Prairie homes: October 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Beach Decor Ideas

Enlarge and frame your own ocean photos to save money.

Bring a piece of the ocean home with you by adorning your living area with seashells, starfish, custom art and other decor pieces that remind you of the vast beauty of the ocean and beach scenery. Chose to decorate one room with a beach theme, or create an entire beach-inspired house with different aspects of the beach or ocean highlighted in each room.

Paint Colors

Choose colors that create an ocean-like feel in your home. Shades of peach, baby blue and lavender all work well for a beach theme. Dark colors don't usually look good unless you paint one large accent wall. Choose your colors carefully if you decide to feature darker shades. Shades of plum and burgundy don't enhance a beach theme, but a navy blue or forest green accent wall can work. However, it also depends on the type of decor pieces you plan to incorporate in your home. Choose colors that complement what you already have or plan to buy. Blue and white vertical stripes also work well for a nautical or beach theme.

Paintings

Go to art galleries or shop online for discounts on beach-themed paintings. Select one or two large paintings for your living room area. Choose smaller paintings for other rooms in the house. Ocean sunsets, rocky beaches or sunny beach paintings all work well for a beach-themed home. Ensure that the colors in the painting blend well with other beach decor and furniture in your home.

Wall Decor

Create finishing touches for your beach theme by adorning the walls with beach wall art. Hang up beach-themed wall clocks, lifesaving floats and custom art that you make. You can make a seashell collage by gluing small flat seashells on sandpaper and framing your creation.

Mantel and Table Decor

Dress up your beach home with bottles filled with sand and seashells from the ocean. Place these bottles on the mantel or above kitchen cabinets. Cobalt blue bottles look attractive with a beach theme. Include wooden boats, lighthouses and large seashells on the mantel as well. Create a beach-theme table centerpiece by placing white and blue candles on the middle of your table and surrounding the candles with seashells. Choose white and blue furnishings and curtains.

Caulk Exterior Home windows

Sealing exterior windows cuts heating and cooling costs, repels moisture to prevent rot and discourages ants and other insects. Spending an afternoon with a caulking gun can mean big savings on future utility bills and repair or replacement costs of your expensive home windows. Applying caulk is a fairly simple process which anyone can do with a little patience. Take a few things into consideration before you begin your caulking project.

Instructions

Buying Caulking Supplies

1. Choosing the right kind of caulk can be challengeing since there are dozens. Check with your window manufacturer for specific recommendations, or follow a couple of simple guidelines. If you plan to paint the surface to be caulked, use plain old fashioned painter's caulk, which is by far the cheapest and easiest to use.

2. Choose a caulk for pre-painted or not-to-be-painted surfaces that is labeled for doors and windows in a color that complements your window frames.

3. Buy one tube per window, plus extra. If you're a beginner, you will use more than you think. Buy a medium-grade caulking gun. It should be heavy duty but affordable. Get one with a tube cutte--usually a hole by the trigger--and folding steel probe.

Loading Up

4. Cut the tube end to create an opening about the size of the average gap to be filled. If it is too small, it will cause a buildup of pressure with messy results. If it is oo large, it will cause an overflow of caulking and leave a messy looking seal.

5. Use the folding probe--a little silver wire attached with a rivet underneath the barrel of the gun--to poke the foil seal on the tube by poking it down into the nozzle until you feel pressure and a slight pop or tear.

6. Pull the plunger all the way back by releasing the thumb button, and insert the tube. Slide the plunger up tight, and give the trigger a slight squeeze. You should see caulk rising in the nozzle.

Applying caulk

7. Remove old caulk if needed with a wood chisel or flat screw driver. Clean any debris or loose dirt or mortar. Fill a small container with water and keep a towel handy. Begin at tthe inside of the frame and work from top to bottom to avoid messes. Caulk all visible seams, avoiding joints that need to open.

8. Keep steady pressure on the trigger. Push the thumb button to relieve pressure if the caulk is overflowing. Allow a small rounded bead to build up, and try to get each line from corner to corner in a single motion.

9. Work each seam by wetting an index finger and dragging it down the line to compact the caulking into the joint, and remove the excess. Wash the excess off with water. Keeping your finger wet is the key to a smooth finish.

Remove Flaky Fresh paint

Flaking paint is often an indication of a larger problem.

If paint is flaking from a surface, usually one of two things has occurred: the paint was low-quality or not applied correctly, or the surface is taking on moisture somehow. If you suspect the second of the two, the first step to repairing the damage is preventing it from happening again, but once the moisture buildup is prevented, you're left with a peeling, flaking mess. Removing flaky paint can be a labor-intensive job, depending on how large a space you need to repair, but most homeowners manage it without the help of a professional.

Instructions

1. Line the floor below the flaking paint with plastic or tarp to catch the debris.

2. Remove fixtures from the flaking surface, such as lights, sconces or ceiling fans, to ensure complete removal of all flaking paint.

3. Scrap the flaking paint with a metal paint scraper. Place the paint scraper almost flat against the surface and push underneath the paint to lift it away. Remove as much paint as possible by scraping.

4. Sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining loose paint and smooth well-adhered paint. When the entire surface is smooth, you are ready to refinish it with the primer and paint of your choice.

Fresh paint A Kitchen Accent Wall

Apply masking tape to the accent wall when painting straight lines.

When you paint an accent wall in your kitchen, you visually create a separate area. Make certain you choose the correct wall as an accent--the wrong wall will only look odd. Use a color wheel if you need help deciding what color to paint your accent wall. For example, the bold primary colors of blue, yellow and red can work in a kitchen if you want a dramatic look. Or choose secondary colors of orange, green and purple, made from mixing the primary colors. Look also at complementary colors, which sit across from one another on the color wheel.

Instructions

Select the Accent Wall

1. Look around your kitchen for the wall that provides the most open area. For example, select a clear, bare wall without windows or doors unless you want to frame a window with a great view.

2. Look for a natural focal point in your kitchen. Where do your eyes naturally go when entering your kitchen? Examples of a focal point include a seating area in your kitchen, an interesting niche in one of the walls, or a backsplash area.

