Roshni Handicrafts

16/04/2014

Suggested Dining Room Paint Colors.

Your choice of paint color for the dining room, although a matter of personal taste, can influence the atmosphere and visual appeal of the room. Selecting a color palette that is warm and calming encourages conversation. Bright colors can spark passion and affect the appetite of diners. On the other hand, a poor choice of paint colors for the dining area can leave your family and guests feeling uneasy.

Work With Your Furniture.

Select a paint palette that complements the style of your furnishings. Literature and pictures from the library, home-improvement stores and online home-decor sites offer suggestions for paint colors that complement dining room furniture styles, from Victorian to mission style, to contemporary. Within the selections for each style are various color palettes that are suited for formal or informal dining.

Color and Mood.

Color is powerful. Although specialists disagree on the psychological affect of specific colors, sufficient evidence moves businesses to paint their walls in colors meant to influence moods. Because hot colors like red and orange are believed to be visually stimulating, incite passion and increase the appetite, they are rarely used in jails and prisons. For the same reason, red, orange and gold are often seen in pubs, restaurants and casinos. Blues and greens are believed to be the most calming colors, but not necessarily the best for dining areas. Warm colors from the red part of the spectrum reflect an attractive hue on the faces of diners.

The Wrong Colors.

After narrowing down your options by considering your furnishings and desired positive psychological effect of the color of your walls, know which colors to avoid if you want to create an appealing dining and entertaining atmosphere. Blue and turquoise are believed to inhibit the appetite, possibly because blue foods are so rarely seen in nature. Both gray and blue, reflected on diners and food, reflect an unappealing hue. Since bright yellow may be overstimulating, warmer hues of yellow may be better suited for dining.

14/03/2014

07/03/2014

How to Design a Home Gym in the Basement ?

Regular exercise not only improves your physical appearance but also helps you lose and keep off excess weight, improves your mood and can help prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. If you want to start an exercise program but don't want to join a gym, one option to consider is turning your basement into a home gym. A home gym provides you with convenient access to a gym 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Instructions.

1. Inspect the basement to determine its suitability for a gym. Check the basement for flooding after a heavy rain. Inspect the walls and floor for signs of damage such as cracks. Measure the height from floor to ceiling to ensure you have enough room. If the ceiling is too low, you might not be able to do certain exercises or install certain pieces of equipment.

2. Determine your budget for the gym. If it's limited, you might want to purchase equipment that can be used for more than one purpose. For example, instead of getting an exercise bike, which you can only ride on, a treadmill might be a better purchase because you can run, jog or walk on it.

3. Measure the area of the basement -- excluding objects like your water heater -- to determine how much space you have available.

4. Decide what type of exercise program you want to do and what equipment you need to get. Again, because of budgetary and space requirements, consider buying multipurpose equipment.

5. Sketch out the layout of the gym with the equipment you plan to purchase. When planning the layout, make sure that you leave enough space between each piece of equipment that you exercise without hitting other pieces of equipment, the walls or the ceiling.

05/03/2014

Decorating Ideas for Bedside Tables.

Bedside tables are often one of the more utilitarian pieces of furniture in a bedroom, which is especially true if you get a bedroom set in which the bed, dresser and bedside tables all match. Bedside tables are convenient for achieving a uniform look, but they don't add much personality to the space. Fortunately, you can spice up the look of your bedside tables without breaking the bank and add some pizazz to your bedroom in the process.

Cloth.

Use a bed sheet or a swatch of brightly colored cloth to decorate your bedside table. Experiment with draping it simply, or use tacks to create pleated skirting around the edges. Use cloth with the same pattern as a wall hanging, dresser covering or pillowcase and create a motif. If you get tired of the pattern or color you choose, you can simply update it with a new cloth.

Paint.

Painting works well for a simple wood bedside table. Bedside tables at thrift stores work well for a painting project since painting is typically inexpensive and the tables likely need freshening up anyway. Match the paint to your walls or molding, or choose a vibrant shade to add a splash of color to your room. Get creative with polka dots, or use masking tape to add colorful and even stripes.

Decoupage.

Decoupage is a collage art form that works well on furniture. Cut out images from magazines, vintage newspapers or books, and arrange them on your bedside table. You can also use photographs of family and friends. Glue the images in place, and brush over them with a lacquer like Mod Podge. Allow adequate drying time before putting anything on the table. If the lacquer doesn't dry completely, it will be tacky to the touch. If you are decorating a bedside table for a child's room, you can involve the child in the process by asking her to help you pick out images for your design.

