A rustic kitchen can have a welcoming, almost romantic feel to it when it is decorated correctly. One of the keys for showing off the rustic features of a kitchen and for casting the proper mood is good, appropriate lighting. No one way exists to light a rustic kitchen, but several types of lighting work better than others.
Pendant Lighting
Many pendant lights can help create the proper rustic ambiance, but carefully choose the kind of pendant lights to hang, as not all pendant lights are rustic in nature. Choose ones that employ cast iron or brass metal used in thick strips, along with thicker pieces of glass. Larger lights, too, can provide the right feel. Wagon wheel-style chandeliers are also a good choice in a rustic kitchen.
Wall Sconces
Like torches hung from the wall of an ancient castle, wall sconces can lend a rustic feel to a kitchen. Choose ones that allow the entire light bulb to be concealed in frosted glass so that it can mimic the appearance of a candle. Delicate sconces provide the opposite effect of a rustic kitchen. Instead choose heavier, thicker ones.
Spot and Track Lights
Although spot and track lights built into the underside of cabinets or into the ceiling might seem like they are exclusive for modern or otherwise contemporary kitchen designs, they can be used to good effect in a rustic kitchen as well. Use lights with a warmer, yellowish cast to give the kitchen a glowing look, and include lights to illuminate the best detail work in your kitchen from good, rustic tile work on a backsplash to dark wood cabinet fronts.
Tags: rustic kitchen, pendant lights, Choose ones, , effect rustic, effect rustic kitchen, ones that
Replacing an old, outdated ceiling can update a room. Ceiling tiles come in a range of styles and can attach to the surface with various types of glue. To complete the remodeling project, you may need to remove glued-up ceiling tiles. Finishing the tile removal process is relatively simple and is the first step to a transformed space.
Instructions
1. Cover the area underneath the ceiling with a plastic sheet. Tile removal is a messy process, so protect furniture and flooring as much as possible.
2. Place a ladder in the corner of the room so you can easily reach the ceiling tiles.
3. Stick the edge of a scraper blade in between the cracks of the glued-up tiles. Push it forward in an attempt to scrape the tile free of the ceiling. If it doesn't move, place the scraper back in the crack and use a hammer to gently pound it underneath so you can pry it free.
4. Continue this process until all the tiles are free of the ceiling, moving the ladder so you can comfortably reach each one.
You can make a "spin the wheel" as part of a fun game that you create on a Web page. Contestants can take turns spinning the wheel and be awarded a prize or lose their turn or go bankrupt, depending on where the wheel lands. Creating the spinning wheel involves importing a picture of the prize wheel into Adobe Fireworks, rotating it for each space on the wheel and importing the rotated images into Adobe Flash to create a Web page.
Instructions
Create The Wheel
1. Launch Adobe Fireworks, select "File -- Import" and select a picture of a prize wheel -- for example a "Wheel of Fortune" or roulette wheel.
2. Choose "New -- Layer" and type "Marker" to create a layer to draw a marker that indicates the currently selected space on the wheel. On the "Tools" panel, click to highlight the "Line" tool. Draw a vertical line where the marker should go. On the "Properties" panel, increase the width of the line to your satisfaction.
3. Click "File -- Save As..." and type "wheel1" to save this wheel as the first in the series.
Rotate The Wheel
4. Click the "Select" arrow on the "Tools" panel and click on the wheel to highlight it.
5. Hold down the right mouse button and use the left mouse button to click "Transform" and then "Skew."
6. Move your mouse to the gray area outside the square with the picture of the wheel. Notice that your cursor changes to a circular arrow. Hold the left mouse button down and drag down and to the left to rotate the wheel clockwise. Rotate it to the point where the next space on the wheel lines up with the vertical marker you created.
7. Select "File -- Save As..." and type "wheel2" to save this wheel as the second in the series.
8. Repeat these steps for each position on the wheel. Increase the number of the wheel each time you save a new one, for example "wheel3," "wheel4" and so on.
Make The Wheel Spin
9. Launch Adobe Flash and create a new Actionscript document. On the "Properties" panel, change the size of the document to one that will fit the wheel you created.
10. Click on Frame 1 in the "Timeline" panel. From the menu, choose "File -- Import -- Import to Stage..." and select the first wheel you saved, for example "wheel1.png."
11. Click "Yes" when the system prompts you with "This file seems to be a part of a series of images. Do you want to import all of the images in the sequence?" Click "OK' to accept the defaults on the "Options" prompt. The system will place each image in a frame on the "Timeline" panel.
12. Click "Control -- Test Movie -- Test" from the menu to view your spinning wheel.
Add Actionscript and Publish Web Page
13. Click on the first keyframe and enter Actionscript to control the start and stop of the wheel. For example, when someone clicks the mouse, spin the wheel for about one second and then stop it on a randomly-chosen position on the wheel. The wheel in the example has this wheel has 24 positions.
An exposed-beam ceiling adds rustic charm to the space.
Commonly seen in log cabins and barns, exposed-beam ceilings are now often found in homes and buildings. The beams create rural charm and architectural interest to the indoor space. If your ceilings are over 8 feet tall, you can easily create and install exposed wood beams for aesthetics. The common wood choices for these beams include pine and oak. Ensure the beams measure slightly longer than the ceiling when they arrive, so you can cut them to the required length.
Instructions
1. Run a stud finder over the ceiling to mark the locations of ceiling joists. You need to run the wood beams across these joists horizontally.
2. Measure the width of the ceiling with measuring tape to determine the length of the exposed beams. Also, divide the ceiling into equal increments for the placement of the beams. Decide on the spacing for the beams, based on the shape and size of the ceiling and your personal preference. Record your measurements.
3. Form a pencil mark along the ceiling edges to highlight the placement of the beams. Snap a chalk line along each pencil mark on the ceiling to serve as a guideline that will keep the beams straight and evenly spaced when installed.
4. Form a cutting line on each board with pencil that corresponds to the width of the ceiling. Measure the length of the beams two times to ensure the cutting line is accurate.
5. Cut each wood beam to the desired length, using a circular saw. Set the extra wood aside to store for other projects.
6. Sand the wood beams using fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block to remove sharp edges and splinters, and roughen the surface in preparation for the stain or paint. Wear a face mask when sanding the beams, so you do not inhale the sanding residue. Wipe off the beams with a moist rag to remove accumulated dust.
7. Apply a coat of your desired paint or stain over each wood beam using a paintbrush, moving in the direction of the wood grain. The paint or stain protects the wood and enhances its appearance. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly for several hours before applying another coat of paint over it to achieve a bold color. Allow the beams to dry thoroughly.
8. Apply polyurethane over each beam when the paint or stain dries, using a clean paintbrush. Allow it to dry thoroughly for the time specified on the label's directions.
9. Set the beam on the ceiling, with its edges flush against a chalk line. Hold the nail gun at an angle above the edge of a side of the beam and shoot a nail so it penetrates the joist and secures it in place. Repeat this process on the other side of the beam, and for the remaining beams.
Tags: paint stain, , ceiling with, chalk line, cutting line
Nothing is more rich and traditional than a wood ceiling. Whether planks or beams, a wood ceiling adds interest and architectural detail. When designing a room with a wood ceiling, it is vital to balance the ceiling with lighter colors so the room doesn't appear small. A wood or wood beam ceiling is a traditional design style, so choose furnishings and other accents that reflect traditional or eclectic decor. Mix wood tones, but keep it to two per room. Match large wood furniture such as tables and cabinetry to the ceiling, and add lighter color accent pieces.
Instructions
1. Paint the walls a . Wood ceilings can make a room appear smaller, and painting the surrounding walls a light color will balance the darkness and minimize this effect. This is especially important if the floors are also a dark color. The light color will also make the ceiling the focal point of the room.
2. Choose lighter flooring. If your ceiling is 20 feet high, a dark ceiling may not dwarf the room. But for rooms with ceilings under 10 feet, when choosing flooring, a lighter color floor will balance the darkness of the ceiling. The floor can be darker than the wall color and still make the room appear its size and highlight the ceiling as the focal point. If you are not changing the flooring and it is dark, put a light colored rug down for color balance.
