Monday, August 31, 2009

Techniques For Painting Wood Paneling

Wood paneling.


Wood paneling was popular in the seventies, and a lot of it still remains in homes today. Wood paneling can make a room appear dark and small. Today, it's much more vogue to have light, open, airy spaces in your home; painting the paneling is a quick and inexpensive way to accomplish this goal. There are a few techniques you can use to brighten up your walls and create a totally new look.


Preparing the Paneling


Before you begin your project, make sure the walls are clean and will take on the paint. If your walls are splintery, or have a glossy finish, you will need to sand them. Use a belt sander, palm sander or medium-grit sandpaper and a piece of wood. Use the sandpaper to smooth out rough surfaces, remove splinters and get rid of the glossy coating so the wood will soak in the paint. If the paneling is a natural wood that doesn't need sanding, make sure it's clean and dry before you begin.


Painting


Paint the paneling with a primer first. Tint the primer to the color of your paint, or slightly lighter, and you will not need as many coats of paint. Primer seals in the color of the paneling so it doesn't bleed through your paint. One thin coat of primer should be enough. If the primer or paint pools up in the valleys and starts to drip, simply brush off the paint.


To give the paneling a completely painted look, you will need two coats of paint. After applying the primer, there should be no wood grain showing through. Paint the paneling as you would any other wall.


Creating a Smooth Texture








You can fill the valleys in the paneling and create a completely smooth wall by using wood filler and a putty knife. Put the filler on a 4 -inch putty knife and wipe it into the valley. Take off most of the excess by pulling the knife down over the putty; it's okay to leave it slightly over filled. Allow the filler to dry, then sand it smooth with a palm sander. Wood filler normally shrinks when it dries, so you may have to do it again. Once you're done, paint as usual.


Glazing the Paint


Use a glaze over the paint to give your walls an antique or layered look. Try different glazing techniques in an inconspicuous place to see which one you like the best. Paint the glaze over the paint, then take a dry brush and go over the area again to pull some of the glaze off. Another method is to roll the glaze on and then wipe it off with a barely-damp sponge. You can also use a clean rag to put the glaze on or to blot it off after you roll it on. Each technique gives you a different look, and all are easy to accomplish.


Liming the Paneling


It's easy to jazz up a nice, light paneling. In this technique, the wood finish is still visible, but it will have a much brighter and cleaner appearance, and there's no need to prime or paint first. Mix 1/2 gallon of water to 1 gallon of paint. Use a soft, clean rag to wipe the paint into the grain of the wood. This technique is more like polishing than painting. Once the paneling is dry, brush on a flat coat of polyurethane.

Tags: will need, your walls, coats paint, glaze over, glaze over paint, make sure, over paint
at

Friday, August 28, 2009

Hang Domed Light Fixtures

A simple domed light fixture is an economical way to upgrade a ceiling light and improve the lighting in the room. Domed light fixtures are available in diameters from 6 inches to 12 inches, with single-, double- and triple-bulb configurations and several base finishes, including chrome, white, bronze and black. They're not difficult to install.


Instructions


1. Turn off the power to the ceiling fixture location at the breaker panel.


2. Extract the black and white wires from the ceiling junction box.


3. Attach the base mounting strap provided with the light fixture to the ceiling junction box and secure by hand with the two round-head bolts provided. This is a short metal plate with narrow slots on both sides of a threaded post hole. Tighten the two bolts until the mounting strap is flush with the ceiling's surface.


4. Screw the threaded center post provided with the light fixture into the center hole of the mounting strap attached in Step 3, using a screwdriver. Insert the center post only a few turns or until the top end of the post is just above the top surface of the mounting strap.


5. Hold the light fixture close enough to the ceiling junction box to connect the electrical wires. Connect the black wire from the light fixture to the black wire of the house circuit by twisting the exposed ends of both wires together and securing with a wire nut. Repeat for the white wires.


6. Cut a 2-inch piece of electrical tape with scissors and wrap the black wires and wire nut with the electrical tape to ensure the wire nut and connection do not come loose. Repeat for the white wires.


7. Slip the center hole in the light fixture base over the threaded center post installed in Step 4 and press the base against the ceiling surface. Secure in place with the brass cap screw provided with the light fixture and a screwdriver. Once the cap screw is tight, turn the center post clockwise to tighten the cap screw against the base to hold the fixture tight to the ceiling surface.


8. Insert the light bulbs into the bulb sockets.


9. Loosen the three small screws in the mounting ring of the fixture and insert the lip of the frosted glass globe into place. Gently tighten the three screws equally to hold the globe in place.


10. Turn on the power to the fixture at the breaker panel.

Tags: light fixture, center post, mounting strap, ceiling junction, ceiling surface
at

Hang Tin Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles are sold in various types, such as tin, that come in panels typically secured to the ceiling with nails and sometimes screws. Tin ceilings can come in various shades, such as copper or silver, and you can even paint them to match the existing colors of the room. You can install a tin ceiling in your home by first installing a plywood underlayment before securing the tin panels to the ceiling.


Instructions


Installing Plywood Underlayment


1. Measure the width and length of the ceiling with a tape measure. Multiply these numbers together to determine the square footage of the room.


2. Determine how many sheets of plywood underlayment you will need by dividing the width by 4 and the length by 8. Plywood sheets have dimensions that are 4x8 feet.


3. Find the center of the ceiling joists by using a stud finder. Mark the location of the joists on the walls, along the perimeter of the ceiling.


4. Place the first sheet of plywood on the ceiling. Secure the plywood sheet to the ceiling with deck screws using the power drill. Place a screw every 8 inches.


5. Make an outline of any light fixtures or vents on the plywood with a pencil. Cut out a hole using a jigsaw.


6. Continue installing sheets of plywood until you have covered the ceiling.








Hanging Tin Ceiling Tiles


7. Find the midpoint of the door using a tape measure, and make a mark on the ceiling. Alternatively you can start on a corner of the ceiling, and work your way to the opposite corner.


8. Place the first tin tile panel on the ceiling, and secure it with nails along the edges using the nail gun. Do not nail the end that is facing into the room.


9. Place additional tiles alongside the first tile, and secure them along the edges with the nail gun.


10. Insert the next row of tiles underneath the end of the first row. The tile needs to be set under the edge of the first tile, creating an overlap. Place a nail through this overlap with the nail gun to secure the tiles to the ceiling.


11. Continue securing tiles to the ceiling until you have completed the project.

Tags: first tile, ceiling with, along edges, Ceiling Tiles, Place first
at

Do It Yourself Tin Ceiling

Tin ceilings give detail and texture to a space that can be bland.


Tin ceilings evoke a sense of a time gone by. With their textured surface, they lend a sense of sophistication to an area that is too often dull and featureless. New "tin" ceiling tiles are actually made of aluminum to resist rust and corrosion. They are lightweight and easy to work with. You will need to do the proper prep work to ensure a proper installation. Take the time to get it right for a ceiling you can be proud of.


Instructions


1. Apply a coat of spray primer to all tiles. Allow it to dry, then paint the tiles with semigloss latex paint. Apply a base color to the entire tile with a soft bristle brush. Apply the paint as evenly as possible to prevent runs and drips. Allow the base color to dry. Use an artist's brush to apply semigloss latex colors to areas of the pattern that you want to stand out, or leave the tiles one color. Apply the same colors and patterns to each tile. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.


2. Use a chalk line to mark diagonal lines across the ceiling from corner to corner to locate the center of the ceiling. The center is where the pattern of your tiles will begin. Locate the ceiling joists with a stud finder along the walls perpendicular to them at both ends of the room. Use the chalk line to snap a line along each joist to mark its position.


3. Cut 1-by-4-inch lumber to fit across the ceiling, wall-to-wall, perpendicular to the joist lines, one for every 12 inches. Nail the 1-by-4 furring strips to the ceiling, fastening the strips with a 3-inch drywall screw into each joist. Install one furring strip every 12 inches across the room, starting from the center of the room.


4. Start at the center of the room and install the four center tiles, Nail them in place with finishing nails, following the nailing pattern in the instructions that came with your tiles. You will need at least three nails along each edge. Position your nails to drive into the 1-by-4 furring strips for a firm attachment. Use a nail set to finish driving each nail, so that it presses up on the tile firmly, without denting it.


5. Overlap the tiles slightly, nailing each tile in place with its edges square to the tiles around it. Work out from the center of the ceiling adding tiles in rows across the ceiling, using the furring strips as guides. Cut tiles with tin snips to fit at the walls, and nail them in place. Add full-width rows of tiles across the ceiling to both end walls. Measure the wall, and cut enough tiles with tin snip to width to fill the last row up to the walls. Nail these tiles in place.


