Assemble A Metal Queensize Bed Frame

Every bed needs a frame to support it.

Most metal queen-size bed frames also are twin-size and full-size. The only difference is that the metal frame comes with special extenders that make the twin/full bed frame into a queen-size frame. They are relatively easy to assemble, but if you're not careful, you can bruise your fingers and get cuts or scrapes. Assembling a metal bed frame is better left to an adult with the proper tools. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Mount the headboard brackets to the shoulder rivets at the end of the side rails. Secure the headboard brackets by passing a bolt through each of the two holes between the bracket and the rivets. Screw a washer and nut on each bolt. Fasten the nut and bolt with a wrench. The headboard brackets can be installed facing left or right, depending on the size of the headboard.

2. Slide an end cap onto the end of each side rail. The end cap will protect the metal from tearing your sheets or cutting you if you graze against it hard enough. Swing out the two cross arms on each side rail to make a 90-degree angle.

3. Lay the two side rails on the ground parallel to each other. Connect the side rails by inserting the two pegs on each cross arm into the two holes on the end of the cross arms of the opposite side rail. Once the pegs are in the holes, pull the side rails in opposite directions to lock the pegs in the holes.

4. Lay the cross support between the side rails in the center; look for a hole on each side rail where the cross suppport will attach. Line up the holes on the cross support and the side rails. Put a bolt into each hole. Place a washer and nut onto each bolt. Tighten the bolts with a wrench to secure the cross support in place.

5. Insert the gliders or wheels that came with your bed. Insert the downward-pointing bed frame leg into the hole of each slider and gravity will secure the slider onto the leg. For wheels, insert the plastic socket into each frame leg, then insert a wheel into each plastic socket.

Tags: side rails, side rail, cross support, each side, each side rail, headboard brackets

Install Security Bars On Your Windows

Since they are often out of a neighbor's view or hidden by bushes or shrubs, basement windows make an easy point of entry for burglars. Replacing standard window glass with unbreakable polycarbonate (Plexiglas), cutting back shrubs and having strong latches on the windows will help prevent entry. However, the best way to prevent a break-in in to install security bars (burglar bars) on your basement windows. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Consider what you want your security bars to look like. You can get custom-made security bars/grills or opt for adjustable grills available at your hardware or home store.

2. Determine where you want to place your security bars. You likely want to be able to open your windows, so, if your basement window opens inward, place the bars between the screen and the window. If your window slides you could put the bars on the inside of the window and still be able to open it.

3. Measure your window opening and get the appropriate sized bars or security grills.

Place your security bars in the window opening and mark where the fastening screws will go.

Drill holes in the window frame for installation of the bars.

4. Install the security bars. Use long screws to be sure the screws go all the way into the window framing (not just the casing).

Tags: security bars, your security, your security bars, able open, basement windows

Grade 11 Welding Projects

Welding can lead to a vocation as well as a hobby.

High school shop-class projects are no longer just about building birdhouses and ashtrays. Particularly in metal shop, where students are constructing projects that are complex, yet practical. Metalworking students will learn a skill that can lead them to a viable trade. But working with metal doesn't have to be a vocation; it can become a lifelong hobby or even a way to express one's self artistically.

Wrought Iron End Table

You can make a handsome end table out of wrought iron and tile, in just a few hours. Wrought iron (also known as mild steel) is an excellent choice for making decorative pieces for the home. It's long-wearing and creates a timeless, rustic look. The process for constructing this table is simple enough that it would make an appropriate first project for a neophyte welder. The project will also require some metal-cutting skills. First, a piece of tile will be needed. This will determine the width of the table; a 12-by-12-inch piece is ideal. Additionally, you will need several sizes of square tubing iron (1 inch, 3/4 inch and 3/8 inch), as well as a piece of 2-by-1-inch angle iron. But when cutting the iron, keep in mind the old adage, "Measure twice, cut once." You don't want to wind up with wobbly table legs.

Decorative Easel

Build an easel that is both beautiful and multifunctional. The plans for this project create an antique-style design using tubular steel that requires welding and metal-bending dexterity, but the construction is relatively simple. When the construction is complete, the easel should be painted. Black is a classic choice and will give the piece a wrought-iron look. It will probably need several coats. The easel will have a classic look that makes it ideal for either a home or an office and can be used for displaying artwork, posters and advertisements.

Support Stand

With this project, a support stand, the student can take satisfaction in building a piece that will aid him in future welding projects. This is a fairly simple and straightforward design. The stand can help support metal during the welding process, and if you build two of them, you can use them as a type of adjustable sawhorse. You will need some 1-inch diameter black pipe, a 5/8-inch diameter threaded rod, a 2-by-2-by-1/4-inch piece with a 3/4-inch hole drilled in the center, some long-channel steel and two 5/8-inch nuts. Mild steel is recommended for this project.

Welding Table

This is another plan that will help the student create a utilitarian piece that can be used for future welding projects. When you weld, you want an easily accessible space where you will be comfortable. A welding table will get you off the floor and make working on your project more accommodating. The plan calls for 1.6mm gauge sheet metal that will be laid on top of marine ply or any other flat, wood surface. This will be the top of the table. You will also need four pieces of 40-by-40-by-3mm box section steel, angle iron, a 5mm-diameter rod, wire mesh and four caster wheels to make the table mobile.

Tags: that will, this project, angle iron, future welding, future welding projects, inch inch

What To Do With A Bed Without A Headboard

Artwork above the bed is an alternative to a headboard.

A conventional headboard creates a finished look and focal point above your bed, but it isn't necessary for a polished look in the bedroom. Alternative options add decoration to the headboard area and often cost less money than the traditional furniture piece. Choose a decorative element above your bed based on the overall style in the bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?

Curtains

Curtains or draped fabric add softness above the bed that blends well with the soft textures of the bedding. Choose fabric or curtains that complement the bedding without matching exactly. The contrast adds visual interest and defines the spaces. For a simple hanging method, install a curtain rod on the wall above the bed, and hang the curtains from it. A short curtain rod draws the fabric to a centralized point above the bed while allowing you to fan out the fabric as it gets closer to the bed. For a rectangular look that more closely resembles a headboard, choose a curtain rod the same width as the bed.

Wall Art

Instead of covering the wall with a headboard, use the space to showcase your favorite artwork. A row of framed photographs or artwork maintains the same shape and lines as a traditional headboard. For a more dramatic look, hang two or three rows of framed artwork. Another option is to paint a design directly on the wall. Paint a faux headboard, or design a mural or painted pattern that fits in with the room decor.

Sham-covered Pillows

Pillows covered with decorative shams add height at the head of the bed. The larger size of king pillows and shams creates a more dramatic look than regular pillows. Prop the pillows upright so they are vertical and leaning against the wall. Arrange smaller throw pillows in front of the sham-covered pillows for more depth.

Screen

A freestanding, decorative screen or room divider replicates the look of a headboard. The screens are available in different styles and designs, allowing you to match them with your bedroom decor. Slide the bed away from the wall, and position the screen against the wall. Move the bed back into place so it rests against the screen.

Reclaimed Items

Objects that originally served a different purpose offer a distinct option for a headboard. Find an antique door with intricate detailing or a weathered look, and hang it horizontally above the bed. Windows offer a similar look. Hang one or two windows horizontally above the bed. You can also paint the glass or remove the glass panels and replace them with softer fabric. A section of fencing, such as a picket fence or a wrought iron gate, is an option. For a functional headboard, hang shelving above the bed and use it for decorative items, lamps and your alarm clock.

Tags: above your, against wall, dramatic look, horizontally above, more dramatic

Build Wood Benches & Tables

Build Wood Benches & Tables

Picnic tables were invented so that indoor furniture didn't have to be hauled out and then dragged back in the house when the evening ended. They are designed to be sturdy enough to be left out in the storms and heat of summer and attractive enough to use for entertaining. Although outdoor furniture comes in teak and wrought aluminum in expensive, stylish models, the classic cross-legged picnic table and bench--rectangular or circular---are fairly basic and easy to build. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Lay eight 2-by-6 by-49-inch or six 2-by-8 by 49-inch boards (or other combination of widths that gives the top some ease to drain water) to make a 49-inch-by-49-inch square. Use 60-inch long boards that make a width of 32 or 33 inches for a rectangular table. Mark the center by drawing lines across from the midpoints of opposing sides. Attach a 1-by-4 by 45-inch brace (30-inch brace for rectangle) across the boards on the center line using non-corrosive wood screws.

2. Make a circular top by tying a string to a nail in the center of the middle brace on the 49-inch square, drawing a circle with a radius of 24.5 inches and trimming the corners with a jigsaw. Attach two more 1-by-4 by 32-inch braces on the underside, parallel to the center brace, each 10 inches (use 30-inch braces placed 14 inches from the center on a rectangle) from the center line.

