Hang a chandelier about 30 to 34 inches above your dining room table.
Chandeliers provide soft lighting over a dining room table to illuminate the room without creating harsh glare. Hang a chandelier far enough away from the dining table so it does not obstruct the view, but close enough to light the area well.
30 to 34 Inches
In general, hang a chandelier so the bottom of the fixture is about 30 to 34 inches above the surface of the table. This distance provides adequate clearance for tall centerpieces and visual lines across the table.
Tall Ceilings
Dining rooms with ceilings higher than 8 feet should have chandeliers hung a little higher over the table. In general, hang the chandelier an additional 3 the table for every foot of ceiling height over 8 feet.
Chandelier Size
To be correctly proportioned to the room at its hanging height, the chandelier fixture height should be about one-fourth the total room height. To find this, measure the ceiling height in feet and multiply this by three to find the correct chandelier height in inches.
Tags: inches above, about inches, about inches above, ceiling height, dining room table
Fill a birdcage with wild roses for a rustic and fragrant centerpiece.
If you're looking for a fresh way to soften your contemporary table setting, or you're looking for an appropriate centerpiece for a garden party, picnic or festive fall get-together, incorporate a centerpiece idea inspired by country-style design. It focuses on using what you have on hand, items from nature and handmade touches for warm, inviting and refreshing pieces.
Bottles and Jars
In the country, you create beauty with what you have on hand. Look for colored glass bottles in varying shapes and sizes. Snip a fresh flower for each one, or place single long, slim leaves or foliage blades in each one. Line them neatly along the length of the table, or cluster them in the center. You can do the same thing with mason jars, filling them with fresh flowers. For a centerpiece doubling as outdoor lighting, place a tea light in each mason jar. The white light in the clear jar is breathtaking at night.
Fruit and Nuts
Get back to nature with unusual centerpieces that feature Mother Nature's prized beauties. You can also always mix fruits with foliage and flowers, too. Fill an old oatmeal or tea tin with oak leaves, fresh flowers and pears stuck on skewers for a fall arrangement. Switch the oak with seasonal foliage and flowers, and use citrus for the warmer months. Hollow out a raw artichoke to use as a candle sconce, and line up asparagus spears or green beans around a pillar candle; tie a bow around to fasten it. It creates a temporary and fresh centerpiece. You can do something similar with nuts, placing candles in large glass containers and placing a few nuts around the candles.
Garden Centerpieces
Place short-stemmed carnations and wildflowers in vintage mugs between the entrees and side dishes. For a sleek look, place single tulips in bud vases along the length of a table, or carefully twist a larger tulip bouquet gathered with a rubber band and place it in a large, clear pitcher. You can also lay flowers flat in a woven basket lined with burlap, linen or patterned cotton fabric. Smaller flowers also look fresh and dainty in egg cups, and you can complete the theme with seed packet place settings for each guest.
More Country Touches
For a homey, country feel, line the middle of the table with colorful cakes, or place a bundt cake on an elaborately patterned cake stand with a bunch of blossoms placed in the ring. You can do the same thing with prize-winning cupcakes, arranging them around your floral centerpiece on the cake stand. You can also place an old birdcage in the center, and place fresh cut wild roses or daisies inside. For a fall country centerpiece, fashion a branch with a few crepe blossoms glued onto the ends, and place it in your favorite bottle or a mason jar.
Tags: along length, table, cake stand, foliage flowers, fresh flowers
A dining room is a public space - and, most likely, a formal one at that. Here's choose and display art that complements great meals and great times.
Instructions
1. Identify the spaces you want to fill. Art should be more or less in scale with the space it hangs in, which means you'll want large pieces for large spaces (over the sideboard or mantle) and smaller pieces for smaller spaces.
2. Decide on a color scheme if you haven't already.
3. Decide on a mood, or identify the one you've already created for the room. Is your a bastion of formal elegance? Or a summer-camp space filled with farm tables and old butter churns?
4. Look for pieces that complement your theme.
5. Frame the pieces well if they're paper, using archival-quality mats and sealing the backs.
6. Make it a point to check your pieces once in a while. Light changes during the year, so something that's fine in December may find itself in direct sun come June - and a piece that's fine one year may take on moisture damage the next year if the backing comes loose.
A man's bedroom can be decorated in several appealing ways.
Bedrooms for young men are often considered to be utilitarian. After all, the rock band and superstar athlete posters often tend to stop around middle school and high school. Bedrooms for men often lack the many decorative features that exist in typical girls' bedrooms, such as floral wallpaper, painted walls and bright, patterned bedspreads. However, there are some fun and easy ways to design and organize a guy's bedrooms
Basic Colors
One popular suggestion for a man's bedrooms is to establish colors that are both basic and bold to provide a strong appearance throughout the room. For wallpaper finishes, vertical and horizontal lines offer a look that is clean yet masculine at the same time. Some strong colors for a man's bedroom include green, black, blue, beige, cream and purple. Wave patterns in wallpaper designs are also common elements in many bedrooms for men.
Bedding
Bedding is one of the most vital components in any bedroom, including those for a man. The sheets and bedspread should offer a streamlined and subtle design. Sheeting could be a plain color, with choices including earthy tones such as black, blue, brown and even deep red. Animal prints are a good choice if the man wants patterned bedding. Some options for animal prints include elephants, deer and tigers. Satin sheets in colors that are bright and vibrant are also suitable.
Furniture
In addition to the bed, a man will need other furniture--especially for storage purposes. Other necessary furniture items include side tables (which are vital for placing alarm clocks and books) and dressers (for clothing and underwear storage). One way to make a masculine statement with furniture in a man's bedroom is by selecting wood furniture as opposed to furniture built out of wrought iron. Wooden furnishings have decidedly a more "masculine" and "strong" vibe. Wood also gives rooms a look that is clean, understated and streamlined.
Accessories
Many men choose to opt for minimal accessories when designing and organizing their bedrooms. Oftentimes, the accessories in a man's bedrooms serve another more functional purpose, such as table lamps. One good option for accessories is modern art. A good example of modern artwork for the wall is earthy paintings, often of landscapes such as deserts and mountains. Throw rugs are also good accessories, as they also are useful; the rugs keep the feet warm during the winter months. Neutral colored candles also add some ambiance and can keep the room smelling softly and subtly fragrant.
Tags: black blue, , look that, look that clean, that clean
Your teen wants a new room decor and you can do it for cheap!
Your teen wants a new look for her room, but you're the one who will foot the bill. Don’t worry, there are cheap ways to redecorate and still create a fun space where teens can invite friends and hang out. With some planning and shopping around, you can give your teen a space that represents her and save money.
Paint
Paint is a inexpensive way to add a completely new look and feel to a teen bedroom. A can of paint can cost from $12 and up, for a cheap room renovation. If your teen desires a bold new look, try painting the whole room in one bold color. If he wants just a splash of color, paint one accent wall.
Windows
Window treatments can make a room look complete; however, they can be pricey. Window treatments are one place to tighten your budget creatively; try making curtains out of old or unused bed sheets. Using old jeans for window valances is also a thrifty way to reuse items. By sewing curtains out of old sheets or jeans, you save money and leave room open for redecorating.
Used Items
Furniture can take a toll on your wallet. But who says your teen needs brand new furniture? After all, he will probably invite friends over, and put lots of wear and tear on the furniture. Visit a local flea market for gently used items that have some warmth to them. Used couches can give the room a comfortable atmosphere. Old mirrors with just a little chipped wood can give the room a warm, homey feel. Yard and garage sales are good places to find cheap items that still have life. Let your teen pick which used items he likes, to personalize his room.
