Make An Industrial Chandelier

Industrial chandeliers mix various materials for a beautiful effect.

Chandeliers are an important and popular way of dressing up a room and giving your home character. These light fixtures add both beauty and practicality to any home and can be used in the living room, dining room, bathroom and anywhere else you desire. Industrial chandeliers use both raw, unfinished and industrial materials with refined materials such as crystals to create unique lighting fixtures that will make your home stand out and also represent the many contrasting and complementary interior design tastes you may have. Unless you are a skilled craftsman, you will probably need to hire specialists for this project.

Instructions

1. Purchase plumbing pipes from a hardware store to form a rectangular linear-shaped chandelier. Measure how large you would like your chandelier to be and have a welder cut the pipes to size. Also have the welder drill holes at the bottom of each pipe to pass through the electrical wiring components. The two long pipes that form the length of the chandelier should have four to five holes for bulbs, while the two shorter pipes should have two to three holes. The bulbs will hang downwards at the bottom of the chandelier but can also be placed along the top if you wish.

2. Purchase an electrical wiring kit from your hardware store or have an electrician do this part. The electrical wires will be placed inside the pipes to each bulb and come out at one end to connect to the electrical supply in the ceiling. Have a welder solder the pipes together in a rectangular formation and attach the hanging brass chain at each side. The chandelier can hang as high or as low as you wish.

3. Spray-paint the pipes with the brass spray paint to match the brass hanging chain and let them dry. Meanwhile, cut the brass wire into 10-inch pieces and thread a wire through each hanging crystals. The crystals should each have a pre-drilled hole at the top. You can make the crystals all hang at the same length or at varying lengths. Attach the crystals to the pipes by looping the wire and twisting it closed. Hang 10 or more crystals on each side of the chandelier.

4. Have an electrician fix the chandelier to the ceiling and connect it to your home's electrical supply. The chandelier should be on a dimmer switch so that you can adjust the lighting as needed. You now have a rectangular brass pipe and crystal chandelier!

Tags: your home, chandelier should, each side, each side chandelier, electrical supply, electrical wiring, hardware store

Choose Ceiling Medallion Size

A ceiling medallion adds a decorative touch to the oft-neglected ceiling of your room by encircling the area around the meeting point of the ceiling and lighting fixture. These large disk-shaped plaques should have a proportionate size to your room and the lighting fixture beneath. Elegant or simple, choose your ceiling medallion size best suited for your space. Use some basic guidelines to steer you toward choosing the best ceiling medallion for your room.

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of your room in feet.

2. Multiply the length and width together and divide the answer by "7" to determine a proportionate ceiling medallion diameter size in inches.

For a 10-by-14 foot room, for example, your calculation would be:

10 feet x 14 feet = 140 square feet

140 / 7 = 20 inches diameter

3. Measure the height of your ceiling in feet. Use the diameter for the ceiling medallion calculated based on room width and length if your ceiling stands between 9 and 10 feet tall. Opt for a slightly smaller medallion for shorter ceilings.

4. Measure the diameter of the lighting fixture below the ceiling medallion in inches. Look for a ceiling medallion close to this size in inches if it closely matches the estimated size from the room calculations.

Tags: ceiling medallion, your room, lighting fixture, your ceiling, length width, size inches

How Large Should My Chandelier Be

Adding a chandelier to the room can provide lighting, as well as an elegant decor piece. With the variety of sizes available, choosing the right one for the room is important to keep the chandelier from overtaking the space, but also make it large enough to be noticed by guests. Whether you plan to add the chandelier to an entryway or place it over a formal dining room, keep placement and size in mind while shopping for the ideal piece.

10 by 10 Rooms or Smaller

In the past, chandeliers have predominantly been used as lighting over dining tables, but now they are featured anywhere in the home where there are elevated ceilings, or even high traffic spaces like the kitchen or living room. Depending on the size of the room, a chandelier must also be purchased based on the ceiling height and diameter of the piece.

For a room that is 10 by 10 or smaller, choose a chandelier with a diameter of 17 to 20 inches, which is an ideal size to be a statement piece without overtaking the room. Smaller rooms with these dimensions often include a formal dining area or master bedroom.

12 by 12 Rooms

Rooms that are larger, such as a kitchen or family room include dimensions of 12 by 12 or slightly larger. Because chandeliers are no longer limited to just dining rooms, adding a classic or modern style chandelier to a remodeled kitchen l or a formal living room is a way to create a nice ambiance.

For these size rooms, any chandelier with a diameter of 26 or 27 inches is sufficient for being noticeable in the space without being overpowering. If you are hanging the chandelier over a dining table, make sure it is hung at least 30 inches from the tabletop to provide ample lighting without being so low that guests won't have head room. Chandeliers over the table should also be at least 12 inches narrower than the width of the table to keep from dwarfing the room and furniture.

14 by 14 Rooms

Larger rooms call for larger chandelier sizes to keep the fixture from looking overpowered by the room. Rooms of this size are often entryways or family or living rooms with large, elevated ceilings. Adding a large chandelier to a formal living room is a good way to capture the eye of visitors.

Since the room is much larger, the chandelier should be large as well. Look for sizes that are 24 to 36 inches to maximize the space given.

Wattage for all chandeliers should be 200 to 400 to offer light to the room and be efficient in its usage.

Tags: living room, chandelier with, chandelier with diameter, diameter inches, elevated ceilings, formal dining

Coastal Style To Your Living Room

Coastal design is more popular as ever. In fact, there are even designs dedicated to the coastal theme. There are some inexpensive ways you can incorporate a nautical feel to your decor. With some paint and a couple of yards of fabric, you can create a breezy, casual coastal theme.

Instructions

Add Coastal Style to Your Living Room

1. Research on the world wide web coastal decor ideas. Get a sense of what parts of the coastal lifestyle will mesh into your current decor. Print out pictures and create a storyboard for inspiration.

2. Purchase coastal design magazines and clip out photos that inspire you. Add these pictures to your inspiration board.

3. Visit your local home improvement center's paint section. Select a white paint of your liking. Most coastal decor centers around clean white walls.

4. Select white or ivory slipcovers for sofas and chairs. Slipcovers are practical and common in the coastal lifestyle.

5. Purchase navy and light blue accent pieces like pillows, vases and lamp shades. The cool blue tones evoke a sense of the seashore.

Tags: coastal decor, coastal lifestyle, Coastal Style, Coastal Style Your, coastal theme

Tuscan Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Lavender is classic Tuscany.

Tuscan-inspired décor, which includes items such as grapes and wine bottles, is ideal for kitchens. So if you want to bring that feel into your kitchen then choose items reminiscent of the Italian countryside, and don't be afraid to combine the rustic and the elegant, as Tuscan decorating is about combining several types of textures and textiles to create a sophisticated and classic look.

Grape- and Wine-Inspired Decor

Grape- and wine-inspired décor conjures up images of the Italian countryside, so bring into your home by stringing mini purple and green grape-shaped lights around doorways and windows, which will provide a warm glow during dinner parties. Buy vintage wine and olive oil bottles and paint them with grape and leaf designs, then use them to hold flowers and sprigs of dried rosemary and lavender. Create a customized bulletin board out of wine bottle corks and use it to post grocery and to-do lists. Use an empty wine bottle to hold a candelabra and purple and green candles, which makes a classy dinner table centerpiece.

Rustic Furniture

Use rustic kitchen furniture, reminiscent of Italian country farmhouses. For instance, buy a rough-hewn wood dinner table and decorate it with a sunny yellow or red gingham tablecloth. Hang a wrought-iron chandelier lamp above your kitchen table and use soft lighting to create a relaxed ambiance. An antique wood pie safe will add country charm to your kitchen. Use a vintage table as a center kitchen island to add surface space for chopping, cooking and other kitchen tasks.

Natural Elements

Tuscan décor consists of natural elements, such as stone, ceramic, cotton, marble, pottery, wrought iron and bronze. Accordingly, install a bronze faucet in your sink for instant countryside appeal or replace your cabinet and drawer handles with wrought-iron versions. Use stone tile flooring and marble countertops. Place your silverware in artistic pottery or ceramic canisters featuring rooster, grape or vine designs. Hang organic cotton towels in shades of rustic red, plum or gold, which will be both functional and decorative. For a rustic look, fill terra cotta plant pots with lavender, rosemary, basil and other herbs and store them in your windowsill so they are at your fingertips when you are preparing an Italian recipe.

