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Home-Dzine It’s all about caring for and improving your home
January 2010
fresh start for the new year
Also in this issue ...
• Greener options • A house for Barbie and friends • Know when to restore
• Make a splash with a water feature • Bathroom makeover • Home decor ideas
WIN a Dremel Series 300 MultiTool All you have to do is book an EASY-DIY Workshop for yourself and 2 friends and we’ll automatically enter you into the draw to own your very own Dremel Series 300 MultiTool, valued at over R1000!
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE EASY-DIY WEBSITE
Features & Benefits * New and unique design - Improved ergonomics and increased comfort * Comfort switches - More comfortable when handling and better control * Variable speed 10.000–33.000 RPM - To match speed to the project at hand * Second attachment interface - To attach DREMELite * On-board wrench storage - To have the wrench always at hand * Integrated hang hook - For hanging the tool while working with the Flexible Shaft * Soft grip - For reduced vibration and a better grip * 125W motor - Optimal performance Contents * Dremel 300 Series * 55 high quality Dremel accessories in Mini Accessory Case * Dremel high quality Flexible Shaft * Convenient and elegant storage case * Inspiring Welcome Poster
a word or two
Welcome 2010! I am sure that this year is going to be a fantastic one, not just for the World Cup, but also because we should start seeing an improvement in the economy. This year also sees the launch of our EASY DIY workshops across the country for all your DIY Divas out there who want to discover how easy it is to do-it-yourself. And for those Divas who have already used power tools, you can sign up for our new DIY DIVA workshops and start making your own furniture and home decor accessories. 2010 is going to be an excellent year!
Janice
Home-Dzine Online is written and compiled by Janice Anderssen. All projects in this issue, or any other issue, remain the property of HomeDzine and Janice Anderssen, or the respective copyright holders, and may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. Image and content credits: meredith publishing - good homes - family handyman - sunset publishing - popular mechanic - house & home - georgia paciďŹ c - expert village - channel4 - pottery barn - ikr - nkba - resene - mitre10 - lowes and any others.
Decorate
hgtv
small changes
BIG IMPACT 2010 has arrived and if you’re looking for ideas to give your home a makeover, you’ll find these ‘before’ and ‘after’ makeovers inspiring. All feature purely cosmetic changes - projects that you can do easily and affordably. ABOVE: By toning down the wall colour and replacing all the furniture with contemporary pieces, clean lines and neutral tones, the room now boasts a stylish, high-end look perfect for entertaining. Practical storage is key to keeping an openplan dining room and lounge combination from becoming a chaotic mess. Bookcases and cabinets can be designed to provide plenty of storage space without intruding on valuable floor space. 2
Make It Essential storage was provided in the room with a custom storage cabinet designed to be ultra-thin, yet still offer plenty of room to pack away clutter out of sight. Vertical storage also helps maximise floor space, so affix slender shelves or display cubes to walls instead of using floor-hogging furniture.
PG Bison SupaWood is easy to work with and allows you to apply a painted finish to custom built storage furniture.
Decorate There’s something exciting about moving to a new home - the opportunity to start with a blank canvas and do whatever takes your fancy. BELOW: This compact apartment offers a stunning view that needs no window dressing. To keep the space light and airy, a neutral background with a variety of vivid green colour pops transformed the small space to more than it was. The long room has one main wall for display. Artwork is a great way to breathe new life into any room. Photography can be used to contemporize a room and add a splash of colour as well.
Diy Tip If you are unsure about what colours to use in your new home, start off by painting the walls white and add colour with accessories. Experiment with a small feature wall - if you don’t like it you can always paint over it and start again. Before buying large tins of paint, take small tins home with you and try the colours on the wall - in daylight and artificial light - to see if you are satisfied with the result. That way you’ll save money and be happy with your new home.
starting
hgtv
afresh
3
Decorate
hgtv
what a difference
a change makes From bachelor pad to urban living. An inner city loft is easily transformed from mismatched mayhem to ultra chic style.
ABOVE: In this room, simply by highlighting the natural assets achieved by painting the walls white, replacing the old furniture, new lighting, adding art and a hip shag rug, the same space appears larger and definitely more modern. If you are planning to update the look of a room, start by replacing old or dated light fixtures, door hardware, light switches and outlets. If it’s tacky and older than you, get it out of there. If your budget allows, think about removing or 4
Shop
replacing worn or outdated furnishings and get rid of PG Bison SupaWood is easy to work with and extra pieces. The time has allows you to apply a come to move beyond painted finish to custom matching furniture, so break built storage furniture. up your sets; dated can easily become eclectic with editing and rearranging. If replacing is definitely top of the shopping list, look for slipcovers to hide worn and faded upholstery.