Posters
Wall art and paintings can be expensive, so try visiting a local movie store and ask them for the old posters. Usually movie stores throw away the posters once the buzz about the movie is over. Your teen may have a favorite that he would love to see become a part of his room.
Accessories
Accessories are a fun way to add personality to a teen’s room for little to no money. Hang old CDs from the ceiling for a light-catching creation. Take a quick visit to a craft store and find a funky fabric or fun beading. With some hot glue, your teen can add it to the bottom of curtains and along lampshades. Encourage her to get creative by adding rhinestones around door frames and bed frames. Tie ribbon around the backs of chairs for a cheap but fancy-looking touch. Accessories don’t have to be expensive, just original.
Tags: your teen, give room, invite friends, items that, save money, teen wants
Almost all bathroom faucets come equipped with pop-up drains. These drains contain a mechanism connected to a lever that can plug the sink. These drains occasionally become leaky and need to be replaced, a task that isn't too difficult to complete in most bathrooms. This job does require some plumber's tools.
Remove the Essential Parts
Turn off the water to the bathroom. Clear out the area under the sink and locate the U-shaped curve in the pipe known as the p-trap. Remove the nuts that anchor the p-trap to the rest of the pipes with a wrench. Pull out the p-trap, then remove the drain flange and the rest of the pop-up lever assembly located above the p-trap. Slide out the long pin that connects the pop-up drain to the lever on top of the sink and set it aside. Wipe the area clean with a towel.
Install the New Drain
Apply caulk around the base of the new drain flange and slide it into the drain hole. Slide the lock nut into the metal drain housing, then place the metal washer and gasket onto the housing. Slide the drain housing into the drain flange and screw it into place. Drop the pop-up drain into the top of the drain, lining up the hole in the stem with the sink's rear. Put the bail lever into the drain housing to keep the pop-up drain lined up with the pin, then slide the pin through the hole. Reattach the p-trap to the drain flange, making sure that all bolts are tight, and turn the water back on. Test out the pop-up-drain; if it doesn't work or seems loose, inspect the pin and the mechanism connecting the pin to the lever on top of the sink. Tighten any screws or bolts that appear loose.
When you're trying to decide decorate your room in a complete monochromatic scheme, there are white on white vintage bedroom decorating tips you can use for inspiration. They'll instruct you on how you can incorporate decorative items so the space won't look boring or sterile. The choices in antique furniture and decor items is what will bring the atmosphere to life; creating a tranquil and peaceful getaway right in your own home.
Furniture
When choosing the furniture for a white on white vintage bedroom mixing the materials and the style of the pieces takes the place of using other colors for interest. Do not be afraid to bring in pieces from different periods. For example, an old white wooden sitting table can be complimented by a couple of older metal garden chairs. Look for items that have intricate carvings to set next to ones with cleaner lines. Put an old wicker hope chest at the end of your four poster bed. In other words, one of the best white on white vintage bedroom decorating tips is that the similar colors is what will make the room cohesive, varying the look of the pieces is what will make it stylish.
Lighting
When you're trying to figure out decorate your room in a monochromatic scheme or any theme for that matter, the lighting can make or break the space. Look for antique chandeliers that you can rewire for romance and drama. Even if you can only find them in black or gold, a can of white spray paint can fix that. Look more at the lines of the piece as well as the embellishments it has on it. This can also be done with bedside lamps and wall sconces. Candles also offer an additional lighting alternative. Find some older crystal holders and line your dresser or a shelf with candles of varying heights.
Artwork
In this type of scheme, your artwork should stay in the black and white style. To add more personality to the room, make copies of some favorite, old, family photographs. Options include your parents old high school yearbook photos or grandparent's wedding day. You can even turn some newer memories into vintage accents by taking them to a copy store or purchasing software that will allow you to patina them. Other options include winter paintings and photos that contain scenes of only white images.
Accessories
The last step to completing any room is the accessories. Here also you have a chance to add interest to the room. A favorite collection of porcelain angels can be used as a focal point on a glass or painted wood shelf. Antique shops and thrift stores are great places to find other items such as vases, wash basins and other period pieces in white hues. No matter what decor items you decide to incorporate just remember that one of the greatest white on white vintage bedroom decorating tips is to make sure to choose items that showcase your personality. This ensures that your space will be anything but boring or sterile.
Tags: vintage bedroom, white vintage, white vintage bedroom, bedroom decorating, decorating tips
People often find themselves in a situation where they have to decorate a room with very little money. There are a number of ways to do this, such as looking for bargains at the local thrift store or refinishing the floors rather than replacing them. But one problem comes when they want to do something with the walls. Both paint and wallpaper can cost a great deal. But it is possible to make your own wallpaper out of cheap, dollar store gift wrap paper, and the results can be surprisingly impressive.
Instructions
1. Measure the room that you want to wallpaper to determine how many square feet of paper you will need.
2. Purchase a sufficient number of rolls of gift wrap paper to to cover the walls, plus 30 percent more for loss, since you will easily tear this as you are putting it up.
3. Cut the pieces you will need from the paper and lay them out flat on the floor for easy access and placement. You want to cut them and arrange them so that the design will as much as possible overlap.
4. Apply a thin coat of basic white paste glue to the first section of wall. Now one person should lift the wallpaper to the section of wall.
5. Have a second person press down gently with a yardstick from top to bottom to adhere the wallpaper to the wall. Then he should go over it again to get any bubbles out.
6. Repeat this process with the other sections, making sure to align the pieces carefully. Allow the wall to dry.
Tags: gift wrap, gift wrap paper, , will need, wrap paper
You can build an extra bedroom in your home if your has sufficient height. Top attic beam height at the center of each potential bedroom should be at least 10 feet. By climbing into the attic space via a drop-down staircase, you can evaluate the space. Or climb into the attic via a ceiling access door to examine the potential for building. Many locales require that a bedroom always have a window in case of fire, but never build in an attic without creating a dormer or raised roof to allow for windows for needed escape. Make sure a stairway is easily accessible from the attic to the floor below as well.
Instructions
1. Measure the overhead attic space below the highest beam. If there is sufficient room in the center of the area, you can build a slanted ceiling and angle the sides of the room down to the floor. is typically not shaped in the traditional fashion of a bedroom in the main part of the house. But you can build an interesting bedroom or two in nontraditional space by overcoming a few obstacles. Make sure you abide by local building codes and get a permit to start construction.
2. Sketch the bedroom space you will build. Include room for a small bathroom if possible. You can extend pipes upward from a bathroom below the attic. Include a closet for each bedroom you design. Incorporate room in slanted areas of the attic for storage. You can tuck drawers and shelving in low areas that would otherwise be wasted.
3. Consider building a couple of dormers to house windows for a bedroom area. Buying materials for a dormer is not extremely costly, but you will need to hire experts to help you cut away roof framing and install a dormer. A dormer window will create a reading or sleeping area since it opens headroom in the attic. A dormer can enhance the exterior appearance of the house as well.
4. Frame the bedroom space you want to enclose in the attic. Install fiberglass roll insulation in the ceiling and wall areas. Run wiring in between studs, and install light fixtures. Cover the framing and studs with drywall. Finish the drywall and paint before putting in flooring.
5. Install wood flooring or carpet in the new bedroom area. Finish off a bathroom if you've included it in the plans. Install fixtures, and run water lines and drains.
Installing tile and grout in a bathroom is the last construction process before you install all the plumbing and lighting fixtures, making the bathroom ready for use. Tile should always go over a properly prepared substrate, including a waterproof membrane in bathrooms, over which you lay a cement backerboard to create an even, flat surface for tiling. Once you or your contractor has finished the substrate, you can tile the bathroom and grout it, starting on the walls first and finishing with the floor.
