If in doubt about anything, just ask. Every project poses some unique problems.
Masking Tape on Glass: Don't do it. Chances are you won't get it off. Go ahead and get paint on the glass, and take it off later with a single-sided razor.
Closing a Paint Can: Get the excess paint out of the rim first. Some people punch small nail holes in the rim so the paint drains back into the can. The more paint you have there, the greater the amount that'll go flying out when you pound the lid back on. (And paint in the rim also makes removing the lid more difficult later.) Pressing it with your palm is usually all you'll need to do; definitely cover it with a rag if you're going to pound it shut.
Tape Screws to Hardware: You won't lose the screws for your wall plates, and any other fixtures you remove, if you keep them together.
For Heat Registers and Grills: A small-size flexible foam paint pad comes in handy to reach the crannies. Aerosol spray painting works well on them, too - when they're not blowing air at you, of course.
Don't Overbrush Enamel: It will harden full of ridges. Apply generously with light strokes and avoid brushing over it again once it's on. Don't procrastinate on finishing. For strong adhesion between coats, don't let more than two weeks go by between applications.
Old Newspapers vs. Drop Cloths: If using newspapers was any good, there wouldn't be such a thing as drop cloths.
Use Roller Sleeves One Time Only: They're inexpensive. And they're ineffective once they start disintegrating, which is likely to happen if you try washing them. Make sure you've got plenty around if you're going to be doing the work piecemeal over a number of days.
Be Firm With Your Four-Footed Friends: Careful, or your Siamese cat will become a calico and your baseboard will have a beard. As much as you love having your little sweeties around, and well-behaved as they might be, a room with paint trays and wet walls is no place for animals. So make sure they're secured in another part of the house while you're working, or that wagging tail might hit the wall and become a hapless paintbrush.
painting, painting tips, interior painting tips,
http://www.doityourself.com
Paint by Magic!
If you are reading this article you must be ready to choose your paint colors. If you think this is going to be easy -- think again! Choosing a paint color will be the hardest task you encounter. Why?
Three reasons:
* Too many choices of colors
* Too many companies to choose from
* Lighting styles
There are numerous paint companies competing with each other and they offer a variety of finishes. Flat, Matte, Eggshell? Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Ralph, Martha, Pratt, Lambert -- the list is endless. Each company can match the color of another company thanks to modern technology, so the only real choice left is finish preference. Eggshell and Flat are best for walls as they clean easy and hide a multitude of sins. However the new Mattes, Satins and other finishes use modern technology to give you easy clean-up with just soap and water. Semi-Gloss and Gloss are the best for trim when you need a pop of color.
Lighting
Fluorescent lights cast a bluish tint which makes yellows look muddy and beiges look green. Sunlight is yellow in nature and makes blues green, reds orange and browns look dirty. Halogens create a sure color, as do spotlights, but the color will vary from day to evening. Fortunately, most paint dealers offer sample jars.
To get the best comparison, ask for a sample jar. Paint a large area and sit with it for a few days. Look at it throughout the day -- morning, noon, evening. Make sure you are happy with the color before painting the entire room. Try the same color on a different wall. Depending on the direction windows and doors face, the color may look drastically different. Even educated designers sometimes have difficulty. Remember the paint store light is different than the light in your home. The chosen color may look completely different on your wall. Some stores have a display of the various light types so you can get a more accurate representation at the moment.
Take the colors home and try them out, although if you put them under various lights at the store the odds are now in your favor it will be a good choice. Don’t make a hasty decision. Think how the color will look with furnishings, window treatments, cabinetry, etc. Paint is the backdrop for the stage, not the scenery.
Lastly, remember that trims, windows and doors will break up the monotony. Whether you choose to paint or stain these items the solid line of color will be broken. Contrast is drama. Even the choice of Navajo white eggshell for walls and pure white semi-gloss for trim will create variety and spice things up. You can’t go wrong if you pick colors you like.
If all else fails try, try again. A gallon of paint is only a few dollars for a look that’s priceless.
painting tips, painting, interior painting tips,
http://www.doityourself.com
Three reasons:
* Too many choices of colors
* Too many companies to choose from
* Lighting styles
There are numerous paint companies competing with each other and they offer a variety of finishes. Flat, Matte, Eggshell? Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr, Ralph, Martha, Pratt, Lambert -- the list is endless. Each company can match the color of another company thanks to modern technology, so the only real choice left is finish preference. Eggshell and Flat are best for walls as they clean easy and hide a multitude of sins. However the new Mattes, Satins and other finishes use modern technology to give you easy clean-up with just soap and water. Semi-Gloss and Gloss are the best for trim when you need a pop of color.
Lighting
Fluorescent lights cast a bluish tint which makes yellows look muddy and beiges look green. Sunlight is yellow in nature and makes blues green, reds orange and browns look dirty. Halogens create a sure color, as do spotlights, but the color will vary from day to evening. Fortunately, most paint dealers offer sample jars.