6. Measure and cut "tin" crown molding to fit around the edges of the room, beveling the corners at 45 degrees. Nail the crown around the room at the top of the wall to cover the gap along the edges of the ceiling tiles. Nail into the ceiling and into the wall to anchor the crown in place. Leave a 1/2-inch gap between pieces at the corner and at joints along the walls. Fit joint and corner trim over these gaps. Fit the trim onto the edges of the ends of the pieces, fitting the edges into the open slots along the edges of the trim pieces.


7. Paint over any visible nail heads with the artist's brush and the color that corresponds to the immediately surrounding area.

Tags: across ceiling, furring strips, tiles with, 1-by-4 furring, 1-by-4 furring strips
at

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Clean Textured Ceilings

Vacuum attachments enable you to clean the ceiling effectively.


Textured ceilings are also known as acoustical ceilings because the textured surface is thicker and helps absorb sound. They are also often called popcorn ceilings, since they have a bumpy texture. Many people prefer them over a smooth surface, but cleaning this type of ceiling requires more care. Cleaning a textured ceiling in the wrong way may result in stains or damage. Removing cobwebs, dust and debris on a regular basis keeps the textured ceiling looking attractive and helps maintain the ceiling paint color.








Instructions


1. Add the extender and brush attachments to your vacuum. Choose the softest brush available.


2. Go to one corner of the room, hold the vacuum attachment against the ceiling and slowly vacuum the surface of one small section. Continue on to the next section until you work your way around the entire ceiling.


3. Use a long-handled dusting tool to clean the ceilings if you do not have a vacuum with attachments. In a pinch, tape a soft cloth over a broom's bristles with masking tape. Wipe it across the ceiling to remove dust and debris. Spread a drop cloth in the area before doing this, since the debris will fall onto the floor or furniture.








4. Hire someone to spray on a new finish if the ceiling continues to appear dirty or stained after vacuuming. Another alternative is to buy ceiling paint and a paint sprayer at a home supply or hardware store and do it yourself.

Tags: ceiling paint, dust debris, textured ceiling
at

Renovate The Bathroom For Disabled And Elderly

Lever handle faucets are usually easier for an elderly or disabled person to use.


If you have a disabled or elderly relative living in your home, it can be challenging for him to navigate the house given his limited mobility. The bathroom is usually the biggest problem since it features slick surfaces and other potential hazards. Fortunately, there are ways to renovate your bathroom and make it easier for your disabled or elderly relative to use. The changes necessary depend on your family member's condition, but you'll wind up creating a bathroom that's safer for the entire household.


Replace Shower/Tub


Taking a shower or bath is usually the biggest challenge that a disabled or elderly person faces in a bathroom. If you have a family member in a wheelchair, a traditional shower and tub combination doesn't work because there's no way to get into the tub with the a chair. An elderly relative may also have difficulty stepping over the edge of the tub to get inside. Instead, opt for a trackless shower enclosure that is free of barriers so that it's easy to get a wheelchair inside. You can pair it with a folding shower door that provides full access to the shower stall because it opens with an accordion style. If your relative prefers baths, a walk-in tub is another option. It is deeper than a traditional tub and features a door in the side so you can easily walk in and out of the tub. The tub also includes a raised seat to make it easier to sit down. Whether you choose a trackless shower or a walk-in tub, make sure to equip it with grab bars so your relative has something to hold onto as he gets in and out of the wet shower or tub.


Add Raised Toilet Seat


If your toilet is too low to the ground, an elderly or disabled relative may have difficulty getting on and off the seat. Replace your toilet seat with a new model that adds several inches to make the process easier. Depending on your needs, you can find seats that add anywhere from 2 to 6 inches in height to your toilet. If you have a family member in a wheelchair, opt for a wheelchair transfer seat, which adds height and features hand grips to make it easier to move from the wheelchair to the toilet seat. As with the shower area, install grab bars beside your toilet in case your relative needs extra help getting on or off the toilet seat.








Install Lever Handle Faucets


A disabled or elderly family member may not have the hand strength or agility to effectively turn a knob faucet on your bathroom sink or shower, which can be frustrating and lead to possible scalding if he turns the faucet incorrectly. To make it easier to use the sink, shower and bath, replace knob faucets with lever-handle controls that only need to be pulled in one direction. They are usually much easier to use, so there's less risk of accidental scalding.


Improve Traction








Slippery bathroom surfaces are a danger to your entire family, but members with limited mobility will find it especially difficult to navigate the bathroom floor and showers with poor traction. You can improve your bathroom's traction by adding nonslip strips to the shower or tub floor and nonskid mats to the floor outside the shower or tub. If you have decorative mats or rugs in the bathroom, make sure that they have rubber backs so they'll stay in place. Use double-side rug tape for any rugs without a rubber back in place.

Tags: family member, make easier, your toilet, disabled elderly, elderly relative, your bathroom, your relative
at

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Install Interior Wood Paneling

Wood paneling comes in a few different configurations. You can install wide, tall sheets that stand vertically against the wall, but some people prefer the more classic look of horizontal planks that are stacked from the floor up. The planks are designed with tongue and groove edges to fit tightly together. This process is good for both regular walls and cedar-covered closet walls.


Instructions


1. Find each stud in the wall, using your electronic studfinder. Identify the location of each by drawing a vertical line from floor to ceiling with your level and pencil.


2. Use the level and pencil to mark a horizontal line across the bottom of the wall, at the level of the height of a board plus half an inch. So if your boards are 12 inches high, the line should be 12 1/2 inches off the floor, and span the length of the wall.


3. Measure the length of the wall. Cut your first piece of plank paneling to that length minus half an inch, using your miter saw. The saw should be set at 90 degrees to cut the piece straight across.


4. Hold the board to the wall, positioned so the tongue side is facing up and lined up under the horizontal line. This should leave a half-inch space under the board. You should have a quarter inch of "play" on either end.








5. Secure the plank with your finish nail gun, putting nails along the top and bottom of the piece at each point where it crosses a stud.


6. Measure and cut the next piece. Sit it on top of the previous plank, locking together the tongue and groove edges. Shoot nails through the top edge of the board, one per stud, so the nail heads will be hidden by the next board.


7. Continue cutting and hanging each new plank above the previous one, nailing them through the edges. Length-cut the top plank to fit along the ceiling, leaving half an inch of space there as you did at the floor. Install floor and ceiling trim to cover the spaces.

Tags: half inch, floor ceiling, from floor, groove edges, horizontal line
at

Put Sparkles In A Textured Ceiling

Putting glitter on your ceiling is a bold move, but the atmosphere it creates will invite socializing and raise energy levels. Choose any color glitter that suites your personality and complements your paint color.


Instructions


1. Move as much furniture as you can out of the room. Cover the floor and any other remaining items with a drop cloth. Put on goggles and old clothing.








2. Scrub the ceiling with soap and water, using the scrub brush and standing on the ladder. Let it dry.


3. Place painter's tape around the room where the ceiling meets the walls. Apply it to the walls, as close to the ceiling as you can. Place the tape around any fixtures that may be attached to the ceiling.


4. Cover the ceiling with primer paint to create a fresh, clean work surface. Let the primer dry.


5. Stir paint and apply a coat with the textured roller.


6. Load glitter into the gun, and shoot the glitter into the wet paint. Start on the outer perimeter of your ceiling and go all the way around until you end up where you started. Repeat, working your way into the middle.


7. Dip the angled brush into the paint and dab it into any bare spots on the ceiling. Shoot glitter into the paint right away. Take a look at your work and continue filling bare spots until the entire ceiling has the desired effect.

Tags: glitter into, into paint, bare spots, ceiling with, glitter into paint, tape around
at

Kitchen Design Ideas Online

Websites help you gather a large portfolio of numerous kitchen ideas


Whether you're remodeling your entire kitchen or looking for new decoration ideas, the websites of many popular home renovation and appliance stores offer tons of design suggestions and tools for planning the project. Keep a list of your favorite website articles and pictures and organize them into a portfolio of materials for when you decide to begin.


HGTV.com


HGTV.com features a kitchen section that includes links to a designer's kitchen portfolio, green kitchens, kitchen colors, backsplash suggestions, and kitchen tile selections. The portfolio link offers picture samples from sponsors and, as of March 2010, features modern kitchens as well as more traditional designs. The green kitchens link offers pictures and articles on eco-friendly kitchen ideas. The kitchen colors, backsplash and tile links all offer numerous articles about each subject.


