Decorate With A Round Dining Room Table

Decorate your dining room to complement your round dining table.

Decorate your dining room in a way that complements your round dining table. Round dining tables work with various styles of decor including modern, traditional or eclectic. Round tables can work in small, tight spaces or oddly shaped rooms. They can also work in expansive dining rooms as they tend to appear to take up more space than rectangle or oval tables. Round tables also create an intimate feel because everyone sitting around a round dining table can easily see and converse with everyone else at the table.

Instructions

1. Place a rug in the center of the room if you plan to use one. When using a rug, it's important to choose a rug that is larger than the table so that all four legs of the chairs are on the carpet when the chairs are in use.

2. Hang a chandelier in the center of the room, if possible. The light fixture you choose should complement the formality of the room and match the scale of the table. For example, a fancy, grand chandelier would work with a large table in a formal dining room, but it would look ridiculous hanging over a small table in a casual or contemporary setting.

3. Situate your round table (and chairs) in the center of the room. Make sure there is enough room to walk behind the chairs when they're occupied. Add a china cabinet, shelves or a buffet against a wall if there's room. The pieces should match the table for a modern or traditional look, or mix and match different kinds of pieces for a country or eclectic feel.

4. Set the table using different shapes to add visual interest. For example, use round or square place mats, which can sit closer to the edge of a round table, leaving more room in the center of the table for decor or food. Place round dishes on a square mat, or square dishes on a round mat. Round or square napkin rings should complement the place mat.

5. Add a centerpiece that complements the colors, theme and mood of the room. For example, a classic vase and floral arrangement, candles or a bowl of fruit are common centerpieces. The centerpiece should be low enough for easy conversation across the table, unless you intend to remove it before each meal.

6. Accessorize the dining room with colors, fabrics and other items that complete the decor. For example, if your chairs are covered in a rich, red fabric, use the same fabric (or something similar) for the curtains. Place vases, bowls or dishes on shelves or in a china cabinet that complement the table setting. Hang art, a mirror or candle sconces on the walls that tie it all together.

Tags: dining room, center room, dining table, round dining table, your round, china cabinet

Ideas For Painting The Kitchen Dining Table

Ideas for Painting the Kitchen Dining Table

If it has come time to replace that old dining table, but it is not in the budget, a paint can renovation may be the way to go. A new kitchen table could sell for hundreds of dollars, not to mention the cost of getting it delivered. The table you already have is likely in good condition, with the exception of a few nicks and scratches. You can salvage a kitchen table without spending much money.

Two-Tone Paint Job

To create a shabby chic look, use two different colored paints. For a wood table, sand the tabletop and legs. Be sure to even out scratches. With some elbow grease, you can eliminate most stains. Use a wood conditioner before applying paint. Conditioner will help distribute the paint more evenly preventing certain spots from getting over saturated. Paint the tabletop in a natural color like brown, suede, beige or tan. If you have young children, you may want a darker color so that stains stay hidden. Paint the legs blue. It is best to stick with earthy tones rather than vibrant colors.

Fresh Coat

Some tables just need a fresh coat of paint to look like new again. It is important to avoid using a glossy finish because those paints will be more prone to peeling or sticking to the bottom of glass or hard plastic. Choose a color that is already in your kitchen but not prominent. If you have wallpaper with flowers that are primarily yellow, for instance, buy a paint matching the color of the green stem. To prevent peeling and scratches, coat the tabletop in a clear polyurethane finish. You must allow no fewer than 24 hours for your table to dry fully. Remember that the top layers of paint may dry sooner than the bottom layers.

Stencils

Get the entire family in on the job. Come up with a theme you want your table to have. Remember that you will not be painting your table often, so be sure you do not mind living with the designs you choose. Avoid topical themes like seasons and holidays. Fruit is a nice kitchen idea. Buy stencils of apples, bananas and melons at a craft or hobby store. Tape the stencil directly to the table so you don't have to worry about coloring within the lines.

Before you do anything to the table, however, make a rough copy of your work. Create your design on a blank piece of paper. Practice your design until you get it exactly how you want it before making it permanent.

Tags: your table, color that, Ideas Painting, Ideas Painting Kitchen, Kitchen Dining, Kitchen Dining Table

Ideas For Painting On Cement Floors In Bedrooms

A concrete floor makes a surprisingly good canvas.

While most of us would love to have a bedroom with floors of hardwoord, marble, or deep plush carpet, sometimes we have to make do with concrete. Fortunately, with time and a bit of creativity, you can paint the concrete floor in your bedroom and turn it into a work of art.

Courtyard with Pool

Faux marble takes time but can look realistic.

If you fancy the ancient villa look and hold some artistic talent, paint the floor to resemble marble, with a realistic-looking pool (complete with goldfish) in one corner. Locate a book on faux finishing or trompe l'oeil painting to get in-depth instructions for mimicking texture and dimension with paint. "Trompe l'oeil," French for "fool the eye," refers to deceptively realistic paintings, often on or inside a structure.

Meditation Labyrinth

A labyrinth can be any size.

If you gravitate toward Eastern religion or philosophy, or simply enjoy activities that require slowness and contemplation, consider painting your bedroom floor with a labyrinth. The labyrinth, an ancient symbol and tool of consciousness, invites you to walk its twisting paths with reverence. It does not need to be huge. Indeed, for a tiny room, you could paint a "finger labyrinth."

Select two calming, complementary colors---perhaps colors that hold spiritual significance for you. Paint the entire floor with one color. Map out the labyrinth with chalk or watered-down, barely visible white paint. Look to art and photos of great labyrinths throughout the world for inspiration. Most labyrinths are round. Delineate its borders with the other paint color you chose. Along with the labyrinth, you could paint traditional icons of wisdom, enlightenment, and eternity, such as lotus blossoms.

Playground Games

You could paint a "board" for checkers and chess.

Whether the room belongs to a kid or a kid-at-heart, paint the floor a neutral shade that matches the walls. Use white paint applied roughly---to resemble chalk---to map out the boundaries of playground games, such as hopscotch or foursquare. White covers up easily, so if you get tired of the games, just paint over them using the neutral shade.

Tags: could paint, concrete floor, floor with, neutral shade, paint floor

Replace The Bathroom Floor In A Mobile Home

Replace the Bathroom Floor in a Mobile Home

Replacing a bathroom floor in a mobile home is a common repair because of a high incidence of water damage. Such damage in the bathroom floor feels like a soft, spongy spot, especially if the subflooring was originally constructed with particle board that becomes soft and weak when exposed to water. To replace the bathroom floor, remove the old floor covering and subflooring, reinforce the joists, install new insulation and construct new subflooring. If you can use a circular saw, drill, and a putty knife, you can handle this project.

Instructions

1. Turn off the main water valve that brings water into the house. Remove the toilet. Remove the existing vinyl or carpet floor covering, door tracks, and floor registers to expose the subflooring.

2. Cut along the wall edge with a circular saw or reciprocating saw. Remove screws and nails from the subflooring to remove it. For easy removal of the old floor, cut between each floor joist with a circular saw, and remove the old floor in sections with a pry bar. Remove old nails, glue, and staples from the top of the joists. Scrape off old glue with a putty knife.

3. Add a joist using a length of 2-by-4-inch lumber and screw it to the existing joist, which may be slightly under the wall line, to make sure there will be enough support for the subflooring. Replace or upgrade the floor insulation. Add the joist only if there is no joist along the edge of the wall.

4. Measure and cut the plywood to size, making sure that any seams you cut are located far from the toilet. Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the tops of all the joists to help reduce floor squeaks.

5. Lay down the new pieces of plywood flooring and screw into place with 2-inch galvanized screws every 16 inches on the joists. Countersink the screws so the screw heads are just below the surface of the floor. Follow the directions on the floor leveler label for mixing, applying, drying, and sanding. Install the new vinyl floor covering, trim strip under the door, and baseboards.

6. Remount the toilet and turn the water supply back on.

Tags: floor covering, bathroom floor, Bathroom Floor Mobile, Floor Mobile, Floor Mobile Home

Decorate A Beach Themed Bedroom

For a peaceful night's sleep, give your room a beach-inspired decor. The soft, subtle palette of the sun, sea and sky can transform a dreary room into a virtual paradise. Here are a few tips to make the perfect boudoir of relaxation at home.

