Choose a warm white

A stark white with blue undertones can make a room feel harsh and cold. Choose warm whites or tinted whites with just a hint of a very soft colour for your walls. Ask your paint retailer for assistance, as they know which whites are warm and which may be too cool in appearance.

Add texture

Texture by way of wall treatments, like the one in the photo adds interest to what could be a stark space. The trim on the cabinets and the walls adds a vintage touch that works well with the skirted sink. The sink also has a ribbed front, which brings in more visual interest. Adding wooden pegs on the wall from which to hang herbs adds that final flair. While the overall palette is serene, there is still a lot going on to keep the eye interested. So, forgo the flat white walls in favour of some architectural interest and visual texture. Other ideas could be using a distressed cabinet for display purposes, or hanging old sculptural picture frames, an old wooden window or framed mirror on the wall that will bring in the same feel.

Include subtle pattern

The marble countertop in the photo has a tone-on-tone appearance with just a hint of a soft pattern. Soft patterns can be more affordably included through fabrics, wallpaper and window treatments. A soft pattern adds visual interest just like texture does.

White furniture

It may be time to update your dark wooden furniture pieces. How about painting them in warm white to give them new life? Update the hardware if necessary and enjoy your old pieces once again. Painting larger pieces white will make the room feel more spacious and fresh. Practise on a small item first to get the look you desire, and consider distressing it for added interest. Other items like framed mirrors, wall shelves and picture frames might get a fresh look with some white paint, or add some white shutters.

For busy upholstered pieces, purchase furniture slipcovers in warm white so that they will fit into the mix.

Accessorize

In the photo, the accessories that are included are in warm earthy tones. The soft green of the herbs and jute herb bag are reminiscent of nature. There are two ways to go with accessories. You might prefer soft, earth-toned accessories in a bedroom but might opt for pops of bright colour in a family or dining room. Two or three small pops of colour, like a vase of vivid flowers for example, will bring a bit more energy to the room. Either way, accessories are easy enough to change out when you want something different. Have a little fun with this phase of your project.

Textiles

A fresh bed set in a white-on-white palette can add a sense of elegance in a master bedroom. Look for sets with textural elements and perhaps a hint of pattern.

In a spa-like bathroom, luxuriously thick, oversized white towels will make you feel spoiled. The same goes for bath mats. Spend a few bucks to get something scrumptious underfoot.

White doesn’t have to be boring. Keep the above techniques in mind and you’ll have a successful outcome.

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Painting your kitchen cabinets is the least expensive way to give them a fresh look. As you can see in the photo, the right paint colour can transform a kitchen. The grey-blue paint has a cottage-style look to it that is both charming and current. The panelled backsplash and wall suits this style beautifully and is a clever coverup for old tiles. I like the dry finish to the paint rather than a high-gloss finish. Paints today don’t need to be high gloss to be durable, thankfully.

The paint colour you select will depend on a few factors. Stationary items like flooring, appliances and the countertop need to be considered when choosing a colour for the cabinets. Once you’ve determined the colour realm you’ll be working with (warm or cool colours) then you can have fun choosing what’s right for your cabinets. You don’t have to stick with one colour either. Check out decorating sites and magazines for ideas for duo colour combos for kitchen cabinets. It can be attractive to split the top and bottom cabinets with two different colours.

You can opt out of painting the inside of the cabinets if they are in decent shape and are neutral in colour. White shelf liner is a good idea and might be enough to brighten up the interiors, but if the cabinets are dark inside and out then it might be a good idea to paint the interiors as well.

If it’s affordable, it’s a good time to consider updating the countertop, sink and cabinet hardware to give the kitchen a truly fresh look. New hardware can be pricy if you’re looking for matching pieces so consider mixing things up a bit and using less expensive, mismatched hardware that has a similar finish or can be co-ordinated with other mismatched items. If you decide to paint the top and bottom cabinets in two different colours, for instance, then it would be fine to use a different style of hardware with each colour. If your current hardware has a great style but is just the wrong colour then consider painting it. Another idea to keep expenses down is to drop into several hardware stores and head for the clearance bins to see what you can find. The only thing you have to keep in mind is the size of the existing hardware so you can find ones that will fit the holes in your current cabinets. It’s a good idea to take a piece of the existing hardware with you when you’re out shopping.