3. Create a focal point if you cannot find one in your kitchen. Display your favorite painting or plant on a wall as a focal point and make that wall your accent wall.

4. Choose the color you want to paint your accent wall, once you select the wall space. Pick a deeper color for your accent wall.

5. Paint your accent wall in the same shade as the other walls in the kitchen but two shades darker for a technique that always works. Check the color wheel for ideas if necessary.

6. Notice the decor you already have in your kitchen. If you have something like a tea set of a certain color you display as decoration, paint your accent wall in that color.

7. Select a color for the nearby walls in the kitchen also. Choose a color that complements the accent color and choose one in the same tone or brightness as the accent wall. In this way, the adjacent kitchen walls support the accent wall. For example, if you choose a muted color for your accent wall, select a complementary muted color for the surrounding walls.

8. Paint the most distant wall if you have an oblong-shaped kitchen and make that your accent wall. This will visually bring the distant wall closer, changing the shape of your kitchen.

Painting the Accent Wall

9. Mask the accent wall you selected. Use masking tape to make straight lines bordering the wall. Use painter's tape to protect moldings and any window frames.

10. Spread newspapers and plastic drop cloths on the floor in the painting area. The newspapers absorb paint spills and keep you from slipping.

11. Clean the accent wall with a mild detergent and warm water.

12. Prime your accent wall. Primer seals the surface of the wall, allowing the paint job to reveal a richer color and look more professional. Prime the wall also if stained, otherwise the stain will come through your paint. Save time by spot priming if the wall has a few small stains.

13. Pour the paint in the tray and load the paint roller with paint.

14. Paint a giant, 3-foot "W" on the wall with your paint roller. Fill in the "W" without lifting the roller off the wall. Move from side to side as you paint the accent wall.

Cost A Designing Job

Detail planning is needed when pricing a decorating job.

Estimating the cost of a decorating job can be a complicated task with the enormous amount of product choices available today. There are products on the market for every price range and budget. Decorating your home can be overwhelming. Choosing the fabrics, materials, furniture, window treatments, accessories and paint color are all part of the decorating process. With a plan in hand, and paying attention to the details, you can achieve the look that you are looking for and stay within a budget.

Instructions

1. Set up a binder with tabs for each major section of the decorating job. For instance a decorating project for a complete living room would need tabs for furniture, paint, flooring, area rugs, window treatments, and accessories.

2. Plan your project in detail. Cut pictures out of magazines to create a dream board for the project. Make a wish list of all of the items that you would love to have. Include products for the walls, floors, windows and furniture.

3. Estimate the cost of your wish list. Create a spreadsheet listing all the items that need purchasing for the decorating project. Research costs on the internet and enter them next to each item.

4. Get bids from painters, wallpaper hangers, carpet installers and hardwood installers. Get price quotes for the furniture, window treatments and accessories from an interior design studio.

Enter the quotes on the spreadsheet. Get more than one bid from contractors and designers to compare costs.

5. Determine a budget that is affordable for you. Add up the rough estimate cost of the project on the spreadsheet. Compare your budget allowance with the rough estimate of the decorating job.

6. Adjust the decorating items to meet your budget. Substitute name brands and expensive items with affordable items. Plan to purchase a few quality products such as an easy chair, dining table or area rug. Allow generous estimates to account for any price increases or hidden costs. Plan to purchase items later that you want, but cannot afford now.

7. Hire an interior designer to help plan your project. Give the interior designer a budget to work with.

8. Plan a time frame to complete the project. Time your purchases to same money shopping for sales, out of season and clearance items.

Fresh paint An Instrument Online

Using a virtual editor, you can design and paint your own guitar online.

If you're interested in designing and painting your own guitar, you can get some inspiration by creating a virtual guitar online. There are websites that allow you to design a guitar with your own custom colors, wood choice and controls. This tutorial will show you use Bailey's guitar design interface to create a one-of-a-kind instrument.

Instructions

1. Open the Virtual Guitar Builder by selecting "Design a Guitar" from the menu on the left-hand side of the Bailey website.

2. Select the paint colors for your guitar by clicking on one of the options in the color palette. You can add many different colors by changing the "see-through level" and by adding different colors on each layer. Add bursts of color to the inner and outer ring of the guitar by clicking on the tab and selecting a color from the list.

3. Select "Neck" from the menu at the bottom of the editor. You can modify the type of fretboard wood, the inlay, headstock tuner and nut with this menu.

4. Select "Pickup" from the menu at the bottom of the editor. From this menu, you can select the different paint colors and styles for a variety of pickups and mount rings. Click and drag the item into the desired location.

5. Select "Controls" from the bottom menu to add knobs and switches on your instrument. There are a variety of styles and colors to choose from. Use your mouse to drag and drop the control onto your guitar.

6. Select "Bridge" from the menu at the bottom of the editor to add a Tremolo or non-Tremolo bridge to your instrument. Bridges also come in different styles and colors, and will appear automatically on your instrument.

7. Select "Others" from the bottom menu to change the colors of the screws, strap pin and add color to the background of your guitar.

Remove Dried Latex Fresh paint From The Carpet

Remove Dried Latex Paint From a Carpet

When latex paint spills or otherwise finds its way to carpet, it is best to clean it as soon as possible. However, sometimes latex paint has the opportunity to dry and then leaves behind a seemingly permanent stain. Fortunately, there are several proven methods that will leave carpet looking as though the paint was never there.

Instructions

Remove the Stain with WD-40

1. Scrape away as much of the stain as possible using a razor blade or knife.

2. Clean up any loose paint from scraping at the stain. A broom and dustpan may be very helpful.

3. Apply WD-40 to the stain, being sure to cover the entire area and work it in with a clean white cloth. This will help to soften the stain.

4. Allow the WD-40 to sit on the stain for 20 minutes.

5. Scrape the area again to remove any residual paint.

6. Scrub the area with a clean white cloth dipped in a mixture of 2 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap in 1 quart of warm water.

7. Rinse the area with clear water and allow to dry.

Remove the Stain with Nail Polish Remover

8. Scrape the area with a razor and remove as much dried paint as possible.

9. Apply nail polish remover to a clean white cloth and work it gently into the stain.

10. Scrape the stain again using the razor to remove the rest of the paint.

11. Scrub the area with a clean white cloth dipped in a mixture of 2 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap in 1 quart of warm water.

