Decorate Bedrooms With A Paris Theme

Of all the rooms in your home, your bedroom is the perfect place to decorate lavishly and imaginatively and allow your personal style to predominate. A Parisian-style bedroom can add sophistication and a worldly ambiance to your room. You can decorate your bedroom in the style of a Paris salon or sidewalk café, or give it an urban contemporary look. French country also predominates in many Paris bedrooms, which makes integrating family heirlooms, antiques and flea market finds a breeze. You can also opt to use Parisian art, objects and images in your bedroom to give it a definitive French accent.

Instructions

1. Determine which Paris theme you prefer for your bedroom. If you prefer comfort over glam, the country or salon style may serve you better. If you like some trendy elements or sleek minimalism, go for a modern or contemporary Parisian look.

2. Use paint and finishes to set the design theme for your Parisian bedroom. A simple cornflower blue paint job with cream or mustard fleur-de-lis trim evokes a homey Parisian look. Espresso brown with poppy-seed black and off-white accents has an edgier, contemporary look. For a more literal interpretation of Parisian style, apply a wallpaper mural of a café window and awning, the Eiffel Tower or a Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec-style scene of women dancing. For a subtler accent, spell out French words and phrases with wall decals.

3. Invest in Parisian-style bedroom furniture that functions as a focal point of the bedroom. A simple scrolled wrought-iron bed frame with a distressed finish recalls the details on French café furniture. A contemporary canopy bed frame in dark brown or black, with no canopy, has the cool architecture of a Paris boutique hotel. French-style antiques and reproductions, such as desks, chairs and tables with skinny, sculpted legs, recall the ornate furniture at Versailles.

4. Accessorize with Parisian details. Prints, paintings and posters of Paris scenes or by French artists are a must. You can stack paintings in ornate, mismatched frames vertically on the wall to give the bedroom the bohemian glam of a Paris salon. Evoke Parisian simplicity by hanging a simple framed art postcard or a rusted tin sign advertising French foodstuffs. A French tableau of art and accessories on a floating shelf or a deep windowsill adds a finishing touch.

Tags: your bedroom, bedroom simple, contemporary look, Paris salon, Parisian look

Organizing A Bedroom Closet

Organizing a Bedroom Closet

Survey Your Domain

Face it: Your closet may look like those featured on those home improvement shows for a few minutes, but no perky young organizer or television crew is going to hang around to keep it in stasis during hurried workdays, schooldays and lazy weekends. Eventually it will look just the way it does now unless you take stock and determine what kind of space you actually need for everyday living and how best to design your closet. The best organization is that which makes clothes, accessories and shoes easy to find and to put back in their proper place. Not many of us are fortunate enough to have room-sized storage, but, frankly, few of us need it. The first step in organizing is always to root through the area, separating clothing, shoes and other items into piles of things to be kept and those that should be given away so they can be used by someone who will actually use them. Worn-out or hopelessly damaged items should be discarded.

Decide How the Space Should Be Used

If weekday mornings are like gangbusters at your house, your closet should almost hand you your robe or clothing in the morning. Plan to put weekend or formal wear somewhere that requires more time for access. Keep a diary for a few weeks of what you get from your closet each morning and where it ends up each night and use that information to design your space. Decide how much of that stuff that hangs in the closet could be stowed in drawers if you had them---a stack of open baskets might be a good idea. Save the upper racks for storage boxes containing out-of-season or infrequently used items. Rather than stacking shoes in boxes on a top shelf or tossing them under a row of hanging clothes, invest in a rack that can hang on the back of the door. The idea is to make things you need accessible and put those you use infrequently where you can find them when you need them. If you need a place for dirty laundry but also need a place to put dry cleaning or shirts, build a "mail sorter"-type frame out of PVC and hang two laundry bags rather than just one hamper.

Execution and Follow Through

There are dozens of companies such as The Container Store and Easy Closets that sell complete organizer structures. If that's not in your budget, though, most local home stores sell components for storage made by companies like Rubbermaid or Closet Maid that can be assembled one part at a time. Whatever your budget, design your own storage space to meet your needs, and use all available space, including the space above that one overburdened shelf. Try stacking two short hanging racks for shirts and slack hangers and use see-through boxes or baskets. Most importantly, once you've finished, make adjustments after a month if your arrangement needs it. And remember to keep giving clothes, shoes and other items away as you acquire new ones.

Tags: design your, your closet, Bedroom Closet, need place, Organizing Bedroom, Organizing Bedroom Closet

Decorate Living Rooms Dining Rooms & Kitchens

Unify a kitchen, dining and living room with a common color or element.

Decorating a combined living room, dining room and kitchen area--sometimes called a great room--requires more planning than if the rooms were separated to avoid having decor that clashes in a large, open space. Each area should be defined by its own color scheme or theme, yet flow into each other harmoniously. Decorate the entire space with the same style and weave a common detail through each room to unify the space while allowing each space to take on its own characteristics.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls with a warm, rich color to make the space feel cozier. Each room can have its own color or an accent wall in a different color with the common walls painted in the same shade. For example, use a mocha color on all the main walls with red in the dining room, yellow in the kitchen and aqua in the living room if you want each area to have its own personality. The constant colors should be mocha, chocolate brown and cream with touches of the accent colors in this scenario.

Use wallpaper if you prefer. Separate different colors with molding or other decorative embellishments.

2. Place furniture in smaller groupings that make sense for the area. The dining room would have a table and chairs, while the family room would have a sofa, love seat or chairs arranged in a conversation grouping or for optimum TV viewing if that's what you do in that room. Creating smaller groups with the furniture will visually separate the room into logical zones while allowing the area to flow. Larger pieces of furniture will look better than a lot of smaller pieces, as that will make it look cluttered.

3. Use area rugs to help clearly define your zones. Area rugs with the same patterns can differentiate between spaces and unify the different zones at the same time. Alternatively, use area rugs that have different designs but include the same colors or most of the same colors.

4. Hang curtains that flow with all three rooms. Choosing the same curtains in each room with different valances is one option. Choosing slightly different patterns, fabric or cuts is another.

5. Add lighting that can be dimmed or used to light specific areas within each room rather than having overhead lights that don't allow for intimacy. Bright light makes sense in the kitchen, but can take away from an intimate family dinner in the dining room.

6. Accessorize each room with items that make sense in the room. For example, place plants or cookie jars above your kitchen cabinets that fit in with the style and colors of the room. Use candles, linen napkins or decorative plates in the dining room. Scatter family photos, decorative vases and throw pillows around the living room. Keep all the accessories within the same color family or repeat materials or patterns to unify the space while defining each room's personality and function.

Tags: dining room, living room, each room, room with, area rugs, each room, each room with

Make A Bench For A Dining Table

Make a Bench for a Dining Table

Having a dining table bench is a great addition for family seating. People can slide together to make extra seating when there is company, and a bench does not take up too much room when it is placed against a wall. If you are a little handy with a saw and an electric drill, you can put one together in a weekend afternoon.

Instructions

1. Assemble the frame by laying it out on your work area for visual planning. Place the two shorter sections of 2-by-4s on each of the outer ends. Align the two long sections on either side, and add the other long section to the back.

2. Screw a side long section to the end of a 4-by-4 piece using the wood screws after predrilling the holes. Make sure it overhangs on the outside end by the width of a 2-by-4. Do the same thing to the other end. Finish the side by screwing on the other long section about 6 inches from the first in the same manner of overlapping the 4-by-4. Use two wood screws on each intersection side, angled from each other.

Repeat for the other side.

3. Screw the end sections into the 4-by-4s without any overlap, bringing the sides together using the wood screws in predrilled holes.

4. Insert the seat supports 12 inches apart and screw in from the sides, keeping the top flush.

5. Lay the planks on top of the frame and screw it into place, countersinking the screws in predrilled holes. Use a little wood putty to fill the holes.

6. Sand the bench thoroughly until it is smooth. Wipe it down with a dust rag and stain if desired. Cover with a polyurethane finish and allow drying for at least 24 hours.

Tags: long section, wood screws, Bench Dining, Bench Dining Table, Make Bench, Make Bench Dining, other long

Paint A Teen Bathroom Pink

Ask your teen to help you decide on the right shade of pink for the bathroom.

Teens spend a lot of time in the bathroom, especially teenage girls. Some new paint goes a long way toward making a bathroom an inviting place to spend time. Many teens enjoy the opportunity to express themselves by decorating their bedrooms and bathrooms, and if your teen really likes the color, you might even get her to help you paint!

