Making the Most of Molding

Making the Most of Molding


One of the most versatile items to consider in your interior design effort is wood molding. Not only are there tons of uses for it but there are literally hundreds of different types and styles of molding.

Adding it to your decor also increases the perceived value of the home. Why is this? Molding is something that is added purely for esthetics and not as a necessity. Savvy real estate agents know that when a potential buyer spots molding in the home they usually exhibit positive buy signs.

Wood molding can be used in many different ways. Here are just a few:

Door trim. Set your home apart by deviating from plain old mitered edges. Adding blocks to the corners will give a pleasing, upscale look to an otherwise plain doorway. And, instead of a single door trim, try adding an additional decorative molding for another look.


Baseboards. Baseboards need to be sturdy. The entire reason for having baseboards is to protect the wall. There are different synthetic materials you can get such as vinyl but nothing takes the place of solid wood.
Base shoe: A base shoe molding added to the baseboard provides additional transitioning from the flooring material to the baseboard.

Window casings. Try dressing up your window casings. Just like doors, windows are usually finished off with a single plain trim and mitered edge. Try adding blocks and trim to match the doorways and you're sure to please the eye.

Chair railing. Is your dining room or kitchen eating area a bit on the cramped side? If so, think about installing a chair rail. Just as the name implies, this molding is designed as a rail around an area to prevent damage to the walls. If the room for your table and chairs is somewhat cramped, sliding the chair back to get up from the table can create unsightly nicks, dents, scratches and sometimes even knock out the drywall. Installing a chair rail at the height of the backs of your chairs will provide a "stop" that prevents damage to the wall. Chair rail material is easily spruced up with a new coat of paint and is much easier to maintain then repairing and replacing drywall or other expensive finishes.

Crown molding. One of the best uses for wood molding is crown molding. Just as the name implies, crown molding gives a "crown" to your room. Placed at the top of the wall as a transition to the ceiling, wood crown molding is one of the best ways to add value and beauty to any room.

Stair railing. Wood molding can also be used as handrails in your stairwell creating beauty and safety to your stairs.

Wainscot cap. Another use for wood molding is as a top to wainscoting giving a "finished" look to any wall where you have opted to use wainscoting as a design option.

Framing. Another decorating tip is to use plain molding as a "frame" on a wall. The frame can act as a design element by adding a contrasting paint, wallpaper or finish to the area inside of the molding frame. This is a great way to display your favorite art or other personal items such as a collection of sorts mounted to a backboard of simple, finished wood.

With just a little imagination you can definitely make the most of molding in your home!

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Window Treatments

Window Treatments

Windows, by default, create a dramatic architectural impact whether inside or outside the home. However, inside the home, many windows end up as nothing but arbitrary openings in the space, thereby not maximizing their potential to become focal points or contribute to the design for a room. Even though many homeowners recognize the need to maximize their windows, the eternal fear is that an outstanding window treatment will inevitably leave them penniless.

This, however, is false. By allowing for pragmatic skill to sit side-by-side with design ingenuity, creating lovely window treatments does not have to be a distant dream.

Arming Yourself

At the heart of every resource-saving design scheme is a do-it-yourself spirit waiting to blossom. This has been proven time and again by amateur and professional designers alike, and the outcome of do-it-yourself projects may be comparable to work done by professionals.

When creating window treatments, the willingness to work with fabrics in new and innovative ways is important. You are perfectly able to create window drama just as effectively as a trained professional, by using various patterns, designs and incorporating elements like tassels, tiebacks, valances and even covered shadow boxes.

Sewing is perhaps one of the most vital skills that can save a huge amount of money and effectively reduce the cost of hiring someone to create your custom curtains and window valances. Simple stitches, like the running stitch, the blanket stitch, and even the back stitch, are more than enough to create window coverings: and the aid of a sewing machine allows custom-made curtains and draperies to be created with ease.

However, the sewing challenged need not feel lost. Current innovations make it possible for the sewing challenged person to achieve the same end - making fabric creations with ease! When making curtains, the use of fabric adhesive tapes to join pieces of fabric, hide the raw edges of cloth that have been cut, or hemming makes the work less complicated than sewing. The tape is heat applied to the fabric via an iron: care must be taken to determine if the heat necessary for its application will damage the fabric before you begin.