12. Rinse the area with clear water and allow to dry.

Remove the Stain with Vinegar

13. Mix 1 tbsp. of detergent, 1 tbsp. of vinegar and 1 quart of warm water in a bowl.

14. Dip a sponge into the mixture and wring it out, leaving enough moisture to apply on the stain.

15. Scrub the stain gently with the sponge, applying more of the mixture as needed.

16. Rinse the area with clear water and allow to dry.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Remove Dried Acrylic Fresh paint From Fabric

Acrylic paint can get on clothes and fabrics extremely easily when doing craft projects, especially if you add kids to the mix. Although the myth prevails that acrylic paints cannot be removed and the clothing or material must be thrown out, there are a few steps you can take to salvage your clothing or blankets. Luckily, you can do this using simple household materials.

Instructions

1. Place the fabric with the stain under the tap and run warm water directly over the stain. Don't get carried away. Just let enough run to wet the fabric a little bit.

2. Lay your fabric on a hard surface, such as a table, ironing board or washing machine.

3. Apply rubbing alcohol to cotton balls and generously smear over the stain. Alternately, spray some hairspray from the can directly and generously over the stain.

4. Scrub the stain, using a toothbrush or laundry scrubber, until it starts to break up.

5. Run the stain under the warm water again. If there is still a stain after you have performed this process, repeat by placing the rubbing alcohol or hairspray on the stain again.

6. Place in the washing machine and wash as directed.

Faux Fresh paint A Door

Collect the materials you'll need to faux paint the door ahead of time.

Faux painting an old door can give it new life, and is not so much harder than faux painting other surfaces. If this is your first time faux painting at all, you should start with a surface like scrap board or illustration board -- something that can easily be thrown away or painted over again if you mess up. Once you've painted your door, you may be stuck with the results. For those who have never faux painted before, it is not as easy as you may think -- it requires a lot of experience and painting skills.

Instructions

1. Remove the door from its hinges if the hinges will be in the way of the painting, or cover the hinges with painter's tape to prevent the hinges from becoming ruined by the painting process. Use a screw driver to do this. If you leave the door in the frame, close it securely during the painting process and cover the doorknob with a bag, taped on with painter's tape. If you remove the door from the frame, remove the doorknob.

2. Clean the door with a sponge and soapy water. Dry the door with a soft, clean rag.

3. Sand the door with medium or fine grain sandpaper, if the door has been painted previously, to remove any chips and smooth any pocks in the paint.

4. Choose the type of faux surface you wish to paint on the door, if you have not done so already. Study the surface you wish to paint and determine what materials you will need to achieve the desired textures you see in that surface. If you have not previously painted the particular type of faux surface you've selected, practice on a scrap board before applying the faux surface to the actual door.

5. Paint the base coat using a roller and give it time to dry. As it dries, prepare the painting materials for the subsequent layers.

6. Paint the subsequent layers on one side of the door and let the door dry.

7. Paint the subsequent layers on the other side of the door and let the door dry.

8. Reattach the door knob and reattach the door to the frame, or remove the painter's tape from the hinges and door knob, if you left the door in the frame.

Distressed Look Painting Technique

Distressed looking furniture that seems to be the product of years of neglect can really add a lot of charm and character to certain decorating styles, such as Old World, country, cottage, French provincial or shabby chic. Distressed painting is fairly easy to do,and can be very authentic looking. One technique is inexpensive and simple, and requires nothing more than basic painting supplies and a candle.

Selecting and Preparing Furniture

Plain, solid wood furniture is usually the easiest to paint and looks most authentic when distressed since old furniture is commonly made of wood. Stained or previously painted wood pieces need not be stripped or primed, but they should be sanded first. Old wood furniture should be thoroughly cleaned with a mixture of one part ammonia to three parts water to remove any dust or grease that may have built up over the years.

Distressed paint jobs can be successfully applied to furniture that is veneered, Formica or even plastic with a little more effort and preparation. The key to making non-wood furniture work is a good, heavy sanding of all surfaces first to give the item a "tooth" so it will accept paint. After sanding and cleaning with a damp rag, the piece is given a coat or two of a good primer such as Kilz, which is allowed to dry before proceeding.

The Base Coat

Two to three latex paint colors are needed to achieve this technique, as the technique can be done with two to three layers of paint. Contrasting or complimentary colors help the piece look more dramatic and stand out more than shades that are similar. Whichever color is chosen for the top coat will be the most dominant in the piece, the others will merely act as accent colors, peeking out from underneath distressed topcoats. Whichever is chosen for the base coat will be least visible.

The base coat should be applied first over the furniture, either directly over the solid wood or over primer, then allowed to dry thoroughly for at least 24 hours.

The piece is then rubbed in random areas that would naturally be more worn after years of use. Corners and edges are common places to first show the signs of wear, or where feet may have gone, up or; for chairs, where backs, arms and backsides may have rubbed. The candle should be rubbed firmly to leave streaks of wax behind on the piece wherever it might have worn out naturally.

Layering Subsequent Coats

The second, different color coat of paint is applied over the first, and as it dries, the waxy areas underneath become evident. The wax prevents the paint from taking to the furniture. Once the second coat is completely dry, the waxed areas are sanded off with sand paper, exposing the base coat below. Wood furniture can be sanded further so that some of the wood underneath the base coat is exposed as well, but furniture made of other non-wood materials that have been primed should only expose the base coat .

At that point, the piece may be wiped clean with a rag and considered finished. However even more depth and texture can be added by doing a third coat of paint. After the second coat dries, the piece should again be rubbed with the candle, in some new places and over some of the previously sanded and exposed areas. A third coat of paint in a different color is applied and allowed to dry. Again, the waxy areas are sanded, and the piece is finally wiped clean with a damp rag.

Remove Concrete Splatter From Vinyl Siding

Concrete splatter on your vinyl-sided home or business is an unsightly scenario to contend with. The obvious solution to removing the spattered-on cement is to wash it off the vinyl siding before it has a chance to fully harden. While cleaning the cement off your vinyl siding as soon as possible is ideal, it may be impossible if the area near the afflicted area is surrounded by wet concrete. The next best solution is to use specially formulated chemicals or home remedies to clean off the splatter without damaging your siding.

