Control Moisture In Campers

Excessive moisture inside a camper will condensate and cause odor, mold and mildew problems. Such condensation can produce amounts of water sufficient to pool inside ceilings and cause the panels to sag, or run down walls and collect at the bottom of insulation cavities causing rot. The issues of moisture created by occupation of a camper are different to moisture problems experienced in an unused camper while it is in storage. The different dehumidification requirements are addressed with different resolutions, including the use of moisture-absorbing material and the use of dehumidification devices.

Instructions

1. Minimize airborne moisture while in the camper. Airborne moisture is primarily created by showering and cooking, so opening roof vents and running exhaust fans in bathrooms and in stove hoods above cookers will create an immediate and very effective reduction of moisture levels. The operation of air conditioner units also dehumidifies, as well as cooling the air.

2. Take action to reduce moisture before storing your camper. Even if you store your camper beneath a cover, moisture can creep in and be trapped. The cover will stifle natural air movement, although the installation of a fan increases circulation efficiency. Running a fan or a heat source such as a small space heater or a heat bulb is both energy inefficient and dangerous and redistributes moisture rather than permanently removing it from the atmosphere.

3. Open a container of moisture absorbent, which is usually sold in a bucket or tub. Set the open container in the camper at a location midway between the front and the back, half way between the floor and the ceiling. Moisture absorbents are typically made from calcium chloride, familiar as the chemical which melts ice from sidewalks and driveways.

4. Open a container of silica gel, which is usually sold in a tray or shallow drawer. Set the open container in the camper at a location midway between the front and the back, half way between the floor and the ceiling. Silica gel is familiar as the content of small pouches in boxed new products, which are used to control dampness inside the boxes.

5. Decide which size of dehumidifier will be most effective in your RV. The size of the unit will be determined by the amount of moisture you wish to control and the space you have available. Larger units by definition take up more space, and space is a priority in an RV, but smaller units dehumidify at a slower rate and must be emptied more frequently.

Tags: back half, back half between, between floor, between floor ceiling, between front, between front back, camper location

Connect Wood Flooring & Carpet

When installing different types of flooring in adjoining rooms, transition strips are used to hide the seam and leave a smooth transition. The difference in thicknesses of the wood and carpet will determine what type of transition to use. If the floors are the same height, a simple T molding can be used; but if one floor is higher than the other, a threshold molding must be used. Installation can be done quickly using an electric drill and hammer.

Instructions

1. Determine if the hardwood is level with or higher than the carpet. If the carpet and wood is level purchase a strip of T molding, if the two floors are uneven you will purchase a strip of threshold molding at your local home improvement store.

2. Cut the molding to the exact length that is needed using a coping saw.

3. Lay the molding in place and mark the nail holes on the sub floor using a pencil. Remove the molding and begin drilling the pilot holes for the molding nails using an electric drill with a 1/16-inch bit, or any drill bit that is a touch smaller than the nails.

4. Put the molding in place and pound the nails in using a hammer. Swing the hammer carefully to avoid denting the molding.

Tags: electric drill, higher than, molding place, nails using, purchase strip, threshold molding, using electric

Run Wires Over A Suspended Ceiling

A suspended ceiling provides access for wires.

A suspended ceiling includes a series of tiles supported by a framework suspended from a room's natural ceiling. Suspended ceilings offer simple access to utilities such as plumbing, electric, and heating and cooling systems. Suspended ceilings also provide excellent accessibility when running wires from one part of a room to another. Wiring should never be laid across the top of suspended ceiling tiles; a simple system of clamps and conduit should be installed along the route of all wiring.

Instructions

Low Voltage Wires for Data or Audio

1. Turn off the electricity at the service panel. Remove the ceiling tiles to expose the ceiling and framework above the suspended ceiling.

2. Map the most efficient--shortest and most accessible--route for the wiring to run from the electric source to the device or appliance.

3. Screw small plastic or metal "U" clamps to the framework or walls above the suspended ceiling every 12 inches, following the route for the wires.

4. Feed the audio or data wires through the clamp supports. Bundle the wires and fasten them with plastic wire ties.

5. Check for loose supports or sagging wire. Tighten or adjust as necessary.

6. Replace the ceiling tiles. Turn the power on at the service panel.

Line Voltage Wires

7. Following the procedure above, install rigid or flexible metal conduit using the recommended support clamps.

8. Turn off the electricity at the service panel. Feed the Romex or flexible electric wire through the conduit.

9. Check for loose supports or sagging wire; correct as needed.

10. Replace the ceiling tiles and turn the power back on at the service panel.

Tags: ceiling tiles, service panel, suspended ceiling, above suspended, above suspended ceiling, Check loose, Check loose supports

Frame A Step Ceiling

A step ceiling is often built around the perimeter of a room to give an illusion of greater height. A step extends down from the main ceiling to a depth ranging from about 2 inches to a foot or more. Some step ceilings are used to conceal wiring for perimeter lighting. Some are painted or finished in colors or materials to contrast with the main ceiling, while other steps match the main ceiling. Specific designs and uses vary with the type and style of room and the homeowner's preference. Step ceilings can be framed during initial construction or added later.

Instructions

1. Mark the inner edge of the step ceiling with a tape measure, allowing 1/2 inch for drywall. Measure 15 1/2 inches, for instance, for a 16-inch-wide step. Mark points along all walls where the step will be installed. Snap a chalk line on the ceiling to mark the outline. Locate ceiling joists with a stud finder and mark those spots at every location along the line.

2. Build "ladders" of 2-by-2-inch lumber to form the step ceiling framework. Cut two 2-by-2s to the length of a wall, less the width of a step if steps are being installed on all four walls. Connect those with 2-by-2s cut to make the ladder the depth desired for the step; make ladder strips 8 1/2 inches, for example, to frame a 12-inch-deep step, allowing for drywall. Use a table saw to cut 2-by-2s accurately.

3. Place ladder strips 16 inches apart and nail them with a hammer and two 8d nails through the long frames into each end. Use a speed square to keep them square. Build ladders on a level surface. Make two ladders 2 inches shorter so they will fit inside the other ladders to frame around the room.

4. Lift a ladder in place (with help) and position it in place along the chalk line. Fasten it to ceiling joists with galvanized screws and a screw gun. Drive one screw into each joist. Set one ladder strip at a time. Install blocking or furring strips on the ceiling between joists where ladders will parallel joists and fasten ladders to those supports.

5. Mark the depth of the step ceiling on the walls. Use a tape measure to make sure it is the same as the depth of the inside ladders. Snap a chalk line to mark the bottom. Cut 2-by-2s to the length for each wall and fasten them to wall studs; this will support drywall on the bottom of the step ceiling.

Tags: chalk line, main ceiling, step ceiling, 2-by-2s length, Build ladders, ceiling joists, ceiling joists with

Get Nicotine Stains Off Wood Paneling

Cigarettes smoked in the home expose all surfaces to nicotine stains.

Nicotine is a chemical found in cigarettes. When cigarettes are smoked inside the home, nicotine produces a brown stain that is greasy in nature. Nicotine stains are absorbed into almost every surface with which cigarette smoke comes in contact, including your wood paneling. While the best way to avoid nicotine stains is to prohibit smoking in your home, you can remove nicotine stains from your paneling using supplies found in the home.

Instructions

1. Make your cleanser portable by mixing it in a bucket.

Fill a 1-gallon bucket halfway with hot water and add 1 cup of white vinegar. Stir in 1/2 cup baking soda and allow the mixture to foam. The foam is a natural chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda and is not harmful. This creates a grease-cutting, nicotine stain remover.

2. Dip your scrub brush in the cleansing solution and scrub your paneling. Move the scrub brush with the grain of the paneling, if it has a grain. When the cleansing solution looks dirty, empty it out and make a fresh batch.

3. Repeat step 2 on all the paneling if the smoking stains are old. Most types of paneling are porous, and the nicotine stains may be absorbed into the pores of the paneling. To ensure that you've removed all the nicotine stains, wash the paneling with the grease-cutting cleanser until the wash water stays clean.

