Furniture Care Tips: Make Furniture Last Long
May 10, 2011 by admin
Filed under Home Improvement
Jessica Ackerman asked:
Whether you are buying a new barcalounger or a large metal wall art, buying new furniture can be a fun and exciting adventure. But cleaning and caring for them can be a different story altogether, as many furniture owners think of this activity as a tedious chore. However, we cannot undermine the importance of proper caring for the furniture because this makes these pieces last a long time with us.
There is a wide array of furniture of different materials to choose from. Each material requires a different kind of cleaning method. To help you care for your furniture properly, here are some wonderful tips to keep in mind.
Wood
Wood furniture such as wooden chairs and wooden wall décor must be dusted regularly, several times a week to maintain a surface free of debris and to help avoid soil build up. Dust the furniture using a clean, dry and lint-free cloth. For general cleaning, wash the furniture surface with mild soap and water. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth thoroughly afterwards.
Make sure that you protect all your wooden furniture against direct sunlight. This means that you have to place your wooden chairs and tables away from the windows but if you do, ensure that the windows are properly covered with drapes or curtains to minimize sunlight. The sun’s strong rays can dry and fade the color. It is also a bad idea to place wooden furniture near air vents because forced air can deteriorate the quality of the material.
Aluminum, metal or steel
Proper maintenance of modern furniture made of aluminum, metal or steel like a large metal wall art can be done through regular dusting and occasional wiping with soft, damp cloth. For tougher dirt, wash with hot and soapy water. Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth afterwards.
Never use any abrasive, strong detergent or cleansing powders to clean this kind of furniture because some of these may contain alkali, which can cause the pitting of this material. Rinse and dry afterwards.
Leather
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for care for leather furniture. There are specific leather conditioners that should be used for cleaning and keeping the shine of the material. If there are no available instructions, clean dirty leather by wiping a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth.
Marble
Wash marble furniture with clean cloth and lukewarm water. Once every six months, you can wash it with a mild detergent to remove soil buildup. It is not necessary to wax marble especially white ones because wax can cause for a yellowish tone to develop.
Reed, cane and wicker
For pieces of furniture made of these materials, you can clean them using a vacuum with a brush attach. You also have the option of washing them with mild soap and lukewarm water. Just make sure that you do not wet the wooden parts of the furniture. Use a dry cloth to dry the surface and to absorb any excess moisture.
Caring for your furniture and making it last a long time are not that difficult if you have the knowledge and patience on how to do these things.
Whether you are buying a new barcalounger or a large metal wall art, buying new furniture can be a fun and exciting adventure. But cleaning and caring for them can be a different story altogether, as many furniture owners think of this activity as a tedious chore. However, we cannot undermine the importance of proper caring for the furniture because this makes these pieces last a long time with us.
There is a wide array of furniture of different materials to choose from. Each material requires a different kind of cleaning method. To help you care for your furniture properly, here are some wonderful tips to keep in mind.
Wood
Wood furniture such as wooden chairs and wooden wall décor must be dusted regularly, several times a week to maintain a surface free of debris and to help avoid soil build up. Dust the furniture using a clean, dry and lint-free cloth. For general cleaning, wash the furniture surface with mild soap and water. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth thoroughly afterwards.
Make sure that you protect all your wooden furniture against direct sunlight. This means that you have to place your wooden chairs and tables away from the windows but if you do, ensure that the windows are properly covered with drapes or curtains to minimize sunlight. The sun’s strong rays can dry and fade the color. It is also a bad idea to place wooden furniture near air vents because forced air can deteriorate the quality of the material.
Aluminum, metal or steel
Proper maintenance of modern furniture made of aluminum, metal or steel like a large metal wall art can be done through regular dusting and occasional wiping with soft, damp cloth. For tougher dirt, wash with hot and soapy water. Rinse and then dry with a soft cloth afterwards.
Never use any abrasive, strong detergent or cleansing powders to clean this kind of furniture because some of these may contain alkali, which can cause the pitting of this material. Rinse and dry afterwards.
Leather
Read the manufacturer’s instructions for care for leather furniture. There are specific leather conditioners that should be used for cleaning and keeping the shine of the material. If there are no available instructions, clean dirty leather by wiping a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth.
Marble
Wash marble furniture with clean cloth and lukewarm water. Once every six months, you can wash it with a mild detergent to remove soil buildup. It is not necessary to wax marble especially white ones because wax can cause for a yellowish tone to develop.