Trends
fantasticPLASTIC Laminate and carpet are excellent flooring materials and resilient vinyl, once thought of as cheap substitutes for traditional materials, is now made in a vast range of styles and qualities, some convincingly mimicking natural timber or stone, in unique patterns and textures for a more affordable flooring option.
other hard-surface floors such as wood, marble, ceramic or concrete.
Today’s vinyl floors are made to enhance the aesthetic features of an interior. You can choose pattern and colour to make a large room seem smaller or a small room appear more spacious. And since vinyl is durable, the colour and original appearance will last longer with routine maintenance. Moisture resistance is an important quality with vinyl flooring. Resilient flooring, in general, cushions impacts and so reduces noise more than
When compared with alternative materials, vinyl offers an attractive installed cost with economical maintenance over the life of the floor. Vinyl flooring is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens, allows for easy cleaning in a nursery or kids bedroom, but also offers an easy way to enhance the aesthetic features of any room in Did you know the home.
Vinyl flooring is durable and maintains its beauty underfoot, even under conditions of heavy foot traffic. It is moisture and stain resistant, which means that spills can easily be removed without spoiling the finish.
belgotex
Vinyl flooring is moisture and stain resistant, which means that spills can easily be removed without spoiling the finish.
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6
Trends ď ś
This trendy chrome / stainless steel look range is ultra convenient and you can look forward to having your most essential and frequently used items within easy reach without having to drill into walls.
decorate a rental home
Up until now, manufacturers of products secured by suction cups rather than screws or nails have promised the perfect solution to displaying anything from kitchen utensils to toothbrushes. However, most suction cup based products quickly come clattering down or are only able to support very light items. Everloc is about to change all that. When an Everloc suction cup is applied, a silicon ring adheres to the surface forming a vacuum and creating an airtight seal. Unlike its predecessors, the super strong vacuum adheres to all non-porous surfaces - including uneven walls or grouting - and is not affected by temperature variations or UV light.
It remains airtight, water proof and permanently attached and can be used both inside and outside. As a result, Everloc is probably the only suction cup system that delivers on its promise to provide long lasting adhesion and consistent load bearing capacity. The smaller cups can support 6,5 kg while the larger ones can hold up to 10kg. From toilet rolls to shampoo, from kitchen towels to herbs and spices, Everloc has an effective no drills, no screws, no mess solution to the muddle of modern life. Even though the Everloc suction cup system always sticks, it can also be easily removed.
After long periods in the same place, it will let go without leaving marks. You can clean it with mild soap and water, let it dry, then use it elsewhere - a huge plus when redecorating or moving house. Look out for both small and double hooks as well as a range of bathroom and kitchen accessories at Builders Warehouse. Visit www.tevo.co.za for more information. 7
Home
no more
clutter
It’s a never-ending struggle to keep clutter out of sight, especially in compact living spaces or rental homes. But with the right type of storage you can minimise the amount of clutter that’s out in plain sight - or at least make it more of a feature. Here are a few storage solutions for the home... Stylish storage solutions For many of us, it’s a fact of life: We have too much stuff and not enough places to tuck it away. But by integrating stylish storage solutions into your decor, you can organize and stow all the things that accumulate in your living room but still keep them close at hand. Plus, these pieces spruce up a space.
Get the look
Builders Warehouse has a selection of ready-made floating shelves - or make your own.
Divide and conquer
Despite the unit’s large size, the open construction allows light to flow through 8
Time Inc
Separate rooms visually while increasing your storage capacity with a freestanding bookcase.
Home so the shelves don’t weigh down the room. Choose a style that blends with your furnishings, and remember to add pretty touches, such as vases of flowers.
Make it modular
When flexibility is of utmost importance, stackable storage cubes are the answer. They can be configured to suit your needs, then reconfigured when you want to make a change - plus, if you rent your home you can take them with you should you leave. A set of cubes ( right) is arranged in varying heights and does double duty as an entertainment centre. Or stack them evenly in columns of three or four.
Get the look
Make your own storage cubes or get them at Lotters Pine.