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Replace A Bathroom Exhaust Fan Light Bulb

Replace a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Light Bulb

Since most bathrooms must have an exhaust fan and light, many homeowners install combination fixtures. These multi-function bathroom fans come in many styles, shapes and colors to fit almost any decor. Just as with traditional lights, the bulbs in the exhaust fans must be replaced periodically when they burn out. Replacing the light bulb in the exhaust fan is a quick process once you remove the fan's cover.

Instructions

1. Place a stepladder under the exhaust fan and climb up onto it. The light switch must be turned off.

2. Remove the cover from the exhaust fan, which varies based on the style. If the cover has a metal nut at the center, turn it counterclockwise to unscrew it. Some fans have a plastic square cover; you remove it by squeezing the sides. If you see screw heads on the exterior of the fixture, you may need to remove them with a screwdriver.

3. Set the cover and any screws or metal nuts in a safe location while you change the bulb.

4. Grasp the light bulb in your hand and turn it counterclockwise until it comes out of the exhaust fan. Throw the bulb into the garbage.

5. Pick up a light bulb that is identical in shape and wattage to the old bulb. Insert it into the bulb socket and turn it clockwise until it will no longer turn.

6. Replace the exhaust fan cover by reversing the removal steps.

Tags: light bulb, Bathroom Exhaust, Bathroom Exhaust Light, Exhaust Light, Exhaust Light Bulb

Test A Painted Popcorn Ceiling For Asbestos

Test your popcorn ceiling for asbestos.

During the early 1970s, asbestos was frequently used in building materials, including painted popcorn ceilings. Many homes today still contain original asbestos-based ceilings, floors and siding. If you want to remove an older popcorn ceiling in your home, you must first collect ceiling samples for laboratory asbestos testing. Removing a popcorn ceiling without laboratory testing could put you at serious risk of potential exposure to asbestos, which could lead to cancer or Mesothelioma.

Instructions

1. Wear protective gloves and a respirator. Gloves protect your hands from direct exposure to asbestos and a respirator prevents asbestos inhalation.

2. Turn off the heat or air conditioning in your home before collecting popcorn ceiling samples. Turning off the air reduces the chances of airborne asbestos particles being transported throughout your home.

3. Pour water and a couple drops of laundry detergent into a spray bottle. The water and added detergent helps hold down asbestos particles during removal.

4. Stand on a step ladder and spray the water and detergent solution onto separate sections of the popcorn ceiling overhead. Allow the water to soak into the popcorn.

5. Scrape off one-inch of each damp popcorn section using a putty knife. Place each sample into separate snap and seal plastic bags.

6. Open your Yellow Pages directory and search for laboratories under the "Asbestos Consulting and Testing" section. Contact a laboratory and schedule a day to bring in all three samples. If testing results indicate the presence of asbestos, consider hiring a professional asbestos removal contractor.

Tags: popcorn ceiling, your home, asbestos particles, ceiling samples, exposure asbestos

Remove A Cracked Painted Tin Ceiling

Preliminary work has to be done before removing a painted tin ceiling. If the tin ceiling was painted before 1978 chances are it has lead in it. This requires special precautions be taken before the removal begins. Special disposal procedures must be followed afterward. Have a paint chip tested to determine lead is present. After instituting proper precautions, the mechanics of removing a tin ceiling are not complicated.

Instructions

1. Take a paint sample to a lead testing lab and have it tested. If lead is present, seal the work area with 6-mil plastic. Purchase and wear a high-efficiency particulate air respirator (HEPA). Wear protective clothing and safety goggles.

2. Turn off the electrical power to any ceiling light fixtures. Remove light fixtures.

3. Set up a ladder along one wall where the ceiling meets the side wall. Climb up the ladder with a small cat's paw crow bar and pry the cornice and molding away. Try not to drop the debris as lead paint chips can splinter off and scatter upon hitting the floor.

4. Look for 1-by-2 inch wood strips that the rolled tin ceiling is nailed to. This is the traditional way antique tin ceilings were installed.

5. Push the straight end of a long crowbar in between the tin and the ceiling. Pry or pop the rolled tin away from the 1-by-2 inch boards.

6. Repeat Step 2 and Step 5 until the all the rolled tin ceiling is removed.

7. Continue wearing the HEPA mask. Carefully roll up the tin and place it in disposal containers.

8. Vacuum up all paint chips using a HEPA vacuum.

9. Take down 6-mil plastic and dispose with everything else along with protective clothing and the HEPA filter from the vacuum and whatever was sucked into the vacuum during cleanup of the site.

10. Locate your community's collection site for disposing of "household hazardous waste" debris and drop off all hazardous waste.

Tags: 1-by-2 inch, 6-mil plastic, hazardous waste, lead present, light fixtures, paint chips, protective clothing

Get Rid Of A Popcorn Ceiling

Popcorn ceilings contain a mixture of drywall joint compound and pieces of Styrofoam. The mixture is sprayed onto sheetrock to create a crumbling, bumpy surface that resembles popcorn. Contractors often apply this type of ceiling to control sound within a space, so neighbors aren't disturbed by loud music or conversations. Homeowners who prefer a smooth-textured ceiling may remove the popcorn by wetting, scraping and sanding.

Instructions

1. Prepare the room by removing the furniture, drapes and wall hangings. Cover the windows, mantel, fireplace opening, ceiling lights and ceiling fans with plastic sheets. Turn off electrical breakers before covering lights and fans. Use electrical outlets with childproof outlet protectors to prevent dust from infiltrating. Cover the floor with contractor's paper fastened to the baseboard with masking tape.

2. Wet a 5-foot-square section of ceiling with water using a pump sprayer to help loosen the popcorn from the drywall. Continue the process until the entire ceiling is wet. Avoid over saturating the ceiling with water. Let the water soak for two to three minutes. Make sure to wear safety goggles and a sanding mask before spraying.

3. Use a trowel to scrape off the popcorn ceiling while standing on a ladder. Eliminate rough, leftover pieces of popcorn with a pole sander and a drywall sanding screen. Move the sander back and forth until the ceiling texture is removed, and the wallboard is smoothed. Let the dust settle for one hour before fixing the ceiling.

4. Fill in ceiling holes with joint compound using a putty knife. Let the putty dry for 30 minutes. Use the pole sander to lightly sand the holes to make them flush with the ceiling. Allow the dust to settle for an hour.

5. Roll up each section of the contractor's paper and discard it in the trash.

Tags: ceiling with, ceiling with water, contractor paper, dust settle, dust settle hour

Diy Custom Chandelier

Transform a flea market fixture into a custom lighting element.

Chandeliers add formality and luxury to living spaces, and their price tags often reflect those qualities, with unusual, colorful and elaborately adorned chandeliers fetching even higher amounts. You can save money by customizing an inexpensive but operational standard candelabra-style chandelier from a yard sale, thrift store or flea market by painting it to match your space and adding whimsical elements such as coiled beaded wire, glass beads or paper flowers.

Instructions

1. Lay out your plastic tarp over your work area. Work outdoors if possible, since spray paint fumes indoors can be overwhelming. Remove any crystals or other attached decorative elements. Unscrew any light bulbs, and apply tape over the openings at the tops of the bulb sleeves and over the wire and chain.

2. Place your prepped chandelier on the tarp, and apply an even coat of spray primer. Allow the primer to dry, then flip over the fixture. Spray any areas you missed with your first pass. Allow the newly primed areas to dry.

3. Spray your chandelier with the metal-surface spray paint, and add a second coat of paint if necessary. Allow the paint to dry.

4. Customize the chandelier shades as you wait for your fixture to dry. Peel off the template from a shade. You'll notice the shade's surface is sticky; you'll just attach the fabric you cut out directly against this sticky surface. Place the template over your fabric, trace around it with the chalk, and cut out the template. Attach the template to the sticky shade. Repeat this process for as many shades as you have to cover.

