Brushed Metal Glaze Wall Painting Technique

Brushed Metal Glaze Wall Painting Technique

Transform drywall to mimic a metal wall by adding metallic paint and glaze. Metallic paints come in a variety of shades, from traditional bronze and copper to modern jewel tones such as blue turquoise and ruby red. Metallic paint is made from small pieces of mica. For the most reflective qualities to be seen on the wall, there must be adequate light. Both natural and artificial light allow the newly painted metallic wall to glow.

Wall Preparation

To prepare the wall to be painted, wash it with a large sponge and warm water if a large amount of dirt is visible on the surface. A clean wall allows paint to adhere better. Vacuum spider webs from the ceiling line and corners of the room to avoid them mixing with the paint during the project. Apply 2-inch painter's tape to all surfaces where paint should be avoided, and press the tape firmly onto baseboards, door frames and ceiling lines so paint does not seep underneath. Lay all drop cloths evenly on the floor, making the drop cloths smooth and free of wrinkles.

Base Coat

Use dark brown or black latex paint to apply a dark base coat. The dark base color is necessary because any shade of metallic paint from pearl white to dark bronze is extremely translucent. The base coat should cover the wall surface entirely and evenly. The base coat is commonly applied using a roller. Apply pressure evenly and steadily. Be prepared to apply more than one coat.

Metallic Paint

Always apply metallic paint in a random, organic direction instead of in vertical or horizontal rolls. Roll on the paint and overlap sections when applying. Do not trim out the edges of the wall because a visible brushed-on look will be seen around the perimeter. Instead, use the roller and go directly to the edge of the wall. Roll on coats of metallic paint until a solid metallic wall results.

Glazing

For the glaze, mix together metallic paint and clear glaze in a 1-2 ratio. Use a paintbrush to apply the glaze to the wall for a brushed technique. Experiment with different brushed-on looks using a piece of cardboard or scrap wood. Other tools such as sponges, newspaper and plastic bags also can be used. Cover the area only one time with glaze, and do not go back into an area to fix mistakes if the glaze has set for more than one minute.

Finishing Project

Always allow glaze to dry for 24 hours prior to moving items back in a room. Keep traffic to a minimum while glaze dries to avoid accidental touches. Add additional lighting in the room by using accent and interior lights for the metallic wall to shine.

Tags: base coat, metallic paint, metallic wall, Brushed Metal, Brushed Metal Glaze

Different Designs To Remodel Your Bathroom

Adding a new vanity and mirror can spruce up almost any bathroom.

A good bathroom layout might require moving a main fixture or the vanity. By looking at all options in the given floor space, you might find elbow room to make the bathroom function better. In most cases, you should leave the toilet in its original position because changing the drain is quite time consuming. Try to work around the original placement, if possible, but experiment to envision several new options for the room.

Feature the Vanity Space

Designate the sink vanity wall as the focal point of the bathroom. Even if you have a small pedestal sink with a mirror over it, use color and lighting to draw the eye to this wall. You can envision various ways to place the vanity, but ensure it's instantly visible upon opening the bathroom door. A vanity doesn't have to be large. It can consist of a small antique table with a fancy bowl sink installed that rests against a large marble-look wall.

Work in a Quality Shower

A well-made shower can make a big difference. By building a tiled shower with a glass door into a corner space, you can improve a room with a small shower or no shower. Figure out place the shower in a corner space so you will have room for a table of folded towels or shelving just outside the shower to hold towels. Picture make bathing more comfortable, too. Add a foot faucet or high-quality shower massage component.

Invest in a Comfortable Tub

A soaking bathtub can give a spa feeling. You can buy a reproduction cast iron tub on legs or install a small jetted tub. If you have room for a large whirlpool tub, this will really add ambiance to the room. Don't over-crowd the space, however. A large tub that cramps the bathroom will not be very inviting. Keep everything balanced in terms of size and scale to create a harmonious feeling.

Add Tile for Beauty

Use tile for an upscale look. Add a heated floor under a tiled floor surface. Use tile on wall space for an artistic touch or cozy feeling. Tile installed around a soaking tub on the wall will help prevent splashes on drywall, too. You can add just 24 inches of tile work as a border above the tub if you want to use drywall in the top section of the space. A couple of rows of artistic tile above the sink area can add focus to the vanity as well.

Incorporate Individual Touches

Special amenities make any bath special. A nice light fixture, high-quality shelving or towel bars or an unusual storage cabinet all help a bath design look visually appealing. You want to create a design using materials, textures and colors that demonstrate you've put serious thought into the design work. Create a beautiful space that reflects good taste and effort. Tiny touches, such as special knobs on drawers in the vanity area or antique towel hooks can make a large difference.

Tags: corner space, feeling Tile, have room

Install Solid Wood Paneling

Installed wood paneling

Solid wood paneling comes in a variety of woods and can create a warm and comforting look in any home. Although installing solid-wood paneling requires more measuring and cutting work than installing wood-paneling sheets, solid-wood paneling can be customized to fit your needs. Unlike paneling sheets, solid-wood panels come in many varieties of woods. They are also more resistant to wear than sheet paneling and can be easily stained in a variety of colors. Homeowners can install solid-wood paneling when they know begin the process.

Instructions

1. Lay the level along the walls in the room. This will help you determine if the walls are flat and plumb. Mark any areas of the wall that are not plumb or flat with a pencil. If the walls are not plumb, you may want to consider screwing wood shims to specific areas on the walls so the paneling will be plumb when installed.

2. Use a pry bar and a hammer to remove the moldings and baseboards from the walls. Carefully remove the moldings so that they can be re-installed later.

3. Locate the studs on the wall with a stud finder. Mark the places on the wall where the studs are located.

4. Locate the corner of the room that is most visible when you first enter. This will be your starting point. Measure the wall with a measuring tape and transfer the measurements to the wood panel with a pencil.

5. Place the panel on the miter saw and cut along the marked measurement.

6. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the panel and press it onto the wall in the corner. Nail the panel into place in the corner, through the corner stud.

7. Continue cutting and nailing the wood panels until they are all in place on the wall. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the panels and nail the panels into the wall studs when possible. When a stud is not available, it is okay to nail the wood panel into only the drywall if the tongue and groove of the panel are correctly installed with the surrounding panels. Overlap the tongue and groove of all the panels.

8. Cut out any obstructions, like heating vents or light switches, with the jig saw.

9. Re-install moldings and trim.

Tags: solid-wood paneling, adhesive back, Apply construction, Apply construction adhesive, construction adhesive, construction adhesive back, panel into

Install Wiring For Ceiling Fans

The most basic part of putting in a new ceiling fan is installing the wires in the ceiling with the wires of the fan. After you've connected the ceiling fan bracket to the wooden slat in the ceiling and made sure it's secure, the next step is to connect the wires. Ceiling fans come with their own wiring, so you won't have to buy anything else to finish the project.

Instructions

Instructions for Neutral Wire

1. Turn off the breaker switch that feeds power to your ceiling fan circuit.

2. Look for the white wire, which is the neutral ground, coming from the ceiling fan and the white wire coming out of the ceiling.

3. Cut the white wire from the ceiling fan down to a size that will easily connect with the white wire from the ceiling fan, using the wire cutters.

4. Pull off the white covering over the white wire from the ceiling fan using the wire cutters. Gently clamp the wire with the wire cutters and twist in a circle, pulling upward when the wire cover is detached.

5. Twist the wire nut off the white wire in the ceiling.

6. Lay the white wire from the ceiling against the white wire from the ceiling fan so that the copper ends are touching.

7. Twist the wire nut over the two wires. The threads in the wire nut will twist the copper ends together, creating a secure circuit.

Instructions for Active Wires

8. Look for the black wire coming from the ceiling.

9. Cut the insulation off the ends of the black and blue wires that come from the ceiling fan.

10. Twist the metal ends of the black and blue wires from the ceiling fan together.

11. Lay the end of the black wire from the ceiling against the ends of the twisted-together black and blue insulated wires from the ceiling fan.

12. Twist the wire nut over all three of these wires in order to twist them securely to each other.

Tags: from ceiling, white wire, wire from, wire from ceiling, white wire from

Decorate A Bathroom For A Wedding

With a few decorations, even the bathroom can be decorated for a wedding.

