The Finishing Touch

Hidden Treasures: Refinish it, Don’t Throw it Away!

By Larry Hack, Blinds.com Chief Information Officer and Guest Blogger

Do you have an old piece of furniture in your house covered in dark, scratched up varnish? Or maybe a piece with layers of old paint on it? Well if you’re thinking of throwing it way, consider refinishing it instead. It can be easier than you think and you can save a lot of money over replacing it.

The process involves removing the old paint or varnish, staining (optional) and applying one or more protective coats of finish.

 

The remover should remove the paint or varnish without damaging the wood. Many removers use an acid base which raises the grain of the wood, requiring you to spend lots of time sanding. Not how you want to spend your time. Acid-based removers will also damage the patina, which is the natural coloring from the aging of the wood.

 

Many products combine the stain and finish. I prefer to get the color I want first, matching the color to another piece of furniture or trim in the house, and then applying a finish. Stains are either opaque or translucent. Opaque stains are thicker and mask imperfections in the wood; however, they can also cover up the grain somewhat. Translucent stains are thinner and allow the natural wood to shine through.

There are many different types of finishes available; varnish, lacquer, shellac, oils, varnish/oil combination. These different finishes provide different looks and levels of protection.

 

Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area when working with any of these chemicals.

It can be a lot of fun to take on a refinishing project. It is very rewarding to be able to display it afterwards. It may even become a conversation piece.

You Should Be Watching: DIY Network's Man Caves

Don't know what a man cave is?

"A part of a home specifically reserved for adult male activities, such as drinking beer and watching TV; often a garage or den."

 

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Window Treatments for Manly Men

I don’t mean to generalize here but sometimes you men need help choosing the right window treatments. You don’t mind letting the lady in your life carefully choose each blind and shade. It’s also not uncommon for you bachelors to fashion some kind of homemade drapery out of an old sheet. I understand; you’re busy, you’re not sure what looks good, and you don’t want to spend the money. But if you really want to impress your lady, or not scare away the next one who happens to see your place, pick something that matches YOUR personality. Trust me, she’ll love it too.

Color and add-ons make a big difference. When in doubt, go with something in a dark wood. Mahogany and walnut woods are generally on the darker side of the spectrum. They’re sophisticated and classic without drawing too much attention. Choose something cordless, which are more sleek than corded blinds. Choose some accents, like cloth tapes or edge binding (depending on the product you choose) in black or brown. If you want to add a little color, you might choose Hunter green cloth tapes or blue. The valance is also important; choosing an outside mounted valance with an inside mounted blind provides depth to the room.

Now this is what I'm talking about...

You also might choose a simple solar shade like this one. It's great for media rooms, computer rooms and offices because it protects your high-tech gear from the sun, and it prevents glare. Functional AND good-looking... just like you.

One of our customers submitted this photo to us. He even told us that his girlfriend was totally impressed with the blinds in the game room.Woven woods are rustic and cool, and compliment any type of room.

Aluminum blinds are all about function, function, function. They're extremely durable, resistant to little kids and pets (they're tempered aluminum, can't get much sturdier than that), and they're no fuss. They're really easy to install, and they get the job done.

Last but definitely not least, the holy grail of window treatments, are shutters. This customer not only installed them in his windows, but in his skylights as well, a very non-traditional look. You can see the kind of effect wood shutters have on a room. Instant upgrade!

 

Tell me your thoughts - what type of window treatments are perfect for modern men?

Happy decorating,

Bachelor Pad Decor Done Right

Are you looking for a little masculinity in your bedroom? Tired of the frills and flowers? This Sueded headboard from Homedecorating.com is clean, sleek and stylish with a shot of testosterone.

The tones remain neutral, while the textures of the fabrics bring out a lush feel, keeping the room from feeling stark and empty. Complement the dark furniture and clean lines by keeping accessories and clutter minimal.

Not a big shopper, some men appreciate the convenience of purchasing a complete bedroom set – it means LESS browsing. This set combines a modern platform bed, with leather details and dark woods for a lux masculine look.

Keep your walls neutral by using a creamy camel colored paint in a suede texture or faux washing technique for added interest.

In keeping with the rest of the decor, window treatments should also be simple and clean. Opt for sheer vertical blinds from Blinds.com to add height to your windows while keeping the lines simple and uninterrupted.  Or choose cell shades with the top down bottom feature if you want your "man cave" to have a modern look with good insulation and varying degrees of light and privacy.

For those nights when you successfully drag Jane home, even a bachelor pad needs a touch of elegance (no women do not think your Swiffer is elegant).  However, a few candles are an important accessory for any room, even a masculine retreat. For a simple, clean display, arrange several white or cream candles of varying heights on a glass plate or a dish with smooth river rocks.

A masculine bedroom doesn't have to be boring or filled with cliche plaids and prints of hunting scenes. Varied textures like suede and leather will inject interest to your monochromatic room.