3. Balance the windows with drapery in a dark color. Since the walls and flooring are light in color balancing the ceiling, hang drapery in a mid to dark tone to bring out the color of the wood.
4. Position furniture in the room in different tones. Use large pieces, such as the bed in a bedroom or the sofa and loveseat in the living room in darker colors, and accent pieces in lighter upholstery. Bring in an accent color, and repeat that color at least three times around the room. If you want a red accent chair, add red pillows on the couch and an art piece on the wall with red in it. Also add red accessories on tables and built-in shelving.
Create your own custom window treatments with made-to-measure curtain tracks.
Curtain tracks allow curtains to hang directly from the ceiling, creating a full floor-to-ceiling window covering. The curtains hang from hooks attached to gliders and are easy to open and close. You can use curtains hung from tracks as window coverings or as DIY room dividers. If you want to cover a large wall of windows or close off an area in a large room, you may find that the available curtain tracks don't fit your length needs because they are too short or too long. Build your own made-to-measure curtain tracks to fit any space.
Instructions
1. Cut your extruded aluminum piece to the length you've predetermined for your made-to-measure curtain tracks. Smooth away any jagged pieces or burrs from the end you just cut by rubbing them away with your file.
2. Hold your extruded aluminum piece against the ceiling where you want to install it. Draw a line down the entire length of your aluminum piece, marking this area with your pencil.
3. Use your stud finder to find joists in your ceiling. Hold your stud finder up against the ceiling and press the activation button. The display on the stud finder should be facing you. At first, the device will spend a little time calibrating for your ceiling's thickness. Once you get your stud finder's indication that calibration is complete, which is often marked by a green light, you can start looking for ceiling joists. Listen or look for your specific stud finder's indication that a joist is present as you run the stud finder along the ceiling. Usually a stud finder makes a beeping noise or flashing light signal when it passes over a joist. Mark the locations of your ceiling joists along the pencil line you drew.
4. Hold your aluminum piece back up against the line you drew. Transfer the dots you drew to mark the joist locations onto the aluminum piece, this time using your black marker. Make the marks in the very center along the length of the piece, where you'll be drilling your screw holes.
5. Drill holes into the marks you made on the aluminum piece. Match your hole's circumference to your wood screw's circumference. Be careful not to make the holes larger than the screws, because then the screws can't be used to attach the track to the ceiling.
6. Hold your aluminum piece back up against the ceiling one more time, making sure the flat side is flush with the ceiling and that the opened side faces down. Screw the extruded to the ceiling, going through the holes you drilled and attaching the piece directly to the joists.
7. Thread one end stop into track. Thread your rollers into the track next. Complete your project by inserting your final end stop and attach your S-hooks to the rollers.
Tags: aluminum piece, stud finder, curtain tracks, Hold your, against ceiling
Costa Rica in Central America is a small country that attracts 1.5 million vacationers every year. The "Lonely Planet" says Costa Rica's "beauty is staggering," and its varied landscape means you can surf on a Pacific beach in the morning, climb a volcano in the afternoon, and finish your vacation with a trip to a nature-filled cloud forest. Costa Rica has many luxurious resorts to choose from in rustic surroundings, where you can be close to nature.
El Sol
Choose a small resort in Monteverde, Costa Rica, if you want a rustic vacation experience without sacrificing luxurious mod-cons and comfort. The El Sol resort is a collection of rustic cabins set in steep rolling hills on the edge of Monteverde's cloud forest. Accommodation at El Sol is arranged in either a luxurious cabin for two or a family-sized cabin, which sleeps up to four people. The cabins have panoramic views of the valley, large bathrooms with bathtubs, king-sized beds, and fully-equipped kitchens if you want to prepare your own meals or snacks. The owners of the resort also prepare meals for guests in the resort's dining room. The cabins at El Sol are decorated with fresh flowers. Further luxury amenities at the El Sol resort include a sauna and infinity pool. The resort offers the chance to take a ride on well-trained horses through the scenic Costa Rica countryside.
El Sol
La Lindora
Monteverde
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
011-506-2-645-5838
elsolnuestro.com
AmaTierra Retreat and Wellness Center
Stay at the luxurious AmaTierra Retreat and Wellness Resort in the mountains of Costa Rica for a vacation in rustic surroundings that benefits your body and mind. The AmaTierra Retreat is an eco-friendly resort located one hour west of San Jose, Costa Rica, which offers a range of luxury packages, including yoga retreats and honeymoons. AmaTierra Retreat and Wellness Center has 10 suites, each featuring a private Jacuzzi and outdoor patio with a view over the valley. Room amenities include TV/ DVD player, ceiling fans, coffee and tea making facilities, and a phone. The resort has an infinity pool for guests and a dining room. The food served at the AmaTierra Retreat uses fresh ingredients and organic produce, often from the local area, and emphasizes health and well-being. AmaTierra Retreat offers a range of yoga programs and yoga retreats taking place in an open-air studio with panoramic views. The resort also provides luxurious massage, de-tox, and spa treatments in comfortable surroundings.
AmaTierra Retreat and Wellness Center
Costa Rica
011-506-2419-0110
amatierra.com
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
Located right on the beach in Montezuma, the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is an example of rustic, boutique Costa Rican accommodation with added luxury. Ylang Ylang Beach Resort, only accessible by beach, has 20 rustic rooms and "jungalows," the name the Ylang Ylang uses to describe its "posh raised tents." The rooms have balconies and all the accommodation overlooks the sea. Rooms include outdoor showers, queen- or king-sized beds, air-conditioning, mini-fridge, hairdryer, and ceiling fans. The resort occupies a secluded setting on the white sandy beach, a 15-minute walk from the resort town of Montezuma, among tropical rainforest vegetation. Ylang Ylang Beach Resort provides a swimming pool and a luxury boutique spa. Guests enjoy massage and yoga classes and gourmet meals in the on-site restaurant.
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort
Montezuma, Costa Rica
011-506-415-692-5294
ylangylangbeachresort.com
Tags: Costa Rica, AmaTierra Retreat, Beach Resort, Ylang Beach, Ylang Beach Resort, Ylang Ylang
Lubricate the bearings on a ceiling fan to ensure smooth operation.
Hampton Bay ceiling fans can work for you all year. In the warmer months, they help cool the room, while in the winter they can be reversed to push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into your living space. Each function makes life more comfortable and lowers overall utility costs. However, after daily use over long stretches of time, the fan's bearings will needs some maintenance and lubrication.
Instructions
1. Spray in oil cleaner in the oil hole at the top of the fan's motor; the hole is labeled "oil." Spray the lubricant into the oil hole for a count of three, using the spray attachment. Wait two hours for the cleaner to work.
2. Lubricate the fan's motor. Now that the old oil has been cleaned out, fill the oil reserve with 1 oz. of 10-weight motor oil.
3. Rotate the fan blades. Manually spin the fan blades for three or four revolutions to allow the motor oil to completely penetrate.
4. Fill the reserve completely. Check the oil hole. If the oil reserve is not full, continue to add oil slowly until it overflows. Wipe excess oil off the top of the motor with a towel. Rotate the blades three more times.
Mold and mildew on air currents and can grow anywhere where there is moisture--including in your home. In fact, because spores travel on air currents, all homes have some mold; the amount and type varies. But if there's enough that you can smell it, or if you can see it, you need to remove it to prevent it from spreading and causing allergic reactions and health problems.
Prevent Mold and Mildew
Moisture invites mold and mildew. Unvented bathrooms, leaking pipes and faucets, leaking roofs, moisture in walls and ceilings that has accumulated from leaks, steamy conditions and wet basements all provide a home for the spores that can bloom into a big problem. To prevent mold and mildew, homeowners or mold abatement services need first to fix the cause of the moisture. This may be as simple as making sure the bathroom fan is on whenever someone showers or as complicated as tearing out insulation and replacing it after also replacing a roof.