3. Cut four 2-by-4 inch by 33-inch legs. Drill holes through the midpoints of all four. Set two aside. Drive a 6-inch lag bolt just through the center of the first pair. Open to make an "X" and set along one of the side braces, centering the "cross" above the center line. Mark 2-by-4 legs across the top of the brace to scribe the angle needed to fit the cross-legs under the table, trim the legs to fit (hold the legs in position with a nail). Set up the second set of legs, transfer the angle, trim and secure. Mark the bottom angles by turning one set of legs over and marking the angles from the bottom of one set to the top of the others.

4. Rip a 2-by-4 by 13-inch board in half to make two 2-by-2 by 13-inch leg braces. Attach one leg of each pair against a tabletop brace and put a 1-by-2 by 4-inch block between the other leg and the tabletop brace so the leg sits square against it. Attach the block to the tabletop with screws, then the leg to the block.

5. Use one short leg brace against each pair of legs, scribing the angles in the same way as you did with the legs and attaching the braces with wood screws. Make coves with a router or chisel on the braces so the screws can be driven straight and countersunk through the braces into the leg and the tabletop. Put a 2-by-4 by 20-inch brace (this brace should be about 40 inches on a rectangle table---measure to be sure) between the crosses of each pair of legs, and insert lag bolts fully into the brace.

6. Build benches using the same system; use two 2-by-6 by 45 inches and one 2-by-4 by 45-inch planks laid side by side (55 inches long for a rectangle table) Bind with 1-by-4 by 14-inch braces and cut 2-by-4 by 20-inch legs. Use 3-inch lag bolts to attach the cross since there will be no leg brace. Add 2-by-2 by 12-inch diagonal braces between each pair of legs and the bottom of the bench. Make three or four short benches for a round table and two longer ones for a rectangle.

Tags: each pair, center line, each pair legs, pair legs, 2-by-4 20-inch

Set Up A Hot Tub Room

Relaxing at home

A hot tub room can serve as a romantic getaway in your home, a place to unwind or a therapy room used to treat sore joints and muscles. Warm water pounding out the knots in your muscles in a room suited for a hot tub and well-decorated surroundings should create a welcoming environment. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Patio furniture can withstand the moisture of a hot tub room.

Plan your seating. The area around the hot tub should serve as a living room. Hot tub rooms tend to create moisture buildup. So use patio furniture in a hot tub room. Wicker, wood or manmade seating with all-weather, mildew-resistant cushions and tables with stone or treated tops can survive moist air and wet bathing suits.

2. Choose your color palette.

Create a color palette. If you are uncertain about combining colors, use multiple paint color swatches from a home improvement store. Find one that matches your hot tub color and choose from the colors that are on the swatch with it. Use those colors to decide wall, furniture or decorative colors.

3. Proper ventilation keeps your hot tub room fresh and dry.

Organize your room to deal with moisture and ventilation. Mount towel racks or use a free-standing coat rack for bathing suits or wet towels. Run an oscillating fan to keep the room fresh and dry. When there is moisture buildup, keep the fan on for a few hours to freshen the room. Mop up any spills or pooled water quickly.

4. Decorative elements add interest.

Add decorative elements. Hang candle holders, wrought iron sculptures, or plants to add color and ambiance. No-skid rugs not only add color, but also make the hot tub room safer. Buy an all-weather cabinet or chest to store the hot tub chemicals, fragrances and towels out of sight. With plants, choose ones that are easy to care for and flourish in high humidity, such as succulents, like grape ivy, which require watering about once a month or tropical plants.

Tags: bathing suits, color palette, moisture buildup, room fresh, your color, your room

Buy Replacement Cushions For Wrought Iron Patio Furniture

A wrought iron chaise may require a back and seat pad.

With its durability and artisan design, wrought iron patio furniture is an enduring outdoor tradition. With proper care to keep rust away and paint fresh, wrought iron furniture will easily outlast the useful life of its cushions. When it's time to replace the cushions, labels may offer few clues on the best choice, but research and preparation should guide your choice. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Be aware of the style and manufacturer of your furniture. The style - such as a barrel chair or chaise lounge -- will determine the design of the cushion you need and if you need a single piece cushion or a back and seat pad. Know the maker of your furniture and look for replacement cushions customized to the manufacturer's specifications.

2. Measure the furniture or old cushions before buying the replacement cushions, especially if you are ordering online.

3. Read labels on replacement cushions. Though many cushion labels do not include fabric information, according to Consumer Reports, look for cushions with labels that say the fabric is water-resistant and treated to prevent mildew. Look also for solution-dyed fabric that resists fabric and sun wear.

Tags: replacement cushions, back seat, wrought iron, your furniture

Rustic Wood & Iron Garden Decor

Rustic wooden tables topped with colorful pots add country charm to a garden.

Gardens bring a quiet serenity and burst of color into our lives. They keep us in touch with nature, refreshing the mind and spirit. Adding rustic wood and iron decor to your garden enhances the enchantment and pleasure that a garden provides. Add one item, such as a metal arbor covered in colorful, blooming vines, or a variety of rustic, decorative items. The possibilities are endless, accommodating any budget and personal preferences. Does this Spark an idea?

Arbors and Trellises

Arbors are an economical way of providing a grand entryway to your garden. A gently curving iron arch intertwined with colorful blooms and winding greenery suggests a warm and inviting welcome into your garden. Add a coordinating rustic iron fence combined with an attached gate, enhancing the magical enchantment of your garden oasis. Place a decorative wooden or iron trellis in the midst of your garden and plant a rosebush next to it, resulting in a spectacular vertical display of vivid color.

Benches

Daydreaming under a shade tree on a hot summer's day is a delightful way to enjoy your garden. Placing a rustic iron bench under a large tree provides a restful place to sit down and relax. A wooden bench finished in a distressed paint is an old, weathered friend that's always ready to greet you. Some rustic bench styles mix iron and wood for a decorative look. Round tree benches wrap around a tree, providing ornamental seating.

Planters

Large cast-iron planters brimming over with lush, blooming foliage scattered throughout your garden provide colorful focal points as you're strolling along pathways or relaxing on benches. Hang iron flower baskets from metal poles, lining a walkway or bordering a garden patio. Small metal planters resting atop rustic wooden tables inject a burst of color and charm. Attach a wooden planter box under a garden shed's window and fill it with a variety of brightly colored flowering plants, creating a cozy cottage ambiance.

Lighting

Add a soft evening glow to your garden by hanging decorative rustic lanterns from garden poles or a covered patio. Iron lanterns enclosed with glass sides provide additional safety while candles are burning. For a rustic but glamorous look, hang a candle chandelier from the ceiling of a garden gazebo or covered patio. Place a wrought-iron candle holder on a garden table, creating a special ambiance for evening dining.

Tags: your garden, burst color, covered patio, rustic iron, with colorful

Use Touchup Paint On Furniture

Furniture such as chairs, tables, bed frames and dressers endure wear and tear over the years, but just because it is old doesn't mean it has to appear that way. With easy painting techniques to touch up chipped or worn-away paint on furniture, you can make your furniture look brand new again and increase the longevity of its life.

Instructions

1. Lay out the furniture you want to touch up with paint on taped together garbage bags or a tarp so that you do not get paint on other areas where it could stain. Do this in an open ventilated area, such as a garage.

2. Take the sandpaper and carefully and lightly sand the area that needs to be touched up with paint. Smooth out the edges and get any splinters or chips of wood off of the furniture. Sand a little bit onto the edges of paint that is still on the furniture so the transition between the new paint and old will blend more easily.

3. Dip a paintbrush (or roller, depending how large the touch-up area is on the furniture) into the primer. Carefully paint primer over the area that needs to be touched up. Only paint one layer. Let dry.

4. Dip a new paintbrush into the matching paint for the furniture's touch-up area. Carefully use downward strokes, evenly coating the paint over the touch-up area. Slide the paint slightly over the original paint that is already on the furniture, around the touch-up area. Paint one coat. Let dry. If necessary, add a second coat. This depends upon the paint color and size of touch-up area.

5. Let dry. If necessary, use the sandpaper to very lightly touch up the edges of the new touch-up paint to blend in better to the original paint.

Tags: touch-up area, area that, area that needs, needs touched, original paint, paint furniture

Decorate Walls With Iron Pieces

Today there are tons of stunning metalwork wall pieces that are available for home decor. Some are made from wrought iron while others are actually constructed from recycled metal. Some are decidedly modern looking, while others are more antique in nature. Many come in natural iron colors. Others are painted, antiqued, or even texturized. Follow the steps below to decorate with iron pieces. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Decorate Walls with Iron Pieces

1. Determine "how" and "where" you might like to use iron pieces to decorate the walls of your home. This decision will likely have an impact on the type of iron piece(s) that you choose.

2. Decide the style of iron work you want to use. This should be somewhat influenced by how you intend to use the piece as well as the style of the room in which it will be placed.

