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Repairing drywall is one of those projects that can make a huge difference in the value of a home. With so many people taking advantage of the boom in real estate by purchasing, repairing and reselling homes, learning to repair drywall has obvious monetary benefits. We present here a few of our favorite drywall repair tips.

-In order to repair small holes in drywall, the best procedure is to clean the holes carefully, then dampen them with a sponge. The holes can then be filled in using a professional drywall patching formula. The drywall patch should be applied using a narrow putty knife. If you prefer, these small holes can be repaired by using patching plaster to fill in the holes. After the compound has dried, the area should be primed and painted to match the rest of the wall.

-For patching larger holes, it may be preferable to use precut adhesive wallboard patches. It may be necessary to make the hole wider in order to fit the patch into place. After the precut wallboard has been put into place, the seams should be covered and the patch should be covered with joint compound. When applying the joint compound it is important to follow the directions on the label. After the patch is in place, it should be primed and then painted to match the rest of the surface.

-If nails have popped out from in the drywall, be sure that the panel is well secured to the surrounding studs above and below the nail. The nail should then be hammered in and dimpled. A second nail should be put in and dimpled next to the original nail. Joint compound should then be applied to cover both nails. After the joint compound has been allowed to dry, the area should be primed and painted.

-Small dents in the drywall can be repaired by first sanding the surface thoroughly. Sanding will help to make the edges rough, thus providing a good base for joint compound to adhere to. After the area has been sanded, the dent should be filled with joint compound using a three or four inch spreader. The joint compound should be spread evenly and pressed firmly into the area to be repaired. For large dents it may be necessary to allow the joint compound to dry overnight and then apply a second coat. After the joint compound has dried completely, the area should be sanded, primed and painted.

For more information on home improvement and more information on drywall repair, take a look at our comprehensive home improvement guide at http://www.home-improvement4u.com. Also, check out our forum at: http://www.home-improvement4u.com where you can chat with an expert contractor about drywall repair or any home improvement question you may have.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and maintains her own website at http://www.brookesikula.com. She is also a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com.

[tags]home improvement, drywall repair,[/tags]

What’s a fireplace without a fireplace mantel? It would be a lonely hole in the wall were light comes from. Creepy isn’t it? A fireplace mantel is a substantial part of the whole fireplace setup of a home. Without the mantel, there wouldn’t be much to be excited about a fireplace.

Fireplaces have been focal points of attraction in the house. However, it is the fireplace mantel that really brings out the beauty of a fireplace. It serves a fireplace like a frame serves a picture. A proper mantel can also boost up the value of the house as an asset because it brings out the beauty of the house’ centerpiece.

Fireplace mantels have long been around, dating back to the Renaissance Period in Italy. The earliest designs were inspired by the architectural supremacy of the Greeks and the Romans. These designs were heavily embroidered with lavish designs and accessories. During the advent of the Edwardian era, the designs of mantels became more subtle. Today, design and materials come together to determine the overall look of the fireplace mantels.

There are two main things to consider when choosing the proper mantel for your fireplace. An improperly chosen and installed fireplace mantel is as bad as not having one at all.

Here are some important factors to look at:

-Type of mantel

Choosing the right type of mantel for your fireplace is the most important factor to look at. Different house motifs require different types of fireplace mantels. For older houses which are preserved well (which owners would want to further preserve) an antique fireplace mantel would be suitable. We are referring to colonial-style houses. The antique mantels have this certain timeless quality in them that brings back the designs of the older eras.

In determining the right type of mantel, people should first look at whether they would like to have a mantel shelf or a surround mantel (with designs on the side). Mantel shelves work differently in the sense that they accentuate the fireplace like a crown uplifts a king. The shelves are usually holds the prized possessions of the homeowner and display them for the visitors to see. Mantel surrounds accentuate the fireplace by giving dimensions to the sides of the fireplace.

-Material

Choosing the material to be used in the fireplace mantel is as important as choosing the design of the mantel. There are several materials which have become popular in terms of fireplace mantels. Let’s take a look at wooden mantels first.

After the First World War, wooden mantels started gaining popularity throughout the world. The main reason why it ascended in terms of popularity is that wooden mantels are relatively easy to install (as compared to stone or marble). Oak is perhaps the most popular kind of wood that is used in fireplace mantels because of its superior quality. Fiberboard is gaining popularity as an alternative material because it is cheap and elegant looking material.

A good thing about wooden mantels is that one can choose the kind of varnish or paint color that will be used. A downside in using wood as a mantel is that wood is combustible. One should check the local fire department with regards to the regulations in using wood as a fireplace mantel.

