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

Spring Home Improvement Projects

Tips to get your home in tip top shape for the season

It is March, and spring is about to be sprung.  With warmer weather and longer days, March is a great month to add a few projects to your home improvement to-do list:

Prevent Dryer Fires.  This March weekend, clean out your dryer's venting system. This important cleaning chore is going to help keep you and your family safe, and cleaning your dryer's venting system only needs to be done once a year. Every year, an average of 14,500 dryers catch fire and can be responsible for up to ten deaths. The main cause for dryer fires is not a wiring issue, but lint that collects in the dryer's exhaust ducts. Lint builds up very fast, is highly combustible and can spread a fire quickly.   

You can take several steps to make sure that your dryer is operating safely.   Always clean the dryer's lint screen after every use.  Vacuum behind the dryer as part of your regular housekeeping chores. When you are behind the dryer, make sure the connector hose is made from aluminum.  A plastic dryer vent hose can get very hot and catch fire. If the connector is plastic replace it immediately.  Once a year, clean the dryer vent fully from the outside of the house and back to the dryer.

You will be amazed at what comes out of the dryer vent, so keep a trash bag or two nearby.  Remember to turn off the dryer when you are not going to be at home.  Dryer fires spread quickly and destroy everything in its path so it is definitely better to be safe and not sorry.

Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors:  Spring marks the beginning of day light savings. Spring ahead and gain an extra hour that can be used in any way you so desire. Day light savings time is also an excellent time to remember to change the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The batteries in smoke detectors need to be changed at least yearly and carbon monoxide detector batteries changed according to the manufacturers recommendations. Be sure to give the detectors a test while you are up changing the battery to ensure they are working properly. 

If you haven't replaced the detectors in the past 5 years it might be a good home improvement project to do right now. The technologies have changed and advanced so much recently, helping to ensure your family's safety. The cost spent on new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is nothing compared to the possible dangers of a malfunctioning detector in your home.

New Life for Your Kitchen Cabinets.  This weekend, freshen up kitchen cabinets. Think flat panel cabinet doors have to be boring?  Not so!  Create the look of paneling for your kitchen cabinets by adding molding to the cabinet surface.  Molding can be applied to the cabinets to look as simple or as detailed as you like.  Pick out your style cabinet door at the home center and head over to the lumber section.  Experiment with different profiles and patterns to create the right look for your kitchen cabinets.  Add the molding to the cabinets using a pneumatic bard nailer or traditional nails and attach from the backside of the cabinet door. Be sure to nail in at an angle to properly affix the trim to the kitchen cabinet door. The trim work can be stained or painted to match the cabinet or painted in a different color or tone to add depth to the cabinet. 

While you are at the home center check out new hardware for your newly styled kitchen cabinets. Just adding new and stylish knobs and pulls to the cabinet doors and cabinet drawers can create a major change in the kitchen. 

Spring into a Blooming Garden.  Though it might still feel like winter in your part of the country, it is officially Spring, so get that yard and garden ready.  If you have placed mulch on your flower beds to help protect the garden beds from Old Man Winter, now is a great time to gradually start removing the old mulch to allow the warmth to reach the soil.  If you live in warmer parts of the country where the mulch continually provides moisture, start to refresh the upper layers to keep the beds thriving.  Be sure to trim back any winter shrubs or plant growth to prepare and make room for the burst that is about to happen.

All Systems Go for Summer.  Things are only just starting to warm up but it always best to prepared.  The cooling season is about to come into full gear an important home improvement is to make sure that your air conditioning units are ready to meet that demand.  If you have a central air conditioning system, be sure to schedule a service with the pros.  Let them test all systems and examine duct work, making any necessary adjustments and repairs.  Be sure to vacuum all of the registers and change any filters you are using to keep your indoor air quality at its best.  If you have window units be sure they are in good working order, and you should have them serviced as well.  

Resource: Moneypit.com

Removing Mold From Bath, Grout & Caulking

Over time, mold and mildew build up on bathroom caulk, which can be a pain to remove. It’s not only a health hazard, it’s irritating.

There are different steps you can take to remove the mold. You can use the steps below to remove it overnight or you can start fresh and actually remove the old caulking and apply new. Those steps are further down the page.

Remove the mold but leave the caulking:

Often, you may notice that mold collects at the edge of the tub, like this:

It may because the caulking isn’t the right kind or water is left there for too long. Either way, you can remove the mold with these steps:

You will need:

Bleach
1 pair of Disposable Gloves

Paper Towels (or cotton coil – shown below, if you have it)

Steps:

1. Get a disposable aluminum pan or use something to pour the bleach in *avoid using plastics*. The goal here is to pour in the bleach so you can dip the paper towels in it.

