Select Wall Colors In Bathrooms

Choose paint colors that make you happy.

If you're redecorating, choosing paint can be one of the most creative -- and difficult -- parts of your project. Color choice will affect all aspects of how the room is perceived, and how it will make you feel when you spend time in it. Since you spend a relatively large amount of time in your bathroom, this space isn't one to be redecorated in haste. Select wall colors that make your bathroom an oasis of renewal by following a few simple guidelines.

Instructions

1. Assess the size and natural light available in your bathroom. In general, lighter colored walls will make a space feel larger, while darker hues will visually shrink it. While sticking to this rule is a safe bet, you can break this rule with style if you factor in accents in a high-contrast color. A small room painted in a dark hue can even feel cozy if you select light-colored paint for the trim.

2. Coordinate bathroom paint with your fixtures. If you want to minimize the color of your fixtures, choose a hue close to the same shade. To make fixtures "pop," paint walls in a contrasting hue. Selecting a hue that is complementary to the color of your fixtures, but in the same shade, will also ensure that they blend into the rest of the room. Hold paint swatches against the wall near your fixtures to test these effects.

3. Pick a color that will put you in a good mood. Although this guideline is anything but scientific, most people would agree that different colors make them feel different emotions. If you want to feel energized in the bathroom, opt for bright, cheerful colors like orange and yellow. If you want to set the stage for relaxation, go with greens or blues. Before choosing a color you're unsure about, purchase paint samples in small jars and apply them to areas of your bathroom wall to get a better idea of how they will look.

4. Choose flattering colors for your bathroom walls. Since you'll spend quite a bit of time tending to your appearance in this room, why not select bathroom wall colors that will put you in your best light? Flesh-toned hues like pinks and peaches, or warm tans and beiges, flatter everyone, as does the color turquoise blue.

Tags: your bathroom, your fixtures, colors that, bathroom wall, color your, color your fixtures

Decorate A Living Room Without Windows

Windows add light to a room, increase visibility and create the illusion of extra space. Decorating a living room that lacks windows can present quite a challenge for a homeowner. If you have a living room with no windows, there are ways to decorate it that will detract from the lack of sunlight and dispel any feelings of claustrophobia that can sometimes occur without a direct link to the outside. Your goal should be to detract from the lack of natural light and direct the focus of the room to where it belongs--on your décor.

Instructions

1. Opt for plenty of lighting. Keeping the room well lit will detract from its lack of windows. Darker places automatically give the illusion of being smaller, but an adequate amount of light prevents this from occurring. In addition, recessed lighting and decorative floor lamps fit well with almost any decorating theme.

2. Hang a window-shaped mirror frame. A mirror frame shaped like a window is not only an interesting way to decorate, but it also serves the purpose of reflecting any available light. This makes the room appear larger and more open.

3. Choose a focal point for the living room. Arrange your furniture to face toward the focal point. Decorate more liberally in this area than any other area of the room. The goal is to draw attention toward the focal point and away from the lack of a window.

4. Use artwork to add extra color to walls and enhance the theme of your décor. Make the most of empty walls by using the available space for paintings, wall hangings or even a mural.

5. Include several brightly colored pieces in your decorating. Colorful throw pillows, candles or rugs prevent a room devoid of natural light from appearing dull.

6. Install a ventless fireplace in your living room if a fireplace is not already available. A fireplace adds warmth and character to a room while giving the area a comfortable feel. No one will notice the room's lack of a window if his attention is immediately drawn to a cozy, roaring fire.

7. Incorporate plenty of greenery in your decorating scheme. Plants add life to a room and give it a sense of depth and intimacy. In addition, plants can prevent a living room without windows from feeling stuffy.

8. Use different colors in different areas. Using colors in groups causes the eye to travel around the room and settle on the color scheme rather than empty walls.

Tags: from lack, living room, detract from, detract from lack, focal point, empty walls

Clean Hard Water Off Oilrubbed Bronze

Clean oil-rubbed bronze items without harming the patina.

"Oil-rubbed bronze" is a general term used to describe bronze that is aged or given the simulation of age and has a patina of various shades of deep, rich browns. The chocolaty appeal of oil-rubbed bronze makes it a favored metal for a variety of household features, including light fixtures, cabinet handles, doorknobs, water faucets, towel bars and light switch cover plates. Unfortunately, things like harsh chemical cleaners, abrasive scrub pads and hard water can mar a bronze surface. Use methods of hard-water stain removal that will not compromise the patina or scratch the metal.

Instructions

1. Combine 1 part sodium hexametaphosphate powder with 10 parts of distilled water. Sodium hexametaphosphate is used in common commercial water softening and limescale removal products. Stir until the powder is dissolved.

2. Remove any easily removable hard-water-stained, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, such as light switch cover plates. Submerge fixtures in the solution.

3. Wrap items that are not easily removed in towels that have been soaked in the solution.

4. Leave the solution to saturate and soften the stains for several minutes then scrub the chalky residue away with a soft-bristle scrub brush or a toothbrush.

5. Rinse the scrubbed item in distilled water and pat it dry with a towel.

6. Apply a wax coat to protect the bronze item from future water stains. Pick up a gob of microcrystalline wax on a lint-free cloth and smear it over the bronze surface. Allow the wax to dry then buff away the excess with a dry, lint-free cloth. Add one to three additional coats.

7. Wipe down and dry oil-rubbed bronze fixtures prone to moisture, such as faucets, when they become wet to prevent stains from developing.

Tags: oil-rubbed bronze, bronze fixtures, bronze surface, cover plates, distilled water, light switch

Knotty Pine Ceiling Ideas

Knotty pine has traditionally been used to create rustic-looking ceilings.

Knotty pine ceilings add rustic flavor to a home or cottage. Although historically these wood ceilings had appeal as something old and informal, traditional country style has become modern, and knotty pine ceilings are often installed in brand-new homes and cottages. Keep the ceilings plain, simple and earthy or dress them up with textiles, the right color paint and lighting for a contemporary twist on an old favorite.

So Formal

Knotty pine ceilings don't have to be rustic, you can create a more formal, traditional look by painting the knotty pine ceilings in a dark shade like espresso or mahogany. Add rich, upholstered drapes and sheers to the space, as well as large glossy leather couches and tweed club chairs, and place thick pile rugs on the floor. Incorporate formal art work, such as original oil on canvas pieces, in brass or ornate frames for a formal space that works for dining and entertaining.

Minimalist Contemporary

Keep your knotty pine ceilings in their original state but add a glaze -- a clear coat of stain that adds shine to floorings and ceilings -- for extra sheen. Incorporate furnishings with long lines, such as a chaise lounge and a minimalist couch, in modern pops of color like teal blue and purple. Add plenty of black-and-white art work, in thick black frames, and low-pile white rugs to the space for more modern touches. Keep the accessories and hardware in the space contemporary by opting for all things stainless steel.

Cute Cottage

Make your knotty pine ceilings the start of a "cute cottage" home concept. Whitewash the ceilings for a more feminine appeal, and add floral and paisley furnishings such as rocking chairs and a loveseat. Lace-trimmed white curtains add a sense of romance to the space, while a selection of charcoal country scenes and fabric wall art will further the cute cottage style. Make your own wall hangings by covering board or repurposed wood in your choice of fabric; cottage-appropriate fabrics include soft tartans, a fleur-de-lis print or even a plain white cotton.

Americana

Create a space filled with rustic Americana; use a lodge in the Midwest or a Colorado cabin as your inspiration for this style space. Pair leather wall hangings with Navajo textiles and rustic wood; the knotty pine ceilings provide the ideal background for a space of this style. Make the ceilings stand out with a thick wooden border.

Tags: pine ceilings, knotty pine, knotty pine ceilings, cute cottage, Make your

Decorate Vaulted Rooms

Vaulted ceilings add drama and a sense of spaciousness to a room.

A vaulted ceiling is a decorating boon, particularly in a room with limited square footage. High ceilings give the impression of greater overall space and offer the opportunity to introduce big, dramatic furnishings. Design options open up as you decorate a room with vaulted ceilings, because the colors you choose will depend more on the mood you want to set than any concerns over ceiling height.

