drape a soft cloth over your dresser, cover your window nook edges with a curtain or place trailing plants such as ivy on your bookshelf to soften the poison arrows.
Position Bed Carefully
Windows and doors are high-traffic areas for chi. If your bed is directly under a window, or placed so that your feet point toward your bedroom door, you are trying to sleep each night in a rushing river of energy. Rearrange your room so that your bed is away from the window or door. If for some reason you must place your bed near the door, close it when you sleep to calm the flow of energy.
Tags: your bedroom, feng shui, arrows that, each night, energy your,
Restrooms can become a dirty place without proper etiquette.
Most women have been in public bathrooms with deplorable smells, disgusting floors and ill-working toilets. Most likely, the women who have been using these bathrooms have not been practicing proper etiquette in a women's restroom.
Checking for Vacancies
If you have entered a communal bathroom with several stalls, check for occupancy by bending over and checking for feet in the stall, rather than pushing the door to see if it is locked. Many bathroom doors have broken locks and sometimes women simply forget to lock the door. In any event, checking by pushing the door will only cause the person inside to cringe and hope that she remembered to lock it.
Brushing Your Hair
Some women carry travel-sized hairbrushes in their purses so they can spruce up their coif in the bathroom in the middle of a date. If this sounds familiar, remember that even if you have the kind of hair that women would fight over, no one wants to see strands of it in the sink. If you are brushing your hair, wipe up the counters and throw away the fallen strands.
Talking
We know that women love to go with each other to the bathroom, but resist the temptation to chat between the stalls. This is especially important if you glance under the stall wall and recognize the shoes in the next stall. Remember that most women are uncomfortable having a tête-à-tête between stalls. Along these same lines, refrain from talking on your cellphone while in the bathroom.
Flush
Always flush the toilet so that the bowl is filled with nothing but water. For some toilets, this may require more than one flush. For those who simply blew their nose, flush the toilet anyway and leave the bowl clean for the next user.
Courtesy
Courtesy will never be unappreciated in the bathroom. Form a neat and orderly line if all of the stalls are empty. If you skip a stall because you notice it does not have toilet paper and someone runs in there before you can warn them, simply wad up a piece of toilet paper and pass it beneath the door.
Clean Up After Yourself
Perhaps the most important unspoken rule in a women's restroom is to always leave the stall as clean as when you entered it. If you left a little something on the seat, always wipe it away before you leave. Remember to always throw away paper towels in the trash can provided and not on the floor.
Tags: have been, between stalls, flush toilet, proper etiquette, pushing door
Providing a homework space in your child's room can help him succeed in school.
As your son or daughter grows into a teenager, the bedroom decor that worked for a small child no longer fits. Remodeling the bedroom can make your teenage son or daughter feel more at ease entering adolescence. A well-done bedroom remodel can not only provide a fresh look to the room, it can provide you with an opportunity to adapt the room to fit the needs of your 13 year old.
Instructions
1. Discuss the design of the new room with your child. While you ultimately have final say over decisions made about the room, allowing your son or daughter to have input into the design can make the whole process a lot easier.
2. Purchase new furniture for the room. Buying a complete bedroom set allows you to get a bed, nightstands and a dresser that match, but you can also buy separate pieces that complement each other.
3. Decide how much storage space you need in the room. If closet space is limited, considering installing a storage system that allows you to hang clothes on two levels. Purchase a bed that has drawer storage underneath, which can be ideal for storing out-of-season clothes. If there is open space beneath the bed, plastic bins that fit underneath are a cheap way to utilize that space.
4. Paint the walls. Use a paint that is durable, since many teenagers hang posters and pictures on their walls.
5. Add a designated workstation to the room. This can involve purchasing a simple desk for your child to do homework on, or a computer table and a new computer.
6. Accessorize the room. This can be done in a myriad of ways, including hanging a bulletin board on the wall, placing a basketball hoop on the door and using items such as lights, trash cans or wall hangings that feature your child's favorite sports team or other interests he or she has.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires building standards that make it possible for those with disabilities to use public facilities safely. The ADA encompasses many different areas of building design. One important area that it covers is signage. Signage is an important part of ADA because it helps to identify areas, rooms, and paths of travel that make it possible for those with disabilities to use the building. Restroom signage is important, especially in buildings that may not have accessible restrooms. Signs help to identify those restrooms that are accessible.
Braille
Braille is an important part of ADA requirements for restroom signage. It ensures that those who are visually impaired are able to recognize restrooms in the buildings. ADA requires that any letter or number on a sign must be translated into contracted Grade 2 Braille. The Braille shall be located underneath the letters or numbers it is translating. If there are multiple lines of letters or numbers on the sign, then the Braille shall be underneath the entire phrase.
Size
ADA restroom signs are required to have the universal symbol of accessibility in white on a contrasting background color. The letters or numbers shall have a width-to-height ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 for the characters. The height of the letters shall be a minimum of 3 inches. The letters or numbers have a non-glare finish. The text should be raised on the sign 1/32 inch.
Mounting
shall be mounted on the latch side of the door to the restroom and shall not be mounted more then 60 inches above the finish floor. This is to ensure that the door will not cover the sign or that someone who is trying to read the Braille will not get hit by the door should it open.
Symbols
All restroom signs shall also have the universal symbols on it to help designate the type of restroom it is identifying. The universal symbols for men, women, children as well as the universal symbol of accessibility must be placed on the sign in white over the contrasting background.
Tags: , Restroom signage, , Braille shall, contrasting background, have universal, important part
Creating a room that a loves depends on clear communication.
Decorating a teen girl's bedroom, while not an easy task, should not be daunting or overwhelming. The key to decorating her room is to communicate with the teen girl about her likes, dislikes and wishes for the room and to combine those elements with novel decorating ideas.
Cheerful Colors
Even if the favorite colors of the teenage girl are black, gray, burgundy or brown, you can still paint the walls a bright cheerful color like light mauve, peach, turquoise, yellow, mint or robin's egg blue. You want the teenager to enter the room and feel uplifted, as if it is a center of positive energy. Dark colors can depress; however, if the teenager's favorite color is black, do compromise by adding a chic black comforter and throw rug with patterns such as tiny white flowers or polka dots.