ABOVE: Use Melawood in a wood finish, or Supawood and paint in your choice of colour.
Fit it all in a sideboard
Think about what you need to store, then look for one piece that will accommodate it all. If you want to keep most of your belongings completely out of sight, a piece of furniture such as a sideboard, console or credenza may be the best solution. Many sideboards have drawers and cabinets, providing a place for a variety of objects. Make use of walls by mounting stylish cubes for additional storage. 9
Crafts
Got an awkward spot and don’t know what to fill it with? Love this idea... Create a bar or breakfast nook using standard kitchen wall cabinet carcasses fitted with shaker-style doors topped off with a granite countertop (substitute with Surrino) and painted with Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch in Slate Blue. Lightly sand the surface, shake can well and simply spray on and leave to dry for a perfectly smooth finish.
Here’s how:
1. Build a plinth or frame on which to mount the wall cabinets. 10
2. Affix the cabinets to the wall using fischer wall plugs and screws. 3. Support the countertop on the cabinets, and with 2 timber shelf brackets. Paint the wall with Rust-Oleum Chalk Board paint and have an instant memo or notice board, a place to write down your shopping list, or just for fun - your menu of the day!
Crafts
you’ve been
framed
Transform boring picture frames into real life works of art that can be refreshed when you feel like a change. Here’s how:
1. Remove all the backing paraphernalia from the frame.
2. Make a simple shelf and wall mounting bracket using two small pieces of Supawood (MDF). 3. Attach the shelf to the back of the frame with small brackets. 4. Attach the wall mounting to the wall using fischer wall plugs and screws. 11
ď ś
Crafts
barbie house This Barbie-size house is the perfect home for Barbie and friends and is very easy to make. 12
Crafts Eco-friendly Barbie Dollhouse With the focus on eco-friendly building, this dollhouse uses the new Xanita X-Board instead of conventional board products - to create a dollhouse that sets an example! The dollhouse is easy to assemble, and because of its lightweight design, it can be carried to any location and easily packed away when not in use.
You will need:
2 x Xanita X-Board 1300 x 3000mm (www.falconsa.com) Craft or Stanley Knife, plus replacement blades Steel rule Pencil Rust-Oleum Painters Touch Spray – Sweet Pea and Grape Rust-Oleum Stone Spray 12 x Plastic corner brackets and covers Glue gun and glue sticks 3m Melamine edging strip
Here’s how:
Dollhouse 1. Refer to the diagram for cutting out the shape of the dollhouse. This section needs to be cut as one piece. 2. Use the craft knife to cut down the marked lines for each section. You will only cut through the top board and padding. Fold along cut lines. 3. Lay the board on a flat surface – face up – and spray with Sweet Pea. 4. Use a steel rule and a cup to draw the shape of the windows and cut out with the craft knife. Repeat 13
Crafts
this process for the door to a height of 300mm. Score along one side of the door and fold. Mask off around the door area and spray with Grape. Remove masking tape once dry. Roof 5. The roof section measures 500 x 900mm. Mark the centre one the length and draw a line across. Use the craft knife to score along the centre line through the top board and padding. Fold over along the cut line. 6. Spray the top of the roof with Rust-Oleum Stone Spray. Base 7. The base section measures 600 x 900mm. Draw a line 50mm in around the entire board and cut through the top board and padding. Cut out and remove the corners. Fold over along the cut line. 8. Heat up the glue gun and insert a corner bracket at each corner to hold the folded shape. 9. Position the dollhouse centrally on the base and mark the position for holding brackets at each outside corner – use 2 brackets at each corner. Remove the dollhouse and use the glue gun to attach the brackets. 10. Attach the melamine edging strip to visible edges with the glue gun and trim. 11. Cover the centre of the base with newspaper and masking tape and spray with Rust-Oleum Stone Spray. Remove newspaper and masking tape once dry.