Instructions
1. Measure the dimensions of the tiles, then use a snap chalk line to snap a grid over the bathroom walls with each grid square the size of a tile.
2. Tack on 1-by-2-inch lumber strips right on the horizontal line representing where the second tiles from the floor will go, using finishing nails and a hammer. This allows the tiles to be laid with a ledge for support and ensures straight lines. You will lay the first row of tiles between the wall and the floor last.
3. Mix thinset mortar using the directions on the mortar package and apply a 1/8-inch-thick layer to the wall, around 4 tiles worth. Comb the thinset mortar with the notched side of the trowel to create furrows in the thinset.
4. Press the first tile in position, slightly twisting it as you put it in place to ensure even contact with the mortar. Space the tile with and apply the other tiles in the same manner. Apply more thinset and continue laying tiles and spacing them with tile spacers.
5. Continue in this manner until your cover the walls. Remove the 1-by-2-inch ledge and lay the first row of tiles and then the only tiles left are those that need cutting to fit. Use tile nippers to cut tiles needing a curved line and tile cutters to cut those only requiring a straight cut. Wear safety goggles while resizing tiles.
6. Spread the thinset onto the backs of the cut tiles and set them into position on the wall one-by-one. Leave the wall overnight to let the thinset mortar dry and then remove the tile spacers before beginning work again.
7. Mix grout per the directions on the grout package. Work in small sections at a time, sweeping the grout into the joints between the tiles with a grout float. As you go, wipe off excess grout from the faces of the tiles with a grout sponge. Do not apply grout to the corners joins of the wall, between the wall and the floor or around tiles cut to fit holes for lighting or plumbing fixtures.
8. Wait half an hour and then go over the tiles once more with a very slightly damp grout sponge to get the last remnants of grout off the tiles. Squeeze caulk into the joints you left without grout. Use a damp index finger to smooth the caulk over and create a seal.
9. Snap a chalk line grid over the floor, where one square equals one tile. Apply the tiles to the floor in the same manner as you did the wall, applying and combing the thinset, twisting the tiles into the mortar, spacing with tiles spacers then grouting and caulking the tiles after leaving them overnight to dry.
10. Wait three days for the grout to cure and apply grout and tile sealer to the walls and floor, following the sealer manufacturer's instructions, recommended coats and drying times.
Tags: thinset mortar, tile spacers, apply grout, around tiles, bathroom walls, between wall, between wall floor
Use a large mirror to add visual space to a small condo bathroom.
Bathrooms in many condos are typically a standard size with basic fixtures. The square footage is not overly generous. However, the space can look brand-new and a little more spacious with just a few changes of color, cabinetry and main fixtures. Review several options before deciding on what works well for your condo. Try to create a makeover that will be visually appealing to future buyers, so plan a remodel that incorporates colors and materials that are universally appealing. You can expect to see a good return on your investment in almost every situation for a bath remodel.
Instructions
1. Look at ways to add light and space. Plan to install a custom-ordered large wall mirror section over the vanity. Add a mirror that covers most of the wall space below a light fixture bar mounted at the ceiling level. Install a skylight in the bathroom, if the bathroom is just below roof space. Paint the room white or cream.
2. Upgrade main fixtures. Install a regular-size bathtub with jets, if the bathroom is too small for a whirlpool tub. Use a sliding glass shower door to create shower space in the tub. Plan to install a new toilet with water-saving features. Add high-quality hardware and faucets in the room with metal finishes that complement new light fixtures.
3. Remodel the with new materials and colors. Paint or stain the vanity and add a new countertop. Paint the cabinetry white, or stain it a dark cherry hue. Use a countertop with a sink bowl molded into the countertop design. Buy new drawer pulls and doorknobs for the vanity cabinet.
4. Upgrade the bathroom closet. Buy new shelving and storage containers to organize all supplies and toiletries. Install a recessed light in the ceiling of the closet to illuminate it. Create pocket doors that slide into the walls, if there is little room to open a door outward.
5. Purchase high-quality flooring that ties the room colors together. Buy pale gray tiles, for example, that will complement brushed-nickel faucets. Use white grout for stark contrast. Install decorative white shelves on the walls for holding stacked white towels to give the room a luxurious look.
Tags: main fixtures, Plan install, space Plan, space Plan install, that will, vanity cabinet
Cozy and comfortable guest bedrooms help make your guests feel welcome and relaxed, even if they are far from home. Guest rooms should be inviting and offer many of the comforts of home. Comfortable guest bedrooms should include cozy furnishings and thoughtful accents.
Instructions
1. Focus on the furniture. Your guest bedroom should have a comfortable bed for guests. Decide whether you want two twins beds or a single, larger bed. You may want to consider who your guests will be when deciding this. Clear off the dressing table or bureau so your guests will have space to spread out their toiletries and other items. Providing a luggage rack is also a helpful addition so guests can keep their bags off of the floor and out of the way. You may also want to provide a bedside table with an alarm clock so guests can set their own schedule.
2. Create a relaxing space. Consider putting a chaise lounge in the guest room near a window or at the foot of the bed so your guests have a cozy place to sit and spend their time alone. If space permits, you may also want to put a small table and chairs so your guests have their own space for meals or tea in private.
3. Provide ample closet space. Even if your guests are only staying for a short period of time, it is important to provide them with empty hangers and closet space for hanging their garments.
4. Add thoughtful touches. Place some of your favorite books next to the bed. Store extra blankets and quilts in an armoire or closet for colder nights. Spray the sheets with a calming scent, such as lavender.
5. Create a welcome kit for your guests. Include towels, soaps, shampoo and lotion. To make it extra special, add products in your guest's favorite scents and colors. Put some fresh flowers in a vase in the bedroom to welcome your guests.
Tags: your guests, guest bedrooms, your guests will, also want,
The options for custom designing a bathroom are numerous.
The options for designing a bathroom are more numerous than ever. A bathroom is no longer just a place to quickly wash up in the morning or evening. It can also be a place to unwind from the day, relax and enjoy custom luxuries that were once unavailable in a single-family residence, such as whirlpools, saunas and custom showerheads. Visually, many homeowners are also choosing to custom design their bathroom with materials different from standard options, such as custom tiling, lighting and vanities.
Custom Shower
When remodeling or building a new bathroom, the shower is a place where custom attributes are abundant. With new shower stalls, numerous sizes and shapes are available. They can be built into the bathroom wall or stand alone. Ceramic or stone tiling colors for the walls range from light cream or dark blue to geometric or swirling patterns. The doors can be clear glass, glass block, stenciled glass, ceramic or solid and they can slide or pull in or out. Extra accessories for the shower might include multiple custom shower heads with different water settings and heights, built-in seats, steam units and more. The shower could also include a tub with whirlpool jets. When choosing a tiling for your shower, decide if you want this to be on the flooring and/or walls.
Custom Lighting
In order to enjoy your custom shower, you must have appropriate lighting. This could include custom windows or lighting fixtures. Light fixtures should hang from the wall or ceiling and include waterproof coverings. This could include long fixtures that run along your wall or above your mirror and expose lighting from above or below an attractive covering, fixtures that display light through an aesthetic piece of glass, fixtures with one to five miniatures lamps or chandeliers hanging down, sconces and more. You can choose frosted, halogen or fluorescent bulbs and you can incorporate a dimmer switch.
The windows can be all different shapes and sizes. They could display clear glass or glass blocks. You could build them in the shower, on the outside wall, above the mirror or on the ceiling as a skylight. You could surround the windows with crown molding or custom window treatments, including curtains, blinds, shades and more.
