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A Basic Toolkit for the DIY Homeowner

I wanted to give our readers a basic list of tools that any do-it-yourself homeowner should keep available for any simple job that she or he might wish to handle on their own.

Bob, our sales manager, was a general contractor for years before we went into online sales. So I asked him to draw me up a list of tools.

This is the list of tools he said he “never went anywhere without”.

Utility knife for trimming and opening boxes easily.
Putty knives which come in various widths depending on the job and are either flexible or stiff. A stiff putty knife is used when scraping paint, while the more flexible knife is used to putty windows or for spackling.
Multitip powerless screwdriver
Hammer
Measuring tape
Cordless drill and bits for any size hole you might want or need.
A mitre box is optional unless you will do your own crown molding cutting and installing
Saws are frequently used power tools and there are a number of different types. You’ll need one that is specific for your project.
Speed square for laying out lines and marking angles
Chalkline for drawing straight lines

The following three items are all-purpose tools:

Short handsaw
Channel lock pliers
10” crescent wrench

Other tools to keep handy include:

Caulking gun
Level
Framing square
Pencil
Nailgun
Finishing nails
Caulk
Spackle
Sandpaper

The following tools are optional:

Routers
Sanders
Jigsaws
Mitre saw
Circular saws
Table saws

Finally, you will need a few safety items:

Safety goggles
Work gloves
Respirators
Ear plugs
Always make sure that you know how to operate the power tools you are using.

Many of these tools are items which most people are familiar with. It helps to know what you really need versus what would be helpful but are not absolutely necessary. These days we don’t want to spend a fortune on tools we probably won’t use. Plus, you save money on minor repairs and small jobs and you get the satisfaction of doing it yourself and it is that sense of accomplishment that is a great feeling.

For all the decorative accents you'll ever need, visit GoCeilingMedallion. We'll help you feel right at home.

Decorate Inexpensively: Fast and Easy

These are trying times that we are living in today, threatening the very stability of the American Dream. Although these are difficult times, much good has also come out of adapting to these troubling times. The economic recession has opened up a way for new and creative opportunities for learning. It has provided us with new career opportunities as well. And it has forced us to utilize many forms of free entertainment. We have discovered new ways to do more while spending less.

One small change in your life is often all that it takes to create huge emotional shifts in your psyche. Finding ways to feel better in these trying times is so important for our emotional and spiritual well-being. For me, whenever I add beauty somewhere in my life, it just makes me feel better. No matter how big or how small, when I look at the beauty that I have created, it helps me to know that this crisis can't last forever. And it makes me feel good that I am doing something positive for my family and myself.

I want to share some of the inexpensive ways that I have discovered to beautify my home with decorative accents. These ideas are fast and easy and sure to make you smile whenever you admire your handiwork and the beauty that it adds to your home.

Ceiling medallions and decorative rims can be used in creative ways in your home. Many people think that these accents were only designed to use on their ceilings and around lights. However, you can put them on walls as an inexpensive decorative piece. Small decorative rims can be used as frames for pictures of your loved ones. The center hole in the ceiling medallions can also be cut out and used as frames around your favorite pictures.

Panel molding can be used as an inexpensive chair railing. You can also use panel molding on your plain doors to add a little interest. Use a set of panel molding as framing for ceiling medallions on a wall.

Rosettes can be placed on furniture to dress up the plainest of pieces. Use them at the corners of bureaus, armoires, desks, vanity tables, mirrors, or any piece of furniture you desire.

Chair molding is also an inexpensive way to dress up a room. It is also easy to apply and can be done quickly for a small afternoon project.

Corbels can be used to hold up the mantle on a fireplace. They can be used on the inside corners of doorways. You can even use them to dress up the outside of your house by placing them under the eaves.

These are just a few of the ideas that you can use to spruce up your home. Decorating does not have to be expensive or difficult. All of these items can be used in any way that you can imagine. They are sure to brighten your day and give your spirits a little lift as well.