Instructions

1. Use color to highlight or play down your ceiling height. Lighter colors reflect light, maximizing the sense of space in a room. Dark colors absorb light, making a space feel smaller than it actually is. One luxury of having vaulted ceilings is that you're the one who gets to choose whether to accentuate the height of your ceilings with light paint, or to visually pull them down by applying a dark shade. If you're aiming for an open, airy room, stick with light colored ceilings. If you have a large room that you'd like to feel cozier, paint the ceilings a darker shade than the room's walls.

2. Install large furnishings. Whether you've decided to paint the ceilings a light color or to make them feel lower by painting them a dark shade, take advantage of their height by introducing large pieces of furniture. A tall armoire, oversized fireplace mantel, large area rug and big, comfortable pieces of furniture can all be accommodated in a room with vaulted ceilings because of the sense of balance high ceilings add to a space.

3. Hang window treatments that fit the room's decor. If the abundance of natural light is a design element you want to play up, install simple window treatments with clean lines. Sheer Roman shades, plantation shutters and crisp accordion blinds will all offer privacy while allowing light into the space. This light will further accentuate the ceiling height. If you'd prefer a more dramatic look, hang extra-long draperies from rods installed about a foot over the window sill. The length of the drapes will pull the eye upward, bringing attention to the room's height. Make sure the drapes can open fully to allow daylight into the space.

4. Introduce artwork that's to scale. Opt for a few large, tall pieces rather than numerous smaller pieces, as small collections look like clutter in a big room. One large painting will make a greater visual impact than 10 small statues scattered around the room.

Tags: ceiling height, room with, ceilings because, dark shade, into space, paint ceilings, pieces furniture

Ideas For Using Old Bathroom Sinks & Vanity

Jane Jacobs, the famous urban design theorist, said that buildings should be made for many uses; when one occupant leaves another can slip in and do something entirely different with the space. Take this attitude with you when looking over your old bathroom sink and vanity. These objects won't dispense water, but they will still serve a purpose.

Gardening Options

Sinks work perfectly well as plant pots. They have a drain, so that water won't rot out the roots of the plant. Since most sinks are ceramic, they're quite weather resistant, too. You'll want to put a plant in your sink that has a shallow root system, such as petunias, morning glories, and lilies of the valley. Check with your local nursery about what plants they have for a shallow-based pot.

If the sink is part of a vanity, meaning there's wood involved, stain or seal the wood. A good stain, which you should buy at your local hardware store, won't cost you more than $15 and will last five to seven years in the sun.

a chest of drawers and counter

To use the vanity for storage, rip out the piping. These guts only get in the way. Once you've taken out the pipes, you'll want to seal up the holes in the wood of the vanity, as well as the hole in the sink to prevent your clothes, or whatever you're storing, from a moth attack. Seal the wooden holes with either a thin small slab of balsa wood nailed over the hole; plaster; or tape. Since the holes are behind the vanity where no one sees them, what you seal the hole with doesn't matter so long as it prevents bugs and humidity from getting inside the vanity.

The vanity also works as a kitchen counter space. Just because the sink won't pass water doesn't mean it's not useful. Use the counter of the vanity to chop food and the sink to hold vegetables or fruits. Keeping healthy foods out encourages you to eat them.

Redecorating the Sink and Vanity

Whether you've decided to use the vanity indoors or out, redecorate it with a paint job. Match the colors to its new room. To paint wood, first clean it thoroughly. Water works fine. Next, coat the wood with primer. Two coats might be necessary depending on the original paint job. When the primer dries, paint over it with the color of your choice.

As for the sink, do not paint that. Instead, fill it with something pretty. Stones or pebbles work well and contrast nicely with the smooth sheen of the ceramic sink. Or use the sink for a kind of piggy bank, dropping your lose change in it so long as the stopper is firmly sealing the hole.

Tags: counter vanity, your local

Suspended Ceiling Design Specifications

Suspended ceiling are commonly used to cover pipes or bad ceilings.

Typically, suspended ceiling systems have a metal grid that supports lightweight infill panels. People used them in residential homes and commercial facilities. Gone are the days of the traditional horizontal suspension systems, which constituted most design options. Many newer systems specifications incorporate curves to add more depth and visual characteristics to any room, creating a layered look, floating clouds, free-formed islands and other configurations.

Quality Assurance

Like many building products, suspended ceiling manufacturers make recommendations regarding the skill level necessary to ensure a quality installation. The horizontal design of many residential projects makes for an easier installation for do-it-yourself projects. Some ceiling manufacturers recommend five years of professional experience in suspended ceiling construction for their product installers. In addition, installations must meet the International Code Council's (ICC) seismic criteria: the grid components and panels must follow the minimum requirements for the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) requirements for flame spread or smoke density. Parts also must conform to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire rating standards.

Submittals

Specifications typically require product data, which helps buyers and installers understand the system's components and the quantity of each item. Suspended ceiling systems include drawings depicting various grid layout plans. Some manufacturers include sample kits that contain suspended ceiling parts and roofing panels.

Materials and Structure

Specification design usually list the name of the suspended ceiling system's manufacturer and the parts, such as 21-foot main runners and 2-foot cross tees made from pultruded fiberglass with at least a 1 3/8-inch wide facing. Systems also include wall angles and anchors that must meet or exceed specifications for the product. Installer must also install the system to accept specific dead load, or constant load, requirements.

Installation Guidelines

The terms require the installation in accordance with certain industry standards, such as the Ceilings Interior Systems Construction Association and the manufacturer's instructions. It may require equipment, air diffusers or other items to have independent supports. Generally, grid systems have exact dimensions for the placement of the main runners 48 inches on center or install wall clips at point of tee-to-wall-angle intersections using corrosive-resistant anchors. Most traditional suspended ceiling design either a 2-by-4-foot or 4-by-4-foot grid patterns.

Storage and Handling

Many manufacturers' specification calls for the delivery of all materials in the original unopened packages and stored at the job site for a short duration between delivery and actual installation. Keep the material in a controlled environment away from the elements, such as water or excess humidity, which cause warping, sagging or poor fitting during installation.

Tags: suspended ceiling, ceiling manufacturers, ceiling systems, main runners, must meet

Cope Trim With A Coping Saw

Coping saws use thin blades to cut wood from a piece of trim.

Your home's walls may not meet in a true 90-degree corner. When you are installing trim in your house and encounter such a corner, it's necessary to make a coped joint between two pieces of trim. A coped joint has one piece of trim cut on a 90-degree angle and a second piece cut on a 45-degree angle with the raw wood of the miter removed with a coping saw. A coping saw has a thin blade held in place by a large, C-shaped handle.

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the first piece of trim entering the non-square corner, using the tape measure.

2. Set your power miter box to make a square cut on the piece of trim.

3. Make a square cut on the length of trim, hang the trim on the wall, and measure the second piece of trim entering the non-square corner.

4. Set the power miter box to make a 45-degree outside cut. An outside cut has the raw wood extended beyond the face of the trim.

5. Place the trim face up on a stable work surface with the 45-degree miter cut facing toward you.

6. Hold the coping saw blade at the area where the raw wood meets the face of the trim, tilt the saw blade on a 45-degree angle toward the face of the trim and slowly cut along the profile of the trim.

7. Slide the coped piece of trim into the corner and check the connection between the coped trim and the square-cut piece of trim. If the connection is not tight, remove more wood from behind the face of the wood trim. Continue test-fitting and cutting the trim with the coping saw until you achieve a tight fit between the two pieces of trim.

8. Install the coped piece of trim onto the trim to complete the coped connection.

Tags: piece trim, face trim, 45-degree angle, between pieces, between pieces trim, coped joint

Remove A Vanity Light

Replacing vanity lights is a good way to upgrade the look of your bathroom and, in some cases, give you more light. Vanity light fixtures mount to the wall like most other light fixtures. If you have a long fixture, there may be a mounting bar behind the fixture. Removing the existing fixture requires placing another light source in the bathroom. Many bathrooms do not have windows or enough working light without the vanity light.