Instructions

1. Chip away small chunks of concrete from your siding with a putty knife. For areas with a large amount of splatter, using a putty knife may not be feasible. For siding that has a porous or faux wood grain, spray the affected area liberally with white vinegar to soften the concrete while scrubbing it away with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the siding off thoroughly with water after using the scrub brush to clean off any remaining residue.

2. Mix one part water and one part sugar and apply it to thick concrete splatters. Let the sugar water eat away and soften the concrete before scrubbing the area with a stiff brush. Rinse the area off with water and repeat the sugar solution, if necessary.

3. Apply heavy-duty concrete dissolver to particularly stubborn splatter areas. The commercially available concrete dissolver is biodegradable and will not harm your vinyl siding. Follow the directions on the product in order to see the best cleaning results.

Mix Stucco With Color

Mix stucco for stand-out color

Stucco is another name for the product called Portland cement. Stucco mixes thin enough to become a plaster, and takes well to pressed or molded patterns before drying. It used to be that the only color choices for stucco were white and gray, which were the basic colors of the cement itself. But now, many hardware stores offer stucco coloring pigments that will give you several different choices for the colors that suit your needs.

Instructions

1. Fill your bucket with the recommended amount of water for the stucco that you will be using. Stucco mixes from different companies will require differing amounts of water, so follow the package directions closely.

2. Add in a colored pigment to the water. Although there will be directions on how much pigment to add for the shade of color you desire, you can use your own judgment, as well.

3. Mix the water with your mixing stick to disperse the pigment until the color is uniform throughout.

4. Pour in the stucco powder and mix it together with the colored water. Keep mixing until the powder has absorbed all of the colored water. It is now ready to apply to your walls.

What Colors To Fresh paint Kitchen areas

If you're planning to give your kitchen a fresh coat of paint, why not combine different colors to add interest while you're at it? A kitchen is a gathering place where you want guests and family to feel welcome. Having the right colors for your kitchen will accomplish that and maximize its potential.

Modern Appliances

If you have a black refrigerator, stove and dishwasher, choose contrasting paint colors such as a warm beige or burnt orange, which will balance and enhance the black color. Or, paint one wall in a shade of caramel and another wall a darker shade of the same color. White or pastel shades will create too much contrast against the black surfaces. Stainless steel appliances work well with most any color, since the steel gray color is neutral. However, consider colors that will balance the coolness of steel, such as deep reds or a pumpkin orange.

Go With the Flow

Consider the decor in the other rooms of your home. A kitchen painted in bright colors would be jarring in a house with a living room and dining room decorated in neutral colors. The colors don't have to be identical, but should be complementary. If you have dark earth tones in a living room, choose lighter earth tones for an adjoining kitchen to maintain the general flow.

Open Floor Plan

If you have an open floor plan where your family room and kitchen area share the same space, do your best to match the color schemes of the two spaces. Paint the living room in a neutral color, and add a faux finish texture for visual interest. If you have older white appliances, consider painting the walls in both areas a light gray. Or try a faux finish for texture, using a pale green base coat followed by a white sponged-on glaze.

Visualize

Visit a paint manufacturer's website that has an online color visualizer, such as sherwinwilliams.com. Choose one of the kitchen plans and try out a variety of colors. Or, visit roomvues.com, where you can upload images of your kitchen to get advice and information about paint choices.

Experiment

Bring home some paint chips or paint samples from a home improvement store. Apply the sample color in an inconspicuous area to see how it works with the lighting, flooring and cabinets. Tape some paint chips to your cabinets. Consider painting the cabinets if the current color doesn't work with the floors, ceilings and appliances.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Connect Colors With The House

Choose complementary colors for a cohesive design.

A coordinated color scheme can can improve the look of your home. Repeated building materials throughout the home, including flooring and cabinetry, is a good place to start. Even if these selections have already been made in your home, you can still define spaces and create a pleasing palette with carefully chosen paint colors and appropriate furniture and accessories.

Instructions

1. Select your flooring as the starting point for your color scheme. Stick to three or fewer types of flooring, such as hardwood, tile and carpet. If possible, use the same hardwood floor in multiple rooms. If your flooring is already in place and you don't plan to change it, take note of its colors. The colors of your floors will help you select paint colors and other materials. For example, if you have a dark floor, you need a lighter tone on the walls so that you don't make the space seem small.

2. Coordinate your cabinetry with your hardwood flooring. The cabinets should not be the exact same color as the floors, but their colors should complement each other. Avoid using cabinetry with a drastically different wood grain than the floors. Built-in storage units can be a shade lighter or darker than the floors. White built-ins contrast well with wood flooring.

3. Repeat the same building materials throughout the house to create a cohesive design. If the kitchen has granite countertops, the granite can also be used on the bathroom vanity or as a tile surround on a fireplace. Kitchen and bathroom backsplashes in the same color and design help connect the color scheme in different areas of the house.

4. Pick paint colors that complement the floors. One option is to choose a paint color that is present as an undertone in the floor. Don't fall into the trap of painting all rooms the same color; this can end up looking drab and is not necessary for a cohesive design. The paint colors in the house can vary from room to room but should be in the same color family. Paint card swatches can help you identify colors in the same color family. Select colors that are in the same position on the swatches to get colors that will coordinate well.

5. Select wood furnishings that are different colors than the wood flooring so that the colors don't blend into each other. Similarly, the upholstery on furniture should contrast with the floors.

6. Add accessories and artwork to enhance your color scheme. Art pieces should pick up colors from the room. Place similar artwork in coordinating rooms. Add accessories of the same color in various rooms. A pillow in the living room, a throw in the den and towels in the bathroom that are all the same color help connect the color throughout the home.

Textures In Sketchup

SketchUp's 'Materials' window has an option for changing the transparency of textures.