Instructions

1. Select the color or colors of paint you want to use in the bathroom. A quick trip to the home improvement store will show you that there are literally hundreds of shades of pink from which to choose. Collect sample cards of those you like, and take them home to look at them in the context of your teen's bathroom. Make sure you select a shade or shades that match the colors in the bathroom tile and any other colors in the room. You might want to use one shade of pink on the walls and another shade of pink for the trim, or you might prefer a contrasting color like cream or lavender for the trim.

2. Lowe's website recommends using a semi-gloss paint for bathrooms because of the high humidity. The moisture won't damage the finish and a semi-gloss paint will resist mildew and stains.

3. Prepare the room by clearing the counters, removing anything hanging on the walls, and removing light switch and electrical outlet covers and any cabinet door hardware.

4. Use painter's tape to tape along the top edge of baseboards, around the door frame and around any window frames. Put the tape on the walls so you can paint the trim first.

5. Cover the floor with a drop cloth.

6. Paint the walls and trim with a primer if you will be painting over dark-colored paint. If you start out with light-colored walls, you can skip the primer.

7. Paint your trim using a paintbrush. Apply two coats if needed. Allow the paint to dry, then remove the tape.

8. Apply painter's tape to the trim so that you will not accidentally get paint on the trim while painting the walls.

9. Paint the walls. A paint roller makes covering large areas easier, but a paintbrush helps in small areas. Apply two coats if needed. Make sure walls are completely dry before removing tape and replacing electrical outlet and light switch covers. Consider installing new electrical outlet and light switch covers that match your teen's new pink bathroom while you're at it.

Tags: your teen, electrical outlet, light switch, shade pink, Apply coats

Replace Bathroom Tile

Replace Bathroom Tile

This is easy. If you canbake cupcakes or operate a remote control you can do this.

Instructions

1. You can replace a single tile, or put all new tile in your bathroom with just a bit of elbow grease.

2. Pry up the old tile. Be careful if you are replacing just one, you don't want to replace more than you planned to.

If you are replacing all the tile then just have it. You can also smash them with the hammer to make them easier to come up. WEAR GOGGLES!

Ceramic tiles can be like shattered glass, which you would not want sticking out of your eyeball.

3. Scrape up all the old adhesive. Scrape it up really well. You don't want any lumps. You need a nice clean, flat surface for your new tile to adhere to, so don't be lazy and think that one little lump wouldn't matter because it will. Uneven surfaces will make your tiles pop up, crack and break more easily.

4. Sweep up all the debris and then vacuum well. You want it clean, clean, clean.

5. If you are replacing a single tile, cheat and squirt some liquid nails on the back. Make sure you get a bit on the corners and a nice, smooth, single layered pattern on the back. It doesn't take too much.

6. Eyeball it to match the lines with the surrounding tiles.

7. Mix up a little matching grout in a ziplock bag. Mix it right in the bag to a nice thick frosting consistency. Cut the corner of the bag, and squeeze it in around your tile. Squish it in their good with your grout float. Use your wet finger to give it a nice, smooth finish, and a wet tile to remove excess.

8. If you are replacing all of your bathroom tile scrape and clean your surface, then measure and find the center.

9. You also need to remove the toilet, which is nothing. Unscrew the bolts, pull it straight up and place it out of the way.

Scrape up the old wax ring with something, anything. You don't even ever have to touch this yucky part with your hands, just use a disposable scraper and wads of paper towels.

10. Find the center of your tile, and measure how much you will need on either side. Your smaller final cut pieces should be pretty even against the wall. Hoonestly, I find my center, mark it, or lay out the tiles with the spacers and use a kids marker on the floor to mark my places. Then I see what sizes need to be cut along the edges, and I number the spot right there on the floor, mark the tile # with the cut size, and then write that number on the back of the tile before I bring it in

11. Rent, borrow or buy a wet saw for bigger jobs, or you can buy cheaper hand tools to score and hand break the tiles. Get a bunch ready at one time - thats why putting matching numbers on the tile and the spot where it goes on the floor comes in handy.

12. Mix up your thinset, allowing it to sit for 5 - 15 minutes so it will set up right, or cheat and use liquid nails, it is a pretty good cheat.

13. Use your floor trowel to make nice grooves for tile to adhere to. Use your spacers and your eyes to ensure straight lines. Wipe up as you go. The thinset is harder to get off if you let it dry.

14. Wipe up as you go.

Work your way out of the room.

No walking on the tile for a good 24 hours.

15. Go in and apply your grout just as descriped above. Allow it to dry out well, at least 24 hours, and then apply grout sealer with a kids paintbrush, it comes in a little can and is worth the extra effort.

16. Put a new wax ring on the floor where you are going to reinstall the toilet. Get a friend to help you put the toilet back on going straight down over the bolts and the new wax ring. Squeeze some Dap Plus bacteria resistant caulk around under the lip of the potty. Sit on it, tighten your bolts. Rim the edge between the bottom of the toilet and the newly tiled floor with caulk. Caulk comes in different colors, including transparent.

17.Enjoy your nice new bathroom!

Tags: your tile, clean clean, find center, floor mark, liquid nails, nice smooth

Restore Dining Room Chairs

Dining room chairs can suffer a lot of wear and tear over the years, especially if you have children or your chairs are used several times per day. As time goes on, you may find your chairs chipped, dented, scratched or otherwise damaged. Restoring your old dining room chairs is an inexpensive alternative to replacing them with new chairs and it is moderately easy to do.

Instructions

1. Clean each chair using the washcloth, soap and water. It is essential to remove any dirt or residue from the chairs prior to staining them, as any kind of debris can create an uneven finish. Dry the chairs with a rag before proceeding.

2. Sand each of the chairs using the fine-grain sandpaper to remove any lacquer, stain, paint or minor imperfections. Sand the chairs in smooth, even strokes going with the grain of the wood.

3. Sand the chairs using the course-grain sandpaper to remove any major imperfections such as deep dents. Sand the chairs in smooth, even strokes going with the grain of the wood. Inspect the finished product to make sure that the wood surface is even in all places.

4. Wipe down the chairs with a damp rag to remove any sawdust from sanding.

5. Fill in any cracks in the wood using the wood filler. Allow the wood filler to dry before proceeding.

6. Use the paintbrush to apply a coat of stain over the surface of each chair. After applying the stain, wipe it down using a rag to remove any excess. Stain darkens as it dries, so note that the color of the chairs when dry will be vastly different than the color when you apply the stain. Allow the chairs to dry for 3 to 4 hours, then inspect the finished product. If you want the chairs to be darker, apply another coat of stain, wipe it down and allow it to dry.

Tags: Sand chairs, before proceeding, chairs smooth, chairs smooth even, chairs using, chairs with

Carpet A Bedroom

Carpet a Bedroom

Many individuals like carpeting because of its durability, softness and cost compared to hardwood. It also provides a level of insulation for the floor -- an important consideration for bedrooms on the second or third floors of a home where noises can carry into the rooms below. Before purchasing a carpet, choose the right material and color for the bedroom. If chosen and installed correctly, wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedroom will last for seven years or more.

Instructions

Choosing a Carpet

1. Consider the traffic level and the occupants of the room when choosing carpet for a bedroom. While luxurious, cream-colored carpeting may be suitable for an adult's bedroom, a darker, easy-to-clean carpet is probably more suitable for young children or homes with pets.

2. Measure the exact floor dimensions of the bedroom you are carpeting so that you can determine how many square yards of carpet you need.

3. Choose a carpet for the bedroom that falls within your price range. If you are seeking a high-quality carpet that will last many years, expect to pay upward of $45 per yard. In addition to longevity, expect a plush, high-density pile in this price range.

4. Purchase a high-quality underlayment to be installed between the floorboards and the carpeting. The quality of the underlayment is equally as important as the carpeting itself because it provides insulatation, cushioning and support.

Installing Carpet in a Bedroom

5. Prepare the floors by sweeping or vacuuming the bedroom thoroughly and making sure there are no loose floorboards. If your home has duct heating, determine the location of the ducts underneath your bedroom floor and mark them carefully to avoid hammering nails into the ductwork.

6. Cut the tackless strip so that there is a piece that measures the length of each wall and nail it to the floor with masonry nails, leaving 1/8 inch between the strip and the wall. The tackless strips should join together in the corners of the room and should not be installed around doorways.

7. Lay the underlayment on the floor, making sure that the waffle side of the padding is facing upward. The underlayment strips should be long enough to reach the tackless strips and should be secured in place by stapling the underlayment every 6 inches. If the flooring is made of concrete or brick, glue the underlayment to the floor and let it dry completely before installing the carpet.

