Having some long-distance guests over this weekend? Make them feel at home with these tips.
Article taken off http://shine.yahoo.com
10 Tips for Creating a Cozy Guest Room in Your Home
Making your guests feel at home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you’re already decorating an extra bedroom, there are ways to save money along the way. After all, it’s the attention to small details that contributes to an overall homey look. Here are some ways you can make your extra bedroom a relaxing retreat for guests:
1. If you were thinking about repainting anyway, consider choosing a light neutral color for the guest room. Generally, pale yellows and soft grays do the job well for providing a relaxing atmosphere. Dark and bright colors like red, orange, green or pink often create a more chaotic or loud feel, so avoid those colors if you prefer a serene scene.
2. As with all decorating, pick a color theme and stick with it. Bringing too many different colors into one room can make it look cluttered and stressful. Instead, pick two to three colors, and try to keep most decorative items in that same color scheme.
3. Make a welcoming tray of mints and small candies. Food always looks welcoming, and small candies or mints won’t go stale quickly, making it the perfect guest room amenity.
4. Put together a basket of toiletries in the bathroom. Small, travel-sized shampoos and conditioners are great for guests. If you’re worried about the cost of constantly restocking toiletries, you can buy small containers and just refill them yourself with the larger bottles you already have.
5. Stock up on pillows. This is great for making the bed look cozy, as well as giving your guests options depending on their sleep preferences.
6. Hang a mirror in your guest room. This could be either in the bathroom or bedroom, but it’s important they're able to get ready in the morning without having to run through the house to see how they look.
7. Layer the sheets and blankets. Since a comfortable bed is the big focus for your guest to have a great night’s sleep, multiple layers not only make the bed more cozy, but also gives your guest the option to choose their temperature.
8. Lay out towels. A neat stack of clean towels provides good decor (if the colors are consistent) and also saves your guest the trouble of rifling through linen closets.
9. Furnish the room with adequate lighting. Make sure there are nightlights plugged in so that your guest won’t be stumbling around in the dark in an unfamiliar room. This is especially handy in the bathroom if it’s connected to the bedroom.
10. Add some plants. While providing fresh flowers for guests may be costly, you can add a bit of nature into the room by placing a small potted plant on the windowsill or dresser.
Don’t have a guest room in your house? Or maybe you’ve been looking to upgrade into a new home. Now is a great time to buy a home with low mortgage rates, the home buyer tax credit and low home prices, so take advantage of this buyer’s market before it’s over.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
How to Get Moisture Out of Picture Frames
In this hot and humid weather, we won't be too surprised if condensation wrecks our framed photos. If you see moisture forming, better nip it in the bud!
Article by Robert Gray taken off ehow.com
How to Get Moisture Out of Picture Frames
There are three good reasons why moisture collects inside picture frames: the picture is hanging in a damp environment such as an unventilated bathroom, a damp basement or a house close to a large body of water. Framed pictures can also develop moisture through condensation. Also, moisture will collect inside picture frames if the back of the frame hasn't been sealed up properly. If you spot condensation inside a picture frame, there is something you can do about it.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Hammer
1-inch finishing nails
Glass cleaner
Lint-free cloth
1 roll double sided tape
Scissors
Needle nose pliers
Razor blade
Paint brush
Brown craft paper
1.Lay the frame face down on a work surface, undo the picture hanging wire from the eye screws and remove the eye screws. Tear off the backing paper on the back of the frame if there is some. With a needle nose pliers, pull out the small nails, glazing points or whatever is holding the glass, artwork and backing board in place inside the frame.
2.Put on gloves and remove the glass and artwork from the frame. Separate the glass from the artwork carefully laying it on the work surface condensation side facing up. Put the artwork in a safe location away from the work table.
3.Spray on glass cleaner, using a cloth clean the glass. Look closely making sure no dust, lint or fingerprints are left on the surface of the glass. Clean both sides. Carefully put the picture glass back inside the frame.
4.Bring the artwork back to the work table and inspect it closely. Look for surface dust and lint. Remove any foreign particles with a soft, clean paint brush.
5.Examine the backing board. This is separate from the board the artwork may be mounted on. Feel the backing board for any dampness. If dampness is detected, replace the backing board with a new, clean, dry one the same size.
6.Put the backing board in place, then take a hammer and start tapping in new finishing nails at a slight angle into the picture frame molding. Position them very close to the backing board, every 3 to 4 inches. Drive the nails at a slight angle first, then use the needle nose pliers to press the nails snugly against the backing board.
7.Take the roll of double sided tape and run it all around the back face of the picture frame molding. Remove the backing paper on the tape.
8.Take the roll of brown craft paper and lay it over one edge of the frame. When the end of the roll of paper makes contact with the double sided tape run a finger over the full length of that section of molding to solidly adhere the paper to the frame.
9.Unroll the craft paper at least 4 inches beyond the opposite end of the picture frame keeping it taut at all times. Lower the paper down until it makes contact with the rest of the double sided tape. Seal the paper firmly to the tape by running a finger over the paper.
10.Take a razor blade and cut off the excess craft paper all the way around the frame. Put the eyes crews back in place and reattach the picture hanging wire.
