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Couches are the workhorse of the living room, and wear and tear takes its toll. Frolicking pets, active children, spilled food and years of fabric rubbing on fabric can leave a sofa looking worn, dingy and sagging. You could reupholster your sofa for an entirely new look, but that can be nearly as expensive as buying a new couch. As long as the frame of your sofa is in good condition, you can give it new life with a few easy changes.
Exercise doesn’t have to be relegated to an hour-long workout at the gym. Everyday items, such as desks, chairs, walls and stairs, can be used for exercise at work. Exercise boosts the level of oxygen in your bloodstream, which energizes your body. You’ll feel more alert and keen on tackling the challenges of the day. By spending a few minutes repeating movements while sitting in a desk chair, you can raise your heart rate as well as stretch and strengthen your muscles.
Rope clamps are throwbacks to a simpler time and are still one of the most effective ways to fix wooden chairs. Newer versions are called web clamps or nylon strap clamps. They work by applying equal pressure to odd-shaped chair legs or places where bar clamps won't fit. It's the same principal as a tourniquet, twisting a rope around in circles until it tightens. Use it around loose chair legs to bond them together with glue. If you have loose chair rungs or braces, nothing works better than a good old-fashioned rope clamp.
Clamping can be difficult on objects that do not have square corners or flat surfaces. Fortunately, there are clamps for almost every purpose ranging from nylon to steel. If you've got chairs with loose rungs, you may need to use special clamps or methods. Other options for clamping techniques include adding materials to the clamp or joint to assist the clamp.
Do you want to develop a healthy relationship with your couch? Instead of a TV-watching, couch potato routine, develop a gut-busting abdominal routine that uses the help of your couch to anchor you as it holds your feet in place. Working out at home can help you keep your date with exercise since, at times, just the act of getting out the door to go the gym can be daunting. Your couch is a great workout prop, especially when it comes to doing all manner of crunches. Here's how you can work those abs by doing crunches using your couch.
When it comes to exercises that help you strengthen and tone your upper body, some of the oldies are still the goodies. Among the most beneficial body-weight exercises out there is the pushup, which you likely got to know in high school gym class. To add some variation to this common exercise, use your couch to elevate your legs or arms.
Chair leg raises, planks and oblique crunches are terrific exercises to do right at home. Learn how to do chair leg raises, planks and oblique crunches with help from the owner and operator of a fitness studio in this free video clip.
You can do chest exercises from practically anywhere, including right at your regular old desk. Learn about chest exercises that you can do in desk chairs with help from the owner and operator of a fitness studio in this free video clip.
Wood chairs have a tendency to develop scratches over time if you're not careful. Repair the scratches on wood chairs with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
Beginner chair leg exercises don't require you to be totally immobile. Get tips on beginner chair leg exercises with help from an NASM Certified Personal Trainer in this free video clip.
Repairing wood chair legs doesn't require you to be an experienced professional. Get tips that you can use when repairing wooden chair legs with help from a 46-year-old master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
A benefit high brow pencil needs to be used in a very particular way for the best possible results. Find out how to properly use a benefit high brow pencil with help from a licensed cosmetologist with over 5 years of experience in this free video clip.
When your feet are under your sofa, you can do crunches by using a very specific technique in just the right way. Find out how to do crunches while your feet are under your sofa with help from the trainer of trainers in this free video clip.
Removing wood plugs on wood chairs requires the right tool and a little bit of know-how. Find out how to remove wood plugs on wood chairs with help from a 46-year-old master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
Certain colors of curtains naturally look terrific when paired with a nice red leather sofa. Pick out curtain colors for a red leather sofa with help from a passionate interior designer in this free video clip.
There will come a time in the growth of your small business when you require the use of a server. For personal use, small, inexpensive computers will do the trick. But when you require a powerful server to handle Web traffic or the demands of file sharing within your office, you will turn to other options. For Web services, you can turn to external "dedicated" servers. For dedicated Web use or intraoffice use for files and databases, you probably will choose to purchase and install high-performance machines built specifically for service tasks.
Antique furniture may be valuable, but sometimes the material makes it too old to use. However, it’s possible to reupholster the fabric, such as the covering on antique round love seats. If you find one and the fabric looks old or smells funny, consider replacing the material and the stuffing underneath it. Fortunately you can reupholster your antique round love seat at home instead of paying someone for the service.
Backyard reclining loungers with little or no maintenance required allows you to enjoy your backyard in a leisurely way. Constructing these chairs from high-quality wood is always a good idea, because you want them to hold up for several years. Adding cushions for the whole chair is optional. It can be easier to just leave the chairs bare and spray them off with a water hose occasionally. By finishing them with polyurethane or porch and deck paint, you will ensure they look good and wear well with no padding or cushions in place.
A sofa and an ottoman are two different objects with two different purposes. Learn about how a sofa is different from an ottoman with help from an interior designer and decor mentor in this free video clip.