3. Decide the size and shape of the iron work pieces that you want to use.

4. If you don't already have the pieces on hand, go out and purchase the iron work pieces that you want to use for wall decor.

5. If necessary, paint or texturize the iron work pieces to fit within your home decor.

6. Use iron work pieces instead of paintings or pictures.

7. Use iron work pieces to accent a piece of art.

8. Use iron work pieces to add different texture to a wall.

9. Use iron work pieces as candleholders to add mood lighting to a room.

10. Use iron work pieces as backdrops for greenery an/dor flowers.

11. Use iron work pieces to provide blank wall space with interest.

12. Put multiple iron pieces together to create a grouping.

Tags: iron work, iron work pieces, work pieces, pieces that, Decorate Walls, home decor, pieces that want

Decorate A Pot Rack

Pot racks combine the utilitarian and the decorative in one unit. If you have installed a pot rack in your kitchen, think about making it a beautiful facet of your kitchen decor. You can easily decorate it without detracting from its usefulness. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Scrub all of your pots. Ultimately, a pot rack is for hanging up pots. It gives you extra cupboard space and keeps your cooking tools at the ready. However, a pot rack will be far more beautiful when hung with perfectly polished pots and pans. Scrub off any black marks, burns and other grime. If you have old cookware, you may have to scrub a littler harder. Making your pots shine like new will be worth it when you hang them on your new pot rack.

2. Polish your brass pots and brass-bottomed cookware. Brass lights up a kitchen and gives it an elegant feel.

3. Decorate the chains holding up your pot rack. You can weave pretty vines, leaves or flowers in and out of the chains for a floral look. You can also twine the Christmas lights around the chains. If you like, do both.

4. You can add a little foliage to your kitchen by placing a potted plant like a fern, spider plant or seasonal houseplant on top of your pot rack. This way, even if the rack is nearly empty when you're cooking a big meal, your pot rack will still be vibrant and beautiful.

Tags: your rack, your kitchen, rack will, your pots

Types Of Metal Bed Frames

The first metal beds made their appearance in ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun himself had a metal bed, though his was made of gold and ebony--certainly not the materials one would expect to find in today's metal beds. It was not until late in the 18th century that metal beds with more common materials such as cast iron made their appearance. Other materials also became popular, such as brass and steel. Does this Spark an idea?

Art Deco Metal Bed Frames

The Art Deco period was in the 1920s and 30s and was very distinctive. The designs from this period were characterized by distinct outlines, sharp curves, zig-zags and geometric forms. Art Deco metal beds feature these designs and are often made of wrought iron.

Art Nouveau Metal Bed Frames

The Art Nouveau period was in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The designs of this period were softer than the Art Deco period and featured more natural forms like soft curves and designs that resembled flowers or vines. Metal bed frames in the Art Nouveau style have these softer curves in the headboard and footboard designs. These beds can be made of wrought iron or brass.

Craftsman Metal Bed Frames

It can be said that the Craftsman style was a reaction to the ornateness of the Victorian era. It has some of the simplicity of the Art Deco era. According to Cathouse Beds, the Craftsman "utilizes the sense of openness and space in conjunction with rustic boldness." There are curves with Craftsman metal bed frames, but they're less ornate than those of the Art Nouveau metal bed frames.

Victorian Metal Bed Frames

The Victorian era corresponded with the reign of Queen Victoria--from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Like the Art Nouveau era, the Victorian era was characterized by curves, though these curves were softer and similar to the body of a woman. By the end of the era, the designs of the Victorian era were very ornate. Metal bed frames in the Victorian style can reflect the beginning or the end of the era with the level of ornamentation.

Depression Era Metal Bed Frames

This style has the echos of the Art Deco era, though much of the ornamentation is gone. These designs are simpler, with soft curves instead of the sharper, Art Deco angles. The finish of the Depression-era metal bed frames could be wrought iron that was either plain or painted.

Tags: metal beds, wrought iron, beds made, Deco period, frames Victorian

Diy Back Yard Metal Gazebo Ideas

Metal gazebos are durable.

Metal gazebos provide you with a freestanding structure in which you can relax or entertain guests. Such gazebos are simple to erect if you purchase one in the form of a kit. By using welding or carpentry skill, or creativity, you can create a personalized metal gazebo to help complete the look of your outdoor living space. Does this Spark an idea?

Asian-Inspired Gazebo

Instead of the using a traditionally round shape for a gazebo, use a square frame created with black metal to mimic the look of a teahouse. Line the outer lower perimeter with boards of light colored wood. If you want windows, mimic the look of silk or rice paper screens by using translucent Plexiglas or frosted glass. Light the inside of the gazebo with sturdy Asian-style lanterns. Place a cast iron bell or bamboo wind chimes outside the entrance to the gazebo and surround the structure with white rocks. If you want to use the gazebo for relaxing, install a Japanese soaking tub.

Fairytale Gazebo

A fairytale-style gazebo is whimsical looking and perfect for an English rose garden and afternoon tea parties. This gazebo style is generally shaped like an octagon and has a roof with one tier. The top of the gazebo posts has gingerbread spandrels as corner braces, which you can weld or purchase. The railings on a fairytale gazebo are spindled and the swirled accents may remind you of a carousel. In addition to lighting the gazebo with a central lamp, strategically place small LED lights in the structure to add to the whimsical look at night.

Garden House Gazebo

Garden house-style gazebos are square and look similar to garden houses. This type of metal gazebo is best in yards that do not have a lot of shady trees or if you want to hang a swing for two. Accent the metal gazebo with cupola caps made of copper and complete the look with spandrels and railings. Accent the perimeter of a garden house gazebo with wildflowers, decorative grasses and plants in clay pots.

Oasis-Inspired Gazebo

Oasis-inspired gazebos feature a minimalist, clean look without rails or spandrels, are generally rectangular and have a double-tiered roof lined with a water- and weather-resistant canvas material. The tops of the frame can have curved metal arches to accent the lines of the structure. The addition of a canvas curtain that matches the roof and/or netting can offer privacy and protection from insects, the sun, rain and light breezes. Light the inside of the gazebo with brightly colored lamps to create a warm glow and accent the structure with tropical plants.

Tags: gazebo with, metal gazebo, complete look, inside gazebo, inside gazebo with

Season New Stainless Steel Cookware

Season your stainless steel cookware to protect it.

Seasoning your stainless steel cookware is one of the most important things you can do to keep the pans cooking well and looking good. Seasoning the pans protects them from rusting or pitting, which can be normal wear on a stainless steel pan. Stainless steel pans have the advantage of lasting longer than other types of cookware, as well as being more resistant to corroding. Stainless steel cookware is versatile and will continue to cook like the first day you used it for years to come. Professional chefs choose stainless steel over most other pans, too. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wash your cookware thoroughly with dish soap in hot water.

2. Dry the pans with a towel.

3. Line the inside of the cookware with peanut oil. Use paper towels or your hands to spread the oil throughout the pans.

4. Set the pans on the stove top and set the heat to "Medium."

5. Remove the pans from the stove when the oil starts to smoke. Let the oil cool.

Tags: steel cookware, your stainless steel, stainless steel, Stainless steel, your stainless

Sell Metal Art

If making metal art is something you enjoy, perhaps you would like to take the next step and sell it. It can be a way a way to gain exposure for your work, and also an opportunity to supplement your income. There are several ways to sell art, including online and local opportunities. While it may take time to start selling, you will be building your name and reputation at the same time.

Instructions

1. Create a collection of your metal art. Make sculptures in a variety of sizes and complexity. This will be the equivalent of making a portfolio.

2. Put a price on your art when you want to sell metal art. The trick is to make sure you set a reasonable price on your art so that you will be compensated for your time and the cost of your materials, as well as make a profit as well. The article "Art Prices---Price Your Art Realistically" at ArtBuisness is useful (see Resources). Going to sites selling metal sculptures, like Bathsehba.com, is also helpful in working out price your art.

3. Build a website to showcase your metal art. You can do this free through most Internet providers, or cheaply through companies like US Website Design (see Resources). Showcase your art on your site, and make a signature that appears beneath your name when you send emails.

4. Rent tables at craft shows and bring your metal art to sell. Design fliers and postcards and brings those with you when you sell your metal art. You can find listings for craft shows by going to sites like Festival Network Online (see Resources).

5. Sell metal art through local stores or online. You may find stores in your area that feature local artists. You can also find sites like the Sculpture Collector or Original Art Online (see Resources).

Tags: your metal, price your, craft shows, Online Resources, Online Resources Sell, Resources Sell

Marfa Texas Hotels

Nestled in the West Texas desert, Marfa offers a special view of the old West.

Surrounded by the huge Southwest desert and mountains, Marfa, Texas, offers visitors a glimpse into old West. Renowned for its arts community, Marfa attracts visitors from all over the world. Guests can select a stay at one of the city's diverse hotels each with a different style. Whether you favor a traditional Texas retreat or a modern respite, Marfa is the perfect spot that will leave guests glad they stopped by for a visit.