04/03/2014

How to Place Living Room Furniture ?

Living room design is one of the easiest to master. Most of the furniture elements in the room will revolve around a focal point and will invite people to gather and stay awhile. Seating for many will play the starring role, while everything else will be secondary.

Instructions.

1. Draw a layout of the room that includes all doors, windows, outlets and radiators or air vents that cannot be covered.

2. Cut out miniatures of all of your furniture items and label with their measurements and names.

3. Find or create a focal point in the room around which all the other furniture will revolve. This could be a large piece of artwork, a fireplace, a mantle, a big-screen television or a large picture window with a fabulous view. Draw your focal point on the layout where it exists in the room. If it is moveable (like a painting) consider where else in the room it might be better off.

4. Move your miniature furniture pieces around the room layout and experiment with different ways to place the furniture in your living room design. Start with seating: Place sofas and chairs at right angles to each other so the seating forms a rectangle or square in front of the focal point. You'll want the seating items to face each other, not the focal point, to facilitate socializing in this spot.

5. Find a coffee table, two large ottomans or a trunk to place in the center of the seating arrangement to act as place to put drinks, or to use as a display surface for books and other collections.

6. Use the spaces in the corners between the seating (they should be square) to place useful end tables. If you have an extra chair that fits this seating group, you can widen the arrangement and place the chair diagonally into the corner and skip the table. A great floor lamp will fit in any of the corners left by the seating group.

7. Find empty walls or corners and put leftover pieces of your furniture collection where they fit. A long, slim credenza belongs along a wall or under a large mirror or piece of artwork. Some may look elegant as a sofa table behind a sofa if the credenza is low enough. Interesting floor vases and one-of-kind chairs and chests can find a home in an unused corner or by the front entryway.

Tips & Warnings

The entrance to the main group seating arrangement should not be blocked by the back of a sofa or chair. Experiment and switch it around on your paper layout until there is easy access and the room invites people to walk on in and sit down.

Don't block access to and from the adjoining rooms. If you notice a blocked doorway in your design, switch it around on paper first.

There are many beautifully photographed interior design books at the library to give you inspiration for your living room. Check one out for lots of great ideas.

Try to keep some of your furniture from being lined up along the walls, which can be a very boring way to design a living room. Bring the seating arrangement into the center of the room for a more inviting strategy.

03/03/2014

How to Build a Kitchen Pantry ?

A kitchen pantry is a necessity, especially if you have a family to care for. Whittle out some space for one in your kitchen. It takes some carpentry skills and time, but it's worth it to have a space to put your cereal.

This one is a bare-bones design, but you can make it as nice as you like by using better wood. The quantities and exact materials will vary according to your own specific needs.

Things You'll Need.

Closet or appropriate space to adapt into a pantry
Large plastic sheet
Hammer
Box cutter
Reciprocating saw
Plywood (at least 3/8 inch)
Screws
Fiberboard
1-by-2-inch wood (varying lengths)
Wooden dowels
Hardware for pull-out shelves
Table saw
Router or Dremel
Drill
Wooden dowel of appropriate size
Wood trim
Cabinet doors

Instructions.

Making a Kitchen Pantry.

1. Find a place where you can place a pantry. In the pictures, an unused closet whose back wall was in the kitchen was used. You may have a similar closet.

2. Block off your space with a plastic sheet hung from the ceiling down and taped shut; this next bit is very dusty. If you don't, drywall dust will get all over your home.
Knock out the drywall with a hammer. In a closet, there should be no wiring or plumbing that will get in the way. Cut the edges with a box cutter or reciprocating saw to neaten.

3. Measure the empty space. You'll need the height, the width and the depth. Measure in several areas; the insides may not be square.

4. Design your pantry. Look at what you'll need to put in it and how much space you need between the shelves. If you like to buy large bulk cereal boxes, for instance, you'll need more space.
Consider what kind of cooking you like to do. For example, you might like to have a shelf just for your baking goods, like your flour and sugar containers.

5. Install plywood on the sides, bottom and top of your pantry, securing with screws. If you are more concerned about appearance, you can use a nicer wood or laminate. Also note that if you want to paint or stain this wood, do it before you install it.

6. Make your shelves. The most difficult thing about making pull-out shelves is making sure they're sturdy enough to hold the weight of groceries like canned goods.

These have a fiberboard bottom and sides created from 1-by-2s. Do one shelf at a time, to make sure each one works.

