The most important first step to installing your hanging hardware is to be sure you’ve picked the right type and size of hardware that’s right for your frame.  There are two types of picture frame hardware most commonly used – saw tooth hangers and eye hooks. 

Saw Tooth Hangers. 

Saw tooth hangers are best used for picture frames smaller than 11×14.  The name “saw tooth” is exactly how the hardware looks – a jagged, saw blade rectangular shaped hanger that is installed at the top center point of your frame. The saw tooth helps with the alignment to keep the picture even on the wall. 

Before you install the saw tooth hanger make sure you know which direction you’ll be hanging your frame so you place it correctly.  If you can’t “eye” the center of the frame, use a tape measure.  Place a dot at the center point of the frame and center the saw tooth hanger over the dot.  To make sure the hanger is even with the line of the frame, you may want to use a level. Once the hanger is level and centered, hammer in the two small nails on each side of the saw tooth hanger and you’re done. 

Eye Hooks. 

Eye hooks screw into the wood of the frame.  They work especially well for large or heavy frames.  Eye hooks take a little more work to install than saw tooth hangers, but once you know how to install them, you will feel more confident in adding them yourself. 

Eye hooks are installed on the side of the frame about 1/3 of the way down from the top of the frame. Using a tape measure, measure the back of the frame from the top of the frame to where you want to install the first eye hook. Make a mark on the back of the frame where the screw will need to go.  Then, place the second eye hook using the same measurement.  Accurately measuring for the screw placement will ensure that your picture frame hangs level. 

Once screw placement has been determined, drill two very small holes to help with the installation of the screws. When the screws are secured in place cut a length of wire longer than the width of the frame to attach to the eye hooks. Thread one end of the wire through an eye hook until you have a short length of wire to wrap several times around the long piece of wire. Thread the other end of the wire through the other eye hook.  Before securing the wire keep a hold of the unsecured piece of wire and hold the middle of the wire forming a triangular shape.  Allowing for this triangular shape, wrap the short end of the wire several times around the wire, securing it in place. The wire should be snug enough so it does not show above the frame. Cut off any excess wire and make sure that each end is wrapped tightly. 

Now you are ready to hang your wall frame.  Pick the wall space where you want it to hang and have someone hold the picture so you can see if it looks good on the wall.  If you have multiple wall frames, it is a good idea to position them on the floor and determine how they should be displayed before you hammer nails in your wall.  For arranging on the floor, use string to represent the area on your wall so you can determine the proper spacing of your picture frames. 

Be sure when installing your wall frame that the nail goes into a wall stud. The spacing in most homes is 16 inches between studs.  If you are unsure or can’t find a stud, you can use a “stud finder” available at any hardware store, or use wall anchors for added support in sheet rock.  Hanging a frame on a cement, brick or concrete wall is different than on a sheet rock wall.  For any type of cement, brick or concrete wall, pre-drill the holes with a mason bit and use screws with wall anchors.  Be sure the screw is firmly secured in the wall so the frame doesn’t fall off and get damaged. 

It may take some extra effort to install your frame hardware and hang your picture, but once you see your picture frame displayed on the wall, you’ll be happy with the result and glad you took the extra time to do it. 

About the Author:
Autumn Lockwood is a writer for http://www.YourPictureFrames.com and loves taking pictures. Your Picture Frames offers a large collection of picture frames in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles. If you’re looking for old fashioned picture frames check out our selection of antique picture frames at: http://www.yourpictureframes.com/categories/Antique-Picture-Frames/.

More Home Decorating Resources

Liners also keep your masonry safe from byproducts of combustion that can be extremely corrosive and damaging to your flue system. The gases produced by combustion will actually eat away at or deteriorate the mortar located in between the flue tiles in your chimney. 

If your existing flue system has been deemed unsafe to burn due to cracked flue tiles, missing mortar joints, etc., then looking into a flexible stainless steel chimney liner may be beneficial. Although rigid stainless steel liners exist, chances are that you may not be able to use this type of liner for your chimney. If your chimney has even the slightest bend to it, then a rigid liner just will not go down into the chimney. Also, you must be sure to use a flexible liner if you are installing for a new woodstove insert because more often than not you are required to bend the liner a little bit to fit it to the stove correctly. Consult a professional when deciding what type of liner will work best for you. 

