7 Easy steps to decorate a blank wall

Here are some easy ways how you can turn a blank wall into the funkiest area of your house.

Do you have a blank wall staring at you every day you get up? Well, think and look at it no more! Just get down to business and decorate it with these easy ideas and make the wall your favorite part of the house -

1.Paint it: Select a bright, cheerful color and paint the wall with it. You can also select more than one color and let your imagination play all over the wall.Think of single shades, dual tones, horizontal or vertical stripes.

2.Hang paintings: Do you have a few paintings lying in your closet wrapped in a brown paper? Take them out and hang them on the wall.

3. Think wallpaper: Colorful wallpapers with funky prints are in vogue. They not only help decorate your wall in a different fashion, they can also easily hide cracks and blots on the wall.

 

4. Do the dishes: Use some of your old, exotic round plates and hang them in a fashionable way on the wall. Think out of the box and see how you can place them.

5. A funky clock: Go spend some cash and buy a funky, classy wall clock that speaks volumes about your personality.

6. Photo collage: This will make you want to stare at the wall till your day ends. A collage of pictures of your loved ones is one of the finest ways to decorate the wall.

7. Get creative: Picture origami, hand knitted pieces of cloth, teddy bears or simple crafts; these can lift your wall and make it very lively-Times of India

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17 ways to do to improve the look of your living room

The living room should be designed in such a way that it speaks to you with volume and personality.Here are some tips to add more glamor to your living room

Unusual pairing

The rush of being surprised by unexpected beauty. For example a beautiful antique in an otherwise contemporary living room setting is something unexpected.

Art talks

Nothing can replace the timeless appeal of original art. Exquisite pieces of art can hold an entire space together.

Touch of unapologetic glamour

Glamour needs no justification. Every living room should have a hint of glamour — need not be loud, just a touch of Venetian glass can change the look of a room!

Colour

Colour is oxygen — it makes you breathe. Each colour makes you feel different — it lights up your life!

Transform the mundane

The layering of materials can transform the simple to the sublime. An intricately worked on carpet in an empty space can transform the otherwise mundane area to something interesting. A simple sofa with exotic cushions can change the look of your living room.

Sense of origin

Never lose it. When you fill your room with furniture it should not shout but should have gentle flavours.

Conversation pieces

Key pieces should anchor a space, not let it float away. You may have a small room and fill it with a hundred small pieces. Visually it's unappealing and your pieces do not get noticed either. Have one large painting or one large sculpture in the room instead.

Let your experiences and travels talk

There is no substitute to personal style. Your living room should reflect it in the things that you pick on your travels!

Find your own inspiration

Fashion, art, life — everything is a stimulus. One is inspired by books, clothes, fashion shows etc. This inspiration should be brought in to your rooms.

Dare to differ

There is nothing more boring than the black dress syndrome. Do not follow the herd. Do up your house differently. Paint a wall in a deep mahogany!

Minimalism

Today to be minimal means leaching every bit of personality. Minimalism is in! Do not do anything over the top. Your room should be simple and sophisticated. Minimalist interiors don't necessarily mean everything is stripped down. It means everything serves a specific function.

Lift your spirits

Details. Ones that make you fall in love over and over. Fill your room with little things that give you joy. It can be a simple photo frame, a beautiful vase, anything that lifts your spirit!

Surprise yourself

The compulsion to constantly surprise yourself. The furniture you place in the living room should have a story, so every time you walk in, it should surprise you.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Buying objects of beauty — is beginning a love affair, every time. The joy of finding something new and bringing it home — like picking up a lamp in an antique market.

Change is good

The drama of everyday life. Keep changing the look of your home. Paint a sculpture an electric red this will add drama!

Lighting

The play of light and shadow — in pattern and history. Place your pieces in such a way that the light and shadow will form designs in your room - Raseel Gujral 

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Using Symmetry in Home Decorating

One of the easiest ways to accessorize and decorate a room in your home is to use symmetry. When you use symmetry for interior decorating you bring a balance and a sophisticated look that can restore just about any home. Many homeowners get overwhelmed looking for items to fill up all the spaces. The use of symmetry allows you to gather items in pairs and makes your job that much easier. Whether you are decorating a guest room, your living room or the mantle, here are a few home decorating ideas that can transform your home.

Placing wall decor like mirrors in your home are not only an inexpensive alternative to interior decorating, the symmetry can have amazing results in the overall look of the room. If a room does not have any large furniture in it, you can take advantage of multiple pieces of artwork or mirrors to give the appearance the room is full. Placing the wall decor in pairs or more, will detract the eye from the emptiness and give the illusion of a comfortable living area.

Using symmetry with your furniture can actually accomplish a couple things. Chairs, tables, sofas and small couches arranged in mirror images of each other divide and balance the area at the same time. You can place tall screens in the corners of the room to anchor the entire area together. Instead of filling a large area with a cabinet or wall unit, fill the space with a pair of matching chairs or small coffee tables. The symmetry will create a more comfortable and yet relaxed appearance.