4. Rinse your walls to remove the baking soda by wiping them down with a clean cloth dampened with plain water. If, during the rinsing process, any nicotine stain transfers to your rinsing cloth, then wash that area with the baking soda and vinegar solution again before rinsing. Complete removal of the nicotine stains will ensure that you've removed the cigarette odor as well.

5. Dry your walls with a clean cloth. Open a window to help with the process and get some fresh air in the room.

Tags: baking soda, nicotine stains, absorbed into, clean cloth, cleansing solution, ensure that

Roman Bathroom Design Ideas

Roman Tile and Pool at Hearst Castle

The Romans perfected the bathroom and were some of the first to luxuriate in elaborate baths. According to the website Plumbing.com "the baths of the Emperor Caracalla...covered nearly a 28-acre site." Your personal decorating plans may not be as elaborate, but decorating a bath with a Roman design theme has thousands of years of history to support it.

From The Ground Up

The floors of a Roman bath were historically made of stone or tile. Your modern bath can have floors of marble or a stone substitute, ceramic tile, or tiny mosaic tiles of ceramic or stone. The Romans heated the floors of some of their baths by heating hollow bricks beneath their surfaces. Using modern radiant floor heating techniques, your bath could also have warm floors. However, these systems are complex to install in an existing home and can have a significant impact on your energy bill. Purchase an area rug with a Roman motif to warm up your floors in a less-expensive fashion.

Wash up Roman Style

A Roman tub would traditionally be carved from marble, or covered in mosaic tile, and stands alone. A Roman tub is usually filled from the side instead of one end of the tub so the bather can avoid hitting his head or feet on the tub's fixtures. Frequently the Roman tub had no attached plumbing but was a simple giant bowl with drainage that is filled with water from a wall-mounted faucet. A true Roman tub generally required some custom design (see "Resources" below). If your plumbing or space does not allow for a Roman tub, consider surrounding your current tub or shower with tiles of marble, or tiny mosaic. Your sink and counters can mimic the design ideas of your tub with a bowl-type sink that sits on your counter. Faucets fixed to the wall above the sink can mimic the style of a Roman tub.

Color and Texture

Color in a Roman-inspired bath can be earthy, with warm tones of ivory, rust, and olive with rough textures. This color palette reflects the architecture of the Roman country home or villa. Another Roman palette involves strong color contrasts like classic white and black or red and gold. This color palette better reflects the palaces and city dwellings of wealthy Romans. The surfaces in homes of this style are smooth and feature polished marble, glass tiles, and golden accents.

Extra Touches

To give your Roman-inspired bath extra panache, add a few special accents. Many Roman homes featured interesting wall decorations including: stone fountains, or medallions, and mosaic tile or painted murals. If you bath is large enough, you could also add a Roman chaise.

Tags: color palette, could also, mosaic tile, Roman-inspired bath, This color, This color palette

Handicapped Accessible Home Specifications

French doors are easy to use in a wheelchair.

Homes designed for handicapped access have features that everyone can use. Specifications for kitchens, bathrooms, doorways and interior rooms call for enough space to turn a wheelchair in. Architects, home builders and commercial apartment developers can follow these guidelines to assure that all homes are easy for anyone to negotiate.

Doorways

Doorways must be at least 36 inches wide to allow wheelchairs through. Entry and exit doors should be at ground level with no more than a half-inch rise over the foundation, or have gently sloping ramps so that anyone in a wheelchair can get in and out easily. A slope of one foot for every 20 feet of ramp is the universal guideline. Lever door handles for the entry and interior doors make it easier for people to open the doors.

Kitchens and Baths

Single-lever faucets make it much easier to turn the water on and off. Anti-scald valves help handicapped people avoid burns should the cold water pressure fail. Bathrooms should have at least 5 feet of open flooring so that the wheelchair is easy to turn. The sinks in the kitchen and bath should be located close to the rim of the counters and have a minimum of 29 inches for knee space beneath the cabinet that supports the sink.

Grab bars in the bathroom by the shower or tub provide stability for bathers and keeping bars close to the toilets helps the user navigate from the wheelchair or other device. The grab bars need to be solidly anchored to the walls.

Interior Considerations

Hallways should be 42 inches wide for easy navigation. Electrical outlets that are placed at least 18 inches above the floor allow people in wheelchairs to easily plug and unplug lamps or appliances. Light switches that are between 36 and 44 inches above the floor are easy to reach from a wheelchair. Rocker switches are the easiest to turn on and off.

Garages

The garage or parking area should be large enough for someone to exit a handicapped van or vehicle easily. Motorized garage doors help enter and exit the garage. The garage or parking area should be at the same level as the entrance doors to the house.

Tags: above floor, area should, from wheelchair, garage parking, garage parking area

Drop Ceiling Installation

A drop ceiling, also called a suspended ceiling, has a reputation for looking institutional due to its frequent presence in certain types of public buildings, such as hospitals. Yet, the structure can also help spruce up the appearance of a room, thanks to the many different types of ceiling panels readily available in hardware stores and directly from manufacturers. Even better, the relative ease and quickness of installing a drop ceiling makes it a good do-it-yourself project for property owners who want to save money and/or take pride in directly contributing to the design of their home.

Benefits

The most obvious advantage of a drop ceiling is its ability to immediately impact the look and feel of an entire room by hiding an unattractive original ceiling. However, it is also frequently used to provide easy access to the cables, ducts, pipes and wires that it conceals. Another function is its superior sound-proofing ability as compared to a ceiling composed of regular drywall.

Features

A drop ceiling begins with a sturdy metal grid structure connected to the wall below the original ceiling. Once secured, the lower framework allows the placement of lightweight square panels or tiles beneath the original ceiling. The tiles usually have a standard measure of either 2x2 feet or 2x4 feet, and the large variety of designs that manufacturers offer makes it easy for property owners to choose their preferred style in order to achieve the desired aesthetic effect in the room.

Materials

Many hardware stores sell inexpensive prepackaged kits that contain the requisite materials to construct a drop ceiling, as well as each separate item. The basic things needed are ceiling panels, wall moldings, main runners or beams, cross tees, suspension wire, and an assortment of nails or screws, eye bolts clamps, and pop rivets to attach the runners, tees and wall moldings in a grid format.

Tools

Before installing a drop ceiling, the people who will perform the task should gather the following required tools, in addition to the materials that comprise the structure: a measuring tape to determine the dimensions of the room and the correct distance between the original and dropped ceilings; a level, preferably laser, and pencil to properly record the location of the dropped ceiling along the walls of the entire room; cutting implements--such as a hacksaw, wire cutter, tin snips, and utility knife--to size the tiles and the main runners and wires that support the suspended ceiling if necessary; and safety goggles to protect the eyes.

Considerations

When determining the clearance between the original ceiling and the drop ceiling, two measurements are critical. First, there should be approximately 4 inches of space between the two to permit tilting of the tiles for placement. Of course, ceilings with obtrusions could require more space to accommodate the larger items and ensure complete concealment. Second, make sure that the original ceiling is high enough to allow sufficient head clearance once the suspended ceiling is in place.

Tags: original ceiling, drop ceiling, drop ceiling, suspended ceiling, between original, ceiling panels, entire room

Compare Contemporary Modern Pendant Bowl Lighting

Pendant lighting comes in thousands of different styles.

Designing and decorating your home on your own can be a fun process, but it can also be lengthy. You need to consider many things to make your space stylish and special for you family. One of the most important elements of home decoration is lighting. While most may consider lighting to serve only the obvious purpose of illumination, it actually does much more. A common type of lighting is the pendant lamp. These lamps are hung, most often from the ceiling, and serve as task lighting. Because so many different styles of pendant bowl lighting are available, you need to compare and contrast them to determine which lamp will best suit your home.

Instructions

1. Visit your local home improvement store. Most stores have a special section dedicated to lighting. There will, more than likely, be a portion of the lighting section dedicated to pendant style lighting. If you're lucky, the lights will be out of the box and hanging from the ceiling as displays.

