Have extra space in your bathroom and nothing to put in it? Fill it up by fixing up an old chair.
It's easy to decorate an old chair and make it liven up a room. First you need to find an old chair. Go to the thrift shop, goodwill store or even to a yard sale. Sometimes you can buy the old chairs very cheap. People are always setting their old kitchen chairs on the curb, stop and ask if you can have it; they'll probably give it to you instead of the garbage man.
How to choose a pattern?
Decide first what decor and colors you're going to use. Be sure to go along with what you have already in there. If you own birds, you can place a birdhouse on your chair. Be creative and think about it before starting your new project. People will notice it everytime they go into the bathroom. Besides filing up an empty spot, you can use it at the same time to put your socks on. Getting out of the shower or tub, a chair comes in handy to sit on while putting on your shoes or even while drying your feet off. Decorating is easy and fun and you'll be proud of what you have accomplished.
When redoing a chair or bench you first need a theme, decide on the colors and then get to work.
How to remove paint?
All that old paint or varnish needs to be removed. You can find paint and varnish at most stores where paint is sold. After all, after the old paint is removed, sand it down to smooth out the nick and scratches.
The paint on the chair itself needs to be enamel so the moisture can be wiped off easily. Paint your chair; making sure, you use small amounts on the brush to keep it from running and making streaks in the paint when it dries. Let it dry for a couple of days before doing anything more to it.
How to choose additional bathroom accessories for your chair:
You can purchase stencils; rubber stamps or even draw where you want to put a flower or etc. on it. Using ceramic paint in the color or shade of your choice put your design on it. Make it simple but colorful and be creative. You can buy ceramic paint and the brushes to use in any department store that sells craft supplies. When choosing your colors make sure the shades blend in with what you already have on the walls.
When your chair or bench is done stand back and view what you have accomplished. It will surprise you how creative you can be and it is fun too.
Do you like to read for relaxation in the tub? Is there an empty spot next to the chair to sit a basket on the floor and put a couple magazines in it? Some people like to read when they go in the bathroom. A small basket will keep your reading material well, all in one spot so it isn't walked on or wet when you step out of the tub or shower.
If you are not a reader, but want to add a little more to your bathroom, set a small stand next to it, if there is a shelf on the bottom put some fancy towels on it, take the matching washcloths, and make an artificial plant to set on the top.
Making the flowerpot is easy. Just Take a fancy pot or paint one and use one of the stamps you used on the chair and stamp on it. Next, you roll each washcloth up as if you were putting napkins on the dining room table. Stand the rolled washcloths on end around the pot and put an artificial flower in it. Now you have a stand you can use for those towels and washcloths on special occasions. You can perhaps lay those magazines on one corner, now you have the magazine rack and your towels where people can see but not touch.
Remember don't overdo it. Keep it simple and creative.
Thursday
Decorating a Rental Apartment
For those who choose to rent rather than buying an apartment may still be held to certain restrictions regarding the type of decorating which can be done on the property. These limitations may be stricter or more lenient than those typically enforced when a renter is renting an apartment property. This will largely depend on the preferences of the homeowners. Homeowners who do not want to see major modifications done to the property may place strict restrictions while those who want to see the property improved may allow the renter a great deal of freedom in their decorating options.
Are You Allowed to Paint the Walls?
This can be a difficult question to answer when used in reference to how much decorating a rental apartment is permissible. Many renters opt for a situation where they are renting a house as opposed to an apartment strictly because they are looking for more freedom in their decorating options. However, the renter may find this desired freedom is not available to them.
Some homeowners may allow the renter to make minor decorating changes such as painting the walls, hanging up pictures or installing decorative shelving. However, more extensive decorating items such as new flooring, knocking down walls or putting in windows might not be considered acceptable by some homeowners while others may allow the renter to perform such actions. Still others may require this type of work to be done but may place restrictions which specify all improvement work shall be done by a qualified professional.
Check with the Homeowner or Landlord
When considering doing some decorating in a rental house, the renter should first carefully review
all of their contract documents. This is important because the contract may clearly prohibit certain items. In this case the renter would know for sure that they are not allowed to perform these actions. However, the renter should not count on the contract documents to spell out every possible scenario. Therefore if a renter is considering making modifications to the rental house they should consult the owner before performing any work. They should also ask the homeowner to provide a written statement expressing their approval of the work to be completed.
The homeowner is the renters best resource of these types of questions because the homeowner has the best understanding of their intentions when they wrote the rental contract. They might have specified that no renter can alter the appearance of the apartment without the consent of the homeowner but they may have meant for this statement to only apply to certain situations. In these cases, seeking clarification and written approval can be very beneficial to the renter.
When in Doubt; Leave it Out
If you're in doubt about whether or not to perform a specific decorating action and are unable to reach the homeowner for clarification, they should opt not to make the changes. This can save you a great deal of time and money in the long run by preventing them from incurring excess charges for repair of the apartment and wasting a great deal of time making an improvement which the homeowner may ask to have reversed in a short period of time. This is why renters should assume an action is prohibited unless they have concrete proof otherwise.
Are You Allowed to Paint the Walls?
This can be a difficult question to answer when used in reference to how much decorating a rental apartment is permissible. Many renters opt for a situation where they are renting a house as opposed to an apartment strictly because they are looking for more freedom in their decorating options. However, the renter may find this desired freedom is not available to them.