Custom Vanity
The vanity is used daily by you and used regularly by guests. Therefore, you should create a custom vanity that shows off features different than standard vanities. The sink bowl could be mounted above the cabinet and display brass, stone, marble, glass, tile, wood or any material you prefer. The bowl could be round, oval or square and could include patterns or a solid shade. The faucet could be mounted to the wall or to the sink. You can choose the water flow from the faucet to be a standard stream, a flat stream like a waterfall, motion-activated and more. As an eco-friendly option, you could add a foot pump to run the water. The countertop and cabinets can also be custom chosen to correlate with those in your kitchen, the tile in your shower or whatever you wish.
Tags: could include, , clear glass, clear glass glass, could mounted, custom shower
Bedroom doors may come in standard sizes or custom dimensions.
Home construction generally contains a variety of structures that come in standard sizes, which allows manufacturers to provide a number of products that can be easily integrated into many different home interior styles. Those people involved in home construction and remodeling can then choose between a variety of door styles to meet their needs and a number of typical door sizes for bedroom, bath, pantry and other interior rooms.
About Interior Doors
Doors must not only serve their purpose as a threshold from one area to another, but they also must function effectively and safely. When designing door openings, ensure that the open door does not hit any other structural objects and can open safely for the operator. A door that opens in a right-hand fashion or left-hand fashion can help to avoid problems with obstructions and provide safer entry to rooms. The rough opening for doors is generally two inches wider and taller than the measured door itself. Using typical door sizes helps keep construction costs under budget.
Door Width
In the U.S., typical interior doors such as bedrooms come in widths that are expressed in 2-foot-plus measurements, such as 2-foot, 6 inches for a 30-inch wide door and 2-foot, 8 inches for a 32-inch wide door. Most contemporary construction in the U.S. includes doors that are 24, 28, 30, 32 or 36 inches wide, according to the Home Depot website.
Door Height
The standard height of doors for most home construction is 80 inches. However, higher-end residential properties often have high ceilings that require an 84-inch door height. Even larger door sizes are available from some manufacturers, such as 96-inch doors needed for taller interior room designs. Larger door sizes increase the construction costs for the structure, as would be expected. Doors shorter than 6-feet tall are rarely found.
Door Thickness
The standard for interior door thickness is generally 1-3/8-inch thick, according to.the HomeAdditionPlus website. This dimension is widely accepted as the standard for all in the U.S. except those that are custom-made for individual homes. However, when taller doors are required, the 1-3/4 inch thickness is used to maintain the integrity of the door structure.
Custom Doors
Because of the prevalence of custom-built homes in America, you may find interior doors with other dimensions. In larger scale homes, door sizes are adjusted to provide architectural balance in the overall effect. Custom doors are much more expensive than standard door sizes because they must be individually made.
Tags: door sizes, , come standard, come standard sizes, construction costs, interior doors
Change the look of your metal bedroom furniture with a new layer of paint.
Metal bedroom furniture is strong and durable, lasting years with little maintenance necessary for the furniture upkeep. Eventually though, the furniture will either develop enough surface damage to appear old and worn, or you may tire of the color of the furniture and wish a change. Fortunately, change is only a few paint layers away. With properly applied paint, you can create the look you want in your furniture, choosing a color scheme that matches the bedroom's decor perfectly.
Instructions
1. Place a drop cloth over the floor of your work area, then place the metal furniture in the center of the cloth.
2. Put on a facemask and a pair of safety goggles. Clear the surface of the furniture of debris including rust and peeling paint by brushing the debris away with a wire brush. Use a chemical rust remover instead of the brush if the brush proves inefficient at removal. Follow the remover manufacturer's instructions and protect your hands with rubber gloves during use.
3. Brush a layer of paint stripper onto the furniture to remove the existing paint from the surface. Allow the stripper to sit until the paint begins to blister and then remove the stripper and paint both with a rag.
4. Sand away any scratches in the surface of the furniture with medium-grit sandpaper. Smooth the scratches left from sanding with fine-grit sandpaper, and then wipe the surface a damp rag.
5. Put the rubber gloves back on and wash the furniture clean with a mix of equal parts warm water and bleach using a sponge. Rinse with water and wait for the surface to dry.
6. Shake a can of metal primer spray with rust inhibitor vigorously to mix. Cover the furniture with the primer, holding the nozzle about 6 inches from the metal surface and spraying from top to bottom. Allow the primer to dry for about two hours, and then sand the surface smooth with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe with a tack cloth.
7. Shake up a can of metal compatible spray paint in the top coat color desired. Spray the furniture using the same process used with the primer. Use a light layer of the paint, aiming for even coverage. Allow the paint to dry for two hours and then apply a second layer, building upon the first to cover the primer completely with a solid color coat. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
Creating an inviting and cozy bedroom space does not necessarily require purchasing new furniture. By modifying the arrangement of your current bedroom pieces, you can make a big difference in the feel of your room. As you work to turn your bedroom into a relaxing environment perfect for rest, consider how moving some of your favorite pieces to different locations in your space could give your room a new look and help create a soothing space.
Instructions
1. Create a floor plan to try out potential arrangements. Measure the dimensions of your room as well as each furniture piece. Using graph paper, create paper representations of the space and the pieces. Cut out the pieces and move them around the space to experiment with different arrangements.
2. Place your bed on the dominant wall. Your bed should be the central focus of your bedroom. Bring it immediately into view by centering it on one of the largest walls in your room. By centering the bed instead of tucking it into a corner you turn it into a focal point and give your room balance.
3. Flank your bed with end tables to allow for beside storage. Place one end table on each side of the bed to users on both sides can take advantage of this bedside storage and place their books, alarm clocks or other bedtime necessities on the surfaces.
4. Keep large furniture pieces out of walking paths. Avoid placing large pieces near the door. Instead, put these pieces against nondominant walls. Take care to produce a walking path of at least five feet between each large furniture piece and other room d cor items to prevent a cramped feeling in your space.
5. Avoid grouping together. By spacing your furniture out throughout the room you ensure that the furniture pieces do not overwhelm the space. Do not place more than one or two pieces on each wall unless absolutely necessary.
6. Place seating near windows. If your room is large enough, arranging seating around a window can help produce an inviting space.
Tags: your room, furniture pieces, your bedroom, ensure that, furniture piece
Ideas for Installing a Washer & Dryer in the Bathroom
When a separate laundry room is not an option in the home, an area that is already plumbed with access to a drain and stack line is a big asset for installing a washing machine and dryer. For this reason, the bathroom makes an excellent choice for homeowners short of space. Looking at the bathroom creatively can help homeowners fit washers and dryers into many sizes of bathrooms.
Stackable Washer and Dryer in a Closet
Install a stackable washer and dryer in a linen closet which is not getting a great deal of use. Stackable washers and dryers can take up less than two feet in space, making them ideal for small bathroom closets.
Convert and Old Tub and Shower
Remove an old five-foot tub and shower that is not getting any use and install a conventional, side by side washing machine and dryer in the space. Just be sure that the units don't come too far into the room and possibly impede on space needed to comfortably use a toilet and sink.
Move Fixtures to Corners of the Room
Maximize the space of the bathroom by moving the toilet and/or sink to the corners of the bathroom. This frees up tremendous amounts of wall space which can then be used to install a washer and dryer along a previously used wet wall.
Use a Combo/Ventless Washer and Dryer
Change out extra long vanities with only one sink for a smaller vanity with a combo washer and dryer installed beside it, and run the counter top over them both. Combo washers and dryers wash and dry clothes in the same tub and do not need to be vented, making them perfect for small spaces.