Before you attach the pieces together, take the sides of the shelves and rout the outer sides near the bottom to make a groove for the hardware to work properly.

Also, rout the inner sides so you can sit the fiberboard bottom tightly inside the grooves.

7. Put the shelf together, using wood glue and screws.
To make the shelf look a little nicer, countersink the screws on the front face. Measure the hole, then cut a piece of dowel in that circumference.
Glue the dowel piece into the countersink hole.

8. Screw the slide-out hardware onto the sides of the cabinets. Take care that this is level.
Attach the hardware to the bottom of the shelves.
Repeat with as many shelves as you need.

9. Reinforce the shelves. Doing this is a good idea because they'll hold a lot of weight. Here, 1-by-2 pieces of wood were measured to the correct width, then placed underneath the shelf with metal brackets.

10. Make a place to store cookie sheets and large pans by attaching a nonsliding shelf. Look at your pans and decide how far apart you want to make the niches. Cut spacers made out of plywood (or wood strips of your choice) and glue them to the top and bottom of this space. Then, measure plywood (or wood of your choice) to make the vertical spacers. Slide in the vertical pieces of wood to create the niches.

11. Finish the pantry. Add molding to the raw edges of drywall.
Add cupboard doors (you may have to adapt off-the-shelf doors or make your own). You could also install a curtain instead.

Tips & Warnings.

Spend time planning your pantry and gathering everything you will need.

Always use safety equipment when working with power tools. Use a respirator and eye protection when cutting drywall.

20/02/2014

How to Choose Bedroom Curtains ?

Choosing the type of curtains for your bedroom depends on a number of factors. Color, texture, insulating ability and style are just a few to consider. Light that comes into the bedroom is another important consideration, particularly for a bedroom where morning light can disturb sleep. Whether you like ultra-modern styling or soft traditional settings, there are a number of fabrics and methods of operation to help make your bedroom the comfortable retreat you envision.

Things You'll Need

measuring tape
ladder

Instructions

1. Look at the wall paint in relationship to the size of the room. Consider whether the color of your walls overwhelm the room. For large expanses of wall space, you might break up the color with a patterned fabric on the windows. For a small room, you might wish to make the curtains the same color to create a sense of more space.

2. Notice the shape of the windows. Simple rectangular windows scattered around the room can look good with any kind of window treatment. Large stretches of window may need to be broken up into individual units. Arched windows may need special rods or shades for curved areas.

3. Feel the temperature of the room. Does the bedroom face the north, or is it subject to drafts in winter? You may need lined curtains that you can close at night to help keep heat in the room. Heavy fabrics will also help to insulate the room.

4. Take note of early morning light. Think about how often you will open and close the drapes. If your bedroom windows face east, morning light may disturb sleepers. Draperies on sliding tracks will be easier to shut light out in the early morning and let light in later in the day. If light isn't a problem, you can consider lighter-weight fabrics and stationary rods.

5. Consider the styling of your décor. If you prefer modern styling, frilly ruffles or voluminous drapes won't go well with the feel of the room. Consider a modern print or contrasting color to add an edge to the room. If you like country styling, soft prints and ruffles will work well.

6. Measure your windows. Take measurements from the top of the windows to the bottom and to the floor.

7. Go to your local window treatment store and pick out fabrics and styles.

8. Place your order and arrange for installation.

Tips & Warnings

For modern styles, you can use more imaginative window treatments if your room is very minimalist.

For a room with bold colors, it's a good idea to tone down the curtains, according to Interior Complex.

Blinds, either vertical or horizontal, give a clean look for modern interiors.

According to Curtains And Window Treatments, the material of the curtains should chosen according to the upholstery or furniture in the room. (see reference 2)

Swags, tiebacks, jabots and layering can all add to the décor of the room, but beware of excessive fussiness that will only make the room look more cluttered.

19/02/2014

Kitchen Counter Decorating Ideas

Kitchens tend to look more inviting when the counters aren't cluttered, yet they look cold and sterile if the counters are completely void of any accessories. Place a few decorative items on the counters that complement the colors, style and decorating theme in the kitchen without overtaking the counter space. A few well-placed items can add personality to the kitchen without taking away any of its function.

Plants or Flowers

Adding one or two small houseplants to your kitchen counters will brighten your kitchen. A series of small potted plants or spices can sit right behind your sink to create your own miniature spice garden. If you already have plants on top of the cabinets, use a single vase and bouquet of flowers on the counter instead.

