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Post by The March Hare on May 12, 2006 7:58:30 GMT 1
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When working on a ladder it is important not to over stretch as this can cause nasty accidents. Always work from the farthest point from you and work inwards.
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When painting up a ladder put paint tin into a larger container, your paint brush can then be put into the space around the smaller tin, leaving your hands free.
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Never wear slippery soled shoes when working on a ladder.
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Remove air bubbles from wallpaper by cutting into the bubble with a sharp blade, then insert some paste into the hold with a syringe and then flatten to the wall
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Post by The March Hare on May 12, 2006 8:01:41 GMT 1
If you are going to use a roller again the next day, stand roller on end, press scraper down from top to bottom all round the roller to force out excess paint then place roller in an old plastic bag and tie shut.
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When using a ladder against painted masonry, put old socks over the end of the ladder to prevent it damaging the stonework.
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When taking paper off a ceiling, first put a bin liner over the back of the step ladder into which the paper can be placed as soon as it is removed. This saves a lot of cleaning up at the end of the day.
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Post by The March Hare on May 12, 2006 8:02:30 GMT 1
When painting new plaster, or similar porous surface, paint on a solution of water mixed with PVA glue first. This will seal the surface and stop the paint from soaking into the plaster, thereby making it go a lot further and giving a much better finish.
You can remove a stubborn rawl plug by gently screwing in a screw and then pulling it free (or alternatively a corkscrew can be used).
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Post by The March Hare on May 13, 2006 7:36:00 GMT 1
When using gloss paint after a while it starts to go thick and is harder to paint with. Add a generous squirt of any old washing up liquid (i.e. hand dishwashing liquid) to the paint. Give it a good stir and it will go further, spread better and will not leave brush marks.
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Post by The March Hare on May 13, 2006 7:36:21 GMT 1
A useful tip if you are painting that door or gate. Don't be tempted to paint over any door hardware even if you think that painting over it will improve the door's appearance. This piece of advice is important if the door is fitted with a barrel bolt because the shoot (the part that you slide when you use the device) moves through a very narrow tube.
Some hardware, notably latches and bolts, will become more difficult to operate if you paint over them because the added paint will get in the way of the device's moving parts. Eventually, in some cases, the lock, latch or bolt will not work at all and be stuck in the position you last left it in."
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Post by The March Hare on May 13, 2006 7:36:49 GMT 1
When working on a ladder it is important not to over stretch as this can cause nasty accidents. Always work from the farthest point from you and work inwards.
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When painting up a ladder put paint tin into a larger container, your paint brush can then be put into the space around the smaller tin, leaving your hands free.
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Never wear slippery soled shoes when working on a ladder.
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Remove air bubbles from wallpaper by cutting into the bubble with a sharp blade, then insert some paste into the hold with a syringe and then flatten to the wall.
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Post by The March Hare on May 14, 2006 8:28:03 GMT 1
A useful tip if you are painting that door or gate. Don't be tempted to paint over any door hardware even if you think that painting over it will improve the door's appearance. This piece of advice is important if the door is fitted with a barrel bolt because the shoot (the part that you slide when you use the device) moves through a very narrow tube.
Some hardware, notably latches and bolts, will become more difficult to operate if you paint over them because the added paint will get in the way of the device's moving parts. Eventually, in some cases, the lock, latch or bolt will not work at all and be stuck in the position you last left it in
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Post by The March Hare on May 14, 2006 8:31:22 GMT 1
If sash windows are stiff to open and shut, put candle wax or soap down the side runners.
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When cleaning paint off mouldings use a pummice stone soaked in detergent and water to rub along the moulding. This will clean it out very effectively and the pummice stone will shape to the moulding. I have not tried this myself but am assured it works - I must admit I would have thought the pummice stone being very hard, would have flattened the moulding.
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If you have to repair a damage in wallpaper, use a piece of paper slightly large than the hole* and with a matching pattern to that which has been damaged. Paste the new piece over the mark matching the pattern exactly.
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Post by The March Hare on May 14, 2006 8:31:54 GMT 1
Thought you might want to know that vinegar also makes a great solvent for wallpaper paste.
Just dilute a cup of white vinegar with 2-3 litres of very warm water - as hot as your hands can tolerate - and apply generously with a sponge. Once you get an edge or corner of the wallpaper to lift, then start working the vinegar solution behind the paper to break down the adhesive. This process is most effective when you keep your work area very damp - let the warmth of the water and the chemical properties of the vinegar do the work for you.