8. Check for overlap in the underlayment. The seams should be placed tightly against each other and taped with duct tape to keep them in place.

9. Cut the carpeting so that it measures the length and width of the bedroom, with an additional 4 to 6 inches added on to each dimension. If you're installing pile cut carpet, cut along the carpet backing with a utility knife. For loop pile carpet, cut through the carpet face.

10. Lay the carpet in the bedroom. If there are seams, make sure that the pile is facing in the same direction and apply seaming tape underneath each seam with the tacky side facing upward. Once it is centered underneath the seam, drag a hot seaming iron over the tape and press the carpet firmly over the tape so that it is secured to the floor.

11. Hook the edges of the carpet into the tackless strips that you've already installed on the floor. Use a knee kicker, Position the knee kicker 1 inch from the wall and kick the cushioned end of the device with your knee to hook the carpet securely to the tackless strip below. Continue this process until the carpet has been hooked along each wall.

12. Trim any excess carpet from the edges of the room and install a gripper edge around each entryway to keep the carpeting in place when the door is opened and closed.

Tags: strips should, tackless strips, Carpet Bedroom, carpet bedroom, carpeting that, each wall

Apply Padding To Dining Room Chairs

Add foam with a fabric cover to pad a dining room chair.

Apply a padded seat to your dining room chairs to increase the comfort level of hardwood chairs and add elegance to the room. Changing the appearance of the chair will change the look of your room, so be creative with the fabric design and color. The project requires few tools and will take you less than 2 hours to add padding to four chairs.

Instructions

1. Turn the chair upside-down and remove the screws or nails holding the seat in place. Take the seat off the chair and set it on a large piece of paper or newspaper. Trace around the seat to make a pattern for the foam padding and fabric covering.

2. Increase the size of the seat pattern by 4 inches around the perimeter of the seat. Cut out the fabric covering using the enlarged pattern. Cut out the pattern for the original size of the seat and use it to cut out a piece of 1-inch-thick foam padding.

3. Lay the seat fabric on a flat surface so the right side faces down. Center the piece of foam padding on top of the fabric and then set the wood seat on top of the foam so the bottom faces upward.

4. Secure the padding to the wood seat by pulling the fabric in the center of the front edge to the bottom of the wood seat and stapling it in place. Staple the center edge of each fabric side to the wood seat with a staple. Flip the seat over and smooth the fabric and padding each time you secure an edge to prevent puckering.

5. Secure the remaining fabric along each side by stapling it to the bottom of the wood seat with a staple. Smooth the top side of the seat as you pull the fabric to the backside to prevent puckering. Leave the fabric loose 1 inch from the corners.

6. Secure the seat corners by folding one side of the fabric taut to the backside of the wood and secure it with staples. Secure the other side of the corner in the same way, making sure the fabric remains smooth on the right of the seat. Repeat this step with the other three corners.

7. Cut the extra fabric on the back side of the cushion off at a distance of about 1/2 inch from the staple line.

8. Attach the seat cushion to the chair with the screws or nails removed in the first step.

Tags: wood seat, foam padding, bottom wood, bottom wood seat, dining room, fabric covering

Decorate A Master Bedroom With Dark Gray Walls

White decor and flowers accent a gray bedroom wall.

Gray walls may conjure visions of a dungeon interior, yet the color has found its way onto master bedroom walls, offering a different spin on traditional colors. Matching the dark color requires using specific colors to highlight, contrast and successfully use it as a pleasing background. Certain decor accessories, such as silver, make light dance off the gray walls, offering a splash of sparkle into otherwise dull surroundings. Spice up gray walls with the right furniture, light fixtures and bed linens.

Instructions

1. Paint cream colored vertical or horizontal stripes on gray bedroom walls. Paint one 3-inch wide stripe 2 feet from the ceiling and the other 2 feet from the floor. Or paint three vertical stripes in the center of one wall. Each vertical stripe may have different dimensions, such as a 5-inch center stripe with 3-inch stripes on each side. Paint the trim, crown molding and window trim with the cream color or an off white. The light colors help break up the gray shading and bring light into a dark room.

2. Use a medium to dark brown wood for the bed, dresser or armoire so it shows up against the gray backdrop.

3. Hang a round mirror with an ornate silver frame on a gray-colored wall. Or group family pictures in silver frames on the wall. Black and white photos display prominently on a gray background.

4. Accessorize the master bedroom with red. A vase with red roses or carnations, a red telephone or chair adds spice to the dark room.

5. Impart dark purple into the bedroom for a sophisticated look with decorative bed pillows and drapes. Dark green or blue bed linens also offer an elegant contrast against the gray walls.

6. Light the master bedroom with silver sconces or table and floor lamps with decadent lampshades in a dark red with fringe or beads around the bottom.

Tags: gray walls, master bedroom, against gray, bedroom walls, bedroom with, dark room

Remodel A Kitchen & A Dining Room With A Breakfast Bar

Bar eating space is convenient for families on the go.

An eating bar is always a favorite gathering spot in a kitchen. Throughout several decades, a breakfast far in a kitchen is still included in many house plans. The convenience of serving a quick meal near the kitchen stove is helpful before a family leaves for work or school. While few homeowners desire to give up a formal dining room, most seldom use a formal dining room. Having the option to eat and socialize around a bar area works well for most homeowners.

Instructions

1. Measure all of the space of the kitchen and dining room. Draw the area on graph paper in detail in order to define the exact location of a new eating bar. Look at options that include removing a base cabinet or opening a wall. Sketch the bar area from different perspectivies so you can envision how the bar will fit into traffic flow.

2. Take out any materials that will make room for the bar. Be sure to cut off all electricity and plumbing, however, before prying a cabinet or wall surface loose. Use a crowbar, for example, to take out wall studs between the kitchen and dining room. Check to ensure the wall is not load-bearing, however. Ask an expert carpenter to assess the wall, if you are in doubt. Build a beam to fit across the opening supported by side beams to hold up the house weight above the wall, if it is load-bearing.

3. Construct the bar base and surrounding cabinetry. Build a free-standing bar using 2-by-4-inch framing, as one option. Connect several premade cabinets to form the base of the bar as another option. Plan to install a counter top with at least 18 inches of overhang for the stools to fit underneath.

4. Install exterior materials, counter tops and wood trim on the bar space. Nail beadboard paneling into place over framing, for example, and add counter top material covered with 12-inch granite tiles, as one choice. Use crown molding around the floor perimeter to give the bar base a professional built-in look. Add wood trim on corners or around openings for interior shelving to finish the bar.

5. Repair any wall areas to make the new bar look seamless with the kitchen and dining room. Cover studs or exposed wood with drywall or plaster board. Finish with joint compound or plaster to give walls a smooth finish. Paint the walls and any bar areas and all wood trim.

6. Hook up all plumbing and electricity before installing any needed flooring. Secure any sink plumbing included in the bar, drain lines or light fixtures. Plan to add flooring last, so you can tie the kitchen and dining room together. Install tiles between the two rooms in a 4-foot width, for example, and leave existing hardwood that's in place. Add the tile to cover rough spots caused by the remodel or removing a wall.

7. Remodel the dining room and kitchen to harmonize with the bar. Install granite tiles in the dining room over an old dining table to correspond with granite tiles on the bar, for example. Add tiles on one wall of the dining room to tie in with floor tiles placed between the dining room and kitchen. Include backsplash tiles in the kitchen to match tiles in the bar area, so the two spaces seem united.

Tags: dining room, kitchen dining, kitchen dining room, granite tiles, wood trim, dining room, dining room kitchen

What Color Wallpaper With A Brick Wall In A Bedroom

Wallpaper was once very common, but it's less common today. It's even less common to place wallpaper and exposed brick together in a single room, which means that if you decide to decorate with wallpaper, you have a chance to create a unique bedroom environment. This daring decision will surely make your bedroom stand out in the memory of your friends and other guests.

Matching the Brick

Choose a wallpaper that features a color or colors related to the red brick by looking at the color wheel. For example, on the color wheel, red is located between the colors orange and purple. These colors are the analogous colors, which fall side by side with red on the color wheel. The color across from red on the color wheel is green, which is red's complement. Or you may wish to reduce the effect of the red brick by choosing a neutral wall paper, such as warm brown or khaki. In any case, avoid wallpapers that have a very busy pattern, because the brick is a pattern unto itself, and too many patterns placed together may look like a war for attention is taking place on your walls.