Instructions

1. Set up an alternate light source in the bathroom. Place a table lamp on a flat surface near the work area where it is out of the way. Connect an extension cord to the lamp, and connect the other end of the cord into a wall outlet outside of the bathroom. Turn on the light switch to the bathroom vanity light.

2. Turn off the circuit breaker to the bathroom. If the vanity light goes off, you got the correct circuit breaker. Turn on the table lamp, and turn off the light switch to the vanity fixture.

3. Unscrew the bulbs from the vanity light fixture. Set the bulbs on a towel out of your way. Remove the globes or shades that are attached to the fixture. Most globes have three thumbscrews that secure the globe fixtures. Turn the screws counterclockwise to remove the globes.

4. Locate the screws securing the fixture to the wall. The screws can be decoratively hidden as protruding buttons that appear to be part of the fixture. Other types have screws that are out of sight along the edge. Remove the screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver, or turn the decorative screws counterclockwise by hand.

5. Score the edge of the fixture where it meets the wall with a utility knife to remove any natural paint adhesion. Ask a helper to assist with pulling the fixture away from the wall far enough that you can access the wires. Ask your helper to hold the fixture while you disconnect the wires.

6. Untwist the wire caps securing the vanity fixture wires to the house wires. As you separate the wires, twist a wire cap on each house wire. Pull the fixture away from the wall. If you have a mounting plate on the wall, remove the screws securing the mounting plate and pull the mounting plate off the wall.

Tags: mounting plate, away from, away from wall, bathroom vanity, bathroom vanity light, circuit breaker, fixture away

Install Plastic Crown Molding

Crown molding is a piece of trim that is placed where the top of a wall meets the ceiling. It is used as a decorative accent and comes in many materials, such as wood, pressed foam, plaster and plastic. Plastic molding has a number of advantages. It can be cheaper than wood molding; it comes in a variety of colors and doesn't need to be painted, although you can paint it. It comes in a variety of designs. It sometimes comes with installation pieces such as nails and screws that are already applied to the location on the molding where it needs to be installed. It's harder to damage and scrape than wood. You can install plastic crown molding if you are handy around the house. It can add beauty and added value to your home.

Instructions

1. Cut with your plastic molding with a power saw that you use for wood but use a carbide-tipped, saw blades because steel ones will get dull when cutting the plastic. Use carbide-edged bits when using routers for any decorative edges if you are cutting these as well. Use an orbital sander with 100-grit paper to sand any rough edges; although sanding is not always necessary.

2. Locate and mark the wood studs in your wall with a stud finder. Set the trim against the wall in the desired location and drill stainless steel screws through the trim into the wood stud to secure the molding against the wall. Countersink the screws (drill a bit below the trim) and hide the screw heads by filling them using a putty knife and paintable caulk or filler.

3. Use a miter box and saw to angle the trim where it meets a corner if your plastic molding didn't come with mitered pieces. This allows two pieces of molding to fit at a corner. Sand any rough edges. Paint the trim if desired with a latex trim paint. Tape the wall and ceiling adjacent to the trim to protect your wall.

Tags: against wall, comes variety, rough edges, than wood, your plastic, your plastic molding, your wall

Nail Up Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles are attached using finishing nails.

Installing ceiling tiles is a good way to add a bit of flair to a room. Ceiling tiles come in tin, copper, plastic and a variety of other materials. The majority of tiles have raised patterns on the surface that range from simple borders to intricate scrollwork. While some ceiling tiles are supported by a system of rails, others are simply nailed into place over a plywood ceiling.

Instructions

1. Climb up on a ladder and place a stud finder flat against the ceiling. Turn the stud finder on and move it until it lights up to indicate the location if a ceiling joist beam. Mark the location with a pencil. Continue until you have marked all of the ceiling joists.

2. Place a piece of 1/4-inch plywood flat up to the ceiling and attach it to the ceiling joists using a screwdriver and 2-1/2-inch screws that are spaced 8 inches apart. Continue until the entire ceiling is covered in plywood. You will need another person to assist with this process.

3. Place the end of a tape measure at one end of the ceiling and stretch it all the way to the other end to establish the length. Divide the length in half to determine the center of the room. Stretch a chalk line across the center of the room and snap the line to divide the room in half.

4. Place the end of the tape measure at one side of the room and stretch it across to the other side to determine the width of the ceiling. Divide this number in half to locate the center of the width. Use the chalk line just as you did before, to create a line that divides the ceiling into quarters.

5. Insert one of the ceiling tiles onto the ceiling in one of the center corners created by the chalk line.

6. Examine the edges of the tile for the 1/4-inch raised lip on the edge of the tile. Insert finishing nails into this lip using a nail gun and spacing the nails at 3- to 4-inch intervals around three sides of the tile.

7. Place another ceiling tile directly next to the first tile and insert the edge under the free edge of the first tile. Nail this tile in place just as you did the first.

8. Continue installing ceiling tiles until you reach the end of the wall. Use a tape measure to determine if the last tile needs to be cut, and mark the cut location with a pencil. Cut the ceiling tile off using tin snips if the tile is metal or a circular saw for other materials.

9. Return to the center of the room and begin installing a second row of tiles in the same manner. Install ceiling tiles until a quarter section of the ceiling is complete, and then return to the center and start on another quarter section.

Tags: center room, chalk line, tape measure, ceiling joists, ceiling tile, ceiling tiles, ceiling tiles until

Craft With Tin Tiles

Tin tiles make artful decorations for your home in the form of framed wall art, covered shelves or as table top inserts. You can also craft a variety of home decor items from old or new tin tiles. For instance, with a few additional supplies from your local home improvement store, tin tiles can transform an old coffee table, wooden picture frames or shutters into stylish objects for any room.

Instructions

1. Make a tin tile insert for any wooden table top with decorative trim and glass. Use your snips to trim the tile to fit the top of the table and glue it in place with construction adhesive. Frame the outside of the tile with decorative wood trim, cut to fit the perimeter of the table. You can use construction adhesive to attach the trim pieces to the tile or the table. The trim should stick up above the tile to allow a piece of glass to fit flush over the tin.

2. Make an art piece with tin and an old picture frame. Look for frames and tiles at local thrift stores or architectural salvage yards. Insert the tile into the frame and hold it in place with screws. If the tile is too large for your frame, trim around the outside edges until it fits. If the frame is too large for the tile, cut a thin wood board to fit inside the frame, and paint it to match or contrast with the tile. Center the tile on the wood board so that the painted edges frame the tin tile. Attach the tile to the wood with construction adhesive. Insert the wood in the frame and hang your new tile art on the wall.

3. Remove the center of a slatted shutter and replace it with tin tiles for another type of recycled art. Depending on the size of the tiles, you may need more than one. You can always attach the tiles to a thin backer board, painted to coordinate with the shutter. Craft shabby chic style wall art by painting the shutter white, and distressing it by sanding the paint away from the edges and high points. You can also distress a new tile in this manner to make it look old. If your shutter does not have slats, paint the shutter and glue the tiles onto the raised panel centers. Turn the shutter sideways and place it beneath an existing shelf to add depth and dimension.

4. Laminate the face or the top of a wooden shelf with tin tiles. Cut or bend the tiles to fit the shelf and attach them with construction adhesive. You can transform a plain shelf into a keepsake with this simple application.

Tags: construction adhesive, with construction, with construction adhesive, place with, tile table, tile wood, with decorative

Design A Bathroom With Laundry For Seniors

Design plans with different zones.

Design plans for a combination bathroom and laundry room should create different zones in the room. Each zone should have its own lighting and colors, to make them easily identifiable. With the aging process, we may have limited eyesight and mobility. A senior will require more space than a younger person to move between the zones. Add open storage areas rather than closed areas.

Instructions

1. Hand-held shower head

Attach non-slip grips in the bathtub and shower. Add a shower chair and a hand-held shower faucet to the shower.

2. Vinyl flooring is easier to walk on than carpeting.

Remove area rugs and any clutter in the walking areas. A vinyl or ceramic tile floor is easier to clean than carpeting. In addition, if the person has trouble lifting his feet, he can slide his feet on a tile floor.

3. Grab bars around the toilet

Attach grab bars around the toilet, bathtub and shower. Grab bars should support 250 pounds. Towel racks and clothing hooks should also support the person's weight.