At GoCeilingMedallion, we help you feel right at home. Stop by and look around. We have such a large collection of decorative accents, you are sure to find exactly what you want.

A Plan for Home Decorating

You have decided it's time for a home makeover. But where do you start? When you begin plans for a home decorating project, it is important to know what your goals are. Sit down and decide exactly what end results you would like to see. Jot them down on paper. Without a plan the whole experience will become confusing and frustrating. There are so many details to work out when planning to decorate your home. Some details include theme, materials and intentions for the space being decorated. It is pointless to get up in the morning thinking I'll redecorate my dining room today. It's a nice thought, but without some planning, it's doubtful the project would amount to much. Here are some helpful decorating tips to keep in mind as you begin your project.

You've completed the first step by jotting down ideas and goals for your home decorating project. The next phase should be to consider your budget. How much can you afford to spend on redecorating? Will you do it yourself or do you plan to hire an interior decorator? Materials and accessories alone can be costly depending on what you're decorating plans are. If your plan includes making changes to your entire home, you need to have access to a sufficient amount of money. There are many hidden costs in making huge improvements in your home as well. Once the home decorating begins, little expenses that you didn't think of seem to come out of nowhere. Planning a home decorating project that fits your budget is a priority.

After you have figured out a budget for your project, you will want to choose a style or theme for your home decorating project. There are so many different styles to choose from. Your decision should be made based on what you'd like and on your interests. Country decorating provides a sense of warmth and coziness, while a modern theme might be more lively. Remember when planning to decorate, this theme will probably be around for awhile. For this reason, another good home decorating tip is, be sure and choose a theme or a style that you can live with.

After you've made the final decision about your home decorating theme, a helpful decorating tip might be to sit down and sketch out your plan on paper. Use a pencil and paper and sketch a diagram of the area you want to decorate. Considering the size of your project, spend some time arranging and rearranging, through drawing, the items to go into your space. Using mental visualization and the sketch, you should be certain of your goal before you begin the actual work.

Your imagination and creativity are two great assets in home decorating. One of the most helpful home decorating tips is to make use of your own creative abilities. When your project begins, if an idea pops into your head or you discover you'd like to try orange instead of beige, for example, go for it. Many times it's those seemingly off-the-wall ideas that can make a space look amazing. It's your home and your idea, so use your own judgment.

There are many places to find helpful home decorating tips. You can find them in home decorating magazines and books, on television programs or on the Internet. If you have any concerns or reservations about beginning a decorating project in your home, you will certainly find some helpful home decorating tips from these sources. Decorating your home is meant to be an exciting and satisfying experience. The number one tip for home decorating is to have fun.

Visit GoCeilingMedallion today for a look at some of the most unique styles and the largest selection of decorative products on the internet.

Decorating With Ceiling Medallions

A ceiling medallion is a circular, oval or square decorative panel, often made of polyurethane that can be affixed to the ceiling over the outlet of a lighting fixture or ceiling fan. The fixture then appears to hang from the center of the medallion.

Ceiling medallions are usually mounted in the center of the ceiling. They add dimension and design to an otherwise boring and often overlooked area. As well as their decorative promise, they can also hide unsightly conditions of plaster or drywall that can be difficult and expensive to repair.

Decorating with ceiling medallions has been traced back to early Middle Eastern times, though details of their use are sketchy. We know the medallions were duplicated in later years throughout Europe. They caught on particularly well in France and Italy. Italian and French motifs today heavily reflect medallions – many times the medallions are the focal point themselves of the entire room.

In history, medallions were made of very heavy materials such as iron, plaster or marble. They were often extremely ornate and detailed. Famous artists spent many months, or sometimes years, hand painting these works of art.

Today’s medallions are more flexible in their usage. There are endless possibilities to design, colors, textures and materials. Medallions can be made of wood, plaster, polyurethane and other material. They are also available as a custom made marble. However, these are extremely expensive and should only be installed by a qualified installer, due in part to their weight.