Appropriate Bedroom Colors

Bedrooms are meant for privacy and relaxation. Cool colors such as green, blue and purple are commonly used to establish these sorts of environments. Other colors known for their relaxing properties include gray and, sometimes, cool shades of gray-brown. Choose a subdued wallpaper that utilizes one or a few of these colors to create a peaceful, pleasant environment. Avoid wallpapers that place too many colors together, because this can create a hectic, busy environment.

Matching to Room Size

The size of the bedroom and the amount of light the bedroom gets during the day will affect the color you want to use on the walls. The red brick wall already darkens the room with its presence, so if your room is small, choose a lighter-colored wallpaper to help push the walls back and open up the space. For a very large room with a lot of windows and daylight, consider much darker wallpaper. Wallpaper can be a very high-end, sophisticated wall treatment, and darker colors can create that feeling of sophistication better than lighter colors. In the case of a very large bedroom, consider a very simple, single-color dark wallpaper with alternating stripes of sheen and matte finish.

Matching to Other Colors In The Room

You don't have to match the wallpaper to the exposed brick, as long as the color doesn't clash. You can match the wallpaper to the bedroom furniture and fabrics instead. This is recommended if your bedroom is already furnished and a color scheme has already been established. Pick out two or three prominent colors in your bedroom, and look for a wallpaper that will match.

Tags: color wheel, wallpaper that, your bedroom, colors create, exposed brick, less common

Arrange Furniture In A Square Master Bedroom

Your bedroom is your sacred space.

Your bedroom should be a serene, inviting space, arranged to inspire feelings of peace and rejuvenation. Keep clutter to a minimum so that your eye relaxes upon entry, rather than making mental notes of items to be organized or put away. Lightly decorate your walls with a few elegant prints or framed photographs, to create the illusion of wide open space rather than a cramped interior. If your bedroom window looks upon a pleasing view, hang sheer curtains to bring the outside world in.

Instructions

1. Treat your bed as the focal point of the room, as it is the largest and single most important piece of furniture. Place your bed against the widest and tallest wall in your bedroom, facing outward, as long as this doesn't mean putting your bed on the same wall as your bedroom door, or doesn't obstruct your closet door, bathroom door or a radiator or heating vent. If your room size permits, leave an equal amount of space around both sides of your bed. If your room is small, consider arranging your bed diagonally, using angles to create the illusion of space. If you have a headboard in a small room, remove it to save space and use your window to frame your bed instead.

2. Place a night table directly next to the head of your bed; if you have enough room, install a night stand on either side of your bed to create balance. Keep the surfaces of your night stands uncluttered, to maximize peace and order in your sleeping space. To this end, your night table should have some sort of storage, whether it's a built in drawer or a plastic bin that slides neatly in the space underneath.

3. Set up your dresser opposite your bed if possible; placing it on the same or adjacent wall as your bed could crowd your sleeping space. If you watch television in your bedroom, mount your TV on the wall space above your bureau to save surface space. If you have a mirror, install your bedroom TV on top of your dresser, to the side of the mirror.

4. Arrange an area in your room for sitting quietly, working or reading near the window if possible. Depending on the square footage and shape of your room, this area might include a chair and desk, an ottoman or a small couch.

5. Add more furniture pieces to your room only if they simultaneously serve the dual purposes of function and design. It's important to keep your sleeping space orderly, simple and elegant, to inspire relaxation and peace.

Tags: your room, your bedroom, sleeping space, wall your, your sleeping, your sleeping space

Paint A Bedroom Metallic

Paint your bedroom wall a metallic color.

Metallic paint on a wall can look shiny and cool, but you will have to work hard to make sure the finish looks spotless. Metallic paints highlight the imperfections of a wall, so keep this in mind before deciding to cover your walls in silver or gold. If you do not mind a little texture, paint the walls with a roller brush.

Instructions

1. Lay your tarp across the floor of your room. You may need more than one.

2. Tape any trim in your room by applying painter's tape from the edge of the trim to the wall.

3. Fill a bucket with water and a few drops liquid dish soap. Dip a cellulose sponge in the water, squeeze out the excess and wash the walls to remove dirt and residue.

4. Pour your primer into your paint tray. Dip your roller brush in the paint, rolling it across the ridges of the tray designed to catch excess paint. Once the roller has an even coat of paint, paint the wall of your bedroom. Repeat until all walls are covered. Allow them to dry.

5. Pour your metallic paint in your painter's tray. Repeat the same technique you used with the primer. When you begin painting the wall, paint a "W" shape on the wall. You will roll the brush down, up, down and up. Trace the "W" backward with a fresh coat of paint. Then, fill in the remaining wall with rolls of paint. Repeat this process for every 3 feet of wall.

Tags: coat paint, paint wall, Pour your, roller brush, your bedroom, your room

Make A Pirate Bedroom For Boys

Hang a classic pirate flag on the wall of a pirate bedroom to showcase the theme.

Design a boy's bedroom around a pirate theme to create an eye-catching room he is sure to enjoy. Replace or reface the existing flooring, furniture, wall colors and decorative accents to tie into the room's pirate design and make a one-of-a-kind space. Modify the overall look easily to fit a child's specific pirate taste, whether he wants the room to resemble the deck of a pirate ship sailing the ocean or feel like he is walking the sandy beach of a pirate treasure island.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls of a pirate theme room a deep blue with detailed ocean waves around the lower half of the walls to create the illusion of sailing on a pirate ship. Add clouds, seagulls and a bright yellow sun with paint or vinyl wall decals in various places on the top half of the walls. Install hardwood floors in the room to create a wooden pirate ship deck. Another pirate theme design is to paint the walls a sky blue and add sandy yellow paint along the lower foot of the walls to create a pirate treasure island look. Paint large murals of palm trees and tropical birds, and install light brown carpeting to complete the look.

2. Purchase or paint all existing furniture in a dark wood color to match the pirate theme. Install a narrow beam above the headboard of the bed with attached sails, made from red or black curtains or other fabric and a wooden steering wheel on the bottom to turn the bed into a personal pirate ship. Place a large wooden chest at the base of the bed for pirate treasure storage. Use wooden crates and assorted trunks for storage and organization in the room to keep with the theme.

3. Choose bed linens with a pirate design or opt for a solid colored bed set in classic pirate colors such as black or red and white. Place a few small pillows on the bed with pirate designs, such as a skull-and-crossbones, treasure chest or an embroidered pirate. Hang curtains on the windows that match the bedding colors or use an unconventional drapery option such as a large pirate flag or a square fishing net to cover the windows.

4. Design a pirate dress-up area in the bedroom full of everything a young pirate needs to have make-believe adventures. Place a large wooden trunk in one corner of the room and fill it with various pirate costumes, beards, eye patches, hats and plastic pirate weapons. Place a tall mirror next to the trunk with a round black rug in front.

5. Complete the look with pirate-themed decor pieces. Install a wooden ceiling fan to match the furniture color for overhead lighting and place a brown or bronze lamp next the bed. Hang eye-catching 3D art such as oars, a faux pirate sword or a large pirate flag in the room. Use picture frames encrusted with shells to hang favorite photos and pirate art, such as treasure maps, in the room and drape netting over trunks and chairs to complete the pirate bedroom.

Tags: pirate ship, pirate theme, pirate flag, pirate treasure, classic pirate

Make A Board To Cover A Dining Table Top

Many people use their dining room tables only on formal occasions, and the tables tend to be more delicate and decorative than kitchen tables. Placemats and tablecloths will help protect the surface; however, for total protection many cover the dining table with a matching board.

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of the dining room table. Write down the measurements.

2. Purchase a piece of wood that is the dimensions of the dining room tabletop. If there is not a precut piece of wood in the same size, buy a slightly larger piece of wood.

3. Size the board. Use a pencil and a level to create an outline on the board that is the same dimensions as the dining room tabletop. Use a circular saw and start cutting from the edge of the board. Cut on the outside (the right side) of the outline.

4. Sand the edges of the board. Stain or paint the board to match the dining room table. Allow to dry and apply a second coat if needed.

Tags: dining room, piece wood, dimensions dining, dimensions dining room, dining room table, dining room tabletop, room table

Remove A Glued Undermount Bathroom Sink From Marble

Undermount sinks provide a smooth surface across the entire countertop.

Marble countertops in a bathroom or kitchen offer sturdy and aesthetically pleasing surfaces. Properly installed, undermount sinks provide years of leak-free performance while adding to the physical beauty of the countertop. Remodeling or renovation that requires the removal of an undermount sink from a marble or granite countertop must be done carefully to avoid damaging the stone countertop. Take your time as rushing the job will place undue stress on the stone, causing fractures and cracks.