Otherwise, a simple glue gun is enough to help anyone work with fabric and integrate creative designs into curtains.

Velcro is another modern element that removes the guesswork from creating beautifully finished draperies.

Add Color to Your World!

Windows may be seen as wall artwork that may be exploited to its full extent. In order to incorporate color, one may use richly colored curtains, window valances, blinds, and even window frames. Mixing and matching complementary colors are also another good idea.

The use of white curtains and blinds works if the intention is to bring lush greeneries into the indoors, because white drapes effectively act as a background to the lush outdoor scenery, making the outdoors stand out and figure in seamlessly to the room’s design.

Accentuate!

Simple curtains and colored frames are rudimentary in any window treatment, but what separates the stellar from the ordinary are the extra accents and ornaments effectively used in coordination with these basics.

One option for design to figure in is by making use of creatively designed café rods. Café rods are used to hang curtains, and some of them come in various designs and materials—either in wrought iron with swirls and decorative loops, or in rustic wood or ceramic covering.

If not café rods, one may make use of decorative curtain clips and pins, which hook the curtains to the café rods. Some of these decorative curtain clips and pins available in the department store are ornamented with interesting beads and buttons. If they are not available in your area, a simple glue gun with a regular curtain clip and some beads, buttons, or seashells will definitely do the trick.

For the draperies, accentuate by making use of curtain cuffs, tassels, and ropes, in metallic colors and other designs that stand out, giving the window just a hint of ornate detail to bring interest to the area.

Window valances are also an effective way to accentuate the room. Valances with thick drapes, or simple boards wrapped with cloth in some striped or floral pattern give extra height to the room, or reinforce the room’s theme or feel.

With a little ingenuity, creativity, and do-it-yourself know-how, window treatments that make a statement are as easily said as they are done. The design opportunities—through colors, textures, and accents—are simply endless!

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Faux Finish

Faux Finishes Are Hot - Bare Walls Are Not!


Ever see a wall finish that is so artistic it doesn’t look like wallpaper or regular paint? If so, it might just be a faux finish.

Faux finishes are the latest craze in home improvement. Faux finish can be applied to any type of surface including dry wall, metal, glass, ceramic, wood, etc. The preparation for each type of surface varies.

A faux finish lasts longer than wallpaper. Since it is not paper-based, it will never peel off. It can be coated with polyurethane that is available in satin, matte, or semi-gloss finish for a longer lasting appeal.

There are different techniques that can be done with faux finishing. The condition of the surface to which it will be applied determines the best technique to use to hide any imperfections. With the different techniques possible with faux finishes, a small room can appear larger and more spacious, or a larger room can become cozier.

Faux Finishing Basics

As with any other paint project, the surface to be painted should be well
prepared for the work to obtain a long lasting finish. Almost any paint can be applied to any type of surface and be long lasting by preparing the surface properly.

How do you prepare a surface for painting? Simple, just make sure that the surface is well cleaned. Interior surfaces should be cleaned and washed with soap and water: if there is mold or mildew, use a mild bleach solution to get rid of the spoors. For exterior surfaces, some scrubbing with a bristle brush may be required. A mixture of TSP and water makes for excellent surface preparation.

Once the surface preparation is done and the surface dried, you can start with the project. There are no rules to follow in doing faux finishes. You have the freedom to do what you to create the desired appearance. There are different techniques that can be applied and instructions available to help you with your first project.

Before you start, you should have all of the necessary tools. The common tools that you will need are the primer, glaze, coating, brushes, rollers, paint tray, water bucket, gloves, rags, soap, water, and technique-specific materials such as a sponge, feather, and wood-graining tools.

Color is also one major consideration in faux finishes. Since you can be as artistic as you would like to attain the desired effect, you may want to try color blending or other combinations. If decide to try this, make certain that you use colors within the same color group. You can probably use the same base color with different shades. This will be more pleasing to the eye than combining with contrasting colors.

Before you start applying the finish to the surface itself - experiment first by using a small piece of wood or a scrap of the same surface that you will be placing the finish on. By experimenting, you will be able to see how it will look and decide whether to continue with that finish or try a different one.

There are several techniques that may be done when faux finishing. Here are some examples of the different techniques:

- Color blocking – this is when there are different shades of a base color shaped as big blocks; this technique is ideal for nursery rooms.