Clean Away Mold and Mildew
Cleanup of surface mold and mildew may be quite simple or it may not work at all. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends scrubbing smaller areas of mold on wood and nonporous materials with nonammonia household detergent and hot water. After cleaning, also disinfect the area with a solution of 10 percent bleach and water, which should be allowed to air dry or sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing. FEMA also points out that porous goods--such as fabric, particle-board and paper--may be salvaged if they haven't been wet for more than two days, if they are cleaned with a phenolic or pine-oil cleaner and if they can be thoroughly dried. However, they also caution that if you continue to smell mold on an item after you thought you cleaned it away, "when in doubt, throw it out."
Mold in Walls
Cloudy or speckled gray or pink spots on walls and ceilings mean that mold is growing either on the surface or behind it, within the wall or ceiling. The only way to be sure is to cut a hole in the wall board and take a good look at both the backside of it and the space behind it. Extensive mold may require that you replace the entire sheet of wall board and treat the studs with bleach, rather than spot clean. Also, if you discover wet batting insulation in exterior walls, it will not dry out and will need to be replaced. Rigid foam insulation boards may be salvageable if treated.
Circulating Air
Air circulation during and after the abatement process, whether created by open windows, fans or heat-throwing space-heaters, helps to speed drying time and prevent regrowth of the mold.
When to Call a Professional
FEMA says that if the homeowner is too sensitive to mold to clean it or if there is more than 25 square feet of mold, professional abatement is in order.
Steam from your shower can cause mold to grow in your bathroom.
A bathroom ceiling fan has the important task of removing odors and moisture from your bathroom. Odors, while unpleasant, won't cause any damage to your home, but moisture building up inside the bathroom can lead to mold and mildew growth. One company that manufactures bathroom ceiling fans is Panasonic, which makes bathroom fans which are fairly quiet. Installing a new fan or replacing an old one is a project that you can complete in a day.
Instructions
Venting Through Attic Roof
1. Locate the ceiling joists with a stud finder.
2. Mark the location of the fan by driving a screw through the ceiling or drilling a hole with a 3/8-inch spade bit. Choose a location between two ceiling joists in the center of the room.
3. Connect the adapter for the duct to the side of the fan body with the provided thumb screw.
4. Go into the attic and remove the insulation from around the screw or hole you drilled into the ceiling, then return to the bathroom. Wear gloves, a mask and safety goggles when handling the insulation.
5. Measure the size of the fan's intake port and mark the outline of the port on the ceiling with a framing square. The intake port is the part of the fan which draws the air out of the bathroom.
6. Drill a hole in each corner of the square, and cut the drywall with a reciprocating saw, using the drill holes as a starting point. Hold the panel in place as you cut the last side so it doesn't tear away and damage the adjacent area of the drywall. If you can't safely cut the last side with the reciprocating saw, use a drywall saw instead.
7. Run an electrical cable between your home's main electrical box and the location of the fan inside the attic. Slide the cable through the provided conduit.
8. Go into the attic. Take the cover off of the junction box on the fan housing, which is where the wires are located. Punch out the knockout hole (the recessed hole) in the junction box, and slide the cable through the knockout hole. Connect the conduit to the junction box with the wire nut.
9. Connect the wires from the fan to the wires from the electrical cable leading to your main box with plastic connector caps. Connect black to black, white to white, and green to green. Tuck the wring back into the junction box and replace the cover.
10. Extend the brackets out from the fan housing until they reach the joists. Attach them to the joists with 1 1/2-inch stainless steel drywall screws.
11. Attach a circular duct to the adapter on the side of the vent housing and wrap metallic duct tape around the joint to secure it.
12. Connect flexible duct to the circular duct with metal duct tape. Handle the flexible duct carefully so you don't tear it.
13. Choose the location on the exterior wall for the exterior vent. Pick a spot no more than 6 feet away from the fan between the wall studs. Drill a pilot hole through the wall to the outside.
14. Go outside and climb a ladder to reach the pilot hole. Drill a hole through the wall with a 4-inch hole saw, using the pilot hole as a guide. Place a wall cap against the wall. If there are any gaps between the wall cap and the wall, you need to install a rubber gasket to seal it.
15. Go back into the attic. Stretch the flexible duct towards the hole in the wall. Attach it to the 12-inch long connector duct with metallic duct tape. Slide the connector duct through the hole in the wall. Return outside.
16. Glue a rubber gasket to the back of the wall cap with a thick bead of silicone adhesive, if necessary.
17.Slide the wall cap onto the end of the connector duct and secure it with metallic duct tape.
18. Run a thick bead of silicone adhesive around the perimeter of the hole. Push the wall cap tightly against the wall and attach it to the four 1 1/2-inch stainless steel screws.
19. Go inside the bathroom and attach the grille to the fan.
20. Hire an electrician to connect the cable to your home's main electrical box. This is an extremely dangerous task if you don't know do it properly, and most municipalities require that a certified electrician do this.
Venting Through Wall
21. Locate the ceiling joists with a stud finder.
22. Mark the location of the fan by driving a screw through the ceiling or drilling a hole with a 3/8-inch spade bit. Choose a location between two ceiling joists in the center of the room.
23. Connect the adapter for the duct to the side of the fan body with the provided thumb screw.
24. Cut away the ceiling drywall along the wall where you are venting the fan with a drywall knife. If possible, save the piece so you can patch it back when you are done; if not, make the cut as straight as possible so you can easily cut a replacement piece.
25. Drill a pilot hole through the exterior wall with a 1/4-inch drill bit.
26
Go outside and locate the pilot hole you drilled in the wall. If possible, use a reference point visible on both sides, such as a window.
27
Drill a hole in the wall with a 4-inch hole saw, centering it over the pilot hole.
28
Go back inside to where you are installing the fan. Place the fan housing against the ceiling and trace the outline with a pencil.
29
Drill a hole in each corner of the square, and cut the drywall with a reciprocating saw, using the drill holes as a starting point. Hold the panel in place as you cut the last side so it doesn't tear away and damage the adjacent area of the drywall. If you can't safely cut the last side with the reciprocating saw, use a drywall saw instead.
30
Run an electrical cable between your home's main electrical box and the location of the fan. Slide the cable through the provided conduit.
31
Take the cover off of the junction box on the fan housing, which is where the wires are located. Punch out the knockout hole (the recessed hole) in the junction box, and slide the cable through the knockout hole. Connect the conduit to the junction box with the wire nut.
32
Slide the fan housing into the hole in the ceiling. Extend the brackets out from the fan housing until they reach the joists. Attach them to the joists with 1 1/2-inch stainless steel drywall screws
33
Connect the wires from the fan to the wires from the electrical cable leading to your main box with plastic connector caps. Connect black to black, white to white, and green to green. Tuck the wring back into the junction box and replace the cover.
34
Measure the distance between the outlet on the fan housing and the hole in the wall.
35
Cut a length of duct to fit between the fan housing and the hole in the wall with a hacksaw.
36
Glue a rubber gasket to the back of the wall cap with a thick bead of silicone adhesive.
37
Go outside to the hole in the wall and slide the wall cap onto the end of the connector duct and secure it with metallic duct tape.
38
Run a thick bead of silicone adhesive around the perimeter of the hole. Push the wall cap tightly against the wall and attach it to the wall with four 1 1/2-inch stainless steel screws.
39
Attach the circular duct to the adapter on the side of the vent housing and wrap metallic duct tape around the joint to secure it.
40
Patch the holes in the ceiling by attaching pieces of drywall with joint compound and drywall tape.
41
Attach the grille to the fan.
42
Hire an electrician to connect the cable to your home's main electrical box. This is an extremely dangerous task if you don't know do it properly, and most municipalities require that a certified electrician do this.
Tags: wall with, duct tape, , pilot hole, metallic duct
Unsightly stains on your ceiling can be embarrassing, but, rest assured, there is an easy fix for this problem. Most ceiling water stains are a result of a leaking roof, so once that problem is fixed, you can go on to address the cosmetic issues that resulted from the water leak.
Instructions
1. Use a diluted solution of chlorine bleach and water to lightly spray the entire ceiling surface. Be sure to wipe the entire ceiling surface clean and dry.