Instructions

1. Disconnect the drain pipe from beneath the sink, using a pipe wrench or similar tool.

2. Place a support beneath the sink and disconnect any retaining clips. Retaining clips will be positioned around the circumference of the sink and held in place with screws or bolts. A ratchet or screwdriver will easily remove the clips.

3. Position a 5-in-1 painters tool, available at any hardware store, or similar flat chisel against the seam between the sink and the countertop. Lightly hammer the tool with a rubber mallet to break the seal between the two surfaces. Repeat around the circumference of the bowl.

4. Remove the support from beneath the sink and lower the sink slowly.

Tags: beneath sink, around circumference, from beneath, from beneath sink, sinks provide

Decorate An Orange Bedroom

orange bedroom

An orange bedroom may seem like it will keep you awake at night. A bright pop of color can make your room feel warm & inviting. It's also a cheap & quick way to freshen up a room when you don't want to or aren't able to paint the walls. Here is make an orange bedroom that is soothing & still inviting.

Instructions

1. Go Retro. Orange is used a lot in modern design & was also popular in the 50s & 60s. You may be able to find a sleek orange chair for a reading nook in your bedroom for just a few dollars at a thrift shop. Orange & white will make your room feel crisp & you won't even have to paint. Just make sure that you use orange as an accent against white walls so it really pops.

2. Think rustic. A deep terra cotta color is often used in spanish design. This is a great way to freshen up that old oak furniture that you bought in the 90s. This color looks great with any kind of iron work. If you have a heavy texture on your walls that feels outdated this can change them to simulating stucco.

3. Get in touch with nature. Orange doesn't have to scream in your face. To warm up a room pick woods with an orange tone to them. Many mid century pieces had a medium orange stain on them. Most people tend to favor a darker chocolate brown stain so you can often find these furniture pieces inexpensively at thrift stores & in the classified ads. This way you will have finely crafted hardwood furniture for the price other people are paying for compressed laminate.

4. Bring in the artwork. Use copper pieces with a natural patina or oil paintings of landscapes. These often have rich orange colors used as dirt. Take macro pictures of autumn leaves for free artwork to brighten up that dull room.

Tags: orange bedroom, make your, make your room, room feel, your room, your room feel

Remodel A Living Room And Dining Room

Merged living-dining spaces need an exchange of color, pattern and materials.

A remodel of a living room and dining room can be either structural or decorative. If you're not ready to tear down walls, raise ceilings and rip up floors, a style makeover could give new life to the rooms for a much more modest investment. Think about flow of activities and colors from space to space. Define multipurpose areas and find furniture to match. Determine the focal points and build a design strategy around them. Give away anything that doesn't contribute to the new look.

Instructions

1. Pare down your paint palette. Chris Choy, a San Francisco renovator, recommends sticking to three main colors--a dark, a medium and a light shade. Lots of pale linen with brown and chartreuse works well with modern decor. Choose white, dove gray and slate for minimalist design. Vanilla, apricot and teal are bright nods to Arts and Crafts and Southwestern styles. Choy adds that carrying your paint chips with you when shopping for furniture and accessories helps to limit color choices.

2. Use related patterns in similar colors to unify a mishmash of furniture and functions that share one big space. Pick up the pattern of an ethnic textile used as an area rug in handwoven sofa cushions and find a striped fabric in the same colors to recover the dining room chairs. Borrow an idea from HGTV host Kristan Cunningham who remodeled her open living-dining area on a strict budget. Cunningham used a black and white chevron rug to define the living room, black and white geometric fabric pillows on the black leather sofa, black and white photography on the walls and a black, gray and white cow skin rug under the dining table. There's plenty of color to offset the black and white, but her eclectic furnishings coexist harmoniously.

3. Change the door handles, cabinet knobs and window pulls. Put sleek brushed steel knobs on vintage and angular modern pieces to pull them them together in a shared space. Try crystal faceted door knobs, crystal pendant shade pulls and clear Lucite drawer pulls to smooth the differences between the inherited breakfront, the nineteenth century architecture and the low-key contemporary window shades. Update cabinets from here, there and everywhere to look less like a grab bag and more like thoughtful choices for an open space by synchronizing the hardware.

4. Create islands and focal points to keep the space interesting. A fireplace is built-in drama, so highlight it with a large painting by your favorite artist and hang another one on the dining room wall. Put two different area rugs in the same color palette under the seating area and the dining area. Place a glass coffee table over one and a glass dining table over the other so they can be seen. Draw attention to both with jewel-tone ceramic fruit bowls in the center of each table.

5. Edit and re-edit. Clear out more than you think you can part with to give some breathing room to the new decor. Call the charity shop for a pick-up or have a garage sale. Be brutal when it comes to the fate of that cute side table you found antiquing, the museum shop paper pendant lamp and the dust collection of your impressive college texts. Remodel by making space for the energy that comes from fresh ideas.

Tags: black white, dining room, dining table, focal points, table over

Bathroom Mirror Removal From Drywall

A bathroom mirror is attached to drywall in a couple of different ways. Clips are screwed into the drywall and the mirror is hung on the clips. Or the mirror may have been adhered to the drywall with some sort of adhesive. To remove the mirror in either case requires that care be taken so minimal damage is done to the wall. No matter how careful you are there will still be some repair that must be made to the drywall.

Instructions

1. Lift the mirror off the wall if it is hung on clips. If the mirror is adhered to the wall, soak between the mirror and the wall with a lubricating spray. This will help dissolve the adhesive. Let the lubricant soak in for 20 minutes, then carefully slide a 6-inch drywall knife between the wall and the mirror to lift the mirror off the wall. Spray more lubricant as you progress, and loosen the entire surface of the mirror from the wall.

2. Unscrew the clips from the wall with a screwdriver if the mirror was hanging on clips. Use needle-nose pliers to pull out the wall anchors into which the clips were screwed.

3. Scrape the wall lightly with the 6-inch drywall knife to remove any dried adhesive or loose drywall.

4. Spread joint compound over any damaged sections of the wall using the 6-inch drywall knife. Spread the joint compound using an upward motion with the knife and then remove any excess with a downward motion. Fill in the low spots and make the wall as smooth as possible. Let the joint compound dry for 24 hours.

5. Sand the area to remove any ridges or high spots. Use a drywall sanding sponge to lightly sand the area. A second coat of joint compound may need to be applied and sanded again if there are any low spots in the wall.

Tags: joint compound, 6-inch drywall, 6-inch drywall knife, drywall knife, mirror wall

Remodel Your Downstairs Into A Bedroom

Add more bedroom space downstairs.

Whether you have children who are moving back home, you're renting a room to make some extra income or you're taking care of an elderly family member, it can be necessary to make more out of the space in your home. Remodeling a room into a functional bedroom is an easy transition because you do not have to add permanent fixtures, such as plumbing and ceiling lights. However, if you are remodeling to legally convert a room into a bedroom for zoning purposes, consult the building codes, available at your local Permit and Procedures Department. Codes may instruct you to include specific upgrades, such as the installation of permanent structures like a built-in closet or dresser.

Instructions

1. Remove all of the items from the room, including furniture, lamps and rugs. Place items on a tarp on the lawn or in a separate room.

2. Dust the ceiling.

3. Vacuum or mop the floor thoroughly.

4. Paint the walls, ceiling and floor. Select a color that is neutral such as white, cream or tan; this will enable you to remodel later without having to repaint. Use light colors on the ceiling to create visual space. Use darker tones to make the space seem smaller and more inviting. Consider painting chair rails, door frames and moldings in an accent color.

5. Review the furniture that was in the room. Determine which items will be returned to the room. Sell or donate items that will not fit in the new bedroom.

6. Clean furniture while it is outside.

7. Move furniture into the room from largest to smallest.

8. Arrange the furniture as desired. Place the bed in the furthest corner, against the wall to create more floor space. Use a tallboy-style dresser as a dividing wall between the bed and door. Avoid bunk beds and captains beds, as most downstairs rooms have ceilings that are too low to accommodate this style.

9. Add framed posters and photographs to the walls to give the space character. Place knickknacks on the windowsill, dresser or desk.

10. Place a slender potted plant on the floor to add color and visual interest. Place small potted plants on a desk or dresser in lieu of knickknacks.

11. Purchase a linen set -- sheet, pillow cases, blanket and bed skirt -- that incorporates colors found in the room. Use a variety of fabrics that mix pattern and texture to add depth to the room design.

12. Finish the room by placing rolling boxes under the bed for the storage of linen, bedding and clothing.

Tags: room into

Redo A Dining Room Chair

A funky old chair can be made new again for pennies.