Hotel Paisano

Hotel Paisano, an 80-year-old two-story white limestone building with a red tile roof, awaits visitors in the heart of Marfa. The cast of "Giant" stayed there in 1955 during the filming. It is a small hotel with 33 rooms and suites. Years of restoration preserved its rustic wooden beams, Texas tile, marble floors, a reading room and lounge with a stone fireplace. All rooms have wrought iron balconies and many overlook a heated swimming pool that is an ideal spot to relax. Its ballroom accommodates parties up to 100 guests.

Hotel Paisano

207 North Highland Ave.

Marfa, Texas 79843

432-729-3669

hotelpaisano.com

Thunderbird Motel

In 2005, Conde Nash Traveler Magazine called the Thunderbird Hotel a "24-room oasis." The renovation turned the 1959 motel into a blend of West Texas flavor and modern design chic. Each room features a queen-size bed, a flat screen TV, recessed lights and a custom-made wood table. The motel's laid-back style focuses on total relaxation for guests and is pet-friendly. An outdoor pool with a large fireplace takes the chill off the desert wind. Native landscaping gently surrounds the motel. It offers package deals for holidays and special occasions.

Thunderbird Hotel

601 West San Antonio St.

Marfa, TX 79843

432-729-1984

thunderbirdmarfa.com

Cibolo Creek Ranch

Bring your inner cowboy to the Cibolo Creek Ranch that is a working cattle ranch. Located 30 miles outside Marfa, the 130-year old ranch offers three different forts. The El Cibolo offers 21 rooms, while La Cienega has five rooms. La Morita is the ranch's only private cottage. The decor is a step back in time with Spanish tile and marble, Pecan wooden tables, pine chairs and verandas. The outdoor lover will relish a hike in nearby Big Bend National Park and horse rides along mountain trails. Guests can enjoy activities like fishing and hunting trips, mountain biking, bird watching and paddle boats.

Cibolo Creek Ranch

HCR 67 Box 44

Marfa, Texas 79843

432-229-3737

cibolocreekranch.com

Acorn B&B

The Acorn Inn B&B is conveniently located two blocks from downtown Marfa. Its Victorian style offers a small town atmosphere with three charming old-fashioned rooms and two bathrooms. A kitchen staff serves all meals to guests who can unwind in the sitting room and on the outdoor patio.

Arcon Inn B&B

215 N. Austin St.

Marfa, TX 79843

432-729-4826

Tags: Marfa Texas, Cibolo Creek, Cibolo Creek Ranch, Creek Ranch, Hotel Paisano

Kitchen Decorating Styles

Decorating styles for your kitchen can be specifically designed to coordinate with the rest of your home or to stand alone as a style all its own. Choices of cabinetry, countertops and flooring are some of the main design elements in any kitchen along with color, lighting and appliances. Does this Spark an idea?

French Country

Select old world, rustic farmhouse or warm elegance as the theme for your French country kitchen. Deep cherry or vintage white cabinets are the perfect backdrop for an elegant or old world style, while heart of pine cabinets set the tone for a rustic farmhouse type kitchen. Copper kettles, colorful ceramics and wrought iron lighting blend together with hardwood floors and tile or granite countertops. Bright blues and muted reds combine with shades of yellow, green and white for walls and accents in any French country style kitchen.

Country

Decorating a kitchen in country style is similar to a rustic farmhouse type of French country. Hardwood or ceramic tile floors covered in woven floor rugs mesh with the heart of pine cabinets. Wrought iron lighting and shades of red coordinate with copper and cast iron accessories. Tin ceiling panels mimic old-style country placed on the ceiling and on the wall as a backsplash.

Modern

Glass cabinet doors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and slate floors define a modern kitchen decorating style. Warm up your modern kitchen with a soft blue, deep red or rich gold glass tile backsplash. Sleek and elegant, your modern kitchen should be clutter free and well lit.

Tuscan

Terra cotta tile floors and off-white cabinets surrounded by deep rich shades of red and gold walls set the stage for a farmhouse kitchen straight from the Tuscan countryside. Butcher block countertops on the island and mismatched pottery along the tops of the upper cabinets add depth and color to the room. Add terra cotta and colorful ceramic planters filled with herbs along the windowsill and place a rustic wood table for family gatherings.

Eclectic

Combine elements of different kitchen styles together to make your own eclectic decorating style. Include glass panes in some of your oak kitchen cabinets and hang pots on a wrought iron pot rack over the island. Pair a glass tile backsplash with ceramic countertops or mix elegant wrought iron lighting with nickel faucets and hardware. Showcase your collection of vintage poster prints or antique teacups in a kitchen designed to celebrate and combine your unique and varied interests.

Tags: French country, iron lighting, modern kitchen, rustic farmhouse, coordinate with, country style, decorating style

What Are The Parts Of A Cooking Wood Stove

What Are the Parts of a Cooking Wood Stove?

The wood cooking stove was the kitchen centerpiece that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers may have used before the days of common home electrical service. In modern times, these cooking stoves are seeing a resurgence in popularity as more people are trying to get back to basics and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels. Does this Spark an idea?

Chimney

The chimney is the duct that allows smoke to escape from the wood cooking stove. Smoke is made up of steam and unburned carbon referred to as creosote. When the smoke travels up the chimney, it cools and condenses. This condensed creosote will be deposited on the walls of the chimney and must be periodically cleaned out.

Firebox

The firebox in a wood cooking stove is a compartment that holds the fuel for burning. The size and intensity of the fire in the firebox depends on how much wood is used, what type of wood is used, the physical arrangement of the wood pieces in the firebox and how much air the fire gets.

Oven

A wood cooking stove is essentially the same as any other wood burning appliance. The main different between a wood stove and a wood cooking stove is the cooking stove has an oven.

The oven is a box inside the wood burning stove that is heated by the firebox. Temperature in the oven is regulated in part by the size and intensity of the flame in the firebox as well as by a damper that holds or releases air from around the oven box. To a lesser degree, the temperature for a dish in the oven can be adjusted by its placement in the oven box. The oven in a wood cooking stove typically does not heat evenly, with higher heat on the side next to the firebox and in the upper area of the oven and less heat in the lower area away from the firebox.

Hob

The hob of a wood cooking stove is the cooking surface on which pots and pans are placed. Unlike modern ranges and cooktops, the wood cook stove does not have burners. Round disks that look like they might be burners in the hob are called "eyes." These eyes are lids that can be lifted to add sticks to the firebox below or they can be set aside and a pot cradled in the resulting hole to allow the pot to heat up faster.

Temperature control on the hob is achieved partly through the size and intensity of the fire in the firebox, but also with the cooking container's proximity to the firebox. Pots or pans that need a high heat are placed directly over the firebox. For medium heat, the pot or pan would be moved aside just off the firebox, and for low heat, the pot or pan would be placed at the farthest point on the hob away from the firebox to maintain a low simmer

Damper

The stove's damper is a device that controls the amount of air that the fire has available for combustion. Opening the damper and allowing large amounts of air into the firebox will increase the fire's intensity and speed up the burning of the fuel. Closing the damper will cut off the air supply and choke the fire.

Tags: cooking stove, wood cooking, wood cooking stove, size intensity, away from, away from firebox, cooking stove cooking

Mailbox Post Design Ideas

This mailbox post can be knocked over quite easily.

The United States Postal Service, known as the USPS, specifies rules for designing a mailbox post. It should hold your mailbox with the bottom of the mailbox between 41 to 45 inches above the road surface and back from the curb or roadside by 6 to 8 inches. The post should swing away if it is hit by a vehicle. You are free to design your own mailbox post if you follow the USPS rules. Does this Spark an idea?

Paneled

Instead of nailing a couple of 2-by-4s together and calling it a mailbox post, try a four-sided paneled mailbox post. The four sides give the post extra strength, while an L-bracket can securely seat the mailbox. Use two L-brackets to hold both your own and your neighbor's mailboxes. Top the mailbox off with a Corinthian pillar, pyramid or ball finial. Seat the mailbox post in a concrete footing as far back from the road as you can. Paint the mailbox post white and plant climbing ivy around the concrete footing for a clean, country look, or put the address numbers on the side of the post.

Wrought Iron

Use a decorative, wrought iron railing post and hang your mailbox from the top decorative spiral with a sturdy hook. Weld the hook into place on the mailbox and post so that the mailbox does not rock back and forth. Use a deep concrete footing to hold the wrought iron post in place. Train morning glory vines to wrap around the wrought iron for an added splash of color.

Swing Arm

Build a mailbox post out of sturdy pipe and a rotating metal arm. The mailbox affixes to the arm and can be pushed easily out of the way by oncoming traffic or a snowplow. The rotating arm allows the mailbox to swing back and return to its original position undamaged. Sink the metal piping into a deep concrete footing to keep the mailbox post upright.