A decorative vase that complements the theme and colors in the kitchen can hold a fresh bouquet of roses, wildflowers or any flower blooming in your garden. Or, group a series of three bud vases together to each hold a single bloom. Silk flowers are acceptable if you don't have access to fresh flowers.

Practical Items

Practical items, such as small appliances that you use nearly every day, can add to the decor and homey feeling of your kitchen. If you don't use the appliances often, or if they clash with your decor, consider storing them in a cabinet that's easy to reach. For example, a bright red toaster might look great in a contemporary or country kitchen with a red color scheme, but not so much in a yellow and blue kitchen.

Set up your coffee grinder, maker and essentials in one corner if you make coffee each day. Use a serving tray or lazy susan to keep everything organized and avoid a cluttered, disorganized appearance.

Other kitchen items that are practical and add to your decor could include a jar, cup or other decorative container next to the stove to hold all of your cooking utensils. Stack your cookbooks on the counter if you use them frequently, or simply like the way they look.

Food

Food items make sense in the kitchen, as they're practical and add color, texture and visual interest. A collapsible basket can hold different kinds of fruits, making it a colorful addition to your kitchen that encourages healthy snacks. Fill see-through containers with pasta, cereal or other colorful dried goods that you frequently use.

Decorative containers in interesting colors or shapes can hold flour, sugar or other common ingredients. Display a few cookie jars that complement the theme and color palette in your kitchen. Sneak a few different kinds of snacks in the cookie jars, such as fruit bars, for healthy alternatives if you don't want sugary snacks to be readily available.

Lights.

A small table lamp can add extra lighting in the kitchen, even if it's just a soft glow. Choose a lamp that complements your kitchen decor. If you want lights under the cabinets to shine on your counter accessories, consider using stick-up lights or secure a small string of miniature lights to the underside of the cabinets. Candles give off a soft glow and come in a variety of shapes, colors and scents.

18/02/2014

Where to Install a V***r Barrier in a Bathroom ?

Whether you are remodeling a bathroom or installing a new one, you need to know where to install a v***r barrier. The primary purpose of a v***r barrier, also called a v***r retarder, is to keep water v***rs from passing through walls. Moisture flows from a warm space to a cold one, and if moisture pe*****tes a wall, condensation will form. This leads to damaged drywall, deteriorating wood trim, mold and other decay.

Planning

Water v***rs pass through plaster or drywall, studs, sheathing and exterior siding. Where you install a v***r barrier in your bathroom will be based primarily on the climate in the area where you are live. If you live in a hot and humid location, the v***r barrier must be installed on the outside wall. If you live in a colder climate, you must install your v***r barrier on the inside of the wall.

Installation

You must install v***r retarder properly, or you will end up trapping moisture in unwanted places. An accumulation of condensation may cause damage to your home's insulation, wood structure or exterior sheathing.

Custom showers require a v***r barrier, such as 6 mm polyurethane. However, you cannot install a v***r barrier behind a drywall product, including green board. If you were to install a v***r barrier behind it, water v***r would build up between the v***r barrier and the drywall. It would be just a matter of time before your walls began to crumble.

In the shower area, use cement board, which is durable enough to resistant breakdown due to moisture and can properly breathe. Install plastic sheeting or polyurethane on the studs to prevent v***r from penetrating.

If you use batt insulation, save yourself some work by choosing a product with the v***r barrier already attached. For unfaced insulation, secure the insulation first, then attach the polyurethane v***r barrier. Any time you use plastic sheeting as a v***r barrier, seal all seams, gaps and rips in it using the special tape made for that purpose. Any openings in the v***r barrier allow wetness to pe*****te it.

For projects where v***r retarders need to be installed on the interior of bathroom walls or ceilings that have plaster or drywall already in place, consider using a latex v***r barrier primer. This barrier is designed to be used on a wide variety of interior surfaces, including plaster, drywall, brick and masonry.

Latex v***r barrier primer may be brushed, rolled or sprayed on like a standard primer. If you are planning to refinish the walls and ceiling anyway, using latex barrier will save time and money.

17/02/2014

How to Hang Bathroom Curtains ?

Curtains are a common element of home decor, serving many purposes. Not only do curtains make a room look more inviting and put together, they also provide privacy, light control and temperature regulation. Although curtains commonly decorate bedrooms and living rooms, the.y also act as a visually pleasing and practical addition to a bathroom. It's easy to add curtains to a bathroom to brighten up the space and ensure total privacy while there. Installing curtains in a bathroom involves the same process as putting up curtains in any other room.