Rinse your sponge often and mix a new batch of vinegar/water solution when it becomes cool and/or murky. You'll notice that the fresh batch of solution is far more effective and you'll quickly get a feel for when an old batch is past its usefulness.
Best part of this is that vinegar is very inexpensive and it will not stain or discolor carpeting or other flooring.
Note that red wine or cider vinegar should be avoided because their coloring may cause staining
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Post by The March Hare on May 14, 2006 9:06:44 GMT 1
Fill a bath with water before sealing around the edge - this prevents the bath breaking away from the sealant with the extra weight.
When sealing round a bath, basin or such like, use masking tape above and below the sealant. After placing the sealant along the edge, wet your finger and run it gently along the sealant. Remove masking tape.
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Post by The March Hare on May 14, 2006 9:11:38 GMT 1
Decorating Tips
Need new window coverings, but don't have a clue how to choose what kind you need? Here's how:
1. Measure your windows to determine the width of draperies to buy. Allow two to three inches on either side of the window and double your measured width if you want full curtains.
2. Decide what mood you would like to create in your room - formal? Informal? A formal room will usually cry out for long, floor length drapes and sheers Use tap-top or café curtains in informal rooms
3. Decide where the curtain or drapery rods will go. If you want the room to look higher, put the rod close to the ceiling. If you want to bring high ceilings down visually (are you crazy?), place the rods close to the top of the window. If you have no special room problem you want to address, just use the normal height of 6 inches above the window frame.
4. Decide how long or short you want the draperies. The "normal" length is two inches above the floor. But you might want to make the window coverings longer so they will drape elegantly on the floor.
5. Decide how much light you want to block. If you have a north-facing room, a sheer drapery will let more of the reduced light in. If you are adding curtains to an east facing window in a bedroom, remember you might have trouble sleeping in if a great deal of light is shining in.
6. Decide how much privacy you want. If you want a lot of privacy, there is always full-length velvet drapes with sheers and a roman shade beneath (I believe this puts you in the Howard-Hughes-recluse category). Or you might decide on no window coverings at all - just let the sunshine in!
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Post by juicyjude on May 14, 2006 14:00:10 GMT 1
But beware of peeping Toms!  |
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Post by jj on May 14, 2006 16:00:02 GMT 1
Oh yes Beware..... there are some knocking about I'm sure!! ;D
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Post by The March Hare on May 15, 2006 7:50:12 GMT 1
When rubbing down window frames use wire wool on cross members to prevent scratching the glass with sandpaper.
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Put a rubber (elastic) band around the paint brush, under the bristles, this prevents paint running down the handle of the brush.
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If you put a rubber (elastic) band around the bristles of a paint brush it makes it easier to "cut in" around windows etc.
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Post by The March Hare on May 15, 2006 7:51:21 GMT 1
If you want to paint a wall with emulsion but have no brush or roller, a normal house sponge can be used instead.
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If you are going to use a roller again the next day, stand roller on end, press scraper down from top to bottom all round the roller to force out excess paint then place roller in an old plastic bag and tie shut.
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When using a ladder against painted masonry, put old socks over the end of the ladder to prevent it damaging the stonework.
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When taking paper off a ceiling, first put a bin liner over the back of the step ladder into which the paper can be placed as soon as it is removed. This saves a lot of cleaning up at the end of the day.
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Post by The March Hare on May 16, 2006 7:41:01 GMT 1
Measuring Space - How Much Room Do You Really Need?
When planning your home décor, it is vitally important to understand your space needs. Do you have enough room to open any doors? Can you walk from one side of the room to the other without climbing over the furniture? Here are some rules to keep in mind when you plan your room update:
1. Living Room - Keep in mind that for good conversational and traffic flow, keep at least 4-10 feet between sofa and chairs. Place your coffee table between 14-18 inches from the sofa (although I would only use 18 inches if you have lonnnnng arms!).
2. Family Room - To the above rules about sofa and chair placement, add the viewing area needed for a television. To view a 30 inch TV screen, the sofa or chair should be at least 90 inches away (but not so far that you have to change your glasses prescription to view!). To create an easy flow in any room, there should be traffic lanes which are at least three feet wide.
3. Dining Room - A seated adult at a round or square table usually occupies a depth of about 20 inches with at least 12-16 inches more to pull back a chair. Rectangular tables need at least 24 inches per person and about 32-36 inches clearance between table and walls. On the serving side, the table to wall distance should be at least 44 inches.
