Archive for September, 2010
Making a Canopy Skirt
Canopy skirts add a touch of elegance to the existing room décor. Home décor experts believe they also help transport you to wonderland.
Canopy skirts can be made easily at home. To do this measure along the length and breadth of the four posts of the bed adding sufficient extra for gathers or pleats according to your design. Cut the fabric to suit measurements. With wrong sides facing match both layers and sew the fabric to join at the centre. Turn and with right side facing proceed to stitch a few inches below the join. This way you have a little valance kind of structure that allows the canopy rod to pass through.
Once on the canopy rods, the skirt must be spread out properly and hand stitched at the four corners to give proper fit. A canopy skirt can also be tied to the canopy rods with coordinated ribbons.
Remodeling the Wood Floor Stairs
Wooden stairs are durable and appealing to any home décor style. However they need refinishing and or replacing depending on usage.
Before remodeling wooden floor stairs check for damage like split wood, popped nails, gouges or loose treads. Using a countersink tool take care first of popped nails. Wearing safety goggles and a dust mask sand all the surfaces of each stair by machine and hand to strip it of paint and polish.
Now fill any scratches or gouges with wood putty and allow to dry. Sand and fill up all the gaps with a silicone paint able caulk with the help of a caulking gun. Let it dry. Now replace the old and damaged stair treads with new ones, or simply repair existing treads as per your budget.
Wipe off surface of each stair to remove any dirt or debris and finally paint or stain as per your requirement.
Decorating Interior Fireplace Mantle
Most fireplaces have a shelf above which is generally called a mantle. While the fireplace affords the functionality in the room, the mantle provides room for home décor.
If the mantle is an extension of the fireplace itself it will be a masonry construction with a layer of paint on top. Others however could be made of rock, glass or wood depending on the room décor.
The mantle is an easy place to decorate as fireplaces are focal points of the room. Apart from photographs you could also add a Victorian look by placing traditional candle sticks and a flower arrangement. A contemporary room décor calls for Zen like items such as a Buddha head or tea lights.
The best idea is to keep it seasonal by adding candle sticks and a nativity scene at Christmas or bunnies and painted eggs at Easter. The possibilities are endless with a fireplace mantle.
Building Pirate beds for Kids
Children seem to want pirate beds after the success of the “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Home décor stores stock a variety in this theme which are either too over the top or expensive.
To make your own buy one 4ftx3ft and two 2ftx4ft plywood sheets and cut the bigger sheet to resemble a ship to fit a standard twin bed. Sand all three sheets and paint them brown adding lines to resemble wooden planks.
Once dry join the three pieces with the ship board in front and the other two pieces at the sides at an angle, giving you a box without the fourth end. Push the twin bed against a wall and fit the shipboard box against the bed.
Drape the fish net from the right end to the left haphazardly and dangle an anchor along the middle. Hoist a pirate flag and throw toy fish in the net.
Making Electrical Switch Plates for Decoration
Decorative switch plates are the final ties that connect a room to its décor. Home décor stores offer a range of decorative switches but you might never find one that suits your home which may have a unique style of its own.
All your decorative objects must correlate to the existing theme of your room. Working towards that end select pictures, photographs or decorative paper of significance and cut them to the size of the switch board with half an inch extra on all sides to overlap edges. A collage of pictures also works well.
Mark the exact location and shapes of the switch and screw holes and cut them out with a sharp knife for a perfect finish. Cover the switch board with mod-podge and stick the decorative element matching holes for the switch and screws. Cover with another layer of watered down mod-podge or shellac and let dry.
Processing the Raw Silk Curtains
Raw silk curtains add an oomph factor to living rooms and bedrooms most naturally. They compliment traditional, elegant or oriental home décor themes flawlessly.
Raw silk like most silks is delicate and difficult to work with owing to its slippery texture and tendency to stain easily. Raw silk also shrinks with heat and water so make sure you allow extra length and breadth to avoid ill-fitting curtains after the first wash. Also use a cotton preshrunk thread and a new needle to avoid puckering.
The fluidity of raw silk allows it to be molded into different shapes. Opt for gathers, poufs, pleats instead of the typical panels found in most stores.
Cut according to the pattern on a flat surface by placing tissue in between to avoid layers of the fabric from slipping through. Sew with hand or machine ensuring that the fabric doesn’t pull or tear under the needle.
Looking for Nemo Furniture
Made from leather and micro fiber, Nemo furniture enlivens drab interiors and offers the versatility of separating pieces for easier use. Most home décor shops off and online stock this range.
The unique selling point of these furniture pieces is they are sold individually allowing you to mix match and buy only those items that you need. The Nemo range brings style to your home at an affordable price.
However if you want to purchase Nemo furniture online you must do so through an effective search engine. Type out the name in the relevant box and begin your search. Choose from the many options given to you. Zero in on a piece of your choice and go through the specifications and customer reviews to get an overview of product.
Incase the website doesn’t provide all the relevant information visit another site to find out more before making a final selection.
Bedroom Ideas from Chicago Bears
A Chicago Bears themed bedroom is easier to pull off than most other football home teams as the motifs and colors are effortless to replicate.
Plan the room color keeping in mind navy blue, white and orange in exact Chicago Bear shades. White with navy blue and orange will work perfectly or you could go all out and try an orange or navy blue wall as well. Otherwise Paint a foot ball mural on one wall.
Add a green football floor rug and opt for locker style storage pieces that transport you into the team’s locker room. Use bedding and cushions relevant to the team or in the team’s official colors.
Accessorize using Chicago Bears merchandise such as table and bed lamps, curtains, stationery, rugs and cushions available in most home décor stores. Display collections of ticket stubs, caps, helmets and stadium memorabilia in well lit up shadow boxes as art.
Cutting Receptacles in Your Mirror
Full mirrored walls are home décor delights but need to be tampered to add electrical receptacles especially in bathrooms.
Take accurate measurements of the distance between the wall socket and of the facet of the receptacle. Mark these measurements on the mirror surface ending with a rectangle that copies the exact length and breadth of the socket. Drill four holes at the four corners and centre of the marking, maintaining the surface temperature with the lubricant oil.
Oil the glass cutter wheel and engrave across from one point to another and finally the centre hole along the measured rectangle marking. Carefully slide the scored edge off the table and tap against the engraved section to loosen and dislodge the glass bit by bit.
Sand the sharp edges of the rectangle with a 200 grit emery cloth to smoothen edges. Mount the mirror so that the receptacle fits the rectangle exactly.
Making Slipcovers for Armed and Straight Back Chairs
Old chairs can be given a new lease of life with simple slipcovers to complement your home decor. All you need is some fabric and basic sewing skills. Remember to cut the fabric on the straight grain to get a perfect fit and lasting durability.
For straight backed or armed chairs, remove the seat cushion and place the fabric right side facing up and measure the back, front shoulder areas, seat and arm rests by cutting and pinning at relevant sections.
Remove turn to the wrong side and stitch along the pinned edges from the inside back continuing to inside arms. Finish by stitching outside and inside arm sections, platform area and the back. Keep place for tuck allowances and a zipper to remove and put on as needed. Remove all pins as you are done in that area.
Next measure and stitch the seat cushion cover adding a zipper.