To get the best comparison, ask for a sample jar. Paint a large area and sit with it for a few days. Look at it throughout the day -- morning, noon, evening. Make sure you are happy with the color before painting the entire room. Try the same color on a different wall. Depending on the direction windows and doors face, the color may look drastically different. Even educated designers sometimes have difficulty. Remember the paint store light is different than the light in your home. The chosen color may look completely different on your wall. Some stores have a display of the various light types so you can get a more accurate representation at the moment.
Take the colors home and try them out, although if you put them under various lights at the store the odds are now in your favor it will be a good choice. Don’t make a hasty decision. Think how the color will look with furnishings, window treatments, cabinetry, etc. Paint is the backdrop for the stage, not the scenery.
Lastly, remember that trims, windows and doors will break up the monotony. Whether you choose to paint or stain these items the solid line of color will be broken. Contrast is drama. Even the choice of Navajo white eggshell for walls and pure white semi-gloss for trim will create variety and spice things up. You can’t go wrong if you pick colors you like.
If all else fails try, try again. A gallon of paint is only a few dollars for a look that’s priceless.
painting tips, painting, interior painting tips,
http://www.doityourself.com
Tips and Techniques for a Great Paint Job
Tips and Techniques for a Great Paint Job
Everything You Need To Know
A room looks wonderful with a fresh coat of paint. But if you have a "Love-Hate" relationship with painting, you'll want to read our tips on getting a great finished product. You might even enjoy the project as much as the finished product!
Start Out Right
* You'll enjoy the job more if you get everything together at the start. Organize a tool station in the middle of the area you'll be working in. Gather together your paint, brushes, rollers, hammers, screwdrivers, plastic bags, plastic wrap, rags, paint can opener, and drop cloths.
Plan a Day for Prep
* Don't try to get everything done in one day. Use the day before painting day to gather furniture in the center of the room, patch cracks and holes, put blue painter's tape around doors and windows, and cover wall and ceiling light fixtures (light bulbs removed, of course!) with large plastic bags.
Clear the Decks
* If you can, clear out all the furniture and accessories. Take everything off the walls. If you can't move everything out, place the furniture and lamps in the middle of the room and cover them with a good drop cloth. Be sure that you tape the cloth around the furniture. Then put a second cover of plastic or old sheet over everything.
Remove All Hardware
* It may seem easier to paint around door knobs or cabinet hinges, but unless you're a professional, very experienced painter, you're bound to get drips around. So carry around some zip top bags and remove all cabinet knobs and hinges, door knobs, light switch plates and outlet covers, and light fixtures. Place the pieces together in separate bags and clearly mark the contents and location (top left cabinet, bathroom door, etc) you took them from. This is a great time to clean the hardware! Put them back when you're done painting.
Get Yourself Ready
* No matter how hard you try, you're bound to get drips (or more) of paint on whatever you're wearing. So take off all jewelry. Reserve some old, but comfortable, clothes for your painting jobs. Slip-on shoes are easy to take off if you need to leave the room. You won't have to worry about tracking drops of paint into other rooms. When you paint the ceiling, put a scarf, shower cap, or old baseball hat over your hair and some plastic over your eyeglasses.
Don't Paint Over Problem Walls
* If your walls have holes or cracks, fix them before you start with the paint. Any home center or paint store has knowledgeable personnel to guide you to the best products for the job. Wide cracks and large holes can be "bridged" with fiberglass tape, spackle will fill small holes and cracks, and texturizing products are available to match your existing wall finish.
interior painting tips, painting, painting tips
http://interiordec.about.com
Everything You Need To Know
A room looks wonderful with a fresh coat of paint. But if you have a "Love-Hate" relationship with painting, you'll want to read our tips on getting a great finished product. You might even enjoy the project as much as the finished product!
Start Out Right
* You'll enjoy the job more if you get everything together at the start. Organize a tool station in the middle of the area you'll be working in. Gather together your paint, brushes, rollers, hammers, screwdrivers, plastic bags, plastic wrap, rags, paint can opener, and drop cloths.
Plan a Day for Prep
* Don't try to get everything done in one day. Use the day before painting day to gather furniture in the center of the room, patch cracks and holes, put blue painter's tape around doors and windows, and cover wall and ceiling light fixtures (light bulbs removed, of course!) with large plastic bags.
Clear the Decks
* If you can, clear out all the furniture and accessories. Take everything off the walls. If you can't move everything out, place the furniture and lamps in the middle of the room and cover them with a good drop cloth. Be sure that you tape the cloth around the furniture. Then put a second cover of plastic or old sheet over everything.
Remove All Hardware
* It may seem easier to paint around door knobs or cabinet hinges, but unless you're a professional, very experienced painter, you're bound to get drips around. So carry around some zip top bags and remove all cabinet knobs and hinges, door knobs, light switch plates and outlet covers, and light fixtures. Place the pieces together in separate bags and clearly mark the contents and location (top left cabinet, bathroom door, etc) you took them from. This is a great time to clean the hardware! Put them back when you're done painting.