Dining room chairs with fabric-covered seats are prone to looking dingy from use or dated by fabric choice. When you find a great set of solidly built dining room chairs at a thrift-shop or estate-sale find, don't pass them up because of stained -- or just plain ugly -- fabric seats. The same goes for your own well-worn dining room chairs -- they can be saved. With little more than a lick of paint, a yard of fabric and the ability to use a staple gun, you can redo a dining room chair to make it look bright and new again.

Instructions

1. Turn chairs over and remove seats by removing the screws on the bottom. Put screws in a glass or jar so you won't lose them.

2. Hand sand the chair frame lightly to get out any scratches or rough spots. Wipe with damp cloth to remove any dust.

3. Prime chair with a good primer. Let dry at least two hours or until the primer is no longer sticky.

4. Spray paint chairs with color or finish of your choice. Move the can back and forth in a slow even motion. Watch for paint runs. Correct runs with a small brush while paint is still wet. Let dry.

5. Remove old fabric and staples from chair seat. Use old fabric as a pattern. Place old fabric on new fabric. Pin down with straight pins. Allow an extra 2 inches all around. Cut fabric.

6. Center fabric on seat. Align any pattern that's on the fabric. Secure the center of each side with a staple from a staple gun. Pull the fabric tight and smooth out any wrinkles. Staple around the base. Make sure corners are even. Trim excess fabric.

7. Place seat on frame and secure underneath with screws. Place chairs around table.

Tags: room chairs, chairs with, dining room, dining room chairs

Remove A Heat Stain From A Dining Room Table

Heat stains can create a white, milky smear on your wooden dining room table. Most people think that once the wood is damaged, it cannot be repaired. However, there are some instances in which the stain can be lightened or even erased. Often, it is the furniture polish that becomes discolored, and in these cases, you may be able to lighten or remove the stain.

Instructions

1. Rub the stain with lemon juice. Saturate a cloth and rub using circular motions and firm pressure. Many times, the citric acid will diminish the appearance of the heat mark.

2. Heat your iron. Set it to the "cotton setting," which is usually medium-high or high. Iron the table through two layers of cotton cloth. Lay the cloth flat on the table and iron firmly and repeatedly. Go over the cloths and the stained area at least 12 times. Then, check the stain to see how it looks. If it appears to be fading, then repeat the process. This can remove the stain completely. If it does, then you are ready to start polishing.

3. Clean the table with an antibacterial, multipurpose cleaner. This should remove the furniture polish from a wooden table. By removing the polish, you also will remove the white, milky stain.

4. Polish the table with plenty of furniture polish. Usually two coats will do it. The cleaner will have removed all the old polish, so depending on how you like your table to look, you may need to go heavy on the polish.

Tags: furniture polish, remove stain, table with, white milky

Cozy Bedroom Ideas

A cozy and inviting bedroom is perfect for curling up with a hot cup of tea and a great read, or just snuggling up with that special someone. Many bedrooms are too boring, using white in place of warmer colors. To create a relaxing and cozy bedroom, there are a variety of ideas that you can incorporate, regardless of the size of your space.

Bedding

When you're creating a cozy bedroom space, you should focus on soft, luxurious and warm pieces. For your bedding, this means pillows and blankets that you can sink into. Down or synthetic down comforters and pillows will help to create a comfortable and cozy space. Provide several different sizes and shapes of pillows on the bed, especially if you like to prop up against a large pillow to read, or snuggle down with two or more pillows to sleep. A soft chenille throw at the foot of the bed will add more warmth, and allow for lounging on top of the covers with a good magazine without unmaking the entire bed.

Lighting

Avoid harsh white lights in a cozy bedroom space. The best feature that you can install here is a dimmer switch. This will allow you to adjust your lighting as needed. Providing several different light fixtures for multiple layers of lighting can serve this purpose as well. Keep soft reading lights handy beside the bed, and save brighter lighting for a dressing area or around the mirror. The ultimate in warm and welcoming lighting, of course, is candles. Some clusters of delicious smelling candles throughout the room can help to create a cozy space in no time. Select candles in soothing scents such as lavender or vanilla.

Colors

Many bedrooms are left to blinding whites. While this color may help your room look crisp and clean, it won't create a cozy feel. Warm colors are best for creating this type of bedroom. Avoid harsh reds and oranges and opt instead for more muted tones such as terra cotta and rust. Bright yellow can be too stimulating for a bedroom, while a muted gold may be just right. If you're a fan of neutral colors, use chocolate, cream, and warm beige tones. Avoid white walls, even if you are only painting them a shade darker. A cream color will be much cozier than bright white. Furniture with a deep wood or black finish will help to warm up the room as well.

Tags: Avoid harsh, bedroom space, cozy bedroom, cozy bedroom space, cozy space

Gothic Bedroom Decorating Ideas For Girls

Gothic Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Girls

A Gothic-themed girl's bedroom doesn't have to be black and scary-looking, an idea sometimes thought by wary parents of young girls interested in this look. It doesn't have to feel secretive and restricting. Instead, it can be richly colored, multi-textured and alluring. And though it may not always be brightly lit, it can softly glow and still express that Gothic feel. When decorating a girl's Gothic-themed bedroom, consider colors, furniture, accessories and lighting.

Colors

Use black as an "accent" color in a Gothic-themed girl's bedroom instead of the main color. Consider rich shades of red, purple, burgundy, blue and gray on the walls via either paint or wallpaper. If she insists on using black, encourage its use on one wall only. Because black absorbs heat, a black bedroom can get too warm in the summer and is difficult to light properly. If the she will be doing homework in this room, she'll want more light than an all-black room will provide. Deep red and velvety purples provide the same dark richness as black without presenting the lighting and heat-retention problems. Also, remember that castle walls are not black but gray, or stone-colored. Wallpaper resembling stonework is an option. Whatever you choose for the walls, take paint chips or wallpaper samples with you when you shop for the Gothic bedroom's accessories.

Furniture

A four-poster bed, an ornate chest of drawers, a dark wood armoire and a desk with a high-backed wooden or upholstered chair are examples of Gothic-themed bedroom furniture. Look for dark wood like mahogany and for iron detailing. A large chest at the foot of the bed and an oversized floor-length mirror with an ornate frame made from a dark wood or weathered "gold" are also options. Think baroque style; think medieval and castle. Think historical, not scary.

Accessories

Bedroom accessories allow you to bring a Gothic theme to life. They are also easy to swap out for something else when her tastes change as she gets older. Choose intricate items with rich colors and/or textures. Look for accessories made from gold, silver or bronze. Find dark wood, stone, wrought iron, brocades and even netting. Use candelabras, gilded picture frames, velvet pillows with gold tassels, velvet curtains, wall-mounted gargoyles, fake spider webs, tapestry wall hangings and artwork featuring castles, saints, skulls and fairies. Use iron-looking curtain rods with scrolled ends, and lamps with fleur de lis finials. Use a dark-colored area rug to bring the Gothic look to the floor. Don't be overzealous, however. Too many accessories can make any themed bedroom look like a tacky mess.

Lighting

Don't be afraid to use bright lightening in a Gothic-themed bedroom. Make it less obtrusive by setting floor and table lamps throughout the room with three-way light bulbs. This way, when she's not reading, writing or getting dressed, the room can be softly lit. You can also soften a lamp's light by hanging fake cobwebs from the shade. It's easy to buy this near Halloween. Be sure to keep the web away from the light bulb, however. A chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room is a dramatic way to add light and make it very Gothic. Sconces--a popular lightening method in castles--can also be used in Gothic-themed girl's rooms to show off the colorful walls, and of course, to add light.

Tags: dark wood, Gothic-themed bedroom, Gothic-themed girl, Bedroom Decorating, Bedroom Decorating Ideas, bring Gothic

Paint A Bedroom Pink

Pink paint comes in myriad tones and shades.

Using pink paint in a bedroom can create either the perfect room for a little girl or a cool, modern look for a color-themed sanctuary depending on the shade you choose. With a little preparation and a few spare hours, you can transform your bedroom into the pink palace you always dreamed of. Paler pinks are linked to calm feelings and contentment, while magenta and other darker shades are said to neutralize disorder, so pink is the ideal color for any bedroom.

Instructions

1. Remove all furniture from the room to give yourself a clear space to work in and to prevent any damage to the furniture.

2. Cover the floor with a plastic sheet or dust sheet to protect it.

3. Apply sugar soap to previously painted walls using a sponge, and rub vigorously to remove any dust or dirt particles, grease, or nicotine. This will give you a clean, blank canvas to begin painting on. Wearing rubber gloves will offer protection from the sugar soap, which can irritate skin.