Organize
The teen years are the time to finish instilling habits of neatness and organization into your child's character. Prevent clutter by giving her fabric or plastic bins to store school papers, trinkets, jewelry and makeup. Outfit her closet with a series of hooks to hang up her clothes. Decorative low boxes are perfect for storing items that she doesn't often use under her bed. Make sure there are enough shelves on the walls.
Furniture
Pick a light-colored desk that has plenty of desk drawers and ample surface area so that she has room to study. Pair it with a comfortable desk chair. Pick a comfortable piece of furniture such as a chaise longue or a beanbag chair where she can think and read and listen to music comfortably. Consider installing a trundle bed or spare bed so that friends can sleep over.
is your sanctuary. Enhance the romantic ambiance in your room by creating a retreat you never want to leave. With simple changes and a few inexpensive additions, you can fashion an enchanting space that sets the mood for intimacy. Your bedroom may just become your favorite couple's getaway.
Flowers
A silk orchid offers a touch of romance to your room.
Fresh and artificial flowers alike can enhance the overall romantic feeling in any room. Add them to your bedroom in different arrangements and vases. A cylinder vase picked up at your local dollar store can be used to hold a single silk orchid and is the perfect touch for modern romance. Red roses, purchased at a discount the day after a holiday, invoke amorous sentiment when used as your bedroom dresser centerpiece.
Candles
Add a hint of demure teasing to the room with soft lighting. Candles can be used in place of more expensive dimmer switches. Set them on mirror tiles to mimic a reflection pool or arrange them on a decorative plate.
Love Notes
Display your love notes in your bedroom.
Display your collection of love notes and cards around the entire room. Sentiment is an inexpensive choice and is found in all those sweet words you and your loved one have shared with each other over the years. Set the cards on bedside tables and lay a couple directly on your pillows. Use a shadow box to showcase your special occasion cards.
Decorate for the Senses
Romantic decorating is more than what you see. It is in what you can touch and smell, as well. Lightly spray your linens with your favorite perfume to envelop your partner all night long. Add a small drop of scented oil to light bulbs to fill the room with inspiring fragrances.
Paint
Paint is a cheap way to set the mood in your bedroom. Relaxation is key to romance. Steer clear of bright colors or bold patterns. Instead, use paint that invokes feelings of warmth and comfort.
Romantic Fabric
Hang a romantic canopy above your bed.
You can purchase several yards of sheer netting for less than $30. Hang the fabric from eye hooks you screw into the ceiling above your bed to create a romantic canopy. Drape it over your windows, allowing it to flow to the floor on one side. These subtle hints of romance go a long way for your small investment.
Less is More
Remove any signs of work or stress factors in your room. Put bills in a folder in your office or kitchen drawer. Keep the room clear of unattractive dirty socks and other floor clutter. Make the bed. A made-up bed is so much more romantic than wrinkled sheets and twisted comforters. The goal is to invite romance, not repel it.
Tags: your bedroom, your room, above your, , love notes, romantic canopy
Texture is emphasized in rustic decor. Here the wood-paneled walls and the stone fireplace create a cozy environment.
A rustic and warm dining room provides a welcoming setting for family meals and entertaining. Rustic styles take their inspiration from nature. A rustic dining room may bring back memories of that cabin in the woods or a weekend at a country inn. Relaxed and casual, rustic decor is not fussy or pretentious. The rustic look can follow several different styles.
Country
A wreath made of grapevines or small twigs adds a sense of country charm.
A country can be a charming and relaxing retreat. Bring nature inside with grapevine wreaths decorated with berries or gingham ribbons. You don't even have to hang your wreaths on the walls; smaller wreaths laid on a flat surface with a candle placed in the middle are an easy-to-create country accessory. Mason jars tied with raffia bows can double as candleholders. Create an interesting tablescape using mason jars of different sizes and heights.
Bring your country quilts out of the bedroom and into the dining room where they can be used as wall hangings. A large quilt hung up in a dining room demands attention and creates an instant focal point. Use the colors in the quilt as inspiration for decorating the rest of the room.
Quilts and antiques go together. A country-style dining room offers a good opportunity to display treasured family heirlooms. Whether it's a well-worn coffee grinder displayed on a buffet or Grandma's old dishes showcased in the china cabinet, the sense of history lends a truly special feeling to the room.
Primitive
The imperfect, worn finish on this small cabinet contributes to a rustic primitive look.
Primitive decorating recalls a simpler, less stressful time. Rustic primitive decor is part shabby chic and part early American. Use stencils, which were a favorite way to add decoration to walls during the Colonial era. Stencils are easy to apply. Look for a rustic, nature-inspired motif such as pine cones and pine boughs or vines and berries.
The paint doesn't have to just remain on the walls. Furniture with distressed, painted finishes create ideal backdrops for displaying your primitive collections and accessories. You can either seek out authentic timeworn pieces at antique stores and estate sales, or take a newer piece of furniture and give it an aged finish. Check out thrift stores or unfinished furniture stores for possible refinishing projects.
Don't overlook small utilitarian objects for accents. A jar full of buttons or marbles can be quite charming displayed on a shelf. A grouping of old wooden spools can add visual interest to a small table.
Western
A horseshoe hung above the door is a classic element of western decorating. Hang it so the ends are facing up to ensure that the luck doesn't fall out.
Western dining room decorating can recall the wild days of a bygone era. A wagon wheel chandelier can provide a focal point and conversation piece above the dining room table. Although authentic wagon wheel fixtures can be expensive, cheaper (and lighter) resin reproductions are available.
Leather is a must-have for a western-themed room. Leather brings to mind old cowboy boots, saddles and other fixtures of the wild west. Leather-wrapped picture frames or faux-leather place mats can add to the western look. Distressed leather is better than shiny new leather.
One common decorating element that is especially common these days is the barn star. The barn star is typically made of metal. A grouping of stars on a dining room wall can be especially striking. Shelves, wainscoting or picture frames made of silvery-gray barn wood also go well with this theme.
Use bandanna-print fabric or denim for window treatments and accessories. Vibrant reds and blues combined with black and beige can set the tone for a western-themed room. Horseshoes, spurs and other small elements of the west can add to the theme.