When decorating for a wedding, you don't want to leave any room out of the planning. You can decorate the bathroom where the wedding party get ready for the ceremony or the bathrooms where the wedding and reception will take place. Everyone will have a camera and will be snapping pictures all day, so even the bathroom can get dressed up for the occasion. You can go with traditional white, or match the colors that the wedding party will be wearing.

Instructions

1. Collect and cut out wedding-themed images to hang on the walls and mirrors. Cut out pictures from wedding magazines, or print wedding-themed clip art on cardstock. Leave black and white clip art as it is, or color in the designs with markers. Cut out images from leftover wedding invitations, or hang the invitations intact.

2. Turn the sink faucets all the way on to see how far up the mirror the water splashes. Do not dry the mirror and use the splashes a guide for hanging decorations on the mirror. Hang your decorations above the splash line to keep them dry. Using transparent tape, attach your images around the edges of the mirror, keeping clear of the splashed water.

3. Hang pictures on the bathroom walls using transparent tape.

4. Blow up balloons and tape bunches of them to the top corners of the mirror and to both sides of the bathroom door.

5. Tape paper streamers along the top of the mirror and around other fixtures, such as towel racks or dispensers. Twist the paper streamers for a decorative effect.

6. Dry the splashed water off the mirror.

Tags: even bathroom, paper streamers, splashed water, transparent tape, wedding party, where wedding

Install A Dome Camera In Dropped Ceilings

A dome camera provides the means for monitoring an area with a "Birds-eye" view. Attaching a wireless transmitting dome camera in a dropped ceiling is not so dissimilar to installing the camera onto a ceiling. A number of tools designed for use with the dome camera must be acquired--these can be gotten from a hardware store--along with a tool for cutting into the dropped ceiling. Proper wiring of the camera to a junction box inside of the dropped ceiling is necessary as well.

Instructions

1. Place a ladder beneath the dropped ceiling approximately where an electrical junction box is located--this information can be gleaned from the blueprints of the building or from the contractor who put in the dropped ceiling or by lifting a panel from the dropped ceiling and looking around inside.

2. Lift one of the panels of the dropped ceiling. Move the panel to the side so that you are able to pull it out from the support frame that crisscrosses the dropped ceiling.

3. Place the panel face down on a work surface. Place the bottom of the dome camera on the panel. Draw a circle around the bottom of the dome camera on the panel with a grease pencil.

4. Remove the dome camera from the panel. Cut out the drawn circle in the panel with the blade of a utility knife. Smooth the inside edges of the cut-out hole with fine-grit sandpaper.

5. Attach the drop cord through the loop at the bottom of the dome camera. Wind the wires exiting the bottom of the camera around the drop cord. Secure the wires to the drop cord with plastic twist-ties.

6. Loop the drop cord around a stud block or beam inside the dropped ceiling. Tighten the drop cord if the dome camera is not even with the panels on either side of it. Remove the panels to the side of the dome camera until you can see the electrical junction box.

7. Loosen the screws on the electrical junction box with a flat-edged screwdriver so that you can wind exposed ends of the wires from the dome camera around the screws on the electrical junction box in the following manner: the red wire to the screw at the end of the junction box that has a single screw; the black wire to the screw that is across from the screw that now has the red wire wound around it; the copper-colored wire to the screw that is below and to the right of the screw that has the red wire wound around it; the white wire to the screw that is below and to the left of the screw that now has the black wire wound around it. Insert the screws.

8. Angle the external antenna connected to the top of the dome, if one is present and an internal antenna is not being used, so that the point faces in the general direction of the security room or recording facility where the dome camera's video feed will be monitored or recorded.

9. Return the panels to the dropped ceiling, including the one that has had a hole cut in it. Align the panel that has the hole cut in it so that the dome camera is sticking out a few inches from the hole.

Tags: dropped ceiling, dome camera, screw that, drop cord, dome camera, electrical junction

Make Moulding With A Shaper

You can make traditional or custom moulding with a shaper.

Making moulding with a shaper is one overlooked function of this versatile machine. With proper set-up, the shaper is capable of producing straight line moulding just like expensive five-head moulders. By running wide boards through for safety and then ripping the moulding off with a table saw, you can copy almost any popular molding. Add variety by combining shaper cutters to create custom profiles.

Instructions

1. Switch off the power to the shaper. Install the moulding profile cutting head on the shaper. Lay the poplar on the shaper table and slide it over against the knife. Raise or lower the knife to center the profile of the knife on the poplar.

2. Lay the fence on the shaper table, centering the knife recess over the hole. Center the fence over the knife so that the edge of the fence is directly above the center axle of the knife. Clamp the fence down with two hand clamps.

3. Turn on the shaper. Holding the moulding against the fence, gradually push it into the knife. As the knife begins to cut into the wood, continue pushing with one hand as you hold the poplar against the fence with the other hand, letting it slip through your fingers as you apply pressure. Continue pushing until you have pushed the poplar all the way through and out the other side. Shut off the shaper.

4. Set the table saw fence at 3/4 inch from the blade. Raise the blade to 1 and 1/2-inch height.

5. Set the poplar on the table saw with the profile facing the fence. Turn on the saw. Hold the poplar against the fence with one hand and push the poplar along the fence, cutting the profile off the poplar.

6. Run the poplar through the shaper again and cut off consecutive pieces until the poplar is about 3 inches in width.

Tags: against fence, shaper table, with hand, against fence with, fence with

Vintage Bath Ideas

Many people like the look of older homes. Vintage decor gives all the rooms in your house character that you cannot find in more modern homes. You can give even your bathroom a vintage look by using simple decorations and some vintage-style hardware and accessories. You can choose from vintage-looking new items or restore some truly vintage items if you have the patience and the know-how.

Tub

Find a vintage tub or even a newer one that replicates vintage style. Look for large cast-iron tubs with claw feet to really add to the old-fashioned vintage feel of your bathroom. Although you can find brand-new vintage-style tubs, you can also find real vintage tubs if you know where to look. Scour flea markets and antiques stores as well as online sources. Many times you can find a vintage tub that needs only a little TLC to be attractive and in perfect working order.

Sink

Restore an old sink by giving it a new coat of porcelain, which you can do yourself or have a professional do for you. Add up-to-date plumbing so your vintage sink will work perfectly. Find pedestal sinks or sinks with legs instead of the more modern sinks with full cabinets underneath. Make a sink out of an old dresser to give your bathroom a distinctly vintage look. Cut a hole in the top for the bowl of the sink and then add the plumbing. You may lose one of the drawers, but put the drawer face on a hinge so that it tilts down, giving you more storage for washcloths, soaps and toothpaste.

Hardware

Add vintage-style hardware to the tub and sink. Sometimes you can find parts at antique shops. Just make sure they are in working order and do not have any rust on them when you purchase them.

Accessories

Hang vintage accessories around the bathroom to add to that vintage feel. Make curtains out of vintage-style fabric and colors. Paint in Victorian vintage colors of pale pink, white, light green and light blue. Vary the prints in the window curtain fabric, the shower curtain fabric and the wallpaper. Use stripes alongside floral prints as well as lace to give your bathroom that vintage appeal.

Cupboards

Refinish an old vintage cupboard as a place to store towels and toilet paper out of sight. This is especially necessary if you install a pedestal sink instead of a cabinet sink. Find a cupboard that will fit in your bathroom and match the vintage style. Strip and then paint or refinish to your desired color.

Tags: your bathroom, bathroom that, bathroom that vintage, curtain fabric, give your, give your bathroom

Cool Bathroom Painting Ideas

A buttercup yellow can brighten any bathroom.

Decorating your house is a great way to express your individual style, and your bathroom shouldn't be left out of the equation. Painting the bathroom can be an effective way to give the room a cool look, and can make a plain room really pop. Learn some cool painting ideas for your bathroom walls, to give the place you primp a cool new look.

Bright Colors

To open up a tiny bathroom, try painting the walls with bright, fun colors. You can do a butttercup yellow, bright pink or sea foam green. For a smaller bathroom, avoid dark tones like purples, reds and browns, as these will enclose the space and make it seem even smaller.

Garden Fun

A garden theme can give your bathroom a fresh look to liven up dingy walls. Start with a white wash if walls have any stains or chips. Starting from the bottom, paint a few feet with a medium green to look like grass. Then paint long green stems with flower buds at the top to appear as though the flowers are growing right out of the bathroom floor. For a more realistic look, paste fake flower pedals to the wall using craft glue.

