19th century paint colors: April 2014

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Connecticut Law On Rental Qualities

Rental property laws in Connecticut cover a wide variety of regulations from landlord responsibilities to tenant's rights and rent increases. These laws are designed with the hope of providing protections for tenants as well as providing recourse for landlords who wish to upgrade a rental property or increase the rent.

Landlord Responsibilities

Rental property law in Connecticut identifies the legal requirements for every landlord in the state in maintaining her properties. This includes keeping rental units up to date in terms of local housing and health codes, and maintaining working utilities such as plumbing and running water. Every landlord also has a responsibility to keep well-lit walkways and entryways around rental properties, and to ensure each rental unit is clean when a tenant moves in.

Tenant Duties

Each tenant in the state is required to maintain his rental property in a clean and orderly condition, according to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch. Tenants are also required to comply with the conditions of a signed lease agreement such as paying rent on time, not disturbing other tenants and allowing the landlord to enter the apartment to make repairs when reasonable notice is given. Tenants are required by law to give a landlord advance notice when a prolonged absence from the rental property is expected.

Tenant Protection Laws

Certain laws in Connecticut provide for the protection of tenants when they are the victim of a crime that occurred in the rental unit. For example, all leases entered into after December 31, 2010 may be broken without penalty or liability for the remaining balance on the lease when a member of a family living in the rental unit is a victim of domestic violence. A 30-day written notice is required to be delivered to the landlord when a renter intends to break the lease under this law. If a tenant owes any previously unpaid rent when the lease is broken, she is still liable for the previously unpaid amount.

Rent Increases

Under normal circumstances, a landlord may choose to increase the rent for a rental property at the conclusion of the lease agreement. In Connecticut, rental increases have separate requirements when the tenant is age 62 or older or disabled. If a tenant who is at least 62 years old or disabled lives in an apartment building with at least five units, it illegal for her landlord to increase her rent unless the apartment complex is converted to a condominium. Once a complex is legally converted to a condominium, a landlord may legally raise the rent during the first six month period of conversion as long as the elderly or disabled tenant receives a 60-day advance notice of the increase.

Things To Use To Get Rid Of Fresh paint From Concrete

What to Use to Remove Paint From Concrete

Concrete is a durable surface---it's also very porous. Lifting paint from concrete walls or floors is not complicated, but it can be a tedious task. Start with the simplest methods and escalate to more serious strategies.

Identification

Paint and other coatings used on cement sink into the pores of the material, sealing it against moisture and damage from oil or other chemicals.

Considerations

Paint may be water or oil-based and may have been applied with brush and roller or spray; sprayed-on paint, such as graffiti, is often the most stubborn paint to remove.

Detergents

Strong alkali detergents like TSP may remove paint if the coating is thin or water-based paint, but acrylic or oil-based paints are more resistant.

Chemicals

Brush-on and peel-off citrus-based paint removers (covered by a sheet of special paper to contain the heat of the chemical reaction) work well on all types of paint. They are more environmentally friendly and easier to clean up than older methylene chloride-based paint removers.

Abrasives

Stubborn or old paint can be removed with a power washer set on a low setting (to avoid damaging the concrete). A belt sander could also be used, again taking care to avoid removing too much concrete along with the paint.

Hint

Often a combination of techniques---or repeated applications---works best in removing paint from cement.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Fresh paint Metal In Cold Temperature

Paint metal in an environment above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for the paint to adhere.

Painting surfaces in the wrong temperature can ruin your paint job. If you are trying to paint a metal surface in temperatures colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, most paints won't dry. You can use a specially formulated cold-weather paint to combat this problem, but another way to paint metal in cold weather is to paint in a heated environment and to pre-heat the metal. A warm room and pre-heated metal will ensure your paint job lasts.

Instructions

1. Bring indoors the metal to be cleaned. Remove all dirt, grease, oil oxide and any other foreign material using the cleaning solvent. Wear the protective mask to avoid inhaling too many of the solvent fumes when cleaning, and keep it on to avoid inhaling the paint fumes.

2. Heat the metal you are going to paint using strategically placed heat lamps. Place the lamps about 3 feet away from the metal and leave them on until the metal is warmed to at least 75 degrees. Modern paints need a temperature of at least 55 to 60 degrees for the paint to stick properly, so it's important to pre-heat the metal and keep using the lamps both while you paint and while the paint dries. Leave the heating lamps on for at least 4 hours after you apply the last coat or up to 6 hours.

3. Apply two mist coats of paint to the metal. Allow the first coat to dry for 15 minutes before applying the second coat. A mist coat is a thin layer of paint applied to the surface so that subsequent layers of paint adhere better. Generally, a mist coat should be applied about 12 to 18 inches away from the surface being painted.

4. Apply a wet coat of paint and leave it to dry for 15 minutes. A wet coat is the final layer of paint applied and adds gloss. Generally, the wet coat should be applied about 6 to 8 inches away from the surface being painted.

Why Did My Bathroom Fresh paint Peel

Choose paints specifically made for bathrooms to help prevent problems.

Any harsh environment can take its toll on paint, and there probably is no harsher indoor environment than your bathroom. When your bathroom paint peels, seeing your hard work and money wasted and knowing that you will have to repaint the surface is disheartening .Knowing why your paint peeled in the first place can help you prevent it from happening again.

Poor Surface Preparation

Preparing the surface before painting is an important step in achieving a good, lasting paint job. If your bathroom had not been painted in a long time, there may have been spots where grease, grime, dirt, dust or debris built up over the years. When you paint over this debris, paint cannot properly adhere to the wall. To prevent this from happening next time you paint, clean your walls with a rag or nylon scrub brush and household cleaning detergent before you begin.

Types of House Paint

Two main types of house paints are available: oil and latex. If you apply one type of paint over the other, the result is usually peeling. Determine what kind of paint was used the last time the bathroom was painted before you put on a new coat. If you wish to switch from oil to latex paint, or from latex to oil, apply an oil-based primer on the old coat. Oil-based primers adhere to both oil and latex paint.