IKEA.com


IKEA.com offers a link called "Ideas & Inspiration" that pops up with an interactive slideshow of different kitchen ideas. A user can zoom in on selected parts of each picture to view information about the item. For example, if a user clicked on a drawer, the site offers a written and pictorial suggestion for that object's use. IKEA offers various kitchen design ideas including built-in kitchens, free-standing kitchens, kitchen islands and carts, countertops and wall panels, kitchen integrated lighting, sinks and faucets, knobs and handles, appliances, kitchen organizers and cookware; all of which have separate links on IKEA.com.


Home Depot.com


Home Depot.com offers a Kitchen Design Center link that takes you through three steps: Explore, Plan and Get Started. The "Explore" section allows you to determine your budget by entering the value of your home and the percentage it is used. The Explore section also offers information about ordering samples online. The "Plan" section helps you build your budget and view different kitchen options including cabinets, flooring and lighting. It also provides a description of different kitchen layouts. The "Get Started" section encourages you take action and keep your budget on track during your remodeling or redesign project.


Lowes.com








Lowes.com offers a substantial online catalog for kitchen accessories as well as articles and videos for kitchen remodeling and design ideas. One article, titled "Organize Your Kitchen," outlines sections such as "Storing Pots and Pans," "Creating Separate Areas," "Planning Kitchen Upgrades" and "Learning from the Pros." Links are also offered for related articles to help users answer further questions. Lowes' website also allows users to add articles and videos to a "My Projects" folder through the website.

Tags: different kitchen, kitchen ideas, your budget, articles videos, colors backsplash
at

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

What Is The Best Way To Soundproof A Basement Ceiling

What Is the Best Way to Soundproof a Basement Ceiling?


Sound travels in waves as particles push each other from one location to the next. Sound travels fastest through air, but can also travel through solids, liquid or gas. Soundproofing a basement ceiling involves blocking or redirecting the sound waves.


Evaluating the Ceiling


Determine the quality and type of ceiling. Sound travels best through air, and even a small gap allows sound to escape. Replacing the ceiling with taped, painted drywall minimizes these air gaps. Do not add soundproofing foam above the ceiling, as it is nothing more than glorified insulation. Add resilient channel, which looks like a sheet-metal trough and fastens to the bottom of floor joists acting as drywall support. Resilient channel minimizes sound transmission by reducing the physical contact between the drywall and floor frame.


Soundproofing Materials


There are numerous quality soundproofing materials. For better results, add the material of your choice to both sides of the ceiling (i.e., facing the room and facing the floor above). Some materials, like mass loaded vinyl (MLV) work well under the carpet of the floor above the basement. MLV looks like thick carpet and works equally well to soundproof walls and floors, giving a uniform appearance to the room. MLV should be nailed through the drywall to the beams and caulked along the ceiling with all seams taped. Budget-friendly material like used carpeting will dampen sound, but not eliminate it. Thick rubber mats, fiberglass sheeting and other flat soundproofing materials may be too heavy or cumbersome to apply directly to the ceiling. These products can be used under carpet on the floor above the basement or in the open space between the ceiling and floor.


Room Within a Room Option


Sound leakage is the hardest thing to control in an existing room. Creating a room within a room allows greater control over the materials used. Essentially, this creates a room-sized box dedicated to reducing sound. The ceiling no longer supports the floor above, so it can be dedicated to soundproofing. More soundproof options, like fiberglass sheeting, could be used for the ceiling in this scenario. The addition of electrical wiring makes this a difficult project, requiring professional skill.


Challenges


Any light fixtures, ceiling fans or other items in the ceiling create a challenge when soundproofing. Remove ceiling fans and consider other sources of light. A tight seal is important for keeping sound from traveling. Remember that any flat surface will increase the movement of sound waves. Soundproofing only the ceiling may not be enough to achieve the desired atmosphere.

Tags: floor above, Sound travels, above basement, Basement Ceiling, Best Soundproof
at

Monday, August 24, 2009

Doityourself Ceiling Decor & Draping For Weddings

Ceiling draperies can make a large space feel more intimate.


Consider a draped ceiling for an impressive look at a wedding reception site. Draping the ceiling is one of the simplest yet most dramatic and cost-effective decorations for your wedding reception. The drapery style and ceiling type will affect the items needed for installation. However, coupled with a few well-chosen ceiling decorations, your wedding venue can sparkle with charm and elegance for your big day.


Instructions


Draping the Ceiling


1. Measure the size of your venue, taking into account the ceiling height, plus the length and width of the room, or ask the venue owner to provide you with accurate measurements. Make sure the venue owner allows draperies to be hung in the space, and ask if there are any safety codes you must follow to do so.


2. Use the space's individual architecture for inspiration.


Consider how much of the ceiling you want to drape and in what style: octopus (long panels of fabric extending from a central point); canopy (long panels running symmetrically along the length of the ceiling with slight drapes); or banners (individually gathered fabric lengths hanging with deep swags at various points on the ceiling).


3. Choose fabric to coordinate with your wedding colors.


Purchase enough fabric to create all of your draperies. Consider that you will need to double or even triple the length of the fabric, compared to the length of the ceiling, depending on how far down you want the fabric to drape between hanging points. You can also purchase ready-made curtains if they will work with your design. Sew ready-made curtains end-to-end if they are not the correct length.


4. Curtain rods may be necessary to install draperies in some venues.


Contact the venue to discuss draping options. Will the venue owners allow you to drill holes for hooks? What about the room's structure may inhibit certain designs? Ask if a member of the venue's staff can help you hang the draperies for your wedding reception.








5. An example of a repeated drop tray ceiling.


Install the draperies the day of the event, based on the type of draperies and the ceiling. If the ceiling has exposed beams, you can easily tie the fabric around each beam, or simply lay it across the beams, attaching the fabric to the beams with self-adhesive Velcro, staples, or nails. If the ceiling has a repeated drop tray design, hide the fastenings in the lips of the trays, using tape, hooks, nails, or any other fastener the venue allows. If it is a tiled ceiling, lift the tiles out of their frames, attach the fabric to the frame, and replace the tile, for each hanging spot.


Ceiling Decorations


6. A great chandelier can inspire your ceiling design.


Choose ceiling decorations to coordinate with your wedding theme. For example, hang garlands of red, orange, and yellow leaves for a fall wedding, or strings of old records for a vintage-themed wedding.You can also use the bride and groom's heritage, ethnicity, or cultural background as inspiration for decorations. For example, hang paper lanterns for a Chinese wedding, or origami animals to celebrate a Japanese heritage.


7. Helium balloons are cheap and can fill up a bare ceiling quickly & easily.


Research decorations that can be bought in bulk and in your wedding colors, such as light strings, paper mobiles, garlands, streamers, or even wind chimes.








8. Your ceiling decorations can double as party favors after the wedding ends.


Calculate how many of each decoration you will need based on the ceiling square footage. For example, if your ceiling is 40 feet by 40 feet, you have 1,600 square feet to decorate. If you want to hang a streamer once every 2 feet in a square grid pattern, you will need 800 streamers. Order your decorations in bulk according to the number needed.


9. Hang your ceiling decorations after installing the draperies. You can even hang some decorations from the draperies. Again, make sure to check with the venue owner about what hanging and installation methods are acceptable.

Tags: your wedding, ceiling decorations, venue owner, wedding reception, will need, with your
at

The Best Way To Remove Mold On A Ceiling

Mold on the ceiling presents a special kind of problem that could be difficult to clean. If the ceiling is made from porous drop tiles, throw them out and replace them with new ones; there's no way to clean such a material. If you have a textured finish on your ceiling, you risk ruining it with soaking and scrubbing. But if you know that a good scrubbing won't damage the ceiling in any way, go ahead and clean it yourself.


Instructions


1. Open a window or turn on the ventilation fan. If you're working in a bathroom that's got neither of these, turn on a fan and point it out the bathroom door. Open nearby windows to carry out fumes.


2. Scrub the ceiling with a non-ammonia detergent and hot water. Rinse off the soap.


3. Mix one part trisodium phosphate (TSP) to two parts water in a bucket. Wear gloves. Clean the ceiling with this solution, especially if the mold is pretty advanced and you suspect that detergent alone won't do the job.


4. Rinse the TSP from the ceiling.


5. Mix 1 1/4 cups of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water. Sponge the bleach solution onto the affected area and let it sit for one or two hours before rinsing. You could also forego rinsing and just let the ceiling air-dry.