Beauty Tips

Another fun idea for bathroom walls is to paint beauty tips and advice in various spots, in various font sizes. Paint makeup tips around the bathroom mirror and exfoliating and bath soak tips near the tub. Use stencils of various fonts that you can find at your local hardware store. Thumb through beauty magazines for inspiration on tips and ideas.

Beach Look

A beach theme can make your bathroom look like a tropical paradise. Paint walls sky blue and use a sponge brush to paint white clouds a little below the ceiling. Add a few feet of tan paint for sand at the bottom, and use brown and green to paint a palm tree or two. Use whites and pinks to paint little seashells over the sand. Purchase seashell and beach-inspired soap dishes, shower curtains and tan, blue and white bath towels.

Modern Look

For a modern look, try a black-and-white bathroom. Don't paint all the walls black, unless you have a very large bathroom. Instead paint two walls opposite each other black, or paint vertical black-and-white stripes. Keep decorations simple, like silver soap dishes and a clean white curtain. You can also do this with white and any bold color, like dark purple, dark green or dark blue.

Earth Appeal

An earthy bathroom can be very calming and help you get in touch with Mother Nature. Paint trim a bamboo color and add streaks of dark brown and red to make it look like real bamboo. Paint walls a neutral, earthy green color and add accents of tan and yellow streaks for texture. Use bathroom utensils like wicker toothbrush holders and soap dishes.

Velvet Texture

To get the look of soft velvety walls, use two paints of the same color but in different shades. Think a dark maroon, with a slightly lighter magenta color. Paint all of your walls with your darker color. Allow paint to dry. Take a sponge brush and lightly sponge on the lighter shade sporadically all over the walls. The contrasting colors will add rich texture to tired walls.

Tags: your bathroom, look like, soap dishes, bathroom walls, cool look, sponge brush, walls with

How Does Standby Flying Work

How Does Standby Flying Work?

Flying standby simply means waiting for a seat to become available on an airplane and being willing to jump on that flight at any time. Those who fly standby typically to not have a scheduled time or date for their destination. These travelers understand that there are no guarantees of a seat opening up and know they may have to wait for a later flight. There is even the chance that they cannot fly out until the following day.

Although saving money is one of the main reasons someone would choose to fly stand by, gone are the days where a standby ticket cost less than half the price of regular airfare. Many airlines today though will give discounted rates for someone willing to fly standby but many times you will pay full price just to sit and wait for something to open up. Some airlines offer special one-day tickets for anyone traveling on Christmas or New Year's.

Be sure to arrive early to the airport to ensure that you are at the top of the standby list. Chances are better for you getting on a flight if you try for the first flight of the day. If you do not make it on that flight, the you will get "rolled over" to the next one.

Keep in mind that others can have priority over standby flyers. Connecting passengers and airline employees and crew who must get to their destination for work purposes will be given any open seats first. Also, standby passengers are more likely to get a seat on the day of a major holiday such as Thanksgiving. It's less likely that there will be open seats the day before or the weekend after a holiday because more people travel on those days.

Do not check in any luggage. The chances of your bags getting on the same plane as you are slim. Your luggage will get checked in for the first flight you are standing by for--but if you get bumped and have to continue waiting, your bags will go on without you. Take a carry-on bag only.

Stay at the gate for the airline you are on standby for. You risk missing your name being called at a moments notice. Pick up food and drink on the way to the gate so you don't need to leave. Plan a bathroom break about 15 to 20 minutes before the plane is scheduled to board.

Be patient and flexible. Although this route of travel can work out well and possibly save you money, it can also be time consuming and is unpredictable.

Tags: Does Standby, Does Standby Flying, first flight, Flying Work, open seats

Make A Chandelier Out Of Pvc

Use PVC pipe to create a modern chandelier.

Polyvinyl chloride piping (PVC) is a type of plastic pipe that is made for plumbing. However, the material, commonly found at hardware stores has limitless possibilities. Builders use the piping to create everything from underground drainage systems to clothes racks and even bird feeders. The product is popular for ease of use, durability and fire resistance. PVC piping has even made its way to home decor including lamps and chandeliers. Create a chandelier to hang over your dining room table or use it to make a bold statement in a dull room.

Instructions

1. Use a pencil and measuring tape as your guide to draw a line across the entire length of the PVC pipe. Draw a second line that is 3/4-inch away from the first line and parallel to it. This will be the bottom of the PVC pipe where the crystals will eventually hang from holes drilled on both lines and the strip light will be placed in the space between the two lines. Draw a third line that is on the exact opposite side of the center of the first two lines and parallel to the first two lines. This line will be the top of the chandelier.

2. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the first line. Continue to drill holes on the line every 3/4-inch inch until you reach the opposite end of the pipe.

3. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the second line. Continue to drill holes on the line every 3/4-inch until you reach the opposite end of the pipe.

4. Drill a hole 3/4-inch in from one end of the PVC pipe on the third line. Draw a second hole 3/4-inch in from the opposite end of the PVC pipe on the third line.

5. Spray paint the PVC pipe chrome, metallic silver or your desired color and let dry according to the instructions on the paint can.

6. Drill several holes along the center strip between the first two lines and screw in the battery-operated strip light between these lines. Place the battery pack inside the PVC pipe so it can't easily be seen.

7. Place wire rope down into the first hole on the third line and place a wire rope stopper on the end of the rope on the inside of the pipe to hold it in place. Do the same for the opposite hole on the third line. These wire ropes will enable you to hang the chandelier from the ceiling.

8. Place a wire rope through the first hole on the first line so that it goes inside the pipe and strings out through the last hole on the first line. Trim the rope that hangs outside of the two holes and place wire rope stoppers on the ends of the wire rope on the outside of the PVC pipe to hold it in place. This will form a wire rail inside the PVC pipe. Repeat the process for the first and last holes drilled on the second line.

9. Hang the crystal strings onto the wire rail through each of the holes on the first and second lines.

10. Hang your PVC chandelier by attaching the wire rope to a hanging kit mounted onto your ceiling, according to the hanging kit instructions. Be sure the hanging kit instructions specify it is capable of holding the weight of the chandelier.

Tags: wire rope, third line, 4-inch from, first line, hole 4-inch, hole 4-inch from

What Are The Dangers Of Torchiere Lamps

What Are the Dangers of Torchiere Lamps?

Before you buy a torchiere lamp for your home, it's important to know the dangers certain types of torchiere lamps present. Torchiere lamps are typically tall lamps with bowl-shaped shades on top. Most modern torchiere lamps present little serious risk, but older halogen torchiere lamps have been linked to greater problems.

Beware of Fire

Although modern torchiere lamps with standard light bulbs are considered safe, older halogen torchiere floor lamps can present a fire hazard. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, halogen torchiere lamps caused more than 189 fires and 11 deaths before 2004. Modern halogen torchiere lamps, which feature the UL standard, have a guard around the halogen light bulb to keep flammable materials from getting close to the bulb and catching fire. If you have a halogen torchiere lamp in your home, never use a halogen bulb above 300 watts; the greater the wattage, the hotter the bulb will get.

Watch for Falling

Heavier-topped shades and bowls can make torchiere lamps of all kinds unstable depending on the placement and structure of the lamp. If possible, position your torchiere lamp outside of the main stream of foot traffic and away from places where children or pets play to limit potential accidents. Although a falling torchiere lamp typically causes little damage to an adult, a falling torchiere lamp can injure a small pet or child.

Don't Get Burned

If your halogen torchiere lamp falls to the floor, don't touch the bulb. Most halogen torchiere lamps use 300-watt halogen bulbs, which can burn your skin when touched. According to the Business Wire from September 29, 2000, halogen bulbs can reach temperatures of 700 to 1100 degrees F. At temperatures that high, you could fry an egg in a matter of minutes. To avoid any danger, remove any flammable materials near the halogen bulb and turn off the light before returning the halogen torchiere lamp to its standing position.