Moisture

Moisture is a common culprit in the bathroom. Painting over walls that are still slightly moist, with leaks, vapors and other reasons for water building, up can result in moisture blisters and, eventually, in peeling. Using a coat of primer/sealer, keeping your bathroom well ventilated and wiping away excess moisture can help prevent water from causing paint to peel.

Deglossing

A high sheen on a former paint job may prevent a new coat of paint from properly adhering. If your bathroom was built since 1978, you can lightly sand the walls to remove the glossy sheen and give the paint more of a "tooth" to accept a new coat. You can then proceed to prime and paint your bathroom. If your bathroom was built before 1978, you should consult a professional before sanding. Many paints before 1978 contained lead, and sanding can result in toxic lead dust being released into the air.

Facepaint Games

Face painting games can liven up any party.

Face painting games can be used in many different types of gatherings. Halloween parties feature dozens of people dressed in wild costumes. Many people there will want to paint their face to create a cheap and easy-to-remove mask. Face painting games can occur at costume parties of any type from birthday parties to Renaissance celebrations. Live action role playing gamers may use face painting games to help look like their favorite character.

Zoo Keeper

Play this face painting game with animal-loving younger children. You or another adult will be the "zoo keeper." The zoo keeper is responsible for the face painting and control of the "animals." Line the children up in a row and ask each about their favorite animal. Use the face paint to create animal faces on the children. Ask each child what noise their animal makes. Children can make only this noise for the rest of the game. Once you are finished face painting, the animals can roam around the house and yard as animals. However, they must beware of the zoo keeper. Roam among the children and occasionally tap one on the shoulder. The child has 10 seconds to crawl back into the safety zone. If they don't get into the safety zone, they are "caged." Being caged means they have to sit out the rest of the game. Animals can be released after waiting five minutes. They can also be rescued by two or more animals. Play until the kids get bored.

Who Am I?

Costume parties can be a fun way to celebrate any occasion by pretending to be somebody else. Use this face painting game with any age group. Split your party into two teams. Each team gets a face painting kit. Teams take turns sending two players out of the room. One player has five minutes to paint the face of the other. The paint should try to make the person look like somebody else. Focus on identifying features, such a mole or a specific scar. This will help make the game easier. After they are finished, they rejoin their team. Set a timer for two minutes. Players must try to guess who the person is using only the face paint mask. Players cannot give verbal hints. If they guess, give them a point. If they don't, give the other team 30 seconds to guess. Give them a point if they succeed. The face paint should stay on for the rest of the party. Continue playing until everybody that wants one has a face paint mask. Reward the team with the most points.

Spooky Face Contest

Halloween is a perfect time for face painting games. Play this game at Halloween parties with any age group. This game requires a little set up. Write rules to the face painting contest on your Halloween invitations. Players must paint their face to be as spooky as possible. They can try to mimic famous monsters or create their own spooky look. Players should paint their face on the day of the party. Once players arrive, take pictures of their face paint mask. Print these out of your computer. Hang a piece of cardboard near the refreshments. This is the "monster" board. Hang all the pictures up on the "Monster" board. Put a large plastic container near the board, as well as pencils and small pieces of paper. Guests at the party should vote on the scariest face paint job. Towards the end of the party, count the votes and award the first, second and third place winners with a small prize.

Update The House

Some of the most expensive updates occur in the kitchen.

An updated home reflects a style that is well suited to you and your family. Additionally, these homes have newer appliances and more sophisticated embellishments than their older counterparts. The extent to which you choose to update your home often depends on your budget, as some updates are more costly than others. However, to reduce an update's cost, you can often do the work yourself or transform your home one room at a time. Dress up each room with new decor and paint before you buy new appliances and furniture.

Instructions

1. Paint each room in a new color. Choose from a palette of colors that complement your existing decor or furniture that you plan on buying as part of your home updating budget, or select shades that enhance your mood.

Neutral shades such as beige, brown and cream work well with many types of decor styles, as do pastel shades like baby blue, yellow and purple. Light yellow can work particularly well in an updated kitchen.

2. Accent one wall in the office or living room with a darker paint color, such as burgundy or forest green. Allow the paint to dry and then decorate the eye-catching wall with framed art, photos or a wall clock.

3. Install white crown molding in each room to add a touch of Victorian appeal to the home.

4. Add touches of simple decor, such as paintings, wall clocks and candles, to each room. For example, cobalt blue bottles can impart a country feel when placed on top of the kitchen cupboards. Scatter plants throughout your house to give it an earthy feel.

5. Upgrade your appliances as you are able to afford to do so. Replace your porcelain 1950s stove with a sleek stainless steel model, or invest in an ENERGY STAR washer and dryer set.

6. Invest in new furniture throughout the house as you are able. If new furniture is not workable in your budget, however, effect a quick update by placing furniture covers on old chairs and couches.

7. Install new curtains and light fixtures that complement your new furniture and paint.

Games About Painting Cars

Kids may enjoy painting cars and other stuff through online games.

Young kids may enjoy painting cars as a creative activity. But this usually involves messy watercolors or other type of paint. As an alternative, virtual drawings can be painted on the web with a click of a mouse. There are some fun and educational websites where kids can paint a variety of cars online for free.

Coloring Book

The online "Cars Coloring Book" offered by OY1 Games gives kids a selection of 20 sports-car images to paint. Colors are chosen by clicking on a list that is available on screen. The completed images can be printed out for personal use.

Patty’s Paints

"Patty’s Paints" is an educational game where kids can learn and practice multiplication. Patty will let you paint images of cars once you correctly answer a series of multiplication problems. Images can then be colored by selecting from a variety of paint bucket icons. Find this game through the Multiplication website.

Ramone’s House of Body Art

Images of cartoon cars can be painted in by pointing and clicking from a palate of color icons. The picture can be printed after it is completed. Find this game through the OY1 Games website.

Old Car Painting

At the AB Coloring website, paint an image of an old style car using virtual crayons. Paints are selected from a list of color icons. Different size crayon tips can also be used to help create a more customized look.