Stone mantels are one of the oldest fireplace mantels. The use of stone as a material for mantels can be traced back to the 16th century. The most popular kinds of stones that are used for mantels are marble, slate granite and limestone. However, the use of these stones can be quite heavy for one’s pockets. Cast stone, which is a pre-fabricated kind of stone, is popular today since it is very cheap as compared to the other stones. It resembles the expensive stones at a least-costly price. Cast stone mantels are usually priced starting at seven hundred dollars.

The fireplace mantel is as equally important as the fireplace itself, perhaps not in terms of functionality, but definitely in terms of aesthetics. Properly choosing the right type of mantel and the right materials are the two most important things in installing a fireplace mantel. Mantels can really be costly but they will really bring out the beauty of a house and increase its value.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://fireplaces.home-webzone.com where you can find more about how you can enhance your home with a fireplace.

[tags]fireplace, mantel, fireplace mantel, home decor, home decorating, home improvement, decorating[/tags]

Laminate flooring is perfect for people who want to install a floor covering that is easy to install and combines the rich look of hardwood with the easy care of a laminate counter top. Laminate floors that have been constantly gaining popularity since their creation a few years ago. Laminate flooring can be properly installed on sheet vinyl flooring, concrete slab, plywood, hardwood flooring, or essentially any other flat hard surface. Laminate wood flooring has a special composite of layers that makes up its construction.

Most of the flooring plank is a thick and water resistant core material that is designed for uniformity. The top level of laminate wood flooring is the finished flooring material, which is usually decorative and waterproofed to protect against common household spills. Because of flooring harmonics laminate’s design, most laminate flooring will last longer than other types of flooring.

Choosing the right Laminate Flooring

If you are interested in buying laminate flooring but worry about the price and availability of certain colors and patterns, there is no need to fret. Flooring harmonics laminate is actually cheaper than most other kinds of flooring. Also, laminate wood flooring comes in many different patterns and colors, so you will be sure to find exactly the right type of laminate flooring that you are looking for. If you are relatively inexperienced with common household installation projects, you might want to consider hiring a contractor to install the laminate flooring. However, laminate flooring manufacturers have made it fairly simple to install, so it should not be beyond the grasp of people who have at least a little experience in common household installations.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher

http://www.a1-interior-design-4u.com/

[tags]laminate,flooring,floors,laminate floor,home improvement,kitchen,bath,hallway,halls,house,building m[/tags]

The real estate market may be slowing down, but there doesn’t seem to be a corresponding slow-down in the number of sales of furnishings that will go into people’s homes. In fact, the opposite seems to be happening across the country.

For instance, California-based Dacor, a kitchen appliance company, reports that their sales for the first quarter of 2006 were up some 25 percent from the same period of 2005. Another kitchen appliance supplier, Pittsburg-based Sub-Zero, saw their sales jump nearly 30 percent during that same period.

What’s driving the startling rise in the home furnishings market? The factors are complex, but the fact remains that the numbers are definitely rising, in spite of a softening real estate market. Part of the reason for the increase is that whether homebuyers are purchasing a new or existing house, they will spend an average of $6,000 during their first year of ownership as they begin the task of turning their new homes into a more accurate reflection of who they are and how they choose to live.

So even in the face of a slowing real estate market, homebuyers are still spending significant sums of money to upgrade and furnish their new homes, which makes the home furnishing industry somewhat less susceptible to downturns in home sales. In fact, the American furniture industry is actually twice as large as the country’s music industry overall.
 
However, as is the case in all phases of the American economy, the home furnishings industry is facing challenges from increasing competition from globalization. As more furniture is imported, it becomes more difficult for American companies to compete as consumer prices continue to decline. That may prove advantageous to consumers, but it will cause an increasing number of problems for U.S. furniture companies.

There are several ways American furniture companies are fighting back against their foreign competition, especially when it comes to innovation and increased efficiency. After centuries of experience with American consumers, U.S. furniture suppliers have a firm grasp on what their clients need and want when it comes to furnishing their homes.
 
One of the most significant trends in recent years has been the migration of suburban homeowners back to urban areas. Since they’ve often done quite well when they sold their suburban homes, these buyers can afford to upgrade both their living spaces and the furnishing they fill them with. With that trend also comes a rethinking of interior spaces such as the kitchen. Homeowners want appliances and furniture that allows them to create an integrated feel throughout their homes. For example, kitchens have become much more than just places to cook meals. They’re now gathering places, as well, and innovative furniture allows homeowners to combine function with style and utility.  