2. Look at the different styles of pendant bowl lighting. There will be multiple colors, multiple sizes, multiple styles and multiple prices. For a contemporary and modern look, consider pendant lights made from brushed metals like bronze or nickel. If you're looking for a pop of color on your ceiling at home, choose a pendant light with brightly colored blown glass. If your room is small and the ceilings are low, choose a pendant bowl light that won't overpower the space. If your room is large with high ceilings, choose a large light that will unify and warm up the space.

3. Compare prices, compare styles and compare colors. The comparison of these lights should come from what will work best for your personal space. It may be a good idea to take a photo of the room you where you plan to hang your pendant light. If you're having trouble making a decision, show the photo to a sales associate and she will be able to offer assistance.

Tags: different styles, bowl lighting, ceilings choose, choose pendant, different styles pendant

Compare Bathroom Fixtures

Choose a faucet with quality in mind.

Bathroom renovations necessitate choosing fixtures such as tubs, sinks, toilets, faucets, lighting, shower heads and towel bars. Consider color, design, quality and comfort when selecting primary fixtures for a bathroom renovation.

Color

Main bathroom fixtures need not be from the same manufacturer, but the sink, tub and toilet should be the same color to provide a sense of continuity.

Design

Choose colors and accessories that match the style of the room's main fixtures of a vintage bathroom. Similarly, select bold linear fixtures that pop when choosing for a modern bathroom.

Quality

You don't need to buy the most expensive faucets on the market, but purchasing faucets above average in price assures superior quality. The extra dollars pays off in the long run.

Comfort

Select the bathroom's primary fixtures with comfort in mind. The National Kitchen and Bath Association emphasizes that toilet height is an important factor. Consider tub height as well. It means the difference between a nice hot shoulder-high bubble bath or a shallow tub of water that is hardly worth the effort.

Tags: primary fixtures

Countrystyle Bathroom Decor

About Country-Style Bathroom Decor

If you are considering a country decor redo for your home, don't forget the bathroom. There are some wonderful items you can include in your bathroom to give it that country or vintage look. The look can be achieved with a few decorating items, or you could go all the way with a claw-footed tub and a pedestal sink.

Inexpensive Options

The least expensive method of getting the country look in your modern bathroom would be to add some small decorative touches. Go antiquing and look for old medicinal bottles, an old-fashioned metal medicine chest, some old country photos to frame or even add a small shelf with handmade soaps and candles. Cracker Barrel and Restoration Hardware are good places to look for such items. There are some free country decorating catalogs that can inspire your decorating ideas; Country Living or Layla Grayce for a French Country look are examples.

Take It a Step Further

If you want to move your country decor bathroom to the next level, consider replacing your more modern faucets and towel holders for an old-fashioned look. The old white porcelain hot and cold water faucet knobs are a great addition to this style of decorating, as are iron towel racks or glass drawer and door knobs.

Look for fabrics in gingham or very small prints to use for your shower curtain and window treatments. Calico Corners offers a nice array of fabric choices as does Country Curtains. Add some plantation shutters to the lower half of your windows for privacy and a fresh country look.

Country Remodel

For those of you who want a major overhaul, remove your modern tub and replace with a beautiful refinished claw-foot tub or one of the modern reproductions. Add appropriately aged reproduction faucets for a great base for a relaxing country bathroom. Another remodeling option is to replace the sink and vanity with a pedestal sink. Of course, by removing cabinetry surrounding a modern sink you will need to replace this with an old chest for towel and accessory storage. Instead of a large frameless mirror over the sink, replace it with a round or oval mirror framed in wood. This will add character to your bath.

Lighting

Lighting is important in every room, but especially so in the bathroom. Change out more contemporary fixtures with iron or wood wall sconces, and replace an overhead light with a vintage chandelier. Place well-scented candles near the toilet, tub and sink for a glowing, relaxed look. Use smaller antique lamps on your chest of drawers or on shelves.

Considerations

Use a vintage tile pattern to complete the look on your floor. Black and white make for a great country look. Add a few thick cotton throw rugs, and your country-style bathroom look is complete.

Country Living has some terrific photos and ideas as well.

Tags: Bathroom Decor, country decor, Country Living, country look, look your, pedestal sink, replace with

Crystal Chandeliers

Have you ever looked at a hanging chandelier and wondered how it came to be? Crystal chandeliers have long been an iconic symbol of luxury and opulence, as well as a pinnacle of beautiful interior decorating. These dazzling installations enjoy a rich history, not only in terms of their construction and evolution, but also their significance as a social symbol.

History

As a basic lighting structure, the chandelier dates back to medieval Europe, when simple fixtures were hung in large places of assembly to provide overhead illumination. These early chandeliers consisted of little more than a hanging wooden cross on which candles were attached by stakes.

Over time, the potential for chandeliers as devices of decoration, as well as utility, began to be more fully realized and both wooden and metal structures began to take on more elaborate and aesthetically pleasing shapes. Eventually, glass and crystal ornaments were added to metal frames to take advantage the the near light source, creating breathtaking sparkle.

Time Frame

The first decorative chandeliers became widely popular in the 15th century. The crystal chandelier enjoyed its height of popularity during the 17th century as a result of the development of lead glass in England. Before this time, some chandeliers were made with rock crystal, but the difficulty of shaping this mineral, along with its rarity, meant that crystal chandeliers of this type enjoyed little widespread use.

Chandeliers in the 18th century, particularly those of the 1750s, were heavily influenced in design by Rococco. By the 19th century, gas lanterns began to largely replace candles as the illuminating fixtures within chandeliers. Electrical fixtures started to become a part of chandeliers in the late 18th century, but at the same time, the spread of electric lighting meant that chandeliers lost much of their popularity as a means of illumination.

Significance

Chandeliers, particularly crystal chandeliers, have long been considered a sign of wealth and status. This is because the materials used to make them and the skilled labor involved in creating them were once so expensive as to be affordable only by the very rich and royalty. Nowadays, mass industrial production makes it possible for many middle-class homes and moderate business establishments to enjoy creations that are not so very different in appearance from their extravagant predecessors.

Types

There are many styles of crystal chandelier design, both antique and modern. The English, French and Viennese all competed in chandelier design at the height of the fixture's popularity, each culture bringing unique and distinctive designs to the art form.

Today, many newer designs of chandelier follow a more angular, Wright-esque aesthetic than their curvy ancestors, but crystal, as well as materials meant to emulate the look of crystal, remains a favorite look.

Features

Chandelier design has its own set of terminology to describe various common features of crystal chandeliers. For instance, the term "bag" in chandelier design refers to the look of many strings of crystal beads forming a sort of hollow teardrop shape, fastened at the widest point to a circular metal ring. Hanging pieces of crystal are known as "drops," while a "spire" is a tall spike of glass.

Tags: chandelier design, 18th century, chandeliers have, chandeliers have long, crystal chandelier, crystal chandeliers

Soundproof A Shared Wall

Soundproof a Shared Wall

To soundproof a shared wall, there are a few simple things you can do to make a big difference. Whether you live in an apartment, have children, or have roommates living in the same house, soundproofing becomes necessary. Use this article as a guide to help you easily soundproof your shared wall.

Instructions

1. Paint the wall with Acousti-Coat. This is a type of paint that can actually block about 30% of regular nose. Talking and car noises can be reduced significantly with this simple soundproof technique.

2. Place fabric wallpaper over the shared wall to help soundproof it. The fabric muffles and absorbs the sound coming to and from your room. There are so many different wallpaper designs, you are bound to find one you like. Wall paper now-a-days isn't like it used to be. Especially online, you can find some terrific designs.

3. Place a carpet wall covering on the wall. These help muffle sound even better than fabric wall paper. You could, however, apply extra soundproof by putting the carpet covering over the fabric wallpaper.

Tags: shared wall, fabric wallpaper, Soundproof Shared, Soundproof Shared Wall

Kitchen Splashback Ideas

An elegant tile splashback.

An often-overlooked aspect of kitchen design and décor is the kitchen splashback. Not only does a splashback add function to a space by making clean-up easier, but with the wide range of splashback options available today, you can truly make a design statement with your splashback choice. Selecting the right material and color scheme is a highly personal option, and will vary depending on your set up and style, but the following offers a helpful starting point with a few of the most commonly available splashback options.

