Archive for the ‘Renovation’ Category
Hand-Carved Wood Accents Add Character
If you are planning a new kitchen, or just planning to remodel your existing cabinetry, one thing that will set your project apart from the mundane, is the finishing touch added by incorporating Hand Carved Hardwood Corbels and other hand-carved accents within your design. With a little planning, gorgeous results can be obtained without breaking your budget. Hard carving adds character and appeal not found with machine made goods. Skilled craftsmen rely on their talents to provide works of art that will be cherished for the ages. Investigate the possibilities before deciding on less artistic solutions, and create something truly unique in the process.
The Right Vanity Lights
If your bathroom doesn’t have a skylight or large windows, it lacks natural light, which is the best for shaving and applying makeup. Some artificial lights have an unflattering, yellowish tinge to them, making you look sickly and tired in your own bathroom. To start your days off right, you should invest in soft white bulbs for a flattering glow. If your bathroom light fixtures are the problem, they may need to be replaced.
Installing new vanity lights can make a world of difference in your bathroom. The more light you have, the better, so replacing a single light with a row of three or four would be a monumental improvement. Make sure the fixtures are made of white frosted glass, not yellow, so they cast out a soft, flattering glow. Repainting your bathroom with a warm color, like a soft blush or beige, can also do wonders for your complexion.
Western Bathroom Decor Adds The Finishing Touch
No Western theme home is complete if the bathroom decor is overlooked. Cast iron horseshoes, stars, and western conchos can be crafted into beautiful pieces of nostalgic art, reminiscent of the Old West. The rustic beauty adds charm and charisma to any setting where Western Bathroom Decor is desired. Break away from the norm and add some western class to your bath.
Inspirational Knobs For Aspiring Artists
Salvador Cabinet Knob
Decorate your surroundings with famous icons of the art world. From the imagery of modern day artist Rosalie Sherman Designs, come cabinet hardware tributes to some of the world’s most renowned artists. These knobs are sure to motivate inspiration and creativity in your artistic environment.
The History of the Chandelier
While the chandelier might just be something that you’ve always had in your dining room, it actually has a varied and interesting history. To that end, the first chandelier appeared in medieval times. It was basically a candle chandelier, meaning two pieces of woods were nailed together, and candles were secured to the ends of the wood pieces. With technological advances, the chandelier advanced right along as well. Today, it is typically thought of as a branched and decorative light fixture mounted to the ceiling.
No matter what time period they hail from or what region of the world, chandeliers are known for their complex collection of glass and crystal prisms. This often fills the room with vibrant colors and refracted light. Not surprisingly, some of the most decorative and ornate of all chandeliers hailed from France. Famous for their excess and opulence during the era of pre-Revolution Versailles, truly amazing chandeliers were a fixture among the palaces and castles of that day.
Replacing A Toilet Seat Hinge
Many newer toilet seats come with plastic hinges. These are easy to maintain, and are functional, but many 
prefer the classic look that only Chrome or Brass Hinges offer. Installing a new hinge adds character, but it can be a bit daunting. Although most hinges for toilet seats are designed to mount on 5-1/2″ centers, the existing screw holes for attaching the hinge to the seat, most likely will not line up correctly. A dab of wood putty will fill the existing holes. A bit of paint or a stain pen should hide the patch in most cases. Turn the bottom portion of the seat upside down. Position the new hinge along the back edge and center using a ruler or tape measure. Use an awl to mark the position for the screws. Be sure to drill pilot holes for the screws. Use a depth gauge attachment to insure no mistakes. Be sure to check the screw length. Some hinge sets come with screws that may be too long for the depth of the toilet seat. Once the lower hinge is attached, it’s time to attach the upper hinge to the lid. This is where the job gets tricky. By positioning the lid atop the base, one can see that there is no easy way to mark the position of the upper screws. The solution to this is to get some tracing paper. Place the lid on the paper and trace the outline carefully. With scissors, cut out the template carefully. Now place the template on the lower seat atop the hinges. Center the pattern appropriately. Since tracing paper is somewhat transparent, you can see where the hinge holes need to be. Using a Sharpie, dot the position of the hinge holes carefully. Now turn the lid upside down. Remember to flip the template as well. Mark the top with the awl, drill pilot holes, and attach the top. Congratulations, you have now successfully finished your toilet hinge replacement.
Classic Outdoor Lighting
In this day and age, the majority of the new outdoor lighting fixtures seem a little bit boring. In centuries past, cast iron candle lanterns brought unique character to an outdoor space, and while using a candle doesn’t make much sense in modern times, there’s no reason modern lighting fixtures should lack character. Installing vintage lights outdoors is a great way to add character to an outdoor space. Unique vintage lighting wrought from metal and designed to appeal to our classic sensibilities makes a great addition to a porch, garage, or even deck.
In addition to having distinctive character, vintage lighting tends to last much longer than other lighting fixtures. We all know that things were made much sturdier back in their initial conception, and vintage lighting is no exception!
Cabinet Knobs: The Ultimate Eye Candy For Your Kitchen
Your kitchen cabinets need to be replaced but you just don’t have the money to do it? Adding a touch of eye candy to your worn kitchen cabinets can be a cost-saving alternative to replacing them. New cabinet hardware can bring out personality and add new focus to your kitchen.
Refinishing your cabinets is another choice, but having unique cabinet knobs can really bring out the design and style in your kitchen. This little enhancement can bring such detail in your kitchen, and can really tie in the theme that you have established. You can choose from a variety of styles, design, colors, and materials to fit your home.
Installing Lights Underneath the Counter
Nobody likes stumbling around in the dark looking for a light switch, but let’s face it, when your eyes aren’t adjusted to the light, turning on the lights can be just as painful. A great solution to this dilemma, whether in the bathroom or the kitchen, is under counter lights. With proper installation, these lights can be left on all the time and provide a dim light source that will help you avoid stumbles and falls but won’t blind you either. Under counter lights are also quite popular in modern design; most contemporary kitchens come with them installed beneath the counters or more commonly, the cabinets.
Most under counter lights are easy to install as well, though the electrical can be a bit trickier. But even if you need to hire an electrician, the fixtures and the wiring can be installed in no more than an hour. If you’re a bit of a handyman, you can do it yourself too!
I Love Classic Bathtubs
There’s nothing quite like taking a relaxing bubble bath in an old fashioned bathtub. I think of all the old fashioned bathtub designs, clawfoot bathtubs are my favorite. When I was little I can remember taking a bath in the clawfoot bathtub at my grandma’s house, and I was always fascinated with the idea of a bathtub that had feet. In fact, my grandma used to tease me that while I was sleeping, the bathtub would get up and walk around the house! I even remember waking up during the middle of the night, running to the bathroom, and making sure the bathtub was still there!
When I had my own house I knew I wanted a clawfoot bathtub of my own. It took me a while to track down a vintage bathtub that would fit well in my bathroom, but when I did, I ordered it right away. Now I can enjoy a good soak just like I used to when I was a little girl!