Decorate A Ceiling In A Small Kitchen

Painting and decorating a small kitchen confounds many do-it-yourself decorators. However, painting and decorating a small kitchen ceiling can draw the eye upward and outward, giving the illusion of openness and volume. Your kitchen ceiling decor may also feature useful pieces that increase the room's functionality without sacrificing its style.

Instructions

1. Clean and streamline your kitchen. You can use a gentle household cleaner on the ceiling and scrub it with a mop or a scrubber on a long handle, or climb a ladder and scour it with lint-free rags. For built-up grease and grime, add one part white vinegar to one part warm water. Remove clutter from the top of cabinets to make the area around the kitchen ceiling look more open.

2. Paint small kitchen ceilings with hues that camouflage design flaws and make the ceiling appear larger. A crisp white with a blue undertone on the ceiling and architectural elements in the room, such as wall posts, ceiling beams, window frames and door frames gives the room volume. If you prefer color, select a monochromatic decor scheme, or use shades of similar intensities. New neutrals such as faded cornflower, pale yellow or blue-based gray also work well ion a small kitchen ceiling.

3. Create storage that suspends from the kitchen ceiling. Rather than fill a kitchen with top-heavy cabinetry, consider mixing up the look by hanging a metal chain from your small kitchen ceiling. Attach S-hooks to the chain and hang pots, skillets, strainers and other implements from it.

4. Consider different styles of lighting. Recessed lighting keeps a small kitchen ceiling looking sleek and streamlined. Pendant lights add sculptural interest to the room while consuming only a small amount of kitchen ceiling space. Track lighting has an industrial or contemporary look that blends well with white, black and metal finishes. Avoid larger or busier lighting fixtures such as chandeliers or fluorescent light panels, which can bog down the decor in a small kitchen.

Tags: kitchen ceiling, small kitchen, small kitchen ceiling, decorating small, decorating small kitchen

Install Suspended Lath & Plaster Ceilings

This is an example of a very transparent suspended ceiling.

Ceilings are the most overlooked feature of any room. Suspended ceilings, on the other hand, provide an opportunity to make a ceiling more noticeable. This is accomplished by making it more dramatic with appealing, unique features. These ceilings are installed on a suspended grid at a level somewhere between the actual roof framing and at some point above the floor. They are made up of panels which can be painted or otherwise enhanced to make them a more noticeable, aesthetic part of any room. Installing these lath and plaster ceilings is a multiphase task.

Instructions

1. Gather the suspension system components for the ceiling. Choose the plaster base panels. Look for fire-resistant, gypsum core with liner paper on the backside. Select the 1/2 inch, 3/8 inch or 5/8 inch thickness. Use the pre-measured ceiling area to determine panel size, and use panel size to calculate how many panels you will need.

2. Suspended ceilings can be canvasses for unusual lighting and other decoration.

Use the same area calculation to know how much mesh framing material to purchase. Include double V joint, casing, corner bead, rolled channel, perforated L runner and both sizes of furring clips. Sketch out the suspended ceiling area, if it will help with your calculations.

3. Select the basecoat plaster. This is probably the most important part of producing a quality ceiling finish, so choose carefully. Consider the properties of a standard plaster to which you add the sand when mixing on site versus a light weight plaster with the aggregate already added to which you add only water at the site. Each is suitable depending upon the preferred method of application and the desired finish.

4. Medallions of various shapes and sizes are often used to enhance suspended ceilings.

Choose the finish plaster next. Decide if you want a quick set or slow set type, and whether you need a gauging type or moulding type based on whether or not you plan to add ceiling ornaments. Get the moulding type if you want to cast ceiling medallions and other features.

5. Use the L runner and CR channel stud to construct the framing into which the metal lath and plaster will be installed. Use the ceiling area calculations you did earlier to lay out this framing. Attach the framing to the ceiling joists in accordance with ASTM, American Society for Testing and Materials, C841 standards and codes.

6. Suspended ceilings are plastered much in the same way walls are plastered.

Apply the first coat of plaster onto the installed metal lath using a trowel. Use firm, steady pressure to establish a bond with the plaster and the lath. Go back over the first coat immediately and build the sufficient base coat thickness. Leave the base coat rough and porous to give the finish coat solid adherence to the base.

7. Give the base coat time to get set but not completely dry. The finish coat will go on much better if the surface is still damp, but not too wet. Use a trowel to apply the finish coat to the finish coat in long sweeping motions just like you applied the base coat.

Tags: base coat, finish coat, ceiling area, Suspended ceilings, first coat, inch inch

Clean An Antique Light Fixture

Cleaning an antique light fixture is slightly tricky--you want to remove the dust and accumulated grime from the lamp, but you don't want to eliminate the fixture's patina. The patina is the layer corrosion or oxidation that appears with age and which, to some, adds value to the antique. By employing a great deal of care, and by using non-abrasive cleaning agents, you can remove the unwanted elements marring your antique light fixture.

Instructions

1. Turn off and unplug the light fixture. Plug in a hair dryer and turn it on low and set it to blow cool air. Allow the hair dryer to gently blow the dust and dirt off the fixture.

2. Rub the light fixture with a soft cloth. Get in the corners and in between any carvings or designs in the metal.

3. Mix the baking soda with enough water so that it forms a paste. Be careful: you want it to be thick and not soupy.

4. Dip a toothbrush into the paste and rub it gently around the surface area of the lamp. You may need to spend extra time and attention on heavily stained or soiled areas.

5. Rinse the fixture by using a very damp cloth to wipe off all the baking soda residue. You may need to do this twice. Allow it to air dry or dab it with a soft cloth.

Tags: light fixture, antique light, antique light fixture, baking soda, hair dryer, soft cloth, with soft

Design Ideas For Bathroom Wall Colors

White and off-white can make a bathroom seem more like a spa.

The bathroom can be more than just a utilitarian space inside your home. Instead, the bathroom can be a sanctuary, an escape from the rest of the house, where you can reach a state of repose. The bathroom's design has a direct effect on how well the bathroom does that, starting with the color of the walls. The wall color of the bathroom truly acts as a foundational element for the room's design.

Stripes

Painting stripes on the walls of your bathroom is a smart move as it not only makes the room look taller and thus more spacious, but it also makes the room look more elegant. Cream-colored stripes are evocative of vintage luxury hotels, giving you the feeling that you're practically on vacation every time you step into your bathroom. Alternatively, blue-and-white or even green-and-white stripes will give the bathroom a nautical feel, yet in a classic, timeless manner, giving you a proper foundation for the rest of the bathroom decor.

Blue

Blue is a common and classic color for the bathroom as it sets a cool yet soothing tone for the room. Blue is strongly suggestive of the ocean and the sky, and using blue on the walls brings a great deal of the outdoors into your interior. Blue walls work well with a variety of decor schemes: modern and minimalistic, cozy country style, or old fashioned elegance. Blue also comes in a variety of hues suitable for a range of decor styles. For example, choose from aquamarine, turquoise, azure, navy, cerulean, robin's egg and other colors.

White or Off-White

White and shades of off-white are practically foolproof colors for a bathroom. They give the room a strong sense of cleanliness, purity and brightness. Such colors make your bathroom feel more like a spa, making it a treat to use this room in your house. White and off-white also work with a range of design schemes, leaving your decorating style bounded by nothing.

Tags: your bathroom, color bathroom, into your, makes room, makes room look

Types Of Decorative Ceilings

Wood panels give high ceilings a more cozy feel.

Homeowners often ignore and neglect their ceilings. Ceilings are taken for granted while the walls and floors receive all the attention, but you don't have to ignore yours any more. Whether you are remodeling an existing room, or you want to add your personal style to new construction, you have many designs, types and decorative finishes to chose from when selecting a ceiling for your room.

