How to Light a Dining Table

The lighting situation in a dining room sets the mood and atmosphere for the meal. When considering your lighting options, choose something that will accentuate the style element you desire. For instance, if you want the setting to be intimate and casual, small lighting fixtures that don't give off much light may be your best option. However, if you are looking to be bold and dramatic, elegant chandeliers or wall lights can help you to achieve your goal. With so many lighting options available, finding what suits your needs is enjoyable and possible. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Install a chandelier above the table. Chandeliers typically create drama in the room and are a major focal point. However, this lighting fixture shouldn't interfere with interaction between your guests; therefore, it should hang no lower than 30 inches above the surface of the table. If the chandelier is lower, it may impede your guest's vision. A variety of style options are available for chandeliers, including the traditional crystals and glass variety and the more modern hanging candle chandelier.

2

Install accent lights into the walls around the table. Instead of hanging the lights directly above your table, place them to the side on a wall nearby. Doing so will create a dramatic effect and will likely give your guests something to admire while eating.

3

Hang a few pendant lights above your table. Unlike chandeliers that hang over the center of the table, numerous pendant lights can be arranged to run over the length of your table. The size of both the table and the lamps plays a part in how many lights you should install. Pendant lights create a modern feel to your room and typically give off large amounts of illumination, because there are so many lights. This lighting option typically works well for long, rectangular tables.

4

Place candles or small lamps on your table for an intimate feel. Candles give off small amounts of light just right for a casual and intimate atmosphere, as do small lamps. Use flameless candles if you are concerned about the safety aspects of having an open flame on your table. The amount of candles or lights you place on the table depends on how big the table is. If you have a long table, place a candle or light about a foot away from each other. If you have a small, round table, place two in the center.

How to Build a Kitchen Island Bar Table

Building your own kitchen island bar table may sound like a difficult project, but you can make it easier by re-purposing a few items rather than starting from scratch. By constructing the base for your island out of old cabinets, you can save yourself the hassle of having to build your own frame. Once you have the basic structure of your island completed, you simply need to add the details you desire such as a bar table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Select one or more cabinets to use as the base for your kitchen island. If you want your island and bar table to be fairly wide, you may need to use two or three identical cabinets. The height of the cabinets you select should be approximately equal to the desired height of your kitchen island -- you will build on to the island to form your bar table.

2

Slide the cabinets up against each other so the sides are flush and all of the cabinets are facing the same direction. Inspect the cabinets you have chosen to ensure that they are sound. Tighten any loose screws with a screwdriver.

3

Attach the cabinets to each other. Open the cabinet doors and drive wood screws through the side panel of one cabinet into the side panel of the adjacent cabinet. Use wood screws about 1/2-inch shorter than the width of the two side panels combined.

4

Measure the length and depth of the flat surface formed by the combined tops of the cabinets using a measuring tape. You will use these measurements to cut the butcher block for the top of your island and to construct your bar table.

5

Use a circular saw to cut a piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood to the length measurement you just determined. Stand the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood upright on its narrow edge along the back of the cabinets. Secure the hardwood in place by driving 2-inch wood screws at a downward angle through the back side of the hardwood into the cabinet tops below.

6

Cut a sheet of butcher block to serve as the kitchen island countertop. Use the length of the island and the depth of the flat surface formed by the cabinet tops to cut the butcher block. Since you already installed the 2-by-6-inch piece of hardwood along the back of the cabinets, you will need to subtract its width from the depth measurement when cutting your butcher block.

7

Lay the butcher block flat on top of the cabinets so the back edge is flush with the piece of hardwood you just installed. Drive 3-inch wood screws through the upright hardwood board into the butcher block and through the top of the butcher block into the cabinets below.

8

Cut another piece of butcher block to the length of the island and the desired width of the bar table. This piece of butcher block will serve as the bar table component of your kitchen island.

9

Measure the height from the floor to the top edge of the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood installed on top of the cabinets. Use the circular saw to cut two pieces of 3-by-3-inch hardwood to this measurement. These two pieces of hardwood will serve as the legs for your bar table.

10

Lay the piece of butcher block designated for the bar tabletop upside down on a flat surface. Stand the two table legs upright in each of the corners along one of the long edges. Drive 2-inch wood screws at an angle through the table legs into the butcher block to secure them in place.

11

Flip the bar tabletop over and move it into position so the long edge opposite the table legs is supported by the piece of 2-by-6-inch hardwood you installed earlier. Align the edges of the butcher block and the piece of hardwood, then drive 3-inch wood screws through the butcher block into the hardwood every four inches to attach it securely.

12

Paint or stain the two pieces of butcher block along with the 2-by-6-inch hardwood and the two table legs to match the cabinets you used as the base for your kitchen island. Once the paint has dried, apply two or three coats of clear varnish or polyurethane to the butcher block. One coat is sufficient for the pieces of hardwood.

What Are the Causes of Red Tides?

The term "red tide" refers to the red sea-water color occasionally seen in coastal waters. Red tides may contain toxins or enough biomass to disturb marine ecosystems; however, some red tides are harmless. Although human activity may increase their frequency or duration, red tides also occur naturally.

Phytoplankton

Sea life depends on growth of plankton, the masses of simple tiny organisms which float in the ocean surface waters. Zooplankton, one of the two components of plankton, consume phytoplankton, the other component. Phytoplankton derive energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. Phytoplankton, including algae, and zooplankton form the foundation of the sea food chain.

Red Tide

Some phytoplankton contain red pigment needed to capture sunlight for photosynthesis. Growth of large numbers of these phytoplankton can occur in algal blooms, rapid increases in phytoplankton population. The pigments result in red sea water coloration, or "red tide."

Algal Blooms

Conditions leading to algal blooms including red tides occur when sea water contains an influx of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous, often from river water entering the sea. Human activity may increase sea nitrogen and phosphorous levels. Some red tides contain toxins which directly affect sea life and humans or may be passed up the food chain for example through shellfish. Other red tides may be harmless.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Red tides and other algal blooms also cause environmental damage when masses of their waste and dead plankton sink and provide nutrients for oxygen using bacteria on the sea floor. Oxygen depletion occurs killing higher sea life forms such as fish. Scientists prefer to group toxin-producing or oxygen-depleting red-tide events with other damaging algal blooms, calling all such events "harmful algal blooms," or HABs. HABs may or may not contain red pigment.

Kid's Train-Themed Bedroom Ideas

Sometimes, moms and dads are more excited to decorate a child's room than the child himself. Before they go too overboard, parents should remember it's the child's area, the child whose wishes should be considered. If your child wants a train room, there are ideas that can be simple to implement, while others are more intricate and complex. Whatever route you decide for your child's train room, with a little bit of thought and planning, it will make everyone happy, most importantly your child. Does this Spark an idea?

Easy Ideas

The simplest thing you can do to create a train themed room is to go to your local kid's store where themed bedding and room decor can be purchased, and buy stuff. You can also peruse Internet stores. Choose from Thomas, clown trains, and steam engines. Almost anything train related is out there. Buy the lamp, the wallpaper border, the rug, bedding, and curtains to match. Add a train table and voila! You've created a kid's train-themed bedroom with little effort. It will look nice and your kid will probably love it.

If you're not very artistic or don't have a lot of money to spend, purchase stencils and stencil trains around the room, on your child's headboard or even on the dresser. Use different colored paints to add interest. In addition, instead of purchasing theme bedding, use the stencils and fabric paint and paint the train on the pillow and on the comforter. Remember, your child won't want a train room forever, so by the time these wear off, he may have outgrown his interests in trains.