After you purchase your liner in the correct size and material for your particular flue system, carefully remove the liner and lay it out flat on a flat surface. Be cautious. The edges of the liner can be very sharp and potentially cut you. Start by attaching the bottom termination connector. Then tighten the hose clamp, being very careful not to over-tighten it on the liner. After measuring the exact length of the chimney (from the bottom to the very top of the crown,) add twelve to eighteen inches and cut the liner using tin snips. You need to properly install the bottom termination connector. 

Chimney liner insulation is necessary along the entire length of the liner. To determine the correct width of the insulation, it’s time for a little grade school geometry: multiply the diameter of the liner by 3.14 (pi) to get the circumference of the circle, and then add one inch to this number because a one inch overlap is necessary to properly insulate the liner. So long as the insulation will fit in the chimney it is not necessary to have this exact number. It just cannot be any less. 

Lay the insulation on the ground with the foil side facing the ground and place the stainless steel liner in the middle. After the liner is wrapped, use foil tape over the seam to keep it snug. After it is secured use one long piece of tape the length of the liner as a whole to cover the seam. This continuous piece of tape will secure the insulation the best. 

Wire mesh is also necessary when it comes to insulating the liner. If this was not in place then the insulation itself can be damaged when being lowered into the  chimney. Make sure your mesh covers the entire length of the liner. Do not forget to encapsulate the bottom connector piece as well. Hose clamps are the best for attaching the mesh and they are usually included in the liner kit. Use the clamps to attach the mesh to one end of the liner. Pull the mesh on the other end of the liner until it fits tightly and use the hose clamp to secure it. For safety reasons, use the same tin snips as before to cut away any extra. 

Working on a roof, no matter what you are doing, takes many safety precautions. Be sure that you take all of these precautions and you have enough people to safely install the liner. You will be basically dropping the liner down through the top of the chimney and feeding it the whole way through to the bottom. It may become necessary for a rope to be tied to the bottom of the liner and to have someone standing inside the home pulling from the bottom. Be sure to keep the liner as centered as possible while dropping it down into the flue system. This will prevent any damage to the insulation or the liner itself. 

After your liner is in the correct position, it is time to cut the top of the liner to fit correctly. Be sure to leave four extra inches showing on the outside of the flue system so that the liner is equal to the height of the crown. Hold the bottom connector in place firmly and apply silicone caulk to the top of the first terracotta flue tile or the chimney crown itself. Then, place the top plate over the liner and press it into the caulking. Tighten the connecting clamp or band around the liner to secure the liner to the top plate. Then, install your stainless steel cap by placing it over the collar of the top plate. 

If you are connecting your liner to the appliance vertically, simply connect the appliance connector to the liner and bottom termination point. If you are using a vertical connection then you are finished! If you are connecting horizontally, decide upon the point where the pipe will come through the wall to connect to the tee body.Cut a hole through the insulation and mesh to indicate where the tee snout and tee will connect. Secure the snout and body of the tee using a metal band that should be attached and wraps around the tee body’s backside. Insulate the snout of the tee and fill the hole around the snout with brick and mortar. 

Be careful to follow any given directions for your particular flue liner. Keep the edges of the stainless steel smooth and be cautious while working on the rooftop of any structure. 

About the Author:
Clay Lamb is a chimney expert and owner of American Chimney, in Cincinnati, OH. In 1981 he started a part-time chimney cleaning company. That was over 28 years and more than 75,000 service calls ago. He has helped thousands of homeowners solve problems with their woodburning stoves, chimney repair and fireplace problems. http://www.fireplaceandchimneysupply.com/  Copyright © 2009 Clay Lamb

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GreenDIYenergy (New) Solar & Wind Energy DIY Guide.
Why pay thousands of dollars for solar energy ($27,000 average cost) when you can build your own solar panel system for just a fraction of the retail cost. You can build a single solar panel or you can build an entire array of panels to power your whole house.

Home Made Energy – The Best DIY Offer!
If you have ever wished to stop wasting money on your electrical bill, help the global economy and save the Earth, then this one is for you. Home Made Energy was created to help you slash your electricity bill by 80% or even eliminate it completely!

DIY Solar Water Heater.
You Can Easily Build Your Own Solar Water Heater and Save up to 33% Off Your Electric Bill Every Month While Helping the Environment. Our do-it-yourself solar water heater guide is easy to follow with step-by-step instructions and is extremely affordable!