Baby Car Coloring

"Baby Car Coloring" is a simple online painting game. Kids can point and click on a palate of colors to design it in multiple ways. When the car is finished being painted, it can be printed out if desired. Find this game through the Girls Go Games website.

Ambulance

In this game, kids can paint an ambulance by choosing from a palate of color icons. Completed images can be printed out for personal use. Find this game through the Painting Games website.

Develop A Cell House For Any School Project

Mimicking solar panel drawing power doesn't have to be expensive.

If you are looking for a "green" project for a science class or for the school science fair, consider putting together a project that shows the energy-building potential of a solar panel house. While building actual solar panels for a house requires expensive components and some specific scientific knowledge, you can mimic solar panels for a school project using some basic items. Even though the solar panels in a real home and the solar panels in your projects model home don't contain the same elements, they react to the sun and store energy in a similar way.

Instructions

1. Create a small model of a house by taking any kind of cardboard box, like a shoebox, closing the lid to create a ceiling and trimming a piece of poster board so that it is about the same length as the box length and 2 or 3 inches wider than the box width. Bend the poster board to create a triangular shape, like a normal slanted roof, and attach it to the box top over the "ceiling" with masking tape.

2. Make a door on one side of the model house by cutting a 2- to 3-inch slit across the bottom edge of the box with a utility knife, slice up from 3 to 4 inches from one end of the slit you created, and then cut back across the box 2 to 3 inches to cut three-quarters of a rectangle. The door should still be attached on one side, allowing it to swing open and closed like a regular door.

3. Cut out windows, so that one large window is on one side of the house and the other sides have only small windows. Create either square or rectangular windows by cutting around the perimeter of the windows and completely removing the cardboard from that area of the box. Cut pieces of plastic wrap large enough to cover the windows and tape the plastic wrap down flat against the box, making sure the plastic wrap is completely sealed around the edges.

4. Add insulation to the interior of the house. Cut insulation so that it fits on all of the walls of the house and the ceiling, but does not cover the windows or the door of the house. Tape the insulation to the walls and the ceiling of the house.

5. Create "solar panels" by getting several small metal pans and painting them black. Make sure the entire pan is covered with black and no silver shows through. Let the pans dry completely.

6. Fill each of the "solar panel" pans with water. Place them in the house to mimic solar panels.

Choose Interior Wall Colors

Choose a slightly lighter tone for the ceiling.

Paint is one of the most inexpensive yet startlingly effective ways to instantly transform a room. Colors create moods, and the colors we paint our interior walls can make a room feel relaxed and cozy, or vibrant and full of energy. For these reasons, it's important to choose just the right color for each room of your house. While this can be daunting for some people, it's really just a matter of thinking about what colors reflect your personality and the ways the rooms are used.

Instructions

1. Analyze the room. Think about how it is used and take note of any permanent architectural features. A bathroom with a large soaking tub, for example, is probably used for relaxation, so you will want to choose a soothing color for that room. A large stone fireplace in the living room cannot easily be changed, so you will want to paint the surrounding walls a color that will complement the stone.

2. Choose a color palette. Use a color wheel to help you select colors that are complementary. Complementary colors sit across from each other on the wheel. Cool tones, such as blues, greens and grays, are often used in bathrooms, bedrooms and other rooms where you want to relax. Warm tones, such as yellows and reds, are often used in kitchens or family rooms where people gather and converse.

3. Paint a small section of the wall, then leave it for a day and watch the color change as the light changes in the room. You may not like how it looks at night, or in the morning when the sunlight hits it.

4. Highlight a feature of the room by using a paint with a tone slightly darker, or lighter, than the rest of the room. For example, if you are painting a kitchen creamy yellow, and it has an arch, consider painting the arch with a lighter shade of yellow. Or, highlight a wall that has a focal point, such as a recessed nook, by painting it in an entirely different (but still complementary) color than the surrounding walls.

5. Use lighter colors on ceilings to make them look taller, or darker colors to lower them. Blues and greens make a small room feel larger. Consider using one primary paint color on the walls and accenting that color with accessories in another color.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Print Pantone Colors

Pantone colors are cheaper and more consistent.

Pantone is an industry standard color picker that is relied on by numerous printing companies. If you want to print fliers, door hangers, business cards or any other sort of promotional material, it is best to set them up in Pantone. Pantone colors print as single entities, where as traditional CMYK printing requires four colors to combine to create as close a color to the original as possible. This means that Pantone is a cheaper printing method that will also deliver more consistent results.

Instructions

1. Open your graphic design software. Most professional design suites will allow you to draft your designs using Pantone colors.

2. Click the "Swatches" option in your design software. As an example, in Adobe Photoshop you will click "Window" and select "Swatches."

3. Click the small options button in the upper right-hand corner of the Swatches window.

4. Select one of the Pantone color profiles. For instance, most design needs can be met by selecting "Pantone Solid Coated."

5. Send your finished designs to the printer and they will be printed using Pantone colors.

Painting Theme Party Ideas

Paint smocks are a good idea even if kids come in old clothes.

Don't be afraid of hosting a painting-themed party for your budding artist. With proper preparation, a painting party can go on without a disaster. Use only washable paints, protect surfaces and closely supervise. Include the details of the party in the invitations so that parents can dress their children accordingly. A good trick for keeping little shoes clean is to slip on adult-sized tube socks over their shoes to protect them.

Face Painting

End the party with a photoshoot.

Young children can get their faces painted by a hired professional, a talented mom or willing teenagers. A face-painting party for older children can be set up so that they can work on their own faces or on a friend's face. Provide plenty of mirror space, books with examples, brushes and several containers of face paint. Take lots of photos at a face-painting party. After painting, encourage party guests to act out the character or animal they have painted.

Make a Mural

Invite party guests to actually paint a fence or side of a garage.

Hang a large piece of butcher paper across your fence, shed or garage. Alternately, you can use sheets, or request the end rolls from newspaper production. Let the party guests come up with their own theme, or provide them with an idea for the mural. Each child can work on a section and collaborate on pull the overall image together. Provide painter's caps to protect hair from stray paint.