Lawn Decorations

Buy an old lawn jockey and mount him on a pedestal screwed into the ground. Paint your mailbox to look like a lantern or a package. Attach the mailbox to the lawn jockey so that it looks as if he is holding it. Use a lawn windmill and mount the mailbox below the windmill's moving parts or toward the lower back of the windmill. Plant the windmill into a solid concrete footing to keep it from tipping over.

Mailbox Post Incorporated

Some people use themed mailboxes to display their hobbies, likes and interests. Continue the theme by incorporating it into the mailbox post. Paint a tail that wraps around a four-sided wooden post that holds a cat-shaped mailbox. Paint a red stripe down a mailbox post so that it looks like it is unraveling off of a mailbox painted like a United States flag. Varnish a wooden mailbox post in a dark color, and paint the mailbox with a traditional quilt design so that the post becomes a quilt holder. Paint a mailbox post so that it looks like a telephone pole. Paint the sides of the mailbox it supports with birds on a wire, or paint the mailbox on one or both sides with sneakers tied together and "thrown" over the wire for a more urban appeal.

Tags: mailbox post, concrete footing, mailbox post, post that, your mailbox, mailbox post, mailbox post that

Luxury Estates Or Villas In Jamaica

Guests can enjoy unspoiled views of the Jamaican coast from their luxury villa.

Jamaica is a popular vacation destination known over the world for its sandy beaches, crystal clear water, tropical music and Rastafarian culture. For a unique experience in Jamaica, consider renting a luxury estate or villa. Though expensive, these rental properties provide all the luxurious amenities of a hotel or resort without the hassle of crowds. Plus, guests can enjoy increased privacy that is often unrivaled by hotels.

Malatai Villa

This beachfront villa is located on the shores of Old Fort Bay in Ocho Rios. Nicknamed "Malatai," the villa accommodates up to 14 people with six bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms. The villa comes fully staffed and features room-to-room intercoms, private beach access and a separate fitness cottage. Additional amenities include a large swimming pool and hot tub, grassy lawn with shaded sitting areas, gourmet kitchen, outdoor fire pit, covered patio, cable television and high-speed Internet access. Eight single and double kayaks are also provided for guests to use on their private beach. Pets may be allowed upon approval at this non-smoking villa.

Malatai Villa

Ocho Rios, Jamaica, West Indies

301-229-4300

vrbo.com/211379

Great River House

This secluded villa is situated on nearly five acres of manicured lawns overlooking Montego Bay. Known as the "Great River House," the estate accommodates up to 10 people with five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms. The entire property is fenced with wrought-iron gates and features a hard-surface tennis court, flower-filled courtyard, tree swings and an outdoor fire pit. A professional staff of six work at the 7,500-square-foot home, which has an infinity edge pool surrounded by a 2,400-square-foot sundeck, a spacious covered veranda and an outdoor shower. Other amenities include a designer kitchen, stone terrace, entertainment room, cable television and high-speed Internet access. Guests also receive membership to the neighboring Round Hill Hotel and Villas, which includes access to a private beach, water sports program, fitness center day spa and jogging trail. The villa is completely nonsmoking and pets are not permitted.

Great River House

Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies

847-295-1317

847-370-4642

vrbo.com/214526

Villas Sur Mer

This waterfront villa is nestled along the Caribbean Sea atop the cliffs of Negril. Nicknamed the "Gem of Jamaica," the home accommodates up to 14 people with six bedrooms and six bathrooms. The villa is professionally staffed and features a private pool and hot tub, a spacious deck overlooking the sea and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Additional amenities include several seaside hammocks, a waterfront stone terrace, entertainment room, barbecue grill, satellite television and a home office with high-speed Internet access. Guests are also provided with sea kayaks and snorkeling gear to use at a reef not far from the coast. Pets are not permitted at this villa.

Villas Sur Mer

Negril, Jamaica, West Indies

866-537-1374

305-767-2596

vrbo.com/267070

Tags: accommodates people, accommodates people with, amenities include, Great River, Great River House, high-speed Internet, high-speed Internet access

Use The Longaberger Umbrella Basket

Longaberger manufactures hand-crafted baskets in Ohio.

Longaberger, a manufacturer of baskets, was founded more than 35 years ago. Based in Ohio, the company has more than 45, 000 consultants throughout the United States. Its range of basket can be used for blankets, fruit, hot dishes, display or storage. As of December 2010, the umbrella basket is not available for purchase through its website, however it can be sourced online through secondhand outlets. It is a long, standing basket that accommodates umbrellas. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Inspect the umbrella basket to see if it has any holes or faults in its weaving. Using it when it is damaged may cause it to break further. Look for loose material by shaking the basket firmly. If it is sturdy, the weaving remains intact without any debris falling from it.

2. Find a suitable location to place the umbrella basket. Placing it by the door is suitable for visitors to collapse their umbrellas and put them inside the basket.

3. Provide additional support to the basket by using a wrought iron umbrella stand. Look online for a secondhand stand or ask a locker blacksmith for a quote for making one. The stand gives the basket extra durability by supporting the weight of the umbrellas.

4. Put your umbrella basket in place. Position it so it doesn't touch the wall as this may damage your paintwork. Also, leave enough space for the umbrella handles to hang out of the basket. Leave a 1-inch gap between the wall and basket.

5. Collapse your wet umbrellas and place them in the umbrella basket with the handle up. Do this by holding the handle of the umbrella, and pointing it into the umbrella stand. Release the handle so the umbrella sits inside the stand.

Tags: umbrella basket, handle umbrella, more than, umbrella basket, umbrella stand

Weld An Ornate Fence Gate

One style of an ornate wrought iron gate.

Most ornate fence gates are welded of wrought iron, an old and very traditional metal. Wrought iron has a very low carbon content -- it is nearly pure iron -- and contains elements called slag which give it texture. It is easy to weld, can be bent into a variety of shapes or can be cast into ornamental designs. It is not brittle so it is durable and it resists corrosion. Wrought iron can be bought in solid or hollow round or rectangular tubes or in sheets that can be cut and formed into circles and other designs. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Design an ornate wrought iron gate to fit a special opening, into a yard, courtyard, driveway or other access point. Measure the opening and make sure there are sturdy posts on either side; they can be wood, metal, even masonry. Lay out the gate pattern on paper, showing the basic frame or outline and internal elements such as circles, arches and upright or diagonal bars.

2. Buy the materials, including any special decorations like spear points or scroll work. If you have metalworking expertise, you can make these yourself, cutting sheets of metal into strips and bending them or forming them into circles, triangles or other designs. Lay out the gate on a work surface. All gates have some rectangular framework; some have arched tops, but they fit on a basic rectangle.

3. Weld the frame first. Use a metal saw to cut corners at a 45-degree angle and make sure the mitered corner is square before welding. Weld together any special components, like circles or scroll work, that go in the interior of the gate or in an arched or peaked top.

4. Add internal cross bars or braces and weld to the decorative panel. Use a wire brush to clean and smooth all welds. Put on hinges and latches; some gates hinge on only one side, others have two sections with hinges on both sides and a latch in the center. Ornate gates also can be installed with electric openers so the gates open and closed across the opening.

Tags: into circles, iron gate, iron very, make sure, ornate wrought, ornate wrought iron, other designs

Collect Antique Model Trains

Collecting model trains gives adults and children alike a great sense of history and a lot of fun. Lionel and a handful of smaller companies manufactured the first model trains distributed in America. Here's a rundown on collect antique model trains produced during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Instructions

1. Look for locomotives made in the early 1900s. Lionel made many of these toy trains, complete with tiny electric motors and accessories like crossings, stations and tunnels. The small electric motors could be attached to a pulley which was used to power the accessories for these antique trains.

2. Admire the earliest model trains distributed in the United States. Replicas of the first locomotives, these antique model trains operated manually or by spring apparatus. Check for the Weeden and Garlick name on antique trains if you're interested in collecting the first mass produced American toy trains.

3. Locate antique toy trains by smaller manufacturers. The Bergmann Company in New York City produced miniature tinplate trains in the 1870s. Among the earliest toy trains manufactured, they were powered by spring mechanics or clockwork. Other tinplate train makers included Brown (Connecticut) and Fallows (Philadelphia).

4. Buy cast iron trains. Manufactured by many companies after tinplate trains went out of style, these trains were manufactured in greater quantities than previous trains by Pratt and Letchworth and J and E Stevens.

5. Find antique model trains made of light metal. By the 1890s, lightweight, lithographed tinplate replaced the heavier cast iron, reducing production costs.

Tags: model trains, antique trains, antique model, antique model trains, cast iron

Decorating Ideas For A Longaberger Shelf

The Longaberger Company was founded in 1973, originally specializing in basket making, a craft that has long been a part of the Longaberger family. It later expanded into other products, such as tables, shelves, pottery and more. The products are often sold by home consultant and at craft markets. Collecting Longaberger products has become a trend in home design, but once installed, owners of Longaberger products typically wish to decorate them to match their home accents. Does this Spark an idea?

