How Do I Make a Water Bed Bladder Soft Again?

Water beds have come a long way since the old tube water beds of the 1970s, known for their rock-and-roll wave action and frequent leaks. Today's versions provide much of the support, stability and sturdiness that can be found in conventional foam-and-coil mattresses. Still, the water bed bladder requires maintenance and care to keep the vinyl surface pliable and comfortable.



Exposure to the air, body oils and dust can dry out the vinyl surface, making it brittle and hard. Mold and mildew, which grow naturally in contained water sources such as the bladder, accelerate this process. Adding a specially formulated water conditioner to the bladder and regular attention will help make the bladder soft again.

• 1

  Examine the water bed mattress for cracks and leaks. Long-term exposure to the air, body oils, dust or dirt can cause the casing to crack or split, leading to punctures or leaks. Small leaks often can be patched using a patch kit, but the bed should still be reviewed for durability on a regular basis.

• 2

  Add a water conditioner to the filled bladder by following the instructions on the package. A conditioner should be added every six months to a year, depending upon the product. Water conditioners come in either tablets or liquid form and can be found at any store or on line outlet specializing in soft- or hard-side water beds.

• 3

  Wipe the bladder down with a vinyl cleaner and a soft cloth. The cleaner removes soil and oils from the surface and helps keep the vinyl supple.

  Reapply as directed according to the product's instructions.

• 4

  Cover the water bed mattress with a good, sturdy mattress pad that will protect the bladder from the elements. Doing so will also add life to your water bed by protecting it against incidental punctures.

The Differences Between Mattress Toppers

• Even expensive mattresses might feel more comfortable with a topper. Jose Luis Pelaez/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Mattresses range in firmness from soft to extra firm, and buyers often discover that they haven't selected the right firmness at the store. Mattress toppers offer options to help improve the quality of sleep and comfort. They come in vastly different styles and models, each offering both advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs.

Memory Foam

• Originally designed for NASA in the 1970s, memory foam mattresses have become well known for their ability to not only conform to the body, but also to not transfer movement, as illustrated by TV commercials in which a person jumps on one side of the bed while a glass of wine doesn't spill on the other side of the mattress. But memory foam also comes as a mattress topper for a regular mattress, offering some of the support and comfort without the high price tag. The problem with memory foam can be its difficulty in cleaning, the initial chemical smell and the fact that it retains body heat, making it less desirable in warmer seasons. But for a fraction of the price of a full memory foam mattress, which can run over $2,000, memory foam toppers can be purchased for under $100. They also help relieve muscle or joint pain for many people.

Feather

• Feather mattress toppers can be good options for people with firm mattresses. Feather toppers provide softness, but not very much support. They also flatten easily, giving them even less support over time. But unlike memory foam, they can be cleaned or washed easily. Hypoallergenic versions offer an alternative to people with allergies. Some mattresses come with the feather topper attached to the mattress, but these can flatten and can't be removed to be washed, so separate feather mattress toppers offer more flexibility. But they do tend to move more and require readjustment.

Wool

• Wool mattress toppers come in both natural lamb or alpaca wool or in synthetic wool for those with allergies. The same problems arise as with feather toppers, in that they don't offer much support and can flatten easily. They do provide softness, though, making them more appealing for owners of a firm or very firm mattress. They can also be dry cleaned. And like feather toppers, wool toppers that can be removed from the mattress offer more cleaning and fluffing options. They will need to be adjusted, though, if they slip or move.

Latex Foam

• Latex foam doesn't possess the same chemical smell as memory foam, while still providing good support. It conforms to the body and reduces movement transfer. But like memory foam, it is difficult to clean. Latex foam helps people who suffer from allergies, though, because it's hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Another advantage over memory foam is that latex foam breathes more, so it releases some body heat and stays more comfortable.

How to Lay Out a Room Design for Free

Designing a room layout can be challenging without good software, but it's really easy to do on graph paper. All you have to do is grab some measurements, do a little drawing, a little cutting and you will be able to move around the furniture to your heart's content. You might feel like you are back in grammar-school art class, but it will save you a lot of time by not having to physically move furniture into different layouts.

