Book helps you see the light on lighting
ONE aspect of home design that all interior designers agree on is the ability of lighting to transform a space. Not sure where to begin? Grab The Home Lighting Effects Bible (Firefly Books Ltd., 256 pages), a new book by lighting specialist Lucy Martin.
Martin walks readers through the principles of good lighting, pointing out that different rooms have different lighting requirements. She explains the difference between task lighting and ambient lighting and, through colour illustrations, shows homeowners the abundance of choices available.
If you get excited shopping for chandeliers, or pondering the merits of pendants versus track lighting, this is the book for you.
How to achieve the perfect paint finish
THE fastest and most cost-effective way to spruce up the interior of your house is to give your house a fresh coat of paint. Choosing a paint colour might be the most fun part of painting, but don't overlook the real work. Here's how to achieve a perfect finish, courtesy of DIY Network Canada's Fresh Coat.
* If you're planning on painting the trim, walls and ceiling, paint the trim first.
* For an ultra-smooth finish, sand the trim between coats.
* Before you start painting the walls, give them a good cleaning. (TSP works especially well.) This will ensure the paint really adheres to the walls.
* To get a seamless finish and avoid lap marks, roll the full height of the wall and keep a wet edge on your roller.
* If you're painting a very large space, consider mixing several cans of paint in a large bucket. This will ensure that you have a consistent colour throughout the room.
* If you're using tape along edges to achieve a straight line, let the paint dry, then cut the tape loose.
-- Postmedia News