2. Use painter's masking tape to mask the edge of the wall where it meets the ceiling. Use 2-inch-wide tape or two rows of 1-inch-wide tape.
3. Use a high-quality interior/exterior grade of paint primer to seal the surface of the ceiling. Make sure to use a primer that is intended for stain blocking.
4. Use a paint roller with the handle extension attached, and then evenly roll the primer onto the ceiling's surface. The primer will have an opaque appearance and may be partially transparent. The intent of the primer is to seal the surface, not to cover the surface.
5. Allow the primer to dry several hours, and then apply a second coat. Allow this second coat to dry overnight.
6. Apply a finish coat of high-quality flat ceiling paint over the primed surface. With the application of two coats of primer and the use of a high-quality paint, only one coat should be needed, however, two coats will last longer and look better.
Tags: ceiling surface, , entire ceiling surface, primer seal, primer seal surface
Wood panels with a tongue and groove on the edge of each panel.
Ceiling cladding is a great way to add character and texture to a room. In addition to traditional wood paneling, you can also get watertight PVC plastic cladding that's ideally suited for bathrooms. A huge variety of manufacturers and designs are available, but they all fall into only a few major categories.
PVC Planks
PVC plastic planks simulate the look of wood planks but are watertight and do not require any maintenance. PVC paneling will not fade, and it does not need to be painted. A variety of shades and colors are available. The together along the edges like traditional wood panels. Different styles of joints are available that can either hide the edges of the panels or highlight them with either a groove or a contrasting line to give a tiled or paneled look. You can install the PVC panels over bare gypsum wallboard, plaster, or other pre-existing ceiling covering.
PVC Tiles
Instead of long planks, you can also get PVC plastic cladding in tiles. When the tiles are put together, the seams between the tiles are hidden. A wide variety of tile designs are available. They can be grooved so that the final pattern resembles a plank ceiling, or they can look like ceramic tiles, stone, or any of the other many designs that are available from different manufacturers. If you find a design you like, PVC tiles are an easy way to cover your ceiling without the labor of painting or maintenance.
Wood Paneling
As convenient as PVC is, it will never look quite like real wood paneling. Wood panels fit together with a tongue and groove on each side of the plank, just like PVC panels. The price and look will both depend on the kind of wood you use and how you finish it. Every type of tree has a different look and feel to its wood. The options that are available to you will depend on what kinds of wood are available in your area, unless you want to have the materials shipped to you. You can paint wood planks or stain them to keep a natural look.
Tags: designs available, lock together, panels lock, panels lock together, plastic cladding, that available
Leave extra space to install lighting in a bathroom drop ceiling.
Drop ceilings, also known as suspended ceilings, hold some advantages over a traditional ceiling. In a drop ceiling the lightweight ceiling tiles are installed on a metal grid and are easily removed to allow for convenient repair and remodeling. In a bathroom, a drop ceiling can conceal plumbing and wiring while providing fire resistance and creating a sound barrier. Make sure to check with your local building inspector to find out safety code requirements for a drop ceiling in a bathroom. A main concern is the height of the ceiling, since a suspended ceiling reduces headroom.
Instructions
1. Sketch the bathroom ceiling to scale on graph paper using 1 inch to represent 1 foot. Visit a retailer and choose a system that makes sense for your bathroom ceiling. Most systems feature an L-shaped perimeter bracket or molding that supports the at the walls.
2. Determine where you will place the lighting and indicate the location on your drawing. Install the wiring for bathroom lighting before putting in the suspension wires. Figure out the exact height for the drop ceiling, allowing a minimum of approximately 4 inches between the old ceiling and the new drop ceiling. Leave around 2 additional inches if you are installing recessed lighting.
3. Fasten the wall angles to the wall and nail them to the studs. For masonry walls, use screw anchors or other masonry fasteners. Make sure the wall angles are level. Miter wall angles on the outside corners, and overlap the on the inside corners. Stretch a tight line from the top of the wall angle to indicate where the main tees will be placed.
4. Install the main tees at right angles to the joists in the bathroom. Cut the suspension wires 12 inches longer that the distance between the old bathroom ceiling and the new guideline string indicating the position of each main tee.
5. Install the main tees every 4 feet along the length of the bathroom using a level. Add the cross-tees by inserting the ends into the slots in the main tees. Main tees are typically 12 feet long with cross-tee slots every 12 inches, starting at 6 inches from each end. Drop the ceiling panels into each position in the grid by tilting them and lifting them above the framework, and dropping them into place.
Tags: drop ceiling, wall angles, bathroom ceiling, main tees, bathroom drop
Recessed lighting is a great addition to most homes. You can change the appearance of a room by simply changing its lighting. First, decide how you want your new lighting to be used. There are three different types of lighting to choose from. General lighting diffuses the light throughout a broad area, task lighting spotlights a specific area in a room and accent lighting focuses on one specific object, for example a painting or a sculpture.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power source. Always make sure the power is off before tampering with wires.
2. Mark the areas on the ceiling where you want to install the lights. Use a stud finder to locate the ceiling joists and position the lights between the joists where wires are currently running.
3. Lightly trace the circle on your designated spot using the template that comes with the recessed lighting. Using a utility knife, carefully cut out the circle. It is important that the circle is very precise.
4. Locate the electrical wire and gently pull it through the hole, leaving 16 inches of extra cable. If you did not position your lights between joists where wires are running, bring in a wire by running a cable from a power source to a switch box and back through the hole.
5. Wire your lights. Remove the plate from the light's junction box and securely insert a cable into the box. Using wire nuts, strip 1 inch from the wires and clamp them to the wires in the junction box (black to black, white to white, ground to ground). Place wires into the junction box and snap on the cover.
6. Mount the light. Place it into the hole and tightly screw the fixture into place.
7. Add the trim, screw in light bulbs and turn your power source back on.
Tags: power source, between joists, where, Existing Ceilings, Install Recessed, Install Recessed Lighting, joists where
Traditionally, a gilded gold ceiling contains genuine gold leaf to create its golden color. With modern materials, alternatives exist that reduce the expense and challenging technique of traditional gold leafing. Faux finishing techniques replace real gold leaf when genuine gold is too expensive or impractical.
Metallic Glaze
Natural sea sponges
One alternative to gold leafing on the ceiling is painting the ceiling with a metallic gold paint. Use a technique that will mimic the gilding of gold leaf. Start with a base coat of a solid color that will show through the sheer gold effect. Roll the base coat on evenly and apply a second coat if needed to fully cover the ceiling.
Instead of using a paintbrush to apply the metallic glaze, use a natural sea sponge or stipple to dab on the glaze, overlapping randomly. Metallic gold glazing applied with a paintbrush or roller can show brush marks or roller overlap marks in the finished product. Using a sponge or stipple brush allows the glaze to blend.
If you have a textured ceiling, highlight the texture in the same way gold leafing would. Apply the glaze with a heavier hand on the peaks and hold back just a bit on the valleys. Step back and view your product periodically to check for evenness.
Metallic Paint
Another way to reproduce the gold leaf effect on a ceiling is to paint the ceiling with metallic gold paint and then stipple on a darker glaze to tone and give texture to the metal look. Roll on a latex primer suitable for ceiling use. Apply the metallic gold paint once the primer has dried using a paint roller, moving in straight vertical strokes for more shine or randomly for a more mottled appearance.
Once the metallic paint has dried according to manufacturer's instructions, apply a pearlized glaze in a dark blue, dark green or black to give the irregular effect of gold leafing that adheres to certain areas better than others. Apply the glaze lightly with a rag or sponge.
Test a faux gold leafing technique on a sample board or an inconspicuous portion of the ceiling before applying to the entire ceiling. Metallic paint and glaze may be difficult to cover if you make a mistake.
When the summer heat infiltrates your home, your first reaction might be to turn on the air conditioner. While air conditioning cools your home, it also leaves you facing high utility bills every month. A ceiling fan helps cooled or heated air circulate through your home, lowering your utility bills by as much as 40 percent. In addition to their functional value, Hampton Bay ceiling fans -- sold exclusively at The Home Depot -- also have considerable aesthetic appeal. If you already have an outlet box in place for a ceiling fan, you can save money by installing your new Carriage House ceiling fan on your own.