Pottery Painting

Paint a knick-knack or choose to decorate a functional piece of pottery.

Bring your party to a paint-your-own pottery center. Kids can pick out their own piece of pottery and bring it back to a main table where they can paint with their friends. This sort of painting party is just as appropriate with young children as it is with adults.

A similar version of this party can be done at home with wood products from a craft store. Treasure boxes, frames or shaped wood ornaments can be embellished with acrylic paints.

Fall Painting

The colors of fall can be recreated with painting projects.

Use fall's warm colors and natural elements to create a painting party. Have the party outside if possible. Set up a picnic table with painting projects. Party guests can make prints of real Autumn leaves by brushing paint directly on them and then pressing them on a sheet of paper. Have kids gather leaves and a stick. Tape the leaves to one end and use it instead of a brush to paint.

Another appropriate project for a fall painting party is to make a forest of trees from hand prints. Start by having each child cut a tree trunk from a sheet of construction paper. Glue them on a long sheet of butcher paper. Pour different-colored paint into aluminum pie plates. Let the kids dip their hands in the colors and press on the tree trunks to create colorful fall leaves.

What Wall Colors Inspire Creativeness

Science has long recognized the connection between colors and creativity. The colors and color schemes with which you surround yourself have a direct influence on your emotions and creativity. While certain colors offer measurable benefits to the imagination, you don't want them to be a distraction. Combining colors in a way that brings about the desired emotions can best inspire creativity.

Energy

Bright strong colors work well in inspiring energy. The color red is so stimulating that it can physically affect people by raising their blood pressure. Red empowers the mind with passion and drama. Yellow has been linked to increasing a person's vital energy and promoting a happy and cheerful disposition.

Balance

Mental balance is also helpful to creativity. The colors green and blue have been shown to bring about feelings of peace and tranquility, thereby calming the mind to allow creativity to occur. Just as red increases blood pressure; the color blue can cause your blood pressure to decrease.

Relaxation/Spiritual

Certain colors promote the spiritual side of creativity. The color purple invokes the intuitive aspects of the mind, inspiring curiosity which leads to creativity. Pink has a calming effect on most people, fostering affection and social acceptance.

Unity/ Discipline

Unifying colors to bring out their combined strengths is best done on a white background. Pure white has the effect of purity and energy; when used to showcase other colors, the strengths of those colors can be enhanced. Similarly, the color black also has its place in inspiring creativity; black promotes discipline, independent thought and strength, all aspects enhancing creativity.

Most Widely Used Siding Colors

Vinyl siding prevents the need for yearly paint touch-ups.

Vinyl siding, which dates back to the year 1872, is a durable alternative to paint and can increase the value and external durability of your home. Vinyl siding has come a long way since it was first marketed commercially in the 1930s; now it is available in a range of styles and colors which can reflect the unique preferences and personalities of the homeowner.

White and Cream

According to a review published by Reliable Remodeler, the most popular of all vinyl siding colors on the market today is still white. White, which comes in a variety of hues such as off white, antique white and cream, is one of the oldest of color options in commercially marketed vinyl siding. Many people choose white and other lighter colors because lighter shades do not clash with the color scheme on most houses; it also makes your home appear larger. Deeper shades such as beiges are also popular and offer the similar effect.

Yellows and Browns

Just behind white in the highest selling and most popular colors of vinyl siding are shades of yellows and browns. Lighter shades of yellow, much like white, lend the look of an increased space and can coordinate well with other color schemes, particularly when bright shades of white are used as the color choice to trim windows and for garage doors. Browns that come in a shades such as sand offer neutrality and work well with most any color trim. Darker shades of brown are often used on larger homes when a greater size appearance is not an issue; these do best with lighter colored trim around windows. An added benefit of darker brown-colored siding is that darker colors tend to hide dirt more than do lighter shades.

Grays and Blues

Varying shades of grays and blues are next in poplarity. Gray tends to be the most popular choice out of the two when used on smaller houses, as it seems to increase the home's size. Gray siding comes in a variety of shades, ranging from slate grays to lighter shades such as silver and frost. Blues also come in a broad range of hues from lighter pastel shades to deeper shades such as navy and midnight. Consumers who choose darker shades of blue or deep shades of gray often use brighter shades of white or beige on trim to add definition and a more modern edge.

Strip And Fresh paint A Porch

An unsightly porch can make the outside of your home look unattractive. No matter what you do to improve the look of your home, the porch will continue to stand out unless you strip away the old paint and apply fresh paint.

Instructions

1. Remove the old paint by scraping it off. Use a paint scraper and apply even pressure while scraping in one direction. It is not recommended to use paint thinner on a porch because it can damage the wood.

2. Sand the wood to make sure it is smooth and even. A power sander will make the job a lot easier. Good surface preparation is essential to ensure that the paint will hold up under harsh conditions.

3. Wash the porch with a mixture of detergent and water to remove any grease. If mildew is present, remove it with a mixture of bleach and water. Allow the porch to dry for two to three days before repainting.

4. Prime the wood with an exterior primer. Two coats of primer is recommended.

5. Paint the porch with a floor paint. Floor paint is specially formulated to hold up under rough conditions. Mix in a few drops of citronella to prevent bugs from landing in the paint while it dries.

6. Allow the first coat of paint to dry and then apply a second coat. If you don't let the paint dry in between coats, the porch will have a tacky feel.

7. Repaint the porch every three to five years to keep the exterior of your home looking beautiful.

Friday, April 11, 2014

What Kinds Of Plants Grow In Chalky Soil

Chalky soil dries fast during summer or hot, sunny days.

Chalky soil is far from being the ideal garden soil. However, plenty of varieties of flowering garden plants, trees and shrubs thrive in chalky soil. Maximize the beauty of your garden and save yourself the hard labor of significant soil amendment by choosing plants proven to grow well in chalky soil.

Characteristics of Chalky Soil

Chalky soils contain lime or calcium carbonate, which make them basic or alkaline with a pH level higher than 7.0. Just like sandy soils, chalky soils erode and dry out easily. They may contain pieces of chalk and have high flint content that can pose a challenge when digging and cultivating plants. Chalky soils are often rich in natural fertilizer, though their high alkaline content often blocks nutrients from passing through the roots of plants.