61 Small Barn Plans Plus Do-It-Yourself Building Guides.
Build Any Of 61 Great Designs For Small Barns, One, Two, Three And Four Car Country Loft Garages, Carriage Houses, Car Barns And Workshops, With Detailed Construction Drawings, Free Expert DIY Building Advice And Access To Dozens More Free Plans.

The Newest And Best DIY Energy Guide Yet!
Matt’s step-by-step guide will show you how to create your own Solar, Wind, and Bio-fuel Power for only pennies a day. And Because of Recently Passed Tax Laws for 2009, Find Out How to Qualify For Huge Tax Rebates or Even Get Your Green Energy System For Free!

Clear Home Water – DIY Water Filter.
Discover how to make your own SIMPLE yet extremely efficient water filter that will change the way you feel about tap water FOREVER.

DIY Home Solar Power – Make Solar Power.
Why pay for expensive electricity when you can build your own solar power system and save a fortune! Our easy to follow guide with detailed diagrams can get you on your way to eliminating your electricity bill, too.

DIY Energy Kit Shows How Much Energy And Money Is Wasted.
Amazing New Home Energy Kit That Every Homeowner Needs To Have. Tells You How To Find Energy Problems In The Home, And Then Tells You How Much The Problem Is Costing! Powerful, Proven Methods That Are Guaranteed To Work.

Designing On A Budget. Home Interior Decorating Guide.
How To Save Money On Furniture, Draperies, Artwork, Rugs, Home Decor & More. Decorate Your Home Cheap! Includes Floor Plans, Shopping, Auctions, DIY & Remodeling Help, Paint Colors, Style, Budgeting.

DIY Home Staging: Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps.
Choose From Easy-to-follow Home Staging EBooks That Reveal Industry Trade Secrets And No-fail Formulas To Home Staqing And Redesign. ‘Trade Secrets To Hanging Art Like A Pro!’ & ‘Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps’.

59 Workshop Plans Plus Free DIY Building Guides.
Build Any Of 59 Great Designs For Workshops, Wood Shops, One, Two, Three And Four Car Garages, Hobby Shops, Car Barns And Backyard Studios With These Detailed Construction Plans, Free Expert Do-it-yourself Building Advice, And Dozens More Free Blueprints.

I Kill Termites – You Can, Too (Author John Pandanus).
DIY Termite Guide Explains Everything Required To Kill Termites & Protect Your Home. Written With Step-by-Step Instructions & Accompaning Photos.

Free Solar Power Energy DIY Guide.
How would you like to create a solar panel which generates free electricity from the sun? Using our easy-to-follow guide, you will be able create a Solar Panel which creates absolutely free energy and doesn’t require any resource like wind or magnetic energy to function.

Unlike real, natural wood, it is less vulnerable to scratches like those from pets and high heels. This type of flooring is perfect for rooms in the house which have a heavier traffic. It means that a room which always has a lot of people needs strong, durable and attractive flooring. High-traffic areas of the house are the kitchen, living room, and dining area. These are the common places where the family spends time together and the floor needs to support multiple varying weights at one time. The added benefit of having it is that it can set the ambiance or the theme of a room. Thanks to its many different designs, we now have a great variety on what to use in our flooring. 

It is in itself very easy to install. We do not even need to hire a professional to install in our home. We can easily find instruction guides and materials on the internet which can give us an idea on how to go about it the easiest way possible. Maintaining it is as easy as installing them. Maintaining it usually involves keeping it from getting scratches and sitting water but most of all, it means having a clean laminate flooring. 

There are only a few things to remember to clean laminate flooring. This is because it is low-maintenance. We actually don’t require any special tools or cleaning products. The reason for this is because we can use the things we usually use for cleaning to clean laminate flooring. A mop or a vacuum would be good to clean it.

However, dry mops are more advisable to clean laminate flooring because too much moist and water can cause a swelling or warp on the laminate flooring. This will definitely happen to laminate flooring which are not water-resistant. So it is important to know beforehand if the laminate flooring we have is a water-resistant or not. 

All dirt and water spills need to cleaned immediately to avoid staining the floor and swelling. The basic rule is to remember that although laminate flooring are strong and durable, it doesn’t give us an excuse to test its durability by using abrasive products and strong detergents in cleaning it. To clean laminate flooring effectively is to use the simplest cleaning tools and products. 