Raised

Raised ceilings, also called vaulted ceilings, include cathedral, tray and cove. A cathedral ceiling rises to a point in the center of the room. It can be a funnel or dome shape and has a formal appearance. A tray ceiling is a stair-stepped raised ceiling that may have one or more risers, but the main portion of the ceiling is straight and flat. A tray ceiling adds formality and offers the appearance of added size to the room. A cove ceiling is similar to a cathedral ceiling in that it gradually rises to a higher point in the center, but a cove ceiling has curved, concave sides that slope down.

Paneled

Panels are the easiest way to decorate a plain ceiling because you can install panels over an existing ceiling. Ceiling panels include wood, tin and copper. Installers glue, nail or screw the square or rectangle panels in place to cover the ceiling. Paneled ceilings offer drama to the room, making the ceiling an interesting focal point of the room.

Tiled

Like panels, tiles cover an existing ceiling, but they are often more difficult to install than panels. Ceiling tiles include acoustic and decorative tiles made from materials ranging from plastic to stucco. Homeowners often use ceiling tiles for drop-ceiling designs. In a drop-ceiling, the installer hangs a wire grid and then inserts the tiles into the grid. These removable tiles allow future workers to access and remove the ceiling without damaging it.

Stucco

Stucco is the most versatile ceiling decoration with popular patterns that include popcorn, knock-down, float and skip trowel. Many homeowners and contractors create their own designs with stucco through trial-and-error with stunning effects.

Coffered

A coffered ceiling is a "box" type of ceiling. Decorative moldings create a grid pattern on the ceiling that results in the appearance of a series of boxes covering the ceiling. Coffered ceilings are formal or informal based on the type of moldings used to create the boxes, and they are more effective on lower ceilings where the design is easier to see.

Tags: ceiling that, cathedral ceiling, cove ceiling, existing ceiling, Homeowners often, point center, tray ceiling

What Kind Of Wood Can Be Used On A Commercial Ceiling

A wide variety of wood ceilings come ready to install.

Wood ceilings offer warmth to a commercial building. They come in a wide variety of finishes. They come in tiles that can be placed in existing ceiling systems or tongue-and-groove systems that can be locked into place for a seamless look. Perforated wood can be used for better acoustics. A wide variety of environmentally-friendly composite wood ceilings systems are now available.

Plywood

Hardwood plywood is the traditional wood to use in commercial ceilings. Sound-reducing plywood ceiling panels are available from Boral Plywood in Australia. Decorative plywood ceiling panels made by Mister Ply and Wood, also in Australia, come in either knotty or clear plywood. In America, home and building suppliers such as The Home Depot and Lowe's sell a wide variety of hardwood plywood suitable for commercial ceilings.

Composite Wood

Many commercial establishments that want to advertise themselves as environmentally friendly will want their buildings to conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council. The Forest Steward Council (FSC) works with this program to rate wood systems for their environmental sustainability. Armstrong's WoodWorks line of wood ceilings is the first to use FSC-certified, Class A fire rated wood with no-added formaldehyde and 92 percent pre-consumer recycled content. The composite wood comes in a variety of veneers for both standard and custom systems. Hunter Douglas also has a very large variety of laminate wood ceiling systems that have been rated highly for sustainability. Businesses using this option have many choices in both appearance and cost.

Bamboo

Bamboo has become popular as an exotic and hypo-allergenic material. It has a very warm and natural look to it. It is also a rapidly renewable grass, making it an environmentally-friendly wood. Vertically grained panels are offered by Armstrong in natural or patina finishes.

Red-I Joists

For your ceiling structure, you will need strong wood joists. Produced by Red-Built, the Red-I Joist is a wood joist engineered for building commercial floors, ceilings, and roofs. They are strong, lightweight, and come in lengths up to 80 feet. They resist twisting, bowing, and shrinking. Using these joists will give the building points toward LEED certification.

Tags: wide variety, ceiling panels, ceiling systems, commercial ceilings, plywood ceiling, plywood ceiling panels, systems that

Ideas For Replacing Your Ceiling

A ceiling is one of those things that you usually don't notice unless something is wrong with it. When it comes time to replace an old ceiling, whether because of damage or simply because you want to try something different, you'll have many options, some of which you can do yourself. You should take into account the expense, the amount of work and the existing decor of the house when deciding. Not all of these options require you to rip out the old ceiling, so don't do that until you're clear on whether it's necessary.

Wood Planks

A wood-plank ceiling gives rooms a solid Old World look. Wood ceiling kits are designed to link together via tongue-and-groove fittings on the sides of the boards, like a wood floor. You cut them to size and nail them to the ceiling with a trim nailer, starting at one end of the ceiling and working your way across. The planks have to attach directly to ceiling joists, which means they have to run in a direction perpendicular to the joists so they cross them. If the ceiling isn't stripped to the joists, use an electronic stud-finder to locate and mark all the joists.

Drop Ceilings

A suspended ``drop'' ceiling is a good option if your existing ceiling is at least 8 feet high (since you don't want your new ceiling to be less than 7-1/2 feet high) and the home decor is relatively modern, so it won't look out of place. The big advantage to a drop ceiling is that it simply hides whatever was going on with your original ceiling, meaning you don't have to rip it out, fix it up or do anything else to prepare. Most modern drop-ceiling kits use an aluminum grid system that you put together and attach to the wall, with wire supports up to the original ceiling. Then it's just a matter of popping in the premade ceiling panels.

Textured Paint or Stucco

The simplest way to transform your wavy, cracked or patched ceiling is to cover it with a rough enough textured paint to hide its imperfections. Textured paint is like regular paint, except it has heavy sand or other particulates in it, so that when you roll it on, it takes on a stony, rough look. Stucco is the same general idea, except it's closer to a type of cement, and is applied with a trowel rather than a roller. You use the trowel used to leave lines and ridges in the stucco, giving the ceiling a dramatic texture.

Tags: ceiling that, feet high, original ceiling, them ceiling

Install An Electrical Box Thanger

Light fixtures installed in grid ceilings require extra support to be properly secured.

Suspended or drop ceilings are among the types of ceilings you will encounter while performing electrical tasks, such as installing a ceiling light fixture. These types of ceilings require a bracket for light installation because there are no solid structures in the ceiling available for mounting the electrical box, except for the grid itself. If you find yourself dealing with this type of ceiling, you can install the electrical box with a T-bar hanger.

Instructions

1. Measure the area where you want the light to set in the grid. Transfer these measurements to the ceiling tile. Hold the mounting box face down in the correct position on the tile, and trace the perimeter of the box. With a sheetrock saw, cut out the hole for the box. Set the tile aside.

2. Attach the mounting clip to the T-bar hanger. With the ends of the hanger facing down, place the mounting clip, open end first, over the hanger. Apply downward pressure on the clip until it snaps into place.

3. Attach the T-bar hanger to the mounting box. Hold the hanger over the top of the mounting box, aligning the screw hole in the mounting bracket with the screw hole in the box. Insert the supplied screw through the inside of the box into the mounting clip. Tighten the screw.

4. Place the ceiling tile in the appropriate grid location in the ceiling.

5. Hold both ends of the T-bar hanger over the ceiling grid above the ceiling tile. Align the box with the hole you cut in Step 1. Apply pressure, one end at a time, to the ends of the T-bar hanger until it snaps into place over the grid.

6. Attach a wire cable to both ends of the T-bar hanger. Secure the opposite end of the wire cable to a solid support above the ceiling grid. This provides the T-bar hanger with added strength to hold a light fixture in place.

Tags: T-bar hanger, ceiling tile, ends T-bar, ends T-bar hanger, mounting clip

How Low To Hang A Chandelier

Whether they're crystal, brass, contemporary or Victorian, chandeliers are a dramatic statement in dining rooms, living rooms and hallways. Deciding how low a chandelier should be hung is a matter of both practicality and individual taste. Considerations include the location of the chandelier, its size and the size of the room and the object underneath it.

Where Will the Chandelier Hang?

Decorate A Bedroom With High Ceilings

Don't let tall ceilings keep you from enjoying your bedroom.