Tags: halogen torchiere, torchiere lamp, torchiere lamps, halogen torchiere lamps, halogen torchiere lamp

Drop Ceiling Troubleshooting

Drop ceilings have many benefits like reducing sound pollution, concealing wiring and plumbing lines and reducing wasted heated space, which therefore leads to saving money in heating and cooling costs. Newer versions of drop ceilings are easy to install and repair, making drop ceiling troubleshooting an easy task for most homeowners.

Sagging or Bending

There are two types of drop ceiling tiles, long ceiling boards and smaller grid supported tiles. Ceiling boards are those found in mobile homes that are prone to sagging. Excessive moisture, resulting from a leaky roof or excessive humidity in bathrooms or basements can cause these ceiling boards to bow or bend under its weight. Unlike the newer styles supported individually on a grid system, ceiling boards are secured in place by gluing or nailing the tiles directly to the existing ceiling or furring strips. The only solution to repair these old tiles is to find a way to reform them while returning them to their original position. If the board is only slightly bowed, you may be lucky and try this simple remedy first. Using a spray bottle, lightly mist the tile until it is damp, and then force it back into its original position. Prop the board up with a 2-by-4 piece of wood until it has dried. If the damage was minor, the board should return to its original shape and position nicely. However, if the damage was extensive and you are unable to find a matching piece for replacement, there is another alternative to conceal the bowing boards. For this method, you will need a piece of 2-by-4 the length of the seam on the ceiling. Return the tile to its original position, place the wood over the seam of the tiles, and secure it in place with nails or screws. You may want to add more beams to cover the seams to create a unified cathedral style appearance within the room.

Replacing Damaged Tile

Chips and cracks throughout the drop ceiling tiles are a result of poor installation, shoddy removal and maintenance or careless home ownership. For homes with ceiling boards, you can try to fill any holes or small cracks with drywall putty and then perhaps prime and paint the tiles out with latex paint. For homes featuring the more common grid system, purchase a replacement tile from your local home improvement store, remove the old tile and insert the new one. You may need to use a sharp utility knife to shear off sides that do not conform to the opening well. A utility knife comes in handy for tile that no longer fit or need shaping to conform around corners or other tiles within the grid. You may have to use this tool when you have tile that do not lay flat or crooked therefore exposing seams.

Stains and Discoloration

Stains and discoloration are common in homes that have experienced leaks and excessive smoke damage. Kitchens and living rooms often have discolored tiles because of grease splatter and cigarette smoke. To erase these stains, apply a stain blocking latex primer with a brush or spray gun and follow up with a layer of top quality latex paint. You may want to coat the surfaces with a protective sealer to prevent the tiles from stain and smoke damage. Using this method is a great way to add a splash of color to a room as well.

Tags: original position, ceiling boards, ceiling boards, ceiling tiles, drop ceiling, drop ceiling tiles, grid system

Decorate A Frameless Bathroom Mirror With Seashells

Decorate your frameless bathroom mirror with colorful seashells to add color and texture.

Decorate your frameless bathroom mirror with seashells to accentuate a seaside, ocean or seashell theme, or to simply create a soothing border. The finished look should complement the decor and colors in the bathroom. You can use the seashells directly on the mirror or find other ways to include a seashell design or pattern to decorate the frameless mirror. Avoid permanent changes to the mirror if you are renting.

Instructions

1. Clean the mirror with glass cleaner. Clean the seashells with soapy water and let them completely dry.

2. Lay the seashells on the mirror or the floor or another flat surface in the pattern you want to use.

3. Add a thin line of your bonding agent -- epoxy, hot glue or bonding cement -- to clean seashells one at a time. Press the shell against the mirror for 30 seconds if you're applying the shells to a mirror that is on the wall. Gravity will help if you are able to lay the mirror on a flat surface while you decorate it.

Tags: your frameless bathroom, Decorate your, Decorate your frameless, flat surface, frameless bathroom, frameless bathroom mirror

Clean Stiffel Lamps

Stiffel lamps are attractive, antique-style lighting options that add a classic elegance to any room. The lamps bases are made of metals such as brass or stainless steel, and topped with light-colored lamp shades, typically shaped with a colonial design theme. These lamps are popular in many homes, as they provide a timeless elegance that can transfer with the times, fitting perfectly into room designs that will change over the years. Cleaning the lamps is a fairly easy task when using a few simple cleaning ingredients.

Instructions

1. Dust the lamp every one to two weeks using an all-purpose duster. This will wipe away dust as it accumulates, displaying the polished shine of the lamp base.

2. Moisten a microfiber cloth with metal polish. Most metal polishes are suitable for use on all metal types (brass, copper, stainless steel). Simply read the product label to be sure the polish is suitable for your lamp material.

3. Wipe the damp cloth over the base of the lamp, rubbing in small circular motions to restore the polished shine of the lamp. Continue until the entire lamp has been cleaned.

4. Remove the lamp shade when a duster is not enough to keep the shade looking its best. Take the shade outdoors, and tap the top and bottom of the shade gently, using a broomstick or similar item. This will break away built up dust with ease.

Tags: polished shine, polished shine lamp, shine lamp, stainless steel, This will

Inexpensive Kitchen Decorating Ideas

Decorating on a tight budget is easier than it seems. With a little imagination, creativity and an eye for bargains, you can have a kitchen on a budget that looks like you didn't have a budget at all. Keep an open mind and have a little fun. Your kitchen will quickly come together.

Free and Cheap

Shop at garage sales, thrift stores and flea markets. Remember that, with a little work, these items can be transformed into something special for your kitchen. You could even go "dumpster diving" or ask friends and family for decorating supplies.

Window Treatments

Use pretty kitchen towels as window treatments. Short hand towels can be used as valances. For larger kitchen windows, you can use sheets. Shower curtains can also be used as draperies. Use ribbon or lace in complementary colors as tiebacks.

Paint

Add splashes of color to your kitchen instead of painting all the walls. Paint stripes on the walls. Stencil designs on your kitchen walls, cabinet doors and window frames. Try painting the cabinet doors or the trim on the cabinets in a coordinating color.

Accessories

Use everyday items as accessories. Add vintage cooking utensils such as old-fashioned hand mixers to your counters. Add ribbons or lace to whisks, wooden spoons and spatulas. Display vases of fresh or silk flowers.

Wall Art

Create wall art by hanging similar plates in a group. Display collections on shelves or window sills. Decoupage recipes over an old painting. Add dried flowers or small collections to shadow boxes. Hang vintage aprons on the walls.

Storage

Place kitchen essentials such as cookbooks, towels and cooking utensils in decorative baskets or boxes. Use only a few larger pieces of furniture as storage instead of purchasing several small pieces. Add hanging baskets to make more counter space available for you to use.

Tags: cabinet doors, cooking utensils, your kitchen

Laying Out A Suspended Ceiling

Proper layout is essential for an attractive ceiling.

Suspended ceilings have the advantage of being easy to maintain and repair. When a tile is damaged you can lift it out of the frame and replace it with a new one in a few moments. The secret to getting a professional-looking job on a suspended ceiling is in the layout. The time spent planning the layout before installation will more than pay for itself by reducing the amount of time spent adjusting the tracks and cutting replacement tiles.

Instructions

1. Measure the room and transfer the dimensions onto graph paper. In most instances, using one square to equal one foot will provide an accurate, easy-to-read representation of the room.

2. Adjust the drawing to allow the tiles around the edges of the room to be even. Most ceiling tiles are either 2-feet square or 2-by-4-feet rectangles. Adjust the grid so that the tiles abutting the walls are a uniform size. For a 17-feet wide room, the tiles on each side should be 9 inches wide. This will leave room for seven full tiles centered in the room. A calculator makes this job simpler.

3. Plan the locations of light fixtures. Any modification for wiring fixtures you need to do will be simpler before installing the ceiling's hanging tracks.

4. Use a level to mark the location of the track on each wall. Allow a 6-inch clearance between the existing ceiling and bottom of the tracks. Start in one corner of the room and use the level and a pencil to make a continuous line along each wall in the room. The end of the line should be exactly the same height as the beginning.

5. Mark the locations for the suspension blocks (blocks that hold the wires to support the center of the ceiling) by transferring the grid marks from the graph paper to the ceiling. Measure the appropriate distance on opposing walls and use a chalk line to make a straight line between the two points. Do this for both the length and width of the room. When finished, you will have a grid marked on the ceiling. Place the support blocks at the intersections of this grid.

