Soothing Symbols as Home Decor?
February 21, 2008
Did you know that our bodies can automatically react to certain environmental changes and stimuli, even to symbols you might use as decorative accents? I have a little experiment for you to try in a moment so you can experience the power of this idea. Once you see the reactions that can occur, you may find you will want to to use this idea towards creating more soothing and peaceful home and office surroundings.
You can try this brief experiment to see how your body and mind reacts to some changes… Right now, pretend you are angry for a moment- feel the tension in your forehead, the wrinkles starting to form as you frown and all that… also, lean forward right now in your chair and clench your fists. Hold this and let yourself think an unpleasant thought. But now, let’s change something- force your mouth muscles into a big smile and hold it there, smile! Now lean back in your chair. Hold this reclined position. Also, loosen up your hands again and keep a gentle smile… So, how are you feeling now?
Complete Home Rehab In 10 Days
February 20, 2008
This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it’s functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging medication for bricks and mortar.
This report assumes that you have already or will soon acquire the proper house. The one that is in essence, ripe for rehab. Be selective and sure of the house’s potential to allow for a profit after all the hard work is done. I will help you find your house or houses.
In the proverbial nutshell, it helps if you choose a house from the start that has a sound plumbing, heating and electrical system.
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Electrical
These are things that are expensive to correct in relation to the value they return to you upon resale. Most often, people cannot see the inner workings of these systems and they take them for granted.
Very few buyers are going to give you an extra $15,000-$20,000 in your asking price because you have replaced things that they can’t see and already take for granted as just a basic component that is buried in the structure. Also, they assume these components to be warranted against defects by you.
Country Home Accessories
February 19, 2008
Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it’s no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.
Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor.
Although the kitchen is primarily a working area little touches can make a big difference:
Pie safes or glass door cabinets can be used for displaying antique china.
Hanging potted plants from the ceiling or placing them in the window.
You can also display:
- Cookbooks
- Wooden spoons
- Bowls or baskets of fruits or vegetables
- Vases of fresh flowers
- Pottery
- Old tin canister:
Pot racks are great for hanging:
- Copper pots
- Baskets
- Dried herbs
You can add a touch of country to your bathroom simply by adding:
Old glass jars, which are great, for holding cotton balls, Q-tips, or a fresh flower.
Decorative baskets, a galvanized pot, or a wine rack used in the bathroom are good for holding towels.
Baskets and pots can hold magazines, books, towels, oils, soaps, shampoos, sponges, and lotions.
Shelves can be used to display a collection of:
From Toss Out to Sensational Keeper - Lamp Re-Make
February 19, 2008
When the old lamp from my children’s room was turning decidedly “trash-worthy”, a grand idea formed and kept me from tossing it out. Originally, it had been such a darling lamp - it had magically transformed the room into spinning stars and moons at bedtime. My boys were enthralled with it!
Well, as the boys grew, so did their access advantage to the lamp. The inner spinning mylar cylinder with the moon and star designs turned into a mangled, crumpled, ripped up piece of multi-colored plastic. There was nothing salvageable there. What was left, however, was a perfectly functional light and a plain wooden frame that held four blank canvas panels. Since I couldn’t possibly throw a working lamp away no matter how plain and ugly it was - I had to jazz it up!
Here’s how I did it:
1. I “washed” the canvas panels with a “butter cream” colored bottled acrylic diluted with water using a 2″ brush. To create a weave pattern, I first made vertical strokes on all four panels then went back and did horizontal strokes.
Unique Tin Can Candle Holders
February 18, 2008
Ah yes the good old Tin Can. The tin can has been around for years, providing many different projects to be made from tin cans. They are one of the most versatile mediums for crafts, besides wood and foam. Best part about them, they are cheap. Tin cans can be used to make all kinds of candle holders, providing a unique touch to your home or garden. In this article, we will share some ideas on how to make interesting and unique candle holders out of tin cans.
There are two primary size tin cans, soup cans and coffee cans. Both offer a wide variety of different craft ideas. Tin cans can be cut, punched, painted, weathered and modified in multiple ways. They can be set on top of a table or hung out in the garden.
Let’s start with the basics. Most people will decide to punch holes into the can, which is the easiest. However you can use any type of cutting tools. A drill is handy, but even better is a Dremel tool. But for those who will be using a hammer or even a drill, let’s start there. Before you start anything, fill the can with water and freeze it. This will allow you to punch holes easier, with out bending the can.
Home Sweet Home
February 17, 2008
All of us live in houses but how many of us know how to make it a real ‘HOME’.
You may have a very small house with a few rooms: not much to boast about? However, if you follow some very simple and practical steps you can make your house (big or small) a real home?and thus, a better place to live in?