6. Prime the ceiling with stain-killing primer. Make sure the ceiling is completely dry before you prime. You might have to wait a day or two.


7. Paint the ceiling with mildew-resistant ceiling paint. Some paints are specially formulated for use in bathrooms, if that's where your mold problem is.

Tags: ceiling with
at

Make Your Own Suspended Ceiling Tray

Build a suspended tray out of plywood.


Trays suspended from the ceiling are useful for storage, and can hold anything from plants and holiday decorations to video projectors. By making your own suspended tray, you can customize it to whatever purpose you need. This tray is fairly simple to make using materials from your local hardware store. Sheets of plywood are typically sold as large as 4 feet by 8 feet, allowing you to create a very large tray if you want.


Instructions


1. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch plywood in the size that you want for your tray, using a saw.


2. Cut four pieces of 2-inch by 2-inch board. Two should match the length of the plywood, and the other two should be 3 inches shorter than the width.


3. Glue the boards to the surface of the plywood with wood glue, forming a lip at the perimeter that will prevent objects from falling. Clamp the wood together as the glue dries.


4. Drill a 5/8-inch hole through the plywood in each corner, positioned three inches in from the edges.


5. Sand the plywood surface with 120-grit sandpaper, then paint or stain it as desired. You can also leave the natural wood color if preferred.


6. Screw a nut onto a 1-inch threaded eye bolt all the way to the top. Repeat this step with three more eye bolts.


7. Thread an eye bolt through each hole. Screw another nut in place on each bolt, locking them in place in the corners of the tray.


8. Use a stud finder to locate the rafters in your ceiling. Mark their locations with a pencil.


9. Drill four 1/8-inch pilot holes into the rafters, in a pattern as close as possible to the positions of the eye bolts on the tray.


10. Screw 1-inch eye screws into the pilot holes, anchoring them in the rafters.








11. Add two threaded links onto the ends of four pieces of chain. The length of these chains will depend on how low you want the tray to hang.


12. Connect a chain to each eye bolt on the tray via the threaded links.


13. Have one or two friends hold the tray under the eye screws as you connect the chains via the other threaded links.

Tags: threaded links, each bolt, four pieces, pilot holes, suspended tray
at

Friday, August 21, 2009

Diy Ceiling Light Shade

Replace a standard glass dome with a modern lampshade.


Standard ceiling light fixtures aren't known for being especially stylish or attractive. While it would certainly be ideal to replace a dated, boring fixture with a new, dramatic chandelier, that isn't a realistic option for every budget. A fresh, updated fixture is still within reach no matter your budget limitations. By replacing the existing glass dome with a stylish lampshade of your choosing, you can quickly upgrade a dated ceiling fixture without breaking the bank.


Instructions


1. Remove the glass dome shade from the existing fixture. Standard glass domes are usually held on with a single finial or three small screws that can simply be unscrewed by hand.


2. Locate the nipple, a threaded metal rod that extends downward from the center of the existing fixture.


3. Slide the lampshade onto the nipple. The nipple should be fed through the round, washer-like hole in the center of the lampshade's spider fitting.








4. Verify that no part of the shade, whether metal or fabric, is in contact with the light bulbs.


5. Screw the finial onto the threaded nipple until it's secure. The finial will hold the lampshade in place.

Tags: glass dome, dome with, existing fixture, glass dome with
at

Install A Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Remote Control

You can install a Harbor Breeze ceiling fan remote control to operate your ceiling fan from anywhere in the room. A remote control gives you the convenience of adjusting the fan speed, dimming the fan light or simply turning the ceiling fan off, all while never leaving the comfort of your recliner or bed. The remote also gives you the ability to operate the ceiling fan independently from the light without installing additional wiring. Harbor Breeze is a proprietary brand of Lowe's.


Instructions


1. Turn your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan to the highest fan speed. Turn on the lights to the ceiling fan. Turn off the breaker supplying electricity to your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan at the main breaker panel.


2. Stand on a stepladder and remove the four screws located in the top of the canopy. Removing the screws lets you drop the canopy to the ceiling fan motor. This exposes the ceiling fan wiring and the hanging bracket attached to the ceiling electrical box.


3. Untwist the wire connectors holding the white wires from the Harbor Breeze ceiling fan and the ceiling electrical box. Pull the two white wires apart.


4. Remove the remaining wire connector from the ceiling fan to disconnect the black and blue ceiling fan wires from the black electrical box wire. Do not disconnect the ceiling fan's green wire from the bare copper electrical box wire.


5. Identify the three wires from the Harbor Breeze ceiling fan. The black ceiling fan wire powers the fan motor, the blue ceiling fan wire powers the light fixture and the white wire is the common neutral wire for the motor and the light.


6. Look at the Harbor Breeze remote receiver and find the same black, blue and white wires on the ceiling fan side of the receiver. The wires have labels indicating the motor wire, light wire and neutral wire. The other side of the receiver has two wires, a black and white, to connect with the black and white electrical box wires.


7. Match the wires together by color on the ceiling fan and the ceiling fan side of the receiver. Twist a wire connector onto each set of wires to connect them together.


8. Match the black electrical box wire to the black wire marked AC/IN on the receiver. Twist a wire connector onto the black wires. Repeat the connection with the white electrical box wire and the remaining white wire on the Harbor Breeze remote receiver.


9. Push the receiver behind the hanging bracket and into the ceiling. Slide the canopy over the hanging bracket. Attach the canopy to the hanging bracket with the screws you removed earlier.








10. Turn on the breaker supplying electricity to your Harbor Breeze ceiling fan at the main breaker panel.

Tags: Harbor Breeze, Harbor Breeze ceiling, Breeze ceiling, electrical wire, hanging bracket
at

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Wire An Electrical Ceiling Fan

Wiring ceiling fans is not a difficult process.


Whether replacing an old ceiling fan or installing a new one, you'll need to make sure the fixture box is set up to carry the weight of the fan. If you're replacing a ceiling fan or light fixture, there will be two wires extending into the fixture box --- a black power wire and a white ground wire that runs up through the ceiling and back to the light switch. If there is a separate wall switch for a fan light fixture it will be have a second red or black wire.


Instructions


1. Shut off power to the circuit. Don't just flip off the wall switch. Protect yourself doubly by turning off both the switch and the circuit breaker.


2. Suspend the fan from the fixture box according to the instructions that come with the fan before you connect the wires. The box cover plate should be pulled down or disassembled to give you room to connect the wires.


3. Screw a wire nut over the black wire from the fan and the black or red power wire from the fixture box. If there is a light fixture on the fan, and there is only one power wire, remove the wire nut and add the light fixture black wire to the black wire from the fan motor and the power wire from the wall switch. Tighten the wire nut connector. If there is a second red, blue or striped power wire from a second switch for the fan light, attach the red or black power wire from the fan light fixture to the red, blue or striped light switch wire with a wire connector. This allows you to switch the fan and light separately at the wall.








4. Attach all white wires to the white wire from the switch with a wire nut connector. If there is a bare or green frame ground wire attached to the fan, attach it to the bare or green ground wire from the switch. If there is no light fixture on the fan, cap any unused wires for use later and to protect them from arcing against the fan body.


5. Turn on the circuit breaker and test the switches before installing the fixture box cap plate,to make sure the fan works, as well as the light fixture, if there is one. Once you've tested it, flip off the power and screw the plate to the fixture box.

Tags: wire from, light fixture, power wire, black wire, fixture there
at

Change Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles are present in drop ceilings. A drop ceiling has a metal or plastic grid that covers the ceiling in the entire room. The grid has a lip on both sides and the ceiling tiles rest on the lip. Ceiling tiles vary in the way they look and it may be desirable to change them to update the decor in a room. Some of the tiles may need to be cut to fit into areas that will not accommodate full tiles.


Instructions


1. Inspect the old ceiling tiles and count the number of tiles that will be needed. Count partial tiles as whole ones because you will need to cut partial tiles from whole tiles. Measure the dimensions of a full tile. Ceiling tiles usually are sold in 2-foot-by-2-foot sections or 2-foot-by-4-foot sections. A majority of the tiles should be whole tiles and the same size. Round off the number of tiles to make a full box. Ceiling tiles come either 10 or 12 tiles to a box.


2. Remove all the old ceiling tiles. Save the ones that are partial tiles or have cut-outs for light fixtures or other items. These will make good templates for when the new tiles are cut.