A child's bedroom serves as a private escape from the rest of the world. The comfort found in a bedroom can help children overcome worries and build confidence. Besides being a primary resting place, bedrooms can also help spark childhood creativity. Although sharing a small bedroom with siblings might minimize individual space, it doesn't have to ruin opportunities for interactivity and fun.
Instructions
1. Choose an interesting theme. Picking a theme unifies the bedroom and makes selecting decorations easier. It also redirects focus from the small size of the room. Present several options to the boys, so they feel included in the decorating process. Suitable options for boy bedrooms include sports, nature and cartoon character themes. Allow the boys to make suggestions following any predetermined guidelines.
2. Combat clutter with a pre-emptive strike. Incorporate storage devices into the bedroom to reinforce the importance of cleanliness. Eliminate excuses that the room is too small to hold their belongings. Provide wooden bins and plastic crates to store toys and electronics. Install corner-shelving units to hold collectibles and stuffed animals. Provide a bookcase to organize books, videos and board games. Decorate storage devices with themed stickers and decals for added appeal.
3. Pick kid-friendly furniture. Since you can't stop all roughhousing, choosing "forgiving" furniture is an essential part of decorating children's bedrooms. Choose lightweight, but durable furniture with rounded corners. Opt for stackable furniture, such as bunk beds to increase floor space.
4. Make the walls "talk." Paint the bedroom walls with bright primary colors. Hang colorful posters that feature kid-friendly characters and designs. Apply themed wall decals and borders to fill empty spaces. Consider painting a mural if you plan to keep the bedroom theme long term.
5. Pull the bedroom together with matching linens and curtains. Allow each boy to choose a different comforter in a coordinating design or color scheme. This offers each child a chance to let his creativity and individuality shine. Choose curtains that contrast with the wall color to make the room pop.
Homeowners choose granite for household surfaces because of its natural beauty, durability and stain resistance. A granite-top dining table offers residents and guests the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a meal on a natural surface that incorporates their use into its eventual color and character as it becomes seasoned over time. Make your own granite-top table to your custom dimensions.
Size
One advantage to making your own dining table is that you can build it to your own desired dimensions instead of a stock size. Because a granite top for a dining table is typically one large, seamless slab, your table won't be expandable with a center leaf. For that reason, make your table as large as will comfortably fit in the room with space for as many chairs as you will need around the perimeter.
Plan on at least 30 inches space around the each side of the table. Measure the chairs and allow about 4 inches on each side of each chair at its widest part. Last, measure the room and the doorway to make sure your table's top will fit out the door for an eventual move.
Frame
After determining the size of your table, build or purchase the frame that will hold the granite top. Build a simple wood frame with four legs joined by wood bracing and stain it to the color of the chair frames. As an alternative, purchase a table frame made from metal that has been separated from its glass or tile top at a furniture store's scratch and dent area. Choose or build a table frame that can support the weight of the granite top, approximately 17 lbs. per square foot of area.
Granite Tabletop
Have your granite piece cut by the supplier to the dimensions you need. Whether your table frame allows for the granite top to lay inside the frame, surrounded by its edges, or to lay on top of the frame, determines whether you will need to finish the granite edges. The granite supplier can custom-bevel or curve the edges of your tabletop.
On a table frame with legs and a supportive frame, the distributed weight of the granite holds the top in place. On a pedestal table or a frame without full support underneath the granite, it may be necessary to secure the granite to the frame. Add a second pedestal under the table and center each on one end of the top.
After installation, use your table frequently. Dine on it uncovered and wipe it clean after each use. Frequent use helps season the granite, darkening its color. Natural granite does not need any sealing or varnish.
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Both babies and parents need comfortable surroundings.
Some parents share a room with a newborn because they feel more comfortable being close to the baby. Others share because they don't have the space to create a separate nursery. Whether the reasons are financial or emotional, there are several ways to decorate a shared room that can work for both baby and parents or siblings. In general, the key to sharing a space successfully involves planning and good organization.
Instructions
1. Choose a neutral color for the walls. Blue may be for boys and pink for girls traditionally, but newborns don't know the difference. Painting the shared room a pale yellow, beige, or other soft color provides a light and pleasing atmosphere for all the room's occupants. The newborn's side of the room can feature colorful and easily removable wall clings or posters.
2. Look for cribs in the same wood and color or complementary color to work with the existing furniture in the room. Cribs are available in a wide range of materials, colors and styles that match any decor. If the newborn will be sleeping in a previously owned crib, consider repainting it with a low- or no-VOC child-safe paint that matches existing decor.
3. Divide the room into separate zones by using area rugs. Baby's side of the room can feature a baby-themed rug of one color, while the other side of the room features a rug of a similar or complementary color.
4. Install a room divider. Room dividers can be made from nearly any material and be solid and stationary, such as a bookcase or series of folding screens. There are also see-through options, such as an open-backed shelving unit or sheer curtains hung from the ceiling.
5. Put in task lighting. Place table lamps around the room in addition to or instead of overhead lighting. Install dimmers. A lamp with soft, low light placed near the newborn's crib keeps other occupants from being disturbed by bright lights during late-night feedings.
6. Place decorative baskets or bins for extra storage near the newborn's crib. Babies require lots of storage for clothing, blankets, diapers and toys. Creating designated areas for the newborn's accessories makes it easier for the caregiver, keeps the room neat and cuts down on clutter. Alternatively, designate shelving or drawers in an existing armoire or set of drawers for baby's things.
Tags: side room, , complementary color, near newborn, near newborn crib, newborn crib,
Like a bicycle built for two, find a sink built for you.
If you're trying to find a sink that's made for two, you may have realized there are many options. Many have features that are futuristic, while others are delicate. Finding an appropriate sink for your bathroom, thankfully, can be a relatively easy process without causing too much stress.
Undermount Sinks
Undermount sinks are flush with the counter surface.
Undermount sinks are sinks mounted underneath the bathroom counter. The top of the sink is flush with the counter itself. These kinds of sinks come in many colors, shapes and sizes as this is a more popular type of sink. Deep sinks, whose basin dips very low, are a popular model. The sink can hold more water, butt also takes up more room underneath in the cupboard space.
Cantilevered Sinks
Cantilevered sinks are sinks that are mounted against the wall, with no room underneath or counter space on either side. The cantilevered sink works if you have a small bathroom and need to save space. However, it has no counter or storage areas underneath, so this may be the disadvantage to this kind of sink. Usually just used in single bathrooms, the pedestal sink may be placed in a double bathroom as well.
Vessel Sinks
Vessel sinks are raised from the counter, as if a bowl placed on the counter. This saves room underneath the counter, as well as room on the counter as only the narrow part of the bowl is on the counter. Since the bowl is raised, it can take a little time getting used, too, but the design itself complements a bathroom.
If you're considering laying ceramic or porcelain tile for your bathroom floor, take it up a notch and install granite. It's a big project either way, but the installation process is almost the same no matter what kind of tile you use. There are a few added complications with granite, chiefly that you'll need a wet saw to cut it and you'll need to level out the surface as you go, since the granite tiles are cut smooth and straight. Start with a solid cement-board underlayment.
Instructions
1. Remove the toilet by turning off the water line attached to the back and using an adjustable wrench to unscrew the line from the tank. Take off the two floor bolts, lift the toilet straight up, and walk it out.
2. Lay two intersecting lines over the floor with a chalk snap line, dividing the floor into four equal quadrants.
3. Use a notched trowel to spread thin set mortar over the middle of the floor, covering as much area as you can from one position. You will be able to see the lines through the mortar.