A bedroom should be a cozy refuge from the stresses of the world, rather than a sweeping space that makes you feel open and unprotected. If your bedroom has high ceilings and a large floor plan, employ a few tricks with color, texture and design to make the ceiling appear lower and more manageable. If your bedroom has high ceilings but lacks floor space, consider building a loft bed to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Instructions

1. Paint your room with varying shades of warm colors, such as orange, yellow, brown and red, to create the illusion that the walls are coming toward you, rather than moving further away. Warm colors make a room feel cozy and intimate rather than cold and spacious, regardless of ceiling height. Paint the ceiling a darker color than the walls, to create the illusion that the ceiling is lower than it actually is.

2. Choose a bedroom set with a high headboard, as low furniture will call unwanted attention toward your room's high ceilings. The eye will be drawn upward, but not toward the full height of the room. High backed chairs, a high desk and a tall wardrobe will produce similar effects. Consider installing a bed canopy as well, as it gives the illusion of a "false" ceiling in the room.

3. Hang artwork a little lower than eye level to draw the eye downward. Place wall pieces in neat clusters, rather than spread out across the room. Clusters of art keeps attention focused on specific spaces and makes the room feel cozy and unified; art hung high on the wall or art spread out around your bedroom emphasizes space and height.

4. Decorate your floor with warm colored, ornate, richly textured rugs, to draw attention toward the floor.

5. Place tall plants in the corners of the room to camouflage the ceiling's true height. Illuminate the room from the walls rather than the ceiling by using tall floor lamps, wall sconces and low lamps on nightstand tables in lieu of direct overhead lighting.

6. Abandon dramatic window dressings and drapes that emphasize window height by cascading the floor. Use simple window coverings that can be drawn up, such as mini-blinds or decorative shades. Choose short curtains that don't extend the full length of the window or longer curtains that can be pulled inconspicuously aside.

Tags: rather than, your bedroom, high ceilings, attention toward, bedroom high, bedroom high ceilings

Cover Paneling With Drywall Compound

So, you just bought a place. The walls have groovy, retro paneling, and you don't have the funds left to remove and replace. A simple way to update a dark, dated room is to cover the paneling with drywall compound and paint. By applying one of many available textured finishes, you can make it look like the paneling was never there. Popular textures are created by adding sand, brushing the finish with a medium bristle brush, leaving it naturally "orange peel" as sprayed, or knocking down the peaks in a random pattern. Although applying drywall compound is time-consuming and messy, it is not a difficult project to tackle.

Instructions

1. Remove furniture from the room if possible. Cover flooring with a tarp. Remove baseboards if you wish, or tape them to protect them from the drywall compound. Remove all extruding nails, picture hangers, etc. from the paneling. By hand or with an electric sander, sand the paneling using medium-grit sandpaper to remove dirt and lightly rough the surface. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove sanding dust. Decide which finish texture you wish to achieve, and practice the method on a spare piece of scrap wood or cardboard.

2. Smooth and level the surface. If any seams are bulging or loose, use nails to secure to the wall. Apply self-stick fiberglass tape over each paneling seam. The tape should be as flat as possible; do not push the tape into the seams.

3. Mix only as much drywall compound as you can use -- it dries rather quickly. If you have seams or grooves to fill, mix just enough for that, fill them, allow them to dry, then mix more compound to texture the walls. Following manufacturer's directions, place water in the bucket, and slowly add the drywall compound, blending either by hand or with the beater attachment on your electric drill. Make sure all lumps are gone.

If you are applying drywall compound by hand, the mixture should be a bit thicker than if you are using a drywall sprayer. The consistency for a sprayer should be similar to pancake batter, or slightly more watery. For manual application, it should be closer to thick paint.

4. Trowel about 1/8 inch of drywall compound over the tape, then smooth and remove the excess compound by drawing the trowel over the seam at a 30- to 45-degree angle. Press hard enough to remove excess, but not so hard that the tape moves. Fill any grooves with compound, then use the trowel to level with the surface. Allow the compound to dry. When dry, the surface should be smooth, relatively flat and without an obvious line. Sand any high spots as necessary. It doesn't have to be perfectly flat if your finish method is highly textured.

5. Apply drywall compound for the finishing layer. Only apply the compound to as much wall as you can texture before it dries -- you should have a good feel for this from your practice session. Allow the compound to dry approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on ambient temperature.

If using a sprayer, spray the walls per manufacturer's directions. If applying drywall manually, use either a trowel or a paint roller to apply. You will need to make peaks and valleys in the texture to attain a knocked down look. Use a paint roller, or dab a crumpled plastic or paper bag or similar item to make the peaks.

6. Create knockdown texture by flattening the peaks in a random pattern. Varying the direction you run the trowel over the drywall compound keeps the pattern more random. Using a 12-inch trowel, lightly place the flat edge at approximately a 15- to 30-degree angle, and draw over the peaks of the texture. Press gently -- you want the peaks to flatten but the valleys to remain intact.

Tags: drywall compound, drywall compound, applying drywall, Allow compound, applying drywall compound, hand with

Use Faux Wood

Faux wood is more affordable and easier to install than real timber.

Few building materials add more warmth and depth to an interior or exterior space than wood. However, using real wood for a home remodeling project can be expensive and impractical. An increasingly popular alternative is the use of faux wood wall paneling and ceiling beams. Molded directly from real timber in durable polyurethane, they capture all the characteristic imperfections of hand-hewn, sandblasted or rough-sawed timber. Depending on your remodeling needs, you can use faux wood in a variety of ways to achieve the look of real wood without the expense or inconvenience.

Instructions

1. Plan your home remodeling project. Where would you like to install faux wood, and how? Faux wood products are available as beams, panels, corbels, mantles, headers and more, and you can use them both outside and inside. Plan how you would like your project to look and start considering products with that plan in mind. You can find lots of ideas and installation tips on the Faux Wood Beams and Faux Panels websites.

2. Select the faux wood products that are right for your remodeling project. Manufacturers offer a variety of faux wood items. Choose products made from high-quality polyurethane as similarly priced soft EPS Styrofoam products simply aren't as good.

3. Choose whether to purchase your faux wood products finished or unfinished. Finished products are intricately detailed and colored to perfectly resemble real wood. You can stain and paint unfinished products to match existing wood, or to create a uniform wood color throughout your redesign project.

4. Install faux ceiling beams inside your home by measuring the length of ceiling you wish to cover. You can cut faux wooden beams to size with a regular wood saw; they are light enough to install on the ceiling with standard trim head screws. Because they are hollow, artificial wood beams are superior to real wood because you can seamlessly run electric wiring inside them, and easily add recessed lighting and other details.

5. Add faux wood beams, outlookers or rafter tails to the exterior of your home in a similar fashion. They give the appearance of structural wooden beams holding up the roof or floors, even though none exist within the structure of the building. You can add faux wood planking for a mock-Tudor design. Faux ceiling beams and products are 100 percent weatherproof and resistant to termites and rot, arguably making them superior to real wood. They are also much easier to install.

6. Use faux wood wall paneling on interior walls and ceilings. Faux wood panels attach easily to walls with PVA (polyvinyl acetate) construction adhesive and trim head screws, and are interlocking for a seamless appearance. Because faux wall paneling features an identical design, molded from real wood or timber, consider offsetting rows of panels by half a sheet for a more random and natural look.

7. Install faux wood paneling on exterior walls and siding in much the same way as you would do it inside. Faux wood panels are completely waterproof, weatherproof and resistant to termites, rot and other problems that affect real wood. For exterior applications, however, you should use color-matched caulking at the seam of each connecting panel for a completely waterproof seal.

8. Consider using faux wood products for other applications. You can purchase a fire-rated faux wood mantle as an easy-to-install alternative to a real wooden fireplace mantle. Also, you can easily cut faux wood beams to size with a standard wood saw to produce wooden trusses and other items.