Adding textures in the 3-D design program Google SketchUp lets you add realism to the models in your scenes. For example, you can apply a wood-grain texture to the floor of a virtual house you've designed to resemble a hardwood floor. You can also apply a grass texture to a terrain object to simulate a green landscape. To add textures either to models or to a gallery of textures, use SketchUp's "Materials" window, where you apply existing textures and create new ones.

Instructions

Add Textures to the Material Gallery

1. Open SketchUp. Then click the "Windows" menu.

2. Click the "Materials" item to display the window for creating and editing textures. The window displays a gallery of predefined textures. The texture you'll add will appear in this gallery.

3. Click the "+" button near the top of the window. SketchUp will open a dialog box that enables you to enter the path for the texture file and parameters for the texture.

4. Type in the text box at the top of the dialog box a name for the new texture. Use a relevant name that describes the image in the texture file you'll load. For example, if you want to load in a brick texture, type "brick" in the text box.

5. Click the "Use image" checkbox, which tells SketchUp you want to load a texture from an image file. SketchUp will display a dialog box that allows you to navigate to the texture file.

6. Double-click the folder containing the texture file you want to load.

7. Double-click the texture file you want to load. If you don't have a texture file, load any kind of graphic file. This will be sufficient to provide some kind of texture.

8. Drag the color slider if you want to change the default color of the loaded texture image.

9. Click "OK" to complete setting the parameters for the texture. SketchUp will return you to the gallery of available textures. Notice that SketchUp has added the image file you loaded to the gallery.

Add Textures to Models

10. Open an existing scene in SketchUp. Ensure the scene has at least one object you can add a texture to.

11. Click the "Window" menu.

12. Click the "Materials" item to open the toolset for managing and applying textures.

13. Click one of the textures that SketchUp displays in a gallery of the "Materials" window. SketchUp will turn the mouse cursor into a paint bucket. This means that SketchUp has loaded the texture you clicked and is ready to apply it to an object.

14. Click any of the objects in the scene. SketchUp will add the texture to the object.

Exterior Trim Suggestions For Brick Houses

Choose a trim color that either matches or brightens your brick home's exterior.

Brick homes feature a traditional and rustic exterior, but the distinct color and texture of brick present a design challenge for homeowners. Choosing an appropriate trim color for your brick home can mean the difference between a bright or well-executed exterior and a drab or dingy looking exterior. Choose a trim color that either creates a dramatic color contrast or a seamless transition between the brick color and the trim color.

Classic White

The rich red color of brick is often speckled with black or brown that contribute to a sense of darkness or drabness in a home's exterior. To add a bit of brightness to the home without creating a distracting contrast, opt for trim in a shade of white. A stark white creates a crisp contrast that looks natural rather than distracting. For a more subtle framing effect, choose a slightly creamy or off-white shade with barely-there warm undertones in yellow or red. White trim is particularly effective when paired with a white porch or white wooden staircase to carry the white throughout the exterior design.

Gray

Gray is a modern color choice that updates a home. Gray is especially well suited for brick homes because of the grout between individual bricks. Choose a gray trim color that matches the same color of your brick grout or a gray that is one shade lighter or darker. Pairing a brick home with gray trim around the windows, doors or roof line tones down the red color by drawing attention to the grout rather than the brick itself. The end result is more subtle than white trim but still creates a clean, modern and cohesive exterior design.

Earth Tones

Brick homes usually create a rustic feel that can be complemented with trim painted in earth tones. To remain within the warm, dark palette opt for a brown; chocolate brown carries the richness of the brick color through the trim while a more subtle tan or espresso shade creates a seamless color scheme. If you want to add a bit more color to your home's exterior, choose a rustic evergreen that pulls colors from your home's landscape into your exterior design. A more modern option for including green into your exterior is a dark olive green with subtle gray undertones. Avoid colors that are too saturated or pastel like blues or yellows that compete with the dominant red color of the brick.

Remove Acrylic Fresh paint From Skin

Acrylic paint is fast-drying, so unless it's removed immediately from skin, it can be hard to take off. Acrylics can be diluted with water when wet, but once dry, water will not be able to take them off. Techniques other than the traditional soap-and-water method must be used. A combination of oil and rubbing alcohol can be used to take spilled acrylic paint off of skin.

Instructions

1. Pour baby oil over the paint stain on your skin.

2. Use your fingers to rub the oil into the paint to help break it up. Use your fingernails to gently scrape the paint off.

3. Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball.

4. Dab it on the paint that didn't come off with baby oil.

Fresh paint Problems Fresh paint Will not Stay With Exterior Wood Siding

Careful preparation of the surface will help paint adhere properly.

Painting your house can be a big job that requires time and effort, as well as proper painting techniques, to ensure that the task is done right. Wood siding may need some amount of preparation before you can begin painting, such as repair of broken areas, removing mold and mildew and old coatings. Proper preparation of the surface will prevent problems, including when paint won't stick to dirty or mildewed siding.

About Wood Siding

Consumers have a number of options in terms of wood siding for their homes. Pine, spruce, fir, redwood and cedar are some of the common woods used for siding, according to Bob Vila. Wood siding can last for many years, and regular maintenance of the siding can help preserve its appearance and extend its longevity. Proper care of wood siding includes cleaning, repairing damaged areas and periodic staining or painting of the surface.

Preparing Wood Siding For Painting

Repair any loose areas and replace any damaged or deteriorated siding before you prepare the wood siding for repainting. Wood siding should be thoroughly cleaned before painting. Dirt, grease, pollution and plant fluids can build up on the surface, preventing the paint from creating the chemical bond that adheres the coating to the surface of the wood. Many homeowners use pressure washers for cleaning wood siding, but this equipment must be used judiciously to prevent damaging the wood fibers. This damage can lead to more problems with the wood over time. Use the lowest spray setting on the pressure washer so that you do not cause this type of damage on the wood surface. Homeowners must also remove any mold growth from the surface of the wood. Mold can be removed with straight bleach or oxygen bleach and a stiff brush. The old paint and stain must be scraped off of the wood. Sanding the wood will remove the old coatings and create a good base for the new paint.