The fireplace mantle is usually where you will see symmetry at its best. Some homeowners are not even aware they are using this technique, but look at how any mantle is arranged with two candlesticks on each side. This brings out the beauty out of that small area. Matching sculpted bookends, vases and picture frames placed on either end of the mantle give a clean and neat presentation that screams formal. This area can be decorated with a very small budget because just about anything you can place on a mantle in pairs will look great.

Finally when it comes to home decorating ideas, symmetry in lighting is a very inexpensive way to create a stunning environment. Placing two small lamps on each nightstand around the bed, a pair of lights over your dining room table and two recessed lights in the kitchen can create balance in your home without hurting your pocketbook. Symmetry does come down to a matter of taste. If you want an easy and inexpensive way to decorate your home, symmetry offers the homeowner a great alternative to expensive home decorating techniques -Ella D'Zur  

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How To Make Your Kitchen Cabinets Look Brand New

It is a fact that all things wear out through time. Your kitchen cabinets are no exception especially that they are the ones mostly exposed to changing heats when you prepare your daily meals thrice a day. Naturally, the physical appearances of cabinets change because of constant exposure to different temperatures and also substances exhibited by the different ingredients you use in cooking. However, if you are not willing enough to hire cabinet refacing installers to do the job, you can still do something without them to make your cabinets and drawers look neat and shiny as if  brand new.


Cabinet refacing, I say, is the more preferable option to update your kitchen cabinets. But while the damage is not yet severe and your budget is still on the rocks of recovering, then you can at least resort to cleaning the furniture in a do-it-yourself project - that means doing it all by yourself. However, you need to know first, what your cabinets are made of to know what cleaners best fit to the material. Is it made of wood? Is it made of a certain kind of plastic? Knowing your cabinets better than just ignoring some useful information will help you get through your little project.

It is advisable that you use environment-friendly cleaners in cleaning your kitchen cabinets. Not only do they do our planet a little favor, but they help you cope with the little budget you have allotted to beautify your kitchen. So what are these recommendable cleaners? The list includes having white vinegar, baking soda, club soda and lemon juice. You don't have to use them all at once. Just pick one on which matches well with the material of your cabinets. Of course, the process involves a lot of water to mix with the natural cleaners. Good thing you have this! Or you'll find no better alternative other than cabinet refacing.

As observed in most homes, kitchen cabinets are mostly made of wood. Homeowners are almost reluctant to do the cleaning by themselves because of fear that what they might apply to the surface could damage the material. But here's one useful tip! Wooden cabinets are best cleaned through the use of white vinegar mixed with water - warm water, to be exact. Warm water actually helps the surface dry easily and lessens the hassle in your project. Using the mixture, wipe off cracks and crevices of cabinet and drawer coverings including knobs. Make sure fingerprints and other stains are removed. However, you cannot get the shine that cabinet refacing can provide just by cleaning. Something must be done.

The good thing is that the technique we will do will make use of a material that can easily be found in the kitchen. What is it? Olive oil. By dabbing a little amount of oil on an old piece of cloth and by wiping it in circular motion on the surface, you'll get the missing shine cleaning cannot give. You'll see the finish product and you'll it's almost as if you've had a cabinet refacing done with the kitchen vanities. But then again, refacing is still the better option By Joyce R Ross 

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Kitchen Renovation - Kitchen Remodeling ideas

The true heart of a home is the kitchen. The most frequented room, probably even more than the bedroom. When attempting to renovate the home, it is essential to budget each room and especially the kitchen. Remodeling a kitchen is a great way to increase the value of your home. The project can range in price from a few hundred dollars if you need to replace an appliance to thousands if you want to modernize outdated countertops, flooring and wall coverings. Following are some steps for remodeling your kitchen.

Layout and storage solution

The layout of the kitchen is an important feature in the remodeling project. Incorporating the triangular working model is a good idea. This allows the stove, the refrigerator and the sink to be placed in such a way that fewer steps need to be taken while working in the kitchen. This could include placing an island or a butcher block for extra storage and preparation space. While deciding the layout keep in mind the ventilation points and the lighting.

The easy formula of a good small kitchen design is efficient and proper space for organization. This means reducing the clutter on the countertops and instead having kitchen cabinets and shelves to keep your daily necessities. Double stacked kitchen storage cabinets, especially the ones which use the vertical space are a good idea for a small kitchen. Rather than sticking to large cabinets where the last parts of the storage units remain unused, opt for rotating shelves, pull out drawers and shelf inserts to maximize the limited space of your kitchen. Read more on kitchen cabinet design ideas.

Use quality materials.