Tags: real wood, faux wood, wood products, ceiling beams, faux wood, remodeling project

Install Wood Paneling On The Ceiling

Wood paneling installed on a ceiling.

Wood paneling on a ceiling is a beautiful architectural element. Paneling on the ceiling adds texture to what may be an otherwise bland space. You can install wood paneling on your ceiling but understand this is a tiring job that requires a lot of time standing on a ladder. The proper information will get you started.

Instructions

1. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists. Mark the joists with a pencil and snap each of the lines with a chalk line. This will make the location of the joists easy to see. Whenever possible, install the planks perpendicular to the ceiling joists. This will make the wood paneling stronger.

2. Measure the length of the ceiling. This will help to give you a good idea of how long each of your ceiling planks needs to be. Since you are using tongue-and-groove planks, you will need to cut off the tongue from the side of the plank that will butt up to the wall. Use a miter saw to cut the ends of the plank.

3. Apply a bead of construction adhesive to the back of the first plank to be installed. While standing on a ladder, push the plank into place next to the walls. Carefully pull the plank down and then push it up again into place. This will help to evenly spread the construction adhesive to the back of the plank. Use a pneumatic nail gun to nail the plank into the ceiling joist.

4. Install all of the planks in the same manner that you installed the first plank. However, with the consecutive planks you need to make sure that you are placing the tongue into the groove of the previous plank. This will strengthen the planks. As you come upon light fixtures and other ceiling obstructions, measure and mark the planks and use a jig saw to cut the wood paneling to size.

5. Measure and cut the final row of planks. Most likely the planks in the final row will be smaller than the whole planks. Measure the space for the plank and rip the plank to size on the table saw. You will need to cut the bottom lip of the groove off from the last board so that the last plank will drop easily into place even in a tight space.

Tags: This will, into place, wood paneling, adhesive back, ceiling joists

Decorate A Pink Bathroom Sink Toilet & Tub

Metal and neutral bathroom accessories work well with pink fixtures.

Selecting accessories to complement your basic bathroom fixtures creates a harmonious room design. A room featuring a pink bathroom sink, toilet and tub offers a limited range of choices for decorating. While pink bathroom fixtures were once popular, a pink toilet, sink and tub tend to dominate the room. To update a pink bathroom, geometric patterns or accessories in neutral colors offer a contemporary look. Playing up the pink-dominated bathroom with solid-color decorative accents provides the means to make the most of the color scheme.

Instructions

1. Change the toilet seat to black or wood. This will help break up the pink. Black allows you to create either a vintage or a contemporary look in the bathroom. A wooden toilet seat -- for example, an oak seat -- provides the contrast of a natural material and coordinates well with a spa look of natural materials and neutral colors.

2. Add a rug to the bathroom. Select a geometric pattern, such as black and white squares or a solid neutral-color rug, such as a tan rug to coordinate with an oak toilet seat.

3. Select a scarf or fabric place mat in a neutral color to drape over the top of the toilet tank. Neutral colors include black, white, cream and shades of tan, gray, brown and taupe.

4. Add accessories such as a toothbrush holder, wastebasket and vase in metal or a neutral color to coordinate with the other new elements of your bathroom decor. A set of accessories will provide contrast to the pink fixtures. For example, add chrome accessories, pottery or crocks. Set the toothbrush holder on the sink, the wastebasket near the toilet and the vase on the toilet tank or next to the sink.

5. Drape a neutral bathmat over the edge of the pink bathtub to break up the solid pink color. Add a matching shower curtain, if you have the type of shower or tub-and-shower combination that requires a curtain.

Tags: toilet seat, bathroom fixtures, black white, contemporary look, coordinate with, neutral color

Window Molding Styles

Highly decorative window moldings are popular in the Victorian style.

The frame or molding around a window is called the casing or trim. Both interior and exterior window molding are available in a number of materials, colors and styles. Choosing a window molding that complements the overall design aesthetic of the building creates a cohesive and balanced look, which can increase the value of the home. Accept windows with treatments like curtains, shades or blinds.

Traditional

The most common window molding style in today's homes is traditional-style molding. With traditional-style molding, the wood is cut to a profile that is similar to the cuts offered in crown or even baseboard molding. The visible lines of the wood or polyurethane create small arches, ridges or curves that add subtle decorative details to the window trim. Typically, traditional-style molding for windows is selected to match the same profile as the crown or decorative base molding. For a cohesive look, choose a matching finish or stain. A matching profile in a different finish can add visual interest without appearing mismatched so long as the window trim matches other elements of the room, such as door trim or molding.

Craftsman

The arts and crafts movement that gained momentum and popularity throughout the 1920s introduced a new craftsman style of homes that valued natural elements, minimal ornamentation and incorporation of building materials into home design. Window molding in the craftsman or colonial style typically includes wider frames with minimal curvature; any curvature is typically limited to symmetrical vertical fluting. Craftsman window molding often includes a large, sometimes bulky, window sill. Simple rosettes or plinth blocks are used to mark the corners of the window. Some craftsman-style window molding includes a keystone that sits in the middle of the top piece of molding to create visual interest without disrupting the simplicity of the trim. Most craftsman trim preserves the natural wood by avoiding paint and opting for a light stain instead.

Decorative

There are several types of more decorative window molding. Though craftsman-style window molding makes use of simple rosette corner pieces, more elaborately decorated rosettes are also available. Corner pieces decorated with hand-carved appliques or onlays are more reminiscent of Victorian style decorating, which valued highly ornate designs over simplicity or function. Window molding can also be milled to include a rope design that pairs well with heavy or velvet curtains. Large floor-to-ceiling windows can be framed with pilasters, which are large wood blocks milled to resemble support pillars even though they do not serve a structural purpose. If your window is wide and has a large space above the top pane, consider incorporating a pediment onto the top edge. A pediment resembles a gable or triangular piece of wood, plaster or polyurethane plastic that can include a decorative applique, onlay or scalloped detail.

Tags: window molding, traditional-style molding, craftsman-style window, craftsman-style window molding, decorative window

Design Rules For Living Rooms

A living room is one of the most important rooms in your home. It is the room meant to be "lived" in. In this room, you lounge, spend time with the family and entertain guests. That is why the décor of your living room is just as important as the room itself. Decorating your living room the right way can make all the difference in comfort and function.

Color

According to The Interior Living Room website, proper wall color is one of the most vital characteristics of your room's appeal (or lack thereof). Keep in mind that lighter shades will give a small living room a larger appearance and darker colors will give a room a smaller appearance. If you plan on painting based on the color of your living room furniture, you should use either a lighter or complementary color scheme.

Price

If you have gained your inspiration for your living room design from a fancy million-dollar room, you do not have to worry about overspending. You can find items that resemble expensive products from flea markets and wholesale suppliers. For example, hardwood flooring adds warmth and beauty to a living room, but it can also be expensive. Consider laminate flooring which is usually half the price.

Quantity

You can have too much of a good thing. For example, if you purchase a small potted plant for one of your living room tables and it ends up looking great, that does not mean that 10 more plants would look great also. You do not want your living room space to appear overcrowded; you should therefore limit yourself down to a few items that blend well and still make the room feel spacious.

Theme

Decide what your living room is going to be used for before you ever start the decorating process. If you want to use your living room mainly for entertainment, you should make sure your rules of design follow this theme. If you would rather your living room be an area of quiet retreat, rest and relaxation, design accordingly with low ambient lighting and comfortable lounge seating and little to no entertainment objects.

Accessories

The importance behind adding accessories to any room is the fact that they work to bring everything together. According to the Happy Home Zone website, if accessories are the strings that tie a room together like a package, a well-coordinated tapestry would be the bow on top. Do not be afraid to accessorize; just remember to limit the quantity. A rug can also serve as a nice finishing touch to any room.