3. Fill a bucket with clean warm water. Use an old rag and wipe all the ceiling grid to clean off the dirt and debris.


4. Paint the grid with a paint manufactured for painting metal if the grid is made of metal. Placing new ceiling tiles in an old grid can really illuminate how faded the grid has become. Use a 2-inch paint brush and brush on two coats of paint, if necessary. Let the paint dry for 24 hours.


5. Install all the full tiles first. These will be easy and should fall into place. Push the tiles up through the grid at an angle and then maneuver them into place once they are above the grid.


6. Set two saw horses parallel to each other and 5 or 6 feet apart. Place a piece of plywood on the saw horses. This will provide you with a flat raised surface on which to cut the tiles that need to be cut.


7. Cut each partial tile separately using the old tile as a template. Set the old tile onto a new tile and use a utility knife to cut out the shape of the old tile. Ensure that the tile fits before moving on to the next tile. Work your way through all the old partial tiles until the entire ceiling is filled.

Tags: partial tiles, ceiling tiles, Ceiling tiles, full tiles, into place, number tiles, that will
at

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Protect A Tin Ceiling

Many people install decorative tin ceilings in home and businesses because of the beauty and elegance that embossed tin brings to rooms. A person can purchase tin pieces to complete tin ceilings in prefinished or unfinished metal. Although prefinished tin ceilings don't require additional protection beyond manufacturer applied coatings, unfinished tin ceilings are susceptible to moisture and can rust easily. As a result, you must apply at least two coats of a polyurethane/lacquer or paint to your tin ceiling to protect it.


Instructions


1. Prepare your unfinished tin ceiling pieces---cornices, mouldings, fillers and plates---before installation by cleaning dirt and oils from the back of the pieces with mineral spirits. After cleaning, apply an oil-based primer to the back to protect against moisture. If you're dealing with a newly installed ceiling, skip this step.


2. Clean your installed ceiling with mineral spirits or another type of paint thinner to remove oils and dirt. If you see any rough spots or rust, rub the spots with fine-grade steel wool.








3. Select a type of sealant---clear polyurethane/clear lacquer or paint---to apply to your ceiling to protect it from moisture. If applying polyurethane/lacquer, go to Step 4. If applying paint, go to Step 5.


4. Lay down plastic dropcloths to protect your floors and then apply two coats of polyurethane or clear lacquer to the ceiling, including the nail heads, following the application instructions outlined on your polyurethane product. Typically, this involves brushing on one coat and then waiting four hours before applying the second coat.








5. Apply an oil-based primer to the entire surface of the ceiling---every functional and decorative detail.


6. Coat the ceiling with your oil-based paint. Follow the between-coat drying instructions provided with your paint and then apply a second coat.

Tags: ceiling protect, ceiling with, clear lacquer, coats polyurethane, installed ceiling
at

Install Ceiling Supports For Resistance Bands

Ceiling mounts offer more exercise options.


Resistance bands are elastic bands used to counter movements with opposing force, thus helping you build muscle. Resistance bands can be used anywhere and require no special additional equipment. However, you can create ceiling mounts to help focus certain exercises on specific muscle. When attaching mounts to ceilings, make sure you are tapped into a joist or truss in the frame, otherwise you may have the ceiling come crashing down when you work out.


Instructions


1. Pick the location where you want to mount the supports. Choose a location away from doors or other high traffic areas that can interrupt workouts or lead to injury.


2. Climb the ladder and locate the ceiling joist or truss. A truss is the frame beam extending up in a triangle on raised or open ceilings. A joist is a cross beam extending across to support ceiling panels and attic weight. Locate the beam by tapping on the ceiling until you hear a solid sound rather than a hollow sound.








3. Measure the spot where the mount will go, marking bolt holes with a pencil. If you are using two mounts, set them approximately shoulder width apart. Measure and mark the holes.


4. Drill the bolt holes into the beam. Most mounts have two to four bolt holes.


5. Bolt each mount in place, tightening the bolts with a wrench. Pull on the mount to make sure it is secure.


6. Attach a ring to the mount to hold the resistance band.

Tags: bolt holes, bands used, beam extending, joist truss, make sure, Resistance bands, truss frame
at

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Decorating Rules On Lamps

This desk lamp would look out of place anywhere other than a desk.


Proper lighting is crucial for every room in your house as it keeps the room looking warm and welcoming and can make the space seem more cheerful to help you achieve greater productivity. However, the lamps you choose should complement the aesthetic design and style of the room, or the structure and presentation of a given lamp will throw off the entire look of the room.








Stick to the Same Scale


Sticking to the same scale is one of the most important rules when it comes to lamps. Pairing furniture with lamps that are of an inappropriate shape and size will make the entire room seem as though the style and design are off. For example, a table lamp that is too enormous with a large lampshade next to a dainty armchair creates an inharmonious image. A big, puffy couch with tons of cushions next to a dainty glass lamp will overshadow the lamp, making it seem less visible. You don't need to use a tape measure to calculate the scale of the furniture in comparison with a given lamp; simply use your instincts.


Place Lamps Where They're Supposed to Go


This rule might sound obvious, but the faux pas of placing lamps where they don't go is a mistake far too often made and can instantly throw off the look of a room. For example, desk lamps usually have a very particular shape and scale and look completely out of place anywhere other than on a desk. Likewise, tabletop lamps, when placed on desks, can immediately overwhelm a work area unless they're miniature size tabletop lamps designed specifically for smaller accent tables. Similarly, a floor lamp looks odd in a kitchen as it belongs in places like living rooms or bedrooms.


Don't Chain Yourself to a Style


A common mistake that people make when decorating a room is the notion that the lamps have to mimic the exact same style of the furniture. For example, many believe that an art deco style couch looks best with an art deco style lamp. While such a pair will look good together, you can create an even more dynamic duo by pairing an art deco style couch with a modern black ceramic lamp or a high fashion leopard print lamp. As long as the scale of the piece of furniture and the lamp match, you most likely won't make a design mistake.

Tags: deco style, anywhere other, anywhere other than, couch with, deco style couch, given lamp, lamp will
at

Monday, August 17, 2009

Diy Lamp Switch

Repair your lamp instead of purchasing a new one.


If your lamp switch strips or does not turn on, you may wish to repair your lamp. You do not need to replace your lamp simply because the switch has malfunctioned. Purchase a new lamp cord and new lamp socket complete with a new switch at your home improvement or lighting store. Lamp sockets come in a variety of colors, including copper and silver. Repairing a lamp does not require an electrician's license.


Instructions


1. Unplug your lamp from the electrical outlet and remove the shade, bulb and harp. The harp holds the lampshade onto the lamp.


2. Remove the outer shell and insulating sleeve (what you screw the light bulb into) by pressing in the sides with your hands and gently pulling upward.


3. Loosen the terminal screws on the bottom of the socket (the piece the switch is on) with your screwdriver. Remove the nuts with your pliers and remove any hardware.


4. Remove the felt covering from the bottom of your lamp by cutting it with your utility knife carefully and removing it with your hands. Set the felt aside for reattaching later. Cut the plug from the end of the old lamp cord with your utility knife.








5. Join the new cord onto the old cord wrapping the joined area in electrician's tape. You may join the cords together by twisting the ends of each cord onto the end of the other cord.


6. Thread the new lamp cord through your lamp by pulling upward on the new cord. Cut the new cord below the tape with your utility knife (where the light switch socket belongs) and remove the old cord. Remove the old cord by untwisting it with the old cord and gently pulling.


7. Split approximately 3 inches of the new cord at the top by gently cutting in the middle of the cord with your utility knife and pulling the cord apart. Strip approximately 1 inch from both sides of the cord with your wire-stripper pliers.


8. Replace the lamp's harp holder (lampshade holder) and socket cap. Tie the wires in a knot at the base of the socket cap.


9. Fasten the wire ends to the socket by screwing them in place with the screws provided with the new socket and your screwdriver. Connect the silver wire to the silver screw; this is the neutral wire.


10. Snap the socket shell and insulating sleeve back into place to reinstall them with your hands by gently pushing downward.


11. Glue the felt backing back onto the bottom of your lamp and test the switch by turning the lamp on.

Tags: with your, your lamp, utility knife, with your utility, your utility, your utility knife
at

Create Oilrubbed Bronze Finish

Create Oil-Rubbed Bronze Finish


An oil-rubbed bronze finish can add a cozy glow to many surfaces in your home. You can turn a shiny brass lamp or an ugly gold framed mirror into a whole new piece with the application of an oil-rubbed bronze finish. It's easy to do and does not require many supplies.