5. Create a custom, decorative cord cover. Working on your ironing board, measure your chandelier's chain length, and then double that length. Cut out a 6-inch-wide strip of fabric at that length. Lay the fabric strip pattern or colored side up, and then fold it lengthwise, creating a long, thinner strip.

6. Place an equally long length of hem tape just inside the two meeting fabric edges. Heat up your iron and apply it to the fabric over where you inserted the heat-fusible tape. Allow the fused tape to cool, then turn the tube you just made inside-out. Now the pattern or colored side is showing again. Feed the chain through the fabric tube, scrunching the tube to create a ruffled effect.

7. Wrap the bulb sleeves with beaded wire or ribbon, or leave them painted. Attach beads, crystals and small sculptural elements with wire. Reattach the chandelier bulbs and push the shades onto them .

Tags: beaded wire, bulb sleeves, colored side, flea market, over your, pattern colored, pattern colored side

Decorate Your Home With Faux Tin Tiles

Adding metal tiles to this ceiling will re-create an Old World look.

Metal tiles give a room a special feeling reminiscent of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ceilings of schoolhouses and commercial buildings of that era, as well as parlors in private homes, were covered with pressed metal squares. New materials that resemble old tin tiles are made of metal alloys, acrylic and plastic. You can buy the material in individual squares, ranging in size from 6 inches square to 6-foot squares, depending on how you want to use it. The design of these materials create a room focal point, so use faux tin tiles in places that you want to stand out.

Instructions

1. Use faux tin tiles in the kitchen in the backsplash area above counters. Cover an island bar exterior with these tiles for an artistic look. Add the tiles to the sides of an old cabinet for an interesting accent piece. Secure the tiles in place and add appropriate trim, such as wood or metal strips sold with the tile.

2. Install faux metal decorative squares, which come in gold, bronze, silver and many painted colors, on a ceiling 9 feet or higher. Paint the walls white or a neutral color, so the faux metal ceiling will gain more attention. Use this decorating technique in a laundry area, back entrance of a home, or the kitchen. Add ceiling fans, if you wish, to enhance the nostalgic look.

3. Add faux tin tiles on one wall of a bathroom, behind a pedestal sink or a clawfoot tub. Add the tiles sparingly, because a material that is not real metal will not have the upscale look of real metal. Incorporate these tiles into a room for decorative appeal, but add crown molding and high-quality light fixtures to make the room look high-end. Avoid buying faux metal tiles that are too shiny, or they will seem more like plastic sheeting.

4. Install these tiles on the walls of a walk-in closet to create a slick surface, so that delicate clothing on hanging rods will not get snagged. Add the tiles in sheeting, making sure you have no rough edges, so that blouses or sweaters placed on closet shelving will not snag. Install light gray or white faux tiles so lighting in the closet will reflect off the tile walls. Don't use darker hues of faux tiles, which will subdue all lighting.

5. Take advantage of the slick surface of faux tin tiles on the walls and ceiling of a kitchen pantry to make it user-friendly for moving canned goods around on shelving, and to make it easy to wipe down the walls from time to time. Add faux tiles with a metallic look to give the kitchen a vintage flavor. Hang an old print or two from the early 1900s inside the pantry on the back of the main door or over shelving.

Tags: faux tiles, faux metal, faux tiles, these tiles, ceiling will

French Kitchen Design Ideas

Rooster-themed decor adds a rustic touch to a French kitchen.

French kitchen design, which is also known as French country kitchen design, is a style meant to evoke the rural charm of provincial France. It is a warm decorating style that emphasizes utility and employs a rustic touch. Choose French kitchen design elements that suit your own kitchen.

Wood

Wherever possible, use wood instead of plastic or metal. Wooden tables and chairs and wooden countertops offer a warm, lived-in look to your kitchen that is evocative of the rustic charm of the French kitchen style. Choose woods with a warm tone to give your kitchen a golden glow.

Curtains

Natural light is an important component of the French kitchen. The windows may be left bare or you may choose simple, light curtains or window dressings. Hang white muslin curtains held back with cords or add a simple valance made of gauze or other light material. The key is to allow as much light into the room as possible.

Glass Jars

Look for glass jars at rummage sales or garage sales and use them in your kitchen storage. For example, use a set of small glass jars in a wooden rack to store herbs and spices or use larger glass jars to store staples like flour and sugar. You may also leave empty glass jars on the window sill to catch the light.

Colors

Paint the walls of a French kitchen plain white, cream or a pale golden yellow. Paint the walls flat or use a sponge to add texture to the finish. Choose white paint with slight yellow tones rather than blue tones to create a warmer effect in the room.

Garlic

A braid of garlic adds a pastoral touch to a French-inspired kitchen.

French cuisine uses garlic and regardless of your cooking style, a garlic braid is an attractive addition to a French kitchen. A braid of garlic stores several heads of garlic and allows it to dry slowly until it's ready to use. Hang up a garlic braid on the side of a cabinet or on a wall.

Roosters

Incorporate rooster-themed decorations to your French kitchen. A small metal rooster sculpture on the counter or a larger one on the floor adds more visual variety to the profile of your kitchen, while rooster tiles or rooster paintings add color to your walls.

Tags: French kitchen, your kitchen, glass jars, braid garlic, French kitchen, French kitchen design

Buy Living Room Furniture

Buy Living Room Furniture

A living room set is a significant investment that you can enjoy for many years to come if it's purchased correctly. Unfortunately, many consumers only consider the price as the determining factor when buying living room furniture. However, several other factors play a major role on the longevity of a sofa or chair. Here are a few factors to consider the next time you buy a living room set.

Instructions

1. Look for a living room set with an oak frame. Less expensive couches or chairs have pine frames. However, pine breaks more easily and does not last as long as a couch with an oak frame.

2. Select couches or sofas with separate seat cushions, as less quality sets have sewn cushions. Additionally, couches with attached backs are also more durable. The backs generally have buttons to keep the foam from shifting or sagging.

3. Ensure that the arm rests on the living room set you're considering are tight. Gently move the arm rests to ensure that they're not shaky or loose.

4. Consider a neutral color like taupe. If interior design colors change, you can update your living room décor with new pillows and other accessories. The color taupe goes well with any color such as any shade of blue or green-currently popular in interior design.

5. Mix and match if you find a good deal on a living room set and you like color. You can buy a floral-print sofa and a solid-color side chair or vice versa, as long as the chair matches one of the colors on the floral print. They don't have to come together as a set.

6. Opt for oak coffee and end tables if possible, as it's more durable. Pine furniture looks great but it tends to scratch easily if not careful. Keep in mind that you can incorporate iron and glass or iron and wood tables in traditional or modern decor, depending on the design.

Tags: living room, interior design, living room with, more durable, room with, with frame

The Best Small Bathroom Designs

Installing a pedestal sink is a good way to save floor space in a small bathroom.

A well-planned small bathroom can add great livability to any house. For example, a home with a large kitchen and back entry usually needs a half-bath near the back door. An attic area or basement often requires a small bathroom space. Figuring out a good design will keep the bathrooms from looking like an afterthought. You want to invest time in their design, so they look original to the house and function well over time.

Invest in Good Materials

Create a high-quality look for small bathrooms near living space. For example, a bathroom near the living room of the house should have ceramic tile flooring or hardwood flooring. The walls should feature a nice tile design that looks appealing, especially if guests can see into the space while walking into the living room area. Use fixtures and cabinetry that fit the quality of furnishings in the living room space.

Create an Attractive Sink Space

A vanity area should have great artistic appeal. The vanity should be a fancy pedestal sink with high-quality hardware, or it can be a mahogany cabinet with a marble sink. One way to make the sink area special is to add an ornate mirror over it that captures one's attention. The vanity wall should be the focus of the small bathroom.

Add a Well-Designed Toilet

Use a costlier toilet versus a budget model. The design of the toilet should blend in rather than stand out if it's well made. Try adding a large piece of artwork, such as a print of day lilies or a nature scene, over the toilet to direct the eye to the artwork and its frame.

Incorporate Bold Color

Wall color can enhance a small bathroom. If you paint one wall brown or burgundy, for example, this adds a touch of sophistication to a small bathroom. Avoid using all white or light colors, even if you have to install vases or towels with a lot of color. Bright colors, such as lemon yellow, purple or lime green add artistic flair to a small space.

