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Taping is one of the most important early steps that you can take when preparing a painting project. Learn about taping before painting techniques for walls with help from a seasoned home improvement expert in this free video clip.
Making a stamp for paint effects is something that you can do in a few different ways right at home. Make a stamp for paint effects with help from an experienced crafts expert in this free video clip.
Adding decorative paint to an armoire is a great way to breath new life into an old piece. Get decorative painting ideas for an armoire with help from an accomplished interior and life designer in this free video clip.
Renewing old furniture can help breath new life into an old or aging piece. Renew old furniture with help from a master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
Not all types of paint are going to go well when painting wooden furniture. Learn what type of paint you need to use when painting wooden furniture with help from a master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
It's always a good idea to add a scratch resistant top coat for painted wood furniture for maximum longevity. Learn about adding a scratch resistant top coat for painted wood furniture with help from a master precision craftsman in this free video clip.
One very popular paint technique is commonly known as the "ragging faux finish." Get tips on how to pull off the "ragging faux finish" paint technique with help from an accomplished interior designer in this free video clip.
Crafting faux finishes requires access to a few key tools, like rollers and paint brushes. Find out how to craft faux finishes with help from an accomplished interior designer in this free video clip.
Well-insulated aluminum wall panels can serve many practical purposes in a home sunroom. These panels can help conserve energy and protect the space at the bottom of sunroom walls so children won't be as likely to break glass sections. Additionally, glass stretching from ceiling to floor might allow in too much sun. By balancing the room with solid panels and glass, you can get just the right mix of sun and shade throughout the day.
A layered effect is a painting term that is used to describe a very particular phenomenon. Learn about a layered effect in painting with help from a graduate of the Maine College of Art in this free video clip.
When it comes to decorating and painting your office, you're always going to want to keep a few specific things in mind. Learn about office decorating and painting ideas with help from a home design stylist in this free video clip.
Earth tone wall paint can really give your rooms a cozy, welcoming feel. Find out about ideas for Earth tone wall paint with help from a remodeling expert, speaker, writer, certified construction manager and LEED Accredited Professional in this free video clip.
When it comes to wall paint color transitions, you're going to want to keep a few key things in mind. Get wall paint color transition ideas with help from an interior design professional in this free video clip.
Steel and fiberglass entry doors offer added security and durability to a home, but there is nothing as warm and comforting as the look of wood. Fortunately, for homeowners who want to add rustic charm to their nonwood doors, a number of techniques have been developed to simulate wood graining. True artists can simulate wood grain from various species using nothing but a paintbrush, but for the average homeowner a generic grain will do. Using nothing more than a little paint, stain and a wood graining tool, anyone can add simulated wood grain to a nonwood door.
Garden gazebos often have airy walls made of diamond-shaped lattice. Add a subtle garden feel to any room by plastering sections of wall in a pattern of rough diamonds with lines of smooth, flat plaster in between. Paint the wall a single color, or leave the smooth lines white and tint the rough sections green to create the effect of foliage viewed through a lattice. For a harlequin effect, use a stencil to make a pattern of large diamonds.
If you're tired of flat, one-dimensional wall decor, such as painting or conventional wallpaper, add texture to your walls with jute. While this natural fiber might be more typically found on the walls of commercial buildings and offices, homeowners are discovering its appeal for residential use. Not only does it add a more sensual approach to home decor, jute is also environmentally-friendly.
Slapbrush knockdown texturing is a method of applying joint compound – known as mud – to drywall in a random pattern to give it an attractive textured finish. The wall is then painted or left as is. Experience is not necessary to texture a wall in this manner. However, you must familiarize yourself with the process and have all of the tools and materials immediately available. The mud begins to dry to the point where it is difficult to work with in approximately 45 minutes to one hour. You must be prepared to work on the project without interruption and…
Faux beams are non-structural beams that are installed to achieve a certain aesthetic within a room. They are often used in homes to achieve a rustic style. You can install faux beams vertically on a curved wall to accentuate the beauty of the curve. Evenly spaced beams that run vertically from floor to ceiling can actually frame the curve of the wall for a dramatic effect. The space between the faux beams is an ideal place to hang pictures or wall sculptures.
Professional-grade equipment used by big movie studios to produce commercial films often costs tens of thousands of dollars – or more. When shooting mega-budget movies for the big screen, most directors and producers demand only the latest (and often most expensive) cameras, microphones and other video equipment to ensure that their footage is crisp and delivers the desired effects. When a film has a multi-million dollar budget, you'd expect nothing less. On the other hand, if you are an amateur video enthusiast or your budget is smaller, you might think that you cannot create high-quality films with budget-priced equipment. While…
Vintage furniture typically refers to pieces that are at least 20 years old. Old furniture is often structurally sound but desperately in need of a makeover. You don't need to discard and replace old furniture to give your room a new look. Refurbishing vintage furniture is budget-friendly and allows you to customize pieces to reflect your personal decor and design style.
