Living room paint colors should coordinate well with any large pieces of furniture, permanent architectural elements or important artworks on the walls. Use a paint chip fan deck to find the perfect wall color with help from a professional painter in this video on interior painting tips.

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Choosing a wall color depends on which room the color will be applied, considering the amount of light in the room and taping up paint swatches to the wall to help with the decision. Pick out the right paint color for a room, remembering that dark colors make a space look smaller, with tips from a professional interior decorator in this free video on home decor.

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Learn how to tape the walls for painting to paint your living room and other remodeling tips in this free instructional DIY home improvement video.

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The installation of crown molding cannot be made any easier than with peel and stick. Peel and stick comes in kits of plastic molding pieces which have self-adhesive backs and four outside corners. Peel and stick is available for the really low-tech, low cost way to decorate. No power tools, saws, nails or hammers are required. No mitering of corners is necessary. One person can install it in no time with no trouble.

Peel and stick, though, especially due to its low-tech and low cost, lacks relief. That is, there is no depth or thickness and it will appear flat.

Styrofoam, also called Expanded Polystyrene., has been used for many years by architects on buildings, homes and in museums. Styrofoam crown molding is light weight, durable and versatile, inexpensive, and adhesive to most kinds of paint. Other advantages and reasons for its gain in popularity are that it requires no special tools to install, and in fact can be installed in less than a day by the average homeowner. Styrofoam does not rot, crack, decay or succumb to insect damage. It can however melt or burn when exposed to flame and must be encased, as it will release toxic fumes when burning.

Another material that is finding its way into popularity is vinyl. Vinyl crown molding gives that old plaster look. While traditional plaster and wood crown molding require extensive experience, the advantage to using vinyl is its simplicity. It is low maintenance, does not blister or peel, swell or shrink when used in extreme moisture conditions, and will not rust, rot, pit or corrode and will not be attacked by insects.

Aluminum, stamped metal, crown molding featuring heavy-duty all aluminum construction is also available for use as a decorative accent. It is preformed inside and outside corners eliminate miter cuts, making installation easier. It is easy to cut, and installs like traditional moldings. It is durable and rugged. Aluminum is a tremendous bang for the buck. Use stamped metal for industry, factory, office, retail spaces, workshop, garages, kitchens, and trade shows.

Styrofoam, aluminum and vinyl moldings are primarily used for exterior decorative purposes.

Each material has its advantages and disadvantages and each homeowner must weigh these options based on their own requirements and desires. I hope this article will help to make the job a little easier. Happy decorating!

At GoCrownMolding, we offer many, many styles of crown molding, as well as other decorative ceiling accents made of polyurethane. We also offer a variety of flexible moldings when your decorative molding installations necessitate a curved or arched product. All of our products can be custom ordered from a wide collection of crown, cornice, chair rail, frieze, and panel moldings. So take a look at our catalog and do something new to beautify your home today.

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MDF crown molding, a wood-based composite material that uses wood fibers with a synthetic resin, is another example of how a builder or decorator can accent any room or hallway. MDF is environmentally safe and requires less preparation. It is often primed to a smooth surface which can then be painted with any high quality latex or oil paint. MDF won’t split when cutting, is resistant to warping and is consistent in size and shape. However, during installation of MDF, nailing creates blemishes that will require repair, by hand, prior to finishing. Although it is a less costly alternative to other materials in use, most professionals do not recommend its use.

Polyurethanes are found in many items. They are used in resins, adhesives, fibers, foam padding and insulation. They come in several forms, such as rods, sheets and liquids. Polyurethanes are frequently used as an alternative to such materials as wood, plastics, metal and rubber. And for good reason. Polyurethanes are resistant to wear and tear, weather, impact, scratching and erosion. They are also more cost-effective as an alternative as well.

Other uses for polyurethanes include: fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, hard plastic parts, carpet underlay and sealants. Items such as domed ceilings, moldings and ceiling medallions are easier to construct of polyurethane foam rather than wood. In fact, polyurethane is considered to be the best replacement for plaster. It’s low cost, lightweight and anything you can do to wood, you can do to polyurethane. It is easy to install, can be used either interiorly or on the exterior and is available in the widest range of products.