2. Tear apart the paper towels and roll each one into what can only be described as a fruit roll-up (or cotton coil, shown on the right). This is so they sit on the mold easily. If you have cotton coil fine, I think paper towels work just as good.

3. Dip the paper towels in the bleach and lay them directly on the mold, pushing them into the crevices.

4. Let the paper towels sit on the mold overnight. Done!

You now have a clean, sparkly tub.

If the caulking is too far gone and it needs to be replaced, removing and replacing moldy or mildewed caulk is relatively simple. 

Keep in mind, though, that different types of caulk may be more or less appropriate for your project depending on your preferences for ease of application and removal, the substrate and the mold levels.

Start fresh! Remove the mold and the caulking:

There are different types of caulking, so let’s take a look.

Acrylic caulk is the best caulk for repelling mold and dirt. Acrylic caulk can be either water-based or siliconized, which allows you to choose the best application, substrate and durability preferences. All acrylic caulks have good adhesion, flexibility and lifespan, and are designed to not only repel mold but also to remain bright white over time. All-acrylic water-based caulks are especially versatile since they can be painted with many different types of paint. Keep in mind that acrylic caulks tends to be more expensive than other types of caulks.

We use Silicone-Based acrylic caulking and it works great.

Generally speaking, silicone-based caulks are the best caulks to use in mold-friendly environments like bathrooms. Since silicone is inorganic, it is extremely mold, mildew and water resistant. Additionally, silicone-based caulk is idea for substrates commonly found in bathrooms such as ceramic tile, porcelain and glass.

Follow this article for tips on removing the caulking.

Removing mold from grout:

Removing mold from grout is a little easier. All you need is an old tooth brush and bleach. If you want to try lemon juice and baking soda first before resorting to bleach, it might just work for you but sometimes, if the mold has been sitting there for a long time, bleach might be the only trick.

Just make sure to open a window and turn on a fan when cleaning. You won’t need to do this often but when you do, tackle it with all you got to get the job done quickly.

Resource: Moderndaymoms.com

Easy Home Maintenance Tips for the New Year

OUTDOOR HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

Do you still have summer patio furniture on the patio, collecting snow? Did you ditch your home fix-it list as soon as the holiday season kicked in? Now that the busiest time of last year is over, start the new year by taking care of those home maintenance projects that shouldn't wait until the summer.

Store summer furnishings and outdoor equipment

Lisa Singer, product manager at Elmer's Products, based in Columbus, Ohio, says the opposite of spring-cleaning is "fall fix-it." However, if you missed the fall window to put away your summer furnishings and outdoor equipment, do it now. Consumers should "scour summer toys, furniture and outdoor equipment for wear and tear before packing them away for the winter," Singer suggests. "This will help avoid additional damage that can happen in storage and save you time and hassle come spring."

>>5 Steps to winterize your home

Check home and outdoor items for damage

As you pack away summer toys and outdoor furniture, here are a few things to look for. "Conduct a quick inspection to make sure all sections are intact, screws and nuts are still tight and there are minimal signs of wear," says Singer. "Look for cracks, tears or scrapes that can become worse during storage or create sharp edges."

>>How to organize your garage

Keep outdoor items organized

Isn't it the pits when spring arrives and you pull out your patio furniture, only to find that the hardware needed to put your furniture together is MIA? Singer recommends you not only check to see if you have all the pieces, you also organize them. "For toys with small parts or furniture that gets taken apart for storage, consider using plastic bags, bins, old glass or plastic food containers so these pieces don't get lost or separated during the winter," she adds.

>>Home organization tips for the new year

Empower yourself by making small repairs

Now that you've inspected and put aside broken outdoor items, the next step is to assess the scope of the repair. Common repairs include squeaky or loose joints, cracks or missing pieces. Sure, you can throw away broken items, but according to Singer, for small to medium repairs, the solution can be as easy as tightening screws or using a bottle of multi-purpose glue.

"The Internet can be a great source for tips and advice because you can look up how-to instructions or find electronic user manuals," explains Singer. "Elmer's [of Elmer's Glue fame] has posted a variety of how-to videos at www.elmers.com/about/video-library." And before tackling any repair project, be sure to read the instructions and wear the appropriate safety equipment.

