Window Valances, Go from Dreary to Delightful Installing one.

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Installing a Window Valance can be fun and rewarding.

A great accent to any living area is the addition of window valances.

Window valances come in many designs and finish that can really brighten up the decor. From classic to fun and funky, you can let your creative style cover a wide range.

The simplest form is just a curtain rod with a shortened drape overlapping a longer drape underneath. Other times it’s stand alone with no other drape. This is common in kitchens, bathrooms and general access areas (laundries, hallways, etc.)

Window valances can also get very sophisticated as you see in reception halls or

The one that really adds some style to your formal areas, dining room and living room, is the “box window valance”.

This type of valance does take much more to install and often require specialized brackets to attach to the wall above your window

Much like the installation of the brackets for drapery, there is a minimum of tools you should have on hand to install the hardware and the valance itself.

Tools to install a window valance.

• A tape measure, in either metric or imperial.
  
• A Philips screwdriver (the point looks like a X)
  
• A flat screwdriver
  
• A 2′ or longer level
  
• A drill, electric or cordless
  
• A set of drill bits
  
• A hammer
  
• A step ladder
  
• A sharpened #2 or lighter pencil
  
• A roll of painters tape
  
• A helper to hold the step ladder securely
  

Here’s quick, simple system I’ve to help setup to install the bracket hardware for your valance if you are handy with basic tools and are comfortable with working in heights on a ladder.

(WARING: Do not attempt to work at heights if you are unstable or nervous working with heights. Do not use any tools if you are on any medications that may make you drowsy or reduce your motor skills in any way. We can’t be responsible for any injuries if you attempt any installations described here.)

Setup to install window valances.

1. Place your fully opened step ladder in front of your window.
   
2. As you climb the step ladder, never use the top step, have your helper secure the step ladder as to not slip.
   
3. Place your level on the top molding of the window.
   
4. Determine if the window molding is level or is not.
   
5. If level you use a horizontal measurement from the molding.
   
6. If not place a strip of tape on both sides of the window approximately where you be placing holes for the brackets, (see your window valance hardware installation sheet).
   
7. Use your level and draw a light line, with your pencil, on the painter’s tape to create a reference line on either side of the window molding.
   
8. Measure off the floor to your reference line to determine which side is lower.
   
9. Use the lower side as your reference point to install your valance brackets.
   
10. From there, safely follow the instructions that came with your brackets.
    

From there you can expect the project to last from 15 minutes to 45 minutes per window depending on the brackets, the need of wall anchors, how large the window is.

If this seems to be too much for you to try on your own, or are unsure that you have the skills to properly install a window valance, call or email handy4homes to come and perform the installation for you. From one to one hundred valances, we will professionally install your valances to your satisfaction.

If you find this article a little helpful, don’t forget to sign up for a newsletter of tips and tricks on the sidebar. Also, see our other handyman services we can help with while we are out at your property.

Thanks, till next time, stay safe and have a great day!

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DIY Fun has a new pin from February 6, 2017 at 06:34AM

Description: wood box window valances installed in Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Newton and winchester Massachusetts
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The Best Sources for Affordable Neutral Accent Chairs

I’m always on the lookout for affordable furniture, and since I’ve been playing musical chairs in my home lately, I spent a lot of time sourcing different options. I thought I would round up some of the best sources for affordable neutral accent chairs for you. The ones I’ve selected are all $250 and under, and many of them come in a variety of colors or fabric choices. I chose neutrals since I’m always a fan of including neutral furniture in a space (because I change my mind a lot), and I prefer adding color and pattern in the form of pillows, rugs, curtains, art, etc. It’s a lot easier to swap out the textiles in a room when your taste changes than to totally replace the furniture, so you can’t go wrong with neutrals. You can find each item linked below (affiliate links are included), so if you spot one you like, the link will take you directly to the product page.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

1 / 2 / 3

4 / 5 / 6

7 / 8 / 9

10 / 11 / 12

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Which one is your favorite? I’d love to know! (I actually have #3 in my mom cave!)

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

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12 DIY Ideas for Laundry Rooms, Entryways, & Mudrooms

Each month I team up with 11 other blogs to bring you our “DIY Housewives” series, where we share posts from our archives that fit a specific theme. This month we are sharing 12 DIY ideas for laundry rooms, entryways, and mudrooms!

The project that I’m sharing which you may have originally missed, is my DIY Entryway Bench Tutorial & Build Plans. This is a simple design and easy build, and would be a great beginner woodworking project.

I also built the wall mounted coat rack, which you can find here.

Be sure to check out the other DIY Housewives’ posts below!

An InLinkz Link-up

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

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Peeling Paint, Discover Some Great Ways to Fix It.

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Peeling Paint, Some Ways to Fix It.

Peeling paint is not only an eyesore, it can be a health issue if small children and pets are in the area of the peeling.

As a homeowner, you should always be on the lookout for paint that is starting to bubble. Paint that is starting to bubble may be a sign of paint that will start to peel.