- Smooshing – this is a simple marble effect, something like moiré wallpaper.

- Stripe – this uses different variations and shades of one color for a soft effect.

- Shadow Striping – if a striped tone-on-tone technique to make an elegant wall finish.

- Terracotta tile – a durable alternative to terracotta tiles; and only a fraction of the cost of the real thing.

- Fresco – is used for a mottled, parchment look.

- Copper patina –is ideal for kitchen surfaces because it provides a rich texture from the old country.

- Golden glaze – has a soft texture that adds a glimmering touch to a room.

Faux finishes are hot! You have the freedom to choose the design you want by applying your creativity and imagination for a desirable effect. So rather than having just a plain painted wall, why not try a artistic faux finish for a long lasting alternative to paint or wallpaper. It’s faux, it’s practical, and it’s nice!

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Design and Paint

Design and Paint

Paint is a very powerful tool in decorating and design: whether you are decorating a whole building, designing the walls and floors of your house, decorating an object, or coloring your face; paint always comes in handy and ready to help.

Paint can do a lot of things since it has the capability of making things look totally different. A once gloomy room can be brightened up by painting the walls with a light colors and adding some drawings or other decor. An object can look totally different after it is painted.

These examples mentioned are merely illustrations of ways to camouflage with paint. Camouflage can be defined in many ways; but essentially, it means trying to conceal the identity of something by blending it into the surroundings so that it becomes less noticeable.

Paint comes in different colors and shades - there are more than a thousand available to choose from. It is now easier for designers and their clients to pick the exact shade they desire. If the right color is not found, paint can always be mixed to achieve just the color.

With the right choice of color, designers are able to achieve solutions that create a mood, camouflage flaws, and enhance appearance

- When designers want to set the right mood for an area, the purpose of the area should be determined first. A sleeping room would require a different color choice than a work area.

- It used to be thought that if painting a house, it is preferable that one color is used for the entire structure; that rule no longer applies. The use of bold colors paired with contrasting colors makes for visual interest.

- Flaws are always present; they often cannot be avoided, but we can do something to hide them. This is when camouflage may be used. For example, if the ceiling of the room is too high, a darker paint will make it appear lower. If you want to create the image of a larger space in a small room, paint the walls with lighter colors. For large cold rooms, painting them with warm colors like orange, red or pink will make it appear warm and cozy.

Here are some more examples where camouflaging with paint can be used:

- If you are painting your bedroom, it is nice to blend the wall color with the linens and sheets that you use. You can also decorative paint patterns that match the prints or color of most of the linens but don’t over-do it because it might be distracting.

- If the floor has been damaged, you can paint it with a color that matches or contrasts with the current wall color. Add a faux tile design for a more realistic look.

- If the pieces of a dining set do not match, paint the table and chairs with a single cohesive color to create a unified effect

- Old frames can still be used by painting them with a color that blends with the color of the wall where they will be hung.

- Classic wood furniture can look new again by applying paint that matches the color of the room or a paint that is close to the shade of the original material.

- Camouflage is not just used when painting structures and their interiors. Some actors and performers use body paint on their faces and bodies to enable them portray a character; it can also be used as a mask itself, in lieu of wearing a mask.

- Some artists or painters use a human body as their canvass to showcase their work. An example of camouflage body painting is when a person is painted to blend with a background so he cannot be recognized at all.

Don’t be afraid to try new, innovative ways of using paint. Add visual interest by using geometric patterns or flowing ribbons using bold, contrasting colors. The impact can be striking.

There are many things that can be done with paint. Just be creative and think “out-of-the-box” so you can create fresh ideas every now and then. Don’t be afraid to explore, or even become a bit radical at times. Some of the most creative and beautiful work is accomplished when the artist’s willingness to explore is implemented.

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How to Set up a Home Office

Find out How to Set up a Home Office that is best for Business

For those people who have decided to start their own business, what they need is a separate work space so they can work in peace, take care of their endeavors and concentrate on taking care of the needs of their business. For many individuals, this means a home office.

With the success of online businesses, more and more people have decided to work at home; which places the fate of their financial future in their own hands. Today, the internet has become an essential part of people's everyday lives: this new trend of working at home reflects the increasing use of the internet in the business world.