Make It
Follow these links to design and make your own Barbie furniture
• How to make barbie furniture • eHow • Thrifty Fun • Barbie furniture
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Crafts Shelf/floor 12. Use the craft knife to cut out a section 350 x 720mm for the shelf/floor. Measure in 10mm at both ends and 30mm in from the sides and mark. Cut off the ends to the marked lines. 13. Measure down 350 on the inside side sections of the dollhouse. You will cut out a section in the sides to allow for fitting of the shelf/floor. The shelf/floor slots into the side sections. Only cut through the top board and padding and scrape out the padding to allow the shelf/floor to slot in snugly. Assembly 14. Fold the dollhouse and add the shelf/floor. Position within the brackets on the base. Fit the roof section to the top of the house. The roof is not fastened to the house assembly to allow for easy packing away and moving. Finishing 15. To add a decorative touch to the dollhouse, the plastic bracket covers were sprayed with RustOleum Stone Spray. Use the craft knife to remove any protrusions on the back of the plastic bracket caps and attach with the glue gun down the front opening edge to create a stone edge. You can also add around the windows and doors.
Click on logo for more information on Xanita X-board, available from www.FalconSA.com
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ď ś
Recycle
Rustic Treasures
Recycle old wood pallets into rustic storage shelves for decorative plates. The pallets only need a light sanding and ďŹ nishing off with Woodoc 10 - with added stain concentrate of your choice. 16
Panels of reclaimed timber are laminated to form a block that’s recessed and finished with a Dremel VersaFlame.
home handyman
Recycle
17
Recycle Here’s how:
1. Cut the boards to width using a circular saw. Cut the minimal amount from one edge then set the saw to cut the opposite side. Work over the surfaces with a belt sander fitted with a course abrasive belt to remove loose material.
Reclaimed timber can be bought rough sawn online or from specialist timber merchants. If not already done, you will need to remove old exposed metal fixings such as nails and screws with a claw hammer and pincers. Use a bradawl or the tip of a smaller nail to check holes for broken nails and remove the surrounding timber to dig them out. You can also use scaffolding planks for this project, which can be bought at most timber merchants and select hardware and building stores.
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2. Cut the timber to length with a sliding compound mitre saw (or multi-purpose saw) to cut six boards to 450mm.
Did you know
3. Arrange the six boards with the more interesting grain patterns on the outside of the stack, hiding blemishes and big knots.
By alternating the direction of the blocks and the cross-grain (cut ends) you will create a stronger more stable design.
4. Liberally apply Alcolin Professional wood glue to the meeting faces of the boards, press together and secure loosely with clamps.
Recycle 5. Tap the boards flush with a rubber mallet, tighten the clamps until adhesive squeezes from between the layers and leave to dry overnight.
right of the rebate and back down the left, making rebates 20mm deep. 9. Fill holes and blemishes with Alcolin wood filler. Sand with a multi-sander and 180-grit sanding pads.
Finishing
To give the timber its dark grain you can use a Dremel VersaFlame to scorch the grain of the wood. Only the dry grains scorch, leaving the more resinous grains in a lighter colour.
6. Release the clamps and use a plane to remove rough surfaces and excess adhesive, working in the direction of the grain. Use a straight edge to check faces are flat, shading high areas with a pencil and planing them off with a series of short strokes. 7. Move a belt sander diagonally over the grain to remove unevenness and planing marks, then work with the grain to smooth the surface. Start with an 80-grit belt, then 120-grit and 180-grit to finish.
The Dremel VersaFlame is powered by liquid butane gas (lighter gas) for quick heat-up and fast recharge. Applications can include: soldering, shrinking, welding, etc. Now you can apply a clear sealer such as Woodoc 5 or 10 Polywax Sealer, add a stain concentrate in your choice of wood tint, or add colour with one of the Woodoc Gel Stain range of colours.
8. Measure and mark up the decorative rebates. Clamp straight edges and work a router fitted with a copycat cutter in an anticlockwise direction, moving up the 19
ď ś
average to
awesome
with Lotters Pine
20
Makeover
In this new feature we’re going to use raw pine furniture supplied by Lotters Pine and transform them into pieces you would be proud to have in your home. This month we’re starting with a corner table that can serve as a desk, a dresser or even a bathroom vanity.
You will need:
Raw pine furniture Rust-Oleum Distressed Heritage Blue kit
Optional
Pine moulding Alcolin fast set wood glue Clamps
Here’s how:
1. Before you start painting make sure that the pine pieces is nicely sanded and smooth. 2. This part is optional, but I decided to add a bit more detail to the piece with pine moulding on the front of the table. The moulding was cut to size, glued and clamped into place until dry. 21
Makeover
1. Rust-Oleum Distressed Heritage Blue kit comes with everything that you need for this project., and the box has detailed step-bystep instructions for you to follow. Fool proof!