Top-quality drawer slides and hinges mean cabinet doors will stay closed and drawers won't stick. Stay away from drawers that are stapled together or made of particleboard. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than melamine, laminate, mdf or particleboard. It is also best thing to notice for kitchen remodeling ideas.

Select an elegant countertop.

White Carrara marble and stained wood add elegance and warmth. We also like honed Kirkstone slate, soapstone and Wiarton limestone, and plastic laminate with a wood edge for a sophisticated look.

Determine cabinet heights.

If you have eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling. They offer more storage, enabling you to use extra wall space for artwork or open shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, leave 15 to 18 inches above the cabinets.

And then Kitchen Decor

The kitchen decor ideas should ensure that the space looks spacious and much more functional. This includes the lighting, wall paints, cabinet colors and décor of the kitchen. The placement of the artificial and natural lighting sources in the kitchen can contribute to the illusion of a large size kitchen. Lighting under the cabinets, small wall scones and chandeliers can all add a sense of space to your kitchen. For the kitchen color schemes stick to neutral colors for the walls especially when you have darker colored cabinets by John herry

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Ways To Decorate Your Bedroom With Zebra Bedding

Bedroom decor can be enhanced and get more attractive if zebra theme is added to the layout of your room. Especially when it comes to bedding, there is nothing more attractive than having a zebra comforters and accessories in the room. It does not mean that your bedroom looks like a zoo and you do not have to go wild with safari accessories. Get it modern and stylish looks by placing the glass topped night tables and some furniture. If you have decided to go for zebra theme in your bedroom, here are some tips to help you enhance and complement your room wisely.

Choose a harmonizing hue for fixtures to enhance the black-and-white theme of the zebra design. Metal colors look good with black and white as well. Red color will add something different to the layout that pops out.

Get your ramparts dyed with grey color. It will look very much gorgeous but will not be overwhelming as bright colors such as red. Enhance the bed visually with black bed bordering. This shows off the zebra pieces, pillowslips and coverlet and does not contest with them. It also manages with the medium-gray throw rugs on the ground.

Place the bedding on the bed. Place two large pillows against the headboard of the bed. Place three to five small cushions with the large pillows. The colors echo the black-and-white zebra print but add attention with regular shapes.

Place off-white floor-to-ceiling curtains on each window, even if the windows are different sizes. The floor-to-ceiling length makes the windows look the same. Put black decorative side panel curtains on each window as well. The side panels are not meant to close, just to be decorative.

Cut a zebra patterned flat sheet to 24 inches wide and twice the width of the window. Sew a tunnel through the top for a curtain rod and hem the bottom. Use this as a valence for the windows.

Get your ramparts bleached with gray color. It will look abundantly beautiful however will not be overwhelming as bright colors like red. Enhance the bed visually with black bed bordering. This shows off the quid items, pillowslips and counterpane and does not contest with them. It conjointly manages with the medium-gray throw rugs on the bottom.

Place the bedding on the bed. Place 2 massive pillows against the panel of the bed. Place 3 to 5 tiny cushions with the large pillow. End with two spherical black pillows and a white spherical pillow within the middle. The colors echo the black-and-white equip print however add interest with geometric shapes-David Hall

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Decorating Your House With Indoor Lighting

Homeowners are always looking for brand new ways to add zest and appeal to their homes. While many people would like to improve the interior design of their house, most are simply can not do so due to the high cost of hiring a contractor and having major remodeling done. There are many simple and yet still inexpensive changes that don't demand a contractor, that your home can usually benefit from. Indoor lighting might be a great way to add some decorative touches inside the house and not spend a fortune doing so.

A lot of people do not understand that the choice of lights can really influence the look of the home. Light fixtures come in a variety of fabulous designs and models that you can incorporate into every room in your home. This can include chandeliers for the kitchen or dining room, or wall sconces and elaborate pendants for the family area or personal bedrooms. Whatever you current lighting situation is, you could always change them to complement the interior of your home to something more classic, contemporary or whatever accommodates your personal preferences. There are many ornate and streamlined designs that you can purchase, so you have nearly limitless options you can use.

 Aside from the stylish design of light fixtures, you want to take the functional aspect into consideration. The right kind of lighting can alter the ambiance and mood within the room. You can modify brightness or the concentration of light in an region just by simply changing a bulb. With the right lighting you can make your home feel more comfortable and inviting, particularly when you constantly have visitors over this may be a large benefit for you. The right kind of lighting can certainly work in harmony with your furnishings. You can also find more imaginative functions for your light fixtures. You can use the lighting to shine in a certain direction if you are displaying a painting on the wall or china on the dining table. This is usually done with the use of spotlights and is ideal for luring the gaze of visitors and guests to the object that the light is fixed upon. While this is most commonly an approach used in museums and galleries, homeowners can use this technique as well.