4. Press the first granite tile into the mortar where the two lines intersected, so it's bordered by two lines on two adjacent sides of the tile. Set spacers alongside the tile and place the other tiles next to the spacers.
5. Lay a straight 2-by-4 over two or three tiles at once, with the narrow edge of the board sitting on the tiles. Tap the board with a mallet to get the tops of the tiles even with one another. Move the board to another position and repeat.
6. Spread more mortar and install more tiles, progressing along the lines and toward the walls. Stop after every few tiles and level them out with the board and the mallet. Lay as many full tiles as will fit in the room. Use a wet saw to cut around the toilet drain.
7. Let the tile set for a day. Measure the spaces remaining around the edge of the floor, by the walls and around the tub, and cut and mortar down tiles for those spaces, setting them with the cut side facing the wall. Let them set for another day.
8. Spread grout over the granite in sections of a few square feet, using your grout squeegee to force the grout into the spaces between the tiles. Wipe up the excess grout with a sponge. Let it set 48 hours before reinstalling the toilet.
A Jack & Jill bathroom is a small bathroom that adjoins two separate bedrooms.
A Jack & Jill bathroom is a common nickname for a small bathroom that adjoins two separate bedrooms. Often these bathrooms are shared by two child's rooms, but they also can be used between two adult or guest bedrooms as well. The Jack & Jill bathroom's decor should complement the bedrooms that it adjoins as it is often seen as the piece that links the two rooms.
Pick a Theme
For a bathroom that adjoins two kids' bedrooms, and especially if one bedroom is for a boy and another for a girl, pick a neutral theme for the Jack & Jill bathroom. This theme could be something both the children enjoy, like a certain sport, or even decorated with a cartoon theme. In addition, it can be decorated as a beach or underwater theme, which is exciting and gender neutral. The theme can be carried out in a variety of ways, from bathmats and rugs to shower curtains and accessories as well as wall decorations.
Continue Bedroom Design
Another option is to continue the theme of the bedroom into the bathroom. This decorating idea can be used for both a bathroom joined by two child's rooms, or for a bathroom joined by two guest rooms. If the kids' rooms have a princess theme, perhaps carry over small portions of the decor into the bathroom and paint the room a complementary color. For guest rooms, if the design is perhaps a neutral paint with a contrast color, use the contrast color for the bathroom walls so that the bathroom is seen as an extension of the room and complements it well.
Use Wall Decals
Another way to decorate a Jack & Jill bathroom is to use wall decals as decoration instead of traditional forms of decoration like frames and wall art, which is especially appropriate for a child's bathroom as it makes the room more inviting. Sometimes, creating a more exciting bathroom is just what a parent needs to entice her child to bathe and use the bathroom appropriately.
Tags: Jack Jill, Jack Jill bathroom, Jill bathroom, that adjoins, bathroom that, bathroom that adjoins,
The colors you choose for a small bedroom affect the feel of a room.
Color affects the way you perceive a bedroom space, in terms of its size, depth or height. All colors have advancing or receding qualities, that is, the tendency to come forward or fade away, depending on your perception. Using this characteristic, you can use color in a bedroom to give the impression of a larger size or smaller, creating a cozier room.
Receding Colors
The colors in the blue, green and purple region of the spectrum are receding colors. Painting walls in these tones make the room feel larger, as the walls move away in your perception. Avoid choosing the darkest tones of these colors however, as darker colors can have the opposite effect of making the room feel smaller.
Advancing Colors
If your decorating goal is not to expand the size of the room, the warmer colors in the yellow, red and orange spectrum will make the room feel cozier. Colors in this range tend to feel closer to you, and will move the walls of the bedroom in. Match the tone of the color you choose to the natural lighting available, so as not to overdo this effect.
Monochromatic Colors
Choosing colors from the same pallet and combining them, can move walls in relation to one another. For this color scheme to work, choose colors very close to one another. A shade lighter and a shade darker is all it takes for the eye to discern the contrast and see the walls of the bedroom as nearer or .
Contrasting Trim
Paint the trim and moldings a lighter color than the walls. While white is often the default color for this woodwork, don't be afraid to choose a lighter shade from your color pallet. The lighter colors of the trim expand the room size, making the walls appear farther away.
Colors Raise the Ceiling
The ceiling of a small bedroom is often forgotten, and may go through the entire life of the home in the same color that the builder left it. A trick to "lift" the height of the ceiling is to first paint it wall to wall with a brilliant white or other light color in a gloss finish. When that is dry, paint a 4-inch border around the perimeter of the ceiling, using the color of the walls. This has the effect of extending the walls and making the room feel larger.
Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, making it illegal to discriminate against people with physical or mental impairments. The law ensures that bathrooms and washrooms in newly constructed facilities can accommodate these individuals without causing an inconvenience on people who do not have such challenges.
Features
The ADA applies to public and private business enterprises, local, state government entities and private enterprises that provide public services, lodgings, utilities or transportation. The United States Access Board, a federal agency, has the task of creating the design criteria or the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for accessible bathrooms, including tubs, showers, water closets, lavatories, grab bars and accessories.
Showers
ADA-compliant showers must have minimum measurements of 30 inches by 30 inches without a threshold. Roll-in showers must have dimensions of 36 inches by 36 inches and a seat installed along the entire length of the wall opposite the shower valve control. The curb, if present, must not exceed a half-inch. The shower spray mechanism must have a 60-inch hose that enables use as a fixed showerhead as well as a hand-held unit. Grab bars and handrails should meet the requirement for dimensions, strength and spacing.
Tubs
ADA-approved tubs make it easier for individuals with physical challenges able to get in and out of the tubs. These tubs have wider, longer and deeper dimensions and have nonslip surfaces. The tubs also have seating requirement that must follow ADA guidelines. Many ADA tubs have doors or side that opens for easy access without the necessity to climb over the tub. Installation of grab bars must follow the ADA codes for added safety.
Toilets
The ADA-mandated height of toilets is between 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the surface of the seat. Springs that return seats to a lift position do not comply with the requirements. Grab be installed on the sidewall (42 inches) and the rear wall (36 inches). Specific requirements for the flush control and the tissue dispenser must also meet ADA compliance. Different rules exist for children.
Urinals
Acceptable urinals include stall-type or wall-hung urinals that have an elongated rim. Do not install it more than 17 inches above the floor or the flush valve higher than 44 inches. A floor space clearance of 30 inches by 48 inches permits room for a forward line to the urinal.
Lavatories
ADA design guidelines apply to vanities, lavatory fixtures and built-in lavatories. The rim or surface should raise no more than 34 inches above the finished floor. A knee and toe clearance of 29 inches must exist from the floor to the underside apron on the lavatory. The floor area (30 inches by 48 inches) in the front of the lavatory must comply with the regulation. Typical ADA--approved faucets include push-type, lever-operated and faucets that operates electronically. The height of a mirror may not exceed 40 inches from the bottom edge to the floor surface.
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Finding storage options for a bedroom can be a tricky task.
No matter how big the room or house, people are always searching for storage options to hold clothing, keepsakes and other personal possessions. The bedroom can be a particularly tricky place to outfit in storage apparatuses, since they can make an already small bedroom look cluttered or tacky. There are built-in options, however, which will enable you to increase the storage place in your bedroom without a crowded look.
Closet Cubbies
If you have a deep closet but not much shelf space, try building a cubby shelf for shoe storage. Cubby shelves are like boxes built into a shelf form. This will allow you to get your seasonal or lesser-worn shoes up and out of the way, allowing more floor space for movement. Use the cubby box to store hats. Utilize the tops of these shelves for additional space.
