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Winter,  2006
What You Should Know Before You Choose Wallpaper
by Roger King

Wallpaper varies greatly in its material content, which helps determine how a paper looks and how it handles. Vinyl wallpaper are popular because they are durable, fairly easy to install, and easy to maintain. There are fabric-backed vinyl, paper-backed vinyl, and ones designed to look like a three dimensional surface, such as plaster, granite, or grass cloth, which are suitable for walls that aren't perfectly smooth.

Fabric wallpaper are usually made of cotton, linen, or other natural plant fibers, such as grass cloth, hemp, or burlap. Most textiles fray easily and are not washable. Solid paper wall coverings include hand-screened papers, foils, flocked papers with textured patterns, and murals. Both textile and paper wallpapers should be installed by professionals.

To determine how much wallpaper to buy, measure the height and width of each wall using a steel tape measure. Round up to the nearest foot. Multiply the height and width of each wall, and then add the figures together to get the rough square footage. How a room is used will help you determine what wall coverings are most suitable. Get a sample or one roll and look at it in the room with your other furnishings or samples.

When it comes to wall-coverings choices, you may want to think outside the box, as they say, and consider new materials as well as traditional materials used in new and different ways. Think about new places to use them, such as decorative tile in the dining room or wood in the bathroom. You might choose an elegant linen or flocked paper for the living room. Either kind of paper texture will add richness to a room.

About the Author
Roger King has been involved in home interior designs for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for interior design solutions, to meet their needs. Visit his Web site www.all-homeinteriordesigns.com to learn more about this service.
MAKE YOUR TILE AND COUNTERTOPS SPARKLE
Here's a quick tip to make your tile countertops sparkle!  When the grout surrounding tile is clean the whole area looks great.

Follow these easy steps to bleach the grout in your home:
1. Using a spray bottle,  add two parts water to one part bleach.
2. Spray generously over the grout, making sure not to overspray on something the bleach might stain.
3. Let the bleach mixture sit for 30 minutes.
4. Use a small stiff brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout.
5. Rinse off or use a sponge to clear the bleach from the grout.
6. If discoloration still persists, repeat all steps.


*If it is stained beyond cleaning, you may want to replace it.

About the Author
Paige is self-taught. Without deep pockets, Paige used her tenacity and resourcefulness to learn all aspects of construction including drywall, cabinetry, electrical, and plumbing.  She auditioned for "Monster House," to win tools so she could fix more homes.  She was later discovered by the producers of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."  She is the author of the upcoming book, Tuff Chix.
What You Should Know Before You Choose Wallpaper
by Roger King

Lighting a Room, by Damien Pfirsch

Decorating Transit Areas
by Damien Pfirsch
Your Life! Magazine All rights reserved.  Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006 Your Life! Media
Tuff Chix Tip
by Paige Hemmis