Painting Terracotta Pots

What do you do with that stack of plain terracotta pots? They are great for decorating because they’re inexpensive and versatile. Use them for planters, candle holders, or even side tables. However, they can be plain.

Well, you don’t have to accept their plainness any longer. Spruce up your terracotta pots with a splash of paint to suit your color scheme using these techniques.



Supplies:

High-quality spray paint - your choice of color(s).
High-quality spray on primer.
High-quality clear coat/sealer (matte or gloss).
Terracotta pots (new or used).
Directions:

Carefully clean your terracotta pots and let dry thoroughly. It is important that they are completely free from dust or dirt and are dry.

Prime the pots, inside and out, covering every inch. Let dry completely and then repeat. It is important that you cover inside just as well as the outside.

Spray the pots whatever color(s) you wish covering inside and outside. Let dry between coats. You may need to do 3–4 coats to ensure complete coverage.

Spray on your clear coat/sealer. It is important that you cover the inside and outside completely. Let dry between coats. You may need to do 2–3 coats.

* Please note that painting the inside is very important. It will help prevent moisture from seeping through and causing the outside paint to bubble and peel off.

Home Office Design

Is your home also your office? Create a work space that serves your business needs and is also a natural extension of your home and personality.

What do you see when you picture your dream home office? Probably something stylish, comfortable, maybe even inspiring. But balancing the comfortable with the practical takes planning. Here's how:
Put Some "Home" In Your Home Office Design
Your main objective, and one that many home-office creators miss, is to retain the "home" in "office." Don't be afraid of the cozy factor invading your professional space, embrace it!

Integrating warm, relaxing lighting, installing comfortable chairs for kids and other family visitors, and perhaps even adding an extra computer so your children can work alongside you are all ways of taking advantage of the familial closeness that working at home can provide. You want your kids to feel at home in your office, but you also need your space to rate high in both function and style. I'm here to tell you: you can have both!

Organize Your Home Office
In terms of basic office furniture and accessories, you'll need some sort of bookshelf-or shelves-and file drawers that look good and are easily accessible without you having to get up. I recommend organizing shelves by topic.

Bulletin and chalk boards are a great way to keep home offices tidy and reminders front and center, and double as a gallery for your family photos.

Home Office Style
You can add your signature to the desktop with stylish, affordable and useful accessories like pencil holders and divided containers.

Ergonomic Home Offices
If you're going to invest in any one item, make it a timeless desk chair that leans back and ergonomically supports the body. You'll be grateful for it every day!

Lighting for Your Home Office
Lighting is also important. Take advantage of natural light, and use every opportunity to add more. Make sure you install blinds, both for privacy and controlling drafts. One illuminating idea is to use interesting lighting to create a focal point for the room. Cable lighting is another functional way to add style. In general, offices should benefit from lots of lighting, but do install dimmers so you can go cozy if you want to.

Personal Touches in Your Home Office
Home offices are an ideal place to show off your personal art and pictures, family portraits, anything that speaks to your unique aesthetic and inspires you. Unlike the dry, neutral palettes you see in most corporate offices, home-based work centers should be fun and colorful, reflecting the personality of their owners. You may be spending many late nights there, why not feel at home? Some people even install a TV to keep them company on late nights.

Above all, the place you spend so much time in each day should be warm and inviting, the professional equivalent of your favorite, over-stuffed chair.

Bathroom Designs: Remodel Small Bathroom

Looking to remodel small bathroom? Still using the towels you got ten years ago for your wedding? Is the paint cracking above your shower? Well, then its probably time to update your bathroom designs. And with an average 100% return on investment with bathroom redesigns, you really have nothing to lose.



10 ways to improve your bathroom designs:

Update the fixtures: Today’s bathroom vanities, bathroom faucets and tubs are streamlined to allow for maximum space-saving. They are decorative and functional, and add lasting beauty to your bathroom designs.

Add a skylight: There’s nothing quite like natural, soft light coming from a skylight in the ceiling. Consider adding one above your shower, or directly in the middle of the room.

Install a jacuzzi: For a romantic evening with your loved one, or a long soak to take away the stress of the day, consider a jacuzzi. There are many models available today that will fit any budget.

Add a second bathroom sink: Whether you have a large family, or its just the two of you, there always seems to be a battle over the sink. Add a second bathroom basin, and alleviate the trouble.

Make use of corners: There never seems to be enough space in the shower for all those shampoos and conditioners. Install corner shelving from floor to ceiling for optimal storage.

Add a towel warmer: Just think of how wonderful a warm fluffy towel would feel after a shower on a cold winter morning. Well, install a towel warmer and feel that luxury.

Update the mirror: For small bathrooms, a large mirror can make the room feel much larger. Consider new a bathroom mirror that will add beauty and depth to your bathroom.

Get new towels: A new set of towels and bathmats is an easy, quick way to spruce up any bathroom.

Install a bidet: True, many people don’t even know what a bidet is for, but they will add lasting value to your bathroom designs.

Accessorize: Little additions like a wall-mounted soap dispenser can add a bit of flair to your bathroom designs cheaply and quickly.