Tags: each wall, graph paper, time spent

Cut Holes In Ceiling Panels

Ceiling panels consist of thin, square tiles attached to the ceiling of a room via glue or using a framed drop-ceiling system. They often have a textured surface that allows them to absorb sound as well. When installing ceiling panels, homeowners must occasionally cut holes in them to accommodate vents, light fixtures and other objects. Due to the panel's thin composition, cutting holes in the panels requires only hand-held cutting tools.

Instructions

1. Draw a template on the ceiling tile using a pencil to designate the hole location and diameter. If the object is already installed in the ceiling, hold the panel up to it and trace around it. If the object is not yet installed, place the panel on a table set the object on top of it to trace around it.

2. Place a piece of plywood or cardboard on a table to protect the surface from damage. Set the ceiling panel on top of it with the finished side facing up.

3. Insert a utility knife into the panel at the location of the line. Press down with firm pressure and pull the blade around the line using a smooth motion until reaching the starting location.

4. Examine the cut line to see if it penetrates all the way through the panel. If not, run the blade around the perimeter of the line once more to finish the cut. Push the center portion out of the panel and then install the panel as desired.

Tags: blade around, trace around

Clean Cobwebs On A Popcorn Ceiling

The texture of a popcorn ceiling is rough and bumpy.

The term "popcorn ceiling" refers to an acoustic ceiling treatment where popcorn-like bits of texturing material are sprayed onto a ceiling. Popcorn ceilings became popular during the 1970s when the texturing material contained asbestos as one of its ingredients. According to the Housekeeping Channel website, the use of asbestos in popcorn texture continued into the 1980s. A popcorn ceiling is not only challenging to clean, but it can be dangerous. If you're unsure of your ceiling texture's age or materials, have a professional test it for asbestos before attempting to clean it yourself.

Instructions

1. Climb the foot stool and lightly dust areas with cobwebs with a feather duster or similar tool. Use caution not to push cobwebs up into the texture. Roll and twist the duster to catch cobwebs and pull them away from the ceiling.

2. Attach your vacuum's longest cleaning attachment and a soft-brush end piece if you have one. Reach the brush up to the ceiling and capture the cobwebs, pulling them away from the ceiling as you let the suction work.

3. Vacuum until the ceiling is free of cobwebs. Avoid "wiping" the ceiling with the brush; it is only there to protect your ceiling from being bumped with a hard object.

Tags: away from, away from ceiling, from ceiling, popcorn ceiling, texturing material

Ideas For Small Bathroom Designs

Ideas for Small Bathroom Designs

With a little planning, you can create a functional, well-designed space in your small bathroom. The finished product doesn't have to feel cramped and you don't have to sacrifice style. With the use of visual tricks and practical space-saving features, you can make your small bathroom appear larger and more inviting. Take advantage of smaller fixtures and recessed built-ins available today to make your small bathroom a room you can be proud of.

Visualization

Instead of a traditional hinged door, use a pocket door, which slides into the wall, to enter a small bathroom. Install a glass shower or tub enclosure to keep the space visually open. Rather than a standard vanity, use a pedestal or wall-hung sink to open up floor space and create a spacious feel. Consider replacing your standard-size bathtub with a smaller one. Use a corner location in a small bathroom for your shower stall.

Color

Keep the color scheme in a small bathroom neutral. Use similar, coordinating colors for walls, flooring and tile. Multiple colors in a small bathroom make the space appear chopped up and smaller. Match grout to your tile color when possible and keep towels and scatter rugs in the same color family. If you must use a contrasting color, limit it to just one wall or one prominent object such as a piece of art.

Light

A skylight in a small bathroom adds both dimension and natural light, both of which create a sense of spaciousness. High wattage light bulbs will brighten a small bathroom and make it seem more roomy. Use dimmer switches to conserve energy and create ambiance when desired.

Accent

Choose wallpaper with a vertical stripe to give a small bathroom the illusion of added height. Carry mirrors and tiling up to the ceiling. Use recessed lights for an uncluttered look and install matching fixtures and hardware for a streamlined appearance. Keep decorative items to a minimum and use artwork sparingly.

Organization

Install recessed cabinetry wherever possible to make use of the space between wall studs. Your towel racks and toilet tissue holder can be built into the wall, as can a waste basket and a medicine chest. You can even recess a hamper into the wall. Keep clutter at bay by using a nearby linen closet to house toilet articles and paper products.

Tags: small bathroom, into wall, small bathroom, your small, your small bathroom

Bathroom Ideas For Teenagers

Teen Bathroom

Kids seem to spend more time in the bathroom as they grow, so give your teenager a decorated space all his or her own. The bathroom can be an extension of the teen's bedroom for a makeshift suite. In addition, organizing the bathroom can help speed up the morning routine and prevent fights between siblings.

Color Palette

A teen bathroom should be dramatic and reflect your child's personality. If your teen has recently redecorated her bedroom, continue the same color palette into the bathroom, but reverse the colors. For example, if your teen has a pink and brown bedroom, try chocolate brown walls in the bathroom with pink towels and accessories.

You may often find pastel colors in kids' designs. For teens, use the same colors but brighter, such as turquoise, lime green and vibrant yellow. If your teen wants a bold color like black or purple, pair the paint with extra lighting and bright white fixtures so the space does not seem depressing. Try compromising on black flooring and wainscoting to keep a black bathroom from being too dark.

Bathroom Themes

Bathroom themes do not have to be juvenile. Modern design focuses on a minimalist style with bright pops of color. This is perfect for a teen bathroom, because it is funky while being easy to clean. It can also work for either gender, so if several teens sharing the space, try a contemporary design. When your teenager moves out, you will be able to change the decor easily with new accessories, as the vanity, bathroom fixtures and tile will be a neutral white or taupe. Include one over-the-top funky element to really get the modern theme across, such as a light fixture made of circles or sconces that simulate coral. Black-and-white paisley wallpaper adds pattern to the room. Spruce up the space with bright accessories, like an orange geometric shower curtain paired with pink and orange towels.

Base the bathroom around your teen's aspirations. Try a pink and black theme if your child has always wanted to visit Paris. Include a Venetian mirror for added elegance and a funky mural of the Eiffel tower.

Organization

Organization is vital in a teen bathroom. If your teenager shares a bath, clearly define spaces and install a double vanity sink. If you are remodeling the bathroom, separate the vanity area from the shower. Include a toothpaste dispenser in your design, as well as colorful boxes to store cosmetics. Put like items together so your teen will stay organized and can find what he or she is looking for.

Tags: your teen, teen bathroom, your teenager, with bright, with pink

Howto A Mudswirl Texture For A Ceiling

Ceilings are no longer covered in the dated popcorn texture that was sprayed on ceilings up until the 1980s. Nowadays, ceilings are usually flat or have a more modern texture. If you want to add a little style to your ceiling, a swirl texture is relatively simple to do and requires very little supplies or practice. You have the option of applying the swirls with several different tools to create a variety of looks.

Instructions

1. Lay down plastic drop cloths over the floor, and tape them to the walls to prevent the process from getting material on the other surfaces in the room.

2. Mix drywall compound with water. Add water, and stir the compound with a drill mixer to blend the two together. Stir and add liquid until you have a thick milkshake consistency.

3. Fill the hopper of a paint sprayer with the mixture.

4. Adjust the nozzle to a fine spray so you can coat the ceiling evenly and smoothly.

5. Spray a small 3-foot-square area with the mixture, and then stop.

6. Swirl over the surface with your tool of choice to create a pattern. Some examples of tools you can use include a wire brush, a bristle brush, a flat-edged trowel or a notched trowel.

7. Spray a new section of ceiling after you've swirled the first. Repeat the spraying and swirling until the entire ceiling is covered. Be careful when spraying so that you do not overlap a swirled area with more material.

Tags: area with, compound with, with mixture

Shop For Ceiling Fans

Shopping for a ceiling fan takes patience.

Ceiling fans have multiple benefits, including stirring up breezes in the summer and forcing warm air downward in the winter. Running a ceiling fan during the winter can save heating energy. In addition, a ceiling fan fixture can bring character to a room, whether it is a living room, kitchen, bedroom or even a garage or porch. However, purchasing a ceiling fan that is suitable for a particular room requires attention to detail.