Home improvement can be expensive and is something that often calls for a huge cash outlay. If your budget can't support an undertaking this big, it might be wise to consider changing simple decor items in your home, which can really enhance the overall look. Light fixtures provide an affordable means to give your home a different kind of look without the expense associated with major improvements. In addition, it provides homeowners with a whole new set of options in how objects around the house can be strategically arranged.

You can change the atmosphere in your by using lights in a certain way. Most light fixtures are fairly cheap and can be purchased at any hardware store. They are easy to install though some models may require installation by an electrician. However, they are not like tiles or wallpaper that require professional installation and might mean heavy labor costs. By altering your indoor lighting, you can change the appearance of your home while not having to resort to extensive remodeling work that can cost you an arm and a leg. By Claire Winters

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Remarkable Ideas for perfect home decoration

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, Make your home distinct with these little accents:

- Rearrange the furniture: Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. Arranging the sofa diagonally across the narrow living room will make the room look wider and provide a warm, inviting layout.

- Paint, paint, and clean: You will be surprised by what a coat of new paint or cleaning your existing mouldings and doors will do to any room, or to your entire house. Don't forget baseboards, mouldings and doors. Find new colours and useful utensils at your local home improvement store.

-Paint a wall: Paint one wall with your favourite colour and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there.

- Bring in plants : Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality is so good that it's hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

- Toss in colour : Bright colours and good lighting work together produces instant cheerfulness.

- Ladle on the light : One of the most important things is to have all the natural light you possibly can. People respond very well to light.

- Dress up : Creative use of mouldings, fabrics, even paint will do magic around your doors and windows. You will find them in wood or synthetic at your home improvement store.

- Hang pictures or a mirror : Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.

- Do not clutter : Clutter always works against you. Keep it simple. Add vertical space with shelves or bookcases in closets or other areas to minimise cluttering as much as possible.

- Lay an area rug : An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

- Group figurines : Pull out your favourite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

- Add a throw or Afghan : Similar to decorative pillows, throws and Afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

- Replace lamps : Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

- Add decorative pillows : The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

- Add candles/candle holders : This is always a winner. If you have some intriguing candle holders, try those. Use at least two candle holders for balance.

- Display a figurine or sculpture : Any eye-catching sculpture or figurine will make a wonderful statement as well as a conversation piece.

- Display books : Display a few hardcover books that are interesting and have covers which tie into your decor colour scheme. Preferably, the books should be the larger versions, but should not be too thick.

- Display pottery : Earthy and warm, pottery makes a great addition to your interior decor.

- Display straw baskets : Similar to pottery, straw baskets add charm and warmth to your home.

- Use a decorative screen : A decorative screen makes an excellent backdrop in any room. It adds dimension and texture.

If your room is decoratively challenged, try some of these ideas to add life to your interiors - TOI

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3 Tricks For Decorating Space In A Small Bathroom

The bathroom can be the most difficult room to decorate in a home simply because it is often, especially in older homes, the smallest room in the house. But the bathroom is a high traffic area, and it requires a large amount of storage space, so learning how to adapt to the small bathroom size and still make it functional is a crucial skill for any home decorator. This article is about function, not form. We will not discuss color schemes, décor or stylish accessories, only the practical side of creating space where space is limited.


1.) Say no to the pedestal


Pedestal sinks are very popular today. People love the spare simple look of them. But for the small bathroom owner, pedestal sinks remove one of your key storage elements. If you're starting from scratch, or planning a renovation, consider a traditional vanity. These cabinets below the sink are perfect for storing items like cleaners, brushes or other bulky items. It also keeps them out of the way so that if you are using shelving you are not staring at an unsightly jug of bleach or an oversized pack of replacement heads for your electronic toothbrush.

2.) Even small rooms have wall space

If you're frustrated that there is nowhere to put the things that absolutely must go in the bathroom, look to the walls. All bathrooms have at least some unused wall space. This should be dedicated to shelving when storage is at a minimum. Sometimes this means a double row of short selves squeezed next to the bathroom mirror. (There are also vanity cabinets designed for this area that work great when trying to squeeze in more space) In other circumstances, you may be able to fit a triple row of long shelves along an entire unused wall. Either way, adding shelves to the wall, a simple task that requires no technical expertise, is an easy way to increase storage space in your small bathroom.


3.) Think outside the sink


Sometimes you have to pull yourself out of the room to see all your options. You may be dealing with a narrow bath with a sink on one side and a toilet and tub/shower on the other side. So when you walk into the room there is barely enough room for a person to stand, let along storage room for cosmetics, toiletries, towels and cleaners. But if you step back for a minute, you might realize that before you reach the sink, there is open space. Many times a small, narrow dresser will fit alongside the sink. This provides a huge amount of storage space, as well as some nice counter space. Decorate or paint the dresser to suit your bathroom's décor, and your storage problems are over.


