Graining in Paintwork
Sep 6, 2010 Interior Design Tips
Graining is a very old technique that is used to give painted woodwork the appearance of a high-quality wood, such as mahogany. It has the advantage that you do not have to strip off the existing finish, but it is definitely a difficult technique -one to leave until you have gained some experience of the other finishes. You will need to use a special glaze called ‘scumble’, which is available from specialist paint and decorators’ suppliers.
First, apply a coat of wood-colour eggshell oil-base paint to match the lightest colour of the wood effect that you wish to achieve.
Next, apply a coat of wood-colour scumble glaze thinned with an equal amount of white spirit and rub this on to the surface. Use a brush on the wet glaze to form a light basic grain pattern. Leave this for 24 hours to dry thoroughly.
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How to Deal with Wallpapering Problems
Aug 24, 2010 Interior Design Tips
Raise paper gradually and place in position. Smooth down with a sponge, working from the centre to the edges
Bubbles
The usual cause is careless brushing out — areas are allowed to stick to the wall before all the air behind them has been removed. Bubbles can also be caused by lumpy paste and insufficient soaking time. If the paste is still wet, lift the paper and smooth out properly. If the paste has dried, cut a cross at the centre of the bubble and then stick down the flaps.
Bumps
Unlike bubbles, there is no air within. The cause is poor preparation.
Teats
Usual causes are poor-quality paper, careless handling and/or leaving the paper to soak for longer than necessary.
Paper not adhering
There are numerous causes, such as damp walls, untreated porous walls and too little paste.
Edges not adhering
The usual cause is either too little paste applied to the edges or drying out due to spending too much time over stages 13 and 14. Remember to press edges with a seam roller or cloth.
Pattern not matching
The usual cause is irregular stretching due to strips being allowed to soak for varying times. Do not allow part of a long length to drop suddenly when hanging.
Tags: wall paper
Stencilling in Paintwork
Jul 28, 2010 Home Improvement, Interior Design Tips
Stencilling is a very quick and easy technique for applying motifs and designs. Careful setting out is required to get the patterns level and at even spacing.
Probably the best way to start is with a stencil kit from a decorating shop. You can buy ready-cut stencils, fast-drying stencil paints (although ordinary emulsion paint can also be used) and special stencil brushes, which are used with a stippling action so that the paint does not get under the edges of the stencil.
Traditionally, stencils are made from oiled stencil card, but clear acetate is becoming popular because it is transparent and therefore easier to align.
If you cut your own stencil, work from a tracing of a very simple design. Children’s books are good sources of designs. It is helpful to have a separate stencil for each colour.
Working to guidelines, tape the stencil in place with strips of masking tape. Apply the paint to the brush sparingly, dab excess paint on to scrap paper, then work from the edges of the stencil towards the middle using a circular stippling motion of the brush. Allow each colour to dry before proceeding to the next.
Making the Best of Your Small Space
Dec 11, 2009 Interior Design Tips
Just because you live in a small cottage or a small place does not mean that your space cannot be comfortable and relaxing. Many homes with tons of square footage are furnished in a way that they lack comfort or feel crowded. When looking to make the best of your small space, look beyond square footage. Instead, look at type of furnishings, room purpose, furniture placement and use, and of course, practicality. Considering this will help you in making your cottage a comfortable retreat.
If your small place is furnished, you may have to think of getting rid of furniture that does not serve the purpose of is not practical for the space. Sell it, donate it, or give it away. Look at the different rooms and ask yourself if they serve the purpose according to your lifestyle. For example, if you never have any staying- over guests ( and think that this will not change much in the future) but you work at home a lot, then get rid of the guest bedroom and convert it into an office. Buy a small size sofa bed that you can convert into a bed if the need arises.
Look at every piece of furniture and ask yourself if you really use it, or need it. In this process, you will have to pare down some things and declutter your home. Most important, you will have to get rid of any doubles. By doing this, you will find that you do not need some pieces of furniture that were just storing extra stuff. Get rid of any piece of furniture that has become an extra, and pieces that are too big or clunky, for the space.
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How to Hang Window Blinds
Oct 20, 2009 Interior Design Tips
If you’ve decided to go with window blinds over buying curtains, there’s a few simple steps to consider on how to hang them. When deciding on where to put your roman blinds, it depends entirely on the window itself. If the window opens inward, your only choice is to put the blinds on the outside of the frame. If the depth of the window frame is sufficient – you can put the blinds on the inside of the frame or in the window recess. Another consideration is the window shape and whether the window is even square – if it is not, then placing the blinds on the outside is best.
How to Measure for Blinds
- For outside the window recess, you can choose to put the blind on the window frame itself, or to
measure approximately 5-10 cm on both sides of the recess and 5-10 cm above and below. - If measuring within the window recess, measure the width and drop of the area. Make sure to choose three different spots along the width of the window – and choose the narrowest measurement to ensure the blind can move up and down without hitting the sides.
When choosing blind or curtain material, consider your current decor. While polyester blends tend to be crease resistant, cotton, linen and even silk make excellent drapery choices. But keep in mind that silk, while gorgeous and decadent, is easy prey to sun and water damage.
How to Find Space in Closets
Oct 12, 2009 Interior Design Tips
Every woman wants more closet space—and she can have it if she knows how to store her clothes properly. Here are tips for arranging your closet for-maximum space usage:
• Take note of where the clothing pole in your closet is placed. Often it is placed in the center of the closet, neglecting the space in front and at the back. Read the rest of this entry »
See if you have enough space for two poles, by moving the “single” pole forward or backward and placing another one in front or at the back.
• Is there space above your first clothing pole for a pole placed higher up, for blouses and jackets? Many women have placed such a pole above the first clothing pole for shorter garments, and have found it very useful.
Garment bags take up space because they are often bulky. You might be better off keeping your garments in the plastic covers that come from the cleaners.
• Use thin hangers in your closet. The old hangers are wide and bulky and take up so much space.
• You can store shoes in several ways. You can just place them on the bottom of your closet, in rows. You can purchase a shoe stand that has raised prongs for each shoe. You can also use shoe boxes and label them clearly on the outside, so that you know what is inside. Then place them one on top of the other on your closet floor or on a shelf. You can also buy a shoe bag and place it on the inside door of your closet.