New linens and window treatments will finish off the new kitchen décor. If the flooring is boring then consider colourful kitchen mats to co-ordinate with your new colour scheme. Include a few new accessories like white and black photography to give the new space a modern touch, and a hanging pot rack and wall knife rack will free up cupboard space. Even something as simple as a new trash container can add to the look. These are all things that are affordable and doable and can add up to an overall fresh look.

Kitchens take a beating over time so it’s good to freshen them up on a regular basis. Work with what you have and buy what you can afford. Use paint to update the big things and include a few new touches to give the room back its vitality.

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A decorative shelf in any room provides easy access to items that are used on a daily basis — an alarm clock in the bedroom, toiletries in the bathroom and in the kitchen, utensils and dishes.

It also offers colourful display opportunities. In your own home you can include decorative items amongst the daily use items to keep the display both pretty and functional.

The addition of a shelf can also help to break up what could have been a plain or boring backdrop. If you’re faced with a similar situation, consider installing a decorative shelf or two.

There are thousands of style possibilities available on the market today, from highly decorative, that makes a statement on its own, to more nondescript, that allows the display to be the focus. So, the first thing you need to do is determine the function of the shelving you need.

Solely for display

If you’re looking to create a focal point then the sky is the limit. If you do a web search for images of decorative shelving you will see the scope of options and ideas available. Determine if the items you want to show are to be the focus or whether the shelving plays a part. For example, floating shelves are sleek and visually minimalist, allowing the item on display to be the main focus. Other shelving can be highly decorative with scrollwork brackets and would be more a part of the overall vignette. Be sure the shelving you choose is large enough and strong enough for the items being held.

Function and display

Shelving for a bathroom or kitchen is going to need to withstand splashes and spills so opt for something that is easy to clean and can withstand the daily use. Glass shelves are visually less obtrusive but do need regular cleaning and can break.

Wooden shelving doesn’t tend to withstand lots of water and moisture, so if used in the kitchen or bathroom, line it with washable, self-adhesive liner to prolong the shelf’s life and to make cleanup easier. Painting the shelf with a bathroom or kitchen paint will also help.

Wire shelving is a popular choice and has an industrial look so it’s a fun choice for the kitchen or bath, but it does tend to collect dust and dirt between the wiring so it’s a little more difficult to keep clean.

In any other room the choices are vast for the type of shelving you can use.

Great ideas for every room

In a cluttered entryway, install a shelf that includes coat hooks. Try to find one that also contains a mirror to brighten up a dark space.

In the bedroom, use floating shelves on each side of the bed to hold bedside lamps and so on. Install a decorative shelf at the head of the bed on which you can display a large painting or accessories.

In your living room, put up a set of shelves over the sofa and create a focal wall. Display paintings, accessories and other visually appealing items.

Create a faux fireplace by installing a mantel-like shelf on the wall at an appropriate height. Place a fireplace screen-styled tea light holder below. When lit, you’ll have the semblance of a soft fire. If you can’t find the right tea light holder, use a tray of chunky pillar candles in the same manner. Safety first! Be sure the candles are not near anything flammable, like draperies. As well, be careful around pets and children when lit. Use battery-operated, flameless candles if you have concerns.

If you’re a book hound, proper bookshelves are a must. They don’t need to be terribly deep so they won’t be too obtrusive if floor space is limited. A floor-to-ceiling library can be a fabulous addition to the home. I recommend having these shelves professionally installed to ensure safety and longevity of the unit.

Shelves are wonderful for displaying collections. Wrap a 1×6-inch shelf around a room a foot or so from the ceiling and display items like decoys, china or vintage hats. Having the display up and out of the way protects the items but still allows you to showcase them, working best in homes with higher-than-average ceilings.

Check out what’s available to see how you can update your décor today.

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Try a different look with a fresh coat of paint in a cheery new colour. You don’t necessarily have to paint the entire room to get the updated look you desire. You can paint just a focal wall or paint a band of the new colour on the wall near the ceiling. If you have a bank of cupboards with an open header then paint the wall behind the cupboards to make them stand out and place accessories along the top of the cupboard for a decorative display.

Create more drama by painting a design on a focal wall. A wall of wide stripes or a large geometric design might work.