Tags: dining room, dining room, barn star, focal point, picture frames
Hello Kitty, a Sanrio character, originated in London in 1974 when the Tokyo-based toy company hired designer Ikuko Shimizu to create a character for a coin purse. Since then, girls around the globe have fallen in love with Hello Kitty. She now adorns everything from T-shirts to breakfast, thanks to a Hello Kitty toaster that toasts an image of her face into the bread. If you want to design a Hello Kitty bedroom, Sanrio offers a wide range of decor.
Instructions
1. Paint the room pink. The bow in Hello Kitty's hair is usually pink, and much of the Hello Kitty merchandise available has a pink color theme. Starting with a pink base will allow you to match your Hello Kitty items to your walls.
2. Hire an artist to paint a Hello Kitty mural on one wall, or do it yourself. As an alternative, buy Hello Kitty vinyl wall decorations that you can stick on and easily remove.
3. Install a display case for your Hello Kitty collectibles. A white curio cabinet with glass doors will correspond well with the pink walls.
4. Purchase a Hello Kitty comforter, sheets and pillowcases from a local store or online. The Sanrio site, sanrio.com, is the home of original Hello Kitty merchandise. There are a wide variety of bedding sets for sale there.
5. Accessorize with other Hello Kitty merchandise. You can purchase Hello Kitty bulletin boards, night lights, desk accessories, alarm clocks and many other Hello Kitty room items on the Sanrio site. Or, if you live in or visit New York City, visit the Sanrio store in Times Square to view the items in person.
Tags: Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty merchandise, , other Hello, other Hello Kitty, Sanrio site
A master bedroom should be a retreat and respite from the day. Design your master bedroom to incorporate your desires and lifestyle. If you enjoy reading at the end of the day, make an area in the master bedroom for you to read and spend time. Start designing your master bedroom by making a plan. Begin with furniture arrangement and the overall color scheme. Sketch out the desired layout of the room before you jump in and get started.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls in a neutral color. Neutral does not mean white or beige necessarily. Other neutral tones include a soft sage green and pale butter yellow. Paint the trim and ceiling of the room a soft white color.
2. Place the furniture in the room. Add a bed, side tables and even bookshelves if that makes sense for your room. On one side of the room near a window create a sitting area. Place a small couch, desk and comfortable chair. Small tables for housing books and to hold a tea cup work well in the room.
3. Add lighting to the master bedroom. Place spot lighting only in the sitting area or places in the room that you think need strong light. Add standing floor lamps in the bedroom. Two to three of them should work. Hang wall sconces on the wall. To keep the lighting soft and relaxing near the bed, consider using a dimmer light so that you can easily adjust it.
4. Outfit the bed with luxurious bedding. Use neutrals in silky textures for the sheets and blankets. Add a bold comforter and throw pillows in animal prints or bold colors and patterns.
5. Add floor rugs. Consider large, fluffy rugs to pull the room together. Choose rugs that incorporate other colors of the room. Depending on the size of the master bedroom, place two or three rugs on the floor.
6. Place accessories in the master bedroom. Large opulent mirrors and picture frames work well. For a unified look, choose picture frames that are all the same color, such as black or gold. Candlesticks and framed art give the room a polished look.
Tags: master bedroom, your master, your master bedroom, Design your, Design your master
Post World War II America in the 1950s was an era where women were enticed out of the factories, where they had worked through necessity and then choice, during the war, and back into the home and the kitchen. Many women would have preferred to stay in the workforce but those jobs were earmarked for returning soldiers. The advertising agencies kicked into gear and dangled new fangled household wares, such as washers and dryers and stylish furnishings, in front of women and, for the most part, it worked. They hung up their work clothes, put on their high heels and full skirts and proceeded to decorate their homes, cook, clean and procreate with abandon.
Identification
In the 1950s, known as the "Functional Fifties" in bedroom design, siblings often shared a bedroom or even a bed, and mom and dad often slept in separate, single beds. Foam rubber latex was the newest invention for mattresses.
Scandinavian Contemporary
Much of the furniture that came to the forefront in the 1950s was called Scandinavian contemporary, which was utilitarian and incorporated a lot of natural wood into the design. There was little or no ornamentation and the overall design was simple and linear.
Art Inspired
Memorystore.org points out that the furnishings in the 1950s featured new trends and designs, many of which, including the furniture for the bedroom, were inspired by artists such as Paul Klee and Jackson Pollack. Furniture was imported from Italy and Scandinavia and the regular guy on the street was suddenly very interested in buying modern furnishings.
Platform Bed
Directlystyle.com notes that the platform style bed, which had a modern and sleek design, became fashionable in the 1950s.
Bedroom Furnishings
A 1950s bedroom was likely to feature a large dressing table complete with detachable mirror and a woman's wardrobe with a double hanging rail and shelving, with a mirror on the inside of the door. The furniture was made of walnut veneer finish primarily.
Bunk Beds
Bunk beds were typical in the 1950s as were chenille bedspread and rollaway beds, according to Thepeoplehistory.com.
Agenda: Comfort
The furniture of the 1950s strove to provide comfort. Nearly everything was upholstered and amenable to being sat on or lain on. This was very different from the furniture trends during the depression, where comfort was the least of anyone's concerns.
A loose tile on your bathroom floor or wall isn't just annoying. Moisture can get underneath a tile that's loose, and under the adjoining tiles, causing more loose tiles, as well as the potential for mildew. Tiles come loose for several reasons, the most common of which is that they simply didn't have enough adhesive under them when they were installed. If the tile's not cracked you can re-use it, but don't try to fix it without extracting it completely first and cleaning up the old glue and grout.
Instructions
1. Use your grout saw to scrape away all the grout around the loose tile. Take care not to scratch the adjacent tiles.
2. If the tile doesn't pop out from removing the grout, use your chisel to get it out. Don't force it out all at once, but gradually work around the base of it, underneath the edges of the tile. Brush away all the debris.
3. Use your razor scraper to clean up the back of the tile and the space on the wall, removing all remaining dried glue and grout.
4. Use your putty knife to spread tile adhesive on the back of the tile, covering it completely. Press it into place, twisting it slightly to get a good seal. Let it set overnight.