JM Kee is a designer and writer with Interior Place, Philadelphia's leading supplier of interior decor and gifts. We help decorators, designers and hobbyists bring their own style to each project. At Interior Place, beauty is always on the inside.

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How to Get Rid of Ugly Wallpaper! - Top 10 tips

I broke my promise to myself and stripped wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before finishing the work and needed the home ready for appraisal.

While stripping the wallpaper, I realized that many homemakers get wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience on over 30 houses, I offer my tried and best tips:

1. Use a clothes steamer or rent a professional steamer

2. Soak a large section of the wall

3. Run a "Paper Tiger" scoring tool across the damp section

4. Steam the section again

5. Spray the section with fabric softener and hot water

6. Score the section with the paper tiger again

7. Steam again

8. Remove any curling edges (sometimes large areas peel off)

9. Scrape with a six inch sheetrock blade

10. Scrub with hot water, TSP, and a sponge with a scratchy surface

Repeat the above steps on the section until most scrapes off easily

 
Cautions: Use the Paper Tiger gingerly so you don't scratch or gouge the walls. Use gloves with the harsh chemical TSP.

Don't live with ugly wallpaper any longer! -These tips are given by  Jeanette Joy Fisher 

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Important instructions to hang TV over the fireplace

Television mounting can be done in different way, but the mounting with the proper way is an art. Without systematic mounting you don't get satisfaction with your TV and living area because TV affects different parts of the living area. This is why it is very necessary to become a good installer before mounting of TV if you are going to hang it over the fireplace. You should have proper information about the tools which you would like to use to hang the TV and it is not depend on your chose whatever the tools according to a good installer you should, you should have information regarding to those tools. You must know about the steps by which you can hang it over the fireplace.

If you think you also want to use flat panel TV at your home so you should be confirm regarding your strategy and budget that you have to maintain when you are going to take fireplace TV. You should flat panel according to your budget and if you are not able to purchase very expensive mount so you can purchase lower cast mount and you can adjust your budget according to you by this way.

You need to be careful regarding your health first such as need to take care about some health related issues such as reducing neck strain. Because most of the folk are not able to understand that how much high they should hang their TV. They choose random place to hang it and get neck pain and muscles cram in their neck if you have small fireplace it might be you will get less trouble, but whatever you have you must set your down tv on a recommended level only.

To reduce this problem we will recommend you tilt mount to hang your TV. It might be it doesn't look with down mount but it would be comfortable for you to reduce your neck strain because you can adjust it according to you as you want to tilt it. If you want to look your TV fancy, so  you can choose automated mount for your TV.

Next thing you can blend the TV in to the room. Most of the folk don't realize that if they are hanging a giant TV over the fireplace so it will cover major space and it doesn't look very good, if you have sufficient space so you can do it, but in the lack of space it is not a good idea.

You should not force the placement of TV, if there are better other options are available. Sometime folk doesn't understand this thing and they want to adjust flat panel where they want according to their choose, if panel is not getting appropriate adjustment their so it is not good practice that you are adjusting it anywhere. Unless you have plenty of wall space, or an indent that allow for easy installation.

Sketch it all out where you have to adjust your screw and all the things .For this you need a pencil you have to remark on the wall for this thing-Patriciawadean

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5 Great Faux Painting Tips

Preparation- Fix walls first

Tape off your ceilings and baseboards with low tack masking tape. Blue tape works great. Use a cloth drop cloth instead of plastic. Drips will soak into the cloth and dry quicker so you don't track paint thru the house. Fix holes or cracks on the walls first and remove dirt.

Base coat

Water based Latex Paints in "satin" or "eggshell" is the best type of paint to use for your base coat.
Make sure you paint the patches where you fixed the wall with the same base coat as the rest of the wall. If not as you can see by the picture to the right, the patches will show through. That's because glazes are not like paint which is opaque. So the texture of the wall must be the same unless you want to have places where the faux finish looks different. Hint - you can paint designs on the wall with a different texture and when you faux paint the wall, the designs will be enhanced yet subtle.

Practice first

Always practice your faux painting technique on boards first. You can save money by purchasing poster boards at any stationary or office supply store. Paint the board with the same paint you are using for your basecoat. Test out the glaze on a small section to see if your mixture needs to be darker. Any glaze can be darkened with a drop or two of acrylic paint.

Tape your board onto a section on the wall instead of painting on the floor. That way you can practice the technique just the way you will be doing it on the walls.

Once you are happy with the board then proceed to a discreet place on your wall first. Remember, there are no mistakes in Faux Painting; if you don't like what you see, just paint over and start again!

Lining your trays

If you are mixing your own glazes, line your trays with a plastic bag. This saves time and mess because you don't need to wash the tray afterwards. If you need to quit and continue your project the next day, bring the back of the plastic bag to the front and tie up the bag with a knot. That way the glaze will not dry out and you can use it the next day. 