Instructions

Decorate a Beach Themed Bedroom

1. Start by painting your room in one or two colors taken from the sea and beach. Soft hues of white, beige, turquoise and blues will give your room a relaxed, breezy feeling.

2. Give your dark furniture a lift by whitewashing, and you may even want to replace some smaller pieces of furniture with bamboo or wicker. You could also rough off the edges of whitewashed furniture with a fine sandpaper, giving the piece a "sea-weathered" look.

3. Add a splash of color to your draperies, bedding and pillows. For bedding, choose soft, buttery fabrics such as sateen sheets or Egyptian cotton in pale shades of blue, sea-foam green or even lavender. For drama, complete the bedding with a comforter in splashier colors such as tangerine, purple, lemony yellows and pinks, like those of tropical flowers. Toss on some some great throw pillows and shams in these same hues and hang light and airy sheer curtains from natural bamboo rods. For a different effect, hang a combination of colors of sheer panels in beige, white, coral or lavender.

4. Hang a mosquito net from the ceiling over the bed for a romantic, windswept look. Adorn your netting with seashells. Mosquito nets come in both round and rectangular styles and complete the tropical look.

5. Adorn your walls with appropriate art work. Enlarge and frame some of your favorite beach photos or purchase beach artwork. Again, consider using light woods, bamboo or whitewashed frames. Add a few naturally woven baskets around the room, some linen-scented candles in hurricane lamps, and you have a restful retreat.

Tags: your room, Adorn your, Beach Themed, Beach Themed Bedroom, Decorate Beach, Decorate Beach Themed, furniture with

Ideas For Painting A Cute Bedroom

An animal theme creates a jolly interior.

Cute bedrooms come in myriad styles. A simple pastel scheme, a wildlife theme or cartoons -- all of these will create a cute, cheery room. The main question is one of resources. If you have the time for an elaborate decoration scheme, go all out. If not, a simpler painting strategy can still make a room cute and buoyant.

Pastel Colors

Pastel colors are soft and comfortable and are a simple way to create an endearing interior. The high white content of these colors reflect a high degree of light to keep the bedroom feeling fresh. Butter yellow, light pink, powder blue and mint green are some options. In addition you can paint trim white or use a darker version of the pastel for deeper contrast.

Animal Mural

An animal mural or borders will create a cute, lively room. Start with a goldenrod or similar light, bright base. Use photos as models, and arrange an array of animals like giraffes and zebras on the walls or at the ceiling border. Common domestic animals like kittens or puppies are another option. For something different, paint the walls a medium blue and use fish to create an undersea environment.

Kawaii

Kawaii is Japanese for cute. You can copy several brand name purveyors of products, cartoons and more for a cute bedroom theme. In addition, you can use computer game characters or mascots. Paint upbeat colors like pink and overlay them with kawaii cartoon figures, animals and other forms in bright, contrasting colors.

Tags: animals like, create cute, will create, will create cute

Camo Decorating Ideas For A Boy'S Bedroom

A camouflage decorating theme brings the outdoors inside a young nature lover's room. Boys who love hunting, outdoor endeavors or the military serve as appropriate inhabitants of a bedroom decorated in this theme. Various elements work together to create the desired effect, from the wall paint to the bedding and accessories. Careful selection of the elements prevents the room from becoming overwhelmed with camouflage.

Color Scheme

The traditional color scheme for camouflage incorporates various hues of greens and browns. The color pattern is found in many decor items, making it an easy option for decorating the room. For a modern twist on the camouflage theme, other colors are substituted for the traditional green and brown. Varying shades of the chosen color blend together to create a bright camo print. Color ideas for boys' bedrooms include orange, blue or red. Camouflage accessories in matching colors may be more of a challenge to locate.

Walls

A camouflage pattern painted onto the walls offers a large and noticeable way to incorporate the theme into the room. However, all four walls in a camo pattern may be too overwhelming, particularly if the color scheme includes drab shades of brown or green. A single color from the palette works well for the walls, with accents in the camouflage pattern. Accents may come in the form of wall hangings or other accessories in the room. Another option is to paint one accent wall in the camouflage pattern, using a solid color for the remaining walls. A practice run with painting the pattern ensures it turns out the way you wish.

Bedding

A camouflage bedding set presents an obvious choice to stick with the theme. This option works well if you used a solid color for the walls. A solid bedding set provides a contrast if the walls are painted with the camouflage pattern. Accent pillows incorporate the overall theme of the room and provide punches of color to the bed.

Furniture

Any basic furniture set can be incorporated into the room. A coat of paint in one of the accent colors allows wooden furniture pieces to blend with the overall room. Multiple furniture pieces may be painted in varying shades of a base color to match the camouflage theme. A chair or beanbag in a coordinating color or pattern provides additional seating in the bedroom.

Accents

The interests of the child who will use the bedroom guide the selection process. Outdoor items provide appropriate accents for a child who enjoys hunting or outdoor adventures. A mounted deer head, stuffed animals or artificial vines and trees add decoration to the walls. A tent or camouflage net provides a private area in the room for the child to read or play. A net can also be draped near the bed. A child who chooses the theme to relate to an interest in the military may enjoy military lockers or posters as accents in the room.

Tags: camouflage pattern, camouflage theme, color pattern, furniture pieces, hunting outdoor

What Paint Colors Work Well With Maple Bedroom Furniture

Create a safe haven with the right paint color choices.

Maple is a hardwood that lends itself well to bedroom furniture because of its strength and durability. Finding the perfect color palette that coordinates with maple bedroom furniture consists of blending designer tips and personal preferences. The bedroom is a sanctuary, so choose paint colors that draw you in and keep you cozy.

Complementary

Maple wood exudes a natural, pale color, so there is an array of paint color choices for the walls. Maple is considered an orange-colored wood, so to complement it choose colors from the opposite end of the color wheel. Green is the complementary color for orange, but there are many different shades of green. If you want to make the room appear smaller and cozier, think along the lines of dark greens such as forest green. To make a smaller room appear larger, go with lighter shades, such as a willow or mint green. If you prefer a muted look, consider olive or avocado tints. You can also slide over on the color wheel and choose a bluish-green hue.

Monochromatic

While complementary colors invite furniture and walls to each stand on their own, some prefer a monochromatic look using different shades of the same color base. Oranges, reds and yellows offer a palette of color options blending with the maple wood. If primary colors excite you, a canary yellow or bold tangerine on the walls brighten the room. An array of pink tones on the walls brings a feminine touch to the room. Red paint on the walls is dramatic and sassy.

Neutral

Although there are thousands of available paint color choices, if you prefer a neutral feel to your bedroom, it is perfectly acceptable to stay in that arena. White, beige, ecru, cream, ivory or any other color in the neutral spectrum highlights the maple wood. Consider painting each wall a different shade of white or ivory for a more dramatic effect. Bring in hints of color to the room with accessories, such as linens and draperies. If choosing a neutral paint color for the walls, paint the ceiling in a soft color, such as pale yellow or a robin's egg blue.

Personal Preference

Decorator tips for choosing colors that coordinate with your maple bedroom furniture can steer you in the right direction. Decorating the bedroom should also include personal preferences, so that you feel comfortable in the room. If you lean toward purple, lavender or lilac colors, go with that on your walls. If blue tones make you feel peaceful, they also will complement maple wood. For a masculine feel, consider brown or burgundy tones. Experiment with your own likes and dislikes. Maple wood can stand up to most any color scheme.

Tags: paint color, color choices, paint color choices, bedroom furniture, color wheel

Ideas For Painting A Bedroom With A Cheetah Print

Cheetah print is a tan with dark, uneven spots.

Apply a cheetah print-themed paint job to your children's bedroom or to a master bedroom. In a children's room, this cheetah print paint job complements a safari or zookeeper theme. In a master bedroom with plenty of space, the cheetah print paint job complements a sophisticated adult theme that is also creative and playful.

Creating Design

Unlike creating a stripe or tartan print on the wall, where precision in terms of stripe size and application is key, creating a cheetah print is easy. Apply a soft brown or beige base paint as your first coat and let this dry. Then create black spots on the soft brown and beige by using a small, round sponge and dabbing the paint on the dried brown. Cheetah spots are round and fairly the same size, but they have uneven edges.

Accessories

Add accessories to your room that continue your cheetah print theme. Keep the accessories minimal such as a few pillows with a cheetah print, a black and white framed image of a cheetah in a gold or wooden frame and a cheetah rug. These ideas all work well in an adult bedroom. For a children's room the accessories might include a few stuffed cheetahs, as well as other zoo animals, and some framed images of African wildlife.