5. Use your putty knife to press grout into the space around the tile. Smooth it out with a damp sponge, taking up the excess from the tile surface. Let the grout cure for several days; then apply grout sealer over the lines with a small brush.
Turn a boring bedroom into a romantic bedroom by decorating it.
The color scheme brown, white and green may seem difficult to implement when decorating a bedroom due to a dark color and a light color in the same color scheme. Dark and light colors work well in color schemes to decorate a bedroom because they contrast one with one another. Utilize the green as an accent color to avoid too many colors in a room, which may take away from the appearance you want.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls in your bedroom with interior paint, your paintbrush and paint roller. Select white paint for three walls and brown paint for one wall. Painting one wall brown creates an accent wall in the bedroom and incorporates the color scheme of brown, white and green.
2. Paint the trim in your bedroom with the brown paint and your paintbrush. Painting the trim in the bedroom decorates the walls and creates an added decorative effect.
3. Incorporate dark brown and white furniture in your bedroom. Select for the large furniture, as this complements the brown on the walls, and white for the small furniture. Small white furniture in the bedroom contrasts with the dark furniture and decorates the room.
4. Hang framed artwork on the walls in bedroom with brown, white and green. Vary the color of the picture frames from brown, white and green to decorate the walls.
5. Decorate the bottom of the bed with a green bed skirt. Place the bed skirt on top of the box spring and under the mattress. This decorates the bottom of the bed and adds a decorative element into the room.
6. Dress the bed with green and brown bedding. Select brown sheets, pillowcases, and green and brown bedding. Selecting green and brown bedding complements the green bed skirt.
7. Incorporate a variety of brown, white and green accessories in the room. Place the accessories on the dresser and bedside tables.
8. Complement the colors scheme in the a bouquet of green and white flowers placed on the large dark brown dresser. Fresh flowers immediately give the room a homey, comfortable feeling.
Tags: brown white, green, bedroom with, brown bedding, color scheme, dark brown,
Distressing turns modern furniture into "instant antiques."
Well-worn dining room furniture has an old-fashioned charm that adds an instant touch of hominess to any decor. To capture this lived-in look without purchasing costly antiques, distress the dining room table. "Distressing" describes furnishings that have been deliberately sanded, scratched and dented to give them a weathered, historic appearance.
Instructions
1. Wash the table with a soft cloth that has been dipped in freshly brewed black tea. The tannins in the tea dissolve waxy residues and readily remove dirt and grime without harming the underlying wood.
2. Sand the table with medium-grit sand paper. Hold the paper against the table and rub briskly, moving with the grain of the wood. Wipe away the dregs with a piece of tack cloth and repeat until the current wood finish is no longer visible.
3. Coat the table in one layer of latex primer that is slightly lighter in color than the paint that will be used for the finished item. Use a medium-size paintbrush to cover the wood in a thin, even layer. Wait for the primer to dry, sand the table lightly and brush the residue away with a clean cloth.
4. Brush a layer of latex paint over the table. For a more homogeneous appearance, use a 4-inch roller rather than a standard paintbrush. When the paint is dry, apply a second coat, then let the table sit for 24 hours.
5. Sand the table with a sheet of fine-grit paper to achieve the desired effect. For a touch of well-used charm, sand the table edges and corners while leaving the table top intact. To create an extremely weathered appearance, sand the entire table.
6. Apply paste wax or furniture polish to the table to shield the remaining paint, or seal the finished product in layer of clear varnish or polyurethane wood protector.
Soothing colors and a green plant transform a home office.
Home offices are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people work from home, whether as telecommuting employees, freelancers or small business owners. Even many people who work outside of the home prefer to have a space where they can store their important files, use the computer and take care of paperwork. While spare bedrooms are great when you have the occasional guests, it's possible you might get more use out of the space if you convert it to a home office instead.
Instructions
1. Remove the furniture from the room that you will not be using, such as the bed.
2. Paint the walls. You want to create a look and feel in the room that is conducive to working. If the d cor of the spare bedroom is not soothing, you may want to change it. Replace floral wallpaper with a pale, neutral blue-gray color, for example.
3. Fix the lighting. Soft lamps are great for guest rooms, but they will quickly tire out your eyes when you are trying to work. Add lighting to the room so that your work area will be brightly lit.
4. Add a work space. For some, this means a large desk and computer. For others, this may mean a craft table. It all depends on the work you are doing in your office. Create a space that is personalized for your needs.
5. Choose items that are both attractive and functional. Instead of a utilitarian metal filing cabinet, choose a long, low wooden cabinet that is made to hold hanging files. Set some plump pillows atop it for an instantly inviting sitting area.
6. Keep organized with baskets, drawer organizers and hanging files. Use the closet in the spare bedroom to neatly store necessities, such as office supplies, reams of paper and even a wireless printer, out of sight.
7. Make the room inviting. Too much function and not enough comfort will not make you want to work in that room. Cozy it up a bit with a colorful floor rug, some potted plants and other items that help you work. If you like to work to music, for example, invest in some good speakers for your mp3 player.
Tags: room that, hanging files, home office, items that, people work
Replace a seal on a p-trap drain in the bathroom to prevent leaks.
Water in the cabinets under your bathroom sink is a sure sign of drainage problems. The pipes beneath the sink carry its used water into your home's sewer system. After it leaves the sink, the water passes through a straight piece of pipe called the tailpiece and makes its way to the curved p-trap at the bottom of the drainage system. Some p-traps have seals on them to help keep the connections watertight, but they can disintegrate over time. Before calling the plumber, try replacing the seal on the bathroom sink p-trap yourself.
Instructions
1. Clear out the area beneath the bathroom sink. If it is above a bathroom cabinet, for example, remove anything that might be stored underneath, such as towels or beauty supplies.
2. Place a bucket or similarly sized container underneath the p-trap in the sink. This is the curved portion of the pipe located at the lowest part of the drain pipe system.
3. Unscrew the couplings on either end of the p-trap with a pair of pliers. If this is PVC pipe, take care not to squeeze too hard with the pliers or you could crack the pipe or couplings.