Wallpaper is another option if you prefer not to paint. Wallpaper has come a long way and there are lots of great patterns, textures and designs available so keep your options open.

Wall decals are another décor item that might suit your kitchen. I found a new product at sears.ca called Snap — decals that can be repositioned, which is great because they can be easily removed. You can purchase anything from letters and sayings to graphics like coffee cups. They could even be used to update kitchen cabinets doors.

Cabinets

Along with the above-mentioned wall decals, you can update your cabinets with paint or other self-adhesive products. Painting the cupboards inside and out is definitely not a quick weekend job but you can update just the doors, which will give the kitchen a lift.

Changing the hardware can make a huge difference as well. Keep in mind that all of the hardware doesn’t have to match. Upper cabinets can be different from lower cabinets. Keep the finishes the same but change up the actual designs, or go eclectic and mix it all up. You may find a clearance bin full of glass knobs in various colours and sizes, for example. This could work to your advantage if you have a brave design spirit. The thing you want to keep in mind is the size of the spacing of the holes in your existing hardware. Bring the old hardware with you when you shop and ask for advice before you buy. This will keep you from having to drill new holes or fill old holes in your cabinets.

You can update your current hardware by painting it with the proper metal paint in a new colour or finish. It’s best to remove the hardware before you paint it so the job will be clean and neat. Ask your paint supplier for advice on the right paint for the job. Again, it’s a good idea to bring a piece of the hardware with you to the store when seeking advice.

Furniture

An eat-in kitchen is a great family gathering spot. If you have wooden furniture, consider giving it a lift with some paint. Two-toned dining sets are popular and might just be what the kitchen needs to give it a fresh appearance. If your eating area is crowded, consider replacing the table with a snack bar, installed along one wall and bar stools that can be tucked beneath when not in use.

If not paint, then new table linens are definitely an easy option. Chair covers, a new tablecloth and placemats in a new colour palette can bring much needed cheer to a dreary kitchen. Co-ordinate kitchen towels, oven mitts and dishcloths to complete the new look.

Windows

Create a little drama with a new kitchen window treatment. Consider using kitchen linens to make café curtains or toppers that will co-ordinate with your table. Simple café curtains made from tea towels can be quaint. Use clip-on café rings for a no-sew treatment that can be updated with ease.

Create a mini herb garden on a windowsill to add some greenery to the space, or hang colourful suncatchers to the windowpane to take advantage of natural light.

Have some fun

Add some whimsy to the kitchen by including unusual items to the décor. A vintage mailbox might be fun to hold cookbooks, for instance. Small birdhouses or birdcages are charming touches. Use items like cookie cutters, jelly moulds and serving platters as wall ornaments.

Simple but effective changes

Declutter a crowded kitchen to give yourself breathing space. Hang items that might otherwise fill up a countertop. Create a hanging pot display to free up cupboard space and give your kitchen a professional chef’s touch.

Replace a dated ceiling fixture with a dramatic new one. Replace old switch plate covers with something more decorative. Sometimes, buying something like a new cutting board can give the kitchen a lift. Install a magnetic knife rack to free up drawer space and keep the knives within easy reach. (Hanging knives versus housing them together in a drawer helps protect the knives from dents and dings and keeps them sharp.)

What bugs you?

Have a look around the kitchen. What is the one thing that bugs you about it? Is it the dripping faucet? Then replace it with something new and sleek. Is it too dark? Perhaps a new light fixture and removal of the heavy window treatment is needed. Is the room crowded? Use some of the tips above to declutter the space. Do you find the room stark and cold? Add some whimsical touches to warm it up a bit. There’s usually a solution to every problem. Sometimes just identifying the problem is the answer.

The post Weekend kitchen updates appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

The faux finish craze of the past has faded away for the most part, but textured and mottled paint treatments can still be stylish if not overdone.

The bedroom in the photo has an Old World appeal and charm, mainly due to the lovely, dappled paint finish. The treatment provides depth and pattern and the warm gold and honey tones are perfect for this room.

I have to wonder if the design idea for this space came from the lampshade to the right of the bed, as it has a very similar palette and style. Inspiration can come in many different forms even something as simple as a lampshade.

