Designer Tips
Walls & Windows
Increase Your Window Size
Install your fabric window treatments higher and wider than your window frame. This will give the appearance of a larger window, let more light in to the room, and give you a better view out of the window.
Wall Patch
For a quick wall patch on small holes, you can use white toothpaste or mix crushed aspirin with a little water. These are quick fixes to use on small nail holes on white walls. This quick fix can also be done on colored walls. Using a fine brush or cotton swab, dab on some paint to match the color of the wall.
For larger holes, a putty or plaster mix will be your better alternative. These are available in your hardware or paint stores. Preparation and mixing will vary depending on the mix you buy. It will always be best to follow the instructions on the label. Plaster should be applied from inside out. A trowel is the best tool for this. Just be sure to smooth out the plaster. Painting will be easier if you keep surfaces flat.
If you are patching damaged plaster, it’s best to remove the old plaster first before you apply new patchwork.
Filling Blank Walls
Blank boring walls? A quick and easy guide to fill up that empty space.
The Bigger the Better
Too many knickknacks create an illusion of clutter. Avoid this by using large frames that cover more space, in a small quantity.
Keep it in the Same Frame of Mind
First and foremost have an established theme or idea. Base your art around this. I.E if your theme has some dainty pinks and cremes, you can hang up a picture of the Eiffel Tower to match the theme of elegance .
Trick Size
A small room might feel more expansive with a piece of landscape art. It's almost like looking out a window onto a vista.
Trick Width
For a long, narrow room, a piece of artwork with horizontal lines offer a calming effect and make the room look a bit wider.
Fabric & Furniture
Leather ConditioningApply mink oil (available in most pharmacies) or neat foots oil which works with a wider variety of leathers. Do not oil suede or fur and avoid petroleum and mineral oils. Remember that a little oil goes a long way. Applying too much oil can actually cause the leather to rot due to excess moisture. Apply the oil with a soft cloth or brush. Avoid using a brush on softer leather, as you will cause it to scratch or flake. Mink's oil can darken lighter leathers and should only be used on smoother hides.
Red Wine Stains
The sooner a stain is treated, the better. Blot the stain with white paper towels or a white cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible. For the remaining stain, mix equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dishwashing soap (clear) or Woolite. Apply the mixture to the stain. Rinse with water and dab with a white cloth.
Warning: Peroxide is a bleaching agent; the remedy could potentially bleach some colored fabrics. Always test a small patch before using!
Watermarks
Removing a white water mark from wood furniture is fairly easy. Spread 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise on a white paper towel. Place the paper towel on the water mark. Press down lightly. Leave the mayonnaise on the water mark for about 15 minutes. Lift the paper towel to check the stain. If the mark remains, rub more mayonnaise into the mark and recheck. The water mark should have disappeared. Reapply if necessary.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the particular finish of your furniture. The sooner a white mark is treated, the better. If in doubt, test the procedure in an inconspicuous area first. Leave the mayo on overnight for older stains. Call a refinishing specialist for advice if stain is stubborn or old. Get professional advice from an antiques expert when dealing with valuable furnishings.
Bedrooms
Pre-teen Bedrooms
Your pre-teen wants her room re-done.
Below are some trends that are popular in the tween stages.
Black and White Zebra EVERYTHING.
I don't know what it is about this certain pattern, but it just screams teen. And also, although you may not notice, it also screams maturity. The definite plus about this type of pattern, is that it goes with any solid color imaginable. Experiment with colors and see which one evokes the most emotion out of her. That will be the one.
Neon as Far as your Eye is Capable of Seeing
Always such a popular decoration and there is no wonder why. With its cheerful spirit, and inspiring look, its perfect for those "teen angst" days.
Audrey Hepburn/ The Beatles Abbey Road poster
A teenage room is not complete without either. If she's into the performing arts, she'll be into this.
The mission when redecorating is allowing your daughter to express herself and her mind through her choices of paint selection and decor. Have fun with it!
Floors
Tile RepairFirst determine if the chip can be camouflaged or, if the chip is too large, you may need to replace the whole tile. Clean the chipped area with soap and water and let it dry thoroughly. Tape the surrounding areas of the damaged tile to protect it from the primer. Apply a small amount of oil based primer/sealer to the chipped section of the tile. Paint the damaged section of the tile with oil-based paint so that it matches the color and finish (glossy or matte) of the tile. Do not try to fill in the entire void with paint. When the paint is dry, cover the chipped area with clear epoxy. This will fill in the void and bring the damaged area to the same level as the rest of the tile.
Other
Choosing the Right Color
Before painting a new room, always step back and give the color a second thought. Think of what feelings the color will convey . Remember a picture is worth a 1000 words, but an ugly color on the wall speaks for itself. This is the general chart of colors.Pink: fun, lively, positive and feminine
Red: passionate, daring, intimate, comforting, stimulates appetite
Orange: stimulates creativity, evokes warmth and coziness
Yellow: welcoming, sunny, and linked to promoting intelligence
Green: tranquil, invigorating, restful and balancing
Blue: clear thinking, calm, meditative
Violet: stimulating, sexy, blue-violets are cooling, spiritual
Now that you are properly educated in design theory, pick up your paint brush, and get to work Picasso.
Uncluttering your Bathroom
How to improve your bathroom in a matter of one weekend:
You do not have to re-construct your bathroom in order to enjoy new and fresh looks.
Every single one of these ideas will help you fall back in love with your bathroom.
Get rid of the unecessaries.
Completely clean out your medicine cabinet. Review each product one by one. Once you begin to see the completely useless things you are holding in your hand, you will then become motivated to throw things out. TOSS THEM, you really wont need them.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Now that you have your product necessities in order, you now can start organizing them. Things like inexpensive containers, plastic bins, and see through cosmetic bags are a great help when trying to maximize my storing capacity.
Hooks to hang things.
We all know what towel racks and hooks are used for, hanging towels. But how about using that hook that came with the house for a different purpose, like decoration?
A little color never hurt anybody.
A change of wall color for a bathroom, may be exactly what you need to have that feeling of satisfaction. Go with warm colors, such as rich yellows and cremes.
These simple things can be done in one weekend, with close to no money. Small details like these can change your's and your guest's perspective on your bathroom.