No matter what look you desire for your home, faux painting can help you achieve it. From luxury marbling to a sunny Mediterranean look, paint can realize the illusion. Faux painting specializes in color and texture effects that can transform a dull wall and reinvent a room. A range of techniques are used but the basic principle is the use of a thin paint layer, known as a glaze. Multiple layers of almost transparent coats of glaze are used to create a variety of striking and stylish effects.

Color Washing: The color wash technique is a popular way of creating a textured wall finish. Using a brush or rag, different paints are applied in a free form or random fashion, to create an atmospheric cloud of colors. Different applicators and color combinations create soft and subtle or bolder and more striking finishes.

Working from lighter to darker colors, layers of glaze are washed over the surface. For a swirling, moody look, light colors can be used. Earth pigments can recreate the atmosphere of a Tuscan villa. For a more dramatic look an extended palette of brighter and bolder colors can be effective.

Textured Finishes: Color washing is but one way of adding texture and visual interest to a surface. Texturing is useful for disguising rough surfaces. Depending on the colors and contrast it can be bold or subtle if a neutral or understated color palette is chosen.

A finish produced by dragging a comb through fresh glaze to reveal the base coat color is one way of achieving this look. A comb or (in the French technique known as strie) fine brushwork can create the illusion of woven fabric. As well as dragging, rolling is another way of producing a textured look.

The art of illusion reaches a peak in trompe loeil painting, in which faux features are reproduced on a flat plane. Faux low relief sculpture and carvings and the illusion of peeling plaster can all be reproduced in this way using paint.

Stenciling: A fantastic variety of stencils are available today, for use either in creating a patterned effect across a complete surface or for use as border or trim. Many are reusable and you can get them in custom sizes.

Gone are the bridges of paper that marked the old cut-out stencils and designs of much greater complexity are now available. Some contemporary stencils are closer to transfers. Subtle differences can be achieved by using different applicators: brush or roller, sponge, rag or even aerosol. Stencils can also replicate a particular finish, such as brickwork laid in a herringbone design.

Paint is perfect for giving a bedroom a makeover for a new baby. One advantage of using paint to create your chosen look for the nursery is that it can be changed easily and economically. Not only do babies grow remarkably fast but both you and the baby may fancy a change after a while.

Color Schemes :

A plain bedroom can be given instant appeal with a carefully chosen color scheme. For your baby you might want a calm, traditional look, using pastel colors, such as pale yellows, blues and pinks. Pale colors can effectively complement traditional furniture such as a dark wooden cot, although bright colors can also go well with antique-style furnishings. If you want a bright, contemporary look for your baby’s room, primary colors are always cheerful. For color inspiration you could take your lead from a picture or a quilt for your baby’s cot.

Though visual environments have emotional effects, your baby will not be spending all his or her time in the nursery and it will not be the sole source of visual stimulation. Choose a color scheme and design that appeals to you. When catering for your baby’s needs avoid detailed designs, such as fabrics in small print. Visual features that are large, bold and high contrast are more likely to engage your baby.

Creating Visual Interest

Borders and murals are top ways to create a visual focus in a nursery. Stenciling is an ideal way to create decorations. A huge range of motifs are available to suit any theme. Today’s stencils are reusable and many can be custom-sized.

Stencils will allow you to add touches such as friezes, featuring numbers or the alphabet, for example. As well as friezes, stenciled motifs can be used instead of pictures, or to create murals. A motif, or a set of related motifs, can be applied on any surface, not only walls or doors. Stenciling is effective on wooden floors and on furniture.

Large murals can make a nursery a wonderland. It could be a vista from a fairy tale or an ensemble of characters from a children’s book. Reproducing your favorite images is not that difficult, or you may find stencils that will help you. Stick-on murals or wallpaper will be much more tedious to remove when your baby is older.

Stained glass paint is a way to add extra color to a room. Painted directly onto window panes, it catches the sunlight. Not only does it look decorative but it is likely to fascinate your baby.

Miscellaneous Tips

- Any bedroom should have an element of tranquility. Too much detail, too many motifs and a riot of color can spoil the effect.

- You can transform a room even without going to town on the walls. Accents and clever touches can have the same effect. Adding color and/or motifs to furniture and fittings will take you a long way. Doors, door, window, picture and mirror frames, pelmets and the like are all amenable to paint treatments that can transform your plain room into a proper nursery.

- It may seem obvious, but make sure the paints you use are non-toxic.

1: HE MUST BE RELIABLE.