You can always redo it if it wears off before that time. You can also use the stencils to stencil on some fabric or foam and cut them out. Then glue the train shapes in different areas of the room. You can even glue his inexpensive trains on the walls around the room.

Other Ideas

One of the coolest things you can do is to put a train track with electric trains around your child's bedroom's walls. You can buy tracks that will attach to the wall and even suspend from the ceiling. You can create murals on your walls to make it look as if the tracks and trains are really outside. If you're not into the tracks idea, you can still do a mural on at least one wall, of a train traveling through the mountains, possibly on a train bridge. You can even purchase removable wall train stickers so your child can move the trains around the painting.

Turn your child's room into a train table. Paint train tracks on the floor, if you can. A canvas floor cloth will work as well. Make the tracks just the right size for your child's trains. Then, make your child's bunk bed resemble a sleeping car, with curtains. Turn his dresser into a painted building and add artificial trees. Don't forget to make a railroad crossing sign. You can paint it on the wall if you don't have the resources to make one. Paint the walls like mountains and turn the ceiling into a cloudy sky. Add glow-in-the-dark stars for nighttime effects.

How to Make a Restaurant Table

A table setting is more than just an arrangement of cutlery and glasses; rather it provides a cohesive, put-together look for the entire dining setting. This atmosphere is especially crucial in a restaurant, where the appearance of the table has a great affect on the diner's experience and his enjoyment of the meal. Even you do not run a restaurant or work in one, knowing how to make a restaurant table is a great skill that you can utilize at any party or meal you are hosting, to bring a touch of class. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Set a dinner plate directly in front of the chair for each seat and put a salad plate on top of the dinner plate. Every person's setting will revolve around the dinner plate, so make sure they are placed exactly where you want them before proceeding with the rest of the setting.

2

Place a dinner fork to the left of the dinner plate with a salad fork to the left of the dinner one and a dessert fork to the right. Alternately you can place the salad fork on the right with a fish fork to the left of the dinner fork if you will be serving a fish course.

3

Lay the dinner knife to the right of the dinner plate, with the blade facing in towards the plate. Set a fish knife to the right of the dinner fork, with the blade facing in towards the dinner fork.

4

Set a teaspoon to the right of fish knife, followed by a soup spoon to the right of the teaspoon. End the right side of cutlery with a cocktail fork on the far right, next to the soup spoon.

5

Position a bread plate above the forks to the left of the dinner plate. Lay a butter knife horizontally across the plate, with the blade facing down and pointing to the left.

6

Arrange the three glasses in a downward triangle above the knives and spoons. The glasses should be in line with the bread plate. Place the water glass in the left corner, the white wine glass in the right corner and the red wine glass in the downward, lower corner.

7

Place a saucer with a cup on top to the right of the glasses. The saucer should be positioned between the glasses and the spoons. Fold a cloth napkin into a triangle and lay it to the left of the forks, with the main point facing the left.

How to Hunt Beaches for Glass Floats for Fishing

Glass fishing balls attach to fishing nets and are used as markers and floats for commercial fishing rigs. These floats break free of the nets due to storms, abrasions and bad knots. When they detach they begin a long sea journey that sometimes ends along shores and beaches. If you wish to beach comb and hunt for these little treasures, use a few tips to maximize the chances of scoring your quarry.

Instructions

1

Download or listen to online marine forecasts for your area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also called NOAA, maintains updated marine forecasts for all coastal regions in the United States. Go to the NOAA website and get a current forecast.

2

Wait for a day after a large coastal storm. Storms push ocean currents. If there is an offshore storm with winds coming off the water, ocean-based detritus may blow to shore. Glass balls may ride these storms into the beaches of your area.

3

Check the tides of your area. Decide the date you are heading to the beach and find the low tide times for the day. Low tides are the best times to beach comb and search for the glass balls. Low tides provide more beach access and ocean deposits. In addition, if you live in a region with large currents such as the Puget Sound, consult a current table and try to find a time where the currents are pushing in toward the coast because this brings in ocean debris.

4

Walk the beach in a grid pattern. Wear rubber boots or waterproof sandals. Section the beach into quarters and walk them going up and down in a grid. Look around large rock beds or other areas where debris entangles. Pick up the balls and put them in a storage bag as you progress through the beach.

How to Find a Waterline on the Beach

If you camp or hike in tidal regions you need to be aware of the waterline on the beach you select for your campsite. Waterlines indicate the last high tide mark and are a good indicator of how high the water will reach at the next high. Finding a waterline is a quick task. Before you head out for your adventure, get a copy of the local tide tables.

Instructions

1

Walk the beach and watch for a defined line of seaweed and ocean detritus. It will mark the waterline left from the last high tide. Use this as a good indicator for where the next high tide will be. Establish camp above that line and make sure any kayaks or water crafts are hauled well above the waterline mark.

2

Consult the tide table for the day's tides. Check the high tide levels and times for the day and night. For example, if you came ashore at 3 p.m. and the high tide that left the waterline at 11:30 a.m. was from a 12-feet-high tide, then you can assume the next high tide will be about 12 feet high as well.

3

Check the next high tide time and the level. Check to see if the tide will be higher than the one prior and prepare to move camp higher as needed. As a general rule, camp at least 50 feet above the waterline in tidal zones.

Alternatives To Tablecloths

When you want to protect the wood or enhance the decor of your dining room table, a tablecloth is what usually comes to mind. However, alternatives to tablecloths can provide the same or superior results. Consider your lifestyle, the primary use of the table, how much you are willing to spend and storage space when selecting an alternative to tablecloths. Table pads, glass top overlays, place mats and treated wood are options. Does this Spark an idea?

Table Pads

A table pad is precisely what the name implies--a pad that covers the entire top of your table. It protects your table top against sun damage, scratches, dents, hot dishes and spills. A table pad is manufactured to fit the exact dimensions of any table top. Sections that magnetically or mechanically lock together guard against slipping on the table top when assembled for use. The top surface of the table pad is created in any decor pleasing vinyl; simulated leather is a popular choice.

Glass Top Overlays

Glass top overlays are a superior way to protect and enhance your dining table's decor. A piece of glass averaging a quarter of an inch thick is custom cut to fit your dining table. The edges are beveled and corners are rounded for safety. A glass top lets the beauty of your dining table top show through, is not damaged by spills or stains, does not scratch easily and is simple to keep clean.

Place Mats

A place mat is designed to give each person a individual dining space at a table. Created out of vinyl, linen, cotton, sea-grass, rattan or other material, place mats protect the table top and provide color and texture to the dining table decor. They are cut in round, rectangular, oval, square and other shapes to accommodate any table profile. Place mats are created in traditional, contemporary, whimsical and holiday patterns and can be interchanged easily.

Treated Wood

Some dining tables come from the manufacturer with a clear protective coating applied directly to the table top. This protective finish assists in preventing ultraviolet sun damage, scratching and adds moisture resistance to the wood. Some protective coatings provide resistance to chemical damage from spills of mustard, olive oil, orange juice, ketchup or coffee. Plates, cups and utensils can be placed directly on a table top treated with a protective coating. Hot pads are recommended for hot serving dishes placed on the table top.

How to Use Dining Utensils

In order to dine out with co-workers, it is important to know how to properly use dining utensils in a formal dining environment. It is especially important to follow these rules when you are an invited guest to a formal dinner at a restaurant or dinner party, Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Utensils are generally set up so that you can start from the outside. Use the utensils furthest from the plate first.it's also important to note that you should just use one set of utensils per course. Don't mix up using two forks for the same dish.