Ceiling medallions range in size from six inches to as large as 74 inches and larger in diameter. When decorating a small space, like a hallway, a smaller diameter medallion should be sufficient without being over powering. Larger spaces can accommodate the larger styles. This is merely a suggestion, not a rule. You can have a medallion as large or small as you see fit.

One of the best features of using a ceiling medallion is the unlimited amount of options for coordinating fixtures, lamps and other decorative pieces to tie a room together. Many designers will paint or faux-finish them to accent the other colors and textures in the room.

One such faux technique is to create an antique finish by using a base coat of paint and a gold antique finish, which is applied with a rag and a dabbing motion. Different textures of rags will bring different results on your medallion. If you don’t like the results from ragging, try a feather or a sponge. It’s best to practice your techniques before attempting it with your finished medallion. Always paint or otherwise finish your medallion before installing it.

Medallions can be installed by a professional or by the average do-it-yourselfer. However, if you are not comfortable with electrical wiring, it is best to hire a certified electrician for the light fixture.

Many have found additional uses for decorative medallions such as accents to a window frame. Try mounting them directly on the frame at the top corners. Hanging a swag or loose scarf window treatment will complete the look and allow the drama of the medallions to shine through.

Don’t limit yourself with the use of ceiling medallions. Give them a try – you’ll love the result!

Visit GoCeilingMedallion today for a look at some of the most unique styles and the largest selection of ceiling medallions on the internet.

Top 10 Molding Material

Decorative crown molding has changed over the centuries. It has evolved from the beauty of the Greek forms to the simple curves of the Roman era; from the flowers and vines of the Gothic rounds to a return to the simple forms of the Romans during the Renaissance. Today, crown molding can be found in just about any type of material. So what's appropriate? Which one should you use? There are so many, it can be a little daunting. So let's take a brief look at the different kinds of materials that crown molding is often crafted from.

Crown molding has been made from milled hardwood and plaster. Wood crown molding can be made from several hardwoods such as hickory, ash, poplar, alder, cherry, maple, mahogany and oak. Wood crown molding enriches the character of any interior as it frames your ceiling and complements your decor.

On the down side, hardwood moldings can be quite expensive. Forest resources are limited. Wood moldings shrink and swell with humidity, they can be damaged by water, it is combustible, it can be damaged by rot and insects, it can crack, it requires mitering and coping skills, it may split and splinter when nailed or cut, and wood molding must be sanded and primed prior to finishing.

Renewed interest has been growing in decorative ornamental plaster. Decorative plaster molding can be found in all styles. Ornamental plaster crown moldings do not shrink, burn, warp or produce toxic fumes. Ornamental plaster can be formulated in a wide range of compositions to yield finished products which include a range of properties. They are versatile, safe, stable and economic. Ornamental plaster, although an excellent product, can be costly to install. Although it is no longer required to be manufactured in place, skilled craftsmen are in short supply and it has become almost a lost art.

MDF crown molding, a wood-based composite material that uses wood fibers with a synthetic resin, is another example of how a builder or decorator can accent any room or hallway. MDF is environmentally safe and requires less preparation. MDF won't split when cutting, is resistant to warping and is consistent in size and shape. However, during installation of MDF, nailing creates blemishes that will require repair, by hand, prior to finishing. Although it is a less costly alternative to other materials in use, most professionals do not recommend its use.

Polyurethanes, found in many items, are considered to be the best replacement for plaster. They are used in resins, adhesives, fibers, foam padding and insulation. They come in several forms, such as rods, sheets and liquids. Polyurethanes are frequently used as an alternative to such materials as wood, plastics, metal and rubber. Polyurethanes are resistant to wear and tear, weather, impact, scratching and erosion. They are also more cost-effective as an alternative as well. . Items such as domed ceilings, moldings and ceiling medallions are easier to construct of polyurethane foam rather than wood.

Flexible molding, which is one type of polyurethane, makes it a cinch to decorate around curved walls and arched doorways and windows. Flexible molding is made from a compound polymer resin that has been engineered to bend or curve around more challenging shapes. It can be bent or twisted without breaking or splintering. Flexible molding can actually be purchased in a range of grades, from very flexible to totally rigid.