Things You'll Need

Tape measure
Curtain rod
Screws
Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Measure the horizontal distance across the window in the bathroom and add two inches to this number. This measurement is how long the curtain rod must be to fully cover the window from side to side. The extra two inches allow clearance of an inch on each side of the window, as posts often exist inside the wall that might block screws.

2. Search for studs in the wall surrounding the window by tapping on the wall and listening for a solid sound indicating wood behind the drywal or use an electronic stud finder. Avoid installing curtain rods in a stud if they are lightweight. Ensure you insltall rods directly into the studs to provide the most support if you are hanging heavy curtains.

3. Mark the space on the wall where the screws will be installed to support the rod. Firmly press the screw into the wall to create a dent where the screw will be placed. Do this on both sides of the window and measure to make sure the marks are spaced the same distance from the window.

4. Put the curtains onto the rod. Push the rod through the opening and slide the curtains on if they have a simple folded seam along the top. Thread the rod through each of the folded tabs if that's the style of curtain.

5. Install the hardware for the curtain rod onto the wall.For a cafe rod, place the flat part of each end of the hardware flush against the wall, ensuring the holes are lined up with the marks. Screw the hardware into place by twisting the screwdriver clockwise to tighten the screws.

6. Snap the rod into place by pushing the ends onto the hardware.

7. Install a decorative rod with hooks by placing the flat top of the hook flush against the wall and lining the holes up with the marks. Screw the hooks into place and slide the rod into place.

8. Adjust the curtains with your hands so they are bunched together in a way you find visually pleasing.

Tips & Warnings

Choose thin fabrics for bathroom curtains so they will dry faster in the humid environment of the bathroom and be less likely to develop mold.

16/02/2014

How to Prepare for a Kitchen Renovation ?

Remodeling your kitchen is one of the most extensive interior decorating projects you can take on. Whether you're a brave do-it-yourselfer or you plan to hire out various contractors, you can count on a major interruption to your family's daily routine. Not only will you need to temporarily adjust to life without a kitchen, you'll have to get used to the unfamiliar faces, constant noise and thick layer of dust that will surround your home for the next several weeks. With adequate preparation, your transition from old to new can be as quick and painless as possible.

Things You'll Need

Toaster
Refrigerator (small or full-sized)
Microwave
Coffee maker
Folding table
Bulletin board, dry erase board or notebook
Boxes
Newspaper
Packing tape
Permanent marker
Painter's tape
Plastic drop cloths or old sheets
Disposable plates, cups and forks

Instructions

1. Prepare to be inconvenienced. Kitchen remodels are guaranteed to have a few surprises, so budget more than enough time, money and energy to make the endeavor a success. Plan to be without your kitchen for a few weeks before you'll be able to enjoy your new renovation.

2. Clarify a few things with the contractor. Find out who is responsible for obtaining permits, when demolition will begin and how you will arrange payment.

3. Sort through your kitchen, beginning about a week before the remodel is scheduled to start. Throw or give away any items you don't use. Then pack your lesser-used items in boxes or plastic bins, labeling them clearly for easy unpacking later. By the time the big day arrives, you should be down to the bare minimum of kitchen supplies, which you can then transfer to where you'll set up your temporary kitchen.

4. Take down wall hangings, curtains, blinds, shelves, light fixtures and anything else that isn't a permanent fixture in the kitchen. Remove any artwork or shelves from nearby walls too, as vibrations might cause these to fall and break.

5. Cover furniture and other large items near the kitchen with a plastic drop cloth or old sheet secured with painter's tape. This will protect your furniture and simplify the cleaning process once the construction is finished.

6. Set up a temporary kitchen in another area of your house. Any place with some extra space and a couple available outlets will work, but keep in mind that you'll probably have to lug any dishes you use to the nearest bathroom to wash them.

Your makeshift kitchen should contain storage space and a few basic appliances. If possible, move your old refrigerator to the temporary location and set up a table beside it to hold a microwave, crock pot, toaster, coffee pot, hot plate and any other cooking equipment you normally use. Use the space under the table to store food, cooking utensils, paper towels, plasticware and paper plates.

7. Keep some restaurant coupons handy for when you get tired of the temporary kitchen, or use the construction as an excuse to fire up the grill a few times a week.

8. Arrange a place to store the supplies for your kitchen. Many contractors have an off-site location where they store most of their supplies, but having room for these items in your basement or garage will eliminate unnecessary trips for the builders.

9. Promote clear communication between your family and the workers. Designate a notebook or dry erase board where you can leave messages for each other in case you don't see each other throughout the day.