Instructions

1. Decide on your budget. As you shop for a ceiling fan, stick to it.

2. Determine whether you need a 42-inch fan, designed for smaller rooms that are about 150 square feet or under, or a 52-inch fan for larger rooms that are about 400 square feet and under. The 52-inch fan typically is appropriate for most rooms. Make sure the size of the fan does not look out of place aesthetically in your room. Also, note that smaller fans run faster and thus are more prone to producing noise. In addition, smaller fans must work harder to cover bigger areas.

3. Look for ceiling fans that have stack motors, which are powerful, efficient and quiet. Although some direct-drive motors also can be good quality, others can be extremely cheap, but you will not go wrong with a stack motor. The motor is the most important component of a fan to consider when shopping, as the best motor will move the most air quietly.

4. Measure the distance between your floor and the ceiling in the space you would like to install a fan. Ideally, fan blades should be no less than 7 feet from the floor. In addition, choose fan blades that are solid multi-ply furniture grade wood and have multiple coats of lacquer or are brass-plated, which points to durability. Most residential fans have four to five blades, which should be adequate for moving air.

5. Examine the features of your chosen ceiling fans. For example, decide whether you want a fan that has a built-in three-speed pull-chain control or a fan that has a reverse switch built into the fan body. Some fans are controlled by a pull-chain while the light is controlled by a wall switch, or vice versa. Also, inquire about which companies offer fans with remote speed and light control options, which allow you to control them using a wall-mounted or handheld unit.

6. Search for a fan color that matches the d cor of the space in which you want to install the fan. In addition, check the warranty to make sure it not only covers the motor but also other parts that could fail, such as the switches and other electronics.

Tags: about square, about square feet, ceiling fans, fans have, feet under

Modern Kitchen Tile Design Ideas

Modern ceramic tile designs and colored grout give a dramatic decorating effect to the kitchen.

Tile has been around for many years and has been used in various areas of the kitchen. With all the new materials for tile, you can easily create a modern design. Use your imagination to develop the perfect tile design that suits your style in your kitchen.

Backsplash

The most obvious use for tile in the kitchen is for a backsplash. The choices for tile have come a long way and now include modern materials like glass and metal. Glass tiles, made from recycled glass, come in finishes ranging between glossy to flat. Creating an entire glass backsplash or just adding a few intermittently with ceramic tiles produces a sparkling accent to the rest of the kitchen. Glass tiles paired with large windows or glass-front cabinets put more focus on the translucent effect.

Metal tiles can be found in stainless steel and copper. With the popular stainless steel appliances and countertops, metal backsplashes in various textured tile designs creates a perfect match.

Countertop

Even though there are many other countertop choices besides traditional tile, many homeowners still admire the timeless beauty of tile countertops. Tile for countertops is made from ceramic, porcelain or granite. The biggest problem of tile for countertops is keeping the grout clean and sanitary. It is imperative to properly seal grout. Using larger tiles means less area of grout and therefore less cleaning and sealing. Colored grout is also a popular idea instead of using white grout, which shows stains and discoloration.

Wall Designs

A beautiful mosaic or other tile design adhered to the kitchen wall is a masterpiece that never goes out of style. Place the tile design above your backsplash behind the stove or on a plain wall. Mosaics and tile designs can follow a decorating theme in your kitchen or just be and abstract arrangement of tiles. Surround a kitchen fireplace or window with a tile design that draws attention to a specific area of the kitchen to display the mosaic or favorite art. Create a picture frame of sorts out of tile that encases the mosaic or a window and is used in place of a traditional wood window frame. Add ceiling spotlights to shine on your tile design.

Floor

Faux hardwood porcelain tiles offer a great flooring option that looks like real wood but is more durable and less fussy than wood floors. Faux wood tiles come in 2-, 3- and 4-inch planks and are a perfect solution for kitchen floors with a lot of traffic. Traditional ceramic tiles in large squares arranged on the floor also give a modern look. These tiles, although gorgeous to look at, may be cold and hard on legs and feet for standing on for long periods of time.

Tags: tile design, tile designs, ceramic tiles, design that, Glass tiles, made from, stainless steel

Types Of Beam Ceilings

Ceiling beams come in various materials, shapes and sizes.

Beams are essential parts of roof and wall structures. They are typically built in parallel rows to support the top and sides of buildings and can be hidden, exposed or a combination thereof. All buildings require beams for support, and there are various types and designs to complement various decorating styles.

Basic Types

Beams used strictly for support are often concealed by drywall, plywood or ceiling tiles. Concealed beams are commonly made from standard grade lumber treated to resist moisture and termites and built to accommodate heating, air conditioning and plumbing hardware. Exposed beams add drama to room decor and are especially attractive in rooms with high or peaked ceilings. Depending on the style of the structure, beams can add a homey or ultra-modern touch to the room design.

Rustic Beam Ceilings

Beams cut from large slabs of cedar, pine and other woods add a country feel to rooms. They are especially pastoral when left unfinished with rough, natural bark intact. Depending on the ceiling style, rustic beams can be installed side-by-side on flat ceilings or in cathedral styles that curve or angle upward to form a peak in the center of the room. The space in between the beams is filled with drywall or plastered surfaces.

Modern Beam Designs

To give a room a sleek, modern appearance, use steel ceiling beams. They can be arranged in various geometric designs with I-beams and trusses and incorporated into exposed ductwork and pipes. Modern metal beams can be left unpainted for a warehouse/loft effect or painted to complement the walls, floors and furnishings.

Faux Beams

If authenticity is not an important construction factor, faux beams are a good alternative to wood or metal ones. Widely available at home improvement centers, these beams are made from urethane or plastic and closely resemble authentic wood or metal, especially when viewed from the floor to the ceiling. Attached by screws to the open ceiling, faux beams are economical and easy to install.

Beam Ceiling Layouts

Although the layout of ceiling beams is up to the homeowner or designer, two layouts are more common than others. In large structures such as churches, cathedrals and seats of government, hammer beam ceilings are favored as they are thin, unobtrusive and draw attention to the other details of the room design. Boxed-beam ceilings have bold crisscrossed designs and make the ceiling the focal point of the room.

Tags: Beam Ceilings, made from, room design, wood metal

Unusual Ceiling Ideas

Make your house stand out with an unusual ceiling.

Make the rooms in your house unusual by creating individualized ceilings. Flat ceilings made of drywall and painted flat white are serviceable but not particularly interesting. If you would like to transform your home from adequate to exciting, examine some ideas to jazz up your ceilings.

Recycled Tin

A recycled tin ceiling will give an unusual look to a room. Particularly if you live in a large older home that was built in the 19th century, a tin ceiling will resonate well with the style of the era. Recycled tin can sometimes be found at architectural salvage centers, although it isn't as cheap as it once was. If you find some, gather enough panels to complete the room that you are renovating. If you find a pile of old tin panels, don't count on finding any more that match. You will need enough to finish the room.

Carved Crown Molding

If you are an artist or a woodworker, personalize your ceiling by installing crown molding that you have carved yourself. You can make the crown molding with a table saw and shaper and then carve it, or you can buy commercial crown molding. If you buy the molding, find crown molding made of pine or poplar. A lot of trim is made of medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is not carve-able. Carve abstract designs or representational figures, and stain and finish them in a natural wood style, or paint them for an even livelier effect.

Paneling

Solid wood paneling on a ceiling lends a feeling of the old gentlemen's club to a room. Square panels separated by prominent rails and stiles will transform a ceiling into something memorable. This style works best in large rooms with high ceilings; if you try it in a small room with a low ceiling, it may feel oppressive and claustrophobic. Dark woods, such as aged cherry or walnut, work well with this style of design. If you own an older home with many rooms, try this on the ceiling of the den or library to see how you like it.

Art Deco Medallion

A medallion at the center of a ceiling can lend a visual focus to a room and help to bring the ceiling to life. Art deco designs are attractive combinations of curving lines and lively colors. Particularly if your house was built in the 1920s and retains some of its original woodwork, a carefully designed Art Deco medallion can be an asset to your living room. Hang an antique fan or chandelier from the center of the medallion.