>>How to repair 10 common household hassles

Safety tip: Discard outdoor items broken beyond repair

If you find outdoor furnishings, equipment and toys that are broken and can't be repaired, discard them to keep you and your family safe from injury. Before putting them in the trash can, check to see if the materials can be recycled, suggests Singer — most types of glass, aluminum and plastic can be recycled. "However, it is always a good practice to check with your local recycling provider or check the bottom for the recycling emblem."

To find your nearest recycling center, visitwww.1800recycling.com.

>>Recycling chart

Donate or sell unwanted outdoor goods

If the item is new or gently used and you've decided you no longer want or need it, look for ways to donate it before simply adding it to the trash pile. "Garage sales, sharing websites like Craigslist or auction sites like eBay are great for selling unwanted items," Singer says, "or consider donating the items to non-profit organizations like Goodwill or The Salvation Army."

>>How to get new life out of old linens

Resource:  Sheknows.com, Michele Borboa, MS 

10 Steps to a Decluttered Closet

Does it feel overwhelming just to think about organizing your closet?  Pick one that's manageable and decide to do it in one day. Throw away everything that's irreparably stained or torn (unless, cut up, it will make good cleaning rags); give away anything you haven't used in the last year. Just do it.   

Organizing your closet (and home) can take time and effort, but with simple tips and steps from Tomboy Tools and HGTV, your living space can become a clutter-free environment.  Here are 10 steps that can help you get started organizing and feel great about it. 

Learn how to make your closet work for you -- and your clothes.

Step 1: Assess Your Big Obstacles

Are your shoes overtaking the space? Try a hanging-shoe rack or over-the-door organizer. Do your clothes overcrowd? Thinner hangers create space so you can find things easier. Feeling rushed each morning?  Dividing shirts, dresses, jeans, etc. bring a sense of order and saves time. Solving your biggest problem will motivate you to create the closet of your dreams.

Step 2: Make it a Family Effort

Getting your hubby and kids involved in organizing can make a difference in your family's day-to-day life. Everyone should be in charge of his or her own clothes, accessories, and toys. This will cut your cleaning time in half and ensure nothing important is thrown away by mistake.

Step 3: Take An Hour

Scheduling just 60 minutes a week can really make a dent in your overstuffed, cluttered closet. Can't spare that much? Try two half-hour sessions. If you're constantly being interrupted by "Hey Mom!" -- ask your spouse to take the kids out for the afternoon. Remember to return the favor when it's his turn to hit the closets.

Step 4: Start from Scratch

Take everything (yes, everything) out of your closet. If you don't remove it all, chances are the same unworn clothes will be moved around the closet. Now it's time to sort. Throw out old and damaged clothing. Donate what you don't need or don't wear.

Step 5: Out with the Odd

Remove items that have no business in your closet. Bank statements, insurance information, or tax documents don't belong next to your shoes, scarves, and sweaters. Create a Life.doc to organize and store all of your important documents in one accessible place. File the remaining papers in an office cabinet or milk crate.

Step 6: Organize in Sections

Designate a place for everything in your closet. Shoes in one place, sweaters in another, and so on. This will help you keep order and save you time each morning. Make smart use of the space. Installing shelves will double your storage and help sweaters and t-shirts keep their shape better.

Step 7: Apply the 80/20 Rule

You may not want to admit it, but the majority of clothes you have probably go unworn. It's said that the average American only wears 10 to 20 percent of their clothes. To cut down on the fluff, remove items you haven't worn in a year. Drop off the excess at Goodwill or arrange a clotheswap with friends.

Step 8: Put One In; Take One Out

For each new item you buy to put in your closet, donate one item (or pitch it if it's past its prime). This will keep you from returning to your pat-rack ways.

Step 9: Keep It Going

Dedicate 15 minutes a week to straightening your closet after the "big clean". Spending this small amount of time will ensure you never have to go through a major de-clutter again.

Step 10: Reward Yourself

Recognize and celebrate what you've done. Treat yourself to some new hangers or buy that silk blouse you've been eyeing. Now, you actually have room for it!

Resource:  HGTV.com  Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed people get themselves organized. They are also co-authors of Everything (almost) In Its Place.

Kitchen design trends for 2013

WHAT'S HOT IN THE KITCHEN?

Sheknows.com talked to top designers and kitchen experts to get the scoop on the hottest trends in kitchens for 2013. Whether you're looking for a quick update or a total overhaul, you'll love these ideas.