Instructions
Installing the Fan
1. Turn off the power to the room you plan to install the ceiling fan in. This helps you avoid inadvertently shocking yourself during installation.
2. Pull the white, black and ground wires out of the outlet box. Thread these wires through the hole in the mounting plate. Screw the to the outlet box.
3. Hook the fan motor assembly brackets onto the hooks on either side of the mounting plate, leaving the fan motor assembly suspended from the mounting plate yet firmly attached.
4. Connect the green, white and black ceiling fan wires to the corresponding color wires protruding from the outlet box. Use wire nuts to connect each pair of wires. Separate the green and white wires from the black wire. Push the wires into the outlet box on each side.
5. Remove two of the mounting plate's four screws that sit diagonally within the mounting plate. Loosen the remaining two screws.
6. Line the two indentations in the motor housing dome up with the two loose screws. Push the motor housing dome into place. Tighten the screws. Reinsert the two screws you removed into the holes in the motor housing dome. Tighten the screws.
7. Insert each alignment post into the slots provided in the . Screw the alignment posts in place.
8. Hold each fan blade in place over an . Line the two holes in the fan blade up with the two screw holes in the alignment post. Insert screws into each alignment post and tighten them, affixing each fan blade securely to an alignment post.
Operating the Fan
9. Turn on the power to the room so that you can test your new fan.
10. Pull the fan's chain once. This is the fan's "high" setting. On the highest setting, your Hampton Bay fan should make approximately 170 revolutions per minute.
11. Pull the fan's chain a second time. This is the fan's "medium" setting. On its medium setting, your fan should slow to 115 revolutions per minute.
12. Pull the fan's chain a third time. This is the fan's "low" setting. On the lowest setting, your fan will revolve approximately 70 times per minute.
Tags: mounting plate, alignment post, housing dome, motor housing, motor housing dome, Pull chain
Bead board can update your popcorn ceilings, providing your home with a fresh, new look. Although the project can be time consuming depending on how much area you plan to cover, installing bead board over popcorn ceilings can instantly add value to your home. You will likely need the help of at least one other person, as it can be difficult to hold the bead board up straight and secure it in place at the same time.
Instructions
1. Sand the bead board lightly on both sides, and prime, paint or stain both sides of the wood, letting it dry before handling it. Finishing the side of the board that will face the ceiling will help to protect it from damage due to moisture buildup.
2. Use a stud finder to locate the joists in the ceiling, and use a nail to mark the center of each joist. In most homes, these are 16 inches apart, so once you find the first one, you can measure out to the next. Check with the stud finder in case the joists, or your measurements, are slightly off. Once you have found all of the joists and marked them with nails, use snap chalk to create straight lines along the length of the joist.
3. Take the first piece of and hold it up to the popcorn ceiling on one end of the wall, with the board perpendicular to the joists. The board should be perfectly in line with the wall, even if it is not straight on the ceiling.
4. Secure the board with finishing nails, hammering it through the tongue of the bead board. Drill holes into the end of the board and secure the edges with finishing nails, hammering straight up through the board and into the ceiling. Do this all along the edge of the board that is closest to the wall. Pre-drilling the holes will ensure that you do not damage the bead board.
5. Snap the next board into the edge of the first and then secure it into place through the tongue with finishing nails. Continue this process until you reach the last board. You do not need to secure the edges of these boards, only the first and last.
6. Measure the remaining space precisely and cut the last piece of bead board to size. Secure it to the surrounding boards and nail it to the ceiling with finishing nails through the tongue and into the joist. Secure the edges as you did with the first board, hammering the nail straight through the bead board and into the ceiling along the wall. If a full board will not fit, which typically happens as you get closer to the end, measure the space exactly and cut the bead board to size with a saw.
7. Make cutouts in the bead board as you install them to work around any fixtures in the ceiling. Remove any vent grills or light fixtures, measure the space and cut the bead board to fit around the opening with a sabre saw. Once you secure the bead board to the popcorn ceiling, you can replace the vent or light fixture.
Tags: bead board, finishing nails, with finishing, with finishing nails, board into, through tongue
Houston is a major destination for those traveling for business or pleasure. If you are interested in space travel, you can visit the Houston Space Center. For sports fans, the city is home to the Astros, the Rockets and the Houston Texans. Shoppers can find just about anything that they could ever want at the Galleria in the heart of the city. A number of large businesses are located in the city as well. If you are planning on throwing a party or a special event, you won't have a hard time finding a space for it. A number of Houston restaurants offer private dining areas.
Sambuca Jazz Café
Sambuca Jazz Café offers a lively, well-decorated environment in the heart of Houston. Live jazz music is played every night of the week, and you can watch the performance from large seating areas designed to offer perfect views of the stage. Hardwoods, exposed brick and rich colors give this restaurant a warm and cozy vibe. The menu is diverse and consists of a variety of pizzas, calamari, grilled beef tenderloin and miso-glazed sea bass. The restaurant also serves a number of soups, salads and sandwiches. A private party space can be used for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries if booked in advance. A mixed-aged crowd dresses in business casual attire for nights at Sambuca Jazz Café.
Sambuca Jazz Café
909 Texas Avenue
Houston, TX 77002
713-224-5299
sambucarestaurant.com
Big Woodrow's Bar & Grill
Big Woodrow's is a big space where you will find big cowboys in big hats drinking beer from big glasses. This western-themed sports bar is the largest sports bar in Houston and it caters to a fun and wild crowd. Enjoy your favorite sports on more than 40 high-definition televisions located throughout the bar. An authentic Cajun and barbecue menu offers crawfish by the pound, thick steaks, buffalo wings and a number of sandwiches and fat juicy hamburgers. If you are looking to throw a bash you can book the loft, which is a private area that can accommodate groups for receptions or banquets.
Big Woodrow's Bar & Grill
3111 Chimney Rock Road
Houston, TX 77056
713-784-2653
woodrows.net
Ouisie's Table
Ouisie's Table is a large restaurant that is made up of several rooms and outside dining areas. Ceiling fans move the heat of a wood-burning fireplace in the large main dining area where the tables are covered in crisp linens and premium dinnerware. A number of themed and well-decorated rooms can be booked ahead of your visit for private parties. Eloise Adams Jones, owner and chef, serves cuisine that combines the flavors of Mexico, Louisiana and Texas. Popular menu items include Parmesan-crusted rainbow trout served with crab, garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus; shrimp and cheese grits; and southern-style fried chicken. Kids can order from a special menu that features items such as macaroni and cheese and lollipop lamb chops.
Ouisie's Table
3939 San Felipe
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 528-2264
ouisiestable.com
Tags: Sambuca Jazz, Ouisie Table, dining areas, Jazz Sambuca, Jazz Sambuca Jazz, private dining
A ceiling fan with a light can bring a level of comfort to a room without sacrificing your lighting. One of the first steps in installing a ceiling fan is to install a brace to keep the fan secure.
Instructions
1. Read the directions that come with your fan. The instructions that come with your package and/or the advice of an electrician should supersede any direction you find herein.
2. Turn off the power to the area in which you are working.
3. Remove the existing fixture and disconnect the wiring.
4. If possible, you should install a 2x4 between the ceiling joists to support the workbox and the weight of the fan. This can be done from the attic.
5. If not possible, then install a metal brace from the room below through the hole from the fixture. The workbox should then be attached to the brace.
Tags: come with, come with your, that come, that come with, with your
A ceiling fan is not only attractive, but it can circulate air to help keep a room cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
A ceiling fan consists of a hanging electrical motor with four or five paddle-style blades. Most ceiling fans have three speeds and the ability to change directions as needed. In the summertime, the fan should direct air downward, whereas in the winter, it should direct it upward, to allow circulate warmer air near the ceiling with cooler air near the floor. Many ceiling fans have a safety hanger that will catch the fan should the mounting bolts fail. If you install a ceiling fan with a hanger, it will significantly reduce the chance of the fan falling.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the electrical circuit at the fuse box or breaker panel.