Tags: crown molding, your house, ceiling will, older home, well with

Make A Drop Ceiling Look New Again

Schools, offices and industrial buildings often use drop ceilings in place of solid options. Drop ceilings feature a metal grid fitted with foam tiles that move easily out of the way when they need to be replaced. These light tiles also give you easy access to wiring or plumbing hidden above the ceiling. Though practical, drop ceilings aren't always the most stylish option. If you have drop ceilings in your home that no longer look their best, you don't have to get rid of them. Refreshing them is cheaper and broadens your creativity.

Instructions

1. Spread a drop cloth over your floor. This allows you to paint and work without worrying about ruining your floors or moving tiles in and out of your home.

2. Position a stepladder under the ceiling and gently push up each of the drop-ceiling tiles. Lift them down from the ceiling and lay them, facing upward, on the floor in the order you remove them from the ceiling.

3. Paint the drop-ceiling grid with a mini roller and handle extension. Use a color that accents your d cor; white, black and metallic finishes usually work well. Press firmly with the roller and use smooth, long strokes.

4. Spray paint the ceiling tiles while the grid dries. You may repaint them their original color or give them a new one. For instance, if you love bold colors, try red tiles with a black grid. Subtler options include matching the grid to the tiles or combining a metallic with a light color.

5. Allow the grid and tiles to dry overnight. Slip the tiles back into place in order, carefully settling one before adding another.

Tags: drop ceilings, from ceiling, grid tiles, your home

Make A Floor Lamp Work With A Light Switch

A floor lamp can be plugged in anywhere.

Depending on the layout of your home, it may be most convenient for you to turn a floor lamp on and off using a wall switch rather than the switch that is on the lamp. You can do this easily as long as you know which switches correspond with which outlets, and as long as the cord on your lamp is long enough to reach from the appropriate outlet to your preferred location for the lamp.

Instructions

1. Plug the lamp into the outlet that you think corresponds to a convenient light switch. Test it by turning the light switch on and off.

2. Put the lamp in the place where you want it.

3. Attach an extension cord if the cord on the lamp isn't long enough to reach from the outlet to where the lamp is going. The cord should be long enough to reach between the two locations while being run along the wall, to minimize tripping hazards.

4. Install a remote control switch in a convenient place that will control the outlet that the lamp is plugged into if you don't have any outlets that are controlled by switches in your home. Alternatively, hire an electrician to install a switch that is connected to an outlet, but this option will be much more expensive.

Tags: enough reach, long enough, long enough reach, enough reach from, floor lamp, lamp long

Gold Leaf Crown Molding

Gold leaf adds a sophisticated appeal to a room.

The art of gold leaf gilding dates back to approximately 2500 B.C. and has been used over the centuries to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to objects ranging from ceramics to woodwork. Gold leaf also provides a cheaper alternative to enjoy the precious metal, as it's pounded down to less than 4 millionths of an inch. Applying gold leaf to your crown molding may take a bit of practice, so do a few test runs on a scrap piece of wood to get the feel.

Instructions

1. Prepare the room where the crown molding is found for the application of the gold leaf. Turn off all fans and aim heating vents away from the crown molding to prevent the ultra-thin leaf from blowing away.

2. Clean the crown molding and remove any dust. Sand away any blemishes that are in the area where you'll apply the gold leaf.

3. Sketch out the design or pattern where you want the gold leaf to go, leaving an outline in light-colored pencil.

4. Apply a special adhesive called gold size, using your pencil outlines as a guide. Use quick-drying gold size for a faster application. Allow adequate drying time, which is generally between one and three hours.

5. Press your knuckle lightly against the surface of the gold size to test for gold leaf application readiness. Wait until you feel a small tug from the material before applying the metal.

6. Use a special gilding brush to lift a sheet of gold leaf up to the gold size. Brush away any excess from the areas that are adhesive-free. Continue the process until the entire area of the pattern contains the gold leaf.

7. Wait at least one day after the application and burnish the gold. Wipe the surface area with a piece of soft velvet or a cotton ball to rid it of any flakes left behind.

8. Apply a protective topcoat of acrylic water-based sealer for metal to protect the surface after application. While this is not an essential step, it increases the gold leaf's durability.

Tags: gold leaf, crown molding, gold size, after application

Decorate Bathrooms In Victorian Style

Small details can enhance the Victorian look.

Bathrooms are necessary but this doesn't mean they cannot be decorative. Give your bathroom a brand new look and feel with an authentic Victorian look. Rich colors and vibrant floral patterns often represent the Victorian style. You will also see Victorian bathrooms that are more romantic, with a focus on lighter colors and lacy trimmings. Whatever style you prefer, you can create a Victorian look in your bathroom in no time at all.

Instructions

1. Choose a color scheme for your bathroom you enjoy. There is no specific Victorian color. Instead, colors range from dark to light and bathrooms can vary from light and airy to plush and elegant. Select a combination of three or four colors and make one of those colors your primary color. The remaining colors are secondary and should complement the primary color. Bold red, gold and green colors will give your bathroom an elegant look, while lighter colors will make your bathroom feel more spacious.

2. Paint your bathroom with a shade that matches your decor and accentuates the Victorian mood. Use the primary color on the walls and use secondary colors on molding and other trim.

3. Install appropriate fixtures where you can. Early Victorian sinks and toilets were hand-painted with floral patterns and scrolls. You may want to duplicate this technique in wallpaper or embroidered designs on hand towels. Brass fixtures are another option.

4. Use small pieces of furniture to enhance the Victorian feel in your bathroom. Shaving stands and small tables will add a cozy feel to your room, and they will give the room an authentic mood.

5. Decorate with attention to the details in your bathroom. Pay attention to bathroom fittings and try to recreate Victorian style with knobs and drawer pulls, window treatments, hand towels, soap dishes, mirrors and pictures. Gilded wall sconces and mirrors will give your bathroom a Victorian feel.

6. Install Victorian fixtures when you can. If you can afford to install a porcelain sink, toilet or pedestal sink, you'll be giving your bathroom an immediate Victorian feel. Purchase items that are in good shape with no cracks.

Tags: your bathroom, primary color, Victorian feel, Victorian look, will give, colors will, enhance Victorian

Install Nail Up Ceiling Tiles

Nail up ceiling tiles tend to be decorative tiles made of metals such as tin or steel that won't adhere well to surfaces using glue. The tiles often possess complicated patterns on the face, creating an elegant look that's difficult to achieve with paint, ceiling texture or glued-on tiles. Installation is simple and quick. The tiles are mounted to a layer of plywood covering the ceiling, using small nails at the edges of each tile to hold it in place. The nails are small enough to be unnoticeable, leaving only the tiles themselves to attract the eye to a ceiling that can act as a centerpiece.

Instructions

1. Locate the ceiling joists by running a stud finder over the surface of the ceiling and watching the finder for its indicator light. Mark the location of each joist with a piece of chalk once found.

2. Cover the ceiling with 1/4-inch plywood boards. Attach the boards using 2-1/2-inch screws driven through the plywood and the existing ceiling surface and into the joists with an electric screwdriver. Have a helper hold the board against the ceiling and then place the screws along the line of the joists every 8 inches. Cut the boards when needed to fit the edges of the ceiling using a circular saw.

3. Measure the length and width of the ceiling using a tape measure. Divide the measurements in half and place a mark at the halfway point at the ceiling edges. Connect opposing marks by snapping a chalk line against the ceiling to create a cross in the center of the ceiling's surface, dividing the ceiling into quadrants.

4. Attach the ceiling tiles beginning with one corner of the cross at the center of the ceiling. Use the angle of the corner to place the corner of the tile, using the two connected chalk lines as guides for the tile edges. Nail the tile to the ceiling using an automatic brad gun with 18 gauge brad nails. Space the nails every 6 inches around the perimeter of three sides of the tile.

5. Place the adjacent tile next to the first, with the edge of the new tile under the edge of the first tile not nailed in place. Nail the new tile in place on three sides, including the overlapping side. Continue to install the tiles in a row towards the nearest wall, overlapping each new tile under the edge of the previous one.

6. Measure the distance between the last full tile and the wall. Cut a tile to fit the partial space if necessary, using a pair of tin snips for metallic tiles or a circular saw for other types of tiles. Nail the partial tile in place on all four sides.

7. Start the next row of tiles at the center of the room using the same process that you used on the first row of tiles. Place additional rows until you finish with the quadrant, and then begin with the next, following the same process until all four are filled with tiles.