Tile

Ceramic tile is the classic choice for kitchen splashbacks, and is both affordable and versatile. Tiles are available in a wide array of colors and patterns, making customization easy. Ceramic tiles, generally speaking, will be the most affordable option for kitchen splashbacks, and tile mosaics designed for the splashback are even available in easy-to-install sheets to make remodeling a breeze.

Glass

Glass is one of the more modern options for a kitchen splashback, and it introduces a whole spectrum of subchoices, ranging from simple colored panels, to frosted panes, to backlit LED "designer splashback" styles. With the complexity of the style, the price increases, and backlit glass panes are some of the most expensive options on the market. The effect, however, can be truly stunning, and glass panels wipe down quickly to make clean-up a snap.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is sleek, industrial and easy to clean, making it a terrific option for high-use kitchens that get a lot of wear and tear. Stainless steel is available in several different finishes, from simple polished or buffed metal, to high-texture hammered or patterned looks. Some manufacturers even carry stainless steel tiles, combining the greater affordability of tile with the modern look of steel.

Stone

A favorite in both rustic and modern kitchen designs, stone splashbacks made from granite, slate, travertine or onyx are becoming increasingly popular. Stone splashbacks are generally either installed as a vertical continuation of the counter surface (generally used with granite or onyx) or as a way to add textural contrast and color variation to existing countertops.

Mix & Match

A great way to come to terms with the myriad of options available is to mix and match multiple styles to suit your own budget and taste. Stainless steel splashbacks can be used directly behind the stove and sink, while the rest of the splashback is finished in tile mosaic or glass. Or, a stone splashback can be employed in the same way, protecting the wall space above a stove, while wallpaper or paint cover the rest of the exposed area.

Tags: from simple, kitchen splashback, kitchen splashbacks, options available, splashback options

Decorate A Wood Beam Ceiling Tackle Pulley

Take inspiration from the nautical-themed tackle pulley to decorate the room.

Wood beam ceilings create a warm rustic lodge style. Decorative elements like tackle pulleys complement the rustic style. You can decorate your wood beam ceiling tackle pulley by hanging a decorative candelabra from it. Instead of using a purchased candelabra, you could make your own from an old wooden steering wheel from a ship. This will tie in the rustic nautical theme with the tackle pulley. The tackle pulley will become a feature on the wood beam ceiling, and it will serve to hold a creative and decorative light feature in the room.

Instructions

1. Place the reclaimed wooden ship steering wheel flat on a work surface. Measure and mark eight evenly spaced spots around the diameter of the wheel using a tape measure and pencil. These are the spots for the votive candles.

2. Drill a hole at each pencil mark with a drill equipped with a 1-5/8-inch drill bit. Make the hole 1/2 inch deep.

3. Put one votive candle into each hole in the wheel. Position the four eye hooks evenly spaced around the wheel. Screw the eye hooks into the wheel. These are the mounting hooks.

4. Cut the wrought iron chain in half with metal cutters. Loop the ends of the chains to opposing eye hooks so that the chains intersect in the center.

5. Open the tackle pulley up and slide the center of the chains over the top of the pulley. Close the pulley back up to secure the chains for the wooden ship wheel candelabra in place.

Tags: tackle pulley, beam ceiling, evenly spaced, steering wheel, wood beam ceiling

Ceiling Texture Ideas

Drop tiles like these may not be necessary if you take time to add an interesting treatment to your ceiling.

There are a lot of different options you can use to decorate your ceiling and make your room more interesting. One easy but dramatic thing to do is to apply a particular kind of texturing to your ceiling instead of just painting. Texturing your ceiling makes it more interesting to look at and, though it can take some time to accomplish, you will have a unique ceiling for many years.

Crow's Feet

The crow's feet texture style creates little raised lines all over the ceiling, so it looks like birds have walked over it. This look diffuses light and looks chaotic in a natural way. You can achieve this look by using a single round texturing brush on a texturing material, like drywall mud and texturing sand.

Knock Down

The knock down style looks like pieces of paint or drywall have fallen off the ceiling. It makes your house look older and more aged, without actually having structural problems. The look is achieved by spraying material on the ceiling randomly and cleaning it up with hand tools.

Popcorn

The popcorn texture has little globules of material sticking out of the ceiling, as though someone glued popcorn on it and then painted over the pieces. This style can be very difficult to clean without tearing off all of the little popcorn pieces. You can apply this texture by buying a popcorn texture mix and a texture sprayer.

Tags: your ceiling, ceiling makes, looks like, more interesting, popcorn texture

Install Tin Ceilings

Install Tin Ceilings

Tin ceilings can add an ornate, old world charm to any space and they are pretty easy to install. Instead of using tin, most tin tiles are actually made from a non-rusting aluminum. Follow these steps to learn install your own tin ceiling.

Instructions

Installing a Tin Ceiling

1. Carefully measure your room and purchase the ceiling tiles needed for the project. If your room is not perfectly square, or you will need to cut the tiles, it is best to get about 10 percent extra in materials in case of any problems. Buy a few extra tin tiles. You will also need to buy trim to finish out the project for a clean, professional look.

2. Prep the ceiling by removing old tiles or wallpaper or any previous ceiling treatment. Take the light fixtures down (remember to turn off the power first) and remove any cobwebs or debris.

3. Use a chalk line and measuring tape to mark the center of the room. You should have two lines intersecting each other that will look like a T or an X depending on how you look at it (see picture). This is where you will begin to install your tiles.

4. Start the installation by applying the first five tiles on the ceiling securing them with ceiling tile adhesive. From there you will work outward towards the sides of the walls. The tiles should overlap each other slightly.

5. Use nails. Many tin panels need nails at the joints on the panels. If this is necessary, the instructions will indicate this and show you exactly where the nails go. The picture in this step shows where the panels will come together and that is also where they will be nailed in.

6. Paint. If you are planning to paint the tiles, you can do so after the installation is complete. In some cases it may be easier to paint the tiles first. If you are not painting, then you should use a coating of a sealant in order to completely seal off the tiles and protect them.

Tags: each other, Install Ceilings, install your, paint tiles, your room

Cheaply Add A Wall Or Divide A Room In Two

Curtains can make an inexpensive but effective room divider.

Whether you want to halve a bedroom shared by two kids, create a home office in an area of your family room, or separate the dining and living areas in a great room, dividing a room in two is sometimes necessary. If you're on a tight budget, though, hiring a contractor for the project may not be an option. You don't have to break the bank to create a wall or add a room divider to your space. Depending on how much privacy you want for each space, you can actually choose from several budget-friendly options.

Partition Wall

A partition wall is the least expensive type of wall you can build to divide a room in half. It is not a load bearing wall, so it doesn't require two layers of framing lumber like a load-bearing wall does. You can also place a partition wall wherever you need because it can be positioned perpendicular or parallel to the room's floor and ceiling joists. It's usually easier to build a partition in place -- you can attach a perpendicular partition wall directly to the ceiling or floor joists, or use 2-by-4s as blocking between the joists if you're building a partition wall that's parallel to joists. Finish the wall with drywall and paint it to blend with the rest of the room, so guests will never know that the room wasn't always separated in two.

Curtains

If you don't want to build an actual wall to divide your room in half, a curtain is an ideal, budget-friendly alternative. You can mount a track along the ceiling where you want to divide the room and hang the curtain to visually separate the space. Choose your curtain material based on the level of privacy that you want for the two halves of the room. If you're dividing a bedroom shared by siblings, a heavy, opaque cotton or canvas curtain works best. Use an opaque fabric if you're creating a home office in a corner of your living room or family room. However, if you just want to visually separate a dining room and living room, you can use a sheer curtain so light can pass between the two spaces.

Panel Shades

While curtains can effectively divide a room, they have a more formal look that may not fit all decor styles. If you prefer an understated, causal look, panel shades are another inexpensive option. They are usually made of fabric and can slide open and closed, so they can be used to cover an extremely wide area. The panel shades work well in a space like a shared living room and dining room because you can easily open the room for entertaining by sliding the panels. Like a curtain room divider, you'll need to install a track in the ceiling to hold the panel shades in places. You can find them in a variety of colors and materials, including bamboo.