• 1

  Take measurements of the perimeter of the room you wish to design. Do a rough sketch of the room and pencil in the various measurements. Add the windows, fireplaces, doors, closets, etc., which will affect where you can put furniture.

• 2

  Transfer the drawing of the room to a clean piece of graph paper by scaling the measurements down so that every square represents 6 inches. Translate the measurement numbers into inches for an accurate drawing. Use a calculator to speed up the conversions, if necessary, by dividing each measurement by six to get the number of squares.

• 3

  Label the different parts of the room, leaving space for doors to swing open and for walkways in the room, so that you can lay out the furniture with more details in mind.

• 4

  Measure each piece of furniture for its width and length and list them on a separate piece of paper. Draw the pieces on a new piece of graph paper, making sure you get the ratios right. Cut out the individual pieces of furniture.

• 5

  Place the paper drawings of the furniture on the graph-paper drawing of the room. Play around with different layouts, keeping in mind the different heights of the furniture and windows, etc., until you find a layout that you like and that works with the measurements.

Decorative Jewelry Storage Ideas

• Decorative jewelry boxes will encourage you to keep your jewelry organized. Inti St. Clair/Photodisc/Getty Images

  You don't need to keep your jewelry stored in an old shoe box or scattered across the kitchen counter or on your dresser. Jewelry left out in the open can get lost, damaged or dirty and jewelry left in shoe boxes can get tangled or scratched. There are containers that you can use to keep your jewelry stored and organized in a decorative way.

Hardware Store Box

• Most hardware stores sell storage boxes of various sizes. These boxes are full of small compartments for nails, screws and other items as well as larger compartments for tools like screwdrivers and hammers. Such a box is very appropriate as you can use the smaller compartments for rings and earrings and the larger compartments for necklaces and bracelets. Decorate the box by hot gluing pieces of a rich fabric, such as velvet, taffeta or silk to the top and sides. Glue on edging like cording or lace to decorate.

Key Holders

• One of the easy aspects of storing jewelry is that jewelry is inherently decorative; thus, you don't necessarily need to sock it all away in a cupboard or box. You can store jewelry decoratively and out in the open if you store it in an organized way. For example, use key hooks to hang necklaces and bracelets. Key hooks either come in self-sufficient stand or strips that you screw into the wall. Also, small ceramic dishes for keys designed to rest on tables next to the front door make suitable jewelry holders, just as long as you don't pile your jewelry in them, but use one dish for two to three rings or pairs of earrings maximum.

Jewelry Frames

• Jewelry frames are elegant, original pieces that you can easily make yourself. Take an old antique frame or a rustic wooden frame or throw a bright coat of paint onto a boring frame to revive it. Cut a piece of lace to the dimensions of the interior of the frame. The lace should stretch tautly against the back of the frame, held by staples from a staple gun. Now you have a place where you can store your earrings: just gently poke them into the holes of the lace and drape your necklaces around the corners of the frame. Your jewelry will look like art.

Nursery Room Themes

• Good nursery designs take more than assembling a crib. Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

  A new baby requires a repurposing of living space to provide all the essentials an infant needs, including a nursery to house all the accouterments. While baby stores showcase an abundance of cute and cuddly design schemes with matching accessories, wall borders and artwork, good designers know how to mix styles and colors for a truly unique nursery.

Vintage

• New isn't always better, especially when it comes to design, although new baby items like high chairs, cribs and strollers are definitely safer than they were back in the day. While it's dangerous to use those antique essentials as they were intended, many can be repurposed as decorative-only design elements in a nursery to capture a vintage look. Antique strollers can be used to store receiving blankets and diapers for easy, open access, while old high chairs can be used as a doll and stuffed animal display stand. Vintage toys may have parts too small to meet the current Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines, but up on a shelf or framed in a shadowbox, they add the right ambiance to a vintage nursery theme. Finish off the room with some old-fashioned baby clothes pressed in a picture frame or hung along a clothesline with pastel clothespins.