It is important that a home office is treated with the same respect as a regular office since it is where work is done and transactions occur. Basically it is the place where individuals earn their money: whether on the internet, via phone, or video conference. It is possible you may have clients coming to your home office to conduct business.

It is essential that a person who wants to have a home based business set aside a space in their home that will provide them with comfort and privacy to adequately conduct their business.

Where to set up a home office

Ideally a separate room in the house is the best place for a home office. The best area is away from congestion and noise: such as the children's bedroom or play area, the kitchen, or the entertainment room.

How to furnish your office

A home office should be orderly and give the appearance of a professional workplace. It should contain the equipment that you would find in any office: such as a phone with an answering machine that is capable of transferring calls, making conference calls, etc.

A separate phone line for the home office is necessary so that personal calls meant for the family and business calls do not interfere with each other. Having a separate phone line in the office will also allow for concentration on business without any distractions.

Other equipment you will need is: a computer that has an internet connection,
fax machine, copier, organizers, and other office supplies. Things that a person will need in a home office will also depend on the type of business he/she is operating.

Setting up a home office will probably mean acquiring furniture: this includes a desk, lamps, tables, and professional looking chairs. The most important piece of furniture needed will be a comfortable office chair –invest in a really good office chair that provides comfort as well as stability. Since a person working in a home office will spend numerous hours in his/her chair, it must be one that does not induce backache and/or make your body feel stiff.

Before purchasing any of these items, you should know how you will conduct your home business so that only necessary items are purchased. This way you will not be spending money for things that you do not need or are not necessary.

Choose your colors wisely

The color scheme of a home office should not be distracting to the person(s) working in the office. This means that bright pastel colors, and gaudy colors like shocking pink and neon green would probably not be appropriate.

If you have clients and/or hold business meetings in your home office, a professional atmosphere should be exhibited; so be wise when it comes to choosing your decorating colors. Neutral colors are best; since they are not distracting but consider using a few brighter and contrasting colors for accessories to add accents and interest.

Setting up a home office is serious business. The right environment will be attractive and conducive to a good working atmosphere. Those who are thinking of setting up a home office should pay careful attention to detail when creating their office since they will be spending many hours working in it. Take the time to make your home office a comfortable and pleasant place to work!

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How To Clean Toilet

How to Make Closet Cleanups Fun and Easy

Summer is just around the corner, and for most people this means it is time to pull out the shorts, tank tops, and of course their favorite flip-flops.

For most people this also means rummaging through their closet, to sort out the right clothes they will wear this time of year. This is when disaster begins! Many people discover that their closets have turned into a storage area resembling an old library: except that instead of books, it contains clothes dating back to the time when their mothers picked out their clothes for them!

So what do you do with this giant mess? There are ways to make closet cleanup easier, and here are some steps that will help:

1. First of all you have to clean your closet! Remove all of the contents from the closet and lay them on your bed so you can sort through them later.
Once all the clothes have been taken out of the closet, clean the inside of your closet before putting any clothes back inside – remembering that it probably has been ages since this was done. Make sure that to do a good job and clean your closet thoroughly.

2. Now comes the hardest part; sorting the clothes. This is when a person has to decide which clothes to keep, and which ones to get rid of. Clothes should be separated into piles and then sorted according to the amount of use.

One of the best things that results from cleaning out the closet is that often it becomes an opportunity to make some money. Clothes that individuals would never wear again can be sold at a garage sale or auctioned on EBay!

Those who are thinking of putting their old clothes on EBay for sale should take a detailed photograph of the items they wish to sell, so it can be displayed along with the description of the item.

People will be amazed at how even old clothes that might not be in top condition will still find buyers on EBay. So when you write a brief description of these items, be honest about their condition. Include the size, brand, condition of the garment, color, and other information that will be useful to the buyer.
Individuals should not expect to get a high price for these used clothes; so list a practical starting price for these items to make them more appealing to a prospective buyer.

3. If you are in a charitable mood forget EBay; donate your used clothes to a charity. This way, the clothes you no longer want or need, can be given to those who really need them!

4. Another great idea is to swap clothes with your friends! Not only will this help clean out the closet; in return you will also items that are new to you and put them in your closet!

5. Once you have disposed of all of your unnecessary (or unused) garments the items that you have saved can now be put back in the closet. Arrange the placement of the clothes you are returning to the closet according to their function and usability.

