Picture Perfect Hanging Made Easy

Whether you're installing a mirror, shelf, picture, gallery hanging, coat rack or hooks, your projects can be easy with the right tools and tips.  Dust off those framed family photos and display them; hang up a shelf and bring sense to your collectibles; affix the mirror to the wall, and hang the new window treatments.  Adoring the walls with all of your favorites will pull your living space together.

Where on the wall do you have your pictures?

Most people make the mistake of hanging their artwork or photographs too high on the wall. Hang your pictures at eye level. What exactly is eye level? According to the standard that is used in art galleries, the center of the picture should be between 60" -65" from the floor.  You can even break this rule and go several inches lower in a room where people are generally seated, such as a dining room.

The size of the artwork should relate to its surroundings.

A small picture on a large empty wall will get lost, while a large picture will overwhelm a small wall. Pictures should be smaller than the furniture over which they hang. For example, a large painting hanging over a tiny table will look unbalanced and top heavy.

Hanging some artwork over your couch?

Similar to hanging artwork over a table or sideboard, you want the artwork to be smaller than the couch. If your couch is 72" in length, your artwork should be no longer that 62" in length.

You do not want to have a painting floating halfway between the top of the sofa and the ceiling. Your picture should hang between 4"-8" above the back of the sofa. This same rule of thumb applies to tables as well.

So, now you know where to hang your pictures. But how do you hang them?

Back in college I would hang everything using a nail and the heel of my shoe. This is not a good idea. Use picture hooks, not nails. Should I say that again? Do not use nails.

Picture hooks are designed specifically to redistribute the weight of your picture. The weight of the picture is pushed into the wall. 

When you use nails, the weight pulls down, often pulling the nail right out of the wall and damaging the Drywall/Sheetrock, not to mention sending your artwork crashing to the ground.

Tomboy Tools and most hardware stores sell picture-hanging kits. They include everything that you'll need. Just grab your hammer and get started.

Project Steps:

1. Visually identify the area of where you want to hang your fixture, the condition of the surface, and the weight of what you are hanging on your wall.  If it is light, you may only need a nail and hook. For heavier hangings, anchors will most likely need to be used.
2. Use your stud finder to locate where the studs are; these are areas that you do not want to screw into with anchors (it is good to nail or screw into studs when anchors are not being used).
3. Use your Picture Perfect Level to measure the appropriate hook or fastener on object being hung.
4. Move the adjustable pointer block to the necessary distance for the item you are hanging and tighten the thumbscrew.
5. Center the level block between the two pointer blocks and tighten.
6. Position the Picture Perfect Level in the desired location on the wall.  Make sure the bubble in the level block is in the middle of the two black lines.
7. Using firm pressure, press the pointer blocks into the wall with your thumbs. This will leave small dimple marks in the wall surface, showing you precisely where to drill and insert your wall anchor or nail.
8. By using the pivoting method with the pointer blocks, you can work your way across the wall with precise spacing between wall hangings.
9. Pre-drill your holes where the dimple marks are using your drill and drill bits then screw in your anchors and screws using your drill; hammer in your picture hooks for lighter hangings.

Resource: Tomboy Tools and Homesessive

Home Decor Colors that Stimulate Intelligence

COLOR YOURSELF SMART

By now, it's common knowledge that color affects your mood, but can it actually make you smarter? We know which colors every alpha woman can use to give herself the mental edge.

Because the colors you use to decorate can affect your mood, they also affect your energy, your creativity, your ambition and learning curve, all of which are necessary components of intellect.

So if you want to stimulate your intelligence, pick up some paint, furniture or accents in these smart colors.

The color orange stimulates mental activity by increasing the supply of oxygen to the brain and makes you feel invigorated and ready to get things done. If you're working on a project with your hubby, all the better — it stimulates social interaction (while being less aggressive or romantic than red).

But orange is still a power color. Don't feel like you have to use a bold orange or paint every wall to get the desired effect. It can be used as an accent for other colors with a similar effect. You can also try softer or earthier hues like nectarine, orange rose, pumpkin, canyon sunset and more. To avoid overdoing it, try a single accent wall, throws and decorative pillows or other accents.

You should definitely avoid bolder oranges if you tend to be naturally hyperactive or are easily angered. Also avoid all but the most subtle oranges if you're easily distracted. This isn't a good color for people with ADHD, for example. And keep it out of the kitchen. It can make you hungrier.

Yellow also stimulates mental activity, but it's easy to have too much of a good thing. Too much yellow can make you a bit touchy. Since it helps activate your memory, increases your concentration and (in small doses) promotes creativity, it's a great color to use in a place where you study, do crafts or work on organizing big projects.

Stay away from dark yellows, which may cut off your creative juices since the color is associated with caution, and opt for brighter (or even paler) versions used here and there as accent colors. In fact, using yellow can be as simple as keeping fresh yellow flowers or a bowl of lemons in the room.

Yellow works best when contrasted with a darker color or a neutral. Look for lemon drop yellow, buttery yellow, maize or daffodil.

Pale blue is popular in school classrooms because it increases productivity, intuition and creative thinking. It has a calming affect, slowing down your metabolism and suppressing your appetite. When the craziness of your life is filtered out, you'll have plenty of time to ponder the important details.