Wrought Iron

Many Longaberger products are accented using wrought iron. While displaying wrought iron on a shelf isn't typically a reality, there is always the option of hanging decorative wrought iron around your shelf. Below or beside the shelf is preferable to prevent monopolizing the actual shelf space.

Lighting

Installing small LED wall lights above or below your Longaberger shelf is a good way to accentuate its appearance, while at the same time adding ambient lighting to the room. When lighting your shelf, the lights should be place 1 to 1.5 feet above or below the shelf for optimum shadow casting and accenting.

Wall Art

Another way to display your Longaberger shelving is to hang it just below a picture. Be sure to hang it low enough to prevent any items displayed on the shelf from obscuring the picture. Utilizing your shelf in this way allows you to easily further "frame" your picture.

Ribbons, Fabric or Paper

Ribbons, fabric and paper displayed on your Longaberger shelf can add non-permanent color accents to your shelving. These layouts can be easily changed to match any occasion or season, giving your home decorating a lot of flexibility. Using ribbons, fabric and paper also allows you to easily extend your color motifs to other areas of the room or house.

What Not to Do

Longaberger products, while functional, are also considered pieces of art by many. If you plan on using your Longaberger shelf to set your keys or other daily items on, consider using a cheaper, non-Longaberger shelf. Your Longaberger shelves should be reserved for decorative and more permanent item placements. Also, don't paint or otherwise modify your Longaberger shelves; once again, these pieces are not meant to be modified, and buying a more generic shelf would be more suitable for painting.

Tags: Longaberger products, Longaberger shelf, wrought iron, your Longaberger, your Longaberger shelf, your shelf

Make Fast Money With Simple Money Making Ideas

Make Fast Money with Simple Money-Making Ideas

Have you ever needed to make fast money and didn't know how? If you have, you are not alone. Most people have found themselves in the same situation, particularly in view of the current global financial crisis. However, with just a bit of creativity, you can generate some fast money to get you out of a crisis. For some simple money-making ideas, consider the following pointers.

Instructions

1. Make fast money by going to garage sales or thrift stores. Look for items that you can clean or paint. Examples of such items are wooden furniture, technical items, or wall furnishings. Sell these items and turn them into fast cash.

2. Sand old chairs, tables or any wooden item. Stain or paint it then clear coat it. Buy a small piece of tapestry from your local fabric store and upholster it. It does not take very much money, but simple money-making ideas such as these can help you resell an item for much more than what you paid.

3. Paint mirrors with ceramic or wooden borders to create an antique look. You can accomplish this by spray-painting it black, dark green or red. Buy gold leaf and apply it to the item over the paint. It will make an old mirror look new, traditional and elegant. Apply the same procedure to picture frames and ceramic vases and turn them into some fast money.

4. Turn wrought iron items into fast cash after you spray paint them and give them a new look. Use black or green paint (sea foam). Italian and French décor incorporates wrought iron furnishings. Use this procedure on candle holders, wall decorations and picture frames to help you make fast money.

5. Advertise a tag sale. Put price tags on the items you have refurbished and neatly display them in your garage or outside on your yard. Reduce any items left at the end of the sale to make sure that you get rid of everything. This way, you can generate enough fast money to keep your lights on, buy groceries or help you get through a critical situation. Another option is to list your used items on sites such as craigslist or eBay

Tags: fast money, fast cash, Fast Money, into fast, into fast cash, make fast money

Repaint A Wrought Iron Door With Faux Finish

An old wrought-iron door is revived with a faux metal patina finish.

Wrought-iron doors are made to last, even if the surface gets a little rusty or a layer of paint starts to chip. Even if the surface doesn't show any signs of aging, plain black wrought iron doesn't fit with every style of building or decor. A faux finish, such as a metal patina, can make the door look new and fit in with its surroundings. Does this Spark an idea?

Preparation

Remove the door from the hinges and lay it across a pair of sawhorses to make it easy to reach the top and sides. If the door is too difficult to remove, cover the hinges and any surrounding areas that won't be painted with painter's tape. Lightly sand the door to remove any rust or flaking paint, then wash it with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. If the door has a lot of rust or flaking paint, use a stiff wire brush to remove as much as possible prior to sanding and washing. Apply a rust inhibitor, and let it dry before painting.

Types of Paint

Select paint and primer designed for metal surfaces. You can use spray paint to speed up the process of applying the primer and base coat, then spray enough paint into a container to use a brush or sponge to apply subsequent coats; or you can use paint designed for brushing and rolling, or a combination of the two. Depending on the faux finish you plan to use, choose two to three colors of paint, including a base color, a top color, and a glaze or highlight color. To create an aged metal patina faux finish, look for colors that mimic the natural aging process of the metal you plan to re-create. For example, for an aged-bronze look choose black, metallic copper and dark bronze.

Practice

Prior to painting the door, practice the faux technique you plan to use on a piece of scrap metal or wood. Paint the base color first, then apply the top coat using a rag, sponge or stippling brush. You also can brush on a thin top coat that covers the base color, then quickly wipe it away with a brush or rag. Use a small brush or sponge to apply highlight color. Experiment with different techniques; when you get the right results and feel confident you can replicate them, start painting the door.

Prime and Paint

Apply a thin coat of primer, either by spraying or brushing it onto the door. Make sure to cover the sides and crevices of all the decorative elements. If the door is laying across a pair of sawhorses, work on one side, let it dry, then flip it over to work on the opposite side. Let the primer dry completely, usually two to three hours, then apply the base coat of paint. Repeat the faux painting technique as you practiced it, allowing each coat of paint to dry completely before proceeding with the next.

Tags: base color, faux finish, metal patina, across pair, across pair sawhorses

Decorate With Hardwood Floors

Some people devote money or sweat equity into restoring hardwood floors to their original beauty, while others rip out carpeting or tile to reveal the hardwood floors hiding beneath. There are also those people who move into houses or apartments with new hardwood floors, happy with their good luck. However, making rooms look their best and most stylish with hardwood floors can slam against the hard reality of protecting and maintaining them. Choose decor for rooms with hardwood floors that has the look you like and also the qualities hardwood floors demand. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Clean and maintain your hardwood floors. Avoid using polishes that leave a waxy veneer on the wood. Instead, a gentle oil-based soap and warm water rinse keep most hardwood floors clean and looking presentable. Use only small quantities of water for cleaning. In between wet mopping, keep your hardwood floors dust and debris-free with dry dusting. Microfiber cloths work extremely well on hardwood floors.

2. Establish a palette in the room that complements hardwood flooring. The mid-century modern look of sunny yellow or cooler sophisticated gray has a pleasant neutral look with lighter hardwood floors. Darker hardwood floors can take earthier tones, such as the Tuscan villa look of terracotta, burnt umber and cobalt blue. Hardwood floors combine well with other natural materials, palettes and finishes, such as bamboo, sisal, stone, wicker, rattan and other wooden elements.

3. Consider floor coverings to accent hardwood floors. It may seem against your instinct to cover beautiful hardwood floors, but small pops of color, texture and design can protect high-traffic areas while also bringing out the hardwood flooring as a contrast. Try an Oriental rug in an entryway or as a runner on a stairway for a classic look. Modular carpet tiles are another option, and do not damage hardwood floors because they stick to each other rather than to the floor. Lay a rug beneath a coffee or dining room table, or use rugs to define separate vignettes within an open floor plan. Hardwood flooring can make rugs slippery, so invest in some vinyl rug pads to secure them.

4. Furnish your spaces with hardwood floors in mind. This means avoiding spiky or knobby feet on furniture, unless they have padding under them to protect the floor. Likewise, sharp metal or glass edges can prove dangerous unless you place them on mats or rugs. Try light and bright pieces such as tufted ottomans, hand-painted armoires or boldly patterned upholstery to warm up the hardwood floors for a bohemian modern look, or keep it starker with a Shaker-style table in antique white or a distressed wrought-iron bed frame for a minimalist or Japanese-inspired wabi-sabi simplicity.

5. Aim for accent, ambient and task lighting rather than overhead lighting. Nothing can kill the muted glow of quality hardwood floors more than fluorescent lights. Track lighting, recessed lighting, pendant lights and wall sconces can make hardwood floors reflect the lights and colors of the room. Table and floor lamps provide bright spots of light where necessary. Candles can also cast moody shadows across hardwood floors.

Tags: hardwood floors, hardwood floors, with hardwood, with hardwood floors, hardwood flooring, modern look

Design A Mediterranean House

Mediterranean style architecture, reminiscent of villas on the Mediterranean coast, can be found throughout the world. The style is inspired by Spanish, Moorish, Tuscan and French architecture and has many distinct features. You can design a Mediterranean home for a relaxing yet elegant atmosphere by learning about both its exterior and interior characteristics. Does this Spark an idea?