Line Up Plants

If you're looking for a simple, inexpensive way to visually separate two halves of a room, gather some potted plants or trees together. Use plants that are tall enough to create a strong line of division in the center of the room, and line them up in a row at the point where you want to separate the room. You can use several of the same potted plants or trees for a simple look, or alternate two or three type for a more interesting look.

Tags: partition wall, living room, room divider, visually separate, bedroom shared, dining room, divide room

Repair Ceiling Cracks

Ceiling cracks can be unsightly and annoying. Repairing them is not as difficult as it might seem. Fixing ceiling cracks in either plaster or drywall can easily be done with just a few simple household tools and easy to follow instructions.

Instructions

1. Locate ceiling crack that needs to be repaired. Determine whether the area needing the repair is plaster or sheet rock.

2. Remove any debris that is loose around the section to be repaired. Make sure to wear your safety glasses through all the steps.

3. Purchase 20-minute mud, mud trowel and mud pan from local hardware store.

4. Mix mud and use trowel to put on mud pan.

5. Spread mud over ceiling crack.

6. Allow to dry completely.

7. Sand lightly and texture the ceiling patch area.

8. Paint ceiling with touch up paint or paint the entire ceiling.

Tags: ceiling crack

Gray Bathroom Ideas

Gray can drain the room of energy.

Gray, says Precision Intermedia, "is most associated with...middle-of-the-road, solid things in life." On the other hand, according to the site, "Too much gray leads to feeling mostly nothing," and can even prove depressing. If your bathroom walls and tiles, or even sinks and tub are gray, and you are not prepared to renovate, take heart. You can enliven the space with towels, shower curtains, and window and floor coverings in cherry red, green or blue.

Cherry Accessories

Cherry accessories can add life to gray decor.

Red is a stimulating color, "associated with movement and excitement," reports Precision Intermedia. Cherry red is an especially lively shade that will add vitality and energy to your gray bathroom interior. Shop home stores, discount retailers, and bed and bath establishments to find cherry-red accessories, such as bath mats, tub mats, towels, hand cloths, even soap dishes and toothbrush holders. Ideally, you will find accessories in the same shade, but minor variations in color value will work. As you place your mats and towels, you will notice the energy of the space beginning to rise. The bath might even seem to feel warmer with the simple addition of this vibrant hue.

Green Curtains and Rugs

Green instantly adds a natural feel to a space.

Green symbolizes new life, nature, and harmony, according to Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Nearly any green hue, therefore, can enliven gray decor. Spring green, for example, will add lightness and freshness to your gray bath decor. Forest green, on the other hand, lends a more grounded feel, while still infusing the space with the energy of nature. Kelly green may appeal as an accent or curtain-print color to accompany either of the other shades. Fabric or vinyl curtains for the window or shower will do just fine, but consider the effect of green-tinted glass or crystal beads. Used as window coverings, they will reflect and refract light in the space. As a shower curtain, backed by a standard liner, they can lend fantasy and wonder to your gray bathroom. A green, seagrass-textured shower mat inside the tub, along with a variegated seafoam-green bath rug, can complete the look. Look for glass-bead curtains at specialty retailers or online.

Blue Scheme

Soothing blue can bring a sense of harmony to gray decor.

Blue is a cool, calming, soothing color, says Precision Intermedia. Adding varying blue shades to your gray bath decor can pick up blue undertones in the gray, if any, as well as lend a sense of harmony to the space. One way to add an element of light is to include metallic materials in your shower curtain and window coverings. Consider silver-blue metallic-finish window shades and/or a midnight-blue metallic shower curtain. The interplay of light created by these materials can add visual interest, if not fascination. If metallics are too adventuresome, or tend to overstimulate your young ones, then confine your options to hue. You might try royal blue window and shower curtains, anchored by navy blue bath rugs and towels. Or go for a monochromatic blue stripe or print curtain design and then choose colors from the print--such as royal blue, teal, or cornflower--for rugs and towels. Going even lighter, think about soft, pale blue at windows and shower entrance, with ocean-blue rugs for floors.

Tags: your gray, gray decor, Precision Intermedia, shower curtain, associated with

Decorate A House With High Ceilings

Meet the decorating challenges of high ceilings with a few interior design techniques.

Dramatic and expansive, high ceilings pose decorating dilemmas. A comfortable room relates well to the human figure. Most furniture has a height of 3 to 4 feet, which poses a puzzle when you're deciding where to place art, window treatments and accessories. In order to humanize the expanse of walls in the room with a high ceiling, you must place objects to draw the eye to the lower levels without leaving too much empty space. Window treatments, painting tricks and artwork tie the high ceiling into the lower part of the room to create an inviting space.

Instructions

1. Lower the ceiling optically. Using the entire wall for your décor unites the high ceiling with the lower part of the room. Hanging artwork only in the lower parts of the wall emphasizes the emptiness of the upper portion.

2. Hang custom window treatments to bring the high ceiling closer to the living space by using horizontal and vertical lines. Treatments hung from a high point above the window and draped down toward the sides make an elegant statement.

3. Add molding at the 9-foot height to break up the space, advises interior designer Ragan Corliss. Paint the ceiling and the wall above the molding a deeper hue to visually pull the ceiling down. This look works well in kitchens. You can also use molding to create rectangular frames reminiscent of old Victorian homes.

4. Add an accent color to a single wall such as the one containing the entry to the room or the one featuring the fireplace or another focal point. Corliss suggests adding an accent color to a wall with a large window whose long drapes blend into the rest of the room because they lack a distinguishing hue or texture.

5. Tie the entire room together through accent colors. Accent walls, window treatments, area rugs and throw pillows in the same shade help to bring the high ceilings into scale.

6. Use lighting to emphasize the lower portions of the room. The light directs the eye to the lower levels where furnishings and activities are concentrated.

7. Create a canopy bed in a bedroom with a high ceiling. Your bed doesn't need to be a four-poster bed to accomplish this. A free-hanging canopy that falls from the ceiling can be purchased ready-made, or you can have one made to order for the height of your ceiling. The canopy should reach from ceiling to floor to make this look work.

Tags: high ceiling, high ceilings, accent color, bring high, from ceiling, lower levels, lower part

Clean Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Suspended ceiling tiles are made of mineral fibers.

A suspended ceiling, also known as a drop ceiling, consists of standard ceiling tiles set into a hanging grid system. The separation between the true ceiling and the suspended ceiling offers an esthetically pleasing way to hide wiring, ductwork, pipes and insulation. Made of mineral fibers, standard suspended ceiling panels are fire retardant and treated with a moisture-resistant coating. While most suspended ceiling are virtually maintenance free, a regular cleaning schedule should be in place to keep the ceiling looking its best.

Instructions

1. Dust the suspended ceiling once a month to prevent dust and dirt accumulation. Use a telescopic feather duster or stand on a step stool to reach the suspended ceiling using an ordinary duster.

2. Vacuum the ceiling using a vacuum hose and crevice tool. Vacuuming will remove whatever dusting missed. You will not need to vacuum with every dusting, but plan to do so with at least every other dusting.

3. Wash a stained or splattered ceiling tile using a cellulose sponge, slightly dampened with water. If necessary, push up on the ceiling tile to separate it from its track and remove it for cleaning. Rub the area lightly with the damp sponge.

4. Add a squirt of dish soap if necessary. Wipe away soap residue with a damp cloth, pop the ceiling tile back into its track after cleaning, and allow it to air dry.

5. Examine each tile as you clean. If any of the suspended tiles are overly dirty, stained or broken, replace them.

Tags: suspended ceiling, ceiling tile, ceiling tiles, ceiling using, mineral fibers, suspended ceiling

Get Up There To Paint High Vaulted Ceilings

Set extension ladders directly on the floor instead of on a drop cloth.