2. Apply the basecoat over the entire piece - even underneath the table. You want to create faux antique furniture. Only 1 coat is required, but be sure to apply the paint evenly, without any gaps. Leave to dry.
3. Use the supplied sanding pad to roughen up and distress the edges of the piece. You can do as little or as much distressing as you want until you are satisfied with the result. If you take too much paint off you can always apply more paint to cover up.
4. the final touch is to add the top coat. Be careful not to apply too much as it dries very quickly and is hard to remove. Work in small sections and have a damp paper towel handy to wipe off until you are happy with the finished look.
Protection and care
To nourish and protect your new piece of furniture, use Woodoc Antique Wax to regularly polish and buff to a satin shine. 22
Makeover
ď ś
makeover
magic
The Rust-Oleum range of Painters Touch spray paints, metallic spray, stone spray, and even Painting Kits and paints for plastic, offer you even more possibilities for decorating your home and give boring pieces a new life in the most unique ways.
ABOVE: An assorted jumble of items given by friends, tossed into the bin, or picked up at a secondhand store for practically nothing: wire table, old picture frame, tin pot and a couple of candle holders . perfect! Having looked them all over carefully I decided that they would work perfectly in my new white bathroom - all that was need was a little restoration and some Rust-Oleum paint. 23
Makeover
To prepare items for spray painting
Benefits and disadvantages of using spray paint
1. Items need to be cleaned and free from rust, old paint and varnish, Paint remover will get rid of paint and varnish, but rust should be treated before painting. You can use RustOleum Stops Rust for the purpose.
Spray paint offers more even coverage without brush strokes and is far faster that conventional painting with a paintbrush.
2. Make sure the pieces are well cleaned and given them a light sanding with 240-grit sandpaper.
Speciality spray paints can be used on metal, wicker, plastic, wood, ceramics and other surfaces.
3. Shake the cans intensively for at least one minute. As compared to conventional spray paints Rust-Oleum has more paint than solvent in each can, which requires intensive shaking for perfect results.
Spray paint dries at a much faster rate than does paint out of a can.
4. Never spray too close to the surface. A distance of 30cm is ideal.
However...
5. Start at the top - or the bottom - and apply the spray from left-to-right or right-to-left in a single flowing spray. DIY Tip: Two light coats are better than one thick coat - it reduces runs and drips. Safety note: All spray paints are toxic, so only use in a well ventilated space, or have a fan handy to such fumes out of the room. You’ll always want to pop on a dust mask.
crafty nest
Should for any reason the spray start to spatter, stop spraying and wipe the nozzle. Shake the can again for a few seconds and try again. It does help to have a cloth handy to wipe the nozzle now and again, especially when spraying larger projects.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL MAKEOVER 24
Because spray paint is oil based it offers more durability than other types of paint.
Clean up is much simpler. (The above is based on Rust-Oleum brand)
Spray paint must be used in a well ventilated space due to high fumes. A faulty nozzle can spoil your paint job - always practice on scrap board beforehand. Spray paint is cheaper on small projects, but more expensive or larger items.
Going Green
greener options We have become so used to having electricity as part of our lives that it becomes difficult to imagine how we would do the things we do without out. It is for this, and other ecological reasons, that we must look at the ways we use our home (and office) appliances and the bad habits we currently employ and think economically and eco-friendly, so that our children and our grandchildren will still have the same beautiful world that we enjoy.
ABOVE: If you are still using appliances that are not energy rated, it’s time to think about installing high-efficiency options, not only to save thousands of litres of water per year, but also to reduce energy usage.
Switch off your home at night 25
Going Green
ways to go green
Freshen your home
Bring in fresh air when the outdoor air quality is at its best. After a thunderstorm, a lot of things that you don’t want to breathe have been washed from the outdoor air. In addition, lightening causes “fall out” of other air pollutants. Open doors and windows, and perhaps use fans to bring fresh air in to replace stale air.
Don’t use scented air fresheners or other scented products that merely mask household odours while actually contributing to the chemical pollutants in the air. Use unscented candles and oil lamps sparingly. These forms of illumination add charm at dinner time, but they also emit smoke and soot particles that are not good to breathe.