Polycell SmoothOver is designed to cover rough, textured surfaces, such as brick or damaged drywall. The SmoothOver works into the textured areas to fill the gaps and dries hard, giving the wall a fresh surface for painting. According to the manufacturer, SmoothOver is less labor-intensive than spackling over rough walls or removing texturing and then applying primer and painting, and can also be more cost-effective, depending on the job. Follow the instructions when applying SmoothOver so your wall looks its best.
Paintable wallpaper offers you the ultimate in versatility, affording the opportunity to drastically change the style, look and color of any room, not just once but multiple times. Although you can repaint almost any paintable wallpaper numerous times, the number varies based on different factors, including the wall covering’s original materials and the density of the patterns.
A faux column is a column that has no structural function. Usually the purpose of a faux column is decorative, or to hide an imperfection in a wall. This project may be be constructed from plywood. You don't need any special carpentry skills to create a faux column, although you may wish to have the pieces of plywood cut at a home improvement center if you don't have the power tools at home.
Luxurious leather walls may be beyond your budget, but a faux paint treatment gives you the leather look for a bargain. With just a little more work than the average paint job, paint your walls with faux leather to create a rich texture. The leather look adds depth to your walls and instantly adds elegance to any room in your house.
Wood rot is a sign of weather damage. This type of rot can occur on any outdoor siding, especially areas of your home that experience frequent exposure to moisture. Dormers are the high, peaked areas along your roofline that cover windows in upper stories or attics. The horizontal planes of siding along these structures are especially prone to rotting. Recognizing and repairing areas of wood rot around the dormer structures will help prevent further damage.
Laminate backsplashes are often installed along with laminate countertops in a kitchen. The backsplash is typically glued directly to the wall with a laminate or construction adhesive. In some cases, homeowners will glue the laminate backsplash directly to the side of the oak cabinet. When the backsplash is removed, the drywall behind it can be damaged. This can also happen if the backsplash is adhered to an oak cabinet. Careful removal will allow you to renew the look of your oak cabinet.
Paintable wallpaper with raised patterns is available to give walls a tin-like look for a fraction of the cost of real tin. This wallpaper is strong because it is designed to hold the weight of the paint. Its special texture allows you to use two colors to create the look of tin. The base color is usually the bolder main hue while the top color adds highlights. This tin look adds an intriguing element to the decor of modern rooms.
Stripes on the wall can be an attractive and engaging effect that contributes to the overall style and interior design. When you use glossy paint on walls, the paint will capture and reflect light, making the color appear deeper and more brilliant. Make shiny stripes on walls using two paints in contrasting degrees of gloss to create a subtle stripe that will add style and sophistication to your room.
Replace your ugly, outdated tile without having to even take it off the wall. For a fraction of the cost, effort and time it would take to replace them, paint tiles with a faux finish. A faux paint job can give your old tiles the appearance of limestone. Limestone has a natural, attractive look that will instantly update and improve the appearance of your room. You don't need to have any special art skills to pull off the look.
Textured walls aren't to everybody's taste. If you're planning to smooth the surfaces of bumpy walls, it's important to use the right method and tools for the job. Going about things the wrong way could damage your walls and leave you with an expensive repair job.
Stucco lends the exterior surface of your home an Old World appearance that adds both depth and ambiance. Although the best time to apply new stucco is during the final step in new construction, you can give an existing home a face-lift by applying stucco over the existing wood siding. Proper preparation helps provide a durable, long-lasting finish.
When creating a warm, inviting look for a room, few architectural features top a fireplace. However, while a fireplace is certainly an asset in a home, decorating around one can be a challenge. In particular, it can be difficult to choose the right color to paint the wall that surrounds the feature. To find the ideal look for your home, consider how bold a look you prefer and how much you want your fireplace to stand out.
Hanging new wallpaper gives any room an instant facelift. If the existing paint on your walls is dark, however, you may have to repaint the walls a lighter shade to keep the dark color from showing through light-colored wallpaper. Alternately, painting the wall a dark color that matches the deep tones in your wallpaper will camouflage any gaps where the strips of wallpaper meet. Even if you’re only hanging a wallpaper border over your newly painted wall, you’ll have to wait until the paint is completely dry.
Siding can make or break the appearance of a home. Aluminum siding was the top choice for decades, but it has been eclipsed by vinyl siding, largely because of its low-maintenance reputation. Both types of siding have distinct pros and cons that should be taken into account when you're considering a new coat of paint for aluminum or a switch to vinyl.
Wooden furniture lasts many years if maintained properly. Breathe new life into an old piece of furniture to save on a costly replacement. Paint the sofa or chair and reupholster it with fresh fabric to maximize its lifespan and update its style. Once you learn the technique, you can recover the piece of furniture with fresh fabric whenever desired so it matches different color schemes, styles and themes. Move the chair to a well-ventilated area before you begin the paint job.
Cypress is a softwood conifer that acts more like a hardwood when it comes to durability. Unlike most conifers, the cypress tree sheds its leaves in the fall. However, the oils in the heartwood of the cypress are what make the wood so resistant to decay, causing the lumber from the trees to last for hundreds of years. However, many of the old trees were milled for lumber, and today’s younger trees are not as resistant to decay without surface treatment.