Accent Walls

You can make one wall, two walls, three walls or all four walls of the bedroom covered in cheetah print. The size of the room may dictate just how much of the room will be covered in cheetah. Consider painting three walls a soft beige and adding one wall of cheetah print in a smaller space or in a children's room -- or add the cheetah print as a border. Children tend to want design changes over time as they grow and change their preferences; they aren't as committed to a style as others, and painting over a cheetah print could be quite an investment of time and money. You can paint three walls a cheetah print and one wall black in a naturally well-lit adult room. Of course, you can also work with white as a primary color and cheetah as the accent wall or weave together any of these combinations.

Mouldings

Add thick moldings to the room. Consider a stained wood in a darker color for a rustic look. Thicker moldings are considered both contemporary and traditional and will work in both adult and children's spaces. Keep the molding simple, without a print, as you do not want the room to be too busy or seem overly cluttered.

Tags: cheetah print, children room, three walls, bedroom children, bedroom children room, brown beige

Make Your Own Bathroom Deodorizer

Making your own bathroom deodorizer is a creative endeavor.

Making your own bathroom deodorizer is a creative project with sweet-smelling results. Creating a deodorizer is an efficient way to improve the smell of your bathroom without having to use a candle, which features an open flame and poses a fire hazard. In addition, your own natural deodorizer does not contain dangerous chemicals often found in commercial products, such as formaldehyde, and is less likely to trigger allergy or asthma problems. This type of project sometimes involves the use of natural spices and plants and requires patience and creativity.

Instructions

1. Combine vanilla extract along with the peels of oranges and even sticks of cinnamon in your potpourri slow cooker. Fill the cooker pot with water so that it covers the aromatic food items, and allow the mixture to boil. Decrease the heat level of the crock pot so that the uncovered crock pot simmers for a day on the low setting.

2. Put eucalyptus leaves in a vase, as these leaves feature a fragrant oil that has a deodorizing, antibacterial and antiseptic quality. Place this vase on a sink or above your bathroom's toilet, and replace the leaves when they begin to wilt.

3. Add 10 to 20 drops of a fragrant oil to a 1-lb. box of baking soda. Place this baking soda box in a hidden area of your bathroom, such as underneath your sink or inside a decorative vase near your toilet. Change the box out about every three months to remove odors from the room.

4. Drip a fragrant oil on cotton balls. Place these balls in an attractive bowl, and allow the bowl to serve as a deodorizing decoration on your sink or on the back of your toilet.

5. Put cotton balls dipped in fragrant oil between the inside of your toilet paper roll and the toilet paper roll holder in your bathroom, as this releases the fragrance every time a person unrolls toilet paper. Add new oil-covered cotton balls to each new toilet paper roll you place in your bathroom.

Tags: toilet paper, your bathroom, cotton balls, paper roll, toilet paper roll

Ideas For Decorate A White Bedroom

Different textures make white bedrooms interesting.

White bedrooms open the space in a room, creating a sense of freedom. You can easily create a bedroom decorated primarily with white to be a respite unmatched by any other room in your home. The trick to decorating a white bedroom so that it feels cozy is to work with different shades and textures to generate an interest and create an inviting environment.

Choose White-on-White

Go for a crisp, clean look with white-on-white. White walls reflect light, giving your room an instant lift. White bed linens coupled with white walls will make your room feel airy and comfortable. Look for linens with details or fringe, such as piping, with a small splash of color to play off another object in your room. You may want to use a fringe that matches the color in a pillow or picture. White window treatments also complete this cozy look.

Use Colorful Details

White is a dramatic color that easily emphasizes other colors you love. Use favorite colors that will stand out in your white room and play off of the clean and cozy aspects of your decor. Colored vases, pictures, plants and pillows add dimension and personality to your room.

Experiment with Shades

White comes in many shades and they do not all have to match when it comes to decorating. From pearl to cream, you can create a mood in your room that is just as attractive and inviting as a room filled with many colors. Look for window treatments, lampshades and pillows in different shades of white. The colors will still flow together without looking like they are exactly the same.

Add Textures

Give your bedroom appeal by adding texture. White wicker, silk, gauze or sheers will complete any room. You can also opt for white rugs to give a room a finished look. Treat rugs with a stain guard to keep cleaning to a minimum and keep the color bright and crisp.

Tags: your room, different shades, window treatments, with white

Homemade Slipcovers For Dining Room Chairs

Make slipcovers for dining room chairs.

Dining room chair slipcovers create a functional or elegant look for chairs, depending on the type of fabric chosen. Choose a medium-weight washable fabric for a functional slipcover or medium-weight decorator fabric for an elegant look. Sew a sample slipcover out of low-cost muslin fabric to create a pattern and work out sewing problems before cutting the higher-cost slipcover fabric. This will save you time and money when making slipcovers for your dining room chairs.

Instructions

1. Calculate the length and width if the dining chair seat, the height and width of the dining chair back and the total height of the dining chair from the floor to the top edge of the back.

2. Create a sketch of the measurements on paper to give you a visual for cutting fabric. Include the four pieces of fabric: two pieces for the back, one piece for the seat and one piece for a skirt around the legs.

3. Add 1/2-inch seam allowances to the measurements for all four pieces. Cut the pieces out of a muslin fabric to create a test slipcover and pattern pieces.

4. Attach the two back pieces together by laying the two pieces with right sides together and pinning the long sides and top edge. Sew around the three sides of the chair back slipcover to make a pillowcase shape. Turn the pillowcase right side out and smooth the seams and corners.

5. Attach the seat section to the back slipcover by pinning the back edge to the front edge of the slipcover with right sides together. Sew a 1/2-inch seam.

6. Hem the skirt sides by folding 1/4 inch of fabric to the wrong side. Fold over another 1/4 inch of fabric and pin to hold in place. Sew the hem close to the inside fold.

7. Attach the slipcover leg skirt by pinning the top edge of the skirt around the seat section and back edge of the back slipcover with right sides together. Line up the hem sides of the skirt so they meet at the center back of the slipcover. The bottom opening of the back slipcover remains open. Sew a 1/2-inch seam.

8. Place the slipcover on the dining chair to verify fit and mark the hem placement. Turn under the bottom edge 1/4 inch, followed by another 1/4 to 1/2 inch based on the current fit. You want the bottom hem edge just above floor level. Sew the hem close to the inside fold to hold it in place.

9. Make slipcovers out of decorator fabric using the measurements and seam lengths you created in the muslin test slipcover.

Tags: back slipcover, dining chair, 2-inch seam, right sides, right sides together, sides together, with right

Decorate A Gray Bedroom

Gray is a versatile color.

Gray is a classic color for a decorating palette because it goes with everything. In the bedroom, gray is especially pleasing because it's calming. Use this to your advantage and create a bedroom that is as restful as it is interesting. When you realize the potential of gray, you'll love creating a personal space with it.

Instructions

1. Pick a theme for your gray bedroom. Think of how you want the room to feel, which will help you decide on themes and colors. A modern look feels much different from a country look. Modern or contemporary themes are minimalist, while a country look is casual. Retro themes are funky, while Italian ambiance is elegant but comfortable.

2. Use furniture that helps evoke the mood of your room. Distressed furnishings enhance the casual aspect of bedrooms. For a modern look, go with sleek black furnishings. White furniture will open up a room, while black furniture is modern and is used with Asian themes. Light-colored wood stands out against dark shades of gray, while walnut, mahogany and cherry wood stand out against light gray paint.

3. Paint trim to match your theme. If you have a small room, painting the trim the same color as the walls make the room feel more spacious. White trim with gray walls adds a splash of color and creates a nice balance if used with white furniture. Black trim emphasizes black furnishings and creates an elegant touch to a modern theme.

4. Use fabrics that emphasize your theme. Add texture to your room by using shades of gray slightly darker or lighter than the color on your walls. Silk is luxurious and ideal for modern decorating styles. Linens accentuate a more casual style. Put a red velvet pillow on your bed and pair it with rich red stripes in your window treatments for an elegant touch.

5. Add one or two complementary colors to break up the monotony of gray. Touches of red, yellow or blue create interest. Bring these colors into your room with pillows, lampshades, rugs and paintings.