The black accents in the room are very effective against the wall treatment. The black bed, which could be visually overpowering, is softened by the light-coloured bedding (mixed in with a few black toss cushions).

OTHER EFFECTIVE TOUCHES

Lampshades are fun to play with when it comes to adding spice to your space. The lamp mentioned above may have had a solid shade (like the floor lamp) and was treated with a decoupage effect to replicate the wall treatment. If you re concerned about ruining your lampshade because you haven t done this kind of project in the past, pick up a bunch of cheap shades from a thrift store and practise different finishes before you tackle your own lamp. You can paint them with craft paint, use a decoupage treatment, stencil them, glue fabric or wallpaper on them, add beads, ribbon or decorative trim to accent any space. It can be a great way to add your personal touch to your space.

The eclectic mix of furniture styles works well in the room. Hanging the casual drapery rod below the window arches allows the room s strongest feature to be visible when the drapes are closed. You probably can t determine the pattern on the draperies from the photo but there is a Greek Key pattern to them which supports the Old World charm of the room.

The Tuscan flavour is supported by the three large ceramic urns at the end of the bed, and the two Oriental trunks stacked on top of each other create a unique bedside table even though their style is quite different from the other furniture in the room. The reason that they work is because they are aged, have similar warm tones to the wall treatment and are adorned with black accents. The dresser on the left holds a unique display of various sizes of clear vases and wineglasses filled with small stones and seashells topped with dried green flora. The decorative box, covered with tiny seashells, may have been the inspiration for that. This is definitely a use what you have idea. Who doesn t have a cupboard filled with mismatched glasses and vases somewhere in the house? This display can also be changed seasonally simply by changing the colours of the dried flora, or changed completely by filling the vases with other things like coloured water with floating candles, river rock, fresh flowers and so on.

When choosing a paint treatment there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, can you achieve the look you want? Practise your chosen treatment on a test wall or a piece of wallboard before you start a difficult wall finish. When deciding on paint colours, keep in mind the colour of the flooring and other items like furniture upholstery colours. Try to keep all of the colours in either a warm or cool palette. In our feature room the warm paint colours work well with a honeycoloured wood flooring. If the room had wall-to-wall carpeting in a cool grey, the yellow wall colour wouldn t have been a good choice. Ensure that the faux treatment is not too busy, especially in a bedroom. Tone-on- tone finishes are soothing yet stylish but if a paint treatment is too busy it will be visually overwhelming.

So go ahead and try new things. With a little practice you ll be ready to do some different techniques and make some changes.

Connie Oliver is an interior designer from Winnipeg

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With visiting grandchildren now interested in playing, I needed a backstop that was easy to erect and dismantle. I used an 8×10-foot canvas as background with one eight-foot end attached to a bar approximately six feet from the ground, the four foot remnant (of the 10-foot length) curled in a roll at the base. There are only top and side supports which create the necessary “pocket” to stop the ball which drops down to be caught by this roll. Retrieval is merely a matter of having the batter reach down and toss the ball back to the pitcher.

I constructed the wooden stand to be easily dismantled for storing at summer’s end, but this proved to be unnecessarily complicated. Yes, it can be erected and dismantled by tightening/loosening two bolts, but the bracing would be much simpler if I had merely used two 4×4 posts buried two feet in the ground and slotted on top to accept a 1×4-inch board as the cross member. If I were to build this again, that is how I would do it.

Hooks holding the canvas are “S”-shaped tarp strap holders available in most hardware stores, held in place on the crossbar by barbed fence wire staples. This allows me to easily remove the canvas for night and during windy days to reduce undue vibration pressure on the supports.

For us grandparents, this innovation is a blessing. Some may be able to stoop, stretch and turn sharply for hours on end. We cannot, so this solution allows me to still be able to get out there and play ball with the grandkids.

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Here’s some easy projects using items that you most likely have on hand. Look around the house for things that can be used. I’m sure you’ll find enough stuff to complete at least one of the projects. Update your lampshades. I know you’ve heard this one before but have you actually tried it? Simple craft paint can be used to either change the entire colour of the shade (black is stunning) or to add a design to it. Use a hole punch to create a line of holes along the top or bottom (or both) of a lampshade and string ribbon, leather ties or what have you, through the holes to create a decorative border. Simple beaded bathtub chain can be hot glued onto a lampshade to create an interesting border or design as can vintage necklaces, beads or buttons.