2. Remove the existing light fixture from the ceiling-mounted electrical box.
3. Feed the wires through the center of the hanger, and install the hanger bracket onto the electrical box by tightening the two bolts through the hanger and into the threaded mounting holes in the box.
4. Assemble the fan components as noted by the instructions that accompany the fan. Be sure to install the safety connector pins in the downrod.
5. Lift the ceiling fan assembly, and place the ball on the top of the downrod into the hanger. The fan assembly should hang comfortably and securely from the hanger.
6. Connect the ceiling fan wires to the leads from the electrical box with a wire nut on each connection. The white lead connects to the white wire, black to black, and green to the exposed copper lead. Tuck the wires up and into the electrical box behind the hanger.
7. Slide the canopy upward to cover the hanger. Secure the canopy with the screws included with the ceiling fan kit.
8. Attach the blades to the fan motor with a Phillips screwdriver using the screws that accompanied the ceiling fan. Connect the chain extensions to short ceiling fan controller chains.
9. Turn on the circuit at the fuse box or breaker panel. Flip on the light switch, and pull the chain to adjust the fan's speed. To adjust the direction of the fan, turn off the light switch, and flip the slide switch on the side of the fan after the blades have stopped rotating. Then turn on the light switch again.
If your garage ceiling needs a makeover, try a lightweight alternative to standard drywall.
If you're thinking about installing a ceiling in your garage, using a lightweight material may be easier to install and less of a strain on your body than standard drywall. Before you begin choosing materials, remember to take your garage needs into consideration, especially if you need to be able to get to overhead storage.
Drop Ceiling
A popular garage ceiling choice, drop ceilings can have a grid-like frame that holds tiles in place, or the ceiling can be constructed of individual tiles that snap together. Because of the size of each individual tile, drop ceilings are lightweight and relatively easy to install, and tiles come in a variety of colors and materials, including fiberglass, foam, metal, wood and mineral fiber.
Laminate
If the style and look of your garage is as important to you as form and function, think laminate for your garage ceiling. Due to its size, each piece of laminate is relatively lightweight, and pieces of laminate are attached to the ceiling one at a time, eliminating the cumbersome job of balancing a large piece of drywall.
Rigid Foam
If the look of your ceiling doesn't matter much, try using rigid foam. A lightweight material that comes in sheets, rigid foam will form a basic ceiling for your garage and help insulate the floor of the room above (if you have one). Although rigid foam is lightweight, sheets of rigid foam are about the same size as sheets of drywall, so installing rigid foam for your garage ceiling may still be a two-person job.
Paint
If you don't need the space, and lifting elements for a ceiling just seems like too much work, there's an easier way: paint your ceiling. A coat of paint sprayed all over your garage ceiling will make the pipes and overhead ducts fade into the background. If your garage has white walls, spray paint the ceiling white to match, or choose black paint to make the ceiling seem like it's disappeared. If insulation is a problem in the room above your garage, though, you may want to steer clear of this simple solution, because it could allow heat to escape from the room above your garage.
Tags: your garage, garage ceiling, rigid foam, your garage ceiling, room above, about installing, above your
A pendant light is an ideal way to dress up a drop ceiling.
A drop ceiling is one of the most budget-friendly options for finishing a ceiling. As its name implies, the system consists of a metal grip that is "dropped" below the structural ceiling surface to hold ceiling tiles in place. Because there is space between the structural ceiling and dropped ceiling, you can easily hide pipes, wires and ductwork in there. The space above the ceiling tiles also allows you to use several lighting options since most fixtures can be fitted into the tiles or anchored to structural supports above the drop ceiling. You can choose the fixtures that best meet your lighting needs.
Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lights are the most common used with drop ceilings. The fixtures are actually part of the ceiling surface as the light replaces one of the tiles. The bulb is set beneath a plastic panel that diffuses the light for a softer effect. You can choose a white, translucent or clear panel to cover the fluorescent bulb depending on your preference. While fluorescent lights offer a practical, budget-friendly lighting option for your drop ceiling, they can sometimes have a sterile look that isn't pleasing to the room's aesthetics.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is another traditional lighting option for a drop ceiling. The fixtures are installed so they are flush with the surface of the ceiling's panels. As a result, only the fixture's trim is visible. Most recessed lighting fixtures are round, but you can also find square and rectangular options. You may scatter several recessed lights across your drop ceiling to serve as general lighting for the room or concentrate a few fixtures in a small area to provide task lighting for reading or doing other activities.
Track Lighting
If you want a versatile lighting option for your drop ceiling, track lighting is an ideal choice. The fixtures consist of several light heads mounted to the ceiling on a single track. You can rotate and tilt the individual heads to concentrate their light in a specific area of the room. Like recessed lighting, track lighting works as both general and task lighting. However, it is also ideal if you have artwork or an architectural feature that you would like to showcase since you can direct a light to shine directly on your chosen focal point.
Pendant Light
Pendant lights are the most decorative lighting option for a drop ceiling. The fixtures are suspended from the ceiling so they hang down into the room. They usually feature shades that come in a variety of colors, styles and shapes, so you can find an option that complements the rest of your room's décor. A pedant light is ideal for hanging over a dining table or game table because it provide direct, focused light. However, you can also install one in the center of your drop ceiling to serve as an attractive focal point.
Tags: drop ceiling, lighting option, your drop, your drop ceiling, ceiling fixtures, ceiling serve, ceiling surface
Students wishing to study art at the college or university level will find many available to them to help finance their education. Many leading art schools offer grant programs special to their institution, while most all participate in state and federal grant programs on behalf of their students. Grants for students in the fine arts are accessed through the financial aid office of their school. Most financial aid offices require that applicants complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for grant programs.
School of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City offers programs covering the full range of fine and commercial arts as well as the new media. The school offers their SVA grant program for full-time students. Eligibility and award amounts are based on student financial need and are determined by the office of financial aid. SVA students are eligible to apply for grant funds through the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a need-based grant for full-time students who are New York residents.
Rhode Island School of Design
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) offers grant and scholarship funds yearly to more than one-third of the student body for academic and artistic excellence. RISD students may also complete the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state and federal grant programs. GS Grants are open to RISD graduate students of good academic standing in the categories of design, architecture and fine arts.
CalArts
CalArts in Valencia, California is a leading art school in the greater Los Angeles area. Programs are available in traditional studio arts as well as in digital media and movie making. CalArts students are eligible for Cal Grants, a state grant program for California residents who meet requirements which include a ceiling on family income and assets. Federal Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are also available to CalArts students. are based on financial need, with an annual maximum grant of $5,550 in 2011. Students must complete the FAFSA application each year to be eligible for these grants.
University of Washington
Many state universities offer outstanding programs of studies in the arts such as the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. Art students at these institutions apply for grants and financial aid packages by completing a FAFSA application and checking with the university financial aid office for grant opportunities. UW art students are eligible for federal Pell Grants and state-need grants for Washington residents. Check with your state university system for art departments and visit their financial aid office to inquire about grant opportunities.
Tags: grant programs, financial office, Pell Grants, ,
Treat the expansive height of a vaulted ceiling with a large and decorative lighting fixture.
A vaulted ceiling adds value and character to a home, but lighting is a challenge for homes with angled ceilings.Traditional flush ceiling lights do not provide enough light coverage to reach the entire space. Instead, homeowners should look for larger fixtures or several fixtures to provide ample lighting while highlighting the distinctive interior architecture.
Chandeliers and Pendant Lights
Not only are chandeliers and pendant lights elegant and decorative lighting options for any ceiling, but the dropped positioning of the lights makes the fixtures ideal for vaulted ceilings. Both chandeliers and pendant lights feature a lighted fixture that suspends into the room from a chain or cable. The placement of the fixture brings room lighting away from the ceiling for even distribution without the threat of interfering with foot traffic. Choose a fixture that complements the style of your decor; a rustic log cabin is prime for a chandelier made from antlers or polished wood while a contemporary home is best suited for a minimalist pendant light coated in brushed steel. Because pendant lights and chandeliers carry considerably more weight than traditional flush fixtures, install a junction box that can withstand the weight of the fixture and any added chain or cable.