Some homeowners may allow the renter to make minor decorating changes such as painting the walls, hanging up pictures or installing decorative shelving. However, more extensive decorating items such as new flooring, knocking down walls or putting in windows might not be considered acceptable by some homeowners while others may allow the renter to perform such actions. Still others may require this type of work to be done but may place restrictions which specify all improvement work shall be done by a qualified professional.
Check with the Homeowner or Landlord
When considering doing some decorating in a rental house, the renter should first carefully review
all of their contract documents. This is important because the contract may clearly prohibit certain items. In this case the renter would know for sure that they are not allowed to perform these actions. However, the renter should not count on the contract documents to spell out every possible scenario. Therefore if a renter is considering making modifications to the rental house they should consult the owner before performing any work. They should also ask the homeowner to provide a written statement expressing their approval of the work to be completed.
The homeowner is the renters best resource of these types of questions because the homeowner has the best understanding of their intentions when they wrote the rental contract. They might have specified that no renter can alter the appearance of the apartment without the consent of the homeowner but they may have meant for this statement to only apply to certain situations. In these cases, seeking clarification and written approval can be very beneficial to the renter.
When in Doubt; Leave it Out
If you're in doubt about whether or not to perform a specific decorating action and are unable to reach the homeowner for clarification, they should opt not to make the changes. This can save you a great deal of time and money in the long run by preventing them from incurring excess charges for repair of the apartment and wasting a great deal of time making an improvement which the homeowner may ask to have reversed in a short period of time. This is why renters should assume an action is prohibited unless they have concrete proof otherwise.
Saturday
Best Interior Design School in New York City
New York City is one of the world capitals of fashion, food and especially business. In addition is also a capital for interior design. Though, picking the best interior design school in NYC for you is going be based on how much you’re willing to spend or can spend.
There are many great interior designs schools in New York so picking the best is a personal choice. One of the best interior design schools in NYC is the Pratt Institute. New York School of Interior Design and the New York Institute of Technology. And of course there is always the world famous Fashion Institute of Technology.
If you're not to intent on going to school in New York City than you can apply to one of the top schools for interior design in New York, Cornell University.
Nonetheless, which of the schools is the best interior design school is a personal choice for you to make. Most schools require a portfolio, so be sure to have one for the admissions process.
There are many great interior designs schools in New York so picking the best is a personal choice. One of the best interior design schools in NYC is the Pratt Institute. New York School of Interior Design and the New York Institute of Technology. And of course there is always the world famous Fashion Institute of Technology.
If you're not to intent on going to school in New York City than you can apply to one of the top schools for interior design in New York, Cornell University.
Nonetheless, which of the schools is the best interior design school is a personal choice for you to make. Most schools require a portfolio, so be sure to have one for the admissions process.
Difference Between Interior Design and Interior Decorating
Many people are confused about what interior design and interior decorating is. Here are some basic differences between interior designers and interior decorators.
The main difference is an interior designer must have an accredited degree. In fact its illegal to call yourself an interior designer if you don't have a degree in interior design. Interior designers must work alongside architects and other design professionals in many cases so a degree cannot be ignored.
Interior decorators design and arrange elements of an interior space. Interior designers actually design the space interior decorators work in.
You can read more about the difference between interior decorating and interior design.
The main difference is an interior designer must have an accredited degree. In fact its illegal to call yourself an interior designer if you don't have a degree in interior design. Interior designers must work alongside architects and other design professionals in many cases so a degree cannot be ignored.
Interior decorators design and arrange elements of an interior space. Interior designers actually design the space interior decorators work in.
You can read more about the difference between interior decorating and interior design.
What is a Home Stager?
When deciding to pursue an interior design degree it is also important to consider related fields as a backup. Even though home staging is related to interior design and interior decorating a home stager is not an interior designer. Interior designers need to be legally licensed. A home stager is someone who makes a house look presentable to show to prospective buyers during an open house. This person charges a fee and usually sets up furniture to give potential buyers a better impression about the interior of a home rather than how empty it may seem. Home stagers often are consulted by homeowners to sell a home faster.
There are even staged families that are hired in some cases to attempt to make an even better impression on potential buyers.
There are many home stagers who have gone on to start their own business whether this is something you want to peruse in the future is up to you. Below is a video that gives a better impression of what a home stager is.
There are even staged families that are hired in some cases to attempt to make an even better impression on potential buyers.
There are many home stagers who have gone on to start their own business whether this is something you want to peruse in the future is up to you. Below is a video that gives a better impression of what a home stager is.
Chatham University: Interior Architecture
Thinking of going to Chatham University for interior architecture? Chatham University offers a masters degree program in interior architecture.
Some of you may be wondering "where's Chatham University?" Chatham University is a private women's college in western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.
You can check out more of the university's interior architecture program at their interior architecture degree website.
Some of you may be wondering "where's Chatham University?" Chatham University is a private women's college in western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.
You can check out more of the university's interior architecture program at their interior architecture degree website.
Friday
Interior Design or Home Staging: Which Is Career Right for You?
Many women approaching their 40's write to me to ask my opinion about whether or not they should go to Interior Design school. It's an issue I struggled with myself many times over a twenty year period.
I interviewed a number of interior design schools at various points in my past career but never followed through on actually applying. I already had a BA, an MBA and years of experience. The thought of being a full time student for two to four more years with a bunch of kids twenty years younger than me was not very appealing. And the cost was huge considering the significant income I would be giving up over that period.
Over the past five years, I have been approached by a surprising number of interior design graduates that asking me to hire them for my home staging company, Six Elements, Inc. Most seem to be working as sales people in furniture stores and are looking for a way out. Read more.
By Debra Gould
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