Decorating Projects for
Dad Help Mom, Too
With Father’s Day in front of
us, it got me thinking about
decorating projects that Dad
could become involved with.
Decorating isn’t only a woman’s
domain. You often need extra
hands and teamwork to accomplish
a task, making a project that Dad
could help with a great way to get
everyone working on your house.
Plus, with the height of the summer
rapidly approaching, working indoors
on some decorating projects might
be just the thing to beat the heat
and have a sense of accomplishment, too.
Great projects that Dad can get involved with are numerous. From painting to carpentry, there are many projects that can use a man’s touch. Because women might not know how to use power tools, projects that fall into the typical domain of men are good choices. These can include trim projects such as installing crown moulding, chair railing, or wainscoting. It’s also a great time to work with your husband and get him to teach you how to use those power tools.
Everyone likes to feel needed and important. So, if you do decide to work on some construction projects, ask your husband or handy-person closest to you, to teach you while you are working on the project. Afterwards, you’ll know how to use a power tool or tackle a construction project yourself the next time you need something done around the house. You also might find that you enjoy working on projects together. My groom, Tim, and I both find that we used to go our “separate project ways,” but now find that we enjoy working together much better – and the work goes faster, too.
A list of projects for Dad
I realize I’m generalizing here, but men do usually enjoy building-related projects more than decorating ones. However, there’s no reason the two can’t be combined. For instance, a good starting point would be the kitchen. A face lift in the kitchen isn’t all that hard and even a few small changes can create a big impact.
One project can include removing those awful 80’s light boxes found in so many kitchens. Once the box is removed, the ceiling will need to be repaired. After the ceiling repairs are complete, it’s time to install a beautiful halogen track light. Home centers now have all kinds of sharp-looking track lighting. Go for something trendy with smaller lights with colored shades for a designer look. Remember: Be bold! The light box now gone, your kitchen will glow with a beautiful white light that looks so much nicer than that awful fluorescent light that makes you feel like you’re cooking in an office. It’s also a way to make your kitchen look up to date and keeps your house marketable! Be sure to check with an electrician if you’re not skilled at working with electrical projects.
Other projects in the kitchen include installing roll-out shelving and organizers to improve the function of cabinets. These can be installed in kitchen cabinets, pantries, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Roll out garbage cans keep the garbage out of sight and make throwing trash away under the cabinet more convenient. Go to Familyhandyman.com for instructions on how to install roll out shelves. To improve the look of cabinets, consider painting them, installing new pulls if yours are dated, and lastly, adding crown moulding. Nothing can bring cabinets into the 21st Century faster than crown moulding.
More Projects to Keep Dad Humming
Another project that’s decorative, but that Dad would still find interesting, is building cornices. These can be made from crown moulding or plywood and can be made as decoratively as you like. Cornices can be used to create canopies over beds or to hang curtains from. Do those leaning shelves you see in design shows look appealing to you? If so, the Familyhandyman.com has instructions in their interior projects section on how to make them in just a few hours with very basic materials.
Get Dad into the decorating act, because chances are, he’s got valuable skills and abilities that can help you add real pizzazz to your décor. What’s more, he can teach you how to handle power tools or do construction projects you wouldn’t have tackled before because you didn’t have the know-how. Show Dad that you need his expertise around the house and who knows what might happen when you mention furniture shopping to him!
© 2007 Kathryn Weber, all rights reserved
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Cleaning Calender, that calender that puts you in control of your home by ending the power struggle. For more information log on to http://tinyurl.com/d9rh5.
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©2001-2007 Kathryn Weber
All rights reserved.
