How to
A clustered configuration is freer; artworks are arranged within a loosely defined, more organic space. Although asymmetrical, a clustered configuration is still balanced. Benefit: A clustered approach is ideal for artworks of various sizes and with various frame finishes still frames here are very similar (thickness)
Window decor. A simple and low-cost way to freshen window decor is to add a scarf valance, or loose swag valance. This type of valance is a relaxed window treatment made of one long piece of fabric pulled through decorative side sconces or lightly wrapped over a rod. It visually softens harsh corners on window frames and is an easy, affordable way to add pattern to a room.
For other stains, the sleep association suggests the following method: Fill a spray bottle with a few drops of mild dish soap mixed with water. Spray the solution lightly on the stained area. Scrub gently with a soft brush. Aerate the dampened mattress by setting it outside (if feasible) or directing a portable fan on the area.
Choose at least two plates of different sizes and at least one cup that all coordinate in a pleasing way (matching is not necessary) to create your stand. If you want the results to be temporary, use blue tacky putty (find it in arts and crafts stores) to adhere the layers; for a more permanent fix, use superglue or a hot-glue gun —
Large-format porcelain tiles. Marble slabs are probably one of the most luxurious — and costly — finishes out there. With today’s technology, you can buy 5-by-10-foot porcelain slabs that look exactly like the most expensive marbles and quartzes for about half the price. The tiles come with multiple prints so they appear natural when installed. The tiles aren’t cheap
Melamine. Would you be able to tell that this millwork isn’t actually made from a dark, rich wood? Instead it’s made from melamine. Today it’s almost impossible to decipher a good-quality textured melamine from actual wood. The technology that’s used now is very different from what was used 30-plus years ago. Melamine costs about half of what wood costs.
CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL products containing chloride can be harmful to the protective finish on stainless steel, use the following: • Diluted vinegar (for cleaning limescale) • Baking soda (to remove coffee deposits) • Alcoholic solvents, such as acetone (for removing adhesives) • Chloride-free glass sprays (especially efficient for polished, mirror-like surfaces) • Commercially manufactured pastes and sprays that specify use on stainless steel. DO NOT USE SILVER CLEANER For a DIY approach to cleaning using pantry items, the sustainable-living team at Eartheasy advises dampening a cloth with undiluted white vinegar or olive oil and wiping in the direction of the grain. To clean a stainless sink, it suggests pouring club soda on an absorbent cloth to scrub, then wiping dry.
A Natural Alternative A mixture of baking soda and water makes a scum-fighting scrub that many experts swear by. Measurements for the mixture will vary depending on how much you need. To get started, try using a half-cup of baking soda, then add water as needed to make a thick paste. Using a nonabrasive sponge, scrub the glass and rinse it with vinegar.
Deep cleaning of shower doors. For scrubbing scum (a four-letter word) and hard-water stains, many consumers swear by products such as the Magic Eraser sponge, while others suggest repurposing dryer sheets (simply wet and scrub). Since these products contain chemicals, consider wearing gloves to protect your skin.
Make Your Own Daily Shower Spray Beverly Leestma, DIY expert and author of The Make Your Own Zone, offers these directions for a chemical-free shower spray that saves both money and the environment: Mix together a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide, a half-cup of rubbing alcohol (a natural degreaser), 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid in a 32-ounce spray bottle. Next, fill the bottle with water and, after capping, rock the bottle gently back and forth to combine the ingredients without making them foam up. Store away from sunlight.
AFTER: The designers filled in about 90 square feet of the corner, building the storage room flush with the existing adjacent wall.
drying rack
Extras. Prop a ladder (a nice-looking one, not the hardware store variety) against the wall in your bedroom or closet to hold those extra items that otherwise would end up on the floor — for instance, that favorite pair of jeans you always wear more than once before washing. You can also use the top rung to display your outfit for the next day.
How to mix up dining room chairs. Upholstered chairs at the ends. This is perhaps the most popular way to shake up a set,
“I always recommend placing the lights about three-quarters back into cubbies like these — that way you light up the entire cubby and not just the front or the back,” the designer says.
Q