Rearrange the furniture. You may have done this several times but did you consider switching items from other rooms? If you have, consider placing your furniture on an angle for a new look.

Open shelving or cabinets can be transformed by treating the back of the open shelf with wallpaper, paint or even mirrored tiles. Use a bright colour to give your space oomph then arrange items on the shelves in a pleasing display.

Create a photo or plate shelf using a length of crown moulding (at least four inches deep) and installing it at the head of the bed or in a hallway. You can create a tower of shelves by varying the lengths to create a triangle display of three shelves or more. Paint the shelves in a complimentary colour. You may have to glue a small plate stop to the top of the shelf to keep the plates from slipping off. A simple piece of wooden dowel and a little hot glue will do. If you don’t have a piece of dowel, just run a thick bead of hot glue along the top of the shelf to act as a plate stopper. Once it dries it will do the trick. You can even paint over the hot glue when painting the shelf to make it less noticeable.

Rearrange tabletop displays. Get rid of the clutter and use height and scale to create drama.

Remove upper cabinet doors in the kitchen to create open shelving. Consider painting the backs of the open shelves with a vibrant colour which will make your display really pop.

Paint small furniture items to give them new life. Our feature photograph shows how an old vintage display unit can be transformed with paint and wallpaper. New paint and new seat fabric on dated dining room chairs can transform them into something beautiful. If you don’t have enough fabric remnants to match, use co-ordinating remnants to create an eclectic look.

Gather all of the framed family photos scattered about the house and create one large display as a focal wall. This will have much more impact. The frames don’t have to match. Play with the various shapes and sizes on the floor until you come up with a great layout then transfer that to the wall.

Paint the inside of a dark entry door and frame in white to brighten up the foyer and give it new life. Painting the inside of closet doors can help brighten up a gloomy closet as well.

Rehang your artwork to create a fresh new display. Bring in items from other rooms and mix things up a bit. Paint or replace dated frames.

Make decorative containers from old cardboard gift boxes by covering them in fabric or wallpaper. Use them on top of the dresser or in the bathroom to create hidden storage for small items.

Use leftover wallpaper to create large cut-outs for a nursery wall or child’s room. Geometric shapes, cartoon characters or large letters can be cut out of wallpaper and easily applied (and removed in future) to create a cheerful space.

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest. Check around your home for small items that could offer a big change for your décor.

– Connie Oliver is an interior designer from Winnipeg

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CONNIE OLIVERAround theHouse

The post Quick Decorating Projects appeared first on Manitoba Co-operator.

The bed bug is a relatively flat, reddish-coloured, wingless, biting insect that feeds on blood at all stages of development and it tends to hide in cracks and crevices or other small spaces during the day, emerging in the darkness to feed.

Dr. Terry Galloway, an entomologist with the University of Manitoba’s faculty of agricultural and food sciences, says bed bugs are not considered to be important in transmitting pathogenic organisms but they are difficult to get rid of once an infestation occurs.

Galloway says that a lot of the recent infestations are occurring when people have purchased used bedroom furniture, even sometimes used couches or some place where people have had a previous infestation.

If you’re going to bring in any kind of used furniture you have to be very careful to make sure that it’s bed bug free, especially now since the prevalence has increased so much.

It is also possible that if you’re travelling and you stay in a hostel or a hotel or other accommodation, they have bed bug infestations too.

If you stay there and you have a suitcase or a backpack for example, these bed bugs like to go into dark cracks and crevices.

They’ll go into a suitcase just as easily as they would into a crack in the floorboards so it is possible that you can have them creep into your suitcase and then you bring your suitcase home, open it all up, throw it into the closet in your bedroom and you end up with bed bugs coming out of that.

So you do have to be aware of the threat of picking these things up wherever you go.

Galloway says when he joined the University of Manitoba several years ago he received two or three calls in a year with questions about bed bugs but now it’s not unusual to get that many in a week.

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Have you ever s tared at your kitchen cupboards and decided that they look dated? Are the cabinets in rough shape? Perhaps you just want to make better use of the kitchen space you have. Ask yourself what your goals are in purchasing or renovating kitchen cabinets. The following tips will help you choose the right cabinets to meet your needs.