You may be intimidated by the task of painting your high vaulted ceiling, envisioning a tower of expensive and bulky scaffolding in your living room. While it's not an easy job, you should be able to paint a very high vaulted ceiling without scaffolding, in most cases. Visit a home supply or paint store and check out the available gadgets that make painting vaulted ceilings easier. You will need ladders to get up there, however. If you don't own tall stepladders or an extension ladder, you can rent them by the day.

Instructions

1. Move as much furniture as possible out of the room before you paint. Cover the remaining furniture with plastic sheeting, and the floors with drop cloths.

2. Use an extension ladder or step ladder to paint the edges of the ceiling with a brush.

3. Purchase a brush extender to paint around beams or light fixtures in the middle of the ceiling that you can't reach with a ladder. Clip the brush onto the extender, and adjust the angle as necessary. Screw the other end of the extender to the end of your extension pole. Stand on the ladder if you can't reach from the ground.

4. Roll the vaulted ceiling using a roller and a long extension pole. Adjustable extension poles are available in lengths up to 16 feet, and you can rent or buy 12 foot stepladders. Using a stepladder in combination with an extension pole will allow you to paint very high ceilings, although it will give your shoulders a work out.

Tags: extension pole, vaulted ceiling, extension ladder, high vaulted, high vaulted ceiling, paint very, paint very high

Faux Metallic Ceilings

A metallic ceiling can lend charm and style to any room, but the cost and work might not be something you are prepared to invest. Instead of installing an actual metal ceiling, fake it with faux metal tile wallpaper and metallic paint. A weekend of papering and painting the ceiling can give you the same striking look for just a fraction of the work and budget required for installing a real metal ceiling.

Instructions

Prepare the Ceiling

1. Lay drop cloths down to protect your floor. Put on a dust mask, eye protection and work gloves. Set up a ladder.

2. Climb the ladder and prepare the ceiling one section at a time. Scrape off any peeling or cracked paint. Fill cracks with joint compound. Sand the ceiling smooth. Vacuum the ceiling and wipe it with a damp rag and a bleach-based spray cleaner.

3. Apply an acrylic primer/sealer to the ceiling with a paint roller and allow it to dry for 24 hours.

4. Brush a thin layer of wallpaper paste all over the ceiling and allow it to dry. This will help with adhesion when you try to hang the paper.

5. Determine which way you want the strips of wallpaper to run along the ceiling. Set out some milk crates with the open side facing down under the length of ceiling where the first strip will go. Lay a piece of plywood or a wide board over the milk crates to create a walkway to help you reach the ceiling.

6. Go to the corner of the room in which you want to start hanging your first strip. Measure 20 inches from the edge of the ceiling wall to which the first piece of paper will run parallel. Have a friend hold one end of a chalk line exactly 20 inches from the edge, then go to the other end of the room and hold the other end of the chalk line. Snap the chalk line to create a straight guide line for the first piece.

Papering and Painting the Ceiling

7. Measure the length and width of the ceiling and multiply it to determine the square footage. Add about 10 percent to allow for excess and purchase enough rolls to cover the square footage you have.

8. Set up a long table. Roll out and cut the first length of wallpaper so it's long enough to extend the length of the wall, plus 3 inches for overlap. Lay the piece face-down on the worktable.

9. Brush a generous, even layer of wallpaper paste on the back of the piece of wallpaper. Allow the adhesive to set for about 10 minutes.

10. Fold the wallpaper by folding back one short edge, pasted side to pasted side, to the center of the piece. Fold back the opposite edge the same way to meet in the middle. Bring the paper and step up on the walkway.

11. Unfold one edge and paste it to the wall, allowing for about an inch of overhang. Line up one edge to the chalk line and allow the other edge to overlap the corner where the ceiling meets the wall.

12. Smooth it with a wallpaper brush, being careful not to crush the texture in the paper. Continue pressing it and smoothing it onto the ceiling as you walk across the room on the walkway. When you reach the center, unfold the opposite side and work your way to the wall at the other end of the room. Make sure the seam is straight, using the chalk line as a guide.

13. Cut the next piece, lining up the pattern. Hang it the same way, lining up the seams. Continue until you cover the ceiling, moving your walkway over each time as necessary.

14. Trim overhang with a utility knife. Hold a trim guard against the edges to get a straight cut. Let the paper dry for at least 24 hours.

15. Paint the ceiling paper with a metallic paint of your choice. Add a second coat, if necessary.

Tags: chalk line, first piece, first strip, from edge, inches from, inches from edge, layer wallpaper

Cover & Decorate Wood Paneling With Fabric

Cover up old wood paneling with decorative fabric

Covering wood-paneled walls with fabric provides an instant style update. Even renters can use the technique, as the fabric is easy to remove and the adhesive does not damage walls.

If you want a design that is more suitable for long-time use and a little fancier, try upholstered panels, or even upholstered panels with tufting.

Instructions

Fabric application process for renters and others who prefer an easy-to-remove design

1. Wash the walls to ensure a clean surface. Use mild soap and water, or a product suitable for wood paneling. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly.

2. Select a fabric for your walls. Renters may want to choose a light-weight fabric as it will take less adhesive to adhere to the wall. Using less adhesive will allow for easier, and faster, removal.

3. Spray the back of the material with starch and apply it to the walls as you would wallpaper, smoothing it out as you go to remove any wrinkles. Attach Velcro strips along the wall where it meets the ceiling, and to the top edge of the back of the material.

If necessary, use Velcro along the sides of the material.

Permanent Wall Upholstery

4. Paint the bottom half of the wall. Separate the top and bottom areas of the wall with a strip of wood to create a chair rail.

5. Choose a heavier fabric, something that has the thickness of conventional wallpaper. Try to select a fabric that can be wiped down with a wet cloth for easy cleaning.

6. Spread a thin layer of wallpaper paste on the wall before applying the fabric. Apply fabric, smoothing wrinkles as necessary.

Tufting Wall Upholstery

7. Choose a heavy-weight decorative fabric that can be wiped down with a wet cloth. Have plywood squares cut to cover the wall that you are upholstering.

8. Wrap each plywood square in batting material to the desired thickness before attaching fabric. Wrap batting-covered squares with decorative material. Staple the fabric's edges to the back of the plywood square. For a more tufted look, wrap the corners tightly while leaving the sides a little more loose to allow the batting to puff them up.

9. Screw the upholstered panels into the wall. Position screw in center of fabric-covered panel and screw into wall. Cover screw with a fabric-covered button. Use fabric glue to attach button.

Tags: upholstered panels, back material, decorative fabric, down with, down with cloth

Decorating Ideas For Breakfast Nooks

Breakfast nooks are sometimes built in.

A breakfast nook is a small, casual dining area in or near the kitchen. It is more formal than a kitchen island or snack bar but less so than your dining room. It provides an intimate space for family members to catch up over a meal, a spot to do homework and menu-planning or just relax with a second cup of coffee and the newspaper.

Walls

If your breakfast nook is on the small side, consider painting the walls white or a pastel shade to make it appear larger. A color the same or a shade lighter than the rest of the kitchen adds flow, drawing the eye from one space to the next. A larger room lends itself to more definition. If your kitchen walls are painted, clad the walls in the breakfast nook with beadboard paneling painted a couple of shades darker than the rest of the kitchen. The breakfast nook will stand out while still retaining its cozy nature. Trim the space with bright white molding for even more definition.

Ceilings

If your breakfast nook features high ceilings, cozy it up by painting them a darker shade than the walls to visually lower them. How you finish the ceiling depends on the decorating style of the rest of the home. If the d cor is rustic, consider adding beams or cladding the ceiling with beadboard. Adding crown molding to a plain plastered ceiling gives the room a traditional flair, while covering it with tin panels evokes a Victorian-style home.

Ceiling Decor Ideas

Fabric draped ceiling for a party

Don't neglect the ceiling in your decorating plans. You may think nobody looks up there, but maybe that's because there is nothing to see. The right ceiling color and decor can make your room seem larger, or make it seem cozier. It can be original and creative, colorful and inspiring. For receptions and parties, it can be elegant and festive. Here are some hot new trends in ceiling decor.