Space Everything Properly

Keep all fixtures balanced in size. A small corner shower with a glass door that looks appropriate for the room should work fine. Never buy an oversize tub or shower for a small bathroom, or this will make the room seem crowded. Look at showers with curved fronts that take up less room in a corner. Leave room to move about easily in the space, or the balance will be lost.

Tags: small bathroom, living room, near living, pedestal sink, should have, that looks

Get In Touch With Hampton Bay Lighting Company

Get in Touch With Hampton Bay Lighting Company

Hampton Bay Lighting and Fans is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Home Depot. The company manufactures and sells a line of light fixtures and ceiling fans that are available online and at Home Depot stores across the United States and Canada. Home Depot has set up a special customer service line for Hampton Bay Lighting and Fans that you can use to get in touch with the company.

Instructions

1. Gather any receipts you have for Hampton Bay Lighting and Fans that you have previously purchased. In addition, you should write down the specific model number of the product you need information about.

2. Call (877) 527-0313 to reach the customer service department. Customer service representatives are available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

3. Go to your local Home Depot store. You can get service information and replacement parts for your Hampton Bay Lighting and Fans product directly from the store.

Tags: Hampton Lighting, Hampton Lighting Fans, Home Depot, Lighting Fans, Hampton Lighting Company, Lighting Company

Proper Use Of Beam Clamps

Beam clamps are used in heavy construction as a fixing designed to temporarily secure steelwork such as strengthening steel, pipe work and cable trays. Beam clamps are depended upon to secure heavy loads, and because of this they must be utilized and properly maintained.

Select the Correct Beam Clamp

Beam clamps are sold in a wide range of designs and weight capacities. The most important attribute to consider when selecting the correct beam clamp is its weight capacity, which should be determined by the on-site project engineer. This figure may vary, depending on specific construction site rules and regulations.

It must then be determined if the clamp needs to be adjustable or non-adjustable, depending on its usage. Beam clamp models also vary between scissor, screw and bolt action for jobs that require a specific mechanical motion from the clamp.

If the clamp is be used in a manner for which it was not specifically intended, the beam clamp supplier should be contacted beforehand.

Safe Operation of Beam Clamps

Always verify that the structure from which the clamp is to be suspended is not damaged and can bear the appropriate load. Do not use any beam clamps that appear to be defective or any accessories such as cables that appear to be damaged.

Ensure the lifting mechanism is compatible with the clamp and that any attachments such as hooks or cables fit freely on the beam clamp's eye.

When positioning a beam clamp, the clamp must always be directly above the load's center of gravity. If not positioned properly, the load may swing from side to side, causing increased stress, which could result in failure of the clamp.

Two beam clamps should not be used in tandem, unless the clamps are specifically designed and designated for tandem use.

Inspection and Maintenance

Beam clamps should be kept clean and free of dirt and debris. They should be lubricated at intervals according to the manufacturer's specifications. Perform inspection on the clamps before usage, look for distortion or damage, cracks, corrosion, loose bolts or excessive wear.

Storage and Handling

If a beam clamp shows signs of damage, never return it to storage. All clamps that are stored should be fully inspected and operational, dry and free from corrosion. Never drop a beam clamp or throw it to the ground.

Tags: beam clamp, Beam clamps, clamp clamp, clamps should, clamps that, that appear

Get Hampton Bay Parts

Get Hampton Bay Parts

If you find your home's Hampton Bay ceiling fans and other lighting fixtures useful because they make your life more comfortable and enable you to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home, then it can be a real nuisance when they break or otherwise stop working. If you decide to fix the broken item yourself, and you will need to get replacement parts.

Instructions

Get Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan Parts

1. As the exclusive retailer for Hampton Bay ceiling fans, Home Depot offers a lifetime warranty on them. Therefore, if your Hampton Bay ceiling fan breaks or fails and it's not your fault, the easiest solution will usually be to return the fan to Home Depot for a replacement under the warranty. This is a great deal, and you should take advantage of it.

2. If, however, you prefer to repair the fan yourself rather than exchange it for a new one, you can get replacement parts. The easiest way is to drive to your local Home Depot store, where you probably bought the fan, and ask them to order for you. Home Depot also has a customer service line (1-800-654-0688) that you can call if you don't want to go to the store to order the parts, and the Hampton Bay Company has its own customer service number (1-877-527-0313) where you can also find parts for their products.

3. If you don't want to contact Home Depot for help, you can find numerous ceiling fan parts sites on the Internet. Some of the sites have some pretty good bargains relative to what you'll pay at Home Depot.

4. Hampton Bay makes numerous other products as well, from lighting fixtures to patio furniture. As these items have no moving parts, they're much less likely to break due to manufacturing defects and therefore have more limited warranties, usually one year. If they do happen to fail after the expiration of the warranty period and you decide you want to fix them yourself, you have the same avenues available to you to get replacement parts as with the ceiling fans: return them to Home Depot to order the part; call one of the customer service numbers to order parts; or find the replacement part at one of the many available Internet vendors.

Tags: Home Depot, ceiling fans, customer service, replacement parts, Hampton ceiling, Hampton ceiling fans, Hampton Parts

Design A Virtual Kitchen

Designing a virtual kitchen is a great way to get ideas for your real kitchen in your home. With online design tools, people can choose flooring, wall colors, and even the kinds of cabinets that they wish to have, all with the click of a mouse. Upon finishing the design, you can see exactly what it would look like and share it with friends. Designing a virtual kitchen can be done online within a matter of minutes.

Instructions

1. Visit the Design My Room by website by Armstrong (see References). Allow the page to load.

2. Scroll to the middle of the page. Click on "Start Designing." Allow the designer to load.

3. Choose "Kitchen" from the drop-down menu on the left of the page. Then select a kind of kitchen. You may choose between contemporary, casual country, global fusion, new traditional, traditional, and transitional.

4. Choose a kind of flooring above the images of the hardwood. Narrow your flooring choices by selecting a quality, species, style, color, and construction type. You can view the flooring types on the right of the screen.

5. Click on "Walls" at the bottom of the screen. Choose a kind of wall by clicking on the drop-down menu above the color palette. You may choose between Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore Classic Colors. Select a color by clicking on it.

6. Select "Cabinets" in the center of the screen. Choose from Benjamin Moore Classic Colors, Sherwin-Williams, and Armstrong Cabinet Colors from the drop-down menu. Choose a kind of wood for your cabinets by clicking on it.

7. Make any changes to your floor, walls, or cabinets by clicking on the option and editing it. When you're finished customizing your virtual kitchen, click "Save Room" below the image of your kitchen. Create an account with the website to save and share your virtual kitchen.

Tags: virtual kitchen, Choose kind, drop-down menu, your virtual kitchen, Benjamin Moore, Benjamin Moore Classic

Remove A False Ceiling

False and suspended ceiling construction material ranges from foamboard to clear glass.

False ceilings are suspended from the original ceiling with hanger wires. Metal molding mounts along the room's perimeter, effectively sealing the false ceiling to the interior walls. Ceiling tiles rest within metal frames. Cross members and T-bars run between the perimeter molding to create frames for supporting the tiles. The result is a ceiling that provides a means for routing electrical cables, lighting, plumbing and air ducts above the ceiling. Removing a false ceiling allows for additional overhead area and creates a roomier space.

Instructions

1. Remove the tile boards from the suspended frames. A ladder of adequate height is necessary to reach the tiles by hand. Push upward on one corner of each tile board until it releases from the frame. Lift the opposite end of the tile board up and out of the frame.

2. Turn the tile at an angle and lower it through the suspended frame. Remove all the ceiling tiles in the same manner until only the frame and suspension system remain.

3. Remove the T-bar pieces running perpendicular the beams. Start in one corner of the room. The beams run the full length of the room--from one wall to the opposite side of the room. The T-bars run perpendicular to the beams and form the ceiling tile frames. Remove the bars by pressing up on one end slightly, and pulling it away from the beam or wall molding. Remove all the T-bars.

4. Take down one length of beam at a time. Start in the same corner as before and cut the hanger wires holding each section of the beam, using wire cutters. Press upward on each end of the section to snap the beam loose. Work along the length of each beam. Start at one end of the room and work to the opposite wall. Remove all the beams in this manner.