Reed, cane and wicker
For pieces of furniture made of these materials, you can clean them using a vacuum with a brush attach. You also have the option of washing them with mild soap and lukewarm water. Just make sure that you do not wet the wooden parts of the furniture. Use a dry cloth to dry the surface and to absorb any excess moisture.
Caring for your furniture and making it last a long time are not that difficult if you have the knowledge and patience on how to do these things.
6 Spectacular Types of Decorative Wall Art For Your Home
September 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Improvement
Alyssa Davis asked:
When you hear the word art, what image pops into your mind? For most of us, we think of a landscape or portrait. In other words, we often use the word art and painting interchangeably. Of course, art can involve an array of media, such as sculptures, sketches, and so forth. One of the most fascinating varieties of art is wall art. We can even break down this general category of art, into sub-categories. If you are considering adding wall art to the walls of any room, then consider these primary types:
1. Wall grilles
Historically, people have used grilles as an added safeguard for windows and doors. However, wall grilles function strictly for decoration. Some grilles are a blast from the past, resembling styles during eras such as the Baroque or Renaissance period. Meanwhile, other grilles have a more contemporary flair. There are big grilles, small grilles, round grilles, and tall grilles.
2. Wall wine rack
You can use these attractive pieces with or without wine bottles! Select a wine rack for one bottle, or one for multiple bottles. Choose a style that is basically symmetrical, or one that is more ornate. Regardless of whether you prefer red or white wine, use this type of decorative wall art to display your wine bottles in style!
3. Wall vases
Vases should go on dining room tables and desks, right? With wall vases, the container relocates from the one flat surface, to another flat surface namely, the wall. Wall vases can spice up any wall, by themselves or stuffed with flowers and foliage. You can choose a vase (or pair) that celebrates an art form of the past, or one with a more sleek and contemporary look.
4. Wall shelves
If you want a shelf with more versatility than a bookshelf, then consider a wall shelf. These shelves fit securely on a wall, and are available in a wide variety of styles. There are wall shelves from various eras, including ancient Greek and Roman, Renaissance, and Gothic. You can adorn these magnificent pieces with a candle, vase, photograph any knick-knack that you want to share with your visitors!
5. Wall clocks
These clocks keep perfect time 24-7. Instead of selecting a dull digital clock, select a manual clock that not only tells you the time but also does it with style! These clocks are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Some varieties of this decorative wall art have a modular appearance, while others are more ornate.
6. Wall shadowboxes
The original shadowboxes are ones that the military gives to sailors, upon their leaving the ship or retiring from the military. A wall shadowbox is basically a narrow type of box that contains a picture or ornament in it. The 3-D component can add more depth to any wall in your home.
If you want to add wall decor to your walls, you have several options, including wooden wall art. Make sure to choose each item carefully, to ensure that you room has wall-to-wall appeal!
When you hear the word art, what image pops into your mind? For most of us, we think of a landscape or portrait. In other words, we often use the word art and painting interchangeably. Of course, art can involve an array of media, such as sculptures, sketches, and so forth. One of the most fascinating varieties of art is wall art. We can even break down this general category of art, into sub-categories. If you are considering adding wall art to the walls of any room, then consider these primary types:
1. Wall grilles
Historically, people have used grilles as an added safeguard for windows and doors. However, wall grilles function strictly for decoration. Some grilles are a blast from the past, resembling styles during eras such as the Baroque or Renaissance period. Meanwhile, other grilles have a more contemporary flair. There are big grilles, small grilles, round grilles, and tall grilles.
2. Wall wine rack
You can use these attractive pieces with or without wine bottles! Select a wine rack for one bottle, or one for multiple bottles. Choose a style that is basically symmetrical, or one that is more ornate. Regardless of whether you prefer red or white wine, use this type of decorative wall art to display your wine bottles in style!
3. Wall vases
Vases should go on dining room tables and desks, right? With wall vases, the container relocates from the one flat surface, to another flat surface namely, the wall. Wall vases can spice up any wall, by themselves or stuffed with flowers and foliage. You can choose a vase (or pair) that celebrates an art form of the past, or one with a more sleek and contemporary look.
4. Wall shelves
If you want a shelf with more versatility than a bookshelf, then consider a wall shelf. These shelves fit securely on a wall, and are available in a wide variety of styles. There are wall shelves from various eras, including ancient Greek and Roman, Renaissance, and Gothic. You can adorn these magnificent pieces with a candle, vase, photograph any knick-knack that you want to share with your visitors!
5. Wall clocks
These clocks keep perfect time 24-7. Instead of selecting a dull digital clock, select a manual clock that not only tells you the time but also does it with style! These clocks are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Some varieties of this decorative wall art have a modular appearance, while others are more ornate.