Naturally clean
Replace household cleaners containing chlorine or ammonia with cleaners that do not contain these or other harmful ingredients. There are many good products on the market today that are effective and economical and don’t contribute to water pollution as the rinse water goes down the drain.
r bruce w anderson
Turn it off
Somewhere along the line, we decided it would be a great if appliances or devices would be on at all times ready for us to use at our every whim. That uses a lot of electricity. Save a little money each month by turning off computers, cell phone chargers, TVs and battery chargers. 26
Buy less - Waste less
The most effective way to reduce the amount of waste your household produces is to buy less stuff. When we consume a given product, the amount of energy used and waste generated in the manufacturing process is often many times greater than disposing of the product itself. In fact, 71 garbage cans’ worth of industrial waste are produced for each can of discarded products and packaging set out at curbside.
The big picture
Reduce your footprint with just a little foresight. Use recycling bins and canvass shopping bags, fill up a long-lasting metal or hard plastic water bottle at home or from a fountain instead of buying the single-use variety to eliminate your contribution to the 40 million plastic bottles a day that end up in landfills and save hundreds of gallons of petroleum (used in making the plastic) over a lifetime. More than anything, waste reduction is a mindset. When we buy something, use it for a minute and then toss it in the trash, it’s typically hauled off to a dump somewhere — out of sight, out of mind. Conversely, when we pay attention to the potential repercussions of our actions, we are already moving away from the disposable culture that creates mountains of waste toward a sustainable environmental future.
Woodwork
know when to
restore While serious restoration projects are best left to the professionals, it is possible to tackle wear and tear on everyday items yourself. Here are some techniques to cope with some of the more common problems.
ABOVE: You will find instructions for our table makeover on the opposite page.
Top tips
you think that items may be ‘genuine’ antiques, have them checked by an antique dealer •Ifbefore attempting any repairs - you may reduce their value. stand back to judge the process as you go along. You can do too much and it’s very •Frequently easy to cause further damage through enthusiasm. remove built up layers of wax, lightly wipe over the area with mineral turpentine and fine •ToWoodoc steel wool*. This will remove old grime without damaging the surface patina. *Don’t substitute Woodoc steel wool with everyday scouring steel wool. Woodoc steel wool is much finer and softer. Woodoc Antique Wax to touch up •Use faded or dull surfaces. scratches can easily be repaired using •Minor a Touch Up pen or try rubbing a matching
shoe polish over the marks and then buffing with a soft cloth. You may need to go over a scratch several times to build up the colour.
the edge of the wood has chipped, •Where you can repair with Alcolin QuikWood, and then stain or paint to match the existing wood finish.
rings are usually only cause by a •White damaged layer of wax. Wipe the entire
surface lightly with Woodoc steel wool to remove the damaged wax layer and then re-apply Woodoc Antique Wax. 27
Woodwork
small dents by covering them with a damp •Repair cloth and applying the tip of a hot iron to the cloth.
The steam swells the wood fibres to their original shape.
joints are coming loose, using a small syringe •Where filled with wood glue to repair. Where screws have
come loose, remove the screws and fill the hole with a mixture of sawdust and wood glue. Once dry, put the screw back.
QUICK & EASY TABLE MAKEOVER You will need:
Drop-sheet Sugar soap Three different grades of sandpaper (100, 180 & 400 grit) Cork or sponge sanding block Masking tape Universal undercoat Matt acrylic paint Paint brushes (at least one 25mm brush) Waterbased acrylic sealer, matt
Here’s how:
1. Place your furniture on a drop-sheet. Sand the piece back with 100 grit sandpaper. If the surface was previously varnished or painted with enamel paint you will need to remove as much of the gloss as possible. Wash the surface well, using sugar soap, then allow to dry. Cover any areas you don’t want to get paint on (such as drawer handles) with tape. Apply two coats of undercoat then sand back. 2. Start painting with your chosen colour and apply with a 25mm brush, using cross-hatch strokes. After the first coat, allow paint to dry completely then lightly sand back with 180 grit sandpaper, to remove ridges formed by brush strokes. Apply a second coat. 3. When the second coat of paint is completely dry, give the table a light sand with 400 grit sandpaper. We alternated between the 180 and 400 grit sandpapers for the final stage, until the desired aged look was achieved. Use small pieces of sandpaper to concentrate on the edges, curves and details of the furniture. Sand evenly to reveal the white undercoat and some of the timber. 4. Wipe table down with a clean cloth then apply two coats of matt sealer for protection. Be sure to allow enough time for the sealer to dry in between coats – six hours should be enough. 28
Good Idea Use Guilders paste in silver or gold to add a decorative finish to raised areas and the edges of the table.