Proper Paint Techniques

For traditional wood siding, start at the top and work downward. Paint the trim with a paintbrush, carefully covering all surfaces. Painting wood shingles, in particular, can be an arduous task. The best method is to carefully paint all surfaces of the shingles before they are attached to the house, according to home improvement expert Tim Carter at the Ask The Builder website. If the shingles are already installed, pay particular attention to covering areas in between shingles to ensure that the protective paint coats all surfaces.

Fresh paint A Good Work Out Room

While you want an inspiring, cool color for your workout room, you also want a paint with low fumes.

Because the air that you breathe is just as important to your health as it is to maintain a regular exercise routine, it's important to consider what type of paint to use on the walls in a workout room. While the painting process for a workout room is similar to that of painting any other room, you will want to make sure that you use paint that has low fumes and fewer harsh chemicals. That way, during your workout, you won't be breathing in unhealthy toxins.

Instructions

1. Choose a low-fume paint for the workout room. Latex paint, rather than oil-based, tends to have weaker fumes, but for even fewer fumes, look for paints that are labeled low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) or no-VOC. These paints are usually a little more expensive, but worth it when you want to keep an environment especially healthy.

2. Move all of the exercise equipment to the center of the room or to one side of the room if it is a small room. You can later shift the equipment to the other side of the room for painting if necessary.

3. Cover the exercise equipment with a drop cloth, old sheet or tarp. Even if you don't plan on painting anywhere near the equipment, a single unfortunate accident could ruin your equipment or leave it with unsightly paint splatters, making a little prevention worth the effort.

4. Remove any wall hangings, outlet covers and switch plates. Store any screws in a small cup so they don't get lost. Set the covers or hangings aside in a safe place.

5. Wipe down the baseboards with a damp rag to remove any clinging dirt or dust. Paint will not adhere well to dirty or dusty surfaces.

6. Tape off any areas that you don't wish to paint, such as around windows, the ceiling or door frames, using painter's tape.

7. Paint a thin first layer of paint in the corners and along the edges of the walls using a paint brush. Be sure to paint any areas with the brush that a paint roller might have trouble reaching.

8. Roll a thin layer of paint on all the walls, using a paint roller. Work in one section at a time, turning the roller various directions to ensure coverage.

9. Wait 2 to 4 hours for the first coat of paint to dry completely.

10. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to apply a second coat of paint. If necessary, depending on the color you are using and the base color of the walls, a third coat may also be necessary. Be sure to let the walls dry completely between coats.

11. Remove painter's tape after the last coat of paint is completely dry.

The Typical Price Of An In Ground Pool

For many families, building an in-ground pool is part of the American dream. The addition of a swimming pool provides endless hours of summer fun for children and adults alike, and increases the value of your home. But before you sign a contract to build, you should do your homework to determine if building a pool is right for you.

Type of Pool

There are just two types of in-ground backyard swimming pools: fiberglass and gunite.

A fiberglass pool is prefabricated from a mold, trucked to the site and lowered into the hole with a crane. Fiberglass pools come with many advantages like lifetime warranties, ease of cleaning and reduced chemical usage. But along with these advantages comes the limitation of size and shape.

A gunite pool has reinforcement bars lining the hole that are shot with a concrete-like material, then finished with plaster. Warranties generally cover a few years and the porous plaster allows algae to penetrate, making brushing and cleaning a bigger job. But the homeowner can design any size, shape and depth of pool he desires.

Cost of Excavation

Whether you choose a fiberglass or gunite pool, a hole has to be dug. If you're fortunate enough to live in an area where the soil is soft, the cost to excavate usually runs around $800.00 to $1,500.00. Those who live in soil conditions that include boulders, rocks or caliche (hardened deposits of calcium carbonates), the cost to excavate cannot be predicted. It is not unusual in areas like Las Vegas for a pool excavation to run as high as $20,000.

For either type of pool, pumps and filters cost around $3,500. Include a natural gas heater and add anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the size of the pool.

Cost of a Fiberglass Pool

Depending on the shape and size of the pool, the shell will cost from $15,000 to $25,000 installed, not counting the excavation or accessories. The benefit of a fiberglass pool is that construction time is usually less than three weeks.

Cost of Gunite Pool

To many homeowners, a gunite swimming pool adds a touch of class over a fiberglass model. Pool design is virtually limitless, and the cost to build is much higher compared to a molded shell. Again, not counting digging costs, an average-sized gunite pool will cost anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000. The drawback to a gunite pool is the time of construction, which is usually two to three months.

Obtain Soil Report

If you don't have the soil report that came with your house, ask your neighbors what the underground soil is like. As a last resort you may have to hire a company to come to your home and drill to obtain soil samples. It's better to know in advance than to discover after signing the contract that three feet under your backyard is solid rock.

Monday, October 28, 2013

On Which Surfaces Use Waterbased Acrylic Offers

Acrylic paints can be used straight from the tube or diluted with acrylic medium.

Water-based acrylic paints are very versatile and can be used on a wide range of surfaces. Unlike oil paints, they dry quickly, and therefore provide a practical alternative to achieve quick results. Traditionally they have been used to paint on canvas, but can also be applied to a variety of different surfaces providing they are suitably prepared.

Canvas

Canvas is the traditional surface for artists to paint on with acrylics. Prepare a canvas for painting by applying several layers of gesso. Sand each layer once dry to create a perfectly smooth work surface. Apply acrylic paint directly to the canvas if the slightly pitted texture of the canvas is preferred.

Paper or Board

Apply water-based acrylics directly to paper. Choose a heavy weight of paper to prevent buckling. Stretch lighter weights of paper before applying the paint. Cut illustration board to the required shape or size; it is less bulky to store than a large canvas. Prime board with gesso or acrylic medium if required.

Wood and Masonite

Wood is a traditional surface for acrylic painting. Masonite is a more modern material. Cut these materials to the required size. Apply a primer of gesso or acrylic medium before painting to seal the surface; wood will absorb acrylic paint and masonite contains tannins that will damage work if left unsealed. Mount large sheets of masonite on a wooden support frame to prevent warping.

Other Surfaces

Use acrylic paints to create large murals on interior and exterior brick or plaster walls; they offer a versatility and depth of color that ordinary house paint cannot match. Apply to a well-primed surface to achieve a good degree of weather resistance. Wash previously painted surfaces with soap and water. Apply a primer coat for better adhesion. Seal and protect exterior murals with an artist-quality varnish.