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Corrugated Metal Ceiling Ideas

Corrugated metal is an inexpensive option to add visual interest to the ceiling in your home. While it may not work for every space, a corrugated metal ceiling will enhance eclectic, rustic and modern design schemes. Once in place, add metallic accents throughout the room to tie the theme together. Introduce soft textural elements to balance the rigid lines of the metal for a visually appealing design.

Full Panels

Create an entire ceiling from panels of corrugated metal to dress up an otherwise drab space. Hang an ornate chandelier or a series of pendant lights to add sparkle to the ceiling. Repeat the metal motif elsewhere using galvanized metal plant pots and other accessories. Choose a bright color for the walls, such as cherry, lime or cerulean, and select textiles with graphic prints and patterns.

Corrugated Tiles

Cut sheets of corrugated metal into tiles to create a pattern on the ceiling. One idea is to cut square tiles and alternate the way they face during installation. The resulting pattern will be a subtle checkerboard pattern. Or cut rectangular tiles and install them subway-tile style. The pattern can run vertically or horizontally, depending on the look you wish to achieve. Hang soft white sheers to balance the metal and add wool throws to the furniture. Layering different textures will keep the room light and fresh. You can also use the checkerboard pattern elsewhere in the room.

Corrugated Stripes

Create a different look by cutting strips of corrugated metal to form stripes on the ceiling. You could choose to install the stripes with decorative tin tiles between each stripe or allow the ceiling to show through. Other options include adding the stripes along the length of the ceiling with recessed lighting installed in every other stripe. Or add a jolt of color to the design by painting tin tiles oxblood red and install them between the stripes.

Corrugated Medallion

If you don't want to commit to an entire ceiling of corrugated metal, experiment with a metal feature, such as a decorative medallion. This idea works best for a living room or bedroom and can be used to showcase a dramatic lighting fixture, such as a drum pendant chandelier. Consider different shapes and sizes for the medallion to create a design that will best suit your living space. A circular medallion might work with a rustic space, while one with scalloped edges would fit a more eclectic room.

Tags: corrugated metal, checkerboard pattern, corrugated metal, entire ceiling, install them, room Corrugated

Decorate A Bathroom That Has Pink Tile

Decorating a Pink Tile Bathroom

So, you have bought a charming old home and you are really excited to start decorating it - well, every room except the PINK BATHROOM!

Well, don't fret, there are plenty of ways to decorate a pink tiled bathroom. And the results can be surprisingly beautiful.

So, embrace the pink and let's get started:

Instructions

1. A pink tiled bathroom that has black trim probably offers the most flexibility in decorating styles. You can decorate your bathroom in a very streamlined, minimalist look, by just decorating with black and white. White linens with black trim or monogram would keep everything classic. Black and white prints, framed in black are another way to keep things simple.

2. Another great look for a pink tiled bathroom is to go Hollywood Glam style! Again, use white linens and accents, but this time, add a chandelier, too, for a real, "Wow!" factor. In other words, embrace the pink and take it to a whole new level. If you've got it (pink tiles), flaunt it!

3. If the trim on your pink tiled bathroom is brown, you are in luck because decorating with pink and brown is really popular right now. I would still choose white as the main accent color, but with little touches of brown. Perhaps white towels with brown trim or brown shades on the lighting in the bathroom. You could also bring in some medium or dark wood textures into the bathroom. Maybe even a brown and white damask shower curtain or pink and brown would work as well.

Tags: pink tiled, pink tiled bathroom, tiled bathroom, black trim, decorating with, embrace pink, pink brown

Decorate A Bathroom On A Budget

little girls bathroom

Whether you just moved in or your bathroom needs an update, decorating a bathroom on a budget is fun and easy. Anyone can do this and have transforming results. The best part is that decorating with a budget does not have to look cheap. Follow the steps to create an expensive looking bathroom for less than a hundred dollars.

Instructions

1. Design your dream bathroom. Take into consideration the size and structural elements in the room and go from there. Pick your color and perhaps even a theme. Determine what items must be purchased.

2. Pick your shower curtain first. The best places to find inexpensive but quality cloth curtains are at the big box discount stores like Target. You'll also find great deals at chain retail stores like Linens N' Things or Bed, Bath and Beyond. And don't overlook online bargain Websites. See our Resources section for more information.

3. Once you've got your shower curtain, choose your bathroom wall color. Take the curtain to a paint store for a perfect color match. A gallon should cover a typical bathroom with paint to spare. Be sure to take measurements and talk to the paint professional to get the correct amount for your space.

4. Take a trip to your local resale stores. Places like Good Will or the Salvation Army often have gently used gift-quality bathroom accessories for low prices. You might also find your coordinating bath towels, bath mats and soap dispenser. While you are there, look for any hardware you need like drawer pulls, towel racks or light fixtures.

5. Remove the shower curtain rod, towel racks, outlet covers and light plates. If you're replacing the light fixture and toilet paper holder, remove them, too.

6. Fill all nail holes with a simple spackling compound. Repair and patch any problem areas. Wash the walls.

7. Paint with your mildew-resistant paint. Paint at least 2 coats. When the paint is thoroughly dry install the towel racks, light fixtures, shower curtain and drawer pulls. Iron your new shower curtain and hang it, along with your coordinating towels.

8. Set out the bath mats and any other bathroom accessories you found.

9. Enjoy the results of your hard work. If you shopped wisely and looked for bargains, your newly decorated bathroom should reflect your style and look like it came out of a showroom or magazine. Only you will know it was built on a budget.

Tags: shower curtain, towel racks, your shower, your shower curtain, also find, bath mats

Make An Open Wooden Ceiling

Exposed-beam ceilings lend a rustic look to a room.

The exposed beam look is commonly seen in log cabin designs as well as in some older homes with vaulted ceilings. Before you decide to open up the ceiling to expose the rafters, it's vital to determine whether insulation has been blown directly on top of the ceiling drywall. If so, it's going to be messy. If you have a plaster or textured popcorn ceiling, call in a professional to help you remove it. Textured ceilings sometimes have asbestos and can be dangerous to remove. Plastered ceilings can be heavy and can cause injury for the inexperienced.

Instructions

1. Prepare the room by removing all the furniture and laying down dropcloths. Tape the cloths into place to keep them from moving around underneath you while you work.

2. Pry off the existing drywall with a prybar. Locate the first seam at the edge of the room. Insert the prybar into the seam and pry downward to loosen the panel. If it won't come free, hit the panel with a hammer to knock a hole in it. Continue knocking holes in it until you can pull the panel free.

3. Place the drywall into large garbage bins for disposal. You need an open space to work, and broken drywall creates a hazard in the room.

4. Remove any remaining nails or screws in the ceiling joists. Place these into a little bucket while you work to keep from dropping them on the floor.

5. Examine the exposed beams. If they're not aged badly and are still a color you like, you won't need to stain them and you can skip to sanding lightly and sealing the beams. Otherwise, you need to refinish the beams.

6. Sand the beams with a hand sander until bare wood is exposed on all the beams.

7. Stain the wood beams to the desired color. Wear safety glasses so you don't get stain in your eyes. Brush on a coat of stain with a paintbrush and let it dry for six hours. Lightly buff the surface with a fine-grit sanding block.

8. Seal the wood beams with a clear polyurethane. Brush at least one coat of polyurethane onto the beams. Let this dry for eight hours. If you prefer a higher gloss, sand lightly and apply a second coat.

Tags: beams with, exposed beams, while work, wood beams

Install Foam Crown Molding

If you've always wanted crown molding in your home but don't want to pay a professional or don't have the tools and knowledge to do the job yourself, there's another option: foam crown molding. It's available in inside and outside corner pieces and straight wall pieces. Simply count the corners in your room, measure the walls for the required length of straight molding, and place your order. Foam crown molding often comes finished in bright white, so as soon as the package arrives, you are ready to go.

Instructions

1. Apply adhesive in a continuous "S" pattern to the backs and tops of the corner pieces. Press the pieces firmly to the wall. Hold them place for at least 30 seconds in order for the adhesive to bond with the wall.