Wall Mounted
Wall-mounted shelves are perfect for clearing up space and storing little-used items. Build shelves at the top of your closet. The area is private, so you can store the plastic bins and regular boxes up there. Use bedside shelves as decoration, and also to hold items such as your alarm clock. These virtually eliminate the need for , which clears up space in smaller rooms.
Beds
Platform beds are not only stylish, but some come with built-in storage under the bed area. These drawers are perfect for seasonal clothing, electronic accessories and extra toiletries or linens. If your room is too small for a platform bed or you would like a sitting area in the bedroom, there are many futon options with storage underneath. This storage comes in the form of drawers or a lift-up seating area that acts as a storage chest. Many companies also make under-the-bed storage units, but you will need to know the exact dimensions of your bed in order for this to work.
Table-Top Drawers
If you insist on side tables and you need room to store things, such as medication or even the remote control, consider table-top drawers. These are with a small set of drawers built under the top that allow for the storage of smaller items. These options are seamless and functional. Select a set that matches your decor.
Your dining room may be the one room in the house that you rarely enter. When company comes over, you might just close the door, or throw whatever you've stacked on the table into the kitchen cupboards. If you organize the dining room to get rid of the clutter, you'll never have to worry when guests drop by unexpectedly. It's a lot easier than you think.
Instructions
Organize a Dining Room
1. Take out extra chairs you rarely use. You might have a dining room table with an expandable leaf, letting you seat 10 or even 12 people. However, when your table is in its smallest position, you'll have extra chairs cluttering your dining room. Put one on each side of the buffet. Use them as armchairs in the living room. If your dining chairs are comfortable, use them as desk or office chairs. You might want to invest in high-end folding chairs. They look like regular dining room chairs, but are collapsible, letting you store them in the garage when not in use.
2. Bring in a buffet. You probably think of dining room furniture as just table and chairs. While these are integral, a buffet can add more storage, making it easier to organize the dining room. A buffet is a place to serve food and even put lamps. Depending on how much china you have, you might want to invest in a china cabinet.
3. Add bookshelves. You might not even have a dining room. You may be working with a great room that is a combination of the living room, and kitchen. This makes it difficult to organize, because you have to deal with clutter from three rooms. Separate the space by building open bookshelves, to provide storage and separation without making the room feel closed off. Place vases or pottery on the new shelves that will look good from both rooms.
4. Hide your office. If you start a home business, you'll probably be working off the dining table for awhile. This might even overrun your entire space. You may have stacks of files and paperwork on your eating area. If you have to work out of your dining room, invest in an armoire, so you can hide your clutter when it's not in use.
5. Have a room you can be proud of. This is the fun part of organizing a dining room. If you love a room, you'll want to keep it clean. If you are enamored with your furniture, you'll put away your craft projects. Decorating a dining room doesn't have to be expensive. Add crown molding. Spruce up walls and furniture with paint.
6. Eat in your dining room everyday. Too often formal dining rooms are just a space that you use for holidays. If you go into the space everyday, clutter won't build up. You won't be tempted to leave shopping bags on the table, because they will have to be moved for dinner. Best of all, you'll be spending time with your family. This might even help you lose weight, because you'll be focusing on what you are eating, instead of what is on TV.
Dress up your guest bedroom in no time with these hotel-style decorating tips
Company's coming and you only have a day or less to get your guest bedroom in order. Think beyond a vase of fresh flowers and go for boutique hotel style with these quick . Whether you have a dedicated spare bedroom or need to convert your home office, these steps will have your space looking sleepworthy in no time.
Instructions
1. Freshen the bed linens. Keep a clean set of sheets in the closet for a quick switch-a-roo. When guests leave, strip the linens and wash immediately so you're ready next time. Place a lavender sachet or dryer sheet among the sheets to keep them smelling sweet between visits.
2. Arrange a fluffy comforter and blanket on the bed. Instead of making the bed entirely, double the comforter at the base of the bed and arrange the blanket on top like a throw upon a couch. The turned-down bed will make guests feel instantly at home. Plus, it's perfect for making daybeds or airbeds appear more comfortable.
3. Light a scented soy candle. Soy candles burn cleanly and for longer periods of time than wax candles. Avoid overpowering scents.
4. Set a stylish water carafe with glasses on the nightstand. Place a colorful tray underneath to protect the stand, or opt for a natural look with a shallow basket. Before guests arrive, fill the carafe with cold water and toss in a couple lemon slices for color and flavor.
5. Create a "snack bar" by topping a cake stand with granola bars, rice cakes and other goodies you know will enjoy. Place it on a dresser or bureau with instructions for guests to help themselves.
6. Place a basket full of basic travel-sized toiletries on the bed or in the bath. Try shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, disposable razor and shaving lotion, mouthwash, nail file and tweezers. For a chic touch, add a gift tag to the basket and leave your guests a personal message.
7. Fold a stack of three towels (bath, hand and washcloth) per each guest and wrap each set with ribbon. Add gift tags and personalize with names of each guest. For instructions on fold a towel, see the link in the Resources section.
8. Select a few coffee table-worthy books and magazines for your guests to peruse. They'll add interest to a nightstand or side table and give guests something to look at when you're unavailable. As a souvenir, buy a book or map of the area and let your guests take it with them.
9. Before bedtime, place a dark chocolate mint on a bed pillow for the ultimate hotel-style touch.
Tags: your guests, guest bedroom, carafe with, decorating tips, each guest
Let the color of wine be the inspiration for your dining room.
Take a cue from that bottle of Bordeaux you pour for dinner and let it inspire you for your dining room decor. Wine comes in several shades from a light and airy white zinfandel which is actually a deep pink to rich burgundy. Use it in small doses for flooring and walls and go all out on the table.
Flooring
Wine-colored wall-to-wall flooring might be too overpowering. Keep the color manageable and underfoot by anchoring the dining room table with an area rug that has shades of wine on a light background. If you're considering replacing your current flooring with ceramic tile, create a border of decorative wine tiles around the perimeter of the dining room.
Walls
Painting the entire room a wine color might be exhilarating, cozy or claustrophobic. Since the dining room is used for entertainment, you should consider how your guests may feel enclosed in a wine-colored box. Play up the wine color by painting only one wall that color as a focal point and the other walls a more neutral color. Wall paper that's mostly light colored with touches of wine in the print is easy on the eyes. Try stenciling a border of red grapes and leaves around the room right below the ceiling.
Windows
Heavy burgundy damask drapes might work for the palace at Versailles but not in most modern dining rooms. Use the color on the valance only and add sheer burgundy drapes with side panels of a neutral color. Drapes with burgundy stripes would work as well.
Tablescape
The table is where you use wine colors to your heart's content. Floral arrangements and candles should either be low or high but not at eye level where they interfere with diners conversing across the table. Burgundy flowers include roses, lilies, peonies and chrysanthemums. Contrast the burgundy color with splashes of lime green flowers such as orchids, tulips and calla lilies. Pops of pink make the wine-colored flowers seem brighter. Place white candles in clear wine-colored glass votives. Create a centerpiece on a wine-colored trimmed table runner by floating burgundy flowers in different heights of wine glasses. China should show off the food, so do as restaurants do and choose a white or off-white color. Pick up the burgundy color with a charger -- an oversized dinner plate -- underneath the china. Pull a burgundy napkin through a ring and place on top of the china.
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A handmade dining table brings out the country charm of a vacation home.
You don't need to live in the country to enjoy an air of country living in your dining room. Hunt for, or make, a rural-style dining table to star at formal and informal meals. A country table, handmade, has character and enough interesting quirkiness to function as found art, even when it is supporting the holiday roast or the breakfast eggs from the backyard chickens.