4. Rinse the sugar soap off after a minute or two.

5. Apply masking tape along baseboards; around door frames, light switches, and plug sockets; and along the joint between the wall and ceiling to create a crisp edge to finished paint work.

6. Paint the room with undercoat, working on small areas at a time. Use even brush strokes and paint in one direction for a smooth finish. Allow to dry.

7. Paint the walls with a thin and even layer of pink paint. Again, paint in one direction only to minimize the look of brush strokes. Allow to dry.

8. Add a second coat of pink paint to the walls once the first coat is fully dry. If your paint is dark pink, this will allow for even coverage and will cover up any sections that were missed or where brush strokes from the first layer are showing through. If your paint is light pink, this will provide a thicker overall layer of coverage to your painted walls and will prevent the undercoat or previous paint color from showing through.

9. Remove masking tape gently and pull up the plastic sheeting or dust sheet.

Tags: brush strokes, pink paint, sugar soap, dust sheet, masking tape, paint direction

Design A Man'S Bedroom With Black Furniture

Enhance a man's bedroom with a black-framed bed.

Black furniture, such as a bed frame, dresser and desk, can give a man's bedroom a sophisticated look. The beauty of black furniture is that it complements a range of styles and color schemes. Depending on the man's preferences, black furniture is available in wood, wrought iron, acrylic and rattan. When you're updating the bedroom, take into account the man's hobbies and interests, as well as any decor the space already features.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls a light neutral color such as white, taupe or ecru to provide a contrast with the black furniture. Avoid dark colors, which could make the space look cave-like.

2. Decorate the bedroom with black pieces that complement each other. Choose a matching set, or if that's not your style, choose coordinating black pieces. For example, select a black wrought-iron headboard that has a masculine, rustic appeal and a black wood dresser. Or combine a black fabric or rattan headboard with the black dresser. If you're on a tight budget, paint the furniture you have black.

3. Enhance the bed with a comforter that complements the black furniture. Choose a subdued tone such as a burgundy, gray, beige or a medium blue. Accent the bed with black decorative pillows and a matching throw blanket. Place a plush black rug on the side of the bed if the bedroom has a hardwood or tile floor.

4. Create a space in the bedroom where he can relax. For example, make a reading nook with a comfortable black leather recliner, a chrome or brushed-nickel standing lamp and a bookcase filled with his favorite novels.

5. Enhance the bedroom walls with decor that celebrates the man's interests. Put in chrome or brushed nickel shelving where he can display his memorabilia. Select metal frames for his favorite posters, and hang them on the walls.

6. Add more brushed nickel or chrome accents. Replace drawer pulls with brushed nickel or chrome pulls. Choose desk and table lamps featuring one of those finishes. Hang brushed nickel or chrome sconces above the bed.

Tags: brushed nickel, brushed nickel chrome, nickel chrome, black furniture, black pieces, Enhance bedroom, that complements

Decorate A Hannah Montana Bedroom

Decorating a Hannah Montana bedroom

Hannah Montana is a household name in America. Girls between the ages of 4 and 14 are joining in the craze over the secret pop star. No doubt, you know at least one young girl who's dreaming of one day becoming a pop star like Hannah Montana and is wishing for a Hannah Montana room of her own. The idea of decorating her bedroom with yet another faddish theme may have you wincing and worrying about the cost. Following these basic steps will help you give your Hannah Montana fan a room she'll love while adhering to a budget you'll love too.

Instructions

1. Choose the color palette to be used in decorating the girl's bedroom. Typical Hannah Montana colors are purple, turquoise blue, lime green, yellow and hot pink. Try to use shades of some or all of these colors in the decorating scheme of the room.

2. Paint the bedroom walls with one of the selected paint colors. Remember, wall color sets the backdrop for the entire room so it's wise to select one of the more neutral shades. The majority of the bedroom's patterns and colors will be added through the use of accent pieces and Hannah Montana accessories.

3. Choose a bedspread and other bedding to compliment the decorating palette of the bedroom. Keep in mind that Hannah Montana's style is glittery, glamorous, funky and bright. Select a satin bedspread in a solid color and mix it with coordinating patterned sheets. Toss a few furry pillows on the bed to complete the look.

4. Accent bedroom windows with satin or sheer curtains. For a glittery touch, hang curtain with small sequins or beads sewn on them. To add more color to the bedroom and draw attention to a window, try layering a sheer curtain underneath a satin one in two coordinating colors.

5. Bring accent pieces into the bedroom. Furniture such as director's chair or butterfly chair offers functional yet stylish seating. Add a small stand to house essentials such as a reading lamp, CD player, and alarm clock. Select a colorful shag or faux fur throw rug to add color to the bedroom floor. Also, be sure to include a mirror in the girl's room. No wanna-be pop star or budding actress should be without a mirror in which to primp or practice her performances.

6. Finish decorating the Hannah Montana bedroom by mixing in a few of the girl's favorite Hannah Montana pictures, posters, wall art and other accessories.

Tags: Hannah Montana, accent pieces, color bedroom, Hannah Montana bedroom, Hannah Montana room, Montana room

Decorate A French Provincial Bedroom

French Provincial Bedroom

A French provincial bedroom can make everyday seem like you are on your dream vacation, even if you can't afford to go to France. It's an elegant & romantic look where there's a place for everything & everything is in it's a place. If you've always wanted to recreate your favorite luxury suite getaway, a French provincial bedroom is for you.

Instructions

1. Go all out with a four poster bed. This has been the dream of many women for years & a French provincial bedroom is the perfect opportunity for one. Look for one with narrow columns & intricate carvings that isn't too modern. If you are worried about the price, check out a hotel liquidator. You can just pick up the bed set & use your own mattress at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

2. Find an armoire. Nothing says "I am a French provincial bedroom" like an armoire. You can even store your TV in there. Plus, it's not just a piece of furniture, it's a piece of art. It will make your ordinary room feel like a palace.

3. Go for a full length mirror. This is functional & true to the style. Plus you'll be able to see what your shoes look like before you leave the house.

4. Buy a matching furniture set. In many decorating styles there's a trend to mix & match furniture. This saves a lot of money but it's not true to the French Provincial style. Plus, it will save you time in the furniture store when you say you'll take the entire bedroom set.

5. Bring in drapes. In recent years shutters & sleek roman shades have gained popularity. Instead go for elaborate drapes that will add an elegant flair. You can even use a valance which you can probably buy for a few dollars. Pick a nice damask pattern. You can even create a simple canopy over your bed with extra curtains. This can be easy as running a ribbon through the rod pocket & pulling it tight & then hanging it from the ceiling. Of course, canopies can be as elaborate as you want. This adds a focal point to your room. It makes your bed seem taller if you can't afford a four poster bed.

6. Go with rich colors. A sign of a French provincial bedroom is the dark cherry wood furniture. Occasionally you'll find ivory French provincial furniture. This is an opportunity to use rich, deep wall colors for drama. You can stick with eggplants, burgundies, dark blues, or chocolate brown for a more modern look. This is the perfect style for someone who wants to be noticed. Plus a dramatic color costs the same as a bucket of beige.

7. Find elegant bedding. This should both look good & feel good. You can pile up throw pillows on your bed. Look for rich satins or velvets with elaborate tassel trims. Just make sure that it can be put in the washer if you don't want to keep hauling it to the dry cleaner.

Tags: French provincial, French Provincial, French provincial bedroom, four poster, furniture This, provincial bedroom

Decorate A Kitchen & Dining Room

Decorate your kitchen and dining room to complement each other when they create a single, open space.

Decorate your kitchen and dining room combination using the same color scheme or theme for a cohesive look that blends together seamlessly. When the two rooms open into each other, it's imperative that you decorate them to complement each other or they'll look disconnected and awkward. The rooms don't have to look identical, but should share common elements that tie the spaces together. Consider the decor in other connecting rooms in the house as they should all mesh together.

Instructions

1. Choose a color scheme or theme for the kitchen and dining room that works with existing cabinetry, your appliances and connecting rooms. For example, a French country kitchen and dining room would look strange next to a contemporary family room. Warm, inviting colors are best for a kitchen and dining room since this the space where you likely entertain and spend a lot of time with people who are close to you.

2. Paint the kitchen and dining room with the same color, especially if they share a common wall. If you want the rooms to have different paint, consider including an accent wall in each room for different colors, but paint the other walls in the same neutral hue to keep the space connected. For example, use warm beige as the primary wall color, then paint an accent wall yellow in the kitchen and use terracotta in the dining room. All three colors work together, but separating the bolder colors will give them more impact and visually separate the rooms, while keeping them connected.