2. Measure the distances along the walls between the corner pieces and make a note of the lengths.

3. With a kitchen knife, cut the straight molding to the lengths required to fit the distances between the corner pieces.

4. Apply adhesive in a continuous "S" pattern to the back and top of the straight molding. Press the molding firmly to the wall and ceiling. Hold the piece in place for at least 30 seconds. Depending on the length of the molding, you might need two people to hold the piece in place while the adhesive bonds.

Tags: corner pieces, crown molding, straight molding, adhesive continuous, adhesive continuous pattern

Different Ways To Decorate A Bathroom

There are many different ways to decorate a bathroom.

Bathrooms are an important room in the house. Although they are usually one of the smallest areas in a home, they should not be neglected when it comes to decoration. Creating a comfortable and stylish yet functional bathroom can be easy and inexpensive. There are many different easy ways to decorate a bathroom.

Paint Colors

Paint can dramatically change the way a room looks and it is one of the easiest ways to start decorating a bathroom. Since the area of a bathroom is usually small and hidden away from the rest of the house, you can choose paint colors you love. Bright or dramatic colors that may be shocking in other areas of the house may look good in a bathroom.

It is a good idea to paint most of the walls a neutral color, though, and to have one bright or dramatic accent wall. This way, if you change your mind about your bathroom's design or decor, it will be easy to change because neutral colors go well with almost anything.

Modern style rooms should be painted in clean neutral colors such as white or gray. Country style bathrooms should be painted in soft muted tones like blue, pink, yellow and tan. Traditional colors range from neutral colors to jewel tones.

Accessories

Adding simple accessories to a bathroom is another easy way to decorate it. Shower curtains, area rugs, mirrors, window coverings, art pieces and other small accessories such as a waste basket or toothbrush holder can make a big difference in a bathroom. Bathroom accessories are often available in sets to ensure the uniformity of a bathroom's design.

For those working with a limited budget, decorating a bathroom can be as simple as buying new towels. Colorful coordinating or patterned towels instantly brighten up a dull bathroom.

Modern style accessories will be geometric in shape with clean lines, and may feature chrome or stainless steel finishes. Country style accessories are usually marked by floral, plaid or striped patterns. Traditional style accessories will resemble country style ones, only more formal in appearance.

Plants and Flowers

Live plants and flowers thrive in the moisture that usually exists in a bathroom. They add a beautiful decorative touch to any style bathroom, and are easy to find and maintain. They offer natural beauty to the design of a bathroom and have a relaxing and calming effect. For a plant that is beautiful and functional, choose aloe vera; you can use its gel for many different things.

Tags: many different, neutral colors, style accessories, accessories will, bathroom design

Black Sink Top Bathroom Ideas

Black sink tops go well in many color schemes.

Black, as the quintessential neutral color, goes well with nearly any other color scheme, making other colors pop. It also serves as a background to highlight furnishings, textiles and other elements in the d cor. If black has a flaw, it is that since it absorbs light, it can make a room seem dark, but you can remedy that minor problem by pairing relatively small areas of black with larger expanses of lighter or more brilliant colors. Using high-gloss finishes helps to reflect light and brighten rooms as well.

Classic Black and White

Black and white floor tiles are classics that go with most any decor.

You can never go wrong using classic black and white tiles in a bathroom. Whether you go for the traditional large checkerboard tiles or smaller hexagonal tiles in white with black accents, for the floor, either will blend beautifully with your black sink and countertop. Use gloss-white paint for upper walls, and keep the theme going with a narrow black tile border above pure white tiles for lower walls. This look goes well with white sheer or lace curtains and dark natural or white painted woods.

'60s Retro Bold

Roy Lichtenstein's paintings offer bold coloring ideas for a retro look.

Vibrant images in red, yellow and blue -- surrounded and delineated by black borders was hot in the 1960s when pop culture artist Roy Lichtenstein produced his colorful comic-style artworks. You can get the same bold effect using a primary color scheme contrasted against the black of your sink top. Paint walls matte white to simulate paper and outline windows and doors with black-painted trim for best effect. Use solid colored towels and other linens in bright yellows, reds and blues, and add framed comic book pages as a finishing touch.

Nostalgia in Ivory and Black

The rich color of old parchment pairs well with black fixtures.

Give your bathroom a warm nostalgic feel without too much emphasis on any particular era by pairing your black sink and top with a deep, honeyed ivory on walls. This could take the form of a golden or amber glaze over white walls -- perhaps done in a sponge or rag-rolled finish -- or by papering the walls with parchment or old newspapers finished with several coats of clear finish to protect them from dampness. Use black, white and gold patterned accents for linens and other fabrics and brass fittings for faucets, switch plates and mirror frames.

High-tech and Neutral

Steel and chrome add a high-tech look to bathrooms in black.

If a sleek, no-nonsense and functional look is more appealing to your tastes, toss color out altogether and go for a shades-of-black-and-gray, neutral scheme. Pair your black sink top with other black fixtures, and use brushed-chrome faucets. Paint walls and trim the same shade of medium gray or replace the trim with chrome counterparts. For an ultra modern touch, use stainless steel tiles on the floor, tile surround or back-splash. Keep accessories to a minimum and use a flat, unframed mirror over recessed shelves instead of a medicine cabinet.

Tags: well with, your black, your black sink, black fixtures, black sink, black sink with

Decorate A Bathroom In A Fishing Theme

Use real fishing lures in your fishing-themed bathroom.

Decorate your bathroom with a fishing theme if you're going for a rustic look or just want to incorporate your passion for fishing. Stick to your favorite type of fish, such as bass or trout, or use a variety of different species. The colors should include earth tones, such as blues or greens mixed in with brown. Choose a style that complements the rest of your home, such as a cartoon look or realistic vibe.

Instructions

1. Paint the walls to look like water, or use a simple beige color with a fish border. Paint your own fish border or create your own using real fishing lures. Because most bathrooms are on the smaller side, busy patterns--such as lure-covered wallpaper--may overwhelm the small space.

2. Hang a shower curtain from hooks that resemble real fish hooks and boast images of different fish or a scene of a fisherman in the middle of a still lake with his line in the water. A solid-colored shower curtain is ideal if the walls have a lot going on.

3. Use fishing-themed items on the counter, such as a toothbrush holder that has images of fish hooks or lures all over it. The soap dish can look like a fish. Use a tissue cover that looks like a fishing boat.

4. Hang pictures or novelty items on the walls to further your fishing theme. A wooden sign that says "Gone fishin'" is one idea. Use a small shelf with hooks on it that resembles a fishing boat instead of using a traditional towel bar.

5. Display fish-themed towels or use plain brown, green, blue or white towels, if the rest of the bathroom has a lot of color and patterns.

6. Add the finishing touches with a few accessories, such as fish-shaped bath mats, a toilet seat covered in fishing lure images, fishing boat models on a shelf or a fish-themed wall clock.

Tags: fishing boat, fish border, fish hooks, fishing lures, fishing theme, hooks that, look like

Install A Wooden Ceiling

Installing a wooden ceiling over your old plaster or drywall ceiling will dramatically transform any room. With the materials and tools available today, it's something a competent do-it-yourselfer can do in a weekend. Ceiling planking comes with tongue-and-groove milling, like floor planks, and is hung with a standard trim nailer. Planks must be attached directly to the ceiling joists (the wood beams within the ceiling).

Instructions

1. Search for the ceiling joists, using your electronic stud finder. Draw lines across the ceiling with your pencil and level, marking out each joist.

2. Measure the ceiling along the starting wall, perpendicular to the joists. Mark the measurement on a ceiling plank. Cut the plank to size on your miter saw.

3. Hold the cut board to the ceiling, with the grooved side facing the wall. Leave 1/2 inch from the edge of the plank to the wall. This will give the wood room to expand with environmental changes. Shoot nails through the face of the board at each point where it intersects with a joist.