Modern

• No parenting book insists that nurseries need to be outfitted with sickeningly sweet pastel colors or cute and fluffy bunnies, so there's no reason not to opt for décor with modern lines. Many companies provide streamlined cribs and changing tables that can be outfitted with linens in the large, color-block patterns some experts insist are beneficial to an infant's cognitive development. The sleek, modern style doesn't end with furniture and bedding, as many manufacturers mimic the sharp design lines in their toys. One big plus to this nursery theme is that many of the makers of modern baby accessories are eco-conscious and utilize ergonomic designs.

Classic

• While vintage and modern each have their own appeal, there is nothing essentially wrong in opting for a classic nursery aesthetic. The design danger lies in buying up every item in a specific theme so the room looks more like a store display than a home. Parents who want a traditional theme like Noah's ark or pastel jungle animals should refrain from purchasing a whole set from one store and instead keep their eye out for theme-related items designed by a variety of manufacturers. A wall print done in primary colors can be paired with pastel bedding and not look ramshackle as long as the theme remains consistent. Tie the items together by choosing a wall color that complements all items in the room without exactly matching any of them, such as a sunshine yellow muted with white to work with pastels while still maintaining the vibrancy of its original primary hue.

How to Remove Wallpaper From Wood

Depending on the type of wallpaper and the surface beneath, removing wallpaper can be fairly simple or a bit time-consuming. If you are positive that the wallpaper you want to remove is covering wood, it is safe to use water during the removal process, as wood is less susceptible to water damage than drywall. If you are unsure about your technique and worry about damaging the wood, test the process out on a small, hidden area before attempting the entire wall.

• 1

  Lay towels on the floor and push them up to the wall to protect your floor from water drips and falling damp sections of wallpaper.

• 2

  Pry up the edge of the wallpaper, starting in the corner, with a putty knife. Pull the paper back at an angle; avoid pulling it straight out, which may damage the wood. Continue until you've removed the top layer of decorative paper; there will likely be backing left stuck to the wood.

• 3

  Saturate a small corner of the wood using either a spray bottle or a paint roller dunked in water. Gently scrape the remaining paper with the putty knife at a 45-degree angle, taking care not to scratch the wood. Continue until you have scraped the whole wall.

Homemade House Decorations

Homemade house decorations offer the crafter the ability to exercise her creativity and decorate her home at the same time. Additionally, she is ensured that the decorations she features in her home are truly personal.

Potential

• Many decorating styles embrace homemade decorative items. Would-be decorators who want to find a decorating style that fits with handmade decorations should look at styles such as shabby chic or cabin decor.

Alternative Sources

• A walk outside will net an abundance of materials homeowners can use to make homemade decorations. Among them are interestingly shaped tree branches, pine cones and leaves to make patterns for screen printing. Additionally, items like dried fruits such as lemon, lime, orange and apple slices also work well for wreaths.

Types

• The types of homemade house decorations run the gamut. Besides creations made with twigs from outside, decoupaged furniture, walls and accessories, found art sculptures, pillow shams and curtains are just some of the decorations a homeowner can make for her home.

How to Repair a Cracked Leather Lounge Chair

Leather lounge chairs are a long-lasting investment that can continue to provide you with stylish comfort if properly maintained. Many chairs and couches come covered in leather because leather is a durable material that can hold up to everyday use. Over time, leather may crack due to dirt buildup from lack of cleaning or heat buildup from the sun. Heat can cause the leather's natural oils to dry, resulting in an unsightly crack. Repair those cracks in your leather lounge chair by following a few simple steps.

• 1

  Brush the leather crack with a shoe brush to remove dirt and small particulates. The bristles of the shoe brush are soft and gentle, and won't harm the leather material.

• 2

  Clean the cracked area on the leather lounge chair with a cloth slightly dampened with alcohol. The alcohol removes any unseen dirt, preparing the surface for the repair.

• 3

  Trim off any excess threading on the edges of the crack with cuticle scissors.