4. A front-loading dyrer makes loading and unloading easier.

Purchase a front-loading washer and dryer. Set them next to each other on pedestals, to raise the height. They should be easy to reach. Detergent and laundry aids should be within arm's length on a shelf in clear view.

5. Faucet with large handles

Install faucets with one large lever or large handles that are easy to turn.

6. Fluorescent light bulbs last longer then incandescent bulbs.

Add compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL); they last longer then incandescent bulbs. Each area in the bathroom should have its own lighting.

7. Insert pocket doors. Pocket doors add an average of 10 square feet of floor space in the room.

8. Flashlight for when the electricity goes out

Keep a flashlight handy in the room in case the lights go out. Check the batteries periodically.

9. Buy laundry baskets on wheels, similar to the baskets used at the laundromat.

10. Safety whistle in case of accident

Add a safety whistle and a water alarm under the sink to detect leaky pipes.

Tags: around toilet, bars around, bars around toilet, bathtub shower, Design plans, different zones, have lighting

Cut & Hang Crown Molding In Corners

Use a miter saw to cut the 45-degree angles needed to turn the corner.

Crown molding is installed against the ceiling and the top of your walls. The wood product can add an elegant look to your ceilings when installed properly. The molding lies flat on the wall and ceiling, and features a 45-degree slope between the two surfaces on the third side. If positioned on the saw correctly, you can cut crown molding quickly and easily.

Instructions

Cutting Corners

1. Measure the length of crown molding that's needed to turn the corner. Measure and mark the two pieces of crown molding that will be installed on the corner.

2. Set your miter saw to cut at a 45-degree angle by releasing the lever at the bottom of the saw and turning the saw. The miter saw should be set to a 45-degree angle on both the left and right sides. The saw should be adjusted so an outside cut is made on the wood for an inside corner, and an inside cut for an outside corner. An outside cut, as opposed to an inside cut, is made at an angle that exposes the inner wood from the front of the wood.

3. Turn the piece of molding upside down, and position it so the one flat edge is flush with the bottom table, and the other is flush with the saw's fence.

Hanging Molding

4. Place the molding in its desired position, with the shoulder flush against the ceiling and the base flush against the wall. It may be necessary to have a partner assist you when hanging a long piece of molding.

5. Fasten the molding sections to the wall using the nail gun. Drive the nails into the flat portion of the molding flush against the wall. The nails should be spaced approximately 8 to 12 inches apart.

6. Fill the nail holes with wood putty, then sand the putty once it has dried.

7. Apply a coat of paint to the molding to hide the nail holes and provide a more attractive finish.

Tags: flush against, 45-degree angle, against ceiling, against wall, crown molding that, flush against wall, flush with

Cool School Bathroom Ideas

Cool School Bathroom Ideas

When most people think of school bathrooms they conjure the notion of a dirty, dingy set of stalls perhaps in a decidedly unattractive avocado or mint green. You may remember bathrooms at your school as a less than aesthetically pleasing place to be. This, however, doesn't have to be the case. There are a number of ways to turn boring old bathrooms into hip, modern spaces full of hygiene boosting devices, environmentally friendly products and eye-pleasing images.

Automated Devices

Help improve students hygiene and take steps towards saving the environment by installing automated devices in the bathroom. Auto-flush toilets, motion sensor sinks, automatically dispensing soap pumps and motion sensitive hand dryers all allow students to do their business hands free thereby reducing the transmission of germs from one student to another. These tools also ensure that no water is left on, excessive soap use is discouraged and hand dryers blow only as long as necessary. By installing automated devices in your school bathroom, you will not only help improve the health of your students and the environment, but also create a sleek, technological and modern restroom facility.

Stall Talk Newsletters

Turn restroom time into knowledge building time by placing stall talk newsletters in each bathroom stall. Install inexpensive plastic frames on the insides of bathroom doors and regularly place informative reading material into them. This practice is common at stadiums or concert venues where similar frames are frequently used to display sponsors' advertisements. In a school, these advertisements can be replaced with health and wellness related fact sheets, the most current edition of the school newspaper and lists of riddles and jokes. Students enjoy reading these little tidbits and the placement of this reading material adds brightness and excitement to the dull bathroom setting.

Mirror Messages

Give students something to see in the mirror, other than their reflection. Place messages on the bathroom mirrors that students can read while they wash up. This will encourage students to spend a larger amount of time washing their hands which will help prevent the spread of disease in the school. Self-esteem building messages of interesting environmental factoids make great additions to school mirrors. You can either have these messages permanently painted on the mirrors, or instead mix it up regularly and allow staff or a trusted group of students to use water-soluble markers and regularly paint new text on the mirrors.

Creative Painting Techniques

You can turn bathroom walls into a veritable mini-museum by employing some creative painting techniques. Use bold colors throughout the bathroom as these colors will brighten the space and catch student interest. Also, employ the assistance of the art club or local artists and ask them to help give your plain bathroom some pizzaz by painting a mural on one wall or decorate the insides of the bathroom stalls. If you really want to create a memorable restroom, you can use faux painting techniques and decorate each stall in a different fashion allowing bathroom users to feel as if they have stepped into a time machine every time they visit the commode. Paint one stall to resemble a bright, sunny, wild-flower-filled meadow, paint another to look as if you are in an old world castle complete with rough, gray bricks and a drawbridge exit.

Tags: automated devices, Bathroom Ideas, Cool School, Cool School Bathroom, hand dryers, insides bathroom

Make Your Own Chandelier

Make your own chandelier by transforming an old light fixture with crystal prisms, crystal strands and spray paint. You can find crystals at online retailers and in some craft stores. There is no set pattern for making your own chandelier; select the crystals that you like and attach them to the fixture that suits your space.

Instructions

1. Determine the number of crystal prisms and strands you will need to make your chandelier. Select a hanging light fixture from a retailer, yard sale or thrift store. Look for fixtures with at least three arms in a curved, chandelier shape. Don't worry about the base metal color; focus on a shape that pleases you.

2. Measure the space between each of the separate arms on your light fixture. Crystal strands are sold in 36 inch sections, but you can easily remove part of the section if you prefer less of a drape between the arms. Select graduated strands to hang straight down from the center of the light fixture or to wrap around the stem.

3. Select crystal prisms to attach and hang along every curve and dip in your light fixture, as well as around the lightbulb holders. If you like, order a bobeche to fit over each lightbulb holder. A bobeche is a glass or crystal tray-like piece with a center hole to fit onto your fixture, and six tiny holes around the outside so you can hang more crystal prisms.

4. Remove the light bulbs before you spray paint the light fixture. Lay out strips of wire and paint them to match the base color of your fixture so they will disappear if you need them to attach crystals to the fixture. Let the paint dry.

5. Hang your painted fixture in a doorway or from a ceiling hook, low enough so that it's accessible to you all the way around.

6. Slip the bobeches over each of the light holders and replace the bulbs. Hang your crystal strands between the fixture's arms and straight down the center, if available. Clip the prisms around each of the bobeches and onto any curve or dip in your fixture.

Tags: light fixture, crystal prisms, your fixture, crystal strands, curve your

Use Acoustic Ceiling Tiles For A Bass Trap

Improve your recordings by improving acoustics.

Home studio owners like to get creative with materials when tweaking their room acoustics because any money saved on treatments can be used to buy cool gear. If your room needs bass absorption and also could stand a little mid/high deadening, then it could benefit from a bass trap. Readily available acoustic ceiling tiles possess the right combination of low-end transmission, mid-range absorption and high-frequency diffusion to serve nicely as the acoustically critical front face of a corner bass trap. A floor-to-ceiling particle board enclosure places the bass trap in the critical rear triple corner while protecting and supporting the somewhat fragile tiles.

Instructions

1. Measure the rear sides.

Mark two long rear panels on one sheet of particle board. Measure one panel to be 8 feet by 17 inches and the other panel to be 8 feet by 17 1/2 inches. Use a chalk line to mark the measurements.

2. Measure for the end pieces.

Mark two triangular end caps in the unused area of the particle board. Make each end cap a 45-45-90-degree triangle with sides 18 inches, 18 inches and 22 1/2 inches. Use a pencil and straight edge.