5. Pry the metal molding from the walls with a nail puller. Start in one corner and pry the molding loose while working down the length of the room. Continue removing the molding on the remaining three rooms.

6. Remove the remaining pieces of hanger wire still hanging from the ceiling. Staples secure the wires to the ceiling. Pry the staples out with a flat-head screwdriver or a nail-puller.

Tags: down length, each section, false ceiling, hanger wires, perpendicular beams, Start corner

New Home Ceiling Ideas

Adding a window by means of a skylight or dormer provides natural lighting to cut electric costs.

Along with the floor, the ceiling is the most expansive area in the house, yet it is often never even considered when it comes to decor, except in terms of paint. A new house presents the opportunity to create a ceiling that fits into your overall style. A ceiling design can even become an interactive partner with your lifestyle.

Soundproofing Your Ceiling

Soundproofing your ceiling is a very wise idea, especially for two-story homes. A soundproofed first-floor ceiling will lessen the impact of footsteps, exercise movements and rambunctious kids being heard when you are below. Add some soundproofing to the walls of a room planned for kids or a home theater or if someone in the family is a musician.

Skylights, Dormers and Tubular Skylights

Adding skylights to a new ceiling allows the house to be lit naturally with sunlight, which can cut down on electrical use during daylight hours and provide a breathtaking view at night. A skylight over the kitchen can provide better illumination of the food you are preparing. A dormer window is perfect for an artist's studio you plan to locate in the attic. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, consider placing a tubular skylight in your ceiling plans. Tubular skylights are a new technology that allows sunlight to be distributed more evenly through the house.

False Beams

When building a new home, you have the choice of creating a ceiling with exposed beams or installing false beams. The choice of real or false beams is determined by the style of your roof. A false beam made of wood can be shaped, stained or painted for added decorative effect. If the style of your furnishings and decor refers back to a more rustic era, your false beam can be stained to give the ceiling an aged effect.

Planning for Ceiling Fans

Most people building a new home should at least consider installing ceiling fan outlets and wiring even if you don't immediately add the fan. If you decide later on that you want to add a ceiling fan, having the house prewired for it makes installation much easier.

Secret Hiding Places

Building a new home offers the perfect opportunity to install a secret hiding place in the ceiling. A secret compartment concealed by the ceiling is the ideal place to store valuables that might otherwise be lost in a burglary, or to hide presents from the kids during the holiday season.

Tin Ceiling

A tin ceiling over the dining area lends your home a sense of the opulence of the 19th century, when the dining table was the centerpiece for conversation as well as eating. You could install a metal ceiling anywhere and everywhere, but try to visit a home or establishment that has metal ceilings before you make the decision, so you'll know what to expect. Metal tiles come in a vast array of geometric patterns and you also have control over the size of the panels to be installed.

Tags: building home, false beam, false beams, style your, your ceiling

Hookup A Wire Connection On A Ceiling Fan

Hooking up a ceiling fan can be somewhat tricky if you have never installed a fan before. Ceiling fans have extra wires that can confuse the average homeowner and someone that is unfamiliar with electrical wiring. The confusion is caused by the wire colors for a ceiling fan, and the fact the fan has four wires while your ceiling fan electrical box has three wires. Knowing where to hook up the fourth wire when connecting a ceiling fan takes the confusion out of the installation.

Instructions

1. Turn the electrical power off to your ceiling fan electrical box if you have not already. The breaker should be turned off in your service panel for the ceiling fan circuit. Place a note on the panel door letting your family know you are working on the circuit and not to turn on the breaker.

2. Look inside the ceiling fan electrical box and locate the black power wire, white neutral wire and bare copper ground wire. Test the black wire to confirm you have the electricity turned off.

3. Touch one lead from a two-lead electrical tester to the end of the black wire. Touch the other lead to the metal on the ceiling fan electrical box. The tester will not light up if you have the right breaker turned off.

4. Assemble your ceiling fan following the directions provided by the manufacturer. Locate the black motor wire from the ceiling fan, the white neutral wire, the green ground wire and the light kit wire. Depending on the manufacturer, the color of the light wire could be blue, black with a white stripe, or red.

5. Match the green wire connected to the ceiling fan to the bare copper wire from the ceiling fan electrical box. Twist an orange wire connector onto the wires clockwise to connect them together. Match the white neutral wire from the ceiling fan with the white neutral wire inside the ceiling fan electrical box and connect them together with another orange connector.

6. Connect the last two wires from the ceiling fan, the black motor wire and the remaining light kit wire to the black hot wire from the ceiling fan electrical box with another connector. Attach the ceiling fan to the electrical box following the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Turn the breaker on in your home's main electrical service panel to supply electrical power to the ceiling fan.

Tags: ceiling electrical, from ceiling, neutral wire, white neutral, white neutral wire, wire from, wire from ceiling

Acoustical Ceiling Installation

Acoustical Ceiling Installation

Also called suspended ceilings or drop ceilings, acoustical ceilings are made with tiles that have a sound-absorbing quality. The tiles, which fit into a metal grid, are available in a multitude of colors, designs and shapes. What was once thought of as an economical ceiling is now also considered a decorative element in many offices, buildings and residences.

Wall Brackets

Determine the height at which you want the ceiling. Standard ceiling heights are 8 feet to accommodate other standard building materials such as drywall. Carefully mark the height around the perimeter of the room. Use a level to ensure that the line remains straight, rather than attempting to make continual measurements.

Once the line is in place, install the outer L brackets. These brackets will mount on top of the line; secure them to wall studs with screws. Install all exterior brackets first before beginning the inner framework.

Main Tees

Install rows of anchors--which can be nails, screws or eye-bolts--in the ceiling joists overhead on 4-foot centers across the width of the room and every 2 feet along each row. Install the main tee brackets on 4-foot center by attaching them to the wall bracket, then supporting them with hanger wires that will attached to the overhead anchor points. You should have one row of anchors over every main tee. Use a level to be certain that the brackets remain level as you tighten each hanger wire. Continue across the room until all main tees are installed.

Cross Tees

Place cross tees every 2 feet along the main tees to form 2-by-4-foot openings. Continue across the room until the entire grid is completed. If you are installing 2-foot-square ceiling tiles, you will add additional cross tees in the center of each of these openings to reduce the opening size to 2 feet by 2 feet.

Ceiling Tiles

With the ceiling grid in place, you can begin to lay the ceiling tiles. Angle them slightly to fit them up and through the opening, then let them rest on the lip of the brackets. Begin in one corner of the room and complete one row before turning and starting back down the next row. If you need to add lights or other items, you will need to install additional support and hanger wires to handle the weight. Custom-fit tiles around lights or vents, or install lights that will fit in a 2-by-4-foot grid hole.

Odd-Sized Tiles

Unless the room's measurement is divisible by 4, you will be left with one odd-sized row that is less than 4 feet in width. Take careful measurements of the leftover space and mark a ceiling tile to match the measurement. Using a box knife, cut the ceiling tile along the mark. Place the tile in the appropriate opening and take the measurement for the next opening. Measure each opening separately instead of using the measurement from the previous tile. This will insure a custom fit for each opening.

Tags: Acoustical Ceiling, Acoustical Ceiling Installation, across room, across room until, Ceiling Installation, ceiling tile, ceiling tiles

Kitchen Ceiling Colors

Add warm colors to your kitchen ceiling for a warm, inviting and appetizing look.

Kitchen ceilings allow you to continue your decor beyond the room's walls. Choose a color scheme that bests fits your personal tastes and the overall motif of your home. If you have streamlined, contemporary decor, for example, you might consider a bold kitchen ceiling--as opposed to a rustic look. Kitchen ceilings provide a space for you to extend the main kitchen colors, introduce complementary colors or accent the color scheme using texture and various ceiling elements.

Warm and Muted Colors

Muted colors, such as peach, light pink or light green, create a relaxed and calm atmosphere. The colors are warm and inviting. Bring a softer version of the kitchen wall color up to the ceiling. Pull a muted blue onto the ceiling if you have blue kitchen walls, or a beige or cream color if you have white walls. A warm color palette can have elegant and timeless results. Natural, earthy tones also work well as warm and muted ceiling kitchen colors. Examples include light browns, greens and oranges.