Things may be slowing down for the housing market, but the past few years have been excellent for companies dedicated to helping homeowners fill those houses with furniture and appliances that can fit any type of taste, lifestyle, and budget.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Jeanette Fisher teaches interior design and offers free teleseminars for home decorators. Find out how to save money decorating your home with the designer’s touch at http://www.joytothehome.com

[tags]furniture sales,home furnishings market,Jeanette Joy Fisher[/tags]

Are you interested in creating a butterfly garden? Perhaps it is for the purposes of providing some habitat for butterflies in your area? Maybe you just want to attract them to your garden so you and your children can delight in their antics. While there are several things you must consider when building a butterfly garden, a major consideration is providing shelter for them.

Butterflies need shelter from both wind and rain. In winter, if you are lucky enough to have over wintering adult butterflies, they will need shelter for hibernation. So as you begin to create your butterfly garden, you will need to provide shelter.

To begin your butterfly garden give consideration to the direction of the prevailing winds of your area. In the US, mostly the prevailing wind is out of the Northwest but check in your area to be sure. In my area, we can at times get a mean upsloping eastern wind but our normal winds are western winds.

If you do have a prevailing wind from the Northwest, this means you will want to provide some type of windbreak along the northern or northwestern side of your butterfly garden location. If you are creating it on the southern side of your home, you may already be one step ahead. You will simply need to continue your windbreak along the western side of your home.

A windbreak can be created with trees and shrubs, walls and fences or even a stack of firewood or rocks. You will want the taller plants to be on the northern or northwestern side of your butterfly garden. If at all possible, create a protected area for the butterflies by putting the tallest trees, shrubs or whatever on the north side and progressively smaller plantings coming around to an almost open southern side which will allow the sun to shine in.

It may be easier to picture this as a circular area. It does not have to be circular but any shape you desire will work as well as long as there is a windbreak towards your prevailing winds and it allows plenty of sun to shine in from the south for the butterflies to bask in.

The plantings and structures you use to prepare the “bones” of your butterfly garden will provide shelter from rain as well as from the winds. Butterflies will hide from the rain under leaves of the vegetation as well as the eaves of your home and any little nook or cranny they can find.

If you use hard structures such as fences or trellises, add plants such as passion flower or pipevine that will grow up or along these structures to further your butterfly garden goals. Not only will you be providing shelter but, in the case of the stated plantings, you will also be providing host plants. Choose nectar-providing shrubs as your living windbreaks.

Follow these tips and you will have a great start on providing a little habitat for butterflies within your own landscape. Doing so will provide you with many opportunities to watch the butterflies of your area.

Copyright 2006, Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Looking for more Butterfly Gardening articles? Discover all kinds of Flower Gardens at our site, http://flowergardenlovers.com/ Read about water, wildflower, rose, shade and butterfly gardens. Find articles about garden rooms, gardening tips, and more.

[tags]butterfly garden, butterflies, garden[/tags]

Lighting is an important feature in home d

Ever wonder why there are so many cars parked on the streets even in your neighborhood? It’s not because the family has so many cars or your neighbor just have some visitors, most often than not, the reason is — they can’t park it in the garage. Funny isn’t it, when the main purpose of the garage is to house cars, the garage has just become a junk or dirt room.

There are several solutions presented in magazines, TVs, websites, etc., on how to better equip and beautify your garage. Unfortunately, not all are too eager to do it, mainly because the clutter and mess in their garage are too much for them to handle. It’s actually a matter of prioritizing what-when-how to do it and where to put it.

Garage remodeling may be summarized into three basic steps, you don’t really have to call a professional to start planning and doing it. It’s just about organizing, remodeling, and building. For you to know what your garage needs, you have to dig up the intestines of your garage by cleaning or emptying it. Have everything pulled out or removed from your garage, start at a clean slate. Those items and things that have been transferred or moved from the garage must be sorted and categorized so that you’ll know what to do with them and where to place and look for them. Sometimes, you might just find your long lost sporting good in one of those mess piles.

Then, do your garage remodeling, would you want those items back in the garage or would you prefer to put your garden tools and carpentry kit in a separate shed or storage area. In garage remodeling, it’s not all about your junk and tools, you can think of a lot of uses for the space, besides just housing cars, it can be used as an additional office, work shop, studio, laundry room, etc. Lastly, you can work on building an extra storey, without adding an inch in your main floor plan, you get to have an extra space or floor, which can be utilized as a room or storage facility. There’s no need for you to sacrifice the huge storage area of your garage, you can still utilize it as one, but make use of cupboards, built-in cabinets, etc. just to maintain the orderliness and cleanliness of the space.

Garage remodeling is truly a rewarding project, not only will you be fulfilled on the success of your project but your neighbors and your community as well, because it gives a good streetscape in the area (without your car parking on the street).