In its most flexible form, polyurethanes are found in upholstery fabrics, while the more rigid foams are used inside the metal and plastic walls of most refrigerators and freezers. They are commonly utilized to make up paints, varnishes and glue. Your computer mouse-pad bottom is most likely made of polyurethane foam.

Flexible molding, which is one type of polyurethane, makes it a cinch to decorate around curved walls and arched doorways and windows. Flexible molding is made from a compound polymer resin that has been engineered to bend or curve around more challenging shapes. It can be bent or twisted without breaking or splintering. Flexible molding can actually be purchased in a range of grades, from very flexible to totally rigid.

One of the best features of flexible molding is it’s superiority to wood. Flexible molding can be stained, painted, or sealed just as ordinary molding, but without having to prime the surface first. It also resists warping, wearing, splitting, or mildewing, so it’s great for outdoor use as well.

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Laying out your stripes

You stripe a room in the same way that you would hang wallpaper. Start in an inconspicuous corner and work your way around the room from that point. Your starting point will be your finishing point after you circle your way around the room.

Size of stripes

A simple way to stripe is to do so in standard masking tape widths. I often do 2″ stripes, which is a standard masking tape width.

Number of colors

You can do your stripes in two, three or more colors, but if you are new to the striping technique I would recommend just two colors.

Two color striping is done by first painting the walls in total in one of your stripe colors and then masking off and painting to obtain the second stripe. In practical terms if you are painting 2″ stripes, you would paint your room in the first stripe color, then apply masking tape at 2″ intervals (a word on how to mask straight lines – see below) throughout the whole room. Once the masking tape is in place you paint the walls again with the second stripe color. When each section or wall is done, remove the masking tape to reveal your two color striping.

Masking tape

You must use easy release blue tape for your stripes. A good tape for striping is 3M’s #2080 blue tape which is a smooth , easy release tape which will make it possible to get clean lines with a minimum of bleeding under the tape. Rub down the edge of the tape to ensure a good tight bond which the paint won’t bleed under. When pulling the tape off , pull gently at a 45 degree angle from the surface.

How to lay down straight stripes

The best way – or perhaps I should say the easiest way is to use a laser level. Center the level, level it properly, line your tape up with the vertical laser line working your way down the wall moving the laser level as you work your way around the room..

Not everyone has a laser level, for those who don’t, a 4′ bubble type level works fine. If you use a standard bubble level you will need to put pencil marks on the wall to line up the tape. Keep the pencil marks light and don’t cover them with the tape as you lay the tape down. Remember if the marks show when the tape is down, they will be painted over. If the marks don’t show (because the tape is covering the lines) then you will not be painting over the marks and they will show when you remove the tape.

By Dale Slater

To learn more about faux finishes and faux stripes visit: http://www.paintinganddecoratingconcourse.com/Faux-Painting.html

Dale Slater is a professional painter and faux finisher. To learn more about all aspects of painting and decorating visit http://www.paintinganddecoratingconcourse.com

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Texture is an interior design element everyone enjoys. We all like how things feel. However, we often forget to consider texture as its own interior design component. All interior design elements have some type of texture. When creating a room design it is vital to coordinate all the textures in a room to achieve visual and tactile interest. A well designed room incorporates a careful selection of different textures.

Texture can be visual or tactile or both. It may have dimension or it may have none. It goes way beyond smooth or rough. Texture is not always obvious sometimes it is only implied. This occurs when an object looks one way but feels completely different. Tactile impression is the way an item makes us think it will feel. Texture is as important on items in a room we would never touch (ceiling, walls or architectural details) as it is on items people would be in consistent contact with (floor, carpet or upholstery).