3. Place furniture in the dining room that complements the shape of the room and the kitchen colors. Your table doesn't have to match your cabinets, but it shouldn't clash with them either. For example, a knotty pine farmhouse table would most likely look out of place next to a kitchen with sleek, contemporary cherry and stainless steel cabinets and appliances.

4. Set the table with linens and dishes that bring your color scheme or theme together. For example, if your color scheme includes chocolate brown and cream for the neutral colors and candy apple red for the kitchen and green for the dining room, you'd still want to include some red in the dining room. Use a cream runner or place mats, chocolate brown chargers, green and cream colored dishes and cream colored linen napkins. Use red napkin rings and a red centerpiece, such as a red vase or red flowers.

5. Accessorize the kitchen and dining room with items that fit the space, as well as elements that bring the rooms together. For example, use the same curtains or rug in both rooms; or use the same vase in both rooms, if it picks up all of the colors within your color scheme. Artwork can bring the rooms together as well. Potted plants, even silk plants, can add color and enhance the decor in both rooms.

Tags: dining room, kitchen dining, kitchen dining room, color scheme, both rooms, color scheme theme

Create A Blackandwhite Vintage Bedroom

The 1940s bedroom offerred plenty of room for ruffles and frills.

Using black and white as a bedroom color scheme is both daring and practical. It's daring in the sense that it creates huge contrast with two very bold colors, but it's practical in that it will accept any color accessories if you decide to redecorate. The most important factor is to consider your goals for the room. Decide whether you want to create balance between the two colors or if one will be dominant. Take practical considerations into account. A white rug won't be white for long if you have pets, and overusing black can make a small room feel depressing. Planning is the most important part of the process here -- the actual doing is only as complicated as you make it.

Instructions

1. Consider the size of the room and its natural light. Larger rooms can handle more black, while smaller rooms are better off emphasizing white. Lots of black can make a darker room seem cozy, but more white can make it feel lighter. Matte surfaces absorb light, while glossy surfaces reflect light to make the room feel brighter and larger.

2. Decide just how vintage you want to get. Decor from the 1960s and '70s uses plenty of gloss and shine, while '30s and '40s decor uses more muted finishes. Art Deco looks from the '20s play glossy lacquer furniture off subdued matte or eggshell walls.

3. Paint the walls first. Only very large rooms can handle four black walls, so decide carefully. If all-white walls feels too plain, consider painting one wall black or painting black below a chair rail. White trim in a slightly glossier finish is more subtle, but black adds emphasis to interesting trim and creates a visual line around the room. If the only trim is basic woodwork around windows and doors, white is usually best. Decor from the '30s did a lot with stripes on the walls, but don't attempt this unless you are very patient and have plenty of painter's tape. Consider the wallpaper option as well -- there is wallpaper available from every era, so explore online and in stores to find your perfect look, including black-and-white stripes.

4. Consider bringing a high ceiling further into the room by painting it black -- tray ceilings look especially "mod" when the raised center contrasts the lower soffits and walls. For a less dramatic effect, use a high-gloss white to reflect light off the ceiling without visually lowering it. If you're doing a '30s look, consider lining your ceiling with thermoplastic reproductions of sculpted tin panels available at hardware stores. Low ceilings should be a matte white to allow them to visually recede.

5. Place your furniture. The contrast of black furniture against white walls is what makes the black-and-white color scheme look so dramatic. Use gloss for a "mod" look or a subdued stain for a look from an earlier era. Thrift shops have plenty of black or white lacquer furniture from the '80s that works well with an Art Deco look. Looks from the '30s and '40s should be a more subtle matte stain.

6. Add linens. If your furniture is all black, your bedding should be snow white for contrast. Decor from the '60s and '70s emphasized low beds with clean lines and minimal decor, while beds from the '30s and '40s had plenty of ruffles and pillows. Choose curtains to contrast with the walls they hang near. If the room still looks a bit plain at this point, consider a print fabric for the windows; otherwise use solids.

7. Pick out your hardware. Chrome lamps, switch plates, hinges and drawer pulls are perfect for a '60s or '70s feel, but looks from earlier eras can also pull off antiqued silver or gold. Bronze and copper are generally too warm to mesh with a black-and-white room. Whatever metal you choose, make sure every bit in the room is the same color and finish for cohesiveness.

8. Add accessories as needed and fine-tune the room. Play around with the balance between black and white and be careful not to make the room too busy. The rule of thumb is to pare it down to the most basic look then remove one more thing. Otherwise, the contrast between the black and white combined with clutter makes for a visual mess. Be sure to keep belongings stored out of sight and allow the colorplay to be the room's focal point.

Tags: black white, Decor from, balance between, between black, between black white, black make, color scheme

Keep My Bedroom & Clothes Organized Daily

It can become overwhelming to keep your bedroom clean and organized if you're always on the go and lead a busy schedule. We all have clothes lying around that we never wear or that need to be discarded. It's important to get rid of the clothes you don't need, which will open up more space and result in having fewer items to organize. Using storage and organizer systems can also make your job easier. Learn keep your bedroom and clothes organized on a daily basis.

Instructions

1. Go through each clothing item you own and assess whether it needs to be thrown out, kept or donated. Make three separate piles. Collect all of the clothes that need to be thrown out in a trash bag and dispose of them. Then, put all of the clothes that will be donated into another trash bag and set it aside to donate to charity.

2. Go through the "Keep" pile and categorize the clothing based on the type such as "Pants," "Tops," "Dresses," "Formal Wear," "Socks" and "Undergarments."

3. Break the "Pants" and "Tops" categories further down by season. For example, sweaters should be in the "Winter" category while T-shirts and capris should be in the "Summer" category. Depending on what the current season is, pack the clothes of the other season away in a storage box, since you won't be needing them for several months.

4. Fold all of the undergarments and place them in a dresser drawer. Place socks in another drawer and make sure you don't have a sock floating around without a match. Put casual tops and pants in separate drawers.

5. Hang dresses and formal wear, such as suits, dress shirts and pants in the closet. You can iron the formal wear before you hang it in the closet, so that it's ready to be worn when you need it in the future. Organize your shoes in the closet by placing the ones you wear the most in the front.

6. Take each item of clothing that you need from each drawer, each day. Throw clothes that need to be washed in a hamper stored in the bathroom each morning. Once the laundry has been done and folded each week, place each item in the designated drawer.

7. Organize books on a book shelf. Place papers in file folders and organize them in a drawer, so that they are easily accessible when you need them. You can invest in a small CD rack and place all CDs and DVDs on this rack.

8. Place products such as lotions, hair products, makeup and hairbrushes in a cosmetic organizer.

9. Make your bed each morning after you wake up. Straighten the sheets and fold the ends under your mattress. Fold your blanket and place it at the foot of the bed. Prop up the pillows.

Tags: that need, clothes that, clothes that need, each item, each morning

Arrange A Very Small Boys' Bedroom

Create a room that still gives your son space to play.

Decorating and arranging furniture within tight quarters can present challenges, but you can still create a functional, yet stylish space within a very small boys' room by making a few adjustments. All children need space and a comfortable living environment regardless of whether they are babies, toddlers or big boys. Ask for help when arranging your son's room and consider leaving out certain furnishings that take up too much space. Your child still needs room to maneuver around the room and play.

Instructions

1. Draw your son's floor plan several times and include furniture that you want to feature in the room within your sketches. This just helps you take note of the location of the door, window and closet along with getting a feel for the room and figuring out what may or may not work. Sometimes beds and cribs are best positioned up against the largest wall within the room.

2. Place the largest piece of the furniture -- likely the bed -- in the room first and move it around a few times until you find a space that provides the most room for other furniture. Look at your sketches to help you decide where to place the bed. Select a location that provides enough room to open the door fully and have access in and out of the room. Make sure there is plenty of walking space around the closet also. It's OK to place the bed up against a window if doing this provides the most space within the room; however, do not place the crib under a window.

3. Place one dresser up against the opposite wall of the bed so there is plenty of space between the bed and dresser. You can also place the dresser on the wall next to the bed if this location provides the most room. Place the dresser in the closet if the room lacks space, but the closet is large.

4. Set a toy box for your son's toys up against one of the walls within the room. If the room is very tiny, you can also place his toys in labeled bins and push these under the bed. He can bring the toys out when he wants to play and put them away by sliding the bins back under the bed.

5. Place a tall lamp in one corner of the room. Using a tall lamp saves space because there is no need to place lamps on dressers, night stands or additional furniture, since tall lamps stand on their own and take up little space.

Tags: also place, provides most, within room, most room, provides most room, room Place, space within