4. Measure and cut the next board. Set it against the edge of the first board, locking it into place with the tongue-and-groove milling on the sides of the boards. Shoot nails at an angle through side of the board at each intersection with a joist to attach the piece.

5. Hang the remaining boards in the same manner. Cut the final piece lengthwise on a table saw to fit against the far wall, leaving a 1/2-inch gap.

6. Hang trim molding around the edges of the ceiling, cutting it on your miter saw and attaching it with your trim nailer, covering the gap.

Tags: board each, ceiling joists, ceiling with, joist Measure, Shoot nails, tongue-and-groove milling

Combine Router Bits For Moldings Ideas

Combine common bits to create new profiles.

Woodworkers have been combining router bits for years. Shadow lines are created by making multiple passes down the same piece of wood. Shadow lines add complexity to the profile of a project. Creativity is key here; there is no right or wrong way to use router bits for aesthetics. For molding ideas, you don't need expensive molding profile bits--gather common router bits and experiment on some scrap wood by combining profiles.

Instructions

1. Lay the pine board on a worktable with the edge protruding over the edge of the table approximately 3/4-inch. Clamp the board to the table on both ends.

2. Open the router collet, (this is where the bit inserts into the router) by placing the small wrench that came with your router on the axle nut where the shaft emerges from the motor. Place the large wrench on the large nut directly above the small one.

3. Insert the rabbeting bit into the router collet, bottoming it out and tighten the nuts working the wrenches against themselves.

4. Set the router on the board with the edge of the bit against the outer edge of the pine. Loosen the height-adjusting knob on the side of the router. Crouch down at eye level with the bit. Slide the bit up or down, until the bottom cutting edge of the router bit is approximately 1/8 inch lower than the top surface of the board. Tighten the knob.

5. Turn on the router. Ease the bit into the wood. When the bearing makes contact with the wood, begin pulling the router toward your body as you step backward. Make a test run approximately 36-inches down the length of the board. You should have a 3/8 by 36 by 1/8-inch shoulder cut into the wood.

6. Take out the rabbeting bit and insert the ogee bit into the router using the wrenches and tighten. Set the router down on the board. Get at eye level and position the bit so that the top shoulder of the bit is approximately 1/8-inch below the edge of the cut line of the rabbeting bit.

7. Turn on the router, ease the bit into the wood and make a pass down the length of the board. You should have the ogee profile on the side of the board, with an extra shadow line shoulder on top from the rabbeting bit.

8. Turn off the router, remove the ogee bit and insert the chamfer bit. Get at eye level and position the chamfer bit to cut approximately 1/4 inch off the round edge of the ogee profile. Turn on the router and run it the length of the board, creating a new profile.

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Clean Wood Beams

Clean wood beams with a homemade cleaning solution.

Wood beams can be used in and around the home in many ways, from a support structure to an open rustic-style ceiling. Just as with any other area of the home, these wooden beams collect dust and residue that deteriorates the appearance of the beams over time. To keep the wooden beams looking their best, implement an occasional cleaning routine that will remove light dust and tough residue.

Instructions

1. Vacuum the beams when you notice dust accumulation. Use the hose attachment, and run over the beams, following the grain of the wood.

2. Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups water and 1 cup vinegar. The vinegar is a natural cleaning and disinfectant that removes residue without damaging the wood.

3. Spray the solution onto a cleaning rag, misting the rag slightly.

4. Wipe the rag over the wood beams, following the grain of the wood. Repeat until all beams are clean.

5. Scrub tough areas of residue by spraying the solution directly onto the beam and scrubbing with a nylon scrub brush. Wipe with a damp cloth when finished cleaning.

Tags: beams following, beams following grain, following grain, following grain wood, grain wood, wooden beams

Decorate A Bathroom For A Log House

Bathroom

Decorate a bathroom in your log house with natural elements, such as stone flooring and twig furniture, to complement the antique charisma of a claw-foot tub and pedestal sink. Wrought-iron accessories and natural fabrics add elegance and style to the bathroom while keeping in step with the rustic décor. Incorporate the design of your log house as you decorate the bathroom with a flair for comfortable country style.

Instructions

1. Lay pebble floor tiles in the bathroom to add to the rustic ambiance of your log house. You can find a beautiful selection of river rock pebble tiles at your local home improvement store or at online retailers. Durable and natural, pebble floor tiles are a perfect choice to decorate your bathroom floor.

2. Install a claw foot tub and a pedestal sink to the bathroom in your log home. Old time charm combines with modern convenience and sets the stage for your rustic-style bathroom. Pewter, nickel or copper fixtures designed to look as if they were crafted a hundred years ago are excellent choices for both the tub and the sink.

3. Place a twig chair or bench and twig shelving your bathroom for both decoration and convenience. Natural twig furniture fits well with the rustic décor in your log home and can be used in the bathroom as well as in other parts of your house. Add a cushion to the seating made from a natural fabric for added comfort. Twig shelving for linens or bathroom accessories will offer height and balance if placed on a wall opposite the claw foot tub.

4. Decorate your bathroom walls with a wrought-iron mirror hung opposite the window for added light and botanical prints framed in natural wood or decorative metal frames. As an alternative to botanical prints, frame black and white digital prints of the area around your log house or hang old family photos in sepia tone.

5. Add a wrought-iron chandelier as lighting for your bathroom, along with wrought-iron sconces flanking the mirror over the sink. A decorative metal floor lamp in proximity to the claw-foot tub will also add to your rustic country bathroom décor.

Tags: your house, your bathroom, bathroom your, botanical prints, claw foot

Black & White Contemporary Bathroom Ideas

A black and white color scheme can be used in a bathroom to create a contemporary style of decor that can add a touch of elegance. The black and white color scheme offers wide open design possibilities that can allow you to incorporate contemporary sculptures, artwork and functional bathroom elements to give your bathroom a simple modern personality.

Walls and Fixtures

Black walls with white fixtures, such as the sink, bathtub and toilet, give your bathroom a distinct separation of the two colors and offer a solid background for bathroom essentials like towel racks, toothbrush holders and flooring. White walls with black fixtures offer the same possibilities. White walls with black fixtures can make the bathroom look larger. Another idea for the walls is to use black and white tiles for a checkered effect. Silver or chrome fixtures for the sink and bathtub can help add accent to the room if your dominant color is black.

Floors and Rugs

White, black or alternating white and black tiles work well for the floor. If the checkered effect is too much for you on the floor, a solid color with an area rug might be effective. A white floor with a black area rug is one way to approach the floor of a black and white bathroom. Another method for incorporating white and black without overdoing it is to create a border of black tiles and fill in the rest of the floor space with white tiles. This could be reversed as well, with white tiles as the border.

Decorative Additions

Use white, black or zebra-striped shower curtains and coordinate white and black accents with the soap dishes, a trash can, toothbrush holders and towel racks. Metal sculptures and black or white vases can also enhance the contemporary feel of the bathroom. Don't be afraid to add small touches of complementary colors, such as red, blue or green. These colors can be used sparingly to keep your black and white theme at the forefront.

Artwork

Abstract artwork in alternating black and white frames work well in your contemporary style bathroom. Black and white photographs and sketches are also suitable design elements. These pieces of art look best on solid colored walls and can be combined and arranged to accent the modern impression you want the bathroom to project.

Tags: black white, white black, black white, walls with, white tiles

Replace A Rotary Switch On A Floor Lamp

Replace a Rotary Switch on a Floor Lamp

It is not uncommon for a rotary switch on a lamp cord to wear out and stop working. New rotary switches are readily available at hardware stores and are generally inexpensive. The process involved in replacing a rotary switch in a lamp cord does not require any special electrical knowledge-only a screwdriver. Rotary lamp switches are also called in-cord switches. When you are shopping for a replacement switch, mention both names to the hardware store associates if you have a hard time finding the part.