About the Author:
Steven Magill says laminate flooring is now one of the most popular forms of flooring in the world. To find out more, go to http://www.installinglaminateflooring.info/best-way-to-clean-laminate-flooring.html  or http://www.installinglaminateflooring.info/index.html

More House Cleaning Resources 

The Ultimate Guide Of Speed Cleaning Secrets.
Everything You Need To Know To Get Your House Cleaned Quickly And Efficiently Is In This Guide. Learn All The Tips And Tricks.

Amazing Quick Cleaning Tips & Tricks.
This Book Will Teach You Step By Step How To Clean Each Room Of Your House Faster Than You Ever Imagined. Included Is A Guide To Choosing The Right Tools, Recipes For Cost Cutting Cleaners & A Checklist To Keep Track Of Your Progress.

Speed Cleaning Secret.
Discover The Secrets To Cleaning Your House Faster & More Effectively Than You Ever Dared Hope Possible!

Speed Cleaning Secrets Revealed.
Discover The House Cleaning Secrets Of The Pro’s That Will Show You How To Clean Your Home In Record Time.

Speed Clean Your House, Quik N Easy Secrets.
House Speed Cleaning Manual. Learn How To Clean Your House Twice As Fast, ‘Quik N Easy’.

The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist Book + Audio Bonus.
Learn How To Clean And Declutter Your House In Record Time. Free Audio Bonus +++ Other Great Bonuses.

The Queen Of Shiny Clean, A Clean Home In 1hour A Week.
You Can Now Boast The Cleanest House On The Block And Still Have Plenty Of Time To Enjoy The Rest Of Your Life By Learning The Amazing Cleaning Secrets Revealed By the “Queen Of Shiny Clean”.

The first thing you can do to look for a house sitter is to visit a local sitting community site. A house sitting forum or directory will work as well. There you can find both people looking for sitters as well as sitters looking for homes to occupy. A good sitter will post their experience and specialties for potential homeowners to view. Sitters should be capable of maintaining a home on a simple level. This involves light cleaning and other easy household tasks. The sitter should be available during critical hours, such as evenings, to be present in order to deter potential crime. 

Good sitters are confident about what they can do and often will have decent track records of past sittings. Specialized house sitters are a great find, especially if your home needs special care and attention. If you have pets that need to be taken care of and do not wish to leave them at a kennel or pet hotel, you can find a sitter that has pet experience. The sitter can watch both the house and the pet, while your pet does not have to experience the trauma of relocation. Specialized sitters can provide all types of services, such as gardening and watching over expensive amenities, such as pools. 

When searching a community sitting site for a good house sitter, find a person that you can contact privately and get to know. Your house is usually customized around your lifestyle. If you find someone with similar tastes and interests, they will probably have a priority for the way your house is set up. They will most likely take care of it the way you would. Sitters with specialties are also great if you want to ensure your home and other property and amenities are well taken care of. Finding a great house sitter not only maintains your home while you are away, but delivers peace of mind. 

About the Author:
Troy Degarnham invites you to get more information on House Sitting by visiting http://www.housesittersaustralia.com.au.

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Worldwide House Sitting Directory.
Home Owners Search Free Our Extensive Worldwide Database Of House Sitters. House Sitters Make Yourself Available. 

How To Live Rent-Free!
See Why Corp Sponsors Pay 100% Of Your Rent Or Mortgage. Get Free Real Estate! Many Other Secrets!! 

Hot-selling Housebuilding Ebook!
A 238-page Ebook That Teaches How To Build A House Without The Help Of Contractors. This Ebook Is The Solution To Many Financial Problems People Face When Trying To Build A Home. 

DIY Home Staging: Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps.
Choose From Easy-to-follow Home Staging EBooks That Reveal Industry Trade Secrets And No-fail Formulas To Home Staqing And Redesign. ‘Trade Secrets To Hanging Art Like A Pro!’ & ‘Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps’.

Transform Your House! How To Dramatically & Affordably Remodel A Home.
How To Dramatically & Affordably Transform Your House Without Major Remodeling. Learn Critical Advice & Design Ideas On Everything From Curb Appeal To Kitchen Remodels To Home Staging. Includes Bonus Chapters By Celebrity Contributors.