Instructions


1. Prepare your work area by covering surfaces with newspapers or a painter's drop cloth. Your work area should have plenty of surrounding space so that you can move around the object that you're painting.


2. Dust and clean the piece that you are going to finish with a good de-greasing cleaner. Detach any pieces that do not need to be painted. If they cannot be removed, cover them with plastic wrap or plastic bags and tape them.


3. Apply the primer coat to the piece using small, sweeping strokes to coat the piece evenly and prevent drips. Pete Rossi, writer for Krylon.com, advises the application of several light coats as opposed to one heavy coat for best results.








4. Let the primer completely dry then apply the copper spray paint using the same method as in Step 3. Let the paint dry thoroughly.


5. Apply the oil-rubbed bronze spray paint sparingly over the entire surface of your piece so that some of the copper shows through. Let it dry and if desired, spray lightly again until the desired effect is achieved.

Tags: coat piece, oil-rubbed bronze, piece that, spray paint, work area
at

Design A Bathroom Laundry Room

Move the laundry part of the space to one end of the bathroom.


Doing laundry near a bathroom space can be exceptionally convenient. Bedding and towels, plus dirty clothes, can be stashed in the laundry storage space, while keeping the bathroom and adjacent bedrooms neater. Design the laundry area to work well for your family's needs. You will want to keep the bathroom neat, so create a system for doing laundry whereby the machines are hidden. A dividing wall or folding door system will work well to separate laundry from the rest of the space.


Instructions


1. Measure the space for the laundry-bathroom area. Include all dimensions for the bathroom fixtures, such as sink vanity, shower-tub combo and toilet. Figure out the exact amount of leftover space for a laundry area. Use measurements of the washer and dryer you place to use to make sure they will fit. Buy stackable full-sized units or smaller stackable units to save floor space.


2. Draw a bird's-eye view of the layout. Place the washer-dryer area at the end of the bathroom, for example. Sketch a section for a folding table with shelves overhead, if you have room. Carve out space for a laundry storage closet to hide dirty laundry and hang laundry taken out of the dryer. Define a wall area, reaching at least 4-feet high, to visually separate the bath area from the laundry area.


3. Create a plan to access plumbing and electricity for both spaces. Sketch a route for bathroom plumbing and water pipes and drains for the laundry room. Look for best places to install electrical outlets. Find the best option to vent the dryer. Run the vent straight through the wall to the house exterior or run vent duct work through the floor and under the home's crawlspace to the outside.








4. Create storage spaces for both areas. Plan a bathroom closet area that will hold supplies and linen. Keep this closet totally separate from storage for the laundry room. Build the storage closets or storage shelving on opposite ends of the room, if possible. Keep the space well-organized so laundry issues do not impact showering and bathing. Design exactly where to place all items stored by using graph paper to sketch a plan.


5. Design doors to hide the washer-dryer space. Plan to run metal tracking on the ceiling and floor to support multiple bi-fold doors. Keep the machines out of sight while clothes are running through. Install double doorsthat can close over the washer-dryer space, if this design fits your bathroom space. Use louvered doors in all instances to help moisture escape. Add an overhead fan with vent to take moisture out of the house.

Tags: laundry area, bathroom space, laundry room, laundry storage, space laundry, washer-dryer space, work well
at

Friday, August 14, 2009

Cut A Drop Ceiling Light Pane

You can install a drop ceiling to hide plumbing and electrical equipment or to hide an old plaster or drywall ceiling, making it more aesthetically pleasing. Recessed lights in a drop ceiling usually have a plastic panel that lets light through but hides the bulb and structure of the light fixture. You can purchase generic plastic panels and cut them to fit your particular light fixture.








Instructions


1. Measure the opening in the light fixture using a tape measure. Include the lip that the panel sits on when it is installed, minus 1/4 inch. The extra 1/4 inch will give you enough room to maneuver the panel into place.


2. Lay the panel on a hard flat surface. Use a straightedge, tape measure and pencil to draw lines on the panel according to the measurements from the previous step.


3. Heat the panel on the lines using a hair dryer set on the highest setting. Heat the panel thoroughly for 3 to 5 minutes. This will soften the plastic and make it less brittle when you cut it.


4. Cut the panel using a utility knife and by laying the straightedge on the line to ensure you cut it straight.


5. Install the panel into the light fixture. Notice any areas of the panel that don't fit properly and trim the panel using the utility knife to make it fit.

Tags: light fixture, Heat panel, panel into, panel that, panel using, panel using utility, tape measure
at

Attach A Curtain Room Divider To A Drop Ceiling







Room dividers can create a private space even in a wide-open room.


Curtains can be used for many purposes, from covering a window or blank wall, to a room divider to add privacy and character to an otherwise wide-open space.


When hanging a curtain room divider from a drop ceiling, curtains can be hung in a number of ways, including hanging curtain rods, a pulley system or curtain track system.


Installing a track system for your curtain room divider can be completed in about an hour or less.


Instructions


1. Measure across the room where room divider is to be placed, and obtain a curtain and curtain track in the appropriate lengths.








2. Screw curtain track into ceiling where the curtain is to be hung, following the appropriate manufacturer's instructions.


3. Insert between 5 and 15 track sliders into track, spaced evenly with the loops in your curtain, following manufacturers instructions.


4. Place curtain rings into curtain loops at the top of your curtain to match up with the track sliders. Take care to place rings on the curtain so the front of the ring corresponds with the front of the curtain.


5. Slip the curtain loops onto the track sliders to hang your curtain.

Tags: room divider, your curtain, curtain track, track sliders, curtain loops, curtain room
at

Hidden Ceiling Uplighting Ideas

Rooms with high ceilings are better illuminated with uplighting.


The lighting in different rooms of the house varies based on its purpose. If you need bright light in which to read or prepare food, overhead fixtures provide the best illumination. But if you want to create a comforting, low-key atmosphere, uplighting or recessed lighting is the best option. Uplights are normally hidden in ceiling indentations or behind molding or trims.


Space and Room Accents


Exceptionally high vaulted or cathedral-style ceilings are frequently overlooked. To draw attention to beams and architectural designs such as wainscoting or ceiling murals, install uplights behind the molding a few feet beneath the ceiling. Controlling the uplights with a dimmer switch gives greater control of the lighting effects. If you have a large open space that serves as both a dining and living room, create the illusion of separate rooms by uplighting the ceiling with recessed lights that illuminate only the space above the dining room table.


Art and Curio Uplights








Intriguing art and curios displayed on ledges, walls and shelves frequently get lost in the shadows of a room. Installing adjustable, hidden lights in the ceiling of the room allows you to discreetly draw attention to the pieces with rays of light that also create interesting silhouette patterns in the room. If the room has large, intricate molding in the corners or where the walls and ceiling meet, the lights can be concealed there.


Mantle Uplighting


Older homes often have fireplaces with mantles up to 5 or 6 feet tall. To showcase the trinkets and decor on the top of the mantle, strategically install recessed lighting in the ceiling to cast a soft light on the display. Using adjustable uplights provides the option for switching the emphasis when the mantle display is altered to exhibit holiday themes or decorated for special occasions.


Other Ceiling Lighting Ideas


More elaborate uplighting options including coving, cornices, panel moldings, clam shells and ceiling roses. Coving is a thin decorative shelf wide installed around the perimeter of the room about two feet below the ceiling and cornices are concave, decorative shelves installed in corners. Both additions easily conceal uplighting. Wall panel moldings as well as clam shells and ceiling roses attached to the ceiling diffuse the uplighting and accentuate the diverse and subtle shadowing. These lighting options are available in lightweight plastic that look like wood and attach to walls and ceilings with strong adhesive backings.

Tags: behind molding, ceiling roses, clam shells, clam shells ceiling, draw attention, panel moldings, recessed lighting
at

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Decorating Ideas For A College Bathroom

Black and white decor in small bathroom


A college dorm bathroom is a small space that you have to share with at least one roommate, making it a decorating challenge. Once you get to know your roommate, sit down and discuss the creative potential in your bathroom and decide together on a theme. Decorating your bathroom gives you a neat space to escape and start your day in a positive manner.


Chalk or Cork Board


Purchase a large cork or black board that can cover the majority of one wall of your bathroom. Using heavy-duty Velcro tape, secure it to a blank wall or door in the bathroom. Provide colored chalks in a cup in the bathroom to allow guests to be creative and draw pictures or leave messages while in the commode. Change your "decor" weekly by washing it off and starting over.