Fabric

Mix water-based fluid acrylics with fabric medium to apply directly to fabric. Paint your designs directly on to the fabric. Some fading may occur with washing but the color should hold.

Remove Acrylic Latex Fresh paint

Remove acrylic latex paint from clothes, carpet or wood floors.

Acrylic latex paint has several advantages over oil-based paint. Acrylic latex paint is easier to keep clean, less likely to crack or peel, and is resistant to water. Homeowners generally favor acrylic latex for both interior and exterior painting. Although acrylic latex paint is usually easier to remove than oil-based paint, the process can still be challenging.

Instructions

Clothes

1. Rinse as much of the paint out of the garment as possible if the paint is wet. Apply rubbing alcohol to the spot, then let it sit for several minutes. If the paint is dry, soak the paint stain in rubbing alcohol for 10 minutes.

2. Wipe the paint away with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Rinse well in warm water.

3. Launder the garment as usual. Allow it to air dry. Do not place it in the dryer as the heat will set the stain for good. Inspect the garment once it is dry. If the paint is still visible, soak the stain in rubbing alcohol for another 10 minutes. Rinse well, and launder as usual.

Carpet

4. Fold several paper towels at the perforations, and blot up wet paint. Replace the paper towels as they become soiled with paint. Repeat until you are no longer lifting paint from the carpet. Mix a solution of 1 tsp. dish detergent in 2 cups of warm water. Wet a sponge and blot (don't rub) the paint stain until it is no longer visible.

5. Pour club soda on a white cloth to treat dry paint stains. Blot (don't rub) the paint stain until it is no longer visible. If the club soda does not lift all of the paint, pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide on a white cloth and blot the stain until it is gone. Be sure to test for color fading on a hidden area of your carpet before using hydrogen peroxide.

6. Wet a white cloth with warm water, then rinse the area by blotting the stain. Allow the carpet to air dry.

Wood Floors

7. Wipe up as much of the paint as soon as possible. If the paint is dry, mix 1 tsp. of dish detergent with 2 cups of warm water. Wet a white cloth with the detergent solution and gently scrub the paint stain.

8. Wet a cloth with warm water, then wipe the stained area. Apply rubbing alcohol to a cotton ball and use it remove any residual paint.

9. Wet a clean cloth in the detergent solution and wash the area. Rinse with a wet cloth, then dry with a clean towel.

Make Cheap Container Roofs

Rolled tin ceilings from the old days are hard to come by these days; if you do find one, it will probably be brittle, making it treacherous to work with. Plus, the price of brand-new tin ceilings is exorbitant. There is an inexpensive way, however, to get the look of a tin ceiling. All you need to do is head to your nearest home-decorating store and break out the wallpaper books.

Instructions

1. Measure the square footage of the ceiling. Purchase rolls of embossed, paintable wallpaper. There are patterns that look just like embossed tin ceilings.

2. Clean the ceiling by dusting it with a terrycloth towel draped over the end of a broom. If there are any paint chippings, scrape them away with a paint scraper.

3. Prime the ceiling with a water-based acrylic primer made especially for hanging wallpaper. Let the paint dry.

4. Turn the electricity off and remove the ceiling light fixture. Take the width of the room, divide by two, and measure in from one side wall; mark the exact middle of the room's full length.

Have someone hold the end of a chalk line-a roll of string encased in blue or rust-red chalk-at one end against the ceiling on one of the middle ceiling marks. Pull the chalk line across the room and, while standing on a ladder, lay the string over another middle ceiling mark. Pull the chalk line taut against the ceiling and snap it to create a chalk line on the ceiling.

5. Divide the width of the embossed wallpaper roll in half. Take that measurement and measure the full length of the room with the chalk line. Lay the chalk line along the marks and snap the line. This will be the first edge that the first strip of embossed wallpaper will be aligned along.

6. Cut all the strips of embossed wallpaper, adding 6 inches extra to each strip to allow for matching up of the embossed pattern.

7. Lay the wallpaper on a table and brush on a clay heavy-duty wallpaper paste. Be sure to work the paste into the embossed areas on the backside of the wallpaper.

8. Fold the wallpaper (paste-side to paste-side) and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the paste to soak into the wallpaper.

9. Start at one end of the room and align the edge of the wallpaper along the second plumb line (the chalk line that was snapped onto the ceiling). Start the end of the wallpaper so 2 to 3 inches of it lies against the wall before pressing it against the ceiling. Do this so the next strip of wallpaper can be matched to the adjoining embossed pattern.

10. Carefully lay the wallpaper along the full length of the ceiling right along the plumb line on the ceiling. Don't pull on the paper to avoid stretching it. Work it into place against the ceiling with a soft brush. Be careful not to dent the embossed paper.

11. Place a straightedge at either end of the strip of wallpaper where the wall meets the ceiling and trim off the excess paper running down the wall. Run a sharp box-cutter along the straightedge.

12. Repeat Steps 5 through 9 until the ceiling is completely wallpapered. When the two outside strips of wallpaper meet the wall, lay the straightedge along the full length of the room and cut off the excess wallpaper.

13. Don't roll the edges of the wallpaper-this will damage the embossing. Wait 24 hours, then come back and finger-paste any lifted edges with the clay wallpaper paste. This doesn't have to be perfect: When the ceiling is painted, any imperfections will be filled in with the paint.

Create A Small Family Room Appear Bigger

Make a Small Living Room Seem Bigger

Making small spaces look bigger is one of the biggest challenges often encountered by homeowners. Some see a complete design overhaul as the only solution. However, there is no need to hire an interior decorator to fix this problem because, in most cases, it is possible to do it on your own. If your living room feels uncomfortably small and stuffy, you can use some fairly simple redecorating techniques to make it appear bigger and more open.

Instructions

1. Eliminate clutter. Do not use more than three pieces of any one type decor room accessory, for example vases. Minimize the number of items displayed on the floor, such as potted plants or stereo equipment. Place as many of them as possible on shelves and other furniture units.