Whenever you start any construction or remodelling project, your first step should be to decide how much you want to spend. In kitchen projects, especially, costs can quickly spiral out of control. After deciding your overall budget, cut that amount in half. This should be your cabinet budget. It sounds excessive, given that you may also need to purchase appliances, flooring and countertops, but cabinets are typically the biggest financial investment in a kitchen.

In addition to cost, you also need to focus on style, convenience and quality. The least costly stock cabinets will be durable and last for years if you choose well. Today’s kitchen offers more features than ever before. Examples include: smooth-gliding drawers, shelves that pull out for easy access, rotating Lazy Susan to help reach items stored in the back, large drawers or bigger cabinet boxes for those oversized pots and pans, and handy, small pull-down storage spaces in the front of the sink that hold sponges and scouring pads. Choosing kitchen cabinets counts as a major decision in designing your home since they will be in place for many years. Doing some homework will help you make practical and attractive choices while staying within your budget.

Trivia: Where did the name “Lazy Susan” come from? The “Lazy Susan” made its first written appearance in a 1917 Vanity Fair advertisement for a “Revolving Server or Lazy Susan.” These revolving serving trays have been around since the 1700s, where they were often tiered and called “dumbwaiters.” Dumbwaiters were so called because they quietly (hence “dumb”) took the place of waiters in the dining room. The theory of how the name changed to “Lazy Susan” suggests that servants were often named Susan, so that “Susan” came to be almost a synonym for “servant,” and the “Lazy Susan” was essentially functioning as a servant who never had to go anywhere (hence “lazy”).

One part of kitchen cabinetry that tends to be misunderstood involves the terms stock, semi-custom and custom. Contrary to what many people think, these terms are not related to the quality of cabinets but rather, how they are manufactured.

Stock kitchen cabinets: are premanufactured in specific sizes, typically three-inch increments, with few if any options for “customization” other than some limited choices the manufacturer might offer. They are off-the-shelf products in a limited range of styles.

Semi-custom cabinets: are like stock in that they are also premanufactured but come with a wider array of options and sizes than pure stock cabinets. With semi-custom you have some ability to pick and choose various details to tailor an otherwise pre-built stock cabinet. In other words, you have some “customization” choices.

Custom cabinets: are built to the customer’s specifications, with no limitation on size, style choices, wood grade or finish. They are made to order. They may be fancy or plain but the difference is that they’re made to suit your specific design requirements, in whatever size, form, colour and material you desire.

Want to save time and money with your kitchen remodel? Refacing your existing cabinets with new cabinet doors is a great cost-effective way to upgrade your kitchen and increase your home’s value. Purchasing manufactured cabinet doors can cut costs on a cabinetry project while custom orders usually tend to increase costs. With all the options that manufacturers offer in size and style, homeowners are not overly limited when manufactured doors are chosen.

Before choosing cabinets ask yourself: Are the doors true, solid wood? (If you are looking at solid wood doors.) You would be surprised how many manufacturers sell so-called solid panel doors, and they are a thin veneer (thin layer of wood) wrapped around a particleboard or MDF panel. This matters because a true, solid-wood panel door costs much more to make, and

is typically superior quality to a “veneer-clad” door. Should you damage your solid door, it can be sanded down and refinished. This is very difficult to do with veneer-clad doors.

Don’t purchase cabinets that will fall apart. Find out if the cabinets are held together only by connector pins or are they screwed and nailed, biscuited (thin wooden wafers) and glued? Connector pins are only good for holding a shelf to a side but not for holding an entire cabinet together while supporting the weight of heavy dishes.

Thinking of painting your kitchen cabinets but can’t decide which paint to use? Thus begins the debate for latex paint versus oil-based paints. Some experts recommend using latex paint for people who are painting their kitchen cabinets a light colour. These light colours include white and cream and some pastels. Latex paint in whites and creams tend to cover better than oil-based paint in white or cream on kitchen cabinets. Choose a semi-gloss finish for maximum cleanability.

Oil-based paints in dark colours work well on kitchen cabinets. Black cabinets or even a dark earth tone fall under this category. However, the battle of latex versus oil continues in a number of other areas. Oil-based paints will stand up to scrubbing more so than a latex-based paint. If you have young kids then you may consider oil-based paints such as melamine. Whichever paint you choose, allow 24 hours between coats, even if the label says less. This will ensure that each coat reaches its maximum hardness and will be less prone to chipping or gouging.