Dark or extremely bright blues should usually be avoided in dedicated work spaces (like your craft room, home office or kitchen), as they can actually be quite oppressive in large doses. Instead, opt for country blue, powder blue, pale periwinkle, steel blue, cornflower or sky blue. But paired with the right partner color, feel free to toss out some bold blue throw pillows.

Blue is the perfect power-concentration color for the hyperactive or easily distracted. It can be used all over the room (in its lighter incarnations) in various shades or with other colors. If you tend to be very sedate by nature, opt for bolder blue accents or use one of our other intelligence-stimulating hues.

Unless you're a romance novelist, we don't suggest a totally white color scheme for increasing your thinking power, as it's often considered sentimental or nostalgic, both of which can inhibit your ability to think in the present or future. However, white is the perfect color to use with any of the suggestions above. It aids in mental clarity and encourages you to clear clutter and obstacles (physically and mentally).

Black can be a bit tricky as it depends on your personality. It pairs well with many of the colors mentioned above, but should only be used by those who feel it adds a sense of sleekness or stylishness, which can stimulate some people's creative minds by making them feel more professional or sophisticated. Others may simply consider it depressing.

If you think you can handle it, you can soften the black details by using accents with black satin bows, polka dots or stripes. Just make sure the black is truly an accent and doesn't dominate the main color.

Gray may be a better option for most than black. While it has no intellect-stimulating powers on its own, it's associated with wisdom and solidity. It also works to enhance the effect of other colors in small doses.

Resource:  Heather Barnett, Sheknows.com

5 Easy DIY Painting Projects

Maybe it's been a while since you've painted, or maybe you've never done it before. Even if you feel like you barely know which end of the brush to hold, that's OK — Glidden® paint and Tomboy Tools have you covered with simple instructions, tips, ideas and tools for common projects and helpful answers to FAQs.

Learn how much fun and easy painting can be. Tomboy Tools is excited to partner with Glidden® paint to help women gain confidence, motivation and add color to their lives!

Here are five simple ideas to add color to your home in a single day's work.

1.  How to Paint a Door

There's nothing like a first good impression.

1.    The first step to a good first impression? Give the door a quick wash and rinse, letting it dry completely.

2.    Next, just cover the metal hinges so they don't get covered in paint - a couple coats of rubber cement should do the trick. Mask the doorknob, lock and any other hardware as well.

3.    Now you're at the fun part. Start by painting the frame, making sure to work up from the inside bottom, across the top and then down the other side. This is done best with a 2" to 2.5" brush. When you start on the door, use a 4" brush or foam roller.

Glidden color idea:  Red Delicious (GLR30)

2.  How to Paint a Planter

Add a little color to your greenery.

1.    If you're painting a planter that's already been used, start by giving the plant a new home and scrubbing the planter with warm, soapy water.

2.    Give it a quick rinse and let it dry completely before applying any paint. This is a good time for lemonade. Try it with a little mint for a refreshing twist.

3.    Apply the first coat, inside and out. Follow that up with a couple more coats for denser color, allowing enough time to dry between coats. Looking for a little color inspiration? Why not run with the whole refreshing beverage theme and try Sweet Tea?

Glidden color idea:  Soft Sage (GLG18)

3.  How to Paint a Doghouse

Even your blacklab will be green with envy.

1.    Start by treating the wood with a coat of primer. It's a great way to protect and seal the wood and ensure durability.

2.    Using a paintbrush, apply one coat of paint to each side of the house. Once that dries, just brush on a second coat for denser color. Remember, dogs are color-blind, so the choice is entirely up to you, but they'll probably like anything named after food.

3.    Oh, and to keep this simple project from getting a little complicated, you may want to keep your dog indoors until the paint's dry.

Glidden color idea:  Antique Silver (GLN51)

4.  How to Paint a Window Box

Your view just got even better.

1.    Start by removing any soil or debris left in the box and rinsing it with soap and water. As always, don't forget to let it dry completely before you move to the next step.

2.    Before you paint, spray the entire box with one coat of white enamel.

3.    Once that's dry, it's time to pick up a paintbrush. Paint the box with the color of your choice. You can even match the paint color to the flowers you plan on planting.

Glidden color idea:  Natural Straw (GLY20)

5.  How to Paint a Fence

Consider it the perfect frame for your masterpiece.

1.    Start by rinsing the fence with a hose. It's important to remember to unhook the sprinkler if it's still attached.

2.    Once it's dry, dip a 4" to 6" brush about a third of the way into your paint. Follow the grain of the wood, painting each slat in an up-and-down motion.

3.    Add a second coat using the same up-and-down strokes you did the first time. Simple as pie. As for color, try a twist on a classic, like Granny Smith White.

Glidden color idea:  Wood Smoke (GLN40)

Contact your Tomboy Tools Consultant to book your painting party today. Your Consultant will show you how you can beautify your living space or painting project with ergonomically designed painting tools, color selections, techniques and tips. 