People tend to get caught up in the way a few items feel and forget the rest. This works in reverse too, like when one is overly concerned the scratchy feeling on a wool drapery fabric. You aren’t going to snuggle up with it! The scratchy aspect happens to be part of the filament fiber which gives wool its’ superb ability to hang beautifully. It is important to pay attention to the texture of every item in a room. The aspect of this people are often most familiar with, other than in furniture is paint. Do you want flat, matte, semi-gloss, or gloss? If you haven’t considered the texture of everything else in the room, you aren’t ready to answer that question yet.

For the same reason one doesn’t fill a living room with all and only chairs, you need to be mindful of mixing textures. Variation is essential. Texture and the mix of such is a secret to creating a comfortable interior and a vital component in a monochromatic color scheme.

The materials as well as the actual composition of an item contribute to the texture. Wood is considered hard but in certain furniture, cabinet or floor applications it provides a soft and warm quality. Shiny is a common description for metal though one would not ordinarily attribute soft as a tactile element of metal, but when woven with silk into a fabric it can feel soft and have a shiny luster. Mohair resembles fresh cut grass the way each wool fiber stands up tall and straight. It has a crisp edge yet it is really wonderful to use in upholstery because it is very comfortable, feels luxurious to the touch, shapes well and is incredibly durable. In a monochromatic scheme using such opposing textures and materials can allow for what appears to be color changes when in fact they are all the same color.

Mixing textures creates interest and is a requirement of any well designed interior regardless of the color scheme. It is equally important to place the right texture in the appropriate location. Items people are going to sit on or feel should be of materials that are comfortable and pleasant to touch. Shiny pink patent vinyl may be the look your daughter has to have in her bedroom but rather than use it on a chair seat which would feel sticky on bare legs, it would be better as an upholstered headboard where one leans against pillows and doesn’t actually come in consistent contact with the vinyl.

Items that aren’t necessary great to touch can be fabulous to look at. Reclaimed, unfinished barn siding can look great on an interior wall in the right room but it would loose much if its characteristics if it was planed for flooring or cut-up for furniture. Glass beads are cool on wallcovering as created by Maya Romanoff (www.mayaromanoff.com) but would not work well on upholstery or as floorcovering. Tiny glass beads are invisibly attached to wallcovering in various colors or patterns which achieve a very glamorous effect on a wall or ceiling as light passes through the clear glass. This look belongs in an often seen location because it will have all your friends salivating.

A simple tip to remember when combining textures is that old saying that opposites attract. High gloss can be great paired with rough hewn timbers. Thick and luxurious rugs look fantastic on wood or stone floors. A cork kitchen floor provides visual texture as opposed to the flatter/sleek aspect of kitchen cabinets and countertops and against the hardness of those surfaces cork has a soft sound absorbing quality. The opposing combinations are endless.

The next time you are planning an interior design project or just adding something to an existing room make sure you carefully study all the textures involved. Be especially careful to mix different and opposing textures so you can pull off a well designed, comfortable and happy living space. Mixing is where the real fun comes in. So go out and mix things up!

About the Author

Lisa M. Smith is an interior designer and owner of Interior Design Factory, Ltd. She specializes in creating beautiful and inviting residential interiors that are timeless and look collected, not like a showroom. Real design for real people. She produces individualized results using creative solutions that are liveable and tell a story. Good design is for everyone and available in every budget.

Hire an Interior Designer Now for only $4.95. Click on website to ask your personal design question. You can even send pictures. Get design advice and answers just for you!

www.InteriorDesignFactory.com

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There are many benefits of underfloor heating (UFH); there are no radiators to spoil the clean lines of a room, space can be saved by freeing up a wall that would otherwise need to be dedicated to a radiator, and floors are warm underfoot.

UFH is also an extremely efficient way to warm a room, and gives a more pleasant heat than radiators, stoves or traditional solid-fuel fires. The entire floor becomes a “radiator” which emits heat in a very gentle way. There are no cold spots and, as most of the heat is concentrated in the lower part of the room, very little is wasted.

Where can it be used?