If your sofa slides, there are a few key tools you're going to want to have around. Find out what you can put under your sofa to stop it from sliding with help from an interior designer and decor mentor in this free video clip.
Scuff marks can find their way onto your leather sofa in a number of different ways. Learn about scuff marks on leather sofas and find out what to do about them with help from a third generation owner of Arrow Leathercare in this free video clip.
Bucket seats and captain's chairs are two very similar-looking types of seat found in cars, trucks, vans and other automobiles. Both types of seats are often considered more comfortable alternatives to bench-style automotive seats. While traditionally there's a distinction between bucket seats and captain's chairs; today sometimes the two are often almost indistinguishable, differing in only a few ways, such as the type of vehicle in which they are installed.
Teak wood holds up to outdoor use. The wooden frame of a teak deck chair will last for many years, but you have to replace the fabric sling every few years. This gives you an opportunity to update the chair's fabric to match your evolving decor. Use neutral beige fabric for a serene furniture arrangement that doesn't distract from the beauty of your garden. If your outdoor room needs some color, choose a bright paisley or a fun stripe.
Special family times often take place in the kitchen. The old utility chairs that surrounded your kitchen table may bring back memories of lively family suppers, gingerbread house construction and algebra assistance from Mom or Dad. But even the most cherished chairs wear out. If your special old chair is just taking up space in your house, use it outside as a colorful accent or a trellis for growing vines. The flowers and the memories can make it a charming addition to your garden.
Homeowners are occasionally faced with the problem of metal patio furniture that deteriorated badly over the winter months. Moisture reacts chemically with the metal surfaces, causing unsightly rusting and deterioration. Even aluminum can develop a cloudy finish and flaking paint. You can refurbish your metal chairs and tables yourself if you know a bit about welding and have the correct metalworking equipment. Expanded metal, which is a kind of flattened metal mesh with an open, diamond-shaped pattern, can be cut and welded to replace the seats of metal chairs.
A rhythmic rocking motion both relaxes and helps alleviate stress for many people. Rocking chairs are aesthetically pleasing as well as therapeutic. You can purchase a rocking chair from a number of furniture stores, second-hand outlets or flea markets. If you enjoy woodworking, however, you can make a rocking chair yourself. The legs of the rocking chair must be in a symmetrical relationship to ensure the chair sits and moves evenly on the floor.
Over time, Lane Recliners and other reclining chairs will begin to squeak and make noise due to the wear of the internal mechanisms. Also, the nuts and bolts will loosen, which will also cause the chair to make excessive noise. Lane Recliners, as well as other brands of chairs, may be lubricated to minimize the excess sound. For Lane Recliners, the piston will be lubricated. In addition, check all nuts and bolts and tighten as needed to reduce excess sound.
A beautiful addition to any play room, a rocking chair should be baby sized for the safety and comfort of the child. While you can purchase child-sized rocking chairs at certain specialty stores, building your own gives you more control over the color, size and design of the chair.
Designing your your interior spaces requires an act of balancing your spatial limitations with your decorating desires. Various tools can assist you in this process, including space templates. Designing with space templates requires some basic information about the items you want to include, be they chairs or a chaise longue. Understanding this process in full requires some knowledge of space template considerations and the nature of chairs and chaise longues.
A futon couch is designed to function in an area short on space. The futon converts from a bed into a couch with just a few movements. When building your own futon, you have control over the size, material and mattress design. Match the size of the futon couch frame to the mattress size, which are available in twin, full, queen and king sizes. Suitable wood for this project includes pine, oak, poplar and maple. Use treated and sanded pieces to make building the futon couch easier.
Lane reclining sofas make a perfect addition to a living room or home theater. The extra-wide reclining platform and padding on Lane sofas ensure that your feet won't run out of space while you're looking for the perfect position to lounge, watch TV or take in a movie. However, even the best reclining sofas can sometimes begin to wear out after constant use. Tightening the loose parts on a Lane reclining sofa is doable with a few simple household tools.
Hard stools in felines can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from environmental stressors to changes in diet to potentially life-threatening health conditions. For best results, make note of all extenuating circumstances before consulting with your vet about potential causes and treatments. When visiting your vet, take along a fresh stool sample for analysis.
Whether you are upholstering an entire chair or just repairing damage to the corners, wrapping the fabric properly around the chair creates a smooth, professional-looking edge that doesn't detract from the chair's appearance. Select upholstery-weight fabrics, even if you are only redoing the corners. These fabrics can withstand wear and tear better since they are more durable than lighter-weight fabrics. Wrapping the fabric properly may vary, depending on the chair style and how you are covering the rest of the chair, so use pins to hold the fabric in place. You can then make any adjustments before you stitch it…
A sofa can be a major investment and should be comfortable and attractive for many years. When your favorite spot for relaxing begins to sag before its time, it can become difficult to get out of and just plain uncomfortable. While a piece of plywood under the cushions can temporarily keep you from sinking into your couch, respring the sofa for a repair that can make your seating as good as new.