Ceiling Decor Ideas with Paint

Paint your ceiling the same color as your walls, and you will make the room seem smaller and cozier. Painting the ceiling in the same color family but in a lighter shade will enlarge and brighten the room. If your ceilings are average or low in height, use a tint of the wall paint for a unified look. Your ceiling is really the fifth wall, and you want it to enhance your room and look interesting. If your ceiling is heavily textured, you might have to leave it white; otherwise,color is the way to go.

Painting a beamed and paneled ceiling can be striking. Paint the panels in semigloss pastel, and then paint the beams in a contrasting, coordinated color. Stenciling is an attractive form of painting, too, with a wide selection of designs. You can combine scrolls and curlicues stenciled in the corners and center of your ceiling for a flowing, artistic look. You can pattern your ceiling in stripes, or paint circles in different colors for a whimsical look. A trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) ceiling can be painted to look like the night sky or even the inside of a carousel.

Ceiling Decor Ideas with Murals

Ceiling murals create very dramatic and evocative ceilings. How about a blue sky with puffy white clouds for the baby's room? Or cherubs flying around the ceiling? Even a delicate floral wreath on a circular mural above your chandelier can change the look of your room. There are murals available in every scene imaginable to make your ceiling the talk of your guests.

Ceiling Decor: Lights, Fabric and Medallions

Recessed lighting can give your room new sophistication, while pendant lights add contemporary flair. There are many more things you can add to your ceiling, including texture, fabric and tiles. Fabric ceilings can hide a world of faults, pipes or insulation, giving a festive or even bohemian look. For a more formal look, ceiling medallions are very elegant. Place one above your chandelier for an expensive custom look. For your Victorian home, a tin ceiling made of buffed tin tiles will add a period feel. However you decorate your ceilings, not make them so beautiful you'll want to spend time looking up at them.

Tags: your ceiling, your room, Ceiling Decor, Ceiling Decor Ideas, Decor Ideas, above your, above your chandelier

Transform A Bathroom Into A Spa

Transform a Bathroom Into a Spa

Wouldn't it be wonderful to relax in a spa every day or when the mood hits? However, who has the time or money to go to a spa everyday? Well, you can now by transforming your bathroom at home into your personal spa. Create your own exclusive retreat to escape from the stress of your day.

Instructions

1. Change the color of your bathroom walls to a more calming and soothing color. Pastel colors, pale colors and cool colors give a calming effect.

2. Connect a dimmer light control switch to your bathroom lights. Dimmer light controls save energy and add a relaxed atmosphere for your spa bathroom retreat.

3. Place sculptured micro fiber bath rugs on your bathroom floor.

4. Place aromatherapy candles on your bathroom counter and tub. Put the candles on stone or glass candle holders. For the candles that will be sitting on your bathroom counter, place a silk cluster of soft colored flowers between the candles.

5. Replace your towels with soft, high-quality cotton towels or cotton Egyptian towels that match the color of your bathroom floor rugs. Purchase a small-decorated basket and place several cotton hand towels inside the basket. For a hit of color, sprinkle red satin rose petals on the towels. Place the basket on your bathroom counter.

6. Place a mixture of scented soaps, oils, pumice brushes, eye mask, bath pillows, face and foot scrubs inside a wicker basket and place the basket on your bathroom counter. If you do not have enough counter space, place the basket on your toilet tank cover or purchase a small round table, drape a small tablecloth on it and place the basket on top.

Tags: your bathroom, bathroom counter, your bathroom counter, basket your, place basket, basket place

Decorating Ideas To Hide Flaws In Crown Molding

Use a little ingenuity to disguise or even repair molding flaws.

Crown molding adds elegance and a finished look to a room, bridging the gap between the walls and ceiling with decorative strips of wood, plaster or synthetic material. Although the purposes of molding are to bring the ceiling and wall together and to hide imperfections, sometimes the molding itself has flaws that should be disguised. With a step-ladder and a little ingenuity, only you will be the wiser about your molding's irregularities.

Caulk and Wood Putty

Acrylic caulk fills spaces between molding and walls.

A small tube of acrylic caulk or a container of wood putty, both available at home improvement centers, fix gaps in molding so you don't have to hide them. Squeeze acrylic caulk into gaps between molding and ceiling or walls. Remove the excess with an old credit card or a damp rag. Repair gaps between strips of molding and corners that don't fit together correctly. It may not be perfect up close, but from the floor level no one will ever notice. If gaps are serious, fill them with wood putty. Use your finger to push the putty into the space and pack it well. Once dry, paint it to match the molding. If your problem is nail holes, try filling them with spackling compound, also found in hardware stores. Spackling doesn't shrink like caulk can, according to the Extreme How-To website.

Decorative Corner Fillers

Corners are often the least attractive part of a crown molding installation, and the most likely to have flaws. Uneven walls and ceilings make it difficult for pieces to match perfectly, even for professionals. Make your corners match and create a custom look by installing prefabricated, decorative corner blocks. Blocks are available for inner and outer corners and are designed to coordinate, rather than match, the molding. In fact, they are meant to stand out.

Dark Paint

As fashion designers have known for ages, black hides a multitude of imperfections. Paint your crown molding black or another dark color, and any flaws will be nearly impossible to notice, as seen at Better Homes and Gardens' website. If the walls are light, the impact is greater. You'll notice the color, but not the flaws. Glossy paint is more reflective, so choose a paint with a little less shine if you need to hide serious flaws.

Picture Molding/Rail

Picture molding was commonly used in the Victorian era as a way to hang art without damaging plaster walls. Narrower than crown molding, it is installed just below it. Consider adding picture molding to your walls to draw the eye away from flawed crown. Hang picture rail hardware from the picture molding, attach long cords or chains to your pictures and hang the pictures from the hardware. This will pull focus from the crown down the wall to the hanging pictures.

Tags: acrylic caulk, between molding, color flaws, crown molding, gaps between, little ingenuity

Black & White Country Bathroom Ideas

A claw-foot bathtub instantly evokes a country atmosphere.

A country bathroom should feel light and airy. It should have touches of nature and of gently-weathered antiques. A black-and-white country bathroom can create an atmosphere of peaceful simplicity. The bathroom is generally more aesthetically pleasing when it is primarily white with black accents, rather than the other way around. You can create visual interest, even with this simple palette, by combining different textures.

Floors and Walls

Your bathroom floors and walls form a backdrop for the room. Make them all white or include black accents. Floor choices include white tile, black-and-white tile and white-painted wood floors. For an accent rug, use a simple white cloth bathmat with black trim. Walls can be painted white or covered with black-and-white wallpaper. Look for white floral designs on a black background or black sketches of pastoral scenes on a white background.

Curtains

Use fabric, rather than plastic, curtains on the bathtub and windows to give your bathroom a natural feeling. Buy curtains or make your own. White lace curtains on the window add a classic country look. Shower curtains can be a simple pure white or a black-and-white print. Black-and-white gingham print works well on the tub, window or both. Add fabric to the room by making a skirt to cover pipes and stored items under the sink.

Fixtures and Furniture

For the ultimate old-country look, get a vintage claw-foot bathtub. Leave it white, paint the outside solid black or paint black stenciled flower designs on the surface of the tub. Replace existing sink knobs with antique porcelain ones. Repurpose free-standing wooden cabinets or chests of drawers to use as storage for towels and toiletries. Paint them white with a faux-antique finish. If you have room for a chair, paint a wooden chair white and top it with lacy white pillows.

Accents

Hang black-and-white photographs or drawings of flowers or country landscapes and use a dark-wood or black frame and black mats. Place fresh white flowers in white or black-and-white ceramic vases or in clear glass vases. Repurpose white bowls, cups and small pitchers to hold soap, toothbrushes and other toiletries. Add lamps with white fabric shades. Soften the black-and-white look with a few touches of pink, unpainted wicker or metallic picture frames and light fixtures.