Hang your large cork board over a toilet tank or on the back of the bathroom door and supply with plenty of colorful thumb tacks. Hang pictures of friends, test schedule reminders and notes and cards from friends back home. You also can use this space to remind a messy roommate to clean up her half of the bathroom.


Color Code It


Since college dorm bathrooms usually are shared spaces, help keep things separate but equal by agreeing with your roommate to color code your bathroom. Purchase two different colored bins and containers to hold make up, shampoo and other bathroom toiletries. Purchase solid-colored towels in two colors, so you won't have to wonder whose wet towel is on the floor. Select a coordinating rug and shower curtain to tie it all together.


Vacation Getaway


Although college is fun, it's also stressful, so create a little getaway in your dorm room bathroom. Hang a travel poster of your favorite getaway spot and coordinate your towels and shower curtain to match. For example, if you like island vacations, select an island poster, then coordinate with sea blue rugs, towels and curtains.


Mirror, Mirror


Create a super cool and eclectic bathroom by hanging an assortment of framed mirrors on all wall surfaces. Find a variety of sizes, shapes and frames (the older the better) and hang in a collage manner by mixing sizes and displaying in a nonlinear way. Not only is this a fun way to decorate your bathroom, it provides a way for light and images to bounce around the small room. Use a silver shower curtain and black rug to coordinate and finish the look.

Tags: your bathroom, shower curtain, college dorm, large cork, your roommate
at

Install Recessed Cans On A Dropped Ceiling

Can lights are one of the easiest ways to give a room with a drop ceiling some light. Most can light fixtures mount to the ceiling grid. One benefit of can lights is that they offer you the ability to pick and choose where to place them. This means if you have a certain area of the room you wish to accent with light, install the can lights in that area closer together. Each can light style gives off light a little differently. Before you decide how many lights your room will need, purchase a fixture and bring it home. Wire it up and turn it on to see how much light it casts and how much the light spreads. Then, determine how many of those fixtures will be needed.


Instructions


1. Determine which ceiling tiles you will install can lights in. Remove those ceiling tiles from the ceiling grid by lifting them up, tilting them and then lowering them through the hole.








2. Lay a can light on a piece of cardboard and trace around the opening. Cut out the traced circle and use it for a template when you cut the holes in your ceiling tiles.


3. Flip the ceiling tiles upside down on a flat surface. Measure the length and width and divide by two to locate each tile's exact center.


4. Center the cardboard template over a ceiling tile's center mark. Cut the ceiling tile around the template with a utility knife. Repeat with the remaining ceiling tiles.


5. Adjust a can light's four sliding arms so the light is centered in the grid opening space and the tabs on the ends of the arms rest over the ceiling grid frame. Repeat with all the remaining can lights. Wire all the can lights together following the manufacturer's directions, then wire them to a power source.


6. Tilt a ceiling tile and lift it into the appropriate ceiling grid opening. Straighten out the tile and lower it onto the grid frame. The opening you cut in the tile should line up with the can light's opening.


7. Lift the can light cover's hooks into the can light's opening. Locate the two tabs in the can light's side and put the hooks over them to hold the cover in place. Screw a lightbulb into the can light.

Tags: ceiling tiles, ceiling grid, ceiling tile, grid frame, grid opening
at

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Calculate A Suspended Ceiling

Get some accurate measurements before you start buying suspended ceiling components.


Adding a suspended ceiling to an area like a basement is a fairly simple, attractive and cost-effective way of finishing the ceiling of the space. To make sure you don't waste your money by buying excess materials, a little planning is in order before you begin your project. With some measurements and simple calculations, you'll have a good grip on what you'll need to do the job right before you start.


Instructions


1. Measure the width and length of your ceiling with a tape measure. Record the dimensions onto a piece of graph paper.








2. Add up the dimensions for the room's perimeter in feet. You'll need this many feet of perimeter bracket. These are installed along the edge of the ceiling.








3. Divide the width of the room by four. Now multiply the length of the room by this number. This will determine the total number of feet of runners you'll need. The runners are installed in parallel from down the length of the room.


4. Divide the footage of the runners by two. This will determine the number of crosspieces you'll need. The crosspieces sit between the runners at 2-foot intervals.


5. Multiply the width and the length of the room in feet together. This will give you the total square footage of the ceiling. Divide this number by four to determine the number of ceiling tiles you'll need.

Tags: length room, This will, before start, ceiling Divide, determine number, this number
at

1960s Pink Bathrooms

A pastel pink sink against a white wall helps the appliance stand out.


Dusty or pastel pink, also known as "Mamie pink" as it was First Lady Mamie Eisenhower's favorite color, was a popular color for bathrooms during the 1960s. If you've just purchased an older home that you're semi-renovating, or love 60s style and want a soft pink bathroom, there are several ways to showcase the main color, or tone it down for a decidedly modern or modest look.


Add Cool Colors


Colors on the cool side of the color wheel, like green or blue, will offset the pink in the bathroom well. Green and pink are complementary because red and green are color wheel opposites and pink is a tint of red. So a sea foam or Kelly green in an otherwise pink bathroom will lend a feel of refreshing balance to the space in the form of shower curtain hooks, faucets, and wall art. If you want a pastel bathroom, baby blue with the rose pink makes for a soft, pretty space; navy blue provides a visually appealing contrast.


Dark Colors


Charcoal gray and black are complementary with pink, and keep the color from overwhelming the bathroom. Black and gray are also the main colors in a modern decor palette, so the shades will update the bathroom space nicely. For instance, if you want to get rid of the pink tub or toilet, replace these fixtures with black appliances with silver accents, as these are very striking against the pink. Alternatively,, paint the accent wall a dark gray and use pink paint for the paneling. Complement the pink-tiled floor with gray area rugs and hang gray towels on the pink towel rack to tone down the powdery pink.


Create a Theme


Pink is the main color for a number of decorative themes, like a pink and black poodle bathroom, a pink flamingo bathroom or a Miami-style space that features pink and other pastel and bright colors. Leave the pink walls, tile floors and fixtures intact while you decorate around them. For instance, add a pink flamingo soap dish and toothbrush holder to accent the pink sink, or choose pink hand towels with black poodles for the towel rack, and a shower curtain in the same pattern. Painting the part of the wall that doesn't have pink tile a pistachio green or stark white lends Miami-Cuban style to the space. Mini palm tree arrangements and floor tiles featuring gold and light blue will complete the look.








Re-Glaze Fixtures


If the sink, bathtub or light fixtures is pink, have it re-glazed by a professional to make it look as good as new. "Re-glazing" actually means applying a high-tech pink paint to the fixtures to give them more luster and an overall attractive appearance; this usually lasts for about 10 years. Keep in mind that re-glazing doesn't work on a pink toilet, so if the appliance looks too dingy, you'll have to invest in a new one. Re-glazing paint also doesn't work on pink tile. However, taking the original light pink tiles down and replacing them with a myriad of pink colors from rose pink to magenta makes for pretty monochromatic wall or floor art.

Tags: pink bathroom, blue will, color wheel, doesn work, doesn work pink, main color
at

Vessel Sink Ideas

Glass vessel sink with inlaid design.


A creative way to update a bathroom without breaking the bank is to keep the existing cabinetry while updating the countertops and sinks. Installing a vessel sink can add an updated look and is becoming a popular option for homeowners who prefer to use non-traditional types of sinks. There are many types of vessel sinks available in home improvement and retail stores. Choose the one that best suits your budget, style and needs.


Glass


A glass vessel sink is primarily for a bathroom not used mainly by children because of its fragile nature. It is a perfect option for a guest bathroom or powder room. A glass vessel sink can give your bathroom a much needed update without redoing the whole space. It also becomes a conversational piece once your guests have used it. Choose frosted, clear or colored with an inlaid design or plain finish. Add a matching vessel faucet with circular glass spout for a waterfall effect (see photo). A glass vessel sink is ideal for a bathroom that is modern or contemporary in style. It is moderate in price and cheaper than stone sinks.


Metal


Vessel sinks can also be made of metal such as copper, brass and aluminum. Choose a polished metal for a modern and sleek design or choose hammered copper for a rustic look that you can add to your Old World style bathroom. Metal sinks are more durable than glass vessel sinks; however, they are more prone to dents and scratches. Depending on the metal, the price can be lower than stone, but higher than glass and ceramic.