4. Bedroom - For maximum comfort, the distance from the bed to the wall should be at least 24 inches. To allow any door to open easily, there should be 36 inches between the bed and the door.
Knowing how much space you really need in a room can make planning your space much easier. Be sure to measure your room height and length, the size of windows and check to see of your room is "true" or square before you place your furniture. Doing so will help avert a potential disaster like buying a king-size bed for a queen-size room!
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Post by The March Hare on May 16, 2006 7:41:39 GMT 1
If you have to paint pipes which are fixed to a wall, cut out a piece of cardboard, place this behind the pipes to be painted and then paint in the usual way. This will prevent any paint getting onto the wall behind.
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To make hands easier to clean - before starting the painting rub hands and nails with Vaseline (petroleum jelly). When painting is finished wash hands with warm water and they will clean easily.
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To get rid of the smell of paint add some vanilla essence or perfume to the paint pot and still well.
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Post by The March Hare on May 17, 2006 7:49:10 GMT 1
The Secrets of Good Looking Tiles.
Many people don’t realise this, but the secret to great looking tiles is great looking grout. Grouts are porous and, as a result, they easily absorb grease, dirt and lime scale. Spillages such as wine, lemonades or greasy substances will cause marks and patches in the joints in the floor. Grout between wall-tiles, particularly in damp areas like bathrooms, will become dirty and unattractive as a result of Mould, Mildew and Limescale.
Mould is one of the most unsightly problems, it usually starts off in the wettest area of the room, this could be the bottom of the shower or bath, then starts to spread and if left unchecked could cover a large area of the wall.
Discolouration of grout joints in bath or shower areas due to continued use of acid formulated shampoos and soaps. This causes yellow orange and pink stains to the grout over even a short period of time.
The answer is obvious; protect the grout using a sealer. Although relatively unknown, protection awareness is growing. Sealing forms an invisible barrier between the grout and the surface, this will then protect your investment for years to come.
Different tiles present different problems and it would be impossible to comment on and every type within this article however in general porous flooring such as Terracotta should be sealed every two to three years to lock in the beauty of the tile and protect it from wear. Mexican terracotta in particular is very porous and difficult to clean. Mexican Terracotta does not get baked in a kiln, instead they are left to bake outside in the sun and if it is a cloudy day the temperature can fluctuate leading to an increase in the porosity of the tile.
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Post by The March Hare on May 17, 2006 7:49:53 GMT 1
Unique and Imaginative Wall Storage Ideas!
Everyone can use more organization in their lives (except those misguided souls who alphabetize their spices, canned goods and color-coordinate their laundry supplies!). Additional wall storage can help bring that organization into your home. And original and unusual wall storage ideas can help organization ideas become décor pizzazz! Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. If you have old fruit crates or soda pop crates, attach them to the wall to become a wonderful storage unit to display books or knicknacks. You can paint the units to match your décor or leave the original labels and wood to create a rustic and unusual centerpiece of your room.
2. Do you have an old garden bench or one of those wooden benches which are frequently beside dining tables or in entry halls? Try it attaching upside down on the wall. Use the shelf created by the bench top to display collections. Just think of using a white distressed bench as a shelf for teddy bears in a child's room.
3. Old wooden hangers can make beautiful storage units for jewelry, ties, and even shoes. Paint the hangers a solid color and let dry. Then add decorative touches such as hand-painted flowers or stripes. Or wrap the hangers with strips of fabric using glue to adhere the strips to the wood. When the hanger is completely wrapped, cover with a decoupage finish. Attach to the wall with painted or plain hooks.
4. Want a wonderful idea for towel storage in a bathroom? Try attaching a window box or planter to the wall and fill with folded towels and washcloths, soaps or creams. Add trim and paint to make a unique storage unit.
5. Need an easily accessible place to store your pots and pans? Attach a narrow wrought iron curtain rod with decorative finials to the wall. You can hang the pans from S-hooks which are hooked over the rod. A great idea!
Use your own imagination to turn everyday objects into storage areas. You might come up with the perfect solution to your organization needs
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cal
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by cal on May 18, 2006 7:32:16 GMT 1
Quick tip i used to be a painter...and decorator and a dj and so on..
Artex you know that horrible stuff on the ceiling and walls a pest to get off..
Wallpaper paste and clingfilm
make up the wall paper paste so it is thick but spreadable do small sections at a time paste the artex with the paste and cover with cling film leave a while then it should scrape off.
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