2

Often times, the soup spoon will be the only utensil set up at first.To eat soup, put the spoon away from the body while sipping it from the side. Never blow on it, or slurp it from the spoon.

3

There is a fork to be used in salads appropriately called the salad fork. It is located on the outer left of the utensil setting.

4

For your main course, you want to use the traditional fork. It will be located on the inner left of your place setting. You should also use a knife that is provided for your main course. It is located on your inner right.

5

When you are completely done with your meal, you should leave the plate in place. Lay the fork with its tines down first, then lay the knife diagonally across it with the sharp side facing inward. This signals that you are done with your meal and it does not interrupt other guests who may still be enjoying their food.

6

If the dessert spoon and fork are placed in the first place setting, they will be set upon the dessert plate. This should remain untouched until dessert arrives. Don't fret if you don't notice them. Sometimes they are brought out with the dessert!

How to Glue Train Ballast

Ballast is the rock that fills the top of the roadbed around the railroad ties and below the rails. The challenge for a model railroader is to create this appearance in miniature. While the ballast of a conventional railroad is simply placed on the road bed the miniature ballast of a model railroad is usually glued in place.

Instructions

1

Select ballast material based on color and size to fit the look and scale of the model railroad. Various model ballast materials are available at hobby supply outlets specializing in model railroading. Mix ballasts of one or more colors to create a custom color unique for your railroad.

2

Sprinkle the ballast material between the rails and on the along the edge of the roadbed outside the rails. Use a small paint brush to spread the ballast uniformly. Keep the edge of the ballast on the outside of the rails straight.

3

Mix one part white glue, four parts water and one part isopropyl alcohol. Drip this mixture onto the ballast with an eye dropper or other small tube. Drip the glue on the ballast to the point it saturates the ballast but does not form pools of glue.

4

Wipe off any glue that landed or spattered onto the rails with a damp cloth or sponge. Allow the glue to dry overnight. The glue should be clear when it dries and hold the ballast in place.

How Big Are Bar Pool Tables?

If you have played pool at someone's home, at a bar or in a tournament, then you've likely noticed that each table size differs. But why is that? It's usually based on space, standards and style. At bars, pool tables are usually 3 1/2 feet by 7 feet. These tables are commonly called "bar tables" or "7-foot tables."

Bar Tables

This is the most common size table in bars and is usually coin operated. According to American Custom Pool Tables, since people have become so used to playing on this size table, many want the same in their homes. This is mainly due to the fact that these tables are much shorter than tournament and home tables, making it easier to make shots.

Room Size

In bars, the seven footer takes up less room than a larger table would. This allows the table to be placed out of the way. However, according to to Buzzle's website, a room that measures 16'8" by 13'6" is the minimum size room to hold a seven footer.

Misconceptions

Many people confuse the "bar table" with the "home table." However, the common home pool table is eight feet by four feet. Though only a foot longer and a half inch wider, the home table is much more challenging to play on.

Insight

Depending on the type of pool table, the pockets may be wider or tighter. The World Pool-Billiard Association has a info that may help you to better understand the measurements of pockets, as well as the table itself (surface, rails, etc.).

Considerations

Though many people find it easier to play on bar pool tables, since they are smaller and easier to make shots on, try playing on larger tables once in a while. Making longer shots will make shots on a bar pool table that much easier!

Thomas Trackmaster Assembly Instructions

Thomas Trackmaster play sets include trains, railroad tracks and train stations modeled after Thomas the Train. The tracks and train stations can be navigated hands-free by the battery operated trains, which include all of the characters from the Thomas the Train cartoons. Set up must be done properly to enable the trains to travel the railroad smoothly.

Instructions

1

Lay out the pieces of the track. These are the brown, rectangular pieces upon which the trains will travel. Some curve to mark where the track curves. Turn all of these pieces right side up, and arrange them next to each other until they resemble a track.

2

Hook the grooves of the track pieces into one another. Make sure all of the pieces are secure and that the shape resembles an oval train track.

3

Connect the base of the station to the track. The base is the long gray piece. It will have grooves that attach to the starting point on the track.

4

Attach the house to the base of the station. The house is made up of the yellow pieces. Look at the graphics on the pieces for guidance. The body of the station is the largest piece and resembles a house with windows on the front. This clicks into the largest grooves at the center of the base.

5

Attach the fence to the base of the station. When facing the station, the yellow fence pieces will click into the grooves in back of the house so that the fence is surrounding the house.

6

Insert one AA battery into the train. Turn the train on, and place it on the track. Click the lever on the track to let the train run freely around it. Click the lever back to stop the train.

Cafe Kitchen Ideas

If you are hoping to spruce up your kitchen, then consider giving it the look and feel of a cafe. The "cafe theme" is an easy one to carry out. You may find that you already have many of the items you need to transform your kitchen space into a whimsical, sidewalk cafe. Take note of cafes that you have enjoyed visiting in the past, and use those images and memories to interpret your own version of a cafe in your kitchen. Does this Spark an idea?

Cafe Bistro Table

Purchase a cafe bistro table, which often is made of metal and has a delicate wire look. Cafe tables are small and charming. Place solid red or gingham cushions on the bistro chairs and cover it with a white tablecloth. Place a vase full of fresh red roses or other fresh flowers on the table.

Fringed Cafe Curtains

Make your own cafe curtains, and hang them on rods above your kitchen windows. For an "old world" cafe look, consider fringed cafe curtains. According to Better Homes and Gardens magazine, to achieve the look, install swing-arm rods at the top and bottom of the window frame. Measure the distance between the rods; add 12 inches to that number to get the length dimensions for the fringed panel. Add 2 inches to the length of the rod to get the number for how wide the fringed panel should be. Cut out the panels. Create fringe on the top and bottom of the panels by marking 6 inches from the top and bottom of the panel and pulling out "the threads running across the width." Hem the long sides for a more finished look, or leave them unfinished. Place the fringe in clusters and use the clusters to tie the panels to the rods.

Cafe Art

Cover your walls in cafe-themed art. Visit an online art poster dealer to select a replica of famous cafe scenes that will complement your cafe kitchen decor. Some ideas include Renoir's "The Luncheon of the Boating Party" and Van Gogh's "The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night."

Vintage Glass Bottles

Use vintage glass bottles and old wine bottles as vases and decorations in your cafe-themed kitchen. Place them on shelves to create a charming cafe feel. Create a candle holder using slim candlesticks in wine bottles; this can be the centerpiece for your bistro table instead of flowers in a vase.

How to Decorate an Outdoor Bistro

An outdoor bistro for a house, condo patio or apartment balcony means sunshine, moonlight, fresh air, some rain, some heat, some cold and quite a few insects. But neither pests nor rain, heat nor cold should dampen your spirits. Your bistro is for enjoying the outdoors, expanding your living space, creating your own oasis, hanging out with friends and creating more storage. Source out flea markets, garage sales and your own basement, attic or garage and reuse items. In a weekend or two, you can have your very own outdoor bistro. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Decide Use of Space

1




Lounge or party at will.

Decide how you want to use your space. A small condo patio can accommodate lounging with a book, having a drink with someone and some storage. Bigger spaces can accommodate a group.

2

Define your space. Determine how your intended activity might disturb the neighbors. Consider the views you enjoy and those you'd rather not see: the night sky may be fabulous, but the trash might also be within sight.