Help Sell House Guide.
The Comprehensive & Aggressive Marketing Plan Designed To Move You From “For Sale” To “Just Sold” So You Can Stop Stressing, Finish Packing & Move on With Your Life! 

Real Estate Guide – How To Rent My House Guide!
This Step By Step Guide Holds Your Hand From Tenant Selection To Filling Out The Lease. Learn The Secrets The Pros Use And Stop Listing That Home In A Market That Will Never Sell. 

Learn How To Smash Your Mortgage.
This New EBook Steps Through The Five Strategies That Phil Strong Used To Pay His House Off In Less Than 6 Years. And Now You Can Do The Same! Massive List Of Amazing Bonuses. Fantastic Financial Education For Any Home Owner. 

Buy Your Dream Home Fast…in 45 Days Or Less.
This Is A Fabulous E-book That Teaches First Time Home Buyers How To Buy The House Of Their Dreams Very Quickly. The Step-by-step Guide Teaches Everything They Need To Know From How To Shop For A New Home To How To Prepare To Move Into Their House.

Imagine a lifestyle where you could live in someone’s home and get paid. Welcome to the House Sitting Lifestyle. 

As a house sitter, you have the unique experience of being able to live in many types of homes, neighborhoods and communities to experience different styles of life. If you wanted to get to know a new part of town, house sitting allows you to do so without the commitments of rent. In return, house sitters are simply asked to do simple chores around the home to maintain its lived-in look. People who open their homes to sitters do not expect major types of work on their homes. They just want people to occupy the home while they are away. 

The home owner does not pay the sitter to merely live in the home. They seek sitters to live in their homes to show that they are currently occupied. The main idea is that this helps deter crimes. Burglars and thieves often target homes that are unoccupied in order to successfully break in and take valuables without any trouble. When a homeowner is on vacation or away on leave, the chances of thieves taking notice becomes much higher. With a house sitter, the homeowner can vacation in peace, knowing that someone is in their home to protect its valuables. 

To become a house sitter, use the internet to find a community or listing service that has homeowners that are willing to open their homes for sitting. These owners are willing to pay around fifty dollars or more a day for the sitters to maintain their home. The key skill to have as a house sitter is being able to maintain a lived in look for the home is the key. The willingness to do simple chores is also a plus. The house sitting lifestyle opens many opportunities for travel, experiencing new communities, and to live a rent free lifestyle. 

About the Author:
Troy Degarnham invites you to get more information on House Sitting by visiting http://www.housesittersaustralia.com.au.

More Home Resources 

Worldwide House Sitting Directory.
Home Owners Search Free Our Extensive Worldwide Database Of House Sitters. House Sitters Make Yourself Available. 

How To Live Rent-Free!
See Why Corp Sponsors Pay 100% Of Your Rent Or Mortgage. Get Free Real Estate! Many Other Secrets!! 

Hot-selling Housebuilding Ebook!
A 238-page Ebook That Teaches How To Build A House Without The Help Of Contractors. This Ebook Is The Solution To Many Financial Problems People Face When Trying To Build A Home. 

DIY Home Staging: Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps.
Choose From Easy-to-follow Home Staging EBooks That Reveal Industry Trade Secrets And No-fail Formulas To Home Staqing And Redesign. ‘Trade Secrets To Hanging Art Like A Pro!’ & ‘Getting Ready For An Open House In 10 Easy Steps’.

Transform Your House! How To Dramatically & Affordably Remodel A Home.
How To Dramatically & Affordably Transform Your House Without Major Remodeling. Learn Critical Advice & Design Ideas On Everything From Curb Appeal To Kitchen Remodels To Home Staging. Includes Bonus Chapters By Celebrity Contributors.

Help Sell House Guide.
The Comprehensive & Aggressive Marketing Plan Designed To Move You From “For Sale” To “Just Sold” So You Can Stop Stressing, Finish Packing & Move on With Your Life! 

Real Estate Guide – How To Rent My House Guide!
This Step By Step Guide Holds Your Hand From Tenant Selection To Filling Out The Lease. Learn The Secrets The Pros Use And Stop Listing That Home In A Market That Will Never Sell. 

Learn How To Smash Your Mortgage.
This New EBook Steps Through The Five Strategies That Phil Strong Used To Pay His House Off In Less Than 6 Years. And Now You Can Do The Same! Massive List Of Amazing Bonuses. Fantastic Financial Education For Any Home Owner. 