Underfloor heating is mostly used in ground-floor rooms but, in reality, there is a system to suit any type of floor construction. Wet systems are most easily installed where it’s possible to take up floors or where new floors are being constructed, so is likely to suit new extensions, conservatories and new open-plan kitchen-cum-living areas. Electric UFH is likely to be more suitable for existing rooms as the electrical mesh system is flatter than a wet system so there is less need for floor heights to be altered to accommodate it. There are even electrical mat systems available that can be used under rugs on existing hard floors. On balance, it’s easier to add electric systems to upper-floor rooms.

Types of Underfloor Heating

There are two main UFH systems: hot-water (or wet) systems, and electric mat (or wire) systems. Wet systems basically use warm water from the central heating system. The water is pumped through plastic pipes that are laid on to a sub floor, before the new final surface is installed. Underfloor heating of this type also reduces water-heating costs as it uses water at a lower temperature than standard radiators (about 40°C to 65°C to give a floor temperature of between 23°C and 32°C). Electric systems feature cables which are attached to open-weave mesh mats. There are, however, newer types where the elements are embedded into a continuous roll. The mats or rolls are spread out on the floor, connected together and are then linked up to the thermostat and mains power supply. In general, whilst electric systems are cheaper to install, and cause less disruption to existing floor structure, they are more expensive to run than wet systems, which are more cost efficient.

Installation Considerations

For your UFH to be most cost and energy efficient, your property needs to be adequately insulated (and preferably adhere to new building regulations). To prevent heat loss, and to ensure that the heat is directed upwards, there needs to be room for insulation to be installed beneath the system.

With wet systems, makes sure you have a space for the controls to be situated (a cupboard will do). Like a radiator, each room heated with UFH has its own valve, but they can all be sited in one spot, along with the timer controls. Most of the plastic water pipes installed in today’s systems are continuous, so there is no danger of leaks as there are no joints – and the system is generally considered to be maintenance-free. Whilst a condensing boiler will offer the greatest potential savings on running costs, any boiler can be used with UFH, as long as it has a sufficient capacity.

The firm fitting the underfloor heating will plan the installation for you. If you plan to add a wet UFH system to an existing room, you will need to seek professional advice. Necessary calculations include the desired temperatures, the ceiling height, the potential heat loss and the type of flooring required.

Flooring Options

Carpet

UFH can be used with almost all types of flooring, even carpet. Research by the Carpet Foundation* has shown that any carpet can be used over underfloor heating without impairing the performance of the system, providing that the carpet and underlay have a thermal resistance of less than 2.5 tog. New indications show that for the majority of carpet styles the thermal resistance will be less than 1 tog.

Stone, Ceramic, Slate and Terracotta

Over the past few years, as these flooring materials have become more fashionable, there has been an increase in the number of homes using UFH. Heat-up time depends on the thickness of the tiles; thick flagstones will take longer to reach optimum temperature, but once this is reached there’s no difference in heat quality between thick or thinner floor surfaces.

Timber

UFH is suitable for use with many types of timber flooring, but most installers stipulate that the timber be specifically recommended for UFH use. The flooring should have a top temperature restriction (usually 27°C) and an expansion gap needs to be left around the edges (this is easily hidden by a skirting board or trim). Most reputable manufacturers offer timber suitable for underfloor heating, but always liaise with the flooring supplier and heating installer before making your purchase. Many suppliers will recommend a specific brand of electric UFH and it’s a good idea to listen to their advice.

Vinyls and Laminates

UFH can be used with high-quality vinyls and laminates, such as those from Amtico, Polyflor and Karndean International. Not all laminates or vinyls are compatible with UFH, so it’s a good idea to check with the flooring manufacturer or the heating installer before committing. Many suppliers have developed their own UFH systems, or have one or two that they recommend.

*Research undertaken by the Carpet Foundation in conjunction with the Underfloor Heating Manufacturers Association (UHMA), June 2006

You can find more information on flooring ideas and wooden floor ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you’ll love.

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Next generation living room needs next generation designs. That is why the use of modern living room designs is apt for the contemporary style of houses today.

In order to create an impression of modernization, the designs should incorporate the appropriate living room accessories that will accentuate the look of the room. The idea is to come up with contemporary designs but still patterned to your taste and personality.

