Category: Uncategorized

Choose the Right Tool for the Right Job

When starting a repair job it is important to make sure you are using the correct tools. For example not all hammers do the same thing. A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head, with most of the weight in the head.

• A claw hammer is a tool primarily used for pounding nails into, or extracting nails from wood.
• An upholstery hammer or tack hammer is a lightweight hammer used for securing upholstery fabric to furniture frames using tacks or small nails.
• A sledgehammer is a tool consisting of a large, flat head attached to a lever. The head is typically made of metal. The sledgehammer can apply more impulse than other hammers, due to its large size. It has the ability to distribute force over a wide area.
• The ball-peen hammer is for heavy hammering and suitable for metalwork.
• Rubber mallets are used when a softer blow is called for than that delivered by a metal hammer. They are typically used to form sheet metal, since they don’t leave marks, as well as for forcing tight-fitting parts together, for shifting plasterboard into place, in upholstery, and a variety of other general purposes, including some toys. It is the most commonly used mallet. Hammers

2015 Color of the Year – Sherwin Williams

Upbeat, optimistic Coral Reef celebrates time for renewal. Perfectly suited to celebrate a mid-decade year that’s poised for revitalization, Coral Reef (SW 6606) is Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year 2015. The uplifting, vivacious hue with floral notes is the perfect mélange of pink, orange and red that can be used to liven up any space.
“Coral Reef embodies a cheerful approach to design that we’re seeing for the coming year. Its unexpected versatility brings life to a range of design aesthetics, whether traditional, vintage, cottage or contemporary,” said Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing.

(excerpted from www.sherwinwilliams.com)

Paintable Wallpaper

Paintable wallpaper is availbale in a smooth or textured finish. For a fraction of the cost this wallpaper is great for covering damaged walls or old wood paneling. A textured finish is great for adding an extra demension to any room. Available at Sherwin Williams http://www.swdecorating.com/default.asp?fm=/wallpaper_home.asp|

Using Metallic Finishes

To the do-it-yourself painter, metallic finishes can appear gorgeous and daunting at the same time. A metallic paint can make a small room like a powder room into a real work of art or transform a dining room into a glamorous personal statement. It is very important to find a painter who has experience with metallic paints, as they are very tricky to apply correctly to get the desired finish. Using the correct tools is important for a smooth consistency. However, if you are using the metallic paint in a sponge technique over a flat paint, or are creating a stripe or striea, you won’t have to worry about the evenness of the coat. The accessories that are added to the final picture can make or break the space. Accessories that complement metallic paints might include mirrored or crystal accents. Sufficient indirect lighting is necessary to “light up” the metallic qualities of the paint and really show it off. However, not all accessories should be metallic: this would be overkill and the “wow” factor of the paint would be minimized.

Using Triade Colors

The triade is made by three colors evenly distributed on the thirds of the color wheel (by 120 degrees). The triade-schemes are vibrating, full of energy. A triade grouping can create contrasts, accents and balance warm and cold colors. The triadic scheme is not as contrasting as the complementary scheme, but it looks more balanced and harmonious. Triade colors can look gaudy, try to subdue them by making them into a “soft contrast” group by using shades of the triade colors. Also choosing one color to be used in larger area than others is a good approach.

Analogous Colors – Red/Orange/Yellow

Analogous colors are colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, with one being the dominant color. The term analogous refers to  having analogy, meaning a similarity in some respects between things and in the case of colors a similarity in a color. An analogous color scheme creates a rich, monochromatic look. It’s best used with either warm or cool colors, creating a look that has a certain temperature as well as proper color harmony. Red, yellow and orange are examples of analogous colors.

How Much Paint Is Needed to Paint Your Room?

To estimate how much paint you need for any interior paint job, you need to know the square footage of your wall and the number of square feet per gallon of the paint you are planning to use. The label on the gallon of paint will specify how many square feet each gallon will cover. Walls and ceilings are determine by the area, multiply length by width. To calculate the square footage of walls, measure the perimeter of the room and multiply this figure by its height. The result is the square footage of the wall space to be covered. Remember you might need more then one coat. When painting a deeply saturated color, you may even need a third coat of paint. Take the square footage and muliple by the number of coats, the result will determine your coverage per gallon.

Fall Foliage

When we think of adding color to our homes with landscaping we usually think first of flowering plants. Another direction to consider are trees. The following trees enhance your landscape with their beautifully fall foliage. The following trees all grow well in growing zone 7 in moist, well-drained soil.

Sugar Maple (top picture) is a great, extra-reliable tree that makes a big statement in fall, sugar maple offers gorgeous red, orange, or yellow end-of-the-season leaves. They grow to 70 feet tall and are best suited for sun to shade.

Sweet Birch (middle) are beautiful trees as well and has a cinnamon-colored peeling bark and triangular dark green leaves that turn beautiful golden-yellow in fall.  This tree is best suited for sun to shade and grows up to 50 feet tall.

Virginia Sweetspire (bottom), is a great shrub with different looks each season. In summer, it offers fragrant white flowers. Then in autumn, it develops rich purple-red leaf color. Plus, it’s very easy to grow. It grows best in full sun to part shade and grows up to 10 feet tall.

 

Easy Fix for a Loose Hinge

Things you will need: Hammer, 1 Chop Stick, Wood Glue, Wire Cutters

Remove screws from hinge, set screws and hinge to the side to reuse. Tip the pointed end of the chop stick into the wood glue about 1/8 inch. Push glue end of chop stick into preexisting loose hinge hole. Gently tap with a hammer then cut off chop stick flush to wall with wire cutters. Hammer chop stick end to make it flush with the wall. Remount hinge.

Paint Tray Storage Bag  This is a great new product. While painting, use it as a drop cloth for your painting supplies. If you plan to continue painting later in the day or tomorrow, just fold it up and zip it closed. When you are ready to paint again just unzip and paint. Clean up only once at the end of your painting job. I have left my paint and rollers up to three days. Retail price $18.99