3. Cut the two long rear panels and the two triangular end caps with a circular saw.

4. Build the back of the first corner trap with a 90-degree butt joint. Use drywall screws and wood glue to attach the long edge of the 8-foot-by-17-inch piece to the long edge of the 8-foot-by-17 1/2-inch piece. Place the 1/2-inch edge of the 17-inch wide piece against the 17 1/2-inch side of the slightly wider piece so that the inside dimensions of the assembled corner are both 17 inches.

5. Cut the boards carefully.

Attach the triangular end caps to the tops and bottoms of the back section you just built. Use wood glue and drywall screws.

6. Lay the wood box down on its back.

7. Fill the box with semi-rigid fiberglass insulation to within 1 inch of the front opening.

8. Trim the long edges of two acoustic ceiling tiles to a clean, 45-degree bevel. Trim them with a straight edge and utility knife so that the fronts remain 2 feet wide and the backs are narrowed to about 22 1/2 inches.

9. Staple the acoustic ceiling tiles flush to the front opening of the enclosure, leaving the factory-finished side facing out.

10. The ceiling tile will have beveled edges.

Place the finished acoustic ceiling tile bass trap upright in one of the rear corners of your control room.

Tags: acoustic ceiling, particle board, triangular caps, acoustic ceiling tiles, bass trap

Build A Projector Hush Box

Building a hush box for your movie projector will greatly improve watching movies by sealing off the noise the projector's internal fan makes. The problem is finding a way to vent out the heat generated by the projector. The best way to do this is to mount the box on the ceiling with a hole in the ceiling to for the heat and noise to escape out of.

Instructions

1. Pick a spot on the ceiling of your TV room that the projector box can hang from and project a clear video image onto your screen or wall. Mark this spot on the ceiling.

2. Design and draw a box big enough to hold your projector and allow air circulation around it. A good size is four to six inches longer and wider than the projector. The front end needs an opening just big enough to fit the projector's front end through.

3. Cut out pieces of plywood at least 3/4 inch thick to make the hush box and nail or glue the pieces together. Drill a hole in the back piece just big enough to fit the projector's power cord through and leave that piece unconnected for now. The box won't have a top piece.

4. Cut a vent hole in the ceiling where the box will be placed. Cut it near the spot where the projector's rear end will be positioned and make the size of your fan. Make sure you don't cut through any ceiling joists.

5. Test fit the projector within the hush box. The front end with the lenses must securely fit within the opening in the box's front end, just barely sticking out the opening. Trim or whittle the opening if needed.

6. Screw the box into the ceiling joists to secure it to the ceiling. If there are no joists in the right position, bridge the joists closest to the box's ends with a ledger board, and screw the box into that board.

7. Insert the projector into the hush box. Run the power cord through the hole in the unattached back piece. Use caution when attaching the back piece to the box, making sure you don't damage the projector.

8. Place the fan into the ceiling hole from the attic (or whichever room is above you) and plug it into an available power supply. Connect the heat-sensitive switch to the fan as per the switch's instructions and set its temperature to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The fan will turn on when the space in the box reaches this temperature.

Tags: back piece, ceiling joists, cord through, enough projector, hole ceiling, into ceiling

Kitchen Design Ideas With Bronze Hardware

Hardware can bring kitchen décor together or completely undermine the decorating style. As of 2010, shiny gold and silver fixtures are a thing of the past, being replaced by their less flashy, brushed-finish cousins. These understated finishes bring subtle gleam to a kitchen and can become the underlying common thread that brings all the other decorating elements together. Bronze is among the most popular metal tones for hardware. As a result, there are many styles of bronze hardware to choose from. Choose one style and stick with it throughout your kitchen, drawing that common thread that will turn your kitchen from put-together to stylish.

Streamlined Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Oiled bronze has a dark, mottled finish fading from dark brown to light copper depending on the light. Many oiled bronze fixtures have smooth, clean lines rather than ornate shapes. The finish is enough decoration to make C-shaped drawer pulls and circular cabinet-handles look stylish.

Make sure your drawer pulls, hinges and cabinet handles all follow the same design. If you pick drawer pulls with a subtle, asymmetrical curve, choose smooth egg-shaped cabinet handles and amorphous hinges.

Bright Brushed Bronze

Bright bronze is not oiled, allowing the coppery-red metal to show completely while the brushed finish keeps it from looking dated or glaring. This style of bronze fixture is all one color, making it suitable for more decorative hardware. It comes in dozens of shapes, from knots and spirals to animals, instruments, and sea shells.

For a themed kitchen, animals or musical instruments work well. For a an elegant or eclectic kitchen, pick spirals and knots, again keeping matching all of your hardware to bring everything together. Make your kitchen look even more cohesive by displaying brushed bronze pots and tea kettles.

Pitted Bronze

Pitted bronze combines a slightly tarnished finish with darker chips or pits dug from the metal. This finish is best used in an eclectic-rustic style. Many twig- and leaf-shaped drawer pulls and cabinet knobs come in this style; alternate leaves and twigs for the best design results. Some hinges in this style have vine scrollwork etched into the surface.

This style pairs best with cast iron accents, old-fashioned copper kettles, wooden countertops and willow twig furniture.

Tags: drawer pulls, your kitchen, cabinet handles, common thread, common thread that, This style

Get Rid Of Mice In Your Drop Ceiling

Do you hear faint sounds above your head at night? Does your drop ceiling seem like it is crawling with suspicious activity? Rodent control in a home is important. Mice can gnaw through various items and substances, thereby wreaking havoc on your home. Removing mice from a drop ceiling requires the same vigilance as capturing a mouse behind the stove.

Instructions

Remove Mice from a Drop Ceiling

1. Locate both the nest and the source of entry into the home. Follow the trail of mouse droppings. The greater density of droppings should give you a general idea of point of entry. Mice are nocturnal, so stay up late one night with a flashlight near the area of mouse noise.

2. Load your mousetraps with peanut butter. Take caution when setting the traps; they're spring loaded and could cause serious injury if mishandled. On the stepladder, remove the tile in the area of the drop ceiling where you've heard the highest amount of activity, where you believe the nest is and at the point of entry.

3. Wait 2 days. Mice are not highly intelligent, and if food is around, they'll go for it. On the stepladder, remove the tiles in the drop ceiling and, using your flashlight, find the traps. If your investigations were thorough, you should have success. Dispose of the mice in double-bagged plastic bags and keep far from children and pets.

4. Repeat step three until you no longer are catching mice. Utilize the same traps, they are meant for multiple uses. Sweep the perimeter of your house and ceiling, looking for cracks and open seals to minimize future infestations.

5. Store mouse traps in a secure area, especially if you have children in the house. Replace ceiling tiles, clean area and relax in your vermin-free environment.

Tags: drop ceiling, point entry, stepladder remove, traps they

Paint A Bathroom Vanity Black

A bathroom vanity creates storage space, supports the sink and hides plumbing pipes. Changing the color of a vanity in otherwise good condition allows you to create a new design scheme in the bathroom. Applying paint is an inexpensive way to update a vanity or hide previous repairs. The color of the paint can set the decorative tone in a bathroom. Black complements many styles, ranging from Asian to modern.

Instructions

1. Empty the vanity of its contents.

2. Remove vanity doors and drawers from the cabinet. Remove the drawer pulls, handles and knobs from the drawers and doors. Set the pieces aside for reuse later, or discard them and purchase new hardware. Move the drawers and doors to your work area. Choose an area that has adequate ventilation.

3. Wash the sides, front framework, drawer and door fronts with a grease-fighting detergent and water to remove dirt and oils.

4. Inspect the vanity for protruding nails or screws. Sink screws back in place with a power screwdriver. If nails hold the vanity together, tap each nail in place with a hammer, place a nail set on the nail head, and tap with a hammer to countersink the nail.

5. Fill in cracks, nail heads and dents with wood putty. Use a flexible putty knife to fill in depressions, recesses and damage. Build the putty up to slightly higher than the surface. Allow the putty to dry fully, usually one to two hours.