Testing for Chalky Soil

Finding small pieces of chalks in your soil can indicate that you have chalky soil. Another way to test is to mix your soil with vinegar. Chalk has high calcium carbonate content, which reacts when mixed with vinegar. This simple test will reveal chalk particles, if any, which are too small to see. Use soil test kits available at your local garden store to check on your soil's pH level content.

Pros and Cons of Chalky Soil

Chalky soil has some advantages when it comes to growing plants. It drains well and warms up fast in spring. During rainy season, it's easier to cultivate chalky soil than clay soils. Apply extra effort when digging chalky soil when mixed with clay soil in its wet state. Adding humus to the soil will improve its water retention and workability. With enough water, plants thrive in chalky soils due to their rich nutrient content. However, during summer or hot sunny days, chalky soils dry up easily, which can cause plants to wither and die. The soil's shallowness and high alkaline content can also yield poor plant vegetation.

Plants that Grow and Thrive in Chalky Soil

Several varieties of wildflowers and herbs can grow and thrive in chalky soils. Poppies, cornflowers, cowslips, chamomile, lavender, rosemary and bay are examples of wildflowers and herbs that grow well in chalky soils. Vegetables such as spinach, beets, sweet corn, and cabbage also do well in chalky soils. Even shrubs like daphne, hibiscus, philadelphus, potentilla, spartium, spiraea, viburnum and weigela can thrive in chalky soils. Trees including arbutus, laburnum, pyrus and sorbus are also suitable choices for your chalky soil garden.

Tips for Growing Acid Loving Plants

Chalky soil can destroy acid-loving plants such as blueberries and magnolias; however, you can add organic matter such as compost or peat to make them suitable for acid-loving plants. Try sedge peat and flowers of sulphur in raised beds, but remember to add a light dressing of flower of sulphur every year to keep the root zone less alkaline.

The Very Best Exterior Fresh paint Colors To Complement Limestone

A limestone facade

Limestone is sedimentary rock containing large amounts of calcium carbonate or calcite and found in a variety of locations---Portugal, India, Australia, Bulgaria and the U.S. A pure limestone is white to gray in color but through the natural addition of impurities, namely iron oxides, limestone can be found in a variety of colors. Matching limestone to a paint color is not as simple as locating a single color number and brand.

Match The Hue

Limestone is formed in a vast array of neutral colors---tans, yellow, pinks and gray. Each of these neutrals can have variations, for example, gray can be a gray-green, a gray-blue, a light gray or a dark gray. Tans can be found tinted in a pink or a rust and yellows can be a soft sand color or a deep ochre. Find the best exterior paint color to match a home's limestone by visiting My Perfect Color, a website designed to aid do-it-yourself home owners needing a perfect color match for just about any surface. Their list of top selling exterior paint colors reveals a number of best choices for matching limestone. Try Alcoa's Desert Sand or their color called Cameo. Other possible matches are Benjamin Moore's Monterey White, Lancaster Whitewash, 01 White or even 513 Limestone.

Try Deeper Color

Lighter colors of limestone in the gray to white range look stunning by combining a deeper gray paint color along with a lighter gray. Case in point is example 159 in Susan Hershman's book "House Colors: Exterior Color by Architectural Style," a book filled with innovative exterior color applications. This homes facade is active with color possibilities and the misty gray paint color, although slightly darker than the front door limestone surround, works well. Combining it with a dark gray like Behr's Creek Bend, described by Behr as a "wooly gray" provides further visual definition to the second floor Tudor facade.

Consider Historic Color

The Valspar Corporation has a collection of exterior colors that match historic homes. Called the "Historic Colors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation" they include colors that match Belle Grove, a turn of the nineteenth century home located in Middletown, Virginia and shrouded in locally quarried limestone. Belle Grove Valley Fog is the gray neutral used in combination with the limestone. The Historic Colors collection contains a variety of other possible matches for exterior limestone facades and surrounds.

Victorian House Painting Ideas

Victorian Home in non-traditional colors

Victorian houses are often a symbol of days gone by in the United States. Named for the Victorian Age in Great Britain, the homes are adorned with intricate woodworking around the window and eaves. Traditionally painted white, the surviving homes are now enjoying creative new looks in color.

Painted by Panel

Many Victorian homes are divided into sections structurally. From the outside, these divisions appear as varying depths of frontage on the home. Choosing to paint these different depths in different colors adds additional depth to the home.

The owner may wish to divide the house into only two separate colors. Painting the outer panels a darker shade of their chosen color will make the home appear shorter, while painting them a lighter color will give a broader appearance. Dividing into four colors, or alternating colors, will give even dull colors a kick of creativity.

Selecting to use different shades of the same color will calm the appearance of the home, while the braver owner may pick two contrasting colors to work with.

Finish out your painting project by using your darkest color to paint all the window frames, trim or other woodwork. This treatment will help set apart the decorative features of the home.

Fade to White

A non-traditional paint job on your very traditional home can set you apart in the neighborhood. Creating a fade from dark to light is one such non-traditional paint job. You will need to select a color available in many ascending shades. Blues, grays, greens and browns are usually available in as many shades as you can desire. By counting the number of horizontal siding panels on your Victorian home, you can easily divide that number by the number of color shades you have selected to find how many panels to paint each color. Start at the bottom with the darkest shade and work your way up to the top, going lighter and lighter. Using subtle shade differences will give a very subtle look, while using bolder breaks in shades will give a stronger appearance. This paint idea will make your house appear taller.

Paint your trim and window frames in your darkest color to make them stand out.

The Bravest of All

If you are tired of the traditional look of your house or tired of being part of the crowd, you can choose to go black and bright.

To go against the traditional white to the opposite extreme, select a flat black paint to cover the majority of the house. You might select a bright or bold pink, a shade of yellow or a shocking shade of light blue or dark red to paint all your window frames. To go the boldest of all, choose to paint your trim and front door a contrasting color to your window frames. Choosing colors such as bold pink and turquoise can compliment each other while standing out from the dark background.

