This compendium is packed with tips, techniques, quick fixes, and trade secrets aimed at complete beginners planning their first ever home makeover. Clear, simple instructions will de-mystify all key aspects, giving you the tools to get the job done quickly and professionally. With useful lists of the essential tools you need for the job, along with fix-it solutions for when things go wrong, this is the manual that will take you through your next home makeover as painlessly as possible.

Everything needed for trouble-free makeover projects and creative home maintenance. In this practical manual, a professional decorator shares hundreds of her personal tips, techniques and trade secrets that will guide homeowners in attractive decorating and regular maintenance tasks, from repainting a ceiling to finding and fixing energy-sucking drafts. These are the how-to's, the wisdom and the time-saving shortcuts that do-it-yourself homeowners will appreciate for years to come. While the book is designed for beginners planning their first-ever home makeover, more experienced homeowners will find tips and tricks to make their work easier, too. Clear instructions and lots of illustrations demystify all key aspects of every task. There are also handy checklists, tables and diagrams. The main focus is on decorating with paint, wallpaper and tile, and includes all aspects of surface preparation, application of materials, estimating quantities, using tools, cleaning up and much more. The straightforward ideas and useful tips will achieve a professional-standard result and avoid costly mistakes. Any project can have unexpected challenges, so the author has provided fix-it solutions for common problems. The six chapters (Tools and Equipment; Walls; Ceilings; Doors; Windows; and Be Prepared and Essential Maintenance) are comprehensive, covering every project the home decorator may face: Step-by-step "how-to" sections Useful lists of essential tools and supplies How to build a decorating kit Using equipment safely Order of work planning Hang wallpaper, match patterns, work in awkward corners Ceiling access and safety when working aloft Finishing touches: ceiling roses and decorative elements Door maintenance and security Finding drafts and correcting air circulation Installing window treatments Using a decorating record and maintenance table What to do in an emergency. Here are two sample tips that save a lot of work: 1. Add dish detergent to the water used to hang wallpaper to help the water stick to the paper; 2. Use color indicator spackle that is pink when applied, and turns white when dry enough to paint.

Learn the secrets of painting with acrylics from a lifelong master.

Popular Science gives our readers the information and tools to improve their technology and their world. The core belief that Popular Science and our readers share: The future is going to be better, and science and technology are the driving forces that will help make it better.

Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.

This book is not about teaching you which brushes to buy or how many tubes of paint you need or how to get started painting. It doesn't contain dozens of photos of wonderful paintings by the author. There are numerous other books on the market all telling you the same thing. What this book does do is teach you the secrets that the top selling artists already know and if you want to improve your paintings, you should know as well. It applies to beginners as well as advanced artists and for all mediums.Painting Tips In A Nutshell was written in an easy to read, easy to understand format. It doesn't contain a lot of fluff in order to fill the pages. The contents get right to the point, a cheat sheet of info if you will, to help you save time and money by letting you get right into what you want to do the most and that's creating your masterpiece.Read this book from start to finish or flip to an individual chapter for the information you need at that time. You'll receive exciting tips and valuable information on every page.The 10 chapters cover tips on colour, composition, perspective, glazing tips, light and shadow, reflections, edges, landscape, trees, water, still life and more. You will quickly learn how to create dynamic designs.Free your creative spirit and have fun growing as an artist!

Popular Mechanics inspires, instructs and influences readers to help them master the modern world. Whether it’s practical DIY home-improvement tips, gadgets and digital technology, information on the newest cars or the latest breakthroughs in science -- PM is the ultimate guide to our high-tech lifestyle.