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Remodeling and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Home Remodeling web site. For more articles and resources on Home Remodeling related topics, Remodeling Contractors, Home Remodeling Loans, Remodeling Ideas and much more visit his site at:

=>http://remodeling.need-to-know.net/

[tags]home remodeling, contractor remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, remodeling[/tags]

Looking for new dining room furniture can lend itself to sticker shock in a hurry if you haven’t been furniture shopping lately. There is an answer if you’re not prepared to purchase that new dining set, and that’s dining chair slip covers.

A set of dining chair slip covers can give your existing furniture a different look, without the added expense new dining room furniture costs.

The selection for slip covers is enormous. You can get a style and pattern to suit any tastes. Dining chair slip covers can take any outdated furniture and make it look brand new again.

One of the easiest and less expensive ways of giving any kind of furniture, from sofas, couches, recliners, to dining room chairs, new life, is through slip covers.

You will find slip covers in many different colors, patterns, and materials, which compliment any home decor.

A great place to begin any search for slip covers is at the Surefit slip cover website. They have every style and make of slip covers you can think of.

If for some reason you’re still having difficulty in finding the perfect dining chair slip cover, consider having them custom made. You’ll be able to choose the style and pattern yourself, along with having the assurance that they will fit perfectly. All you need to do is provide the measurements of your chairs and select the fabric you’re wanting. Within a week you’ll have your chairs back looking brand new.

Dining chair slip covers provides an inexpensive alternative to reupholstering, or buying new furniture. If you haven’t seriously considered this option, I would urge you to take a good look at it. It may be a very good decision.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.

Terry Edwards is the owner of All About Slip Covers, a site providing great information about slip covers. Find out more about Dining Chair Slip Covers as well as much more information on all types of slip covers at http://www.AllAboutSlipCovers.com

[tags]dining chair slip cover, slip cover, surefit slip cover[/tags]

A home is a place where we live, spend most of our lives,
with family members and our loved ones.

A bedroom design project includes a careful study of the
surrounding of the entire home. When an architect plans
a home, he takes into consideration many parameters for
the location of various spaces.

Lets take an example of the bedroom itself.

While deciding the location of the bedroom, an architect
might go through the following checklist.

* North direction

* Path of the sun.

* Surrounding landscapes.

* Presence of other natural elements such as lake, flowing

river, seashore, etc.. which could be visible through

bedroom window.

* Wind direction.

* Man made other features, such as tall buildings, roads, etc..

These external factors directly affect the interior of a
bedroom. This is true with any space and not only bedroom.

For example the amount of sunlight entering in a room will
affect the dimensions of the window openings, which will
in turn affect the available space inside the room for
furniture.

The overall atmospheric conditions outside, will affect the
type of finishes and materials used for furnishings, linen,
flooring, etc.. A bedroom on seashore will have a different
set of weather conditions to deal with than a room on a
hill slope with heavy snowfall.

That’s why the interior design of any living habitual space
is an exact replica of what’s happening outside. Everything
is so dynamic. A slight change in the outside world can
affect the appearance of the home altogether.

If you are trying to design your own space then this article
might help to start thinking on the concept level.

With these words I end this article and hope it was useful.

Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya

For more powerful and in-depth concept level knowledge of
bedroom design visit Bedroom-Design-And-decorating-Ideas.com. You will find some good tips
on designing various kinds of bedrooms.

[tags]bedroom design, home improvement, bedroom[/tags]

Want a beautifully finished floor without the costly price tag? With Its quickly growing quality and a shrinking expense, Laminate flooring is a great alternative to other expensive materials.

Laminate flooring actually uses computer technology which creates life-like designs modeled after natural materials. It is installed by using a system containing interlocking grooves which fit together to create a seamless look identical to finishes such as hardwood, tile, and even stone and marble.

Laminate does not actually attach to the floor beneath it. Only the joints or grooves are attached by glue, leaving the floor underneath untouched. Laminate flooring is a great idea when you have expensive but damaged or unfinished floor and you would rather have a quick and inexpensive cover up.

One of the wonders of Laminate flooring is that it is so easy to install, it can even be turned into a “do-it-yourself” project. This will bring the cost down considerably and also leave room for your own customization.

Laminate flooring is only recently growing in popularity among Americans, but has held strong among Europeans for well over two decades.

Another advantage to laminate flooring is it’s durability. Because of its dense fiberwood core and a sealed plastic-like coating, It is invincible to most stains, spills and burns and is also very resistant to scratches. This is a great choice for families with pets or small children.

Many reliable Laminate flooring companies are available online. Try browsing around for a company which best fits your expectations.

Briana is an original content writer for http://www.youseekit.com which features original articles on a variety of topics.
To see the original article, go to http://www.youseekit.com/laminate-flooring.htm.

[tags]laminate flooring, home decorating, floors, home improvement[/tags]