• 4

  Separate the two sides of the leather crack gently with your fingers. Squeeze the leather filler inside of the crack until it is almost full. Use a hair dryer to dry the leather filler for five to 10 minutes.

• 5

  Squeeze enough leather filler to fill the crack, and level the top with a palette knife to match the level of the surrounding leather. Press a grain pad to the filled crack to mimic the texture of the leather lounge chair if needed. Allow the leather filler to set for five minutes.

• 6

  Smooth the set leather filler with 1200-grit sandpaper for smooth leather finishes. Continue to sand lightly until the cracked area feels smooth.

• 7

  Dab a clean sponge into the matching leather colorant, and apply a thin layer over the leather filler. Sponge on as many additional colorant coats as it takes to achieve a matching color to the surrounding leather on the lounge chair. Allow the leather color to air-dry.

• 8

  Seal the repair by spraying leather finish over the repaired crack, and allow to it dry for one hour before using.

How to Make Short Chair Tops for Folding Chairs

Weddings, baby showers, holiday dinners and a host of other occasions call for table decorations. While renting or purchasing covers is an option, it can be expensive. Creating reusable covers for folding chairs is a fairly simple process that changes a utilitarian chair into part of the dining decor. Simple or elaborate patterns can be used to change the mood of the table setting. Material used for chair covers should be heavier weight to hold up to the pressure that is placed on the seams when the chair is in use. Heavier materials also maintain their shape and can handle repeated washings.

• 1

  Drape the fabric, with the wrong side out, over the back of the folding chair. Center the fabric on the chair, then use the sewing pins to outline the chair back. Pin from the top down following the line of the chair to the end of the fabric on one side and then the other.This will give you an outline, or pattern, to sew around. The fabric should be snugly, but not tightly, pinned. The fabric should lift easily off the chair after pinning.

• 2

  Remove the pinned fabric from the chair back. Using a sewing machine set on a straight stitch, sew in a continuous smooth line along the pattern created by the pins. Remove the pins as you sew.

• 3

  Place the cover on the chair, wrong side out, to check the form. The cover should fit snugly so it does not slip around on the chair, but not so tight that it is difficult to put on or take off.

• 4

  Use the scissors to cut away any excess fabric from the top or sides of the cover, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

• 5

  Use sewing pins to mark the bottom hem of the chair cover at the length in both front and back that you desire. Remove the cover from the chair.

• 6

  Measure and mark with pins the hem plus an additional 1 inch on the front and back of the chair covers. Fold over the raw edge 1/2 inch. Fold the edge over another 1/2 inch and pin in place. Sew the hem down with a straight or decorative stitch on the top edge of the fold. This will give the cover a nice, finished look.

• 7

  Turn the cover right side out and place it on the chair.

Interior Decorating & Bedroom Lamps

Lamps serve two functions in decorating. They illuminate a space, providing light to necessary areas of the bedroom. They also serve to enhance the decorating scheme of the room.

Considerations

• The needs for lighting in the bedroom can vary. While most bedrooms come outfitted with an overhead light, this may not be enough. Many bedrooms also feature lamps on each side of the bed for the times when the homeowner reads or works in bed. For this reason, many bedrooms need multiple light sources.

Style

• The decorating style of the room dictates the type of lamp a homeowner should choose. For example, if the decor in the bedroom features Asian themes, Asian lantern lamps make an appropriate lighting choice.

Other Needs

• Children's bedrooms have special lighting needs as well. Many children are afraid of the dark. Besides a nightlight, a table lamp offers children comfort in the night. These lights are functional and come in cool designs like trains or frogs.

How to Choose Kitchen Cupboard Colors

Cupboards are a prominent feature of every kitchen, and their color can go a long way toward making your kitchen a cheerful and relaxing place to be. Picking a color for kitchen cupboards is not simply a matter of going with your favorite hue; you need to consider the existing features of your kitchen and coordinate with them, to avoid selecting a color that clashes or one that is too bright or oppressive.