3

Be vigilant about your privacy. Strategically position plants, sheer and natural fiber curtains, room dividers, plant trellises, or a chiminea for privacy and ambience.

Plan and Budget

4




A limited budget is fine for a simple outdoor bistro.

Crunch your numbers. Decide on your color scheme and limit your decorating style options to one theme such as Tuscan, Mediterranean, Asian, tropical, contemporary, English/French country, rustic, Mission or shabby chic.

5

Decide on basic pieces you want to put in: bistro table set, benches with storage, lights, heating or cooling source, grill, music source and pest control. Ottomans and storage chests multitask as chairs, side tables, a coffee table and storage; citronella candles are light sources great for pest control; hanging/potted plants provide privacy, temperature control, ambience and a pleasing aroma.

6

Sketch your plan or use design software.

Install Your Outdoor Bistro

7




Use plants strategically for privacy, to enhance or camouflage.

Cover the "uglies." Paint the ceiling a cheerful color; the floor with a faux stone finish or wooden deck tiles; camouflage with a plant trellis or room divider; position stone sculptures or tall plants to cover a wall crack.

8

Enhance the positive by accessorizing. String lights on your natural tree canopy or porch swing. Enhance the outdoor feeling with wind chimes and tinkling fountains.

9

Choose weatherproof materials. Cheesecloth curtains and a wrought-iron sofa with waterproof pillows easily dry in the rain.

10




Use stoneware planters instead of plastic pots.

Avoid plastic for a luxurious feel to your bistro. Opt for natural fibers in different textures. Use stoneware.

How to Paint Wood Furniture for a Dining Room

Dining rooms lend themselves equally to refined, soothing decor or bold color choices. Rather than replace old dining room furniture, opt for a more economical solution by updating pieces with a fresh coat of paint. Select paint in a bright color like tangerine or Kelly green to complement a bold wallpaper pattern. While black is always safe, metallic paints in subtle shades can give you a look that is both versatile and sophisticated in an elegant dining room. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cover the floor where you are working with a drop cloth. Fill a bucket with water and mix in some mild detergent, enough to get it a little soapy. Wipe the furniture off with a sponge dampened with the cleanser to remove dust, dirt and oil. Dry the pieces with a rag.

2

Remove all hardware with a screwdriver, including drawer pulls and doorknobs. Slide out any drawers and set them aside.

3

Lightly sand the surface of dining furniture that has been varnished or painted with semi-gloss paint. Use 220-grit sandpaper to dull the surface. Wipe the pieces with the rag after you finish sanding them.

4

Apply a latex primer using a 1-inch brush or a 3-inch brush, depending on the size of the area being painted. Brush on following the direction of the wood grain. Allow the primer to dry, about an hour, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lightly sand the primed furniture to achieve a smooth, grit-free surface, if necessary.

5

Apply two thin, even coats of either a semi-gloss paint for a shiny, lacquer-like look or a satin finish for a softer sheen. Brush on following the direction of the wood grain. Wipe any drips or paint spatters before they have a chance to dry. Allow the paint to dry completely before attempting to varnish it.

6

Use a semi-gloss varnish to create a highly reflective surface and a satin varnish for a softer effect. Brush the varnish on in long, smooth strokes. Shine a light on the surface to find areas that you may have missed. Apply two coats of varnish, if necessary, following the manufacturer's recommendations for drying times between coats.

7

Allow the varnish to cure completely for at least 24 hours before you move or touch the furniture to avoid scratching or dulling the finish. Carefully reattach all hardware and slip drawers back in.

How to Construct a Table

There might be a thousand ways to make a table, but there are some general characteristics that are common to each and every one. Your table surface must be level. Your table should have four legs. Your table must be sturdy. With these basic assumptions in mind, a brief general discussion of making a table will follow. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Start with the table top. Your table top can be as simple as a sheet of plywood or you could use a sheet of plywood as a sub base for a table top made from pieces of scrap wood assembled together on top of the plywood like a jigsaw puzzle. No matter how you make your table top it must be sturdy, flat with a smooth surface. For this table project, cut a circular design from a -inch sheet of plywood and attach it to a frame with legs. Overall height will be around 3 feet.

2

Build a frame to support the tabletop and hold the legs. To build a simple frame all you need are some decent quality lumber with the dimension of 1 X 4 inches. From these pieces of wood you can make a simple box frame. Make sure you cut four braces for each corner and make sure that the corner is square before you install the braces. The frame can be put together with wood screws and by using butt joints on the corners.

3

Make or purchase four legs for your table. There are some advantages to buying table legs. They are usually made from a lathe, so the visual quality is usually very high. You can also cut simple table legs yourself or scrounge around your house or a wood salvage yard for something suitable such as old banister posts.

4

Attach your legs to the inside of the 1 x 4 frame. Wood screws should work and if you attach them all along the width of your 1 x 4 frame your legs should be sturdy. If not then some sort of bracing might be necessary.

5

Sand and finish your table. An orbital sander (electric) should be all you need. After you finish the last round of sanding which requires that you use fine sandpaper, then apply a finish. A plastic finish such as polyurethane is a good choice.

How to Make a Homemade Wood Bar Table

Adding character and style to a basement or main floor bar or recreation room can be simple and economical. Building a square, rustic wood bar table is one way to transcend the ordinary and create a whole new ambiance. While the construction and design is simple, the infrastructure must be well thought out and sturdy. No matter what we've seen in old western bar room brawls, real bar tables should never break into pieces when a lone desperado stumbles against it. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Build the rough table top. Cut the hardwood planks to length. Run each of the glue joint edges through the joiner. Glue and clamp the rough table top together, allowing ample time for the glue to dry and joints to cure.

2

Finish cutting the table top to size, trimming all four edges to a smooth, straight line.

3

Sand all six surfaces to an 80 grit smoothness.

4

Adjust the skill saw blade to 1/8 inch cut depth. Drag the spinning saw blade gently across the top surface in a gradual side to side motion. The spinning blade should be parallel to the wood grain; this process will create and ancient, scrub planed or well used look.

5

Sand the top surface again to an 80 grit smoothness and then finish sand the entire top to at least a 220 grit smoothness.

6

Build the table skirt out of the 1 inch hardwood plank material. The table skirt should be 3 inches smaller than the finished perimeter of the table top. Miter cut the skirt planks.

7

Pre-drill four holes near the miter joint in a square pattern. The holes should be 2 inches apart. When drilling the holes, first drill a 3/16 inch in diameter pilot hole all the way through, and then a inch diameter hole inch deep. The two holes aligned with the miter joint provide for the skirt frame attachment while the other two are for attaching the skirt frame to the table legs. Glue the mitered joints and screw the skirt planks together with 3-inch grabber screws.

8

Cut the 4 inch by 4 inch table legs to length. Glue and screw the table legs to the table skit frame. You should have four 3-inch grabber screws attaching the table legs to the table skirt.

9

Fill the inch deep screw holes with inch hard wood dowels. Fill the holes with wood glue and tap in inch dowels cut to extend inch beyond the surface of the skirt frame.

10

Sand the skirt frame, dowels and table legs to a 40 grit smoothness. Apply uneven pressure to the surface, edges and dowels to mimic the scrub planed look of the table top. Gradually prepare the surfaces for stain and finish by sanding the surface with 80, 120 and 220 grit sand paper.

11

Pre-drill two angled pilot holes on each of the table legs. The pilot holes should be drilled 2 inches down from the inside edges with a 3/16 inch drill bit. The angled pilot holes should be about 60 degrees.