You might also think about doing the door, window frames and trim all in white. This stark contrast will give your home's architectural decorations the attention they deserve.

Clean Works of art

An oil painting in desperate need of cleaning

Paintings get dirty just like anything else, and need to be cleaned every so often. Depending on the paint that was used to create the paintings, there are different methods for cleaning them. Learn clean oil paintings, since this type of painting is one of the more difficult ones to clean.

Instructions

The Bread Method

1. Lay down your drop cloth on a table or the floor to protect the surfaces in your home while you're cleaning the painting. Place the painting on the drop cloth.

2. Pull chunks of dough from the center of one of the loaves of bread. Take the chunk of bread and scrub the surface of the oil painting gently. You will be able to see dirt come off on the bread. When the bread is dirty or begins to disintegrate, get a new piece and repeat the procedure until you've done the whole painting.

3. Use the soft bristle paintbrush to brush off any bread crumbs that stuck to the painting. You don't want them on the painting because they will draw bugs that could do further damage to your artwork.

The Museum Method

4. Take a photograph of the front and back of the oil painting you are going to clean. This is to preserve any writing and for you to know what the painting looked like prior to cleaning.

5. Make sure the room you are cleaning the painting in has good ventilation because the substances you will be using to clean your oil painting have very strong chemical odors and should not be inhaled.

6. Cover the table you are going to work on with brown Kraft paper.

7. Lay your oil painting face up on the Kraft paper, and put surgical gloves on.

8. Take a piece of white cotton wool or cloth and put some Gainsborough Neutralizer on it. Use the cloth to gently wipe over the entire surface of your oil painting and this will pick up any dirt from the surface.

9. Take one of your 6-inch cotton swabs and dip it into a bit of Gainsborough Emulsion Cleaner and then test it out on a corner of your oil painting. Right after the test, take another cotton swab and dip it in Gainsborough Neutralizer and apply it to the test spot. Repeat this process with the Gainsborough Varnish Remover. The Neutralizer will stop any cleaning action of these cleaner and the varnish remover.

10. Take another cotton swap and dip it in the cleaner that worked best when you did the tests. Using a rolling motion with your cotton swap apply the cleaner to your oil painting. Do this over a 2-inch area of your painting and make sure when doing so that you are only removing dirt and old varnish and not paint. Once you've cleaned the 2-inch area, then apply neutralizer to stop the cleaning action for that area.

11. Repeat Step 7 with a new cotton swab for every 2-inch area of your oil painting until the painting is cleaned. When you get to the half way point of cleaning your oil painting take a photo with your digital camera.

12. Take all your used cotton swabs, cotton wool and or cloth and put them in a metal container with a lid before disposing of them.

13. Allow your oil painting to dry overnight.

14. Apply Gainsboro gloss varnish to your oil painting with a flat bristle paintbrush. Allow it dry for a day or two, take a new photograph of it, then hang it back up.

Get The Landlord To Cover Apartment Makeovers

Get Your Landlord to Pay for Apartment Renovations

Many people feel that their hands are tied if their rental apartment needs some heavy duty sprucing up. Why invest your own money into someone else's property? What many people do not realize is that your rights as a renter are much stronger than you think. Here is get your landlord to pay for apartment renovations.

Instructions

1. When moving into a new apartment, your landlord is obligated to apply a fresh coat of paint. If he has not done so, then talk to him about your desire to repaint. Tell your landlord you will send them the bill for the paint (not supplies, just the actual paint). If your landlord is less trustworthy, then simply deduct the cost of paint from your rent, sending receipts as proof.

2. If an area is in need of renovations, such as a kitchen, be wise how you ask to have it renovated. For example, if cabinets are coming off the walls, simply say, "We have just signed a year long lease, and these cabinets are going to come off the wall way before then. I would like to get an estimate of how much this would cost to redo, but first I need your permission. Would you be willing to pay for that?" Reassure your landlord that you will do this in the most inexpensive way possible.

3. If there are any other problem areas, then now is the time to ask your landlord. She will be way more likely to renovate multiple things at once, rather than separately. Say something to the effect of, "The kitchen floor is in really bad shape too. Shall I get an estimate on that as well?"

4. The easier you make this process for your landlord, the more likely he will be to say yes. Offer to get your apartment professionally measured, find the contractor, get the estimate, pick out the furnishings and so on. Using key words like, "fire hazard," "unsafe," "likely to break," "on its last legs," are all good ways to get your landlord to listen.

5. After all estimates are finished, work out a deal with your landlord. Will you be paying for everything outright and deducting it from your rent? This is the easiest option. Waiting for a reimbursement can sometimes take forever and many of us do not have enough cash on hand for both renovations and rent at the same time. Good luck!

Make An African Savanna Within The Class

Elephants can be found in the African savanna.

An African savanna is the typical environment found on the continent of Africa. It is characterised by exotic animals like giraffes and lions, while the landscape is vast grasslands scattered with trees and shrubs. It is easy to replicate a savanna in a classroom by using some basic arts and crafts skills. Get the kids to help you in order to educate them about the ecosystem and the wildlife of this unique place.

Instructions

1. Speak with your students, and ask for their help in creating an African savanna. Explain what it is, what it features and then provide reading material for them to research the environment. Show them pictures online or in magazines such as National Geographic.

2. Gather the things you'll need for the project. Set up an arts and crafts area of the classroom by joining tables into a large flat area.

3. Ask the kids to make elephant grass. This is long grass traditionally found in the African savanna. Cut long thin strips out of dark green cardboard, and then gather them together into clumps. Secure at the base using string, and then place the elephant grass along the edge of the room.

4. Create three or four Senegal Gum Acacia trees. First, print a picture of the leaves of the Senegal gum tree from blueplanetbiomes.org. Then, have the kids copy this onto the cardboard using the green and brown paints.

5. Cut around the leaves and attach them to the wooden pole using string. Simply make a hole on one end of the leaves using the point on the blade of the scissors. Thread a 10-inch length of string through the hole, and tie it around the diameter of the wooden pole.

