Home Improvement for Women

As much as kids (and parents) welcome the arrival of summer and long days spent outdoors, it’s inevitable that there will be times when it’s too hot or rainy to make the trek to the playground or beach. Use this indoor time to undertake easy, fun projects that will make a kid’s room into a retreat he or she will want to use all year long.

Gloss over Nothing makes a room feel fresh and clean faster than a new coat of paint. Choose environmentally friendly (low-VOC) paints in easy-to-clean gloss or semigloss finishes.

Also consider the effect colors have on energy levels. Blues and greens feel peaceful and promote relaxation. Red, yellow and orange shades are more energizing. Read more:

Light right Replace traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Lighting should be bright and focused in homework and reading areas, while play and relaxation areas can have more subdued lighting. Installing dimmer switches lets you adjust as necessary.

Make a mark You’ll be the coolest parent in town when you encourage your kids to mark up the walls. Use painter’s tape to outline a large square on the wall. Be sure to place it at a height your children will grow into. (I suggest trying a 3-by-4-foot rectangle starting approximately 3 feet from the floor.)

Fill in the space using low-VOC chalkboard paint. Attach a decorative molding with mitered corners over the painter’s tape to create a frame.

Get to work A dedicated space for a desk, drawers and shelving that can grow with your kids is worth the investment. Set up a workstation in a quiet corner, or consider installing a custom-built one in a closet.

If your budget allows, you could even steal space from an adjoining room for a bump-out. Set the desktop at about 27 inches high (as opposed to 30 inches for an adult); you can make the work surface higher as your child grows.

Installing recessed lighting overhead and planning for power outlets and data lines ensures that your child won’t outgrow the workspace even as his or her needs grow more sophisticated.

Stow away The easiest way to store out-of-season clothing or bedding is under-the-bed storage boxes; they make handy toy chests, too! You can buy these boxes, but it’s easy to make your own by simply repurposing drawers from an old bureau.

Remove any hardware from the drawers and then sandpaper, prime and paint them as desired. Flip the drawers over and set wheels at each corner.

Use a pencil to mark holes where screws will go. Pre-drill holes with your power drill, line up casters over the holes and attach them with wood screws. Measure the inside of the drawer and cut shelf liner to fit.

For more tips on do-it-yourself summer projects visit barbarasway.com.

As the warm weather approaches you may want to make some minor changes on a small budget.  An outdated lampshade can really dull a room so lets make that your next Do It Yourself project. Follow these easy steps and see how you can brighten up any room in your home.

TOOLS: Barbara’s Way tape measure, scissors, glue gun, glue sticks and fabric/material.

TIP: Get creative! Use leather for a conservative look, rice paper from specialty gift stores will give you a modern motif and colored fabric with flowers or print will cheer up a child’s room instantly. You can also add fringe around the bottom of the shade or glue beads, seashells or other small objects to the shade to create a unique and personalized look.

STEP ONE: Remove the lampshade from the lamp, measure the area around the shade as well as the area from top to bottom. Purchase the fabric or material according to these measurements.

STEP TWO: Place the fabric around the lampshade, leaving an extra inch or two all around. Secure the fabric in place with clothespins before you begin the gluing process to insure that you have enough material and prevent mistakes.

STEP THREE: Fold over the extra inch and with your heated glue gun, glue the fabric to the inside of the top and bottom rims of the lampshade. Fold under the seam where the fabric meets and secure with glue.

STEP FOUR: Once the fabric is attached to the shade, you can now add fringe, beads or other objects to the lampshade.

 STEP FIVE: Replace the lampshade onto the lamp and brighten your room for many days to come.

Now turn on that light and pull out your book knowing you have done it Barbara’s Way!

Here are a few tips that your nose can tell you quicker than your eyes can when your car is in trouble.

BURNING RUBBER – If it’s coming from under the hood, something that is rubber (a hose, for example) could be loose and lying on something hot, like the engine. Could also be a belt. If you hear a screeching and smell burning rubber when you turn on the air conditioner or defroster, turn them back off, and keep them off. You’ve probably got a seized air conditioning compressor and you need to take the car in for service. If you smell burning elsewhere, first check the tires to see if one is hotter than the others. Otherwise it could be a brake issue. Either way, have it checked out.

SWEET SMELLING VAPOR –  This is coolant, and it is poisonous. If the smell is coming from under the hood, you may have a bad hose, leaky connection or leaky radiator. If its coming from under the passenger side of the dashboard, it’s a leaky heater core. Have the coolant level checked SOON.

SULFUR (rotten eggs) – Could be an engine or computer problem. Not life threatening, but could get costly if neglected. If the sulfur smell is coming from under the hood it could be your battery. Check it out.

BURNING OIL – Usually indicates that a fluid is low, like motor oil or transmission fluid. Check both. Sometimes this is noticeable after an oil change, meaning some oil got into the exhaust, which is no big deal.

BURNING FOOD – Some describe this smell as “burned toast”. And while Atkins freaks may laugh, this smell usually means something is wrong with your car’s electrical system – and that is bad. Get it checked as soon as possible and be very alert – it cause a fire.

OVERVIEW: Where there is smoke there’s not necessarily a fire, but there is definitely a problem. Usually it means that your car is dehydrated somewhere – not enough oil or transmission fluid.

WHITE SMOKE – (Which is usually water vapor) from the exhaust is normal when the engine is cold and when you first start the car. Lots of white smoke after the engine has warmed up does often mean something is leaking, like a head gasket. This could lead to overheating and get very expensive if not taken care of immediately.

BLUE or BLUISH GRAY SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST – Your car is leaking oil or burning oil. Either way it’s not a good scenario.

BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST – This, especially if you also smell rotten eggs, means hat the fuel/air mix in the engine is not right. This is probably not something you can fix yourself – head to a service station.

Drive Safe this Summer! and do it Barbara’s Way!