Recessed can lighting specifically designed for sloped ceilings provides a simple, unobtrusive lighting option for vaulted ceilings. Recessed can lighting installs at an angle within the ceiling so that the fixture sits flush or almost flush against the angle of the ceiling. To provide adequate lighting coverage, install several rows of recessed lighting along the ceiling. Because of the labor required to cut through the ceiling and install several junction boxes, recessed lighting is best installed by a professional who can guarantee proper placement of the lights. For even more ambiance, install your recessed can lighting on a dimmer switch for variability in light control.
Track Lighting
Track or cable lighting is slightly more distinct than subtle recessed lighting but still provides ample lighting without the dominance of a large fixture. Track lighting features several fixtures installed along a stiff cable or solid metal track. Run cables either across the ceiling or up towards the peak of the ceiling for varying visual effects. One of the benefits of track lighting is that individual fixtures along the track can be positioned or aimed at various points in the room to highlight paintings or avoid glare on television screens.
Natural Lighting
If you are interested in an alternative option for lighting, choose natural lighting for your vaulted ceiling. Skylights are dramatic additions to a vaulted allow natural light to flood the room during the daylight hours. If direct sunlight is too harsh for the space, install a tinted cap over the skylight to diffuse light and to prevent heating the room. Installing a skylight in a vaulted ceiling is an expensive endeavor and should only be attempted by a professional contractor who can guarantee the integrity of the window and the ceiling.
Removing tall, bulky furnishings can make this ceiling appear higher.
If the ceilings in your home seem to be closing in on you, you don't have to resort to drastic measures. While knocking ceilings out or relocating might solve the problem, it's easier for you to make low ceilings look higher with a few simple decorating tricks that create the illusion of height in your space.
Instructions
1. Furnish your home with lower-profile pieces. Taller furniture obscures more of the wall, whereas low-profile pieces open up the space. When decorating small spaces, it's best if the largest pieces of furniture in the room lean toward a more minimal design.
2. Add vertical elements to your rooms. Although tall, over-sized furnishings generally shrink a space, a strategically placed tall, narrow bookcase or lamp draws the eye up. Mount drapery rods close to the ceiling and hang long curtains that extend to the floor. Paint an accent wall with vertical stripes or apply wallpaper with a vertical pattern if you want to disguise a low ceiling. Decorating with vertical stripes -- in moderation -- visually stretches the height of a room.
3. Light your rooms with table lamps and wall sconces. Overhead lighting such as chandeliers and pendants draw the eye to the center of the room and emphasize the lack of vertical space, as do ceiling fans.
4. Hang art and accents at different heights on the wall. If everything on your walls is hung at the same level, it creates a horizontal line that makes your ceilings appear lower. Create an arrangement of artwork that tricks the eye. Decorate a narrow wall by hanging art in a long vertical begins close to the ceiling.
5. Paint the room in a low-contrast color scheme. Pale colors make the room seem larger. Use the lightest shade, preferably a cool hue, for the ceiling, as it makes the ceiling visually recede. Choosing bolder colors for the trim draws attention away from the ceiling.
6. Install dark-colored flooring. Whether it's stained hardwood, laminate, carpeting or a large area rug, a darker floor visually drops away, which makes the space between it and a low ceiling seem more expansive.
Tags: with vertical, , line that, vertical stripes, with vertical stripes, your home
Suspended ceilings are most common in residential basements or commercial buildings. Suspended ceiling is made up of metal joists and panels that rest on these metal joists. One benefit of installing a suspended ceiling, is the ease of panel removal to replace them in case of damage, such as water damage, or to access pipes.
Instructions
1. Lift the damaged ceiling tile gently off of the metal grid. Slide it back, and tilt it slightly so that it fits out the space of the grid it was resting in.
2. Measure the space where the new ceiling panel will go. If necessary, trim the new ceiling panel with a utility knife to fit the space. Use a level to make sure your cut is straight.
3. Tilt the new ceiling panel at a slight angle and fit it through the space in the grid. Straighten it out and slowly lower it onto the metal joists.
Suspended ceilinglighting options include fluorescent tube lights.
Suspended ceilings are semi-permanent coverings often used in places like basements where access to building mechanical systems may be necessary. Off-the-shelf lighting options for suspended ceilings differ somewhat from those for standard drywall ceilings. The wiring is usually less direct, and frequently, connections are made through 4- to 6-foot metal-clad sheathed cable.
Fluorescent Tube
Fluorescent light fixtures set directly into the suspended ceiling grid. The grid must be reinforced with heavy suspension wires at the four corners of the light. Two-foot and 4-foot models are available, each with either two or four fluorescent tube sockets. Fluorescent fixtures provide plenty of light, but lack the appeal of other lighting options such as can lights or track lighting. Fluorescent lights cannot be operated with dimmer switches and are better suited to situations where a constant amount of bright light is desired.
Can Lights
So called because they are shaped like an inverted can, these lights offer versatility through the use of various bulbs and different styles of trim. Can lights are recessed into the ceiling through holes made in the ceiling panels and attach to the grid on either side of the panel for support. Can lights come in sizes ranging from 2 inches to 6 inches in diameter. Light can be directed at specific features such as the wall or implements as task lighting. With incandescent bulbs, can lights can be operated from dimmer switches.
Track Lighting
Track lighting may be the most versatile of the lighting systems available, and it comes in both standard house current and low-voltage models. The wide variety of fixture types includes hanging lights, spotlights and stylish lamps hung on rods that can be bent into shapes. With the correct type of bulbs and fixtures, track lighting can be operated from dimmer switches. Track lighting fastens directly to the ceiling grid pieces. For some heavy fixtures, additional grid support wires may be required.
Luminous Ceiling
A luminous ceiling uses fluorescent fixtures that run the width and length of the room. The fixtures, usually twin tube fluorescent light fixtures, are attached to the floor joists above the suspended ceiling grid. The grid is filled in with translucent panels or a combination of translucent panels and standard suspended ceiling tiles.
A pull chain assembly on a fan looks like a simple device. Although replacing a broken chain is not difficult, repairing it with the correct pull chain can be a bit of a challenge. There are numerous configurations on the market for ceiling fan lights, some with simple switch configurations and others which are a bit trickier to replace. The number of fan speeds, ability to reverse the fan speed with a pull of the chain, and number of wires connecting the device will determine which replacement chain you must purchase for your ceiling fan light.
Instructions
1. Turn off all electricity to fan unit.
2. Use a ladder or stool to climb up to the ceiling fan light.
3. Take off the switch housing cover by removing the screws located on either the bottom or sides of the housing unit.
4. Label the wires with tape in relation to their position on the chain and make proper notes before removing the chain from the wiring.
5. Unscrew the brass finial (small, crown-shaped fitting) on the outside of the housing unit to disengage the chain.
6. Disconnect the wires from the chain. Insert a small screwdriver into the slots on the chain next to each wire and pry them off with needle-nose pliers.
7. Reconnect the wires on the new chain in the proper order.
8. Slide the pull chain back through the housing unit and replace the finial cap.
9. Tighten the screws back into the housing unit to re-attach the housing cap.
10. Climb down carefully and return electricity to your ceiling fan light. Test the chain to ensure it is operating correctly.
Tags: housing unit, pull chain, your ceiling, , electricity your,
A tourist staying in Manhattan is most likely to spend most of his time in midtown Manhattan. This is where most hotels in Manhattan are located, as well as arrival points that include Grand Central and Penn stations as well as the Port Authority Bus terminal. The area is in many ways the center of New York City. So there is plenty to do while staying there.
The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library is on the corner of 42nd street and 5th avenue. Thanks to a number of movies, the white marble façade and twin lions on the steps have made it one of the most recognizable libraries in the world. While the public is free to wander the building, the library gives free tours that last about an hour.
Grand Central Terminal
More popularly known as Grand Central Station, this famous train terminal is the largest in the world by number of platforms. Its major features include the cavernous main concourse, baroque ceiling and dining concourse whose oyster bar is world famous. Among the oddities you will find in Grand Central Terminal is a tennis court in what was once a television studio.