Hanging Pictures on Drywall - A How To Guide

Hanging pictures on drywall seems like a simple task: hammer a nail into a wall, hang the picture on the nail, and make sure everything is straight. Unfortunately, there is a little more to the whole procedure than that. When hanging pictures on drywall, you need to consider several factors like the weight of the object, the appropriate fastener to hold the object, where you want to hang the object, and whether or not the drywall will provide enough support by itself. If you want to avoid damaging both your pictures and your walls, read on to learn more about hanging pictures on drywall.

Finding the Right Frame For Hanging Pictures On Drywall

Driving a nail through a sentimental photograph is probably not the best way to hang a picture on a wall. Picture frames not only offer a way to properly hang a picture on a wall, they also protect the picture. A framed picture is a popular piece of interior décor, suitable for any style of interior design. Depending on the color and size, a picture frame can be used to accentuate a particular area of a room, or draw attention to a certain spot on a wall. Here are a few tips for finding a frame for your picture:

Match the room: Look for a picture frame that matches the colors and design styles of the room you plan on hanging it in. Picture frames are a great way to enhance the room, and should help tie the room together just like a piece of furniture. The color and material the picture frame is made out of will determine if it matches the room or not.

Picture Mats: A picture mat acts as a border for a picture in a frame, and also protects the picture. Try using a picture mat that enhances both the picture and frame. A neutral colored mat won't draw attention away from the picture, while certain colors can be used to enhance the picture by either matching or contrasting with the colors in the picture.

Find the right size: Find a picture frame that is appropriate for both the size of your picture and the available wall space. If you plan on using a picture mat, select a frame that allows for extra space around the picture so the mat can be seen.

Find the right weight: Lightweight picture frames can be hung almost anywhere on drywall, while heavier frames require an area on your drywall where a wooden framing stud can be found. Heavier frames also require stronger wall fasteners, while light frames can be hung with standard picture hangers.

Where To Place Frames When Hanging Pictures On Drywall

Now that you've found the perfect frame for your picture, it's time to figure out where to hang it. Determine whether you want the picture to accentuate a room, or if you want it to be a focal point. A lone picture centered on a contrasting wall will most certainly catch people's attention. In most cases, a picture should be hung somewhere at eye level, typically 60 inches from the floor with the center of the picture used as your reference point. If you plan on hanging multiple pictures grouped together on a wall, choose your favorite picture to act as a centerpiece. Lightly mark areas on your drywall with a pencil or chalk to help you determine the best spot for your picture. 

Great Tip:  Use your Tomboy Tools Picture Perfect Level to help hang your pictures.  It allows you hang objects horizontally, vertically, or in a group with precise measuring!

Lightweight Wall Fasteners

The most common fastener used to hang a picture on drywall is a picture hanger. These small hangers are placed flat against your drywall, and require a nail to be driven through their upper portion to fasten them to your drywall. The lower portion of the picture hanger consists of a small hook, suitable for light objects to be hung like pictures in lightweight frames. Push pins and plastic hooks with adhesives do not require any hammering or drilling, and are also suitable for lightweight objects.

Heavyweight Wall Fasteners

Larger pictures with heavier frames require a little more attention and care when being hung on drywall. If placed in an inappropriate location, the weight of the picture can pull the anchors out of the drywall damaging both the wall and the picture. The best location to hang heavier objects on drywall is in front of a wooden framing stud. Use a stud finder to locate the wooden framing studs behind your drywall. These devices typically use a magnet to detect the nails or screws used to hold framing studs during wall construction. A wall stud provides adequate support for heavier objects that require fasteners that are nailed or drilled into your drywall.

Hollow Wall Fasteners

Some wall fasteners are available that are made specifically for hollow walls like drywall. Molly and toggle bolts are designed with wings that expand behind drywall after they have been inserted through the wall. Toggle anchors also have collapsible wings that expand behind your drywall as you tighten the screw holding it in place. Expandable, metal anchors are great hollow wall fasteners for heavier picture frames. When purchasing these types of fasteners, be sure to read the packaging labels to find fasteners designed to handle the appropriate weight needed to hang your picture. Some fasteners are capable of holding heavier objects depending on the grade selected.

Hanging pictures on drywall requires a little more thought than simply hammering a nail into your wall. Just be aware of the weight of the picture, and make sure you have the right fasteners to keep it secured, and prevent the picture from damaging your wall. 

Resource:  IdealHomeGarden.com, By Matthew CenzonΙ Published March 22, 2012

Color Ideas To Get You Going!

Choosing coordinating colors for a room is a lot easier than you think.  A great way to start is to find what color family you like the most (reds, greens, blues, etc.). 

Once you pick your color family, choosing that final color is much easier. 




Follow these easy steps to start:

- Collect pictures of rooms and accessories that you like from magazines and catalogs.

- Next, gather up your favorite things in a room.  Vase.  Pillows.  Floral arrangements.  Comforter.

- Then step back.  Take it all in.  Do you see a common color family or scheme?

Another trick is to steal from the largest pattern in the space.  Upholstery.  Rug.  Even your favorite painting.  Use its background color for your wall color.  Then choose one or two of the other colors for your accents. 

You've now successfully coordinated color! 

Piece of cake.