Tags: your room, black furnishings, country look, elegant touch, modern look, room feel, shades gray

Make Raised Panel Wainscoting For The Dining Room

Raised panel wainscoting not only adds a decorative touch to a dining room, but it serves a purpose as well. Dining room wainscoting with a chair rail protects the surface of the wall from the scrapes and scratches that happen from everyday use. If you make the chair rails a bit wider and router a notch along their length, you can use them as plate rails to display serving pieces and dinner plates. The wood molding comes in a variety of profiles, which allows you to create exactly the effect you want with the raised panels.

Instructions

1. Remove the shoe molding from the perimeter of the room. Pry it off the wall carefully with a pry bar so you can reuse it.

2. Measure and mark the height for your dining room wainscoting with a chalk line. Use a carpenter's level to ensure the chalk line is level.

3. Determine how many raised panels you want on each wall based on your measurements. If necessary, make the outer panels narrower than the rest of the panels to keep a balanced appearance. Allow 3 inches for each upright, or stile, you plan to install on each wall.

4. Cut a piece of 1-by-4-inch lumber the length of the wall with a circular saw. Cut a piece of 1-by-3-inch lumber the same length. Cut 1-by-3-inch stiles to the length necessary to make the wainscoting frame the height you determined in Step 2.

5. Lay out the wainscot frame on the floor, taking careful measurements to get the panels the same width you determined in Step 3. Ensure each piece meets at a right angle using a carpenter's square. Hold the pieces in place with wood clamps. Attach the stiles to the 1-by-4-inch base piece with the assistance of a pocket hole jig, which connects two pieces of wood with a screw set at an angle. For best results, pre-drill the holes before inserting the screws.

6. Connect the stiles to the long piece of 1-by-3-inch lumber to complete the frame. Check that each stile meets the top piece at a right angle with the carpenter's square. Pre-drill holes through the pocket hole jig, then attach the frame top to the stiles with screws.

7. Set the frame against the wall, using the chalk line as your guide. Ask someone to help with this step as you secure the frame with wood screws secured to the wall studs.

8. Measure the inside opening for each panel. Subtract 2 3/4 inches from each measurement. Cut 3/4-inch medium density fiberboard, or MDF, to those measurements with a circular saw. Router the outer edges of each panel using a bit that gives you the profile you want for the raised panels.

9. Center a panel in the opening between the top and bottom rails and between each rail. You should have a 1 3/8-inch gap all the way around the MDF panel. Attach the panel to the wall with a brad nailer. Repeat this process for each of the panels.

10. Measure and cut wood molding to cover the area between the stiles and the MDF panels. Use a miter saw to cut the corner angles correctly. Attach the molding to the wooden frame using a 23-gauge headless pinner to avoid splitting the molding.

11. Cut the wood you selected to use for the chair rail the length of the wall with a circular saw. Attach it to the wall with screws. Cut wood molding the length of the wall. Attach it underneath the chair rail with a brad nailer.

12. Reattach the shoe molding with the brad nailer.

Tags: wall with, brad nailer, chair rail, chalk line, length wall, raised panels

Replace My Bedroom Windows

A replacement window brings new light into the bedroom.

Windows offer a welcome view of the world outside your bedroom, but if your windows are old, damaged or inoperable, you might want to conceal them behind heavy drapes or curtains. Replacement windows can change all that. Designed to fit within the frames of your old windows, you can custom order replacement windows to fit any size opening. You'll need basic carpentry skills to take on this project.

Instructions

1. Measure your old window, inside the jamb, from side-to-side and from the top to the bottom when you're ordering the new window.

2. Pry the old molding, or window stops, away from the inside of the window with a flat bar. These small strips hold the moveable parts of the window in place, and they cover small gaps between the window and the jamb.

3. Go outside and use the flat bar to pry off the old stops and any additional side boards (jamb liners) that cover the gap between the moveable parts of the window and the jamb. Not all windows have jamb liners.

4. Pull the old window out from outside. If you're replacing an old window with weights, you'll have to cut the cords that connect the window to the weights that are located in the sidewalls. If so, tie a knot in the end of the cord to keep the weights from falling down into the wall spaces.

5. Remove the screws on the side plates if your window has weights, and remove the plates in order to pull the old weights out. Squirt expandable foam insulation in the dead air spaces where the weights were, and then replace the plates.

6. Scrape away old glue from inside the window jamb before installing the new window stops that came with the replacement window. Install these with a hammer and nails on the outside of the window jamb. These will go in the same place where you took the old stops out.

7. Slide in the replacement window unit from inside the bedroom. Push it all the way back against the new window stops.

8. Position the window with a carpenter's level, using shims, if necessary, below and on the sides of the window, to make it level.

9. Screw the new window in place, using a drill with a screw bit and framing screws. Insert the screws on the inside grove of the new window jamb into the old window frame. Place a screw about every 12 inches on the sides, bottom and top of the new window.

10. Install new window molding on the inside of your window and caulk visible gaps.

Tags: window jamb, from inside, replacement window, window stops, window with, your window, from inside window

Ideas For Kids Sharing A Bedroom

Give children their own space to play in a shared bedroom.

Get creative and keep personalization in mind when searching for ideas for kids sharing a bedroom. Although the siblings may love each other, living in the same space will naturally cause territorial disputes. Private areas belonging to each child are both important and possible even in small spaces. Once the children feel they have a place which solely belongs to them, a sense of security and privacy will replace at least some common sibling squabbling.

Cloth Room Dividers

A sheet down the middle of the room creates privacy, but is rarely ever attractive. Adding some type of divider is important when two children are sharing one bedroom, but be careful to separate space, not build a barrier between the siblings. If a curtain is all that is within the budget, go the sheer route or use two separate sheets back to back to define space. Instead of just hanging a plain sheet, allow each of the children to personalize a sheet with craft paint, embellishments or with computer transfer paper.

A three-foot-high divider provides a division of personal space without isolating the children from each other. Although they might not admit it, the kids will enjoy each others company, especially on stormy nights. A shorter divider also keeps the room from looking cramped or closed in. You could you use crown molding mounted to plywood or particular board to create an attractive divider. Allow the children to choose their own decorations or paint color for their side of the divider. The room itself could be painted in two distinct colors, just guide the children into picking shades which won't clash. A chalkboard or wipe off board can also be used as dividers. The children can express their thoughts or color on the boards.

Once you have painted the walls, created a divider and found space for two beds, you can more on to the less concrete aspects of decorating the room. Hanging mesh "tents" which come in a princess style for girls and outdoor or character themed for boys are also a good option for creating personal space. The decorations give an added sense of privacy and seclusion to the room's young occupants. If the room has two windows you could color coordinate the curtains with the mesh nets or just use plain white blinds with valances of the children's choosing. Wall d cor should also be personalized to each child's taste. You can buy matching shelves for their trinkets and removable wall stickers so they can be changed with ease without damaging the walls.

Maximize every inch of space in the room to create the illusion of separation and give each child a place to play or work. If the room does not leave enough space for two full sized desk, you cold mount an old-fashioned secretary style desk to the wall which doesn't require floor space and closes when not in use. A night stand with a lamp beside each bed will also give the children a place to store items and display their photos and trinkets. A single table divided in half by a art supply organizer in the middle is also a viable option for creative play and homework. Plastic storage bins which can slide under the bed provide storage options which separate toys and do not clutter a shared closet.

Wood Room Dividers

A floor to waist size divider provides a division of personal space without isolating the children from each other. Although they might not admit it, the kids will enjoy each others company, especially on stormy nights. A shorter divider also keeps the room from looking cramped or closed in. You could you use crown molding mounted to plywood or particular board to create an attractive divider. Allow the children to choose their own decorations or paint color for their side of the divider. The room itself could be painted in two distinct colors, just guide the children into picking shades which won't clash horribly together. A chalkboard or wipe off board can also be used as dividers. The children can express their thoughts or color on the boards.

Room Decorations

Once you have painted the walls, created a divider and found space for two beds, you can more on to the less concrete aspects of decorating the room. Hanging mesh "tents" which come in a princess style for girls and outdoor or character themed for boys are also a good option for creating personal space. The decorations give an added sense of privacy and seclusion to the room's young occupants. If the room has two windows you could color coordinate the curtains with the mesh nets or just use plain white blinds with valances of the children's choosing. Wall d cor should also be personalized to each child's taste. You can buy matching shelves for their trinkets and removable wall stickers so they can be changed with ease without damaging the walls.