12

Center the table top on the legs and screw the top to the sub frame with 3-inch grabber screws.

13

Apply the wood stain and lacquer.

How to Explore Tide Pools With Kids

Exploring tide pools with kids can be exciting and fun. Tide pools form when water fills rocky areas with sea water. Tide pools can be small or large and shallow or deep. In tide pools, you can find plants and animals. The plants and animals found in tide pools have learned to adapt to living in both wet and dry climateswet when the water is covering the tide pool and dry when the tide is low. Here are some tips on how to explore tide pools with kids.

Instructions

1

Go when the tides are low. Check your local newspaper or the tide table or calendar found in surf shops, fishing shops, or online. When looking online, visit tides.info and select your state and city and it will give you the tide levels for the times of day. It is safer and you will see more if you go when the tide is at its lowest, preferably less than 1 foot. Postpone your trip if the weather is stormy or the surf is high.

2

Protect yourself and the kids from the sun. Before leaving your house for the tide pools, be sure to lather yourself and the kids with sunscreen. It is fun to explore the tide pools but no fun to go home with a sunburn. Bring extra sunscreen in case the kids get wet or you stay longer than you initially planned. Also, bring a hat if your little ones have fair skin, to shade their faces from the sun.

3

Bring a change of clothes in case someone falls in a puddle or a wave splashes you or the kids and gets your clothes wet. Also be sure to bring a jacket in case there is a cool breeze. It is better to be comfortable and warm while exploring the tide pools than to be cold and want to go home after a few minutes.

4

Respect the tide pool environment. Follow the general rule of thumb to put things back where you found them. If you pick up a rock and find a sea creature or plant under it, be sure to put the rock back the way you found it and do not remove the animal or plant. If you try to move an animal or plant and it resists being moved, leave it alone. Clinging tightly to the rock is the creatures way of using its body language to let you know it wants to be left alone. If you force a sea creature to move, you could tear off its feet or squeeze its organs.

5

Walk carefully. Wear shoes when walking around the tide pools. You dont want to cut your feet on any sharp rocks or get stung by any animal life you may accidentally step on. Avoid stepping on animals by walking on footholds on the rocks. Keep the kids in your sight at all times. Do not let them wander far from you. Stay close to shore and dont step in the tide pools.

6

Have fun exploring the tide pools. Bring your camera and take pictures of the kids discovering a whole new world of sea life in the tide pools. Try and see how many plants and animals you can identify.

Help With Color Coordinating a Dining Room

Making a room blend well and give the appearance of a polished interior includes making sure you have colors that all work well together. This is true for every room of your home, including the dining room, where the seat cushions of chairs, area rugs and even curtains should complement one another to give a pleasing effect. To get help with color coordinating a dining room, you just need to keep in mind a few key ideas and work within your budget and style preferences on each aspect of the room. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Choose a color palette of three to four colors you want in the room. Choose colors that vary in shade from light and medium to dark, such as beige, sage green and navy blue or white, gray and red. Remove items from the room that don't work with this color scheme.

2

Paint your walls with one of the colors from your scheme. Using your lightest color will make the room appear open, while using a dark color will close the room for a more formal feel. Create an accent wall, if desired, by painting only one of the walls with another color from your palette. For example, three of the walls could be a vibrant yellow while one is light blue.

3

Hang matching curtains along the windows in the room. While the curtains need to show the colors you have chosen, the pattern of the fabric should express how you want the room to feel, whether using lots of formal swirls, paisleys, geometric shapes or floral prints. For a more dramatic effect, use a solid-colored curtain in only one of your chosen colors.

4

Find a rug that uses the three to four colors in your color scheme or a solid rug in just one color. The rug should be large enough to hold the table centered over it and the chairs all pulled out. Leave at least a foot between the rug and the walls of the dining room all around.

5

Change the fabrics on chair cushions to match your curtains, if possible, or use another solid color from your color scheme. If your dining chairs are hardwood or metal, consider adding a decorative bow, cover or other accent to the chairs with fabric that matches the curtains to bring the room together.

6

Pay attention to the wood tones or metal work of the furniture in the room so that it all matches. Often the color of wood or metal on furniture won't fall into your color scheme, so it must blend with itself. This means that a walnut table should feature the same brown-toned wood as the chairs and any other pieces like buffets or china cabinets.

7

Add other items to the room that continue the color scheme such as vases, the pots plants are in, table runners and the light fixtures or lamp shades. Focus also on the color and pattern on your plates and bowls to continue the color scheme of the room on top of the table during meals.

How to Make a Round Tablecloth Topper

Round tablecloths are easy to make and a simple way to dress up a small table and give it presence in a room. Often round tables are inexpensive bistro-type tables that may be a little flimsy. By adding a rich tablecloth topper, the table will immediately look larger and more substantial because the thin legs will be somewhat hidden from view and the tablecloth will draw the gaze to the top of the table. A table topper is also used over the top of a second tablecloth. Usually the second tablecloth is longer and in a neutral color. The topper is easy to toss into the laundry after meals while the tablecloth underneath continues to look good. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure across the center of the round table. Determine how much of a drop you want from the edge of the table to the edge of the topper. Often this is 12 to 16 inches. Add the first measurement to twice the drop measurement plus 1 inch for hems.

2

Remove the selvage edge from the pre-laundered fabric. Selvage is the material at the sides of commercially made fabric. The selvage will often have pattern numbers or lettering and may be 1/2 to 1 inch wide. Cut your fabric to your calculated dimensions. Both the length and width are the same size.

3

Place your fabric face up on your table. Fold the fabric horizontally so that the fold is now at the top. Your fabric will have its face sides together at this point. Fold the fabric vertically. The top corner with the double fold is the center of the fabric. Place a safety pin in the corner. Add straight pins through the fabric to hold it in its folded position.

4

Attach a string to the safety pin in the corner. Tie your fabric pencil at the maximum distance where the tip can touch fabric with the pencil straight up and down. Draw a curve along the back side of the fabric. Cut the fabric along that curve with scissors.

5

Tuck 1/4-inch of fabric under twice and sew a double hem around the circle. Iron the hem flat.

How to Build Tables Out of Plywood

Carpentry today is often considered more art than science. But taken back to its basics, carpentry is simply defined as working with wood to build structures and furniture. The amateur carpenter can easily make functional furniture as easily as the professional. What makes the difference is the materials and tools he/she has to work with. An amateur must work with what materials are in his budget. A common building material you can get at any home repair or construction store is plywood. People often turn their noses down at it, considering it plebien and substandard for a carpenter to work with. While it may lack aesthetics, we must always remember that every great work had humble beginnings and every skilled artisan had to start somewhere. Here is a guide on how to build a functional table entirely out of plywood. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Making A Plywood Table.

1

Start by measuring and marking out a three foot by six foot rectangle of plywood. Use the table saw to cut out the plywoods dimensions.

2

Measure out eight lengths of plywood each three feet long and four inches wide. Cut these pieces with the circular saw.

3

Pair each of the lengths of plywood up. Pour wood glue along a flat of one of each pair and press the pairs together so you have four plywood legs each three feet long, four inches wide, and one and a half inch thick. Use the C Clamps to hold these legs together tightly until the glue dries.

4

Lay the plywood table top on the ground and measure out a small rectangle at each of the tables four corners. Each should be one and a half inches wide and four inches long. These are well the tables legs will go. Mark an outline where each leg will go.