Bold Colors

Kitchens big or small can incorporate bold ceiling colors to create character and highlight architectural features. A vibrant red ceiling is sure to draw attention to the kitchen. Red is ideal for open spaces that receive lots of natural light. Bold colors like rich blue, black or purple also can be used in small spaces; the key is to balance the design. Paint a bold blue on a ceiling and accent wall, while leaving the rest of the walls a neutral cream so the blue is not so overwhelming. Or use bold colors only on exposed ceiling elements as opposed to the entire ceiling. For example, paint just the beams or other ceiling accents. Bold ceiling colors work well in contemporary kitchens with steel appliances, but can be used in other kitchen designs as well.

Color and Texture

Interesting textured and colored ceilings immediately capture the attention of guests. Your ceiling can have a different texture or be made of a different building material than the walls. Texture can be used to add rustic charm or a modern sleek twist, giving depth to the ceiling. Try natural dark brown wood along your ceiling for a rustic look, or tin tiles for a contemporary look. Tin ceiling tiles are available in many designs and colors, including metallic silver, as well as basic color options.

Tags: ceiling elements, ceiling have, color scheme, Kitchen ceilings, kitchen colors, look Kitchen

Install A Canned Light In A Suspended Ceiling

Installing can lights in a suspended ceiling requires purchasing can light fixtures with premounted supports. This is necessary because the fixtures mount on the top of the ceiling tile grid.The supports provide a secure attachment for the canned lighting. This prevents the fixture from adding weight to the individual ceiling tile. Sometimes, cutting the hole in the suspended ceiling tile poses the most difficulty. It is possible, however, to cut the hole out perfectly with little measuring.

Instructions

1. Trace the outline of the canned light onto a piece of cardboard. Cut the cardboard at the trace line with a utility knife. This piece of cardboard will serve as a template for the ceiling tile.

2. Position a step ladder under the tile where you want to install the canned lighting. Remove the ceiling tile and attach extra hanger wires to the grid according to the ceiling manufacturer. The extra hanger wires help to support the extra weight of the canned light fixture.

3. Pull the support extenders on the canned light outward with your fingers. Position the canned light on the top of the suspended ceiling track. Center the light in the middle of the opening. The ends of the supports have hooks that wrap around the top of the suspended ceiling track.

4. Tighten the wing-nut screws at the end of each support track with your finger to secure the lighting to the ceiling grid. Attach the wires to the light wires according to the manufacturer's instructions.

5. Measure from each side of the ceiling grid to the center of the light. Transfer the measurement to the face of the ceiling tile. Center the cardboard template over the center mark on the ceiling tile. Cut the ceiling tile around the cardboard template with a utility knife.

6. Reinstall the ceiling tile into the grid. The light fixture protrudes slightly into the tile opening. Attach the trim kit that comes with the fixture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most trim pieces simply screw onto the fixture while some use small screws.

Tags: ceiling tile, canned light, according manufacturer, according manufacturer instructions, canned lighting

Decorate A Beachthemed Bathroom

One or two striking shells add impact to a beach-themed bathroom.

Decorating your bathroom in a beach theme invokes the relaxing feeling of an ocean vacation at home. If you would like an upscale sophisticated beach theme, it helps to keep the decorations simple and dramatic. One or two well thought out pieces trump an assortment of small trinkets. Keep your color scheme simple with one or two main colors to achieve a calming experience.

Instructions

1. Choose a wall paint color. Usually when you think of a beach- or ocean-themed room, you may think of blue or green wall paint colors. However, the effect is much more effective when you use a subtle gray paint. Look for gray paint colors that have blue or green undertones. These paints seem to change colors in different lights and mimic the ocean's many different shades during different weather patterns. Paint all of the bathroom walls in this color.

2. Obtain white accessories including a shower curtain, towels and area rugs. White is your second main color besides the gray wall color.

3. Obtain accessories in your third accent color which is sea green or sea blue. Imagine sea glass that is found on the beach for this color. It is more effective if you just choose one color, blue or green. Get some accessories in this color such as glass bottles to use for liquid soap, lotions, and glass apothecary jars to use for cotton balls and Q-tips.

4. Place one or two large seashells in prominent spots. If you must use a small assortment of seashells, pour them into a large glass vase or jar (don't just set out on the countertop by themselves).

5. Add some silver. Silver is a ocean color that is seen when the sun catches the edge of a wave and the resulting glint of shiny color is silver. Try to find a silver candle holder perhaps in the shape of a seashell or starfish. You could also use silver frames for any beach-themed artwork you wish to hang.

6. Include candles with fresh scents, such as those of the ocean, or tropical flowers or fruit.

Tags: blue green, this color, beach theme, color Obtain, gray paint, more effective

Bathroom Lighting Regulations

Bathroom lighting regulations help to protect you.

Unlike any other room in the house, a bathroom's exposure to water and humidity affects the choice of lighting. When you are renovating a bathroom or installing a new bathroom, certain bathroom lighting regulations apply.

Light Switches

The bathroom needs to have a switch that controls at least one of the lights.This is so that when you enter the bathroom, you can find the switch easily and turn on the light.

Suitable Light Fixtures

When you install lighting fixtures in the shower area or tub area, you need to check the lighting fixtures for a specific label. The label needs to read "suitable for damp/wet locations" (see Kitchen and Bathroom Lighting).

Location of Hanging Fixtures

You can install hanging fixtures, but you need to be careful about where you install them. The light fixture must be 8 feet above the rim of the tub as well as 3 feet horizontally from the edge of the tub.

Tags: Bathroom Lighting, lighting fixtures

Modern Office Design Theory

The modern office: light, airy and open

Gone are the traditional office ideals that everyone requires a private office. Modern office design has embraced the idea of collaboration and removed the walls that once separated workers. The office layout of today is comprised of clusters of stations that allow workers to talk to each other and interact. This open concept is thought to improve productivity as employees are encouraged to collaborate. The modern office is an inviting, cheery place that also inspires staff.

Work Clusters

These desks are separated by storage for working privacy and allow for collaboration

To save on construction costs and allow for ease in restructuring, large offices are now designed with clusters of desks and storage called systems furniture. Systems furniture can be configured in different sizes and shapes, with employees separated by partition walls. Desks and storage hang from the partition walls and each employee has a separate space, but is able to speak with others within the cluster. Systems furniture is not a new concept, but has evolved over the years, as technology has advanced to be made with lighter colors, thinner walls and materials such as plexiglass to give an even more open feeling.

Welcoming Entry

The receptionist desks is sleek and modern in black and white, surrounding by comfortable chairs.

The entry of the modern office is a bright, open and welcoming area. The reception is also the ideal place for a company to display awards, current projects and other company details. A modern office will also display artwork and historic elements special to a company. As the lobby is the first place, and the first impression visitors will have of the office, extra effort should be placed in this area to engender confidence from visitors. The lobby will have comfortable seating, reading materials, refreshments and smell fresh. A modern lobby with have sleek furnishings, cool colors and clutter-free surfaces.

Conference Room

Glass table and conference chair

The center of most offices, modern or traditional, is the conference room. Meetings, presentations, even productive lunches occur in functional, roomy conference rooms. The modern conference room will have comfortable, yet small scale seating that will allow for more participants. The table can be wood, but modern options include glass tabletops and chrome legs, which can make a room appear larger. A modern conference room will also include storage and a functional lighting scheme.

Modern Office Lighting

The lighting in a modern office is also good for the environment. New office buildings are designed with light sensors that monitor room occupancy. If there is no one in the room, the lights automatically turn off, and when someone walks by, the lights greet the visitors. Modern lighting is also very energy efficient, using modern fluorescent bulbs, LED or Xenon for clear, white lighting. Desk lamps are also used for task lighting on desks.

Modern Home Offices

The Internet allows for many to work remotely, from home or another location. Having a dedicated space to work from while at home, will help keep the focus on work and not let the at-home worker become distracted. Furnish your home office area with a desk space and plenty of storage. The modern can be infused at home with a glass desk and floating shelving. Don't forget the lighting to make a functional workspace.

Tags: conference room, modern office, will have, conference room will, designed with, have comfortable, modern conference

Frame A Soffit Around An Ibeam

Frame around I-beams for cabinets or aesthetics.