Tags: white with, black accents, claw-foot bathtub, country bathroom, rather than

Design A Spa Style Bathroom

Create a spa lifestyle in an ordinary bathroom to escape stress, promote personal physical health and refresh your mind. A spa style bathroom can fit family budgets since leading drugstores carry most necessary items. Adding tubs with water jets can be an item to save for and purchase later. Couples can use a spa style bathroom to promote intimacy or an individual can escape to a sanctuary. Control clutter using existing or added shelving to store favorite items.

Instructions

Transforming the Bathroom

1. Create space on at least one existing bathroom shelf, and remove clutter to store items for the spa experience. Optionally, purchase a baker's rack to organize the items for an easy-to-use experience. Use clear canning jars or metal canisters with labels to easily identify items. Paint walls with coordinating warm tones.

2. Select specific locations for candles,a robe, and a safely stored CD player or wired-in music during a bath. Placing each item prior to use creates a pleasant atmosphere and a reminder of their purpose. Hang poetic or religious verses for positive meditative qualities.

3. Include lotions that absorb easily in the skin, such as a cucumber and melon body lotion; massage lotion that can double as aromatherapy, like a vanilla-black currant oil; and an eye mask or sleep mask. A thick, comfortable robe soothes after the bath.

4. Melodies--whether classical, jazz fusion, or relaxation CD--allow your mind to rest. Use a padded CD folder to store safely on a shelf away from direct moisture. Install soft glowing light bulbs to create mood lighting.

5. Deep tissue massagers can relax muscles after a warm bath or shower. Use a small stool or wire chair bought at second-hand stores for sitting outside the tub or shower.

Bathtub and Shower Accessories

6. Use an inflatable pillow to make soaking in a regular, standard bathtub more appealing. Hang towel racks closer to the sitting position to access washcloths or blindfolds. Install sturdy handles and non-slip decals to move safely in and out of the tub.

7. Install a low flow, rotating shower head available at local hardware stores for options on spray. Purchase shower caddies to organize lotions and shampoo. Install a movable shower hose with head and stool to offer a sit-down option.

8. Install a water jet bathtub for a relaxing experience. Most fit a regular-size tub space. Attach a small shelf next to the existing tub or new tub to hold candles or drinks, such as herbal tea.

9. Leading spa manufacturers such as CalSpas now distribute portable spas for two people weighing less than 250 pounds. The iSpa has 18 jets for an optional spa experience at home.

Tags: style bathroom, your mind

Design A Small 5x8 Bathroom

Using light-colored and clear fixtures can help make a small bathroom feel spacious.

While designing any kind of residential space will pose challenges, designing a small bathroom is particularly demanding because of the need to balance aesthetics and multiple functions within tight spatial constraints. Whether you are designing a small 5-by-8 bathroom from the studs up or just looking for interior design ideas, you can optimize color, materials and utility placement in order to make the bathroom feel as roomy as possible.

Instructions

1. Draw a representation of the bathroom to scale on graph paper, including any immovable elements already in place. For example, if you are designing the lights, accents and general decor of the bathroom but the sink, toilet and shower are already in place, draw them in in the correct location. You may need to make more than one drawing to achieve a complete representation.

2. Make a list next to the drawing of all the different things you need to remember to include or consider when designing the bathroom. This will help ensure you don't overlook anything. For example, if you are redesigning a gutted bathroom, you may need to install a new ventilation system. If you are decorating, remember things like a spot to stash the kids' bath toys and a place to store dangerous cleaning chemicals out of the reach of young hands. Efficient use of space is eminently important in a small bathroom.

3. Sketch the placement for each of the major elements on your list. If you are trying to figure out where to place items like a shower, a sink, or a set of shelves, draw and cut out scale representations of them from another sheet of graph paper. This way, you can move them around the drawing of the bathroom, trying out multiple ways of fitting them into the room.

4. Decide on a color scheme that will make the small bathroom seem bigger -- or at least not make it seem smaller. Avoid dark colors, especially on the ceiling, as those make the walls seem closer, the room cramped. Instead, select a monochromatic scheme like all white or all yellow with slashes of a light, complementary color. Or cultivate an airy, spa-like look for the little room with natural stone tile and wood and glass furnishings.

Tags: small bathroom, already place, bathroom feel, designing small, graph paper

Clean Mildew From Stucco

Clean stucco surfaces carefully.

Stucco is a composite cladding material made from Portland cement, sand, lime and water. Often used for building exteriors, it can be a durable, attractive surface. Stucco is porous and has lots of crevices where mildew can grow if there's too much humidity and a lack of light and air circulation. Clean stucco exteriors, but don't forget to address the conditions that allow mildew to develop.

Instructions

1. Remove any yard furniture from the immediate area. Spread a plastic tarp over plants and shrubs near the stucco wall.

2. Attach a jet nozzle to the garden hose. Wet the stucco wall, working from the bottom to the top, standing several feet from the wall. Wetting from the bottom will prevent dirt from washing down and absorbing into dry stucco as it runs off.

3. Attach a garden sprayer attachment to the hose. Put on safety glasses. Fill the sprayer with household bleach. Spray a wide-angled spray on the mildewed stucco and let it sit for 15 minutes.

4. Remove the sprayer and reattach the jet attachment. Spray a rinse of water to remove remaining mold and residue from the stucco, working from the top to the bottom.

5. Prune back surrounding vegetation that may be keeping air and light from reaching the stucco surface. Plenty of sun and free air movement are the best ways to prevent mold and mildew from returning.

Tags: from bottom, Clean stucco, stucco wall, working from, working from bottom

A Ceiling Fan Light With A Kit

Add a light kit and change the look of your fan.

A good thing about ceiling fans is that they work with or without light kits. You have the ability to make the choice whether or not your ceiling fan is also the main lighting in your room. You can add a ceiling fan light with a kit without removing the fan from the ceiling. You can change the look of your ceiling fan and your room with the addition of the light kit. Your ceiling fan is equipped to hold a light kit, so you might as well add one.

Instructions

1. Turn the electrical power off to the ceiling fan by shutting off the breaker in the main electrical panel.

2. Remove the light kit wire housing cover. This part is directly below the ceiling fan blades and is designed to hold a light kit. Remove the screws that are holding it in place and set the screws aside.

3. Assemble your ceiling fan light kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Attach your light kit to the light kit wire housing cover. Remove the knock-out plug from the very bottom of the wire housing cover; it pops out with a small amount of force. Thread the light kit wires through the knock-out opening. The light kit will either screw onto the light kit wire housing cover with a nipple at the top of the light kit, or the nipple will slip through the knock-out opening and a nut will screw onto the nipple to secure it in place. The nipple is a short piece of hollow pipe that is threaded on the exterior. The nipple is often used in lighting to allow wires to thread from one part of a lighting fixture to another and allows for two or more pieces of a fixture be secured together without the wires hindering the connections.

5. Wire the light kit to the ceiling fan. The light kit will have two wires attached to it, a black and a white. Locate the two wires for the light kit connection inside the light kit wire housing at the bottom of the ceiling fan. The light kit connection wires will be labeled for a light kit and while one will be white, the other wire could be black, black with a white stripe or even blue; this is all determined by who manufactured the ceiling fan. Connect the white wire from the ceiling fan to the white wire on the light kit by twisting an orange wire nut onto both the wires. Connect the black wire from the light kit to the other wire labeled for the light kit from the ceiling fan and twist an orange wire nut onto the wires to connect them.

6. Attach the ceiling fan light kit to the ceiling fan. The light kit wire housing cover will reattach with the screws you removed in Step 2.

7. Verify that the light kit is wire is connected to the power supply wire in the ceiling fan electrical box. Remove the ceiling fan canopy from the hanger bracket on the ceiling. Check to see if the wire that is labeled for the light is connected with the power supply from the electrical box and the black wire connected to the ceiling fan motor. If these wires are connected, replace the canopy. If the wire for the light is not connected with the other two wires, simply remove the wire nut that is holding the two wires together and add the lighting wire to them by twisting the wire nut back onto the three wires. Replace the canopy.

8. Turn the electrical power on to the ceiling fan by turning on the breaker in the main electrical panel.

Tags: light wire, wire housing, housing cover, light wire housing, wire housing cover, ceiling light