5

Measure the distance from each spot where a table leg will go to its opposite. This should give you four lengths. Using these lengths you will cut four more pieces of plywood that will sit on the underside of the table to stabilize the legs. Two of the plywood lengths should be five feet and four inches long by one and a half inches wide. The other two lengths should be four inches wide by two feet and nine inches long. Make the appropriate cuts with your table saw.

6

Line each of these four lengths with glue and place press them onto the underside of the table, flush with the edges. Make sure that these lengths abut with the pencil outlines of where the legs will go, but do note cross it. Hammer the 1-1/4 inch nails into the stabilizing lengths; the nails should bury themselves in the wood before they go through the tabletop.

7

Use the palm sander to smooth all the surface of the tabletop, the stabilizers beneath it, and the table legs that are still separate. Just give it a good once over to get rid of the splinters with the rough sandpaper. You will still have to sand the finished piece once more before youre finished.

8

Put wood glue on the spots on the underside of the table where the legs will go, then press the legs firmly into place. Hammer the two inch nails into the narrow sides of each leg so it buries itself into the stabilizing piece of plywood next to it.

9

Measure and mark four more lengths of plywood. Two of them should be four inches wide by six feet and one and half inches long. The other two should be four inches wide by three feet long. These pieces will make the tables apron.

10

Run wood glue along the narrow edges of the table, press each plywood board flat against its corresponding edge so its flush with the tables top. Hammer the two inch nails into the apron from the side to firmly affix them. Try to put the nails in so they slip into the seam between the plywood making up the tabletop and the plywood stabilizers. You dont want the nails to be too high and near the surface of the tabletop.

11

Go around the table and try to hammer each nail head that is visible so its slightly below the surface of the surrounding wood. With this done, you can then cover over the nail heads with wood putty to conceal them. Use the putty knife to smooth the putty flush with the surrounding surfaces. Make sure the putty is dry before continuing.

12

Use the precision router with the inch rounded head to decorate the edge of the table. Place the router firmly against the top edge of the table and cut an inward curving groove along all four sides. This small gesture toward ornamentation will really make a difference in your finished table.

13

Work the palm sander thoroughly over every visible surface of the wood table. Use the rough paper first, and then go over it again with the fine paper so the table is perfectly smooth to the touch. Stand back and admire your work, youve just built your own table out of nothing by plywood.

How to Set Up a Homeschool Dining Room

Setting up a homeschool dining room involves a combination of organized school materials and the necessary amount of space in which students can complete their studies. Having learning materials readily available in one location keeps the homeschool dining room clutter-free and ready for conversion back into a dining area when needed. Involving the homeschool students in preparing the room for school can take a load off the teacher and help them remember where everything goes so they can put their studies away without assistance.

Instructions

1

Provide seating and table space for each student. If the dining room table does not have enough chairs or table space for all students to work together, consider setting up a folding table and chairs to accommodate extra students.

2

Setting aside bumpy objects that ordinarily adorn the table, such as tablecloths, centerpieces or place mats. Students must be able to write on sheets of paper on the tabletop without other objects inhibiting their writing.

3

Supply a bookcase or bookcases large enough to accommodate all books, school supplies, references and teacher's manuals.

4

Classify which study materials apply to all students' studies and which are student-specific. Keep all-purpose reference materials, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries, on a shelf where everyone can access them.

5

Organize student-specific study guides and notebooks in buckets or containers that fit on the bookshelf and can slide in and out. Label each child's container with a sticky note or masking tape, and keep it within that child's reach on the shelf.

6

Dedicate a container or drawers to school supplies. Arrange supplies such as scissors, tape, glue, pencils, crayons, markers and calculators in the container for everyone to access as needed.

7

Determine whether the teacher will need a chalkboard or dry erase board to write on. If needed, hang a chalkboard or dry-erase board on the wall across from the table where students can all view it. Alternately, if the home owner does not want to install a semi-permanent board, situate a free-standing board on the floor where students can see it. The home owner can move the board out of the room for dining or entertaining purposes.

8

Devote a container in which students can place submitted schoolwork for grading. Calvert School recommends stacking trays or crates with hanging files.

Decorating a Dining Table With Scarfs

Instead of leaving your dining table's surface unadorned during holidays and celebrations, you can decorate it with scarves. Due to the many colors, patterns, and weaves of these pieces of fabric, you can find some that will complement your dining area and add festivity to the season. The best part is that you don't have to be well-versed in interior decorating to make this idea a success. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Layered Scarves

1

Unfold the large square scarf in the color, pattern, and fabric you desire.

2

Place the scarf with two of the corners pointing toward the ends of your square table, so it appears to be a diamond shape when you stand at the head, foot, or sides of the table.

3

Place the smaller scarf on top of the larger scarf either with the corners lined up or not. No matter which way you place the smaller scarf, the larger scarf will form a border under it.

Striped Effect

4

Place one long, rectangular scarf lengthwise on top of the table.

5

Place another rectangular scarf on top of, and parallel to, the first scarf. Leave 2 to 3 inches of the bottom scarf peeking out.

6

Repeat Step 2 with the rest of the scarves until you have created a striped effect.

How do I Set Up a Dining Tarp?

A dining tarp can be set up to provide shade from the sun and protection from rain while you're eating outdoors. The dining tarp can be used in areas where pavilions aren't readily available and temporary cover is needed. Trees and ropes can be used to support the tarp above the dining area.

Instructions

1

Find a place to set up a dining area. Select an area higher in elevation than the rest of the camp to provide proper drainage during rainy weather. Look for two trees directly across from each other. Fold the tarp in half so it forms a triangle. Stretch the tarp between the two trees to ensure it fits.

2

Lean a ladder up against the trunk of one of the trees. Climb the ladder to a height that allows the tarp to be high enough above the dining area to allow proper head clearance. Tie one end of the rope around the trunk of the tree. Lean the ladder up on the adjacent tree and pull the rope tight and tie it around the tree at the same level as the other tree.

3

Throw the tarp up over the rope so that two of its corners are pointing toward the trees around which the rope is tied. The tarp will look like an upside-down triangle at this point. Take short pieces of rope and thread them through the eyelets on each end of the tarp and tie a knot in each one. Tie these ropes to the loops around the two trees to keep the tarp in place.

4

Take the two corners of the tarp hanging down in the middle and fasten a length of rope to each eyelet. Stretch the tarp out on each side and and tie these corners to trees a foot or two lower than the main rope line holding the tarp up in the middle.

How to Set the Tide Function on a Ripcurl Watch

The Rip Curl brand is an iconic brand for surfwear and accessories. In addition to its lines of surfboards and wetsuits, Rip Curl also has a line of watches that are designed to give users information about surfing. The Rip Curl watch can be set to display tide information, including high and low tide times at one of over 200 popular beaches. Setting and accessing the tide function will help you stay on top of the time and the surf so you can catch the choicest waves.

Instructions

1

Press the "Mode/Set" button once to initiate the tide set mode. Your watch will automatically display the name of the beach closest to you. Press and hold the "Lap/Reset" button to enter the tide beach setting mode.

2

Press the "Start/Stop" button to cycle through regions, and press "Mode/Set" to select your desired region. Press "Start/Stop" to flip through the country list. Then press "Mode/Set" again to lock in your choice.

3

Press "Start/Stop" to choose a beach, and then hold the "Mode/Set" button for two seconds to make this beach default. To view tide information for the day, press the "Start/Stop" button.