Stone








Vessel sinks made of stone are the most durable and, generally, the most expensive. You can use them not only in bathrooms, but also in the kitchen as preparation sinks to rinse hands and drinking glasses. Stone vessel sinks can work well with modern or contemporary, rustic or Old World, and transitional or eclectic styles. Choose honed stones for a shinier look or rough stones to add texture.


Ceramic or Porcelain


Traditional homes such as Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian, country or cottage styles can make use of ceramic or porcelain vessel sinks. Choose from plain white to highly decorated, such as those shown in the photo. It is the most affordable of all vessel sinks.

Tags: vessel sink, glass vessel, vessel sinks, glass vessel sink, inlaid design, modern contemporary
at

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fix Crown Molding Flaws

Painted crown molding often hides flaws better than stained crown molding.








Crown molding is often considered the most difficult type of molding to install because it is hard to cut the correct angles. Many homeowners make mistakes when cutting or installing the molding. Fixing crown molding flaws does not have to be time- or labor-intensive. Most repairs can be made in under an hour. In cases where the molding is damaged beyond repair, you may need some extra molding to replace the damaged section on the wall.


Drywall Mud or Wood Putty


Common flaws in crown molding include nail holes, dents and gaps between pieces of the crown molding. The easiest way to fix these flaws is by applying drywall mud or wood putty to the holes and gaps. Typically, drywall mud is the best option if you have painted crown molding. Stained crown molding should be filled with stainable wood putty. The putty and drywall mud molds easily to the shape desired. Fill the holes and gaps then let the putty or mud dry for 24 hours.


Caulk


After crown molding installation, there is usually a large gap between the crown molding and the wall or ceiling. Latex caulk is a good way to fill these gaps. Spread a bead of caulk along the gap with a caulk gun. Smooth the caulk with your finger and let the caulk dry overnight. Silicone caulk can be used, but it is messy and hard to clean up. Paintable latex caulk can be painted to match the wall or the crown molding.


Try Again


Some crown molding flaws are extensive. If your crown molding is damaged or cut much too short, you may want to consider replacing that piece of molding. Find a crown molding profile that matches the original crown molding. Cut the piece to fit on a miter saw and replace the damaged molding. You do not need to replace all of the crown molding; you just need to replace the run of molding that is damaged.








Paint


Stained crown molding can add a richness and depth that painted crown molding cannot. However, stained crown molding tends to show gaps and mistakes in the molding much more than painted crown molding. If your crown molding has a lot of flaws, consider painting it. Most crown molding is painted with a glossy or semi-gloss finish. An eggshell or flat finish may hide more imperfections in the crown molding than a glossy finish.

Tags: crown molding, crown molding, crown molding flaws, painted crown molding, holes gaps, molding damaged
at

Soundproof An Apartment Ceiling

Soundproofing an apartment ceiling.


Soundproofing a ceiling can give much needed peace and quiet to residents of apartment buildings. Upstairs neighbors with dogs or children, or neighbors who simply walk heavily or throw parties regularly can create a lot of noise. Lose of sleep, difficulty concentrating and added stress are a few of the disadvantages of living below noisy neighbors. However, simply soundproofing the ceiling can prevent the aggravating noise.


Instructions


Expose the ceiling


1. Use a sturdy ladder that will fully support your weight.


Your ceiling must be completely exposed to soundproof it. Remove any drywall and place it aside, intact, as you will be replacing it. Only the wood struts of the ceiling should be visible.


2. The higher the quality of the insulation, the better it will block sound.


Pack the foam insulation into the exposed spaces between the ceiling struts.


3. Caulk will seal any small holes to prevent sound from getting through.


Check your ceiling carefully for holes. Even the slightest hole can let sound through. Use acoustical caulk to fill any holes.


4. Place a dense layer of foam ceiling tiles over your ceiling. The thicker they are, the more difficult it will be for sound to get through them.


5. Go back over the ceiling to check for holes. Use caulk to seal any holes left when the foam ceiling tiles were added. It is very important that all holes are sealed, so double check the ceiling before moving to the next step.


6. Touching up the paint on the ceiling will give it a finished look.


Replace the drywall you removed in Step 1. Use isolation clips to create a small gap between the drywall and the ceiling. The gap will prevent noise caused by vibrations.

Tags: ceiling tiles, ceiling will, foam ceiling, foam ceiling tiles, sound through
at

Monday, August 10, 2009

Repair An Acoustic Ceiling

Repair textured ceilings to maintain its acoustics.


Acoustic ceilings, or popcorn ceilings, are common, especially in older homes. The textured ceiling gained popularity for its acoustic value, cost-effective installation, and insulation properties. When a section of the ceiling has been damaged either by water or cracks, it can be repaired without having to replace the entire ceiling panel. There are many spray cans with texture imbedded into the paint that can patch up damaged sections easily without much cost or time.


Instructions


1. Scrape off damaged bits of the ceiling with a putty knife. Hold a piece of cardboard under the ceiling while scraping to catch the falling debris. Be sure to wear goggles and a mask to prevent inhalation.


2. Pin down a plastic tarp one foot around all four sides of the damaged area with push pins. Let the tarp drape down four feet. This will create a barrier to prevent the paint spilling onto unwanted areas.


3. Lay drop cloths on the floor beneath the damaged section.


4. Spray stain-blocking primer on the damaged surface. Let it dry.


5. Shake a can of acoustic texture and spray onto the damaged section. Follow the manufacturer's directions to yield best results. Hold the can 9 to 14 inches away from the ceiling. Let it dry.

Tags: damaged section
at

Avoid Seams In Ceiling Panels

Wood paneling can dress up any ceiling in your home.


Wood panels can be purchased for almost any room of your home. Many homeowners choose to install wood panels on their ceilings. Paneling comes in two basic forms, individual planks and paneling sheets. Paneling sheets are the easiest to install because they go up quickly. In addition, paneling sheets are larger and leave fewer seams in the installed ceiling. Homeowners installing sheets of ceiling panels should learn avoid the appearance of seams in the paneling.


Instructions








1. Purchase the largest size of panels available. Most ceiling panels come in a few standard sizes. This will help you to avoid having a lot of seams in the installed paneling.


2. Install the ceiling panels as tightly as possible. This will minimize the visual effect of the seams in the ceiling that are caused by expansion and contraction.


3. Install the ceiling panels per manufacturer directions. Although manufacturers recognize that there will still be seams in the ceiling panels, the instructions they give will help you to minimize the appearance of the ceiling panel seams.


4. Finish seams between ceiling panels with colored caulk. Match the color of the caulk to the color of the ceiling panels. Load the caulk into a caulk gun. Cut the end of the caulk tube with a utility knife. Apply a bead of the colored caulk to the seams in the ceiling paneling. Smooth the caulk with your finger. Carry a damp cloth with you to wipe off excess caulk from the ceiling.

Tags: ceiling panels, ceiling panels, seams ceiling, colored caulk, Install ceiling, Install ceiling panels, paneling sheets
at

Friday, August 7, 2009

Help Designing A Living Room Layout

The living room plays an important role in your family members' interaction and how they use the house. It serves many different functions to your family at different times. Creating a living room layout to serve all those different functions can be very frustrating, but it is still very achievable.


Lighting


Lighting is an important factor in any room design. There should be more than just one light source. Since the living room serves many different functions and is used by many different people at different times, the lighting should accommodate these different needs. There should be a layering and blending of task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting.


Furnishings


It is better to have a few larger pieces of furniture than to have a lot of small pieces. Having many different smaller pieces can make a room look cluttered and cramped. By choosing a few pieces that are light and airy in color and in fabric, you will create a room that can seem bigger than it is and can serve different functions. When arranging the furniture, it is best to create an area that opens up as much floor and wall space as possible. Do not place furniture pieces in front of doors or windows. It is best to arrange them in the space so that they create a conversation area.








Clutter


It is always better to keep the clutter out of the living room. Because the living room serves many different functions and people, it is best to keep it a neutral space that can be inviting to anyone. The best way to organize many of the small mementos and items you would like to keep in the living room is by having the right storage solution for them. Also, it is best to keep the decorations on the walls and tabletops to a minimum. A few larger pieces of art or decorations will have more impact than many smaller items that will distract people.


Focus


When designing a living room layout, it is best to have one main attraction in the room. Many times the natural focal point in living rooms is the fireplace. Sometimes it can be a picture window or the doors leading to the outside. Lay out the space and furniture so that the focus is on that one focal point so that everyone is drawn to it and attention is brought to it immediately when you enter the space.

Tags: living room, different functions, many different, many different functions, serves many, serves many different
at