Make Your Own Lampshades

by: Dean Novosat



When redecorating your room, you may be faced with looking for new lampshades (or perhaps a lampshade you currently have has gotten damaged). So why not make your own!



If your lamp currently has a lampshade on it, half of the battle is already won! You have a base to start building your new shade. When selecting a material for your new shade, you can use paper, fabrics, plastic, or any heat-resistant material. Do keep in mind though, that the surface of a 100-watt light bulb can reach over 200 degrees and could cause a fire hazard. Make sure the material you choose for a lampshade is either far enough from the light bulb, or is fire-resistant.



Next, have fun! Take a trip to your local craft store or fabric store and get some ideas for your fabric or other material for your shade. Remember, the more transparent the material, the more the color of your light will change by the material. If you use a lightweight, transparent green sheer material, your finished lamp will give off a greenish glow. On the other hand, a heavy piece of velvet (or how about some thin strips of tree bark) won’t allow much light through at all. Light will escape from the top or bottom of the lamp only. Keep this in mind as you plan your new lampshade.



To begin making your new lampshade, you will need the measurements of the current shade. If possible, take the old shade apart by carefully cutting it along it’s seams. You can then use this as a template for your new lampshade. However, don’t be stifled by the old shade! You can easily create an entirely new look with a piece of rigid wire, bending it into a new shape for a new shade. In this case, making a new cover may be a little trickier, but the process is the same. Simply cover the lampshade frame with your material. For fabric you can sew the seams or glue it. The same is true for other materials. If the glue is far enough away from the light bulb, you can even use hot melt glue.



The best part of making your own lampshades is that if you don’t like your creation, or you redecorate your room, you can quickly and inexpensively make a new lampshade.



About The Author



Dean Novosat holds a degree in Scenery and Lighting Design from Frankling & Marshall College and he uses his knowledge and experience with theatrical lighting in the home. He feels the home is just a blank canvas or stage that we choose to live in! He is the webmaster of http://www.only-lamp-shades.com and he enjoys using light in unique and different ways in the home.



Improving your home and your life only at Home Improvement Idea : http://home-improvement-idea.blogspot.com

What Do Custom Rugs Have To Offer?

by: John Murray



If you are in the market for new carpets or area rugs you've got thousands of carpets to choose from. However sometimes things just don't seem to fit and you can't seem to find that right carpet. You may need to think about custom rugs. So what do custom rugs have to offer?



1. Size



Custom rugs can made to fit any size no matter how unusual the size might be. You can also get custom area rugs made as well. Some houses just weren't built for the traditional carpet off the roll and even with seaming as an option but if you need too many seams it may not be an option you care to use. Custom rugs are certainly worth considering.



2. Color



Are you trying to match a home decor shade that just seems impossible with off the roll carpet. Not a problem! With custom rugs you can have an exact match to the colors you are working with. High tech matching equipment will determine the colors in your room and find a lighter or darker shade that's appropriate to get that look you are trying to achieve.



3. Pattern



Who would have thought with all those patterns available on the market you still can't find exactly what you are looking for. It's more common than you might think and that's why manufacturers offer custom rugs. If you just can't accept the off the roll patterns then draw up what you want including the colors you want and they'll be able to make it exactly to your requirements.



4. Texture



Found the perfect color but can't find it in the right texture. No problem. That's an easier custom job than you might think. After all they already have the dye color in their standard off the roll products so now they just need to apply it to the appropriate texture carpet you are looking for. The only problem you might run into is that the dye is not compatible with the fabric of the texture you are looking at.



5. Fabric



Did you find the perfect carpet but it's only available in a synthetic and due to allergies you need it in a Berber or wool carpet. No problem. A custom rug can be built using the carpet you found that you like but out of a natural material of your choice.



6. Shape



Looking for an unusual shape. Need a triangle and all you can buy is an octagon. A custom rug can be cut to any shape you need and they can make sure patterns and designs match up correctly.



Custom rugs give you choices that simply are not available off the roll. That said if you are in the market for custom rugs or carpet realize that they are going to cost more than off the roll. How much more will depend a great deal on what your custom requirements are. However if you just have to have that perfect rug there is no better option than custom rugs. Why settle for anything less when you can have exactly what you want!



About The Author



John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit: http://www.carpets-guide.com.



Improving your home and your life only at Home Improvement Idea : http://home-improvement-idea.blogspot.com

In Ground Fiberglass Pool

You are looking through the window at the crystal clear, sparkling water running over the waterfall into the pool. People are smiling in the pool and around it in the beautiful landscaping around the pool. This isn't a dream, it is your backyard!



Fiberglass pools are mostly constructed on an upside down mold and a gel coat is applied to the inside surface for the smoothness and color. Steps are also are also built as part of the shell. Fiberglass is then laminated over gel coat to desired thickness. Generally, your yard is excavated, plumbing installed, sand contoured to fit around shell is poured, the concrete deck around the pool is completed, and then the pool in installed.



There are different sizes and shaped to choose from. It may not be a large selection as these pools are large and mass produced. Once the pool is completed you can add the beautiful landscaping, slide, and diving board. Now is the time to relax in your own back yard!



Improving your home and your life only at Home Improvement Idea : http://home-improvement-idea.blogspot.com
 
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