Instructions

1. Unplug the lamp. Loosen the screw that holds the two halves of the rotary switch together with a screwdriver. There may or may not be a small nut on the other side of the switch. If there is, be sure that you do not lose it.

2. Remove the old switch by pulling both pieces of it apart at the center seam. The lamp cord is made of two pieces of wire that are held together by the plastic coating. One of these wires will already be cut, making the replacement of the switch easier.

3. Attach the wire onto the new switch. Wrap the cut side of the cord into the hollow side of the switch. The switch effectively connects and disconnects the cut wire when the switch is activated.

4. Attach the two halves of the switch, and use the screwdriver to tighten the switch screw.

5. Plug the lamp into a wall outlet and activate the switch to be sure that it works correctly.

Tags: lamp cord, Floor Lamp, Replace Rotary, Replace Rotary Switch, replacement switch, rotary switch

Decorate A Bathroom

The bathroom is the easiest room in your house to re-decorate, not to mention the cheapest. Adding accessories is the easiest way to spruce up the old, indoor outhouse. By purchasing a few materials and using a lot of ingenuity, you'll be able to decorate your bathroom to make it fit for a queen or king, right down to the royal throne.

Instructions

1. Choose your shower curtain, since it is the biggest source of color in your bathroom besides the walls. Find one with a nice design, although a solid color also works.

2. Paint your walls in a color to match one of the colors in the shower curtain pattern. If you chose a shower curtain with a solid color, pick a complementary color. Remember, light colors make the bathroom appear larger. Take your curtain to the paint store to compare it with color choices.

3. Add new towel racks. Putting them by the bathtub or over the toilet are good, convenient locations. Also, have some place for your hand towels by the sink. All racks should be the same style.

4. Hang towels that match the shower curtain. Don't use the same exact color that you painted the walls. Take some extra towels, roll them up, and place them in a small basket placed on the floor in a convenient location for a little extra pizazz.

5. Purchase rugs for the bathroom floor that match the towel colors. You need at least one rug for in front of the bathtub. Placing rugs by the sink and toilet are optional, depending on the size of the bathroom.

6. Add accessories as the final touch. Accessories like toothbrush holders, tissue holders, and a soap dispenser can be the icing on the cake, so don't be too frugal when you select the style. Candles on the vanity, on the bathtub corners, or above the toilet also add a designer touch to the decor.

7. Find some unique way to personalize the bathroom. Adding a thrift shop dresser as a storage solution or a sink vanity can really look classy. Collections, such as antique bottles or containers, can be artfully arranged on a shelf as a design statement while also serving as holders for lotions and speciality soaps.

Tags: shower curtain, solid color, that match, your bathroom

Kitchen Ceiling Lighting Ideas

The right kitchen ceiling lighting will have both functional and aesthetic characteristics. You want the lighting in your kitchen to be bright enough so that you can see what you are doing. On the other hand, many people don't want to have extremely bright lighting in their kitchen because this sort of light sometimes feels too commercial. Finding the right balance between ambiance and functionality is the key to finding the perfect kitchen ceiling lighting.

Halogen Lights above Sink

When you are in the kitchen, chances are you spend a majority of your time in front of the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink is where you wash your hands, dishes, clean up vegetables, and often where you perform work that is messy. Installing halogen lights above the kitchen sink will illuminate the most important workspace in your kitchen, while not overwhelming your entire kitchen with bright lighting.

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lighting is a contemporary light fixture that many people incorporate into their home's interior design. Pendant lighting is perfect over places such as the kitchen island or even a breakfast bar. This type of lighting will allow you to have a little extra lighting where you need it, while at the same time providing a decorative focal point in your kitchen. Because of the drop-down nature of pendant lighting, it is not particularly useful in areas where there is foot traffic. Only use this lighting in areas where there is furniture or a fixture underneath the pendants.

Ceiling Fan with Light Kit

Ceiling fans that have light kits serve two important functions: circulating air in the kitchen and providing light. Selecting the right ceiling fan with a light kit could add a lot of character to your kitchen. When you are cooking, the fan can help circulate air through your kitchen to help you avoid lingering food odors and aroma. Ceiling fans with light kits can also be a very inexpensive kitchen lighting solution. Many simple fixtures are available at major home improvement stores for under $150.

Track Lighting with Dimmer Switch

Track lighting with a dimmer switch is a great kitchen ceiling lighting option. This will provide you with bright light for your workspace when needed and softer light when you are entertaining. When you go in the kitchen for a midnight snack, you won't have to worry about blinding your eyes when turning on the light. Track lighting can also be customized as you can choose where you want lighting positioned.

Tags: your kitchen, ceiling lighting, kitchen ceiling, kitchen sink, areas where, areas where there

Hide Exposed Pipes Near The Ceiling

Pipes near the ceiling create an eyesore.

To some people, exposed pipes near the ceiling give a chic, industrial vibe to a space, but to others, these pipes are a huge eyesore. Gazing upward only to see these metal or plastic objects can make a space less appealing. If you live in a space with exposed pipes near the ceiling, you have several solutions for concealing them from view. Base your chosen option on your budget and style.

Instructions

1. Wrap the pipes with a decorative, colorful material for a low-budget pipe-hiding option. Cover the pipes with decorative fabric, fake plants or vines or thick pieces of ribbon. Attach a big bow to any valves for coverage.

2. Install faux exposed beams over the pipes for a big-budget project that can add anything from a rustic to high-class appeal to the room, depending on the style. These types of beams have the appearance of solid ones, but they come in the shape of a "U" with a hollow mid-section that goes over the pipes.

3. Create a fabric-draped ceiling for a low-budget pipe-hiding project that can add texture and color to the room's upper section. Measure the ceiling area and obtain a fabric piece that will cover the area, accounting for the hanging pipes. Attach the fabric to the ceiling using a staple gun. Cover the area just around the pipes as an alternative.

4. Remodel the area by building a soffit that extends far enough to hide the exposed pipes from view. Soffits are extensions of the ceiling. Use 2-by-2 boards to create a frame around the pipes and cover the frame with drywall. Paint the soffit the same color as the ceiling.

Tags: around pipes, exposed pipes, exposed pipes near, from view, low-budget pipe-hiding, near ceiling

Lighting Fixtures Suitable For Installation On Sloped Ceilings

If you've got a sloped ceiling, such as cathedral ceiling or loft ceiling, you'll need to decide deal with the issue of lighting. The ceiling electrical box (or boxes) for the overhead lights will be embedded in the sloped ceiling. You can hang lights at a slope, but they cast light oddly, hitting the adjacent walls more than the floor. Custom angled lights are available but expensive and hard to find. An easier solution is a standard angled bracket that will hook to the sloped box and create a horizontal plane for the light.

Instructions

1. Cut the power to the old light fixture at the house circuit panel.

2. Take out the screws holding the old fixture to the ceiling. Lower the fixture enough to access the wires behind it. Disconnect the wires. Take the fixture completely off the ceiling, leaving the old wires dangling from the exposed electrical box. You should have a black (hot) insulated wire, a white (neutral) insulated wire, and a bare copper wire for grounding.

3. Set your angled cathedral ceiling bracket to the electrical box and secure it there with the screws it came with. Hold your level along the bottom of the bracket and adjust the angle of the bracket until it's level. The exposed wires from the electrical box should still be accessible through the bracket.

4. Hook the copper ground wire from the box around the green ground screw on the angled bracket. Tighten the screw.

5. Hold your new light fixture near the bracket. Connect the white wire from the light to the white wire from the box by twisting a wire cap over both wire ends. Connect the black wire from the light to the black wire from the box in the same manner.

6. Lift the light up to the bracket, pushing the two wire connections into the electrical box. Connect the light fixture to the bracket with the provided screws.

7. Turn the circuit back on and test the light.

Tags: wire from, light fixture, angled bracket, black wire, black wire from, cathedral ceiling