6. Paint animal faces on the children with face paint so that they can be part of the savanna in the classroom. Paint a variety of creatures including elephants, lions, water buffalo and tigers to bring the room to life.

7. Add a large water hole in the corner of the classroom. Get a large plastic container and fill it with water.

8. Blow up the balloons and turn them into hippos. Do this by lightly covering the balloons in grey paint. Add specks of paint for the eyes too. Float them around in the water hole.

9. Clear away the arts and crafts table, and put educational magazines on the desks to inform the class about the African savanna they have created.

Make Appleseed Bracelets

If you’ve ever seen an apple seed necklace, you already know how beautiful they are. These richly colored necklaces bring a touch of nature to your attire and tell the world that you are in touch with the natural world around you. Unfortunately, many of the necklaces you can purchase aren’t really made from apple seeds at all and are imitations of an all but forgotten art. Nevertheless, you can make your own apple seed necklace with a little time and care.

Instructions

1. Save the apple seeds from any apple you eat. It's a good idea to set a small cup on the kitchen counter for family members to put seeds each time they eat an apple. This will keep them all in one place and will encourage others to remember to save their seeds. You may want to enlist the help of friends and relatives by asking them to save seeds for you too. If you have a pie maker in the family, you will collect quite a few seeds at once.

2. String an embroidery needle with a length of embroidery floss. It should be 12 to 14 inches long. Be sure to knot the end. The color doesn't matter here. You will be using the floss to hang your seeds to dry and will use other material for actually stringing the necklace.

3. Gather several seeds to begin the project.

4. Lay the apple seed down on its side on a cutting board and push the needle through the center of the seed. Pull the floss through the seed until you reach the knot. Continue to pierce and string the seeds and hang them to dry. Don't remove the needle. You will be adding to the string of seeds each time you gather new seeds.

5. Continue gathering and saving seeds. Add them to the string of seeds while they are fresh and are easy to pierce. Dry seeds are more difficult to string and may split or break when pierced with the needle.

6. Allow the seeds to dry completely. Hanging them in a cool dry area with plenty of air circulation will speed up the process.

7. Remove the seeds from the floss and use for making necklaces or bracelets. A necklace of apple seeds strung on monofilament (fishing line), or other string designed for jewelry making, makes an impressive necklace. Use alone or in combination with other beads to create just the look you desire.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

What Supplies Should I Fresh paint A Family Room

If you're getting ready to paint a room in your house or apartment, it's a good idea to create a checklist to ensure that you have the right items to do the job. Few things are more annoying than starting the project and then realizing halfway through that you have to run the store to pick up something you have forgotten.

Painter's Tape

Painter's tape will make the job look more professional and much cleaner. The tape peels off easily and it used to keep the paint of of trim, windows, and the ceiling. The normal size is one inch thick and comes in rolls that are purchased in the paint section of the local home store.

Drop Cloths

Placing drop cloths down will keep the paint off of the floor and other pieces of furniture. Drop cloths can be purchased at a home store or they can be as simple as an old sheet that is placed on the floor and moved as you paint.

Paint Roller and Roller Pan

Applying paint with a roller will help you paint large flat surfaces more quickly and evenly. Rollers and roller pans can be purchased at most home improvement stores. When you select a paint roller, make sure that it is designed for the type for the paint that you are going to use and your wall texture. Thicker paints will require a thicker roller coating.

Paint Edger

This tool is a must-have for painting along ceiling edges and other tight areas. It is typically a 3 by 4 inch square with a pad of one eighth inch bristles on the bottom. It is dipped in the paint and then pushed or pulled across the surface at the seam of a wall. Some models have little wheels on one side that allow them to roll next to the ceiling or trim lines. These help create clean lines.

Stir Sticks

Stir sticks are used to stir the paint when the can is opened. It is also good practice to stir the paint when you are adding paint to the roller pan.

Reduce Warmth By Roof Coating

Roof coating can help lower the temperature of a home by reflecting away sunlight.

Roof coating not only helps protect a roof from damage such as cracks and splits, but also greatly contributes to reducing the temperature of your home. This is because the reflective properties of roof coatings help keep out solar radiation, which in turn prevents heat from accumulating in the home. By lowering the temperature of a house, a homeowner also saves money by lowering cooling expenses. Lower temperatures in the home are also better for the environment, as less energy is being used.

Instructions

1. Check to make sure the weather is right before you start painting your roof. Make sure that rain isn't forecast for the next few days, and the temperature should be over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures lower than that, or a humid environment, can damage the roof coating before it dries.

2. Make sure there are no leaks, cracks or deterioration in your roof. If there are, tend to them before beginning to paint a coating onto your roof.

3. Clean your roof. You can accomplish this with a wire brush, rough sandpaper or a putty knife to remove any flakes from the rooftop. Sweep any debris away with a broom, and hose the entire thing down. Do not begin painting until the roof is dry.

4. Use the paint brush to paint a layer of primer over all of the seams and edges of the roof. This will help prevent future cracks and leaks. Overlap coating at any edges you meet by one inch, and make sure you completely cover any screw heads.

5. Mix the roof coating as per the manufacturer's instructions as you wait for the patching cement to dry.

6. Apply the coating to the roof with a roof brush or coating paint roller. Make sure you only start coating after the primer has dried. Also make sure you apply the coating according to the instructions on the manufacturer's label. Different brands may specify varying instructions regarding properly apply roof coating. For example, some brands will recommend applying a minimum of three coats instead of two.

7. Wait for the roof coating to try. Apply a second coat if needed. If you have applied coating to the roof properly, it should effectively help reduce the temperature of your home.

Room Decorator Games For Women

Decorating creates a personalized room infused with accents of a girl's personality and personal taste. While there is not a right or a wrong way to decorate, there is an overall idea of what is successful and what is not. Creating games to understand these ideas is a fun and exciting way for girls to understand the art of decorating.

Eco Bed room Suggestions For Teens

Add eco-friendly products to your teen's bedroom.