Knockdown texture adds dimension to flat walls, and it helps disguise surface imperfections. It resembles stucco, which makes knockdown walls appropriate for many architectural styles. Unlike popcorn and other similar textures, knockdown walls are smoother, which makes them easier to paint and keep clean. You will need to buy or rent an air compressor with a long hose that allows you to work around the room without pulling the compressor along with you, and plan for two days to finish the room.
Fiberglass reinforced plastic, commonly shortened to FRP, is commonly used in bathrooms and other areas with frequent moisture. The plastic is water-resistant and easy to clean, and the fiberglass makes it sturdy and durable. Fiberglass reinforced plastic panels are usually sold in plain white sheets, but you can paint them in any color you desire using latex and acrylic products. As with most surfaces, FRP must be properly prepared before you can start painting it.
Many new homes on the market today have textured ceilings, and some also have textured walls. The reason for this is twofold. First, drywall texture adds a design element that you can manipulate to look like other materials such as stucco or hand-troweled plaster. The biggest reason for applying texture is to cover discrepancies in wall smoothness. Taping drywall panels perfectly smooth is a craft and requires application experience. Sprayed-on texture camouflages taping problems to give the wall a uniform look.
No matter how well you’ve take care of your wicker furniture, it was bound to happen: the paint has flaked and chipped, especially if you live in a dry climate that draws moisture from products like wicker. But don’t haul the furniture to the curb for garbage day. Repaint your wicker furniture and restore it to its once gleaming condition. The process begins with knowing which kind of paint is best suited to your climate.
Paint may give wood a clean finish and offers some protection against damage, but it's not hard enough to withstand scratching and dents. Applying a clear top coat over the paint protects against these assaults as well as dirt and oils that can stain the surface. Varnish, which creates a plastic-like layer on top of the paint, is the clear coat of choice for many woodworkers.
Standard floor registers and heater grilles are made of steel and painted, usually available in white, black and an array of neutral tones. But in climates with high humidity, rust begins when the paint wears away. Top of the line for durability is cast iron, also vulnerable to rust. Anyone restoring a Victorian or other classic home might want to go with cast iron anyway, and periodically scrub away rust from floor registers, neutralize any unseen rust with phosphoric acid and then prime and repaint them. But there are other options for floor registers.
Until 2004, much of the pressure-treated lumber in playground equipment, decks, telephone poles and fence posts used copper chromated arsenate (CCA) to protect against decay and insect damage. But after concerns surfaced about the toxicity of arsenic in CCA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency worked with the wood preservative industry to voluntarily restrict its use. A number of safer alternative wood treatments can be used, including borates and copper azole.
Every time period has its own signature home decor and styles. The 1940s and 50s marked a housing boom, with post World War II construction adding colorful ranches and colonial revivals to the suburban landscape. Homes built during the mid-century period were packed with textures that ran the gamut from smooth gypsum walls to raised wallpapers.
New wallpaper will change the atmosphere and decorative theme of a room. Papering over an open doorway may be a bit of a challenge. When you measure the room, include the opening as if it were a portion of solid wall space. Measure on a horizontal line from one corner of the wall, past the doorway, and on to the other corner. This same method is used for windows. It's better to have an excess amount of wallpaper rather than an insufficient piece to cover the sides of the doorway.
You can build walls out of stones, bricks or concrete blocks to serve as anything from a decorative garden addition to a means of holding up hillsides against erosion. These materials are often sufficiently heavy that you can build these walls dry, without mortar. The weight of the building materials is what holds them in place. However, using mortar not only gives you a stronger wall, but you also gain more options for customizing the look of the wall.
Western red cedar pickets, typically used for fences, come in several standard lengths and varying top patterns including diamond, acorn and Gothic cuts. The soft, red-brown wood splinters easily, causing the potential for minor injuries when it is used inside. Finish the pickets with stain, paint or polyurethane before interior use.
When you enjoy photography, taking pictures can be just the beginning of this hobby. With photo editing software and a basic knowledge of your program, you have a variety of options for creating impressive special effects with your photos. When you apply textures to an image, you can create a wide range of effects -- such as making it appear aged with a subtle softness. Use programs such as Photoshop, PaintShop Pro or the premium version of Picnik (an online photo editing service). Although the process varies for each program, applying textures is an effective way to enhance photos.
Your picnic table is the centerpiece of backyard barbecues and outdoor parties. Families and friends gather at the picnic table to share delicious food and enjoyable conversation. After years of use, a picnic table's paint starts to chip and fade. Breathe new life into your picnic table by applying a fresh coat of paint.
Esther Williams, a competitive swimming champion, turned actress, loaned her name to a line of above-ground pools. Esther Williams pools have extruded aluminum walls and vinyl liners. Exposed to chlorine and changing weather conditions, over time the pool wall and top rail paint fades and may peel, ruining the pool's visual appeal. Painting the pool wall and top rail offers the aluminum a layer of protection from the elements, and helps keep the pool in good condition.