Comfort and practicality

Of course everyone wants a kitchen that's beautiful, but comfort and practicality are also musts. Designer Joanne Hudson, who is responsible for kitchens for some of the most discriminating clientele in the world, offers her insight into some of the top trends.

"I'm currently working on a kitchen in the Hamptons," explains Hudson. "Many of these homes are second homes, so clients are having more fun playing with different textiles, marbles and materials than they otherwise would have — for example, butcher block countertops instead of luxurious custom marble. With that in mind, I think creating a more comfy, approachable space with uniquely bold details will surely be a kitchen trend for 2013."

Instead of just looking good, today's kitchens are more practical, too. "We do a lot of urban kitchens and try to get the most function per square inch but stay as married to the original design concept as we can in those situations — no matter how big the space," Hudson says. "For instance, using stained glass windows to mask an unsightly alley view, use all white cabinetry to open up a space as opposed to darker toned choices or utilize a backsplash with a stainless rod to hang your kitchen utensils as opposed to just having it be decorative. It can still look just as beautiful but also serve a purpose."

Flex entertaining spaces

Emmy-winning lifestyle host and best-selling author Christopher Lowell says that open-concept, flex spaces will continue to be one of the hottest kitchen trends throughout 2013.

"More then ever, homeowners are realizing that the kitchen is truly the hub of the house even beyond simply food prep," says Lowell. "Especially in older homes needing updating, the walls between rarely used formal dining rooms and kitchens are coming down in favor of more open lounge, family bistro-style flex spaces that we have enjoyed outside the home. While investments in the past years have been small upgrades to maintain the home, Americans are finally willing to do some serious remodeling now since it's quite obvious that people want to gather, hang out and casually entertain without having to go from room to room.

"The advent of a growing (if not booming) interest in food, food culture and cooking as a pastime by both sexes rises at the same time that the economic environment forces a return to in-home entertaining. So the size of center islands increase as not only prep areas but buffet and eat-at stations and bars as well. Once again people are taking their cues from their favorite, flexible public spaces — places they have already experienced firsthand."

Kitchen technology

We all know that it's a digital world these days, and that fact has definitely spilled over into interior design.

"The kitchen is without doubt the heart of the home. It always has been, but in a much different way than it is now. People gather in it, laugh, play, work and cook in it. The kitchen is not just a natural extension of the great room, it has become the great room," says Hudson. "My own kitchen houses many outlets so my husband can plug his laptop into the island and work, and my son can charge his cell while I boil a pot of water for pasta. I think technology will without doubt be a big part of kitchen design in 2013. When I started my business 25 years ago, clients didn't want more counter space for their televisions, appliances didn't have the ability to talk or shut themselves off, and the kitchen played a much different role."

Lowell agrees: "Wi-Fi is now built into these spaces deliberately, turning the open communal space into an internet cafe so family members can stay connected on smartphones and laptops."

Subdued hues

When it comes to color, stark white kitchens and bold shades are out for 2013, according to Lowell.

"Because these areas are now co-mingling hubs, the high-energy color palettes of the past — yellow, chili red, etc. — give way to a more neutral, calming colors that were once reserved for places like bedrooms. The spa-influenced colors like shale, flannel gray, putty and deep tan now dominate."

More kitchen trends

Dixie Stark of Dixie Stark Interiors talks to us about some other kitchen design trends to keep an eye on in 2013.

• Chef's kitchens — Deep single basin sinks, tall professional faucets and every possible appliance one can incorporate to create the perfect clean workspace... including built-in espresso makers.
• Alternative countertops — "We are also aware of the shift from granite countertops to alternative choices like basalt, limestone, marble, glass, metal or anything reclaimed," explains Stark. "With the new sealers on the market, there is less concern for alternative choices of stone. However, when we do specify granite, we often recommend tumbled or textured finishes over the typical honed or polished. This changes the look, but maintains the durability of the granite."
• Contrast of color — Stark says, "Contrast of color is favored over monochromatic schemes in most cases. It makes the space more interesting and sharpens any special design elements. We are recommending both stained and painted cabinetry depending on the location and lifestyle of the project. For example, wood-stained cabinetry with lighter countertops or darker floors with lighter painted cabinetry."
• Eco-friendly options — Environmentally-friendly materials have been making their way into kitchens for the past few years, and, in 2013, kitchen design is getting even more eco-conscious. "In Seattle, we are required to compost, therefore we are integrating not only trash and recycle locations into our cabinetry, but also a compost container!"

Resource:  Sheknows.com by Kori Ellis