 

 

What are some of the main reasons paint peels?

●  Plastered walls that never fully dried.

●  An excessively damp house.

●  Low-grade paint.

●  Heavy dust on walls before painting.

●  Wrong additives added to paint.

●  Cooking grease or oil left on walls before painting.

●  High gloss paint not de-glossed before painting.

 

It isn’t uncommon for paint that has lost its adhesion to come off in sheets like loose wallpaper. There are several remedies to rectify paint that has become unstable. One is to scrape and complete the peeling of the paint that is loose. Another is to pop the bubbles and score areas of peeling paint to be able to accept new paint that will help bind the old paint back to the surface it was applied to.

Low nap paint roller covers are notorious for creating micro vacuums when loaded with paint then grabbing pulling existing paint off the surface like a lint brush

 

 

Another reason that paint will start to peel is the wrong application of oil based paint onto latex or water based paints or polyurethanes. Though the quality of latex and oil based paints have greatly improved to avoid such situations, it’s still common for the paints to not co-operate in the passage of moisture and peeling paint is the result.

 

Some paints are less likely to fail.

 

Latex paints are somewhat permeable and allow moisture to pass through its flexible coating. Oil based paints are solid, inflexible and resist the passage of water or moisture through its surface.

Paint that is sprayed is more capable to peel based on the process itself creating a sheet-like finish. When the surface is badly prepared, sprayed paint and lacquer can come off like a sheet of paper. Sprayed paint doesn’t have to be avoided. Extra attention should be given to the surface the paint is going to be put on.

Recap: to fix the immediate peeling of paint, decide to peel or lock down the problem areas. Make sure there is no grease on the surface. Use a TSP solution to wash and de-gloss paint surfaces to receive paint. If available use a moisture meter to determine if excessive moisture is trapped in the surface to be painted.

Make sure you apply latex onto oil base paint. Oil onto oil based paint or Latex paint onto latex paint.

 

 

Prepare before repainting.

 

It’s also always a good idea to scuff trouble areas with a scratch pad to assist in the adhesion of the new paint.

Here’s another site about solving paint and other failures that include other common paint issues.

If you feel this may be too much for you to attempt on your own and you live in Arlington, Belmont, Lexington or Winchester MA. Contact Handy4homes at (339) 970-9825 for an evaluation of your peeling paint problem.

But there’s more. If you’re not getting our tips, hints and special pricing notices then register, in the provided area on the right sidebar, to start getting the information you can use to improve your home’s living space.

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Simple Upgrades: Swapping Out Light Switches & Outlets

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Legrand. All opinions are my own.

One of the many items on our “to do list” we’ve had since moving into our home was to update our almond colored outlets and light switches. This became even more pressing when several of our faceplates started cracking in half, and we also realized that some of our outlets were not installed correctly and whenever we plugged something in, the entire outlet would get pushed into the wall and could be easily wiggled, etc. Definitely not a good situation. Luckily, with the help of Legrand, we recently upgraded 3 of our downstairs rooms with outlets and switches from the radiant® collection. We installed them in our kitchen, dining room, and “mom cave” (aka living room/office).

Here’s a quick look at what our outlet situation looked like “before.”

And here are the updated spaces.

We opted for all white outlets and switches, and we went with the tamper resistant outlets in most places, with the exception of a couple of the USB charger/tamper resistant outlet combos.

I especially love having the USB charger above our kitchen desk, so we can charge our phones while keeping our laptop and other things plugged in at the same time if we need to.

Designers always say “it’s all in the details,” and it really is true that sometimes the smallest projects can make a larger impact than you would think when it comes to the look and feel of a room. This definitely created a more updated, modern feel in our home. I also love that the outlets and light switches no longer stand out as an eye sore, taking center stage for all the wrong reasons. Now, they blend seamlessly into our decor and allow everything else to stand out.

The radiant® collection offers dimmers, switches and sensors, outlets, USB charging, and home automation. There are a variety of colors to choose from, and I love that they look modern and sleek and don’t have screws showing at all.

The tamper resistant outlets are amazing for homes with small children, like ours. The patented shutter system helps prevent foreign objects from being inserted, and if you’ve ever had a toddler, then you know this is a concern.

Technology comes into play in a big way with this collection, as you can choose preset timers which provides convenience and energy saving capabilities; occupancy/vacancy sensors which turn on when motion is detected and turn off with an adjustable time delay; and universal paddle dimmers.

I would love to know, which items from the collection would you choose for your home? You can see the entire radiant collection here.

And here’s a handy dandy pinnable graphic if you’d like to save this post for later!

You Might Also Like:

• 80s Butler’s Pantry Becomes Modern Coffee Bar
• Family Room Makeover Reveal
• Project Gallery

You can also connect with me here:

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin

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DIY Fun has a new pin from January 28, 2017 at 04:34AM

Description: Handy4homes carpenter fixes stubborn stuck doors in Arlington, Belmont, Lexington, Newton, Winchester Massachusetts
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