How to Make a Hinged Table With Folding Legs

Hinged tables save space in your house and store away in the basement when not in use. They are very convenient for house parties or a large card game. If you do not have a hinged table with folding legs, you can build your own with just a few pieces of wood and some tools. Even if you do not have excellent carpentry skills, you can put a table together that will fit your needs and allow you more space to entertain guests. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Lay out a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood and measure down six feet on the length. The plywood will be cut so it is 4-by-6-feet. Run a tape measure along the plywood and mark the desired cut location with a pencil at six feet for the length.

2

Line up the blade of a circular saw to the mark on the plywood and turn on the saw. Cut carefully along the line with the circular saw until the plywood has been cut. Repeat the process for the other measurement. This piece will be the top of the hinged table.

3

Turn the plywood over so the bottom is facing up. Measure down 10 inches from the edge of the plywood and mark the location on both sides. Repeat the process so there is a mark at each corner. Measure in from each side 1/3 of the width of the table and mark each location with a pencil. This will be where the hinges will be installed.

4

Line up the hinges at the desired spot and mark the hole locations with a pencil. Attach a 1/8-inch drill bit to a power drill and pre-drill holes for the hinges. Attach a hinge at each marked location so it is facing diagonally toward the middle of the table. Line up the hinge so the pre-drilled holes are clearly visible and screw it into place through the pre-drilled holes with wood screws and a power drill. Repeat the process for all four sides.

5

Secure a 3-foot metal table leg to each one of the hinges you installed. Lay the first leg down flat on the table and secure it to the hinge with the provided screws and a power drill. Repeat the process for all of the remaining hinges. Fold out the hinges and stand up the table to verify it stands properly. Close it back up when you are finished using it.

How to Plan a Dining Room

Developing a plan for your dining room begins with your own personal style. Whether you look to create a formal or casual place to gather for meals, consider any unique challenges the room has, such as an odd shape, large or small size or interesting features. Though these can be perceived as limitations, use them as a starting point to create a beautiful dining room you can enjoy for many meals to come. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Decide on a goal for the room. Consider if you would like to keep the room clear of clutter, provide a place for homework or simply create an inviting place to share a meal. To get a feel for the size, measure the room and any furniture that will be used in the room.

2

Unify the dining room with adjacent areas by complementing colors, flooring and style. This can be especially beneficial in small spaces to make the room feel larger.

3

Highlight a focal point for the room. Architectural and decorative elements, such as a fireplace, artwork or a display cabinet, are perfect focal points. This is where your personal style begins in the room; coordinate other decorative elements throughout the room for a unified style.

4

Decide on a furniture arrangement for major pieces, such as the table, buffet and display cabinet. Allow a minimum of 24 inches from the table edge to the wall behind to accommodate a seated person or 36 to 54 inches if there will be a pathway behind a chair. To figure how many people can fit around the table, allow 24 inches of table edge for each seat or 25 to 28 inches for a round table.

5

Select furnishings that are fitting for the room size and style. Massive furniture and rectangular tables work well in large rooms, while small rooms require smaller-scale furniture, such as round or glass-top tables. Choose an area rug a few feet larger than the table, in the style of the room to define the space -- this is especially helpful in a large room or for a dining area that is part of a great room.

6

Improve function of the room by creating light layers. Ambient light provides general illumination, task light is functional for example a pendant light over a buffet. Accent light can be incorporated in a wall niche or flickering candles. Dimmer switches are ideal for creating an intimate setting.

Bistro-Style Decorating

Bistro-style decor is known for its timeless beauty and charm. Most people create a bistro style in their kitchen to give it a sophisticated, faraway look. Bringing the look of France and Italy to your kitchen does not have to be a difficult task. With a few ideas and a creative imagination, you can create a bistro-style kitchen you will love and that your friends will envy. Does this Spark an idea?

Walls and Windows

Bistros usually have one bright color such as red or yellow, mixed with warm neutrals. Paint one wall red or yellow and paint all the other kitchen walls in a neutral color. Create a black-and-white tile backsplash. Awnings often adorn bistro windows. Create the same look in your kitchen by mounting two cafe rods together over a window to create a faux indoor awning. Use fabric and hot glue to create a scalloped edge on the awning. Another idea is to use a wrought-iron curtain rod with a neutral color curtain.

Accents

Accent the kitchen with dark wood cabinets and other woodwork, such as a kitchen island. Use bold-colored dishes, cups and serving items, both functionally and decoratively. A black-and-white checkered pattern is a popular accent for any bistro style. Use black-and-white checked hand towels, dishrags, rugs and aprons. Keep up the bistro theme by making food accessible in the kitchen. For example, place a bowl of bread on the table or fruit in a basket on the counter.

Seating

Wrought-iron tables best reflect Italian- and French-style cafes. Bring comfort to the table by attaching seat cushion to all the seats. Another idea is to go with small round wood tables painted in shiny black paint and covered in checkered tablecloths. Wicker is another option for bistro-style seating. You can also find wicker and wrought tables and chairs, which are ideal for a bistro kitchen. Place one or two flowers in a wine or milk bottle to use as a centerpiece for the table.

Accessories

Accessorize your kitchen with a variety of bright-colored appliances, such as an espresso machine, coffee grinder, standing mixer and food processor. Heavy-duty models are best, as those are what you would find in an authentic bistro. Feature a large chalkboard sitting on a pedestal with a hand-written menu. Alternatively, use the board for family communication. For French accessories, add topiaries, roosters and sunflowers around the kitchen. Use wrought-iron items such as pot racks, napkin holders and wine racks throughout the kitchen.

How to Clean a Glass Topped Dining Table

The beauty of a glass top dining table, whether oval, round or square, may be ruined by the sight of dust, smudges and fingerprints. While these units provide a certain level of elegance and sophistication, they are also dirt-prone. Glass top dining tables attract a substantial amount of dirt and require constant cleaning to maintain their appeal. Cleaning a glass top dining table is simple, and requires only a few minutes to complete. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Remove any objects on the glass surface and store them in a safe place.

2

Spray some household glass cleaner on the glass top surface. Wait a few minutes to allow the solution to penetrate dirt and stains.

3

Wipe the table with a clean, lint-free microfiber cloth. Wipe the table in circular motions until dust, smudges and fingerprints disappear. Use more force on tougher stains such spilled drinks and food.

4

Alternatively, create a mixture of white vinegar and water solution, and then apply the mixture on the glass table. Wait a few minutes for the vinegar to penetrate stains, and then wipe the table with a microfiber cloth.

5

Add a little lemon juice to your glass table top if you don't have vinegar. Wait a few minutes for the lemon juice's acid to dissolve dirt, and then wipe the surface until it's clean.

Thomas the Train Take & Go Directions

Thomas the Tank Engine is the main character of the British kids' show, "Thomas and Friends" which features Thomas --and friends-- on adventures around the train yard. The Thomas the Tank Engine Shake 'n Go train is a 1.2 lb moving train replica suitable for children ages 1-1/2 years and up. Fisher-Price produces these and other Shake 'n Go toys that move and make sounds with very little effort from the child. This train is suitable for children who are too young to operate push-button and pull-back car toys.

Instructions

1

Hold the train in your hands and gently shake it a few times.

2

Place the train on a flat surface and it will roll slowly across the table while making train sound effects.

3

Shake the train harder and it will travel farther across the flat surface and make more sound effects.

Learning About Tides for Kids

When visiting the beach, curious children may ask why the ocean rises so high at one point of the day and then drops so low at another. You can explain the nature of tides to children with a number of engaging activities. Whenever possible, look for hands-on demonstrations and explanations, always in keeping with the children's ages and learning levels.