Soffitt is a term used to describe a box that is built down from the ceiling. Soffits can be used to hide structural features or to provide a proper place to hang cabinets. Without soffits, cabinets would be too high; the top of the cabinet would be unreachable without a ladder or step-stool. If a building or home has structural features such as I-beams, soffitts can be built to hide the feature or simply to provide adequate cabinet anchoring. Start by building the soffit on the ground and then nailing it to the ceiling.

Instructions

1. Measure the base of the I-beam. Place two, 2-by-4 studs on the ground parallel with the beam standing on their sides. The studs should be placed so that they are 4 inches wider than the I-beam on the outside. For example, if the I-beam is 6 inches across the bottom, the studs should be 14 inches from outside to outside.

2. Place another stud on a miter saw. Cut enough studs at 10 inches to place one perpendicular between the studs on the ground every 12 inches the length of the soffit. The 10-inch studs should be laying flat on the ground.

3. Shoot two, 2-inch staples through the long studs, into the ends of the short studs on both sides to form the the bottom of the soffit. It should look like a ladder.

4. Measure the height of the I-beam from the ceiling to the bottom of the I-beam and add 1 inch for the measurement to cut the vertical risers on the I-beam. For example, if the I-beam is 12 inches tall, cut the risers at 13 inches. Place another stud on the miter saw and cut enough risers to place one every 12 inches the length of the soffit.

5. Stand one vertical riser on each side of the ladder spaced 12 inches apart. Shoot two staples through each vertical riser into the sides of the ladder to secure the vertical risers to the sides of the ladder. The structure of the soffit is complete.

6. Lift the soffit up to the ceiling. You will need one or two assistants to help at this point. The ends of the vertical risers should fit against the ceiling on both sides of the parallel ceiling studs. Shoot two staples through the ends of each vertical riser into the ceiling studs to secure the soffit to the ceiling.

Tags: staples through, studs should, vertical riser, vertical risers, another stud, another stud miter, both sides

Frame A Ceiling

A ceiling is more than just a means of shelter, it can greatly enhance the beauty of your home. Framing a cathedral ceiling or vaulted ceilings add character and style. Check out the different ceiling options before you begin your project and find the ceiling design that brings out the creative you in your home.

Instructions

Frame a Ceiling

1. Frame your ceiling after all the walls are plumb, aligned, and secured. The ceiling's function is to tie together the outside walls of a building.

2. Space each ceiling joist 16-inch although 24-inch is acceptable. You will determine the size of your ceiling joist by the weight it carries and the span it covers from wall to wall.

3. Rest one end of the ceiling joist on an outside wall. The other end will overlap an interior bearing partition at least four inches. Use 16d nails to connect the walls together.

4. Strengthen the tie between the outside walls by nailing the outside end of each ceiling joist to the end of the rafters and wall plates. Try to make sure the ceiling joists run in the same direction as the roof rafters.

5. Cut the length of the ceiling joists before they are placed on the walls. As each joist is cut, hand it up to the builder who will lay each joist flat along the wall, close to where it will be nailed.

6. Mark the place on the top of the walls where the joists will be fastened and nail them in place using three 16d nails. Install the ceiling joists on one side of the building and then install them on the other.

7. Secure the tops of the walls running in the same direction as the ceiling joists by laying 2-inch by 4-inch blocks over the top of the partition. Each end of the block is nailed to the joists with two 16d nails. Also nail each block into the top of the wall with two 16d nails.

Tags: ceiling joist, ceiling joists, each ceiling, each ceiling joist, each joist, Frame Ceiling, outside walls

Design Your Bathroom Online

If you are having trouble visualizing a new bathroom design, there is an easy way to test drive your ideas before making any commitments. The Internet offers a variety of different two- and three-dimensional bathroom design planners that require a little effort and a lot of creativity. Following are some tips on using one of these online planners.

Different Planners

There are many different online bathroom planners you can choose from if you want to create a makeshift blueprint for your design. You can find these bathroom designers at the Kohler, Armitage Shanks, Big In Bathrooms and the Bathroom Furniture Guide websites. For this walkthrough, the William Wilson Big in Bathrooms site will be used.

Depending on which planner you use, you may have to download the latest version of Adobe Flash or Macromedia Shockwave. Some older operating systems may not be able to support these plugins; when you try downloading either plugin, you may get an error message if you are using an old operating system. You may need to shut down your Internet browser to download Flash or Shockwave, so make sure you bookmark your page before closing.

Floor Plan

After you have downloaded all of your plugins, you will be directed to an interactive online bathroom planner. At the William Wilson website, you will see what appears to be a small grid on the left (which is your 2-D view), and a small blank box on the right (this is your 3-D view). Make sure you have your bathroom measurements available.

Begin by creating walls. To do this, simply click on a point on the grid and trace the outline of your bathroom with its approximate measurements. Once you have completed this step, a 3-D version of your bathroom will appear in the box at the right. You can view this image at different angles and zooms by click-holding on the image and turning it with your mouse.

Designing

The Effects Of Lighting In The Interior Of Houses

Interior lighting increases visibility and productivity

Lighting your home's interior serves many purposes, and there are a variety of ways in which it can be done. Different styles of lighting focus on various lighting effects; task lighting focuses on lighting for efficiency and productivity by keeping the light directed toward specific areas for specific activities, while daylighting focuses on the use of natural light to cut energy costs and provide a more natural environment. Whichever lighting style or combination of styles you choose, the interior lighting will have several effects on your home.

Safety and Visibility

The primary purpose of any interior lighting, should be increasing visibility in the area. This has the effect of increasing safety by allowing anyone moving through the room to see hazards such as objects on the floor, sharp corners of furniture, or pets. Most sighted people depend heavily on the sense of vision for navigation, orientation and balance, so indoor lighting allows for ease of movement throughout a space even when windows are not present or do not allow light to enter naturally.

Increased Productivity

The invention of electric light increased people's ability to work after sundown by providing a brighter, steadier light than candles or oil lamps were able to maintain. Modern interior lighting allows for all kinds of work to be done at any hour of the day, rather than requiring work to stop when natural lighting becomes inadequate.

Atmosphere and Mood Enhancement

Lighting can have a strong effect on the mood in a room. Interior lighting can be used to increase the feeling of energy or positive moods when it is bright, or to increase relaxation with dim lighting. Colored light bulbs or color filters placed in front of the bulbs in lighting fixtures can also change the mood of a room. Lighting an entire room with diffused (soft) lighting can eliminate shadows, which may have the effect of making the inhabitants feel tired or bored because of the lack of contrast. Alternatively, hard lighting creates shadows, and can be used to increase the prominence of architectural elements such as crown moldings or pillar details. This can create interest in the shapes of the room and increase alertness.

Tags: lighting allows, mood room, used increase, your home

Design A Kitchen Pantry

Designing a kitchen pantry that is organized and functional

Kitchen pantries are functional spaces that are specifically designed for the storage and organization of food and other common household staples. There are a myriad of ways to add a pantry space to a home from utilizing a closet to using a pre-made, standing unit. No two pantries are alike, due to the varied ways different cooks use items and types of foods they prepare. Adding a kitchen pantry space is an desirable project for many homeowners who have large families or who enjoy cooking or baking. Pantry design is fairly easy with the incorporation of a few organizational tips for a pantry that is functional for years to come.

Instructions

1. Utilize a closet space. Use a closet in or near the kitchen area for a kitchen pantry design. Clear out the closet completely and wipe down the inside with a sponge and household cleaner,

2. Paint the closet interior. Pick a pleasing color for the inside of the kitchen pantry space, and paint the inside of the closet with a water-based interior paint.

3. Add wire shelves. Measure the width of the closet, and purchase wire shelves and shelf supports for the kitchen pantry design. Assemble them in the closet according to the shelf instructions.

4. Incorporate shelf paper. Add brightly colored shelf paper to all the shelf surfaces to serve as a decorative accent to the pantry shelves.

5. Arrange kitchen items according to level of use. Organize the kitchen pantry design by choosing the top shelves for items that get infrequent use, as it is difficult to access them. Organize daily food staples on the middle shelves, making them easily accessible, and store once-a-month items on the bottom shelves.