4. Pull the p-trap out of the plumbing. Invert it over the bucket or container and empty out all the water inside.
5. Remove the sewer inlet pipe, if needed, to replace the seal on that side of the p-trap. These inlet pipes are usually also held in place with compression fittings. Turn the coupling counterclockwise until the inlet pipe slides out of the sewer pipe.
6. Slide the seals off the end of the p-trap and the sewer inlet pipe. Replace with new ones. Apply a few dabs of silicone grease to keep the connection watertight. Slip the coupling back over the end of the p-trap and the sewer inlet pipe, if needed.
7. Insert the sewer back into place in the sewer inlet. Tighten the coupling. Wrap the threads on the sewer inlet pipe and the p-trap with plumber's tape.
8. Insert the p-trap back into place between the sewer inlet and the tailpiece. Slip the couplings in place and tighten.
9. Run water in the bathroom sink. Check the new pipe seals while the water is running. Tighten any of the couplings, if needed.
Tags: sewer inlet, inlet pipe, sewer inlet pipe, bathroom sink, back into
If your budget won't allow you to replace your old dining room chairs, you may benefit from an inexpensive alternative. After a few years of use, it's not unusual for the fabric to become stained and the padding to wear out. A few tips for refinishing dining room chairs can give you the confidence you need to completely make over your existing chairs and make them new again.
Gather Materials
You will need a dining room chair, medium-density fiberboard or 1-inch-thick plywood, fabric, foam padding, staple gun and staples.
Remove Old Fabric
More than likely the fabric is attached with staples. Start removing the fabric by turning the chair upside down and removing the staples underneath.
Choose Upholstery Fabric
Upholstery fabric is a much more durable fabric. A stain-resistant material makes it much easier to clean up unexpected spills and food spatters. You can find affordable upholstery fabric in a variety of colors and patterns online at cryptonfabric.com.
Measure the Seat
Measure the dimensions of the seat to find out how much material you'll need. You can trace a pattern using a pencil and paper or use the old fabric you removed as your pattern when cutting out the new fabric. Add 2 inches on each side for tucking and stapling into place.
Attach Foam Padding
Attach the foam padding to the base of the seat. Staple it into place. Choose padding that's specifically meant for upholstery projects.
Add New Fabric
Place the fabric neatly over the cushion. Smooth out any wrinkles and pull it as tight as you can on all sides as you staple it to the underside of the chair. Trim away any access fabric. Finish the look by adding creative touches with upholstery tacks, cording and more upholstery trimmings around the edges of the seat. You can find these decorative items and more at trimandtassels.com.
Tags: dining room, foam padding, into place, seat find
The moisture in a bathroom's walls could make an ideal habitat for bugs.
Many species of bugs enjoy the dark, cool areas of wall voids. Some enjoy the moisture within walls, which suits their habitat needs. Depending on the species, a large infestation could mean the bugs have lived there for a long time, such as silverfish that do not build populations quickly. Silverfish are typically gray to pearly gray, although some appear to have an almost brownish color. House centipedes are brown and are also commonly found in bathrooms. Killing the insects requires diligence due to their habitat being hidden inside a wall and not out in the open.
Instructions
1. Clean the bathroom and try to get rid of as much moisture as possible. Many bugs found in the bathroom and bathroom walls are attracted to moisture.
2. Identify the bug as best you can, although it is sometimes difficult. Identification of the species allows you to more properly treat the problem. Many websites offer pictures of common bugs, and some colleges' have sites dedicated to pest identification. You can also take a picture or a sample to some entomology departments and other outlets for identification. To identify the brown bugs, count the legs, see if they have wings or a hard or soft-appearing body and determine the approximate size. These factors help a professional determine the species if you cannot take a picture or get a sample. For example, the house centipede is brown, has many long legs and long antennae.
3. Light the inside of the wall, if possible. If the insects are nocturnal or prefer the constant darkness of the inside of the wall, the light may force them into the open, making it easier to eliminate them.
4. Apply a residual insecticide into the wall, cracks in the baseboards, crevices or cracks in the drywall or plaster. Some insects, such as silverfish, are not affected by a spray or insecticide outside the walls because they don't travel there often and their nest or the majority of their population could be hiding in the wall.
5. Contact a professional company if the residual pesticides don't work. Tell the professional everything you know about the bug including size, legs, wings and other identifying factors.
If you have an old light or other fixture positioned a few feet above your bathroom sink (a common configuration), why not switch out that dated thing for a modern lighted mirror? Any local home improvement store will offer a wide array of all-in-one units that contain a decorative mirror, multiple lights and sometimes a built-in medicine cabinet. And it's as easy to install as hooking up a single-bulb fixture.
Instructions
1. Turn off power to the room at the fusebox. Remove the existing electrical fixture from the wall by taking out the screws and disconnecting the wiring.
2. Stand your new lighted mirror in front of the open electrical box on the wall, leaning the mirror back so you can work with the box.
3. Attach the wires from the box to the corresponding wires on the back of the mirror, holding the two wire ends next to each other and twisting a wire nut over both of them, then wrapping the connection in electrician's tape. Generally, there will be one black and one white wire coming out of the box, which needs to connect to the black and white wires on the back of the mirror.
4. If there is a bare copper grounding wire coming out of the electrical box, hook it around the green grounding screw on the electrical unit at the back of the mirror, and tighten the screw.
5. Mount the mirror and lighting unit on the wall according to the instructions it came with. In most cases, there will be a mounting bracket that screws onto the electrical box and then holds the mirror-and-lighting unit. Put in the lightbulbs and turn on the power.
Tags: back mirror, Bathroom Mirror, black white, , Install Lighted Bathroom,
When planning the decor for your master bedroom, consider the measurements of your furniture.
Usually the largest bedroom in a house or an apartment, the master bedroom is the bedroom typically used by the heads of the household. The size of master bedrooms varies greatly from home to home and the furniture used in master bedrooms depends on many factors, including the size of the bedroom and the items preferred by those using the bedrooms. Most contain beds, of course, and some sort of furniture used to store clothing. Many contain additional items, as well, like bookshelves and bedside tables.
Bed
Master bedrooms typically contain beds meant for two people, often queen or king sized beds. A queen sized mattress is usually 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, while a king sized mattress is typically 78 inches wide and 80 inches long. Beds may be a bit larger than these sizes, though, depending on the type of headboards and footboards they have.