• 1

  Look around your kitchen and note what colors are already present. Cupboards make up a large part of the visual effect of a kitchen, and should complement rather than clash with the colors of walls, flooring, countertops and even window and door frames.

• 2

  Examine the size and style of your room. If you have a small kitchen, colors that are too vivid can make it feel cramped and crowded; if your kitchen is not well-lit, dark cupboards will make the problem worse.

• 3

  Obtain a color wheel -- available online and at arts and crafts stores -- to help you decide whether you want to introduce some contrast by using complementary colors or remain within the tonal family of the colors that already exist in your kitchen. Complementary colors are those across from one another on the color wheel -- such as red and green or orange and blue.

• 4

  Obtain color swatches from a paint store, bring them into your kitchen and spread them out on a table. Discard colors that don't seem to fit or that you simply dislike, narrowing down your selection to a maximum of five possible colors.

• 5

  Return to the paint store and obtain paint tester pots for these five colors. Paint a piece of cardboard with each color and attach it to a cupboard with masking tape. Leave the cardboard pieces up for a few days and examine them in all types of light, both natural and artificial. Select the color that looks best for your cupboards. Or, consider using two different colors rather than a single one: Paint the upper cupboards one color and the lower ones the other; or paint the cupboard doors one color and the cupboard boxes the other.

Lighting for Kids' Rooms

As you're decorating your little one's bedroom, it's likely that you're also coming up with ways to properly light the room in a way that will make the space more attractive. Lighting in your child's bedroom should allow your child to see clearly in the space, but can also showcase some of his favorite decorative items.

Size

• A large light fixture is best for a room with lots of space; it's best to mount the light fixture to the ceiling, especially if the room is for a young child, so that your little one can't touch the light. For a small room or the nursery, a lamp in the corner can provide enough light for the space; lamps are also okay in a room where infants can't crawl yet, so they won't tip the light over.

Significance

• You can also make the lighting part of the room's design and give it special meaning. For instance, glow-in-the-dark letters in your child's initials will make a built-in nightlight, and it's a good idea to add feature lighting underneath the enlarged portrait of your child as a baby that you may have hanging on the main wall.

Considerations

• As your child grows, you can change the lighting in the room as you adjust the design scheme. For instance, if your little girl wants a princess theme, you can replace the ceiling fan with a chandelier. As your toddler starts to become more mobile, lighting in his toy chest will help make clean-up time more appealing.

Which Noble Gases Are Used in Lighting?

• Neon lights are tubes filled with inert gas. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

  Noble gases are elements under the last column or group of the periodic table. Since their outermost electron shells contain a full complement of electrons, noble gases are inert or nonreactive. Fluorescent lights and neon signs often use tubes filled with noble gases with the exception of radon, which is radioactive and thus dangerous to handle. The color of the light depends on the type of gas and the type of coating.

Neon

• Neon is the 10th element of the periodic table and the most inert of the noble gases. Once widely used in advertising signs and displays, it gave its name to neon signs. All neon signs don't use neon, but the first neon signs did. In the absence of a phosphor coating on the tube, neon glows an orange color when current is applied.

Argon

• Argon is the 18th element of the periodic table, so atoms of argon are larger and heavier than atoms of neon. Fluorescent lights often use a mixture of argon and mercury vapor. In the absence of a phosphor coating, argon lights are lavender-colored. Argon is also a common gas in neon signs.

Xenon

• Xenon is the 54th element of the periodic table. It is heavier than neon, argon or krypton. Xenon lights exude a gray or pale blue gray color. Flash lamps in photography use xenon, as do arc lamps and strobe lights.

Krypton

• Krypton is the 36th element of the periodic table, so it's heavier than neon or argon. Krypton lights are gray or gray-green in color. According to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, it's rare to see krypton in lighting because it's expensive. It does, however, find use in some photographic flash bulbs.

Helium

• Helium is the lightest of the noble gases and the second most abundant element in the universe. It's so light that it easily escapes from Earth's gravity. Most of the helium present in Earth's crust forms from the radioactive decay of heavier elements. Helium lights are orange-white. Artists sometimes use helium in neon signs for art projects, but it's more common in lasers and other non-lighting applications.