Play and Storage Space

Maximize every inch of space in the room to create the illusion of separation and give each child a place to play or work. If the room does not leave enough space for two full sized desk, you could mount a fold-down desk to the wall which doesn't require floor space and closes when not in use. A night stand with a lamp beside each bed will also give the children a place to store items and display their photos and trinkets. A single table divided in half by an art supply organizer in the middle is also a viable option for creative play and homework. Plastic storage bins which can slide under the bed provide storage options which separate toys and do not clutter a shared closet.

Tags: each child, personal space, each other, young occupants room, added sense

Ideas For Master Bedroom Design

Lots of windows make a bedroom feel like an open space.

Design or redesign your master bedroom to feel like a serene space. Even a master bedroom that feels small can seem larger with a new design. Each idea requires looking at the room as a simple space in which all furniture will be removed and new interior materials installed. To encourage sleep in the master bedroom, finish your design with soft lighting techniques.

Dark Wood

If you thought heavy, dark wood is a thing of the past, think again. Furniture designers like Robb and Stucky are another source of master bedroom designs. Choose a bed and headboard made of dark wood, such as walnut or oak. For instance, a walnut platform bed (about a foot in height) provides a great base for a heavy mattress. Wood tones in the bed can match a wood-encased glass door at the entry to the room. Finish the walls with a dark brown fabric. To minimize more wood use, choose black lacquer night tables and a dresser to complete the room. White bedding and tan carpeting create visual contrasts to dark wood elements.

Glass Everywhere

Another way to design a master bedroom is to invite the outside in. In other words, if your home fronts on a preserve, foliage, or even a small garden, use glass to let the light inside. Add high glass windows and a skylight to bring more light into a room, with floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere. Minimize furniture in this room, which should ideally sport bamboo or other wood flooring. Store all of your clothes and belongings in a walk-in closet. When you lie down on a lightweight bed and look out at the green, it feels like a natural sanctuary. If it rains, you've got a front-row seat.

Go Mint Green

This idea does not involve going green with eco-friendly design, unless that's what you want; it involves choosing a cool mint green as the main color in the room. This shade of green is relaxing, even in a hospital room. Use mint green as the interior wall paint. Cover the floor in a cool stone tile or ceramic tile, such as white, gray or cream. Add hunter green area rugs for contrast. Go a shade darker than mint green for bedding and linens. Pick a muted brown for the furniture, fireplace design, wall hangings and accent wall paint. To add to the sense of serenity, add silk plants or potted trees in this green escape.

Tags: master bedroom, dark wood, bedroom feel, bedroom feel like, feel like, mint green

Is It Legal To Place A Breaker Box In A Bedroom

Breaker boxes are not forbidden in bedrooms because they are bedrooms but because of other code requirements.

Many people have heard that it is illegal to place breaker boxes (also called main load centers) in bedrooms. However, when they search though the National Electrical Code (NEC) they cannot find the applicable code, which leads to confusion.

National Electrical Code

The NEC does not directly address placing breaker boxes in bedrooms. The adoption of article 210.12 of the NEC in 1999 requires arc fault circuit interrupt (AFCI) outlets in all bedrooms. Amendments to this article in 2002 requires all "other" electrical circuits in bedrooms to be AFCI-protected. Since breaker boxes cannot be AFCI-protected, placing them in bedrooms is a code violation.

Local Electrical Codes

Many state and city authorities have added requirements to their local electrical codes that are not in the NEC. Some of these local codes do specifically forbid the placement of breaker boxes in bedrooms. These codes vary widely from location to location. Inform yourself about the local electrical codes that affect you.

Bedroom Closets

In the past, installing breaker boxes in closets instead of rooms, such as bedrooms, was common. However, article 240.24 of the NEC no longer allows breaker boxes to be located in a closet because of the combustible materials stored in them such as boxes and clothing.

Tags: breaker boxes, bedrooms because, boxes bedrooms, breaker boxes, breaker boxes bedrooms

Decorate And Paint A Master Bedroom

A bedroom serves as a place of rest, rejuvenation, solitude and intimacy. Remember this when you decorate your bedroom. Choose a pallet that promotes calmness and relaxation. Your choice of décor can affect how you feel when you are in your bedroom.

Instructions

Decorate and Paint a Master Bedroom

1. Choose a calming paint color. Subtle colors such as blue, green, pink or purple have a soothing effect, which is how you should feel in your bedroom. Choose a light shade or pastel version of one of these colors for your walls. Consider adding an accent wall if you want more than one color in your room. For instance, paint three of your walls light green and one light blue. Another way to incorporate more than one color is to add a chair rail to your wall and paint one color above the rail and another color below it.

2. Hang a minimal amount of wall décor in your master bedroom. Clutter, even on the walls, can be distracting and interfere with a sense of calmness. One or two pictures per wall is probably the maximum amount of art you will want to hang. Hang a family portrait so you can drift to sleep with happy thoughts of your loved ones. Consider hanging a picture with an inspiring quote or verse that you enjoy meditating on.

3. Make sure your bedroom furnishings are functional. A side table with a lamp on either side of the bed is useful, especially if you or your spouse like to stay up and read while the other falls asleep. A side table is also a great place to put a lavender-scented candle or some linen spray. Keep your side tables and dresser as clutter-free as possible to promote calmness.

4. Choose fabrics for your comforter and curtains that complement your wall color. Make sure your window treatments block out a sufficient amount of sunlight. If they don't, you may want to back them up with a pair of blinds or black-out shades.

Tags: your bedroom, bedroom Choose, Decorate Paint, Decorate Paint Master, Make sure, Make sure your

Arrange A Teen'S Bedroom

Make your teen's bedroom a place she'll want to come home to.

A newly arranged bedroom can bring new life to an old space. Teenagers like to reinvent themselves, and changing up a bedroom is one opportunity. Consider the habits of the teen in question before deciding where each piece of furniture or a decoration should go. Always speak to your teen before you start moving furniture around. You don't want the hormones rearing up and protesting the placement of the bed.

Instructions

1. Remove all furniture from the room, if practical. It will help you be more creative if you start with a blank space.

2. Decide where the bed should go. If the room is large, an angled bed is something unusual. In a smaller space, furniture may be better left flush with the wall. After you've decided, mark the area where the bed will go with painter's tape, ribbon or string.

3. Mark off space for a bedside stand near the bed. Your teen should be able to keep a glass of water, a book and reading glasses on it.

4. Mark a space for the desk directly across from the bed or just off to the side. Your teen should have a clear view of it from the bed. On sick days, she can watch movies on her computer monitor.

5. Mark space for a chair against an empty wall, space permitting. Place a bookshelf on one side of the chair and a bureau on the other. The top of the bureau can be used for holding collectibles or display items.

6. Bring the furniture in after the room is marked the way you like. Bring in the furniture that will be in the back of the room first and work your way up to the front.

7. Place educational decorations near the desk so your teen can see them while sitting there. Add a cork board over the bureau for him to decorate with pictures and memorabilia. Let him choose fun posters to be displayed near his bed.

8. Hang curtains from the windows to block out light when your teen needs extra sleep. If the room is tall, hang them from a rod right above the window. If it's a shorter, smaller space, hang the rod with L-brackets just below the ceiling and put floor length drapes on it.

Tags: Mark space, Bring furniture, smaller space, teen should, your teen, Your teen should

Remodel A Contemporary Dining Room

Bring a touch of elegance to your room.

A contemporary dining room can be a sleek and elegant room in which to entertain your guests. Whether you are starting with a new home as a blank slate or updating a traditional dining room, you can create a sophisticated space by painting the walls and establishing a focal point, choosing the right flooring materials and textiles, and purchasing modern dining room furniture and light fixtures. The goal of modern design is to reduce visual clutter and maintain clean lines.

Instructions

1. Update the flooring. Replace worn carpeting with polished hardwood, or opt for contemporary carpet squares or natural stone tile. If you decide on a hard flooring surface, protect it from scratches from sliding dining chairs by laying down a modern rug. Choose a solid-color rug, or try a striped or geometric pattern.

2. Create an accent wall. Paint one wall of your dining room an eye-catching shade such as orange, brick red or lime green. To introduce pattern and texture, hang wallpaper with a contemporary pattern. Further establish the wall as a focal point by hanging a large modern painting or a grouping of black and white photographs.