Celestial Suspects

To teach children about the gravitational causes of tides, give them a few hints and then let the students work in small groups to solve the problem. For example, start the class by showing the students two pictures of the same beach or bay, one at high tide and another at low tide. Tell the class that they will have to work as detectives, in small groups, to determine the cause of the change in the water's height. Next, present the class with two more photographs, of the sun and the moon. Tell them that these photos are the prime suspects in their investigation. They have to figure out how either one, or both, are responsible.

Magnet Study

Use magnets, iron shavings and magnetized washers to demonstrate the magnetic effect on the earth's oceans. To give the presentation, have all the students gather around a central table. Show them a dish filled with iron shavings. Ask a student to dip the magnet close to the dish, coming very close to the shavings. Note how a few shavings will seemingly "leap" up to the magnet. Clean the magnet of shavings. Have another student hold the same magnet above a magnetized washer. Have the students note how close the magnet and washer must be for the attraction to pull them together. Integrate the lesson into the students' understanding of liquids and solids, helping them understand why the oceans bulge in attraction to the moon or sun, whereas the land masses remain relatively unmoved.

Spring and Neap Tides

After explaining the basic lunar influence on tides, provide students with a chart of tide levels over the course of the year. Have students work in groups to study the data and formulate hypotheses as to why there are more accentuated tides twice during the year. For older students, don't mention the sun's influence explicitly; let the groups arrive at the explanation either through inductive reasoning or through research.

Math Extension

For older kids, have your students create fictitious planets with different sizes and distances from the nearest moon and sun. Have the students hypothesize the effects of celestial bodies on the planet's tides. Award points based on the students' creative thinking and their coherent exposition of mathematical and logical processes, not on the specific values of their answers.

How to Make a Wooden Pub Table

Everybody loves a pub table because they are so versatile. Because of their size, they are easily stored away when not in use. In addition, a wooden pub table can add character to an otherwise dreary dining area. They come in various shapes and sizes, but if you cannot find one to match your needs, you can always build your own. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place the 36-inch MDF on a work table. Measure 8 inches in from all four edges, and make enough marks to draw a line around the perimeter of the tabletop. Place the framing square on the marks to draw the lines. Set aside for now.

2

Place the two 20-inch MDF pieces on a worktable. Make marks 16 inches from all four edges to give you a 4-by-4-inch square in the center. Next, make a mark in the center of each piece from two edges. Drill a countersink hole with the paddle bit on the center mark. Be careful not to drill more than 3/8 inch deep. Set one of these aside for now.

3

Drill eight countersink holes on 5-inch centers around the perimeter of the 20-inch piece of MDF. These holes will be used to secure the 36-inch MDF piece to the 20-inch MDF piece.

4

Apply glue to the top of the 4-by-4 post. Place the 20-inch MDF piece with the eight countersink holes on the top of the post. Be sure the 1-inch countersink hole is away from the glue. Install one of the lag screws through this piece and into the post. Be certain the post is in the 4-inch square from Step 2.

5

Apply glue inside the square drawn on the 36-inch square MDF piece. Place the 20-inch piece with the post attached to it inside that square. Secure the pieces together with the deck screws. Take care not to screw them all the way through both pieces.

6

Apply glue to the exposed end of the post. Place the remaining 20-inch MDF piece on the post with the 1-inch countersink hole facing away from the glue. Secure the MDF piece to the post with the lag screw. Allow glue to set overnight before painting.

How to Paint My Dinette Set in a White Tuscan Look

Warm neutrals like a Tuscan milky white are the basis of any Tuscan color palette. Warm, bright colors like those in Tuscan paint colors help to create an illusion of sunshine and warmth in a home. Give your dining room a sunny makeover by painting your dinette set in a white Tuscan look. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Lay down a protective drop cloth on the surface where you will be painting. This will protect the flooring from getting stripper, paint, etc. on it during the process. You should also consider doing this project outdoors or in a garage where small messes or spills won't be as disastrous.

2

Remove seats of chairs only if they are fabric. You can remove the seats by removing the four screws holding them in located underneath the seat of the chair. Save the screws.

3

Put on a pair of protective gloves and apply the stripper using a brush or cloth. Although the stripper is not difficult to use, it can be harmful if it comes in contact with your skin or eyes.

4

Remove the bubbled up layers of old finish that the stripper has begun to remove, using a flat stripper tool and/or steel wool. Remove excess stripper using a stripped wood cleaner and extra-fine steel wool. Dry overnight after completing this step.

5

Sand down the surface lightly with a very fine-grit sandpaper and then wipe with a clean cloth. Apply a coat of primer and allow it to dry according to the packaging instructions.

6

Paint the dinette set in the milky white color using a sponge applicator. A sponge applicator will allow for a smoother finish then a brush applicator. Allow ample drying time in between coats (two coats is typically sufficient).

7

Apply a coat of polyurethane to all painted surfaces and allow to dry according to the directions on the packaging (sometimes this product will need to cure for one week).

8

Screw the seats back onto the chairs, if applicable.

Great Dining Room Table Settings for Christmas

Typically, the traditional way of celebrating Christmas involves gathering around a dining room table to share a holiday meal with loved ones. Since the dining table is usually such a key element when celebrating Christmas, the setting should serve as an eye-catching backdrop that sets the tone for the holiday feeling you wish to create. Leave the dining room table set to serve as a decorative accessory throughout the Christmas season. Does this Spark an idea?

Rustic Christmas

If you enjoy being in the great outdoors, set a Christmas dining room table setting that utilizes natural elements to create a welcoming holiday feeling. Instead of using a tablecloth, set a red or green table runner down the center of your table, and set matching place mats at each seat. In the center of the table, place a silver tray topped with sprigs of pine needles, silver and gold ornaments and a pillar candle. Spray pinecones with spray adhesive, sprinkle gold glitter on top of them and set them in silver tealight holders; arrange the pinecones along the runner. Set each place with plain white plates, silver flatware and simple clear glasses.

Cool Blue and White

If your taste is not traditional, yet you want to create a definite Christmas vibe, set a table that evokes the image of snow and ice by using cool blue and white as the focal colors for your dining tables. Drape a cool blue satin tablecloth over the table, and top it with a white organza overlay. For a centerpiece, set a white pillar candle in the center of a large clear bowl, and surround it with light blue glass ornaments. Set white tealights in silver holders, and scatter them down the center of the table. If you have a chandelier, drape silver rope garland around it and suspend light blue glass ornaments from it. Use silver-rimmed white plates and light blue stemware for the place settings.

Candyland

This table idea is particularly nice if you have children and, even if you don't use it, to satisfy the kid in your heart. Lay a pastel tablecloth on the table, and run a light green runner on top of it. Fill a variety of glass jars with different types of candies -- candy canes, Starlite mints, green and red foil-wrapped chocolates and nonpareils, for example, and place them along the runner, along with silver scoops that guests can use to scoop out the candy. Set the table with a hodgepodge of different styles of light colored plates, and use different types of cups as well, such as colored aluminum and glass.

Traditional Christmas

Design a table that features a traditional Christmas scene. Use a red tablecloth as the backdrop for the setting. In the center of the table, place a small Christmas tree, complete with decorations and battery-operated lights. Wrap a piece of green fabric around the base of the tree, and place small wrapped packages on top of it. Plates that feature Christmas trees set on top of gold chargers and crystal goblets complete the setting.