Dresser
Most people use dressers to store items of clothing that can be folded and put away as opposed to those that must be hung up in a closet or wardrobe. Some have mirrors attached. Dressers vary in size and style but often measure a little over 30 inches high, about 60 and about 20 inches deep.
Chest of Drawers
A chest of drawers also holds folded clothing and takes up less space than a dresser. Some people want both a dresser and a chest of drawers in their master bedrooms, but some prefer just one or the other. As with dressers, chests of drawers vary in size and style. They typically measure about 50 inches high, about 36 inches wide and about 20 inches deep.
Bedside Table
Many people like to have bedside tables, sometimes referred to as nightstands, on one or both sides of the bed in their master bedrooms. People put things like lamps, alarm clocks, reading materials and other things they want to reach easily. Some bedside tables have drawers in which to store things, as well. You can purchase bedside tables in different sizes, but most are not very large. Many are about 24 inches tall, 24 inches wide or a little wider and about 18 inches deep.
Bookshelves
People use bookshelves in master bedrooms to hold books, of course, but they use them to hold many other things as well. Bookshelves vary widely in size and come in many different styles. Bookshelves generally range from as little as 20 inches tall to as much as 96 inches tall. Typical widths for bookshelves range from 12 inches wide to 60 inches wide. Shelves are typically 12 or 18 inches deep.
Tags: about inches, inches wide, master bedrooms, bedside tables, inches deep
French provincial decor is quaint yet sophisticated.
If you are looking for a cozy yet elegant decorating style for your bedroom, look no further than French provincial design. This classic and sophisticated decor can be as casual or as formal as you choose. Because it often makes use of secondhand and reproduction pieces, French provincial style is affordable for many budgets. With a clean color palette and some elegant touches, you can create this look for a romantic and welcoming bedroom retreat.
Color Scheme
Muted colors and a light, refreshing palette make up the color scheme for a French provincial bedroom. Antiqued yellow and blue-toned whites are seen in the bedding, wall color and furniture. Accent these shades with soft, aged metallic colors such as bronze or pewter. For complementary shades, choose pastels such as yellow, blue and pink. Softer, less saturated versions of red and brown are other choices for this type of space.
Furniture and Flooring
The color of the furniture should be either light-stained wood or painted white. For a "shabby chic" take on the French provincial decor, use antiquing techniques to paint the furniture to show cracks and scuffs on the surface. Along with wooden pieces, furniture such as nightstands and chairs with scrolling, curved metal lines will complement this decor. For the flooring, hardwood or neutral colored ceramic tile is favored. Patterned area rugs will add comfort and decorative interest.
Bedding
The colors of the bedding should be soft and muted, along with the rest of the room's decor. To add interest to this color palette, use different textures. For example, couple lace with satin, silk and cotton. The prints of the bedding linens are also important. Look for classic patterns such as floral, stripes, gingham, hound's tooth, damask, paisley and even polka dot. Layer a lush duvet cover or patterned quilt over flat sheets with small, repeating prints.
Lighting and Accessories
For the lighting, look to antique or reproduction metal chandeliers, lamps and sconces. For a touch of romance in this space, arrange candles at staggering heights on areas such as the nightstand or dresser. For artwork, hang paintings depicting floral imagery or French landscapes. Another type of functional wall art is the mirror. Look for ornate framed pieces in white or metallic shades.
Tags: French provincial, color furniture, color palette, French provincial, French provincial decor, provincial decor
Place an armchair in your bedroom corner for a place to read, knit or cat nap.
If you've recently moved into a new bedroom or are redesigning your current one, make your bedroom a place you spend your time even when you're not sleeping. Whether you have a large bedroom with plenty of space or have limited square footage, adding a place to sit, relax, read or dress can enhance the comfort and coziness of this private area.
Instructions
Using Space in a Large Bedroom
1. Add an area for lounging or sitting. A large bedroom may feel empty with just a bed and storage, so creating a reading nook or "visiting area" alleviates this. Bring in a couch, chaise lounge or comfortable armchair, depending on how much room you have. Accessorize your seating area with a rug and lighting. Place a bookcase near your seating area if you're using it for a reading nook. If you're focusing on the lounging aspect of this area, place a small coffee table or other surface where you can serve tea and snacks.
2. Make a serene dressing area in your bedroom that also adds depth and texture to its design. Place a vanity in the space. Choose a vanity that suits your taste and bedroom style. Create a makeshift vanity, if you can't find one you like. Paint, refinish or even wallpaper a low, credenza dresser. Place a large mirror (proportionately sized) on the wall above the dresser. Frame it with the same color, finish or wallpaper to unify the pieces.
3. Design a home office in your bedroom. If you prefer to lounge or read in other areas of your home, you can bring in a work desk and comfortable chair fit for frequent or occasional use. Look for a design and style that complements your other decor. Add wall art and accents that make the spot comfortable and inviting. Use lighting that allows you to see your work well. Add separate file storage for important documents, if room permits.
Making the Most of Smaller Spaces
4. Place furniture catercorner. While you may find this doesn't work with some (or any) of the furniture in your limited space, catercorner-arranged pieces can sometimes make a room appear larger. If catercorner doesn't work, try arranging pieces butted up against one another, making an "L" shape in the room corners. This can increase floorspace.
5. Place a small accent chair in a corner instead of a lounging area. While you may not have room for a sofa or even full-size arm chair, you can find small chairs that work well in tight areas or a corner you may not otherwise be able to use.
6. Bring in storage options that maximize your space. Use your walls as vertical space by installing wall shelves or organizing units. Invest in storage baskets or bins for storage underneath the bed and other furniture. For a thrifty option, use vintage hat boxes or large gift boxes.
Tags: your bedroom, doesn work, large bedroom, reading nook, seating area, work well, your seating
Comfort and serenity are trademarks of cottage bedrooms. Colors set the mood and tone of your bedroom and they can range from warm and balmy to bright and airy. There is no specific color for a cottage color palette but rather a mood expressed through the colors you choose. Go with the ones that make you feel comfortable in your bedroom from morning to night and you can't go wrong.