Here’s how:

1. Focus

You really do not have to spend more on buying new items just to create that modern look. With simple designs, you can easily come up with modern living room designs.

For instance, you can use lighting accessories, such as vanity strips and ornament lights. These items will serve as accent lighting and will emphasize or draw attention to your furniture even if they are not brand new. The idea is to blend modern lighting and not-so modern furniture and demonstrate what modern living room designs are all about.

2. Accessorize

Coming up with modern living room interior designs does not necessarily mean buying updated, modern furniture. You can do away with modern home accessories and create that modern living room design. These items are much cheaper than the brand new fixtures and furniture.

The important thing is to create a look of the modern world. This would mean using accessories that are elegant, shiny, and patterned in subdued colors such as silver, grey, or black.

3. Color magic

The next step in incorporating modern living room designs is the color scheme. Modern homes are usually painted in sleek colors, such as black, white, and silver.

Hence, it is best to stick to basic colors so as to reflect contemporary look. Modern living room designs for paints are also focused on using matte or flat paint finish. Avoid the glossy or shiny paint finish.

For walls, you can stick with the white color and enhance them with modern accessories such as paintings or modern day murals.

4. Go abstract

Most modern designs today are patterned in abstract designs. Hence, incorporating these things in modern living room designs will definitely bring contemporary look in your area.

You can start by using clocks or paintings with abstract designs. Abstract designs provide a playful interpretation on the perception of different things.

About the Author

To learn more href="http://www.livingroomdesign101.com/" rel="nofollow">living room design tips and ideas, visit href="http://www.livingroomdesign101.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.livingroomdesign101.com

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Table lamps are definitely one of the most eye-catching accessories one can find inside the home. They spur a feeling of comfort as they light up the home. At the same time, they provide accents that can adorn and add serenity to any area.

There may be many types of lighting to choose from but table lamps are still the most popular choice. Table lamps are those lights designed to be placed on a table. Although they are typically used as reading lights, their function does not end there. Nowadays, many table lamps are being designed and crafted in fascinating shapes, sizes, and styles to fit and enhance the decor. It’s easy to find sleek contemporary table lamps and more traditional table lamps with fabric shades that match other decor. Some are even made of glass, metal, ceramic and wood. What’s different about table lamps in modern décor is that most of the time they are purchased to help decorate the room not just provide lighting.

It is not very easy to find the perfect table lamp to satisfy your decorating standards. Apart from the fact that you need to find a reliable store selling your favorite table lamp, there are other factors to consider when purchasing one. The appearance may be good but such should not be the only factor to consider. Be sure that the lamp will be tall enough and not cast a shadow on your shoulder when you are reading beside the table. Sometimes it is necessary to take measurements. You should also check on the proportions because the lamp that you want to purchase should fit well along your other pieces of furniture.

Another factor to consider when selecting your lamp is the shade. You should to make sure that it would be able to spread the light equally on the surface of the table. Tiffany style lamps have been a favorite choice among decorators for over 80 years. They can add a touch of the antiquity to your home. A Tiffany glass lamp can increase the beauty of your home because the surprise of something out of date is part of the whole antique look. This is one of the reasons why they are widely sought after by collectors. Tiffany lamps were very popular in the seventies and they are making quite a comeback now. What’s good is that today’s version of the Tiffany contemporary table lamp is more refined in design and color but cost less in relation to today’s economy. Remember these lamps are still put together from a pile of cut glass and lead. It never ceases to amaze me just how beautifully detailed they are with images of nature such as the dragonfly, peacock feathers, wisteria flowers and blossoms. Definitely, you will be captivated by this style of lamp.

All in all, table lamps are indeed the most common type of lamps, carving out their niche as a must have in American modern decor. They are well-loved for the light they give to the student hard at work or the mother taking a break with a book. Professional decorators and home owners alike will also say that almost any home décor is empty without table lamps to provide the right lighted accent.

About the Author

Table Lamps and Floors Lamps The author is an experienced decorator and recommends Kings River Home when searching for the perfect lamp. “I have searched the web too many times only to once again come back to this store for my purchase”.

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