Sweaters and coats may be tucked away in the corner of the closet; as well as
other garments that will not be used in the near future. You may even discover clothes that you have forgotten you own! Clothes that will most frequently be used should be readily accessible. Your closet will now be organized!

When storing seasonal clothing, using those new plastic bags are a huge help. You can stuff and cram them full then use the vacuum cleaner to suck out the excess air. A huge mound of clothing is reduced to just a few inches in no time at all! This is a great way to store stuff if your closet is small or even if it isn’t!
When organizing the closet take an inventory and determine what garments are lacking in your wardrobe
One other thing that should go without saying, soiled and dirty clothes should be laundered before they are put back in the closet - even old clothes in your closet will then be clean.

Closet cleanups are a must! It may not be fun, but it is a chore that must be done even if it might to be painful to dispose of some items.

Just think of how much time you will save in the morning when you do not have to rummage through your closet looking for your favorite sweater – it will be right there in front of you, newly laundered, and neatly folded!

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How to Kitchen Design

Budget Ideas for Kitchen Design


For those people who love to eat or cook, the kitchen is usually the best and most used, room in their house; they love working there and want it to look wonderful all of the time. Remodeling it and upgrading it is one way to enhance your lifestyle as well as adding to the resale value of your home.

In the United States, kitchen improvement and remodeling is one of the top home improvement projects; it is also the most expensive to redesign. So does that mean you cannot have a new look for your kitchen because you don’t have the necessary finances available?

Not really! There are different ways and alternatives that will still give you a new and modern look for your kitchen even if you are on a tight budget. What makes kitchen remodeling expensive is that most people buy new appliances and cabinets and use expensive materials for their flooring and countertops. That need not be the case.

Your kitchen can be improved for less by refinishing your existing cabinets, buying used appliances, and choosing the more economical options for countertops and floorings.

The first thing to do is to refurbish the existing kitchen cabinets. One option is to paint them inside and out with a lighter shade of paint. White enamel is a good option because of its neutral effect. The cabinet handles can also be painted, or polished (if made of metal) for a shinier look; they (along with the other hardware which was removed before painting) can be placed back on the freshly painted cabinets.

Another option is to remove the cabinet doors and either replace or refinish them. Painting the frames a contrasting color to the walls can produce an entirely new look in the kitchen. Or, rather than paint, sand down to the bare wood and stain with a desired shade. Remount the cabinet doors on the freshly painted cabinets and voila’ you have a new kitchen!

Your new kitchen can have new laminate countertops and vinyl floor, professionally installed, for a more reasonable price than using solid synthetic, tile, or granite materials. These too, will brighten the room. Your existing stainless-steel kitchen sink can also be reused. It may need cleaning to remove the rust and the faucet may be changed to a more stylish yet inexpensive replacement.

If your kitchen appliances are still in good condition, then keep them rather than buy new ones. If not, then you may opt to buy used appliances. Refurbished appliances are not necessarily of low quality. There are second-hand or refurbished items that are still in excellent condition available, but you may have to search to find them – try bargain stores, used appliance stores, or garage sales. Don’t think that you need to buy the first ones you see – be patient and you might find better ones elsewhere for an even lower price.

If your kitchen has a fireplace, it may just need some cleaning and a decorative touch to blend in with your new kitchen. You can place some inexpensive, decorative, scented candles for a touch of class, pleasing scent, and warm glow to the area.

Opt to add some fashionable curtains to your kitchen window for a new look, making sure the curtain color and style matches the overall feel and design of your kitchen. You might even consider making the curtains yourself. Just purchase a length of fabric that would match your kitchen design, and sew them yourself. Not only did you save by making them, you also gave your kitchen a personal touch because of your handmade curtains.

There are many ways that you can design your own kitchen for less. You just need to use your imagination. Seek help from your friends and family for other ideas.

Visit upscale design stores for good ideas. Not only will you get good advice from “professionals,” you most probably will not get charged for it if you are just browsing! If you are capable of doing most of the work yourself, there would be fewer things you would have to hire done and less expense.
Budget need not be a deterrent to having a totally new look for your kitchen. Consider it an adventure, have fun and before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your stylish new kitchen!

How to  kitchen design

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