In the Garden
make a
splash Add interest to a boring courtyard or small garden with this attractive eyecatching water feature. The plain concrete floor was covered with leftover clay bricks to add to the new look.
Make It You can also use plastic or fibre cement pots for this project
• 1 tall - 1 small terracotta pot • 4 lengths of treated wood • Alcolin waterproof wood glue • Enamel Paint or Woodoc Stain Concentrate and Woodoc 50 Exterior Sealer • Hammer • Drill • Wood screws and galvanised nails • A 1.5m length of 12mm silicone tubing • 15mm plastic male coupling • Galvanised hose clip • Silicon sealant and applicator gun • Alcolin AquaMend • Plastic garden trellis • Pond liner or heavy duty polythene • Water pump • Smooth bottle glass or pebbles
Here’s how:
1. Start the project by constructing a square base frame from the timber. Use wood glue and screws to fasten together. Paint with enamel paint or stain and seal with Woodoc 50 exterior sealer.
resene
You will need:
29
In the Garden
2. Affix silicone tubing to the base of the small terracotta pot using the plastic male coupling, silicon sealant and galvanised hose clip. Allow sealant to cure overnight.
3. Knead Alcolin AquaMend 4. Hammer a level row of galvanised nails along each according to instructions and inner edge of the frame, glue the small terracotta pot then attach pond liner to over the hole on inside base of the large terracotta pot. the frame using flathead galvanised nails. Use bricks to hold in position until AquaMend (about an hour).
5. Fill with water. Position four bricks and stand terracotta pot upside down in the centre of water feature’s base.
6. Attach end of silicone tube to water pump and submerge under front edge of terracotta pot. Cut a square of plastic garden trellis to fit around the base of the terracotta pot, resting it on the bricks and nails for support.
You will find everything you need for this project at Builders Warehouse or Builders Express.
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7. Cover the plastic trellis with a layer of smooth bottle glass or pebbles. Turn on the water pump and enjoy!
Do it Yourself
Recycle a louvred door
This cabinet has about three times as much storage as a typical medicine cabinet. It’s also a great project for a woodworking novice, thanks to simple joinery and a ready made door. You may need to adjust the height and width of the cabinet to suit your door, so buy the door first then alter the carcass and shelves as necessary. You will find everything you need for this project at Builders Warehouse or Builders Express.
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ď ś 1. Cut all parts to size. Assemble the carcass with wood glue, screws and dowels. Drill 3mm pilot and countersink holes for screws (see Diagram) and use a 10mm wood bit for the dowels. Ensure the box is square before drilling dowel holes.
2. Using a scrap of pegboard for positioning, drill shelf support holes. Wrap masking tape around the drill bit to prevent drilling right through. Set the 5mm or 6.5mm holes (depending on the support) 40mm in from the front and back edges of the sides. 3. Lay the door face down (so any splintering happens on the back) and cut in half using scrap timber as a saw guide. To ďŹ nish, sand the cut edges with 120-grit abrasive paper. 4. Position the hinges 75mm from the top and base of the doors. Use a self-centring drill bit to position the screw holes then fasten the hinges. 32
Do it Yourself
5. Position the doors and clamp to the carcass. Fasten the hinges from the inside for an exact fit, ensuring the gap at the top, sides and between doors is 3mm. 6. Measure the top of the cabinet (including doors) to cut the top and base frames. Set a mitre saw to 45º and position the moulding upside down, against the fence. Clamp a block to the fence to secure the moulding while cutting. 7. Pre-drill nail holes to avoid splitting. With the sides in place, add the front top moulding. Cut slightly long and shave one end with a mitre saw (or mitre box and saw) for a tight fit. Add the moulding to the base frame the same way. 8. Fasten top with screws from the inside and attach base the same way. Cover dowels, screws and nail heads with filler then sand. Apply primer and two coats of acrylic enamel. To hang, use 65mm x 10g screws through the top and base cleats into wall studs.
Finishing
Paint or stain in your choice of colour. To paint: Apply a suitable wood primer and then 2 to 3 coats of acrylic - allowing sufficient drying time between coats. An easy way to paint a project with louvres is to use a Bosch PFS spraying system. To stain: Use Woodoc 5 or 10 and add stain colour of your choice. Apply 3 coats - allowing drying time and sanding with steel wool after the first coat.
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www.BOSCH-DO-IT.co.za 34
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