6. Store like-food items together. Group items, such as canned soups, applesauce containers, spaghetti jars and cereals, together for a kitchen pantry display that is functional and provides an easy way to track inventory.

7. Use baskets to organize food. When designing the kitchen pantry, fill wicker storage baskets with like-food items, and also make a few baskets with the ingredients of a favorite meal to make food preparation easy and fast.

8. Rotate food staples. Check the expiration dates on the packages or cans of food, and rotate them, keeping the fresher food to the back of the kitchen pantry, to ensure proper utilization of pantry items.

9. Hang a chalkboard on the outside pantry door. As a final touch, hang a chalkboard on the door of the kitchen pantry to make grocery lists of food or other staples, so grocery shopping is easier and more efficient.

Tags: kitchen pantry, kitchen pantry design, pantry design, pantry space, baskets with

Fix The Knob Of A Tree Lamp

A typical tree lamp has three separate light fixtures attached to the center pole at varying heights. The design of the lamp allows you to turn on lights individually based on your lighting needs by twisting the knob located on the back of each fixture. With continual use, the knob turning the light off and on can break. The tree lamp socket is made with the switch on the bottom of the socket rather than on the side, and replacing the socket fixes the knob.

Instructions

1. Unplug your tree lamp from the wall outlet. Remove the light bulbs from the tree lamp to avoid breaking them as you repair the knob.

2. Remove the light shades from the fixtures on the tree lamp. Depending on the design and manufacturer of your tree lamp, you can screw the shades off counterclockwise or snap them off the fixture base.

3. Untwist the decorative locknut located on the back of the fixture. The twist knob on the back of the fixture threads through this locknut. Remove the locknut from the fixture to release the lamp socket.

4. Grasp the lamp socket inside the tree lamp fixture. Carefully pull the socket from the fixture to expose the two socket screws holding the two lamp wires to the base of the socket.

5. Loosen the socket screws on the base of the socket, and remove the two wires from beneath the socket screws. Discard the old tree lamp socket.

6. Install the two lamp wires underneath the two socket screws on the back of the replacement socket. Insert the twist knob on the new socket through the opening at the back of the fixture.

7. Thread the decorative locknut over the twist knob. Screw the locknut onto the threads of the new socket to secure the socket and knob to the tree lamp's fixture.

8. Replace the shade on the tree lamp fixture. Reinstall the tree lamp's light bulbs.

Tags: tree lamp, lamp socket, socket screws, tree lamp, back fixture, lamp fixture, tree lamp fixture

Decor Ideas With Black Granite Vanity Tops

This granite has black and gray with silver.

The durability of granite makes it a smart choice for a bathroom vanity. Black granite is a sophisticated option that will enhance any decor style from modern to traditional to contemporary or eclectic. Black granite is available in solid black or with different patterns in the stone that add depth and accent colors. Select a granite that will offer the most options for your bath.

Traditional Bath

Pair your black granite vanity tops with dark cabinetry for a traditional-style bathroom. Select a tile floor that complements the cabinetry color. Another flooring option is eucalyptus or teak wood in a slightly light or darker color than the cabinetry for contrast. Since the vanity and top are dark, balance them with light taupe or green walls. With this neutral color palette, layer in pops of color depending on the season, such as red or orange in the fall, yellow and green in the spring.

Classic Bath

Black and white is a classic and timeless color scheme. The high-contrast combo provides the ideal backdrop for bright accent colors. If you are daring, paint the walls a shade of pink and layer in fushia pink towels and a zebra striped shower curtain. If you are more conservative, paint the walls a soft yellow or gray. Other accent color options are red, blue or green. Use towels, decorative storage boxes and candles to layer in color in a black and white bathroom.

Contemporary Bath

For a contemporary bath with black granite vanity tops, use dark cabinetry and dark floors. The color scheme of a contemporary bath is monochromatic, so keep paint in the same family as the cabinetry, or a neutral white or beige. Keep accessories to a minimum to maintain the contemporary, clean line feel. A stainless soap dispenser and two neutral towels are enough decoration. If you have space, add a little color with a plant. A contemporary bath provides an ideal backdrop for animal-print accessories and towels. Accentuate brown and black with leopard prints.

Other Accessories

Just like any other room, the bathroom isn't complete with out artwork. Accentuate the black granite by hanging artwork with black frames. Select pieces that go with your chosen color scheme. If your bath has a lot of white or other light colors, opt for black wrought-iron towel bars to bring in more black. Cups, trash cans and decorative jars are staples in any bathroom, so make sure to select pieces that complement your bathroom's decor.

Tags: color scheme, accent colors, black granite, black with, contemporary bath, dark cabinetry

Design A Church Kitchen

When designing a church kitchen it is imperative to understand the specific needs of your congregation and building. Once you begin the process you will quickly find that it becomes as much fun as work. Enjoy the fruits of your labor--straight from the kitchen, that is.

Instructions

1. Work with what you have. Don't try to overdo it. If you have limited space, create a step-saver kitchen with all the work areas near one another. If plumbing or electrical issues prevent you from moving the sink or stove, leave them where they are and work around them.

2. Stick to your budget. Focus on the practical instead of the newest fads in kitchen gadgets and materials. Important items include an easy-to-maintain counter surface and durable cabinets and flooring. You don't need expensive granite counters, especially if they stretch the budget. (There is nothing wrong with going high end, but blowing your budget to do so may be perceived as frivolous by your congregation.)

3. Assess your needs. If you run a soup kitchen, a commercial-grade stove and oven are in order. On the flip side, if the church kitchen is used only for the occasional holiday potluck, a regular stove will suffice. If the kitchen is the hub of church life, a breakfast style bar and extra seating are needed. Consider a freezer-free refrigerator that will provide more room for refreshments.

4. Pay attention to detail. The layout of your kitchen is very important. If your kitchen is often used for public gatherings or just a place to congregate, make sure the layout is conducive to movement. An open kitchen with a center island and bar makes it easy for church members to move in and out with ease. A closed kitchen with cooks only in mind should have entrance doors with windows to minimize injuries or spills as people carry hot dishes in and out of the kitchen.

5. Use skilled volunteers and laborers. The kitchen is not the place for Children's Church kids to hone their newly acquired skills with a hammer. Because of fire codes and permit laws you need a skilled team to help with the design. Use only a licensed electrician to work with wires, hookups and electricity. The same goes for your plumber-a licensed and bonded plumber could save you money and headaches down the road.

Tags: kitchen with, church kitchen, your budget, your congregation, your kitchen

Stain Trim Molding Before You Cut It

Staining trim molding is an integral part of the trim process. If you stain trim before you cut and install it, rather than after, you save time by eliminating extra steps, such as taping and covering floors to prevent drips. The amount of time required to stain trim before cutting will vary depending on the size of your project; however, it can be done in as little as 2 hours. Follow these simple steps to save time and produce eye-pleasing results.

Instructions

1. Determine the amount of stain necessary for staining the trim molding. Line all of the trim molding up side by side. Measure the length and the width of the trim and multiply to get total square footage. For example, if you have trim that's 10 feet long and 20 feet wide, multiply 10 by 20 to get 200 square feet. Divide that number by the coverage capacity of one can of stain. For example, if one can of stain will cover 200 square feet, then divide 200 by 200. You will need 1 can of stain for the job.

2. Choose the kind of stain, either water-based or oil-based. Oil-based tends to smell stronger than water-based, but it's more durable. Water-based stain cleans up better.

3. Lay as many pieces of trim out onto saw horses that you can fit at one time. Leave a few inches between each piece. You may need to use three saw horses so the trim doesn't bounce up and down while you're working.

4. Lightly sand the trim to smooth the surface. Use a fine-grain sandpaper for a finer finish.

5. Apply a wood conditioner to the trim so that the stain application will be uniform and even. Stain applied to different grains sometimes looks blotchy. Wood conditioner makes the wood receive the stain more evenly. Apply the conditioner by wiping with a rag. Allow it to set for 3 to 4 hours.

6. Wipe the stain onto the wood using the stain rags. Try not to apply too much at once, or the stain will run. Instead, apply several coats spaced 2 hours apart.

Tags: save time, square feet, stain trim, stain trim before, stain will