3. Purchase modern dining room furniture. Avoid tables and chairs with too many elaborate details; instead, look for pieces that feature clean lines. Glass-topped tables are popular, as are solid wood and stainless steel. All your dining chairs should match to avoid the shabby-chic effect. If you have the space, purchase a modern dining console in which to store your china and other items.

4. Install a contemporary light fixture above your dining table. Choose from brushed nickel or chrome finishes; if you prefer a softer look, choose a drum-shaped fabric shade. There are also many modern light fixtures made of glass, but avoid the dated crystal chandelier look.

Tags: dining room, modern dining, your dining, clean lines, dining chairs, dining room furniture, focal point

Behave In A Public Bathroom

Public Bathrooms aren’t exactly places that people like going into. They usually smell and germs are everywhere. It’s made worse by those that aren’t conscious of the fact that others are going to be using it as well. Before you go into a public bathroom, here are some tips on behave so that the experience of using the restroom isn’t so bad for those that follow after you.

Instructions

1. Clean the area when you’re finished. When you leave the stall, make sure that you wipe down the toilet seat and throw out any paper that you dropped on the floor. Also, if you put any makeup on at the mirror, wipe up anything that may have fallen on the counter.

2. Flush the toilet. While this may seem obvious, there are still those that don’t do it. No one wants to know what you went into the bathroom to do. Before you step foot out the door, make sure that the toilet flushed and it did so properly.

3. Let pregnant women and the elderly go ahead of you. It may be more difficult for some of them to wait to use the bathroom. When you get to the head of the line, tell them that they can go in front of you.

4. Don’t cut in line. If you see someone standing in front of you, don’t try to sneak your way in and dodge to the first open door. Ask first if they are waiting, then wait your turn. Other people have to go too, so if they can wait then so can you.

5. Leave when you’re finished. There are quite a few people that finish what they’re doing and still stay in there to have a conversation with someone else. Bathrooms are small and can be crowded, so to make it less so, those who want to talk to each other should do it in another room.

6. Throw trash in the garbage can. When you wash your hands and use a sheet of paper towel to dry them off, toss it in the trash can instead of on the sink, or even worse, on the floor.

7. Pass someone toilet paper if they need it. Surprisingly, there are people that hear someone else call out for this and they don’t respond, even if they’re the only other person in there at the time. There’s nothing worse then being stuck without toilet paper after it’s already too late.

Tags: those that, make sure, make sure that, people that, someone else

Plumb A Bathroom Vanity Sink Drain

After the rough-in plumbing stage is complete, you are ready to plumb the vanity fixture drain. Vanity drains, also known as pop-up drains, are relatively painless to install; anyone with the right tools and a good set of directions can install one. They are an 1 1/4-inch drain designed for use on bathroom vanities and/or sinks as the primary drain for water.

Instructions

Installation Preparation

1. Determine that all of the sealing surfaces are free of dirt and chemicals by wiping down all of the seating areas (connection points) on the vanity top or sink with a mild cleaner such as dish washing detergent. Avoid using harsh abrasives or abrasive cleaners which can scratch the vanity top or sink.

2. Unthread the waste plug and seat ring on top of the pop-up assembly.

3. Remove the drain plug and the pop-up ring and seat from the assembly housing.

4. Back the locknut by reversing the threads all the way down the pop-up assembly housing until it reaches the end of the threads or bottoms out.

5. Slide the metal washer, followed by the rubber gasket, down on top of the nut.

6. Apply silicone sealant to the top of the rubber gasket and the underside of the waste plug ring and seat.

Under-sink Installation

7. Insert the pop-up assembly housing from the bottom up into the drain hole in vanity sink top. Align the horizontal rod hole to the rear of the faucet to assure proper alignment of the lift rod and horizontal rod.

8. Apply Teflon tape or thread sealant to the threads on the top of the pop-up assembly, then carefully thread the waste plug seat and ring to the assembly.

9. Pull down on the assembly to seat the ring to the sink top and tighten the nut against the washer; at the same time, tighten the rubber gasket to the bottom of the sink or vanity top. Avoid over-tightening on brass and chrome pop-ups which can crack or break the sink or vanity top. Also avoid over-tightening plastic pop-ups as this can crack or break the plastic nut.

Drain Plug Installation

10. Insert the drain plug into the drain; align the drain plug hold-down tab with the horizontal rod hole.

11. Remove the nut from the horizontal rod housing from the back of the pop-up housing. Approach from underneath the sink.

12. Insert the horizontal rod into the housing and through the hold-down tab on the drain plug.

13. Tighten the horizontal rod nut and make sure that the drain plug opens and closes by moving the rod up and down.

Strap Rod Installation

14. Insert the lift rod into the faucet from the top of the sink.

15. Push the horizontal rod down and insert the lift rod into the strap, then tighten the screw.

16. Insert the horizontal rod into the nearest hole in the lift rod strap, making any adjustments to the lift rod height by loosening the screw in the strap rod and lifting or lowering the lift rod to the desired height. While adjusting, make sure that the lift rod opens and closes the drain plug fully.

17.Secure the strap rod to the horizontal rod using the spring clip by sliding one end of the spring clip onto the horizontal rod, then the strap rod, followed by the other end of the spring clip. Squeeze slightly to align the holes with the rod.

Drain Installation

18. Connect the p-trap to the pop-up tailpiece using a 1 1/4-inch nut and beveled washer, making sure the beveled side always faces the opposite way of the nut.

19. Slide the nut and washer onto the tailpiece. Apply Teflon sealant to the inside of the trap and slide the trap onto the tailpiece. Tighten the nut only hand-tight for now.

20. Remove the long-ended elbow from the top of the p-trap by loosening the nut on the top. Slide a 1 1/2-by-1 1/4 inch nut and beveled washer onto the long end of the elbow.

21. Apply thread sealant to beveled washer and insert the elbow into the adapter extruding from the wall; hand tighten the nut.

22. Apply thread sealant to the lower bevel on the trap, align both ends of the trap, and hand-tighten the nut.

23. Go back and tighten the nuts from Steps 2, 4 and 5 with channel locks. Again, avoiding overtightening.

Testing and Inspection

24. Pull up on the lift rod, fully closing the drain plug, and fill the vanity or sink with water up to the overflow in the bowl (three small holes at the top of bowl).

25. Let water stand 10 to 15 minutes while looking for any leaks around the sealing points of the pop-up assembly and sink bowl or vanity top.

26

Push down on the pop rod to fully open the drain and drain the water. Check for possible leaks in the trap system.

27

Repeat this process (Steps 1-3) 3 to 4 times to ensure that there are no leaks.

Tags: drain plug, pop-up assembly, assembly housing, beveled washer, Installation Insert

Ideas For Decorating With Beadboard In A Bathroom

Traditional beadboard in a bathroom.

Beadboard, or wainscoting, is a popular look in bathrooms. Usually, white beadboard, rather than a dark color, is chosen in bathrooms, where it evokes a clean but warm and cozy cottage feel. Beadboard is inexpensive, easy to install and can be purchased white, stained or natural from any local home and garden center. There are many ways to decorate with beadboard in a bathroom, including both traditional and inventive.

Traditional

The most popular, and traditional, way of decorating with beadboard is to install it from the floor to about 1/3 of the way up the wall. You can install it with wire nails or a construction adhesive. Then, finish off the top of the beadboard with a piece of molding. Thicker molding is usually called ceiling molding, while thinner pieces are called chair rails. Finally, paint the walls above the beadboard to really set it off.

Complete

Another way to decorate with beadboard is to completely cover one or more of the walls with the board. Beadboard has thin vertical lines running through it. This gives the wall the appearance of being paneled, without the 70's vibe. This look is best done with white beadboard and looks great in beach-themed bathrooms, as it evokes the feeling of a beach cottage. Try doing just one wall, and painting the rest of the bathroom (including the ceiling) a pale sky blue color.

Inventive

There are also more inventive ways of using beadboard in a bathroom. Consider using it on the side of your bathtub to give your tub a custom look. This looks best if the beadboard continues from your bathtub to the walls. Beadboard also looks great when placed behind a mirror to highlight it, or when attached to the front of bathroom vanity doors. If you are using raw wood beadboard, you can stain or paint it to match the rest of the vanity. Finally, try installing it with the lines running horizontally for a more updated look.

Tags: bathroom including, beadboard bathroom, decorate with, decorate with beadboard, lines running, looks great, white beadboard

Storage Ideas For Kids Bedrooms

Children love to have fun, play, and collect their favorite items and toys. For parents that want to keep their children happy and their home organized, there are some easy ways to organize your child's space.