Article by Robert Gray taken off ehow.com
How to Get Moisture Out of Picture Frames
There are three good reasons why moisture collects inside picture frames: the picture is hanging in a damp environment such as an unventilated bathroom, a damp basement or a house close to a large body of water. Framed pictures can also develop moisture through condensation. Also, moisture will collect inside picture frames if the back of the frame hasn't been sealed up properly. If you spot condensation inside a picture frame, there is something you can do about it.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Hammer
1-inch finishing nails
Glass cleaner
Lint-free cloth
1 roll double sided tape
Scissors
Needle nose pliers
Razor blade
Paint brush
Brown craft paper
1.Lay the frame face down on a work surface, undo the picture hanging wire from the eye screws and remove the eye screws. Tear off the backing paper on the back of the frame if there is some. With a needle nose pliers, pull out the small nails, glazing points or whatever is holding the glass, artwork and backing board in place inside the frame.
2.Put on gloves and remove the glass and artwork from the frame. Separate the glass from the artwork carefully laying it on the work surface condensation side facing up. Put the artwork in a safe location away from the work table.
3.Spray on glass cleaner, using a cloth clean the glass. Look closely making sure no dust, lint or fingerprints are left on the surface of the glass. Clean both sides. Carefully put the picture glass back inside the frame.
4.Bring the artwork back to the work table and inspect it closely. Look for surface dust and lint. Remove any foreign particles with a soft, clean paint brush.
5.Examine the backing board. This is separate from the board the artwork may be mounted on. Feel the backing board for any dampness. If dampness is detected, replace the backing board with a new, clean, dry one the same size.
6.Put the backing board in place, then take a hammer and start tapping in new finishing nails at a slight angle into the picture frame molding. Position them very close to the backing board, every 3 to 4 inches. Drive the nails at a slight angle first, then use the needle nose pliers to press the nails snugly against the backing board.
7.Take the roll of double sided tape and run it all around the back face of the picture frame molding. Remove the backing paper on the tape.
8.Take the roll of brown craft paper and lay it over one edge of the frame. When the end of the roll of paper makes contact with the double sided tape run a finger over the full length of that section of molding to solidly adhere the paper to the frame.
9.Unroll the craft paper at least 4 inches beyond the opposite end of the picture frame keeping it taut at all times. Lower the paper down until it makes contact with the rest of the double sided tape. Seal the paper firmly to the tape by running a finger over the paper.
10.Take a razor blade and cut off the excess craft paper all the way around the frame. Put the eyes crews back in place and reattach the picture hanging wire.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Changing The Doorknob
Knock-knock. Who's there? Ok, no time for lame jokes. Doorknob needs replacement? Do it yourself.
Article taken off diynetwork.com
HOW TO CHANGE A DOORKNOB
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to replace a doorknob.
Step 1: Remove the Old Doorknob
Begin by removing the screws holding the doorknob in place. The screws will be located on the interior side of the door.
If your doorknob has screws on the cover plates, remove those to loosen the old knob. If not, look for a small slot with a metal piece on the side of the handle. Then use a clip or the key from the new doorknob to push in on the metal piece as show in the image. That should make the doorknob pop loose.
Step 2: Remove the Underlying Plate
Pull off the doorknob to reveal the plate below. Look for a slot in the plate along the seam where it butts against the door. Wedge a flathead screwdriver in the slot and then give the plate a half twist to pop it off.
Step 3: Remove the Old Screws and Latch
With plate removed, you'll see the screws you should remove with a power drill (Image 1). Remove the old latch by taking out the screws with a power drill or screwdriver (Image 2).
Step 4: Install the New Latch and Doorhandle
Depending on your door, you may need to adjust the backset, the distance between the edge of the door and the center of the doorknob. Most doorknobs can accommodate different backsets.
Reverse the removal procedure to install the new doorknob. In most cases the holes for the new doorknob will match your existing holes. Be sure to orient the new striker in the correct direction to ensure that the door will close properly.
Screw the new latch in, setting the screws by hand first and then tightening them with a power drill. Set the doorknobs in place, set the screws by hand, and then tighten. Don't over-tighten the screws or you'll bind the doorknob.
Test the new handle to make sure it turns and locks properly.
Article taken off diynetwork.com
HOW TO CHANGE A DOORKNOB
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to replace a doorknob.
Step 1: Remove the Old Doorknob
Begin by removing the screws holding the doorknob in place. The screws will be located on the interior side of the door.
If your doorknob has screws on the cover plates, remove those to loosen the old knob. If not, look for a small slot with a metal piece on the side of the handle. Then use a clip or the key from the new doorknob to push in on the metal piece as show in the image. That should make the doorknob pop loose.
Step 2: Remove the Underlying Plate
Pull off the doorknob to reveal the plate below. Look for a slot in the plate along the seam where it butts against the door. Wedge a flathead screwdriver in the slot and then give the plate a half twist to pop it off.
Step 3: Remove the Old Screws and Latch
With plate removed, you'll see the screws you should remove with a power drill (Image 1). Remove the old latch by taking out the screws with a power drill or screwdriver (Image 2).
Step 4: Install the New Latch and Doorhandle
Depending on your door, you may need to adjust the backset, the distance between the edge of the door and the center of the doorknob. Most doorknobs can accommodate different backsets.
Reverse the removal procedure to install the new doorknob. In most cases the holes for the new doorknob will match your existing holes. Be sure to orient the new striker in the correct direction to ensure that the door will close properly.
Screw the new latch in, setting the screws by hand first and then tightening them with a power drill. Set the doorknobs in place, set the screws by hand, and then tighten. Don't over-tighten the screws or you'll bind the doorknob.
Test the new handle to make sure it turns and locks properly.
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