Buy Your Dream Home Fast…in 45 Days Or Less.
This Is A Fabulous E-book That Teaches First Time Home Buyers How To Buy The House Of Their Dreams Very Quickly. The Step-by-step Guide Teaches Everything They Need To Know From How To Shop For A New Home To How To Prepare To Move Into Their House.

Looking at all alternate energy solutions, solar power systems and wind power systems are the most widely used and least cumbersome. Now wind power is a great way to go, but all of our homes are not really ideal for it. To use a home wind power system effectively, we need a big, open area area and an average wind speed of 11 miles per hour. Home solar power is much easier to get going. You just need a lot of sunlight. 

A total home solar power system has several operating units. Most of us install a few of these parts as needed. Let’s take a look at the most important home solar power units. 

1. Solar cooker. The solar cooker is the most widely used home solar energy system. 

Here’s why: 

• Healthful cooking. A solar cooker cooks food that is considered to be very healthy. A small cooking box can cook food for a family of five all at one time.
   
• Choice of cooking methods. You can do it all: bake, roast and boil using the same solar-powered cooking system! 
   
• Huge energy savings. The solar cooker uses no energy other than sunlight, so the power savings are enormous.
   
• Clean and green. The solar cooker doesn’t emit gases or leave any residue at all. How can there be a more environmentally-friendly cooking system? 

2. Solar generator. The solar generator is a unit that powers all your electrical appliances with solar energy. It captures solar energy and converts it into electrical energy via photovoltaic cells. A Home solar generator actually stores the converted electrical energy in storage cells for later home use. The solar generator can also be called the solar lighting system. Having a home solar generator saves a lot of energy and costs. The money saved can add up! Just picture yourself running all your electrical appliances and not paying any utility bills! 

3. Solar thermal system. Installing a home solar thermal system or solar heating system will keep your home at the temperature you desire. You can enjoy the indoor temperatures you prefer your house without worrying about bills. Such home solar thermal units are now so popular that there are many beautiful units to choose from. 

About the Author:
Barry Sowder writes an informative blog on how to best turn your home into a solar-powered, money saving dynamo very inexpensively. To learn how, read his blog at http://www.solarpoweredhomeguide.com/.

More Home Energy Resources

Frugal Home Design Tip 1: Move It Around. 

Rearranging a room will give your room a new look. Change things up a bit but, before you begin that back breaking work of moving each piece, draw a simple floor outline of the room and sketch out the different arrangement possibilities. 

Try something new.  Angle that couch instead of leaving it flush against the wall. Exchange pieces of furniture from one room to another. The arrangement in your living room is nailed to the floor only in your mind. Delight your family by exchanging furniture pieces from one room to another. 

Move the art on the wall. The old saying “familiarity breeds contempt” can also be true with art on the wall. If it never moves it will stop being noticed. Move and rearrange the art. Change a painting from the bedroom to the mantle or rearrange what you have in the room on a different wall. 

Frugal Home Design Tip 2:  Give It A Fresh Coat. 

There is nothing that will change the look of a room quicker than a fresh coat of paint. Instead of painting the entire room, choose one wall which pulls in the colors of your favorite art piece, rug or window covering. 

Don’t want to paint a room? Do you have a book case or entertainment center? Paint the inside backs with 2 or 3 colors in a checkerboard type design. A focused light will bring out the brilliant color of that vase or draw attention to a special accent. 

Add a few battery powered adhesive backed accent lights to the top of a few shelves to highlight a glass object or family photo. 

Frugal Home Design Tip 3: Add Some Colorful Organics. 

Fresh–or even silk–seasonal flowers will bring an emotional lift to any room. A new bouquet a week is a great way to keep things colorful and fresh. 

Try using unusual bowls or containers as a vase. Use a hat box, oatmeal box, glass jar or empty out the kitchen canister for a delightful look. 

Watching for sales, using coupons from local fabric stores or checking out clearance tables is always a fantastic frugal design resource to use to add sparkle and splash to your home accessorizing. 

Frugal Home Design Tip 4: Bring In Fabric Splash. 

New textures and colors will liven up a room. Adding a chenille throw or colorful textured pillows will enhance any furniture piece. 