A mild dishwashing liquid works well for cleaning the front of cabinets. A tablespoon or so in a cup of warm water should do the job. For trickier bits of food that may be stuck, use a sponge with the green scrubbing pad. Do not use a scrub brush, steel wool pad or any type of abrasives as these will only scratch the surface of your cabinet. Scouring powder is damaging to cabinets as well. Before drying, sponge with cool, clear water to rinse.

Tip: Salt is another kitchen cabinet cleanser that is useful as a soak and mild abrasive. It is also known to kill germs.

To liven up wood cabinets or pantries, wipe them down with a very thin coat of car wax. Dry then buff for a beautiful shine.

If you choose to remove the doors for painting or refinishing, be sure to label or number the doors so they’ll go back in the right place. The holes for the hinges (door and frame) need to match too, so you can easily determine which door goes where.

Do you have drawers or cabinets that could use a new look? Here’s a way to change the look of that piece with very little effort. Just change the hardware, and you won’t believe the face-lift.

I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming!

Check out my website! www.householdsolutions.org.

Reena Nerbas is a highly popular professional speaker

and the author of three national bestsellers, Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions, Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets and Household Solutions 3 with

Green Alternatives. Books and Household Solutions 1, 2 and 3

Cooking/Cleaning Gift Packs are available online or by calling: 204-320-2757.

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Around the House

I’m always on the lookout for unusual décor ideas and garden centres are just one place where a decorating solution may be found.

URNS AND BIRD BATHS

Decorative urns that are meant to hold an outdoor plant can be used to create unique occasional tables. The concrete or plaster finish is rough and textural which will give the table base character. You’d have to purchase (or have made) a circular glass tabletop that would sit on the urn. Ensure that the base is heavy enough to hold the glass and that the glass is tabletop grade with smooth, rounded edges. Some bird baths may be used in the same fashion to create a taller table which might be suitable as a small breakfast table in a sunroom or kitchen. I can see tables like these in a foyer or even as nightstands in the bedroom depending upon their height. For safety sake you might have to adhere the glass to the base to ensure it is secure. You may opt to leave the glass out altogether and use wood or other product for a tabletop. Be creative!

Garden columns, which are usually made out of a lighter product, can stand alone in the home as a decorative feature. Shorter columns (three to five feet) might hold sculptural artwork or again, two shorter ones can be topped with glass and used as a coffee table.

LIGHTING

The obelisks found at a garden centre can be fashioned into distinctive floor lamps. Simply wrap the obelisk in a heavy, decorative paper (like handmade paper which has texture) or fabric leaving an opening at the top for heat to escape. Set a small accent lamp with a low-wattage bulb inside the obelisk on the floor. The light from the small lamp will make the entire obelisk glow creating lovely mood lighting. Be sure that the bulb of the lamp is well away from the paper/fabric and that there is a sufficient opening for the heat to escape.

An obelisk may also stand alone as a decorative element in a corner of the room or at the top of a stairway. You might enhance it by winding silk vines or beads through it. In the kitchen, a wire obelisk can hold small pots or utensils by hanging them with “S” hooks.

Wooden trellises can be used to create anything from a headboard to wall art. A plain interior slab door can be made into something special simply by adhering a decorative wooden trellis to it and painting the entire project in one colour. Wire or wooden trellises can be fashioned into unique headboards or suspended from the ceiling as a decorative element or even as a pot rack. A plain, square wooden trellis can be fashioned into a shoji screen by attaching two or three panels using hinges and covering the panels with rice paper. The screen can be used to divide a space, as a headboard or to hide a corner computer work area.

WILLOW AND BAMBOO

Willow fencing can be used as headboards or simply as decorative elements. A tall bunch of willow sprigs set in a simple vase gives the room height and texture and supports that casual, earthy bedroom décor. Willow or bamboo fencing can be used to create a Tiki-style bar in a rec room. It can also be used for a privacy screen on a balcony.

There are so many creative ways to enhance your décor and you don’t always have to shop at the usual stores. Look at other options when you’re out and about. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination and creativity allow.

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