Design A Handicapaccessible Bathroom

Grab bars provide safety in the bathroom.

There are universal guidelines to follow when designing a handicap-accessible bathroom. These guidelines suggest the height for toilets, sinks, showers, light switches and the amount of space that is needed to maneuver a wheelchair. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guidelines can be found at www.access-board.gov. Many products are available to make a bathroom handicap-accessible, and they can be both stylish and functional.

Instructions

1. Make a list of your needs and wants. Browse magazines and cut out pictures of items that you want to include in your handicap-accessible bathroom. Visit web sites that offer products for accessibility. Select items that you wish to use in your bathroom, and print pictures of the items and any product information sheets.

2. Create a binder to store your ideas and pictures. Use tabs to separate products such as shower, vanity, flooring, toilet and accessories. Insert pictures and product information sheets in the binder.

3. Draw a floor plan of the bathroom on graph paper. Draw the placement of the tub or shower, toilet, sink and vanity. Keep a minimum clear floor space of 30 inches by 48 inches to accommodate a single wheelchair. A wheelchair will need a space of at least 60 inches in diameter to make a 360-degree turn. Allow plenty of clear space to maneuver a wheelchair freely in the bathroom.

4. Plan a space for the door that is least 32 inches wide, but preferably 36 inches wide. Choose a pocket door to allow more space in the bathroom.

5. Design the bathroom sink with space underneath to allow a wheelchair to roll under it. Leave between 30 inches and 34 inches of clear space under the sink. Use faucets that have lever handles. Place the towel bars in "reaching distance" from a sitting position.

6. Plan a walk-in tub or shower. Design a shower seat or allow room for a shower wheelchair to be used.

7. Design the mirrors to tilt so that they can be seen from a sitting position.

Tags: clear space, from sitting, from sitting position, handicap-accessible bathroom, inches inches

Remove The Cover From A Bathroom Fan

A bathroom fan removes moisture from the room.

Bathroom fans are used to carry away excess moisture and odors from the room. In many municipalities, they are a required fixture for new and remodeled homes. A rotating set of blades spins inside the fan and blows air from inside the bathroom to the outside through a series of ducts. These fans feature a cover that protects wandering fingers or other objects that might accidentally enter the fan. Removing the cover from a bathroom fan for cleaning or replacement is a simple task.

Instructions

1. Turn off the power supply for the bathroom fan by moving the switch to the "Off" position. Secure the switch with a piece of masking tape so it is not accidentally switched on while you are working.

2. Remove any rugs or other objects beneath the bathroom fan, if possible. Spread an old sheet on the floor underneath the fan to capture dust that might fall out when you remove the cover. Use a rag to remove any dust from the fan cover.

3. Place a stepladder or ladder underneath the bathroom fan, if needed, so that you can reach it safely.

4. Examine the bathroom fan cover. Most bathroom fan covers fall into two categories: those held on with clips and those held in place with screws. To remove the type with the clips, squeeze the clips on the sides of the cover and pull it straight out of the fan casing.

5. Remove the screw type fan cover by placing one hand on the fan cover to hold it in place. Loosen the screws with either a screwdriver or power drill with a screwdriver attachment.

Tags: from room, other objects, that might, those held, with clips

Ideas For Decorating A Tiffany Blue Bedroom

Use Tiffany Blue, sometimes described as robin's egg blue, to decorate your bedroom.

Tiffany Blue is a color associated with the jewelry company Tiffany & Co. and is best described as a color similar to turquoise or robin's egg blue. If you've seen a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box or shopping bag, then you know exactly what the color looks like. Create a harmonious balance in your bedroom by combining Tiffany Blue with other colors.

Walls

Paint the walls in the room in Tiffany blue and white horizontal or vertical stripes. Likewise, you can paint monochromatic stripes, such as using Tiffany blue and another blue shade that is either darker or lighter than the Tiffany. Use theTiffany blue as a color for an accent wall in which one wall is painted in the blue and the rest of the walls are in a neutral color, such as white or beige. You may even paint the rest of the walls in much lighter shade of blue.

Bedding

Cover your entire bed with the characteristic Tiffany blue or combine white sheets and pillowcases with a blue bedspread. You could also mix and match bedding with other neutrals such as brown or beige. Complement the blue with orange or use other shades of blue. Use striped or floral sheets and pillowcases.

Window Treatments

Match the color of your window treatments with the color of your walls. You can use the same Tiffany blue color, or if you pick two or more colors, paint the window treatment with the accent wall color. A neutral color is also appropriate for window treatments. You could also match the color or print of your window treatment with the same color or print as your bedding.

Accessories

Decorate a Tiffany blue bedroom with colorful accessories such as Tiffany blue throw pillows, lamps, decorative nick nacks and art. For something a little more subtle, decorate the bedroom with accessories in natural materials such as woven baskets and area rugs Combine accessories in that unmistakeable blue color with accessories in natural materials and neutral colors like a beige armchair accented with a Tiffany blue throw pillow.

Tags: Tiffany blue, blue color, accent wall, accessories natural, accessories natural materials

Decorate A Bedroom With Creamy Yellow

Creamy yellow can be used for accessories.

The color yellow is warm and inviting, invoking memories of sunshine and firelight. Yellow is an invigorating color in its boldest tone and may be a bit too strong to use in a bedroom, if you want serenity and relaxation. However, when muted to a creamy pastel tone, yellow will lighten your bedroom leaving you with a feeling of peaceful calm and ready for your night of rest. When you awake, creamy yellow will stimulate your mind and improve your mood so that you start your day on a positive note.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls a creamy yellow to warm the bedroom. If your bedroom is dark or small, the warm yellow will allow more illumination and brighten the room.

2. Buy bedding, using the creamy yellow hue, in soft tones and add punches of complementary colors with throw pillows or a small blanket at the foot of the bed. Soft purple and green are colors that go well with creamy yellow.

3. Buy creamy yellow accessories to go in the bedroom. Earth tones, such as brown, are lightened when used in conjunction with yellow. Yellow accent pillows, yellow lamp shades or creamy yellow window treatments will give the bedroom a polished look.

4. Bring the creamy tones of yellow into the bedroom with a piece of artwork. A watercolor or oil painting depicting cream roses or waves of golden wheat fields is a great inspiration for color in decorating. Yellow will draw the eye toward the artwork.

Tags: creamy yellow, yellow warm, yellow will, your bedroom

Decorate A Green Bedroom

If your bedroom features green walls or flooring, enhance it by using decor items and accessories. Green walls can add a fresh pop of color to a neutral bedroom or a relaxing vibe to a laid-back space. A green hue can provide the backdrop to many different bedroom styles and themes. Play up your existing decor by incorporating interesting design elements.

Instructions

1. Go even greener in your green bedroom by using a nontoxic, no VOC paint on the walls, and organic cotton bedding, rugs and window coverings. Install recycled glass tile or bamboo flooring. To provide natural air purifiers, place potted plants throughout the space.

2. Create a spa-like ambiance in your green bedroom by using white wicker furniture and lavender accessories, which will compliment soft green walls. Choose light-purple bedding and rugs, and gauzy curtains to catch breezes. Lightly scent the air with pots of lavender plants.

3. Use black and white to add a sophisticated touch to a room with medium-green walls and window coverings. Buy an elegant white chaise chair, and enhance it with a black-and-white toile patterned pillow. Also choose classic black-and-white bedding.

4. Add a retro vibe to a bedroom that has bright green walls or furnishings. Place a comforter featuring aqua and chocolate-brown geometric designs on your bed, and use retro-inspired lamps, clocks and other room accessories.

5. For a child's room, choose a rainforest theme; paint a brightly colored mural featuring parrots, monkeys and other animals on a green wall. Or consider a tropical theme using complementary yellow and orange tones.

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The Best Paint Colors For Master Bedrooms

Heat up your master bedroom with your paint selection.

Adjust the mood and temperature of your master bedroom with the color of your paint, turning the temperature up or down without ever touching the thermostat. Make it cozy and elegant, or simple and fresh, with your selection of color and the turn of a brush. Your master bedroom can become a heavenly retreat, which makes you think of vacations long past, or a cozy spalike retreat that beckons to you every day.