6. Sand the repairs with 180-grit sandpaper. Sand the entire exterior of the vanity, including drawer and door fronts, sides and front framework with 320-grit sandpaper to remove any shiny areas and rough up the surface.

7. Wipe all vanity surfaces with a tack cloth to remove all of the sanding dust.

8. Apply low-tack masking tape to the floor and areas that meet walls. Place tarps on the floor around the vanity to protect the wall from paint drips. Lay the vanity doors on a tarp or thick plastic. Stand drawers up for access to the fronts.

9. Shake black-tinted enamel primer by hand and then stir with a stir stick.

10. Apply the black-tinted enamel primer to the vanity, door and drawer fronts with a paintbrush. Allow the enamel primer to dry for three to four hours. Paint a second coat of primer if the first coat appears streaky or is transparent. Allow the second coat to dry for three to four hours.

11. Sand the primed surface lightly and evenly with 400-grit sandpaper. Wipe up the sanding dust with a tack cloth.

12. Shake the enamel paint by hand and open to stir with a stir stick.

13. Apply three to four coats of black paint to the vanity, door and drawer fronts with a paintbrush. Let each coat dry for three to four hours between paint applications. Black typically requires a minimum of four coats of paint to build the color depth.

Tags: three four, enamel primer, four hours, fronts with, three four hours, black-tinted enamel, black-tinted enamel primer

Decide What Doorknob Finish To Use

For many homeowners, the variety of hardware finish options can be overwhelming. Modern finishes are created by coating a base metal with a separate metal plating. As plating technology has improved, so has the number of finishes. Buyers will find stainless steel, aluminum, nickel and chrome finishes, along with traditional favorites like brass and bronze. Each finish offers even more options in the form of texture, antiquing or, even, special coatings designed to repel germs. To choose the best finish for your doorknobs, consider things like appearance maintenance when making your selection.

Instructions

1. View samples of the many finish options available. Visit your local hardware store or specialty home improvement store to examine these finishes in person. The appearance of a metal finish can be very different when viewed online or in print compared to its actual appearance.

2. Aim for consistency in your hardware finishes. If your current hinges are brass, an aluminum doorknob may not be the best option. If surrounding metal items, like power outlets and light switch covers, are chrome, you may want to choose a silver-colored doorknob. Although it's generally acceptable to mix and match different color families (like brass and bronze), it's considered a decorating faux pas to match a brass doorknob with hardware that's silver or nickel-plated.

3. Consider the impact of weather on your doorknob. Most finishes, including steel and brass, can rust or corrode due to rain or other exterior elements. For knobs that will be installed on exterior doors, choose galvanized steel, aluminum or chrome. These metals won't rust, even after years of use.

4. Decide whether you want a modern look or a more rustic finish. Shiny brass or stainless steel knobs work best with a modern or industrial decor. Homeowners with more traditional or rustic designs should consider brushed or antiqued finishes. Oiled bronze and burnished finishes also offer a muted look that fits with more traditional decors.

5. Understand the maintenance requirements for each type of finish. Polished knobs are difficult to keep clean, and fighting fingerprints will be a constant battle. Brushed (matte) knobs are much easier to keep clean and help to mask grease and oil.

6. Consider that some finishes may change over time. Copper, bronze, pewter and nickel tend to develop a patina over time that can change their coloring dramatically. If you want your doorknob to maintain its look for years, stick with brass, stainless steel or chrome.

7. Check to see if antimicrobial coatings are available. Many doorknob manufacturers are now offering special coatings to keep germs and bacteria in check. This coating is invisible and kills germs for many years. Antimicrobial knobs are often used in hospitals and other buildings where germs are a major concern.

Tags: stainless steel, brass bronze, brass stainless, brass stainless steel, finish options, keep clean, like brass

Kitchen Corridor Design Ideas

Decorating kitchen corridors can be challenging, yet fun.

Interior design enthusiasts know that every part of the house is fair game for decoration. Usually the focus is on large rooms such as the living area or master bedroom, but even something as minimal as a kitchen corridor can be up for design grabs. Actually, the fact that the corridor is a smaller space provides a variety of opportunities that are different from large spaces. The corridor's reduced width and length can give you a number of design options in terms of artwork and functionality.

Trompe l'Oeil

Take a cue from a past exhibition at the National Gallery of Art --- use your hallway as a trompe l'oeil, described as a way of tricking the eye into believing something is real when it is not. Using a trained artist or your own skills, you can turn your hallway into a Tuscan courtyard, a Napa Valley winery or a Hawaiian luau by painting a trompe l'oeil scene (trompe l'oeil wallpaper is also available). Keeping to a kitchen theme for the corridor, you can paint a trompe l'oeil that makes it appear as if rows and rows of fresh bread (donuts, petit fours, sausages) are hanging in a glass window instead of just having a plain wall.

Chalkboard

Install Armstrong Vinyl Tiles

Create a beautiful floor with Amstrong vinyl tiles.

Armstrong vinyl tiles, also known as resilient tiles, are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns and styles. The tiles are 12-inch squares, easy to handle and place into position. Many tiles resemble natural stone or wood and can transform the look of a room quickly and relatively inexpensive compared to other flooring materials. Vinyl is very resilient to spills, water, and stains, which makes it a smart choice for a bath or kitchen.

Instructions

1. Measure the square footage of the floor. Make a scale drawing on graph paper, using one square of the paper for every tile. Design a layout by filling in the squares with different color inks. Take this paper to your home improvement store to purchase the necessary number of boxes to complete the job.

2. Inspect the sub-floor to ensure that it is clean and free from grease, dirt, wax and dust. Make sure it is level. Lay Armstrong leveler on top of existing floor to smooth out any texture.

3. Remove baseboards or shoe molding. Undercut door frames if they are too tight to allow the tile to slide underneath. Remove everything from the room. Find the center of the room and mark with the chalk line. Mark from the centers of opposite walls. Dry fit tiles in both directions from the center of the room without removing the background.

4. Spread one-fourth of the room with vinyl floor adhesive. Peel off the backing from the self-adhering tile. Line up the first tile where the working lines cross in the room. Align an edge of a tile with a working line or adjacent tile and let it fall into place. When it is aligned correctly, press the tile into place. Repeat the application of adhesive to another portion of the floor. Position the subsequent tiles in a step pattern. Observe the arrows on the back of the tile, and place in the same direction, or alternate for a distinct pattern. Cut L-shaped tile for outside and inside corners.

5. Check that all tiles are firmly in place and smooth. Clean the adhesive on the tiles with soapy water or mineral spirits. Replace the baseboards and shoe molding.

Tags: baseboards shoe, baseboards shoe molding, center room, into place, shoe molding, vinyl tiles

Decorate Concrete Ceilings

Decorate concrete ceilings by adding paint and other small touches.

Concrete ceilings are notorious for having flat and boring appearances. A concrete ceiling provides sturdy ceiling construction, but seemingly little else in the line of personal style or beauty in a room. But when you decorate a concrete ceiling, you provide a touch of flair to an otherwise bleak space. You can decorate a concrete ceiling moderately easily, and you can do so in a short period of time and with a limited budget if necessary. Painting the ceiling, adding hanging plants and installing decorative lights and chandeliers will add to the beauty and value of your home.

Instructions

Painting

1. Calculate how much paint and primer you'll need to adequately coat the ceiling by determining the square footage of the ceiling area. Use the measuring tape to measure the length and width of the ceiling. Multiply the width times the length to find the square footage.

2. Move any furniture in the room to another room to avoid paint damage. Cover any immobile objects with drop cloths.

3. Prepare to prime the ceilings. After purchasing the correct amount of primer and paint, carefully read the mixing instructions. Cut in the edges of the ceiling with a paintbrush, then roll the vast space inside the ceiling borders with a roller, using a paint roller tray for taking up paint onto the roller nap and an extension pole for ease of reaching the ceiling. Apply the primer first and allow the ceiling to dry.

4. Mix the paint after the ceiling primer has been allowed to dry; this will vary depending on the product. Apply one coat of paint at a time until the ceiling looks evenly covered. Allow upward of an hour for the ceiling to dry, depending on the paint's base and room temperature. The can should give you an idea of how long the primer will take to dry.

