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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-04-10, Page 35Page 20 Crossroads-- Apr. 10, 1985 .. �.� Decor Score How to bring in the outdoors By Barbara Hartung Q. We are remodeling our house and adding a bedroom_ on the second story. I would like the room to have a clean, contemporary look with the view enhanced by windows on two sides of the room. 1 need some ideas on how to furnish the room so that I do not detract from the view. TO dimensions of the room are 15 by 16 feet.—R.N. , A. If you are starting with- out furniture, you might con- sider building in cabinets across the lower portions of the window walls to provide storage space without inter- ference with the view. Twenty -inch -high cabinets would not detract but would store a considerable amount of clothing and at the same time eliminate bulky furni- ture. Arrange your bed on a wall opposite the view for maximum, enjoyment. Double the view effect with a huge, mirror over the head of your bed. Select a contemp- ,orary bed or build in a float- ing platform for the bed. Top the bed with tailored bed coverings and carpet the floor for a clean, uncluttered look. Q. I have a tiny living room than I want to decorate in a country style, but 1 am on a very strict budget. About all I have in this room is pale beige carpeting and off- white walls II could repaint the walls but the carpeting must stay as it is). How can I create an in- stant country look without going broker,—H.H. A. Perhaps your first trip should be to the loeal thrift shop to see• what funky old pieces •of furniture you can pickup for a song. Chests or tables and some- times even chairs and, sofa frames are available from pieces are rather beat up, it doesn't matter because you can sand them down, and re- cover the upholstery. Give the wood pieces some loving care with a color stain — there are lovely plastic wood stains available today. Select with equal care some pretty country fabrics with small floral. designs, paisleys,, stripes or even checks, Choose a pale pastel shade from the background of your print fabric for a softening color on the walls. Solicit your family and friends for old pictures in ornate frames, an old quilt (if you're lucky) and any other fun old castoffs. If you need to fill in, add a woven chair or two or some un- finished furniture that you can instantly•"antique" with a kit. As a finishing touch you might consider a rag or woven rug in the colors of your fabrics and furniture. Q. I have a honey -colored, wood -paneled living room that I am redecorating. The floor is a simulated brick vinyl. 1 will be reupholstering a sofa and two chairs and adding new draperies. What colors would be attractive for a rather traditional yet not stuffy room?—R.P.M. A. If you like bold, warm tones, consider a red and deep blue color scheme. You could cover your sofa in a red and blue plaid — great for not showing the wear — and decorate your windows in a deep red and blue stripe... Or if your room is quite sniall use the same pattern on both. Line the draperies with a bold blue, which you might repeat on your chairs in the room and sofa pillows, if needed. HEY KIDS! LEARN TO DRAW WITH DANNY COUGHLAN '1l /77 1. Here's Danny's complete drawing. 2. Finish what Danny started. 3. Now try it yourself! CLEAN LOOK—The outdodrs is brought indoors in the Tight -filled bedroom featuring built-in cabinets under the windows. Cabinet detailing is repeated in the bed platform. Room was designed by Cindy Muffson. By Gene Gary Q. I reside in a duplex con- dominium. The party wall (although it's a recent build- ing) has a minimum of insul- ation. As a result' I have noise problems in my part of the duplex. The sound is noticeable mostly in the bed- room wherein can be heard the slamming of doors of closets, bureaus and. shower enclosures. Is there some type of ma- terial that could be applied to my bedroom wall so the sounds emanating from the., neighbor's unit would be deadened so that they would become hardly noticeable in my bedroom? . Any as- sistance you can give will be appreciated.—J.F.R. A. Acoustical tile can be applied to walls as well as to ceilings. Also, acoustical plaster 'can be sprayed .on. Either of these should help cut down on the'sound trans- mitted through the wall. However, the best results in reducing transmission of airborne sound through an existing wall is with the in- stallation of a partition. This is an added wall, which creates a dead airspace be- tween the existing wall and the new one. In the added wall, still greater resistance to sound transmission is ob- tained by using resilient clips for attaching gypsum lath to the studs. Q. What can I do with a cement kitchen floor to keep moisture from coming up through the linoleum? The moisture caused mildew, an odor developed and the linoleum ' rotted. I had new linoleum put down and now it has happened again within six months. 1 called the company that installed the new floor. A man came out andsuggested 1 put new linoleum down again, on top of what I have. He said it would not come through again. I do not like that idea and 1 feel it will rot again. Can you help? —R.G.R, A. Your problem is caused by the wrong type of flooring installed on a concrete slab. Linoleum never should be used. Special floorings are made for on- or below -grade floors "such as asphalt tile, vinyl asbestos or pure vinyl made for these types of floors. A special waterproof adhesive is required, for in- stallation. You need to install a new floor. Be sure it is the correct kind. Concrete is porous, so it would be well to also check out the drainage from the outside of the house to be sure that water is draining away from the foundation. Q. 1 ha% e a swimming pool that is almost 20 years old. ' Because of numerous acid asli'es and plain wear and tear, the pool needs to be re - plastered. It presently has a mottled appearance because of areas where the plaster is so thin the gray gunite base shows through. A friend of mine told me that in Florida painting in lieu of °plastering is a com- mon practice because it's less expensive. Is there a paint that will withstand the normal swimming pool chemicals? Also, what kind of preparation is .needed? And what would be the com- parative cost between plast- ering and painting?—D.R. A. The most effective and widely used paint on con- crete pools usually is refer- red to, naturally enough, as swimming pool paint. It is based,. usually, on chlorinated rubber and is solvent -thinned, and is not to be confused with so-called rubber or latex waterthinned paints. There also are solvent -thinned vinyl -based paints, but these are best ap- plied by a professional painter. Since both types . contain very strong solvents, they should be applied to previously painted ,surfaces5 with caution. Portland cement paint also is very popular for use on concrete pools. It is applied only to a wet, previously un- painted surface and must be kept wet while being cured, usually by filling the pool. This . strengthens the bond of the paint to the concrete. Pools that have been painted previously with portland ce- ment paint can be recoated with it. V,'. For a successful job, proper surface preparation is as important as paint selection. The sides and bot- tom of the pool must be cleansed,of oil, dirt, algae and otheforeign matter by brushing with a detergent solution. If what appears to be dirt doesn't come off, it may be a type of mold that can be destroyed with a • household bleach such as Clorox or Purex. Be sure,to caulk all cracks and patch all holes. If the concrete never has been painted and has been trow- eled smooth, it must be given an acid wash to provide a surface to which the paint will adhere. The one IFost commonly used is a 10 per cent solution of muriatic acid. Be sure to wear goggles rubber boots and gloves, and old clothing while using this acid. Follow label instruc- tions as to neutralization when the job is over. • If preparing a surface that has been painted before, be sure the old paint is in good, condition. If it is chalking badly or peeling, it sitould be removed by sandblasting and the pool washed. Faded paint does not have to be re- moved; it merely needs to be cleaned with detergent and water. It is vital to use only quality paints that can stand up to swimming pool condi- tions and retain their ad- hesion, integrity and color brilliance. With proper preparation and a quality paint your swimming pool finish ,should give you good service andconipare favor- ably with replastering at economic savings. 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