Colors of Nature

Use colors of nature to determine hues that make you awake fresh and ready to start your day. If you prefer to spend your off time at the beach, paint your master bedroom the colors of the shore; select clear blue and warm sand for your room. If you love long walks through the forest, paint your room a variety of greens; set your headboard against a deep forest green, painting the other walls a coordinating sage. Add just a touch of the blue-sky color that peeks through the upper foliage in your woodland for a warm accent. If you prefer strolling, working or sitting in your garden, call upon the colors of your favorite flowers; light lavender with a slight touch of clear-yellow accent will bring violas into your master bedroom.

Cool Colors

Master bedrooms, especially those located in warm weather states, welcome paint shades in cool colors. Soft blues and sage greens are popular shades in bedrooms. These colors are calming and create a relaxing atmosphere. Within blue and green, you will find what seems like an infinite array of hues. Stay away from those that incorporate too much gray unless you want a cool feeling year-round. You could end up feeling a bit too cold in your master bedroom come January or February, when winter's light and the absence of leaves on your trees may make a too-cold room feel stark. Instead, choose a clear color or one with browns or tans blended in. An alternative is to incorporate a warm color, like sandy brown, red or yellow, into your linens or accessories for a punch of warmth.

Neutral Colors

By far the most popular paint colors for master bedrooms are neutral cream, tan or taupe. These colors, especially shades that lean to the warm end of the spectrum, add warmth, elegance and luxury to your room. Mix and match a variety of hues from the same neutral-color paint strip for a safe but luxurious look; select a neutral warm taupe for your walls and throw an assortment of pillows on your bed in every other shade on the paint strip. Throw in a small punch of accent color for an unexpected touch that brightens your room and tickles your fancy.

Shades

Decide on which shade of your chosen paint to use by keeping in mind that dark colors close up a room, while light colors open it up. Make large rooms cozier with a darker shade or make a small room appear larger by painting a light shade of your chosen paint color. When painting a large master bedroom a dark color, tone the ceiling with not-quite white paint, ensuring a more subtle transition from wall to ceiling and hence a cozier feel. Paint a small bedroom's ceiling bright white to make it appear taller and the room larger.

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Ideas For Decorating A Dining Room

Dining Room

Dining rooms come to life when family and friends gather around the table and discuss the day's events as they share a great meal. You might have a formal dining room in your home that you only use on holidays or a breakfast nook where you eat every morning--or both. Decorate a dining room with an eye to making it both usable and beautiful.

Paint Colors

The color of paint in a dining room can help stimulate or oppress appetite. Warm colors such as orange, red and yellow are thought to be more appetizing. Blue is generally a soothing, restful color. Blue may not be an appropriate dining room color simply because there are very few blue foods, so it doesn't have an association with eating. Think of the color of the interior of your favorite restaurant when you choose paint colors. If you want a chic or bold dining room try a gray, brown or black paint, which will make a big impact for a small price.

Dining Room Furniture

Dining rooms may be short on space, especially in apartments and condos. You may just have a breakfast nook or part of a living room to use as a dining area. If you only have room for furniture in your dining room, give it high style. Look for furniture that will last for years to come but also conveys a theme. A formal Queen Anne dining set will give your room an air of elegance. Look for a sturdy oak table with painted legs if you want a country eating area. If you need dining room furniture on a budget invest in a staple gun and upholstery fabric to give new life to old chairs. Paint will transform a used dining room table. You can also place a vintage tablecloth over it to disguise flaws. Benches provide ample seating while lending a casual air to the room. If you have a large dining room and a big table you may be able to place a small settee on one side of the dining table for a coffee house vibe that provides comfortable seating.

A buffet can be formal, informal or retro. Buffets can house china and act as a serving area.

Dining Room Accessories

Dining room accessories should be both useful and beautiful. For a quick dining room makeover, place shades with a funky feather or beaded trim on the chandelier. Lamps on the buffet provide mood lighting in the dining room. Put patterned plates on the top of formal chargers for a nontraditional element. Bright plates on the wall showcase your china while they give a French Country feeling to the room. You can leave place settings on the table during the day for added sparkle or transition into table decoration or a centerpiece when the dining room is not in use.

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Paint Ideas For A Dining Room With The Top Half In Burgundy

Choose a burgundy shade inspired by a deep, rich red wine.

Burgundy, a rich shade of violet-red, is an excellent choice for a dining room. Whether you're after a minimal, urban look or prefer a romantic, traditional dining space, burgundy half-walls can combine with many other shades of paint and work well with different design styles. Opt for a burgundy that reminds you of your favorite wine when selecting a paint sample; this color is a true burgundy and will complement both warm- and cool-toned accent colors.

Cream

Cream works well with a burgundy space. It is a soft, warm tone that creates a canvas for a classic, traditional dining room. Incorporating thick, cream-colored moldings throughout the room adds an elegant, formal touch to your dining space. Paired with dark wooden furniture, such as a dining table and hutch, as well as a set of cream-colored upholstered dining chairs, this is an ideal combination for a warm and inviting dining room.

White

White also works with burgundy walls. White gives a bright, fresh feel to any space and, when paired with burgundy, creates a contemporary, modern appeal. Add an elegant, simple and modern table, together with '70s-inspired dining chairs, reminiscent of a school cafeteria, for an informal dining space. Framed black-and-white photographic prints will work especially well with this choice of paint colors. This dining room will be modern with cool-toned influences throughout.

Gold

Gold is a strong color and can often be described as ornate. If you're seeking a romantic dining room with an "old-world" look or even something described as "Parisian," then gold is an ideal solution. Use several coats of gold paint for a darker tone on the bottom of the walls or keep to one to two coats for a lighter background. Add brass molding throughout the room as an ideal trim. Choose a dining table in darker wood, typically an antique, as well as fabric-covered chairs. Opt for a damask or floral pattern in hues of gold, burgundy and brown.

Nutmeg, Tan and Shades of Brown

A medium-colored shade of brown also works with burgundy walls. Opt for a matte, not-too-dark and not-too-light shade in a nutmeg, tan or cappuccino. Think of coffee with cream when browsing the paint samples for your desired color. Burgundy is a dark color and can work with warm and cool tones; pairing it with a shade of brown works in a traditional, contemporary or even a romantic space. It's a versatile pairing of color and will work with many kinds of textiles or furnishings.

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Ideas For Decorating A Bedroom In Old Hollywood Glam

Create a glamorous Hollywood-style bedroom for a girl who plays dressup.

An old-fashioned Hollywood glam theme hearkens back to the infamous Hollywood era of starlets such as Marilyn Monroe and it's also perfect for a diva who wants a glamorous place to rest her head at night. Hollywood glam gives you a luxurious and romantic atmosphere for adults or a bedroom that a girl could play dress-up in until she's grown enough to wear her mother's heels, boa and lipstick.

Walls

Cover an entire wall with mirrored tiles to create a shiny and reflective surface. Alternatively, a mural could mimic the Hollywood hills at night with a mural that includes the famed Hollywood sign and lights. Striped pink walls would work for a girl's bedroom, while robin's egg blue walls will work for a child or adult space. The walls should instantly create a feeling of glamor upon entering the bedroom, so rich, deep colors work well. Another approach is to create a border around the room that looks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame with stars featuring the names of Hollywood's greats.

Furniture

Ornate canopy beds or elaborate tufted headboards can serve as the focal point in the room. Curvy lingerie chests, a dressing table and a fabric-covered stool will add to the look. Mirrored furniture also mimics the glamorous look of old Hollywood bedrooms and dressing rooms. Include a luxurious chair or settee in the room if there's enough space available. Add a clothes rack on wheels if you're going for a Hollywood dressing room look or for a girl's room who frequently plays dress-up.

Textiles

Create a sophisticated and luxurious room by adding texture with different textiles. Velvet or silk drapes over sheer panels in shimmery silver or bold red will set the tone for the room. Shimmery, silky bedding in red, black, purple, red or blue also enhances the Hollywood glam feel of the room. Pile throw pillows on the bed for comfort and texture. Place a rug on the floor, such as a high pile white rug or an animal-shaped rug.

Accessories

Accessories pull the entire room together to create an old Hollywood glam feeling. Hang large crystals from the ceiling or a single fancy chandelier in lieu of a regular bedroom light. Wall sconces or dramatic, shiny bedside lamps are dramatic accessories. Frame posters or pictures of your favorite Hollywood starlets for the walls. Candles, bountiful bouquets or feather boas are other easy ways to accessorize a Hollywood glam bedroom.

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