If you lower the legs on a single bar stool, you can transform it into a simple nightstand. By using an additional bar stool and restaurant table parts, you can convert flat bar stools into a workstation for your kitchen. To make a workstation from bar stools, you need a bolt-down top plate for a restaurant table base, as well as a rectangular tabletop. You can find both at a restaurant supply store.
Eero Saarinen designed the iconic tulip chair in 1957 for KnollStudio. The fiberglass chair rises from a round base on a narrow stem that flares into a tulip-shaped seat. While it is a functional piece of furniture, designed as a casual dining chair and still produced today, its price is more in line with its standing as a work of art. The chair, winner of a 1969 Museum of Modern Art Award, sells new from $1,895 to $4,685, depending on style and options, as of publication, though older models can be found for somewhat less. Numerous versions were made by…
The prairie chair is a stout, cubic chair that offers the cushioned comfort of a sofa for an individual person. The top cushions of a prairie chair are fastened in place, meaning that if you are building or restoring a prairie chair, you cannot simply set them on top of the frame. The cushions are upholstered on top of 1-inch-thick boards -- typically plywood. Secure the frame to these boards to attach the top of the chair in place properly.
After years of relaxation and comfort, the seat of your wooden cushioned chair might not be holding up very well. Sinking is a clear sign that the wooden seat under the cushion is beginning to fail, which can spell disaster if left untreated. Luckily, your wooden chair is fixable and you don’t need to spend a fortune contacting a professional to perform the repair.
Though London cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale designed furniture during the 18th century, manufacturers continue to reproduce his pieces today. The details and ornamentation on Chippendale's pieces were influenced by three design styles: Rococo, Gothic and Chinese. Chinese Chippendale pieces, such as chairs, were sometimes executed in bamboo. Surviving antique examples, as well as vintage reproductions, frequently require restoration before you add them to your decor.
Furniture from the Louis XVI era often appeals to a wide range of collectors. Louis XVI ascended the thrown of France after his grandfather, Louis XV, passed away. He lived from 1754 to 1793. The furniture from that era has a close association with Neoclassical style. The chairs gave straight, simplistic lines. The need to identify authentic Louis XVI antiques has become paramount. Prior to purchasing a Louis XVI chair, make sure that you can evaluate and identify the chair as an authentic piece from that time period.
A Victorian-style chair is by definition ornate and hard to build. This is not a project for a novice carpenter -- this chair requires skill in carefully carving wood into an elaborate design. While this project is difficult, a proper craftsman can create a original Victorian-esque chair that lasts for generations.
Doing push-ups on two chairs can have some very interesting effects. Do push-ups on two chairs and learn what it can do for you with help from a nationally certified and recognized personal trainer in this free video clip.
The "Butt Bridge" requires some very specific moves in order to perform accurately. Learn if you can do the "Butt Bridge" with a chair with help from a nationally certified and recognized personal trainer in this free video clip.
If you have a chair with back spindles -- the decorative wood rails on a chair -- that are curved, the chair likely has curved chair braces on the side. These chair parts, also called hip rests, are banana shaped. If these curved spindles are broken, you can replace them through a process called chair bracing. Order new hip rests with predrilled holes from an online woodworking vendor.
Sagging sofa chairs can seem like a hopeless repair task. There are two solutions for fixing the sagging base. The first is for beginners or those who need a quick fix. The second is the correct way of repairing the base, but takes some time and skill.
Sofas are expensive pieces of furniture and round sofas are no exception to this rule. A round sofa is a good looking and modern piece of furniture that will liven up any home, however. Round sofas look like oversized chairs and as such can be comfortably enjoyed by one or two people at a time. You can build a round sofa yourself to modernize your lounge without spending excessive amounts of money.
A leather couch and zebra print chairs open up possibilities to a, array of style choices. While highlighting the naturalistic and rustic detailing of such furnishings, splashes of color and soft textures soften the room.
A Parson’s chair owes its history to the Parson’s School of Design, which created the original design. The chairs feature an armless design with a long back and four legs. The curved design of the chair has an elegant and timeless look. Each chair has a padded seat with foam or fabric padding attached to springs. The springs offer support and make the chair feel more comfortable. When the chair loses some of its comfort or you notice springs poking through the fabric cover, you must remove the cover and gain access to the springs.
Camelback sofas are antique-style sofas with raised backs. They can be difficult to reupholster because they have an unusual shape and often have extra detailing. When reupholstering a camelback couch, follow the original shape and pattern to get the best results. You can modify the couch somewhat, such as not adding decorative buttons or piping, but otherwise stay true to the original design. Use upholstery fabric that doesn't have patterns on it so it is easier to line up the pieces.
Repurposing an old wine barrel into a bar stool is an inexpensive way to update your interior decor and add rustic charm to the space. Although the barrel will hardly need any modification, save a few minor repair jobs, you can enhance its design and comfort with a few tweaks easily achieved using a few basic power tools.