Get Yourself Ready
* No matter how hard you try, you're bound to get drips (or more) of paint on whatever you're wearing. So take off all jewelry. Reserve some old, but comfortable, clothes for your painting jobs. Slip-on shoes are easy to take off if you need to leave the room. You won't have to worry about tracking drops of paint into other rooms. When you paint the ceiling, put a scarf, shower cap, or old baseball hat over your hair and some plastic over your eyeglasses.
Don't Paint Over Problem Walls
* If your walls have holes or cracks, fix them before you start with the paint. Any home center or paint store has knowledgeable personnel to guide you to the best products for the job. Wide cracks and large holes can be "bridged" with fiberglass tape, spackle will fill small holes and cracks, and texturizing products are available to match your existing wall finish.
interior painting tips, painting, painting tips
http://interiordec.about.com
Change Your Garden
Despite the lack of sun this summer there has still been quite a splash of colour in the garden. In my case a bit too much colour perhaps. I have several desires when it comes to changing my garden and it is time I put thoughts into action. If I do not act this Autumn next season could be a frustrating repeat.
Masters Degree in One Plant
- First I have to graduate from GCSE grade D but there is aspiration – so watch this space.
- I would like to get the best out of one type of plant. Genera, family and even species may be too wide ranging to start with but who knows.
- A real best of class performance would be a good start. Good show winning characteristics from good perennial flowers or fruit rather than vegetables.
- Due to my acquisitive nature a selection of varieties a ‘mini national collection’ is what may be in my mind.
- First chose your subject!
- I should be able to organise more harmony with less sharp contrasts. I must discipline myself not to squeeze in more plants of the wrong sort just because I like the individual plant but thereby destroying the main theme.
- I would like to have a natural flow of colour, not as in your face as purples, pinks and yellows all mixed in.
- Separating blocks of colour may be the answer and I will try with annuals. Self colour seeds rather than mixes would be a start. There are some good selections in the new catalogues.
- More unique eye catching or even startling features that make passers by want to pause
- Grow some unusual or unexpected plants to display their full pomp.
- Exploit the clever use of garden hardware as containers or weird features (like the eponymous, continually pouring watering can )
http://gardenerstips.co.ukhttp://gardenerstips.co.uk
Invasive Weeds Himalayan Balsam.
Himalayan balsam is enemy number one at Otley Chevin where this invasive weed is chocking our natural flora. Locals have been recruited to help with ‘Root it Out’ events to stop the spread of these seed propagated plants.
I have has seedlings in my garden as has my badminton partner but fortunately they are easy to up root if you get them before they seed.
Recognising Himalayan Balsam
- Himalayan Balsam is common on river banks with reddish coloured stems and dark green lance shaped leaves with jagged edges.
- The brightly coloured flowers that are usually in variable shades of purplish-pink from June to October up to 6 feet in height.
- The plant is annual and lasts for one year and dies at the end of the growing season.
- Himalayan Balsam can produce around 2,500 seeds in explosive seed pods that throw seeds over 20 feet away from the original plant. The seeds can last in the ground for several years.
- Pull out the shallow rooted plants as soon as you see them.
- Cut off below the last node near the ground and they shouldn’t regrow.
- Animals can safely graze on the plants.
- Himalayan Balsam should be sprayed in spring before flowering with Gylphosphate based weed killer.
Filed under Garden Equipment Tips, Pests, Problems and Health
http://gardenerstips.co.uk
Stylish Teens Loft Bedrooms
Stylish Teens Loft Bedrooms
bed room decorating, bed room decorating tips,
bed room decorating, bed room decorating tips,
Cool Bedroom Designs That Teen Girls Will Love
The key to decorating a teen girl's bedroom is choosing colors, themes and interests that reflect their personality. Check out these pictures for inspiration:
Light, bright colors with white accents is feminine and cottage-style, but still age-appropriate.
Bright shades like lime green and hot pink are fun and bold.
Choose a distinct color scheme, and then add interest with different materials and patterns.
Like I said: keep her interests in mind! If she plays a mean guitar, let the hard edge show in the decor.
Posters and photographs all over the room can look messy. Try creating framed collages like these to house all the pictures in an organized fashion.
Bed room colours and painting, Bed room colours and painting, bed room decorating tips, Bed room Remodeling Tips,
http://www.zimbio.com
Light, bright colors with white accents is feminine and cottage-style, but still age-appropriate.
Bright shades like lime green and hot pink are fun and bold.
Choose a distinct color scheme, and then add interest with different materials and patterns.
Like I said: keep her interests in mind! If she plays a mean guitar, let the hard edge show in the decor.
Posters and photographs all over the room can look messy. Try creating framed collages like these to house all the pictures in an organized fashion.
Bed room colours and painting, Bed room colours and painting, bed room decorating tips, Bed room Remodeling Tips,
http://www.zimbio.com
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