Recessed Lighting Basics

• The lighting from underneath the cupboards is a classic example of recessed lighting. Andrew Bret Wallis/Photodisc/Getty Images

  Recessed lighting is a subtle form of ambient and task lighting that can add an additional atmospheric element to a room in an understated manner. As opposed to traditional light fixtures that attach onto a wall or ceiling, recessed lights install within the wall or ceiling. Before selecting recessed lighting for your home or embarking on a rigorous recessed lighting project, there are a few things you should know.

Bulbs

• When it comes to recessed lighting you have the choice of essentially three different types of bulbs: incandescent, fluorescent and LED (which means Light Emitting Diode). incandescent bulbs are the cheapest initially, but in the long run they're going to cost you more as you'll have to change them with a greater frequency. Incandescent lights also offer you a weaker glow than fluorescent or LED bulbs. LED and fluorescent bulbs last the longest, with LED bulbs producing the strongest glow.

Trims and Housings

• Trim refers to the metal ring that envelops the bulb that you can actually see jutting very slightly out from the wall or ceiling. Because trims are visible, they come in a variety of styles, such as scalloped edges, baffle trim, which has ridges, or eyeball trim, which envelops the bulb like an eyelid around an eyeball. The housing of the bulb involves all the metalwork that you don't see as it's behind the ceiling or wall, which includes all the electrical work as well as the hardware that attaches the recessed light fixture to the surrounding structure inside the wall or ceiling. Depending upon whether or not you're installing recessed lighting as you build a new house or install it to an already existing house, you will either use new construction housings or remodel housings respectively.

Location and Degree

• Install your recessed lighting in wise places so that you use them to the best of your ability. For example, if you install them on the ceiling, don't install them too far away from the walls as they'll seem oddly isolated. Don't install them in long rows as the effect is reminiscent of an airport runway. Don't make them your primary lighting source as it could make the room look bare and cold if they're the only source of lighting. Keep recessed lights away from ceiling fans as a ceiling fan, when turned on, could give the light a very unpleasant strobe effect.

Styles of Vertical Sheers

• Replace drab blinds with elegant vertical sheers. sot/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  Having the right window treatments makes it a pleasure to let the light in each morning. Sheer fabrics are a great choice for sun filtration, yet they still ensure some privacy. Consumers can enjoy traditional styles or updated versions that incorporate blinds with curtains. Vertical sheers come in several popular styles.

Sheer Panels

• Sheer vertical panels are a traditional style that remains popular. They can be used under draperies, but often stand alone on the window. The sheer fabric allows light to flow into the room. Sheer vertical panels are generally shirred onto 1-inch rods and then hang freely. Many people create a layered look using materials of different colors, tones or textures.

Pinch Pleats

• Pinch pleat curtains, another traditional style, are often made of sheer fabric. They are hung on the window with pin hooks or clip rings. Pinch pleat sheers come in pairs rather than one panel.

Vertical Sheers With Vane Pockets

• This option, which Hunter Douglas brought to the market in the 1990s, pairs blinds and curtains in a new way, according to Randy Swenson, Shades Shutters Blinds manager in Castle Rock, Colorado. A great alternative to standard vertical blinds, they look like curtains, yet have built-in pockets on the fabric, which are placed two to three inches apart, for the insertion of blind slats. PVC vanes allow for privacy when closed and light control when open. The vanes hang from a horizontal head rail and can stack up on the side of the window or door. These vertical sheers generally come in widths up to 192 inches and lengths up to 144 inches.

Snap-Together Curtains and Blinds

• A sheer curtain and a vertical blind might snap together, such as in the Solace vertical sheers, part of the Home Decorator collection. From the outside, it looks like a blind and generally comes in a neutral tone. From the inside of the home, you see a curtain that matches the décor coloring. The blinds can be closed for privacy or left open to let more light into the room. The sheer curtains billow into the folds of the blinds when they are open.