Rockefeller Center
The lower plaza, the most visualized area Rockefeller Center, is a sunken area that holds a restaurant in summer months and an ice rink in the winter months. Surrounding the plaza and its golden statue of Prometheus are office spaces, cafes, a theater, underground concourses and rooftop gardens. The GE Building contains NBC Studios, home of both "The Today Show" and "Saturday Night Live."
Radio Hall
At the corner of Sixth Avenue and 50th Street sits a monument to the art deco movement of the 1930s, Radio City Music Hall. The building has been nicknamed "The Showplace of the Nation." It is known as the home of the Rockettes, a women's precision dance team.
Central Park
Books have been written about Central Park and its attractions. While this 843-acre green space looks natural, it is actually completely landscaped. Attractions that can easily be reached from the midtown end of the park include a petting zoo, carousel, dairy, chess and checkers pavilion, and the Wollman memorial rink. Also accessible from midtown is the Tavern on The Green restaurant.
Tags: Grand Central, York Public Library, Central Park, Central Terminal, City Music, City Music Hall
Acoustical tile installation can make an old, cracked, uneven ceiling look like new again. While it's available in a variety of sizes, 12X12 ceiling tile is a size that works in any size room but is especially adaptable to small spaces. There are many styles and textures of ceiling tiles to choose from today. Instead of using the plain, original white, you can now create a look with your ceiling. While the majority of on the market offer tongue and groove construction, there are some that offer a seamless look from squared edges. No matter the style, a do-it-yourselfer can install acoustical tile with a minimum of tools.
Instructions
1. Plan the tile layout. Any tiles that need cutting should be around the outer edges of the room. Set the tiles in the room at least 24 hours before you start so they can acclimate to the room's temperature.
2. Find the ceiling joists with the stud finder. Look for the joists to repeat every 16 or 24 inches. Mark the location of the joists with chalk.
3. Attach the first furring strip next to the wall that runs at a right angle to the joists. Use one 8-penny nail in each joist. Attach the second row of furring strips the distance measured for your narrow row of cut tiles. Remaining rows of furring strips should be 12 inches apart. You need to measure frequently to make sure the lines of furring strips are straight and parallel with each other. Check also that the ceiling height remains level. If necessary, add shims between the furring strips and the ceiling. When you reach the far side of the ceiling, run a row of furring strips against the wall.
4. Cut a corner tile to the proper size using a utility knife and a straight edge. If the border tiles aren't the same size for the length of the room as the width, take that into consideration as you cut the corner tile. Remove the side without the tongue.
5. Put three staples in the portion of the flange that sets flush against the furring strip. Place one staple in the flanged edge that doesn't. Slide a border piece into position. Staple it. Set a piece from the other border that extends from the corner and attach it. Work your way diagonally across the room to the opposite corner from where you started. Use nails close to the wall to hold border tiles that don't have flanges.
6. Attach wood trim to the outer perimeter of the room. This also gives the border tiles more support, especially those that didn't have flanges.
Tags: furring strips, border tiles, ceiling tiles, , furring strip, have flanges, joists with
Suspended ceilings hang below the joists or rafters, leaving a space. They are used to hide ductwork, wiring, plumbing and exposed rafters or joists. They consist of a metal grid suspended from the ceiling supports with tiles dropped into the spaces between the grid. These tiles can become discolored or damaged,and they may eventually need replacing. You may also need to repair the grid or replace hanger wires that may have become dislodged.
Instructions
1. Measure any runners or cross Ts that need replacing before removing the tiles. The tiles add lateral support to the runners, and you will get an accurate measurement this way.
2. Remove the existing tiles by pushing them upward and out of the grid, then turning them almost 90 degrees and slipping them out of the grid hole. Remove all the full tiles in the middle first. If there are custom-cut tiles around the perimeter, remove them last.
3. Write down the sizes and locations of any custom-cut tiles as you remove them.
4. Cut your replacement tiles if necessary to replace any custom-cut tiles.
5. Inspect all hanger wires to make sure they are intact and spaced properly. These wires should be spaced 4 feet apart. Make sure they are hung from the ceiling supports from eye hooks or I-beam hangers and attached through the grip with wire clips. Be sure the wire is wrapped around itself three times after going through the eye or clip.
6. Replace any missing or damaged cross Ts or runners, using the existing grid and your measurements from Step 1 as a guide.
7. Replace the ceiling tiles, starting with the full tiles in the middle and finishing with the custom-cut tiles at the perimeter.
Tags: custom-cut tiles, ceiling supports, from ceiling, from ceiling supports, full tiles
Light-Dome Canopies are temporary fabric shelters made for car storage or outdoor sheds. Light-Domes use plastic nylon fabric for the walls and ceiling and telescoping legs and frames. When the canopies are in position, the entrance is via tent-flap-style doors that roll up so lawn tractors or vehicles have access to the covered structures. Set up your Light-Dome Canopy within an hour and begin to store gear or vehicles in the temporary shelters.
Instructions
1. Lay out all frame poles and leg pieces. Open the legs via telescoping rods nested within each other. The legs use locking cylindrical knobs that pop out into the holes on the leg-rods, keeping the legs open and secured. Set the open legs to the side.
2. Assemble the roof and shelter frame. This is the rectangular frame that the legs attach to at the corners. Assemble the rectangle first, then assemble the roof pyramid via center hub piece. Push the legs into the corners of the roof frame and set the Light-Dome frame on the area you wish to store gear or vehicles.
3. Drape the canopy fabric over the , and bring the fabric over the sides of the frame. Attach the nylon straps with the Velcro fabric around the roof frame rods and secure the Velcro.
4. Close the zippers on the sides of the fabric to tighten the fabric around the frame. Roll the front doors open and use the small bungees to secure it open. Close the door by releasing the bungee cords and zipping the door.
Tags: , fabric around, fabric over, gear vehicles, store gear
Hanging white or sheer curtains allows more light to enter the room.
When decorating your home, hanging curtains from the ceiling can add a dramatic effect to rooms, separate living spaces or give the impression of higher ceilings. Installing curtain rods so that you can hang curtains of varying colors and patterns can be simple if using the right tools and measurements. Moreover, the process for hanging may be less labor-intensive if the rod is already installed versus if you need to replace and attach a new rod.
Tools
Make sure you have the correct tools and materials before starting the installation. In addition to the curtain rod, you will need ceiling-mount brackets, screws and drywall anchors. Drywall anchors are plastic or metal and usually do not require pre-drilling for installation. You will also need some drapery clips -- the metal rings that connect the drape to the rod. Make sure your toolbox includes a power drill, tape measure and pencil. Last, you will need a ladder to reach and work from the ceiling.
Installation
Installation starts with you measuring the area where you want to hang the curtain. Use your pencil to mark the placement of the brackets, which will hold the rod in place. Having a second person nearby to judge whether your measurements are accurate and precise is also helpful. Use the power drill to attach both the drywall anchors and screws that hold in the ceiling-mount brackets. Once the brackets are installed, attach your curtain to the rod using drapery clips, and place the rod into the mounting brackets. The drywall anchors should help prevent the curtain from falling or being yanked down.
Types
After installing your curtain rods, select the type of curtains you want to hang in your room. Choose sheer, natural or white curtains if you are looking to create an airy space with lots of light. Silk curtains create an elegant and luxurious feel, while multicolored or patterned curtains can provide a modern edge. You can also use cotton, nylon, linen or chintz to create different styles and looks. Consider the room's function, layout and furniture when deciding on the curtain's length, material and eventual location.
Considerations
If you want to use custom drapes or curtains, measuring an existing rod is easier and more accurate than measuring an existing curtain. Also, use a retractable tape measure when calculating the width and height of your curtain. Cloth tape measures, yard sticks, rulers and other measurement devices are less accurate and may waste time and money in the long run. For ceiling curtains, stretch your tape measure from the ceiling down to the floor. Subtract 1 inch from the total measurement if you want your curtains to hang above the floor rather than sweep or pool on it.
Tags: from ceiling, tape measure, your curtain, ceiling curtains, ceiling-mount brackets, curtain rods, drapery clips