Hanging Plants

5. Drive anchor sleeves --- with hook or eyelet ends --- into areas where you wish to hang planters using a hammer drill with the appropriate-size masonry drill bit. Allow enough room for the plant to not be a hazard to anyone walking around or underneath the planter.

6. Attach a J-hook to the anchor sleeve hook or eyelet end.

7. Hang the plant by its rope eyelet on a J-hook or from the plastic or metal hanger of a hanging basket.

Chandeliers

8. Turn off the electrical power to the home at the breaker box. Double-check the switch to ensure that it is flipped all the way off; half-flipped switches can flip back to the on position if not pushed all of the way to the off position.

9. Install electrical conduit from the breaker box to a switch in the room where you'll install the chandelier, then to the ceiling where it will hang. Look for any tattering or fraying of the conduit and cut off any conduit that may be damaged.

What Is Zone 1 Lighting For Bathrooms

Bathrooms are zoned according to electrical safety measures. The lighting zones define what types of lighting can be in an area, according to how dangerous lighting could be there. Zone 1 is the area above the bath, and it is one of the more dangerous lighting zones.

Zones

Bathroom lighting is divided into four zones: 0, 1, 2 and 3. Each zone specifies a certain part of the bathroom where lighting needs to be present and installed.

Purpose

The zones in a bathroom are for the purpose of installing electrical equipment. The zones are based on the risk of electrical shock according to a product's IP (ingress protection) rating.

IP Rating

An IP rating is a coded number that indicates the risk of hazards when exposed to water. In zone 1 a minimum of IP 44 is required. IP 44 products protect from water sprayed in all directions and splashing.

Zone 1

Zone 1 is the area above the bath up to 7.38 feet above the floor. Lighting in this area must meet the IP 44 standards. In other words, it should be safe to get wet.

Other Zones

Other bathroom zones include zone 0 (the inside of the bath or shower), zone 2 (the area surrounding zone 1 and the shower) and zone 3 (the rest of the bathroom).

Tags: above bath, area above, area above bath, dangerous lighting, lighting zones

Remodel A Contemporary Bathroom

Highlight white appliances in a contemporary bathroom.

Remodeling a contemporary bathroom involves a range of decorating styles, according to the HGTV website. Incorporate natural elements into your bathroom--for example, wool . The HGTV website also states to focus on the basics of line, shape and form in any contemporary room. Look for pieces of furniture that have clean, crisp lines and are of a neutral color.

Instructions

1. Select your paint colors in hues of brown, taupe, cream or pure white according to the HGTV website. Paint your bathroom walls with your paint brush and roller. Allow the paint to dry before you hang any mirrors on the walls.

2. Replace your shower curtain with frosted or clear glass shower doors according to the manufacturer's instructions. Select doors containing trim in nickel, chrome or stainless steel. Contemporary bathrooms do not contain shower curtains.

3. Replace your toilet, sink, bathtub or shower with a crisp white one. These items in a contemporary bathroom highlight the white color associated with contemporary decorating.

4. Cover your windows in silk, wool, linen or cotton according to the HGTV website. These fabrics naturally contain neutral hues for the bathroom.

5. Sand and stain the cabinetry in your bathroom according the manufacturer's instructions. Replace the cabinet knobs with nickel, stainless steel, glass or chrome knobs.

6. Decide between metallic finished lamps or recessed lighting for your contemporary bathroom. Purchase and install your lighting according to the manufacturer's directions.

7. Purchase and install the bathroom accessories--soap dishes, soap dispensers, tooth brush holders, storage boxes, towel racks in stainless steel, glass or wood--for completing your contemporary bathroom.

Tags: contemporary bathroom, HGTV website, according HGTV, according HGTV website, according manufacturer, stainless steel

Bathroom Light Fixture Alternatives To Florescent

Florescent lighting is not always the most desirable fixture in your bathroom. Traditional lighting fixtures installed with a dimmer switch are one option to provide you with the lighting you need and the look you desire for your bathroom.

Recessed Lighting

Traditional lightbulbs can be placed in fixtures inset in the ceiling. This lighting allows for a smooth and finished look to the room.

Track Lighting

Track lighting allows you to spotlight specific areas of the room. Each light can be directed to the most used areas of the bathroom, including the sink and shower.

Wall Sconces

Wall sconces placed on either side of a bathroom mirror can light and decorate the room. A professional electrician should be hired to move the existing outlet and add an additional outlet if needed.

Traditional Lighting

The old-fashioned overhead light fixture can eliminate the need for florescent. These fixtures are designed with one, two or four lightbulb outlets to provide the needed amount of light.

Mirror

A Hollywood-styled lighted mirror is a way to light your room while giving an elegant look to your bathroom. The traditional dressing room mirror is available with various amounts of lighting outlets to adjust the brightness of the room.

Tags: your bathroom, lighting allows, mirror light

Moulding Ideas For The Ceiling

Moldings can be used to dress up ceilings.

Using mouldings to trim ceilings can add detail and sophistication to your décor. Moulding is used in a variety of ways, from adding crown to frame the ceiling to trimming around ceiling fixtures to paneling the entire ceiling. Investigating the creative options is sure to uncover an idea that will suit your space and tastes.

Crown Mouldings

Crown moulding is a fairly common element included in many homes. A number of different installation options for this type of moulding are available.

Crown can be installed in a continuous fluid line with mitered corners to frame the entire ceiling. This method is fairly traditional and works well in most styles. It requires specialized tools and a certain degree of skill to install.

Using corner blocks to join crown is a little more expensive, but may be an option for the do-it-yourselfer who is intimidated by cutting miters. Many different styles of corner block are available in home improvement centers. Choose the one that best suits your existing wood work or architectural style.

Combining crown moulding elements to achieve a custom look may be the option for you if you are not happy with the prefab choices available. Use a flat backer board to attach more than one moulding together to create a more ornate, or specific design to match existing moulding.

Medallions and Other Frames

Using trim to frame features is another way to incorporate moulding into your ceiling designs.

You can purchase round plaster or plastic moulding rings, or medallions, and use them to surround the base of light fixtures and ceiling fans where they attach to the ceiling, or you can use them on their own to create a focal point in a large ceiling.

Framing a section of ceiling is a good way to visually separate rooms in spaces that have shared ceilings. Apply flat-backed mouldings in a picture frame style to delineate individual spaces. Leave a single frame or create a more intricate pattern with multiple-sized frames, one inside the other.

Multilevel, or tray, ceilings with taller sections can benefit from moulding. Run a line of the same crown you used at the wall ceiling joint to frame out each new level. Here you can use traditional mitered joints or corner blocks.

Paneled Ceilings

While drywall makes up the majority of ceilings in contemporary American architecture, wood-paneled ceilings are also common.

Frame a wood panel, skylight or ceiling mural with moulding to add detail to the center of a large room. Paint the surrounding ceiling in a complimentary color, or use dark wood against a white ceiling to create a dramatic contrast.

Use mouldings to create artificial beams running across the ceiling to break up large spaces. Paint your beams the same color as the ceiling for a subtle effect or stain them in your favorite wood color to make them stand out.

Using moulding to make wood library paneling across an entire ceiling creates a rich, warm feel. This is done traditionally in rooms with paneled walls or floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

Tags: entire ceiling, corner blocks, create more

Clean Bronze Lamps

A bronze lamp will gain patina naturally over time. The patina improves the appearance of the lamp. Occasional washing will prevent a buildup of dust, dirt and other debris over time that will detract from the lamp. Although you will clean your lamp, you should not scrub or polish the lamp since this will disturb the patina on the lamp. A gentle homemade cleaning solution is all that is necessary for properly maintaining your bronze lamps.

Instructions

1. Turn the burner on the stove to high.

2. Fill a 4-qt. pot with 3 qt. of water.

3. Bring the water to a boil.

4. Add 1 tbsp. of salt to the water and remove it from the heat. Turn the stove burner off.

5. Dip the brush into the water and salt cleaning solution. Gently brush the surface of the lamp to clean the entire surface evenly. Rinse the brush as needed in the cleaning solution.