Tags: ceiling using, against ceiling, ceiling surface, center ceiling, cross center, cross center ceiling

Living Room Design Help

Design an attractive living room.

People have different needs when it comes to a living room. Some use it as their own personal sanctuary, while others use it to entertain guests. Designing a living room is about having it accommodate your own personal taste and needs. No matter what kind of theme you decide, a solid design is breathable, connected and well-balanced.

Choose a Theme

How will you use your living room? What would you like in your living room? How would you like to feel in your living room? These are important questions when choosing a living room theme. Try to choose a theme that is not only attractive, but has a look that you can see yourself comfortably living in. You can find design inspiration anywhere, from a piece of art to a piece of furniture.

Make Space

The more spacious the room feels, the more breathable it is for you. Even if you have a well-sized room, it's important to maintain its size since there are many unintentional ways to diminish the look of the room. Use lighter colors on the wall and invite the sunlight in. To accentuate room height, make sure to hang floor length curtains close to the ceiling and drape as close to the floor as possible. Hang portraits higher, so that you can bring the eye upward. Have mirrors reflect a window to widen the space of the room and produce the illusion of more light during the day. Scale your furniture to the size of the room and find pieces that multitasks. For example, find a coffee table that doubles as storage space. The less furniture you have, the more space you can create.

Achieve Balance

Another way to make your living room appear more attractive is through balance. Create balance by visually connecting certain items. Place a mirror eight to 10 inches above the sofa. This is high enough for you not to hit your head, but low enough so that the sofa and the mirror appear to be one unit--if you were viewing from a few feet away. A coffee table should be an inch or two lower than the arm of your sofa and should be two-thirds the length of your sofa. This is a comfortable distance for people reaching for items. When seated next to a table lamp, the shade should land at shoulder height. When utilizing floor lamps or table lamps, you don't want them to be too high or they appear disconnected from the rest of the furniture and decor.

Tags: living room, your living, your living room, living room, coffee table

Make A Shabby Chic Chandelier For A Little Girl'S Room

Add small Christmas ornaments to decorate her chandelier.

A shabby chic-style chandelier will be a darling way to pump up the fem power in a little girl's room. Retail prices can be on the high side, but you can tone down the price point by making it yourself. Be on the lookout for yard sale finds and shop in second hand stores to find a chandelier that's been waiting for you to come along and give it a second life. Add your creativity to make a chandelier to light up a little girl's life.

Instructions

1. Look for a chandelier with a working light fixture, or one that you can easily rewire with a lighting kit if you want the chandelier to be functional. Don't pass over an item that might be a bit dented or missing some dangling crystal-like pieces, after all, that's what makes it shabby and creates a canvas for you to turn it into something chic.

2. Remove light bulbs and lampshades (if the lamp has them). Take the chandelier outdoors and lay it on newspapers. Spray paint the entire chandelier antique white for a solid backdrop. Paint every surface, including the cups that hold lights if the chandelier has them. The goal is to turn the entire chandelier white, so when you add the jewelry pieces and trimmings the colors will pop.

3. Select a fabric for the lampshades that coordinates with her bedroom or her favorite color. Make a template to recover the existing lampshades or purchase plain mini chandelier lampshades.

4. Trace out the pattern for lampshade fabric on plain white paper. Cut the fabric and use spray adhesive to coat the lampshade. Accent the top and bottom borders of the lampshades with a matching gross-grain ribbon, feather boa strips or sequin trim, attached to the lampshades with fabric glue or hot glue.

5. Use long strands of pearls or clear glass beads to dress up the chandelier. Loop and drape the strands, spaced every 6 inches, along the base of the chandelier and attach them to the base with wire. Allow them to drape about 6 or 8 inches so the chandelier looks feminine and fancy.

6. Add faux crystal jewelry pieces to make the chandelier shimmer and shine by attaching them to the base and to the pearls and beads with thin craft wire. Go with all clear pieces for a grown-up look, pink to make it girly, or her birthstone color to give it a personalized touch. Mix up the sizes and shapes of the faux crystal pieces with teardrop shapes, ovals and circles to add interest.

7. Install a lighting kit (if desired) to make the chandelier a working light fixture, or you can opt to have her use it as a decorative statement piece in her room.

Tags: make chandelier, entire chandelier, faux crystal, jewelry pieces, lampshades with, light fixture

Ideas To Cover Over Old Ceiling Tiles

Old ceiling tiles are found in a large number of homes, including those that were updated or remodeled to add a drop ceiling to a room. Typically white or another light color, these tiles can begin to take on a dingy appearance from exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, cooking and other environmental conditions. Try out some ideas to cover old ceiling tiles to add color to the room and give it a more designed look and feel.

Fabric Coverings

Remove the ceiling tiles from the ceiling first. Simply push the tile up until it comes loose from the frame and then tilt it to one side. Pull down on the tile, and it should slide right out of the frame and off the ceiling. Lay the tiles flat and wash each one with warm, soapy water, removing any dust or debris from the surface of the tiles. Coat the tile with a thin layer of spray adhesive, and immediately lay a piece of fabric flat on the tile. Push the fabric onto the tile with your hands, smoothing out any air bubbles. Apply more spray adhesive to the back of the tile and fold the fabric over, pushing it onto the adhesive. Repeat the process with each tile before placing back it in the ceiling frame.

Cover With Tissue Paper

Tissue paper has a lighter texture than fabric, and lighter shades tend to look like leather. Remove the ceiling tiles and clean them with warm, soapy water first. Next, apply a thin layer of spray adhesive to the tile and cover it with tissue paper. Trim off the excess paper from the sides. For a more old-fashioned look, tear the edges of the tissue paper and apply it in layers to the tile.

Ribbon Decorating

Remove the ceiling tiles and coat the edges with spray adhesive. Place pieces of ribbon along all four edges of the ceiling tiles. Use more spray adhesive on the frame of the ceiling tiles and apply ribbon to those areas as well. If you're worried about the ribbon permanently adhering to the frame, then simply wrap the ribbon around instead. Tie a small knot at the end and wind the ribbon around the frame.

Tulle Design

Use five S-hooks or screw-in hooks, such as those designed for hanging plants. Place one hook in each corner of the room and then place the last hook in the center of the room. Measure the distance from one hook to the center of the room and then to the hook diagonally across the room. Cut pieces of tulle or another lightweight fabric to fit those measurements. Drape one piece of tulle from one hook to the center hook and then across to the opposite wall. Repeat the process with a second piece of tulle, crisscrossing the pieces in the center.

Tags: ceiling tiles, spray adhesive, hook center, Remove ceiling, Remove ceiling tiles

Hang Fabric From A Ceiling For A Wedding

Decorate the ceiling with tulle in a variety of colors.

When decorating for your wedding, take all aspects of your venue into consideration, including the ceiling. Ceiling decorations can transform the ambience of your reception into a romantic and enchanting setting when tulle fabric drapes around the room. Using tulle or another fabric in decorating requires you to have an eye for balance, because adding too much fabric on the ceiling can feel overwhelming, while not adding enough can make the ceiling decorations look half-finished.

Instructions

1. Plot out the design of the ceiling and how you want the fabric to hang. If there are beams in the ceiling, you might want to wrap the fabric around the beams. Or for flat ceilings, add dimension by draping the tulle at various points. Canopies are another option if you want a lot of fabric coverage.

2. Position the ladder beneath the section of the ceiling on which you are working. You will have to climb down the ladder to move it as you continue working your way across the ceiling.

3. Secure the end of the fabric strip to the point of the ceiling from where the design is starting, using push pins. Push the pins tightly into the ceiling structure. If the structure is too thick for push pins, use a hammer to nail the fabric into place on the ceiling.

4. Drape the fabric from the starting point to the center of the room or midway across a beam. Hold the drape effect in place with another push pin or another nail you hammer in. Continue this pattern as you work the length of the ceiling you wish to decorate.

5. Use double-sided, clear tape to connect the parts of the fabric - in between the push pins or nails - to the ceiling.

6. Wrap multiple colors of fabric around each other to create a color scheme on the ceiling. If your wedding colors are black and white, for instance, you can weave black and white tulle in and out to draw more attention to the ceiling. Keep multiple strands of fabric together with the double-sided tape.

Tags: push pins, black white, fabric around, want fabric, your wedding