2. Make sure that furniture is not blocking any walking pathways in the living room.

3. Opt for a dining table with removable leaves or one that is small in size if your living doubles as the dining room. Smaller tables can be removed and stored away when not needed, helping to make the room appear more spacious.

4. Expand the room visually by place a large wall mirror in such a way that it reflects light or an element you wish to emphasize, for example an attractive view or a door leading to another room.

5. Choose bright colors or light, neutral ones instead of dark colors when treating the walls. Avoid patterned wallpaper, which can overwhelm a small room. Consider using one color theme in two connecting rooms that are in the same line of sight. This technique can eliminate the dividing lines between the two rooms, opening them up.

6. Use sheer curtains to cover windows. Since bright rooms tend to look bigger, be sure to keep them pulled back during the day to bring in as much light into the room as possible.

Create A Fire Proof Wall

Fire prevention is a real concern when it comes to many structures and buildings. However, while nothing can be truly fireproof -- which means impervious to fire -- there are ways to make walls and structures a great deal more resistant to fire. This can be particularly helpful in states where wildfires rage, such as California, or in locations where fire could easily spread, such as in tightly grouped, inner-city dwellings.

Instructions

1. Build an outer wall from insulating concrete forms (ICFs) by snapping the pieces together to form the wall. These hollow, polystyrene blocks fit together like bricks of Lego. Once they're put together, fill the form wall up with concrete, one of the most fire resistant materials there is. According to "This Old House," walls built from ICFs can withstand fire for up to four hours.

2. Attach a layer of plasterboard to the interior of the ICF wall. Use concrete screws to attach the plasterboard to the ICF wall. Plasterboard is rated for roughly half an hour of fire resistance on its own, and combined with the ICF wall, it will only make the total wall more fire resistant.

3. Install metal wall studs butted up against the plasterboard. These studs should be installed vertically, roughly every foot or so. On the other side of the studs, install a second layer of plasterboard with more screws that go into pre-drilled holes in the studs. Once this wall is complete, you should have a layer of ICFs as the outer wall, a layer of plasterboard, metal wall studs and another layer of plasterboard. While not truly fire proof, this should give you roughly five hours of solid fire resistance.

The Very Best Interior Wall Colors For Top Roofs

Create a sense of warmth by adding wall color in rooms with high ceilings.

The builder opts for white walls in a room with a cathedral ceiling, but colorless walls leave the interior feeling cold and impersonal. Many people, content with bland paint choices, attempt to create warmth with furnishings and accessories alone. That approach often falls short. Take things a step further. Tame the soaring white expanses with a fresh coat of paint. Add a little or a lot of color to dramatically change the architectural perspective of the space.

Monochromatic Dual Tone

Instead of playing it safe with one color, be adventurous and try a two-tone monochromatic technique in a room with high ceilings. Using a lighter and darker tone from the same paint color card will add a sense of proportion to spaces with soaring ceilings. To cut the height of tall ceilings, use the lighter tone on the ceiling, and extend it down onto the upper portion of the wall. Ground the room by painting the lower wall sections with the darker color. This effect lowers the space's sight line, shortening the visual wall height.

Rich Accent Wall

Painting one wall with a contrasting color creates a focal wall that works particularly well in rooms with high ceilings. Begin by painting the other walls a neutral color, such as beige or tan. If the existing neutral wall paint is in good condition, simply select a complementary accent wall color. Rich earth tones like terracotta or brick red will reflect light, brightening the space and diminishing the effect of the high ceiling. The use of a rich, saturated accent wall color also serves to make the space feel more inviting.

Warm Colors

Warm up cavernous rooms with high ceilings by enveloping them in warm color. Browns, deep reds and golds take a massive white room and instantly transform it into a cozy living environment. Concentrated color on the walls give the perception of a smaller, more intimate space. If saturated color is intimidating, opt for muted versions of warm colors. Adding crisp white molding will give the room a classic, sophisticated finishing touch.

Neutrals

Paint the walls in a soft neutral. A neutral paint and furnishings scheme exudes elegance and enhances high ceilings. Neutral colors can be identified by their ability to blend with most other colors. Neutrals includes creams, tans, taupes and beiges. This paint choice complements open design floor plans with large windows. Flooding a neutral room with natural light adds warmth without the use of saturated color.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Decorate With Metallic Fresh paint

Metallic paint is commonly used on show cars to make them look exciting.

Decorators are always looking for new ways to innovate for their custom clients. Over the last few years metals have taken a stronger role in home decor, particularly in upscale and modern homes. New metal finishes are available at all levels of the market in everything from lamps to furniture and faucets to appliances. Bringing new metallic pop to your decor can be as easy as purchasing a can of metallic paint.

Instructions

1. Place underlayment over an old floor. Sand and smooth the underlayment until it is a good work surface. Clean the floor of all debris using a vacuum cleaner. Apply a coat of metallic paint using a foam roller. Mix the paint very thoroughly and select a strong color. Sand between coats with fine sandpaper if you apply several coats. The resulting floor will be showstopping with metal flakes inside the paint. Allow the paint to dry for 48 hours.

2. Position contemporary and urban-style furniture over the floor. The furniture should be low and wide in neutral colors that don't compete with the floor color. Add a textural rug to anchor the seating area.

3. Spray a large metal light fixture using the same color and style of metallic paint. This will bring the eye upward to see the height of the ceiling and the second use of the paint will tie the floor and ceiling together.

4. Add accents using the underlying color in the paint. Select vases, pillows and art objects to move the color around the room at mid level. Mix other natural metal objects with the metallic finish so that the metals can play off each other. Add mirrors to reflect the glossy floor surface and expand the space.

5. Add a touch of metallic paint in each room that is directly visible from the main room where you have used the paint. This will connect each room together and create continuity and flow. Paint can be added to a wall, floor, fixtures and almost any surface. Prep the surface well as glossy paint can reveal flaws.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Paint Colors

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Mantel and Table Decor

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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

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Classic White

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About Wood Siding

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Type of Pool

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Cost of a Fiberglass Pool

Cost of Gunite Pool

Obtain Soil Report

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Monday, October 28, 2013

Canvas

Paper or Board

Wood and Masonite

Other Surfaces

Fabric

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Clothes