Then, keep your tools in a plastic bag, also when you are not using them. You can safely keep them overnight, too. However, we don't recommend going more than one day without washing out your tools.

Mixing Glazes

Mix just a small amount of glaze first. Usually it is 3 parts glaze to one part paint. After you mix a small amount, try that out on your board first to see if the color looks according to what you desire. If not, then add more glaze or more paint until you are satisfied. Then put aside a small puddle of the glaze to the side, fill your tray with the rest of mixed glaze and match the new mixture to the small puddle that you have set aside.

When you run out of glaze, then do the same thing. Set aside a puddle of the mixture before you totally run out. Then refill tray with glaze and keep adding paint until the mixture is the same density in color. Place a small puddle next to the puddle you have from the mixture you were using to compare the two. This is very important, because if the next tray of glaze is not the same, you will notice a difference on the walls - Sandra Silva

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Maximising your small Kitchen space - DIY

You might take one look at your small kitchen and think there's hardly any way to fit all your cooking utensils, dishes and pots and pans in that room. However, with a little ingenuity and some moving around of your items, you can maximize your small kitchen space and make the room aesthetically appealing.

When maximizing your small kitchen space, the most important goal is to make your necessities more accessible, thus saving time and energy. You will especially need both of these when cooking.

Clear Up Space

Sort through your pots, pans, lids and cooking dishes to see which ones you use more often and which ones are hardly used. Put the rarely used items to the side to clear up space for the commonly used ones. You may get rid of the underused items or store them somewhere else in the kitchen.

Use Cabinets and Drawers

Pantries, drawers and cabinets underneath the sink are obviously great storage spaces. Put racks into the cabinets and sort the pots and pans according to size, with the larger objects on the bottom shelves and the smaller ones on top ones. That way, you don't have undo stacks of pots and pans to get the largest ones, which are usually at the bottom. Flip the lids upside down so the handles are inside the pots and pans, thus storing them more easily. Use dishware organizers for your silverware and cooking utensils in drawers.

Rack Them Up

If your kitchen has the right ceiling height, you can use an overhead pot rack to suspend your pots and pans from. However, if the ceiling is too low, store your pots and pans on wall shelves and hang them on hooks.

Make a Case for Baskets

For items you may not give a second thought to once you put them away, you can use the space on top of your refrigerator. Put baskets on top of this and toss rarely used items into them.

Relocate Your Spices

Remember, your kitchen space should be just as much about easy access as it is about finding ample storage space. In the case of spices, take them out of the cabinet and mount them on an attractive spice rack next to the kitchen stove. Your spices will be within reach while cooking.

Store Pantry Food in Containers

Seeing a pantry cluttered with half-opened packages can be a real eyesore. For this situation, use a set of reusable, stackable containers that come in different sizes. Label each container according to their contents like "cereal" or "spaghetti." You can even cut out the recipes on old packages and apply them to the new containers.

Add Your Personal Flair

When all is said and done, it's your kitchen. Therefore, you should personalize it with your taste. Put a colorful centerpiece like an eye catching vase full of flowers on your counter-top or hang some artwork on your wall if wall space permits. Open baker racks are okay to use, but for extra cabinet space, consider getting a stylish cabinet instead-Alexa Campbell

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5 cool makeover tips for your room

Interior designer Rakshita Singh gives some simple design tips that can add some drama in your bedroom decor.

When decorating your bedroom, you need to make sure that your aesthetics are in place and more importantly, you need to ascertain whether you want the 'me only' look for your bedroom or the 'we' look. Here are some simple design tips that can add drama to your bedroom decor...

Keep the magic alive: Dedicate one wall of your room to your partner with a large number of tiny framed photographs in a heart shape. This will remind you of each other and the best times you have spent together. It will also help to keep the magic alive.

All about the 'we' not 'me': It's not about his or her, BUT it's about 'WE'. Opt for more neutral tones of colour like beige, purple and whites when renovating a room for a newly married couple.

Add some romantic drama: Add some extra canopy of cloth in your bedroom to add some drama and closure. Choose and name your bed sides before you get hitched by putting the name above your bed heads.

Make a cozy nook: Adding a love seat in a bright and attractive colour to your bedroom decor can jazz it up.

Light it right: Add some drama by adding tea lights and lamps in the corner of your rooms. It does make it romantic.

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Spice up the look of your Home with External Wall Cladding

When it comes to home improvement, homeowners have a lot of options such as furniture, entertainment, kitchen appliances, and decorations. With all these wonderful selections, homeowners can make their houses better and more comfortable. Apart from interior items and fixtures, there are also numerous exterior items homeowners can choose from such as outdoor lights, roof materials and even gutters. In addition, homeowners can also make use of external wall cladding.

