Monday, January 21, 2013

A Simplified Method of Choosing Art for Your Walls

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When your bare walls are a blank slate and you wish to add a splash of color to them, putting on wall art is the most common way of doing it. There is such a wide variety of selections to choose from, so there is an added element of excitement in the choosing process. However, most people are daunted by the fact that you've only got to choose one type of art among the hundreds of thousands of options, and would appreciate a set of guidelines to help them through the process. Here are some handy tips that experts usually spout out to inquisitive customers to help them choose their art:

1. Expose yourself to plenty of artwork. Art comes in different forms, so it is very important to know what particular styles you are personally attracted to and which ones don't touch a chord. The one thing you need to remember when buying art is that the value of one piece to you is really determined by how you appreciate it and not how others value it. Of course, if you can afford to buy the works of masters like Van Gogh or Rembrandt, that's a different story altogether.

Aside from brushstrokes and the medium used, people also look at themes when checking out styles. Landscape art, portrait art, nature art, and animal art are just some of the possibilities. Find the type that resonates in you and stick with that theme so your selections are narrowed.

Another feature to consider is color; the color scheme of the artwork must complement the colors of other decors in the room. Interior designers tend to create a color theme in a room, so also follow that theme when choosing your art piece.

2. During the exposure process, you will soon discover that you have a particular affinity to certain artists and even specific work of theirs. Check to see where you can get them cheaper online to get a good value for your money. Some of these artists have their own websites, while others will be showcased by online art stores.

3. The artist determines the dimensions of his or her art, but thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to make prints out of the art piece and have them resized to larger or smaller prints, depending on the customer's preference. Prints are the more practical option for most modern homes because the real deal like oil on canvas or watercolor originals tends to be very expensive and not many people can afford it. Artists are now willing to expand their reach to the masses by allowing prints to be made of their work. If you are planning to keep changing your décor every 2-3 years, as most people are wont to do, then go for this option. Choose the best size based on the size of your existing wall, following the guideline of leaving a space equivalent to 3/8th of the width of the art piece itself, on either side of the print.

Whether you decide to have modern eclectic art or landscape art, the same tips can be applied. Make your life easier and be sure to enjoy the results of your minimal efforts.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

How Can We Take Advantage Of The Tonal Variation Of a Natural Slate Tiles Bathroom?

Since Slate tiles bathroom are natural materials,have many tonal variations in colours, textures and patterns. So you cannot expect all tiles to have the same colour like other manufactured materials. All batches differ from others and give a unique appearance when installed. You cannot find identical slate floors and walls which is the special property of these tiles. This is a big advantage in the flooring as you can creatively design the floor with varied colours. After ordering the slate, you can take them out from the box and see the variations in each box. From that you can use your own ideas to decorate the house. You can keep the same colours on one side and the varied ones on other side and then think about different laying patterns. You cannot utilize this kind of creativity in manufactured tiles as they do not have any variation.
Slate tiles bathroom are first placed on the dry floor to see how they look before applying them with the mortar. This way, you can think of various types of laying patterns using these tiles. Laying them without mortar first gives you many different ideas. This advantageous tile is suitable for the indoor and outdoor projects and enhances the surroundings. Sometimes, you can notice some thickness variations too. You can use the light toned tiles at the center to increase the brightness. Darker ones are suitable for the borders to increase the effect of the center tiles. The material with less thickness is suitable for the center and the one with more thickness is for the borders. This creative laying is only possible with the slate tiles. You can lay them in diagonal patterns by mixing the light ones and the darker ones.
The success of slate tiles bathroom lies in the creative installation only. Since they are natural stones, pores are present on the surface of the materials. You have to close them tightly before and after installing them. Do not use them on wet areas without the sealant application. Unsealed ones will absorb the moisture and soap scum and form stains on the surface. You can also fix light colours for the walls and darker ones for the floors in a different layout. The creative laying enhances the room's appearance and creates a modern effect. You have to get them from the right suppliers after getting all your queries solved. You can also get their opinion about laying them in different styles. They are not expensive so, you can also contact a professional for installing them perfectly. Get the high quality materials and create a center of attraction in the house. Take advantage of the tonal variation of slate and install them creatively in the bathroom.

Refinishing Marble Floor Tiles - A 9 Step Effective Way Of Restoring Its Shine

Marble floor tiles make interiors shine elegantly. The surface becomes dull because of scratches and other damages. This could decrease the market value of the house. So, you can restore the beauty of the floors before selling them by refinishing them. You can easily restore the original beauty of the house by following some rules.
1. Get rid of all broken tiles and replace them with the new ones. Take off the grout that is surrounding the damaged ones using a putty knife. Get rid of all grout completely. Place the knife under the tiles and loosen them from the mortar. Take the damaged tiles out and place them aside.
2. Clean the floor under the damaged tile and get rid of the old mortar. You can use carbide blade with rotary tool to take off the thin set mortar. Hold them at a 45 degree angle to use them correctly. Remove all the mortar by moving the blade front and back and then get rid of them completely.
3. Spread the thin set mortar on the subfloor using a notched edge of a trowel and apply it evenly. Place new marble floor tiles which match the surrounding ones. Get rid of excessive mortar, budging out from the edges of the tiles and allow them to set for some time.
4. Apply the new grout on the surroundings of the new tiles using a grout float. Mix grout in a medium consistency and spread it at a diagonal angle. Get rid of excessive grout from the surface using a damp sponge after allowing them to set for 10 minutes. Clean the floor to get rid of stains with soft cloth and fresh water after two hours. Let the tiles and grout set for two days.
5. You should apply the sealant for the tiles to protect them from moisture and bacteria.
6. To remove the scratches, use 100-grit sandpaper. Rub the paper in circular motion to decrease the scratches present on the surface. When the lines become light, use 150-grit sandpaper. Use 250-grit sandpaper to smoothen the tiles.
7. To polish the surface use polishing pad with a 4-inch angle grinder. Pour the polish into the pad and start the grinder. Apply the polish to the marble floor tiles and let them to dry till they turn to grey colour.
8. Then, reapply the polish on the grey ones to make the floor glossy and shiny.
9. Apply the sealant on the polished tiles, to prevent the surface from staining. Let them dry for two days before using the surface.
Follow these steps to regain the beauty of the tiles and increase the market value of the house.