White on White
White can be a stark color but it is also crisp and airy, giving rooms a sense of lightness. White reflects light, so rooms will appear brighter than they actually are. When thinking of decorating your bedroom with white, think of the various shades of white, ranging from white with a light gray tint to white with golden tints. If you go with a shade of white tinted with gray on the walls, you may want to go with pale white window treatments with sheers. Warmer shades of white will play up vintage heirlooms you may use in your room. Choose textures to give your bedroom depth, such as a white quilted bedspread for a nice cottage touch. White doilies and vintage fabrics add character to rooms.
Subdued Shades
To complete the comfortable nuance of any cottage bedroom, colors need to be mellow. Whether you select blue, red or green, you should go with shades that are muted. Think of yellow and greens that are bleached by the sun and reds and blues that look dusty. Avoid bold, dramatic colors that are shocking because they will detract from the cozy feel of the cottage look. Remember that yellow, gold and red will add warmth to rooms, while blue is calming and green is more energizing. Don't be afraid to combine colors in your bedroom. Red paired with green or blue with yellow are soothing combinations that enhance any bedroom.
Black
While black may not seem to be a typical cottage color, it does provide a sense of balance in many bedrooms. In rooms that are filled with light and neutral shades, black can act as an anchor. Wrought iron is one of the best ways to incorporate this color into a cottage-style bedroom. An iron bed frame along with a pair of chairs or lamps not only balance a room, but add texture. Use checked and striped fabric to enhance the cottage look.
Tags: your bedroom, cottage bedrooms, cottage color, cottage look, shades white, White White, white with
Use a centerpiece to dress up your dining room table.
The dining room table often serves as a location to enjoy special meals with family and friends. For some households it is reserved strictly for social gatherings or holidays, while for others it is used regardless of the occasion. One way to dress up your dining room table no matter its primary use, is to create an attractive centerpiece. A centerpiece can serve as a decorative focal point while dining and can also compliment the d cor of the dining room when the table is not in use.
Instructions
Floral Centerpieces
1. Place a clear vase on your dining room table. Select a vase that is appropriate for the size of your table or use several clear vases of the same size and height.
2. Pour a bag of colored rocks or marbles into the bottom of the vase or vases so that the bottom is full or partially full depending upon your preference. Choose a color that compliments the flowers that you plan to use in your centerpiece as well as the dining room and table.
3. Pour water into the vase if you are using real flowers. The water should be tepid and fill the vase or vases so that they are two-thirds of the way full. If using artificial flowers skip the water.
4. Cut the stems of real flowers diagonally to the length of the vase. Arrange the stems so that the ends are hidden within the rocks. Use flowers that suit the dining room decor. For example, if your dining room has a country decor, choose large sunflowers in your vase. The number of flowers used will depend on your personal taste and the number of vases used.
5. Center the vase on your dining room table. If using small vases, create each vase so that they are similar in design, but using various, complimentary colors and flowers. Arrange the vases together so that it appears to be one single centerpiece as opposed to several.
Non-Floral Centerpiece
6. Place one or more clear, large glass vases on your dining room table. Choose vases that are of varying heights. The number of vases will depend on the size of your table.
7. Place a smaller vase inside of the large one. It should be half the size of the first one and have a smooth bottom to sit easily inside of it.
8. Pour a fourth of an inch of sand on the bottom of the inner vase. Set a pillar candle on top of the sand in each vase. The weight of the candle in addition to the sand will help to anchor the smaller vase.
9. Fill a pitcher with plain water and add two or more drops of food dye. Choose a color that is complimentary to the overall color scheme of your dining room and the decorative elements of the table. Pour the tinted water in the space between the two vases, stopping half an inch from the lip of the smaller vase.
10. Arrange the vases carefully so that the larger vases are near the center of the arrangement and the smaller ones are closer to the outer perimeter of the centerpiece.
Tags: dining room, your dining, your dining room, , room table, smaller vase
The dining room is usually an open-spaced area. Instead of painting the walls, you may opt for wallpaper patterns. The type of pattern will depend on decor colors and a matter of personal preference. A few wallpaper ideas may help you decide or might even spark a completely separate idea of your own.
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is typically manufactured in either acrylic or vinyl-based materials, which makes it durable, relatively easy to clean and long lasting. Wallpaper can easily add a customized look to your dining room in the form of the many patterns that are available. Various types of surfaces and textures can be replicated by using wallpaper.
Color Schemes
If your living room or kitchen is part of an open space, choose a wallpaper for the dining room that blends the colors of the other rooms in your house. For example, if your living room is an off-white color and the kitchen is burnt-orange, select a wallpaper pattern with colors that match both the kitchen and to blend the entire floor area with one centralized color scheme while giving the dining room an independent feel from the painted walls.
Pair Furniture With Wallpaper
Pair the wallpaper and furniture for a centralized theme in the living room. If your room is near a window or door that receives a lot of natural sunlight, play that to your advantage. A light colored or bleached dining room set will go well with bright pastel patterns of your choice that speak to the heart of your personality. Several small dining room accents, such as a painting or clock, can go a long way towards decorating the wallpaper space and blending it with your dining room furniture.
Texture and Accents
Wallpaper comes in a variety of textures that can meet your practical and decorative needs. Textures can include a smooth, shiny or flat gloss finish or even fabric-feeling finishes. Another idea for your dining room is to add an accent wall. Instead of covering the entire room in wallpaper, choose the longest wall of the room, preferably behind the table, and cover that with a pattern of your choice. When in doubt, choose a pattern that matches your lifestyle and personality by letting the wallpaper say something about you.
Tags: dining room, living room, dining room, your dining, your dining room
It doesn't take much for your kid's room to become a mess. Daily playing, and the tendency of children to take things out more than they put them back, means chaos can happen in just a few hours. Here are some simple, inexpensive ways to take control of the clutter; don't forget to enlist your child's help in keeping his room organized.
Under-Bed Storage
Use the empty space under your child's bed with under-bed storage bins; they're great for out-of-season clothes. Store everyday toys in bins with wheels, which are easy to pull out and refill. If they're too tall for the bed, put the bed on risers; your child will enjoy climbing a little farther to get in, like a mini bunk bed. Put a small one-step stool or riser beside the bed to help.