Slip covers on couches and easy chairs are a fun way to give a new but frugal new look to that tired old couch.

Add a new table runner or place mats to the dining room table or change the seat covers on the dining room chairs or kitchen stools for a frugal design makeover. 

Frugal Home Design Tip 5: Provide a Sensory Experience. 

Nothing says warm and welcome more than a scented candle. An aromatherapy diffuser can also provide a flame free, room freshening scent experience.

Remember, Frugal Home Design is not about being “cheap”, it’s about being creative with what you already have. 

About the Author:
For tons of money saving, frugally fabulous professional design tips and secrets Sue Krippner invites you to visit http://www.frugalhomedesign.com/.  Frugal Home Design has been created to help the “frustrated interior decorator in each of us” to reach their interior design goals.

If nails were used instead of screws as fasteners you probably have some “nail pops” in your walls. This phrase is used to describe a condition where the nail comes loose from the wood underneath and begins to pop through the sheet rock creating a bulge on the surface of the sheetrock. In this article I will show you how to fix this unsightly problem with just a few simple steps.

First, you will need a few tools and some materials to complete the repair. You will need some joint compound, a hammer, drywall nails, a putty knife, some sandpaper or a sanding block primer, paint and a sponge.

Cover the area below where you will be working with a drop cloth or some newspaper in order to protect the flooring. Next, using your hammer, tap the popped nail back into the sheetrock so that is flush with the wall. Use a second light tap with the hammer to create a small dimple in the wall around the nail. Be sure not to hit the wall too hard because you could possibly put a hole in your sheetrock. Then place a drywall nail next to the original nail in order to hold the popped nail in place.

Using your putty knife, apply your joint compound over the nail head and dimpled area. Clean your putty knife and allow the joint compound to fully dry. Once the joint compound is fully dried, sand the area to a smooth finish and wipe off any remaining dust with your sponge.

Prime the area that you just repaired and allow the primer to fully dry. It is always best to use an oil-based primer. It may take a bit longer to dry but it does perform better than the latex primers.

Paint the repaired area with your original wall paint and you are finished. Once you paint the repaired area and you discover that the color does not match, you may have to paint the entire wall from corner to corner in order to receive the desired finish.

Repairing a nail pop is a very easy job and most homeowners can complete this repair with no problems. Good luck.

About the Author:
For more information Tony Evans invites you to visit http://www.homerepairanswers.net or http://www.hooverpainting.com

Space Utilization

You can provide more spaces for towels to go by installing more bathroom towel bars. But do not limit the installation just to the bathroom. A wide variety of towel racks are available that can go into any room in your house. Free standing towel racks do not require installation or do it yourself skills of any kind!

You can even purchase heated towel racks that simply plug into an electrical outlet and are freestanding. This is a great way to get others to pick up their towels because you only get a warm towel if you place it on the towel rack! The towels will not become warm if they are laying on the floor.

Another easy installation is the over-the-door variety. Simply hang the towel rack on the door and you have an instant bedroom or bathroom towel bar.

Personal Organization

It is difficult to have an organized home if the people in it do not develop self reliance and take responsibility for their own contributions for taming clutter. If there are several people using the same bathroom it may not be practical to store all the necessary towels on the bathrooms towel bars. Have one or two sets of towels in the bathroom and then provide each family member with their own towel rack in their bedroom.

They can bring their own towels to the bathroom when they bathe and take them back to the bedroom again afterward.

So what if someone in the family is constantly leaving towels on the floor of the bathroom? You all know who it is but they refuse to take responsibility for removing their own towels to their bedroom even after you have installed towel racks? Perhaps this would never happen in your family?

Well just in case it is a possibility here is the simple solution to provide transparency of towel ownership. Simply assign each family member their own towel color. Forget about color coordinating the towels to the bathroom decor. Building self reliance in your children is more important than how you decorate your bathroom!

Let each child pick his/her own color. Provide two sets of towels (one in the wash and one on the towel rack) in that color for each child.

Now whoever leaves towels on the floor leaves a color coded calling card!

Bathroom ideas for taming the towel clutter should never be limited to the bathroom! You can use the same ideas and products in the bedroom to help your children develop better personal organization and accountability for their own stuff.

That is what really makes an organized home!

About the Author:
Beverly Hansen O’Malley is a nurse who is passionate about optimizing space and using personal organization skills to create an organized home. Visit http://www.organization-makes-sense.com to read more about how to tame the towel clutter.