The installation of crown molding cannot be made any easier than with peel and stick. Peel and stick comes in kits of plastic molding pieces which have self-adhesive backs and four outside corners. Peel and stick is available for the really low-tech, low cost way to decorate as no power tools, saws, nails or hammers are required.

Peel and stick, though, especially due to its low-tech and low cost, lacks relief. That is, there is no depth or thickness and it will appear flat.

Styrofoam crown molding is light weight, durable and versatile, inexpensive, and adhesive to most kinds of paint. Other advantages and reasons for its gain in popularity are that it requires no special tools to install, and in fact can be installed in less than a day by the average homeowner. Styrofoam does not rot, crack, decay or succumb to insect damage. It can however melt or burn when exposed to flame and must be encased, as it will release toxic fumes when burning.

Another material that is finding its way into popularity is vinyl. Vinyl crown molding gives that old plaster look. The advantage to using vinyl is its simplicity. It is low maintenance, does not blister or peel, swell or shrink when used in extreme moisture conditions, and will not rust, rot, pit or corrode and will not be attacked by insects.

Aluminum, stamped metal, crown molding featuring heavy-duty all aluminum construction is also available for use as a decorative accent. It is preformed inside and outside corners eliminate miter cuts, making installation easier. It is easy to cut, and installs like traditional moldings. It is durable and rugged. Aluminum is a tremendous bang for the buck. Use stamped metal for industry, factory, office, retail spaces, workshop, garages, kitchens, and trade shows.

Styrofoam, aluminum and vinyl moldings are primarily used for exterior decorative purposes.

At GoCrownMolding.com, we offer many, many styles of crown molding, as well as other decorative ceiling accents made of polyurethane. We also offer a variety of flexible moldings when your decorative molding installations necessitate a curved or arched product. All of our products can be custom ordered from a wide collection of crown, cornice, chair rail, frieze, and panel moldings. So take a look at our catalog and do something new to beautify your home today.

GoceilingMedallion.com Welcomes Partnership with the Medallion Factory

Mesquite, NV January 31, 2008---GoCeilingMedallion.com is happy to announce yet another partnership. "We have partnered with the Medallion Factory in order to provide our customers with an even wider selection of the quality decorative accents they have come to expect from us,” states Bob Tomaskovic, product manager atGoCeilingMedallion.com.

"Our goal at GoCeilingMedallion.com is to provide our customers with the largest inventory of decorative ceiling items such as ceiling medallions, ceiling domes, and rosettes, anywhere around, on or off of the Internet. We believe that coupled with excellent customer service and competitive pricing, we are the GoTo people for all of your decorative ceiling accent needs," said Pat Tomaskovic, CEO and President of GoCeilingMedallion.com.

The Medallion Factory offers a unique and extensive line of precision crafted decorative polyurethane home accent pieces and ceiling medallions. The designs range from contemporary to Victorian architecture. The Medallion Factory offers a large assortment of decorative accents -- ceiling medallions, rosettes, domes and niches -- to grace your new home or for your interior renovation. They will also custom make products to our customer’s specifications. The medallion factory employs "master craftsman" who hand create original molds, from which each piece is produced. High density polyurethane foam or gypsum produced is then detailed and finished with only high-quality coatings. In this way, the product is able to keep its original beauty for years. As it resists warping, cracking, splitting or rotting, the exceptional detailing of each piece is evident for years to come.

In addition to precision crafted products, through the Medallion Factory, GoCeilingMedallion.com will be able to offer:

-- custom orders.

-- factory primed products.

-- over 150 more styles of medallions and other products.

-- products are in stock and usually ship within two days.

GoCeilingMedallion.com welcomes the Medallion Factory to their ever-growing catalogue of manufacturers of fine architectural details.

Log into GoCeilingMedallion today and check out the Internet's widest selection of decorative home accent products.