Wall cladding is a type of decorative covering intended to make a wall look like it is made of a different sort of material than it actually is. Apart from that, external wall cladding can also provide other benefits. Below are some of the following.

Enjoy different styles

One of the benefits of making use of external wall cladding is you can enjoy numerous styles that can complement your home, from brick, vinyl, and metal cladding. With all these selections, homeowners can find the ideal cladding that can cater to their needs.

Improve wall aesthetics easily

Wall cladding is easy to install. Therefore, homeowners can improve wall aesthetics easily. Not to mention, homeowners can also create their ideal house style properly. For instance, for homeowners who want to make their houses look like a traditional house, they can make use of vinyl. On the other hand, homeowners who want to make their houses more modern can make use of metal and vinyl cladding.

Strengthen walls

Some homeowners think that wall cladding is only used to improve the looks of walls. Luckily, wall cladding can also help strengthen walls. This is possible since it can actually contribute greatly to the stability, safety and strength of the building because it's a hard, heavy material. In addition, brick and vinyl cladding are quite long-lasting. Wall cladding like vinyl can even provide other features to strengthen walls because it is mould- and mildew-resistant. With this, walls are protected against issues that can damage it. Cladding can also help contribute to indoor temperature regulation, but insulation has to be installed under it.

Increase home value

Finally, cladding most especially brick cladding can also help improve the value of your house. As for vinyl cladding, it can also increase the value of the house depending on its looks. Thus, the best way is to accomplish this is to mix and match vinyl cladding with other materials to achieve an entirely unique appearance. With all these benefits, homeowners can make their houses better and more appealing. Dan J Gustaf 

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Top 10 Things which are Must for Home Decor

Home decoration concept is revolutionizing! The beauty of home may be accentuated with pretty add-ons. Your preferences plays vital role in choosing home decorator collection for your house, the practical approach is always to look out for the living space available and how you would like to make use of it. Space in your home should need to be taken into account while selecting decor. 

Use the available space wisely and creatively...With a modest amount of creative imagination and novelty it is possible to completely change the look and feel of your house. Just a little deviation from common colorings and textured walls bring amazing changes to interiors. This could also allow you to show off your spirits geared up to any special occasion.

As soon as you've selected a design and style, home decorating stores, traditional outlets or local flea markets will be a fantastic starting point for home decoration items. Home decoration stores are flooded with variety of high end house hold goods. With the ease of internet, everything you need to do is to browse through a number of products offered and pick one which suits your needs. In the following paragraphs we will discover the top ten home decor:

1. Photo frames - Everyone wants to keep their most memorable moment's picture clicked and adorned in a beautiful picture frame. Hunt for exclusive photo frames with beveled glass, unconventional patterns, or clay fruity one for kid's room.

2. Flower vase - This can be very important part of your drawing room or living room or even terracotta vase for the garden.

3. Wall clocks - Wall clocks do more than telling time to your décor. Pendulum clock and Cuckoo watches gives antique feel to the room.

4. Wall hangings - Wide range of wall hangings, made of natural fiber- jute; rugs or wall carpets to quilts to tapestry wall hangings and wooden quotation planks.

5. Metal figurines - Brass or white metal idols of gods, statue of Venus too are nice decorative items.

6. Religious symbols - Spiritual symbols owe due reverence. Om and Swastik are the common hangings.

7. Decorative mirrors - Jumbo mughal painting mirror gives traditional Indian touch to your dressing room.

8. Lighting fixtures - Lights are vital in decoration. It may hide flaws or highlight them if not used aesthetically.

9. Carpet and Rugs - Colorful silk wall carpets or a neutral color rug increase the beauty of wall.

10. Furnishings - Furniture need not necessarily be of wood...Against this trend now get a wrought iron, pipe, cane furniture to save space.

Many home decorating stores or home decor boutiques have mushroomed across the country and qualified interior decorator there readily assist you in turning your abode into a godly place. They understand mechanics of designing, thus are of great help.

Many retail stores have gone online; their round the customer helpline will be available any time of the day. Online shopping lets you browse the every detail of the product and then compare prices on other websites too before buying. Look out for bargains and save some bucks...on home decor stores online. Shivani Mathur

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How to Choose a Coffee Table Perfect for Your Home?

A living room without a coffee table is incomplete. It's like a supermodel without the lipstick, undone. Just as lipstick is an important aspect of makeup that completes the overall look of a model, so is the perfect coffee table when it comes to your living room. 

These tables serve a multitude of purposes, right from acting as a storage unit to completing the look of your home. So, which type of table is best for you? With a plethora of these on the market, you can easily become confused. Here are a few pointers to guide you in buying the type of coffee table that will match your home decor.

1. Shape: When you plan to buy furniture for your living room, you have to think about the best shape for the space. Do you have small children running around? In this case a round or an oval table would be best. There will no edges jutting out which may cause injury. A rounded coffee table will also give you more room to move about.