Stackable Bins
Put large plastic stackable bins in the corner of his room. Different colors can designate different things; for instance, red for stuffed animals and blue for Legos or a toy car set. Or use see-through storage bins so you can tell what's inside, and put labels on the outside. Tell your child that every time he empties out a bin to play with what's inside, he needs to put it all back in the same bin before the next mealtime.
Shelf Containers
Smaller shelf-size containers are perfect for organizing small toys, and they stay out of the way on a bookshelf. Use clear ones and labels so your child knows what's inside without opening them all. They can hold fashion dolls, toy race cars and race track pieces, paints and markers, puzzles, pictures, papers, comic books, magazines and more.
Egg Cartons
You can even organize within larger bins or containers. Use egg cartons for doll's accessories, toy soldiers, game pieces or other small items; for slightly larger items, use disposable food storage containers.
Wall Baskets
Hang bicycle baskets on the wall to hold toys, games and books. Hang a tiered wire vegetable basket in the corner for stuffed toys of various sizes. These solutions let the toys remain visible while still being out of the way.
Wall Rope
Hang a rope or large ribbon along the entire length of one wall, and clip things to it with clothespins. It can hang pictures, artwork, birthday cards, hats, and other small things worthy of being on display.
Shoe Bag
Hang a see-through over-the-door hanging shoe bag on the back of the closet door. The pockets are perfect for Beanie Babies®, Barbie® dolls, action figures, markers, crayons, craft supplies, baseball cards, playing cards, blocks, and other small toys.
Hooks
Install clothing hooks all around the room to hang uniforms, jackets, caps, scarves, bags, and backpacks, and in the closet for a bathrobe and PJs.
Milk Crates
Plastic milk crates make cheap but colorful shelves on the floor of a closet. Don't stack them too high for kids, but one high under long hanging items, or two high under the shorter hanging items like shirts, will let you store shoes, sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans, and other foldable clothing.
Hampers
Put a clothes hamper in the closet or beside the dresser, and tell your child to put all his dirty clothes in there instead of on the floor or bed.
Desk
On top of your child's desk or work area, make sure there are lots of places to keep things so they don't end up scattered around or on the floor. Use coffee cans or old mugs for pens, pencils, markers, paint brushes, scissors, and rulers. Get an inbox or magazine organizer from the office supply store for notebook paper, and use an old shoe box for art supplies such as paints, glue, paper, and plasticine.
Tags: , other small, what inside, hanging items, high under, small toys
Dining rooms, especially formal dining rooms, can be imposing places where people do not like to go. But making a few changes to your decor or adding a slight flourish here and there can open up the room and give it a warm, inviting feeling.
Instructions
1. Try a new color. Changing the color of the walls can do a lot for a room. Try deep, rich hues and tones that make the most of sunlight. Some suggestions are deep cobalt, navy blue, apricot or crimson. You do not want it to be black, but deeper colors are a plus. A different idea would be to texture the paint or Spackle the paint in the dining room to leave glimpses of white to mix with the darker color.
2. Hang artwork. If you have a favorite print, find a nice oil painting or print in a local store or want to capitalize on Americana by hanging Norman Rockwell prints, do it. Artwork can distract from the formality of a room.
3. Add color. Color and little knick-knacks can give a room a warm personality. If it is an informal dining room, try adding a little wooden barrel with colorful flowers slightly spilling over. If it is formal, find a basin or porcelain water pitcher to fill with flowers.
4. Try a slipcover. Get slipcovers for the chairs. They can add character and a cozy feeling to a room. Contrast the color of the slipcover with the paint on the walls. For example, with a navy wall, try an off-white slipcover.
5. Add color to your china cabinet. Add a clear decanter of colored liquid behind one of the glass panes of your china cabinet or on your sideboard.
6. Add table linens. Try a lacy off-white tablecloth to offset the walls. You can also go with pastel colors that offset the walls.
7. Stain your cabinets. Darker woods actually make a room seem more airy. Try staining your wood and contrasting the stain with a stark-white or pastel doily or runner.
Tags: china cabinet, offset walls, , your china cabinet
Young boys often go through a phase in which they are obsessed with any large object that moves, including trains. As your boy outgrows his baby decorations, redecorate his space into a toddler bedroom that reflects his new interests. Choose a central train-related theme to tie together the decor elements.
Steam Engines
Many boys love the sight of a classic steam engine. They are fascinated with the inner workings of the engine and enjoy seeing the steam trailing behind the engine. When using steam engines as the theme for your boy's bedroom, start with the walls. Paint a small steam engine on the wall, or apply a stick-on wall decoration and sponge paint a gray trail of steam behind it. Make it more whimsical by incorporating curves and loops of steam that trail all the way around the room. Add vintage steam engine figurines displayed on high shelves or framed photos hung on the wall, and purchase a comforter that depicts a steam engine.
Thomas the Tank Engine
Many toddler boys are obsessed with the characters in the "Thomas the Tank Engine" series of books and television shows. Delight your boy by focusing on the Thomas characters in his bedroom. Bedding, rugs, wall posters, and large figurines are just a few of the commercially available Thomas accessories that you can use to decorate. The main downside to this decor scheme is that the boy might grow out of the Thomas phase sooner than he outgrows trains in general.
Train Tracks
Rather than focusing on the trains, emphasize the train tracks. Start with a simple hand-painted high border of train tracks going around the room's walls. You can also hang some large railroad-related signs such as railroad crossing signs and signal lights. Purchase a large play mat for the center of the room that has train tracks pictured on it so that your boy can drive his play trains along these tracks. Look for a comforter that depicts train tracks going through a landscape with a small train or two on the tracks.
Educational Themes
Toddlers are at the age where they are just beginning to learn to identify colors, shapes, animals, numbers and letters. Incorporate one or more of these aspects into the bedroom decor with the trains. For example, find or paint a train border with large sequential numbers on the train cars. You can also include train decor elements blocks of the basic colors that toddlers should be able to identify. Set up a long floor jigsaw puzzle with the letters of the alphabet on the cars and an animal that starts with each letter in that car. Include a small desk or craft table that depicts a train to encourage your boy to sit down to work on educational projects.
Tags: steam engine, that depicts, train tracks, with large, around room