Blinds Between Fabric Panels

• Vertical blinds are sometimes suspended between two pieces of sheer fabric, such as in Bali's Sheer Enchantment product. The continuous length of fabric makes it appear to be a drapery, according to Amy McArthur, sales associate for Your Blinds in Austin, Texas. The curtains snap into the head rail and can be removed for cleaning. These elegant vertical sheers are finished with either European or traditional drapery hems. Installation requires only one set of hardware for the entire drapery.

Door Panels

• Sheer panels are a nice addition to French doors. They are typically shirred on top and bottom rods. A tieback is often used to pull the material to the center of the door.

How Do Infrared Fire Detectors Work?

Businesses such as warehouses, shopping malls and industrial plants may use infrared fire detectors to monitor their larger, more open buildings. The specific type of infrared fire detector used will vary based on the type of material in the building.

Features

• Most infrared fire detectors consist of a receiver and transmitter that use an infrared light beam. If something obscures the light beam, the infrared fire detector will set off an alarm. Some infrared fire detectors detect embers within two feet and can see within a 90-degree radius from their location.

Types

• Some infrared fire detectors use thermal imaging on a view-screen to detect fires, while others use spark or flame detection sensors that detect shorter infrared wavelengths. Black body-heat emission detectors can detect high-energy and low-temperature fires, such as those on coal conveyors.

Considerations

• The type of fire affects the effectiveness of an infrared fire detector. Some infrared fire detectors will not detect oil, jet fuel, alcohol or nonhydrocarbon fires, because those fires do not generate enough heat. Weather or altitude can also affect these fire detectors.

Dining Room Decorating: Victorian Style

If you want to give your dining room a majestic feel, it's a good idea to add some Victorian accents to the room. Victorian-style decorating can help to make your dining room one of the focal points in the home, and a place where your family will love to enjoy meals.

Colors

• Dark, earthy colors and metallic shades are ideal for a Victorian-style dining room. You can incorporate these colors by painting the accent wall a hunter green, or hanging a portrait in the space in a decorative gold frame. A tablecloth or table runner in a rust or chocolate brown color will help to complete the look.

Types

• There are several types of Victorian-inspired decor items that should be included in the dining room. Candleholders and sconces can decorate the top of the dining room table, or be mounted on the wall. Chairs and tables carved from rosewood or walnut are also ideal for the room, and a wall mirror trimmed with one of these wood types will make an attractive addition to the space.

Considerations

• Adding accents like curtains or a table centerpiece will make your Victorian living room stand out. Flowers are the centerpiece of choice for this type of living room, and curtains in a rust or bronze color will help to accent the rest of the furniture.

How to Measure Lace Trim

Whether you are using lace trim to accent home decor or a new dress, it is always important to measure the lace correctly. Measuring the lace to the proper length ensures that the production process goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and that the end result is correct, with no future complications.

• 1

  Check the packaging or any instructions that may come with the lace, to verify that the type is suited for your project. Do not use lace that is intended for curtains for example, on a dress or dress lace on curtains. Following this rule will ensure that your project is of the best possible quality.

• 2

  Stretch out the lace with your hands a few times, making sure that it keeps its original size after stretching.

• 3

  Measure the length of the fabric that you will be sewing the lace on to. Repeat this measurement at least three times to verify its accuracy.

• 4

  Use a pencil and your measuring tape to mark off a section on the lace that is between 8 and 10 percent less than the fabric's measured length. Less is needed as lace will stretch once sewn to material.

• 5

  Lay the lace out on a flat surface, pinning one end to a table or board and holding the other end by hand to keep it taut.

• 6

  Cut the lace with fabric shears, using your pencil marks as a guide.

Alternatives to Bedroom Furniture

• Look for alternative furniture for your bedroom. George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  If your sweater collection is better suited for an armoire than a shallow drawer dresser, or your water bottle and book need more space than offered by the top of a small side table, seek furniture for your bedroom that fits your lifestyle. Re-purpose furniture pieces from other rooms in the house that may be more functional in the bedroom--alternatives to the typical bedside table, dresser and bed.