6. Wall shadowboxes
The original shadowboxes are ones that the military gives to sailors, upon their leaving the ship or retiring from the military. A wall shadowbox is basically a narrow type of box that contains a picture or ornament in it. The 3-D component can add more depth to any wall in your home.
If you want to add wall decor to your walls, you have several options, including wooden wall art. Make sure to choose each item carefully, to ensure that you room has wall-to-wall appeal!
A Six Day Room Makeover
June 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Home Improvement
Megan Cherry asked:
We live and walk through our homes every day after awhile we no longer notice the little things. Every so often we need to sit down and take a good long hard look at a room in our home and begin planning on how to make it shine like new once again. Taking several photographs of the room can help you notice what seems out of place or what does not “go” with the rest of the room. Take the photographs with you when you go to the design store.
Most design professionals would have you start with the wall colors, well when you start your room make over it is a good idea to start with painting, but in the early design stages it is best to start with the items that will be hard to change later. Pick your furniture style, color and texture of the fabric first then move on to things like the carpet or wood floors. These things are either very expensive or hard to change once they are done, while changing the paint on the wall is quite easy.
Changing the look and feel of your furniture can be less expensive than you may have thought for example upholstering simple dining room chairs can easily be done by most handy home owner. Upholstery fabric comes in a standard width of 54 inches wide and is sold by the yard so 1 yard would yield a piece of fabric 36 inches by 54 inches. Measure the area that you will be recovering. Tip draw a picture of the shape of the piece of material you need some what to scale showing the size in relationship to the piece of fabric this will help you determine how much fabric to purchase. Tip you can use the old fabric for a pattern to cut your new fabric. You can use staples or tacks to hold the new fabric to your chairs. Larger items such a sofa or a chair that are much ore difficult to recover can effectively be transformed by purchasing or making slip covers to change the look and feel of your furniture.
Adding accent touches to round out your makeover is a key element in the overall look of the room, adding wood items is always a good choice in a traditional home. There is no replacement for the natural beauty and warmth that wood gives to a room. These wood accent pieces can be in the form of a lamp, sculptures or even a simple Shaker peg coat rack. Wainscotings is another excellent way to add the warmth of wood although this will take additional time and expense.
A room makeover can be done in six days or even less depending on the level of redesign. Allow one to two days to pick out and pick up all the supplies you will need. One day to paint. Another one to two days to redo the floor, professional’s can install a wood floor or carpet a room in one day. A final day to clean up and arraign your accent items a new room in six days.
We live and walk through our homes every day after awhile we no longer notice the little things. Every so often we need to sit down and take a good long hard look at a room in our home and begin planning on how to make it shine like new once again. Taking several photographs of the room can help you notice what seems out of place or what does not “go” with the rest of the room. Take the photographs with you when you go to the design store.
Most design professionals would have you start with the wall colors, well when you start your room make over it is a good idea to start with painting, but in the early design stages it is best to start with the items that will be hard to change later. Pick your furniture style, color and texture of the fabric first then move on to things like the carpet or wood floors. These things are either very expensive or hard to change once they are done, while changing the paint on the wall is quite easy.
Changing the look and feel of your furniture can be less expensive than you may have thought for example upholstering simple dining room chairs can easily be done by most handy home owner. Upholstery fabric comes in a standard width of 54 inches wide and is sold by the yard so 1 yard would yield a piece of fabric 36 inches by 54 inches. Measure the area that you will be recovering. Tip draw a picture of the shape of the piece of material you need some what to scale showing the size in relationship to the piece of fabric this will help you determine how much fabric to purchase. Tip you can use the old fabric for a pattern to cut your new fabric. You can use staples or tacks to hold the new fabric to your chairs. Larger items such a sofa or a chair that are much ore difficult to recover can effectively be transformed by purchasing or making slip covers to change the look and feel of your furniture.
Adding accent touches to round out your makeover is a key element in the overall look of the room, adding wood items is always a good choice in a traditional home. There is no replacement for the natural beauty and warmth that wood gives to a room. These wood accent pieces can be in the form of a lamp, sculptures or even a simple Shaker peg coat rack. Wainscotings is another excellent way to add the warmth of wood although this will take additional time and expense.
A room makeover can be done in six days or even less depending on the level of redesign. Allow one to two days to pick out and pick up all the supplies you will need. One day to paint. Another one to two days to redo the floor, professional’s can install a wood floor or carpet a room in one day. A final day to clean up and arraign your accent items a new room in six days.
