Help! I Have a Spill on my Brand New Carpet! What to Do? #ask #expert

Question:  

Help!  I spilled food on my brand new carpet.   I cleaned it with my regular carpet spray and got the stain out, but now it's flat in that spot.  The texture of the cleaned area is sort of brushed and fluffy and it doesn’t have the body or stiffness of the rest of the carpet.  It’s very noticeable.   How can I make that spot look like the rest of the carpet?

Answer:

Don’t worry!  This is an easier solution than you would think.  You can simply and easily spray Scotch Guard (TM) to the affected area to restore body and stiffness. Use your fingers to shape the carpet back to it’s original form.   

I also recommend calling the technical department of the manufacturer of your new carpet as they may have recommended products that you can purchase for spot cleaning that can help you avoid this problem in the future.  

Bonus: this trick also works for carpet that has been pressed down due to heavy furniture sitting on it.  Good luck!

[image by anokarina]

Clever, Cheap, and Cool Ways to Decorate Your Space

Here are some more helpful ideas for decorating on a budget!  

 

Living Room:

Use a shade to hide your television when not in use.  

When you do want to use it, just roll up and, voila!, ready for the next marathon of Desperate Housewives.

 

Bed Room:  

Hang a heavy tapestry behind a dresser for an elegant, yet oh-so-chic touch.  Make sure the fabric has some weight to it to pull off its 15th century flair.

Make a “Quilt Headboard” by hanging grandma’s wedding gift on a wooden rod securely fashioned behind your mattress.

 

Kitchen:  

Think Curtains.  Cabinet curtains to be more specific.  Highlight the things you want on display, cleverly hide the things you don’t.

Knobs aren't just for drawers anymore.  Convert some into dish towel hangers by choosing large glass ones that can be tightened snugly to the wall.

 

Home Office:  

Don’t be afraid of industrial metal shelving.  To make it more you, pick cheery fabrics and clothespin your choices to each side of the unit.

Get creative with office supplies: a scrap of leather converts nicely into a track pad, a beaker holder can be a fun pen holder, or design your own mason jar for stashing paperclips, pushpins, etc.

 

Bathroom:  

Make your own shower curtain with terrycloth bath towels: stick the long sides together and include reinforced holes at the top to hang from the rod.

 

[image by Anton Novoselov ]

Using Color to Re-fresh the Home: 6 Simple and Easy #Home #Deco Tips

Using color to refresh your home's interior landscape is easier than you might think. Here are more simple tips to give any room a brand-new look!

 

1. Paint any room a dark color to add richness.

 

2. Paint a piece of furniture the same color as the wall and set it near the wall for a dramatic effect.

 

3. Make sure all the lampshades in a room are complementary colors.  Changes ones that aren’t.

 

4. Decorate your mantle with colorful flowers to help it stand out and add life to the space.

 

5. Add accessories to complement the dark colors in a room- like pictures with black frames and white matting to make them pop!

 

6. To add a bit of flavor to a room, take several colorful objects and place them on flat surfaces throughout.

[Image by Aunt Owwee]

 

Your Backyard Makeover!

If your home is the castle, then your backyard is the royal grounds behind the castle.  Keep your yard fit for a king (and queen) with these helpful tips.

 

No matter how carefully you water the royal garden, there is always bound to be a bare patch.  But, don’t fret!  On your next grocery or garden store visit, pick up a few baskets of perennials in full bloom.  Remove the hangers and nestle the baskets into the bare spots. (The baskets should easily be disguised in the surrounding foliage.)

 

Create a relaxing effect with your very own water garden.  Simply fill a metal pail with water, and float candles, glass baubles or no-fuss water lettuce in your new oasis.

 

Like all royalty, you appreciate your privacy.  Take advantage of potted plants in your yard to create a natural hedge for privacy and shelter.  Arrange them in varying heights and enjoy the beauty of their blooms.

 

[Backyard image by Powi]

You CAN Teach a Dog New Tricks; or Simple Updates to Old Furnishings

Simple pieces have an advantage over the more extravagant because of their “update-ability.”  Here are a few tips on ways to update simple pieces of furniture in your home, without setting foot in your local Home Depot.

 

Wondering what to do with that plain veneered dresser in your guest room?  Update your pulls with vintage style knobs to change the whole vibe of the dresser, while giving it that quality associated with the past.  You can find knobs and pulls at your local vintage shop, thrift stores, or even better...at estate sales!

