Do It Yourself???

Do it yourself, often referred to by the acronym "DIY," is a term used by various communities that focus on people creating things for themselves without the aid of paid professionals. Many DIY subcultures explicitly critique consumer culture, which emphasizes that the solution to our needs is to purchase things, and instead encourage people to take technologies into their own hands.

Jul 3, 2009

How to dye carpet


Carpet is a thick heavy covering for a floor. It is usually made of woven wool or synthetic fibers. Its vibrant colors and scruffy surface makes your room look elegant. The problem is, after several years it can get stained and faded.

Replacing a new carpet is expensive, but you can dye your old carpet to give it a brand-new look. Dying a carpet is a bit difficult, but your effort can give you a wonderful result at a fraction of the cost of professional services.

To dye a carpet, you will need carpet shampoo, carpet dye, spray bottle, stiff scrubbing brush, plastic, tape, and scrap piece of carpet. Before getting started, it is important to purchase the correct type of dye. Different carpet materials require different dyes. If you do not know what type of materials your carpet is made out of, have a professional take a look at your carpet. Get more than one color therefore you can give your carpet a new look as what you want.

Carry out dyeing process during the day to utilize natural sunlight to dry the carpet and help you to spot potential trouble spots that are not taking a uniform color easily. It is also important to do the new color of a darker shade than that of the original. If the carpet has been too stained for a smooth coloration, there are effects that can be used to help blend color variations into a pattern.

Move all furniture out of the room. Vacuum your carpet. Go over it several times to remove the large particles stuck to it. Once done, clean and wash the carpet with carpet shampoo. Rinse with clean water and let it dry completely. It is very important to make sure the carpet is clean and dry because dye only absorbed evenly in this condition. Meanwhile cover the walls to protect them from the dye.

Mix dye with warm water according to manufacturer directions. Add more water if you want to lighten the coloring solution’s hue. When you have settled on a color, pour the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the dye on a scrap piece of carpet to practice until you are able to get satisfactory results.

Spray the dye in one small portion of the carpet, preferably near an edge. Scrub in the dye with a stiff scrubbing brush using a circular motion to distribute the color evenly. Once you get your desired hue, repeat the same process on a small section of carpet at a time until you have covered the entire carpet. Keep away from spraying too much dye because it can damage the materials. Let the carpet dry completely.

Enjoy your brand-new look carpet! You can prolong the life of the carpet for several years.

Jul 2, 2009

How to improve your mood with paint colors


Your mood can be affected by paint colors. The sensation of a room is influenced by colors. Whether you are aware of it or not, certain colors evoke different emotions that can either improve, maintain or demote the way you feel.

It is important to choose the right paint colors for the right rooms. You won't want to paint the walls of your bedroom sunshine yellow or red if your bedroom is where you do most of your relaxing.

In everyday life, you can make use of the effect of color on your psyche in order to improve your job satisfaction and well-being. The following is a list of some colors and their matching moods which you should keep in mind when selecting paint colors:

Red
Red, the most intense, pumps the adrenaline like no other color. It empowers a room's energy. It is a good selection when you want to blend excitement, especially at night. In the living room or dining room, red represents people together and stimulates conversation. In a front entrance, it makes a strong first impression. Red has been revealed to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually measured too stimulating for bedrooms, but if you're only in the room in the night, you'll be seeing it mostly by lamplight, when the color will appear muted, rich, and elegant.

Crimson
Ancient cultures used crimson to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation. It is able to make some people bad-tempered and should be avoided as the main color of a room since it invoking feels of rage and hostility. Sitting for long time in a crimson room will possibly breakdown any peace and harmony.

Orange
Orange was used to heal the lungs and increase energy levels in ancient cultures. It is an energetic, cheerful, commanding, and stimulates goodwill color. It evokes excitement and enthusiasm. It is not a good idea for a living room or for bedrooms but it is great for an exercise room. It will bring all the emotions out that you need when jumping into your fitness routine.

Yellow
In chromatherapy, yellow was believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body. Yellow captures the cheerful, increases energy and communicates happiness. It is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms, where happy color is energizing and uplifting. In entries, halls, and small spaces, yellow can feel expansive and warm. But it is not a good choice in main color schemes of a room. It tends to create feeling of frustration and anger in people and the most fatiguing on the eyes. People are more expected to lose their tempers and babies seem to cry more in a yellow room.

Green
Green is considered the most restful color for the eye. It has a soothing effect when used as a main color for decorating. It is believed to promotes emotional growth and relieve stress by helping people relax and refreshing. In addition, it believed to help with fertility, thus it is a great choice for the bedroom.
In a kitchen, a sage or medium green cools things down. In a family room or living room, it encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness.

Blue
Blue is cool, refreshing, soothing, relaxing, and promotes feelings of tranquility and peace. It brings down blood pressure and slows respiration and heart rate. It is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms. However, a pastel blue that looks pretty on the paint chip can come across as unpleasantly chilly when it's on the walls and furnishings, especially in a room that receives little natural light. If you choose for a light blue as the primary color in a room, balance it with warm hues in the furnishings and fabrics.

Purple
Lighter versions of purple, such as lavender and lilac, bring the same soothing and relaxing quality to bedrooms as blue does, but without the risk of feeling chilly. Dark purple is rich, dramatic, and sophisticated. It's associated with luxury as well as creativity, and as an accent or secondary color, it gives a scheme depth.

Color choice is an individual belonging. These general lists are a good preliminary reference point in your search for a paint color to improve your mood. But remember that you're the one who has to live with your new paint color, so decide a perfect color that suits your lifestyle.

DIY ~ Categories

Interior Home Improvement
Interior home improvements include any repair, remodeling, construction or maintenance task from your attic down to your basement.

Exterior Home Improvement
Exterior home improvements are a necessary part in maintaining a homes appearance as well as its resale value.

Decorating and Painting
Decorating and painting is a key ingredient to a beautiful home.

Electrical and Electronics
Electrical home wiring is no easy task. But, with learning, you can easily master installing light fixtures, adding an electrical outlet, updating switches, connecting home theater wires, repairing household appliances, and operating household electronics.

Gardening and Outdoor
Garden and outdoor maintenance is a task that never ends.

Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilating
The plumbing, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems are what make your home a habitable place to live.

Automotive
Cars, bikes, trucks, boats and recreational vehicles are among the most common means of transportation.

Hardware, Tools and Woodworking
The hardware and tools you use for a project can make a huge difference in the outcome of the project.

Household and Cleaning
Cleaning and household safety tips will make your home overall a better place to live.

Lifestyle, Crafts and Recreation
Achieving personal and life improvements is what the lifestyle, crafts and recreation section is all about.

Real Estate
Real estate is a great investment; however, it can be a complicated and daunting experience.

Personal Finance and Legal Matters
Personal finances and legal matters are aspects of life that everyone can use a little help organizing.

Computer Installation, Maintenance and Repair
Know how to install, care and fix your own computer.