Are you a reader?  Then invest in a lounge/reading area with thought-provoking artwork and ample lighting. Eye experts generally agree that two reading lamps of at least 175-200 watts are best to avoid strain.  If this seems too bright for a bedroom, consider installing a series of wall sconces behind a comfortable chair and ottoman, which will give you a lot of light and style.  Get lots of pillows.  Maybe your reading area is a cozy nook—think about installing built-in bookshelves.  Does landscape art move you, or something modern and geometric?  It’s best for the eyes not to read lying down, but if you prefer reading in bed, think about installing a padded headboard.

Color is important because it will define the vibe of your master bedroom.  Passion colors include deep red, peach, pink, purple, and gold.  A good masculine accent would be royal blue.  Consider smart colors like ivory, amber, steel blue, or gray-green if you are going with a reading theme.  General sanctuary colors, and ones suited to either gender, should be soothing and earthy, like forest green, mocha, cobalt blue, or rich eggplant.  Play with schemes and consider a subtle stencil high on the walls, which will draw attention up and give your room some lift.

One way to make your bedroom stand out—while saving money—is by painting a headboard onto the wall above your bed.  It’s a great illusion and you can get very creative.  Measure the width of the head of your bed, marking it with painter’s tape from floor to ceiling.  Choose a color that will compliment the existing one on the wall.  Add details like wall decals, if you wish.  Paint stars and birds, or a chandelier.  This is a good master bedroom project for the artistically inclined.  You might even consider a mural.  It’s your room, after all.

A potted tree will be a great focal point in your master bedroom, or a leafy plant.  Do you like golf? Sewing? Classical music? Astronomy?  Decorate according to your hobbies and enjoyments and you will find the room to be much more than a place to dress and sleep.  It will be your safe, lovely retreat.

Article originally published here: http://www.homeremodelingct.org/connecticut-contractors/12-designer-decorators/79-design-in-the-master-bedroom.htm

Before you start on any painting project, remember: don’t skimp on preparation. Sand off flaking paint and fill holes with spackle. Cover all surfaces you want to protect with a good drop cloth, wipe down your walls and remove any grease, handprints or dirt and tape all trim edges, switch plates, outlets and knobs before you open that first can of paint. And if you have any doubts in how to complete the job, contact a professional painter to help you.

Rag rolling
The rag rolling technique uses a special fabric cover for your roller to either apply color (ragging on) or to remove paint that has already been applied to the wall surface (ragging off). Some painters prefer to use damp rags loosely balled up and held in the hand to apply or remove paint, instead of using a roller cover.

Sponging
Like the handheld rag technique, sponging uses the ragged texture of a dampened natural sea sponge to achieve a mottled effect on walls and ceilings by adding or removing layers of paint. Both sponging and ragging techniques require practice to make sure you are able to achieve consistency over a large surface.

“Leather” look
This technique can be a little more difficult to master than ragging or sponging, but with a little practice, the results can be spectacular. The key is to work in small areas – no larger than 3′ by 3′ for best results. In this method, while glaze or paint is still wet in the treatment area, sheets of plastic wrap are applied to the surface and then removed to achieve the lines and wrinkles common in aged leather. This effect can also be achieved using strips of chamois cloth, stacked up and tied in the middle. Holding the strips up by the center, the appearance is that of a loose mop head. Dampen the chamois mop head and scrunch it gently in your hand, applying the ends of the chamois to the wall to remove some of the paint or glaze.

Color glazing
One of the simplest techniques to complete, color glazing involves the use of a base coat of one color of paint, with one or more layers of different colors of paint, thinned with glaze, on top. By thinning the upper coats with glaze, the base coat can show through, creating the illusion of depth. Color glazing is often combined with ragging or sponging on the uppermost layer of color.

A fresh, interior paint job can change the look of a room and create a completely different feel for your home. And one of the best things about paint is its relative low cost: even if you don’t achieve the look you want with one technique, it’s a simple matter to cover it up and start all over again.

Article originally published here: http://www.homeremodelingct.org/connecticut-contractors/28-painting-staining/91-interior-painting.htm

Define the Space
First and foremost you must determine what you’ll be using the basement for. Do you want a play area for your kids? Do you need a craft area, guest room or home office? Define the areas before you decide where they should be located in the room. Also, some things in your basement can’t be changed or would be costly to change, such as a metal beam. As doityourself.com says, your basement layout will have to work around these aspects.

Some homeowners may want to build an apartment in their basement with a living room, bedroom, kitchen and full bathroom. Others may want something simpler like a game room, personal gym or laundry room. The website QandAs.com writes that by deciding on the purpose of the space, you can then determine the basement layout. For example, a bathroom may have to be located near a wet bar with a sink to keep the plumbing simple.

Plan and Measure
Once you’ve planned your basement layout and chosen a reputable basement contractor to help you, it’s time to start measuring. QandAs.com recommends starting out by measuring the outside perimeter of your finished basement. Doityourself.com suggests using 1/4-inch graph paper to lay out your design. Make 1/4 inch equal one foot, and if you don’t have enough room on your paper, tape more graph paper together. Try to keep your measurements as accurate as you can get them so you don’t end up installing something that doesn’t fit! QandAs.com writes on their website that you should allow at least 8 to 12 inches of space from the outer perimeter to account for walls built around ductwork and pipes. They write that it is easier to hide mechanical works behind a new wall rather than creating bump-outs and boxes around a wall-hugging design.

You could also try using 3D software to measure the layout of your basement. Doityourself.com recommends using the Ikea Home Planner to lay out the basics of what your basement might look like. It can also help you plan where things like electrical outlets, windows, doors and interior walls would go. There are a number of other programs you could use for designing layouts as well, such as Home Design from Better Homes and Gardens. However, doityourself.com cautions that there are many factors that can interfere with a 3D software design. Use them only for visualization purposes.

Make a Budget
Set a budget and stick to it; there are ways to remodel your basement without cashing out your 401K. You can find various calculators online that can help you determine how much you will have to spend on certain materials. These are just ballpark figures, though, so the real number may be different. Basement contractors can also help you figure out what you will need and how much everything will cost.

Article originally published here: http://www.totalbasementfinishing.com/basement-finishing/basement-finishing-ideas/articles/basement-layout%3A-what-goes-where