2. Size: After you have settled on the shape, you need to understand what size you want. Before you determine the size you should know that the height of a table shouldn't be less than one or two inches from the seat of your sofa or couch. While the standard height is 16-18 inches, if your couch is higher you may want to go for a taller table. If you are putting it in an area where you entertain guests, then you might want to buy a taller one anyway as this will be much more convenient for guests to place their glasses or cups on.

3. Functionality: What use will you put your coffee table to? Will the table be for decorative purposes or will you use it as storage; perhaps you wish to use it for a combination of the two? Many tables come with storage units that can be used to store kids' toys, CDs, magazines or other things you use every day. If your coffee table is going to get a lot of use it is a good idea to buy one which is sturdy and stable; although, of course, stability is always important.

4. Material: These tables come in a wide array of materials ranging from metal to glass and wood. Wood offers a more sophisticated look while metal and glass offer a modern contemporary feel.

The perfect coffee table is out there for you. It depends entirely on your choice. Sometimes thinking outside of the box will allow you to choose something that is fabulous yet functional.Manisha Kumar

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Tips to Use Bamboo Panels For Great Interior Decor

If you desire to add some versatility and extra decor to the interiors of your home, you should consider using bamboo. Apart from giving your home a traditional look, bamboo brings the outdoors within your home, can be used for virtually anything, and can be designed with just a little imagination.

Bamboo fencing has become quite popular and gives a great look to your home's exteriors. Just like a bamboo fence can do wonders to make your home on the whole look inviting, bamboo poles and bamboo panels can be used for interiors in a number of ways. Panels, especially, have been in great demand in recent times as they can help give your home a traditional as well as peaceful look that can add to the attractiveness of your home.

Enhancing Your Home's Interiors With Bamboo Panels

One way in which you can use panels made of bamboo is as wall panelling. There are sleek as well as rugged bamboo wall panels which can add to the beauty of your home, especially when complemented with furniture made of bamboo poles.

There are different types of bamboo panels that can be chosen depending on the final effect that you desire to have in your home. From panels made of solid bamboo, down to tambour panelling and woven bamboo wall panelling, there is a wide choice ahead of you to use to embellish your walls and add to decor of your home.

Panels made from bamboo can also be used for floors and depending on the way in which they are set, they can provide a truly artistic finish. When you choose to use these panels for your floor, you should ensure that you make the right choice as there are different panels for walls and for floors. Therefore, when you choose panels, ensure that they are made especially for floors.

Using panels made of bamboo for your floors and complementing this effect with leather furniture is a great choice. Apart from providing contrast to being to the fore the beauty of your furniture as well as panelling, this also makes the entire living area less cluttered and more artistic.

When you choose to use bamboo for decor, you are choosing a solution that not only looks good, but that is also cost effective and durable. You can afford to be whimsical when using bamboo for interiors. Make your home more welcoming with some great bamboo fencing. Setting up a bamboo fence is quite simple and you can even do it yourself, and give your home a finish that speaks of simple luxury. Joy N

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Useful Tips To Hang An Outdoor Hammock On A Tree

Swinging in the open allows you to enjoy the outdoor weather in comfort. To thoroughly enjoy yourself you should use a hammock made from the right fabric.

Common Fabrics Used In Making Hammocks

Hammocks are made from different materials. The most common ones are:

Cotton: it's breathable and comfortable to rest on. While it's very comfy, it's main flaw is that it's not weather resistant; therefore, you shouldn't leave it outside in bad weather.

Polyester: it's very durable and weather resistant thus you can leave it outside. Well made polyester hammocks are very comfortable.

Canvas: these are the most durable option as they are very weather resistant.

How To Hang An Outdoor Hammock On A Tree

For you to rest without worry you should ensure that your hammock is properly installed. To help you out here is what you need to do in order to ensure that you properly install the hammock on the tree:

You should start by finding a tree branch that will be able to safely suspend the outdoor hanging chair. For ideal results you should go for a branch that is strong enough to support your weight. When it comes to width, you should go for a branch that is about 5 inches or more in diameter.

You should then measure the length of the chain that you need to support the chair. To get the right measurements you should measure the distance from the suspension point on one side of the chair to the suspension point on the other side of the chair.

To protect the tree branch from being damaged by the chain you should slip the chain inside the tubing in order As rule of thumb you should ensure that the length of the plastic tubing is wide enough to easily fit the sleeve around the chain.

You should then find the middle of the chain and hang it on the tree branch until it hangs down on the right side of the branch. You should then attach the quick links to the rings on the swing chair.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about outdoor hammocks. When buying the units always go for those that are weather resistant. If you are looking for a comfy unit you should go for a cotton hammock. For it to last for a long time you should ensure that you never leave it outside-you should always put it inside your house immediately after use. Dan Lancer

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