Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chalkboard Paint

Have you ever considered adding a Chalkboard to a room? It's a great addition for a children's room or perhaps a kitchen to keep those lists handy. With Benjamin Moore's Studio Finishes® Chalkboard (307) paint, you can turn any rectangular area into scribble space. The paiint is erasable, washable, and durable enough to stand up to lots of little hands.


Step 1 - Prepare Surfaces
Once you have selected the wall(s) for your chalkboard, clean the surface completely and repair any protruding nails or other imperfections.

Step 2 - Tape Off Your Chalkboard
Use masking tape to mark off a rectangular space for your chalkboard, and apply Studio Finishes Chalkboard (307) paint within the taped-off area.

Step 3 - Framing
Use decorative molding or a colorful painted border to give your chalkboard space an extra personal touch. Remember to include a ledge for chalk and erasers.

Helpful Hints

- In children's rooms, be sure to make your chalkboard low and large enough so that younger children can reach and have ample space.
- In your office or study, paint a chalkboard calendar with squares for dates. Then update your schedule with a swipe of the eraser.
- Try a chalkboard in the kitchen for shopping lists, phone messages, and easy recipe reference

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Tips on Bathroom Lighting

When lighting a bathroom the first and most important focus should be on the vanity lighting. Ideally a vertical fixture should be hung on either side of the mirror. This allows for light to be evenly distributed across ones face. The fixtures should be mounted approximately 5.5’ above the floor (eye level), and 36-40” apart. This helps to eliminate shadows under the eyes and chin.
In situations where installing fixtures on either side of the mirror is not possible due to size and installation constraints the next best option is a light hung directly over the vanity. It should be hung 75-80” above the floor. In larger bathrooms the horizontal fixtures can be used in conjuncture with the vertical lights to give additional overall illumination to the space. A bare minimum of 150 watts of light should be used in lighting the vanity it is always safer to error on the side of too much wattage. In cases where the home owner finds that there is too much light either lower wattage bulbs can be used or a dimmer installed. It is always easier to reduce the wattage of a fixture once it’s installed that to figure out how to increase the amount of light if the fixture installed is inadequate.
For additional overall lighting and lighting in the shower and over the bath tub recessed is the ideal option. For the shower and tub make sure a wet rated model is selected. The only place recessed is not ideal is over the vanity, It has a tendency to cast shadows onto the face making personal grooming tasks such as shaving an make up application to be more difficult.
Some clients prefer a little more glamour over the tub and may request a hanging fixture such as a crystal chandelier, or pendant light. Make sure any hanging fixture you choose is UL approved for a wet rating otherwise for safety and code reasons should not be used in that application.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Peronalized Chocolate Heart

Chocolate is the first thing comes to my mind when I think about Valentine's day gift. They are often placed in a heart shaped box or moded into a heart shape. William Sonoma has Personalized Chocolate Heart. Each exquisite heart is individually hand made by a confectionery artist whose meticulous work requires three hours to complete. If you are looking for a special chocolate for your Valentine, this might melt that special someone’s heart.


Sunday, February 7, 2010

Super Bowl Game

Super Bowl XLIV ! Good luck to New Orleans Saints & Indianapolis Colts !



Thursday, February 4, 2010

Loft Chandelier

A new item from Z Gallerie, Loft Chandelier. I am not sure if I like the style, but it's interesting. It definately has industrial look to it.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Super Bowl Party

Super Bowl Sunday is time to get out the snacks and enjoy the biggest football game of the year. Millions of people around the world hold or attend the "Big Party" on Super Bowl Sunday. As a matter of fact, this is the second biggest snack day of the year. Second only to you guessed it New Year. It's always fun to decorate the party with the football theme. Here are some cute and fun party wares that you can use to add the mood to your party.
Football Large Bowl


NFL Party Zone Plate


Super Bowl Center Piece


Ref. Shirt Drink Holder