 

If your style is more contemporary go for some bakelite knobs, which can be found at a fleamarkets or online at Ebay.  Also looks for knobs in nickel, chrome, Corian, or even rubber to pull off that modern feel.

 

If your style is traditional, look for knobs that have already stood the test of  time.  Typically these knobs will be composed of ceramic, glass, wood, copper, and pewter.  A classic oak or maple  knob could be just what the doctor ordered.  And just what your end table needed.

 

[image by apartment28]

4 Easy Home Decorating Projects to Re-fresh that Room! #easy #ideas

Have you been "meaning" to redecorate at least one room in your house this year? We're here for you! Here are 4 easy decorating projects to help keep and accomplish that style goal.

#1 Extra fabric lying around?  Why not frame it for a quick, inexpensive piece of art?  The best part?  With so many different styles of fabric, you can change the piece out whenever you want!

#2 Does the idea of your kids decorating their own room make your toes curl?  Avoid the hassle of random nail holes and hooks by covering their wall with magnetic primer.  You can paint over it in whatever color while still maintaining the magnetic power.  Now your kids can post their own artwork, posters, and pictures- and change them out whenever they want.

#3 Transform your entrance way by painting a runner on the floor.  (Note: this won’t work with carpet.)

#4 Is your sofa feeling a little “behind?”  Pre-made slipcovers are easy and inexpensive ways to update any furniture.  Try to buy one with the closest measurements to your actual couch for a tight fit.

[Beautiful Image by Nono Fara]

Create an Inviting Space with Simple Items and Deceptively Easy Decorating Techniques

Decorating on a budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for white walls and outdated pieces.  Using some simple techniques, you’ll find thateven with limited funds, you can still create a welcoming space, without blowing the next family vacation.

Tea Party, Anyone? You might have an tiered metal stand stashed somewhere in your kitchen or pantry.  Instead of leaving it to collect dust, display some decorative fruits in it, or maybe some other items you’ve been meaning to show off.  

No Curtains? No problem.  Instead of investing in wall coverings, consider re-purposing old shutters and using them to frame a window.

Digital Artwork?  In the bathroom?  Yes.  Search wallpaper murals for creative decorating ideas for the powder room.

What to do with that hand-me-down chair?  Consider a recovering- depending on the size of the chair, you may be able to get away with smaller amounts of fabric.  Smaller amounts = smaller price.  Consider sewing a small pillow in a playful fabric to complete your project.  

Every heard of Ross or T.J. Maxx?  If you can brave the overwhelming amount of both inventory and shoppers, you may be in for a rewarding surprise when you visit.  The secret is to finding out when deliveries arrive each week.  Shop early and often.  You really never know what you’ll find at these stores.

[Image by Shandi-lee]

9 Home Style Updates You Can Do TODAY!

Need a room re-do in less than 24 hours?  Here are some tips to update a style in any room...right now!

1. Break up dining chairs: use them to flank a side table, or move 2 of them into your bedroom or living room.

2. Update your lamp shades: you’ll be surprised how quickly this small change can make such a big difference!

3. To lighten up a piece of dark furniture, paint a bright color on the inside.

4. Create a collection: whether it be mirrors, picture frames, candles, teacups...and remember, odd numbers often look better grouped together.

5. Decorate your personal space: put as much effort and enthusiasm into your personal spaces as you do into places that others will benefit from.

6. Take an object that is special to you and include it in your study, bathroom, or bedroom to inspire your while decorating.

7. Define a cozy space: hang curtains in a doorway to close off a bigger space or create a more intimate area in a smaller space.

8. Change your light fixture: similar to updating your lamp shades...instead of a traditional fixture in your kitchen, try hanging a lantern instead.

9. Ditch matching pillows: or anything, for that matter.  Remember, decor should “go” together, but it doesn’t always have to “match.”

[image by Ed Bierman]

Behold, the Mason Jar! #HomeDeco #DIY

Never underestimate the power of a Mason jar in DIY projects!

Here is a simple summer party decorating idea, brought to you by the lovely ladies of theinspiredroom.net.  

The Starfish and Jute Mason Jar:

* Wrap some jute (twine) around the mouth of the jar

* Tie on a starfish (or shell, or sandollar...get the picture?)

* Pour some epsom salt in the bottom of the jar (or, if you’re lucky, genuine sand!)

* Place tea light inside Now you’re ready for a fun summer BBQ on the patio, evening cocktail party, or reception! For a different effect, try using a blue Mason jar, instead of the traditional clear glass.

VOILA!

[Image by trekkyandy]