Weathered Wood
Old wood gets new life when it is sanded and spliced into a dining table. A simple table has a top of silvered wood smoothed by time -- or a little judicious sandpaper -- and joined into a rectangle set on a reclaimed metal base. The base can be as uncomplicated as wrought iron or recycled turned . Or add a contemporary touch with a base of metal angles bolted to the bottom of the reclaimed wood surface.
Mosaic Tiles
A plain picnic table gets a fancier demeanor with a surface of handpainted ceramic tiles. The table may be overlaid with glued-on tiles or feature a center panel of tiles set into the surface. The frame around the tabletop and the mismatched or repurposed wood chairs surrounding the table may be pulled together with the same glossy enamel paint for ease of cleaning. A country-style table like this works equally well in a casual home dining room, an eat-in kitchen or a covered arbor on a patio or terrace.
Repurposed and Painted
No need to treat an old farm table as something precious. It's destined for lively meals and rambunctious children and a whole new life in an urban loft or a country home. So whitewash and paint away its imperfections to give it a new lease on life. A scruffy handmade table becomes the star of the screened porch or the downtown open space home with a coat of paint and a complement of mismatched painted chairs with bright cushions. Set it with a random collection of plates scavenged from country flea markets and serve some homemade, hearty country fare.
Waste Not
When you renovate your country home, save the old wood and put it to good use. Keep salvageable boards out of the woodpile, and match them to each other instead for a new dining table. Worn boards may be smoothed by time and touch to a natural shiny patina, but you can give them a coat of wax or polyurethane if they don't have an innate glow. Set the joined boards on a painted wood frame supported by plain wood table legs, and paint the entire underside support structure in a color to match your decor. That way you save the pretty wood for the visible tabletop and still conserve money and the environment by using leftovers to complete the dining set.
Tags: dining table, country home, dining room, , table legs
Black and white comforters are often seen with zebra prints.
A black and white comforter transforms your bedroom with a graphic, contemporary flair or adds a simplistic and elegant ambiance. Since black and white both coordinate well with most colors, it is not complicated to choose accessories and fabrics that create the theme you have in mind. Whether you prefer abstract designs, animal prints, stripes or floral, the black and white comforter provides the perfect focal piece for the bedroom area.
Instructions
1. Paint your walls in a white, pastel or silver-gray accent color if you want an elegant, classic look in your room. Use a bright or bold paint to give the room a graphic or abstract appeal if you prefer a modern style. Hot pink, lime green, red, a sunny yellow or royal blue are just some of the options available for the bold color.
2. Trim the baseboards and around the windows with a bright color if you are afraid that the accent color will be too bold on the walls.
3. Hang wallpaper or a wallpaper border with a black and white scene or pattern to accentuate a comforter that is solid black or white with just a small amount of solid black or white trim.
4. Purchase a bold colored headboard if you want the bedroom to have a contemporary look. Another alternative is to use a bold, solid color for the bed skirt.
5. Mix the patterns for your bedding and drapes to create an eclectic or cozy look in the bedroom. For instance, if the comforter has black and white stripes, add throw pillows and draperies in a floral black and white or toile print.
6. Invest in simplistic black and white pictures to hang on your walls if you want the bedroom to have an elegant ambiance. Use simple black frames for the pictures. Black wrought iron designs look attractive with the black and white comforter as well.
7. Set accessories, such as sculptures, a flower vase, lamps and other decor around the room either in black or white or the other accent colors you chose. This balances the room and creates visual flow.
8. Purchase a soft rug to lay beside the bed on the floor. Choose the pattern in a print that complements the theme of the room, whether it is an abstract design or has a classic look.
Tags: black white, black white, black white comforter, accent color, bedroom have, classic look, elegant ambiance
A stone fireplace is a classic element of Tuscan design.
Italian style bedroom decor may have the contemporary gloss of a chic Rome apartment, or the rustic charm of a Tuscan villa. Either way, the bedroom can evoke Italy through furnishings and accessories imported from Italy, or with pieces inspired by classic Italian design. You can finish the look by integrating paintings, prints or textiles of Italian scenes such as street side cafes, vineyards or the Mediterranean coast.
Instructions
1. Integrate Italian design elements into your bedroom decor. If you have the budget for a full bedroom redesign, you can consider exposed wooden ceiling beams, a stone wall, a stone fireplace, arched walls, columns or terracotta tile on the floors.
2. Set the tone with an Italian-inspired color scheme. For a rustic look, go with natural hues such as cream, stone gray, burnt umber or espresso brown. Keep dark woodwork, stone elements or brick unpainted for a rougher look, or subtly brighten it by adding a coat of thin whitewash. If you prefer a more contemporary Italian look, paint the bedroom with semi-gloss paint in black, gray or white and add metallic accents.
3. Furnish your bedroom with focal point pieces that have . The Tuscan farmhouse look may have shabby chic elements such as a wrought iron bed frame and solid wooden furnishings with weathered or distressed finishes. A modern Italian version contains low-slung designer pieces with sleek, angular frames.
4. Use textiles to soften surfaces and add accent color. A rich Mediterranean blue works well in most types of Italian decor, and can pop when combined with sunny yellow or mango orange. Keep the look cooler by accenting the blue with green or stark white.
5. Accessorize with Italian-inspired pieces that marry form and function. A painted ceramic vessel may hold bouquets of wildflowers. A line of Italian wine bottles on a floating wooden shelf function as candle holders. Black wrought iron, either painted or left unfinished, adds sculptural style to light fixtures, shelf supports and picture frames.
There are very few families that don't have need for a home office, and all too often the home office gets relegated to the master bedroom just because that's the only place it will fit. A home office in the bedroom doesn't have to be intrusive if you can look outside the box.
Instructions
1. Move all of the home office furniture and accessories out of the bedroom.
2. Sort through all of your accessories, grouping like things together (i.e., pens with pens, paper with paper and so on). Once all of the accessories are sorted, decide how many containers you need and in what shapes. Pens, paperclips and small notepads don't have to be stored on the desktop. Consider putting them in a drawer separated by dividers cut from card stock or old boxes taped in place. You also can purchase a canvas tool holder from your local hardware store and staple it to the end of your desk to hold things like sticky notes, small notepads and business cards.
3. Choose a desk that fits your needs. If all you need is a small computer desk you can usually get one for under $50. When choosing a desk, keep in mind the amount of space you have in your bedroom. Corner desks, while they may be a bit more expensive, will help to maximize the amount of space needed and give you a place to hide unsightly cords.
4. Load the room beginning with the large pieces. Connect all the computer wires and make sure the computer works before taking another step.
5. Bring in the accessories. Remember to keep them neat and organized and labeled. You don't need to have expensive boxes or trays; simple things such as baggies and cut-up boxes can serve your needs.
Tags: home office, amount space, small notepads, your needs
Many people complain that they have nothing to wear, but a glance through their bedroom closets tell a different story. Home to year-round clothing, shoes and accessories, this storage area can easily get out of control if not reigned in now and then.
Instructions
1. Go through all clothing items in the closet placing each piece in one of three categories: keep, throw away or give away. Remove all items from the closet that won't be kept and place in boxes or bags for donation or throwing away.
2. Sort through shoes and keep only the ones that fit properly and that you still wear.
3. Unify the space by choosing one type of matching hanger for clothes. Identical wooden hangers or the same shade of a plastic variety are good choices.
4. Add hooks to the interior closet walls for hanging belts, scarves, ties, necklaces and bracelets.
5. Devise a system for organizing remaining items. Grouping clothing by season or type, such as shirts/pants/dresses/suits can help. Placing shoes according to use, such as exercise, casual and formal is helpful as well.