Read On:
1. A Place For Everything
Irrespective of the size of your house, make sure there is a place for everything. Organize your house ? rooms, kitchen shelves, cupboards etc in such a way that there is a place for everything.
2. And Everything In It’s Place
Once you have allocated space for everything in the house, make it a habit to put everything back in its allocated space after use! This will ensure that your house remains organized and well kept. You would be surprised by how much time you save by keeping things in the right place.
3. Discard Unnecessary Items
Hand Stripping Furniture
February 16, 2008
Directions for HAND Stripping.
- Work with plenty of ventilation, safety goggles or glases, and skin protection. Stay out of the direct sun and stay protected from wind or strong drafts if working outside.
- Work in small areas starting at the top and working to the bottom of the piece. Apply a generous coat of gel remover. Brush on in one direction. Do not brush back and forth.
- Use soft wood scrapers and/or Steel Wool to remove crinkled finish and spent stripper.Repeat the above process until all layers of old finish are gone. On fine work, when the piece has all the finish gone and looks ready to refinish, go over it again with one last coat of stripper carefully working from top to bottom and removing stripper with Liberon #00 steel wool to ensure all traces of finish are lifted from the pores of the wood. Neutralize the wood surface by washing the piece down with Naphtha followed by Lacquer Thinner, if the piece is newer and in very good condition, a washdown with Lacquer Thinner may suffice.
- Let the stripped piece dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours to 48 hours for softer woods or pieces that required long soaking to clean off all the finish. Refinish promptly to seal and protect from humidity changes and environmental contamination.
HINTS & TIPS:
Remodeling Your Kitchen
February 15, 2008
Remodeling a kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. For most homeowners it is the most important room in the house. It is used for cooking, eating, and gathering, and is typically a focal point in the home. Consequently, though a great investment, a kitchen-remodeling project can be very disruptive to the family. And the length of the disruption can take as long as two or three weeks.
The Planning Stage
Planning is absolutely essential in remodeling a kitchen. The homeowner should first identify the main objectives of their future kitchen. They should next research the latest products on the market including: cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. If the kitchen is more than 5 years old, there are a lot of new products to choose from. For example, Silestone is quickly surpassing Granite and Corian, as the premier countertop surface as it is extremely hard, elegant in appearance, and comes in many colors. For cabinets, the trend appears to be towards lighter colors as they help the appearance of lightening and enlarging a room. In regards to appliances, the Stainless Steel look appears to be in. And for flooring, vinyl or wood is the trend. Tile looks nice, however, it can be unforgiving in a room where things tend to get dropped. In addition, if there is no radiant heating planned for the floor, tile has the tendency to feel cold on the feet.
Help Choosing Door and Window Hardware
February 14, 2008
Who would be the best person to help you find suitable fixtures and fittings for doors and windows?
Architects are trained to create designs that are structurally sound, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They also often have a basis knowledge of construction materials, though not the detailed knowledge required when choosing appropriate hardware.
Interior designers specialize in the decorating and furnishing of rooms and can offer fresh, innovative ideas and advice, but will be concentrating on the appearance rather than how the fittings work.Maybe a blacksmith or metal worker would be the person to ask.. No, a joiner is the best person to give advise.
Joiners understand what is needed, they have made doors and windows and know how big a hinge would be needed to hold the weight of a solid oak door, or which lock would fit properly and safely in rebated french windows. Advise is often needed as good quality hardware can be expensive. You need to get the right thing, before cutting holes in your precious doors and windows.
Embossed Votive Holder Shade
February 14, 2008
Create the look of a Stained Glass Votive Holder
Supplies Needed:
Most items can be found in the Scrap booking/Stamping section of your local craft store.
Straight-Sided Clear Glass Votive Holder
Vellum
Craft Markers of various colors
Hole Punch
Decorative String
Embossing Powder in your choice of color
Versamark Ink Pad
Embossing Heat Tool
Scissors
Tape Measure or Ruler
1. Measure the height and circumference of your Glass votive holder with a tape measure or ruler. Use these measurements to cut out a piece of vellum. It is important to make sure that the vellum does not extend past the top of the votive holder because this will increase the risk of a fire hazard.
2. After you have planned your design with your stamp(s), use the Versamark ink to stamp the design onto the vellum. At this point the design will be clear.
3. Now sprinkle the embossing powder onto the stamped design. Turn the vellum upright and make sure all stray powder has been shaken or tapped off. Also make sure that your entire design has been covered in powder. You will be able to see this because the embossing powder will stick to the design that you stamped with the Versamark inkpad.