Storage

• Move a kitchen hutch into the bedroom for storage. Welsh Dresser image by Hedgehog from Fotolia.com

  A free-standing armoire is a practical alternative to a dresser; shallow dresser drawers make finding clothes a chore. Some armoires have built-in drawers for small items and large cubbies for folded clothing, as well as additional hanging space. A kitchen hutch makes a great bookshelf with a surface for a jewelry box and other trinkets. Choose storage that accommodates your belongings, not standard furniture pieces marketed by stores.

Sleeping Spaces

• Beds are for sleeping, snuggling with the kids or even watching television. Consider a fold-up futon as a bed alternative that saves space by transforming into a couch. If a traditional bed suits your style, decorate it luxuriously with linens. Create a space that takes you away from reality. "If you love green but are afraid to dedicate an entire room to it, add a punch of color with a tufted headboard or pillows," suggests Darice Case on Good Housekeeping.com. Beds made of fabrics instead of wood are decorator alternatives that add interest and room for creativity.

An Ottoman in the Bedroom

• Ottomans are useful in any room. contemporary style ottoman image by James Phelps from Fotolia.com

  Ottomans are not just for resting feet. Use a bedside ottoman to hold your next tray of breakfast. Some styles come beautifully upholstered with flip-up lids that reveal large storage bays inside. Bring a couple of wheeled ottomans into your bedroom for extra storage and seating. "Messes vanish with lidded ottomans," states Good Housekeeping.com.

Antique Bedroom Furniture

• Antique wardrobes are not only sturdy but increase in value. Antique Wardrobe with Wood Carvings image by Yali Shi from Fotolia.com

  Instead of visiting a new furniture showroom and buying the suite on display, shop for coordinating antique furniture pieces like wardrobes, desks and vanities. New furniture is designed with a high end look. Low price is often the result of inferior materials including machine made plastic parts, glue and staple construction. "In the 1890s, American furniture began to be mass produced, with interchangeable parts and speedy production for the growing and affluent middle class," according to art historian Ken Melchert. Quality antiques are solid wood construction with dovetailed joints, a sturdy interlocking method of assembly that has proven to stand the test of time.

How to Cover Round Windows

A round window, or porthole window, is often used as a traditional architectural decoration on gabled homes, placed beneath the gabled roof. But round windows can be found in different areas of modern homes as well. If you have a home with a round window, you may want to cover it for privacy. Save some money by designing your own round window cover.

• 1

  Measure the circumference of your round window. Add 1 to 2 inches to determine the size of your wooden hoop. Pull the hoop apart if it already has an opening. Cut through the hoop in one spot with a saw, if it does not have an opening.

• 2

  Measure the diameter of the hoop. Add 2 inches to find the correct curtain length. Lay your curtain on a flat surface and smooth it out.

• 3

  Measure the length you want -- the diameter of the hoop, plus 2 inches -- starting at the curtain's top hem. Mark the length with a pencil.

• 4

  Thread the top hem onto the hoop. Wrap the bottom edge around the hoop to check your measurement. Remove the curtain and cut it at the pencil mark with scissors. Hem the cut bottom with about a 1-inch hem, using pins, needle and thread.

• 5

  Thread each hem onto the top and bottom of the hoop, arranging the hems in gathers. Put the hoop back together with its own fastenings or secure the ends with a piece of clear tape.

• 6

  Cut a piece of fabric 1 foot long by 2 inches wide from the remainder of the curtain. Lay this fabric over a length of ribbon. Gather the middle section of the curtain on the hoop. Tie it together with the fabric piece and ribbon, making a decorative bow.

• 7

  Drill a hole about 1/4 inch deep into the molding or wall at the top of the round window. Screw in the threaded cup hook until all of its threads disappear.

• 8

  Hang the hoop over the cup hook. Arrange the top and bottom hems in symmetrical gathers on the hoop so that the tied curtain forms a perfect hourglass shape.