For teens who are concerned about the environment, eco-friendly decor in their bedroom is a simple way to honor their values. From recycling old furniture to choosing paints and linens that are processed with fewer chemicals, many items can be used in an eco-friendly manner to enhance and beautify a teen's living space. You can create a "greener" teen bedroom just by adding a few different elements.

Recycle old furniture

An old, repurposed desk is a great addition to a teen's room.

One of the best ways to create an eco-friendly teen bedroom is to recycle old furniture. Look around in your own home for old pieces of furniture such as aging armchairs, bookcases or end tables. Reupholster them or repaint them with earth-friendly paint to make the old furniture look like new. Make sure to include plenty of bookcases for storage and even an old desk for a study area. Eco-conscious teens will appreciate this repurposing of household items. If you don't have old furniture lying around your home, go to garage sales, flea markets and estate sales to purchase some vintage furniture.

Eco-friendly bedding

Opt for organic cotton or bamboo sheets and blankets.

Choose mattresses that don't contain chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers. These are fire retardants that are added to the foam in most mattresses. Avoid the use of polyurethane foam in mattresses as well. Look for mattresses that are filled with cotton or wool. One of the most eco-friendly options are organic mattresses made with natural latex.

Opt for cotton or bamboo sheets and blankets. Both cotton and bamboo are renewable resources and are considered organic. Look for bedding that has no sizing chemicals added to the fabric.

Low-VOC paint

Choose paints with no or reduced toxins.

Choose paints that are low or no-VOC, which stands for "volatile organic compounds." These toxins are released into the air and can cause breathing problems. Most paint companies now manufacture at least one type of low- or no-VOC paint in a variety of colors.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans are an earth-friendly addition to a teen room.

Ceiling fans are a great addition to an environmentally savvy teen's bedroom. They cut down on the need for energy-hogging air-conditioning and cost just pennies to operate. With an array of different designs, you are sure to find one to your teen's liking.

Fresh paint Aluminum Garden Furniture

Painting patio furniture is an inexpensive way to give your outdoor space a makeover.

Paint Aluminum Patio Furniture. Painting your aluminum patio furniture can be a great way to change its look with very little investment. When you paint aluminum, you also increase its life, as the paint acts as a protective coat that prevents water and the elements from seriously affecting the furniture.

Instructions

1. Remove all cushions, plastic parts and accessories before you decide to start painting.

2. Take the furniture to a safe area where paint spills will not damage the surroundings. If this is not possible, cover the ground with a large piece of plastic and place the furniture on top of it.

3. Wash the aluminum carefully using a metal sponge and mild detergent. This will remove debris, loosen paint and overcoating and make the surface smooth enough to accept the paint without bubbling.

4. Wash the furniture again with detergent and use a brush to remove any loose paint.

5. Paint the aluminum furniture with either a brush or spray paint. For small pieces of furniture, spray paint makes more sense, as it will get into creases and corners evenly, without bubbling up and missing any areas. Large pieces, including tabletops and chairs, can be painted with brushes and paint.

6. Let the paint dry before applying a second coat. This is especially important if you removed a lot of paint or if the base color is too dark and there is a chance it will show through the new paint.

7. Dry the furniture in an area that is protected from rain and strong winds. Such conditions can make flying debris stick to the wet paint.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

What Materials To Make Use Of When You Are Performing A Metallic Faux Finish

Metallic paints come in many colors and are applied similiarly to latex house paint.

Metallic paint finishes give an additional edge and sparkle to your home's interior walls and ceilings. Small pieces of mica flakes create the glimmer of metallic paint. Gold, silver and bronze are not the only options in metallic paint. The paint industry has expanded to metallic paints in almost any color from peacock blues to cranberry reds. Still, you must use the correct tools and materials when applying metallics to ensure a professional looking wall finish.

Basecoat

The base coat under any metallic paint finish should be black, dark brown or another dark hue. Metallic paint is very translucent. Apply a coat or two of a dark-colored latex paint prior to adding metallic paint to ensure a solid coat. Use latex paint in eggshell or satin sheen to create the base coat. Paint the base coat onto the wall or surface using traditional paint techniques involving a roller or paintbrush. Allow the base coat to dry four to six hours before adding metallic paint.

Mini-Rollers

Apply the metallic paint with mini-rollers. These rollers are about 3 inches in length. Do not use small sponge rollers, but use rollers with a minimum of 1/2-inch nap. Roll the paint onto the surface in a random fashion; do not roll in vertical or horizontal strokes. Instead, overlap your strokes in all directions. If metallic paint is rolled in straight lines, these lines are visible in the finish. Often more than one layer of metallic paint is necessary. Count on three or more layers of paint.

Glaze

The most common faux finish material is glaze. The material is a clear paint product mixed with latex paint or tints to create a translucent colorant. Add the glaze over your dry painted metallic surfaces for an antique or aged look. Different tools apply glaze to surfaces to create different looks. Plastic grocery bags, paintbrushes and sponges are often used. Common examples are dark brown, black or deep burgundy glazes over metallic surfaces.

Extra Supplies

Creating a professional faux finish involves using the right materials. Use painter's tape that is smooth and free of ridges. A smooth painter's tape does not let metallic paint or glaze seep under and ruin your decorative paint finish. Ensure the metallic paint you are using is actually paint and not glaze or some other translucent paint product. If your paint finish is in a high-traffic area, roll on an additional coat or two of clear water-based polyurethane. Don't forget to experiment with a variety of materials and tools to create one-of-a kind metallic faux finishes not seen elsewhere. Practice on sample boards first before painting a wall or ceiling.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Landlord Responsibilities

Tenant Duties

Tenant Protection Laws

Rent Increases

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Hint

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Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Instructions

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Moisture

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Who Am I?

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Ambulance

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Monday, April 14, 2014

Instructions

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Friday, April 11, 2014

Characteristics of Chalky Soil

Testing for Chalky Soil

Pros and Cons of Chalky Soil

Plants that Grow and Thrive in Chalky Soil

Tips for Growing Acid Loving Plants

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