Exteriors

Mediterranean style homes have a distinct style with elements found in Italian villas, Spanish Revival and Mission Revival homes. You can design a Mediterranean house to be a bungalow or to have several floors.

Exterior walls may have a smooth, flat finish, stuccoed or covered in large stones. Exterior walls are often painted using pastel colors such as pink, orange, peach or yellow. However, homes are also painted in cream, beige or white.

When designing the roof of a Mediterranean home, it should be flat or low-pitched. Terra cotta tiles in orange or red are used to cover roofs. They help to keep the home cool when the weather is hot.

The exteriors of Mediterranean homes are characterized by exposed wooden beams, large, arched entrance doors and large arched windows with wooden shutters and wrought-iron grilles. Balconies also have wrought-iron or wooden grilles. The entrance is often a grand portico with stone columns, balustrades and ornate iron work.

If you're planning on designing a large home and have enough space, consider adding a grand driveway with a large water fountain made of stone at the center. Driveways can be paved with cement, made of cobblestone or pebbles. The landscaping for a Mediterranean style home includes lush gardens with palms and large, potted plants.

Interiors

When you design the interior of any home, consider that the interior architecture should also reflect the exterior's design. You might want interior walls to be heavily textured and painted with the same pastel colors used on the exterior walls. Accent colors include red, cobalt blue, olive green and bright yellow. Wall hangings, such as tapestries, give focus to a room and add textural contrast to stone and metal.

Mediterranean homes are known for their asymmetrical layout and open, airy living spaces. To allow the breeze to flow through on a warm day, you may consider adding a large, open porch which can be enclosed with wooden shutters.

Mediterranean kitchens are characterized by sculptured stucco ventilation hoods, tile counter tops, kitchen islands and large, wooden kitchen cabinets. Kitchens are often decorated with ceramics, food canisters and copper accessories.

The flooring for Mediterranean homes is usually made of terra cotta tiles although you can use other materials such as wooden planks, granite, marble and even cork. Floors are often covered with large Persian carpets. Ceilings usually have large, exposed wooden beams.

Casual furniture in a grand scale made of warm woods in rich, dark colors is commonly used throughout the house. In addition, mosaic tile-covered tabletops and countertops are also distinct features of Mediterranean interiors. Potted plants are also welcome additions to the home.

Tags: Mediterranean homes, Mediterranean style, consider adding, cotta tiles, distinct features, exposed wooden, exposed wooden beams

Stop A Squeaky Bed Frame

Do you dread going to sleep at night? Is your bed bringing you moments of frustration instead of comfort? Squeaky bed frames are a common problem and can seriously affect a good night's rest. Luckily, there are some quick and convenient solutions to solving this dilemma. With the advice recommended in "Black & Decker Complete Photo Home Guide to Repair," fixing squeaky bed frames is easy. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Fixing Your Frame

1. Make sure your bed frame is on a level and sturdy foundation. If not, first cut out small pieces of rubber matting slightly larger then the base of the frame's legs. Make sure to place the matting underneath the four bedf rame legs evenly to stop the legs from sliding against your floor. Follow this process by cutting out cardboard the same size as the leg's base and place on top of the fitted matting. If needed, double up the cardboard under certain legs to ensure an even foundation. Make sure the matting and cardboard are not visible and are hidden underneath the legs when viewing the bed frame.

2. Determine if the frame still remains squeaky. If so (and if the base is iron or metal), apply WD-40 to an old rag and vigorously rub a full layer across the frame and base. Allow 2 hours to dry. For any frame, apply the WD-40 on a rag over the metal nuts and bolts of the frame. Allow 1 hour to dry. Follow by placing Vaseline on a new, clean rag, carefully smoothing into the crevices of the nuts and bolts of the frame. Allow 1 hour to dry.

3. Place washers underneath the bolt between the bolt and screw head. Tighten the screw heads that connect the bed frame together, using the appropriate type of screwdriver. Hold tightly onto each bolt with a pair of pliers when tightening the heads. If still loose, squeeze superglue into the crevices of the bolts.

Tags: Make sure, Allow hour, apply WD-40, bolts frame, bolts frame Allow

Stone Fireplace Decorating Ideas

Draw attention to your stone fireplace by decorating around it.

Decorate around your stone fireplace to complement the style and decor in the room, as well as enhance the fireplace. Fireplaces typically serve as a natural focal point and can set the tone for the entire room, whether it's your bedroom, dining room or living room. Choose accessories that help create the mood or style you want in the room, such as romantic or rustic, and that work with the colors and textures of the stone. Does this Spark an idea?

Above the Fireplace

The stone can serve as the only decoration above the fireplace if you enjoy the way it looks and don't think anything needs added. If the wall is two stories high, you may want to break up the stone by hanging something of significant size above the fireplace. A large mirror with a decorative frame that complements the stone and matches the style of the room is one option. Hang a flat-screen TV above the fireplace (particularly if you have an artsy cover for when it's not in use) so that your seating arrangement can be centered around the fireplace for its appeal, as well as practical TV-watching time. Family pictures, a large-scale collage or artwork can also hang above the fireplace.

In Front of the Fireplace

Set a rustic-looking or wrought iron poker set or screen in front of the fireplace if it's practical, or simply as a decoration. A large floor vase or plant stand can sit off to one side to add color to the space. If there is a raised ledge in front of the fireplace, somewhat like an altar or bench, place decorative items on the ledge on either side of the fireplace. Framed photographs, candle arrangements, floral arrangements or plants (silk plants are fine) can fill the space. Galvanized or bronze-looking vases or bowls can hold abundant floral arrangements or fruit, whether real or artificial. Avoid overcrowding the ledge as you want the fireplace to remain the focus.

The Mantel

Some stone fireplaces that go up the entire wall don't have a mantel. Install a floating shelf or series of shelves if you don't have a mantel but want one. The items you place on the mantel should be on scale with the size of the fireplace. Small items, such as a bud vase or 5-by-7-inch picture frame, would look silly if the stone is 10 to 20 feet high. Place tall, thick candles, large vases, statues or urns on the mantel to balance an expansive fireplace. If the wall is smaller, scale down your decorative items to fit the space. You can also prop a mirror, picture or piece of art against the wall from the mantel if it's secure and you don't want to drill into the stone. Fill tall glass cylinders with decorative glass balls, beads, pebbles, potpourri or whatever you want. Use a hurricane shade or ornate candelabra to add heft to candle decorations.

On the Sides

Bookshelves or cabinets can flank the fireplace, as long as the wood complements the stone and the shelves are on scale with the fireplace. Go for a flush, built-in look if possible. Shelves are a good option if the fireplace has no mantel to add decorative accessories to the area and frame the fireplace.

Tags: above fireplace, your stone fireplace, complements stone, decorative items, floral arrangements, front fireplace

Make And & Install An Adjustable Length Gate For A Driveway

This 16ft. gate has been in service over 15 years with no maintenance except periodic painting.

This light weight gate was constructed to replace a heavy commercial one that kept sagging and that put too much overhung load on the hinge post. It is relatively light weight and was designed in such a way that allows for a measure of future sag and for a little variation in the distance between the support post (hinge end post) and the post where the gate lock is located at the other end. This gate is easy to construct, looks good and the one in the photo has been in continuous service for about fifteen years.

With some commonly available materials, a wire welder and some sweat equity you can crank out a gate to suit that driveway or rural access. The following outlines a method of constructing a gate similar to the one in the photo. The gate photo is of a 16ft. width, and the gate outlined in the instruction drawing is for a nominal 12 ft. opening. If you need a different width just lay out the pieces on a concrete floor and adjust to suit your requirement. Happy fabrication! Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Set the hinge end post in the ground by digging a hole from 30 in to 36 inches deep. Set the post in place, rotating the faces so that they are square with the drive being gated. Pour in the sack of dry concrete mix and a small bucket of water. Use a narrow shovel or even a piece of 2 x 4 to sort of mix up the water and concrete. Ground moisture will actually set it up if you will wait a few days. Back fill the hole with the dirt that was removed. Compact this dirt every six inches of fill with the end of a 2 x 4. Make sure that the post is plumb before leaving it to set up. The concrete for this post can be setting up while the gate is being made.

2. Cut the steel tube parts for the gate assembly. Lay out the parts on top of a flat surface such as a concrete shop floor. Fit these up and tack weld together. After verifying that parts are square and in the correct position, fully weld around all pieces. Drill out three 1/2 inch dia. holes in each outstanding leaf of each of the two butt hinges. These will receive 3/8 in dia. lag bolts.

3. Make the sliding tube assembly. File off all sharp edges and burrs since this piece will be handled often when locking or unlocking the gate.

4. Make the clip angle assembly. This will bolt to the gate.

5. Paint the gate and clip angle the color of your choice. Before painting clean all weld joints with a slag hammer and a wire brush.