6. Dry the lamp off thoroughly with a soft clean rag.

Tags: cleaning solution, over time

Blue & White Shower Tile Ideas

Create stunning shower decor with blue tiles.

From relaxing aquas to vivid brights, a blue and white shower tile color scheme can enhance the overall decor of your bathroom. Turn your shower into a showpiece by creating color filled patterns in jewel or cool tones. Whether you are looking for a simple statement or a more elaborate mosaic style, tile can take almost any shower from boring to bold.

Choosing Color

Although you may only be tiling your shower, take the entire bathroom's decor into mind before choosing your color of blue. This is not to say that you have to match your tile to an existing blue wall, floor or fixture. Instead look for a shade that either complements or contrasts with the overall space. For example, use a bright blue or shocking shade of aqua to contrast with a dark black wall or try a deep navy set against a lighter beige bathroom.

Blue Colors

A simple blue and white color scheme might sound nice, but in truth there are an array of different shades and hues to select from. Each different shade of blue will create a slightly different feel to your overall shower design. Tranquil colors include cooler shades such as baby, sky or even a lavender type of blue. In contrast, warmer hues include those with brighter or bolder tones such as a planetary, denim, aqua, ocean or slate blue. Darks such as blue-black or navy offer more of a contemporary or modern look for your shower tile decor. Additionally, different sheens or materials such as glass or ceramic offer variations in the perception of the color that vary from subtle to the dramatic.

Simple Designs

Select a pattern to use in combination with the white tile. Your overall design will be based on not only the blue and white color scheme, but also the size and shape of the tiles. Larger tiles may require a less elaborate plan, using a basic alternating blue-white pattern. You can also use smaller tiles to create a simple design. Instead of alternating them, as this may lead to a busy, eye-popping look, try a solid wall of blue separated with a thin line of white. This elegant look is an easy way to incorporate both colors without over-doing it.

Elaborate Designs

An elaborate pattern or mosaic in blue and white can turn a blah bathroom into a tile masterpiece. Create a decorate floral pattern, geometric shapes or linear color block look in your shower by using a variety of blue shades mixed with white. Choose an array of blues ranging from light baby hues to bold ocean shades to create a noticeable pattern in your tile. For an elegant, almost three-dimensional look, try smaller blue and frosted white glass tile mosaics along the shower walls.

Tags: blue white, your shower, color scheme, blue white color, look your, look your shower

Pop A Balloon With A Pulley An Inclined Plane And A Lever

Pulleys can be heavy, like a block and tackle, or light, like those used in Venetian blinds.

Devices intended to complete a simple task using a complex series of sequential cause-and-effect actions are usually called Rube Goldberg machines, after the early 20th century comic artist. A Rube Goldberg machine often involves actions of living creatures, dropped bowling balls, pulleys, levers, springs and ramps. Most of the parts of a Rube Goldberg machine were simple machines like pulleys, levers, inclined planes or springs. In this case, the pulley, inclined plane and lever can be put together sequentially to pop a balloon.

Instructions

1. Slide the narrow pencil through the bobbin, ensuring the bobbin spins freely. Tie one end of the 1-foot string to the pencil, then loop it over and tie the other end to the pencil on the other side of the bobbin. Slide the tension rod between the string and the pencil so that the pencil is suspended on the rod.

2. Mount the tension rod in an empty doorframe, tightening until it stays put when you tug it.

3. Place the slide below the tension rod, with the flat part of the seat directly below the pencil, so that the foot of the slide juts into a room.

4. Using double-sided tape, firmly affix one end of the 5-foot string to a narrow end of the cardboard rectangle. Place the rectangle on the flat top of the slide with the stringless end just over the inclined plane's beginning.

5. Thread the free end of the string over the bobbin to make a pulley.

6. Attach string to the balloon. Using a tack, suspend the string from the ceiling so that the balloon hangs directly over the foot of the slide, about 2 feet off the ground. Cut off any excess string.

7. Place the weighted box about 1 foot in front of the slide's base. Put the non-skid plastic mat flat on top.

8. Use double-sided tape to affix the other tack to one end of the yardstick, point side out. Lay the yardstick horizontally over the box so that the tack end faces up and the non-tack end is about 6 inches from the slide. This is your lever.

9. Place the basketball at the top of the slide and on top of the cardboard. Make certain the pulley string is uncovered and moves freely.

10. Pull the loose end of the pulley until the cardboard tilts and dumps the basketball. The ball will roll down the slide, hit the yardstick and flip it upward. The tack will impact the balloon, popping it.

Tags: Rube Goldberg, double-sided tape, foot slide, Goldberg machine, inclined plane

Italian Kitchen Design Ideas

The kitchen is the heart of every home and the most-used room of the house. A large table to seat family and friends for gatherings is a must for any Italian kitchen. Earth colors in golds, oranges and creams create a cozy and inviting space. Accessories in clay and terra cotta create a warm and rustic feel.

Design Ideas

For an Italian color scheme in your kitchen, paint the walls gold. For added texture, try using the paper bag technique. Take the bag, ball it up and dip into the paint. Next, press the bag firmly onto the wall and repeat. The bag will leave a pattern on your wall that will create a beautiful texture.

Pots of herbs sitting on your kitchen counter and window sill are quintessentially Italian. Use them for cooking or as an accent in a floral arrangement. Using clay-colored pots, plant rosemary, thyme and oregano. The smell will permeate your kitchen when you use them in your favorite recipes. Consider installing a metal shelf for displaying your herb pots. They will create a beautiful focal point in your kitchen.

Try a back splash around your kitchen in bright and bold colors. Mix them up for an attractive design. Glass tiles in blues and greens are beautiful in an Italian-inspired kitchen, evoking feelings of the sea while creating a light yet dramatic design. Turn them for a diamond pattern or create a mosaic of colors.

When you think of Italy, you think of art history. Hang one or two beautiful pieces of art in your kitchen. If you have one large wall, hang two large pieces, side-by-side for a dramatic effect. Use black wood frames to contrast with the gold-colored paint. These pieces will create height in your kitchen as well as a bright and bold design on your wall.

An antique dining room table as well as antique accessories around your kitchen will tie in with your Italian-inspired theme. For the dining room table, look for an old farm table, which looks rustic and holds a large family comfortably. For seating, try benches on either side, with two large antique chairs at both ends of the table. To store your cookbooks and china, consider an antique pie safe, originally used to hold pies while they cooled. The open-styled doors are typically covered with wire, allowing you to see inside. Stack brightly colored plates and dishes to showcase them.

Tags: your kitchen, will create, around your, around your kitchen, bright bold, create beautiful, Design Ideas

Decorate A Kid'S Genderneutral Bathroom

An aquatic theme is perfect for a children's bathroom.

Children's bathrooms can be gender-neutral without being boring. There are many decorating ideas that are suitable for both boys and girls. A fun and appropriate theme for a kids' bathroom is an aquatic scene. Choose white with an accent of primary colors--red, yellow and blue--for a bright bathroom. Select a color scheme of cool, watery greens and blues for a more organic look. Paint fish by hand or use stencils to make crisp, uniform images. Use metallic or iridescent paint to replicate the shiny look of fish scales.

Instructions

1. Select a color scheme for an aquatic-themed bathroom. Go with bright colors, such as primaries, for a bold look. Choose cool colors, including green, blue and purple, for a more subtle effect. Paint the walls using latex-based paint. Cut in around edges with a brush and fill in large areas with the paint roller. Paint trim with a flat brush after the walls are dry.

2. Mix some acrylic paints on a palette to paint fish. Add some metallic or iridescent paint for extra sheen. Use artists' brushes to paint images by hand, or stencil brushes with stencils. Go back into stenciled areas to add details as an extra touch.

3. Pick out a shower curtain to match the watery theme of the bathroom. Look for something with fish, or select a plain curtain in a matching color.

4. Use curtains or a shade to add privacy to a bathroom with a window. Choose something as simple as a roller shade.

5. Arrange ocean-themed accessories around the bathroom. Use a shell for a soap dish. Place a bottle of sea glass on a counter to remind children of fun beach vacations.

Tags: bathroom with, color scheme, iridescent paint, metallic iridescent, metallic iridescent paint