1. Deck and Patios.

Decks and patios are designed to be places for entertainment but without the proper lighting they can be very hazardous, especially if you have any elevation changes at all like steps, planters or seating. Landscape lights can be added to a deck or patio very easily to illuminate these elevation changes and make it a pleasant place to be for outdoor living. 

There are several options available like the recessed lights that fit flush into the deck itself. They are also very durable and can even be stepped on with out shattering. 

Another option for deck lighting can be to have lamps on the deck. Deck lamps come in many different shapes and sizes and can be a beautiful addition to your deck. With proper planning they can be part of the design and add an architectural element to your deck or patio. 

Another option to consider is adding post cap lights to your deck. Your deck design would benefit from the added detail.

2. Water Features and Fountain Lighting.

Landscape lighting can enhance water features such as fountains with incredible effects. For instance, a pond can be illuminated from below the water’s surface and a fountain can be turned in to the shimmering centerpiece of your garden with LED lighting. You want to be sure and choose the correct lighting for your situation though; it will make all of difference in terms of how your water feature will be perceived. 

The most common choice for fountain lighting is the submersible light. These lights are placed underwater and illuminate upwards to create a shimmering effect. They also help to illuminate streams of water as they flow in to the basin of the fountain. Colored filters can be added for creativity.

LED landscape lighting is a good choice for fountains because is much less expensive than traditional incandescent lighting and they come in many vivid colors as well. 

Solar lighting is by far the cheapest and easiest to install and is becoming a popular choice for many because of this. However, you may not get enough light for your particular setting with solar landscape lighting, although technology is getting better.

Choosing the correct lighting techniques for your fountain will take a little planning on your part. You will want to experiment with a flashlight at night to see exactly the locations that will best serve you for your fountain lighting project.

3. Walkway Lighting.

Walkway lighting is crucial because it adds safety as well as accentuates the materials used on your path as well as surrounding plantings. The most common application these days is solar lighting. You can add solar lighting to your walkways in as little as 2 hours and for less than $150. Lighting kits usually come a number of lights, wiring and your power source.

4. Tree Lighting.

Tree lighting usually involves up lighting and/or down lighting. Up lighting can accomplished with lighting fixtures that is mounted at the tree’s base or around the drip line and aimed up towards the trunk and branches. If you have large, specimen trees (like Live Oaks for example) with interesting branching patterns then this would be a great technique to use. Solar lighting may not be the best option here as it may not provide enough light to accomplish the effect. Down lighting is another option for tree lighting. Mounting lights in large trees on established branches and then aiming the lights downward to highlight bedding areas.

Moonlight Globes would be another creative option. This is a fairly new product but they have won awards for there shatter resistant design. The globes are available in four sizes: 10″, 14″, 22″ and 30″ diameter and they are also available in many beautiful colors as well. The globes are also available in many different colors and designs that can really add some creativity and life to your landscape. They are battery operated or hard wired and can be hung from your established trees. They also come with speakers for ambience.

5. Wall Lighting.

Wall lighting can be done in several ways. One technique is “grazing”. Grazing is accomplished by installing a light approximately 6″ from the edge of your wall or facade and aiming it vertically up the wall. The textures of your house, fences or retaining walls will be highlighted and accentuated using this technique. 

Another way to light a wall is by using spot lighting. Spot lighting can be done by either up or down lighting. A creative way to use spot lighting is by up lighting a tree or any ornamental structure, for example a statue, by shadowing it. Shadowing is accomplished by positioning a light behind the object and aiming the light through it towards a wall. Silhouetting an object is another example of up lighting a wall using spot lights. 

You will want to locate your landscape light in between your ornamental piece and the wall, then position the light to shine on the wall at a 30 to 45 degree angle. The result is that the dark image your object is in front of it; only the shape of the object is shown, no leaf or flower color or texture shows up.

These are 5 easy ways to use landscape lighting in your next landscape project. The key to having good results is a little planning before beginning your project and a little creativity.

About the Author:
My name is Carey Dodson and I am a landscape designer with over 20 years of design, installation and maintenance experience and a graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelors Degree of Landscape Architecture. Are you ready to learn creative ways to use landscape lighting? Visit my site at http://thelandscapelightingsite.com/