6. Mount the gate to the hinge post after the post concrete has been setting up for 36-48 hours. After deciding how high you want the top of the gate above grade, mark the hinge holes locations on the face of the gate hinge post. Pre-drill these six holes with a 1/4 in dia. drill x 2 1/2 inches deep. Make sure that the top tube of the gate assembly is level or slightly above level when these holes are marked. By setting the tube slightly above level on the gate latch end you are allowing for any future sag of the assembly. Now bolt both hinge leaves securely to the hinge end post using a socket set and ratchet or adjustable wrench and the 6 - 2 1/2 in long lag bolts.

7. Now that the gate is mounted on the post, select the position of the latch end post. When digging the hole for this post do not push the sliding tube assembly all of the way into the top tube of the gate assembly. Slide it out say 6 to 8 inches and set the post according to this. This allows you to slide the tube back or forward to assist in locking the gate. Dig the post hole and set this post just as the hinge end post was done.

8. Swing the latch end of the gate to the newly set post and determine the location that the clip angle is to mount. Set the top of the slotted hole in the angle about 1/4 inch above the hole in the plate on the sliding tube. This assures that there will always be enough dimensional liberty to place a lock on the two parts. Mark the holes on the post to match those on the clip angle. Pre-drill these 1/4 inch dia. x 2 inches deep in the face of the post. Now bolt this angle in place using the two 2 in. long lag bolts.

9. Touch up the gate paint if it was scuffed or scratched during assembly to the posts

10. Saw off the top of the posts to a suitable height - your choice - above the level of the gate. Posts can be sawed off at an angle to shed water if you wish.

11. As an option an adjustable stop can be mounted either side of the gate on the hinge post end to limit the travel when the gate is resting open.

Tags: hinge post, clip angle, above level, gate assembly, gate hinge, gate hinge post

Tudor Basement Ideas

A Tudor basement uses wrought iron as a decorative accessory.

A Tudor home is recognizable by its off-white, tan or light gray stucco exterior adorned with large chocolate brown half timbers. The Tudor style, named after the Tudor dynasty, was first used as a decorating motif in England during the 15th century. If you want to decorate your basement and stay true to your home's Tudor design, you must incorporate dark hardwood and wrought iron into your basement decor. Does this Spark an idea?

Dark Hardwood

A Tudor basement incorporates dark mahogany or walnut hardwood into the room design. Paint the walls a light beige, golden-yellow or soft gray color to ensure that the room doesn't feel too heavy with the dark wood accents. Install dark-stained hardwood for flooring or add mahogany accent tables and chairs as decorative furnishings. Use walnut-stained wood trim to complement the Tudor motif. If you have enough available space, you can furnish the basement with a mahogany or walnut-framed billiard table.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is a soft black metal that has a strong classical design. Its heavy weight and sturdy construction make it a durable metal for wall decorations, floor lamps and furnishings. Install a large wrought iron candelabra on one of your basement walls for visual appeal. Accessorize the room with wrought iron candlesticks, picture frames and table decorations.

Warm Illumination

To detract from cold walls in a Tudor basement, add warm illumination to the room design. Install a wrought-iron chandelier and place accent candles around the room. Use soft white bulbs in light fixtures and lamps. Avoid fluorescent tube lighting and bright white halogen bulbs that can make the room seem less friendly.

Comfortable Seating

The Tudor motif encourages comfortable seating, so you can select an oversized couch and stuffed chairs for your basement design. Cushioned accessories make your Tudor basement more appealing for lounging, resting or watching television. Select furniture that has dark wood-stained trim and brass hardware to harmonize with the overall Tudor appeal.

Tags: your basement, Tudor basement, room design, Tudor motif, wrought iron

Dress Up A Tudor House

With a combination of elbow grease and knowledgeable designers, you can dress your home in Tudor style.

Tudor period decor was popular in England from 1485 to 1603. Tudor-style ornamentation is reminiscent of a prosperous time enjoyed by manor owners, who reaped the benefits of the international trade boom that graced the country during this era. Resurrect this bygone time in your own home with various changes, many of which you can make yourself. Hire reputable designers and craftsmen to implement more permanent changes to your surroundings. When you are finished, your home will look and feel as though it stepped back in time with rich color and bold pieces. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. A stone fireplace adds Tudor ambiance.

Resurface your fireplace. If your budget permits, replace a wood mantel with a stone hearth. You can hire a contractor to build a stone facade directly over brick or plaster.

2. Tudor style panels add depth to any room.

Erect wood paneling. Tudor style wood paneling differs from what many are accustomed to seeing in modern homes. Rather than planks of wood hung vertically in a room, Tudor paneling is built in squares or rectangular pieces. Choose between paneling that works halfway up the wall with ornate carving across the top, or floor-to-ceiling paneling.

3. Adorn your walls with woven pieces that tell a story.

Grace your surroundings with tapestries hung in virtually every room in your home in place of paintings. Use intricately woven tapestries that depict a story within the scenery. Consider Biblical scenes or frescoes. Lavish, imported area rugs also add a rich touch to rooms in lieu of tapestries.

4. Intricate ceilings are a hallmark of Tudor style.

Dress your ceiling in true Tudor style. Commission an artist adept in molding highly detailed ceiling panels in a honeycomb pattern if your home contains a dining hall with exceptionally high ceilings, or in your foyer. A simpler and less expensive solution is to hang faux timbers across your ceiling in a checkered pattern or hang them all the way across your room, parallel to each other.

5. Hang rich jacquard fabrics from the windows. Rather than hanging them from the top of the window to the floor, hang them from the ceiling to the floor. Use thick rope tie-backs with tassels both for practical purposes when pulling the curtains away from the window, and as a decorative touch.

6. Use pewter dishes around your kitchen.

Adorn your open cupboards with pewter dishes and steins. Line your counters with wicker baskets to hold dried herbs. Stoneware and pottery also add a Tudor feel to your kitchen.

7. Hang guilded wrought-iron chandeliers above your dining table and in your foyer. In place of traditional crystals, use chandeliers adorned with delicate porcelain flowers. Incorporate Tudor symbols such as the fleur-de-lis, Tudor rose or thistle into the fabrication of the flowers. Place wrought-iron sconces along the hallways and inside doorways.

8. Transform your room with a four-poster bed.

Consider transforming your bed into a throne. Beds were often the focal point in Tudor homes. The beds were lavishly made and adorned with richly colored brocades. Purchase a carved, four-poster bed with a canopy in your room. Use a jewel-toned fabric in your canopy of choice.

Tags: Tudor style, your home, your room, across your, Adorn your, adorned with, from window

List Of Fence Materials

Wood fence

Fences are common ways to keep noise, people or animals in or out of an area. Many fences are aesthetically pleasing, while others are simply functional. Fences are used along freeways, around yards, in commercial operations or around schools or prisons. Common fence materials are concrete, metal and wood, and can be painted or left untreated. Fencing is subject to jurisdictional approvals by government agencies and homeowner associations. Does this Spark an idea?

Masonry Fences

Masonry fences made from durable concrete blocks are common ways to fence yards, and commercial or public institutions for privacy or aesthetic reasons. Bricks can be used in conjunction with masonry blocks to add a design to the fence.

Masonry fences often are painted to match the color of the surrounding home or building. People who live in neighborhoods with homeowner's associations must get approval for the color that they use on the outside of the fence.

Masonry fences also are used to create gated communities. The fences are difficult to climb as well as durable, and they sometimes contain architectural details to break up a long expanse of masonry blocks.

Wood Fences

Many types of wood fences have been used around homes and farms, including split rail, picket and privacy fences, as well as custom fences that use wood artistically in their design. Wood fences often are treated so that they do not rot from moisture or constant sun exposure. Wood posts also can be sunk into the ground with wire strung from the posts on farms and feed lots.

Wire Fences

Wire fences are common in institutional settings where security is an issue. Wire fences include chain link fencing found around commercial operations, like lumberyards and even backyards in single-family homes. When used commercially, sometimes the chain link fences are tall and surrounded with razor wire to keep people in or out. On a smaller scale, sometimes chain link fences are placed along vegetable gardens to keep rabbits and deer from eating the garden produce.

Wire fences are common on farms with livestock. These are the least expensive way to keep farm animals from straying onto other people's property or onto dangerous roads. Sometimes ranchers or farmers hook the fences to a source of electricity to condition the animals to stay away from the fences.

Glass Fences

Glass is the least common material used for fencing. It is often used to block winds along coastlines in hotels or restaurants and other types of residential structures. The glass fences allow people to look through them to see the views, while enjoying the security and protection from wind and potential falls. The glass fences have support beams made from metal or wood so that the panels are not excessively long, which would make them either dangerous or too expensive to manufacture.

Stone Fences

Stone fences were constructed in the past far more often than they are currently. These fences were made by gathering local field stones and using grout to keep the stones secure. Some old stone fences exist today around historical or old buildings.

Tags: chain link, Masonry fences, chain link fences, commercial operations, common ways