Make sure your contractor is licensed by your state (if required), has been in business for 5 years or more, carries general liability insurance (get copies of his policies) and carries worker’s compensation. Additionally, make sure he has sufficient capital and doesn’t need your business to pay his bills this month.

2: WORKMANSHIP.

The only way to judge workmanship is through on-site inspection. Ask for references and arrange to examine projects similar to yours from previous jobs. Most contractors will carry photo books to show you samples of their work.

3: TEAMWORK AND TRUST.

There are two ways to go. If you want to leave the details to an expert, then hire one whose decisions you trust. If you want to be involved in every decision, then hire a contractor who is comfortable with close supervision. The best contractor you can hire is one that cares as much as you do. They do exist.

4: BIDS.

To get comparable bids for your project, write out the specifications, including sample building materials and fixtures and give copy to each contractor submitting a bid. The more detailed the specifications, the easier it will be to compare bids because all should use same materials in their cost breakdowns. Hire a designer to create project specifications, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

5: PRICE CHECKING.

Request a cost breakdown sheet and double check all the prices. This should include labor, materials, fixtures, and expenses (including subcontractor bids and building permits). Finally, make sure that your contractor gives you a fixed timetable.

6: DON’T GIVE UP.

The most successful projects are one where you have not walked away. Even the best contractor needs a watchful eye. Pay by check to company, 30% being a reasonable down payment upon delivery of materials. Make final payments only when the work is completed to your satisfaction.

1: IT’S ABOUT STYLE

Windows can completely change the look of your house, so before you replace your replace your existing windows with the same exact kind, look for windows that express your home’s style as well as your personal style. Double hung windows will give you a traditional style while horizontal slider and awning windows give you a more modern look. If you are looking for a period look, the mutins or grids on a window can add to that.

2: SAFETY AND SOUND FIRST

After you find the style you want, try out the window for security and noise abatement. Think about windows with laminated glass to reduce noise, if you live near a busy street or airport. Laminated glass will also hold up in extreme weather conditions and also help offer protection from intruders. Please be advised that this alternative could be double the budget.

3: MAINTENANCE

Here is the big question: How much maintenance do you want to do on your windows in the long run? If you have little time for household chores, then consider no-hassle hybrid cladding or vinyl framed windows rather than wood. Additionally, does your choice need repainting? Make sure to ask about warping, rotting and cracking. Consider double-hung windows for ease of cleaning from the inside. The is especially important if you have a multi-story home with windows that are difficult to reach.

4: ABOUT THE GLASS

Options include tempered impact glass, low-e glass that limits UV rays and glass that reduces heat loss while letting heat from sun to penetrate. Energy Star compliant windows enhance energy efficiency and make the house more comfortable. Some windows allow for better ventilation and others have a larger glass area allowing for more daylight or to capture the views. Also consider transoms or sidelights.

5: CHECKING THE PRICE

Always double check the price against competitors. There are quality windows available at all price levels. As a general rule, the choice of material and glass used in the frame will determine the price.

6: FRESH OPENINGS

How many windows do you need? Know the size of your rough openings. Do you have privacy issues to consider? Should the windows open for ventilation? Or stay closed to prevent energy loss?

Distressed hardwoods are becoming a popular hardwood kind among home owners. Distressed hardwood refers to hardwood that has been scraped. It is becoming popular owning to the aesthetic quality it has and adds to a home.

The main reason for having distressed hardwoods is because of the beauty it adds to the home. Distressed hardwoods can be divided into two. There are ones that has been scraped by the hand and the others are those scraped by a machine.

Among many home owners, the hand scraped distressed hardwoods is very popular. The reason is becasue it is personalized. It reflects the individuality of the person who did it and therefore, you cannot find it anywhere else. But the machine scraped distressed hardwoods lack individuality. They can be duplicated and this means that they are not unique like the hand scraped ones.

You can dictate the kind of scrapping you want your distressed hardwood to have. It could be lightly scrapped or heavily scrapped depending on what you want. Distressed hardwood that is lightly scraped is often complimentary of an aged decor look while those that are heavily scraped complement a rustic home setting.

You can have your hardwood distressed in your home by a professional after you install it. You may also decide to buy hardwood that has already been distressed (ready made). Distressed hardwood floor is becoming the craze these days. You can change the entire face of your hardwood floor by having it scraped. It’s a really worthy real estate investment.

There are many places where you can get distressed hardwoods if you choose not to have it done by a professional. The internet is highly recommended. It is often cheaper buying it online than buying it from a local store. This is because online stores are not cumbered with a lot of overheads that local store owners often grapple with.