2010/10/27

DIY Wine Cork Bathmat



If you're quickly tasting your way through your wine collection, you might as well use all those corks for something. Craft blog Craftynest has a guide for creating an attractive, foot-friendly bath mat by hot gluing them to some shelf liner.

All you need for this project is a hot glue gun, some non-adhesive shelf liner, and a lot of wine corks. You'll probably want a cutting board to work with, too, as you'll be doing a lot of cutting. To make the corks stay down easier (and so you only need half as many), you'll need to cut each one in half first before hot gluing them down onto the shelf liner. Other than the time it may take to do so (and the necessary precision if you want it to look nice), the project is pretty simple.

Craftynest's instructions say that you need a rotary cutter and some fancy cutting mats, but this isn't completely necessary—as long as you find some way to cut the shelf liner (or any other no-slip material you decide to use for the base), you shouldn't need anything too heavy-duty. In fact, the hardest part of the whole thing is probably going to be drinking all that wine (and remembering to keep the corks). Hit the link for the full instructions.

2010/10/15

Transform Your Apartment Bathroom

Apartment bathrooms can be bleak and tiny to say the least. While you probably can't knock down any walls, and purchasing a large bathtub might be a waste of money, you can do a few things to make your bathroom a lot less depressing. From lighting to bathmats, your apartment bathroom can be transformed into a quiet, and cozy, oasis.

Apartment Bathroom Mirror IdeasWho has the loveliest apartment bathroom of them all? Why, you do! Well, you will when you change that boring old mirror into something truly eye-catching. Mirrors are relatively inexpensive, they are entirely expressive, and they are easy to install (just make sure to store your apartment mirror carefully...you'll want to take your new mirror with you when you move!). Mirrors such as this one from Ikea are cheap and chic.

Replace Your Apartment Bathroom Light FixtureMost apartment bathrooms include ghastly fluorescent lights. If you're dealing with these less-than-flattering lights, have no fear - lights are easy to change. Find a delightful bathroom light that you love. Simply ask your superintendant to change the light for you, or do it yourself (shut off the power first!). Remember, you can take a light with you when you move, so this is a worthwhile investment. Just remember to save the light fixture that came with the apartment and re-install it when you leave.

Accessorize Your Apartment Bathroom
You accessorize your outfits, so why not your bathroom? By adding a few accessories here and there, you'll really make your bathroom your own. The best part about great bathroom accessories is that they are not expensive - really! Also, you can take any of these easy installations with you if you decide to switch apartments. Wall hooks, switch plates, soap dispensers, cabinet hardware, towel racks and waterproof art are removable ways to beautify your apartment bathroom.

Non-Slip Stickers = Bacteria from the Previous Tenant
If the previous tenant stuck non-slip decals to your bathtub, then you'll want to remove them (just think about all that bacteria!). To do this, warm some vinegar on your stovetop, soak a rag in the vinegar, and allow the rag to sit on the stickers for a good amount of time. The scrape off with a flat object that won't scratch the tub. We recommend using an old CD as a scraper. Photo credit: Pirate Johnny on Flickr.

Choose What You Love and Be Creative with Your Apartment BathroomNo matter what your current bathroom situation is, you can always add your own flavor (and remove any unpleasant former tenant traces) to your bathroom space. Choose items that you love, find things that will help you to relax, and don't be afraid to splurge a bit. You'll have your own private bathroom space in no time. Photo credit: Vivi V. on Flickr.

New Tub and Enclosure in Bathroom

By and large, tubs are usually placed in a corner and therefore single-sided fiberglass tub enclosures are quite popular. A rule of thumb to follow in case of tub enclosure is that the less complicated they are, the more efficiently they will prevent leakage and the lower the cost they will be. Tub enclosures are available in a variety of designs. Three common types are:

Standard bypass enclosures:
These include two sliding doors that are suspended on rollers and run on a metal rail. The doors are framed and held in place by a lower rail. It is good for control shower spray and is quite popular.
Frameless glass doors:
Removing the frames makes the enclosure look elegant and modern.
Three panel doors:
By sliding two panels over the remaining one, you get greater access to the tub.

The enclosures are usually tiled, solid surface, glass, or fiberglass. The benefits and drawbacks of each are given below.

Solid Surface: A solid surface enclosure offers the advantage of being resistant to scratches, impact, and stains. Being non-porous, it is not easily attacked by fungus and bacteria, which is a big plus in the warm and moist bathroom environments. It also retains its color and does not get yellow with age.

Fiberglass: These tub enclosures do not get moldy and are therefore an attractive alternative to tile. Since they are prefabricated, they are also easy to install. They are leak proof and can be customized to enclose your tub so that you can utilize the space to the best possible advantage.

Glass: Has for long been a traditional favorite, it is available in a variety of designs. Recently, three panel and four panel glass tub enclosures have become popular because they facilitate movement for elderly persons.

Tubs can be made of enameled cast iron, enameled steel, acrylic, or fiberglass. Each material has its own benefits.

Enameled Cast Iron: Long lasting material, still popular. The enamel is to prevent staining and scratching. The material is heavy as well as expensive and is therefore rarely used for large tubs.

Fiberglass: An inexpensive option, fiberglass tubs are lightweight and easy to install. Fiberglass does not have the durability or color finish of acrylic. It shows signs of wear after 15 to 20 years. However, it is easy to repair.

Acrylic: Acrylic, reinforced with fiberglass, is more durable and more expensive than fiberglass. It is a preferred choice as a material for large tubs and whirlpools because it is lightweight, easy to install, and can be shaped without much trouble. It has good insulating properties and keeps water warm for longer periods.

Porcelain on Steel: Porcelain enamel is fused onto the surface of a single unit steel shell. It has good stain and abrasion resistance, is relatively light in weight and moderately priced. Its resistance to acids and chemicals makes it easy to clean with household chemicals. However, if the porcelain enamel is broken or chipped, the steel may rust.

Cultured Marble: It is a synthetic product manufactured from crushed limestone and a resin. It is given a gel coat finish, which increases the resistance to wear and provides durability. It can be repaired if it chips. However, it cannot withstand high temperatures and is quite brittle. If exposed to a temperature above 150 Fahrenheit, the material may crack. It is more expensive than acrylic but cheaper than cast iron.